The Heart of Rachael eBook

Kathleen Norris
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 503 pages of information about The Heart of Rachael.

The Heart of Rachael eBook

Kathleen Norris
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 503 pages of information about The Heart of Rachael.

“I did, for one,” said Miss Vanderwall, flicking the ashes from her cigarette with a well-groomed fingertip.  “Clarence Breckenridge never was in love but once in his life—­no, I don’t mean with Paula.  I mean with Billy.”  And as a general nodding of heads confirmed this theory, the speaker went on decidedly:  “Since that child was born she’s been all the world to him.  When he and Paula were divorced—­she was the offender—­he fretted himself sick for fear he’d done that precious five-year-old an injury.  She didn’t get on with her grandmother, she drove governesses insane, for two or three years there was simply no end of trouble.  Finally he took her abroad, for the excellent reason that she wanted to go.  In Paris they ran into Rachael Fairfax and her mother—­let’s see, that was seven years ago.  Rachael was only about twenty-one or two then.  But she’d been out since she was sixteen.  She had the bel air, she was beautiful—­not as pretty as she is now, perhaps—­ and of course her father was dead, and Rachael was absolutely on the make.  She took both Clarence and Billy in hand.  I understand the child was wearing jewelry and staying up until all hours every night.  Rachael mothered her, and of course the child came to admire her.  The funny thing is that Rachael and Billy hit it off very well to this day.

“She and Clarence were married quietly, and came home.  And I don’t think it was weeks, it was days—­and not many days—­later, that Rachael realized what a fool she’d been.  Clarence had eyes for no one but the girl, and of course she was a fascinating little creature, and she’s more fascinating every year.”

“She’s not as attractive as Rachael at that,” said Peter Pomeroy.

“I know, my dear Peter,” Miss Vanderwall assented quickly.  “But Billy’s impulsive, and affectionate, at least, and Rachael is neither.  Anyway, Billy’s at the age now when she can’t think of anything but herself.  Her frocks, her parties, her friends—­that’s all Clarence cares about!”

“Selfish ass!” said a man’s voice in the firelight.

“I know Clarence takes Carol and her friends off on week-end trips,” some woman said, “and leaves Rachael at home.  If Rachael wants the car, she has to ask them their plans.  If she accepts a dinner invitation, why, Clarence may drop out the last moment because Carol’s going to dine alone at home and wants her Daddy.”

“Rachael’s terribly decent about it,” said the deep voice of old Mrs. Torrence, who was chaperoning a grandson, glad of any excuse to be at the club.  “Upon my word I wouldn’t be!  She will breakfast upstairs many a morning because Clarence likes Carol to pour his coffee.  And when that feller comes home tipsy—­”

“Five nights a week!” supplemented Peter Pomeroy.

“Five nights a week,” the old lady agreed, nodding, “she makes him comfortable, quiets the house, and telephones around generally that Clarence has come home with a splitting headache, and they can’t come—­to dinner, or cards, or whatever it may be.  But of course I don’t claim that she loves him, nor pretends to.  I can imagine the scornful look with which she goes about it.”

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Heart of Rachael from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.