The Pine Grove House (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII SISTERLY ADVICE "Every man possesses three characters: that which he exhibits, that which he really has, and that which he believes he has." To Helen's astonishment it was indeed Mrs. Grant's well-appointed trap which entered the hotel gateway and rolled on up the semi-circular approach. Behind the coachman sat Amy and Christopher together. Amy, she saw in that first inclusive glance, wore resignation as a garment. Christopher caught her eye and smiled rather nervously. He sprang out on to the horse-block, reaching toward her a hand to be taken. "I come as regularly as the postman," he said in a low tone. "You will get to depend upon me for telling time, like a clock." Anthony, meanwhile, was assisting Amy to step from the high carriage. It amused him to perceive that she required much help. "Good-morning," she saluted Helen coldly--for each had been quite able to attend to herself and watch her brother as well. "I find, Miss Loring, that we have some distant relatives stopping here. Have you met them perhaps, --the Franklin Smiths?" Without looking at him Helen fancied Anthony's color deepened. It must have been he who im. parted this information. If so, why had he not further said that Mrs. Smith was absent from the Pine Grove House? She gave the quick sigh with which she sometimes dismissed such mental inquiries. "I have not the honor of Mrs. Smith's acquaintance. I know her son slightly." Amy turned to introduce the young men to each other. She had made no comment on Helen's speech, and yet the latter felt, in the very curve of the thin lips, Amy Grant deemed it in keeping with this barbaric place that it should be the son and not the mother with whom a girl had made friends. Christopher and Anthony, occupied with their greeting, congratul...