United States or Jordan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Conrad Lagrange thinking of Sibyl Andrés and that letter which he had left on the gate from under his brows, watched their caller closely; the while he filled with painstaking care his brier pipe. "We like it," returned the artist. "I should think so I'd be sorry to leave it if I were you. Mr. Taine tells me you are going to the mountains."
Farnum didn't learn, for he closed the door on his departing caller, going, laughing, back to his desk, where he picked up a cigar and lighted it. "How poison runs through the blood of some families," mused the boatbuilder, blowing out several rings of smoke. On the morning appointed the three Naval officers arrived at Dunhaven.
But she quickened her pace, in order to discover who was the guest awaiting them. At the door she was met by Marjorie, dressed in her best gown, and looking strangely excited. "Let me take your things, mamma," she said in a low tone. "There's somebody to see you in the parlor." Forcing a smile to her tired face, Mrs. Fisher advanced to the door to greet her caller.
Already the rooms seemed to be pretty well filled, as Helen noticed when they entered. Three sets were on the floor for a quadrille and the house shook with the energy of the dancers. On benches against the walls were seated the spectators, and on one of them stood Texas calling the dance. "Alemane left. Right hand t'yer pardner and grand right and left. Ev-v-rybody swing," chanted the caller.
The next caller found Tom somewhat discouraged. He preceded her into the reception-chamber with less alacrity than he had shown in his previous visits. She was a younger woman than the rest, and when she reached the cradle's side, she bent down and rearranged the cover with a soft touch.
The little girl still made no reply, but continued to stare, her eyes widening, and the caller spoke with desperation. "See here," she said, "I got to have a whitish cat! That'n isn't worth more'n a quarter, but I'll give you thirty-five cents for her, money down, day after to-morrow." At this, the frightened child set the cat upon the ground and fled into the house.
"That's right," Tom said with a chuckle. "News must travel fast. We just phoned invitations to our friends." Morris asked if musicians had been hired for the evening. When Tom said No, his caller volunteered for the job, offering to provide a small combo of country-style players. His asking price sounded like a bargain rate, and Tom, knowing Morris's reputation, was only too glad to engage him.
An hour later, Assunta, going to find a spade in the tool-house, for she was transplanting roses, came upon the Signorina's caller of yesterday standing near the tool-house with something in his hand. The peasant woman's face showed neither awe nor fear; only lively curiosity gleamed in the blinking brown eyes. "Buon' giorno," said Apollo, exactly as mortals do.
Now Miss Lacey knew from the etiquette column in "The Ladies' Friend" that it was de rigueur to allow a gentleman caller to take care of his own hat, but, as she reflected in a lightning flash, that authority on manners and morals in "The Ladies' Friend" had never met Judge Trent. The reluctance with which he now yielded up his boon companion vindicated her lack of confidence.
Hence he waited with some impatience for the arrival of half past nine. A few moments after the half hour, a large automobile swept up the drive, and Duvall, with a nod to his wife, went back to the house to receive his guest. She was waiting in the library when he entered. "I am Mrs. Morton, of New York," his caller began, handing him Mr. Stapleton's letter.
Word Of The Day