And I Am Happy Read Online Free PDF

truth, “He’s far
too good for the likes of me.” They both knew it. Even if Miss Ann
did not know Will’s exact reputation, she knew Will was not of her
brother’s class and had none of his finer feelings. Will did not
think of his fellow man when he had only one to protect. He was a
selfish, greedy sort, who wanted his gentleman all to himself and
would do things other men would consider debased and unmasculine if
Charlie asked him to. Will was not fit for him but he would still
take him any way that he could.
    He glanced back at Mrs. Douglass, whose head
was angled down to listen to Miss Katherine, but whose gaze
sparkled mischievously up at his master. Then he looked at Miss
Ann. “I will be happy when he is happy,” Will told her, abjectly
miserable and aware that it was all over his face. “Excuse me,
miss,” he added, and hurried into the kitchen where no one would
follow.
    ~~~
     
    The rest of the day was quieter, intensely
so, even for an already quiet house. Will suspected his master had
taken the telephone off the cradle once again but did not comment.
He kept to the kitchens. His gentleman had decided against going
out for his supper which left Will to provide for him. As he dashed
out to the market before giving up and ordering trays delivered
from Charlie’s favorite supper club, Will could not help but think
that Miss Ann would expect him to see her brother fed and fed
well.
    His gentleman looked up from his
correspondence when Will brought the tray to his desk but only to
push the tray toward Will and stare pointedly until Will had no
choice but to sit and share the meal with him. It was a gesture his
master had made before. Will usually took it as a sign that he was
not looking his best and his master was concerned for his health,
but tonight it made him hide a smile as he devoured roast beef and
potatoes. If he had ordered more food in expectation of this
moment, and if that was evident in the portions on offer, that was
between him and his clever master.
    Will spent more time on the meal than Charlie
did. He thought his master too absorbed in his work to eat until
Charlie finally shoved away a stack of letters with a tired sigh
and glanced at him.
    “You had much to do in the kitchen today?” It
was Will’s imagination that made his gentleman sound so
wistful.
    “I didn’t want to interrupt your work.” It
was good work his gentleman did. Will often listened from the
gallery and read the reports in the papers. But most of his
master’s speeches he knew by heart from evenings like this one. His
master often read to him, rehearsing speeches long before anyone
else heard them and asking Will’s opinion.
    “And earlier?” Charlie interrupted Will’s
thoughts. “I have never seen you leave a room so fast.” He was no
longer eating. Will had his full attention. Will tried to show him
a blank face but smart man that his master was, he raised an
eyebrow that said he did not believe the act for a moment. “I have
found Mrs. Douglass friendly but,” there his master paused to give
Will a careful frown, “but you did not think so?”
    “I did not say that.” Will studied the desk,
the floor, the remnants of dinner. “She is,” he had to firm his
voice to seem convincing, “she is a charming lady, sir,” he paused
again, then shrugged, “for an American.”
    Charlie gave him a stern look that quickened
Will’s heartbeat. It also did nothing to hide the crinkles of at
the corners of his master’s eyes. “I see you couldn’t resist one
little dig,” he remarked.
    Will sat up. “I am spiteful creature who
ought to be punished, sir,” he tossed back in a much warmer tone
that he had intended to use. The hint of a smile froze on his
master’s face before his master looked down again.
    “You have a different view of people than I
do, Will. Often better than anything I could find in any monograph
on human nature.” His gentleman didn’t seem to notice the sound
that slipped from