“Do you need that to come and see your brother?”
“I need it to—to make the offer I am about to make; and which he authorizes.”
Lewis looked at her in surprise, and she purpled up to the lace ruffles inside her satin bonnet.
“Have you come to make an offer for my collection?” he asked her, humorously.
“You seem to take pleasure in insinuating preposterous things. But anything is better than this public slight on our name.” Again she ran a shuddering glance over the pictures. “John and I,” she announced, “are prepared to double the allowance mother left you on condition that this ... this ends ... for good. That that horrible sign is taken down tonight.”
Lewis seemed mildly to weigh the proposal. “Thank you very much, Sarah Anne,” he said at length. “I’m touched ... touched and ... and surprised ... that you and John should have made this offer. But perhaps, before I decline it, you will accept mine: simply to show you my pictures. When once you’ve looked at them I think you’ll understand——”
Mrs. Huzzard drew back hastily, her air of majesty collapsing. “Look at the pictures? Oh, thank you ... but I can see them very well from here. And besides, I don’t pretend to be a judge....”
“Then come up and see Treeshy and the baby,” said Lewis quietly.
She stared at him, embarrassed. “Oh, thank you,” she stammered again; and as she prepared to follow him: “Then it’s no, really no, Lewis? Do consider, my dear! You say yourself that hardly any one comes. What harm can there be in closing the place?”
“What—when tomorrow the man may come who understands?”