I've been
coming here to make a study of your daughter."
He paused. Mrs. Severence gave a feeble, frightened smile, made a
sound that might have been mirth and again might have been the
beginnings of a hastily-suppressed call for help.
"And," Craig went on energetically, "I find that she is a very
superior sort of person. In another environment she might have
been a big, strong woman. She's amazing, considering the sickly,
sycophantic atmosphere she's been brought up in. Now, I want to
see her married. She's thoroughly discontented and unhappy. She's
becoming sour and cynical. WE must get her married. It's your duty
to rouse yourself."
Mrs. Severence did rouse herself just at this moment. Cheeks
aflame and voice trembling, she stood and said:
"You are very kind, Mr. Craig, to offer to assist me in bringing
up my family. Surely--such--such interest is unusual on brief and
very slight acquaintance." She rang the bell. "I can show my
appreciation in only one way." The old butler, Williams, appeared.
"Williams, show this gentlemen out." And she left the room.
Williams, all frigid dignity and politeness, stood at the large
entrance doors, significantly holding aside one curtain.
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