Page:Stella Dallas, a novel (IA stelladallasnove00prou).pdf/240

230 "Downstairs!"

"It's a wonder you didn't see me. I saw you. The doctor was here this morning, and said it would do me good to get up and around as soon as possible now. At first I thought I better not till to-morrow morning. Then I said to myself it would be fun to surprise you. So I dressed about four o'clock, and sat around on the veranda for a while. I felt just fine, and when I saw all your party coming down the lake in the canoes, I walked down to the pier to meet you. I saw you when you went off with that young man, heaven knew where. I supposed you would be right back. I waited for over an hour in that little summer-house at the end of the pier. I thought it would be so nice to meet him like that, offhand, and I was looking rather well."

Laurel, occupied before the mirror—pulling off the lavender sweater over her head, removing the soft felt tam-o'-shanter that matched it, giving her hair gentle little presses and pokes—inquired casually, "Did you stay downstairs to dinner?"

"No, I didn't. Though I felt all right. But I thought this way—it would be nicer to meet all your friends when you were around to introduce me. I'll go down to breakfast with you to-morrow morning. I feel just great."

"Then you didn't meet anybody?"

"Not yet."

"Mother," said Laurel, turning toward her from the mirror, "I'm going downstairs just a moment if you're all right. I won't be long."

"Mercy! Don't think about me. Stay as long as you want, and have a good time. Gracious, you