Then the contralto expressed her longing for such a land, her
willingness to go to it at once, and asked, 'How am I to get there?'
Upon which a young man in the room appointed to give the information
sang out melodiously,
'Go _straight_ down the crooked lane,
And _all around_ the Square?"
Then both laughed, and Marion said, "Well, Aunt, as no one could go
straight down a crooked lane, or all around a square, no one can find
that happy land of your girlhood. I will go and write to Richard now,
and tell him about the song, and about Father going to London."
"And do not forget to name Donald's care of his stepmother from Paris to
London."
"I will tell Richard that also. I had forgotten the circumstance."
"Everyone forgets Donald."
And Marion, tired of assuring her aunt that Donald was not forgotten,
answered carelessly, "Yes, they seem to do so. I wonder why?"
"Because Donald is not requiring their thoughts. Donald can think for
himself; he knows what he wants, and he takes what he wants, and so he
is well served." She was leaving the room as she spoke, and she closed
the door emphatically enough to enforce her opinion.
In the meantime Dr. Macrae was going southward. In spite of the
philosophies with which he had saturated himself, he had yet in his
nature primitive traits which ruled him--often foolish ones--but so
natural and spontaneous that they were actually dear to him. And among
these relics of ancient feeling was the pleasure of giving surprises.
All the way to London he was telling himself: "How happy Ada will be!
How surprised she will be to see me! I shall walk unexpectedly into her
parlor, and see the love and joy and astonishment light up her beautiful
face as I approach her! That moment will pay for all--for all!"
He lived in the consideration of that moment all the way to the great
city; but it was dark when he arrived there, and he was tired and
hungry, and quite eager for whatever comfort the old Charing Cross
hostelry could give him. About eight o'clock, however, he was thoroughly
refreshed, and he called a cab and was driven to Lady Cramer's
residence. It was fairly well lighted, and he judged her, therefore, to
be at home. So he dismissed the cab and then walked slowly up and down
before the house for a few minutes. As he was thus steadying himself for
his eagerly desired happiness a carriage drove up to the house, and
immediately afterward Lady Cramer, attended by a tall, middle-aged
gentleman, entered it; and they were driven rapidly away. Dr. Macrae was
by no means a shy man, but love unnerves the bravest when its
environments are strange and uncertain; and he actually allowed Lady
Cramer and her companion to drive away without any effort to arrest
attention. In fact, he realized that he had stepped backward, and this
cowardice made him both angry and ashamed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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