Grain of
章节目录
共 80 题- Produced by Charles Keller and David Garcia
- THE GRAIN OF DUST
- BY DAVID GRAHAM PHILLIPS
- ILLUSTRATED BY A.B. WENZELL
- LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
- THE GRAIN OF DUST
- She was saying, "Did you wish me to do something?"
- II
- Norman cut him off with, "Send her in."
- She glanced up. "In a moment. I'm sorry to be so slow."
- He nodded. "It's time for me to settle down."
- Ursula sighed. "It's useless to talk to you. Let's go down."
- III
- Miss Burroughs laughed. "She must have been attractive."
- IV
- Again he laughed. "But why die? Why not be sensible and live?"
- Norman laughed and said, "I didn't know. I must stop that."
- She smiled gayly. "Nearly twenty-one."
- She was much amused. "Oh, he's far too old and serious."
- Norman felt depressed. "Why, he's only thirty-five."
- VI
- She looked at him eagerly. "You think so?"
- She looked astonished. "Why not?"
- His intense, burning gaze held hers. "Some time I will tell you."
- He released her. "What do you want?" he cried. "Don't you care at all?"
- He eyed her quizzically. "Oh--you've changed your mind?"
- VII
- She eyed him shrewdly. "Fred--are you in love with some one else?"
- She seemed astonished. "What private business?"
- VIII
- She laughed roguishly. "I'm taking up a lot of your time."
- IX
- There was a pause. Then Norman said, "And that was all?"
- She shook her head slowly. "Really, I haven't, Mr. Norman."
- She said, "You are going to marry?"
- He nodded. "Yes, indeed." He looked at her placidly. "Why not?"
- Her eyes widened with terror. "Fred!" she gasped. "What _do_ you mean?"
- His smile was gently satirical. "I thought Tetlow told you why."
- With his satirical good-humored smile, "I don't in the least blame you."
- He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it can't be helped."
- A long silence. Then Ursula: "But suppose Josephine hears?"
- Ursula nodded understandingly. "But--what are you going to do?"
- He laughed. "Yes--that's the kind of damn fool I've been."
- XI
- Norman sank back in his chair. "He is in for himself now?"
- XII
- He nodded. "I guess so." He laughed curtly. "And she almost won."
- XIII
- XIV
- Norman did not welcome him effusively. He said at once: "How is--she?"
- Tetlow's eyes shifted. "Can't tell you. But I know."
- XV
- She was saying: "I've been wondering what had become of you."
- She shook her head. "You wouldn't like it. Only young people."
- He said: "There's nothing in the other sort of life."
- She stood up, put out her hand. "I'm glad you came."
- She said slowly: "You--want--me--to--_marry_--you?"
- XVI
- A brief silence, then--"Yes."
- XVII
- Tetlow nodded reminiscently. "Yes, you always were like that, Fred."
- Tetlow nodded. Then, with a sharp, anxious look, "But it's all over?"
- Tetlow grinned. "A sentimental town, isn't it? Especially the women."
- Norman took it. "She went out?"
- XVIII
- He looked placidly into her lovely, swimming eyes. "Not in the least."
- He smiled gently. "But you are back--and the incident is closed."
- XIX
- XX
- He smiled good humoredly. "Oh, you had no money."
- She hesitated--ventured: "What do you think is my worst fault?"
- He shook his head laughingly. "We are going to have a happy supper."
- She reddened. "_You_ think I'm vain?"
- She asked: "Why was Miss--Miss Burroughs so friendly?"
- Dorothy laughed incredulously. "I know better. Mr. Tetlow told me."
- XXI
- She was much amused. "Who'd have suspected that _you_ were a born father!"
- XXII
- Then, he wondered--"What is _she_ thinking of _me_?"
- End of Project Gutenberg's The Grain Of Dust, by David Graham Phillips