CHAPTER XIII

ant.Sheneverfeltquitecertainbutnowshewasmorethanusuallybaffled.Washeconcealingsomethingfromher?Hismannerhadbeenoddhisdeepabsorptionhadimpressedhertherewassomethinginhimthatshehadnotfathomed,andthemysteryofhisnaturelaidmoreofaspelluponherthansheliked.Moreover,shecouldnotpreventherselffromdoingnowwhatshehadoftenblamedothersofhersexfordoing—fromendowingherfriendwithakindofheavenlyfire,andpassingherlifebeforeitforhissanction. Underthisprocess,thecommitteeratherdwindledinimportancetheSuffrageshrankshevowedshewouldworkharderattheItalianlanguageshethoughtshewouldtakeupthestudyofbirds.Butthisprogramforaperfectlifethreatenedtobecomesoabsurdthatsheverysooncaughtherselfoutintheevilhabit,andwasrehearsingherspeechtothecommitteebythetimethechestnut-coloredbricksofRussellSquarecameinsight.Indeed,shenevernoticedthem.Sheranupstairsasusual,andwascompletelyawakenedtorealitybythesightofMrs.Seal,onthelandingoutsidetheoffice,inducingaverylargedogtodrinkwateroutofatumbler. “MissMarkhamhasalreadyarrived,”Mrs.Sealremarked,withduesolemnity,“andthisisherdog.” “Averyfinedog,too,”saidMary,pattinghimonthehead. “Yes.Amagnificentfellow,”Mrs.Sealagreed.“AkindofSt.Bernard,shetellsme—solikeKittohaveaSt.Bernard.Andyouguardyourmistresswell,don’tyou,Sailor?Youseethatwickedmendon’tbreakintoherlarderwhenshe’soutatherwork—helpingpoorsoulswhohavelosttheirway....Butwe’relate—wemustbegin!”andscatteringtherestofthewaterindiscriminatelyoverthefloor,shehurriedMaryintothecommittee-room.