And I think I might manage if I were given a
trial.
And Bertine replied: Inever saw anything like it. I
was riding out on the East Kingston roadyesterday afternoon.
Griffithssat and leaning over her at once began to
purr. And it takes a little time, of course, to get anywhere inany business these
days.
Youre right, I know, said Clyde placatingly, for he
was stillhoping for this hinted-at promotion. Ill just have Nadine lay extra plates
at this end. Griffiths, who took no end of satisfaction in the graceand rank of her
own home in this street. But itseems to me youre making a pretty long night of it,
arent you? It would reflect more handsomely on the Griffiths endof the family and
please his son more, maybe.
And, if necessary, let him go homeon full pay until
you find something for him.
No, sir, I never have, answered Clyde, but so
nervous that healmost stuttered.
Oh, I like it very much, he observed, exerting
himself to becongenial and to smile.
Mother has been saying that you werecoming to call
one of these days.
Other people before him have worked down there
andit hasnt hurt them. Well, now, that sounds a little better, replied Gilbert
crisplyand more graciously. Bella is not here just now orGilbert, either, but then
they will be soon, I believe. Not the same thing, insisted Gilbertsharply. All the
treesand flowers will be in bloom then and you can see how really niceit is. I knew
they were somewhere inthe building, but I didnt know just where. Yes, sir, I guess
thats true, too, he commented. Bella, observed Samuel Griffiths, heavily, noting
Clyde stillstanding, your cousin, Clyde. Now, Ill tell you what else I want you to
do.
I hope youre not driving that car as fast as usual,
complainedhis mother. Just be seated for a moment, went on Gilbert.
Griffithsapproaching him, a bland and angular and faded-looking woman. What had been
the nature of his fathers work inKansas City?
Hemight see to it, for instance, that his father
heard onlyunfavorable things about him. Suddenly the two girls declaring they must
go, they took themselvesoff.
It contained so many handsome pieces of furniture
and suchrich rugs and hangings.
Oh, I dont mean that, returned his son, ignoring
Clyde entirely. It must be so, at least if hewished to keep his place
here.
Also that we will never have any troublein so far
as you are concerned. Apart fromhis father, perhaps, there was no one here to whom
he offered anyreverence.
And with only fifteen dollars aweek to live on.
Theressome doings over at the Bridgemans. Thats the trouble with people who dont
know. Then you keep up a correspondence with her, do you?