Part 70 (1/2)
”I couldn't help it,” said Marjorie. ”I would not have come if I could have stayed at home.”
”Is that proud heart satisfied now?”
”Perhaps it oughtn't to be--if it is proud.”
”We will not argue about it now as there's somebody waiting for you down-stairs.”
”I don't want to see him--now.”
”Suppose he wants to see you.”
”Aunt Prue! I wish I could be selfish just a few minutes.”
”You may. A whole hour. You may be selfish up here all by yourself until the dinner bell rings.”
Marjorie laughed and drew the lounge afghan up about her shoulders. She was so happy that she wanted to go to sleep;--to go to sleep and be thankful. But the dinner bell found her in the parlor talking to Linnet; Prue and Hollis were chattering together in French. Prue corrected his p.r.o.nunciation and promised to lend him books.
The most inviting corner in the house to Marjorie was a cosey corner in the library; she found her way thither after dinner, and there Hollis found her, after searching parlors, dining-room, and halls for her. The cosey corner itself was an arm-chair near the revolving bookcase; Prue said that papa kept his ”pets” in that bookcase.
Marjorie had taken a book into her hand and was gathering a thought here and there when Hollis entered; he pushed a chair to her side, and, seating himself, took the book from her fingers.
”Marjorie, I have come to ask you what to do?”
”About your father's offer?”
”Yes. I should have written to-day. I fancy how he watches the mail. But I am in a great state of indecision. My heart is not in his plan.”
”Is your heart in buying and selling laces?”
”I don't see why you need put it that way,” he returned, with some irritation. ”Don't you like my business?”
”Do you?”
”I like what it gives me to do.”
”I should not choose it if I were a man.”
”What would you choose?”
”I have not considered sufficiently to choose, I suppose. I should want to be one of the mediums through which good pa.s.sed to my neighbor.”
”What would you choose for me to do?”
”The thing G.o.d bids you do.”
”That may be to buy and sell laces.”
”It may be. I hope it was while you were doing it.”
”You mean that through this offer of father's G.o.d may be indicating his will.”