I invent tasks for her which
are quite unnecessary. For years the little shut-up soul has
been yearning and praying for this opportunity to stand honestly
on her own feet and she can scarcely persuade herself that it has
been given to her. It must not be spoiled for her. I send her on
errands my maid could perform. I have given her a little room with
a serious business air. It is full of files and papers and she
sits in it and copies things for me and even looks over accounts.
She is clever at looking up references. I have let her sit up quite
late once or twice searching for detail and dates for my use. It
made her bloom with joy."
"You are quite the most delightful woman in the world," said Coombe.
"Quite."
CHAPTER XXIX
In the serious little room the Duchess had given to her Robin
built for herself a condition she called happiness. She drew the
spiritual substance from which it was made from her pleasure in
the books of reference closely fitted into their shelves, in the
files for letters and more imposing documents, in the varieties
of letter paper and envelopes of different sizes and materials
which had been provided for her use in case of necessity.
"You may not use the more substantial ones often, but you must be
prepared for any unexpected contingency," the Duchess had explained,
thereby smoothing her pathway by the suggestion of responsibilities.
Pages:
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392