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Chapter V
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CHAPTER V UTH LEVICE'S taste in dress was part of her distinction. Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse truism,' "Fine feathers make fine birds/' She had discovered the art of dressing appropriately. Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of correct taste, her toilettes never offended ; desiring to look pleasing, as every normal woman does, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good appearance was one of the most pressing duties, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed. On this summer afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft gray. Every movement of her young body, as she walked toward town, betokened health and elastic strength. Her long, easy gait precluded any idea of hurry; she noticed everything she passed, from a handsome horse to a dirty child. She was approaching that portion of Geary Street which the doctors had appropriated, and she carefully scanned each silvery sign-plate in search of Dr. Kemp's name. It was the first time she had had occasion to go, and with a little feeling of novel curiosity she ran up the steps leading to his office. It was just three, the time stated as the limit of his officehours , but when Ruth entered the handsome waiting-room two or three patients were still awaiting their turns. Seated in one of the easy-chairs near the window was an aristocratic-looking woman, whom Ruth recognized as a friend of one of her Christian friends, and with whom she had a speaking acquaintance. Nodding pleasantly in response to the rather frigid bow, she 92 OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL walked to the center of the room and, laying upon the table a bunch of roses she was carrying, she proceeded to select one of the magazines scattered about. As she sat down she found herself opposite a stout Irishwoman, coarsely but cleanly dressed, who, with undisguised admiration, was taking in every detail of Ruth's appearance. She overlooked the evident simplicity of the woman 's stare, but the wistful, yearning gaze of a little girl who reclined upon the lounge caused her to sit with her magazine unopened* As soon as she perceived that it was her flowers the child was regarding so longingly, she bent forward, and holding out a few roses, said invitingly: "Would you like these?" There is generally something startling in the sudden sound of a voice after a long silence between strangers, but the pretty cadence of Ruth's gentle voice bore no suggestion of abruptness. "Indeed, and she just do dote on 'em," answered the mother, in a loud tone, for the blushing child. u So do I," responded Ruth; and leaning farther forward, she put them in the little hand* But the child's hand did not close over them, and the large eyes turned piteously to her mother. "It's paralyzed she is," hurriedly explained the mother. "Shall mamma hold the beautiful roses for ye, darlint?" "Please," answered the childish treble. Ruth hesitated a second, and then rising and bending over her said: "No; I know of a much better way. Wouldn't you like to have me fasten them in your belt? There—now you can smell them all the time." "Roses is what she likes mostly," proceeded the mother, garrulously , "and she's for giving the doctor one every time she can when he comes. Faith! it's about all he do get for his goodness, for what with—" The sudden opening of the folding-door interrupted her flow of talk. Seeing the doctor standing on the threshold as a signal for the next in waiting to come forward, the poor woman arose, ready to help her child into the consulting-room. [44.221.83.121] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 08:20 GMT) OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL 93 "Let me help Mamie, Mrs, O'Brien," he said as he came toward her. At the same moment the elegant-looking woman rose from her chair and swept toward him, "I believe it's my turn," she said, in response to his questioning salutation. "Certainly, if you came before Mrs. O'Brien. If so, walk in," he moved aside for the other to enter. "Sure, doctor," broke in Mrs. O'Brien, anxiously, "we came in together...