Guy and Pauline (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...think he'd grasp an engagement such as ours is at present. Besides, I want to talk to the Rector, because I feel that now he regards the whole thing as a childish game. So can it be formal next month?" Mrs. Grey sat back, so silent that Guy wondered if she had listened to a word he had been saying. He paused for a moment, and then as she did not reply, he went on: "I also want to say how sorry I am that I asked Pauline to come into Plashers Mead to say good-night to me last month. I didn't realize, until she told me you were angry about it, what a foolish thing I'd done. I don't want you to think that, if we are formally engaged, I shall be doing stupid things like that all the time. Really, Mrs. Grey, I would always be very thoughtful." "Oh, yes," she answered in her nervous way. "Oh, yes. I understood it to have been a kind of carelessness. But I had to speak to Pauline about it, because she is so very impulsive. It's the sort of thing I might have done myself when I was a girl. At least of course I shouldn't because the Rector . yes . charming . charming . yes. I really think you might be engaged next month. It's your birthday next month, isn't it?" "Thank you more than I can thank you," said Guy. Mrs. Grey waved to Pauline, who drew close. "Pauline darling, I've thought of such a nice birthday present for Guy . yes . charming, charming birthday present . yes . for you two to be engaged." Pauline threw her arms round her mother's neck; and Guy in his happiness noticed at that moment how Margaret was sitting by herself on the poop in the stern. He was wrenched by a sudden compunction, and asked Pauline if he should not go and tell Margaret. "Charming of Guy . yes . charming," Mrs. Grey enthusiastically exclaimed. "Now I call that really charming, and Pauline stays with me." Guy went up the companion and asked Margaret if she were particularly anxious to be alone. She seemed to pull herself from a day-dream, as she turned to assure him she did not...