American fiction -- 20th century; Manhattan (New York, N.Y.) -- Fiction; Women artists -- Fiction
Oblivious to criticism the trio marched to a road at the side of the
Inn and disappeared. The villagers winked and smiled. The motley gang
of worshippers dispersed in irregular groups, slowly moving toward
the rotunda, an ancient wooden structure originally destined to house
circuses, theatrical companies, musical festivals, but now crowded
with the odds and ends of agricultural implements. It was not so easy
to get the coveted cider at the Inn; Invern soon found that out. The
landlord was in a rage over something. To the request of the young man
he snarled: "Nary a drink for Roarin' Nell or for that dam coon of
hers. I've been warned by the judge over at Middletown. You can have
all you want, not a drop for them others." Invern was disconcerted.
He was thoroughly interested in his companions and didn't like to
leave them; besides, he determined to attend their service and see
the queer brand of religion they would serve. A minute or two had
shown him that Brother Rainbow was not a fool; rather, a cunning
imposter glib of speech. He didn't bother about the psychology of
Nell. She was a poor deluded drunken creature under the control of
this monstrous African. He irresolutely paused, then turned his back
on the churlish inn-keeper. As he dawdled across to the barn, where
his fellow-conspirators waited, he was dazzled by the vision of a
tall beautiful girl in white, framed by an old New England doorway,
clustered with honeysuckles. "God!" he ejaculated, "where did that
dream come from?" He rubbed his eyes, but the dream did not fade from
the spot of blazing sunshine and honeysuckles. She beckoned to him: "I
was in the parlour," she said in contralto tones that made him vibrate,
"and I heard how the old humbug lied to you. Tell your friends to
come right in here. It's my room. I board at the Inn. I'll give you
something better than cider." Hardly stopping to note that the girl was
dark and that her smile was fascinating Ulick called to Brother Rainbow
and Roarin' Nell and introduced them as he inquisitively regarded the
new hostess.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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