Part 14 (1/2)
Lois closed her book.
”Who says that?” Philip inquired.
”G.o.d himself, by his messenger.”
”And to whom?”
”I think, just now, the words come to you, Mr. Dillwyn.” Lois said this with a manner and look of such simplicity, that Philip was not even reminded of the cla.s.s of monitors he had in his mind a.s.signed her with.
It was absolute simple matter of fact; she meant business.
”May I look at it?” he said.
She found the page again, and he considered it. Then as he gave it back, remarked,
”This does not tell me yet _what_ this satisfying food is?”
”No, that you can know only by experience.”
”How is the experience to be obtained?”
Again Lois found the words in her book and showed them to him.
”'Whosoever drinketh of the water _that I shall give him_'--and again, above, 'If thou knewest the gift of G.o.d, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and _he would have given thee_ living water.' Christ gives it, and he must be asked for it.”
”And then--?” said Philip.
”Then you would be _satisfied_.”
”You think it?”
”I know it.”
”It takes a great deal to satisfy a man!”
”Not more than it does for a woman.”
”And you are satisfied?” he asked searchingly.
But Lois smiled as she gave her answer; and it was an odd and very inconsistent thing that Philip should be disposed to quarrel with her for that smile. I think he wished she were _not_ satisfied. It was very absurd, but he did not reason about it; he only felt annoyed.
”Well, Miss Lothrop,” he said as he rose, ”I shall never forget this conversation. I am very glad no one came in to interrupt it.”
Lois had no phrases of society ready, and replied nothing.
CHAPTER VII.
THE WORTH OF THINGS.
Mr. Dillwyn walked away from Mrs. Wishart's in a discontented mood, which was not usual with him. He felt almost annoyed with something; yet did not quite know what, and he did not stop to a.n.a.lyze the feeling. He walked away, wondering at himself for being so discomposed, and pondering with sufficient distinctness one or two questions which stood out from the discomposure.
He was a man who had gone through all the usual routine of education and experience common to those who belong to the upper cla.s.s of society, and can boast of a good name and family. He had lived his college life; he had travelled; he knew the princ.i.p.al cities of his own country, and many in other lands, with sufficient familiarity. Speaking generally, he had seen everything, and knew everybody. He had ceased to be surprised at anything, or to expect much from the world beyond what his own efforts and talents could procure him. His connections and a.s.sociations had been always with good society and with the old and established portions of it; but he had come into possession of his property not so very long ago, and the pleasure of that was not yet worn off. He was a man who thought himself happy, and certainly possessed a very high place in the esteem of those who knew him; being educated, travelled, clever, and of n.o.ble character, and withal rich.