Ruby-red gleams of sunset fell through the arching boughs . A tall clump of perfect asters grew at her side . The little spot was as dreamy and witching and evasive as any retreat of fairies and dryads in ancient forests . Into it Norman Douglas bounced , scattering and annihilating its charm in a moment . His personality seemed to swallow the place up . There was simply nothing there but Norman Douglas , big , red-bearded , complacent . `` Good evening , '' said Rosemary coldly , standing up . '' ` Evening , girl . Sit down again -- sit down again . I want to have a talk with you . Bless the girl , what 's she looking at me like that for ? I do n't want to eat you -- I 've had my supper . Sit down and be civil . '' `` I can hear what you have to say quite as well here , '' said Rosemary . `` So you can , girl , if you use your ears . I only wanted you to be comfortable . You look so durned uncomfortable , standing there . Well , I 'LL sit anyway . '' Norman accordingly sat down in the very place John Meredith had once sat . The contrast was so ludicrous that Rosemary was afraid she would go off into a peal of hysterical laughter over it .
XXXXX cast his hat aside , placed his huge , red hands on his knees , and looked up at her with his eyes a-twinkle .
Douglas Evening Meredith Norman Rosemary dryads gleams nothing peal witching