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Read Ebook: The Common Law by Chambers Robert W Robert William
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Ebook has 4501 lines and 118196 words, and 91 pages
"And what happier company for her than her thoughts--what tenderer companionship than her memories?" 413
"She prowled around the library, luxuriously, dipping into inviting volumes" 415
"'Miss West!' he exclaimed. 'How on earth did you ever find your way into my woods?'" 417
"'Dearest,' he whispered, putting his arm around her, 'you must come with us'" 427
"'Well, Louis, what do you know about this?'" 430
"The parrot greeted her, flapping his brilliant wings and shrieking from his perch" 449
"'And they--the majority of them--are, after all, just men'" 453
"His thoughts were mostly centred on Valerie" 458
"Ogilvy ... began a lively fencing bout with an imaginary adversary" 479
"Then Rita came silently on sandalled feet to stand behind him and look at what he had done" 483
"'You'd better understand, Kelly, that Rita Tevis is as well born as I am'" 491
"She knelt down beside the bed and ... said whatever prayer she had in mind" 507
"She was longer over her hair ... gathering it and bringing it under discipline" 510
"'Yes,' she said, 'it is really great'" 521
"'I am scared blue. That's why I'm holding on to your hand so desperately'" 531
THE COMMON LAW
There was a long, brisk, decisive ring at the door. He continued working. After an interval the bell rang again, briefly, as though the light touch on the electric button had lost its assurance.
"Somebody's confidence has departed," he thought to himself, busy with a lead-weighted string and a stick of soft charcoal wrapped in silver foil. For a few moments he continued working, not inclined to trouble himself to answer the door, but the hesitating timidity of a third appeal amused him, and he walked out into the hallway and opened the door. In the dim light a departing figure turned from the stairway:
"Do you wish a model?" she asked in an unsteady voice.
"No," he said, vexed.
"Then--I beg your pardon for disturbing you--"
"Who gave you my name?" he demanded.
"Why--nobody--"
"Who sent you to me? Didn't anybody send you?"
"No."
"But how did you get in?"
"I--walked in."
There was a scarcely perceptible pause; then she turned away in the dim light of the corridor.
"You know," he said, "models are not supposed to come here unless sent for. It isn't done in this building." He pointed to a black and white sign on his door which bore the words: "No Admittance."
"I am very sorry. I didn't understand--"
"Oh, it's all right; only, I don't see how you got up here at all. Didn't the elevator boy question you? It's his business."
"I didn't come up on the elevator."
"Yes."
"Twelve stories!"
"Both elevators happened to be in service. Besides, I was not quite certain that models were expected to use the elevators."
"Good Lord!" he exclaimed, "you must have wanted an engagement pretty badly."
"Yes, I did."
He stared: "I suppose you do, still,"
"If you would care to try me."
"I'll take your name and address, anyhow. Twelve flights! For the love of--oh, come in anyway and rest."
It was dusky in the private hallway through which he preceded her, but there was light enough in the great studio. Through the vast sheets of glass fleecy clouds showed blue sky between. The morning was clearing.
"You models have your own guild, your club, your regular routine, and it would make it much easier for us if you'd all register and quietly wait until we send for you.
He had achieved a point to his pencil. Now he opened his model book, looked up at her with his absent smile, and remained looking.
"Aren't you going to remove your veil?"
"Oh--I beg your pardon!" Slender gloved fingers flew up, were nervously busy a moment. She removed her veil and sat as though awaiting his comment. None came.
After a moment's pause she said: "Did you wish--my name and address?"
He nodded, still looking intently at her.
"Miss West," she said, calmly. He wrote it down.
"Is that all? Just 'Miss West'?"
"Valerie West--if that is custom--necessary."
He wrote "Valerie West"; and, as she gave it to him, he noted her address.
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