limenttohersex.
OneeveningMissLeywasdiningout,andGeraldaskedBerthatocometodinnerwithhim,andthentotheopera.Sherefused,thinkingoftheexpensebuthewassoeager,andshereallysoanxioustogo,thatfinallysheconsented.
“Poorboy,he’sgoingawaysosoon,Imayaswellbenicetohim.”
Geraldarrivedinhighspirits,lookingevenmoreboyishthanusual.
“I’mreallyafraidtogooutwithyou,”saidBertha.“Peoplewillthinkyou’remyson.‘Dearme,who’dhavethoughtshewasforty!’”
“Whatrot!”Helookedatherbeautifulgown.Likeallreallynicewomen,Berthawasextremelycarefultobealwayswelldressed.“ByJove,youareastunner!”
“Mydearchild,I’moldenoughtobeyourmother.”
Theydroveoff—toarestaurantwhichGerald,boylike,hadchosen,becausecommonreportpronounceditthedearestinLondon.Berthawasmuchamusedbythebustle,theglitterofwomenindiamonds,thebusywaitersglidingtoandfro,theglareoftheelectriclight:andhereyesrestedwithapprovalonthehandsomeboyinfrontofher.Shecouldnotkeepinchecktherecklessnesswithwhichheinsistedonorderingthemostexpensivethingsandwhentheyarrivedattheopera,shefoundhehadabox.
“Oh,youwretch,”shecried.“Youmustbeutterlyruined.”
“Oh,I’vegotfivehundredquid,”hereplied,laughing.“Imustbluesomeofit.”
“Butwhyonearthdidyougetabox?”
“Irememberedthatyouhatedanyotherpartofthetheatre.”
“Butyoupromisedtogetcheapseats.”
“AndIwantedtobealonewithyou.”
Hewasbynatureaflattererandfewwomencouldwithstandthecajoleryofhisgreeneyes,andofhischarmingsmile.
“Hemustbeveryfondofme,”thoughtBertha,astheydrovehome,andsheputherarminhistoexpressherthanksandherappreciation.
“It’sveryniceofyoutohavebeensogoodtome.Ialwaysthoughtyouwereaniceboy.”
“I’ddomorethanthatforyou.”
Hewouldhavegiventherestofhisfivehundredpoundsforonekiss.Sheknewit,andwas