. . With mothers of course it is different.
Women are more loyal, not to each other, but to their common femininity
which they behold triumphant with a secret and proud satisfaction.
The circumstances of that match added to Mr. Smith's indignation. And if
he followed his daughter into that ship's cabin it was as if into a house
of disgrace and only because he was still bewildered by the suddenness of
the thing. His will, so long lying fallow, was overborne by her
determination and by a vague fear of that regained liberty.
You will be glad to hear that Anthony, though he did shirk the welcome on
the quay, behaved admirably, with the simplicity of a man who has no
small meannesses and makes no mean reservations. His eyes did not flinch
and his tongue did not falter. He was, I have it on the best authority,
admirable in his earnestness, in his sincerity and also in his restraint.
He was perfect. Nevertheless the vital force of his unknown
individuality addressing him so familiarly was enough to fluster Mr.
Smith. Flora saw her father trembling in all his exiguous length, though
he held himself stiffer than ever if that was possible.
Pages:
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570