--Yes, it was
meant for a compliment."
"Thank you," he said, shaking her hand warmly, "it's so nice to know, you
know. Good-by."
"Good-by."
Then he went away.
CHAPTER ELEVEN - THE DOVE OF PEACE
The first result of Mrs. Rosscott's invitation was that Jack refused. He
said that he had a sister of his own--two, if it came to that--and so he
could easily manage for himself. He was very decided about it, and
somewhat lofty and bitter--a stand which no one understood his taking.
His flat refusal was communicated to his would be hostess and it goes
without saying that she was as unable to understand as all the rest. It
keyed well enough with his lately shown indifference, but the indifference
keyed not at all with all that had gone before and still less with her
very correct comprehension of Jack himself. She was quite positive as to
the sincerity of those protestations which he had made so haltingly--so
boyishly--and in such absolutely truthful accents. Why he had turned over a
new--and bad--leaf so suddenly she did not at all know, but her woman's
wit--backed up by the many good instincts which good women always get from
Heaven knows just where--made her feel firmer than ever as to her
hospitable intentions. Jack had told her many times that she was his good
angel, and it did not seem to her that now, when he was so deeply involved
in so much trouble, was the hour for a man's good angel to quietly turn
away. Suppose he was haughty!--she knew men well enough to know that in his
case haughtiness and shame would be two Dromios that even he himself would
be unable to tell apart.
Pages:
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87