Part 19 (2/2)
”How could you think such a thing!” she protested.
”Just a vague impression--caught, perhaps, from little gestures you sometimes made, little frowns that sometimes came to your brow, little flashes of hostility from your eyes.”
”I didn't mean it, comrade!” she said, demurely, while her eyes danced and her mouth twitched playfully.
”And you've fully weighed the cost?”
”Fully.”
”You know that you will be forced to spend most of your time in my office?”
”I'll try to endure it,” she laughed.
”Without a frown or a hostile look?”
”Unless you provoke it.”
Norman ate in silence for five minutes, listening to Barbara's girlish chatter while she bubbled over with the spirit of pure joy. Her whole being radiated fun and laughter as the sun pours forth heat and light.
He wondered where this magic secret of joyous womanhood had been hidden in the past.
”What a revelation you've been to me this morning,” he said, musingly, as he rose from the table.
”How?” she asked.
”I thought you were all seriousness and tragedy, eloquence and pathos.”
”We're in paradise now. The shadows have lifted.”
”And I find you a little ray of dancing sunlight.”
”So every girl would be if she had the chance.”
”And we're going to give them the chance here, little comrade!” he cried, with enthusiasm.
”I'll help you!” she earnestly responded, extending her hand with a tender look into the depth of Norman's soul.
CHAPTER XVII
A CALL FOR HEROES
The first business before the a.s.sembly of the Brotherhood was the permanent a.s.signment of work. The enthusiasm which swept the Socialists through the first week of joyous life could not last. No one expected it. The novelty of their surroundings, the surprise and elation of every one over the beauty and richness of their newly acquired empire, carried the pioneers over the opening days as in a dream. It all seemed like a great picnic--like the long-hoped-for holidays in life of which they had dreamed and never realized, yet which somehow had come to pa.s.s.
But the time was at hand to face the first big, sober reality of the new social system. The dining-hall was packed. Every member of the Brotherhood was present.
The orchestra played a lively air in a vain effort to revive the spirit of festivity with which every meeting had hitherto buzzed.
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