If you think that, Mary, you still know next to
nothing of the tricksa tippler is up to!
All the same, child, do notbegrudge a poor wraith
its sole chance of cheating oblivion.
And sometimes,Uncle, I think it would be nicer just
to be like oneself. Its time he had a nap; he screams so at night if he
getsover-tired.
In the present state of affairs they seemed, to say
the least ofit, out of place.
Yes, this washis own share in the failure; this,
and the fact that his heart was notin the work.
Shealso grew adept at getting rid of people to the
moment. It never occurs to you to blame yourself,and your own rashness and
impatience. Or was that just apolite fiction of his own making? Hefelt more amazed
than anything else by this windfall. Here, the pages of his case-book remained but
scantlyfilled. Even in hisyouth, when life still seemed worth the pother, he had
avoided debtlike the plague. Mary said this more than once as she listened to Tillys
tale.
The whole day long he lay andwailed, till it nearly
broke your heart to hear it. Hes nottrying to suck them or even get them near his
mouth. Or was that just apolite fiction of his own making?
All his cousins were coming,and Cousin Emmy, and
lots and lots of other children. In speaking she had hastily reinserted Tillys
letter in its envelope. NEVER was he the man to have got himselfinto this pitiable
tangle .
As it were, overnight, he found himself the
possessor of close ontwo hundred and fifty pounds. And Mahony cleared the end of the
sofa that she might find aplace with her burden. Itcomes of seeing your dear old
face again.
All his cousins were coming,and Cousin Emmy, and
lots and lots of other children. And sure enough: I can see your point, Emmy, said
he.
For they opened up abysses into which, young
girl-like,she was afraid to peer. There were flowers in it, and several boxes
ofbiscuits and oranges for the voyage.
Im very fond of Agnes; but Ive got the children to
think of. He probably never had any intention of coming.
Eaten up by money-troubles, he had butfaint
interest to spare for the physicking of petty ailments.
So do I, my darling, said Mary heartily, and
squeezed his hand.
He felt more and more incapable of standing up to
her incredulousdismay.
It, and italone, was the root of all the
trouble.
Oh, Richard, if you would only tell me how we
really stand, instead ofmaking such a mystery of it.
In speaking she had hastily reinserted Tillys
letter in its envelope.
He usedto have great luck with children in the old
days. Ive told you over andover again they need a governess. None theless there he
stood, with his next quarters payments in his hand. Tilly was so changed that she
hardly knew her. The drawing-room was stripped bare of its furniture butfor a line
of chairs placed round the walls.