i f6c06dd9cf3fe221 by Unknown (100 books to read in a lifetime .txt) 📗

"Nay, then you lie; it is the blessed sun," said Rodney.

"Then God be bless'd, it is the blessed sun: But sun it is not when you say it is not, And the moon changes even as your mind. What you will have it nam'd, even that it is; And so, it shall be so for Katherine. " They turned to each other, laughing like children, their bodies swaying back and forth.

"How splendid of you to be able to quote so pat, Kate 1 I played Petruchio when I was at college. Oh, that was

good! But, Kate," his voice lost some of its merriment, 'what are you going to do with all this learning? Stay on at the Tolmaches?" He didn't add, as a maid, which was in his mind.

The laughter died out of Kate's face. She looked soberly ahead again.

"That seems to be the trouble. You see, I'm not in the least ambitious. I'm quite content to go on as I am, cooking, and cleaning and learning. Mr. Bernard wants me to take a course in teaching, but I don't want to be a teacher; I want..." But she couldn't put into words what she wanted. Even as thoughts they were kept firmly in the background of her mind. Impossible to say to him, "I want a home of my own, as near the Tolmaches as possible, and to see Annie grow there...

and..." the deep, deep thought . someone to love and be loved by, someone who would think on the level of the three people she adored, yet would be young and warm and ardent, demanding of her all she had to give, freeing that burning that made her body restless . the feeling that could only be brought about by marriage; there could be no more Annies. No, no! That fear kept the thoughts in check and quietened the urgent demands of her body. "What do you want, Kate?" Rodney asked quietly.

"Oh, I don't know," she said, shaking her head.

"I only know I can't bear the thought of leaving them. They are all set on this teaching business because they think it is for my good, but in their hearts they don't really want me to go: You see, doctor'--she turned towards him again-- 'if I left there now, I'd never go back.

From a training college I'd naturally go on to a school. One, two, three years ... and any one of them might die at any minute. This seems to be my daily bread, their dying.... And Mr. Bernard, what would he do if he hadn't me to teach? He'd still have his books; but he's taught all his life, and finding someone as ignorant as I was, and eager, and right to hand, was like new life to him."

"I couldn't imagine you ever being ignorant, Kate."

"Oh, I was. I am still."

"I won't argue that point," said Rodney.

"I have so much to learn," said Kate, 'and time goes so quickly. Every week now a discussion takes place on what

I must do. I tell them that I have no other ambition but to work for them. And they talk at a great rate and say how silly I am; and Miss Henrietta says I have the slave complex and that she must write to Mrs.

Pankhurst about me. Yet I know in their hearts they are glad . and, oh, how happy that makes me! You can't imagine how it feels to be liked by them; I seem to belong to them, I sing all day! " she ended, on a joyous note.

"Kate," said Rodney, bending towards her, his knees pressing against the rug covering her, "where did you get all your wisdom from?" He brought his face close to hers, in the dim light.

"You know so much not culled from books. It's in your eyes, a great kindliness enveloping all you look upon. You would have that wisdom without learning; no wonder they don't want to lose you."

She made a little inarticulate sound.

"That's why I've always felt drawn to you. We must talk often, Kate; you make me feel the world is a good place to live in. "

She gave a start as though something had leapt within her; her eyes grew larger for a second as she gazed back in the black pools before her. In the silence of the hushed night they heard their own laboured breathing. She spoke suddenly, with a startling crispness, and he was aware of the rebuke in her voice: "I have no wisdom, doctor; I want to stay there from gratitude to them. They, took me in, knowing I had just had an illegitimate child." She paused, as if to make him recall this fact.

"They treated me with kindness and courtesy from the very first moment I entered their house. It I work for them until I die I'll still be in their debt."

"You're purposely misunderstanding me, Kate. Don't be alarmed or afraid of me." He felt for her hands and gripped them, stopping-their withdrawal.

"I'm not, doctor."

"Yes, you are."

She was silent.

"We could be friends, Kate." The dark appeal of his eyes made her catch her breath.

"Doctor, that's impossible, and you know it is. I should 80 never have come with you tonight." She moved her head restlessly.

He gazed at her averted head, and found himself on the brink of a chasm, so full of warmth and loveliness that the desolation of his life appeared blacker than ever before. He would persuade her. But what of Stella? Well, what of her? He didn't owe her any thing. It he were drawn into the ecstasy of beauty that was Kate,