Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/125

 "What nonsense you are talking, Mr. Larkington! Excuse me for plain speaking, but you are, really. I do not think you understand at all what I mean."

"I fear that I do not."

There was a pause, after which Gladys said abruptly,—

"How far is it to the sea?"

"About half a mile, I fancy."

"Please go down to the shore and bring me a piece of red seaweed."

"I cannot leave you here alone."

"Why not, if I order you to go? Do you not know how to be obedient?"

"You are teaching me, Miss Carleton. I never knew before that it was pleasanter to obey than to be obeyed."

"Of course it is. There is no such luxury in the world as self-abnegation; it is the thing we all long for."

"I do not fancy that you would enjoy it; you are too imperious by nature. You were born to command. I never heard you make a request in your life."