But I can't blame myself for being sentimental, weak, and for putting him
off; I was tired out. What an ordeal I'd undergone! What black looks from
the women! They'd rather have starved their summer church in the
Adirondacks than nursed it with my help!
But he must have understood; I think he saw everything that happened. The
girls at my stall were sulky because no one bought of them, while I was
surrounded; and one, in lifting a handful of roses, drew them towards her
with a spiteful jerk that left a long thorn-scratch across my hand.
I pretended not to notice. Then in a minute I cried:--
"Why, see; how could that have happened?"
And I laid my perfect hand beside hers, ugly with outstanding veins, that
she might note the accident--and the difference. People giggled, and she
snatched her hand away, blushing furiously.
I was in high spirits, with a crowd about me. I knew how tall and graceful
I looked behind my flowers; and to tease Mrs. Terry, I pinned Bellmer's
boutonniere with unnecessary graciousness, and smiled at her while he
sniffed it with beatitude beaming from his moony face.
"Awf'ly slow things, teas," he said regretfully, as she bore him off';
"awf'ly slow, don't you think?" Really the man's little better than a
downright fool; if he were poor, no one would waste a better word upon
him.
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