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Into the light cast by the hotel porch-lamp Norton, leading Persis, rode around the corner of the building. "I was just going out," said Virginia. "But I'll go on this case first. Mr. Norton is riding with me. Please ask him to wait while I get my other bag." In her room again, the lamp lighted on her table, she stood a moment frowning thoughtfully into vacancy.
"But I don't want to interfere with the enjoyment of you ladies. Some other time " "Don't mind me," interposed Persis. "Mis' Hornblower and I haven't anything special to talk about. We're interested in your business proposition, both of us." "I don't know as I care to hear it," interrupted Mr.
Justin was not sure. "But before you get the thing all settled and signed," Persis continued smoothly, "there's one little thing I'd like to have Mr. Ware explain. If, this investment is such a good thing for you, why isn't it just as good for me?" A tense silence followed which Mrs. Hornblower broke. "For you?"
Persis had heard nothing from Annabel since Diantha had worn home her first long dress. And though she had reckoned on the probability that the opening of the fall season would bring her irate patron to terms, Persis experienced vast satisfaction in returning a nonchalant reply to the peremptory message. "Can't do a thing just now, Diantha.
Said Persis Campbell died intestate and without issue, and accordin' to th' laws o' the State of Arkansas all real and personal property standin' in her name, or belongin' to her at th' time o' her death, reverts to her next o' kin, who 's her father. Now, what d 'ye say?" "It's a lie," exclaimed Checkers, trembling with anger at the thought of so outrageous a thing.
Persis listened unmoved, her rather enigmatic smile suggesting that she clearly foresaw a way out of that difficulty. "I'm not afraid but what I can find enough to keep me busy. Besides, I need a servant girl to look after things when I'm away." "Away? Are you going away?" "I'm going whenever I happen to feel like it. And the first time'll be next week, Monday." "Persis, where are you going?"
"But you forget my relation to the gentleman, my dear Persis. If any one should be sensitive, it surely is I." "You've nothing to do with him," Persis declared, biting off her words in peppery mouthfuls. "You're as much of a stranger to him as you are to me. We'll just let him alone. There's things enough to talk about, I should hope, without making fun of that poor boy."
In spite of this conviction his manner showed embarrassment as he began his explanation. The smooth phrases he had used so often that he could have spoken them in his sleep came readily to his lips, but even to himself they sounded hollow and unconvincing. He was embarrassed too, by Persis' tendency to ask questions, to inform herself as to every detail of the plan he was unfolding.
Algie's obedience was instantaneous. With compressed lips Persis watched his vanishing figure, her color coming and going. "Well, so far, so good. I guess now I've got up my courage to send for him I can leave the rest to luck."
"It don't seem any time since I was here and she came in to ask about some sewing of her mother's. Her dress was up to her knees, and her hair hanging in curls. Except for being tall she looked about ten years old. And the next thing anybody knows, she's a young lady with all the airs and graces." Persis preserved a guilty silence. "I didn't know but you might have some idea," Mrs.
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