Romola . e agreed in being glad notto have Florence stifled with soldiery any longer,and the Frate has barked this time to some pur-pose. Ah, what is this ? he added, as Romola,clasping him by the arm, led him in front of thepicture. Let us see. He began to unwind his long scarf while sheplaced a seat for him. Dont you want your spectacles, godfather?said Romola, in anxiety that he should see justwhat she saw. No, child, no, said Bernardo, uncovering hisgray head, as he seated himself with firm erectness. For seeing at this distance, my old eyes are per-haps better than your young ones. Old me
Romola . e agreed in being glad notto have Florence stifled with soldiery any longer,and the Frate has barked this time to some pur-pose. Ah, what is this ? he added, as Romola,clasping him by the arm, led him in front of thepicture. Let us see. He began to unwind his long scarf while sheplaced a seat for him. Dont you want your spectacles, godfather?said Romola, in anxiety that he should see justwhat she saw. No, child, no, said Bernardo, uncovering hisgray head, as he seated himself with firm erectness. For seeing at this distance, my old eyes are per-haps better than your young ones. Old mens eyesare like old mens memories; they are strongest forthings a long way off. It is better than having no portrait, saidRomola, apologetically, after Bernardo had beensilent a little while. It is less like him nowthan the image I have in my mind, but then thatmight fade with the years. She rested her armon the old mans shoulder as she spoke, drawntowards him strongly by their common interest inthe OF THE FRUIT IS SEED. 107 I dont know, said Bernardo. I almostthink I see Bardo as he was when he was young,better than that picture shows him to me as he waswhen he was old. Your father had a great deal offire in his eyes when he was young. It was whatI could never understand, that he, with his fieryspirit, which seemed much more impatient thanmine, could hang over the books and live withshadows all his life. However, he had put hisheart into that. Bernardo gave a slight shrug as he spoke the lastwords; but Romola discerned in his voice a feelingthat accorded with her own. And he was disappointed to the last, she saidinvoluntarily. But immediately fearing lest herwords should be taken to imply an accusationagainst Tito, she went on almost hurriedly, Ifwe could only see his longest, dearest wish fulfilledjust to his mind! Well, so we may, said Bernardo, kindly, ris-ing and putting on his cap. The times are cloudynow, but fish are caught by waiting. Who knows ?When the wheel h
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublisherbosto, bookyear1893
