He spent an
earnest and exhausting hour in neatly and carefully writing out
the instructions, as Craig had requested. He performed this
service with a gravity that would move some people to the same
sort of laughter and wonder that is excited by the human doings of
a trained chimpanzee. But Craig--the wild man, the arch foe of
effeteness, the apostle of the simple life of yarn sock and
tallowed boot and homespun pants and hairy jaw--Craig accepted the
service with heartfelt thanks in his shaking voice and moist eye.
Thus the opening of the honeymoon was most auspicious. Craig, too
much in awe of Margaret to bother her, and busy about matters that
concerned himself alone, was a model of caution, restraint and
civility. Margaret, apparently calm, aloof and ladylike, was
really watching his discreet conduct as a hawk watches a sheltered
hen; she began to indulge in pleasant hopes that Joshua's wild
days had come to an abrupt end. Why, he was even restrained in
conversation; he did not interrupt her often, instantly apologized
and forebore when he did; he poured out none of his wonted
sophomoric diatribes, sometimes sensible, more often inane, as the
prattle of a great man in his hour of relaxation is apt to be.
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