FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177  
178   179   >>  
martyrs of themselves! Now, it would really be very nice if Phil lived on the next landing, and could run in and out half-a-dozen times a day; and though the Hermit is not my passion, he is a worthy old thing, and would make a devoted husband. It strikes me, my dear, that you and I will have to take this matter in hand. It is no use asking Hope. She has grown so proper lately that I am quite afraid of her." "Oh no, we won't ask Hope!" said Theo quickly. "But really it would be rather fun to see what we could do--as good as a story in real life. The first step is to make them aware of their own feelings. But how is it to be done?" "We might try jealousy. How would it be if I flirted with him violently under her very eyes?" "He would be horribly bored, without understanding in the least what you were trying to do, and Phil would forbid him the house in case you were blighted in your youthful affections." "Should we take him aside, then, and drop a casual hint of the curate who proposed to her in Leabourne?" "My dear, he would take fright on the moment and consider it his duty to stand aside in favour of a better man. He is so absurdly quixotic that he would positively enjoy immolating himself." "What about pity, then? Snub Phil violently in his presence, and confide to her in secret that his cough sounds consumptive! That would make them sorry for each other, you see, and rouse a desire to help. They would sympathise, and grow sentimental, and--" "It might do," said Theo thoughtfully. "Really, Madge, you ought to write instead of me; you are far more inventive. My only idea is propinquity. Impress upon Phil that the Hermit is her best counsellor in all matters concerning Barney, and advise her to talk things over quietly with him when Steve is not present. The Hermit has about as much worldly wisdom as a babe in arms, and consequently would be immensely flattered by being asked to impart it. He will repeat all her suggestions with an air of wisdom, and Phil will dote upon him for helping her to her own way." "Propinquity does it! We will be as innocent as cherubs, and have smashing headaches when he comes to call. Also, it might be well to take a more active share in the housekeeping department, in order to show Phil that she is not so indispensable as she imagines. We must be cruel to be kind." Theo's shoulders shook with laughter, and just at that moment in marched Philippa herself
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177  
178   179   >>  



Top keywords:

Hermit

 

wisdom

 

violently

 

moment

 

secret

 

matters

 

consumptive

 

things

 
sounds
 

advise


Barney
 

thoughtfully

 

sentimental

 
inventive
 

Really

 
counsellor
 
Impress
 

propinquity

 

sympathise

 

desire


repeat

 

department

 
housekeeping
 

indispensable

 
active
 

imagines

 

marched

 

Philippa

 
laughter
 

shoulders


headaches

 

smashing

 

immensely

 

flattered

 

present

 

worldly

 

impart

 

Propinquity

 
innocent
 
cherubs

helping

 

confide

 

suggestions

 

quietly

 

Should

 

afraid

 

proper

 

quickly

 

matter

 

landing