A Humble Enterprise

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Ada Cambridge. A Humble Enterprise

CHAPTER I. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

CHAPTER II. HER FIRST FRIEND

CHAPTER III. AFLOAT

CHAPTER IV. THE HERO

CHAPTER V. HE MEETS THE HEROINE

CHAPTER VI. THE INEVITABLE ENSUES

CHAPTER VII. THERE ARE SUCH WOMEN IN THE WORLD

CHAPTER VIII. ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

CHAPTER IX. THE POTENTIAL HUSBAND

CHAPTER X. AS THE WIND BLOWS

CHAPTER XI. NATURE SPEAKS

CHAPTER XII. TWO WISE MEN

CHAPTER XIII. TWO UNWISE WOMEN

CHAPTER XIV. A WEAK FATHER

CHAPTER XV. A STRAW AGAINST THE TIDE

CHAPTER XVI. A STAR IN TWILIGHT

CHAPTER XVII "YOU NEED NOT EXPECT ME BACK"

CHAPTER XVIII. JENNY IS TREATED LIKE A LADY

CHAPTER XIX. WOMAN'S RIGHTS REFUSED

CHAPTER XX. SHE CARES NOT

CHAPTER XXI. THE BEST AVAILABLE

Отрывок из книги

The chief of Churchill & Son suffered no social disadvantage from being in trade, and enjoyed many satisfactions that are unknown to the wealthy who have nothing to do. His mind was alert and keen, his large, wholesome-looking body a picture of well-being and contentment, his attitude towards the world and things in general one of consistent self-respect. He was one of that numerous band of perfectly-dressed and exquisitely clean old gentlemen who pervade the city-wending tram-cars of a morning between 9 and 10 o'clock, and are a delight to the eyes of all true lovers of their country, as comprising the solid base of its material prosperity. Solid in every sense was Mr. Nicholas Churchill, a sound, just man, whose word was his bond, and whose signature was good for six figures at the bank; a man who had succeeded in life and commerce without cheating anybody, and was esteemed according to his deserts, as we all are – though we don't always think so.

He walked into the breakfast-room of his little palace at Toorak, on a certain spring morning, and, having kissed his children and shaken hands with the governess, sat down to table and propped his newspaper before him. His wife, a smart young lady in a long-tailed lace-frilled gown, poured out his coffee, and his married daughter helped him to fish; for it was a rule of the house to save him all trouble of helping himself or others at this end of the day. The married daughter, Mrs. Oxenham, was rather older than his wife, and was not now a member of the household, but a visitor from a large station in the north-eastern hills; she had come down to meet the mail which was bringing out her brother, Mr. Churchill's eldest son, from home, and the arrival of which at Adelaide had been telegraphed the day before. She was a tall, distinguished-looking woman, a source of great pride and enjoyment to her father, who addressed to her the most of what little conversation he had time for.

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"Good," said the merchant, to whom the smallest details were important in matters of business; and he began to fumble in his pocket. "Who's the cashier?" he asked.

"I am," replied Sarah, from behind her little table, on which stood two wooden bowls and neat piles of paper tickets.

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