diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-0.txt | 555 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 523576 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-h/032.jpg | bin | 0 -> 82214 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-h/033.jpg | bin | 0 -> 101117 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-h/034.jpg | bin | 0 -> 115839 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-h/035.jpg | bin | 0 -> 81457 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-h/036.jpg | bin | 0 -> 89770 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-h/12207-h.htm | 1273 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207-h/title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 43731 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207.txt | 974 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12207.zip | bin | 0 -> 16551 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 523576 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207-h/032.jpg | bin | 0 -> 82214 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207-h/033.jpg | bin | 0 -> 101117 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207-h/034.jpg | bin | 0 -> 115839 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207-h/035.jpg | bin | 0 -> 81457 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207-h/036.jpg | bin | 0 -> 89770 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207-h/12207-h.htm | 1273 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207-h/title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 43731 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207.txt | 974 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12207.zip | bin | 0 -> 16551 bytes |
24 files changed, 5065 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/12207-0.txt b/12207-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..27f02c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,555 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12207 *** + +ODD CRAFT + +By W.W. Jacobs + + + +ESTABLISHING RELATIONS + +Mr. Richard Catesby, second officer of the ss. _Wizard_, emerged from the +dock-gates in high good-humour to spend an evening ashore. The bustle of +the day had departed, and the inhabitants of Wapping, in search of +coolness and fresh air, were sitting at open doors and windows indulging +in general conversation with any-body within earshot. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Richard Catesby, second officer of the ss. _Wizard_, +emerged from the dock-gates in high good-humour."] + +Mr. Catesby, turning into Bashford's Lane, lost in a moment all this life +and colour. The hum of distant voices certainly reached there, but that +was all, for Bashford's Lane, a retiring thoroughfare facing a blank dock +wall, capped here and there by towering spars, set an example of +gentility which neighbouring streets had long ago decided crossly was +impossible for ordinary people to follow. Its neatly grained shutters, +fastened back by the sides of the windows, gave a pleasing idea of +uniformity, while its white steps and polished brass knockers were +suggestive of almost a Dutch cleanliness. + +Mr. Catesby, strolling comfortably along, stopped suddenly for another +look at a girl who was standing in the ground-floor window of No. 5. He +went on a few paces and then walked back slowly, trying to look as though +he had forgotten something. The girl was still there, and met his ardent +glances unmoved: a fine girl, with large, dark eyes, and a complexion +which was the subject of much scandalous discussion among neighbouring +matrons. + +"It must be something wrong with the glass, or else it's the bad light," +said Mr. Catesby to himself; "no girl is so beautiful as that." + +He went by again to make sure. The object of his solicitude was still +there and apparently unconscious of his existence. He passed very slowly +and sighed deeply. + +"You've got it at last, Dick Catesby," he said, solemnly; "fair and +square in the most dangerous part of the heart. It's serious this time." + +He stood still on the narrow pavement, pondering, and then, in excuse of +his flagrant misbehaviour, murmured, "It was meant to be," and went by +again. This time he fancied that he detected a somewhat supercilious +expression in the dark eyes--a faint raising of well-arched eyebrows. + +His engagement to wait at Aldgate Station for the second-engineer and +spend an evening together was dismissed as too slow to be considered. He +stood for some time in uncertainty, and then turning slowly into the +Beehive, which stood at the corner, went into the private bar and ordered +a glass of beer. + +He was the only person in the bar, and the land-lord, a stout man in his +shirt-sleeves, was the soul of affability. Mr. Catesby, after various +general remarks, made a few inquiries about an uncle aged five minutes, +whom he thought was living in Bashford's Lane. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Catesby made a few inquiries."] + +"I don't know 'im," said the landlord. + +"I had an idea that he lived at No. 5," said Catesby. + +The landlord shook his head. "That's Mrs. Truefitt's house," he said, +slowly. + +Mr. Catesby pondered. "Truefitt, Truefitt," he repeated; "what sort of a +woman is she?" + +"Widder-woman," said the landlord; "she lives there with 'er daughter +Prudence." + +Mr. Catesby said "Indeed!" and being a good listener learned that Mrs. +Truefitt was the widow of a master-lighterman, and that her son, Fred +Truefitt, after an absence of seven years in New Zealand, was now on his +way home. He finished his glass slowly and, the landlord departing to +attend to another customer, made his way into the street again. + +He walked along slowly, picturing as he went the home-corning of the +long-absent son. Things were oddly ordered in this world, and Fred +Truefitt would probably think nothing of his brotherly privileges. He +wondered whether he was like Prudence. He wondered---- + +"By Jove, I'll do it!" he said, recklessly, as he turned. "Now for a +row." + +He walked back rapidly to Bashford's Lane, and without giving his courage +time to cool plied the knocker of No. 5 briskly. + +The door was opened by an elderly woman, thin, and somewhat querulous in +expression. Mr. Catesby had just time to notice this, and then he flung +his arm round her waist, and hailing her as "Mother!" saluted her warmly. + +The faint scream of the astounded Mrs. Truefitt brought her daughter +hastily into the passage. Mr. Catesby's idea was ever to do a thing +thoroughly, and, relinquishing Mrs. Truefitt, he kissed Prudence with all +the ardour which a seven-years' absence might be supposed to engender in +the heart of a devoted brother. In return he received a box on the ears +which made his head ring. + +"He's been drinking," gasped the dismayed Mrs. Truefitt. + +"Don't you know me, mother?" inquired Mr. Richard Catesby, in grievous +astonishment. + +"He's mad," said her daughter. + +"Am I so altered that you don't know me, Prudence?" inquired Mr. +Catesby; with pathos. "Don't you know your Fred?" + +"Go out," said Mrs. Truefitt, recovering; "go out at once." + +Mr. Catesby looked from one to the other in consternation. + +"I know I've altered," he said, at last, "but I'd no idea--" + +"If you don't go out at once I'll send for the police," said the elder +woman, sharply. "Prudence, scream!" + +"I'm not going to scream," said Prudence, eyeing the intruder with great +composure. "I'm not afraid of him." + +Despite her reluctance to have a scene--a thing which was strongly +opposed to the traditions of Bashford's Lane--Mrs. Truefitt had got as +far as the doorstep in search of assistance, when a sudden terrible +thought occurred to her: Fred was dead, and the visitor had hit upon this +extraordinary fashion of breaking the news gently. + +"Come into the parlour," she said, faintly. + +Mr. Catesby, suppressing his surprise, followed her into the room. +Prudence, her fine figure erect and her large eyes meeting his steadily, +took up a position by the side of her mother. + +"You have brought bad news?" inquired the latter. + +"No, mother," said Mr. Catesby, simply, "only myself, that's all." + +Mrs. Truefitt made a gesture of impatience, and her daughter, watching +him closely, tried to remember something she had once read about +detecting insanity by the expression of the eyes. Those of Mr. Catesby +were blue, and the only expression in them at the present moment was one +of tender and respectful admiration. + +"When did you see Fred last?" inquired Mrs. Truefitt, making another +effort. + +"Mother," said Mr. Catesby, with great pathos, "don't you know me?" + +"He has brought bad news of Fred," said Mrs. Truefitt, turning to her +daughter; "I am sure he has." + +"I don't understand you," said Mr. Catesby, with a bewildered glance from +one to the other. "I am Fred. Am I much changed? You look the same as +you always did, and it seems only yesterday since I kissed Prudence +good-bye at the docks. You were crying, Prudence." + +Miss Truefitt made no reply; she gazed at him unflinchingly and then bent +toward her mother. + +"He is mad," she whispered; "we must try and get him out quietly. Don't +contradict him." + +"Keep close to me," said Mrs. Truefitt, who had a great horror of the +insane. "If he turns violent open the window and scream. I thought he +had brought bad news of Fred. How did he know about him?" + +Her daughter shook her head and gazed curiously at their afflicted +visitor. She put his age down at twenty-five, and she could not help +thinking it a pity that so good-looking a young man should have lost his +wits. + +"Bade Prudence good-bye at the docks," continued Mr. Catesby, dreamily. +"You drew me behind a pile of luggage, Prudence, and put your head on my +shoulder. I have thought of it ever since." + +Miss Truefitt did not deny it, but she bit her lips, and shot a sharp +glance at him. She began to think that her pity was uncalled-for. + +"I'm just going as far as the corner." + +"Tell me all that's happened since I've been away," said Mr. Catesby. + +Mrs. Truefitt turned to her daughter and whispered. It might have been +merely the effect of a guilty conscience, but the visitor thought that he +caught the word "policeman." + +"I'm just going as far as the corner," said Mrs. Truefitt, rising, and +crossing hastily to the door. + +[Illustration: "'I'm just going as far as the corner,' said Mrs. +Truefitt."] + +The young man nodded affectionately and sat in doubtful consideration as +the front door closed behind her. "Where is mother going?" he asked, in +a voice which betrayed a little pardonable anxiety. + +"Not far, I hope," said Prudence. + +"I really think," said Mr. Catesby, rising--"I really think that I had +better go after her. At her age----" + +He walked into the small passage and put his hand on the latch. +Prudence, now quite certain of his sanity, felt sorely reluctant to let +such impudence go unpunished. + +"Are you going?" she inquired. + +"I think I'd better," said Mr. Catesby, gravely. "Dear mother--" + +"You're afraid," said the girl, calmly. + +Mr. Catesby coloured and his buoyancy failed him. He felt a little bit +cheap. + +"You are brave enough with two women," continued the girl, disdainfully; +"but you had better go if you're afraid." + +Mr. Catesby regarded the temptress uneasily. "Would you like me to +stay?" he asked. + +"I?" said Miss Truefitt, tossing her head. "No, I don't want you. +Besides, you're frightened." + +Mr. Catesby turned, and with a firm step made his way back to the room; +Prudence, with a half-smile, took a chair near the door and regarded her +prisoner with unholy triumph. + +"I shouldn't like to be in your shoes," she said, agreeably; "mother has +gone for a policeman." + +"Bless her," said Mr. Catesby, fervently. "What had we better say to him +when he comes?" + +"You'll be locked up," said Prudence; "and it will serve you right for +your bad behaviour." + +Mr. Catesby sighed. "It's the heart," he said, gravely. "I'm not to +blame, really. I saw you standing in the window, and I could see at once +that you were beautiful, and good, and kind." + +"I never heard of such impudence," continued Miss Truefitt. + +"I surprised myself," admitted Mr. Catesby. "In the usual way I am very +quiet and well-behaved, not to say shy." + +Miss Truefitt looked at him scornfully. "I think that you had better +stop your nonsense and go," she remarked. + +"Don't you want me to be punished?" inquired the other, in a soft voice. + +"I think that you had better go while you can," said the girl, and at +that moment there was a heavy knock at the front-door. Mr. Catesby, +despite his assurance, changed colour; the girl eyed him in perplexity. +Then she opened the small folding-doors at the back of the room. + +"You're only--stupid," she whispered. "Quick! Go in there. I'll say +you've gone. Keep quiet, and I'll let you out by-and-by." + +She pushed him in and closed the doors. From his hiding-place he heard +an animated conversation at the street-door and minute particulars as to +the time which had elapsed since his departure and the direction he had +taken. + +"I never heard such impudence," said Mrs. Truefitt, going into the +front-room and sinking into a chair after the constable had taken his +departure. "I don't believe he was mad." + +"Only a little weak in the head, I think," said Prudence, in a clear +voice. "He was very frightened after you had gone; I don't think he will +trouble us again." + +"He'd better not," said Mrs. Truefitt, sharply. "I never heard of such a +thing--never." + +She continued to grumble, while Prudence, in a low voice, endeavoured to +soothe her. Her efforts were evidently successful, as the prisoner was, +after a time, surprised to hear the older woman laugh--at first gently, +and then with so much enjoyment that her daughter was at some pains to +restrain her. He sat in patience until evening deepened into night, and +a line of light beneath the folding-doors announced the lighting of the +lamp in the front-room. By a pleasant clatter of crockery he became +aware that they were at supper, and he pricked up his ears as Prudence +made another reference to him. + +"If he comes to-morrow night while you are out I sha'n't open the door," +she said. "You'll be back by nine, I suppose." + +Mrs. Truefitt assented. + +"And you won't be leaving before seven," continued Prudence. "I shall be +all right." + +Mr. Catesby's face glowed and his eyes grew tender; Prudence was as +clever as she was beautiful. The delicacy with which she had intimated +the fact of the unconscious Mrs. Truefitt's absence on the following +evening was beyond all praise. The only depressing thought was that such +resourcefulness savoured of practice. + +He sat in the darkness for so long that even the proximity of Prudence +was not sufficient amends for the monotony of it, and it was not until +past ten o'clock that the folding-doors were opened and he stood blinking +at the girl in the glare of the lamp. + +"Quick!" she whispered. + +Mr. Catesby stepped into the lighted room. + +"The front-door is open," whispered Prudence. "Make haste. I'll close +it." + +She followed him to the door; he made an ineffectual attempt to seize her +hand, and the next moment was pushed gently outside and the door closed +behind him. He stood a moment gazing at the house, and then hastened +back to his ship. + +"Seven to-morrow," he murmured; "seven to-morrow. After all, there's +nothing pays in this world like cheek--nothing." + +He slept soundly that night, though the things that the second-engineer +said to him about wasting a hard-working man's evening would have lain +heavy on the conscience of a more scrupulous man. The only thing that +troubled him was the manifest intention of his friend not to let him slip +through his fingers on the following evening. At last, in sheer despair +at his inability to shake him off, he had to tell him that he had an +appointment with a lady. + +"Well, I'll come, too," said the other, glowering at him. "It's very +like she'll have a friend with her; they generally do." + +"I'll run round and tell her," said Catesby. "I'd have arranged it +before, only I thought you didn't care about that sort of thing." + +"Female society is softening," said the second-engineer. "I'll go and +put on a clean collar." + +[Illustration: "I'll go and put on a clean collar."] + +Catesby watched him into his cabin and then, though it still wanted an +hour to seven, hastily quitted the ship and secreted himself in the +private bar of the Beehive. + +He waited there until a quarter past seven, and then, adjusting his tie +for about the tenth time that evening in the glass behind the bar, +sallied out in the direction of No. 5. + +He knocked lightly, and waited. There was no response, and he knocked +again. When the fourth knock brought no response, his heart sank within +him and he indulged in vain speculations as to the reasons for this +unexpected hitch in the programme. He knocked again, and then the door +opened suddenly and Prudence, with a little cry of surprise and dismay, +backed into the passage. + +"You!" she said, regarding him with large eyes. Mr. Catesby bowed +tenderly, and passing in closed the door behind him. + +"I wanted to thank you for your kindness last night," he said, humbly. + +"Very well," said Prudence; "good-bye." + +Mr. Catesby smiled. "It'll take me a long time to thank you as I ought +to thank you," he murmured. "And then I want to apologise; that'll take +time, too." + +"You had better go," said Prudence, severely; "kindness is thrown away +upon you. I ought to have let you be punished." + +"You are too good and kind," said the other, drifting by easy stages into +the parlour. + +Miss Truefitt made no reply, but following him into the room seated +herself in an easy-chair and sat coldly watchful. + +"How do you know what I am?" she inquired. + +"Your face tells me," said the infatuated Richard. "I hope you will +forgive me for my rudeness last night. It was all done on the spur of +the moment." + +"I am glad you are sorry," said the girl, softening. + +"All the same, if I hadn't done it," pursued Mr. Catesby, "I shouldn't be +sitting here talking to you now." + +Miss Truefitt raised her eyes to his, and then lowered them modestly to +the ground. "That is true," she said, quietly. + +"And I would sooner be sitting here than any-where," pursued Catesby. +"That is," he added, rising, and taking a chair by her side, "except +here." + +Miss Truefitt appeared to tremble, and made as though to rise. Then she +sat still and took a gentle peep at Mr. Catesby from the corner of her +eye. + +"I hope that you are not sorry that I am here?" said that gentleman. + +Miss Truefitt hesitated. "No," she said, at last." + +"Are you--are you glad?" asked the modest Richard. + +Miss Truefitt averted her eyes altogether. "Yes," she said, faintly. + +A strange feeling of solemnity came over the triumphant Richard. He took +the hand nearest to him and pressed it gently. + +"I--I can hardly believe in my good luck," he murmured. + +"Good luck?" said Prudence, innocently. + +"Isn't it good luck to hear you say that you are glad I'm here?" said +Catesby. + +"You're the best judge of that," said the girl, withdrawing her hand. +"It doesn't seem to me much to be pleased about." + +Mr. Catesby eyed her in perplexity, and was about to address another +tender remark to her when she was overcome by a slight fit of coughing. +At the same moment he started at the sound of a shuffling footstep in the +passage. Somebody tapped at the door. + +"Yes?" said Prudence. + +"Can't find the knife-powder, miss," said a harsh voice. The door was +pushed open and disclosed a tall, bony woman of about forty. Her red +arms were bare to the elbow, and she betrayed several evidences of a long +and arduous day's charing. + +"It's in the cupboard," said Prudence. "Why, what's the matter, Mrs. +Porter?" + +Mrs. Porter made no reply. Her mouth was wide open and she was gazing +with starting eyeballs at Mr. Catesby. + +"Joe!" she said, in a hoarse whisper. "Joe!" + +Mr. Catesby gazed at her in chilling silence. Miss Truefitt, with an air +of great surprise, glanced from one to the other. + +"Joe!" said Mrs. Porter again. "Ain't you goin' to speak to me?" + +Mr. Catesby continued to gaze at her in speechless astonishment. She +skipped clumsily round the table and stood before him with her hands +clasped. + +"Where 'ave you been all this long time?" she demanded, in a higher key. + +"You--you've made a mistake," said the bewildered Richard. + +"Mistake?" wailed Mrs. Porter. "Mistake! Oh, where's your 'art?" + +Before he could get out of her way she flung her arms round the horrified +young man's neck and em-braced him copiously. Over her bony left +shoulder the frantic Richard met the ecstatic gaze of Miss Truefitt, and, +in a flash, he realised the trap into which he had fallen. + +"Mrs. Porter!" said Prudence. + +"It's my 'usband, miss," said the Amazon, reluctantly releasing the +flushed and dishevelled Richard; "'e left me and my five eighteen months +ago. For eighteen months I 'aven't 'ad a sight of 'is blessed face." + +She lifted the hem of her apron to her face and broke into discordant +weeping. + +"Don't cry," said Prudence, softly; "I'm sure he isn't worth it." + +Mr. Catesby looked at her wanly. He was beyond further astonishment, and +when Mrs. Truefitt entered the room with a laudable attempt to twist her +features into an expression of surprise, he scarcely noticed her. + +"It's my Joe," said Mrs. Porter, simply. + +"Good gracious!" said Mrs. Truefitt. "Well, you've got him now; take +care he doesn't run away from you again." + +"I'll look after that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, with a glare at the +startled Richard. + +[Illustration: "I'll look after that, ma'am."] + +"She's very forgiving," said Prudence. "She kissed him just now." + +"Did she, though," said the admiring Mrs. Truefitt. "I wish I'd been +here." + +"I can do it agin, ma'am," said the obliging Mrs. Porter. + +"If you come near me again--" said the breathless Richard, stepping back +a pace. + +"I shouldn't force his love," said Mrs. Truefitt; "it'll come back in +time, I dare say." + +"I'm sure he's affectionate," said Prudence. + +Mr. Catesby eyed his tormentors in silence; the faces of Prudence and her +mother betokened much innocent enjoyment, but the austerity of Mrs. +Porter's visage was unrelaxed. + +"Better let bygones be bygones," said Mrs. Truefitt; "he'll be sorry +by-and-by for all the trouble he has caused." + +"He'll be ashamed of himself--if you give him time," added Prudence. + +Mr. Catesby had heard enough; he took up his hat and crossed to the door. + +"Take care he doesn't run away from you again," repeated Mrs. Truefitt. + +"I'll see to that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, taking him by the arm. +"Come along, Joe." + +Mr. Catesby attempted to shake her off, but in vain, and he ground his +teeth as he realised the absurdity of his position. A man he could have +dealt with, but Mrs. Porter was invulnerable. Sooner than walk down the +road with her he preferred the sallies of the parlour. He walked back to +his old position by the fireplace, and stood gazing moodily at the floor. + +Mrs. Truefitt tired of the sport at last. She wanted her supper, and +with a significant glance at her daughter she beckoned the redoubtable +and reluctant Mrs. Porter from the room. Catesby heard the kitchen-door +close behind them, but he made no move. Prudence stood gazing at him in +silence. + +"If you want to go," she said, at last, "now is your chance." + +Catesby followed her into the passage without a word, and waited quietly +while she opened the door. Still silent, he put on his hat and passed +out into the darkening street. He turned after a short distance for a +last look at the house and, with a sudden sense of elation, saw that she +was standing on the step. He hesitated, and then walked slowly back. + +"Yes?" said Prudence. + +"I should like to tell your mother that I am sorry," he said, in a low +voice. + +"It is getting late," said the girl, softly; "but, if you really wish to +tell her--Mrs. Porter will not be here to-morrow night." + +She stepped back into the house and the door closed behind her. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12207 *** diff --git a/12207-h.zip b/12207-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6115490 --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-h.zip diff --git a/12207-h/032.jpg b/12207-h/032.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1589af9 --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-h/032.jpg diff --git a/12207-h/033.jpg b/12207-h/033.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..416597c --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-h/033.jpg diff --git a/12207-h/034.jpg b/12207-h/034.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..31cd538 --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-h/034.jpg diff --git a/12207-h/035.jpg b/12207-h/035.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d6ecf4b --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-h/035.jpg diff --git a/12207-h/036.jpg b/12207-h/036.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d31440 --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-h/036.jpg diff --git a/12207-h/12207-h.htm b/12207-h/12207-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..79275a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-h/12207-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1273 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Odd Craft + By W. W. Jacobs: Part 7 +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: cursive} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Establishing Relations + Odd Craft, Part 7. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 29, 2004 [EBook #12207] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESTABLISHING RELATIONS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (42K)" src="title.jpg" height="658" width="479" /> +</center> +<br><br> +<br /><br /> +<h2> + 1909 +</h2> + +<center> +<h3>PART 7.</h3> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> + + + + + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-32"> +"Mr. Richard Catesby, Second Officer of the Ss. <i>wizard</i>, +Emerged from the Dock-gates in High Good-humour." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-33"> +"Mr. Catesby Made a Few Inquiries." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-34"> +"'I'm Just Going As Far As the Corner,' Said Mrs. +Truefitt." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-35"> +"I'll Go and Put on a Clean Collar." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-36"> +"I'll Look After That, Ma'am." +</a></p> + + + + + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + + + + + +<a name="2H_4_7"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + ESTABLISHING RELATIONS +</h2> +<p> + Mr. Richard Catesby, second officer of the ss. <i>Wizard</i>, emerged from the + dock-gates in high good-humour to spend an evening ashore. The bustle of + the day had departed, and the inhabitants of Wapping, in search of + coolness and fresh air, were sitting at open doors and windows indulging + in general conversation with any-body within earshot. +</p> +<a name="image-32"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="032.jpg" height="531" width="533" +alt="'mr. Richard Catesby, Second Officer of the Ss. <i>wizard</i>, +Emerged from the Dock-gates in High Good-humour.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Mr. Catesby, turning into Bashford's Lane, lost in a moment all this life + and colour. The hum of distant voices certainly reached there, but that + was all, for Bashford's Lane, a retiring thoroughfare facing a blank dock + wall, capped here and there by towering spars, set an example of + gentility which neighbouring streets had long ago decided crossly was + impossible for ordinary people to follow. Its neatly grained shutters, + fastened back by the sides of the windows, gave a pleasing idea of + uniformity, while its white steps and polished brass knockers were + suggestive of almost a Dutch cleanliness. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby, strolling comfortably along, stopped suddenly for another + look at a girl who was standing in the ground-floor window of No. 5. He + went on a few paces and then walked back slowly, trying to look as though + he had forgotten something. The girl was still there, and met his ardent + glances unmoved: a fine girl, with large, dark eyes, and a complexion + which was the subject of much scandalous discussion among neighbouring + matrons. +</p> +<p> + "It must be something wrong with the glass, or else it's the bad light," + said Mr. Catesby to himself; "no girl is so beautiful as that." +</p> +<p> + He went by again to make sure. The object of his solicitude was still + there and apparently unconscious of his existence. He passed very slowly + and sighed deeply. +</p> +<p> + "You've got it at last, Dick Catesby," he said, solemnly; "fair and + square in the most dangerous part of the heart. It's serious this time." +</p> +<p> + He stood still on the narrow pavement, pondering, and then, in excuse of + his flagrant misbehaviour, murmured, "It was meant to be," and went by + again. This time he fancied that he detected a somewhat supercilious + expression in the dark eyes—a faint raising of well-arched eyebrows. +</p> +<p> + His engagement to wait at Aldgate Station for the second-engineer and + spend an evening together was dismissed as too slow to be considered. He + stood for some time in uncertainty, and then turning slowly into the + Beehive, which stood at the corner, went into the private bar and ordered + a glass of beer. +</p> +<p> + He was the only person in the bar, and the land-lord, a stout man in his + shirt-sleeves, was the soul of affability. Mr. Catesby, after various + general remarks, made a few inquiries about an uncle aged five minutes, + whom he thought was living in Bashford's Lane. +</p> +<a name="image-33"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="033.jpg" height="553" width="549" +alt="'mr. Catesby Made a Few Inquiries.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "I don't know 'im," said the landlord. +</p> +<p> + "I had an idea that he lived at No. 5," said Catesby. +</p> +<p> + The landlord shook his head. "That's Mrs. Truefitt's house," he said, + slowly. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby pondered. "Truefitt, Truefitt," he repeated; "what sort of a + woman is she?" +</p> +<p> + "Widder-woman," said the landlord; "she lives there with 'er daughter + Prudence." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby said "Indeed!" and being a good listener learned that Mrs. + Truefitt was the widow of a master-lighterman, and that her son, Fred + Truefitt, after an absence of seven years in New Zealand, was now on his + way home. He finished his glass slowly and, the landlord departing to + attend to another customer, made his way into the street again. +</p> +<p> + He walked along slowly, picturing as he went the home-corning of the + long-absent son. Things were oddly ordered in this world, and Fred + Truefitt would probably think nothing of his brotherly privileges. He + wondered whether he was like Prudence. He wondered—— +</p> +<p> + "By Jove, I'll do it!" he said, recklessly, as he turned. "Now for a + row." +</p> +<p> + He walked back rapidly to Bashford's Lane, and without giving his courage + time to cool plied the knocker of No. 5 briskly. +</p> +<p> + The door was opened by an elderly woman, thin, and somewhat querulous in + expression. Mr. Catesby had just time to notice this, and then he flung + his arm round her waist, and hailing her as "Mother!" saluted her warmly. +</p> +<p> + The faint scream of the astounded Mrs. Truefitt brought her daughter + hastily into the passage. Mr. Catesby's idea was ever to do a thing + thoroughly, and, relinquishing Mrs. Truefitt, he kissed Prudence with all + the ardour which a seven-years' absence might be supposed to engender in + the heart of a devoted brother. In return he received a box on the ears + which made his head ring. +</p> +<p> + "He's been drinking," gasped the dismayed Mrs. Truefitt. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you know me, mother?" inquired Mr. Richard Catesby, in grievous + astonishment. +</p> +<p> + "He's mad," said her daughter. +</p> +<p> + "Am I so altered that you don't know me, Prudence?" inquired Mr. + Catesby; with pathos. "Don't you know your Fred?" +</p> +<p> + "Go out," said Mrs. Truefitt, recovering; "go out at once." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby looked from one to the other in consternation. +</p> +<p> + "I know I've altered," he said, at last, "but I'd no idea—" +</p> +<p> + "If you don't go out at once I'll send for the police," said the elder + woman, sharply. "Prudence, scream!" +</p> +<p> + "I'm not going to scream," said Prudence, eyeing the intruder with great + composure. "I'm not afraid of him." +</p> +<p> + Despite her reluctance to have a scene—a thing which was strongly + opposed to the traditions of Bashford's Lane—Mrs. Truefitt had got as + far as the doorstep in search of assistance, when a sudden terrible + thought occurred to her: Fred was dead, and the visitor had hit upon this + extraordinary fashion of breaking the news gently. +</p> +<p> + "Come into the parlour," she said, faintly. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby, suppressing his surprise, followed her into the room. + Prudence, her fine figure erect and her large eyes meeting his steadily, + took up a position by the side of her mother. +</p> +<p> + "You have brought bad news?" inquired the latter. +</p> +<p> + "No, mother," said Mr. Catesby, simply, "only myself, that's all." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Truefitt made a gesture of impatience, and her daughter, watching + him closely, tried to remember something she had once read about + detecting insanity by the expression of the eyes. Those of Mr. Catesby + were blue, and the only expression in them at the present moment was one + of tender and respectful admiration. +</p> +<p> + "When did you see Fred last?" inquired Mrs. Truefitt, making another + effort. +</p> +<p> + "Mother," said Mr. Catesby, with great pathos, "don't you know me?" +</p> +<p> + "He has brought bad news of Fred," said Mrs. Truefitt, turning to her + daughter; "I am sure he has." +</p> +<p> + "I don't understand you," said Mr. Catesby, with a bewildered glance from + one to the other. "I am Fred. Am I much changed? You look the same as + you always did, and it seems only yesterday since I kissed Prudence + good-bye at the docks. You were crying, Prudence." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt made no reply; she gazed at him unflinchingly and then bent + toward her mother. +</p> +<p> + "He is mad," she whispered; "we must try and get him out quietly. Don't + contradict him." +</p> +<p> + "Keep close to me," said Mrs. Truefitt, who had a great horror of the + insane. "If he turns violent open the window and scream. I thought he + had brought bad news of Fred. How did he know about him?" +</p> +<p> + Her daughter shook her head and gazed curiously at their afflicted + visitor. She put his age down at twenty-five, and she could not help + thinking it a pity that so good-looking a young man should have lost his + wits. +</p> +<p> + "Bade Prudence good-bye at the docks," continued Mr. Catesby, dreamily. + "You drew me behind a pile of luggage, Prudence, and put your head on my + shoulder. I have thought of it ever since." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt did not deny it, but she bit her lips, and shot a sharp + glance at him. She began to think that her pity was uncalled-for. +</p> +<p> + "I'm just going as far as the corner." +</p> +<p> + "Tell me all that's happened since I've been away," said Mr. Catesby. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Truefitt turned to her daughter and whispered. It might have been + merely the effect of a guilty conscience, but the visitor thought that he + caught the word "policeman." +</p> +<p> + "I'm just going as far as the corner," said Mrs. Truefitt, rising, and + crossing hastily to the door. +</p> +<a name="image-34"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="034.jpg" height="600" width="586" +alt="''i'm Just Going As Far As the Corner,' Said Mrs. +Truefitt.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + The young man nodded affectionately and sat in doubtful consideration as + the front door closed behind her. "Where is mother going?" he asked, in + a voice which betrayed a little pardonable anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "Not far, I hope," said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + "I really think," said Mr. Catesby, rising—"I really think that I had + better go after her. At her age——" +</p> +<p> + He walked into the small passage and put his hand on the latch. + Prudence, now quite certain of his sanity, felt sorely reluctant to let + such impudence go unpunished. +</p> +<p> + "Are you going?" she inquired. +</p> +<p> + "I think I'd better," said Mr. Catesby, gravely. "Dear mother—" +</p> +<p> + "You're afraid," said the girl, calmly. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby coloured and his buoyancy failed him. He felt a little bit + cheap. +</p> +<p> + "You are brave enough with two women," continued the girl, disdainfully; + "but you had better go if you're afraid." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby regarded the temptress uneasily. "Would you like me to + stay?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "I?" said Miss Truefitt, tossing her head. "No, I don't want you. + Besides, you're frightened." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby turned, and with a firm step made his way back to the room; + Prudence, with a half-smile, took a chair near the door and regarded her + prisoner with unholy triumph. +</p> +<p> + "I shouldn't like to be in your shoes," she said, agreeably; "mother has + gone for a policeman." +</p> +<p> + "Bless her," said Mr. Catesby, fervently. "What had we better say to him + when he comes?" +</p> +<p> + "You'll be locked up," said Prudence; "and it will serve you right for + your bad behaviour." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby sighed. "It's the heart," he said, gravely. "I'm not to + blame, really. I saw you standing in the window, and I could see at once + that you were beautiful, and good, and kind." +</p> +<p> + "I never heard of such impudence," continued Miss Truefitt. +</p> +<p> + "I surprised myself," admitted Mr. Catesby. "In the usual way I am very + quiet and well-behaved, not to say shy." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt looked at him scornfully. "I think that you had better + stop your nonsense and go," she remarked. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you want me to be punished?" inquired the other, in a soft voice. +</p> +<p> + "I think that you had better go while you can," said the girl, and at + that moment there was a heavy knock at the front-door. Mr. Catesby, + despite his assurance, changed colour; the girl eyed him in perplexity. + Then she opened the small folding-doors at the back of the room. +</p> +<p> + "You're only—stupid," she whispered. "Quick! Go in there. I'll say + you've gone. Keep quiet, and I'll let you out by-and-by." +</p> +<p> + She pushed him in and closed the doors. From his hiding-place he heard + an animated conversation at the street-door and minute particulars as to + the time which had elapsed since his departure and the direction he had + taken. +</p> +<p> + "I never heard such impudence," said Mrs. Truefitt, going into the + front-room and sinking into a chair after the constable had taken his + departure. "I don't believe he was mad." +</p> +<p> + "Only a little weak in the head, I think," said Prudence, in a clear + voice. "He was very frightened after you had gone; I don't think he will + trouble us again." +</p> +<p> + "He'd better not," said Mrs. Truefitt, sharply. "I never heard of such a + thing—never." +</p> +<p> + She continued to grumble, while Prudence, in a low voice, endeavoured to + soothe her. Her efforts were evidently successful, as the prisoner was, + after a time, surprised to hear the older woman laugh—at first gently, + and then with so much enjoyment that her daughter was at some pains to + restrain her. He sat in patience until evening deepened into night, and + a line of light beneath the folding-doors announced the lighting of the + lamp in the front-room. By a pleasant clatter of crockery he became + aware that they were at supper, and he pricked up his ears as Prudence + made another reference to him. +</p> +<p> + "If he comes to-morrow night while you are out I sha'n't open the door," + she said. "You'll be back by nine, I suppose." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Truefitt assented. +</p> +<p> + "And you won't be leaving before seven," continued Prudence. "I shall be + all right." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby's face glowed and his eyes grew tender; Prudence was as + clever as she was beautiful. The delicacy with which she had intimated + the fact of the unconscious Mrs. Truefitt's absence on the following + evening was beyond all praise. The only depressing thought was that such + resourcefulness savoured of practice. +</p> +<p> + He sat in the darkness for so long that even the proximity of Prudence + was not sufficient amends for the monotony of it, and it was not until + past ten o'clock that the folding-doors were opened and he stood blinking + at the girl in the glare of the lamp. +</p> +<p> + "Quick!" she whispered. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby stepped into the lighted room. +</p> +<p> + "The front-door is open," whispered Prudence. "Make haste. I'll close + it." +</p> +<p> + She followed him to the door; he made an ineffectual attempt to seize her + hand, and the next moment was pushed gently outside and the door closed + behind him. He stood a moment gazing at the house, and then hastened + back to his ship. +</p> +<p> + "Seven to-morrow," he murmured; "seven to-morrow. After all, there's + nothing pays in this world like cheek—nothing." +</p> +<p> + He slept soundly that night, though the things that the second-engineer + said to him about wasting a hard-working man's evening would have lain + heavy on the conscience of a more scrupulous man. The only thing that + troubled him was the manifest intention of his friend not to let him slip + through his fingers on the following evening. At last, in sheer despair + at his inability to shake him off, he had to tell him that he had an + appointment with a lady. +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'll come, too," said the other, glowering at him. "It's very + like she'll have a friend with her; they generally do." +</p> +<p> + "I'll run round and tell her," said Catesby. "I'd have arranged it + before, only I thought you didn't care about that sort of thing." +</p> +<p> + "Female society is softening," said the second-engineer. "I'll go and + put on a clean collar." +</p> +<a name="image-35"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="035.jpg" height="459" width="534" +alt="'i'll Go and Put on a Clean Collar.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Catesby watched him into his cabin and then, though it still wanted an + hour to seven, hastily quitted the ship and secreted himself in the + private bar of the Beehive. +</p> +<p> + He waited there until a quarter past seven, and then, adjusting his tie + for about the tenth time that evening in the glass behind the bar, + sallied out in the direction of No. 5. +</p> +<p> + He knocked lightly, and waited. There was no response, and he knocked + again. When the fourth knock brought no response, his heart sank within + him and he indulged in vain speculations as to the reasons for this + unexpected hitch in the programme. He knocked again, and then the door + opened suddenly and Prudence, with a little cry of surprise and dismay, + backed into the passage. +</p> +<p> + "You!" she said, regarding him with large eyes. Mr. Catesby bowed + tenderly, and passing in closed the door behind him. +</p> +<p> + "I wanted to thank you for your kindness last night," he said, humbly. +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said Prudence; "good-bye." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby smiled. "It'll take me a long time to thank you as I ought + to thank you," he murmured. "And then I want to apologise; that'll take + time, too." +</p> +<p> + "You had better go," said Prudence, severely; "kindness is thrown away + upon you. I ought to have let you be punished." +</p> +<p> + "You are too good and kind," said the other, drifting by easy stages into + the parlour. +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt made no reply, but following him into the room seated + herself in an easy-chair and sat coldly watchful. +</p> +<p> + "How do you know what I am?" she inquired. +</p> +<p> + "Your face tells me," said the infatuated Richard. "I hope you will + forgive me for my rudeness last night. It was all done on the spur of + the moment." +</p> +<p> + "I am glad you are sorry," said the girl, softening. +</p> +<p> + "All the same, if I hadn't done it," pursued Mr. Catesby, "I shouldn't be + sitting here talking to you now." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt raised her eyes to his, and then lowered them modestly to + the ground. "That is true," she said, quietly. +</p> +<p> + "And I would sooner be sitting here than any-where," pursued Catesby. + "That is," he added, rising, and taking a chair by her side, "except + here." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt appeared to tremble, and made as though to rise. Then she + sat still and took a gentle peep at Mr. Catesby from the corner of her + eye. +</p> +<p> + "I hope that you are not sorry that I am here?" said that gentleman. +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt hesitated. "No," she said, at last." +</p> +<p> + "Are you—are you glad?" asked the modest Richard. +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt averted her eyes altogether. "Yes," she said, faintly. +</p> +<p> + A strange feeling of solemnity came over the triumphant Richard. He took + the hand nearest to him and pressed it gently. +</p> +<p> + "I—I can hardly believe in my good luck," he murmured. +</p> +<p> + "Good luck?" said Prudence, innocently. +</p> +<p> + "Isn't it good luck to hear you say that you are glad I'm here?" said + Catesby. +</p> +<p> + "You're the best judge of that," said the girl, withdrawing her hand. + "It doesn't seem to me much to be pleased about." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby eyed her in perplexity, and was about to address another + tender remark to her when she was overcome by a slight fit of coughing. + At the same moment he started at the sound of a shuffling footstep in the + passage. Somebody tapped at the door. +</p> +<p> + "Yes?" said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + "Can't find the knife-powder, miss," said a harsh voice. The door was + pushed open and disclosed a tall, bony woman of about forty. Her red + arms were bare to the elbow, and she betrayed several evidences of a long + and arduous day's charing. +</p> +<p> + "It's in the cupboard," said Prudence. "Why, what's the matter, Mrs. + Porter?" +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Porter made no reply. Her mouth was wide open and she was gazing + with starting eyeballs at Mr. Catesby. +</p> +<p> + "Joe!" she said, in a hoarse whisper. "Joe!" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby gazed at her in chilling silence. Miss Truefitt, with an air + of great surprise, glanced from one to the other. +</p> +<p> + "Joe!" said Mrs. Porter again. "Ain't you goin' to speak to me?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby continued to gaze at her in speechless astonishment. She + skipped clumsily round the table and stood before him with her hands + clasped. +</p> +<p> + "Where 'ave you been all this long time?" she demanded, in a higher key. +</p> +<p> + "You—you've made a mistake," said the bewildered Richard. +</p> +<p> + "Mistake?" wailed Mrs. Porter. "Mistake! Oh, where's your 'art?" +</p> +<p> + Before he could get out of her way she flung her arms round the horrified + young man's neck and em-braced him copiously. Over her bony left + shoulder the frantic Richard met the ecstatic gaze of Miss Truefitt, and, + in a flash, he realised the trap into which he had fallen. +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Porter!" said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + "It's my 'usband, miss," said the Amazon, reluctantly releasing the + flushed and dishevelled Richard; "'e left me and my five eighteen months + ago. For eighteen months I 'aven't 'ad a sight of 'is blessed face." +</p> +<p> + She lifted the hem of her apron to her face and broke into discordant + weeping. +</p> +<p> + "Don't cry," said Prudence, softly; "I'm sure he isn't worth it." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby looked at her wanly. He was beyond further astonishment, and + when Mrs. Truefitt entered the room with a laudable attempt to twist her + features into an expression of surprise, he scarcely noticed her. +</p> +<p> + "It's my Joe," said Mrs. Porter, simply. +</p> +<p> + "Good gracious!" said Mrs. Truefitt. "Well, you've got him now; take + care he doesn't run away from you again." +</p> +<p> + "I'll look after that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, with a glare at the + startled Richard. +</p> +<a name="image-36"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="036.jpg" height="532" width="563" +alt="'i'll Look After That, Ma'am.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "She's very forgiving," said Prudence. "She kissed him just now." +</p> +<p> + "Did she, though," said the admiring Mrs. Truefitt. "I wish I'd been + here." +</p> +<p> + "I can do it agin, ma'am," said the obliging Mrs. Porter. +</p> +<p> + "If you come near me again—" said the breathless Richard, stepping back + a pace. +</p> +<p> + "I shouldn't force his love," said Mrs. Truefitt; "it'll come back in + time, I dare say." +</p> +<p> + "I'm sure he's affectionate," said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby eyed his tormentors in silence; the faces of Prudence and her + mother betokened much innocent enjoyment, but the austerity of Mrs. + Porter's visage was unrelaxed. +</p> +<p> + "Better let bygones be bygones," said Mrs. Truefitt; "he'll be sorry + by-and-by for all the trouble he has caused." +</p> +<p> + "He'll be ashamed of himself—if you give him time," added Prudence. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby had heard enough; he took up his hat and crossed to the door. +</p> +<p> + "Take care he doesn't run away from you again," repeated Mrs. Truefitt. +</p> +<p> + "I'll see to that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, taking him by the arm. + "Come along, Joe." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby attempted to shake her off, but in vain, and he ground his + teeth as he realised the absurdity of his position. A man he could have + dealt with, but Mrs. Porter was invulnerable. Sooner than walk down the + road with her he preferred the sallies of the parlour. He walked back to + his old position by the fireplace, and stood gazing moodily at the floor. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Truefitt tired of the sport at last. She wanted her supper, and + with a significant glance at her daughter she beckoned the redoubtable + and reluctant Mrs. Porter from the room. Catesby heard the kitchen-door + close behind them, but he made no move. Prudence stood gazing at him in + silence. +</p> +<p> + "If you want to go," she said, at last, "now is your chance." +</p> +<p> + Catesby followed her into the passage without a word, and waited quietly + while she opened the door. Still silent, he put on his hat and passed + out into the darkening street. He turned after a short distance for a + last look at the house and, with a sudden sense of elation, saw that she + was standing on the step. He hesitated, and then walked slowly back. +</p> +<p> + "Yes?" said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + "I should like to tell your mother that I am sorry," he said, in a low + voice. +</p> +<p> + "It is getting late," said the girl, softly; "but, if you really wish to + tell her—Mrs. Porter will not be here to-morrow night." +</p> +<p> + She stepped back into the house and the door closed behind her. +</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESTABLISHING RELATIONS *** + +***** This file should be named 12207-h.htm or 12207-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/2/0/12207/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/12207-h/title.jpg b/12207-h/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c4b3bd --- /dev/null +++ b/12207-h/title.jpg diff --git a/12207.txt b/12207.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e98700 --- /dev/null +++ b/12207.txt @@ -0,0 +1,974 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Establishing Relations + Odd Craft, Part 7. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 29, 2004 [EBook #12207] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESTABLISHING RELATIONS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +ODD CRAFT + +By W.W. Jacobs + + + +ESTABLISHING RELATIONS + +Mr. Richard Catesby, second officer of the ss. _Wizard_, emerged from the +dock-gates in high good-humour to spend an evening ashore. The bustle of +the day had departed, and the inhabitants of Wapping, in search of +coolness and fresh air, were sitting at open doors and windows indulging +in general conversation with any-body within earshot. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Richard Catesby, second officer of the ss. _Wizard_, +emerged from the dock-gates in high good-humour."] + +Mr. Catesby, turning into Bashford's Lane, lost in a moment all this life +and colour. The hum of distant voices certainly reached there, but that +was all, for Bashford's Lane, a retiring thoroughfare facing a blank dock +wall, capped here and there by towering spars, set an example of +gentility which neighbouring streets had long ago decided crossly was +impossible for ordinary people to follow. Its neatly grained shutters, +fastened back by the sides of the windows, gave a pleasing idea of +uniformity, while its white steps and polished brass knockers were +suggestive of almost a Dutch cleanliness. + +Mr. Catesby, strolling comfortably along, stopped suddenly for another +look at a girl who was standing in the ground-floor window of No. 5. He +went on a few paces and then walked back slowly, trying to look as though +he had forgotten something. The girl was still there, and met his ardent +glances unmoved: a fine girl, with large, dark eyes, and a complexion +which was the subject of much scandalous discussion among neighbouring +matrons. + +"It must be something wrong with the glass, or else it's the bad light," +said Mr. Catesby to himself; "no girl is so beautiful as that." + +He went by again to make sure. The object of his solicitude was still +there and apparently unconscious of his existence. He passed very slowly +and sighed deeply. + +"You've got it at last, Dick Catesby," he said, solemnly; "fair and +square in the most dangerous part of the heart. It's serious this time." + +He stood still on the narrow pavement, pondering, and then, in excuse of +his flagrant misbehaviour, murmured, "It was meant to be," and went by +again. This time he fancied that he detected a somewhat supercilious +expression in the dark eyes--a faint raising of well-arched eyebrows. + +His engagement to wait at Aldgate Station for the second-engineer and +spend an evening together was dismissed as too slow to be considered. He +stood for some time in uncertainty, and then turning slowly into the +Beehive, which stood at the corner, went into the private bar and ordered +a glass of beer. + +He was the only person in the bar, and the land-lord, a stout man in his +shirt-sleeves, was the soul of affability. Mr. Catesby, after various +general remarks, made a few inquiries about an uncle aged five minutes, +whom he thought was living in Bashford's Lane. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Catesby made a few inquiries."] + +"I don't know 'im," said the landlord. + +"I had an idea that he lived at No. 5," said Catesby. + +The landlord shook his head. "That's Mrs. Truefitt's house," he said, +slowly. + +Mr. Catesby pondered. "Truefitt, Truefitt," he repeated; "what sort of a +woman is she?" + +"Widder-woman," said the landlord; "she lives there with 'er daughter +Prudence." + +Mr. Catesby said "Indeed!" and being a good listener learned that Mrs. +Truefitt was the widow of a master-lighterman, and that her son, Fred +Truefitt, after an absence of seven years in New Zealand, was now on his +way home. He finished his glass slowly and, the landlord departing to +attend to another customer, made his way into the street again. + +He walked along slowly, picturing as he went the home-corning of the +long-absent son. Things were oddly ordered in this world, and Fred +Truefitt would probably think nothing of his brotherly privileges. He +wondered whether he was like Prudence. He wondered---- + +"By Jove, I'll do it!" he said, recklessly, as he turned. "Now for a +row." + +He walked back rapidly to Bashford's Lane, and without giving his courage +time to cool plied the knocker of No. 5 briskly. + +The door was opened by an elderly woman, thin, and somewhat querulous in +expression. Mr. Catesby had just time to notice this, and then he flung +his arm round her waist, and hailing her as "Mother!" saluted her warmly. + +The faint scream of the astounded Mrs. Truefitt brought her daughter +hastily into the passage. Mr. Catesby's idea was ever to do a thing +thoroughly, and, relinquishing Mrs. Truefitt, he kissed Prudence with all +the ardour which a seven-years' absence might be supposed to engender in +the heart of a devoted brother. In return he received a box on the ears +which made his head ring. + +"He's been drinking," gasped the dismayed Mrs. Truefitt. + +"Don't you know me, mother?" inquired Mr. Richard Catesby, in grievous +astonishment. + +"He's mad," said her daughter. + +"Am I so altered that you don't know me, Prudence?" inquired Mr. +Catesby; with pathos. "Don't you know your Fred?" + +"Go out," said Mrs. Truefitt, recovering; "go out at once." + +Mr. Catesby looked from one to the other in consternation. + +"I know I've altered," he said, at last, "but I'd no idea--" + +"If you don't go out at once I'll send for the police," said the elder +woman, sharply. "Prudence, scream!" + +"I'm not going to scream," said Prudence, eyeing the intruder with great +composure. "I'm not afraid of him." + +Despite her reluctance to have a scene--a thing which was strongly +opposed to the traditions of Bashford's Lane--Mrs. Truefitt had got as +far as the doorstep in search of assistance, when a sudden terrible +thought occurred to her: Fred was dead, and the visitor had hit upon this +extraordinary fashion of breaking the news gently. + +"Come into the parlour," she said, faintly. + +Mr. Catesby, suppressing his surprise, followed her into the room. +Prudence, her fine figure erect and her large eyes meeting his steadily, +took up a position by the side of her mother. + +"You have brought bad news?" inquired the latter. + +"No, mother," said Mr. Catesby, simply, "only myself, that's all." + +Mrs. Truefitt made a gesture of impatience, and her daughter, watching +him closely, tried to remember something she had once read about +detecting insanity by the expression of the eyes. Those of Mr. Catesby +were blue, and the only expression in them at the present moment was one +of tender and respectful admiration. + +"When did you see Fred last?" inquired Mrs. Truefitt, making another +effort. + +"Mother," said Mr. Catesby, with great pathos, "don't you know me?" + +"He has brought bad news of Fred," said Mrs. Truefitt, turning to her +daughter; "I am sure he has." + +"I don't understand you," said Mr. Catesby, with a bewildered glance from +one to the other. "I am Fred. Am I much changed? You look the same as +you always did, and it seems only yesterday since I kissed Prudence +good-bye at the docks. You were crying, Prudence." + +Miss Truefitt made no reply; she gazed at him unflinchingly and then bent +toward her mother. + +"He is mad," she whispered; "we must try and get him out quietly. Don't +contradict him." + +"Keep close to me," said Mrs. Truefitt, who had a great horror of the +insane. "If he turns violent open the window and scream. I thought he +had brought bad news of Fred. How did he know about him?" + +Her daughter shook her head and gazed curiously at their afflicted +visitor. She put his age down at twenty-five, and she could not help +thinking it a pity that so good-looking a young man should have lost his +wits. + +"Bade Prudence good-bye at the docks," continued Mr. Catesby, dreamily. +"You drew me behind a pile of luggage, Prudence, and put your head on my +shoulder. I have thought of it ever since." + +Miss Truefitt did not deny it, but she bit her lips, and shot a sharp +glance at him. She began to think that her pity was uncalled-for. + +"I'm just going as far as the corner." + +"Tell me all that's happened since I've been away," said Mr. Catesby. + +Mrs. Truefitt turned to her daughter and whispered. It might have been +merely the effect of a guilty conscience, but the visitor thought that he +caught the word "policeman." + +"I'm just going as far as the corner," said Mrs. Truefitt, rising, and +crossing hastily to the door. + +[Illustration: "'I'm just going as far as the corner,' said Mrs. +Truefitt."] + +The young man nodded affectionately and sat in doubtful consideration as +the front door closed behind her. "Where is mother going?" he asked, in +a voice which betrayed a little pardonable anxiety. + +"Not far, I hope," said Prudence. + +"I really think," said Mr. Catesby, rising--"I really think that I had +better go after her. At her age----" + +He walked into the small passage and put his hand on the latch. +Prudence, now quite certain of his sanity, felt sorely reluctant to let +such impudence go unpunished. + +"Are you going?" she inquired. + +"I think I'd better," said Mr. Catesby, gravely. "Dear mother--" + +"You're afraid," said the girl, calmly. + +Mr. Catesby coloured and his buoyancy failed him. He felt a little bit +cheap. + +"You are brave enough with two women," continued the girl, disdainfully; +"but you had better go if you're afraid." + +Mr. Catesby regarded the temptress uneasily. "Would you like me to +stay?" he asked. + +"I?" said Miss Truefitt, tossing her head. "No, I don't want you. +Besides, you're frightened." + +Mr. Catesby turned, and with a firm step made his way back to the room; +Prudence, with a half-smile, took a chair near the door and regarded her +prisoner with unholy triumph. + +"I shouldn't like to be in your shoes," she said, agreeably; "mother has +gone for a policeman." + +"Bless her," said Mr. Catesby, fervently. "What had we better say to him +when he comes?" + +"You'll be locked up," said Prudence; "and it will serve you right for +your bad behaviour." + +Mr. Catesby sighed. "It's the heart," he said, gravely. "I'm not to +blame, really. I saw you standing in the window, and I could see at once +that you were beautiful, and good, and kind." + +"I never heard of such impudence," continued Miss Truefitt. + +"I surprised myself," admitted Mr. Catesby. "In the usual way I am very +quiet and well-behaved, not to say shy." + +Miss Truefitt looked at him scornfully. "I think that you had better +stop your nonsense and go," she remarked. + +"Don't you want me to be punished?" inquired the other, in a soft voice. + +"I think that you had better go while you can," said the girl, and at +that moment there was a heavy knock at the front-door. Mr. Catesby, +despite his assurance, changed colour; the girl eyed him in perplexity. +Then she opened the small folding-doors at the back of the room. + +"You're only--stupid," she whispered. "Quick! Go in there. I'll say +you've gone. Keep quiet, and I'll let you out by-and-by." + +She pushed him in and closed the doors. From his hiding-place he heard +an animated conversation at the street-door and minute particulars as to +the time which had elapsed since his departure and the direction he had +taken. + +"I never heard such impudence," said Mrs. Truefitt, going into the +front-room and sinking into a chair after the constable had taken his +departure. "I don't believe he was mad." + +"Only a little weak in the head, I think," said Prudence, in a clear +voice. "He was very frightened after you had gone; I don't think he will +trouble us again." + +"He'd better not," said Mrs. Truefitt, sharply. "I never heard of such a +thing--never." + +She continued to grumble, while Prudence, in a low voice, endeavoured to +soothe her. Her efforts were evidently successful, as the prisoner was, +after a time, surprised to hear the older woman laugh--at first gently, +and then with so much enjoyment that her daughter was at some pains to +restrain her. He sat in patience until evening deepened into night, and +a line of light beneath the folding-doors announced the lighting of the +lamp in the front-room. By a pleasant clatter of crockery he became +aware that they were at supper, and he pricked up his ears as Prudence +made another reference to him. + +"If he comes to-morrow night while you are out I sha'n't open the door," +she said. "You'll be back by nine, I suppose." + +Mrs. Truefitt assented. + +"And you won't be leaving before seven," continued Prudence. "I shall be +all right." + +Mr. Catesby's face glowed and his eyes grew tender; Prudence was as +clever as she was beautiful. The delicacy with which she had intimated +the fact of the unconscious Mrs. Truefitt's absence on the following +evening was beyond all praise. The only depressing thought was that such +resourcefulness savoured of practice. + +He sat in the darkness for so long that even the proximity of Prudence +was not sufficient amends for the monotony of it, and it was not until +past ten o'clock that the folding-doors were opened and he stood blinking +at the girl in the glare of the lamp. + +"Quick!" she whispered. + +Mr. Catesby stepped into the lighted room. + +"The front-door is open," whispered Prudence. "Make haste. I'll close +it." + +She followed him to the door; he made an ineffectual attempt to seize her +hand, and the next moment was pushed gently outside and the door closed +behind him. He stood a moment gazing at the house, and then hastened +back to his ship. + +"Seven to-morrow," he murmured; "seven to-morrow. After all, there's +nothing pays in this world like cheek--nothing." + +He slept soundly that night, though the things that the second-engineer +said to him about wasting a hard-working man's evening would have lain +heavy on the conscience of a more scrupulous man. The only thing that +troubled him was the manifest intention of his friend not to let him slip +through his fingers on the following evening. At last, in sheer despair +at his inability to shake him off, he had to tell him that he had an +appointment with a lady. + +"Well, I'll come, too," said the other, glowering at him. "It's very +like she'll have a friend with her; they generally do." + +"I'll run round and tell her," said Catesby. "I'd have arranged it +before, only I thought you didn't care about that sort of thing." + +"Female society is softening," said the second-engineer. "I'll go and +put on a clean collar." + +[Illustration: "I'll go and put on a clean collar."] + +Catesby watched him into his cabin and then, though it still wanted an +hour to seven, hastily quitted the ship and secreted himself in the +private bar of the Beehive. + +He waited there until a quarter past seven, and then, adjusting his tie +for about the tenth time that evening in the glass behind the bar, +sallied out in the direction of No. 5. + +He knocked lightly, and waited. There was no response, and he knocked +again. When the fourth knock brought no response, his heart sank within +him and he indulged in vain speculations as to the reasons for this +unexpected hitch in the programme. He knocked again, and then the door +opened suddenly and Prudence, with a little cry of surprise and dismay, +backed into the passage. + +"You!" she said, regarding him with large eyes. Mr. Catesby bowed +tenderly, and passing in closed the door behind him. + +"I wanted to thank you for your kindness last night," he said, humbly. + +"Very well," said Prudence; "good-bye." + +Mr. Catesby smiled. "It'll take me a long time to thank you as I ought +to thank you," he murmured. "And then I want to apologise; that'll take +time, too." + +"You had better go," said Prudence, severely; "kindness is thrown away +upon you. I ought to have let you be punished." + +"You are too good and kind," said the other, drifting by easy stages into +the parlour. + +Miss Truefitt made no reply, but following him into the room seated +herself in an easy-chair and sat coldly watchful. + +"How do you know what I am?" she inquired. + +"Your face tells me," said the infatuated Richard. "I hope you will +forgive me for my rudeness last night. It was all done on the spur of +the moment." + +"I am glad you are sorry," said the girl, softening. + +"All the same, if I hadn't done it," pursued Mr. Catesby, "I shouldn't be +sitting here talking to you now." + +Miss Truefitt raised her eyes to his, and then lowered them modestly to +the ground. "That is true," she said, quietly. + +"And I would sooner be sitting here than any-where," pursued Catesby. +"That is," he added, rising, and taking a chair by her side, "except +here." + +Miss Truefitt appeared to tremble, and made as though to rise. Then she +sat still and took a gentle peep at Mr. Catesby from the corner of her +eye. + +"I hope that you are not sorry that I am here?" said that gentleman. + +Miss Truefitt hesitated. "No," she said, at last." + +"Are you--are you glad?" asked the modest Richard. + +Miss Truefitt averted her eyes altogether. "Yes," she said, faintly. + +A strange feeling of solemnity came over the triumphant Richard. He took +the hand nearest to him and pressed it gently. + +"I--I can hardly believe in my good luck," he murmured. + +"Good luck?" said Prudence, innocently. + +"Isn't it good luck to hear you say that you are glad I'm here?" said +Catesby. + +"You're the best judge of that," said the girl, withdrawing her hand. +"It doesn't seem to me much to be pleased about." + +Mr. Catesby eyed her in perplexity, and was about to address another +tender remark to her when she was overcome by a slight fit of coughing. +At the same moment he started at the sound of a shuffling footstep in the +passage. Somebody tapped at the door. + +"Yes?" said Prudence. + +"Can't find the knife-powder, miss," said a harsh voice. The door was +pushed open and disclosed a tall, bony woman of about forty. Her red +arms were bare to the elbow, and she betrayed several evidences of a long +and arduous day's charing. + +"It's in the cupboard," said Prudence. "Why, what's the matter, Mrs. +Porter?" + +Mrs. Porter made no reply. Her mouth was wide open and she was gazing +with starting eyeballs at Mr. Catesby. + +"Joe!" she said, in a hoarse whisper. "Joe!" + +Mr. Catesby gazed at her in chilling silence. Miss Truefitt, with an air +of great surprise, glanced from one to the other. + +"Joe!" said Mrs. Porter again. "Ain't you goin' to speak to me?" + +Mr. Catesby continued to gaze at her in speechless astonishment. She +skipped clumsily round the table and stood before him with her hands +clasped. + +"Where 'ave you been all this long time?" she demanded, in a higher key. + +"You--you've made a mistake," said the bewildered Richard. + +"Mistake?" wailed Mrs. Porter. "Mistake! Oh, where's your 'art?" + +Before he could get out of her way she flung her arms round the horrified +young man's neck and em-braced him copiously. Over her bony left +shoulder the frantic Richard met the ecstatic gaze of Miss Truefitt, and, +in a flash, he realised the trap into which he had fallen. + +"Mrs. Porter!" said Prudence. + +"It's my 'usband, miss," said the Amazon, reluctantly releasing the +flushed and dishevelled Richard; "'e left me and my five eighteen months +ago. For eighteen months I 'aven't 'ad a sight of 'is blessed face." + +She lifted the hem of her apron to her face and broke into discordant +weeping. + +"Don't cry," said Prudence, softly; "I'm sure he isn't worth it." + +Mr. Catesby looked at her wanly. He was beyond further astonishment, and +when Mrs. Truefitt entered the room with a laudable attempt to twist her +features into an expression of surprise, he scarcely noticed her. + +"It's my Joe," said Mrs. Porter, simply. + +"Good gracious!" said Mrs. Truefitt. "Well, you've got him now; take +care he doesn't run away from you again." + +"I'll look after that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, with a glare at the +startled Richard. + +[Illustration: "I'll look after that, ma'am."] + +"She's very forgiving," said Prudence. "She kissed him just now." + +"Did she, though," said the admiring Mrs. Truefitt. "I wish I'd been +here." + +"I can do it agin, ma'am," said the obliging Mrs. Porter. + +"If you come near me again--" said the breathless Richard, stepping back +a pace. + +"I shouldn't force his love," said Mrs. Truefitt; "it'll come back in +time, I dare say." + +"I'm sure he's affectionate," said Prudence. + +Mr. Catesby eyed his tormentors in silence; the faces of Prudence and her +mother betokened much innocent enjoyment, but the austerity of Mrs. +Porter's visage was unrelaxed. + +"Better let bygones be bygones," said Mrs. Truefitt; "he'll be sorry +by-and-by for all the trouble he has caused." + +"He'll be ashamed of himself--if you give him time," added Prudence. + +Mr. Catesby had heard enough; he took up his hat and crossed to the door. + +"Take care he doesn't run away from you again," repeated Mrs. Truefitt. + +"I'll see to that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, taking him by the arm. +"Come along, Joe." + +Mr. Catesby attempted to shake her off, but in vain, and he ground his +teeth as he realised the absurdity of his position. A man he could have +dealt with, but Mrs. Porter was invulnerable. Sooner than walk down the +road with her he preferred the sallies of the parlour. He walked back to +his old position by the fireplace, and stood gazing moodily at the floor. + +Mrs. Truefitt tired of the sport at last. She wanted her supper, and +with a significant glance at her daughter she beckoned the redoubtable +and reluctant Mrs. Porter from the room. Catesby heard the kitchen-door +close behind them, but he made no move. Prudence stood gazing at him in +silence. + +"If you want to go," she said, at last, "now is your chance." + +Catesby followed her into the passage without a word, and waited quietly +while she opened the door. Still silent, he put on his hat and passed +out into the darkening street. He turned after a short distance for a +last look at the house and, with a sudden sense of elation, saw that she +was standing on the step. He hesitated, and then walked slowly back. + +"Yes?" said Prudence. + +"I should like to tell your mother that I am sorry," he said, in a low +voice. + +"It is getting late," said the girl, softly; "but, if you really wish to +tell her--Mrs. Porter will not be here to-morrow night." + +She stepped back into the house and the door closed behind her. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESTABLISHING RELATIONS *** + +***** This file should be named 12207.txt or 12207.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/2/0/12207/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + diff --git a/12207.zip b/12207.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..698d7a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/12207.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7bf35d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #12207 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12207) diff --git a/old/12207-h.zip b/old/12207-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6115490 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207-h.zip diff --git a/old/12207-h/032.jpg b/old/12207-h/032.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1589af9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207-h/032.jpg diff --git a/old/12207-h/033.jpg b/old/12207-h/033.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..416597c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207-h/033.jpg diff --git a/old/12207-h/034.jpg b/old/12207-h/034.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..31cd538 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207-h/034.jpg diff --git a/old/12207-h/035.jpg b/old/12207-h/035.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d6ecf4b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207-h/035.jpg diff --git a/old/12207-h/036.jpg b/old/12207-h/036.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d31440 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207-h/036.jpg diff --git a/old/12207-h/12207-h.htm b/old/12207-h/12207-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..79275a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207-h/12207-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1273 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Odd Craft + By W. W. Jacobs: Part 7 +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: cursive} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Establishing Relations + Odd Craft, Part 7. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 29, 2004 [EBook #12207] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESTABLISHING RELATIONS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (42K)" src="title.jpg" height="658" width="479" /> +</center> +<br><br> +<br /><br /> +<h2> + 1909 +</h2> + +<center> +<h3>PART 7.</h3> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> + + + + + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-32"> +"Mr. Richard Catesby, Second Officer of the Ss. <i>wizard</i>, +Emerged from the Dock-gates in High Good-humour." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-33"> +"Mr. Catesby Made a Few Inquiries." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-34"> +"'I'm Just Going As Far As the Corner,' Said Mrs. +Truefitt." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-35"> +"I'll Go and Put on a Clean Collar." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-36"> +"I'll Look After That, Ma'am." +</a></p> + + + + + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + + + + + +<a name="2H_4_7"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + ESTABLISHING RELATIONS +</h2> +<p> + Mr. Richard Catesby, second officer of the ss. <i>Wizard</i>, emerged from the + dock-gates in high good-humour to spend an evening ashore. The bustle of + the day had departed, and the inhabitants of Wapping, in search of + coolness and fresh air, were sitting at open doors and windows indulging + in general conversation with any-body within earshot. +</p> +<a name="image-32"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="032.jpg" height="531" width="533" +alt="'mr. Richard Catesby, Second Officer of the Ss. <i>wizard</i>, +Emerged from the Dock-gates in High Good-humour.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Mr. Catesby, turning into Bashford's Lane, lost in a moment all this life + and colour. The hum of distant voices certainly reached there, but that + was all, for Bashford's Lane, a retiring thoroughfare facing a blank dock + wall, capped here and there by towering spars, set an example of + gentility which neighbouring streets had long ago decided crossly was + impossible for ordinary people to follow. Its neatly grained shutters, + fastened back by the sides of the windows, gave a pleasing idea of + uniformity, while its white steps and polished brass knockers were + suggestive of almost a Dutch cleanliness. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby, strolling comfortably along, stopped suddenly for another + look at a girl who was standing in the ground-floor window of No. 5. He + went on a few paces and then walked back slowly, trying to look as though + he had forgotten something. The girl was still there, and met his ardent + glances unmoved: a fine girl, with large, dark eyes, and a complexion + which was the subject of much scandalous discussion among neighbouring + matrons. +</p> +<p> + "It must be something wrong with the glass, or else it's the bad light," + said Mr. Catesby to himself; "no girl is so beautiful as that." +</p> +<p> + He went by again to make sure. The object of his solicitude was still + there and apparently unconscious of his existence. He passed very slowly + and sighed deeply. +</p> +<p> + "You've got it at last, Dick Catesby," he said, solemnly; "fair and + square in the most dangerous part of the heart. It's serious this time." +</p> +<p> + He stood still on the narrow pavement, pondering, and then, in excuse of + his flagrant misbehaviour, murmured, "It was meant to be," and went by + again. This time he fancied that he detected a somewhat supercilious + expression in the dark eyes—a faint raising of well-arched eyebrows. +</p> +<p> + His engagement to wait at Aldgate Station for the second-engineer and + spend an evening together was dismissed as too slow to be considered. He + stood for some time in uncertainty, and then turning slowly into the + Beehive, which stood at the corner, went into the private bar and ordered + a glass of beer. +</p> +<p> + He was the only person in the bar, and the land-lord, a stout man in his + shirt-sleeves, was the soul of affability. Mr. Catesby, after various + general remarks, made a few inquiries about an uncle aged five minutes, + whom he thought was living in Bashford's Lane. +</p> +<a name="image-33"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="033.jpg" height="553" width="549" +alt="'mr. Catesby Made a Few Inquiries.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "I don't know 'im," said the landlord. +</p> +<p> + "I had an idea that he lived at No. 5," said Catesby. +</p> +<p> + The landlord shook his head. "That's Mrs. Truefitt's house," he said, + slowly. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby pondered. "Truefitt, Truefitt," he repeated; "what sort of a + woman is she?" +</p> +<p> + "Widder-woman," said the landlord; "she lives there with 'er daughter + Prudence." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby said "Indeed!" and being a good listener learned that Mrs. + Truefitt was the widow of a master-lighterman, and that her son, Fred + Truefitt, after an absence of seven years in New Zealand, was now on his + way home. He finished his glass slowly and, the landlord departing to + attend to another customer, made his way into the street again. +</p> +<p> + He walked along slowly, picturing as he went the home-corning of the + long-absent son. Things were oddly ordered in this world, and Fred + Truefitt would probably think nothing of his brotherly privileges. He + wondered whether he was like Prudence. He wondered—— +</p> +<p> + "By Jove, I'll do it!" he said, recklessly, as he turned. "Now for a + row." +</p> +<p> + He walked back rapidly to Bashford's Lane, and without giving his courage + time to cool plied the knocker of No. 5 briskly. +</p> +<p> + The door was opened by an elderly woman, thin, and somewhat querulous in + expression. Mr. Catesby had just time to notice this, and then he flung + his arm round her waist, and hailing her as "Mother!" saluted her warmly. +</p> +<p> + The faint scream of the astounded Mrs. Truefitt brought her daughter + hastily into the passage. Mr. Catesby's idea was ever to do a thing + thoroughly, and, relinquishing Mrs. Truefitt, he kissed Prudence with all + the ardour which a seven-years' absence might be supposed to engender in + the heart of a devoted brother. In return he received a box on the ears + which made his head ring. +</p> +<p> + "He's been drinking," gasped the dismayed Mrs. Truefitt. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you know me, mother?" inquired Mr. Richard Catesby, in grievous + astonishment. +</p> +<p> + "He's mad," said her daughter. +</p> +<p> + "Am I so altered that you don't know me, Prudence?" inquired Mr. + Catesby; with pathos. "Don't you know your Fred?" +</p> +<p> + "Go out," said Mrs. Truefitt, recovering; "go out at once." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby looked from one to the other in consternation. +</p> +<p> + "I know I've altered," he said, at last, "but I'd no idea—" +</p> +<p> + "If you don't go out at once I'll send for the police," said the elder + woman, sharply. "Prudence, scream!" +</p> +<p> + "I'm not going to scream," said Prudence, eyeing the intruder with great + composure. "I'm not afraid of him." +</p> +<p> + Despite her reluctance to have a scene—a thing which was strongly + opposed to the traditions of Bashford's Lane—Mrs. Truefitt had got as + far as the doorstep in search of assistance, when a sudden terrible + thought occurred to her: Fred was dead, and the visitor had hit upon this + extraordinary fashion of breaking the news gently. +</p> +<p> + "Come into the parlour," she said, faintly. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby, suppressing his surprise, followed her into the room. + Prudence, her fine figure erect and her large eyes meeting his steadily, + took up a position by the side of her mother. +</p> +<p> + "You have brought bad news?" inquired the latter. +</p> +<p> + "No, mother," said Mr. Catesby, simply, "only myself, that's all." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Truefitt made a gesture of impatience, and her daughter, watching + him closely, tried to remember something she had once read about + detecting insanity by the expression of the eyes. Those of Mr. Catesby + were blue, and the only expression in them at the present moment was one + of tender and respectful admiration. +</p> +<p> + "When did you see Fred last?" inquired Mrs. Truefitt, making another + effort. +</p> +<p> + "Mother," said Mr. Catesby, with great pathos, "don't you know me?" +</p> +<p> + "He has brought bad news of Fred," said Mrs. Truefitt, turning to her + daughter; "I am sure he has." +</p> +<p> + "I don't understand you," said Mr. Catesby, with a bewildered glance from + one to the other. "I am Fred. Am I much changed? You look the same as + you always did, and it seems only yesterday since I kissed Prudence + good-bye at the docks. You were crying, Prudence." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt made no reply; she gazed at him unflinchingly and then bent + toward her mother. +</p> +<p> + "He is mad," she whispered; "we must try and get him out quietly. Don't + contradict him." +</p> +<p> + "Keep close to me," said Mrs. Truefitt, who had a great horror of the + insane. "If he turns violent open the window and scream. I thought he + had brought bad news of Fred. How did he know about him?" +</p> +<p> + Her daughter shook her head and gazed curiously at their afflicted + visitor. She put his age down at twenty-five, and she could not help + thinking it a pity that so good-looking a young man should have lost his + wits. +</p> +<p> + "Bade Prudence good-bye at the docks," continued Mr. Catesby, dreamily. + "You drew me behind a pile of luggage, Prudence, and put your head on my + shoulder. I have thought of it ever since." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt did not deny it, but she bit her lips, and shot a sharp + glance at him. She began to think that her pity was uncalled-for. +</p> +<p> + "I'm just going as far as the corner." +</p> +<p> + "Tell me all that's happened since I've been away," said Mr. Catesby. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Truefitt turned to her daughter and whispered. It might have been + merely the effect of a guilty conscience, but the visitor thought that he + caught the word "policeman." +</p> +<p> + "I'm just going as far as the corner," said Mrs. Truefitt, rising, and + crossing hastily to the door. +</p> +<a name="image-34"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="034.jpg" height="600" width="586" +alt="''i'm Just Going As Far As the Corner,' Said Mrs. +Truefitt.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + The young man nodded affectionately and sat in doubtful consideration as + the front door closed behind her. "Where is mother going?" he asked, in + a voice which betrayed a little pardonable anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "Not far, I hope," said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + "I really think," said Mr. Catesby, rising—"I really think that I had + better go after her. At her age——" +</p> +<p> + He walked into the small passage and put his hand on the latch. + Prudence, now quite certain of his sanity, felt sorely reluctant to let + such impudence go unpunished. +</p> +<p> + "Are you going?" she inquired. +</p> +<p> + "I think I'd better," said Mr. Catesby, gravely. "Dear mother—" +</p> +<p> + "You're afraid," said the girl, calmly. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby coloured and his buoyancy failed him. He felt a little bit + cheap. +</p> +<p> + "You are brave enough with two women," continued the girl, disdainfully; + "but you had better go if you're afraid." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby regarded the temptress uneasily. "Would you like me to + stay?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "I?" said Miss Truefitt, tossing her head. "No, I don't want you. + Besides, you're frightened." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby turned, and with a firm step made his way back to the room; + Prudence, with a half-smile, took a chair near the door and regarded her + prisoner with unholy triumph. +</p> +<p> + "I shouldn't like to be in your shoes," she said, agreeably; "mother has + gone for a policeman." +</p> +<p> + "Bless her," said Mr. Catesby, fervently. "What had we better say to him + when he comes?" +</p> +<p> + "You'll be locked up," said Prudence; "and it will serve you right for + your bad behaviour." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby sighed. "It's the heart," he said, gravely. "I'm not to + blame, really. I saw you standing in the window, and I could see at once + that you were beautiful, and good, and kind." +</p> +<p> + "I never heard of such impudence," continued Miss Truefitt. +</p> +<p> + "I surprised myself," admitted Mr. Catesby. "In the usual way I am very + quiet and well-behaved, not to say shy." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt looked at him scornfully. "I think that you had better + stop your nonsense and go," she remarked. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you want me to be punished?" inquired the other, in a soft voice. +</p> +<p> + "I think that you had better go while you can," said the girl, and at + that moment there was a heavy knock at the front-door. Mr. Catesby, + despite his assurance, changed colour; the girl eyed him in perplexity. + Then she opened the small folding-doors at the back of the room. +</p> +<p> + "You're only—stupid," she whispered. "Quick! Go in there. I'll say + you've gone. Keep quiet, and I'll let you out by-and-by." +</p> +<p> + She pushed him in and closed the doors. From his hiding-place he heard + an animated conversation at the street-door and minute particulars as to + the time which had elapsed since his departure and the direction he had + taken. +</p> +<p> + "I never heard such impudence," said Mrs. Truefitt, going into the + front-room and sinking into a chair after the constable had taken his + departure. "I don't believe he was mad." +</p> +<p> + "Only a little weak in the head, I think," said Prudence, in a clear + voice. "He was very frightened after you had gone; I don't think he will + trouble us again." +</p> +<p> + "He'd better not," said Mrs. Truefitt, sharply. "I never heard of such a + thing—never." +</p> +<p> + She continued to grumble, while Prudence, in a low voice, endeavoured to + soothe her. Her efforts were evidently successful, as the prisoner was, + after a time, surprised to hear the older woman laugh—at first gently, + and then with so much enjoyment that her daughter was at some pains to + restrain her. He sat in patience until evening deepened into night, and + a line of light beneath the folding-doors announced the lighting of the + lamp in the front-room. By a pleasant clatter of crockery he became + aware that they were at supper, and he pricked up his ears as Prudence + made another reference to him. +</p> +<p> + "If he comes to-morrow night while you are out I sha'n't open the door," + she said. "You'll be back by nine, I suppose." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Truefitt assented. +</p> +<p> + "And you won't be leaving before seven," continued Prudence. "I shall be + all right." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby's face glowed and his eyes grew tender; Prudence was as + clever as she was beautiful. The delicacy with which she had intimated + the fact of the unconscious Mrs. Truefitt's absence on the following + evening was beyond all praise. The only depressing thought was that such + resourcefulness savoured of practice. +</p> +<p> + He sat in the darkness for so long that even the proximity of Prudence + was not sufficient amends for the monotony of it, and it was not until + past ten o'clock that the folding-doors were opened and he stood blinking + at the girl in the glare of the lamp. +</p> +<p> + "Quick!" she whispered. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby stepped into the lighted room. +</p> +<p> + "The front-door is open," whispered Prudence. "Make haste. I'll close + it." +</p> +<p> + She followed him to the door; he made an ineffectual attempt to seize her + hand, and the next moment was pushed gently outside and the door closed + behind him. He stood a moment gazing at the house, and then hastened + back to his ship. +</p> +<p> + "Seven to-morrow," he murmured; "seven to-morrow. After all, there's + nothing pays in this world like cheek—nothing." +</p> +<p> + He slept soundly that night, though the things that the second-engineer + said to him about wasting a hard-working man's evening would have lain + heavy on the conscience of a more scrupulous man. The only thing that + troubled him was the manifest intention of his friend not to let him slip + through his fingers on the following evening. At last, in sheer despair + at his inability to shake him off, he had to tell him that he had an + appointment with a lady. +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'll come, too," said the other, glowering at him. "It's very + like she'll have a friend with her; they generally do." +</p> +<p> + "I'll run round and tell her," said Catesby. "I'd have arranged it + before, only I thought you didn't care about that sort of thing." +</p> +<p> + "Female society is softening," said the second-engineer. "I'll go and + put on a clean collar." +</p> +<a name="image-35"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="035.jpg" height="459" width="534" +alt="'i'll Go and Put on a Clean Collar.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Catesby watched him into his cabin and then, though it still wanted an + hour to seven, hastily quitted the ship and secreted himself in the + private bar of the Beehive. +</p> +<p> + He waited there until a quarter past seven, and then, adjusting his tie + for about the tenth time that evening in the glass behind the bar, + sallied out in the direction of No. 5. +</p> +<p> + He knocked lightly, and waited. There was no response, and he knocked + again. When the fourth knock brought no response, his heart sank within + him and he indulged in vain speculations as to the reasons for this + unexpected hitch in the programme. He knocked again, and then the door + opened suddenly and Prudence, with a little cry of surprise and dismay, + backed into the passage. +</p> +<p> + "You!" she said, regarding him with large eyes. Mr. Catesby bowed + tenderly, and passing in closed the door behind him. +</p> +<p> + "I wanted to thank you for your kindness last night," he said, humbly. +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said Prudence; "good-bye." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby smiled. "It'll take me a long time to thank you as I ought + to thank you," he murmured. "And then I want to apologise; that'll take + time, too." +</p> +<p> + "You had better go," said Prudence, severely; "kindness is thrown away + upon you. I ought to have let you be punished." +</p> +<p> + "You are too good and kind," said the other, drifting by easy stages into + the parlour. +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt made no reply, but following him into the room seated + herself in an easy-chair and sat coldly watchful. +</p> +<p> + "How do you know what I am?" she inquired. +</p> +<p> + "Your face tells me," said the infatuated Richard. "I hope you will + forgive me for my rudeness last night. It was all done on the spur of + the moment." +</p> +<p> + "I am glad you are sorry," said the girl, softening. +</p> +<p> + "All the same, if I hadn't done it," pursued Mr. Catesby, "I shouldn't be + sitting here talking to you now." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt raised her eyes to his, and then lowered them modestly to + the ground. "That is true," she said, quietly. +</p> +<p> + "And I would sooner be sitting here than any-where," pursued Catesby. + "That is," he added, rising, and taking a chair by her side, "except + here." +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt appeared to tremble, and made as though to rise. Then she + sat still and took a gentle peep at Mr. Catesby from the corner of her + eye. +</p> +<p> + "I hope that you are not sorry that I am here?" said that gentleman. +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt hesitated. "No," she said, at last." +</p> +<p> + "Are you—are you glad?" asked the modest Richard. +</p> +<p> + Miss Truefitt averted her eyes altogether. "Yes," she said, faintly. +</p> +<p> + A strange feeling of solemnity came over the triumphant Richard. He took + the hand nearest to him and pressed it gently. +</p> +<p> + "I—I can hardly believe in my good luck," he murmured. +</p> +<p> + "Good luck?" said Prudence, innocently. +</p> +<p> + "Isn't it good luck to hear you say that you are glad I'm here?" said + Catesby. +</p> +<p> + "You're the best judge of that," said the girl, withdrawing her hand. + "It doesn't seem to me much to be pleased about." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby eyed her in perplexity, and was about to address another + tender remark to her when she was overcome by a slight fit of coughing. + At the same moment he started at the sound of a shuffling footstep in the + passage. Somebody tapped at the door. +</p> +<p> + "Yes?" said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + "Can't find the knife-powder, miss," said a harsh voice. The door was + pushed open and disclosed a tall, bony woman of about forty. Her red + arms were bare to the elbow, and she betrayed several evidences of a long + and arduous day's charing. +</p> +<p> + "It's in the cupboard," said Prudence. "Why, what's the matter, Mrs. + Porter?" +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Porter made no reply. Her mouth was wide open and she was gazing + with starting eyeballs at Mr. Catesby. +</p> +<p> + "Joe!" she said, in a hoarse whisper. "Joe!" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby gazed at her in chilling silence. Miss Truefitt, with an air + of great surprise, glanced from one to the other. +</p> +<p> + "Joe!" said Mrs. Porter again. "Ain't you goin' to speak to me?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby continued to gaze at her in speechless astonishment. She + skipped clumsily round the table and stood before him with her hands + clasped. +</p> +<p> + "Where 'ave you been all this long time?" she demanded, in a higher key. +</p> +<p> + "You—you've made a mistake," said the bewildered Richard. +</p> +<p> + "Mistake?" wailed Mrs. Porter. "Mistake! Oh, where's your 'art?" +</p> +<p> + Before he could get out of her way she flung her arms round the horrified + young man's neck and em-braced him copiously. Over her bony left + shoulder the frantic Richard met the ecstatic gaze of Miss Truefitt, and, + in a flash, he realised the trap into which he had fallen. +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Porter!" said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + "It's my 'usband, miss," said the Amazon, reluctantly releasing the + flushed and dishevelled Richard; "'e left me and my five eighteen months + ago. For eighteen months I 'aven't 'ad a sight of 'is blessed face." +</p> +<p> + She lifted the hem of her apron to her face and broke into discordant + weeping. +</p> +<p> + "Don't cry," said Prudence, softly; "I'm sure he isn't worth it." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby looked at her wanly. He was beyond further astonishment, and + when Mrs. Truefitt entered the room with a laudable attempt to twist her + features into an expression of surprise, he scarcely noticed her. +</p> +<p> + "It's my Joe," said Mrs. Porter, simply. +</p> +<p> + "Good gracious!" said Mrs. Truefitt. "Well, you've got him now; take + care he doesn't run away from you again." +</p> +<p> + "I'll look after that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, with a glare at the + startled Richard. +</p> +<a name="image-36"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="036.jpg" height="532" width="563" +alt="'i'll Look After That, Ma'am.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "She's very forgiving," said Prudence. "She kissed him just now." +</p> +<p> + "Did she, though," said the admiring Mrs. Truefitt. "I wish I'd been + here." +</p> +<p> + "I can do it agin, ma'am," said the obliging Mrs. Porter. +</p> +<p> + "If you come near me again—" said the breathless Richard, stepping back + a pace. +</p> +<p> + "I shouldn't force his love," said Mrs. Truefitt; "it'll come back in + time, I dare say." +</p> +<p> + "I'm sure he's affectionate," said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby eyed his tormentors in silence; the faces of Prudence and her + mother betokened much innocent enjoyment, but the austerity of Mrs. + Porter's visage was unrelaxed. +</p> +<p> + "Better let bygones be bygones," said Mrs. Truefitt; "he'll be sorry + by-and-by for all the trouble he has caused." +</p> +<p> + "He'll be ashamed of himself—if you give him time," added Prudence. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby had heard enough; he took up his hat and crossed to the door. +</p> +<p> + "Take care he doesn't run away from you again," repeated Mrs. Truefitt. +</p> +<p> + "I'll see to that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, taking him by the arm. + "Come along, Joe." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Catesby attempted to shake her off, but in vain, and he ground his + teeth as he realised the absurdity of his position. A man he could have + dealt with, but Mrs. Porter was invulnerable. Sooner than walk down the + road with her he preferred the sallies of the parlour. He walked back to + his old position by the fireplace, and stood gazing moodily at the floor. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Truefitt tired of the sport at last. She wanted her supper, and + with a significant glance at her daughter she beckoned the redoubtable + and reluctant Mrs. Porter from the room. Catesby heard the kitchen-door + close behind them, but he made no move. Prudence stood gazing at him in + silence. +</p> +<p> + "If you want to go," she said, at last, "now is your chance." +</p> +<p> + Catesby followed her into the passage without a word, and waited quietly + while she opened the door. Still silent, he put on his hat and passed + out into the darkening street. He turned after a short distance for a + last look at the house and, with a sudden sense of elation, saw that she + was standing on the step. He hesitated, and then walked slowly back. +</p> +<p> + "Yes?" said Prudence. +</p> +<p> + "I should like to tell your mother that I am sorry," he said, in a low + voice. +</p> +<p> + "It is getting late," said the girl, softly; "but, if you really wish to + tell her—Mrs. Porter will not be here to-morrow night." +</p> +<p> + She stepped back into the house and the door closed behind her. +</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESTABLISHING RELATIONS *** + +***** This file should be named 12207-h.htm or 12207-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/2/0/12207/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/12207-h/title.jpg b/old/12207-h/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c4b3bd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207-h/title.jpg diff --git a/old/12207.txt b/old/12207.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e98700 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207.txt @@ -0,0 +1,974 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Establishing Relations + Odd Craft, Part 7. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 29, 2004 [EBook #12207] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESTABLISHING RELATIONS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +ODD CRAFT + +By W.W. Jacobs + + + +ESTABLISHING RELATIONS + +Mr. Richard Catesby, second officer of the ss. _Wizard_, emerged from the +dock-gates in high good-humour to spend an evening ashore. The bustle of +the day had departed, and the inhabitants of Wapping, in search of +coolness and fresh air, were sitting at open doors and windows indulging +in general conversation with any-body within earshot. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Richard Catesby, second officer of the ss. _Wizard_, +emerged from the dock-gates in high good-humour."] + +Mr. Catesby, turning into Bashford's Lane, lost in a moment all this life +and colour. The hum of distant voices certainly reached there, but that +was all, for Bashford's Lane, a retiring thoroughfare facing a blank dock +wall, capped here and there by towering spars, set an example of +gentility which neighbouring streets had long ago decided crossly was +impossible for ordinary people to follow. Its neatly grained shutters, +fastened back by the sides of the windows, gave a pleasing idea of +uniformity, while its white steps and polished brass knockers were +suggestive of almost a Dutch cleanliness. + +Mr. Catesby, strolling comfortably along, stopped suddenly for another +look at a girl who was standing in the ground-floor window of No. 5. He +went on a few paces and then walked back slowly, trying to look as though +he had forgotten something. The girl was still there, and met his ardent +glances unmoved: a fine girl, with large, dark eyes, and a complexion +which was the subject of much scandalous discussion among neighbouring +matrons. + +"It must be something wrong with the glass, or else it's the bad light," +said Mr. Catesby to himself; "no girl is so beautiful as that." + +He went by again to make sure. The object of his solicitude was still +there and apparently unconscious of his existence. He passed very slowly +and sighed deeply. + +"You've got it at last, Dick Catesby," he said, solemnly; "fair and +square in the most dangerous part of the heart. It's serious this time." + +He stood still on the narrow pavement, pondering, and then, in excuse of +his flagrant misbehaviour, murmured, "It was meant to be," and went by +again. This time he fancied that he detected a somewhat supercilious +expression in the dark eyes--a faint raising of well-arched eyebrows. + +His engagement to wait at Aldgate Station for the second-engineer and +spend an evening together was dismissed as too slow to be considered. He +stood for some time in uncertainty, and then turning slowly into the +Beehive, which stood at the corner, went into the private bar and ordered +a glass of beer. + +He was the only person in the bar, and the land-lord, a stout man in his +shirt-sleeves, was the soul of affability. Mr. Catesby, after various +general remarks, made a few inquiries about an uncle aged five minutes, +whom he thought was living in Bashford's Lane. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Catesby made a few inquiries."] + +"I don't know 'im," said the landlord. + +"I had an idea that he lived at No. 5," said Catesby. + +The landlord shook his head. "That's Mrs. Truefitt's house," he said, +slowly. + +Mr. Catesby pondered. "Truefitt, Truefitt," he repeated; "what sort of a +woman is she?" + +"Widder-woman," said the landlord; "she lives there with 'er daughter +Prudence." + +Mr. Catesby said "Indeed!" and being a good listener learned that Mrs. +Truefitt was the widow of a master-lighterman, and that her son, Fred +Truefitt, after an absence of seven years in New Zealand, was now on his +way home. He finished his glass slowly and, the landlord departing to +attend to another customer, made his way into the street again. + +He walked along slowly, picturing as he went the home-corning of the +long-absent son. Things were oddly ordered in this world, and Fred +Truefitt would probably think nothing of his brotherly privileges. He +wondered whether he was like Prudence. He wondered---- + +"By Jove, I'll do it!" he said, recklessly, as he turned. "Now for a +row." + +He walked back rapidly to Bashford's Lane, and without giving his courage +time to cool plied the knocker of No. 5 briskly. + +The door was opened by an elderly woman, thin, and somewhat querulous in +expression. Mr. Catesby had just time to notice this, and then he flung +his arm round her waist, and hailing her as "Mother!" saluted her warmly. + +The faint scream of the astounded Mrs. Truefitt brought her daughter +hastily into the passage. Mr. Catesby's idea was ever to do a thing +thoroughly, and, relinquishing Mrs. Truefitt, he kissed Prudence with all +the ardour which a seven-years' absence might be supposed to engender in +the heart of a devoted brother. In return he received a box on the ears +which made his head ring. + +"He's been drinking," gasped the dismayed Mrs. Truefitt. + +"Don't you know me, mother?" inquired Mr. Richard Catesby, in grievous +astonishment. + +"He's mad," said her daughter. + +"Am I so altered that you don't know me, Prudence?" inquired Mr. +Catesby; with pathos. "Don't you know your Fred?" + +"Go out," said Mrs. Truefitt, recovering; "go out at once." + +Mr. Catesby looked from one to the other in consternation. + +"I know I've altered," he said, at last, "but I'd no idea--" + +"If you don't go out at once I'll send for the police," said the elder +woman, sharply. "Prudence, scream!" + +"I'm not going to scream," said Prudence, eyeing the intruder with great +composure. "I'm not afraid of him." + +Despite her reluctance to have a scene--a thing which was strongly +opposed to the traditions of Bashford's Lane--Mrs. Truefitt had got as +far as the doorstep in search of assistance, when a sudden terrible +thought occurred to her: Fred was dead, and the visitor had hit upon this +extraordinary fashion of breaking the news gently. + +"Come into the parlour," she said, faintly. + +Mr. Catesby, suppressing his surprise, followed her into the room. +Prudence, her fine figure erect and her large eyes meeting his steadily, +took up a position by the side of her mother. + +"You have brought bad news?" inquired the latter. + +"No, mother," said Mr. Catesby, simply, "only myself, that's all." + +Mrs. Truefitt made a gesture of impatience, and her daughter, watching +him closely, tried to remember something she had once read about +detecting insanity by the expression of the eyes. Those of Mr. Catesby +were blue, and the only expression in them at the present moment was one +of tender and respectful admiration. + +"When did you see Fred last?" inquired Mrs. Truefitt, making another +effort. + +"Mother," said Mr. Catesby, with great pathos, "don't you know me?" + +"He has brought bad news of Fred," said Mrs. Truefitt, turning to her +daughter; "I am sure he has." + +"I don't understand you," said Mr. Catesby, with a bewildered glance from +one to the other. "I am Fred. Am I much changed? You look the same as +you always did, and it seems only yesterday since I kissed Prudence +good-bye at the docks. You were crying, Prudence." + +Miss Truefitt made no reply; she gazed at him unflinchingly and then bent +toward her mother. + +"He is mad," she whispered; "we must try and get him out quietly. Don't +contradict him." + +"Keep close to me," said Mrs. Truefitt, who had a great horror of the +insane. "If he turns violent open the window and scream. I thought he +had brought bad news of Fred. How did he know about him?" + +Her daughter shook her head and gazed curiously at their afflicted +visitor. She put his age down at twenty-five, and she could not help +thinking it a pity that so good-looking a young man should have lost his +wits. + +"Bade Prudence good-bye at the docks," continued Mr. Catesby, dreamily. +"You drew me behind a pile of luggage, Prudence, and put your head on my +shoulder. I have thought of it ever since." + +Miss Truefitt did not deny it, but she bit her lips, and shot a sharp +glance at him. She began to think that her pity was uncalled-for. + +"I'm just going as far as the corner." + +"Tell me all that's happened since I've been away," said Mr. Catesby. + +Mrs. Truefitt turned to her daughter and whispered. It might have been +merely the effect of a guilty conscience, but the visitor thought that he +caught the word "policeman." + +"I'm just going as far as the corner," said Mrs. Truefitt, rising, and +crossing hastily to the door. + +[Illustration: "'I'm just going as far as the corner,' said Mrs. +Truefitt."] + +The young man nodded affectionately and sat in doubtful consideration as +the front door closed behind her. "Where is mother going?" he asked, in +a voice which betrayed a little pardonable anxiety. + +"Not far, I hope," said Prudence. + +"I really think," said Mr. Catesby, rising--"I really think that I had +better go after her. At her age----" + +He walked into the small passage and put his hand on the latch. +Prudence, now quite certain of his sanity, felt sorely reluctant to let +such impudence go unpunished. + +"Are you going?" she inquired. + +"I think I'd better," said Mr. Catesby, gravely. "Dear mother--" + +"You're afraid," said the girl, calmly. + +Mr. Catesby coloured and his buoyancy failed him. He felt a little bit +cheap. + +"You are brave enough with two women," continued the girl, disdainfully; +"but you had better go if you're afraid." + +Mr. Catesby regarded the temptress uneasily. "Would you like me to +stay?" he asked. + +"I?" said Miss Truefitt, tossing her head. "No, I don't want you. +Besides, you're frightened." + +Mr. Catesby turned, and with a firm step made his way back to the room; +Prudence, with a half-smile, took a chair near the door and regarded her +prisoner with unholy triumph. + +"I shouldn't like to be in your shoes," she said, agreeably; "mother has +gone for a policeman." + +"Bless her," said Mr. Catesby, fervently. "What had we better say to him +when he comes?" + +"You'll be locked up," said Prudence; "and it will serve you right for +your bad behaviour." + +Mr. Catesby sighed. "It's the heart," he said, gravely. "I'm not to +blame, really. I saw you standing in the window, and I could see at once +that you were beautiful, and good, and kind." + +"I never heard of such impudence," continued Miss Truefitt. + +"I surprised myself," admitted Mr. Catesby. "In the usual way I am very +quiet and well-behaved, not to say shy." + +Miss Truefitt looked at him scornfully. "I think that you had better +stop your nonsense and go," she remarked. + +"Don't you want me to be punished?" inquired the other, in a soft voice. + +"I think that you had better go while you can," said the girl, and at +that moment there was a heavy knock at the front-door. Mr. Catesby, +despite his assurance, changed colour; the girl eyed him in perplexity. +Then she opened the small folding-doors at the back of the room. + +"You're only--stupid," she whispered. "Quick! Go in there. I'll say +you've gone. Keep quiet, and I'll let you out by-and-by." + +She pushed him in and closed the doors. From his hiding-place he heard +an animated conversation at the street-door and minute particulars as to +the time which had elapsed since his departure and the direction he had +taken. + +"I never heard such impudence," said Mrs. Truefitt, going into the +front-room and sinking into a chair after the constable had taken his +departure. "I don't believe he was mad." + +"Only a little weak in the head, I think," said Prudence, in a clear +voice. "He was very frightened after you had gone; I don't think he will +trouble us again." + +"He'd better not," said Mrs. Truefitt, sharply. "I never heard of such a +thing--never." + +She continued to grumble, while Prudence, in a low voice, endeavoured to +soothe her. Her efforts were evidently successful, as the prisoner was, +after a time, surprised to hear the older woman laugh--at first gently, +and then with so much enjoyment that her daughter was at some pains to +restrain her. He sat in patience until evening deepened into night, and +a line of light beneath the folding-doors announced the lighting of the +lamp in the front-room. By a pleasant clatter of crockery he became +aware that they were at supper, and he pricked up his ears as Prudence +made another reference to him. + +"If he comes to-morrow night while you are out I sha'n't open the door," +she said. "You'll be back by nine, I suppose." + +Mrs. Truefitt assented. + +"And you won't be leaving before seven," continued Prudence. "I shall be +all right." + +Mr. Catesby's face glowed and his eyes grew tender; Prudence was as +clever as she was beautiful. The delicacy with which she had intimated +the fact of the unconscious Mrs. Truefitt's absence on the following +evening was beyond all praise. The only depressing thought was that such +resourcefulness savoured of practice. + +He sat in the darkness for so long that even the proximity of Prudence +was not sufficient amends for the monotony of it, and it was not until +past ten o'clock that the folding-doors were opened and he stood blinking +at the girl in the glare of the lamp. + +"Quick!" she whispered. + +Mr. Catesby stepped into the lighted room. + +"The front-door is open," whispered Prudence. "Make haste. I'll close +it." + +She followed him to the door; he made an ineffectual attempt to seize her +hand, and the next moment was pushed gently outside and the door closed +behind him. He stood a moment gazing at the house, and then hastened +back to his ship. + +"Seven to-morrow," he murmured; "seven to-morrow. After all, there's +nothing pays in this world like cheek--nothing." + +He slept soundly that night, though the things that the second-engineer +said to him about wasting a hard-working man's evening would have lain +heavy on the conscience of a more scrupulous man. The only thing that +troubled him was the manifest intention of his friend not to let him slip +through his fingers on the following evening. At last, in sheer despair +at his inability to shake him off, he had to tell him that he had an +appointment with a lady. + +"Well, I'll come, too," said the other, glowering at him. "It's very +like she'll have a friend with her; they generally do." + +"I'll run round and tell her," said Catesby. "I'd have arranged it +before, only I thought you didn't care about that sort of thing." + +"Female society is softening," said the second-engineer. "I'll go and +put on a clean collar." + +[Illustration: "I'll go and put on a clean collar."] + +Catesby watched him into his cabin and then, though it still wanted an +hour to seven, hastily quitted the ship and secreted himself in the +private bar of the Beehive. + +He waited there until a quarter past seven, and then, adjusting his tie +for about the tenth time that evening in the glass behind the bar, +sallied out in the direction of No. 5. + +He knocked lightly, and waited. There was no response, and he knocked +again. When the fourth knock brought no response, his heart sank within +him and he indulged in vain speculations as to the reasons for this +unexpected hitch in the programme. He knocked again, and then the door +opened suddenly and Prudence, with a little cry of surprise and dismay, +backed into the passage. + +"You!" she said, regarding him with large eyes. Mr. Catesby bowed +tenderly, and passing in closed the door behind him. + +"I wanted to thank you for your kindness last night," he said, humbly. + +"Very well," said Prudence; "good-bye." + +Mr. Catesby smiled. "It'll take me a long time to thank you as I ought +to thank you," he murmured. "And then I want to apologise; that'll take +time, too." + +"You had better go," said Prudence, severely; "kindness is thrown away +upon you. I ought to have let you be punished." + +"You are too good and kind," said the other, drifting by easy stages into +the parlour. + +Miss Truefitt made no reply, but following him into the room seated +herself in an easy-chair and sat coldly watchful. + +"How do you know what I am?" she inquired. + +"Your face tells me," said the infatuated Richard. "I hope you will +forgive me for my rudeness last night. It was all done on the spur of +the moment." + +"I am glad you are sorry," said the girl, softening. + +"All the same, if I hadn't done it," pursued Mr. Catesby, "I shouldn't be +sitting here talking to you now." + +Miss Truefitt raised her eyes to his, and then lowered them modestly to +the ground. "That is true," she said, quietly. + +"And I would sooner be sitting here than any-where," pursued Catesby. +"That is," he added, rising, and taking a chair by her side, "except +here." + +Miss Truefitt appeared to tremble, and made as though to rise. Then she +sat still and took a gentle peep at Mr. Catesby from the corner of her +eye. + +"I hope that you are not sorry that I am here?" said that gentleman. + +Miss Truefitt hesitated. "No," she said, at last." + +"Are you--are you glad?" asked the modest Richard. + +Miss Truefitt averted her eyes altogether. "Yes," she said, faintly. + +A strange feeling of solemnity came over the triumphant Richard. He took +the hand nearest to him and pressed it gently. + +"I--I can hardly believe in my good luck," he murmured. + +"Good luck?" said Prudence, innocently. + +"Isn't it good luck to hear you say that you are glad I'm here?" said +Catesby. + +"You're the best judge of that," said the girl, withdrawing her hand. +"It doesn't seem to me much to be pleased about." + +Mr. Catesby eyed her in perplexity, and was about to address another +tender remark to her when she was overcome by a slight fit of coughing. +At the same moment he started at the sound of a shuffling footstep in the +passage. Somebody tapped at the door. + +"Yes?" said Prudence. + +"Can't find the knife-powder, miss," said a harsh voice. The door was +pushed open and disclosed a tall, bony woman of about forty. Her red +arms were bare to the elbow, and she betrayed several evidences of a long +and arduous day's charing. + +"It's in the cupboard," said Prudence. "Why, what's the matter, Mrs. +Porter?" + +Mrs. Porter made no reply. Her mouth was wide open and she was gazing +with starting eyeballs at Mr. Catesby. + +"Joe!" she said, in a hoarse whisper. "Joe!" + +Mr. Catesby gazed at her in chilling silence. Miss Truefitt, with an air +of great surprise, glanced from one to the other. + +"Joe!" said Mrs. Porter again. "Ain't you goin' to speak to me?" + +Mr. Catesby continued to gaze at her in speechless astonishment. She +skipped clumsily round the table and stood before him with her hands +clasped. + +"Where 'ave you been all this long time?" she demanded, in a higher key. + +"You--you've made a mistake," said the bewildered Richard. + +"Mistake?" wailed Mrs. Porter. "Mistake! Oh, where's your 'art?" + +Before he could get out of her way she flung her arms round the horrified +young man's neck and em-braced him copiously. Over her bony left +shoulder the frantic Richard met the ecstatic gaze of Miss Truefitt, and, +in a flash, he realised the trap into which he had fallen. + +"Mrs. Porter!" said Prudence. + +"It's my 'usband, miss," said the Amazon, reluctantly releasing the +flushed and dishevelled Richard; "'e left me and my five eighteen months +ago. For eighteen months I 'aven't 'ad a sight of 'is blessed face." + +She lifted the hem of her apron to her face and broke into discordant +weeping. + +"Don't cry," said Prudence, softly; "I'm sure he isn't worth it." + +Mr. Catesby looked at her wanly. He was beyond further astonishment, and +when Mrs. Truefitt entered the room with a laudable attempt to twist her +features into an expression of surprise, he scarcely noticed her. + +"It's my Joe," said Mrs. Porter, simply. + +"Good gracious!" said Mrs. Truefitt. "Well, you've got him now; take +care he doesn't run away from you again." + +"I'll look after that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, with a glare at the +startled Richard. + +[Illustration: "I'll look after that, ma'am."] + +"She's very forgiving," said Prudence. "She kissed him just now." + +"Did she, though," said the admiring Mrs. Truefitt. "I wish I'd been +here." + +"I can do it agin, ma'am," said the obliging Mrs. Porter. + +"If you come near me again--" said the breathless Richard, stepping back +a pace. + +"I shouldn't force his love," said Mrs. Truefitt; "it'll come back in +time, I dare say." + +"I'm sure he's affectionate," said Prudence. + +Mr. Catesby eyed his tormentors in silence; the faces of Prudence and her +mother betokened much innocent enjoyment, but the austerity of Mrs. +Porter's visage was unrelaxed. + +"Better let bygones be bygones," said Mrs. Truefitt; "he'll be sorry +by-and-by for all the trouble he has caused." + +"He'll be ashamed of himself--if you give him time," added Prudence. + +Mr. Catesby had heard enough; he took up his hat and crossed to the door. + +"Take care he doesn't run away from you again," repeated Mrs. Truefitt. + +"I'll see to that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, taking him by the arm. +"Come along, Joe." + +Mr. Catesby attempted to shake her off, but in vain, and he ground his +teeth as he realised the absurdity of his position. A man he could have +dealt with, but Mrs. Porter was invulnerable. Sooner than walk down the +road with her he preferred the sallies of the parlour. He walked back to +his old position by the fireplace, and stood gazing moodily at the floor. + +Mrs. Truefitt tired of the sport at last. She wanted her supper, and +with a significant glance at her daughter she beckoned the redoubtable +and reluctant Mrs. Porter from the room. Catesby heard the kitchen-door +close behind them, but he made no move. Prudence stood gazing at him in +silence. + +"If you want to go," she said, at last, "now is your chance." + +Catesby followed her into the passage without a word, and waited quietly +while she opened the door. Still silent, he put on his hat and passed +out into the darkening street. He turned after a short distance for a +last look at the house and, with a sudden sense of elation, saw that she +was standing on the step. He hesitated, and then walked slowly back. + +"Yes?" said Prudence. + +"I should like to tell your mother that I am sorry," he said, in a low +voice. + +"It is getting late," said the girl, softly; "but, if you really wish to +tell her--Mrs. Porter will not be here to-morrow night." + +She stepped back into the house and the door closed behind her. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Establishing Relations, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ESTABLISHING RELATIONS *** + +***** This file should be named 12207.txt or 12207.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/2/0/12207/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + diff --git a/old/12207.zip b/old/12207.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..698d7a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12207.zip |
