Return to Jalna [antikvár]

Young Maurice's Return It was more than four years since Maurice Whiteoak had left his native land and now he was once again within its borders. [Then he had sailed by passenger ship from Halifax to Cóbh. He E had returned in plane and warship by way of Portugal and New York. [He smiled as he considered the change wrought in him by those Ifour years in Ireland. He was a différent being, he thought, from Ithe child of thirteen who had gone to live with Cousin Dermot. [How timid he had been then! The very marrow of him had shud-I dered as he had stood waiting with the maid in the hall while old [Dermot Court had interviewed Wright, in whose charge Maurice [ had been. When Wright had come out of the room he had winked [ at Maurice as they passed and whispered—" I hope you'll like the [old boy better than I do." Maurice had slowly but steadily entered the room where Dermot [was waiting. Dermot had looked very old, sitting there in the Ihigh-backed chair, but his voice had been strong and his hand-[ clasp warm. Maurice clearly remembered the first words they had lexchanged. Ü How do y ou do ? " Dermot had said. "Quite well, thank you, sir," he had answered. And the con-jversation had continued—"I hear you were seasick coming lacross." IA little. After that it was fine." Then Dermot had given him a penetrating look and asked: IH Do you think you can bear to visit me for a while ? " " Yes. I'm sure I can." His own voice had sounded very small [ and wavering even to himself. "Remember—" Dermot had continued—"if you don't like [ me you may go home whenever you choose."