THE BROTHER OF DAPHNE by Dornford Yates

THE BROTHER OF DAPHNE by Dornford Yates
Chapter I Punch and Judy
Chapter II Clothes and the man
Chapter III When it was dark
Chapter IV Adam and New Year's eve
Chapter V The Judgement of Paris
Chapter VI Which to adore
Chapter VII Every picture tells a story
Chapter VIII The Busy Beers
Chapter IX A point of honour
Chapter X Pride goeth before
Chapter XI The love scene
Chapter XII The order of the bath
Chapter XIII A lucid interval
Chapter XIV A private view
Chapter XV All found
CHAPTER I
PUNCH AND JUDY
"I said you'd do something," said Daphne, leaning back easily in
her long chair.
I stopped swinging my legs and looked at her.
"Did you, indeed." I said coldly.
My sister nodded dreamily.
"Then you lied, darling. In your white throat," I said
pleasantly.
"By the way, d'you know if the petrol's come?"
"I don't even care," said Daphne. "But I didn't lie, old chap.
My word is- "
"Your bond? Quite so. But not mine. The appointment I have in
Town that day-"
"Which day?" said Daphne, with a faint smile.
"The fete day."
"Ah!"
It was a bazaar fete thing. Daphne and several others -
euphemistically styled workers- had conspired and agreed together
to obtain money by false pretences for and on behalf of a certain
mission, to wit the Banana. I prefer to put it that way. There
is a certain smack about the wording of an indictment. Almost a
relish. The fact that two years before I had been let in for a
stall and had defrauded fellow men and women of a considerable
sum of money, but strengthened my determination not to be
entrapped again. At the same time I realized that I was up
against it.
The crime in question was fixed for Wednesday or Thursday-so
much I knew. But no more. There was the rub. I really could
not toil up to Town two days running.
"Let's see," I said carelessly," the fete's on- er- Wednesday,
or Thursday, is it?"
"Which day are you going up to Town?" said Daphne. I changed
my ground.
"The Bananas are all right," I said, lighting a cigarette.
"They only ate a missionary the other day," said my sister.
"That's bad," said I musingly. "To any nation the consumption
of home produce is of vital- "
"We want to make sixty pounds."
"To go towards their next meal? How much do missionaries cost?"
"To save their souls alive," said Daphne zealously.
"I'm glad something's to be saved alive," said I.
Before she could reply, tea began to appear. When the footman
had retired to fetch the second instalment of accessories, I
pointed the finger of scorn at the table, upon which he had set
the tray.
"That parody emanated from a bazaar," I said contemptuously.
"It does for the garden," said my sister.
"It'd do for anything," said I. " Its silly sides, its crazy
legs-"
"Crazy?" cried Daphne indignantly. "It'd bear an elephant."
"What if it would?" I said severely. "It's months since we gave
up the elephants."
"Is the kettle ready?"
"It boils not, neither does it sing."
"For which piece of irreverence you will do something on
Thursday."
"My dear girl," I said hurriedly, " if it were not imperative
for me to be in Town- "
"You will do something on Thursday." I groaned.
"And this," I said, "this is my mother's daughter! We have
been nursed together, scolded together, dandled in the same
arms. If she had not been the stronger of the two, we should
have played with the same toys."
I groaned again. Berry opened his eyes.
"The value of a siesta upon a summer afternoon- " he began.
I cut in with a bitter laugh. "What's he going to do?" I said.
"Take a stall, of course," said Daphne.
"Is he? said Berry comfortably. "Is he? If motoring with
Jonah to Huntercombe, and playing golf all day, is not
incompatible with taking a stall on Thursday, I will sell
children's underwear and egg cosies with eclat. Otherwise- "
"Golf," I said, "golf! Why don't I play golf?"
"I know," said Berry; "because- "
"Miserable man!" said Daphne.
"Who?" said her husband.
"You."
Berry turned to me. "You hear?" he said. " Vulgar abuse. And
why? Simply because a previous engagement denies to me the
opportunity of subscribing to this charitable imposition.
Humble as would have been my poor assistance, it would have been
rendered with a willing heart. But there!" he sighed- " It may
not be. The Bananas will never know, never realize how- By the
way, who are the Bananas?"
"The Bananas?" said I. "Surely you know the- "
"Weren't at Ascot, were they?"
"Not in the Enclosure. No. The bold, bad Bananas are in many
ways an engaging race. Indeed, some of the manners and customs
which they affect are of a quite peculiar interest. Let us
look, brother, for a moment, at their clothing. At the first
blush- I use the word advisedly- it would seem that, like the
fruit from which they take their name- "
"I thought you'd better do some tricks," said Daphne, throwing a
dark look in my direction.
"Of course," I said; "the very thing. I've always been so good
at tricks."
"I mean it," said Daphne.
"Of course you do. What about the confidence trick? Can any
lady oblige me with a public-house?"
"She means trick-cycling, stupid," said Berry. "Riding
backwards on one wheel while you count the ball-bearings."
"Look here," I said, "if Berry could have come and smoked a
cigarette, I wouldn't have minded trying to flick the ash off it
with a hunting-whip."
"Pity about that golf," mused Berry. "And you might have thrown
knives round me afterwards. As it is, you'll have to recite."
In a few telling sentences I intimated that I would do nothing
of the kind.
"I will appear," I said at last, "I will appear and run round
generally, but I promise nothing more."
"Nonsense," said my sister. "I have promised, and I'm not going
to let you break my word. You are going to do something
definite."
"Desperate?"
"Definite. You have three days in which to get ready. There's
Jill calling me. We're going to run over to Barley to whip up
the Ashton crowd. D'you think we've enough petrol?"
"I don't even care," said I.
Daphne laughed softly. Then: "I must go," she said, getting
up. "Give me a cigarette and tell me if you think this dress'll
do. I'm going to change my shoes."
"If," said I, producing my cigarette-case, "if you were half as
nice as you invariably look- "
"That's a dear," she said, taking a cigarette. "And now,
good-bye."
I watched her retreating figure gloomily.
Berry began to recite 'We are Seven.'
Thursday morning broke cloudless and brilliant. I saw it break.
Reluctantly, of course; I am not in the habit of rising at
cock-crow. But on this occasion I rose because I could not
sleep. When I went to bed on Wednesday night, I lay awake
thinking deeply about what I was to do on the morrow. Daphne
had proved inexorable. My brain, usually so fertile, had become
barren, and for my three days' contemplation of the subject I
had absolutely nothing to show. It was past midnight before I
fell into a fitful slumber, only to be aroused three hours and a
half later by the sudden burst of iniquity with which two or
more cats saw fit to shake the silence of the rose-garden.
As I threw out the boot-jack, I noticed the dawn. And as
further sleep seemed out of the question, I decided to dress and
go out into the woods.
When I slipped out of Knight's Bottom into the sunlit road to
find myself face to face with a Punch and Judy show, I was not
far from being momentarily disconcerted. For a second it
occurred to me that I might be dreaming, but, though I listened
carefully, I could hear no cats, so I sat down on the bank by
the side of the road and prepared to contemplate the phenomenon.
When I say 'Punch and Judy show' I am wrong. Although what I
saw suggested the proximity of a Punch and a Judy, to say
nothing of the likelihood of a show, I did not, as a matter of
fact, descry any one of the three. The object that presented
itself to my view was the tall, rectangular booth, gaudy and
wide-mouthed, with which, until a few years ago, the streets of
London were so familiar. Were! Dear old Punch and Judy, how
quickly you are becoming a thing of the past! How soon you will
have gone the way of Jack-i'-the Green, Pepper's Ghost, the
Maypole, and many another old friend! Out of the light into the
darkness. The old order changeth, yielding place to new, and in
a little space men shall be content to wonder at your ancient
memory as their grandfathers marvelled at that of the frolics of
my Lord of Misrule. However.
There was the booth. But that was all. It stood quite alone at
the side of the white road. I walked round it. Nothing. I
glanced up and down the road, but there was no one in sight. I
had been feeling hungry, for it was seven o'clock; but this was
better than breakfast, and I returned to the bank. The little
red curtains fluttered, as a passing breeze caught them, and I
marked how bright and new they looked. It was certainly in good
condition- this booth.
"Well?" said a voice.
"Well?" said I.
A pause. A girl's voice it was: coming from within the booth.
"You seem rather surprised," said the voice.
"No, no," I said, "not really surprised. Only a little
staggered. You see, I know so few booths."
"What are you doing here?"
"To be frank, booth, I'm waiting."
"I'm waiting, too."
"So?" said I. "I wait, you wait, let us wait, ye shall have
been about to see, they would- "
"What are you waiting for?"
"Developments. And you?"
"My breakfast."
I looked up and down the road. "I don't see it coming," I said
anxiously. "What's it look like?"
"Milk. You don't happen to have any, I suppose?"
I felt in my pockets.
"There, now," I said, "I must have left it on the piano. I got
up rather hurriedly this morning," I added apologetically.
"Never mind."
"I'll tell you what, booth, I'll go and get some."
"No, thanks very much. Don't you bother; it'll come along
presently."
"Are you sure? This isn't 'The Blue Bird.'"
"Yes, it's all right- really."
There was another pause. Then:
"Hadn't you better be getting back to breakfast?" said the
girl.
"Not much," said I. "I don't run up against booths every day.
Besides- "
"Besides what?"
"Well, booth, I'm awfully curious."
"What do you want to know?"
"You're very good."
"I didn't say I'd tell you."
"I'll risk that. In a word, why are you?"
"Ah!"
I waited in silence for a few moments. At length:
"Suppose," she said slowly, "suppose a bet had been made."
"A bet?"
"A bet."
"Shocking! Go on."
"Well? Isn't that enough?"
"Nothing like."
"I don't think much of your imagination."
I raised my eyes to heaven. "A prophet is not without honour,"
I quoted.
"Is this your own country?"
"It is."
"Oh, I say, you'd be the very man!"
"I am," I said. "Refuse substitutes."
It gradually appeared that, in a rash moment, she had made some
silly wager that she could give a Punch and Judy show on her
own in the village of Lynn Hammer and the vicinity. Of course,
she had not meant it. She had spoken quite idly, secure in
the very impracticability of the thing. But certain
evil-disposed persons- referred to mysteriously as 'they'-had
fastened greedily upon her words, and, waving aside her
objection that she had no paraphernalia, deliberately proceeded
to provide the same, that she might have no excuse. The booth
was run up, the puppets procured. The gentle hint that she
wanted to withdraw had been let fall at the exact moment with
deadly effect, and- the wicked work was done. She had been
motored over and here set down, complete with booth, half an
hour ago. They were going to look back later, just to see how
she was getting on. The ordeal was to be over and the wager won
by six o'clock, and she might have the assistance of a native in
her whimsical venture.
"Right up to the last I believe the brutes thought I would cry
off," she said. "I very nearly did, too, when it came to it.
Only I saw Peter smiling. It is rather a hopeless position,
isn't it?"
"It was. But now that you've got your native- "
"Oh!" she said. Then: "But I've got one."
"Where?"
"He's getting the milk."
"I don't believe he is. Anyway, you can discharge him and take
me on. I've been out of work for years. Besides, you've been
sent. In your advent I descry the finger of Providence."
"I wish I did. What do you mean?"
"This day," I said, "I am perforce a zealot."
"A what?"
"A zealot- a Banana zealot. You, too, shall be a zealot. We
will unite our zeal, and this day light such a candle- "
"The man's mad," she said. "Quite mad."
I explained. "You see," I said, "it's like this. Simply miles
away, somewhere south south and by south of us, there are a lot
of heathen. They're called Bananas. I don't know very much
about it, but there seems to be a sort of understanding that we
should keep them in missionaries. So every now and then the
'worker' push here get up a fete thing and take money off
people. Then they find one and send him out. Well, there's one
of these stunts on this afternoon, and I've been let in to do
something. That's why I look so pale and interesting. The last
day or two I've been desperate about it. But now..."
"Now what?"
"If you'd let me help you to-day, we could take the show to the
fete and simply rake it in. It's a splendid way of winning your
bet, too. Oh, booth, isn't it obvious that you've been sent?"
"It certainly would be nicer than giving performances about the
village," she said musingly. "If only I knew you- "
"You don't know the fellow who isn't getting the milk," I
objected.
"That's different. He'd be only a servant."
"I would be the same."
There was a pause. A rabbit loped into the road and blinked
curiously at the booth. Then he saw me and beat a hasty
retreat.
"It is in a good cause," I urged. "You don't know the Bananas;
they're absurdly- er -straight."
"It's all very well for you," she said; "you know everybody
here. But it would be an impossible position for me; I don't
know a soul. Now, if we were both strangers- "
"Well?"
"Well, then they wouldn't worry as to who we were and what we
had to do with one another."
"Then let's both be strangers."
"How can you be strange to order?"
" Hush!" I said. "I will disguise me. At home I have put away
a Pierrot dress not one of them knows anything about, and I think
I
can raise a mask. If I- "
A stifled exclamation from the booth made me look up. Framed in
its mouth, her arms folded and resting on the ledge, was the
girl.
What I could see of her was dressed as a Pierrot. Her hair was
concealed under a black silk cap, and the familiar white felt
conical hat sat jauntily over one ear. A straight, white nose,
and a delicate chin, red lips parted and smiling a little, such a
smile as goes always with eyebrows just raised, very alluring- so
much only I saw. For the rest, a strip of black velvet made an
irritating mask.
I made her a low bow.
"I can see this is going to be a big thing," I said, " Won't you
come down?"
"I haven't even said I'll take you,"
"Please."
"You're sure to be recognized, and then, what about me?"
"Oh, no, I shan't. If necessary, I'll wear a false nose. I've
got one somewhere."
"Here's my milk."
I looked round and beheld a small boy approaching with a jug.
"Was that the best you could do in the native line?"
"You needn't sneer. I'm not over-confident about my second
venture."
"Well, a knave's better than a fool, any day."
"I'm sure I hope so."
She slipped down out of sight into the booth again, to reappear
a moment later in the road: and by her side a beautiful white
bull-terrier, a Toby ruff about his sturdy neck.
"Good man," said my lady, pointing a finger at me. "Good man."
The dog came forward, wagging his tail. I stooped and spoke with
him. Then I turned to his mistress. She had discarded her white
hat and drawn on a long dust-coat, which reached almost to her
ankles. She held it close about her, as she walked. It showed
off her slim figure to great advantage. Below, the wide edges of
white duck trousers just appeared above shining insteps and high
heeled shoes.
When the urchin had come up, she took the jug from him with both
hands.
"I shall have to drink out of it," she said, raising it to her
lips with a smile.
"Of course. Why not? Only ..."
I hesitated.
"What?"
"Hadn't you better- I mean, won't the mask get in your way?"
She lowered the jug and looked at me. "No; it won't get in the
way. Thanks all the same," she said steadily. "Not all to-day."
"It's in the way now."
"Not my way."
I saw her eyes watching my face as she drank, and when she took
the jug from her lips she was smiling.
We had some difficulty in persuading the boy to leave us; but at
length, a heavy bribe, coupled with the assurance that we should
be at the fete in the afternoon, had the desired effect, and he
went slowly away.
Thereafter we took counsel together.
As a result, it was decided that we should fold the booth -it
shut up like a screen- and convey it, puppets and all, a little
way into the wood. It was early yet, but some people would be
passing along the road, and we were not yet ready to combat the
curiosity that the appearance of a Punch and Judy show would be
sure to arouse. That done, she would lie close in the wood
with Toby, while I made off home and changed.
As I started off, after settling her in the bracken, I heard the
village clock strike the half-hour. Half-past seven. I gained
the house unobserved. No one was abroad except the servants, but
I heard Daphne singing in the bathroom.
I had worn the Pierrot dress two years ago at a fancy-dress ball.
There it lay with its mask at the bottom of the wardrobe. The
change was soon completed, and I stood up a proper Folly, from
the skull cap upon my crown to the pumps upon my feet. It took
some time to find the nose, but luck was with me, and at last I
ran it to earth in an old collar-box. Truly an appalling
article, it stuck straight out from my face like a fat, fiery
peg, but between that and the mask, my disguise would defy
detection.
Suddenly I had a brilliant idea. Sitting down, I scribbled a
note to Daphne to the effect that, owing to a sleepless night,
my nerve had forsaken me, and that, unable to face the terror of
the bazaar, I had fled to Town, and should not be back till late.
I added that I should be with her in the spirit, which, after
all, was the main thing.
I put on a long overcoat and a soft hat. The nose went into
one pocket, the mask into another. Then I went cautiously
downstairs and into the dining-room. It was empty, and breakfast
was partially laid.
In feverish haste I hacked about a pound of meat off a York ham
and nearly as much off a new tongue. Wrapping the slices in a
napkin, I thrust them into the pocket with the nose. To add
half a brown loaf to the mask and drain the milk jug was the
work of another moment, and, after laying the note on Daphne's
plate, I slipped out of the French windows and into the bushes as
I heard William come down the passage. A quarter of an hour
later I was back again in the wood.
She was sitting on a log, swinging her legs to and fro. When I
took off my coat and hat, she clapped her hands in delight.
"Wait till you see the nose," said I.
When presently I slipped that French monstrosity into place, she
laughed so immoderately that her brown hair broke loose from
under the black silk cap and tumbled gloriously about her
shoulders.
"There now," she said. "See what you've done."
"Good for the nose," said I.
"It's all very well to say that, but it took me ages to get it
all under the wretched cap this morning."
"I shouldn't put it back again if I were you. You see," I went
on earnestly, "everybody will know you're a girl, Judy dear."
"Why, Punch?" She drew aside the dust coat and revealed the
wide Pierrot trousers she was wearing.
"Priceless," I admitted. "But what I really love are your feet."
She
looked concernedly at her little, high-heeled shoes.
I stooped to flick the dust from their patent leather.
"Thank you, Punch. What shall I do about my hair, then?"
"Wear it in a pig-tail. I'll plait it for you. It'll be worth
another sovereign to the Bananas."
"If you put it like that-" she said slowly.
"I do, Judy."
If the suggestion was not prompted by motives which were entirely
disinterested, I think I may be forgiven.
"I say, Judy," I said a little later, pausing unnecessarily in
my work, and making pretence to comb with my fingers the tresses
as yet ungathered into the plait.
"Yes? What a long time you are!"
Well, there was a knot.
She tried to look round into my face at that, but I vigorously
unplaited about two inches, which seemed to satisfy her. For me,
I thought of Penelope and her web and the wooers, and smiled.
"Well, what is it, Punch?"
"About the mask."
"No good!"
"But, Judy- "
For the next two minutes I did a little listening. When she
paused for breath:
"Have some ham," I suggested.
"Bother the ham! Do you hear what I say?"
"I heard you bother the ham."
"Before that?"
"Something about a mask, was it?"
"Give me back my hair," she demanded.
"No, no," I said hastily, "not that! I won't ask again."
"Promise."
"I promise."
When I had finished the plaiting, I tied the ends with a piece
of ribbon which she produced, kissed them, and sat down in the
grass at her feet.
We had oceans of time, for the fete did not begin till two. But
we
agreed there must be a rehearsal of some kind.
"What do you know about yourself, Punch?"
"I have a foggy recollection of domestic differences."
"You used to beat me cruelly."
"Ah, but you had a nagging tongue, Judy. I can hear your defiant
'wootle' now."
Her lips parted in a smile at the reminiscence, and before they
closed again she had slipped something between them. The next
instant the wood rang with a regular hurricane of toots and
wootles.
"Oh, Judy!"
"Wootle?" she said inquiringly.
"Rather! But hush- you'll wake the echoes."
"And why not? They ought to be up and about by now."
I shook my head.
"They're a sleepy folk," I said; "they get so little rest. The
day is noisy enough, but at night, what with dogs baying the
moon, and the nightjars calling, when owls do cry- "
"When owls do cry- "
"- and the earnest but mistaken chanticleer, they have a rotten
time. Poor echoes! And they wake very easily here."
"Don't they everywhere?"
"Oh, no! I know some that are very heavy sleepers. In fact,
it's hopeless to try and wake them without the welkin."
"The welkin?"
"Yes, you make him ring, you know. They nearly always hear
him. And if they don't the first time, you make him ring again."
For a little space she laughed helplessly. At last:
"I am an idiot to encourage you. Seriously," she added, "about
the little play."
"Presently by us to be enacted?"
"The plot," I said, "is as follows. Punch has a row with Judy
and knocks her out. (Laughter.) Various well-intentioned and
benignant fools look in on Punch to pass the time of day, and
get- very properly- knocked out for their pains. (Loud and
prolonged laughter.) This is followed by the side-splitting
incident in which a handy clown not only eludes the thirsty
bludgeon, but surreptitiously steals the inevitable sausages.
Exit clown. Punch, already irritated at having missed clown,
misses sausages, and exit in high dudgeon. Re-enter Judy,
followed by sausaged clown, who comforts her. (Oh, Judy!)
Re-enter Punch. Justifiable tussle. Punch sees sausages and
begins to find his length. Clown sees stars and exit. Punch
knocks out Judy with a left hook. To him, gloating, enter
constable. It seems Judy's knock-out more serious than usual.
Constable suggests that Punch shall go quietly. Punch does not
see it, and retires to fetch persuader. Constable protests and
is persuaded. (Laughter.) Enter ghost- not clear whose ghost,
but any ghost in a storm. Punch unnerved. Ghost gibbers. Punch
more unnerved. Ghost gibbers again. Punch terrified. Exit
ghost and enter hangman, to whom Punch, unstrung by recent
encounter with apparition, falls an easy prey. Curtain. You bow
from the mouth of the booth. I adjust nose and collect money in
diminutive tin pail. How's that?"
"Lovely, Punch! But where does Toby dear come in?"
At the mention of his name the terrier rose and went to her.
His mistress stroked his soft head.
"In the background," said I. " Or the offing (nautical). I
don't think he'd better act. Let him be stage-door-keeper."
"All right. Now open the puppet-box."
It was a nice set of puppets, and they were very simple to
manipulate. They fitted easily on to the hand, the forefinger
controlling the head, and the thumb and second finger the arms.
The old fellow's cudgel was a dream.
We decided that I had better stick to Punch and Punch alone.
For the others she would be answerable.
After rehearsing for half an hour, we stopped for breakfast. In
the absence of cutlery, it was a ragged meal, but what mattered
that? We were for letting the world slip- we should ne'er be
younger.
People were stirring now. Carts rumbled in the distance, and
cars sang past on the long, white road. Presently came one that
slowed and slowed and stopped.
It was unfortunate that, but a moment before, I should have
grown impatient of a large piece of crust and thrust it bodily
into my mouth. But although articulation at this interesting
juncture was out of the question, I laid an eloquent hand upon
her arm and crowded as much expression as I could into a swollen
and distorted visage. She glanced at me and collapsed in silent
infectious laughter. And so it happened that, while we two
conspirators lay shaking in the bracken, her friends turned their
car wonderingly round and drove slowly back into the village away
from her they sought.
Another hour and a half of somewhat desultory rehearsal found us
'wootle' perfect and ready for anything. So we laid the puppets
by, fed Toby with brown bread and tongue, and rested against the
labours of the afternoon.
The time passed quickly enough- too quickly.
It was a few minutes past one when, having adjusted my mask and
slid my nose into position, I got the booth upon my shoulders
and stepped out into the road.
"Come along," I said encouragingly.
"I'm afraid. Oh, there's something coming."
"Nonsense! I wish I hadn't packed that bludgeon."
"I'm nervous, Punch."
"Will you make me drag you along by the hair of your head? Of
course, it'd be in the picture right enough, but I rather want
two hands for this infernal booth. However, let me once get a
good grip on that soft pigtail- "
"What- again?"
"Ah, that was in love, Judy."
The next second she had joined me on the white highway, the
faithful Toby a short pace behind her. His not to reason why.
A good fellow, Toby.
It was rather a nervous moment. But, in spite of an approaching
wagonette, she walked bravely beside me with the puppet-box
under her arm. The occupants of the vehicle began to evince
great curiosity as we drew nearer, but their mare caught sight of
my nose at the critical moment and provided an opportune
diversion.
"So perish all our enemies!" she said with a sigh of relief.
"Stage-fright, Judy, dear. You'll be all right in a minute.
We're bound to excite interest. It's what we're for and what
we want. I'll keep it going. Give me your wootler."
She handed me the reed, and I held it ready between my lips.
"Buck up, lass!"
Ten minutes more and we entered the village. The grounds where
the fete was to be holden lay three-quarters of a mile further
on. The ball was opened by two small errand boys, on whose
hands, as is usual with the breed, time was lying heavily.
They were engaged in deep converse as we came up, and it was only
when we were close upon them that they became aware of our
presence. For a few seconds they stared at us, apparently rooted
to the spot, and as if they could not believe their good fortune.
Then one broke into an explosive bellow of delight, while the
other ran off squeaking with excitement to find other devils who
should share the treasure-trove. But, unlike his infamous
predecessor, he was not content with seven. When he returned, it
was but as the van of a fast-swelling rabble. His erstwhile
companion, who had been backing steadily in front of me ever
since he left, and had, after a hurried consideration of the
respective merits of the booth and the box under Judy's arm,
rejected them both in favour of my nose, kept his eyes fastened
greedily upon that organ with so desperate an air of
concentration that I was quite relieved when he tripped over a
brick and fell on his back in the road.
And all this time our following grew. The news of our advent
had spread like wildfire. Old men and maidens, young men and
boys, the matron and the maid, alike came running. Altogether,
Lynn Hammer was set throbbing with an excitement such as it had
not experienced since the baker's assistant was wrongly arrested
for petty larceny in 1904.
Amongst those who walked close about us, candid speculation as
to the probable venue of the performance was rife, while its
style, length, value, etc., were all frankly discussed. Many
were the questions raised, and many the inaccurate explanations
accepted as to the reason of our being; but though my companion
came in for some inevitable discussion, I was relieved to find
that my panache and a comic peculiarity of gait, which I thought
it as well from time to time to affect, proved usefully
diverting.
When the crowd had begun to assume considerable proportions,
Judy had slipped her arm in mine, and an answering pressure to my
encouraging squeeze told me that she was trying to buck up as
well as she could. Good little Judy! It was an ordeal for you,
but you came through it with flying colours, though with a
flaming cheek.
When we reached the triangular piece of grass that lay in front
of the village inn, I called a halt with such suddeness as to
create great confusion in the swarming ranks that followed in
our wake. But while they sorted themselves, I slipped the booth
off my shoulders, gave one long, echoing call upon the reed, and,
striking an attitude, made ready to address the expectant
villagers.
After carefully polishing my nose with a silk handkerchief- an
action which met with instant approval- I selected a fat,
red-faced drayman, thanked him, and said that mine was a Bass, an
assertion which found high favour with the more immediate cronies
of the gentleman in question. Then I got to work.
After dwelling lightly on the renown in which the village of
Lynn Hammer was held throughout the countryside, not to mention a
gallant reference to the wit, beauty, and mirth which was
assembled about me, I plunged into a facetious resume of recent
local events. This, of course, came to me easily enough, but the
crowd only saw therein the lucky ventures of a talkative
stranger, and roared with merriment at each happy allusion. And
so I came to the Bananas. Yes, we were for the fete. There
should we be the livelong afternoon, giving free shows, and only
afterwards soliciting contribution from such as could afford to
give in a good cause. God save the King!
Then I called for mine host, and after ordering ginger beer for
Judy and old ale for myself, slapped silver into his hand, and
begged as many as would so honour her to drink the lady's health.
About that there was no difficulty, and when I had despatched
the original boy- who all this while had never wavered in his
constancy to my proboscis- for a small tin pail, I prepared to
get my burden once more upon my back. But this was not to be.
Four good fellows insisted on constituting themselves
booth-bearers, and the burly drayman gallantly relieved my fair
companion of the box of puppets.
So we came in state to the grounds where the bazaar was to be
held. The parley with the gatekeeper was of short duration,
for the 'workers' scented money in our admission, and, with an
eye to the Bananas' main chance, made us quickly welcome. On my
explaining our intention to put our efforts at their service,
and any increment that might result into their pockets, their
expression of gratitude was quite touching.
The entrance fee deterred some, and their daily occupation more
of those who had formed our kindly escort, from following us into
the fete, but I believe that most of them contrived to return
before six o'clock.
When I think of all that I said and did on that sunny afternoon,
I get hot all over.
I could not go very far wrong during the actual performance, but
it was afterwards, when Judy sat smiling in the mouth of the
booth, and I went forth, pail in hand, seeking whom I might
devour.
I drew my arm familiarly through that of a reluctant curate, and
walked him smartly up and down, discussing volubly the merits of
my nose in tones which suggested that I had no roof to my mouth,
Did a lady protest that she had already contributed, I repeated
"Oh, madam!" reproachfully and crescendo till the hush-money was
paid, while in front of those who affected not to see my
out-stretched hand, I stood as if rooted to the spot. I borrowed
the vicar's wideawake, ostensibly for a conjuring trick, and wore
it assiduously for the rest of the afternoon and, on his
demurring to such use, I explained, in the voice of G.P.Huntley,
that it went so well with the nose.
In short, I played the mountebank to a degree that astonished
myself, but apparently to some purpose, for the money came in
properly.
The performances went with a bang, and when, at the conclusion
of the playlet, I lifted Judy to the rickety shelf, so that her
head and shoulders were framed in the mouth of the booth, it was
the signal for a burst of applause.
On one of these occasions:
"It's not fair that I should take every call," she said, looking
down at my upturned face.
"My dear Judy, I have my reward."
"What?"
"Don't I lift you up every time?"
She laughed pleasedly.
"Gallant Punch, you're easily satisfied."
"Am I, Judy- am I?" I said gently, taking her hand.
"Yes," she said, snatching it away. " You are and will be. Go
out
and get the money."
I adjusted my nose thoughtfully. Daphne was, of course, in
great evidence. Anxious to run no unnecessary risk, I avoided
her when possible, and when I did find myself in her proximity, I
at once indulged in some of my more extravagant behaviour.
"Where's your brother?" I heard a worker say.
"Brother!" said Daphne bitterly. "Coward! And I really thought
we should have him this time. Fled to London before we were up
this morning, thank you. From the amount of food he took with
him, and the way he took it, anyone would have thought he was an
escaped convict. Guilty conscience, I suppose. One hears a good
deal about record flights nowadays, but I'd back my miserable
brother against any aviator. My husband's promised to look in
about five, if he's back from Huntercombe. That's something.
But they're a wretched lot. Oh, here's one of the Pierrots!"
I hung the pail on my nose and looked at her.
"As one of the organizers of the fete," she said hastily, "I must
thank you- "
"Nothing doing, madam," said I, in an assumed voice.
"But"
"Free list entirely suspended, madam," and I shook the pail
mercilessly.
A small and grinning crowd had begun to collect, so Daphne parted
up with a forced smile, and I went off chuckling to queer the
animals' race.
Our penultimate performance was over, and I was in the midst of
my vagaries again, when I saw Berry. Unanxious to tempt
Providence, I retired precipitately to the shelter of the booth.
My companion was sitting disconsolately upon the box on which she
stood to work her puppets.
"Is it time for the next show?" she said.
"Not for a quarter of an hour."
I sat down at her feet and removed my mask and nose.
"I'm afraid I persuaded your hand last time, Judy."
"You touched it."
"Let me look."
"It doesn't show."
"Let me look."
After examining the knuckles carefully, I turned my attention to
the soft little palm.
"Obstinacy," I said. "Obstinacy is clearly indicated by the
dimple situate below Saturn and to the right of the
watering-pot."
She tried to draw it away, but I tightened my hold and proceeded
with my investigation.
"A gentle and confiding nature, characterized by a penchant for
escapade, is denoted by the joy-wheel at the base of Halley's
Comet. And so we come to the life-belt. This- my word, this
is all right! Unrivalled for resistance to damp and wear, will
last three to six times as long as ordinary paint- I mean lifeof
extraordinary durability. Now for the heart-line. The expert
will here descry a curious mixture of-
Further investigation she cut short by so determined an attempt
at withdrawal that I let her hand go.
"Oughtn't we to be beginning again?"
"You're very eager for the last show."
"No, I'm not, but I want to get it over."
"Oh, Judy!"
She laid her hand on my shoulder.
"No, Punch, no, I didn't mean that. It's been- great fun."
"It's sweet of you to say that."
"It's not. Don't you think I've liked it?"
I leaned forward.
"Dear Judy," I said, "very soon it will be over, and we shall go
our several ways once more. And if we don't meet, as the months
and years go by, when other cleverer, better men walk by your
side, and glorious days crowd thick about you, throw a spare
thought to the old time when you were a strolling player, and the
poor fool you gave the honour of your company."
She turned her head away, but she did not speak.
"You'll not forget me, Judy?"
She caught her breath and slipped a hand under her mask for a
second. Then:
"Next show, Punch," she cried. "No, of course, I shan't.
You've been very good to me."
She was on her feet by now and busily arranging the puppets. I
groaned. The next moment she had wound a long call upon the
reed, which put further converse out of the question.
The last performance began. The first quarrel seemed to lack its
wonted bitterness. Punch appeared halfhearted, and Judy was
simply walking through.
I glanced at the girl and stroked her pig-tail- my pig-tail.
"Wootle," I said encouragingly. " Wootle, wootle."
She started at my touch. Then she seemed to remember, and flung
herself into her part with abandon.
When the ghost was on, I had a brilliant idea.
"Leave the hangman out," I whispered, "and put up Judy instead.
We'll have a reconciliation to finish with."
And so to Punch, sobered, shaking, cowering in the corner, with
his little plaster hands before his face, came his poor wife.
(Oh, but she did it well !) Gently, timidly, bravely, she laid a
trembling hand upon his shoulder, and coaxed his hands from
before his frightened eyes, then, backing, stood with
outstretched, appealing little arms- a gesture at once so loving
and pathetic that Punch was fain to thrust his sleeve before his
eyes and turn his face in shame to the wall. Softly went Judy to
him again, touched him, and waited. And as he turned again, to
find two little arms stealing about his neck, and a poor, bare,
bruised head upon his chest, he flung his arms about her with a
toot of joy, and clasped her in the accepted fashion. Oh, very
charming.
This was greeted with prolonged applause.
"Hold it," I said. " Hold the picture!"
As she obeyed I slid my left arm about her, ready to lift her up.
Suddenly Punch became limp and lifeless in his wife's embrace,
and with my freed right hand I slipped her mask over her
forehead, smiled into her eyes, and kissed them.
"I promised not to ask again."
"Punch!"
So for a moment we two let the world wag. Then the whole booth
fell heavily over, mouth uppermost, and we within it. It was the
final of the animal race that was responsible for our overthrow.
The black pig, blind with jealous rage and mortification at being
beaten on the tape by a cochin china, had borne violently down
upon the booth and upset it, with wicked grunts of satisfaction.
"Hurt, dear?" said I.
"No."
As she slipped her mask into place, Berry put his head in at the
mouth of the booth. Maskless, noseless, I looked at him. Slowly
his astonished features relaxed in a grin.
"So!" he said softly. "I might have known."
CHAPTER II
CLOTHES AND THE MAN
"This," said Berry, "is all right. By which I mean- "
We assured him we knew what he meant, and that no explanation
was necessary.
"All right," he said at last."There. I've said it again now.
You're quite sure you do know what I mean? Because, if you've
the least hesitation- "
"Will you be quiet?" said Daphne.
"Alright."
It was a beautiful August morning. After a roaring season in
town, we had, all five- Berry, Daphne, Jonah, Jill, and myselfgirded
our jaded loins, packed, crawled into the car, and rolled
down to Cornwall, there to build up the wasted tissues, go to bed
at ten, and forget that there were such things as theatres and
ballrooms.
We took a couple of days coming down by road, and our run was not
without incident.
I wish cyclists would not hang on behind.
In Kingston a monger's boy, with some fish that were patently
feeling the heat, took hold of the cape-hood. I spoke with him
after a little.
"The use of this hood," I said, "for heavy and bulky packages
involves risk of injury to passengers, and is prohibited.
Didn't you know that?"
He regarded me with a seraphic smile, nearly lost his life by
getting into a tram-line, and said I ought to know better than
to talk to the man at the wheel.
"Friend," said I, "I perceive you are a humorist. Lo, here in
this car are already three humorists. Under these unfortunate
circumstances, I have no alternative but to ask you to withdraw."
It was just then that the near hind tyre burst exactly under him.
We gave him half a sovereign towards buying a new bicycle, but I
believe he will always think we did it on purpose.
It had been arranged that we should spend the night at Salisbury
and push on to Cornwall on the following day. We made the
Cathedral city soon after five and slipped out to see Stonehenge.
There were a few other people there, and one or two of them
turned to watch our arrival. Berry left the car and went
straight to the nearest- a fat tradesman, wearing a new imitation
panama and a huge calabash.
"Can you tell me if this is Stoke Poges?" we heard him say. The
rest of us alighted and walked hurriedly away in the opposite
direction. Clearly my brother-in-law was in a certain mood and
no fit companion for the sensitive. Memories of the unutterable
torment, to which on like occasions we had been mercilessly
subjected, by reason of Berry's most shameless behaviour among
strangers, rose up before us. The fact that he called after us
caused Daphne to break into a run.
Our luck was out. When we had completed the circle of the
cromlechs, we came suddenly upon him. More to our dismay than
surprise he had become the centre of a little knot of
excursionists, who were listening to him eagerly. As we
appeared:
"Ah," he said to the interested company, "here is my Aunt!
She'll tell you. Aunt Daphne, wasn't it here that father lost
the string bag?"
"Wretched fool!" said Daphne under her breath, turning hurriedly
in the direction of the car.
Berry watched her retreat, and turned to his listeners with a
sigh.
"I'm afraid I've gone and upset her now," he said. "I oughtn't
to have reminded her of the untoward incident. It was the only
string bag they had, and it was an awful blow to her. It upset
him, too, terribly. Never the same man again. In fact, from
that day he began to go wrong- criminally, I mean."
The little group grew closer to him than ever. Like a fool, I
stayed to hear more.
"Yes," Berry went on, "in less than a month he was up at the Old
Bailey, under the Merchandise Marks Act, for selling Gruyere
cheese with too big holes in it. Five years his sentence was.
Let's see, he ought to be coming out in about- oh, about- When
does father come out, Cousin Albert?"
The excursionists gazed greedily at me- the felon's son. I
approached Berry and laid a hand upon his arm. Then I turned to
the little group.
"This fellow," I said, "has got us into trouble before. Those of
you who have motor-cars will understand me when I refer to the
great difficulty of securing a really trustworthy chauffeur.
Now, this man is honest and a most careful driver, but when he
is, so to speak, off duty, he is so unfortunate as to suffer from
delusions, usually connected with crime and the administration of
the criminal law. While we were having lunch at Whitchurch only
this afternoon, he went off to the police-station and tried to
give himself up for the Hounslow murder, didn't you?"
"Yes, sir," faltered Berry.
"And all the time," I went on, "I'm not at all satisfied myself
that he did murder the woman, although things certainly looked
rather black- "
"I did!" said Berry fiercely.
The crowd of excursionists recoiled, and a small boy in a green
flannel blazer burst into tears.
"Any way," I said, " there isn't anything like enough evidence
against you, so we won't argue it. Now, then, we want to be
going. Come along."
"Half a shake, sir," said Berry, feeling in his pockets."You know
that knife- "
The company began nervously to disperse. Some exhorted one
another to observe some feature of the cromlechs which was only
visible from some point of vantage on the side other to that on
which we stood. Others agreed that they had no idea that it was
so late, and the fat tradesman gave a forced shiver and announced
that he must have left his coat behind "that big one."
"I'll get it for you, sir," said Berry, opening his knife.
I was forced to admit that Stonehenge looked far more impressive
when apparently deserted, than with one or two tourists, however
genial and guileless, in a high holiday humour in the foreground.
At the same time, as we walked back to the car, I felt that I
owed it to myself to lodge a grave protest against the indecent
and involving methods my brother-in-law had seen fit to employ.
"After all," I concluded, "the fellow's your brother, and even
if his panama wasn't a real one, that's no reason why he should
be made to do the hundred in about twelve seconds. He wasn't in
strict training either. You could see that. Besides, why rope
me in? For yourself, if you must play the comic idiot- "
"He wasn't in the picture," said Berry."None of them were. That
kid's blazer absolutely killed the grass for miles around.
Didn't you see how brown it had gone? That," he added coolly,
"is the worst of having an artistic eye. One must pay for these
things."
After spending the night at Salisbury, we pushed on to the
Cornish coast. It was not until we were within three miles of
our village that we lost the way. When we found it again, we
were seven miles off. That is the worst of a car. However.
Stern is a place, where the coast-line is a great glory. The
cliffs rise there, tall, dark, majestic-grave, too, especially
grave. When the sky is grey, they frown always, and even the
warm rays of the setting sun but serve to light their grand
solemnity. Very different is the changing sea at their foot. At
times it will ripple all day, agog with smiling; anon, provoked
by an idle breeze's banter, you shall see it black with rage. In
the morning, maybe, it will sleep placidly enough in the
sunshine, but at eventide the wind has ruffled its temper, so
that it mutters and heaves with anger, breathing forth
threatenings. Yet the next dawn finds it alive with mischievous
merriment and splitting its sides with laughter, to think how it
has duped you the night before. The great grave cliffs and the
shifting sea, and, beyond, woodland and pastures and deep
meadows, where the cows low in the evenings, while the elms
tower above them, their leaves unshaken by the wind- it is not
difficult to grow fond of Stern.
And now we were sitting on the cliffs in the heat of the morning
sun, half a mile from the village and another from the places
where it was best to bathe.
After a while:
"Aren't you glad I made you come here?" said Daphne
triumphantly.
I sat up and stared at her sorrowfully.
"Well?" she said defiantly.
"You have taken my breath away," I said, "Kindly return it, and I
will deal with you and your interrogatories."
"I suppose you're going to say it was you- "
"It was. I did. I have. But for me you would not. You are.
I took the rooms. I drove the car nearly the whole way down. I
got you all here. I sent the luggage on in advance."
"With the result that it got here two days after we did, and I
had to wear the same tie three days running, and go down to bathe
in patent-leather boots, thanks very much," said Berry.
Beyond saying that I was not responsible for the crass and
purblind idiocy of railway officials, I ignored this expression
of ingratitude and continued to deal with Daphne.
"You know," I said, "there are times when I tremble for you.
Only yesterday, just before dinner, I trembled for you like
anything."
"It's the heat," said my target, as if explaining something.
"And my reward is covert reflections upon my sanity. Need I say
more?"
"No," said everybody.
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your kind attention. The
next performance will be at four o'clock this afternoon,
underneath the promenade pier."
I relapsed into comfortable silence and sank back into the
bracken. My sister got up from the clump of heather in which
she was ensconced, crossed to where I was, took my pipe out of my
mouth and kissed me.
"Sorry, old boy," she said; "you're not such a bad sort, really."
"Dear love," said I, "what have you left behind?"
"My bathing-dress, darling."
In spite of the fact that I returned to the hotel and got it,
they were positively rude about the bathing-cove I selected.
"Bathe there?" sneered Berry, as we looked down upon it, all
smiling in the sun, from the top of the cliffs.
"Thanks awfully, I simply love the flints, don't you, Jill?
Personally, my doctor bled me just before I came away. But don't
let me stop you others. Lead on, brother- lead the way to the
shambles!"
Of course, Daphne took up the running.
"My dear boy, look at the seaweed on the rocks! Why, we should
slip and break our legs before we'd taken two steps!"
"That"s all right," said Berry."We have between us three shirts.
Torn into strips, they will make excellent bandages, while for a
splint- "
"The cove," I said, "is ideal. Its sand is a field of lilies,
its sea perfumed, its boulders sweet-smelling cushions."
"Of course,"said Berry. "Why do you tarry? Forward, friends
all! This way to the drug department. To the lions, O
Christians! For myself, if I start at once, I shall be able to
get back with the coastguard's ambulance before you've been
lying there more than an hour or two, and I can wire for your
relatives at the same time."
"Anybody would think the place was an oubliette," said I. "As a
matter of fact, the path down is an easy one, there are no
flints, and there is a singular paucity of seaweed of any
description. On the other hand, the sun is hot, the sand is
soft, and I have already selected that rock, in the seclusion of
whose shade I shall prepare myself for the waves. Sorry it's too
dangerous for you. I'll write about some bathing-machines
to-night. Do you like them with red or green doors?"
Without waiting for their reply, which would probably have been
of the caustic and provocative type, I turned down the path I had
not trodden for some three years. At one of the bends I looked
up and saw them moving north along the coast-line.
I had the cove to myself, and was soon in my bathing-dress. The
water was magnificent. I swam out about forty yards, and turned
just in time to see Berry & Co. disappear in the distance,
apparently descending into a neighbouring cove. After a rest
on a rock, I set out to swim round and join them. It was further
than I thought, and I was glad to wade out of the water and lie
down on the sand in the sun. No sign of the others, by the way.
But hereabouts the coast was very ragged. It must have been the
next cove they were making for.
"Quite still, please," said somebody, and the next moment a
camera clicked.
"You might have given me time to moisten the lips," said I.
"I doubt if it would have done any good."
"Thanks, very much. By the way, I suppose you're The Daily
Glass? How did you find me out?"
"Rumour travels apace, sir."
"And I had been congratulating myself on eluding the Press since
breakfast. Well, well! Only this morning- "
"Dry up!"
I apostrophized the sea.
"I don't want to have to report the chap," I said, "but if - "
The camera clicked again.
"I'm not sure this isn't an assault," I said. "That it is a
trespass, I know. Who are your solicitors? And may I take it
that they will accept service? "(Here I rolled over and leaned
on my elbow.) "You do look fit. Just move your heel out of that
pool- there's an anemone going to mistake it for a piece of
alabaster. That's right! Oh, but, Mermaid, do tell me how you
keep your hair so nice when you're bathing?"
"Like it?"
"I love it."
"I simply don't put my head under."
"A most dangerous practice, believe me."
"It's worth the risk."
"I belive it is."
She was sitting on a low slab of rock, clad in a bathing-costume
of plain dark blue, and fashioned just like my own. Her dark
hair was parted in the middle and divided at the back into two
long, thick plaits which were turned up and hair-pinned round
the top of her head. Her features were beautiful and her eyes
big and dark as her hair. Her figure was slim and graceful, and
her arms and hands and feet were very shapely. One brown knee
was crossed over the other, and her left hand held the camera.
"I do have luck, you know,"I said.
"What luck?"
"Well, honestly, it's a great pleasure to meet you like this,
when I might have spent all day talking with my silly crowd and
never have known of your existence. Don't be afraid. I merely
mean that I am enjoying your society, and I'm glad I came round
the corner. I'm not in love with you, and I don't want never
to leave your side again, but- oh, you understand, Mermaid, don't
you? You look as if you could if you liked."
My companion stared out to sea with a faint smile on her lips. I
flung out an arm with a gesture of despair.
"Oh, if you knew how sick I am of the girl about town, the girl
of to-day, who won't be natural herself, and won't let you be
natural either, who is always bored, and who has no use for
anyone who isn't forever making mock love to her, or- Why on
earth can't a man tell a woman he likes her company, and mean
it, without the woman thinking he wants to kiss her, or marry
her, or something?"
I broke off and looked at her.
"Go on," she said."You interest me."
"Oh, Heavens," I said falteringly. "Why have you got such big
eyes?"
At this, to my discomfiture, she broke into peals of merriment.
"Before you looked at me like that, I was really enjoying your
company without wanting to kiss you."
"Steady!"
"Besides your eyes, there's your- Look here, it isn't fair."
"That'll do. I'll race you to that rock out there."
She was in the water first, but I beat her easily. We swam back
together, and she took her seat on the slab, while I stretched
myself on the sand by her side.
"You're a very singular man," she said after a while.
"I have been told so of many."
"And rather dull."
I sat up.
"Don't say you want me to make love to you!"
"Not much!" This emphatically.
"Ah, glad of a change, I suppose."
There was a silence, while she eyed me suspiciously. At length:
"I shall ask you to leave my cove if you're not careful," she
said.
"Mermaid," I said, "I apologize. I was unaware that I had the
honour to speak to the lady of the manor."
"Well, if you didn't really know who I was-- But you mustn't be
dull."
I drew her attention to a sailing ship in the distance. "Now,
that," I said, "is what I call a really good ship."
"Barque!"
"Barque, I mean. It must be- "
"About five thousand tons"
"Burthen. Exactly. By the way, I never know what that really
means unless it means that, if you wanted to lift it, you
couldn't."
"Try displacement."
"Thank you. It was off just such an one that I was cast away two
years ago come Michaelmas. We were just standing by in the
offing, when she sterruck with a grinding crash. There was a
matter of seventy souls aboard, and I shall never forget the look
on the captain's face as the ship's cat stole his place in the
stern-sheets of the jolly-boat. I was thrown up on a desert
island, I was. You ought to have seen me milking the goats on
Spyglass Hill."
"Did you wear a goatskin cap?"
"Did I Not!" And two muskets. But my snake belt was the great
thing. You see- "
"Which reminds me- I think it's about time I got civilized
again."
"Not yet, Mermaid," I pleaded; "the sun is yet high."
"You don't suppose I'm going to stay here all day, do you? We're
not on your precious island now."
"I only wish we were. I had my loaf of bread and jug of wine all
right, but the one thing I wanted, Mermaid, was- "
"A woman to keep him company without thinking he wanted to kiss
her, or marry her, or something. Whatever's that?"
I jumped to my feet and looked towards where she was pointing.
"It looks rather like- forgive me- a chemise."
"Good Heavens!"
Before I had time to move, she rushed into the surf and secured
the floating garment, made another dart at something else, and
was knocked down by a roller. I had her on her feet in a moment,
but she dashed the water out of her eves and looked wildly to and
fro over the sea.
What is it, Mermaid?"
She tried to stamp her foot; but the four inches of water in
which she was standing were against her.
"Can't you see, idiot? This is mine- this chemise- so's this
shoe. The tide's come up into my cave while I've been making a
fool of myself talking to you, and all my things are gone.
There's the other shoe."
"All right- I'll get it."
I got it, and one stocking, but though I swam about till I was
tired, and even climbed on to the rock, now almost submerged, to
which we had raced, I could see nothing else. I returned
temporarily exhausted to the cove. She waded out to meet me.
"Tell me exactly where your cave is," I said, as I handed her the
flotsam.
She showed me, and, after a moment or two's rest, I swam out and
round to the mouth, only to find the water too high to enter. I
did try, but a wave lifted me up to the roof, and I only saved a
broken head at the expense of a nasty cut on the back of my hand.
She was anxiously awaiting me, and listened to my report without
a word. When I had finished, she deliberately wrung the last
atom of water out of the derelict stocking, smoothed it out
carefully by the side of the chemise in the sun, laid herself
down on the sand, and burst into tears.
I tried to comfort her. I patted her shoulder and took her hand
in mine.
"Don't worry, Mermaid dear," I said."Trust me- I'll think of
something. I know. I'll swim round to my cove and dress, and
then go and get you some fresh clothes before anyone's the wiser.
See? I'll go now,"I added, getting up and licking the blood off
my hand. "You wait here and- "
I broke off abruptly, and one of the more violent expletives,
indicative of combined horror and amazement, escaped my lips
before I could stop it.
"What is it?" wailed the Mermaid.
On the crest of a wave, some thirty yards from the shore, danced
my grey hat. Beyond it, a little to the right, was something
which might be a shirt.
Stammering incoherent sentences, I staggered into the water and
swam for the hat. When I had caught it, I went on to get the
shirt. I would have gone on round the headland to my cove, only
the shirt was not my shirt. It was Berry's! Yes, it was- had his
name on it and all. And not ten yards away floated Daphne's
straw hat. For the next two minutes I was in imminent danger of
drowning. At last I began to swim feebly, blindly back. When I
reached the shore, I fell on my knees in the surf and laughed
till the eighth wave knocked me head over heels and the ninth
broke into my open jaws and choked me. The next moment the girl
caught me by the arm, and I stumbled out and lay down on the dry
sand with the shirt clasped to my breast. My hat had gone again
ages ago. Then I looked at the girl kneeling anxiously by my
side, and began to laugh again. She sat back on her heels, with
one hand to her lips and a scared expression on her face.
"He's mad," she said, half to herself, "mad! Must have been stung
by a jelly-fish or something. I've heard- "
I cut her short.
"Mermaid dear, I'm as sane as you are, only- "
"Only what?"
"Everybody's doing it"- she recoiled- "doing it! Listen to me.
True, that is your chemise. True, that out there is my hatthere
it is. But here is Berry's shirt, and miles out there is
Daphne's straw hat. If I'd stayed long enough, I've no doubt I
should have seen Jonah's trousers and Jill's chemisette, which
means or mean- whichever you like- that ...
Hurriedly I explained, and then fell again into uproarious
laughter. This time she joined me in my mirth. At length :
"But, after all," she said, "it doesn't make it any better for
me, because I'm all alone, while you're a party."
"I admit it has been said that Unity is Strength," said I, "but I
don't know that that exactly applies- "
"And I can't walk home like this, even with that on." She
indicated the chemise.
"Certainly not with that on: it'd only make it more indec- "
"More what?"
"Er- unusual. Indeed, it would."
She regarded me suspiciously. Then:
"What about you?"
"Me? How d'you mean?" I said uneasily.
"Well, couldn't you slip back to the hotel somehow? Quite
quietly, I mean, and- "
"I could slip all right," said I. "The short grass on the top of
the cliffs would help me there. But, my dear girl, how on earth
can I do anything quietly in this dress?"
"Everybody will be- "
"Just finishing lunch or sitting on the terrace. Thanks very
much."
"There's a back door."
"I never thought of that. Splendid! Leading to the kitchen, of
course. They'd never notice me there. And I could just drop in
at the office for the key of my room, and see if there were any
letters on the way up, and- My dear girl, how can I? I admit
I've a good deal of nerve, but there is a limit. I know one can
do most things nowadays, but- "
"But this is a special occasion."
"You seem to want to make it one."
"And it can't be helped. This sort of modesty's out of date."
"Not my date."
"Besides, everybody'd understand."
"I know they would. That's just what I'm afraid of."
"Well, we must do something, and if you- "
Suddenly there fell upon our ears the scrambling, clattering
noise which invariably accompanies the descent of anybody rash
enough to enter a Cornish cove with undue haste in leather-soled
shoes. The Mermaid darted behind a rock, and I advanced
gratefully up the foreshore to the fringe of stones. The noise
grew louder, and the slips more frequent, until there was one
long one, and then a thud. Up rose a fat oath. After a moment
or two, there limped into sight- oh, blessed spectacle!- one of
the hotel porters, conventionally hatless and coatless.
"Ah!" said I.
"The coastguard you sent hailed me, sir, across the fields
yonder. Said something had happened- he didn't know what- but he
heard the word 'hotel.' You see, you shouting to him from here,
and he being up on top, he couldn't hear anything else rightly,
so I came straight down."
"Why didn't be come down himself when- er- when I shouted?"
"He was taking a telegram to the post office sir. Said he told
you so; but I suppose you didn't hear."
Berry's coastguard. Berry's porter.
I told him that my clothes had been washed away, and that the
mermaid was in the same plight. I gave him implicit instructions
and, with her assistance, the numbers of our respective rooms.
He wrote it all down. He was to get some clothes for me himself,
and enlist the services of a chambermaid for my companion.
"Be as quick as you can," I said, as he turned to go. "You're
sure you'll know this cove again? They're all rather alike."
"That's all right, sir."
The next moment he was half-way up the path. If he had looked
back, he would have beheld the singular and doubtless pleasing
spectacle of the Mermaid and myself doing the real Argentine
tango along the stretch of yellow sand.
She did not see the blood on my hand for a minute or two. Then:
"My dear lad, what have you done to your hand?"
"Cut on the rocks, "I said laconically. "Nothing of any
consequence, I assure you. I shall be able to proceed home."
"After attention. Let me look at it."
And so it came about that, when the boots returned, my left hand
was bound up with a strip of chemise, and the bandage was tied
with the pale-pink ribbon that had lately lain upon the Mermaid's
shoulder.
We received him delightedly. The Mermaid's garments had been
placed by the thoughtful chambermaid in a little dressing-case.
Mine were tied together with a piece of string, after the manner
of costumes at Nathan's. But they were all right.
The girl started to dress behind a rock, and I told the fellow to
wait at the foot of the path. "I have reason,"I said, "reason to
believe that there are others even now in the same or self-same
plight as that in which you found us. Therefore remain within
call. Don't investigate for yourself. This is my show. But
don't go."
He promised.
Half an hour later he was once more on his way to the hotel with
a note from me for Daphne's maid, and the promise of half a
sovereign, while the Mermaid and I stood at the top of the path
which led down to the cove where the rest of my party were
chafing in exasperated idleness- with the exception of Berry,
that is. Prior to our arrival, he had been hovering about on the
top of the cliff, but the instant he descried us, and while we
were yet a great way off, he had retired precipitately, and was
now busy rejoining the others with Agag's walk and a profusion of
embryo profanity. He explained afterwards that if he had been
wearing his own bathing-dress, instead of a green and red striped
one- his own was being mended- he should have remained, but that
he did not like to be seen wearing the colours of the Redruth
Rangers before he had been elected.
After waiting a minute or two to compose ourselves and settle
finally our plan of action, we followed gaily in Berry's wake.
I was just saying in a clear voice that, perhaps, it was rather
soon after lunch to bathe again, when we came upon them the other
side of a large rock. One and all they sprawled easily on the
sand in the hot sunshine, as if care were a thing of the pastforgotten,
never known.
This was no more than I had expected of them. Al] of us hate to
be caught bending. Berry especially. That artist was busily
fashioning a miniature rampart of sand. He looked up at my
greeting, and rose to his feet.
I introduced them all to the Mermaid.
"We made friends at lunch," I explained, "over the lobsters."
Jonah winced.
"And then, as we wanted a walk, we thought we'd come along to
fetch you back to tea."
There was a polite murmur of appreciation.
"I must say," I went on, "it is glorious. I almost wish I'd
given up my lunch, too."
The Mermaid stiffened, but none of the others noticed the error.
I felt myself colouring like a fool.
"Aren't you going to bathe again?" said Berry.
There was the note of eagerness in his voice, and I saw a vision
of Berry in my clothes striding triumphantly homewards.
"I don't think so," I said carelessly. "Rather too soon after
lunch. But I'm going to take off my coat and sit down in the
sun."
After all, he couldn't do much with a coat.
The Mermaid was already seated between Daphne and Jill, talking
vivaciously. Jonah pretended to be asleep. After a furtive
glance at the top of the cliff, Berry resumed his building
operations with awful deliberation.
After a while:
"Well, if you aren't going to bathe any more, aren't you going to
dress?" said I.
"And leave this beauty spot?" said Berry. "Shame, shame on you,
brother! Go your ways if you will. 'Then wander forth the sons
of Belial.' You'll just be in time. But leave us here in peace.
I have almost evolved a post-futurist picture which will
revolutionize the artistic world. I shall call it 'The Passing
of a Bathe: a Fantasy. It will present to the minds of all who
have not seen it, what they would have rejected for lunch if they
had. To get the true effect, no one must see it."
"But if some one does?"
"I shall have already left the country."
This was too much for Daphne, and she asked Jonah to come and
help her to get some mussels. They walked away together.
"What on earth does she want mussels for?" said I.
"The garden paths," said Berry. "Our cobbles aren't wearing at
all well."
I turned to the Mermaid. She was chattering away to Jill, with
her back towards me. Over her shoulder, Jill's grey eyes
regarded me wistfully. I made a rapid calculation. Yes, the
porter ought to have arrived by now. I had told him to keep out
of sight till I called him.
I waited until Daphne and Jonah came strolling back empty-handed.
They had forgotten about the mussels. Daphne's brows were
knitted, and Jonah was looking ruefully at the sun. It was
getting on for half-past three. One could guess that much.
I rose and picked up my coat."I say, aren't you ever going to
dress any more?" I said.
Daphne swallowed before replying, and with the tail of my eye I
saw Berry start and wreck six inches of architecture. Then :
"Presently," said my big sister. "You two go on and order a big
tea at the farm, and by the time it's ready- "
"You can't have tea like that," I said. "There'll be a row."
In the dead silence that followed this remark, the Mermaid rose
and brushed the sand from her dress.
I went up to Daphne and kissed her.
"Don't think I'm not proud of you, darling, and Jill looks
lovely, too, but they wouldn't stand it, you know."
No one stirred except the Mermaid, and she, obedient to the
instructions I had given her, strolled naturally enough towards
the path up the cliff. The other four were looking at me
straitly- I could feel their gaze- wondering whether, whether I
knew.
I shaded my eyes with my hand and stared seawards.
"Do dress," I said absently.
"We shall dress when we want to," said Daphne sharply.
I turned to see the Mermaiden reach the path. A good start is
everything.
"If you really mean that," I said slowly, "I'll send your other
clothes back again. "Then I raised my voice:
"Porter!" I cried.
"Sir!" came from above us.
"Behold, now- "
I let the rest of the quotation go, as I wanted to rejoin the
mermaid, looking as she had last seen me. Berry said afterwards
that Jonah gained on me while the sand lasted, but the loose
stones at the foot of the path were my salvation.
As I passed the porter, I told him to say that a square meal
would be awaiting them at the farm. We ordered it generously
enough, but, despite our hunger, the Mermaid and I decided to
have our own tea at the hotel. Thither we set out to walk
through the fields. Suddenly she stopped as we were crossing a
deep lane.
"I don't know why you're here," she said.
"Try and think, Mermaid."
"You'd better go and have another bathe."
"Now, Mermaid, you know- "
"Afterwards you'll be wishing you had given up your tea, if you
don't."
"I knew we should have this," I said.
"Well, it wasn't very polite of you, was it?"
"It wouldn't have been."
"She eyed me scornfully for a moment. Then:
"I'm disappointed in you," she said.
"You'll be more so in a moment," said I.
"Why?"
"You're not going to have a change, after all."
"Don't say you're going to make- "
"Love to you? Yes, I am."
She looked me up and down for a moment.
"And this is the man," she said slowly- "this is the man"
"Who said he was not in love with you, and that he didn't want
never to leave your side again. Yes, it is. I might have known
better than to say a thing like that. All the same, it wasn't
meant for a challenge, Mermaiden."
She looked at me with a mischievous smile."And now- "
I broke off and took her small, brown hand. Up went the dark
eyebrows.
"I shouldn't like you to think that I thought you wanted to kiss
me," she said.
"I think nothing," said I. "But one thing I know."
"And that is?"
"That it would be a crime if I didn't. The very stones would cry
out."
"I don't think they would."
"I'm afraid they might," said I.
CHAPTER III
WHEN IT WAS DARK
Daphne pointed suddenly to the stile. "This is it," she said.
"We get over here and go across the meadow, and there's the wood
beyond the gate that we've got to- to- what's the word?"
"Encompass?" I hazarded.
"Skirt?" said Jonah.
"Skirt- thank you- till we come upon the carttrack."
"And then?" said I.
"Then we're all right," she said defiantly.
"Which means, that about two hours from now we shall, with a fine
disregard for the highest traditions of British pugilism, strike
the high road below the belt of firs, a good six miles from the
roof-tree we should never have left. God forgive you."
"Am I," said Berry, "am I to understand in cold blood that,
reckoning three miles to the league, some four leagues lie
directly between me and the muffins?"
"You are," said I.
"To think that my wife is a bag," he said wearily.
It was an autumn afternoon in the county of Devon. There were we
staying at a retired farmhouse, fleeting the time carelessly,
simply, healthily. Sickened by forty-eight hours of continuous
rain, we had fastened greedily upon the chance which a glorious
October day at length offered, and had set out, complete with
sandwiches, for one of the longer walks. Daphne constituted
herself guide. We never asked her to. But as such we just
accepted her. We were quite passive in the matter. Going, she
had guided us with a careless confidence which shamed suspicion.
But coming back, she had early displayed unmistakable signs of
hesitation and anxiety. Thereafter she had plunged desperately,
with the result that at three o'clock we found ourselves reduced
to a swine-herd who had been drinking. The latter detailed to
us four several routes, and assured us that it was utterly
impossible to miss any one of them.
To put it quite shortly, he was mistaken.
Within half an hour we had missed them all. Lost on a heath
(which I have every reason to suppose was blasted) in a strange
county, and not a soul in sight. That was the position.
We plodded in silence across the meadow.
"Didn't say anything about a bog, did he? said Berry, drawing his
left leg out of some mire with a noise that made me shudder.
Jill slid a warm arm into mine, and broke into long laughter.
"Don't encourage the fool," said Daphne.
We skirted the wood successfully to find that there never could
have been a cart-track.
Berry leaned against a wall of stones." What a picture," he said
ecstatically. "The setting sun, the little band, the matron and
the maid, mist rising, shadows falling- subject for next year's
Academy, 'The Walkers.'"
"Idiot!" said Daphne shortly.
"Do I hear aright?" said Berry.
"I said 'idiot.'"
Berry covered his face with his hat, and begged us to excuse his
emotion. Daphne stamped her foot.
"I have an idea," said I.
"If it's one of your usual ones, we don't want it," said Daphne.
"Thank you, dear. We are undoubtedly lost. No, that is not my
idea. But, as a would-have-been boy-scout, I recognize in this
spot a natural camping-place. That water is close at hand, we
know from Scout Berry. Jonah can take the first watch, Berry the
second, Jonah the third, and- and so on. My own energy I shall
reserve for the dog-watch."
"Oh, stop him, somebody," wailed Daphne.
"I said dog-watch, dear, not stop-watch. Before we bivouac I
will scale yon beetling mount if peradventure I may perceive one
that will point us homeward. Scout Berry!"
"Sir," said Berry.
"You know your duties!"
"I do that, sir."
"Tis well. If the worst comes to the worst, kill the women out
of hand, or with your own hand- I don't care which. Age before
honesty, you know."
With that I left them, and turned to climb the hill which rose
sharply on our right, its side dotted with furze-bushes, and its
crest hidden by a clump of trees.
Five minutes later I was back among them again.
"Well," said Daphne eagerly, "you haven't been right to the top,
have you?"
"Oh, no. I only came back to say that when I said 'Age before
honesty' just now, I really meant 'Death before dishonour,' you
know," and I turned up the bank again.
I regret to say that Berry and Jonah thought it decent to
attempt to stone my retreating figure. Ten minutes' walking
brought me to a clearing on the top, which afforded a magnificent
view. Hill and dale, woodland and pasture, stone wall and
hedgerow, as far as I could see. The sinking sun was lighting
gloriously the autumn livery of the woods, and, far in the
distance, I could see the silver streak of the river flowing to
the village on whose skirts stood the house that was our bourne.
When I returned to the camp to find them gone I was rather bored.
The note that they had left made it worse:
"Regret compelled retire owing to serious outflanking movement on
part of the Blues. Sorry, but that's the worst of being picket.
The natural intuition which characterizes all BSS will enable you
to discern our route. So long."
Although I tried four times- mainly because Jonah had my
matches- I was unable to discern their route. At last I came
down to shouting, but only succeeded in arousing the curiosity of
three cows and a well-nourished ram. The latter was so well
nourished that when he had stamped for the second time, I thought
it prudent to get over the wall. I did so with about four
seconds to spare. Nothing daunted, the winning animal took a
short run and butted the wall with surprising vigour. When three
large stones had fallen for seven runs, I offered up a short
prayer that Berry & Co. might return to look for me, and hastened
to put two more walls between us. I suppose it was the river
that I saw in the distance, from the summit of that fair hill...
Three and a half hours later I came upon the first signs of
animal life as opposed to vegetable- since the ram. Up hill,
down dale, along roads, along imitation roads, along future
roads, along past roads, across moors I had tramped doggedly,
blindly, and rather angrily. If I had had one match- only one
match- it would have been different.
Yes, it was a dog-cart. And through the gloom I could distinctly
see the shape of some one sitting in it, holding the reins.
I quickened my steps.
"I say, have you got a match?"
A girl's voice.
"That's about the worst thing you could have said." said I.
"Why?"
"Because a match is the one thing I've been wanting for the last
four hours."
"Sorry. Swear for me, will you?"
"Certainly, madam. What sort of an oath would you like? We have
a very large assortment in stock- fresh lot in only this
afternoon. Let me see. Now, I've got a very nice thing in
oaths- "
"I want a round one."
"Round? Certainly. And the usual black, I presume. We have
been doing rather a lot in the way of blue oaths lately. No?
Damn. How do you like that, madam?"
"That'll do."
"Much obliged to you, madam. Sign, please. Nothing else I can
show you? Nothing in the curse line?"
"No, thanks. Good day."
There was a pause. Presently:
"I said 'good day,'" said the girl.
"Yes," said I; "but, then, we were only playing."
"Oh, were you?"
"Any way, you haven't paid yet," I said desperately.
"How much do you want? It was a very common oath."
"I've plenty more, if you like. For instance- "
"Hush! Not before the mare. What's your price?"
"The privilege of accompanying you on foot till we can get a
light. You can't drive at more than a walking pace on this road
without lamps. And it's not right for you to be alone."
"You are very good. But are you going my way?"
"I've not the faintest idea."
"Are you lost, then?"
"Hopelessly. Have been for hours."
"Where do you want to get to?"
"A farmhouse three miles out of Lorn."
"Which side of Lorn?"
"Well, if I'm the same side of Lorn as I was at one o'clock this
afternoon, it's the other side."
"Well, but aren't you?"
"My dear girl, I don't know."
She laughed. "Well, I'm going to Lorn, any way," she said, "so
come along."
"Heaven will reward you," said I, and climbed into the cart.
"You'd better drive."
I took the reins. We had to go very slowly, for it was one of
the imitation roads, and when we were not scaling an ascent that
positively beetled, we were going down a descent which I was
glad it was too dark to see. After a minute or two, I took the
near wheel eighteen inches up the bank.
"Sorry," said the girl, as she disengaged herself from my neck
and arms and resumed her seat, "but it was your fault for taking
it up the bank."
"I know. I hope you weren't frightened. I'm awfully sorry."
"You drive rather well, considering."
"Steady the Buffs. Considering what?"
"Considering it's your first shot."
In silence I gave her the reins.
"After that," I said icily," after that there is no more to be
said. Was it for this that, at the age of four, I was borne by
two reluctant goats along the Hastings strand? Pardon me, those
last six words comprise an iambic line- a fact which is itself
the best evidence of my agitation. It is a little winning way I
have. Most criminals when charged make no reply. When I am
arrested, I shall protest in anapaests. As I was saying, was it
for this- ?"
"Stop, stop," she said, laughing; "you drive all rightbeautifully."
I took the reins again.
It was getting very cold, and I put the rug carefully about her.
"You're very good," she said,"but wait."
I felt her hand on my knee.
"Oh, you haven't got any of it."
She would have untucked it again if I hadn't caught her wrist.
"That's all right," I said. "I'm not allowed rugs."
"Nonsense."
"My dear, doctor's orders. The last thing the great Harley
Street specialist said to me, as I pushed the two pounds two
shillings beneath the current number of The Lancet, was, 'Now,
mind, no rugs. Eat and drink what you like. Smoke in
moderation, and get up as late as you please. But no rugs.'"
As the wrist felt unconvinced, I slipped it through my arm, where
it lay comfortably enough.
"Do vou often do this sort of thing?" I said presently.
"Get late coming home and have no lights? Not often."
"I'm glad of that- I'm sure it's very dangerous. Good whips like
myself aren't as common as blackberries. And so few tramps one
meets nowadays can drive really well."
"I don't look as if I'd got any money, do I?"
"Well, you don't look anything just now, as it's too dark to see;
but you sound like a wrist-watch and a chain- purse."
"How did you know?"
"Intuition," I said carelessly. "You see I'm a boy-scout."
"Feel."
She laid a slim, warm wrist against my cheek. I distinctly felt
the cold round glass of a wrist-watch.
"And I've got a chain-purse in my bag."
"Ah!"
"Go on, boy-scout. Tell me what I look like in the daytime."
"You have ear-rings and your face is rather cold. About the kind
of ear-rings I am not certain."
"How did you know that?"
"I found that out, when- er- when we went up the bank."
"Oh!"
"Yes," I went on hurriedly," and- "
"Am I dark or fair?"
Ilooked hopelessly at where I knew my companion was sitting.
Then:
"Dark," I said, after a minute. "Dark, with long eyelashes and
two brown eyes."
"Two!"
"Yes, I think so. You sound extravagant."
"Dimples?"
"I think not."
"Nose?"
"Yes."
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, please, teacher."
"Nonsense. What did you mean by 'yes'?"
"Sorry. I thought you were asking me if you'd got a nose, and I
think you have. That's all. Sorry if I'm wrong, but when
you're in the dark- "
"Yes, but what sort of nose?"
Here I got the near wheel up the bank again with great effect.
When we had sorted ourselves:
"If you do that again," she said severely, "I'II leave you in the
road- "
"In the what?"
"In the road to find your own way home as best you can."
"You have a hard nose," I said doggedly. I was almost sure that
the ear-rings were pearl ear-rings.
There was a pause. The cold was making us silent. My fingers
were getting numbed, but I dared not chafe them. I was afraid of
the rug.
"You're not doing much for your drive," she said presently. "Do
say something."
"You want to converse?"
"Yes."
"Very well, then. I didn't see you at Blackpool this year."
"That's curious."
"Yes, isn't it? What's your recreation? Forgive my seeming
inquisitiveness, but I've just joined the staff of Who's Who."
"What?"
"No, who?"
"Recreation?"
"Yes. Hobby, amusement. Don't you collect cats or keep stamps
or motor-boat or mountebank, I mean mountaineer, or anything?"
"No."
"Never mind. I expect you know Oldham rather well, don't you?"
"Not at all."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"Because I don't know it either, and I thought- "
"What?"
"Well, you know, we ought to know Oldham- one of us ought to. It
was a Unionist gain last time."
"Are you a Unionist?"
"My dear, you see in me- at least you would see in me, if it were
not so dark- a high Tory."
"I thought you were a boy-scout."
"The two are not incompatible. Did you see that thing in Ally
Sloper last week?"
"No, I didn't. Here's a gate."
I got down and opened it, and she drove carefully through.
It was the first of seven gates. By the time we had done six, I
was becoming good at getting up and down, but rather tired.
As I resumed my seat for the sixth time, I sighed. For the sixth
time she returned me the reins.
"You don't take much care of your clothes, boy-scout," she said.
"Nearly all the men I know hitch up their trousers when they sit
down."
"Perhaps they're sailors."
"No, they aren't."
"My dear girl, I don't know how you can see I don't, but I don't
because I haven't got any on. I mean, I'm wearing breeches."
"Would you hitch them up if you had got on trousers?"
"Let's see, to-day's Thursday. Yes, I should."
"Why do men always bother so about their knees?"
"Take care of the bags, and the coats will take care of
themselves," I observed sententiously.
"But why- ?"
Here we came apon the seventh gate.
I groaned.
"Six gates shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do,
but the seventh- "
"Out you get, boy-scout."
I laid a hand on my companion's shoulder. "Are you an
enchantress?" I said. "At least, of course you are. But I mean,
is this the way to your castle, Circe? And am I going to be
turned into a herd of swine presently? They always have seven
gates and a dense forest through which I cut a path with my
sword, which, by the way, I have left in the tool-shed, unless
perchance, maiden, thou hast filched it from my side this last
half-hour. Note the blank verse again. I may say I am looking
at you narrowly."
"Fret not for thy sword, Sir Scout." she replied,
"neither flatter thyself that Circe wastes her spells on all who
come her way. Those only will she lure who- "
"I simply love your voice," I said.
"Get down and open the gate."
I did so, and climbed slowly back.
"It's all right," she said, "We haven't got much further to go."
"I'm sorry for that."
"Sorry?"
"Certainly. I've enjoyed this awfully. It's rather funny, isn't
it? Our meeting in the dark like this and driving all these
miles together and not being able to see each other once."
"Unique, I should think."
"Yes, it's rather like being in a cell next to some one and
talking by rapping against the wall."
"Is it?"
"Yes, it reminds me awfully of my young days at Brixton."
"Were you at school there?"
"Yes, for five years, before I went to Dartmoor."
"Oh, were you at Dartmoor? I had a cousin there a year or two
ago. But he's out now. His name was Taber."
"What! Not Billy Taber?"
"That's right."
"This is very strange, Circe."
"Yes, boy-scout. Round to the left here. That's right. Only
three more miles. This is Dilberry Farm."
"Dilberry! Why, that's- "
"Where you're staying?
I gulped, and laid the whip over the mare's shoulders.
"No," I said doggedly," it's not."
She laid two firm little hands on my left and pulled the mare up.
"Anything the matter? "said I.
"Say 'good-bye' like a good boy-scout and thank the kind lady for
giving you a lift, and then run along home," she said sweetly.
"What are we stopping for?" I said. "You can't get a good view
from here to-day. It's too hazy."
"Go on."
"But, Circe- "
"Be quick. I'm awfully cold."
"Won't you come in and get warm before you go on, or borrow
another rug, or- "
"No, thanks awfully, I must get home."
"Mayn't I see you there? I can easily walk back."
"No, thanks awfully, boy-scout."
"You mean it?"
"I do."
"I gave her the reins and got heavily out of the dog-cart. She
moved on to the seat I had vacated and I put the rug carefully
round her feet. Suddenly I remembered.
"Stop," I said. "Let me get some matches. At least your lamps
shall be lighted."
Not a bit of it. Said she didn't want them lighted. Simply
wouldn't have it.
While I was speaking, my fingers had mechanically strayed to the
ticket pocket of my coat, where I sometimes carry my matches
loose.
"By George !" I said.
"What is it?"
"I've just found a bit of a match--with the head on."
"Oh, boy-scout, and you've had it all the time."
"Yes, but it wouldn't be enough to light the lamps with."
"Oh!"
"Not the lamps."
"What would it be enough for?"
"A face, Circe."
"Good-bye."
"Stop, Circe. Two faces."
"How?"
"Well, I'11 strike it on the tire, and then hold it between us.
"All right."
"It'll only last a second- it's not a quarter of an inch long.
You'll have to bend down."
"Go on."
"Nerve yourself for the shock, Circe. Think you can stand it?"
"I'll try. Keep your back to the mare."
"Thank you."
I heard her lean over and struck the match on the tire, I raised
it cautiously, sheltering it with my hands. Just as I was about
to raise my eyes:
"Thank you," she said, very softly, and blew it out.
I laid my hands on her shoulders.
"I won't say 'damn,'" I said. "I'Il say 'good-bye' instead,
like- like a good boy-scout."
"Say it then."
I said it.
"Oh, but that isn't- "
"Yes," I said. "It's a new rule."
When the clatter of the mare's hoofs had died away in the
distance, I walked slowly up to the farm. I was quite sure about
the ear-rings this time. At least, about the one in her left
ear.
"Ah," said Daphne, as I entered the room,"where have you been all
this time?"
All things considered, I thought that was rather good.
"I don't think I've been into Cornwall," I said,"but I've done
Devon pretty thoroughly."
"We went back for you."
"Ah!"
"Why do you say 'Ah!' ?"
"Oh, I don't know. Didn't see anything of a ram, did you?" I
added carelessly.
There was a pause.
"Not until after he'd seen Berry," said Jonah.
"Ah, where is Berry?"
"Upstairs," said Daphne.
"He did- er- see Berry then?"
"Yes."
"Er- how did he see him? I mean- hang it, I didn't bring the
beastly ram there."
"You left him there," said Daphne.
"I know: but you can't pick up every tame ram you meet.
Besides- "
"Tame!" said Jonah. "Good Lord!"
He saw Berry, you say? Did he see him well?"
"I think he'd have seen him home, if it hadn't been for the
brook."
"Courteous beast. He saw him as far as that, did he?"
"He saw him half-way across."
I regret to say I laughed so immoderately that I never noticed
that Berry had entered the room, until he clapped me on the
shoulder.
"It was a neat revenge," said that gentleman; "very neat, my boy.
But you deserve six months for it."
"Hang it," I said, "you seem to think I- "
"I should certainly have haunted you," said Berry.
Six weeks had sloped by.
The train ran slowly into the station. I got out. Then I
remembered my umbrella and got back. Then I got out again.
"Porter,"I said.
The individual addressed turned round, and I saw it was the
station-master. For a few moments he regarded me with
indignation, obviously wondering whether he would be exceeding
his duty if he ordered me to be flung to the engine. Two
inspectors hovered longingly near him. Then he said "Chut!" and
turned away.
I fought my way the length of the platform to the vicinity of the
luggage van. Four porters were standing looking moodily at the
luggage already upon the platform.
I touched one on the shoulder.
"Yes," I said," it's a nice bit of luggage, isn't it?"
He said it was.
"Don't you think it's that dressing-case that does it? Lends an
air of distinction to the rest. Bucks it all up, as it were,
eh?"
Before he could reply:
"So you're down for the week-end too," said a voice I should have
recognized amid the hubbub of the heavenly choir. " Staying at
Watereaton?
It was she.
Such a pretty girl. Very fair, very blue eyes, a beautiful skin,
and- yes, a dimple. She was wearing a long, fur coat, while a
little black felt hat with a ghost of a brim leaned exquisitely
over one of the blue eyes. Her hands were plunged into deep
pockets, but a pair of most admirable legs more than made good
the deficit.
I sighed.
"Disappointed?" she said.
"Not in you- you're beautiful. But in myself. Yes, I shall
resign."
"Resign?"
"My scout-hood."
"You were wrong about my hair, but- "
"But what?"
"You knew me again, at any rate."
"But of course. You've the same voice and the same dear laugh,
and- yes, you've got- "
"What?"
"The same ear-rings," said I.
Chapter IV
ADAM AND NEW YEAR'S EVE
Jonah rose, walked to the window, pulled the curtains aside, and
peered out into the darkness.
"What of the night?" said I.
"Doth the blizzard yet blizz?" said Berry.
"It doth," said Jonah.
"Good," said Berry. Then he turned to Daphne. "Darling, you
have my warmest Yuletide greetings and heartiest good wishes for
a bright New Year. Remember the old saying:
"You may have move pretentious wishes,
But more sincere you can't than this is."
"Do you believe it's going on like this?" said his wife.
"Dear heart- two words- my love for you is imperishable. If it
were left at the goods station for a month during a tram strike,
it would, unlike the sausages, emerge fresh and sweet as of yore.
I mean it."
"Fool," said Daphne. "I meant the weather, as you know."
"A rebuff," said her husband. "Do I care? Never. Strike me in
the wind, and I will offer you my second wind for another blow. I
did not forget everything when I married you. But to the
weather. This berlizzard- German- has its disadvantages. A
little more, and we shan't be able to bathe to-morrow. Never
mind. Think of the Yule log. Noel." Here he regarded his empty
glass for a moment. "Woman, lo, your lord's beaker requires
replenishing. I ought not to have to tell you, really.
However."
Daphne selected one of the harder chocolates, took careful aim,
and discharged it in the direction of her husband's face. It
struck him on the nose.
"Good shot," said I. "That entitles you to a vase. If you like,
you can have another two shots instead."
"I'll take the vase," said my sister. "For all the area of the
target, I mightn't hit it again."
"A few years ago," said Berry, "you would probably have been
pressed to death for this impious display. In consideration of
your age, you might instead have been sent to a turret."
"What's a turret?" said Jill.
"Old English for bathroom, dear, and kept there till you had
worked the murder of Becket in tapestry and four acts. I shall
be more merciful. When you can show me a representation of the
man who drew Slipaway in the Calcutta Sweep trying to believe
that it wouldn't have won, even if it hadn't been knocked down
when it was leading by nineteen lengths- "
"Very brilliant," said Daphne, "but the point is, what are we
going to do about to-morrow night?"
"If it goes on like this, we can't go."
"Oh, but we must," said Jill.
"My dear, I'm not going out in this sort of weather without
Sjvensen, and he may be too busy to leave town. Besides, the
blubber hasn't come yet."
"Couldn't we get hold of Wenceslas?" said I. "He's getting five
million a week at the Palliseum. Makes footprints there twice
daily in real snow. The audience are invited to come and tread
in them. They do, too, like anything. Happily, Wenceslas is
famed for the size of his feet. But you can't expect a man to
leave- "
"But it can't go on like this," said Daphne
"My dear, English weather is like your dear self- capable of
anything. Be thankful that we have only snow.
If it occurred to it to rain icebergs, so that we were compelled
willy or even nilly to give up sleeping out of doors, it would do
so. Well, I'm tired. What about turning out, eh? Light the
lanthorn, Jonah, and give me my dressing-gown."
"If you want to make me really ill," said Daphne, "you'll go on
talking about bathing and sleeping out of doors.
"Berry laughed a fat laugh. "My dear," he explained, "I was only
joking."
We were all housed together in an old, old country inn, the inn
of Fallow, which village lies sleeping at the foot of the
Cotswold Hills. We knew the place well. Few stones of it had
been set one upon the other less than three hundred years ago,
and, summer and winter alike, it was a spot of great beauty
-comparatively little known, too, and far enough from London to
escape most tourists. The inn itself had sheltered Cromwell, and
before his time better men than he had warmed themselves at the
great hearth round which we sat. For all that, he had given his
name to the panelled room. Our bedrooms were as old,
low-pitched and full of beams. The stairs also were a great
glory. In fact, the house was in its way unique. A discreet
decorator, too, had made it comfortable. Save in the Cromwell
room, electric light was everywhere. And in the morning
chambermaids led you by crooked passages over uneven doors to
white bathrooms. It was all right.
Hither we had come to spend Christmas and the New Year. By day
we walked for miles over the Cotswolds, or took the car and
looked up friends who were keeping Christmas in the country, not
too manv miles away. The Dales of Stoy had been kind, and before
the frost came I had had two days' hunting with the Heythrop.
And to-morrow was New Year's Eve. Four miles the other side of
the old market town of Steeple Abbas, and twenty-one miles from
Pallow, stood Bill Manor, where the Hathaways lived. This good
man and his wife Milly were among our greatest friends, and they
had wanted us to spend Christmas with them. Though we had not
done so, we had motored over several times and they had lunched
with us at Fallow only the day before. And for New Year's Eve
the Hathaways had arranged a small but very special ball, to
which, of course, we were bidden. Indeed, I think the ball was
more for us than for anyone else. Anyway, Jim and Milly said so.
The idea was that we should come over in the car in time for
dinner with the house-party, the ball would begin about ten, and
when it was over, we should return to Fallow in the ordinary way.
Nobody had anticipated such heavy weather.
And now it was a question whether we should be able to go. Also,
if we went, whether we should be able to get back. The dispute
waxed. Daphne and Jill insisted that go we must, could, and
should. I rather supported them. Berry and Jonah opposed us;
the latter quietly, as is his wont, the former with a simple
stream of provoking irony. At length:
"Very well, ghouls," said Berry, "have your most wicked way.
Doubtless the good monks of the Hospice will find my corpse. I
wish the drinking-trough, which will be erected to my memory, to
stand half-way up St.James's Street. How strange it will sound
in future."
"What'll sound?" said Jill. "The new Saint's Day, dear-
Berrymas."
When order had been restored, Jonah suggested that we should
adjourn the debate till the next morning, in case it stopped
snowing during the night. As it was nearly one, the idea seemed
a good one, and we went to bed.
The morning was bright and cloudless. The cold was intense, but
the sun glorious, while the clear blue sky looked as if it had
never heard of snow. In a word, the weather was now magnificent,
and, but for the real evidence Upon the country-side, no one
would ever have believed such a cheery, good-natured fellow
guilty of a raging blizzard. But the snow lay thick upon the
ground, and it was freezing hard.
"We can get there all right," said Jonah, "but I don't see the
car coming back at four o'clock in the morning. No, thanks, I'Il
have marmalade."
"There's almost a full moon," said I.
"I know," said Berry, "but the banjo's being painted."
"We'd better stop at the inn at Steeple Abbas," said Jonah.
"If we can get as far as Steeple, we can make Fallow," said I.
"Remember, I'm driving."
"We are not likely to forget it, brother," said Berry. "If you
knew the difference between the petrol-tank and the gear-box-
"But I do. Petrol in one, tools in the other. However."
"Jonah's right," said Daphne. "We'd better stop at Steeple."
"Not I." said I.
"Nor me," said Jill. "Boy and I'll come back to our dear Fallow
and our nice big grate and our own beds."
"Good little girl," said I. Berry emptied his mouth and began to
recite "Excelsior."
At twenty minutes past three the next morning I drove out of the
courtyard of 'The Three Bulls', Steeple Abbas. Alone, too, for
it had begun to snow again, and although I was determined to
sleep that night, or what remained of it, at Fallow, I would not
take Jill with me for such an ugly run. As a matter of fact, I
had started once with her in the car, but before we had got clear
of the town, I had turned about and driven her back to the inn.
The people had evidently half expected her back, for, as we
stopped at the door, it was flung open and the landlord stood
ready to welcome her in. The next moment I was once more on my
way. In spite of the weather, the car went well, and I had soon
covered more than half the distance. I was just about to emerge
from a side-road on to the main highway, when a dark mass right
on the opposite corner against the hedgerow attracted my
attention. The next second my head-lights showed what it was,
and I slowed down. A great limousine, if you please, standing at
an angle of twenty degrees, its near front wheel obviously well
up the bank, and the whole car sunk in a drift of snow some four
or five feet deep. All its lights were out, and fresh snow was
beginning to gather on the top against the luggage rail.
I stopped, took out one of my side oil lamps, and, getting out of
the car, advanced to the edge of the drift, holding the light
above my head. The limousine was evidently a derelict.
"You look just like a picture I've seen somewhere," said a
gentle voice.
"And you've got a voice just like a dream I've dreamed some time
or other. Isn't that strange? And now, who, what, where, why,
and how are you? Are you the goddess in the car, or the woman in
the case? And may I wish you a very happy New Year? I said it
first."
"Try the woman in the car."
"One moment," said I. "I know."
"What?"
"I know who you are. Just fancy."
"Who am I?
"Why, you're New Year's Eve."
A little laugh answered me.
"I know I've dreamed that laugh," said I. "However, where were
we? Oh, I know. And your father, Christmas, has gone for help.
If I know anything, he won't be back again for ages. Seriously,
how did what happen?"
"Chauffeur took the turn rather late, and next moment we were up
the bank and in this wretched drift. It wasn't altogether the
man's fault. One of our head-lights wouldn't work, and you
couldn't see the drift till we were in it."
"He might have known better than to run so close to the hedge
these days."
"He's paying for it, any way, poor man. He's got to walk till he
finds a farm where they'll lend him horses to get the car out."
Considering the hour and the climatic conditions, I don't suppose
the farmers will come running. I mean they'll wait to put some
clothes on."
"Probably. Besides, he doesn't know the district, so he's up
against something this little night."
"Of all nights, too, Eve! But what about her, poor lass?"
"Oh, I'm all right."
"You must be. But don't you find it rather hot in there? Can I
turn on the electric fan?"
"I've been making good resolutions to pass the time."
"Hurray! So've I. I'm going to give up ferns. And you can tell
me yours as we go along."
"Go along?"
"Yes, my dear. Didn't I tell you I was a highwayman? I only
left York two hours ago."
"Quick going."
"Yes, I came by the boat train, with Black Bess in a horse-box.
And now I'm going to abduct you, Eve. Your soul's not your own
when you're up against High Toby. I have a pistol in my holster,
a cloak on my back, and a price on my head. My enemies call me
Red Nat, me friends- "
I paused.
"What do your friends call you?"
"Adam," said I. "Let's see. You'll have to get out on the near
side, won't you? Wait a moment."
I plunged round the back of the car and opened the door.
Certainly it was terribly cold. While we had been talking, she
had been leaning against the side of the tilted car, with her
face close to the inch and a half of open window. Except for an
occasional flash, which had showed where her eyes were, I had not
seen her at all. Expectantly I raised the lamp and peered into
the limousine. Out of a huge fur rug a solitary eye regarded me
steadily.
"Only one eye?" I said. "How sad. How did it happen?"
The solitary eye went out, and then reappeared with a fellow.
"You remind me of the North Foreland," said I. "That's an
intermittent light, isn't it? Two winks and a blink every ten
seconds."
"I didn't wink." This in a plainly indignant, if muffled tonetoo
muffled for me. So:
"I beg your pardon," said I. A little hand appeared and pulled
the rug away from a small white nose and a mouth whose lips were
paler than they should be. But it was a dear mouth.
"I said I didn't wink."
"So you did. I don't mean you did, you know. I mean, I know you
said you didn't. I'm not sure I've got it right now."
"Never mind. I've only one brain, and at this hour of night- "
"The vitality of the human frame is at its lowest ebb. Exactly.
That's why you must let me get you out of this as quick as
possible."
"Oh, but I don't think- I mean- "
"My dear Eve, I know you come of an old-fashioned family- look at
your father- but Convention's going by the board to-night. I'm
staying at an inn about nine miles away. We'll be there under
the half-hour. There's supper and a fire waiting for us, Why,
yes, and you can have Jill's room. Of course, there'll be a fire
there, too, and everything ready. You see- "
Hurriedly I explained the situation. When I had finished:
"But what'll the inn people think?" she said, with big eyes.
"Oh, hang the inn people?"
"And supposing it got out?"
"I think the proceedings at the inquest would read worse, my
dear. Get up and come along at once."
"Oh, but you know I can't."
"You must. I'm serious. You'll die if you stop here much
longer, my dear child. Do you realize how cold it really is?"
A faint smile came over the gentle face, set in its frame of fur.
"Poor lass," I cried. "What a fool I am. Give me her hand, and
I'Il help her up."
"But what about Falcon?"
"The chauffeur?"
She nodded. I thought for a moment, then I looked for the
companion. There, happily, were tablets and a pencil.
"We'll write him a note," said I. "Wait a minute."
With difficulty I scrawled a few words. Then:
"How will this do?" Falcon, I have been found and taken to
shelter. If possible, bring the car to 'The Three Bulls,'
Steeple Abbas, by noon tomorrow. Will you sign it?"
I put the pencil into her hand and held the lamp for her to see.
She wrote quickly. When she had finished, I laid the tablets on
the seat, where they must be seen at once. When I looked at her
again, I saw she was smiling.
"So there's something in the nickname, after all?"
"What nickname?" said I. "Red Nat?"
"No. 'Gentleman of the road,' Adam."
"Thank you, Eve. If I could feel my mouth, I'd kiss your hand
for that. As it is- "
I helped her to her feet and set the lamp on the front seat.
Then I bade her stand in the doorway while I wrapped the rug
about her.
"I'm afraid I can't dig you a pathway, so I'm going to carry you
to my car. I used to be able to delve once- "
"When Who was a gentleman?"
"Exactly. And you span. But I'm out of practice now. Besides,
I left my niblick in London. Come along. Don't be frightened if
I slip. I shan't go down. Yes, I'll come back for your
dressing-case."
The next moment she was in my arms, and three minutes later we
were making for Fallow at nearer thirty than twenty miles an
hour.
As we an into the village, I heard the church clock chime the
half-hour. Half-past four. We had come well. A moment later I
had stopped at the old inn's door. Except for a flickering
light, visible between the curtains of the Cromwell room, the
place was in darkness. I clambered stiffly out and felt for the
key I had asked for. A Yale lock in the studded door! Never
mind. This door is only a reproduction. The original probably
shuts off some pantry from some servants' hall in New York City.
However. When I had switched on a course of lights, I went back
to the car and opened the door. Have I said that it was a
cabriolet?
"Eve," said I. No answer, I took the lamp once more and
flooded the car with light. In the far corner, still wrapped in
the rugs, my lady lay fast asleep. With some difficulty I got
her into my arms. On the threshold I met Thomas, our waiter. He
had little on but a coat and trousers, and there was slumber in
his eyes.
"I didn't wait up, sir," he explained, "but, hearing the car, I
just come down to see you'd got everything. Miss Mansel asleep,
sir?"
I stared at him for a moment and then looked down at the charge
in my arms. A corner of the rug had fallen over her face.
Thomas, naturally enough, thought it was Jill.
"Er- yes," said I. "She's tired, you know. And you'd better
not let her see you. She'll be awfully angry to think you got up
for us. You know what she said."
Thomas laughed respectfully. I passed up the stairs, and he
followed. "I'll only open the door and see that the fire's all
right, sir," he said. I placed my burden gently on the sofa,
away from the light of the fire.
"You'll let me light the candles, sir?"
"Not a farthing dip, Thomas. Miss Mansel may wake any moment.
You can come and open the coach-house door, if you like."
"Very good, sir."
"You can get to it from the inside, can't you? Because you're
not to go out of doors."
"Oh, yes, thank you, sir."
Two minutes later the car was in the garage, and Thomas and I
were making our way back past the kitchens. Outside the Cromwell
room I stopped.
"You may take Miss Mansel's dressing-case to her room and see to
her fire, then you are to go back to bed."
"It won't take a minute to serve you, sir."
"Thomas, you are to do as I say. It was very good of you to come
down. I'm much obliged. Good night."
"Good night, sir. Oh- "
"Yes?"
"I forgot to tell you, sir, there's a temporary maid will wait on
Miss Mansel in the morning, sir. Susan's had to go away sudden.
I think her father's ill, sir."
"I'm sorry for that. All right. I'Il tell Miss Mansel. Good
night."
"Good night, sir."
As I closed the door of the Cromwell room:
"So I'm Miss Mansel," said Eve.
"Quite right, my dear," said I. "One of our party- my cousin,
in fact. When did you wake?"
"Just as you were lifting me out of the car."
I took off my cap and shook its snow into the fire.
"I uncover," said I. "In other words, I take my hat off to you.
Eve, you are an artist. I only wish I were."
"Why?"
"I'd paint you- here, now, just as you are."
"I know I look awful."
"You look perfectly sweet."
"I can't help it."
"I shouldn't try."
She did look wonderful. I had put her upon the sofa, but she had
moved from there, and was sitting on the hearth in front of the
great fire. Plainly she had kept her long grey fur coat on, when
she had first sat down but now she had slipped out of it, and it
lay all tumbled about her on the rug. She was in evening dress,
and might have returned, as I had, from a ball. All blue, it
was, blue of a wonderful shade- periwinkle, I think they call it,
Her stockings were flesh-coloured and her shoes of gold: these
she had taken off, the better to warm her little shining feet.
White arms propped her towards the fire, and she sat sideways,
with one leg straight by the warm kerb, the other drawn up and
bringing her dress tight and a little away from a silk knee. Her
dark hair had worked loose under the weight of the rug, and was
lying thick about her smooth shoulders. Save in her face, she
wore no jewels, but two great brown stars smiled at me from
either side of a straight nose. The lips were red now, and her
throat soft and white as her shoulders. I gazed down at her.
"No jewels, you see, Adam," she said suddenly. "I'm afraid
you've struck a loser this time. You'll have to stick to the
Great North Road in future."
"No jewels?" said I. "You have a wealth of hair, and what
about the pearls behind your lips? They're worth a king's
ransom."
"They're not made to take out, though, and there's no gold with
them."
She put up the red mouth and showed two rows of teeth, white and
even.
"Tempt me no more," said I. "Oh, Eve, you're just as bad as
ever. After all this time, too. However. I hesitate to mention
supper, because you look so lovely sitting there, but- "
She stretched out a warm hand, and I lifted her to her feet. For
a second I held the slight fingers.
"Tell me one thing," said I. "Is there anyone who doesn't love
you?"
The fingers slipped away. "Yes, stacks of people. You wouldn't
like me a bit, only I'm not myself to-night. I'm just- just Eve.
See? New Year's Eve."
"Thomas thinks you're Jill- Miss Mansel."
"To him I am. To the temporary maid in the morning, too. As for
breakfast- oh, you and my high collar must get me through
breakfast and out of here and over to Steeple Abbas somehow.
Funny, your telling Falcon to go to 'The Three Bulls.' It's where
we were making for. I'd taken a room there."
"By Jove," said I. "Then, when I went back with Jill, they
thought it was you arriving."
And I related what had occurred. When I had finished, she threw
back her head and laughed.
"Then you're not a robber, after all, Adam?"
"Certainly not. But why?"
"I mean, assuming the exchange is a fair one."
"Fair?" said I. "It's exquisite. Why, just to look at you's as
good as a feast, and- "
"Which reminds me I'm awfully hungry. Oh, no, no, I didn't mean
that, Adam, dear, I didn't really."
And my companion leaned against the chimney-piece, laughing
helplessly.
"That's torn it," said I, laughing too.
"And now," said Eve, recovering, "take off your coat. You must
be so tired."
I drew my pumps out of the great pockets, and threw the coat off
me and across the back of a chair. Then I kicked off my great
high rubber boots, stepped into my pumps, and looked ruefully at
my dress trousers.
"They're only a little creased," said the girl.
"You must forgive them," said I.
"Jill wouldn't have minded, would she?"
"Jill wouldn't have mattered."
"Nor does Eve. Remember my hair."
"I shall never forget it," said I. Then I picked up her little
shoes and stooped to fit them on to their feet.
"You are looking after me nicely, Adam," she said, laying a hand
on my shoulder to keep her balance. I straightened my back and
looked at her.
"My dear," I said, "I- oh, heavens, let's see what we've got for
supper." And I turned hurriedly to the dishes in front of the
fire.
When I looked round, she was lighting the candles.
"You mustn't go to bed at once," I said, pushing back my chair.
"It's bad for the digestion. Sit by the fire a little, as you
did before. Wait a moment. I'll give you a cigarette."
I settled her amid cushions, put out the candles, and struck the
red fire into flames.
"But where will you sit, Adam?"
"I shall lean elegantly against the chimney-piece and tell you a
fairy story."
"I'm all for the story, but I think you'd better be a child and
sit on the hearthrug, too. There's plenty of room."
"A child," said I, sitting down by her side. "My dear, do you
realize that I'm as old as the Cotswold Hills."
"There now, Adam. And so am I."
"No," I said firmly, "certainly not."
"But- "
"I don't care. You're not. Goddesses are immortal and their
youth dies not."
"I suppose I ought to get up and curtsey."
"If you do, I shall have to rise and make you a leg, so please
don't."
For a moment she smiled into the fire. Then:
"I wonder if two people have ever sat here before, as we're
sitting now?"
"Many a time," said I. "Runaway couples, you know. I expect
the old wood walls think we're another pair."
"They can't see, though."
"No. Born blind. That's why they hear so well. And they never
forget. These four"- with a sweep of my cigarette- "have long
memories of things, some sweet, some stern, some full of tears,
and some again so mirthful that they split their panelled sides
with merriment whenever they call them to mind."
"And here's another to rnake them smile."
"Smile? Yes. Wise, whimsical, fatherly smiles, especially wise.
They think we're lovers, remember."
"I forgot. Well, the sooner they find out their mis- "
"Hush!" said I. "Walls love lovers. Have pity and don't
undeceive them. It'd break the poor old fellows' hearts. That
one's looking rather black already.
"She laughed in spite of herself. Then:
"But they haven't got any hearts to break."
"Of course they have. The best in the world, too. Hearts of
oak. Now you must make up for it. Come along." I altered my
tone. "Chaste and beautiful one, dost thou realize that at this
rate we shall reach Gretna next Tuesday week?"
"So soon, Jack?"- languishingly.
"Glorious," said I: "that is, aye, mistress. Remember, I have
six spare axles disguised as golf clubs."
"But what of my father? His grey hairs- "
"When I last saw thine aged sire, pipkin, three postboys were
engaged in sawing him out of a window, through which he should
never have attempted to climb. The angle of his chaise suggested
that one of the hind wheels was, to put it mildly, somewhat out
of the true. The fact that, before we started, I myself withdrew
its linchpin goes to support this theory."
"My poor father! Master Adam, I almost find it in my heart to
hate you."
Believe me, fair but haughty, the old fool has taken no hurt.
Distant as we were, I could hear his oaths of encouragement,
while the post-boys sawed as they had never sawed before. From
the way they were doing it, I shouldn't think they ever had."
"But they will soon procure a new linchpin. Is that right? And,
oh, Adam, they may be here any moment."
"Not so, my poppet. To get a linchpin, they must find a smith.
All the smiths within a radius of thirty miles are drunk. Yes,
me again. A man has to think of all these little things. I say,
we're giving the walls the time of their life, aren't we? Have
another cigarette?"
"After which I must go to bed."
"As you please, Mistress Eve," said I, reaching for a live coal
to give her a light.
For a little space we sat silent, watching the play of the
flames. Then she spoke slowly, half her thoughts elsewhere:
"You never told me your fairy tale, Adam."
"I expect you know it," said I. "It's all about the princess a
fellow found in the snow, and how he took her to his home for
shelter, and set her on her way in the morning, and then spent
his poor life trying to find her again. Anyway, one doesn't tell
fairy-tales to fairies, and- and I'd rather you watched the fire.
He'll tell you a finer story than ever I could. At least- "
"Yes?"
"Well, he's a bold fellow, the fire. He'll say things that I
can't, Eve. He'll praise, thank, bless you al] in a flash. See
what he says for a moment. Remember he's speaking for me."
"Praise, thank, bless," she repeated dreamily. "Does he ever ask
anything in return?"
"Never," said I.
For a full moment she sat gazing into the flames. Then she flung
her cigarette into the grate and jumped to her feet before I had
time to help her.
"Bed-time," she cried. "Mine, at any rate.
"I'll see you to your room," said I, lighting one of the
candles. Then I picked up her grey fur coat and laid it over my
arm.
"Adam, said Eve.
I looked up and across at her, standing straight by the other
side of the hearth, the leaping flames lighting her tumbled hair.
One foot was on the kerb, and her left hand hitching her dress in
the front a little, as women do. The other she held, palm
downwards to the blaze, warming it. I marked the red glow
between its slight fingers, making them rosy. Her eyes still
gazed into the fire.
"Yes," said I.
"If Jill were here, Adam, would you kiss her good night?"
The next morning, with the help of the high collar and a little
strategy, my companion's incognito was preserved, and by
half-past eleven we had breakfasted and were once more in the
car. It was another brilliant day, and at five minutes past
twelve we ran into Steeple Abbas. Eve was sitting in front by my
side this time. As we turned into the main street, I slowed
down. Outside 'The Three Bulls' stood the limousine,
weather-beaten a little and its nickel work dull, but seemingly
all right. In the middle of the road stood a chauffeur, his cap
pushed back and a hand to his head. As we approached, he looked
away from the little writing-block and stared up at the signboard
of the inn. When he heard the car approaching, he made for the
pavement, turning a puzzled face in our direction. At that
moment I heard Jill's voice.
"Berry, Berry, I can hear a car coming. I expect it's Boy."
There was not a moment to lose. Quick as a flash I drew
alongside the limousine, which stood on our left between us and
the hotel. Then I stopped, stood up, leaned across my companion
and opened the big car's door.
"Good-bye, dear," I said.
The next moment she had changed cars. To thrust her rug and
dressing-case after her was the work of a second. For a moment I
held her hand to my lips. Then I shut the door, slipped back
into my seat, and drove on and in to the kerb. As I pulled up,
Jill came running down the steps of the inn.
"Then you got home all right, Boy?
"Before I had time to answer, Berry appeared in the doorway.
"Aha," said he, "the brave's return! Skaul! You are late, but
never mind. Skaul again, my pathfinder. I thought of you when I
was going to bed. Was the snow-hut comfortable? I hope you
didn't find that coat too much? It isn't really cold, you know.
Now, when I was in Patagonia- "
"Are you all ready?" said I. "I'm just coming in to warm my
hands." I followed Jill up the steps. In the doorway I turned
and took off my hat. The chauffeur was starting up the
limousine. And Eve was leaning forward, looking out of the open
window. As I smiled, she kissed her hand to me.
Ten minutes later we left 'The Three Bulls.' I had thrown my
gauntlets on to the front seat before I entered the inn. As I
drew on the right one, I felt a sheet of paper in its cuff. I
plucked it out, wondering. It had been torn from the
writing-block, and bore the message I had written for Falcon the
night before. The signature was Evelyn Fairie, and underneath
had been added, "Castle Charing, Somerset. With my love."
I slipped it into my pocket and started the car.
"And how did Jilly get on?" I said abstractedly, as we rolled
down the street.
"Oh, Boy," she cried, "it was so funny. I'm sure they took me
for somebody else. There was a lovely big room all ready and
everybody kept bowing and calling me 'my lady.' They couldn't
understand my connection with the others at first and when they
asked about the car, and I said it had gone back to Fallow, they
nearly fainted. They were going to make out my bill separately,
too, only Berry- "
"And you didn't enlighten them?"
"I couldn't make out what was wrong till I was undressing."
"And the real one never turned up?"
"I don't think she can have. The landlord stammered something
about 'your ladyship,' as I said 'Good-bye.'"
"How strange," said I. Jill chattered on all the way to Fallow.
Fortunately I remembered to tell her about the new chambermaid.
I was rather uneasy about the girl, as a matter of fact. She
must have seen Eve properly. But my luck was holding, for on our
arrival we found that Susan had returned.
The following day, January the second, after breakfast, a wire
for Jonah arrived. When he had read it:
"That's curious," he said. "I wonder how he knew we were here? "
"Who's it from?" said Jill.
"Harry Fairie, the man I met at Pau last Easter. Wants us to go
over to his place in Somerset before we go back to town."
"All of us?"
"Apparently. 'You and party,' the wire says."
"I believe I met his sister once," said I.
"You wouldn't forget her if you had," said Jonah. "She's a
wonderful creature. Eyes like stars."
"Where did you meet her?" said Daphne.
"I seem to associate her with winter sports.
"Switzerland?" said my sister. "What year? Nineteen-twelve?"
I walked to the door and opened it. "If I told you," I said,
"you wouldn't believe me. " Then I went out.
CHAPTER V
THE JUDGEMENT OF PARIS
"I suppose," said Daphne." I suppose you think you're funny."
Her husband regarded his cigarette with a frown." Not at all," he
replied. "Only there's nothing doing. That's all. My mind is
made up. This correspondence must now cease. For myself, as
bread-winner and- "
"Never did a day's work in your life," said Jonah."
"And one of the world's workers (so you're wrong, you see)- "
"Of course he's going," said I, looking up. " Only what as?"
"Why not himself?" said Jill.
"M, no," said I. "We must find something out of the common. A
mountebank's too ordinary. I want our party to be one of the
features of the ball."
"Would it be asking you too much to shut your face?" said Berry.
"Nobody spoke to you. Nobody wants to speak to you. I will go
further. Nobody- "
"Could he go as a cook, d'you think?" said Daphne. "A
chef-thing, I mean. They had cooks, of course. Or a
wine-butler? They must have had- "
"Or a birthright?" said Berry. "We know they had birthrights.
And I'd sooner be a birthright than a wine-cooler any day.
Besides, Jonah could go as a mess of pottage. There's an idea
for you. Talk about originality!"
"Originality!" said his wife contemptuously." Studied
imbecility, you mean. Anyone can originate drivel."
"It's in the blood," said Jonah. "One of his uncles was a Master
in Lunacy."
I laid down my pen and leaned back in my chair.
"It comes to this," said I. "Whatever he goes as, he'll play the
fool. Am I right, sir? "
"Yes," said every one."
"(A voice,'Shame')," said Berry.
"Consequently he must be given a part which he can clown without
queering the whole scene."
"Exactly," said Daphne."
"What d'you mean, talking about parts and scenes?" said Berry. "I
thought it was going to be a ball."
"So it is," said his wife. "But people are taking parties, and
every party's going to represent some tale or picture or play or
a bit of it. I've told you all this once."
"Twice," corrected her husband. "Once last night with eclat, and
once this morning with your mouth full, Jilly's told me three
times, and the others once each. That's seven altogether.
Eight, with this. I'm beginning to get the hang of the thing.
Tell me again."
His voice subsided into the incoherent muttering, which
immediately precedes slumber. This was too much. In silence
Jonah handed Daphne his cigarette. By stretching out an arm, as
she lay on the sofa, my sister was just able to apply the burning
tobacco to the lobe of her husband's ear. With a yell the latter
flung his feet from the club-kerb and sat up in his chair. When
he turned, Jonah was placidly smoking in the distance, while
Daphne met her victim's accusing eye with a disdainful stare, her
hands empty in her lap. The table, at which I was writing, shook
with Jill's suppressed merriment.
"The stake's upstairs," said Berry bitterly. "Or would you
rather gouge out my eyes? Will you flay me alive? Because if
so, I'll go and get the knives and things. What about after tea?
Or would you rather get it over?"
"You shouldn't be so tiresome," said Daphne. Berry shook his
head sorrowfully.
"Listen," he said. "The noise you hear is not the bath running
away. No, no. My heart is bleeding, sister."
"Better sear that, too," said his wife, reaching for Jonah's
cigarette.
It was just then that my eyes, wandering round the library,
lighted on a copy of "Don Quixote." "The very thing," said I
suddenly.
"What?" said Jill.
"Berry can go as Sancho Panza."
The others stared at me. Berry turned to his wife.
"You and Jill run along, dear, and pad the boxroom. Jonah and
I'll humour him till you're ready."
"Sancho Panza?" said Daphne." But we're going to do The
Caliph's Wedding out of the Arabian Nights."
"Let's drop the Eastern touch," I said, getting up from the
table. "It's sure to be overdone. Give them a page of Cervantes
instead. Jonah can be Don Quixote. You'll make a priceless
Dorothea in boy's clothes, with your hair down your back. Jilly
can be- Wait a minute."
I stepped to the shelf and picked out the old quarto. After a
moment's search:
"Here you are," said I. "Daughter of Don Diego. Sancho Panza
strikes her when he's going the rounds at night. 'She was
beautiful as a thousand pearls, with her hair inclosed under a
net of gold and green silk.' And I can be the Squire of the
Wood, complete with false nose."
"I rather like the idea," said Daphne, " only- "
"Wait till I find the description of Dorothea," said I, turning
over the pages." Here it is. Read that, my dear," and I handed
her the book.
In silence my sister read the famous lines. Then she laid the
book down, and slipped an arm round my neck.
"Boy," she said, "you flatter me, but I can sit on my hair."
Then and there it was decided to illustrate Cervantes.
"And Sancho can wear his governor's dress," said Jill.
"Quarter of an hour back," said Berry, "-I told you that it was
no good ordering the wild horses, because nothing would induce
me to go. Since then my left ear has been burned, as with a hot
iron. Under the circumstances it is hardly likely that- "
"Oh dear," said Daphne wearily.
I reached for the telephone and picked up the receiver.
"Number, please."
"Exchange," I said, "there is here a fat swab."
"What?"
"Swab," said I. "I'll spell it. S for soldier, W, A for apple,
B for Baldwin."
"Have you a complaint to make?"
"That's it," said I:
"About this swab. You see, he won't go to the ball. His ticket
has been bought, his role chosen, his face passed over. And yet"
"Mayfair supervisor," said a voice.
"That's done it," said I.
"I mean- er- Supervisor."
"Speaking."
"I want to complain about our swab here."
"Oh yes. Can you tell me what's wrong with it ?"
"I think its liver must be out of order."
"Very well. I'll report it to the engineers. They'll send a man
down to-morrow."
"Thanks awfully."
"Good-bye."
I replaced the receiver and crossed to where Berry was sitting,
nursing his wounded ear.
"They're going to report you to the engineers," I said shortly.
"A man will be down to-morrow."
"As for you," said my brother-in-law, "I take it your solicitors
will accept service. For the others, what shall I say? Just
because I hesitate to put off my mantle of dignity and abase this
noble intellect by associating with a herd of revellers and- er-
"
"Libertines?" said Jonah.
"Toss-pots, my ears are to be burned and foul aspersions cast
upon a liver, till then spotless. Am I discouraged? No.
Emboldened rather. In short, I will attend the rout."
"At last," sighed Daphne.
"My dear. I ordered the supper yesterday. We're sharing a table
with the Scarlets. But you needn't have burned my ear."
"Only means some one was talking about you," said Daphne. "Why
did you say you weren't going?"
"A passion for perversity," said I.
Berry stole a cautious glance at the time. The hands stood at a
quarter past three. A slow grin spread over his countenance.
"Didn't you say something about a sacred concert?" he said.
"Good Heavens," cried Daphne, jumping up. "I forgot all about
it. It begins at thr- "
Arrested by her husband's seraphic smile, she swung round and
looked at the clock.
Berry apostrophized the carpet.
"Sweet are the uses of perversity," he said, with inimitable
inflection. For a moment his wife eyed him, speechless with inindignation.
Then:
"I hope you've got ear-ache," she said.
Berry settled himself among the cushions."
"I have," he said, "But back-ache would have been worse."
I sank back in my seat with an injured air. The coach swayed
slightly, as it rattled over the points. The train was gathering
speed. In the far corner of the compartment the brooch of a gay
green hat winked at me over the top of The Daily Glass.
"That's a nice thing," said I.
"What?" said the girl, laying down her paper.
"Oh, nothing. Only the train's run through the station I was
going to get out at. That's all."
"How tiresome for you!"
"There are consolations. You would never have opened your small
red mouth, but for my exclamation. And I should never have
exclaimed, but for- "
"It's very rude to make personal remarks." This severely.
"Only when the person's plain or the remark rude. Note the
alliteration."
"What are you going to do?
"Obey orders, I suppose." said I, pointing to the door.
"'Wait until the train stops?'"
"I think so," said I, looking at the flashing hedgerows.
"You see, I've given up acting for the pictures. Otherwise, I
should adjust my handcuffs, run along the foot-board, and dive in
the direction of the nearest pond."
"While I- ?"
"Lay perfectly still. You see, I should be carrying you in my
teeth."
"Thanks awfully."
"Not at all. It's a great life."
"It's a rotten death."
"Possibly. Otherwise, you emerge from the infirmary to find that
A Jump for Life has already left the Edgware Road for Reading and
is eagerly expected at Stockton-on-Tees, that the company for
which you work is paying twenty-seven percent and that rehearsals
for Kicked to Death begin on Monday. However."
I stopped. The girl was leaning back in her corner, laughing
helplessly.
"It's all very fine to laugh," said I. "How would you like to be
carried a county and a half beyond your station?"
"You should have asked before you got in."
"Asked?" said I. "The only person I didn't ask was the traffic
superintendent himself. They said he was away on his holiday."
"They can't have understood what you said."
"I admit my articulation is defective- has been ever since a
fellow backed into my car at Brooklands, did it twenty pounds'
worth of damage, and then sent in a bill for a new tail-lamp. At
the same time- "
Here another station roared by. I was too late to see the name.
"I shall swear in a minute," said I. "I can feel it coming. I
suppose we do stop somewhere, if only to coal, don't we?"
"Well, we may stop before, but I know we stop at Friars Rory,
because that's where I get out."
I turned to her open-mouthed. She was consulting a wrist-watch
and did not see the look on my face. Friars Rory was where I was
bound for. We had run through the station ten minutes ago. I
knew the place well. I had just time to recover, when she looked
up.
"We're late now," she said." I expect that's why we're going so
fast."
"You know," I said, "I don't believe you asked either."
"If this was the right train? Well, I've used it, going down to
hunt, for two seasons. Besides, I told a porter- "
"Can't have understood what you said," said I, producing my
cigarette-case. "Will you smoke? There's plenty of time."
"What d'you mean?"
"I was going to Rory, too. My dear, if this train really stops
there, there must be the very deuce of a hairpin corner coming,
or else we're on the Inner Circle. We've passed it once, you
know, about nine miles back, I should think. No, twelve. This
is Shy Junction." We roared between the platforms. "Wonderful
how they put these engines along, isn't it?"
But my companion was staring out of the window. The next moment
she swung round and looked at me wildly. Gravely I offered her a
cigarette. She waved me away impatiently.
"Have we really passed Rory?" she said.
"Ages ago," said I. "Your porter can't possibly have under- "
She stamped a small foot, bright in its patent-leather shoe.
"Aren't you going to do anything?" she demanded.
"I am already composing a letter to the absent traffic
superintendent which will spoil his holiday. I shall say that,
in spite of the fact that the dark lady with the eyes and the
seal-skin coat asked the porter with the nose- "
"Idiot. Can't you do anything now?"
"I can wave to the engine-driver as we go round a bend if you
think it's any good, or, of course, there's always the
communication cord, only- "
I broke off and looked at her. There was trouble in her great
eyes. The small foot tapped the floor nervously. One gloved
hand gripped the arm of her seat. I could have sworn the red
lips quivered a moment ago. I leaned forward.
"Lass," I said, "is it important that you should be at Friars
Rory this morning?"
She looked up quickly. Then, with a half-laugh, "I did want to
rather," she said. "But it can't be helped. You see, my mare,
Dear One- she's been taken ill, and- and- oh, I am a fool," she
said, turning away, her big eyes full of tears.
"No, you're not," said I sturdily, patting her hand.
"I know what it is to have a sick horse. Buck up, lass! We'll
be there within the hour."
"What d'you mean?" she said, feeling in her bag for a
handkerchief.
"I have a plan," said I mysteriously. "Can't you find it? "
She felt in the pocket of her coat and turned to the bag again.
"I'm afraid my maid must have- "
I took a spare handkerchief from my breast-pocket.
"Would you care to honour me by using this to- er- "
"Go on," she said, taking it with a smile.
"To brush away some of the prettiest tears- "
She laughed exquisitely, put the handkerchief to her eyes, and
then smiled her thanks over the white cambric. I let down the
window nearest me and put out my head. A long look assured me
that we were nearing Ringley. My idea was to pull the cord, stop
the train in the station, pay the fine, and raise a car in the
town, which should bring us to Rory in forty minutes by road.
"But what are you going to do?" said the girl.
"Wait," said I over my shoulder. Again I put out my head. In
the distance I could see red houses- Ringley. I put up my right
hand and felt for the chain. As I did so, there seemed to be
less weigh on the train- a strange feeling. I hesitated, the
wind flying in my face. We were not going so fast- so evenly.
Yet, if we had run through Shy Junction, surely we were not going
to stop at- The next moment I saw what it was. We were the last
coach, and there was a gap, widening slowly, between us and the
rest of the train. We had been slipped. I took in my head to
find my companion clasping my arm and crying.
"No, no. You mustn't, you mustn't. You're awfully good, but- "
"It's all right," I said. "I didn't have to. We're in the
Ringley slip."
"And we're going to stop there?"
"Probably with an unconscionable jerk- a proper full stop. None
of your commas for a slip. But there! I might have known. It's
a long train that breaks no journey, and there's many a slip
'twixt Town and the North of England. However. If there isn't a
train back soon, I'm going to charter a car. May I have the
honour of driving you back to Rory and the mare? I'm sure the
sight of her mistress will put her on her legs again quicker than
all the slings and mashes of outrageous surgeons. I take it you
know your Macbeth?"
She laughed merrily. I looked at her appreciatively, sitting
opposite and perched, as I was, on one of the compartment's
dividing arms.
"Sunshine after rain," I murmured. Sweet she looked in her gay
green hat and her long seal-skin coat. Beneath this, the green
of a skirt above the slim silk stockings and the bright shoes.
Gloves and bag on the seat by her side. The face was eager,
clear-cut, its features regular. But only the great eyes
mattered. Perhaps, also, the mouth- "
"You're a kind man," she said slowly." And it was sweet of you
to think of pulling the cord. But I should have been awfully
upset, if you had."
The coach ran alongside of the platform and stopped with a jerk
that flung me backwards and my lady on to my chest. I sat up
with my arms full of fur-coat, while its owner struggled to
regain her feet.
"Infants in arms need not be paid for," said I, setting her
upright with a smile." I hope the station-master saw you, or he
mightn't believe- Where were we? Oh, I know. You'd have been
upset, would you? More upset than this?"
"Oh, much," she said, her eyebrows raised above a faint smile."
You see, then I should have been upset properly."
As she spoke, she laid a hand on my shoulder, to steady herself,
while she peered into the mirror above my head. I looked round
and up at the smiling face, six inches away.
"Then I wish I had," said I. One hand was settling her plumed
hat. Without looking down, she set the other firmly upon my
chin, and turned my face round and away.
"Open the door and hand me out nicely," she said.
I rose and put on my hat."
Do you ever play the piano?" I said suddenly.
"Why?"
"I was thinking of the fingers. You have such an exquisite
touch."
The evident pleasure the chestnut mare evinced at her mistress's
arrival was a real tribute to personality. Also the vet's
morning report was more satisfactory. It seemed that Dear One
was mending. Greatly comforted, my lady let me give her lunch at
the Duck Inn. Afterwards- there being no train till four
o'clock- she came with me to choose a spaniel pup. It was to
purchase him that I had started for Friars Rory that sunshiny
day.
"What shall you call him?" she said, as we made our way to the
kennels." I really don't know," said I. "What about Seal-skin?
Must be something in memory of to-day."
She laughed merrily. Then:
"Why not Non-Stop?"
"I know," I said. "I'll call him Upset."
Three black and white urchins gambolled about us, flapping ears,
wagging ridiculous tails, uncertainly stumbling about upon baby
legs.
"Oh, you darlings," said the girl, stooping among them,
caressing, in turn caressed. She raised a radiant face to me.
"However will you choose which you'll have?"
I leaned against the wall and regarded the scene before me.
"I like the big one best," I said.
"The big one?" she said, standing up. "Aren't they all the
same- "
"The one on its hind legs," said I. "With the big eyes."
"Ah," she said, smiling. "But that's not for sale, I'm afraid.
Besides, its temper's very uncertain, as you know."
"I'd risk that. The spaniel is renowned for its affectionate
disposition. And what dog wouldn't turn, if it was put in the
wrong train? Besides, your coat's so silky."
But I'm sure my ears don't droop, and I've never had distemper.
Then there's my pedigree. You don't know- "
"Don't I? By A Long Chalk, out of The Common's good enough for
most people."
"Oh, you are hopeless!" she said, laughing. She turned to the
scrambling pups. "Who's for a mad master?" she said.
Suddenly a bulldog appeared. She stood regarding us for a
moment, her massive head a little on one side. Then a great
smile spread over her countenance, and she started to sway in our
direction, wagging a greeting with her hind quarters, as bulldogs
do. Two of the puppies loped off to meet her. The
long-suffering way in which she permitted them to mouth her
argued that she was accustomed to being the kindly butt of their
exuberance. The third turned to follow his fellows, hesitated,
caught my lady's eye, and rushed back to his new-found friend.
That's the one for me," said I. "Give me good judgment. I shall
call him Paris."
"Appropriately. Off with the old love and on with the new. I'm
sure he's faithless, and I expect the bulldog's been awfully kind
to him, haven't you, dear?" She patted the snuffling beauty.
"Besides, I gave him the glad eye, which wasn't fair."
"I'll bet that's how Venus got the apple, if the truth were
known. Any way, I'm going to choose him for choosing you. You
see. We shall get on well."
"Juno, Juno!" cried a woman's voice from the house. Immediately
the bulldog started and turned towards the doorway.
"What did I say?" said I. "Something seemed to tell me you were
a goddess, when- "
"When?"
"When you were upset this morning. I saw you very close then,
you see. Well! What sort of weather have you been having in
Olympus lately? And how's Vulcan? I suppose Cupid must be
getting quite a big boy?"
She laughed. "You wouldn't know him if you saw him," she said."
"Don't be too sure. When does he go to the 'Varsity? Or shan't
you send him?"
"He's there now. Doing awfully well, too!"
"Taken a first in the Honour School of Love, I suppose? Is he as
good a shot as ever? "
"He's a very good son."
"Ought to be," said I.
"Yes," she said steadily, gazing with eyes half-closed, over the
fields and hedgerows, away to the distant hills, the faintest
smile hung on her parted lips. "He's never given me a day's
trouble since he was born. I don't think he will, either, not
for a long time, any way,"
Thoughtfully I pulled on my gloves. Then:
"My dear," said I, "for that boast you may shortly expect a
judgment."
"More judgments?" she cried with a laugh, turning to look at me,
the straight brews raised in mockery. "Which will cost you more,
my fair Olympian, than a glad eye."
A quarter past five. The train was passing through the outskirts
of London. A bare ten minutes more, and we should arrive. I
looked anxiously at the girl, wondering where, when, how I should
see her again. For the last half-hour we had spoken but little.
She had seemed sleepy, and I had begged her to rest. Dreamily
she had thanked me, saying that she had had little sleep the
night before. Then the eyes had smiled gently and disappeared.
It was almost dark now, so swift had been the passing of the
winter's day. Lights shone and blinked out of the darkness.
Another train roared by, and we slackened speed. Slowly we
crawled over a bridge spanning mean streets. One could not but
mark the bustling scene below. The sudden din compelled
attention. I looked down upon the writhing traffic, the
glistening roadway, the pavements crowded with hurrying,jostling
forms. An over-lighted public house made the cheap shops seem
ill-lit, poorer still. Its dirty splendour dominated everything:
even the tall trams took on a lesser light. The lumbering roar
of wheels, the insistent clamour of an obstructed tram, the
hoarse shouts of hawkers crying their wares- all this rose up
above the rumble of the slow-moving train. I was glad when we
had left the spot behind. It would not do after the
country-side. It occurred to me that, but a little space backsome
seventy rolling years- here also had stretched fair green
fields. Perchance the very ones poor dying Falstaff had babbled
of. We slunk past an asylum- a long mass, dark, sinister. By
this even the trams seemed to hasten. I could just hear their
thin song, as they slid forward.
Enough. Already I was half-way to depression. Resolutely I
turned, giving the window my shoulder. My Lady had not stirred.
Wistfully I regarded her closed eyes. In five minutes we should
be in, and there were things I wanted to say... A smile crept
into the gentle face.
"Go on," she said quietly. "I'm listening."
"I was wondering, goddess, if I should ever see you again."
"Oh, probably! The world's awfully small. Not for some time,
though. I leave for Cannes to-morrow, to join my people."
"Cannes!" I exclaimed.
"Yes. You must have heard of it. Where the weather comes from."
"Where it stays, you mean," I growled, as the rising wind flung a
handful of raindrops against the windows. For a moment I sat
silent, looking out into the night, thinking. Except for a
luncheon, to-morrow was free. And I could cut that. A network
of shining rails showed that the terminus was at hand. I turned
to my lady.
"Then we shall meet again to-morrow," I said gravely. "I have to
go down to Dover, too."
"What for?" This suspiciously.
I rose and took up my hat. "Another dog," I said shortly.
She broke into silvery merriment. At length:
"Nonsense," she said, rising.
"Not at all," said I. "The Dover dogs are famous."
"Sea-dogs, perhaps," she murmured, setting one knee on the
cushions to look into the glass. "Well, you've been awfully
kind, and I'm very grateful. And now- " she swung round-
"good-bye." She held out a slim hand.
The train drew up to the platform.
"Good-bye?" said I, taking the cool fingers. She nodded.
"And I hope you'll get a good dog at Dover," she said, smiling.
"I shall think of you. You see, I'm going by Folkestone and
Boulogne."
In silence I bent over the slight fingers. Slowly they slipped
away.
I opened the door. Then I turned to the girl.
"You know," I said, "the Folkestone dogs."
"At last," said Berry, as the car swung into line in Kensington
Gore, about a furlong from the doors of the Albert Hall. "A
short hour and a quarter, and we shall be there. Can anyone tell
me why I consented to come?"
"To please yourself," said Daphne shortly.
"Wrong," said her husband. "The correct answer will appear in
our next issue. Five million consolation prizes will be awarded
to those who, in the opinion of- "
"Have you got the tickets?" said his wife.
"Tickets!" said Berry contemptuously. "I've had to put my
handkerchief in my shoe, and my cigarette-case has lodged
slightly to the right and six inches below my heart. You'll have
to make a ring round me, if I want to smoke."
"Have you got the tickets?" said Daphne.
"My dear, I distinctly remember giving them to- "
A perfect shriek went up from Daphne and Jill. The footman
slipped on to the step and opened the door.
"Did you call, madam?"
"Yes," said Berry. "Give Mrs. Pleydell the tickets."
Our party was an undoubted success. Jonah looked wonderful,
Daphne and Jill priceless. With her magnificent hair unbound,
her simple boy's dress, her little rough shoes at the foot of
legs bare to the knee, my sister was a glorious sight. And an
exquisite Jill, in green and white and gold, ruffled it with the
daintiest air and a light in her grey eyes that shamed her
jewellery. Berry was simply immense. A brilliant make-up,
coupled with the riotous extravagance of his dress, carried him
half-way. But the pomp of carriage, the circumstance of gait
which he assumed, the manner of the man beggar description.
Cervantes would have wept with delight, could he have witnessed
it. The Squire of the Wood passed.
And did little else. And that somewhat listlessly, till he saw
my lady. That was just after supper, and she was sitting on the
edge of a box, scanning her programme. All lovely, dressed as
Potpourri.
"You were right," said I. "The world is small." We floated into
the music. "So is your waist. But, then I learned that this
morning. So. When you were upset."
"Do you like my dress?"
"Love it. Where did it come from?"
She mentioned a French firm.
"Ah!" said I, "Give me the judgment of Paris."
CHAPTER VI
WHICH TO ADORE
"I suppose you think I'm going to swear," said Berry defiantly.
Jill and Daphne clasped one another and shrieked with laughter.
Berry stopped addressing the ball and gazed at them.
"Go on!" he said, nodding sardonic approval. "Provoke me to
violence. Goad me in the direction of insanity."
His caddie sniggered audibly. Berry turned to him.
"That's right, my boy. Make the most of your time. For you I
have already devised a lingering death."
"Look here, old chap," said I, "there's some mistake. I said I'd
give you a stroke a hole, not a divot a stroke."
Jonah strolled up. "Hullo!" he said, "making a new bunker, old
man? Good idea. Only a cleek's no good. Send the boy for a
turf-cutter. Quicker in the long run."
My brother-in-law regarded us scornfully. Then:
"What I want to know," he said, "is how the Punch office can
spare you both at the same time."
Daphne, Berry and I were playing a three-ball match. while Jill
and Jonah- who had sprained his wrist- were walking round with
us. Berry is rather good really, but just now he was wearing a
patch over one eye, which made him hopeless.
It was glorious spring weather on the coast of Devon. A little
village is Feth. Over and round about it the wind blows always,
but the cluster of white cottages and the old brown inn
themselves lie close in a hollow of the moorland, flanked by the
great cliffs. Only the grey church, set up on the heights, half
a mile distant, endures the tempests. The wind passes over Feth
and is gone. A busy fellow, the wind. He has no time to stop.
Not so the sunshine. That lingers with Feth all day, decking:
the place gloriously. It is good to be a pet of the sun. So are
the gardens of Feth bright with flowers, the white walls
dazzling, the stream, that scrambles over brown pebbles to the
little bay, merry water.
Except for the natives, we had the place to ourselves. But then
Feth sees few visitors at any season. Sixteen miles from a
station is its salvation. True, there is Mote Abbey hard by- a
fine old place with an ancient deer-park and deep, rolling woods.
Ruins, too, we had heard. A roofless quire, a few grass-grown
yards of cloister and the like. Only the Abbot's kitchen was at
all preserved. There's irony for you. We were going to see them
before we left. We were told that in summer at the house itself
parties assembled. But the family was away now.
The round of golf proceeded. "How many is that?" said Berry, as
he sliced into the sea.
"Seven," said I. " Not seven into the sea, you know. Seven
strokes. You've only hit three into the sea altogether."
"Isn't he clever with his sums? Here, give me another ball.
Where's Henry?"
I handed him the last-named- a favourite cleek. The caddie had
gone to collect the flotsam.
"Now then. Ladies and gentlemen, with your kind permission I
shall now proceed to beat the sphere into the sky."
It was a tremendous shot, and we could see that it must have
reached the green; but when we came up and found the ball in the
hole nobody was more surprised than Berry. Of course, he didn't
show it. Berry doesn't give things away.
"Ah!" he said pleasantly. "That's better. I'm beginning to get
used to playing with one eye. You know, all the time I- er- seem
to see two balls."
"Nonsense," said Daphne.
"If you said you'd been seeing two holes all day, I could believe
it," said Jonah. "Anyone might think so from the way you've been
playing."
Berry smiled ecstatically. "My recent- er- chef d'oeuvre- (note
the Parisian accent)- has ipso facto- (Latin of the Augustan
Age)- placed me beyond the pricks of criticism. The venom,
brother, which you would squirt upon me, bespatters but yourself.
Boy, place me the globe upon yon pinnacle of sand. So. Now
indicate to me the distant pin. Thank you. Do I see it? No.
Natheless (obsolete, but pure), I say nameless it beckons me.
And now give me- yes, give me Douglas."
The caddie handed him a brassie. He had caddied for Berry
before.
"Don't breathe for a moment, anyone," said Daphne.
Her husband frowned and silently sliced into the sea.
"How many balls did you see that time?" said Jonah.
"Three," said I. " That's why he's going to pawn his clubs."
"The aftermath of gluttony." I spoke disgustedly. It was after
luncheon, and Daphne was already asleep. Jill and Jonah drooped
comfortably in huge chairs. Berry sprawled upon a sofa.
"I suppose we outrage what you call your sense of decency."
murmured the latter.
"You do. Incidentally, you also irritate me, because I shall
have to go round alone."
"Friend, your foul egoism leaves me unmoved. Go forth and harry
your balls. I am about to slumber like a little child. Do you
think I shall dream, brother?"
"Probably," said I. "About fried fish shops."
Jill shuddered in her chair, and Berry sat up.
"After that most offensive allusion," he said pompously, "I have
no option but to ask you to withdraw. The touts' room is
downstairs. Before leaving you may give me what cigarettes you
have in your case."
I smiled grimly. Then: "I'm afraid I don't approve of- ahchildren
smoking," I said, moving towards the door. "Besides, a
little exercise 'll do you good. There is a box in my room- you
know where that is? "
"Where?" snarled my brother-in-law.
I put my head round the door and looked at him. " Immediately
above the touts'," said I.
The breeze of the morning had died away, and though the month was
the month of April, it might have been a midsummer afternoon. I
started on my solitary round, well enough pleased, really, to be
alone. The weather was excellent company. My clubs I carried
myself.
The fourth hole lies in a little valley, under the lee of a
steep, rock-studded hill, whose other side falls sheer into the
tumbling waves. On an idle impulse I left my clubs at the fifth
tee and scrambled on up the green slope to gaze upon and over the
sea below. I have a weakness for high places on the edges of
England. I cannot match the dignity of them. Where yellow sands
invite, these do not even stoop to challenge. They are superb,
demigods, the Royalty of the coast.
As I breasted the summit, I heard a child's voice reading aloud.
"And the people told him of all the splendid things which were in
the city, and about the King, and what a pretty Princess the
King's daughter was."
'Where can one get to see her?' asked the soldier.
"'She is not to be seen at all,' said they, all together 'she
lives in a great copper castle, with a great many walls and
towers round about it; no one but the King may go in and out
there, for it has been prophesied that she shall marry a common
soldier, and the King can't bear that."'
"'I should like to see her,' thought the soldier..."
"The reading came from beyond and below me. I fell on my knees,
crawled forward, and peered over the top of a slab of rock. On
the warm grass, twenty paces from the edge of the cliff, sat a
little boy, his brown knees propping a book. By his side, facing
the sea, lay a girl of nineteen or twenty years, her hands
clasped behind her head. Her eyes were closed. She seemed to be
asleep. The reading continued.
"And all his friends knew him again, and cared very much for him
indeed."
Once he thought to himself,' It is a very strange thing that one
cannot get to see the Princess. They all say she is very
beautiful; but what is the use of that, if she has always to sit
in the great copper castle with the many towers? Can I not get
to see her at all? Where is my tinder-box?' And so he struck a
light, and whisk! came the dog with eyes as big as teacups.
"'It is midnight, certainly, said the soldier; 'but I should very
much like to see the Princess, only for one little moment.'"
Here the child shaded his eyes and looked down at the sands of a
creek, quarter of a mile away.
"There they are," he exclaimed, dropping the book and scrambling
to his feet. He waved delightedly to two specks on the sands
below. Then:
"Good-bye, Cousin Lallie," he cried. "I'll be home by six," and
tore away down the green slope like a mad thing. But his cousin
never waked. I watched her meditatively.
A skirt of grey-blue tweed, and the fresh white of a blouse
beneath a smart coat to match. Her small grey hat lay on the
grass by her side. Her slim legs were crossed comfortably, and
the bright sun lighted a face at once strong and gentle,
clear-cut under its thick black hair, which was parted in the
middle and hung low over each temple. Her brews were straight,
and on the red mouth was a faint smile.
I looked away over the glittering waves. Then I came quietly
down, picked up " Hans Andersen," and took my seat by her side.
I found the place and continued the story aloud:
"And the dog was outside the door directly, and, before the
soldier thought it, came back with the Princess. She sat upon
the dog's back and slept; and every one could see she was a real
Princess, for she was so lovely. The soldier could not refrain
from kissing her, for he was a thorough soldier.."
Here the girl stirred, opened her eyes, saw me, and sat up.
"Who on earth- " she began. "It's all right," said I. "It's
only a fairy tale. Besides, I'm not a soldier, although I don't
see- "
"How long has this been going on?"
"Only just begun," said I." Listen.
"Then the dog ran back with the Princess. But when morning came-
"
"Where's Roy?"
"He had to go and join his friends," said I. " Fortunately I
happened to be here to take his place. He asked me to say he
should be home not later than six. Where were we? Oh, I know.
"But when morning came- "
She raised a slim hand for me to stop. Then she clasped her
knees and regarded me with her head on one side.
"A bad end," she said laconically.
"A good beginning, anyway," said I.
"I might be a sorceress."
"I believe you are."
"Or an adventuress, for all you know."
"Or a Princess," said I.
"What made you do this?"
"I'll tell you," said I. "Whilst you were asleep, a little smile
was playing round your lips. And this smile told me that he had
two twin sisters who dwelt In your eyes. And, like the soldier,
I wanted to see them, Princess."
"Well, you have now, haven't you?"
I looked at her critically. "I'm afraid they must be out," said
I. In spite of herself she laughed. "No,there they are.
Besides- "
"What?"
"The little smile said he had a big brother living in your
heart."
"Yes," she said softly.
"Yes. And that made me very brave, Princess. Otherwise I should
never have dared. Honestly, it was all the little smile's fault,
bless him. Isn't it glorious here?
"The bright eyes swept the horizon.
"Yes," she said slowly," it is. In fact, every prospect
pleases."
"And only golf is vile."
"Byron never said that."
"I know he didn't," said I. "Nor, in fact, did Heber. He said
'man.' All the same, I'm not vile. I'm rather nice, really. At
least, so one of the smaller birds told me."
"Not really?"
"I mean it."
"Perhaps it was a skylark."
"As a matter of fact," I said stiffly, "it was an owl. A breed
famous for its wisdom."
"Ah, but you shouldn't believe everything you're told."
"It isn't a question of what I believe, but of what other people
believe," said I. "But if you don't believe it yourself, how can
you expect- "
"I never said I didn't believe it myself. Besides, I don't want
to argue. I want to watch the smiles playing 'Here we go round
the mulberry bush.'"
The girl broke into peals of silvery laughter. "Is my nose as
bad as all that?" she said presently.
"Your nose is the nose of dainty Columbine," said I. "Dream
noses, they call them. And you know that mulberry bushes don't
figure in that game any more than the bells of St. Clement Danes
are ever used by children playing 'Oranges and lemons.'"
"Admit it was a floater on your part, and I'll let you play a
round with me."
"I- er- confess, upon consideration, that the allusion- "
"That'll do," she said, laughing.
I rose. She put out a hand, and I drew her to her feet.
"My clubs are just by that rock there. Do you think you can
manage Hans Andersen?"
"Every time," said I, picking up the book. I shouldered her
clubs and together we scrambled over the rise and down towards
the fifth tee.
"Oh, I told you I adored you, didn't I?" I said suddenly.
"I don't think so."
"Surely I did. Perhaps you were asleep."
"Asleep!" she said scornfully. "I was awake all the time. I
nearly died when you began to read."
I stopped short and looked at her. "You are a deceitful witch."
I said.
"A what witch?"
"The which to adore," said I.
After the fourth hole the course lies inland. For the next ten
holes you play directly away from the sea. Then the fifteenth
takes a sharp turn to the left, skirting the deer-park of Mote
Abbey, while the sixteenth bears to the left again, heading
straight for the club-house and the coast once more.
My lady was a pretty player. I gave her two strokes a hole and
led till the fourteenth, but on that green she holed a ten-foot
putt which made us all square.
If she hadn't sliced her drive from the fifteenth tee, it would
have been a beautiful shot. We watched it curl over the grey
wall into the sunshot park.
"Out of bounds, I suppose," said I. "What a pity, pretty
Princess."
"Not at all," she replied. " It was a lovely shot. You can't do
better than follow that line."
"Into the deer-park?"
"Why not? It's much prettier."
"I'm sure it is," said I.
"But what of that? Unless somebody's moved it since this
morning, the green's about a hundred and twenty yards away from
the wall on this side. To say nothing of the fact that the
park's private property, while there's a notice-board about three
feet square, beginning 'Golfers are requested to remember,' at
the one place where a giant might effect an entrance."
"Yes," she said quietly, "I got brother to put that board there.
We tried to make it polite. The caddies used to frighten the
deer so."
I just stood and looked at her. The three smiles blazed back at
me. In silence I turned and teed up. Then I drove after her
ball into the fair park.
When we reached the place where the board was posted, she touched
my hand and pointed to her little brown shoe. For an instant she
rested on my palm. The next moment she was on the top of the
wall. She smiled her thanks before disappearing. I followed
with the clubs. There was a ladder on the other side. She was
awaiting my descent. In silence we walked forward together.
Presently I touched her arm and stood still. She turned and
looked at me, the sun making all manner of exquisite lights in
her glorious hair.
"If I had a hat on," I said simply, "I should uncover."
The little bow she gave me would have launched another "thousand
ships." In the slight action all the charm of her was voiced
exquisitely. Grace, sweetness and dignity- all in a bow. So it
was always. Helen's features would not have fired a sheepcote:
the charm that lighted them blotted out a city. Cleopatra's form
would not have spoiled a slave: the magnetism of her ruined Marc
Antony. Elizabeth's speech would not have sunk a coracle: the
personality behind it smashed an Armada.
We came to her ball first. As I handed her her brassie:
"Tell me one thing," said I. "If I had not been there, how would
you have got over the wall?"
She looked at me mischievously. "I have a way," she said.
"I know," I said, patting her golf-bag. "These aren't really
clubs at all."
"What are they, then?"
"Broomsticks."
It was the best part of a mile to the fair lawn, where we holed
out underneath the cedars. I won with fourteen, which wasn't
bad, considering I was bunkered in a bed of daffodils. She gave
me tea in the old library, sweet with the fragrance of
pot-pourri. Out of its latticed windows I could see the rolling
woods, bright in their fresh green livery. For nearly an hour
and a half we sat talking. I told her of Daphne and the others.
She told me of her mother and sisters and how her brother had
cared for the Abbey since her father's death. It was true that
the family was away. She was alone there, save for her eldest
sister's child- Roy. Next month she would go to London.
"Where I may come and see you?"
"I should be very hurt if you didn't. It's going to be rather
nice."
"It is," I said with conviction.
"I meant the season. I'll enjoy it all. The dances and
theatres, Ranelagh, Ascot, Lord's, the Horse Show and everything.
But- "
"How glad and happy she'll be to get back to the Abbey with its
deep woodland and its warm park, its gentle-eyed deer, its oaks
and elms and cedars, its rose-garden and its old paved court.
How grateful to lean out of her bedroom window into the cool,
quiet, starlit nights. How pleased to watch the setting sun
making the ragged clerestory more beautiful than did all its
precious panes."
I stopped. She was sitting back in her chair by the window, chin
in air, showing her soft, white throat, gazing with half-closed
eyes up at the reddening sky.
"He understands," she murmured, "he understands."
For a little space we sat silent. Then I rose.
"Good-bye." I said. "You have been very kind. Perhaps I may
come again."
She did not move. Only her eyes left the window and rested on
mine. "Ring the bell," she said. " I am going to take you to
see the ruins. They are at their best, as you said, at sundown."
"Thank you," I said, and stepped to the fireplace. A footman
entered the room. "I want the key of the Abbot's kitchen," said
my hostess.
"Some visitors have it, madam. A gentleman called to ask for it
ten minutes ago."
"Oh, all right." She rose and turned to me. "Let's go, then.
We'll probably meet them bringing it back."
The half-light lent the old quire's walls a rare beauty. A great
peace hung over them. Perhaps it was of them. For a little we
strolled, talking, upon the greensward. Then:
"Now you shall see the kitchen," she said.
"If you please, Princess."
The kitchen stood away from the ruins, in the middle of a fair
meadow: a circular building of grey stone, very lofty and about
sixty paces in circumference. Its great oak door was closed. I
could see one tiny window- glassless, of course- some sixteen
feet from the ground.
"Why!" said the girl, stopping suddenly, "the door's shut,"
Yes," said I; "but what of that?"
"Well, the people must have gone."
"Why?"
"Well, you can't see inside if you shut the door. Besides, if
you do, you can't open it again. Not from within I mean. It's a
spring lock."
"Perhaps they're locked in."
"They can't be."
"They might," said I. "Come on."
I was right. As we drew near, a confused murmur fell upon our
ears. People talking excitedly. Then came the sound of blows
upon the door.
"O-o-oh," said my companion. "So they are."
At that moment feminine tones were raised in a wail of
expostulation.
"Yes, I shall! It's silly not to. Help! He-elp!"
Daphne's voice.
I fell on the green grass and writhed in silent laughter. When
the girl recoiled in horror, I caught her by a warm ankle.
"Don't move!" I whispered. "Don't speak! Don't make a sound!
Listen! It's my own party in there- Berry and Co. It's the most
perfect thing that ever happened. Hush! We're going to have the
time of our lives."
Again I rolled in an ecstasy of mirth. As the comedy of the
situation dawned upon the girl, she began to laugh helplessly.
The knocking began again. I got up, and together we approached
warily. As we reached the door:
"I'm glad I had four cups of tea," said Berry. "How many did you
have?"
"Two," said Jill tearfully.
"Ah, I shall survive you, then. Very likely I shall be alive, if
insane, when found. At any rate, with the aid of artificial
respiration- "
"Rubbish!" said Daphne. "Some one must hear us soon."
"My dear, the noise we can make wouldn't flush a titlark at
twenty paces. No, no!" he went on airily, "a lingering death
awaits us. I only wish my caddie was here, too. Is anyone's
tongue swelling? That's a sure sign. Directly you feel that,
you know you're thirsty."
"Fool!" said his wife, "Besides, they'll miss the key soon."
"Where is the key?" said Jonah. "If we once lose that, we shall
never find it again."
There was an awful silence. Then:
"Er- didn't I give it to you?" said Berry.
His words were the signal for a general uproar. The others fell
upon Berry and rent him. As it died down, we heard him bitterly
comparing them to wolves and curs about a lion at bay. Then a
match was struck and there were groping sounds.
"When you've quite finished with my feet," said Daphne in a
withering tone.
"Sorry, dearest. I thought it was a bag of meal," said her
husband. "My thoughts run on food just now, you see." Here he
gave a yell of agony. "Get off!" he screamed. "You're on my
hand."
"That's more like it," said Jonah. "That ought to carry."
"Meal-bags don't hurt, do they?" said Daphne coolly. My sister
is proud of her dainty feet.
"Vixen," replied her spouse.
I slipped my arm into that of the girl, who was leaning against
the wall shaking with laughter. Tears were coursing down my
cheeks. I drew her away from the door and whispered brokenly in
her ear. She nodded and pulled herself together. Then she went
to the door and knocked. Silence.
"Hullo," she said.
"Er-hullo," said Berry.
"I thought I heard somebody calling," said the girl.
"Er- did you?" said Berry.
"Yes, but I'm afraid I must have been mistaken. Perhaps it was
some boys calling. Good-bye."
There was a perfect shriek of "Don't go" from Daphne and Jill.
Then:
"You idiot!" said Daphne. "Let me." We heard her advance to the
door.
"I say," she purred, "it's awfully sweet of you to have come. We
did call. You see, it sounds awfully silly, but we're locked
in."
"Oh, how dreadful for you," said the girl.
"Yes, isn't it? There's no key-hole this side."
"How awfully tiresome. Have you been there long?"
"Oh, no. Only a few moments. We just came to see the place."
"Well, do you think you can manage to throw the key out of the
window? Then I could unlock the door for you, couldn't I?"
"Oh, thank you so very much. If you don't mind waiting a minuteer-
it's so dark in here and so confusing that- "
"You don't mean to say you've lost the key?" said the girl.
"Oh, it's not lost," said Daphne. "It's just here somewhere.
One of us laid it down for a moment and, really, in this darkness
you can't see anything. If we only had some more matches- "
"I've got a box," I said. A long silence followed my words.
Then:
"My dear lady," said Berry. "Are you still there?"
"Yes," said my companion, her voice shaking a little.
"Then I beseech you to have no dealing with the being whose vile
accents I heard but a moment ago. A man of depraved instincts
and profligate ways, he is no fit companion for a young and
innocent girl. Moreover, viper-like, he bears malice towards us,
who have shielded him for years."
"How awful," said the girl.
"Yes," said Berry, "for your own sake, dear lady, beware of him.
And for ours, too, I beg you. On no account accept his proffered
assistance- in the matter of the key, I mean. If he really has
matches, tell him to throw them in. Adopt a hectoring tone and
he will fear you. But, remember, he is as cunning as a serpent,
Let but that key fall into his hands- "
"Wait till it's fallen into your own hands, old cock," said I.
"Dear lady," said Berry, "you hear his ribald- "
The rest of the sentence was drowned in the peals of laughter to
which my companion at last gave vent. I joined her, and the
meadow resounded with our merriment. When we had recovered a
little:
"Will you have the matches?" said I, standing beneath the
window, "or shall I send for the battering ram?"
"Throw them in, fathead," said my brother-in-law.
"Ask nicely, then."
"I'll see you- "
"Please, Boy, dear," cried Jill.
I laughed and pitched the box into the kitchen. The next second
we heard a match struck, and the groping sounds recommenced. The
girl and I strolled a little back from the window and stood,
awaiting the key.
"So it's all come true," said I, looking at her.
"What has?"
"The fairy tale." I pointed to the kitchen. "There is the
copper castle, and here" -with a bow- "the pretty Princess. The
tinder-box I have just thrown to my companions."
"And I suppose you're the soldier," she said slowly.
"Yes," I said, "the common soldier."
"Common?"
"Yes, dear," I said, taking her hand. "Common, but thorough;
thoroughly common, but uncommonly thorough. And now look at me,
pretty Princess."
She turned a laughing face to mine. Suddenly, as I bent forward,
the eyes flashed.
"I suppose this is the little smile's fault, too," she said
quietly.
Instantly I released her hand and stood up, smiling.
"No," I said gently. "It would have been the soldier's."
For a moment she smiled back. Then she slipped an arm round my
neck.
"Let's call it Hans Andersen's," she whispered.
A perfect Babel arose suddenly from the kitchen. In the midst of
the turmoil I seemed to discern Berry's fat laugh. The next
second a large key hurtled through the window.
I picked it up and strode to the door. When I had put it into
the keyhole, I paused.
"Buck up, Boy!" said Berry.
"One question," said I. "Where was the key?"
"Where d'you think?" said Jonah bitterly.
"In his pocket all the time?" said I.
"Right," said Berry. "Now do your worst."
"I'm going to," said I. "I'm going to let you out."
CHAPTER VII
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY
The front door banged. Followed quick steps on the steep,
uncarpeted stairs, and a knock on the studio's door.
"Come in," said I.
The door opened and a girl in a lilac dress swept into the room.
"I'm afraid I'm awfully la- O-o-oh!" she said.
"If it isn't her!" said I.
For a moment we stood looking at one another with big eyes.
Then:
"Where's Mr. Larel?" she demanded.
"He'll be here in a moment. Won't you sit down? He and I are
old friends."
She smiled.
"I know," she said.
"He's told me- "
"The devil he has," said I.
A little peal of laughter.
"As I feared," said I.
"My dear, you've been misled. Yes. That over there is a chair.
It cost three and ninepence in the King's Road. Local colour,
you know. He's putting it in his new picture, 'Luxury'"
Still smiling, she took her seat. Then:
"He said you were awful," she said.
Till a fortnight ago, I had not seen George Larel for quite five
years. Not since we had been at Oxford together. When he went
down, he left England, to study, I understood. He always drew
rather well. Then one spring morning I struck him in Piccadilly,
by the railings of the Green Park. He was standing still, a
large, blue air-ball in his hand, steadfastly regarding the
Porters' Rest. Our greeting was characteristic.
"Well, George," said I. He looked round.
"Hullo, old chap." He pointed to the Rest. "Rather nice, that.
Pity there aren't more. Why didn't they keep the Pike at Hyde
Park Corner?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I begged them to," said I. "But you
know what they are."
George looked at me critically. Then:
"That's a good hat," he said. "I'd like to paint you just as you
are." He stepped back and half closed his eyes. "Yes,that'll
do. When can you come? I always said I would, you know," he
added.
"You're very good, George. Come to the club and- "
He shook his head. "We'll talk, when you come. I've got to go
to Richmond now." He pointed to the air-ball. "There was a
child there yesterday, playing in the Park, with eyes- I've only
seen their like once before. That was in Oporto." He sighed.
"Will you come to-morrow at eleven? Cheyne Row. I forget the
number, but it's got a green door."
"I'd love to."
He hailed a taxi.
"That's right, then." He turned to the driver. "Go to
Richmond," he said, opening the door.
As it moved, he put his head out of the window.
"Mind you wear that hat, old boy."
The next morning I had my first sitting. It was a great success.
There was much to say, and we talked furiously for three hours.
And all the time I sat still upon the throne, and George painted.
About his work he said little, but I gathered that be had begun
to do well. He mentioned that he had had two or three
commissions.
"I'm on that now," he said carelessly, during one of my rests.
He was pointing to a canvas, which leaned- face inwards- against
the wall. I walked across the studio, and turned it round. A
girl's picture. A girl in a flowered dress and a shady hat, her
slight shining legs crossed at the knee. Sitting square in the
high-backed chair, he was painting her, one small hand on each of
its rosewood arms. The face was most of all unfinished.
"You've got those legs well," said I, "And I like the dress. She
looks rather lovely, as far as one can tell without seeing the
face."
George laughed.
"She's all right," he said.
At the end of my second sitting George picked up a knife and
began deliberately to scrape out all the work he had done that
morning. I watched him, petrified with horror.
"Sorry, old chap," he said, smiling.
"Stop,"I cried. "I like that curve of the nostril. It denotes
the force of character which has made me what I am."
George went on ruthlessly.
"I want it to be good of you," he said simply. Half way through
my third sitting George gave a cry and flung off his coat.
"What's the matter?" said I. "Something biting- ?
"Talk, man," he said, seizing his palette. "Just talk. Don't
mind how I answer. I'm going to paint. By Jove, how I'm going
to paint!"
Clearly the fit was upon him. These artists! Not daring to
disobey, I talked and talked. Heaven knows what I said. After
an hour my tongue clove to the roof of my mouth, but I talked on.
And all the time George alternately bent his brews upon me, and
hung himself at the canvas, uttering strange, smothered cries and
oaths, but painting, painting.... At a quarter past two he laid
down his palette and cried to me to descend. Stiffly I did so.
For a long moment I looked at the portrait. Then I turned to
George and clapped him on the back.
"I think you're going to make a name," said I.
"That's right," he said. "And now give me a cigarette."
Before we went to lunch, he showed me the picture of the girl.
It was almost finished. Such a fine, brave face. Not a bit
pretty- just beautiful. Dark hair showing under the brim of the
hat, steady brown eyes, the mouth exquisite...
That was three days ago. And now- pleasedly I regarded the
original.
"May I offer you a cigarette?" I said.
When I had lighted it for her:
"To-day is Thursday, isn't it?" she said.
"That's just what I was going to say."
"Yes, I'm sure it is, because last night brother left- "
"The light on in the kitchen garden, with the result that this
morning all the cocks were two hours fast. I know. But of
course it is. Hasn't Thursday always been my lucky day?"
She blew out a little cloud of smoke and smiled at it. Then:
"I don't know you at all, you know," she said gravely, "and Aunt
Prudence always used to say- "
"I know. 'Beware of pickpockets. No smoking.' They quote her
in the lifts on the Tube. But then I'm not a pickpocket, and you
are smoking. Besides, your picture knows mine very well.
They've seen quite a lot of each other lately.
"Yes, but- "
"And then you know my picture a little, and I know yours by
heart."
"You're quick to learn."
"Perhaps. But I do. I know every eyelash, long as they are. I
believe I could say them. But then I was always good at poetry."
This with a bow.
She rose and made the daintiest curtsey. "Would have been
better," she said, resuming her seat in the depths of 'Luxury.'
"But the skirts of to-day don't help."
"And my bow would have been deeper: but the braces I bought
yesterday afternoon- "
"That'll do," she said, laughing. "Seriously, where is Mr.
Larel, and why are you here?"
"George is probably scouring Battersea for a child he saw there
last autumn with ears such as he has never beheld outside
Khartoum. I am here, as you are, in the interest of Posterity."
"Did he tell you Thursday, too?"
"Certainly. I remember it perfectly. We were standing in St.
James's Square, near where I get my shirts. Nobody recognized
us. George had a cigar in his mouth, and his exact words were,
'Wottabow Hursday?' I had some of the wood pavement in my eye,
and my exact words were therefore excusable."
"And now he's forgotten us both."
"On the contrary, he's probably remembered."
"And is consequently afraid to come himself?"
"Exactly. Well, we couldn't very well overlook the insult, could
we?"
"It might be wiped out in paint."
I shook my head. Then:
"French polish might do," I said. "But then, he hasn't got any
of that. However. To tell you the truth, I don't know that I'm
very angry with him. I shall pretend to be, of course. But, now
that from admiring the imitation, I find myself face to face with
the real thing, I- "
"And the rest. I like these cigarettes rather."
"Dear Sir or Madam," said I, "what is it about our cigarettes
that so appeals to your palate?"
She laughed. "I don't know anything about cigarettes, really,
but these seem so fresh."
"My dear," said I," you could have said nothing more calculated
to warm the cockles of my heart. You are a connoisseurs (very
good indeed). These cigarettes are actually straight from the
stable, I mean the Ottoman Empire. I shall send you a box this
afternoon by Carter Paterson."
"You're very kind. But tell me, why is their paper brown?"
"Berry says it's swank. But then he would. As a matter of fact,
it's maize. I like it myself: it's so nourishing. Besides, it
goes so well with a blue suit. Talking of which, with a flowered
dress and dark hair, it's absolutely it."
She stretched out a shapely hand, reflectively settling her
frock. "White ones would match my gloves, though."
"They would. And the whites of your eggs- I mean eyes. I know.
Oh, and your soft throat. But- "
"He said you were awful."
"You see, my dear, we live in an age of contrast. Women no
longer play for safety in dress. They have begun to dare. And
contrasts show imagination. Sometimes they're actually
striking."
"While matches have to be struck."
"Like bargains. Exactly. They're passive, while contrasts are
active. We're rather clever this morning, aren't you?"
"It's the coming of summer in my case. I was in the Row at
half-past seven this morning, and the air- "
"I know. It was like hock-cup out of a stone jar, while the
others are on the bank looking for a place to tie the punt up. I
noticed it too. I was in the bathroom- "
"Lazy."
"Taking off my riding boots. You see, you don't give me time."
"I don't believe you."
"Hush. I feel that my tie is not straight. This must be
rectified. Is there a mirror in the room? No, there is not a
mirror in the room. The room is mirrorless. Very well, then.
Either I must use the patent-leather of your little shoes, or
perhaps you will lend me one of your large eyes. Of the two, I'd
rather have the eye. There's more room."
"Sorry the line's engaged. Shah I call you?"
"If you please. My pet name is Birdie, short for Bolingbroke.
Meanwhile, may I have a nail? Only one little nail?"
"You'll have a whole palm in a minute."
"Which will be quite in order. I have frequently borne the
palm."
"How many biscuits have yon taken?"
"Seven, and two buns. My sister's awfully proud of them. But
about this tie."
"You shouldn't wear made-up ties," she said severely.
I sat up and looked at her. Mischievously she regarded the
ceiling. Presently:
"Note the awful silence," I said.
"And dickeys are going out too."
"Look here," said I, "I shall undress in a minute. Just to show
you. These are matters touching the reputation."
With that I gravely untied my tie.
To my indignation she clapped her small hands with delight, and
gave way to quiet laughter. I nodded solemnly.
"Very good," I said. "Now I shall simply have to have an eye.
No mere nail will suffice."
"You will have nothing of the kind."
I rose and walked to the window in some dudgeon. After
considerable focussing, I managed to locate the environs of my
collar in a dusty pane. While the work of reconstruction was
proceeding:
"Once upon a time," said I, " there was a queen. She was very
beautiful from the crown of her little head, which the dark hair
kept always, to the soles of her shining feet. And people loved
to look at her and hear the music of her laughing. Only, it was
no good going on Thursday, because that was early-closing day in
her realm, and she and The Mint and The Dogs' Cemetery, and all
the other places of interest were closed. You weren't allowed to
see the crown jewels, which she wore in her eyes..."
Outside a taxi slowed down and stopped. Cautiously I peered out
of the window. George.
I turned to the girl. "Here he is," I said.
As I spoke, an idea came to me. Hurriedly I glanced round the
studio. Then:
"Quick," I said, pointing to a little recess, which was
curtained off. "You go in there. We'll punish him."
A smile, and she whipped behind the curtain.
"Are you all right?" I whispered.
"Yes."
"Put your hand out a second. Quick, lass!" I spoke excitedly.
"What for?" she said, thrusting it between the curtains.
"Homage," said I, kissing the slight fingers.
The next moment George burst into the room. "Thank heaven," he
said, as soon as he saw me.
"What d'you mean?" I said stiffly.
"I'm so thankful," he said with a sigh of relief. "I knew it was
you. I was a fool to worry. But, you know, I suddenly got an
idea that I'd fixed Thursday for Margery Cicester."
"That would have been awful," I said bitterly.
"Yes," said George, "it would, wouldn't it?"
I could have sworn I heard smothered laughter in the recess.
"But, George," I said, "how did you know I liked waiting?"
George laughed and clapped me on the back.
"I forgot." he said. "I'm sorry, old man. But you see- "
"One hour and ten minutes," said I, looking at my watch. George
took off his coat, and began to draw a blind over the sky-light.
"I was very late last night," he said.
I gasped.
"D'you mean to say you've only just got up?" I roared.
"Oh, I've had breakfast."
I picked up my hat and turned to the door.
"Where are you going?" said George.
"There are limits," I said over my shoulder. "If it had been
Miss Cicester, you would have crawled about the room, muttering
abject apologies and asking her to kick you. But as it's me- "
"No, I shouldn't. I should have said that my housekeeper 'd been
taken ill suddenly, or... "
"Go on," said I.
This was better.
"Or that the Tube had stuck, or something."
"Why not tell her the truth, and fling yourself- "
"You know what women are?"
"George, you surprise me. Would you deceive an innocent girl?"
"Women are so narrow-minded. They can't understand...Nice kid,
though, this."
This was splendid. "You mean, Margery -er- What's-her-name?"
"Yes. She's taken rather a fancy to you- your picture, I mean."
I laughed deprecatingly. Then:
"What's she like?" I said carelessly. "To look at, I mean?"
"Like!" roared George. "What d'you mean?"
"Like," I replied coolly. "You know. Similar to."
"Well, she's like that, you fool!" said George heatedly, pointing
to the picture.
"Ah, of course. Is she really?"
"Look here," said George. "If you can't- "
"Wait a bit," said I. "When was she due here? I mean to say,
supposing you had fixed to-day for her to come?"
"Eleven o'clock. Why?"
"There now," I said musingly. "It must have been just about
then."
George seized me by the arm. "Has she been and gone?" he cried.
"Well, I don't know. But about an hour ago a girl did come here.
Now I come to think, she was something like the picture. I
thought she was a model, and- "
George flung up his hands with a cry. I stopped and looked at
him.
"Go on," he said excitedly. "What did she say?"
"Yes, I know it was about then, because a van had just gone up
the street. You know. One of those big vans with- "
"Damn the van!" said George. "What did she say?"
"She didn't say anything. I tell you, I thought she was a model.
I just said you didn't want one this morning."
George literally recoiled.
"What's the matter?" said I. "Aren't you well?"
"Had she a lilac dress on?" he cried, with the air of one hoping
against hope.
"Er- yes," said I.
At that, George uttered a terrible cry, snatched up his coat, and
before I could stop him, rushed out of the studio. I put my head
out of the window. As he dashed hatless out of the front door:
"Where are you going?" I said.
He threw me a black look. Then: "To wire an apology," he said.
I turned to find my lady at my shoulder.
"He's gone to wire you an apology," I said.
"You are wicked," she said. "Poor Mr. Larel. I feel quite- "
I put my head on one side and regarded her. "Nice kid, though,"
I said.
"I know," she said severely. "But the poor man- "
"She's taken quite a fancy to me," said I.
She drew back, biting a red lip and trying hard not to smile.
"He'll soon be back," I went on, "and then you're going to have
your show. Kindly ascend the throne. All queens do sooner or
later.
"Really, I think he's had enough," she said, settling herself in
the high-backed chair.
After a little argument:
"All you've got to remember," I said, "is that you're awfully
sorry you're so late, and that the truth is you forgot all about
the sitting, and that, by the way, when you got here, you met a
man going out, and that you don't know who he was, but you
suppose it was alright. Only you thought Mr. Larel ought to
know."
"I've never met anyone like you before."
"My dear, you never will. I am unique. And remember you've
taken rather a fancy- Here he is. Yes, queens always have their
hands kissed. All real queens..."
I seized my hat, stick, and gloves, and faded behind the
curtains. She was really wonderful. "Mr. Larel, will you ever
forgive me? I'm most awfully sorry. D'you know I quite forgot.
I suppose you'd given me up? And now it's too late. Oh, yes. I
only came to apologize. I can't think- "
George couldn't get a word in edgeways. I watched him through
the crack of the curtains. His face was a study. Of course, he
was mentally cursing himself for sending the wire so
precipitately, and wondering how the deuce he could explain its
arrival without revealing the true state of affairs. Apparently
in the end he decided for the moment, at any rate, to say nothing
about it, for, as soon as she let him speak, he assured her it
didn't matter at all, and passed, somewhat uneasily, direct to
the weather.
"By the way," said Margery suddenly, "there was a man here when I
came. I suppose it was all right."
George started. "You mean him?" he said, pointing to my
portrait.
"That?" cried Margery. "The man you're painting? Oh, no. It
wasn't him. At least," she added, leaning forward and looking
carefully at the picture, "I don't think so."
"But it must have been," cried George. " He was here five
minutes ago, and no other man- it must have been him."
"But the one I saw was clean-shaven," said Margery.
George pointed to my portrait with a shaking finger. "Isn't that
one clean-shaven?" he wailed.
"So it is," said Margery. "For the moment, the shadow- "
"I'll never paint again!" said George fiercely. "They've hung
over each other's portraits for a week- "
"Oh!" cried Margery. "And the first time they see one another,
they don't know one another from Adam."
"Did you find the post office all right?" said I. Then I came
out.
"One thing," said Margery. "Did the Tube stick?"
George stared at her. "Then you were here," he gasped.
"All the time," said I. Margery broke into long laughter.
George regarded us darkly. "You two," he said.
"One hour and ten minutes," said I. "To say nothing of asking us
both on the same day."
"You two," said George.
"We two give you five minutes," I said. "Of these, three may be
conveniently occupied by your full and abject apology, and two by
the arranging of our next sittings. Then we two are going to
lunch. It is, ah, some time since we two breakfasted."
I made a careful note of Margery's sittings-to-be, as well as of
my own.
As we were going: "You know, old chap," said I, "you've never
apologized."
"Miss Cicester knows that I am her humble servant."
"At any rate," said I," there'll be the telegram.
"Half-way down the stairs Margery turned and ran back to the
studio. When she came back, she was smiling.
"What new mischief...?" I began.
She turned to me with a maddening smile and opened her mouth.
Then she changed her mind and raised her eyebrows instead.
"This isn't fair," I said. "You can't ride with the herring and
run with the beagles too."
But she would not tell me. Neither would she let me give her
lunch.
"But the telegram," said I desperately. "You might let me- "
"I don't suppose you have tea, but if you do happen to be in St.
James's Street about a quarter to five... "
That afternoon she showed me the wire. It was as follows:
"Thousand apologies housekeeper's sudden illness detained me just
learned my fool of servant misunderstood hasty instructions and
refused you admission another thousand apologies two thousand in
all writing." We thought it was rather good.
The next morning I glanced at the clock and pushed back my chair.
"I must be off," I murmured.
Jonah raised his eyes and then looked at Berry. The latter's
eyes were already raised. He had begun to sigh.
"What's the matter with you?" said I defiantly.
"One moment," said Berry. "My flesh is creeping. Now then. How
many more of these sittings?"
"Wednesdays be the last, I think."
"Which means that she's leaving Town on Thursday."
I looked at him sharply. Then:
"What d'you mean, 'She'" I said shortly.
"I have known you for- "
"Less of it," said I. "Much less."
"You know, old chap," said Daphne lazily, "you do seem
suspiciously keen about this portrait business, don't you?"
I looked at her. She returned my indignant gaze with a steady
smile, her chin propped on her white hands, her elbows upon the
table.
"Yes, said Jonah. "Afraid of being a minute late, and all that
sort of bilge."
"This is an outrage," I gasped. This was nothing but the truth.
It really was, They were simply drawing a bow at a venture.
"Don't tell me- " Berry began.
"I shan't," said I.
"Naughty temper," said my brother-in-law. "Has she shell-like
ears?"
"Look here," I said, "all of you."
"Must we?" said Berry. "We've only just finished a heavy meal,
and- "
"I have been five times to George's studio, each time solely with
the object of affording him an opportunity, if possible, of
perpetuating upon canvas my gripping personality." This was the
whole truth.
"Guilty upon your own confession of felony," said Jonah. "Have
you anything to say why the Court- "
"With the same object I am going to-day." This was the truth.
George was going to give me an hour before Margery came.
"Perhaps we're wronging Boy," said Jill.
"Thank you, dear," said I.
"You can't wrong outlaws," said Berry. "Never mind. Some day we
shall know the ter-ruth."
"I believe you're jealous," said I. "Just because you can't find
an artist sufficiently dauntless to reproduce your brutal
physiognomy- "
"He means to be rude," Berry explained.
I walked to the door.
"Don't forget our lunch, old chap," said my sister.
"You've taken away my appetite," said I.
"Oh, Boy, you know we love you."
I opened the door.
"I say," said Berry.
"What?" said I, pausing.
"Tell George to put in the warts."
Six weeks had hurried away. And then, one morning, I got a note
from George, saying that he had had my picture framed and was
sending it along. I broke the news to the others after
breakfast.
"Oh, Boy!" cried Jill excitedly.
"I want to see it awfully," said Daphne.
"Why rush upon your fate?" said her husband.
"I hope you'll like it," said I nervously.
"Where are we going to bury- I mean, hang it?" said Jonah.
"What about the potting-shed?" said Berry. "We can easily move
the more sensitive bulbs."
"If it's good," said Daphne, "we'll have it in the library."
"I object," said her husband. "I don't want to be alone with it
after dark."
I smiled upon him. Then:
"Bur-rother," said I. "I like to think that I shall be always
with you. Though in reality harsh leagues may lie between us,
yet from the east wall of the library, just above the
type-writer, I shall smile down upon your misshapen head a
peaceful, forgiving smile. What a thought! And you will look UP
from your London Mail and- "
"Don't," said Berry, emitting a hollow groan. "I am unworthy.
Unworthy." He covered his face with his hands. "Where is the
Indian Club?" he added brokenly, "I don't mean the one in
Whitehall Court. The jagged one with nails in it. I would beat
my breast. Unworthy."
"Conundrum," said Jonah. "Where were the worthy worthies
worthy?"
"I know," said I. "They were worthy where they were."
"Where the blaze is," said Berry.
"The right answer," said Jonah, " is Eastbourne."
Daphne turned to Jill. "Is the trick-cycle ready, dear? We're
on next, you know."
Here a servant came in and announced that a picture had come for
me. We poured into the hall. Yes, it had come. In the charge
of two messenger-boys and a taxi, carefully shrouded in
sackcloth. Berry touched the latter and nodded approval. Then
he turned to the boys.
"Are there no ashes?" he said.
We bore it into the dining-room and set it upon a chair by the
side of a window. I took out my knife and proceeded to cut the
string.
"Wait a moment," said Jonah. "Where's the police-whistle?"
"It's all right," said Berry. "James has gone for the divisional
surgeon."
I pulled off the veil. It was really a speaking likeness of
Margery.
Two hours later the telephone went. I picked up the receiver.
"Is that six-o-four-o-six Mayfair?"- excitedly.
Margery's voice.
"It is," said I.
"Oh, is that you?"
"It is."
"Oh, d'you know, the most awful thing has happened."
"I know," I said heavily.
"Then you have got mine?"
"Yes."
"I suppose you guessed I've got yours?"
"You don't sound very sympathetic," -aggrievedly.
"My dear, I'm- "
"You don't know what I've been through."
This tearfully.
"Don't I?" I said wearily.
CHAPTER VIII
THE BUSY BEERS
"They never sting some people," said Daphne.
"Perhaps," said I, "perhaps that is because they never get the
chance. It doesn't offer, as they say."
"Oh, yes, they do. They simply don't sting them."
"'M. During Lent, I suppose?" I murmured drowsily. A May
afternoon can be pleasantly hot.
"It's a sort of power they have," said Daphne mercilessly.
I opened my eyes. "The bees? It's a very offensive power."
"No, Boy, the people. They simply swarm all over some persons,
and it's all right."
I shuddered.
"Perhaps," said Berry, looking at me, "perhaps you have that
power. Who knows?"
"Who will ever know?" said I defiantly.
"We can easily find out," said Berry eagerly.
I sat up. "It is," I said, "just conceivable that I have that
power. I do not recollect my immersion in the Styx, but it is, I
suppose, not impossible that, although I am not actually
invulnerable, my sterling qualities may yet be so apparent to the
bee mind that, even were I so indiscreet as to lay hands upon
their hive, they would not so far forget themselves as to assail
me. At the same time, it is equally on the cards that the
inmates of the hive I so foolishly approached would be a dull
lot- shall we say, Baeotian bees? Or an impulsive lot, who sting
first and look for qualities afterwards. In short, mistakes will
occur, and, as an orphan and a useful member of society, I must
refuse to gratify your curiosity."
"I think you might try," said Daphne. "We want them to swarm
awfully, and they might actually swarm on you. You never know."
"Pardon me, I do know. I have no doubt that they would swarm on
me. No doubt at all."
"Well, then- "
"Disobliging of me not to let them, isn't it? And we could have
the funeral one day next week. What are you doing on Tuesday?"
"Well, we've got to move them from the skep into the new hive
tonight somehow," said my sister, "and you've got to help."
"Oh, I'Il help right enough."
"What'll you do?"
"I'Il go up the road and send the traffic round by West Hanger.
We don't want to be hauled up for manslaughter."
Daphne turned to Berry.
"He'd better hold the skep, I think," she said simply.
"Yes," said her husband. "Or keep the new hive steady while we
shake the bees out of the skep into it. We've only got two
veils, but he won't want one for that."
"Of course not," said I with a bitter laugh. "In fact, I think
I'd better wear a zephyr and running shorts. I shall be able to
move with more freedom."
"Ah, no," said Berry. "You must keep the trunk covered. The
face and hands don't really matter, but the back and legs...That
might be dangerous."
"Nonsense, nonsense," said I. "I'm not afraid of a bee or two.
How many are there in the hive?"
"Twenty or twenty-five thousand," said Daphne. "Where are you
going?"
"To set my house in order. Heaven forgive you, as I do. I have
already forgiven Berry. I should like Jonah to have my
stop-watch."
As I walked across the lawn, I heard the wretched girl reading
from The Busy Bee-Keeper:
"Toads are among the bees' most deadly enemies. They will sit at
the mouth of a hive and snap up bees as fast as they emerge...
Till then I had always been rather against toads.
I well remember the day on which I learned of the purchase of the
bees. It had been raining the night before and all day the
clouds hung low and threatening. Misfortune was in the air.
Their actual advent I do not recollect, for when I had heard that
they were to arrive on Saturday night, I had made a point of
going away for the week-end.
On my return I avoided the kitchen garden assiduously for several
days, but after a while I began to get used to the presence of
the bees, and their old straw home- I could see it from my
bedroom- looked rather pretty and comfortable.
Then Daphne, who never will leave ill alone, had announced that
they must be moved into a new hive.
In vain I characterized her project as impious, wanton, and
indecent in turn.
A new hive, something resembling a Swiss chalet was ordered, and
with it came two pairs of gauntlets and some veils which looked
like meat-safes. Oh yes, and a 'smoker'.
The 'smoker' was the real nut.
At a distance of five paces this useful invention might have been
mistaken for a small cannon. As a matter of fact, it consisted
of a pair of bellows, with the nozzle, which was very large, on
the top instead of at the end. As touching the 'smoker' the
method of procedure was as follows:- One lighted a roll of brown
paper, blew It out again and placed it in the nozzle. Then,
telling the gardener's boy to stand by with the salvolatile, one
began to blow the bellows. Immediately the instrument belched
forth clouds of singularly offensive smoke.
One might think that, if this were done in the vicinity of a
hive, such a proceeding would tend to irritate the bees into a
highly dangerous, if warrantable, frenzy, and that they would
take immediate steps to abate the nuisance in their own simple
way. But that, my brothers, is where we are wrong. Where bees
are concerned, the 'smoker's' fumes are of a soporific and
soothing nature. Indeed, before a puff of its smoke a bee's
naughty malice and resentment disappear, and the bee itself
sinks, gently humming, into the peaceful, contented slumber of a
little che-ild.
At least, that was what the books said.
Seven o'clock that evening found us huddled apprehensively
together outside the kitchen garden, talking nervously about the
Budget. All was very quiet. A fragrant blue smoke stole up
gently from the 'smoker,' which I held at arm's length. Berry
and Daphne were arrayed in veils and gauntlets. They reminded me
irresistibly of Tenniel's Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
"Mind you're ready with the 'smoker' when I want it," said Berry
shortly.
"I- er- I thought you'd take it with you," I said uneasily.
"Nonsense," said Daphne. "We can't do everything. You must be
ready to hand it to Berry if the bees get infuriated."
Thank you.
"Look here," said I, "I'm sure I shall do something wrong. You'd
much better have the gardener's boy."
"And have to pay him hundreds of pounds compensation. I don't
think," said Berry.
At the mention of compensation I started violently and dropped
the 'smoker'. When I had picked it up:
"Look here," I said, " I'll stand on the path and keep the
beastly thing smoking and if- if they should get- er- excited,
well- er- there it'll be all ready for you."
"Where?" said Daphne suspiciously.
"On the path."
"And you?"
"I shall probably be just getting my second wind."
They looked at one another and sneered into their veils.
"It's murder," I said desperately, "sheer murder. You ask my
death."
The stable clock chimed a quarter past seven.
We entered the kitchen garden in single file.
The hive was as silent as the tomb. It seemed almost wicked to-
All went well until Berry was on the point of lifting the skep.
Suddenly something jumped in the wallflowers by Daphne, and she
started against her husband with a little scream. It was a toad.
I felt braver. We were not alone. But my pleasure was
shortlived. Berry's hand had been upon the skep and the jolt had
aroused the bees.
Uprose an angry murmur. I felt instinctively it was an angry
one.
My brother-in-law had the 'smoker' in his hand. They told me
afterwards that I had gone and given it him. That shows the
state I was in. I was not responsible for my actions.
With all speed he applied the nozzle to the mouth of the skep.
He was in time to stop the main body, but a few had already
emerged.
I stood as if rooted to the spot.
Immediately seven bees alighted on Berry's left hand. I saw them
black against the white of his gauntlet. Spellbound I watched
him train the 'smoker' upon them one by one. Three rolled slowly
off before as many puffs, intoxicated, doubtless, with delight
and drunk with ecstasy. The fourth one he missed. The fifth
moved as he was shooting and he missed again. Then he got
nervous and tried to please two at once. The sixth began to buzz
and four more arrived.
Berry lost his head and began to shoot wildly. One settled on
Daphne's veil and she screamed. The hive began to hum again.
With mistaken gallantry, Berry left the bees on his gauntlet and
turned to the one on his wife's veil. The next moment she was
reeling against the wall in a paroxysm of choking coughs. Some
more of the twenty-five thousand began to emerge from the skep,
and a moment later I was stung in the lobe of the right ear.
The pain, I may say, was acute, but it certainly broke the spell,
and I turned and ran as I have never run before.
Across the garden, down the drive, out of the lodge gates, over a
hedge, with eighteen inches to spare, and across country like a
thoroughbred.
At last I plunged into a roadside wood almost on the top of a
girl. She stared at me.
"Lie down," I gasped.
"Why?"
"Never mind why. Lie down for your life."
She lay down wonderingly beside me, as I sobbed and panted in the
undergrowth.
At last, after cautioning her to keep quiet, I listened long and
carefully. The result was satisfactory. My escape was complete.
I turned my attention to the girl. She was sitting up now
regarding me with big eyes.
Her hair was almost hidden under a big-brimmed garden hat, but I
could see her face properly. Her features were delicate and
regular, and her mouth was small and red. Steady grey eyes. She
was wearing a soft blue dress of linen, and her brown arms were
bare to the elbow. In her hand she had a posy of wild flowers.
Little shoes of blue, untanned leather, I think it is. She was
slender and lithe to look at, and the flush of health glowed in
her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," I said. "It all comes of beeing. If we hadn't been
beeing- "
"And yet he doesn't look mad," she said musingly.
"I'm not mad," I said. "I admit that if I had on a bonnet, I
should have several bees in it. Happily I lost it at the water
jump. I'm a beer."
"A what?" she said, recoiling.
"A beer. At least I was one. Two other beers were with me- busy
beers. Stay," I went on, "be of good beer- I mean cheer. I do
not refer to the beverage of that name. By 'beer' I mean one
actively interested in bees."
She looked more reassured.
"Why were you running?"
I spread out my hands.
"The beggars were at my heels."
"By which you mean- "
"That the inmates of the hive in which I was just now actively
interesting myself, resented such active interest and endeavoured
to fall upon me in great numbers."
"And you escaped unhurt?"
"Except that at the outset I was winged in the ear, I have
baulked them of their prey. Selah!"
"I had an idea that the person of a beer was sacred."
"So it is, my dear. But these were impious bees, dead to all
sense of right and wrong. They've done themselves in this time.
Guilty of sacrilege and brawling, they may shortly expect a great
plague of toads. It will undoubtedly come upon them. I shall
curse them tomorrow morning directly after breakfast."
"Have you reallv been stung?"
"Every time."
"How exciting."
"Perhaps. But it's very overrated, believe me."
"Let me look."
I submitted readily. After a brief scrutiny my lady announced
that she could see the sting. Her fingers dealt very gently with
the injured lobe, and by dint of looking out of the far corners
of my eyes, I just managed to command a prospect of one grey eye
and half the red mouth. Her lips were parted and she was smiling
a little.
"If I didn't love your mouth when you smile, I should be inclined
to suggest that it was nothing to laugh about," I said
reprovingly.
The grey eye met mine. Then she laid a small cool hand firmly on
my chin and pushed it round and away.
"Otherwise I can't see properly," she explained. Then, "I
believe I can dig it out," she said quietly.
I broke away at that and looked round. She was quite serious and
began to unfasten a gold safety-pin.
"Look here," I said hurriedly." You're awfully kind; but, you
know, as it is in, don't you think perhaps it had better stay in?
I mean, after all, a sting in the ear- "
She just waved my head round and began.
"Police," I said feebly. "Assault and wounding stalk in your
midst. Police."
She really got it out very well...
"And so you live here?" she said, after a while.
"In the vicinity," said I. "About a mile and a half away as the
crow flies or a beer runs- the terms are synonymous, you know.
Large, grey, creepered residence, four reception, two bed, six
bath, commands extensive views, ten minutes from workhouse, etc.,
etc."
"Is it 'White Ladies?'"
"It is. From which you now behold me an outcast- a wanderer
upon the face of the earth. But how did you know?"
"They'll be quiet by now," she said, ignoring my question. "The
bees, I mean."
"I'm not so sure."
She rose to her knees, but I laid a hand on her shoulder.
"What are you going to do, lass?"
"I shall be late for dinner."
"Your blood be upon your head. The bees certainly will."
"Nonsense."
"I have no doubt they are at this moment going about like raging
lions seeking upon whom they may swarm."
"Must I pass your house?"
"To get to the village you must."
"Well I'm going, anyway."
I rose also. She stared at me and her glad smile settled it.
"One must die some time," said I, "and why not on a Wednesday?"
It was with no little misgiving that I stepped out into the road,
and walked beside her towards the village. As we approached
White Ladies, a solitary bee sang by us and startled me. My
nerves were on edge. I breathed more freely when we had passed
the lodge gates. All was very still. The village lay half a
mile further on.
Suddenly she caught at my arm. Behind us came from a distance a
faint, drowsy hum. Even as we listened, it grew louder.
The next second we were running down the straight white road,
hand in hand and hell for leather.
She ran nobly, did the little girl. But all the time the hum was
getting more and more distinct.
I wondered if the village would ever come. It seemed as if
someone had moved it since the morning.
About the first house was the old Lamb Inn, with its large stable
yard. There stood a lonely brougham, horseless with upturned
shafts. The yard was deserted.
She slipped on the cobbles, as we turned in, and almost brought
me down.
"Go on," she gasped. I'll- "
I picked her up and ran to the brougham. The humming was very
loud. To fling open the door and push her in was the work of a
moment. Then I stumbled in after her and slammed the door. As I
pulled up the window, several bees dashed themselves buzzing
against it.
Neither of us spoke for a minute or two. We lay back against the
cushions sobbing and gasping for breath, while more bees pattered
against the windows.
Presently I stole a glance at my companion. She was leaning back
in her comer, still breathing hard with her eyes shut. But she
seemed to know I was looking at her, for the soft lips parted in
a smile. But she did not open her eyes.
I laid a hand on her arm.
"How's the ankle?" I said. "You turned it, didn't you?"
"Yes, but it's not very bad, thanks. I think you saved my life."
I'm afraid that's putting it rather high. But you might have
been stung, so I'm thankful I was there. At the same time, I
can't help feeling that it is to my company that you owe thisthis
unwarrantable assault. It's me they're after. They want to
swarm on me. Or else they've recognized one of their enemies.
They said, 'That's a beer, one of the beers. Let us slay him,
and the intoxicants... ' Exactly. Of course, Berry and Daphne
are dead. It's really very tiresome. With Jill and Jonah both
away, I don't know what on earth we shall do about tennis
tomorrow."
"I wish we could have some air," said the girl.
I opened the near side window an inch and stood by to close it if
necessary. But the bees kept to the other side, where they
crawled venomously over the pane.
"What ever are we to do?" she said.
"Wait awhile," said I.
"Excuse me, but you don't happen to have such a thing as a toad
on you, have you?"
"I hope not."
"That's a pity," I said thoughtfully.
"Sorry to disappoint you," she said. "Have you lost yours?"
"It's all right," said I. "Toads are with us. They simply hate
bees. I'm going to get a pack of toads and hunt them. I shall
advertise in the Exchange and Mart tomorrow. How's the ankle?"
"A little stiff."
"Let me rub it, please. It's the only thing."
"Oh, no, thanks."
"Don't be ungrateful," I said. "What about my ear?"
She set a small foot on the opposite seat. I tcok off the little
shoe. At length:
"I say," she said suddenly, "what about dinner?"
"Dinner!" I exclaimed. "Oh, dinner's gone right out. Simply not
done in the best circles. Dinner indeed. My dear, you surprise
me!"
"Ah, but you see I don't move in the best circles. I'm only very
common and vulgar and actually get hungry sometimes. Shocking,
isn't it?"
"Never mind," I said encouragingly. "You are still young. If you
begin to break off this indecent habit- "
"It seems I have begun. It's a quarter to nine. You know it is
awful. If you had told me yesterday that to-night I should be
sitting shut up in a horseless brougham at the back of an inn,
alone with a strange man massaging my foot, I should have- "
"Of course you would. But there you are, lass, you never know
your luck."
She looked at me darkly.
"Needs must when the devil drives," she said.
I looked at her.
"My skin may be thick," said I, "but it's not impenetrable. But
you knew that."
With a light laugh she laid a hand on my arm.
"Don't be silly, lad, but put my shoe on again."
As I fitted it on, I heard footsteps in the yard outside.
Instinctively we both shrank back into the brougham. It was
quite dark now. Then a stable door grated and I heard a horse
move.
"Who is it?" she whispered.
"Some ostler, I expect."
"What's he going to do?"
"I forget for the moment," said I. "I ought to know, too," I
added reflectively. "Wait a minute, I will consult the oracle."
So saying I made a pass or two and gazed intently into the gloom.
"Idiot," she murmured.
"Hush," I said. "Do not speak to the man at the wheel, and,
above all, refrain from disconcerting the beer- I mean seer.
What do I see? A man- let him pass for a man- in motion. He
moves. Yes," I said excitedly, "yes, it is a stable. The man
moves across the stable. Lo, he leads forth a horse. There
now." I turned to her triumphantly. "The horse you fancy, madam,
will also run, and the- ah- fee is one guinea. You don't fancy
any horse, madam? Ah, but you will. Very soon too. Sooner,
perhaps, than you- But you can't help it, madam. The crystal
cannot lie. Pleasant weather we're having, aren't we? No, I'm
afraid I haven't change for a note, but I could send it on,
madam. On. On Monday you for instance- "
"Stop, stop," she said, laughing and putting a little hand on my
wrist. "Listen. Oh, I say."
A horse was undoubtedly led out of the stable. Breathlessly we
heard it come across the yard, and the next moment we felt rather
than saw it put between the shafts of our brougham.
My companion uttered a stifled cry and set a hand upon the door
handle.
"Sit still, lass," I whispered; "for the love of Heaven, sit
still. He's going to drive us away."
"Oh, lad."
"We are in luck."
"But where are we going?"
"Heaven knows. But away from the bees, any way."
The horse was harnessed at last. The lamps were lighted- the
while we cowered in the depths of the brougham, the coachman
mounted heavily upon the box and we rolled slowly out of the
yard.
Round to the left we swung, away from White Ladies, slowly into
the village and to the left again. I kept my companion informed
as to our whereabouts.
"That's right," I said, " there's the butcher's. Splendid meat
he sells- I beg his pardon- purveys. Wears wonderfully well.
Always follows the hounds on one of his own saddles. And there's
the tobacconist. You should see the plugs he keeps. I've got
one I use as a paper-weight. We used to think it was a piece of
the original Atlantic cable. I've had it years now, and it's
still going strong- very strong. It makes rather a good
paperweight, imparts a homely soupcon of farmyard life into one's
correspondence, you know. The P.M. had to give up reading my
letters- said they made him feel as if he'd gone to the country.
Ah, we are now within a stone's throw of the church- a noble
edifice, complete with one bell. Hullo! Stand by with that
ankle, lass; we're going to the doctor's. You'll like him
rather. Incompetent, but genial. Shouldn't wonder if he wants
to paint your foot. He is a bit of an artist in his way. When I
cut my head open last year, he painted the place all over with
some of his stuff. It certainly healed all right, but the way
the wasps followed me- I might have been a private view. Now for
it. You stand on the steps quite naturally, and I'll manage the
driver."
As we drew up to the porch, I opened the door of the vehicle and
handed her out. Then I closed the door very carefully and looked
at the coachman. His eyes were protruding from his head, and he
recoiled as I laid a hand the box.
"How much?" I said carelessly.
A choking sound came from between his lips, and the the next
moment he had flung off the opposite side and was peering into
the depths of the brougham. When he had felt all over the
cushions, he shut the door and came and looked at me over the
back of the horse.
"Well, I'm drat- "
"Not yet," I said. "Don't anticipate. How much?"
"Six months' 'ard, I should say," he replied slowly, and let down
easy at that, gettin' into a private broom wiv yeller wheels an'
frightenin' an honest man out of his blooming life. Look at the
perspiration on my forehead."
He took off his hat, and bent his head toward the lamp, that my
view might be the better.
"I had already noticed that you were rather hot," I said shortly,
"but had in error attributed it to the clemency of the weather.
But pray be covered. I would not have your blood also upon my
soul. The air strikes cold."
"Go hon," he said with ponderous sarcasm. "Go hon. Hi am all
ears."
"No, no," I said hastily, "not all. Do yourself justice, man."
"Justice," he said bitterly. "Justice. I wonder you 'ave the
face to- "
"Be thankful that one of us has a face to have," I said shortly.
"Among other maladies you suffer from irritation of the palm.
Yes?"
He stared at me.
"Don't know about the palm in particular," he said, after a
while, "but being so much with the 'orses it do tend to- "
"That'll do," I said hurriedly. "Lo, here is a crown, by the
vulgar erroneously denominated a 'dollar'. Take it, and drink
the lady's health before you go to bed."
He took the coins greedily, and touched his hat. Then he
partially undressed, in the traditional fashion, and put them
away, apparently in a wallet next to his skin.
I turned to the girl.
"We'll go in, shall we?" I said. "They'll give us some food, even
if they do want to paint us. And we can ring up your people. I
expect they'll be getting anxious."
"Oh, no. This morning they went up to town for the day, and
they've only just about got back. And, as I was dining out, they
won't expect me for another half-hour. But I think- "
"Dining out, lass? Good heavens, I'm afraid you'll have missed
the soup, won't you?"
"I thought they'd given up dinner in the best circles."
"Ah, yes. Of course. But what about the auction halma?"
"That's what's worrying me. And so I was going to say if you'll
be good enough to tell me where I am, I'll make my way home to
where I'm staying."
Before I could reply, a voice that I recognized came through the
drawing- room window.
"Ah, how do you do, Mrs. Fletcher. Sorry we've taken to up so
much of your husband's time. But he's done us proud. I had
fourteen. Just cast your eye- your critical eye- over this arm
and take your pick. How do you like them? Penny plain, twopence
coloured. Walk up. Damn. I beg your pardon. Has the ambulance
arrived?"
The voice was the voice of Berry.
"The cab's here," said another voice. "I can see the horse's
nose."
I suddenly realized that Jonah had got the car and was just
wondering what was the matter with our own brougham, when:
"That's Daphne," said my companion. "Was it Berry who spoke
first?"
I stared at her.
"Was it, lad?" she repeated.
"Yes, witch, it was. But how on earth?"
I admit I'm only your second cousin and haven't seen Daphne for
eighteen months, still, after being at school in France together
for two years, we ought to have some dim recollection of each
other's tones."
"Why," I said, "you're cousin Madrigal, who bit me on the nose,
aged four, under the nursery table. Are you sorry, now?"
"I did it in self-defence, lad."
"What was I doing?"
"You tried to kiss me."
I glanced round. The coachman had begun to undress again, and it
was very dark.
"That was a long time ago," I said wistfully.
"Once bitten, twice shy," she said.
As I kissed her, the light went up in the hall.
"Put not your faith in proverbs," said I.
Dr. Fletcher opened the door.
"Hullo," said the worthy leech.
"Bring forth your dead," said I.
He laughed heartily.
"Have you come for them?"
"We have. Complete with plague-cart. Allow me introduce my
cousin. Dr. Fletcher- Miss Madrigal Stukely. How are the
deceased?"
"Flourishing," replied the leech. I took eleven out of your
sister."
"And fourteen out of Berry- that's twenty-five. I say, there's
no chance of their getting bee hydrophobia, is there? And
stinging us, or anything?"
At this moment Daphne appeared, smelling like a consulting room."
"Why, Madrigal darling, so Boy brought you to fetch us back; did
he? I'm so awfully sorry Berry and I weren't there for dinner.
I hope Boy entertained you properly."
I gasped. Then :
"Madrigal, were you- ?
Daphne was staring at me. So our brougham had been sent to
fetch...
Madrigal laid her band on my arm.
"It's all right, Daphne dear. As I was going home to dress about
half-past seven, I met Boy- "
"Hurrying?" said Daphne."
"Now I come to think of it, he was walking rather- "
"A nice brisk pace," said I.
"Be quiet," said Daphne, "or I'Il sting you."
"Well," resumed Madrigal, "I met him and he explained- "
"About dinner?"
"About dinner. So we didn't either of us dress. In fact we
didn't dine either; we were- er..."
"So anxious about you and Berry," I suggested.
My brother-in-law put his head round the door and looked at me.
"I remember," he said slowly, "I remember catching a fleeting
glance- a very fleeting glance- of the anxious look upon your
face as you cleared the second celery bed. At the time I
thought- but never mind. I now realize that the solicitude there
portrayed was on our account. Woman, I fear we judged your
brother too hastily."
"I was going for assistance," I said.
"And lost your way," said Berry. He turned to his wife:
"M'dear, I'm afraid he will always remain a worm. What a
thought."
"Make it toads," said I."It's safer."
CHAPTER IX
A POINT OF HONOUR
"The point is- " I began.
The girl looked up quickly.
"What?"
"This," said I. "Would you be alarmed or offended if I put my
services- "
"Such as they are."
"Such as they are, thank you, at your disposal?"
"Is that an offer or a question?"
"Neither," said I. "It's a point."
She knitted her brows.
"What does one do with points?"
"One deals with them."
"M'm. Well, you can see what you can do, if you like. You
mustn't be rough with the bag. It's sensitive, for all that it's
made of pigskin."
"May I have the alleged key? Thank you. It is not by force, but
by persuasion, that I- ahem- gain my points."
"I should think you're an only child."
"I am," I said. "That's why."
We were in a first- class compartment on the London South
Western Railway, rushing away from London, down to Dorsetshire,
with its heights and woodland and its grey stone walls. There
had been some trouble at Waterloo, and it was only at the last
moment that an 'engaged' label had been torn off our carriage
window and we had been permitted to enter. The other occupant of
the carriage- an aged member of the House of Lords- after
regarding us with disapproval for ninety miles, had left the
train at the last station. Then my lady had turned to her nice
new dressing- bag and had sought to open it. In vain she had
inserted a key. In vain she had attempted to insert other keys,
obviously too large. Therein she had shown her feminism. I love
to see a woman do a womanly thing. Finally she had sighed and
pushed her dark hair back from her temples with a gesture of
annoyance. The time seeming ripe, I had spoken.
Now I turned to the obstructive wards. All she had done was to
double- lock it, and I had it open in a moment.
"Thank you so much."
"Not at all. I was brought up as a burglar. What a blessed
thing the old earl's left us."
"I suppose it is."
"Thank you so much."
"Not at all."
"You see if I had offered my services- such as they are- in his
presence, he would probably have challenged me, and stuck your
glove in his hat."
She laughed.
"He looked rather like it, didn't he?"
"And, of course, according to his lights, you should still be
endeavouring to pull the alarm cord."
"Instead of which- "
"You are going to put your feet up and smoke one of my
cigarettes. It's not a smoking carriage so you'll be able to
taste the tobacco."
"Is this another point?" she said, smiling.
"No," said I. "It's a certainty."
Her dark hair was smooth and shining and full of lights and set
off her fresh complexion to perfection. This was not at all
brown, but her eyes were. Great, big ones these, with a star in
each of them for laughter. Her nose turned up ever so slightly,
and she had a little way of tilting her dainty chin, as if to
keep it company. Red lips. Presently she looked at me through
the smoke.
"Are you going to Whinnerley?" she said.
"Yes, please."
"To the Hall?"
"Even as you are."
"How did you know?"
"The sensitive bag had a label."
"Oh, I believe you're one of Berry and Co."
"Look here," I said, "you mustn't judge me by my company. If my
relatives and connections by marriage like to make themselves
infamous, that is no fault of mine. They have made their beds.
Let them lie on them. I will recline upon my humble, but
separate couch."
"What have they done?"
"Notorious wrong. Only last week, for instance, they mocked me."
"No?"
"They did, indeed- during the savoury. As part-owner, I craved a
seat in the car. They scorned my request. Who was I? To- day,
they drive from Norfolk to Dorset. But for their swabhood they
would have picked me up in London on the way."
"On the what?"
"I admit it would have necessitated a slight deviation, but
against that you must set off the tone my presence lends-
Forgive me, but there's a wasp on your left leg."
She sat up with a cry.
"Oh, take it off! Take it off!"
"Its taste- "
"Bother its taste. Take it off! Is it crawling- "
"Up? Yes. Don't move. Draw your dress tight."
Obediently, she drew her dress close about her, perhaps half an
inch below a knee that Artemis might have been proud to display.
I let the wasp reach the dark blue cloth. Then I seized him. As
I put him out of the window, he naturally stung me. Before I had
time to apologize for the expletive which escaped me, she had
caught my hand.
"Which finger is it?"
"The second. South and by east of the nail."
"Here?"
"Yes."
"Shall I press the poison out?"
"You can amputate it and sear the stump if you like. Good
heavens, your necklace is undone at the back."
"It isn't?"
"It is really."
"Well, do it up with your left hand. I'll attend to the sting."
It was at this interesting juncture that the door opened and a
footman stood in the August afternoon sunshine, touching his cap
and staring fixedly down the platform. On a station lamp was
'Whinnerley Bluff'.
How we got out of the train and into the car, neither of us ever
knew. When I recovered my senses, she was sitting as far away as
possible in an open landaulette, staring at my dressing-case and
her bag, and moaning.
"Whatever must they think? Whatever must they think?"
"They can't think we've been married long," said I musingly.
"They only do that sort of thing on the honeymoon."
She shivered.
"I wouldn't mind if they thought we were married, but they know
we aren't."
"I suppose they do."
"Of course they do. Or they will."
Here some children cheered as we went by. She bowed
abstractedly, and I raised my hat, as in a trance.
"What's this village?" I said.
"Oh, Whinnerley, I suppose. No, it isn't."
"Here. Where are we going?" said I.
As I spoke, we swung through lodge gates I had never seen before,
while two gardeners and a smiling woman beamed delightedly upon
us. We stared at them in return. It was all wrong. This wasn't
the Hall, and it wasn't Whinnerley. There was some mistake. The
car must have been sent to meet somebody else- somebody like us.
And we-
I think we saw the streamer at the same moment. It was a large
white one, slung across the curling drive from one tree to
another. On it were the words: "Welcome to the Happy Pair."
As we left it behind, we turned and faced one another. It was
all as clear as daylight. We were the wrong pair. The right
pair had never come. We had travelled in their 'engaged'
carriage. We had alighted at their station- Whinnerley Bluffdoubtless
some new halt, built since my last visit. We were in
their car. We had received cheers and smiles meant for them. We
were being greeted by a banner for them set up. And we were on
the point of arriving at the house lent to them for their
honeymoon. Thank you.
Suddenly my companion's words flashed across my mind.
"I wouldn't mind if they thought we were married." I caught her
arm.
"Do you see what has happened?" I said.
She nodded frightenedly.
"They think we're a married couple- married this morning."
She shivered again.
"Let them go on thinking it."
She stared at me.
"Play up," I cried. "You know what you said just now. Well,
here's our chance. Only play up for an hour or two. The real
ones can't arrive before seven. There isn't a train before then.
We can slip away after tea. Whinnerley proper can't be far.
Play up, my dear, play up. It's a chance in a lifetime."
A wonderful light came into her eyes.
"Shall we?" she whispered.
"Yes, yes. Say you will."
She looked away suddenly over the sunlit park. Then she spoke
very slowly."
"I'm trusting you rather a lot, aren't I?" she said.
"Yes," I said quietly.
"But since you make such a point- "
I took her hand. As I raised it, she turned, and we looked each
other full in the eyes.
Said I: "This point is a point of honour."
Then I kissed her small, gloved fingers.
A moment later the car swept out of the avenue, under an old
gateway and into a fair courtyard, which I seemed to have seen
before in the pages of Country Life. The house was beautiful.
There it lay, in the hot sunshine, all grey and warm and
peaceful- a perfect specimen of the Tudor period, and about its
walls a tattered robe of wisteria. It seemed to be smiling in
its sleep. As we drove up to the great stone steps, the studded
door was opened and a manservant appeared. The car stopped.
"Oh, I'm afraid," whispered my companion.
"Play up," I whispered back. "It's all right."
"No, no. I'm afraid. I don't know what to say to them."
The footman opened the door, and I got out. As I handed her out,
her hand was trembling terribly. Suddenly there was a scrambling
noise, and a great black and white Newfoundland came bounding
down the steps. When he saw us, he stopped.
"Oh, you darling." said my companion.
The dog looked at her for a moment uncertainly. Then he threw up
his head and barked twice, wagging his tail. She put out her
hand and stroked his head. The great fellow whined with
pleasure. Then he took her hand in his mouth and turned up the
steps once more.
"Oh, look!" she cried delightedly. "He's leading me in."
The situation was saved. I followed thankfully. As I entered
the hall:
"He has taken to your ladyship," a gentle housekeeper was saying.
"It's not many he welcomes like that."
The woman bowed to me, and turned towards the staircase.
Mechanically I took the two letters from the salver the footman
was holding out. Then I thought of something. I looked at the
girl. She was half-way up the stairs.
"Er- darling," I said.
She swung round and stopped, flushing furiously. Then:
"Yes, dear?"
I went to where she was standing. The housekeeper was twenty
paces away at the top of the stairs. I spoke as carelessly as I
could, and in an undertone.
"They will want to unpack your things. Also they will soon know
that there is no luggage. Ours, of course, went on to Whinnerley
proper. Say your maid is coming on with it by the next train,
and that she will unpack when she comes."
"All right."
I returned to the hall. Not to be outdone by the housekeeper,
the footman was most solicitous. He led me to an oak-panelled
lavatory, turned on the water, and held a towel ready while I
washed. Then he brushed me all over, and flicked the dust from
my shoes. With the slightest encouragement, I believe he would
have shaved me. Then he led me to the 'reception rooms' in turn.
When the tour was over, he brought me cigarettes and asked me if
I would like tea served in the garden.
"By all means," I said.
"Tell her ladyship she will find me out of doors."
"Yes, sir."
I passed through the dining-room and on to a great lawn. The
garden was in exquisite order. Everywhere there was a profusion
of flowers, and on all sides beyond a sunk fence lay the great
park. Far in a cool glade I saw some deer browsing. On the
left, I could see the drive by which we had come. Lazily I
traced its line curling away between the trees. Suddenly
something red and moving caught my eye. For a moment the trees
hid it from view. Then I saw it again- just a flash of red in
the avenue- moving towards the house. I watched it curiously.
It approached a small gap. The next second there appeared a
telegraph boy upon a red bicycle. Thank you. Instinctively I
started to head him off. I had to run to do it, but I prayed
that no one was looking. We reached the gate house together.
"Telegram?" said I.
He dismounted and gave it to me like a lamb. It was addressed to
Maulfry Tower, Winningly Bluff, and it read: Missed train arrive
7.10 Tagel.
"No answer," said I. Then I remembered the cheering children,
and gave him a shilling. He thanked me shyly and sped away to
the lodge gates. I turned to see the girl approaching, and went
to meet her.
"For him, ginger beer," said I; "for us, tea. For them, when
they arrive, the wagonette. They will not send the car for your
maid. But, never mind, they have a good time coming. Isn't it
all beautiful!"
"Of course," said she, "after this I shall go into a conventthat
is, after I have served my term of imprisonment. I can
never face the world again."
"Why again?" said I. "You see, my dear, we're not facing it now.
If we were, it would be different. But now we're in a backwater.
In an hour or two we shall be on the broad stream of Life once
more. The current is very strong sometimes. But here there is
no current, nor any time, nor action. Only the sun makes shining
patches on the water, while now and again dragon-flies dart
through the sleepy hum of insect life, like bright thoughts
flashing across a reverie. Now, isn't that nice? I really don't
know how I do it. But to resume. No one knew of our turning
aside- no one will see us return. For us the universe is
standing still. And there's the tea. Come, madam wife, sit by
my side, and let the world slip; we shall ne'er be younger."
She looked at me critically, bending her brows. Then:
"I should never have married you," she said, "if I had known
there was insanity in your family."
Tea was set out under the trees on the lawn, between the house
and the drive. On three sides roses and honey-suckle screened
the table from view. The fourth lay open to the sinking sun and
the park and the distant hills. The footman had been joined by a
butler, who bowed at our approach. In silence she poured out the
tea. Then:
"Sugar?" she said, without thinking.
"Ahem! Not to- day, thanks, dear. I had mine in the champagne."
"As the footman handed me the cucumber sandwiches, his hand shook
a little. I went on ruthlessly:
"Talking of which, did you notice the detectives?"
"No," she said. "What about them?"
"Wall- eyed, my dear, all of them. Cost me two-and-six extra,
but I thought it was worth it. Worries the thieves awfully, you
know. They can't tell whether they're watching the fish-slice or
the 'Longfellow'. And all the time they're really counting the
marron glaces. It's called 'getting the wall- eye.'"
I stooped to straighten my spat. When I looked up, the servants
had disappeared. I glanced through the leaves to see them pass
into the dining- room.
"Gone?" said the girl. I nodded.
"Thank goodness! And now, who are you? I believe one is
supposed to get to know one's husband on the honeymoon."
I took one of the letters the footman had given me out of my
pocket.
"I am," said I, " Sir Peter Tagel. That's why you're 'my lady'.
"Is it really? And now, your alias?"
"I'll tell you when we separate. Meanwhile, I do hope I shall
make you happy. When the time comes I shall win you bread. To
do this I shall, of course, have to leave your side. But that's
for after. Till then- but I fear my thoughtless reference to our
parting has unnerved you. You are overwrought. Lean upon me.
That's what I'm for. I am your man- your husband. Where's that
come from?"
"Surrey, I should think."
I frowned at my cigarette. "I don't think you're honouring me
enough," I said. "Of course, it's early days yet, but- good
heavens! What about the ring?"
"What about it?"
"Well, they'll see you haven't- "
I stopped, for a smile was playing about her lips as she lay
back, looking into the elm-tops. Then I caught her cool, left
hand. From the third finger a plain gold ring winked at me. I
stared at it. Till we arrived at the house, her hands had been
gloved. I balanced her hand in my palm, and looked at her.
"There is," I said, " a question."
"Yes?"
"Yes. Are you married?"
"You've been telling me I am for the last half- hour."
"Yes, but are you really?"
"Peter, dear!" This in a tone of gentle rebuke.
I ground my teeth.
"And you're going to win me bread, you know- nice brown bread."
I rose, and stood in front of her. Still the faint smile on the
red mouth.
"Look at me," I commanded.
"It wasn't an 'obey' marriage, was it?" This dreamily.
"Was that ring on that finger when we were in the train?"
Slowly she got up and faced me, her eyes six inches from mine,
but still looking away over my head, up at the high elms. Then
she put her hands on my shoulders.
"Oh, Saint Anthony," I whispered.
The smile deepened. Then:
"I'll tell you when we separate," she said.
For one dear, short half-hour we had wandered in the park. The
sunshot glades hung out an invitation it would have been churlish
to refuse. And so in and out of the tall bracken, under the
spreading oaks, close to the gentle-eyed deer, we had roamed for
a while at will, carelessly, letting the world slip. Sir Peter
and his lady taking the air.
And now we were back in the gentle garden, facing the old grey
house, watching the smoke rise from a tall chimney, a slight,
straight wisp against the background of blue. And- the sun was
low.
I sighed. Somehow it seemed such a pity. I glanced at my
companion. She looked rather wistful.
"Why is everything all wrong?" I said suddenly.
She smiled a little.
"Is it?"
"Of course it is. Haven't we got to slink away and leave all
this? My dear, it's all utterly wrong. The time is out of
joint- dislocated,"
"It isn't really, Peter."
I looked at her quickly. Her eyes were wide open now, and very
bright.
"You're right, lass," said I. "If one goes up a backwater, I
suppose one's got to come down again. Only-
"Only it's been a rather short backwater, hasn't it?"
"It has been very sunny, Peter."
A pause, then:
"It was sweet of you to say that," I said. "Thank you." But, as
I spoke, I did not look at her. I dared not.
A clock chimed the three-quarters. A quarter to seven. Thank
you. A moment later we were arranging our escape.
When retrieved, our impedimenta would consist of her parasol and
dressing-bag, and my dressing-case. My stick and gloves were in
the hall, and I decided to let them go. Her bag was in a fair
bedroom- a little brass knocker upon the door- hard by the top of
the staircase. She had heard them put my case in the room
adjoining. Very well. She was to sit- loll, if she liked- in
the arbour, where tea had been served, while I ventured indoors
and secured the luggage. Once across the lawn, I was to drop it
over the sunk fence close to the drive. Together we could then
stroll towards the lodge gates. I should leave her half- way,
come by the wood to the fence, take up our chattels, and join her
again somewhere on the verge of the grounds close to the lodge
gates. Then we could scramble over the oak palisade into the
road.
As I strolled towards the dining-room, wheels crunched on the
gravel-drive. I turned to see a wagonette swinging down the
avenue.
There was a writing-table in the bedroom window, and before I
crept out of the room I sat down and wrote a few lines :
"To THE HOUSEKEEPER- "Lady Pan and I regret the unfortunate
confusion for which a certain similarity of name and title has
been responsible.
"(SIR) PETER PAN.)
Then I took a five-pound note from my case and slipped it into
the envelope. I addressed the latter, and put it with the two
letters and the telegram on the dressing-table.
On my way indoors and upstairs I had encountered no one.
Incidentally, I should not have minded if I had. But now it was
a very different matter. Mentally and physically the luggage
embarrassed me. My appearance proclaimed an exodus- suggested a
flight. Of course, if I did meet a servant, I should try and
bluff my way out; but- There was no doubt about it this was one
of the tighter places.
I lighted a cigarette. Then I put the parasol under my arm and
opened the door. Not a sound. I picked up her bag and my case,
and started.
I am sure there is not another edifice in England with so many
creaking boards. They shrieked beneath me at every step. At the
top of the stairs I put down the luggage and listened carefully.
As yet there were no lights burning, and it was more than dusk in
the hall below. I wiped the sweat off my forehead, and began the
descent. At the bottom I ran into the footman. He was very nice
about it, though I am certain the dressing-case bruised his shin.
Then:
"Excuse me, sir," he said, and switched on the light.
And with the light came the brain-wave.
"I want the car at once," I said. "There's been some terrible
mistake. This isn't our luggage. I don't know whose it is. The
label on this bag says 'Whinnerley Hall', and that's not my
dressing-case. I'm not even sure that this is her ladyship's
parasol."
"Not- not yours, sir?"
"Certainly not. Beastly things." I flung them down in the hall.
"Never seen them before in my life. Order the car, man; order
the car. I want to take them back to the station and find out
what's become of our own."
The footman fled. When the housekeeper appeared, breathless, I
was sitting on a table, swinging the parasol and smoking angrily.
"Is the car coming?" I demanded.
"Yes, indeed, sir. It'll be round in a moment. What a dreadful
thing to have happened, sir. I can't understand- "
"Neither can I, except that they're both something like our
things. But look at that label. This isn't Whinnerley Hall, is
it?"
"No, indeed, sir."
"Well, have them put in the car. I'll go and find her ladyship.
I'm afraid she'll be terribly upset."
I flung out of the house. Thirty seconds later I was explaining
things to an open-mouthed girl in the arbour. As I finished, I
heard the car coming round from the garage.
"Come along, dear. I glanced at my watch. " With any luck we
shall just catch the seven-ten on to Whinnerley. Remember,
you're terribly upset and simply frantic about your jewellery,
especially the tiara Uncle George gave you. Do you think you
could cry? I should have to kiss you then."
Again the faint smile. The next minute we were in the car,
rushing down the avenue. There was the white banner, hanging
very still now, for the faint breeze had died with the day. As
we approached the lodge gates I leaned forward and looked across
her- she was on my right- looked away over the park to where the
sun had set. The sky was flaming.
"Sic transit," said I.
"Good-bye, backwater," said she.
Her voice was not unsteady, but there was that in her tone that
made me look at her. Her lashes were wet.
As the car swung out of the gates, our hands touched. I took
hers in mine and held it. Then I started. It was the left hand,
but there was no ring upon its fingers. I tightened my hold. So
we sat for two minutes or more. Then:
"Do you think they would see?" I said, glancing at the chauffeur
and groom.
"I'm afraid they might. But- "
"But what, darling?"
"It wouldn't matter very much if they did, would it?"
We reached the station simultaneously with the seven ten. As the
groom opened the door-
"Come along, dear." I handed her out. Turning to the servant,
"Bring the bag and the dressing- case," I added. "Quick!"
"Yes, sir."
A small boy waved an implement and uttered a feeble protest about
tickets, but we thrust past him on to the platform. There I
looked round wildly.
"Where's Delphine?" I cried.
"I don't believe she's come," wailed my companion.
I turned to the groom.
"You'd better go back," I said. "Put those things down and go
back to the car, in case we miss her ladyship's maid. Don't let
her go off in the wagonette."
"Very good, sir."
He put the luggage on a seat and ran back to the exit. Exactly
opposite to where we were standing was a first-class carriage.
As the guard's whistle was blown:
"Have you got my bag, Peter?" said a plaintive voice.
"Yes, m'dear," and Sir Peter and Lady Tagel passed down the
platform. We watched them greedily.
The train began to move.
"The last lap," said Berry. "Courage, my travel-stained
comrades. Where was it we broke down? Oh, yes, Scrota Gruff.
Such a sweet name, so full of promise, so- "
Then he took his head in and pulled up the window.
"Fancy you two being in the next carriage all the time," said
Daphne. "I expect Boy's introduced himself, Julia dear. Yes, I
thought so. Still for what it's worth, my brother- Lady Julia
Lory."
Which is why she's 'my lady'. Though she always says it isn't.
CHAPTER X
PRIDE GOETH BEFORE
"Who is Silvia? What is she?
That all her swains commend he.
Holy, fair, and wise is she;
The heaven such grace did lend her,
That she might admired be."
The song and its melody floated out into the night, away and over
the sleeping countryside. In no way breaking the silence; rising
up out of it, rather. It was as if Nature dreamed as she lay
sleeping, a dream clear-cut, melodious. Over all the moon hung
full, turning the world to silver. Never had music so fairy a
setting.
"Then to Sylvia let us sing,
That Silvia is excelling,
She excels each mortal thing
Upon the dull earth dwelling
To her let us garlands bring"
Half-past eleven o'clock of a fine moonlit night, and I was alone
with the car all among the Carinthian Alps. It was for Fladstadt
that I was making. That was the Bairlings' nearest town. Their
place, St. Martin, lay twenty odd miles from Fladstadt. But in
the town people would show me the way. At St. Martin I should
find Daphne and the others, newly come from Vienna this
afternoon. Friends of Jonah's, the Bairlings. None of us others
knew them.
At ten o'clock in the morning I had slid out of Trieste,
reckoning to reach Fladstadt in twelve hours. And, till I lost
my way, I had come well. I had lost it at half-past nine and
only discovered that I had lost it an hour later. It was too
late to turn back then. I tried to get on and across by
by-roads- always a dangerous game. Just when I was getting
desperate I had chanced on a signpost pointing to the town I
sought. The next moment one of the tires had gone.
The puncture I did not mind, The car had detachable wheels, and
one was all ready, waiting to be used. But when I found that I
had no jack...Better men than I would have sworn. The
imperturbable Jonah would have stamped about the road. As for
Berry, with no one there to suffer his satire, suppressed enmity
would have brought about a collapse. He would probably have lost
his memory.
There was nothing for it, but to drive slowly forward on the flat
tire. When I came to a village I could rouse an innkeeper, and
if the place did not boast a jack, at least sturdy peasants
should raise the car with a stout pole. Accordingly, I had gone
on.
For the first five miles I had not lighted on so much as a barn.
Then suddenly I had swung round a bend of the road to see a great
white mansion right ahead of me. The house stood solitary by the
roadside, dark woods rising steep behind. No light came from its
windows. Turreted, white-walled, dark-roofed in the moonlight,
it might have been the outpost of some fairy town. The building
stood upon the left-hand side of the way, and, as I drew slowly
alongside, wondering if I dared knock upon its gates for
assistance, I found that house and road curled to the left
together. Round the bend I had crept, close to the white facade.
As I turned, I saw a light above me, shining out over a low
balcony of stone. I had stopped the car and the engine, and
stepped on tiptoe to the other side of the road. From there I
could see the ceiling of a tall, first-floor room, whose wide,
open windows led on to the balcony. I saw no figure, no shadow.
For a minute or two I had heard no sound. Then, with no warning,
had come an exquisite touching of keys and a girl's voice.
"To her let us garlands bring."
The melody faded and ceased. The refrain melted into the
silence. For a moment I stood still, my eyes on the balcony
above. Then I slipped noiselessly to the car, picked up a rug
from the back seat and laid it, folded small, on the edge of the
car's back. Half on the padded leather and half on the cape
hood, strapped tight, I laid it. Standing upon this perilous
perch, I was just able to lay my fingers upon the cold edge of
the balcony's floor. With an effort I could grasp one of the
stone balusters. An idea occurred to me, and I got carefully
down. One of the luggage-carrier's straps was six feet long. I
had it loose in a moment. A minute later and I had wheedled it
round the baluster I could clutch. Buckled, it made a loop three
feet in length that would have supported a bullock. I was about
to soar, when I remembered the car. I jumped down once more,
turned the key of the switch, and slipped it into my pocket. No
one could steal her now. The next second I had my foot in the
thong.
I sat on the coping, looking into the room. Broad and lofty it
was, its walls hung with a fair blue paper. A handsome tapestry,
looped up a little on one side, masked the tall double doors, and
in the far corner stood a great tiled stove for burning wood.
From the ceiling was hanging a basin of alabaster- an electric
fitting, really. The powerful light of its hidden lamps spread,
softened, all about the chamber. The blue walls bore a few
reproductions of famous pictures. Meisonnier seemed in high
favour, while Sir Joshua's Nellie O'Brien surveyed the salon with
her quiet, steady gaze. A great bowl of fresh flowers stood on
the grand piano.
The girl herself was sitting half on the edge of an old
gate-table in the middle of the room. The toe of one rosy
slipper touched the polished boards, and her other foot swung
gently to and fro. One of her short sleeves she had pushed up to
the shoulder and was looking critically at a scratch, which
showed red, high up on her round, white arm. A simple evening
frock of old-rose colour, dainty old gold slippers to keep her
feet. Her skin was wonderfully white, her hair dark and brown.
This was cut straight across her forehead in French fashion, and
then brought down and away over the ears. Her face was towards
me, as she examined her arm. I could see she was very pretty.
"Don't you think you ought to apologize?" she said suddenly.
Her words took me by surprise. For a moment I did not answer.
"Eh?" she said, looking up.
"Yes," I said, "I do. Fact is, I haven't any, and the gardens
are all shut now."
"Any what? "she said, letting the sleeve slip back into its
place.
"Garlands, Silvia."
She smiled for an instant. Then:
"How dare you come up like this?"
"I wanted to see what Silvia was like."
She stifled a little yawn.
"You heard me say she was holy, fair and wise."
"And excelling, I know. But the second verse asks,
"Is she kind as she is fair?"
"Well?"
"I came up to see if she was."
"And is she?"
"I don't think she is quite."
"Can you get down all right?"
"In fact, I'm sure she isn't," I said. "But then- "
"What?"
"She'd have to be most awfully kind to be that, Silvia.
Good-bye."
"I say," said Silvia.
"Yes? I said, with one leg over the balustrade.
"As you're here, if you would like to come in and sit down for a
little- I mean, I don't want to seem inhospitable."
"I knew it," said I. "I knew she was, really."
"Goodbye, Silvia. Thank you very, very much all the same. I've
found out what I wanted to know."
I slipped over the coping and set my foot in the thong. There
was a rustle of silk and a quick step on the balcony. Then two
soft hands took hold of my wrists. I looked up at the big eyes,
the face white in the moonlight, the dark, straight-cut hair.
"Wait!" she said. "Who are you and where do you come from?"
"My name's Valentine," said I. "I am a gentleman of Verona."
The small mouth twitched. "Be serious," she said. I told her my
name and spoke of my run from Trieste, adding that I sought
Fladstadt and St. Martin. She heard me in silence. Then:
"Are you tired?" she said quietly.
"A little."
"Then I tell you that you may come in and rest for a while. Yes,
and talk to me. Presently you can go on. I will show you the
way."
She let go my wrists and stood up, clasping her hands behind her
head.
"You're very hospit- "
"It isn't a question of hospitality or anything else," she said
slowly. "I just tell you that you may come in if you want to."
I gazed at the slim, straight figure, the bare bent arms, the
soft white throat. Then I drew myself up and bestrode the
coping.
"Of course," I said, "this is a dream. In reality I am fast
asleep in the car. Possibly I have met with an accident and am
still unconscious. Yet your hands felt warm..."
"And your wrists very cold, sir. Come along in and sit down.
Even if you are dreaming I suppose you'll be able to drink some
coffee if I give it you."
"If you give it me."
I drew up the thong and followed her into the room. She motioned
me to sit in a deep chair and put cigarettes by my side. Then
she lighted the lamps that were set beneath two little silver
coffee-pots, standing on a tray on the gate-table. I watched her
in silence. When the lamps were burning, she turned and seated
herself on the table as I had seen her first. She regarded me
curiously, swinging that little right leg.
"I shouldn't have liked you to think me unkind," she said, with a
grave smile.
I rose to my feet.
"Silvia," I said.
"Sir"
"I do not know what to say. Yet I want to say something. I
think you are very gentle, Silvia. If I were old, I think the
sight of you would make me feel young again, and if Shakespeare
had known you, I think he would have written more sonnets and
fewer plays."
Silvia spread out deprecating white arms and bowed low.
"I doubt it," she said. "But I know he would have given me a
cigarette."
"I beg your pardon," said I, handing her the box.
When I had given her a light, she turned again to the coffee.
"It ought to be hot enough now, I think. D'you mind using my
cup? I don't take sugar."
"It will be a privilege, Silvia."
"Milk?"
"Please."
The hot cafe-au-lait was very grateful. Despite the season, my
long drive through the mountain air had left me a little cold. I
took my seat on an arm of the deep chair. Outside, somewhere
close at hand, a clock struck twelve.
"The witching hour," said I. "How is it you're not in bed and
asleep, Silvia?"
"Sleep! What with the noise of passing cars?"
"I forgot," said I. "The continuous roar of the traffic here
must be very trying. The congestion between here and Villach is
a disgrace. I met three carts in the last forty odd miles
myself. Can't something be done about it?"
"-And the curiosity of cold-wristed burglars- By the way, I can't
get over your climbing up like that, you know. It's all right,
as it happens, and I'm rather glad you did, but this might have
been a bedroom or- or anything."
"Or a bathroom. Of course it might. But then, you see, you very
seldom find a piano in the bathroom nowadays, Silvia.
Incidentally, what a sweet room this is."
"Do you like my pictures?"
"Awfully. Especially the one on the gate-table."
My lady blew smoke out of a faint smile. Then:
"If it comes to that, there's rather a good one on the arm of
your chair," she said.
"Yes. By the same artist,too. But the one on the table knocks
it. That'll be hung on the line year after year."
"What line?"
"At the Academy of Hearts. I beg your pardon, my dear. It
slipped out."
Silvia threw back her dainty head and laughed merrily.
Presently:
"But the one on the table's damaged," she said. "Didn't you see
the scratch?"
"And the one on the chair wants cleaning badly. In its present
state they wouldn't hang it anywhere except at Pentonville. But
the scratch. How did you get it?"
"Ah! That was the Marquis. We were by the window, and when you
slipped that strap round, he jumped like anything. He was in my
arms, you see."
I'm awfully sorry; but do you often embrace nobles, and how do
you say good-bye to dukes? I mean to say, I haven't got my patent
with me, and my coronet's in the store- I mean, strong room; but
anyone who doesn't know me will tell you- Besides, I never
scratch."
"The Marquis is a Blue Persian."
"These foreign titles," I murmured scornfully.
"Don't be patronizing," said Silvia. "You know where Pride goes.
Besides, I've met some very nice counts."
I leaned forward. "I know. So've I. Barons, too. The last I
struck's doing seven years now. But you're English, Silvia.
English, d'you hear? I'll bet they're all over you out here. I
know them. I'm a fool, but I don't like to think of your- I
mean, I'd rather be an English- er- "
"Burglar?"
We both laughed, and I got up. "Silvia," I said, "tell me the
best way to Fladstadt and turn me out while there is yet time."
"What do you mean?"
"This. I've already been in love with you for a quarter of an
hour. In another ten minutes I shall be sitting at your feet.
Half an hour later- "
"You will be just running into Fladstadt. It's straight on. You
can't miss the way."
"And St. Martin? Have you ever heard of it?"
She puckered her brows.
"Isn't that where some English people have a place? People
called- er- Waring, is it?"
"Bairling," said I.
"Bairling. That's it. Let's see. I'm afraid it's some miles
from Fladstadt."
"Twenty, I'm told."
"About that."
"And this is how far?"
"From Fladstadt? About twenty-three."
I groaned. "Forty-three miles to go, and a flat tire," I said.
"Now far's the next village?"
"Why?"
"I want to get another wheel on."
"If you like to wait here a little longer, my brother'll be back
with the car. He's on the way from Fladstadt now. That's why
I'm sitting up. He'll give you a jack."
"You're awfully good, Silvia. But have you forgotten what I
said?"
"About sitting at my feet? No, but I don't think you meant it.
If I did, I should have rung long ago."
"Thank you," said I.
"Of course," she went on; "you're only a burglar, but you are-
English."
"Yes, Silvia. I mightn't have been, though."
"You mean, I didn't know whether you were English or not, till
after you'd climbed up? Nor I did. But one of the men's up, and
there's a bell-push under the flap of the table."
She slipped a hand behind her. "I'm touching it now," she added.
"I wondered why you didn't sit in a chair," I said, with a slow
smile. A deep flush stole over the girl's features. For a
moment she looked at me with no laughter in her eyes. Then she
slipped off the table and moved across the room to an open
bureau. She seemed to look for something. Then she strolled
back to the table and took her seat on its edge once more.
"Is that a car coming? she said suddenly, her dark eyes on the
floor.
I listened. "I don't think so," I said, and stepped out on to
the balcony.
There was no sound at all. It was the dead of night indeed. I
glanced over the balustrade at the car. Her headlights burned
steadily, making the moonlit road ahead more bright.
"I can hear nothing," I said, coming back into the boudoir.
"Look," said Silvia, pointing over my shoulder.
As I turned, something struck me on the cheek. I stooped and
picked it up. A piece of flexible cord about five inches long.
I swung round and looked at the girl. On the table a pair of
scissors lay by her side.
"Why have you done this?" I demanded.
She raised her eyebrows by way of answer and reached for a
cigarette. As she lighted it, I saw that her hand was trembling.
"Silvia, dear, surely you don't think- "
"Must you go?"
"It was a poor joke of mine, I know; but- "
"It was. I don't think a count or a baron would have said such a
rotten thing."
Her eyes flashed and she was trembling all over. From being
pretty, she had become beautiful.
"Perhaps not," said I steadily. "But if they had, they would
have meant it, Silvia."
"As you did."
I coiled the flexible cord about a finger, loosed it and thrust
it into my pocket.
"I'll go now," I said, "as I came."
"Like a thief."
"Like a thief. You have been wonderfully kind, and I- I have
spoiled everything. Let's try and forget this evening. For you,
a car passed in the night, the hum of its engine swelling up,
only to fade again into the silence. For me, I lingered to
listen to the words of a song, and when it was done, sped on into
the shadows. I wish you hadn't cut that bell, lass."
"Why?"
I walked out on to the balcony and swung myself over the coping.
"Because then I should have asked if I might kiss you."
When I had lowered myself on to the seat of the car, I unbuckled
the strap and started to pull it down. But the buckle caught on
the baluster, and I had to stand on my old perch to reach and
loosen it. I did so, balancing myself with one hand on the
balcony's door. As the strap slipped free, there was a burning
pain in my fingers. With a cry I tore them away, lost my
balance, and fell sideways into the car on to the back of the
front seat. I stood up unsteadily. It hurt me to breathe
rather, and there was a stabbing pain in my right side.
"Are you hurt?" said a quick voice above me. Dazedly I raised
my head. Silvia was leaning over the balcony, one hand to her
white throat. I could hear her quick-coming breath.
"No," I said slowly, "I'm not. But until you tell me that you
know I did not mean what I said, I will not believe that you did
not mean to stand upon my fingers."
"Are you hurt, lad?"
"No. Did you hear what I said?"
Silvia stood up, her hands before her on the coping.
"You know I didn't."
Without a word I stepped carefully out of the car. The pain was
intense. It was as if my side was being seared with a hot iron.
How I started the car I shall never know. The effort brought me
to my knees. Somehow I crept into my seat, took out the clutch
and put in the first speed. I was moving. Mechanically I
changed into second, third, and top. We were going now, but the
trees by the wayside seemed to be closing in on me. The road was
really ridiculously narrow. I could see a corner coming. The
pain was awful. My head began to swim, and I felt the near wheel
rise on the bank. I wrenched the car round, took out the clutch
and dragged the lever into neutral. As I jammed on the
hand-brake, I seemed to see many lights. Then came the noise of
a horn, cries, and the sound of tires tearing at the road. I
fell forward and fainted.
I could smell Daphne. Somewhere at hand was my sister's faint
perfume: I opened my eyes.
"Hullo, Boy! said Jill, her small, cool hand on my forehead.
"Better, darling?" said Daphne, brushing my cheek with soft lips.
"I'm all right," I said, raising myself on my left elbow. Still
the stabbing pain in my right side. "Where are we?"
"In the hall at St. Martin, dear. How did it all happen?"
"How did I get here?" I asked. "And you- I don't understand."
"We nearly ran you down, old chap. Berry's voice. "About a
quarter of a mile from here, towards Fladstadt. But why were you
driving away?"
I stared at him. "Driving away?" I said slowly. "Then- "
There were quick steps and the rustling of a dress.
Then Silvia spoke. "What is it, Bi11? Tell me. Who's hurt?"
"It's all right, m'dear," said the man's voice. "Mrs. Pleydell's
brother's met with an accident. We found him in the road. Don't
make a noise. This is my sister, Mrs. Pleydell."
"How d'you do?" said Daphne. "My brother seems- "
"I'm all right," I said suddenly. "I'd lost my way, see? And
one of the tires went, just as I was passing a big white house on
the left. I stopped under a balcony, I think."
"That's right," said Bill Bairling. "Balcony of Silvia's room."
"I never knew it was St. Martin, though. I must have cut across
country somehow. Still. Well, there was no jack on the car so I
couldn't do anything. Just as I was getting in again, I heard a
noise above me and turned. My foot slipped on the step, and I
fell on my side. Couple of ribs gone, I think. I tried to get
on to Fladstadt. Is the car all right?"
"And you said you weren't hurt," cried Silvia, sinking on her
knees by Jill.
"Was it you who asked me?" I spoke steadily, looking her full in
the eyes.
Yes," said Silvia.
"I know I did. But then, you know, I don't always mean what I
say. Then the pain surged up once more, and I fainted.
"Is she kind as she is fair?
For beauty lives with kindness.
Love doth to her eyes repair
To help him of his blindness,
And, being helped, inhabits there."
The singing was very gentle. Overnight the song had floated into
the air, rich, full, vibrant; but now a tender note had crept
into the rendering, giving the melody a rare sweetness. I
listened pleasedly. My side was very sore and stiff. Also my
head ached rather.
"Priceless voice that little girl's got." said Berry in a low
voice.
"Isn't she a dear, too?" said Daphne "Fancy giving up her own
bedroom, so that we could have the salon next door."
"I know. But I wish she wouldn't keep on reproaching herself so.
If a girl likes to step on to her own balcony, it's not her fault
if some fellow underneath falls over himself and breaks a couple
of ribs. However. When's the comic leech coming back?"
"This afternoon," said my sister. "But he'll wake before then.
I don't expect he'll remember much about last night. I'm so
thankful it's not more serious."
How soon did he say he'd be up?"
"Inside a week. It's a clean fracture. Of course, he'll be
strapped up for some time. Fancy his going on, though."
"Must have been temporarily deranged," said my brother-in-law
airily. "Shock of the fall, I expect."
"Rubbish!" said his wife. Just because you'd have lain there,
giving directions about your funeral and saying you forgave
people, you think anybody's mad for trying to get on. Boy has
courage."
"Only that of his convictions," said Berry. "You forget I've got
a clean sheet. My discharge from the Navy was marked 'Amazing'.
The only stain upon my character is my marriage. As for my
escutcheon, I've shaved in it for years."
"Fool!" said his wife.
"I shall turn my face to the wall if you're not careful."
"Don't," said Daphne. "Remember, it's not our house.
"There was a tap at the door. Then:
"May I come in?" said Silvia.
"Of course you may, dear. No. He's still asleep."
"It's nearly twelve," said Silvia. "Won't you go and rest a
little, and let me stay here? You must be so tired. I'll call
you the moment he wakes.
Daphne hesitated. "It's awfully good of you- "
"But it isn't. I'd love to."
"The truth is, she's afraid to trust you, Miss Bairling," said
Berry. "She thinks you're going to steal his sock-suspenders."
"Will you leave the room?" said my sister.
"After you, beloved."
I could hear Silvia's gentle laughter. Then:
"I shall come back about one, dear, if you don't send for me
before," said Daphne.
The next moment I heard the door close, and Silvia seated herself
on my left by the side of the bed. I opened my off eye. I lay
in a fair, grey-papered chamber, darkened, for the green shutters
were drawn close about the open windows. Some of their slides
were ajar, letting the bright sunshine slant into the room.
"There was once," I said, "a fool." A smothered exclamation
close to my left ear. "A fool, who did everything wrong. He
lost his way, his heart, his head, and, last of all, his
b~balance. In that order. Yet he was proud. But then he was
only a fool."
"But he was- English," she murmured.
"Yes,"I said.
"And there was another fool," said Silvia. "A much bigger one,
really, because, although she never lost her way or her head or
her balance, she lost something much more precious. She lost her
temper."
"But not her voice," said I. "And the fools went together to
Scotland Yard, and there they found the way and the head and the
balance and the temper. But not the heart, Silvia."
"Plural," said Silvia, softly. I opened my near eye and turned
my head. The first thing I saw was a rosy arm, lying on the edge
of my pillow. Within reach.
"I say," I whispered. "Is the bell in this room all right?"
CHAPTER XI
THE LOVE SCENE
When I had drawn blood for the third time, I felt that honour was
satisfied, so I cleaned the safety razor carefully and put it
away.
Quarter of an hour later I entered the dining-room.
"I said so," said Daphne.
"I know," said I, frowning.
"You don't even know what I said."
"I know that some surmise of yours has proved correct, which is
enough."
The coffee really was hot. After drinking a little, my smile
returned.
"Tell him," said Berry.
"We've been thinking it over," said Daphne, "and we've come to
the conclusion that you'd better call."
"On whom? For what?"
"Be call-boy."
I rose to my feet.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I said, " I have to thank you this dayit
is meant for a day, isn't it I- for the honour you have done
me. Although I can scarcely hope to sustain the role in a manner
worthy of the best traditions of- "
"We'd cast you for something else, if it was safe," said Daphne.
"You don't really think I'm going to call, do you?"
"Why not?"
"And have to stand in the wings while you all get crowds of
cabbages and things. Not much! I've been relying on this show
ever since Berry trod on the big marrow."
"Well, of course, there is Buckingham," said Berry.
"Or the soothsayer," said Jill.
"You are now talking," I said. "Soothsaying is one of my fortesmy
Martello tower, in fact. Of course, Hurlingham- "
"Buckingham, stupid!"
"Well, Buckingham, then, has his points. Whom does he espouse?"
"He doesn't espouse anyone."
"Whom does he love, then?"
Berry and Daphne looked uneasily at one another. I turned to
Jonah, who was deep in The Sportsman.
"Who's Buckingham in love with, Jonah"
"Down and four to play. What?" said that worthy.
"Oh, Buckingham? He's hanging round the Queen mostly, I think,
but he's got two or three other irons in the fire."
"I will play Hurl- Buckingham," said I.
When Berry had finished, I reminded him that he had suggested the
part, and that my mind was made up.
After a lengthy argument, in the course of which Berry drew a
stage on the table-cloth to show why it was I couldn't act;
"Oh, well, I suppose he'd better play it," said Daphne: "but I
scent trouble."
"That's right," I said. "Let me have a copy of the play."
Berry rose and walked towards the door. With his fingers on the
handle, he turned.
"If you don't know what some of the hard words mean," he said, "I
shall be in the library."
"Why in the library?" said Daphne.
"I'm going to write in another scene."
"Another scene?"
"Well, an epilogue, then."
"What's it going to be?"
"Buckingham"s murder," said Berry. "I can see it all. It will
be hideously realistic. All women and children will have to
leave the theatre."
As he went out:
"I expect the Duke will fight desperately," said I.
Berry put his head round the door.
"No," he said, " that's the dastardly part of it. It is from
behind that his brains are dashed out with a club."
I stretched out my hand for a roll.
"Do you know how a log falls?" said Berry. "Because, if- "
I could not get Daphne to see that, if Berry had not withdrawn
his head, the roll would not have hit the Sargent. However.
The good works of which Daphne is sometimes full occasionally
overflow and deluge those in her immediate vicinity. Very well,
then. A local institution, whose particular function has for the
moment escaped me, suddenly required funds. Perhaps I should say
that it was suddenly noised abroad that this was the case, for it
was one of the kind that is always in this uncomfortable plight.
If one day someone were to present it with a million pounds and
four billiard tables, next week we should be asked to subscribe
to a fund to buy it a bagatelle board. At any rate, in a burst
of generosity, Daphne had undertaken that we would get up a show.
When she told us of her involving promise, we were appalled.
"A show?" gasped Jonah.
"Yes," said Berry. "You know, a show- , display. We are to
exhibit us to a horrified assembly."
"But, Daphne darling," said Jill. "What have you done?"
"It's all right," said my sister. "We can do a play. A little
one, you know, and the Merrows will help."
"Of course," said Berry. "Some telling trifle or other. Can't
we dramatize 'The Inchcape Rock'?"
"Excellent," said I. "I should like to play the abbot. It would
be rather suitable, too. If you remember, 'they blest the Abbot
of Aberbrothok."'
"Why not?" said Berry. "We could have a very fervent little
scene with them all blessing you."
"And perhaps Heath Robinson would paint the scenery.
And so on.
In the end, Berry and Jonah had constructed quite a passable
little drama, by dint of drawing largely on Dumas in the first
place, and their own imagination in the second. There were one
or two strong situations, relieved by some quite creditable light
comedy, and all the 'curtains' were good. The village hall,
complete with alleged stage, was engaged, and half the county
were blackmailed into taking tickets. There were only twelve
characters, of which we accounted for five, and it was arranged
that we should all twelve foregather four days beforehand, to
rehearse properly. The other seven artists were to stay with us
at White Ladies for the rehearsals and performance, and generally
till the affair had blown over.
It was ten days before the date of the production that I was cast
for Buckingham. Six days to become word perfect. When three of
them had gone, I explained to the others that, for all their
jealousy, they would find that I should succeed in getting into
the skin of the part, and that, as it was impossible to polish my
study of George Villiers in the teeth of interference which
refused to respect the privacy even of my own bedroom, I should
go apart with Pomfret, and perfect my rendering in the shelter of
the countryside.
"Have pity upon our animal life!" cried Berry, when I made known
my intention. "Consider the flora and fauna of our happy shire!"
"Hush, brother," said I. "You know not what you say. I shall
not seek the fields. Rather- "
"That's something. We don't want you hauled up for
sheep-worrying just now."
"- shall I repair to some sequestered grove. There, when I shall
commune with myself, Nature will go astray. Springtime will come
again. Trees will break forth into blossom, meadows will blow
anew, and the voice of the turtle- "
"If you don't ring off," said Berry. "I'll set George at you."
George is our gorgonzola, which brings me back to Pomfret.
Pomfret is a little two-seater. I got him because I thought he'd
be so useful just to run to and fro when the car was out. And he
is. We made friends at Olympia, and I took to him at once. A
fortnight later, Jill was driving him delightedly round and round
in front of the house. After watching her for a while, Berry got
in and sat down by her side.
"Not that I want a drive," he explained carefully; but I want to
see if my dressing-case will be able to stand it as far as the
station."
"If you think" I began, but the next moment Jill had turned down
the drive, and I watched the three go curling out of sight.
When they returned, half an hour later, Berry unreservedly
withdrew his remark about the dressing-case, and the next day,
when Daphne suggested that Pomfret should bear a small basket of
grapes to the vicarage, he told her she ought to be ashamed of
herself.
From that day Pomfret was one of us.
And now, with three days left to learn my words, and a copy of
the play in my pocket, I drove forth into the countryside. When
I had idly covered about twenty miles, I turned down a little
lane and pulled up by the side of a still wood. I stopped the
engine and listened. Not a sound. I left the road and strolled
in among the trees till I came to where one lay felled, making a
little space. It was a sunshiny morning in October, and summer
was dying hard. For the most part, the soft colourings of autumn
were absent, and, as if loyal to their old mistress, the woods
yet wore the dear green livery, faded a little, perhaps, but the
more grateful because it should so soon be laid aside. The
pleasant place suited my purpose well, and for twenty minutes I
wrestled with the powerful little scene Jonah had written between
the Queen and Buckingham. By the end of that time I knew it
fairly well, so I left it for a while and stealthily entered the
old oak chamber- Act III, Scene I- by the secret door behind the
arras. After bringing down the curtain with two ugly looks, four
steps, and a sneer, I sat down on the fallen beech-tree, lighted
a cigarette, and wondered why I had rejected the post of
call-boy. Then I started on the love-scene again.
"'Madam, it is said that I am a harsh man. I am not harsh to
every one. Better for me, perhaps, if I were; yet so God made
me.'"
"When do you open?"
"That's wrong, said I." 'Can you be gentle, then?' comes after
that. Now, however, that you have shattered the atmosphere I had
created- of course, I think you're absolutely beautiful, and, if
you'll wait a second, I'll get Pomfret's rug."
"I don't know what you mean, but thanks all the same, and if
Pomfret doesn't mind, this tree is rather grubby."
I got the rug and spread it on the fallen trunk for her. She was
what the Irish are popularly believed to call 'a shlip of a
ghirl,' clad in a dark blue riding-habit that fitted her slim
figure beautifully. No hat covered her thick, blue-black hair,
which was parted in the middle and loosely knotted behind. Here
and there a wisp of it was in the act of escaping. I watched
them greedily. Merry grey eyes and the softest colouring, with a
small red mouth, ready to join the eyes in their laughter if its
owner listed. She was wearing natty little patent-leather boots,
and her hunting hat and crop lay on the log by her side. She sat
down and began to pull the gloves off a pair of small brown
hands.
"Do you know if cats ever drink water?" she said musingly.
"From what I remember of last year's statistics, there was, I
believe, a marked decrease in the number of alcoholism cases
reported as occurring amongst that species. I'm speaking
off-hand, you know."
"Never mind that: it's very good hearing."
"I know, and, talking of tight-ropes, Alice, have you seen the
March Hare lately?"
She threw her head back and laughed merrily. Then-
"We are fools, you know," she said.
"Perhaps. Still, a little folly- "
"Is a dangerous thing. And, now, when do you open?"
"To-morrow week. And, owing to the iniquitous provisions of the
new Shops Act, foisted by a reckless Government upon a- "
"You can cut that bit."
"Thank you. We close the same night."
"Positively for one performance only?"
"Exactly. And that's why I shall only just be able to get you a
seat."
"You needn't trouble."
"What! Don't you want to come?"
"Is it going to be very good?"
"Good? My dear Alice, we shall that night light such a candle as
shall never be put out. Electric light is doomed. The knell of
acetylene gas has sounded."
"You've only got a few lines, I suppose?"
I looked at her sorrowfully.
"Whose rug is she sitting on?" I said.
"Pomfret's."
"Pomfret is but the bailee of the rug, Alice."
"Oh," she cried, "he's going to be a barrister!"
"Talking of cats," I said stiffly, "and speaking as counsel of
five years' standing- "
I stopped, for she was on her feet now, facing me, and standing
very close, with her hands behind her and a tilted chin, looking
into my eyes.
"Talking of what, did you say?"
For a second I hesitated. Then:
"Gnats," I said.
She turned and resumed her place on the fallen tree. "Now you're
going on with your rehearsal," she announced. "I'll hear you."
"Will you read the cues?"
"Give me the book."
I showed her the point I had reached when she entered.
"You are the Queen," I said. "It's rather confusing, because I
had thought you were Alice; but it can't be helped. Besides, you
came on just before you did, really, and you've spoken twice
before you opened your small red mouth."
"Is that how it describes the Queen?" This suspiciously.
"I was really thinking of Alice, but- "
"But what?"
"The Queen has got a delicate, white throat. It says so."
"How can you tell? I've got a stock on."
"I said the Queen had. Besides, when you put your face up to
mine just now- "
"Hush! Besides, you were looking me in the eyes all the time,
so- "
"And, if I was, do you blame me?"
"I'm not in the witness-box now, counsel."
"No, but you're sitting on Pomfret's rug, and Pomfret is but
the- "
She began to laugh helplessly.
"Come along, Alice," I said. "'Yet so God made me. Now you
say, 'Can you be gentle, then?' and give me the glad eye.
"It only says 'archly' here, in brackets."
"Same thing," said I
"'Can you be gentle, then?'"
A pause. Then:
"Go on," she said.
"I'm waiting for my cue."
"I've said it- Hare."
"John or March?"
"March, of course. John is an actor."
"Thank you, Alice, dear. I repeat, I await my cue, the which you
incontinently withhold. Selah!"
She tried not to laugh.
"I've given it, you silly man."
"My dear, I come in on the eye. It's most important. You must
give it to me, because I've got to give it back to you in a
second or two."
She gave it me exquisitely.
"'There are with whom I can be more than gentle, madam.'"
Here I returned the eye with vigour.
"'What manner of men are these you favour?'"
"'They are not men, madam. Neither are they favoured of me.
"'Of whom, then?'"
"'Of Heaven, madam, and at birth. I mean fair women."'
"Such as- "
"'Such as you, madam.'"
The way she said 'Hush!' at that was a flash of genius. It was
indescribably eloquent. She forbade and invited in the same
breath. It was wonderful, and it made me Buckingham. And
Buckingham it brought to her feet. Little wonder. It would have
brought a cardinal. In the passionate rhetoric of my lines I
wooed her, sitting there on the tree trunk, her head thrown back,
eyes closed, lips parted, and always the faint smile that sends a
man mad. I never had to tell her to rise. To the line she
swayed towards me. To the line she slipped into my arms. She
even raised her lips to mine at the last. Then, as I stooped for
the kiss, she placed her two small hands firmly on my face and
pushed me away.
"Very nice, indeed," she said. "You know your lines well, and
you know how to speak them. Hare, I think you're going to be
rather good."
I wiped the perspiration off my forehead.
"You made me good, then. I shall never give such a show again."
"Of course you will."
"Never! Never, Alice! But you- you're wonderful. Good Heavens,
lass, this might be the two hundredth night you'd played the
part. Are you some great one I've not recognized? And will you
sign a picture-postcard for our second housemaid- the one who saw
'Buzz-Buzz ' eighteen times?"
"What! Not the one with fair hair?"
"And flat feet? The very one. Junket, her name is. By Curds out
of Season. My mistake. I was thinking of our beagle. Don't
think I'm quite mad. I'm only drunk. You're the wine."
"The Queen is, you mean."
"No, no- you, Alice."
She looked at her wrist-watch.
"Oh, all right," I said. "The Queen's the wine, the play's the
thing. Anything you like. Only I'm tired of play-acting, and I
only want to talk to Alice. Come and let me introduce Pomfret."
"He hasn't been here all the time?"
"Waiting in the road."
"Oh, he's a horse."
I laughed by way of answer, and we walked to where Pomfret stood,
patient, immobile. I introduced him elaborately. My lady swept
him a curtsey.
"I have to thank you for lending me your rug, Pomfret," she said.
I replied for the little chap:
"It's not my rug; I am but the bail- "
"That's all right. Is your master nice to you?"
"But yes, lady. Don't you like him?"
"He seems to mean well."
"Isn't that rather unkind?" said Pomfret.
"I'm not in the witness-box now."
"Then there's no reason why you shouldn't tell the truth."
"Really, Pomfret!"
"Forgive me, Alice. I'm only a young car, and sometimes, when the
petrol gets into my tank- "
"I hope you don't take more than you should."
"I'm sober enough to see you've got a fine pair of headlights."
"I'm afraid you're of rather a coming-on disposition, Pomfret."
"Oh, I can do my thirty-five. His licence will show you that.
"Oh, Pomfret, did you get it endorsed?"
"It was his own fault. Kept egging me on all the time, and then,
when we were stopped, tells the police that it's a physical
impossibility for me to do more than fifteen. And I had to stand
there and hear him say it! He told me afterwards that it was
only a facon de parler, but I was angry. I simply shook with
anger, the radiator was boiling, too, and one of the tires burst
with rage."
"And I suppose the petrol pipe was choked with emotion."
"And the engine almost throttled in consequence. But that is
another story. And now, won't you let me take you for a little
run? My clutch is not at all fierce."
My companion leaned against Pomfret's hood and laughed.
"He's a bit of a nut, isn't he?" said I.
"Do you think he's quite safe?"
"Rather! Besides, I shall be with you."
"That's not saying much."
"Thank you. And talking of gurnats- "
"Where will you take me?"
"Whithersoever she listed."
"Is it far from here to Tendon Harrow?"
"About sixteen miles."
"Would you mind, Hare?"
"You know I'd love it."
I started up Pomfret, and we settled ourselves in the car. As
luck would have it, I had a second coat with me, and she said she
was quite warm and comfortable.
Presently she told me all that had happened. In the morning she
had ridden alone to hounds. The meet had been at Will Cross.
The mare was keen, and for a few miles all went well. Then the
hounds had split. Most of the field had followed the master, but
she and a few others had followed the huntsman. After a while
she had dropped a little behind. Then there had been a check.
She had seized upon the opportunity it afforded her to slip off
and tighten her girths.
"Wasn't there any man there to- "
"Wait. The next second the hounds picked up the scent again,
and, before I knew where I was, the mare had jerked the bridle
out of my hand and was half-way across the first field."
"And didn't anyone catch her?"
"The man who caught her is a brute. He would have wanted to
tighten my girths for me, and that's why I dropped behind. I
felt it would be him, so I slid out of sight behind a hedge, and
when I saw it was him coming back with her, I didn't want his
smile, so I just ran into the woods and started to walk home."
"Did he see you?"
"No. He may be there still, for all I know."
"He must have been having a roaring time leading the mare about
all day."
"I hope it'll teach him not to pester a girl again."
I sighed. "Some of us are brutes, aren't we?"
"Yes."
A pause. Then:
"But some men have been very nice to me."
"The devil they have!" said I.
Here, as certain of our own writers say and have said, a gurgle
of delight escaped her. I leaned forward and grabbed at
something, caught and handed it to her. She stared at my empty
palm.
"Your gurgle, I think."
"Oh," she said, laughing, "you are mad. But I like you. Now,
why is that?"
"Personal charm," said I. "The palmist who sits where the
draughts are in the Brown Park Hotel, West Central, said I had a
magnetism of my own."
"There you are. I never believed in palmistry."
"She also told me to beware of lifts, and a fellow trod on one of
my spats in the one at Dover Street the very next morning.
Hullo!"
Pomfret slowed gradually down and stopped. I turned to the girl.
"This is what we pay the boy sixteen shillings a week for."
"What's the matter?"
"Petrol's run out. I'm awfully sorry. The silly serf must have
forgotten to fill up before I started."
"My dear Hare, what shall we do?"
I made a rapid calculation.
"We can't be more than a quarter of a mile from Fell. In fact,
I'm almost sure it's at the foot of the next hill. Yes, I know
it is. And if we can get Pomfret to the crest of this rise, it's
all down-hill from there to the village. Shall we try, Alice?"
"Rather!"
She got out, and I followed. Fortunately the slope was a gentle
one, and, without much of the harder labour, we managed to top
the rise. Then we got in again, and began to descend the hill.
When the brakes failed, one after another, I was, if possible,
more pained than surprised. I rebuked Pomfret and turned to my
companion:
"Do you mind making ready to die?" I said. " I'm sorry, but if
we don't take the next corner, I'm afraid we shall be what is
called 'found later'.
We took it on two wheels, and I then ran Pomfret's near front
wheel on to the low bank by the side of the road.
"Put your arms round my neck," I cried.
She did so, and the next moment we plunged into the bushes. I
heard a wing snap, and the car seemed to mount a little into the
air; then we stopped at a nasty angle, for the off hind wheel was
yet in the channel. I breathed a sigh of relief. Then, still
grasping the wheel, I looked down at my left shoulder.
I love Harris tweeds," said the girl quietly. "It's just as
well, isn't it?"
All things considered, it was. Her nose was embedded in the
cloth about two inches above my left breast-pocket. In silence I
kissed her hair four times. Then:
"I confess," I said, that the real blue-black hair has always
been a weakness of mine.
At that she struggled to rise, but the angle was against her,
and, honestly, I couldn't do much. The next minute she had found
the edge of the wind-screen- fortunately open at the time of the
accident- and had pulled herself off me.
"My hair must have been- "
"Almost in my mouth," I said. "Exactly. I have been- "
"What?"
"Licking it, my dear. It's awfully good for hair, you knowimparts
a gloss-like and silky appearance. Besides, since- "
"Idiot!"
I climbed gingerly out of the car, and then helped her into the
bushes.
"Suffering from shock, Alice? I'm really devilish sorry."
"Not a bit. It wasn't your fault. Between you and me, Hare, I
think you managed it wonderfully."
"Thank you, Alice. That's very sweet of you."
"I hope Pomfret isn't much hurt."
"The little brute. Only a wing, I think. Look here, if we walk
into the village, you can have some lunch- you must want it- at
the inn, while I get some help to get him out."
Just at the foot of the hill we came upon 'The Old Drum,' its
timbered walls showing white behind the red screen of its
Virginia creeper. When I had escorted my lady into the little
parlour, I sought the kitchen. I could hardly believe my ears
when the comfortable mistress of the house told me that at that
very moment a toothsome duck was roasting, and that it would and
should be placed before us in a quarter of an hour. Without
waiting to inquire whom we were about to deprive of their
succulent dish, I hastened with the good news to my companion.
"Splendid!" she said.
"You don't mind waiting?"
"I should have waited for you, anyway. Now go and retrieve
Pomfret; you've just got time."
To the two husbandmen I found in the bar, the idea of earning
twopence a minute for a quarter of an hour appealed so strongly
that they did not wait to finish the ale I had ordered for them,
and the feats of strength they performed in persuading Pomfret to
return to the path from which he had strayed made me ache all
over. The result was that the car was in the yard before the
duck had left the oven, and I was able to have a wash at the pump
before luncheon was served. Pomfret had come off very lightly,
on the whole. Except for the broken wing, a fair complement of
scratches, and the total wreck of one of the lamps, he seemed to
have taken no hurt.
So it happened that Alice and I lunched together. I think we
were both glad of the food. When it was over, I lighted her
cigarette, and drew her attention to the oleograph, which
pictured Gideon's astonishment at the condition of what, on
examination, proved to be a large fleece. Out of perspective in
the background a youth staggered under a pile of first-fruits.
"No wayside inn parlour is complete without one such picture,"
said I. "As a rule, we are misled about Moses. This, however,
is of a later school. Besides, this is really something out of
the common."
"Why?"
"Well, that's not Gideon really, but Garrick as Gideon. Very
rare. And that with the first-fruits is Kean as-
"Yes?"
"As Ever," I went on hurriedly; "Gideon's great pal, you know,
brother of Always. And Mrs. Siddons- "
"Who made her debut six years after Garrick's farewell...And
you're all wrong about Kean. But don't let me stop you. Which
is Nell Gwynne?"
"Nelly? Ah, no, she isn't in the picture. But she stopped here
once- for lunch- quite by chance and unattended, save for a poor
fool she had found in the forest. Hunting she had been, and had
lost her horse, and he brought her on her way on a pillion. Be
sure he rode with his chin on his shoulder all the time. She
never said who she was, but he knew her for some great lady, for
all his dullness. Ah, Nell, you- she was very sweet to him:
let him see the stars in her eyes, let him mark the blue cloud of
her hair, suffered him to sit by her side at their meal, gave him
of her fair company, and- and, like them all, he loved her. All
the time, too- from the moment when he turned and saw her
standing there by the fallen tree in the forest, with her loose
hair scrambling over her temples- scrambling to see the stars in
her eyes. The day passed, and then another; and then the weeks
and months, and presently the years, very slowly. But always the
fool saw her standing there in the sunshine, with the dear, faint
smile on her lips, and the bright memory of her eyes lighted his
path when the way was dark, and he might have stumbled, always,
always."
I stopped. She was looking away out of the latticed window up at
the clear blue sky- looking with the look that is blind and seeth
nothing. I came round to the back of her chair and put my hands
on her shoulders.
"We never finished our scene," I said gently.
"No?"
"No. You pushed me away."
"Did I?"
A pause. Then:
"May I finish it now?" I said.
"I expect," she said slowly, "I expect you know that bit all
right."
"I shall cut it on the night of the performance."
She leaned right back in her chair and looked steadily up into my
eyes. I bent over her.
"You'll do nothing of the sort," she said firmly. "She may be- "
"A goddess. But she won't be you."
"No?" she smiled.
"Never, Alice."
"Promise me you'll not cut it on the night."
I groaned.
"But- " I faltered.
"Promise."
"Oh, all right! But I shall hate it, Alice, hate- "
"A present for a good Hare," she said softly, and raised her lips
to mine.
On examination Pomfret proved to be practically unhurt, and I was
able to get some petrol in the village; but naturally I didn't
dare to drive him without seeing to the brakes. It was
impossible for my companion to wait while I rectified the
trouble, but we managed to raise what had once been a dog-cart,
and in that she left for Tendon Harrow. She left, I say, for she
would not let me come with her. She was so firm. I implored
her, but it was no good. She simply would not be entreated, and
I had to content myself with putting her carefully in and
watching her drive away in the care of a blushing half-boots,
half-ostler, who could not have been more than eighteen.
I got home about six.
"Where on earth have you been?" said Daphne, as I entered the
smoking-room.
"Ask Pomfret," said I. "He's in disgrace."
"You haven't hurt him?"
"He nearly killed me."
"What happened"
"Lost his temper just because the petrol ran out. Believe me, a
horrid exhibition. Absolutely let himself go. In other words,
the brakes failed, and I had to run him into the bushes. One
lamp and one wing broken, otherwise unhurt. To adjusting brakes
-materials, nil; labour, three hours at a drink an hour, three
pints ale. Oh, rotten, my dear, rotten!"
I sank into a chair.
"Meanwhile, we've had to entertain the Wilson crowd. I suppose
you forgot they were coming?"
"I was with you in spirit."
"In beer, you mean," said Berry. "Look here, I knew you when you
were seven, before you had put off the white mantle of innocence
and assumed the cloak of depravity. It has been my unhappy lot
to be frequently in your company ever since, and, speaking from a
long and distasteful experience of you and your ways, I am quite
satisfied that, if you did meet with some slight contretemps, you
made no whole-hearted effort to rejoin us in time to degrade your
intellect by discussing the sort of topics which appeal to that
genus of hopeless wasters which the Wilsons adorn."
"Was it very bad?" said I.
"Bad?" said Jonah. "Bad? When a woman with six male children
leads off by telling you that she keeps a book in which she has
faithfully recorded all the amusing sayings of her produce up to
the age of seven, it's pretty bad, isn't it?"
"Not really?"
"Fact," said Berry. "She quoted a lot of them. One of the more
nutty was a contribution from Albert on seeing his father smoking
for the first time. 'Mother, is daddy on fire' Now, that really
happened. We had about half an hour of the book. Jonah asked
her why she didn't publish it, and she nearly kissed him. It was
terrible."
"To make things worse," said Jonah, "they brought Baldwin and
Arthur with them, as specimens of what they could do in the child
line."
"How awful!" said I
"It was rather trying," said Berry. "But they were all right as
soon as we turned them on to the typewriter."
"What!" I gasped.
"Oh, we had little or no trouble with them after that."
"Quiet as mice," said Jonah.
"Do you know that machine cost me twenty-five pounds?" I cried.
"The jam'll wash off," said Berry. " You don't know how easily
jam comes off. Why, I've known "
"If I thought you really had turned them on to the typewriter, I
should never forgive you."
"You oughtn't to say a thing like that, even in jest," said
Berry; "it isn't Christian. I tell you for your good."
"Seriously, you didn't do such a wicked thing? Hullo, where is
it?"
"They're going to bring it back on Wednesday. I said they
couldn't have it more than a week."
I glanced at Jill, who was standing by the window. Her left
eyelid flickered, and I knew it was all right.
"Well, I can't help it," I said, sinking back into my chair and
lighting a cigarette.
"Poor old chap!" said Daphne. "I believe you thought we had done
you down."
"Of course I didn't. Is it to-morrow you've got to go up to
Town, Jill?"
"Yes, Boy. Are you going up, too?"
"Must. I'll give you lunch at the Berkeley if you like, dear."
Jill came across and laid her cheek against mine.
"I always like Boy, because he's grateful," she said gently.
Three days later our fellow-mummers began to arrive. A deep
melancholy had settled upon me. I cursed the play, I cursed the
players, I cursed my part, and most of all I cursed the day which
had seen me cast for Buckingham. Whenever I picked up the book,
I saw my queen, Alice, standing there by the fallen tree or
sitting looking up at me as I bent over her chair in the parlour
of 'The Old Drum'. And now her place was to be taken, usurped by
another- a Miss Tanyon- whom I hated terribly, though I didn't
know her, and the very idea of whom was enough to kill any
dramatic instinct I once seemed to possess. Whenever I
remembered my promise to Alice, I writhed. So odious are
comparisons.
When Daphne announced that the wretched woman was coming by the
five-fourteen, and that she should go with the car to meet her,
and added that I had better come, too, I refused point-blank.
"I don't know what's the matter with you," said my sister.
"Don't you want to see the girl you'll have to play the
love-scene with?"
This about finished me, and I laughed bitterly.
"No," I said, "I'm damned if I do."
When Daphne pressed her point as only Daphne can, I felt really
too timid and bored with the whole affair to argue about it, so I
gave way. Accordingly, at ten minutes past five, I stood moodily
on the platform by my sister's side. The train steamed in, and
the passengers began to alight. Daphne scanned them eagerly.
"I don't see her," she said half to herself.
We were standing half-way down the platform, and I turned and
looked listlessly towards the front of the train. That end of
the platform was empty except for two people. One was a stoker
who had stepped off the foot-plate. The other was Alice. She
was in blue still- a blue coat and skirt, with a fox fur about
her shoulders. A small, blue felt hat was somewhat shading her
eyes, but I could see she was looking at me and smiling. I
forgot all about Miss Tanyon- she simply didn't matter now.
Involuntarily :
"Why. there's the Queen!" I cried, and started towards her.
"Where?" said Daphne.
"Here," I flung over my shoulder.
A four-wheeled truck of luggage, propelled by a porter across my
bows, blocked my way for a moment, and Daphne overtook me.
"So it is," she said. "But how did you know?"
CHAPTER XII
THE ORDER OF THE BATH
Berry blotted the letter with maddening precision. Then he
picked it up tenderly and handed it to me.
"How will that do?"
"Read it aloud," said Daphne.
I did so.
"Dear Sir,-In the interests of personal cleanliness, we have- not
without considerable hesitation- decided to install a fourth
bathroom at our historic home, 'White Ladies'.
This decision will necessitate the loss or conversion of one of
the dressing-rooms, a fact which fills us with the gravest
misgivings, since there are only eleven in the whole mansion. At
the same time, thee conventions of a prudish age make it
undesirable that a second bath should be installed in one of the
rooms already existing for that purpose. We think the fourth
room on your right, as you leave the back stairs, going south.
This is locally known as the Green Room and takes its name, not,
as you may imagine, from the fact that the late Sir Henry Irving
once slept there, but from the hue of the rodents, said there
frequently to have been observed by the fourth Earl. Please
execute the work with your customary diligence. We should like
to pay on the hire system, i.e., so much a month, extending over
a period of two years. The great strides, recently made in the
perilous art of aviation, suggest to us that the windows should
be of ground glass. Yours faithfully, etc. P.S. - lf your men
drop the bath on the stairs, the second footman will at once
apply for a warrant for their arrest."
Jill buried her face in the sofa-cushions and gave way to
unrestrained merriment. Jonah laughed openly. I set my teeth
and tried not to smile. For an instant the corners of Daphne's
mouth twitched. Then:
"Wretched ass," she said.
"The truth is," said her husband, "you don't know literature when
you see it. Now that letter- "
"I suppose I shall have to write to the man," said I.
"There you are," said Berry. "Insults at every turn. I was
about to say that I regarded that letter as one of the brightest
jewels in an already crowded diadem."
"Give me the writing-block," I said shortly, producing my
fountain-pen. I turned to Daphne. "What sort of a bath d'you
want?"
"Porcelain-enamel, they call it, don't they?" she replied
vaguely, subjecting a box of chocolates to a searching
cross-examination.
Berry rose to his feet and cleared his throat. Then he sang
lustily :
"What of the bath?"
The bath was made of porcelain,
Of true ware, of good ware,
The ware that won't come off"
A large cushion sailed into his face. As it fell to the ground,
Berry seized it and held it at arm's length.
"Ha," he said rapturously. "A floral tribute. They recognize my
talent."
"Not at all," said Jonah. "I only threw that, because the dead
cats haven't come."
"Exactly," said I. "We all know you ought to be understudying at
the Hoxton Empire, but that's no reason why we should be
subjected- "
"Did you notice the remarkable compass of my voice?" said Berry,
sinking into a chair.
"I did," said I. "I should box it, if I were you, brother.
Bottle it, if you prefer."
"Poor fool," said my brother-in-law. "For the trumpet notes, to
which it has just been your privilege to listen, there is a great
future. In short, my voice is futurist. The moment they hear
it, the few who have paid for their seats will realize what the
box-office will say when they demand the return of their money."
"And those who have not paid?" said I.
"Oh, they will understand why they were given tickets."
"Suppose you write that letter," said Daphne wearily.
I bent over the writing-block.
"You know," said Berry, " I don't think this bath's at all
necessary."
At this there was a great uproar. At length:
"Besides," said my sister, "we all decided that we must have
another bath ages ago. The only question there's ever been was
where to put it."
"Of course," said I. "If we don't, where are we going to dip the
sheep?"
"Well, I think it's a shame to pull the old place about like
this. If we're so awfully dirty, we'd better find another house
that's got four bathrooms already, and sell White Ladies."
"Sell White Ladies?" cried Jill.
Berry nodded.
"Not only lock and stock, but barrel too. Yes," he added
bitterly, "the old water-butt must go."
"Look here," said I. "It occurs to me that this isn't a case for
a letter. We ought to go and choose a bath properly."
"That's rather an idea," said Daphne.
"Simply sparkling," said her husband. "Personally, I've got
something better to do than to burst down to South London, and
stagger round floor after floor, staring at baths."
"You needn't worry," said Daphne coolly. "I wouldn't go with you
for a hundred pounds."
Berry turned to us others.
"Yet we love one another," he said, with a leer in his wife's
direction. "In reality I am the light of her eyes. The
acetylene gas, as it were, of her existence. Well, well." He
rose and stretched himself. "I wash my hands of the whole
matter. Note the appropriate simile. Install what cistern you
please. If approached properly, I may consent to test the work
when complete. Mind you spare no expense."
"We don't propose to," said Daphne.
Berry regarded her sorrowfully.
"I suppose," he said, "I suppose you know what word will be found
at the post-mortem graven upon my heart?"
"What?" said Daphne, stifling a yawn.
"Plunge."
It was quite a good day to choose a bath. True, it was winter.
But then the sun was shining out of a clear, blue sky, there was
a rare freshness in the London air, and beneath me- for I was
crossing Westminster Bridge- old Thames marched all a-glitter. I
watched his passage gratefully. It was that of a never-ending
band. Playing all the way, too, but silently. Yet, the music
was there. The pity was that one could not hear it. The pomp,
the swagger, the swing of the Guards, the shifting movement, the
bright array- all these were unmistakable. The very lilt of the
air made itself felt. Very cheery. Certainly, the river was en
fete.
It had been arranged that the selection of an appropriate bath
should be made by Daphne, Jonah, and me. When I came down to
breakfast to find that Jonah had already left for Huntercombe, I
was more hurt than surprised. But, when Daphne appeared during
the marmalade, clad in a new riding-habit, I made haste to empty
my mouth.
"You can't ride there," I said. "The traffic's too heavy.
Besides, the tram-lines- "
"You don't want me, old chap," said my sister, stooping to lay
her soft cheek against mine, as she passed to her place.
I drank some coffee with an injured air. Then:
"This," I said, "is low down. Not nice. I don't like it in you.
It argues- "
" -the confidence we repose in your judgment," said Daphne.
"Yes, brother," said Berry, looking up from The Sportsman. "The
bath-dressing-gown has fallen upon your rounded shoulders. Ill
though it becomes you, I trust that- "
"Enough," said I. "Alone I will select a bath. Doubtless you
will all deplore my choice as bitterly as you will fight with one
another for the privilege of using it. However. When I am dead,
you will regret- "
No, we shan't," said my brother-in-law. "We shall just bury you
under another name and try to keep the obituary notices out of
the papers."
I sat back in my chair and frowned. "Be good enough to pass the
rolls," said I.
"You've only had four, said Berry, pushing them across. "Mind
you get a good lunch at Lambeth. I'm told they do you very well
at 'The Three Balls.'
"When I'm choosing a bath," said I, " I always lunch at 'The
Rising Spray.' And now, here I was, afoot upon Westminster
Bridge bound for the warehouse of the firm we proposed to honour
with our patronage.
I passed on into the roar of the crowded streets, and a quarter
of an hour later I reached the place I sought.
Almost immediately the office-boy took me for a commercial
traveller and refused point-blank to announce my arrival. I told
him that I had an appointment.
"Yes," he said pleasantly. "They all 'as."
"Friend," said I, "I see that you are bent on gaining the
feathered fowl. In other words, if I'm kept waiting much longer
you'll get the bird."
"I don't think," he replied somewhat uneasily.
"That," said I, "is what I complain of."
I seated myself on a table and lighted a cigarette. Then:
"I wonder how he'll like his new place," I said, apostrophizing
the skylight.
A pause. Then:
"Of corse, the guv'nor might be in," said the youth. "Yer never
knows."
"Speak for yourself," said I. "At the same time, you appear to
be doing what you conceive to be your duty. And for those who do
their duty, there is always a shilling in the left-hand
trouser-pocket- "
But the boy was half-way upstairs. I had proved my identity.
Five minutes later one of the partners was conducting me in the
direction of the baths.
Now he had twice begged me to be careful not to hit my head, for
he led me through divers dark, low-pitched corridors. Especially
divers. I remembered his warning about a fifth of a second too
late.
When we at length emerged again into the broad light of day, I
contemplated my new bowler in some annoyance. It was bashed in
properly. A large dent- in shape somewhat resembling the Empire
of India- leered at me, its edges generously defined with
whitewash. Very trying.
My good host was greatly concerned, and begged to be allowed to
take the damaged headgear away and have it brushed. After a
little I consented, promising to walk round and look at the baths
while he was gone. The next moment he had disappeared.
I laid my stick and gloves on a glass-topped table and looked
about me. Never before had I seen so many baths gathered
together. Large and small, deep and shallow, normal and
abnormal, they stood orderly in long lines. The more elaborate
ones, fitted with screens and showers, douches, etc., stood a
little apart upon a baize-covered dais, bright with their
glistening pipes and rows of taps. And in an alcove, all
glorious, electric light burning above its gold-lacquered
fittings, reposed the bath of baths, a veritable monarch, with
his attendant basin, marble-topped table, gilded towel-rails,
etc., etc.
Attracted by the aristocracy upon the dais, I was proceeding to
stroll humbly in their direction, when I heard the sound of
footsteps. The next moment a girl stepped lightly between great
sliding iron doors, which led obviously from an adjoining chamber
on the same floor.
Very smart she was, in a black cloth coat with ermine collar and
cuffs. On her head was a trim black hat from which a fine brooch
was blazing. Save that she was fair, and that her feet flashed
as she walked, I could see little more.
For a moment the new-comer hesitated, looking about her. Then
she came towards me.
"Oh," she said. "I want to choose a bath."
For an instant I looked at her. Then I remembered that I was
hatless, stickless, gloveless.
I bowed.
"Certainly, madam. What sort of bath do you require?"
She was looking at me now- narrowly rather. Quickly she swung
round and glanced about the great hall. Then she spoke, somewhat
uneasily.
"Er- if you would show me some baths with showers and things,
please- "
"With pleasure, madam. Will you come this way?"
I preceded her in the direction of the great ones.
"Now this," I said, laying my hand familiarly on the smooth edge
of one of the grandes dames, "this is 'The Duchess.' Very
popular, madam. She may not exactly figure in Society, but I can
assure you that every morning half Society figures in her." I
glanced at the girl to see an amused smile struggling with grave
suspicion in her eyes. I went on hurriedly. "We've been selling
a great number lately."
"Have you?" she said slowly.
"Yes, indeed, madam. Only this morning we received an order for
fourteen from Madagascar." I turned to another patrician. "Here
again is a first-class bath. 'The Nobleman.' A great feature is
the glass screen. The enamel, too, is of the very best quality.
Nickelplated fittings, stream line body, detachable whee- erthat
is, the waste also is constructed on a most ingenious
principle: we call it the 'Want-Not' pattern."
"Ah," she said quietly. " And what's the price of this -erparagon?"
I glanced at the ticket, knitting my brows.
"Well, it's listed at 'AWK/-', but to you, madam, the price is- "
I looked at her, smiling.
"Yes?" she said, with her grey eyes on mine. Her eyebrows were
raised a little, and the soft lips had taken on the curve that
tells of laughter hardly controlled.
"Another look like that," said I, "and I'll give it you and pay
the carriage."
She broke into a long ripple of delight. Then she took her seat
upon 'The Nobleman's ' broad edge and regarded me mischievously.
"I think you ought to apologize," she said severely.
"Who took me for a salesman?" said I.
"I never did that. You see, I've been looking at basins over
there" -she pointed in the direction of the iron doors- "and they
said if I came through here, I should find one of the partners.
Besides, I wasn't a bit sure when I first spoke, but, as you had
no hat- And then you led me on. Still, I beg your pardon."
"Not at all. The partner's a very nice chap. And the mischief
is reparable. I mean- "
"Where is the partner?"
"At the present moment I believe he's engaged in trying to efface
the Indian Empire. Bit of a Socialist, you know," I added. "May
I smoke?"
"What d'you mean?"
"Doesn't she know the word? Smoke, my dear. Draw into and expel
from the mouth the fumes of burning tobac- "
"Idiot! About the Little Englander."
I explained.
"And now," I said, with a wave of my cigarette, "behold me once
more at your service. The gentle art of bathing, madam, is of
considerable antiquity. In classical times the bath played a
very prominent part in the everyday existence of the cleanly nut.
Then came a dead period in the history of personal irrigation.
Recently, however, the bath-rate has once more gone up, immersion
is again in vogue, and to-day in the best circles scarcely a
month passes without-
"And these" -she swept the nobility with a glance- "are the upper
ten!"
"Precisely. You can tell that from their polish."
"Rather exclusive, aren't they?"
"Collectively, yes, madam. Individually, they will receive you
with open arms. Only last night an order arrived from"
"I know. Madagascar. You're no good as a sales-man.
I drew myself up.
"From Honolulu, for twenty-two 'God-sends."' I said icily.
"Madagascar's request was for 'Duchesses.'"
That, over there, is a 'Wallsend,'- I mean 'God-send.'"
"And I suppose you've supplied Cochin China for years'"
"One of our oldest clients," said I.
"You know," said she, "when I look round, I feel as if I had
never seen a bath before."
"I know. I felt just like that at first. And yet I have," I
added thoughtfully; "they had one at a hotel I stayed at last
Easter. At Biarritz, that was."
"I wish you'd be serious," she said, laughing. "Then you might
be of some use."
"I don't think you're at all kind," said I, leaning against the
screen of 'The Duchess' with a dejected air.
"Excuse me," she said, " but is that the Slinker Slouch I've
heard of? Your attitude, I mean?"
"No," I said shortly. "It's the Leicester Lounge. But, to
return to your unkindness. I want a bath just as much as you
do."
She recoiled. "You know what I mean. I'm a customer, like you.
We're both in the same ba-boat. And I have been doing my best to
indicate the merits of-er-of- "
"The idle rich," she said, smiling. "Yes, but you see you
shouldn't have. When you saw me coming you ought to have- "
"Dodged behind a pillar, picked up my stick and gloves, and kept
about ten bath-lengths away, until the partner reappeared? No
doubt. But, then, you shouldn't have looked so priceless, or
worn your sense of humour on your sleeve. You shouldn't have had
a small, straight nose or a mouth like a red flower. You
shouldn't have walked like a thoroughbred, or carried your
clothes as if they were worth wearing. You shouldn't have had
eyes I could see to read by, if the light failed."
"Finished?"
"No. But listen. I think I hear the partner coming- the genuine
article, this time." There was no sound.
"Anyway," I went on, "he'll be back in a moment; and so, as I'm
afraid I didn't consider you just now, I'll try and make up for
it. Good-bye."
"But what about your bath? Have you seen one you like?"
"Yes," said I. "I have. One. Not a bath, though. But I can
easily come another day."
I turned resolutely away.
"I say," said the girl quietly.
I swung round and looked at her. She still sat upon the edge of
'The Nobleman,' her little gloved hands gripping the rim on
either side of her. Her face was raised a little, but she was
looking down. One slight leg thrust out from under the blue
frock, its dainty instep gleaming under the silk stocking. The
ankle above it, very slender; the bucked shoe literally beaming
with pride.
"Yes?" I said.
"I haven't seen a bath I like, either," she said simply.
At this moment the partner came bustling back, full of apologies.
Stifling a desire to strangle him, I congratulated the good man
upon the condition of my hat, and turned to the girl.
"Then, as we both want to see some baths, perhaps we might look
at some together?" I said.
"I think so."
"If you please, madam," said the partner. He turned to 'The
Duchess.' "Now, this is a first-class bath. One of our very
latest models. Only this morning we received an order from
Ceylon ..."
Fortunately, we were both a little behind him.
No one can say that we did not weigh the merits of the various
baths carefully. We passed from one to another, asking
questions, receiving information, examining, criticizing,
discussing for over an hour. Four times, to our great joy, the
excellent partner actually climbed into a bath, the more
satisfactorily to emphasize its advantages. As he sat there,
faithfully reproducing the various movements of the arms,
universally, I suppose, employed in the process of ablution, the
living picture which he presented, put an obviously severe strain
upon the gravity of my companion. And when, in response to a
daringly ingenuous thirst for intelligence on my part, he
proceeded to demonstrate the comparative ease with which a
left-handed bather, suffering from sciatica, could manipulate the
taps from the wrong end of the bath, the girl hurriedly sought
the shelter of a convenient pillar to hide her open merriment.
We had a great time.
Finally, we each gave an order for a 'Pompadour, which seemed, on
the whole, to merit the palm. It was certainly the last word in
the bath line.
While she was giving her name and the address of the home, which
her new bath was to adorn, I strolled a little apart, thinking.
When she had finished, the partner turned to me.
"I think I have the address, sir. The same as before?"
"That's right," said I. "I'm going down there on Tuesday. Could
you send a man down that day to see the room and take the
measurements? I'd like to be there myself."
"Certainly, sir.
"Very well. He'd better come by the nine-thirty, which'll get
him down in two hours. I'll send to meet him. I'm going down by
car myself."
"Thank you, sir." He turned to the girl inquiringly. "Perhaps
Tuesday would suit you, too, madam? I don't think you mentioned
any particular day, and as it's the same station for both houses,
madam- "
He broke off. She and I were staring at one another. Then:
"How awfully strange," we said in unison.
The partner being there, there was no more to be said.
"Tuesday will do very well," she said, turning to him.
Together he conducted us to the street. Then, might he send for
a taxi? There was a rank... The idea of sending for two taxis
never seemed to enter his head. A good fellow, that partner.
But, no thank you, my lady would walk. Would pick up a cab
presently.
"May I have the pleasure of seeing you to a taxi?" said I,
naturally enough.
"Thank you very much."
We bade the partner good-bye and turned in the direction of
Westminster.
"You're sure it's not taking you out of your way?" said my
companion with an innocent look.
"Out of my way," said I. "D'you think I live at Tooting?"
She broke into a little laugh. I went on:
"And if I did. If I lived at Hither Green and was just going to
miss the last tram, don't you think I'd er- miss it?"
"You're very kind," she said quietly.
"Not at all," said I, with a glance downward. "The small bright
shoe is on the other exquisite- er- foot. It's very good of you
to let me walk with you, especially in view of my recent
scandalous behaviour all among the baths."
"Which reminds me, you were awful. I thought I should die, when
you asked that poor man- "
"A wholesome thirst for knowledge, my dear. Talking of which,
d'you know it's getting on for half-past one?"
"Is it really?"
"It is, indeed. Time tears away sometimes, doesn't he?"
"Sometimes."
"You are sweet," said I. "However. About Time. He's a mocker
of men, you know: very contrary. When he can serve, not he.
When he cannot, he is willing enough. Beg him to hasten, he'll
cock his hat and stroll with an air of leisure that makes us
dance. Cry him to tarry, he is already gone, the wind panting
behind him. Bid him return, he is at once all sympathy- grave
sympathy: 'He may not. Otherwise he would have been so
pleased... Sorry. Rather like my brother-in-law. You'll meet
him at White Ladies."
"Is that where the bath's going?"
"Certainly. We shall be there in the spring. Will you come to
our bath-warming?"
"Perhaps."
We came to the bridge and the sunshine and the marching river,
and beyond these to Bridge Street and the green square. At the
corner she hesitated.
"I think I'd better say good-bye now."
"I'm going to see a fellow," said I. "I wish you'd come with
me."
A quick look of surprise. Then:
"Do I know him?"
"I think so. He's one of the Times. Lunch Time he's called;
brother of Half Time. Both sons of the old man."
She smiled.
"Ah," she said. "I've an appointment with him, too. Only mine's
at home. I must be going. I'm keeping him waiting now."
She held out her hand. I looked at it.
"You've made a mistake," I said. "I know for a fact he's going
to be at the Carlton."
"No good! I know the family. The father taught them all the
trick of being able to be in more than one place at the same
time."
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"My dear, you're wrong. You've forgotten Mean. He's got a place
at Greenwich, you know, and never leaves it. Well, I won't
bother her, for she's been awfully sweet. Shall I call her a
taxi?"
She nodded. "I don't think we ought to stand here any longer:
the atmospheric pressure of the Labour party is already affecting
my breathing. Besides, any moment I might be mistaken for a
Cabinet Minister. I know a salesman's pretty bad, but I must
draw the line somewhere."
With that I hailed a taxi. As it was coming to the kerb:
"You're a dear C.B.," I said. "But I would have loved to have
given you lunch."
She smiled gently.
"Would you?"
"You know I would, lass. Well, I shall look forward to you and
the spring."
The cab drew up, and I opened the door. She stepped in.
"Where shall I tell him to go?"
For a moment she hesitated. Then she spoke slowly:
"Was it the Carlton you said?"
An hour later I stood once more at a taxi's door. Our luncheon
was over, and I was saying farewell.
"You've been awfully kind," said the girl.
"Good-bye," said I. "I shall look forward to you at White
Ladies."
"And to the spring."
I bowed.
"My dear, the terms are synonymous."
The smile deepened.
"If this wasn't the Haymarket," said I...
She was gone, her eyes full of laughter.
I turned to see Berry three paces away.
"Helping the porter?" he said pleasantly. "I wondered where you
got that two shillings from last week. But oughtn't you to be in
uniform? I should have thought Nathans- "
"I've chosen a bath," I said, seeking to divert his thoughts.
After all he might not have seen. "Fine big place. Stacks of
baths, you know. By the way, the office-boy took me for a
commercial traveller, I added.
"Naturally. And the girl? Who did she take you for?"
I drew myself up.
"She's a C.B. too," I said loftily. "What more natural than that
we should- "
"C.B.?" said Berry scornfully. "Now, if you had said K.G.- "
I cut him short.
"You needn't tell the others," I said.
A fat grin stole into his face. He sighed.
"The call of duty, brother, however distasteful- "
"Look here," said I. "You know those new cigars at the club?"
"Yes," he said eagerly. "The half-a-crown ones."
"They're not new," I said uneasily.
"Never mind," he said airily, taking my arm. "I feel sure a
half-a-crown cigar would affect my memory. And a dry Martini
would probably finish it."
I groaned.
"This is sheer blackmail," said I.
"Take it or leave it," said Berry, with the air of one who has
the whip-hand.
"All right," I said wearily.
"I should think so, my son. And cheap at the price, too."
On the whole I think it was.
CHAPTER XIII
A LUCID INTERVAL
"Ausgang verboten!" said the guard.
"Yes," said Berry. "You look it."
"Hush!" said Daphne.
"Hush yourself," replied her husband. "The man is ill. I would
minister to him."
We got him away somehbw and bore him towards a taxi. Before we
could stop him, he had congratulated the driver in excellent
French on his recovery from the accident "which had so painfully
disfigured him," and had asked for the name and address of the
man who had designed the body of his cab. This was too much for
Daphne, and she and Jonah called another taxi, and said they
would see us at the hotel. Satisfied that the conductor of the
hotel omnibus was collecting our luggage, I followed Jill and
Berry into the cab, and we drove out of the station.
When we reached the hotel, Berry told the porter that he need not
uncover, as he was travelling incognito, and asked if Mrs.
Pleydel had arrived. Receiving a negative answer, he gave the
man five marks and asked him to be very careful as to the way he
lifted the cat's basket out of his wife's cab. Then he suffered
himself to be conducted to the sitting-room which I had engaged
on the first floor.
Five minutes later Daphne burst into the room.
"What on earth's the matter with the people here?" she demanded.
"Half the staff are feeling all over the inside of our cab, and
the porter keeps asking me if I'm sure the cat was put in at the
station. Is this some of your doing?"
"Possibly some idle banter-"
"I knew it," said Daphne. If this is how you begin, we shan't
get out of Munich alive."
Why we had chosen Munich is not very easy to tell. Of course,
we ought to have gone to Biarritz and taken the car, but they
wouldn't have that. Everybody had wanted to go to a different
place. Berry's choice was Minsk, because, he said, he wanted to
rub up his Hebrew. Such a suggestion is characteristic of Berry.
Then Munich was mentioned, and as no one had seemed very keen, no
one had taken the trouble to be very rude about it.
Consequently, Munich won. A day or two after our arrival, one of
Wagner's triumphs was to be given at the Opera House, and, amid a
scene of great excitement, Berry secured four tickets. I say
four because I mean four. I have never appreciated opera, and
was all along reluctant to go. But when I found that the show
began at half-past four, I put my foot down and reminded the
others of the Daylight Saving Bill. With gusto they retorted
that I had been to more matinees than they cared to remember. I
replied that for a theatre to begin at half-past four was out of
all order and convenience, and that, as an Englishman and a
member of a conservative club, I was not prepared to subscribe to
such an unnatural arrangement.
"Brother," said Berry, "I weep for you. Not now, but in the
privacy of my chamber I often weep great tears."
"Friend," said I, "your plain but honest face belies your words.
You don't want to see the opera any more than I do, and now
you're jealous because to-morrow I shall sit down to dinner
comfortably while you are trying to remember which of the
sandwiches have mustard, and praying that the lights won't go up
till your mouth's empty."
To the consternation of the assistants in the library, Berry
covered his face with his hands.
"He thinks it decent to revile me," he said weakly. "Where is my
wife, my helpmeet?"
But Daphne had already retired. As I left the shop, an American
lady approached Berry and told him the way to the English
chemist.
At five the next day it began to rain. I was in Maximilian
Street at the time, admiring the proportions of the thoroughfare
and ready for anything. The rain suggested to me that I should
take a taxi to the Rumpelmayer's of Munich. A closed one was
crawling by the kerb opposite to me, on the far side of the road.
I put up my stick, and it slowed down. I crossed to it, spoke to
the driver, who scowled at me, seemingly because I approached him
from the road and not from the pavement- Munich is very
particular- and got in. As I sat back in the dark corner, the
opposite door opened. The light of the offside lamps showed me
two big, brown eyes, a dear, puzzled face, half wondering, half
wanting to laugh, and a row of white teeth catching a red upper
lip that trembled in a smile. The next moment their owner
stepped quickly in, the driver let in his clutch with a jerk, and
my unwitting companion was projected heavily into the corner- not
mine- she had been about to occupy.
She swore gently.
"That's right," said I.
She jumped properly.
"Good Heavens!"
"I'm so sorry, but I'm all right," said I, "I assure you. Young
man of gentlemanly appearance. Harrow and Oxford, terms
moderate, bathroom and domestic offices, possession early in
June- "
"Get out of my cab at once."
" -will send photograph if required. Whose cab?"
"Well, I engaged it."
"So did I."
"When?"
"Just now."
"How awfully funny."
"Isn't it? I'm so glad. I'm English, too, you know. I can
prove that by my German. And- "
"But you don't want to go where I do."
"But I do."
"Don't be silly! You know what I mean."
At this moment the off hind wheel of a big limousine, which was
passing us, caught our near front wheel. The steering-wheel was
knocked out of the cabman's hands, and we landed up against a
lamp-post with a crash that flung my companion and myself on to
the floor of the taxi. The girl cried out, put her small hand
into my mouth, and sat up.
I spoke into her glove.
"Are you hurt?"
"No, but I think I'm going to cry."
"Don't, my dear. It's all right. All the same, it's an outrage
and a casus belli. Where does the British Ambassador live?"
Here the door was opened. The girl released me to adjust her
hat, and I rolled on to the step and sat looking at a tall
footman, who raised his hat and said something in German. The
next minute a lady appeared. She began to speak in German, then:
"Oh, you are English," she said. I rose and bowed stiffly.
"Yes, madame, I have that honour."
"I am so very sorry. I do hope you are not hurt."
"I am only shaken, thank you."
She looked into the cab. "My dear," she purred, "I am so
terribly sorry. I hope you were not hurt either. I cannot say-
"
"No, I'm all right, thank you. I'll get out."
Then she fainted. I caught her and carried her to the limousine.
When I had set her on the deep seat, I turned to the lady.
"I do not know where she lives," I said. "We have only met
casually."
"A physician?" she queried. "Had she better- "
"I don't think it is a case for a doctor. She has only fainted.
Perhaps you- "
"I will attend to her, and when we get to the Opera House, my
maid- "
She turned to the footman and seemed to tell him to stay behind
and see to the cabman and the police, who had come up. Then she
stepped into the car, and a moment later we were slipping
silently up the street.
By the lights in the car, I could see that our friend was a
handsome woman of perhaps thirty-eight. She was almost entirely
enveloped in a magnificent sable coat: her head was bare. The
great thing about her was her exquisite voice. While her fingers
were busy about the girl's hat and throat, the latter opened her
eyes. Then she sat up and put her hand to her head.
"No, lean back, my dear," said our hostess. "I will spray you."
She sprayed her with eau-de-Cologne.
"That's lovely," said the girl, with closed eyes. "Thank you so
much."
The other stopped for a moment to take off the jaunty little hat
and lightly push the dark hair away from the white temples.
The girl thanked her with a smile. Then she started up again.
"Oh, but where is- "
She saw me, and stopped, colouring.
"He is here, in the car."
She closed her eyes once more, and the colour had faded from her
cheeks before she spoke again. "Where are we going?" she said.
"To the Opera House, dear. You see, I am singing there. I would
take you home, but I am late now. My maid, she will make you
comfortable. I have nice rooms at the theatre, quite an
apartment." She turned to me.
"And you will come, too, please. There is plenty of room.
Besides she is in your charge."
"Of course," said I. "Thank you very much."
As she had said, a regular little suite had been allotted to our
hostess at the Opera House. As well as the dressingroom, there
was a bathroom and a large sitting-room, with flowers everywhere,
and beautifully furnished. Here I waited, wondering a little.
The others had passed into the dressing-room.
Presently Yvonne, the French maid, entered the room.
"Mademoiselle recovers, monsieur," she said, with a smile. "Also
she dines here, and monsieur with her. It is all arranged.
"If you please," said I. It seemed about the best thing to say.
Very swiftly she laid the table for two- a cold chicken, some
salad, rolls, and a bottle of champagne. Thank you.
"It is not much," said Yvonne apologetically. "Now at Madame's
house- "
"Yvonne!" came from the dressing-room.
"Pardon, monsieur."
Yvonne disappeared. Five minutes later a telephone bell rang.
Then the dressing-room door opened, and Madame came forth robed,
and the girl with her, looking as right as rain.
"That was my call," said our hostess. "I go to sing now. By the
time you have finished, I shall be back, and then, later, if you
would like to sit in a box for a little while, it will be quiet
for you both. Come, Yvonne."
She swept out of the room. Yvonne closed the door behind her.
"I like her," said I.
"She's a dear," said my companion.
"I like you, too," said I.
She swept me a curtsey.
"It was silly of me to faint."
"You did it so sweetly."
"This'll teach you not to take other people's taxis."
"On the contrary-
"Would you like to give me some chicken?"
"Ishould like- "
"Yes?"
She looked at me straight in the eyes.
I walked to the table and took up the knife and fork.
"Yes?"
I looked at her, smiling gloriously now.
"Oh, I'd like Berry to see us now.
She came across and laid a hand on my shoulder.
"I like you, too," she said.
We had a great meal. She didn't want to drink any champagne, but
I persuaded her to take a little.
"And who's Berry?" she said, pushing back her chair.
"A mistake," said I. A great mistake. That's what he is."
She laughed.
"Who made him?"
"My sister. She married him, you see."
"Of course, I shall get confused in a moment."
"Well, things have got a move on in the last hour and a quarter,
haven't they? I mean to say, at five o'clock you found a
stranger in your taxi. Five minutes later you were smashed up.
Now you're in a prima donna's room at the Opera House, eating a
cold collation. Collation is good, isn't it?"
"Awfully? Where did you hear it?"
I frowned. "I came out top in dictation last term."
"Indeed? Genius and madness do go together, don't they? You are
mad, aren't you?"
"Raving, my dear. I've been certified for two years come Ember.
Out on licence under the new Cock and Bull Bill. You know, 'And
your petitioners will ever Pray- '"
"I suppose you do have lucid intervals?"
"Only on third Tuesdays."
"Such as to-day."
"By Jove, so it is. I thought one was about due. Now I come to
think of it, I nearly had one just now."
"When?"
"When you asked me what I should like."
In silence she traced a pattern upon the white cloth with a small
pink finger. I watched it, and wondered whether her eyes were
smiling. I couldn't see them, but her mouth looked as if it
wanted to. Then:
"I think you'd better tell me when the interval's coming," she
said quietly. "One usually goes out- "
"You're thinking of Plays," said I. "Between Acts II and III ten
minutes and the safety curtain. But with Life and fools it's
different. You don't go out in these intervals."
"No?"
"No," I said. "On the contrary, it's where you come in."
She looked up, smiling, at that. I addressed her eyes. "You
see, in Life it's just the intervals that count- those rare hours
when, though the band's not playing, there's music in the air;
though the world's standing still, and no one's looking on,
there's most afoot; though the- "
Here the door opened, and Madame came in, Yvonne at her heels.
"It is the interval," she explained. Thank you.
Oh, but she was in fine fettle, was Madame.
My voice is good to-night. It is you two that have helped me.
You are so young and goodly. And I have a box, the Royal boxthey
are not using it, you see- if you would like to hear the
rest of the opera. Yes? But you must come back and say 'Good
night' to me aiterwards."
Our murmured thanks she would have none of. Supper and a box was
little enough. Had she not nearly killed us both an hour ago?
"But now I shall sing to you, and you will forgive me. I am in
voice to-night. Is it not so, Yvonne?"
"But, Madame!"
The ecstasy of Yvonne was almost pathetic.
The ceremony with which we were installed in the Royal box was
worthy of the Regent himself. But then Madame was a very great
lady. The lights in the house did not go down for a minute, and
I peered over the rim of the balcony to see if I could locate
Berry and Co. Suddenly I saw Jill, and Berry next to her. He
was staring straight at the Royal box, and his face was a study.
He must have seen me come in. Then the lights died, and the
curtain went up.
The singing of Madame I cannot describe. It was not of this
world. And we knew her. We were her friends. She was our
hostess. To the house she was the great artiste- a name to
whisper, a figurehead to bow before. For us, we were listening
to the song of a friend. As she had promised, she sang to us.
There was no mistaking it. And the great charm of her welled out
in that wonderful voice. All the spirit of melody danced in her
notes. When she was singing, there seemed to be none but us in
the theatre, and soon no theatre- only us in the world. We two
only stepped by her side, walked with her, understood.
Actually the girl and I sat spellbound, smiling down as she
smiled up from the stage. We knew afterwards that we had been
sitting hand-in-hand, as children do.
At the end of it all the house rose at her. Never was there such
a scene. We rose, too, and stood smiling. Somehow we did not
applaud. She just smiled back.
"Shall we go?" said I.
"Yes."
As I turned to the door, I caught sight of four faces looking
earnestly up from the stalls. I bowed gravely. An attendant was
waiting in the corridor, and we were escorted through the iron
door the way we had come.
Madame sat in a deep arm-chair in the sitting-room, her hair all
about her shoulders. She looked tired. Virtue had gone out of
her.
"Ah, my dears," she said. My companion kneeled by her side and
put her arms round her neck. Then she spoke and kissed her. I
do not know what she said. The other held her very close for a
moment, then looked at me and smiled. I raised her hand to my
lips.
"I cannot say anything, Madame."
"It is all said. We have spoken together for the last half-hour.
Is it not so?"
"It is so, Madame."
After a little, my companion said we must be going.
"He will see me to my hotel," she said."
I do not like letting you go," said our hostess, "but I take long
to dress. My car shall carry you home and return for me.
Yvonne, see to that. Yes, there will be plenty of time.
Besides, you have driven enough in taxis for to-day. What have
you lost, my dear?"
The girl was looking about her.
"I think I must have left it in the box- my chain bag. How
silly!"
"My dear, I leave everything everywhere"
"I will get it," said I. Yvonne had gone for the car. Besides,
I wanted to go.
"Oh, thank you. It's quite a small gold- "
"I know it," said I, smiling.
"Can you find your way?" said Madame. "The house will be almost
in darkness."
"Oh, yes, Madame."
A moment later I was in the corridor beyond the iron door. It
was quite dark, but twenty paces away a faint suggestion of light
showed where the door of the Royal box stood open. When I
reached it, I saw that a solitary lamp was burning on the far
side of the stalls. After glancing at it, the darkness of the
box seemed more impenetrable. I felt for the little gold bag- on
the balcony, on the chair, on the floor. It was nowhere. I
stood up and peered into the great, dim auditorium, wondering
whether I dared strike a match. Fearing that there might be a
fireman somewhere in the darkness, I abandoned the idea. The
sudden flash might be seen, and then people would come running,
and there would have to be explanations. I went down on my hands
and knees, and felt round her chair and then mine, and then all
over the box. Just as I got up, my right hand encountered
something hard and shiny. Clearly it wasn't what I was looking
for, but out of curiosity I stooped to feel it again. I groped
in vain for a moment; then I put my hand full on the buckle of a
patent-leather shoe. As my fingers closed about a warm ankle:
"Pardon, monsieur!" came a quick whisper.
I let go. "Is that you, Yvonne?"
"Si, monsieur."
"I never heard you come in."
"I have come this moment, and did not see monsieur in the dark.
Madame has sent me. Monsieur cannot find that little bag?"
"No. Do you think I might strike a match?"
"Ah, no, monsieur, not in the Opera House, They are so
particular."
"I see- at least, I don't, and that's the trouble. However- "
I felt over the balcony again. No good.
"Where did mademoiselle sit, monsieur?"
"Where are you?"
I groped in the direction of the whisper and found an arm.
"In that chair there," I said, guiding her to it.
"Here, monsieur?"
"Yes, that's right."
I heard her hands groping about the chair and turned to try the
floor on the other side again.
"I have it, monsieur."
"Well," said I, "I could have sworn I'd felt everywhere round
that chair."
She chinked the bag by way of answer.
"Anyway, we've got it," said I. " Come on." And I made for the
door. Then I stopped to take one more look at the great house.
As I did so, a woman appeared on the far side of the stalls. She
paused for a second to glance at herself in a mirror immediately
under the solitary electric light. I recognized Yvonne. Then
she passed on. Neither of us spoke for a moment. Then:
"Why did you say you were Yvonne?" said I.
"Yvonne is my name, too."
"Were you afraid I might have a lucid interval?"
"Perhaps."
"Your fears are realized. I have- I'm having one now."
"How awful!"
"Isn't it? And now we've found your bag, would you mind if I
looked for something else?"
"Something of yours or mine?"
"Something of yours?"
"Can I help you?" she said slowly.
"Materially."
With a little half laugh, half sob, a warm arm slid round my
neck.
"Here they are!" she whispered.
Madame would not let us go till Yvonne had returned from the
manager's office with the offer of a box for Thursday.
"So it is not 'Good-bye' and you will come and see me again. I
sing then for the last time in Munich. I fear you cannot have
your own box, though. The Regent is coming that night. It is
too bad."
We laughed and bade her farewell.
As the car slowed down at my companion's hotel, the footman slid
off the front seat and opened the door. I got up and out of the
car. As I turned, I saw the girl pick up her gloves and leave
the precious bag on the seat.
"My dear, your bag- "
But, as she got out, the bag left the seat with her. By the
lights in the car I saw that it was attached to a chain about her
neck; and the chain lay beneath her dress. I handed her out
thoughtfully.
"Till Thursday, then," she said.
"Till to-morrow morning," said I.
She laughed.
"I think there ought to be an interval."
"Isn't that just what I'm saying? What about a luncheon interval
to-morrow?"
"Well, it mustn't be a lucid one"
"All right. I'll bring Jonah and Daphne."
"Mayn't I see the mistake?"
"If I can find him."
"Good-bye"
"Good-bye. I say- "
She turned, one small foot on the steps.
"I love your feet," I said.
"Anything else?"
"Yes. Do you always unfasten that chain and take off the bag
when you go to the theatre?"
She looked down at the little foot in its shining shoe. Then:
"Only on third Tuesdays," she said.
When I reached my hotel, I passed quickly upstairs to the
sitting-room.
"Here he is," said Daphne "Come along, darling, and have some
supper, and tell us all about it."
"Supper!" said Berry. "Woman, you forget yourself. You are no
longer on the joy-wheel. My lord has dined."
"As a matter of fact, I have," said I. "Madame gave me some
dinner at the Opera House."
"Of course," said Berry.
"What did I say? We grovelling worms can gnaw our sandwiches the
while he cracks bottles of- champagne, was it?"
I nodded.
Berry rose to his feet, and in a voice broken with emotion,
called such shades of his ancestors "as are on night duty" to
witness. "Hencefifth," he said, "I intend to lead a wicked life
"Blackpool-Conservative; no change," said Jonah.
Berry ignored the interruption. "Virtue may have its own cakes
and ale. I dare say it has. What of it? I never see any of
them. Vice is more generous. Its patrons actually wallow in
champagne. For me, the most beastly sandwiches I ever ate, and
an expensive stall. For him, dinner with the prima donna and the
Royal box. By the way, who did the girl mistake you for? One of
the attendants or the business manager?"
"Who was she?" said Jill.
"I don't know."
"Rot!" said Jonah.
"It's the truth."
"She looked rather a dear," said Daphne.
"She is. You'll meet her to-morrow. And Berry- she wants to
meet Berry. She said so."
"There you are," said my brother-in-law. "Is my tie straight?"
I lighted a cigarette to conceal a smile.
CHAPTER XIV
A PRIVATE VIEW
When I had adjusted the cushions, I sank into the chair and
sighed.
"What's that for?" said Daphne
"Sin," said I.
"Whose?"
"That of him who packed for me at the Blahs this morning. A sin
of omission rather than commission, though he did put my
sponge-bag into my collarcase," I added musingly. "They're both
round, you see. Still, I pass that by."
"But what do you really complain of?" said Jill. "He's left my
dressing-gown out."
"I expect he thought it was a loose cover," said Jonah. "It'll
be sent on all right," said Daphne "That's nothing. What about
my fan? You're not a bit sorry for me about that."
"I have already been sorry about it. I was sorry for you on
Friday just by the sideboard. I remember it perfectly. All the
same, if you will waste Berry's substance at places of
entertainment in the West End, and then fling a priceless
heirloom down in the hall of the theatre, you mustn't be
surprised if some flat-footed seeker after pleasure treads on
it."
"He was a very nice man, and his feet weren't a bit flat."
"I believe you did it on purpose to get into conversation with
him. Where's Berry?"
At that moment the gentleman in question walked across the lawn
towards us.
"Thank Heaven!" he said when he saw me. "I'm so glad you're
back. I've run out of your cigarettes."
I handed him my case in silence.
"It's curious," he said, "how used one can get to inferior
tobacco."
Tea appeared in serial form. After depositing the three-storied
cake dish holder- or whatever the thing is called- with a
to-be-completed air, the footman disappeared, to return a moment
later with the teapot and hot water. As he turned to go:
"Bring me the tray that's on the billiard-table," said Berry.
"Carry it carefully."
"Yes, sir.
"Without moving, we all observed one another, the eyes looking
sideways. You see, the tray bore a jig-saw. When I had left on
the previous Saturday for a week-end visit, we had done the top
right-hand corner and half what looked as if it must be the left
side. Most of this we had done on Friday evening; but artificial
light is inclined to militate against the labourer, and at eleven
o'clock Berry had sworn twice, shown us which pieces were
missing, and related the true history of poor Agatha Glynde, who
spent more than a fortnight over 'David Copperfield' before she
found out that the pieces had been mixed up with those of
Constable's 'Hay Wain.' This upset us so much that Jonah said he
should try and get a question asked in the House about it, and we
decided to send the thing back the next day and demand the return
of the money.
On the way up to bed, Daphne had asked me if I thought we could
get "damages, or compensation, or something," and I had replied
that, if we could prove malice, they had undoubtedly brought
themselves within the pale of the criminal law.
The next morning Jill had done nearly two more square inches
before breakfast, and I missed the midday train to town.
"Hullo, you have got on!" I said, as the man set the tray and its
precious burden gingerly on the grass in our midst.
"Aha, my friend," said Berry, "I thought you'd sit up! Yes, sir,
the tract already developed represents no less an area than
thirty-six square inches- coldly calculated by me this afternoon
during that fair hour which succeeds the sleep of repletion and
the just- but the vast possibilities which lie hidden beneath the
surface of the undeveloped expanse of picture are almost
frightening. A land rich in minerals, teeming with virgin soila
very Canaan of to-day. Does it not call you, brother?"
"It does," said I. "I wish it didn't, because it's wicked waste
of time, but it does."
I kneeled down that I might the better appreciate their industry.
The jig-saw was called 'A Young Diana' and was alleged to be a
reproduction of the picture of that name which had appeared in
the Academy the year before. I hardly remembered it. I gazed
admiringly at the two clouds drifting alone at the top right-hand
corner, the solitary hoof planted upon a slice of green sward,
the ragged suggestion of forest land in the distance, and a
ladder of enormous length, which appeared to possess something of
that spirit of independence which distinguished Mahomet's coffin.
In other words, it was self-supporting. After a careful
scrutiny, I rose to my feet, took a pace or two backwards, and
put my head on one side. Then:
"I like it," I said. "I like it. Some people might say it
looked a little crude or unfinished; but, to my mind, that but
preserves, as it were, the spirit of barbarism which the title
suggests."
"Suggestion as opposed to realization," said Berry, " is the rule
by which we work. To the jaded appet- imagination the hoof
suggests a horse. It is up to you to imagine the horse. We
have, as it were, with an effort set in motion the long unused
machinery of your brain. It is for you, brother, to carry on the
good work. Please pass out quietly. There will be collection
plates at both doors."
"You're not to touch it yet," said Daphne. " I want to talk
about abroad first. If we're really going, we must settle
things."
"Of course we're going," said Berry. "I ordered a yachting cap
yesterday."
"What's that for?" said Jill.
"Well, we're not going to fly across the Channel, are we?
Besides that, supposing we go to Lucerne part of the time?"
"What about taking the car?" said Daphne.
"It's expensive," said Berry moodily, "but I don't see how else
we can satisfactorily sustain the flow of bloated plutocracy
which at present oozes from us."
We all agreed that the car must come. Then arose the burning
question of where to go. In a rash moment Jill murmured
something about Montenegro.
"Montenegro?" said Berry, with a carelessness that should have
put her on her guard.
"Yes," said Jill. "I heard someone talking about it when I was
dining with the Bedells. It sounded priceless. I had a sort of
idea it was quite small, and had a prince, but it's really quite
big, and it's got a king over it, and they all wear the old
picturesque dress, and the scenery's gorgeous. And, if it was
wet, we could go to the- the- "
"Kursaal," said Berry. "No, not Kursaal. It's like that,
though."
"Casino?"
"That's it- Casino. And then we could go on to Nice and Cannes,
and- "
"You're going too fast, aren't you? Servia comes before Cannes,
doesn't it?"
"Well, Servia, too."
"All right," said Berry. "I was going to suggest that we joined
the Danube at Limoges, went up as far as Milan, where the falls
are, and then struck off to Toledo, taking Warsaw on the way,
but- "
"That'd be rather a long way round, wouldn't it?" said Jill, all
seriousness in her grey eyes.
"Ah, I mean the Spanish Toledo, not the one in the States."
"Oh, I see- "
She checked herself suddenly and looked round. "He's laughing at
me," she said. "What have I said wrong?"
"If anyone asked me where we should be without our Jill," said
Berry, "I couldn't tell them."
When we began to discuss the tour in good earnest, the argument
proper began. I had suggested that we should make for Frankfort,
to start with, and Daphne and Jonah rather favoured Germany.
Berry, however, wanted to go to Austria. It was after a casual
enough remark of Jonah's that the roads in Germany were very good
that Berry really got going.
"The roads good?" he said. "That settles it- say no more. The
survey, which is, after all, the object of our holiday (sic),
will be able to be made with success. If we start at once, we
shall be able to get the book published by Christmas: 'Road
Surfaces in Germany,' by a Hog."
"The old German towns are fascinating," said Daphne.
"Nothing like them," said Berry. "I can smell some of them now.
Can you not hear the cheerful din of the iron tires upon the
cobbled streets? Can you not see the grateful smile spreading
over the beer-sodden features of the cathedral verger, as he
pockets the money we pay for the privilege of following an
objectionable rabble round an edifice, which we shall remember
more for the biting chill of its atmosphere than anything else?
And then the musty quiet of the museums, and the miles we shall
cover in the picture galleries, halting now and then to do a
brief gloat in front of one of Van Stunk's masterpieces...
My heart leaps up when I behold a Van Stunk on the wall.
Wordsworth knew his Englishman, didn't he?"
"Oh, well, if you're so dead against it- "
"Against it, dear. How can I be against it? Why, we may even be
arrested as spies! There" -he looked round triumphantly- "who
shall say that the age of romance is dead? Let us go forth and
languish in a German gaol. Think of the notices we shall get in
the papers! We'll give our photographs to The Daily Glass before
we start. I expect we shall see one another in the chapel on
Sundays, and I shall write to you in blood every day, darling, on
a piece of my mattress. The letters will always be in the top
left-hand corner of the steak pudding. Don't say I didn't tell
you where to look."
"We shall be able to talk," said I- "by rapping on the wall, I
mean."
"Certainly. Once for the letter A, twice for the chambermaid,
three times for the boots. In the meantime, Jonah and you will
each have removed a large stone from the floor of your cells by
means of a nail which he found in his soup. Say you work sixteen
hours out of the twenty-four you ought to have burrowed outside
the gates in about five years."
Jill shuddered. " Austria would be rather nice, just now,
wouldn't it?" she ventured.
"We could go high up if it got hot, of course," said Daphne
slowly, "and the air's nice- "
I'll find out what we do about shipping the car on Friday," said
Berry.
I must have been tired, for I never heard the tea-things taken
away. When I opened my eyes, Berry and Co. had gone. I looked
at the jig-saw and began to wonder what had waked me.
"First of all," said a quiet voice, " I take five and
three-quarters. Do you think you can remember that?"
"I'll try. Long ones, of course."
"Yes, please. Not the ordinary white kid: I like the fawn suede
ones."
"With pleasure."
"And now, please, can I be shown over the house?"
I turned and regarded her. Sitting easily in a chair to my
right, and a little behind me, she was holding out to me a slip
of paper. I took it mechanically but I did not look at it.
"Don't move for a minute or two," I said. " You look absolutely
splendid like that."
She smiled. I rather think her frock was of linen- at any rate,
it was blue. Her large straw hat was blue, too, and so were her
smart French gloves and her dainty shoes; her ankles were very
pretty, but her complexion was the thing: She had one of the
clearest skins I have ever seen, and the delicate bloom of her
cheeks was a wonder in itself. I could not well see her eyes,
for she was sitting with her head thrown back- her gloved right
hand behind it holding down the brim of her hat- and as she was
looking at me and not up into the sky, they were almost hidden by
their lids. Her left arm lay carelessly along the arm of the
chair, and, her sleeve being loose and open, I could see half a
dozen inches of warm pink arm. I just looked at her.
"Done?" she said.
"Not quite." I have said before, and I say again, that girls of
this type ought not to be allowed to raise their eyebrows and
smile faintly at the same moment. It amounts to a technical
assault. I fancy she saw me set my teeth, for the next moment
she put up her left hand and bent the broad blue rim over her
face.
"Early closing day," she said. I contemplated her ankles in
silence. After a minute:
"Well?" said my companion from behind the brim.
"I hate it when the blinds are down," said I, " but- "
"But what?"
"Happily, they are only short blinds. In other words, just as
the ostrich, when pursued, is said to thrust its head into the
sand, believing- "
"And now please can I be shown over the house?"
I glanced at the order-to-view which she had handed me. It
referred to The Grange, which stood in its own grounds about half
a mile away. Its lodge gates were rather like ours. The same
mistake had been made before.
"The agent at Bettshanger gave me that to-day, and I motored over
this afternoon. The car's outside. I was walking up the drivehow
pretty it all is! -when I saw you asleep here. I suppose I
ought to have gone up to the house really, but it looked so nice
and cool here that I came and sat down instead and waited for you
to wake."
"I'm so glad you did."
"Why?"
"Well, you see, they're rather a queer lot up there at the housemight
have said you couldn't see over, or something."
She opened her big eyes.
"But I've got an order."
"That's the worst of it. They'll take orders from no one. Once
they'd caught sight of it, you would have been blindfolded and
led back to the village by a circuitous route."
"Nonsense!"
"It's a fact. But I'll show you round, all right. Anything I
can tell you about the place before we move?"
She regarded me suspiciously. Then:
"Is there a billiard-room?" she said.
"Certainly. And a table complete with three balls, one of latest
models--slate bed, pneumatic cushions. Be careful of the top
one; it bust the other day. The butler had pumped it up too
tight."
"Servants' hall?"
"Every time. All the domestic offices are noble."
"Telephone?"
"Of course. In case of fire, call 'Fire Brigade.' No number
required. Speak direct to fire-station. Give address of fire."
"That's useful."
"Rather! You'll have them up under the hour, if they can get the
horses."
"All the same, I don't think we shall come here. You see, I
didn't know it was an asylum."
"It's very cheap," said I. "I can do it at ten guineas a weekwithout
the inspection-pit, that is."
She leaned forward and laughed. "Oh dear!" she said, "what a
thing it is to be really silly sometimes!"
She got up and smoothed down her dress.
"And now, please, can I be shown over the house?"
"With pleasure," I said, getting up. "That is, unless you'd
rather see The Grange first."
She stared at me for a moment, then she snatched the order out of
my hand. "What's this place?" she demanded.
"White Ladies."
"Are you trying to let it?"
"Well, we haven't thought- "
"And you've let me sit here all this time making a fool of
myself, when you knew perfectly well- "
"Five and three-quarters, was it?"
She stamped her foot.
"Dear pretty Girl Blue, don't be angry."
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself!"
"I know, but I'm so busy just now that it's done for me. My
sister is ashamed of me every evening at eight- fifteen.
Matinees on Wednesdays at two. Could you come one day?"
She laughed in spite of herself. Then:
"And now where is this Grange place?"
"Next but one on the right, but it looks rotten in the evening."
"It's only just five."
"Besides, they had measles there last May- stacks of them."
"Stacks of what?"
"Measles. One of them escaped one day and was brought back by
the village corner-boy. He said he'd have kept it, only he
hadn't got a dog licence."
" But The Grange has got a ghost, hasn't it? And I love ghosts."
"The Grey Lady? My dear, she's gone. Always used to walk the
back stairs on third Fridays, and one night the servants left the
lights on. She gave notice the next day. Wanted a change, I
think. You see, she'd been in one place nearly two hundred
years. Besides, the stairs were bad."
"It's a nice house, isn't it?"
"Pretty well. But it hasn't got a priest's hole."
"What does that matter?"
"Well, where are you going to keep the gorgonzolas?"
She leaned on the back of a chair and began to laugh helplessly.
Presently:
"You wretched man!" she said. " I'm really awfully angry with
you."
"I knew it."
"Be quiet. You've wasted my time here until it's too late for me
to see The Grange, and what on earth I shall tell father I don't
know."
"He's not outside?"
"In the car? You don't think I should still be here if he was?
No, I came over alone."
"That's all right. Now you'll be able to help me with this
jig-saw."
She gave rather a good gasp at that.
"Girl Blue, please. You've heaps of time, because, if you'd gone
to The Grange, you wouldn't have got away yet. And it's a nice
jig-saw, quite one of the family."
"Eats out of your hand, I suppose?"
"Rather. And sits up and barks for Baldwin and all the rest of
it. 'A Young Diana' it's called. Appeared in last year's
Academy, and- "
But she was down on her knees on the lawn, staring at the tray by
now. I joined her, wondering a little.
"That's a bit of Merrylegs," she said, picking up one of the
pieces, "and there's another. That's a bit of her dear nose, and
there's her white stocking. Look here, we'll do her first."
I sat down on the turf and looked at her. "Either," I said
slowly- "either you're a witch, and that isn't allowed, or else
you've had to learn this picture some time as a punishment."
She laughed. "I sat for it," she explained. "That's all."
It was my turn to gasp.
"It's hanging in the dining-room at home now. Come along.
There's a bit of my habit. Keep it with Merrylegs. I'll fit
them together in a minute."
I took off my coat, kneeled down beside her, and began to receive
Merrylegs piecemeal. When she had picked out all of the mare,
she cleared a little space, and began fitting the bits together
at a rate that was astonishing. Then she turned her attention to
the background. Laid upon its side, the mysterious ladder became
a distant fence, and little by little a landscape grew into being
under her small fingers. Suddenly she caught my arm.
"Somebody's coming!" she whispered.
I heard footsteps crunch on a path's gravel, then all was silent
again. Whoever it was, was coming towards us over the lawn. A
clump of rhododendrons hid us from them, and them from us.
"Behind there!" I whispered, pointing to three tall elms at our
back, which grew so close together that they formed a giant
screen. She was out of sight in a second, and I had just time to
throw my coat over the jig-saw and sit down upon the glove she
had dropped before Berry appeared.
"Hullo!" he said.
"Hullo!" said I.
"What are you doing?"
"Doing?"
"Yes, you know- executing, performing, carrying out?"
"Go away!" I said. "You are trespassing upon a private reverie.
Didn't you see the notice?"
He shook his head. "You have, as it were, burst rudely open the
door of the brown study in which I am communing with Nature and
one or two of my imagination's friends. Kindly apologize and
withdraw, closing the door as you go."
"All right, Omar. Where's your Thou?"
"You frightened her away."
Berry grinned. "Heard the pattering of my little feet, I
suppose!"
"Yes. She wouldn't believe it was only footsteps, but let that
pass. If she were to hear the same noise- forgive meretreating,
she would probably return."
"Really think so?"
"That is my steadfast conviction."
"Well, you go indoors, and we'll see. If I don't follow you in
five minutes, you'll know you're right."
"Friend," said I, "the indecency of your suggestion is almost
grotesque. To impose upon a timid, trusting Thou is either base
or dastardly- I forget which. I am glad none of the others were
here to hear what I feel sure to have been but a thoughtless,
idle word. I shan't say anything about it, so no one, except you
and me, will ever know; and even if I cannot ever forget, I shall
come to forgive it in years to come."
"Time will heal the wound, brother. Till then, where's the
jig-saw?"
"An evil beast hath devoured it. It is, without doubt, rent in
pieces."
"In which case I shall prefer a bill of indictment against you as
accessory for mutilation next autumn assize. I warn you."
"Thanks! I shall see you at dinner, shan't I? Not that I want
to, but I just shall."
Berry sighed. "From your manner, more than from what you say,
anyone would think you wanted me to go, old chap. Of course, I
know you, so it doesn't matter; but you ought to be more careful.
No, I've not taken offence, because I know none was meant; but
I'm going to go just to teach you a lesson. Yes, I am. Give my
love to Thou, won't you?"
"Certainly not! She's had one shock already this afternoon."
"Oh, was to-day the first time she'd seen you?"
He strolled back to the house. When I heard his footsteps on the
gravel again, I got up and peered through the rhododendrons. I
watched him go indoors, and turned to see the girl once more on
her knees by the jig-saw. I kneeled opposite her and watched her
at work. After a moment she glanced up and met my eyes.
"You'll see the picture better from this side," she said.
"Which picture?"
"Round you come!"
I crawled to her side with a sigh. On she went at a wonderful
pace. Old elms rose up in the background, a splash of red and
brown resolved itself into a sunny farm, and four pieces which
Berry had recognized as water went to make up a sheltered
haystack. When it was nearly finished, she leaned across me and
looked at my wrist-watch.
"I'll just have time," she whispered half to herself.
"Only just?"
"Only just. Did you speak?"
"Yes, I did. I said 'Damn!' And I'll say it again."
She leaned on my shoulder and laughed for a second. Then:
"I'm sure you wouldn't find that in the Rubaiyat."
"Perhaps Thou didn't have to be back in time for dinner."
She fell to work again, but I could see she was smiling. The
loose pieces left were very few now. A tuft of grass fell into
place, a wisp of smoke stole out of the farmhouse chimney, a
quick-set hedge sprang up in the distance, landscape and sky
merged on the horizon, and the thing was done.
She sat back on her heels and regarded it for a moment. Then she
slipped sideways on to the lawn, smoothed down her frock, and
looked at me.
"Not bad, is it?" she said.
"It's sweet!"
"You ought to see the original."
"I have. That's why I love it. I shall have it framed and keep
it in memory of this private view."
"Sentiment, with a vengeance."
"What if it is, Girl Blue?"
For answer, she began to pull on her gloves. I watched her in
silence. When they were both on, she rose, and so did I.
"I'll go as I came," she said. " Don't come with me to the
gate."
I bowed. She put out her hand. I bent over it.
"Good-bye," I said.
"Good-bye, and- and thanks for- "
"For what, Girl Blue?"
"For not asking any questions."
I smiled and turned away. Then I kneeled down suddenly and
kissed the face that looked up out of the picture, the face that
would have meant nothing two hours before, the face that looked
out into the clear breeze and over the open country, the face
that-
"As this is quite a private view," said the original, speaking
very slowly, "and as to-morrow you won't be able to- "
I didn't hear the rest of the sentence.
Before I had finished my second cigarette, Berry, Daphne, and
Jill came round the bank of rhododendrons.
"Why, Boy," said Jill, "have you been here all the time?"
A cry from Daphne interrupted her.
The next moment they were all down on their knees poring over my
late companion's handiwork. A moment later, as with one consent,
they all looked up and stared at me. I looked away and smoked
with careless deliberation.
"How on earth have you done it?" gasped Daphne.
"Done what?" said I. "Oh, that? Oh, it wasn't very hard!"
"You must be better at them than you were on Saturday," said
Jill. "Have you been practising at the Blahs?"
I felt Berry was looking at me, and waited.
"Then it was a glove you were sitting on," he said slowly.
Berry's a nut- every time.
It was the first week in October, and we were back in town. They
were all out but me. Sunday afternoon it was, and I was alone in
the library finishing a little work. I do work sometimes.
Suddenly the telephone went. I picked up the receiver.
"Is that the garage?" said Girl Blue.
"No, dear. It's me. How are you?"
"Why, it's you!"
"I know. I said so just now. You're looking splendid. Oh, I am
glad! I've waited such a long time!"
"You must thank the Exchange, not me."
"Don't rub it in!"
"Well, good-bye."
"I don't think you're very kind, Girl Blue."
"No?"
"No, I don't! I've got the gloves, by the way."
"Thank you."
"I'll send them to you, care of Charing Cross Post Office, if you
like, unless you'd rather I buried them six paces due east of the
fourteenth lamp-post on the west side of Edgware Road."
"I think," she said slowly, "I think I may as well take them with
me."
"Certainly, madam. Sign, please! But when, dear?"
"Well, I shall be at the Albert Hall next Friday."
"Girl Blue!"
"I don't suppose you're going, but perhaps you could send them by
someone who- "
"Under what symbol shall I meet her?"
"Wait a moment! You shall have the seventh waltz- "
"Only seven? Where is he? What is his name?"
"You heard what I said. And we'll meet under- oh, under- "
"Mistletoe," said I. "Good-bye!"
"Good-bye! Oh, Girl Blue, I forgot to say- "
"Number, please!" said Exchange.
"You've cut me off!" I roared.
"Sorry."
A pause. Then:
"Here you are."
"Hullo, dear!" I said.
"Is that the cab rank?" said a man's fat voice.
"No, it isn't," said I. "And you've got an ugly face and flat
feet, and I hate you!"
Then I rang off.
CHAPTER XV
ALL FOUND
I had seen her but once before, and that was at the Savoy on New
Year's Eve. She had been with her party at one table, and I with
mine at another. And in the midst of the reveling I had chanced
to look up and into one of the great mirrors which made a panel
upon the wall. There I had seen the girl, sitting back in her
chair, smiling and fresh and white-shouldered, in a dress of
black and gold, her fingers about the stem of her goblet. Not
talking, listening, rather, to the words of a man at her side,
whose eyes were watching her smiling lips somewhat greedily. He
had red hair, I remember, and a moustache brushed up to hide a
long upper lip. And, as I looked, she also had looked up, and
our eyes had met. There and then I had raised my wine and
toasted her- her of the looking-glass. The smile had deepened.
Then she had raised her glass, and drunk to me in return. That
was all. And when Berry had leaned across the table and asked:
"Who's your friend?"
"I wish I knew."
"Pshaw!" said my brother-in-law. "I say it deliberately."
"I drank to a thought," said I. "Believe me. "After all, a
thought is a reflection. And now here she was, sitting in the
grass by the wayside.
"She's brown, isn't she?" said I.
"As a berry. I like his breeches."
I bowed. "Thank you. And for you,'picturesque' is the word- one
of the words. Shall I compare you to a summer's day?"
"I'd rather you collected that cow. She's getting too near the
river for my liking. I'm looking after the dears."
"Are you?" said I. "But-"
"But what?"
"'Quis custodiet- '"
The apple she threw passed over my shoulder.
Mountains and valleys, swift rivers and curling roads, here and
there a village shining in the hot sun, and once in a while a
castle in the woods, white-walled, red-roofed, peaceful enough
now in its old age, but hinting at wild oats sown and reaped when
it was young. Hinting broadly, too. At nights shaken with the
flare of torches and the clash of arms, at oaths and laughter and
the tinkle of spurs on the worn steps, at threats and
bloodlettings and all the good old ways, now dead, out of date,
and less indebted to memory than imagination. And then at
galleries with creaking floors, at arras and the rustle of a
dress; whisperings, too, and the proud flash of eyes, hands
lily-white, whose fingers men must kiss and in the eyes mirror
themselves. But these things are not dead. Old-fashioned wrath
is over- gone to its long home: love is not even wrinkled. Yet
again it was before wrath...
I set out to describe the province of Krain, and now I have
strayed from the highway up one of those curling roads to one of
those white castles, only to lose myself in the thicket of
Romance beyond. Perhaps it does not matter. Anyway, it was on
the slope of a green meadow all among the mountains of Krain that
the girl was sitting, herself unminded, minding her cows. And
out of the woods above her a round, white tower proclaimed a
chateau set on the shoulder of a hill.
Her dress was that of the country, and yet, perhaps, rather such
as Croatian peasants wear. All white linen, embroidered ever so
richly, cut low and round at the neck, and with the skirt falling
some four inches below her knee: short sleeves, a small, white
apron, and over her thick, fair hair a bright red kerchief. But
her stockings were of white silk, and small, black buckled
slippers kept the little feet. Clear, blue eyes hers, and a
small merry mouth, and a skin after the sun's own heart. It was
so brown- such an even, delicate brown. Brown cheeks and
temples, brown arms and hands, brown throat. Oh, very
picturesque.
I rounded up the cow errant, returned to my lady, and took my
seat by her side.
"Thank you," she said. "And now, who are you and what do you
want?"
"My name," said I, "is Norval. And I want to know the way to the
pageant-ground, and when does your scene come on?"
"It is a nice dress, isn't it?"
She rose and stood smoothing her frock and apron.
"Sweet. Only you ought to have bare brown legs."
"My dear man, this isn't the Garden of Eden."
"No? Some other Paradise, I suppose. Old Omar's, perhaps.
Besides, I forgot. Dolls never go barefoot, do they?"
"Dolls?"
"Yes. Aren't you the 'great big beautiful doll' they sing of?"
She threw back her head, and laughed at that, pleasedly. Then
she began to sing softly:
"Oh, you beautiful doll, You great big beautiful doll..."
We finished the verse together, the cows watching us with big
eyes.
"I think we're rather good," said I, when it was over.
"I know we're both mad," said she. "And I don't feel a bit like
singing really, either."
"Oh, great and beautiful one," said I, "what is the matter?
Indicate to me the fly that dares to lurk in this fair bowl of
ointment."
She looked away over the river. Then:
"After all, it's nothing to do with you."
"Nothing whatever." said I.
"Then why do you ask?"
"Something to say, I suppose. Is not the clemency of the weather
delightful?"
"Yes, but those cows belong to me."
I laughed scornfully. Then:
"My aunt has four eggs," I said simply.
She turned away, ostensibly to pick a flower, but I saw her
shoulders shaking. At length:
"There is a pig in the grass," she said. "Its name is Norval."
"The doll is on its hind legs," I replied, getting up. "As for
me, is it not that I shall have been about to go? Adieu,
mademoiselle."
"Er- au revoir, monsieur."
"That's better," said I. "And now, what's the trouble, my dear?"
Well, it was about the chauffeur. You see, she was spending the
summer here in the chateau. Yes, the chateau above us, white on
the hillside. She and a companion- a girl- alone, with a
household of their own, very happy, very comfortable...
"We are really, you know. Don't think we're suffragists. Truth
is, I'd got about sick of men, and thought I'd take a rest. I
heard of this old place to be let furnished, came to see if it
was half as nice as it sounded, and never even went back to
England to collect Betty. Just couldn't leave it. Betty
followed post-haste with the servants and heavy luggage, andand-
"
"And the parrot?" I hazarded.
"No. Oh, the linen and everything. I'd got the car with me.
We've been here nearly two months now, and I love it more every
day. Don't miss men a bit, either."
This last in an inimitable tone, half nonchalant, half defiant.
"I expect they do most of the missing."
"Thanks, awfully. However, I may tell you the family's been
rather narky- "
"I beg your pardon?"
"Narky. Like a nark."
"Of course. How stupid of me! Same root as 'snirksome.' As you
were."
"Well, rather ratty about it all. Said it was all ridiculous and
unheard of."
"Did they use the word 'proceeding'?"
"They did."
"Ah!"
"The one thing that sort of stopped them from really doing
anything was the fact that Betty was with me. Betty's dear, and
they all know it. And her being here, I suppose, seemed to save
it from being what's called an 'impossible position.' Well, a
week ago comes a letter from the Brethes- that's my uncle and
aunt- saying they're motoring through Austria to Italy, and are
going to stay a night at Laipnik on the way. Would like to run
over and see me, as they understand Savavic- that's me- is only
thirty miles away. All very nice."
"Sweet of them." I agreed.
"Isn't it! Only, three days ago Betty gets a wire to say her
mother's ill, and she has to bolt for the night train to Paris."
"Yes. So that uncle dear mustn't come to Savavic at any price.
If he does, Betty's absence becomes apparent, and the good old
'impossible position' arises at once. Consequently, I send a
nice letter to the one hotel at Laipnik 'to await arrival,'
saying the road's so bad and hard to find that I'll come over to
them instead of their coming here."
"Much as you would have loved them to see Savavic."
"Exactly. You're rather intelligent."
"Oh, I'm often like that. It's in the blood. Grandpa got his
B.A.," I explained. "We've loaned his hood to the Wallace
Collection. Go on."
"Well, that all sounds very nice and easy, doesn't it? Then, to
put the lid on, my chauffeur breaks his arm yesterday afternoon."
"And the uncle's due when?"
"Slept at Laipnik last night. I was to have lunched with them
to-day. Oh, the fat's in the fire all right this time. I may
expect them any time after three." I reflected a moment. Then:
"I'll drive you to Laipnik," said I. "I'm as safe as a house at
the wheel."
"You're awfully good and kind," said the girl, shaking her head,
"but it's no good. Think. How on earth would I explain you?"
"It is unnecessary to explain a chauffeur."
"Oh, but you can't- "
"Certainly I can. At any rate, I'm going to. Come along and get
changed, mistress."
I scrambled to my feet.
"If you'll show me the way to the garage, I'll be looking over
the car. What is she, by the way? And where does your late
chauffeur keep his boots?"
"Are you an angel?" said the girl, getting up.
"Who told you?" said I.
The boots were much too big and the gaiters a little small.
Still, they did. A long dust-coat came down over the tops of the
gaiters, making the uniform unnecessary. I took the cap to wear
when we reached the town. Gloves, near enough. It was a big,
open car, and all the way to Laipnik the girl, looking priceless
in a fawn-coloured dress, sat by my side. We went like the wind.
After a while:
"He drives well," said my companion, half to herself.
"Thank you, beautiful doll- I should say madam. Is that right?"
"Quite, thanks. How are the boots?"
"A bit spacious. I'm afraid I've lost one of my toes already."
"You poor man. Which one?"
"Baldwin," said I. "He's got separated from the others, you
know. I'll be able to look for him when we get to Laipnik. Told
them to keep together, too," I added bitterly.
She gave a little peal of laughter. Then:
"How tiresome" she said. "And I'm afraid your calves weren't
made for those gaiters."
"I admit they don't fit as well as your stockings, but- "
"Norval."
"Madam?"
"Behave yourself."
"Very good, madam. By the way, what about my wages?"
"What do you suggest? I shan't object to anything reasonable."
"No? Well, I was getting eleven-three a yar- day in my last
place, and all found- especially all."
"'All found''s rather a dangerous phrase."
"Not at all. It only means washing and beer and the English
papers, when you've done with them, and meat on Sundays. A
smile, too, when I'm tired, and a word of thanks after seventy
miles in the rain with a head wind."
"It might cover a multitude of sins, Norval."
Here I saved a dog's life and passed two wagons before their
drivers had had time to inspire the horses with the terror they
felt themselves. Then:
"'All found''s all right, if you know your man," said I.
"But I don't."
I caught her laughing eyes in the windscreen, and straightway
drank to them from an imaginary wine-glass. She smiled gently,
and the eyes looked away with the look that sees at once not at
all and yet farthest. She was gazing down the vista of memory.
"Then it's a compact," I said quietly. "Sealed with a drink."
"I never drank to you this time, Norval."
"Yes, you did," said I. "Only with thine eyes, doll beautiful."
"You forget yourself."
"I remember you. You were wearing a black and gold dress. Sweet
you looked."
She turned away and pointed to a church we were leaving on our
right.
"That," she said, "is a church."
"You amaze me. I thought it was a swimming-bath."
She bit the lip that wanted to smile.
"To return to you, who are my mutton, I wish this road wasn't so
narrow. I can't look at you except in the screen."
"We first met in a looking-glass."
"True. But now I want something more-more tangible."
"Indeed?"
I glanced down. "At any rate, I've got your feet, bless them. I
shall compose a sonnet to them, beautiful doll."
"And I'll write an epic about yours."
Five minutes passed. "How's the epic going?" said I.
"I've only done four lines."
"Let's have them."
"The beetling beetle-crushing baulks of boots
Crashed on their thunderous way, while men-at-arms,
Who knew no fear, shuddered and crossed themselves,
And little children whimpered with a fright
Too fierce for tears."
"Very good," said I. "Now you shall have mine.
I thought they were stars,
And I know they were shining,
But so brightly. The daintiest things that were ever created.
They danced on my heart from the moment I saw them,
But so lightly
That while they were there my heart became lighter,
Yet on it they made an enduring impression,
Lasting and deep.
Fairies' steps may be slighter,
But so slightly.
You'll think I am mad, but I'm only a blighter.
I thought they were stars, And I know they were shining."
"Thank you very much. I didn't know you were a poet."
"Nor was I till I entered your service," said I.
So presently we came to Laipnik. I stopped outside the little
town, put on my cap, and settled the girl on the back seat. Five
minutes later we rolled up to the hotel.
On the steps stood a stout man with a serious face, looking
suspiciously at the cigar he had just lighted.
"Hullo, Uncle Dick," said my mistress.
"My dear child, I am glad you've come. You aunt's upstairs
rather tired, but wild to see you. We're going to stay another
night here and go on early tomorrow."
"Are you? I'll come up at once."
I opened the door of the car and handed her out. She kissed her
relative and turned to me.
"Er- will you- er- "
I coughed.
"You will get your own lunch, Norval, and come to the office for
orders at half-past two."
"Very good, madam."
As I raised my cap:
"Oh, I feel such a beast," she murmured.
I never gave Berry and the others a thought till I had eaten my
lunch and was musing over my coffee with a cigarette. They were
coming in the car from Salzburg, and were going to join me this
evening at a farm called Poganec, where I had slept last night
and where we were all going to stay. We had told people we were
going to fish. I think Jonah meant it. We others were going to
sleep and watch him and sleep again. Now, Poganec and Savavic
were only seven miles apart, and were served by the same post
office. In fact, they were at opposite ends of the same valley,
in the midst of which, half-way between the two, our common
village slept in the hot sun. It was in the course of my first
walk that I had come upon Savavic. And now, instead of being at
Poganec to welcome them this afternoon, here was I at Laipnik
pretending to be a chauffeur. What did it matter? I should be
back that evening. Only seven miles...
At half-past two I was at the office, and at twenty-nine minutes
to three my lady appeared in the hall. I went to her, cap in
hand. She turned and walked to a little lounge-place out of
sight of the office. I followed her there. For a moment she did
not speak. Then:
"Oh, I feel such a beast!" she said passionately. "Such a beast!
Don't take your cap off to me. Put it on. For heaven's sake,
put it on! And sit down. Sprawl about. Light a cigarette.
Shake me. Kiss me, if you like. Anything to show you're my own
class and not a servant." She stopped and passed a hand over her
eyes. Then she spoke hopelessly. "And all the time it's no
good. You've got to take us out for a drive, and I've got to
treat you- you like a servant. And you've got to say 'Yes,
madam,' and 'No, madam,' and have your tea alone, and- Oh, what
on earth did I do it for?"
She was on the verge of tears. I put my hands on her shoulders
and looked into her eyes.
"My dear beautiful doll, don't take it all so seriously. It's
only a game. We're both play-acting. You've just got to keep it
up and order me about in the most monstrously imperious manner
this afternoon, and then in the evening we're going to drive home
together. And I'm going to get some of my own back then, I don't
mind telling you. I'll sprawl and smoke cigarettes and shake
you, and- What else was it you said? I haven't forgotten that you
agreed to 'all found,' you know. You wait. And I think your
eyes are absolutely wonderful. How did it go?
'I thought they were stars,
And I know they were shining.'"
She looked me full in the eyes now, and a grand smile swept into
her face. Then she put her arms round my neck and kissed me.
The next moment she was half-way up the broad stairs.
Ten minutes later I brought the car round to the door. Niece and
uncle and aunt all sat together on the back seat. As I shut the
door:
"We don't want to go too far, Norval, or too fast. Lady Brethe
is rather tired. I think about twenty miles out and twenty back
will do. About two hours altogether."
"Yes, madam. Shall I go towards Savavic?"
"Yes, I think so."
We had done our twenty miles out, and I was looking for a place
to turn the car, when I caught sight of Poganec below us in the
valley, by road some three or four miles away. Then suddenly for
the first time a terrible thought flashed into my mind. We were
on the very road which Berry and the others must take, coming
from Salzburg. Supposing we met them....
Here the road broadened, so I slowed down and, in response to a
nod from my mistress, proceeded to turn round. I accomplished
the manoeuvre as in a dream, and ended by stopping the engine.
This brought me to my senses. As we started off again, I became
cooler. After all, very likely we should not meet them. The
chances were against it. And if we did, I could accelerate and
push by them before they knew where they were. Again-
Here we swung round a corner, and there, fifty paces away, by the
side of the road in the hot afternoon sun, stood our car, my car,
Berry and Co.'s car. The bonnet was open, and Jonah's head and
hands were inside it. Daphne sat still on the back seat, while
Jill was sitting on the bank, a posy of wild flowers in her hand.
Berry leaned easily against the side of the car, his hat over his
eyes, watching Jonah at work. From his attitude he appeared to
be offering idiotic advice. So I saw them for less than a
second, for the instant they heard us coming, all four started
and looked up. I was wondering whether I dared accelerate and
dash by like a madman. I dare say the girl was thinking the
same. But her uncle settled it.
"Hullo," he said. "Fellow-motorists in trouble? English,
apparently, too. Wonder if we- " And the worthy aunt put the lid
on.
"Why," she said, " if it isn't those nice children we met at the
Europe at Salzburg, Dick."
There was nothing to be done now. I just slowed down. Very
slowly we drew abreast, and all the time, till we stopped, I
leaned forward and gazed at the four in turn- open-mouthed they
were- bending my brows into the fiercest frown and laying my
fingers on my lips. Then:
"How d'ye do?" said Lord Brethe.
Berry swallowed, said " Er- oh, how d'ye do?" and took off his
hat.
The next moment he had himself in hand. Daphne got out of the
car, and Jonah and Jill came up. Greetings were exchanged
between them and the Brethes, and my mistress was introduced. I
sat as one in a trance. Then I heard the girl saying nervously:
"I don't know whether my chauffeur can be of any assistance." I
pulled myself together and got out of the car.
There never was such a situation. The Brethes knew nothing and
thought nothing. The girl, unaware that these were my own
people, saw me being used and treated as a chauffeur by four
strangers, while she looked on and got the thanks; and the
thought made her writhe. Berry and the others found me about to
call them " Sir" and " Madam" and to serve them by mending my own
car in the capacity of chauffeur to somebody they had never seen.
And I wanted to burst out into hysterical laughter, swear, kick
Berry, and hide in the woods. Instead of which, I went up to
Jonah, who had gone back to the engine.
"What's the trouble, sir?"
Jonah put his head into the bonnet and exploded with silent
laughter. I put my head in, too, and swore at him in a whisper.
Then:
"One of the cylinders has been missing since Krainbach," he said.
"I think that's the seat of the trouble. But I've only just- "
"I think it's the carburettor, sir," said I, with a finger on the
float. "There's practically no petrol in it."
I tried the pressure pump, but it was no good. The petrol pipe
was stopped up properly.
"You'll have to have the pipe down, sir. It's the only way."
"How long will that take?" said Lord Brethe, who was standing on
the other side of the car, talking to Berry.
"It's half-an-hour's job at least, my lord."
"Oh, well, you'd better do it. Hadn't he, Dolly? We aren't
pressed for time, are we, my dear?"
"Oh, no. That is- I mean, of course. Please do everything you
can, Norval."
"Very good, madam."
I got some tools out of the tool-box and began to take the pipe
down."
Hadn't you better take your dust-coat off, man?" said Berry.
"No, thank you, sir.
Berry turned to Lord Brethe, who had come to watch the operation.
"All this comes through~letting my young brother-in-law play
about with the car," he explained airily.
"No, really?" said Lord Brethe.
"Yes," said Berry. "He's done more damage, the few times he's
driven it, than a skilled chauffeur would do in five years."
"Dear me," said the other. "Knows nothing of the mechanism, I
suppose?"
"Doesn't know the difference between the carburettor and the erexhaust."
Lord Brethe laughed. "Dear, dear. These young men," he said.
Here the spanner I was using slipped off a nut.
"Gently, my man, gently," said Berry pleasantly.
"Yes," said Lord Brethe, "be careful of the paint."
I almost choked.
"Won't you two come and talk to us?" the girl called from the
other side of the road.
"I always like watching a repair, dear," replied her uncle. "And
Mr. Pleydel is an expert."
"I think I'd better be here just to supervise," said Berry. "Erhave
you your cotton-waste handy, man?"
"It's on the step, sir," I said with an effort. "Do you want
it?"
"No, no. But you should always keep it by you."
I wiped the sweat off my forehead.
"Will you smoke?" said Lord Brethe, producing a cigar-case.
"Ah, thanks," said Berry. With the tail of my eye I saw that it
was a Corona Corona. By this time I had taken the pipe down. It
was choked with a regular wad of dirt. I remembered bitterly
that, when I left them at Strasburg, I had begged them never to
fill up without a filter.
"So that was the obstruction?" said his lordship.
I straightened my back.
"Comes of not using a filter, my lord."
Berry's brows contracted. He touched the wad with his foot.
"No," he said loftily. "This has clearly worked in from the
engine. It is a piece of valve-packing."
I sighed. Heaven only knows what he thought he meant. But old
Brethe lapped it up. Heavily I began to replace the pipe. As I
unscrewed them, I put the nuts on the step. Now one was missing.
It had rolled off.
"Lost something?" said Berry.
"A nut, sir. I shall see it directly."
"Never put anything where it can roll off, man. When you are
executing a repair, always lay your tools on the ground and mark
the place. It's quicker in the long run. Found it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Wipe it carefully before replacing it."
He turned to Lord Brethe. "You'll excuse me, but you can't be
too careful, can you?"
"No, indeed. Quite right, quite right," said the old fool.
"We're none of us too old to learn."
The repair was finished at last. I started up the engine, just
to make sure she was all right, put away the tools, wiped my
hands on a piece of cotton-waste, and resumed my seat in my
lady's car without a word.
The girl, looking flushed and anxious, followed her aunt into the
car. Lord Brethe climbed in after them. The others stood round.
"It's been awfully kind of you to lend us your chauffeur like
this," said Daphne. "I don't know- "
"Oh- er- that's all right," stammered the girl.
"Only too glad," said Lord Brethe. "Mr. Pleydel's been very good
and given him several wrinkles well worth having."
"Don't mention it," said Berry, with a smirk.
"Here you are, my man. " I took the crown he offered me in
silence and raised my hat. A crown is worth ten pence. As I was
letting in the clutch, I heard Jill's voice on my left.
"Thank you very much indeed for helping us so beautifully," she
said, and laid her posy of wild flowers on the seat by my side.
"Thank you, madam."
As we moved off:
"What a queer child!" said Lady Brethe.
Two hours later the girl and I slipped once more out of Laipnik.
When we were clear of the town, I stopped for a moment, and she
took her old seat by my side. For a minute or two neither of us
spoke. Then she reached up and took off my cap and pitched it
behind into the car. I laughed.
"I wanted to do that a dozen times this afternoon," she said.
"And I'd have done it, too, if I'd had the courage of a
field-mouse."
"You know what I've wanted to do a dozen times this afternoon,
don't you?"
"And these odious people. Will you ever forgive me? If it's any
consolation to you, I nearly died of shame."
"And I nearly punched Berry's head and spoiled it all."
"Berry's?"
I explained. When I had finished:
"It was nice of Jill to give you those flowers," she said. "Dear
of her. But I shall never forgive Berry."
"He's only human," said I. "And he really was awfully funny."
"I shall tell him what I think of him."
"We've all done that once a week for five years. My dear, he's
quite hopeless. Besides, he gave me a whole crown."
"And uncle gave you five. I saw him. I nearly cried, it made me
so angry."
"Six altogether," said I. " I bought you some carnations with
them. They're in the hood."
"Sweet of you, Norval. Coals of fire?"
"No, dear. Only malmaisons. Isn't that beautiful?"
We had climbed until we were at the top of a pass. Over the
mountains the sun was going down. The great valley was already
in shadow, but the light on the high woods was wonderful. Away
on the top of a hill a little white shrine stood up like a
candlestick against the sky. A rosy flush lay on the distant
snow mountains, and the heavens themselves were filled with a
great red glory. The same thought occurred to both of us.
"Who wouldn't be a day?" said I. It's worth living only twelve
hours to die a death like that."
We reached Savavic about half-past seven. I drove straight to
the garage. She watched me put the car away and waited while I
slipped into my brogues. Then:
"Now I must be off to Poganec," said I. "So endeth the first
day's service."
"And the last."
I drew myself up.
"Am I dismissed, then?"
"Oh, well- "
"Of course, if you're not satisfied, madam- "
"But I am, only- "
"Then," said I, "I'll stop on. Good night, beautiful Doll."
"Dolly"
"Dolly, then."
I swept off my hat and turned to go.
"Don't you want to- er- shake me?" said Dolly.
I reached Poganec just as they were finishing dinner. As I
entered the room:
"Hullo," said Berry. "This your night out?"
"That'll do." said I. "You had your show this afternoon."
"My show? My humiliation," said my brother-in-law. "Think of
it. My wife's brother in service. How can I ever hold up this
noble head again? And this after all my years of striving to
elevate. But there! Can the leopard change his spots, or the
chauffeur his boots? By the way, how did you get into them?
Rather a tight fit, wasn't it? You don't look very penitent. I
suppose you know I'm bowed with grief?"
"I see you're gorged with food," said I. "Haven't you any dinner
for me?"
"It's in a red handkerchief by the coach-house door," said Berry.
"Now you can go. I shan't want you any more to-night. Don't
forget the- ah- wrinkle I gave you about the cotton-waste."
"Fancy Boy earning some money!" said Daphne. "What wages d'you
get?"
"Six-and-tenpence-farthing a week," said I, "and all found."
"That's a dangerous phrase," said Jonah. "Might mean anything."
"Exactly," said Berry. "It includes boots, we know. What else
besides boots?"
"Depends on the man," said I.
"It does," said Daphne. "And that's why you've got to give
notice at once."
"Notice?"
I felt Jill's hand pushing my hair back from my forehead. She
was standing behind my chair.
"Yes," she said, "and come back to us. Fact is, Boy, we can't
spare you."