Part 17 (1/2)
”It more equals our encounter that night,” she replied.
”But under pleasanter circ.u.mstances,” he returned.
”If we had that old umbrella of mine, how realistic we might make it,”
she said, giving a little laugh, and sinking back into the depths of the cus.h.i.+oned chair, folding her gloved hands as though perfectly at ease, although showing some timidity of expression in her conversation.
”I have it yet,” he said, as he took up a pen loaded with ink, as if it were his intention to commence signing the letters but looking at Edith shyly.
”Yet?” she raised her eyebrows.
”I put it away among my other keepsakes,” he answered, turning now as if he really did intend to execute his ”John Hanc.o.c.k” on the letters.
”What for?” asked Edith, tapping a finger on the arm of her chair.
”Oh, as a hobby; I always try to keep something to remember any unusual happening in my life,” said he, forgetting to sign the name of ”Hiram Jarney.”
”Do you know what I did with yours?” she asked, folding her arms.
”Consigned it to the garbage heap, I suppose,” he replied, letting the ink fall off his pen to the spoilment of a letter.
”You are not a good guesser,” she replied, her blue eyes sparkling. ”It came near going there--but I have 'J. W.' as an ornament in my boudoir.”
”I imagine it would be out of harmony with the rest of the decorations,”
he said, dropping more ink, and still neglecting to sign the name.
”It harmonizes with my sentiments on certain matters,” she said.
”For instance?” He looked at her.
”Cla.s.s distinction.”
”What does mine signify?” attempting to sign, but only getting down the capital H.
”You,” she looked to the floor.
”And yours?” Now interested.
”Me.” Still looking down.
”Then, we should exchange them,” he said wonderingly.
”That would not be to my liking,” as she looked up.
”Not?” he asked, turning from his paper and pen.
”No,” she said, demurly.
”Ah, Miss Jarney,” he said, with despair indicated in his voice, ”I have presumed, at times, to wish to be better acquainted with you, since that night; but I have thought it useless.”