Anybody else would
have wasted the money on shoes, or hats."
"I see you haven't grown up. Would you rather have fireworks than
clothes?"
"There is a time in life when one sky-rocket can give more pleasure than
a pair of shoes, and the gift of pleasure is the finest gift in the
world."
Allison was agreeably surprised, for hitherto Isabel's conversation had
consisted mainly of monosyllables and platitudes, or the hesitating echo
of someone's else opinion. Now he perceived that it was shyness; that
Isabel had a mind of her own, and an unusual mind, at that. He looked at
her quickly and the colour bloomed upon her pale, cold face.
"Tell me, little playmate, what have the years done for you since you
went out and pulled up the rose bushes to find the scent bottles?"
"Nothing," she answered, not knowing what else to say.
"Still looking for the unattainable?"
"Yes, if you like to put it that way."
"Where's your mother?"
"Out lecturing."
"What about?"
"The Bloodless Revolution, or the Gradual Emancipation of Woman," she
repeated, parrot-like.
"Her work must keep her away from home a great deal," he ventured, after
a pause.
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