Love Me Little, Love Me Long

n't slobber me. I am sure I wish she had said, 'No.' If I

e; you would,

I might. I am more i

e well? does she come of he

d 'No'-only for a single moment, though; she soon altered her mind, and so then, the moment it was to be 'Yes,' she cleared up, and you would have thought she had

ve's simile was sent to the wrong address; we terrestrials fear water in proportion

uld do for her. "What could they get to do her honor

asiest girl to please you have ever seen here; or, if she isn't, she'll act it s

have none good en

the catalpa, as we al

n't mea

out of doors in all her born days. What! do you think our little stuffy room would be any treat to her, after t

er superiority, ob

gs not used every day, I can tell you; item, the best old china tea service; item, some rare tea, of which David had brought home a small quantity from China. At six o'clock Miss Fountain came; a footman marched twenty yards behind her. She dismissed him at the door, and Eve invited her at once into the garden. There David joined them,

gs on the table, and courtesied to Lucy, who returned her salute by a benignant smile. Out came another stouter one with the kettle, hung it from a hoop between two stout sticks, and lighted a fire she had laid unde

so, in relative proportions, gave the fete, or at least contrib

ence the flickering gold came that sprinkled her white hand, Lucy saw one of the loveliest and commonest things in nature. The sky was blue-the sun fiery-the air potable gold outside the tree, so that, as she looked up, the mellow green leaves of the catalpa, coming between her and the bright sky and glowing air, shone like transparent

they were, in point of fact, fastened with marvelous skill all round a damp sponge, but she did not know that. Thus these simple hosts honored their lovely guest. And while these sights and smells stole into her deep eyes and her delicate nostrils, "Fiddle,

gently in color, fragrance, melody, and great cal

in so ravishing a smile, her eyes remaining closed, that even Eve, who saw her in her true light, a terrible girl

hich at bottom is as hollow as diplomacy; but there is a mode

mingly; they made no secret that it was a downright pleasure to them to have her there. They petted her, and showed her so much simple kindness, tha

on. In short, they played upon him lightly as they touch the piano. And Eve carolled a song, and David accompanied her on the fiddle; and at the third verse Lucy chimed in spontaneously with a second, and the next verse David struck in with a base, and the tepid air rang with harmony, and poor David thrilled with happiness. His heart felt his voice mingle and blend with hers, and even this contact was delicious to his imagination. And they were happy. But all must end; the shades of evening came d

summer. Eve settled

ou not

but no vote. She

er how delicious it is to

was her own idea. "Did you r

Elysium. I never passed a s

over. "I wish I co

t your conversation, Mr. Dodd, I wonder?" asked

at made her color. She smiled, however. "Well, that is one way of looking

l company, for

tual affection is very charming, Mr. Dodd, but sometimes

love you a thousand times be

aid the lady, and

t worships the ground you tread on

e opened her e

little reserved. He felt he was on new and dangerous ground; he sighed and was silent. He turned away his face. When this involunta

nd Lucy seemed to David to hesitate wheth

t is. He went slowly home, his heart warm and cold by turns; warm when he remembered the sweet hours he had just spent, and her sweet looks and heavenly tones, every one of which he saw and heard again; cold when he thought of the social distance that separated them, and the hundred chances to one against his love. Then he said to himself: "Time was I thought I could never bring a yard down from the foretop to the deck, but I mastered that. Time was I t

sure as you are the moon, my lass, and you the polar star, and from this hour I'll never look at you, but I'll make believe it is her I am looking up at; for she is as high ab

t what she saw seated calmly in an armchair-Mrs. Bazalgette. Lucy stood transfixed; the audacious intruder laug

d ogre is absent, and not expected back for ever so long, so I have installed myself at his Font Abbey, partly out of love for you, dear, partly, I confess it, out of hate to him. You will write and tell m

ucy, turning pale; "oh, au

t dyes his whiskers, and gets him up to look only

mine, dear, and I will go into the

ed a little. "I think mine would suit you bett

se; you know I neve

have you bee

three

for me! I was only in the v

d put people out. How could I tell? You might be agre

to Font Abbey to pry. She had heard a

ch, though never once alluded to, was perfectly understood between both the parties, told her all she knew and all she conjectured; told her, in particular, how constantly Mr. Talboys was in the house, and how, one night, the old gentleman had walked part of the way home with him, "which Mr. Thomas says he didn't think his master would do it for the king, mum!" and had come in all of a flurry, and sent up for miss, and swore* awful when she couldn't come because she was a

bedchamber will emb

ir bus

don't agree w

e. I told him I should think not the likes of him-'but our house and land,' says he, 'and hopera box and cetera.' 'But I don't think that of our one,' says I; 'bless you, she is too hi

in ambush, knowing more of Lucy's affairs than Lucy knew. Her next point was to learn Lucy's se

cy, any l

, a

a little bird wh

nt, did you really come to Font Abbey to tease me abou

openly all the evening, but lay secretly in watch, and put many subtle but seeming innocent questions to her niece

ring which process she rang her bell seven times. Lucy

lled on so suddenly to deplore, accompanied this bequest in his will with many friendly expressions of esteem, which I have always studied and shall study to deserve. He bequeathed to me also, during minority, the care of his boy, the heir to this fine property, which far exceeds the value I had imagined. There is a letter attache

ss, and his prospects entitle him to consideration. I mention this because I fancy, when we last discussed this matter, I saw a little disposition on your part to be satirical at the poor bo

have the east room, and tell Brown to light a blazing fire in m

fectiona

FOUN

Uncle Fountain of Aunt Bazalgette. "It must be mere prejudice," said she, "or why do I love them both?" She had often wished she could bring them together, and make them kno

Mr. Fountain's expected return the B would fly off that minute, so she suppressed the information, an

under his own roof. Here she is safe, though nowhere else; only I must see him, and explain to him before he sees her." With this view Lucy

ork-something that could be worn when done. "What! is this it-these dirty parchments?

ously. "I found them myself, a

w novel. Mrs. Bazalgette took it and sat down to it, but she could not fix her attention long on it. Ladies whose hearts are in dress have no taste for books, however frivolo

accidental visitor. It would not be prudent to let him receive the information from a servant, or without the accompanying ex

obes. Mrs. B. rummaged them, inspected them at the window, and ended by ringing for her maid and trying divers of her niece's dresses on. "They make her

she get t

ad it down from London for her all at one

overs should. The poor dear could not get out of it. "I must wear it an hour or two," said she. "Besides, it will save my own, knocking about in these country lanes." Thus attired she went i

g brusk, perhaps angry, in the rustle of that retiring dress, and soon after r

s in the back

ng, or

d make he

he is sitting on the seat ma

ell: th

e comman

rtunity. All the servants in this house liked to come into contact with Lucy. She treated them with a dignified kindness and rese

riage will soon be here, and then I will make up for my unkindness. Curiously enough, at this very juncture

Her ear had caught the rattle of a carriage over the stones of the st

s,

it back, then? He i

inquire of

she heard a loud scream, followed by angry voices; she threw her hands up to heaven in dismay and ran toward the sounds. They came from the back garden. She went like lightning round the corner of the house, and came plump upon an agitated group, of whom she made one directly, spellbound. Here stood Aunt Bazalget

--* phrases it, otherwise you might be misled to suppose that Uncle Founta

yself. As I opened t

hind waiting for me

rear, fired through

ose."-

e on, and showed Arthur the grounds, and covertly praised the place and all about it, Lucy included, for was not she an appendage of his abbey. "You will see my niece-a charming young lady, who will be kind to you, and you must m

has dropped her book." And; in fact, the whole attitude was lax and not ungraceful

t, if he looked old, he was not worn out, "would you like a bit of fun? We will startle her

as the senior got near; so, for fear she was going to wake of herself and baffle the surprise, he made a rush and rubbed his beard a little roughly against Mrs. Bazalgette's

at is the meaning

was the reply, in a

ur little misery of a gard

ed the proprietor of Font Hill; "(blesse) I'll swear

a piteous voice. This was Lucy, who had just come on the

ere fast degenerating into sob

ior's comprehensive vanity. He must recover young Arthur's reverence, which was doubtless dissolving all this time. "Now, Arthur," he whispered, "take a lesson from a gentleman of the old school. I hate this she-devil; but this is at my house, so-observe." He then strutted jauntily and feebly up to Mrs. Bazalgette: "Madam,

one color (a fashion not common at that time); item, a brook with waterlilies on its bosom. "This brook is not mine, strictly speaking," said her host; "I borrowed it of my neighbor." The lady opened her eyes; so he grinned and revealed a characte

licorice-water, salt, gentian and a little burned malt. Widow inherited, made hay, and refused F. the meadow because her husband had always refused him. But in the tenth year of her siege she assente

ught the brook into the lawn, made it write an S upon his turf, then handed it but again upon

he made the struggle and praised all. Lucy, walking behind the pair, watched them with innocent sa

as to please you, you will stay

I really admire your cour

; you will

ing myself t

e me. I have a

ou are in

be yours in turn." And he bent a keen look upon the lady, as much as to say,

of defiance: "for every day I enjoy here you must spend two benea

an make herself, though.) She heard I was out, and came here to spy directly. That was sharp practice. Better not give her a chance of seeing my game. I disarmed her suspicion by asking her to stay a week, aha! Well, during that week Talboys must not come, that is all; aha! my lady, I won't give those cunning eyes of yours a chance of lookin

designs on Lucy. Hum! no. If she had, she would not have invi

imes before dinner how happy she was at the prospect of a quiet week with her. In t

dy, d

dy at

ps not care to have our te

like to explore

given very delicately, but the malicious senior

ion for you. Can't get throug

ed to society, and she has me all day; we ough

ends are all in London. She only wants som

her to fl

some fellow; he wi

d Mr. Bazalgette say? Poor a

en this twe

thinking-Mr

ust be content with lower game

she will like Mr. Dodd, and I

you kno

stand a woman of the world and her

not understand her

e Dodds to tea, and I am afr

ourse of the evening. Lucy, anxious her guests should be pleased with one another, drew the Dodds out, especially David-made him spin a yarn. With this and his good loo

kept him from Lucy; he hardly got three words with her all the evening. As they went home togeth

all my

't you do what

that I heard," said t

u a plain hi

do w

! Why, to make love

is a marri

get that, is it your b

iest in the world, how could I court

, your head is empty.

hy I should be

me so herself. Oh, my ears are always open in your service ever since I did agree to be as great a fool as you are. Now do

It is wonderful. But what is to be done? I

do the rest. Oh, we have a nice undertaking before us. But, if boys will cry for fruit

to fight for me so a lit

ank, David; you are all right as far as me. When my heart

ed by this grac

iscouraging comments had dashed poor David's spirits more than once; but he was beginning to discover that they were invariably accompanied or followed by an acces

Lucy: "You never told me

dn'

handsomest ma

hat, but I think he is

lessly. "It is clear you don't appreciate him he

a fashionable lady, and the D

ought to know how my heart yearns for nature and truth; I am sure I have told you so often enough. An hour spent with a

very natural t

ulgarity are natural

es her the be

udges in such cases; they are always unjust to their o

t, she is very a

fussy, y

t all even

h that snu

she didn't want to be bothered with rurality. "You can ask Cap

; my uncle like

I am only here f

hurt. It would be

him all the time li

e we?" and something unusually keen flashed upon Aun

y; so tiresome! Can't we have an agreeable p

me anything else in the world, but d

entertain her, since she is yo

quiesce

went a long way with the mature woman. Lucy and Eve sat together at the tea-table; Mr. Fountain slumbered below; Arthur was in the study, nailed to a novel; Eve, under a careless exterior, watched intently to find out if Lucy, under a calm surface, ca

k it is rather

dd. I shall make no admissions; but I w

eatly admired by

ve a right to praise yours. But he will

hy

the very names of her conquests whe

one; my brother carries an

t may that be?" inquired

nd deep a

A

will see that he would be glad to get away from t

id that said plainly enough, I am obliged to be here, but I long to be there. She received his glance full in her eyes, absorbed it bla

N

erstood y

dryly that Lucy drew back, and immediate

s turned instinctively, and there was David flushing all over, and speaking to Mrs. Bazalgette with

tily, and shot such a glance on Eve. Eve r

g with parchments in his han

ve, as quick as lightnin

untain's pedigree o

y so! won't h

think she wil

go and tell them the whole county was owned by the Dodds

nesses, my lass; I've no ne

, David-Solomon, I mean-no, you shall keep this discovery back awhile; it may be wanted." She then reminded him that the Fountains were c

ns, Eve, wh

gs: I drop it, or I go into it heart and soul. If my zeal off

elm I shall go ashore directly"-dismay

she did not think Master Nelson (Mr. F

has taken a wonde

one or two walks together. He is to

, and all, and we can't be bothered with mathematics. You must do them at Font Abbey." Eve was a little cross. Da

ey will only be too glad to tak

han," said Da

bey, and after it Master Nelson came bou

last tutor." On this Master Nelson was questioned, and revealed that a friendship existed between him and Mr. Dodd such as girls are incapable of (this was l

of Mr. Dodd's time? I think you had better consult Uncle F

it, and he was so pleased. He said tha

algette, "Mr. Dodd is to

row it at our heads." Mr. Arthur then relaxed his severity, and, condescending once more to the familiar, added: "And he has made me a kite on mathematical principles-such a whacker-those in the shops are no use; and he has sent his mother's Bath chair on to th

he Oxfor

" said Mrs. Baz

," said Lucy in

uncle's selfishness! I have tried in vain ever since I came

y; "you have shown me defects in my poor

gette smil

permit me to call his defects 'thought-lessness.' You can apply the h

never says or does anything without meaning something a mile off. Luckily, his veil is so thin that everybody

ure to Mr. Dodd to be of service to

a bore is a pleas

ut I have had opportunities of observing his char

y to Arthur just now. You a

have. Are you not tired of in-do

ted the villa

gar

N

ketch the church together

go on the

it-it is a

the b

e said

that to do

hair, drew Mr. Arthur at a reasonable pace about half a mile over a narrow but level piece of turf that was on the top of the downs. Q.E.D. This done, these two patient creatures had to wind the struggling monster in, and go back again to the starting point. Before they had quite achieved this, two petticoats mounted the hill

t was easy to guide it, but Mrs. Bazalgette did not know how; so it sidled in a pertinacious and horrid way toward a long and steepish slope on the left side. She began to scream, Arthur to laugh-the young are cruel, and, I am afraid, though he stood perfectly neutral to all appearance, his heart within nourished bla

ladies, whatever you may think. David had to carry her a bit. But she was too wise to be a bore. Next, the heroic business: would be put down, would walk, possible or not; would not be a trouble to her kind friends. Then the martyr smiling through pain. David

thur sighed. Lucy was reveuse. Ar

, de

is she

me! I won't tell

h a depth of feeling, "s

I will have the goodness to tell you

e sighed, "My preserver!" at which David had much ado not to laugh in her face. Then she murmured still more softly, "You

h pleasure," sai

cy, come here and make him put me down.