In the Way by Grace Livingston Hill

Author:Grace Livingston Hill [Hill, Grace Livingston]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-04-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

LOUISE Clifton stood by the front window of the parsonage, looking out, a discontented curl on her lip. It was plain that she did not like Summerton.

“Mamma, I'm sure I don't see why you ever consented to come here,” she said for the fortieth time. “It is the dullest, stupidest old place I ever heard of. You are just burying me. Where shall I have any society I'd like to know? You needn't think I'm going to fall in love with that paragon of a Miss Benedict of Rob's. He is ridiculous. He always was. If we had known he had such an admiration here we needn't have moved heaven and earth and spoiled all our own plans to come to this old hole and make a home for him. If he keeps on like this he will soon have one without our assistance.”

“Louise!” said her mother severely. She was a quiet, sad little woman with a white, pensive, refined face. Her daughter Louise had always been too much for her. She had never quite understood her.

“Well, mamma, indeed I can't help it. I wonder what you would have done shut up in such a place as this at my time of life. You were one of the belles of New York society. Why, there won't be a man worth looking at in this place.”

“Louise!” said her mother again in distress. “You shock me! Are you reduced to the state that there is nothing worth living for in the world without a young man? It strikes me that that is a very bold and immodest way of talking for a young girl. If your father were here to hear you say such a thing as that I don't know what he would do.”

“Well now, mamma, I didn't mean anything so terrible. I only meant that there isn't much fun in the world without a young man, at least for a girl like me. You would lift up your hands in horror at the thought of my going anywhere without an escort. I can't go skating—I suppose they will condescend to have that much like the rest of the world in this horrid place. You know you wouldn't let me go skating alone, or sledding. As for parties and evening entertainments, it isn't likely there will be any of those, so you need not worry in that line. But really, it will be too stupid for anything.”

“Daughter, you talk as if you cared for nothing but parties and the like. Have you forgotten your brother? He surely will be all the escort you will need.”

Louise laughed a clear, mocking laugh. “Rob! Fancy Rob, the dignified minister that he has become, going skating with his sister! Why, I presume that paragon of his doesn't believe in skating. I really never heard him say, but I suppose she doesn't from some remarks I've heard him make about her. Mother, you don't know it, but Rob has become as stupid as Summerton. He doesn't believe in doing this, and he thinks that is wicked, until I'm sick of talking to him.

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