He only smiled and said,
'Nevah mind, my dear, he's a c'nfended handsome dog.' I daresay he meant
that as a compliment for Tootles. She _is_ pretty, don't you think so,
dear?"
"She's just like you, Edith," said Constance, who understood things
quite clearly.
"Then, in heaven's name, Connie, why are they staring at her so
impolitely--all of them?"
"It's because she is so pretty. Goodness, Edith, don't let every little
thing worry you. You'll have wrinkles and grey hairs soon enough."
"It's all very nice for you to talk," grumbled Edith. "I'm going mad
with loneliness. You have a lover near you all the time--he's mad about
you. What have I? I'm utterly alone. No one loves me--no, not a soul--"
"You won't let them love you, Edith," said Constance jauntily. "They all
want to love you--all of them."
"I hate men," announced Mrs. Medcroft, retrospectively.
Developments of a most refractory character swooped down upon them at
the very end of the sojourn in Innsbruck. Every one had begun to
rejoice in the fact that the fortnight was almost over, and that they
could go their different ways without having anything really regrettable
to carry away with them. The Rodneys were going to Paris, the Medcrofts
to London, the Odell-Carneys (after finding out where the others were
bent) to Ostend. Freddie Ulstervelt suddenly announced his determination
to remain at the Tirol for a week or two longer.
Pages:
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110