The
remainder of the drive was not enjoyed by either of them as the
earlier part had been, and something like constraint tinged the
manner and words of both.
As they drove up to the hotel Stanton gave a low whistle of surprise,
but was in no mood for his old-time banter.
Chapter XLV. Problems Beyond Art.
When Van Berg left the garden he thought he had learned to understand
Ida almost as clearly as he saw the pebbly bed of the little brook
through the limpid current that flowed over it, and yet within a
brief half-hour another baffling mystery had arisen. Why did she
dislike Jennie Burton? Why she HAD disliked her was plain, but it
seemed to follow inevitably that one who could love old Mr. Eltinge
must also find a congenial friend in the woman he so greatly admired.
As the remainder of the day passed, this new cloud darkened and
seemed to shadow even himself. While he could detect no flaw in
her courtesy, he could not help feeling that she made a conscious
effort to avoid them both. At dinner she conversed chiefly with
her cousin. Van Berg's eyes would wander often to her face, but
she never looked towards him unless he spoke to her.
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