His eyes are grey, deeply set; his patients and Meg think them beautiful. His dark hair has a wave in it, and is on end, for of course he has been somewhat excited.
The Captain does not look unamiable.
Alan has only just begun to practise, certainly; but then he has three hundred a year of his own, and his prospects are spoken of as brilliant. Still, he has the air of having grudgingly conferred a favour, and he goes out to smoke his cigar and think it over.
[93]
]“All well?” ask Esther’s arched eyebrows. And “All is well” Alan answers with a grave, pleasant smile.
“Dear boy, I am so glad,” she says. There is a moisture in her dark eyes as she gives him her hand, for Meg is very dear to her.
“[HE BENDS HIS TALL, BOYISH-LOOKING HEAD SUDDENLY, AND KISSES THE HAND HE HOLDS.]”
He looks at her in silence for a minute; then [he bends] his tall, boyish-looking head suddenly, and kisses the hand he holds.
“I am glad too,” Nellie whispers, with something like a sob in her throat; she too holds out her hand.
“Dear little Nell!” he says; and such a happy [94] ]light is in the eyes that look down at her that she quite forgives his lack of good looks. “Dear little Nell!”