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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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185 These reminiscences were at length cut short by Kate’s return in her walking dress, when Ralph, who had been fretting and fuming during the whole time of her absence, lost no time, and used very little ceremony, in descending into the street. ‘Now,’ he said, taking her arm, ‘walk as fast as you can, and you’ll get into the step that you’ll have to walk to business with, every morning.’ So saying, he led Kate off, at a good round pace, towards Cavendish Square. ‘I am very much obliged to you, uncle,’ said the young lady, after they had hurried on in silence for some time; ‘very.’ ‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Ralph. ‘I hope you’ll do your duty.’ ‘I will try to please, uncle,’ replied Kate: ‘indeed I--’ ‘Don’t begin to cry,’ growled Ralph; ‘I hate crying.’ ‘It’s very foolish, I know, uncle,’ began poor Kate. ‘It is,’ replied Ralph, stopping her short, ‘and very affected besides. Let me see no more of it.’ Perhaps this was not the best way to dry the tears of a young and sensitive female, about to make her first entry on an entirely new scene of life, among cold and uninterested strangers; but it had its effect notwithstanding. Kate coloured deeply, breathed quickly for a few moments, and then walked on with a firmer and more determined step. It was a curious contrast to see how the timid country girl shrunk through the crowd that hurried up and down the streets, giving way to the press of people, and clinging closely to Ralph as though she feared to lose him in the throng; and how the stern and hard-featured man of business went doggedly on, elbowing the passengers aside, and now and then exchanging a gruff salutation with some passing acquaintance, who turned to look back upon |
