Part 11 (2/2)
”Why, there you are,” she said; ”I was jest thinking of coming round to see yer.”
Alison stood still when she was addressed, but she did not make any remark. Her intention was to go on as soon as ever Louisa had finished speaking. Louisa's own intention was quite different.
”Well, I am glad,” she continued. ”I have a lot of things to say. Do you know your place is filled up?”
”Yes,” said Alison, flus.h.i.+ng. ”Jim told me.”
”Jim!” repeated Louisa, with a note of scorn. ”Don't you think you are very free and easy with Mr. Hardy? And when did you see him?” she added, a jealous light coming into her eyes.
”He was at our house this afternoon. I must say good-evening now, Louisa. I am in a hurry; I am doing some errands for Grannie.”
”Oh, I don't mind walking a bit o' the way with you. You are going shopping, is it?”
”Well, yes; Christmas is near, you know.”
Alison felt herself shrinking more and more from Louisa. She hated her to walk by her side. It irritated her beyond words to hear her speak of Jim. She dreaded more than she could tell Louisa finding out how poor they were; nothing would induce her to get the bargain raisins or any of the other cheap things in her presence.
”I am rather in a hurry,” she said; ”perhaps you won't care to go so fast.”
”As it happens, I have nothing special to do. I'll go with you now, or I'll call in by and by and have a chat. I don't know that old Grannie of yours, but folks say she's quite a character. Jim said so last night when he was supping at our house.”
”I am sure he didn't,” muttered Alison under her breath angrily; but she refrained from making any comment aloud.
”Well,” said Louisa, ”you'd like to know what sort of girl is coming to Shaw's to take up your work?”
”I don't think I would,” replied Alison; ”I am really not interested.”
”I wonder you care to tell such lies, Alison Reed! Anyone can tell by your face that you are just burning with curiosity and jealousy.”
”You mustn't say such things to me,” said Alison; ”if you do, I won't walk with you.”
”Oh, my word, how grand we are!” said the other girl; ”how high and mighty, and all the rest of it! To be sure, Alison, you were a flat to run off the way you did that day. There is not a person in the shop that don't think you guilty, and small blame to 'em, I say. Poor Jim did fret a bit the first day or two, but I think he's pretty happy now; he comes to our house constant. He's very fine company is Jim, he sings so well; and did you know he had a turn for acting? We're getting up a little play for Christmas Eve, and Jim's to be the hero; I'm the heroine. My word! it's as pretty a bit of love-making as you'd often see. I tell you what it is, Alison; I'll give you an invitation.
You shall come and see it; you will now, won't you? I'll think you're devoured with jealousy if you don't. You will; say you will.”
Alison paused for a moment--a sort of inward rage consumed her. How dared Jim profess such love for her, and yet give up so much of his time to Louisa--how dared he make love to her even in play! A sudden fierce resolve came into her heart. Yes, she would see the acting--she would judge for herself. Christmas Eve, that was Thursday night--Thursday was a good way off from Tuesday, the day when she was to give Jim her answer. As she walked now by Louisa's side, she guessed what her answer would be--she would be careful and cautious--oh, yes, she would see for herself.
”I will come,” she said suddenly, and to Louisa's great surprise--”I will come, if you promise me one thing.”
”What's that?”
”Don't tell Jim Hardy--don't say anything about it. When he sees me he'll know, but don't tell him beforehand.”
Louisa burst into a loud, scathing laugh.
”To hear you speak, Alison,” she said, ”one would think that you were somebody of consequence to Mr. Hardy. Oh, dear--oh, dear, the conceit of some folks! Do you suppose it would make any _difference_ to him whether you came or not? But take my word for it, I won't tell him.”
”Thank you,” said Alison. ”Yes, I'll be there. What time shall I come?”
”The acting begins at nine o'clock, but there's supper first at eight; you had best come to supper. I will put you in a corner where you can't get even a sight of Jim's face, then you'll be easy and happy in your mind.”
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