I have a fancy that Mr.
Erveng has really made him an offer for the book when completed--"
"I'm pretty sure he has, from something Mrs. Erveng said the other day,"
broke in Nora, with a slow nod of her head.
"Well," went on Felix, in an I-told-you-so tone of voice, "and I suppose
the _pater_ thinks we're watching and measuring his progress like so
many hungry hawks, just ready to swoop down and devour him--_ach_!" He
threw out his hands with a gesture of disgust that somehow made us all
feel ashamed, though we weren't all in it, you know.
"That isn't a bad plan," said Nora, presently. "In fact, I think it is
good; only, instead of three of you going at papa about it, why not let
one speak for all? He would be just as likely to listen to one as to
three, and it wouldn't tire him so much,--that's _my_ opinion. What do
you think, Nannie?"
Nannie shook her head dubiously; she was lying on the sofa looking
awfully tired. "I'm not sure that it'll do any good," she answered; "I'm
afraid papa has made up his mind to do just so much work, and he likes
to carry out his intentions, you know. But I'd speak all the same," she
added, "for I think he felt dreadfully cut up over that Fetich affair,
and this will show him, anyhow, that you all care more for him--his
well-being, I mean--than for the money the book might bring in.
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