Foratimetheartistseemedrather\"distrait\"also,asifamemoryweretroublinghim.Heoftenlookedaroundwhenanyoneentered,andhiseyesattimesrestedonIda\'svacantchair.ButhesoonpassedunderthespellofJennieBurton\'sgenialtalk,whichseeminglyglowedwiththesunshinethathadenvelopedherduringherquestoftheroses,andthepoorgirl,whowasfairlyquiveringwithpainbecauseofhissignificantactandwordsonthepiazza,wasforgotten.
Sheknewshewasforgotten.Thehumofvoices,thecheerfulclatterfromthelightedsupper-room,cameuptoherdarkeningapartment,andonlyincreasedhersenseoflonelinessandisolation.HerquickearcaughtVanBerg\'smellowlaugh,evokedbyoneofMissBurton\'ssallies.
Itisadrearysensationtofindone\'sselfwhollyforgottenbymereacquaintances;buttofindthatwehavenoplaceinthethoughtsofthosewelove,seemsinacertainsenselikebeingannihilated.
ButforpoorIdawasreservedadeepersufferingstill,sinceshebelievedthatthemansheloveddidnotdismissherfromhismindindifferently,butratherwithaversionanddisgust.
Shefeltherisolationterribly.Towhomcouldsheturninhertrouble?Thethoughtofherfatherwasbothareproachandahumiliation.Hewasdriftinghopelessly,andalmostunresistingly,towardsfinalwreck,and,sofarfromseekingtorestrain,shehadaddedtotheevilimpetus.Sheshrankfromtheveryideaofconfidinginhergarrulous,superficialmother.Shefeltthathercousindetestedaswellasdespisedher.Theflatteredgirl,whoalittlebeforethoughttheworldwasatherfeet,nowfeltfriendlessandalone,scarcelytoleratedbyherownfamily,andscornedbyothers.