All the gay people about her--the singing of a large party which filled one of the pleasure-boats, the bustle and activity everywhere--seemed to force upon George Paterson the painful contrast between the glad and happy and the sad and deeply-tried woman, whom he loved better than anything in the wide world. Oh that she would let him comfort her, take her to a pleasant home on the Gorlestone Road, with a garden full of flowers, and where peace and plenty reigned!
But George loved Patience too well to weary her with importunity. He would never add a straw's weight to her care by undue persistence in urging his suit.
"Well," he said, pointing to Joy and her companion, "they seem happy enough. It's odd that little Miss Joy should choose for her friend that untaking niece of Joe Skinner's. She is very like him--just as unwholesome-looking and sly too."
"Poor girl! She has a melancholy time of it at home, so Joy tells me. It is just like her to take pity on one who is not cared for."
"I dare say. She is a little darling, and no mistake!"
"This is early-closing day, and a half-holiday at Joy's school--that is why we are out pleasuring. We are to have tea on the leads at Mr. Boyd's. Will you come with us? for we ought to be getting back. I promised Amelia I would be in at six o'clock, as she wants to go walking with Mr. Skinner."
"Well, she had better stay at home, that's certain. That fellow is a rogue, if ever there was one!"
Mrs. Harrison was silent for a moment; then she said quietly, "I have no reason to love him, for he helped to drive my boy out of the house."
"No doubt he did; and--I hardly like to say what I think--but I believe he made a plot about that money-box."
"Oh! I have often thought so, and put away the thought as wrong and wicked."
"We'll speak plain English for once," George Paterson said. "That man means to marry your sister, and get hold of all she possesses."
"Oh, George! Amelia is close on fifty, and Mr. Skinner can't be much over thirty."
"That does not matter; the same thing is done every day. Don't we see great folks setting the example, and ladies of any age marrying young fellows who want their money? You may depend upon it, Skinner has this in his little sly eye. Well, I shan't do him any good by abusing him, nor myself neither; so I'll have done."