lavender and old lace-第11章
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cross the way。
Miss Ainslie was unaffectedly glad to see her; and Ruth sank into an easy chair with something like content。 The atmosphere of the place was insensibly soothing and she instantly felt a subtle change。 Miss Ainslie; as always; wore a lavender gown; with real lace at the throat and wrists。 Her white hair was waved softly and on the third finger of her left hand was a ring of Roman gold; set with an amethyst and two large pearls。
There was a beautiful serenity about her; evident in every line of her face and figure。 Time had dealt gently with her; and except on her queenly head had left no trace of his passing。 The delicate scent of the lavender floated from her gown and her laces; almost as if it were a part of her; and brought visions of an old…time garden; whose gentle mistress was ever tranquil and content。 As she sat there; smiling; she might have been Peace grown old。
〃Miss Ainslie;〃 said Ruth; suddenly; 〃have you ever had any trouble?〃
A shadow crossed her face; and then she answered; patiently; 〃Why; yesI've had my share。〃
〃I don't mean to be personal;〃 Ruth explained; 〃I was just thinking。〃
〃I understand;〃 said the other; gently。 Then; after a little; she spoke again:
〃We all have trouble; dearyit's part of life; but I believe that we all share equally in the joy of the world。 Allowing for temperament; I mean。 Sorrows that would crush some are lightly borne by others; and some have the gift of finding great happiness in little things。
〃Then; too; we never have any more than we can bearnothing that has not been borne before; and bravely at that。 There isn't a new sorrow in the worldthey're all old onesbut we can all find new happiness if we look in the right way。〃
The voice had a full music; instinct with tenderness; and gradually Ruth's troubled spirit was eased。 〃I don't know what's the matter with me;〃 she said; meditatively; 〃for I'm not morbid; and I don't have the blues very often; but almost ever since I've been at Aunt Jane's; I've been restless and disturbed。 I know there's no reason for it; but I can't help it。〃
〃Don't you think that it's because you have nothing to do? You've always been so busy; and you aren't used to idleness。〃
〃Perhaps so。 I miss my work; but at the same time; I haven't sense enough to do it。〃
〃Poor child; you're tiredtoo tired to rest。〃
〃Yes; I am tired;〃 answered Ruth; the tears of nervous weakness coming into her eyes。
〃Come out into the garden。〃
Miss Ainslie drew a fleecy shawl over her shoulders and led her guest outdoors。 Though she kept pace with the world in many other ways; it was an old…fashioned garden; with a sun…dial and an arbour; and little paths; nicely kept; that led to the flower beds and circled around them。 There were no flowers as yet; except in a bed of wild violets under a bay window; but tiny sprigs of green were everywhere eloquent with promise; and the lilacs were budded。
〃That's a snowball bush over there;〃 said Miss Ainslie; 〃and all that corner of the garden will be full of roses in June。 They're old…fashioned roses; that I expect you wouldn't care for…blush and cinnamon and sweet briarbut I love them all。 That long row is half peonies and half bleeding…hearts; and I have a bed of columbines under a window on the other side of the house。 The mignonette and forget…me…nots have a place to themselves; for I think they belong togethersweetness and memory。
〃There's going to be lady…slippers over there;〃 Miss Ainslie went on; 〃and sweet william。 The porch is always covered with morning…gloriesI think they're beautiful and in that large bed I've planted poppies; snap…dragon; and marigolds。 This round one is full of larkspur and bachelor's buttons。 I have phlox and petunias; toodid you ever see a petunia seed?〃
Ruth shook her head。
〃It's the tiniest thing; smaller than a grain of sand。 When I plant them; I always wonder how those great; feathery petunias are coming out of those little; baby seeds; but they come。 Over there are things that won't blossom till lateasters; tiger…lilies and prince's feather。 It's going to be a beautiful garden; deary。 Down by the gate are my sweet herbs and simplesmarjoram; sweet thyme; rosemary; and lavender。 I love the lavender; don't you?〃
〃Yes; I do;〃 replied Ruth; 〃but I've never seen it growing。〃
〃It's a little bush; with lavender flowers that yield honey; and it's all sweetflowers; leaves; and all。 I expect you'll laugh at me; but I've planted sunflowers and four…o'clocks and foxglove。〃
〃I won't laugh…I think it's lovely。 What do you like best; Miss Ainslie?〃
〃I love them all;〃 she said; with a smile on her lips and her deep; unfathomable eyes fixed upon Ruth; 〃but I think the lavender comes first。 It's so sweet; and then it has associations〃
She paused; in confusion; and Ruth went on; quickly: 〃I think they all have associations; and that's why we love them。 I can't bear red geraniums because a cross old woman I knew when I was a child had her yard full of them; and I shall always love the lavender;〃 she added; softly; 〃because it makes me think of you。〃
Miss Ainslie's checks flushed and her eyes shone。 〃Now we'll go into the house;〃 she said; 〃and we'll have tea。〃
〃I shouldn't stay any longer;〃 murmured Ruth; following her; 〃I've been here so long now。〃
〃'T isn't long;〃 contradicted Miss Ainslie; sweetly; 〃it's been only a very few minutes。〃
Every moment; the house and its owner took on new beauty and charm。 Miss Ainslie spread a napkin of finest damask upon the little mahogany tea table; then brought in a silver teapot of quaint design; and two cups of Japanese china; dainty to the point of fragility。
〃Why; Miss Ainslie;〃 exclaimed Ruth; in surprise; 〃where did you get Royal Kaga?〃
Miss Ainslie was bending over the table; and the white hand that held the teapot trembled a little。 〃They were a present froma friend;〃 she answered; in a low voice。
〃They're beautiful;〃 said Ruth; hurriedly。
She had been to many an elaborate affair; which was down on the social calendar as a 〃tea;〃 sometimes as reporter and often as guest; but she had found no hostess like Miss Ainslie; no china so exquisitely fine; nor any tea like the clear; fragrant amber which was poured into her cup。
〃It came from China;〃 said Miss Ainslie; feeling the unspoken question。 〃I had a whole chest of it; but it's almost all gone。〃
Ruth was turning her cup and consulting the oracle。 〃Here's two people; a man and a woman; from a great distance; and; yes; here's money; too。 What is there in yours?〃
〃Nothing; deary; and besides; it doesn't come true。〃
When Ruth finally aroused herself to go home; the old restlessness; for the moment; was gone。 〃There's a charm about you;〃 she said; 〃for I feel as if I could sleep a whole week and never wake at all。〃
〃It's the tea;〃 smiled Miss Ainslie; 〃for I'm a very commonplace body。〃
〃You; commonplace?〃 repeated Ruth; 〃why; there's nobody like you!〃
They stood at the door a few moments; talking aimlessly; but Ruth was watching Miss Ainslie's face; as the sunset light lay caressingly upon it。 〃I've had a lovely time;〃 she said; taking another step toward the gate。
〃So have Iyou'll come again; won't you?〃 The sweet voice was pleading now; and Ruth answered it in her inmost soul。 Impulsively; she came back; threw her arms around Miss Ainslie's neck; and kissed her。 〃I love you;〃 she said; 〃don't you know I do?〃
The quick tears filled Miss Ainslie's eyes and she smiled through the mist。 〃Thank you; deary;〃 she whispered; 〃it's a long time since any one has kissed mea long time!〃
Ruth turned back at the gate; to wave her hand; and even at that distance; saw that Miss Ainslie was very pale。
Winfield was waiting for her; just outside the hedge; but his presence jarred upon her strangely; and her salutation was not cordial。
〃Is the lady a friend of yours?〃 he inquired; indifferently。
〃She is;〃 returned Ruth; 〃I don't go to see my enemiesdo you?〃
〃I don't know whether I do or not;〃 he said; looking at her significantly。
Her colour rose; but she replied; sharply: 〃For the sake of peace; let us assume that you do not。〃
〃Miss Thorne;〃 he began; as they climbed the hill; 〃I don't see why you don't appl