While she stood in the doorway3 of this room, solemnly regarding it, her father said over her shoulder:
"You won't need both those big trunks here, I'm sure. I'll store them somewhere in the studio. Covered with drapes, they won't be noticed. I can't imagine what that woman packed them with."
"My dresses," replied Alora. "Even then, I left a lot at the Voltaire, for the maids to sell or give away. Mamma used to send them to the Salvation4 Army."
"Two trunks of dresses ought to last for a good many years," he remarked in a reflective tone.
"Oh, no indeed," said Lory. "Miss Gorham was about to engage a dressmaker for me when—when—you said we'd go away. I'm growing fast, you know, and I was to have a dozen or fifteen summer frocks made, and a lot of lingerie."
"Then we moved just in time to save that expense," he declared, setting his stern jaws5 together. "There's been a terrible waste of money through that woman Gorham. We're well rid of her."
He turned away to the studio and the child followed him there. He turned on the electric lights, which were not very bright, and Alora took a look at the workroom and thought it seemed more comfortable than the other rooms of the flat.
Her father began dusting and arranging half a dozen paintings of various sizes, mounted on stretchers. None was finished; some were scarcely begun. Lory tried to see what they represented. Perhaps she had inherited from her mother a bit of artistic6 instinct; if so, it was that which prompted her to shrug7 her small shoulders slightly and then turn away to the window.
In the dimly lighted street outside a man drove up with the baggage. Mr. Jones had purchased for himself in Chicago a new trunk—a small and inexpensive one—and there were two big trunks and a suitcase belonging to Alora. After these had been carried up and placed in the studio—the only room that would hold them—her father said:
"We will go out now and get some dinner. You won't need your coat, for the restaurant is just around the corner."
Alora marveled at the restaurant even more than at the studio furnishings. It looked a hundred years old and the atmosphere still retained the fumes8 of much ancient cookery. The linen9 was coarse, the plating worn from the forks and spoons through constant use, the dishes thick and clumsy and well nicked. Alora was hungry and she ate what her father ordered for her, although she decided10 it did not taste very nice.
When they sat down a man from behind the counter approached them and bending low said in a quiet tone:
"You know, Jones, it's to be a cash deal from now on."
"Of course," replied Alora's father, with a slight frown. "Also I'll pay you the old account, if you'll make out the bill."
The man smiled, patted Alora's head—a liberty she indignantly resented—and went back to his desk.
During the meal and, indeed, ever since their arrival in New York, Jason Jones cast frequent puzzled glances into the face of his little daughter, who until now had accepted her changed conditions with evident indifference11. But as they ate together in silence her small features grew grave and thoughtful and her father shrank from meeting the inquiring glances of her big eyes. Yet even now she made no complaint. Neither did she ask questions. Her look was expectant, however, and that was what embarrassed him.
After the dinner they went back to the dingy12 studio, where the man lighted a pipe and sat opposite his small daughter, puffing13 uneasily. They were both reserved; there was an indefinable barrier between them which each was beginning to recognize. Presently Alora asked to go to bed and he sent her to her room with a nod of relief.
Next morning they had breakfast at the same stuffy14 little restaurant and afterward15 Alora unpacked16 some things from her trunks and put them in the drawers of the broken-legged dresser. It seemed odd to have no maid to wait upon her, but she was glad to have something to do. As she passed to and from the studio she noticed that her father had resumed work on a picture that represented two cows eating a broken pumpkin17 that lay in a cornfield. He worked slowly and never seemed satisfied with what he did, as if lacking confidence in his ability. Lory decided he couldn't be blamed for that.
The child plodded18 drearily19 along in her new life for a full week. Then she began to grow restless, for the place was hateful and repulsive20 to her. But now an incident occurred that gave her new cause for wonder.
One day the door opened and a woman walked into the studio. It was Janet Orme, her mother's former nurse, but what a new and astonishing Janet it was! Her silken gown was very "fashionable," somewhat too modish21 for good taste, for it was elaborately trimmed and embroidered22. She wore considerable jewelry23, including diamonds; her shoes were elegant and her hose daintily clocked; her hat must have been a French milliner's choicest creation. If good clothes could make Janet Orme a lady, there was no question of her social standing24, yet even little Alora felt that Janet was out of her element—that she fell short, in some vague way, of being what she was ambitious to appear.
"So," said the nurse, glancing around the room with frank disdain25, "this is where you hang out, Jason, is it?"
Alora's father confronted the woman with a menacing frown.
"What do you mean by coming here?" he demanded.
"I had two reasons," she answered carelessly, seating herself in the only easy chair the room contained. "In the first place, I wanted to see how a rich man lives."
"I certainly do, and I realize you are quite comfortable and ought to be happy here, Jason—you and the millionaire heiress, your daughter Alora."
As she spoke27 she turned to glance sharply at the child, who met her look with disconcerting gravity. Alora's eyes expressed wonder, tinged28 with a haughty29 tolerance30 of an inferior that struck home to Janet and made her flush angrily.
"Your sneers," said Jason Jones, still frowning but now speaking with composure, "must indicate that you have graduated from servitude. I cannot admit that my mode of living is any of your business, Janet. In these retired31 but respectable rooms I have worked and been contented32 for years, until——"
"Until you came into your money and found you didn't have to worry over your next meal," she interjected. "Well, that ought to make you still more content. And that reminds me of the second object of my visit. I want some money."
"So soon?"
"Don't try to crawfish; it was agreed you should give me a check whenever I asked for it. I want it now, and for the full amount—every single penny of it!"
"I cannot spare it all today."
"You're a miserly coward," she declared. "I'm not robbing you; you will have an abundance for your needs. Why do you quarrel with Dame36 Fortune? Don't you realize you can pay your rent now and eat three square meals a day, and not have to work and slave for them? You can smoke a good cigar after your dinner, instead of that eternal pipe, and go to a picture show whenever the mood strikes you. Why, man, you're independent for the first time in your life, and the finances are as sure as shooting for a good seven years to come."
He glanced uneasily at Alora.
"Owing to my dead wife's generosity," he muttered.
Janet laughed.
"Of course," said she; "and, if you play your cards skillfuly, when Alora comes of age she will provide for you an income for the rest of your life. You're in luck. And why? Just because you are Jason Jones and long ago married Antoinette Seaver and her millions and are now reaping your reward! So, for decency's sake, don't grumble37 about writing me that check."
All this was frankly38 said in the presence of Alora Jones, the heiress, of whose person and fortune, her father, Jason Jones, was now sole guardian39. It was not strange that the man seemed annoyed and ill at ease. His scowl40 grew darker and his eyes glinted in an ugly way as he replied, after a brief pause:
"You seem to have forgotten Alora's requirements and my duty to her."
"Pooh, a child! But we've allowed liberally for her keep, I'm sure. She can't keep servants and three dressmakers, it's true, but a simple life is best for her. She'll grow up a more sensible and competent woman by waiting on herself and living; as most girls do. At her age I didn't have shoes or stockings. Alora has been spoiled, and a bit of worldly experience will do her good."
"She's going to be very rich, when she comes into her fortune," said Alora's father, "and then——"
"And then she can do as she likes with her money. Just now her income is too big for her needs, and the best thing you can do for her is to teach her economy—a virtue41 you seem to possess, whether by nature or training, in a high degree. But I didn't come here to argue. Give me that check."
He walked over to his little desk, sat down and drew a check book from his pocket.
Alora, although she had listened intently to the astonishing conversation, did not quite comprehend what it meant. Janet's harsh statement bewildered her as much as did her father's subject subservience42 to the woman. All she realized was that Janet Orme, her dead mother's nurse, wanted money—Alora's money—and her father was reluctant to give it to her but dared not refuse. Money was an abstract quantity to the eleven year old child; she had never handled it personally and knew nothing of its value. If her father owed Janet some of her money, perhaps it was for wages, or services rendered her mother, and Alora was annoyed that he haggled43 about it, even though the woman evidently demanded more than was just. There was plenty of money, she believed, and it was undignified to argue with a servant.
Jason Jones wrote the check and, rising, handed it to Janet.
"There," said he, "that squares our account. It is what I agreed to give you, but I did not think you would demand it so soon. To pay it just now leaves me in an embarrassing position."
"I don't believe it," she rejoined. "You're cutting coupons44 every month or so, and you may thank your stars I don't demand a statement of your income. But I know you, Jason Jones, and you can't hoodwink me, try as you may. You hid yourself in this hole and thought I wouldn't know where to find you, but you'll soon learn that you can't escape my eagle eye. So take your medicine like a man, and thank your lucky stars that you're no longer a struggling, starving, unrecognized artist. Good-bye until I call again."
"You're not to call again!" he objected.
"Well, we'll see. Just for the present I'm in no mood to quarrel with you, and you'd better not quarrel with me, Jason Jones. Good-bye."
She tucked the check into her purse and ambled45 out of the room after a supercilious46 nod to Alora, who failed to return the salutation. Jason Jones stood in his place, still frowning, until Janet's high-heeled shoes had clattered47 down the two flights of stairs. Alora went to the window and looking down saw that a handsome automobile48 stood before the house, with a chauffeur49 and footman in livery. Janet entered this automobile and was driven away.
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1
aristocrat
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| n.贵族，有贵族气派的人，上层人物 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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7
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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10
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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13
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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14
stuffy
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| adj.不透气的，闷热的 | |
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15
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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unpacked
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| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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17
pumpkin
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| n.南瓜 | |
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18
plodded
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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19
drearily
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| 沉寂地，厌倦地，可怕地 | |
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repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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21
modish
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| adj.流行的，时髦的 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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24
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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25
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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26
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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27
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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28
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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30
tolerance
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| n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差 | |
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31
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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32
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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33
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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wriggle
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| v./n.蠕动，扭动；蜿蜒 | |
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36
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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37
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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39
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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40
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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41
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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42
subservience
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| n.有利，有益；从属（地位），附属性；屈从，恭顺；媚态 | |
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43
haggled
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| v.讨价还价( haggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
coupons
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| n.礼券( coupon的名词复数 )；优惠券；订货单；参赛表 | |
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45
ambled
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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46
supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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47
clattered
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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48
automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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49
chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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50
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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