“Your choice would have been the pearl, symbol of modest loveliness.
‘Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear;’
‘Orient pearls at random strung;’
‘Fold, little trembler, thy fluttering wing,
Freely partake of love’s fathomless spring;
So hallowed thy presence, the spirit within
Hath whispered, “The angels protect thee from sin.”’”
The speaker ceased, with his glance hovering caressingly over the little trembler with fluttering wing, that is, the big-waisted man. The company sat in listening expectancy; and the big-waisted man, whose eyes had long ago sought refuge in the fire, lifted them and said, satirically, “Go on,” at the same time trying to buy his way out with a smile.
“It’s your turn,” quickly responded the jewel’s owner, with something droll in his manner that made the company laugh at the other’s expense. The big-waisted man kindled, then smiled again, and said:
“Was that emblem of modest loveliness give’ to you symbolically, or did you present it to yourself?”
“I took it for a debt,” replied the wearer, bowing joyously.
“Ah!” said the other. “Well, I s’pose it was either that or her furniture?”
“Thanks, yes.” There was a pause, and then the pearl’s owner spoke on. “Strange fact. That was years ago. And yet”—he fondled his gem with thumb and finger and tender glance—“you’re the first man I’ve met to whom I could sincerely and symbolically present it, and you don’t want it. I’m sorry.”