John’s feeling of antagonism, and even his resentment
against Mr. Juxon, roused by Nellie’s innocent
remark about the roses, were not proof against the
real scholastic passion aroused by the sight of rare
and valuable books. In a few minutes he had divested
himself of his greatcoat and was examining the books
with an expression of delight upon his face which
was pleasant to see. He glanced from time to time
at the other persons in the room and looked very often
at Mrs. Goddard, but on the whole he was profoundly
interested in the contents of the library. Mrs.
Goddard was installed in a huge leathern easy-chair
by the fire, and the squire was handing her one after
another a number of new volumes which lay upon a small
table, and which she appeared to examine with interest.
Nellie knew where to look for her favourite books of
engravings and had curled herself up in a corner absorbed
in “Hyde’s Royal Residences.”
The vicar went to look for something he wanted to
consult.
“What do you think of our new friend?”
asked Mrs. Goddard of the squire. She spoke in
a low tone and did not look up from the new book he
had just handed her.
“He appears to have a very peculiar temper,”
said Mr. Juxon. “But he looks clever.”
“What do you think he was talking about as we
came through the park?” asked Mrs. Goddard.
“What?”
“He was saying that he saw me once before he
went to college, and—fancy how deliciously
boyish! he said he had written ever so many Greek odes
to my memory since!” Mrs. Goddard laughed a
little and blushed faintly.
“Let us hope, for the sake of his success, that
you may continue to inspire him,” said the squire
gravely. “I have no doubt the odes were
very good.”
“So he said. Fancy!”
CHAPTER VII.
Mrs. Goddard did not mean to walk home with John;
but on the other hand she did not mean to walk with
the squire. She revolved the matter in her mind
as she sat in the library talking in an undertone with
Mr. Juxon. She liked the great room, the air
of luxury, the squire’s tea and the squire’s
conversation. It is worth noticing that his flow
of talk was more abundant to-day than it had been
for some time; whether it was John’s presence
which stimulated Mr. Juxon’s imagination, or
whether Mrs. Goddard had suddenly grown more interesting
since John Short’s appearance it is hard to
say; it is certain that Mr. Juxon talked better than
usual.
The afternoon, however, was far spent and the party
had only come to make a short visit. Mrs. Goddard
rose from her seat.
“Nellie, child, we must be going home,”
she said, calling to the little girl who was still
absorbed in the book of engravings which she had taken
to the window to catch the last of the waning light.
John started and came forward with alacrity.
The vicar looked up; Nellie reluctantly brought her
book back.
Copyrights
A Tale of a Lonely Parish from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
