Part 19 (2/2)
Jane felt that it was time to change the subject.
”People are queer,” she remarked.
”I've heard that before,” said Paul, rubbing his nose, ”I've observed it, and I know it.”
”I think you're sort of detestable to-night.”
”It's your fault, then. I think you've ruined my disposition for life.
The next thing you'll be trying to make me be sweet to that fat old dowager with the moustaches!”
”_Hush_, Paul! That's Mrs. Deacon.”
”n.o.body could hear me in all this noise. She seems in an awful stew about something, doesn't she?”
Jane did not answer. Paul stared at her.
”What's the matter with you? You look as if you were going to have a fit.” Still Jane did not answer. There was indeed a frozen look on her face.
”Well,” said Paul, eyeing her, ”what have you been up to now?”
”N-nothing,” said Jane.
”That won't go with me, old salt. What have you done to that poor, defenseless old widow?”
”I-I'm afraid I've made rather a mess,” Jane confessed, faintly.
”Oh, I'm quite sure of that. And you won't catch me coming to the rescue again. Here I am and here I stay until I go home under Uncle Peter's sheltering wing. Well, what have you done?”
”I-I didn't mean-”
”Of course not. Your kind never do. They'll have a revolution in this town, if they keep you here until you've grown up-which I doubt very much.” Then, seeing that she was really distressed, he patted her hand, and said, consolingly, ”There, tell your Aunt Rebecca what you've done-I'll help you out, if I must.”
”No one can help me,” said Jane, darkly.
”Is it murder this time? Well, tell me anyhow. I'm always prepared for the worst with you.”
”Don't tease, Paul. I sent her sleigh away,” said Jane, with the calm of deep trouble.
”You-_what_?”
”I said-I sent Mrs. Deacon's sleigh away.”
There was a pause, during which Paul made every effort to guess what earthly designs Jane had had in perpetrating such a peculiar deed. Then he gave up.
”You have something against Mrs. Deacon?” he suggested, delicately. ”You don't like her moustaches, perhaps? Or perhaps you think that a five mile walk would be good for her health?”
Jane was not listening.
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