Page:The Awkward Age (New York, Harper and Brothers, 1899).djvu/190

THE AWKWARD AGE. "It isn't so much that, probably, as my own way of going on." She spoke with a mildness that could scarce have been so full without being an effort. "Between his patience and my egotism anything is possible. It isn't his talking—it's his listening."She gave up the point at any rate as if from softness to her actual companion. "Wasn't it you who spoke to mamma about my sitting with her? That's what I mean by my debt to you. It's through you that I'm always there—through you and perhaps a little through Mitchy."

"Oh, through Mitchy—it must have been—more than through me." Vanderbank spoke with the manner of humoring her about a trifle. "Mitchy, delightful man, felt on the subject, I think, still more strongly."

They quitted their place together and at the end of a few steps became aware of the approach of one of the others, a figure but a few yards off, arriving from the quarter from which Nanda had come. "Ah, Mr. Longdon!"—she spoke with eagerness now.

Vanderbank instantly waved a hat. "Dear old boy!"

"Between you all, at any rate," she said more gaily, "you've brought me down."

Vanderbank made no answer till they met their friend, when, by way of greeting, he simply echoed her words.

"Between us all, you'll be glad to know, we've brought her down."

Mr. Longdon looked from one of them to the other. "Where have you been together?"

Nanda was the first to respond. "Only talking—on a bench."

"Well, I want to talk on a bench!" The old man showed a spirit.

"With me, of course?"—Vanderbank met it with eagerness.

The girl said nothing, but Mr. Longdon sought her eyes. "No—with Nanda. You must mingle in the crowd." 180