The sturdy oak : $b a composite novel of American politics by fourteen American authors
General
The sturdy oak : $b a composite novel of American politics by fourteen American authors
New York (State) -- Fiction; Political fiction; Satire; Suffragists -- Fiction; Women -- New York (State) -- Fiction; Women -- Suffrage -- Fiction
"Why of course," cried Penfield Evans, reaching for his hat. "Just
you bring Hanna right along, Miss Emelene. That's only a pet pose of
George's when he wants to tease his relatives, Mrs. Smith. I remember
from college--why I've seen George _kiss_ a cat!"
Miss Emelene huddled the object of controversy up in her chin, talking
down into the warm gray fur.
"Was 'em tryin' to 'buse muvver's ittsie bittsie kittsie? Muvver's
ittsie bittsie kittsie!"
They were in the front hall now, Mr. Evans tugging at the door.
"I'll run around now and arrange to have your trunks called for at five.
My congratulations and thanks, ladies, for helping the right man toward
the right cause."
"You're _sure_, Penfield, we'll be welcome?"
"Welcome as the sun that shines!"
"If I thought, Penfield, that Hanna wouldn't be welcome I wouldn't budge
a step."
"Of course she's welcome, Miss Emelene. Isn't she of the gentler sex?
There'll be a cab around for you and Mrs. Smith and Hanna about five. So
long, Mrs. Smith, and many thanks. Miss Emelene, Hanna."
On the outer steps they stood for a moment in a dapple of sunshine and
shadow from chestnut trees.
"Good-by, Mr. Evans, until evening."
"Good-by, Mrs. Smith." He paused on the walk, lifting his hat and
flashing his smile a third time.
"Good-by, Miss Emelene."
From the steps Miss Brand executed a rotary motion with the left paw of
the dangling Maltese.
"Tell nice gentleman by-by. Tum now, Hanna, get washed and new ribbon to
go by-by. Her go to big Cousin George and piddy Cousin Genevieve. By-by!
By-by!"
The door swung shut, enclosing them. Down the quiet, tree-shaped
sidewalk, Mr. Penfield Evans strode into the somnolent afternoon,
turning down Huron Street. At the remote end of the block and before
her large frame mansion of a thousand angles and wooden lace work, Mrs.
Harvey Herrington's low car sidled to her curb-stone, racy-looking as a
hound. That lady herself, large and modish, was in the act of stepping
up and in.
"Well, Pen Evans! 'Tis writ in the book our paths should cross."
"Who more pleased than I?"
"Which way are you bound?"
"Jenkins' Transfer and Cab Service."
"Jump in."
"No sooner said than done."
Mrs. Herrington threw her clutch and let out a cough of steam. They
jerked and leaped forward. From the rear of the car an orange and black
pennant--_Votes for Women_--stiffened out like a semaphore against the
breeze.
CHAPTER IV. BY DOROTHY CANFIELD
Genevieve Remington sat in her pretty drawing-room and watched the hour
hand of the clock slowly approach five. Five was a sacred hour in her
day. At five George left his office, turned off the business-current
with a click and turned on, full-voltage, the domestic-affectionate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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