United States or Cyprus ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Lord Steyne's voice of applause was loudest of all. Becky, the nightingale, took the flowers which he threw to her and pressed them to her heart with the air of a consummate comedian. Lord Steyne was frantic with delight. His guests' enthusiasm harmonized with his own. Where was the beautiful black-eyed Houri whose appearance in the first charade had caused such delight?
They always make me think of you, so graceful and delicate, and just fit to live with tea-roses in a hot-house, and go to balls in beautiful ladies' bokays," answered Becky, smiling at her new friend, always so dainty, and still so delicate in spite of the summer's rustication. "Thank you!
With a sudden return of his inspiration, Jacob retorted, affecting an air of stolid indifference: "Jes' ez ye choose. I won't hev ter ax Becky Stiles twict." And he turned to go. "I never said no, Jacob," said Cynthia precipitately. "I never said ez how I wouldn't hev ye." "Waal, then, jes' come along with me right now while I hitch up the mare. I ain't a-goin' ter leave yer a-standin' hyar.
"Well," said the old gentleman, twiddling round his wife's card, "you are bent on becoming a fine lady. You pester my poor old life out to get you into the world. You won't be able to hold your own there, you silly little fool. You've got no money." "You will get us a place," interposed Becky, "as quick as possible." "You've got no money, and you want to compete with those who have.
"And when my little duck swims in the wake of his silver ship, and he laughs, do you laugh, too?" There was a dead silence. Then she said, "Oh, Randy " He made his apology like a gentleman. "That was hateful of me, Becky. I'm sorry " "You know I wouldn't laugh, Randy, and neither would he." "Who?" "Mr. Dalton." "Wouldn't what?" "Laugh."
"I am not saying it to be nice." "Aren't you oh !" She gave a quick exclamation. "What's the matter?" "I dropped my fan." "I'll go and get it," he said, and just then the music started. "No," said Becky, "never mind now. This is your dance with Mary and she mustn't be kept waiting." "Aren't you dancing this?" "It is Truxton's, and I begged off. Run along, dear boy."
At the same time, Becky, well knowing that she had bought the pearls for a sum which, though probably more than her husband would have consented to give, was still far less than their value, handed him the necklace. The pawnbroker looked from money to jewels and from jewels to money with an expression of curiously mingled grief and greed.
Becky, divining something of the tumult which was beneath that outward show of serenity, patted the cushions of the couch in Mrs. Beaufort's bedroom. "Lie down here, you darling dear. It was such a surprise, wasn't it?" "Well, my knees are weak," Mrs. Beaufort admitted. The nuns had taught Becky nice ways and useful arts, so she folded and packed under Aunt Claudia's eye and was much applauded.
It was a bold thing to do. Miss Minchin was betrayed into something like a slight jump. Then she put her eyeglass up, and gazed at her show pupil disturbedly. "Becky!" she exclaimed. "My dearest Sara!" Sara advanced a step toward her. "I want her because I know she will like to see the presents," she explained. "She is a little girl, too, you know." Miss Minchin was scandalized.
Word Of The Day