For others it was
a fateful day. There were psychic milestones on Mrs. Burton Jones'
smooth lawn that afternoon.
It was there, for instance, that the youngest Miss Keith (the pretty
one) decided to marry Jerry Clarkson, junior (and regretted it all
her life). It was there that Mrs. Keene first suspected the new
principal of the Collegiate Institute of Bolshevik tendencies. (He
had said that, in his opinion, kings were bound to go.) And it was
there that Miss Ellis spoke to Miss Sutherland for the first time in
three years. (She asked her if she would have lemon or chocolate
cake--a clear matter of social duty.) It was there also that Miss
Mary Sophia Watkins, Dr. Rogers' capable nurse, decided finally that
a longer stay in Bainbridge would be wasted time. It was the first
time she had actually seen her admired doctor and the object of his
supposed regard together, and a certain look which she surprised on
Dr. John's face as his eyes followed Desire across the lawn,
convinced her so thoroughly that, like a sensible girl, she packed
up that night and went back to the city.
Perhaps it was that very look which also decided Spence. For decide
he did. There was no excuse for waiting longer. He must "have it
out" with John. desire must be given her freedom. Of John's attitude
he had small doubt. His infatuation for Desire had been plain from
the beginning. Time had served only to centre and strengthen it. He
could not in justice blame John.
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