I had no idea that I was capable
of such self-abnegation. Has she the art of spiritual alchemy,
and so can transmute natures full of alloy into fine gold?"
Van Berg was an acute observer, and had large acquaintance with
the world in which he lived, and its inhabitants. He was in the
main, however, an unknown quantity to himself.
Chapter XXXIV. Puzzled.
Tuesday was dreary enough to more than one at the Lake House.
Clouds covered the sky, yet they gave little promise of the rain
which the thirsty earth so needed. To Ida, as she looked out late
in the morning, they seemed like a leaden wall around her, shutting
off all avenues of escape.
Her mother joined her as she went down to a cold and dismal breakfast,
long after all the other guests had left the dining-room, and she
commenced fretting and fuming, as was her custom when the world
did not arrange itself to suit her mood.
"Everything is on the bias to-day," she said, "and you most of all
from your appearance. I wish I could see things straightened out
for once. The little school-ma'am, who turns everybody's head, is
sick in her room, and did not come down to breakfast. Therefore
we had a Quaker meeting.
Pages:
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374