Part 39 (1/2)
”I think so.”
There was a pause. I seated myself. Then the soft and indecisive sound of ripples stirred by an idle hand broke the heated silence.
”You say they all are your good friends?” she remarked thoughtfully.
”I know them all. Lana Helmer I have known intimately since we were children.”
”Then why is it not better to present me to her first--if you know her so very well?”
”Mrs. Bleecker is older.”
”Oh! Is this Miss Helmer then so young?”
”Your age.”
”Oh! My age.... And pretty?”
”The world thinks so.”
”Oh! And what do you think, Euan?”
”Yes, she is pretty,” said I carelessly.
There was a long silence. I sat there, my knees gathered in my arms, staring up at the stars.
Then, faintly came her voice:
”Good-night, Euan.”
I rose, laid hold of the willow bush that sc.r.a.ped my shoulders, felt over it until I found the dangling broken branch; stepped forward, groping, until I touched the next broken branch. Then, knowing I was on my trail, I turned around and called back softly through the darkness:
”Good-night, little Lois!”
”Good-night, and sweet dreams, Euan. I will be dressed and waiting for you in the morning to go to Mrs. Bleecker, or to receive her as you and she think fitting.... Is there a looking gla.s.s in that same wonder-box?”
”Two, Lois.”
”You dear and generous lad!... And are there hair-pegs? Heaven knows if my clipped poll will hold them. Anyway, I can powder and patch, and--oh, Euan! Is there lip-red and curd-lily lotion for the skin? Not that I shall love you any less if there be none----”
”I bespoke of Mr. Hake,” said I, laughing, ”a full beauty battery, such as I once saw Betty Schuyler show to Walter Butler, having but then received it from New York. And all I know, Lois, is that it was full of boxes, jars, and flasks, and smelled like a garden in late June. And if Mr. Hake has not chosen with discretion I shall go South and scalp him!”
”Euan, I adore you!”
”You adore your battery,” said I, not convinced.
”That, too. But you more than my mirrors, and my lip-red, and the lily lotion--more than my darling s.h.i.+fts and stays and shoon and gowns!... I had never dreamed I could accept them from you. But you had become so dear to me--and I could read you through and through--and found you so like myself--and it gave me a new pleasure to humble my pride to your desires. That is how it came about. Also, I saw those ladies.... And I do not think I shall be great friends with your Lana Helmer--even when I am fine and brave in gown and powder to face her on equal terms----”
”Lois, what in the world are you babbling?”
”Let me babble, Euan. Never have I been so happy, so content, so excited yet so confident.... Listen; do you dread tomorrow?”