Other Things Being Equal

Chapter XIII

CHAPTER XIII WAS August- The Levices had purposely postponed leaving town until the gay, merry-making crowds had disappeared , when Mrs, Levice, in the quiet of autumn, could put a crown to her recovery* Ruth had a busy time getting all three ready, as she was to continue the management of the household affairs until their return, a month later* Besides which, numerous little private incidentals had to be put in running order for a month, and she realized, with a pang at parting with some of her simple, sincere proteges, that, were this part of her life withdrawn, the rest would pall insufferably. The evening before their departure she stood bareheaded upon the steps of the veranda with Louis, who was enjoying his after-dinner smoke* Her father and mother, in the soft golden gloaming of late summer, were strolling arm-in-arm among the flower-beds* Mrs, Levice, without obviously looking toward them, felt with satisfaction that Ruth was looking well in a plain black gown which she had had no time to change after her late shopping* She did not know that, close and isolated as the young man and woman stood, not only were they silent, but each appeared oblivious of the other's presence. Ruth, with her hands clasped behind her, and Arnold, blowing wreaths of blue smoke into the heliotrope-scented air, looked as if under a dream-spell* As Mrs* Levice passed within earshot, Ruth heard snatches of the broken sentence— "Jennie—good-bye—today—she'd have been so—" This roused her from her revery, and she called to her mother: 152 OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL 153 "Why, I forgot to drop in at Jennie's this afternoon, as I promised ." "How annoying! when you know how sensitive she is and how angry she gets over any neglect/' "I can run out there now. It's light enough." "But it will be dark in less than an hour. Louis, will go out to Jennie's with you, Ruth, I'm sure." "What? Oh, certainly, if she cares to have me." "Goodness, Louis! Why shouldn't I want you? I'll get my hat and jacket while you decide." Ruth came back in a few minutes with a small sailor-hat on and a jaunty tan jacket, which she handed to Louis to hold for her. "New?" he asked, pulling it into place in the back. "Yes," she answered; "do you like it for traveling?" "Under a duster. Otherwise its delicate complexion will be rather freckled when you arrive at Beacham's." He pulled his hat on from ease to respectability and followed her down to the gate. They turned the corner, walking southward down the hill. Mrs. Levice and her husband stood at the gate and watched them saunter off. When they were quite out of sight, Mrs. Levice turned around and sang softly to Mr. Levice, u Qa va bien!" a gay little French song of the day. The other two walked on silently. The evening was perfect. To the west and sweeping toward Golden Gate a hazy glory flushed the sky rose-color and molten gold, purple and silver; to the northward seas of glinting pale green held the eye with strange beauty. The air was soft and languorous after a very warm day; now and then a piano, violin, or mandolin sounded through open windows; the peace and beauty of evening went with them. They continued down Van Ness Avenue a few blocks, and carelessly turned into one of the dividing streets toward Franklin. Suddenly Arnold felt his companion start, and saw she had taken her far-off gaze from the landscape. Following the direction of her eyes, he straightened up stiffly. The disturbing object was a small black sign-plate attached above a garden fence and bearing in gilt letters the name of Dr. Herbert Kemp. 154 OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL Approaching nearer, Arnold felt of a certainty that there would be more speaking signs of the doctor's proximity* His premonition was not at fault. Dr. Kemp's quaint, dark-red cottage, with its flower-edged lawn, was reached by a flight of low granite steps, at the top of which lounged the medical gentleman in person. He was not heaven-gazing, but seemed plunged in tobacco-inspired meditation of the flowers beneath him. Arnold's quick eye detected the pink flush rising to the...