“And she has a nice, straight, strong, short nose, and a mouth that she holds too tight. Loosen your mouth, Bella; it might be very sweet if you gave it a chance. And she has a sharp chin--not pretty, your chin, but--look! If you’d soften your hair, pull it over your ears and forehead--Why do you brush it back that way? It _must_ be unbecoming. And, Bella, it’s curly, or would be with a little freedom. What color is your hair?”
“Gray--like my eyes,” said Bella, scarlet now, and trying to draw herself away.
“Is it really gray, Pete? Tell me the truth, if you can.”
“Her hair is a very light brown,” said Pete, flushed as scarlet now as Bella; “sort of a grayish brown; you wouldn’t notice any gray hairs, hardly.”
“Bella, I’m sure you don’t look a day older than thirty-five. Your skin feels smooth and young. Why do you let Hugh call you an old woman? Poor Bella, I’m afraid you’ve spoiled those two boys?”
Sylvie turned suddenly and imperiously upon the men, and Bella made her escape, not from the room, for she was too stirred, too full of an excited suspense, to bring herself to leave. From a far corner, near the window through which came the soft May wind, she watched them.
“Now, Pete,” said Sylvie, “it’s your turn. If I’m to learn the touch of the blind, I must have practice. What can I make of you! Come here. Why don’t you come?” She stamped her foot. “My, but you are badly trained. Really, Hugh, you ought to discipline him. Wait until I am your sister-in-law.”
Hugh started angrily. “Don’t joke about that!” he threatened in a harsh, sudden voice.
She turned toward him with quickness and bent her head sidelong as though listening intently for what else he might have to say. Her lips were set close and narrow. She had listened to him like this, almost breathlessly, ever since her sudden faintness, listened as though she would draw his very soul in through her ears.
He too flushed. “It’s life and death to me, Sylvie,” he pleaded.
“Life and death--life _or_ death,” she repeated strangely. She stood, as if turning the speech over in her mind, then gave her head a quick little shake like a diver coming to the surface of deep water, and moved a step toward Pete. “Are you coming, boy, or not? I want to feel your face.”