按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
hall and started again on the walk which had been so unexpectedly
interrupted。 He strode away through the starlight with a swiftness
that was scarcely in harmony with the warm； still summer night。
Before he was aware of it he was a mile away。 Stopping suddenly
he muttered：
〃I won't be so baffled and puzzled。 I will learn to understand
this Ida Mayhew before this summer is over。 It's ridiculous that
I should be so dull and stupid。 She says she fears we are 'fated
to misunderstand each other。' I defy such a blind stupid fate。 I
used to have some brains and tact before I came to this place； and
I scarcely think I've become an idiot。 I am determined to win that
girl's friendship； and I intend to follow her career and watch the
rare and beautiful development of her character。 That one hour in
the garden yesterday taught me what an inspiration her exquisite
beauty can be in my profession； and surely with the vantage…ground I
already possess I ought to have skill enough to win a place among
her friends；〃 and he walked back almost as quickly as he had stalked
away。
Ida had seen his departure and recognized the fact that she had
hurt his feelings。 It was strange that so little a thing could
depress her so greatly； for she felt that the first real Sabbath
she had ever spent and which had been in truth a SUN…day to her
thus far； was now ending in shadows darker than the night。 〃How
weak I am；〃 she thought； 〃I must go away as soon as possible；
or else I shall be sorry。 The companionship that he can give so
easily and frankly when Miss Burton is not at hand to occupy him is
impossible for me； and would only end in the betrayal of a secret
that I would hide even more anxiously than the crime I could
not conceal from him。 My duty and my father must be everything
hereafter；〃 and she turned resolutely to him； saying：
〃Father； take a seat in the parlor while I go and find mother。 I
want these people to see that you have a family who at least show
that they appreciate all the luxuries and comforts you are providing
for them。〃
Mr。 Mayhew was more deeply gratified by her words than she
could understand； for any recognition of his manhood and rightful
position which was quiet and unobtrusive； was balm and healing to
his wounded self…respect。 Hitherto he had believed correctly that
his family wished to keep him out of sight； and at no time before
had he realized the change that had taken place in Ida more keenly
than when she made this simple and natural proposition。 His grateful
smile as he complied with her request did her good； but she soon
discovered that in her mother she had a very difficult subject
to manage。 She found that lady in her room wearing a gloomy and
injured expression。
〃You have condescended at last to come and see whether I was alive；
I see；〃 she said； as Ida entered the room。
Her daughter went directly to her and kissing her replied； 〃We haven't
intended to leave you so long or to neglect you in the least； and
I'll explain。〃
〃Oh； no need of explaining。 Excuses always make matters worse。
Here is the factI've been left all the afternoon to myself。〃
〃Have you noticed no other fact to…day； mother？〃 asked Ida； gravely。
〃Yes； I've noticed that you and your father have been so wrapped
up in each other that I'm nobody； and might as well be Mrs。 John
Smith as Mrs。 Mayhew。〃
〃Pardon me； mother； you are exaggerating；〃 said Ida； firmly。
〃Father was very polite to you at breakfast and dinner； and he went
to church with you this morning； and I can scarcely remember when
he has done this before。 I am chiefly to blame for keeping him
away so long this afternoon； for I wanted him to see and talk with
my friend Mr。 Eltinge； who has done me so much good。 I thought
he might help father too； and I truly believe he has。 I repeat to
you again； in all sincerity and love； that we have not intended to
neglect you； and father now wishes you to come down and join him in
the parlor； so that we can； as a family； at last appear as we ought
before the world。 In the name of all that is sacred； encourage dear
father now that he is trying to be what we have so often wished。〃
But Mrs。 Mayhew's pets were like spells of bad weather and would
run their course。 She only looked more gloomy and injured than
ever as she replied：
〃It's all very well to talk。 Mr。 Mayhew must be encouraged and
coaxed to do what any man ought to do。 I might have enjoyed a ride
this evening as well as your father。〃
〃You said it was too warm to go out after dinner。〃
〃Well； you might have waited till it wasn't too warm。〃
A sudden scarlet burned in Ida's cheeks； and there came an ominous
sparkle in her eyes。 〃Mother；〃 she said so abruptly and sternly
that the lady looked up wonderingly； and encountered an expression
in her daughter's face that awakened an undefined fear。 In tones
that were low； indignant； and authoritative Ida continued：
〃I requestI demand that you cease this nonsense at once。 As
a Christian woman you ought to be on your knees thanking God that
your husband is not lying intoxicated on that sofa； as he was last
Sunday at this time。 You ought to be thanking God that he is
becoming his former self； and winning respect by acting like a true
gentleman。 It was our unutterable folly that was destroying him；
and I say this folly must and shall cease。 I will not permit my
father's sensitive nature to be wounded as it has been。 You shall
not spoil this first bright day he has had after so many years。
If you care for him why don't you try to win his affection？ and
whoever heard of a heart being won by whining and fault…finding？
But of this be sure； you shall not spoil this day。 I charge you as
a wife and a lady to cease this childish petulance； and come down
at once。〃
〃Oh！〃 said Mrs。 Mayhew； rising mechanically； 〃if you are going to
make a scene…〃
〃I am going to prevent scenes；〃 said Ida； with all her old time
imperiousness。 〃I insist that we appear in the future like a quiet；
well…bred family； and I warn you that I will permit my father to
be trifled with no longer。 He SHALL have a chance。 Wait； let me
help you make a more becoming toilet for Sunday evening。〃
Ida was very strongly aroused； and the superior nature mastered the
weaker。 Mrs。 Mayhew became as wax in her hands； although she made
many natural and irritable protests against her daughter speaking
to her as she had done。 Ida paid no heed to her mother's words；
and after giving a few finishing touches to her dress relieved her
sternness by a judicious compliment； 〃I wish you to take the seat
father is reserving for you；〃 she said； 〃and appear the charming
lady that you know how to be so well；〃 and without further parley
they went down together。
Once in the social eye it would be Mrs。 Mayhew's strongest impulse
to make a good impression； and she behaved beautifully。 Something
in Ida's