which had been derived from the Green-Davidson or the
Union League, was still not so involved with family miseries
in the one place or personal loneliness in the other. And he
had Roberta secretly devoted to him. And the Griffiths,
thank goodness, did not and should not know anything of
that, though just how in case of a difficulty it was to be
avoided, he was not even troubling to think. His was a
disposition which did not tend to load itself with more than
the most immediate cares.
And although the Griffiths and their friends had not chosen
to recognize him socially, still more and more all others who
were not connected with local society and who knew of him,
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did. Only this very day, because the spring before he had
been made a room-chief, perhaps, and Samuel Griffiths
had recently paused and talked with him, no less an
important personage than Mr. Rudolph Smillie, one of the
several active vice-presidents, had asked him most
cordially and casually whether he played golf, and if so,
when spring came again, whether he might not be
interested to join the Amoskeag, one of the two really
important golf clubs within a half dozen miles of the city.
Now, what could that mean, if not that Mr. Smillie was
beginning to see him as a social possibility, and that he as
well as many others about the factory, were becoming
aware of him as some one who was of some importance to
the Griffiths, if not the factory.
This thought, together with one other—that once more after
dinner he was to see Roberta and in her room as early as
eleven o’clock or even earlier—cheered him and caused
him to step along most briskly and gayly. For, since having
indulged in this secret adventure so many times, both were
unconsciously becoming bolder. Not having been detected
to date, they were of the notion that it was possible they
might not be. Or if they were Clyde might be introduced as
her brother or cousin for the moment, anyhow, in order to
avoid immediate scandal. Later, to avoid danger of
comment or subsequent detection, as both had agreed
after some discussion, Roberta might have to move to
some other place where the same routine was to be
repeated. But that would be easy, or at least better than no
freedom of contact. And with that Roberta had been
compelled to agree.
However, on this occasion there came a contact and an
interruption which set his thoughts careening in an entirely
different direction. Reaching the first of the more important
houses of Wykeagy Avenue, although he had not the
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450
slightest idea who lived there, he was gazing interestedly at
the high wrought-iron fence, as well as the kempt lawn
within, dimly illuminated by street lamps, and upon the
surface of which he could detect many heaps of freshly
fallen brown leaves being shaken and rolled by a
winnowing and gamboling wind. It was all so starkly severe,
placid, reserved, beautiful, as he saw it, that he was quite
stirred by the dignity and richness of it. And as he neared
the central gate, above which two lights were burning,
making a circle of light about it, a closed car of great size
and solidity stopped directly in front of it. And the chauffeur
stepping down and opening the door, Clyde instantly
recognized Sondra Finchley leaning forward in the car.
“Go around to the side entrance, David, and tell Miriam that
I can’t wait for her because I’m going over to the Trumbulls
for dinner, but that I’ll be back, by nine. If she’s not there,
leave this note and hurry, will you?” The voice and manner
were of that imperious and yet pleasing mode which had so
intrigued him the spring before.
At the same time seeing, as she thought, Gilbert Griffiths
approaching along the sidewalk, she called, “Oh, hello.
Walking to-night? If you want to wait a minute, you can ride
out with me. I’ve just sent David in with a note. He won’t be
long.”
Now Sondra Finchley, despite the fact that she was
interested in Bella and the Griffiths’ wealth and prestige in
general was by no means as well pleased with Gilbert. He
had been indifferent to her in the beginning when she had
tried to cultivate him and he had remained so. He had
wounded her pride. And to her, who was overflowing with
vanity and self-conceit, this was the last offense, and she
could not forgive him. She could not and would not brook
the slightest trace of ego in another, and most especially
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451
the vain, cold, self-centered person of Bella’s brother. He
had too fine an opinion of himself, as she saw it, was one
who was too bursting with vanity to be of service to anyone.
“Hmp! That stick.” It was so that she invariably thought of
him. “Who does he think he is anyhow? He certainly does
think he’s a lot around here. You’d think he was a
Rockefeller or a Morgan. And for my part I can’t see where
he’s a bit interesting—any more. I like Bella. I think she’s
lovely. But that smarty. I guess he would like to have a girl
wait on him. Well, not for me.” Such in the main were the
comments made by Sondra upon such reported acts and
words of Gilbert as were brought to her by others.
And for his part, Gilbert, hearing of the gyrations, airs, and
aspirations of Sondra from Bella from time to time, was
accustomed to remark: “What, that little snip! Who does
she think she is anyhow? If ever there was a conceited little
nut!…”
However, so tightly were the social lines of Lycurgus drawn,
so few the truly eligibles, that it was almost necessary and
compulsory upon those “in” to make the best of such others
as were “in.” And so it was that she now greeted Gilbert as
she thought. And as she moved over slightly from the door
to make room for him, Clyde almost petrified by this
unexpected recognition, and quite shaken out of his pose
and self-contemplation, not being sure whether he had
heard aright, now approached, his manner the epitome
almost of a self-ingratiating and somewhat affectionate and
wistful dog of high breeding and fine temperament.
“Oh, good evening,” he exclaimed, removing his cap and
bowing. “How are you?” while his mind was registering that
this truly was the beautiful, the exquisite Sondra whom
months before he had met at his uncle’s, and concerning
whose social activities during the preceding summer he had
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452
been reading in the papers. And now here she was as
lovely as ever, seated in this beautiful car and addressing
him, apparently. However, Sondra on the instant realizing
that she had made a mistake and that it was not Gilbert,
was quite embarrassed and uncertain for the moment just
how to extricate herself from a situation which was a bit
ticklish, to say the least.
“Oh, pardon me, you’re Mr. Clyde Griffiths, I see now. It’s
my mistake. I thought you were Gilbert. I couldn’t quite
make you out in the light.” She had for the moment an
embarrassed and fidgety and halting manner, which Clyde
noticed and which he saw implied that she had made a
mistake that was not entirely flattering to him nor
satisfactory to her. And this in turn caused him to become
confused and anxious to retire.
“Oh, pardon me. But that’s all right. I didn’t mean to intrude.
I thought …” He flushed and stepped back really troubled.
But now Sondra, seeing at once that Clyde was if anything
much more attractive than his cousin and far more diffident,
and obviously greatly impressed by her charms as well as
her social state, unbent sufficiently to say with a charming
smile: “But that’s all right. Won’t you get in, please, and let
me take you where you are going. Oh, I wish you would. I
will be so glad to take you.”
For there was that in Clyde’s manner the instant he learned
that it was due to a mistake that he had been recognized
which caused even her to understand that he was hurt,
abashed and disappointed. His eyes took on a hurt look
and there was a wavering, apologetic, sorrowful smile
playing about his lips.
“Why, yes, of course,” he said jerkily, “that is, if you want
me to. I understand how it was. That’s all right. But you
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needn’t mind, if you don’t wish to. I thought …” He had half
turned to go, but was so drawn by her that he could
scarcely tear himself away before she repeated: “Oh, do
come, get in, Mr. Griffiths. I’ll be so glad if you will. It won’t
take David a moment to take you wherever you are going,