Part 4 (2/2)
I had been falling from a seventh heaven of hope for some time, but at this moment I struck reality with a thump that almost made me sick and giddy. The expression of my face reminded her of the irrelevancy of her remark, and she blushed slightly, but laughed it off, saying:
”Pardon me, that I followed my own thoughts for a moment rather than yours. These matters, no doubt, seem mere trifles to you gentlemen, but they are weighty questions to us girls who have to make a little go a great way. Won't you, please, repeat what you said about that lady who wrote a book for the sake of its binding? I think it's a pretty idea.”
I was so incensed that I answered as I should not have done. ”She was remarkably successful. Every one looked at the binding, but were soon satisfied to look no farther.”
I was both glad and vexed that she did not catch my meaning, for she said, with a smile:
”It would make a pretty ornament.”
”It would not be to my taste,” I replied briefly. ”The beautiful binding would hold out the promise of a good book, which, not being fulfilled, would be tantalizing.”
”Do you know the lady well?”
”Yes, I fear I do.”
”How strangely you look at me!”
”Excuse me,” I said, starting. ”I fear I followed your example and was thinking of something else.”
But I let what I was thinking about slip out.
”It was indeed a revelation. My thoughts will not interest you, I fear.
The experience of a man who saw a mirage in the desert came into my mind.”
”I don't see what put that into your head.”
”Nor do I, now. The world appears to me entirely matter-of-fact.”
”I'm glad to hear you say that. Mother is always talking to me about spiritual meanings and all that. Now I agree with you. Things are just what they are. Some we like, and some we don't like. What more is there to say about them? I think people are very foolish if they bother themselves over things or people they don't like. I hope mother will take you to board, for I would like to have some one in the house who looks at things as I do.”
”Thanks. Woman's intuition is indeed unerring.”
”I declare, there comes Silas Jones with his new top-buggy. You won't mind his making one of our party, will you?”
”I think I will go to my room and rest awhile, and thus I shall not be that chief of this world's evils--the odious third party.” And I rose decisively.
”I'd rather you wouldn't go,” she said. ”I don't care specially for him, and he does not talk half so nicely as you do. You needn't go on his account. Indeed, I like to have half a dozen gentlemen around me.”
”You are delightfully frank.”
”Yes, I usually say what I think.”
”And do as you please,” I added.
”Certainly. Why shouldn't I when I can? Don't you?”
”But I came from the wicked city.” ”So does Emily Warren.”
<script>