Classic Audiobook Collection - Neighbors by Florence Morse Kingsley ~ Full Audiobook [family]

Starting point is 00:00:00 neighbours by florence moors kingsley chapter one yes i guess it looks full as well plain like that as any of them fancy ways mused miss bennet as she gazed at the neat black lettering on its white ground which proclaimed her name at occupation to a waiting world looks real professional and up to date commented the man in blue overalls who had just affixed the sign to the corner of miss bennett's weather-beaten little house Them that runs can read, as it says in the Bible. You ain't had a regular sign all these years, Miss Malvina. But ain't hard to guess why you come to it now. All I got to say is, I don't blame you none. Miss Bennett screwed her small features to one side, in a comprehensive sniff of disdain.

Starting point is 00:00:52 I don't know what you're hinting at, Ennery Pratt, she said with dignity. I've been thinking of having that sign painted for years years off and on. It's one of them things a body put off, like making up their shroud with the goods a laying idle in their bureau draw. Mr. Pratt spacked

Starting point is 00:01:11 controversially upon the ground. Of course you heard there's a new dress-making shop opened up over George Trimmer's store, said he, shifting his quid of tobacco with stealthy enjoyment. I bet I heard it before you did, retorted Miss Bennett.

Starting point is 00:01:28 I knowed it before she had time to up her sewing-machine not that she's had much use for it since my customers ain't the kind to be drawed off that way land if you was to see my shop it's a cramful of work i don't know which way to turn well anyway it's an handsome sign you've got there and i hope it'll be worth a dollar seventy-five to your business observed mr pratt in the act of gathering his scattered tools hmm it looks real dignified and like that i think assented the dressmaker ma she got all that up arguifying for melvina bennet female tayloress but ma's kinda narrow-minded female taylor s i says don't cover all i do in the line of dress making in a single day let alone a year i remember mrs deaconess buckthorne was in the shop looking over the spring fashions and she remarks in that deep prayer-meeting voice o'erne i should advise the words miss bennet mantua maker twould be comprehensive and elegant she says land i says what earth is a manchewa i never made up one of them in my life as i know of i says a dollar seventy-five cents is dirt cheap for a neat tasty sign like that stated mr pratt and you couldn't a done no better in what you have done in the wording of it when you still into my shop two weeks ago yesterday i says to you your memory is better in your word enery interrupted miss bennett you promise me solemn you get that sign up on the corner of my house inside a three days

Starting point is 00:03:14 if it hadn't a bin i was looking for you from day to day i might have changed my mind at the last minute and had malvina robes et mantwos twoulda looked real stylish and might a drawed custom Mr Pratt, frugally salvaged half a dozen nails from under the sprouting daffodils under Miss Bennett's window. Maybe that's right, he conceded dubiously. Women folk generally runs after what's new and fancy. The lady over Trimmer's store has got a black and gold sign that reads something like that, and nothing would do for my wife when she seed it,

Starting point is 00:03:50 but to have her spring suit made by the new dressmaker. Angry tears rushed to Miss Malvina's faded eyes. do you mean to tell me that sarah and pratt's bent to that that critter to have a dress made she demanded and me a-doing for her constant since before she married her first husband and making up her mourning and all her voice choked "'You might as well hear it from me as from anybody else,' grumbled Mr Pratt, "'realising his tactical blunder too late. "'I ain't got no monopoly in the sign-painting trade, "'and I don't see how you can expect to do all the dress-making "'for the women-folk in this year-growing community.

Starting point is 00:04:32 "'Competions the solar trade, you know. "'Say, I got a bill here for the sign. "'If you feel like paying it right now, "'same as you agreed to when you ordered it off me, "'I'll take off ten cents. sense miss bennet instantly produced a half-sheet of blue-lined note-paper from beneath her shawl i could have paid you ard money right in your fist just as well as not enery pratt and i might a done it if mrs pratt had been honourable enough to tell me right to my face she was going to another dressmaker but seeing as she ain't no lady here's the items one card of black hooks and eyes half a yard of featherbone besides my time and three-quarters of a yard Mr Pratt paused in the act of extracting a much-needed red and white bandana handkerchief

Starting point is 00:05:20 from the hip-pocket of his overalls to stare resentfully at the dressmaker. Well, I like your nerve, he exploded wrathfully. I guess my wife will pass for a lady for all of you, Malvina Bennett. She never signed up no contract to let you spoil her best clothes constant as I know of. For pity's sake, cried Miss Venet, deep scorn struggling with the grief in her voice. If ever I spoiled a dress for Sarah and Pratt, and her with one hip, two inches higher and the other to say nothing

Starting point is 00:05:54 being hollered in where she ought to be rounded out, and vice versa in the back, where her shoulder blades is sprung. I defy you to bring that there dress to my shop and prove it. Prove it, I say, right in front of me. Oh, go along, muttered Mr Pratt disgustedly. I clearly forgot what my wife told me. She said you'd be ramping and roaring like a ball of bashing if I let on about her going to a new dressmaker, but she ain't the only one I can tell you.

Starting point is 00:06:23 Ramping and roaring ain't my habit of speech, Henry Pratt, rebuke Miss Bennett. And you can tell Mrs. Sign Painter Pratt so. This ear bill is for a black dress waist I fixed over for her to wear to her first husband's sister-in-law's funeral. She was Emmeline Mills. Sarah Ann was feeling terrible grease-trick and I remember being took back to the upper days before she married you, Henry. And I set up most of all one night so she could have the wasting time, and she ain't never paid for it from that date to this. And here it is. A dollar seventy-five for works and findings.

Starting point is 00:07:03 Why didn't you show me your dratted bill when you come to my shop to order the sign? inquired Mr Pratt, in a deeply injured tone. "'You never so much as mentioned it.' "'I was a little too cute for that, Henry,' crowed Miss Bennett. "'I know full well I wouldn't get my sign till Gabriel blowed his trumpet "'if you suspicioned you owed me in anything.' "'No more you wouldn't, neither,' confirmed Mr. Pratt gloomily. "'I got a darn good mind to smash it.'

Starting point is 00:07:33 "'What? My sign? "'Try it, and I'll get the law on you,' promised Miss Bennett. "'Take no better and get a lot. money on false pretenses, growled Mr. Pratt, and that'll make you liable if I was a mind to sue you. Miss Bennet cackled derisively. I hope you got some sense left, Henry. Receit that there, bill a-yorn. I'll do the same in mine, and we're quits as far as money's concerned.

Starting point is 00:08:01 She watched the man's retreating figure well out of sight. Then with the receiped bill tightly clutched in one hand and the skirt of her dress in the other, She mounted the front steps of the house, pausing to gaze once more at the subject of her late-spirited controversy with Mr. Pratt. I bet I catched an awful cold standing in the wind all this while, she reflected. I can feel it shooting up my jaw this minute, but I don't care. I got my sign and it's paid for. She sneezed a noisy confirmation of her forebodings as she passed into the shop where sat old Mrs. Bennett,

Starting point is 00:08:39 patiently pulling white basting threads from the inchoate garment in her apron lap oh for goodness sake mar if you ain't draw'd them bastings from around the arm sizes protested the little dressmaker and me taking such pains to get the linen and the gathered goods on the outside just so now malvini don't you suppose i know what i'm about demanded the old lady keeping fast hold of the disputed garment didn't i teach you everything you know about dress making i'd like to know you're an ungrateful child that's what you be malvaney bennet and there's a verse in the bible about the serpent's tooth i know ma i oughtn't to a spokeser brash but i got kind of riled with any reprat all the mean-spirited men-folk i ever see he's the beaten best if you just sow o'-nigh on to this here waist ban mar while i tack them gathers in place the old lady was rocking herself back and forth her ancient nose in the air her voice cracked and querulous with anger oh i couldn't so much a set o who can i to the waistband to suit you malvini i don't know nothin about sewing according to you you can't trust me with nothin soon as your back turned i spoil everything i guess i won't do no more so in this side of heaven oh now mar don't take on her daughter exhorted her i got to get this here morning wrapper done so as to take it over to filurie pettibone this afternoon she'll pay me right off and then i can settle up with obed salter i ain't never owed him such a bill as i do now just as soon as i can tack this issue so it won't get skeugied i'll boil the kettle and make you a good hot cup of tea i don't want no tea grumbled the old lady you always seem to think malvini you can pacify me no matter how sassy you've been with a cup of tea

Starting point is 00:10:50 that last tea you got from salt is ain't worth putting in the pot i'd soon drink hay water miss bennett sighed as her skilful needle flew in and out repairing the unthinking ravages of her surviving parent oh i'll try and get some nice green and black mixed next time i go to boston she promised vaguely i seen a robin this morning ma set and still or flying oh flying right over toward the parsonage if you see em set and still pursued mrs bennett or up and on the ground it's an awful bad sign for the whole year malvigny but this one was flying way up high but it was going from you malvini piped the old lady your luck was flying from you if you'd only seen it coming towards you know i'm awful careful not to look for robins no more in the spring of the year but don't seem to change my luck now ma protested miss malvina it really don't seem right for christian folks to take so much stock in signs and like that why if i was to notice every little thing the way a pin lays on the floor when you pick it up and dropping a dish towel or seeing the moon over my left shoulder and wouldn't you know i guess i'd go crazy

Starting point is 00:12:19 we're going to have good luck for all the robin's in town i'll bet we get the house painted up scrumptious this year and maybe new letters to the back door and like us not a regular bathroom with a kerosene eater all complete how'd you like that ma i ain't never felt better an i do this spring i ain't had our scarcely twinge a rheumaties all winter and i'm full o's spring and ginger better knock on wood melvigny advised the old lady sauli you'll be flat on your back first you know all twisted up with rheumaties miss bennet swiftly obeyed her thimbled finger beating a smile to rat-tat-tat on the window-sill i don't see what knockin on wood can do to prevent it she murmured a body'd think there was some spiteful person lurking and listening around all ready to pounce on a body if they should forget i wouldn't lay such actions to the devil to say nothing o god all i know is if folk don't knock on wood when they get braggotty something's sure to happen to em stated mrs bennet positively i see it over and over again. Why, I remember the winter your poor Parr passed away. He was telling Deacon's scrimgeur how awful smart he was.

Starting point is 00:13:44 Ain't had a sick time this winter, says he. You better knock on wood, par, I says to him. But he was feeling contrary, like men folks generally do when there's other men folks around. And he pipes up and he says, I ain't going to make a fool of myself no more that a way to please you, Ma. them was his very words and he set there solid on his chair like a heathen idol i won't do it ma says he real earnest well pa he says mournful i'll do it for you but i'm afraid won't help you none when you're too bad all of a sudden i says twas the very next day he took to his bed i knew there wasn't no hope from the very first so i picked out the funeral ims and i says to pa there that's done interrupted her daughter in an aggressively cheerful tone now i'm going to whirl in and get something to eat before folks begins to drop in and i wish you'd step out and look at the sign right now mar so you can act kind of calm and indifferent

Starting point is 00:14:51 i declare i can feel that sign all through my system like a girl would her engagement ring but i suppose we'll get used to it after a spell end of chapter one chapter two of neighbours by florence moors kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain it was five o'clock that same afternoon before miss bennet set forth a flat parcel done up in newspaper containing mrs pettie Bones' complete garment on her arm. Greatly to her surprise, no one had called to congratulate her on the new sign. Nobody apparently had so much as noticed it. Yet there it was, the one conspicuously new and fresh object on the weather-beaten front of the little house. Malvina Bennett, dressmaker.

Starting point is 00:15:49 Taint as if them lilac bushes was in the way, cogitated Miss Bennett. A body can't help seeing it whichever way they come. come tain't so to say showy and like that but it's neat and it's got style to it like my sewing i don't care what anybody says to the contrary but if all my customers was to flock to that critter over trimmer store for their spring suits what with more and more of them taking ready maids miss bennett bit off the thread of her unhappy hypothesis like a length of thread i'll bet it's a lot more unlucky to arbour fears and forebodens than a forget to knock on wood she told herself resolutely like enough pa was scared into a fit of sickness if all was knowed land i'd rather knock on wood to my dying day than have ma pick out my funeral im's premature she was still nerving herself to meet future adversity when she arrived at the parsonage gate if i tell forlura i mean mrs Reverend Pettibone. Maybe she can put me on the right track,

Starting point is 00:17:01 meditated the little dressmaker. They don't seem to be nothing for Lurie can't get out the surrounding atmosphere. Now take that baby. Land, I hope it comes to town all right. Maybe I'd better knock on wood. No one answered her modest summons at the front door and after a discreet pause

Starting point is 00:17:20 she ventured a second pull at the old-fashioned bell handle. I can hear it ring inside. she assured herself as she listened with bent head anyway she won't be going out now it was the minister himself who presently opened the door mr pettibone appeared pale almost haggard and his iron-gray hair stood up in wild confusion above his forehead he stared uncomprehendingly at miss bennet "'I come to bring Mrs. Pettibone's morning wrapper,' she said timidly. "'I've been quite a spell getting it all finished off, "'but here it is at last, and I hope she'll like it.' She thrust the parcel into Mr Pettibone's unwilling hand

Starting point is 00:18:07 and turned to go away. "'Oh, Miss Marvina!' "'Something in the minister's voice challenged attention. "'Miss Bennet paused tentatively on the doorstep. i am i'm sure mrs pettibone would wish in short won't you step in for a moment miss bennet obeyed and the two stood facing each other in the semi-obscurity of the passage i i possibly you have been aware a sound from above stairs interrupted the minister's speech a sound once heard never to be forgotten it was the week yet raucous protest of a human being newly introduced to this world of strife. Miss Bennett clasped her hands in wordless emotion.

Starting point is 00:19:00 It appears that my son prefers to announce himself, said Mr Pettibone, with a queer shake in his voice. For her land's sake, murmured Miss Bennett. When did it come? This morning, early, to be exact, and almost precisely 17 minutes past four. And, Felura, I mean, Mrs. Reverend Pettibone, is she? The minister cleared his throat.

Starting point is 00:19:31 Obviously, he was listening with some uneasiness to the persistent sounds from above. They ceased suddenly, and he drew a relieved breath. Oh, Mrs. Pettibone is, I am pleased to tell you, that she is, as well as can be expected, I suppose, inferred Miss Bennet nodding her head sagely. There ain't much more to be said the morning after. She spoke with certain knowledge of that dread valley of the shadow which her friend had lately traversed.

Starting point is 00:20:02 An expression of poignant recollection passed over the minister's pale face. That my wife is alive this morning, he said slowly, and able to rejoice with me, albeit feebly, over the happy event, is a matter in short a subject for i'll bet you're both glad it's over broke in miss bennet i know i be and i guess the whole parish'll draw a long breath but with her age and all i'll go now and tell miss deaconess buckthorn and she'll pass the word to leckley pratt and be two o'clock everybody in town o know mr pettibone shrugged his shoulders resignedly if i was you pursue the spinster i'd muffle this ear doorbell so she won't hear it jangling when folks begin to come and inquire and don't you let nobody upstairs i don't care who they be nor what they say some folks has got about as much sense as hens the minister bowed his acknowledgments and murmured something about the doctor's orders and if you should need me for anything setting up nights or like that just let me know i'd admire to do for that baby oh land when i think of flora she turned and went rather blindly down the steps and so out into the street with a total forgetfulness of the paper parcel containing a blue morning wrapper elaborately shared and trimmed with cascades of white lace the price of which was to have cancelled her growing obligation to mr salter

Starting point is 00:21:39 when she did think of it it was to picture to herself the new-made mother holding the infant in her arms it'll be just a thing for it to set up in, she told herself happily, and to think of me working like all possessed to get it finished in time. End of chapter two. Chapter 3 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Mrs. Buckthorne was at home, her head tied up in red flannel, which lent an awful majesty to her aspect as she bade Miss Malvina be seated in close

Starting point is 00:22:23 proximity to the kitchen stove. Got your algae, Miss Buckthorn, inquired the dressmaker, rolling her news like a sweet morsel under her tongue. To herself, she thought, she ain't heard it yet for all her party wire. Miss Bennett had not felt able to afford a telephone, a fact of which certain of her customers had taken mean advantage. Mrs. Buckthorne heaved a vast, resounding sigh, which appeared to take its rise in the soles of her substantial shoes. It's more like neuritis, she said. You ain't never had that, Malvina.

Starting point is 00:23:00 But the doctor says my nervous constitution is delicate, very delicate. No, I know I don't look it, but it ain't always size and heft that counts. Thank the Lord it ain't, said Miss Bennett. I don't know where I'd come in if it did. I ain't no bigger in a minute and never expect to me. but I can whirl in and work equal to the best. Mrs. Buckthorn eyed the dressmaker, searchingly. Are you as busy as usual this spring, Malvina? she inquired.

Starting point is 00:23:33 Oh, busier, coughed Miss Bennett stoutly. She met Mrs. Buckthorne's inquisitorial gaze unflinchingly. Land, I was Saint-Mara, only this morning. I'm so drove, voices, I don't know but what I shall have to hire a girl. not that i like em around cluttering up the shop and settin me aft crazy we're doing things wrong still i says i got to get this here work out of my shop before the summer sewing comes in i says i want no sylibald mrs buckthorne slowly then she smiled rather disagreeably and moved her large shoulders the dressmaker's thin face reddened i just took home a beautiful new dress to mrs pedibone she said defiantly hummed mrs botthorn adjusting the folds of red flannel above her brow i am surprised to hear you say so you be i'd like to know why well for one thing i should think under the circumstances our pastor's wife would need to practise the strictest economy

Starting point is 00:24:42 I hear she's expecting to employ a trained nurse from Boston. Mrs. Buckthorn shook her head slowly. We all know our pastors income, Malvina, and we're aware that trained nurses from Boston cost $30 a week. I don't blame em none, contended Miss Bennett. It's cheaper in a funeral. You surprise me, Malvina. Well, maybe I can surprise you some more.

Starting point is 00:25:16 Miss Reverend Pettibone's baby has come to town with bells. It's a boy, and he weighs nine pounds. Miss Malvina cast the final item of information in the balance with a lavish generosity, which paid no heed to prosaic fact. Might as well say so, she privately excused herself. Sounds healthy. Anyway, I'll bet he weighs nine pounds sooner or later. well i declare gasped mrs buckthorn a boy a nine pounds oh dressed temporised miss bennet it's kind of chilly weather so they waved him in his clothes

Starting point is 00:25:58 mrs buckthorn's forehead in so far as it could be viewed beneath the enshrouding flannel appeared deeply corrugated we have a telephone she said coldly and seeing the lady's aid mission society has lately installed one in the parsonage for the special use of the parish twould seem as though i as president should have been the first to be informed but to hear it from you malvina strikes me as exceedingly oh well he was so flabbergasted like that he probably didn't give you nor anybody a thought interrupted miss bennet are you referring to our pastor malvina certainly i be probably he didn't get a wink o sleep all night and him being new to the job too land he looked like he'd been drawed through a knot-hole backwards the minute he opened the door i seen something was up but i didn't ask no questions it be in my enduring rule not to whatever i see or don't see in my customer's houses there's plenty of folks that'd be regular gossips having my exception opportunities so to say not me no i says i shut my eyes and my ears to everything except my business and that's making stylish clothes up to date in every particular and i'll defy any woman in this ere town what's worn my sewing to show a hook that's come off before its time or a seam that's parted except lawful on account of some customers being too fleshy which nobody can't late on my door hit being the work of our maker miss malvina paused for breath and mrs buckthorn who had apparently been lost in gloomy retrospection again fixed a searching gaze upon her visitor

Starting point is 00:27:52 you tell me you did not display curiosity she said did mr pettibone inform you of what had taken place miss malvina chuckled oh he'd done it himself she replied just squawked right out you ought to hurt him guess he was hungry for for he stopped all of a sudden like somebody corked him up with Malvina Bennett. Do you mean to tell me that our pastor? Miss Bennett stared uncomprehendingly for an instant. And then she burst into cackling laughter, rocking herself back and forth and slapping her thin knees in an ecstasy of mirth. Oh, for pity sake, Mrs. Buckthorn, she exclaimed. Your intellect must be some affected by your new rights,

Starting point is 00:28:41 whatever it is that ails you. I meant the baby, of course. Oh, tell you what. That baby's got good, strong lungs. I bet he'll be heard from right along. Mrs. Buckthorn looked much offended. Newritis, she said majestically, affects the nerves, not the brain, Malvina.

Starting point is 00:29:05 No, don't go just yet. I've something to say to you first. oh i was only joan miss butthorne apologised the little dressmaker paling before the implacable expression on the large flaccid face under its coronet of dingy red flannel you and i hope all that knows me must recognise the fact i never take any important step in life without first laying the matter before the throne of grace stated mrs buckthorn in the ro-and-voice she reserved for prayer-meeting platform and conjugal use mrs malvina seeming to grow smaller in her chair i know you're an awful good woman mrs buckthorn i strive to be intoned to that lady and having as i just told you consider the matter carefully and prayerfully i have decided of feeling it be my christian due to henceforth employ the new dressmaker whose name is hobbs i am told though she prefers to be known as madame louise miss bennet was sitting up very straight now a red spot in either thin cheek what did you say to the lord mrs buckthorn when you laid the matter a given me the go by before the throne a grace as you call it what did i say how dare you ask me such a wicked question

Starting point is 00:30:41 malthina bennet and you a professor in the presbyterian church well i like to know just how you put it up to the lord replied miss bennet composedly i was thinking maybe you laid it before the wrong throne folks is apt to get things mixed up once in a while especially when there's so much piouser than other folks mrs buckthorn appeared to struggle vainly for utterance but the little dressmaker went on with a fine show of recklessness if you wasn't a regular hypocrite which there's plenty of folks in this town as i could name as think you be you'd have to own up to the lord that miss malvina bennet always made your clothes honest and strong double-stitching all the seams and as stylish as was possible considering how fleshy you be and malvina burst from the outrage mrs buckthorn i refuse to listen to you you can't help listening miss buckthorn crowed miss bennet but i ain't a-goin to keep you from your new rights for long i got plenty to do in my shop for folks as just as pious as you be and a lot easier to fit i always thought i'd admire to tell you just what i thought and maybe it'll do you good to think it over a spell after i'm gone one thing you ought to get spanked into you is that real good folks ain't always a blowing their tin horns the way you be and they ain't so set up with their prayer meeting manners as to be a nuisance to their neighbours why even my great cat will turn tail and run when she sees you are coming in the yard mrs buckthorn and children'll make themselves scarce rather than meet you especially if it's sunday and they've been smelling a flower or listening to a bird as singing in the trees miss bennet had risen from her chair and was backing toward the door as she poured forth this fervid torrent of words a joyous energy appeared to emanate from her small person her faded eyes sparkled

Starting point is 00:32:39 why you ain't got the faintest idea of being a regular christian she cried even your bible's got so mixed up with holy buckthorn you don't know which is which and that's about all for to-day i shall admire to see you busting out of your placates when the bibles got you're busting out of your placets when the that hob woman gets through with you. Miss Bennett reached the street, still scintillating with the joys of combat, but as she sped swiftly along under the budding maples, the spring wind blowing cold in her face, her spirits gradually fell. I guess I went and made an awful fool of myself,

Starting point is 00:33:17 she reflected. Never once stopped him to think a dig and buckthorn own in the roof that covers us, and may behind with my rent, expecting to settle up with mrs buckthorn's spring dress-making as usual good land what be i going to do if all my customers leaves me seems as though the lord wasn't so mindful of his own as a minister was telling last sunday she went two blocks out of her way to pass trimmer's dry goods store yes there was her rival resplendent sign in fresh gold letters on a black ground Madame Louise, Robs, repeated Miss Malvina aloud. Hmm, sounds like a funeral director, Robs.

Starting point is 00:34:05 Well, I'd like to see the way she finishes off a dress waist inside. If I wasn't afraid of running into some of her customers, I'd just step up them stairs and cast my eye around. I bet I could tell inside her two minutes what sort of a female Miss Obs is and what she can do in the dress meeting line. she dallied with the glittering temptation to the point of crossing the street then with one foot on the lower step of the steep staircase leading aloft her courage failed her i ain't got the strength of mind she confessed weakly i guess if i should meet one of my regular customers up there i'd drop dead in a double duck fit some other time maybe the sound of high-pitched voices engaged in earnest conversation on the upper landing, lent wings to her feet for two blocks.

Starting point is 00:34:59 Then quite out of breath, she stopped to reason with herself. All the fools ain't dead yet, Malfina Bennett, she told herself with a sniff of strong disdain. Now, just to punish you, you turn straight round and march back to that there woman's shop. You go up them stairs and you knock on her door. What you're going to say to her when she comes to the door? Why, you're going to say you won't see Miss Harbour. that'll take the wind out on her sails first off then you'll think of something to say i'll bet you'll have to there ain't nobody goin to hurt you and if you was to meet customers that ain't lady enough to tell you when they're tired of the styles in arts and modes when made up as i do it in my shop i ain't the one to get red around the years communing thus masterfully with herself miss malvina propelled her unwilling body back to the spot from which she had so lately been

Starting point is 00:35:55 a shamed retreat. Now, here you be, Malvina. No, you go on up them stairs. Business is business, and don't you forget that for a minute. You got to know what you're up against. If there ain't nothing to be scared of, you'll soon find it out.

Starting point is 00:36:12 If it is, you've got to know that too. But I'll be switched if I'm going to be scared of a bogey in under the bed at my time of life. The awe-inspiring words, Madame Louise robes were repeated in flourishing gold script on the curtained glass door above. Miss Bennett paused to inspect them sternly. I suppose George Trimmer done that much to rent his rooms, she told herself.

Starting point is 00:36:40 No, them and some gold letters won't bite you, Malvina. No, they won't help her none if her sewing ain't good. But her trembling hand obstinately declined to aid and abet the bold project she had in mind. be you telling me you're scared to knock on that there door malvina sneered miss bennet you suppose there's a bold constrictor on the other side eh his chops all are slavering and ready to swallow you all well if there is you got to pass that there door all the same you hear me she was spared a final effort of will by the sudden opening of the door in question a buxom girl confronted her on the threshold with a quick stare of recognition behind the girl stood a tall thin woman her face twisted in an artificial smile end of chapter three chapter four of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain why miss malvina stammered the girl i didn't know mhm confirmed the little dressmaker taint nobody else and tain't my ghost nice either if you will step into the reception parlour madam simpered the tall woman adjusting her frizzis i shall be at liberty as soon as i have finished with a lady in the fitting department

Starting point is 00:38:11 miss bennet her equanimity fully restored for some reason which she would have found it difficult to explain stepped boldly past the round-eyed girl why yes she said i shan't mind set in a spell while you're finishing off that lady's fitter in the department you were speaking of. Her keen eyes were busy with the woman's dress, noting a straining seam under one arm, the slanting sag of the skirt over the left hip, and the way in which certain showy trimmings had been applied to the waist. The maker of robes appeared in no haste.

Starting point is 00:38:49 She stood eyeing Miss Bennet's small person doubtfully. You'll find the latest fashion magazines on the stand, she said indicating a speciously varnished table littered with riotously coloured presentments of long-limbed ladies thank you mrs arbbs but i'm pretty tolerable familiar with the spring styles returned miss bennet easily you're the new dressmaker i presume i am madame louise to the public stated the tall lady want to know choked miss bennet well to the public to the public and other folks too. I'm Miss Malvina. Maybe you've heard of me. The tall lady shook her head. She was a stranger in Innisfield, she said, simpering and twisting her long neck to look sideways at Miss Bennett, who continued to sway back and forth in a rocking chair with great apparent enjoyment. Well, explained Miss Bennett, I just stopped in, I won't say friendly, but I thought I should like

Starting point is 00:39:56 to take a look over some of your sewing. I don't care if it ain't more and a half finished off. All I want is to cast my eye casual over what you call a robe. You would like to examine some of my work? That's what I said, Louisa. I'd like to take a look at the inside of one of your dress waists and take a squint at the way you finish off your placets and like that, same as if I was going to have one of them robes made up for myself.

Starting point is 00:40:26 you don't mind i suppose why no i don't know as i have any objections to showing you an unfinished garment hesitated the woman though your request is rather unusual most ladies trust my taste and skill you don't say commented miss bennet that don't strike me like good o'er sense seeing no lady in innisfield knows you i should think it would be a real good idea to have a sample robe to show inquirers madame louise appeared curiously disconcerted by the suggestion she murmured something incoherent which miss bennet dismissed with an airy gesture what you customer she said briskly i shan't mind settin for a spell i got plenty to think about mrs hobbs scuttled hurriedly behind a dingy red hanging which afforded miss bennet a flinty red hanging which afforded miss bennet a gleating glimpse of a female figure in the familiar des abbe of the fitting-room my gracious she murmured to herself if that ain't miss obed salter if she should catch me and here it would be all over town by supper-time for an instant the little dressmaker meditated cowardly flight then she stiffened herself resolutely i don't care if she does she told herself let the all of em talk i'll tell tell miss salter write out what i'm after if she asked me i ain't a-goin to take no back-seat in this ear-town anyway you'll be cheap advertising pleased with this conceit miss malvina continued to sway placidly back and forth her ears brazenly alert for scraps of the conversation which floated out from the curtain seclusion of the fitting-room do you think i need any padden in under my left shoulder-blade inquired mrs solomon

Starting point is 00:42:26 alter's thin nasal voice i generally have some right there when my chest kind o caved in i ain't ad no long to speak of on that side for years and years the doctor says i'm a livin miracle madame louise's reply was inaudible and mrs salter presently went on i've had most of miss suits made up by a dressmaker here in town but she ain't got no more idea of style miss malvina's thin face crimsoned with indignation she leaned forward eagerly in her chair to hear mrs hobbs comment to the effect that country dressmakers were generally lacking in style we are so glad and thankful you come to innisfield pursued mrs salter soulfully how'd it happen oh what oh me coming here inquired mrs hobbs whose utterance indicated a mouthful of pins Well, of course, I wouldn't mention it to everybody. But I've seen better days, Mrs. Salter. Time was when I had my own costumes imported from Paris. For her land's sake, ejaculated Mrs. Salter.

Starting point is 00:43:50 From Paris? Oh, I want no. But I always had such taste. so when my dear husband if you'll just turn round a little that's right now i guess we're through for to-day oh no no don't come to-morrow there's a lot of ladies coming to-morrow the day after no i'm sorry i really couldn't promise mrs salter i am so rushed a pause filled with active rustlings from within presid Mrs. Salter's advent into the outer room. Where sat Miss Bennett, her features composed to a strong calm? Oh, well, I never, faltered the wife of the grocer, her lavender-tinted complexion, becoming curiously spotted with red.

Starting point is 00:44:44 You seem surprised to see me, Miss Salter, commented Miss Bennet. Well, you could not be down with the feather, panted Mrs. Salter. I declare, ain't that funny? well as it happens i got business with louisa same as you have miss malvina turned to the proprietor of the new establishment with a dignity which appeared to propel mrs obed salter out of the door and down the stairs though quite against that lady's will no she said addressing the puzzled mrs hobbs i'll just take a look at the suit you're making up for mrs obed salter it'll be as good as another as far as i'm concerned mrs hobbs sat down rather suddenly oh i ain't used to standing she explained these long fittings tire me something fierce miss bennet nodded sagaciously guess you ain't been long in the business she inferred no no not so long acknowledged mrs hobbs but then i always had such a lot of taste she added there's plenty of folks can brag a taste that can't feller seem to save their neck from the gallows commented miss bennet darkly she continued to gaze at her rival who blinked uneasily as if under a searchlight

Starting point is 00:46:10 if you was wanting a dressmaid offered mrs hobbs i guess i can't accommodate you oh not for a month anyway i guess i took in too much as it is and all of them hurrying me she added fretfully huf ejaculated miss bennet maybe they won't pester you no more after the first dress you make up for em that's what i'm afraid of murmured mrs hobbs unexpectedly and quite unexpectedly too she began to dab at her purplish lids with a dingy handkerchief i never supposed i hadn't an idea she said and broke off with an obvious effort i set up until one o'clock last night and the night before trying to finish some dresses oh for goodness sake why don't you get in some help demanded miss bennet you don't look to me like you had the gumption to whirl in and really so i've got lots of taste and style almost whimpered mrs hobbs but i'm so nervous and when they all take to hurrying me miss bennet arose with a gesture of large renunciation i guess i must be going along she said i got a few things to do myself but thank the lord i ain't nervous and never was if a body knows how to handle their job and gets busy doing it they don't have no time to tender their nerves i'm real glad i come to see you miss hobbs mrs hobbs followed her visitors quick bird-like movements with lacklustre eyes

Starting point is 00:48:04 you was speaking of my getting in somebody to help she said doubtfully do you could you tell me of anybody miss bennet stopped short as if forcibly arrested by the other woman's question how much would you pay she asked in a queer half-stifled voice for a real dressmaker i mean one it knows their business from a tisard and ain't afraid to whirl in and work there's a friend of mine oh i might get to er to help you out for a spell maybe miss bennet felt herself deeply humiliated by the suggestion she had allowed to escape her that she mouth vina bennet who had run her own shop for years and years should be reduced to begging for work by the day it was unbelievable it was dreadful and yet there were the three insistent spectres of rent fuel and food which had haunted her night and day through weeks of comparative idleness and there was ma if i could only hold on till fall she was telling herself when mrs hobbs broke in eagerly send you a friend round the first thing in the morning i'd be only too pleased to pay her two dollars and a half a day if she's what you say miss malvina was silent her eyes fastened blindly upon the door-knob clutched tight in the grip of her slippery cotton glove she could feel her ears burn crimson under mrs hobbs watery gaze well three times six is eighteen computed mrs hobbs yes i declare i'd make it three a day for a while anyway i just got to do something or go raving crazy. Miss Malvina hastily swallowed the round hard lump which had risen in her throat.

Starting point is 00:50:08 Well, I'll tell you, Miss Hobbs, she hesitated. I, I spoke kind of hasty. My friend, hers, I was speaking of, oh, wouldn't hear to going out with a day. Oh, no, and I don't believe she'd even come to your shop to see you, neither. But if I, if I was to fetch the work home, to a Evenings when I ain't busy myself, I bet she could do some number one work for you. She can sew. Oh, what do you say to try in her? On a dress waist or like that. If you don't like her work, it won't cost you a red cent.

Starting point is 00:50:48 If you do, it'll be three dollars a day, same as you said, and regular hours. Mrs. Hobbs gripped her visitor's arm. Oh, come in my workroom, just for a minute. she urged. Once behind the breastworks of Mrs. Hobbs' establishment, Miss Malvina gasped with the wonder of what she beheld. Chairs, tables, even the floor bore evidence of overwhelming success in the shape of inchoate garments of every description. A couple of headless figures purporting to counterfeit the female form divine exhibited the more finished products of Mrs. Hobbs' genius, while a soiled teacup, a dispirited dab of butter and a broken loaf shared the table with a lavish supply of spools, buttons and party-coloured trimmings.

Starting point is 00:51:38 For the land's sake, cried Miss Malvina, rolling up her eyes to an unjust heaven. There's work here enough for a dozen dressmakers, a working day and night for a month. What on earth did you take it all in for? Mrs. Hobbs gazed about her with a sort of mournful pride. the ladies kept coming she said and i hardly knew where to draw the line but i haven't sat down to a regular meal since the first day i came miss malvina sealed up her complex emotions with a prolonged sniff i might as well take a dress waist now she remarked which'll it be mrs hobbs reflected her frizzled head supported on one dingy hand well says she i hardly know where to begin there's mrs buck smith oh no that ain't the name um i look it up in the book she's a large lady and she says she wants her dress for divine worship next sunday that's it on the figure there i'm making up a costume for her daughter too

Starting point is 00:52:55 ah miss malvina permitted herself to utter and then she sniffed again do you mean to tell me that that their brown and purple is for miss bockthorn i suppose that's what you call a robe stylish ain't it said mrs hobbs i copied it right off a fashion plate the very latest from cher parry her paris we call it on this side of the water condescended mrs hobbs if you could take that and persuade your friend to finish it off all right said must malvina briefly i'll take it along right now under cover of the gathering dusk she hurried homeward the large flat parcel containing mrs buckthorn's brown and purple robe under her arm we ain't a-goin to let ma starve she told herself defiantly i'll finish em off honest who put land what a set of scarecrow's a be coming out of the church by and by i shall admire to see em setting in the pews End of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 00:54:28 At her own door, Miss Malvina paused. How was she to explain the flat parcel and its alien contents to Mar? Never cross a bridge till you get to it, she muttered, and moved cautiously around to the back door, with the unformulated idea of concealing Mrs. Buckthorn's Parisian costume in the wash-boiler till Ma should be safely in bed. To her surprise, the door of the kitchen stood wide open, admitting the freakish April wind in furious gusts.

Starting point is 00:54:58 "'Why, Ma' Bennett,' began Miss Malfina rebukingly, "'if you don't catch an awful cold with all this fresh air in the house.' Then she saw that the kitchen fire was almost out and fell to mending it vigorously. "'I guess Ma just stepped over to one of the neighbours. she assured herself, and the wind blowed the door open. Mrs. Bennett herself confirmed this hypothesis a moment later. I've been in next door, she announced,

Starting point is 00:55:28 as she dropped the heavy woolen shawl from her shoulders. It's awful fresh ear, Mar, cautioned her daughter. I found the back door wide open. Mrs. Bennett sneezed three times in rapid succession. I guess I catch my death all right, she said complacent. she said complacently where you been malvini me oh i been round town and round i got some grand news for you ma what villora petty bones got her baby ma come to town this morn and he weighs ten pounds born on a friday come in a minster's son at that that ain't a gon hurt em none contended miss bennet glancing sideways at the incriminating parcel which she had neglected to conceal ain't you glad ma i'm tickle most of pieces

Starting point is 00:56:29 think of flora at her age with a real baby all her own mrs bennet was not listening she moved stiffly across the floor come here malvini she about her daughter look there will you? Miss Bennett peered through the small-paned window in obedience to her mother's pointing finger. I declare. Looks like there was a light next door, she said. There is. Reland, I ain't seen a light over there for, let me see. It'll be two years come June, weised Mrs. Bennett. They moved in this afternoon just after you went downtown. i was settin by the kitchen window when i seen em come and now i guess you're sorry you went off and stayed two hours yes you did malvini two hours be the clock and me here all by myself no thanks to you i ain't dropped dead in my tracks malviny bennet with you off parade in the streets like you were sixteen now ma i don't take on pleaded the little dressmaker i was kept i won't do it again who's moved into valora rice's house ma i declare i thought nobody had ever lived there again it's a kind of gloomy with all them trees in the yard and all the old rose bushes and syringes growed most of the second-story windows you couldn't guess if you was to try a ye

Starting point is 00:58:07 here, crowed Mrs. Bennet, and then she lowered her voice to an incriminating whisper. They're foreigners. What's more, I'll bet anything they're Catholics. Miss Malvina had gathered her cloak and with it the unfinished costume, imperfectly concealed beneath its scant folds. What you got done up in that newspaper so careful, Malvany? demanded the old lady suddenly alert. Did you find out the name of them strange folks, Mar, Mar, and where they come from? from parried her daughter and how do you happen to get acquitted so sudden oh the girl come over to borrow a pitcher a drink-and-water and i went over to show her how to start the pump what's in your newspaper bundle malvigny

Starting point is 00:58:53 miss bennet hastily reconsidered her previous resolve i guess i may as well tell you she murmured resignedly this here is a costume for mrs deaconess buckthorn i brought it on to finish bidet's work and i'm always glad to accommodate oh yes i know you be agreed the old lady mordantly well if miss deaconess buckthorne's takin to doing her own dress-making all i got to say is it's about the most unchristian act with us are stupendin on sewing for the victuals we put in her mouths there's somebody knocking at the front door malvigny miss bennet caught up the kerosene lamp from the table Maybe it's somebody come to look over the fashion plate, she said hopefully. You set the kettle over Mar and put that Johnny cake in the oven of warm. As soon as we've had, I got to whirl in and finish that costume for Miss Buckthorne. She's got her mind made up to wear it Sunday morning to what she calls Divine Service. Oh, goodness knows why.

Starting point is 01:00:01 Against the dim background of swaying trees, the open front door revealed a small frightened face. and miss bennet became hazely aware of wide dark eyes a tumbled mass of curls and the scarlet curve of parted lips you pardon madame began the unexpected visitor but my father is become sicker for sudden could you of your kineshame tell me of a doctor well i want to know ejaculated miss malvina shielding the wind-blown lamp with the crook of her elbow are you the strange girl just moved in next door walk right in do oh one thousand thanks madame but it is impossible my father suffer just you wait a minute till i go and tell mar and i'll run over with you volunteered miss bennet eagerly guess i better stop long enough to catch up a shawl and count of my neuralgy but the girl had disappeared when malvina shawled against the wind finally returned after appeasing the curiosity of mar the little dressmaker made her way through a gap in the ancient hedge which separated the two yards and finding the side door of the old rice-house ajar walked boldly in by the wavering light of a candle which merely served to accentuate the gloom she beheld a dense clutter of bales boxes and the stark outlines of crated furniture and in an arm-chair drawn close to an open window the huddled figure of a man he was groaning loudly monotonously while the girl besought him to drink from the cup she was holding to his lips well for goodness sake commented miss malvina ain't this

Starting point is 01:01:49 is a pretty kettle of fish. Your pa's sick and not a bed to put him in. Say what you're giving him in that cup. Some good art Jamaica ginger or a dose of Perry Davies' painkiller will generally stop the gripes. Or if that's what ails him. Have you got any out water? The girl shook her head.

Starting point is 01:02:12 Zofire, it will not burn. I give him wine, but he refuse, as you see. Miss Malvina considered her head on one side like a sagacious sparrow. Well, she said, first off, I'll dash over to Letty Pratt's. She's got a phone and I call up the doctor. Of course, if it was Mar or me, I'd take Perry Davis, but I don't know nothing about your powers constitution. I'll be back in two jerks of a lamb's tail and kindle of fire in the kitchen stove.

Starting point is 01:02:48 We've got to have hot water anyhow. The doctor, a big gruff man, arrived in a snorting little automobile before Miss Malvina had succeeded in starting a reluctant flame in the long unused stove. No wonder it won't roar, muttered Miss Malvina indignantly. Just look at that there stovepipe. Fairly ate up with rust. I'll go over and get my oil stove. Dr North stared thoughtfully at Miss Malvina over.

Starting point is 01:03:19 the rim of his spectacles, as if the sight of the little dressmaker, her second-best black hair front pushed rakishly to one side, was a new and surprising one. He had already jammed his hat well over his eyes and was drawing on his gloves. Miss Malvina was familiar with this wordless verdict, as were most in his field folks, to whom the good doctor stood as a merciful arbiter of fate between the here, the here to four, and the hereafter. Then he ain't dangerous, she inferred. He's hungry and done up with moving, growled the doctor. Neither of them have eaten a bite since morning.

Starting point is 01:04:00 Get him some good hot tea and a boiled egg, soft, mind you, and a good thick slice of bread and butter. Then put him to bed with a hot brick at his feet. He'll be all right in the morning. Miss Malvina cast a hasty glance about the mouldy old kitchen. whatever possessed them to light down here she projected after the doctor's retreating back seems as the more foreign folk are the less sense they got the simple idea are taken on like that over an empty stomach but it was not without strenuous and manifold exertions that miss malvina succeeded in carrying out dr north's simple prescription there was bread in the house it appeared a queer long long crusty loaf. All rind and no bread, pronounced the little dressmaker disapprovingly.

Starting point is 01:04:54 Two eggs, a pinch of tea and an infinitesimal pat of salty butter, she abstracted from her own dwindling stores to the tune of Mar Bennett's reproaches. You're more than welcome, she told the girl warmly. We shan't never miss that drawing a tea, no the eggs neither. Our hen laid them. But the invalid opposed a fret torrent of french to the weak decoction of green tea that miss bennet presently offered him i guess he'll make out was her well-founded opinion if he can gabble that way is he saying anything in particular now you get this ear-egged down him if you can then set down and swaller a bite yourself the first thing we know we'll have you keeled up the girl looks sweetly puzzled i know not what is killed she said but first i must prepare the vambruelais it is that my father request not being accustomed to drink te verte but thanking you one milfroix chri madame i said you was more unwelcome being neighbours though foreign chirp the little dressmaker but i ain't what you might call a madam not being a married woman nor yet one

Starting point is 01:06:14 be so i'll trouble you to call me miss malvina bennet i s'pose you know it's downright wicked to put the bottle to your neighbour's lips let alone your pa's she added sternly as the girl set a basin of wine over the oil-burner i guess we'll have to get a white ribbon-pinned on to you maybe it's a leaden a providence you come to dwell in our midst the girl understanding merely that some sort of introduction had been off offered showed the edges of her white teeth in a shy smile my father is too ill for polite she said gently but you will permit me to acquaint to you mon per m's etienne de sey m's m's m's malvina bennet supplied the good samaritan all at once aware of her false front which had slid down over one ear revealing a mass of curling white hair wind blown into a maze of glistening sea silver i guess i look a fright she added as the man's dark eyes suddenly fastened themselves upon her he had struggled to his feet and was bowing low then before she had become aware of his further intent he had taken her hand in both his own and raised it to his lips murmuring broken words of gratitude me my name is madeleine the girl offered with a quaint little curtsy i have most quite happiness to know you miss marina my stars gasped the astounded miss i guess it's high time your power has got to bed before he gets her raven i've just run over home and fetch a hot brick like the doctor said she was glad to hide her agitation in the friendly darkness outside

Starting point is 01:08:06 it's a thing of that foreign man actually a kiss in my hand she said to herself as she slipped through the hedge i never heard a such a thing i wouldn't durst tell ma and him a supping down hot wine like it was a cup of tea i guess you see your duty cut out for you malvina bennet maybe you'll find you can exert an influence as well as other folks more special when the opportunities plump right down in your side yard so to say it was a singularly flushed and complacent miss malvina who finally sat down to a belated repast of dry corn bread and boiled tea mar bennet it appeared felt herself justified in displaying a large assortment of injured feeling i got such an awful sinking at the pit of my stomach she complained i can't eat and all from waiting on you malvigny swallow some hot tea down first off ma a advised her daughter it'll chirk you up that was just what ailed him but he wouldn't drink his tea after i fixed it all nice for him with milk and sugar and you ought to have heard the eithen lingo he got off but she said he wanted hot wine did you ever if miss deaconess butthorne was to hear tell her that she'd take him in a blue pledge card a sign said ma they get all they can to trim up the church for temperance sunday looks real tasty too all them blue and red cards strung up on yellow cord allowed her daughter but i ain't a-goin to have miss buckthorn button in on this job i took it upon myself ma and don't you tell nobody what i said ma i'm real earnest to do some work for the lord maybe i could get a star a-tour

Starting point is 01:10:06 chewing my crown that away and according to her own tell miss buckthorn'll be so trimmed up with em she'll beat the apostle paul now if you'll rent up these few dishes mar i'll whirl in and so's hard as i can till midnight i want to get in an hour in the morning to help them folks next door get settled i don't believe that house has had a broom laid to it in two years oh yes tasmalvinny contradicted the old lady first thing i see was deacon scrimger i guess he had the rentin of it he come along in his wagon and hitched long about two o'clock i seen him go in the front door after a spell he carries out three kitchen chairs and a looking-glass an like that and puts em in his wagon i s'pose likely they was left in the house when flora rice moved over to the parsonage after she married the minister anyhow he kept her bringing out all broken stuff till there was quite a waggon load after that i seen him take a broom and dust-pan mrs bennet interrupted the flow of her remarks to carry the milk-picture to the pantry when she returned her daughter was surveying the unfinished costume she had removed from its wrappings and spread upon a chair poignant dismay was depicted upon miss malvina's small anxious face did you ever see anything like that she was saying to herself not one of them seems bound nor even overcast and you can see where it's pretty now he busted out already in the back of the arm sizes just from trying on when you think of the way miss butthorn leans forward on the pewback during the long prayer it's easy to see what had happened my land if ever i see it a dress throde together and that there madam calls it a robe

Starting point is 01:12:06 malvinny bennet shrilled the old lady excitedly where'd you get that dress oh it was given to me to finish off mar said miss malvina realising the maternal presence too late i'm goin to get good money for doin it paid right down a me fist but i don't know what to do about them seams they won't last out one wearin be careful ma i don't know as it'll stand much handling the old lady her thin lips puckered into a sagacious knot was peering at the creation of mrs hobbs genius do you mean to tell me malvany bennet that miss deaconess buckthorne done that and as she gave it to you to finish off i ain't a goin to tell you nothin said miss malvina with a fine show of firmness tain none of our business udunit ma all i know is i got to put my end to the plough and do something to keep that dress waist from busting out in church disgraceful tell you what i'm goin to tape them arm sizes and double stitch em an angel from heaven couldn't do no more the loud whir of miss malvina's sewing-machine drowned a highly coloured description of her childhood going back to the notable day when mar benet had seen her duty and done it to the extent of snipping her daughter's youthful tongue with a pair of sharp scissors for telling a wicked lie miss malvina had carefully laid aside her second-best false front and her abundant white hair curled recklessly over her small head as she ripped and snipped and stitched being careful to preserve the astonishing ensemble of the purple and brown costume it's enough to make a cat laugh she muttered to herself when at midnight the striped tabby awoke to stretch her pink jaws to their widest and blink sleepily at the finished work miss malvina was folding away

Starting point is 01:14:10 i done an honest half-day by the clock the little dressmaker was telling herself as she crept wearily up to bed that'll give me time to do fur'n if they'll let me she paused in the act of drawing down her blind to gaze at the house across the hedge and thrilled at sight of a feeble gleam of light in one of the second-story windows of philora pettibone's old house it seems kind o nice and cheerful to our folks livin over there again she murmured even if they be furrin an think of him a kissin my hand like i was a queen in a history book end of chapter five chapter six of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain mrs silas pettibone's baby though as yet blissfully ignorant of the fact was quite as much in the innisfield public eye as woodrow wilson or the duchess of marlborough indeed for the first weeks of his life he might be said to outstrip either of the aforementioned personages in the interest and excitement he stirred up. As Miss Malvina Bennett had foreseen, no sooner had the news of his arrival

Starting point is 01:15:32 percolated through the village telephone system, a process materially assisted in its onward course by the prevalent party wire, than the shrill doorbell of the parsonage began to announce numerous visitors from every quarter of the parish. It was almost as thrilling as election day or a church fair.

Starting point is 01:15:53 Old neighbours met at the gate, awe on the minister's front porch and paused to exchange spicy reminiscences of the past mingled with comments and prophecies concerning the new baby whom the female portion of the community were privileged to look upon as he reposed in his old-fashioned cradle in the parsonage spare room the trained nurse from boston in her white uniform and stiffly starched cap opposed an equally stiff resistance to the tide of parochial curiosity which sought to overflow into the chamber beyond where lay the baby's mother but when mrs deaconess buckthorn happily recovered from her late attack of new rites mounted the stairs it was felt that all barriers must fall i shall see our pastor's wife of course she had announced to a ring of attendant satellites who followed her progress with eager interest as president of our lady's aid and missionary society it is my privilege ennesey and as the sabbath school teacher of filura rice it is my sacred rite providentially or otherwise the nurse from boston had descended to the kitchen where mrs wessels was thoughtfully absorbing a cup of tea in an effort to keep up her strength till she could rub off a few pieces of the weekly ironing therefore no stiffly starched presence opposed mrs buckthorn's dignified progress as she sailed past the open door of the room where the baby, still unconscious of the greatness thrust upon him, was holding court.

Starting point is 01:17:31 Mrs. Pettibone, looking very small and weak as she reposed among her white pillows, opened her eyes with a start upon the large, sombre figure standing at the foot of her bed. Mrs. Buckthorn was gazing down at her with the dubious mixture of curiosity and resignation the minister's wife had noticed at uncounted funerals, when the wearer of that large fortress-like bonnet bristling with time defying feathers advanced to view the remains she gasped a little and glanced about rather wildly for the soothing white linen presence which she remembered had left the room only a moment before in quest of gruel well filura intoned mrs buckthorn i have seen your baby and i felt i could not leave the parsonage without a word with you you're looking as well as can be expected how do you feel mrs pettibone reflected vaguely she hadn't thought much about her feelings since the baby came it was enough to lie quiet and happy in the still room and at intervals find the baby's downy little head and questing mouth against her breast she smiled i am i think i feel very well thank you

Starting point is 01:18:53 let me see pursued mrs buckthorn strongly the baby is a week old i believe a week to-morrow corrected the baby's mother when my marie is belle was a week old i sat up in a straight-back chair and read my bye-bye for an hour, stated Mrs. Buckthorne. And that same day, I'd done the family mendin, Lord helping me, Deacon Buckthorne's socks and the boy's knee-pants and all. The day after that, I was out in the kitchen, attending to my household duties as usual. I never indulge fleshly lusts, but remaining in bed to be waited on by a nurse from Boston. mrs pettibone trembled visibly and sought for her handkerchief she was still very weak i suppose you know louisa wessels is camped down in your kitchen doing the housework regular by the day pursued her visitor inexorably besides that woman dressed in white that spends all her time waiting on you it must be an awful expense to our pastor but perhaps you haven't thought of that how much do you pay your train nurse by the week filora mrs pettibone gaze piteously past her inquisitor she was sure she heard the baby crying she raised herself on one elbow the better to listen

Starting point is 01:20:29 oh twon't heard him none to cry said mrs buckthorn i guess the ladies have been weighing him i hope you and mr pettibone wasn't a party to it filura but malvina been a talent all over the town that the baby weighed nine pounds when he was born it's an awful thing philora for an immortal soul to start out on its journey through this veil of tears with a wicked lie around its neck if you or our pastor knew and you must have known he weighed only six and a quarter with all his clothes on it was your duty he's been gaining broke in mrs pettibone eagerly miss sedwick weighed him this morning and she said mrs buckthorn wagged her feathers ominously i'm afraid not to philora your child looks very feeble to me nothing like mine at the same age and others think so too you ought to be prepared to bow your neck submissive to the Lord's will, Filura. I am, declared Mrs. Pettibone. Didn't God give me that baby? A delicate crimson had begun to burn in her thin cheeks.

Starting point is 01:21:55 Her blue eyes under their childish brows gazed up defiantly at Mrs. Butthorn's granite front. Take care, Filiora, warned that lady in a hollow voice. Your ideas on sacred subjects is getting to be pretty well. known in this here community. I'm sure I don't know what we're coming to when our pastor's wife sets herself up and as understanding the ways of the Almighty better than the creeds. I'm thankful God's ways are better than the creeds, willfully misconstrued the small lady from among her pillows. What did you say, Friora? demanded Mrs. Buckthorne sternly.

Starting point is 01:22:39 Would you be willing to repeat that? standing up among the goats before the great white throne answer me but mrs pettibone harassed by the mingled sounds of her visitor's nasal tones and the continued wailing of the baby seemed incapable of her reply she began to cry instead i see that an awakened conscience is doing its blessed work in your heart filiora pursued her tormentor don't hinder it and That reminds me. I failed to see your Bible anywhere's about. I thought, of course, I should find it to hand in this house. I should love to read a few words from the Psalms and engage in prayer before I leave. You need it. In pursuance of this pious project, Mrs. Buckthorn began rummaging busily amongst the various articles on Mrs. Pettibone's bureau. hmm a nursing bottle i thought you'd have to come to it at your age well i declare i guess very few of us would think we could afford a large flask of cologne with the world in need as never before whiskey as sure as i live what does this mean in the home of our pastor oh my what a terrible example to see you set before the youth of our community.

Starting point is 01:24:13 I shall certainly speak my mind to Mr. Pettibone before I leave this house. And still I find no Bible. But perhaps your nurse from Boston has concealed it in one of the bureau draws. What a sad story I shall have to tell if I cannot find that blessed book. Well, I must say I am surprised.

Starting point is 01:24:39 and grieved, filura, extravagance and display are surely out of place in the parsonage of nowhere else. Comfort and cleanliness do not call for embroidery no lace, such as I see on these here garments.

Starting point is 01:24:58 And still no Bible. Oh, but I do find here halt on the care and feeding of infants. Is this a proper substitution? for your Bible, Filiora. Mrs. Pettibone had hidden her face in her pillow. She was thinking confusedly that she must not listen to what Mrs. Buckthorn was saying,

Starting point is 01:25:22 that she must be calm, quite calm and tranquil, otherwise the baby might have the colic. Miss Sedgwick had said so, and Miss Sedgwick knew. Mrs. Buckthorne had carried on her pious quest as far as the washstand. when she was deflected from her purpose by the sudden appearance of a tall erect person panopled in spotless white and bearing a napkin tray in the midst of which was set forth a steaming bowl this individual spoke no word but there was that in the militant gleam of her eyes which caused mrs buckthorn to hastily abandon herself imposed task i was just looking for our pastor's wife's bible she explained but her voice had somehow lost its fearsome quality i didn't see it nowhere's around on the mantel shelf nor the table no confirmed the white linen presence briskly i took all the books downstairs the first thing they harbour dust and germs she held the door invitingly wide i don't allow visitors she had you may tell the others the wailing baby was being vigorously trotted upon mrs scrimge's knee while an admiring and resourceful audience looked on when mrs buckthorne appeared much ruffled as to her spirits

Starting point is 01:26:52 did you see filura how does she look i wonder if i might step in just for a minute uprose in unison that woman from boston began the wife of the senior deacon is a child of bilial if ever i see one she actually had the brass to tell me with a sudden swoop of ample white draperies the woman from boston descended upon the group of matrons and salvaged the baby you'll have to excuse me ladies but it makes my patient nervous to hear him cry she vouchsafed over her shoulder as she bore away the small bundle of lawn and flannel their followed the sound of a door firmly closed well did you ever mrs scrimmed you wanted to know oh ain't we stylish contributed miss elector pratt with a girlish giggle i ain't said anything to you ladies about it before but now at mars passed away i been thinking of taking up nurse and myself and i offered to do it for flora and the minister poor in his tea and things like that for nothing but it seems i he wasn't good enough for her she said mr pettibone wanted a trained nurse all of us ladies could have took turns sighed mrs buckthorne the thought had come to me and what a blessing our consecrated zeal might have proved in this here household prayer and praise for a morning till night going up like an alter of sacrifice. Maybe it would have turned out to be one, mused Mrs. Puffer, who had just

Starting point is 01:28:43 run over with an extra crib blanket. But when pressed for an explanation, the little woman blushed very pink indeed, and said she guessed she didn't mean anything much. She added that being so constantly with the children made her sort of absent-minded. That same afternoon, as was his custom, the Reverend Silas Pettibone emerged from his study, where he had spent the morning endeavouring to rest the meaning from a cryptic Pauline saying, and ascended to his wife's room. Well, my dear, he began, after kissing the shining pale face upturned to his. I hear Mrs. Buckthorn called to see you this morning.

Starting point is 01:29:24 She stopped in the study on her way out. I was rather sorry. I am, I'd suppose Miss Sedgwick had her, interdicted the nurse who was engaged in folding large squares of white cheesecloth into infinitesimal triangles turned quickly around the woman sneaked in sir when my back was turned for an instant she said i don't know what she did to put my patient all in a tremble but i shall turn the key in the lock after this when i go down to the kitchen you won't leave her sir while i run out for half an hour if i thought you would mr pettibone was instant and earnest in avowing his purpose of guarding the sick-room against further intrusion but still the cautious miss sedgwick hesitated somebody might call to see you sir and while you were downstairs take advantage you could put the baby on the bed silas and lock the door suggested mrs pettibone there was an eager gleam in her eyes which again halted the departing footsteps of authority better leave him just where he is the nurse said firmly he is not hungry and he is perfectly comfortable if he should cry please remember a certain amount of crying is good for a baby

Starting point is 01:30:47 her clear eyes fixed upon the minister appeared to demand some sort of guarantee of obedience oh certainly said mr pettibone quite right i will leave the infant exactly as he is now placed in the t'n i will leave the infant exactly as he is now placed in that crib. I see you have him very firmly enmeshed. Oh, perhaps I might better say, constricted beneath his bed coverings. Oh, I beg your pardon. I should have said, The infant is quite comfortable, Miss Sedgwick repeated with a touch of asperity. Do not disturb him during my absence. The sound of her firm footsteps, retreating down the passage, followed later by a rustling descent of the stair and the distant closing of the front door, marked a period during which Mr Pettibone sat by his wife's side, decorously perusing a work on the social conscience,

Starting point is 01:31:44 while Mrs Pettibone, very demure and bright-eyed, watched a sunbeam coqueting with the muslin curtains. Now, Silas, she said softly. Mr Pettibone glanced down at her with a humorous smile, But my dear folura, he murmured, that excellent person extracted an actual promise from me today. Possibly, possibly she suspects us of collusion. I fear I didn't get the trick of that tightly bandaged sheet over the infant's body. Let me read you an illuminating passage I've just lighted upon. Oh, Silas, please.

Starting point is 01:32:25 I haven't half looked at him yet. I feel exactly as if he was her baby. She won't allow me to hold him. Anyway, we can't afford to keep her any longer with Mrs. Wessels in the kitchen. I must begin to take care of him myself and do things. Please let me. Mr Pettibone ruffled his iron grey hair with an impatient hand. I should like to give utterance to something forceful concerning Mrs. Buckthorn, he began.

Starting point is 01:32:56 Of course, I can give you. guess the sort of thing she said to you this morning. Oh, but it was all true, I'm afraid, murmured his wife. I can't help feeling guilty and extravagant when I think of what I'm costing. Mr Pettibone arose and very deliberately tiptoed his way across the room to the crib, where lay his son peacefully asleep. I am about to perjure myself, I fear, but I think we need to discuss this subject in the presence of the entire family. With this remark, he skillfully extricated the infant from his well-ordered blankets and bore him to the bed where he deposited him all pink and squirming at Mrs. Pettibone's side.

Starting point is 01:33:41 Oh, Silas! she cried in an ecstasy. I'm afraid you've waked him up. Oh, do look at his eyes. He's looking straight at you. I wonder if his eyes will be dark like yours. They're blue now. Oh, just see. And his hair is curly right on top of his head. Oh, you darling!

Starting point is 01:34:04 Speaking of expense, pursued Mr. Pettibone logically. He's worth all the cost, isn't he? To you and to me. And I shall never forget that he nearly cost you your life. If I had lost you, Mrs. Pettibone hid her eyes in the baby's neck. I'd forgotten it already. She murmured. It seemed a sacrilege to mention anything so sordid as money at such a moment,

Starting point is 01:34:30 but after a period of blissful contemplation, the minister produced a roll of soiled bills from his pocket. Filthy Luca, he announced, amounting to one hundred and fifty-three dollars. Oh, Silas! On account of arrears on my salary, he exulted. Our good brother, George Trimmer, handed it to me, last evening after prayer meeting. He tells me he hopes to have the full amount by the end of the month. Mrs Pettibone drew the blanket softly about the baby with gentle little pats and cuddles. Oh, I'm ashamed of myself, she said. Why? Because I ought to have known the money would come.

Starting point is 01:35:15 I ought never to doubt or be afraid of anything, now that I have you and him. No, you ought not, he agreed. a humorous smile touching his grave lips and you mustn't do you know i find myself singularly dependent on you miss foliora for my spiritual uplift whereat they both laughed in memory of old days happily passed now and well nigh forgotten another proof that a beneficent providence has not failed as my dear appears in the fact that your house is rented at last oh silas she said again really indubitably and your new tenants have paid their first month rent in advance here it is less deacon scrimge's lawful commission and the fee to the boston agent who really disposed of the house for you he paused to observe his wife's face glorified with a look of rapture which the insignificant sum of money he placed in her hand failed to explain it's for the baby she said out of the encircling good end of chapter six chapter seven of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain the idea that all good things come from the unseen beneficence we call god has been slow in making its way in the world like all ultimate truth it is too large to be seen in its entirety too far reaching to be appreciated by beings engrossed in the sort of the sort of the ultimate truth it is too large to be seen in its entirety too far reaching to be appreciated by beings engrossed in the

Starting point is 01:37:01 small affairs of daily living so although miss malvina bennett had caught more than an occasional gleam of the universal effulgence she was none the less perturbed when a vigorous shaking of a lank flower-bag failed to dislodge more than a scant cupful can't set no bread to-day she muttered and ma eat store bread like poison alike thorough and drastic investigation revealed the emptiness of the various showy packages ranged along her pantry shelves. Well, I declare, muttered Miss Malvina. I ain't never been so put to it since I begun a soul for a living. I don't wonder Mars fractious. She needs a good meal of warm vittles to unliven her up, and there ain't a bean a coffee neither.

Starting point is 01:37:53 Hastily, she reviewed the meagre list of her possible resources. Their solitary hen, when inspected, ruffled her feathers sulkily. the light rhyme of snow on the ground outside had evidently furnished no incentive to lay you need company said miss malvina sympathizingly i'm a going to let you set just as soon as i can afford a dozen real eggs then maybe we'll have some nice young pullets come fall and maybe a real ansome rooster crow in the mornings with this vague promise she scattered a sparse handful of corn and retreated toward the house there's just three things i can do she reflected as she swept the snow from her front steps oblivious to the magical splendour of the budding maples laden with pearl and ermine through which the sun was darting jealous arrows i can go down to the store and risk gavin obed salter tell me he won't trust me no more or i can go to the parsonage and ask the minister write out for the money on philora's wrapper but i will say i'd hate to do that maybe he wouldn't be up yet and what on earth would he think and he traips into his house before breakfast with fuller in bed and all i s'pose i could take that there robe back to miss ob's it's all done as well as i can make out with it don't fall to piece his first thing anyhow

Starting point is 01:39:18 i s'pose she'll find out who i be sooner or later and other folks will too but i ain't goin to let ma starve not as long as i can hold a needle she was on the point of retreating indoors when the sight of a slim figure speeding along the magical vista arrested her on the threshold. "'Bon matine, Miss Malvina,' cried a fresh young voice. "'What happiness to see how this beauty! It is most spiritual, like what you call heaven, "'ne's pa? How's your pa feeling this morning?' inquired Miss Malvina. "'I thought I'd just step in to inquire after breakfast and see if there wasn't something I could do. The little dressmaker drew the black and white plaid shawl closer under her chin

Starting point is 01:40:04 and stood smiling down at the girl. She could see her very distinctly, even without her far-seeing glasses, in the clear white light of the morning. And she was thinking vaguely that the vivid face upturned to hers was like no other face she had ever seen. "'Messie one thousand, dear Miss Marvina. "'Mont papa is quite recovered after sleep. I have made already

Starting point is 01:40:30 Le Degener. Also, I find the shop. See? I bring compliments of my Papa to Madame Votrmer. We don't keep ours, said Miss Malvina, shaking her head.

Starting point is 01:40:46 The girl was eagerly extending a basket. No? I not understand. But for your Degener, yes? Oh, I'm afraid I don't catch on your kind of talk. You're all.

Starting point is 01:40:58 "'What a learn English. "'You want I should take this ear-basket.' The girl smiled and nodded, with a glint of white teeth between red lips. Then she consulted a small book dangling from her belt. "'See, at all times I study l'Angley. "'I tell you very quick. "'Compillement the same of my father,

Starting point is 01:41:22 "'to Votremer, your mother. "'Vuala. "'You have it, nespé. "'Good-bye, you come again, quick.' "'Oh, for the land's sake,' ejaculated Miss Malvina, "'as she investigated the contents of the basket in the privacy of her kitchen. "' Them folks are going to be real good neighbours. "'I can see that already.

Starting point is 01:41:47 "'I only fetched them over two eggs last night, "'and here's six, and as much as a pound of butter, "'and goodness knows what are all in these ear jars.' over a slim bottle of suspicious aspect and many worded foreign labels miss malvina shook her head hmm i'm afraid it's some sort of intoxicating liquor she said sniffing gingerly at the seal maybe i'd better take it back and tell em first thing that mar and me belongs to the w c t u in the end she decided to stow the bottle out of sight in the gloomy recesses of the upper pantry shelf twon't do no arm up there she told herself strongly but you won't catch me giv'n't giv'n it to mar even as she was at death's door half an hour later miss malvina her best frizzed front inherited from her grandmother pinned firmly over her white curls and her small figure enveloped in a stiffly starched gingham apron stood knocking at filura rice's back door she still thought of the erstwhile vacant house as belonging to the wife of the minister as did every one on miss philura rice had married the rev silas pettibone three years before to the amazement not to say consternation of the village of innisfield which had long since relegated the modest little lady to the limbo of protracted maidenhood

Starting point is 01:43:12 my cogitated miss malvina to herself how many many times i run in here to borrow a spoon of baking-powder like that of philura and when genevieve and gregory lived here too but the house won't big enough for them after Twins was born, and of course Miss Mortimer Van Duser wanted them in Boston, where she could see him every day. I never seen a woman meller up the way she done after those babies. She paused to once more apply her knuckles in a brisk rat-tact on the closed door. Like enough, they're making such a racket-moving furniture, they can't hear me, she told herself.

Starting point is 01:43:53 I can see one thing. There ain't been a rag laid to them windows, and it's all a boddick can do to see through and what with dust and cobwebs. Then all at once, she became aware of the approach of slippered feet within. The door was opened on a cautious crack, and a bearded face looked out. It was the man she had seen the night before. Miss Malvina blushed like a girl, as she recalled the touch of his lips on her rough little fingers.

Starting point is 01:44:23 But it seemed suddenly impossible to explain, explain her presence on the back door-steps for an instant she meditated flight ah good morning said the man you wish to enter miss bennet brightened i just ran over to well round a spell she said eagerly i guess she was most too sick last night to take notice of who was doing for ye it was real kind to send them things over to mar she had a real good meal of ittles for the first time and i don't know when it done her good different things you know and like that the man opened the door wide and with a courteous gesture bade the little dressmaker enter he was smiling and his eyes very clear and dark again swept the small figure oh you have the wish to see my daughter nespah she has gone out in search of an ouvrier for the moment i cannot perceive the word of a possibility you can inform me you can search me said miss malvina why under the sun didn't she wait till i come over maybe i could have made out what it was she wanted i have lived here since i was near to a grasshopper the man had bent his head with grave attention your language he said is most engaging never do i weary of its study but naturally i speak more readily than i can comprehend you will pardon me i have zope i'm sure i will said miss malvina with dignity tain really your fault you're foreign and i think you speak quite nice

Starting point is 01:46:08 i see your windows ain't been cleaned s'pose i whirl in and wash em for you i fetch some cleaning-cloths along as i says to mar they won't have none tain't likely ah an ouvre air but surely i am mistaken do you know not live in the adjoining house? Oh, certainly I do. Me and Ma Bennett. I'm a dressmaker betrayed, and generally I don't have time to clean my own windows. But this spring I ain't so busy as usual, so I got time to burn.

Starting point is 01:46:43 Time to burn. He smilingly shook his head. I am very academic, I fear, but I shall perhaps improve. In the interval, you will obligingly excuse. Well, yes, I laughed too, chirruped Miss Malvina. And I won't say I don't find it kind of enjoyable.

Starting point is 01:47:06 You're being foreign and, so to say, different from folks around here. Never had Miss Malvina felt more dignified and at ease. The man's gentle air of deference, his grave attention to everything she said, had somehow soothed her wounded pride. Her faded eyes sparkled. She even raised a careful hand to Grandmother Bennett's legacy. It was composed of tightly frizzed and very black hair mounted on a net foundation, and it concealed very completely the feathery snow white hair beneath.

Starting point is 01:47:40 Miss Malvina had blanched early, but with the aid of the artificial front, designed for a larger head than her own, it had been possible to keep the knowledge of the fact from the general public. She was glad she'd worn it this morning instead of her everyday one, which had faded with the years to a singular greenish tint. Let me see, she went on. I had a regular introduction to you last night, but what with your being so upset, if not really delirious, and me flying around like hen with her head cut off trying to get some supper so as you'd eat in a bite, I clean forgot what it was. her new neighbor shook his head regretfully. Again I accomplished my ignorance, he said.

Starting point is 01:48:26 You will repeat, in words more simple, is it not? I forgot your name, said Miss Malvina. Mine's Miss Malvina Bennett. Ah, Miss Malvina Bennett. But I hastily make my introduction. My name It is Duce, Etienne Duce,

Starting point is 01:48:52 and very much at your service, Miss Malvina. You possess the good heart. My land, I ain't done nothing to speak of, protested the little dressmaker. Here comes Madeleine now. I bet I can find out what she's been after before you can spell Jack Robinson.

Starting point is 01:49:13 Madeline, colourful as a flower, ran up to Miss Miss. Melvina with a little cry of pleasure, and stooping her slim young body, touched first one faded cheek and then the other with her warm red lips. Gracious me! exclaimed the astonished recipient of these favours. I don't know when anybody's kissed me before since I was ne'-eyed of a grasshopper. You two certainly do beat the Dutch. You ain't no more I-in-is-feel-folk than the moon's like

Starting point is 01:49:42 green cheese. Now, Madeline, I think. I got that right. I want you should tell me what you've been looking for and then we'll get to work. I certainly do enjoy Garrison as well as the next one. But plight conversation don't saw no wood. The process by which Miss Malvina was led to understand the significance of the word ouvreier was a tortuous one and involved the use of French and English lexicans as well as a search through the popular phrase book that Marilyn carried at her belt. What a ridiculous name for a washwoman, she exclaimed, when at last light broke upon her bewildered mind. But I can tell you, there's scurce of an end's teeth this spring.

Starting point is 01:50:27 Let me see. Miss Wessles is at the parsonage and unlikely stay there for a spell on account of Mrs. Reverend Pettibone's baby. You'll get to know her real well once she gets round again. She owns this herehouse and she's the greatest little woman. She can tell you all. about out to get anything you want out of the surrounding atmosphere she got her husband that way and all the best clothes but i dunno i ain't had so much luck myself now i guess we'll tackle this here kitchen first off and if your pa can make out to do a little unpackin we'll soon have things ship shape and even if i can't make out all you say actions certainly do speak louder than words and i guess you'll find i ain't afraid to whirl in and word

Starting point is 01:51:15 if i ain't a regular what you'llem call em going out by the day by noon shining windows clean paint and vigorously scrubbed floors attested the genuineness of miss malvina's professions while the new proprietors of miss philura's abandoned dwelling showed themselves equally expeditious and resourceful indeed miss bennet in one of her flying trips across the yard in quest of a fresh supply of winder-rags reported to marr progress of an astonishing character. They ain't got such an awful lot of stuff, she said, but I bet you'll be surprised to see their parlour. Don't look a speck like any other room in town. First thing Mr. Desa done was to fix a lot

Starting point is 01:52:01 of books on shelves and she whips up some and some lace curtains to the windows before I could get them good and polished. They got pictures too, and queer kinds of fars isn't like that, and rugs. You ought to see them rugs thick as a board and all colours kind of mixy i thought i'd rather laid out a good red and black ingrain myself with a layer of straw in under it to keep the wind off of your feet but being fur and i suppose they don't know no better

Starting point is 01:52:32 they even hung up some of them rugs on the walls oh i had to laugh late that afternoon the little dressmaker stood looking about her at the rooms so swiftly transformed from dreary emptiness to snug comfort, albeit of a singular and foreign sort, hitherto unknown in Innisfield. Well, it was lucky for you, folks. I once a drove in my shop as usual, she said complacently. And I will say it looked real nice,

Starting point is 01:53:03 upstairs and down. Not that I ever heard of such a thing as hanging up goods by the yard on the walls with brass-headed tacks, but this ear blue and white stripe certainly does look pretty with, Madeline's white furniture, and the red's real cheerful in your parl room. But I got to go now and get Mars' supper before she gets fractious.

Starting point is 01:53:27 "'She' Miss Malvina,' said the girl, "'one thousand times we are obliged. "'But you will permit, you will not be offended?' She glanced appealingly at her father. "'We wish with our thanks to also make the reward or suitable said monsieur de sey with a propitory smile you will permit is it not he produced from his waistcoat pocket a small white envelope which he handed to miss malvina with a courteous bow she opened it to find within a neatly folded bank-note just why miss malvina should have experienced a shock of bitter resentment at the sight of money so hardly earned and so sorely needed furnishes a sight of money so hardly earned and so sorely needed furnishes a sight of psychological problem of considerable interest. She was in the habit of earning money by the labour of her hands.

Starting point is 01:54:22 Then why not this money? Was there one might inquire any real difference between plying the needle and the scrubbing brush? That there was a difference wide and deep, was evidenced by Miss Malvina's unpremeditated behaviour on this occasion. Sakes alive, she cried, her small figure quite rigidly. with indignation. The simple idea of trying to pay me for what I'd done, like I was Louisa Wessels and Mrs. Jabber's Trimble, I come over to do for you folks friendly,

Starting point is 01:54:57 because you was neighbours, and because something very like a sob choked further utterance. But Miss Malvina managed clearly to convey her utter repudiation of the idea of recompense by casting the envelope and its contents at the feet of the man who had offered it. i have you to understand i don't go out by the day except to sew and only then to accommodate my regular customers she went on a bright colour staining her faded cheeks if i want to do a kindness for folks i guess i can do it without being slapped in the face and me a member in good and regular stand and the innocent offenders stood stupefied aghast

Starting point is 01:55:41 the girl began a hurried search through her phrase-book while the man rumpled his hair which was somewhat long and curling and frosted lightly with silver with a gesture of despair alas he murmured i am inconsolable too little too much or not at all i ask you but why why would you derange yourself for us not of your country miss malvina's wrath suddenly vanished into thin air that's oh she chuckled a body ought to keep in mind constant you can't help being foreign as far as being deranged insanity don't run in our family, so you needn't be scared. I get mad, quick, but it don't last no time. I see you don't know better, so we'll call it square. We call it square? But what is square, dear Miss Marvina, entreated Madeline?

Starting point is 01:56:42 It is of a friendly, nisper? Oh, good land, yes, laughed the little dressmaker, a dignified complacency quite restored. oh you're enough to kill corn the two of you but i guess you mean all right in the chill dusk of the april evening while ashes of violet and rose still mingled in the west miss malvina sped like a shadow under the budding elms in a flat parcel under her arm was the brown and purple robe substantially stitched and conscientiously finished mrs hobbs still environed with the asyeting coericket at creations of her genius, welcomed her with unaffected emotion. I've put in a terrible day, she confessed. What with ladies telephoning and coming in droves to talk over styles?

Starting point is 01:57:37 You say this is all finished? Well, I'll look it over as soon as I get a chance and let your friend know if she's to send for more. But Miss Malvina stiffened her spine, in a valiant effort not to notice the heaps of silk and lengths of trimming which littered the chairs and tables. You'll look it over and pay for it now, right down in my hand, same as you promised, she said firmly. I don't know as anybody could say much for the looks of that there, Roben, Mrs. Dick andess Buckthorns,

Starting point is 01:58:11 but won't fall to pieces first time she puts it on, and the placets won't bust out neither. And it be evened up round the bottom. Why, sakes alive, Miss Hobbs. That hem was three inches wide in the front of the skirt and two and a quarter in the back. And the hooks and eyes on the waist didn't no more jib and anything. I could have done better in that at dress meeting when I was ten years old. Mrs. Hobbs chafed her reddened nose with a breadth of cambric. I hope you haven't spoiled the hang of the skirt, she said fretfully.

Starting point is 01:58:48 Spoiled? Me? Spoiled? echoed Miss Malvina indignantly. Then she took refuge in a fit of coughing. Of course I know who you are, pursued Mrs. Hobbs. I asked Mrs. Salter to-day, and she told me. I ain't ashamed to be known, stated Miss Malvina. I came up here in the first place, like the children of Israel, went in the promised land to see what sort of a shop you kept

Starting point is 01:59:16 and whether you was going to freeze me out permanent. And the minute I laid eyes on this ear, robe I quit worrying. What do you mean? inquired Mrs. Hobbs feebly. Just what I say. I ain't a worry that might. T'w't me no time before they'll all be back

Starting point is 01:59:35 a pestering me for some real sown. These ear throwed together robes. Ain't a going to take in this ear town, I know. I've sold for a moth and on for thirty years. I wonder you dare talk to me like that. almost whimpered mrs hobbs with a vain effort after dignity all my clientele admire my superior taste miss bennet gazed at her rival piteingly i'm real sorry for you she said honest i be sorry for me why my good woman i know i'll tell you why why i'll tell you why you can't hold this ear trade with a kind of work you're doing it'll peter out on you in no time mrs hobbs fingered her frizzes with an assumption of ease she was far from feeling i never heard of such a thing as a person like you she stammered it's the most extraordinary idea

Starting point is 02:00:40 well i tell you miss arbbs i got kind of desperate what were losing all my customers and the rent and groceries running behind i got Ma Bennett to do for. Ma's going on 79. She come to live with me last winter after my brother died. She ain't got nobody but me now. And thinks I, oh, I got to do something right off. You laugh if I was to tell you how scared I was to come up them stairs the first time. If you'd have been a roaring rhinoceros, I couldn't have felt more shrinking.

Starting point is 02:01:19 Mrs. Hobbs moved restlessly in her children. chair. Oh, you can go on right on sewing. Don't mind me, said Miss Bennett kindly. I'd really like to see how your superior taste will work out on that there green costume, the one on the figure. But as I was saying, I just took the bit in my teeth and tromped on all my most sacred feelings. Now I see you ain't no better off an I be for all your guilt sign and you madam and your heaps. of work. I ain't got enough work and you got too much. If I whirl in and help you out, same as we talked last night, me are doing real honest sewing like folks round here are used to. You may last out quite a spell. If you don't, well, Miss Bennet's eloquent hands

Starting point is 02:02:14 disclaimed all further responsibility for Mrs. Hobbs' career. "'You certainly have got nerve,' murmured the new dressmaker, but she said it almost admiringly. "'So of you,' returned Miss Bennet promptly. "'You wouldn't be here.' The two women stared at each other fixedly for an instant, and then Mrs. Hobbs' watery gaze fell. "'You want I should pay you for this?'

Starting point is 02:02:44 She inquired uncertainly. Mm-hmm. and give me some more work i got live while i'm waiting this ominous reference to the future appeared to galvanize madame louise into action she arose and fetched a plethoric purse how much do i owe you she hesitated i mean how long we agreed by the day didn't we i put in five hours steady stated miss malvina so comes to a dollar an arf even money that robe's all ready to send home as much it ever will be this side of jordan it'll be real enjoyable to see miss buckthorne come sailing down the centre aisle with it on the clash of the three silver half dollars was music in miss malvina's ears as she sped homeward clasping a great parcel of work in her thin little arms ain't i glad i stepped on my pride and rouse my grit and gumption she said to herself twa't be no time before i can hold up me ad with the best of em and all my bills paid and money laid by and if that ain't a lot better an sitting around crying over spilt milk my name ain't malvina bennet end of chapter seven chapter eight of neighbours by florence morse kingsley

Starting point is 02:04:18 this librivox recording is in the public domain young harry schwartz whistled pleasantly to himself as he applied a liquid polish to the body of his automobile which under the further urge of his muscular arms assumed a specious semblance of newness it was a second-hand car of humble origin and the young man contrary to the advice of his prudent parents had just taken one hundred and twenty-five dollars from his modest savings to pay for it harry said a voice from an open window close at hand is that my new dust-cloth you're using i've been looking for it everywhere the young man grinned shouldn't wonder mar he confessed is this it with dew-daddles in pink worked around the edge crabbed it from a bag behind the door just the thing for polishing say ma come an out and view the fliver she sure is some car mrs schwartz presently emerged from the back door an apron over her head she was a pretty fair-haired little woman and her big son gazed down at her with a an amused smile. What are you going to do with me, Mama? Spat my hands, he inquired good-humouredly.

Starting point is 02:05:38 I had a sneaking notion I was appropriating something valuable, but I was in a hurry. I got the knock out of the engine, and she runs like a breeze now. You want to ride? Oh, Harry, just look at the grease spots on your new clothes, wailed his mother.

Starting point is 02:05:59 Why didn't you put on your over? rolls. The young man surveyed his stalwart person with smiling unconcern. That's nothing, he said rather grandly. Gas will take it out. Run in and get your coat and we'll take a spin. I want you to hear her purr. But Mrs. Schwartz shook her head. She had a cake in the oven, she said. Besides, there was the weeks mending to attend to. she stood for a minute gazing about her a proud light of happiness in her eyes in the rear was the garden already ploughed in anticipation of fresh vegetables and a harvest of gay annuals then there was the house its upper story covered with weathered shingles its clapboards below freshly painted a light brown trimmed with white everything she looked upon was spotlessly neat and all their own

Starting point is 02:06:58 Even the window panes glittered in the bleak sunshine. She had just washed them, and the shades were pulled to the precise middle of the sash. Beneath them, one caught glimpses of fresh muslin curtains. There was a bay window at the side, with a yellow canary singing shrilly, and a flourishing rubber plant, which had been treated to its weekly bath of milk and water.

Starting point is 02:07:23 A narrow concrete walk led around the house to the front, where it joined a wide expanse of the same useful substance, which conducted one neatly to the street. The Schwartz house was almost exactly like four other houses in the immediate neighbourhood. On other streets not far distant were similar structures, all with shingled second stories, narrow front porches and jutting bay windows.

Starting point is 02:07:49 And such is the solidarity of human nature, this very similarity added a fine savour of complacency to Mrs. Schwartz's reflections. Anyone could see theirs was a new house by merely looking at it, and there were so many old houses in Innesfield. Indeed, it was only lately that the young Boston architect,

Starting point is 02:08:11 with plans which seemed so nearly to fit the average income, had come to Innesfield. There was also the Building and Loan Association, a convenient bridge between Incoat Ambition and its fulfilment. Harry worked for the building, building and loan hence the savings and the second-hand car after all nothing of what she saw would have mattered much if it were not for harry her fond maternal gaze rested upon her one surviving child as he bent to his task

Starting point is 02:08:41 he was a handsome lad other people beside his mother said so and she was never tired of contemplating his ruddy complexion his light curling hair and his frank blue eyes all of which fittingly crowned a good six feet of muscular well-developed body. As she closed the door of her kitchen upon the pleasant picture of her boy trundling slowly out to the street, his face as shining as the newly polished car, she fondly reviewed her ambitions for Harry's future. He was to go on working and laying up money till he had enough to buy a building lot. She had her eye on one already, not a stone's throw from the family dwelling. On this lot, Harry wore. with the aid of the building and loan association, build a house, with a shingled top story, a bay window,

Starting point is 02:09:33 a front porch and cement walks. Inside there would be, of course, a reception hall, a parlour with a dining room just the back of it, both rooms closely associated with the kitchen by a butler's pantry. She believed Harry should have hot water heat instead of steam. It sounded more elegant and expensive somehow. but for the rest his house should be precisely like all the other half-singled houses, a few of which were distinguished by red or green roofs.

Starting point is 02:10:07 It costs more to have a coloured roof, and the brilliant tints of the freshly stained shingles had a provoking tendency to fade to the same dull hue of untreated roofs, but if Harry wanted a red or green roof, he should have one. Mrs Schwartz took her cake from the oven It was in three layers and baked to a delicate brown By the time she had built her three layers Into a perfect structure with chocolate frosting

Starting point is 02:10:36 Which Harry liked She'd come to the difficult matter of choosing Harry's wife The little woman wrinkled her forehead And pursed up her lips As she passed the girls of Harry's age in critical review Not one of them seemed to entirely fill the requirements. It was natural for Harry to want to marry a pretty girl. But having conceded this much to the unthinking masculine nature, Mrs. Schwartz could not help

Starting point is 02:11:05 reflecting on the well-known fact that pretty girls as a rule are far less fitted to the domestic treadmill than their plain as sisters. They were more apt to be idle, vain and fond of a good time. it was impossible to think of her son's new house presided over by a woman of that sort harry's always been used to having things just so mused mrs schwartz as she set her cake to cool in close proximity to a lemon pie topped by a fabulous meringue and he never could stand it any other way as she washed her hands at the sink she resolved to guard harry against the machinations of of certain young ladies whom she forbore to name to herself but who none the less appeared to threaten peaceful possession of her idol harry's a good boy she told herself proudly he'll never go against his mother when it comes to getting married and anyway there isn't any hurry then she took her basket of mending and sat down in the bay window to dance stockings complacently aware of the hard won order and he immaculate saturday cleanliness of her small domain and of the two dollars and thirty nine cents that she'd contrived to save from her housekeeping allowance that week unconsciously her small blond face took on the look of a flower tightly closed against the sun after its one day of blossoming no more the rendezvous of wandering bee or vagrant butterfly but secretly and exclusively occupied with its own concerns

Starting point is 02:12:51 in the meantime young harry schwartz had driven his car straight down the main street of innisfield with a fine expensive joy welling up within him and overflowing in smiles on his handsome ruddy face with his cap pushed well back on his crisp hair he grasped the steering wheel with both hands his eyes fixed on the road which appeared to leap forward to meet him that several of his acquaintances stopped to stare after him he guessed rather than that the waysts he guessed rather than that he had been a man and saw. He'd never driven a car before, and it was necessary to give his entire attention to the matter. After a while he had been told, it would become as easy as riding a bicycle.

Starting point is 02:13:34 Easier indeed. He was wondering if he could turn the thing around as the houses slipped away from him on either side. In a very few minutes, he was clear of the village on the narrow country road, which led between farmlands substantially fenced

Starting point is 02:13:51 to a cross-roads, dividing the valley in half. He reflected, he could easily turn his machine around at the intersection of the two roads. It was then that he saw a woman's figure walking slowly toward the sunset. She would, of course, get out of his way when she heard the car approaching. To his surprise, she did nothing of the sort.

Starting point is 02:14:14 He reached for his horn, which gave forth a feeble honk, and then trod savagely on everything inside. it. Things happened swiftly and consecutively after that. The car essayed nimbly to leap the stone wall, failing in this, it turned squarely around and toppled over on its side, where it gasped and rattled convulsively. Its owner, rather white and shaken, climbed out over the uppermost wheel. He wasn't even scratched, for which miracle he should have been devoutly grateful. Instead, he was conscious only of an immense and growing indignation with the cause of the disaster.

Starting point is 02:14:55 He finally succeeded in quieting the sputtering engine, after which he turned upon the girl, who stood quite still, her hands clasped, her eyes wide with terror and dismay. Well, said the young man, what the dickens! Why didn't you get out of the way? He must have loomed very tall and threatening, and for all his use. good looks, a terrifying sort of figure, for the girl slowly backed away from him without attempting

Starting point is 02:15:25 a reply. You must be deaf and dumb, he went on still hotly. Didn't you hear me blow my horn? The girl essayed to speak, failed, and then without a further glance at him, turned and walked swiftly away. Harry Schwartz stared after her open-mouthed. He was beginning to realise dazedly two things he had first. been too shaken and angry to notice.

Starting point is 02:15:52 The first was that she was extraordinarily and vividly pretty for all her power. Second, he'd never seen her before. But she's some sprinter, he muttered, and forthwith broke into a long stride which brought him abreast of the culprit. What's the idea in running away so fast, Miss, he propounded. Mendationously, he added, I may need your help, you know. The girl flashed him a dark glance. You are a wrong rude person, she said calmly.

Starting point is 02:16:27 You understand me? Sans raison, bett. What's that? cried the young man. Oh, say, I like that. You like it? Eh, well, I'm not a like it, absolutely. But you should have gotten out of the road.

Starting point is 02:16:46 I honked, all right. I might have been killed, you know. The girl made no reply, and after a perplexed silence, he went on, well, maybe you didn't know any better. I guess you're a stranger, some sort of foreigner, hey? She surveyed him haughtily from under her lashes. I promenade myself,

Starting point is 02:17:10 for des air frais, what do you call eggs. And me, I thank you for not. smash harry schwartz stared then he threw back his head and laughed whole-heartedly by george he exclaimed i must go back and see what i have to thank you for but it's strictly up to you to help me set the flivar on her feet don't you know the girl listened attentively to this speech a little puzzled frown puckering her white forehead strictly up to you she repeated me i not know the colour had come back to lips and cheeks and she smiled revealing adorable dimples in the corner of her mouth he gazed down at her with a growing sense of wonder say where did you come from he asked i never saw you before you sure are one bute he added a confident of not being understood she glanced back at the prostrate automobile and then at its owner a tardy sense of her of compunction dawning in her eyes. I aid you?

Starting point is 02:18:22 She propounded sweetly. Oh, I don't know, he said, feeling suddenly ashamed of himself. The fact is, I'm a greenhorn at driving. I should have stopped until you got past the crossroads. I meant to have turned around there. You fecks. Moi, oh, see, she offered confidently.

Starting point is 02:18:42 We? She had turned squarely about and was hurrying back toward the sea. of the disaster. Young Harry Schwartz followed. I suppose she's teetotally on the bum, he murmured disconsolently. First time I had her out, too. The girl bestowed her precious basket under her bush. Voila, we make it, she said eagerly.

Starting point is 02:19:07 Well, I don't know about that, he doubted it. I don't want to muss her up any more than I can help. He gazed ruefully at his treasure. then he saw that she was valiantly dragging a rail from the fence oh i say that's too much for you oh i get you put a lever under her eh oh guess you're right ten minutes later the little car stood squarely on its four wheels once more a trifle scratched to be sure is mudguard bent but on the whole vindicating the modest claims of its maker then harry schwartz quite forgot the girl in the all engrossing business of examining the mechanism under the hood of his machine when he finally glanced up she disappeared and neither vista of the country road afforded so much as a flutter of her blue skirts well i like that he exclaimed disgustedly and i didn't even find out her name end of chapter eight chapter nine of neighbours by florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. The Reverend Silas Petibone,

Starting point is 02:20:28 attired in his second best preaching clothes, dedicated to parish visiting and rainy day funerals, bent to kiss his wife goodbye. He was not a demonstrative man, and heretofore his caresses had been of a sparse and meagre nature, commensurate with the dignified reserve of his character. But there was something about the glorified face of his wife in these early days of her motherhood which seemed to draw kisses as the sun is said to draw water when it sends earthward long luminous rays from behind an effulgent cloud curtain mrs pettibone was wearing the blue negligee adorned with cascades of white lace upon which malvina bennet had lavished the pent-up poetry of her lone maidenhood she looked very small and delicate in the shabby old rocking chair, and no one but the most discerning would have identified the inert flannel bundle in her arms as a real live baby. I suppose I ought to put him down the minute he goes to sleep, she apologised, having accepted his kiss with the slight tinge of maidenly embarrassment

Starting point is 02:21:37 she had never quite lost. According to the book, my dear, you should put him down before he goes to sleep, offered Mr. Pettibone drawing on his gloves. You're looking, be remarkably sweet today, Miss Fulura, he added, with the totally irrelevance she'd notice in him of a late. She blushed, becomingly. But if he should cry, she temporised. Haven't you learned by this time that it is the inalienable right of the infant to cry? he asked. How else shall he strengthen his lungs, expand his diaphragm, and kittens don't cry, she said stoutly. nor nice little roly-poly puppies nor little birds their mothers cuddle them all the while and feed them whenever they like

Starting point is 02:22:29 a cat a dog or a fowl of the air in any stage of its existence he reminded her gravely could hardly be compared with a human being but she merely cuddled the flannel bundle closer and murmured something in which he caught the words precious lamb As for sheep and their offspring, he went on still argumentatively, one should really... Silas, she interrupted him. Did you pay Miss Malvina for making this wrapper? Did I pay Miss Malvina? He rumpled his hair. I have no remembrance. Oh, let me recall.

Starting point is 02:23:13 Miss Bennett brought that very becoming garment to the parsonage the day of the advent. when such trifles as clothes and money were far from my thoughts as far i venture to say as from jacob the morning after he had wrestled with the angel and received his new name no my dear i did not pay miss malvina then won't you go there to-day silas do you know i'm afraid poor miss malvina is being quite cut out by the new dressmaker the new dressmaker um i was not aware over trimmer's store don't you remember we were going to call only i oh yes yes i fear i have laid myself open to a charge of neglect of parochial duties during these last weeks but now that you are now that i have you safe and the baby she put in, touching her lips to the fraction of a downy head which peeped out from the blankets. Oh, the baby, of course. Now that I have you both, quite safe and reasonably established in health, I must... And there is the new family in my house, too.

Starting point is 02:24:38 And Mrs. Salter, with another of her spells. Oh, quite right, quite right, my dear. now if you will allow me to bestow our son in his crib i will go you should rest till tea-time he left her rather hastily at last having inadvertently waked up the baby who began at once to exercise his inalienable human rights as differentiated from the animal creation he decided to call upon the new dressmaker first after looking in for a moment upon brother j George Trimmer in his place of business. Though not a shrewd man in the secular sense, the minister had not infrequently been led to meditate upon the singular metamorphosis which came over various members of his flock

Starting point is 02:25:30 at the dawning of the Sabbath. On a Sunday morning, Elder Trimmer was invariably to be found in his pew in church, attired somberly in a long-tailed coat, once decreed by fashion as the habit of a worldly society, and now by universal consent the garb of piety with his sunday clothes brother trimmer in common with other members of mr pettibone's congregation habitually assumed an expression of superior sanctity

Starting point is 02:26:02 when he walked down the aisle with the collection plate and when he stood before the pulpit awaiting the minister's benediction on the perfunctory pennies and nickels representing in his field's benevolent impulses the beholders could scarcely help but notice the sleekness with which his sparse hair had been brushed the whiteness of his starch linen and the solemn squeak of his sabbath shoes elder george trimmer was an indispensable pillar in the house of his god and he knew it without his support and presence the cause in innisfield would assuredly languish if not completely collapse the knowledge of this fact lent force and cogency to his utterances more particularly when he conversed with his pastor on the present occasion mr trimmer was entrenched behind his desk when mr pettibone called and from this stronghold he vouchsafed the briefest of nods and an inarticulate growl of recognition i see your busy brother trimmer said the minister politely i will call again mr trimmer waved his hand with some impatience oh sit down sit down sir he said i'll see you in a minute i've something to say to you mr pettibone declined to avail himself of the indicated chair oh i have a small commission for mrs pettibone he recollected i'll attend to that first if you please the minister's experienced eye had caught sight of a new clerk in the shoe department as he threaded his way among the bargain laden tables in the aisles he continued to examine the face of the stranger the young man unaware of his approach stood with folded

Starting point is 02:27:54 arms staring at the wall of yellow shoeboxes which confronted him, but it was evident to the most casual observer that his attention was not focused upon the stock of footwear in the trimmer dry goods emporium. It was a handsome, though rather, sullen face, with sternly compressed lips and a deep fold between the grey eyes, which turned in response to Mr. Pettibone's question. Slippers? Yes, sir. What size? Oh, um, something's soft and becoming in a light blue particular eyes mr pettibone ah for a lady inferred the young man what size did you say sir oh oh as to that i'm afraid i neglected to inquire the lady is small and slender better have the lady come in and try the monsor if you don't know the size mr pettibone shook his head said. Oh, that would be impossible for some weeks yet, I fear. The lady is, at present she is

Starting point is 02:29:03 unable to leave the house. Why not bring in one of the lady's shoes, then? suggested Mr. Trimmers-Clark, scanning his customer with faint amusement. You are a stranger in Innisfield, I believe, interpolated Mr. Pettibone. I don't remember to have seen you before. haven't been here long admitted the young man his brooding eyes sought a distant window with an expression vaguely suggestive of a wild creature unexpectedly trapped ah permit me to introduce myself said the minister pleasantly i'm mr pettibone pastor of the presbyterian church here we shall be glad to make you welcome what was your last place of residence the young man hurriedly replaced the cover on a half-open box london he replied briefly ah indeed commented the minister oh i recall there is a town by that name in a neighbouring county am i to understand the handsome sullen face flushed darkly i mean england he jerked out i was born there

Starting point is 02:30:22 well well exclaimed mr pettibone with unaffected surprise we are all interested rather particularly interested i may say in your native land at this time are you-you have been here some time i suppose a matter of six months replied the young man the dark flush had crept up to the roots of his hair he stared defiant at Mr Pettibone. "'Then you don't care to buy anything today, sir?' This was clearly a rebuff, but the minister, inured to reprisals of the kind, persevered. "'I should be glad of your name and address.

Starting point is 02:31:08 I'll look at those slippers again in just a moment. You will perhaps know what size small ladies usually wear.' The minister had taken a notebook and pencil from his pocket and stood waiting with the smile many people found quite irresistible. The young Englishman shrugged his shoulders. My name's Hobbs, he said unwillingly. Kitchener Hobbs. Mr Pettibone, glancing up quickly, caught the look which accompanied the simple statement.

Starting point is 02:31:42 Puzzled him. Named for the great soldier, eh? Oh, a sad thing for England, his death. very unfortunate it would seem. And your address? I live upstairs with my mother. With your mother? Oh, I was not aware.

Starting point is 02:32:03 Mr. Hobbs showed no lively interest in Mr. Pettibone's bewilderment. He had pulled down and opened several boxes containing felt slippers. Something like this, sir, he inquired civilly enough. In size three, maybe, or four. mr pettibone restored his memorandum book to his pocket and focused his short-sighted eyes upon a pair of pale blue slippers adorned with fluffy pom-poms and a lavish display of satin ribbon hmm these look about the thing he said measuring the dainty trifle thoughtfully upon his outspread palm her feet are slender and not much larger than a child's you say your mother em mrs hobbs am I right? She calls herself Madam Louise, growled the young fellow.

Starting point is 02:32:57 She's a dressmaker. Oh, yes, yes. Oh, now I place you, said Mr. Pettibone, as he searched his pockets for a certain thin roll of bills. He appeared not to notice the extreme reluctance of the reply, yet all while he was keenly aware of it, and of the deepening of the frown between the sombre young eyes now why the minister asked himself as he strode away the pale blue slippers safely bestowed in his pocket why should this young man secure from the perils and hardships of war and one would say reasonably well placed in business and for what does he wear the look of a soul tormented end of chapter nine

Starting point is 02:33:52 Chapter 10 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley This Librevox recording is in the public domain. It being Mr Pettibone's particular business to search out the answers to such questions, he proceeded at once to call upon Mrs. Hobbs, who chose to call herself Madame Louise, though for what purpose he could only vaguely surmise. As he applied his gloved knuckles to the door bearing the flourishing gold script of mystery, It occurred to the minister,

Starting point is 02:34:23 but he had neglected to avail himself of Mr. Trimmer's invitation, or was it a command, to return to the office. He knew from past experience that he would later be obliged to pay for this omission, elder Trimmer's temper being none of the best on any day of the week. Then the door opened, and he became at once absorbed in the business of his calling. As it happened, Mrs. Hobbs' establishment was at the moment free from her numerous patrons. she therefore received the minister graciously betraying little of the surprise she felt at his visit on his part mr pettibone after begging the lady to go on with her avocation which at the moment appeared to concern itself with an intricate arrangement of cord and buttons on a bodice of peculiar shape and colour seated himself and gazed kindly at his hostess i have just had the pleasure of meeting your son he began he tells me he is a native of england a flicker of mrs hobbs eyelids and the sudden snap of her needle prefaced her reply

Starting point is 02:35:30 yes sir but i am an american i was born in boston oh murmured mr pettibone aware of a slight bristling as of defiant feathers and were you long a resident of england mrs hobbs shot a furtive glance at her questioner what she saw was a man of dignified presence well on in middle life his hair of iron-gray swept carelessly back from a broad forehead his eyes keen yet kindly and his mouth slightly humorous and his chin square and firm the women of his parish for the most part liked mr pettibone they found it a comfort to tell him their trials and perplexities his advice and his sympathy were alike welcome i used to go to the unitarian church before i was married offered mrs hobbs after a slight pause during which she set several random stitches in her work but after we moved to the old country i got confirmed my husband was a churchman there was a pride of a sort in the statement and a veiled protest which reached its mark if you are an episcopalian said mr pettibone hastily i shall not presume to urge the claims of my own church upon you it is my custom however to call upon all newcomers for the purpose of ascertaining their church affiliations more than once i am glad to tell you i have been able to be of service in the way of finding a church home for strangers well we ain't been to church since we came back to america stated mrs hobdy he don't care much for church and i well i've been kind of busy the woman's expression appeared to shut the door upon further inquiry mr pettibone paused to reflect the memory of the gloomy young face below stairs recurring to his mind

Starting point is 02:37:33 most people need friends he said persuasively and i'll venture to tell you mrs hobbs that i couldn't help seeing that your son he paused to choose his words with care well in short he struck me as being depressed perhaps i would better say harrised over something young men interest me strongly i have a son myself growing up the woman's stiff features unbent in a smile your son ain't so very old is he if you're the misty pettibone i've heard my customers tell about in the shop the minister's pale face became suffused with youthful colour but he achieved his reply with creditable dignity the fact that my son is still in his infancy does not impugn my statement he said strongly if a young person of either sex is unhappy that person is in my opinion liable to peculiar temptation mrs hobbs shrugged her shoulders well i don't know as i mind telling you what ails my boy she said he was set and determined on going to war ah the monosyllable exhaled mildly from the minister's lips expressed his sudden illumination tinged with a certain incoad's sympathy mrs hobbs glanced at him suspiciously her needle like a slim dagger poised in air i guess you wouldn't want your boy put down in a nasty muddy trench to be fired at she said oh no said mr pettibone drawing his brows together oh no i should not and yet

Starting point is 02:39:25 for goodness sake i hope you ain't going to encourage him in any such foolishness cried mrs hobbs with sudden sharpness it was all i could do to coax him over here to america where he'd be safe i got down on my knees to my own child i did and even then he wouldn't have come but the doctor said i had heart trouble and was liable to die most any minute if i got excited mr pettibone gazed at the woman with strong kindness in his eyes but he offered no comment on what she had said after a moment of silence she went on i'm willing to work my fingers to the bone for hoddy and he knows it yet all he thinks about day and night is getting back to england i guess he wants to get killed leave me alone her voice trailed off in a sob she wiped her eyes on the gaudy garment she was fashioning but i tell him i'll jabber happen through my heart before i let him go and i will too i am not going to give up my son to any old king or czar. Why should I? I'm an American. Is your husband?

Starting point is 02:40:40 I suppose Mr. Hobbs is not living. Mr. Pettibone's voice, like his eyes, conveyed his perplexed compassion. Well, said Mrs. Hobbs after a pause, I call myself a widow, but I don't know whether Hobbs is dead or alive. I don't care so much either. he was a seafaring man he never came back from his last voyage they said he deserted in a china port but folks have a way of disappearing in those parts and you never can tell that was years ago

Starting point is 02:41:16 the minister nodded thoughtfully i see i see he murmured you have only your boy the sudden passion of mother love which flared up in the woman's sallow face startled him. It was as if the sun had suddenly burst forth upon a sodden landscape, glorifying it to an evanescent splendour, and yet she only said with a sigh, Hoddy's always been a good boy. He seems an intelligent fellow, Mr Pettibone recollected vaguely. It occurred to him that he should be going in order to compass the other visits he had planned. He's had the best of schooling, Mrs. Hottibon. Hobbs said proudly. I had a shop in London, sir. Hobbs set me up in a small way, for fear, as he said, something might happen to him. When the war broke out, my boy was nearly through the London

Starting point is 02:42:14 Technical School. He'd have finished in another six months. But when it came to enlisting for the war and talk of conscription, I sold out and came straight home. I guess I had a right to come home i wasn't no londoner my boy's american if he was born on the other side he wouldn't acknowledge it said mr pettibone as he rose to go he told me his name was kitchener hobbs that was his father's doings mrs hobbs said fretfully i wanted to call him george washington but my husband was a britisher through and through he named him a harrison herbert kitchener she followed her visitor to the door trailing dropped spools and lengths of scarlet cord behind her i don't want my affairs talked about she said as the minister shook her limp hand at parting We want to keep to ourselves and not bother with anybody, me and Hoddy. I can't say what possessed me to tell you what I did. But if you could keep Hoddy's mind off soldiering, I might, maybe.

Starting point is 02:43:30 You can trust my discretion, madam, Mr Pettibone assured her, and I shall be glad of another opportunity of talking with your boy. The sun was near its setting as the minister walked slowly down the long village street, his hands folded loosely behind him. He noted abstractedly the bands of pale yellow and amethyst deepening to dull crimson, which made of the arched vister of naked boughs a groined window more splendid than that of any cathedral. He was thinking over his late interview with Mrs. Hobbs, and in the light of it interpreting, albeit in a somewhat sober and middle-aged fashion, look he had seen on the face of George Trimmer's shoe-clerc.

Starting point is 02:44:15 it was difficult for mr pettibone to comprehend the position of the young englishman yet in spite of himself he found his sympathy going out to him rather than to the woman i cannot approve of warfare mused mr pettibone shaking his head warfare is uncivilised degrading even brutalising and yet no woman has the right to strangle the convictions of a man he was still pondering these paradoxical conclusions when he arrived before the rather dilapidated cottage bearing the brilliantly new sign of malvina bennett dressmaker end of chapter ten chapter eleven of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain old mrs bennet opened the door in response to mr pettibone's knock she was a very small and withered old woman with bent shoulders, which appeared in some remote period of time to have absorbed the semblance of a neck. She peered suspiciously at the minister over the rims of her old-fashioned steel spectacles. I guess you better step inside, she said. The air drawer is something terrible when the door is open. The pent-up atmosphere within the little house appeared to be clamouring

Starting point is 02:45:47 for reinforcements. In it were reminiscences of boiled vegetables. vegetables, fried things, kerosene, feather beds of ancient lineage and descent, of well-conserved black clothes and old stuffed furniture, with the more insistent aroma of a chill cellar, well-lingered the ghosts of vegetables, pickles and smoked meats. Old Mrs. Bennett blinked vaguely at the tall man in the dimly lighted passage. Be you the saw-machine agent, she demanded in her high-case. quavering voice because if you be Malfinney says pardon me mrs bennett the minister interrupted in his unruffled voice i see you fail to remember me i'm mr pettibone a pastor of the presbyterian church i had the pleasure of calling upon you last winter oh well that certainty is one on me crowed the old lady mavigny malvigny the sound of a sewing-machine driven at full speed ceased at the strident call and miss bennet's voice issued from the stuffy little room in the rear of the hall what is it ma here's the minister come to call and i went and miss dung for the sewing-machine agent miss malvina instant with apology and explanation,

Starting point is 02:47:17 piloted Mr Pettibone to the parlour, where a sofa and several chairs, covered with black haircloth, presided over a marble top table, whose chief ornament was a symbolic cross, wrought in waxwork in the days of Miss Malvina's youth, and carefully guarded from the tooth of time by a glass cover. "'Mas, I say, ain't so very good lately,'

Starting point is 02:47:41 offered Miss Malvina. "'My saw-machine make such a rubean. racket i can't hear myself think i suppose you're busy as usual chimed in the minister cheerfully he was thinking his wife must have been mistaken about the new dressmaker surely there should be enough work in ninnisfield for both women i suppose mary philura oh i mean mr rev pettibone must have told you she said in a low tone not meant for the ears of mar Oh, you mean, Miss Malvina nodded and hitched her chair closer to the ministers. I've kept it from Marr so far. I don't want her to get all riled up. You know how it is with a person her age?

Starting point is 02:48:30 Of course, I ain't talking about it to most other folks neither. But that there, Madame Louise, well, I don't mind telling my minister, she's took my customers right away from me. folks i've done for since they was babies oh this is really distressing miss malvina said the minister and to think that all this time i've neglected you perhaps recall the circumstances connected with your bringing mrs pettibone's robe if that is the proper term for so beautiful a garment to the parsonage he had drawn the depleted roll of bills from his pocket and was gazing at Miss Bennet, his kind face puckered with distress. The little dressmaker threw herself back in her chair with a tragic gesture of dismay. Oh, if I ain't always a-putting my foot in, she exclaimed.

Starting point is 02:49:29 Ma, seems to me I smell them turnips burning. Put some more water in the pot, will you? On the heels of Mrs. Bennett's departure, her daughter turned again to the minister i ain't a gawin't a goin to take a cent for making that their negligee she said positively take much i can do for folks but making up them light blue goods for mrs rev pettibone was a real pleasure and sewing on the lace and all i kept a think in all the while how perfectly sweet she was going to look holding her baby up against them satin boughs oh i out and pray don't spoil em oh but my dear miss malvina protested mr pettibone let me assure you that while we appreciate to the full your oh i didn't tell you everything interrupted the little dressmaker the lord's been real good to me and i'm prosperous and contented as a mouse and a cheese i tell you i just took the bit in my teeth and went and interviewed that woman you mean mrs hobb Miss Malthina nodded briskly. She can't know more dress-mate than a cat can sing.

Starting point is 02:50:49 I'm helping her out. You're helping. I'll finish it off and like that. But I don't take no responsibility on my shoulders for patterns. And I'm all the ridiculous. Oh, just you wait till you see Miss Obed Salter and Mrs. Undertaker Beals walking down the centre aisle of Sunday. I bet you forget your text.

Starting point is 02:51:14 Oh, but there, I oughtn't to have spoken that away. Mrs. Bennett sailed into the room, her ancient nose in the air. Next time you want to get rid of me, Malvini, she said. You don't need to tell no lie. Them turnips weren't even boiling. Mr Pettibone arose with haste. Oh, can you tell me anything concerning your new neighbours? he asked.

Starting point is 02:51:43 I had thought of calling there. Well, I should remark, cheer up to Miss Malvina. I feel, so I know I'm intimate, what with helping them clean and settle, and Madeline running in the back door friendly most any minute. I am teaching her to talk

Starting point is 02:52:02 so folks can understand what she's trying to say. Oh, I had to laugh, first off, but she's real bright and catches on, some wonderful her part and talk pretty good considering he's foreign of course he can't help that oh yes sir mr de say is what i call a real gentleman and outside a present company there ain't many of them to be found in this ear town mr pettibone walked home quickly in the early darkness which greeted him as he emerged upon the old familiar doorstep of the house which had sheltered the sober late blooming of his second courtship and marriage. He seldom thought of his first wife in these days.

Starting point is 02:52:50 Many years had elapsed since he believed his broken heart buried deep beneath the rough sod of the village churchyard. And in truth, something of himself, his young manhood, his shattered dreams of future happiness, the fervent upspringing of his spirit to hers, had never risen from the chill silence which enshrouded her there.

Starting point is 02:53:11 But today a look in the soft, dark eyes of Madeleine de Sey, something in the graceful bend of her head as she sat modestly listening to the somewhat laboured conversation between her father and himself, had brought back the vivid image of Mary. And now, as he hurried homeward, she seemed flitting by his side in the deepening twilight, as beautiful, as loving, as when in her feeling,

Starting point is 02:53:41 first youth she had given herself to him. He half put out his hand to the unsubstantial presence, then as quickly withdrew it. There was no bridging of the chasm possible, and were it possible, he knew he would not choose to call her back. The mother of his son sat waiting for him by the study fire. There was a warm rose of welcome in her uplifted face, which vanished at the touch of his cold lips. What has happened, Silas? She asked quickly. You look pale, and, oh, nothing, nothing at all, my dear, fullura, he assured her.

Starting point is 02:54:21 It's damp and chilly outside, and, well, I believe I am a little tired. Parish visiting is never an easy task. She watched him anxiously while they were eating their supper, and uneasily aware of her searching eyes, he made a conscious effort to entertain her. telling her of Mrs Hobbes and her English son, of the generosity of Malvina Bennett, at which she demurred, and finally of his visit to the Desaise.

Starting point is 02:54:51 She presently forgot her uneasiness in eager questions about the father and the daughter, the furnishing of the house, and the probable permanency of her new tenants. If only they'll stay all summer, Silas, we can buy the Ford runabout. You could sell the horse and buggy and the barn will do perfectly just as it is.

Starting point is 02:55:14 Oh, it would be such a helping out-of-town calls, dear. He did not deny this, and the curious sense of aloofness which she had felt like a chill mist between them gradually disappeared in the sunshine of renewed domesticity. That Frenchman to say, he told her, is a most interesting person. It seems he's a native of Alsace,

Starting point is 02:55:38 and at the outbreak of the war, fearing reprisals from his German neighbours, with whom he'd never been on the best of terms, he decided, wisely or unwisely, to come to America. They have some small means, I should say, but whether they will remain in Innisfield or not depends wholly upon circumstances.

Starting point is 02:56:02 You mean whether they like it here or not, she inquired. Precisely, my dear, and that, as the boys say, is up to us. He still seems struggling with some unknown depression, difficult to shake off. Her eyes timidly questioned his, but without response. Then they're not Catholics. He shook his head.

Starting point is 02:56:26 Such religion as they have bears no theological brand, he said dryly. And you're quite sure you feel well, Silas? He arose from the supper-taker. with his usual dignified deliberation. My dear failure, he said, why will you persist in supposing me ill? Isn't it one of your bedrock principles to think health? She lowered her eyes.

Starting point is 02:56:55 Yes, Silas, she said meekly. He worked diligently in his study that evening, covering uncounted large pages with a dissertation on the life and labours of St. Paul. garnered from the shells of his library and the recesses of his own well-stored mind. It was past eleven o'clock when he finally placed the cap-sheaf

Starting point is 02:57:17 of a triumphant martyrdom on the apostolic career. The house was very quiet, so quiet that the soft thud of snow against the window was distinctly audible. He rose, crossed the floor noiselessly in his slippered feet and looked out. All semblance of,

Starting point is 02:57:37 spring had vanished in the whirling drift it might have been january and yet it was april and all this show and bluster of winter must shortly disappear before the advancing sun half against his will his thoughts reverted once more to the reverie of the early evening and his subsequent discomfiture under the blue eyes of philura was it a species of infidelity to her to return to his lost mary even in memory he swept his hand across his tired eyes life was a strange long journey at best and one must travel it for the most part alone with only thoughts unseen unknown and often unbidden for company a faint wailing cry from above roused him and then the sound of her gentle foot on the floor was the response of the infinite affection as sure End of Chapter 11 Chapter 12 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. If Etienne Desseille had ever regretted his hastily formed decision to immigrate to America,

Starting point is 02:58:59 he never confessed it to his daughter, Madeline. He had likewise refrained from telling her what unspeakable things he feared in the land of their nativity. He contented himself with praising America. It was a safe place, he declared for persons like themselves, being far removed from the tumult and dangers of war, and withal hospitable to strangers. One might have supposed from listening to the worthy gentleman's dissertations on the land of his adoption that the splendid song of the Nativity

Starting point is 02:59:31 had been composed and rendered by angelic choirs solely, or at least chiefly, for the town of Boston. It was here that the wanderers first found refuge, and where for a matter of six months they remained living in a dark ill-ventilated flat in south boston a locality which was they discovered shortly as different as could be well imagined from any city town or village of france rents were high provisions of an unthinkable expense and service impossible to procure it was during these initial weeks that madeline a mere child up to this time became the practical woman of affairs. She learned to market and to cook, and the touch of her light hand kept all things clean and well-ordered,

Starting point is 03:00:24 or so it seemed to her father, who knew nothing of the hours his child spent in noiseless dusting and polishing, while he slept, rousing for his chocolate, when Madeline brought it steaming to his bedside. In the first days of spring, when bunches of wilted violets and the rarer arbutus began to be hawked about the streets, the girl begged for the country.

Starting point is 03:00:49 This American town is very ugly, my paire, she said piteously, and in the summer this apartment will be too warm under its roof of tin, or think also of a street named milk. Monsieur de Sey raised abstracted eyes from the book in which he had buried his regrets. You wish again to remove, he inquired mildly. But where? Do you not find these rooms sufficiently commodious?

Starting point is 03:01:22 It is true that the town is ugly. But what would you? We are far from France. He shrugged his shoulders resignedly. Madeline explained, Even in America, one might find trees and grass of a sort, she stated. there were also small cottages where one might dwell, in localities where eggs and vegetables could be procured of an indubitable freshness.

Starting point is 03:01:50 Her young eyes were eager, her cheeks flushed with hope. It is probable that Monsieur de Sey would have continued to occupy the dreary little flat in South Boston without thought of change, since in the privacy of his own mind he had already condemned America, and in particular Boston, as a most unconstitutional. undesirable place of residence. He had made a mistake, he told himself, to be somehow endured till the war was at an end. He would then return to France, settle in some unmolested village, where in good time he would arrange a suitable marriage for his daughter. During the months or years, which must necessarily elapse before the desirable denouement, he had his beloved books,

Starting point is 03:02:38 and for the rest little mattered. But he was a good father, mindful, when not too absorbed in his literary pursuits, of his motherless child. So the brief conversation resulted in various pilgrimages to more or less ugly suburbs, where the rents were of a highness. And finally, by the merest chance,

Starting point is 03:03:03 to a town further away, amid real trees and fields, with country roads and farms not far distant. Here was a vacant house, with the sun looking in through its small paned windows. Here also were shade trees, shrubs, plenty of space for flowers in beds and borders, and best of all, an indubitable apple tree,

Starting point is 03:03:28 with promise of abundant fruitage already visible on its gnarled boughs. Here, Madeline, a fresher rose blooming in, her cheeks, was presently singing about her work, which appeared less irksome than in the ugly city rooms. And here also, Monsieur de Seix, once more content, resigned himself to the narcotic soothing of his books, satisfied that when the proper time arrived for the marriage of Madeleine, the dove of peace would be brooding his distracted country. He even permitted himself to hope that his beloved Alsace might be restored to France, with all her drooping lilies freshened into new beauty.

Starting point is 03:04:11 But of this soaring aspiration he said nothing, bitterly realising the Teuton prowess. Even in American towns and villages, one's eyes and ears were constantly assailed by uncouth German names and the dissonant speech of the foe. But what would you? It was always possible to avoid such persons.

Starting point is 03:04:33 Caution, Monsieur de Cé, characterised them under indignant breath, which epithet as a matter of course is to be metaphorically interpreted as for the americans as it please the english-speaking inhabitants of this crude almost barbaric country to call themselves one might spend a not unprofitable period in studying their strange customs to this end m de se applied himself with some diligence to the mastery of the english tongue it was a bet of a language being a bit of a language being a entirely lacking in the facile grace of the French. But again, what would you? The few, the very few persons he had met in America, who professed to speak his own language, accomplished such excruciating torture of his sensitive ears that he begged them almost with tears to desist. Your pardon, madame, oh monsieur, as the case might be, but I will speak to you

Starting point is 03:05:32 l'engley, he would say with dignity. there was a certain fat blank book reposing in m de se's espritroix on which from time to time he wrote in careful french his impressions of the natives of america somewhere in the back of his brain lurked the secret aspiration of one day achieving a literary reputation and why not begin with these deliberate and profound studies of foreign life as he was now beholding it Miss Malvina Bennett was very far from realising the sort of interest she had aroused in her neighbour, but she found a new zest in living as the spring advanced, and the yard next door began to bud and blossom under the intelligent care of the Desaise. It was pleasant to sit by her low windowsill, which afforded a convenient resting place for spools, buttons, and other properties of her trade,

Starting point is 03:06:32 and likewise commanded a sweeping view of the neighbouring garden and front porch. He's a setting out on the stoop this morning with his book as usual, she would tell her mother. And Madeline's got her dish towels spread on the barbree bush to try. Now she's digging her poses. Do you ever see the beat of them too? And Mar Bennett would draw her far-seeing specks over her faded eyes and gaze and gaze at the spectacle of Monsieur de Seix in a frogged velvet coat, slowly turning the pages of his book, and of the light figure of the girl coming and going in her pink cotton frock.

Starting point is 03:07:13 "'Land Malvini,' she would say, "'if he ain't started up to come over here again. "'What in creation ye want this time a day?' "'Not being in the secret of the fat blank book, "'which by now boasted several pages, covered with exquisite script recording the writer's impressions of a cutourierre d'Armerique, Miss Marvina could only speculate vaguely as to the motives which brought her neighbours so frequently to her door. After one or two occasions devoted to ceremonial interviews in the haircloth parlour,

Starting point is 03:07:49 Miss Malvina decided not to make company of the gentleman from foreign parts. It ain't as if he was a regular man, she told Marr, he's different from the men-folks round ear as chop is from cheese and having arrived at this sagacious conclusion miss malvina fell into the easy habit of permitting monsieur de se and his daughter the freedom of the kitchen where she kept her sewing-machine during the months when fire was a necessity sit right down in the rotten chair she would say hospitably i can stitch up this ear seam in two jerks of a lamb's tail and then we can talk on a radiant afternoon in early may behold them thus miss malvina industriously binding the seams of a robe destined to enhance the fading charms of mrs obed salter mar sleepily knitting while the cat played with her ball of yarn under the table and monsieur de say paying diligent heed to the little dressmaker's fluent conversation after various unsuccessful attempts to master her frequent and remarkable figures of speech monsieur de sey had concluded that english was a vastly more malleable language than he had at first supposed it he now resorted to the socratic method miss malvina he observed blandly i have heard you speak of two jericho of the tale of the lamb.

Starting point is 03:09:18 I have in my dictionary earnestly sought those words, but as yet I do not comprehend the meaning. You will, of your kindness, tell me, if I also should speak those words, and on what occasion? Miss Bennett gazed pityingly at her visitor. He was a personable figure of a man, though regrettably foreign in his appearance. Even his garments, though well-fitting and a fine

Starting point is 03:09:46 material did not in the least resemble American store clothes. His eyes, very dark and keen, appeared to emit occasional sparkles of disconcerting mirth. Miss Malvina sniffed tentatively. I don't know as I ever give the subject any earnest consideration, she said thoughtfully. You ain't obliged to say it, but won't hurt you none to learn to talk like civilised folks. "'Vuala!' he exclaimed eagerly. "'That is what I wish to speak quite correct. "'You will teach me, eh?'

Starting point is 03:10:24 He smiled engagingly, "'the corners of his upturned mustache "'landing an agreeable emphasis to his words. "'I shall learn, Nespur, in one, two, jerk of a lambtail, eh? "'Do I say exactly?' "'Miss Malvina cackled. "'Oh, you certainly do beat the darts. she exclaimed but you might as well leave the par and mar off your remarks maybe i'd better turn to and learn french he says to madeline yesterday bongsoir i says just like that you ought to word her laugh

Starting point is 03:11:00 monsieur de se looked pained my daughter is young excessively and what you call foolish he said he shook his head do not I beg, attempt to speak our language. It is to, oh, no, taint so bad as I thought, first off, interrupted Miss Malvina kindly. I bet I'll be parley viewing as well as the next one before you know it. It would be kind of fun, I think. Me and Madeline's getting long first rate. I'm learning her, so she'll be up to snuff in no time.

Starting point is 03:11:38 Up to snuff, repeated, Monsieur de Cé. What is that word, most interesting miss marvina a two pins firmly clenched between her teeth paused to survey a twisting seam up the snuff is what you ain't she said cruelly but there i guess that wasn't so very nice a me seen as you ain't in no ways to blame for being french if the truth was knowed maybe that's just what hails miss obbs a tryin a be foreign when she ain't if i couldn't do no better not on a dress waste, I'd eat my best bonnet. Ah, it is idiom, nispa. Eat my best bonnet. All idiom, I think.

Starting point is 03:12:25 Ah, very great of interest, yes. He wrote briskly in a leather-covered memorandum book, while Miss Malvina bent her mind upon the intricate problem of the misshapen seam. Malvini, said Mar Bennett, who had suddenly come to life in the act of rest. rescuing her ball of yarn from the cat i see madeline out there talking to a young man over the fence looks me like ary schwartz yes tis confirmed miss melvina placidly well ary's a real nice young feller and his folks has got money i'd like to see madeline with a likely beau she's a good girl and pretty as a pink monsieur de sey darted an inquiring look toward his own menage then he arose, restored the memorandum book to his pocket without apparent haste,

Starting point is 03:13:19 and approached Mar Bennett, as was his invariable procedure on arrival and departure. Madame, said he, heels together, hand over his heart, me compliment, I am excessively obliged for your hospitality. Oh, land's sakes, don't mention it, protested Mar. No one, as far as she could remember, had ever paid. her the slightest deference. It gave her an added sense of self-importance which she found singularly agreeable. Permitte me, continued the Frenchman, still more politely, as he restored the disputed ball of yarn to its lawful owner. Miss Malvina dropped her work in her lap, and with

Starting point is 03:14:04 subdued sparkle under her lids, awaited her own particular leave-taking. It was customarily not less ceremonial than that accorded to Marr, but with a barely perceptible shade of difference, an added savour of esteem, apparent to Miss Malvina alone. Today, to her surprise, Monsieur de Seix retreated nimbly toward the door. Miss Malvina, adieu, and my thanks, my compliment, was all he said, as he backed out of the door in perfect form. Well, did you ever? if the little dressmaker visibly dismayed.

Starting point is 03:14:43 Seems like he's in a hurry, observed Mars, sagaciously. Maybe he's got his eye on Madeleine's bow. And then again, maybe he's mad at something or other. I wouldn't get too familiar with a foreigner if I was you, Malvinny. They ain't to be trusted. But Miss Malvina's sewing machine opposed a noisy whir of defiance to Mar's unfounded opinions. end of chapter twelve chapter thirteen of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain madeline de sey in her pink cotton gown the colour of a rose a rare tint which appeared to be reflected more richly in her glowing face was still talking or was it merely listening to the tall young man on the further side of the fence when monsieur de sey with no undue appearance

Starting point is 03:15:45 of haste joined his daughter. One might have supposed he had at that moment first perceived the stalwart person of the intruder, so genuine and unaffected was his surprise. "'Oh, monsieur,' he murmured gently, "'possess the advantage, is it not? "'I have not ze pleasure, no?' The girl turned quickly, and in the act a wave of crimson submerged the warm rose of her cheek. Oh, she breathed, quite, and yet not quite as an American girl would have spoken the small word, signifying surprise and pleasure, or was it merely dismay?

Starting point is 03:16:26 The young man's head was bare, and the wind blew his curly brown hair about his blue eyes, which were frankly occupied with the girl to the exclusion of all else. But at the tactful interruption, meant, without doubt, to hold a shade of reproof, he glanced up your father he asked cheerfully glad to know you sir i had the pleasure of meeting mr say some weeks ago perhaps she told you of the spill of the spill echoed the older man still bland but unsmiling i fear i do not understand this word is not familiar and you he turned to his daughter you have not in twi'n't produce my madeline where par example is your civility his playful manner took all the sting from his words or so young harry schwartz was thinking he was therefore quite unprepared for what followed permit me to present to my father monsieur henri le noir she said breathlessly and flashed a pleading glance at the partner of her late adventure ah monsieur de sey's voice held quick relief undisguised satisfaction mingled with cautious reserve but the sort of reserve which is ready to melt into complete cordiality a compatriote monsieur i grasped your hand with great pleasure harry schwartz understood and took instant advantage of the proffered hand the rapidly spoken french phrase troubled him he shook his head he shook his head

Starting point is 03:18:12 regretfully. I didn't learn much French in school, he acknowledged. Oh, voila. You are American born, I perceive. Monsieur de Cés' tone expressed keen regret. But, my friend, you should learn the language erraliterre. It is great pity, such ignorance. Forgive if I speak without disguise of sentiment.

Starting point is 03:18:39 The young man drew his frank brows together, in a puzzled frown. He was trying, with small success, to comprehend not merely Monsieur de Seix's halting English, but the singular sea change, which had come over his own honest name. Why had Madeline, he already thought of her as Madeline, called him Le Noir.

Starting point is 03:19:02 In the meantime, it appeared necessary to say the right thing, if one could by any means be sure of it, to this insistent person in the frog-d velvet coat. i'm awfully sorry i'm such an ignoramus he blurted out but i guess i could make a stab at french if i put my mind to it i wish couldn't you teach me sir i'd study like a nailer i vow i would it was a credit to monsieur de say's quick wits as well as to his recent studies in the singular english idioms that he grasped the import of this speech his grave face brightened i am not professor of french language and literature he stated with dignity still to oblige a compatriot who will sans dut acquire his own language with ease i shall have the most great pleasure You will begin immediately, nisper? I will cause you to forget the fact lamentable that you are born American.

Starting point is 03:20:08 Oh, I say, murmured the astonished recipient to this magnificent offer. You are a lot too good, sir. Oh, but I'm afraid I... He stole a look at the girl. She was apparently intent upon the spray of lilac bloom. She was slowly denuding of its florets. Upon the melting rose, of her cheek, the dark lashes cast a distracting shadow. About the corners of her mouth, an

Starting point is 03:20:35 elusive dimple came and went. Well, if you think I could learn, sir, I was never very good at Latin. Oh, Settement, cried Monsieur de Say with some impatience. Not for nothing, I've used a saint-froix to speak to my daughter. Allo, I now present to you book. You shall also learn many things most necessary for polite. He held the gate wide, and Harry Schwartz entered, his brow still corrugated with unaccustomed thought. Madeline raised her eyes for an instant, but she did not smile. He even thought he detected a shade of displeasure in the look she bent upon him,

Starting point is 03:21:18 as he lingered behind the impetuous Frenchman, who had dashed into the house in quest of the initial medium of instruction. What's the matter with my name? he inquired. Did you forget it? She surveyed him disdainfully from under her lashes. Stupid, she murmured. Not for you do I your so ugly name transfer to most beautiful French, but for my father who hate, detest such a German word.

Starting point is 03:21:50 You understand? Never do I again speak to you if you are. Oh, you bet I won't, he promised eagerly. I'm not so slow. I get you okay. But say, you won't mind if I take your father up on that proposition, will you? I am keen to learn French, always wanted to, on his engine. I'll study evenings.

Starting point is 03:22:14 Madeleine smiled inscrutably. Also, I learn to speak English, she said. Very quick I learn. Miss Madeline, teach me many things in two jerks of a lamb tail, you see? You mean the old-made dressmaker next door? He asked incredulously. Is she teaching you English?

Starting point is 03:22:39 Madeleine nodded. My paire also? We are most interested. We study idiom, like you eat my best bonnet. My dear, me, I find your English not a jean. but most reasonable. What do you call funny? I bet Doller I learn more quick than you.

Starting point is 03:23:04 My star alive, yes. You sure are making some progress, agreed the young man cheerfully. But I can teach you too. I'll bet I can knock the spots out of Miss Malvina when it comes to idioms. I know them all. You knock the spots of Miss Malvina. It is most wooden knock. Knock the spots is an idiom.

Starting point is 03:23:31 It means, I can lay all over, Miss Malvina, when it comes to teaching you good, plain American. I can beat her hollow, or beat her to her frazzle. Means the same thing. She's old-fashioned. Old-fashioned? Yes, behind the times. Not up to date.

Starting point is 03:23:52 You want to hit your wagon to a star. Ah, that's me! And young Harry Schwartz grinned audaciously. We also have idiom, she informed him. You shall see. But my paire has discovered a book of learning. He is not glad for me to talk to you. Why not?

Starting point is 03:24:16 I flattered myself your father cotton to me. She swept him a quaint curtsy. Goodbye. i make myself of a sudden scurce like teeth of hen quick absent you understand by the living jingo mused harry schwartz as he walked away ten minutes later a copy of fenelon's telemarcos under his arm if she isn't a perfect peach is little angry in luck you can just bet he is and he tossed monsieur de sey's treasured fenelon into the air and caught it again to the imminent peril of its old world binding end of chapter thirteen chapter fourteen of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain mrs wessels her face drawn into myriad puckers of protest stripped the suds from her red fingers and straightened her long lank back which appeared more or less permanently bowed by much stooping over laundry tubs. You ain't never going to take that their baby out today. You know all this sun and wind,

Starting point is 03:25:37 be you? She inquired. Mrs. Pettibone repeated her statement to that effect, adding a request that Mrs. Wessels should assist in lowering the baby carriage down the parsonage front steps. Mrs. Wessels gazed searchingly at the minister's wife. Say, there's one thing I like to know first off. was that baby took up to the attic before you brought him downstairs why of course not replied mrs pettibone with some impatience why should the baby be taken to the attic i might anode she wouldn't a-took the trouble mourned mrs wessles rolling up her eyes to the ceiling oh i oughtn't attend it to that myself before it was too late what with you on the flat of your back and Mr. Pettibone likely never knowing nothing, no more in the child. That nurse from Boston was enough to make a body forget to say their prayers, let alone looking after other folks' children.

Starting point is 03:26:41 Says I ain't the Wessles. That dratted woman, I says, is what I call the living limit. I had all I could do a stomach or a sass, and I wouldn't have neither if it hadn't been for you, were laying upstairs on your dying bed but i didn't die protested mrs pettibone i'm alive and well and so is baby he's gained half a pound this week louisa oh you don't say well i s'pose twon't hurt none to tell you now but i never look to see you round this kitchen again says ida wessels poor mr pettipone's goin to get bereaved a second time i says but where there's a second'll generally be a third i says they kind o get the abbot not that it's a bad one what with widders and old maids are plenty i guess you know how that is yourself.

Starting point is 03:27:41 What about taking the baby to the attic? Tactfully interrupted the second, Mrs. Pettibone. I guess you ain't lived all these years without knowing that sign? You haven't heard, did I? Well, I want know. Of course, it's too late for that baby you're now. But in case there was ever another, well, you've got to take them upstairs before you take them.

Starting point is 03:28:09 them down or else they'll come down in the world instead of rising i recollect we didn't have no attic to the house where most of my children were born but i says to wessell's you can take em up to the roof i says yes ma'am catch me neglecting my children wessels kind of aided to try it but i says to him you get the ladder i says and set it right be my window i says and i'll land georgie out as you go past I born this ear baby, I says, and it's your part to see to it he gets ahead in the world. Suppose I should drop him, says Wessels. Don't you dare, I says. I'm bound and determined to have our Georgie go up in the world, I says. And just account of that,

Starting point is 03:28:58 there ain't a smarter boy in this here town than my Georgie. I ain't going to be surprised to see him president some of these days. I bet the time was when, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson wears just the same age as my Georgie and wore their knee pants and like that and had to learn the difference between 8 times 7 and 6 times 9

Starting point is 03:29:21 if there is one Georgie says there is my he's a known as boy Now if you'll help me lift the baby carriage down the steps interrupted Mrs Pettybone Did that critter from Boston Tell you a stray dog

Starting point is 03:29:39 come along and dug all right in under your bedroom window the very next day after he was born demanded mrs wessles but mrs pettibone pretended not to hear being already embarked upon her first proud maternal pilgrimage pushing the perambulator which seemed to have grown surprisingly heavy during its long sojourn in the attic yes mum twas a yellow dog i never seen before he run right in the yard where i was hanging out with dish-towls and i drove him off came mrs wessel's pursuing voice but he come right back and the next thing i knowed when i stepped out to throw some potato peels in the swill-pail there he was large as life sitting by the edge of a grave he dug and howling to beat the cars i never knowed it to fail miss pettibone and-and-and-o'n't-fail miss pettibone and-anded and i never knowed it to fail miss pettibone and inside of a year anyhow so if anything happens to the baby remember you got your warning the last words born on the warm may wind reached mrs pettibone's ears like a hateful echo of her own thoughts she stooped to tuck the blankets more snugly about the sleeping child i'm not afraid she said to herself i'm not going to think about losing him just because i love him so doesn't mean that God will take him away. God isn't like that. At family prayers that morning, a function which had been resumed as soon as she was able to come downstairs, she had listened to her husband's voice reading the decalogue.

Starting point is 03:31:20 Of course, she had known the commandments ever since she could remember, but one phrase had sounded insistently in her ears while she bathed and dressed the baby. For I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God. suppose it should be true after the baby had lapsed into rosy slumber she tucked him into his carriage and pattered softly away to her mecca before the door of mr pettibone's study she paused uncertainly he would be busy writing his sunday sermon she knew and there was to be a funeral at eleven he looked up abstractedly as she timidly opened the door ah my dear what is it i wanted to ask you something she faltered it'll only take a minute and you couldn't wait for that minute then it must be something important he inferred he held out his hand to her kindly it is important to me and yes to you and the baby well he surveyed her thoughtfully this small woman who had once seemed a wholly negligible personality to most people in his field including himself had latterly grown to be of paramount interest to many persons and more nay most particularly to himself

Starting point is 03:32:44 she had become his second wife she was rapidly becoming his second self he recognised that self in the question she tremulously put to him why is god jealous he tapped his paper thoughtfully with his pencil mr pettibone preferred a pencil with an eraser for composition, the eraser gave one a pleasant sense of freedom. It appeared to make written thoughts more easily malleable, like clay in the hands of the sculptor. Thought, advanced to the dignity of ink, then to type, which may yet be changed, and then to the inviolable plate, approaches the fixed state of marble, when what is made is made, be it good or ill. You are thinking, he said, of the decalogue I read this morning.

Starting point is 03:33:34 Yes, she breathed, and afterwards I was afraid. I am too happy, perhaps, and if God, my dear failure, he said gravely. It is a seemingly unfortunate characteristic of the human mind that our highest convictions, our most illumined aspirations, seldom remain in a fixed state. We attain the heights, only to slip back again, into, the depths once we have so hopefully emerged but a little while before. Go back in your experience, my dear, and recall the days when you found that God was kind and even lavishly generous in the matter of gowns and husbands.

Starting point is 03:34:23 There was a glint of humour in the eyes he lifted to hers, but with it appeared a shadow of real anxiety. Don't fail me, my dear, he went on. more seriously i shall continue to have need of your optimism and your strong faith as to the word jealous it is perhaps unfortunately translated there's no hint there of the cruel suspicion we mortals call jealousy say rather vigilant or watchful i the lord thy god am a vigilant god you are quite right in being happy if you are happy are happy his eyes questioned her keenly oh i am i am she cried clasping her hands passionately and yet your lot in life is not an easy one he sighed if one could only be rid once and for all of being afraid she said after a longish pause i believe we shall sometime or other he murmured abstractedly. Fear has come up with us from the jungle of creation. It pads, pads after us like a velvet-footed beast in the dark. But the beast will all be put under our feet once we emerge into

Starting point is 03:35:48 the glorious liberty of the sons of God. His pencil once more began to move rapidly over the paper. He had forgotten her presence, perceiving which she slipped away to the kitchen, where Mrs Wessels, after a third heartening cup of tea, had resumed a belated washing. I don't see how people can live who are always thinking and talking of bad signs, said Mrs. Pettibone to herself, as she once more put the perambulator into motion.

Starting point is 03:36:19 She blushed, as she recalled her own unreasoning anxiety to glimpse the new moon over her right shoulder. Oh, yes, and I prefer to pick up a pin with its head towards me, and I cried once when I broke a looking-glass, and mother did die that same year, but of course it wasn't the looking-glass. And now, just because a yellow dog, I'm ashamed, ashamed to be so silly. Our god is vigilant, a vigilant God, I must remember that.

Starting point is 03:36:55 In him I live and move and have my being. i mustn't forget even for a minute she stopped first at the butchers for a modest purchase receiving with smiles and blushes the heartfelt congratulations of that worthy purveyor of flesh foods it certainly does seem good to see you out with the little market wagon of yours once more said mr kelly as he cut and trimmed the three lamb chops she had ordered with scrupulous care his rotund person and broad red face appeared to radiate hearty goodwill as he handed the small neat parcel to Mrs. Pettibone, who tucked it carefully under the blankets. I suppose I can take a peek, eh? Oh my, my, what a fine, fat baby. Don't look exactly like the domine, ain't he? Mrs. Pettibone fervently hoped so. Whatever became of the other little chap, pursued Mr. Kelly.

Starting point is 03:37:58 "'Oh, say, that was tough, his folks taking him away, "'after you and the domine had put yourselves out the way you're done to raise him.' "'Oh, Stephen is well,' said Mrs. Pettibone, her bright face clouding a little. "'I had a letter from Mrs. Maitland only the other day. "'They're living in Chicago, you know.' "'She patted the blue and white coverlid, which had once brooded another treasure. "'We felt it was right his parents should have him,' she said. but I, I, it was like losing a child when they took him.

Starting point is 03:38:35 I'll bet it was, agreed Mr Kelly warmly. He was a fine little chap and no mistake. Well, I guess now you've got one of your own. You'll never miss him. Filura Pettibone allowed the statement to pass unchallenged. It was merely an echo of a widespread parochial opinion. Mrs. Buckthorne, indeed, had congratulated. her upon the loss of her adopted child a smiling providence as she called it adding you ought to be glad and thankful that that child's provided for

Starting point is 03:39:11 but mrs pettipone could not help picturing to herself the beautiful little figure of stephen as he looked in the photograph his mother had sent her he'd be large enough by now to trot alongside the perambulator but the lord our god was a vigilant God, and he had seen to it that Stephen was restored to his young mother. End of Chapter 14. Chapter 15 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. At this point in her somewhat pensive meditations, Mrs. Pettibone found herself in front of Trimmer's store, which put her in mind of the pale blue slippers also tucked under the blankets.

Starting point is 03:40:03 They had not, after all, proved to be the, the right size. Several baby carriages, exuding woolly blankets, stood in front of the Emporium. The mothers presumably were shopping inside. It was a lax maternal practice strongly disapproved by Mrs. Pettibone. What if the baby should wake up and cry? What if he should fall out of his carriage? And what if, oh, half a hundred things, including runaway horses, kidnappers and mad dogs. Still, there was Mrs. Puffer's shabby perambulator, with the latest pink and white puffer fast asleep and wholly unguarded.

Starting point is 03:40:44 Mrs. Pettibone wondered if she might add her treasure to the group, if only for the moment required to exchange size three for size four in a pale blue felt slipper adorned with pom-poms. Mr Pettibone had told his wife with considerable detail of the gloomy young Englishman, lured to America and despised immunity by the unprincipled arts of his mother. It appeared that Mr. Pettibone strongly disapproved

Starting point is 03:41:13 of Mrs. Hobbs' methods of securing safety for her son. A man, he stated forensically, should be permitted to decide such questions for himself without female interference. Mrs. Pettibone differed widely from her husband's conclusions She hugged her baby to her breast With that air of complete ownership The minister had frequently observed in the matrons of his flock

Starting point is 03:41:40 I would never, never let them take my baby away from me to shoot at She said passionately and I wouldn't let them have you either Let us suppose, suggested Mr Pettibone merely for the sake of argument my dear That every woman would take that stand what then would become of our vaunted patriotism? Mrs. Pettibone didn't know, she was sure. She considered the question in mutinous silence,

Starting point is 03:42:11 while her husband went to some pains to explain how this supreme test of the universal application put everything in its true light and solved the most puzzling questions. Women, he concluded somewhat grandiosly, are always too prone to take the limited, personal view whereas men well anyway interrupted his wife tucking up the baby's feet a little more snugly if all the women did it there couldn't be any war if all the women if all the women took all their boys and their husbands away like that mrs hobbs all the english and germans and french you know then the kings and kaisers

Starting point is 03:42:59 and czars and emperors would be obliged to go into the trenches themselves and my dear failurea protested the minister warmly you're talking the merest nonsense i'm only making it universal she persisted demurely if there weren't any men to shoot and be shot at then the kaisers and heroes abruptly glancing at his watch we're wasting time he stated with some asperity she heard the study door close firmly behind him i don't care she said to herself i'd like to see them shooting at each other then she laid a pink blanket over the white one and deposited the woolly chrysalis thus formed under a blue slumber robe in the crib cooing in an absurd little monotone nasty old kings and kaisers and things mother would just love to see them right down in a deep, deep, muddy trench, so she would. They never shall get Mother's lamb. A vague reminiscence of the foregoing discussion recurred to her now

Starting point is 03:44:12 as she made her way toward the shoe department, where a tall young man, with a dark wave of hair drooping over his forehead, was counting change into the hand of a small girl in a red tan. He had white, even teeth. She observed this when he smiled at the little girl. square military shoulders and clear grey eyes under strongly marked brows. This could be no other than Horatio Herbert Kitchener Hobbs. He's very good-looking, she decided.

Starting point is 03:44:43 If I'd been Mrs. Hobbs, I'm sure I should have done exactly. Then she launched into a somewhat breathless explanation of her errand as the salvaged Britain turned to give her his undivided attention. Perhaps Mr Hobbes would. remember a gentleman, a tall gentleman with grey hair, Mr Pettibone, in short, purchasing a pair of pale blue slippers? Mr. Hobbs recalled the circumstances perfectly. The gentleman had been obliged to guess the size.

Starting point is 03:45:15 Yes, he had rather expected the return of those slippers, and would Mrs Pettibone, if, peradventure, he was speaking to Mrs. Pettibone, mindful of her proud estate as the white, for the clergyman mrs pettibone held out a timid hand of greeting after a moment of puzzled indecision the young man took it you're very good he murmured an ingenuous blush enhancing his youthful good looks mr pettibone told me all about you beamed mrs pettibone graciously and i mean to go and see your mother just as soon as i can leave the baby oh that reminds me i must hurry the young man turned from an inspection of a row of boxes. His spine appeared to have stiffened. I'm afraid we haven't that style of slipper in light blue,

Starting point is 03:46:06 he said coldly. Wouldn't pink do or black? Oh, and would you mind bringing them out to me? asked Mrs. Pettibone in an agitated voice. The black will do. Oh, yes, size four, please. He caught something further about the carriage outside and turned to see the small lady in grey hurrying,

Starting point is 03:46:28 toward the door. As he stood, still hesitating, he heard a sharp cough at his elbow and looked down to find his employer gazing at him with an air of alert suspicion that Mr Trimmer affected toward his clerks. "'Well, Hobbs,' said Mr Trimmer sharply, "'any sales this morning? What did Mrs. Pettibone want in this department, hey? I saw her talking to you.' "'She wished to exchange some slippers, sir,' replied young Hobbs rather sulkily. asked me to bring them out to her carriage he had conceived a violent and wholly unreasoning dislike for the pompous fussy little man who did not appear in the least to realise that he was merely a haberdasher the exiled englishman gazed coldly over the top of mr trimmer's shining bald head a mighty wave of passionate affection for his own country where tradespeople realise their true position mingled with futile anger at his own inglorious fate submerging him so completely

Starting point is 03:47:30 that he scarcely heard that gentleman's grumbled comments. He understood vaguely that he was to fetch the slippers out to Mrs. Pettibone's carriage, but no carriage was visible when he arrived at the curb. He stood for a moment in the sunlight,

Starting point is 03:47:46 his comely head bare, his eyes searching the dull street. Then all at once, fate, in the guise of a small and disreputable yellow dog, ran between his legs, almost upsetting him. Just how it came to pass,

Starting point is 03:48:02 the young Englishman never attempted to explain, even in the seclusion of his own thoughts, but he presently found himself in full pursuit of a girl in a pink dress, who fled before him down the street, the yellow dog welled to the fore, and a small brown paper parcel dangling from his jaws. A woman's dismayed voice had called, Catch him, catch him!

Starting point is 03:48:27 and then someone had laughed, a fresh joyous sound, and Kitchener Hobbs instantly joined the chase, his spirits expanding, shaking off the dull load which had harassed him. Neither the yellow dog nor the girl in pink, who managed to maintain her lead for some distance, appeared to him to be the goal. It was rather the joy of swift motion,

Starting point is 03:48:52 the long-suppressed sense of power, which sprang suddenly to full height, like a grinning and triumphant jack in the box. He could have run on and on, but the yellow dog foolishly paused for a moment to sniff his booty, and in that moment the girl alertly pounced upon the disputed parcel. Mechon, she cried. Petit Laurent.

Starting point is 03:49:16 Quick, begone, oh, I beat you. The yellow dog, his diminutive tail between his legs, slunk hurriedly away, turning eyes so express, of pain disappointment upon the girl that she laughed aloud the fresh joyous sound he had heard before it seemed the most natural thing in the world for him to speak to her and equally inevitable for her to smile up at him as she replied the quiet street might have been a meadow in arcadia so far removed seemed these two from the stupid conventions of the world even the yellow dog after a brief period devoted to sagacious reconnaissance from behind a bush, turned and trotted wistfully after them. My word, said young Hobbes admiringly,

Starting point is 03:50:06 how you can run. And you caught the thief just in time. Was it anything valuable? Me? I am not aware. She smiled up at him. Voila, I beholds this so bad animal about to devour the petite infant. But no, it was only a little.

Starting point is 03:50:27 she is concealed under the robe of bebe she held out for his inspection the minister's modest dinner still secure in its brown paper wrappings he was gazing down at her with their entire absence of curiosity as to the contents of mrs pettibone's salvaged property they were walking slowly very slowly as was natural after their late exertions in the chase there was something vaguely familiar or so he was thinking in her piquant face it was like recovering a memory infinitely precious and only vaguely missed for an indefinite period were you ever in london he asked suddenly me she shook her head no monsieur ne'erre i am of france oh yes but i have surely seen you before somewhere there. Recognition slowly dawned in her eyes. In Boston! That's so ugly city. I think I see Monsieur on once or twice on the street or in a shop, but always very twist, melancholic, ne's per. He drew his dark brows into a frowning line.

Starting point is 03:51:48 I desire to enlist in the British Army, he told her, in the somewhat wooden French, of the average Englishman who attempts to acquire the elegant language of his neighbours across the channel. Her face became suddenly radiant. Ah, you speak my language, she cried. And also, you would fight for my country. But why then are you here?

Starting point is 03:52:13 My mother's an American, he explained, his face crimsoning under her questioning eyes. I'm afraid you wouldn't understand. She was obviously eager to make the attempt, and he went on haltingly. Oh, you see, I can speak pretty fair French, and they wanted me for an interpreter. Most of our tommies can't talk anything but cockley. And so they, oh my word, I can't seem to remember my tenses when you look at me like that. He had lapsed into English and was smiling at her boyishly.

Starting point is 03:52:49 Oh, speak to me in English. she entreated me i understand to beat the cars you see all the time i study your so beautiful talk oh good land yes her pretty air of triumph halted the smile on his lips i fancy somebody is teaching you united states he commented but i'm used to it from hearing mother talk i told you my mother is an american she nodded eagerly but you will fight for you For France, eh? A dark wing of pain shadowed his face. How can I, when I'm forced to be here, he said gruffly. My mother was ill. She was determined to come home, and I, like a fool I came to.

Starting point is 03:53:38 Afterwards, well, I found she was afraid that I'd be killed. Madeline absinent-mindedly stroked the yellow dog, who at this instant obtruded his starved person between them. I understand. she nodded me i am not so stupid like this so mechon you come to america with your mamma me with my papa her gravity broke and delighted laughed a star alive i think we are allies of the entente you and meh this petit laron is that so bad wicked germany and the little baby is belgium you see my friend we have conquered we have rescued it is what you call a good sign eh we fight you and me without realizing it the two had been loitering unpardonably so mrs pettibone pushing the perambulator with anxious haste had covered almost half the distance of their flight when she met them even then the two unheeding young things would have passed her by without a glance

Starting point is 03:54:51 he was bending toward her his eyes all lighted with ardour and she was gazing up at him and the yellow dog quite unheeded was tugging hungrily at the dangling string of the minister's dinner what young hobbs would have said in response to her audacious figure of speech can only be surmised oh thank you said mrs pettibone how very kind of you both to rescue my parcel she held out her hand for it confidently won't you introduce me mr hobbs i see that you are friends the two glanced each other in sudden dismay the girl recovered herself first you perceive madeleine de se she curts it i have a grand pleasure to restore again your possession madame mrs pettibone received the information and the parcel with unaffected gratitude her small face under its unfashionable hat brim, quite pink with surprise and pleasure. I'm Mrs. Pettibone, she said. Perhaps you didn't know it, Mr. Say.

Starting point is 03:56:00 But you're living in my house. I was so glad to rent it. Oh, don't hurry away, Mr. Hobbs. I haven't thanked you yet. And the slippers. Oh, yes, thank you. And to think that you know, Mr. Say. How very pleasant!

Starting point is 03:56:19 "'Oh, land's sake, yes,' agreed Madeline calmly. "'In Boston we are already met. "'Me, I am surprised to beat the band "'when I perceive Mr. Robb. "'I bet he's... "'But no, he bet your boot.' "'Mrs. Pettibone's smile "'be became slowly petrified.

Starting point is 03:56:44 "'She turned wide eyes of astonishment upon the girl "'who was dimpling, in triumph over her mastery of the difficult English tongue. Mr. Say, offered Mr. Hobbs gravely, has been acquiring a special brand of United States from some kind friend. Oh, I see, murmured the minister's wife. Really, someone should... Mechanically, she tucked the three lamb chops under the baby's blanket,

Starting point is 03:57:16 cruelly ignoring a pair of bright brown eyes. and a small wistful yellow nose. At this slight disturbance of his swathings, the youthful occupant of the vehicle awoke to a realization of his rights. It was his lawful time to cry, being ten minutes of his lunch hour, and he announced the fact, loudly, even terrifyingly, to the uninitiated.

Starting point is 03:57:42 Mr. Hobbes glanced at his watch, with the air of one suddenly recalled to earth after a brief sojourn in the super-world. I fear I may be needed in the shop, he bethought himself regretfully. I have the honour to bid you good morning, ladies. And he marched away, very erect and soldierly, aware of Madeline's bright gaze,

Starting point is 03:58:06 which appeared to be boring a hole right through to his heart, like a well-aimed bullet. How very odd for you to have met Mr. Hobbs before. "'O' observed Mrs. Pettibone, "'striving to ignore the shrill protests of her child. "'No, he's not ill, my dear, only hungry. "'I'll take him home directly. "'He seems a very nice, young man.'

Starting point is 03:58:33 "'Her glance directed the comment from the displeased infant "'to the rapidly receding figure of Mr. Hobbs. "'Have you known him long?' "'Madeline reflected her pretty head on one side. I think I repeat to you one big what you call whopper. When I say I know that a nice young man, she said, he is a stranger to me. I see him only very much sad in Boston. I say to me he is one shaman person, that man.

Starting point is 03:59:08 I love him for his beauze. But to my papa, I say nothing. he not like for me to love i should think not indeed agreed mrs patibone warmly you're much too young for one thing the girl's clear gaze was fastened on her face you are a very nice lady she said politely but much too young for one thing i not understand it is idiom nespa like a pretty cat le fich very much of interest to miso's idiom mrs pettibone was pushing the baby carried with all her feeble strength her breath coming in short quick gasps i'll explain later she said someone should oh permit me i entreat to propel baby hastily interposed the girl you are i think what way frazzles me i am robust and those so little enfons i adore them mrs pettibone sighed her relief as the girl gently pushed her to one side the baby redoubled his efforts his pink fists beating the air oh my stupe,

Starting point is 04:00:33 Dar-a-lai, how he holler the petite povres. Voila. I caused him to desist very quick. You see. She peeped under the cover with pretty gravity, cooing little French phrases of endearment. The baby was her petit cochine de leet, her ju-jou, a jolly pigeon-o,

Starting point is 04:00:57 a miette de sucrose. But the youthful siren of the house of Pettibone would have none of it. He was blind and deaf, but not dumb, to all but a single idea. Mrs. Pettibone strove to be grateful. You seem accustomed to children, she said weekly. Me accustomed?

Starting point is 04:01:20 Oh, my God, yes. Very much I take care of, baby. In my own country, I play with so little infant all time, like a pupet. You understand? Bien. I carry him in my arms for quiet. Concella.

Starting point is 04:01:41 No one of the four, to include the yellow dog, who still trotted hopefully in the rear, so much has glanced at Trimmer's Emporium, which they had chanced to be passing at the moment. The very existence of Kitchener Hobbes was forgotten, or at least totally eclipsed by the gross selfishness of a male being much younger than himself. from his unenviable position behind the shoe-boxes mr hobbs witnessed the abrupt pause of the little cavalcade beheld madeline confidently lift the baby with all his blankets and cradle him in her arms

Starting point is 04:02:16 noted mrs pettibone's anxious flutterings and preening's saw them pass out of range of his straining vision and then his sombre face relaxed in a boyish grin the yellow dog had at last reaped the fruit of intelligent concentration in the shape of a neatly trimmed lamb chop with which he was rapidly scurrying to cover in a neighbouring alley by jove commented mr hobbs under his breath the little chap got away with it after all for a long happy minute he forgot that his name was horatio herbert kitchener he was even conscious of a sneaking gladness that he was in america to the temporary of that supreme pinnacle of human ambition, a muddy trench somewhere in France. End of Chapter 15. Chapter 16 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Fortune was kind to Miss Malvina Bennett all during the spring and well on into the early summer. Or if not Fortuna, that sly goddess of a pagan antiquity, who rudely elbow,

Starting point is 04:03:38 our Christian Providence at every turn, then that superior overruling intelligence easily recognisable in every age. Mrs Hobbes was sincerely grateful for the timely help which had saved her from complete humiliation. The robes, which came from her establishment with praiseworthy promptness, were not only startling in their fidelity to Paris modes, as depicted in American fashion plates, but they wore well. So Madame Louise, plus Miss Malmese, plus Miss Marse, malvina bennet prospered exceedingly i expect i'm a regular fool said miss malvina a playin into your hand the way i be but live and let live is my enduring motto and i'm a goin to show you out a cut dress way so it won't skew g off to one side no matter how the lord made women folks as i says to ma no wonder most of em is one-sided i says seen as the lord was the short o goods The Bible says he had to squeeze the first of them out of one rib And a man's rib at that

Starting point is 04:04:45 So far as I can make out There wasn't too much good material in mentholpe to begin with With most of them being a pretty poor lot from the patriarchs down Now you want to lay your pattern After you drafted it the way I showed you On to your goods just so You got to keep in mind Dress goods is like folks

Starting point is 04:05:08 you've got to manage them. Do you get the idea? Nez-a-pa, as Mr. Desai says. He's French. He lives next door to us, and I'm a picking up the language to beat the cars. The same time, I'm practising him and Madeline, so they can talk right smart.

Starting point is 04:05:28 It's real enjoyable. Mrs Hobbes gazed enviously at her able assistant, as Miss Malvina's swift shears shaped a dress waste. My, she breathed, what an opportunity. The reason I had to leave Boston was because a woman moved in right across the street from where I started up my shop. She could put a French name to everything. First, I knew all my customers left me for her. That's how I came here. Miss Malvina's mouth was temporarily obstructed with pins, but her look spoke volumes. i guess that wasn't the only reason she surmised darkly as she stuck the last pin into the heart-shaped cushion which was never absent from her waist i s'pose that's where you got the bright idea recalling yourself madame louise

Starting point is 04:06:25 oh yes twas confessed mrs hobbs and it did take you can't deny that miss malvina straightened her little figure and gazed almost pityingly at mrs hobs and it did take you can't deny that miss malvina straightened her little figure and gazed almost pityingly at mrs Hobbs. Well, anyway, she said, you've got a real nice boy. I guess he's going to get right in with young folks. I didn't know as you'd ever met my son, said Mrs. Hobbs. She held her head stiffly erect, and red spots appeared on her high cheekbones. Miss Bennett cackled happily. Oh, thank God, I've been able to afford a new pair of shoes for Ma and me too, she said. Oh, he's real handsome. I seen that without half-looking. I'll bet George Trimmers

Starting point is 04:07:14 doing a first-rate shoe business these days. Last year, I remember, Aron Blake was in the shoe department. Orange's umly is a real fence. We red air and freckles and a nose is skiting off to one side of his countenance. Naturally, all the girls was buying their shoes in Boston. They hadn't one of them.

Starting point is 04:07:38 him any use for aaron say he was married emmeline banks but no oh you ought to take notice of the girls that's awful hard to fit keep the shoe clerk a humpin mrs hobbs appeared agitated by divers emotions i fancy my son understands his business she commented with dignity oh you can just bet he does agreed miss malvina and so does the girls there now you'll find this of your waist'll set straight and level do you s'pose you can shape them arm sizes oh don't for pity's sake cut em out too much at the back and nor in the front neither i just about lost my reason tryin to keep them robes from pulling out premature mrs hobbs eyed the result of miss malvina's labours coldly if i wasn't so drove with customers she began and then stopped short to inquire fretfully what do you mean by saying by insiduating i can tell you my heart he never had any use for girls his mind sat on other things miss malvina nodded her mouth once more full of pins yes i know she mumbled he wanted to go to war and you wouldn't let him mhm you told me about it i don't blame you non i'd have kept him out of it too but you can't keep him out a matrimony so easy matrimony miss malvina removed the pins with a swiftness born of long practice that's what i said miss

Starting point is 04:09:23 harps and you'll find i'm dead right she said firmly bright eyes is more dangerous than bullets when it comes to keep nighn some feller all to yourself but there i guess i'd better keep my my shirt or you'll be cutting em off the land knows where i gotta pick up my traps now and be mosey and a long home where's that green and purple for miss onshore and them hooks and eyes oh yes well au revoir mrs hobbs followed the partner of her fortunes there was no longer any attempt at denying their business relationships to the door her vague eyes full of trouble i wish you tell me what you mean she said i'll be worrying night and day in account of what you said twould be pretty near as bad as having him go to war to be married young i mean miss malvina sniffed disdainfully you ought to be ashamed of yourself she said if i had a boy well you ain't interrupted mrs hobbs and you never will have anyway i'd want em to be happy let alone i was feelin a single woman can't rightly say what she'd do if she was a parent as stated mrs hobbs solemnly being a parent is well it makes everything different as i used to to tell my husband but if there was any special girl miss malvina blinked thoughtfully at mrs henshaw's green and purple robe which she was investing with newspaper preparatory to taking it home i wouldn't worry none if i was you mrs hobbs she said kindly young folks will be young folks and we can't expect oh there is a particular girl quavered mrs hobbs

Starting point is 04:11:21 clasping her bony hands oh there now i got you all stirred up over nothin remented miss malvina all i got to say is gals is just like sweet clover blows in the meadows they look pretty and they smell sweet and the young fellows can't no more out being drawed to em and honey-bees maybe your boy is different from the rest of the men folks on account of the war and then again maybe he ain't miss malvina patted her parcel which she had pinned securely and anyway mrs arps you ought to be glad and thankful to have him get acquainted with some nice young folks maybe it'll take his mind off them nasty muddy trenches they say there's rats running round there like kittens in a kitchen oh ain't it awful mrs hobbs faded eyes brightened oh that's so she breathed it might take his mind off do you know she leaned forward and whispered in miss malvina's ear i've been so afraid he'd leave me m m m and go back and enlist my heart's been some better since i came to america i guess he thought i was shamming but when you think of millions of boys like my hoddy being sent out well i don't think about it any more than i can help i couldn't stand it if i did me neither sympathized miss malvina i quit reading war news quite a spell ago thinks i it don't do them no good and it keeps me a worridden i used to lay awake nights first off thinking about all

Starting point is 04:13:20 all them men and boys are laying out there on the ground some of em all are in for water and nobody oh don't begged mrs hobbs well i quit that i had too i got so nervous i couldn't run agather street but ma every time she gets hold of a paper she sets down and reads and if she comes across anything particularly dreadful she'll say oh just listen to this Malvinny but i know what's coming oh in a minute mar i says i got to run up this ear seam lucky my sewing machine ain't one of the quiet running sort i'll bet i thank the lord more than fifty times for keeping me from swapping it off an agent six months ago it's the handiest way to break off a conversation now don't you worry none mrs albs and i'll fetch this ear green and purple back to-morrow you might go ahead with em there are slaves you ought to be able to do that oh but say whatever you do don't you try and lay them by his folds i'd rather not be responsible for em afterwards adieu greatly to her surprise Miss Malvina found Mrs. Dickensse Buckthorne enthroned in the patent rocker in the haircloth parlour.

Starting point is 04:14:52 For a minute her heart beat high with hope. Perhaps her rash words of a few months past had been forgotten. Perhaps Mrs. Buckthorn wanted a dressmaid. Perhaps. But that lady's first words dispelled the nascent idea. I come to you, Melvina, because you are a. nominal Christiana, she said, and because we are striving to enlist even the poorest and humblest in our work against a common foe. Oh, you want to know? murmured the little dressmaker.

Starting point is 04:15:27 She's got a petition, Malvini, explained Ma, busily. I signed we're red ink, and she wants you too. I don't know, as you learn the terrible misfortune that threatens our peaceful community. pursued Mrs. Bukthorne. They're a purposant to build right here in Innesfield, a factory for the manufacturer of bombs. Miss Malvina started back as if one of the munitions of war in question

Starting point is 04:15:59 had exploded in the middle of her parlour rug. For land's sake, she said weakly. Whereabouts? Murderous munitions of a sinful conflict ought not to be constructed within sound of a Christian church bell, intoned Mrs. Buckthorne majestically. There can be no two opinions as to that. You will sign here, Malvina.

Starting point is 04:16:26 These signatures are written in blood, so you will kindly use this fountain pen. Miss Malvina gazed curiously at the document which Mrs. Buckthorne handed her. At the top of the page was written in very blue, We, the undersigned, members of the Innesfield Presbyterian Church, do hereby earnestly protest against the manufacture and sale of munitions of war in our midst, as contemplated by the Merck's Munition Company of Boston Mass. As a Church of Christ, we are stubbornly opposed to war and its

Starting point is 04:17:03 desolations, and as citizens of a peaceful and law-aviding community, we strenuously object being made party to the wholesale slaughter of human beings now going on across the seas. Every name will be of value, if only to increase the volume of protest, said Mrs. Bopthorne. A tain't not going to be right in the village, is it? said Miss Malvina. I heard a spell back when somebody had bought the old woollen mills over by the swamp and was fixing up their buildings for something. Most of these names seem to be women, she added. Can you get no men folks interested? Mrs. Butthorne shook her head.

Starting point is 04:17:47 The men in this ear town, she said acidly, are dead and buried in trespasses and sins. All of them say they're against war. But when it comes to writing down their names in red ink under this ear petition, one and all of them as an excuse. Elder trimmer thinks it'll be a grand opportunity for the church. search so many new working men and their families come into town deacon scrimgear says he owned stock in the old mill and he can't conscientiously use the money he got for it if he signs the petition an obed salter and undertaker beals and enery pratt and george anneshaaw every one of em says business reasons or prevent them from signing miss marvina

Starting point is 04:18:40 seized the pen. I guess I could sidestep that away myself, she said. I bet there'll be a lot on you folks who'll want dresses made like that. But if my name wrote down here in red ink, I'd prevent one nice young fella from having his eyes put out by one of them nasty, exploding things, I'd write it if it was to take the bread out of my mouth the rest of my life. Mrs. Buckthorn screwed the cap on the fountain pen, her mouth puckering into a tight knot during the process. She loosened it to remark, That sentiment does you credit, Melvina.

Starting point is 04:19:19 And that reminds me, how much are you charging for making up a plain gingham dress nowadays? Miss Malvina named a price slightly in excess of her usual rates. She could afford to smile, as she observed Mrs. Butthorn's protestant eyebrows. Prices for most everything in the same. so in line has risen, she said tranquilly. I suppose it's the war.

Starting point is 04:19:46 I had thought of bringing over a piece of goods to be made up, said Mrs. Buckthorn, but not at that price, Malvina. Oh no, not with fuel and provisions at present rates. I cannot afford it. She glanced searchingly about the little room as she spoke. Her eyes pausing at last upon the shining toes of Mar Bennett's new shoes. which the old lady with the eager pride of a child had thrust into prominent view i hope and pray malvina you're not running into debt she added it's a temptation of the evil one malvina to wish to appear better off than we are and only too common in this age of luxury and love of vulgar display

Starting point is 04:20:37 i s'pose joined in miss malvina briskly that there's folks o plenty in this ere town that had seen me and mar carted off to the poor house without batten an eye me that's work summer and winter stay in plackets and arm sizes and like that faithful for folk that don't appreciate it no more in the air they breathe but i guess other dressmakers are quite as conscientious malvina interrupted mrs buckthold as she replaced the document in her black silk bag and drew its strings tight i have had no fault to find with madame louise it was by a praiseworthy exercise of the will that miss malvina suppressed a carnal desire to crow with laughter well she said dryly i guess maybe i ought to thank you miss buckthorne for taking an interest so i'll tell you i ain't running in the debt i got work o plenty even if the barma factory don't open up in the fall which i bet it does seen as there's folks in canada interested i heard em talking it over in saltless grocery when i was there last night by a pound of their best print butter and some of their eighty-cent mixed tea and a bottle of anchovy sauce mrs buckthorn appeared suddenly transfixed her hand on the door-knob what did i understand you to say malvina she asked in a shocked voice i was saying folks from canada own most of the stock in that there bomb factory out by the swamps an old bad salter when he was doin up my pound a coffee says to me but anchovy sauce malvina surely you were not purchasing enchovy

Starting point is 04:22:34 why na i'd like to know inquired the little dressmaker all them tasty things like papriky and stuffed olives and patty de foy grass is real appetising ain't they ma what you say mavini shrilled the old lady i was just telling miss buckthorne we was getting so we really like french cooking maw makes a nice change from codfish and like that or did you ever eat any pot-a-foo miss buckthorne or a pantalette de motong oh you didn't oh for a land's sake well you ought to try em ma's picked up wonderful since I fear you have set your feet in the broad and dangerous paths of sinful lust, Malvina, said Mrs. Buckthorn, her chaste bosom rising and falling tumultuously. I had not intended to speak of it, but it is commonly reported that you are, oh, I blush to speak of it, receiving particular attentions from a foreign married man, permitting him to kiss your hand at your age too well i'd like you know how that got out murmured miss malvina honestly abashed she glanced at mar whose ancient head was vibrating slightly as if with suppressed excitement i suppose ma must a let out something or other to somebody she said resignedly well all i got to say is kissin hands and like that don't mean not nothing particular in french no more in saying mondew which is downright swearing in english as i keep telling madeline constant as for her par being married well i s'pose he must have been once upon a time seen as he's got a girl most growed up

Starting point is 04:24:33 but damport as madeline says when she means anyhow she don't cure a cotton hat a body can't help folks bein foreign and i dunno but what i like em that away on the old i shall pray for you malvina stated mrs buckthorn vindictively as she passed out of the door with the air of one shaking off polluted dust from the soles of flat substantial shoes at the same hour i offer up petitions for the heathen oh mercy bo co suitably responded miss malvina au revoir and she waved a dingy little hand of dismissal after mrs buckthorne's retreating majesty let em talk she said to herself as she laid out mrs henshaw's green and purple costume i guess it twon er none me neither but she blushed almost like a girl as she recalled mrs buckthorn's sentimental accusation oh my i wished i wasn't so old and humbly she mused twould be real enjoyable to be receiving attention even if the man were foreign then because the weather was warm she removed her second best hair front and hung it on a nail already bristling with tissue paper patterns where it dangled like a dejected little scalp lock before an indian tepee end of chapter sixteen chapter seventeen of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain the young french girl who had been swept by the hurricane of war to alien coasts like some strange foreign bird seemed joyously willing to accept america with all its new world customs it was necessary on occasions to explain many things in detail to her father who when

Starting point is 04:26:39 not immersed in his books, displayed a critical, even censorious habit of mind toward things American. You will not forget, my Madeleine, that you are not of the bourgeoisie, he would say gravely. I bewailed the fact

Starting point is 04:26:56 that in this country where prices are of a highness, I cannot afford even a bonn. And to have my daughter go about the streets unattended is also a grief to me. But I beg of you, do not imitate too closely the women of the country. For however diverting, one should constantly remember that all of them are bourgeoisie.

Starting point is 04:27:27 Not one is even distantly related to nobility. Why? There are nobility. Therefore, carry yourself discreet. greatly, my child. One day we shall return to our own beloved country, where you will marry and become the mother of Frenchmen, who will be sorely needed in a land sewn thick with the graves of heroes. In that day I shall have glory, because I have preserved my daughter as a legacy for France, and he struck his breast with the grand man. madeline appeared suitably impressed with this exalted paternal view of her destiny but in the meanwhile it was spring and she was eighteen also there were surprisingly pleasant experiences to be met with in this country where young women were permitted to visit the shops to make purchases to attend church and even the theatres and likewise to make the acquaintance of such young men as fortune will Miss Malvina Bennett, though not of the nobility, was nevertheless found to have opinions on matters pertaining to conduct. I guess if you behave yourself like her lady ought to, Madeline, ain't no use in having a married woman a traips in round after you, she promulgated.

Starting point is 04:28:58 I can take you to church and Christian endeavour and maybe the loyal temperance legion. Then there's the WCTU. you'd ought to go to that and get a white ribbon pinned on to you i promise the lord as mistikinous buckthorne says to see you done it but when it comes to picking and choosing a bow i guess you're the one to say who it'll be there's a nice young fellers are plenty in town and once you get to going out in company i'll bet the other girls'll have to look out not that i want to make you no ways fain pride goes before of all but i don't know why you shouldn't settle right down and innisfield in a nice little house of your own instead of being took back to a foreign land and like enough married to a cripple i guess there won't be no other kind of men folks over there the time they get through firing off at each other oh land it's a wonder they ain't all swallowed up like sod and gamaara madeline's english vocabulary had bernan's english vocabulary had bernard now grown and expanded like the scriptural bay tree so she was able to compare miss malvina's plans for her future with those of her father there was at present no hero of france maimed or otherwise enshrined in her young fancy so she could think of life in innisfield with the same gay unsusciance she accorded to the patriotic scheme outlined by monsieur de se marriage and the serious things of life were yet a great way off everything appeared fresh and joyous even the distant echoes of the great war which reached the ears but faintly in this peaceful village of the new world did not seriously disturb her

Starting point is 04:30:50 sometimes she would find her father his head bowed over a newspaper containing cabled news from the elongated battle-front where the terrible curtain of fire lifted only to reveal the heaps of dead and wounded i should have remained to fight he would declare tears of mingled rage and sorrow rolling down his cheeks already men older than i have given their lives while i sit here a poltroon in cowardly safety at such times he would rise cast the paper of ill report upon the floor and stride up and down his face drawn with anguish why did i ever come to this accursed land he would wail where this so frightful war is a mere spectacle they have no heart these americans in the spot where one should find good red blood coursing through the centre of the being there is a dollar composed of silver or gold hard imperious i have a suspicion and his voice would sink to a menacing whisper that the blight of that a diabolical culture is to be found here also. All are Germans

Starting point is 04:32:10 or related to Germans. Free America? Pest! I laugh at their vaunted freedom. In years to come, this so stupid people will see. Their evil hour will arrive. Ah,

Starting point is 04:32:28 it will be the turn of France to look on as at a theatre. her it was after one of these frenzied outbursts of prophecy that harry schwartz arrived for a lesson in what monsieur de say innocently supposed to be that young man's native tongue it was a matter for pained astonishment that monsieur henri le noir did not appear to assimilate the beauties of the most elegant of all languages with the ease one should expect his pronunciation was atrocious and remained so after hours or of impassioned precept and example. Do you not by now dream in French? demanded his instructor. Can you not picture to yourself those brave compatriots at Véthan?

Starting point is 04:33:16 Ah, I see them advance, those valiant heroes. I behold the grey wall of Prussians go down before them. But you, you see nothing. Monsieur de Seix was wrong. The young man's eyes were at that moment particularly occupied, from behind the shelter of his book, with the slim figure of Madeline, who was gathering the first roses of summer within fortunate range of his vision. How enchanting was the curve of the girl's pliant waist as she reached for a bud high up on the unpruned bush. Harry was finding his lessons in French,

Starting point is 04:34:00 quite different from the picture his fancy had painted. Madeline was never present on these occasions. He seldom caught a glimpse of her even. He sulkily supposed her father was responsible for this. Even the joke about his name. It was of course a pleasantry to be explained some time or other, but it was growing distinctly tiresome to be addressed as a compatriot

Starting point is 04:34:26 and expected to discuss the latest French victory or defeat in a language which did not appeal to him in the least. Young Harry, it must be confessed, was equally indifferent to the resounding German, invariably spoken at home when the oldest of the three male Schwartz's visited his son's household. Old Heinrich Schwartz had come from Germany with his bride six months before his son was born. The second Heinrich was an American, albeit by courtesy. In due course he became Harry and married a descendant of an old Puritan family. Hence the third Harry was an American in reality, brought up to speak the rather slipshod English jocularly known as United States,

Starting point is 04:35:12 not unduly addicted to sausage, and meekly signing a pledge, binding him to abstain from malt and spiritual liquors at the tender age of seven. I guess I'm a double right, sir, as I told you in the beginning, he confessed to his instructor at the close of an impassioned torrent of French, of which he understood but a word or two. Monsieur de Seix stared at his pupil from underdrawn brows. It occurred to him that Henri Lenoir's eyes were of a blueness for a Frenchman, and his features. He studied the wholesome, boyish face, with its summer coat of tan, its composite nose, and its square American chin.

Starting point is 04:35:58 Of what nativity is your mother? He inquired in easy French, then repeated the words in English with an accent of disdain. My mother? repeated the young man. Oh, I guess she's just plain American. She says my great-grandfather came over in the Mayflower, and he grinned pleasantly.

Starting point is 04:36:21 Your father must have been French with the name Le Noir, of a possibility a huguenot you can inform me nispa oh i say sir began harry his honest face turning very red i guess it's time i owned up then he caught a glimpse of madeline out of the tail of his eye and desisted shamefacedly monsieur de sey perceived the blush and embarrassment and smiled there is nothing to redden the visage in having one descent from the Huguenots, he said indulgently. But you should know of your family history, my friend. Alon, I require you to write in French a brief account of the Huguenot, including your own family history, if, as I suspect, you are a descendant of one of the emigres arriving in America after the persecution.

Starting point is 04:37:20 Translated into less fluent English, the young man pondered the Brewered the Brewery's. proposal dubiously. Oh, I'm afraid, he began, but Monsieur de Sey was visited by an inspiration. Why have I not made the acquaintance of Votr? he demanded. You will bring him next lesson, my ami. To him, I shall speak of those things. Bien, for today, all finish. Madeline had gathered her roses, and was arranging them in a glass bowl, when young Harry Schwartz emerged from the house, his grammair francis under his arm, deep gloom upon his brow. See here, he said, with a total absence of the French polish, his harassed instructor had been endeavouring to inculcate. I'm in the devil of a mess.

Starting point is 04:38:12 Devil of a mess? echoed Madeline, arching her delicate brows. Is that nice a word? Innocent, adorable coquetry peeped at him from under her droolver. pink lashes. You not etudier your lesson? And my papa is scold you, eh? I can't learn French to save my life, confessed Harry gloomily.

Starting point is 04:38:36 And now he thinks I'm a Huguenot. Oh, and I hate, of course. My grandfather is the Germanest German you ever saw. He's at our house now, eating sourcrow and drinking lager, and

Starting point is 04:38:52 roaring about the war. I guess your father had kill me if he got onto the facts why better d'aulner-wee agreed madeline dimpling well i must say you're cool cried young harry indignantly seeing it was you got me into it introducing me as engrille o what you call em i suppose you were going to help me learn french you said you would madeline surveyed her fragrant handiwork with a please smile you are so mad to me she inquired for what are you so mad because i well because you tisn't fair to leave a fellow in the soup the way you did he wants to see my dad find out if he's a sure enough huguenot supplied the girl gravely and you think he is not of course he ain't dad's american so am i and i'm darn glad of it young harry fairly irradiated stars and stripes as he made this declaration muddling gazed at him dreamily her large dark eyes holding unsounded depths of mystery me i am darn glad also she said calmly i think i like you because you are not not a huguenot oh say by george cried harry suddenly soaring to a seventh heaven of unimagined bliss is that a sure enough fact because if it is he was winged in mid-air by the appearance of m de sey a most amiable smile upon his lip This afternoon, he said with the faultless accent he had preserved through many vicissitudes,

Starting point is 04:40:43 I contemplate to myself the great honor of paying the visit ceremonious to Monsieur Your Father. I have the desire profound to know more of you, my friend. End of Chapter 17. Chapter 18 of Neighbors by Florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. But again, correlated events combined to prevent the astute Frenchman from carrying out his designs. In a word on that particular afternoon,

Starting point is 04:41:23 he was not permitted by an overruling providence to visit the home of Harry Schwartz, where old Heinrich sat enthroned in a splint-bottomed chair of massive construction, discoursing upon the exalted characteristics of the German Emperor for the benefit of his son, Rulisoned respectfully. When young Harry slid into the room,

Starting point is 04:41:45 after depositing his Grammar-Francée's on the stair leading up to his room, his grandfather in full tide of sonorous German was painting the future of the inhabited globe, as it would shortly eventuate under the beneficent Prussian rule. Harry's mother, with meekly down-drop lids, sat mending stockings. She did not understand much of what the old man was saying, although in the first years of her married life, she had made a valiant attempt to learn the language of the fatherland.

Starting point is 04:42:17 But as soon as her eyes rested upon her son, she knew something untoward had happened. The young man sat down in a chair which commanded a view of the street, his brow deeply corrugated, his eyes fixed and gloomy. "'Vie gates, Heinrich,' shouted the old man. How you were, say? Harry responded feebly. He had never liked the name Heinrich,

Starting point is 04:42:43 and today it positively grated upon the ear. Hmm, what that point is good military training, declared old Schwarz, staring hard at his grandson from over the top of his calabash pipe. You know what I do at your age, son? Harry muttered something unintelligible, his eyes seeking the street. what's the matter harry inquired his mother in a low voice her inquiry perfectly masked by the vociferous remarks of old heinrich to the effect that a sojourn in america utterly spoiled a young man oh nothing muttered harry

Starting point is 04:43:22 you heinrich declaimed his grandfather great big boy you what for you now go back to deutchland and be a man eh ha ha ha god boy have you have you you no love of country. My, yes, said Harry, but you should remember that I'm an American, sir. Oh, you make me sick, scolded the old man. What is your name, eh? Is Heinrich Schwartz von American name? Eh?

Starting point is 04:43:57 Never mind, dear. Grandfather doesn't mean that soothed his mother. They've been talking about the war, and it always excites Grandpa Schwartz. The old man surveyed his daughter-in-law obligorantly. You have bring my grandson Heinrich up to be one big sissy, he growled. But we shall all see what happens in two or three years. You will be glad yourself to protect under that good Deutsche name of Schwartz.

Starting point is 04:44:32 At that precise moment, Monsieur de Seix, exquisitely gloved and cravaded, stood in the door of his dwelling. He was about to sally forth to pay his respects to an exiled son of France, won Monsieur Le Noir, for the purpose of conversing with him concerning the decadent youth who bore his name. Monsieur de Seix wore a smile of pleased anticipation, and he submitted gracefully to the innocent arts of Madeleine, who detained him for the purpose of pinning a moss rosebud in his button-hole you will not derange yourself with the solitude of my absence he inquired tenderly

Starting point is 04:45:14 oh no my father replied madeline i have my duties of the home to attend she used the english word home in her demure little speech monsieur de sey twisted his moustache thoughtfully ah i perceive you no longer longer find your own language adequate he commented madeline's dark head drooped we have no word for home she murmured m de sey sighed nevertheless in france we have homes he said but not you are thinking as in america not as in america she echoed Miss Malvina. Ah, yes, he smiled. That very amiable person will doubtless tell you many things. I permit you to listen, since you have no female companion. But to young men, no. He bent to kiss her cheek, and then descended the steps with dignified composure.

Starting point is 04:46:28 Ah, my father, one small instant permit. me there is in the rear of your coat a button i want to fetch a needle monsieur de sey endeavoured vainly to adjust his range of vision so as to take in the faulty garniture i had not noticed the absence of a button he told his daughter when she again appeared with her tiny work-basket but surely you will not repair so serious a loss where the whole world may see we will retire within but when apparently much annoyed by the trifling occurrence he would have removed the garment in question his daughter demurred oh it would not be necessary she said when only the matter of a few stitches was required she bent her head to thread the needle it was singular how difficult an operation this had become oh exalted mother of the saints besought madeline in the privacy of her young breast do not i beseech of thee permit my father to seek for m ennoy for as thou art aware there is no such person and she twisted the frayed end of the silk thread while her father looked on have you no wax he inquired mildly oh of a surety she had but alas the wax must have hidden itself with malicious purpose seek for it as she would it could not be found kind lady of heaven murmured the girl as she thrust her head into the dark corner of the kitchen cupboard

Starting point is 04:48:13 once thou also were too young in years and wisdom i had no intent to deceive but only to avoid dissension of which there is already too much in the world therefore be graciously pleased to to me and all the while the small strawberry of pink wax was nestling in the nethermost corner of the work-basket the process of fastening the loose button appeared a tedious one to monsieur de se but he was magnificently patient withal what would you in a foreign land far from one's t'ioure he thanked his daughter profusely ah but quickly she must run for the bross are nettoy les abis. There were threads visible only to Madeline's bright eyes, and dust! Elas, how lamentable the dust in the houses of America. Bien, now I depart, said Monsieur de Saint.

Starting point is 04:49:19 Madeline followed him once more to the door, her heart filled with vague misgivings. Of a possibility, he was saying, I will on my return, be in, accompanied by Monsieur Le Noir, if he is a huguenot. But if, by chance, you should find that Jean deum is a Peresbiterian, she guilefully sought to detain him. You would be friends, nis-pa?

Starting point is 04:49:50 Her father shrugged his shoulders resignedly. Of such things, I know nothing, he admitted. But I will still offer the descendant of a Frenchman. my friendship. A yes. His foot sought the bottom step. He was about to depart. The kind Lady of Heaven had not heard then. What would before Harry Schwartz she hardly dared to think, and it had been all her fault. Oh, but stay. A lady in a light summer gown, wheeling a perambulator, paused before the gate. She was about to enter. it is so warbled madeline a propitire her young face wore an expression of devout thankfulness one should not be too hasty in censuring the saints who were doubtless occupied with many affairs

Starting point is 04:50:47 m de sey's eyes followed those of his daughter he advanced nimbly to hold the gate wide and mrs pettibone carefully guided the perambulator inside during the simple process she could not help but think how wonderful that she filura rice should be weaning a baby her baby inside that gate through which she had passed innumerable times in her lonely and neglected maidenhood mrs pettibone did not know that she was at that moment both an obstruction and an answer to prayer for a brief moment mrs de sey contemplated excusing himself on the plea of a former engagement. A woman with a baby did not offer a proper substitute for his contemplated visit ceremonious, but a second glance at the small, flushed face of their proprietor caused him to change his mind.

Starting point is 04:51:44 And his daughter Madeline, she appeared singularly pleased to be receiving this strange lady. Ah, they had met before these two. He must discover the mystery of a yellow dog to which both were referring with smiles the yellow dog it appeared had returned again and yet again to the parsonage where at last his wistful brown eyes and hungry little nose had won the compassion of the minister himself we've named him fido mrs pettibone was saying rather proudly he follows the baby carriage everywhere and at home he watches the baby while he's taking his nap on the piazza a plaintiff wine from the gate revealed the presence of the persevering fido with laughter madeline ran to admit him ah mechon she scolded so i meet you again tell me is it baby you love or the cotelette eh monsieur de se had hastened to fetch chairs to the patch of shady lawn and here presently he essayed to make the acquaintance of the lady whose appearance he was telling himself

Starting point is 04:52:55 suggested a delicate quaintness elusive yet undeniably agreeable she was he learned the wife of that ecclesiastique who had already honoured him with a visit he protested that he was not worthy of such condescension mrs pettibone blushed we should be very glad to see you at church she said aware of her opportunity and of her duty which she strove to keep well in view she gazed shyly at the french gentleman of whom she had heard such varying accounts mrs buckthorn had referred to him darkly as a godless person in our midst given over to strong drink and sabbath breaking from elector pratt who lived in the rear had come scraps of information regarding the household habits of the foreigners i should think you'd hate to have such queer people living in your house philora said miss pratt they set up night till all ours and out in under the apple-tree s if there weren't a thing to do in the world i seen her bring a bottle and a glass out to him more than once somebody ought to do something but reflected mrs pettipone m de saye did not resemble even remotely the type of person known as a drinking man he was smiling at her very kindly and quite as if he understood her embarrassment madame he said permit me to thank you i shall be most happy to accept your invitation and my daughter madeline also we expect said mrs Pettibone to have an evangelist in our church beginning next week. We hope everybody who is not,

Starting point is 04:54:51 who is, she paused with an appealing glance at the girl who was cooing over the baby, nestled sleepily in his blankets. Of course, it isn't a very good time of year in the summer, but the session are anxious to have our revival begin before the Methodists. And besides, we can get the evangelist now. And perhaps, perhaps. later i don't know why people shouldn't be converted in the summer as well as in the winter m de sey had listened attentively there were several significant words in mrs pettibone's little speech which he recalled without difficulty revival he inquired of your goodness you will make clear mrs pettibone absent-mindedly patted the yellow dog who laid his head upon her knee with a confiding gesture m de saye saw without seeming to see the work worn little hand with its painfully clean but uncared for finger-nails did all women in america despise the simple arts of the toilette he wondered oh a revival said the minister's wife a revival is as she paused to reflect dubiously she must not betray the fact that she really dreaded the revival she had already dreaded the revival she had all

Starting point is 04:56:12 already ventured to confess as much of the minister but of course all this had been discussed in the inner fastnesses of the parsonage outwardly it was her duty as mr pettibone had pointed out to appear otherwise she strove to smile why a revival is i will try to explain we have a special preacher an evangelist ah i guess an evangelist comprehended Monsieur de Seix. We also have such persons in France. Well, the evangelist preaches, and he has an assistant who sings. They, we all try to interest unconverted persons. Quine et per transformé, murmured the Frenchman. Ah, bien, I understand.

Starting point is 04:57:06 Many things. Mrs. Pettibone appeared slightly bewildered. we want we hope everyone will come she concluded and be convert monsieur de sey smiled pleasantly if there was a gentle raillery in his eyes mrs pettibone did not perceive it she had performed her duty as the wife of a clergyman supposedly concerned above all things in the salvage of souls domestic and foreign besides mrs buckthorn meant to call upon the disays she had seen said so and mrs buckthorne would he is not asleep that small one cried madeline ecstatically see he laughed to me oh goodland i like to embrace him is one pitch of a baby would you like to hold him asked mrs pettibone with an example generosity oh you just bet your sweet your sweet i forget what you bet you bet but, yes, I like better to hold that baby than to eat his best bonnet. You permit? Monsieur de Seix perceived the startled look which had come over the face of their proprietor.

Starting point is 04:58:24 He had himself been visited of late by doubts concerning the strange and interesting idioms so easily acquired by his daughter. You not like those idiom, perhaps, he inquired, after Mrs. Pettibone had affected the transfer of her child to the soft arms of madeline a process accompanied by all those inarticulate cooings common to the mothers of the race since the days of the cave dwellers mrs pettibon smiled deprecatingly it is really quite wonderful how well how quickly mr say has learned english she said oh but um i learn for miss mavina stated madeline proudly you are acquaintes we are is Miss Marvina? Oh, yes, indeed, said Mrs. Pettibone. I have always known her.

Starting point is 04:59:16 Miss Malvina is, she paused to consider. She is one of the kindest and best friends I have. Oh, but, oh, she is most adroit, this Miss Marvina, what you call clever, said Madeline joyously. She tell me so I make folk understand. Before I not know in. enough to come in out of the-up-luy rain now i am aware of all talk american la la baby la those idiom of american speech are most interesting said monsieur de say pointedly but i inquire of you madam are as they come you foe for a young demoiselle not of the bourgeoisie

Starting point is 05:00:09 i hope i make myself of a clearness well temporised mrs pettibone it is perhaps wiser to first learn to first acquire the simple rudiments of english she spoke primly and distinctly it seemed impossible not to harbour the impression that these foreigners were slightly deaf and those idiom persisted monsieur desse you not like them ne'n't whisper well for land's sake for lura i mean miss pettibone chirruped miss bennett's familiar voice if it ain't good for sore eyes to see you are setting out in your own yard like you used to and me a slip through the edge miss malvina joyously embraced and kissed her pastor's wife in the pretty foreign fashion she had acquired from madeleine oh and that baby ain't ye the grandest why my and Madeline holding him as snug as a bug and a rug. Kitty, kitty, oh, where is a nice kitty? Of course, he sees our cat, with his tail's big as two on account of that there dog.

Starting point is 05:01:23 I say, Stama, I just got to run over and take a squint of that baby, if it's only for a minute. Oh, say, who does he look like? It kind of reminds me of your folks, Flora, I mean, Mr. Petbone, but his nose, in the set of his ears i declare when he turns em eyes isn't solemn he's the spitt'n image of mr pedibone when he says let us pray monsieur de sey was gazing quizzically at his neighbour whose appearance indicated entire forgetfulness of self she was wearing an ancient black and white muslin and feathery curls of white hair were blowing about her forehead for perhaps the first time he noticed he knew noticed the brightness of miss malvina's eyes and the piquant energy of her gestures the name bennet did not it was true suggest any sprightly admixture of french blood but there was a certain manner a certain

Starting point is 05:02:23 in this country he mused where one finds all races commingled like salad in a bowl one can never be sure with this thought in mind he looked at his neighbour a second time and he looked at his neighbour a second time time then a third and the little dressmaker recalled to self-consciousness by his earner's scrutiny suddenly clapped her hands to her forehead my star's alive she cried if i ain't gone and come over here without my air front it being so warm i took it off and hung it on a nail yesterday and then i guess i must have slipped some paper patterns over it and clean forgot it i bet i look most as bad as billy sunday after eve He's through a preaching to sinners. End of chapter 18. Chapter 19 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevoch recording is in the public domain. Young Horatio Herbert Kitchener Hobbs turned from the mirror

Starting point is 05:03:32 where he had been knotting his tie with scrupulous care and faced his mother. He was a handsome fellow and Mrs. Hobbs' eyes filled with ready tears as she gazed at him. if she had not compelled him by every fond art known to mothers to accompany her to America, that beautiful young face might even now be hidden in some shallow grave behind the som. But she dared not speak her thoughts to her son. Instead, she felt a trembling under his somber eyes.

Starting point is 05:04:05 She was afraid of what he had to say. She was always afraid of late and shivered at the slightest sound. her son fetched us deep short breath and exiled it sharply what's the matter with you mother he demanded with some impatience with me oh nothing the woman lied hurriedly i was just thinking what a nice necktie you've got on hoddy it's real pretty colour i suppose you got it down in the store does mr trimmer allow you any discount he ought to seen a you work for him and seen I, anyway, I am glad you've got such a nice job, Hoddy. She wiped her eyes furtively and sighed.

Starting point is 05:04:54 Going to the social, she added, with an effort after a casual manner. I would, if I was you, it would be real pleasant. I heard some of my customers talking. Sit down, mother. I want to talk to you. He led her, unreasonably. resisting to a chair, placed her in it, and stood over her, the fold between his eyes deepening.

Starting point is 05:05:19 I've been thinking for a long time. I have no business to be here. You're comfortable now. Got a good business started, thanks to that little woman who's helping you. You don't need me. Don't say it, Hoddy, don't say it, beg the woman, her head sagging weakly against the back of her chair. I've been dreading it night and day for I don't know how long. Time we had it over then, he muttered. Why, I'd the sight rather you'd get married, Hoddy, she wailed. Get married? Whatever put that into your head?

Starting point is 05:05:59 Oh, I don't know. Seeing you going out, all dressed up, I guess. And there's nice girls here, right there, Hoddy. He thrust her suggestion behind him. with an impatient gesture. Now see here, Mother, I'm going to do one of two things. I've made up my mind. I'm quitting trimbers this day week.

Starting point is 05:06:21 Oh, Hardy, you're never going to give up your nice job. Oh dear, oh dear, my heart! He flashed her a keen glance, and then unbidden fetched her a glass of water from the faucet. Here, drink this, he urged with rough tenderness. Your heart's all right, Mother. Of course it's all right. Now listen, don't cry. But she continued to whimper weakly, clutching at the front of her dress.

Starting point is 05:06:51 I guess you wouldn't care if I was to die tomorrow, she said querulously. Maybe you'd be glad. Then you'd be free to go and get killed in one of them nasty trenches. That's all you're thinking of day and night. You don't care for your mother. you only care for getting your own way that's the way with men he sprang from the chair he had drawn close to hers and began to pace up and down as if he could no longer listen quietly thank god all women aren't such cowards he muttered heaven help the world if they were now see here mother you haven't given me a chance to say what i wanted to it's this i'll either go over to canada and an enlist. Plenty of Americans are doing that, and I tell you straight I'd be ashamed to show my

Starting point is 05:07:46 face in London now. Or I'll go into the munitions plant here and help that way. I won't stay in trimmer shop another day, selling silly, high-heeled shoes to silly women. It isn't a man's job. Mrs. Hobbs sat up, dabbing at her eyes. I hear somebody knocking, she said with suddenly renewed energy. I suppose it's that Miss Bennett. But let me tell you, Hardy, I'll never consent to you are going to Canada. I'll die first. Why should you go to Canada?

Starting point is 05:08:23 But they do say they're going to pay the munitions workers big money. Maybe if you were to be real careful, Hoddy. I wouldn't mind that so much. Anyway, but he was already opening the door to a young woman to whom he had sold shoes with prodigious difficulty only the day before. He passed her with a nod and plunged down the stairs to the street. More than anything else, he wanted to get away from the sound of his mother's high-pitched American voice, which had long possessed the power of goading him to unexpected bursts of temper.

Starting point is 05:09:01 He felt sorry and ashamed as he walked hurriedly along the dark street, splotched unevenly with wavering circles of light from the buzzing arcs. He had meant to be quite calm and gentle in explaining to her how impossible it had become to work any longer for Trimmer. In common with other employees of the Emporium, young Hobbs had early been made acquainted with his employer's superior brand of piety. Only that day, Mr. Trimmer had invited his shoe clerk to join the choir, training for the forthcoming evangelistic campaign, accompanied.

Starting point is 05:09:38 his request with a card upon which was inscribed in bold black type the question are you saved the young man gazed at the card coldly whereat mr trimmer had exploded in a sharp tone how about it hobbs you'll have to answer that question before the great white throne some day why not now the young man narrowed his frowning gaze to a point directly between his employer's eyes. How about yourself, sir? He returned sulkily. I'm an elder in the Presbyterian Church, stated Mr Trimmer. His shoe clerk received the information

Starting point is 05:10:21 with British Flam. Is that tantamount to being saved, sir? He inquired coldly. You're an impudent puppy hobbs, barked elder Trimmer. I confound you. I'll... That being the case,

Starting point is 05:10:38 "'I have the honour of quitting your employ this day week, sir,' said Horatio Herbert Kitchener Hobbs instantly. He squared his shoulders and his chin, while a great joy surged over his young soul. "'I can leave today, if you like,' he added, expanding still further. "'You, hubs, get busy,' growled Mr Trimmer. "'I'll tender your case in the office when I get ready.' the card with its pertinent question stared up at the young man from the floor he picked it up with the inward conviction that he had already taken the first step toward personal salvation and now he had taken the second but what after all was it to be saved he pondered the question as he strode forward in the semi-darkness of one thing he was sure to be saved one must be saved one must be saved one must be free to follow one's inner conviction of right.

Starting point is 05:11:41 Then all at once his introverted thoughts became sharply aware of the outer world. Hurrying toward him out of the shadows was a girl's slight figure. As she passed him, almost running, he caught the sound of a stifled sob and recognised the young French girl, who had been his companion in the chase but a few days before. He turned and overtook her in a long stride. "'Hello?' he accosted her with boyish rudeness. "'What's the trouble?'

Starting point is 05:12:10 "'Nothing,' she denied. "'But I heard you. "'Besides, you were running. "'Did anything frighten you?' "'I am mad like a wet hen,' she confessed. "'One too rude men speak to me. "'I am run quick from such person.' "'You've no business to be out on the streets alone at night,' he said severely.

Starting point is 05:12:35 Didn't you know that? She shrugged her shoulders. Miss Marvina tell me, if I behave myself like a nice lady in America, I am okay. You understand okay, we? He frowned. You oughtn't to be out alone, he repeated. Where's your father?

Starting point is 05:12:57 She glanced up at him, her face dimpling with mischief. Me, I am most interested in sociable. My father is not interested. Also, Miss Marr has the mild tete. So I behave myself like a lady and come quick to sociable at the personage. Very nice person that Mrs. Pettiborne. She do me the honor to invite.

Starting point is 05:13:29 So I have policed. lightness to come. Well, don't you do it again, said Mr. Hobbs sternly. America isn't a fool's paradise. I don't care what anybody says. It's every bit as bad as Paris or London, worse maybe. He scowled down at the girl. Take my arm, he commanded.

Starting point is 05:13:52 I shall escort you to the sociable, and I shall bring you home again. She shook her head. me i have not required bo she said from this corner i run to beat the cars and quick i arrive you'll do nothing of the kind he contradicted her stubbornly don't you suppose i know don't you suppose i know she mocked him airily from under lowered lashes me i should worry where did you pick up all the slime what he inquired really it's not at all the thing you know slang what of kindness explained to me that slang what i not know those words why just now you said i should worry that slang the worst kind of united states so is run to beat the cars you should drop all that sort of thing it's jolly bad form you don't mind if i tell you she considered his question you are not of america she told him kindly and of idiom i perceive you have not a study it is a pity i teach you some nice slang what you like to learn jolly bad form eh he was staring straight before him with british solemnity unlighted by any alien gleam of humour then he began a laboured explanation in his wooden french by means of which in perfect medium of speech he contrived to make his meaning clear

Starting point is 05:15:40 by the time they had come within sight of the lighted windows of the parsonage madeleine's drooping face betrayed her complete discomfiture two big tears trembled on her lashes she shook them off impatiently speak to me in indish she ordered him imperiously that's so beautiful l'angue francis you have killed it you have murder me i shall speak all the time the slang like the very nice young man name of harry teach me he is pitch of polite person that harry much better than you i like him Mr Hobbs frowned. Who's Harry? he inquired. If he teaches you slang, he's a bounder. Let me tell you. I let you tell me nothing, replied Madeline with spirit.

Starting point is 05:16:39 He gazed down at her gloomily. We are fools to quarrel, he said. I was only trying to help you. But I should have known better. All women, he was thinking with youthful bitterness, were alike, foolish, vain, unreasoning. a lump of passionate self-pity surged up in his throat i'm sorry he murmured i hoped he did not in the least know what it was that he had hoped but he appeared to himself to be gazing mournfully at something broken which had been inconceivably valuable me i excuse murmured the girl and after a moment's hesitation she held out her hand to him with the simplicity of a child he was silent battling with his vague thoughts but he took the small repentant hand and held it fast

Starting point is 05:17:33 you hear me she asked you are not deaf like post you are sorry for such rude speak me i excuse bien her eyes sparkled up at him out of a lovely tear mist he roused himself they had by now reached the gate of the parsonage i'll not go in he said i've been awfully out of sorts all day and that's the truth he appeared to have forgotten her hand still clasped in his own but he was in fact intensely aware of it warm currents of hope and courage appeared to be flowing from that little hand to the very centre and core of his being you like better to fight than put shoe on a lady surmised madeline nodding her head wisely those shoes make you feel mad like hops you're a witch to guess it he cried tell me shall i go to canada an enlist or shall i make shrapnel i have only one life she had no need to inquire the dire significance of the word shrapnel she considered his question with downcast eyes you have only one life she repeated only one but you are glad to give that only one for france is it not a great thrill went through him would you care he asked huskily if i never came back some one struck up the star-spangled banner in the lighted parlour of the parsonage shrill voices caught up the strain and carried it forward in a burst of raucous triumph somehow the song with its shouting rhythm appeared to intrude itself between them like a visible presence

Starting point is 05:19:29 it is chanson patriotic murmured the young french girl very loud they sing those americans yes he said dully they sing very loud are you going in she shook her head suddenly i feel alien she told him in french take me home please her hand slipped from his as they turned to go away the sound of that boastful chorus gradually lessening on the breeze till at last only the bolder peaks of song stood out against the background of their troubled thoughts at the gate of the small brown house under its tall maples the girl paused silhouetted against the drawn shawled appeared the studious head of Monsieur de Sey, also his hand holding a book. He is not missed you, said Hoddy Hobbes. He think I have a ten sociable with Miss Marvina? And you'll tell him you have not? The girl shrugged her shoulders, while her hands described an eloquent arc.

Starting point is 05:20:37 If I tell Monsieur my father I have walked with a strange young man, what you think he said? to me never again do i speak to you i am not permit promise me you will not go out again alone in the evening he urged waving the dilemma it isn't safe but with you i am safe of course oh but not with anyone else promise she ran lightly up the path good-night she breathed softly one minute Thanks for a nice pleasure. And you remember what I said? You mustn't be out on the streets alone at night. A jealous quorum assailed him at sight of her hesitation.

Starting point is 05:21:28 You spoke of some bounder you called Harry, he growled. You better tell your father about him. You shouldn't know such persons. You are most kind, she syllables sweetly, but already my father is acquainted. with m le noir he is one very nice person i hitch his wagon to my star oui good-night he heard the door close softly after her beheld m de se's silhouette manifest surprise and then arrested attention as before the lighted curtain flitted the girl's slim figure her hands fluttering a piquant accompaniment to the words he could not hear in common with most englishmen young hobbs entertained a lurking suspicion of gallic veracity of course she'll have to tell him something he conceded to the exigency of circumstance end of chapter nineteen chapter twenty of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain the end of an arid august witnessed the opening of the murks munitions works in the

Starting point is 05:22:48 the enlarged and renovated buildings over by the swamp. For months past, Innesfield had enjoyed a vastly increased volume of business which the new enterprise had brought to town, and now a small army of workers had taken possession of the barrack-like buildings erected by the company in the immediate neighbourhood of the plant. Mrs. Buckthorne's protest, with its red ink signatures, had been duly forwarded to the company. Its receipt had been promptly acknowledged by the secretary of the Merck's Munitions Works, who stated in a letter to Mrs. Buckthorne that its contents, as noted, would receive the earnest consideration of the stockholders. At a subsequent meeting of the Ladies' Aid Society, the damning fact was disclosed that a document of quite a different sort

Starting point is 05:23:35 had been sent to the new concern, signed by the businessmen of the community, who had banded together to furnish substantial inducements to the Merck's Munition Works to locate in our midst. It was a burning, scarifying shame, agreed the ladies, and Mrs. Buckthorn, who, as the head and front of the movement naturally took the lead in the spirited discussion which followed, spoke strongly of Belial, and mentioned the Merck's company as an instrument in the hands of the devil, which somehow mollified everybody's feelings.

Starting point is 05:24:11 It was thought to be a truly providential circumstance that the Reverend George Pilgrim would open his evangelistic campaign on the very day the Merck's munitions company began its operations. And when in his initial sermon preached on a hot August night to the fluttering of innumerable fans, the Reverend Pilgrim alluded to the coincidence in picturesque terms, the women leaned forward in pleased attention, still cooling themselves busily, whereat the Reverend Pilgrim suddenly shot up to the full height of a substantial stool placed behind the pulpit. and leaned far out over the desk, gesticulating with energy.

Starting point is 05:24:53 Put down those fans, he shouted. I'm not preaching to fans, baseball or any other kind. Put them down, I say. Some of you folks will be so hot in hell some of these days. You'll holler for a drop of water to cool your tongues, but you won't get it unless you repent and be converted. And there won't be any fans there. Talk about munitions workers.

Starting point is 05:25:22 I tell you, you've all got to get busy. Take off your kid gloves and getting to working clothes. You can't raise a blister with the sort of blank cartridges you've got in this church. I know your sort. You can't fool me and you can't fool God either. They tell me there's a munition. factory started just outside of your dead old town. There's nothing dead out there. Those men are working like devils in hell to make stuff to kill men's bodies. But you, what have you been doing all

Starting point is 05:26:01 these years to save men's souls? I counted 15 saloons in this town today and six houses of Bill fame and a hundred loafers. I haven't counted the hypocrites yet, nor the liars, nor the religious fakers. Maybe you think there aren't any. God knows better. I shall know better after I've been here a week. It's my job to throw all such stuff on the junk pile,

Starting point is 05:26:37 and I'm going to do it. God can't work with stiffs. He wants real live folks that ain't afraid of dynamite. We're going to need shrapnel in this town to blow up the entrenchments of the devil. And we're going to begin with the ministers and the elders and the deacons and the church members. That's where we're going to begin. And we're going to begin right now. The people in the pews derived a fleeting satisfaction.

Starting point is 05:27:09 from the sight of their pastor's pale distressed face. Mr. Pettibone was pilloried on the platform in full view of his congregation. He had read from the Bible in his usual forensic style. His succeeding prayer had been earnest and spiritual, full of pleadings for the divine mercy and the leadings of the spirit. But its phraseology had been formal and scriptural. It had differed in no wise from the sort of prayer he had been wont to, offer from what was popularly known as the sacred desk for many years past.

Starting point is 05:27:46 Do look at Mr. Pettypone, whispered Miss Elector Pratt to her neighbour, Mrs. Deaconess Buckthorne. And Philora, too. Ain't it funny? I do hope and pray it's going to do them good, responded Mrs. Buckthorne piously. But the attention of the ladies were suddenly arrested by the high explosive voice of the evangelist, which appeared to be aimed directly at them, with the effect of a bursting shell. "'What sort of folks do I mean by hypocrites?' he bellowed. "'You don't know, eh? "'Well, I'll tell you what God means by a hypocrite.

Starting point is 05:28:26 "'And you pay attention to what I tell you, "'or you wish you had some day. "'Every pious old duffer who keeps a corner grocery store, "'but whose weights and measures have been fixed, so as to bring in a few more measly pennies to his till. Know any of them? Every woman who teaches a Sunday school class on Sunday and gossip spitefully about her neighbours on Monday,

Starting point is 05:28:53 Tuesday and the rest of the week. No any such? Every girl who draws her skirts aside from her soiled sisters on the street, but stands ready to sell herself to the highest bidder who'll give her the right to put Mrs. before her name. ever hear of such a thing oh i see some of you folks grinning that's right laugh and be damned you thought i didn't get you and you're just mean enough to laugh when you see the other fellow hit god understands your sort you can't fool him not for a minute why there's more than fifty-seven sorts and varieties of hypocrites.

Starting point is 05:29:41 I'm not going to waste your time nor mine naming them. But I'll tell you one thing, my smiling friend, and just you paste it in your hat. Unless you get down to brass tacks and corner that

Starting point is 05:29:57 slippery, slimy self, if you don't hunt out your own particular brand of hypocrisy and yank it out, root and branch, you can't count yourself in the kingdom. Stop snickering long enough to take in the proposition.

Starting point is 05:30:15 Right now, you're either saved or lost. Ever think of that? There's no rail fence between heaven and hell for you to roost on. Your minister never talked to you like this, you're thinking. You're dead right. He never did. Why? Because your churches make cowards of your settled pastors.

Starting point is 05:30:38 They ain't one of them between. here and Frisco that dares call his soul his own. They've got the notion that their bread and butter depends on pleasing a lot of whining, hypocritical church members, and nothing short of an earthquake or shake them out of it. How do I know this? Well, I'll tell you. I was the pastor of a church in a western town once, and there was a rich brewer in my congregation. Used to locate of a Sunday morning right down in a conspicuous pew in the centre aisle, a big, fat, pompous looking chap. He was worth a million or so, and he had that church right where he wanted it. I hadn't been there, pastor, a week, before one of my elders warned me against the subject of

Starting point is 05:31:28 temperance. You've got to be careful, Mr. Pilgrim, says he. It won't do to antagonise, Mr. so-and-so. Why do you know he can try to be careful? He can't. tributes annually to the support of this church, something like a thousand dollars. We couldn't afford to pay your salary if it wasn't for so-and-so. Did I see the point? You can bet I saw it all right. I had a wife and three kids, and I'd never understood the story of Elijah and the Ravens for a cent. So I was mighty careful to skate around the extreme edge of the booze question. Never went near it for more than nether.

Starting point is 05:32:09 a year. And then one Sunday, the spirit of the Lord came upon me mightily. I looked down from the pulpit, and I saw that smuggled sinner sitting there as complacent as a stuffed bow a constrictor, and I let out the thunders of Sinai. God spoke through me that day, and I ripped the booze question up the back. And then I told them the truth about their measly, cowardly church, and how they tried to put the muzzle on me, same as they had on all their other ministers. The Lord gave me utterance. In the middle of it, oh, so-and-so got up and stomped out of the church, and at the same minute I caught a glimpse of my wife's white, scared face, but I was free, thank God, and I stayed so.

Starting point is 05:33:06 During the fervid appeal to sinners and the tumultuous singing of the closing hymn, during which a few impressionable girls and a sparse sprinkling of grey-headed men and women representing the backsliders, came forward to grasp the evangelist's hand, Mr Pettibone's controlled features manifested little of what he was thinking.

Starting point is 05:33:29 He was dimly aware of various zealous members of his flock as they approached to congratulate Mr Pilgrim on the success of his opening sermon. Tell you what, that's the stuff, we's deacon scrimmed you. Sinners need rousing. Give him hellfire. I've been urging it unto our pastor right along.

Starting point is 05:33:50 But shucks, he's one of them meeching fellas you was telling about. Praise the Lord, you ain't afraid to speak right out, said Mrs. Buckthorn, wiping the perspiration from her massive countenance. my my what a blessed season we're entering upon i can tell you some of your remarks fairly drawed blood but there's those in our midst needs rousing and i guess you ain't very wide of the mark when you begin with the minister mr george trimmer announced himself as so favourably impressed by mr pilgrim's sermon that he was disposed to invite the evangelist to dinner on the following day. I should like you to meet the members of my family around the family altar, said Mr. Trimmer sonorously.

Starting point is 05:34:44 A few words from you on the subject of personal sanctification might serve to cheer us as we travel along life's pathway. But Mr. Pilgrim shook his head. He never made social visits while at work, he stated. Half an hour later, as he turned to speak to me. Mr Pettybone, he appeared to notice for the first time that gentleman's perturbed and pallid countenance. See here, Petty Bone, said Mr. Pilgrim, you don't want to take too seriously what I said tonight. I make it a rule to begin with heckling the ministers, because nothing rouses the people

Starting point is 05:35:25 so effectively. Nothing personal about it, merely an opening gun. Wait and see me open up on those entrenched old hippocry. "'it's tomorrow night. "'I sized them up all right. "'By the way, how long have you preached here?' "'Twenty years too long, I begin to think,' "'said Mr. Pettibone with some bitterness.

Starting point is 05:35:48 "'But what can I do? "'You were young when you broke your chains. "'Besides, not all ministers can be evangelists.' "'The Reverend Pilgrim smiled humorously. "'No, but many of them might be better employed, than they are now he said a mind i don't mean you though i'm not so sure now i've had a bird's eye view of your field mr pettibone was stonily silent the fact is pettibone pursued mr pilgrim with waning enthusiasm the church as a whole could be handled more effectively without settled pastures what is needed is an organisation of trained specialists paid by the church as a whole to do the work imagine one of these atrophied old churches treated to a course in

Starting point is 05:36:41 spiritual dynamics by men like me men not dependent upon any one church for salary answerable only to god and the central administration which would have the care of all the churches get me mr pettibone drew his brows into a frowning line i understand what you mean yes he assented coldly But it doesn't hit you very hard, eh? Well, I'm not surprised. It's tremendously revolutionary, I know, and would involve a complete overhauling of those respectable refrigerators we call theological seminaries, but it's bound to come.

Starting point is 05:37:23 Mr Pettibone strove to consider the matter objectively. Does your scheme provide for the usual pastoral duties, and such special sacraments as burials, weddings and sickbed ministrations, he propounded mildly, it would seem to me that in severing the bond between pastor and people, much would be lost. But Mr Pilgrim was experiencing the inevitable reaction due half an hour after preaching. His versatile mind was now occupied with thoughts of the hot bath, supper and bed, a wait him at his hotel. He had already set down Mr. Pettibone as one of a negligible type to be eliminated from his future scheme of things. More particularly, he had disliked Mr. Pettibone's timid manner of

Starting point is 05:38:16 addressing the deity. The Reverend George Pilgrim spoke loudly and familiarly to his God, using the vernacular of the streets. People sat up and listened to that sort of prayer. It was original, snappy, full of piquant's surprises and racy epithets. Pettybone, he saw plainly, was a hopeless duffer. No use of wasting energy in argument with Pettybone. Well, good night, said Mr. Pilgrim definitely. I should be glad to call on you tomorrow morning, said Mr. Pettybone, for the purpose of conferring at 11.30, snapped the evangelist, not a minute sooner. His wife, in her blue dressing-gown and pom-pom slippers,

Starting point is 05:39:05 was waiting for him in the study when the minister let himself into the parsonage half an hour later. I thought you might be hungry, she excused herself, and the baby waked up and cried, so I wasn't better go to bed, my dear, he advised. I'm not at all hungry. His eyes wandered toward his books. She stood waiting expectantly, her hand on the knob.

Starting point is 05:39:32 I think I'll read a while, he said presently. I'm not sleepy. She turned and came toward him swiftly, impulsively, and with a spent breath he opened his arms to receive her. For a long minute, neither spoke. Then she stood on tiptoe to kiss his pale face. Silas, she said. Silas!

Starting point is 05:39:56 He patted her brown head awkwardly. Yes, my dear, I know. I know. Better not say it. But Silas, that man! He led her unresisting to the door and gently closed it between them. End of Chapter 20. Chapter 21 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley.

Starting point is 05:40:29 This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Harry, said Mrs. Schwartz, why didn't you go to the meeting last night? Mrs. Schwartz's rosy face wore a slightly anxious expression as she gazed across the breakfast table at her son, pleasantly engaged on his fourth muffin. I didn't see you in the gallery or anywhere, she concluded, passing him the butter.

Starting point is 05:40:53 I didn't say I was going, said Harry, watching a lump of butter sink luxuriously out of sight in the steaming interior of his muffin. Where did you go? The young man gazed across the table at his pretty little mother. Well, he said slowly, I did have a hazy notion

Starting point is 05:41:13 of stopping at the church. I've been practising up with the choir, you know. Yes, I know you have, she prompted him, her blue eyes searching his face. It was a wonderful sermon. I never heard anything like it.

Starting point is 05:41:31 Hmm, murmured her son, folding his napkin with unnatural care. She followed him into the hall. Harry? Yes, mother. I heard something that worried me terribly last night. You did? He took down his straw hat from the rack

Starting point is 05:41:52 and examined it with frowning intentness. You don't want to let that sort of thing worry you, mother, he said. There's a lot of old tabbies around this town who haven't anything better to do except, oh, yes, I know, but this was, well, never mind who it was, I heard you've been seen talking to that French girl, and that she, well, what of it? What's the harm in speaking to a pretty girl? Oh, Harry. What's the matter? he repeated. You knew I was taking French lessons with her father. I told you so a long time ago. He threw his hat up in the air

Starting point is 05:42:36 And caught it twice The third time it struck the gas fixture With a jingling sound Please listen Harry You make me nervous throwing that hat around You'll break the globe If I do I'll buy another There was a boastful note in her son's voice

Starting point is 05:42:55 Which did not escape Mrs Schwartz Then it's true She decided clasping her hands Oh dear, and I said I knew it wasn't. I said you wouldn't think of doing such a thing. As what? Why, as marrying a foreigner? Harry burst into uproarious laughter.

Starting point is 05:43:19 That's what you did, mother, he accused her. You're a great one to talk about marrying a foreigner now, aren't you? Your father was born in America, she reminded him with dignity. and besides that's different. A French girl. Now see here, mother, he said gravely. In the first place, I don't know as I have the ghost of a show with Madeleine. His mother made an inarticulate sound, expressive of extreme unbelief. And even if she, even if I, her father wouldn't look at me,

Starting point is 05:43:59 He hates everything German like poison. He thinks I'm French. Harry smiled rather sheepishly under his mother's incredulous stare. He thinks you're French, she exclaimed, horror-stricken. What would your grandfather say? Rather hazily, he sketched the circumstances which had resulted in the small deception. What a thing for a girl to do, she commented. I should never have thought of it.

Starting point is 05:44:31 Of course not, agreed Harry. You would never have thought of it. Pretty clever, eh? I've meant to explain, you know, all along. But hearing the old duffer rave about the war, our brave compatriots and all that sort of thing, I haven't done it yet. Of course, some time or other,

Starting point is 05:44:54 it's your duty to tell him right away, Harry, his mother said solemnly. I'm afraid Mr. Pilgrim would say you were a regular hypocrite. You should have heard what he said about hypocrites, Harry. It was awful. Harry tossed up his hat once more, and then suddenly he threw his arms around his mother and stooped his tall head to her neck.

Starting point is 05:45:21 Say, ma, he whispered coaxingly. Well, Harry? i wish i wish you'd go and see madeline oh she's the sweetest dearest but i'm afraid she's way over my head mrs schwartz held her boy jealously fast you're too young to be thinking of such things harry it's downright foolish i'm as old as father was when you were married no i didn't realise dear dear how the time does Why, it seems only yesterday that you were running around in dresses. And you'll go and see her, ma. Mrs. Schwartz drew a deep sigh while she patted her boy's crisp curling hair. I suppose I'll have to if you.

Starting point is 05:46:15 Oh, but if her father, he kissed her hurriedly. Oh, thanks, mother, you're the best ever. Goodbye and don't worry. harry walked very fast till he was well out of sight of his mother's tearful gaze then he lapsed into frowning thought which at last halted his steps in front of an inconspicuous building on the main street a flight of dusty stairs confronted him when he opened the door he mounted them still slowly a door at the top of the stairs stood a jar and a subdued clicking of typewriters filled the corridor no sir he heard some one say in what might be termed a dry business voice. I don't doubt what you tell me is okay. But you see, we don't employ Germans at the plants, hyphenates or any other sort.

Starting point is 05:47:10 Our Canada folks are firm on that point. A man, his hat pulled low on his forehead, plunged angrily down the stair. Harry stood aside to let him pass. Then he entered the door purporting to usher one into the temporary offices of the Merck's munitions company. The man with the business voice had not yet resumed his place behind his desk when Harry entered. He glanced sharply at the newcomer. Right, oh, we're advertising for a few more men, he said in answer to Harry's question.

Starting point is 05:47:44 With the information, he slid an application blank across the flat top desk. Fill it in, he commanded crisply. No use wasting your time or hours. his own time it appeared could be used to advantage in whistling tipperary between closed teeth Harry vaguely recognised the tune as he examined

Starting point is 05:48:05 the card it contains spaces for the applicant's name age nationality and other data supposedly pertinent to the manufacture of ammunition what's the matter asked the clerk jointly can't you read and write

Starting point is 05:48:21 Harry's ears turned scarlet He wrote with fierce little jabs and dashes, and in scowling silence flipped the card into the hand waiting to receive it. The clerk nonchalantly narrowed his gaze upon it, shifting his whistle to the corner of his mouth. Henry Lanour, that what you call yourself, eh? Foreign, ain't it? I'm American born, said Harry thickly.

Starting point is 05:48:50 Just so, but we're being kind of particular. particular what brand well as long as it ain't german and you want to be a guard mm-hmm well now you take this card out to the plant main office and ask for mr mills i've okayed it see a man with indignant grey eyes stood near the door in an attitude of surprised attention as harry still read and perspiring visibly passed out his card clutched tight in his hand the two exchanged swissue glances of appraisal. Where have I seen that chap? Harry was asking himself, as he hurried away, his hat jammed low on his sweating forehead. He wanted something to divert his attention

Starting point is 05:49:36 from too close a contemplation of himself. At the back of his mind, there already arose a clamour of protest demanding his swift return to the recruiting office of the Merck's munitions plant. What? Go back there and own up to the name of Schwartz, And let that blooming J kick me down the stairs, he asked his boyish conscience,

Starting point is 05:49:59 which had received much coddling at the hands of his mother and was therefore alive and kicking. What's the harm in calling myself Lenoir I'd like to know? Means the same of Schwartz? Both of them mean black. Henry Black, that's my name, be right? By George, I've a good mind to change to Henry Black sometime or other. I'm sick of being a hyphenate. an hour later the good french name henri le noir was set down on the payroll of the murk's concern at a weekly wage which would soon finish paying for harry's building lot in imagination he already beheld there a half-shingled house with dormers and a red roof the thought of madeline as the mistress of this modest air-castle gave the knock-out blow to conscience which finally ceased its feeble protests altogether amid the engrosses

Starting point is 05:50:53 industries of the munitions plant. Late that afternoon, Harry again encountered the young fellow he had seen in the town office. He was engaged in checking up the finished product, which had already begun to be assembled in vast piles and serried ranks in the shipping warehouse. Harry, unused to thoughts of bloodshed and destruction, felt a slight shudder stiffening his blonde hair at the sight of those long rows of murderous shells, but it appeared quite otherwise with the stranger. The look of anger and vague disgust, which Harry had noted in the

Starting point is 05:51:30 morning, had given place to one of rapt enthusiasm. So intent was the younger man upon his work that he did not glance up as Harry passed. That fellow's name is Hobbes, said the man who had been deputed to coach Harry in his new duties. You'll find him here every day afternoon. Mornings he works in the filling shed. Harry turned for a second look at the a man who was engaged in counting the day's product with such an air of triumph. And once more, that vague shiver passed along his spine. His mother met him at the door when he came home that night, tired and dusty. Your grandfather's here, she said, in the suppressed voice she always used in announcing

Starting point is 05:52:13 the large authoritative presence in the splint-bottomed chair. And Harry, your father says you haven't been at the building loan office for two days. Nathan Scrimger came over to the shop to see if you were sick. Harry scowled. I've quit the building loan, he said sullenly. Never get anywhere working for that bunch. Got another job with a live concern. Why, Harry, exclaimed his mother.

Starting point is 05:52:44 Why, Harry? He edged past her and raced up the back stairs to his room, uneasily aware of his grandfather's booming voice in the parlour. should he face the old man and tell him what he'd done some sort of explanation would be required of him he knew probably at the supper-table it's none of grandfather's business he told himself as he strove to drown the dominant german gutterals in a rush of water from the forcet I've a right to earn my living any darn way I like. I'm an American. He could hear his mother stepping briskly about the kitchen, while the tantalising odours of freshly baked biscuit and broiling ham

Starting point is 05:53:27 floated up the open stairway. Harry flung his six feet of sturdy length on the banister, and slid noiselessly down. "'Suppermost ready?' he inquired in a whisper. "'Gee, that ham smells good. "'Hary,' said Mrs. Schwartz nervously, "'I wouldn't get to arguing with your grandfather tonight if I were you. "'And Harry?'

Starting point is 05:53:52 "'Yes, mother.' "'I called your father out to the kitchen a minute ago "'to pry the top off the jar of pickles, "'and I told him not to mention you're leaving the building loan at supper. "'You can explain afterward.' "'A conscience-stricken blush mounted to Harry's forehead. Mother, he said fervently, you're some brick. End of Chapter 21.

Starting point is 05:54:26 Chapter 22 of Neighbours by Florence Morse Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. I guess, Madeline, you better go to the revival meeting tonight along with Mar and me, said Miss Malvina to her young neighbour. I asked you part ago, and he says he don't want to be revived till after the war. And unless the Germans give him back Al-Sass, he ain't never going to be. That's downright wicked, I says, to talk that way. I kind of felt it my duty to speak right out.

Starting point is 05:55:01 Your immortal soul, I says, has got to be saved, no matter how the war turns out. Just like that, I says it to him. Then I shrugged my shoulders and says, May Namport, meaning in your lingo, but I don't know as it's any. of my funeral. I thought I should die laughing to see his face. Why, Miss Malvina, says he,

Starting point is 05:55:26 I hope it would matter much to you. To think of him understanding my French. You are sure progress fine and dandy, said Madeline complacently. Me or see, I speak English easy as log from roll. Miss Malvina bent double with cackling laughter. Oh, that ain't right, she corrected her pupil. You want to say as easy as rolling off a log.

Starting point is 05:55:56 Oh, but I guess be right, I ought to be more solemn-like, seen as we're going to a meeting tonight. Me and Mar will call for you in plenty of time. They say seats is scarce after eight o'clock. As teeth of hen, inquired Madeline. Oh, you don't always have to put in the end every time you speak a thing's being scarce, replied Miss Malvina kindly, though there ain't anything scarce and ends teeth as far as I know.

Starting point is 05:56:27 The little dressmaker had composed her face to a proper seriousness by the time she and Mar Bennett arrived at Monsieur Desaise's door that evening. The Frenchman in the easy disabille of his frogged velvet coat received them with his wonted ceremonious politeness. Ah, Madame bonsoir. and miss malvina honour me by entering my humble home that is very nice word home you have made it home by entering my cher ami mrs bennet submitted awkwardly to having her hand kissed and then seated in a large crimson cushioned foetoy she gazed through her far-sighted specks at the strange metamorphosis of miss philiora rice's front parlour the rugs the pictures the dim splendours of leather-bound books the curious bits of faeons afforded the old lady a singular satisfaction as she had frequently expressed it to her daughter it would sit all day a-looking at the mess of things in that house

Starting point is 05:57:36 on the present occasion absorbed in vague contemplation of her surroundings she paid small heed to the conversation between her daughter and monsieur de sey madeline she understood had been late in clearing away the supper dishes she would be down to-sweet a phrase mar benet interpreted uncertainly as referring to madeline's youthful beauty so far as mar is concerned miss malvina was saying she don't need no revivin there never was a pious a woman than mar benet in this ear veil o tears she went a church regular rain or shine for more'n fifty years and as far as funerals and like that i couldn't nobody be more faithful always setting in the front row by the remains i remember being took to funerals when i want no bigger in a grasshopper but mar used to say it never took the laugh out of me i remember teaheeing right out at old miss bascombe's funeral and mar had to carry me out she warmed me good for that i can tell you miss malvina was appropriate clad in her Sunday best Henrietta cloth dress, with the purplish black of her best hair front, carefully disposed under the brim of a black straw hat adorned with jaded flowers. Monsieur Desailles secretly deplored his neighbour's costume, more particularly the hairfront,

Starting point is 05:59:05 which concealed as he knew, snow-white locks of persistent curliness. He listened attentively to Miss Malvina's remarks, making mental notes of several unfamiliar idioms to be looked up later. At present, he had in mind an inquiry, which related itself to Miss Malvina's bright eyes and pecanque gestures. You have lived always in America? he asked. You are a native, nispa? Well, I don't know as I ever thought myself as a native.

Starting point is 05:59:36 They're mostly coloured like Indians and such. But I was born right in this here town, so much. was Ma. We're real old-timers. Anyway, Bennet's is, and I guess the De Boise's was too. That's folks. Ma's name was Henriette Du Bois before she married Parr Bennett. Miss Malvina pronounced the maternal cognomen, Du Bois, with a strong accent on the final syllable. She was astonished at the effect of her words upon her listener. Madame your mother was called Henriette. he cried. It is French.

Starting point is 06:00:16 It plays a spell for me that. Du Bois. It is Dubois, Henriette Dubois. Alon. Now I understand. Enfa'Fé have perceived. Miss Malveen stared.

Starting point is 06:00:35 Du Bois is spelled D-U-B-O-I-S, she said. But it won't never pronounce Dubois. as I know of. Ma? Listen here, Ma. Yes, Malvini,

Starting point is 06:00:49 murmured the old lady, aroused from a rapt contemplation of a certain carved tabare covered with faded tapestry. Won't your folks real Americans? demanded her daughter. They weren't none of them foreign born, was they?

Starting point is 06:01:04 Mrs. Bennett's dim eyes brightened to something like animation. I remember him in my father say his folks come from the other side, she said. I guess Pa was some foreign. I know he used to get all head up because folks never spoke his name right.

Starting point is 06:01:24 But as children didn't mind. And after us girls got married, we never thought no more about it. I want no reason to be particular, whether it was Du Bois or Dubois, as Pa used to call it. Monsieur de Seix arose with an air of solemnity. He bowed low,

Starting point is 06:01:42 before Mar Bennet heals together, hand upon his heart. Madame Henriette Du Bois Bennett, said he, with magnificent disdain for the uncompromising Bennett. My felicitation, you are of my country by extraction. Mar Bennett emitted a little cackle of remonstrance at the touch of his bearded lips upon her forehead, but by virtue of that chaste salute, she had become forever enshrined as it,

Starting point is 06:02:12 it were in those inner fastnesses of m de sey's affections reserved for compatriots alone to miss malvina he said nothing being apparently absorbed in a contemplation of mars faded lineaments for l'n's sake exclaimed the little dressmaker with a sort of awe to think a ma bernet being french m de sey turned quickly around my cher ami he murmured you are also one of us. I knew it. Not for nothing those gestures, those expression piquant. You are Frenches. All

Starting point is 06:02:55 Frenches. Well, I don't know where they care if I be, chirruped Miss Malvina joyously. The body might be a sight worse off, I guess. But one creation will Mrs. Deacon as

Starting point is 06:03:10 Buckthorne say. Madeline, who had entered the room unnoticed, observed the excited demeanour of the three elderly persons with the surprised compassion of youth. To be old, to wear a false front and an ugly hat seemed to her incompatible with jubilence of any sort. She betrayed little surprise when informed of the momentous discovery. "'Ce'le de ma'am shows,' she murmured as she kissed Miss Melvina's cheek and spread a graceful curtsy before Madame Henriette, you bought bennet to whom her father presented her with embrassment no more i can love you than before but if my father he love you better then i am happy as tied at high clam oh you'll kill me yet madeline vowed miss melvin your talk's a regular hasty puddin oh but sakes a life we won't get no seats if we don't make tracks for the church end of chapter twenty two chapter twenty three of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain

Starting point is 06:04:27 miss bennett's apprehensions were well founded the church was already filled to overflowing when they arrived but mr henry pratt in the roll of a zealous usher thought there might be a few choice seats in the choir he'd been instructed he told miss malvina with a secular chuckle to fill such vacancies with sinners on the stroke of eight oh go along with you enery pratt chided miss malvina indignantly ain't you ashamed to talk with that way to mar bennet and me if we're a sinners i'd like to know what in creation you be there was a loud chorus in progress goaded to quickened repetition by the energetic young man occupying a conspicuous soap-box between choir and congregation That's the Evangelist regular singer, Jim Baldwin. Miss Malvina explained to Madeline, as the three ladies followed Mr Pratt's brisk lead to the platform. They say he used to be a street car conductor. I guess you could hear him all over here to Boston.

Starting point is 06:05:33 He's just grand for a revival. Madeline was still very much in the dark as to the nature and purpose of a revival when she took her seat next to a pink-cheeked girl who was singing loudly out of a paper-covered songbook. The erstwhile street conductor's stentorian tones penetrated the tide of song. Come, wake up there.

Starting point is 06:05:56 Can't you put some pep into your singing? Now then. Open up everybody and let her fly to the glory of God. Better pretend to sing, even if you can't, whispered the pink-cheek girl. Baldi won't stand for it to see folks sit. in the front row with their mouths shut but madeline timidly shook her head she was wishing she had not come to the revival with miss malvina and mar bennett who looking unnaturally pale and solemn in their black clothing was seated on the opposite side of the platform but she was temporarily relieved from apprehension when the young man got down from his soap-box and the evangelist rose to speak for a while madeline strove to understand what the man was saying

Starting point is 06:06:44 in his monotonously loud, hoarse voice. She thought he must be very angry with everyone present, for he shook his fists, banged the books on the desk, and when in a climax of fiery denunciation he climbed nimbly to the very top of the pulpit, she involuntarily clutched at the pink-cheeked girl. What is the matter with that man? she asked. Me, I think I am alarm. shh warned the other girl conscious of the watchful regard of mr baldwin madeline's startled eyes were gradually finding friends in the congregation

Starting point is 06:07:24 in a pew near the front sat there proprietor mrs pettibone she did not appear alarmed the girl perceived though her face wore the tense strained expression which seemed to have communicated itself from the speaker to his audience madeline had vaguely understood from Miss Malvina's previous explanations that the revival was a special sort of religion. It was difficult, she thought, to understand religion, and more particularly the religion of America. In France, it appeared to associate itself with shadowy, peaceful old churches, with sunshine mellowed by immemorial stained glass

Starting point is 06:08:04 streaming in across kneeling worshippers and with the snowy veils and wreaths of one's first communion. in the world it meant doing small deeds of kindness and keeping the heart pure from guile madeline's wondering gaze roved from one troubled intent face to another till at last it rested with pleased surprise upon harry schwartz sitting next to the rail on the opposite side of the platform a faint blush stole into the girl's cheeks as she passed in swift review their meeting of yesterday i think of nothing but you all day long harry had said as he held her hand at parting and madeleine somehow understood the english words perfectly she wondered if harry was thinking of her now as he sat motionless his head supported upon his hand which partly concealed his face she had seen harry almost every day of late always by chance of course and sometimes for the briefest of moments it was most desirable indeed necessary for one's health to take the air in the cool of the morning or better yet in the cool of the evening and it was singular how often one chance to meet one's friends bent on similar errands of refreshment that queer mr hobbs too who spoke french whenever she would permit mr hobbs had come quite boldly to call upon her father soon after their small adventure and had been received by m de sey with

Starting point is 06:09:41 marked favour. On such occasions, Madeline sat unobtrusively silent, listening to the conversation, which, as a matter of course, concerned itself with the war. Monsieur de Se and young Hobbes had quickly found a common ground in their keen regret at being personally absent from the great conflict. Then both men had glanced guardedly at Madeline, as if in her quiet presence each found a satisfying reason for his conduct. madeline still found the young englishman interescent but only once had she compared him in the privacy of her thoughts with harry there were no further french lessons now that harry was working in the munitions plant and it was just at this point of their common labour that she had been led to think of the two young men at one and the same moment mr hobbs was working at the manufacture of shrapnel because he wanted to kill germans but harry was working for her he had told her so both in french and in english his french was of a frightfulness to be sure but his english left large loopholes for the imagination

Starting point is 06:10:54 i am going to build a bang up house on my lot he informed madeline and don't you forget it little girl you're going to live in that house some day that's why i change my job i'm out for the simoleons for fair simoleons was a long and difficult word for money madeline learned the very much soiled american money was likewise called cash bucks rocks as well as dollars it was all very puzzling yet her thoughts lingered about the novel idea of harry actually building a house she had shaken her head over his odd notion that she should ever live in that house but you will some time he urged please say yes i not like that word yes she objected an elusive sparkle in her eyes never do i speak yes it is not a nice word say we then boldly urged harry we us and company is a dandy idea was harry thinking about his house she wondered as he sat his head on his hand apparently oblivious to the thunders of oratory from the pulpit but no could not be with that expression of keen anxiety almost of pain why was he so still as if frozen into rigid immobility her girlish curiosity was rapidly merging into anxiety when suddenly as if all at once aware of the soft fire of her gaze the young man looked up their eyes met an innocent smile dimpled at the corners of madeline's lips for a thrilling instant he watched her his troubled eyes full of the question which had been tormenting him under the spell of the evangelist preaching he had been considering his monstrous fraud in assuming the name

Starting point is 06:13:03 he had known all along that it was questionable that he should have explained himself and his paternity to madeline's father and now he was using it to gain money or for her or for her but was it honest money mr pilgrim had chosen the subject of honesty with god and man as the topic of his sermon that night with unsparing hand he had stripped off the multicoloured rags of hypocrisy and deceit with which sinning humanity strives to cover its nakedness a wayfaring man though a fool could furnish no valid excuse for not understanding the purport of mr pilgrim's discourse the entire congregation with the exception of madeleine whose engrossing thoughts in fluent french shut out all save the sound of the preacher's voice realised themselves glissading down a slippery incline leading to fiery death and thus it was that harry his stupefied conscience once more awake and loudly seconding the sermon beheld only one way of escape he must presently stumble to his feet and before all the staring eyes of the village must somehow compass the distance between his shaky camp-chair and the open space before the pulpit reserved for those under conviction he must confess his sins particularly those of omission to some one any one there was no other way by which to save his soul from that eternity of poignant misery which yawned beneath his very feet the reproaches humiliation and obloquy which would assuredly follow upon the heels of his confession seemed of little moment to harry compared with the blessed relief of once more facing his future with unabashed eyes. He must, he would be saved at any sacrifice of pride or

Starting point is 06:15:02 passion. In token of this momentous decision, Harry once more raised his head and straighten his bowed shoulders. His eyes were searching the crowded room for his mother's face. She would be horrified he knew at the revelation of his crime. His deceit appeared no less than a crime to Harry in his excitement, but she would be happy when, then all at once, his heart leapt to his throat. Some potent force had drawn his questing gaze to the chair's opposite, to Madeline's face, with its soft rose and the melting fire of dark eyes. Madeline smiled. After all, what was there to confess?

Starting point is 06:15:46 He'd committed no sin worthy of an unthinkable Hades. Had Madeline not given him his name? like a knight of old he would wear his lady's favour in the battle of modern existence it was a glorious thought the loud singing waxed and waned obeying the imperious baton of the young man on the soap-box harry's lusty young baritone swelled the chorus he felt joyously light and free as he watched the reluctant progress of persons from all parts of the house toward that small cleared space before the pulpit the evangelist was stooping forward to grasp the hands outreach to his his lean face flushed with the triumph of hard won victory that's right that's right he was saying over and over when the slow procession of repentant sinners appeared to linger unduly he again leapt to his feet by turns pleading cajoling threatening the personal workers under the whip and spur of his stinging rebukes redoupled their efforts harry watched impersonally the majestic approach of mrs deaconess buckthorn as she mounted the wooden steps of the platform then he glanced once more at madeline who stood gazing at the confusion you seen with the wide-eyed amazement of a child he saw the pink-cheeked girl stooped a whisper in her ear saw madeline's puzzle smile and a sort of fierce indignation surged up within him it was as if some ignorant blunderer had ruthlessly broken the innocent sleep of childhood

Starting point is 06:17:27 darling he muttered to himself she doesn't understand a word of this farce why should she then he became aware that mrs buckham thorn had come to a standstill at his side her eyes between opposing folds of flesh were fixed tearfully upon him my dear young friend she said i've been watching you all through that blessed sermon and thinks i harry schwartz is a sinner under conviction if ever i see one praise the lord let me take you by the hand and lead you to the arc of safety. Harry shook off the moist, fat hand which sought to enfold his own. Oh, I guess you're mistaken, he muttered. I'm all right.

Starting point is 06:18:20 Oh, my dear boy, don't put it off, entreated Mrs. Buckthorn. If there's anything holding you back, any darling sin that's got a hold of you, do repent before it's too late. but harry pushed rather rudely past the lady he wanted more than anything else to take madeline away from jim baldwin who appeared to be urging her forward almost by force the girl glanced up at harry with a sigh of relief as he gained her side oh i like best to depart from this so strange place she murmured plaintively me i am not a devote no to be a religious i will not i find miss marvina and go home quick to my father great heavens man can't you see she doesn't know enough english to understand what you're saying demanded harry roughly leave her alone will you mr baldwin stared angrily at the intruder

Starting point is 06:19:23 you'd better hit the trail yourself young man was his trenchant advice before the trail hits you see harry's sole reply consisted in a well-conducted retreat never you mind miss malvina he said to madeline i'll take you home all right end of chapter twenty three chapter twenty four of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this libravox recording is in the public domain that same evening mr kitchener hobbs had also attended the services in mr pettibone's church he had done so for a good yet simple reason entirely disassociated with religious convictions of any sort of any sort of a goodybohsehont's church he had done so for a good yet simple reason entirely disassociated with religious convictions of any sort. Mrs. Pettibone had asked him very sweetly to come. The little lady was walking slowly along the street, pushing the perambulator before her. Enthrown in this luxurious vehicle, and quite pink and complacent, young Master Pettibone viewed the passing show, which consisted at the moment of a muddy farm wagon, a yellow dog frisking ahead with extravagant demonstrations of joy, and a single rather grimy pedestrian.

Starting point is 06:20:42 this person would have hurried past without a show of recognition had not mrs pettibone stopped him why mr hobbs she said how d'you do you do the young man touched his cap respectfully he did not wish to stop and talk with mrs pettibone but he appeared to have no choice in the matter don't you think the baby has grown she demanded proudly he'll soon be six months old the young englishman affected to examine the infant with surprise he was a thorough gentleman as was the illustrious soldier whose name he bore he jolly well grown since i saw him last he agreed with gratifying sincerity and is that the dog we chased the day you exchanged your slippers mrs pettibone mrs pettibone beamed rosily upon mr hobbs to think of his recalling the trifling circumstance so precisely he must really be a remarkable young man she'd speak to mr pettibone about him in the meantime she must not forget his immortal soul it's the very same dog she told him oh he's the most intelligent animal and he loves the baby having exchanged these amenities mr hobbs appeared about to pass on oh faltered the minister's wife i just wanted to ask you are you attending the revival services at the church mr hobbs shook his head he seldom went out of an evening he said oh but mrs pettie bone's face had crimsoned painfully with the effort she was making to do her duty if you haven't you really ought you know everyone ought to don't you think one should be quite sure the young man looked honestly puzzled quite sure he repeated

Starting point is 06:22:45 yes of being saved oh but i never could speak to anyone properly about their souls as of course i ought to being a minister's wife Mrs. Pettibone was quite breathless by now. She clutched the handle of the perambulator so tightly that her knuckles showed white through the skin. Mr. Hobbs blushed youthfully. I'm sure I ought to thank you, he said, but really. Please promise me you'll go to the meeting tonight, she persisted, still breathlessly. I am afraid I'm not a good worker in the church. Oh, but if you, he was surprised to see tears glistening on her sparse lashes.

Starting point is 06:23:34 I promised Mr Pilgrim, she added dejectedly. And now, I've tried. But if you, oh, I'll come to your church if you'd like me to, he said quickly. I shan't mind, really. Her gratitude was touching. Young Hobbs got away from it hastily. Still, he had. promised to attend the meeting and being a man of his word he found himself in a rear pew as the church bell ceased its urgent appeals he listened with serious attention to the sermon and the singing

Starting point is 06:24:11 in the light of his thoughts it was unfortunate that to elder george trimmer had been assigned the task of speaking to the unconverted and backsliders in that section of the congregation where young hobbs was seated the conversation between the the two men was brief and pointed. At its conclusion, the erstwhile shoe-clercum of the trimmer Emporium, with a bitter smile upon his lips, strolled out to the vestibule. He had seen Madeline enter with Miss Malvina and Mar Bennett, and the thought of himself walking home with her in the cloudy darkness of the autumnal evening, soothed his ruffled feelings. Through the open door of the church, he saw that a light rain was falling. and congratulated himself on his forethought in bringing an umbrella. It seemed a long time before he saw her coming through the swinging door,

Starting point is 06:25:06 closely followed by a tall young man with indeterminate features and a ruddy complexion. He'd seen him before he knew. Also, for no reason whatever, he disliked the fellow, even before he perceived his arrogant assumption of proprietorship in Madeline. Good evening, Miss Madeleine. said Kitchener Hobbs in French, affecting not to see her companion. It is raining, but fortunately, like a true Londoner, I fetched my umbrella. You will let me take you home?

Starting point is 06:25:41 The girl blushed with girlish embarrassment. You are of a politeness, she murmured, but you will excuse most kindness, but? It is raining quite fast, particularised Mr Hobbs, Still unconscious of the masculine presence at Madeleine's side. Harry Schwartz scowled blankly at the wet shining pavements and the wet dripping foliage. Then his eyes brightened. In an umbrella stand near the door, he spied the means of escape. I have an umbrella, he said, calmly possessing himself of a large substantial article bearing the name Buckthorn,

Starting point is 06:26:23 prominently displayed upon its handle. He assured his badly abused conscience that he would return it before Mrs. Buckthorn had finished her pious labours within. Upon Mr. Hobbs, he bestowed a single glance of defiance. Perhaps we'd better hurry along, he suggested to Madeline. Then I'll hustle back with an umbrella for Miss Malvina and the old lady. Madeline hesitated.

Starting point is 06:26:49 To avoid wounding a friend while declining a kindness required one's savoy affair. Miss Dear Hobb, she began with a bewitching glance of entreaty. I am very much hope you are not mad with me, but I have honour to tell you, Mr Schwartz take me home. You are acquainted with him, yespa? The two young men stared at each other, with a slight, very slight stiffening of their spinal processes.

Starting point is 06:27:21 in their eyes shone the primeval blint of the male animal. Madeline was vaguely alarmed. Very nice person, Monsieur de Nois, he murmured. Very much you like him, Mr. Hob? I didn't catch your name, sir, said Kitchener Hobbes. My name is Schwartz, snapped Harry. And then he suddenly grew pale. Haven't I seen you at the plant?

Starting point is 06:27:51 inquired Mr. Hobbs, unpleasantly circumstantial. Harry controlled himself with an effort. Hmm, I work there, he said. Madeline had retreated to the door of the audience room from whence issued triumphant bursts of song. Oh, I think it best I wait for Miss Marvina, she murmured her eyes wide with apprehension. I quite agree with you, said Mr. Hobbs,

Starting point is 06:28:19 deliberately turning his back upon Harry. Miss Bennet might be alarmed at not finding you. Harry's heart was pounding furiously in his scarlet ears. Look here, he said thickly, addressing himself to his rival. Who asked you to butt in? Mr. Hobbs assumed as well as he was able the expression of Lord Kitchener after his return from Khartoum. He did not appear to have understood the rude question. I think you will not have long to wait, he said.

Starting point is 06:28:51 to Madeline, in her own language, which to his angry antagonist sounded precisely like the flawlessly unintelligible speech of Monsieur de Seix. Harry, all his teuton and revolutionary blood, suddenly rising to the boiling point with love and fury, closed in upon Mr. Hobbs. He had not been so angry since a boy in the third grade of the public school had called him Sissy, because his mother had persisted in sparing his yellow curls. On that occasion, young Harry had fallen fearlessly upon the aggressor, though he was twice his size, and beaten him unmercifully. You didn't answer me, he stated hoarsely,

Starting point is 06:29:33 in unpleasant proximity to Mr Hobbs' ear. No, and I don't intend to, replied Mr. Hobbs disdainfully. You're the sort of bounder, a gentleman doesn't recognise. at this psychological instant madeline's quick wits prevented a continuation of hostilities which might have resulted disastrously on the very threshold of the revival she laid her hand lightly on harry's sleeve beneath which bulged angry muscles very much obliged she said sweetly you are most friendly and of a politeness we may i present to you one time thousand thanks we wait for madame dubois bennett and miss malvina yes into the final word which she had declined to utter only the day before at his entreaty the girl managed to convey such coaxing sweetness such alluring charm that harry felt his rage suddenly vanished like a wind-blown mist all right he murmured his honest blue eyes beaming down upon her anything you see says. Sure it does, she made haste to agree. You are my friend of a right deadiness.

Starting point is 06:30:54 Very bien. And then upon the smart of Mr. Hobbes' resentment, she poured the balm of her smile. Oh, how I am glad for a very nice umbrella, she warbled. Miss Malvina also and Madame her ma'am, a snug as a bug in the rug. All, every one. with such great kindness of our friends mr holmes regained his presence of mind at a single bound charmed i am sure to be of some small service he said with a bow which would have gained him recognition in hyde park permit me he pressed his umbrella into madeline's hand and was gone into the rainy night before she could utter a remonstrance perhaps it was fortunate that miss malvina and mar benet came hurriedly forth at that moment. Miss Malvina's cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright.

Starting point is 06:31:52 Well, I declare, Madeline, she exclaimed. So that's what's becoming you. Harry Schwartz, you ought to be in there, setting with the mourners this minute. I seen you take Madeline away, just as Jim Baldwin was a labouring with her.

Starting point is 06:32:09 She wanted to go home, Harry excused himself inadequately. A poor excuse is better and none, retorted Miss Malvina. If it hadn't I been for Marr, I don't know but what I'd have joined him with the backsliders. But Maher didn't catch much of what he was saying.

Starting point is 06:32:27 Or besides, she got a pain in the small of her back from setting so long in that pesky camp chair. And then along comes Enri Pratt and had the nerve to ask Ma and me to hit the trail. Why, who's got on a trail, Malvini? Says Maher, innocent. Why thought I should die? Mr. Sign-Painter Pratt, I says, severe.

Starting point is 06:32:51 If you'd have took that sermon in, I says, you wouldn't be talking no such nonsense to Mar Bennett. You ain't worthy to unbuttoner's shoes, I says. And I'd like it to sink deep in your ears, speaking of the subject of the sermon, I says, which was honesty, that the paint on my dress-making sign is peeling off already. and me paying a dollar and 75 cents for it less than six months ago.

Starting point is 06:33:18 You go down on that trail, Henry, he says, and see if you can't get a hold of a brand of religion that'll make you mix your paint with linseed oil instead of kerosene. Quite unabashed by this pointed exposition on common honesty, Harry spread the buckthorn umbrella over Madeleine, while Miss Malvina and Marr went on before, under the shelter so kindly loaned by Mr. Hobbs.

Starting point is 06:33:44 What, it nice of him to think of two old women like me and ma, floated back to the two young people over Miss Malvina's shoulder. I'll bet a dollar, oddie Hobbs'll get a star in his crown for that. What is starring crown? Propounded Madeline, striving to pierce the gloom of Harry's demeanour. I never saw one of them, replied Harry dejectedly, and I guess I never will now. "'Will I ever see one of those crowning stars?' persisted the girl. "'You like them?' "'They look dandy on you,' sighed Harry.

Starting point is 06:34:24 "'But I hope you won't get one for a long time yet. "'Say, Madeline, there's something I want to ask you.' "'Tre bien, yes?' "'A cold trickle from the buckthorn umbrella, "'winding deviously down the back of his collar, still further depressed the sinking barometer of Harry's feelings. There's a lot of things I want you to tell me. I've got to know him or go up the spout.

Starting point is 06:34:53 All right, the girl encouraged him. Say, do you think it's square for me to go on being called Lenoir? On the level now, have I any right to that name? Madeline pondered the proposition expressed in ten, terms of two dimensions with care. What is square? She inquired cautiously. Is that nice word, square?

Starting point is 06:35:22 If I could jab a French like that nervy chap Hobbs, I could explain in a jiffy. He growled deep in his throat. In a jiffy? An automobile? We, I understand. Oh, hang it. I didn't say Chitney, protested Harry.

Starting point is 06:35:41 look here madeline we'll cut out the figures of speech for once and try to get down to brass tacks so you'll savi see braz tec yes do you remember when you introduce me to your father vtre father you know you didn't want him to catch on that i was german well of course i ain't i'm american clear to the backbone and i'll not the spots out of any cheap sport who dares to say I ain't. I'm American all right, but I've got a Dutch name, Heinrich Schwartz. I don't care, it's a blamed good name, and it's an American name because I'm one. And what's more, it's going to be an American name,

Starting point is 06:36:29 for I don't know how long. Harry paused, impressed with the spotless pages of American history embellished with the name of Heinrich Schwartz, which seemed suddenly unrolled before him. It's time all this darn nonsense about names was wiped out, he stated with some violence. Why isn't Schwartz as good as black or Lenoir? I'm blamed if it ain't.

Starting point is 06:36:56 But I guess I've put my foot in it by translating it into blooming Belle Francaise. If that British chap should give me away at the plant... you call yourself le noir at plant asked madeline suddenly pouncing on the crux of the matter like a preternaturally bright kitten yes admitted harry reluctantly they were turning away applicants with german names i wanted the job you know why if you don't i'll tell you again i want you to marry me as soon as i earn enough to build my house i love you madeline harry's voice was scarcely audible as he made his final fateful statement it seemed to him that he had shouted it from the housetops every lighted window glimps through vistas of dripping foliage appeared to be spying upon him with stealthy enjoyment his heart thumped loudly in his ears as he waited for her answer but madeline it seemed was still pondering his initial question ought he to call himself l'inois in order to earn money this much she had comprehended clearly i think i ask my father she said at last i explain all to him then i tell to you you like me to explain this bah then you do oh madeline harry's further utterance was choked with rapture but he managed to possess himself of her hand which he squeezed fervently

Starting point is 06:38:37 but i guess it's up to me to face the music he added dubiously she had withdrawn the squeezed hand with a little cry oh did i hurt you he inquired penitently i'm so happy i guess i didn't realise "'Or say, Madeline, did you mean it?' Her upturned face in the strong radiance of a swinging arclight was so lovely that he yearned to kiss it, but the puzzled pucker between her brows deflected him from his purpose. "'I can never be sure just how much you take in of what I'm saying,' he complained. "'Darn it! If I'd only worked harder while I had the chance, I might have been able to parley vu by now.

Starting point is 06:39:20 come to think i do know the first part of one verb jemsehs save jemme madeline to his dismay she burst into ringing mirth you are most funny harry she told him quic i die laughing funny he echoed then you think it's a joke when a man asks you to marry him do you that's what i'm trying to say, I want you for my wife. Do you know what wife means? His face changed subtly from the incoate good looks of the boy to the stern masterfulness of the man bent toward her. Do you? he urged. She shook her head airily.

Starting point is 06:40:12 I think best you etudier le dictionaire French. She said, "'Enfain, I understand Moquique.' Her eyes bright as stars in the uncertain light told him nothing. "'All right,' he said doggedly. "'I'll get busy. "'There's a few words I'm going to make you understand "'if I study all night.'

Starting point is 06:40:35 "'Mercie one thousand, my friend. "'Me, I also study my dictionary English, "'and I find all those strange words "'Zoze wife and to marry him. "'You like me to do it, Harry?' "'Madeline!' "'But already they'd reached the gate of Miss Filiora's little house, "'which had once swung wide to the sober,

Starting point is 06:41:04 "'middle-aged wooing of the Reverend Silas Pettibone, "'and she had passed quickly inside. "'Zoze parerpluie,' she reminded him, "'you are obliged to take him?' "'Oh, that's right. right he exclaimed a vision of the outraged mrs buckthorn vainly searching for her umbrella adding itself to the sum total of his discomfiture as he sprinted down the street he could hear madeleine's high sweet call of greeting and farewell to miss malvina who had evidently been watching for her safe arrival confound it murmured harry vaguely displeased with miss malvina the world at large and most of all with himself end of chapter twenty four chapter twenty five of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librevoct recording is in the public domain

Starting point is 06:42:06 as was entirely natural mr hobbs called for his umbrella on the following evening he did not he explained to monsieur de say wish to put any one to the trouble of returning the paraprui which he was only too happy to have had with him for the service of the ladies. Monsieur de Seine knew of no such umbrella. He searched among his own without success. But would not Monsieur Hobbes do him the honour of entering his humble abode? His daughter Madeline, who was at the moment visiting their amiable neighbour Mademoiselle Dubois-Benet, might know about the umbrella. And this put him in mind of the singularly interesting discovery he had made with regard to Miss Malvina's ancestry. It was pleasant to be able to relate the Pequant incident in his own tongue, which the young Englishman understood without difficulty. And so, for the better part of an hour, the father of Madeline discoursed at length on the amazing tut-ensemble of the so-called American,

Starting point is 06:43:11 born of many nations and yet resembling none. Even the German-American, Monsieur de Seix, pulled a wry face at the hyphenate word frequently exhibited small traces of his deplorable teuton blood did m ob's by example number any such person among his acquaintance mr hobbs hesitated here was the appropriate dagger its handle toward his hand should he use it was it not indeed his duty to warn the unworldly father of madeline that a certain bounder he could think of no other descriptive adjective for the rude and bucolic harry a german never mind the american even now threatened his domestic peace his newly acquired sense of duty and the stern kitchener code of honour struggled together for an instant he determined upon a safe middle course far be it from a kitchener hobbs to meanly retaliate upon his rival but to instil a proper amount of caution into the receptive mind of m de sey need not collide with the strictest manual of deportment well i since you ask me sir i will say that i do know such a person young hobbs grew uncomfortably hot inside his starch collar how was he to convey the much-needed warning without actual hypocrisy monsieur de se eyed him intently

Starting point is 06:44:52 ah he ejaculated softly and what pray do you think of him i don't like him sir said mr hobbs sternly naturallyme agreed the frenchman with a shrug kitchener hobbs frowned at his boots which were impeccably polished then suddenly his brow cleared he had determined upon a bold course one which would give him the right to speak unreservedly to the father of madeline the fact is sir he blurted out i love your daughter i hope you have no objections you love me my daughter and you are hope i've no objection m de sey's tone was carefully modulated his smile might even be construed as encouraging i'm not rich modestly admitted mr hobbs but i'm clean and honest i'm an englishman my mother is american allon you are also of that melange tambon que mauve the englishman reddened angrily better english-american than german american he said stiffly but why either inquired monsieur de say pleasantly impersonal i returned to france my daughter also en-fin she marries a frenchman it is my purpose you forget that your daughter is beautiful and that she is unprotected from the advances of even germans in a country where as you say the good and the bad are mixed in pretty even proportions

Starting point is 06:46:43 it was monsieur de sey's turn to redden angrily you will of your goodness explain yourself monsieur he said with ominous politeness do you chance to know a fellow who calls himself le noir asked hoddy hobbes casting altruism and the kitchener code to the winds orr de nois or young of a roddy complexion certainly i have attempted to teach him french did you succeed sir monsieur de se drew his brows together many things recurred to his agile memory he linked them swiftly into one sinister hole ah he exiled lightly between closed teeth you are telling me that young man is i have been dup deceived what is it you say his name stated kitchener hobbs distinctly is schwarz heinrich schwartz he told me so himself he somehow managed to win the confidence of your daughter and you ought to To know it, sir. He walked home with Madeleine last night. Dead silence followed these correlated statements. The father of Madeleine opened and closed his sinewy fingers two or three times,

Starting point is 06:48:13 while the veins on his forehead swelled visibly. But he did not burst into excited recriminations. His eyes, very bright and rather unpleasant to contemplate, were fixed immovably upon an odd busy. of feance, representing a Dutch woman in a winged cap, carrying a balanced water jugs. I fancy I made a ballet ass of myself, stammered Kitchener Hobbes, hating the Dutch woman with ardour. But I thought, it seemed to me, Monsieur Desset arose. Monsieur, he said, permit me to thank you.

Starting point is 06:48:54 Irregrettable, you cannot of your goodness, pay me a longer visit. "'Bonsoir, monsieur. Good night.' His smile was pervasive, irresistible. Young Hobbes found himself wafted, as it were, on waves of goodwill and friendly cordiality to the front door, which closed gently, very gently, behind him. Outside in the cool darkness,

Starting point is 06:49:21 Mr. Hobbs took brief counsel with himself. "'Confound a Frenchman anyway,' he muttered. and permitted himself a brief though refreshing interval of impersonal criticism every britain is of course aware of the inherent in sincerity of the french character slippery being the favourite descriptive adjective one never knew where to find a frenchman he told himself banally upon further reflection during which young hobbes passed his late conversation with m de sain's swift review he perceived review he perceived received that his bold declaration of love for madeline had hopelessly muddled the situation she'll hate me for telling he concluded simply there was but one course of action which suggested itself under existing circumstances he resolved to follow it miss malvina opened the door to his agitated ring good gracious she exclaimed as she recognised her visitor if it ain't you ory harbs we walk right in do mr hobbs inwardly resented miss bennet's familiar use of his mother's undignified abbreviation of the magnificent horatio herbert he detested the name hoddy but he walked in aware of madeline's light laugh in the room beyond i got your umbrella all safe said miss malvina my i don't know what we'd a done without it with mar's rheumatirs and all it certainly was real sweeter you to remember ma and me

Starting point is 06:51:01 i was just sayin to madeline they ain't many young fellows i says would give us a thought she stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear i put in a good word for yardy oh my ain't she a lovely girl but you'll have to watch out or harry schwartz'll cut you out he's an awful nice boy harry is i knowed him since he was in dresses prettiest little felly ever see with yellow curls down on his shoulders and the pinkish cheeks oh my i wish to speak to mr say said mr hobbs stiffly i was told she was here want to know wondered miss malvina her pa musta told you she just run in for a couple of minutes to bring mar some gaiters that's what she calls em little cakes with a reason on top here's your umbrella and your hat right on top of it so as you can't forget it come to bow madeline home you'll be so excited you'll likely forget you ever owned one madeline blushed when she beheld the pale stern face of kitchener hobbs he had an air of mastery about him which caused a vague but agreeable shiver to pass over her speak of angels announced miss malvina joyously and you'll catch the flutter of their wings wasn't we're just talking about arty hobbs sit right down closest to mar ardy so she can hear what you're saying and i was telling em what a nice neat boy you was never giving you mar any trouble but mr hobbs declined the chair miss malvina kindly cleared of sewing materials for him madeline had retreated toward the door with a murmured explanation which concerned her father alone and missing her

Starting point is 06:53:00 oh i guess you park and get along without you for a spare longer protested mar bennet don't go yet a while miss malvina winked knowingly at mar she had witnessed the exchange of glances between hoddy Hobbes and Madeline with a youthful quickening of her own pulses. Why, ma, she said after she had closed the front door on the two, if you weren't blinder and a bat, you could see was a paying attention, Madeline. Didn't you take notice how red she got when he come in? And he fairly ate her up with his eyes. Miss Melvina sighed plaintively. My, it must be.

Starting point is 06:53:46 be awful nice to be young and handsome and have a bow i don't know as i ever had one oh yes you did too malvini contradicted ma don't you remember there was obed's altar oh yes scoffed miss malveen oh bed come home with me from prayer-meeting once after his first wife died i won't look at that old widow in the morning i'd fly no sir not if he was a last man on earth and there was a fellow named peck went on mar eagerly he was oh they ain't no use in waking up them old memories interrupted miss malvina almost pettishly i got an autograph album up in the attic i remember we passed it round in school and all the boys wrote opposite the girls they like best george beale's wrote opposite me then he went off and caught in adie my ears but my goodness i'd no more a married under take a john beles not if he was a last man the loud whir of the sewing-machine drowned further reminiscences but miss malvina's cheeks were almost as pink as madelaine's when she finally drew down the shades preparatory to going to bed there was a young moon in the sky companioned by a single bright star miss malvina sighed as she gazed it made her think of madeline and hoddy hobbs my she repeated wistfully it must be awful nice to be young and have a bow there was a light burning steadily in the window of her neighbour's house

Starting point is 06:55:41 it finally drew her eyes from a contemplation of the heavenly luminaries whatever would he do if madeline was to take a notion to get married she asked the cat then she put a nail into its worn hole above the sash and shut up the sash and shut up the outer world from view wondering as she did so what hoddy hobbs could be saying to madeline out there in the moonlight in her youth which seemed a great way off miss malvina had never walked under moonlit trees with a young man and now with a curious unaccustomed ache she wished she had just a once so i could look back and remember it she murmured humbly as she blew down the chimney of her kerosene lamp. But Madeline had appeared wholly indifferent to her superior opportunities as she walked quickly down Miss Malvina's graveled path. With every light footfall, young Kitchener Hobbs beheld his immediate opportunity of putting himself right with her, slipping away.

Starting point is 06:56:48 If she should see her father first, yet it seemed impossible to speak. Oh, I say, he managed to murmur huskily as they reached her own gate a short distance from miss malvinas bonsoir said madeline sweetly quick i made track for home not yet please i must speak to you the girl paused with a tentative air of a bird on a wind-swept bow oh madeline i love you and i have told your father but he and-i i-i have told your father but he and-i i wait you must listen i've something more to tell you he strove boldly to detain her but she shut the gate between them i have now to hurry she said retreating from his questing hand you hear that oloch seem nainer there was no denying the brazen clang of the town-clock you better not go into your father till you have heard what i have to say he sent after her desperately you'll be sorry if you do oh bien quick you tell i wait one minute madeline don't be so cruel if you knew how i love you it is most extraordinary this love i love you love e love like lesson in grammar anglaise me i not like to study

Starting point is 06:58:27 No. She shook her head with a tantalising laugh. Madeline, why did you allow that fellow with two names to walk home with you last night? demanded Mr Hobbes, in a tone which he vainly strove to make elderly and impersonal. Really, that sort of thing won't do. Why not, please? Because, can't you understand that a man who deceives his employer by using an alias, isn't to be trusted,

Starting point is 06:59:01 especially when he's a German and in a munitions factory. He is not German. Harry is American. Very much star and stripe that Harry. You think I am, baby? So you call him Harry, commented Mr. Hobbs grimly. Why not Heinrich? That's his real name.

Starting point is 06:59:26 Heinrich Schwartz. And these are the name, please? Le Noir. The fellow actually has the impudence to call himself Lenoir at the plant. Of course, I told your father. I had to do it. Can't you see?

Starting point is 06:59:44 Schwartz may be a dangerous fellow. Young Kitchener Hobbs' voice shook with twofold passion. Madeline, elusive as missed, seemed about to vanish into the night. Hear me out, he called after her. You shall. Very much I hear you. Miss Marvina and my fathers also so loud you all.

Starting point is 07:00:08 Me, I am not deaf as post. But you seem so far away. Listen, Madeline, it is because I love you, because I want you to be my wife. I can't bear to see you, deceived by she was gone there could be no doubt of it the door opened showing an oblong of yellow lamplight and then closed for an irresolute minute he stood staring at the little old house

Starting point is 07:00:41 beneath its canopy of swaying trees suppose he should storm that closed door should insist on being heard in french in english or in the absurd patois madeline chose to speak after all what more could he say he had at least made his motives clear and from his present entrenched position as the declared lover of madeline he would not easily be dislodged to harry schwartz he gave but a single disdainful thought he's the sort of bounder said kitchener hobbs who attempts to cover his misdeeds with the stars and stripes and calls himself an american End of Chapter 25 Chapter 26 of Neighbours by Florence Mores Kingsley This Liprovoc's recording is in the public domain Mrs Pettibone had just taken up her child from his afternoon nap

Starting point is 07:01:45 in the moist pink entirely adorable condition peculiar to a baby going on seven months After she had kissed, cuddled and cooed over him In a hopelessly old-fashioned manner she knocked on the study door. Mrs. Pettibone had never given up this modest custom when thus intruding upon her husband's solitude. He did not at once answer,

Starting point is 07:02:09 and boldly, very boldly, his son upon her arm, she repeated her summons. Why don't you walk right in, Miss Fulura? demanded Mr. Pettibone's laughing voice from within. Mrs. Pettibone blushed. She always blushed when he called her Miss Fulura, thus reminding her of all the sweet and wonderful happenings of a not distant past i wanted you to see him silas she said he's wonderful to-day and you know silas he'll never be just six months and four days old again true admitted mr pettibone i hadn't thought of it in that way before i think of it every day she sighed he's growing up so fast

Starting point is 07:02:57 Silas. But we want him to grow up, don't we? We wouldn't like to see him atrophied in babyhood, would we? Of course not. But he's so sweet just as he is. Look at his eyes, Silas. He's looking at you, see? He wants you to take him and play with him.

Starting point is 07:03:17 Mr Pettibone promptly abandoned Volume 4 of a series of commentaries on the Pauline epistles in favour of the baby, who began to gurgle and kick with delight. as his father held out his arms for him. Just six months and four days old this morning, repeated Mrs. Pettibone, gazing at her treasures in the shabby armchair

Starting point is 07:03:38 with unconcealed delight. I can hardly believe it, Silas. If anyone had told me five years ago, oh, was that the doorbell? It doesn't ring very well lately. He heard her voice in greeting, which seemed to convey a note of surprise. and then the parlour door closed mr pettibone gazed in some perplexity at his son surely it was a man's voice he had heard in the passage five minutes elapsed and still she didn't return

Starting point is 07:04:11 the baby tiring of the minister's silver watch and of his persistently offered key-ring which the infant finally cast upon the floor with a shrill little yelp of displeasure was becoming somewhat uninteresting as compared with volume four of the poor commentaries mr pettibone paced the length of his study several times in aenely repeating pretty pretty in the presence of his rows of theological books the infant quite evidently failed to appreciate this form of entertainment for he began to howl lustily the infant's clothing moreover displayed a strange tendency to creep up about his ears in vain the distracted mr pettibone strove to pat and poor these ink-oat garments into place, as he had seen his wife do a score of times. Finally, in despair, he deposited the small demoralised bundle of muslin and flannel on the floor, and stood looking down at it dubiously. The minister could think of no adequate reason for the infant's displeasure, but there appeared to be little doubt of it in view of his screams. Mrs. Pettibone opened the door upon his discomfiture.

Starting point is 07:05:24 "'Why, Silas Pettibone,' she exclaimed, "'what are you doing to the baby? "'Oh, come here to Mother, darling.' "'There was implied censure in her voice "'and the way in which she skillfully righted the infant's garments "'and hushed his abominable crying, "'which was not meekly to be born. "'I was not doing anything to the baby, my dear Fuliora,'

Starting point is 07:05:49 "'protested Mr Pettibone with unwonted spirit. "'I merely held on to him as low. long as i was able and then never mind silas said his wife with a new and superior forbearance he had noted in her manner of late please come and speak to monsieur de se i've been talking with him he wanted to see me but i thought perhaps we ought to consult you besides i heard the baby mr pettibone gazed at his wife with honest amazement she had thought perhaps well well miss you to say in an immaculate frock-coat and striped trousers a black pearl in his scarf and a flower in his button-hole presented a pleasant contrast to the somewhat dishevelled minister the baby said mrs pettibone wanted me now i think we can go on with our little talk possibly mr pettibone can advise you better than i about your daughter though i'm sure everything will be all right my madeline has no mother said monsieur de say gravely had it been god's will that madame my wife survived to now it would not have been necessary to consult a stranger i regret the grand trouble i make with you but it is impossible to avoid you understand me is it not harry schwartz has been making love to madeline explained mrs pattypone very pink and smiling.

Starting point is 07:07:26 I've been telling, Monsieur de say, that Harry is a splendid boy. We've always known him. He thought Harry was a German spy. A German spy, repeated Mr. Pettibon? Oh, no, no, indeed. Let me assure you, sir, Harry Schwartz is one of our own Sunday school boys.

Starting point is 07:07:49 He is above suspicion of anything like that. but he is of german blood persisted the frenchman polite but unyielding you will of your kindness pardon me if i say that is for me suffic samon beyond he has also deceived me i think him a huguenot the name of le noir i find him german name of schwartz what will you monsieur deyre monsieur says eyes shoulders and outspread hands were eloquent of disbelief but his expression suddenly changed to one of amazement and alarm he exclaimed sharply what is it all three occupants of the parsonage parlour sprang to their feet that loud booming explosion which had shaken the old house from rafter to cellar what was it mr pettibone was the first to recover himself oh i'm told they're at work constructing a new state road some miles away he began it was probably necessary blasting i believe but again the terrible sound interrupted the minister's explanation then followed many short and sharp explosions like the discharge of volleys of musketry oh it must be something awful murmured mrs pettibon clasping her baby closer monsieur de sees stood with bent head the frown with which he had listened to the minister's somewhat vague defence of harry schwartz deepening between his eyes the sound of the explosions continued now heavy dull shattering noises again that sudden bursting crackle like machine-guns in action then he spoke one french word which the world pronounces as it will

Starting point is 07:09:47 munition the two men moved by a single impulse rushed out of doors but mrs pettibone her baby in her arms hurriedly climbed the stair to the nursery the terrible sound continued but in this quiet sunny room with its small pendant garments and its white furniture one somehow felt safe from immediate catastrophe she had not comprehended m de sey's laconic explanation and in her confusion she began mechanically to gather the baby's garments into a neat bundle perhaps they would be obliged to fly other women the world over had been forced into the open their babies in their arms something terrible and unexpected was happening she must be ready oh yes and extra socks and handkerchiefs of mr pettibone oh would he need his pyjamas she strove to think calmly where was the baby's talcum powder a sound of trampling feet on the stair mingled with a fuselard of frightful explosions well for the land's sake miss pettibone exclaimed the strident voice of mrs wessles from the door ain't this the living limit i was a wash'-at-home to-day this been a thorough's day and i had my hands in the suds when in runs georgie ma he says the works is blowing up he says what works, he says, by goodness sake, Georgie.

Starting point is 07:11:21 Why, then bomb works out with a swamp, Marie, says. He don't know everything my Georgie is. I tell you, Mr. Pettybone, then can't nothing take place without him knowing it first off. He's the smartest boy or Georgie. What in creation are you doing?

Starting point is 07:11:37 Packing up? It ain't going to do no great harm in the village, Miss Pettybone. But I bet the swamp will be chuck full of remains. after the bombs is all fired off here they come now running like a pack of lunatics oh look mrs pettibone for pity's sake just see em the minister's wife needed no second bidding the sound of hundreds of running feet drew her to the window workmen from the plant fleeing from the terrific bombardment meant for others were hurrying past the house in small irregular squads a confused rabble of women and crying children bringing up the rear.

Starting point is 07:12:20 They'd pass the danger zone, but they were still running, their eyes fixed and staring, their feet striking the pavement with dull heavy thuds. Well, I guess I'd better be going along, said Mrs Wessels, gathering her shawl under her chin with an air of keen enjoyment. Who thinks I, I'll stop him first off and see if anything hit the Paris nage yet? Oh, land, if there ain't Harry Schwartz, a scorching along on his bike. i didn't know as he worked out there did you but i guess he must have his clothes is all black mrs pettibone turned from the window her face pale and anxious

Starting point is 07:12:59 she was recalling confusedly certain scraps of her conversation with m de se he had insisted that harry schwartz was working at the munitions plant under an assumed name but it must be time for the baby's bottle little whimpering sounds from the crib reminded her of the paramount fact she followed mrs Wessles downstairs in the hall mr pettibone was talking with two or three excited neighbours the house seemed suddenly full of people the baby was crying upstairs mrs pettibone found herself trying to comfort a distracted woman who declared her son had been killed and still the terrible sound of exploding shells rent the air No one in Innesfield learned the full extent of the disaster that day, nor the next. The detonations continued fitfully during the afternoon and well on into the night, when a dull red glow streaked with brilliant arcs of light,

Starting point is 07:13:59 revealed the spot where the munitions works had stood. Mounted police from Boston and fire engines from nearby towns invaded the streets, and by daybreak a tentative effort was made to round up the workmen. it was thought at first that many were missing but as the hours passed it appeared that several who had run blindly from the scene of the disaster had become entangled in the more distant fastnesses of the swamp from which they emerged covered with slime their clothing torn to shreds but otherwise uninjured on sunday morning mr pettibone pale but calm in the face of a large and excited congregation rendered heartfelt thanks to god for the almost miraculous present of human life during the late terrifying calamity that not one of the hundreds of workmen employed had met with sudden death was due to the extraordinary presence of mind and bravery of one young man so mr pettibone informed the almighty and incidentally his congregation after a time-honoured custom the long prayer was devoted to a masterly recapitulation of recent events previously unknown to mortals but without reasonable doubt stored up in the divine intelligence from the foundation of the world at its close mrs buckthorne was seen to nudge her neighbour miss Elector Pratt who'd he mean she whispered what young man

Starting point is 07:15:24 I guess it must have been that young Hobbs miss Elector whispered back from behind her hymn book they say he telephoned all over the plant after Sadie Banks fainted dead away setting in her chair after he got everybody on the run he drug her out and revived her and she'd come home as lively as a cricket but he didn't come home for most two hours most everybody thought he was killed his mother took on till you could hear her down in the store as these circumstantial details were already known to mrs buckthorn she listened without comment her large countenance composed to a pious rigidity befitting the time and occasion it was not until the benediction had been pronounced and the organ burst forth in vague triumph, that she turned again to Miss Pratt. I suppose, she said in a hollow voice, that you've heard the terrible intelligence about Harry Schwartz.

Starting point is 07:16:25 My gracious me, cried Miss Pratt, pausing round-eyed in the act of buttoning her jacket. Was he killed? Mrs. Buckthorn shook her head. I almost wish I could say the Lord's will be done to that question. elect her she syllable slowly no he ain't dead he's been arrested and he's in jail harry schwartz arrested in jail shrilled miss pratt why i run into mrs schwartz only last night after supper to borrow a cup of sugar and she didn't say anything about harry's being arrested mrs buckthorn continued solemnly to oscillate her massive headgear. Out of the corner of her eye, she beheld Mrs. Obed Salter,

Starting point is 07:17:20 Mrs. Undertaker Beals, and Mrs. Henry Pratt advancing down the aisle. They'd not heard the news. No, Elector, she said distinctly, Mrs. Schwartz was not aware of her son's disgrace at that hour. I understand Harry was preparing to retire for the night, when I suppose they had to put regular handcuffs onto him, offered Miss Pratt. She also had noted the approaching bevy of ladies, and framed her comment thus dramatically with purpose.

Starting point is 07:17:57 Oh, for pity's sake, what's happened now? demanded Mrs. Salter excitedly. Who's been handcuffed? I ain't heard a word. Nor me neither, chimed in Mrs. Pratt. Mrs. Undertaker Beals, as became her husband's. gloomy trade preserved a non-committal silence but her eyes under their black lashes were active and observant mrs buckthorne sighed heavily they suppose she said with an air of reluctance that we can hardly hope to keep the matter to ourselves much as we should be glad to spare the young man's family they do say his picture took in jail will be in all

Starting point is 07:18:42 the papers to-morrow my my when i think how during our late blessed revival i set and watched that young man and him looking serious for the first time in his life and of how i went personally and laboured with him face to face doing my prayerful best to draw him out of the mourners pew and how but the flood of question and comment which had been gathering in force, could no longer be stayed. Even the taciturned Mrs. Beals insisted upon being heard. George Beals knew of Harry Schwartz's arrest

Starting point is 07:19:24 early this morning, she stated. Mr. Schwartz was around trying to get bail. What did he do? demanded the other women in chorus, turning with one accord to Mrs. Beals. Why did they arrest him? Ladies, "'Poke Mrs. Buckthorne loudly and authoritatively.

Starting point is 07:19:44 "'If you listen to me!' "'But Mrs. Beals triumphantly held the floor. "'She could be depended upon to be brief and to the point, "'without reservation or rhetorical embellishment. "'They say he blew up the plant,' she said bluntly. "'But I know he didn't. So there.' "'Ladies!' intoned Mrs. Buckthorne. "'I can tell you something,

Starting point is 07:20:10 awful if you'll pay attention to me. That poor misguided young man, who'll undoubtedly be hung in the near future, was arrested because Mr. Pettibone's tall black-coated figure suddenly appeared in the centre of the excited group. Not one of the women had noticed his approach, but its effect was magical. Even Mrs. Buckthorne became silent for a moment. in that moment the minister spoke i wish you would all disperse quietly to your homes he said in low even tones i see you've heard of the terrible accusation which has been lodged against a young man who has grown up in our midst one of our own children i believe him to be innocent of the horrible crime laid at his door and until he has been proven guilty he is entitled to that belief by the rulings of common law mrs buckthorn wagged her bonnet decorated with a plenitude of black beads as hard and soulless as her eyes as to that i guess each and every one of us is entitled to our private opinion mr pettibone she said acidly and when it comes to let me implore you to keep that opinion as private as possible mrs buckthorn interrupted the minister his gaze anxious and troubled passed quickly from one plump matronly face to another and then his head drooped the tide of public opinion seems to be setting strongly against the lad he said slowly

Starting point is 07:21:49 let us hope that the members of this church will entertain the reasonable doubt and give voice to none but charitable comments go home i beg of you and pray that the truth may become speedily apparent the rustle of sabbath skirts and the sound of hushed footfalls ceased at length and silence broken only by the sighing of the wind brooded the sanctuary still the tall spare figure of the minister stood motionless his hands folded loosely upon the pew front o lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art god the majestic words rose to his lips unbidden in them was the strong comfort his soul craved even from everlasting to everlasting thou art god as he passed at length down the aisle he almost stumbled upon a small figure kneeling there in the gloom of the projecting gallery the next instant he had recognised the young french girl madeleine de say her face stained with weeping but i have come she whispered to pray le bon dieu for harry end of chapter twenty six chapter twenty seven of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain harry schwartz sat on a wooden bench in the innisfield jail it was sunday he heard the church bells ringing after a while he got up and looked out of the barred window high up in the wall people were walking along the streets and at first he did not associate himself with the fact that

Starting point is 07:23:51 nearly everyone looked up at the jail as they walked along. Then a slow, painful crimson surged up into his brain, forcing the tears to his eyes. He went back to his bench and sat down. It seemed a long time since yesterday morning. He forced himself to go back to the moment when he had stood by the kitchen table, watching his mother cutting sandwiches for his lunch.

Starting point is 07:24:16 Harry, she said, I wish you'd give up working way out there the munitions plant i worry about you dreadfully why should you worry mother it was a comment rather than a question he knew well enough why his mother worried it had all been talked over a score of times in the last month but while she spread the thick slices of home-made bread with plenty of butter and added a generous filling of minced chicken she told him all her reasons once more harry swallowed childishly as he remembered how Good those sandwiches had tasted at noon. The conversation ended, as usual. Harry fastened his lunchbox to the handle of his bicycle, kissed his mother goodbye and sped away.

Starting point is 07:25:03 He intended to stop working in the munitions plant as soon as his building lot was paid for. After that, he could borrow the money to build his home, but in the meantime, his weekly pay envelopes bearing the name Lenoir, worried him. At least once every week, generally on payday, Harry found himself going over the whole matter with himself. Lenoir was merely a French translation of Schwartz.

Starting point is 07:25:29 He meant no harm by accepting Madeline's smooth substitute for his harsh German name. He did his work honestly and well. What possible harm could there be in a small deception? There wasn't any harm in it. But Harry guessed he'd better stop working at the plant before long. He hated to have his mother worry. of course it never showed her his pay envelope with the name le noir on it he knew about what she would say and very likely she would cry which was worse

Starting point is 07:26:02 he had not seen madeline since the night he told her he loved her though he had studied his french every night and had learned the inadequate word for wife he got up from his bench again and went to the window his head ached when he thought of madeline looking down into the familiar street which somehow looked unfamiliar seen from this barred window his thoughts went monotonously on nothing out of the ordinary had happened till afternoon everybody was working as usual he saw hobbs counting shells about half-past one and at two o'clock he met him crossing the yard harry had not spoken to hobbs since the night of the revival why should he speak to hobbs the fellow owed him an apology it might have been half an hour later when he heard a slight explosion and saw a sudden flare up of brilliant light in the filling shed he was on his way to investigate the reason for this when somebody shouted to him to run suddenly the yard was full of men running cursing shouting harry looked around for hobbs to his surprise he found himself thinking of hobbs with keen anxiety then came the first heavy explosion harry jumped upon his wheel which he had left by the gate and rode swiftly toward home something hit him in the back of the head as he went but he didn't notice it he was thinking of his mother who would be worrying dreadfully he must let her know he was all right the church bells had stopped ringing by now harry wondered dully if his father and mother had gone to church he pictured them there in the fourth pew from the pulpit where he seemed to see himself a very little boy with yellow curls on his shoulder,

Starting point is 07:27:49 looking at Deacon Scrimger's shining bald head two seats in front. Sometimes, when the sermon was long, his mother would give him her pink and white peppermint drop out of her pocket. He would grow very sleepy after the peppermint was eaten. How comfortable his mother's smooth, silken lap felt as he laid his head upon it. And after that, the preacher's voice seemed to come peacefully from a great way off. And then it ceased altogether.

Starting point is 07:28:17 a queer hard lump in harry's throat ached intolerably as he thought about it his mother had cried when they took him away last night they'd come for him just as he was going to bed after the nice warm bath she had insisted upon the covers of his bed were turned down and the breeze from the open windows fluttered the muslin curtains i'm glad it isn't any worse he told her when she exclaimed over the matted hair at the back of his head he'd forgotten all about the something that hit him on his way out of the plant his mother called his father to look at the tiny scalp wound she wondered if there ought to be a stitch taken should they call the doctor it was just then that the door-bell rang sharply the sound of a key grating in the lock roused him he turned his head and saw his father coming into his cell followed by another man well hurry him a boy said his father with an affectation of great cheerfulness How did you make out last night? Harry made no answer. He was looking at the other man. He'd known him by sight for a long time.

Starting point is 07:29:26 The man's name was Calvin S. Northrop, and he was a lawyer. Mr. Northrop returned Harry's look sharply. And then he rubbed his hands, which were dry and bony. "'Hm, bad business, very bad business,' he said, and glanced around the cell. "'Hm, water coming in through the ceiling. Hmm, roof once repairing. Well, now, let's look into this business. He sat down on the wooden chair and again stared at Harry.

Starting point is 07:29:56 I've engaged Mr Northrop to defend you, Harry, explained Mr. Schwartz. Just so, just so, confirmed the lawyer. And now then, don't incriminate yourself, young man. And he wagged a long yellow finger at Harry. Don't forget what I tell you. the prosecution will likely put you through the third degree i am told they're preparing their case for the preliminary hearing which may take place to-morrow but until you're proved guilty i'm not guilty said harry with some violence i didn't blow up the plant why should i that's just the line of defence calvin s northrop intends to follow approved the lawyer why should you blow up the plant. Exactly. Now, you'll have to be careful what you say. They'll try to catch you

Starting point is 07:30:52 with all sorts of tricky questions. They'll endeavour to mix you up, bewilder you. But you just stick to that one statement. You don't know anything about the cause of the explosion. You went to your work as usual, always faithful. Didn't hear or see anything out of the common until... But I did. interrupted Harry. I saw Mr. Northrop's active eyebrows and waving forefinger halted Harry's eager explanation. Why shouldn't I tell? asked Harry bewildered.

Starting point is 07:31:26 I saw, young man, you didn't see anything and you didn't hear anything until after, mark my word carefully, until after you left the plant. You got out at the first alarm. Now then, paste that in your hat. Mr Northrop wrinkled his lean face into the semblance of a smile. Fact is, he said, sinking his voice to a whisper. You got yourself into a devilish fix, young fellow. I'd a little rather your father had gone elsewhere for counsel.

Starting point is 07:32:05 But seeing your family has been residence in our town for a considerable while, and you yourself bear a good general reputation, Calvin S. Northrop has undertaken the case. But you'll have to follow his advice to the letter, or you'll drop it. Harry's father wiped the perspiration from his forehead. Guess you'd better do as he says, Harry, he said huskily. Mr. Calvin S. Northrop ought to know what's... Calvin S. Northrop does know, exploded the lawyer, expanding his narrow chest.

Starting point is 07:32:41 My experience as a criminal lawyer, stands behind every word I have said. Let me tell you, last year I was sent for from Boston to defend a young man accused of murder in the first degree. I advised him, as I have advised you. Did he profit by it? No. Did you get him off, sir?

Starting point is 07:33:08 Inquired Mr. Schwartz after a heavy pause. Mr. Northrop eyed his client with a frown. the accused was as guilty as hell he stated i saw it the minute i laid eyes on him it stuck out all over him and he would talk about himself couldn't stop him executed last week not my fault mr northrop glanced sideways at harry as if to note the effect of his words now maybe you'll watch your step he added jocularly of course that alias of yours is a bad bit of evidence and i'm afraid we can't disprove it. Name on company's blanks in your own handwriting. Employment Clark, ready to swear

Starting point is 07:33:52 it was signed in his presence. Clark might be proved insane, though I shall, if forced to it, prove you insane. Insanity in the family and that sort of thing. Mind you don't deny it, either of you.

Starting point is 07:34:08 Harry's face reddened. See here, he said thickly, you've got another guess coming about me. I didn't blow up the plant, but I did sign under the name of Lenoir. I did it because they weren't taking on Germans. I'm an American, but I've got a German name. You may as well give up my case right now. I shan't try to lie out of anything I've done. Harry, said Mr. Schwartz in a broken voice, you ought to be thinking of your poor mother. she she's sick harry i didn't tell you before but the young man turned violently upon his father you think i did it he cried in a shocked voice

Starting point is 07:34:56 come come my lad don't get excited exhorted mr northrop we'll do the best we can for you depend upon it but we're going to leave you to think it over yes to reconsider you're no fool i can see that now mr schwartz we've plenty to do nothing to be gained by further talk with the accused harry did not look at his father as the two men turned to go out the key grated in the lock it seemed to be grating in his soul he realised now that half unconsciously he'd been waiting for his father's strong interference of course everybody would know he was innocent of the monstrous charge against him he'd go home to his son Sunday dinner, somewhat soiled with the disgrace of his night in jail, somewhat sheepish under the curious eyes of the neighbours, but ready to laugh ruefully over the unhappy blunder of the local police. The lump in his throat hurt him cruelly as he thought of his mother. He wondered, Dolly, if she'd found his pay envelope marked with the name, Lenoir. Why hadn't he told her all about it? The town clock struck twelve, after a dreary hour, spent

Starting point is 07:36:12 him pacing up and down the narrow limits of his cell. The jailer brought him his dinner on a battered tin plate, and somebody, it might have been another prisoner, tossed in a newspaper. It contained an account of the explosion. Harry saw a villainous picture of himself under the big headlines, German plot unearthed, chief conspirator working in Merck's plant under assumed name. Other arrests may follow. He forced himself to read the page, while the Sunday dinner on the battered tin plate developed rims of solidified grease about its slabs of meat and dingy mounds of vegetables. Harry drank a cup of muddy coffee and read on. He saw himself described as a big hulking fellow with a sinister eye. He'd been for some time in the pay of the German government. His

Starting point is 07:37:05 expenditures proved it. short work would doubtless be made of the Schwartz case there being not a shadow of doubt of guilt of the accused the keeper looked at Harry with a sort of respect when he came to take away the untasted dinner some job for a young fellow like you he observed but of course you didn't do it by you lonesome i'd peach on my pals higher up if i was you i didn't do it said Harry wearily no nice picture they got of you in the paper say i'll guess you'll find your appetite by to-morrow better eat while you can get real victuals they won't treat you so well upstate when harry failed to respond to this playful allusion to his undoubted fate the friendly official chuckled take it from me you innocent guys wins the bun say you've got a real baby stare ain't you but don't you try no hung the strike on yours truly i got your number all right young fellow it was three o'clock in the afternoon when miss malvina bennet called harry had abandoned his introspective studies and was gazing out of the window at the procession of sunday pedestrians he'd ceased to notice their upward glances at his window it seemed a long time since he talked with his father and mr northerop of course everybody had read the papers he turned a lacklustre eye upon miss bennet as she hesitated before his door sweetheart to see you announced his gaoler facetiously i ain't goin to look

Starting point is 07:38:49 you go long ed lucas miss bennett exhorted him i ain't seen an awful sight o you since you used to steal apples off my sweeten tree i guess you was about the meanest boy in town in them days and ye ain't changed much except your whiskers upon the retreat to the discomforted official, Miss Malvina went up to Harry and laid her hands upon his shoulders. I ain't a-gone-a-pity, you nan, she said briskly. If there's anything I ate on top of the ground, it's the poison sentiment of folks cause sympathy. But I will say this. I believe in you're right down to the ground, Harry. You may have made a mistake. Most folks do one time or another. But I know you're all right. Ma Bennett thinks the same as me, and so does Madeline de say in her par.

Starting point is 07:39:43 Harry's unhappy face brightened. Oh, does she? he asked eagerly. Oh, meaning Ma Bennett, of course, chuckled Miss Malvina. Now you just sit down, and you and me will take counsel together, as it says in the Psalms. But first off, ain't you angry? I'll bet Miss Lucas can't cook a decent meal. of Vittles to save her life. When the two of them got appointed

Starting point is 07:40:10 to this year jail, he says to my malefactors, he says, I'll get all that's coming to him, just from eating Liza Jane Lucas' cook, and anyhow, I brought you some ham sandwiches and a lemon pie, and some are Madeline's

Starting point is 07:40:26 gaiters. She brought them over to me this morning a purpose. But when I come in and ask for you, I had to laugh. What you got in your "'Basket, Miss Malvina,' says Ed Lucas, "'kind of important. "'We have to be careful,' he says,

Starting point is 07:40:42 "'what goes into desperate criminals.' "'Where led?' I says to him. "'I guess you done well to take up your residence in jail on your own hook. "'It's where you belong,' he says. "'As for desperate criminals,' I says, "'I ain't got no dealings with them. "'I've come to see Harry Schwartz, "'and I brought in something fit to eat,

Starting point is 07:41:05 "'knowing full well, he wouldn't get no. relish and vittles here. With that, I opens up my basket and showed them this here pie. Oh, land, you could fairly see Ed's mouth of watering. That's right. Just you pitch into them sandwiches. You don't want to get all

Starting point is 07:41:24 run down and tuck it out. I tell you, you've got to keep a stiff upper lip. It's going to come out all right. Miss Malvina beamed upon Harry, like sun upon the frozen ground. In the generous warmth of her friendly presence, he swallowed the aching lump in his throat

Starting point is 07:41:44 and ate the sandwiches to the last crumb, and likewise the pie, with its delicately fragrant lemon filling. That tastes like mother's pie, he said wistfully. Hmm, t' it is, confirmed Miss Malfina. I went in to see you, ma, I heard she was just prostrate, and twas an awful shock having her boy took off the way they done.

Starting point is 07:42:09 Well, I might have excuse for it neither. T'was a measly boss and detectives on the local police. They feel kind of cheap if they can't arrest somebody. Most anybody will do so as they get their names in print. Reminds me of an old dog we used to have at home. He'd chase a squirrel till he was all beat out. Then he'd fetch a stick to parr, lay it down a front of him, tail a wagon, so much as to say,

Starting point is 07:42:38 oh, ain't I some dog. Your ma's feeling better. But I says to her, for pity's sake, don't go over there and cry over Harry. It'll take the tuck all out of him, I says. So she's going to brace up, same as I told her, and I guess you'll see her by tomorrow. Oh, eat a gate or do. Madeline will be awful pleased when I tell. her.

Starting point is 07:43:05 They're too pretty to eat, protested Harry, sighing over the delicate scalloped cakes. I suppose she, she must be, oh, she says it's all her fault, interrupted Miss Bennett. She give you that name in the beginning for a kind of joke on her par. And I can tell you, I gave him a real good going over this morning.

Starting point is 07:43:30 If you'd ask me, or he says to him, I could have told you first off, that Harry Schwartz was about the nicest boy in this year town. And the simple idea at trying to keep a sweet posy of a girl like Madeline from having Bose. Why, I says, you might as well try to keep the summer

Starting point is 07:43:49 from coming right along after June 1st. Take nature, he says to him. He's a real nice man, even if he is a foreigner. And as for Madeline, well, if she ain't peaches and cream, I don't know who is. She'll never look at me again, sighed Harry. Oh, you can just bet she will.

Starting point is 07:44:13 Madeline's got plenty of grit and gumption, and she can see through hole in the wall, even if the police is blinder and bats. No, you just jerk right up, Harry. The Lord ain't forgot you. And we ain't neither. Miss Malvina fumbled in her pocket, which for greater safety,

Starting point is 07:44:33 hung amid the folds of her petticoat. Oh, land, I hope I ain't mislaid it, she murmured. Oh, no, here it is. It's a note from Madeline. I think, I won't mention it first off, for fear you wouldn't relish your vittles thinking about it. Maybe it'll pass the time away, studying it out. She'd have come right along with me,

Starting point is 07:44:56 but her pa wasn't willing, and I don't know as I blame him, none. You wouldn't want Ed Lucas a gopping at her. harry's big brown hand trembled as he reached for the small envelope bearing his name miss malvina picked up her basket no don't you get down-hearted was her final exhortation if there's anything in holdin the thought like mrs rev pettibone uras twas for laurice says you'll be out o here before you know it everybody at em wagger jaw is praying for ye to beat the cars now ad lucas i'm a-goin i can see you feel all swelled up with pride to be locking and unlocking your fellow-creatres like there was circus animals but you want to remember pride goes before a fall and not so far ahead of it neither harry did not hear the objectionable sound of the key in the lock on this occasion he was reading madeline's letter in the light from his barred window it was worth going to jail for that letter harry read it and then folded it carefully and bestowed it in the breast-pocket of his coat where it appeared to diffuse a roseate glow through his entire being

Starting point is 07:46:16 but it must need be read again and yet again while quite unnoticed the town clock struck four and after an insignificant period five and yet madeline had only written this my my my have great mad to myself because you suffer me i have weeped some tears from a past time when i see you i explain all to my pair he said to me madeline you are most simple as an infant i translate for you to say i know nothing no more than a baby i am most t'est all times Especially when I cause to bake Les Petit Gatto Resin de Courant. You translate by it with teeth, Le Gato, which I send you by a very good neighbor, Miss Malvina. Funny word, neighbor. I look for a man dictionary. All times I study my dictionary very severe.

Starting point is 07:47:23 All words astonishing like wife, I achieve more quick than scat. beyond i am also adduous to my grammar anglese and meditate such a verb like i love you you love me we won another love some elegant nice verb i have now to desist from right i make to come to you most respectful regard very much friendly adieu madeline grandfather schwartz a package of choice frankfurter sausages and pretzels under his arm was obliged to announce his presence with more than his usual explosiveness before the prisoner turned from his window where he appeared deeply engrossed with an insignificant scrap of paper hello grandfather said harry almost cheerfully vigates son responded the old man with a cautious glance into the corridor how you w'wasse harry carefully bestowed the letter in the left-hand breast pocket of his coat i guess i'm all right grandfather he replied with a notable access of gloom as right as i can be in this hole ah too bad growled the old man shaking his head. He sat down heavily on the bench. A bad business, he muttered. After a longish pause, during which he gazed at Harry with an odd grimace, he added,

Starting point is 07:48:57 I see your father, son. He tell me. Harry stared at the floor. I guess they'll find out their mistaken before long, he offered miserably. You bet, agreed his grandfather, with unlooked for buoyancy. So I myself find. I was wrong with you, Heinrich. You are a good boy. He pulled Harry down to a seat beside him on the bench. Ah, let me look at you, Heinrich. Harry submitted to his grandfather's arm about his shoulders.

Starting point is 07:49:32 I'm glad if you aren't ashamed of me, grandfather, he murmured. Father said, I thought he didn't seem to understand. Ah, he made me sick. have no understanding, my son, Heinrich. The old man stooped his booming whisper to Harry's ear. You will not go to prison, son. No. You have learned much to me attentive, eh?

Starting point is 07:50:00 Good boy. Harry stared at his grandfather, a doubt of his complete sanity crossing his mind. His mother had succumbed under the shock of his arrest, and now, too evidently, the old man had been crazed by it. He must attempt to divert his attention. Have you seen Mother today? he asked anxiously. Old Heinrich shrugged his shoulders.

Starting point is 07:50:24 Yeah, he drolled and shook his head. She is Unzer Rechnunsfeig. Harry was silent. He wasn't quite sure what Unzrechnunsfeig meant. Not a mutter for a Deutsch, Helden. You will see, son, what I do. I bet you from our Kaiser obtained Eisenachreutz. You know what I mean?

Starting point is 07:50:51 No, you are one big fool, Heinrich. You speak no Dutch. Well, I learn you one word. Eiseners' Kreutz, what you call iron course. So, you make one big victory for your fatherland, Heinrich. harry was now miserably certain that his grandfather had lost his reason he wriggled uneasily in the strong grip of the old man's arm about his shoulders i guess you'd better go home grandfather he said remorsefully i hope things will be cleared up by to-morrow of course you know i didn't sure i know you no place to talk i know i know i go away and you see what I do.

Starting point is 07:51:46 In Boston we have friends. I tell what I know about my brave-enkel, Heinrich Schwartz. You will see what happen. Harry stared. The unnatural complacency of his grandfather troubled him. What do you mean? he asked abruptly. What I say? nodded the senior Schwartz,

Starting point is 07:52:09 clapping his grandson resoundingly on the back. Harry's face whitened slowly. He was beginning at last to get the drift of the conversation. Do you mean you think, you believe I did it? He shouted. For God's sake, Grandfather! The old man stiffened into a rigid military attitude. You have gained a big victory for Germany.

Starting point is 07:52:35 Not war? He asked in a horse whisper, You blow up the wicked factory, eh? the big veins swelled on harry's forehead he clenched his brown hands but when at last he answered the proud old man who had never forgotten the land of his birth his voice was gentle grandfather he said slowly i'm an american you don't know what it means to be an american but try to think grandfather i couldn't commit a crime which might have murdered hundreds of people i couldn't his head drooped as he perceived the fierce question which leapt to his grandfather's eyes i ought never to have worked in the accursed place he murmured humbly it was for the money i did it yeah growled the old man for money you did it ah you are an american and i think you are a hero without another look at the boy who bore his name old schwartz went heavily away harry heard the key turn in the lock end of chapter twenty seven chapter twenty eight of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivovoc's recording is in the public domain

Starting point is 07:54:03 i'm awfully proud of you hardy dear declared mrs hobbs as she set a platter containing three lamb chops fried after the american fashion before her her son you've nothing to be proud of mother her son said gloomily oh if you ain't died in the wolf british clear to the backbone hoddy complained mrs hobbs you'd ought to remember you're half american he narrowed his eyes at the rapidly cooling chops why don't you eat your dinner hoddy inquired his mother returning to the table after a trip to the gas range with a dish of potatoes also for fried and exuding grease. My, if you could hear my customers talk about you. Damn blood I can't. Don't listen to the mother. And for God's sake, don't brag about me. I can't stand it.

Starting point is 07:55:00 I don't see why you should be so cross about it, Hoddy, soothed his mother, setting a glass of jelly in convenient proximity to her son's plate. Try some of this nice rhubarb jelly. well miss sadie scrimgea brought it over a purpose for you she's a real pretty girl hoddy and she says everybody in town is talking about your brave axe at the explosion i shouldn't wonder if you had a medal presented for saving life he choked wordlessly over a fragment of bread which he was in the act of swallowing his face was crimson as he set down his glass of water they're talking about it about a Carnegie Medal, pursued Mrs. Hobbes complacently. And Mrs. Obed Salter says her husband was at the town meeting last night, and your name was brought up prominently.

Starting point is 07:55:57 Oh, for goodness sake, Hoddy, what's the matter? Her son had pushed back his chair from his untasted meal. Oh, don't you like your chops cook that way? inquired his mother solicitously. Your father always said I couldn't cook. could chop decent he had his notions and i guess you got yours hoddy sometimes i almost wish i'd married an american british ideas is so odd but when i think of that young man shut up in jail for blowing up the plant and of the disgrace and all his poor mother has to stand i can't help feeling proud of my boy and glad he ain't got german blood i should think you'd feel real happy over it hoddy instead of being so down in the mouth you can't eat your vittles don't go yet i got a nice apple-pie for dessert

Starting point is 07:56:56 one of my customers brought it in when she came for a fitting she thinks you're just great hoddy he turned from the door his hat jammed over his eyes i'm going out he said abruptly don't wait supper for me mother but when he reached the street he paused uncertainly not observing the eager approach of a lady attired in black and white checks her hat poised at a coquettish angle over one eye it was miss elector pratt and she literally pounced upon the unobservant young man oh mr hobbs i'm so glad i have an opportunity of congratulating you in person italicised miss pratt it was so awfully noble of you i am sure not many young men would do anything so grand risking your life and all as i was telling auntie perhaps you didn't know but since dear mamma passed away i've the sweetest auntie in the world chaperoni me that noble mr hobbs i says to auntie m ought to have a laurel wreath and i have a good mind to make one for him myself it'd be awfully becoming don't you know and miss elector giggled coyly with the conviction that she had said something peculiarly english kitchener hobbs regarded the disturber of his solitude with stern self-control madam said he with a frowning dignity which miss elector later described as perfectly fascinating don't you know i beg that you will do nothing of the sort i'm not entitled to a laurel wreath nor to your distinguished praise with that he whipped off his hat and strode away before the lady could devise a valid excuse for detaining him he had definitely made up his mind where he was going and he marched towards his objective point with all the

Starting point is 07:59:01 courage needed to face a storm of shrapnel. It was Horatio Herbert Kitchener, with a very small admixture of Hobbes, who presently met Madeline Desae, walking slowly along, all sweet colour gone from her face, her slight figure sagging like a slim birch tree under the bitter assault of the north wind. Kitchener Hobbs halted her with a peremptory gesture. Where are you going? He demanded. Home? she replied. But, the word was an irrepressible sob. What's the matter with you? Was his succeeding inquiry,

Starting point is 07:59:37 but he thought he knew. She was mute before his searching gaze. You know I love you, he said sternly. She looked up, her eyes unnaturally big and dark. I'm reminding you of this because I need some sort of excuse. Of course there isn't any. He paused to kick a pebble out of his path. Me, I love how to.

Starting point is 08:00:01 harry she quavered piteously you know harry she choked a slender hand at her throat i call him le noir just for funny harry he likes that name le noir but now i have large tchristess to myself because i make that funny he was gazing at her his grey eyes full of the sadness she had confessed madeline he said slowly after to-day you will never see me again but before i go he stopped short further utter and suddenly impossible rain began to fall from the low-hanging clouds i mustn't keep you standing here he said hurriedly i'm rather a rotten sort of bounder what i call schwartz that night and afterward but i'm sorry in time i'm going there now to the inquiry i mean do you understand me i'm afraid i can't speak decent french to-day she nodded old persons speak like pritiquette le fish everybody mad to harry have you been there at the hearing oh no monsieur miss mavina she says so i am wet at corner me you should have told them how he got his name le noir my father not permit he said he says so he said to me, go home, Madeline immediately.

Starting point is 08:01:35 For me, I make quick track. The cold drops on her cheeks reproached him poignantly. See here, he said in a firm voice. Perhaps I've no right to be taking things into my own hands, but we've got to put up a stiff fight

Starting point is 08:01:51 to save him now. They're all against him, and the police have worked out a bloody chain of circumstantial evidence. Come on. To him, she breathed. a faint colour staining her cheeks. The preliminary hearing, necessary to a formal indictment of Heinrich Schwartz,

Starting point is 08:02:10 accused of willfully causing the destruction of the Merck's munitions plant, was drawing to a close. The evidence against the accused had been strong, his defence, weak. He had obtained employment under the alias Le Noir for the express purpose of concealing his German name. This much the prisoner had confessed,

Starting point is 08:02:30 But so far, after the most rigid examination continued throughout one entire night, the accused had stubbornly refused to divulge the names of his associates in crime. There was little doubt that the government detectives would during the course of the trial succeed in unearthing a sinister, far-reaching plot, which would involve persons of the highest standing. The prisoner, Schwartz, it was plain, was merely a tool in an august hand. this much the reporters had added to copious reports of the proceedings to be hastily licked into shape for the evening papers

Starting point is 08:03:07 when two persons entered the crowded courtroom. The magistrate, a local official rather dazed by the spotlight of publicity thus suddenly focused upon him, was about to pronounce the words which would condemn the prisoner to the long torture of a trial by jury with no uncertain outcome. It was evident the magistrate had to, no doubt of the prisoner's guilt. Calvin S. Northrop, counsel for the accused, kept his own private convictions well hidden under a mask of frowning silence. He had made up his mind to prove his client insane,

Starting point is 08:03:43 and having thus determined, Mr. Northrop rather resented the intrusion of fresh evidence, insisted upon by the two persons before mentioned, when they had forced their way through the crowd. The bunched reporters simultaneously noted the beautiful, of the girl and the stern good looks of the young man who accompanied her. The associated press photographer slipped a fresh plate into position while the usual legal preliminaries were in progress. The girl was permitted to testify first. "'Y, monsieur, I am acquaint with Harry Schwartz, oh, for a long time.

Starting point is 08:04:22 I call him Le Noir when to my father I present him. Oh, me, I make of Schwartz one French name, you are. understand, no? My father hate all such ugly German name as Schwartz. Very ugly, you see? Me, I like Harry. So easy as rolled from log, I quick translate. Schwartz, very dark, what you call black like night, Le Noir, you see?

Starting point is 08:04:51 Yes, monsieur. Harry, he likes that nice French name better than Schwartz. I give him that name. he like it no monsieur i not tell my father such a funny joke not for a long time my father is very mad to german we are of alsace monsieur informed that the accused had already confessed to adopting the name lenoir in order to obtain employment at the merck's plant mam's dsay blushed very sweetly me i am aware she said. Harry, he like to earn money to make a house. You know what is to make house for Mary? The reporters were writing like mad.

Starting point is 08:05:42 Even the solemnly important magistrates smiled. He had once built a house for his bride. His next question brought the quick blood to the prisoner's face, but Madeline answered it with sweet composure. yes monsieur harry he liked to marry me myself i explained to you harry he called himself le noir to earn quick simoleon for home a fine elegant word home me i like to live in some nice home of harry her glance at the prisoner was the merest flicker of long lashes but it carried with it the sweetest assurance the assertions the assertions the assertions the assertions Associated Press artist was recording impressionistic sketches as fast as his nimble pencil would work, featuring Madeline de Say as she gave her deliciously quaint testimony,

Starting point is 08:06:36 which entirely exonerated the accused from inventing the French alias for some sinister purpose, of the beautiful French girl taking her seat beside the weeping mother of the prisoner, of the piquant profile of the witness, with its delicately tip-tilted nose and the bewitching curve of lips and chin, He paused only for a deliberately appraising look at the young Englishman who succeeded Mademoiselle Desay upon the stand. Some name, murmured the nearest reporter, as he inscribed the hieroglyphs representing Horatio Herbert Kitchener Hobbs upon his pad. Mr Hobbs told his story baldly.

Starting point is 08:07:16 I saw the accident, he stated. A girl in the filling shed dropped a wire hairpin as she left the place. It somehow landed on the belt of the waist. the motor-driven shaft. There was a spark. It caused the explosion. Schwartz wasn't near the place. I saw him in the yard, fifty feet or more away, two minutes before the explosion. He's innocent. When asked why he had not come forward with this important bit of testimony before, Hobbes bit his lips and turned noticeably pale. I see no reason why you should ask that question, he said stiffly? I was not called as a witness. What I've told you is God's truth, what more do you want?

Starting point is 08:07:59 After all, the magistrate was human. So were the lawyers and the reporters and the rest, including the artist. There was a rigid cross-examination, of course, on the part of the prosecution, establishing certain technical points, but in the end, the testimony of Horatio Herbert Kitchener Hobbes stood. As the witness stepped down from the stand, monsieur de sey who stood with folded arms looking on at the scene observed that he cast a single quick glance at madeline but he did not attempt to speak to her his face was sternly controlled as he replied monosyllabically to the questions showered upon him by the reporters there were those who declared that the young englishman refused to further enlighten the representatives of the press and that he bolted from the room without so much as a word to the man he had saved but in the light of later events the conduct of kitchener hobbs earned him not even a nine days wonder being out of sight in those days was tantamount to being swiftly forgotten and no one in innisfield except perhaps the station-master at the departure of the evening train ever set eyes upon young hobbs after he left the court-room it was generally known on the following day that the hobbes's had left town nobody appeared to know where they'd gone

Starting point is 08:09:20 the sign bearing the words madame louise robes swung fitfully in the wind for perhaps a week longer then one day it was taken down and replaced by another presenting to the public eye the advantages to be derived from a visit to the skilled corropodist one flight up and yet the disappearance of the american mrs hobbs and her son who was a british subject was merely a logical sequence of preceding events mrs hobbs was busily engaged in draping a lay figure with voluminous folds of mustard-coloured foil when her son tramped heavily up the stair. Without a glance at his mother, he sat down in a chair by the table, where the neglected dinner still sojourned amid its congealed grease. Oh, for goodness sake, Hoddy! exclaimed Mrs. Hobbs, removing a quantity of pins from between her teeth. You wouldn't eat your dinner when it was nice and hot, and now?

Starting point is 08:10:17 He turned his head slowly and looked at her. Mrs. Hobbs was a commonplace person, with limited powers of insight and imagination. But not even the dullest woman could have gazed upon that tragic young face without a stirring of the emotions. Mrs. Hobbs dropped the mustard-coloured stuff, while her scissors hung by a cord about her neck

Starting point is 08:10:40 clashed noisily against the earth and where teapot as she leaned across the table. Hardy! she cried what's happened are you sick then she ran to him and took his comely head in her arms hoddy she whispered what is it tell mother he turned and buried his face on her shoulder oh mother he groaned i'm so bloody miserable but she couldn't be made to understand the cause of his unhappiness even after Reid honestly tried to tell her everything. Why, Hoddy, she said,

Starting point is 08:11:19 I don't see why you should feel so bad over it. You haven't done anything to be ashamed of. You was a real hero at the fire, Hoddy. Everybody says so. Lots of folks would have been killed if it hadn't been for you. And you say they let that Swartz fellow off after you went of your own accord and told, I think it was real noble of you.

Starting point is 08:11:45 The blood rushed to his temples and hammered there. You can never see, he choked. It must be because you're... He swallowed the words with an effort. But, hearty dear, I wish you'd try and be sensible for once, and he fetched a deep breath. If you'd ever call me by my name, he murmured, despair in his voice.

Starting point is 08:12:14 She looked at him sharply. You mean you don't like I should call your hoodie, she said. Why, I've always called you Hoddy since you were a baby. My name, he went on unsteadily, is Horatio Herbert Kitchener. And I've allowed a man to go to jail because I was jealous. Does that convey anything to your mind? I meant to let him go to prison. oh to death anything to get him out of my way i'm a liar with that name i'm a coward with that name i'm a murderer with that name oh my god mother

Starting point is 08:12:59 mrs hobbs sank weakly into a chair and mopped her eyes with the breadth of the mustard coloured stuff in the silence broken by his hard wrenching soft she went back over the brief story of his life it seemed to her scarcely more than a year or so since he was a little little boy playing with his tops and marbles he always had such beautiful eyes and his hair was like silk to the touch she found herself touching it now almost timidly hoddy she said close to his ear i'm going to let you go i'm not going to hold you back any longer from the war, I mean. I'll go with you, Hoddy. You can enlist as soon as we get home. I guess maybe you ought to, after all. And having thus made the supreme renunciation, she was equal to what followed. End of Chapter 28. Chapter 29 of Neighbours by Florence Moores Kingsley. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 08:14:15 m etienne deyce sat in his favourite chair by the window in an attitude of deep dejection all about him on the floor scattered newspapers both french and english bore witness to the fact that m de se had been spending his sunday in a characteristically american manner his rumpled hair and the deep pucker between his brows evidenced the singular dissatisfaction he had derived from his survey of the world's doings the house was very quiet save for a moaning little wind which seemed to be seeking entrance about the doors and windows of the shabby old house he wondered a little as to the whereabouts of his daughter madeline he had not seen her since dejeney being dimly aware thereafter of her fresh young voice in the kitchen warbling certain old french chanson he had taught her when a child absorbed in a disquieting account of his country's economic condition he had scarcely lifted his eyes from his reading when she paused for a moment on her way upstairs he had not heard her come down m de se arose spurning the illustrated edition with his foot for perhaps ten minutes he marched up and down the room unwonted thoughts stirring in his mind where was madeline he would go upstairs and see but a visit to her nest of a chamber under the eaves revealed nothing save the evidences of a hasty toilette m de sey picked up a knot of rose-colored ribbon exhaling a faint perfume he sighed deeply it had not been soberly considered this coming to america and now he felt that he must return no longer could he remain enjoying an unearned an inglorious idleness, while France grew pale and cold from uncounted wounds.

Starting point is 08:16:10 I am no less than a coward, he told himself between clenched teeth. But what of Madeline? Had she been dearer to him than France? Was it because of her he had fled from his duty to this alien land, where even now the distant rumblings of war could be heard? Very gently he put down the rose-coloured token of youth. It was as if he had laid Madeline herself, upon the blood-stained altar of his country he had at length determined upon his course neither tears nor pleadings should deflect him from it his brow was still corrugated with care when half an hour later he presented himself in frock-coated elegance at the door of mmezelle dubois bennet he had come he said to seek counsel from madame s'amere oh no ain't that too bad regretted miss malvina recognising the importance of the occasion as her eyes peruse the person of her neighbour from his polished boots to the trickle-or of france in his button-hole

Starting point is 08:17:12 oh ma i don't go out once in a coon's age but to-day miss adlebert cummins urged was mrandy de bois come after mar in auroro and i says to ma you go right along he says and don't you come back till you're good and ready miss cummins wanted mar should stay all night because there was a third cousin of earn come to dinner so ere be a-lonesome oh but come right in do i'd be pleased to see you even if mar ain't at home m de sey hesitated for the fraction of a minute it occurred to him that possibly he might be committing an indiscretion in thus visit the unshaperoned Miss Malvina, but the sight of the glistening silver curls about her temple reassured him. He remembered that he was no longer young, and neither was Miss Malvina.

Starting point is 08:18:06 Much could be overlooked in the conduct of persons no longer young. They were presently seated in the haircloth parlour, facing one another from two slippery chairs with carved rosewood backs, designed especially to remind frail mortals of the passage of the moment. Monsieur de Saye gazed earnestly at Miss Malvina. She was wearing a lavender gown with a garniture of yellowish lace.

Starting point is 08:18:32 Miss Malvina's cheeks were of an unwonted pink, and her eyes shone under her white curls. Oh, say, first off, I want to tell you this smart trick, Miss Reverend Pettibone's yellow dog played on me yesterday, she began, without waiting for her visitor to unfold his errand. I might as well speak right out. for you can't help notice in my loss my nice black hair front was a laying on a chair right where i could put my hand on it if the door-bell rang well i seen for laura and the baby are coming in the gate and the dog are following em as large as life oh but thinks as i mrs rev pettibone knows my air has been grey since i was twenty so i left my front a line careless well the baby he sat there on an old comfort i keep a-pur

Starting point is 08:19:23 for babies when their mars being fitted playing with a string of empty spools and fido he set solemn as a judge a watching the baby miss pettibone was telling what a wonderful dog fido pettibone was when she weren't relating incidents about the baby with me a listen impatient while i drake the goods for her skirt like they do insure perry as mrs hobbs used to say when all of a sudden i notice fido he was was worrying something in the corner and growling fierce and the baby were laughing to beat the band it stole my air front by the time we got it from him there weren't nothing left but the foundation i felt pretty well cut up over it and miss flora she said she'd buy me a new one in a nice medium shade of brown but i says no mr pettibone's salary i says wasn't planned for purchase and luxuries besides i says Fido didn't know no better. I guess I told Mrs. Pederborn of Fibb, but he says to her I'd made up my mind to look old and be dumb with it. So here I be. Monsieur de Saye had listened to Miss Marvina's explanation of her bereft condition with an air of profound interest, his occasional well-time gestures and murmured comments sustaining the little lady's narrative to its conclusion. "'Me compliment to Fido,' he observed gently.

Starting point is 08:20:53 i have to thank that the most noble animal for a deed of kindness performed for laun sake do you mean to tell me your like me looks better without my friend demanded miss marvinner excitedly precisely murmured monsieur de say you have now the air gentie otre frie regrettably lacking merci will i declare breathed miss bennet i relieved to hear you say that i suppose being french you'd admire most anything stylish and handsome oh but if you don't miss malvina paused uncertainly the faint colour in her cheek deepening to rose monsieur de se sighed dear friend he said i am about to bid you adieu i have determined i have resolved. No longer I remain in America, supinely attentive to the groans of France. I go. I fly to offer my breast to the sword that seeks her life. Monsieur de Sey had considered this eloquent explanation of his purposes with care, hence its bewildering effect upon his listener. Miss Malvina's late blooming roses

Starting point is 08:22:16 withered on the instant. You're going away, she quavered. You're Madeleine, just as I, just as Ma and me, was again used to have new for neighbors. Nobles, oblige, I can no longer remain, assented Monsieur de Sey with an eloquent gesture. But of Madeleine I would speak. I regret to tear Madeline from your most kind affection and the discreet curatelle of Madame Votremere. It is of this I would speak beyond. miss malvina sighed her eyes seeking the window where an hour earlier she had watched madeline walking with harry schwartz in an almost visible aureole of happiness i should certainly hope not she agreed warmly considering madeline's got a steady bowl and can't be beaten nowhere's in france to say nothing of europe when it comes to husbands a good plain american is good enough for me

Starting point is 08:23:18 if you'll leave her wi ma bennet and me we'll take care of her till harry can afford to get married monsieur de se frowned thoughtfully york and troy also faces war he said but it will not invade your rooms as in france he cast a swiftly appraising glance about the sparsely furnished room his thoughts meanwhile sweeping the wider prospect of his past and future it is improbable i return he said at length two large tears welled up in miss malvina's eyes trembled for an instant on her lashes and then without pretence of concealment rolled down her cheeks m de sey observed the phenomenon gravely it suggested her heretofore unconsidered way out of his dilemma he rose and with careful dignity bowed low before the lady who had thus honoured him with her tears without ceremony my cher ami since the hour it is brief let me ask that you do me the grand honor of becoming before my departure madame de se most happy i leave my madeline in your care you will consent yes malvina trembled to her feet oh what you won't i should oh i'm afraid i don't i am a request that you honor me by mary i regret i have not proper english to speak and no dictionary pocket you understand me we well i ain't quite an iny said miss malvina recovering her self-possession you and i should marry you so to look after madeline when you are gone back to france i guess that's about the size of it she nodded emphatically

Starting point is 08:25:19 ah you have speak most noble i thank you dear friend you shall not regret it i promise miss malvina submitted as on occasions to the touch of bearded lips upon her hand. A wave of rose-coloured mist appeared to unfold her. Monsieur de Seix was of a sudden radiant, loquacious. Like one in a dream, she heard him setting forth his plans for an immediate marriage, with incomprehensible details concerning appanage and dote. Also, he apologised profusely for not having asked the honour of her hand in marriage from Madame Dubois-Bennet, as was he.

Starting point is 08:26:02 indeed right and proper miss malvina roused herself at this i don't know as marr'll have any real objections to offer she said with dignity and i guess maybe i'm old enough to speak for myself then without warning a sob escaped her tremulous lips i wish i once old she whispered if i was only young an handsome like as not you'd land I guess you'll think I'm crazy for singing such a thing. She wiped her eyes and sealed up her tears with an energetic sniff. Monsieur de Sey was looking at her very kindly. If he did not entirely comprehend her thoughts, his gallic sympathies suggested his quick rejoinder. Elas, he murmured, It is true we are no longer possess of la genus.

Starting point is 08:26:58 But I find you most charmante, a shame, Miss Malvina. For you, I shall ever cherish the consideration profound. Miss Malvina smiled bravely. I'll be good to Madeline, she said, and I hope she won't mind me being her stepmother.

Starting point is 08:27:18 Of course, I can see why you thought a marrying me. Taint like we was young folks. But I'd really like to stand up to be married in a white dress. I can keep it put away afterwards to look at and remember. Again, Monsieur de Sey's active imagination rose to the occasion. He took Miss Malvina's work-worn little hand in his.

Starting point is 08:27:45 "'Shear amy,' said he, "'I have not deserved such bonneur on a far distant battlefield. I shall also remember.' from his finger he drew a ring fashioned of gold and bearing a heraldic device of dragons in deadly combat miss malvina's fingers were rough with needle-pricks and her joints bore witness to rheumatic pains humbly borne but the quaint old ring treasured through many generations slipped easily into place for remember of the most happy hour he said gently end of chapter twenty nine chapter thirty of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain when mar bennet fairly brimming over with details of her visit to mrs adelbert cummings arrived home on the following afternoon she found her daughter surrounded by breaths of shimmering white material which she was busily engaged in fashioning into a gown for lands sake marvigny exclaimed the old lady that looks like a wedding dress miss malvina's needle described a sort of flying arc of basting stitches about a small arm size

Starting point is 08:29:14 tis she said briefly oh in creation's goin to get married inquired mar i bet you couldn't guess if you was to try a year twinkled miss malvina t was unbeknownst to me till yesterday mar bennett sat down heavily her eyes blinking behind her far-sighted specks is it sadie buckthorn she inquired i heard she's keeping company with a young man from boston nope said miss malvina inserting a long seam under the needle of her machine and snapping down the presser foot tain't nobody you'd ever think nor me neither for that matter i thought i should have had a double duck fit when i heard of it mar benet gazed searchingly at her daughter's face during the deafening whir which marked the passage of the shining white stuff under the busy needle you do look kinda worked up even yet she commented when's the wedding comin off a wednesday afternoon at four o'clock at the parisnage particularised miss malvina smiles rippling over her face like breezes over a wheatfield my i guess most definitely everybody will be some surprise when it gets out Thursday. Malvina Bennett, who's going to get married? demanded Marr with rising asperity.

Starting point is 08:30:42 You certainly can be the aggravating as person when you are mine to. Oh, you're invited to the ceremony, Ma, offered Miss Malvina, evading the maternal wrath with a demure smile of protest. Me, invited? I don't believe no such thing. True is preaching And so be I, ma'amah I got out your best black silk This morning early

Starting point is 08:31:08 While I was waiting for the stores to open And I fixed the waist And put some real hands Some lace on the sleeves You look scrumptious ma What you're gonna wear, ma'vanny? inquired the old lady suspiciously I'll bet you're just fooling, anyhow

Starting point is 08:31:27 I should think you'd rather Amy tell about Miss Adelbert Cummings's new parlour furniture. Miss Malvina canted her curly head to one side as she gazed earnestly at the incoat garment in her lap. I got hurries to like all possessed to get this ear-dressed Dumber tomorrow night. I ain't really got time to dig up any curiosity, she said. It's a-going-be-made-up princess with a trail.

Starting point is 08:31:56 I can abide these ear's short skirts with a breadth of goods tacked on the back. like they're wearing now this ear is going to be a regular wedding dress how d'you like the goods ma ain't it shiny and pretty kind of like my air when you come to think of it i guess it would be right be coming to me well i guess you've gone plum crazy ma finney commented the old lady sternly i want a cup of tea and i want it good art tea parts on the store ma'a oh see don't you want to know who's a gonna step off in this ear-dress don't know as they do sniffed mar when folks is as smartnop'y as you be i believe in letting em alone till they get good and ready it's me ma cried miss malvina laughing but with a mist in her eyes which momentarily obscured the glisting bridal-web i'm gonna marry our neighbour mr de sey's so he can go to the war over in France and leave Madeleine. You see, I'll be her step-ma, and you'll be her grandma.

Starting point is 08:33:11 Won't that be lovely? Malvini Bennett, screamed the old lady. You ain't telling me the gospel truth. Yes, I be, ma. It's just as true as I'm sitting here in this chair a sewing on my own wedding dress. He asked me yesterday and I says yes.

Starting point is 08:33:35 All thinks I, Folks ought to accommodate their neighbours. Want to see my engagement ring? Confronted with this visible token of the impending event, Mar Bennett gasped. Ain't you some older and he is? She inquired feebly. Oh, I don't know.

Starting point is 08:33:55 And I don't care a cut in a hat, stated Miss Malvina. No want nothing said about ages. But I guess he ain't so awful young but what he knows his mind. And I ain't neither. The little dressmaker's head drooped low over the buttonhole she was fashioning. A taint, well, taint so to say a wedding like most folks, she breathed. He's going off the same day on the eleven o'clock train.

Starting point is 08:34:23 We're going to have supper over to his house. And he wants we should go over there. to live after he's gone he's bought the house of mrs rev pettibone and put it in my name he says you and me you'll never have to want ma he's got everything fixed so there'll be money coming in regular and with a dote for madeline set out when she comes to get married and all there ain't nothing he ain't thought of and madeline she says she loves me like a mare already that don't mean a horse ma although it does sound like it where'd you say is a-going inquired the old lady to boston she appeared to have retreated into the dim mists of age where echoes from the outer world reach the ears faintly she fumbled with her bonnet-strings her old hands trembling oh land i ought to got your art tea first off said her daughter contritely here you sit

Starting point is 08:35:27 right down mar and i'll get it ready in two jerks of a lamb's tail you're all tuckered out what with your visit and all mrs pettibone was attired in her best brocade dress exhibiting large purple flowers on a black background though it was only half-past three in the afternoon it was a handsome dress mrs pettibone rustled in its ample foals so richly that the baby's wide bright eyes exhibited his pleased surprise eyes he even refrained from his wonted squeal when his mother invested his small person in a clean white dress the sleeves of which were a trifle small as compared with his chubby fists you've got to wear it precious cooed mrs pettibone because auntie bennet made it for you and you're going to stand up at her wedding there now mother's lamb my how sweet he is oh don't it seem a pity silas mr pettibone engaged in knotting a fresh white tie glanced at his family with a grave smile do you mean it's a pity the baby is sweet my dear he inquired Oh, of course not. I was thinking of Malvina. Oh, seeing the baby looking so perfectly, darling, well, you know, I couldn't help thinking,

Starting point is 08:37:00 how dreadful to be a widow on one's wedding day. It amounts to that, of course. If he goes to France and gets killed, it is just possible Monsieur Desse may survive, suggested the minister. some do you know he's going to offer his breast to the german bayonets malvina said so oh and if a person does that i believe they're coming my dear filura interposed the minister hastily do try and be your optimistic self one should hold the thought yes of course i'm going to insist that he's coming back safe some day or other silas do you think we are going to have war in this country the minister was saved from the pain of avowing his convictions on this point by the arrival of the wedding party and presently they were all gathered in the hushed parlour which had witnessed so many marriages in days past miss malvina in her snowy splendours m de sey stern and pale as he thought of his future mar benet dim and ancient as some faded dagger type

Starting point is 08:38:18 madeline tremulous between grief and joy and harry schwartz awed into almost rigid gravity by the talk he had had with madeline's father a few hours since mrs pettibone in her rustling brocade reminiscent of her own wedding held her baby close while the solemn words were being spoken from the dearly beloved we are assembled to the final sonorous amen there followed the strange little silence which seems quite as much a part of the ceremony as the wedding ring then monsieur de se looking very tall and elegant in his rather shabby frock-coat with the trickle-aure of france in its button-hole bent over his bride and deliberately kissed her on the lips my wife he whispered with all the generous warmth of a nature which could envision the belated and frostbitten romance she would cherish to the end yet it was not a sad wedding the bride wore a radiant look which forbade all futile sympathy oh he was bound to go anyhow she told mrs pettibone and now i've got a right to think of him affectionate and i can talk everything over with madeline besides mammy is gonna live in a night-house with running water and all and we'll have madeline to love and to cherish her voice broke a little over the last words but her smile was all sunshine as she embraced and kissed the girl who wept in her arms that's right dearie she soothed her just you cried out on mother's shoulder and you'll feel better when hears harry long into comfort you too. Oh, we're going to take care of this little girl, ain't we, Harry?

Starting point is 08:40:11 Yes, Miss Malvina, said Harry firmly. We will. Mrs. Pettibone holding up the baby to be kissed, smiled. We shall all be obliged to remember that our dear Miss Malvina is Madame de say now, she said. The bride looks startled. Madam de say, she repeated wondering. well i declare a goodness that part of it never occurred to me i been so took out with all that's happened and like that oh but here i be sure as you live madden to say well i guess but reflections of a practical thought could wait until to-morrow of to-day her wedding-day there yet remained several golden hours as bright as the shining new ring upon her hand which m de say had put there to keep the other company there was the supper for one thing cooked and served by mrs louisa wessels with divers amendments by madeline

Starting point is 08:41:17 to be sure no one of the party with the possible exception of mar bennet knew what they were eating miss malvina miss no longer sat at the head of the table in her shining bridal white with m de say opposite harry and madeline their hands clare clasped under the cloth, faced Marr, who was informing Mrs. Wessels that the tea was stone cold. If I wasn't tea totally flabbergasted, declared Mrs. Wessels, as she described the scene later in the various kitchens of her clientele. I didn't know as I'd have believed my ears if anybody had told me about that dinner. Oh yes, they had wine. But was this a kind made in France that they say don't make folks drunk. It didn't make me drunk, for I took down so much as a teacup full out in the kitchen afterwards,

Starting point is 08:42:13 and I only broke one vegetable dish and two of them cash rolls, as she calls them. I says to Miss Malvina, ain't you a member of the W-C-T-U, I says, just like that. Hush, says she, it's only for this one, says she, to drink toast with. Toast, I says, I ain't made no toast, and what's more I ain't a-goin' too. You got more and enough as a tis, I says. Well, they kept it up for more in an hour. I didn't get home till past nine o'clock.

Starting point is 08:42:47 She wanted I should wash up all them dishes, and I'd done it. Oh, yes, mum, she's sat there eating her potatoes and meat in a white silk dress, all trimmed up with lace and pearl tassels, and a big, bunch of white roses are laying alongside on the table yes i should have thought she'd have wanted to put on something playing a tweeter rittles in but she didn't and by and by i seen her out in the yard with him yes she was a trailing that there white dress o'er and right down the front steps no mamma i didn't catch what he said to her but he's gone all right that foreign girl of his and told me he was going to the war when she gave me my two dollars. Yes, Mum, he left her a grass widder the same day they was married. But I guess she'll be sod all right afore the years out.

Starting point is 08:43:48 He'll either get drownded by one of them nasty sudsmarines they talk so much about or else he'll get killed over there. There ain't so much to pick and choose between them, says I, uh, Georgie. but it was not of their uncertain future the newly wedded pair spoke as they walked arm in arm in the moonlight that the moon chanced to be at its full was a matter for wondering happiness to the bride i always kinder anchored to go walkin in the moonlight along with a bow she confided to her companion and here i be a walking out with you his hands sought hers of a possibility we shall again make together the promenade he said it is of this you must think after a pause he added i have still the regret profound for madeline my daughter should not marry with a german who harry harry ain't a german o course he ain't lots o times i heard mrs schwartz he roused with molesey madehcroft tell about her great-grandfather cap He was English way back in the old colony days, and he married a real Indian princess, so I forget her name.

Starting point is 08:45:11 So you see, Harry ain't German, no more than I be. He's real American Harry is, and he'll take awful good care of Madeline. He's going to build a brand new house. Miss Schwartz told Marceau. Monsieur de Seix shook his head. Not at present, he said. said, I have advised him no, for now. Beyond, the skies in America are dark with war. Also, your country owes to France the red blood of Petigot.

Starting point is 08:45:48 He glanced hurriedly at his watch. But of this sufficerment, to you, dear ami, I devote my last moment. You will be happy, nespah. All my best treasure I am leave with you. you her upturned face pale with anticipated grief seemed the face of youth in the dim moonlight i'm a-goin to miss you something fierce she confessed oh but i'm glad i can love you after you've gone you won't mind way out there of course i know why we was married no i ain't a-go'n't a worry of madeline n'n't be taken on i'm a-goin't as be real bright and cheerful and take good care of your best treasure. Ah, you have loved me a little, nispa, he wondered.

Starting point is 08:46:41 How I am happy to hear that. In France, I remember my wife and my child, together in my heart, Toujour. Then because her steadfast face quivered beneath his gaze, he gathered the small white figure in his arms. together in my heart always he murmured end of chapter thirty chapter thirty one of neighbours by florence morse kingsley this librivox recording is in the public domain chapter thirty one l' envois to monsieur etienne de caye somewhere in france my dear and respected husband your letters to me and madeline come this morning to say we were

Starting point is 08:47:38 as fairly keeled over with joy as to put it mild. Madeline has been writing to you in French all morning, but I ain't up to snuff yet, but I'm coming on. Me and Madeline talk French most all the time, doing up

Starting point is 08:47:54 the dishes and like that. Even Ma has learned how to ask for the butter and is her tea boiling art. I will say it makes a nice change to hear it said in a foreign language. Well, husband, you had ought to see how nice we're fixed.

Starting point is 08:48:13 Now we're all living in our own home together. Madeline insisted I was to sleep in your room and Ma sleeps in the room over the front hall, being next to me with Madeline over the dining room as before. Everything is house cleaned and looking as neat as wax. I was put in mind of the day after you moved in and I come over to help being a next door and name. I ain't never forgot how you wanted to pay me.

Starting point is 08:48:42 I guess I got paid all right, Nespa. I grieved to tell you, you was dead right about the war. We are going to have one, and Harry Schwartz has enlisted in the Navy. He says it's strictly up to him to prove he's an American citizen, after all that's come and gone. Madeline is real brave, and only cries night sometimes. then I go in and cuddle her up like I was her mother. Oh, she's a real little comfort,

Starting point is 08:49:14 and we love each other dearer every passing day. I see your looks in her constant, more special your eyes and the cant of your head in talking. There's one thing I have to tell you, which maybe you won't like so well. But I made up my mind was best, all things considered. You probably recollect I've been so in my. most all my life and to set and based a scene by the window with an eye to the passing comes

Starting point is 08:49:44 natural to me well husband after folks found out i was married i guess most every woman in this town are come to see me they couldn't seem to realise it first off but when i showed off my two rings they was forced to believe like as not you'll snicker right out when i tell you i felt real mad to have all the folks calling me Miss Malvina, same as before. That ain't my rightful title, I says to Mrs. Deaconess Buckthorne. I'm a married woman, I says to her, full as much as you be, and my name is Madame de Se. You can ask the Reverend Pettibone, I says,

Starting point is 08:50:26 and he'll tell you tis the gospel truth. Well, husband, what with the above, and all the women folk pestering the life out of me to make up their spring suit? I gave in at last and sent for Henry Pratt to paint me a sign, reading Madame de Say, Robes. I guess folks will soon learn my rightful name, seeing it on the front of the house in gold letters. Madeline views all my acts sensible, and she ain't a might of objection to anything I done. I calculate to save all extra cash for Madeline's dope, as you call it. It won't do no harm, he says.

Starting point is 08:51:06 to leave money Elaine in the bank for a spell. I hope you will think I done right, more special about the sign. It costs me 325 being war prices. While I sit writing this at the desk in your room upstairs, I see our Madeline talking to Harry Schwartz down by the front gate. He expects to join his ship tomorrow, so the poor young things is going through what we did not so long ago.

Starting point is 08:51:35 I found the waste of my wedding dress all spotted up with tears when I come to lay it away in blue paper to keep it from turning yellow and right off the bat I put a handsome double cascade of lace on to cover it it looks full as stylish as before if not stylisher but I ain't a going to forget what's in under them lace frills as long as I live those spots was true heart tears for one I love more than tongue can tell like it says in the Bible. I hope this letter finds you in health.

Starting point is 08:52:12 Very respectfully, your affectionate wife, Malvina Dubois Bennett de Say. P.S. Some name, Nespas. End of Chapter 31. End of Neighbours. By Florence Mores Kingsley.

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