Part 21 (1/2)
”Much better Why is not every day like to-day?” Kathleen asked
”We should not appreciate it properly Work and play in thin slices ht, and pleasant dreams”
He turned to the chauffeur and told hi off his coat, and directed the staff with an energy that was almost superhuman With Denis Quirk and Cairns to control the paper, it was not to be marvelled at if the Grey Town people boasted of their daily paper
Soorous attack, vowed that he would start his old paper in opposition; but a short reflection showed hi
”Wait until Gerard returns!” he said, rubbing his thin hands together
”Then we shall see Quirk crumble up and fall into pieces Take away a man's reputation and you destroy him here in Grey Town”
CHAPTER XII
SYLVIA JACKSON
”Marry? Why should I? I aivesI ask for I know at least a score ofin feminine perfection I am perfectly content to remain as I am”
Sylvia Jackson, fair haired, ethereal, as Dese, rather sleepy, blue eyes, looked at Kathleen O'Connor in surprise
”But you ested Kathleen
”Love? I really don't knohat it means I have always liked to have a few men about me and know that they will do whatever I ask, even to destroying theirls were sitting in Kathleen's roo dress, as they had come frorate, a lahted and half turned up, but it shed a very subdued light on the room
Kathleen remembered that Desmond had done his utmost at the ball to monopolise Sylvia Jackson, that they had disappeared for a considerable portion of the evening She could still see her brother's flushed face and sparkling eyes as he returned from some dark corner with Sylvia on his aruest
”I fancied----,” she began in a disappointed voice
”Of course I like Desht
”He is so fresh and unconventional that we all like him at home He is the very nicest boy I know; but I am like a mother or an elder sister to him Why, I am centuries older than Dese of the world I shall find hiirl-wife, like you are, but I shall always expect him to remain on my staff”
”After he is nised thing, I assure you But I suppose we ly liest man I ever met!”
”That is because you don't know him Mr Quirk's face is the worst part of hily ood looks What queer old people those Quirks are! The old woman should be in the kitchen; I am sure she would feel more at home there”
Now, if there was one subject upon which Kathleen felt keenly, it was the virtues of Mrs Quirk She well knew that the old lady was laughed at and derided behind her back; but no one had dared hitherto to speak disrespectfully of her to Kathleen's face Reddening slightly, she answered:
”Mrs Quirk is the best and kindest woman I know; if you really wish to be friends with ainst her I shall quarrel with anyone who does that”
”Don't quarrel with ree with everybody, and for your sake Mr Denis Quirk shall be handsome, and Mrs Quirk as refined as she is rich”