human
Poor Blair! she said.
gpt
I'm afraid his dinner was rather a disappointment. What charming manners he has, she added, meditatively;
human
I think it is very remarkable, considering--
gpt
Mrs. Maitland's manners may not be as--as fine-ladyish as some people's, I grant you, he said,
human
Than I have in my whole body? Mrs. Richie interrupted gaily;
gpt
I know just what you were going to say.
human
No, I wasn't,
gpt
It is what you thought, she said;
human
No, you don't, because you can't, he said crossly; but he smiled. He could not help forgiving Mrs. Richie, even when she did not seem to appreciate Mrs. Maitland--the one subject on which the two neighbors fell out. But after the smile he sighed, and apparently forgot Mrs. Maitland. He scratched a match, held it absently until it scorched his fingers; blew it out, and tossed it into the lilies; Mrs. Richie winced, but Mr. Ferguson did not notice her; he leaned forward, his hands between his knees, the unlighted cigar in his fingers:
gpt
Yes; she threw me over.
human
It was very hard for you,
gpt
And Elizabeth's mother, he went on,
human
Mr. Ferguson!
gpt
She was bad--all through.
human
Oh, _no_!
gpt
She left him, for another man. Just as the girl I believed in left me. I would have doubted my God, Mrs. Richie, before I could have doubted that girl. And when she jilted me, I suppose I did doubt Him for a while. At any rate, I doubted everybody else. I do still, more or less.
human
We two brothers--the same thing happened to both of us! It was worse for him than for me; I escaped, as you might say, and I learned a valuable lesson; I have never built on anybody. Life doesn't play the same trick on me twice. But Arthur was different. He was of softer stuff. You'd have liked my brother Arthur. Yes; he was too good to her--that was the trouble. If he had beaten her once or twice, I don't believe she would have behaved as she did. Imagine leaving a good husband, a devoted husband--
gpt
What I can't imagine, Helena Richie said, in a low voice,
human
The man married her after Arthur--died, he went on;
gpt
I guess she paid the piper in her life with him! I hope she did. Oh, well; she's dead now; I mustn't talk about her. But Elizabeth has her blood in her; and she is pretty, just as she was. She looks like her, sometimes. There--now you know. Now you understand why I worry so about her. I used to wish she would die before she grew up. I tried to do my duty to her, but I hoped she would die. Yet she seems to be a good little thing. Yes, I'm pretty sure she is a good little thing. To-night, before we went to the dinner, she--she behaved very prettily. But if I saw her mother in her, I would--God knows what I would do! But except for this fussing about clothes, she seems all right. You know she wanted a locket once? But you think that is only natural to a girl? Not a vanity that I need to be anxious about? Her mother was vain--a shallow, selfish theatrical creature! He looked at her with worried eyes.
human
I am dreadfully anxious, sometimes,
gpt
There's nothing to be anxious about, she said, in a smothered voice,
human
Of course I'm fond of her, he confessed,
gpt
You ought to be sure of her, Mrs. Richie said;
human
She hid her face in her hands;
gpt
Don't pity _her_! She was not the one to pity. It was Arthur who--
human
Oh, she cried,
gpt
I suppose I am hard, he said, half wonderingly, but very meekly;
human
It's David!
gpt
Why, Materna! What's up? Mother, something is the matter!
human
It's my fault, David, Robert Ferguson said, abashed.
gpt
I was telling your mother a--a sad story. Mrs. Richie, I didn't realize it would pain you. Your mother is a very kind woman, David; she's been sympathizing with other people's troubles.
human
I don't see why she need bother about other people's troubles. Say, Materna, I--I wouldn't feel badly. Mr. Ferguson, I--you--
gpt
High and mighty! David said to himself; treating him as if he were a little boy, and she a young lady!
human
And I'm seventeen--the idea of her putting on such airs! And now here was her uncle making his mother low-spirited.
gpt
Materna, I wouldn't bother,
human
Never mind, she said; she was still pale,
gpt
Yes, it was a sad story. But I thank you for telling me, Mr. Ferguson.
human
Miss White!
gpt
Yes, sir?
human
Miss White, I've been thinking; I'm going to buy Elizabeth a piece of jewelry; a locket, I think. You can tell her so. Mrs. Richie says she's quite sure she isn't really vain in wanting such things.
gpt
I have been at my post, sir, since Elizabeth was three years old, Miss White said with spirit,
human
What? Uncle is going to give me a locket? Elizabeth called out in answer to her knock.
gpt
Oh, joy! Splendid!
human
Let me in, and I'll tell you what he said,
gpt
No! I can't! cried the joyous young voice.
human
I'm busy!
gpt
Blair is in love with me!
human
BLAIR IS IN LOVE WITH ME!
gpt
I thought they never _would_ go! Nannie said--she rushed at her brother.
human
Blair!
gpt
She told you, did she?
human
You're engaged!
gpt
Why! he said.
human
So I am! I never thought of it. And when he got his breath, the radiant darkness of his eyes sparkled into laughter.
gpt
Yes, _I'm engaged!_