登陆注册
4612000000035

第35章

It is bad enough that we should be disgraced; but you must not be.""My dear child, I THINK my position in society is sufficiently established to warrant a risk or two. If _I_ am seen in company with--with the encumbrance, people will merely say, 'Oh, it's another of her eccentricities!' that's all. Now, don't worry, and don't fret all that pretty color from your cheeks. Always remember this: it is but for a year or a trifle over. Then you will be of age and can send your encumbrance to the right-about in a hurry."Caroline, under the spell of this convincing eloquence, began to cheer up. She even smiled.

"Well," she said, "I will try to be diplomatic. I really will.

But Stephen--I'm not sure what dreadful thing HE will do.""He will return to college soon. I will take upon myself the convincing of the encumbrance to that effect. And while he is at home, Malcolm will take charge of him. He will be delighted to do it.""Mrs. Dunn, how can we ever thank you sufficiently? What should we do without you and Malcolm?""I HOPE, my dear, that you will never have to do without me; not for many years, at any rate. Of course, there is always my poor heart, but--we won't worry, will we?"So, with a kiss and an embrace, this affecting interview ended.

There was another that evening between Mrs. Dunn and her son, which was not devoid of interest. Malcolm listened to the information which his mother gave him, and commented upon it in characteristic fashion.

"Humph!" he observed, "two hundred and fifty thousand, instead of the two million you figured on, Mater! Two hundred and fifty thousand isn't so much, in these days.""No," replied his parent, sharply, "it isn't so much, but it isn't so little, either.""I suppose one can get along on it."

"Yes, one can. In fact, I know of two who are managing with a good deal less. Don't be any more of a fool than you can help, Malcolm.

The sum itself isn't small, and, besides, the Warrens are a family of standing. To be connected with them is worth a good deal.

There are infinite possibilities in it. Oh, if only I might live to see the day when tradespeople meant something other than nuisances to be dodged, I THINK I could die contented.""Caro's a decent sort of a girl," commented Malcolm, reflectively.

"She's a bright girl and an attractive one. Just now she is in a mood to turn to us, to you. But, for Heaven's sake, be careful!

She is delicate and sensitive and requires managing. She likes you. If only you weren't such a blunderer!""Much obliged, Mater. You're free with your compliments this evening. What's the trouble? Another 'heart'?

"No. My heart I can trust, up to certain limits. But I'm afraid of your head, just as I always was of your father's. And here's one more bit of advice: Be careful how you treat that country uncle.""The Admiral! Ho! ho! He's a card."

"He may be the trump that will lose us the trick. Treat him civilly; yes, even cordially, if you can. And DON'T insult him as you did the first time you and he met."The young man crossed his legs, and grunted in resignation.

"Well," he said, "it's going to be a confounded bore, but, at the very longest, it'll last but a year. Then Caro will be her own mistress.""Yes. But there are three hundred and sixty-five days in a year;remember that."

"All right, Mater. You can bet on me. The old hayseed and I will be bosom pals. Wait and see."The formalities at the lawyers' took some time. Captain Elisha was absent from the apartment the better part of the following two days. The evenings, however, he spent with his niece and nephew, and, if at all sensitive to sudden changes of the temperature, he must have noticed that the atmosphere of the library was less frigid. Caroline was not communicative, did not make conversation, nor was she in the least familiar; but she answered his questions, did not leave the room when he entered, and seemed inclined to accept his society with resignation, if not with enthusiasm. Even Stephen was less sarcastic and bitter. At times, when his new guardian did or said something which offended his highly cultivated sense of the proprieties, he seemed inclined to burst out with a sneer; but a quick "ahem!" or a warning glance from his sister caused him to remain silent and vent his indignation by kicking a footstool or barking a violent order at the unresisting Edwards.

Caroline and her brother had had a heart to heart talk, and, as a result, the all-wise young gentleman promised to make no more trouble than he could help.

"Though, by gad, Caro," he declared, "it's only for you I do it!

If I had my way the old butt-in should understand exactly what Ithink of him."

On Thursday, after luncheon, as Captain Elisha sat in his own room, reading a book he had taken from the library, there came a knock at the door.

"Come ahead in!" ordered the captain. Caroline entered. Her uncle rose and put down the book.

"Oh!" he exclaimed, "is it you? Excuse me. I thought 'twas the Commodore--Edwards, I mean. If I'd known you was comin' callin', Caroline, I shouldn't have been quite so bossy. Guess I'd have opened the door for you, instead of lettin' you do it yourself.""Thank you," answered his niece. "I came to see you on--I suppose you might call it business. At any rate, it is a financial matter.

I sha'n't detain you long."

Captain Elisha was a trifle disappointed.

"Oh," he said, "on business, was it? I hoped--I didn't know but you'd come just out of sociability. However, I'm mighty glad to see you, Caroline, no matter what it's for. That's a real becomin'

dress you've got on," he added, inspecting her admiringly. "Ideclare, you look prettier every time I see you. You favor your pa consider'ble; I can see it more and more. 'Bije had about all the good looks there was in our family," with a chuckle. "Set down, do."The girl seated herself in a rocker, and looked at him for a moment without speaking. She seemed to have something on her mind, and not to know exactly how to express it.

同类推荐
  • 儿科要略

    儿科要略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 龙城录

    龙城录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 净度三昧经

    净度三昧经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 兵典

    兵典

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 经穴汇解

    经穴汇解

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 余情难了:贫女的逆袭之旅

    余情难了:贫女的逆袭之旅

    惊觉相思不露,原来早已入骨,他,原本是尊容华贵的皇八子,却被突如其来的亡国之祸牵涉,被迫流亡他国,任人宰割。她,原本是北卑国内穷困潦倒的乞女,因着一次巧遇,蒙南华王子千倾搭救,踏上了另一条征程。强者才存,皇八子凭着一己之力,复国登上高位,搅乱北卑国内历史风云。而她,更是南华有梦,北卑浅殇。后宫争斗,阴谋诡计,更是令她应接不暇。没有倾国倾城的容貌,没有显赫的家世地位,却融入了一个人人艳羡的北卑国度。一段莫名其妙的生死相许,却成了她这一生的救赎。不泣别离,不诉终殇,若此生难护你,那吾宁愿百年孤独。“夜,如果,在千倾之前遇到你,你会嫌弃我一脸的脏污,乞儿模样吗?”“自然……”
  • 心灵源头的教子方略

    心灵源头的教子方略

    一种教育方法在别人家的孩子身上有效,到了自家的孩子却没有效果,这是很多家长困惑的问题。原因就在于没有考虑孩子的个体差异。一把钥匙一把锁,而不能一把钥匙千把锁,这是家庭教育的核心。家庭教育有没有一些普遍的规律呢?这是肯定的,但这是要在充分考虑孩子不同时期、不同个性、不同心理需求的基础上,加以科学的运用才有效。本书就是这些普遍的规律,让家庭教育变得简单。?  一种教育方法在别人家的孩子身上有效,到了自家的孩子却没有效果,这是很多家长困惑的问题。原因就在于没有考虑孩子的个体差异。一把钥匙一把锁,而不能一把钥匙千把锁,这是家庭教育的核心。家庭教育有没有一些普遍的规律呢?这是肯定的,但这是要在充分考虑孩子不同时期、不同个性、不同心理需求的基础上,加以科学的运用才有效。本书就是这些普遍的规律,让家庭教育变得简单。
  • 抗日之陆战狂花

    抗日之陆战狂花

    战争是一面镜子,能够让人更好认识和平的珍贵。昔日侦察兵穿越成羸弱小少爷,为了生存,更为了彻底粉碎日本军国主义殖民奴役中国的图谋,洗刷近代以来中国抗击外来侵略屡战屡败的民族耻辱,带领小伙伴儿踏上铁血抗战之旅,与亿万中华儿女一同开辟中华民族伟大复兴的光明前景,开启古老中国凤凰涅槃、浴火重生的新征程。
  • 绝色魔尊

    绝色魔尊

    她是魔武大陆的第一美人,同时也是公认的第一废材,堂堂的国舅千金却无法修武,更别说修魔了,不止是凤家,整个云阳国的人都以她为耻。她是魔幻大陆的奇葩,亦是魔界的公主,在她光芒正盛的时候,却被自己的妹妹设计陷害,不幸陨落。天降异象,两个不同的时空发生交融,当奇葩的她与废材的她灵魂融合时,一个完整的、新生的她横空出世。原来她和她本是同一个灵魂,她是魔武大陆的第一废材,她也是魔幻大陆的难得一见的奇才。神宠惊现,空间之谜随之而来,又会面对什么样的危险、挑战,又该如何去面对、解决。
  • 盛婚豪门少夫人

    盛婚豪门少夫人

    母亲尸骨未寒,小三登堂入室,父亲指着母亲昔日的闺蜜对她说,“陌陌,这是你的新妈妈。”又将他们十三岁的私生女和十一岁私生子带到她面前,“这是你的妹妹和弟弟。”为了将母亲辛苦十几年打下的基业据为己有,这个恶毒的女人竟还想要她的命。当她死里逃生回到家,竟看到自己的未婚夫和还有几天就成婚的妹妹在滚床单。“陌陌,家丑不可外扬,慕家我们得罪不起,现在出了这种事爸爸也很难过,可你妹妹已经怀孕,是不能再嫁去慕家了,你就代替你妹妹嫁过去吧。”现在都什么年代,封建君主制吗?还有替嫁这一说?后母也劝说,“慕家有钱有势,是有名的亿万豪门,几乎垄断了本地的娱乐业,有多少女人挤坡头都想嫁过去呢,这么好的婆家可不好找。”谁不知道慕家的大少爷是个傻子啊。“既然这么好,又是妹妹的未婚夫,我就不夺人所爱了,还是让妹妹嫁过去吧。你放心,我不会说出妹妹她婚前和自己姐姐未婚夫搞破鞋这事的,反正对方也是个傻子,不会介意妹妹肚子里的野种的,噢!”后母脸色一阵红一阵白,妹妹也是青白交加,脸色异常难看。未婚夫看不过眼,冲她吼:“江以陌,你别为难琪琪,都是我主动的,我从来都没有爱过你,我爱的一直都是琪琪,是我对不起你,你有什么冲我来,别伤害琪琪。”江以陌瞬间红了眼眶,“好,我嫁。”*某男睁着一双漂亮的桃花眼说:“陌陌,我妈说要我跟你生个胖娃娃。”某女诱哄:“乖,你还小,不能生胖娃娃,等你长大了才可以生。”某男一脸天真:“我不小了,已经很大了,真的,不信你试试……”说着扑了上去。“慕天宸,你干什么……你这个混蛋,流氓,不是说你是个傻子……唔……”*“江以陌,你这个狐狸精,慕天宸是我的未婚夫,你别太不要脸,抢自己妹妹的未婚夫。”“有本事你来抢啊,看在你是我爸小三的野种份上我就好心提醒你一下,我现在正怀孕,他已经禁谷欠很久,正饥渴着呢,你那么有手段,一定有办法的,噢!”某女摸着自己塞满枕头的假肚子懒洋洋地说,“我也不是那种小气吧啦的女人,你要是成功了,我一定跟慕天宸离婚,将慕家少夫人的位置给你让出来。”站在阴影里的男人一脸铁青,竟敢教唆别的女人抢自己丈夫,今天晚上看他怎么收拾她!**这是一个腹黑大灰狼诱哄可爱小白兔,又宠又爱、又爱又宠生下一窝腹黑小灰狼和可爱小小兔的故事。**【欢脱篇】某男追着某女满房间跑,“老婆,你别跑啊,我妈说要我跟你生胖娃娃……”
  • 你在哪里

    你在哪里

    丽丽实在太累了,她想眯一会儿。隐约里,她听到电视里本地都市报道正播送着一则新闻,节目主持人兴奋地说,近年来,最大的一注彩票大奖终于花落本市。今天上午,本期体育彩票大奖得主头戴旅游帽,面戴口罩,一副墨镜把整个面部遮盖得严严实实,在没有任何人的陪同下,领走了本期500万的彩票大奖。丽丽下意识地瞅着电视画面,她惊呆了!电视一闪而过的领奖人那衣服,那身形……正在这时,她的手机响了,一个熟悉的声音颤抖着对她说:“丽丽!你在哪里?”
  • 一见倾心:腹黑王爷忙追妻

    一见倾心:腹黑王爷忙追妻

    (新书《强势追爱:总裁,别乱来!》)一朝穿越被称“暴露狂”还被追的满大街跑,幸好天降美男出手相救,只是为什么从此就跟他缠上了?美男说:“元茜儿,我们亲也亲过,睡也睡过了,你乖乖从了我吧!”茜儿说:“莫亦冉,你丫的桃花太多,我得考虑考虑!”小白说:“莫莫,别说那么多,直接扑倒啊!”几年后...美男说:“娘子,你今天有几朵桃花?”茜儿吞了吞口水说:“额,没..没有!”小莫莫跳出来说:“报告爹地,有八朵!”美男挑眉:“哦?八朵,很好,今晚八次,现在就开始吧!”茜儿咆哮:“不,不要,你的肾,啊不,我的腰还要啊...”
  • 皇朝大人们

    皇朝大人们

    一直在犹豫踟蹰,怎样才能向今天孜孜以求的年轻人准确地说明创作的用意,选取历史上二十多位声名显赫的大人,堆砌起这几十万字,并非志在作传,——叙写他们生平的文字早已汗牛充栋,我只是像本山大叔小品里那个光头的王小利一样,抢过话筒来要往祖坟上刨。功名利禄人人向往,有人所向披靡,有人却捉襟见肘,在这条荆棘遍布的仕途上奔突驰驱,是需要些内力和手段的。信仰固然重要,谙熟政治的波诡云谲,厘清错综复杂的人际关系,才是宦海弄潮的基本功。我们都被正统的文字蒙蔽误导了,信以为“天生我才”。剥开灵魂给你们看看,但求后来人少走些弯路。这或许正是书写他们的初衷。为不致寂寞生涩,我不时伴着现时的影像前行。
  • 你的情局我的爱

    你的情局我的爱

    他为报复,亲手布下这情局,只待她步步沦陷。她认定他是一生所爱,付出真心,到头来遍体鳞伤。走向他,就走向痛苦,离开他,就离开幸福,所以,若能同他余生相守,要她飞蛾扑火也无怨无悔……
  • 上清太一帝君太丹隐书解胞十二结节图诀

    上清太一帝君太丹隐书解胞十二结节图诀

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。