Such condescension was too much.
Gradually, as he became convalescent, Roland found this feeling
replaced by something more comfortable. They were such a genuine,
simple, kindly couple, these Windlebirds, that he lost awe and retained
only gratitude. He loved them both. He opened his heart to them. It was
not long before he had told them the history of his career, skipping
the earlier years and beginning with the entry of wealth into his life.
"It makes you feel funny," he confided to Mr. Windlebird's sympathetic
ear, "suddenly coming into a pot of money like that. You don't seem
hardly able to realize it. I don't know what to do with it."
Mr. Windlebird smiled paternally.
"The advice of an older man who has had, if I may say so, some little
experience of finance, might be useful to you there. Perhaps if you
would allow me to recommend some sound investment----"
Roland glowed with gratitude.
"There's just one thing I'd like to do before I start putting my money
into anything. It's like this."
He briefly related the story of his unfortunate affair with Muriel
Coppin. Within an hour of his departure in the aeroplane, his
conscience had begun to trouble him on this point.
Pages:
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40