The Irrational Knot: Being the Second Novel of His NonageShaw, Bernard
General
The Irrational Knot: Being the Second Novel of His Nonage
Shaw, Bernard
Marriage -- Fiction; Social classes -- Fiction
“Well, we shall see. The General was greatly taken with you for the way
you looked after me when I was ill yonder; so you have two friends in
Noo York City, at any rate.”
“You have proved that to me to-day. I am afraid I shall have to trouble
you further if I get bad news. You will have to help me to find some
work.”
“Yes. Never mind that until the bad news comes. I hope you wont mope at
Mrs. Myers’s. How does the American air agree with you?”
“Pretty well. I was sick for the first two days of our passage across,
and somehow my digestion seems to have got out of order in consequence.
Of late I have been a little unwell in the mornings.”
“Oh! Thats so, is it? Humph! I see I shall have to come and look after
you occasionally.”
“Why?”
“Never you mind, my dear. But dont go moping, nor going without food to
save money. Take care of yourself.”
“It is nothing serious,” said Marian, with a smile. “Only a passing
indisposition. You need not be uneasy about me. This is the house, is
it not? I shall lose myself whenever I go out for a walk here.”
“This is it. Now good-bye. I’ll see you soon. Meanwhile, you take care
of yourself, as youre told.”
It was dark when Marian entered her new residence. Mrs. Myers was
standing at the open door, remonstrating with a milkman. Marian hastily
assured her that she knew the way, and went upstairs alone. She was
chilled and weary; her spirits had fallen again during her journey from
the telegraph office. As she approached her room, hoping to find a good
fire, she heard a flapping noise, which was suddenly interrupted by the
rattle of a falling poker, followed by the exclamation, in a woman’s
voice, “Och, musha, I wouldnt doubt you.” Marian, entering, saw a
robust young woman kneeling before the grate, trying to improve a dull
fire that burnt there. She had taken up the poker and placed it
standing against the bars so that it pointed up the chimney; and she
was now using her apron fanwise as a bellows. The fire glowed in the
draught; and Marian, by its light, noted with displeasure that the
young woman’s calico dress was soiled, and her hair untidy.
“I think——”
“God bless us!” ejaculated the servant, starting and turning a comely
dirty face toward Marian.
“Did I frighten you?” said Marian, herself startled by the exclamation.
“You put the life acrass in me,” said the servant, panting, and
pressing her hand on her bosom.
“I am sorry for that. I was going to say that I think you need not take
any further trouble with the fire. It will light of itself now.”
“Very well, miss.”
“What is your name?”
“Liza Redmon’, miss.”
“I should like some light, Eliza, if you please.”
“Yis, miss. Would you wish to take your tay now, miss?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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