Part 40 (2/2)
She covered her face with her hands; the tears were streaming through her fingers. He went on pitilessly; his blood was too hot now for softness.
”You don't see anything to be grateful for in what he did for you. On the contrary, his kindly affection for Gracie is a cause of complaint!
You coolly tell me I don't know the things he has done, and how he has behaved to you! 'Prince Charlie'--yes. Gracie was right in naming him so. He is a prince; a Real Prince. The child has more grat.i.tude in her little finger than you----”
She stopped him. Would not let him continue. Placed a hand over his mouth as she cried:
”d.i.c.k, you are breaking my heart!”
CHAPTER x.x.xII
RESUMPTION OF d.i.c.k'S GOOD TEMPER
Although she had got her arms round him again, Mabel could not stop d.i.c.k's voice. He had something to say and was determined to say it; felt wound up to go.
”Breaking your heart!” he commented contemptuously. ”You have already broken his; but you will have Percy to mend yours.”
”Percy! How dare you suggest such a thing!”
He looked at her astonished; was startled into absolute amazement at the indignation in her voice as she broke away from him.
”Dare! Well----”
”Percy!” She repeated the name scornfully. ”You know I hate, detest, despise, loathe him.”
Her face was so very expressive just then that there could be no doubt she was saying what she meant. d.i.c.k was quick to realize that. Was so astonished at the turn matters had taken that he could only e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.e:
”Eh!”
A small word, but all he felt capable of shaping just then; was his way of expressing the unutterable mystification and astonishment which had gripped hold of him.
”You _know_ it, d.i.c.k!” Boot on floor: tattoo resumed. ”Don't stand there with that idiotic vacant look on your face, as if you were surprised to hear it.”
Surprised! It was a feeble description; idiotic was distinctly better.
He stood as one paralysed, listening whilst she excitedly continued:
”I have told you so dozens, hundreds, thousands, millions of times!”
Trust a woman if she picks up figures to shed them with a lavish hand!
The blank look on d.i.c.k's face intensified. He shook his head in utter hopelessness; the mystery was too much for him. He was dealing with a woman, and--and--well, he was only an average specimen of a man after all!
”Do I sleep?” He found voice at last; quoted: ”Do I dream? Or are visions about?”
”I felt mad when I got the letter to say you insisted on the Chantrelles coming here for Christmas. But I didn't like to disappoint you, d.i.c.k, the moment of your home-coming, too.”
”I insisted?” He was all eagerness as he blurted out the question. ”Who says I insisted?”
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