27/52 She played with it, finding fresh mock at every turn. Tell me how it runs.' Lucy Poster looked up. She saw that Mr.Manisty, carrying a sheaf of papers in his hand, had thrown himself into a chair behind Mrs.Burgoyne.His look was strenuous and absorbed, his tumbling black hair had fallen forward as though in a stress of composition; he spoke in a low, imperative voice, like one accustomed to command the time and the attention of those about him. He began to read at once in a deep, tremulous voice, and as though he were quite unconscious of any other presence in the room than hers. Miss Foster, who was sitting at a little distance, supposed she ought not to listen. |