The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-03
CHAPTER XVI.

refuse 10 set. the daylight TO part. II
rolled out in afternoon sunshine, prolong
ed as it seemed for a half years time,
showing no inclination to wane. When
the sun at last went down, then ensued a
long interval OF day without it, and slow
Iy. slowly, the shades of twilight came on.
MIR. Mannering had been very quiet all
the afternoon. He sat brooding unwilling
to speak.
The big book came back with Mr.. Fld-
dler's compliments, and was replaced
upon his table, where he sat sometimes
turning over the pages, not reading, do
ing nothing. There are few things more
terrible to a looker-on than his silence,
this self-absorption, taking no notice Of
anything outside of him, of GONZALES
cent. The attitude Of dependency, the
bowed head, the curved shoulders, and
bad enough in themselves, but nothing is
so dreadful as the silence, the preoccupa-
ton with nothing the eyes fixed on a
page which is not read, or a horizon in
which nothing is visible.
Dora sat by him with a book, too, in
which she was interested, which is per
haps the easiest way of bearing this; but
the book ended before the afternoon did,
and then she had nothing TO do but TO
watch him and wonder what he was
thinking of-whether his mind was row
ing over the lands unknown to her
whether il was about the museum he was
thinking, or the doctors orders, or the
bills, two or three of which had by mis-
adventure fallen into his hands. What
was it, He remained in the same attitude
quite still and steady, not moving a fin
ger Sometimes she hoped he might have
fallen asleep; sometimes she addressed
to him a faltering question, to which he
answered yes, or no.
Hewas not impatient when she spoke
to him He replied to her in those mono
syIables which are almost worse than 81
lence. And Dora burst not protest, could
not upbraid him with that dreadful 81
lence, as an older person might have
done. ooh, father, talk to me little ~
she once cried in her despair, but he said
gently that he had nothing TO talk about,
and silenced the girl. He had taken the
various meals and refreshments that were
ordered for him, when they came, with
something that was half a smile and half
look of disgust, and this was the final
evaporation TO Dora.
''Oh, father when you know that you
must take it-that it is the only way Of
getting well again"
Il am taking it, he said, with that
twist of the lip at every spoonful; which
betrayed how dittasteful it was.
This is hard to bear for the most eX-
perienced of nurses, and what should it
be for girl of 1872 She clasped her
hands together in her impotence to keep
herself down. And then there came a
knock at the door, and Gilchrist ap-
peared, begging that Miss Dora would put
on her hat and go out for walk with
Miss Bethune.
I'm come and sit with my work in a
corner, and be there if he wants any
thing"
Mr.. Mannering did not seem to take
any notice, but he heard the whisper at
the door.
There is no occasion for anyone sit
ting with me. am quite able to ring if
want anything
But, father, don't want to go out, "
said Dora.
u want you to go out" he said, per-
emptorily. at is not proper that you
should be shut up here all day"
Let me light the candles, then,
father2"
u don't want any candles am not
doing anything. There is plenty of light
for what 1 want"
Oh, what despair it was to have to do
with a man who would not be shaken,
who would take his own way and no
other! If he would but have read a novel,
as Dora did-if he would but begin to
study his big book which was the custom
of his life. Dora felt that it was almost
wicked to leave him, but what could she
do, while he sat there absorbed in his
thoughts, which she could not even divine
what they were about?
To go out into the cool evening was a
relief TO her poor little exasperated tenn
per, and troubled mind. The air was
sweet and fresh, even in Bloomsbury; the
trees waved pnCflnA enftlNr anaipcf
blue sky; there was young moon some
where, white speck in the blue though
the light of day was not yet gone; the
voices were softened and almost musical
in the evening air, and it was so good to
be out of DOORS to be removed from the
close controlling atmosphere of unaccus-
toned trouble. "Out of sight, out oil
mind" people say. 1t was very far from
being that; on the contrary, it was but
the natural Impotence, the mere contra
riety, that made the girl ready TO CRY
with a sense of the intolerable, which
now was softened and subdued, allowing
love and pity to come back. She would
talk of nothing but her father as she
went along the street.
do you think he looks any better, Miss
Bethune? DO you think he will soon be
able to get out2 Do you think the doctor
will let him return soon to the museum
He loves the museum better than any
Jnlng. he would nave more chance
TO get well if he might go back"
"All that must be decided by time
Dora-time and the doctor, who, though
we scott at him sometimes, knows better
after all, than you or me. But [ wan
you to think little of the poor lady vol
are going to see
What am going to see? O, that lady
/ don't know if father will wish me to q
and see her. o, l did not know what i
was you wanted of me. l cannot q
against father Miss Bethune, when he i!
i'll and does not know"
you will just trust to another thar
your father for once in your life, Dora
If you think l am not friend to YOU,
father, and one that would consider hin
in all things -"
The girl walked on silently. reluctantly
for some time without speaking. witt
sometimes half pause, as if she woulC
have turned back. Then she answered
In low voice, still not very willingly, -
know you are friend. "
You do not put much heart in il, .
SAID Miss Bethune, with a laugh TIL,
most maguanimous person, when con
scious OF having been very helpful and
truly good friend at his or her persona
expense TO another. may be pardoued ;
sense OF humour partially bitter, in IN
grudglng Acknowledgement OF ignorance
Then she added more gravely, "Wher
your father knows, and he shall know ii
time bppp ] INV L. ;,t,~