Part 28 (1/2)
CHAPTER VII
This information seemingly conveyed no startling intelligence.
”Well,” replied Mrs. Winthrop, evidently awaiting a further statement.
”I haven't tried to win her love, nor have I told her that I love her, because I knew that in your plans for her future you had never included me. I know what you think about family, and I don't want to make ill return for the courtesy and kindness you and Mr. Winthrop have always shown me.”
”David, you have one rare trait--grat.i.tude. I did have plans for Carey--plans built on the basis of 'family'; but I have learned from you that there are other things, like the trait I mentioned, for instance, that count more than lineage. Before we went abroad I knew Carey was interested in you, with the first flutter of a young girl's fancy, and I was secretly antagonistic to that feeling. But last night, David, I came to feel differently. I envied your mother when I read those banners. If I had a son like you, I'd feel honored to take in was.h.i.+ng or anything else for him.”
At the look of ineffable sadness in his eyes her tears came.
”David,” she said gently, after a pause, ”if you can win Carey's love, I shall gladly give my consent.”
He thanked her incoherently, and was seized with an uncontrollable longing to get away--to be alone with this great, unbelievable happiness. In realization of his mood, she left him under pretext of ordering the luncheon. On her return she found him exuberant, in a flow of spirits and pleasantry.
”Mrs. Winthrop,” he said earnestly, as he was taking his departure, ”I am not going to tell Carey just yet that I love her.”
”As you wish, David. I shall not mention our conversation.”
She smiled as the door closed upon him.
”Tell her! I wonder if he doesn't know that every time he looks at her, or speaks her name, he tells her. But I suppose he has some foolish mannish pride about waiting until he is governor.”
When David, in a voice vibrant with new-found gladness, finished an eloquent address to a United Band of Workmen, he found Mr. Winthrop waiting for him.
”I was sent to bring you to the hotel to dine with us, David. My wife told me of your conversation.”
Noting the look of apprehension in David's eyes, he continued:
”Every time a suitor for Carey has crossed our threshold I've turned cold at the thought of relinquis.h.i.+ng my guardians.h.i.+p. With you it is different; I can only quote Carey's childish remark--'with David I would have no afraidments.'”
A touch upon his shoulder prevented David's reply. He turned to find Joe and Fletcher.
”Knowles has been looking for you everywhere. He wants you to come to headquarters at once.”
”Is it important?” asked David hesitatingly.
”Important! Knowles! Say, David, have you forgotten that you are running for governor?”
Winthrop laughed appreciatively.
”Go back to Knowles, David, and come to us when you can. We have no iron-clad rules as to hours. Go with him, Joe, to be sure he doesn't forget where he is going. Come with me, Fletcher.”
”It's too late to call now,” remonstrated Joe, when David had finally made his escape from headquarters.
David muttered that time was made for slaves, and increased his pace.