I had thought of the scene a
hundred times before, but now a new interpretation of it flashed
through my mind. It all seemed so obvious. I certainly had been a
ninny, an idiot. I burst into a sarcastic titter at Matilda's expense
and my own
"Of course I was a ninny," I scoffed at myself again and again
I saw Matilda from a new angle. It was as if she had suddenly
slipped off her pedestal. Instead of lamenting my fallen idol,
however, I gloated over her fall. And, instead of growing cold to
her, I felt that she was nearer to me than ever, nearer and dearer
CHAPTER II ONE morning, after breakfast, when I was about to
leave the house and Mrs.
Levinsky was detaining me, trying to exact a promise that I should
get somebody to share the lounge with me, I said: "I'll see about it.
I must be going. Good-by!" At this I took her hand, ostensibly in
farewell
"Good-by," she said, coloring and trying to free herself
"Good-by," I repeated, shaking her hand gently and smiling upon
her
She wrenched out her hand. I took hold of her chin, but she shook
it free
"Don't," she said, shyly, turning away
"What's the matter?" I said, gaily.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199