Volume Ii Part 20 (1/2)
”One of our own ? where?” said he.
”In India,” said Fleda with a glance ? ”and there are I don't know how many trains leading to it ? so, better hands off, Sir.”
”Where did you pick up such a spite against us?” said Mr.
Stackpole, drawing a little back and eyeing her as one would a belligerent mouse or cricket. ”Will you tell me now that Americans are not prejudiced?”
”What do you call prejudice?” said Fleda, smiling.
”Oh, there is a great deal of it, no doubt, here, Mr.
Stackpole,” said Mrs. Evelyn, blandly; ”but we shall grow out of it in time; it is only the premature wisdom of a young people.”
”And young people never like to hear their wisdom rebuked,”
said. Mr. Stackpole, bowing.
”Fleda, my dear, what for is that little significant shake of your head?” said Mrs. Evelyn, in her amused voice.
”A trifle, Ma'am.”
”Covers a hidden rebuke, Mrs. Evelyn, I have no doubt, for both our last remarks. What is it, Miss Fleda? ? I dare say we can bear it.”
”I was thinking, Sir, that none would trouble themselves much about our foolscap if we had not once made them wear it.”
”Mr. Stackpole, you are worsted! ? I only wish Mr. Carleton had been here!” said Mrs. Evelyn, with a face of excessive delight.
”I wish he had,” said Fleda, ”for then I need not have spoken a word.”
”Why,” said Mr. Stackpole, a little irritated, ”you suppose he would have fought for you against me?”
”I suppose he would have fought for truth against anybody, Sir,” said Fleda.
”Even against his own interests?”
”If I am not mistaken in him,” said Fleda, ”he reckons his own and those of truth identical.”
The shout that was raised at this by all the ladies of the family made her look up in wonderment.
”Mr. Carleton,” said Mrs. Evelyn, ”what do you say to that, Sir?”
The direction of the lady's eye made Fleda spring up and face about. The gentleman in question was standing quietly at the back of her chair ? too quietly, she saw, to leave any doubt of his having been there some time. Mr. Stackpole uttered an e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n, but Fleda stood absolutely motionless, and nothing could be prettier than her colour.
”What do you say to what you have heard, Mr. Carleton?” said Mrs. Evelyn.
Fleda's eyes were on the floor, but she thoroughly appreciated the tone of the question.
”I hardly know whether I have listened with most pleasure or pain, Mrs. Evelyn.”
”Pleasure!” said Constance.
”Pain!” said Mr. Stackpole.