CHAPTER XX
As Lester came down-stairs after making his toilet he found hisfather in the library reading.
"Hello, Lester," he said, looking up from his paper over the top ofhis glasses and extending his hand. "Where do you come from?"
"Cleveland," replied his son, shaking hands heartily, andsmiling.
"Robert tells me you've been to New York."
"Yes, I was there."
"How did you find my old friend Arnold?"
"Just about the same," returned Lester. "He doesn't look anyolder."
"I suppose not," said Archibald Kane genially, as if the reportwere a compliment to his own hardy condition. "He's been a temperateman. A fine old gentleman."
He led the way back to the sitting-room where they chatted overbusiness and home news until the chime of the clock in the hall warnedthe guests up-stairs that dinner had been served.
Lester sat down in great comfort amid the splendors of the greatLouis Quinze dining-room. He liked this homey homeatmosphere--his mother and father and his sisters--the oldfamily friends. So he smiled and was exceedingly genial.
Louise announced that the Leverings were going to give a dance onTuesday, and inquired whether he intended to go.
"You know I don't dance," he returned dryly. "Why should I go?"
"Don't dance? Won't dance, you mean. You're getting too lazy tomove. If Robert is willing to dance occasionally I think youmight."
"Robert's got it on me in lightness," Lester replied, airily.
"And politeness," retorted Louise.
"Be that as it may," said Lester.
"Don't try to stir up a fight, Louise," observed Robert,sagely.
After dinner they adjourned to the library, and Robert talked withhis brother a little on business. There were some contracts coming upfor revision. He wanted to see what suggestions Lester had to make.Louise was going to a party, and the carriage was now announced. "Soyou are not coming?" she asked, a trifle complainingly.
"Too tired," said Lester lightly. "Make my excuses to Mrs.Knowles."
"Letty Pace asked about you the other night," Louise called backfrom the door.
"Kind," replied Lester. "I'm greatly obliged."
"She's a nice girl, Lester," put in his father, who was standingnear the open fire. "I only wish you would marry her and settle down.You'd have a good wife in her."
"She's charming," testified Mrs. Kane.
"What is this?" asked Lester jocularly--"a conspiracy? Youknow I'm not strong on the matrimonial business."
"And I well know it," replied his mother semi-seriously. "I wishyou were."
Lester changed the subject. He really could not stand for this sortof thing any more, he told himself. And as he thought his mindwandered back to Jennie and her peculiar "Oh no, no!" There wassomeone that appealed to him. That was a type of womanhood worthwhile. Not sophisticated, not self-seeking, not watched over and setlike a man-trap in the path of men, but a sweet littlegirl--sweet as a flower, who was without anybody, apparently, towatch over her. That night in his room he composed a letter, which hedated a week later, because he did not want to appear too urgent andbecause he could not again leave Cincinnati for at least twoweeks.
"MY DEAR JENNIE, Although it has been a week, and I have saidnothing, I have not forgotten you--believe me. Was the impressionI gave of myself very bad? I will make it better from now on, for Ilove you, little girl--I really do. There is a flower on my tablewhich reminds me of you very much--white, delicate, beautiful.Your personality, lingering with me, is just that. You are the essenceof everything beautiful to me. It is in your power to strew flowers inmy path if you will.
"But what I want to say here is that I shall be in Cleveland on the18th, and I shall expect to see you. I arrive Thursday night, and Iwant you to meet me in the ladies' parlor of the Dornton at noonFriday. Will you? You can lunch with me.
"You see, I respect your suggestion that I should not call. (I willnot--on condition.) These separations are dangerous to goodfriendship. Write me that you will. I throw myself on your generosity.But I can't take "no" for an answer, not now.
"With a world of affection.
"LESTER KANE."
He sealed the letter and addressed it. "She's a remarkable girl inher way," he thought. "She really is."