Page:Rowland--In the shadow.djvu/14

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IN THE SHADOW



sented, as had been the other features of his education. First there had been tutors, then Eton; there was no place like Fenwick for vacations; athletics claimed all of the time not spent in study. Oxford followed; he had no wish to penetrate beyond the fullness of his life, but now that he had graduated he was ready to travel. There was no hurry.

He looked at Virginia to see if she agreed with Manning. Her pensive face was turned expectantly toward her brother; she loved to hear of the home which she so dimly remembered, and, like other people, never tired of hearing Manning talk. Giles was waiting also; but, oddly, Manning did not continue.

"Must be a jolly place—Carolina," observed Giles. "No end of hunting and fishing, is there not? And—and—what else do you do, Manning?"

"Not much in the way of sport," said Manning.

"As a matter of fact, it's an awful hole, Giles. Of course I am busy with the rice and cotton; everything is changed since our father's time. Most of the old families are scattered and gone, or sunk in poverty. There were only a few who kept on working their plantations after the war."

"Beastly shame, your war! What?" said Giles. "I fancy the turf's dry enough——" He ran his hand over the close-cropped grass, which was soft and full as green plush. "What do you say?" He twirled his racket in the air.

"Rough!" called Manning. "Rough it is. Going to play, Sis?"

Virginia shook her head. "Not just yet." Her voice was very deep, very low, and the words seemed

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