I am, however, negotiating
for a studio, which fact ought to earn for me your valued approval. If,
for any reason, my presence should seem desirable to you, write or wire,
and I shall come immediately.--Your devoted
"KNIGHT ERRANT."
Ernestine squeezed this letter a good many times on the way to Rington.
She had certainly been feeling somewhat forlorn since his departure.
But, this fact notwithstanding, she had no intention of writing or
wiring to him at present. Still, it was nice to know he would come.
They reached the old country town, and found it crammed with market
folk. The whole place hummed with people. Ernestine's first view of the
market-place filled her with amazement. The lowing of cattle, the
bleating of sheep, and the yelling of men combined to make such a
confusion of sound that she felt bewildered, even awestruck.
Mrs. Perkiss went straight to the oldest inn in the place and put up the
cart. She was there to buy, not to sell.
Ernestine kept with her for the first hour, then, growing weary of the
hubbub, wandered away from the market to explore the old town. She sat
for a while in the churchyard, and there, to enliven her solitude,
re-read that letter of Rivington's. Was he really taking up art again to
please her? He had been very energetic. She wondered, smiling, how long
his energy would last.
Thus engaged the time passed quickly, and she presently awoke from a
deep reverie to find that the hour Mrs.
Pages:
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299