april hopes-第5章

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subdued　elegance　befitting　the　more　private　hospitalities　in　the
students'　rooms。　　Mrs。　Pasmer　was　very　much　interested　in　these　rooms；
whose　luxurious　appointments　testified　to　the　advance　of　riches　and　of
the　taste　to　apply　them　since　she　used　to　visit　students'　rooms　in　far…
off　Class　Days。　　The　deep　window　nooks　and　easy…chairs　upholstered　in　the
leather　that　seems　sacred　alike　to　the　seats　and　the　shelves　of
libraries；　the　aesthetic　bookcases；　low　and　topped　with　bric…a…brac；　the
etchings　and　prints　on　the　walls；　which　the　elder　Mavering　went　up　to
look　at　with　a　mystifying　air　of　understanding　such　things；　the　foils
crossed　over　the　chimney；　and　the　mantel　with　its　pipes；　and　its
photographs　of　theatrical　celebrities　tilted　about　over　itspoke　of
conditions　mostly　foreign　to　Mrs。　Pasmer's　memories　of　Harvard。　　The
photographed　celebrities　seemed　to　be　chosen　chiefly　for　their　beauty；
and　for　as　much　of　their　beauty　as　possible；　Mrs。　Pasmer　perceived；　with
an　obscure　misgiving　of　the　sort　which　an　older　generation　always　likes
to　feel　concerning　the　younger；　but　with　a　tolerance；　too；　which　was
personal　to　herself；　it　was　to　be　considered　that　the　massive　thought　and
honest　amiability　of　Salvini's　face；　and　the　deep　and　spiritualized　power
of　Booth's；　varied　the　effect　of　these　companies　of　posturing　nymphs。

At　many　places　she　either　met　old　friends　with　whom　she　clamoured　over
the　wonder　of　their　encounter　there；　or　was　made　acquainted　with　new
people　by　the　Saintsburys。　　She　kept　a　mother's　eye　on　her　daughter；　to
whom　young　Mavering　presented　everybody　within　hail　or　reach；　and　whom
she　could　see；　whenever　she　looked　at　her；　a　radiant　centre　of
admiration。　　She　could　hear　her　talk　sometimes；　and　she　said　to　herself
that　really　Alice　was　coming　out；　she　had　never　heard　her　say　so　many
good　things　before；　she　did　not　know　it　was　in　her。　　She　vas　very　glad
then　that　she　had　let　her　wear　that　dress；　it　was　certainly
distinguished；　and　the　girl　carried　it　off；　to　her　mother's　amusement；
with　the　air　of　a　superb　lady　of　the　period　from　which　it　dated。　　She
thought　what　a　simple　child　Alice　really　was；　all　the　time　those　other
children；　the　Seniors；　were　stealing　their　glances　of　bold　or　timid
worship　at　her；　and　doubtless　thinking　her　a　brilliant　woman　of　the
world。　　But　there　could　be　no　mistake　that　she　was　a　success。

Part　of　her　triumph　was　of　course　due　to　Mrs。　Saintsbury；　whose
chaperonage；　Mrs。　Pasmer　could　see；　was　everywhere　of　effect。　　But　it　was
also　largely　due　to　the　vigilant　politeness　of　young　Mavering；　who　seemed
bent　on　making　her　have　good　time；　and　who　let　no　chance　slip　him。　　Mrs。
Pasmer　felt　his　kindness　truly；　and　she　did　not　feel　it　the　less　because
she　knew　that　there　was　but　one　thing　that　could；　at　his　frankly　selfish
age；　make　a　young　fellow　wish　to　make　a　girl　have　a　good　time；　except　for
that　reason　he　must　be　bending　the　whole　soul　of　egotistic　youth　to
making　some　other　girl　have　a　good　time。　　But　all　the　same；　it　gave　her
pause　when　some　one　to　whom　she　was　introduced　spoke　to　her　of　her
friends　the　Maverings；　as　if　they　were　friends　of　the　oldest　standing
instead　of　acquaintances　of　very　recent　accident。　　She　did　not　think　of
disclaiming　the　intimacy；　but　〃Really　I　shall　die　of　these　Maverings；〃
she　said　to　herself；　〃unless　I　find　out　something　about　them　pretty
soon。〃

〃I'm　not　going　to　take　you　to　the　Omicron　spread；　Mrs。　Pasmer；〃　said
young　Mavering；　coming　up　to　her　with　such　an　effect　of　sympathetic
devotion　that　she　had　to　ask　herself；　〃Are　they　my　friends；　the
Maverings？〃　　〃The　Saintsburys　have　been　there　already；　and　it　is　a　little
too　common。〃　　The　tone　of　superiority　gave　Mrs。　Pasmer　courage。　　〃They're
good　fellows；　and　all　that；　but　I　want　you　to　see　the　best。　　I　suppose　it
will　get　back　to　giving　the　spreads　all　in　the　fellows'　rooms　again。
It's　a　good　deal　pleasanter；　don't　you　think？〃

〃Oh　yes；　indeed；〃　assented　Mrs。　Pasmer；　though　she　had　really　been
thinking　the　private　spreads　were　not　nearly　so　amusing　as　the　large
spread　she　had　seen　at　the　Gymnasium。　　She　had　also　wondered　where　all
Mr。　Mavering's　relations　and　friends　were；　and　the　people　who　had　social
claims　on　him；　that　he　could　be　giving　up　his　Class　Day　in　this　reckless
fashion　to　strangers。　　Alice　would　account　for　a　good　deal；　but　she　would
not　account　for　everything。　　Mrs。　Pasmer　would　have　been　willing　to　take
him　from　others；　but　if　he　were　so　anomalous　as　to　have　no　one　to　be
taken　from；　of　course　it　lessened　his　value　as　a　trophy。　　These　things
went　in　and　out　of　her　mind；　with　a　final　resolution　to　get　a　full
explanation　from　Mrs。　Saintsbury；　while　she　stood　and　smiled　her　winning
assent　up　into　the　young　man's　handsome　face。

Mrs。　Saintsbury；　caught　sight　of　them；　and　as　if　suddenly　reminded　of　a
forgotten　duty；　rushed　vividly　upon　him。

〃Mr。　Mavering；　I　shall　not　let　you　stay　with　us　another　minute。　　You　must
go　to　your　room　now　and　get　ready。　　You　ought　to　have　a　little　rest。〃

He　broke　out　in　his　laugh。　　〃Do　you　think　I　want　to　go　and　lie　down
awhile；　like　a　lady　before　a　party？〃

〃I'm　sure　you'd　be　the　stronger　for　it；〃　said　Mrs。　Saintsbury。　　〃But　go；
upon　any　theory。　　Don't　you　see　there　isn't　a　Senior　left？〃

He　would　not　look　round。　　〃They've　gone　to　other　spreads；〃　he　said。
〃But　now　I'll　tell　you：　it　is　pretty；　near　time；　and　if　you'll　take　me　to
my　room；　I'll　go。〃

〃You're　a　spoiled　boy；〃　said　Mrs。　Saintsbury。

〃But　I　want　Mrs。　Pasmer　to　see　the　room　of　a　real　studenta　reading　man；
and　all　thatand　we'll　come；　to　humour　you。〃

〃Well；　come　upon　any　theory；〃　said　young　Mavering。

His　father；　and　Professor　Saintsbury；　who　had　been　instructed　by　his　wife
not　to　lose　sight　of　her；　were　at　hand；　and　they　crossed　to　that　old　hall
which　keeps　its　favour　with　the　students　in　spite　of　the　rivalry　of　the
newer　dormitoriesit　would　be　hard　to　say　why。

Mrs。　Pasmer　willingly　assented　to　its　being　much　better；　out　of　pure
complaisance；　though　the　ceilings　were　low　and　the　windows　small；　and　it
did　not　seem　to　her　that　the　Franklin　stove　and　the　aesthetic　papering
and　painting　of　young　Mavering's　room　brought　it　up　to　the　level　of　those
others　that　she　had　seen。　　But　with　her　habit　of　saying　some　friendly
lying　thing；　no　matter　what　her　impressions　were；　she　exclaimed；　〃Oh；　how
cosy！〃　and　glad　of　the　word；　she　went　about　from　one　to　another；　asking；
〃Isn't　this　cosy？〃

Mrs。　Saintsbury　said：　〃It's　supposed　to　be　the　cell　of　a　recluse；　but　it
is　cosyyes。〃

〃It　looks　as　if　some　hermit　had　been　using　it　as　a　store…room；〃　said　her
husband；　for　there　were　odds　and　ends　of　furniture　and　clothes　and　boxes
and　handbags　scattered　about　the　floor。

〃I　forgot　all　about　them　when　I　asked　you；〃　cried　Mavering；　laughing　out
his　delight。　　〃They　belong　to　some　fellows　that　are　giving　spreads　in
their　rooms；　and　I　let　them　put　them　in　here。〃

〃Do　you　commonly　let　people　put　things　in　your　room　that　they　want　to　get
rid　off？〃　asked　Mrs。　Pasmer。

〃Well；　not　when　I'm　expecting　company。〃

〃He　couldn't　refuse　even　then；　if　they　pressed　the　matter；〃　said　Mrs。
Saintsbury；　lecturing　upon　him　to　her　friend。

〃I'm　afraid　you're　too　amiable　altogether；　Mr。　Mavering。　　I'm　sure　you
let　people　impose　upon　you；〃　said　the　other　lady。　　〃You　have　been　letting
us　impose　upon　you。〃

〃Ah！　now　that　proves　you're　all　wrong；　Mrs。　Pasmer。〃

〃It　proves　that　you　know　how　to　say　things　very　prettily。〃

〃Oh；　thank　you。　　I　know　when　I'm　having　a　good　time；　and　I　do　my　best　to
enjoy　it。〃　　He　ended　with　the　nervous　laugh　which　seemed　habitual　with
him。

〃He；　does　laugh　a　good　deal；〃　thought　Mrs。　Pasmer；　surveying　him　with
smiling　steadiness。　　〃I　suppose　it　tires　Alice。　　Some　of　his　teeth　are
filled　at　the　sides。　　That　vein　in　his　foreheadthey　say　that　means
genius。〃　　She　said　to　him：　〃I　hope　you　know　when　others　are　having　a　good
time　too；　Mr。　Mavering？　　You　ought　to　have　that　reward。〃

They　both　looked　at　Alice。　　〃Oh；　I　should　be　so　happy　to　think　you　hadn't
been　bored　with　it　all；　Mrs：　Pasmer；〃　he　returned；with…deep　feeling。

Alice　was　looking　at　one　of　the　sketches　which　were　pretty　plentifully
pinned　about　the　wall；　and　apparently　seeing　it　and　apparently　listening
to　what　Professor　Saintsbury　was　saying；　but　her　mother　believed　from　a
tremor　of　the　ribbons　on　her　hat　that　she　was　conscious　of　nothing　but
young　Mavering's　gaze　and　the　sound　of　his　voice。

〃We've　been　delighted；　simply　enchanted；〃　said　Mrs。　Pasmer。　　And　she
thought；　〃Now　if　Alice　were　to　turn　round　just　as　she　stands；　he　could
see　all　the　best　points　of　her　face。　　I　wonder　what　she　really　thinks　of
him？　　What　is　it　you　have　there；　Alice？〃　she　asked　aloud。

The　girl　turned　her　face　over　her　shoulder　so　exactly　in　the　way　her
mother　wished　that　Mrs。　Pasmer　could　scarcely　repress　a　cry　of　joy。　　〃A
sketch　of　Mr。　Mavering's。〃

〃Oh；　how　very　interesting！〃　said　Mrs。　Pasmer。　　〃Do　you　sketch；　Mr。
Mavering？　　But　of　course。〃　　She　pressed　forward；　and　studied　the　sketch
inattentively。　　〃How　very；　very　good！〃　she　buzzed　deep　in　her　throat；
while；　with　a　glance　at　her　daughter；　she　thought；　〃How　impassive　Alice
is！　　But　she　behaves　with　great　dignity。　　Yes。　　Perhaps　that's　best。
And　are　you　going　to　be　an　artist？〃　she　asked　of　Mavering。

〃Not　if　it　can　be　prevented；〃　he　answered；　laughing　again。

〃But　his　laugh　is　very　pleasant；〃　reflected　Mrs。　Pasmer。　　〃Does　Alice
dislike　it　so　much？〃　She　repeated　aloud；　〃If　it　can　be　prevented？〃

〃They　think　I　might　spoil　a　great　lawyer　in　the　attempt。〃

〃Oh；　I　see。　　And　are　you　going　to　be　a　lawyer？　　But　to　be　a　great
painter！　　And　America　has　so　few　of　them。〃　　She　knew　quite　well　that　she
was　talking　nonsense；　but　she　was　aware；　through　her　own　indifference　to
the　topic　that　he　was　not　minding　what　she　said；　but　was　trying　to　bring
himself　into　talk　with　Alice　again。　　The　girl　persistently　listened　to
Professor　Saintsbury。

〃Is　she　punishing　him　for　something？〃　her　mother　asked　herself。　　〃What
can　it　be　for。　　Does　she　think　he's　a　little　too　pushing？　　Perhaps；　he　is
a　little　pushing。〃　　She　reflected；　with　an　inward　sigh；　that　she　would
know　whether　he　was　if　she　only　knew　more　about　him。

He　did　the　honours　of　his　room　very　simply　and　nicely；　and　he　said　it　was
pretty　rough　to　think　this　was　the　last　of　it。　　After　which　he　faltered；
and　something　occurred　to　Mrs　Saintsbury。

〃Why；　we're　keeping　you！　　It's　time　for　you　to　dress　for　the　Tree。
John〃she　reproached　her　husband〃how　could　you　let　us　do　it？〃

〃Far　be　it　from　me　to　hurry　ladies　out　of　other　people's　houses
especially　ladies　who　have　put　themselves　in　charge　of　other　people。〃

〃No；　don't　hurry；〃　pleaded　Mavering；　〃there's　plenty　of　time。〃

〃How　much　time？〃　asked　Mrs。　Saintsbury。

He　looked　at　his　watch。　　〃Well；　a　good　quarter　of　an　hour。〃

〃And　I　was　to　have　taken　Mrs。　Pasmer　and　Alice　home　for　a　little　rest
before　the　Tree！〃　cried　Mrs　Saintsbury。　　And　now　we　must　go　at　once；　or
we　shall　get　no　sort　of　places；〃

In　the　civil　and　satirical　parley　which　followed；　no　one　answered
another；　but　young　Mavering　bore　as　full　a　part　as　the　elder　ladies；　and
only　his　father　and　Alice　were　silent：　his　guests　got　themselves　out　of
his