Page:The Reverberator (2nd edition, American issue, London and New York, Macmillan & Co., 1888).djvu/148

138 owed him; for he truly had been their initiator, the instrument, under providence, that had opened a great new interest to them, and it shocked her generosity, the intimation that he saw himself cast off or disavowed after the prize was gained. Her mind had not lingered on her personal indebtedness to him, for it was not in the nature of her mind to linger; but at present she was glad to spring quickly, at the first word, into the attitude of acknowledgment. It had the effect that simplification always has, it raised her spirits, made her merry.

"Of course I must be quite square with you," the young man said. "If I want to see the picture it's because I want to write about it. The whole thing will go bang into the Reverberator. You must understand that, in advance. I wouldn't write about it without seeing it."

"J'espère bien!" said Francie, who was getting on famously with her French. "Of course if you praise him Mr. Waterlow will like it."

"I don't know that he cares for my praise and I don't care much whether he likes it or not. If you like it, that's the principal thing."

"Oh, I shall be awfully proud."

"I shall speak of you personally—I shall say you are the prettiest girl that has ever come over."

"You may say what you like," Francie rejoined. "It will be immense fun to be in the newspapers. Come for me at this hour day after to-morrow."