In Mr. Eager's mouth it resembled
nothing so much as an acid whistling fountain which played ever
higher and higher, and quicker and quicker, and more and more
shrilly, till abruptly it was turned off with a click.
"Signorina!" said the man to Lucy, when the display had ceased.
Why should he appeal to Lucy?
"Signorina!" echoed Persephone in her glorious contralto. She
pointed at the other carriage. Why?
For a moment the two girls looked at each other. Then Persephone
got down from the box.
"Victory at last!" said Mr. Eager, smiting his hands together as
the carriages started again.
"It is not victory," said Mr. Emerson. "It is defeat. You have
parted two people who were happy."
Mr. Eager shut his eyes. He was obliged to sit next to Mr.
Emerson, but he would not speak to him. The old man was refreshed
by sleep, and took up the matter warmly. He commanded Lucy to
agree with him; he shouted for support to his son.
"We have tried to buy what cannot be bought with money.
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