Part 15 (2/2)
”Yes.”
He kept his hat off; such little courtesies have their effect; also it was good for his hair which, he feared, had become a trifle thinner recently.
”It is beautiful weather,” said Mr. Brandes, squinting at her through his cigar smoke.
”Yes.” She looked down into the tumbling water.
”This is a beautiful country, isn't it, Miss Carew?”
”Yes.”
With his head a little on one side he inspected her. There was only the fine curve of her cheek visible, and a white neck under the chestnut hair; and one slim, tanned hand resting on the stone parapet.
”Do you like motoring?” he asked.
She looked up:
”Yes.... I have only been out a few times.”
”I'll have another car up here in a few days. I'd like to take you out.”
She was silent.
”Ever go to Saratoga?” he inquired.
”No.”
”I'll take you to the races--with your mother. Would you like to go?”
She remained silent so long that he became a trifle uneasy.
”With your mother,” he repeated, moving so he could see a little more of her face.
”I don't think mother would go,” she said.
”Would she let you go?”
”I don't think so.”
”There's nothing wrong with racing,” he said, ”if you don't bet money on the horses.”
But Rue knew nothing about sport, and her ignorance as well as the suggested combination of Saratoga, automobile, and horse racing left her silent again.
Brandes sat down on the parapet of the bridge and held his straw hat on his fat knees.
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