Aunt Lucinda turned upon me a baleful eye. "You grow flippant as well
as rude, sir! As though you knew anything of that Byington girl. I
doubt if you ever saw her."
"Oh, yes--last night. Miss Emory and I both saw her, last night, at
Luigi's. As for yon varlet's providing, while I would not too much
criticize a man whose waistcoats I wear even under protest, it is but
fair to say that these oranges and all the fresh things taken on at
New Orleans, are of my providing, and not his. He was so busy
providing other things for Miss Sally Byington."
"I don't think she is so beautiful," said Helena, ceasing with her
orange. "Her color is so full. Very likely she'll be blowsy in a few
years."
"How can you say so!" I rebuked, with much virtuous indignation. But
at the time I felt my heart leap at sight of Helena herself, the lines
of her slim graceful figure defined even under the rug she had drawn
about her neck, the wind-blown little neck curls and the long fuller
lock now plain against her fresh face, blown pale by the cool salt air
that sang above us gently. I could no longer even feign an interest in
any other woman in the world. So very unconsciously I chuckled to
myself, and Helena heard me.
"You don't think so yourself!" she remarked.
"Think what?"
"That she is so beautiful."
"No, I do not. Not as beautiful as----"
"Look at the funny bird!" said Helena suddenly. Yet I could see
nothing out of the ordinary in the sea-bird she pointed out, skimming
and skipping close by.
"Sir," demanded Aunt Lucinda, also suddenly, "how long is this to
last?"
"You mean the orange-dish, Mrs. Daniver?" I queried politely. "As long
as you like. I also am a good provider, although to no credit, as it
seems."
"You know I do not mean the oranges, sir. I mean this whole foolish
business. You are putting yourself liable to the law."
"So did Jean Lafitte, over yonder in Barataria," said I, "but he lived
to a ripe old age and became famous. Why not I as well?"
"--You are ruining those two boys. I weep to think of our poor
Jimmy--why, he lords it about as though he owned the boat. And such
language!"
"He shall own a part of her if he likes, if all comes out well," said
I. "And as for Jean Lafitte, Junior, rarely have I seen a boy of
better judgment, cooler mind, or more talent in machinery. He shall
have an education, if he likes; and I know he will like."
"It is wonderful what a waistcoat will do for the imagination,"
remarked Helena, wholly casually. I turned to her.
"I presume it is Mr. Davidson who is to be the fairy prince," added
Aunt Lucinda.