"She is worried about father, of course, but so are the rest of us, and we don't act like that," she thought soberly. "It can't be Mr. MacCammon, surely, for he does not try to hide what he thinks. And anybody can see what she feels toward him—anybody but Mr. MacCammon, for he really is fussed about the bishop1." And Rosalie laughed gleefully, for she solemnly believed that no lover had any right to win his heart's desire without a few sharp pangs2 of jealousy3.
Doris was pale and gentle to an unwonted degree, but she shirked no whit4 of her responsibility. She arranged with the president of the college for filling the pulpit during her father's[Pg 246] absence, and he acceded5 to her request with hearty6 good will.
"If I can't get anybody else, I'll do it myself. So get that off your mind right away. As a matter of fact, I have quite a few things I'd like to tell the people in this town, but I never had the courage to do it with your father's kindly7 eyes upon me. But with him out of the road, I surely will relieve my feelings."
Miss Carlton promised not only freely, but fulsomely8, to come and chaperon the younger girls during the week the others were in Chicago. And Mr. Artman was argued into accepting their friend's kindly offer in a way that was scientific to the highest degree.
On the morning he took train for Chicago Doris and Rosalie, with their shabby bags, were tucked into MacCammon's car among his portfolios9 and manuscripts. Curiously10 enough, Doris insisted on sitting in the back seat alone.
"Please," she said, when MacCammon and Rosalie both protested. "I am so tired and fidgety. When I am in front I sit up straight and[Pg 247] watch the road every minute. But in the back I can settle down and rest. Let Rosalie sit in front, she likes to watch the road and get excited, and squeal11 when you spin on the corners."
Rosalie and MacCammon eyed each other grimly when Doris slipped into her chosen place without waiting for the help of a friendly hand.
"The bishop your grandmother," thought Rosalie, turning around to squint13 thoughtfully at her sister.
The first twenty-five miles were traversed in absolute silence, MacCammon driving with grim and rigid14 energy, Rosalie looking through half-closed lids reflectively into space, Doris crouching15 in the corner of the back seat alone.
Thirty-five miles—and then MacCammon laughed suddenly.
"Hang the bishop," he said in a low voice.
Rosalie laughed with him. "You can't hang him—it isn't orthodox."
"Burn him at the stake then. She hasn't— Anyhow,[Pg 248] I don't—I am not going to get cold feet yet— That— There is no reason—"
"All right, I am game. Suppose you drive a while." Turning to Doris, he said, "Rosalie is going to drive a while, and I am coming back to help hold down the back seat. Don't argue. You know very well the back seat is too bumpy17 for one little light girl by herself. You need not hurry, Rosalie," he said, surrendering the wheel. "Doris is cross, and I have to reason with her. It takes time. You need not listen unless you particularly wish."
He got into the back seat serenely18 enough, and looked astonished when Doris withdrew to the farthest corner of the roomy seat.
"What is the matter? Does the seat slope over to that corner? That is a shame, I must have it fixed19." And he sat down very comfortably in the middle of the seat, where Doris could not possibly keep the hem20 of her gown from touching21 him, nor even her rigid elbow, though it plainly was her desire.
[Pg 249]
Rosalie drove with a nicety of concentration that was most commendable22, but Doris was stiffly mute to his overtures23. And in spite of his persistent24 and determined25 tender chaffing, he was really calling down anathemas26 on the head of the offending bishop by the time they reached Aurora27.
"Let's find a place to eat. I am hungry. I have done a hard day's work. Digging ditches has nothing on that," he said to Rosalie.
She nodded sympathetically. "Think well before it is too late," she warned. "Women are always like that—they go by spells. Sometimes they are and then sometimes they are not."
"Chiefly they are not, I perceive," he said doggedly28. "She liked me well enough while I remained a mystery."
"Well, of course—"
"If you say bishop to me again I'll stone you," He cried, and Rosalie only laughed.
By this time Doris had finished patting her hair before the small mirror in her bag, and joined them quietly. But she was not hungry, she[Pg 250] drank two cups of very strong coffee—and Mr. MacCammon suddenly was not hungry either. Rosalie munched29 comfortably through six courses and when she reached her ice-cream and macaroons she told MacCammon he might run along and get the gas if he liked while she was finishing, which he promptly30 did. As soon as he was gone she looked at her sister slyly.
Doris stiffened32 instantly, and turned a frigid33 face that way. "Yes," she said somberly, "go on, let's get it over with. I have been expecting it for some time."
A mischievous34 smile darted35 to Rosalie's eyes, but the shielding lashes36 hid it. "I—Do you think I am too young to fall in love?"
"No," said Doris desperately37, "I do not. I don't think anybody is too young, or too old, or—anything."
"Age has nothing to do with love, has it?"
"No, age hasn't, nor brains, nor sense, nor [Pg 251]dignity, nor—sometimes I think even religion hasn't anything to do with love."
"Of course I may be mistaken—"
"No chance."
"But he is so dear and nice, and though he has not proposed—still I know he is infatuated with me—and when he finishes school—he is a senior now, you know, and then he can marry if he likes."
Doris looked up, a sudden shining through the clouds. "He—what?"
"He graduates this year. He is a senior. But we are not engaged, not by any means. Only sometimes I think maybe I am not too young to fall in love. Bob Alden, you know."
Doris leaned weakly back in her chair.
"Are you joking?" she whispered with dry lips.
"Oh, Doris, I wouldn't do such a thing."
"Am I just imagining things or—"
"Yes, I think you are."
"Oh, Rosalie, you bad little girl, what have[Pg 252] you done? I really believe Mr. MacCammon likes you."
"Likes me! Ye gods, aren't some folks blind? I can always tell when men are stuck on me long before they can tell it themselves, but some folks are so slow. You are a stupid girl, Doris, I have no patience with you. Poor dear Mr. MacCammon and the bishop, too—both of them—I think it is downright reprehensible38, to dangle39 a bishop and a psychological philosopher at the same time. I wouldn't do such a thing."
"Oh, Rosalie, don't talk about the bishop," she said.
MacCammon was waiting for them at the car, with several magazines and boxes of candy on hand to help give the car a professionally touring appearance. And after the chill fog of the last week, Doris came to him, gleaming and glowing.
"I am all rested now," she said, smiling [Pg 253]tremulously. "Please, Mr. Wizard, may I ride in front?"
He looked at her in astonishment41 more utterly42 blank than ever. Then he looked helplessly at Rosalie, humming brightly to herself as she picked out the largest box of candy to take with her into the back seat.
"Can you beat that? They are, and then they aren't. And when you just about get your mind made up that they aren't, and no use to talk about it, all of a sudden they are. And nobody ever knows why, or how it happened."
"What are you talking about?" asked Doris curiously.
"Psychology43, dear Doris. Please get in quickly—yes, here in front—oh, this seat slopes toward the middle, does it? Fine! Well, as I was saying, do you think I'd better tie you in before you decide you aren't? And as for psychology, there is no such thing—not in a world that has women."
It did seem rather heartless to be so ecstatically happy when poor dear father was having such trouble, but then, Doris thought philosophically,[Pg 254] that is what religion is for—to make us happy even in spite of our grief.
The rest of the ride was wonderful, through such gloriously beautiful country, and as for the dust—it was nothing, and the car ran like velvet44, and almost before they knew it they were settled in their little borrowed apartment, laughing at the tininess of it, and getting ready for MacCammon, who had gone to break his presence to his friend.
He came for them at six o'clock and took them out to dinner with him, ordering the dishes so carefully and with such sweet regard for their youthful appetites—but after all, they could not eat, for the shadow of the operation was settling upon them. Yet how much better it was to be here in the big city within reach of father's kindly hand than to be away off in the manse quivering with the anxiety of what they did not know and could not guess, with only telegraph wires to link them each to each?
It seemed MacCammon would never be done with that sickening apple pie, but after an endless[Pg 255] time they were really tripping softly, breathlessly, along the hall of the hospital in the wake of the "rubber-soled nurse," as Rosalie naughtily christened her. And there was father sitting alone in a white room, his eyes bandaged closely. He knew they were there before they spoke45, and held out his hands to them, warmly impulsive46. And they sat on the arms of his chair and petted the opposite sides of his head, and talked quietly and sensibly, as if the operation were nothing at all.
But almost immediately the door opened again, and a man— Yes, a minister— That blessed bishop, of course—MacCammon glared at him— How long the fellow was holding Doris' hand!— Right before her father—and Doris was letting him!— Well, couldn't he see that Rosalie was there, too—and a stranger?
"Your father said you would be here, so I stayed to speak to you."
"Yes, and I came, too, Bishop," said Rosalie brightly. "You must not overlook me."
MacCammon blessed her for the words. For the bishop dropped Doris' hand hurriedly and[Pg 256] turned to her— What in the world could the church be thinking of, to have bishops47 as young as that?
"I do not believe he's as old as I am, and I am not old at all," thought MacCammon resentfully. "And they call him a father in the church. What are we coming to, anyhow?"
Doris was back at her father's side now, where she belonged, and MacCammon was being introduced to the bishop. They sized each other up very frankly48.
"I'll bet he resents me as much as I do him, that's some satisfaction," MacCammon thought with boyish relish49. "And I brought her up, too, all that long way—that will cut."
They did not stay very long—a gentle movement of the rubber-soled one's eyebrow50 hurried their departure.
The bishop could not accept MacCammon's invitation to come with them in the car, because he had his own little runabout. But wouldn't Miss Doris come with him for a run through the park,[Pg 257] and along the lake front? MacCammon held his breath. Would she?
Doris put out her hand, quietly but cordially. "I know you will excuse me to-night, Bishop. I do not feel like talking, or—anything—just like going home quietly with Rosalie to think."
Never had MacCammon loved her as he did at that moment. The bishop walked down with her to the car and opened the back door for the girls.
"But it is my turn to sit in front," said Doris, smiling faintly. "We think it would be unfair to let Mr. MacCammon sit alone when he is driving us. And Rosalie and I always have each other, you know."
So the bishop had to help her into the car—MacCammon's car—and into the front seat with MacCammon himself, and the bishop had to stand on the curb51 while they drove off. No wonder MacCammon was whistling softly to himself. With Doris out of the question, the bishop was a nice enough fellow, clean, clear-cut, [Pg 258]straightforward—but with Doris in the question he was an eternal nuisance and a bore. And MacCammon could never get Doris out of his questions any more.
"Will you come up?" she asked as they drew up beside the apartment.
"Not to-night," he said softly. "But thank you for asking." She had not asked the bishop. "To-night you girls must run straight to bed and rest, and I will come for you to go with me in the morning. No, you must not try to cook until the operation is over. I will eat with you after that to even up. I know a grand place for hot cakes and sirup—very close. Good night, Rosalie, you are a good little scout," he called, as she started up the stairs. Then he drew Doris into a shadowy corner and said, "You must not worry, Doris. Rosalie is taking this better than you are. Hasn't your religion taught you that things work out just right for—men—like your father—who are whole-souled and pure-minded?"
"Christians52, you mean," said Doris, smiling at his evident desire to avoid the tone of preaching.[Pg 259] "Yes, I know. I do believe that things will come right eventually, and I do not worry—much. But father is too good to suffer, and be hurt. It should have been some one else."
"Oh, Doris, don't you know that your father will have more tenderness and more gentleness for all sickness and all suffering, after he himself has suffered? Before this, he has spoken kindness. Now he will live it. It takes the ultimate caress53 of pain to give us understanding."
Doris moved her hands softly in his.
"Yes, you must go." He put his arms around her, and her face fell against his shoulder. "Go, dear Doris, and dream of sweet and lovely things—your father strong and well and tenderer than ever—and dream of me, not very good, I know, but—very fond of you. And please forget the bishop."
Doris laughed at that, quickly, breathlessly. "I will, just for to-night," she promised.
"No, for all the nights."
He kissed her hair where it curled beneath the blue motor hat, warmly, tenderly—for somehow[Pg 260] he felt that this night of her anxious sorrow was not the time to press the kiss of love upon her lips, though he knew in his heart it would not have been denied him.
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1
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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6
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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7
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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8
fulsomely
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9
portfolios
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| n.投资组合( portfolio的名词复数 )；（保险）业务量；（公司或机构提供的）系列产品；纸夹 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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11
squeal
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| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
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12
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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13
squint
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| v. 使变斜视眼, 斜视, 眯眼看, 偏移, 窥视; n. 斜视, 斜孔小窗; adj. 斜视的, 斜的 | |
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14
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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15
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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scoffed
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| 嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
bumpy
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| adj.颠簸不平的，崎岖的 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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19
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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21
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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anathemas
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| n.（天主教的）革出教门( anathema的名词复数 )；诅咒；令人极其讨厌的事；被基督教诅咒的人或事 | |
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aurora
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| n.极光 | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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29
munched
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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31
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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32
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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33
frigid
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| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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36
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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37
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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38
reprehensible
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| adj.该受责备的 | |
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39
dangle
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| v.(使)悬荡，(使)悬垂 | |
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40
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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42
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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43
psychology
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| n.心理，心理学，心理状态 | |
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44
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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45
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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46
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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47
bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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48
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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49
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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50
eyebrow
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| n.眉毛，眉 | |
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51
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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52
Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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53
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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