"
"He may not be able to help himself. Kay gets them all winging."
"Even so, he will not so far forget his ancestral pride as to admit it,
or even give the slightest intimation of it."
"He is a prideful sort of chap. I noticed that. Still, he's not a prig."
"He has pride of race, John. Pride of ancestry, pride of tradition,
pride of an ancient, undisputed leadership in his own community. He has
been raised to know that he is not vulgar or stupid or plebeian; his
character has been very carefully cultivated and developed."
He edged his horse close to hers.
"Look here, my dear," he queried; "what brought the tears to your eyes at
luncheon to-day?"
"There was a moment, John, when the shadow of a near-break came over his
face. Kay and I both saw it. He looked wistful and lonely and beaten,
and dropped his head like a tired horse, and her heart, her very soul,
went out to him. I saw her hand go out to him, too; she touched his arm
for an instant and then, realizing, she withdrew it. And then I knew!"
"Knew what?"
"That our little daughter, who has been used to queening it over every
man of her acquaintance, is going to batter her heart out against the
pride of Palomar."
"You mean--"
"She loves him. She doesn't know it yet, but I do. Oh, John, I'm old
and wise. I know! If Miguel Farrel were of a piece with the young men
she has always met, I wouldn't worry.
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