The young man looked at his host with astonishment. He was not used to
being treated in this off-hand way. He could hardly believe his ears.
Throw back his money and lay down the law that way!
"Wait!" he thundered as the door was about to close upon the departing
minister.
Severn turned and regarded his guest quietly, questioningly: "Who's that girl over there in the window playing the organ?" He pulled
the curtain aside and revealed a glimpse of the white and gold saint
framed in the ivy. Severn gave a swift cold glance at the insolent
youth and then answered with a slightly haughty note in his courteous
voice, albeit a quiver of amusement on his lip: "That is my daughter."
Laurence Shafton dropped the curtain and turned to stare at his host,
but the minister had closed the door and was already on his way to
church. Then the youth pulled back the curtain again and regarded the
lady. The man's daughter! And playing like that!
The rich notes of the organ were rolling out into the summer day, a
wonderful theme from an old master, grandly played. Yes, she could
play. She had been well taught. And the looks of her! She was wonderful
at this distance. Were these then wealthy people perhaps summering in
this quiet resort? He glanced about at the simple furnishings. That was
a good rug at his feet, worn in places, but soft in tone and
unmistakably of the Orient. The desk was of fumed oak, somewhat massive
and dignified with a touch of hand carving. The chairs were of the same
dark oak with leather cushions, and the couch so covered by his bed
drapery that he could not see it, but he remembered its comfort. There
was nothing showy or expensive looking but everything simple and good.
One or two fine old pictures on the wall gave evidence of good taste.
The only luxury seemed books, rows and rows of them behind glass doors
in cases built into the wall. They lined each space between windows and
doors, and in several spots reached to the ceiling. He decided that
these people must have had money and lost it. These things were old and
had perhaps been inherited. But the girl! She teased his curiosity. She
seemed of a type entirely new, and most attractive. Well, here was good
luck again! He would stay till church was out and see what she might be
like at nearer view. It might amuse him to play the invalid for a day
or two and investigate her. Meantime, he must call up that garage and
see what could be done for the car. If he could get it patched up by
noon he might take the girl out for a spin in the afternoon. One could
judge a girl much better getting her off by herself that way. He didn't
seem to relish the memory of that father's smile and haughty tone as he
said "My daughter." Probably was all kinds of fussy about her. But if
the girl had any pep at all she surely would enjoy getting away from
oversight for a few hours. He hoped Opal would call before they got
back from their service. It might be awkward talking with them all
around.