[Woman’s Trials by T. S. Arthur]@TWC D-Link bookWoman’s Trials CHAPTER III 9/13
Mrs.Darlington was in her room at the time changing her dress.
Thinking that this might be the announcement of Mr.Scragg's arrival, she hurried through her dressing in order to get down to the parlour as quickly as possible to meet him and the difficulty that was to be encountered; but before she was in a condition to be seen, she heard a man's voice on the stairs, saying-- "Walk up, my dear.
The rooms on the second floor are ours." Then came the noise of many feet in the passage, and the din of children's voices.
Mr.Scragg and his family had arrived. Mrs.Ring was sitting with the morning paper in her hand, when her door was flung widely open, and a strange man stepped boldly in, saying, as he did so, to the lady who followed him-- "This is one of the chambers." Mrs.Ring arose, bowed, and looked at the intruders with surprise and embarrassment.
Just then, four rude children bounded into the room, spreading themselves around it, and making themselves perfectly at home. "There is some mistake, I presume," said Mrs.Scragg, on perceiving a lady in the room, whose manner said plainly enough that they were out of their place. "Oh no! no mistake at all," replied Scragg. "These are the two rooms I engaged." Just then Mrs.Darlington entered, in manifest excitement. "Walk down into the parlour, if you please," said she. "These are our rooms," said Scragg, showing no inclination to vacate the premises. "Be kind enough to walk down into the parlour," repeated Mrs. Darlington, whose sense of propriety was outraged by the man's conduct, and who felt a corresponding degree of indignation. With some show of reluctance, this invitation was acceded to, and Mr. Scragg went muttering down stairs, followed by his brood.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|