Part 17 (1/2)
Philip laughed. ”I don't think I am at all exceptional! why do you ask?”
She shrugged her shoulders. ”I have seen some of them,” she said slowly, ”and they are stupid. They shoot, shoot,--fish, fish, all day, and eat a great deal. . . .”
”My dear Miss Guldmar, I also do all these things!” declared Errington amusedly. ”These are only our surface faults. Englishmen are the best fellows to be found anywhere. You mustn't judge them by their athletic sports, or their vulgar appet.i.tes. You must appeal to their hearts when you want to know them.”
”Or to their pockets, and you will know them still better!” said Thelma almost mischievously, as she raised herself in her chair to take a cup of coffee from the tray that was then being handed to her by the respectful steward. ”Ah, how good this is! It reminds me of our coffee luncheon at Arles!”
Errington watched her with a half-smile, but said no more, as the others now came up to claim their share of her company.
”I say!” said Lorimer, lazily throwing himself full length on the deck and looking up at her, ”come and see us spear a salmon to-morrow, Miss Guldmar. Your father is going to show us how to do it in the proper Norse style.”
”That is for men,” said Thelma loftily. ”Women must know nothing about such things.”
”By Jove!” and Lorimer looked profoundly astonished. ”Why, Miss Guldmar, women are going in for everything nowadays! Hunting, shooting, bull-fighting, duelling, horse-whipping, lecturing,--heaven knows what!
They stop at nothing--salmon-spearing is a mere trifle in the list of modern feminine accomplishments.”
Thelma smiled down upon him benignly. ”You will always be the same,” she said with a sort of indulgent air. ”It is your delight to say things upside down? But you shall not make me believe that women do all these dreadful things. Because, how is it possible? The men would not allow them!”
Errington laughed, and Lorimer appeared stupefied with surprise.
”The men--would--not--allow them?” he repeated slowly. ”Oh, Miss Guldmar, little do you realize the state of things at the present day!
The glamor of Viking memories clings about you still! Don't you know the power of man has pa.s.sed away, and that ladies do exactly as they like?
It is easier to control the thunderbolt than to prevent a woman having her own way.”
”All that is nonsense!” said Thelma decidedly. ”Where there is a man to rule, he _must_ rule, that is certain.”
”Is that positively your opinion?” and Lorimer looked more astonished than ever.
”It is everybody's opinion, of course!” averred Thelma. ”How foolish it would be if women did not obey men! The world would be all confusion!
Ah, you see you cannot make me think your funny thoughts; it is no use!”
And she laughed and rose from her chair, adding with a gentle persuasive air, ”Father dear, is it not time to say good-bye?”
”Truly I think it is!” returned Guldmar, giving himself a shake like an old lion, as he broke off a rather tedious conversation he had been having with Macfarlane. ”We shall have Sigurd coming to look for us, and poor Britta will think we have left her too long alone. Thank you, my lad!” this to Sir Philip, who instantly gave orders for the boat to be lowered. ”You have given us a day of thorough, wholesome enjoyment. I hope I shall be able to return it in some way. You must let me see as much of you as possible.”
They shook hands cordially, and Errington proposed to escort them back as far as their own pier, but this offer Guldmar refused.
”Nonsense!” he exclaimed cheerily. ”With four oarsmen to row us along, why should we take you away from your friends? I won't hear of such a thing! And now, regarding the great fall of Njedegorze; Mr. Macfarlane here says you have not visited it yet. Well the best guide you can have there is Sigurd. We'll make up a party and go when it is agreeable to you; it is a grand sight,--well worth seeing. To-morrow we shall meet again for the salmon-spearing,--I warrant I shall be able to make the time pa.s.s quickly for you! How long do you think of staying here?”
”As long as possible!” answered Errington absently, his eyes wandering to Thelma, who was just then shaking hands with his friends and bidding them farewell.
Guldmar laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. ”That means till you are tired of the place,” he said good-humoredly. ”Well you shall not be dull if I can prevent it! Good-bye, and thanks for your hospitality.”
”Ah, yes!” added Thelma gently, coming up at that moment and laying her soft hand in his. ”I have been so happy all day, and it is all your kindness! I am very grateful!”
”It is I who have cause to be grateful,” said Errington hurriedly, clasping her hand warmly, ”for your company and that of your father. I trust we shall have many more pleasant days together.”