California -- Fiction; Domestic fiction; Sisters -- Fiction
"Martin's somewhere about," Cherry said, as Peter joined her, and Alix
stopped the car within conversational range. "I was passing these, and
I thought I'd help the boy get his clothes in."
"Here, let me do that," Peter exclaimed. Alix remarking that she would
turn the car so that she might later start on the grade, disappeared,
and the two were alone with their arms full of the stiff and fragrant
cleanness of the linen in the sweetness of the afternoon.
"Just--just fold them roughly," stammered Cherry, hardly conscious of
what she was saying, "and put them in the basket--"
Peter did not hear the words. But he heard the wonderful voice; he saw
the red sweetness of the mouth, saw the quick glances of the averted
eyes, the white neck with its film of gold hair blowing across it.
He murmured something inarticulate in reply, trying to control the
great wave of happiness and emotion that rose over him. They were
together again, after what a night--and what a day!--and that was all
that mattered. They spoke confusedly, in brief monosyllables, and were
silent, their hands touching on the line, their eyes meeting only
furtively and briefly.
"Can you walk up to the cabin with me?" Peter asked. "I want so much to
speak to you. Everything's all arranged for tomorrow. I've got tickets
and reservations. Your suitcase is checked in the Oakland ferry
waiting-room. All you have to think of is yourself. Now, in case of
missing the boat again--which isn't conceivable, but we must be ready
for anything!--I shall go straight to the club. You must telephone me
there. Just go off to-night quietly, get as much sleep as you can, and
keep your wits about you."
"Tell me our plans again," Cherry faltered.
"It's perfectly simple," he said, giving her anxious face a concerned
glance. "You are going to the Olivers'. I go in, in the morning,
presumably for the Porter breakfast, but really to get your suitcase
and my own and get to the boat. I shall be there at half-past ten. You
get there well before eleven--you won't see me. But go straight on
board, and ask for Mrs. Joyce's cabin. Wait for me there!"
"But--but suppose you don't come!"
"I'll be there before you. It is better for us not to meet upstairs.
But to be sure, I'll telephone you at Minna Oliver's at about nine
o'clock tomorrow morning. I'll just tell you that I'm on my way and
that everything is all right! Have you your heavy coat?"
"I will have," she answered. "I've not got much in the suitcase," she
added with an enchanting flush.
"You shall buy more in New Orleans on Tuesday," he promised her. "I've
made no plans beyond that."
"A hat?" Cherry asked, with uplifted, silky lashes giving a childish
look to her blue eyes.
Peter, tightening his fingers on hers, gave a great, joyous laugh of
utter surprise and adoration, as, leaning toward her, he caught her
bashful murmur.
"You need that?" he whispered.
"Well--MOST" she answered, seriously.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account