could hear in the kitchen without even leaving her chair. Mr. Wilks
stood dazed and speechless before him, holding the wallflowers in one
hand and his cap in the other. In this attitude he listened to a
description of his character drawn with the loving skill of an artist
whose whole heart was in his work, and who seemed never tired of filling
in details.
"If you ever have the hardihood to come to my house again," he concluded,
"I'll break every bone in your misshapen body. Get!"
Mr. Wilks turned and groped his way to the door. Then he went a little
way back with some idea of defending himself, but the door of the room
was slammed in his face. He walked slowly down the path to the road and
stood there for some time in helpless bewilderment. In all his sixty
years of life his feelings had never been so outraged. His cap was still
in his hand, and, with a helpless gesture, he put it on and scattered his
floral offering in the road. Then he made a bee-line for the Two
Schooners.
Though convivial by nature and ever free with his money, he sat there
drinking alone in silent misery. Men came and went, but he still sat
there noting with mournful pride the attention caused by his unusual
bearing.
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