Architectural eccentricities had startled the sleepy
maple-shaded rows of comfortable uniform dwellings here and there,
and in some streets the life was brisk; but it was still possible
to see pedestrians strolling with unconscious good-humour around
piles of goods on the sidewalk, business men stopping for a social
chat on the streets, street-cars moving independent of time, men
invariably giving up their seats to women, and, strangers or not,
depositing their fare for them; the drivers at the courteous
personal service of each patron of the road--now holding a car and
placidly whistling while some lady who had signalled from her
doorway went back indoors for some forgotten article, now twisting
the reins around the brakes and leaving a parcel in some yard--and
no one grumbling! But what was to Hale an atmosphere of amusing
leisure was to June bewildering confusion. To her his amusement
was unintelligible, but though in constant wonder at everything
she saw, no one would ever have suspected that she was making her
first acquaintance with city scenes. At first the calm unconcern
of her companions had puzzled her.
Pages:
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250