The God of Civilization: A Romance
9781465669766
213 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
“Oh! I have grown so tired of this continual round of parties, calls, and theatre going; I do wish something would happen to break the monotony of my life.” The foregoing remark was made by Mabel Miller, who spoke in a very discontented manner. “Why, Mabel, how can you talk of monotony? There is not a girl in our acquaintance who has more delightful changes of amusement than yourself. What with your winters, a succession of gaieties, your summers at Santa Cruz or Monterey, I don’t see how you can be so discontented.” It was Mabel’s cousin, Lucy Maynard, who spoke. “Oh, I know that is what you always say, but it does not alter the fact that I am sick of it all.” “Well, well, what’s the trouble? What is this, that my little girl is so sick of?” Mabel turned hastily as these words of her father’s caught her ear. “Why, papa, I didn’t know you were here or I might not have said what I did; I ought to be contented, I know, after all you do for me.” “Come, come; this won’t do, little girl. If you are unhappy why shouldn’t your old father know all about it?” “I am not unhappy, papa, only I am so tired of everything. I was just saying I did wish something out of the ordinary way might happen.” “How would a trip to Australia do for novelty, Mabel?” “Oh, papa, do you mean it? I would like it above all things. I have always wanted to go there.” “Well, Mabel, if you think you can be ready in a week’s time you shall go. I met our old friend Captain Gray to-day, and it seems he is bound for Australia, and is going to take his wife and two daughters along with him, and he has room for one or two more on board; so there is a chance for you to go, if you like.” “Won’t that be splendid?” cried Mabel, clapping her hands and dancing gleefully about the room like a child. “But, Mabel, you must remember it is a sailing vessel, and not a steamer, that you are to go on, and, aren’t you afraid that the number of weeks it will take you to reach your destination, will prove as monotonous as parties and calls do now.” “I don’t mind the length of time that we shall be in going. I shall find something amusing I feel sure; will you go too, Lucy?” “Oh no, thank you; you will have to excuse me;” laughed Lucy. I like the present order of things very well and will try a little while longer to find amusement in balls, and so on, and then besides there is Harry, you know, I couldn’t leave him.” “No, indeed, I do not intend to spare both of my dear girls at once; what in the world would I do with you both away,” said Mr. Miller. “But, papa, you don’t mean to say that you are not going too,” asked Mabel. “Why, of course, that is what I mean; did my girlie think I could drop everything and trot off to the antipodes with her at a moment’s notice? No, Mabel, I can’t go; but you will be well cared for, as Mrs. Gray, I know, will look after your welfare as closely as would your own mother if she were living. And her two daughters will prove most delightful companions if they are half as amiable as they are pretty.”
