English
“Mother,Mother,Iamsohappy!”whisperedthegirl,buryingherfaceinthelapofthefaded,tired-lookingwomanwho,withbackturnedtotheshrillintrusivelight,wassittingintheonearm-chairthattheirdingysitting-roomcontained.“Iamsohappy!”
sherepeated,“andyoumustbehappy,too!”
Mrs.Vanewincedandputherthin,bismuth-whitenedhandsonherdaughter’shead.“Happy!”
sheechoed,“Iamonlyhappy,Sibyl,whenIseeyouact.
Youmustnotthinkofanythingbutyouracting.
Mr.Isaacshasbeenverygoodtous,andweowehimmoney.”
Thegirllookedupandpouted.“Money,Mother?”shecried,“whatdoesmoneymatter?Loveismorethanmoney.”
“Mr.IsaacshasadvancedusfiftypoundstopayoffourdebtsandtogetaproperoutfitforJames.Youmustnotforgetthat,Sibyl.Fiftypoundsisaverylargesum.Mr.Isaacshasbeenmostconsiderate.”
“Heisnotagentleman,Mother,andIhatethewayhetalkstome,”saidthegirl,risingtoherfeetandgoingovertothewindow.
“Idon’tknowhowwecouldmanagewithouthim,”answeredtheelderwomanquerulously.
SibylVanetossedherheadandlaughed.“Wedon’twanthimanymore,Mother.PrinceCharmingruleslifeforusnow.”Thenshepaused.
Aroseshookinherbloodandshadowedhercheeks.
Quickbreathpartedthepetalsofherlips.Theytrembled.
Somesouthernwindofpassionsweptoverherandstirredthedaintyfoldsofherdress.“Ilovehim,”shesaidsimply.
“Foolishchild!foolishchild!”wastheparrot-phraseflunginanswer.Thewavingofcrooked,false-jewelledfingersgavegrotesquenesstothewords.
Thegirllaughedagain.Thejoyofacagedbirdwasinhervoice.
Hereyescaughtthemelodyandechoeditinradiance,thenclosedforamoment,asthoughtohidetheirsecret.
Whentheyopened,themistofadreamhadpassedacrossthem.
Thin-lippedwisdomspokeatherfromthewornchair,hintedatprudence,quotedfromthatbookofcowardicewhoseauthorapesthenameofcommonsense.Shedidnotlisten.Shewasfreeinherprisonofpassion.
Herprince,PrinceCharming,waswithher.Shehadcalledonmemorytoremakehim.
Shehadsenthersoultosearchforhim,andithadbroughthimback.Hiskissburnedagainuponhermouth.Hereyelidswerewarmwithhisbreath.
Thenwisdomaltereditsmethodandspokeofespialanddiscovery.Thisyoungmanmightberich.Ifso,marriageshouldbethoughtof.
Againsttheshellofherearbrokethewavesofworldlycunning.Thearrowsofcraftshotbyher.
Shesawthethinlipsmoving,andsmiled.
Suddenlyshefelttheneedtospeak.Thewordysilencetroubledher.
“Mother,Mother,”shecried,“whydoeshelovemesomuch?IknowwhyIlovehim.
Ilovehimbecauseheislikewhatlovehimselfshouldbe.Butwhatdoesheseeinme?Iamnotworthyofhim.
Andyet—why,Icannottell—thoughIfeelsomuchbeneathhim,Idon’tfeelhumble.Ifeelproud,terriblyproud.
Mother,didyoulovemyfatherasIlovePrinceCharming?”
Theelderwomangrewpalebeneaththecoarsepowderthatdaubedhercheeks,andherdrylipstwitchedwithaspasmofpain.
Sybilrushedtoher,flungherarmsroundherneck,andkissedher.“Forgiveme,Mother.
Iknowitpainsyoutotalkaboutourfather.
Butitonlypainsyoubecauseyoulovedhimsomuch.Don’tlooksosad.
Iamashappyto-dayasyouweretwentyyearsago.Ah!letmebehappyforever!”
“Mychild,youarefartooyoungtothinkoffallinginlove.
Besides,whatdoyouknowofthisyoungman?Youdon’tevenknowhisname.
Thewholethingismostinconvenient,andreally,whenJamesisgoingawaytoAustralia,andIhavesomuchtothinkof,Imustsaythatyoushouldhaveshownmoreconsideration.
However,asIsaidbefore,ifheisrich...”
“Ah!Mother,Mother,letmebehappy!”
Mrs.Vaneglancedather,andwithoneofthosefalsetheatricalgesturesthatsooftenbecomeamodeofsecondnaturetoastage-player,claspedherinherarms.
Atthismoment,thedooropenedandayoungladwithroughbrownhaircameintotheroom.
Hewasthick-setoffigure,andhishandsandfeetwerelargeandsomewhatclumsyinmovement.
Hewasnotsofinelybredashissister.
Onewouldhardlyhaveguessedthecloserelationshipthatexistedbetweenthem.
Mrs.Vanefixedhereyesonhimandintensifiedhersmile.
Shementallyelevatedhersontothedignityofanaudience.
Shefeltsurethatthetableauwasinteresting.
“Youmightkeepsomeofyourkissesforme,Sibyl,Ithink,”saidtheladwithagood-naturedgrumble.
“Ah!butyoudon’tlikebeingkissed,Jim,”shecried.“Youareadreadfuloldbear.”Andsheranacrosstheroomandhuggedhim.
JamesVanelookedintohissister’sfacewithtenderness.“Iwantyoutocomeoutwithmeforawalk,Sibyl.Idon’tsupposeIshalleverseethishorridLondonagain.IamsureIdon’twantto.”
“Myson,don’tsaysuchdreadfulthings,”murmuredMrs.Vane,takingupatawdrytheatricaldress,withasigh,andbeginningtopatchit.
Shefeltalittledisappointedthathehadnotjoinedthegroup.
Itwouldhaveincreasedthetheatricalpicturesquenessofthesituation.
“Whynot,Mother?Imeanit.”
“Youpainme,myson.ItrustyouwillreturnfromAustraliainapositionofaffluence.
IbelievethereisnosocietyofanykindintheColonies—nothingthatIwouldcallsociety—sowhenyouhavemadeyourfortune,youmustcomebackandassertyourselfinLondon.”
“Society!”mutteredthelad.“Idon’twanttoknowanythingaboutthat.IshouldliketomakesomemoneytotakeyouandSibyloffthestage.Ihateit.”
“Oh,Jim!”saidSibyl,laughing,“howunkindofyou!
Butareyoureallygoingforawalkwithme?Thatwillbenice!
Iwasafraidyouweregoingtosaygood-byetosomeofyourfriends—toTomHardy,whogaveyouthathideouspipe,orNedLangton,whomakesfunofyouforsmokingit.
Itisverysweetofyoutoletmehaveyourlastafternoon.Whereshallwego?Letusgotothepark.”
“Iamtooshabby,”heanswered,frowning.“Onlyswellpeoplegotothepark.”
“Nonsense,Jim,”shewhispered,strokingthesleeveofhiscoat.
Hehesitatedforamoment.“Verywell,”hesaidatlast,“butdon’tbetoolongdressing.”Shedancedoutofthedoor.
Onecouldhearhersingingassheranupstairs.Herlittlefeetpatteredoverhead.
Hewalkedupanddowntheroomtwoorthreetimes.Thenheturnedtothestillfigureinthechair.“Mother,aremythingsready?”heasked.
“Quiteready,James,”sheanswered,keepinghereyesonherwork.
Forsomemonthspastshehadfeltillateasewhenshewasalonewiththisroughsternsonofhers.
Hershallowsecretnaturewastroubledwhentheireyesmet.
Sheusedtowonderifhesuspectedanything.
Thesilence,forhemadenootherobservation,becameintolerabletoher.Shebegantocomplain.
Womendefendthemselvesbyattacking,justastheyattackbysuddenandstrangesurrenders.
“Ihopeyouwillbecontented,James,withyoursea-faringlife,”shesaid.
“Youmustrememberthatitisyourownchoice.
Youmighthaveenteredasolicitor’soffice.
Solicitorsareaveryrespectableclass,andinthecountryoftendinewiththebestfamilies.”
“Ihateoffices,andIhateclerks,”hereplied.“Butyouarequiteright.Ihavechosenmyownlife.AllIsayis,watchoverSibyl.Don’tlethercometoanyharm.Mother,youmustwatchoverher.”
“James,youreallytalkverystrangely.OfcourseIwatchoverSibyl.”
“Ihearagentlemancomeseverynighttothetheatreandgoesbehindtotalktoher.Isthatright?Whataboutthat?”
“Youarespeakingaboutthingsyoudon’tunderstand,James.
Intheprofessionweareaccustomedtoreceiveagreatdealofmostgratifyingattention.
Imyselfusedtoreceivemanybouquetsatonetime.
Thatwaswhenactingwasreallyunderstood.
AsforSibyl,Idonotknowatpresentwhetherherattachmentisseriousornot.
Butthereisnodoubtthattheyoungmaninquestionisaperfectgentleman.Heisalwaysmostpolitetome.
Besides,hehastheappearanceofbeingrich,andtheflowershesendsarelovely.”
“Youdon’tknowhisname,though,”saidtheladharshly.
“No,”answeredhismotherwithaplacidexpressioninherface.“Hehasnotyetrevealedhisrealname.Ithinkitisquiteromanticofhim.Heisprobablyamemberofthearistocracy.”
JamesVanebithislip.“WatchoverSibyl,Mother,”hecried,“watchoverher.”
“Myson,youdistressmeverymuch.Sibylisalwaysundermyspecialcare.
Ofcourse,ifthisgentlemaniswealthy,thereisnoreasonwhysheshouldnotcontractanalliancewithhim.Itrustheisoneofthearistocracy.
Hehasalltheappearanceofit,Imustsay.
ItmightbeamostbrilliantmarriageforSibyl.Theywouldmakeacharmingcouple.
Hisgoodlooksarereallyquiteremarkable;everybodynoticesthem.”
Theladmutteredsomethingtohimselfanddrummedonthewindow-panewithhiscoarsefingers.HehadjustturnedroundtosaysomethingwhenthedooropenedandSibylranin.
“Howseriousyoubothare!”shecried.“Whatisthematter?”
“Nothing,”heanswered.“Isupposeonemustbeserioussometimes.Good-bye,Mother;Iwillhavemydinneratfiveo’clock.Everythingispacked,exceptmyshirts,soyouneednottrouble.”
“Good-bye,myson,”sheansweredwithabowofstrainedstateliness.
Shewasextremelyannoyedatthetonehehadadoptedwithher,andtherewassomethinginhislookthathadmadeherfeelafraid.
“Kissme,Mother,”saidthegirl.Herflowerlikelipstouchedthewitheredcheekandwarmeditsfrost.
“Mychild!mychild!”criedMrs.Vane,lookinguptotheceilinginsearchofanimaginarygallery.
“Come,Sibyl,”saidherbrotherimpatiently.Hehatedhismother’saffectations.
Theywentoutintotheflickering,wind-blownsunlightandstrolleddownthedrearyEustonRoad.
Thepassersbyglancedinwonderatthesullenheavyyouthwho,incoarse,ill-fittingclothes,wasinthecompanyofsuchagraceful,refined-lookinggirl.
Hewaslikeacommongardenerwalkingwitharose.
Jimfrownedfromtimetotimewhenhecaughttheinquisitiveglanceofsomestranger.
Hehadthatdislikeofbeingstaredat,whichcomesongeniuseslateinlifeandneverleavesthecommonplace.
Sibyl,however,wasquiteunconsciousoftheeffectshewasproducing.
Herlovewastremblinginlaughteronherlips.
ShewasthinkingofPrinceCharming,and,thatshemightthinkofhimallthemore,shedidnottalkofhim,butprattledonabouttheshipinwhichJimwasgoingtosail,aboutthegoldhewascertaintofind,aboutthewonderfulheiresswhoselifehewastosavefromthewicked,red-shirtedbushrangers.
Forhewasnottoremainasailor,orasupercargo,orwhateverhewasgoingtobe.Oh,no!Asailor’sexistencewasdreadful.
Fancybeingcoopedupinahorridship,withthehoarse,hump-backedwavestryingtogetin,andablackwindblowingthemastsdownandtearingthesailsintolongscreamingribands!
HewastoleavethevesselatMelbourne,bidapolitegood-byetothecaptain,andgooffatoncetothegold-fields.
Beforeaweekwasoverhewastocomeacrossalargenuggetofpuregold,thelargestnuggetthathadeverbeendiscovered,andbringitdowntothecoastinawaggonguardedbysixmountedpolicemen.
Thebushrangersweretoattackthemthreetimes,andbedefeatedwithimmenseslaughter.Or,no.
Hewasnottogotothegold-fieldsatall.
Theywerehorridplaces,wheremengotintoxicated,andshoteachotherinbar-rooms,andusedbadlanguage.
Hewastobeanicesheep-farmer,andoneevening,ashewasridinghome,hewastoseethebeautifulheiressbeingcarriedoffbyarobberonablackhorse,andgivechase,andrescueher.
Ofcourse,shewouldfallinlovewithhim,andhewithher,andtheywouldgetmarried,andcomehome,andliveinanimmensehouseinLondon.
Yes,thereweredelightfulthingsinstoreforhim.
Buthemustbeverygood,andnotlosehistemper,orspendhismoneyfoolishly.
Shewasonlyayearolderthanhewas,butsheknewsomuchmoreoflife.
Hemustbesure,also,towritetoherbyeverymail,andtosayhisprayerseachnightbeforehewenttosleep.
Godwasverygood,andwouldwatchoverhim.
Shewouldprayforhim,too,andinafewyearshewouldcomebackquiterichandhappy.
Theladlistenedsulkilytoherandmadenoanswer.Hewasheart-sickatleavinghome.
Yetitwasnotthisalonethatmadehimgloomyandmorose.
Inexperiencedthoughhewas,hehadstillastrongsenseofthedangerofSibyl’sposition.
Thisyoungdandywhowasmakinglovetohercouldmeanhernogood.
Hewasagentleman,andhehatedhimforthat,hatedhimthroughsomecuriousrace-instinctforwhichhecouldnotaccount,andwhichforthatreasonwasallthemoredominantwithinhim.
Hewasconsciousalsooftheshallownessandvanityofhismother’snature,andinthatsawinfiniteperilforSibylandSibyl’shappiness.
Childrenbeginbylovingtheirparents;astheygrowoldertheyjudgethem;sometimestheyforgivethem.
Hismother!Hehadsomethingonhismindtoaskofher,somethingthathehadbroodedonformanymonthsofsilence.
Achancephrasethathehadheardatthetheatre,awhisperedsneerthathadreachedhisearsonenightashewaitedatthestage-door,hadsetlooseatrainofhorriblethoughts.
Heremembereditasifithadbeenthelashofahunting-cropacrosshisface.
Hisbrowsknittogetherintoawedgelikefurrow,andwithatwitchofpainhebithisunderlip.
“YouarenotlisteningtoawordIamsaying,Jim,”criedSibyl,“andIammakingthemostdelightfulplansforyourfuture.Dosaysomething.”
“Whatdoyouwantmetosay?”
“Oh!thatyouwillbeagoodboyandnotforgetus,”sheanswered,smilingathim.
Heshruggedhisshoulders.“YouaremorelikelytoforgetmethanIamtoforgetyou,Sibyl.”
Sheflushed.“Whatdoyoumean,Jim?”sheasked.
“Youhaveanewfriend,Ihear.Whoishe?Whyhaveyounottoldmeabouthim?Hemeansyounogood.”
“Stop,Jim!”sheexclaimed.“Youmustnotsayanythingagainsthim.Ilovehim.”
“Why,youdon’tevenknowhisname,”answeredthelad.“Whoishe?Ihavearighttoknow.”
“HeiscalledPrinceCharming.Don’tyoulikethename.Oh!yousillyboy!youshouldneverforgetit.
Ifyouonlysawhim,youwouldthinkhimthemostwonderfulpersonintheworld.
Somedayyouwillmeethim—whenyoucomebackfromAustralia.Youwilllikehimsomuch.
Everybodylikeshim,andI...lovehim.
Iwishyoucouldcometothetheatreto-night.
Heisgoingtobethere,andIamtoplayJuliet.Oh!howIshallplayit!
Fancy,Jim,tobeinloveandplayJuliet!Tohavehimsittingthere!Toplayforhisdelight!
IamafraidImayfrightenthecompany,frightenorenthrallthem.Tobeinloveistosurpassone’sself.
PoordreadfulMr.Isaacswillbeshouting’genius’tohisloafersatthebar.
Hehaspreachedmeasadogma;to-nighthewillannouncemeasarevelation.Ifeelit.
Anditisallhis,hisonly,PrinceCharming,mywonderfullover,mygodofgraces.ButIampoorbesidehim.Poor?Whatdoesthatmatter?
Whenpovertycreepsinatthedoor,lovefliesinthroughthewindow.Ourproverbswantrewriting.
Theyweremadeinwinter,anditissummernow;spring-timeforme,Ithink,averydanceofblossomsinblueskies.”
“Heisagentleman,”saidtheladsullenly.
“Aprince!”shecriedmusically.“Whatmoredoyouwant?”
“Hewantstoenslaveyou.”
“Ishudderatthethoughtofbeingfree.”
“Iwantyoutobewareofhim.”
“Toseehimistoworshiphim;toknowhimistotrusthim.”
“Sibyl,youaremadabouthim.”
Shelaughedandtookhisarm.“YoudearoldJim,youtalkasifyouwereahundred.Somedayyouwillbeinloveyourself.Thenyouwillknowwhatitis.Don’tlooksosulky.
Surelyyoushouldbegladtothinkthat,thoughyouaregoingaway,youleavemehappierthanIhaveeverbeenbefore.
Lifehasbeenhardforusboth,terriblyhardanddifficult.Butitwillbedifferentnow.
Youaregoingtoanewworld,andIhavefoundone.
Herearetwochairs;letussitdownandseethesmartpeoplegoby.”
Theytooktheirseatsamidstacrowdofwatchers.
Thetulip-bedsacrosstheroadflamedlikethrobbingringsoffire.
Awhitedust—tremulouscloudoforris-rootitseemed—hunginthepantingair.
Thebrightlycolouredparasolsdancedanddippedlikemonstrousbutterflies.
Shemadeherbrothertalkofhimself,hishopes,hisprospects.Hespokeslowlyandwitheffort.
Theypassedwordstoeachotherasplayersatagamepasscounters.Sibylfeltoppressed.Shecouldnotcommunicateherjoy.
Afaintsmilecurvingthatsullenmouthwasalltheechoshecouldwin.Aftersometimeshebecamesilent.
Suddenlyshecaughtaglimpseofgoldenhairandlaughinglips,andinanopencarriagewithtwoladiesDorianGraydrovepast.
Shestartedtoherfeet.“Thereheis!”shecried.
“Who?”saidJimVane.
“PrinceCharming,”sheanswered,lookingafterthevictoria.
Hejumpedupandseizedherroughlybythearm.“Showhimtome.Whichishe?Pointhimout.Imustseehim!”
heexclaimed;butatthatmomenttheDukeofBerwick’sfour-in-handcamebetween,andwhenithadleftthespaceclear,thecarriagehadsweptoutofthepark.
“Heisgone,”murmuredSibylsadly.“Iwishyouhadseenhim.”
“IwishIhad,forassureasthereisaGodinheaven,ifheeverdoesyouanywrong,Ishallkillhim.”
Shelookedathiminhorror.Herepeatedhiswords.Theycuttheairlikeadagger.Thepeopleroundbegantogape.Aladystandingclosetohertittered.
“Comeaway,Jim;comeaway,”shewhispered.Hefollowedherdoggedlyasshepassedthroughthecrowd.Hefeltgladatwhathehadsaid.
WhentheyreachedtheAchillesStatue,sheturnedround.
Therewaspityinhereyesthatbecamelaughteronherlips.Sheshookherheadathim.
“Youarefoolish,Jim,utterlyfoolish;abad-temperedboy,thatisall.Howcanyousaysuchhorriblethings?
Youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout.Youaresimplyjealousandunkind.Ah!Iwishyouwouldfallinlove.
Lovemakespeoplegood,andwhatyousaidwaswicked.”
“Iamsixteen,”heanswered,“andIknowwhatIamabout.Motherisnohelptoyou.
Shedoesn’tunderstandhowtolookafteryou.
IwishnowthatIwasnotgoingtoAustraliaatall.
Ihaveagreatmindtochuckthewholethingup.
Iwould,ifmyarticleshadn’tbeensigned.”
“Oh,don’tbesoserious,Jim.YouarelikeoneoftheheroesofthosesillymelodramasMotherusedtobesofondofactingin.Iamnotgoingtoquarrelwithyou.Ihaveseenhim,andoh!toseehimisperfecthappiness.Wewon’tquarrel.
IknowyouwouldneverharmanyoneIlove,wouldyou?”
“Notaslongasyoulovehim,Isuppose,”wasthesullenanswer.
“Ishalllovehimforever!”shecried.
“Andhe?”
“Forever,too!”
“Hehadbetter.”
Sheshrankfromhim.Thenshelaughedandputherhandonhisarm.Hewasmerelyaboy.
AttheMarbleArchtheyhailedanomnibus,whichleftthemclosetotheirshabbyhomeintheEustonRoad.
Itwasafterfiveo’clock,andSibylhadtoliedownforacoupleofhoursbeforeacting.Jiminsistedthatsheshoulddoso.
Hesaidthathewouldsoonerpartwithherwhentheirmotherwasnotpresent.
Shewouldbesuretomakeascene,andhedetestedscenesofeverykind.
InSybil’sownroomtheyparted.Therewasjealousyinthelad’sheart,andafiercemurderoushatredofthestrangerwho,asitseemedtohim,hadcomebetweenthem.
Yet,whenherarmswereflungroundhisneck,andherfingersstrayedthroughhishair,hesoftenedandkissedherwithrealaffection.
Thereweretearsinhiseyesashewentdownstairs.
Hismotherwaswaitingforhimbelow.Shegrumbledathisunpunctuality,asheentered.
Hemadenoanswer,butsatdowntohismeagremeal.
Thefliesbuzzedroundthetableandcrawledoverthestainedcloth.
Throughtherumbleofomnibuses,andtheclatterofstreet-cabs,hecouldhearthedroningvoicedevouringeachminutethatwaslefttohim.
Aftersometime,hethrustawayhisplateandputhisheadinhishands.Hefeltthathehadarighttoknow.
Itshouldhavebeentoldtohimbefore,ifitwasashesuspected.
Leadenwithfear,hismotherwatchedhim.
Wordsdroppedmechanicallyfromherlips.
Atatteredlacehandkerchieftwitchedinherfingers.
Whentheclockstrucksix,hegotupandwenttothedoor.Thenheturnedbackandlookedather.Theireyesmet.Inhershesawawildappealformercy.Itenragedhim.
“Mother,Ihavesomethingtoaskyou,”hesaid.Hereyeswanderedvaguelyabouttheroom.Shemadenoanswer.“Tellmethetruth.Ihavearighttoknow.Wereyoumarriedtomyfather?”
Sheheavedadeepsigh.Itwasasighofrelief.
Theterriblemoment,themomentthatnightandday,forweeksandmonths,shehaddreaded,hadcomeatlast,andyetshefeltnoterror.
Indeed,insomemeasureitwasadisappointmenttoher.
Thevulgardirectnessofthequestioncalledforadirectanswer.
Thesituationhadnotbeengraduallyledupto.Itwascrude.Itremindedherofabadrehearsal.
“No,”sheanswered,wonderingattheharshsimplicityoflife.
“Myfatherwasascoundrelthen!”criedthelad,clenchinghisfists.
Sheshookherhead.“Iknewhewasnotfree.Welovedeachotherverymuch.
Ifhehadlived,hewouldhavemadeprovisionforus.Don’tspeakagainsthim,myson.Hewasyourfather,andagentleman.Indeed,hewashighlyconnected.”
Anoathbrokefromhislips.“Idon’tcareformyself,”heexclaimed,“butdon’tletSibyl....Itisagentleman,isn’tit,whoisinlovewithher,orsaysheis?Highlyconnected,too,Isuppose.”
Foramomentahideoussenseofhumiliationcameoverthewoman.Herheaddrooped.Shewipedhereyeswithshakinghands.“Sibylhasamother,”shemurmured;“Ihadnone.”
Theladwastouched.Hewenttowardsher,andstoopingdown,hekissedher.
“IamsorryifIhavepainedyoubyaskingaboutmyfather,”hesaid,“butIcouldnothelpit.Imustgonow.Good-bye.
Don’tforgetthatyouwillhaveonlyonechildnowtolookafter,andbelievemethatifthismanwrongsmysister,Iwillfindoutwhoheis,trackhimdown,andkillhimlikeadog.Iswearit.”
Theexaggeratedfollyofthethreat,thepassionategesturethataccompaniedit,themadmelodramaticwords,madelifeseemmorevividtoher.Shewasfamiliarwiththeatmosphere.
Shebreathedmorefreely,andforthefirsttimeformanymonthsshereallyadmiredherson.
Shewouldhavelikedtohavecontinuedthesceneonthesameemotionalscale,buthecuthershort.
Trunkshadtobecarrieddownandmufflerslookedfor.
Thelodging-housedrudgebustledinandout.
Therewasthebargainingwiththecabman.Themomentwaslostinvulgardetails.
Itwaswitharenewedfeelingofdisappointmentthatshewavedthetatteredlacehandkerchieffromthewindow,ashersondroveaway.
Shewasconsciousthatagreatopportunityhadbeenwasted.
SheconsoledherselfbytellingSibylhowdesolateshefeltherlifewouldbe,nowthatshehadonlyonechildtolookafter.Sherememberedthephrase.Ithadpleasedher.Ofthethreatshesaidnothing.
Itwasvividlyanddramaticallyexpressed.
Shefeltthattheywouldalllaughatitsomeday.
Share this article to
FINISH