Ruth, ask that young Roebling next
you to tell us another story--No, wait until we have our coffee
and you gentlemen have lighted your cigars. Perhaps, Ruth, you had
better take Mr. Breen into the smoking-room. Now, give me your
arm, Holker, and you come, too, Major, and bring Peter with you to
my boudoir. I want to show you the most delicious copy of Shelley
you ever saw. No, Mr. Breen, Ruth wants you; we will be with you
in a few minutes--" Then after the two had passed on ahead--"Look
at them, Major--aren't they a joy, just to watch?--and aren't you
ashamed of yourself that you have wasted your life? No arbor for
you! What would you give if a lovely girl like that wanted you all
to herself by the side of my frog pond?"
A shout ahead from Jack, and a rippling laugh from Ruth now
floated our way.
"Oh!--OH!--" and "Yes--isn't it wonderful--come and see the
arbor--" and then a clatter of feet down the soggy steps and
fainter footfalls on the moist bricks, ending in silence.
"There!" laughed Miss Felicia, turning toward us and clapping her
hands--"they have reached the arbor and it's all over, and now we
will all go out on the porch for our coffee.
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