Part 28 (2/2)
That night Garnet lingered in his wife's room to ask--
”Do you think Barb really missed the road, or was that----”
”Yes, they took the old creek road by mistake.”
”Has Fair--said anything to her?”
”No; she didn't expect or wish it----”
”Well, I don't see why.”
--”And he's hardly the sort to do unexpected things.”
”They've agreed to ride right after breakfast. What d'you reckon that's for?”
”Not what you wish. But still, for some reason she wants you to leave him entirely to himself.”
College being in session breakfast was early.
”Barb, you'll have to take care of Mr. Fair to-day, I reckon. You might take my horse, sir. I'll be too busy indoors to use him.”
The girl and her cavalier took but a short gallop. They had nearly got back to the grove gate when he ventured upon a personal speech; but it was only to charge her with the art of blundering cleverly.
She a.s.sured him that her blunders were all nature and her art accident.
”Whenever I want to be witty I get into a hurry, and haste is the an-ti-dote of wit.”
”Miss Garnet,” he thought, as her eyes rested calmly in his, ”your gaze is too utterly truthful.”
”Ah!” said Barbara, ”here's Mr. March now.”
Fair wished he might find out why Miss Garnet should be out-man[oe]uvring her father.
x.x.xI.
MR. FAIR VENTURES SOME INTERROGATIONS
The air was full of joy that morning, and John boyishly open and hearty.
”Fact is, Mr. Fair, I don't care for young ladies' company. Half of them are frauds and the rest are a delusion and a snare--ha-ha-ha! Miss Garnet is new goods, as the boys say, and I'm not fas.h.i.+onable. Even our mothers ain't very well acquainted yet; though my mother's always regretted it; their tastes differ. My mother's literary, you know.”
”They say Miss Garnet's a great romp--among other girls--and an unmerciful mimic.”
”Don't you rather like that?”
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