Caroline sent him regular statements of her weekly expenditures, also
bills for his approval, but she had written him but once, and then only
a brief note. The note brought by a messenger, accompanied a
package containing the chain which he and Pearson selected with such
deliberation and care at the Fifth Avenue jeweler's. Under the existing
circumstances, the girl wrote, she felt that she did not wish to accept
presents from him and therefore returned this one. He was alone when the
note and package came and sat by the window of his room, looking out at
the dismal prospect of back yards and clothes-lines, turning the leather
case over and over in his hands. Perhaps this was the most miserable
afternoon he had spent since his arrival in the city. He tried to
comfort himself by the exercise of his usual philosophy, but it was cold
comfort. He had no right to expect gratitude, so he told himself, and
the girl undoubtedly felt that she was justified in her treatment of
him; but it is hard to be misunderstood and misjudged, even by one whose
youth is, perhaps, an excuse. He forgave Caroline, but he could not
forgive those who were responsible for her action.
After Pearson had departed, on the morning when the conversation dealing
with Mrs.
Pages:
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296