Chapter XXVIII

erthawasinthedrawing-room,reading,GeraldVaudreywasshownin.ShesmiledtoreassurehimandputoutherhandinthefriendliestmannershethoughthemustbealittleconfusedatmeetingastrangerinsteadofMissLey,andunhappyinhisdisgrace. “Youdon’tknowwhoIam?”shesaid. “Ohyes,Ido,”hereplied,withaverypleasantsmile.“TheslaveytoldmeAuntPollywasout,butthatyouwerehere.” “I’mgladyoudidn’tgoaway.” “IthoughtIshouldn’tfrightenyou,youknow.” Berthaopenedhereyes.Hewascertainlynotatallshy,thoughhelookedevenyoungerthannineteen.Hewasaniceboy,veryslightandnotsotallasBertha,withasmall,quitegirlishface.Hehadatiny,prettynose,andapinkandwhitefreckledcomplexion.Hishairwasdarkandcurly,heworeitsomewhatlong,evidentlyawarethatitwasbeautifulandhishandsomegreeneyeshadacharmingexpression.Hissensualmouthwasalwayssmiling. “Whataniceboy!”thoughtBertha.“I’msureIshalllikehim.” Hebegantotalkasifhehadknownherallhislife,andshewasentertainedbythecontrastbetweenhisinnocentappearanceandhisdisreputablepast.Helookedabouttheroomwithboyisheaseandstretchedhimselfcomfortablyinabigarm-chair. “Hulloa,that’snewsinceIwasherelast!”hesaid,pointingtoanItalianbronze. “Haveyoubeenhereoften?” “Rather!Iusedtocomeherewheneveritgottoohotformeathome.It’snogoodscrappingwithyourgovernor,becausehe’sgottheooftish—it’sajollyunfairadvantagethatfathershave,buttheyalwaystakeit.Sowhentheoldchapflewintoapassion,Iusedtosay,‘Iwon’targuewithyou.Ifyoucan’ttreatmelikeagentleman,Ishallgoawayforaweek.’AndIusedtocomehere.AuntPollyalwaysgavemefivequid,andsaid,‘Don’ttellmehowyouspendit,becauseIshouldn’tapprovebutcomeagainwhenyouwantsomemore.’She’sisaripper,ain’tshe!” “I’msorryshe’snotin.” “I’mratherglad,becauseIcanhavealongtalkwithyoutillshecomes.I’veneverseenyoubefore,soIhavesuchalottosay.” “Haveyou?”saidBertha,laughing.“That’sratherunusualinyoungmen.” HelookedsoabsurdlyyoungthatBerthacouldnothelptreatinghimasaschoolboyandshewasamusedathiscommunicativeness.Shewantedhimtotellherhisescapades,butwasafraidtoask. “Areyouveryhungry?”Shethoughtthatboysalwayshadappetites.“Wouldyoulikesometea?” “I’mstarving.” Shepouredhimoutacup,andtakingitandthreejamsandwiches,hesatonafootstoolatherfeet.Hemadehimselfquiteathome. “You’veneverseenmyVaudreycousins,haveyou?”heasked,withhismouthfull.“Ican’tstick’ematanyprice,they’resuchfrumps.