"Of course," she said sympathetically, though with a little nervousness. "Be just a wee bit careful with the flashlight--about turning it toward the window, I mean--and read in your nice low voice. I always like poetry best when it's almost whispered. I think it sounds more musical that way, I mean."
Newland obeyed. His voice was hushed and profoundly appreciative of the music in itself and in his poem, as he read:
"I--And Love!
Lush white lilies line the pool
Like laces limned on looking-glasses!
I tread the lilies underfoot,
Careless how they love me!
Still white maidens woo me,
Win me not!
But thou!
Thou art a cornflower
Sapphire-eyed!
I bend!
Cornflower, I ask a question.
O flower, speak----"
Julia spoke. "I'm afraid," she said, while Newland's spirit filled with a bitterness extraordinary even in an interrupted poet;--"I'm afraid it's Mr. Dill coming up the walk. We'll have to postpone----" She rose and went to the steps to greet the approaching guest. "How nice of you to come!"
Noble, remaining on the lowest step, clung to her hand in a fever. "Nice to come!" he said hoarsely. "It's eight days--eight days--eight days since----"
"Mr. Sanders is here," she said. "It's so dark on this big veranda people can hardly see each other. Come up and sit with us. I don't have to introduce you two men to each other."
She did not, indeed. They said "H'lo, Dill" and "H'lo Sanders" in a manner of such slighting superiority that only the utmost familiarity could have bred a contempt so magnificent. Then, when the three were seated, Mr. Sanders thought well to add: "How's rent collecting these days, Dill? Still hustling around among those darky shanties over in Bucktown?"
In the dark Noble moved convulsively, but contrived to affect a light laugh, or a sound meant for one, as he replied, in a voice not entirely under control: "How's the ole poetry, Sanders?"
"What?" Newland demanded sharply. "What did you say?"
"I said: 'How's the ole poetry?' Do you read it to all your relations the way you used to?"
"See here, Dill!"
"Well, what you want, Sanders?"
"You try to talk about things you understand," said Newland. "You better keep your mind on collecting four dollars a week from some poor coloured widow, and don't----"
"I'd _rather_ keep my mind on that!" Noble was inspired to retort. "Your Aunt Georgina told my mother that ever since you began thinkin' you could write poetry the life your family led was just----"