The City of Fire - Page 102/221

"Why, no, not exactly," drawled Opal, "I thought Laurie would be

hospitable enough to look me up a place. Where is your best hotel? Is

it possible at all?"

"We haven't a sign of a hotel," said Marilyn smiling.

"Oh, horrors, nothing but a boarding house I suppose. Is it far away?"

"Not even a boarding house."

"Oh, heavens! Well, where do you stop then?"

"We don't stop, we live," said Marilyn smiling. "I'm afraid the only

thing you can do unless you decide to go back home tonight is to share

my room with me,--I have twin beds you know and can make you quite

comfortable. I often have a college friend to stay with me for a few

weeks."

Opal stared round eyed. This was a college girl then, hidden away in a

hole like this. Not even an extra spare room in the house!

"Oh my gracious!" she responded bluntly, "I'm not used to rooming with

some one, but it's very kind of you I'm sure."

Marilyn's cheeks grew red and her eyes flashed but she whirled back to

her keyboard and began to play, this time a sweet old hymn, and while

she was playing and before the two strangers had thought of anything to

say, Mr. Severn came in with the Book in his hand, followed by his

wife, who drew a small rocker and sat down beside him.

Marilyn paused and the minister opened his Bible and looked around on

them: "I hope you'll join us in our evening worship," he said pleasantly to

the two guests, and then while they still stared he began to read: "Let

not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me," on

through the beautiful chapter.

It was as Greek to the strangers, who heard and did not comprehend, and

they looked about amazed on this little family with dreamy eyes all

listening as if it meant great treasures to them. It was as if they saw

the Severns for the first time and realized them as individuals, as a

force in the world, something complete in itself, a family that was not

doing the things they did, not having the things considered essential

to life, nor trying to go after any of the things that life had to

offer, but living their own beautiful lives in their own way without

regard to the world, and actually enjoying it! That was the queer part

about it. They were not dull nor bored! They were happy! They could get

out from an environment like this if they choose, and they did

not. They wanted to stay here. It was incredible!