Love Bade Me Welcome Read Online Free Page B

be at daggers drawn over you, so pretty. I used to be pretty once. Good night. Sleep tight.”
    “Good night, Miss Dennison,” I said.
    “Good night to you too, Mrs.—what was the name again, dear?”
    “Winton. Mrs. Winton.”
    “Never heard of them, but good night anyway. Homer said to be polite.”
    Mrs. Winton rolled up her eyes at the departing form, which moved at a livelier gait than before. “I cannot imagine why they let that one roam free to insult their guests. She belongs in a padded room.”
    “She’s harmless.”
    “She is offensive to anyone of any sensibility. You must use your influence to have her kept out of company’s way after you are settled in, Davinia. The house needs a woman’s hand. I shall go up and say how do you do to Lady Blythe. I want to make her acquaintance before I leave, and she might be abed tomorrow morning. Reverend Clark will want to hear about her.”
    I was sitting alone when the gentlemen returned from the dining room. Jarvis soon excused himself. “I usually puff a cloud after dinner. You will excuse me, Davinia. We old gentlemen become set in our ways. It takes very little to put us out of humor. Homer will entertain you.”
    “Don’t interrupt your usual schedule for me. I don’t have to be entertained, but I would be happy to become better acquainted, Homer,” I said, turning to include him.
    He took up a chair beside me. I complimented him on his mother, and he smiled his contentment. “She’s a wonderful old girl. Patient with her troubles. She used to be a horsewoman, so full of life.”
    “How long has she been bedridden?”
    “Five years. It took her two to come to terms with her condition. Now she is becoming more like her old self. I shall drop in on her later.”
    “If you are planning to discuss The Old Curiosity Shop, be sure you don’t tell her whether Nell dies.”
    “She spoke of it, did she? Reading has been a boon to her. She never did much reading before, but now... It is a wonderful consolation to her.” He stopped and gave me a close, conscious look. “And how are youbearing up, Davinia? It must have been a crushing blow for you. We were all appalled to hear of Norman’s sudden death.”
    I knew what he wished to hear, and informed him briefly of the circumstances. He listened, frowning, and like his mother, found it odd. So it was, too. Before he passed on, Norman appeared to be inebriated, but I knew he had taken only two glasses of sherry all evening. He had finished work and was sitting with me, having a bite to eat before we retired. I remember Norman had plum cake, and I had one of the raisin buns our cook made that morning. I told Homer what I had told his mother, wanting to get this subject over with once for all.
    I believe he understood my feelings, for as soon as I finished he brought out the stereoscope and showed me some scenes from rural English life. I had not seen one before. It was like magic, to look at views in three dimensions, so lifelike you would think you could walk into them. He explained in some detail how this miracle was accomplished, but I am not at all scientific and paid little heed to his lecture. I found him to be very much interested in photography. Norman cared nothing for it.
    In perhaps half an hour Jarvis joined us, smelling lightly of tobacco, a comforting aroma, it reminded me of my father’s visits. When he apologized, I mentioned it to him.
    “Ah, the colonel smoked a pipe, did he?”
    “Colonel? My father was only a captain, Mr. Blythe, but he did smoke a pipe.”
    There was a questioning look exchanged by the men. “Where is your father now?” Jarvis asked.
    “In India.”
    “He is a brave man. I am happy to meet the daughter of a winner of Victoria’s Cross. All soldiers love our Queen for recognizing their heroism by instituting the medal for bravery.”
    “My father didn’t win a Victoria Cross. You must be mistaking him with someone else.” Another of the surprised glances flew