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If Jack Melland imagined for one moment that she was going to mount guard over his slumbers, he would find himself vastly mistaken; yet she dared not leave him unprotected, for the ground sloped away from the tree, and a violent movement on the part of its occupant would be enough to send the chair racing down the incline.
It was too annoying! "Good-afternoon, Miss Farrell! I was coming up to the house to call upon you and your sister. I am so happy to have found you at home; and, do you know, I believe Mr Melland will have to fall back upon your help, after all. My efforts have not been at all successful.
Jack Melland stared at the ground, and swung his feet gently to and fro. Ruth knitted her black brows, and Mollie looked puzzled and thoughtful. It was a kind speech. She would have liked to admire it thoroughly, but did it ring quite true? Was there not something unnatural in the avoidance of any reference by the speaker to his own possible gain?
"Good-bye, Melland my best wishes! I shall not see you in the morning!" Jack took the proffered hand, and held it in silence, his face a study of perplexity and remorse. An Englishman hates to express his emotions, but to a generous nature the sting of ungratefulness is even more abhorrent.
"This was in midst of month of May, When birdis sing on ilka spray, Melland their notes, with seemly soun, For softness of the sweet seasoun. "And leavis of the branchis spreeds, And blomis bright, beside them, breeds And Fieldis strawed are with flow'rs Well savouring of seir colours; And all things wor this, blyth, and gay." Mingling. Their. This Day is published, price 5s.
It was not a little trying, then, when Jack Melland insisted on returning to town, and Victor Druce, in his turn, must needs betray an undoubted interest in another girl. "Tiresome thing!" murmured Ruth to herself; referring, needless to say, not to Victor, but to the innocent Margot herself. "I knew I should dislike her from the moment when Mrs Thornton mentioned her name.
But what will you do, and Mr Melland? You must not stand all the time." "Oh, don't trouble about us! We can look after ourselves," responded Jack Melland, pushing the flower-pots nearer together on the staging, and lightly swinging himself into the vacant space. Victor followed his example, and thrust his hands into his pockets.
It is a habit which is inclined to make one consider oneself the most interesting person on earth." "Well, so you are! To yourself, I mean; you know you are!" cried Mollie, with an innocent naivete which made Mr Melland laugh again.
Not a line from Victor, though he must have known of the added trouble. A short, manly letter of sympathy from Jack Melland, who had heard of the bad news through Mrs Thornton a letter addressed to Ruth, with "kindest regards to her sister"; three long, underlined epistles from that lady herself, and one sheet covered with a beautiful, distinctive handwriting, and signed "Margot Blount."
"Since Mr Melland has nothing more to say, it would perhaps be as well if we made a move. I will ask you to excuse me for the rest of the evening, as I am feeling fatigued." He rose as he spoke and turned towards the door, but even as he did so he staggered, and uttered an exclamation of pain.
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