Next door
Clara Louise Burnham
Paperback
(RareBooksClub.com, June 26, 2012)
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 edition. Excerpt: ...It really grieved me to think she had not been born into, and fitted to fill, a higher station. She has every natural advantage." "She is fitted to fill any station," blurted out Ray, terribly nettled. "So is her sister." "My dear," observed his grandmother, compassionately, "you are very young." "I suppose I am," cried Ray, rising in a passion; "but young as I am, I--" He was about boldly declaring then and there his love for Margery Standish, and his determination not to listen to a word in disfavor of her or any of her belongings; but at the critical moment he met the steady gaze of a pair of deep gray eyes above the lowered newspaper, and for a second he paused. "Mother, it naturally annoys Ray to have you set bis judgment at naught. He knows these young ladies and you do not." "At least he knows them better than I do," assented Mrs. Exton, apparently unconscious of having aroused any deep feeling, and immediately reverting to the idea of her own benefit, with the selfishness of her invalided condition. She turned again to her grandson, who was manfully mastering his agitation. "I have taken a great fancy to Miss Standish," she said. "In fact, I am anxious to engage her for a companion. I have never seen any one before whom I wished about me in that capacity. How do you think she would like the idea?" "I don't think she would like it," returned Ray, with what composure he could muster, "and you certainly would not." "Well, that is just what I want you to tell me," said Mrs. Exton, raising herself and leaning on an arm of her chair. "What is the reason I should not like it?" "For many reasons....