It's what I overheerd 'er sayin' about you.'
I must confess to feeling rather startled. Then I remembered Mrs.
Warrington had often commented on Elizabeth's curious proclivities for
'overhearing.' I looked at her coldly. I had not the slightest
intention of becoming her confidant.
'Well, well, my good girl,' I retorted briskly, 'listeners never hear
any good of themselves--or of other people either, I suppose. So, if
you please, we will drop the subject.' I then picked up a book and
held it before me to signify that the parley was at an end.
Elizabeth snorted. The term is vulgar, I know, but no other expression
is adequate. 'Oo was listenin', I'd like to know?' she asked. 'I sed
_overheerd_. The door was well on the jar and I was dustin' the 'all
when I 'ears Miss Marryun a-moanin' and a-sobbin' like. Missus was
talkin' to 'er and soothin' 'er. "Don't carry on so," she ses, "for I
tells you, it's no use."
'"No use," ses Miss Marryun in a choked sort o' voice, "why is it no
use? I love 'im, I adore 'im. Oh, Willyum, Willyum, you'll break my
'art if you go on with this yeer cold indifference----"'
'Stop,' I interposed sternly. At any other time I might have smiled at
the girl's quaint phraseology. But I did not smile just then. _Dulce
est desipere in loco_. Wild as the story sounded, it was making me
feel decidedly uncomfortable. A slight perspiration had broken out on
my forehead.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61