"
I pondered these mysterious injunctions in silence, and realizing the
fact that the Wallencamp beaux had appeared in a body for the express
purpose of making my acquaintance, I essayed to show my appreciation of
this amiable design by an attempt to engage them in conversation. My
various efforts in this line proved alike futile, and they seemed but to
grow impressed with a deeper sense of misery.
I had a vague intention of going in search of the pop-corn, when, to my
sudden dismay, Grandma Keeler and Madeline, who had been noiselessly
clearing off the table, emerged from a brief consultation in the pantry,
bearing with them a lighted candle, and having given Grandpa Keeler a nod
of unmistakable force and significance, disappeared through the door
which led into that indefinite extension of the Ark beyond.
But Grandpa Keeler remained wilfully indifferent to these broadly
insinuating tactics. He fancied, poor, deluded old man, that here was a
choice opportunity to tell a tale of the seas after a fashion dear to his
own heart, unshackled by the restraints of family surveillance.
A singularly childlike and unapprehensive smile played across his
features.
Pages:
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71