Jewel by Clara Louise Burnham
page 16 of 380 (04%)
page 16 of 380 (04%)
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"You're still doing business at the old stand, eh?" rejoined Zeke. "Well, I'm glad you like your job. It's my opinion that the governor's harder--" "Ahem, ahem!" Mrs. Forbes cleared her throat with desperate loudness and tugged at her son's shirt sleeve with an energy which caused him to wheel. Coming up the sunny driveway was a tall man with short, scrupulously brushed iron-gray hair, and sweeping mustache. The lines under his eyes were heavy, his glance was cold. His presence was dignified, commanding, repellent. The housekeeper and coachman both stood at attention, the latter mechanically pulling down his rolled-up sleeves. "So you're moving out here, Mrs. Forbes," was the remark with which the newcomer announced himself. "Yes, Mr. Evringham. The man has been here to put in the electric bell you ordered. I shall be as quick to call as if I was still in the house, sir, and I thank you--'Zekiel and I both do--for consenting to my making it home-like for him. Perhaps you'd come up and see the rooms, sir?" "Not just now. Some other time. I hope 'Zekiel is going to prove himself worth all this trouble." The new coachman's countenance seemed frozen into a stolidity which did not alter. |
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