Prev | Current Page 222 | Next

Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"

You should have been leisurely, as we were."
"Now that's cruel, Waymark. You needn't have reflected upon our
solitariness. If we'd been blessed with society such as you had,
we'd have come slow enough. As it was, we thought a good deal of our
dinners."
No fresh guests appeared to disturb the party. When all had appeased
their hunger, Waymark took a chair out on to the verandah for Ida.
He was spared the trouble of providing in the same way for Sally by
Mr. O'Gree's ready offices. Poor Egger, finding himself deserted,
opened a piano there was in the room, and began to run his finger
over the keys.
"Let us have one of your German songs, my boy," cried O'Gree.
"But it is the Sunday, and we arc still in England," said the Swiss,
hesitating.
"Pooh, never mind," said Waymark. "We'll shut the door. Sing my
favourite, Mr. Egger,--'_Wenn's Mailufterl_.'"
When they left the inn, Waymark walked first with Ida, and Mr.
O'Gree followed with Sally. Egger brought up the rear; he had
relapsed into a dreamy mood, and his mind seemed occupied with
unearthly things.
With no little amusement Waymark had noted Sally's demeanour under
Mr. O'Gree's attentions. The girl had evidently made up her mind to
be absolutely proper.


Pages:
210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234