"Human nature is generally regarded as capable of improvement,"
remarked Stanton, sententiously.
"I was not speaking of human nature generally," said Ida; "I was
thinking of myself."
"As usual, my charming Cousin."
She flushed resentfully, but did not reply.
"And I feel that Miss Mayhew has done herself injustice in her
thought," said Miss Burton, with a sympathetic glance at Ida. "And
how is it with you, Mr. Van Berg? Do you dread growing old?"
"I fear my opinion will remind you of Jack Bunsby," replied
the artist. "Growing old is like a prospective journey. So much
depends upon the country through which you travel and your company.
My father and mother are taking a summer excursion through Norway
and Sweden, and I know they are enjoying themselves abundantly.
They have had a good time growing old. Why should not others?"
Ida appeared to resent his words bitterly; and with a tone and
manner that surprised every one she said:
"Mr. Van Berg, I could not have believed that you were capable
of making so superficial a reply. Why not say, if the poor were
rich, if the ugly were beautiful, if the sick were well, if the bad
were good, and we all had our heart's desires, we could journey on
complacently and prosperously?"
The artist flushed deeply under this address, coming from such an
unexpected quarter; but he replied quietly:
"That allusion with which I prefaced my remark, Miss Mayhew, proved
that I regard my opinion as of little value; and yet I have no
better one to offer.
Pages:
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295