Part 33 (1/2)
”Your hair and the sunlight on it. If I were a painter I should like to paint you now--and keep the picture.”
”The first compliment you have ever paid me,” she laughed, pleased nevertheless. ”I shall remember it.”
”And that's a compliment to me,” he responded. ”Funny what we recollect and what we don't. There doesn't seem to be any rule for it. But I think I shall always remember just how you look at this moment.”
”That's very nice.”
”I wonder if I may ask you something without offending you?”
”I don't think you would ask anything that should offend me.”
”Thanks! It's this: I want to make things pleasant for you all. I've been wondering in my own mind why you came here. You won't misunderstand me. But why?”
”Have you forgotten your invitation?”
”No. But its acceptance was an unexpected piece of luck. There isn't much here to amuse you. What's the real reason?”
She looked full at him, and then dropped her eyes; her fingers plucked blades of gra.s.s and cast them aside.
”I don't think I know the answer,” she replied at last. ”For one thing, I thought I might help you--if you'd let me.”
”Help me! How?”
”With money. You and the others.”
”Good Lord!” he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed. ”Whatever put that in your head?”
”The only letter you ever wrote me. I could read between the lines.
Afterward Mr. Wade told me more. But he wouldn't take what I offered.”
”I should say not--if you offered money. He was right.”
”Do you mean that you wouldn't let me help you if you needed money?”
”Certainly I wouldn't.”
”Because I'm a woman, I suppose.”
”Partly. But I wouldn't let any one throw money away on what is apt to be a losing game.”
”You think it that?”
”Size it up for yourself. You talked with Wade. Didn't he tell you so?”
”Practically, yes.”
”Then you see! It wouldn't do at all.”
”But it's my money. I can afford to lose it. I'll not have a pleasure or a luxury the less. And this is my pleasure. Would you refuse me this one thing? You lent _me_ money!”