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The Pool in the Desert by Sara Jeannette Duncan
page 73 of 258 (28%)
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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