"
"Ill leave you then," in a sepulchral whisper. "And for goodness'
sake, Benis, do something! . . . Were you looking for me, my dear?"
added Aunt Caroline innocently as Desire came slowly toward them.
"Do not try to be energetic this morning. It is so very hot. Sit
here. I'll send Olive out with something cool. I'd like you both to
try the new raspberry vinegar."
Greatly pleased with her simple stratagem the good soul bustled
away. Desire looked after her with a grateful smile.
"I believe Aunt Caroline likes me," she said with a note of faint
surprise.
"Is that very wonderful?"
"Yes."
Benis looked at her quickly and looked away. She was certainly
paler. She held her head as if its crown of hair were heavy.
"It does not seem wonderful to other people who also--like you."
Her eyes turned to him almost timidly. It hurt him to notice that
the old frank openness of glance was gone. Good heavens! was the
child afraid of him? Did she think that he blamed her? That he did
not understand how helpless she was before her awakening womanhood?
He forgot how difficult speech was in the overpowering impulse to
reassure her.
"I wish you could be happy; my dear," he said. "You are so young.
Can't you be a little patient? Can't you be content as things are--
for a while?"
Even Spence, blinded as he was by the bitterness of his own
struggle, noticed the strangeness of her look.
"You want things to go on--as they are?"
"Yes.
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