THE AWAKENING
examine the grape blossoms through a pocket lens, rearranged a few tendrils, then made his way along the hedge of clipped yew in the direction of the tennis court. Every few steps he would stop to examine the bark of a tree or the condition of a leaf.
Manning watched him keenly, very keenly, as it was his habit to observe everyone with whom he came in contact. Manning's large, clear, inconsistent hazel eyes were the equivalent of any three senses of most people; he had the faculty of snapping his mental photograph instantaneously, and developing and printing later and at his leisure. He could spend hours watching people; hours after they had passed from his sight in assaying what he had seen; this estimate was apt to be rather slow, seldom incorrect.
Sir Henry skirted Virginia's end of the court with a jesting word of encouragement to the girl, then approached and greeted Manning, who had risen, and asked permission to share his seat. No doubt he would have done the same with his son; courtesy was as much a part of Sir Henry as his tall, spare figure and deep-lined, thoughtful face. He was a bit of a puzzle to Manning, who sometimes wondered how much of the man was latent beneath the unruffled calm of the student. Giles was of his mother's type, blue-eyed, rosy, full figured, mirthful; too normal to be interesting until the smooth surface was seamed by a caustic which would wash away the plastic part.
"As usual, you are the appreciative audience," said Sir Henry to Manning. The baronet liked Manning, in whom he recognized qualities both sound and subtle; he enjoyed his company because he combined the ma-
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