Authors -- Fiction; Ghosts -- Fiction; Love stories; World War, 1914-1918 -- Veterans -- Fiction
Susannah spent three days--almost carefree--of of what she described to
the miniature as "touristing." She had very little time to converse with
Glorious Lutie; for the little room saw her only at morning and night.
But she gave her confidante a detailed account of the day's adventures.
"It was the Bronx Zoo this morning, Glorious Lutie," she would say.
"Have you ever noticed how satisfactory little beasties are? They don't
lay traps for you and try to put you in a tortured position that you
can't wriggle out of?" Though her question was humorous in spirit,
Susannah's eyes grew black, as with a sudden terror. "No, _we_ lay traps
for _them_. I guess I've never before even tried to guess what it means
to be trapped?" Or, "It was the Art Museum this afternoon, Glorious
Lutie. I've looked at everything from a pretty nearly life-size replica
of the Parthenon to a needle used by a little Egyptian girl ten million
years ago. I'm so full of information and dope and facts that, if an
autopsy were to be held over me at this moment, it would be found that
my brain had turned into an Encyclopædia Britannica. In fact, I will
modestly admit that I know everything." Or, "It was the Aquarium this
morning, Glorious Lutie. Why didn't you tell me that fish were
interesting? I've always hated a fish. They won't roll over or jump
through for you and practically none of them bark or sing--or anything.
I have always thought of them only as something you eat unwillingly on
Fridays. But some of them are really beautiful; and interesting. I
stayed there three hours; and I suppose if it hadn't been for the horrid
stenchy smell I'd be there yet."
But in spite of these vivacious, wordless monologues, her spirits were a
long time rising to their normal height. The frightened look had not
completely left her eyes; and often on her long, lonely walks, she would
stop short suddenly, trembling like a spirited horse, as though some
inner consideration harassed her. Then she would take up her walk at a
frantic pace. Ultimately, however, she succeeded in leaving those
terrifying considerations behind. And inevitably in the end, the
resilience of youth conquered. The day came when Susannah leaped out of
bed as lightly as though it were her first morning in New York.
"Glorious Lutie," began her ante-breakfast address, "we are not a
millionairess; ergo, today we buy all the morning papers and read them
at breakfast in order to hunt for a job via the ads. And perhaps the
next time your Glorious Susie begins to earn money, you might advise her
to save a little against an unexpected situation. Of course I shouldn't
have squandered my money the way I did. But I never had had so much
before in my life--and oh, the joy of having cut-steel buckles and a
perfectly beautiful raincoat--and my first set of furs--and perfumery
and everything."
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