British -- Oceania -- Fiction; Missionaries -- Fiction
And then she knew him, and she sat up with a jerk, and stared at him as
though she had only that moment awakened to the fact that he was
speaking.
And such, to some extent, was the fact. She had been interested and
puzzled. Now, in a moment, it was a new man she was looking at and
listening to--a new man, but an old friend. And she was sitting on one
piece of rock eating cookies, and he was sitting on another munching
oatcake and cheese, and he was saying, "I'm going to be an explorer."
It was very wonderful--though she remembered that she had recognised
him, even then, as a boy of different texture from most other boys.
And so he had got what he wanted--the greatest prize a man may win, she
supposed: to desire vehemently a certain lofty course in life, and to
attain to it.
And she? Yes, she remembered. She was going to be rich, and a lady,
and do as she liked. Truly hers was but a poor attainment compared
with his.
She did not hear much more of what he said, though she was gazing
fixedly at him all the time. Her mind was away back to the hillside by
the Cut, and it was only when they stood up to sing the last hymn that
mind and body came together again.
Mr. Blair came down to shake hands with his many friends, and most of
the people went forward for that purpose, Jean's aunts among them, and
she with them; and as they sat at the back they were among the last to
reach him.
She was shaking hands with him, and the straight blue eyes looking into
her own set her heart jumping.
"Ah!" said the Rev. Archibald, all one vast beam of satisfaction at the
general enjoyment of his little surprise. "Now we have you, Blair.
This lady, at all events, you can't claim as an old friend, though I am
quite sure she is a well-wisher."
Blair still held her hand and looked steadfastly into her eyes.
"This is----" began Mr. Fastnet, and was stopped abruptly by a
peremptory gesture of Miss Arnot's other hand.
"Yes--I think so," said the young man, breaking suddenly into a smile
of enjoyable reminiscence, "Miss--Jean--Arnot? Or possibly now
Mrs.----?"
"Jean Arnot is still good enough for me, Mr. Blair," she said brightly.
"How wonderful that you should remember me all these years!"
"Why more wonderful than that you should have recognised me, Miss
Arnot? We are both a good deal changed since last we met."
"Why, what's all this?" said the Rev. Archibald jovially. "I had no
idea you knew Miss Arnot, Blair."
"We met once, ten years ago, up on the Cut--and had lunch together,"
said Blair, with a smile. "I was keeping Highland cattle from goring
little girls, and Miss Arnot was exploring. We have both travelled far
since then."
"You much the farthest," she said quietly, "and going still farther. I
congratulate you very heartily. It is what you desired then. Do you
remember telling me?"
"Yes. I am very grateful."
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account