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XXIX. Poetry and Prose
Itwas,ofcourse,tenantedbyanidealmaster,dark,proud,andmelancholy;butoddlyenough,GilbertBlythepersistedinhangingabouttoo,helpingherarrangepictures,layoutgardens,andaccomplishsundryothertaskswhichaproudandmelancholyheroevidentlyconsideredbeneathhisdignity.AnnetriedtobanishGilbert’simagefromhercastleinSpainbut,somehow,hewentonbeingthere,soAnne,beinginahurry,gaveuptheattemptandpursuedheraerialarchitecturewithsuchsuccessthather“homeo’dreams”wasbuiltandfurnishedbeforeDianaspokeagain.
“Isuppose,Anne,youmustthinkit’sfunnyIshouldlikeFredsowellwhenhe’ssodifferentfromthekindofmanI’vealwayssaidIwouldmarry...thetall,slenderkind?ButsomehowIwouldn’twantFredtobetallandslender...because,don’tyousee,hewouldn’tbeFredthen.Ofcourse,”addedDianaratherdolefully,“wewillbeadreadfullypudgycouple.Butafterallthat’sbetterthanoneofusbeingshortandfatandtheothertallandlean,likeMorganSloaneandhiswife.Mrs.Lyndesaysitalwaysmakesherthinkofthelongandshortofitwhensheseesthemtogether.”
“Well,”saidAnnetoherselfthatnight,asshebrushedherhairbeforehergiltframedmirror,“IamgladDianaissohappyandsatisfied.Butwhenmyturncomes...ifiteverdoes...Idohopethere’llbesomethingalittlemorethrillingaboutit.ButthenDianathoughtsotoo,once.I’veheardhersaytimeandagainshe’dnevergetengagedanypokycommonplaceway...he’dHAVEtodosomethingsplendidtowinher
