Nobody

Автор

Susan Warner

Жанр

Зарубежная классика

Год написания книги

2017

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"I think he is sort o' lazy," said Charity.

"He don't smoke," said Lois.

"Yes he does," said Madge. "I found an end of cigar just down by thefront steps, when I was sweeping."

"I don't think he's a lazy man, either," said Lois. "That slow, easyway does not mean laziness."

"What does it mean?" inquired Mrs. Marx sharply.

"It is nothing to us what it means," said Mrs. Armadale, speaking forthe first time. "We have no concern with this man. He came to see Mrs.Barclay, his friend, and I suppose he'll never come again."

"Why shouldn't he come again, mother?" said Charity. "If she's hisfriend, he might want to see her more than once, seems to me. Andwhat's more, he is coming again. I heard him askin' her if he might; and then Mrs. Barclay asked me if it would be convenient, and I said itwould, of course. He said he would be comin' back from Boston in a fewweeks, and he would like to stop again as he went by. And do you knowI think she coloured. It was only a little, but she ain't a woman toblush much; and I believe she knows why he wants to come, as well ashe does."

"Nonsense, Charity!" said Madge incredulously.

"Then half the world are busy with nonsense, that's all I have to say; and I'm glad for my part I've somethin' better to do."

"Do you say he's comin' again?" inquired Mrs. Armadale.

"He says so, mother."

"What for?"

"Why, to visit his friend Mrs. Barclay, of course."

"She is our friend," said the old lady; "and her friends must beentertained; but he is not our friend, children. We ain't of hiskind, and he ain't of our'n."

"What's the matter? Ain't he good?" asked Mrs. Marx.

"He's very good!" said Madge.

"Not in grandmother's way," said Lois softly.

"Mother," said Mrs. Marx, "you can't have everybody cut out on yourpattern."

Mrs. Armadale made no answer.

"And there ain't enough o' your pattern to keep one from bein'lonesome, if we're to have nothin' to do with the rest."

"Better so," said the old lady. "I don't want no company for my chil'enthat won't help 'em on the road to heaven. They'll have company enoughwhen they get there."

"And how are you goin' to be the salt o' the earth, then, if you won'ttouch nothin'?"

"How, if the salt loses its saltness, daughter?"

"Well, mother, it always puzzles me, that there's so much to be said onboth sides of things! I'll go home and think about it. Then he ain'tone o' your Appledore friends, Lois?"

"Not one of my friends at all, aunt Anne."

So the talk ended. There was a little private extension of it thatevening, when Lois and Madge went up to bed.

"It's a pity grandma is so sharp about things," the latter remarked toher sister.

"Things?" said Lois. "What things?"

"Well – people. Don't you like that Mr. Dillwyn?"

"Yes."

"So do I. And she don't want us to have anything to do with him."

"But she is right," said Lois. "He is not a Christian."

"But one can't live only with Christians in this world. And, Lois, I'lltell you what I think; he is a great deal pleasanter than a good manyChristians I know."

"He is good company," said Lois. "He has seen a great deal and read agreat deal, and he knows how to talk. That makes him pleasant."

"Well, he's a great deal more improving to be with than anybody I knowin Shampuashuh."

"In one way."

"Why shouldn't one have the pleasure, then, and the good, if he isn't a

Christian?"

"The pleasanter he is, I suppose the more danger, grandmother wouldthink."

"Danger of what?"

"You know, Madge, it is not my say-so, nor even grandmother's. Youknow, Christians are not of the world."

"But they must see the world."

"If we were to see much of that sort of person, we might get to wishingto see them always."

"By 'that sort of person' I suppose you mean Mr. Dillwyn? Well, I havegot so far as that already. I wish I could see such people always."

"I am sorry."

"Why? You ought to be glad at my good taste."

"I am sorry, because you are wishing for what you cannot have."

"How do you know that? You cannot tell what may happen."

"Madge, a man like Mr. Dillwyn would never think of a girl like you orme."

"I am not wanting him to think of me," said Madge rather hotly. "But,