Speaker 1: Chapter nine of Wired Love by Ella Chieva Thayer. This
Speaker 1: LibriVox recording is in the public domain unexpected visitors. It
Speaker 1: must be miss Kling overpowered by curiosity, murmured Natty. No,
Speaker 1: answered Sin in a stage whisper. The knock is too timid,
Speaker 1: good gracious though it is. Again, stand in front of
Speaker 1: the gasto of nat lest it be Missus Simmonson, while
Speaker 1: I go and invent some excuse for not letting in
Speaker 1: whoever it is. And having given these hasty directions, Sin
Speaker 1: opened the door the smallest possible crack. As she did so,
Speaker 1: and before she could speak, it was pushed back violently,
Speaker 1: almost knocking her over and in burst. Quimby, this, however,
Speaker 1: might not have much disconcerted them, as he could have
Speaker 1: been disposed of easily enough, had not at his heels
Speaker 1: come a tall, fine looking young man, a perfect stranger
Speaker 1: to both Sin and Natty. You see, I keep my word,
Speaker 1: was the enigmatical remark the smiling Quimby made as he entered. Then,
Speaker 1: catching sight of the festive board, he stopped short and
Speaker 1: stead with an utterly confounded face at that, at the
Speaker 1: embarrassed Natty, at Sinn behind the door, and at the
Speaker 1: saucepan cover, which embellished with potato pairings, occupied a prominent
Speaker 1: position in the middle of the floor. His companion also
Speaker 1: passed a surprised and amused smile, lurking in his merry
Speaker 1: brown eyes as he looked at Natty, seemingly regardless of
Speaker 1: anything else in the room. Sin was the first to
Speaker 1: recover from the general petrifaction with the involuntary thought, what
Speaker 1: an excellent stage situation came from behind the door where
Speaker 1: Quimby's impetuous entrance had thrust her, saying with as much
Speaker 1: ease as she could possibly gather together, don't be frightened
Speaker 1: at all, you see, friend Quimby, We are only extemporizing
Speaker 1: a little feast, that is all. Will you join us?
Speaker 1: But Quimby only stared harder than ever He was evidently
Speaker 1: struck speechless. His companion, thus placed in the awkward position
Speaker 1: of an unintroduced intruder, withdrew his eyes from Natty, took
Speaker 1: in the situation at a glance, and, turning to Sin,
Speaker 1: said smiling, I think we owe you an apology if
Speaker 1: our intrusion. My friend Quimby, on whom I called to
Speaker 1: day in pity for being a stranger in the city
Speaker 1: kindly offered to introduce me to some friends of his.
Speaker 1: He informed me we were expected, but I fear we
Speaker 1: have made a mistake. At this Quimby recovered his voice. No,
Speaker 1: he cried in stentorian tones.
Speaker 2: It was not I cannot have made a mistake. This
Speaker 2: tongue you knew, Sin looking at her reproachfully you knew
Speaker 2: about it. I met you a short time ago and
Speaker 2: asked you, and you said we might come, you know,
Speaker 2: half amazed and half amused, Sin shook her head in denial,
Speaker 2: at which action Quimby started and turned pale. Why ah,
Speaker 2: I beg pardon. But in the hall you said, certainly
Speaker 2: you know.
Speaker 1: Who said Sin alight breaking in upon her. I see.
Speaker 1: But I did not then understand you, I suppose, rallying
Speaker 1: from her embarrassment, My mind was so occupied with our feast,
Speaker 1: I was in capable of thinking of anything else. So
Speaker 1: please consider this an apology for the condition in which
Speaker 1: will find us, to yourself and to your friend, whom
Speaker 1: you will pardon me for reminding you you have not introduced.
Speaker 1: And Syn looked laughingly at the stranger, who also laughed.
Speaker 2: Oh, I beg pardon. I am sure for all my stupidities,
Speaker 2: I am always doing something wrong. But I'm used to it,
Speaker 2: you know.
Speaker 1: Said the disconcerted Quimby, Then, wiping the perspiration from his forehead,
Speaker 1: he added clumbusily, my friend, mister Stanwood Sin, and miss
Speaker 1: miss Rogers. Mister Stanwood gaily shook hands with Sin, whom
Speaker 1: Quimby had nervously forgotten to honor with a miss, and
Speaker 1: then advanced to Natty, who had not stirred from her
Speaker 1: position as screen for the gastow, saying, I am delighted
Speaker 1: to make your quince, Miss Rodgers. And as Natty accepted
Speaker 1: his preferred hand in an embarrassed way, not yet being
Speaker 1: able to rise to the situation, and observed the peculiarly
Speaker 1: rogue wish expression with which she regarded her, she suddenly
Speaker 1: became aware that she had seen him on some previous occasion,
Speaker 1: but where she was utterly at last to remember. Sin
Speaker 1: too was struck by something a little odd in his
Speaker 1: manner to Natty, and glanced at him curiously, as she
Speaker 1: said in her most cordial tones, And now, gentlemen, as
Speaker 1: we have exchanged apologies all round, please be seated. Quimby
Speaker 1: immediately bounced up from the music stool, on which, in
Speaker 1: his agitation he had involuntarily dropped. Ooh no, he exclaimed hastily.
Speaker 1: We we did not come to dinner, you know. Sin
Speaker 1: smiled at Quimby's anxiety to disclaim intentions no one thought
Speaker 1: of attributing to him, and turning to mister Stanwood asked,
Speaker 1: thereby greatly scandalizing Natty, but supposing you invited to stay
Speaker 1: and share our banquet, would you well? I am sure
Speaker 1: the invitation was hard felt. I should be sorely tempted,
Speaker 1: wouldn't you A Quimby? Mister Stanward replied easily. Poor Quimby,
Speaker 1: to while his thumbs confusedly had murmured something about leaving
Speaker 1: the ladies to enjoy their feast alone. We have eatables
Speaker 1: enough for six, as Natty was just now intimating, went
Speaker 1: on Sin, who certainly had a touch of true bohemianism
Speaker 1: in her composition, as well as Joe Norton. But our
Speaker 1: dishes ay, they are the rub, and she laughingly held
Speaker 1: up the coffee in while the less adaptable Natty thought
Speaker 1: apprehensively of the propensity of things to cool. Undaunted by
Speaker 1: the urn, mister Stanward said with humorous wistfulness. But looking
Speaker 1: at Natty, you won't force us to eat the dishes,
Speaker 1: will you? And that steak smells so nice. I haven't
Speaker 1: had any dinner. Then away with ceremony and sit down
Speaker 1: with the banquet, said the reckless Sin, regardless of the
Speaker 1: protest in Natty's face, and truth to tell, the former
Speaker 1: young lady was not at all averse to this addition
Speaker 1: to their number. And to the consternation of Quimby and
Speaker 1: dismay of Natty, and possibly a little to the surprise
Speaker 1: of Sin, mister Stanward replied by seating himself down in
Speaker 1: a rocking chair and saying, gaily, I feel positive that
Speaker 1: I'm about to enjoy myself as I have not since
Speaker 1: I was a boy, and store eggs and cooked them
Speaker 1: on a flat rock behind my uncle's barn, and had
Speaker 1: wore turnip for dessert. Sit down, Quimby. Upon this, Quimby,
Speaker 1: with a flashing protest against an intrusion that did not
Speaker 1: seemed to trouble his merry friend in the least, also
Speaker 1: sat down. As he did so, Natty screamed, but too
Speaker 1: late on the crowning glory of the feast on those
Speaker 1: enticing Sharlotte ruses crowded from the table on to a
Speaker 1: chair there was Quimby. Bless my soul, What is the matter,
Speaker 1: he asked, staring astounded at Natty's scream, but still sitting there,
Speaker 1: entirely of the ruin he had wrought. Sin's anguish knew
Speaker 1: no bounds as she saw what had happened. Get up,
Speaker 1: she cried, wringing her hands. Can't you get up? Good gracious,
Speaker 1: don't you know what you're sitting on? Eh? He queried,
Speaker 1: rising immediately and looking at her with a blank expression,
Speaker 1: sitting on. Then, following her frantic gesture, he turned and
Speaker 1: looked at the chair behind him, and instantly horror overspread
Speaker 1: his countenance. Bless my soul, he gasped, turning round and round,
Speaker 1: trying to get a glimpse of his own coat tails.
Speaker 1: How did it come now?
Speaker 2: What is it? It is?
Speaker 1: Was Charlotte Rouse, said Natty in gloomy despair. Charlotte Rouse
Speaker 1: echoed Quimby, still turning himself around like a revolving light.
Speaker 2: It don't look much like it, you knew.
Speaker 1: At this mister Stamford, who had with difficulty suppressed his
Speaker 1: laughter until now, burst into an uncontrollable roar, in which
Speaker 1: he was joined by Sin and then by Natty. They
Speaker 1: laughed until utterly exhausted. Quimby, all the time keeping up
Speaker 1: his rotary motion with a face whose lugubriousness cannot be described.
Speaker 2: I can bless my soul. I will replace what I
Speaker 2: have destroyed. Ah, I assure you I will.
Speaker 1: The unfortunate Quimby groaned as soon as he could be heard.
Speaker 2: I what can I say to express my sorrow?
Speaker 1: And, suddenly ceasing to revolve, he snatched mister Standward's hat
Speaker 1: and started for the door.
Speaker 2: Where are you going?
Speaker 1: His friend questioned, as bravely as.
Speaker 2: He could more Charlotte Russes.
Speaker 1: He responded, incoherently and with an agonized face. If I
Speaker 1: may be permitted to make a suggestion, said mister Stanward,
Speaker 1: with labored gravity, I should say some little change in
Speaker 1: your toilet would be quite appropriate before going on the street,
Speaker 1: And moreover, that my hat will not fit your head.
Speaker 1: At this Quimby dropped the hat he held as if
Speaker 1: it had been red hot, glanced at the chair whereon
Speaker 1: he had so lately distinguished himself, took up the tails
Speaker 1: of his coat, one in each hand, revolved again, and
Speaker 1: then without a word, darted from the room as well
Speaker 1: as she could from laughing. Sin called after him, telling
Speaker 1: him to not mind about getting the Charlotte rouses and
Speaker 1: to hurry back, but he made no response. Poor Quimby,
Speaker 1: said mister Stanward, wiping the tears of excessive mirth from
Speaker 1: his eyes. Here is such a good fellow. It is
Speaker 1: too bad he always is in hot water. He is,
Speaker 1: assented Symn, removing the chair with the remains of what
Speaker 1: had been clinging to it from sight, Natty following it
Speaker 1: with somewhat rueful glance. Shall we wait for him? I
Speaker 1: fear our dinner is getting cold. I don't think we
Speaker 1: had better. Natty, who had long been filled with a
Speaker 1: similar presentiment, responded, there is no knowing whether he will
Speaker 1: return or not, and it's no use in having everything spoiled.
Speaker 1: I do not think he will expect us to wait.
Speaker 1: Mister Stanward said, well, then said syn here is a
Speaker 1: chair for you. Mister Stanward, it's all right, so you
Speaker 1: need not look before sitting. Luckily you are taller than
Speaker 1: we and need no books to raise you. Now the
Speaker 1: question is what shall we give you to eat? For Ah,
Speaker 1: here is the bread plate. Nat can't you find another
Speaker 1: wooden cover. No, then spread a piece of brown paper
Speaker 1: with a scribner's. How fortunate we have an extra knife
Speaker 1: and fork, and don't mind there being oyster forks, I thought, not, Nat,
Speaker 1: and I will use the same spoon, so you can
Speaker 1: have a hall one. Nat, you and I will have
Speaker 1: to drink from that cracked tumbler, allow me, interrupted mister Stanward.
Speaker 1: Do you know solemnly a cracked tumbler is and always
Speaker 1: was the height of my ambition. Well then we are
Speaker 1: all right, said the jovial sin. But I fear, she added,
Speaker 1: helping to stake. If Quimby comes before we finish, he
Speaker 1: will have to go foraging for his own dishes. Mister
Speaker 1: Stannard was praising the stake, which he certainly ate, as
Speaker 1: if the admiration was genuine, when a timid rap announced
Speaker 1: Quimby's reappearance on the scene. In complete change of raiment,
Speaker 1: smelling like a field of new mown hay, and figuratively
Speaker 1: clothed in sackcloth and ashes, he entered. I big holden,
Speaker 1: he said, looking not at those he addressed, but humbly
Speaker 1: at the Duchess, who had been walking floor impatiently and indignantly,
Speaker 1: but was now contentedly chewing. Ah, I'll assure you I
Speaker 1: shall be delighted to go out and get Charlotte Rose's
Speaker 1: to replace those I so wanton me destroyed. Will you
Speaker 1: may I be allowed? Not on any account, said Sinn quickly. Besides,
Speaker 1: the stores are closed to day, so they are so
Speaker 1: they are, he exclaimed, putting his hand to his head dejectedly.
Speaker 1: But we can eat without Charlotte Rouses, I think, Natty said,
Speaker 1: She had quite recovered her good humor and was reconciled
Speaker 1: even to mister Stanwood's company. Indeed had secretly confessed he
Speaker 1: was really an acquisition. Such is the power of good beefsteak.
Speaker 1: Some other time we will talk about it, Sin said.
Speaker 1: And now we must improvise you a cup plate, knife, fork,
Speaker 1: and spoon. I know you must be hungry after your exploit.
Speaker 1: Twimby blushed.
Speaker 2: You shall have fifty Charlotte ruses.
Speaker 1: Tomorrow, he ejaculated.
Speaker 2: But the articles you mentioned I have in my room
Speaker 2: and will bring them. You see, sometimes have a little
Speaker 2: private lunch myself, you know.
Speaker 1: And departing, he in a moment returned with his dinner
Speaker 1: accuiterments which Sinn commanded him to put down at once
Speaker 1: lest he demolished them. Let me see, she added, as
Speaker 1: he meekly deposited his burden on the nearest piece of furniture,
Speaker 1: which happened to be the piano. I can make room
Speaker 1: for you here next me. I think.
Speaker 2: No, no, he exclaimed quickly, If you'll be so kind,
Speaker 2: I would rather sit in that little stool in the corner. Well,
Speaker 2: I can do no damage, you know.
Speaker 1: Oh, I must not make a martyr of you, laughed
Speaker 1: Natty as she cut a pie with a very dull knife,
Speaker 1: which caused the very unsteady table to shake so that
Speaker 1: everyone's coffee slopped over. No, indeed, there is plenty of
Speaker 1: room here, added mister Stanward, steadying his cracked tumbler. Quimby
Speaker 1: shook his head.
Speaker 2: Now, really, I should feel much more comfortably if I may,
Speaker 2: If you will allow me to sit on the stool.
Speaker 2: I'm used to it, you know, upon my word, I
Speaker 2: mean all right, But but someway, I always make a
Speaker 2: mess of it.
Speaker 1: Sin would have remonstrated further, but mister Stanwood said we
Speaker 1: had better let him be happy in his own way.
Speaker 1: I suppose he will not be easy unless we do,
Speaker 1: and so Quimby, much to his satisfaction, was allowed to
Speaker 1: eat his share of the feast on a low stool
Speaker 1: in the corner like a naughty schoolboy. Visitors were destined
Speaker 1: to be numerous to day, for hardly had Quimby been
Speaker 1: served when a knock at the door was followed by
Speaker 1: the appearance of Joe, who tiptoed into the room and,
Speaker 1: in a mysterious whisper, said, I saw Quimby enter this
Speaker 1: room bearing utensils that could only be used for one purpose.
Speaker 1: I'll smelt the save we odor. And here I am,
Speaker 1: and welcome too, said Syn laughing.
Speaker 2: Come sit here by me.
Speaker 1: Are you and mister Stanwood acquainted?
Speaker 2: Oh?
Speaker 1: Yes, replied Joe, perching himself on the arm of a
Speaker 1: rocking chair close to Sin and appropriating a wooden cover
Speaker 1: for a plate.
Speaker 2: As he spoke.
Speaker 1: He and Quimby did me the honor to call on
Speaker 1: me to day, but left mettlemore track whether the dinner
Speaker 1: or you, ladies, or will not pretend to say it
Speaker 1: was we ladies, you dreadful matter of fact creature, said Natty.
Speaker 1: Their presence at the dinner was quite accidental. Sin and
Speaker 1: I started out for a little quiet feast, and behold
Speaker 1: the result bohemian enough for even you, isn't it?
Speaker 2: Joe?
Speaker 1: Exactly what I like, replied Joe, and very close indeed
Speaker 1: to Sin, and Joe managed to get But then the
Speaker 1: table was very small. But the idea of you two
Speaker 1: girls proposing to selfishly enjoy such a feast all alone,
Speaker 1: I begin to think we did make a mistake in
Speaker 1: not making preparations for and inviting a larger party, acquiesced Sin. Now,
Speaker 1: I wonder if miss Rodgers has overcome her anger towards
Speaker 1: offending me, questioned mister Stanwood, looking at her roguishly as
Speaker 1: she helped him to a second piece of pie. I
Speaker 1: anger towards you, repeated Natty, coloring, Yes, you do not
Speaker 1: want me to accept miss Archer's most kind invitation and
Speaker 1: remain Now confess, did you, he asked, laughing. Natty was
Speaker 1: rather embarrassed at this instance of the young man's perceptive faculties,
Speaker 1: and not exactly able to refute the charge, was somewhat
Speaker 1: at loss how to reply. I I do not get
Speaker 1: acquainted quite so easily, a sin, he stammered. Except on
Speaker 1: the wire, Sin added, Except on the wire, repeated Natty,
Speaker 1: with a smile. Then meeting the curious glance of mister Stanward,
Speaker 1: it suddenly flashed upon her that he was the same
Speaker 1: young gentleman who called at the office and inquired about
Speaker 1: the tariff to Washington for the sole object of talking.
Speaker 1: As she then supposed, I have seen you before, she exclaimed,
Speaker 1: on the impulse of the moment. I sounded like a novel.
Speaker 1: What is coming now, ejaculated Joe with his mouthful of pie.
Speaker 1: Mister Stanward laughed very heartily at Natty's exclamation and asked
Speaker 1: in reply, have you just discovered it? I recognized you
Speaker 1: the moment I entered the woman today. That is one
Speaker 1: reason I was so anxious to remain. She snubbed me
Speaker 1: murst outrageously, he added to Sin in explanation, and simply
Speaker 1: because I tried to be agree to her one day
Speaker 1: at the office. But you had no business to be agreeable,
Speaker 1: said Natty, also laughing and not at all displeased. Of course,
Speaker 1: you had not interrupted, Joe. I never talked to strangers,
Speaker 1: concluded Natty, except perhaps on the wire, as you said
Speaker 1: just now, he suggested. You have caught her now, said
Speaker 1: Sin gaily, as she piled an orange. But you will
Speaker 1: never do even that again, will you, nat?
Speaker 2: One?
Speaker 1: Such experience is quite enough for me, Natty replied. Still
Speaker 1: the next one, why not a red air or smell
Speaker 1: of musk? Joe remarked he might be even worse, though,
Speaker 1: interposed the penitent on the stool with a strangely puzzled look.
Speaker 1: Mister Stanward glanced from one to the other, observing which
Speaker 1: since said, you don't understand? Of course, may I tell him?
Speaker 1: Nat Ah? Well, yes, Natty replied, with an air of
Speaker 1: vexed resignation. I suppose I may as well make up
Speaker 1: my mind to be laughed at on account of that story.
Speaker 1: For ever in a day, I am as much a
Speaker 1: victim as you, For I was intensely interested in the
Speaker 1: un known, laughed Sinn. Then, turning to mister Stanald, she
Speaker 1: went on, it appears telegraph operators of a way of
Speaker 1: talking together over the wire, knowing little about each other
Speaker 1: and nothing at all of their mutual personal appearance. In
Speaker 1: this manner, nat became acquainted with a young man whom
Speaker 1: she knew as Sea, and grew to speak mildly interested
Speaker 1: in him. Now, nat you know you did, and so,
Speaker 1: as I remarked previously, did I we were introduced over
Speaker 1: the wire. In fact, he seemed everything that was nice
Speaker 1: and agreeable. And if we did not actually fall in
Speaker 1: love with him, you see, I am sharing your glory
Speaker 1: all I can, nat It is a wonder if this
Speaker 1: sea knew the impression he made on two young ladies,
Speaker 1: he would certainly feel complimented. Mister Stanward, who was playing
Speaker 1: with his knife and fork here interrupted, Fortunately he never
Speaker 1: really knew, replied Syinn, while Natty looked somewhat gloomily at
Speaker 1: her goblet of coffee in memory of the romance that collapsed.
Speaker 1: To continue this over true tale.
Speaker 2: Thus far all.
Speaker 1: Mysterious, enchanting, romantic, But now comes the dark sequel. One
Speaker 1: day sea called bodily. Mister Stanward started and looked quickly
Speaker 1: up at Natty, who, without observing his glance, murmured contemptuously
Speaker 1: odious creature. At this, he turned with a perplexed look
Speaker 1: again to sin who proceeded, Yes, an odious creature he
Speaker 1: proved to be only think He had red hair and
Speaker 1: dreadful teeth, smelt of musk, wore cheap jewelry, and in short,
Speaker 1: was decidedly vulgar, what exclaimed mister Stanward, staring at her
Speaker 1: as if he thought she was bereft of her senses?
Speaker 1: What And he dropped his knife and fork and persed
Speaker 1: his chair back violently, to the alarm of the Duchess,
Speaker 1: who was immediately behind. Sin appeared astonished at his vehemence,
Speaker 1: but Natty, too occupied with thoughts of this newly revived
Speaker 1: grievance to observe it, repeated red hair, all bear's grease,
Speaker 1: and everything to match. You mean to tell me, mister
Speaker 1: Stanwood asked, looking at her earnestly and speaking with great energy,
Speaker 1: that a person such as you describe called you and
Speaker 1: represented himself to be Sea exactly, Natty replied, first telling
Speaker 1: me he was going away to substitute for a day,
Speaker 1: and then coming upon me in all his odiousness. The
Speaker 1: story seems to interest you, added Sinn, glancing at him scrutinizingly.
Speaker 1: Mister Stanward looked at her at Natty mused a moment,
Speaker 1: and then burst into a laugh equal even to the
Speaker 1: one Quimby had caused. It does interest me, he said,
Speaker 1: as soon as he could speak, very much. Indeed, it
Speaker 1: is really the best joke considered from one point I
Speaker 1: ever heard. And of course, after that day Sea was cut.
Speaker 1: Indeed he was, Natty replied scornfully. Circuit was broken after that,
Speaker 1: Joe added, technically a new romance was spoiled in the
Speaker 1: first act, added Sinn. Rising from the now vanished feast,
Speaker 1: Poor se ye, said mister Stanward, following her example, Really, Massage,
Speaker 1: I have enjoyed this dinner better than any I ever had,
Speaker 1: and the climax is the best of all. I wish
Speaker 1: you might have such a feast every day, said Joe regretfully.
Speaker 1: And except the damage, I don't refer to any dumb myself.
Speaker 1: I'm used to it, you know. I quite agree with
Speaker 1: you about the dinner, and.
Speaker 2: Ask for the joke.
Speaker 3: I really was quite a serious one to miss Rogers
Speaker 3: at the time, I assure you. Bless my soul used
Speaker 3: to have seen how how blue she was for a week,
Speaker 3: you know, said Quimby, Natty colored as mister Stanward glanced
Speaker 3: at her, and, knowing he could not but notice the blush,
Speaker 3: thought angrily, how dreadful it is to have such an honest,
Speaker 3: outspoken people as Quimby about Come nat and help me
Speaker 3: clear away the remains.
Speaker 2: Said Sym.
Speaker 1: Apparently glad enough was Natty to obey and turn aside.
Speaker 1: Her burning face from the sight of those merry brown eyes.
Speaker 1: In a very few moments, the banquishing Hall was transformed
Speaker 1: to a parlor, with only Quimby sucking an orange on
Speaker 1: his stool that he refused to leave, Joe cracking nuts,
Speaker 1: and the Duchess eating a fig to tell of what
Speaker 1: had been end of Chapter nine