I glided from one topic to the other
very naturally. I told my friends of your accident; how it had
frustrated all our summer plans, and what our plans were. I played
quite a spirited solo on the fibula. Then I described you; or,
rather, I didn't. I spoke of your amiability, of your patience
under this severe affliction; of your touching gratitude when
Dillon brings you little presents of fruit; of your tenderness to
your sister Fanny, whom you would not allow to stay in town to
nurse you, and how you heroically sent her back to Newport,
preferring to remain alone with Mary, the cook, and your man
Watkins, to whom, by the way, you were devotedly attached. If you
had been there, Jack, you wouldn't have known yourself. I should
have excelled as a criminal lawyer, if I had not turned my
attention to a different branch of jurisprudence.
Miss Marjorie asked all manner of leading questions concerning you.
It did not occur to me then, but it struck me forcibly afterwards,
that she evinced a singular interest in the conversation. When I
got back to my room, I recalled how eagerly she leaned forward,
with her full, snowy throat in strong moonlight, listening to what
I said. Positively, I think I made her like you!
Miss Daw is a girl whom you would like immensely, I can tell you
that. A beauty without affectation, a high and tender nature--if
one can read the soul in the face.
Pages:
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32