Part 21 (1/2)
”I have it here: may I read it to you?”
”Well--I don't know!--if you like. I can't say I care about reviews.”
”Of course not! n.o.body should. They are only thoughts about thoughts about things. But I want you to hear this!” pleaded Molly, drawing the paper from her pocket.
The review was of the shortest--long enough, however, to express much humorous comment for the kind of thing of which it said this was a specimen. It showed no suspicion of the presence in it of the things Walter had just said he saw there. But as Molly read, he stopped her.
”There is nothing like that in the story! The statement is false!” he exclaimed.
”Not a doubt of it!” responded Molly, and went on. But arrested by a certain phrase, Walter presently stopped her again.
”Molly,” he said, seizing her hand, ”is it any wonder I can not bear the thought of touching that kind of work again? Have pity upon me, Molly! It was I, I myself, who wrote that review! I had forgotten all about it! I did not mean to lie, but I was not careful enough not to lie! I have been very unjust to some one!”
”You could learn her name, and how to find her, from the publisher of the little book!” suggested Molly.
”I will find her, and make a humble apology. The evil, alas! is done; but I could--and will write another notice quite different.”
Molly burst into the merriest laugh.
”The apology is made, Walter, and the writer forgives you heartily! Oh, what fun! The story is mine! You needn't stare so--as if you thought I couldn't do it! Think of the bad grammar! It was not a strong point at Miss Talebury's! Yes, Walter,” she continued, talking like a child to her doll, ”it was little Molly's first! and her big brother cut it all up into weeny weeny pieces for her! Poor Molly! But then it was a great honor, you know--greater than ever she could have hoped for!”
Walter stared bewildered, hardly trusting his ears. Molly an auth.o.r.ess!--in a small way, it might be, but did G.o.d ever with anything begin it big? Here was he, home again defeated!--to find the little bird he had left in the nest beautifully successful!
The lords of creation have a curious way of patronizing the beings they profess to wors.h.i.+p. Man was made a little lower than the angels; he calls woman an angel, and then looks down upon her! Certainly, however, he has done his best to make her worthy of his condescension! But Walter had begun to learn humility, and no longer sought the chief place at the feast.
”Molly!” he said, in a low, wondering voice.
”Yes?” answered Molly.
”Forgive me, Molly. I am unworthy.”
”I forgive you with all my heart, and love you for thinking it worth while to ask me.”
”I am full of admiration of your story!”
”Why? It was not difficult.”
Walter took her little hand and kissed it as if she had been a princess.
Molly blushed, but did not take her hand from him. Walter might do what he liked with her ugly little hand! It was only to herself she called it ugly, however, not to Walter! Anyhow she was wrong; her hand was a very pretty one. It was indeed a little spoiled with work, but it was gloved with honor! It were good for many a heart that its hands were so spoiled! Human feet get a little broadened with walking; human hands get a little roughened with labor; but what matter! There are others, after like pattern but better finished, making, and to be ready by the time these are worn out, for all who have not s.h.i.+rked work.
Walter rose and went up the stairs to his own room, a chamber in the roof, crowded with memories. There he sat down to think, and thinking led to something else. Molly sat still and cried; for though it made her very glad to see him take it so humbly, it made her sad to give him pain. But not once did she wish she had not told him.
CHAPTER x.x.xI.
THIS PICTURE AND THIS.
After awhile, as he did not appear, Molly went up to find him: she was anxious he should know how heartily she valued his _real_ opinion.
”I have got a little poem here--if you can call it a poem--a few lines I wrote last Christmas: would you mind looking at it, and telling me if it is anything?”