A long sigh escaped me.
"Warm,isn't it?"Latimer leaned forward."Now,would you mind ringing again,Miss Omar?"I bent and groped for the bell and rang it twice.
"How quick you are to learn!"he said."But I really wanted the light this time.Just light up,Burnett,"he called to the man,who had come out on the porch.
The electric bulb flashed out again just over my head.Latimer turned and looked at me.When I couldn't bear it any longer,Ilooked defiantly up at him.
"Pardon,"he said,smiling;nice teeth he has and clear eyes.
"I was just looking for that boyish resemblance Mr.Moriway spoke of.I hold to my first opinion--you're very feminine,Miss Omar.Will you read to me now,if you please?"He pointed to a big open book on the table beside his couch.
"I think--if you don't mind,Mr.Latimer,I'll begin the reading to-morrow."I got up to go.I was through with that garden now.
"But I do mind!"
Silken voice?Not a bit of it!I turned on him so furious Ithought I didn't care what came of it--when over by the great gate-post I saw a man crouching--Moriway.
I sat down again and pulled the book farther toward the light.
We didn't learn much poetry at the Cruelty,did we,Mag?But Iknow some now,just the same.When I began to read I heard only one word--Moriway--Moriway--Moriway.But I must have--forgotten him after a time,and the dark garden with the light on only one spot,and the roses smelling,and Latimer lying perfectly still,his face turned toward me,for I was reading--listen,I bet I can remember that part of it if I say it slow--Oh,Thou,who Man of baser Earth didst make,And ev'n with Paradise devise the Snake:
For all the sin wherewith the Face of Man Is blacken'd--Man's forgiveness give--and take!
--when all at once Mr.Latimer put his hand on the book.I looked up with a start.The shadow by the gate was gone.
Yon rising Moon that looks for us again---
How oft hereafter will she wax and wane;
How oft hereafter rising look for us Through this same Garden--and for ONE in vain!
Latimer was saying it without the book and with a queer smile that made me feel I hadn't quite caught on.
"Thank you,that will do,"he went on."That is enough,Miss--"He stopped.
I waited.
He did not say "Omar."
I looked him square in the eye--and then I had enough.
"But what in the devil did you make believe for?"I asked.
He smiled.
"If ever you come to lie on your back day and night,year in and year out,and know that never in your life will it be any different,you may take pleasure in a bit of excitement and--and learn to pity the under dog,who,in this case,happened to be a boy that leaped over the gate as though his heart was in his mouth.Just as you would admire the nerve of the young lady that came out of the house a few minutes after in your housekeeper's Sunday gown."Yes,grin,Torn Dorgan.You won't grin long.
I put down the book and got up to go.
"Good night,then,and thank you,Mr.Latimer.""Good night.Oh,Miss--"He didn't say "Omar"--"there is a favor you might do me.""Sure!"I wondered what it could be.
"Those diamonds.I've got to have them,you know,to send them back to their owner.I don't mind helping a--a person who helps himself to other people's things,but I can't let him get away with his plunder without being that kind of person myself.So--"Why didn't I lie?Because there are some people you don't lie to,Tom Dorgan.Don't talk to me,you bully,I'm savage enough.To have rings and pins and ear-rings,a whole bagful of diamonds,and to haul 'em out of your pocket and lay 'em on the table there before him!
"I wonder,"he said slowly,as he put them away in his own pocket,"what a man like me could do for a girl like you?""Reform her!"I snarled."Show her how to get diamonds honestly."Say,Tom,let's go in for bigger game.