The Craze of Christina — page 150: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

146 © The Craze of Christina. tolerable assumption of coldness and disap- probation that she turned at the opening of the door and uttered the opening words already recorded: ‘‘T wish to speak to you, Miss Pratt.’’ ‘‘Now that is very curious, Miss Ashley,”’ re- plied Chris brightly, and with a smile, “‘because I also want to speak to you!”’ ‘*‘What I want to say to you is very serious,” went on Miss Ashley, in a voice of solemn gravity. ‘“‘How odd! What I want to say to you is very serious too!’’ ‘‘Allow me to speak first, if you please,*’ said Miss Ashley, putting up her hand. ‘‘On the contrary, my dear Miss Ashley, it is I who must speak first, and then I will listen with pleasure to anything you have to say.” **Miss Pratt, I——”’ ‘Miss Ashley, wait one moment, pray. What I have to say is very brief. It is only that I am sorry to say in spite of your kindness to me [ am obliged to leave you this day week.”’ Miss Ashley uttered what may fitly be de- scribed as a howl of baffled rage, and sinking down all of a heap into the nearest chair she burst into a storm of angry tears. ‘My dear Miss Ashley!’’ cried Chris, quite ‘Gom (<6) (00) KS (eC)