Page 249 - The snake's pass

murdock's wooing. 237
When we had got rid of him, Dick and I went down
to the brook, and made ourselves look as tidy as we
could. At least Dick did ; for, as to myself, I purposely
disarranged my hair—unknown to Dick—in the hope
that Norah would take me in hand again, and that I
might once more experience the delicious sensation of a
toilet aided by her sweet fingers.
Young men's ideas, however, are very crude; no one
who knew either the Sex or the World would have fallen
into such an absurd hope. When I came in with Dick,
Norah—in spite of some marked hints, privately and
secretly given to her—did not make either the slightest
remark on my appearance, or the faintest suggestion as
to improving it.
She had not been idle in the afternoon. The room,
which was always tidy, was as prettily arranged as the
materials would allow. There were some flowers, and
flag-leaves, and grasses tastefully placed about ; and on
the table, in a tumbler, was a bunch of scarlet poppies.
The tablecloth, although of coarse material, was as white
as snow, and the plates and cups, of common white and
blue, were all that was required.
When Joyce came in from his bedroom, where he had
been tidying himself, he looked so manly and handsome
in his dark frieze coat with horn buttons, his wide un-
starched shirt-collar, striped waistcoat, and cord breeches,
with grey stockings, that I felt quite proud of him.
There was a natural grace and dignity about him which
suited him so well, that I had no wish to see him other