Part 7 (1/2)
”She was,” answered Aunt Agnes in a stern tone.
”Then you will be able to tell me if it is Mr. Dobbs or Dobson of Philadelphia, who is engaged to our Miss Bentley. I wrote it Dobbs, as seeming rather more distinguished. I agree with Mr. Spence that monosyllables are the most sympathetic.”
”I am very sorry to say his name is Dobson,” I answered.
Miss Kingsley sighed. ”What a pity! Mere accuracy and art come so often into collision that it is difficult at times for us artists to do justice to both. I expended much thought on that item.”
I felt greatly puzzled. It was evident she took it for granted that I knew who she was. But Aunt Agnes in attempting to enlighten me made my confusion all the greater.
”I presume, Virginia, that you are aware that Miss Kingsley is 'Alpha'?”
”'Alpha'?” I faltered.
”You must certainly have often read her column in the 'Sunday Mercury'?”
I looked embarra.s.sed, for I never had. But the source of the item which had appeared about me in that newspaper was now apparent.
Miss Kingsley blushed, and giggled convulsively. ”No offence. Quite natural, I'm sure. You have much better things to do than to read my articles, Miss Virginia. I only thought you might have happened to read Mr. Spence's 'Sonnet to Alpha' in our last issue.”
I was obliged to admit that I had not; and feeling that it was as well to make a clean breast of my ignorance, I acknowledged that I had never heard of Mr. Spence.
Miss Kingsley gave a little gasp, and looked amused.
”Virginia! I am astonished,” exclaimed Aunt Agnes. ”Your father gave me to understand that you had been spending a portion of the summer in self-improvement. Mr. Spence is one of the most original thinkers in the community. I cannot believe it possible that you have never heard of him.”
”Perhaps Miss Virginia may have read some of his poems or philosophy without knowing the author,” suggested Miss Kingsley. ”You must surely have heard of his 'Essay on the Economy of Speech,' which in my opinion is the most sympathetic thing he has done.”
”One of the most valuable contributions to the literature of pure thought that we have had in many years,” said Aunt Agnes.
I shook my head.
”Permit me,” said Miss Kingsley, fumbling in a little reticule on her lap and taking therefrom one of several cards, which she handed to me.
”This is a schedule of his new course of lectures on Moderation. He regards moderation as the most valuable virtue of our civilization, and is devoting his life to the promulgation of its importance.”
The printed card read as follows:--
LECTURES.
HAWTHORNE ROOMS.
SIX SUCCESSIVE SAt.u.r.dAYS,
BEGINNING DECEMBER THE TWENTY-EIGHTH.
_BY CHARLES LIVERSAGE SPENCE._
MODERATION.
December 28. General View of the Subject.
January 4. Tension and Torpor of the Nerves.