The Argosy — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

256 Winifred Power. “And home she is,” said Dolly’s own fresh, complacent tones ; and her small figure, rain-bespattered, was framed in the door. ‘Oh, Mr. Dallas !” (unaffectedly pleased and a little patronising) “ you see Winifred has not blown us up with petroleum yet. I suppose you know that is her friends’ latest threat: but they promise to spare her.” And Dolly laughed at her own wit. She laid aside her waterproof and hat, looking critically the while at the preparations for tea; and as soon as she had divested her small hands of their gloves, walked over and offered one of them condescendingly to Dick. ‘‘ What is the matter? Are you not well?” she exclaimed, on thus coming nearer to him. “Quite well—thanks. Worthless people usually are,” answered Dick, a little bitterly. ‘Dear me! That sounds quite tragic,” said Dolly, good-naturedly. Her bright eyes glanced from one person to another enquiringly ; and with characteristic penetration, quickly divined the facts—but not so unerringly their cause. ‘* Have you and Winifred fallen out?” “YT think that Dick and I will never fall out,” said Winifred, gravely, but kindly. ‘‘Our good-fellowship—quite a venerable quality by now—will survive all mistakes.” ‘‘Even mistaken aspirations P” asked Dick. “Ves, And ill-advised scoldings,” replied Winifred, with one of her charming looks. “Don’t talk about aspirations, for goodness sake,” interposed Dolly. ‘‘I am sick of the word. If it had not been for a lot of tiresome ‘aspirations’ (at least, that is what Winifred calls them) we should have had those nice Versaillois in two months ago; and by this time I might have had six lessons where I now have three.” Winifred was so glad of the chance, at that moment, to laugh at anything, that she even laughed at this. And Dick laughed also. While Dolly, with her usual small smile of unassuming superiority, sat down to cut the bread and butter. For the rest of the evening Dick was rather silent, and Winifred talked to him in a kind, sisterly way, that was intended to bring back things between them exactly to their accustomed footing. And when Dick at last rose to go, Dolly, instead of coming forward as she generally did, to light him downstairs, allowed this gracious task to be performed by her decidedly unwilling friend. Winifred would have given anything to avoid these dangerous “last words,” but Dolly never even rose from her seat: just nodded a “ good-night ” of serene friendliness, and proceeded to thread a needle. So Winifred walked silently on to the landing and held the lamp aloft, Dick following her with great deliberation. * Good-night.” * Good night.” EORMIE NOOO KS (E@) m