Chapter 5 5

At four o'clock in the afternoon, a dilapidated small two-passenger car screeched to a stop.A young girl jumped out of the car—a petite figure with a clouded head.She climbed the stone steps and rang the doorbell. A few minutes later she was shown into a long, elegant drawing room, where a clergyman-like servant called in a mournful voice: "Miss Duberfer is here." "Lin Na!" "Jackie!" Wintersham stood aside slightly, and looked at this petite body with sympathetic eyes and threw it into Lin Na's arms with open arms. "This is the Earl of Wintersham. This is Mademoiselle Dubelfort—my best friend."

Pretty girl, he thought—not pretty, but attractive.Bright black curly hair; big eyes.He murmured some decent greetings, and then he was about to withdraw to let the two friends have a good reunion. As soon as he backed out, Jaclyn charged like a machine gun—Linna remembered it as a trait of her character. "Wintersham? Wintersham? He's the man the papers say you're going to marry? Is that so?" Lin Na murmured, "Probably." "Honey—I'm so happy for you. He seems a very nice fellow." "Oh, don't take it too seriously—I haven't made up my mind myself."

"Of course you can't decide yet! The queen is always very careful when choosing her husband." "Stop talking nonsense, Jackie." "But you are indeed a queen, Lin Na! You always have been. Your Excellency, Queen Lin Na—the blond Lin Na! I am the queen's confidant! Loyal maid!" "What nonsense are you talking about, dear Jackie. Where have you been all this time? You are completely missing.You don't write again. " "I hate writing letters. Where have I been all this time? Oh, about three places. You know, at work, unhappy girls and unhappy work!"

"Honey, I hope you—" "Accepting the queen's donation? Well, my dear, that's exactly what I'm here for, frankly. No, not to borrow money. I haven't gotten to this level yet. But I'm begging you to do me a favor of greater importance." !" "Go on." "If you're going to marry a man, including Wintersham, maybe you'll understand." Lin Na was puzzled for a while; then her face brightened. "Jackie, you mean—" "Yes, honey, I'm engaged!" "I see. That's why I think you look particularly alive. Of course you always have, but now you have more energy than ever."

"I feel the same way myself." "Tell me all about him." "His name is Simon Doyle. He is tall, square-faced, simple, boyish and lovely! He is poor—no money. You may call him a 'shireman'— He's just the youngest son of a very poor county citizen.His family is from De Henshire.He loves the country and country things.For the last five years he has been working in a suffocating office in the city.Now that the company has closed down, he is out of a job. Lin Na, if I can't marry him, I will die!I will die!I'm going to die" "Don't be silly, Jackie! "

"I'm going to die, I tell you! I love him like crazy. He's crazy about me. We can't live without each other." "My dear, this is too bad!" "I know, it's scary, isn't it? Once love gets you, there's nothing you can do." She paused for a moment, and her dark eyes were moist, which at first glance seemed very tragic.She shuddered. "Emotional things can be scary sometimes! Shimon was made for me and I was made for Shimon. I'll never care about anyone else. Lina, you have to help both of us. I heard you bought this place, I've got an idea in mind. Look, you're going to have to have a realtor—or two. I want you to give Simon that job." "Oh!" Lin Na was taken aback.

Jaclyn went on and on: "He does that kind of thing with ease. He knows all about real estate—he's always done his research. Besides, he's trained in it. Oh, Lina, for the sake of both of us." My friends, you will give him the job! If he doesn't do well, you can fire him. But he will be able to do it. We can live in the cottage, I can take care of many things for you, and the garden will be in order .” She stood up. "Say yes, Linna. Say yes. Coquettish Linna! Tall blond Linna! My distinctive Linna! Say yes!" "Jackie—" "You promised, didn't you?"

Lin Na burst out laughing. "Ridiculous Jackie! Bring your young man and let me see and talk." Jackie flung herself at her and kept kissing her, "Dearest Linna—you're such a friend! I've known you before. You'll never let me down. You're the sweetest thing in the world. goodbye." "Jackie, won't you stay a little longer?" "No, I can't stay any longer. I'm hurrying back to London, and come back to-morrow, and bring Simon, and get this over with. You'll appreciate him. He's a real favorite." "Won't you stay for a cup of tea?"

"No, I'm not staying, Linna. I'm so excited. I have to go back and tell Simon. Honey, I know I'm crazy. But I can't help it. Hope marriage will heal me. Marriage is said to be very clearing .” Miss Duberfer turned to the door, stood for a moment, then rushed back, embracing her swiftly like a bird one last time. "Dear Linna—there's no one like you."