tommy and co[1].(托米和科)-第48节
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task too painful。 I love to dwell on their next meeting。 Flipp； passing
him on the steps； did not know him； the tall； sunburnt gentleman with
the sweet； grave… faced little girl。
〃Seen that face somewhere before；〃 mused Flipp； as at the corner of
Bedford Street he climbed into a hansom； 〃seen it somewhere on a
thinner man。〃
For Dick Danvers； that he did not recognise Flipp； there was more
excuse。 A very old young man had Flipp become at thirty。 Flipp no
longer enjoyed popular journalism。 He produced it。
The gold…bound doorkeeper feared the mighty Clodd would be unable
to see so insignificant an atom as an unappointed stranger； but would let
the card of Mr。 Richard Danvers plead for itself。 To the gold…bound
keeper's surprise came down the message that Mr。 Danvers was to be at
once shown up。
〃I thought； somehow； you would come to me first；〃 said the portly
Clodd； advancing with out…stretched hand。 〃And this is？〃
〃My little girl； Honor。 We have been travelling for the last few
months。〃
Clodd took the grave； small face between his big； rough hands：
〃Yes。 She is like you。 But looks as if she were going to have
more sense。 Forgive me； I knew your father my dear；〃 laughed Clodd；
〃when he was younger。〃
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They lit their cigars and talked。
〃Well； not exactly dead； we amalgamated it；〃 winked Clodd in answer
to Danvers' inquiry。 〃It was just a trifle TOO high…class。 Besides； the
old gentleman was not getting younger。 It hurt him a little at first。
But then came Tommy's great success； and that has reconciled him to all
things。 Do they know you are in England？〃
〃No；〃 explained Danvers； 〃we arrived only last night。〃
Clodd called directions down the speaking…tube。
〃You will find hardly any change in her。 One still has to keep one's
eye upon her chin。 She has not even lost her old habit of taking stock
of people。 You remember。〃 Clodd laughed。
They talked a little longer； till there came a whistle； and Clodd put
his ear to the tube。
〃I have to see her on business；〃 said Clodd； rising； 〃you may as well
come with me。 They are still in the old place； Gough Square。〃
Tommy was out； but Peter was expecting her every minute。
Peter did not know Dick； but would not admit it。 Forgetfulness was
a sign of age； and Peter still felt young。
〃I know your face quite well；〃 said Peter； 〃can't put a name to it；
that's all。〃
Clodd whispered it to him； together with information bringing
history up to date。 And then light fell upon the old lined face。 He
came towards Dick； meaning to take him by both hands； but； perhaps
because he had become somewhat feeble； he seemed glad when the
younger man put his arms around him and held him for a moment。 It
was un…English； and both of them felt a little ashamed of themselves
afterwards。
〃What we want；〃 said Clodd； addressing Peter； 〃we threeyou； I； and
Miss Danversis tea and cakes； with cream in them； and I know a shop
where they sell them。 We will call back for your father in half an
hour。〃 Clodd explained to Miss Danvers； 〃he has to talk over a matter
of business with Miss Hope。〃
〃I know；〃 answered the grave…faced little person。 She drew Dick's
face down to hers and kissed it。 And then the three went out together；
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leaving Dick standing by the window。
〃Couldn't we hide somewhere till she comes？〃 suggested Miss
Danvers。 〃I want to see her。〃
So they waited in the open doorway of a near printing…house till
Tommy drove up。 Both Peter and Clodd watched the child's face with
some anxiety。 She nodded gravely to herself three times； then slipped
her hand into Peter's。
Tommy opened the door with her latchkey and passed in。
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