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The Works of Leonard Merrick: The worldlings
The Works of Leonard Merrick The worldlings Author:Leonard Merrick Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER IV Sir Noel seldom descended before noon, and when Maurice had learnt the fact and breakfasted next morning, he went out. Oakenhurst looked less desol... more »ate by daylight; indeed, he could easily conceive that in summer it was very pretty. Having walked into the village, he inquired the way to the telegraph office, and there despatched his message to Rosa. He telegraphed: "Found my father feeble, but otherwise all right. No cause for anxiety.—Philip." After luncheon the Baronet wished to conduct him through the house, but the role of guide speedily fatigued the old man, and the housekeeper was deputed to take his place. When Maurice rejoined him, he was sitting by the fire in his room, with The Times on his knees, polishing his pince-nez with his handkerchief. He looked up eagerly. "Well?" he exclaimed. "Well, what, eh?" "I never imagined such a place," said Maurice. "I can't say any more, but I feel the greatness of it right in my heart." The puckered face brightened with pleasure. "Everybody says so. There is nothing like it here; Whichcote is quite modern in comparison —you will see when they come back; they are in Algiers now. I am sorry I couldn't remain with you, but I soon get tired. At seventy-six we are not energetic—and our sight is not so strong as it used to be either!" he added, striking the newspaper testily. "You oughtn't to strain your sight; would you care for me to—to read that to you for a little while?" Sir Noel peered at him with what seemed to be a shade of incredulity. "Would you really do it?" he said. "Are you sure it wouldn't bore you ? I am not so old that I've forgotten that the elderly soon become trying; and you—you have no need to pay me attentions, you know." "I'm the most selfish man that ever lived," said Maurice; "if...« less