She smiled and blew me a kiss. "That's very gratifying to know,"
she said. "But it has nothing to do with Phyllis."
"Well, what about Phyllis?"
"I'll tell you," she replied.
And she told me. Her story was not of world-shaking moment, but it
interested me. I have since learned its substantial correctness
and am able to add some supplementary details.
You see, things were like this.... In order to start I must go
back some years.... I have always had a warm corner in my heart
for little Phyllis Gedge, ever since she was a blue-eyed child. My
wife had a great deal to do with it. She was a woman of dauntless
courage and clear vision into the heart of things. I find many a
reflection of her in Betty. Perhaps that is why I love Betty so
dearly.
Some strange, sweet fool feminine of gentle birth and deplorable
upbringing fell in love with a vehemently socialistic young
artisan by the name of Gedge and married him. Her casual but
proud-minded family wiped her off the proud family slate. She
brought Phyllis into the world and five years afterwards found
herself be-Gedged out of existence. They were struggling people in
those days, and before her death my wife used to employ her, when
she could, for household sewing and whatnot.
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