The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-30
CHAPTER XXI
The Beginning of Difficulties


He made himself very agreeable
during tea-time Even Miss Varney
was little surprised at the attention
he paid to the girl. As a rule he cared
little for women. and avoided their
company whenever possible.
He told Mary that he was looking
forward to showing her the surround
ing country. He said that there We're
many things about the house that
would interest her-"That is. if you
care for old things he added
Il do, very much. she told him
For the first time her eyes met
his. Something in their expression
held hers. a fittle color crept up
over his chin. 1t was David who
looked away first.
I'VE have some very fine pictures.
he said. rather constrainedIy. I'VE are
very proud Of them, aren't we. Aunt
FIorence2" He turned again to Mary.
Il wonder if you will let me have your
portrait added to the gallery? Nigel's
is there. I should like his wifes 10
hang beside his
Mary had just lifted her cup. 1t
fell from her nerveless grasp to the
rug at her feet. She sat looking
down at it with a sort OF frozen hor-
ror on her white face
Miss Varney rushed to the rescue.
1T doesn't matter-it doesn't mat.
ter in the least" she declared kindly.
regardless Of the fact that the broken
cup was old Sevres. and almost price
less.
She rang the bell for the maid. She
poured Mary a fresh cup of tea She
laughed and chatted. and did her best
to cover the girls painful confusion.
Mary began a. stammered apology.
Il am so very sorry I don't know
how it happened. I am not clumsy as
a rule"
please don't upset yourself" said
David kindly. There was a sort of
remorse in his face as he saw the
distress in, hers. Il dare say YOU
are tired" He looked down at the
broken fragments of delicate china.
I never cared for the set. anyhow"
he said carelessly.
Miss Varney looked up in amaze
ment y
why" she began. remembering
how many times David had said how
much he valued the tea-service. but
stopped, meeting his eyes mo. you
never did really like it. did you?" she
said hurriedly.
They spoke on other subjects. but
it was obvious that Mary was upset
at what had occurred; as soon as
possible Miss Varney took her away.
ITO unpack and rest. she sa d.
You must be tired after the long
tourney. We don't have dinner till
half past seven, so you will have plen-
~ Of time"
When she came back to the study,
she found David still standing where
she had left him; there was a little
pucker Of perplexity between Miss
Varney's kind eyes as she closed the
door and went up to him
She isn't a bit as I pictured her,
David. II you remember, Monty Fish
er descr bed her as very pretty. and
rsther-common, didn't he? Well. I
don't call her pretty. do you? And
she's a lady to her finger tips"
David shrugged his shoulders.
'Oh, think she is pretty" ne said
nonchalantly. OR she would be if
she didn't look so sad; and she's most
certainly a lady"
She adored poor Nigel upstairs
just now she put her arms around
my neck and began to cry like a child
when I spoke about him.
Il shouldn't speak Of him too much
II I were you; 1t doesn't give her a
chance to get over it. The thing is
TO try and take her thoughts off the
subject, don't yoy think? OF course, I
don't mean that ! want her to forget
him but-you understand"
II suppose 1t is the best thing to
DO. Poor child! david. didn't you
tell me her name was Dolly"
Teri really forget why?"
II asked her what she would like
me to call her. and she said Mary
but am sure you said that her name
was Dolly