United States or China ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
White and determined, after reading the message, Gwen retraces her steps. Outside old Mrs. Picture's door comes a moment of irresolution, but she quashes it and goes on. Old Maisie is not in bed yet has not really left that tempting fireside. She becomes conscious of a stir in the house, following on a bell that she had supposed to be only a belated absentee.
I wondered how he would solve that problem that was puzzling, not only Gwen, but her father and The Duke, and all of us the WHY of human pain. "Gwen," said The Pilot, as if changing the subject, "did it hurt to put on the plaster jacket?" "You just bet!" said Gwen, lapsing in her English, as The Duke was not present; "it was worse than anything awful!
"All I can say is that I wonder you do it. I do indeed, mamma!" Thus Gwen, a week later in the story, in her bedroom at the very top of the house, which had once been a smoking-room and which it was her young ladyship's caprice to inhabit, because it looked straight over the Park towards the Palace, which still in those days was close to Kensington, its godmother.
Her ladyship felt she had come very cleverly out of a bramble-bush she had got entangled in unawares, but she wanted to leave it behind on the road, and pushed on, speaking more earnestly: "Indeed, my dearest child, it is of you and your happiness that I am thinking although I know you won't believe me, and it's no use my saying anything...." At this point feelings were threatened; and Gwen, between whom and her mother there was plenty of affection, of a sort, hastened to allay or perhaps avert them.
She was still dwelling on the direction, the first name in which was not over-legible, no doubt owing to the accommodation due to the non-erasure of the first syllable by the falsifier. Gwen saw this, and said, quietly but distinctly: "Thornton." The end was gained, for better, for worse.
His eyes, like two great coals of fire, blazed into hers with a sinister and threatening light. His countenance seemed to utterly surpass any personal malignancy and to exhibit itself as a type of all the hatreds that ever poisoned human hearts. Only a moment before Gwen had felt a creepy, sickening sensation stealing over her as the result of an ill-defined and apparently causeless dread.
Gwen was far too quick to need explanation, and The Pilot only said, "You see, Gwen, God gave nothing but the best to His own Son only the best." "The best? They took Him away, didn't they?" She knew the story well. "Yes, but listen." He turned the leaves rapidly and read: "'We see Jesus for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor. That is how He got His Kingdom."
Then, you see, I wanted a helping hand now and again, and she had her sight, and could make shift to keep order in the place. I had every comfort, be sure!" This was spoken with roused emphasis, as though to dissipate uneasiness about herself. "I saw you had some nice furniture," said Gwen. "I was on the look out for your desk, where Dave's letters were written." "Yes, it's mahogany.
'How changed will be the scene a few minutes later! thought Gwen bitterly, and she knocked sharply at the door. It was opened by a maid who had superseded Jane, and who looked suspiciously at the drenched figure. 'You have mistaken this for the vicarage, she said superciliously. 'If you want shelter or food, you will get it there!
Who appeared, bearing hot water some for the plaguy old cat. Gwen said good-night again, kissing the old lady affectionately when Lutwyche was not looking. Mistress and maid then, when the cat at her own request was left to get herself into sleeping trim, started on the long journey through corridors and state-rooms through which her young ladyship's own quarters had to be reached.
Word Of The Day