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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: Beyond the City + +Author: Arthur Conan Doyle + +Release Date: July 1, 2008 [EBook #356] +Last Updated: March 6, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEYOND THE CITY *** + + + + +Produced by Michael Hart, Trevor Carlson and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + BEYOND THE CITY + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Arthur Conan Doyle + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> THE + NEW-COMERS. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> BREAKING + THE ICE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> DWELLERS + IN THE WILDERNESS. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> A + SISTER'S SECRET. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> A + NAVAL CONQUEST. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> AN + OLD STORY. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> VENIT + TANDEM FELICITAS. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> SHADOWS + BEFORE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> A + FAMILY PLOT. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> WOMEN + OF THE FUTURE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> A + BLOT FROM THE BLUE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. + </a> FRIENDS IN NEED. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> + CHAPTER XIII. </a> IN STRANGE WATERS. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> EASTWARD HO! <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> STILL AMONG SHOALS. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> A + MIDNIGHT VISITOR. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. + </a> IN PORT AT LAST. <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE NEW-COMERS. + </h2> + <p> + “If you please, mum,” said the voice of a domestic from somewhere round + the angle of the door, “number three is moving in.” + </p> + <p> + Two little old ladies, who were sitting at either side of a table, sprang + to their feet with ejaculations of interest, and rushed to the window of + the sitting-room. + </p> + <p> + “Take care, Monica dear,” said one, shrouding herself in the lace curtain; + “don't let them see us. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Bertha. We must not give them reason to say that their neighbors + are inquisitive. But I think that we are safe if we stand like this.” + </p> + <p> + The open window looked out upon a sloping lawn, well trimmed and pleasant, + with fuzzy rosebushes and a star-shaped bed of sweet-william. It was + bounded by a low wooden fence, which screened it off from a broad, modern, + new metaled road. At the other side of this road were three large detached + deep-bodied villas with peaky eaves and small wooden balconies, each + standing in its own little square of grass and of flowers. All three were + equally new, but numbers one and two were curtained and sedate, with a + human, sociable look to them; while number three, with yawning door and + unkempt garden, had apparently only just received its furniture and made + itself ready for its occupants. A four-wheeler had driven up to the gate, + and it was at this that the old ladies, peeping out bird-like from behind + their curtains, directed an eager and questioning gaze. + </p> + <p> + The cabman had descended, and the passengers within were handing out the + articles which they desired him to carry up to the house. He stood + red-faced and blinking, with his crooked arms outstretched, while a male + hand, protruding from the window, kept piling up upon him a series of + articles the sight of which filled the curious old ladies with + bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + “My goodness me!” cried Monica, the smaller, the drier, and the more + wizened of the pair. “What do you call that, Bertha? It looks to me like + four batter puddings.” + </p> + <p> + “Those are what young men box each other with,” said Bertha, with a + conscious air of superior worldly knowledge. + </p> + <p> + “And those?” + </p> + <p> + Two great bottle-shaped pieces of yellow shining wood had been heaped upon + the cabman. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know what those are,” confessed Bertha. Indian clubs had + never before obtruded themselves upon her peaceful and very feminine + existence. + </p> + <p> + These mysterious articles were followed, however, by others which were + more within their range of comprehension—by a pair of dumb-bells, a + purple cricket-bag, a set of golf clubs, and a tennis racket. Finally, + when the cabman, all top-heavy and bristling, had staggered off up the + garden path, there emerged in a very leisurely way from the cab a big, + powerfully built young man, with a bull pup under one arm and a pink + sporting paper in his hand. The paper he crammed into the pocket of his + light yellow dust-coat, and extended his hand as if to assist some one + else from the vehicle. To the surprise of the two old ladies, however, the + only thing which his open palm received was a violent slap, and a tall + lady bounded unassisted out of the cab. With a regal wave she motioned the + young man towards the door, and then with one hand upon her hip she stood + in a careless, lounging attitude by the gate, kicking her toe against the + wall and listlessly awaiting the return of the driver. + </p> + <p> + As she turned slowly round, and the sunshine struck upon her face, the two + watchers were amazed to see that this very active and energetic lady was + far from being in her first youth, so far that she had certainly come of + age again since she first passed that landmark in life's journey. Her + finely chiseled, clean-cut face, with something red Indian about the firm + mouth and strongly marked cheek bones, showed even at that distance traces + of the friction of the passing years. And yet she was very handsome. Her + features were as firm in repose as those of a Greek bust, and her great + dark eyes were arched over by two brows so black, so thick, and so + delicately curved, that the eye turned away from the harsher details of + the face to marvel at their grace and strength. Her figure, too, was + straight as a dart, a little portly, perhaps, but curving into magnificent + outlines, which were half accentuated by the strange costume which she + wore. Her hair, black but plentifully shot with grey, was brushed plainly + back from her high forehead, and was gathered under a small round felt + hat, like that of a man, with one sprig of feather in the band as a + concession to her sex. A double-breasted jacket of some dark frieze-like + material fitted closely to her figure, while her straight blue skirt, + untrimmed and ungathered, was cut so short that the lower curve of her + finely-turned legs was plainly visible beneath it, terminating in a pair + of broad, flat, low-heeled and square-toed shoes. Such was the lady who + lounged at the gate of number three, under the curious eyes of her two + opposite neighbors. + </p> + <p> + But if her conduct and appearance had already somewhat jarred upon their + limited and precise sense of the fitness of things, what were they to + think of the next little act in this tableau vivant? The cabman, red and + heavy-jowled, had come back from his labors, and held out his hand for his + fare. The lady passed him a coin, there was a moment of mumbling and + gesticulating, and suddenly she had him with both hands by the red cravat + which girt his neck, and was shaking him as a terrier would a rat. Right + across the pavement she thrust him, and, pushing him up against the wheel, + she banged his head three several times against the side of his own + vehicle. + </p> + <p> + “Can I be of any use to you, aunt?” asked the large youth, framing himself + in the open doorway. + </p> + <p> + “Not the slightest,” panted the enraged lady. “There, you low blackguard, + that will teach you to be impertinent to a lady.” + </p> + <p> + The cabman looked helplessly about him with a bewildered, questioning + gaze, as one to whom alone of all men this unheard-of and extraordinary + thing had happened. Then, rubbing his head, he mounted slowly on to the + box and drove away with an uptossed hand appealing to the universe. The + lady smoothed down her dress, pushed back her hair under her little felt + hat, and strode in through the hall-door, which was closed behind her. As + with a whisk her short skirts vanished into the darkness, the two + spectators—Miss Bertha and Miss Monica Williams—sat looking at + each other in speechless amazement. For fifty years they had peeped + through that little window and across that trim garden, but never yet had + such a sight as this come to confound them. + </p> + <p> + “I wish,” said Monica at last, “that we had kept the field.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I wish we had,” answered her sister. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. BREAKING THE ICE. + </h2> + <p> + The cottage from the window of which the Misses Williams had looked out + stands, and has stood for many a year, in that pleasant suburban district + which lies between Norwood, Anerley, and Forest Hill. Long before there + had been a thought of a township there, when the Metropolis was still + quite a distant thing, old Mr. Williams had inhabited “The Brambles,” as + the little house was called, and had owned all the fields about it. Six or + eight such cottages scattered over a rolling country-side were all the + houses to be found there in the days when the century was young. From + afar, when the breeze came from the north, the dull, low roar of the great + city might be heard, like the breaking of the tide of life, while along + the horizon might be seen the dim curtain of smoke, the grim spray which + that tide threw up. Gradually, however, as the years passed, the City had + thrown out a long brick-feeler here and there, curving, extending, and + coalescing, until at last the little cottages had been gripped round by + these red tentacles, and had been absorbed to make room for the modern + villa. Field by field the estate of old Mr. Williams had been sold to the + speculative builder, and had borne rich crops of snug suburban dwellings, + arranged in curving crescents and tree-lined avenues. The father had + passed away before his cottage was entirely bricked round, but his two + daughters, to whom the property had descended, lived to see the last + vestige of country taken from them. For years they had clung to the one + field which faced their windows, and it was only after much argument and + many heartburnings, that they had at last consented that it should share + the fate of the others. A broad road was driven through their quiet + domain, the quarter was re-named “The Wilderness,” and three square, + staring, uncompromising villas began to sprout up on the other side. With + sore hearts, the two shy little old maids watched their steady progress, + and speculated as to what fashion of neighbors chance would bring into the + little nook which had always been their own. + </p> + <p> + And at last they were all three finished. Wooden balconies and overhanging + eaves had been added to them, so that, in the language of the + advertisement, there were vacant three eligible Swiss-built villas, with + sixteen rooms, no basement, electric bells, hot and cold water, and every + modern convenience, including a common tennis lawn, to be let at L100 a + year, or L1,500 purchase. So tempting an offer did not long remain open. + Within a few weeks the card had vanished from number one, and it was known + that Admiral Hay Denver, V. C., C. B., with Mrs. Hay Denver and their only + son, were about to move into it. The news brought peace to the hearts of + the Williams sisters. They had lived with a settled conviction that some + wild impossible colony, some shouting, singing family of madcaps, would + break in upon their peace. This establishment at least was irreproachable. + A reference to “Men of the Time” showed them that Admiral Hay Denver was a + most distinguished officer, who had begun his active career at Bomarsund, + and had ended it at Alexandria, having managed between these two episodes + to see as much service as any man of his years. From the Taku Forts and + the <i>Shannon</i> brigade, to dhow-harrying off Zanzibar, there was no + variety of naval work which did not appear in his record; while the + Victoria Cross, and the Albert Medal for saving life, vouched for it that + in peace as in war his courage was still of the same true temper. Clearly + a very eligible neighbor this, the more so as they had been confidentially + assured by the estate agent that Mr. Harold Denver, the son, was a most + quiet young gentleman, and that he was busy from morning to night on the + Stock Exchange. + </p> + <p> + The Hay Denvers had hardly moved in before number two also struck its + placard, and again the ladies found that they had no reason to be + discontented with their neighbors. Doctor Balthazar Walker was a very + well-known name in the medical world. Did not his qualifications, his + membership, and the record of his writings fill a long half-column in the + “Medical Directory,” from his first little paper on the “Gouty Diathesis” + in 1859 to his exhaustive treatise upon “Affections of the Vaso-Motor + System” in 1884? A successful medical career which promised to end in a + presidentship of a college and a baronetcy, had been cut short by his + sudden inheritance of a considerable sum from a grateful patient, which + had rendered him independent for life, and had enabled him to turn his + attention to the more scientific part of his profession, which had always + had a greater charm for him than its more practical and commercial aspect. + To this end he had given up his house in Weymouth Street, and had taken + this opportunity of moving himself, his scientific instruments, and his + two charming daughters (he had been a widower for some years) into the + more peaceful atmosphere of Norwood. + </p> + <p> + There was thus but one villa unoccupied, and it was no wonder that the two + maiden ladies watched with a keen interest, which deepened into a dire + apprehension, the curious incidents which heralded the coming of the new + tenants. They had already learned from the agent that the family consisted + of two only, Mrs. Westmacott, a widow, and her nephew, Charles Westmacott. + How simple and how select it had sounded! Who could have foreseen from it + these fearful portents which seemed to threaten violence and discord among + the dwellers in The Wilderness? Again the two old maids cried in heartfelt + chorus that they wished they had not sold their field. + </p> + <p> + “Well, at least, Monica,” remarked Bertha, as they sat over their teacups + that afternoon, “however strange these people may be, it is our duty to be + as polite to them as to the others.” + </p> + <p> + “Most certainly,” acquiesced her sister. + </p> + <p> + “Since we have called upon Mrs. Hay Denver and upon the Misses Walker, we + must call upon this Mrs. Westmacott also.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, dear. As long as they are living upon our land I feel as if + they were in a sense our guests, and that it is our duty to welcome them.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we shall call to-morrow,” said Bertha, with decision. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear, we shall. But, oh, I wish it was over!” + </p> + <p> + At four o'clock on the next day, the two maiden ladies set off upon their + hospitable errand. In their stiff, crackling dresses of black silk, with + jet-bespangled jackets, and little rows of cylindrical grey curls drooping + down on either side of their black bonnets, they looked like two old + fashion plates which had wandered off into the wrong decade. Half curious + and half fearful, they knocked at the door of number three, which was + instantly opened by a red-headed page-boy. + </p> + <p> + Yes, Mrs. Westmacott was at home. He ushered them into the front room, + furnished as a drawing-room, where in spite of the fine spring weather a + large fire was burning in the grate. The boy took their cards, and then, + as they sat down together upon a settee, he set their nerves in a thrill + by darting behind a curtain with a shrill cry, and prodding at something + with his foot. The bull pup which they had seen upon the day before bolted + from its hiding-place, and scuttled snarling from the room. + </p> + <p> + “It wants to get at Eliza,” said the youth, in a confidential whisper. + “Master says she would give him more'n he brought.” He smiled affably at + the two little stiff black figures, and departed in search of his + mistress. + </p> + <p> + “What—what did he say?” gasped Bertha. + </p> + <p> + “Something about a—— Oh, goodness gracious! Oh, help, help, + help, help, help!” The two sisters had bounded on to the settee, and stood + there with staring eyes and skirts gathered in, while they filled the + whole house with their yells. Out of a high wicker-work basket which stood + by the fire there had risen a flat diamond-shaped head with wicked green + eyes which came flickering upwards, waving gently from side to side, until + a foot or more of glossy scaly neck was visible. Slowly the vicious head + came floating up, while at every oscillation a fresh burst of shrieks came + from the settee. + </p> + <p> + “What in the name of mischief!” cried a voice, and there was the mistress + of the house standing in the doorway. Her gaze at first had merely taken + in the fact that two strangers were standing screaming upon her red plush + sofa. A glance at the fireplace, however, showed her the cause of the + terror, and she burst into a hearty fit of laughter. + </p> + <p> + “Charley,” she shouted, “here's Eliza misbehaving again.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll settle her,” answered a masculine voice, and the young man dashed + into the room. He had a brown horse-cloth in his hand, which he threw over + the basket, making it fast with a piece of twine so as to effectually + imprison its inmate, while his aunt ran across to reassure her visitors. + </p> + <p> + “It is only a rock snake,” she explained. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Bertha!” “Oh, Monica!” gasped the poor exhausted gentlewomen. + </p> + <p> + “She's hatching out some eggs. That is why we have the fire. Eliza always + does better when she is warm. She is a sweet, gentle creature, but no + doubt she thought that you had designs upon her eggs. I suppose that you + did not touch any of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, let us get away, Bertha!” cried Monica, with her thin, black-gloved + hands thrown forwards in abhorrence. + </p> + <p> + “Not away, but into the next room,” said Mrs. Westmacott, with the air of + one whose word was law. “This way, if you please! It is less warm here.” + She led the way into a very handsomely appointed library, with three great + cases of books, and upon the fourth side a long yellow table littered over + with papers and scientific instruments. “Sit here, and you, there,” she + continued. “That is right. Now let me see, which of you is Miss Williams, + and which Miss Bertha Williams?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Miss Williams,” said Monica, still palpitating, and glancing + furtively about in dread of some new horror. + </p> + <p> + “And you live, as I understand, over at the pretty little cottage. It is + very nice of you to call so early. I don't suppose that we shall get on, + but still the intention is equally good.” She crossed her legs and leaned + her back against the marble mantelpiece. + </p> + <p> + “We thought that perhaps we might be of some assistance,” said Bertha, + timidly. “If there is anything which we could do to make you feel more at + home——” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, thank you, I am too old a traveler to feel anything but at home + wherever I go. I've just come back from a few months in the Marquesas + Islands, where I had a very pleasant visit. That was where I got Eliza. In + many respects the Marquesas Islands now lead the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me!” ejaculated Miss Williams. “In what respect?” + </p> + <p> + “In the relation of the sexes. They have worked out the great problem upon + their own lines, and their isolated geographical position has helped them + to come to a conclusion of their own. The woman there is, as she should + be, in every way the absolute equal of the male. Come in, Charles, and sit + down. Is Eliza all right?” + </p> + <p> + “All right, aunt.” + </p> + <p> + “These are our neighbors, the Misses Williams. Perhaps they will have some + stout. You might bring in a couple of bottles, Charles.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, thank you! None for us!” cried her two visitors, earnestly. + </p> + <p> + “No? I am sorry that I have no tea to offer you. I look upon the + subserviency of woman as largely due to her abandoning nutritious drinks + and invigorating exercises to the male. I do neither.” She picked up a + pair of fifteen-pound dumb-bells from beside the fireplace and swung them + lightly about her head. “You see what may be done on stout,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “But don't you think,” the elder Miss Williams suggested timidly, “don't + you think, Mrs. Westmascott, that woman has a mission of her own?” + </p> + <p> + The lady of the house dropped her dumb-bells with a crash upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + “The old cant!” she cried. “The old shibboleth! What is this mission which + is reserved for woman? All that is humble, that is mean, that is + soul-killing, that is so contemptible and so ill-paid that none other will + touch it. All that is woman's mission. And who imposed these limitations + upon her? Who cooped her up within this narrow sphere? Was it Providence? + Was it nature? No, it was the arch enemy. It was man.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say, auntie!” drawled her nephew. + </p> + <p> + “It was man, Charles. It was you and your fellows. I say that woman is a + colossal monument to the selfishness of man. What is all this boasted + chivalry—these fine words and vague phrases? Where is it when we + wish to put it to the test? Man in the abstract will do anything to help a + woman. Of course. How does it work when his pocket is touched? Where is + his chivalry then? Will the doctors help her to qualify? will the lawyers + help her to be called to the bar? will the clergy tolerate her in the + Church? Oh, it is close your ranks then and refer poor woman to her + mission! Her mission! To be thankful for coppers and not to interfere with + the men while they grabble for gold, like swine round a trough, that is + man's reading of the mission of women. You may sit there and sneer, + Charles, while you look upon your victim, but you know that it is truth, + every word of it.” + </p> + <p> + Terrified as they were by this sudden torrent of words, the two + gentlewomen could not but smile at the sight of the fiery, domineering + victim and the big apologetic representative of mankind who sat meekly + bearing all the sins of his sex. The lady struck a match, whipped a + cigarette from a case upon the mantelpiece, and began to draw the smoke + into her lungs. + </p> + <p> + “I find it very soothing when my nerves are at all ruffled,” she + explained. “You don't smoke? Ah, you miss one of the purest of pleasures—one + of the few pleasures which are without a reaction.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Williams smoothed out her silken lap. + </p> + <p> + “It is a pleasure,” she said, with some approach to self-assertion, “which + Bertha and I are rather too old-fashioned to enjoy.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt. It would probably make you very ill if you attempted it. By the + way, I hope that you will come to some of our Guild meetings. I shall see + that tickets are sent you.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Guild?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not yet formed, but I shall lose no time in forming a committee. It + is my habit to establish a branch of the Emancipation Guild wherever I go. + There is a Mrs. Sanderson in Anerley who is already one of the + emancipated, so that I have a nucleus. It is only by organized resistance, + Miss Williams, that we can hope to hold our own against the selfish sex. + Must you go, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we have one or two other visits to pay,” said the elder sister. “You + will, I am sure, excuse us. I hope that you will find Norwood a pleasant + residence.” + </p> + <p> + “All places are to me simply a battle-field,” she answered, gripping first + one and then the other with a grip which crumpled up their little thin + fingers. “The days for work and healthful exercise, the evenings to + Browning and high discourse, eh, Charles? Good-bye!” She came to the door + with them, and as they glanced back they saw her still standing there with + the yellow bull pup cuddled up under one forearm, and the thin blue reek + of her cigarette ascending from her lips. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what a dreadful, dreadful woman!” whispered sister Bertha, as they + hurried down the street. “Thank goodness that it is over.” + </p> + <p> + “But she'll return the visit,” answered the other. “I think that we had + better tell Mary that we are not at home.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. DWELLERS IN THE WILDERNESS. + </h2> + <p> + How deeply are our destinies influenced by the most trifling causes! Had + the unknown builder who erected and owned these new villas contented + himself by simply building each within its own grounds, it is probable + that these three small groups of people would have remained hardly + conscious of each other's existence, and that there would have been no + opportunity for that action and reaction which is here set forth. But + there was a common link to bind them together. To single himself out from + all other Norwood builders the landlord had devised and laid out a common + lawn tennis ground, which stretched behind the houses with taut-stretched + net, green close-cropped sward, and widespread whitewashed lines. Hither + in search of that hard exercise which is as necessary as air or food to + the English temperament, came young Hay Denver when released from the toil + of the City; hither, too, came Dr. Walker and his two fair daughters, + Clara and Ida, and hither also, champions of the lawn, came the + short-skirted, muscular widow and her athletic nephew. Ere the summer was + gone they knew each other in this quiet nook as they might not have done + after years of a stiffer and more formal acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + And especially to the Admiral and the Doctor were this closer intimacy and + companionship of value. Each had a void in his life, as every man must + have who with unexhausted strength steps out of the great race, but each + by his society might help to fill up that of his neighbor. It is true that + they had not much in common, but that is sometimes an aid rather than a + bar to friendship. Each had been an enthusiast in his profession, and had + retained all his interest in it. The Doctor still read from cover to cover + his Lancet and his Medical Journal, attended all professional gatherings, + worked himself into an alternate state of exaltation and depression over + the results of the election of officers, and reserved for himself a den of + his own, in which before rows of little round bottles full of glycerine, + Canadian balsam, and staining agents, he still cut sections with a + microtome, and peeped through his long, brass, old-fashioned microscope at + the arcana of nature. With his typical face, clean shaven on lip and chin, + with a firm mouth, a strong jaw, a steady eye, and two little white fluffs + of whiskers, he could never be taken for anything but what he was, a + high-class British medical consultant of the age of fifty, or perhaps just + a year or two older. + </p> + <p> + The Doctor, in his hey-day, had been cool over great things, but now, in + his retirement, he was fussy over trifles. The man who had operated + without the quiver of a finger, when not only his patient's life but his + own reputation and future were at stake, was now shaken to the soul by a + mislaid book or a careless maid. He remarked it himself, and knew the + reason. “When Mary was alive,” he would say, “she stood between me and the + little troubles. I could brace myself for the big ones. My girls are as + good as girls can be, but who can know a man as his wife knows him?” Then + his memory would conjure up a tuft of brown hair and a single white, thin + hand over a coverlet, and he would feel, as we have all felt, that if we + do not live and know each other after death, then indeed we are tricked + and betrayed by all the highest hopes and subtlest intuitions of our + nature. + </p> + <p> + The Doctor had his compensations to make up for his loss. The great scales + of Fate had been held on a level for him; for where in all great London + could one find two sweeter girls, more loving, more intelligent, and more + sympathetic than Clara and Ida Walker? So bright were they, so quick, so + interested in all which interested him, that if it were possible for a man + to be compensated for the loss of a good wife then Balthazar Walker might + claim to be so. + </p> + <p> + Clara was tall and thin and supple, with a graceful, womanly figure. There + was something stately and distinguished in her carriage, “queenly” her + friends called her, while her critics described her as reserved and + distant. + </p> + <p> + Such as it was, however, it was part and parcel of herself, for she was, + and had always from her childhood been, different from any one around her. + There was nothing gregarious in her nature. She thought with her own mind, + saw with her own eyes, acted from her own impulse. Her face was pale, + striking rather than pretty, but with two great dark eyes, so earnestly + questioning, so quick in their transitions from joy to pathos, so swift in + their comment upon every word and deed around her, that those eyes alone + were to many more attractive than all the beauty of her younger sister. + Hers was a strong, quiet soul, and it was her firm hand which had taken + over the duties of her mother, had ordered the house, restrained the + servants, comforted her father, and upheld her weaker sister, from the day + of that great misfortune. + </p> + <p> + Ida Walker was a hand's breadth smaller than Clara, but was a little + fuller in the face and plumper in the figure. She had light yellow hair, + mischievous blue eyes with the light of humor ever twinkling in their + depths, and a large, perfectly formed mouth, with that slight upward curve + of the corners which goes with a keen appreciation of fun, suggesting even + in repose that a latent smile is ever lurking at the edges of the lips. + She was modern to the soles of her dainty little high-heeled shoes, + frankly fond of dress and of pleasure, devoted to tennis and to comic + opera, delighted with a dance, which came her way only too seldom, longing + ever for some new excitement, and yet behind all this lighter side of her + character a thoroughly good, healthy-minded English girl, the life and + soul of the house, and the idol of her sister and her father. Such was the + family at number two. A peep into the remaining villa and our + introductions are complete. + </p> + <p> + Admiral Hay Denver did not belong to the florid, white-haired, hearty + school of sea-dogs which is more common in works of fiction than in the + Navy List. On the contrary, he was the representative of a much more + common type which is the antithesis of the conventional sailor. He was a + thin, hard-featured man, with an ascetic, aquiline cast of face, grizzled + and hollow-cheeked, clean-shaven with the exception of the tiniest curved + promontory of ash-colored whisker. An observer, accustomed to classify + men, might have put him down as a canon of the church with a taste for lay + costume and a country life, or as the master of a large public school, who + joined his scholars in their outdoor sports. His lips were firm, his chin + prominent, he had a hard, dry eye, and his manner was precise and formal. + Forty years of stern discipline had made him reserved and silent. Yet, + when at his ease with an equal, he could readily assume a less + quarter-deck style, and he had a fund of little, dry stories of the world + and its ways which were of interest from one who had seen so many phases + of life. Dry and spare, as lean as a jockey and as tough as whipcord, he + might be seen any day swinging his silver-headed Malacca cane, and pacing + along the suburban roads with the same measured gait with which he had + been wont to tread the poop of his flagship. He wore a good service stripe + upon his cheek, for on one side it was pitted and scarred where a spurt of + gravel knocked up by a round-shot had struck him thirty years before, when + he served in the Lancaster gun-battery. Yet he was hale and sound, and + though he was fifteen years senior to his friend the Doctor, he might have + passed as the younger man. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hay Denver's life had been a very broken one, and her record upon + land represented a greater amount of endurance and self-sacrifice than his + upon the sea. They had been together for four months after their marriage, + and then had come a hiatus of four years, during which he was flitting + about between St. Helena and the Oil Rivers in a gunboat. Then came a + blessed year of peace and domesticity, to be followed by nine years, with + only a three months' break, five upon the Pacific station, and four on the + East Indian. After that was a respite in the shape of five years in the + Channel squadron, with periodical runs home, and then again he was off to + the Mediterranean for three years and to Halifax for four. Now, at last, + however, this old married couple, who were still almost strangers to one + another, had come together in Norwood, where, if their short day had been + chequered and broken, the evening at least promised to be sweet and + mellow. In person Mrs. Hay Denver was tall and stout, with a bright, + round, ruddy-cheeked face still pretty, with a gracious, matronly + comeliness. Her whole life was a round of devotion and of love, which was + divided between her husband and her only son, Harold. + </p> + <p> + This son it was who kept them in the neighborhood of London, for the + Admiral was as fond of ships and of salt water as ever, and was as happy + in the sheets of a two-ton yacht as on the bridge of his sixteen-knot + monitor. Had he been untied, the Devonshire or Hampshire coast would + certainly have been his choice. There was Harold, however, and Harold's + interests were their chief care. Harold was four-and-twenty now. Three + years before he had been taken in hand by an acquaintance of his father's, + the head of a considerable firm of stock-brokers, and fairly launched upon + 'Change. His three hundred guinea entrance fee paid, his three sureties of + five hundred pounds each found, his name approved by the Committee, and + all other formalities complied with, he found himself whirling round, an + insignificant unit, in the vortex of the money market of the world. There, + under the guidance of his father's friend, he was instructed in the + mysteries of bulling and of bearing, in the strange usages of 'Change in + the intricacies of carrying over and of transferring. He learned to know + where to place his clients' money, which of the jobbers would make a price + in New Zealands, and which would touch nothing but American rails, which + might be trusted and which shunned. All this, and much more, he mastered, + and to such purpose that he soon began to prosper, to retain the clients + who had been recommended to him, and to attract fresh ones. But the work + was never congenial. He had inherited from his father his love of the air + of heaven, his affection for a manly and natural existence. To act as + middleman between the pursuer of wealth, and the wealth which he pursued, + or to stand as a human barometer, registering the rise and fall of the + great mammon pressure in the markets, was not the work for which + Providence had placed those broad shoulders and strong limbs upon his well + knit frame. His dark open face, too, with his straight Grecian nose, well + opened brown eyes, and round black-curled head, were all those of a man + who was fashioned for active physical work. Meanwhile he was popular with + his fellow brokers, respected by his clients, and beloved at home, but his + spirit was restless within him and his mind chafed unceasingly against his + surroundings. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, Willy,” said Mrs. Hay Denver one evening as she stood behind + her husband's chair, with her hand upon his shoulder, “I think sometimes + that Harold is not quite happy.” + </p> + <p> + “He looks happy, the young rascal,” answered the Admiral, pointing with + his cigar. It was after dinner, and through the open French window of the + dining-room a clear view was to be had of the tennis court and the + players. A set had just been finished, and young Charles Westmacott was + hitting up the balls as high as he could send them in the middle of the + ground. Doctor Walker and Mrs. Westmacott were pacing up and down the + lawn, the lady waving her racket as she emphasized her remarks, and the + Doctor listening with slanting head and little nods of agreement. Against + the rails at the near end Harold was leaning in his flannels talking to + the two sisters, who stood listening to him with their long dark shadows + streaming down the lawn behind them. The girls were dressed alike in dark + skirts, with light pink tennis blouses and pink bands on their straw hats, + so that as they stood with the soft red of the setting sun tinging their + faces, Clara, demure and quiet, Ida, mischievous and daring, it was a + group which might have pleased the eye of a more exacting critic than the + old sailor. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he looks happy, mother,” he repeated, with a chuckle. “It is not so + long ago since it was you and I who were standing like that, and I don't + remember that we were very unhappy either. It was croquet in our time, and + the ladies had not reefed in their skirts quite so taut. What year would + it be? Just before the commission of the Penelope.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hay Denver ran her fingers through his grizzled hair. “It was when + you came back in the Antelope, just before you got your step.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the old Antelope! What a clipper she was! She could sail two points + nearer the wind than anything of her tonnage in the service. You remember + her, mother. You saw her come into Plymouth Bay. Wasn't she a beauty?” + </p> + <p> + “She was indeed, dear. But when I say that I think that Harold is not + happy I mean in his daily life. Has it never struck you how thoughtful he + is at times, and how absent-minded?” + </p> + <p> + “In love perhaps, the young dog. He seems to have found snug moorings now + at any rate.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that it is very likely that you are right, Willy,” answered the + mother seriously. “But with which of them?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, they are very charming girls, both of them. But as long as he hangs + in the wind between the two it cannot be serious. After all, the boy is + four-and-twenty, and he made five hundred pounds last year. He is better + able to marry than I was when I was lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that we can see which it is now,” remarked the observant mother. + Charles Westmacott had ceased to knock the tennis balls about, and was + chatting with Clara Walker, while Ida and Harold Denver were still talking + by the railing with little outbursts of laughter. Presently a fresh set + was formed, and Doctor Walker, the odd man out, came through the wicket + gate and strolled up the garden walk. + </p> + <p> + “Good evening, Mrs. Hay Denver,” said he, raising his broad straw hat. + “May I come in?” + </p> + <p> + “Good evening, Doctor! Pray do!” + </p> + <p> + “Try one of these,” said the Admiral, holding out his cigar-case. “They + are not bad. I got them on the Mosquito Coast. I was thinking of signaling + to you, but you seemed so very happy out there.” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Westmacott is a very clever woman,” said the Doctor, lighting the + cigar. “By the way, you spoke about the Mosquito Coast just now. Did you + see much of the Hyla when you were out there?” + </p> + <p> + “No such name on the list,” answered the seaman, with decision. “There's + the Hydra, a harbor defense turret-ship, but she never leaves the home + waters.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor laughed. “We live in two separate worlds,” said he. “The Hyla + is the little green tree frog, and Beale has founded some of his views on + protoplasm upon the appearances of its nerve cells. It is a subject in + which I take an interest.” + </p> + <p> + “There were vermin of all sorts in the woods. When I have been on river + service I have heard it at night like the engine-room when you are on the + measured mile. You can't sleep for the piping, and croaking, and chirping. + Great Scott! what a woman that is! She was across the lawn in three jumps. + She would have made a captain of the foretop in the old days.” + </p> + <p> + “She is a very remarkable woman.” + </p> + <p> + “A very cranky one.” + </p> + <p> + “A very sensible one in some things,” remarked Mrs. Hay Denver. + </p> + <p> + “Look at that now!” cried the Admiral, with a lunge of his forefinger at + the Doctor. “You mark my words, Walker, if we don't look out that woman + will raise a mutiny with her preaching. Here's my wife disaffected + already, and your girls will be no better. We must combine, man, or + there's an end of all discipline.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt she is a little excessive in her views,” said the Doctor, “but + in the main I think as she does.” + </p> + <p> + “Bravo, Doctor!” cried the lady. + </p> + <p> + “What, turned traitor to your sex! We'll court-martial you as a deserter.” + </p> + <p> + “She is quite right. The professions are not sufficiently open to women. + They are still far too much circumscribed in their employments. They are a + feeble folk, the women who have to work for their bread—poor, + unorganized, timid, taking as a favor what they might demand as a right. + That is why their case is not more constantly before the public, for if + their cry for redress was as great as their grievance it would fill the + world to the exclusion of all others. It is all very well for us to be + courteous to the rich, the refined, those to whom life is already made + easy. It is a mere form, a trick of manner. If we are truly courteous, we + shall stoop to lift up struggling womanhood when she really needs our help—when + it is life and death to her whether she has it or not. And then to cant + about it being unwomanly to work in the higher professions. It is womanly + enough to starve, but unwomanly to use the brains which God has given + them. Is it not a monstrous contention?” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral chuckled. “You are like one of these phonographs, Walker,” + said he; “you have had all this talked into you, and now you are reeling + it off again. It's rank mutiny, every word of it, for man has his duties + and woman has hers, but they are as separate as their natures are. I + suppose that we shall have a woman hoisting her pennant on the flagship + presently, and taking command of the Channel Squadron.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you have a woman on the throne taking command of the whole nation,” + remarked his wife; “and everybody is agreed that she does it better than + any of the men.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral was somewhat staggered by this home-thrust. “That's quite + another thing,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “You should come to their next meeting. I am to take the chair. I have + just promised Mrs. Westmacott that I will do so. But it has turned chilly, + and it is time that the girls were indoors. Good night! I shall look out + for you after breakfast for our constitutional, Admiral.” + </p> + <p> + The old sailor looked after his friend with a twinkle in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “How old is he, mother?” + </p> + <p> + “About fifty, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “And Mrs. Westmacott?” + </p> + <p> + “I heard that she was forty-three.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral rubbed his hands, and shook with amusement. “We'll find one of + these days that three and two make one,” said he. “I'll bet you a new + bonnet on it, mother.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. A SISTER'S SECRET. + </h2> + <p> + “Tell me, Miss Walker! You know how things should be. What would you say + was a good profession for a young man of twenty-six who has had no + education worth speaking about, and who is not very quick by nature?” The + speaker was Charles Westmacott, and the time this same summer evening in + the tennis ground, though the shadows had fallen now and the game been + abandoned. + </p> + <p> + The girl glanced up at him, amused and surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely.” + </p> + <p> + “But how could I tell?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no one to advise me. I believe that you could do it better than + any one. I feel confidence in your opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very flattering.” She glanced up again at his earnest, questioning + face, with its Saxon eyes and drooping flaxen mustache, in some doubt as + to whether he might be joking. On the contrary, all his attention seemed + to be concentrated upon her answer. + </p> + <p> + “It depends so much upon what you can do, you know. I do not know you + sufficiently to be able to say what natural gifts you have.” They were + walking slowly across the lawn in the direction of the house. + </p> + <p> + “I have none. That is to say none worth mentioning. I have no memory and I + am very slow.” + </p> + <p> + “But you are very strong.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if that goes for anything. I can put up a hundred-pound bar till + further orders; but what sort of a calling is that?” + </p> + <p> + Some little joke about being called to the bar flickered up in Miss + Walker's mind, but her companion was in such obvious earnest that she + stifled down her inclination to laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I can do a mile on the cinder-track in 4:50 and across-country in 5:20, + but how is that to help me? I might be a cricket professional, but it is + not a very dignified position. Not that I care a straw about dignity, you + know, but I should not like to hurt the old lady's feelings.” + </p> + <p> + “Your aunt's?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my aunt's. My parents were killed in the Mutiny, you know, when I + was a baby, and she has looked after me ever since. She has been very good + to me. I'm sorry to leave her.” + </p> + <p> + “But why should you leave her?” They had reached the garden gate, and the + girl leaned her racket upon the top of it, looking up with grave interest + at her big white-flanneled companion. + </p> + <p> + “It's Browning,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “What!” + </p> + <p> + “Don't tell my aunt that I said it”—he sank his voice to a whisper—“I + hate Browning.” + </p> + <p> + Clara Walker rippled off into such a merry peal of laughter that he forgot + the evil things which he had suffered from the poet, and burst out + laughing too. + </p> + <p> + “I can't make him out,” said he. “I try, but he is one too many. No doubt + it is very stupid of me; I don't deny it. But as long as I cannot there is + no use pretending that I can. And then of course she feels hurt, for she + is very fond of him, and likes to read him aloud in the evenings. She is + reading a piece now, 'Pippa Passes,' and I assure you, Miss Walker, that I + don't even know what the title means. You must think me a dreadful fool.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely he is not so incomprehensible as all that?” she said, as an + attempt at encouragement. + </p> + <p> + “He is very bad. There are some things, you know, which are fine. That + ride of the three Dutchmen, and Herve Riel and others, they are all right. + But there was a piece we read last week. The first line stumped my aunt, + and it takes a good deal to do that, for she rides very straight. 'Setebos + and Setebos and Setebos.' That was the line.” + </p> + <p> + “It sounds like a charm.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it is a gentleman's name. Three gentlemen, I thought, at first, but + my aunt says one. Then he goes on, 'Thinketh he dwelleth in the light of + the moon.' It was a very trying piece.” + </p> + <p> + Clara Walker laughed again. + </p> + <p> + “You must not think of leaving your aunt,” she said. “Think how lonely she + would be without you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, I have thought of that. But you must remember that my aunt is + to all intents hardly middle-aged, and a very eligible person. I don't + think that her dislike to mankind extends to individuals. She might form + new ties, and then I should be a third wheel in the coach. It was all very + well as long as I was only a boy, when her first husband was alive.” + </p> + <p> + “But, good gracious, you don't mean that Mrs. Westmacott is going to marry + again?” gasped Clara. + </p> + <p> + The young man glanced down at her with a question in his eyes. “Oh, it is + only a remote possibility, you know,” said he. “Still, of course, it + might happen, and I should like to know what I ought to turn my hand to.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could help you,” said Clara. “But I really know very little + about such things. However, I could talk to my father, who knows a very + great deal of the world.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you would. I should be so glad if you would.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I certainly will. And now I must say good-night, Mr. Westmacott, for + papa will be wondering where I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Good night, Miss Walker.” He pulled off his flannel cap, and stalked away + through the gathering darkness. + </p> + <p> + Clara had imagined that they had been the last on the lawn, but, looking + back from the steps which led up to the French windows, she saw two dark + figures moving across towards the house. As they came nearer she could + distinguish that they were Harold Denver and her sister Ida. The murmur of + their voices rose up to her ears, and then the musical little child-like + laugh which she knew so well. “I am so delighted,” she heard her sister + say. “So pleased and proud. I had no idea of it. Your words were such a + surprise and a joy to me. Oh, I am so glad.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that you, Ida?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there is Clara. I must go in, Mr. Denver. Good-night!” + </p> + <p> + There were a few whispered words, a laugh from Ida, and a “Good-night, + Miss Walker,” out of the darkness. Clara took her sister's hand, and they + passed together through the long folding window. The Doctor had gone into + his study, and the dining-room was empty. A single small red lamp upon the + sideboard was reflected tenfold by the plate about it and the mahogany + beneath it, though its single wick cast but a feeble light into the large, + dimly shadowed room. Ida danced off to the big central lamp, but Clara put + her hand upon her arm. “I rather like this quiet light,” said she. “Why + should we not have a chat?” She sat in the Doctor's large red plush chair, + and her sister cuddled down upon the footstool at her feet, glancing up at + her elder with a smile upon her lips and a mischievous gleam in her eyes. + There was a shade of anxiety in Clara's face, which cleared away as she + gazed into her sister's frank blue eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Have you anything to tell me, dear?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + Ida gave a little pout and shrug to her shoulder. “The Solicitor-General + then opened the case for the prosecution,” said she. “You are going to + cross-examine me, Clara, so don't deny it. I do wish you would have that + grey satin foulard of yours done up. With a little trimming and a new + white vest it would look as good as new, and it is really very dowdy.” + </p> + <p> + “You were quite late upon the lawn,” said the inexorable Clara. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I was rather. So were you. Have you anything to tell me?” She broke + away into her merry musical laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I was chatting with Mr. Westmacott.” + </p> + <p> + “And I was chatting with Mr. Denver. By the way, Clara, now tell me truly, + what do you think of Mr. Denver? Do you like him? Honestly now!” + </p> + <p> + “I like him very much indeed. I think that he is one of the most + gentlemanly, modest, manly young men that I have ever known. So now, dear, + have you nothing to tell me?” Clara smoothed down her sister's golden hair + with a motherly gesture, and stooped her face to catch the expected + confidence. She could wish nothing better than that Ida should be the wife + of Harold Denver, and from the words which she had overheard as they left + the lawn that evening, she could not doubt that there was some + understanding between them. + </p> + <p> + But there came no confession from Ida. Only the same mischievous smile and + amused gleam in her deep blue eyes. + </p> + <p> + “That grey foulard dress——” she began. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you little tease! Come now, I will ask you what you have just asked + me. Do you like Harold Denver?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he's a darling!” + </p> + <p> + “Ida!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you asked me. That's what I think of him. And now, you dear old + inquisitive, you will get nothing more out of me; so you must wait and not + be too curious. I'm going off to see what papa is doing.” She sprang to + her feet, threw her arms round her sister's neck, gave her a final + squeeze, and was gone. A chorus from Olivette, sung in her clear + contralto, grew fainter and fainter until it ended in the slam of a + distant door. + </p> + <p> + But Clara Walker still sat in the dim-lit room with her chin upon her + hands, and her dreamy eyes looking out into the gathering gloom. It was + the duty of her, a maiden, to play the part of a mother—to guide + another in paths which her own steps had not yet trodden. Since her mother + died not a thought had been given to herself, all was for her father and + her sister. In her own eyes she was herself very plain, and she knew that + her manner was often ungracious when she would most wish to be gracious. + She saw her face as the glass reflected it, but she did not see the + changing play of expression which gave it its charm—the infinite + pity, the sympathy, the sweet womanliness which drew towards her all who + were in doubt and in trouble, even as poor slow-moving Charles Westmacott + had been drawn to her that night. She was herself, she thought, outside + the pale of love. But it was very different with Ida, merry, little, + quick-witted, bright-faced Ida. She was born for love. It was her + inheritance. But she was young and innocent. She must not be allowed to + venture too far without help in those dangerous waters. Some understanding + there was between her and Harold Denver. In her heart of hearts Clara, + like every good woman, was a match-maker, and already she had chosen + Denver of all men as the one to whom she could most safely confide Ida. He + had talked to her more than once on the serious topics of life, on his + aspirations, on what a man could do to leave the world better for his + presence. She knew that he was a man of a noble nature, high-minded and + earnest. And yet she did not like this secrecy, this disinclination upon + the part of one so frank and honest as Ida to tell her what was passing. + She would wait, and if she got the opportunity next day she would lead + Harold Denver himself on to this topic. It was possible that she might + learn from him what her sister had refused to tell her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. A NAVAL CONQUEST. + </h2> + <p> + It was the habit of the Doctor and the Admiral to accompany each other + upon a morning ramble between breakfast and lunch. The dwellers in those + quiet tree-lined roads were accustomed to see the two figures, the long, + thin, austere seaman, and the short, bustling, tweed-clad physician, pass + and repass with such regularity that a stopped clock has been reset by + them. The Admiral took two steps to his companion's three, but the younger + man was the quicker, and both were equal to a good four and a half miles + an hour. + </p> + <p> + It was a lovely summer day which followed the events which have been + described. The sky was of the deepest blue, with a few white, fleecy + clouds drifting lazily across it, and the air was filled with the low + drone of insects or with a sudden sharper note as bee or bluefly shot past + with its quivering, long-drawn hum, like an insect tuning-fork. As the + friends topped each rise which leads up to the Crystal Palace, they could + see the dun clouds of London stretching along the northern skyline, with + spire or dome breaking through the low-lying haze. The Admiral was in high + spirits, for the morning post had brought good news to his son. + </p> + <p> + “It is wonderful, Walker,” he was saying, “positively wonderful, the way + that boy of mine has gone ahead during the last three years. We heard from + Pearson to-day. Pearson is the senior partner, you know, and my boy the + junior—Pearson and Denver the firm. Cunning old dog is Pearson, as + cute and as greedy as a Rio shark. Yet he goes off for a fortnight's + leave, and puts my boy in full charge, with all that immense business in + his hands, and a freehand to do what he likes with it. How's that for + confidence, and he only three years upon 'Change?” + </p> + <p> + “Any one would confide in him. His face is a surety,” said the Doctor. + </p> + <p> + “Go on, Walker!” The Admiral dug his elbow at him. “You know my weak side. + Still it's truth all the same. I've been blessed with a good wife and a + good son, and maybe I relish them the more for having been cut off from + them so long. I have much to be thankful for!” + </p> + <p> + “And so have I. The best two girls that ever stepped. There's Clara, who + has learned up as much medicine as would give her the L.S.A., simply in + order that she may sympathize with me in my work. But hullo, what is this + coming along?” + </p> + <p> + “All drawing and the wind astern!” cried the Admiral. “Fourteen knots if + it's one. Why, by George, it is that woman!” + </p> + <p> + A rolling cloud of yellow dust had streamed round the curve of the road, + and from the heart of it had emerged a high tandem tricycle flying along + at a breakneck pace. In front sat Mrs. Westmacott clad in a heather tweed + pea-jacket, a skirt which just{?} passed her knees and a pair of thick + gaiters of the same material. She had a great bundle of red papers under + her arm, while Charles, who sat behind her clad in Norfolk jacket and + knickerbockers, bore a similar roll protruding from either pocket. Even as + they watched, the pair eased up, the lady sprang off, impaled one of her + bills upon the garden railing of an empty house, and then jumping on to + her seat again was about to hurry onwards when her nephew drew her + attention to the two gentlemen upon the footpath. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, now, really I didn't notice you,” said she, taking a few turns of the + treadle and steering the machine across to them. “Is it not a beautiful + morning?” + </p> + <p> + “Lovely,” answered the Doctor. “You seem to be very busy.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very busy.” She pointed to the colored paper which still fluttered + from the railing. “We have been pushing our propaganda, you see. Charles + and I have been at it since seven o'clock. It is about our meeting. I wish + it to be a great success. See!” She smoothed out one of the bills, and the + Doctor read his own name in great black letters across the bottom. + </p> + <p> + “We don't forget our chairman, you see. Everybody is coming. Those two + dear little old maids opposite, the Williamses, held out for some time; + but I have their promise now. Admiral, I am sure that you wish us well.” + </p> + <p> + “Hum! I wish you no harm, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “You will come on the platform?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be—— No, I don't think I can do that.” + </p> + <p> + “To our meeting, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am; I don't go out after dinner.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, you will come. I will call in if I may, and chat it over with you + when you come home. We have not breakfasted yet. Goodbye!” There was a + whir of wheels, and the yellow cloud rolled away down the road again. By + some legerdemain the Admiral found that he was clutching in his right hand + one of the obnoxious bills. He crumpled it up, and threw it into the + roadway. + </p> + <p> + “I'll be hanged if I go, Walker,” said he, as he resumed his walk. “I've + never been hustled into doing a thing yet, whether by woman or man.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not a betting man,” answered the Doctor, “but I rather think that + the odds are in favor of your going.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral had hardly got home, and had just seated himself in his + dining-room, when the attack upon him was renewed. He was slowly and + lovingly unfolding the Times preparatory to the long read which led up to + luncheon, and had even got so far as to fasten his golden pince-nez on to + his thin, high-bridged nose, when he heard a crunching of gravel, and, + looking over the top of his paper, saw Mrs. Westmacott coming up the + garden walk. She was still dressed in the singular costume which offended + the sailor's old-fashioned notions of propriety, but he could not deny, as + he looked at her, that she was a very fine woman. In many climes he had + looked upon women of all shades and ages, but never upon a more clearcut, + handsome face, nor a more erect, supple, and womanly figure. He ceased to + glower as he gazed upon her, and the frown smoothed away from his rugged + brow. + </p> + <p> + “May I come in?” said she, framing herself in the open window, with a + background of green sward and blue sky. “I feel like an invader deep in an + enemy's country.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a very welcome invasion, ma'am,” said he, clearing his throat and + pulling at his high collar. “Try this garden chair. What is there that I + can do for you? Shall I ring and let Mrs. Denver know that you are here?” + </p> + <p> + “Pray do not trouble, Admiral. I only looked in with reference to our + little chat this morning. I wish that you would give us your powerful + support at our coming meeting for the improvement of the condition of + woman.” + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am, I can't do that.” He pursed up his lips and shook his grizzled + head. + </p> + <p> + “And why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Against my principles, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “But why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because woman has her duties and man has his. I may be old-fashioned, but + that is my view. Why, what is the world coming to? I was saying to Dr. + Walker only last night that we shall have a woman wanting to command the + Channel Fleet next.” + </p> + <p> + “That is one of the few professions which cannot be improved,” said Mrs. + Westmacott, with her sweetest smile. “Poor woman must still look to man + for protection.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like these new-fangled ideas, ma'am. I tell you honestly that I + don't. I like discipline, and I think every one is the better for it. + Women have got a great deal which they had not in the days of our fathers. + They have universities all for themselves, I am told, and there are women + doctors, I hear. Surely they should rest contented. What more can they + want?” + </p> + <p> + “You are a sailor, and sailors are always chivalrous. If you could see how + things really are, you would change your opinion. What are the poor things + to do? There are so many of them and so few things to which they can turn + their hands. Governesses? But there are hardly any situations. Music and + drawing? There is not one in fifty who has any special talent in that + direction. Medicine? It is still surrounded with difficulties for women, + and it takes many years and a small fortune to qualify. Nursing? It is + hard work ill paid, and none but the strongest can stand it. What would + you have them do then, Admiral? Sit down and starve?” + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut! It is not so bad as that.” + </p> + <p> + “The pressure is terrible. Advertise for a lady companion at ten shillings + a week, which is less than a cook's wage, and see how many answers you + get. There is no hope, no outlook, for these struggling thousands. Life is + a dull, sordid struggle, leading down to a cheerless old age. Yet when we + try to bring some little ray of hope, some chance, however distant, of + something better, we are told by chivalrous gentlemen that it is against + their principles to help.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral winced, but shook his head in dissent. + </p> + <p> + “There is banking, the law, veterinary surgery, government offices, the + civil service, all these at least should be thrown freely open to women, + if they have brains enough to compete successfully for them. Then if woman + were unsuccessful it would be her own fault, and the majority of the + population of this country could no longer complain that they live under a + different law to the minority, and that they are held down in poverty and + serfdom, with every road to independence sealed to them.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you propose to do, ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + “To set the more obvious injustices right, and so to pave the way for a + reform. Now look at that man digging in the field. I know him. He can + neither read nor write, he is steeped in whisky, and he has as much + intelligence as the potatoes that he is digging. Yet the man has a vote, + can possibly turn the scale of an election, and may help to decide the + policy of this empire. Now, to take the nearest example, here am I, a + woman who have had some education, who have traveled, and who have seen + and studied the institutions of many countries. I hold considerable + property, and I pay more in imperial taxes than that man spends in whisky, + which is saying a great deal, and yet I have no more direct influence upon + the disposal of the money which I pay than that fly which creeps along the + wall. Is that right? Is it fair?” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral moved uneasily in his chair. “Yours is an exceptional case,” + said he. + </p> + <p> + “But no woman has a voice. Consider that the women are a majority in the + nation. Yet if there was a question of legislation upon which all women + were agreed upon one side and all the men upon the other, it would appear + that the matter was settled unanimously when more than half the population + were opposed to it. Is that right?” + </p> + <p> + Again the Admiral wriggled. It was very awkward for the gallant seaman to + have a handsome woman opposite to him, bombarding him with questions to + none of which he could find an answer. “Couldn't even get the tompions out + of his guns,” as he explained the matter to the Doctor that evening. + </p> + <p> + “Now those are really the points that we shall lay stress upon at the + meeting. The free and complete opening of the professions, the final + abolition of the zenana I call it, and the franchise to all women who pay + Queen's taxes above a certain sum. Surely there is nothing unreasonable in + that. Nothing which could offend your principles. We shall have medicine, + law, and the church all rallying that night for the protection of woman. + Is the navy to be the one profession absent?” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral jumped out of his chair with an evil word in his throat. + “There, there, ma'am,” he cried. “Drop it for a time. I have heard enough. + You've turned me a point or two. I won't deny it. But let it stand at + that. I will think it over.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Admiral. We would not hurry you in your decision. But we still + hope to see you on our platform.” She rose and moved about in her lounging + masculine fashion from one picture to another, for the walls were thickly + covered with reminiscences of the Admiral's voyages. + </p> + <p> + “Hullo!” said she. “Surely this ship would have furled all her lower + canvas and reefed her topsails if she found herself on a lee shore with + the wind on her quarter.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course she would. The artist was never past Gravesend, I swear. It's + the Penelope as she was on the 14th of June, 1857, in the throat of the + Straits of Banca, with the Island of Banca on the starboard bow, and + Sumatra on the port. He painted it from description, but of course, as you + very sensibly say, all was snug below and she carried storm sails and + double-reefed topsails, for it was blowing a cyclone from the sou'east. I + compliment you, ma'am, I do indeed!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have done a little sailoring myself—as much as a woman can + aspire to, you know. This is the Bay of Funchal. What a lovely frigate!” + </p> + <p> + “Lovely, you say! Ah, she was lovely! That is the Andromeda. I was a mate + aboard of her—sub-lieutenant they call it now, though I like the old + name best.” + </p> + <p> + “What a lovely rake her masts have, and what a curve to her bows! She must + have been a clipper.” + </p> + <p> + The old sailor rubbed his hands and his eyes glistened. His old ships + bordered close upon his wife and his son in his affections. + </p> + <p> + “I know Funchal,” said the lady carelessly. “A couple of years ago I had a + seven-ton cutter-rigged yacht, the Banshee, and we ran over to Madeira + from Falmouth.” + </p> + <p> + “You ma'am, in a seven-tonner?” + </p> + <p> + “With a couple of Cornish lads for a crew. Oh, it was glorious! A + fortnight right out in the open, with no worries, no letters, no callers, + no petty thoughts, nothing but the grand works of God, the tossing sea and + the great silent sky. They talk of riding, indeed, I am fond of horses, + too, but what is there to compare with the swoop of a little craft as she + pitches down the long steep side of a wave, and then the quiver and spring + as she is tossed upwards again? Oh, if our souls could transmigrate I'd be + a seamew above all birds that fly! But I keep you, Admiral. Adieu!” + </p> + <p> + The old sailor was too transported with sympathy to say a word. He could + only shake her broad muscular hand. She was half-way down the garden path + before she heard him calling her, and saw his grizzled head and + weather-stained face looking out from behind the curtains. + </p> + <p> + “You may put me down for the platform,” he cried, and vanished abashed + behind the curtain of his Times, where his wife found him at lunch time. + </p> + <p> + “I hear that you have had quite a long chat with Mrs. Westmacott,” said + she. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and I think that she is one of the most sensible women that I ever + knew.” + </p> + <p> + “Except on the woman's rights question, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know. She had a good deal to say for herself on that also. In + fact, mother, I have taken a platform ticket for her meeting.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. AN OLD STORY. + </h2> + <p> + But this was not to be the only eventful conversation which Mrs. + Westmacott held that day, nor was the Admiral the only person in the + Wilderness who was destined to find his opinions considerably changed. Two + neighboring families, the Winslows from Anerley, and the Cumberbatches + from Gipsy Hill, had been invited to tennis by Mrs. Westmacott, and the + lawn was gay in the evening with the blazers of the young men and the + bright dresses of the girls. To the older people, sitting round in their + wicker-work garden chairs, the darting, stooping, springing white figures, + the sweep of skirts, and twinkle of canvas shoes, the click of the rackets + and sharp whiz of the balls, with the continual “fifteen love—fifteen + all!” of the marker, made up a merry and exhilarating scene. To see their + sons and daughters so flushed and healthy and happy, gave them also a + reflected glow, and it was hard to say who had most pleasure from the + game, those who played or those who watched. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Westmacott had just finished a set when she caught a glimpse of Clara + Walker sitting alone at the farther end of the ground. She ran down the + court, cleared the net to the amazement of the visitors, and seated + herself beside her. Clara's reserved and refined nature shrank somewhat + from the boisterous frankness and strange manners of the widow, and yet + her feminine instinct told her that beneath all her peculiarities there + lay much that was good and noble. She smiled up at her, therefore, and + nodded a greeting. + </p> + <p> + “Why aren't you playing, then? Don't, for goodness' sake, begin to be + languid and young ladyish! When you give up active sports you give up + youth.” + </p> + <p> + “I have played a set, Mrs. Westmacott.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right, my dear.” She sat down beside her, and tapped her upon the + arm with her tennis racket. “I like you, my dear, and I am going to call + you Clara. You are not as aggressive as I should wish, Clara, but still I + like you very much. Self-sacrifice is all very well, you know, but we have + had rather too much of it on our side, and should like to see a little on + the other. What do you think of my nephew Charles?” + </p> + <p> + The question was so sudden and unexpected that Clara gave quite a jump in + her chair. “I—I—I hardly ever have thought of your nephew + Charles.” + </p> + <p> + “No? Oh, you must think him well over, for I want to speak to you about + him.” + </p> + <p> + “To me? But why?” + </p> + <p> + “It seemed to me most delicate. You see, Clara, the matter stands in this + way. It is quite possible that I may soon find myself in a completely new + sphere of life, which will involve fresh duties and make it impossible for + me to keep up a household which Charles can share.” + </p> + <p> + Clara stared. Did this mean that she was about to marry again? What else + could it point to? + </p> + <p> + “Therefore Charles must have a household of his own. That is obvious. Now, + I don't approve of bachelor establishments. Do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Really, Mrs. Westmacott, I have never thought of the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you little sly puss! Was there ever a girl who never thought of the + matter? I think that a young man of six-and-twenty ought to be married.” + </p> + <p> + Clara felt very uncomfortable. The awful thought had come upon her that + this ambassadress had come to her as a proxy with a proposal of marriage. + But how could that be? She had not spoken more than three or four times + with her nephew, and knew nothing more of him than he had told her on the + evening before. It was impossible, then. And yet what could his aunt mean + by this discussion of his private affairs? + </p> + <p> + “Do you not think yourself,” she persisted, “that a young man of + six-and-twenty is better married?” + </p> + <p> + “I should think that he is old enough to decide for himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes. He has done so. But Charles is just a little shy, just a little + slow in expressing himself. I thought that I would pave the way for him. + Two women can arrange these things so much better. Men sometimes have a + difficulty in making themselves clear.” + </p> + <p> + “I really hardly follow you, Mrs. Westmacott,” cried Clara in despair. + </p> + <p> + “He has no profession. But he has nice tastes. He reads Browning every + night. And he is most amazingly strong. When he was younger we used to put + on the gloves together, but I cannot persuade him to now, for he says he + cannot play light enough. I should allow him five hundred, which should be + enough at first.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mrs. Westmacott,” cried Clara, “I assure you that I have not the + least idea what it is that you are talking of.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think your sister Ida would have my nephew Charles?” + </p> + <p> + Her sister Ida? Quite a little thrill of relief and of pleasure ran + through her at the thought. Ida and Charles Westmacott. She had never + thought of it. And yet they had been a good deal together. They had played + tennis. They had shared the tandem tricycle. Again came the thrill of joy, + and close at its heels the cold questionings of conscience. Why this joy? + What was the real source of it? Was it that deep down, somewhere pushed + back in the black recesses of the soul, there was the thought lurking that + if Charles prospered in his wooing then Harold Denver would still be free? + How mean, how unmaidenly, how unsisterly the thought! She crushed it down + and thrust it aside, but still it would push up its wicked little head. + She crimsoned with shame at her own baseness, as she turned once more to + her companion. + </p> + <p> + “I really do not know,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “She is not engaged?” + </p> + <p> + “Not that I know of.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak hesitatingly.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I am not sure. But he may ask. She cannot but be flattered.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. I tell him that it is the most practical compliment which a man + can pay to a woman. He is a little shy, but when he sets himself to do it + he will do it. He is very much in love with her, I assure you. These + little lively people always do attract the slow and heavy ones, which is + nature's device for the neutralizing of bores. But they are all going in. + I think if you will allow me that I will just take the opportunity to tell + him that, as far as you know, there is no positive obstacle in the way.” + </p> + <p> + “As far as I know,” Clara repeated, as the widow moved away to where the + players were grouped round the net, or sauntering slowly towards the + house. She rose to follow her, but her head was in a whirl with new + thoughts, and she sat down again. Which would be best for Ida, Harold or + Charles? She thought it over with as much solicitude as a mother who plans + for her only child. Harold had seemed to her to be in many ways the + noblest and the best young man whom she had known. If ever she was to love + a man it would be such a man as that. But she must not think of herself. + She had reason to believe that both these men loved her sister. Which + would be the best for her? But perhaps the matter was already decided. She + could not forget the scrap of conversation which she had heard the night + before, nor the secret which her sister had refused to confide to her. If + Ida would not tell her, there was but one person who could. She raised her + eyes and there was Harold Denver standing before her. + </p> + <p> + “You were lost in your thoughts,” said he, smiling. “I hope that they were + pleasant ones.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was planning,” said she, rising. “It seems rather a waste of time + as a rule, for things have a way of working themselves out just as you + least expect.” + </p> + <p> + “What were you planning, then?” + </p> + <p> + “The future.” + </p> + <p> + “Whose?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my own and Ida's.” + </p> + <p> + “And was I included in your joint futures?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope all our friends were included.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't go in,” said he, as she began to move slowly towards the house. “I + wanted to have a word. Let us stroll up and down the lawn. Perhaps you are + cold. If you are, I could bring you out a shawl.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, I am not cold.” + </p> + <p> + “I was speaking to your sister Ida last night.” She noticed that there was + a slight quiver in his voice, and, glancing up at his dark, clearcut face, + she saw that he was very grave. She felt that it was settled, that he had + come to ask her for her sister's hand. + </p> + <p> + “She is a charming girl,” said he, after a pause. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed she is,” cried Clara warmly. “And no one who has not lived with + her and known her intimately can tell how charming and good she is. She is + like a sunbeam in the house.” + </p> + <p> + “No one who was not good could be so absolutely happy as she seems to be. + Heaven's last gift, I think, is a mind so pure and a spirit so high that + it is unable even to see what is impure and evil in the world around us. + For as long as we can see it, how can we be truly happy?” + </p> + <p> + “She has a deeper side also. She does not turn it to the world, and it is + not natural that she should, for she is very young. But she thinks, and + has aspirations of her own.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot admire her more than I do. Indeed, Miss Walker, I only ask to + be brought into nearer relationship with her, and to feel that there is a + permanent bond between us.” + </p> + <p> + It had come at last. For a moment her heart was numbed within her, and + then a flood of sisterly love carried all before it. Down with that dark + thought which would still try to raise its unhallowed head! She turned to + Harold with sparkling eyes and words of pleasure upon her lips. + </p> + <p> + “I should wish to be near and dear to both of you,” said he, as he took + her hand. “I should wish Ida to be my sister, and you my wife.” + </p> + <p> + She said nothing. She only stood looking at him with parted lips and + great, dark, questioning eyes. The lawn had vanished away, the sloping + gardens, the brick villas, the darkening sky with half a pale moon + beginning to show over the chimney-tops. All was gone, and she was only + conscious of a dark, earnest, pleading face, and of a voice, far away, + disconnected from herself, the voice of a man telling a woman how he loved + her. He was unhappy, said the voice, his life was a void; there was but + one thing that could save him; he had come to the parting of the ways, + here lay happiness and honor, and all that was high and noble; there lay + the soul-killing round, the lonely life, the base pursuit of money, the + sordid, selfish aims. He needed but the hand of the woman that he loved to + lead him into the better path. And how he loved her his life would show. + He loved her for her sweetness, for her womanliness, for her strength. He + had need of her. Would she not come to him? And then of a sudden as she + listened it came home to her that the man was Harold Denver, and that she + was the woman, and that all God's work was very beautiful—the green + sward beneath her feet, the rustling leaves, the long orange slashes in + the western sky. She spoke; she scarce knew what the broken words were, + but she saw the light of joy shine out on his face, and her hand was still + in his as they wandered amid the twilight. They said no more now, but only + wandered and felt each other's presence. All was fresh around them, + familiar and yet new, tinged with the beauty of their new-found happiness. + </p> + <p> + “Did you not know it before?” he asked.</p> + +<p> “I did not dare to think it.” + </p> + <p> + “What a mask of ice I must wear! How could a man feel as I have done + without showing it? Your sister at least knew.” + </p> + <p> + “Ida!” + </p> + <p> + “It was last night. She began to praise you, I said what I felt, and then + in an instant it was all out.” + </p> + <p> + “But what could you—what could you see in me? Oh, I do pray that you + may not repent it!” The gentle heart was ruffled amid its joy by the + thought of its own unworthiness. + </p> + <p> + “Repent it! I feel that I am a saved man. You do not know how degrading + this city life is, how debasing, and yet how absorbing. Money for ever + clinks in your ear. You can think of nothing else. From the bottom of my + heart I hate it, and yet how can I draw back without bringing grief to my + dear old father? There was but one way in which I could defy the taint, + and that was by having a home influence so pure and so high that it may + brace me up against all that draws me down. I have felt that influence + already. I know that when I am talking to you I am a better man. It is you + who must go with me through life, or I must walk for ever alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Harold, I am so happy!” Still they wandered amid the darkening + shadows, while one by one the stars peeped out in the blue black sky above + them. At last a chill night wind blew up from the east, and brought them + back to the realities of life. + </p> + <p> + “You must go in. You will be cold.” + </p> + <p> + “My father will wonder where I am. Shall I say anything to him?” + </p> + <p> + “If you like, my darling. Or I will in the morning. I must tell my mother + to-night. I know how delighted she will be.” + </p> + <p> + “I do hope so.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me take you up the garden path. It is so dark. Your lamp is not lit + yet. There is the window. Till to-morrow, then, dearest.” + </p> + <p> + “Till to-morrow, Harold.” + </p> + <p> + “My own darling!” He stooped, and their lips met for the first time. Then, + as she pushed open the folding windows she heard his quick, firm step as + it passed down the graveled path. A lamp was lit as she entered the room, + and there was Ida, dancing about like a mischievous little fairy in front + of her. + </p> + <p> + “And have you anything to tell me?” she asked, with a solemn face. Then, + suddenly throwing her arms round her sister's neck, “Oh, you dear, dear + old Clara! I am so pleased. I am so pleased.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. VENIT TANDEM FELICITAS. + </h2> + <p> + It was just three days after the Doctor and the Admiral had congratulated + each other upon the closer tie which was to unite their two families, and + to turn their friendship into something even dearer and more intimate, + that Miss Ida Walker received a letter which caused her some surprise and + considerable amusement. It was dated from next door, and was handed in by + the red-headed page after breakfast. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Miss Ida,” began this curious document, and then relapsed suddenly + into the third person. “Mr. Charles Westmacott hopes that he may have the + extreme pleasure of a ride with Miss Ida Walker upon his tandem tricycle. + Mr. Charles Westmacott will bring it round in half an hour. You in front. + Yours very truly, Charles Westmacott.” The whole was written in a large, + loose-jointed, and school-boyish hand, very thin on the up strokes and + thick on the down, as though care and pains had gone to the fashioning of + it. + </p> + <p> + Strange as was the form, the meaning was clear enough; so Ida hastened to + her room, and had hardly slipped on her light grey cycling dress when she + saw the tandem with its large occupant at the door. He handed her up to + her saddle with a more solemn and thoughtful face than was usual with him, + and a few moments later they were flying along the beautiful, smooth + suburban roads in the direction of Forest Hill. The great limbs of the + athlete made the heavy machine spring and quiver with every stroke; while + the mignon grey figure with the laughing face, and the golden curls + blowing from under the little pink-banded straw hat, simply held firmly to + her perch, and let the treadles whirl round beneath her feet. Mile after + mile they flew, the wind beating in her face, the trees dancing past in + two long ranks on either side, until they had passed round Croydon and + were approaching Norwood once more from the further side. + </p> + <p> + “Aren't you tired?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder and turning + towards him a little pink ear, a fluffy golden curl, and one blue eye + twinkling from the very corner of its lid. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit. I am just getting my swing.” + </p> + <p> + “Isn't it wonderful to be strong? You always remind me of a steamengine.” + </p> + <p> + “Why a steamengine?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, because it is so powerful, and reliable, and unreasoning. Well, I + didn't mean that last, you know, but—but—you know what I mean. + What is the matter with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because you have something on your mind. You have not laughed once.” + </p> + <p> + He broke into a gruesome laugh. “I am quite jolly,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, you are not. And why did you write me such a dreadfully stiff + letter?” + </p> + <p> + “There now,” he cried, “I was sure it was stiff. I said it was absurdly + stiff.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why write it?” + </p> + <p> + “It wasn't my own composition.” + </p> + <p> + “Whose then? Your aunt's?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no. It was a person of the name of Slattery.” + </p> + <p> + “Goodness! Who is he?” + </p> + <p> + “I knew it would come out, I felt that it would. You've heard of Slattery + the author?” + </p> + <p> + “Never.” + </p> + <p> + “He is wonderful at expressing himself. He wrote a book called 'The Secret + Solved; or, Letter-writing Made Easy.' It gives you models of all sorts of + letters.” + </p> + <p> + Ida burst out laughing. “So you actually copied one.” + </p> + <p> + “It was to invite a young lady to a picnic, but I set to work and soon got + it changed so that it would do very well. Slattery seems never to have + asked any one to ride a tandem. But when I had written it, it seemed so + dreadfully stiff that I had to put a little beginning and end of my own, + which seemed to brighten it up a good deal.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought there was something funny about the beginning and end.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you? Fancy your noticing the difference in style. How quick you are! + I am very slow at things like that. I ought to have been a woodman, or + game-keeper, or something. I was made on those lines. But I have found + something now.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Ranching. I have a chum in Texas, and he says it is a rare life. I am to + buy a share in his business. It is all in the open air—shooting, and + riding, and sport. Would it—would it inconvenience you much, Ida, to + come out there with me?” + </p> + <p> + Ida nearly fell off her perch in her amazement. The only words of which + she could think were “My goodness me!” so she said them. + </p> + <p> + “If it would not upset your plans, or change your arrangements in any + way.” He had slowed down and let go of the steering handle, so that the + great machine crawled aimlessly about from one side of the road to the + other. “I know very well that I am not clever or anything of that sort, + but still I would do all I can to make you very happy. Don't you think + that in time you might come to like me a little bit?” + </p> + <p> + Ida gave a cry of fright. “I won't like you if you run me against a brick + wall,” she said, as the machine rasped up against the curb, “Do attend to + the steering.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will. But tell me, Ida, whether you will come with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know. It's too absurd! How can we talk about such things when + I cannot see you? You speak to the nape of my neck, and then I have to + twist my head round to answer.” + </p> + <p> + “I know. That was why I put 'You in front' upon my letter. I thought that + it would make it easier. But if you would prefer it I will stop the + machine, and then you can sit round and talk about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious!” cried Ida. “Fancy our sitting face to face on a + motionless tricycle in the middle of the road, and all the people looking + out of their windows at us!” + </p> + <p> + “It would look rather funny, wouldn't it? Well, then, suppose that we both + get off and push the tandem along in front of us?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, this is better than that.” + </p> + <p> + “Or I could carry the thing.” + </p> + <p> + Ida burst out laughing. “That would be more absurd still.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we will go quietly, and I will look out for the steering. I won't + talk about it at all if you would rather not. But I really do love you + very much, and you would make me happy if you came to Texas with me, and I + think that perhaps after a time I could make you happy too.” + </p> + <p> + “But your aunt?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, she would like it very much. I can understand that your father might + not like to lose you. I'm sure I wouldn't either, if I were he. But after + all, America is not very far off nowadays, and is not so very wild. We + would take a grand piano, and—and—a copy of Browning. And + Denver and his wife would come over to see us. We should be quite a family + party. It would be jolly.” + </p> + <p> + Ida sat listening to the stumbling words and awkward phrases which were + whispered from the back of her, but there was something in Charles + Westmacott's clumsiness of speech which was more moving than the words of + the most eloquent of pleaders. He paused, he stammered, he caught his + breath between the words, and he blurted out in little blunt phrases all + the hopes of his heart. If love had not come to her yet, there was at + least pity and sympathy, which are nearly akin to it. Wonder there was + also that one so weak and frail as she should shake this strong man so, + should have the whole course of his life waiting for her decision. Her + left hand was on the cushion at her side. He leaned forward and took it + gently in his own. She did not try to draw it back from him. + </p> + <p> + “May I have it,” said he, “for life?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do attend to your steering,” said she, smiling round at him; “and + don't say any more about this to-day. Please don't!” + </p> + <p> + “When shall I know, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, to-night, to-morrow, I don't know. I must ask Clara. Talk about + something else.” + </p> + <p> + And they did talk about something else; but her left hand was still + enclosed in his, and he knew, without asking again, that all was well. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. SHADOWS BEFORE. + </h2> + <p> + Mrs. Westmacott's great meeting for the enfranchisement of woman had + passed over, and it had been a triumphant success. All the maids and + matrons of the southern suburbs had rallied at her summons, there was an + influential platform with Dr. Balthazar Walker in the chair, and Admiral + Hay Denver among his more prominent supporters. One benighted male had + come in from the outside darkness and had jeered from the further end of + the hall, but he had been called to order by the chair, petrified by + indignant glances from the unenfranchised around him, and finally escorted + to the door by Charles Westmacott. Fiery resolutions were passed, to be + forwarded to a large number of leading statesmen, and the meeting broke up + with the conviction that a shrewd blow had been struck for the cause of + woman. + </p> + <p> + But there was one woman at least to whom the meeting and all that was + connected with it had brought anything but pleasure. Clara Walker watched + with a heavy heart the friendship and close intimacy which had sprung up + between her father and the widow. From week to week it had increased until + no day ever passed without their being together. The coming meeting had + been the excuse for these continual interviews, but now the meeting was + over, and still the Doctor would refer every point which rose to the + judgment of his neighbor. He would talk, too, to his two daughters of her + strength of character, her decisive mind, and of the necessity of their + cultivating her acquaintance and following her example, until at last it + had become his most common topic of conversation. + </p> + <p> + All this might have passed as merely the natural pleasure which an elderly + man might take in the society of an intelligent and handsome woman, but + there were other points which seemed to Clara to give it a deeper meaning. + She could not forget that when Charles Westmacott had spoken to her one + night he had alluded to the possibility of his aunt marrying again. He + must have known or noticed something before he would speak upon such a + subject. And then again Mrs. Westmacott had herself said that she hoped to + change her style of living shortly and take over completely new duties. + What could that mean except that she expected to marry? And whom? She + seemed to see few friends outside their own little circle. She must have + alluded to her father. It was a hateful thought, and yet it must be faced. + </p> + <p> + One evening the Doctor had been rather late at his neighbor's. He used to + go into the Admiral's after dinner, but now he turned more frequently in + the other direction. When he returned Clara was sitting alone in the + drawing-room reading a magazine. She sprang up as he entered, pushed + forward his chair, and ran to fetch his slippers. + </p> + <p> + “You are looking a little pale, dear,” he remarked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, papa, I am very well.” + </p> + <p> + “All well with Harold?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. His partner, Mr. Pearson, is still away, and he is doing all the + work.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done. He is sure to succeed. Where is Ida?” + </p> + <p> + “In her room, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “She was with Charles Westmacott on the lawn not very long ago. He seems + very fond of her. He is not very bright, but I think he will make her a + good husband.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure of it, papa. He is very manly and reliable.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I should think that he is not the sort of man who goes wrong. There + is nothing hidden about him. As to his brightness, it really does not + matter, for his aunt, Mrs. Westmacott, is very rich, much richer than you + would think from her style of living, and she has made him a handsome + provision.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad of that.” + </p> + <p> + “It is between ourselves. I am her trustee, and so I know something of her + arrangements. And when are you going to marry, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, papa, not for some time yet. We have not thought of a date.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, really, I don't know that there is any reason for delay. He has a + competence and it increases yearly. As long as you are quite certain that + your mind is made up——” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, papa!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, I really do not know why there should be any delay. And Ida, + too, must be married within the next few months. Now, what I want to know + is what I am to do when my two little companions run away from me.” He + spoke lightly, but his eyes were grave as he looked questioningly at his + daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Dear papa, you shall not be alone. It will be years before Harold and I + think of marrying, and when we do you must come and live with us.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, dear. I know that you mean what you say, but I have seen + something of the world, and I know that such arrangements never answer. + There cannot be two masters in a house, and yet at my age my freedom is + very necessary to me.” + </p> + <p> + “But you would be completely free.” + </p> + <p> + “No, dear, you cannot be that if you are a guest in another man's house. + Can you suggest no other alternative?” + </p> + <p> + “That we remain with you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no. That is out of the question. Mrs. Westmacott herself says that a + woman's first duty is to marry. Marriage, however, should be an equal + partnership, as she points out. I should wish you both to marry, but still + I should like a suggestion from you, Clara, as to what I should do.” + </p> + <p> + “But there is no hurry, papa. Let us wait. I do not intend to marry yet.” + </p> + <p> + Doctor Walker looked disappointed. “Well, Clara, if you can suggest + nothing, I suppose that I must take the initiative myself,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Then what do you propose, papa?” She braced herself as one who sees the + blow which is about to fall. + </p> + <p> + He looked at her and hesitated. “How like your poor dear mother you are, + Clara!” he cried. “As I looked at you then it was as if she had come back + from the grave.” He stooped towards her and kissed her. “There, run away + to your sister, my dear, and do not trouble yourself about me. Nothing is + settled yet, but you will find that all will come right.” + </p> + <p> + Clara went upstairs sad at heart, for she was sure now that what she had + feared was indeed about to come to pass, and that her father was going to + take Mrs. Westmacott to be his wife. In her pure and earnest mind her + mother's memory was enshrined as that of a saint, and the thought that any + one should take her place seemed a terrible desecration. Even worse, + however, did this marriage appear when looked at from the point of view of + her father's future. The widow might fascinate him by her knowledge of the + world, her dash, her strength, her unconventionality—all these + qualities Clara was willing to allow her—but she was convinced that + she would be unendurable as a life companion. She had come to an age when + habits are not lightly to be changed, nor was she a woman who was at all + likely to attempt to change them. How would a sensitive man like her + father stand the constant strain of such a wife, a woman who was all + decision, with no softness, and nothing soothing in her nature? It passed + as a mere eccentricity when they heard of her stout drinking, her + cigarette smoking, her occasional whiffs at a long clay pipe, her + horsewhipping of a drunken servant, and her companionship with the snake + Eliza, whom she was in the habit of bearing about in her pocket. All this + would become unendurable to her father when his first infatuation was + past. For his own sake, then, as well as for her mother's memory, this + match must be prevented. And yet how powerless she was to prevent it! What + could she do? Could Harold aid her? Perhaps. Or Ida? At least she would + tell her sister and see what she could suggest. + </p> + <p> + Ida was in her boudoir, a tiny little tapestried room, as neat and dainty + as herself, with low walls hung with Imari plaques and with pretty little + Swiss brackets bearing blue Kaga ware, or the pure white Coalport china. + In a low chair beneath a red shaded standing lamp sat Ida, in a diaphanous + evening dress of mousseline de soie, the ruddy light tinging her sweet + childlike face, and glowing on her golden curls. She sprang up as her + sister entered, and threw her arms around her. + </p> + <p> + “Dear old Clara! Come and sit down here beside me. I have not had a chat + for days. But, oh, what a troubled face! What is it then?” She put up her + forefinger and smoothed her sister's brow with it. + </p> + <p> + Clara pulled up a stool, and sitting down beside her sister, passed her + arm round her waist. “I am so sorry to trouble you, dear Ida,” she said. + “But I do not know what to do. + </p> + <p> + “There's nothing the matter with Harold?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, Ida.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor with my Charles?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no.” + </p> + <p> + Ida gave a sigh of relief. “You quite frightened me, dear,” said she. “You + can't think how solemn you look. What is it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe that papa intends to ask Mrs. Westmacott to marry him.” + </p> + <p> + Ida burst out laughing. “What can have put such a notion into your head, + Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “It is only too true, Ida. I suspected it before, and he himself almost + told me as much with his own lips to-night. I don't think that it is a + laughing matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Really, I could not help it. If you had told me that those two dear old + ladies opposite, the Misses Williams, were both engaged, you would not + have surprised me more. It is really too funny.” + </p> + <p> + “Funny, Ida! Think of any one taking the place of dear mother.” + </p> + <p> + But her sister was of a more practical and less sentimental nature. “I am + sure,” said she, “that dear mother would like papa to do whatever would + make him most happy. We shall both be away, and why should papa not please + himself?” + </p> + <p> + “But think how unhappy he will be. You know how quiet he is in his ways, + and how even a little thing will upset him. How could he live with a wife + who would make his whole life a series of surprises? Fancy what a + whirlwind she must be in a house. A man at his age cannot change his ways. + I am sure he would be miserable.” + </p> + <p> + Ida's face grew graver, and she pondered over the matter for a few + minutes. “I really think that you are right as usual,” said she at last. + “I admire Charlie's aunt very much, you know, and I think that she is a + very useful and good person, but I don't think she would do as a wife for + poor quiet papa.” + </p> + <p> + “But he will certainly ask her, and I really think that she intends to + accept him. Then it would be too late to interfere. We have only a few + days at the most. And what can we do? How can we hope to make him change + his mind?” + </p> + <p> + Again Ida pondered. “He has never tried what it is to live with a + strong-minded woman,” said she. “If we could only get him to realize it in + time. Oh, Clara, I have it; I have it! Such a lovely plan!” She leaned + back in her chair and burst into a fit of laughter so natural and so + hearty that Clara had to forget her troubles and to join in it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it is beautiful!” she gasped at last. “Poor papa! What a time he will + have! But it's all for his own good, as he used to say when we had to be + punished when we were little. Oh, Clara, I do hope your heart won't fail + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I would do anything to save him, dear.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it. You must steel yourself by that thought.” + </p> + <p> + “But what is your plan?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am so proud of it. We will tire him for ever of the widow, and of + all emancipated women. Let me see, what are Mrs. Westmacott's main ideas? + You have listened to her more than I. Women should attend less to + household duties. That is one, is it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if they feel they have capabilities for higher things. Then she + thinks that every woman who has leisure should take up the study of some + branch of science, and that, as far as possible, every woman should + qualify herself for some trade or profession, choosing for preference + those which have been hitherto monopolized by men. To enter the others + would only be to intensify the present competition.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. That is glorious!” Her blue eyes were dancing with mischief, + and she clapped her hands in her delight. “What else? She thinks that + whatever a man can do a woman should be allowed to do also—does she + not?” + </p> + <p> + “She says so.” + </p> + <p> + “And about dress? The short skirt, and the divided skirt are what she + believes in?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “We must get in some cloth.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “We must make ourselves a dress each. A brand-new, enfranchised, + emancipated dress, dear. Don't you see my plan? We shall act up to all + Mrs. Westmacott's views in every respect, and improve them when we can. + Then papa will know what it is to live with a woman who claims all her + rights. Oh, Clara, it will be splendid.” + </p> + <p> + Her milder sister sat speechless before so daring a scheme. “But it would + be wrong, Ida!” she cried at last. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit. It is to save him.” + </p> + <p> + “I should not dare.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, you would. Harold will help. Besides, what other plan have you?” + </p> + <p> + “I have none.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you must take mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Perhaps you are right. Well, we do it for a good motive.” + </p> + <p> + “You will do it?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not see any other way.” + </p> + <p> + “You dear good Clara! Now I will show you what you are to do. We must not + begin too suddenly. It might excite suspicion.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you do, then?” + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow we must go to Mrs. Westmacott, and sit at her feet and learn + all her views.” + </p> + <p> + “What hypocrites we shall feel!” + </p> + <p> + “We shall be her newest and most enthusiastic converts. Oh, it will be + such fun, Clara! Then we shall make our plans and send for what we want, + and begin our new life.” + </p> + <p> + “I do hope that we shall not have to keep it up long. It seems so cruel to + dear papa.” + </p> + <p> + “Cruel! To save him!” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I was sure that we were doing right. And yet what else can we do? + Well, then, Ida, the die is cast, and we will call upon Mrs. Westmacott + tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. A FAMILY PLOT. + </h2> + <p> + Little did poor Doctor Walker imagine as he sat at his breakfast-table + next morning that the two sweet girls who sat on either side of him were + deep in a conspiracy, and that he, munching innocently at his muffins, was + the victim against whom their wiles were planned. Patiently they waited + until at last their opening came. + </p> + <p> + “It is a beautiful day,” he remarked. “It will do for Mrs. Westmacott. She + was thinking of having a spin upon the tricycle.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we must call early. We both intended to see her after breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, indeed!” The Doctor looked pleased. + </p> + <p> + “You know, pa,” said Ida, “it seems to us that we really have a very great + advantage in having Mrs. Westmacott living so near.” + </p> + <p> + “Why so, dear?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, because she is so advanced, you know. If we only study her ways we + may advance ourselves also.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I have heard you say, papa,” Clara remarked, “that she is the + type of the woman of the future.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very pleased to hear you speak so sensibly, my dears. I certainly + think that she is a woman whom you may very well take as your model. The + more intimate you are with her the better pleased I shall be.” + </p> + <p> + “Then that is settled,” said Clara demurely, and the talk drifted to other + matters. + </p> + <p> + All the morning the two girls sat extracting from Mrs. Westmacott her most + extreme view as to the duty of the one sex and the tyranny of the other. + Absolute equality, even in details, was her ideal. Enough of the parrot + cry of unwomanly and unmaidenly. It had been invented by man to scare + woman away when she poached too nearly upon his precious preserves. Every + woman should be independent. Every woman should learn a trade. It was + their duty to push in where they were least welcome. Then they were + martyrs to the cause, and pioneers to their weaker sisters. Why should the + wash-tub, the needle, and the housekeeper's book be eternally theirs? + Might they not reach higher, to the consulting-room, to the bench, and + even to the pulpit? Mrs. Westmacott sacrificed her tricycle ride in her + eagerness over her pet subject, and her two fair disciples drank in every + word, and noted every suggestion for future use. That afternoon they went + shopping in London, and before evening strange packages began to be handed + in at the Doctor's door. The plot was ripe for execution, and one of the + conspirators was merry and jubilant, while the other was very nervous and + troubled. + </p> + <p> + When the Doctor came down to the dining-room next morning, he was + surprised to find that his daughters had already been up some time. Ida + was installed at one end of the table with a spirit-lamp, a curved glass + flask, and several bottles in front of her. The contents of the flask were + boiling furiously, while a villainous smell filled the room. Clara lounged + in an arm-chair with her feet upon a second one, a blue-covered book in + her hand, and a huge map of the British Islands spread across her lap. + “Hullo!” cried the Doctor, blinking and sniffing, “where's the breakfast?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, didn't you order it?” asked Ida. + </p> + <p> + “I! No; why should I?” He rang the bell. “Why have you not laid the + breakfast, Jane?” + </p> + <p> + “If you please, sir, Miss Ida was a workin' at the table.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course, Jane,” said the young lady calmly. “I am so sorry. I shall + be ready to move in a few minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “But what on earth are you doing, Ida?” asked the Doctor. “The smell is + most offensive. And, good gracious, look at the mess which you have made + upon the cloth! Why, you have burned a hole right through.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is the acid,” Ida answered contentedly. “Mrs. Westmacott said + that it would burn holes.” + </p> + <p> + “You might have taken her word for it without trying,” said her father + dryly. + </p> + <p> + “But look here, pa! See what the book says: 'The scientific mind takes + nothing upon trust. Prove all things!' I have proved that.” + </p> + <p> + “You certainly have. Well, until breakfast is ready I'll glance over the + Times. Have you seen it?” + </p> + <p> + “The Times? Oh, dear me, this is it which I have under my spirit-lamp. I + am afraid there is some acid upon that too, and it is rather damp and + torn. Here it is.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor took the bedraggled paper with a rueful face. “Everything seems + to be wrong to-day,” he remarked. “What is this sudden enthusiasm about + chemistry, Ida?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am trying to live up to Mrs. Westmacott's teaching.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right! quite right!” said he, though perhaps with less heartiness + than he had shown the day before. “Ah, here is breakfast at last!” + </p> + <p> + But nothing was comfortable that morning. There were eggs without + egg-spoons, toast which was leathery from being kept, dried-up rashers, + and grounds in the coffee. Above all, there was that dreadful smell which + pervaded everything and gave a horrible twang to every mouthful. + </p> + <p> + “I don't wish to put a damper upon your studies, Ida,” said the Doctor, as + he pushed back his chair. “But I do think it would be better if you did + your chemical experiments a little later in the day.” + </p> + <p> + “But Mrs. Westmacott says that women should rise early, and do their work + before breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + “Then they should choose some other room besides the breakfast-room.” The + Doctor was becoming just a little ruffled. A turn in the open air would + soothe him, he thought. “Where are my boots?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + But they were not in their accustomed corner by his chair. Up and down he + searched, while the three servants took up the quest, stooping and peeping + under book-cases and drawers. Ida had returned to her studies, and Clara + to her blue-covered volume, sitting absorbed and disinterested amid the + bustle and the racket. At last a general buzz of congratulation announced + that the cook had discovered the boots hung up among the hats in the hall. + The Doctor, very red and flustered, drew them on, and stamped off to join + the Admiral in his morning walk. + </p> + <p> + As the door slammed Ida burst into a shout of laughter. “You see, Clara,” + she cried, “the charm works already. He has gone to number one instead of + to number three. Oh, we shall win a great victory. You've been very good, + dear; I could see that you were on thorns to help him when he was looking + for his boots.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor papa! It is so cruel. And yet what are we to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he will enjoy being comfortable all the more if we give him a little + discomfort now. What horrible work this chemistry is! Look at my frock! It + is ruined. And this dreadful smell!” She threw open the window, and thrust + her little golden-curled head out of it. Charles Westmacott was hoeing at + the other side of the garden fence. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, sir,” said Ida. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning!” The big man leaned upon his hoe and looked up at her. + </p> + <p> + “Have you any cigarettes, Charles?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “Throw me up two.” + </p> + <p> + “Here is my case. Can you catch!” + </p> + <p> + A seal-skin case came with a soft thud on to the floor. Ida opened it. It + was full. + </p> + <p> + “What are these?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Egyptians.” + </p> + <p> + “What are some other brands?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Richmond Gems, and Turkish, and Cambridge. But why?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind!” She nodded to him and closed the window. “We must remember + all those, Clara,” said she. “We must learn to talk about such things. + Mrs. Westmacott knows all about the brands of cigarettes. Has your rum + come?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear. It is here.” + </p> + <p> + “And I have my stout. Come along up to my room now. This smell is too + abominable. But we must be ready for him when he comes back. If we sit at + the window we shall see him coming down the road.” + </p> + <p> + The fresh morning air, and the genial company of the Admiral had caused + the Doctor to forget his troubles, and he came back about midday in an + excellent humor. As he opened the hall door the vile smell of chemicals + which had spoilt his breakfast met him with a redoubled virulence. He + threw open the hall window, entered the dining-room, and stood aghast at + the sight which met his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Ida was still sitting among her bottles, with a lit cigarette in her left + hand and a glass of stout on the table beside her. Clara, with another + cigarette, was lounging in the easy chair with several maps spread out + upon the floor around. Her feet were stuck up on the coal scuttle, and she + had a tumblerful of some reddish-brown composition on the smoking table + close at her elbow. The Doctor gazed from one to the other of them through + the thin grey haze of smoke, but his eyes rested finally in a settled + stare of astonishment upon his elder and more serious daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Clara!” he gasped, “I could not have believed it!” + </p> + <p> + “What is it, papa?” + </p> + <p> + “You are smoking!” + </p> + <p> + “Trying to, papa. I find it a little difficult, for I have not been used + to it.” + </p> + <p> + “But why, in the name of goodness—” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Westmacott recommends it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, a lady of mature years may do many things which a young girl must + avoid.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” cried Ida, “Mrs. Westmacott says that there should be one law + for all. Have a cigarette, pa?” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you. I never smoke in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “No? Perhaps you don't care for the brand. What are these, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “Egyptians.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, we must have some Richmond Gems or Turkish. I wish, pa, when you go + into town, you would get me some Turkish.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do nothing of the kind. I do not at all think that it is a fitting + habit for young ladies. I do not agree with Mrs. Westmacott upon the + point.” + </p> + <p> + “Really, pa! It was you who advised us to imitate her.” + </p> + <p> + “But with discrimination. What is it that you are drinking, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “Rum, papa.” + </p> + <p> + “Rum? In the morning?” He sat down and rubbed his eyes as one who tries to + shake off some evil dream. “Did you say rum?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, pa. They all drink it in the profession which I am going to take + up.” + </p> + <p> + “Profession, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Westmacott says that every woman should follow a calling, and that + we ought to choose those which women have always avoided.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am going to act upon her advice. I am going to be a pilot.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Clara! A pilot! This is too much.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a beautiful book, papa. 'The Lights, Beacons, Buoys, Channels, + and Landmarks of Great Britain.' Here is another, 'The Master Mariner's + Handbook.' You can't imagine how interesting it is.” + </p> + <p> + “You are joking, Clara. You must be joking!” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all, pa. You can't think what a lot I have learned already. I'm to + carry a green light to starboard and a red to port, with a white light at + the mast-head, and a flare-up every fifteen minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, won't it look pretty at night!” cried her sister. + </p> + <p> + “And I know the fog-signals. One blast means that a ship steers to + starboard, two to port, three astern, four that it is unmanageable. But + this man asks such dreadful questions at the end of each chapter. Listen + to this: 'You see a red light. The ship is on the port tack and the wind + at north; what course is that ship steering to a point?'” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor rose with a gesture of despair. “I can't imagine what has come + over you both,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “My dear papa, we are trying hard to live up to Mrs. Westmacott's + standard.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I must say that I do not admire the result. Your chemistry, Ida, + may perhaps do no harm; but your scheme, Clara, is out of the question. + How a girl of your sense could ever entertain such a notion is more than I + can imagine. But I must absolutely forbid you to go further with it.” + </p> + <p> + “But, pa,” asked Ida, with an air of innocent inquiry in her big blue + eyes, “what are we to do when your commands and Mrs. Westmacott's advice + are opposed? You told us to obey her. She says that when women try to + throw off their shackles, their fathers, brothers and husbands are the + very first to try to rivet them on again, and that in such a matter no man + has any authority.” + </p> + <p> + “Does Mrs. Westmacott teach you that I am not the head of my own house?” + The Doctor flushed, and his grizzled hair bristled in his anger. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. She says that all heads of houses are relics of the dark + ages.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor muttered something and stamped his foot upon the carpet. Then + without a word he passed out into the garden and his daughters could see + him striding furiously up and down, cutting off the heads of the flowers + with a switch. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you darling! You played your part so splendidly!” cried Ida. + </p> + <p> + “But how cruel it is! When I saw the sorrow and surprise in his eyes I + very nearly put my arms about him and told him all. Don't you think we + have done enough?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no. Not nearly enough. You must not turn weak now, Clara. It is + so funny that I should be leading you. It is quite a new experience. But I + know I am right. If we go on as we are doing, we shall be able to say all + our lives that we have saved him. And if we don't, oh, Clara, we should + never forgive ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. WOMEN OF THE FUTURE. + </h2> + <p> + From that day the Doctor's peace was gone. Never was a quiet and orderly + household transformed so suddenly into a bear garden, or a happy man + turned into such a completely miserable one. He had never realized before + how entirely his daughters had shielded him from all the friction of life. + Now that they had not only ceased to protect him, but had themselves + become a source of trouble to him, he began to understand how great the + blessing was which he had enjoyed, and to sigh for the happy days before + his girls had come under the influence of his neighbor. + </p> + <p> + “You don't look happy,” Mrs. Westmacott had remarked to him one morning. + “You are pale and a little off color. You should come with me for a ten + mile spin upon the tandem.” + </p> + <p> + “I am troubled about my girls.” They were walking up and down in the + garden. From time to time there sounded from the house behind them the + long, sad wail of a French horn. + </p> + <p> + “That is Ida,” said he. “She has taken to practicing on that dreadful + instrument in the intervals of her chemistry. And Clara is quite as bad. I + declare it is getting quite unendurable.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Doctor, Doctor!” she cried, shaking her forefinger, with a gleam of + her white teeth. “You must live up to your principles—you must give + your daughters the same liberty as you advocate for other women.” + </p> + <p> + “Liberty, madam, certainly! But this approaches to license.” + </p> + <p> + “The same law for all, my friend.” She tapped him reprovingly on the arm + with her sunshade. “When you were twenty your father did not, I presume, + object to your learning chemistry or playing a musical instrument. You + would have thought it tyranny if he had.” + </p> + <p> + “But there is such a sudden change in them both.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have noticed that they have been very enthusiastic lately in the + cause of liberty. Of all my disciples I think that they promise to be the + most devoted and consistent, which is the more natural since their father + is one of our most trusted champions.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor gave a twitch of impatience. “I seem to have lost all + authority,” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, my dear friend. They are a little exuberant at having broken the + trammels of custom. That is all.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot think what I have had to put up with, madam. It has been a + dreadful experience. Last night, after I had extinguished the candle in my + bedroom, I placed my foot upon something smooth and hard, which scuttled + from under me. Imagine my horror! I lit the gas, and came upon a + well-grown tortoise which Clara has thought fit to introduce into the + house. I call it a filthy custom to have such pets.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Westmacott dropped him a little courtesy. “Thank you, sir,” said she. + “That is a nice little side hit at my poor Eliza.” + </p> + <p> + “I give you my word that I had forgotten about her,” cried the Doctor, + flushing. “One such pet may no doubt be endured, but two are more than I + can bear. Ida has a monkey which lives on the curtain rod. It is a most + dreadful creature. It will remain absolutely motionless until it sees that + you have forgotten its presence, and then it will suddenly bound from + picture to picture all round the walls, and end by swinging down on the + bell-rope and jumping on to the top of your head. At breakfast it stole a + poached egg and daubed it all over the door handle. Ida calls these + outrages amusing tricks.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, all will come right,” said the widow reassuringly. + </p> + <p> + “And Clara is as bad, Clara who used to be so good and sweet, the very + image of her poor mother. She insists upon this preposterous scheme of + being a pilot, and will talk of nothing but revolving lights and hidden + rocks, and codes of signals, and nonsense of the kind.” + </p> + <p> + “But why preposterous?” asked his companion. “What nobler occupation can + there be than that of stimulating commerce, and aiding the mariner to + steer safely into port? I should think your daughter admirably adapted for + such duties.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I must beg to differ from you, madam.” + </p> + <p> + “Still, you are inconsistent.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, madam, I do not see the matter in the same light. And I should + be obliged to you if you would use your influence with my daughter to + dissuade her.” + </p> + <p> + “You wish to make me inconsistent too.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you refuse?” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that I cannot interfere.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor was very angry. “Very well, madam,” said he. “In that case I + can only say that I have the honor to wish you a very good morning.” He + raised his broad straw hat and strode away up the gravel path, while the + widow looked after him with twinkling eyes. She was surprised herself to + find that she liked the Doctor better the more masculine and aggressive he + became. It was unreasonable and against all principle, and yet so it was + and no argument could mend the matter. + </p> + <p> + Very hot and angry, the Doctor retired into his room and sat down to read + his paper. Ida had retired, and the distant wails of the bugle showed that + she was upstairs in her boudoir. Clara sat opposite to him with her + exasperating charts and her blue book. The Doctor glanced at her and his + eyes remained fixed in astonishment upon the front of her skirt. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Clara,” he cried, “you have torn your skirt!” + </p> + <p> + His daughter laughed and smoothed out her frock. To his horror he saw the + red plush of the chair where the dress ought to have been. “It is all + torn!” he cried. “What have you done?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear papa!” said she, “what do you know about the mysteries of ladies' + dress? This is a divided skirt.” + </p> + <p> + Then he saw that it was indeed so arranged, and that his daughter was clad + in a sort of loose, extremely long knickerbockers. + </p> + <p> + “It will be so convenient for my sea-boots,” she explained. + </p> + <p> + Her father shook his head sadly. “Your dear mother would not have liked + it, Clara,” said he. + </p> + <p> + For a moment the conspiracy was upon the point of collapsing. There was + something in the gentleness of his rebuke, and in his appeal to her + mother, which brought the tears to her eyes, and in another instant she + would have been kneeling beside him with everything confessed, when the + door flew open and her sister Ida came bounding into the room. She wore a + short grey skirt, like that of Mrs. Westmacott, and she held it up in each + hand and danced about among the furniture. + </p> + <p> + “I feel quite the Gaiety girl!” she cried. “How delicious it must be to be + upon the stage! You can't think how nice this dress is, papa. One feels so + free in it. And isn't Clara charming?” + </p> + <p> + “Go to your room this instant and take it off!” thundered the Doctor. “I + call it highly improper, and no daughter of mine shall wear it.” + </p> + <p> + “Papa! Improper! Why, it is the exact model of Mrs. Westmacott's.” + </p> + <p> + “I say it is improper. And yours also, Clara! Your conduct is really + outrageous. You drive me out of the house. I am going to my club in town. + I have no comfort or peace of mind in my own house. I will stand it no + longer. I may be late to-night—I shall go to the British Medical + meeting. But when I return I shall hope to find that you have reconsidered + your conduct, and that you have shaken yourself clear of the pernicious + influences which have recently made such an alteration in your conduct.” + He seized his hat, slammed the dining-room door, and a few minutes later + they heard the crash of the big front gate. + </p> + <p> + “Victory, Clara, victory!” cried Ida, still pirouetting around the + furniture. “Did you hear what he said? Pernicious influences! Don't you + understand, Clara? Why do you sit there so pale and glum? Why don't you + get up and dance?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I shall be so glad when it is over, Ida. I do hate to give him pain. + Surely he has learned now that it is very unpleasant to spend one's life + with reformers.” + </p> + <p> + “He has almost learned it, Clara. Just one more little lesson. We must not + risk all at this last moment.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you do, Ida? Oh, don't do anything too dreadful. I feel that + we have gone too far already.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we can do it very nicely. You see we are both engaged and that makes + it very easy. Harold will do what you ask him, especially as you have told + him the reason why, and my Charles will do it without even wanting to know + the reason. Now you know what Mrs. Westmacott thinks about the reserve of + young ladies. Mere prudery, affectation, and a relic of the dark ages of + the Zenana. Those were her words, were they not?” + </p> + <p> + “What then?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now we must put it in practice. We are reducing all her other views + to practice, and we must not shirk this one. + </p> + <p> + “But what would you do? Oh, don't look so wicked, Ida! You look like some + evil little fairy, with your golden hair and dancing, mischievous eyes. I + know that you are going to propose something dreadful!” + </p> + <p> + “We must give a little supper to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “We? A supper!” + </p> + <p> + “Why not? Young gentlemen give suppers. Why not young ladies?” + </p> + <p> + “But whom shall we invite?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Harold and Charles of course.” + </p> + <p> + “And the Admiral and Mrs. Hay Denver?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no. That would be very old-fashioned. We must keep up with the times, + Clara.” + </p> + <p> + “But what can we give them for supper?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, something with a nice, fast, rollicking, late-at-night-kind of flavor + to it. Let me see! Champagne, of course—and oysters. Oysters will + do. In the novels, all the naughty people take champagne and oysters. + Besides, they won't need any cooking. How is your pocket-money, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “I have three pounds.” + </p> + <p> + “And I have one. Four pounds. I have no idea how much champagne costs. + Have you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not the slightest.” + </p> + <p> + “How many oysters does a man eat?” + </p> + <p> + “I can't imagine.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll write and ask Charles. No, I won't. I'll ask Jane. Ring for her, + Clara. She has been a cook, and is sure to know.” + </p> + <p> + Jane, on being cross-questioned, refused to commit herself beyond the + statement that it depended upon the gentleman, and also upon the oysters. + The united experience of the kitchen, however, testified that three dozen + was a fair provision. + </p> + <p> + “Then we shall have eight dozen altogether,” said Ida, jotting down all + her requirements upon a sheet of paper. “And two pints of champagne. And + some brown bread, and vinegar, and pepper. That's all, I think. It is not + so very difficult to give a supper after all, is it, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it, Ida. It seems to me to be so very indelicate.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is needed to clinch the matter. No, no, there is no drawing back + now, Clara, or we shall ruin everything. Papa is sure to come back by the + 9:45. He will reach the door at 10. We must have everything ready for him. + Now, just sit down at once, and ask Harold to come at nine o'clock, and I + shall do the same to Charles.” + </p> + <p> + The two invitations were dispatched, received and accepted. Harold was + already a confidant, and he understood that this was some further + development of the plot. As to Charles, he was so accustomed to feminine + eccentricity, in the person of his aunt, that the only thing which could + surprise him would be a rigid observance of etiquette. At nine o'clock + they entered the dining-room of Number 2, to find the master of the house + absent, a red-shaded lamp, a snowy cloth, a pleasant little feast, and the + two whom they would have chosen, as their companions. A merrier party + never met, and the house rang with their laughter and their chatter. + </p> + <p> + “It is three minutes to ten,” cried Clara, suddenly, glancing at the + clock. + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious! So it is! Now for our little tableau!” Ida pushed the + champagne bottles obtrusively forward, in the direction of the door, and + scattered oyster shells over the cloth. + </p> + <p> + “Have you your pipe, Charles?” + </p> + <p> + “My pipe! Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Then please smoke it. Now don't argue about it, but do it, for you will + ruin the effect otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + The large man drew out a red case, and extracted a great yellow + meerschaum, out of which, a moment later, he was puffing thick wreaths of + smoke. Harold had lit a cigar, and both the girls had cigarettes. + </p> + <p> + “That looks very nice and emancipated,” said Ida, glancing round. “Now I + shall lie on this sofa. So! Now, Charles, just sit here, and throw your + arm carelessly over the back of the sofa. No, don't stop smoking. I like + it. Clara, dear, put your feet upon the coal-scuttle, and do try to look a + little dissipated. I wish we could crown ourselves with flowers. There are + some lettuces on the sideboard. Oh dear, here he is! I hear his key.” She + began to sing in her high, fresh voice a little snatch from a French song, + with a swinging tra la-la chorus. + </p> + <p> + The Doctor had walked home from the station in a peaceable and relenting + frame of mind, feeling that, perhaps, he had said too much in the morning, + that his daughters had for years been models in every way, and that, if + there had been any change of late, it was, as they said themselves, on + account of their anxiety to follow his advice and to imitate Mrs. + Westmacott. He could see clearly enough now that that advice was unwise, + and that a world peopled with Mrs. Westmacotts would not be a happy or a + soothing one. It was he who was, himself, to blame, and he was grieved by + the thought that perhaps his hot words had troubled and saddened his two + girls. + </p> + <p> + This fear, however, was soon dissipated. As he entered his hall he heard + the voice of Ida uplifted in a rollicking ditty, and a very strong smell + of tobacco was borne to his nostrils. He threw open the dining-room door, + and stood aghast at the scene which met his eyes. + </p> + <p> + The room was full of the blue wreaths of smoke, and the lamp-light shone + through the thin haze upon gold-topped bottles, plates, napkins, and a + litter of oyster shells and cigarettes. Ida, flushed and excited, was + reclining upon the settee, a wine-glass at her elbow, and a cigarette + between her fingers, while Charles Westmacott sat beside her, with his arm + thrown over the head of the sofa, with the suggestion of a caress. On the + other side of the room, Clara was lounging in an arm-chair, with Harold + beside her, both smoking, and both with wine-glasses beside them. The + Doctor stood speechless in the doorway, staring at the Bacchanalian scene. + </p> + <p> + “Come in, papa! Do!” cried Ida. “Won't you have a glass of champagne?” + </p> + <p> + “Pray excuse me,” said her father, coldly, “I feel that I am intruding. I + did not know that you were entertaining. Perhaps you will kindly let me + know when you have finished. You will find me in my study.” He ignored the + two young men completely, and, closing the door, retired, deeply hurt and + mortified, to his room. A quarter of an hour afterwards he heard the door + slam, and his two daughters came to announce that the guests were gone. + </p> + <p> + “Guests! Whose guests?” he cried angrily. “What is the meaning of this + exhibition?” + </p> + <p> + “We have been giving a little supper, papa. They were our guests.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, indeed!” The Doctor laughed sarcastically. “You think it right, then, + to entertain young bachelors late at night, to smoke and drink with them, + to—— Oh, that I should ever have lived to blush for my own + daughters! I thank God that your dear mother never saw the day.” + </p> + <p> + “Dearest papa,” cried Clara, throwing her arms about him. “Do not be angry + with us. If you understood all, you would see that there is no harm in + it.” + </p> + <p> + “No harm, miss! Who is the best judge of that?” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Westmacott,” suggested Ida, slyly. + </p> + <p> + The Doctor sprang from his chair. “Confound Mrs. Westmacott!” he cried, + striking frenziedly into the air with his hands. “Am I to hear of nothing + but this woman? Is she to confront me at every turn? I will endure it no + longer.” + </p> + <p> + “But it was your wish, papa.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will tell you now what my second and wiser wish is, and we shall + see if you will obey it as you have the first.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course we will, papa.” + </p> + <p> + “Then my wish is, that you should forget these odious notions which you + have imbibed, that you should dress and act as you used to do, before ever + you saw this woman, and that, in future, you confine your intercourse with + her to such civilities as are necessary between neighbors.” + </p> + <p> + “We are to give up Mrs. Westmacott?” + </p> + <p> + “Or give up me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear dad, how can you say anything so cruel?” cried Ida, burrowing + her towsy golden hair into her father's shirt front, while Clara pressed + her cheek against his whisker. “Of course we shall give her up, if you + prefer it.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course we shall, papa.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor patted the two caressing heads. “These are my own two girls + again,” he cried. “It has been my fault as much as yours. I have been + astray, and you have followed me in my error. It was only by seeing your + mistake that I have become conscious of my own. Let us set it aside, and + neither say nor think anything more about it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. A BLOT FROM THE BLUE. + </h2> + <p> + So by the cleverness of two girls a dark cloud was thinned away and turned + into sunshine. Over one of them, alas, another cloud was gathering, which + could not be so easily dispersed. Of these three households which fate had + thrown together, two had already been united by ties of love. It was + destined, however, that a bond of another sort should connect the + Westmacotts with the Hay Denvers. + </p> + <p> + Between the Admiral and the widow a very cordial feeling had existed since + the day when the old seaman had hauled down his flag and changed his + opinions; granting to the yachts-woman all that he had refused to the + reformer. His own frank and downright nature respected the same qualities + in his neighbor, and a friendship sprang up between them which was more + like that which exists between two men, founded upon esteem and a + community of tastes. + </p> + <p> + “By the way, Admiral,” said Mrs. Westmacott one morning, as they walked + together down to the station, “I understand that this boy of yours in the + intervals of paying his devotions to Miss Walker is doing something upon + 'Change.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ma'am, and there is no man of his age who is doing so well. He's + drawing ahead, I can tell you, ma'am. Some of those that started with him + are hull down astarn now. He touched his five hundred last year, and + before he's thirty he'll be making the four figures.” + </p> + <p> + “The reason I asked is that I have small investments to make myself from + time to time, and my present broker is a rascal. I should be very glad to + do it through your son.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very kind of you, ma'am. His partner is away on a holiday, and + Harold would like to push on a bit and show what he can do. You know the + poop isn't big enough to hold the lieutenant when the skipper's on shore.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose he charges the usual half per cent?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't know, I'm sure, ma'am. I'll swear that he does what is right and + proper.” + </p> + <p> + “That is what I usually pay—ten shillings in the hundred pounds. If + you see him before I do just ask him to get me five thousand in New + Zealands. It is at four just now, and I fancy it may rise.” + </p> + <p> + “Five thousand!” exclaimed the Admiral, reckoning it in his own mind. + “Lemme see! That's twenty-five pounds commission. A nice day's work, upon + my word. It is a very handsome order, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I must pay some one, and why not him?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell him, and I'm sure he'll lose no time.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there is no great hurry. By the way, I understand from what you said + just now that he has a partner.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my boy is the junior partner. Pearson is the senior. I was + introduced to him years ago, and he offered Harold the opening. Of course + we had a pretty stiff premium to pay.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Westmacott had stopped, and was standing very stiffly with her Red + Indian face even grimmer than usual. + </p> + <p> + “Pearson?” said she. “Jeremiah Pearson?” + </p> + <p> + “The same.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it's all off,” she cried. “You need not carry out that investment.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + They walked on together side by side, she brooding over some thought of + her own, and he a little crossed and disappointed at her caprice and the + lost commission for Harold. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you what, Admiral,” she exclaimed suddenly, “if I were you I + should get your boy out of this partnership.” + </p> + <p> + “But why, madam?” + </p> + <p> + “Because he is tied to one of the deepest, slyest foxes in the whole city + of London.” + </p> + <p> + “Jeremiah Pearson, ma'am? What can you know of him? He bears a good name.” + </p> + <p> + “No one in this world knows Jeremiah Pearson as I know him, Admiral. I + warn you because I have a friendly feeling both for you and for your son. + The man is a rogue and you had best avoid him.” + </p> + <p> + “But these are only words, ma'am. Do you tell me that you know him better + than the brokers and jobbers in the City?” + </p> + <p> + “Man,” cried Mrs. Westmacott, “will you allow that I know him when I tell + you that my maiden name was Ada Pearson, and that Jeremiah is my only + brother?” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral whistled. “Whew!” cried he. “Now that I think of it, there is + a likeness.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a man of iron, Admiral—a man without a heart. I should shock + you if I were to tell you what I have endured from my brother. My father's + wealth was divided equally between us. His own share he ran through in + five years, and he has tried since then by every trick of a cunning, + low-minded man, by base cajolery, by legal quibbles, by brutal + intimidation, to juggle me out of my share as well. There is no villainy + of which the man is not capable. Oh, I know my brother Jeremiah. I know + him and I am prepared for him.” + </p> + <p> + “This is all new to me, ma'am. 'Pon my word, I hardly know what to say to + it. I thank you for having spoken so plainly. From what you say, this is a + poor sort of consort for a man to sail with. Perhaps Harold would do well + to cut himself adrift.” + </p> + <p> + “Without losing a day.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we shall talk it over. You may be sure of that. But here we are at + the station, so I will just see you into your carriage and then home to + see what my wife says to the matter.” + </p> + <p> + As he trudged homewards, thoughtful and perplexed, he was surprised to + hear a shout behind him, and to see Harold running down the road after + him. + </p> + <p> + “Why, dad,” he cried, “I have just come from town, and the first thing I + saw was your back as you marched away. But you are such a quick walker + that I had to run to catch you.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral's smile of pleasure had broken his stern face into a thousand + wrinkles. “You are early to-day,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I wanted to consult you.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, only an inconvenience.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “How much have we in our private account?” + </p> + <p> + “Pretty fair. Some eight hundred, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, half that will be ample. It was rather thoughtless of Pearson.” + </p> + <p> + “What then?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see, dad, when he went away upon this little holiday to Havre + he left me to pay accounts and so on. He told me that there was enough at + the bank for all claims. I had occasion on Tuesday to pay away two + cheques, one for L80, and the other for L120, and here they are returned + with a bank notice that we have already overdrawn to the extent of some + hundreds.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral looked very grave. “What's the meaning of that, then?” he + asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it can easily be set right. You see Pearson invests all the spare + capital and keeps as small a margin as possible at the bank. Still it was + too bad for him to allow me even to run a risk of having a cheque + returned. I have written to him and demanded his authority to sell out + some stock, and I have written an explanation to these people. In the + meantime, however, I have had to issue several cheques; so I had better + transfer part of our private account to meet them.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, my boy. All that's mine is yours. But who do you think this + Pearson is? He is Mrs. Westmacott's brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Really. What a singular thing! Well, I can see a likeness now that you + mention it. They have both the same hard type of face.” + </p> + <p> + “She has been warning me against him—says he is the rankest pirate + in London. I hope that it is all right, boy, and that we may not find + ourselves in broken water.” + </p> + <p> + Harold had turned a little pale as he heard Mrs. Westmacott's opinion of + his senior partner. It gave shape and substance to certain vague fears and + suspicions of his own which had been pushed back as often as they obtruded + themselves as being too monstrous and fantastic for belief. + </p> + <p> + “He is a well-known man in the City, dad,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Of course he is—of course he is. That is what I told her. They + would have found him out there if anything had been amiss with him. Bless + you, there's nothing so bitter as a family quarrel. Still it is just as + well that you have written about this affair, for we may as well have all + fair and aboveboard.” + </p> + <p> + But Harold's letter to his partner was crossed by a letter from his + partner to Harold. It lay awaiting him upon the breakfast table next + morning, and it sent the heart into his mouth as he read it, and caused + him to spring up from his chair with a white face and staring eyes. + </p> + <p> + “My boy! My boy!” + </p> + <p> + “I am ruined, mother—ruined!” He stood gazing wildly in front of + him, while the sheet of paper fluttered down on the carpet. Then he + dropped back into the chair, and sank his face into his hands. His mother + had her arms round him in an instant, while the Admiral, with shaking + fingers, picked up the letter from the floor and adjusted his glasses to + read it. + </p> + <p> + “My DEAR DENVER,” it ran. “By the time that this reaches you I shall be + out of the reach of yourself or of any one else who may desire an + interview. You need not search for me, for I assure you that this letter + is posted by a friend, and that you will have your trouble in vain if you + try to find me. I am sorry to leave you in such a tight place, but one or + other of us must be squeezed, and on the whole I prefer that it should be + you. You'll find nothing in the bank, and about L13,000 unaccounted for. + I'm not sure that the best thing you can do is not to realize what you + can, and imitate your senior's example. If you act at once you may get + clean away. If not, it's not only that you must put up your shutters, but + I am afraid that this missing money could hardly be included as an + ordinary debt, and of course you are legally responsible for it just as + much as I am. Take a friend's advice and get to America. A young man with + brains can always do something out there, and you can live down this + little mischance. It will be a cheap lesson if it teaches you to take + nothing upon trust in business, and to insist upon knowing exactly what + your partner is doing, however senior he may be to you. + </p> + <p> + “Yours faithfully, + </p> + <p> + “JEREMIAH PEARSON.” + </p> + <p> + “Great Heavens!” groaned the Admiral, “he has absconded.” + </p> + <p> + “And left me both a bankrupt and a thief.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Harold,” sobbed his mother. “All will be right. What matter about + money!” + </p> + <p> + “Money, mother! It is my honor.” + </p> + <p> + “The boy is right. It is his honor, and my honor, for his is mine. This is + a sore trouble, mother, when we thought our life's troubles were all + behind us, but we will bear it as we have borne others.” He held out his + stringy hand, and the two old folk sat with bowed grey heads, their + fingers intertwined, strong in each other's love and sympathy. + </p> + <p> + “We were too happy,” she sighed. + </p> + <p> + “But it is God's will, mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, John, it is God's will.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet it is bitter to bear. I could have lost all, the house, money, + rank—I could have borne it. But at my age—my honor—the + honor of an admiral of the fleet.” + </p> + <p> + “No honor can be lost, John, where no dishonor has been done. What have + you done? What has Harold done? There is no question of honor.” + </p> + <p> + The old man shook his head, but Harold had already called together his + clear practical sense, which for an instant in the presence of this + frightful blow had deserted him. + </p> + <p> + “The mater is right, dad,” said he. “It is bad enough, Heaven knows, but + we must not take too dark a view of it. After all, this insolent letter is + in itself evidence that I had nothing to do with the schemes of the base + villain who wrote it.” + </p> + <p> + “They may think it prearranged.” + </p> + <p> + “They could not. My whole life cries out against the thought. They could + not look me in the face and entertain it.” + </p> + <p> + “No, boy, not if they have eyes in their heads,” cried the Admiral, + plucking up courage at the sight of the flashing eyes and brave, defiant + face. “We have the letter, and we have your character. We'll weather it + yet between them. It's my fault from the beginning for choosing such a + land-shark for your consort. God help me, I thought I was finding such an + opening for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear dad! How could you possibly know? As he says in his letter, it has + given me a lesson. But he was so much older and so much more experienced, + that it was hard for me to ask to examine his books. But we must waste no + time. I must go to the City.” + </p> + <p> + “What will you do?” + </p> + <p> + “What an honest man should do. I will write to all our clients and + creditors, assemble them, lay the whole matter before them, read them the + letter and put myself absolutely in their hands.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it, boy—yard-arm to yard-arm, and have it over.” + </p> + <p> + “I must go at once.” He put on his top-coat and his hat. “But I have ten + minutes yet before I can catch a train. There is one little thing which I + must do before I start.” + </p> + <p> + He had caught sight through the long glass folding door of the gleam of a + white blouse and a straw hat in the tennis ground. Clara used often to + meet him there of a morning to say a few words before he hurried away into + the City. He walked out now with the quick, firm step of a man who has + taken a momentous resolution, but his face was haggard and his lips pale. + </p> + <p> + “Clara,” said he, as she came towards him with words of greeting, “I am + sorry to bring ill news to you, but things have gone wrong in the City, + and—and I think that I ought to release you from your engagement.” + </p> + <p> + Clara stared at him with her great questioning dark eyes, and her face + became as pale as his. + </p> + <p> + “How can the City affect you and me, Harold?” + </p> + <p> + “It is dishonor. I cannot ask you to share it.” + </p> + <p> + “Dishonor! The loss of some miserable gold and silver coins!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Clara, if it were only that! We could be far happier together in a + little cottage in the country than with all the riches of the City. + Poverty could not cut me to the heart, as I have been cut this morning. + Why, it is but twenty minutes since I had the letter, Clara, and it seems + to me to be some old, old thing which happened far away in my past life, + some horrid black cloud which shut out all the freshness and the peace + from it.” + </p> + <p> + “But what is it, then? What do you fear worse than poverty?” + </p> + <p> + “To have debts that I cannot meet. To be hammered upon 'Change and + declared a bankrupt. To know that others have a just claim upon me and to + feel that I dare not meet their eyes. Is not that worse than poverty?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Harold, a thousand fold worse! But all this may be got over. Is + there nothing more?” + </p> + <p> + “My partner has fled and left me responsible for heavy debts, and in such + a position that I may be required by the law to produce some at least of + this missing money. It has been confided to him to invest, and he has + embezzled it. I, as his partner, am liable for it. I have brought misery + on all whom I love—my father, my mother. But you at least shall not + be under the shadow. You are free, Clara. There is no tie between us.” + </p> + <p> + “It takes two to make such a tie, Harold,” said she, smiling and putting + her hand inside his arm. “It takes two to make it, dear, and also two to + break it. Is that the way they do business in the City, sir, that a man + can always at his own sweet will tear up his engagement?” + </p> + <p> + “You hold me to it, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “No creditor so remorseless as I, Harold. Never, never shall you get from + that bond.” + </p> + <p> + “But I am ruined. My whole life is blasted.” + </p> + <p> + “And so you wish to ruin me, and blast my life also. No indeed, sir, you + shall not get away so lightly. But seriously now, Harold, you would hurt + me if it were not so absurd. Do you think that a woman's love is like this + sunshade which I carry in my hand, a thing only fitted for the sunshine, + and of no use when the winds blow and the clouds gather?” + </p> + <p> + “I would not drag you down, Clara.” + </p> + <p> + “Should I not be dragged down indeed if I left your side at such a time? + It is only now that I can be of use to you, help you, sustain you. You + have always been so strong, so above me. You are strong still, but then + two will be stronger. Besides, sir, you have no idea what a woman of + business I am. Papa says so, and he knows.” + </p> + <p> + Harold tried to speak, but his heart was too full. He could only press the + white hand which curled round his sleeve. She walked up and down by his + side, prattling merrily, and sending little gleams of cheeriness through + the gloom which girt him in. To listen to her he might have thought that + it was Ida, and not her staid and demure sister, who was chatting to him. + </p> + <p> + “It will soon be cleared up,” she said, “and then we shall feel quite + dull. Of course all business men have these little ups and downs. Why, I + suppose of all the men you meet upon 'Change, there is not one who has not + some such story to tell. If everything was always smooth, you know, then + of course every one would turn stockbroker, and you would have to hold + your meetings in Hyde Park. How much is it that you need?” + </p> + <p> + “More than I can ever get. Not less than thirteen thousand pounds.” + </p> + <p> + Clara's face fell as she heard the amount. “What do you purpose doing?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall go to the City now, and I shall ask all our creditors to meet me + to-morrow. I shall read them Pearson's letter, and put myself into their + hands.” + </p> + <p> + “And they, what will they do?” + </p> + <p> + “What can they do? They will serve writs for their money, and the firm + will be declared bankrupt.” + </p> + <p> + “And the meeting will be to-morrow, you say. Will you take my advice?” + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Clara?” + </p> + <p> + “To ask them for a few days of delay. Who knows what new turn matters may + take?” + </p> + <p> + “What turn can they take? I have no means of raising the money.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us have a few days.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we should have that in the ordinary course of business. The legal + formalities would take them some little time. But I must go, Clara, I must + not seem to shirk. My place now must be at my offices.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear, you are right. God bless you and guard you! I shall be here in + The Wilderness, but all day I shall be by your office table at Throgmorton + Street in spirit, and if ever you should be sad you will hear my little + whisper in your ear, and know that there is one client whom you will never + be able to get rid of—never as long as we both live, dear.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. FRIENDS IN NEED. + </h2> + <p> + “Now, papa,” said Clara that morning, wrinkling her brows and putting her + finger-tips together with the air of an experienced person of business, “I + want to have a talk to you about money matters.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my dear.” He laid down his paper, and looked a question. + </p> + <p> + “Kindly tell me again, papa, how much money I have in my very own right. + You have often told me before, but I always forget figures.” + </p> + <p> + “You have two hundred and fifty pounds a year of your own, under your + aunt's will. + </p> + <p> + “And Ida?” + </p> + <p> + “Ida has one hundred and fifty.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, I think I can live very well on fifty pounds a year, papa. I am not + very extravagant, and I could make my own dresses if I had a + sewing-machine.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely, dear.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case I have two hundred a year which I could do without.” + </p> + <p> + “If it were necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is necessary. Oh, do help me, like a good, dear, kind papa, in + this matter, for my whole heart is set upon it. Harold is in sore need of + money, and through no fault of his own.” With a woman's tact and + eloquence, she told the whole story. “Put yourself in my place, papa. What + is the money to me? I never think of it from year's end to year's end. But + now I know how precious it is. I could not have thought that money could + be so valuable. See what I can do with it. It may help to save him. I must + have it by to-morrow. Oh, do, do advise me as to what I should do, and how + I should get the money.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor smiled at her eagerness. “You are as anxious to get rid of + money as others are to gain it,” said he. “In another case I might think + it rash, but I believe in your Harold, and I can see that he has had + villainous treatment. You will let me deal with the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “You, papa?” + </p> + <p> + “It can be done best between men. Your capital, Clara, is some five + thousand pounds, but it is out on a mortgage, and you could not call it + in.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear! oh, dear!” + </p> + <p> + “But we can still manage. I have as much at my bank. I will advance it to + the Denvers as coming from you, and you can repay it to me, or the + interest of it, when your money becomes due.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is beautiful! How sweet and kind of you!” + </p> + <p> + “But there is one obstacle: I do not think that you would ever induce + Harold to take this money.” + </p> + <p> + Clara's face fell. “Don't you think so, really?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure that he would not.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what are you to do? What horrid things money matters are to + arrange!” + </p> + <p> + “I shall see his father. We can manage it all between us.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do, do, papa! And you will do it soon?” + </p> + <p> + “There is no time like the present. I will go in at once.” He scribbled a + cheque, put it in an envelope, put on his broad straw hat, and strolled in + through the garden to pay his morning call. + </p> + <p> + It was a singular sight which met his eyes as he entered the sitting-room + of the Admiral. A great sea chest stood open in the center, and all round + upon the carpet were little piles of jerseys, oil-skins, books, sextant + boxes, instruments, and sea-boots. The old seaman sat gravely amidst this + lumber, turning it over, and examining it intently; while his wife, with + the tears running silently down her ruddy cheeks, sat upon the sofa, her + elbows upon her knees and her chin upon her hands, rocking herself slowly + backwards and forwards. + </p> + <p> + “Hullo, Doctor,” said the Admiral, holding out his hand, “there's foul + weather set in upon us, as you may have heard, but I have ridden out many + a worse squall, and, please God, we shall all three of us weather this one + also, though two of us are a little more cranky than we were.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear friends, I came in to tell you how deeply we sympathize with you + all. My girl has only just told me about it.” + </p> + <p> + “It has come so suddenly upon us, Doctor,” sobbed Mrs. Hay Denver. “I + thought that I had John to myself for the rest of our lives—Heaven + knows that we have not seen very much of each other—but now he talks + of going to sea again. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye, Walker, that's the only way out of it. When I first heard of it + I was thrown up in the wind with all aback. I give you my word that I lost + my bearings more completely than ever since I strapped a middy's dirk to + my belt. You see, friend, I know something of shipwreck or battle or + whatever may come upon the waters, but the shoals in the City of London on + which my poor boy has struck are clean beyond me. Pearson had been my + pilot there, and now I know him to be a rogue. But I've taken my bearings + now, and I see my course right before me.” + </p> + <p> + “What then, Admiral?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have one or two little plans. I'll have some news for the boy. Why, + hang it, Walker man, I may be a bit stiff in the joints, but you'll be my + witness that I can do my twelve miles under the three hours. What then? My + eyes are as good as ever except just for the newspaper. My head is clear. + I'm three-and-sixty, but I'm as good a man as ever I was—too good a + man to lie up for another ten years. I'd be the better for a smack of the + salt water again, and a whiff of the breeze. Tut, mother, it's not a four + years' cruise this time. I'll be back every month or two. It's no more + than if I went for a visit in the country.” He was talking boisterously, + and heaping his sea-boots and sextants back into his chest. + </p> + <p> + “And you really think, my dear friend, of hoisting your pennant again?” + </p> + <p> + “My pennant, Walker? No, no. Her Majesty, God bless her, has too many + young men to need an old hulk like me. I should be plain Mr. Hay Denver, + of the merchant service. I daresay that I might find some owner who would + give me a chance as second or third officer. It will be strange to me to + feel the rails of the bridge under my fingers once more.” + </p> + <p> + “Tut! tut! this will never do, this will never do, Admiral!” The Doctor + sat down by Mrs. Hay Denver and patted her hand in token of friendly + sympathy. “We must wait until your son has had it out with all these + people, and then we shall know what damage is done, and how best to set it + right. It will be time enough then to begin to muster our resources to + meet it.” + </p> + <p> + “Our resources!” The Admiral laughed. “There's the pension. I'm afraid, + Walker, that our resources won't need much mustering.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come, there are some which you may not have thought of. For example, + Admiral, I had always intended that my girl should have five thousand from + me when she married. Of course your boy's trouble is her trouble, and the + money cannot be spent better than in helping to set it right. She has a + little of her own which she wished to contribute, but I thought it best to + work it this way. Will you take the cheque, Mrs. Denver, and I think it + would be best if you said nothing to Harold about it, and just used it as + the occasion served?” + </p> + <p> + “God bless you, Walker, you are a true friend. I won't forget this, + Walker.” The Admiral sat down on his sea chest and mopped his brow with + his red handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + “What is it to me whether you have it now or then? It may be more useful + now. There's only one stipulation. If things should come to the worst, and + if the business should prove so bad that nothing can set it right, then + hold back this cheque, for there is no use in pouring water into a broken + basin, and if the lad should fall, he will want something to pick himself + up again with.” + </p> + <p> + “He shall not fall, Walker, and you shall not have occasion to be ashamed + of the family into which your daughter is about to marry. I have my own + plan. But we shall hold your money, my friend, and it will strengthen us + to feel that it is there.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is all right,” said Doctor Walker, rising. “And if a little + more should be needed, we must not let him go wrong for the want of a + thousand or two. And now, Admiral, I'm off for my morning walk. Won't you + come too?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am going into town.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, good-bye. I hope to have better news, and that all will come right. + Good-bye, Mrs. Denver. I feel as if the boy were my own, and I shall not + be easy until all is right with him.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. IN STRANGE WATERS. + </h2> + <p> + When Doctor Walker had departed, the Admiral packed all his possessions + back into his sea chest with the exception of one little brass-bound desk. + This he unlocked, and took from it a dozen or so blue sheets of paper all + mottled over with stamps and seals, with very large V. R.'s printed upon + the heads of them. He tied these carefully into a small bundle, and + placing them in the inner pocket of his coat, he seized his stick and hat. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, John, don't do this rash thing,” cried Mrs. Denver, laying her hands + upon his sleeve. “I have seen so little of you, John. Only three years + since you left the service. Don't leave me again. I know it is weak of me, + but I cannot bear it.” + </p> + <p> + “There's my own brave lass,” said he, smoothing down the grey-shot hair. + “We've lived in honor together, mother, and please God in honor we'll die. + No matter how debts are made, they have got to be met, and what the boy + owes we owe. He has not the money, and how is he to find it? He can't find + it. What then? It becomes my business, and there's only one way for it.” + </p> + <p> + “But it may not be so very bad, John. Had we not best wait until after he + sees these people to-morrow?” + </p> + <p> + “They may give him little time, lass. But I'll have a care that I don't go + so far that I can't put back again. Now, mother, there's no use holding + me. It's got to be done, and there's no sense in shirking it.” He detached + her fingers from his sleeve, pushed her gently back into an arm-chair, and + hurried from the house. + </p> + <p> + In less than half an hour the Admiral was whirled into Victoria Station + and found himself amid a dense bustling throng, who jostled and pushed in + the crowded terminus. His errand, which had seemed feasible enough in his + own room, began now to present difficulties in the carrying out, and he + puzzled over how he should take the first steps. Amid the stream of + business men, each hurrying on his definite way, the old seaman in his + grey tweed suit and black soft hat strode slowly along, his head sunk and + his brow wrinkled in perplexity. Suddenly an idea occurred to him. He + walked back to the railway stall and bought a daily paper. This he turned + and turned until a certain column met his eye, when he smoothed it out, + and carrying it over to a seat, proceeded to read it at his leisure. + </p> + <p> + And, indeed, as a man read that column, it seemed strange to him that + there should still remain any one in this world of ours who should be in + straits for want of money. Here were whole lines of gentlemen who were + burdened with a surplus in their incomes, and who were loudly calling to + the poor and needy to come and take it off their hands. Here was the + guileless person who was not a professional moneylender, but who would be + glad to correspond, etc. Here too was the accommodating individual who + advanced sums from ten to ten thousand pounds without expense, security, + or delay. “The money actually paid over within a few hours,” ran this + fascinating advertisement, conjuring up a vision of swift messengers + rushing with bags of gold to the aid of the poor struggler. A third + gentleman did all business by personal application, advanced money on + anything or nothing; the lightest and airiest promise was enough to + content him according to his circular, and finally he never asked for more + than five per cent. This struck the Admiral as far the most promising, and + his wrinkles relaxed, and his frown softened away as he gazed at it. He + folded up the paper rose from the seat, and found himself face to face + with Charles Westmacott. + </p> + <p> + “Hullo, Admiral!” + </p> + <p> + “Hullo, Westmacott!” Charles had always been a favorite of the seaman's. + “What are you doing here?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have been doing a little business for my aunt. But I have never + seen you in London before.” + </p> + <p> + “I hate the place. It smothers me. There's not a breath of clean air on + this side of Greenwich. But maybe you know your way about pretty well in + the City?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I know something about it. You see I've never lived very far from + it, and I do a good deal of my aunt's business.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe you know Bread Street?” + </p> + <p> + “It is out of Cheapside.” + </p> + <p> + “Well then, how do you steer for it from here? You make me out a course + and I'll keep to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Admiral, I have nothing to do. I'll take you there with pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you, though? Well, I'd take it very kindly if you would. I have + business there. Smith and Hanbury, financial agents, Bread Street.” + </p> + <p> + The pair made their way to the river-side, and so down the Thames to St. + Paul's landing—a mode of travel which was much more to the Admiral's + taste than 'bus or cab. On the way, he told his companion his mission and + the causes which had led to it. Charles Westmacott knew little enough of + City life and the ways of business, but at least he had more experience in + both than the Admiral, and he made up his mind not to leave him until the + matter was settled. + </p> + <p> + “These are the people,” said the Admiral, twisting round his paper, and + pointing to the advertisement which had seemed to him the most promising. + “It sounds honest and above-board, does it not? The personal interview + looks as if there were no trickery, and then no one could object to five + per cent.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it seems fair enough.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not pleasant to have to go hat in hand borrowing money, but there + are times, as you may find before you are my age, Westmacott, when a man + must stow away his pride. But here's their number, and their plate is on + the corner of the door.” + </p> + <p> + A narrow entrance was flanked on either side by a row of brasses, ranging + upwards from the shipbrokers and the solicitors who occupied the ground + floors, through a long succession of West Indian agents, architects, + surveyors, and brokers, to the firm of which they were in quest. A winding + stone stair, well carpeted and railed at first but growing shabbier with + every landing, brought them past innumerable doors until, at last, just + under the ground-glass roofing, the names of Smith and Hanbury were to be + seen painted in large white letters across a panel, with a laconic + invitation to push beneath it. Following out the suggestion, the Admiral + and his companion found themselves in a dingy apartment, ill lit from a + couple of glazed windows. An ink-stained table, littered with pens, + papers, and almanacs, an American cloth sofa, three chairs of varying + patterns, and a much-worn carpet, constituted all the furniture, save only + a very large and obtrusive porcelain spittoon, and a gaudily framed and + very somber picture which hung above the fireplace. Sitting in front of + this picture, and staring gloomily at it, as being the only thing which he + could stare at, was a small sallow-faced boy with a large head, who in the + intervals of his art studies munched sedately at an apple. + </p> + <p> + “Is Mr. Smith or Mr. Hanbury in?” asked the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “There ain't no such people,” said the small boy. + </p> + <p> + “But you have the names on the door.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that is the name of the firm, you see. It's only a name. It's Mr. + Reuben Metaxa that you wants.” + </p> + <p> + “Well then, is he in?” + </p> + <p> + “No, he's not.” + </p> + <p> + “When will he be back?” + </p> + <p> + “Can't tell, I'm sure. He's gone to lunch. Sometimes he takes one hour, + and sometimes two. It'll be two to-day, I 'spect, for he said he was + hungry afore he went.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I suppose that we had better call again,” said the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit,” cried Charles. “I know how to manage these little imps. See + here, you young varmint, here's a shilling for you. Run off and fetch your + master. If you don't bring him here in five minutes I'll clump you on the + side of the head when you get back. Shoo! Scat!” He charged at the youth, + who bolted from the room and clattered madly down-stairs. + </p> + <p> + “He'll fetch him,” said Charles. “Let us make ourselves at home. This sofa + does not feel over and above safe. It was not meant for fifteen-stone men. + But this doesn't look quite the sort of place where one would expect to + pick up money.” + </p> + <p> + “Just what I was thinking,” said the Admiral, looking ruefully about him. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, well! I have heard that the best furnished offices generally belong + to the poorest firms. Let us hope it's the opposite here. They can't spend + much on the management anyhow. That pumpkin-headed boy was the staff, I + suppose. Ha, by Jove, that's his voice, and he's got our man, I think!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke the youth appeared in the doorway with a small, brown, + dried-up little chip of a man at his heels. He was clean-shaven and + blue-chinned, with bristling black hair, and keen brown eyes which shone + out very brightly from between pouched under-lids and drooping upper ones. + He advanced, glancing keenly from one to the other of his visitors, and + slowly rubbing together his thin, blue-veined hands. The small boy closed + the door behind him, and discreetly vanished. + </p> + <p> + “I am Mr. Reuben Metaxa,” said the moneylender. “Was it about an advance + you wished to see me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “For you, I presume?” turning to Charles Westmacott. + </p> + <p> + “No, for this gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + The moneylender looked surprised. “How much did you desire?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought of five thousand pounds,” said the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “And on what security?” + </p> + <p> + “I am a retired admiral of the British navy. You will find my name in the + Navy List. There is my card. I have here my pension papers. I get L850 a + year. I thought that perhaps if you were to hold these papers it would be + security enough that I should pay you. You could draw my pension, and + repay yourselves at the rate, say, of L500 a year, taking your five per + cent interest as well.” + </p> + <p> + “What interest?” + </p> + <p> + “Five per cent per annum.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Metaxa laughed. “Per annum!” he said. “Five per cent a month.” + </p> + <p> + “A month! That would be sixty per cent a year.” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely.” + </p> + <p> + “But that is monstrous.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't ask gentlemen to come to me. They come of their own free will. + Those are my terms, and they can take it or leave it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall leave it.” The Admiral rose angrily from his chair. + </p> + <p> + “But one moment, sir. Just sit down and we shall chat the matter over. + Yours is a rather unusual case and we may find some other way of doing + what you wish. Of course the security which you offer is no security at + all, and no sane man would advance five thousand pennies on it.” + </p> + <p> + “No security? Why not, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “You might die to-morrow. You are not a young man. What age are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Sixty-three.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Metaxa turned over a long column of figures. “Here is an actuary's + table,” said he. “At your time of life the average expectancy of life is + only a few years even in a well-preserved man.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to insinuate that I am not a well-preserved man?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Admiral, it is a trying life at sea. Sailors in their younger days + are gay dogs, and take it out of themselves. Then when they grow older + they are still hard at it, and have no chance of rest or peace. I do not + think a sailor's life a good one.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what, sir,” said the Admiral hotly. “If you have two pairs + of gloves I'll undertake to knock you out under three rounds. Or I'll race + you from here to St. Paul's, and my friend here will see fair. I'll let + you see whether I am an old man or not.” + </p> + <p> + “This is beside the question,” said the moneylender with a deprecatory + shrug. “The point is that if you died to-morrow where would be the + security then?” + </p> + <p> + “I could insure my life, and make the policy over to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Your premiums for such a sum, if any office would have you, which I very + much doubt, would come to close on five hundred a year. That would hardly + suit your book.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, what do you intend to propose?” asked the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “I might, to accommodate you, work it in another way. I should send for a + medical man, and have an opinion upon your life. Then I might see what + could be done.” + </p> + <p> + “That is quite fair. I have no objection to that.” + </p> + <p> + “There is a very clever doctor in the street here. Proudie is his name. + John, go and fetch Doctor Proudie.” The youth was dispatched upon his + errand, while Mr. Metaxa sat at his desk, trimming his nails, and shooting + out little comments upon the weather. Presently feet were heard upon the + stairs, the moneylender hurried out, there was a sound of whispering, and + he returned with a large, fat, greasy-looking man, clad in a much worn + frock-coat, and a very dilapidated top hat. + </p> + <p> + “Doctor Proudie, gentlemen,” said Mr. Metaxa. + </p> + <p> + The doctor bowed, smiled, whipped off his hat, and produced his + stethoscope from its interior with the air of a conjurer upon the stage. + “Which of these gentlemen am I to examine?” he asked, blinking from one to + the other of them. “Ah, it is you! Only your waistcoat! You need not undo + your collar. Thank you! A full breath! Thank you! Ninety-nine! Thank you! + Now hold your breath for a moment. Oh, dear, dear, what is this I hear?” + </p> + <p> + “What is it then?” asked the Admiral coolly. + </p> + <p> + “Tut! tut! This is a great pity. Have you had rheumatic fever?” + </p> + <p> + “Never.” + </p> + <p> + “You have had some serious illness?” + </p> + <p> + “Never.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you are an admiral. You have been abroad, tropics, malaria, ague—I + know.” + </p> + <p> + “I have never had a day's illness.” + </p> + <p> + “Not to your knowledge; but you have inhaled unhealthy air, and it has + left its effect. You have an organic murmur—slight but distinct.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it dangerous?” + </p> + <p> + “It might at anytime become so. You should not take violent exercise.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, indeed. It would hurt me to run a half mile?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be very dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “And a mile?” + </p> + <p> + “Would be almost certainly fatal.” + </p> + <p> + “Then there is nothing else the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “No. But if the heart is weak, then everything is weak, and the life is + not a sound one.” + </p> + <p> + “You see, Admiral,” remarked Mr. Metaxa, as the doctor secreted his + stethoscope once more in his hat, “my remarks were not entirely uncalled + for. I am sorry that the doctor's opinion is not more favorable, but this + is a matter of business, and certain obvious precautions must be taken.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course. Then the matter is at an end.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we might even now do business. I am most anxious to be of use to + you. How long do you think, doctor, that this gentleman will in all + probability live?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, it's rather a delicate question to answer,” said Dr. Proudie, + with a show of embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit, sir. Out with it! I have faced death too often to flinch from + it now, though I saw it as near me as you are.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, we must go by averages of course. Shall we say two years? I + should think that you have a full two years before you.” + </p> + <p> + “In two years your pension would bring you in L1,600. Now I will do my + very best for you, Admiral! I will advance you L2,000, and you can make + over to me your pension for your life. It is pure speculation on my part. + If you die to-morrow I lose my money. If the doctor's prophecy is correct + I shall still be out of pocket. If you live a little longer, then I may + see my money again. It is the very best I can do for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you wish to buy my pension?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, for two thousand down.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I live for twenty years?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, in that case of course my speculation would be more successful. But + you have heard the doctor's opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you advance the money instantly?” + </p> + <p> + “You should have a thousand at once. The other thousand I should expect + you to take in furniture.” + </p> + <p> + “In furniture?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Admiral. We shall do you a beautiful houseful at that sum. It is the + custom of my clients to take half in furniture.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral sat in dire perplexity. He had come out to get money, and to + go back without any, to be powerless to help when his boy needed every + shilling to save him from disaster, that would be very bitter to him. On + the other hand, it was so much that he surrendered, and so little that he + received. Little, and yet something. Would it not be better than going + back empty-handed? He saw the yellow backed chequebook upon the table. The + moneylender opened it and dipped his pen into the ink. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I fill it up?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I think, Admiral,” remarked Westmacott, “that we had better have a little + walk and some luncheon before we settle this matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we may as well do it at once. It would be absurd to postpone it now,” + Metaxa spoke with some heat, and his eyes glinted angrily from between his + narrow lids at the imperturbable Charles. The Admiral was simple in money + matters, but he had seen much of men and had learned to read them. He saw + that venomous glance, and saw too that intense eagerness was peeping out + from beneath the careless air which the agent had assumed. + </p> + <p> + “You're quite right, Westmacott,” said he. “We'll have a little walk + before we settle it.” + </p> + <p> + “But I may not be here this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we must choose another day.” + </p> + <p> + “But why not settle it now?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I prefer not,” said the Admiral shortly. + </p> + <p> + “Very well. But remember that my offer is only for to-day. It is off + unless you take it at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Let it be off then.” + </p> + <p> + “There's my fee,” cried the doctor. + </p> + <p> + “How much?” + </p> + <p> + “A guinea.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral threw a pound and a shilling upon the table. “Come, + Westmacott,” said he, and they walked together from the room. + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it,” said Charles, when they found themselves in the street + once more; “I don't profess to be a very sharp chap, but this is a trifle + too thin. What did he want to go out and speak to the doctor for? And how + very convenient this tale of a weak heart was! I believe they are a couple + of rogues, and in league with each other.” + </p> + <p> + “A shark and a pilot fish,” said the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what I propose, sir. There's a lawyer named McAdam who does + my aunt's business. He is a very honest fellow, and lives at the other + side of Poultry. We'll go over to him together and have his opinion about + the whole matter.” + </p> + <p> + “How far is it to his place?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, a mile at least. We can have a cab.” + </p> + <p> + “A mile? Then we shall see if there is any truth in what that swab of a + doctor said. Come, my boy, and clap on all sail, and see who can stay the + longest.” + </p> + <p> + Then the sober denizens of the heart of business London saw a singular + sight as they returned from their luncheons. Down the roadway, dodging + among cabs and carts, ran a weather-stained elderly man, with wide + flapping black hat, and homely suit of tweeds. With elbows braced back, + hands clenched near his armpits, and chest protruded, he scudded along, + while close at his heels lumbered a large-limbed, heavy, yellow mustached + young man, who seemed to feel the exercise a good deal more than his + senior. On they dashed, helter-skelter, until they pulled up panting at + the office where the lawyer of the Westmacotts was to be found. + </p> + <p> + “There now!” cried the Admiral in triumph. “What d'ye think of that? + Nothing wrong in the engine-room, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “You seem fit enough, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Blessed if I believe the swab was a certificated doctor at all. He was + flying false colors, or I am mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “They keep the directories and registers in this eating-house,” said + Westmacott. “We'll go and look him out.” + </p> + <p> + They did so, but the medical rolls contained no such name as that of Dr. + Proudie, of Bread Street. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty villainy this!” cried the Admiral, thumping his chest. “A dummy + doctor and a vamped up disease. Well, we've tried the rogues, Westmacott! + Let us see what we can do with your honest man.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. EASTWARD HO! + </h2> + <p> + Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man + who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of + offices. He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, + was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at + half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself. + He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation + with little scraps from the classics. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Sir,” said he, when he had listened to their story, “any friend + of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine. Try a pinch. I wonder that you + should have gone to this man Metaxa. His advertisement is enough to + condemn him. Habet foenum in cornu. They are all rogues.” + </p> + <p> + “The doctor was a rogue too. I didn't like the look of him at the time.” + </p> + <p> + “Arcades ambo. But now we must see what we can do for you. Of course what + Metaxa said was perfectly right. The pension is in itself no security at + all, unless it were accompanied by a life assurance which would be an + income in itself. It is no good whatever.” + </p> + <p> + His clients' faces fell. + </p> + <p> + “But there is the second alternative. You might sell the pension right + out. Speculative investors occasionally deal in such things. I have one + client, a sporting man, who would be very likely to take it up if we could + agree upon terms. Of course, I must follow Metaxa's example by sending for + a doctor.” + </p> + <p> + For the second time was the Admiral punched and tapped and listened to. + This time, however, there could be no question of the qualifications of + the doctor, a well-known Fellow of the College of Surgeons, and his report + was as favorable as the other's had been adverse. + </p> + <p> + “He has the heart and chest of a man of forty,” said he. “I can recommend + his life as one of the best of his age that I have ever examined.” + </p> + <p> + “That's well,” said Mr. McAdam, making a note of the doctor's remarks, + while the Admiral disbursed a second guinea. “Your price, I understand, is + five thousand pounds. I can communicate with Mr. Elberry, my client, and + let you know whether he cares to touch the matter. Meanwhile you can leave + your pension papers here, and I will give you a receipt for them.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. I should like the money soon.” + </p> + <p> + “That is why I am retaining the papers. If I can see Mr. Elberry to-day we + may let you have a cheque to-morrow. Try another pinch. No? Well, + good-bye. I am very happy to have been of service.” Mr. McAdam bowed them + out, for he was a very busy man, and they found themselves in the street + once more with lighter hearts than when they had left it. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Westmacott, I am sure I am very much obliged to you,” said the + Admiral. “You have stood by me when I was the better for a little help, + for I'm clean out of my soundings among these city sharks. But I've + something to do now which is more in my own line, and I need not trouble + you any more.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it is no trouble. I have nothing to do. I never have anything to do. + I don't suppose I could do it if I had. I should be delighted to come with + you, sir, if I can be of any use.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, my lad. You go home again. It would be kind of you, though, if + you would look in at number one when you get back and tell my wife that + all's well with me, and that I'll be back in an hour or so.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir. I'll tell her.” Westmacott raised his hat and strode away + to the westward, while the Admiral, after a hurried lunch, bent his steps + towards the east. + </p> + <p> + It was a long walk, but the old seaman swung along at a rousing pace, + leaving street after street behind him. The great business places dwindled + down into commonplace shops and dwellings, which decreased and became more + stunted, even as the folk who filled them did, until he was deep in the + evil places of the eastern end. It was a land of huge, dark houses and of + garish gin-shops, a land, too, where life moves irregularly and where + adventures are to be gained—as the Admiral was to learn to his cost. + </p> + <p> + He was hurrying down one of the long, narrow, stone-flagged lanes between + the double lines of crouching, disheveled women and of dirty children who + sat on the hollowed steps of the houses, and basked in the autumn sun. At + one side was a barrowman with a load of walnuts, and beside the barrow a + bedraggled woman with a black fringe and a chequered shawl thrown over her + head. She was cracking walnuts and picking them out of the shells, + throwing out a remark occasionally to a rough man in a rabbit-skin cap, + with straps under the knees of his corduroy trousers, who stood puffing a + black clay pipe with his back against the wall. What the cause of the + quarrel was, or what sharp sarcasm from the woman's lips pricked suddenly + through that thick skin may never be known, but suddenly the man took his + pipe in his left hand, leaned forward, and deliberately struck her across + the face with his right. It was a slap rather than a blow, but the woman + gave a sharp cry and cowered up against the barrow with her hand to her + cheek. + </p> + <p> + “You infernal villain!” cried the Admiral, raising his stick. “You brute + and blackguard!” + </p> + <p> + “Garn!” growled the rough, with the deep rasping intonation of a savage. + “Garn out o' this or I'll——” He took a step forward with + uplifted hand, but in an instant down came cut number three upon his + wrist, and cut number five across his thigh, and cut number one full in + the center of his rabbit-skin cap. It was not a heavy stick, but it was + strong enough to leave a good red weal wherever it fell. The rough yelled + with pain, and rushed in, hitting with both hands, and kicking with his + ironshod boots, but the Admiral had still a quick foot and a true eye, so + that he bounded backwards and sideways, still raining a shower of blows + upon his savage antagonist. Suddenly, however, a pair of arms closed round + his neck, and glancing backwards he caught a glimpse of the black coarse + fringe of the woman whom he had befriended. “I've got him!” she shrieked. + “I'll 'old 'im. Now, Bill, knock the tripe out of him!” Her grip was as + strong as a man's, and her wrist pressed like an iron bar upon the + Admiral's throat. He made a desperate effort to disengage himself, but the + most that he could do was to swing her round, so as to place her between + his adversary and himself. As it proved, it was the very best thing that + he could have done. The rough, half-blinded and maddened by the blows + which he had received, struck out with all his ungainly strength, just as + his partner's head swung round in front of him. There was a noise like + that of a stone hitting a wall, a deep groan, her grasp relaxed, and she + dropped a dead weight upon the pavement, while the Admiral sprang back and + raised his stick once more, ready either for attack or defense. Neither + were needed, however, for at that moment there was a scattering of the + crowd, and two police constables, burly and helmeted, pushed their way + through the rabble. At the sight of them the rough took to his heels, and + was instantly screened from view by a veil of his friends and neighbors. + </p> + <p> + “I have been assaulted,” panted the Admiral. “This woman was attacked and + I had to defend her.” + </p> + <p> + “This is Bermondsey Sal,” said one police officer, bending over the + bedraggled heap of tattered shawl and dirty skirt. “She's got it hot this + time.” + </p> + <p> + “He was a shortish man, thick, with a beard.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that's Black Davie. He's been up four times for beating her. He's + about done the job now. If I were you I would let that sort settle their + own little affairs, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that a man who holds the Queen's commission will stand by + and see a woman struck?” cried the Admiral indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, just as you like, sir. But you've lost your watch, I see.” + </p> + <p> + “My watch!” He clapped his hand to his waistcoat. The chain was hanging + down in front, and the watch gone. + </p> + <p> + He passed his hand over his forehead. “I would not have lost that watch + for anything,” said he. “No money could replace it. It was given me by the + ship's company after our African cruise. It has an inscription.” + </p> + <p> + The policeman shrugged his shoulders. “It comes from meddling,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “What'll you give me if I tell yer where it is?” said a sharp-faced boy + among the crowd. “Will you gimme a quid?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, where's the quid?” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral took a sovereign from his pocket. “Here it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Then 'ere's the ticker!” The boy pointed to the clenched hand of the + senseless woman. A glimmer of gold shone out from between the fingers, and + on opening them up, there was the Admiral's chronometer. This interesting + victim had throttled her protector with one hand, while she had robbed him + with the other. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral left his address with the policeman, satisfied that the woman + was only stunned, not dead, and then set off upon his way once more, the + poorer perhaps in his faith in human nature, but in very good spirits none + the less. He walked with dilated nostrils and clenched hands, all glowing + and tingling with the excitement of the combat, and warmed with the + thought that he could still, when there was need, take his own part in a + street brawl in spite of his three-score and odd years. + </p> + <p> + His way now led towards the river-side regions, and a cleansing whiff of + tar was to be detected in the stagnant autumn air. Men with the blue + jersey and peaked cap of the boatman, or the white ducks of the dockers, + began to replace the corduroys and fustian of the laborers. Shops with + nautical instruments in the windows, rope and paint sellers, and slop + shops with long rows of oilskins dangling from hooks, all proclaimed the + neighborhood of the docks. The Admiral quickened his pace and straightened + his figure as his surroundings became more nautical, until at last, + peeping between two high, dingy wharfs, he caught a glimpse of the + mud-colored waters of the Thames, and of the bristle of masts and funnels + which rose from its broad bosom. To the right lay a quiet street, with + many brass plates upon either side, and wire blinds in all of the windows. + The Admiral walked slowly down it until “The Saint Lawrence Shipping + Company” caught his eye. He crossed the road, pushed open the door, and + found himself in a low-ceilinged office, with a long counter at one end + and a great number of wooden sections of ships stuck upon boards and + plastered all over the walls. + </p> + <p> + “Is Mr. Henry in?” asked the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” answered an elderly man from a high seat in the corner. “He has + not come into town to-day. I can manage any business you may wish seen + to.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't happen to have a first or second officer's place vacant, do + you?” + </p> + <p> + The manager looked with a dubious eye at his singular applicant. + </p> + <p> + “Do you hold certificates?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I hold every nautical certificate there is.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you won't do for us.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Your age, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “I give you my word that I can see as well as ever, and am as good a man + in every way.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't doubt it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should my age be a bar, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I must put it plainly. If a man of your age, holding certificates, + has not got past a second officer's berth, there must be a black mark + against him somewhere. I don't know what it is, drink or temper, or want + of judgment, but something there must be.” + </p> + <p> + “I assure you there is nothing, but I find myself stranded, and so have to + turn to the old business again.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's it,” said the manager, with suspicion in his eye. “How long + were you in your last billet?” + </p> + <p> + “Fifty-one years.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, one-and-fifty years.” + </p> + <p> + “In the same employ?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, you must have begun as a child.” + </p> + <p> + “I was twelve when I joined.” + </p> + <p> + “It must be a strangely managed business,” said the manager, “which allows + men to leave it who have served for fifty years, and who are still as good + as ever. Who did you serve?” + </p> + <p> + “The Queen. Heaven bless her!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you were in the Royal Navy. What rating did you hold?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Admiral of the Fleet.” + </p> + <p> + The manager started, and sprang down from his high stool. + </p> + <p> + “My name is Admiral Hay Denver. There is my card. And here are the records + of my service. I don't, you understand, want to push another man from his + billet; but if you should chance to have a berth open, I should be very + glad of it. I know the navigation from the Cod Banks right up to Montreal + a great deal better than I know the streets of London.” + </p> + <p> + The astonished manager glanced over the blue papers which his visitor had + handed him. “Won't you take a chair, Admiral?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you! But I should be obliged if you would drop my title now. I told + you because you asked me, but I've left the quarter-deck, and I am plain + Mr. Hay Denver now.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask,” said the manager, “are you the same Denver who commanded at + one time on the North American station?” + </p> + <p> + “I did.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it was you who got one of our boats, the Comus, off the rocks in the + Bay of Fundy? The directors voted you three hundred guineas as salvage, + and you refused them.” + </p> + <p> + “It was an offer which should not have been made,” said the Admiral + sternly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it reflects credit upon you that you should think so. If Mr. Henry + were here I am sure that he would arrange this matter for you at once. As + it is, I shall lay it before the directors to-day, and I am sure that they + will be proud to have you in our employment, and, I hope, in some more + suitable position than that which you suggest.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very much obliged to you, sir,” said the Admiral, and started off + again, well pleased, upon his homeward journey. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. STILL AMONG SHOALS. + </h2> + <p> + Next day brought the Admiral a cheque for L5,000 from Mr. McAdam, and a + stamped agreement by which he made over his pension papers to the + speculative investor. It was not until he had signed and sent it off that + the full significance of all that he had done broke upon him. He had + sacrificed everything. His pension was gone. He had nothing save only what + he could earn. But the stout old heart never quailed. He waited eagerly + for a letter from the Saint Lawrence Shipping Company, and in the + meanwhile he gave his landlord a quarter's notice. Hundred pound a year + houses would in future be a luxury which he could not aspire to. A small + lodging in some inexpensive part of London must be the substitute for his + breezy Norwood villa. So be it, then! Better that a thousand fold than + that his name should be associated with failure and disgrace. + </p> + <p> + On that morning Harold Denver was to meet the creditors of the firm, and + to explain the situation to them. It was a hateful task, a degrading task, + but he set himself to do it with quiet resolution. At home they waited in + intense anxiety to learn the result of the meeting. It was late before he + returned, haggard and pale, like a man who has done and suffered much. + </p> + <p> + “What's this board in front of the house?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “We are going to try a little change of scene,” said the Admiral. “This + place is neither town nor country. But never mind that, boy. Tell us what + happened in the City.” + </p> + <p> + “God help me! My wretched business driving you out of house and home!” + cried Harold, broken down by this fresh evidence of the effects of his + misfortunes. “It is easier for me to meet my creditors than to see you two + suffering so patiently for my sake.” + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut!” cried the Admiral. “There's no suffering in the matter. Mother + would rather be near the theaters. That's at the bottom of it, isn't it, + mother? You come and sit down here between us and tell us all about it.” + </p> + <p> + Harold sat down with a loving hand in each of his. + </p> + <p> + “It's not so bad as we thought,” said he, “and yet it is bad enough. I + have about ten days to find the money, but I don't know which way to turn + for it. Pearson, however, lied, as usual, when he spoke of L13,000. The + amount is not quite L7,000.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral claped his hands. “I knew we should weather it after all! + Hurrah my boy! Hip, hip, hip, hurrah!” + </p> + <p> + Harold gazed at him in surprise, while the old seaman waved his arm above + his head and bellowed out three stentorian cheers. “Where am I to get + seven thousand pounds from, dad?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind. You spin your yarn.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, they were very good and very kind, but of course they must have + either their money or their money's worth. They passed a vote of sympathy + with me, and agreed to wait ten days before they took any proceedings. + Three of them, whose claim came to L3,500, told me that if I would give + them my personal I.O.U., and pay interest at the rate of five per cent, + their amounts might stand over as long as I wished. That would be a charge + of L175 upon my income, but with economy I could meet it, and it + diminishes the debt by one-half.” + </p> + <p> + Again the Admiral burst out cheering. + </p> + <p> + “There remains, therefore, about L3,200 which has to be found within ten + days. No man shall lose by me. I gave them my word in the room that if I + worked my soul out of my body every one of them should be paid. I shall + not spend a penny upon myself until it is done. But some of them can't + wait. They are poor men themselves, and must have their money. They have + issued a warrant for Pearson's arrest. But they think that he has got away to + the States.” + </p> + <p> + “These men shall have their money,” said the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + “Dad!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my boy, you don't know the resources of the family. One never does + know until one tries. What have you yourself now?” + </p> + <p> + “I have about a thousand pounds invested.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. And I have about as much more. There's a good start. Now, + mother, it is your turn. What is that little bit of paper of yours?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Denver unfolded it, and placed it upon Harold's knee. + </p> + <p> + “Five thousand pounds!” he gasped. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but mother is not the only rich one. Look at this!” And the Admiral + unfolded his cheque, and placed it upon the other knee. + </p> + <p> + Harold gazed from one to the other in bewilderment. “Ten thousand pounds!” + he cried. “Good heavens! where did these come from?” + </p> + <p> + “You will not worry any longer, dear,” murmured his mother, slipping her + arm round him. + </p> + <p> + But his quick eye had caught the signature upon one of the cheques. + “Doctor Walker!” he cried, flushing. “This is Clara's doing. Oh, dad, we + cannot take this money. It would not be right nor honorable.” + </p> + <p> + “No, boy, I am glad you think so. It is something, however, to have proved + one's friend, for a real good friend he is. It was he who brought it in, + though Clara sent him. But this other money will be enough to cover + everything, and it is all my own.” + </p> + <p> + “Your own? Where did you get it, dad?” + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut! See what it is to have a City man to deal with. It is my own, + and fairly earned, and that is enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear old dad!” Harold squeezed his gnarled hand. “And you, mother! You + have lifted the trouble from my heart. I feel another man. You have saved + my honor, my good name, everything. I cannot owe you more, for I owe you + everything already.” + </p> + <p> + So while the autumn sunset shone ruddily through the broad window these + three sat together hand in hand, with hearts which were too full to speak. + Suddenly the soft thudding of tennis balls was heard, and Mrs. Westmacott + bounded into view upon the lawn with brandished racket and short skirts + fluttering in the breeze. The sight came as a relief to their strained + nerves, and they burst all three into a hearty fit of laughter. + </p> + <p> + “She is playing with her nephew,” said Harold at last. “The Walkers have + not come out yet. I think that it would be well if you were to give me + that cheque, mother, and I were to return it in person.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Harold. I think it would be very nice.” + </p> + <p> + He went in through the garden. Clara and the Doctor were sitting together + in the dining-room. She sprang to her feet at the sight of him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Harold, I have been waiting for you so impatiently,” she cried; “I + saw you pass the front windows half an hour ago. I would have come in if I + dared. Do tell us what has happened.” + </p> + <p> + “I have come in to thank you both. How can I repay you for your kindness? + Here is your cheque, Doctor. I have not needed it. I find that I can lay + my hands on enough to pay my creditors.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God!” said Clara fervently. + </p> + <p> + “The sum is less than I thought, and our resources considerably more. We + have been able to do it with ease.” + </p> + <p> + “With ease!” The Doctor's brow clouded and his manner grew cold. “I think, + Harold, that you would do better to take this money of mine, than to use + that which seems to you to be gained with ease.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir. If I borrowed from any one it would be from you. But my + father has this very sum, five thousand pounds, and, as I tell him, I owe + him so much that I have no compunction about owing him more.” + </p> + <p> + “No compunction! Surely there are some sacrifices which a son should not + allow his parents to make.” + </p> + <p> + “Sacrifices! What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible that you do not know how this money has been obtained?” + </p> + <p> + “I give you my word, Doctor Walker, that I have no idea. I asked my + father, but he refused to tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought not,” said the Doctor, the gloom clearing from his brow. “I was + sure that you were not a man who, to clear yourself from a little money + difficulty, would sacrifice the happiness of your mother and the health of + your father.” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious! what do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “It is only right that you should know. That money represents the + commutation of your father's pension. He has reduced himself to poverty, + and intends to go to sea again to earn a living.” + </p> + <p> + “To sea again! Impossible!” + </p> + <p> + “It is the truth. Charles Westmacott has told Ida. He was with him in the + City when he took his poor pension about from dealer to dealer trying to + sell it. He succeeded at last, and hence the money.” + </p> + <p> + “He has sold his pension!” cried Harold, with his hands to his face. “My + dear old dad has sold his pension!” He rushed from the room, and burst + wildly into the presence of his parents once more. “I cannot take it, + father,” he cried. “Better bankruptcy than that. Oh, if I had only known + your plan! We must have back the pension. Oh, mother, mother, how could + you think me capable of such selfishness? Give me the cheque, dad, and I + will see this man to-night, for I would sooner die like a dog in the ditch + than touch a penny of this money.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. A MIDNIGHT VISITOR. + </h2> + <p> + Now all this time, while the tragi-comedy of life was being played in + these three suburban villas, while on a commonplace stage love and humor + and fears and lights and shadows were so swiftly succeeding each other, + and while these three families, drifted together by fate, were shaping + each other's destinies and working out in their own fashion the strange, + intricate ends of human life, there were human eyes which watched over + every stage of the performance, and which were keenly critical of every + actor on it. Across the road beyond the green palings and the + close-cropped lawn, behind the curtains of their creeper-framed windows, + sat the two old ladies, Miss Bertha and Miss Monica Williams, looking out + as from a private box at all that was being enacted before them. The + growing friendship of the three families, the engagement of Harold Denver + with Clara Walker, the engagement of Charles Westmacott with her sister, + the dangerous fascination which the widow exercised over the Doctor, the + preposterous behavior of the Walker girls and the unhappiness which they + had caused their father, not one of these incidents escaped the notice of + the two maiden ladies. Bertha the younger had a smile or a sigh for the + lovers, Monica the elder a frown or a shrug for the elders. Every night + they talked over what they had seen, and their own dull, uneventful life + took a warmth and a coloring from their neighbors as a blank wall reflects + a beacon fire. + </p> + <p> + And now it was destined that they should experience the one keen sensation + of their later years, the one memorable incident from which all future + incidents should be dated. + </p> + <p> + It was on the very night which succeeded the events which have just been + narrated, when suddenly into Monica William's head, as she tossed upon her + sleepless bed, there shot a thought which made her sit up with a thrill + and a gasp. + </p> + <p> + “Bertha,” said she, plucking at the shoulder of her sister, “I have left + the front window open.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Monica, surely not.” Bertha sat up also, and thrilled in sympathy. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure of it. You remember I had forgotten to water the pots, and then + I opened the window, and Jane called me about the jam, and I have never + been in the room since.” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious, Monica, it is a mercy that we have not been murdered in + our beds. There was a house broken into at Forest Hill last week. Shall we + go down and shut it?” + </p> + <p> + “I dare not go down alone, dear, but if you will come with me. Put on your + slippers and dressing-gown. We do not need a candle. Now, Bertha, we will + go down together.” + </p> + <p> + Two little white patches moved vaguely through the darkness, the stairs + creaked, the door whined, and they were at the front room window. Monica + closed it gently down, and fastened the snib. + </p> + <p> + “What a beautiful moon!” said she, looking out. “We can see as clearly as + if it were day. How peaceful and quiet the three houses are over yonder! + It seems quite sad to see that 'To Let' card upon number one. I wonder how + number two will like their going. For my part I could better spare that + dreadful woman at number three with her short skirts and her snake. But, + oh, Bertha, look! look!! look!!!” Her voice had fallen suddenly to a + quivering whisper and she was pointing to the Westmacotts' house. Her + sister gave a gasp of horror, and stood with a clutch at Monica's arm, + staring in the same direction. + </p> + <p> + There was a light in the front room, a slight, wavering light such as + would be given by a small candle or taper. The blind was down, but the + light shone dimly through. Outside in the garden, with his figure outlined + against the luminous square, there stood a man, his back to the road, his + two hands upon the window ledge, and his body rather bent as though he + were trying to peep in past the blind. So absolutely still and motionless + was he that in spite of the moon they might well have overlooked him were + it not for that tell-tale light behind. + </p> + <p> + “Good heaven!” gasped Bertha, “it is a burglar.” + </p> + <p> + But her sister set her mouth grimly and shook her head. “We shall see,” + she whispered. “It may be something worse.” + </p> + <p> + Swiftly and furtively the man stood suddenly erect, and began to push the + window slowly up. Then he put one knee upon the sash, glanced round to see + that all was safe, and climbed over into the room. As he did so he had to + push the blind aside. Then the two spectators saw where the light came + from. Mrs. Westmacott was standing, as rigid as a statue, in the center of + the room, with a lighted taper in her right hand. For an instant they + caught a glimpse of her stern face and her white collar. Then the blind + fell back into position, and the two figures disappeared from their view. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that dreadful woman!” cried Monica. “That dreadful, dreadful woman! + She was waiting for him. You saw it with your own eyes, sister Bertha!” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, dear, hush and listen!” said her more charitable companion. They + pushed their own window up once more, and watched from behind the + curtains. + </p> + <p> + For a long time all was silent within the house. The light still stood + motionless as though Mrs. Westmacott remained rigidly in the one position, + while from time to time a shadow passed in front of it to show that her + midnight visitor was pacing up and down in front of her. Once they saw his + outline clearly, with his hands outstretched as if in appeal or entreaty. + Then suddenly there was a dull sound, a cry, the noise of a fall, the + taper was extinguished, and a dark figure fled in the moonlight, rushed + across the garden, and vanished amid the shrubs at the farther side. + </p> + <p> + Then only did the two old ladies understand that they had looked on whilst + a tragedy had been enacted. “Help!” they cried, and “Help!” in their high, + thin voices, timidly at first, but gathering volume as they went on, until + the Wilderness rang with their shrieks. Lights shone in all the windows + opposite, chains rattled, bars were unshot, doors opened, and out rushed + friends to the rescue. Harold, with a stick; the Admiral, with his sword, + his grey head and bare feet protruding from either end of a long brown + ulster; finally, Doctor Walker, with a poker, all ran to the help of the + Westmacotts. Their door had been already opened, and they crowded + tumultuously into the front room. + </p> + <p> + Charles Westmacott, white to his lips, was kneeling an the floor, + supporting his aunt's head upon his knee. She lay outstretched, dressed in + her ordinary clothes, the extinguished taper still grasped in her hand, no + mark or wound upon her—pale, placid, and senseless. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God you are come, Doctor,” said Charles, looking up. “Do tell me + how she is, and what I should do.” + </p> + <p> + Doctor Walker kneeled beside her, and passed his left hand over her head, + while he grasped her pulse with the right. + </p> + <p> + “She has had a terrible blow,” said he. “It must have been with some blunt + weapon. Here is the place behind the ear. But she is a woman of + extraordinary physical powers. Her pulse is full and slow. There is no + stertor. It is my belief that she is merely stunned, and that she is in no + danger at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God for that!” + </p> + <p> + “We must get her to bed. We shall carry her upstairs, and then I shall + send my girls in to her. But who has done this?” + </p> + <p> + “Some robber,” said Charles. “You see that the window is open. She must + have heard him and come down, for she was always perfectly fearless. I + wish to goodness she had called me.” + </p> + <p> + “But she was dressed.” + </p> + <p> + “Sometimes she sits up very late.” + </p> + <p> + “I did sit up very late,” said a voice. She had opened her eyes, and was + blinking at them in the lamplight. “A villain came in through the window + and struck me with a life-preserver. You can tell the police so when they + come. Also that it was a little fat man. Now, Charles, give me your arm + and I shall go upstairs.” + </p> + <p> + But her spirit was greater than her strength, for, as she staggered to her + feet, her head swam round, and she would have fallen again had her nephew + not thrown his arms round her. They carried her upstairs among them and + laid her upon the bed, where the Doctor watched beside her, while Charles + went off to the police-station, and the Denvers mounted guard over the + frightened maids. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. IN PORT AT LAST. + </h2> + <p> + Day had broken before the several denizens of the Wilderness had all + returned to their homes, the police finished their inquiries, and all come + back to its normal quiet. Mrs. Westmacott had been left sleeping + peacefully with a small chloral draught to steady her nerves and a + handkerchief soaked in arnica bound round her head. It was with some + surprise, therefore, that the Admiral received a note from her about ten + o'clock, asking him to be good enough to step in to her. He hurried in, + fearing that she might have taken some turn for the worse, but he was + reassured to find her sitting up in her bed, with Clara and Ida Walker in + attendance upon her. She had removed the handkerchief, and had put on a + little cap with pink ribbons, and a maroon dressing-jacket, daintily + fulled at the neck and sleeves. + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend,” said she as he entered, “I wish to make a last few + remarks to you. No, no,” she continued, laughing, as she saw a look of + dismay upon his face. “I shall not dream of dying for at least another + thirty years. A woman should be ashamed to die before she is seventy. I + wish, Clara, that you would ask your father to step up. And you, Ida, just + pass me my cigarettes, and open me a bottle of stout.” + </p> + <p> + “Now then,” she continued, as the doctor joined their party. “I don't + quite know what I ought to say to you, Admiral. You want some very plain + speaking to.” + </p> + <p> + “'Pon my word, ma'am, I don't know what you are talking about.” + </p> + <p> + “The idea of you at your age talking of going to sea, and leaving that + dear, patient little wife of yours at home, who has seen nothing of you + all her life! It's all very well for you. You have the life, and the + change, and the excitement, but you don't think of her eating her heart + out in a dreary London lodging. You men are all the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, ma'am, since you know so much, you probably know also that I have + sold my pension. How am I to live if I do not turn my hand to work?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Westmacott produced a large registered envelope from beneath the + sheets and tossed it over to the old seaman. + </p> + <p> + “That excuse won't do. There are your pension papers. Just see if they are + right.” + </p> + <p> + He broke the seal, and out tumbled the very papers which he had made over + to McAdam two days before. + </p> + <p> + “But what am I to do with these now?” he cried in bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + “You will put them in a safe place, or get a friend to do so, and, if you + do your duty, you will go to your wife and beg her pardon for having even + for an instant thought of leaving her.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral passed his hand over his rugged forehead. “This is very good + of you, ma'am,” said he, “very good and kind, and I know that you are a + staunch friend, but for all that these papers mean money, and though we + may have been in broken water lately, we are not quite in such straits as + to have to signal to our friends. When we do, ma'am, there's no one we + would look to sooner than to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be ridiculous!” said the widow. “You know nothing whatever about + it, and yet you stand there laying down the law. I'll have my way in the + matter, and you shall take the papers, for it is no favor that I am doing + you, but simply a restoration of stolen property.” + </p> + <p> + “How's that, ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + “I am just going to explain, though you might take a lady's word for it + without asking any questions. Now, what I am going to say is just between + you four, and must go no farther. I have my own reasons for wishing to + keep it from the police. Who do you think it was who struck me last night, + Admiral?” + </p> + <p> + “Some villain, ma'am. I don't know his name.” + </p> + <p> + “But I do. It was the same man who ruined or tried to ruin your son. It + was my only brother, Jeremiah.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you about him—or a little about him, for he has done + much which I would not care to talk of, nor you to listen to. He was + always a villain, smooth-spoken and plausible, but a dangerous, subtle + villain all the same. If I have some hard thoughts about mankind I can + trace them back to the childhood which I spent with my brother. He is my + only living relative, for my other brother, Charles's father, was killed + in the Indian mutiny. + </p> + <p> + “Our father was rich, and when he died he made a good provision both for + Jeremiah and for me. He knew Jeremiah and he mistrusted him, however; so + instead of giving him all that he meant him to have he handed me over a + part of it, telling me, with what was almost his dying breath, to hold it + in trust for my brother, and to use it in his behalf when he should have + squandered or lost all that he had. This arrangement was meant to be a + secret between my father and myself, but unfortunately his words were + overheard by the nurse, and she repeated them afterwards to my brother, so + that he came to know that I held some money in trust for him. I suppose + tobacco will not harm my head, Doctor? Thank you, then I shall trouble you + for the matches, Ida.” She lit a cigarette, and leaned back upon the + pillow, with the blue wreaths curling from her lips. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell you how often he has attempted to get that money from me. + He has bullied, cajoled, threatened, coaxed, done all that a man could do. + I still held it with the presentiment that a need for it would come. When + I heard of this villainous business, his flight, and his leaving his + partner to face the storm, above all that my old friend had been driven to + surrender his income in order to make up for my brother's defalcations, I + felt that now indeed I had a need for it. I sent in Charles yesterday to + Mr. McAdam, and his client, upon hearing the facts of the case, very + graciously consented to give back the papers, and to take the money which + he had advanced. Not a word of thanks to me, Admiral. I tell you that it + was very cheap benevolence, for it was all done with his own money, and + how could I use it better? + </p> + <p> + “I thought that I should probably hear from him soon, and I did. Last + evening there was handed in a note of the usual whining, cringing tone. He + had come back from abroad at the risk of his life and liberty, just in + order that he might say good-bye to the only sister he ever had, and to + entreat my forgiveness for any pain which he had caused me. He would never + trouble me again, and he begged only that I would hand over to him the sum + which I held in trust for him. That, with what he had already, would be + enough to start him as an honest man in the new world, when he would ever + remember and pray for the dear sister who had been his savior. That was + the style of the letter, and it ended by imploring me to leave the + window-latch open, and to be in the front room at three in the morning, + when he would come to receive my last kiss and to bid me farewell. + </p> + <p> + “Bad as he was, I could not, when he trusted me, betray him. I said + nothing, but I was there at the hour. He entered through the window, and + implored me to give him the money. He was terribly changed; gaunt, + wolfish, and spoke like a madman. I told him that I had spent the money. + He gnashed his teeth at me, and swore it was his money. I told him that I + had spent it on him. He asked me how. I said in trying to make him an + honest man, and in repairing the results of his villainy. He shrieked out + a curse, and pulling something out of the breast of his coat—a + loaded stick, I think—he struck me with it, and I remembered nothing + more.” + </p> + <p> + “The blackguard!” cried the Doctor, “but the police must be hot upon his + track.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy not,” Mrs. Westmacott answered calmly. “As my brother is a + particularly tall, thin man, and as the police are looking for a short, + fat one, I do not think that it is very probable that they will catch him. + It is best, I think, that these little family matters should be adjusted + in private.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear ma'am,” said the Admiral, “if it is indeed this man's money that + has bought back my pension, then I can have no scruples about taking it. + You have brought sunshine upon us, ma'am, when the clouds were at their + darkest, for here is my boy who insists upon returning the money which I + got. He can keep it now to pay his debts. For what you have done I can + only ask God to bless you, ma'am, and as to thanking you I can't even——” + </p> + <p> + “Then pray don't try,” said the widow. “Now run away, Admiral, and make + your peace with Mrs. Denver. I am sure if I were she it would be a long + time before I should forgive you. As for me, I am going to America when + Charles goes. You'll take me so far, won't you, Ida? There is a college + being built in Denver which is to equip the woman of the future for the + struggle of life, and especially for her battle against man. Some months + ago the committee offered me a responsible situation upon the staff, and I + have decided now to accept it, for Charles's marriage removes the last tie + which binds me to England. You will write to me sometimes, my friends, and + you will address your letters to Professor Westmacott, Emancipation + College, Denver. From there I shall watch how the glorious struggle goes + in conservative old England, and if I am needed you will find me here + again fighting in the forefront of the fray. Good-bye—but not you, + girls; I have still a word I wish to say to you. + </p> + <p> + “Give me your hand, Ida, and yours, Clara,” said she when they were alone. + “Oh, you naughty little pusses, aren't you ashamed to look me in the face? + Did you think—did you really think that I was so very blind, and + could not see your little plot? You did it very well, I must say that, and + really I think that I like you better as you are. But you had all your + pains for nothing, you little conspirators, for I give you my word that I + had quite made up my mind not to have him.” + </p> + <p> + And so within a few weeks our little ladies from their observatory saw a + mighty bustle in the Wilderness, when two-horse carriages came, and + coachmen with favors, to bear away to the two who were destined to come back + one. And they themselves in their crackling silk dresses went across, as + invited, to the big double wedding breakfast which was held in the house + of Doctor Walker. Then there was health-drinking, and laughter, and + changing of dresses, and rice-throwing when the carriages drove up again, + and two more couples started on that journey which ends only with life + itself. + </p> + <p> + Charles Westmacott is now a flourishing ranchman in the western part of + Texas, where he and his sweet little wife are the two most popular persons + in all that county. Of their aunt they see little, but from time to time + they see notices in the papers that there is a focus of light in Denver, + where mighty thunderbolts are being forged which will one day bring the + dominant sex upon their knees. The Admiral and his wife still live at + number one, while Harold and Clara have taken number two, where Doctor + Walker continues to reside. As to the business, it had been reconstructed, + and the energy and ability of the junior partner had soon made up for all + the ill that had been done by his senior. Yet with his sweet and refined + home atmosphere he is able to realize his wish, and to keep himself free + from the sordid aims and base ambitions which drag down the man whose + business lies too exclusively in the money market of the vast Babylon. As + he goes back every evening from the crowds of Throgmorton Street to the + tree-lined peaceful avenues of Norwood, so he has found it possible in + spirit also to do one's duties amidst the babel of the City, and yet to + live beyond it. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Beyond the City, by Arthur Conan Doyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEYOND THE CITY *** + +***** This file should be named 356-h.htm or 356-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/356/ + +Produced by Michael Hart, Trevor Carlson and 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. 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