"Oh, Jessie’s made many a—she’s made many an admirer, by her dresses," the adroit Miss Adair concluded, noticing a quick movement of Mrs. Simmons in her direction, and suddenly recalling the injunction she had forgotten.
"I’m so sorry her flowers were withered," Harvey broke in, quite unconscious of what had been averted. "I sent her some from the city—but they were so wilted when they came that I didn’t want her to take them."
"Wait a minute, Harvey—I’ll go with you a step or two," his mother interrupted as her son stooped to bid her good-night. "Please excuse me, Miss Adair; I’ll be back in a minute," taking Harvey’s arm as he turned towards the door.
"It was so thoughtful of you to send those flowers to Jessie," she said as they moved slowly along the silent street; "she was quite enraptured when they came."
"I sent some to—to Madeline too," Harvey informed her hesitatingly. "You see, I didn’t expect, till this morning, to go to the party at all—and I wrote Madeline declining. So she isn’t expecting me. Jessie promised not to tell her I had changed my mind; and in my letter I told Madeline I was sending the flowers in my place—but I’m afraid they’ll be withered too. What’s the matter, mother?" for her whole weight seemed suddenly to come upon his arm.
"Nothing, dear; nothing much," she said, a little pantingly. "Let us sit here a minute," sinking on an adjoining step. "I’ve had these off and on lately," she added, trying to smile. "I’m better now—the doctor says it’s some little affection of the heart. I guess it’s just a rush of happiness," she suggested bravely, smiling as she turned her face full on Harvey’s.
"I’m so happy, my son—so proud and happy. You’ve done so well; and God has watched over you so wonderfully—and protected you." Then her voice fell almost to a whisper, faltering with the words she wanted to speak, yet shrank from uttering. These spoken, she listened as intently as if for the footfall of approaching death.
"No, mother," he answered low, "no, never once since—yet I won’t say I haven’t felt it; I know I have, more than once. If I’m where it is—even if I catch the odour of liquor—the appetite seems to come back. And it frightened me terribly; it was like the baying of hounds," drawing closer as he spoke.