Basswood books

"
Helen was delighted with the generosity of the Major's good-humour. On
the contrary, it quite took aback and disappointed poor Pen, whose nerves
were strung up for a tragedy, and who felt that his grand entree was
altogether baulked and ludicrous. He blushed and winced with mortified
vanity and bewilderment. He felt immensely inclined to begin to cry--"I--
I--I didn't know that you were come till just now," he said: "is--is--
town very full, I suppose?"
If Pen could hardly gulp his tears down, it was all the Major could do to
keep from laughter. He turned round and shot a comical glance at Mrs.
Pendennis, who too felt that the scene was at once ridiculous and
sentimental. And so, having nothing to say, she went up and kissed Mr.
Pen: as he thought of her tenderness and soft obedience to his wishes, it
is very possible too the boy was melted.
"What a couple of fools they are," thought the old guardian. "If I hadn't
come down, she would have driven over in state to pay a visit and give
her blessing to the young lady's family.


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