The Pool in the Desert by Sara Jeannette Duncan
page 73 of 258 (28%)
page 73 of 258 (28%)
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young and have a temperament! For I had one then--that instant in
Armour's veranda proved it to me forever. 'No thanks,' I said. 'If you don't mind I'll just have the smell.' The young fellow knew at once that I liked the smell. 'Well, have a chair, anyhow,' he said, and took one himself and sat down opposite me, letting his lean brown hands fall between his knees. 'Do you mind,' I said, 'if for a minute I sit still and look round?' He understood again. 'I haven't brought much,' he said, 'I left pretty near everything in Paris.' 'You have brought a world.' Then after a moment, 'Did you do that?' I asked, nodding towards a canvas tacked against the wall. It was the head of a half-veiled Arab woman turned away. The picture was in the turning away, and the shadow the head- covering made over the cheek and lips. 'Lord, no! That's Dagnan Bouveret. I used to take my things to him, and one day he gave me that. You have an eye,' he added, but without patronage. 'It's the best thing I've got.' I felt the warmth of an old thrill. 'Once upon a time,' I said, 'I was allowed to have an eye.' The |
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