United States or Guinea ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
My lot in life is fixed. I like my profession, but I can't be expected to care for the beggary which accompanies it. I'm in a scrape, and I want to see the mater." "Poor mother! I wish you weren't going to worry her, Loftie." "It doesn't worry a mother to help her only son." "But she has helped you so often.
He and Beatrice had a long interview, then she went to the Bells', and sat with Miss Hart for about half-an-hour. After dinner that day Bertram spoke to his mother: "Beatrice wants to come up and see you. Can you receive her about six o'clock?" "At any time, my dear son. But is she not dreadfully busy? Would it not convenience her more if I went to her, Loftie?"
She said Matty Bell was over head and ears in love with Loftie, and that Mrs. Bell had quite made up her mind that Loftie was to marry Mattie. She told such a funny story of the way Mrs. Butler broke the news of Beatrice's engagement to the Bells. Now, what's up? Have I said anything wrong again?" "You have, Mabel," said her mother. "You have been guilty of repeating common and vulgar gossip.
"Oh, nothing, Loftie. I may laugh, I suppose, without saying why. I wish you would not put on that killing air, though. And you know perfectly there is no use in laying down the law in mother's house." The three young people were now standing in the hall, and Clara tripped timidly forward. "We want dinner as quickly as possible, Clara," said Mabel. "Come, Loftus, let us take you to your room."
Their bride's-maids' dresses had arrived from town the previous night. They were of gauzy white over silk slips; the girls had never possessed such luxurious costumes before. "You'd like to see us in them, wouldn't you, Loftie?" said Mabel. "Catherine looks splendid in hers, and those big hats with Marguerites are so becoming.
Why was money invented? It's the plague of one's life, Catherine. If there was no money there'd be no crime." "Nonsense," answered Catherine, with shrewdness. "If there wasn't money there would be its equivalent in some form or other. Are you in debt again, Loftie?" "How can I help it? I can't live on my pittance." "But mother gives you three hundred a year." "Yes such a lot!
Come, Kitty, you shall give the old man any amount of blowing up in the morning, only now you really must leave him alone." "I'm going on," said Mabel; "I can scarcely keep my eyes open. Will you come with me, Loftie? If Kate likes to stay by herself with the dark trees and the ghosts, why, let her. I'm off to bed." She ran laughing and singing up the old avenue.
"In more quarters than one," replied Kate, with an arch smile. "How you did flatter that poor little Miss Bell, Loftie. Her cheeks were like peonies while you talked to her. You certainly had an air of great tenderness, and I expect you have turned the poor little thing's head." "Yes, Loftus," interrupted Mabel. "I remarked you, too, with Miss Bell.
Please, driver, take Captain Bertram's things up to the house. He heard you speak, Loftie. These Northbury people are as touchy as if they were somebodies. Oh, Loftus, you will be disappointed. Mother has gone to Manchester." "To Manchester?" retorted Loftus. "My mother away from home! Did she know that I was coming?" "Yes," answered Kate, "I told her about your letter last night."
Catherine and Mabel are to be strongly individual. In any room they are to be noticeable. Little hermits, now, some day they shall shine. They are both clever, just clever enough for my purpose. Catherine might with advantage be a shade less beautiful, but Mabel will, I am convinced, fulfil all my expectations. Then, if only Loftie," but here Mrs. Bertram sighed.
Word Of The Day