A Fountain Sealed by Anne Douglas Sedgwick
page 80 of 358 (22%)
page 80 of 358 (22%)
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He was going back to Boston the next day and asked Imogen if he could take
any message to Mary Osborne. "Thank you, Jack," said Imogen, "but I write to Mary, always, twice a week. She depends on my letters." "When is she coming to you again?" "I am afraid she is not to come at all, now." "You're not going away?" the young man asked sharply, for her voice of sad acceptance implied something quite as sorrowful. "Oh, no!" Imogen answered, "but mama does not feel that I can have my friend here now." Jack, stranded indeed, looked his discomfort and, glancing at Mrs. Upton, he saw it echoed, though with, a veiled echo. She laid down her work; she looked at her daughter as though to probe the significance of her speech, and, not finding her clue, she sat rather helplessly silent. "Well," said Jack, with attempted lightness, "I hope that I'm not exiled, too." "Oh, Jack, how can you!" said Imogen. "It is only that we have discovered that we are very, very poor, and one's hospitable impulses are shackled. Mama has been so brave about it, and I don't want to put any burdens upon her, especially burdens that would be so uncongenial to her as dear, funny Mary. Mama could hardly care for that typical New England thing. Don't mind Jack, mama; he is such a near friend that I can talk quite frankly before |
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