Читать книгу Jessica Trent's Inheritance онлайн

10 страница из 51

“Hoity-toity, young man! Who’s asked you to pay for my victuals? I didn’t; and more’n that it’s my intent and cal’lation to pay spot cash not only for what I eat but what Gabrielly does, too, and ’twon’t be my fault if she don’t get urged to fair stuff herself. So there.”

“Good enough, Aunt Sally! You’re a—a brick!” retorted this irreverent young man, having succeeded in his efforts at diversion and fully satisfied.

“No, I ain’t. I’m a decent human womanbody, that knows when she’s sassed at an’ when she isn’t. And you needn’t think you’re the only creatur’ livin’ can look after Gabriella Trent and them that’s dear to her. But—you can’t help bein’ what you are—a man!” The infinite scorn which Mrs. Benton threw into that one word tickled the ex-reporter into another gale of laughter, during which the carriage arrived at the hotel entrance and the group of Sobrante “boys” waiting there.

The sound of it didn’t please them. Not in the least. Their own countenances wore an expression befitting a funeral, and the mirth depicted on Ninian Sharp’s declared him what they had often felt him to be—a stranger and alien at Sobrante. It wasn’t his “little Captain” that had gone and left them desolate. It was their own, idolized “Lady Jess” in whom he had no right nor parcel, even though he had so fully won her love and confidence.