hr.thecarpetbaggers-第52节

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ollars　and　told　her　that　if　it　wasn't　sufficient；　she　should　let　him　know。
　They　had　got　only　a　few　things　in　New　York；　the　rest　they　would　get　in　Paris。　But　without　saying　anything　to　Rina；　she　had　ordered　several　things　and　had　them　sent　directly　to　the　ship。　She　couldn't　wait　to　see　the　expression　on　Rina's　face　when　she　saw　them。
　The　boxes　were　on　the　bed　but　she　did　not　call　attention　to　them。　She　wanted　the　moment　to　be　just　right。　She　took　off　her　light　spring　coat　and　sank　into　a　deep；　fortable　chair。　Opening　her　purse；　she　took　out　a　package　of　cigarettes。　It　wasn't　until　after　she　had　lit　one　that　she　became　aware　that　Rina　was　staring　at　her。　Then　she　realized　that　Rina　had　never　seen　her　smoke。
　She　held　out　the　package。　〃Have　one？〃
　Rina　hesitated。
　〃Go　ahead；〃　she　urged。　〃It's　all　right。　You'll　find　most　European　women　smoke；　they're　not　so　provincial　as　we　are。〃
　She　watched　Rina　light　a　cigarette　and　laughed　as　she　coughed。　〃Don't　swallow　the　smoke。〃
　Rina　held　the　smoke　in　her　mouth　and　let　it　out　slowly。　〃How's　that？〃
　Margaret　smiled。　〃Fine。〃
　〃This　is　fun；　Miss　Bradley。〃
　Margaret　looked　at　her。　〃Now　that　we're　really　on　our　way；　I　think　we　can　dispense　with　formalities。　From　now　on；　you　may　call　me　Peggy。〃　She　got　to　her　feet。　〃Would　you　like　to　bathe　first；　Rina？〃
　Rina　shook　her　head。　〃No；　Miss　Bradley；　you　can　go　first　if　you　like。〃
　Margaret　shook　her　head；　smiling。　〃Peggy。〃
　〃I　mean　Peggy。〃
　'That's　better；〃　Margaret　said。
　
　She　looked　up　as　Rina　came　out　of　the　bathroom；　tying　the　belt　of　her　robe。　Her　long　blond　hair　fell　to　her　shoulders；　looking　even　more　silvery　against　her　dark　tan。　There　was　a　low　knock　at　the　door。　Rina　looked　at　her　questioningly。
　〃I　ordered　sherry；〃　she　explained。　〃It's　good　for　your　appetite　the　first　day　at　sea。　I　find　it　helps　prevent　mal　de　mer。〃
　She　took　the　tray　from　the　steward　and　gave　one　glass　to　Rina。　〃Cheers；〃　she　said；　smiling　and　sipping　the　wine　slowly。
　〃It's　nice；〃　Rina　said。
　〃I'm　glad　you　like　it。〃
　Rina　put　the　glass　down。　〃Shall　I　wear　my　new　blue　suit　tonight？〃
　Margaret　assumed　a　shocked　expression。　〃First…class　dining　is　formal；　Rina。〃
　〃I　have　a　few　of　my　party　dresses；〃　Rina　said。　〃I　can　wear　one　of　them。〃
　〃Not　those　horrible　dresses　they　wear　at　the　school　dances？〃
　A　hurt　expression　appeared　on　Rina's　face。　〃I　thought　they　were　very　pretty。〃
　Margaret　laughed。　〃For　children；　perhaps。　But　not　for　a　young　lady　going　to　Europe。〃
　〃I　don't　know　what　to　wear；　then；〃　Rina　said　helplessly。
　She　had　teased　Rina　enough。　〃Those　boxes　on　the　bed　are　yours；〃　she　said　casually。　〃I　think　you　might　find　something　to　wear　in　one　of　them。〃
　The　expression　on　Rina's　face　as　she　opened　the　boxes　was　all　that　Margaret　had　hoped　for。　Rina　put　on　a　stark　black　cocktail　gown　that　clung　to　her　figure；　revealing　her　naked　shoulders。　As　they　walked　into　the　dining　salon；　an　hour　later；　every　male　eye　followed　them。
　Possessively　Margaret　reached　across　the　table　and　patted　Rina's　hand。　〃You　look　lovely；　my　dear。〃
　
　Margaret　put　down　the　towel　and　turned　to　look　at　herself　in　the　full…length　mirror。　Pleased　with　her　reflection；　she　ran　her　hands　down　along　her　sides；　then　stretched　luxuriously。　Her　small　breasts　with　their　tiny　nipples　were　no　larger　than　many　men's；　and　her　hips　were　flat　and　her　legs　straight。
　She　slipped　into　the　silk　pajamas；　quickly　buttoning　the　fly　front　of　the　long；　man…tailored　trousers；　then　fastening　the　tightly　fitting　bolero　jacket。　She　brushed　her　dark　hair　straight　back　and　pinned　it。　Once　more；　she　glanced　at　the　mirror。　At　a　quick　glance；　few　could　tell　her　from　a　male。
　Pleased；　she　left　the　bathroom　and　entered　the　stateroom。　〃You　can　go　in　now；　Rina。〃
　Rina　stared　at　her　in　amazement。　〃Miss　Bradley　…　Peggy；　I　mean　…　those　pajamas！〃
　Margaret　smiled　at　her。　〃Like　them？〃
　Rina　nodded。
　Margaret　was　pleased。　〃They're　made　of　genuine　Chinese　brocade。　A　friend　sent　me　the　material　from　San　Francisco。　I　designed　them　myself。〃　One　thing　she　could　always　say　for　Sally　…　she　had　good　taste。　Of　all　the　things　she　had　ever　given　her；　these　pajamas　were　her　favorite。
　Rina　got　out　of　her　chair　and　took　a　cotton　nightgown　from　the　bureau。　She　started　for　the　bathroom。
　〃Wait　a　minute；〃　Margaret　said。　She　went　to　her　bureau　and　took　out　a　small　box。　〃While　I　was　at　it；〃　she　said；　〃I　also　bought　you　a　few　nightgowns。〃
　She　watched　Rina's　face　as　she　opened　the　box。　〃They're　real　silk！〃
　〃I　was　afraid　that　all　you　had　were　those　horrible　school　shifts。〃
　Rina　looked　down　at　the　box。　〃There's　a　different　color　for　every　night　in　the　week；〃　she　said。　〃They're　all　so　beautiful；　I　don't　know　which　to　wear　first。〃
　Margaret　smiled　again。　〃Why　don't　you　wear　the　white　one　tonight？〃
　〃O。K。；〃　Rina　said。　She　picked　it　up　and　started　again　for　the　bathroom。　She　stopped　at　the　door。　〃I　don't　know　how　to　thank　you；　Peggy；〃　she　said　gratefully。　〃You　make　everything　seem　so　wonderful。〃
　Margaret　laughed　happily。　〃That's　just　the　way　I　want　it　to　be　for　you；〃　she　said。　She　looked　at　Rina　as　if　the　idea　had　just　e　to　her。　〃What　do　you　say　we　celebrate　tonight？　While　you're　changing；　I'll　order　a　bottle　of　champagne。　We'll　have　a　little　party　all　by　ourselves。〃
　〃That　would　be　fun。〃　Rina　smiled。　〃I　always　wanted　to　drink　champagne　but　Father　would　never　let　me。〃
　〃Well；　this　will　be　a　secret　between　us。〃　Margaret　laughed；　reaching　for　the　telephone。　〃I　promise　I　won't　tell　him。〃
　
　Rina　put　down　her　glass　and　began　to　giggle。
　Margaret　leaned　back　in　her　chair；　still　holding　hers　by　its　fragile　stem。　〃What's　funny？〃
　〃My　nightgown　crinkles　and　gives　off　tiny　sparks　when　I　move。〃
　〃That's　static　electricity；〃　Margaret　said。　〃Silk　is　a　very　good　conductor。〃
　〃I　know；〃　Rina　answered　quickly。　〃I　remember　that　from　your　class。〃　She　ran　her　hand　down　along　the　gown。　〃It　gives　off　tiny　blue　sparks。　Can　you　see　them？〃
　〃No。〃
　Rina　leaped　to　her　feet。　〃I'll　turn　off　the　lights；〃　she　said。　〃You'll　be　able　to　see　them　then。〃
　She　turned　off　the　lights　and　stood　in　front　of　Margaret。　〃Watch；〃　she　said。　She　ran　her　hands　down　the　sides　of　her　gown。　There　was　a　faint　crackling　and　tiny　sparks　appeared　at　her　fingertips。　Rina　picked　up　her　glass　and　emptied　it。　She　held　the　glass　toward　Margaret。　〃May　I　have　some　more；　Peggy？〃
　〃Of　course；〃　Margaret　answered；　refilling　her　glass。
　Rina　held　it　to　her　lips　and　sipped。　〃Champagne　is　nothing　but　pop　made　from　wine；〃　she　said　seriously。　〃But　it　tastes　better。　It's　not　as　sweet。〃
　〃It's　getting　warmer　in　here；　don't　you　think？〃
　〃It　is　getting　warmer；〃　Rina　answered。　〃Do　you　want　me　to　turn　on　the　fan？〃
　〃Oh；　no；〃　Margaret　said　quickly。　〃We'd　only　catch　cold　in　the　draft。　I'll　just　slip　off　my　jacket。〃
　She　felt　Rina's　eyes　on　her　small　bosom　and　she　picked　up　her　glass　quickly。　〃Do　you　mind？〃
　Rina　shook　her　head。　She　lifted　her　glass　and　took　another　sip。　〃Do　you　hear　music？〃
　Margaret　nodded。　〃It's　the　orchestra　from　the　ballroom。　They're　playing　a　waltz。〃
　Rina　got　to　her　feet。　She　swayed　in　time　to　the　music。　〃I　love　to　dance；〃　she　said。　She　glided　lightly　around　the　room；　the　white　gown　flaring　out　as　she　turned；　showing　her　long；　tanned　legs。
　Margaret　felt　a　weakness　in　the　pit　of　her　stomach　as　she　got　to　her　feet。　〃I　love　to　dance；　too；〃　she　said；　making　a　mock　bow。　〃May　I　have　this　dance；　Miss　Marlowe？〃
　Rina　looked　at　her；　smiling。　〃Just　this　one。　All　the　others　are　taken；　Miss　Bradley。〃
　Margaret　shook　a　reproachful　finger　at　Rina。　〃Mr。　Bradley；　if　you　please。〃
　Rina　laughed。　〃Of　course。　Just　this　one；　Mr。　Bradley。〃
　Margaret　put　her　arm　around　Rina's　waist。　They　both　laughed　as　the　tiny　blue　sparks　crackled　from　Rina's　gown。　Margaret　felt　her　legs　tremble　as　the　warmth　from　Rina's　breasts　came　through　the　gown。　Holding　the　young　girl　firmly；　she　led　her　into　the　dance。　They　spun　furiously　in　a　circle　as　the　music　reached　a　crescendo；　then　abruptly　halted。
　Rina　looked　up　into　her　face。　Margaret　smiled　at　her。　〃We'd　better　have　some　more　champagne。〃　She　poured　Rina　a　glass　and　picked　up　her　own。　〃You're　a　very　good　dancer；　Rina。〃
　〃Thank　you。　You　lead　better　than　any　of　the　boys　that　ever　came　to　the　school　dances。　You　do　everything　so　well。〃　Rina　swayed　slightly。　〃The　dancing　made　me　dizzy。〃
　〃Perhaps　you'd　better　lie　down　on　your　bed　for　a　moment。〃
　Rina　shook　her　head。　〃And　break　up　our　party？〃
　〃Lie　down　for　a　minute。　You　won't　break　up　the　party。　I'll　e　and　sit　on　the　bed。〃
　〃O。K。；〃　Rina　said。　She　walked　over　to　the　bed　and　put　her　glass　on　the　night　table；　then　stretched　out　on　the　white　sheet。
　Margaret　sat　down　beside　her。　〃Feel　better？〃
　〃The　room　is　still　spinning；〃　Rina　said。
　Margaret　bent　over　her　and　stroked　her　forehead　lightly。　〃Close　your　eyes　for　a　moment。〃
　Obediently　Rina　closed　her　eyes。　They　were　silent　for　a　moment　while　Margaret　continued　to　stroke　her　forehead。　〃That's　better；〃　Rina　said　softly。　〃The　spinning　has　gone。〃
　Margaret　didn't　answer；　but　kept　stroking　her　head　lightly。　Rina　opened　her　eyes　and　looked　at　her。　Margaret　reached　for　her　glass。　〃A　little　more　champagne？〃
　Rina　nodded。　She　sipped　and　handed　it　back　to　Margaret；　who　smiled