Roxy Hastings — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. — 935 “She has suffered enough for me,” he said; “I will never plant another thorn in her path.” When questioned Lucy could not deny her preferences, although she was ready to forego them for her friends, and even begged to be permitted to do so. But Alfred was resolute. They could travel another year, but they certainly would go home now, he said. They did so. Taking a kind farewell of the Allards, ex- cepting Edward, who, being unequal to the task of parting with Lucy, kept out of the way, they proceeded direct to London, where after taking a week’s survey of the me- tropolis of the world, the Lees and Miss Holden re-em- barked for New York in the very steamer which had brought them out. Mr. Tinklepaugh, who had kept with them in London, accompanied them to the ship, not looking half as miser- able as Laura desired, or as she was conscious that she was herself, while Alfred, the unfeeling fellow, seemed positively in glee at the prospect of parting with his friend. “Only half an hour more, Tinklepaugh,” he said, look- ing at his watch, as they walked the quarter-deck. “ Bet- ter be saying your last speeches, and let them be some- thing clever, if you want us to remember you a whole year by them.” Mr. T. laughed and said he really could not think of any- thing clever. “Shall you be absent a year?” Laura asked, in a voice which was anything but cheerful. “Why he can’t do Europe properly in much less time than that,” said Alf, answering for him. ‘“ Travel finishes a man’s education, you see, Laura, and Mr. Tinklepaugh isn’t a man to shirk business or study.” Then Lee led Lucy away to show her something about the ship, affecting to give Laura and her admirer a little time to themselves, and when, after a quarter of an hour he returned to them, he called out, gayly : “Only ten minutes now, Mr. T. Take care that you don’t get carried off.” : Laura never could have believed her brother to be so un- feeling, for she was sure he must have seen what good friends they had become, and he certainly had done all he could to make them so. Had Alfred really grown selfish in his great joy ?” - But these were her thoughts only, as she looked mourn- fully upon her brother, and forced a feeble smile. “ Good-by—now, Tinklepaugh—good-by! There they he- Gomilcbooks (Eo) im