Jo's Boys - Bibliotecadigital.puc-campinas.edu.br

Chapter 11 88'That's nothing; it's only to say whether she will go to the concert with us tomorrow night. You can read it ifyou like.'With the natural perversity of her sex Josie ceased to be curious the moment she was told to read it, andmeekly handed it over; but she watched Demi as he calmly read the two lines it contained and then threw itinto the fire. 'Why, Jack, I thought you'd treasure every scrap the "sweetest maid" touched. Don't you care forher?''Very much; we all do; but "mooning and spooning", as you elegantly express it, is not in my line. My dearlittle girl, your plays make you romantic, and because Alice and I act lovers sometimes you take it into yoursilly head that we are really so. Don't waste time hunting mares nests, but attend to your own affairs and leaveme to mine. I forgive you, but don't do it again; it's bad taste, and tragedy queens don't romp.'The last cut finished Josie; she humbly begged pardon and went off to bed, while Demi soon followed, feelingthat he had not only settled himself but his too inquisitive little sister also. But if he had seen her face as shelistened to the soft wailing of his flute he would not have been so sure, for she looked as cunning as a magpieas she said, with a scornful sniff: 'Pooh, you can't deceive me; I know Dick is serenading Sophy Wackles.'Chapter 11EMIL'S THANKSGIVINGThe Brenda was scudding along with all sail set to catch the rising wind, and everyone on board was rejoicing,for the long voyage was drawing towards an end.'Four weeks more, Mrs Hardy, and we'll give you a cup of tea such as you never had before,' said second mateHoffmann, as he paused beside two ladies sitting in a sheltered corner of the deck.'I shall be glad to get it, and still gladder to put my feet on solid ground,' answered the elder lady, smiling; forour friend Emil was a favourite, as well he might be, since he devoted himself to the captain's wife anddaughter, who were the only passengers on board.'So shall I, even if I have to wear a pair of shoes like Chinese junks. I've tramped up and down the deck somuch, I shall be barefooted if we don't arrive soon,' laughed Mary, the daughter, showing two shabby littleboots as she glanced up at the companion of these tramps, remembering gratefully how pleasant he had madethem.'Don't think there are any small enough in China,' answered Emil, with a sailor's ready gallantry, privatelyresolving to hunt up the handsomest shoes he could find the moment he landed.'I don't know what you would have done for exercise, dear, if Mr Hoffmann had not made you walk everyday. This lazy life is bad for young people, though it suits an old body like me well enough in calm weather.Is this likely to be a gale, think ye?' added Mrs Hardy, with an anxious glance at the west, where the sun wassetting redly.'Only a capful of wind, ma'am, just enough to send us along lively,' answered Emil, with a comprehensiveglance aloft and alow.'Please sing, Mr Hoffmann, it's so pleasant to have music at this time. We shall miss it very much when we getashore,' said Mary, in a persuasive tone which would have won melody from a shark, if such a thing werepossible.