Part 33 (2/2)
There was a vista that drew them on, a gra.s.sy path skirting the foundations of scattered beeches and leading to a stile from which the charmed wanderer might drop into another division of Mrs. Dallow's property. She said something about their going as far as the stile, then the next instant exclaimed: ”How stupid of you--you've forgotten Mr.
Hoppus!”
Nick wondered. ”We left him in the temple of Vesta. Darling, I had other things to think of there.”
”I'll send for him,” said Julia.
”Lord, can you think of him now?” he asked.
”Of course I can--more than ever.”
”Shall we go back for him?”--and he pulled up.
She made no direct answer, but continued to walk, saying they would go as far as the stile. ”Of course I know you're fearfully vague,” she presently resumed.
”I wasn't vague at all. But you were in such a hurry to get away.”
”It doesn't signify. I've another at home.”
”Another summer-house?” he more lightly suggested.
”A copy of Mr. Hoppus.”
”Mercy, how you go in for him! Fancy having two!”
”He sent me the number of the magazine, and the other's the one that comes every month.”
”Every month; I see”--but his manner justified considerably her charge of vagueness. They had reached the stile and he leaned over it, looking at a great mild meadow and at the browsing beasts in the distance.
”Did you suppose they come every day?” Julia went on.
”Dear no, thank G.o.d!” They remained there a little; he continued to look at the animals and before long added: ”Delightful English pastoral scene. Why do they say it won't paint?”
”Who says it won't?”
”I don't know--some of them. It will in France; but somehow it won't here.”
”What are you talking about?” Mrs. Dallow demanded.
He appeared unable to satisfy her on this point; instead of answering her directly he at any rate said: ”Is Broadwood very charming?”
”Have you never been there? It shows how you've treated me. We used to go there in August. George had ideas about it,” she added. She had never affected not to speak of her late husband, especially with Nick, whose kinsman he had in a manner been and who had liked him better than some others did.
”George had ideas about a great many things.”
Yet she appeared conscious it would be rather odd on such an occasion to take this up. It was even odd in Nick to have said it. ”Broadwood's just right,” she returned at last. ”It's neither too small nor too big, and it takes care of itself. There's nothing to be done: you can't spend a penny.”
”And don't you want to use it?”
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