Part 16 (1/2)
”Here am I.”
”Oh, I knew where you were. Don't do that again, sir, please, or you'll catch it.”
”Oh, I didn't think you saw me,” said David, somewhat confusedly.
”What has that to do with it, stupid? David,” continued she, a.s.suming a benevolent, cheerful, and somewhat magnificent nonchalance, ”I sometimes wonder you don't come to me with your troubles. I might advise you as well as here and there one. But perhaps you think now, because I am naturally gay, I am not sensible. You mustn't go by that altogether. Manner is very deceiving. The most foolishly conducted men and women ever I met were as grave as judges, and as demure as cats after cream. Bless you, there is folly in every heart. Your slow ones bottle it up for use against the day wisdom shall be most needed. My sort let it fizz out at their mouths in their daily talk, and keep their good sense for great occasions, like the present.”
”Have we drifted among the proverbs of Solomon?” inquired David, dryly. ”No need to make so many tacks, Eve. Haven't I seen your sense and profited by it--I and one or two more? Who but you has steered the house this ten years, and commanded the lubberly crew?”*
* The reader must not be misled by the familiar phraseology of these two speakers to suppose that anything the least droll or humorous was intended by either of them at any part of this singular dialogue. Their hearts were sad and their faces grave.
”And then again, David, where the heart is concerned, young women are naturally in advance of young men.”
”G.o.d knows. He made them both. I don't.”
”Why, all the world knows it. And then, besides, I am five years older than you.
”So mother says; but I don't know how to believe it. No one would say so to look at you.”
”I'll tell you, David. Folk that have small features look a deal younger than their years; and you know poor father used to say my face was the pattern of a flat-iron. So n.o.body gives me my age; but I am five good years older than you, only you needn't go and tell the town crier.”
”Well, Eve?”
”Well, then, put all these together, and now, why not come to me for friendly advice and the voice of reason?”
”Reason! reason! there are other lights besides reason.”
”Jack-o'-lantern, eh? and Will-o'-the-wisp.”
”Eve, n.o.body can advise me that can't feel for me. n.o.body can feel for me that doesn't know my pain; and you don't know that, because you were never in love.”
”Oh, then, if I had ever been in love, you would listen.”
”As I would to an angel from Heaven.”
”And be advised by me.”
”Why not? for then you'd be competent to advise; but now you haven't an idea what you are talking about.”
”What a pity! Don't you think it would be as well if you were not to speak to me so sulky?”
”I ask your pardon; Eve. I did not mean to offend you.”
”Davy, dear--for G.o.d's sake what is this chill that has come between you and me? You are a man. Speak out like a man.”
David turned his great calm, sorrowful eye full upon her.
”Well, then, Eve, if the truth must be told, I am disappointed in you.”
”Oh, David.”
”A little. You are not the girl I took you for. You know which way my fancy lies, yet you keep steering me in the teeth of it; then you see how down-hearted I am this while, but not a word of comfort or hope comes from you, and me almost dried up for want of one.”