" Mrs. Severance's voice trailed off
into silence. She closed the book with a soft sound. The man whom it might
be rather more convenient than otherwise to call Mr. Severance opened his
eyes. He had not been asleep, but he had found by a good deal of
experience that he paid more attention to Dickens if he closed his eyes
while she read.
"Thank you dear."
"Thank you. You know I love it. Especially Pip."
He considered.
"There was a word one of my young men used the other day about Dickens.
Gusto, I think--yes, that was it. Well, I find that, as I grow older, that
seems to be the thing I value rather more than most men of my age. Gusto."
He smiled "Though I take it more quietly, perhaps,--than I did when I was
young," he added.
"You _are_ young" said Mrs. Severance carefully.
"Not really, dear. I can give half-a-dozen youngsters I know four strokes
in nine holes and beat them. I can handle the bank in half the time and
with half the worry that some of my people take to one department. And for
a little while more, Rose, I may be able to satisfy you. But" and he
passed a hand lightly over his hair.
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