Nekrovitch laughed aloud: "Bravo, bravo, you are always true to
yourself, Kosinski. I have always known you as a confirmed misogynist,
and I see you still resist all temptations to reform. You carry
boorishness to the verge of heroism."
The hours had slipped by rapidly, and Mrs. Trevillian took the hint
which her spouse had long tried to give by shuffling restlessly in his
seat and casting side glances at the clock which pointed to half-past
one. She rose to go. "We really must be leaving--it is quite late, and
Humphry is never fit for anything unless he gets at least six hours'
sleep. Good-bye; thanks for such a pleasant evening," and she bustled
out, followed by her husband. I rose to follow her example and, turning
a deaf ear to Nekrovitch, who remarked, "Oh, Isabel, do stay on; it is
not yet late, and as you have lost your last train it is no use being
in a hurry," I shook hands with my friends, including Kosinski, who had
once more subsided into a corner, and left, accompanied by Dr. Armitage,
who offered to walk home with me.
We walked rapidly on through the keen night air. I felt excited and
resolute with the feeling that a new phase of existence was opening
before me. Dr. Armitage at last spoke. "I hope, Isabel"--it was usual in
this circle to eschew surnames, and most of my friends and acquaintances
called me Isabel in preference to Miss Meredith--"I hope, Isabel, that
you will come to our meetings. I should like you to know some of our
comrades; there are many very interesting men, quite original thinkers,
some of them. And I think human beings so often throw light on matters
which one otherwise fails to grasp."
"I should much like to," I replied, "if you can tell me how and when;
for I suppose one requires some sort of introduction even to Anarchist
circles."
"Oh, that is easy enough," he replied. "I have often mentioned your
name, and the comrades will be very glad to see you; we make no sort of
mystery about our meetings. There will be a meeting at the office of
our paper, the _Bomb_, next Saturday. Do come. The business on hand will
perhaps not interest you much, but it will be an opportunity for meeting
some of our men, and I shall be there."
"Oh, I shall be so glad to come!" I exclaimed. "What will you be
discussing?"
"Well, to tell the truth, it is a somewhat unpleasant matter," replied
the doctor with some hesitation in his voice. "There have been some
strange reports circulating about the Myers case, and we are anxious
to get at the truth of the business. It may strike you as a rather
unsuitable introduction, but come nevertheless. The movement is always
in need of new blood and fresh energies to keep it from narrowing its
sphere of activity, and it is well that you should know us as we are."
"Very well, I will come if you will give me the direction."
"Let us say nine o'clock at the office of the _Bomb_ in Slater's Mews,
---- Street; you will find me there."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account