Ragged Lady — Volume 1 by William Dean Howells
page 58 of 114 (50%)
page 58 of 114 (50%)
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leaned back upon her own heels, and Clementina daintily lifted the edge
of her skirt a little, and peered over at her feet. The slippers might or might not have been of an imperfect taste, in their imitation of the prevalent fashion, but on Clementina's feet they had distinction. "Them feet was made for them slippas," said the shoeman devoutly. The clerk was silent; he put his hand helplessly to his mouth, and then dropped it at his side again. Gregory came round the corner of the building from the dining-room, and the big girl who was crouching before Clementina, and who boasted that she was not afraid of the student, called saucily to him, "Come here, a minute, Mr. Gregory," and as he approached, she tilted aside, to let him see Clementina's slippers. Clementina beamed up at him with all her happiness in her eyes, but after a faltering instant, his face reddened through its freckles, and he gave her a rebuking frown and passed on. "Well, I decla'e!" said the big girl. Fane turned uneasily, and said with a sigh, he guessed he must be going, now. A blight fell upon the gay spirits of the group, and the shoeman asked with an ironical glance after Gregory's retreating figure, "Owna of this propaty?" "No, just the ea'th," said the big girl, angrily. The voice of Clementina made itself heard with a cheerfulness which had |
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