White Heather: A Novel (Volume 2 of 3)Black, William
General
White Heather: A Novel (Volume 2 of 3)
Black, William
Scotland -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
She read no farther; and it is a great pity that she did not; for the
writer by and by went on to say some very nice things about these
unlucky verses; and even hinted that here was a man who might be
benefited by coming to stay in Chicago,—’the future capital of the
future empire of the world,’—and by having his eyes opened as to the
rate of progress possible in these modern days; and wound up with a most
elaborate compliment to the intellectual perspicacity and judgment of
Miss Carry herself. She did not read beyond what is quoted above for
the simple reason that she was in a most violent rage, and also
extremely mortified with herself for being so vexed. She tore the
newspaper into shreds, and crushed these together, and flung them into
the bottom of the boat. Her cheeks were quite pale; her eyes burning;
and through all the anger of her disappointment ran the shame of the
consciousness that it was she who had exposed Ronald to this insult.
What though he should never know anything about it? Her friends in
Chicago would know. And it was the man whom she wanted to glorify and
make a hero of who had, through her instrumentality, been subjected to
the pedantic criticism, the pretentious analyses, and, worst of all, the
insulting patronage of this unspeakable ass. Suddenly she regretted the
destruction of the newspaper; she would like to have looked at it again,
to justify her wrath. No matter; she could remember enough; and she
would not forget Jack Huysen’s share in this transaction.
She was very silent and reserved at lunch time; and her father began to
believe that, after all, in spite of her repeated assurances, their
ill-luck with the fishing was weighing on her spirits.
’You know, Carry,’ said he, ’it is not in the nature of things that
weather like this can last in the Highlands of Scotland. It is
notoriously one of the wettest places in the world. There _must_ be
rain coming soon; and then think of all the fish that will be rushing up
in shoals, and what a time we shall have.’
’I am not disappointed with the fishing at all, pappa,’ she said. ’I
think we have done very well.’
’What is the matter, then?’
’Oh, nothing.’
And then she said—
’Well, I will tell you, pappa. I asked Jack Huysen to do me a very
particular favour; and he did not do it; and when I next see Jack
Huysen, I think he will find it a very cold day.’
The words were mysterious; but the tone was enough.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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