Ten North Frederick Read Online Free Page A

life. He had to force himself to be patient and tolerant of other people. But I remember his saying to me later on, how he’d been missing a lot of fun out of life by not getting about more in his young manhood.”
    â€œI never knew that, Edith. I never knew that. I would have said that Joe Chapin was one of the greatest mixers I ever saw.”
    â€œAnd he was, but he had to learn it. It wasn’t the natural thing for him to do, the way it is with some men. He practically made a study of it. But of course Joe had one thing I never have had. Confidence. Complete confidence in himself.”
    â€œThe aristocrat, in the better sense,” said Hooker.
    â€œWell, of course he didn’t like that word, but I’m inclined to agree with you.”
    â€œYou have it too, Edith.”
    â€œOh, no. Not a bit.”
    â€œI think so. I think you have. You may be shy, but I’ve watched you, I’ve studied you. You may not be the outgoing type, the extrovert, but people know that underneath that shyness is a woman of great courage and principle. Look at you now. If they could see you now they’d know they were right. It’s a great honor for me, you letting me have these few moments to pay my respects.”
    â€œI wonder why I let myself prattle on this way. I’ve talked with you more than any other person. In fact, I haven’t really talked to anyone else at all.”
    â€œIt’s a great honor for me. I suppose we newspaper men, we’re told so many things in confidence, there must be something about us that makes people trust us.”
    Edith Chapin hesitated. “It must be more than that, too,” she said. “Thank you for coming to see me. It was very kind of you. And later, when things—settle down—I’m going to ask you for some advice.”
    â€œI am at your service.”
    â€œAnd remember me to Kitty.”
    â€œShe wanted to come with me, but I was sure there’d be too many people. By the way, I had a very pleasant visit with Joe Junior downstairs. Amazing, how much like his father.”
    â€œYes, at least in appearance. They’re really quite different.”
    â€œThat’s what I meant. This is a grand old house, isn’t it?”
    â€œFull of memories, happy ones and sad ones.”
    â€œThe way a house should be,” said Hooker.
    â€œFrederick Street isn’t fashionable any more, but it’s much more convenient than Lantenengo Street. We’ve always had the noise and the smoke from the trains, and some of the neighbors on William Street leave a lot to be desired, but we’re used to it.”
    â€œA speaking tube. I guess there aren’t many houses left with a speaking tube.”
    â€œOh, it has all those things. I suppose you noticed the dumbwaiter. And on the second floor, the busybody.”
    â€œI had a story about busybodies last year. I sent one of my reporters out and he counted I think eighty-seven left in the whole town.”
    â€œWhen I was a girl I don’t suppose there were eighty-seven houses that
didn’t
have one,” said Edith Chapin. She smiled her sad smile and Robert Hooker went to her and shook her hand in both of his.
    â€œYou are very brave, Edith Chapin.”
    â€œThank you,” she said.
    â€œAnd call me for anything, anything at all.”
    â€œThank you again, Robert,” she said.
    He braced his shoulders like the National Guard lieutenant he once had been, and marched out of the sewing room. She waited until she heard his step on the second-floor landing, then went to the speaking tube and blew the whistle.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” said Mary.
    â€œI’m ready, Mary,” said Edith Chapin.
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    The will of Joseph B. Chapin contained no surprises. It was an orderly document, meant to be read in public. Certain sums were to be paid to servants and charities, and those sums were specified in