JIM GETS A BLOW
"The eagle has lived long in my side. He is cruel with talons built for seizing. Is this why so many nations choose him as their emblem?"
Musings of the Elephant.
Jane never had looked meeker or smaller or more desert worn than she did as she stood eying the two men; that is, meek except as to her eyes. These burned like sapphires in the sun. In them was concentrated the deathless energy that Penelope had found was Jane's chief characteristic.
"I've been sitting in the kitchen waiting for Mrs. Flynn and listening to you two talk. It was very interesting."
"Jane, you keep quiet," said Oscar.
"Come in and sit down, Mrs. Ames," said Jim, pulling forward a chair.
"Don't be too polite to me, Mr. Manning," said Jane. "I ain't used to it and it makes me nervous. I made up my mind while I heard you talk I'd get a few things off my chest. It may help both of you. I've often said, when Oscar was always telling me to keep quiet, that when I had something to say I'd say it."
Oscar looked very much mortified. "Jane," he said, "what's got into you?"