For Ada

[jarndyceheir]

Richard has finally plucked up his courage, and is going to find his fiancee. It's a talk that has been, frankly, overdue. But that doesn't mean he is even slightly looking forward to it.

Comments

[dearcousin]

As the weather has been fair, he will most likely find her out in the garden.

[jarndyceheir]

He comes up to her, not quite able to hide a smile. It's almost like old times at Bleak House, seeing her out for a walk in the garden. Well, with the noticeable absence of Esther. "Good day, Ada."

[dearcousin]

"Richard! Oh, however are you?"

[jarndyceheir]

"I'm... I'm well, thank you. And yourself, cousin?"

[dearcousin]

"Oh, I am well." If the use of 'cousin,' strikes her as strange, she certainly doesn't show it.

[jarndyceheir]

"I am glad to hear it. It seems like some time, since I've seem you."

[dearcousin]

She nods. "I am sorry for it."

[jarndyceheir]

"No, no. The fault is mine, as much as yours." He pauses, then adds, "Have you found yourself well occupied?"

[dearcousin]

"Oh, yes, well enough. I am glad that it has been nice enough to go walking again."

[jarndyceheir]

"Oh, certainly. Things are beginning to bloom again, which is pleasant."

[dearcousin]

"Oh, yes! Did you see the daffodils there?"

[jarndyceheir]

"No, I don't believe I had before."

[dearcousin]

"Oh, come see!" She takes his arm and starts to lead him down the path to see.

[jarndyceheir]

He lets her lead him with pleasure, and the typist is sad to admit may be in danger of losing his nerve.

[dearcousin]

"There, you see?" she says, kneeling down in a rather unladylike way to get a closer look. "They are always the first, or nearly so. They may be my favorites."

[jarndyceheir]

"I never knew that," he says with a small pang of guilt. "There seem to be a lot, this season."