Part 3 (2/2)
”Oh, everybody likes their brothers and sisters after a fas.h.i.+on, but one doesn't care to be bothered with them when they are little.
Besides, children rumple and spoil my dress,” and she looked down at herself approvingly.
”Now, there's Emily Warren,” continued my ”embodiment of June.” ”Mother is beginning to hold her up to me as an example. Emily Warren is half the time doing things that she doesn't like, and I think she's very foolish. She is telling Zillah a story over there under that tree. I don't think one feels like telling stories right after dinner.”
”Yes, but see how much Zillah enjoys the story.”
”Oh, of course she enjoys it. Why shouldn't she, if it's a good one?”
”Is it not possible that Miss Warren finds a pleasure in giving pleasure?”
”Well, if she does, that is her way of having a good time.”
”Don't you think it's a sweet, womanly way?”
”Ha, ha, ha! Are you already smitten with Emily Warren's sweet, womanly ways?”
I confess that I both blushed and frowned with annoyance and disappointment, but I answered lightly, ”If I were, would I be one among many victims?”
”I'm sure I don't know,” she replied, with her slight characteristic shrug, which also intimated that she didn't care.
”Miss Warren, I suppose, is a relative who is visiting you?”
”Oh, no, she is only a music teacher who is boarding with us. Mother usually takes two or three boarders through the summer months, that is if they are willing to put up with our ways.”
”I suppose it's correct to quote Scripture on Sunday afternoon. I'm sure your mother's ways are those of pleasantness and peace. Do you think she would take me as a boarder?”
”I fear she'll think you would want too much city style.”
”That is just what I wish to escape from.”
”I think city style is splendid.”
”Why?”
”Oh, the city is gay and full of life and people. I once took walks down Fifth Avenue when making a visit in town, and I would be perfectly happy if I could do so every day.”
”Perfectly happy? I wish I knew of something that would make me perfectly happy. Pardon me, I am only a business man, and can't be expected to understand young ladies very well. I don't understand why walking down Fifth Avenue daily would make you happy.”
”Of course not. A man can't understand a girl's feelings in such matters.”
”There is nothing in New York so beautiful as this June day in the country.”
”Yes, it's a nice day: but father says we need more rain dreadfully.”
”You have spoiled your rose.”
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