susy, a story of the plains-第11章
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lips were sealed from divulging。 He did not dare to glance at Susy;
it added to the general amusement that the young girl was obliged to
present herself。 But in this interval she had exchanged glances
with Mary Rogers; who had rejoined the group; and she knew she was
safe。 She smiled with gracious condescension at Clarence; observed;
with the patronizing superiority of age and established position;
that he had GROWN; but had not greatly changed; and; it is needless
to say; again filled her mother's heart with joy。 Clarence; still
intoxicated with Mrs。 Peyton's kindliness; and; perhaps; still
embarrassed by remorse; had not time to remark the girl's studied
attitude。 He shook hands with her cordially; and then; in the quick
reaction of youth; accepted with humorous gravity the elaborate
introduction to Mary Rogers by Susy; which completed this little
comedy。 And if; with a woman's quickness; Mrs。 Peyton detected a
certain lingering glance which passed between Mary Rogers and
Clarence; and misinterpreted it; it was only a part of that
mystification into which these youthful actors are apt to throw
their mature audiences。
〃Confess; Ally;〃 said Peyton; cheerfully; as the three young people
suddenly found their tongues with aimless vivacity and inconsequent
laughter; and started with unintelligible spirits for an exploration
of the garden; 〃confess now that your bete noir is really a very
manly as well as a very presentable young fellow。 By Jove! the
padres have made a Spanish swell out of him without spoiling the
Brant grit; either! Come; now; you're not afraid that Susy's style
will suffer from HIS companionship。 'Pon my soul; she might borrow
a little of his courtesy to his elders without indelicacy。 I only
wish she had as sincere a way of showing her respect for you as he
has。 Did you notice that he really didn't seem to see anybody else
but you at first? And yet you never were a friend to him; like
Susy。〃
The lady tossed her head slightly; but smiled。
〃This is the first time he's seen Mary Rogers; isn't it?〃 she said
meditatively。
〃I reckon。 But what's that to do with his politeness to you?〃
〃And do her parents know him?〃 she continued; without replying。
〃How do I know? I suppose everybody has heard of him。 Why?〃
〃Because I think they've taken a fancy to each other。〃
〃What in the name of folly; Ally〃began the despairing Peyton。
〃When you invite a handsome; rich; and fascinating young man into
the company of young ladies; John;〃 returned Mrs。 Peyton; in her
severest manner; 〃you must not forget you owe a certain responsibility
to the parents。 I shall certainly look after Miss Rogers。〃
CHAPTER V。
Although the three young people had left the veranda together; when
they reached the old garden Clarence and Susy found themselves
considerably in advance of Mary Rogers; who had become suddenly and
deeply interested in the beauty of a passion vine near the gate。 At
the first discovery of their isolation their voluble exchange of
information about themselves and their occupations since their last
meeting stopped simultaneously。 Clarence; who had forgotten his
momentary irritation; and had recovered his old happiness in her
presence; was nevertheless conscious of some other change in her
than that suggested by the lengthened skirt and the later and more
delicate accentuation of her prettiness。 It was not her affectation
of superiority and older social experience; for that was only the
outcome of what he had found charming in her as a child; and which
he still good…humoredly accepted; nor was it her characteristic
exaggeration of speech; which he still pleasantly recognized。 It
was something else; vague and indefinite;something that had been
unnoticed while Mary was with them; but had now come between them
like some unknown presence which had taken the confidante's place。
He remained silent; looking at her half…brightening cheek and
conscious profile。 Then he spoke with awkward directness。
〃You are changed; Susy; more than in looks。〃
〃Hush;〃 said the girl in a tragic whisper; with a warning gesture
towards the blandly unconscious Mary。
〃But;〃 returned Clarence wonderingly; 〃she's yourour friend; you
know。〃
〃I DON'T know;〃 said Susy; in a still deeper tone; 〃that isoh;
don't ask me! But when you're always surrounded by spies; when you
can't say your soul is your own; you doubt everybody!〃 There was
such a pretty distress in her violet eyes and curving eyebrows; that
Clarence; albeit vague as to its origin and particulars;
nevertheless possessed himself of the little hand that was
gesticulating dangerously near his own; and pressed it
sympathetically。 Perhaps preoccupied with her emotions; she did not
immediately withdraw it; as she went on rapidly: 〃And if you were
cooped up here; day after day; behind these bars;〃 pointing to the
grille; 〃you'd know what I suffer。〃
〃But〃began Clarence。
〃Hush!〃 said Susy; with a stamp of her little foot。
Clarence; who had only wished to point out that the whole lower end
of the garden wall was in ruins and the grille really was no
prevention; 〃hushed。〃
〃And listen! Don't pay me much attention to…day; but talk to HER;〃
indicating the still discreet and distant Mary; 〃before father and
mother。 Not a word to her of this confidence; Clarence。 To…morrow
ride out alone on your beautiful horse; and come back by way of the
woods; beyond our turning; at four o'clock。 There's a trail to the
right of the big madrono tree。 Take that。 Be careful and keep a
good lookout; for she mustn't see you。〃
〃Who mustn't see me?〃 said the puzzled Clarence。
〃Why; Mary; of course; you silly boy!〃 returned the girl
impatiently。 〃She'll be looking for ME。 Go now; Clarence! Stop!
Look at that lovely big maiden's…blush up there;〃 pointing to a
pink…suffused specimen of rose grandiflora hanging on the wall。
〃Get it; Clarence;that one;I'll show you where;there!〃 They
had already plunged into the leafy bramble; and; standing on tiptoe;
with her hand on his shoulder and head upturned; Susy's cheek had
innocently approached Clarence's own。 At this moment Clarence;
possibly through some confusion of color; fragrance; or softness of
contact; seemed to have availed himself of the opportunity; in a way
which caused Susy to instantly rejoin Mary Rogers with affected
dignity; leaving him to follow a few moments later with the captured
flower。
Without trying to understand the reason of to…morrow's rendezvous;
and perhaps not altogether convinced of the reality of Susy's
troubles; he; however; did not find that difficulty in carrying out
her other commands which he had expected。 Mrs。 Peyton was still
gracious; and; with feminine tact; induced him to talk of himself;
until she was presently in possession of his whole history; barring
the episode of his meeting with Susy; since he had parted with them。
He felt a strange satisfaction in familiarly pouring out his
confidences to this superior woman; whom he had always held in awe。
There was a new delight in her womanly interest in his trials and
adventures; and a subtle pleasure even in her half…motherly
criticism and admonition of some passages。 I am afraid he forgot
Susy; who listened with the complacency of an exhibitor; Mary; whose
black eyes dilated alternately with sympathy for the performer and
deprecation of Mrs。 Peyton's critical glances; and Peyton; who;
however; seemed lost in thought; and preoccupied。 Clarence was
happy。 The softly shaded lights in the broad; spacious; comfortably
furnished drawing…room shone on the group before him。 It was a
picture of refined domesticity which the homeless Clarence had never
known except as a vague; half…painful; boyish remembrance; it was a
realization of welcome that far exceeded his wildest boyish vision
of the preceding night。 With that recollection c