The Annam Jewel Read Online Free PDF

added a second; looked at it again; and, in attempting to strike out the first “t”, produced a very large red blot. He proceeded resolutely to the next line.
    Cousin Charlotte has written to say I will come to lunch tomorrow. It will be more conveniant—convenniant—conviencnt if I do not come till Monday. I mill send a wire.—Your affectionate nephew,
    Peter Waring .
    He made another large blot over his signature, and an attempt to sop it up with a piece of heliotrope blotting paper resulted in a further disaster. He folded the sheet, enclosed it in an envelope, addressed it, and proceeded to the really exhilarating business of sealing the envelope in three places. He used pink, purple, and green wax, and made patterns. He reduced the rose-coloured candle to a guttering wreck. He enjoyed himself very much. When he had quite finished he went to post his letter.
    As he walked down the drive between the budding lilacs and horse-chestnut trees, he reviewed the situation. He had to see Rose Ellen. He had promised Rose Ellen that he would see her, and naturally he had to keep his promise. The relations hadn’t seemed to understand this at all. It was very odd—but then relations were odd.
    He had begun about Rose Ellen on the very first day of the holidays. Cousin Ruth had looked sorry, and Cousin Charlotte had looked cross. Neither of them seemed to think that it mattered about breaking his promise. They both said he couldn’t possibly go and see Rose Ellen. Peter said, “Why?” and went on saying, “Why?” until they explained in alternate sentences, getting a little flustered and rather red, that it wouldn’t do at all.
    â€œWhy?” said Peter.
    â€œBecause, my dear boy, little Rose Ellen—a nice little girl, I’m sure, and it’s very natural for you to be concerned about her, and it does you credit, doesn’t it, Charlotte?” That was Ruth Spottiswoode.
    Then Cousin Charlotte, red and cross:
    â€œJust put it out of your mind, like a sensible boy, Peter. Rose Ellen is being brought up in quite a different class to you, and it would be most unsuitable for you to go on being thrown with her.”
    â€œWhy?” said Peter.
    Then they both began again. Cousin Ruth said he was a dear boy and he must be guided by them; and Cousin Charlotte said that Institutions didn’t allow visitors. Peter went on saying, “Why?” until Cousin Charlotte lost her temper and went out of the room, banging the door. This was injudicious, as it left Ruth Spottiswoode more or less at Peter’s mercy. He took full advantage of the position, and obtained a good deal of useful information. Cousin Ruth had even shown him a picture of St. Gunburga’s, under the impression that the imposing building with the group of uniformed staff and quaintly clad children in the foreground would satisfy Peter and make him drop the subject.
    Peter scowled whenever he thought of that picture. He hated it quite frightfully. He hated the thought of Rose Ellen in those clothes. He didn’t care what the relations said. He was going to see Rose Ellen. Today was Friday. Uncle Matthew would be expecting him in time for lunch tomorrow, but tomorrow morning Uncle Matthew would get his, Peter’s, letter saying not to expect him until Monday.
    He began to arrange his plans very carefully. Tomorrow he would go and see Rose Ellen. If she was quite well and happy, he would go on to Uncle Matthew’s in the evening and explain that, after all, it was better for him to get there before Sunday. If Rose Ellen was unhappy—Peter stood quite still and kicked a large stone several times very hard with his left foot—if Rose Ellen was unhappy, there was only one thing to be done: he would have to take her away.
    He stood by the letter-box with his letter in his hand, balanced it for a moment, and shot it through the slit with a jerk. If he had to run away with Rose Ellen,