Part 26 (1/2)
But even he disappointed her.
”Well, are you getting enough freedom?” she asked him pleasantly one evening as she met him coming in.
He looked about cautiously before he answered. ”Excuse me, miss,” he said apologetically, ”but you are away off on some things. Freedom is all right, but a little of it goes a long ways. Sometimes folks like company.
She,” he said, with an explanatory wave of his thumb toward the house, ”she is a pretty fair sort. I've got so danged sick of having my own way that, Holy Mackinaw, I'd try living with an orphan asylum for a change.
You see, I was just getting used to her, and so I kind of miss her cluttering around under foot.”
Eveley was quite annoyed at this turn of events, and her feeling of perturbation lasted fully half-way up the rustic stairs. But by the time she had crossed the roof garden and swung through the window she was herself again. She caught Marie about the shoulders and danced her through the room with a spinning whirl.
”Such a lark,” she cried. ”The most fun we are going to have. Listen, sweetest thing in the world, we are going to have a party to-night, you and I, and Nolan and Jimmy Ames. They are coming here, Jimmy for you of course, for I always get Nolan if he is in the party.”
”Oh, Eveley,” gasped Marie, paling a little. ”I can't. I--Mr. Hiltze said I should not meet men, you know.”
”Well, he is not the head of our family. And besides, he will not know a thing about this. You will love Jimmy Ames. I nearly do myself. He is so big and blond and boyish,--you know, the slow, good, lovey kind.”
”But he'll ask--”
”Don't worry. I know Jimmy Ames. After one look at you, he will not be able to ask questions for a month. Come, let's hurry. You must wear that exquisite little yellow thing, and I'll wear black to bring you out nicely.”
”Oh, Eveley, you mustn't--”
”Well, Nolan likes me in black, anyhow. He says it makes me look heavenly, and of course one ought to sustain an illusion like that if possible. Now do not argue, Marie. We are going to have a perfectly wonderful time, and you will be as happy as a lark.”
For a moment longer Marie hesitated, frowning into s.p.a.ce. Then she suddenly brightened, and a wistful eagerness came into her eyes.
”Eveley, I am going to do whatever you tell me. If you wish me to be of your party, I will. And if you say, 'Do not tell Mr. Hiltze,' I shall never tell him. And if you say, 'Like Mr. Ames,' I shall adore him.”
”That's a nice girl,” cried Eveley, happily whirling into her chair at the table and dropping her hat upon the floor at her side. ”I couldn't have planned anything nicer than this. Kitty and Arnold often have parties with us, but it will be much better having you and Jimmy. He looks very smart in his uniform.”
”Uniform,” faltered Marie suddenly.
”Yes,--Lieutenant Ames, you know,--Jimmy Ames.”
”Lieutenant? Oh, Eveley, please, let's not. I--am not fond of the military. I am afraid of soldiers. Let me--Have some one else dear, please. Get Kitty this time, won't you? I am afraid.”
”Wait till you see Jimmy. He isn't the snoopy overbearing kind that you are used to. Can't you trust me yet, Marie? I wouldn't have you meet any one who would be unpleasant or suspicious. You have found the rest of my friends all right, haven't you?”
”Well, never mind,” Marie decided suddenly. ”I will come to the party, but do not ever let Mr. Hiltze know, will you? He would be raging.”
”Marie, do you love Amos Hiltze?”
”Love him! I hate him.”
”Hate him? Then why in the world are you so afraid of him? You obey every word he says, and follow every suggestion he makes. I thought you were great friends.”
Marie flushed and paled swiftly. ”It is because I am grateful to him,”
she said at last, not meeting Eveley's eyes. ”He brought me to you,--and he helps me,--and I am, willing to do whatever he tells me except when you wish something else. But I do not like him personally by any means, and I wish he did not come here so much.”
”I thought you were friends,” Eveley repeated confusedly.