Part 22 (2/2)
Your mother would have; she come of quality stock, and what in the Lord's name she ever saw in me I've been, a-guessin' an' a-guessin' for the last eighteen year.”
”But Dad, Peggy Stewart has never, never made either you or me feel the least shade of difference in our stations. Neither has Polly Howland.
They couldn't be lovelier to me, though I know you have never been at Severndale as guests have been there. But it has never seemed to strike me until now. And down at the school the girls are awfully nice to me; at least, most of them are. Those who are patronizing are that way because they are so to everybody. But the really nice girls are lovely, and I am sure they'd never think of being rude to you.”
”Little girl, listen to your old Dad: There are some things in this world not to be got around. I'm one of 'em. Peggy Stewart and Polly Howland are thoroughbreds an' thoroughbreds ain't capable of no low-down sn.o.bbishness. They know their places in the world and there's nothing open to discussion. An' they're too fine-grained to scratch other folks the wrong way. But, some of them girls up yonder are cross-breeds--oh, yes, I've been a-watchin' 'em an' I know,--tain't no use to argue. They kin prance an' cavort an' their coats are sleek an' s.h.i.+nin', but don't count on 'em too much when it comes right down to disposition an'
endurance, 'cause they'll disappoint you. I ain't never told you honey, that your mother was a Bladen. Well, she was. Some day I'm going to tell you how she fell in love with a good-lookin' young skalawag by the name o' Jim Bolivar. He comes o' pretty decent stock too, only he hadn't sense enough to stay at St. John's where his dad put him, but had to go rampagin' all over the country till he'd clean forgot any bringin'-up he'd ever had, and landed up as a sort o' bailiff, as they call 'em over in the old country, on an estate down on the eastern sh.o.r.e. Then he met Helen Bladen and 's sure's you live she 'changed the name and not the letter and changed for a heap sight worse 'n the better' when she eloped with me. Thank the Lord she didn't live long enough to see the worst, and you hardly remember her at all. But that's my pretty history,--a no-count, ne'er do well, and if it weren't for Peggy Stewart, G.o.d bless her! you'd a been lyin' 'long side o' yo' ma out yonder this minute, for all I'd ever a-done to keep you here, I reckon, much less give you the education you're a-gettin' now. No, honey, I won't go up to the great house. If I'd a-done right when I was a boy I'd be sittin' right up there with the rest o' that bunch o' people this minute. But I was bound to have my fling, and sow my wild oats and now I can have the pleasure of harvestin' my crop. It ought to be thistles, for if ever there was a jacka.s.s that same was Jim Bolivar.”
Nelly had listened to the pitiful tale without comment, but when it ended she placed her arms about her father's neck and sobbed softly. She had never mentioned this little talk to anyone, but it was seldom far from her thoughts, and now her father was coming to Was.h.i.+ngton.
Peggy slipped her arm about her and asked:
”What makes you look so sober, Nellibus?”
”Because I'm a silly, over-sensitive goose, I dare say.”
Peggy looked puzzled.
Nelly handed her her father's letter. Peggy read it, then turned to look straight into Nelly's eyes, her own growing dark as she raised her head in the proud little poise which made her so like her mother's portrait.
”When he comes I think matters will adjust themselves,” was all she said.
The following Friday afternoon Jim Bolivar was ushered into the pretty little reception room by Horatio Hannibal, who went in quest of Nelly.
As she had no idea of the hour her father would arrive, she was preparing to go for a ride with a number of the girls, for the day was a heavenly one; a late March spring day in Was.h.i.+ngton.
”Miss Bol'var, yo' pa in de 'ception room waitin' fo' to see yo', Miss,”
announced Horatio.
”I'll go right down. Sorry I can't go with you, girls.”
”May we come and see him just a minute before we start!” asked Peggy quickly, while Polly came eagerly to her side.
”Of course you may. Dad will love to see you,” was Nelly's warm response.
”We won't keep you waiting long, girls,” said Peggy, ”we'll join you at the porte cochere.”
Arrayed in their habits, Peggy, Polly and Nelly hurried away.
”Wonder what he looks like,” said Juno idly as she drew on her gauntlets.
”Bet he's nice if he's anything like Nelly,” said Rosalie.
”Isn't it funny you girls never saw him while you were at Severndale?”
said Lily Pearl.
”Perhaps he's not the kind Nelly Bolivar cares to have seen,” was Helen's amiable remark, accompanied by a shrug and a knowing look.
”Why, what do you mean, Helen?” asked Natalie with some spirit.
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