Since then I have often
heard Josephine declare her gratitude that she did not allow any
squeamishness to prevent her from giving the children and people
generally the correct impression of a man who was eminent in his day
and generation. Indeed, I have heard her call the attention of
visitors to the strong similarity about the brow and eyes which our
second son David bears to his great-grandfather, High Sheriff Plunkett,
and I do not question in the least that she believes the cast in the
old gentleman's optic never to have existed save in the original
portrait-painter's imagination. I must admit that, notwithstanding the
changes made by local talent in my ancestor's physiognomy, I am
occasionally struck myself with the strong resemblance specified by
Josephine; and the longer I live the less doubt I have that she is a
far cleverer person than your humble servant.
III
Shortly before we moved to the seaside this summer, it was evident to
me that Josephine had something on her mind which she hesitated to
broach to me. I suspect that the dear girl realized that we had had
rather a trying winter in our new establishment, and was accordingly a
little nervous as to how I would receive a new suggestion, which was
aimed directly at my personal comfort. I had indeed found the winter
somewhat trying on account of the number of small repairs which had
proved to be necessary.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43