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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:35:24 -0700 |
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W. Jacobs., Part 2. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + * { font-family: Times; + } + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 14pt; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: Courier, monospaced;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of At Sunwich Port, Part 2., by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: At Sunwich Port, Part 2. + Contents: Chapters 6-10 + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: January 30, 2004 [EBook #10872] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AT SUNWICH PORT, PART 2. *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1> + AT SUNWICH PORT +</h1> +<br /> +<h3> + BY +</h3> +<br /> +<h2> + W. W. JACOBS +</h2> +<br /><br /> +<h3> + Drawings by Will Owen +</h3> + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (54K)" src="title.jpg" height="699" width="508" /> +</center> +<br><br> + +<h3>Part 2.</h3> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + +<h2>Contents</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH7"> +CHAPTER VI +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH8"> +CHAPTER VII +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH9"> +CHAPTER VIII +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH10"> +CHAPTER IX +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH11"> +CHAPTER X +</a></p> + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-13"> +"The Most Astounding and Gratifying Instance of The +Wonders Effected by Time Was That of Miss Nugent." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-14"> +"Mr. Swann With Growing Astonishment Slowly Mastered The +Contents." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-15"> +"Fullalove Alley." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-16"> +"She Caught Sight of Hardy." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-17"> +"Undiluted Wisdom and Advice Flowed from his Lips." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-18"> +"'What Do You Want?' Inquired Miss Kybird." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-19"> +"He Regarded the Wife of his Bosom With a Calculating +Glance." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-20"> +"He Even Obtained Work Down at the Harbor." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-21"> +"Miss Kybird Standing in the Doorway of The Shop." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-22"> +"Me Or 'im—which is It to Be?" +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-23"> +"I Wonder What the Governor'll Say." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-24"> +"A Spirit of Quiet Despair." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-25"> +"A Return Visit." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-26"> +"He Set off Towards the Life and Bustle of The Two +Schooners." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-27"> +"For the Second Time he Left The Court Without a Stain On +His Character." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-28"> +"The Proprietor Eyed Him With Furtive Glee As he Passed." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-29"> +"Miss Nugent's Consternation Was Difficult Of +Concealment." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-30"> +"He Found his Remaining Guest Holding His Aching Head +Beneath the Tap." +</a></p> + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + + + + +<a name="2HCH7"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VI +</h2> +<p> + For the first few days after his return Sunwich was full of surprises to + Jem Hardy. The town itself had changed but little, and the older + inhabitants were for the most part easily recognisable, but time had + wrought wonders among the younger members of the population: small boys + had attained to whiskered manhood, and small girls passing into + well-grown young women had in some cases even changed their names. +</p> +<p> + The most astounding and gratifying instance of the wonders effected by + time was that of Miss Nugent. He saw her first at the window, and with a + ready recognition of the enchantment lent by distance took the first + possible opportunity of a closer observation. He then realized the + enchantment afforded by proximity. The second opportunity led him + impetuously into a draper's shop, where a magnificent shop-walker, after + first ceremoniously handing him a high cane chair, passed on his order + for pins in a deep and thrilling baritone, and retired in good order. +</p> +<a name="image-13"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="013.jpg" height="634" width="407" +alt="'the Most Astounding and Gratifying Instance of The +Wonders Effected by Time Was That of Miss Nugent.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + By the end of a week his observations were completed, and Kate Nugent, + securely enthroned in his mind as the incarnation of feminine grace and + beauty, left but little room for other matters. On his second Sunday at + home, to his father's great surprise, he attended church, and after + contemplating Miss Nugent's back hair for an hour and a half came home + and spoke eloquently and nobly on "burying hatchets," "healing old + sores," "letting bygones be bygones," and kindred topics. +</p> +<p> + "I never take much notice of sermons myself," said the captain, + misunderstanding. +</p> +<p> + "Sermon?" said his son. "I wasn't thinking of the sermon, but I saw + Captain Nugent there, and I remembered the stupid quarrel between you. + It's absurd that it should go on indefinitely." +</p> +<p> + "Why, what does it matter?" inquired the other, staring. "Why shouldn't + it? Perhaps it's the music that's affected you; some of those old + hymns—" +</p> +<p> + "It wasn't the sermon and it wasn't the hymns," said his son, + disdainfully; "it's just common sense. It seems to me that the enmity + between you has lasted long enough." +</p> +<p> + "I don't see that it matters," said the captain; "it doesn't hurt me. + Nugent goes his way and I go mine, but if I ever get a chance at the old + man, he'd better look out. He wants a little of the starch taken out of + him." +</p> +<p> + "Mere mannerism," said his son. +</p> +<p> + "He's as proud as Lucifer, and his girl takes after him," said the + innocent captain. "By the way, she's grown up a very good-looking girl. + You take a look at her the next time you see her." +</p> +<p> + His son stared at him. +</p> +<p> + "She'll get married soon, I should think," continued the other. "Young + Murchison, the new doctor here, seems to be the favourite. Nugent is + backing him, so they say; I wish him joy of his father-in-law." +</p> +<p> + Jem Hardy took his pipe into the garden, and, pacing slowly up and down + the narrow paths, determined, at any costs, to save Dr. Murchison from + such a father-in-law and Kate Nugent from any husband except of his + choosing. He took a seat under an old apple tree, and, musing in the + twilight, tried in vain to think of ways and means of making her + acquaintance. +</p> +<p> + Meantime they passed each other as strangers, and the difficulty of + approaching her only made the task more alluring. In the second week he + reckoned up that he had seen her nine times. It was a satisfactory + total, but at the same time he could not shut his eyes to the fact that + five times out of that number he had seen Dr. Murchison as well, and + neither of them appeared to have seen him. +</p> +<p> + He sat thinking it over in the office one hot afternoon. Mr. Adolphus + Swann, his partner, had just returned from lunch, and for about the fifth + time that day was arranging his white hair and short, neatly pointed + beard in a small looking-glass. Over the top of it he glanced at Hardy, + who, leaning back in his chair, bit his pen and stared hard at a paper + before him. +</p> +<p> + "Is that the manifest of the North Star?" he inquired. +</p> +<p> + "No," was the reply. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Swann put his looking-glass away and watched the other as he crossed + over to the window and gazed through the small, dirty panes at the + bustling life of the harbour below. For a short time Hardy stood gazing + in silence, and then, suddenly crossing the room, took his hat from a peg + and went out. +</p> +<p> + "Restless," said the senior partner, wiping his folders with great care + and putting them on. "Wonder where he's put that manifest." +</p> +<p> + He went over to the other's desk and opened a drawer to search for it. + Just inside was a sheet of foolscap, and Mr. Swann with growing + astonishment slowly mastered the contents. +</p> +<a name="image-14"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="014.jpg" height="634" width="485" +alt="'mr. Swann With Growing Astonishment Slowly Mastered The +Contents.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "See her as often as possible." +</p> +<p> + "Get to know some of her friends." +</p> +<p> + "Try and get hold of the old lady." +</p> +<p> + "Find out her tastes and ideas." +</p> +<p> + "Show my hand before Murchison has it all his own way." +</p> +<p> + "It seems to me," said the bewildered shipbroker, carefully replacing the + paper, "that my young friend is looking out for another partner. He + hasn't lost much time." +</p> +<p> + He went back to his seat and resumed his work. It occurred to him that + he ought to let his partner know what he had seen, and when Hardy + returned he had barely seated himself before Mr. Swann with a mysterious + smile crossed over to him, bearing a sheet of foolscap. +</p> +<p> + "Try and dress as well as my partner," read the astonished Hardy. + "What's the matter with my clothes? What do you mean?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Swann, in place of answering, returned to his desk and, taking up + another sheet of foolscap, began to write again, holding up his hand for + silence as Hardy repeated his question. When he had finished his task he + brought it over and placed it in the other's hand. +</p> +<p> + "Take her little brother out for walks." +</p> +<p> + Hardy crumpled the paper up and flung it aside. Then, with his face + crimson, he stared wrathfully at the benevolent Swann. +</p> +<p> + "It's the safest card in the pack," said the latter. "You please + everybody; especially the little brother. You should always hold his + hand—it looks well for one thing, and if you shut your eyes—" +</p> +<p> + "I don't want any of your nonsense," said the maddened Jem. "What do you + mean by reading my private papers?" +</p> +<p> + "I came over to look for the manifest," said Mr. Swann, "and I read it + before I could make out what it was. You must admit it's a bit cryptic. + I thought it was a new game at first. Getting hold of the old lady + sounds like a sort of blind-man's buff. But why not get hold of the + young one? Why waste time over—" +</p> +<p> + "Go to the devil," said the junior partner. +</p> +<p> + "Any more suggestions I can give you, you are heartily welcome to," said + Mr. Swann, going back to his seat. "All my vast experience is at your + service, and the best and sweetest and prettiest girls in Sunwich regard + me as a sort of second father." +</p> +<p> + "What's a second father?" inquired Jim, looking up—"a grandfather?" +</p> +<p> + "Go your own way," said the other; "I wash my hands of you. You're not + in earnest, or you'd clutch at any straw. But let me give you one word + of advice. Be careful how you get hold of the old lady; let her + understand from the commencement that it isn't her." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hardy went on with his work. There was a pile of it in front of him + and an accumulation in his drawers. For some time he wrote assiduously, + but work was dry after the subject they had been discussing. He looked + over at his partner and, seeing that that gentleman was gravely busy, + reopened the matter with a jeer. +</p> +<p> + "Old maids always know most about rearing children," he remarked; "so I + suppose old bachelors, looking down on life from the top shelf, think + they know most about marriage." +</p> +<p> + "I wash my hands of you," repeated the senior, placidly. "I am not to be + taunted into rendering first aid to the wounded." +</p> +<p> + The conscience-stricken junior lost his presence of mind. "Who's trying + to taunt you?" he demanded, hotly. "Why, you'd do more harm than good." +</p> +<p> + "Put a bandage round the head instead of the heart, I expect," assented + the chuckling Swann. "Top shelf, I think you said; well, I climbed there + for safety." +</p> +<p> + "You must have been much run after," said his partner. +</p> +<p> + "I was," said the other. "I suppose that's why it is I am always so + interested in these affairs. I have helped to marry so many people in + this place, that I'm almost afraid to stir out after dark." +</p> +<p> + Hardy's reply was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Edward Silk, a young + man of forlorn aspect, who combined in his person the offices of + messenger, cleaner, and office-boy to the firm. He brought in some + letters, and placing them on Mr. Swann's desk retired. +</p> +<p> + "There's another," said the latter, as the door closed. "His complaint + is Amelia Kybird, and he's got it badly. She's big enough to eat him, + but I believe that they are engaged. Perseverance has done it in his + case. He used to go about like a blighted flower—" +</p> +<p> + "I am rather busy," his partner reminded him. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Swann sighed and resumed his own labours. For some time both men + wrote in silence. Then the elder suddenly put his pen down and hit his + desk a noisy thump with his fist. +</p> +<p> + "I've got it," he said, briskly; "apologize humbly for all your candour, + and I will give you a piece of information which shall brighten your dull + eyes, raise the corners of your drooping mouth, and renew once more the + pink and cream in your youthful cheeks." +</p> +<p> + "Look here—" said the overwrought Hardy. +</p> +<p> + "Samson Wilks," interrupted Mr. Swann, "number three, Fullalove Alley, + at home Fridays, seven to nine, to the daughter of his late skipper, who + always visits him on that day. Don't thank me, Hardy, in case you break + down. She's a very nice girl, and if she had been born twenty years + earlier, or I had been born twenty years later, or you hadn't been born + at all, there's no saying what might not have happened." +</p> +<p> + "When I want you to interfere in my business," said Hardy, working + sedulously, "I'll let you know." +</p> +<p> + "Very good," replied Swann; "still, remember Thursdays, seven to nine." +</p> +<p> + "Thursdays," said Hardy, incautiously; "why, you said Fridays just now." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Swann made no reply. His nose was immersed in the folds of a large + handkerchief, and his eyes watered profusely behind his glasses. It was + some minutes before he had regained his normal composure, and even then + the sensitive nerves of his partner were offended by an occasional + belated chuckle. +</p> +<p> + Although by dint of casual and cautious inquiries Mr. Hardy found that + his partner's information was correct, he was by no means guilty of any + feelings of gratitude towards him; and he only glared scornfully when + that excellent but frivolous man mounted a chair on Friday afternoon, and + putting the clock on a couple of hours or so, urged him to be in time. +</p> +<p> + The evening, however, found him starting slowly in the direction of + Fullalove Alley. His father had gone to sea again, and the house was + very dull; moreover, he felt a mild curiosity to see the changes wrought + by time in Mr. Wilks. He walked along by the sea, and as the church + clock struck the three-quarters turned into the alley and looked eagerly + round for the old steward. +</p> +<p> + The labours of the day were over, and the inhabitants were for the most + part out of doors taking the air. Shirt-sleeved householders, leaning + against their door-posts smoking, exchanged ideas across the narrow space + paved with cobble-stones which separated their small and ancient houses, + while the matrons, more gregariously inclined, bunched in little groups + and discussed subjects which in higher circles would have inundated the + land with libel actions. Up and down the alley a tiny boy all ready for + bed, with the exception of his nightgown, mechanically avoided friendly + palms as he sought anxiously for his mother. +</p> +<a name="image-15"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="015.jpg" height="633" width="486" +alt="'fullalove Alley.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + The object of Mr. Hardy's search sat at the door of his front room, which + opened on to the alley, smoking an evening pipe, and noting with an + interested eye the doings of his neighbours. He was just preparing to + draw himself up in his chair as the intruder passed, when to his utter + astonishment that gentleman stopped in front of him, and taking + possession of his hand shook it fervently. +</p> +<p> + "How do you do?" he said, smiling. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks eyed him stupidly and, releasing his hand, coyly placed it in + his trouser-pocket and breathed hard. +</p> +<p> + "I meant to come before," said Hardy, "but I've been so busy. How are + you?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks, still dazed, muttered that he was very well. Then he sat bolt + upright in his chair and eyed his visitor suspiciously. +</p> +<p> + "I've been longing for a chat with you about old times," said Hardy; "of + all my old friends you seem to have changed the least. You don't look a + day older." +</p> +<p> + "I'm getting on," said Mr. Wilks, trying to speak coldly, but observing + with some gratification the effect produced upon his neighbours by the + appearance of this well-dressed acquaintance. +</p> +<p> + "I wanted to ask your advice," said the unscrupulous Hardy, speaking in + low tones. "I daresay you know I've just gone into partnership in + Sunwich, and I'm told there's no man knows more about the business and + the ins and outs of this town than you do." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks thawed despite himself. His face glistened and his huge mouth + broke into tremulous smiles. For a moment he hesitated, and then + noticing that a little group near them had suspended their conversation + to listen to his he drew his chair back and, in a kind voice, invited the + searcher after wisdom to step inside. +</p> +<p> + Hardy thanked him, and, following him in, took a chair behind the door, + and with an air of youthful deference bent his ear to catch the pearls + which fell from the lips of his host. Since he was a babe on his + mother's knee sixty years before Mr. Wilks had never had such an + attentive and admiring listener. Hardy sat as though glued to his chair, + one eye on Mr. Wilks and the other on the clock, and it was not until + that ancient timepiece struck the hour that the ex-steward suddenly + realized the awkward state of affairs. +</p> +<p> + "Any more 'elp I can give you I shall always be pleased to," he said, + looking at the clock. +</p> +<p> + Hardy thanked him at great length, wondering, as he spoke, whether Miss + Nugent was of punctual habits. He leaned back in his chair and, folding + his arms, gazed thoughtfully at the perturbed Mr. Wilks. +</p> +<p> + "You must come round and smoke a pipe with me sometimes," he said, + casually. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks flushed with gratified pride. He had a vision of himself + walking up to the front door of the Hardys, smoking a pipe in a + well-appointed room, and telling an incredulous and envious Fullalove + Alley about it afterwards. +</p> +<p> + "I shall be very pleased, sir," he said, impressively. +</p> +<p> + "Come round on Tuesday," said his visitor. "I shall be at home then." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks thanked him and, spurred on to hospitality, murmured something + about a glass of ale, and retired to the back to draw it. He came back + with a jug and a couple of glasses, and draining his own at a draught, + hoped that the example would not be lost upon his visitor. That astute + person, however, after a modest draught, sat still, anchored to the + half-empty glass. +</p> +<p> + "I'm expecting somebody to-night," said the ex-steward, at last. +</p> +<p> + "No doubt you have a lot of visitors," said the other, admiringly. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks did not deny it. He eyed his guest's glass and fidgeted. +</p> +<p> + "Miss Nugent is coming," he said. +</p> +<p> + Instead of any signs of disorder and preparations for rapid flight, Mr. + Wilks saw that the other was quite composed. He began to entertain a + poor idea of Mr. Hardy's memory. +</p> +<p> + "She generally comes for a little quiet chat," he said. +</p> +<p> + "Indeed!" +</p> +<p> + "Just between the two of us," said the other. +</p> +<p> + His visitor said "Indeed," and, as though some chord of memory had been + touched, sat gazing dreamily at Mr. Wilks's horticultural collection in + the window. Then he changed colour a little as a smart hat and a pretty + face crossed the tiny panes. Mr. Wilks changed colour too, and in an + awkward fashion rose to receive Miss Nugent. +</p> +<p> + "Late as usual, Sam," said the girl, sinking into a chair. Then she + caught sight of Hardy, who was standing by the door. +</p> +<a name="image-16"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="016.jpg" height="625" width="514" +alt="'she Caught Sight of Hardy.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "It's a long time since you and I met, Miss Nugent," he said, bowing. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Hardy?" said the girl, doubtfully. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss," interposed Mr. Wilks, anxious to explain his position. "He + called in to see me; quite a surprise to me it was. I 'ardly knowed + him." +</p> +<p> + "The last time we three met," said Hardy, who to his host's discomfort + had resumed his chair, "Wilks was thrashing me and you were urging him + on." +</p> +<p> + Kate Nugent eyed him carefully. It was preposterous that this young man + should take advantage of a boy and girl acquaintance of eleven years + before—and such an acquaintance!—in this manner. Her eyes expressed a + little surprise, not unmixed with hauteur, but Hardy was too pleased to + have them turned in his direction at all to quarrel with their + expression. +</p> +<p> + "You were a bit of a trial in them days," said Mr. Wilks, shaking his + head. "If I live to be ninety I shall never forget seeing Miss Kate + capsized the way she was. The way she——" +</p> +<p> + "How is your cold?" inquired Miss Nugent, hastily. +</p> +<p> + "Better, miss, thankee," said Mr. Wilks. +</p> +<p> + "Miss Nugent has forgotten and forgiven all that long ago," said Hardy. +</p> +<p> + "Quite," assented the girl, coldly; "one cannot remember all the boys and + girls one knew as a child." +</p> +<p> + "Certainly not," said Hardy. "I find that many have slipped from my own + memory, but I have a most vivid recollection of you." +</p> +<p> + Miss Nugent looked at him again, and an idea, strange and incredible, + dawned slowly upon her. Childish impressions are lasting, and Jem Hardy + had remained in her mind as a sort of youthful ogre. He sat before her + now a frank, determined-looking young Englishman, in whose honest eyes + admiration of herself could not be concealed. Indignation and surprise + struggled for supremacy. +</p> +<p> + "It's odd," remarked Mr. Wilks, who had a happy knack at times of saying + the wrong thing, "it's odd you should 'ave 'appened to come just at the + same time as Miss Kate did." +</p> +<p> + "It's my good fortune," said Hardy, with a slight bow. Then he cocked a + malignant eye at the innocent Mr. Wilks, and wondered at what age men + discarded the useless habit of blushing. Opposite him sat Miss Nugent, + calmly observant, the slightest suggestion of disdain in her expression. + Framed in the queer, high-backed old chair which had belonged to Mr. + Wilks's grandfather, she made a picture at which Jem Hardy continued to + gaze with respectful ardour. A hopeless sense of self-depreciation + possessed him, but the idea that Murchison should aspire to so much + goodness and beauty made him almost despair of his sex. His reverie was + broken by the voice of Mr. Wilks. +</p> +<p> + "A quarter to eight?" said that gentleman in-credulously; "it can't be." +</p> +<p> + "I thought it was later than that," said Hardy, simply. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks gasped, and with a faint shake of his head at the floor + abandoned the thankless task of giving hints to a young man who was too + obtuse to see them; and it was not until some time later that Mr. Hardy, + sorely against his inclinations, gave his host a hearty handshake and, + with a respectful bow to Miss Nugent, took his departure. +</p> +<p> + "Fine young man he's growed," said Mr. Wilks, deferentially, turning to + his remaining visitor; "greatly improved, I think." +</p> +<p> + Miss Nugent looked him over critically before replying. "He seems to + have taken a great fancy to you," she remarked. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks smiled a satisfied smile. "He came to ask my advice about + business," he said, softly. "He's 'eard two or three speak o' me as + knowing a thing or two, and being young, and just starting, 'e came to + talk it over with me. I never see a young man so pleased and ready to + take advice as wot he is." +</p> +<p> + "He is coming again for more, I suppose?" said Miss Nugent, carelessly. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks acquiesced. "And he asked me to go over to his 'ouse to smoke + a pipe with 'im on Tuesday," he added, in the casual manner in which men + allude to their aristocratic connections. "He's a bit lonely, all by + himself." +</p> +<p> + Miss Nugent said, "Indeed," and then, lapsing into silence, gave little + occasional side-glances at Mr. Wilks, as though in search of any hidden + charms about him which might hitherto have escaped her. +</p> +<p> + At the same time Mr. James Hardy, walking slowly home by the edge of the + sea, pondered on further ways and means of ensnaring the affection of the + ex-steward. +</p> +<a name="2HCH8"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VII +</h2> +<p> + The anticipations of Mr. Wilks were more than realized on the following + Tuesday. From the time a trim maid showed him into the smoking-room + until late at night, when he left, a feted and honoured guest, with one + of his host's best cigars between his teeth, nothing that could yield him + any comfort was left undone. In the easiest of easy chairs he sat in the + garden beneath the leafy branches of apple trees, and undiluted wisdom + and advice flowed from his lips in a stream as he beamed delightedly upon + his entertainer. +</p> +<a name="image-17"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="017.jpg" height="654" width="531" +alt="'undiluted Wisdom and Advice Flowed from his Lips.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Their talk was mainly of Sunwich and Sunwich people, and it was an easy + step from these to Equator Lodge. On that subject most people would have + found the ex-steward somewhat garrulous, but Jem Hardy listened with + great content, and even brought him back to it when he showed signs of + wandering. Altogether Mr. Wilks spent one of the pleasantest evenings of + his life, and, returning home in a slight state of mental exhilaration, + severely exercised the tongues of Fullalove Alley by a bearing considered + incompatible with his station. +</p> +<p> + Jem Hardy paid a return call on the following Friday, and had no cause to + complain of any lack of warmth in his reception. The ex-steward was + delighted to see him, and after showing him various curios picked up + during his voyages, took him to the small yard in the rear festooned with + scarlet-runner beans, and gave him a chair in full view of the + neighbours. +</p> +<p> + "I'm the only visitor to-night?" said Hardy, after an hour's patient + listening and waiting. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks nodded casually. "Miss Kate came last night," he said. + "Friday is her night, but she came yesterday instead." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hardy said, "Oh, indeed," and fell straight-way into a dismal reverie + from which the most spirited efforts of his host only partially aroused + him. +</p> +<p> + Without giving way to undue egotism it was pretty clear that Miss Nugent + had changed her plans on his account, and a long vista of pleasant Friday + evenings suddenly vanished. He, too, resolved to vary his visits, and, + starting with a basis of two a week, sat trying to solve the mathematical + chances of selecting the same as Kate Nugent; calculations which were not + facilitated by a long-winded account from Mr. Wilks of certain + interesting amours of his youthful prime. +</p> +<p> + Before he saw Kate Nugent again, however, another old acquaintance turned + up safe and sound in Sunwich. Captain Nugent walking into the town saw + him first: a tall, well-knit young man in shabby clothing, whose bearing + even in the distance was oddly familiar. As he came closer the captain's + misgivings were confirmed, and in the sunburnt fellow in tattered clothes + who advanced upon him with out-stretched hand he reluctantly recognized + his son. +</p> +<p> + "What have you come home for?" he inquired, ignoring the hand and eyeing + him from head to foot. +</p> +<p> + "Change," said Jack Nugent, laconically, as the smile left his face. +</p> +<p> + The captain shrugged his shoulders and stood silent. His son looked + first up the road and then down. +</p> +<p> + "All well at home?" he inquired. +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + Jack Nugent looked up the road again. +</p> +<p> + "Not much change in the town," he said, at length. +</p> +<p> + "No," said his father. +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'm glad to have seen you," said his son. "Good-bye." +</p> +<p> + "Good-bye," said the captain. +</p> +<p> + His son nodded and, turning on his heel, walked back towards the town. + Despite his forlorn appearance his step was jaunty and he carried his + head high. The captain watched him until he was hidden by a bend in the + road, and then, ashamed of himself for displaying so much emotion, turned + his own steps in the direction of home. +</p> +<p> + "Well, he didn't whine," he said, slowly. "He's got a bit of pride + left." +</p> +<p> + Meantime the prodigal had reached the town again, and stood ruefully + considering his position. +</p> +<p> + He looked up the street, and then, the well-known shop of Mr. Kybird + catching his eye, walked over and inspected the contents of the window. + Sheath-knives, belts, tobacco-boxes, and watches were displayed + alluringly behind the glass, sheltered from the sun by a row of cheap + clothing dangling from short poles over the shop front. All the goods + were marked in plain figures in reduced circumstances, Mr. Kybird giving + a soaring imagination play in the first marking, and a good business + faculty in the second. +</p> +<p> + At these valuables Jack Nugent, with a view of obtaining some idea of + prices, gazed for some time. Then passing between two suits of oilskins + which stood as sentinels in the doorway, he entered the shop and smiled + affably at Miss Kybird, who was in charge. At his entrance she put down + a piece of fancy-work, which Mr. Kybird called his sock, and with a + casual glance at his clothes regarded him with a prejudiced eye. +</p> +<p> + "Beautiful day," said the customer; "makes one feel quite young again." +</p> +<p> + "What do you want?" inquired Miss Kybird. +</p> +<a name="image-18"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="018.jpg" height="485" width="607" +alt="''what Do You Want?' Inquired Miss Kybird.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Mr. Nugent turned to a broken cane-chair which stood by the counter, and, + after applying severe tests, regardless of the lady's feelings, sat down + upon it and gave a sigh of relief. +</p> +<p> + "I've walked from London," he said, in explanation. "I could sit here + for hours." +</p> +<p> + "Look here——" began the indignant Miss Kybird. +</p> +<p> + "Only people would be sure to couple our names together," continued Mr. + Nugent, mournfully. +</p> +<p> + "When a handsome young man and a good-looking girl——" +</p> +<p> + "Do you want to buy anything or not?" demanded Miss Kybird, with an + impatient toss of her head. +</p> +<p> + "No," said Jack, "I want to sell." +</p> +<p> + "You've come to the wrong shop, then," said Miss Kybird; "the warehouse + is full of rubbish now." +</p> +<p> + The other turned in his chair and looked hard at the window. "So it is," + he assented. "It's a good job I've brought you something decent to put + there." +</p> +<p> + He felt in his pockets and, producing a silver-mounted briar-pipe, a + battered watch, a knife, and a few other small articles, deposited them + with reverent care upon the counter. +</p> +<p> + "No use to us," declared Miss Kybird, anxious to hit back; "we burn coal + here." +</p> +<p> + "These'll burn better than the coal you buy," said the unmoved customer. +</p> +<p> + "Well, we don't want them," retorted Miss Kybird, raising her voice, "and + I don't want any of your impudence. Get up out of our chair." +</p> +<p> + Her heightened tones penetrated to the small and untidy room behind the + shop. The door opened, and Mr. Kybird in his shirt-sleeves appeared at + the opening. +</p> +<p> + "Wot's the row?" he demanded, his little black eyes glancing from one to + the other. +</p> +<p> + "Only a lovers' quarrel," replied Jack. "You go away; we don't want + you." +</p> +<p> + "Look 'ere, we don't want none o' your nonsense," said the shopkeeper, + sharply; "and, wot's more, we won't 'ave it. Who put that rubbish on my + counter?" +</p> +<p> + He bustled forward, and taking the articles in his hands examined them + closely. +</p> +<p> + "Three shillings for the lot—cash," he remarked. "Done," said the + other. +</p> +<p> + "Did I say three?" inquired Mr. Kybird, startled at this ready + acceptance. +</p> +<p> + "Five you said," replied Mr. Nugent, "but I'll take three, if you throw + in a smile." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Kybird, much against his inclinations, threw in a faint grin, and + opening a drawer produced three shillings and flung them separately on + the counter. Miss Kybird thawed somewhat, and glancing from the + customer's clothes to his face saw that he had a pleasant eye and a good + moustache, together with a general air of recklessness much appreciated + by the sex. +</p> +<p> + "Don't spend it on drink," she remarked, not unkindly. +</p> +<p> + "I won't," said the other, solemnly; "I'm going to buy house property with + it." +</p> +<p> + "Why, darn my eyes," said Mr. Kybird, who had been regarding him closely; + "darn my old eyes, if it ain't young Nugent. Well, well!" +</p> +<p> + "That's me," said young Nugent, cheerfully; "I should have known you + anywhere, Kybird: same old face, same old voice, same old shirt-sleeves." +</p> +<p> + "'Ere, come now," objected the shopkeeper, shortening his arm and + squinting along it. +</p> +<p> + "I should have known you anywhere," continued the other, mournfully; "and + here I've thrown up a splendid berth and come all the way from Australia + just for one glimpse of Miss Kybird, and she doesn't know me. When I + die, Kybird, you will find the word 'Calais' engraven upon my heart." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Kybird said, "Oh, indeed." His daughter tossed her head and bade Mr. + Nugent take his nonsense to people who might like it. +</p> +<p> + "Last time I see you," said Mr. Kybird, pursing up his lips and gazing at + the counter in an effort of memory; "last time I see you was one fifth o' + November when you an' another bright young party was going about in two + suits o' oilskins wot I'd been 'unting for 'igh and low all day long." +</p> +<p> + Jack Nugent sighed. "They were happy times, Kybird." +</p> +<p> + "Might ha' been for you," retorted the other, his temper rising a little + at the remembrance of his wrongs. +</p> +<p> + "Have you come home for good? inquired Miss Kybird, curiously. Have you + seen your father? He passed here a little while ago." +</p> +<p> + "I saw him," said Jack, with a brevity which was not lost upon the astute + Mr. Kybird. "I may stay in Sunwich, and I may not—it all depends." +</p> +<p> + "You're not going 'ome?" said Mr. Kybird. +</p> +<p> + "No." +</p> +<p> + The shopkeeper stood considering. He had a small room to let at the top + of his house, and he stood divided between the fear of not getting his + rent and the joy to a man fond of simple pleasures, to be obtained by + dunning the arrogant Captain Nugent for his son's debts. Before he could + arrive at a decision his meditations were interrupted by the entrance of + a stout, sandy-haired lady from the back parlour, who, having conquered + his scruples against matrimony some thirty years before, had kept a + particularly wide-awake eye upon him ever since. +</p> +<p> + "Your tea's a-gettin' cold," she remarked, severely. +</p> +<p> + Her husband received the news with calmness. He was by no means an + enthusiast where that liquid was concerned, the admiration evoked by its + non-inebriating qualities having been always something in the nature of a + mystery to him. +</p> +<p> + "I'm coming," he retorted; "I'm just 'aving a word with Mr. Nugent 'ere." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I never did," said the stout lady, coming farther into the shop + and regarding the visitor. "I shouldn't 'ave knowed 'im. If you'd asked + me who 'e was I couldn't ha' told you—I shouldn't 'ave knowed 'im from + Adam." +</p> +<p> + Jack shook his head. "It's hard to be forgotten like this," he said, + sadly. "Even Miss Kybird had forgotten me, after all that had passed + between us." +</p> +<p> + "Eh?" said Mr. Kybird. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, don't take any notice of him," said his daughter. "I'd like to see + myself." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Kybird paid no heed. He was still thinking of the son of Captain + Nugent being indebted to him for lodging, and the more he thought of the + idea the better he liked it. +</p> +<p> + "Well, now you're 'ere," he said, with a great assumption of cordiality, + "why not come in and 'ave a cup o' tea?" +</p> +<p> + The other hesitated a moment and then, with a light laugh, accepted the + offer. He followed them into the small and untidy back parlour, and + being requested by his hostess to squeeze in next to 'Melia at the small + round table, complied so literally with the order that that young lady + complained bitterly of his encroachments. +</p> +<p> + "And where do you think of sleeping to-night?" inquired Mr. Kybird after + his daughter had, to use her own expressive phrase, shown the guest "his + place." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Nugent shook his head. "I shall get a lodging somewhere," he said, + airily. +</p> +<p> + "There's a room upstairs as you might 'ave if you liked," said Mr. Kybird, + slowly. "It's been let to a very respectable, clean young man for half a + crown a week. Really it ought to be three shillings, but if you like to + 'ave it at the old price, you can." +</p> +<p> + "Done with you," said the other. +</p> +<p> + "No doubt you'll soon get something to do," continued Mr. Kybird, more in + answer to his wife's inquiring glances than anything else. "Half a crown + every Saturday and the room's yours." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Nugent thanked him, and after making a tea which caused Mr. Kybird to + congratulate himself upon the fact that he hadn't offered to board him, + sat regaling Mrs. Kybird and daughter with a recital of his adventures in + Australia, receiving in return a full and true account of Sunwich and its + people up to date. +</p> +<p> + "There's no pride about 'im, that's what I like," said Mrs. Kybird to her + lord and master as they sat alone after closing time over a glass of gin + and water. "He's a nice young feller, but bisness is bisness, and s'pose + you don't get your rent?" +</p> +<p> + "I shall get it sooner or later," said Mr. Kybird. "That stuck-up father + of 'is 'll be in a fine way at 'im living here. That's wot I'm thinking + of." +</p> +<p> + "I don't see why," said Mrs. Kybird, bridling. "Who's Captain Nugent, I + should like to know? We're as good as what 'e is, if not better. And as + for the gell, if she'd got 'all Amelia's looks she'd do." +</p> +<p> + "'Melia's a fine-looking gal," assented Mr. Kybird. "I wonder——" +</p> +<p> + He laid his pipe down on the table and stared at the mantelpiece. "He + seems very struck with 'er," he concluded. "I see that directly." +</p> +<p> + "Not afore I did," said his wife, sharply. +</p> +<p> + "See it afore you come into the shop," said Mr. Kybird, triumphantly. + "It 'ud be a strange thing to marry into that family, Emma." +</p> +<p> + "She's keeping company with young Teddy Silk," his wife reminded him, + coldly; "and if she wasn't she could do better than a young man without + a penny in 'is pocket. Pride's a fine thing, Dan'l, but you can't live + on it." +</p> +<p> + "I know what I'm talking about," said Mr. Kybird, impatiently. "I know + she's keeping company with Teddy as well as wot you do. Still, as far as + money goes, young Nugent 'll be all right." +</p> +<p> + "'Ow?" inquired his wife. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Kybird hesitated and took a sip of his gin and water. Then he + regarded the wife of his bosom with a calculating glance which at once + excited that lady's easily kindled wrath. +</p> +<a name="image-19"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="019.jpg" height="524" width="579" +alt="'he Regarded the Wife of his Bosom With a Calculating +Glance.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "You know I never tell secrets," she cried. +</p> +<p> + "Not often," corrected Mr. Kybird, "but then I don't often tell you any. + Wot would you say to young Nugent coming into five 'undred pounds 'is + mother left 'im when he's twenty-five? He don't know it, but I do." +</p> +<p> + "Five 'undred," repeated his wife, "sure?" +</p> +<p> + "No," said the other, "I'm not sure, but I know. I 'ad it from young + Roberts when 'e was at Stone and Dartnell's. Five 'undred pounds! I + shall get my money all right some time, and, if 'e wants a little bit to + go on with, 'e can have it. He's honest enough; I can see that by his + manner." +</p> +<p> + Upstairs in the tiny room under the tiles Mr. Jack Nugent, in blissful + ignorance of his landlord's generous sentiments towards him, slept the + sound, dreamless sleep of the man free from monetary cares. In the + sanctity of her chamber Miss Kybird, gazing approvingly at the reflection + of her yellow hair and fine eyes in the little cracked looking-glass, was + already comparing him very favourably with the somewhat pessimistic Mr. + Silk. +</p> +<a name="2HCH9"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII +</h2> +<p> + Mr. Nugent's return caused a sensation in several quarters, the feeling + at Equator Lodge bordering close upon open mutiny. Even Mrs. Kingdom + plucked up spirit and read the astonished captain a homily upon the first + duties of a parent—a homily which she backed up by reading the story of + the Prodigal Son through to the bitter end. At the conclusion she broke + down entirely and was led up to bed by Kate and Bella, the sympathy of + the latter taking an acute form, and consisting mainly of innuendoes + which could only refer to one person in the house. +</p> +<p> + Kate Nugent, who was not prone to tears, took a different line, but with + no better success. The captain declined to discuss the subject, and, + after listening to a description of himself in which Nero and other + celebrities figured for the purpose of having their characters + whitewashed, took up his hat and went out. +</p> +<p> + Jem Hardy heard of the new arrival from his partner, and, ignoring that + gentleman's urgent advice to make hay while the sun shone and take Master + Nugent for a walk forthwith sat thoughtfully considering how to turn the + affair to the best advantage. A slight outbreak of diphtheria at + Fullalove Alley had, for a time, closed that thoroughfare to Miss Nugent, + and he was inclined to regard the opportune arrival of her brother as an + effort of Providence on his behalf. +</p> +<p> + For some days, however, he looked for Jack Nugent in vain, that gentleman + either being out of doors engaged in an earnest search for work, or + snugly seated in the back parlour of the Kybirds, indulging in the + somewhat perilous pastime of paying compliments to Amelia Kybird. + Remittances which had reached him from his sister and aunt had been + promptly returned, and he was indebted to the amiable Mr. Kybird for the + bare necessaries of life. In these circumstances a warm feeling of + gratitude towards the family closed his eyes to their obvious + shortcomings. +</p> +<p> + He even obtained work down at the harbour through a friend of Mr. + Kybird's. It was not of a very exalted nature, and caused more strain + upon the back than the intellect, but seven years of roughing it had left + him singularly free from caste prejudices, a freedom which he soon + discovered was not shared by his old acquaintances at Sunwich. The + discovery made him somewhat bitter, and when Hardy stopped him one + afternoon as he was on his way home from work he tried to ignore his + outstretched hand and continued on his way. +</p> +<a name="image-20"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="020.jpg" height="543" width="609" +alt="'he Even Obtained Work Down at the Harbor.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "It is a long time since we met," said Hardy, placing himself in front + of him. +</p> +<p> + "Good heavens," said Jack, regarding him closely, "it's Jemmy Hardy— + grown up spick and span like the industrious little boys in the + school-books. I heard you were back here." +</p> +<p> + "I came back just before you did," said Hardy. "Brass band playing you in + and all that sort of thing, I suppose," said the other. "Alas, how the + wicked prosper—and you were wicked. Do you remember how you used to + knock me about?" +</p> +<p> + "Come round to my place and have a chat," said Hardy. +</p> +<p> + Jack shook his head. "They're expecting me in to tea," he said, with a + nod in the direction of Mr. Kybird's, "and honest waterside labourers who + earn their bread by the sweat of their brow—when the foreman is looking + —do not frequent the society of the upper classes." +</p> +<p> + "Don't be a fool," said Hardy, politely. +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'm not very tidy," retorted Mr. Nugent, glancing at his clothes. + "I don't mind it myself; I'm a philosopher, and nothing hurts me so long + as I have enough to eat and drink; but I don't inflict myself on my + friends, and I must say most of them meet me more than half-way." +</p> +<p> + "Imagination," said Hardy. +</p> +<p> + "All except Kate and my aunt," said Jack, firmly. "Poor Kate; I tried to + cut her the other day." +</p> +<p> + "Cut her?" echoed Hardy. +</p> +<p> + Nugent nodded. "To save her feelings," he replied; "but she wouldn't be + cut, bless her, and on the distinct understanding that it wasn't to form + a precedent, I let her kiss me behind a waggon. Do you know, I fancy + she's grown up rather good-looking, Jem?" +</p> +<p> + "You are observant," said Mr. Hardy, admiringly. +</p> +<p> + "Of course, it may be my partiality," said Mr. Nugent, with judicial + fairness. "I was always a bit fond of Kate. I don't suppose anybody + else would see anything in her. Where are you living now?" +</p> +<p> + "Fort Road," said Hardy; "come round any evening you can, if you won't + come now." +</p> +<p> + Nugent promised, and, catching sight of Miss Kybird standing in the + doorway of the shop, bade him good-bye and crossed the road. It was + becoming quite a regular thing for her to wait and have her tea with him + now, an arrangement which was provocative of many sly remarks on the part + of Mrs. Kybird. +</p> +<a name="image-21"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="021.jpg" height="630" width="457" +alt="'miss Kybird Standing in the Doorway of The Shop.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Thought you were never coming," said Miss Kybird, tartly, as she led the + way to the back room and took her seat at the untidy tea-tray. +</p> +<p> + "And you've been crying your eyes out, I suppose," remarked Mr. Nugent, + as he groped in the depths of a tall jar for black-currant jam. "Well, + you're not the first, and I don't suppose you'll be the last. How's + Teddy?" +</p> +<p> + "Get your tea," retorted Miss Kybird, "and don't make that scraping noise + on the bottom of the jar with your knife. It puts my teeth on edge." +</p> +<p> + "So it does mine," said Mr. Nugent, "but there's a black currant down + there, and I mean to have it. 'Waste not, want not.'" +</p> +<p> + "Make him put that knife down," said Miss Kybird, as her mother entered + the room. Mrs. Kybird shook her head at him. "You two are always + quarrelling," she said, archly, "just like a couple of—couple of——" +</p> +<p> + "Love-birds," suggested Mr. Nugent. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Kybird in great glee squeezed round to him and smote him playfully + with her large, fat hand, and then, being somewhat out of breath with the + exertion, sat down to enjoy the jest in comfort. +</p> +<p> + "That's how you encourage him," said her daughter; "no wonder he doesn't + behave. No wonder he acts as if the whole place belongs to him." +</p> +<p> + The remark was certainly descriptive of Mr. Nugent's behaviour. His easy + assurance and affability had already made him a prime favourite with Mrs. + Kybird, and had not been without its effect upon her daughter. The + constrained and severe company manners of Mr. Edward Silk showed up but + poorly beside those of the paying guest, and Miss Kybird had on several + occasions drawn comparisons which would have rendered both gentlemen + uneasy if they had known of them. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Nugent carried the same easy good-fellowship with him the following + week when, neatly attired in a second-hand suit from Mr. Kybird's + extensive stock, he paid a visit to Jem Hardy to talk over old times and + discuss the future. +</p> +<p> + "You ought to make friends with your father," said the latter; "it only + wants a little common sense and mutual forbearance." +</p> +<p> + "That's all," said Nugent; "sounds easy enough, doesn't it? No, all he + wants is for me to clear out of Sunwich, and I'm not going to—until it + pleases me, at any rate. It's poison to him for me to be living at the + Kybirds' and pushing a trolley down on the quay. Talk about love + sweetening toil, that does." +</p> +<p> + Hardy changed the subject, and Nugent, nothing loath, discoursed on his + wanderings and took him on a personally conducted tour through the + continent of Australia. "And I've come back to lay my bones in Sunwich + Churchyard," he concluded, pathetically; "that is, when I've done with + 'em." +</p> +<p> + "A lot of things'll happen before then," said Hardy. +</p> +<p> + "I hope so," rejoined Mr. Nugent, piously; "my desire is to be buried by + my weeping great-grandchildren. In fact, I've left instructions to that + effect in my will—all I have left, by the way." +</p> +<p> + "You're not going to keep on at this water-side work, I suppose?" said + Hardy, making another effort to give the conversation a serious turn. +</p> +<p> + "The foreman doesn't think so," replied the other, as he helped himself + to some whisky; "he has made several remarks to that effect lately." +</p> +<p> + He leaned back in his chair and smoked thoughtfully, by no means + insensible to the comfort of his surroundings. He had not been in such + comfortable quarters since he left home seven years before. He thought + of the untidy litter of the Kybirds' back parlour, with the forlorn view + of the yard in the rear. Something of his reflections he confided to + Hardy as he rose to leave. +</p> +<p> + "But my market value is about a pound a week," he concluded, ruefully, + "so I must cut my coat to suit my cloth. Good-night." +</p> +<p> + He walked home somewhat soberly at first, but the air was cool and fresh + and a glorious moon was riding in the sky. He whistled cheerfully, and + his spirits rose as various chimerical plans of making money occurred to + him. By the time he reached the High Street, the shops of which were all + closed for the night, he was earning five hundred a year and spending a + thousand. He turned the handle of the door and, walking in, discovered + Miss Kybird entertaining company in the person of Mr. Edward Silk. +</p> +<p> + "Halloa," he said, airily, as he took a seat. "Don't mind me, young + people. Go on just as you would if I were not here." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Edward Silk grumbled something under his breath; Miss Kybird, turning + to the intruder with a smile of welcome, remarked that she had just + thought of going to sleep. +</p> +<p> + "Going to sleep?" repeated Mr. Silk, thunder-struck. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said Miss Kybird, yawning. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Silk gazed at her, open-mouthed. "What, with me 'ere?" he inquired, + in trembling tones. +</p> +<p> + "You're not very lively company," said Miss Kybird, bending over her + sewing. "I don't think you've spoken a word for the last quarter of an + hour, and before that you were talking of death-warnings. Made my flesh + creep, you did." +</p> +<p> + "Shame!" said Mr. Nugent. +</p> +<p> + "You didn't say anything to me about your flesh creeping," muttered Mr. + Silk. +</p> +<p> + "You ought to have seen it creep," interposed Mr. Nugent, severely. +</p> +<p> + "I'm not talking to you," said Mr. Silk, turning on him; "when I want the + favour of remarks from you I'll let you know." +</p> +<p> + "Don't you talk to my gentlemen friends like that, Teddy," said Miss + Kybird, sharply, "because I won't have it. Why don't you try and be + bright and cheerful like Mr. Nugent?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Silk turned and regarded that gentleman steadfastly; Mr. Nugent + meeting his gaze with a pleasant smile and a low-voiced offer to give him + lessons at half a crown an hour. +</p> +<p> + "I wouldn't be like 'im for worlds," said Mr. Silk, with a scornful + laugh. "I'd sooner be like anybody." +</p> +<p> + "What have you been saying to him?" inquired Nugent. +</p> +<p> + "Nothing," replied Miss Kybird; "he's often like that. He's got a nasty, + miserable, jealous disposition. Not that I mind what he thinks." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Silk breathed hard and looked from one to the other. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps he'll grow out of it," said Nugent, hopefully. "Cheer up, + Teddy. You're young yet." +</p> +<p> + "Might I arsk," said the solemnly enraged Mr. Silk, "might I arsk you not + to be so free with my Christian name?" +</p> +<p> + "He doesn't like his name now," said Nugent, drawing his chair closer to + Miss Kybird's, "and I don't wonder at it. What shall we call him? Job? + What's that work you're doing? Why don't you get on with that fancy + waistcoat you are doing for me?" +</p> +<p> + Before Miss Kybird could deny all knowledge of the article in question + her sorely tried swain created a diversion by rising. To that simple act + he imparted an emphasis which commanded the attention of both beholders, + and, drawing over to Miss Kybird, he stood over her in an attitude at + once terrifying and reproachful. +</p> +<p> + "Take your choice, Amelia," he said, in a thrilling voice. "Me or 'im— + which is it to be?" +</p> +<a name="image-22"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="022.jpg" height="453" width="590" +alt="'me Or 'im—which is It to Be?' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Here, steady, old man," cried the startled Nugent. "Go easy." +</p> +<p> + "Me or 'im?" repeated Mr. Silk, in stern but broken accents. +</p> +<p> + Miss Kybird giggled and, avoiding his gaze, looked pensively at the faded + hearthrug. +</p> +<p> + "You're making her blush," said Mr. Nugent, sternly. "Sit down, Teddy; + I'm ashamed of you. We're both ashamed of you. You're confusing us + dreadfully proposing to us both in this way." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Silk regarded him with a scornful eye, but Miss Kybird, bidding him + not to be foolish, punctuated her remarks with the needle, and a + struggle, which Mr. Silk regarded as unseemly in the highest degree, took + place between them for its possession. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Nugent secured it at last, and brandishing it fiercely extorted + feminine screams from Miss Kybird by threatening her with it. Nor was + her mind relieved until Mr. Nugent, remarking that he would put it back + in the pincushion, placed it in the leg of Mr. Edward Silk. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Kybird and his wife, entering through the shop, were just in time to + witness a spirited performance on the part of Mr. Silk, the cherished + purpose of which was to deprive them of a lodger. He drew back as they + entered and, raising his voice above Miss Kybird's, began to explain his + action. +</p> +<p> + "Teddy, I'm ashamed of you," said Mr. Kybird, shaking his head. + "A little joke like that; a little innercent joke." +</p> +<p> + "If it 'ad been a darning-needle now—" began Mrs. Kybird. +</p> +<p> + "All right," said the desperate Mr. Silk, "'ave it your own way. Let + 'Melia marry 'im—I don't care—-I give 'er up." +</p> +<p> + "Teddy!" said Mr. Kybird, in a shocked voice. "Teddy!" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Silk thrust him fiercely to one side and passed raging through the + shop. The sound of articles falling in all directions attested to his + blind haste, and the force with which he slammed the shop-door was + sufficient evidence of his state of mind. +</p> +<p> + "Well, upon my word," said the staring Mr. Kybird; "of all the + outrageyous—" +</p> +<p> + "Never mind 'im," said his wife, who was sitting in the easy chair, + distributing affectionate smiles between her daughter and the startled + Mr. Nugent. "Make 'er happy, Jack, that's all I arsk. She's been a good + gal, and she'll make a good wife. I've seen how it was between you for + some time." +</p> +<p> + "So 'ave I," said Mr. Kybird. He shook hands warmly with Mr. Nugent, + and, patting that perturbed man on the back, surveyed him with eyes + glistening with approval. +</p> +<p> + "It's a bit rough on Teddy, isn't it?" inquired Mr. Nugent, anxiously; + "besides—" +</p> +<p> + "Don't you worry about 'im," said Mr. Kybird, affectionately. "He ain't + worth it." +</p> +<p> + "I wasn't," said Mr. Nugent, truthfully. The situation had developed so + rapidly that it had caught him at a disadvantage. He had a dim feeling + that, having been the cause of Miss Kybird's losing one young man, the + most elementary notions of chivalry demanded that he should furnish her + with another. And this idea was clearly uppermost in the minds of her + parents. He looked over at Amelia and with characteristic philosophy + accepted the position. +</p> +<p> + "We shall be the handsomest couple in Sunwich," he said, simply. +</p> +<p> + "Bar none," said Mr. Kybird, emphatically. +</p> +<p> + The stout lady in the chair gazed ax the couple fondly. "It reminds me + of our wedding," she said, softly. "What was it Tom Fletcher said, + father? Can you remember?" +</p> +<p> + "'Arry Smith, you mean," corrected Mr. Kybird. +</p> +<p> + "Tom Fletcher said something, I'm sure," persisted his wife. +</p> +<p> + "He did," said Mr. Kybird, grimly, "and I pretty near broke 'is 'ead for + it. 'Arry Smith is the one you're thinking of." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Kybird after a moment's reflection admitted that he was right, and, + the chain of memory being touched, waxed discursive about her own wedding + and the somewhat exciting details which accompanied it. After which she + produced a bottle labelled "Port wine" from the cupboard, and, filling + four glasses, celebrated the occasion in a befitting but sober fashion. +</p> +<p> + "This," said Mr. Nugent, as he sat on his bed that night to take his + boots off, "this is what comes of trying to make everybody happy and + comfortable with a little fun. I wonder what the governor'll say." +</p> +<a name="image-23"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="023.jpg" height="657" width="349" +alt="'i Wonder What the Governor'll Say.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="2HCH10"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER IX +</h2> +<p> + The news of his only son's engagement took Captain Nugent's breath away, + which, all things considered, was perhaps the best thing it could have + done. He sat at home in silent rage, only exploding when the + well-meaning Mrs. Kingdom sought to minimize his troubles by comparing them + with those of Job. Her reminder that to the best of her remembrance he + had never had a boil in his life put the finishing touch to his patience, + and, despairing of drawing-room synonyms for the words which trembled on + his lips, he beat a precipitate retreat to the garden. +</p> +<p> + His son bore his new honours bravely. To an appealing and indignant + letter from his sister he wrote gravely, reminding her of the difference + in their years, and also that he had never interfered in her flirtations, + however sorely his brotherly heart might have been wrung by them. He + urged her to forsake such diversions for the future, and to look for an + alliance with some noble, open-handed man with a large banking account + and a fondness for his wife's relatives. +</p> +<p> + To Jem Hardy, who ventured on a delicate re-monstrance one evening, he + was less patient, and displayed a newly acquired dignity which was a + source of considerable embarrassment to that well-meaning gentleman. He + even got up to search for his hat, and was only induced to resume his + seat by the physical exertions of his host. +</p> +<p> + "I didn't mean to be offensive," said the latter. "But you were," said + the aggrieved man. Hardy apologized. +</p> +<p> + "Talk of that kind is a slight to my future wife," said Nugent, firmly. + "Besides, what business is it of yours?" +</p> +<p> + Hardy regarded him thoughtfully. It was some time since he had seen Miss + Nugent, and he felt that he was losing valuable time. He had hoped great + things from the advent of her brother, and now his intimacy seemed worse + than useless. He resolved to take him into his confidence. +</p> +<p> + "I spoke from selfish motives," he said, at last. I wanted you to make + friends with your father again." +</p> +<p> + "What for?" inquired the other, staring. +</p> +<p> + "To pave the way for me," said Hardy, raising his voice as he thought of + his wrongs; "and now, owing to your confounded matrimonial business, + that's all knocked on the head. I wouldn't care whom you married if it + didn't interfere with my affairs so." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean," inquired the astonished Mr. Nugent, "that you want to be + on friendly terms with my father?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Nugent gazed at him round-eyed. "You haven't had a blow on the head + or anything of that sort at any time, have you?" he inquired. +</p> +<p> + Hardy shook his head impatiently. "You don't seem to suffer from an + excess of intellect yourself," he retorted. "I don't want to be + offensive again, still, I should think it is pretty plain there is only + one reason why I should go out of my way to seek the society of your + father." +</p> +<p> + "Say what you like about my intellect," replied the dutiful son, "but I + can't think of even one—not even a small one. Not—Good gracious! You + don't mean—you can't mean—" +</p> +<p> + Hardy looked at him. +</p> +<p> + "Not that," said Mr. Nugent, whose intellect had suddenly become + painfully acute—"not her?" +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" inquired the other. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Nugent leaned back in his chair and regarded him with an air of + kindly interest. "Well, there's no need for you to worry about my father + for that," he said; "he would raise no objection." +</p> +<p> + "Eh?" said Hardy, starting up from his chair. +</p> +<p> + "He would welcome it," said Mr. Nugent, positively. "There is nothing + that he would like better; and I don't mind telling you a secret—she + likes you." +</p> +<p> + Hardy reddened. "How do you know?" he stammered. +</p> +<p> + "I know it for a fact," said the other, impressively. "I have heard her + say so. But you've been very plain-spoken about me, Jem, so that I shall + say what I think." +</p> +<p> + "Do," said his bewildered friend. +</p> +<p> + "I think you'd be throwing yourself away," said Nugent; "to my mind it's + a most unsuitable match in every way. She's got no money, no looks, no + style. Nothing but a good kind heart rather the worse for wear. I + suppose you know she's been married once?" +</p> +<p> + "<i>What!</i>" shouted the other. "<i>Married?</i>" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Nugent nodded. His face was perfectly grave, but the joke was + beginning to prey upon his vitals in a manner which brooked no delay. +</p> +<p> + "I thought everybody knew it," he said. "We have never disguised the + fact. Her husband died twenty years ago last——" +</p> +<p> + "Twenty" said his suddenly enlightened listener. "Who?—What?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Nugent, incapable of reply, put his head on the table and beat the + air frantically with his hand, while gasping sobs rent his tortured + frame. +</p> +<p> + "Dear—aunt," he choked, "how pleas—pleased she'd be if—she knew. + Don't look like that, Hardy. You'll kill me." +</p> +<p> + "You seem amused," said Hardy, between his teeth. +</p> +<p> + "And you'll be Kate's uncle," said Mr. Nugent, sitting up and wiping his + eyes. "Poor little Kate." +</p> +<p> + He put his head on the table again. "And mine," he wailed. "<i>Uncle + jemmy!</i>—will you tip us half-crowns, nunky?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hardy's expression of lofty scorn only served to retard his recovery, + but he sat up at last and, giving his eyes a final wipe, beamed kindly + upon his victim. +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'll do what I can for you," he observed, "but I suppose you know + Kate's off for a three months' visit to London to-morrow?" +</p> +<p> + The other observed that he didn't know it, and, taught by his recent + experience, eyed him suspiciously. +</p> +<p> + "It's quite true," said Nugent; "she's going to stay with some relatives + of ours. She used to be very fond of one of the boys—her cousin + Herbert—so you mustn't be surprised if she comes back engaged. But I + daresay you'll have forgotten all about her in three months. And, + anyway, I don't suppose she'd look at you if you were the last man in the + world. If you'll walk part of the way home with me I'll regale you with + anecdotes of her chilhood which will probably cause you to change your + views altogether." +</p> +<p> + In Fullalove Alley Mr. Edward Silk, his forebodings fulfilled, received + the news of Amelia Kybird's faithlessness in a spirit of' quiet despair, + and turned a deaf ear to the voluble sympathy of his neighbours. Similar + things had happened to young men living there before, but their behaviour + had been widely different to Mr. Silk's. Bob Crump, for instance, had + been jilted on the very morning he had arranged for his wedding, but + instead of going about in a state of gentle melancholy he went round and + fought his beloved's father—merely because it was her father—and wound + up an exciting day by selling off his household goods to the highest + bidders. Henry Jones in similar circumstances relieved his great grief + by walking up and down the alley smashing every window within reach of + his stick. +</p> +<a name="image-24"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="024.jpg" height="556" width="554" +alt="'a Spirit of Quiet Despair.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + But these were men of spirit; Mr. Silk was cast in a different mould, and + his fair neighbours sympathized heartily with him in his bereavement, + while utterly failing to understand any man breaking his heart over + Amelia Kybird. +</p> +<p> + His mother, a widow of uncertain age, shook her head over him and hinted + darkly at consumption, an idea which was very pleasing to her son, and + gave him an increased interest in a slight cold from which he was + suffering. +</p> +<p> + "He wants taking out of 'imself," said Mr. Wilks, who had stepped across + the alley to discuss the subject with his neighbour; "cheerful society + and 'obbies—that's what 'e wants." +</p> +<p> + "He's got a faithful 'eart," sighed Mrs. Silk. "It's in the family; 'e + can't 'elp it." +</p> +<p> + "But 'e might be lifted out of it," urged Mr. Wilks. "I 'ad several + disappointments in my young days. One time I 'ad a fresh gal every + v'y'ge a'most." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Silk sniffed and looked up the alley, whereat two neighbours who + happened to be at their doors glanced up and down casually, and retreated + inside to continue their vigil from the windows. +</p> +<p> + "Silk courted me for fifteen years before I would say 'yes,'" she said, + severely. +</p> +<p> + "Fifteen years!" responded the other. He cast his eyes upwards and his + lips twitched. The most casual observer could have seen that he was + engaged in calculations of an abstruse and elusive nature. +</p> +<p> + "I was on'y seven when 'e started," said Mrs. Silk, sharply. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks brought his eyes to a level again. "Oh, seven," he remarked. +</p> +<p> + "And we was married two days before my nineteenth birthday," added Mrs. + Silk, whose own arithmetic had always been her weak point. +</p> +<p> + "Just so," said Mr. Wilks. He glanced at the sharp white face and + shapeless figure before him. "It's hard to believe you can 'ave a son + Teddy's age," he added, gallantly. +</p> +<p> + "It makes you feel as if you're getting on," said the widow. +</p> +<p> + The ex-steward agreed, and after standing a minute or two in silence made + a preliminary motion of withdrawal. +</p> +<p> + "Beautiful your plants are looking," said Mrs. Silk, glancing over at his + window; "I can't think what you do to 'em." +</p> +<p> + The gratified Mr. Wilks began to explain. It appeared that plants wanted + almost as much looking after as daughters. +</p> +<p> + "I should like to see 'em close," said Mrs. Silk. "Come in and 'ave a + look at 'em," responded her neighbour. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Silk hesitated and displayed a maidenly coyness far in excess of the + needs of the situation. Then she stepped across, and five seconds later + the two matrons, with consternation writ large upon their faces, appeared + at their doors again and, exchanging glances across the alley, met in the + centre. +</p> +<p> + They were more surprised an evening or two later to see Mr. Wilks leave + his house to pay a return visit, bearing in his hand a small bunch of his + cherished blooms. That they were blooms which would have paid the debt + of Nature in a few hours at most in no way detracted from the widow's + expressions of pleasure at receiving them, and Mr. Wilks, who had been + invited over to cheer up Mr. Silk, who was in a particularly black mood, + sat and smiled like a detected philanthropist as she placed them in + water. +</p> +<a name="image-25"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="025.jpg" height="515" width="506" +alt="'a Return Visit.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Good evenin', Teddy," he said, breezily, with a side-glance at his + hostess. "What a lovely day we've 'ad." +</p> +<p> + "So bright," said Mrs. Silk, nodding with spirit. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks sat down and gave vent to such a cheerful laugh that the + ornaments on the mantelpiece shook with it. "It's good to be alive," + he declared. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, you enjoy your life, Mr. Wilks," said the widow. +</p> +<p> + "Enjoy it!" roared Mr. Wilks; "enjoy it! Why shouldn't I? Why shouldn't + everybody enjoy their lives? It was what they was given to us for." +</p> +<p> + "So they was," affirmed Mrs. Silk; "nobody can deny that; not if they + try." +</p> +<p> + "Nobody wants to deny it, ma'am," retorted Mr. Wilks, in the high voice + he kept for cheering-up purposes. "I enjoy every day o' my life." +</p> +<p> + He filled his pipe, chuckling serenely, and having lit it sat and enjoyed + that. Mrs. Silk retired for a space, and returning with a jug of ale + poured him out a glass and set it by his elbow. +</p> +<p> + "Here's your good 'ealth, ma'am," said Mr. Wilks, raising it. "Here's + yours, Teddy—a long life and a 'appy one." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Silk turned listlessly. "I don't want a long life," he remarked. +</p> +<p> + His mother and her visitor exchanged glances. +</p> +<p> + "That's 'ow 'e goes on," remarked the former, in an audible whisper. Mr. + Wilks nodded, reassuringly. +</p> +<p> + "I 'ad them ideas once," he said, "but they go off. If you could only + live to see Teddy at the age o' ninety-five, 'e wouldn't want to go then. + 'E'd say it was crool hard, being cut off in the flower of 'is youth." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Silk laughed gaily and Mr. Wilks bellowed a gruff accompaniment. + Mr. Edward Silk eyed them pityingly. +</p> +<p> + "That's the 'ardship of it," he said, slowly, as he looked round from his + seat by the fireplace; "that's where the 'ollowness of things comes in. + That's where I envy Mr. Wilks." +</p> +<p> + "Envy me?" said the smiling visitor; "what for?" +</p> +<p> + "Because you're so near the grave," said Mr. Silk. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks, who was taking another draught of beer, put the glass down and + eyed him fixedly. +</p> +<p> + "That's why I envy you," continued the other. +</p> +<p> + "I don't want to live, and you do, and yet I dessay I shall be walking + about forty and fifty years after you're dead and forgotten." +</p> +<p> + "Wot d'ye mean—near the grave?" inquired +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks, somewhat shortly. +</p> +<p> + "I was referring to your age," replied the other; "it's strange to see + 'ow the aged 'ang on to life. You can't 'ave much pleasure at your time + o' life. And you're all alone; the last withered branch left." +</p> +<p> + "Withered branch!" began Mr. Wilks; "'ere, look 'ere, Teddy——" +</p> +<p> + "All the others 'ave gone," pursued Mr. Silk, and they're beckoning to + you." +</p> +<p> + "Let 'em beckon," said Mr. Wilks, coldly. "I'm not going yet." +</p> +<p> + "You're not young," said Mr. Silk, gazing meditatively at the grate, "and + I envy you that. It can only be a matter of a year or two at most before + you are sleeping your last long sleep." +</p> +<p> + "Teddy!" protested Mrs. Silk. +</p> +<p> + "It's true, mother," said the melancholy youth. "Mr. Wilks is old. Why + should 'e mind being told of it? If 'e had 'ad the trouble I've 'ad 'e'd + be glad to go. But he'll 'ave to go, whether 'e likes it or not. It + might be to-night. Who can tell?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks, unasked, poured himself out another glass of ale, and drank it + off with the air of a man who intended to make sure of that. It seemed a + trifle more flat than the last. +</p> +<p> + "So many men o' your age and thereabouts," continued Mr. Silk, "think + that they're going to live on to eighty or ninety, but there's very few + of 'em do. It's only a short while, Mr. Wilks, and the little + children'll be running about over your grave and picking daisies off + of it." +</p> +<p> + "Ho, will they?" said the irritated Mr. Wilks; "they'd better not let me + catch 'em at it, that's all." +</p> +<p> + "He's always talking like that now," said Mrs. Silk, not without a + certain pride in her tones; "that's why I asked you in to cheer 'im up." +</p> +<p> + "All your troubles'll be over then," continued the warning voice, "and in + a month or two even your name'll be forgotten. That's the way of the + world. Think 'ow soon the last five years of your life 'ave passed; the + next five'll pass ten times as fast even if you live as long, which ain't + likely." +</p> +<p> + "He talks like a clergyman," said Mrs. Silk, in a stage whisper. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks nodded, and despite his hostess's protests rose to go. He + shook hands with her and, after a short but sharp inward struggle, shook + hands with her son. It was late in the evening as he left, but the + houses had not yet been lit up. Dim figures sat in doorways or stood + about the alley, and there was an air of peace and rest strangely and + uncomfortably in keeping with the conversation to which he had just been + listening. He looked in at his own door; the furniture seemed stiffer + than usual and the tick of the clock more deliberate. He closed the door + again and, taking a deep breath, set off towards the life and bustle of + the Two Schooners. +</p> +<a name="image-26"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="026.jpg" height="707" width="569" +alt="'he Set off Towards the Life and Bustle of The Two +Schooners.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="2HCH11"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER X +</h2> +<p> + Time failed to soften the captain's ideas concerning his son's + engagement, and all mention of the subject in the house was strictly + forbidden. Occasionally he was favoured with a glimpse of his son and + Miss Kybird out together, a sight which imparted such a flavour to his + temper and ordinary intercourse that Mrs. Kingdom, in unconscious + imitation of Mr. James Hardy, began to count the days which must elapse + before her niece's return from London. His ill-temper even infected the + other members of the household, and Mrs. Kingdom sat brooding in her + bedroom all one afternoon, because Bella had called her an "overbearing + dish-pot." +</p> +<p> + The finishing touch to his patience was supplied by a little + misunderstanding between Mr. Kybird and the police. For the second time + in his career the shopkeeper appeared before the magistrates to explain + the circumstances in which he had purchased stolen property, and for the + second time he left the court without a stain on his character, but with + a significant magisterial caution not to appear there again. +</p> +<a name="image-27"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="027.jpg" height="658" width="501" +alt="'for the Second Time he Left The Court Without a Stain On +His Character.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Jack Nugent gave evidence in the case, and some of his replies were + deemed worthy of reproduction in the Sunwich Herald, a circumstance which + lost the proprietors a subscriber of many years' standing. +</p> +<p> + One by one various schemes for preventing his son's projected alliance + were dismissed as impracticable. A cherished design of confining him in + an asylum for the mentally afflicted until such time as he should have + regained his senses was spoilt by the refusal of Dr. Murchison to arrange + for the necessary certificate; a refusal which was like to have been + fraught with serious consequences to that gentleman's hopes of entering + the captain's family. +</p> +<p> + Brooding over his wrongs the captain, a day or two after his daughter's + return, strolled slowly down towards the harbour. It was afternoon, and + the short winter day was already drawing towards a close. The shipping + looked cold and desolate in the greyness, but a bustle of work prevailed + on the Conqueror, which was nearly ready for sea again. The captain's + gaze wandered from his old craft to the small vessels dotted about the + harbour and finally dwelt admiringly on the lines of the whaler Seabird, + which had put in a few days before as the result of a slight collision + with a fishing-boat. She was high out of the water and beautifully + rigged. A dog ran up and down her decks barking, and a couple of squat + figures leaned over the bulwarks gazing stolidly ashore. +</p> +<p> + There was something about the vessel which took his fancy, and he stood + for some time on the edge of the quay, looking at her. In a day or two + she would sail for a voyage the length of which would depend upon her + success; a voyage which would for a long period keep all on board of her + out of the mischief which so easily happens ashore. If only Jack—— +</p> +<p> + He started and stared more intently than before. He was not an + imaginative man, but he had in his mind's eye a sudden vision of his only + son waving farewells from the deck of the whaler as she emerged from the + harbour into the open sea, while Amelia Kybird tore her yellow locks + ashore. It was a vision to cheer any self-respecting father's heart, and + he brought his mind back with some regret to the reality of the anchored + ship. +</p> +<p> + He walked home slowly. At the Kybirds' door the proprietor, smoking a + short clay pipe, eyed him with furtive glee as he passed. Farther along + the road the Hardys, father and son, stepped briskly together. + Altogether a trying walk, and calculated to make him more dissatisfied + than ever with the present state of affairs. When his daughter shook her + head at him and accused him of going off on a solitary frolic his stock + of patience gave out entirely. +</p> +<a name="image-28"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="028.jpg" height="547" width="473" +alt="'the Proprietor Eyed Him With Furtive Glee As he Passed.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + A thoughtful night led to a visit to Mr. Wilks the following evening. It + required a great deal of deliberation on his part before he could make up + his mind to the step, but he needed his old steward's assistance in a + little plan he had conceived for his son's benefit, and for the first + time in his life he paid him the supreme honour of a call. +</p> +<p> + The honour was so unexpected that Mr. Wilks, coming into the parlour in + response to the tapping of the captain's stick on the floor, stood for a + short time eyeing him in dismay. Only two minutes before he had taken + Mr. James Hardy into the kitchen to point out the interior beauties of + an ancient clock, and the situation simply appalled him. The captain + greeted him almost politely and bade him sit down. Mr. Wilks smiled + faintly and caught his breath. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down," repeated the captain. +</p> +<p> + "I've left something in the kitchen, sir," said Mr. Wilks. "I'll be back + in half a minute." +</p> +<p> + The captain nodded. In the kitchen Mr. Wilks rapidly and incoherently + explained the situation to Mr. Hardy. +</p> +<p> + "I'll sit here," said the latter, drawing up a comfortable oak chair to + the stove. +</p> +<p> + "You see, he don't know that we know each other," explained the + apologetic steward, "but I don't like leaving you in the kitchen." +</p> +<p> + "I'm all right," said Hardy; "don't you trouble about me." +</p> +<p> + He waved him away, and Mr. Wilks, still pale, closed the door behind him + and, rejoining the captain, sat down on the extreme edge of a chair and + waited. +</p> +<p> + "I've come to see you on a little matter of business," said his visitor. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks smiled; then, feeling that perhaps that was not quite the right + thing to do, looked serious again. +</p> +<p> + "I came to see you about my—my son," continued the captain. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir," said Mr. Wilks. "Master Jack, you mean?" +</p> +<p> + "I've only got one son," said the other, unpleasantly, "unless you happen + to know of any more." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks almost fell off the edge of the chair in his haste to disclaim + any such knowledge. His ideas were in a ferment, and the guilty + knowledge of what he had left in the kitchen added to his confusion. + And just at that moment the door opened and Miss Nugent came briskly in. +</p> +<p> + Her surprise at seeing her father ensconced in a chair by the fire led to + a rapid volley of questions. The captain, in lieu of answering them, + asked another. +</p> +<p> + "What do you want here?" +</p> +<p> + "I have come to see Sam," said Miss Nugent. "Fancy seeing you here! How + are you, Sam?" +</p> +<p> + "Pretty well, miss, thank'ee," replied Mr. Wilks, "considering," he + added, truthfully, after a moment's reflection. +</p> +<p> + Miss Nugent dropped into a chair and put her feet on the fender. Her + father eyed her restlessly. +</p> +<p> + "I came here to speak to Sam about a private matter," he said, abruptly. +</p> +<p> + "Private matter," said his daughter, looking round in surprise. "What + about?" +</p> +<p> + "A private matter," repeated Captain Nugent. "Suppose you come in some + other time." +</p> +<p> + Kate Nugent sighed and took her feet from the fender. "I'll go and wait + in the kitchen," she said, crossing to the door. +</p> +<p> + Both men protested. The captain because it ill-assorted with his dignity + for his daughter to sit in the kitchen, and Mr. Wilks because of the + visitor already there. The face of the steward, indeed, took on such + extraordinary expressions in his endeavour to convey private information + to the girl that she gazed at him in silent amazement. Then she turned + the handle of the door and, passing through, closed it with a bang which + was final. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks stood spellbound, but nothing happened. There was no cry of + surprise; no hasty reappearance of an indignant Kate Nugent. His + features working nervously he resumed his seat and gazed dutifully at his + superior officer. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose you've heard that my son is going to get married?" said the + latter. +</p> +<p> + "I couldn't help hearing of it, sir," said the steward in self defence— + "nobody could." +</p> +<p> + "He's going to marry that yellow-headed Jezebel of Kybird's," said the + captain, staring at the fire. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks murmured that he couldn't understand anybody liking yellow + hair, and, more than that, the general opinion of the ladies in Fullalove + Alley was that it was dyed. +</p> +<p> + "I'm going to ship him on the Seabird," continued the captain. "She'll + probably be away for a year or two, and, in the meantime, this girl will + probably marry somebody else. Especially if she doesn't know what has + become of him. He can't get into mischief aboard ship." +</p> +<p> + "No, sir," said the wondering Mr. Wilks. "Is Master Jack agreeable to + going, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "That's nothing to do with it," said the captain, sharply. +</p> +<p> + "No, sir," said Mr. Wilks, "o' course not. I was only a sort o' + wondering how he was going to be persuaded to go if 'e ain't." +</p> +<p> + "That's what I came here about," said the other. "I want you to go and + fix it up with Nathan Smith." +</p> +<p> + "Do you want 'im to be <i>crimped,</i> sir?" stammered Mr. Wilks. +</p> +<p> + "I want him shipped aboard the <i>Seabird,</i>" returned the other, "and + Smith's the man to do it." +</p> +<p> + "It's a very hard thing to do in these days, sir," said Mr. Wilks, + shaking his head. "What with signing on aboard the day before the ship + sails, and before the Board o' Trade officers, I'm sure it's a wonder + that anybody goes to sea at all." +</p> +<p> + "You leave that to Smith," said the captain, impatiently. "The Seabird + sails on Friday morning's tide. Tell Smith I'll arrange to meet my son + here on Thursday night, and that he must have some liquor for us and a + fly waiting on the beach." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks wriggled: "But what about signing on, sir?" he inquired. +</p> +<p> + "He won't sign on," said the captain, "he'll be a stowaway. Smith must + get him smuggled aboard, and bribe the hands to let him lie hidden in the + fo'c's'le. The Seabird won't put back to put him ashore. Here is five + pounds; give Smith two or three now, and the remainder when the job is + done." +</p> +<p> + The steward took the money reluctantly and, plucking up his courage, + looked his old master in the face. +</p> +<p> + "It's a 'ard life afore the mast, sir," he said, slowly. +</p> +<p> + "Rubbish!" was the reply. "It'll make a man of him. Besides, what's it + got to do with you?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't care about the job, sir," said Mr. Wilks, bravely. +</p> +<p> + "What's that got to do with it?" demanded the other, frowning. "You go + and fix it up with Nathan Smith as soon as possible." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks shuffled his feet and strove to remind himself that he was a + gentleman of independent means, and could please himself. +</p> +<p> + "I've known 'im since he was a baby," he murmured, defiantly. +</p> +<p> + "I don't want to hear anything more from you, Wilks," said the captain, + in a hard voice. "Those are my orders, and you had better see that they + are carried out. My son will be one of the first to thank you later on + for getting him out of such a mess." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Wilks's brow cleared somewhat. "I s'pose Miss Kate 'ud be pleased + too," he remarked, hope-fully. +</p> +<p> + "Of course she will," said the captain. "Now I look to you, Wilks, to + manage this thing properly. I wouldn't trust anybody else, and you've + never disappointed me yet." +</p> +<p> + The steward gasped and, doubting whether he had heard aright, looked + towards his old master, but in vain, for the confirmation of further + compliments. In all his long years of service he had never been praised + by him before. He leaned forward eagerly and began to discuss ways and + means. +</p> +<p> + In the next room conversation was also proceeding, but fitfully. Miss + Nugent's consternation when she closed the door behind her and found + herself face to face with Mr. Hardy was difficult of concealment. Too + late she understood the facial contortions of Mr. Wilks, and, resigning + herself to the inevitable, accepted the chair placed for her by the + highly pleased Jem, and sat regarding him calmly from the other side of + the fender. +</p> +<a name="image-29"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="029.jpg" height="701" width="403" +alt="'miss Nugent's Consternation Was Difficult Of +Concealment.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "I am waiting here for my father," she said, in explanation. +</p> +<p> + "In deference to Wilks's terrors I am waiting here until he has gone," + said Hardy, with a half smile. +</p> +<p> + There was a pause. "I hope that he will not be long," said the girl. +</p> +<p> + "Thank you," returned Hardy, wilfully misunderstanding, "but I am in no + hurry." +</p> +<p> + He gazed at her with admiration. The cold air had heightened her colour, + and the brightness of her eyes shamed the solitary candle which lit up + the array of burnished metal on the mantelpiece. +</p> +<p> + "I hope you enjoyed your visit to London," he said. +</p> +<p> + Before replying Miss Nugent favoured him with a glance designed to + express surprise at least at his knowledge of her movements. "Very much, + thank you," she said, at last. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hardy, still looking at her with much comfort to himself, felt an + insane desire to tell her how much she had been missed by one person at + least in Sunwich. Saved from this suicidal folly by the little common + sense which had survived the shock of her sudden appearance, he gave the + information indirectly. +</p> +<p> + "Quite a long stay," he murmured; "three months and three days; no, three + months and two days." +</p> +<p> + A sudden wave of colour swept over the girl's face at the ingenuity of + this mode of attack. She was used to attention and took compliments as + her due, but the significant audacity of this one baffled her. She sat + with downcast eyes looking at the fender occasionally glancing from the + corner of her eye to see whether he was preparing to renew the assault. + He had certainly changed from the Jem Hardy of olden days. She had a + faint idea that his taste had improved. +</p> +<p> + "Wilks keeps his house in good order," said Hardy, looking round. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said the girl. +</p> +<p> + "Wonder why he never married," said Hardy, musingly; "for my part I can't + understand a man remaining single all his life; can you?" +</p> +<p> + "I never think of such things," said Miss Nugent, coldly—and + untruthfully. +</p> +<p> + "If it was only to have somebody to wait on him and keep his house + clean," pursued Hardy, with malice. +</p> +<p> + Miss Nugent grew restless, and the wrongs of her sex stirred within her. + "You have very lofty ideas on the subject," she said, scornfully, "but I + believe they are not uncommon." +</p> +<p> + "Still, you have never thought about such things, you know," he reminded + her. +</p> +<p> + "And no doubt you have devoted a great deal of time to the subject." +</p> +<p> + Hardy admitted it frankly. "But only since I returned to Sunwich," he + said. +</p> +<p> + "Caused by the spectacle of Sam's forlorn condition, I suppose," said + Miss Nugent. +</p> +<p> + "No, it wasn't that," he replied. +</p> +<p> + Miss Nugent, indignant at having been drawn into such a discussion, + lapsed into silence. It was safer and far more dignified, but at the + same time she yearned for an opportunity of teaching this presumptuous + young man a lesson. So far he had had it all his own way. A way strewn + with ambiguities which a modest maiden had to ignore despite herself. +</p> +<p> + "Of course, Wilks may have had a disappointment," said Hardy, with the + air of one willing to make allowances. +</p> +<p> + "I believe he had about fifty," said the girl, carelessly. +</p> +<p> + Hardy shook his head in strong disapproval. "No man should have more + than one," he said, firmly; "a man of any strength of will wouldn't have + that." +</p> +<p> + "Strength of will?" repeated the astonished Miss Nugent. +</p> +<p> + Their eyes met; hers sparkling with indignation; his full of cold + calculation. If he had had any doubts before, he was quite sure now that + he had gone the right way to work to attract her attention; she was + almost quivering with excitement. +</p> +<p> + "Your ideas will probably change with age—and disappointment," she said, + sweetly. +</p> +<p> + "I shall not be disappointed," said Hardy, coolly. "I'll take care of + that." +</p> +<p> + Miss Nugent eyed him wistfully and racked her brains for an appropriate + and crushing rejoinder. In all her experience—and it was considerable + considering her years—she had never met with such carefully constructed + audacity, and she longed, with a great longing, to lure him into the open + and destroy him. She was still considering ways and means of doing this + when the door opened and revealed the surprised and angry form of her + father and behind it the pallid countenance of Mr. Wilks. For a moment + anger deprived the captain of utterance. +</p> +<p> + "Who——" he stammered. "What——" +</p> +<p> + "What a long time you've been, father," said Miss Nugent, in a reproving + voice. "I began to be afraid you were never going." +</p> +<p> + "You come home with me," said the captain, recovering. +</p> +<p> + The command was given in his most imperious manner, and his daughter + dropped her muff in some resentment as she rose, in order to let him have + the pleasure of seeing Mr. Hardy pick it up. It rolled, however, in his + direction, and he stooped for it just as Hardy darted forward. Their + heads met with a crash, and Miss Nugent forgot her own consternation in + the joy of beholding the pitiable exhibition which terror made of Mr. + Wilks. +</p> +<p> + "I'm very sorry," said Hardy, as he reverently dusted the muff on his + coat-sleeve before returning it. "I'm afraid it was my fault." +</p> +<p> + "It was," said the infuriated captain, as he held the door open for his + daughter. "Now, Kate." +</p> +<p> + Miss Nugent passed through, followed by her father, and escorted to the + front door by the steward, whose faint "Good-night" was utterly ignored + by his injured commander. He stood at the door until they had turned the + corner, and, returning to the kitchen, found his remaining guest holding + his aching head beneath the tap. +</p> +<a name="image-30"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="030.jpg" height="553" width="505" +alt="'he Found his Remaining Guest Holding His Aching Head +Beneath the Tap.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "And now," said the captain, sternly, to his daughter, "how dare you sit + and talk to that young cub? Eh? How dare you?" +</p> +<p> + "He was there when I went in," said his daughter. "Why didn't you come + out, then?" demanded her father. +</p> +<p> + "I was afraid of disturbing you and Sam," said Miss Nugent. "Besides, + why shouldn't I speak to him?" +</p> +<p> + "Why?" shouted the captain. "Why? Because I won't have it." +</p> +<p> + "I thought you liked him," said Miss Nugent, in affected surprise. "You + patted him on the head." +</p> +<p> + The captain, hardly able to believe his ears, came to an impressive stop + in the roadway, but Miss Nugent walked on. She felt instinctively that + the joke was thrown away on him, and, in the absence of any other + audience, wanted to enjoy it without interruption. Convulsive and + half-suppressed sounds, which she ascribed to a slight cold caught while + waiting in the kitchen, escaped her at intervals for the remainder of the + journey home. +</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of At Sunwich Port, Part 2., by W.W. 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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: At Sunwich Port, Part 2. + Contents: Chapters 6-10 + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: January 30, 2004 [EBook #10872] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AT SUNWICH PORT, PART 2. *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +AT SUNWICH PORT + +BY + +W. W. JACOBS + +Part 2. + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + +From Drawings by Will Owen + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +For the first few days after his return Sunwich was full of surprises to +Jem Hardy. The town itself had changed but little, and the older +inhabitants were for the most part easily recognisable, but time had +wrought wonders among the younger members of the population: small boys +had attained to whiskered manhood, and small girls passing into +well-grown young women had in some cases even changed their names. + +The most astounding and gratifying instance of the wonders effected by +time was that of Miss Nugent. He saw her first at the window, and with a +ready recognition of the enchantment lent by distance took the first +possible opportunity of a closer observation. He then realized the +enchantment afforded by proximity. The second opportunity led him +impetuously into a draper's shop, where a magnificent shop-walker, after +first ceremoniously handing him a high cane chair, passed on his order +for pins in a deep and thrilling baritone, and retired in good order. + +[Illustration: "The most astounding and gratifying instance of the +wonders effected by time was that of Miss Nugent."] + +By the end of a week his observations were completed, and Kate Nugent, +securely enthroned in his mind as the incarnation of feminine grace and +beauty, left but little room for other matters. On his second Sunday at +home, to his father's great surprise, he attended church, and after +contemplating Miss Nugent's back hair for an hour and a half came home +and spoke eloquently and nobly on "burying hatchets," "healing old +sores," "letting bygones be bygones," and kindred topics. + +"I never take much notice of sermons myself," said the captain, +misunderstanding. + +"Sermon?" said his son. "I wasn't thinking of the sermon, but I saw +Captain Nugent there, and I remembered the stupid quarrel between you. +It's absurd that it should go on indefinitely." + +"Why, what does it matter?" inquired the other, staring. "Why shouldn't +it? Perhaps it's the music that's affected you; some of those old +hymns--" + +"It wasn't the sermon and it wasn't the hymns," said his son, +disdainfully; "it's just common sense. It seems to me that the enmity +between you has lasted long enough." + +"I don't see that it matters," said the captain; "it doesn't hurt me. +Nugent goes his way and I go mine, but if I ever get a chance at the old +man, he'd better look out. He wants a little of the starch taken out of +him." + +"Mere mannerism," said his son. + +"He's as proud as Lucifer, and his girl takes after him," said the +innocent captain. "By the way, she's grown up a very good-looking girl. +You take a look at her the next time you see her." + +His son stared at him. + +"She'll get married soon, I should think," continued the other. "Young +Murchison, the new doctor here, seems to be the favourite. Nugent is +backing him, so they say; I wish him joy of his father-in-law." + +Jem Hardy took his pipe into the garden, and, pacing slowly up and down +the narrow paths, determined, at any costs, to save Dr. Murchison from +such a father-in-law and Kate Nugent from any husband except of his +choosing. He took a seat under an old apple tree, and, musing in the +twilight, tried in vain to think of ways and means of making her +acquaintance. + +Meantime they passed each other as strangers, and the difficulty of +approaching her only made the task more alluring. In the second week he +reckoned up that he had seen her nine times. It was a satisfactory +total, but at the same time he could not shut his eyes to the fact that +five times out of that number he had seen Dr. Murchison as well, and +neither of them appeared to have seen him. + +He sat thinking it over in the office one hot afternoon. Mr. Adolphus +Swann, his partner, had just returned from lunch, and for about the fifth +time that day was arranging his white hair and short, neatly pointed +beard in a small looking-glass. Over the top of it he glanced at Hardy, +who, leaning back in his chair, bit his pen and stared hard at a paper +before him. + +"Is that the manifest of the North Star?" he inquired. + +"No," was the reply. + +Mr. Swann put his looking-glass away and watched the other as he crossed +over to the window and gazed through the small, dirty panes at the +bustling life of the harbour below. For a short time Hardy stood gazing +in silence, and then, suddenly crossing the room, took his hat from a peg +and went out. + +"Restless," said the senior partner, wiping his folders with great care +and putting them on. "Wonder where he's put that manifest." + +He went over to the other's desk and opened a drawer to search for it. +Just inside was a sheet of foolscap, and Mr. Swann with growing +astonishment slowly mastered the contents. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Swann with growing astonishment slowly mastered the +contents."] + +"See her as often as possible." + +"Get to know some of her friends." + +"Try and get hold of the old lady." + +"Find out her tastes and ideas." + +"Show my hand before Murchison has it all his own way." + +"It seems to me," said the bewildered shipbroker, carefully replacing the +paper, "that my young friend is looking out for another partner. He +hasn't lost much time." + +He went back to his seat and resumed his work. It occurred to him that +he ought to let his partner know what he had seen, and when Hardy +returned he had barely seated himself before Mr. Swann with a mysterious +smile crossed over to him, bearing a sheet of foolscap. + +"Try and dress as well as my partner," read the astonished Hardy. +"What's the matter with my clothes? What do you mean?" + +Mr. Swann, in place of answering, returned to his desk and, taking up +another sheet of foolscap, began to write again, holding up his hand for +silence as Hardy repeated his question. When he had finished his task he +brought it over and placed it in the other's hand. + +"Take her little brother out for walks." + +Hardy crumpled the paper up and flung it aside. Then, with his face +crimson, he stared wrathfully at the benevolent Swann. + +"It's the safest card in the pack," said the latter. "You please +everybody; especially the little brother. You should always hold his +hand--it looks well for one thing, and if you shut your eyes--" + +"I don't want any of your nonsense," said the maddened Jem. "What do you +mean by reading my private papers?" + +"I came over to look for the manifest," said Mr. Swann, "and I read it +before I could make out what it was. You must admit it's a bit cryptic. +I thought it was a new game at first. Getting hold of the old lady +sounds like a sort of blind-man's buff. But why not get hold of the +young one? Why waste time over--" + +"Go to the devil," said the junior partner. + +"Any more suggestions I can give you, you are heartily welcome to," said +Mr. Swann, going back to his seat. "All my vast experience is at your +service, and the best and sweetest and prettiest girls in Sunwich regard +me as a sort of second father." + +"What's a second father?" inquired Jim, looking up--"a grandfather?" + +"Go your own way," said the other; "I wash my hands of you. You're not +in earnest, or you'd clutch at any straw. But let me give you one word +of advice. Be careful how you get hold of the old lady; let her +understand from the commencement that it isn't her." + +Mr. Hardy went on with his work. There was a pile of it in front of him +and an accumulation in his drawers. For some time he wrote assiduously, +but work was dry after the subject they had been discussing. He looked +over at his partner and, seeing that that gentleman was gravely busy, +reopened the matter with a jeer. + +"Old maids always know most about rearing children," he remarked; "so I +suppose old bachelors, looking down on life from the top shelf, think +they know most about marriage." + +"I wash my hands of you," repeated the senior, placidly. "I am not to be +taunted into rendering first aid to the wounded." + +The conscience-stricken junior lost his presence of mind. "Who's trying +to taunt you?" he demanded, hotly. "Why, you'd do more harm than good." + +"Put a bandage round the head instead of the heart, I expect," assented +the chuckling Swann. "Top shelf, I think you said; well, I climbed there +for safety." + +"You must have been much run after," said his partner. + +"I was," said the other. "I suppose that's why it is I am always so +interested in these affairs. I have helped to marry so many people in +this place, that I'm almost afraid to stir out after dark." + +Hardy's reply was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Edward Silk, a young +man of forlorn aspect, who combined in his person the offices of +messenger, cleaner, and office-boy to the firm. He brought in some +letters, and placing them on Mr. Swann's desk retired. + +"There's another," said the latter, as the door closed. "His complaint +is Amelia Kybird, and he's got it badly. She's big enough to eat him, +but I believe that they are engaged. Perseverance has done it in his +case. He used to go about like a blighted flower--" + +"I am rather busy," his partner reminded him. + +Mr. Swann sighed and resumed his own labours. For some time both men +wrote in silence. Then the elder suddenly put his pen down and hit his +desk a noisy thump with his fist. + +"I've got it," he said, briskly; "apologize humbly for all your candour, +and I will give you a piece of information which shall brighten your dull +eyes, raise the corners of your drooping mouth, and renew once more the +pink and cream in your youthful cheeks." + +"Look here--" said the overwrought Hardy. + +"Samson Wilks," interrupted Mr. Swann, "number three, Fullalove Alley, +at home Fridays, seven to nine, to the daughter of his late skipper, who +always visits him on that day. Don't thank me, Hardy, in case you break +down. She's a very nice girl, and if she had been born twenty years +earlier, or I had been born twenty years later, or you hadn't been born +at all, there's no saying what might not have happened." + +"When I want you to interfere in my business," said Hardy, working +sedulously, "I'll let you know." + +"Very good," replied Swann; "still, remember Thursdays, seven to nine." + +"Thursdays," said Hardy, incautiously; "why, you said Fridays just now." + +Mr. Swann made no reply. His nose was immersed in the folds of a large +handkerchief, and his eyes watered profusely behind his glasses. It was +some minutes before he had regained his normal composure, and even then +the sensitive nerves of his partner were offended by an occasional +belated chuckle. + +Although by dint of casual and cautious inquiries Mr. Hardy found that +his partner's information was correct, he was by no means guilty of any +feelings of gratitude towards him; and he only glared scornfully when +that excellent but frivolous man mounted a chair on Friday afternoon, and +putting the clock on a couple of hours or so, urged him to be in time. + +The evening, however, found him starting slowly in the direction of +Fullalove Alley. His father had gone to sea again, and the house was +very dull; moreover, he felt a mild curiosity to see the changes wrought +by time in Mr. Wilks. He walked along by the sea, and as the church +clock struck the three-quarters turned into the alley and looked eagerly +round for the old steward. + +The labours of the day were over, and the inhabitants were for the most +part out of doors taking the air. Shirt-sleeved householders, leaning +against their door-posts smoking, exchanged ideas across the narrow space +paved with cobble-stones which separated their small and ancient houses, +while the matrons, more gregariously inclined, bunched in little groups +and discussed subjects which in higher circles would have inundated the +land with libel actions. Up and down the alley a tiny boy all ready for +bed, with the exception of his nightgown, mechanically avoided friendly +palms as he sought anxiously for his mother. + +[Illustration: "Fullalove Alley."] + +The object of Mr. Hardy's search sat at the door of his front room, which +opened on to the alley, smoking an evening pipe, and noting with an +interested eye the doings of his neighbours. He was just preparing to +draw himself up in his chair as the intruder passed, when to his utter +astonishment that gentleman stopped in front of him, and taking +possession of his hand shook it fervently. + +"How do you do?" he said, smiling. + +Mr. Wilks eyed him stupidly and, releasing his hand, coyly placed it in +his trouser-pocket and breathed hard. + +"I meant to come before," said Hardy, "but I've been so busy. How are +you?" + +Mr. Wilks, still dazed, muttered that he was very well. Then he sat bolt +upright in his chair and eyed his visitor suspiciously. + +"I've been longing for a chat with you about old times," said Hardy; "of +all my old friends you seem to have changed the least. You don't look a +day older." + +"I'm getting on," said Mr. Wilks, trying to speak coldly, but observing +with some gratification the effect produced upon his neighbours by the +appearance of this well-dressed acquaintance. + +"I wanted to ask your advice," said the unscrupulous Hardy, speaking in +low tones. "I daresay you know I've just gone into partnership in +Sunwich, and I'm told there's no man knows more about the business and +the ins and outs of this town than you do." + +Mr. Wilks thawed despite himself. His face glistened and his huge mouth +broke into tremulous smiles. For a moment he hesitated, and then +noticing that a little group near them had suspended their conversation +to listen to his he drew his chair back and, in a kind voice, invited the +searcher after wisdom to step inside. + +Hardy thanked him, and, following him in, took a chair behind the door, +and with an air of youthful deference bent his ear to catch the pearls +which fell from the lips of his host. Since he was a babe on his +mother's knee sixty years before Mr. Wilks had never had such an +attentive and admiring listener. Hardy sat as though glued to his chair, +one eye on Mr. Wilks and the other on the clock, and it was not until +that ancient timepiece struck the hour that the ex-steward suddenly +realized the awkward state of affairs. + +"Any more 'elp I can give you I shall always be pleased to," he said, +looking at the clock. + +Hardy thanked him at great length, wondering, as he spoke, whether Miss +Nugent was of punctual habits. He leaned back in his chair and, folding +his arms, gazed thoughtfully at the perturbed Mr. Wilks. + +"You must come round and smoke a pipe with me sometimes," he said, +casually. + +Mr. Wilks flushed with gratified pride. He had a vision of himself +walking up to the front door of the Hardys, smoking a pipe in a +well-appointed room, and telling an incredulous and envious Fullalove +Alley about it afterwards. + +"I shall be very pleased, sir," he said, impressively. + +"Come round on Tuesday," said his visitor. "I shall be at home then." + +Mr. Wilks thanked him and, spurred on to hospitality, murmured something +about a glass of ale, and retired to the back to draw it. He came back +with a jug and a couple of glasses, and draining his own at a draught, +hoped that the example would not be lost upon his visitor. That astute +person, however, after a modest draught, sat still, anchored to the +half-empty glass. + +"I'm expecting somebody to-night," said the ex-steward, at last. + +"No doubt you have a lot of visitors," said the other, admiringly. + +Mr. Wilks did not deny it. He eyed his guest's glass and fidgeted. + +"Miss Nugent is coming," he said. + +Instead of any signs of disorder and preparations for rapid flight, Mr. +Wilks saw that the other was quite composed. He began to entertain a +poor idea of Mr. Hardy's memory. + +"She generally comes for a little quiet chat," he said. + +"Indeed!" + +"Just between the two of us," said the other. + +His visitor said "Indeed," and, as though some chord of memory had been +touched, sat gazing dreamily at Mr. Wilks's horticultural collection in +the window. Then he changed colour a little as a smart hat and a pretty +face crossed the tiny panes. Mr. Wilks changed colour too, and in an +awkward fashion rose to receive Miss Nugent. + +"Late as usual, Sam," said the girl, sinking into a chair. Then she +caught sight of Hardy, who was standing by the door. + +[Illustration: "She caught sight of Hardy."] + +"It's a long time since you and I met, Miss Nugent," he said, bowing. + +"Mr. Hardy?" said the girl, doubtfully. + +"Yes, miss," interposed Mr. Wilks, anxious to explain his position. "He +called in to see me; quite a surprise to me it was. I 'ardly knowed +him." + +"The last time we three met," said Hardy, who to his host's discomfort +had resumed his chair, "Wilks was thrashing me and you were urging him +on." + +Kate Nugent eyed him carefully. It was preposterous that this young man +should take advantage of a boy and girl acquaintance of eleven years +before--and such an acquaintance!--in this manner. Her eyes expressed a +little surprise, not unmixed with hauteur, but Hardy was too pleased to +have them turned in his direction at all to quarrel with their +expression. + +"You were a bit of a trial in them days," said Mr. Wilks, shaking his +head. "If I live to be ninety I shall never forget seeing Miss Kate +capsized the way she was. The way she----" + +"How is your cold?" inquired Miss Nugent, hastily. + +"Better, miss, thankee," said Mr. Wilks. + +"Miss Nugent has forgotten and forgiven all that long ago," said Hardy. + +"Quite," assented the girl, coldly; "one cannot remember all the boys and +girls one knew as a child." + +"Certainly not," said Hardy. "I find that many have slipped from my own +memory, but I have a most vivid recollection of you." + +Miss Nugent looked at him again, and an idea, strange and incredible, +dawned slowly upon her. Childish impressions are lasting, and Jem Hardy +had remained in her mind as a sort of youthful ogre. He sat before her +now a frank, determined-looking young Englishman, in whose honest eyes +admiration of herself could not be concealed. Indignation and surprise +struggled for supremacy. + +"It's odd," remarked Mr. Wilks, who had a happy knack at times of saying +the wrong thing, "it's odd you should 'ave 'appened to come just at the +same time as Miss Kate did." + +"It's my good fortune," said Hardy, with a slight bow. Then he cocked a +malignant eye at the innocent Mr. Wilks, and wondered at what age men +discarded the useless habit of blushing. Opposite him sat Miss Nugent, +calmly observant, the slightest suggestion of disdain in her expression. +Framed in the queer, high-backed old chair which had belonged to Mr. +Wilks's grandfather, she made a picture at which Jem Hardy continued to +gaze with respectful ardour. A hopeless sense of self-depreciation +possessed him, but the idea that Murchison should aspire to so much +goodness and beauty made him almost despair of his sex. His reverie was +broken by the voice of Mr. Wilks. + +"A quarter to eight?" said that gentleman in-credulously; "it can't be." + +"I thought it was later than that," said Hardy, simply. + +Mr. Wilks gasped, and with a faint shake of his head at the floor +abandoned the thankless task of giving hints to a young man who was too +obtuse to see them; and it was not until some time later that Mr. Hardy, +sorely against his inclinations, gave his host a hearty handshake and, +with a respectful bow to Miss Nugent, took his departure. + +"Fine young man he's growed," said Mr. Wilks, deferentially, turning to +his remaining visitor; "greatly improved, I think." + +Miss Nugent looked him over critically before replying. "He seems to +have taken a great fancy to you," she remarked. + +Mr. Wilks smiled a satisfied smile. "He came to ask my advice about +business," he said, softly. "He's 'eard two or three speak o' me as +knowing a thing or two, and being young, and just starting, 'e came to +talk it over with me. I never see a young man so pleased and ready to +take advice as wot he is." + +"He is coming again for more, I suppose?" said Miss Nugent, carelessly. + +Mr. Wilks acquiesced. "And he asked me to go over to his 'ouse to smoke +a pipe with 'im on Tuesday," he added, in the casual manner in which men +allude to their aristocratic connections. "He's a bit lonely, all by +himself." + +Miss Nugent said, "Indeed," and then, lapsing into silence, gave little +occasional side-glances at Mr. Wilks, as though in search of any hidden +charms about him which might hitherto have escaped her. + +At the same time Mr. James Hardy, walking slowly home by the edge of the +sea, pondered on further ways and means of ensnaring the affection of the +ex-steward. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +The anticipations of Mr. Wilks were more than realized on the following +Tuesday. From the time a trim maid showed him into the smoking-room +until late at night, when he left, a feted and honoured guest, with one +of his host's best cigars between his teeth, nothing that could yield him +any comfort was left undone. In the easiest of easy chairs he sat in the +garden beneath the leafy branches of apple trees, and undiluted wisdom +and advice flowed from his lips in a stream as he beamed delightedly upon +his entertainer. + +[Illustration: "Undiluted wisdom and advice flowed from his lips."] + +Their talk was mainly of Sunwich and Sunwich people, and it was an easy +step from these to Equator Lodge. On that subject most people would have +found the ex-steward somewhat garrulous, but Jem Hardy listened with +great content, and even brought him back to it when he showed signs of +wandering. Altogether Mr. Wilks spent one of the pleasantest evenings of +his life, and, returning home in a slight state of mental exhilaration, +severely exercised the tongues of Fullalove Alley by a bearing considered +incompatible with his station. + +Jem Hardy paid a return call on the following Friday, and had no cause to +complain of any lack of warmth in his reception. The ex-steward was +delighted to see him, and after showing him various curios picked up +during his voyages, took him to the small yard in the rear festooned with +scarlet-runner beans, and gave him a chair in full view of the +neighbours. + +"I'm the only visitor to-night?" said Hardy, after an hour's patient +listening and waiting. + +Mr. Wilks nodded casually. "Miss Kate came last night," he said. +"Friday is her night, but she came yesterday instead." + +Mr. Hardy said, "Oh, indeed," and fell straight-way into a dismal reverie +from which the most spirited efforts of his host only partially aroused +him. + +Without giving way to undue egotism it was pretty clear that Miss Nugent +had changed her plans on his account, and a long vista of pleasant Friday +evenings suddenly vanished. He, too, resolved to vary his visits, and, +starting with a basis of two a week, sat trying to solve the mathematical +chances of selecting the same as Kate Nugent; calculations which were not +facilitated by a long-winded account from Mr. Wilks of certain +interesting amours of his youthful prime. + +Before he saw Kate Nugent again, however, another old acquaintance turned +up safe and sound in Sunwich. Captain Nugent walking into the town saw +him first: a tall, well-knit young man in shabby clothing, whose bearing +even in the distance was oddly familiar. As he came closer the captain's +misgivings were confirmed, and in the sunburnt fellow in tattered clothes +who advanced upon him with out-stretched hand he reluctantly recognized +his son. + +"What have you come home for?" he inquired, ignoring the hand and eyeing +him from head to foot. + +"Change," said Jack Nugent, laconically, as the smile left his face. + +The captain shrugged his shoulders and stood silent. His son looked +first up the road and then down. + +"All well at home?" he inquired. + +"Yes." + +Jack Nugent looked up the road again. + +"Not much change in the town," he said, at length. + +"No," said his father. + +"Well, I'm glad to have seen you," said his son. "Good-bye." + +"Good-bye," said the captain. + +His son nodded and, turning on his heel, walked back towards the town. +Despite his forlorn appearance his step was jaunty and he carried his +head high. The captain watched him until he was hidden by a bend in the +road, and then, ashamed of himself for displaying so much emotion, turned +his own steps in the direction of home. + +"Well, he didn't whine," he said, slowly. "He's got a bit of pride +left." + +Meantime the prodigal had reached the town again, and stood ruefully +considering his position. + +He looked up the street, and then, the well-known shop of Mr. Kybird +catching his eye, walked over and inspected the contents of the window. +Sheath-knives, belts, tobacco-boxes, and watches were displayed +alluringly behind the glass, sheltered from the sun by a row of cheap +clothing dangling from short poles over the shop front. All the goods +were marked in plain figures in reduced circumstances, Mr. Kybird giving +a soaring imagination play in the first marking, and a good business +faculty in the second. + +At these valuables Jack Nugent, with a view of obtaining some idea of +prices, gazed for some time. Then passing between two suits of oilskins +which stood as sentinels in the doorway, he entered the shop and smiled +affably at Miss Kybird, who was in charge. At his entrance she put down +a piece of fancy-work, which Mr. Kybird called his sock, and with a +casual glance at his clothes regarded him with a prejudiced eye. + +"Beautiful day," said the customer; "makes one feel quite young again." + +"What do you want?" inquired Miss Kybird. + +[Illustration: "'What do you want?' inquired Miss Kybird."] + +Mr. Nugent turned to a broken cane-chair which stood by the counter, and, +after applying severe tests, regardless of the lady's feelings, sat down +upon it and gave a sigh of relief. + +"I've walked from London," he said, in explanation. "I could sit here +for hours." + +"Look here----" began the indignant Miss Kybird. + +"Only people would be sure to couple our names together," continued Mr. +Nugent, mournfully. + +"When a handsome young man and a good-looking girl----" + +"Do you want to buy anything or not?" demanded Miss Kybird, with an +impatient toss of her head. + +"No," said Jack, "I want to sell." + +"You've come to the wrong shop, then," said Miss Kybird; "the warehouse +is full of rubbish now." + +The other turned in his chair and looked hard at the window. "So it is," +he assented. "It's a good job I've brought you something decent to put +there." + +He felt in his pockets and, producing a silver-mounted briar-pipe, a +battered watch, a knife, and a few other small articles, deposited them +with reverent care upon the counter. + +"No use to us," declared Miss Kybird, anxious to hit back; "we burn coal +here." + +"These'll burn better than the coal you buy," said the unmoved customer. + +"Well, we don't want them," retorted Miss Kybird, raising her voice, "and +I don't want any of your impudence. Get up out of our chair." + +Her heightened tones penetrated to the small and untidy room behind the +shop. The door opened, and Mr. Kybird in his shirt-sleeves appeared at +the opening. + +"Wot's the row?" he demanded, his little black eyes glancing from one to +the other. + +"Only a lovers' quarrel," replied Jack. "You go away; we don't want +you." + +"Look 'ere, we don't want none o' your nonsense," said the shopkeeper, +sharply; "and, wot's more, we won't 'ave it. Who put that rubbish on my +counter?" + +He bustled forward, and taking the articles in his hands examined them +closely. + +"Three shillings for the lot--cash," he remarked. "Done," said the +other. + +"Did I say three?" inquired Mr. Kybird, startled at this ready +acceptance. + +"Five you said," replied Mr. Nugent, "but I'll take three, if you throw +in a smile." + +Mr. Kybird, much against his inclinations, threw in a faint grin, and +opening a drawer produced three shillings and flung them separately on +the counter. Miss Kybird thawed somewhat, and glancing from the +customer's clothes to his face saw that he had a pleasant eye and a good +moustache, together with a general air of recklessness much appreciated +by the sex. + +"Don't spend it on drink," she remarked, not unkindly. + +"I won't," said the other, solemnly; "I'm going to buy house property with +it." + +"Why, darn my eyes," said Mr. Kybird, who had been regarding him closely; +"darn my old eyes, if it ain't young Nugent. Well, well!" + +"That's me," said young Nugent, cheerfully; "I should have known you +anywhere, Kybird: same old face, same old voice, same old shirt-sleeves." + +"'Ere, come now," objected the shopkeeper, shortening his arm and +squinting along it. + +"I should have known you anywhere," continued the other, mournfully; "and +here I've thrown up a splendid berth and come all the way from Australia +just for one glimpse of Miss Kybird, and she doesn't know me. When I +die, Kybird, you will find the word 'Calais' engraven upon my heart." + +Mr. Kybird said, "Oh, indeed." His daughter tossed her head and bade Mr. +Nugent take his nonsense to people who might like it. + +"Last time I see you," said Mr. Kybird, pursing up his lips and gazing at +the counter in an effort of memory; "last time I see you was one fifth o' +November when you an' another bright young party was going about in two +suits o' oilskins wot I'd been 'unting for 'igh and low all day long." + +Jack Nugent sighed. "They were happy times, Kybird." + +"Might ha' been for you," retorted the other, his temper rising a little +at the remembrance of his wrongs. + +"Have you come home for good? inquired Miss Kybird, curiously. Have you +seen your father? He passed here a little while ago." + +"I saw him," said Jack, with a brevity which was not lost upon the astute +Mr. Kybird. "I may stay in Sunwich, and I may not--it all depends." + +"You're not going 'ome?" said Mr. Kybird. + +"No." + +The shopkeeper stood considering. He had a small room to let at the top +of his house, and he stood divided between the fear of not getting his +rent and the joy to a man fond of simple pleasures, to be obtained by +dunning the arrogant Captain Nugent for his son's debts. Before he could +arrive at a decision his meditations were interrupted by the entrance of +a stout, sandy-haired lady from the back parlour, who, having conquered +his scruples against matrimony some thirty years before, had kept a +particularly wide-awake eye upon him ever since. + +"Your tea's a-gettin' cold," she remarked, severely. + +Her husband received the news with calmness. He was by no means an +enthusiast where that liquid was concerned, the admiration evoked by its +non-inebriating qualities having been always something in the nature of a +mystery to him. + +"I'm coming," he retorted; "I'm just 'aving a word with Mr. Nugent 'ere." + +"Well, I never did," said the stout lady, coming farther into the shop +and regarding the visitor. "I shouldn't 'ave knowed 'im. If you'd asked +me who 'e was I couldn't ha' told you--I shouldn't 'ave knowed 'im from +Adam." + +Jack shook his head. "It's hard to be forgotten like this," he said, +sadly. "Even Miss Kybird had forgotten me, after all that had passed +between us." + +"Eh?" said Mr. Kybird. + +"Oh, don't take any notice of him," said his daughter. "I'd like to see +myself." + +Mr. Kybird paid no heed. He was still thinking of the son of Captain +Nugent being indebted to him for lodging, and the more he thought of the +idea the better he liked it. + +"Well, now you're 'ere," he said, with a great assumption of cordiality, +"why not come in and 'ave a cup o' tea?" + +The other hesitated a moment and then, with a light laugh, accepted the +offer. He followed them into the small and untidy back parlour, and +being requested by his hostess to squeeze in next to 'Melia at the small +round table, complied so literally with the order that that young lady +complained bitterly of his encroachments. + +"And where do you think of sleeping to-night?" inquired Mr. Kybird after +his daughter had, to use her own expressive phrase, shown the guest "his +place." + +Mr. Nugent shook his head. "I shall get a lodging somewhere," he said, +airily. + +"There's a room upstairs as you might 'ave if you liked," said Mr. Kybird, +slowly. "It's been let to a very respectable, clean young man for half a +crown a week. Really it ought to be three shillings, but if you like to +'ave it at the old price, you can." + +"Done with you," said the other. + +"No doubt you'll soon get something to do," continued Mr. Kybird, more in +answer to his wife's inquiring glances than anything else. "Half a crown +every Saturday and the room's yours." + +Mr. Nugent thanked him, and after making a tea which caused Mr. Kybird to +congratulate himself upon the fact that he hadn't offered to board him, +sat regaling Mrs. Kybird and daughter with a recital of his adventures in +Australia, receiving in return a full and true account of Sunwich and its +people up to date. + +"There's no pride about 'im, that's what I like," said Mrs. Kybird to her +lord and master as they sat alone after closing time over a glass of gin +and water. "He's a nice young feller, but bisness is bisness, and s'pose +you don't get your rent?" + +"I shall get it sooner or later," said Mr. Kybird. "That stuck-up father +of 'is 'll be in a fine way at 'im living here. That's wot I'm thinking +of." + +"I don't see why," said Mrs. Kybird, bridling. "Who's Captain Nugent, I +should like to know? We're as good as what 'e is, if not better. And as +for the gell, if she'd got 'all Amelia's looks she'd do." + +"'Melia's a fine-looking gal," assented Mr. Kybird. "I wonder----" + +He laid his pipe down on the table and stared at the mantelpiece. "He +seems very struck with 'er," he concluded. "I see that directly." + +"Not afore I did," said his wife, sharply. + +"See it afore you come into the shop," said Mr. Kybird, triumphantly. +"It 'ud be a strange thing to marry into that family, Emma." + +"She's keeping company with young Teddy Silk," his wife reminded him, +coldly; "and if she wasn't she could do better than a young man without +a penny in 'is pocket. Pride's a fine thing, Dan'l, but you can't live +on it." + +"I know what I'm talking about," said Mr. Kybird, impatiently. "I know +she's keeping company with Teddy as well as wot you do. Still, as far as +money goes, young Nugent 'll be all right." + +"'Ow?" inquired his wife. + +Mr. Kybird hesitated and took a sip of his gin and water. Then he +regarded the wife of his bosom with a calculating glance which at once +excited that lady's easily kindled wrath. + +[Illustration: "He regarded the wife of his bosom with a calculating +glance."] + +"You know I never tell secrets," she cried. + +"Not often," corrected Mr. Kybird, "but then I don't often tell you any. +Wot would you say to young Nugent coming into five 'undred pounds 'is +mother left 'im when he's twenty-five? He don't know it, but I do." + +"Five 'undred," repeated his wife, "sure?" + +"No," said the other, "I'm not sure, but I know. I 'ad it from young +Roberts when 'e was at Stone and Dartnell's. Five 'undred pounds! I +shall get my money all right some time, and, if 'e wants a little bit to +go on with, 'e can have it. He's honest enough; I can see that by his +manner." + +Upstairs in the tiny room under the tiles Mr. Jack Nugent, in blissful +ignorance of his landlord's generous sentiments towards him, slept the +sound, dreamless sleep of the man free from monetary cares. In the +sanctity of her chamber Miss Kybird, gazing approvingly at the reflection +of her yellow hair and fine eyes in the little cracked looking-glass, was +already comparing him very favourably with the somewhat pessimistic Mr. +Silk. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Mr. Nugent's return caused a sensation in several quarters, the feeling +at Equator Lodge bordering close upon open mutiny. Even Mrs. Kingdom +plucked up spirit and read the astonished captain a homily upon the first +duties of a parent--a homily which she backed up by reading the story of +the Prodigal Son through to the bitter end. At the conclusion she broke +down entirely and was led up to bed by Kate and Bella, the sympathy of +the latter taking an acute form, and consisting mainly of innuendoes +which could only refer to one person in the house. + +Kate Nugent, who was not prone to tears, took a different line, but with +no better success. The captain declined to discuss the subject, and, +after listening to a description of himself in which Nero and other +celebrities figured for the purpose of having their characters +whitewashed, took up his hat and went out. + +Jem Hardy heard of the new arrival from his partner, and, ignoring that +gentleman's urgent advice to make hay while the sun shone and take Master +Nugent for a walk forthwith sat thoughtfully considering how to turn the +affair to the best advantage. A slight outbreak of diphtheria at +Fullalove Alley had, for a time, closed that thoroughfare to Miss Nugent, +and he was inclined to regard the opportune arrival of her brother as an +effort of Providence on his behalf. + +For some days, however, he looked for Jack Nugent in vain, that gentleman +either being out of doors engaged in an earnest search for work, or +snugly seated in the back parlour of the Kybirds, indulging in the +somewhat perilous pastime of paying compliments to Amelia Kybird. +Remittances which had reached him from his sister and aunt had been +promptly returned, and he was indebted to the amiable Mr. Kybird for the +bare necessaries of life. In these circumstances a warm feeling of +gratitude towards the family closed his eyes to their obvious +shortcomings. + +He even obtained work down at the harbour through a friend of Mr. +Kybird's. It was not of a very exalted nature, and caused more strain +upon the back than the intellect, but seven years of roughing it had left +him singularly free from caste prejudices, a freedom which he soon +discovered was not shared by his old acquaintances at Sunwich. The +discovery made him somewhat bitter, and when Hardy stopped him one +afternoon as he was on his way home from work he tried to ignore his +outstretched hand and continued on his way. + +[Illustration: "He even obtained work down at the harbor."] + +"It is a long time since we met," said Hardy, placing himself in front +of him. + +"Good heavens," said Jack, regarding him closely, "it's Jemmy Hardy-- +grown up spick and span like the industrious little boys in the +school-books. I heard you were back here." + +"I came back just before you did," said Hardy. "Brass band playing you in +and all that sort of thing, I suppose," said the other. "Alas, how the +wicked prosper--and you were wicked. Do you remember how you used to +knock me about?" + +"Come round to my place and have a chat," said Hardy. + +Jack shook his head. "They're expecting me in to tea," he said, with a +nod in the direction of Mr. Kybird's, "and honest waterside labourers who +earn their bread by the sweat of their brow--when the foreman is looking +--do not frequent the society of the upper classes." + +"Don't be a fool," said Hardy, politely. + +"Well, I'm not very tidy," retorted Mr. Nugent, glancing at his clothes. +"I don't mind it myself; I'm a philosopher, and nothing hurts me so long +as I have enough to eat and drink; but I don't inflict myself on my +friends, and I must say most of them meet me more than half-way." + +"Imagination," said Hardy. + +"All except Kate and my aunt," said Jack, firmly. "Poor Kate; I tried to +cut her the other day." + +"Cut her?" echoed Hardy. + +Nugent nodded. "To save her feelings," he replied; "but she wouldn't be +cut, bless her, and on the distinct understanding that it wasn't to form +a precedent, I let her kiss me behind a waggon. Do you know, I fancy +she's grown up rather good-looking, Jem?" + +"You are observant," said Mr. Hardy, admiringly. + +"Of course, it may be my partiality," said Mr. Nugent, with judicial +fairness. "I was always a bit fond of Kate. I don't suppose anybody +else would see anything in her. Where are you living now?" + +"Fort Road," said Hardy; "come round any evening you can, if you won't +come now." + +Nugent promised, and, catching sight of Miss Kybird standing in the +doorway of the shop, bade him good-bye and crossed the road. It was +becoming quite a regular thing for her to wait and have her tea with him +now, an arrangement which was provocative of many sly remarks on the part +of Mrs. Kybird. + +[Illustration: "Miss Kybird standing in the doorway of the shop."] + +"Thought you were never coming," said Miss Kybird, tartly, as she led the +way to the back room and took her seat at the untidy tea-tray. + +"And you've been crying your eyes out, I suppose," remarked Mr. Nugent, +as he groped in the depths of a tall jar for black-currant jam. "Well, +you're not the first, and I don't suppose you'll be the last. How's +Teddy?" + +"Get your tea," retorted Miss Kybird, "and don't make that scraping noise +on the bottom of the jar with your knife. It puts my teeth on edge." + +"So it does mine," said Mr. Nugent, "but there's a black currant down +there, and I mean to have it. 'Waste not, want not.'" + +"Make him put that knife down," said Miss Kybird, as her mother entered +the room. Mrs. Kybird shook her head at him. "You two are always +quarrelling," she said, archly, "just like a couple of--couple of----" + +"Love-birds," suggested Mr. Nugent. + +Mrs. Kybird in great glee squeezed round to him and smote him playfully +with her large, fat hand, and then, being somewhat out of breath with the +exertion, sat down to enjoy the jest in comfort. + +"That's how you encourage him," said her daughter; "no wonder he doesn't +behave. No wonder he acts as if the whole place belongs to him." + +The remark was certainly descriptive of Mr. Nugent's behaviour. His easy +assurance and affability had already made him a prime favourite with Mrs. +Kybird, and had not been without its effect upon her daughter. The +constrained and severe company manners of Mr. Edward Silk showed up but +poorly beside those of the paying guest, and Miss Kybird had on several +occasions drawn comparisons which would have rendered both gentlemen +uneasy if they had known of them. + +Mr. Nugent carried the same easy good-fellowship with him the following +week when, neatly attired in a second-hand suit from Mr. Kybird's +extensive stock, he paid a visit to Jem Hardy to talk over old times and +discuss the future. + +"You ought to make friends with your father," said the latter; "it only +wants a little common sense and mutual forbearance." + +"That's all," said Nugent; "sounds easy enough, doesn't it? No, all he +wants is for me to clear out of Sunwich, and I'm not going to--until it +pleases me, at any rate. It's poison to him for me to be living at the +Kybirds' and pushing a trolley down on the quay. Talk about love +sweetening toil, that does." + +Hardy changed the subject, and Nugent, nothing loath, discoursed on his +wanderings and took him on a personally conducted tour through the +continent of Australia. "And I've come back to lay my bones in Sunwich +Churchyard," he concluded, pathetically; "that is, when I've done with +'em." + +"A lot of things'll happen before then," said Hardy. + +"I hope so," rejoined Mr. Nugent, piously; "my desire is to be buried by +my weeping great-grandchildren. In fact, I've left instructions to that +effect in my will--all I have left, by the way." + +"You're not going to keep on at this water-side work, I suppose?" said +Hardy, making another effort to give the conversation a serious turn. + +"The foreman doesn't think so," replied the other, as he helped himself +to some whisky; "he has made several remarks to that effect lately." + +He leaned back in his chair and smoked thoughtfully, by no means +insensible to the comfort of his surroundings. He had not been in such +comfortable quarters since he left home seven years before. He thought +of the untidy litter of the Kybirds' back parlour, with the forlorn view +of the yard in the rear. Something of his reflections he confided to +Hardy as he rose to leave. + +"But my market value is about a pound a week," he concluded, ruefully, +"so I must cut my coat to suit my cloth. Good-night." + +He walked home somewhat soberly at first, but the air was cool and fresh +and a glorious moon was riding in the sky. He whistled cheerfully, and +his spirits rose as various chimerical plans of making money occurred to +him. By the time he reached the High Street, the shops of which were all +closed for the night, he was earning five hundred a year and spending a +thousand. He turned the handle of the door and, walking in, discovered +Miss Kybird entertaining company in the person of Mr. Edward Silk. + +"Halloa," he said, airily, as he took a seat. "Don't mind me, young +people. Go on just as you would if I were not here." + +Mr. Edward Silk grumbled something under his breath; Miss Kybird, turning +to the intruder with a smile of welcome, remarked that she had just +thought of going to sleep. + +"Going to sleep?" repeated Mr. Silk, thunder-struck. + +"Yes," said Miss Kybird, yawning. + +Mr. Silk gazed at her, open-mouthed. "What, with me 'ere?" he inquired, +in trembling tones. + +"You're not very lively company," said Miss Kybird, bending over her +sewing. "I don't think you've spoken a word for the last quarter of an +hour, and before that you were talking of death-warnings. Made my flesh +creep, you did." + +"Shame!" said Mr. Nugent. + +"You didn't say anything to me about your flesh creeping," muttered Mr. +Silk. + +"You ought to have seen it creep," interposed Mr. Nugent, severely. + +"I'm not talking to you," said Mr. Silk, turning on him; "when I want the +favour of remarks from you I'll let you know." + +"Don't you talk to my gentlemen friends like that, Teddy," said Miss +Kybird, sharply, "because I won't have it. Why don't you try and be +bright and cheerful like Mr. Nugent?" + +Mr. Silk turned and regarded that gentleman steadfastly; Mr. Nugent +meeting his gaze with a pleasant smile and a low-voiced offer to give him +lessons at half a crown an hour. + +"I wouldn't be like 'im for worlds," said Mr. Silk, with a scornful +laugh. "I'd sooner be like anybody." + +"What have you been saying to him?" inquired Nugent. + +"Nothing," replied Miss Kybird; "he's often like that. He's got a nasty, +miserable, jealous disposition. Not that I mind what he thinks." + +Mr. Silk breathed hard and looked from one to the other. + +"Perhaps he'll grow out of it," said Nugent, hopefully. "Cheer up, +Teddy. You're young yet." + +"Might I arsk," said the solemnly enraged Mr. Silk, "might I arsk you not +to be so free with my Christian name?" + +"He doesn't like his name now," said Nugent, drawing his chair closer to +Miss Kybird's, "and I don't wonder at it. What shall we call him? Job? +What's that work you're doing? Why don't you get on with that fancy +waistcoat you are doing for me?" + +Before Miss Kybird could deny all knowledge of the article in question +her sorely tried swain created a diversion by rising. To that simple act +he imparted an emphasis which commanded the attention of both beholders, +and, drawing over to Miss Kybird, he stood over her in an attitude at +once terrifying and reproachful. + +"Take your choice, Amelia," he said, in a thrilling voice. "Me or 'im-- +which is it to be?" + +[Illustration: "Me or 'im--which is it to be?"] + +"Here, steady, old man," cried the startled Nugent. "Go easy." + +"Me or 'im?" repeated Mr. Silk, in stern but broken accents. + +Miss Kybird giggled and, avoiding his gaze, looked pensively at the faded +hearthrug. + +"You're making her blush," said Mr. Nugent, sternly. "Sit down, Teddy; +I'm ashamed of you. We're both ashamed of you. You're confusing us +dreadfully proposing to us both in this way." + +Mr. Silk regarded him with a scornful eye, but Miss Kybird, bidding him +not to be foolish, punctuated her remarks with the needle, and a +struggle, which Mr. Silk regarded as unseemly in the highest degree, took +place between them for its possession. + +Mr. Nugent secured it at last, and brandishing it fiercely extorted +feminine screams from Miss Kybird by threatening her with it. Nor was +her mind relieved until Mr. Nugent, remarking that he would put it back +in the pincushion, placed it in the leg of Mr. Edward Silk. + +Mr. Kybird and his wife, entering through the shop, were just in time to +witness a spirited performance on the part of Mr. Silk, the cherished +purpose of which was to deprive them of a lodger. He drew back as they +entered and, raising his voice above Miss Kybird's, began to explain his +action. + +"Teddy, I'm ashamed of you," said Mr. Kybird, shaking his head. +"A little joke like that; a little innercent joke." + +"If it 'ad been a darning-needle now--" began Mrs. Kybird. + +"All right," said the desperate Mr. Silk, "'ave it your own way. Let +'Melia marry 'im--I don't care---I give 'er up." + +"Teddy!" said Mr. Kybird, in a shocked voice. "Teddy!" + +Mr. Silk thrust him fiercely to one side and passed raging through the +shop. The sound of articles falling in all directions attested to his +blind haste, and the force with which he slammed the shop-door was +sufficient evidence of his state of mind. + +"Well, upon my word," said the staring Mr. Kybird; "of all the +outrageyous--" + +"Never mind 'im," said his wife, who was sitting in the easy chair, +distributing affectionate smiles between her daughter and the startled +Mr. Nugent. "Make 'er happy, Jack, that's all I arsk. She's been a good +gal, and she'll make a good wife. I've seen how it was between you for +some time." + +"So 'ave I," said Mr. Kybird. He shook hands warmly with Mr. Nugent, +and, patting that perturbed man on the back, surveyed him with eyes +glistening with approval. + +"It's a bit rough on Teddy, isn't it?" inquired Mr. Nugent, anxiously; +"besides--" + +"Don't you worry about 'im," said Mr. Kybird, affectionately. "He ain't +worth it." + +"I wasn't," said Mr. Nugent, truthfully. The situation had developed so +rapidly that it had caught him at a disadvantage. He had a dim feeling +that, having been the cause of Miss Kybird's losing one young man, the +most elementary notions of chivalry demanded that he should furnish her +with another. And this idea was clearly uppermost in the minds of her +parents. He looked over at Amelia and with characteristic philosophy +accepted the position. + +"We shall be the handsomest couple in Sunwich," he said, simply. + +"Bar none," said Mr. Kybird, emphatically. + +The stout lady in the chair gazed ax the couple fondly. "It reminds me +of our wedding," she said, softly. "What was it Tom Fletcher said, +father? Can you remember?" + +"'Arry Smith, you mean," corrected Mr. Kybird. + +"Tom Fletcher said something, I'm sure," persisted his wife. + +"He did," said Mr. Kybird, grimly, "and I pretty near broke 'is 'ead for +it. 'Arry Smith is the one you're thinking of." + +Mrs. Kybird after a moment's reflection admitted that he was right, and, +the chain of memory being touched, waxed discursive about her own wedding +and the somewhat exciting details which accompanied it. After which she +produced a bottle labelled "Port wine" from the cupboard, and, filling +four glasses, celebrated the occasion in a befitting but sober fashion. + +"This," said Mr. Nugent, as he sat on his bed that night to take his +boots off, "this is what comes of trying to make everybody happy and +comfortable with a little fun. I wonder what the governor'll say." + +[Illustration: "I wonder what the governor'll say."] + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +The news of his only son's engagement took Captain Nugent's breath away, +which, all things considered, was perhaps the best thing it could have +done. He sat at home in silent rage, only exploding when the +well-meaning Mrs. Kingdom sought to minimize his troubles by comparing them +with those of Job. Her reminder that to the best of her remembrance he +had never had a boil in his life put the finishing touch to his patience, +and, despairing of drawing-room synonyms for the words which trembled on +his lips, he beat a precipitate retreat to the garden. + +His son bore his new honours bravely. To an appealing and indignant +letter from his sister he wrote gravely, reminding her of the difference +in their years, and also that he had never interfered in her flirtations, +however sorely his brotherly heart might have been wrung by them. He +urged her to forsake such diversions for the future, and to look for an +alliance with some noble, open-handed man with a large banking account +and a fondness for his wife's relatives. + +To Jem Hardy, who ventured on a delicate re-monstrance one evening, he +was less patient, and displayed a newly acquired dignity which was a +source of considerable embarrassment to that well-meaning gentleman. He +even got up to search for his hat, and was only induced to resume his +seat by the physical exertions of his host. + +"I didn't mean to be offensive," said the latter. "But you were," said +the aggrieved man. Hardy apologized. + +"Talk of that kind is a slight to my future wife," said Nugent, firmly. +"Besides, what business is it of yours?" + +Hardy regarded him thoughtfully. It was some time since he had seen Miss +Nugent, and he felt that he was losing valuable time. He had hoped great +things from the advent of her brother, and now his intimacy seemed worse +than useless. He resolved to take him into his confidence. + +"I spoke from selfish motives," he said, at last. I wanted you to make +friends with your father again." + +"What for?" inquired the other, staring. + +"To pave the way for me," said Hardy, raising his voice as he thought of +his wrongs; "and now, owing to your confounded matrimonial business, +that's all knocked on the head. I wouldn't care whom you married if it +didn't interfere with my affairs so." + +"Do you mean," inquired the astonished Mr. Nugent, "that you want to be +on friendly terms with my father?" + +"Yes." + +Mr. Nugent gazed at him round-eyed. "You haven't had a blow on the head +or anything of that sort at any time, have you?" he inquired. + +Hardy shook his head impatiently. "You don't seem to suffer from an +excess of intellect yourself," he retorted. "I don't want to be +offensive again, still, I should think it is pretty plain there is only +one reason why I should go out of my way to seek the society of your +father." + +"Say what you like about my intellect," replied the dutiful son, "but I +can't think of even one--not even a small one. Not--Good gracious! You +don't mean--you can't mean--" + +Hardy looked at him. + +"Not that," said Mr. Nugent, whose intellect had suddenly become +painfully acute--"not her?" + +"Why not?" inquired the other. + +Mr. Nugent leaned back in his chair and regarded him with an air of +kindly interest. "Well, there's no need for you to worry about my father +for that," he said; "he would raise no objection." + +"Eh?" said Hardy, starting up from his chair. + +"He would welcome it," said Mr. Nugent, positively. "There is nothing +that he would like better; and I don't mind telling you a secret--she +likes you." + +Hardy reddened. "How do you know?" he stammered. + +"I know it for a fact," said the other, impressively. "I have heard her +say so. But you've been very plain-spoken about me, Jem, so that I shall +say what I think." + +"Do," said his bewildered friend. + +"I think you'd be throwing yourself away," said Nugent; "to my mind it's +a most unsuitable match in every way. She's got no money, no looks, no +style. Nothing but a good kind heart rather the worse for wear. I +suppose you know she's been married once?" + +"_What!_" shouted the other. "_Married?_" + +Mr. Nugent nodded. His face was perfectly grave, but the joke was +beginning to prey upon his vitals in a manner which brooked no delay. + +"I thought everybody knew it," he said. "We have never disguised the +fact. Her husband died twenty years ago last----" + +"Twenty" said his suddenly enlightened listener. "Who?--What?" + +Mr. Nugent, incapable of reply, put his head on the table and beat the +air frantically with his hand, while gasping sobs rent his tortured +frame. + +"Dear--aunt," he choked, "how pleas--pleased she'd be if--she knew. +Don't look like that, Hardy. You'll kill me." + +"You seem amused," said Hardy, between his teeth. + +"And you'll be Kate's uncle," said Mr. Nugent, sitting up and wiping his +eyes. "Poor little Kate." + +He put his head on the table again. "And mine," he wailed. "_Uncle +jemmy!_--will you tip us half-crowns, nunky?" + +Mr. Hardy's expression of lofty scorn only served to retard his recovery, +but he sat up at last and, giving his eyes a final wipe, beamed kindly +upon his victim. + +"Well, I'll do what I can for you," he observed, "but I suppose you know +Kate's off for a three months' visit to London to-morrow?" + +The other observed that he didn't know it, and, taught by his recent +experience, eyed him suspiciously. + +"It's quite true," said Nugent; "she's going to stay with some relatives +of ours. She used to be very fond of one of the boys--her cousin +Herbert--so you mustn't be surprised if she comes back engaged. But I +daresay you'll have forgotten all about her in three months. And, +anyway, I don't suppose she'd look at you if you were the last man in the +world. If you'll walk part of the way home with me I'll regale you with +anecdotes of her chilhood which will probably cause you to change your +views altogether." + +In Fullalove Alley Mr. Edward Silk, his forebodings fulfilled, received +the news of Amelia Kybird's faithlessness in a spirit of' quiet despair, +and turned a deaf ear to the voluble sympathy of his neighbours. Similar +things had happened to young men living there before, but their behaviour +had been widely different to Mr. Silk's. Bob Crump, for instance, had +been jilted on the very morning he had arranged for his wedding, but +instead of going about in a state of gentle melancholy he went round and +fought his beloved's father--merely because it was her father--and wound +up an exciting day by selling off his household goods to the highest +bidders. Henry Jones in similar circumstances relieved his great grief +by walking up and down the alley smashing every window within reach of +his stick. + +[Illustration: "A spirit of quiet despair."] + +But these were men of spirit; Mr. Silk was cast in a different mould, and +his fair neighbours sympathized heartily with him in his bereavement, +while utterly failing to understand any man breaking his heart over +Amelia Kybird. + +His mother, a widow of uncertain age, shook her head over him and hinted +darkly at consumption, an idea which was very pleasing to her son, and +gave him an increased interest in a slight cold from which he was +suffering. + +"He wants taking out of 'imself," said Mr. Wilks, who had stepped across +the alley to discuss the subject with his neighbour; "cheerful society +and 'obbies--that's what 'e wants." + +"He's got a faithful 'eart," sighed Mrs. Silk. "It's in the family; 'e +can't 'elp it." + +"But 'e might be lifted out of it," urged Mr. Wilks. "I 'ad several +disappointments in my young days. One time I 'ad a fresh gal every +v'y'ge a'most." + +Mrs. Silk sniffed and looked up the alley, whereat two neighbours who +happened to be at their doors glanced up and down casually, and retreated +inside to continue their vigil from the windows. + +"Silk courted me for fifteen years before I would say 'yes,'" she said, +severely. + +"Fifteen years!" responded the other. He cast his eyes upwards and his +lips twitched. The most casual observer could have seen that he was +engaged in calculations of an abstruse and elusive nature. + +"I was on'y seven when 'e started," said Mrs. Silk, sharply. + +Mr. Wilks brought his eyes to a level again. "Oh, seven," he remarked. + +"And we was married two days before my nineteenth birthday," added Mrs. +Silk, whose own arithmetic had always been her weak point. + +"Just so," said Mr. Wilks. He glanced at the sharp white face and +shapeless figure before him. "It's hard to believe you can 'ave a son +Teddy's age," he added, gallantly. + +"It makes you feel as if you're getting on," said the widow. + +The ex-steward agreed, and after standing a minute or two in silence made +a preliminary motion of withdrawal. + +"Beautiful your plants are looking," said Mrs. Silk, glancing over at his +window; "I can't think what you do to 'em." + +The gratified Mr. Wilks began to explain. It appeared that plants wanted +almost as much looking after as daughters. + +"I should like to see 'em close," said Mrs. Silk. "Come in and 'ave a +look at 'em," responded her neighbour. + +Mrs. Silk hesitated and displayed a maidenly coyness far in excess of the +needs of the situation. Then she stepped across, and five seconds later +the two matrons, with consternation writ large upon their faces, appeared +at their doors again and, exchanging glances across the alley, met in the +centre. + +They were more surprised an evening or two later to see Mr. Wilks leave +his house to pay a return visit, bearing in his hand a small bunch of his +cherished blooms. That they were blooms which would have paid the debt +of Nature in a few hours at most in no way detracted from the widow's +expressions of pleasure at receiving them, and Mr. Wilks, who had been +invited over to cheer up Mr. Silk, who was in a particularly black mood, +sat and smiled like a detected philanthropist as she placed them in +water. + +[Illustration: "A return visit."] + +"Good evenin', Teddy," he said, breezily, with a side-glance at his +hostess. "What a lovely day we've 'ad." + +"So bright," said Mrs. Silk, nodding with spirit. + +Mr. Wilks sat down and gave vent to such a cheerful laugh that the +ornaments on the mantelpiece shook with it. "It's good to be alive," +he declared. + +"Ah, you enjoy your life, Mr. Wilks," said the widow. + +"Enjoy it!" roared Mr. Wilks; "enjoy it! Why shouldn't I? Why shouldn't +everybody enjoy their lives? It was what they was given to us for." + +"So they was," affirmed Mrs. Silk; "nobody can deny that; not if they +try." + +"Nobody wants to deny it, ma'am," retorted Mr. Wilks, in the high voice +he kept for cheering-up purposes. "I enjoy every day o' my life." + +He filled his pipe, chuckling serenely, and having lit it sat and enjoyed +that. Mrs. Silk retired for a space, and returning with a jug of ale +poured him out a glass and set it by his elbow. + +"Here's your good 'ealth, ma'am," said Mr. Wilks, raising it. "Here's +yours, Teddy--a long life and a 'appy one." + +Mr. Silk turned listlessly. "I don't want a long life," he remarked. + +His mother and her visitor exchanged glances. + +"That's 'ow 'e goes on," remarked the former, in an audible whisper. Mr. +Wilks nodded, reassuringly. + +"I 'ad them ideas once," he said, "but they go off. If you could only +live to see Teddy at the age o' ninety-five, 'e wouldn't want to go then. +'E'd say it was crool hard, being cut off in the flower of 'is youth." + +Mrs. Silk laughed gaily and Mr. Wilks bellowed a gruff accompaniment. +Mr. Edward Silk eyed them pityingly. + +"That's the 'ardship of it," he said, slowly, as he looked round from his +seat by the fireplace; "that's where the 'ollowness of things comes in. +That's where I envy Mr. Wilks." + +"Envy me?" said the smiling visitor; "what for?" + +"Because you're so near the grave," said Mr. Silk. + +Mr. Wilks, who was taking another draught of beer, put the glass down and +eyed him fixedly. + +"That's why I envy you," continued the other. + +"I don't want to live, and you do, and yet I dessay I shall be walking +about forty and fifty years after you're dead and forgotten." + +"Wot d'ye mean--near the grave?" inquired + +Mr. Wilks, somewhat shortly. + +"I was referring to your age," replied the other; "it's strange to see +'ow the aged 'ang on to life. You can't 'ave much pleasure at your time +o' life. And you're all alone; the last withered branch left." + +"Withered branch!" began Mr. Wilks; "'ere, look 'ere, Teddy----" + +"All the others 'ave gone," pursued Mr. Silk, and they're beckoning to +you." + +"Let 'em beckon," said Mr. Wilks, coldly. "I'm not going yet." + +"You're not young," said Mr. Silk, gazing meditatively at the grate, "and +I envy you that. It can only be a matter of a year or two at most before +you are sleeping your last long sleep." + +"Teddy!" protested Mrs. Silk. + +"It's true, mother," said the melancholy youth. "Mr. Wilks is old. Why +should 'e mind being told of it? If 'e had 'ad the trouble I've 'ad 'e'd +be glad to go. But he'll 'ave to go, whether 'e likes it or not. It +might be to-night. Who can tell?" + +Mr. Wilks, unasked, poured himself out another glass of ale, and drank it +off with the air of a man who intended to make sure of that. It seemed a +trifle more flat than the last. + +"So many men o' your age and thereabouts," continued Mr. Silk, "think +that they're going to live on to eighty or ninety, but there's very few +of 'em do. It's only a short while, Mr. Wilks, and the little +children'll be running about over your grave and picking daisies off +of it." + +"Ho, will they?" said the irritated Mr. Wilks; "they'd better not let me +catch 'em at it, that's all." + +"He's always talking like that now," said Mrs. Silk, not without a +certain pride in her tones; "that's why I asked you in to cheer 'im up." + +"All your troubles'll be over then," continued the warning voice, "and in +a month or two even your name'll be forgotten. That's the way of the +world. Think 'ow soon the last five years of your life 'ave passed; the +next five'll pass ten times as fast even if you live as long, which ain't +likely." + +"He talks like a clergyman," said Mrs. Silk, in a stage whisper. + +Mr. Wilks nodded, and despite his hostess's protests rose to go. He +shook hands with her and, after a short but sharp inward struggle, shook +hands with her son. It was late in the evening as he left, but the +houses had not yet been lit up. Dim figures sat in doorways or stood +about the alley, and there was an air of peace and rest strangely and +uncomfortably in keeping with the conversation to which he had just been +listening. He looked in at his own door; the furniture seemed stiffer +than usual and the tick of the clock more deliberate. He closed the door +again and, taking a deep breath, set off towards the life and bustle of +the Two Schooners. + +[Illustration: "He set off towards the life and bustle of the Two +Schooners."] + + + + +CHAPTER X + +Time failed to soften the captain's ideas concerning his son's +engagement, and all mention of the subject in the house was strictly +forbidden. Occasionally he was favoured with a glimpse of his son and +Miss Kybird out together, a sight which imparted such a flavour to his +temper and ordinary intercourse that Mrs. Kingdom, in unconscious +imitation of Mr. James Hardy, began to count the days which must elapse +before her niece's return from London. His ill-temper even infected the +other members of the household, and Mrs. Kingdom sat brooding in her +bedroom all one afternoon, because Bella had called her an "overbearing +dish-pot." + +The finishing touch to his patience was supplied by a little +misunderstanding between Mr. Kybird and the police. For the second time +in his career the shopkeeper appeared before the magistrates to explain +the circumstances in which he had purchased stolen property, and for the +second time he left the court without a stain on his character, but with +a significant magisterial caution not to appear there again. + +[Illustration: "For the second time he left the court without a stain on +his character."] + +Jack Nugent gave evidence in the case, and some of his replies were +deemed worthy of reproduction in the Sunwich Herald, a circumstance which +lost the proprietors a subscriber of many years' standing. + +One by one various schemes for preventing his son's projected alliance +were dismissed as impracticable. A cherished design of confining him in +an asylum for the mentally afflicted until such time as he should have +regained his senses was spoilt by the refusal of Dr. Murchison to arrange +for the necessary certificate; a refusal which was like to have been +fraught with serious consequences to that gentleman's hopes of entering +the captain's family. + +Brooding over his wrongs the captain, a day or two after his daughter's +return, strolled slowly down towards the harbour. It was afternoon, and +the short winter day was already drawing towards a close. The shipping +looked cold and desolate in the greyness, but a bustle of work prevailed +on the Conqueror, which was nearly ready for sea again. The captain's +gaze wandered from his old craft to the small vessels dotted about the +harbour and finally dwelt admiringly on the lines of the whaler Seabird, +which had put in a few days before as the result of a slight collision +with a fishing-boat. She was high out of the water and beautifully +rigged. A dog ran up and down her decks barking, and a couple of squat +figures leaned over the bulwarks gazing stolidly ashore. + +There was something about the vessel which took his fancy, and he stood +for some time on the edge of the quay, looking at her. In a day or two +she would sail for a voyage the length of which would depend upon her +success; a voyage which would for a long period keep all on board of her +out of the mischief which so easily happens ashore. If only Jack---- + +He started and stared more intently than before. He was not an +imaginative man, but he had in his mind's eye a sudden vision of his only +son waving farewells from the deck of the whaler as she emerged from the +harbour into the open sea, while Amelia Kybird tore her yellow locks +ashore. It was a vision to cheer any self-respecting father's heart, and +he brought his mind back with some regret to the reality of the anchored +ship. + +He walked home slowly. At the Kybirds' door the proprietor, smoking a +short clay pipe, eyed him with furtive glee as he passed. Farther along +the road the Hardys, father and son, stepped briskly together. +Altogether a trying walk, and calculated to make him more dissatisfied +than ever with the present state of affairs. When his daughter shook her +head at him and accused him of going off on a solitary frolic his stock +of patience gave out entirely. + +[Illustration: "The proprietor eyed him with furtive glee as he passed."] + +A thoughtful night led to a visit to Mr. Wilks the following evening. It +required a great deal of deliberation on his part before he could make up +his mind to the step, but he needed his old steward's assistance in a +little plan he had conceived for his son's benefit, and for the first +time in his life he paid him the supreme honour of a call. + +The honour was so unexpected that Mr. Wilks, coming into the parlour in +response to the tapping of the captain's stick on the floor, stood for a +short time eyeing him in dismay. Only two minutes before he had taken +Mr. James Hardy into the kitchen to point out the interior beauties of +an ancient clock, and the situation simply appalled him. The captain +greeted him almost politely and bade him sit down. Mr. Wilks smiled +faintly and caught his breath. + +"Sit down," repeated the captain. + +"I've left something in the kitchen, sir," said Mr. Wilks. "I'll be back +in half a minute." + +The captain nodded. In the kitchen Mr. Wilks rapidly and incoherently +explained the situation to Mr. Hardy. + +"I'll sit here," said the latter, drawing up a comfortable oak chair to +the stove. + +"You see, he don't know that we know each other," explained the +apologetic steward, "but I don't like leaving you in the kitchen." + +"I'm all right," said Hardy; "don't you trouble about me." + +He waved him away, and Mr. Wilks, still pale, closed the door behind him +and, rejoining the captain, sat down on the extreme edge of a chair and +waited. + +"I've come to see you on a little matter of business," said his visitor. + +Mr. Wilks smiled; then, feeling that perhaps that was not quite the right +thing to do, looked serious again. + +"I came to see you about my--my son," continued the captain. + +"Yes, sir," said Mr. Wilks. "Master Jack, you mean?" + +"I've only got one son," said the other, unpleasantly, "unless you happen +to know of any more." + +Mr. Wilks almost fell off the edge of the chair in his haste to disclaim +any such knowledge. His ideas were in a ferment, and the guilty +knowledge of what he had left in the kitchen added to his confusion. +And just at that moment the door opened and Miss Nugent came briskly in. + +Her surprise at seeing her father ensconced in a chair by the fire led to +a rapid volley of questions. The captain, in lieu of answering them, +asked another. + +"What do you want here?" + +"I have come to see Sam," said Miss Nugent. "Fancy seeing you here! How +are you, Sam?" + +"Pretty well, miss, thank'ee," replied Mr. Wilks, "considering," he +added, truthfully, after a moment's reflection. + +Miss Nugent dropped into a chair and put her feet on the fender. Her +father eyed her restlessly. + +"I came here to speak to Sam about a private matter," he said, abruptly. + +"Private matter," said his daughter, looking round in surprise. "What +about?" + +"A private matter," repeated Captain Nugent. "Suppose you come in some +other time." + +Kate Nugent sighed and took her feet from the fender. "I'll go and wait +in the kitchen," she said, crossing to the door. + +Both men protested. The captain because it ill-assorted with his dignity +for his daughter to sit in the kitchen, and Mr. Wilks because of the +visitor already there. The face of the steward, indeed, took on such +extraordinary expressions in his endeavour to convey private information +to the girl that she gazed at him in silent amazement. Then she turned +the handle of the door and, passing through, closed it with a bang which +was final. + +Mr. Wilks stood spellbound, but nothing happened. There was no cry of +surprise; no hasty reappearance of an indignant Kate Nugent. His +features working nervously he resumed his seat and gazed dutifully at his +superior officer. + +"I suppose you've heard that my son is going to get married?" said the +latter. + +"I couldn't help hearing of it, sir," said the steward in self defence-- +"nobody could." + +"He's going to marry that yellow-headed Jezebel of Kybird's," said the +captain, staring at the fire. + +Mr. Wilks murmured that he couldn't understand anybody liking yellow +hair, and, more than that, the general opinion of the ladies in Fullalove +Alley was that it was dyed. + +"I'm going to ship him on the Seabird," continued the captain. "She'll +probably be away for a year or two, and, in the meantime, this girl will +probably marry somebody else. Especially if she doesn't know what has +become of him. He can't get into mischief aboard ship." + +"No, sir," said the wondering Mr. Wilks. "Is Master Jack agreeable to +going, sir?" + +"That's nothing to do with it," said the captain, sharply. + +"No, sir," said Mr. Wilks, "o' course not. I was only a sort o' +wondering how he was going to be persuaded to go if 'e ain't." + +"That's what I came here about," said the other. "I want you to go and +fix it up with Nathan Smith." + +"Do you want 'im to be _crimped,_ sir?" stammered Mr. Wilks. + +"I want him shipped aboard the _Seabird,_" returned the other, "and +Smith's the man to do it." + +"It's a very hard thing to do in these days, sir," said Mr. Wilks, +shaking his head. "What with signing on aboard the day before the ship +sails, and before the Board o' Trade officers, I'm sure it's a wonder +that anybody goes to sea at all." + +"You leave that to Smith," said the captain, impatiently. "The Seabird +sails on Friday morning's tide. Tell Smith I'll arrange to meet my son +here on Thursday night, and that he must have some liquor for us and a +fly waiting on the beach." + +Mr. Wilks wriggled: "But what about signing on, sir?" he inquired. + +"He won't sign on," said the captain, "he'll be a stowaway. Smith must +get him smuggled aboard, and bribe the hands to let him lie hidden in the +fo'c's'le. The Seabird won't put back to put him ashore. Here is five +pounds; give Smith two or three now, and the remainder when the job is +done." + +The steward took the money reluctantly and, plucking up his courage, +looked his old master in the face. + +"It's a 'ard life afore the mast, sir," he said, slowly. + +"Rubbish!" was the reply. "It'll make a man of him. Besides, what's it +got to do with you?" + +"I don't care about the job, sir," said Mr. Wilks, bravely. + +"What's that got to do with it?" demanded the other, frowning. "You go +and fix it up with Nathan Smith as soon as possible." + +Mr. Wilks shuffled his feet and strove to remind himself that he was a +gentleman of independent means, and could please himself. + +"I've known 'im since he was a baby," he murmured, defiantly. + +"I don't want to hear anything more from you, Wilks," said the captain, +in a hard voice. "Those are my orders, and you had better see that they +are carried out. My son will be one of the first to thank you later on +for getting him out of such a mess." + +Mr. Wilks's brow cleared somewhat. "I s'pose Miss Kate 'ud be pleased +too," he remarked, hope-fully. + +"Of course she will," said the captain. "Now I look to you, Wilks, to +manage this thing properly. I wouldn't trust anybody else, and you've +never disappointed me yet." + +The steward gasped and, doubting whether he had heard aright, looked +towards his old master, but in vain, for the confirmation of further +compliments. In all his long years of service he had never been praised +by him before. He leaned forward eagerly and began to discuss ways and +means. + +In the next room conversation was also proceeding, but fitfully. Miss +Nugent's consternation when she closed the door behind her and found +herself face to face with Mr. Hardy was difficult of concealment. Too +late she understood the facial contortions of Mr. Wilks, and, resigning +herself to the inevitable, accepted the chair placed for her by the +highly pleased Jem, and sat regarding him calmly from the other side of +the fender. + +[Illustration: "Miss Nugent's consternation was difficult of +concealment."] + +"I am waiting here for my father," she said, in explanation. + +"In deference to Wilks's terrors I am waiting here until he has gone," +said Hardy, with a half smile. + +There was a pause. "I hope that he will not be long," said the girl. + +"Thank you," returned Hardy, wilfully misunderstanding, "but I am in no +hurry." + +He gazed at her with admiration. The cold air had heightened her colour, +and the brightness of her eyes shamed the solitary candle which lit up +the array of burnished metal on the mantelpiece. + +"I hope you enjoyed your visit to London," he said. + +Before replying Miss Nugent favoured him with a glance designed to +express surprise at least at his knowledge of her movements. "Very much, +thank you," she said, at last. + +Mr. Hardy, still looking at her with much comfort to himself, felt an +insane desire to tell her how much she had been missed by one person at +least in Sunwich. Saved from this suicidal folly by the little common +sense which had survived the shock of her sudden appearance, he gave the +information indirectly. + +"Quite a long stay," he murmured; "three months and three days; no, three +months and two days." + +A sudden wave of colour swept over the girl's face at the ingenuity of +this mode of attack. She was used to attention and took compliments as +her due, but the significant audacity of this one baffled her. She sat +with downcast eyes looking at the fender occasionally glancing from the +corner of her eye to see whether he was preparing to renew the assault. +He had certainly changed from the Jem Hardy of olden days. She had a +faint idea that his taste had improved. + +"Wilks keeps his house in good order," said Hardy, looking round. + +"Yes," said the girl. + +"Wonder why he never married," said Hardy, musingly; "for my part I can't +understand a man remaining single all his life; can you?" + +"I never think of such things," said Miss Nugent, coldly--and +untruthfully. + +"If it was only to have somebody to wait on him and keep his house +clean," pursued Hardy, with malice. + +Miss Nugent grew restless, and the wrongs of her sex stirred within her. +"You have very lofty ideas on the subject," she said, scornfully, "but I +believe they are not uncommon." + +"Still, you have never thought about such things, you know," he reminded +her. + +"And no doubt you have devoted a great deal of time to the subject." + +Hardy admitted it frankly. "But only since I returned to Sunwich," he +said. + +"Caused by the spectacle of Sam's forlorn condition, I suppose," said +Miss Nugent. + +"No, it wasn't that," he replied. + +Miss Nugent, indignant at having been drawn into such a discussion, +lapsed into silence. It was safer and far more dignified, but at the +same time she yearned for an opportunity of teaching this presumptuous +young man a lesson. So far he had had it all his own way. A way strewn +with ambiguities which a modest maiden had to ignore despite herself. + +"Of course, Wilks may have had a disappointment," said Hardy, with the +air of one willing to make allowances. + +"I believe he had about fifty," said the girl, carelessly. + +Hardy shook his head in strong disapproval. "No man should have more +than one," he said, firmly; "a man of any strength of will wouldn't have +that." + +"Strength of will?" repeated the astonished Miss Nugent. + +Their eyes met; hers sparkling with indignation; his full of cold +calculation. If he had had any doubts before, he was quite sure now that +he had gone the right way to work to attract her attention; she was +almost quivering with excitement. + +"Your ideas will probably change with age--and disappointment," she said, +sweetly. + +"I shall not be disappointed," said Hardy, coolly. "I'll take care of +that." + +Miss Nugent eyed him wistfully and racked her brains for an appropriate +and crushing rejoinder. In all her experience--and it was considerable +considering her years--she had never met with such carefully constructed +audacity, and she longed, with a great longing, to lure him into the open +and destroy him. She was still considering ways and means of doing this +when the door opened and revealed the surprised and angry form of her +father and behind it the pallid countenance of Mr. Wilks. For a moment +anger deprived the captain of utterance. + +"Who----" he stammered. "What----" + +"What a long time you've been, father," said Miss Nugent, in a reproving +voice. "I began to be afraid you were never going." + +"You come home with me," said the captain, recovering. + +The command was given in his most imperious manner, and his daughter +dropped her muff in some resentment as she rose, in order to let him have +the pleasure of seeing Mr. Hardy pick it up. It rolled, however, in his +direction, and he stooped for it just as Hardy darted forward. Their +heads met with a crash, and Miss Nugent forgot her own consternation in +the joy of beholding the pitiable exhibition which terror made of Mr. +Wilks. + +"I'm very sorry," said Hardy, as he reverently dusted the muff on his +coat-sleeve before returning it. "I'm afraid it was my fault." + +"It was," said the infuriated captain, as he held the door open for his +daughter. "Now, Kate." + +Miss Nugent passed through, followed by her father, and escorted to the +front door by the steward, whose faint "Good-night" was utterly ignored +by his injured commander. He stood at the door until they had turned the +corner, and, returning to the kitchen, found his remaining guest holding +his aching head beneath the tap. + +[Illustration: "He found his remaining guest holding his aching head +beneath the tap."] + +"And now," said the captain, sternly, to his daughter, "how dare you sit +and talk to that young cub? Eh? How dare you?" + +"He was there when I went in," said his daughter. "Why didn't you come +out, then?" demanded her father. + +"I was afraid of disturbing you and Sam," said Miss Nugent. "Besides, +why shouldn't I speak to him?" + +"Why?" shouted the captain. "Why? Because I won't have it." + +"I thought you liked him," said Miss Nugent, in affected surprise. "You +patted him on the head." + +The captain, hardly able to believe his ears, came to an impressive stop +in the roadway, but Miss Nugent walked on. She felt instinctively that +the joke was thrown away on him, and, in the absence of any other +audience, wanted to enjoy it without interruption. Convulsive and +half-suppressed sounds, which she ascribed to a slight cold caught while +waiting in the kitchen, escaped her at intervals for the remainder of the +journey home. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of At Sunwich Port, Part 2., by W.W. 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