Julia Cloud, from the advantage of the dining-room where she was doing
little things, for the next day, watched the drama with a heavy heart.
What had come between her children, and what could she do about it?
The only comforting thing about it seemed to be that each was as
unhappy as the other. Could it be that Howard Letchworth was jealous
of this small-souled, spoiled son of fortune who was visiting them?
Surely not. Yet what made him act in this ridiculous fashion? She felt
like shaking him even while she pitied him. She half-meditated calling
him back and trying to find out what was the matter, but gave it up.
After all, what could she do?
Leslie, as the door closed behind Howard, turned with one dagger look
at Clive, and dashed up-stairs to her room, where she locked herself
in and cried till her eyes were too swollen for study; but she only
told Julia Cloud, when she came up gently to inquire, that she had a
bad headache and wanted to go to bed.
Julia Cloud, kneeling beside her gray couch a little later, laying all
her troubles on the One who was her strength, found it hard not to
emphasize her dislike even in prayer toward the useless little excuse
for a young man who was lolling down-stairs reading a novel and
smoking innumerable cigarettes in spite of her expressed wish to the
contrary.
The first Sunday after young Terrence's arrival it rained and was
very dismal and cold for spring. Howard had been asked to go to a
nearby Reform School for the afternoon and speak to the boys, and Jane
was caring for a little child whose mother was ill in the hospital.
Leslie was unhappy and restless, wandering from window to window
looking out. Their guest had chosen to remain in bed that morning, so
relieving them from the necessity of trying to get him to go to
church, but he was on hand for lunch in immaculate attire, apparently
ready for a holiday. There was a cozy fire on the hearth, and he
lolled luxuriously in an arm-chair seemingly well pleased with himself
and all the world. Julia Cloud wondered just what she would better do
about the afternoon hour with this uncongenial guest on hand, but
Leslie and Allison, after a hasty whispered consultation in the
dining-room with numerous dubious glances toward the guest, ending in
wry faces, came and settled down with their Bibles as usual. There was
a loyalty in the quiet act that almost brought the tears to Julia
Cloud's eyes, and she rewarded them with a loving, understanding
smile.
But when the guest was asked to join the little circle he only stared
in amazement. He had no idea of trying to conform to their habits.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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