In
place of his usual careful manners when in her presence was entire
freedom from restraint and therefore an effect uncoloured by
conventional environment. The tones of his voice, the frank smile upon
his lips, the touch of his hand upon the little lad's--all these
combined to set him before Roberta in a light so different from any she
had seen him in before that she must needs admit she had been far from
knowing him.
She stole away at length, feeling suddenly that she had seen enough, and
that her defences against the siege being made upon her heart and
judgment were weakening perilously. If she were to hold out before it
she must hear of no more affairs to Richard Kendrick's credit,
especially such affairs as these. Not all his efforts at establishing a
successful career in the world of achievement could touch her
imagination as did the knowledge of his brotherly kindness toward the
unfortunate. That was what meant most to Roberta, in a world which she
had early discovered to be a hard place for the greater part of its
inhabitants. Forgetfulness of self, devotion to the need of
others--these were the qualities she most strove to cultivate in
herself, and most rejoiced at seeing developed in those for whom she
cared.
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