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diff --git a/12334-h/12334-h.htm b/12334-h/12334-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..654afde --- /dev/null +++ b/12334-h/12334-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6805 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Bicycle of Cathay, by Frank R. Stockton</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; } + p { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { text-align: center; } + hr { width: 60%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + .poem { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left; } + .poem .stanza { margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; } + .poem p { margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em; } + .poem p.i2 { margin-left: 1em; } + .poem p.i4 { margin-left: 2em; } + .poem p.i6 { margin-left: 3em; } + .poem p.i8 { margin-left: 4em; } + .poem p.i10 { margin-left: 5em; } + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 80%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + .first {margin-top: .75em; font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em; } + + CENTER { padding: 0.8em;} + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 9pt;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12334 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Bicycle of Cathay, by Frank R. Stockton</h1> +<br> +<br> +<center><b>E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Asad Razzaki,<br> + and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</b></center> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<h1>A BICYCLE OF CATHAY</h1> +<h3>A Novel</h3> +<h2>By Frank R. Stockton</h2> +<h3>Author of "The Great Stone of Sardis"<br />"The Associate Hermits" etc.</h3> +<h4>Illustrated by</h4> +<h3>Orson Lowell</h3> +<h4>1900</h4> +<hr> +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a><center> +<a href="images/bc-01.png"> +<img src="images/bc-01s.png" width="141" height="200"alt="The Doctor's Daughter"><br />The Doctor's Daughter</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<hr> +<h2>Contents</h2> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0001">CHAPTER I</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0002">CHAPTER II</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0003">CHAPTER III</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0004">CHAPTER IV</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0005">CHAPTER V</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0006">CHAPTER VI</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0007">CHAPTER VII</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0008">CHAPTER VIII</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0009">CHAPTER IX</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0010">CHAPTER X</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0011">CHAPTER XI</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0012">CHAPTER XII</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0013">CHAPTER XIII</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0014">CHAPTER XIV</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0015">CHAPTER XV</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0016">CHAPTER XVI</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0017">CHAPTER XVII</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0018">CHAPTER XVIII</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0019">CHAPTER XIX</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0020">CHAPTER XX</a></p> +<hr> +<h3>List of Illustrations</h3> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0001">The Doctor's Daughter </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0002">Half Title</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0003">"I Put on My Coat" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0004">"The Rain Was Coming Down Hard" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0005">"On My Right a Lighted Doorway" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0006">A Few Thoughts </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0007">"The Beauty of Her Teeth" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0008">"I Kicked off My Embroidered Slippers" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0009">"It Would Be Well for Me to Swallow a Capsule" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0010">"As Soon As I Had Spoken These Words" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0011">"I Dismounted and Approached the Wall" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0012">"I Thought for a Few Moments" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0013">"Went out for a Walk" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0014">Mrs. Chester </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0015">"She Began to Talk About Walford" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0016">But We Were Not Alone </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0017">"To My Left I Saw a Line of Trees" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0018">"He Was Running Away" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0019">"He Soon Felt That he Was Under Control" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0020">"A Little Army Had Thrown Itself Upon Us." </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0021">"'Would It Be Easier to Manage a Boy Or A Bear?'" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0022">"I Tapped My Left Palm." </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0023">"There Was a Sudden Flush" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0024">"The Scene Vividly Recurred to My Mind" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0025">Deciphering the Dago's Letters </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0026">"'I Don't Think You Ought to Take This Letter'" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0027">"'Do You Think You Could Hit It With an Apple?'" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0028">"Talking About Baby Bears" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0029">"'I Held That Picture a Good While'" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0030">"'No, Sir,' She Said" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0031">"Cut Like That" </a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0032">Europa </a></p> +<hr> + +<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a><center> +<a href="images/bc-02.png"> +<img src="images/bc-02s.png" width="250" height="143" alt="Half Title"></a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<h2>A BICYCLE OF CATHAY</h2> +<br /> +<hr> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2><br /> +<h4>THE DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER</h4> +<hr><br /> +<img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I">t was a beautiful summer morning when slowly I wheeled my way along + the principal street of the village of Walford. A little valise was + strapped in front of my bicycle; my coat, rolled into a small compass, + was securely tied under the seat, and I was starting out to spend my + vacation. +<p> I was the teacher of the village school, which useful institution had + been closed for the season the day before, much to the gratification + of pedagogue and scholars. This position was not at all the summit of + my youthful ambition. In fact, I had been very much disappointed when + I found myself obliged to accept it, but when I left college my + financial condition made it desirable for me to do something to + support myself while engaged in some of the studies preparatory to a + professional career.</p> +<p> + I have never considered myself a sentimental person, but I must admit + that I did not feel very happy that morning, and this state of mind + was occasioned entirely by the feeling that there was no one who + seemed to be in the least sorry that I was going away. My boys were so + delighted to give up their studies that they were entirely satisfied + to give up their teacher, and I am sure that my vacation would have + been a very long one if they had had the ordering of it. My landlady + might have been pleased to have me stay, but if I had agreed to pay my + board during my absence I do not doubt that my empty room would have + occasioned her no pangs of regret. I had friends in the village, but + as they knew it was a matter of course that I should go away during + the vacation, they seemed to be perfectly reconciled to the fact. +</p> +<p> + As I passed a small house which was the abode of my laundress, my + mental depression was increased by the action of her oldest son. This + little fellow, probably five years of age, and the condition of whose + countenance indicated that his mother's art was seldom exercised upon + it, was playing on the sidewalk with his sister, somewhat younger and + much dirtier. +</p> +<p> + As I passed the little chap he looked up and in a sharp, clear voice, + he cried: "Good-bye! Come back soon!" These words cut into my soul. + Was it possible that this little ragamuffin was the only one in that + village who was sorry to see me depart and who desired my return? And + the acuteness of this cut was not decreased by the remembrance that on + several occasions when he had accompanied his mother to my lodging I + had given him small coins. +</p> +<p> + I was beginning to move more rapidly along the little path, well worn + by many rubber tires, which edged the broad roadway, when I perceived + the doctor's daughter standing at the gate of her father's front yard. + As I knew her very well, and she happened to be standing there and + looking in my direction, I felt that it would be the proper thing for + me to stop and speak to her, and so I dismounted and proceeded to roll + my bicycle up to the gate. +</p> +<p> + As the doctor's daughter stood looking over the gate, her hands + clasped the tops of the two central pickets. +</p> +<p> + "Good-morning," said she. "I suppose, from your carrying baggage, + that you are starting off for your vacation. How far do you expect to + go on your wheel, and do you travel alone?" +</p> +<p> + "My only plan," I answered, "is to ride over the hills and far away! + How far I really do not know; and I shall be alone except for this + good companion." And as I said this I patted the handle-bar of my + bicycle. +</p> +<p> + "Your wheel does seem to be a sort of a companion," she said; "not so + good as a horse, but better than nothing. I should think, travelling + all by yourself in this way, you would have quite a friendly feeling + for it. Did you ever think of giving it a name?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," said I. "I have named it. I call it a 'Bicycle of Cathay.'" +</p> +<p> + "Is there any sense in such a name?" she asked. "It is like part of a + quotation from Tennyson, isn't it? I forget the first of it." +</p> +<p> + "You are right," I said. "'Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle + of Cathay.' I cannot tell you exactly why, but that seems to suggest a + good name for a bicycle." +</p> +<p> + "But your machine has two wheels," said she. "Therefore you ought to + say, 'Better one hundred years of Europe than two cycles of Cathay.'" +</p> +<p> + "I bow to custom," said I. "Every one speaks of a bicycle as a wheel, + and I shall not introduce the plural into the name of my good steed." +</p> +<p> + "And you don't know where your Cathay is to be?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + I smiled and shook my head. "No," I answered, "but I hope my cycle + will carry me safely through it." +</p> +<p> + The doctor's daughter looked past me across the road. "I wish I were a + man," said she, "and could go off as I pleased, as you do! It must be + delightfully independent." +</p> +<p> + I was about to remark that too much independence is not altogether + delightful, but she suddenly spoke: +</p> +<p> + "You carry very little with you for a long journey," and as she said + this she grasped the pickets of the gate more tightly. I could see the + contraction of the muscles of her white hands. It seemed as if she + were restraining something. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, this isn't all my baggage," I replied. "I sent on a large bag to + Waterton. I suppose I shall be there in a couple of days, and then I + shall forward the bag to some other place." +</p> +<p> + "I do not suppose you have packed up any medicine among your other + things?" she asked. "You don't look as if you very often needed + medicine." +</p> +<p> + I laughed as I replied that in the course of my life I had taken but + little. +</p> +<p> + "But if your cycle starts off rolling early in the morning," she said, + "or keeps on late in the evening, you ought to be able to defend + yourself against malaria. I do not know what sort of a country Cathay + may be, but I should not be a bit surprised if you found it full of + mists and morning vapors. Malaria has a fancy for strong people, you + know. Just wait here a minute, please," and with that she turned and + ran into the house. +</p> +<p> + I had liked the doctor's daughter ever since I had begun to know her, + although at first I had found it a little hard to become acquainted + with her. +</p> +<p> + She was the treasurer of the literary society of the village, and I + was its secretary. We had to work together sometimes, and I found her + a very straightforward girl in her accounts and in every other way. +</p> +<p> + In about a minute she returned, carrying a little pasteboard box. +</p> +<p> + "Here are some one-grain quinine capsules," she said. "They have no + taste, and I am quite sure that if you get into a low country it would + be a good thing for you to take at least one of them every morning. + People may have given you all sorts of things for your journey, but I + do not believe any one has given you this." And she handed me the box + over the top of the gate. +</p> +<p> + I did not say that her practical little present was the only thing + that anybody had given me, but I thanked her very heartily, and + assured her that I would take one every time I thought I needed it. + Then, as it seemed proper to do so, I straightened up my bicycle as if + I would mount it. Again her fingers clutched the top of the two + palings. +</p> +<p> + "When father comes home," she said, "he will be sorry to find that he + had not a chance to bid you good-bye. And, by-the-way," she added, + quickly, "you know there will be one more meeting of the society. Did + you write out any minutes for the last evening, and would you like me + to read them for you?" +</p> +<p> + "Upon my word!" I exclaimed. "I have forgotten all about it. I made + some rough notes, but I have written nothing." +</p> +<p> + "Well, it doesn't matter in the least," said she, quickly. "I remember + everything that happened, and I will write the minutes and read them + for you; that is, if you want me to." +</p> +<p> + I assured her that nothing would please me better, and we talked a + little about the minutes, after which I thought I ought not to keep + her standing at the gate any longer. So I took leave of her, and we + shook hands over the gate. This was the first time I had ever shaken + hands with the doctor's daughter, for she was a reserved girl, and + hitherto I had merely bowed to her. +</p> +<p> + As I sped away down the street and out into the open country my heart + was a good deal lighter than it had been when I began my journey. It + was certainly pleasant to leave that village, which had been my home + for the greater part of a year, without the feeling that there was no + one in it who cared for me, even to the extent of a little box of + quinine capsules. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER II +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + A BAD TWIST +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> + <img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I">t was about the middle of the afternoon that I found myself bowling + along a smooth highway, bordered by trees and stretching itself almost + upon a level far away into the distance. Had I been a scorcher, here + would have been a chance to do a little record-breaking, for I was a + powerful and practised wheelman. But I had no desire to be extravagant + with my energies, and so contented myself with rolling steadily on at + a speed moderate enough to allow me to observe the country I was + passing through. + +<p> + There were not many people on the road, but at some distance ahead of + me I saw a woman on a wheel. She was not going rapidly, and I was + gaining on her. Suddenly, with no reason whatever that I could see, + her machine gave a twist, and, although she put out her foot to save + herself, she fell to the ground. Instantly I pushed forward to assist + her, but before I could reach her she was on her feet. She made a step + towards her bicycle, which lay in the middle of the road, and then she + stopped and stood still. I saw that she was hurt, but I could not help + a sort of inward smile. "It is the old way of the world," I thought. + "Would the Fates have made that young woman fall from her bicycle if + there had been two men coming along on their wheels?" +</p> +<p> + As I jumped from my machine and approached her she turned her head and + looked at me. She was a pale girl, and her face was troubled. When I + asked her if she had hurt herself, she spoke to me without the + slightest embarrassment or hesitation. +</p> +<p> + "I twisted my foot in some way," she said, "and I do not know what I + am going to do. It hurts me to make a step, and I am sure I cannot + work my wheel." +</p> +<p> + "Have you far to go?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "I live about two miles from here," she answered. "I do not think I + have sprained my ankle, but it hurts. Perhaps, however, if I rest for + a little while I may be able to walk." +</p> +<p> + "I would not try to do that," said I. "Whatever has happened to your + foot or ankle, you would certainly make it very much worse by walking + such a distance. Perhaps I can ride on and get you a conveyance?" +</p> +<p> + "You would have to go a long way to get one," she answered. "We do not + keep a horse and I really—" +</p> +<p> + "Don't trouble yourself in the least," I said. "I can take you to your + home without any difficulty whatever. If you will mount your machine I + can push you along very easily." +</p> +<p> + "But then you would have to walk yourself," she said, quickly, "and + push your wheel too." +</p> +<p> + Of course it would not have been necessary for me to walk, for I could + have ridden my bicycle and have pushed her along on her own, but under + the circumstances I did not think it wise to risk this. So I accepted + her suggestion of walking as if nothing else could be done. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I do not mind walking a bit," said I. "I am used to it, and as I + have been riding for a long time, it would be a relief to me." +</p> +<p> + She stood perfectly still, apparently afraid to move lest she should + hurt her foot, but she raised her head and fixed a pair of very large + blue eyes upon me. "It is too kind in you to offer to do this! But I + do not see what else is to be done. But who is going to hold up my + wheel while you help me to get on it?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I will attend to all that," said I, and picking up her bicycle, I + brought it to her. She made a little step towards it, and then + stopped. +</p> +<p> + "You mustn't do that," said I. "I will put you on." And holding her + bicycle upright with my left hand, I put my right arm around her and + lifted her to the seat. She was such a childlike, sensible young + person that I did not think it necessary to ask any permission for + this action, nor even to allude to its necessity. +</p> +<p> + "Now you might guide yourself with the handle-bar," I said. "Please + steer over to that tree where I have left my machine." I easily pushed + her over to the tree, and when I had laid hold of my bicycle with my + left hand, we slowly proceeded along the smooth road. +</p> +<p> + "I think you would better take your feet from the pedals," said I, + "and put them on the coasters—the motion must hurt you. It is better + to have your injured foot raised, anyway, as that will keep the blood + from running down into it and giving you more pain." +</p> +<p> + She instantly adopted my suggestion, and presently said, "That is a + great deal more pleasant, and I am sure it is better for my foot to + keep it still. I do hope I haven't sprained my ankle! It is possible + to give a foot a bad twist without spraining it, isn't it?" +</p> +<p> + I assented, and as I did so I thought it would not be difficult to + give a bad twist to any part of this slenderly framed young creature. +</p> +<p> + "How did you happen to fall?" I asked—not that I needed to inquire, + for my own knowledge of wheelcraft assured me that she had tumbled + simply because she did not know how to ride. +</p> +<p> + "I haven't the slightest idea," she answered. "The first thing I knew + I was going over, and I wish I had not tried to save myself. It would + have been better to go down bodily." +</p> +<p> + As we went on she told me that she had not had much practice, as it + had been but a few weeks since she had become the possessor of a + wheel, and that this was the first trip she had ever taken by herself. + She had always gone in company with some one, but to-day she had + thought she was able to take care of herself, like other girls. + Finding her so entirely free from conventional embarrassment, I made + bold to give her a little advice on the subject of wheeling in + general, and she seemed entirely willing to be instructed. In fact, as + I went on with my little discourse I began to think that I would much + rather teach girls than boys. At first sight the young person under + my charge might have been taken for a school-girl, but her + conversation would have soon removed that illusion. +</p> +<p> + We had not proceeded more than a mile when suddenly I felt a very + gentle tap on the end of my nose, and at the same moment the young + lady turned her head towards me and exclaimed: "It's going to rain! I + felt a drop!" +</p> +<p> + "I will walk faster," I said, "and no doubt I will get you to your + house before the shower is upon us. At any rate, I hope you won't be + much wet." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, it doesn't matter about me in the least," she said. "I shall be + at home and can put on dry clothes, but you will be soaked through and + have to go on. You haven't any coat on!" +</p> +<p> + If I had known there was any probability of rain I should have put on + my coat before I started out on this somewhat unusual method of + travelling, but there was no help for it now, and all I could do was + to hurry on. From walking fast I began to trot. The drops were coming + down quite frequently. +</p> +<p> + "Won't that tire you dreadfully?" she said. +</p> +<p> + "Not at all," I replied. "I could run like this for a long distance." +</p> +<a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-03.png"> +<img src="images/bc-03s.png" width="200" height="173" +alt="'I Put on My Coat'"><br />'I Put on My Coat'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + She looked up at me with a little smile. I think she must have + forgotten the pain in her foot. +</p> +<p> + "It must be nice to be strong like that," she said. +</p> +<p> + Now the rain came down faster, and my companion declared that I ought + to stop and put on my coat. I agreed to this, and when I came to a + suitable tree by the road-side, I carefully leaned her against it and + detached my coat from my bicycle. But just as I was about to put it on + I glanced at the young girl. She had on a thin shirt-waist, and I + could see that the shoulders of it were already wet. I advanced + towards her, holding out my coat. "I must lay this over you," I said. + "I am afraid now that I shall not get you to your home before it + begins to rain hard." +</p> +<p> + She turned to me so suddenly that I made ready to catch her if her + unguarded movement should overturn her machine. "You mustn't do that + at all!" she said. "It doesn't matter whether I am wet or not. I do + not have to travel in wet clothes, and you do. Please put on your coat + and let us hurry!" +</p> +<p> + I obeyed her, and away we went again, the rain now coming down hard + and fast. For some minutes she did not say anything; but I did not + wonder at this, for circumstances were not favorable to conversation. + But presently, in spite of the rain and our haste, she spoke: +</p> +<p> + "It must seem dreadfully ungrateful and hard-hearted in me to say to + you, after all you have done for me, that you must go on in the rain. + Anybody would think that I ought to ask you to come into our house and + wait until the storm is over. But, really, I do not see how I can do + it." +</p> +<p> + I urged her not for a moment to think of me. I was hardy, and did not + mind rain, and when I was mounted upon my wheel the exercise would + keep me warm enough until I reached a place of shelter. +</p> +<p> + "I do not like it," she said. "It is cruel and inhuman, and nothing + you can say will make it any better. But the fact is that I find + myself in a very—Well, I do not know what to say about it. You are + the school-teacher at Walford, are you not?" +</p> +<p> + This question surprised me, and I assented quickly, wondering what + would come next. +</p> +<p> + "I thought so," she said. "I have seen you on the road on your wheel, + and some one told me who you were. And now, since you have been so + kind to me, I am going to tell you exactly why I cannot ask you to + stop at our house. Everything is all wrong there to-day, and if I + don't explain what has happened, you might think that things are + worse than they really are, and I wouldn't want anybody to think + that." +</p> +<a name="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-04.png"> +<img src="images/bc-04s.png" width="127" height="200" +alt="'The Rain Was Coming Down Hard'"><br />'The Rain Was Coming Down Hard' +</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + I listened with great attention, for I saw that she was anxious to + free herself of the imputation of being inhospitable, and although the + heavy rain and my rapid pace made it sometimes difficult to catch her + words, I lost very little of her story. +</p> +<p> + "You see," said she, "my father is very fond of gardening, and he + takes great pride in his vegetables, especially the early ones. He has + peas this year ahead of everybody else in the neighborhood, and it was + only day before yesterday that he took me out to look at them. He has + been watching them ever since they first came up out of the ground, + and when he showed me the nice big pods and told me they would be + ready to pick in a day or two, he looked so proud and happy that you + might have thought his peas were little living people. I truly believe + that even at prayer-time he could not help thinking how good those + peas would taste. +</p> +<p> + "But this morning when he came in from the garden and told mother that + he was going to pick our first peas, so as to have them perfectly + fresh for dinner, she said that he would better not pick them to-day, + because the vegetable man had been along just after breakfast, and he + had had such nice green peas that she had bought some, and therefore + he had better keep his peas for some other day. +</p> +<p> + "Now, I don't want you to think that mother isn't just as good as + gold, for she is. But she doesn't take such interest in garden things + as father does, and to her all peas are peas, provided they are good + ones. But when father heard what she had done I know that he felt + exactly as if he had been stabbed in one of his tenderest places. He + did not say one word, and he walked right out of the house, and since + that they haven't spoken to each other. It was dreadful to sit at + dinner, neither of them saying a word to the other, and only speaking + to me. It was all so different from the way things generally are that + I can scarcely bear it. +</p> +<p> + "And I went out this afternoon for no other reason than to give them a + chance to make it up between them. I thought perhaps they would do it + better if they were alone with each other. But of course I do not know + what has happened, and things may be worse than they were. I could not + take a stranger into the house at such a time—they would not like to + be found not speaking to each other—and, besides, I do not know—" +</p> +<p> + Here I interrupted her, and begged her not to give another thought to + the subject. I wanted very much to go on, and in every way it was the + best thing I could do. +</p> +<p> + As I finished speaking she pointed out a pretty house standing back + from the road, and told me that was where she lived. In a very few + minutes after that I had run her up to the steps of her piazza and was + assisting her to dismount from her wheel. +</p> +<p> + "It is awful!" she said. "This rain is coming down like a cataract!" +</p> +<p> + "You must hurry in-doors," I answered. "Let me help you up the steps." + And with this I took hold of her under the arms, and in a second I had + set her down in front of the closed front door. I then ran down and + brought up her wheel. "Do you think you can manage to walk in?" said + I. +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes!" she said. "If I can't do anything else, I can hop. My mother + will soon have me all right. She knows all about such things." +</p> +<p> + She looked at me with an anxious expression, and then said, "How do + you think it would do for you to wait on the piazza until the rain is + over?" +</p> +<p> + "Good-bye," I said, with a laugh, and bounding down to the front + gate, where I had left my bicycle, I mounted and rode away. +</p> +<p> + The rain came down harder and harder. The road was full of little + running streams, and liquid mud flew from under my whirling wheels. It + was not late in the afternoon, but it was actually getting dark, and I + seemed to be the only living creature out in this tremendous storm. I + looked from side to side for some place into which I could run for + shelter, but here the road ran between broad open fields. My coat had + ceased to protect me, and I could feel the water upon my skin. +</p> +<p> + But in spite of my discomforts and violent exertions I found myself + under the influence of some very pleasurable emotions, occasioned by + the incident of the slender girl. Her childlike frankness was charming + to me. There was not another girl in a thousand who would have told me + that story of the peas. I felt glad that she had known who I was when + she was talking to me, and that her simple confidences had been given + to me personally, and not to an entire stranger who had happened + along. I wondered if she resembled her father or her mother, and I had + no doubt that to possess such a daughter they must both be excellent + people. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER III +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + THE DUKE'S DRESSING-GOWN +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/t.png" alt="T">hinking thus, I almost forgot the storm, but coming to a slight + descent where the road was very smooth I became conscious that my + wheel was inclined to slip, and if I were not careful I might come to + grief. But no sooner had I reached the bottom of the declivity than I + beheld on my right a lighted doorway. Without the slightest hesitation + I turned through the wide gateway, the posts of which I could scarcely + see, and stopped in front of a small house by the side of a driveway. + Waiting for no permission, I carried my bicycle into a little covered + porch. I then approached the door, for I was now seeking not only + shelter but an opportunity to dry myself. I do not believe a sponge + could have been more thoroughly soaked than I was. + +<p> + At the very entrance I was met by a little man in short jacket and + top-boots. +</p> +<p> + "I heard your step," said he. "Been caught in the rain, eh? Well, this + is a storm! And now what're we going to do? You must come in. But + you're in a pretty mess, I must say! Hi, Maria!" +</p> +<p> + At these words a large, fresh-looking woman came into the little hall. +</p> +<p> + "Maria," said the man, "here's a gentleman that's pretty nigh drowned, + and he's dripping puddles big enough to swim in." +</p> +<p> + The woman smiled. "Really, sir," said she, "you've had a hard time. + Wheeling, I suppose. It's an awful time to be out. It's so dark that I + lighted a lamp to make things look a little cheery. But you must come + in until the rain is over, and try and dry yourself." +</p> +<p> + "But how about the hall, Maria?" said the man. "There'll be a dreadful + slop!" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I'll make that all right," she said. She disappeared, and quickly + returned with a couple of rugs, which she laid, wrong side up, on the + polished floor of the hallway. "Now you can step on those, sir, and + come into the kitchen. There's a fire there." +</p> +<p> + I thanked her, and presently found myself before a large stove, on + which it was evident, from the odors, that supper was preparing. In a + certain way the heat was grateful, but in less than a minute I was + bound to admit to myself that I felt as if I were enveloped in a vast + warm poultice. The little man and his wife—if wife she were, for she + looked big enough to be his mother, and young enough to be his + daughter—stood talking in the hall, and I could hear every word they + said. +</p> +<a name="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-05.png"> +<img src="images/bc-05s.png" width="200" height="163" +alt="'On My Right a Lighted Doorway'"><br />'On My Right a Lighted Doorway'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "It's of no use for him to try to dry himself," she said, "for he's + wet to the bone. He must change his clothes, and hang those he's got + on before the fire." +</p> +<p> + "Change his clothes!" exclaimed the man. "How ever can he do that? + I've nothing that'll fit him, and of course he has brought nothing + along with him." +</p> +<p> + "Never you mind," said she. "Something's got to be got. Take him into + the little chamber. And don't consider the floor; that can be wiped + up." +</p> +<p> + She came into the kitchen and spoke to me. "You must come and change + your clothes," she said. "You'll catch your death of cold, else. + You're the school-master from Walford, I think, sir? Indeed, I'm sure + of it, for I've seen you on your wheel." +</p> +<p> + Smiling at the idea that through the instrumentality of my bicycle I + had been making myself known to the people of the surrounding + country, I followed the man into a small bed-chamber on the + ground-floor. +</p> +<p> + "Now," said he, "the quicker you get off your wet clothes and give + yourself a good rub-down the better it will be for you. And I'll go + and see what I can do in the way of something for you to put on." +</p> +<p> + I asked him to bring me the bag from my bicycle, and after doing so he + left me. +</p> +<p> + Very soon I heard talking outside of my door, and as both my + entertainers had clear, high voices, I could hear distinctly what they + said. +</p> +<p> + "Go get him the corduroys," said she. "He's a well-made man, but he's + no bigger than your father was." +</p> +<p> + "The corduroys?" he said, somewhat doubtfully, I thought. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," she replied. "Go get them! I should be glad to have them put to + some use." +</p> +<p> + "But what for a coat?" said he. "There's nothing in the house that he + could get on." +</p> +<p> + "That's true," said she. "But he must have something. You can get him + the Duke's dressing-gown." +</p> +<p> + "What!" exclaimed the man. "You don't mean—" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, I do mean," said she. "It's big enough for anybody, and it'll + keep him from ketching cold. Go fetch it!" +</p> +<p> + In a short time there was a knock at my door, and the little man + handed me in a pair of yellow corduroy trousers and a large and gaudy + dressing-gown. "There!" said he. "They'll keep you warm until your own + clothes dry." +</p> +<p> + With a change of linen from my bag, which had fortunately kept its + contents dry, the yellow trousers, and a wonderful dressing-gown, made + of some blue stuff embroidered with gold and lined throughout with + crimson satin, I made a truly gorgeous appearance. But it struck me + that it would be rather startling to a beholder were I to appear + barefooted in such raiment, for my shoes and stockings were as wet as + the rest of my clothes. I had not finished dressing before the little + man knocked again, this time with some gray socks and a pair of + embroidered slippers. +</p> +<p> + "These'll fit you, I think," said he, "for I'll lay you ten shillings + that I'm as big in the feet as you are." +</p> +<p> + I would have been glad to gaze at myself in a full-length mirror, but + there was no opportunity for the indulgence of such vanity; and before + leaving the room I sat down for a moment to give a few thoughts to + the situation. My mind first reverted to the soaked condition of my + garments and the difficulty of getting them dry enough for me to put + them on and continue my journey. Then I found that I had dropped the + subject and was thinking of the slender girl, wondering if she had + really hurt herself very much, congratulating myself that I had been + fortunate enough to be on hand to help her in her need, and + considering what a plight she would have been in if she had been + caught in that terrible rain and utterly unable to get herself to + shelter. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly I stopped short in my thinking, and going to my bag I took + from it the little box of quinine capsules which had been given to me + by the doctor's daughter, and promptly proceeded to swallow one of + them. +</p> +<p> + "It may be of service to me," I said to myself. +</p> +<p> + When I made my appearance in the hallway I met the little man, who + immediately burst into a roar of laughter. +</p> +<p> + "Lord, sir!" said he. "You must excuse me, but you look like a king on + a lark! Walk into the parlor, sir, and sit down and make yourself + comfortable. She's hurrying up supper to give you something warm after + your wettin'. Would you like a little nip of whiskey, sir, to keep + the damp out?" +</p> +<a name="image-0006"><!--IMG--></a> +<center><a href="images/bc-06.png"> +<img src="images/bc-06s.png" width="116" height="200" +alt="A Few Thoughts"><br />A Few Thoughts</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + I declined the whiskey, and seated myself in the neatly-furnished + parlor. It was wonderful, I thought, to fall into such a hospitable + household, and then I began to ask myself whether or not it would be + the proper thing to offer to pay for my entertainment. I thought I had + quite properly divined the position in life of the little man. This + small house, so handsomely built and neatly kept, must be a lodge upon + some fine country place, and the man was probably the head gardener, + or something of the kind. +</p> +<p> + It was not long before my hostess came into the room, but she did not + laugh at my appearance. She was a handsome woman, erect and broad, + with a free and powerful step. She smiled as she spoke to me. +</p> +<p> + "You may think that that's an over-handsome gown for such as us to be + owning. It was given to my man by the Duke of Radford. That was before + we were married, and he was an undergardener then. The Duchess + wouldn't let the Duke wear it, because it was so gay, and there wasn't + none of the servants that would care to take it, for fear they'd be + laughed at, until they offered it to John. And John, you must know, + he'd take anything! But I came in to tell you supper's ready; and, if + you like, I'll bring you something in here, and you can eat it on that + table, or—" +</p> +<p> + Here I interrupted my good hostess, and declared that, while I should + be glad to have some supper, I would not eat any unless I might sit + down with her husband and herself; and, as this proposition seemed to + please her, the three of us were soon seated around a very tastefully + furnished table in a dining-room looking out upon a pretty lawn. The + rain had now almost ceased, and from the window I could see beautiful + stretches of grass, interspersed with ornamental trees and + flower-beds. +</p> +<p> + The meal was plain but abundant, with an appetizing smell pervading it + which is seldom noticed in connection with the tables of the rich. + When we had finished supper I found that the skies had nearly cleared + and that it was growing quite light again. I asked permission to step + out upon a little piazza which opened from the dining-room and smoke a + pipe, and while I was sitting there enjoying the beauty of the + sunlight on the sparkling grass and trees I again heard the little man + and his wife talking to each other. +</p> +<p> + "It can't be done," said he, speaking very positively. "I've orders + about that, and there's no getting round them." +</p> +<p> + "It's got to be done!" said she, "and there's an end of it! The + clothes won't be dry until morning, and it won't do to put them too + near the stove, or they'll shrink so he can't get them on. And he + can't go away to hunt up lodgings wearing the Duke's dressing-gown and + them yellow breeches!" +</p> +<p> + "Orders is orders," said the man, "and unless I get special leave, it + can't be done." +</p> +<p> + "Well, then, go and get special leave," said she, "and don't stand + there talking about it!" +</p> +<p> + There was no doubt that my lodging that night was the subject of this + conversation, but I had no desire to interfere with the good + intentions of my hostess. I must stay somewhere until my clothes were + dry, and I should be glad to stop in my present comfortable quarters. +</p> +<p> + So I sat still and smoked, and very soon I heard the big shoes of the + little man grating upon the gravel as he walked rapidly away from the + house. Now came the good woman out upon the piazza to ask me if I had + found my tobacco dry. "Because if it's damp," said she, "my man has + some very good 'baccy in his jar." +</p> +<p> + I assured her that my pouch had kept dry; and then, as she seemed + inclined to talk, I begged her to sit down if she did not mind the + pipe. Down she sat, and steadily she talked. She congratulated herself + on her happy thought to light the hall lamp, or I might never have + noticed the house in the darkness, and she would have been sorry + enough if I had had to keep on the road for another half-hour in that + dreadful rain. +</p> +<p> + On she talked in the most cheerful and communicative way, until + suddenly she rose with a start. "He's coming himself, sir!" she said, + "with Miss Putney." +</p> +<p> + "Who is 'he'?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "It's the master, sir Mr. Putney, and his daughter. Just stay here + where you are, sir, and make yourself comfortable. I'll go and speak + to them." +</p> +<p> + Left to myself, I knocked out my pipe and sat wondering what would + happen next. A thing happened which surprised me very much. Upon a + path which ran in front of the little piazza there appeared two + persons—one, an elderly gentleman, with gray side-whiskers and a pale + face, attired in clothes with such an appearance of newness that it + might well have been supposed this was the first time he had worn + them; the other, a young lady, rather small in stature, but + extremely pleasant to look upon. She had dark hair and large blue + eyes; her complexion was rich, and her dress of light silk was + wonderfully well shaped. +</p> +<a name="image-0007"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-07.png"> +<img src="images/bc-07s.png" width="135" height="200" +alt="'The Beauty of Her Teeth'"><br />'The Beauty of Her Teeth'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + All this I saw at a glance, and immediately afterwards I also + perceived that she had most beautiful teeth; for when she beheld me as + I rose from my chair and stood in my elevated position before her she + could not restrain a laugh; but for this apparent impoliteness I did + not blame her at all. +</p> +<p> + But not so much as a smile came upon the countenance of the elderly + gentleman. He, too, was small, but he had a deep voice. "Good-evening, + sir," said he. "I am told that you are the school-master at Walford, + and that you were overtaken by the storm." +</p> +<p> + I assured him that these were the facts, and stood waiting to hear + what he would say next. +</p> +<p> + "It was very proper indeed, sir, that my gardener and his wife should + take you under the protection of this roof, but as I hear that it is + proposed that you should spend the night here, I have come down to + speak about it. I will tell you at once, sir, that I have given my man + the most positive orders that he is not to allow any one to spend a + night in this house. It is so conveniently near to the road that I + should not know what sort of persons were being entertained here if I + allowed him any such privilege." +</p> +<p> + As he spoke the young lady stood silently gazing at me. There was a + remnant of a smile upon her face, but I could also see that she was a + little annoyed. I was about to make some sort of an independent answer + to the gentleman's remarks, but he anticipated me. +</p> +<p> + "I do not want you to think, sir, on account of what I have said, that + I intend to drive you off my property at this hour of the evening, and + in your inappropriate clothing. I have heard of you, sir, and you + occupy a position of trust and, to a certain degree, of honor, in your + village. Therefore, while I cannot depart from my rule—for I wish to + make no precedent of that kind—I will ask you to spend the night at + my house. You need not be annoyed by the peculiarity of your attire. + If you desire to avoid observation you can remain here until it grows + darker, and then you can walk up to the mansion. I shall have a + bed-room prepared for you, and whenever you choose you can occupy it. + I have been informed that you have had something to eat, and it is as + well, for perhaps your dress would prevent you from accepting an + invitation to our evening meal." +</p> +<p> + I still held my brier-wood pipe in my hand, and I felt inclined to + hurl it at the dapper head of the consequential little gentleman, but + with such a girl standing by it would have been impossible to treat + him with any disrespect, and as I looked at him I felt sure that his + apparent superciliousness was probably the result of too much money + and too little breeding. +</p> +<p> + The young lady said nothing, but she turned and looked steadily at her + father. Her countenance was probably in the habit of very promptly + expressing the state of her mind, and it now seemed to say to her + father, "I hope that what you have said will not make him decline what + you offer!" +</p> +<p> + My irritation quickly disappeared. I had now entered into my Cathay, + and I must take things as I found them there. As I could not stay + where I was, and could not continue my journey, it would be a sensible + thing to overlook the man's manner and accept his offer, and I + accordingly did so. I think he was pleased more than he cared to + express. +</p> +<p> + "Very good, sir!" said he. "As soon as it grows a little darker I + shall be glad to have you walk up to my house. As I said before, I am + sure you would not care to do so now, as you might provoke remarks + even from the servants. Good-evening, sir, until I see you again." +</p> +<p> + During all this time the young lady had not spoken, but as the two + disappeared around the corner of the house I heard her voice. She + spoke very clearly and distinctly, and she said, "It would have been a + great deal more gracious if you had asked him to come at once, without + all that——" The rest of her remarks were lost to me. +</p> +<p> + The little man and his wife presently came out on the porch. Her + countenance expressed a sort of resignation to thwarted hospitality. +</p> +<p> + "It's the way of the world, sir!" she said. "The ups are always up and + the downs are always down! I expect they will be glad to have company + at the house, for it must be dreadfully lonely up there—which might + be said of this house as well." +</p> +<p> + It soon became dark enough for me to walk through the grounds without + hurting the sensibilities of their proprietor, and as I arose to go + the good wife of the gardener brought me my cap. +</p> +<p> + "I dried that out for you, sir, for I knew you would want it, and + to-morrow morning my man will take your clothes up to the house." +</p> +<p> + I thanked her for her thoughtful kindness, and was about to depart, + but the little man was not quite ready for me to go. +</p> +<p> + "If you don't mind, sir," said he, "and would step back there in the + light just for one minute, I would like to take another look at you. I + don't suppose I'll ever see anybody again wearing the Duke's + dressing-gown. By George, sir, you do look real royal!" +</p> +<p> + His wife looked at me admiringly. "Yes, sir," said she, "and I wish it + was the fashion for gentlemen to dress something like that every day. + But I will say, sir, that if you don't want people to be staring at + you, and will just wrap that gown round you so that the lining won't + be seen, you won't look so much out of the way." +</p> +<p> + As I walked along the smooth, hard driveway I adopted the suggestion + of the gardener's wife; but as I approached the house, and saw that + even the broad piazza was lighted by electric lamps, I was seized with + the fancy to appear in all my glory, and I allowed my capacious robe + to float out on each side of me in crimson brightness. +</p> +<p> + The gentleman stood at the top of the steps. "I have been waiting for + you, sir," said he. He looked as if he were about to offer me his + hand, but probably considered this an unnecessary ceremony under the + circumstances. "Would you like to retire to your room, sir, or would + you prefer—prefer sitting out here to enjoy the cool of the evening? + Here are chairs and seats, sir, of all variety of comfort. My family + and I frequently sit out here in the evenings, but to-night the air is + a little damp." +</p> +<p> + I assured the gentleman that the air suited me very well, and that I + would prefer not to retire so early; and so, not caring any longer to + stand in front of the lighted doorway, I walked to one end of the + piazza and took a seat. +</p> +<p> + "We haven't yet—that is to say, we are still at the table," he + remarked, as he followed me; "but if there is anything that you would + like to have, I should be—" +</p> +<p> + I interrupted him by declaring that I had supped heartily and did not + want for anything in the world, and then, with some sort of an + inarticulate excuse, he left me. I knew very well that this nervously + correct personage had jumped up from his dinner in order that he might + meet me at the door and thus prevent my unconventional attire from + shocking any of the servants. +</p> +<p> + It was very quiet and pleasant on the piazza, but, although I could + hear that a great deal of talking was going on inside, no words came + to me. In a short time, however, a man-servant in livery came out + upon the piazza and approached me with a tray on which were a cup of + coffee and some cigars. I could not refrain from smiling as I saw the + man. +</p> +<p> + "The old fellow has been forced to conquer his prejudices," I said to + myself, "and to submit to the mortification of allowing me to be seen + by his butler!" +</p> +<p> + I think, however, that even had the master been regarding us he would + have seen no reason for mortification in the manner of his servant. + The man was extremely polite and attentive, suggesting various + refreshments, such as wine and biscuits, and I never was treated by a + lackey with more respect. +</p> +<p> + Leaning back in a comfortable chair, I sipped my coffee and puffed + away at a perfectly delightful Havana cigar. "Cathay is not a bad + place," said I, to myself. "Its hospitality is a little queer, but as + to gorgeousness, luxury, and——" I was about to add another quality + when my mind was diverted by a light step on the piazza, and, turning + my head, I beheld the young lady I had seen before. Instantly I rose + and laid aside my cigar. +</p> +<p> + "Please do not disturb yourself," she said. "I simply came out to give + a little message from my father. Sit down again, and I will take this + seat for a moment. My father's health is delicate," she said, "and we + do not like him to be out in the night air, especially after a rain. + So I came in his stead to tell you that if you would like to come into + the house you must do so without the slightest hesitation, because my + mother and I do not mind that dressing-gown any more than if it were + an ordinary coat. We are very glad to have the opportunity of + entertaining you, for we know some people in Walford—not very many, + but some—and we have heard you and your school spoken of very + highly. So we want you to make yourself perfectly at home, and come in + or sit out here, just as your own feelings in regard to extraordinary + fine clothes shall prompt you." +</p> +<p> + At this she reassured me as to the beauty of her teeth. "As long as + you will sit out here," said I, to myself, "there will be no in-doors + for me." +</p> +<p> + She seemed to read my thoughts, and said: "If you will go on with your + smoking, I will wait and ask you some things about Walford. I dearly + love the smell of a good cigar, and father never smokes. He always + keeps them, however, in case of gentlemen visitors." +</p> +<p> + She then went on to talk about some Walford people, and asked me if I + knew Mary Talbot. I replied in the affirmative, for Miss Talbot was a + member of our literary society, and the young lady informed me that + Mary Talbot had a brother in my school—a fact of which I was aware to + my sorrow—and it was on account of this brother that she had first + happened to see me. +</p> +<p> + "See me!" I exclaimed, with surprise. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said she. "I drove over to the village one day this spring, and + Mary and I were walking past your school-house, and the door was wide + open, for it was so warm, and we stopped so that Mary might point out + her brother to me; and so, as we were looking in, of course I saw + you." +</p> +<p> + "And you recognized me," I said, "when you saw me at the gardener's + house?" +</p> +<p> + "We call that the lodge," said she. "Not that I care in the least what + name you give it. And while we are on a personal subject, I want to + ask you to excuse me for laughing at you when I first saw you in that + astounding garb. It was very improper, I know, but the apparition was + so sudden I could not help it." +</p> +<p> + I had never met a young lady so thoroughly self-contained as this one. + None of the formalities of society had been observed in regard to our + acquaintance with each other, but she talked with me with such an easy + grace and with such a gentle assurance that there was no need of + introduction or presentation; I felt acquainted with her on the spot. + I had no doubt that her exceptionally gracious demeanor was due to the + fact that nobody else in the house seemed inclined to be gracious, and + she felt hospitality demanded that something of the kind should be + offered me by some one of the family. +</p> +<p> + We talked together for some minutes longer, and then, apparently + hearing something in the house which I did not notice, she rose rather + abruptly. +</p> +<p> + "I must go in," she said; "but don't you stay out here a second longer + than you want to." +</p> +<p> + She had left me but a very short time when her father came out on the + piazza, his coat buttoned up nearly to his chin. "I have been + detained, sir," he said, "by a man who came to see me on business. I + cannot remain with you out here, for the air affects me; but if you + will come in, sir, I shall be glad to have you do so, without regard + to your appearance. My wife is not strong and she has retired, and if + it pleases you I shall be very glad to have you tell me something of + your duties and success in Walford. Or, if you are fatigued, your + room is ready for you, and my man will show you to it." +</p> +<p> + I snatched at the relief held out to me. To sit in the company of that + condescending prig, to bore him and to be bored by him, was a doleful + grievance I did not wish to inflict upon myself, and I eagerly + answered that the day had been a long and hard one, and that I would + be glad to go to bed. +</p> +<p> + This was an assertion which was doubly false, for I was not in the + least tired or sleepy; and just as I had made the statement and was + entering the hall I saw that the young lady was standing at the parlor + door; but it was too late now for me to change my mind. +</p> +<p> + "Brownster," said Mr. Putney to his butler, "will you give this + gentleman a candle and show him to his room?" +</p> +<p> + Brownster quietly bowed, and stepping to a table in the corner, on + which stood some brass bed-room candlesticks, he lighted one of the + candles and stood waiting. +</p> +<p> + The gentleman moved towards his daughter, and then he stopped and + turned to me. "We have breakfast," he said, "at half-past eight But if + that is too late for you," he added, with a certain hesitation, "you + can have—" +</p> +<p> + At this moment I distinctly saw his daughter punch him with her elbow, + and as I had no desire to make an early start, and wished very much to + enjoy a good breakfast in Cathay, I quickly declared that I was in no + hurry, and that the family breakfast hour would suit me perfectly. +</p> +<p> + The young lady disappeared into the parlor, and I moved towards the + butler; but my host, probably thinking that he had not been quite as + attentive to me as his station demanded, or wishing to let me see what + a fine house he possessed, stepped up to me and asked me to look into + the billiard-room, the door of which I was about to pass. After some + remarks of deprecatory ostentation, in which he informed me that in + building his house he thought only of comfort and convenience, and + nothing of show, he carelessly invited my attention to the + drawing-room, the library, the music-room, and the little + sitting-room, all of which were furnished with as much stiffness and + hardness and inharmonious coloring as money could command. +</p> +<p> + When we had finished the round of these rooms he made me a bow as + stiff as one of his white and gold chairs, and I followed the butler + up the staircase. The man with the light preceded me into a room on + the second floor, and just as I was about to enter after him I saw the + young lady come around a corner of the hall with a lighted candle in + her hand. +</p> +<a name="image-0008"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-08.png"> +<img src="images/bc-08s.png" width="200" height="154" +alt="'I Kicked off My Embroidered Slippers'"><br />'I Kicked off My Embroidered Slippers'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Good-night," she said, with a smile so charming that I wanted to stop + and tell her something about Mary Talbot's brother; but she passed on, + and I went into my room. +</p> +<p> + It seemed perfectly ridiculous to me that people should carry around + bed-room candles in a house lighted from top to bottom by electricity, + but I had no doubt that this was one of the ultra-conventional customs + from which the dapper gentleman would not allow his family to depart. + I did not believe for a moment that his daughter would conform to such + nonsense except to please her parent. +</p> +<p> + The softly moving and attentive Brownster put the candle on the table, + blew it out, and touched a button, thereby lighting up a very + handsomely furnished room. Then, after performing every possible + service for me, with a bow he left me. Throwing myself into a great + easy chair, I kicked off my embroidered slippers and put my feet upon + another chair gay with satin stripes. Raising my eyes, I saw in front + of me a handsome mirror extending from the floor nearly to the + ceiling, and at the magnificent personage which therein met my gaze I + could not help laughing aloud. +</p> +<p> + I rose, stood before the mirror, folded my gorgeous gown around me, + spread it out, contrasting the crimson glory of its lining with the + golden yellow of my trousers, and wondered in my soul how that + exceedingly handsome girl with the bright eyes could have controlled + her risibilities as she sat with me on the piazza. I could see that + she had a wonderful command of herself, but this exercise of it seemed + superhuman. +</p> +<p> + I walked around the sumptuously furnished chamber, looking at the + pictures and bric-à-brac; I wondered that the master of the house was + willing to put me in a room like this—I had expected a hall bed-room, + at the best; I sat down by an open window, for it was very early yet + and I did not want to go to bed, but I had scarcely seated myself when + I heard a tap at the door. I could not have explained it, but this tap + made me jump, and I went to the door and opened it instead of calling + out. There stood the butler, with a tray in his hand on which was a + decanter of wine, biscuits, cheese, and some cigars. +</p> +<p> + "It's so early, sir," said Brownster, "that she said—I mean, sir, I + thought that you might like something to eat, and if you want to enjoy + a cigar before retiring, as many gentlemen do, you need not mind + smoking here. These rooms are so well ventilated, sir, that every + particle of odor will be out in no time." Placing the tray upon a + table, he retired. +</p> +<a name="image-0009"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-09.png"> +<img src="images/bc-09s.png" width="139" height="200" +alt="'It Would Be Well for Me to Swallow a Capsule'"><br />'It Would Be Well for Me to Swallow a Capsule'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + For an hour or more I sat sipping my wine, puffing smoke into rings, + and allowing my mind to dwell pleasingly upon the situation, the most + prominent feature of which seemed to me to be a young lady with bright + eyes and white teeth, and dressed in a perfectly-fitting gown. +</p> +<p> + When at last I thought I ought to go to bed, I stood and gazed at my + little valise. I had left it on the porch and had totally forgotten + it, but here it was upon a table, where it had been placed, no doubt, + by the thoughtful Brownster. I opened it and took out the box of + capsules. I did not feel that I had taken cold in the night air; this + was not a time to protect myself against morning mists; but still I + thought it would be well for me to swallow a capsule, and I did so. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IV +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + A BIT OF ADVICE +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/t.png" alt="T">he next morning I awoke about seven o'clock. My clothes, neatly + brushed and folded, were on a chair near the bed, with my + brightly-blackened shoes near by. I rose, quickly dressed myself, and + went forth into the morning air. I met no one in the house, and the + hall door was open. For an hour or more I walked about the beautiful + grounds. Sometimes I wandered near the house, among the flower-beds + and shrubs; sometimes I followed the winding path to a considerable + distance; occasionally I sat down in a covered arbor; and then I + sought the shade of a little grove, in which there were hammocks and + rustic chairs. But I met no one, and I saw no one except some men + working near the stables. I would have been glad to go down to the + lodge and say "Good-morning" to my kind entertainers there, but for + some reason or other it struck me that that neat little house was too + much out of the way. + +<p> + When I had had enough walking I retired to the piazza and sat there, + until Brownster, with a bow, came and informed me that breakfast was + served. +</p> +<p> + The young lady, in the freshest of summer costumes, met me at the door + and bade me "Good-morning," but the greeting of her father was not by + any means cordial, although his manner had lost some of the stiff + condescension which had sat so badly upon him the evening before. The + mother was a very pleasant little lady of few words and a general air + which indicated an intimate acquaintance with back seats. +</p> +<p> + The breakfast was a remarkably good one. When the meal was over, Mr. + Putney walked with me into the hall. "I must now ask you to excuse me, + sir," said he, "as this is the hour when I receive my manager and + arrange with him for the varied business of the day. Good-morning, + sir. I wish you a very pleasant journey." And, barely giving me a + chance to thank him for his entertainment, he disappeared into the + back part of the house. +</p> +<p> + The young lady was standing at the front of the hall. "Won't you + please come in," she said, "and see mother? She wants to talk to you + about Walford." +</p> +<p> + I found the little lady in a small room opening from the parlor, and + also, to my great surprise, I found her extremely talkative and + chatty. She asked me so many questions that I had little chance to + answer them, and she told me a great deal more about Walford and its + people and citizens than I had learned during my nine months' + residence in the village. I was very glad to give her an opportunity + of talking, which was a pleasure, I imagined, she did not often enjoy; + but as I saw no signs of her stopping, I was obliged to rise and take + leave of her. +</p> +<p> + The young lady accompanied me into the hall. "I must get my valise," I + said, "and then I must be off. And I assure you—" +</p> +<p> + "No, do not trouble yourself about your valise," she interrupted. + "Brownster will attend to that—he will take it down to the lodge. + And as to your gorgeous raiment, he will see that that is all properly + returned to its owners." +</p> +<p> + I picked up my cap, and she walked with me out upon the piazza. "I + suppose you saw everything on our place," she asked, "when you were + walking about this morning?" +</p> +<p> + A little surprised, I answered that I had seen a good deal, but I did + not add that I had not found what I was looking for. +</p> +<p> + "We have all sorts of hot-houses and green-houses," she said, "but + they are not very interesting at this time of the year, otherwise I + would ask you to walk through them before you go." She then went on to + tell me that a little building which she pointed out was a + mushroom-house. "And you will think it strange that it should be there + when I tell you that not one of our family likes mushrooms or ever + tastes one. But the manager thinks that we ought to grow mushrooms, + and so we do it." +</p> +<p> + As she was talking, the thought came to me that there were some people + who might consider this young lady a little forward in her method of + entertaining a comparative stranger, but I dismissed this idea. With + such a peculiarly constituted family it was perhaps necessary for her + to put herself forward, in regard, at least, to the expression of + hospitality. +</p> +<p> + "One thing I must show you," she said, suddenly, "and that is the + orchid-house! Are you fond of orchids?" +</p> +<p> + "Under certain circumstances," I said, unguardedly, "I could be fond + of apple-cores." As soon as I had spoken these words I would have + been glad to recall them, but they seemed to make no impression + whatever on her. +</p> +<p> + We walked to the orchid-house, we went through it, and she explained + all its beauties, its singularities, and its rarities. When we came + out again, I asked myself: "Is she in the habit of doing all this to + chance visitors? Would she treat a Brown or a Robinson in the way she + is treating me?" I could not answer my question, but if Brown and + Robinson had appeared at that moment I should have been glad to knock + their heads together. +</p> +<p> + I did not want to go; I would have been glad to examine every building + on the place, but I knew I must depart; and as I was beginning to + express my sense of the kindness with which I had been treated, she + interrupted by asking me if I expected to come back this way. +</p> +<p> + "No," said I, "that is not my plan. I expect to ride on to Waterton, + and there I shall stop for a day or two and decide what section of the + country I shall explore next." +</p> +<p> + "And to-day?" she said. "Where have you planned to spend the night?" +</p> +<p> + "I have been recommended to stop at a little inn called the 'Holly + Sprig,'" I replied. "It is a leisurely day's journey from Walford, and + I have been told that it is a pleasant place and a pretty country. I + do not care to travel all the time, and I want to stop a little when I + find interesting scenery." +</p> +<a name="image-0010"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-10.png"> +<img src="images/bc-10s.png" width="163" height="200" +alt="'As Soon As I Had Spoken These Words'"><br />'As Soon As I Had Spoken These Words'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Oh, I know the Holly Sprig Inn," said she, speaking very quickly, + "and I would advise you not to stop there. We have lunched there two + or three times when we were out on long drives. There is a much better + house about five miles the other side of the Holly Sprig. It is really + a large, handsome hotel, with good service and everything you + want—where people go to spend the summer." +</p> +<p> + I thanked her for her information and bade her good-bye. She shook my + hand very cordially and I walked away. I had gone but a very few steps + when I wanted to turn around and look back, but I did not. +</p> +<p> + Before I had reached the lodge, where I had left my bicycle, I met + Brownster, and when I saw him I put my hand into my pocket. He had + certainly been very attentive. +</p> +<p> + "I carried your valise, sir," he said, "to the lodge, and I took the + liberty of strapping it to your handle-bar. You will find everything + all right, sir, and the—other clothes will be properly attended to." +</p> +<p> + I thanked him, and then handed him some money. To my surprise, he did + not offer to take it. He smiled a little and bowed. +</p> +<p> + "Would you mind, sir," he said, "if you did not give me anything? I + assure you, sir, that I'd very much rather that you wouldn't give me + anything." And with this he bowed and rapidly disappeared. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said I, to myself, as I put my money back into my pocket, "it + is a queer country, this Cathay." +</p> +<p> + As I approached the lodge, I felt that perhaps I had received a + lesson, but I was not sure. I would wait and let circumstances decide. + The gardener was away attending to his duties; but his wife was there, + and when she came forward, with a frank, cheery greeting, I instantly + decided that I had had a lesson. I thanked her, as earnestly as I knew + how, for what she had done for me, and then I added: +</p> +<p> + "You and your husband have treated me with such kind hospitality that + I am not going to offer you anything in return for what you have + done." +</p> +<p> + "You would have hurt us, sir, if you had," said she. +</p> +<p> + Then, in order to change the subject, I spoke of the honor which had + been bestowed upon me by being allowed to wear the Duke's + dressing-gown. She smiled, and replied: +</p> +<p> + "Honors would always be easy for you, sir, if you only chose to take + them." +</p> +<p> + As I rode away I thought that the last remark of the gardener's wife + seemed to show a mental brightness above her station, although I did + not know exactly what she meant. "Can it be," I asked myself, "that + she fancies that good family, six feet of athletic muscle, and no + money would be considered sufficient to make matrimonial honors easy + on that estate?" If such an idea had come into her head, it certainly + was a very foolish one, and I determined to drive it from my mind by + thinking of something else. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly I slackened my speed. I stopped and put one foot to the + ground. What a hard-hearted wretch I thought myself to be! Here I was + thinking of all sorts of nonsense and speeding away without a thought + of the young girl who had hurt herself the day before and who had been + helped by me to her home! She lived but a few miles back, and I had + determined, the evening before, to run down and see how she was + getting on before starting on my day's journey. +</p> +<p> + I turned and went bowling back over the road on which I had been so + terribly drenched the previous afternoon. In a very little while my + bicycle was leaning against the fence of the pretty house by the + road-side, and I had entered the front yard. The slender girl was + sitting on the piazza behind some vines. When she saw me she quickly + closed the book she was reading, drew one foot from a little stool, + and rose to meet me. There was more color on her face than I had + supposed would be likely to find its way there, and her bright eyes + showed that she was not only surprised but glad to see me. +</p> +<p> + "I thought you were ever so far on your journey!" she said. "And how + did you get through that awful storm?" +</p> +<p> + "I want to know first about your foot," I said—"how is that?" +</p> +<p> + "My own opinion is," she answered, "that it is nearly well. Mother + knew exactly what to do for it; she wrapped it in wet cloths and dry + cloths, and this morning I scarcely think of it. But there is one + thing I want to tell you before you meet father and mother—for they + want to see you, I know. We talked a great deal about you last night. + You may have thought it strange I told you about the peas, but I had + to do it to explain why I could not ask you to stop. Now I want to + tell you that this accident made everything all right. As soon as + father and mother knew that I was hurt they forgot everything else, + and neither of them remembered that there was such a thing as a + pea-vine in the world. It really seems as if my tumble was a most + lucky thing. And now you must come in. They will never forgive me if I + let you go away without seeing them." +</p> +<p> + The mother, a pleasant little woman, full of cheerful gratitude to me + for having done so much for her daughter, and the father, tall and + slender, hurrying in from the garden, his face beaming with a friendly + enthusiasm, apologizing for the mud on his clothes, and almost in the + same breath telling me of the obligations under which I had placed + him, both seemed to me at the first glance to be such kind, + simple-hearted, simple-mannered people that I could not help + contrasting this family with the one under whose roof I had passed the + night. +</p> +<p> + I spent half an hour with these good people, patiently listening to + their gratitude and to their deep regrets that I had been allowed to + go on in the storm; but I succeeded in allaying their friendly regrets + by assuring them that it would have been impossible to keep me from + going on, so certain had I been that I could reach the little town of + Vernon before the storm grew violent. Then I was obliged to tell them + that I did not reach Vernon, and how I had spent the night. +</p> +<p> + "With the Putneys!" exclaimed the mother. "I am sure you could not + have been entertained in a finer house!" +</p> +<p> + They asked me many questions and I told them many things, and I soon + discovered that they took a generous interest in the lives of other + people. They spoke of the good this rich family had done in the + neighborhood during the building of their great house and the + improvement of their estate, and not a word did I hear of ridicule or + scandalous comment, although in good truth there was opportunity + enough for it. +</p> +<p> + The young lady asked me if I had seen Miss Putney, and when I replied + that I had, she inquired if I did not think that she was a very pretty + girl. "I do not know her," she said, "but I have often seen her when + she was out driving. I do not believe there is any one in this part of + the country who dresses better than she does." +</p> +<p> + I laughed, and told her that I thought I knew somebody who dressed + much finer even than Miss Putney, and then I described the incident + of the Duke's dressing-gown. This delighted them all, and before I + left I was obliged to give every detail of my gorgeous attire. +</p> +<p> + It was about eleven o'clock when at last I tore myself away from this + most attractive little family. To live as they lived, to be interested + in the things that interested them—for the house seemed filled with + books and pictures—to love nature, to love each other, and to think + well of their fellow-beings, even of the super-rich—seemed to me to + be an object for which a man of my temperament should be willing to + strive and thankful to win. After meeting her parents I did not wonder + that I had thought the slender girl so honest-hearted and so lovable. + It was true that I had thought that. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER V +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + THE LADY AND THE CAVALIER +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/t.png" alt="T">he day was fine, and the landscape lay clean and sharply defined + under the blue sky and white clouds. I sped along in a cheerful mood, + well pleased with what my good cycle had so far done for me. Again I + passed the open gate of the Putney estate, and glanced through it at + the lodge. I saw no one, and was glad of it—better pleased, perhaps, + than I could have given good reason for. When I had gone on a few + hundred yards I was suddenly startled by a voice—a female voice. + +<p> + "Well! well!" cried some one on my right, and turning, I saw, above a + low wall, the head and shoulders of the young lady with the dark eyes + with whom I had parted an hour or so before. A broad hat shaded her + face, her eyes were very dark and very wide open, and I saw some of + her beautiful teeth, although she was not smiling or laughing. It + was plain that she had not come down there to see me pass; she was + genuinely astonished; I dismounted and approached the wall. +</p> +<a name="image-0011"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-11.png"> +<img src="images/bc-11s.png" width="117" height="200" +alt="'I Dismounted and Approached the Wall'"><br />'I Dismounted and Approached the Wall'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "I thought you were miles and miles on your way!" said she. It + occurred to me that I had recently heard a remark very like this, and + yet the words, as they came from the slender girl and from this one, + seemed to have entirely different meanings. She was desirous, + earnestly desirous, to know how I came to be passing this place at + this time, when I had left their gate so long before, and, as I was + not unwilling to gratify her curiosity, I told her the whole story of + the accident the day before, and of everything which had followed it. +</p> +<p> + "And you went all the way back," she said, "to inquire after that + Burton girl?" +</p> +<p> + "Do you know her?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "No," she said, "I do not know her; but I have seen her often, and I + know all about her family. They seem to be of such little consequence, + one way or the other, that I can scarcely understand how things could + so twist themselves that you should consider it necessary to go back + there this morning before you really started on your day's journey." +</p> +<p> + I do not remember what I said, but it was something commonplace, no + doubt, but I imagined I perceived a little pique in the young lady. Of + course I did not object to this, for nothing could be more flattering + to a young man than the exhibition of such a feeling on an occasion + such as this. +</p> +<p> + But if she felt any pique she quickly brushed it out of sight, for, as + I have said before, she was a young woman who had great command of + herself. Of course I said to her that I was very glad to have this + chance of seeing her again, and she answered, with a laugh: +</p> +<p> + "If you really are glad, you ought to thank the Burton girl. This is + one of my favorite walks. The path runs along inside the wall for a + considerable distance and then turns around the little hill over + there, and so leads back to the house. When I happened to look over + the wall and saw you I was truly surprised." +</p> +<p> + The ground was lower on the outside of the wall than on the inside, + and as I stood and looked almost into the eyes of this girl, as she + leaned with her arms upon the smooth top of the wall, the idea which + the gardener's wife put into my head came into it again. This was a + beautiful face, and the expression upon it was different from + anything I had seen there before. Her surprise had disappeared, her + pique had gone, but a very great interest in the incident of my + passing this spot at the moment of her being there was plainly + evident. As I gazed at her my blood ran warmer through my veins, and + there came upon me a feeling of the olden time—of the days when the + brave cavalier rode up to the spot where, waiting for him, his lady + sat upon her impatient jennet. +</p> +<p> + Without the least hesitation, I asked: +</p> +<p> + "Do you ride a wheel?" +</p> +<p> + She looked wonderingly at me for a moment, and then broke into a + laugh. +</p> +<p> + "Why on earth do you ask such a question as that? I have a bicycle, + but I am not a very good rider, and I never venture out upon the + public road by myself." +</p> +<p> + "You shouldn't think of such a thing," said I; and then I stood + silent, and my mind showed me two young people, each mounted, not upon + a swift steed, but upon a far swifter pair of wheels, skimming onward + through the summer air, still rolling on, on, on, through country + lanes and woodland roads, laughing at pursuit if they heard the + trampling of eager hoofs behind them, with never a telegraph wire to + stretch menacingly above them, and so on, on, on, their eyes + sparkling, their hearts beating high with youthful hope. +</p> +<p> + Again, through the tender mists of the afternoon, I saw them returning + from some secluded Gretna Green to bend their knees and bow their + heads before the lord of the fair bride's home. +</p> +<p> + When all this had passed through my brain, I wondered how such a pair + would be received. I knew the gardener and his wife would welcome + them, to begin with; Brownster would be very glad to see them; and I + believe the mother would stand with tears of joy and open arms, in + whatever quiet room she might feel free to await them. Moreover, when + the sterner parent heard my tale and read my pedigree, might he not + consider good name on the one side an equivalent for good money on the + other? +</p> +<p> + I looked up at her; she did not ask me what I had been thinking about + nor remark upon my silence. She, too, had been wrapped in revery; her + face was grave. She raised her arms from the wall and stood up. +</p> +<p> + It was plainly time for me to do something, and she decided the point + for me by slightly moving away from the wall. "Some time, when you are + riding out from Walford," she said, "we should be glad to have you + stop and take luncheon. Father likes to have people at luncheon." +</p> +<p> + "I should be delighted to do so," said I; and if she had asked me to + delay my journey and take luncheon with them that day I think I should + have accepted the invitation. But she did not do that, and she was not + a young lady who would stand too long by a public road talking to a + young man. She smiled very sweetly and held out her hand over the + wall. "Good-bye again," she said. As I took her hand I felt very much + inclined to press it warmly, but I refrained. Her grasp was firm and + friendly, and I would have liked very much to know whether or not it + was more so than was her custom. +</p> +<p> + I was mounting my wheel when she called to me again. "Now, I suppose," + she said, "you are going straight on?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," I replied, with emphasis, "straight on." +</p> +<p> + "And the name of the hotel where you will stay to-night," said she, + "it is the Cheltenham. I forgot it when I spoke to you before. I do + not believe, really, it is more than three miles beyond the other + little place where you thought of stopping." +</p> +<p> + Then she walked away from the wall and I mounted. I moved very slowly + onward, and as I turned my head I saw that a row of straggling bushes + which grew close to the wall were now between her and me. But I also + saw, or thought I saw, between the leaves and boughs, that her face + was towards me, and that she was waving her handkerchief. If I had + been sure of that, I think I should have jumped over the wall, pushed + through the bushes, and should have asked her to give me that + handkerchief, that I might fasten it on the front of my cap as, in + olden days, a knight going forth to his adventures bound upon his + helmet the glove of his lady-love. +</p> +<p> + But I was not sure of it, and, seized by a sudden energetic + excitement, I started off at a tremendous rate of speed. The ground + flew backward beneath me as if I had been standing on the platform of + a railroad car. Not far ahead of me there came from a side road into + the main avenue on which I was travelling a Scorcher, scorching. As he + spun away in front of me, his body bent forward until his back was + nearly horizontal, and his green-stockinged legs striking out behind + him with the furious rapidity of a great frog trying to push his head + into the mud, he turned back his little face with a leer of triumphant + derision at every moving thing which might happen to be behind him. +</p> +<a name="image-0012"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-12.png"> +<img src="images/bc-12s.png" width="174" height="200" +alt="'I Thought for a Few Moments'"><br />'I Thought for a Few Moments'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + At the sight of this green-legged Scorcher my blood rose, and it was + with me as if I had heard the clang of trumpets and the clash of arms. + I leaned slightly forward; I struck out powerfully, swiftly, and + steadily; I gained upon the Scorcher; I sent into his emerald legs a + thrill of startled fear, as if he had been a terrified hare bounding + madly away from a pursuing foe, and I passed him as if I had been a + swift falcon swooping by a quarry unworthy of his talons. +</p> +<p> + On, on I sped, not deigning even to look back. The same spirit + possessed me as that which fired the hearts of the olden knights. I + would have been glad to meet with another Scorcher, and yet another, + that for the sake of my fair lady I might engage with each and humble + his pride in the dust. +</p> +<p> + "It is true," I said to myself, with an inward laugh, "I carry no + glove or delicate handkerchief bound upon my visor—" but at this + point my mind wandered. I went more slowly, and at last I stopped and + sat down under the shade of a way-side tree. I thought for a few + minutes, and then I said to myself, "It seems to me this would be a + good time to take one of those capsules," and I took one. I then + fancied that perhaps I ought to take two, but I contented myself with + one. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VI +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + THE HOLLY SPRIG INN +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I">n the middle of the day I stopped at Vernon, and the afternoon was + well advanced when I came in sight of a little way-side house with a + broad unfenced green in front of it, and a swinging sign which told + the traveller that this was the "Holly Sprig Inn." + +<p> + I dismounted on the opposite side of the road and gazed upon the + smoothly shaven greensward in front of the little inn; upon the pretty + upper windows peeping out from their frames of leaves; upon the + queerly-shaped projections of the building; upon the low portico which + shaded the doorway; and upon the gentle stream of blue smoke which + rose from the great gray chimney. +</p> +<p> + Then I turned and looked over the surrounding country. There were + broad meadows slightly descending to a long line of trees, between + which I could see the glimmering of water. On the other side of the + road, and extending back of the inn, there were low, forest-crowned + hills. Then my eyes, returning to nearer objects, fell upon an + old-fashioned garden, with bright flowers and rows of box, which lay + beyond the house. +</p> +<p> + "Why on earth," I thought, "should I pass such a place as this and go + on to the Cheltenham, with its waiters in coat tails, its nurse-maids, + and its rows of people on piazzas? She could not know my tastes, and + perhaps she had thought but little on the subject, and had taken her + ideas from her father. He is just the man to be contented with nothing + else than a vast sprawling hotel, with disdainful menials expecting + tips." +</p> +<p> + I rolled my bicycle along the little path which ran around the green, + and knocked upon the open door of Holly Sprig Inn. +</p> +<p> + In a few moments a boy came into the hall. He was not dressed like an + ordinary hotel attendant, but his appearance was decent, and he might + have been a sub-clerk or a head hall-boy. +</p> +<p> + "Can I obtain lodging here for the night?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + The boy looked at me from head to foot, and an expression such as + might be produced by too much lemon juice came upon his face. +</p> +<p> + "No," said he; "we don't take cyclers." +</p> +<p> + This reception was something novel to me, who had cycled over + thousands of miles, and I was not at all inclined to accept it at the + hands of the boy. I stepped into the hall. "Can I see the master of + this house?" said I. +</p> +<p> + "There ain't none," he answered, gruffly. +</p> +<p> + "Well, then, I want to see whoever is in charge." +</p> +<p> + He looked as if he were about to say that he was in charge, but he had + no opportunity for such impertinence. A female figure came into the + hall and advanced towards me. She stopped in an attitude of + interrogation. +</p> +<p> + "I was just inquiring," I said, with a bow—for I saw that the + new-comer was not a servant—"if I could be accommodated here for the + night, but the boy informed me that cyclers are not received here." +</p> +<p> + "What!" she exclaimed, and turned as if she would speak to the boy, + but he had vanished. "That is a mistake, sir," she said to me. "Very + few wheelmen do stop here, as they prefer a hotel farther on, but we + are glad to entertain them when they come." +</p> +<p> + It was not very light in the hall in which we stood, but I could see + that this lady was young, that she was of medium size, and + good-looking. +</p> +<p> + "Will you walk in, sir, and register?" she said. "I will have your + wheel taken around to the back." +</p> +<p> + I followed her into a large apartment to the right of the + hall—evidently a room of general assembly. Near the window was a desk + with a great book on it. As I stood before this desk and she handed me + a pen, her face was in the full light of the window, and glancing at + it, the thought struck me that I now knew why Miss Putney did not wish + me to stop at the Holly Sprig Inn. I almost laughed as I turned away + my head to write my name. I was amused, and at the same time I could + not help feeling highly complimented. It cannot but be grateful to the + feelings of a young man to find that a very handsome woman objects to + his making the acquaintance of an extremely pretty one. +</p> +<p> + When I laid down the pen she stepped up and looked at my name and + address. +</p> +<p> + "Oh," said she, "you are the schoolmaster at Walford?" She seemed to + be pleased by this discovery, and smiled in a very engaging way as she + said, "I am much interested in that school, for I received a great + part of my education there." "Indeed!" said I, very much surprised. + "But I do not exactly understand. It is a boys' school." +</p> +<p> + "I know that," she answered, "but both boys and girls used to go + there. Now the girls have a school of their own." +</p> +<p> + As she spoke I could not help contrasting in my mind what the school + must have been with what it was now. +</p> +<p> + She stepped to the door and told a woman who was just entering the + room to show me No. 2. The woman said something which I did not hear, + although her tones indicated surprise, and then conducted me to my + room. +</p> +<p> + This was an exceedingly pleasant chamber on the first floor at the + back of the house. It was furnished far better than the quarters + generally allotted to me in country inns, or, in fact, in hostelries + of any kind. There was great comfort and even simple elegance in its + appointments. +</p> +<p> + I would have liked to ask the maid some questions, but she was an + elderly woman, who looked as if she might be the mother of the + lemon-juice boy, and as she said not a word to me while she made a few + arrangements in the room, I did not feel emboldened to say anything to + her. +</p> +<p> + When I left my room and went out on the little porch, I soon came to + the conclusion that this was not a house of great resort. I saw + nobody in front and I heard nobody within. There seemed to be an air + of quiet greenness about the surroundings, and the little porch was a + charming place in which to sit and look upon the evening landscape. +</p> +<p> + After a time the boy came to tell me that supper was ready. He did so + as if he were informing me that it was time to take medicine and he + had just taken his. +</p> +<p> + Supper awaited me in a very pleasant room, through the open windows of + which there came a gentle breeze which made me know that there was a + flower-garden not far away. The table was a small one, round, and on + it there was supper for one person. I seated myself, and the elderly + woman waited on me. I was so grateful that the boy was not my + attendant that my heart warmed towards her, and I thought she might + not consider it much out of the way if I said something. +</p> +<p> + "Did I arrive after the regular supper-time?" I asked. "I am sorry if + I put the establishment to any inconvenience." +</p> +<p> + "What's inconvenience in your own house isn't anything of the kind in + a tavern," she said. "We're used to that. But it doesn't matter + to-day. You're the only transient; that is, that eats here," she + added. +</p> +<p> + I wanted very much to ask something about the lady who had gone to + school in Walford, but I thought it would be well to approach that + subject by degrees. +</p> +<p> + "Apparently," said I, "your house is not full." +</p> +<p> + "No," said she, "not at this precise moment of time. Do you want some + more tea?" +</p> +<p> + The tone in which she said this made me feel sure she was the mother + of the boy, and when she had given me the tea, and looked around in a + general way to see that I was provided with what else I needed, she + left the room. +</p> +<p> + After supper I looked into the large room where I had registered; it + was lighted, and was very comfortably furnished with easy-chairs and a + lounge, but it was an extremely lonely place, and, lighting a cigar, I + went out for a walk. It was truly a beautiful country, and, illumined + by the sunset sky, with all its forms and colors softened by the + growing dusk, it was more charming to me than it had been by daylight. +</p> +<p> + As I returned to the inn I noticed a man standing at the entrance of a + driveway which appeared to lead back to the stable-yards. "Here is + some one who may talk," I thought, and I stopped. +</p> +<a name="image-0013"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-13.png"> +<img src="images/bc-13s.png" width="115" height="200" +alt="'Went out for a Walk'"><br />'Went out for a Walk'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "This ought to be a good country for sport," I said—"fishing, and + that sort of thing." +</p> +<p> + "You're stoppin' here for the night?" he asked. I presumed from his + voice and appearance that he was a stable-man, and from his tone that + he was disappointed that I had not brought a horse with me. +</p> +<p> + I assented to his question, and he said: +</p> +<p> + "I never heard of no fishin'. When people want to fish, they go to a + lake about ten miles furder on." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I do not care particularly about fishing," I said, "but there + must be a good many pleasant roads about here." +</p> +<p> + "There's this one," said he. "The people on wheels keep to it." With + this he turned and walked slowly towards the back of the house. +</p> +<p> + "A lemon-loving lot!" thought I, and as I approached the porch I saw + that the lady who had gone to school at Walford was standing there. I + did not believe she had been eating lemons, and I stepped forward + quickly for fear that she should depart before I reached her. +</p> +<p> + "Been taking a walk?" she said, pleasantly. There was something in the + general air of this young woman which indicated that she should have + worn a little apron with pockets, and that her hands should have been + jauntily thrust into those pockets; but her dress included nothing of + the sort. +</p> +<p> + The hall lamp was now lighted, and I could see that her attire was + extremely neat and becoming. Her face was in shadow, but she had + beautiful hair of a ruddy brown. I asked myself if she were the "lady + clerk" of the establishment, or the daughter of the keeper of the inn. + She was evidently a person in some authority, and one with whom it + would be proper for me to converse, and as she had given me a very + good opportunity to open conversation, I lost no time in doing so. +</p> +<p> + "And so you used to live in Walford?" I said. +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," she replied, and then she began to speak of the pleasant + days she had spent in that village. As she talked I endeavored to + discover from her words who she was and what was her position. I did + not care to discuss Walford. I wanted to talk about the Holly Sprig + Inn, but I could not devise a courteous question which would serve my + purpose. +</p> +<p> + Presently our attention was attracted by the sound of singing at the + corner of the little lawn most distant from the house. It was growing + dark, and the form of the singer could barely be discerned upon a + bench under a great oak. The voice was that of a man, and his song + was an Italian air from one of Verdi's operas. He sang in a low tone, + as if he were simply amusing himself and did not wish to disturb the + rest of the world. +</p> +<a name="image-0014"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-14.png"> +<img src="images/bc-14s.png" width="80" height="200" +alt="Mrs. Chester"><br />Mrs. Chester</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "That must be the Italian who is stopping here for the night," she + said. "We do not generally take such people; but he spoke so civilly, + and said it was so hard to get lodging for his bear—" +</p> +<p> + "His bear!" I exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," she answered, with a little laugh, "he has a bear with him. + I suppose it dances, and so makes a living for its master. Anyway, I + said he might stay and lodge with our stable-man. He would sing very + well if he had a better voice—don't you think so?" +</p> +<p> + "We do not generally accommodate," "I said he might stay"—these were + phrases which I turned over in my mind. If she were the lady clerk she + might say "we"—even the boy said "we"—but "I said he might stay" was + different. A daughter of a landlord or a landlady might say that. +</p> +<p> + I made a remark about the difficulty of finding lodging for man and + beast, if the beast happened to be a bear, and I had scarcely finished + it when from the house there came a shrill voice, flavored with lemon + without any sugar, and it said, "Mrs. Chester!" +</p> +<p> + "Excuse me," said the young lady, and immediately she went in-doors. +</p> +<p> + Here was a revelation! Mrs. Chester! Strange to say, I had not thought + of her as a married woman; and yet, now that I recalled her manner of + perfect self-possession, she did suggest the idea of a satisfied young + wife. And Mr. Chester—what of him? Could it be possible? Hardly. + There was nothing about her to suggest a widow. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VII +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + MRS. CHESTER IS TROUBLED +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I"> sat on that porch a good while, but she did not come out again. Why + should she? Nobody came out, and within I could hear no sound of + voices. I might certainly recommend this inn as a quiet place. The + Italian and the crickets continued singing and chirping, but they only + seemed to make the scene more lonely. + +<p> + I went in-doors. On the left hand of the hall was a door which I had + not noticed before, but which was now open. There was a light within, + and I saw a prettily-furnished parlor. There was a table with a lamp + on it, and by the table sat the lady, Mrs. Chester. I involuntarily + stopped, and, looking up, she invited me to come in. Instantly I + accepted the invitation, but with a sort of an apology for the + intrusion. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, this is the public parlor," she said, "although everything about + this house seems private at present. We generally have families + staying with us in the summer, but last week nearly all of them went + away to the sea-shore. In a few days, however, we expect to be full + again." +</p> +<p> + She immediately began to talk about Walford, for evidently the subject + interested her, and I answered all her questions as well as I could. +</p> +<p> + "You may know that my husband taught that school. I was his scholar + before I became his wife." +</p> +<p> + I had heard of a Mr. Chester who, before me, had taught the school, + but, although the information had not interested me at the time, now + it did. I wished very much to ask what Mr. Chester was doing at + present, but I waited. +</p> +<p> + "I went to boarding-school after I left Walford," said she, "and so + for a time lost sight of the village, although I have often visited it + since." +</p> +<p> + "How long is it since Mr. Chester gave up the school there?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + This proved to be a very good question indeed. "About six years," she + said. "He gave it up just before we were married. He did not like + teaching school, and as the death of his father put him into the + possession of some money, he was able to change his mode of life. It + was by accident that we settled here as innkeepers. We happened to + pass the place, and Mr. Chester was struck by its beauty. It was not + an inn then, but he thought it would make a charming one, and he also + thought that this sort of life would suit him exactly. He was a + student, a great reader, and a lover of rural sports—such as fishing + and all that." +</p> +<a name="image-0015"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-15.png"> +<img src="images/bc-15s.png" width="115" height="200" +alt="'She Began to Talk About Walford'"><br />'She Began to Talk About Walford'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Was." Here was a dim light. "Was" must mean that Mr. Chester had + been. If he were living, he would still be a reader and a student. +</p> +<p> + "Did he find the new life all that he expected?" I said, hesitating a + little at the word did, as it was not impossible that I might be + mistaken. +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes, and more. I think the two years he spent here were the + happiest of his life." +</p> +<p> + I was not yet quite sure about the state of affairs; he might be in an + insane asylum, or he might be a hopeless invalid up-stairs. +</p> +<p> + "If he had lived," she continued, "I suppose this would have been a + wonderfully beautiful place, for he was always making improvements. + But it is four years now since his death, and in that time there has + been very little change in the inn." +</p> +<p> + I do not remember what answer I made to this remark, but I gazed out + upon the situation as if it were an unrolled map. +</p> +<p> + "When you wrote your name in the book," she said, "it seemed to me as + if you had brought a note of introduction, and I am sure I am very + glad to be acquainted with you, for, you know, you are my husband's + successor. He did not like teaching, but he was fond of his scholars, + and he always had a great fancy for school-teachers. Whenever one of + them stopped here—which happened two or three times—he insisted that + he should be put into our best room, if it happened to be vacant, and + that is the reason I have put you into it to-day." +</p> +<p> + This was charming. She was such an extremely agreeable young person + that it was delightful for me to think of myself in any way as her + husband's successor. +</p> +<p> + There was a step at the door. I turned and saw the elderly servant. +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Chester," she said, "I'm goin' up," and every word was flavored + with citric acid. +</p> +<p> + "Good-night," said Mrs. Chester, taking up her basket and her work. + "You know, you need not retire until you wish to do so. There is a + room opposite, where gentlemen smoke." +</p> +<p> + I did not enter the big, lonely room. I went to my own chamber, + which, I had just been informed, was the best in the house. I sat down + in an easy-chair by the open window. I looked up to the twinkling + stars. +</p> +<p> + Reading, studying, fishing, beautiful country, and all that. And he + did not like school-teaching! No wonder he was happier here than he + had ever been before! My eyes wandered around the tastefully furnished + room. "Her husband's successor," I said to myself, pondering. "He did + not like school-teaching, and he was so happy here." Of course he was + happy. "Died and left him some money." There was no one to leave me + any money, but I had saved some for the time when I should devote + myself entirely to my profession. Profession—I thought. After all, + what is there in a profession? Slavery; anxiety. And he chose a life + of reading, studying, fishing, and everything else. +</p> +<p> + I turned to the window and again looked up into the sky. There was a + great star up there, and it seemed to wink cheerfully at me as the + words came into my mind, "her husband's successor." +</p> +<p> + When I opened my little valise, before going to bed, I saw the box the + doctor's daughter had given me. +</p> +<p> + After sitting so long at the open window, thought I, it might be well + to take one of these capsules, and I swallowed one. +</p> +<p> + When I was called to breakfast the next morning I saw that the table + was laid with covers for two. In a moment my hostess entered and bade + me good-morning. We sat down at the table; and the elderly woman + waited. I could now see that her face was the color of a shop-worn + lemon. +</p> +<p> + As for the lady who had gone to school at Walford—I wondered what + place in the old school-room she had occupied—she was more charming + than ever. Her manner was so cordial and cheerful that I could not + doubt that she considered the entry of my name in her book as a + regular introduction. She asked me about my plan of travel, how far I + would go in a day, and that sort of thing. The elderly woman was very + grim, and somehow or other I did not take very much interest in my + plan of travel, but the meal was an extremely pleasant one for all + that. +</p> +<p> + The natural thing for me to do after I finished my breakfast was to + pay my bill and ride away, but I felt no inclination for anything of + the sort. In fact, the naturalness of departure did not strike me. I + went out on the little porch and gazed upon the bright, fresh morning + landscape, and as I did so I asked myself why I should mount my + bicycle and wheel away over hot and dusty roads, leaving all this + cool, delicious beauty behind me. +</p> +<p> + What could I find more enjoyable than this? Why should I not spend a + few days at this inn, reading, studying, fishing? Here I wondered why + that man told me such a lie about the fishing. If I wanted to exercise + on my wheel I felt sure there were pretty roads hereabout. I had + plenty of time before me—my whole vacation. Why should I be consumed + by this restless desire to get on? +</p> +<p> + I could not help smiling as I thought of my somewhat absurd fancies of + the night before; but they were pleasant fancies, and I did not wonder + that they had come to me. It certainly is provocative of pleasant + fancies to have an exceedingly attractive young woman talk of you in + any way as her husband's successor. +</p> +<p> + I could not make up my mind what I ought to do, and I walked back into + the hall. I glanced into the parlor, but it was unoccupied. Then I + went into the large room on the right; no one was there, and I stood + by the window trying to make up my mind in regard to proposing a brief + stay at the inn. +</p> +<p> + It really did not seem necessary to give the matter much thought. Here + was a place of public entertainment, and, as I was one of the public, + why should I not be entertained? I had stopped at many a road-side + hostelry, and in each one of them I knew I would be welcome to stay as + long as I was willing to pay. +</p> +<p> + Still, there was something, some sort of an undefined consciousness, + which seemed to rise in the way of an off-hand proposal to stay at + this inn for several days, when I had clearly stated that I wished to + stop only for the night. +</p> +<p> + While I was still turning over this matter in my mind Mrs. Chester + came into the room. I had expected her. The natural thing for her to + do was to come in and receive the amount I owed her for her + entertainment of me, but as I looked at her I could not ask her for my + bill. It seemed to me that such a thing would shock her sensibilities. + Moreover, I did not want her bill. +</p> +<p> + It was plain enough, however, that she expected me to depart, for she + asked me where I proposed to stop in the middle of the day, and she + suggested that she should have a light luncheon put up for me. She + thought probably a wheelman would like that sort of thing, for then he + could stop and rest wherever it suited him. +</p> +<p> + "Speaking of stopping," said I, "I am very glad that I did not do as I + was advised to do and go on to the Cheltenham. I do not know anything + about that hotel, but I am sure it is not so charming as this + delightful little inn with its picturesque surroundings." +</p> +<p> + "I am glad you did not," she answered. "Who advised you to go on to + the Cheltenham?" +</p> +<p> + "Miss Putney," said I. "Her father's place is between here and + Walford. I stopped there night before last." And then, as I was glad + of an opportunity to prolong the interview, I told her the history of + my adventures at that place. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Chester was amused, and I thought I might as well tell her how I + came to be delayed on the road and so caught in the storm, and I + related my experience with Miss Burton. I would have been glad to go + still farther back and tell her how I came to take the school at + Walford, and anything else she might care to listen to. +</p> +<p> + When I told her about Miss Burton she sat down in a chair near by and + laughed heartily. +</p> +<p> + "It is wonderfully funny," she said, "that you should have met those + two young ladies and should then have stopped here." +</p> +<p> + "You know them?" I said, promptly taking another chair. +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," she answered. "I know them both; and, as I have mentioned + that your meeting with them seemed funny to me, I suppose I ought to + tell you the reason. Some time ago a photographer in Walford, who has + taken a portrait of me and also of Miss Putney and Miss Burton, took + it into his head to print the three on one card and expose them for + sale with a ridiculous inscription under them. This created a great + deal of talk, and Miss Putney made the photographer destroy his + negative and all the cards he had on hand. After that we were talked + about as a trio, and, I expect, a good deal of fun was made of us. And + now it seems a little odd—does it not?—that you have become + acquainted with all the members of this trio as soon as you left + Walford. But I must not keep you in this way." And she rose. +</p> +<p> + Now was my opportunity to make known my desire to be kept, but before + I could do so the boy hurriedly came into the room. +</p> +<p> + "The Dago wants to see you," he said. "He's in an awful hurry." +</p> +<p> + "Excuse me," said Mrs. Chester. "It is that Italian who was singing + outside last night. I thought he had gone. Would you mind waiting a + few minutes?" +</p> +<p> + It was getting harder and harder to enunciate my proposition to make a + sojourn at the inn. I wished that I had spoken sooner. It is so much + easier to do things promptly. +</p> +<p> + While I was waiting the elderly woman came in. "Do you want the boy to + take your little bag out and strap it on?" said she. +</p> +<p> + Evidently there was no want of desire to speed the departing guest. + "Oh, I will attend to that myself," said I, but I made no step to do + it. When my hostess came back I wanted to be there. +</p> +<p> + Presently she did come back. She ran in hurriedly, and her face was + flushed. "Here is a very bad piece of business," she said. "That man's + bear has eaten the tire off one of your wheels!" +</p> +<p> + "What!" I exclaimed, and my heart bounded within me. Here, perhaps, + was the solution of all my troubles. If by any happy chance my bicycle + had been damaged, of course I could not go on. +</p> +<p> + "Come and see," she said, and, following her through the back hall + door, we entered a large, enclosed yard. Not far from the house was a + shed, and in front of this lay my bicycle on its side in an apparently + disabled condition. An Italian, greatly agitated, was standing by it. + He was hatless, and his tangled black hair hung over his swarthy face. + At the other end of the yard was a whitish-brown bear, not very large, + and chained to a post. +</p> +<p> + I approached my bicycle, earnestly hoping that the bear had been + attempting to ride it, but I found that he had been trying to do + something very different. He had torn the pneumatic tire from one of + the wheels, and nearly the whole of it was lying scattered about in + little bits upon the ground. +</p> +<p> + "How did this happen?" I said to the Italian, feeling very much + inclined to give him a dollar for the good offices of the beast. +</p> +<p> + The man began immediately to pour out an explanation upon me. His + English was as badly broken as the torn parts of my tire, but I had no + trouble in understanding. The bear had got loose in the night. He had + pulled up a little post to which he had been chained. The man had not + known it was such a weak post. The bear was never muzzled at night. He + had gone about looking for something to eat. He was very fond of + India-rubber—or, as the man called it, "Injer-rub." He always ate up + India-rubber shoes wherever he could find them. He would eat them off + a man's feet if the man should be asleep. He liked the taste of + Injer-rub. He did not swallow it. He dropped it all about in little + bits. +</p> +<a name="image-0016"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-16.png"> +<img src="images/bc-16s.png" width="143" height="200" +alt="But We Were Not Alone"><br />But We Were Not Alone</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Then the man sprang towards me and seized the injured wheel. "See!" he + exclaimed. "He eat your Injer-rub, but he no break your machine!" +</p> +<p> + This was very true. The wheel did not seem to be injured, but still I + could not travel without a tire. This was the most satisfactory + feature of the affair. If he and I had been alone together I would + have handed the man two dollars, and told him to go in peace with his + bear and give himself no more trouble. +</p> +<p> + But we were not alone. The stable-man who had lied to me about the + fishing was there; the boy who had lied to me about the reception of + cyclers was there; the lemon-faced woman was there, standing close to + Mrs. Chester; and there were two maids looking out of the window of + the kitchen. +</p> +<p> + "This is very bad indeed!" said Mrs. Chester, addressing the Italian. + "You have damaged this gentleman's wheel, and you must pay him for + it." +</p> +<p> + Now the Italian began to tear his hair. Never before had I seen any + one tear his hair. More than that, he shed tears, and declared he had + no money. After he had paid his bill he would not have a cent in the + world. His bear had ruined him. He was in despair. +</p> +<p> + "What are you going to do?" said Mrs. Chester to me. "You cannot use + your bicycle." +</p> +<p> + Before I could answer, the elderly woman exclaimed: "You ought to come + in, Mrs. Chester! This is no place for you! Suppose that beast should + break loose again! Let the gentleman settle it with the man." +</p> +<p> + I do not think my hostess wanted to go, but she accompanied her grim + companion into the house. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose there is no place near here where I can have a new tire put + on this wheel?" said I to the stable-man. +</p> +<p> + "Not nearer than Waterton," he replied; "but we could take you and + your machine there in a wagon." +</p> +<p> + "That's so," said the boy. "I'll drive." +</p> +<p> + I glared upon the two fellows as if they had been a couple of fiends + who were trying to put a drop of poison into my cup of joy. To be + dolefully driven to Waterton by that boy! What a picture! How + different from my picture! +</p> +<p> + The Italian sat down on the ground and embraced his knees with his + arms. He moaned and groaned, and declared over and over again that he + was ruined; that he had no money to pay. +</p> +<p> + In regard to him my mind was made up. I would forgive him his debt and + send him away with my blessing, even if I found no opportunity of + rewarding him for his great service to me. +</p> +<p> + I would go in and speak to Mrs. Chester about it. Of course it would + not be right to do anything without consulting her, and now I could + boldly tell her that it would suit me very well to stop at the inn + until my wheel could be sent away and repaired. +</p> +<p> + As I entered the large room the elderly woman came out. She was + plainly in a bad humor. Mrs. Chester was awaiting me with an anxious + countenance, evidently much more troubled about the damage to my + bicycle than I was. I hastened to relieve her mind. +</p> +<p> + "It does not matter a bit about the damage done by the bear," I said. + "I should not wonder if that wheel would be a great deal better for a + new tire, anyway. And, as for that doleful Italian, I do not want to + be hard on him, even if he has a little money in his pocket." +</p> +<p> + But my remarks did not relieve her, while my cheerful and contented + tones seemed to add to her anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "But you cannot travel," she said, "and there is no place about here + where you could get a new tire." +</p> +<p> + It was very plain that no one in this house entertained the idea that + it would be a good thing for me to rest here quietly until my bicycle + could be sent away and repaired. In fact, my first statement, that I + wished to stop but for the night, was accepted with general approval. +</p> +<p> + I did not deem it necessary to refer to the man's offer, to send me + and my machine to Waterton in a wagon, and I was just on the point of + boldly announcing that I was in no hurry whatever to get on, and that + it would suit me very well to wait here for a few days, when the boy + burst into the room, one end of his little neck-tie flying behind him. +</p> +<p> + "The Dago's put!" he shouted. "He's put off and gone!" +</p> +<p> + We looked at him in amazement. +</p> +<p> + "Gone!" I exclaimed. "Shall I go after him? Has he paid his bill?" +</p> +<p> + "No, you needn't do that," said the boy. "He cut across the fields + like a chipmunk—skipped right over the fences! You'd never ketch him, + and you needn't try! He's off for the station. I'll tell you all + about it," said the boy, turning to his mistress, who had been too + much startled to ask any questions. "When he went into the + house"—jerking his head in my direction—"I was left alone with the + Dago, and he begun to talk to me. He asked me a lot of things. He + rattled on so I couldn't understand half he said. He wanted to know + how much a tire cost; he wanted to know how much his bill would be, + and if he'd have to pay for the little post that was broke. +</p> +<p> + "Then he asked if I thought that if he'd promise to send you the money + would the gentleman let him go without payin' for the tire, and he + wanted to know what your name was; and when I told him you hadn't no + husband, and what your name was, he asked me to say it over again, and + then he made me say it once more—the whole of it; and while I was + tellin' him that I'd write it down for him if he wanted to send you + the money, he give a big jump and he stuck his head out like a bull. + He looked so queer that I was gettin' skeered; and then he says, + almost whisperin': 'I go! I go away! I leave my bear! If she sell him, + that pay everything! I come back no more—never! never!' +</p> +<p> + "I saw he was goin' to scoot, and I made a grab at him, but he give me + a push that nearly tore my collar off, and away he went. You never see + anybody run like he run. He was out of sight in no time." +</p> +<p> + "And he left his bear!" she exclaimed, in horror. "What on earth am I + to do with a bear?" She looked at me, and in spite of her annoyance + and perplexity she could not help joining me when I laughed outright. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + ORSO +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/m.png" alt="M">rs. Chester and I hurried back to the yard. There was the bear, + sitting calmly on his haunches, but there was no Italian. + +<p> + "Now that his master is gone," my hostess exclaimed, "I am afraid of + him! I will not go any farther! Can you imagine anything that can be + done with that beast?" +</p> +<p> + I had no immediate answer to give, and I was still very much amused at + the absurdity of the situation. Had any one ever before paid his bill + in such fashion? At this moment the stable-man approached us from one + of the outbuildings. "This is my hostler," she said. "Perhaps he can + suggest something." +</p> +<p> + "This is a bad go, ma'am," said he. "The horse was out in the pasture + all night, but this morning when I went to bring him up I couldn't + make him come near the stable. He smells that bear! It seems to drive + him crazy!" +</p> +<p> + "It's awful!" she said. "What are we going to do, John? Do you think + the animal will become dangerous when he misses his master?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, there's nothin' dangerous about him," answered John. "I was + sittin' talkin' to that Dago last night after supper, and he says his + bear's tamer than a cat. He is so mild-tempered that he wouldn't hurt + nobody. The Dago says he sleeps close up to him of cold nights to keep + himself warm. There ain't no trouble about his bein' dangerous, but + you can't bring the horse into the stable while he's about. If anybody + was to drive into this yard without knowin' they'd be a circus, I can + tell you! Horses can't stand bears." +</p> +<p> + She looked at me in dismay. "Couldn't he be shot and buried?" she + asked. +</p> +<p> + I had my doubts on that point. A tame bear is a valuable animal, and I + could not advise her to dispose of the property of another person in + that summary way. +</p> +<p> + "But he must be got away," she said. "We can't have a bear here. He + must be taken away some way or other. Isn't there any place where he + could be put until the Italian comes back?" +</p> +<p> + "That Dago's never comin' back," said the boy, solemnly. "If you'd + a-seen him scoot, you'd a-knowed that he was dead skeered, and would + never turn up here no more, bear or no bear." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Chester looked at me. She was greatly worried, but she was also + amused, and she could not help laughing. +</p> +<p> + "Isn't this a dreadful predicament?" she said. "What in the world am I + to do?" At this moment there was an acidulated voice from the kitchen. + "Mrs. Whittaker wants to see you, Mrs. Chester," it cried, "right + away!" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, dear!" said she. "Here is more trouble! Mrs. Whittaker is an + invalid lady who is so nervous that she could not sleep one night + because she heard a man had killed a snake at the back of the barn, + and what she will say when she hears that we have a bear here without + a master I do not know. I must go to her, and I do wish you could + think of something that I can do;" as she said this she looked at me + as if it were a natural thing for her to rely upon me. For a moment it + made me think of the star that had winked the night before. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Chester hurried into the house, and in company with the + stable-man I crossed the yard towards the bear. +</p> +<p> + "You are sure he is gentle?" said I. +</p> +<p> + "Mild as milk!" said the man. "I was a-playin' with him last night. + He'll let you do anything with him! If you box his ears, he'll lay + over flat down on his side!" +</p> +<p> + When we were within a few feet of the bear he sat upright, dangled his + fore paws in front of him, and, with his head on one side, he partly + opened his mouth and lolled out his tongue. "I guess he's beggin' for + his breakfust," said John. +</p> +<p> + "Can't you get him something to eat?" I asked. "He ought to be fed, to + begin with." +</p> +<p> + The man went back to the kitchen, and I walked slowly around the bear, + looking at the chain and the post, and trying to see what sort of a + collar was almost hidden under his shaggy hair. Apparently he seemed + securely attached, and then—as he was at the end of his chain—I went + up to him and gently patted one paw. He did not object to this, and + turning his head he let his tongue loll out on the other side, fixing + his little black eyes upon me with much earnestness. When the man came + with the pan of scraps from the kitchen I took it from him and placed + it on the ground in front of the bear. Instantly the animal dropped to + his feet and began to eat with earnest rapidity. +</p> +<p> + "I wonder how much he'd take in for one meal," said John, "if you'd + give him all he wanted? I guess that Dago never let him have any + more'n he could help." +</p> +<p> + As the bear was licking the tin pan I stood and looked at him. "I + wonder if he would be tame with strangers?" said I. "Do you suppose we + could take him away from this post if we wanted to?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," said John. "I wouldn't be afraid to take him anywheres, only + there isn't any place to take him to." He then stepped quite close to + the bear. "Hey, horsey!" said he. "Hey, old horsey! Good old horsey!" +</p> +<p> + "Is that his name?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "That's what the Dago called him," said John. "Hey, horsey! Good + horsey!" And he stooped and unfastened the chain from the post. +</p> +<p> + I imagined that the Italian had called the bear "Orso," perhaps with + some diminutive, but I did not care to discuss this. I was very much + interested to see what the man was going to do. With the end of the + chain in his hand, John now stepped in front of the bear and said, + "Come along, horsey!" and, to my surprise, the bear began to shamble + after him as quietly as if he had been following his old master. + "See!" cried John. "He'll go anywheres I choose to take him!" and he + began to lead him about the yard. +</p> +<p> + As he approached the kitchen there came a fearful scream from the open + window. +</p> +<p> + "Take him away! Take him away!" I heard, in the shrillest accents. +</p> +<p> + "They're dreadfully skeered," said John, as he led the bear back; "but + he wouldn't hurt nobody! It would be a good thing, though, to put his + muzzle on; that's it hangin' over there by the shed; it's like a + halter, and straps up his jaws. The Dago said there ain't no need for + it, but he puts it on when he's travellin' along the road to keep + people from bein' skeered." +</p> +<p> + "It would be well to put it on," said I. "I wonder if we can get him + into it?" +</p> +<p> + "I guess he'd let you do anything you'd a mind to," replied John, as + he again fastened the chain to the post. +</p> +<p> + I took down the muzzle and approached the bear. He did not growl, but + stood perfectly still and looked at me. I put the muzzle over his + head, and, holding myself in readiness to elude a sudden snap, I + strapped up his jaws. The creature made no snap—he gazed at me with + mild resignation. +</p> +<p> + "As far as he goes," said John, "he's all right; but as far as + everything else goes—especially horses—they're all wrong. He's got + to be got rid of some way." +</p> +<p> + I had nothing more to say to John, and I went into the house. I met + Mrs. Chester in the hall. +</p> +<p> + "I have had a bad time up-stairs," she said. "Mrs. Whittaker declares + that she will not stay an hour in a house where there is a bear + without a master; but as she has a terrible sciatica and cannot + travel, I do not know what she is going to do. Her trained nurse, I + believe, is now putting on her bonnet to depart." +</p> +<p> + As she spoke, the joyful anticipation of a few days at the Holly Sprig + Inn began to fade away. I did not blame the bear as the present cause + of my disappointment. He had done all he could for me. It was his + wretched master who had done the mischief by running away and leaving + him. But no matter what had happened, I saw my duty plainly before me. + I had not been encouraged to stay, but it is possible that I might + have done so without encouragement, but now I saw that I must go. The + Fates, who, as I had hoped, had compelled my stay, now compelled my + departure. +</p> +<p> + "Do not give yourself another thought upon the subject," I said. "I + will settle the whole matter, and nobody need be frightened or + disturbed. The Cheltenham Hotel is only a few miles farther on, and I + shall have to walk there anyway. I will start immediately and take the + bear with me. I am sure that he will allow me to lead him wherever I + please. I have tried him, and I find that he is a great deal gentler + than most children." +</p> +<p> + She exclaimed, in horror: "You must not think of it! He might spring + upon you and tear you to pieces!" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, he will not do that," I answered. "He is not that sort of a + bear—and, besides, he is securely muzzled. I muzzled him myself, and + he did not mind it in the least. Oh, you need not be afraid of the + bear; he has had his breakfast and he is in perfect good-humor with + the world. It will not take me long to reach the hotel, and I shall + enjoy the walk, and when I get there I will be sure to find some shed + or out-house where the beast can be shut up until it can be decided + what to do with him. I can leave him there and have him legally + advertised, and then—if nothing else can be done—he can be shot. I + shall be very glad to have his skin; it will be worth enough to cover + his bill here, and the damages to my bicycle. I shall send for that + as soon as I reach the hotel. I can go to Waterton by train and take + it with me. I can have it made all right in Waterton. So now, you see, + I have settled everything satisfactorily." +</p> +<p> + She looked at me earnestly, and, although there was a certain + solicitude in her gaze, I could also see there signs of great relief. + "But isn't there some other way of getting that bear to the hotel?" + she said. "It will be dreadful for you to have to walk there and lead + him." +</p> +<p> + "It's the only way to do it," I answered. "You could not hitch a bear + behind a wagon—the horse would run away and jerk his head off. The + only way to take a bear about the country is to lead him, and I do not + mind it in the least. As I have got to go without my bicycle I would + like to have some sort of company. Anyway, the bear must go, and as I + am on the road to the Cheltenham I shall be very glad to take him + along with me." +</p> +<p> + "I think you are wonderfully brave," she said, "and very good. If I + can persuade myself it will be perfectly safe for you, it will + certainly be a great relief to me." +</p> +<p> + I was now engaged in a piece of self-sacrifice, and I felt that I must + do it thoroughly and promptly. "I will go and get my valise," I said, + "for I ought to start immediately." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I will send that!" she exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "No," I answered; "it does not weigh anything, and I can sling it over + my shoulder. By-the-way," I said, turning as I was about to leave the + room, "I have forgotten something." I put my hand into my pocket; it + would not do to forget that I was, after all, only a departing guest. +</p> +<p> + "No, no," she replied, quickly, "I am your debtor. When you find out + how much damage you have suffered, and what is to be done with the + bear, all that can be settled. You can write to me, but I will have + nothing to do with it now." +</p> +<p> + With my valise over my shoulder I returned to the hall to take leave + of my hostess. Now she seemed somewhat contrite. Fate and she had + conquered, I was going away, and she was sorry for me. +</p> +<p> + "I think it is wonderfully good of you to do all this," she said. "I + wish I could do something for you." +</p> +<p> + I would have been glad to suggest that she might ask me to come again, + and it would also have pleased me to say that I did not believe that + her husband, if he could express his opinion, would commend her + apparent inhospitality to his successor. But I made no such remarks, + and offered my hand, which she cordially clasped as if I were an old + friend and were going away to settle in the Himalayas. +</p> +<p> + I went into the yard to get Orso. He was lying down when I approached + him, but I think he knew from my general appearance that I was + prepared to take the road, and he rose to his feet as much as to say, + "I am ready." I unfastened the chain from the post, and, with the best + of wishes for good-luck from John, who now seemed to be very well + satisfied with me, I walked around the side of the house, the bear + following as submissively as if he had been used to my leadership all + his life. +</p> +<p> + I did not see the boy nor the lemon-faced woman, and I was glad of it. + I believe they would have cast evil eyes upon me, and there is no + knowing what that bear might have done in consequence. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Chester was standing in the door as I reached the road. + "Good-bye!" she cried, "and good fortune go with you!" I raised my + hat, and gave Orso a little jerk with the chain. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER IX +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + A RUNAWAY +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/h.png" alt="H">e was a very slow walker, that bear. If I had been alone I would have + been out of sight of the inn in less than five minutes. As it was, I + looked back after a considerable time to see if I really were out of + sight of the house, and I found I was not. She was still standing in + the doorway, and when I turned she waved her handkerchief. Now that I + had truly left and was gone, she seemed to be willing to let me know + better than before what a charming woman she was. I took off my hat + again and pressed forward. + +<p> + For a couple of miles, perhaps, I walked thoughtfully, and I do not + believe I once thought of the bear shambling silently behind me. I had + been dreaming a day-dream—not building a castle in the air, for I had + seen before me a castle already built. I had simply been dreaming + myself into it, into its life, into its possessions, into the + possession of everything which belonged to it. +</p> +<p> + It had been a fascinating vision. It had suited my fancy better than + any vision of the future which I had ever had. I was not ambitious; I + loved the loveliness of life. I was a student, and I had a dream of + life which would not interfere with the society of my books. I loved + all rural pleasures, and I had dreamed of a life where these were + spread out ready for my enjoyment. I was a man formed to love, and + there had come to me dreams of this sort of thing. +</p> +<p> + My dreams had even taken practical shape. As I was dressing myself + that morning I had puzzled my brain to find a pretext for taking the + first step, which would be to remain a few days at the inn. +</p> +<p> + The pretext for doing this had appeared to me. For a moment I had + snatched at it and shown my joy, and then it had utterly + disappeared—the vision, the fancy, the anticipations, the plans, the + vine-covered home in the air, all were destroyed as completely as if + it had been the tire of my bicycle scattered about in little bits upon + the ground. +</p> +<p> + "Come along, old Orso!" I exclaimed, endeavoring to mend my pace, and + giving the bear a good pull upon his chain. But the ugly creature did + not walk any faster; he simply looked at me with an air as if he would + say that if I kept long upon the road I would learn to take it easy, + and maintained the deliberate slouch of his demeanor. +</p> +<p> + Presently I stopped, and Orso was very willing to imitate me in that + action. I found, to my surprise, that I was not walking upon a + macadamized road: such was the highway which passed the inn and led, I + had been told, to the Cheltenham. I was now upon a road of gravel and + clay, smooth enough and wide enough, but of a different character from + that on which I had started that morning. I looked about me. Across a + field to my left I saw a line of trees which seemed to indicate a + road. I had a dim recollection of having passed a road which seemed to + turn to the left, but I had been thinking very earnestly, and had paid + little attention to it. Probably that road was the main road and this + the one which turned off. +</p> +<p> + I determined to investigate. It would not do to wander out of my way + with my present encumbrance. It was now somewhat after noon; the + country people were eating their dinners or engaged about their barns; + there was nobody upon the road. At some distance ahead of me was a + small house standing well back behind a little group of trees, and I + decided to go there and make inquiries. And as it would not do at all + to throw a rural establishment into a state of wild confusion by + leading a bear up to its door, I conducted Orso to the side of the + road and chained him to a fence-post. He was perfectly satisfied and + lay down, his nose upon his fore-paws. +</p> +<a name="image-0017"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-17.png"> +<img src="images/bc-17s.png" width="199" height="200" +alt="'To My Left I Saw a Line of Trees'"><br />'To My Left I Saw a Line of Trees'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + I found three women in the little house. They were in a side kitchen + eating their dinner, and I wondered what the bear would have done if + he had smelled that dinner. They told me that I was not on the main + road, and would have to go back more than half a mile in order to + regain it. +</p> +<p> + When I was out on the road again I said to myself that if I could + possibly make Orso step along at a little more lively pace I might get + to the hotel in time for a very late luncheon, and I was beginning to + think that I had not been wise in declining portable refreshment, when + I heard a noise ahead of me. At a considerable distance along the + road, and not far from where I had left the bear, I saw a horse + attached to a vehicle approaching me at a furious speed. He was + running away! The truth flashed upon me—he had been frightened by + Orso! +</p> +<p> + I ran a few steps towards the approaching horse. His head was high in + the air, and the vehicle swayed from side to side. It was a tall + affair with two wheels, and on the high seat sat a lady vainly tugging + at the reins. My heart sank. What dreadful thing had I done! +</p> +<p> + I stood in the middle of the road. It seemed but a few seconds before + the horse was upon me. He swerved to one side, but I was ready for + that. I dashed at his bridle, but caught the end of his cumbrous bit + in my right hand. I leaned forward with all the strength that dwelt in + my muscles and nerves. The horse's glaring eye was over my face, and I + felt the round end of a shaft rise up under my arm. A pair of + outstretched forelegs slid past me. I saw the end of a banged tail + switching in the dust. The horse was on his haunches. He was stopped. +</p> +<p> + Before I had time to recover an erect attitude and to let up the horse + the occupant of the vehicle was on the ground She had skipped down + with wonderful alacrity on the side opposite to me, and was coming + round by the back of the cart. The horse was now standing on his four + legs, trembling in every fibre, and with eyes that were still wild and + staring. Holding him firmly, I faced the lady as she stopped near me. + She was a young woman in a jaunty summer costume and a round straw + hat. She did not seem to be quite mistress of herself; she was not + pale, but perhaps that was because her face was somewhat browned by + the sun, but her step was not steady, and she breathed hard. Under + ordinary circumstances she would have been assisted to the side of the + road, where she might sit down and recover herself, and have water + brought to her. But I could do nothing of that sort. I could not leave + that shivering horse. +</p> +<a name="image-0018"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-18.png"> +<img src="images/bc-18s.png" width="200" height="108" +alt="'He Was Running Away'"><br />'He Was Running Away'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Are you hurt?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "Oh no," she said, "but I am shaken up a bit. I cannot tell you how + grateful I am! I don't believe I ever can tell you!" +</p> +<p> + "Do not speak of that." I said, quickly. "Perhaps you would feel + better if you were to sit down somewhere." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I don't want to sit down," said she. "I am so glad to have my + feet on the solid earth again that that is enough for me. It was a + bear that frightened him—a bear lying down by the side of the road a + little way back. He never ran away before, but when he saw that bear + he gave a great shy and a bolt, and he was off. I just got a glimpse + of the beast." +</p> +<p> + I was very anxious to change the conversation, and suggested that I + lead the horse into the shade, for the sun was blazing down upon us. + The horse submitted to be led to the side of the road, but he was very + nervous, and looked everywhere for the approach of shaggy bears. +</p> +<p> + "It is perfectly dreadful," she said, when she again approached me, + "for people to leave bears about in that way. I suppose he was + fastened, for it could not have been a wild beast. They do not lie + down by the side of the road. I do not say that I was rattled, but I + expected every second that there would be a smash, and there would + have been if it had not been for—" +</p> +<p> + "It is a wonder you were not thrown out," I interrupted, "those carts + are so tall." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," she answered, "and if I hadn't slipped off the driving-cushion + at the first shy I would have been out sure. I never had anything + happen like this, but who could have expected a great bear by the side + of the road?" +</p> +<p> + "Have you far to go?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "Not very—about three miles. I made a call this morning on the other + road, and was driving home. My name is Miss Larramie. My father's + place is on this road. He is Henry Esmond Larramie." I had heard of + the gentleman, but had never met him. "I am not afraid of horses," + she continued, "but I do not know about driving this one now. He looks + as if he were all ready to bolt again." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, it would not do for you to drive him," I said. "That would be + extremely risky." +</p> +<p> + "I might walk home," she said, "but I could not leave the horse." +</p> +<p> + "Let me think a minute," said I. Then presently I asked, "Will this + horse stand if he is hitched?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," she answered; "I always hitch him when I make calls. There + is a big strap under the seat which goes around his neck, and then + through a ring in his bit. He has to stand—he can't get away." +</p> +<p> + "Very well, then," said I; "I will tell you what I will do. I will tie + him to this tree. I think he is quieter, and if you will stand by him + and talk to him—he knows you?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," she answered, "and I can feed him with grass. But why do you + want to tie him? What are you going to do?" +</p> +<p> + As she spoke she brought me the tie strap, and I proceeded to fasten + the horse to a tree. +</p> +<p> + "Now, then," said I, "I must go and get the bear and take him away + somewhere out of sight. It will never do to leave him there. Some + other horse might be coming along." +</p> +<p> + "You get the bear!" she said, surprised. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," I answered; "he is my bear, and—" +</p> +<p> + She stepped back, her eyes expanded and her lower jaw dropped. "<i>Your</i> + bear!" she cried, and with that her glance seemed to run all over me + as if she were trying to find some resemblance to a man who exhibited + a bear. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," I replied; "I left him there while I went to ask my way. It was + a dreadful thing to do, but I must leave him there no longer. I will + tell you all about it when I come back." +</p> +<p> + I had decided upon a plan of action. I ran down the road to the bear, + took down some bars of the fence, and then, untying him, I led him + over a field to a patch of woodland. Orso shuffled along humbly as if + it did not make any difference to him where he went, and when I + reached the woods I entered it by an old cart-road, and soon struck + off to one side among some heavy underbrush. Finding a spot where it + would be impossible for the beast to be seen from the road, I fastened + him securely to a tree. He looked after me regretfully, and I think I + heard him whine, but I am not sure of that. I hurried back to the + road, replaced the bars, and very soon had joined the young lady. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said she, "never in this world would I have thought that was + your bear! But what is to be done now? This horse gave a jump as soon + as he heard you running this way." +</p> +<p> + "Now," said I, "I will drive you to your house, or, if you are afraid, + you can walk, and I will take him home for you if you will give me the + directions." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I am not a bit afraid," she said. "I am sure you can manage + him—you seem to be able to manage animals. But will not this be a + great inconvenience to you? Are you going this way? And won't you have + to come back after your bear? I can't believe that you are really + leading a bear about." +</p> +<p> + I laughed as I unfastened the horse. "It will not take me long to come + back," I said. "Now, I will get in first, and, when I have him + properly in hand, you can mount on the other side." +</p> +<p> + The young lady appeared to have entirely recovered from the effects of + her fright, and was by my side in a moment. The horse danced a little + as we started and tried to look behind him, but he soon felt that he + was under control, and trotted off finely. +</p> +<p> + I now thought that I ought to tell her who I was, for I did not want + to be taken for a travelling showman, although I really did not + suppose that she would make such a mistake. +</p> +<p> + "So you are the school-master at Walford!" said she. "I have heard + about you. Little Billy Marshall is one of your scholars." +</p> +<p> + I admitted that he was, and that I was afraid he did not do me very + much credit. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps not," she said, "but he is a good boy. His mother sometimes + works for us; she does quite heavy jobs of sewing, and Billy brings + them up by train. He was here a little more than a week ago, and I + asked him how he was getting on at school, and if he had a good + teacher, and he said the man was pretty good. But I want to know about + the bear. How in the world did you happen to be leading a bear?" +</p> +<p> + I related the ursine incident, which amused her very much, and, as she + was a wheelwoman herself, she commiserated with me sincerely on the + damage to my machine. +</p> +<p> + "So you stopped at the Holly Sprig?" she said. "And how did you like + the mistress of that little inn?" +</p> +<p> + I replied that I had found her very interesting. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, she is an interesting woman," said my companion, "and a very + pretty one, too. Some people wonder why she continues to keep the inn, + but perhaps she has to. You know, her husband was murdered." +</p> +<a name="image-0019"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-19.png"> +<img src="images/bc-19s.png" width="200" height="138" +alt="'He Soon Felt That he Was Under Control'"><br />'He Soon Felt That he Was Under Control'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "No, I did not!" I exclaimed, in surprise. "I knew he was not + living—but murdered! That is dreadful! How did that happen?" +</p> +<p> + "Nobody knows," she answered. "They had not been married very long—I + do not know how long—when he was killed. He went to New York on + business by himself, and did not come back. They were searching for + him days and days—ever so long, and they could find no clew. At + last—it may have been a month afterwards—or perhaps it was more—it + was found that he had been murdered. His body had been discovered, and + was supposed to be that of somebody else, and had been buried in + whatever place the authorities buried people in such cases. Then it + was too late to get it or to identify it, or to do anything. Wasn't + that perfectly awful?" +</p> +<p> + This story gave me a peculiar shock. I could not have imagined that + that charming and apparently light-hearted young woman at the Holly + Sprig had ever been crushed down by such a sorrow as this. But I did + not ask any more questions. The young girl by my side probably knew no + more than she had already told me. Besides, I did not want to hear any + more. +</p> +<p> + "'Royal' goes along just as if nothing had happened," she said, + admiringly regarding the horse. "Now, I wonder if it will be safe for + me to drive him again?" +</p> +<p> + "I should be very sorry," I answered, "if my thoughtlessness had + rendered him unsafe for you; but if he could be led up and down past + the place where he saw the bear until he becomes convinced that there + is now nothing dreadful in that spot, he may soon be all right again." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know," she said, suddenly turning towards me, "what I would + like better than anything else in this world? I would like to be able + to stand in the middle of the road and stop a horse as you did!" +</p> +<p> + I laughed and assured her that I knew there were a great many things + in the world which it would be much better for her to do than that. +</p> +<p> + "Nothing would please me so much," she said, decisively, "not one + single, solitary thing! There's our gate. Turn in here, please." +</p> +<p> + I drove up a winding road which led to a house standing among trees on + a slight elevation. "Please let me out here," she said, when I reached + the end of the porch. "I will send a man to take the horse." +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER X +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + THE LARRAMIE FAMILY +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I"> think I did not have to wait ten seconds after her departure, for a + stable-man had seen us approach and immediately came forward. I jumped + down from the cart and looked in the direction of the road. I thought + if I were to make a cross-cut over the lawn and some adjacent fields I + should get back to my bear much quicker than if I returned the way I + had come. But this thought had scarcely shaped itself in my mind when + I heard the approach of hurrying feet, and in the next moment a little + army had thrown itself upon me. + +<p> + There was a tall, bright-faced man, with side whiskers and a flowing + jacket, who came forward with long steps and outstretched hand; there + was a lady behind him, with little curls on the side of her head; and + there were some boys and girls and other people. And nearly in front + of the whole of them was the young lady I had brought to the house. + Each one of them seized me by the hand; each one of them told me what + a great thing I had done; each of them thanked me from the bottom of + his or her heart for saving the life of his or her daughter or sister, + and not one of them gave me a chance to say that as I had done all the + mischief I could not be too thankful that I had been able to avert + evil consequences. From the various references to the details of the + incident I concluded that the young lady had dashed into the house and + had given a full account of everything which had happened in less time + than it would have taken me to arrange my ideas for such a recital. +</p> +<p> + As soon as I could get a chance I thanked them all for their gracious + words, and said that as I was in a hurry I must take my leave. + Thereupon arose a hubbub of voices. "Not at dinner-time!" exclaimed + Mr. Larramie. "We would never listen to such a thing!" +</p> +<p> + "And you need not trouble yourself about your bear," cried my young + lady, whose Christian name I soon discovered to be Edith. "He can live + on barks and roots until we have time to attend to him. He is used to + that in his native wilds." +</p> +<a name="image-0020"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-20.png"> +<img src="images/bc-20s.png" width="200" height="147" +alt="'A Little Army Had Thrown Itself Upon Us.'"><br />'A Little Army Had Thrown Itself Upon Us.'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Now everybody wanted to know everything about the bear, and great was + the hilarity which my account occasioned. +</p> +<p> + "Come in! Come in!" exclaimed Mr. Larramie. "The bear will be all + right if you tied him well. You have just time to get ready for + dinner." And noticing a glance I had given to my garments, he + continued: "You need not bother about your clothes. We are all in + field costume. Oh, I did not see you had a valise. Now, hurry in, all + of you!" +</p> +<p> + That dinner was a most lively meal. Everybody seemed to be talking at + once, yet they all found time to eat. The father talked so much that + his daughter Edith took the carving-fork from him and served out the + mutton-chops herself. The mother, from the other end of the table, + with tears in her eyes, continually asked me if I would not have + something or other, and how I could ever screw up my courage to go + about with an absolutely strange bear. +</p> +<p> + There was a young man, apparently the oldest son, with a fine, frank + manner and very broad shoulders. He was so wonderfully developed about + the bust that he seemed almost deformed, his breast projecting so far + that it gave him the appearance of being round-shouldered in front. + This, my practised eye told me, was the result of undue exercise in + the direction of chest-expansion. He was a good-natured fellow, and + overlooked my not answering several of his questions, owing to the + evident want of opportunity to do so. +</p> +<p> + There was a yellow-haired girl with a long plait down her back; there + was a half-grown boy, wearing a blue calico shirt with a red cravat; + there was a small girl who sat by her mother; and there was a young + lady, very upright and slender, who did not seem to belong to the + family, for she never used the words "father" and "mother," which were + continually in the mouths of the others. This young lady talked + incessantly, and fired her words after the manner of a Gatling gun, + without taking aim at anybody in particular. Sometimes she may have + been talking to me, but, as she did not direct her gaze towards me on + such occasions, I did not feel bound to consider any suppositions in + regard to the matter. +</p> +<p> + I, of course, was the principal object of general attention. They + wanted to know what I really thought of Billy Marshall as a scholar. + They wanted to know if I would have some more. They wanted to know if + I had had any previous experience with bears. The father asked which + I thought it would be easier to manage, a boy or a bear. The boy Percy + wanted to know how I placed my feet when I stood up in front of a + runaway horse. Others asked if I intended to go back to my school at + Walford, and how I liked the village, and if I were president of the + literary society there, which Mrs. Larramie thought I ought to be, on + account of my scholastic position. +</p> +<a name="image-0021"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-21.png"> +<img src="images/bc-21s.png" width="163" height="200" +alt="'would It Be Easier to Manage a Boy Or A Bear?'"><br />'would It Be Easier to Manage a Boy Or A Bear?'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + But before the meal was over the bear had come to be the absorbing + subject of conversation. I was asked my plans about him, and they were + all disapproved. +</p> +<p> + "It would be of no use to take him to the Cheltenham," said Walter, + the oldest son. "They couldn't keep him there. They have too many + horses—a livery-stable. They wouldn't let you come on the place with + him." +</p> +<p> + "Of course not," said Mr. Larramie. "And, besides, why should you take + him there? It would be a poor place anyway. They wouldn't keep him + until his owner turned up. They wouldn't have anything to do with him. + What you want to do is to bring your bear here. We have a hay-barn out + in the fields. He could sleep in the hay, and we could give him a long + chain so that he could have a nice range." +</p> +<p> + The younger members of the family were delighted with this + suggestion. Nothing would please them better than to have a bear on + the place. Each one of them was ready to take entire charge of it, and + Percy declared that he would go into the woods and hunt for wild-bee + honey with which to feed it. Even Mrs. Larramie assured me that if a + bear were well chained, at a suitable distance, she would have no + fears whatever of it. +</p> +<p> + I accepted the proposition, for I was glad to get rid of the animal in + a way which would please so many people, and after dinner was over, + and I had smoked a cigar with my host and his son Walter, I said that + it was time for me to go and get the bear. +</p> +<p> + "But you won't go by the main road," said Mr. Larramie. "That makes a + great curve below here to avoid a hill. If I understood you properly, + you left the bear not far from a small house inhabited by three + women?" +</p> +<p> + "They're the McKenna sisters," added Walter. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said the father, "and their house is not more than two miles + from here by a field road. I will go with you." +</p> +<p> + I exclaimed that I would not put him to so much trouble, but my words + were useless. The Walter son declared that he would go also, that he + would like the walk; the Percy son declared he was going if anybody + went; and Genevieve, the girl with the yellow plait, said that she + wished she were a boy so that she could go too, and she wished she + could go anyway, boy or no boy, and as her father said that there was + no earthly reason why she should not go, she ran for her hat. +</p> +<p> + Miss Edith looked as if she would like to go, but she did not say so; + and, as for me, I agreed to every proposition. It would certainly be + great fun to do things with this lively household. +</p> +<p> + We started off without the boy, but it was not long before he came + running after us, and to my horror I perceived that he carried a + rifle. +</p> +<p> + "What are you going to do with that, Percy?" exclaimed his father. +</p> +<p> + "I don't expect to do anything with it," the boy replied, "but I + thought it would be a good thing to bring it along—especially as + Genevieve is with us. Nobody knows what might happen." +</p> +<p> + "That's true," exclaimed Walter, "and the fact that Genevieve is along + is the best reason in the world for your not bringing a gun. You + better go take it back." +</p> +<p> + To this Percy strongly objected. He was going out on a sort of a + bear-hunt, and to him half the pleasure would be lost if he did not + carry a gun. I am not a coward, but a boy with a gun is a terror to + me. My expression may have intimated my state of mind, for Mr. + Larramie said to me that we had now gone so far that it would be a + pity to send Percy back, and that he did not think there would be any + danger, for his boy had been taught how to carry a gun properly. +</p> +<p> + "We are all out-of-door people and sportsmen," he said, "and we begin + early. But I suppose what you are thinking about is the danger of some + of us ending soon. But we need not be afraid of that. Walk in front, + Percy, and keep the barrel pointed downward." +</p> +<p> + When we came in sight of the house of the three McKennas, Walter + proposed that we make a détour towards the woods. "For," said he, "if + those good women see a party like this with a gun among them, they + will be sure to think it is a case of escaped criminal, or something + of that kind, and be frightened out of their wits." +</p> +<p> + We skirted the edge of the trees until we came to the opening of the + wood road, which I recognized immediately, and, asking Percy and the + others to keep back, I went on by myself. +</p> +<p> + "I don't think people would frighten that sort of a bear," I heard + Genevieve say. "He must be used to crowds around him when he's + dancing." +</p> +<p> + I presently reached the place where I had turned from the road. It was + a natural break in the woods. There was the tree to which I had tied + the bear, but there was no bear. +</p> +<p> + I stood aghast, and in a moment the rest of the party were clustered + around me. "Is this where you left him?" they cried. "And is he gone? + Are you sure this is the place?" +</p> +<p> + Yes, I was sure of it. I have an excellent eye for locality, and I + knew that I had chained the bear to the small oak in front of me. At + that moment there was a scream from Genevieve. "Look! Look!" she + cried. "There he is, just ready to spring!" +</p> +<p> + We all looked up, and, sure enough, on the lower branch of the oak, + half enveloped in foliage, we saw the bear extended at full length and + blinking down at us. I gave a shout of delight. +</p> +<p> + "Now, keep back, all of you!" I cried. "Bears don't spring from trees, + but it will be better for you to be out of the way while I try to get + him down." +</p> +<p> + I walked up to the oak-tree, and then I found that the bear was still + firmly attached to it. His chain had been fastened loosely around the + trunk; he had climbed up to the branch and pulled the chain with him. +</p> +<p> + I now called upon Orso to come down, but apparently he did not + understand English, and lay quietly upon the branch, his head towards + the trunk of the tree. I extended my hand up towards the chain, and + found that I could nearly reach it. "Shall I give you a lift?" cried + Walter, and I accepted the offer. It was a hard piece of work for him, + but he was a professed athlete, and he would have lifted me if it had + cracked his spine. I reached up and unhooked the chain. It was then + long enough for me to stand on the ground and hold the end of it. +</p> +<p> + Now I began to pull. "Come down!" I said. "Come down, Orso!" But Orso + did not move. +</p> +<p> + "Bears don't come down head-foremost," cried Percy; "they turn around + and come down backwards. You ought to have a chain to his tail if you + want to pull him down." +</p> +<p> + "He hasn't got any tail!" exclaimed Genevieve. +</p> +<p> + I was in a quandary. I might as well try to break the branch as to + pull the bear down. "If we had only thought of bringing a bucket of + meat!" cried Percy. +</p> +<p> + "Would you mind holding the chain," I said to Walter, "while I try to + drive him down?" Of course the developed young man was not afraid to + do anything I was not afraid to do, and he took the chain. There was + a pine-tree growing near the oak, and, mounting into this, I found + that with a long stick which Mr. Larramie handed me I could just reach + the bear. "Go down!" I said, tapping him on the haunches, but he did + not move. +</p> +<p> + "Can't you speak to him in Italian?" said Genevieve. "Tame bears know + Italian. Doesn't anybody know the Italian for 'Come down out of a + tree?'" But such knowledge was absent from the party. +</p> +<p> + "Try him in Latin," cried Percy. "That must be a good deal like + Italian, anyway." +</p> +<p> + To this suggestion Mr. Larramie made no answer; he had left college + before any of the party present had been born; Mr. Walter looked a + little confused; he had graduated several years before, and his + classics were rusty. I felt that my pedagogical position made it + incumbent upon me to take immediate action, but for the life of me I + could not think of an appropriate phrase. +</p> +<p> + "Give him high English!" cried Mr. Larramie. "That's often classic + enough! Tell him to descend!" +</p> +<p> + "Orso, descend!" I cried, giving a little foreign twang to the words. + Immediately the bear began to twist like a caterpillar upon the limb, + he extended his hind-legs towards the trunk, he seized it with his + fore-paws. He began slowly to move downward. +</p> +<p> + "Hurrah!" cried Percy, "that hit him like a rifle-ball! Hurrah for + high English! That's good enough for me!" +</p> +<p> + "Look at his hind hands!" cried Genevieve. "He has worn all the hair + off his palms!" +</p> +<p> + I hurried from the tree and reached the ground before the bear. Then + taking the end of the chain, I advised the others to move out of the + woods while I followed with the bear. They all obeyed except + Genevieve, who wanted very much to linger behind and help me lead him. + But this I would not permit. +</p> +<p> + The bear followed me with his usual docility until we had emerged from + the woods. Then he gave a little start, and fixed his eyes upon Percy, + who stood at a short distance, his rifle in his hand. I had not + supposed that this bear was afraid of anything, but now I had reason + to believe that he was afraid of guns, for the instant he saw the + armed boy he made the little start I have mentioned, and followed it + up by a great bolt which jerked the chain from my hand, and the next + instant Orso was bounding away in great lopes, his chain rattling + behind him. +</p> +<p> + Promptly Percy brought his rifle to his shoulder. "Don't you fire!" I + shouted. "Put down your gun and leave it here. It frightens him!" And + with that we were all off in hot pursuit. +</p> +<p> + "Cut him off from the woods!" shouted Mr. Walter, who was in advance. + "If he gets in the woods we'll lose him sure!" +</p> +<p> + We followed this good advice, and at the top of our speed we + endeavored to get between the beast and the trees. To a certain extent + we succeeded in our object, for some of us were fast runners, and + Orso, perceiving that he might be cut off from a woody retreat, turned + almost at right angles and made directly for the house. +</p> +<p> + "He's after the three McKennas!" screamed Genevieve, as she turned to + follow the bear, and from being somewhat in the rear she was now in + advance of us, and dashed across the field at a most wonderful rate + for a girl. +</p> +<p> + The rest of us soon passed her, but before we reached the house the + bear disappeared behind some out-buildings. Then we saw him again. He + dashed through the gate of a back yard. He seemed to throw himself + against the house. He disappeared through a door-way. There was a + great crash as of crockery and tin. There were screams. There was + rattling and banging, and then all was still. When we reached the + house we heard no sound. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XI +</h2> +<h4> + THE THREE McKENNAS +</h4> + + <img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I"> was in advance, and as I entered the door-way through which the bear + had disappeared, I found myself in the kitchen where I had seen the + three women at their dinner. Wild confusion had been brought about in + a second. A table had been over-turned, broken dishes and tin things + were scattered on the floor, a wooden chair lay upon its back, and the + room seemed deserted. The rest of the party quickly rushed in behind + me, and great were their exclamations at the scene of havoc. + +<p> + "I hope nothing has happened to the McKenna sisters," cried Mr. + Larramie. "They must have been in here!" +</p> +<p> + I did not suppose that anything serious had occurred, for the bear's + jaws were securely strapped, but with anxious haste I went into the + other part of the house. Across a hallway I saw an open door, and + from the room within came groans, or perhaps I should call them + long-drawn wails of woe. +</p> +<p> + I was in the room in a moment, and the others crowded through the + door-way behind me. It was a good-sized bedroom, probably the + "spare-room" of the first floor. In one corner was a tall and wide + high-posted bedstead, and in the very middle of it sat an elderly + woman drawn up into the smallest compass into which she could possibly + compress herself. Her eyes were closed, her jaws were dropped, her + spectacles hung in front of her mouth, her gray hair straggled over + her eyes, and her skin was of a soapy whiteness. +</p> +<p> + She paid no attention to the crowd of people in the room. Evidently + she was frightened out of her senses. Every moment she emitted a + doleful wail. As we stood gazing at her, and before we had time to + speak to her, she seemed to be seized by an upheaving spasm, the + influence of which was so great that she actually rose in the air, and + as she did so her wail intensified itself into a shriek, and as she + came down again with a sudden thump all the breath in her body seemed + to be bounced out in a gasp of woe. +</p> +<p> + "It's Susan McKenna!" exclaimed Walter. "What in the world is the + matter with her? Miss Susan, are you hurt?" +</p> +<p> + She made no answer, but again she rose, again she gave vent to a wild + wail, and again she came down with a thump. +</p> +<p> + Percy was now on his knees near the bed. "It's the bear!" he cried. + "He's under there, and he's humping himself!" +</p> +<p> + "Sacking bottom!" cried the practical Genevieve "There isn't room + enough for him!" +</p> +<p> + Stooping down I saw the bear under the bed, now crowding himself back + as far as possible into a corner. No part of his chain was exposed to + view, and for a moment I did not see how I was going to get him out. + But the first thing was to get rid of the woman. +</p> +<p> + "Come, Miss Susan," said Mr. Larramie, "let me help you off the bed, + and you can go into another room, and then we will attend to this + animal. You need not be afraid to get down. He won't hurt you." +</p> +<p> + But the McKenna sister paid no attention to these remarks. She kept + her eyes closed; she moaned and wailed. So long as that horrible demon + was under the bed she would not have put as much as one of her toes + over the edge for all the money in the world! +</p> +<p> + In every way I tried to induce the bear to come out, but he paid no + attention to me. He had been frightened, and he was now in darkness + and security. Suddenly a happy thought struck me. I glanced around the + room, and then I rushed into the hall. Genevieve followed me. "What do + you want?" she said. +</p> +<p> + "I am looking for some overshoes!" I cried. "India-rubber ones!" +</p> +<p> + Instantly Genevieve began to dash around. In a few moments she had + opened a little closet which I had not noticed. "Here is one!" she + cried, "but it's torn—the heel is nearly off! Perhaps the other + one—" +</p> +<p> + "Give me that!" I exclaimed. "It doesn't matter about its being torn!" + With the old overshoe in my hand I ran back into the room, where Mr. + Larramie was still imploring the McKenna sister to get down from the + bed. I stooped and thrust the shoe under as far as I could reach. + Almost immediately I saw a movement in the shaggy mass in the corner. + I wriggled the shoe, and a paw was slightly extended. Then I drew it + away slowly from under the bed. +</p> +<p> + Now, Miss Susan McKenna rose in the air higher than she had yet gone. + A maddening wail went up, and for a moment she tottered on the apex + of an elevation like a wooden idol upheaved by an earthquake. Before + she had time to tumble over she sank again with a thump. The great + hairy bear, looking twice as large in that room as he appeared in the + open air, came out from under the foot of the bed, and as I dangled + the old rubber shoe in front of his nose he would have seized upon it + if his jaws had not been strapped together. I got hold of the chain + and conducted him quietly outside, amid the cheers and hand-clapping + of Percy and Genevieve. +</p> +<p> + I chained Orso to a post of the fence, and, removing his muzzle, I + gave him the old rubber shoe. +</p> +<p> + "Shall I bring him some more?" cried Genevieve, full of zeal in good + works. But I assured her that one would do for the present. +</p> +<p> + I now hurried into the house to find out what had happened to the + persons and property of the McKenna sisters. +</p> +<p> + "Where are the other two?" cried Genevieve, who was darting from one + room to another; "the bear can't have swallowed them." +</p> +<p> + It was not long before Percy discovered the two missing sisters in the + cellar. They were seated on the ground with their aprons over their + heads. +</p> +<p> + It was some time before quiet was restored in that household. To the + paralyzing terror occasioned by the sudden advent of the bear + succeeded wild lamentations over the loss of property. I assured them + that I was perfectly willing to make good the loss, but Mr. Larramie + would not allow me to say anything on the subject. +</p> +<p> + "It is not your affair," said he. "The bear would have done no damage + whatever had it not been for the folly of Percy in bringing his gun—I + suppose the animal has been shot at some time or other—and my + weakness in allowing him to keep it. I will attend to these damages. + The amount is very little, I imagine, principally cheap crockery, and + the best thing you can do is to start off slowly with your bear. The + women will not be able to talk reasonably until it is off the + premises. I will catch up with you presently." +</p> +<p> + When the bear and I, with the rest of the party, were fairly out of + sight of the house, we stopped and waited for Mr. Larramie, and it was + not long before he joined us. +</p> +<p> + When we reached the hay-barn we were met by the rest of the Larramie + family, all anxious to see the bear. Even Miss Edith, who had had one + glimpse of the beast, was very glad indeed to assure me that she did + not wonder in the least that I had supposed there would be no harm in + leaving such a mild creature for a little while by the side of the + road, and I was sure from the exclamations of the rest of the family + that Orso would not suffer for want of care and attention during his + stay in the hay-barn. +</p> +<p> + I was immensely relieved to get rid of the bear and to leave him in + such good quarters, for it now appeared to me quite reasonable that I + might have had difficulty in lodging him anywhere on the premises of + the Cheltenham, and under any circumstances I very much preferred + appearing at that hotel without an ursine companion. As soon as we + reached the house I told Mr. Larramie that it was now necessary for me + to hurry on, and asked if there were not some way to the hotel which + would not make it necessary for me to go back to the main road. +</p> +<p> + The good gentleman fairly shouted at me. "You aren't going to any + hotel!" he declared. "Do you suppose we are heathens, to let you start + off at this late hour in the afternoon for a hotel? You have nothing + to do with hotels—you spend the night with us, sir! If you are + thinking about your clothes, pray dismiss the subject from your mind. + If it will make you feel better satisfied, we will all put on golf + suits. In the morning we will get your machine from the Holly Sprig, + and when you want to go on we will send you and it to Waterton in a + wagon. It is not a long drive, and it is much the pleasanter way to + manage your business." +</p> +<p> + The family showed themselves delighted when they heard that I was to + spend the night with them, and I did not object to the plan, for I had + not the slightest desire to go to a summer hotel. Just before I went + up to my room to get ready for supper, the young Genevieve came to me + upon the porch. +</p> +<p> + "Would you mind," she said, "letting me feel your muscle?" +</p> +<p> + Very much surprised, I reached out my arm for her inspection, and she + clasped her long thin fingers around my <i>biceps flexor cubiti.</i> + Apparently, the inspection was very satisfactory to her. +</p> +<p> + "I would give anything," she said, "if I had muscle like that!" +</p> +<p> + I laughed heartily. "My dear little girl," said I, "you would be + sorry, indeed, if you had anything of the sort. When you grow up and + go to parties, how would you like to show bare arms shaped like mine? + You would be a spectacle, indeed." +</p> +<p> + "Well," said she, "perhaps you are right. I might not care to have + them bulge, but I would like to have them hard." +</p> +<p> + It was a lively supper and an interesting evening. Miss Edith sat + opposite to me at table—I gave her this title because I was informed + that there was an elder sister who was away on a visit. I could see + that she regarded me as her especial charge. She did not ask me what I + would have, but she saw that every possible want was attended to. As + the table was lighted by a large hanging-lamp, I had a better view of + her features than I had yet obtained. She was not handsome. Her eyes + were too wide apart, her nose needed perhaps an eighth of an inch in + length, and her well-shaped mouth would not have suffered by a slight + reduction. But there was a cheerful honesty in her expression and in + her words which gave me the idea that she was a girl to believe in. +</p> +<p> + After supper we played round games, and the nervous young lady talked. + She could not keep her mind on cards, and therefore played no game. In + the course of the evening Mrs. Larramie took occasion to say to me, + and her eyes were very full as she spoke, that she did not want me to + think she had forgotten that that day I had given her her daughter, + and although the others—greatly to my satisfaction—did not indulge + in any such embarrassing expressions of gratitude, they did not fail + to let me know the high estimation in which they held me. The little + girl, Clara, sat close to me while I was playing, every now and then + gently stroking my arm, and when she was taken off to bed she ran back + to say to me that the next time I brought a bear to their house she + hoped I would also bring some little ones. Even Percy took occasion to + let me know that, under the circumstances, he was willing to overlook + entirely the fact of my being a school-master. +</p> +<p> + After the games, when the family was scattering—not to their several + bed-chambers, but apparently to various forms of recreation or study + which seemed to demand their attention—Miss Edith asked me if I would + not like to take a walk and look at the stars. As this suggestion was + made in the presence of her parents, I hesitated a moment, expecting + some discreet objection. But none came, and I assented most willingly + to a sub-astral promenade. +</p> +<p> + There was a long, flagged walk which led to the road, and backward and + forward upon this path we walked many, many times. +</p> +<p> + "I like starlight better than moonlight," said Miss Edith, "for it + doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is. You cannot do anything + by starlight except simply walk about, and if there are any trees, + that isn't easy. You know this, you don't expect anything more, and + you're satisfied. But moonlight is different. Sometimes it is so + bright out-of-doors when the moon is full that you are apt to think + you could play golf or croquet, or even sit on a bench and read. But + it isn't so. You can't do any of these things—at least, you can't do + them with any satisfaction. And yet, month after month, if you live in + the country, the moon deceives you into thinking that for a great many + things she is nearly as good as the sun. But all she does is to make + the world beautiful, and she doesn't do that as well as the sun does + it. The stars make no pretences, and that is the reason I like them + better. +</p> +<p> + "But I did not bring you out here to tell you all this," she + continued, offering me no opportunity of giving my opinions on the + stars and moon. "I simply wanted to say that I am so glad and thankful + to be walking about on the surface of the earth with whole bones and + not a scratch from head to foot"—at this point my heart began to + sink: I never do know what to say when people are grateful to + me—"that I am going to show you my gratitude by treating you as I + know you would like to be treated. I shall not pour out my gratitude + before you and make you say things which are incorrect, for you are + bound to do that if you say anything—" +</p> +<p> + "I thank you from the bottom of my heart," I said; "but now let us + talk some more about the stars." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, bother the stars!" said she. "But I will drop the subject of + gratitude as soon as I have said that if you ever come to know me + better than you do now, you will know that in regard to such things I + am the right kind of a girl." +</p> +<p> + I had not the slightest doubt that she was entirely correct. And then + she began to talk about golf, and after that of croquet. +</p> +<p> + "I consider that the finest out-door game we have," she said, "because + there is more science in it than you find in any of the others. Your + brains must work when you play croquet with intelligent opponents." +</p> +<p> + "The great trouble about it is," I said, "that it is often so easy." +</p> +<p> + "But you can get rid of that objection," she replied, "if you have a + bad ground. Croquet needs hazards just as much as golf does. The + finest games I have ever seen were played on a bad ground." +</p> +<p> + So we talked and walked until some of the lights in the upper windows + of the house had gone out. We ascended to the porch, and just before + entering the front door she turned to me. +</p> +<p> + "I wish I could go to sleep to-night with the same right to feel + proud, self-confident, superior, that you have. Good-night." And she + held out her hand and gave mine a strong, hearty shake. +</p> +<p> + I smiled as she left me standing on the porch. This was the same spot + on which her sister Genevieve had felt my muscle. "This is an + appreciative family," I said, and, guided by the sound of voices, I + found Mr. Larramie and his son Walter in the billiard-room. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XII +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + BACK TO THE HOLLY SPRIG +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/b.png" alt="B">efore going to bed that night I did not throw myself into an + easy-chair and gaze musingly out into the night. On the contrary, I + stood up sturdily with my back to the mantel-piece, and with the + forefinger of my right hand I tapped my left palm. + +<p> + "Now, then," said I to myself, "as soon as my bicycle is put into + working order I shall imitate travellers in hot countries—I shall + ride all night, and I shall rest all day. There are too many young + women in Cathay. They turn up one after another with the regularity of + a continuous performance. No sooner is the curtain rung down on one + act than it is rung up on another. Perhaps after a while I may get out + of Cathay, and then again I may ride by day." +</p> +<p> + In taking my things from my valise, I pulled out the little box which + the doctor's daughter had given me, but I did not open it. "No," + said I, "there is no need whatever that I should take a capsule + to-night." +</p> +<a name="image-0022"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-22.png"> +<img src="images/bc-22s.png" width="119" height="200" +alt="'I Tapped My Left Palm.'"><br />'I Tapped My Left Palm.'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + After breakfast the next day Mr. Larramie came to me. "Do you know," + said he, "I feel ashamed on account of the plans I made for you." +</p> +<p> + I did not know, for I could see no earthly reason for such feeling. +</p> +<p> + "I arranged," said he, "to send to the Holly Sprig for your machine, + and then to have you and it driven over to Waterton. Now this I + consider brutish. My wife told me that it was, and I agree with her + perfectly. It will take several days to repair that injured + wheel—Walter tells me you cannot expect it in less than three + days—and what will you do in Waterton all that time? It isn't a + pretty country, the hotels are barely good enough for a night's stop, + and there isn't anything for you to do. Even if you hired a wheel you + would find it stupid exploring that country. Now, sir, that plan is + brushed entirely out of sight. Your bicycle shall be sent on, and when + you hear that it is repaired and ready for use, you can go on yourself + if you wish to." +</p> +<p> + "My dear sir," I exclaimed, "this is entirely too much!" +</p> +<p> + He put his hands upon my shoulders and looked me squarely in the + face. "Too much!" said he, "too much! That may be your opinion, but I + can tell you you have the whole of the rest of the world against you. + That is, you would have if they all knew the circumstances. Now you + are only one, and if you want to know how many people are opposed to + you, I have no doubt Percy can tell you, but I am not very well posted + in regard to the present population of the world." +</p> +<p> + There was no good reason that I could offer why I should go and sit + solitary in Waterton for three days, and if I had had any such reason + I know it would have been treated with contempt. So I submitted—not + altogether with an easy mind, and yet seeing cause for nothing but + satisfaction and content. +</p> +<p> + "Another thing," said Mr. Larramie; "I have thought that you would + like to attend to your bicycle yourself. Perhaps you will want to take + it apart before you send it away. Percy will be glad to drive to the + Holly Sprig, and you can go with him. Then, when you come back, I will + have my man take your machine to Waterton. I have a young horse very + much in need of work, and I shall be glad to have an excuse for giving + him some travelling to do." I stood astounded. Go back to the Holly + Sprig! This arrangement had been made without reference to me. It had + been supposed, of course, that I would be glad to go and attend to the + proper packing of my bicycle. Even now, Percy, running across the + yard, called to me that he would be ready to start in two minutes. +</p> +<p> + When I took my seat in the wagon, Mr. Larramie was telling me that he + would like me to inform Mrs. Chester that he would keep the bear until + it was reasonable to suppose that the owner would not come for it, and + that then he would either sell it or buy it himself, and make + satisfactory settlement with her. +</p> +<p> + I know I did not hear all that he said, for my mind was wildly busy + trying to decide what I ought to do. Should I jump down even now and + decline to go to the Holly Sprig, or should I go on and attend to my + business like a sensible man? There was certainly no reason why I + should do anything else, but when the impatient Percy started, my mind + was not in the least made up; I remained on the seat beside him simply + because I was there. +</p> +<p> + Percy was a good driver, and glad to exhibit his skill. He was also in + a lively mood, and talked with great freedom. "Do you know," said he, + "that Edith wanted to drive you over to the inn? Think of that! But it + had all been cut and dried that I should go, and I was not going to + listen to any such nonsense. Besides, you might want somebody to help + you take your machine apart and pack it up." +</p> +<p> + I was well satisfied to be accompanied by the boy and not by his + sister, and with the wheels and his tongue rattling along together, we + soon reached the inn. +</p> +<p> + Percy drove past it and was about to turn into the entrance of the + yard, but I stopped him. "I suppose your wheel is back there," he + said. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said I, "but I will get out here." +</p> +<p> + "All right," he replied, "I'll drive around to the sheds." +</p> +<p> + At the open door of the large room I met Mrs. Chester, evidently on + her way out-of-doors. She wore a wide straw hat, her hands were + gloved, and she carried a basket and a pair of large shears. When she + saw me there was a sudden flush upon her face, but it disappeared + quickly. Whether this meant that she was agreeably surprised to see me + again, or whether it showed that she resented my turning up again so + soon after she thought she was finally rid of me, I did not know. It + does not do to predicate too much upon the flushes of women. +</p> +<a name="image-0023"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-23.png"> +<img src="images/bc-23s.png" width="92" height="200" +alt="'There Was a Sudden Flush'"><br />'There Was a Sudden Flush'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + I hastened to inform her why I had come, and now, having recovered + from her momentary surprise, she asked me to walk in and sit down, an + invitation which I willingly accepted, for I did not in the least + object to detaining her from her garden. +</p> +<p> + Now she wanted to know how I had managed to get on with the bear, and + what the people at the Cheltenham said about it, and when I went on to + tell her the whole story, which I did at considerable length, she was + intensely interested. She shuddered at the runaway, she laughed + heartily at the uprising of the McKenna sister, and she listened + earnestly to everything I had to say about the Larramies. +</p> +<p> + "You seem to have a wonderful way," she exclaimed, "of falling in + with—" I think she was going to say "girls," but she changed it to + "people." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said I. "I should not have imagined that I could make so many + good friends in such a short time." +</p> +<p> + Then I went on to give her Mr. Larramie's message, and to say more + things about the bear. I was glad to think of any subject which might + prolong the conversation. So far she was interested, and all that we + said seemed perfectly natural to the occasion, but this could not + last, and I felt within me a strong desire to make some better use of + this interview. +</p> +<p> + I had not expected to see her again, certainly not so soon, and here I + was alone with her, free to say what I chose; but what should I say? I + had not premeditated anything serious. In fact, I was not sure that I + wished to say anything which should be considered absolutely serious + and definite, but if I were ever to do anything definite—and the more + I talked with this bright-eyed and merry-hearted young lady the + stronger became the longing to say something definite—now was the + time to prepare the way for what I might do or say hereafter. +</p> +<p> + I was beginning to grow nervous, for the right thing to say would not + present itself, when Percy strode into the room. "Good-morning, Mrs. + Chester," said he, and then, turning to me, he declared that he had + been waiting in the yard, and began to think I might have forgotten I + had come for my wheel. +</p> +<p> + Of course I rose and she rose, and we followed Percy to the back door + of the house. Outside I saw that the boy of the inn was holding the + horse, and that the wheel was already placed in the back part of the + wagon. +</p> +<p> + "I've got everything all right, I think," said Percy. "I didn't + suppose it was necessary to wait for you, but you'd better take a look + at it to see if you think it will travel without rubbing or damaging + itself." +</p> +<p> + I stepped to the wagon and found that the bicycle was very well + placed. "Now, then," said Percy, taking the reins and mounting to his + seat, "all you've got to do is to get up, and we'll be off." +</p> +<p> + I turned to the back door, but she was not there. "Wait a minute," + said I, and I hurried into the house. She was not in the hall. I + looked into the large room. She was not there. I went into the parlor, + and out upon the front porch. Then I went back into the house to seek + some one who might call her. I was even willing to avail myself of the + services of citric acid, for I could not leave that house without + speaking to her again. +</p> +<p> + In a moment Mrs. Chester appeared from some inner room. I believe she + suspected that I had something to say to her which had nothing to do + with the bear or the Larramies, for I had been conscious that my + speech had been a little rambling, as if I were earnestly thinking of + something else than what I was saying, and that she desired I should + be taken away without an opportunity to unburden my mind; but now, + hearing me tramping about and knowing that I was looking for her, she + was obliged to show herself. +</p> +<p> + As she came forward I noticed that her expression had changed + somewhat. There was nothing merry about her eyes; I think she was + slightly pale, and her brows were a little contracted, as if she were + doing something she did not want to do. +</p> +<p> + "I hope you found everything all right," she said. +</p> +<p> + I looked at her steadily. "No," said I, "everything is not all right." +</p> +<p> + A slight shade of anxiety came upon her face. "I am sorry to hear + that," she said. "Was your wheel injured more than you thought?" +</p> +<p> + "Wheel!" I exclaimed. "I was not thinking of wheels! I will tell you + what is not all right! It is not right for me to go away without + saying to you that I—" +</p> +<p> + At this moment there was a strong, shrill whistle from the front of + the house. A most unmistakable sense of relief showed itself upon + her face. She ran to the front door, and called out, "Yes, he is + coming." +</p> +<a name="image-0024"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-24.png"> +<img src="images/bc-24s.png" width="200" height="175" +alt="'The Scene Vividly Recurred to My Mind'"><br />'The Scene Vividly Recurred to My Mind'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + There was nothing for me to do but to follow her. I greatly disliked + going away without saying what I wanted to say, and I would have been + willing to speak even at the front door, but she gave me no chance. +</p> +<p> + "Good-bye," she said, extending her hand. It was gloved. It gave no + clasp—it invited none. As I could not say the words which were on my + tongue, I said nothing, and, raising my cap, I hurried away. +</p> +<p> + To make up for lost time, Percy drove very rapidly. "I came mighty + near having a fight while you were in the house," said he. "It was + that boy at the inn. He's a queer sort of a fellow, and awfully + impertinent. He was talking about you, and he wanted to know if the + bear had hurt you. He said he believed you were really afraid of the + beast, and only wanted to show off before the women. +</p> +<p> + "I stood up for you, and I told him about Edith's runaway, and then he + said, fair and square, that he didn't believe you stopped the horse. + He said he guessed my sister pulled him up herself, and that then you + came along and grabbed him and took all the credit. He said he + thought you were that sort of a fellow. +</p> +<p> + "That's the time I was going to pitch into him, but then I thought it + would be a pretty low-down thing for me to be fighting a country + tavern-boy, so I simply gave him my opinion of him. I don't believe + he'd have held the horse, only he thought it would make you get away + quicker. He hates you. Did you ever kick him or anything?" +</p> +<p> + I laughed, and, telling Percy that I had never kicked the boy, I + thanked him for his championship of me. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + A MAN WITH A LETTER +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/w.png" alt="W">hen my unfortunate bicycle had been started on its way to Waterton, I + threw myself into the family life of the Larramies, determined not to + let them see any perturbations of mind which had been caused by the + extraordinary promptness of the younger son. If a man had gone with me + instead of that boy, I would have had every opportunity of saying what + I wanted to say to the mistress of the Holly Sprig. I may state that I + frequently found myself trying to determine what it was I wanted to + say. + +<p> + I did my best to suppress all thoughts relating to things outside of + this most hospitable and friendly house. I went to see the bear with + the younger members of the family. I played four games of tennis, and + in the afternoon the whole family went to fish in a very pretty + mill-pond about a mile from the house. A good many fish were caught, + large and small, and not one of the female fishers, except Miss + Willoughby, the nervous young lady, and little Clara, would allow me + to take a fish from her hook. Even Mrs. Larramie said that if she + fished at all she thought she ought to do everything for herself, and + not depend upon other people. +</p> +<p> + As much as possible I tried to be with Mr. Larramie and Walter. I had + not the slightest distaste for the company of the ladies, but there + was a consciousness upon me that there were pleasant things in which a + man ought to restrict himself. There was nothing chronic about this + consciousness. It was on duty for this occasion only. +</p> +<p> + That night at the supper-table the conversation took a peculiar turn. + Mr. Larramie was the chief speaker, and it pleased him to hold forth + upon the merits of Mrs. Chester. He said, and his wife and others of + the company agreed with him, that she was a lady of peculiarly + estimable character; that she was out of place; that every one who + knew her well felt that she was out of place; but that she so graced + her position that she almost raised it to her level. Over and over + again her friends had said to her that a lady such as she was—still + young, of a good family, well educated, who had travelled, and moved + in excellent society—should not continue to be the landlady of a + country inn, but the advice of her friends had had no effect upon her. +</p> +<p> + It was not known whether it was necessary for her to continue the + inn-keeping business, but the general belief was that it was not + necessary. It was supposed that she had had money when she married + Godfrey Chester, and he was not a poor man. +</p> +<p> + Then came a strange revelation, which Mr. Larramie dwelt upon with + considerable earnestness. There was an idea, he said, that Mrs. + Chester kept up the Holly Sprig because she thought it would be her + husband's wish that she should do so. He had probably said something + about its being a provision for her in case of his death. At any rate, + she seemed desirous to maintain the establishment exactly as he had + ordered it in his life, making no change whatever, very much as if she + had expected him to come back, and wished him to find everything as he + had left it. +</p> +<p> + "Of course she doesn't expect him to come back," said Mr. Larramie, + "because it must now be four years since the time of his supposed + murder—" +</p> +<p> + "Supposed!" I cried, with much more excited interest than I would have + shown if I had taken proper thought before speaking. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Mr. Larramie, "that is a fine point. I said 'supposed' + because the facts of the case are not definitely known. There can be + no reasonable doubt, however, that he is dead, for even if this fact + had not been conclusively proved by the police investigations, it + might now be considered proved by his continued absence. It would have + been impossible for Mr. Chester alive to keep away from his wife for + four years—they were devoted to each other. Furthermore, the exact + manner of his death is not known—although it must have been a + murder—and for these reasons I used the word 'supposed.' But, really, + so far as human judgment can go, the whole matter is a certainty. I + have not the slightest doubt in the world that Mrs. Chester so + considers it, and yet, as she does not positively know it—as she has + not the actual proofs that her husband is no longer living—she + refuses in certain ways, in certain ways only, to consider herself a + widow." +</p> +<p> + "And what ways are those?" I asked, in a voice which, I hope, + exhibited no undue emotion. +</p> +<p> + "She declines to marry again," said Mrs. Larramie, now taking up the + conversation. "Of course, such a pretty woman—I may say, such a + charming woman—would have admirers, and I know that she has had some + most excellent offers, but she has always refused to consider any of + them. There was one gentleman, a man of wealth and position, who had + proposed to her before she married Mr. Chester, who came on here to + offer himself again, but she cut off everything he had to say by + telling him that as she did not positively know that her husband was + not living, she could not allow a word of that sort to be said to her. + I know this, because she told me so herself." +</p> +<p> + There was a good deal more talk of the sort, and of course it + interested me greatly, although I tried not to show it, but I could + not help wondering why the subject had been brought forward in such an + impressive manner upon the present occasion. It seemed to me that + there was something personal in it—personal to me. Had that boy Percy + been making reports? +</p> +<p> + In the evening I found out all about it, and in a very straightforward + and direct fashion. I discovered Miss Edith by herself, and asked her + if all that talk about Mrs. Chester had been intended for my benefit, + and, if so, why. +</p> +<p> + She laughed. "I expected you to come and ask me about that," she said, + "for of course you could see through a good deal of it. It is all + father's kindness and goodness. Percy was a little out of temper when + he came back, and he spun a yarn about your being sweet on Mrs. + Chester, and how he could hardly get you away from her, and all that. + He had an idea that you wanted to go there and live, at least for the + summer. Something a boy said to him made him think that. So father + thought that if you had any notions about Mrs. Chester you ought to + have the matter placed properly before you without any delay, and I + expect his reason for mentioning it at the supper-table was that it + might then seem like a general subject of conversation, whereas it + would have been very pointed indeed if he had taken you apart and + talked to you about it." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed it would," said I. "And if you will allow me, I will say that + boys are unmitigated nuisances! If they are not hearing what they + ought not to hear, they are imagining what they ought not to + imagine—" +</p> +<p> + "And telling things that they ought not to tell," she added, with a + laugh. +</p> +<p> + "Which is an extremely bad thing," said I, "when there is nothing to + tell." +</p> +<p> + For the rest of that evening I was more lively than is my wont, for it + was a very easy thing to be lively in that family. I do not think I + gave any one reason to suppose that I was a man whose attention had + been called to a notice not to trespass. +</p> +<p> + As usual, I communed with myself before going to bed. Wherefore this + feeling of disappointment? What did it mean? Would I have said + anything of importance, of moment, to Mrs. Chester, if the boy Percy + had given me an opportunity? What would I have said? What could I have + said? I could see that she did not wish that I should say anything, + and now I knew the reason for it. It was all plain enough on her side. + Even if she had allowed herself any sort of emotion regarding me, she + did not wish me to indulge in anything of the kind. But as for myself. + I could decide nothing about myself. +</p> +<p> + I smiled grimly as my eyes fell upon the little box of capsules. My + first thought was that I should take two of them, but then I shook my + head. "It would be utterly useless," I said; "they would do me no + good." +</p> +<p> + In the course of the next morning I found myself alone. I put on my + cap, lighted a pipe, and started down the flag walk to the gate. In a + few moments I heard running steps behind me, and, turning, I saw Miss + Edith. "Don't look cross," she said. "Were you going for a walk?" +</p> +<p> + I scouted the idea of crossness, and said that I had thought of taking + a stroll. +</p> +<p> + "That seems funny," said she, "for nobody in this house ever goes out + for a lonely walk. But you cannot go just yet. There's a man at the + back of the house with a letter for you." +</p> +<p> + "A letter!" I exclaimed. "Who in the world could have sent a letter to + me here?" +</p> +<p> + "The only way to find out," she answered, "is to go and see." +</p> +<p> + Under a tree at the back of the house I found a young negro man, very + warm and dusty, who handed me a letter, which, to my surprise, bore no + address. "How do you know this is for me?" said I. +</p> +<p> + He was a good-natured looking fellow. "Oh, I know it's for you, sir," + said he. "They told me at the little tavern—the Holly something—that + I'd find you here. You're the gentleman that had a bicycle tire eat + up by a bear, ain't you?" +</p> +<p> + I admitted that I was, and still, without opening the letter, I asked + him, where it came from. +</p> +<p> + "That was given to me in New York, sir," said he, "by a Dago, one of + these I-talians. He gave me the money to go to Blackburn Station in + the cars, and then I walked over to the tavern. He said he thought I'd + find you there, sir. He told me just what sort of a lookin' man you + was, sir, and that letter is for you, and no mistake. He didn't know + your name, or he'd put it on." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, it is from the owner of the bear," said I. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir," said the man, "that's him. He did own a bear—he told + me—that eat up your tire." +</p> +<p> + I now tore open the blank envelope, and found it contained a letter on + a single sheet, and in this was a folded paper, very dirty. The letter + was apparently written in Italian, and had no signature. I ran my eye + along the opening lines, and soon found that it would be a very + difficult piece of business for me to read it. I was a fair French and + German scholar, but my knowledge of Italian was due entirely to its + relationship with Latin. I told the man to rest himself somewhere, and + went to the house, and, finding Miss Edith, I informed her that I had + a letter from the bear man, and asked her if she could read Italian. +</p> +<p> + "I studied the language at school," she said, "but I have not + practised much. However, let us go into the library—there is a + dictionary there—and perhaps we can spell it out." +</p> +<p> + We spread the open sheet upon the library-table, and laid the folded + paper near by, and, sitting side by side, with a dictionary before us, + we went to work. It was very hard work. +</p> +<p> + "I think," said my companion, after ten minutes' application, "that + the man who sent you this letter writes Italian about as badly as we + read it. I think I could decipher the meaning of his words if I knew + what letters those funny scratches were intended to represent. But let + us stick to it. After a while we may get a little used to the writing, + and I must admit that I have a curiosity to know what the man has to + say about his bear." +</p> +<p> + After a time the work became easier. Miss Edith possessed an acuteness + of perception which enabled her to decipher almost illegible words by + comparing them with others which were better written. We were at last + enabled to translate the letter. The substance of it was as follows: +</p> +<p> + The writer came to New York on a ship. There was a man on the ship, + an Italian man, who was very wicked. He did very wicked things to the + writer. When he got to New York he kept on being wicked. He was so + wicked that the writer made up his mind to kill him. He waited for him + one night for two hours. +</p> +<a name="image-0025"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-25.png"> +<img src="images/bc-25s.png" width="183" height="200" +alt="Deciphering the Dago's Letters"><br />Deciphering the Dago's Letters</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + At last the moment came. It was very dark, and the victim came, + walking fast. The avenger sprang from a door-way and plunged his knife + into the back of the victim. The man fell, and the moment he fell the + writer of the letter knew that he was not the man he had intended to + kill. The wicked man would not have been killed so easily. He turned + over the man. He was dead. His eyes were used to the darkness, and he + could see that he was the wrong man. +</p> +<p> + The coat of the murdered man had fallen open, and a paper showed + itself in an inside pocket. The Italian waited only long enough to + snatch this paper. He wanted to have something which had belonged to + that poor, wrongly murdered man. After that he heard no more about the + great mistake he had committed. He could not read the newspapers, and + he asked nobody any questions. He put the paper away and kept it. He + often thought he ought to burn the paper, but he did not do it. He was + afraid. The paper had a name on it, and he was sure it was the name + of the man he had killed. He thought as long as he kept the paper + there was a chance for his forgiveness. +</p> +<p> + This was all four years ago. He worked hard, and after a while he + bought a bear. When his bear ate up the India-rubber on my bicycle he + was very much frightened, for he was afraid he might be sent to + prison. But that was not the fright that made him run away. +</p> +<p> + When he talked to the boy and asked him the name of the keeper of the + inn, and the boy told him what it was, the earth seemed to open and he + saw hell. The name was the name that was on the paper he had taken + from the man he had killed by mistake, and this was his wife whose + house he was staying at. He was seized with such a horror and such a + fear that everything might be found out, and that he would be + arrested, that he ran away to the railroad and took a train for New + York. +</p> +<p> + He did not want his bear. He did not want to be known as the man who + had been going about with a bear. One thing he wanted, and that was to + get back to Italy, where he would be safe. He was going back very soon + in a ship. He had changed his name. He could not be found any more. + But he knew his soul would never have any peace if he did not send + the paper to the wife of the man he had made a mistake about. But he + could not write a letter to her, so he sent it to me, for me to give + her the paper and to tell her what he had written in the letter. He + left America forever. Nobody in this country would ever see him again. + He was gone. He was lost to all people in this country, but his soul + felt better now that he had done that which would make the lady whose + husband he had killed know how it had happened. The bear he would give + to her. That was all that he could do for her. +</p> +<p> + There was no formal close to the letter; the writer had said what he + had to say and stopped. +</p> +<p> + Miss Edith and I looked at each other. Her eyes had grown large and + bright. "Now, shall we examine the paper?" +</p> +<p> + "I do not know that we have a right to do so," I said. I know my voice + was trembling, for I was very much agitated. "That belongs to—to + her!" +</p> +<p> + "I think," said Miss Edith, "that we ought to look at it. It is merely + a folded paper. I do not think we ought to thrust information upon + Mrs. Chester without knowing what it is. Perhaps the man made a + mistake in the name. We may do a great deal of mischief if we do not + know exactly what we are about." And so saying she took the paper and + opened it. +</p> +<p> + It was nothing but a grocery bill, but it was made out to—Godfrey + Chester, Dr. Evidently it was for goods supplied to the inn. It was + receipted. +</p> +<p> + For a few moments I said nothing, and then I exclaimed, in tones which + made my companion gaze very earnestly at me: "I must go to her + immediately! I must take these papers! She must know everything!" +</p> +<p> + "Excuse me," said Miss Edith, "but don't you think that something + ought to be done about apprehending this man—this Italian? Let us go + and question his messenger." We went out together, she carrying, + tightly clasped, both the letter and the bill. +</p> +<p> + The black man could tell us very little. An Italian he had never seen + before had given him the letter to take to Holly Sprig Inn, and give + to the gentleman who had had his tire eaten by a bear. If the + gentleman was not there, he was to ask to have it sent to him. That + was everything he knew. +</p> +<p> + "Did the Italian give you money to go back with?" asked Miss Edith, + and the man rather reluctantly admitted that he did. +</p> +<p> + "Well, you can keep that for yourself," said she, "and we'll pay your + passage back. But we would like you to wait here for a while. There + may be some sort of an answer." +</p> +<p> + The man laughed. "'Taint no use sendin' no answer," said he; "I + couldn't find that Dago again. They're all so much alike. He said he + was goin' away on a ship. You see it was yesterday he gave me that + letter. I 'spect he'll be a long way out to sea before I get back, + even if I did know who he was and what ship he was goin' on. But if + you want me to wait, I don't mind waitin'." +</p> +<p> + "Very good," said Miss Edith; "you can go into the kitchen and have + something to eat." And, calling a maid, she gave orders for the man's + entertainment. +</p> +<p> + "Now," said she, turning to me, "let us take a walk through the + orchard. I want to talk to you." +</p> +<p> + "No," said I, "I can't talk at present. I must go immediately to the + inn with those papers. It is right that not a moment should be lost in + delivering this most momentous message which has been intrusted to + me." +</p> +<p> + "But I must speak to you first," said she, and she walked rapidly + towards the orchard. As she still held the papers in her hand, I was + obliged to follow her. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + MISS EDITH IS DISAPPOINTED +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/a.png" alt="A">s soon as we had begun to walk under the apple-trees she turned to me + and said: "I don't think you ought to take this letter and the bill to + Mrs. Chester. It would not be right. There would be something cruel + about it." + +<p> + "What do you mean?" I exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "Of course I do not know exactly the state of the case," she answered, + "but I will tell you what I think about it as far as I know. You must + not be offended at what I say. If I am a friend to anybody—and I + would be ashamed if I were not a friend to you—I must tell him just + what I think about things, and this is what I think about this thing: + I ought to take these papers to Mrs. Chester. I know her well enough, + and it is a woman who ought to go to her at such a time." +</p> +<p> + "That message was intrusted to me," I said. "Of course it was," she + answered, "but the bear man did not know what he was doing. He did not + understand the circumstances." +</p> +<a name="image-0026"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-26.png"> +<img src="images/bc-26s.png" width="152" height="200" +alt="'I Don't Think You Ought to Take This Letter'"><br />'I Don't Think You Ought to Take This Letter'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "What circumstances?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + She gave me a look as if she were going to take aim at me and wanted + to be sure of my position. Then she said: "Percy told us he thought + you were courting Mrs. Chester. That was pure impertinence on his + part, and perhaps what father said at the table was impertinence too, + but I know he said it because he thought there might be something in + Percy's chatter, and that you ought to understand how things stood. + Now, you may think it impertinence on my part if you choose, but it + really does seem to me that you are very much interested in Mrs. + Chester. Didn't you intend to walk down to the Holly Sprig when you + were starting out by yourself this morning?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said I, "I did." +</p> +<p> + "I thought so," she replied. "That, of course, was your own business, + and what father said about her being unwilling to marry again need not + have made any difference to you if you had chosen not to mind it. But + now, don't you think, if you look at the matter fairly and squarely, + it would be pretty hard on Mrs. Chester if you were to go down to her + and make her understand that she really is a widow, and that now she + is free to listen to you if you want to say anything to her? This may + sound a little hard and cruel, but don't you think it is the way she + would have to look at it?" +</p> +<p> + She stopped as she spoke, and I turned and stood silent, looking at + her. +</p> +<p> + "My first thought was," she said, "to advise you to tell father about + all this, and take his advice about telling her, but I don't think you + would like that. Now, would you like that?" +</p> +<p> + "No," I answered, "I certainly would not." +</p> +<p> + "And don't you really think I ought to go to her with the message, and + then come back and tell you how she took it and what she said?" +</p> +<p> + For nearly a minute I did not speak, but I knew she was right, and at + last I admitted it. +</p> +<p> + "I am glad to hear you say so!" she exclaimed. "As soon as dinner is + over I shall drive to the Holly Sprig." +</p> +<p> + We still walked on, and she proposed that we should go to the top of a + hill beyond the orchard, where there was a pretty view. +</p> +<p> + "You may think me a strange sort of a girl," she said, presently, "but + I can't help it. I suppose I am strange. I have often thought I would + like very much to talk freely and honestly with a man about the + reasons which people have for falling in love with each other. Of + course I could not ask my father or brother, because they would simply + laugh at me and tell me that falling in love was very much like the + springing up of weeds—generally without reason and often + objectionable. But you would be more likely to tell me something which + would be of advantage to me in my studies." +</p> +<p> + "Your studies!" I exclaimed. "What in the world are you studying?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, I am studying human nature—not as a whole, of course, that's + too large a subject, but certain phases of it—and I particularly want + to know why such queer people come together and get married. Now I + have great advantages in such a study, much greater than most girls + have." +</p> +<p> + "What are they?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "The principal one is that I never intend to marry. I made up my mind + to that a good while ago. There is a great deal of work that I want to + do in this world, and I could not do it properly if I were tied to a + man. I would either have to submit myself to his ways, or he would + have to submit himself to my ways, and that would not suit me. In the + one case I should not respect him, and in the other I should not + respect myself." +</p> +<p> + "But suppose," said I, "you should meet a man who should be in perfect + harmony with you in all important points?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah," she said, "that sort of thing never happens. You might as well + expect to pick up two pebbles exactly alike. I don't believe in it. + But if at any time during the rest of my life you show me any examples + of such harmony, I will change my opinions. I believe that if I can + wait long enough, society will catch up with me. Everything looks that + way to me." +</p> +<p> + "It may be that you are right," I answered. "Society is getting on + famously. But what is it you want to ask me?" +</p> +<p> + "Simply this," she replied. "What is it which interests you so much in + Mrs. Chester?" +</p> +<p> + I looked at her in astonishment. "Truly," I exclaimed, "that is a + remarkable question." +</p> +<p> + "I know it," she replied, "and I suppose you are saying to yourself, + 'Here is a girl who has known me less than three days, and yet she + asks me to tell her about my feeling towards another woman.' But, + really, it seems to me that as you have not known that other woman + three days, as much friendship and confidence might spring up in the + one case as affection in the other." +</p> +<p> + "Affection!" said I. "Have I said anything about affection?" +</p> +<p> + "No, you have not," she replied; "and if there isn't any affection, of + course that ends this special study on my part." +</p> +<p> + We reached the top of the hill, but I forgot to look out upon the + view. "I think you are a strange girl," I said, "but I like you, and I + have a mind to try to answer your question. I have not been able quite + to satisfy myself about my feelings towards Mrs. Chester, but now I + think I can say that I have an affection for her." +</p> +<p> + "Good!" she exclaimed. "I like that! That is an honest answer if ever + there was one. But tell me why it is that you have an affection for + her. It must have been almost a case of love at first sight." +</p> +<p> + "It isn't easy to give reasons for such feelings," I said. "They + spring up, as your father would say, very much like weeds." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed they do," she interpolated; "sometimes they grow in the middle + of a gravel path where they cannot expect to be allowed to stay." +</p> +<p> + I reflected a moment. "I don't mind talking about these things to + you," I said. "It seems almost like talking to myself." +</p> +<p> + "That is a compliment I appreciate," she said. "And now go on. Why do + you care for her?" +</p> +<p> + "Well," said I, "in the first place, she is very handsome. Don't you + think so?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes! In fact, I think she is almost what might be called exactly + beautiful." +</p> +<p> + "Then she has such charming manners," I continued. "And she is so + sensible—although you may not think I had much chance to find out + that. Moreover, there is a certain sympathetic cordiality about her—" +</p> +<p> + "Which, of course," interrupted my companion, "you suppose she would + not show to any man but you." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said I. "I am speaking honestly now, and that's the way it + strikes me. Of course I may be a fool, but I did think that a sympathy + had arisen between us which would not arise between her and anybody + else." +</p> +<p> + Miss Edith laughed heartily. "I am getting to know a great deal about + one side of the subject," she said. "And now tell me—is that all? I + don't believe it is." +</p> +<p> + "No," I answered, "it is not. There is something more which makes her + attractive to me. I cannot exactly explain it except by saying that it + is her surrounding atmosphere—it is everything that pertains to her. + It is the life she lives, it is her home, it is the beauty and peace, + the sense of charm which infuses her and everything that belongs to + her." +</p> +<p> + "Beautiful!" said Miss Edith. "I expected an answer like that, but not + so well put. Now let me translate it into plain, simple language. What + you want is to give up your present life, which must be awfully + stupid, and go and help Mrs. Chester keep the Holly Sprig. That would + suit you exactly. A charming wife, charming surroundings, charming + sense of living, a life of absolute independence! But don't think," + she added, quickly, "that I am imputing any sordid motives to you. I + meant nothing of the kind. You would do just as much to make the inn + popular as she would. I expect you would make her rich." +</p> +<p> + "Miss Edith Larramie," said I, "you are a heartless deceiver! It makes + my blood run cold to hear you speak in that way." +</p> +<p> + "Never mind that," she said, "but tell me, didn't you think it would + be just lovely to live with her in that delightful little inn?" +</p> +<p> + I could not help smiling at her earnestness, but I answered that I did + think so. +</p> +<p> + She nodded her head reflectively. "Yes," she said, "I was right. I + think you ought to admit that I am a good judge of human nature—at + least, in some people and under certain circumstances." +</p> +<p> + "You are," said I. "I admit that. Now answer me a question. What do + you think of it?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't like it," she said. "And don't you see," she added, with + animation, "what an advantage I possess in having determined never to + marry? Very few other girls would be willing to speak to you so + plainly. They would be afraid you would think that they wanted you, + but, as I don't want anybody, you and I can talk over things of this + kind like free and equal human beings. So I will say again that I + don't like your affection for Mrs. Chester. It disappoints me." +</p> +<p> + "Disappoints you!" I exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," she said, "that is the word. You must remember that my + acquaintance with you began with a sort of a bump. A great deal + happened in an instant. I formed high ideas of you, and among them + were ideas of the future. You can't help that when you are thinking of + people who interest you. Your mind will run ahead. When I found out + about Mrs. Chester I was disappointed. It might be all very + delightful, but you ought to do better than that!" +</p> +<a name="image-0027"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-27.png"> +<img src="images/bc-27s.png" width="162" height="200" +alt="'Do You Think You Could Hit It With an Apple?'"><br/>'Do You Think You Could Hit It With an Apple?'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "How old are you?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "Twenty-two last May," she replied. +</p> +<p> + "Isn't that the dinner-bell I hear in the distance?" I said. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," she answered, "and we will go down." +</p> +<p> + On the way she stopped, and we stood facing each other. "I am greatly + obliged to you," she said, "for giving me your confidence in this way, + and I want you to believe that I shall be thoroughly loyal to you, and + that I never will breathe anything you have said. But I also want you + to know that I do not change any of my opinions. Now we understand + each other, don't we?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," I answered, "but I think I understand you better than you + understand me." +</p> +<p> + "Not a bit of it," she replied; "that's nonsense. Do you see that + flower-pot on the top of the stump by the little hill over there? + Percy has been firing at it with his air-gun. Do you think you could + hit it with an apple? Let's each take three apples and try." +</p> +<p> + It was late in the afternoon when Miss Edith returned from the Holly + Sprig, where she and Genevieve had driven in a pony-cart. I was with + the rest of the family on the golf links a short distance from the + house, and it was some time before she got a chance to speak to me, + but she managed at last. +</p> +<p> + "How did she take the news?" I eagerly asked. +</p> +<p> + The girl hesitated. "I don't think I ought to tell you all she said + and did. It was really a private interview between us two, and I know + she would not want me to say much about it. And I don't think you + would want to hear everything." +</p> +<p> + I hastened to assure her that I would not ask for the particulars of + the conversation. I only wished to know the general effect of the + message upon her. That was legitimate enough, as, in fact, she + received the message through me. +</p> +<p> + "Well, she was very much affected, and it would have been dreadful if + you had gone. Oh the whole, however, I cannot help thinking that the + Italian's letter was a great relief to her, particularly because she + found that her husband had been killed by mistake. She said that one + of the greatest loads upon her soul had been the feeling that he had + had an enemy who hated him enough to kill him. But now the case is + very different, and it is a great comfort to her to know it." +</p> +<p> + "And about the murderer?" I said. "Did you ask her if she wanted steps + taken to apprehend him?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," she said, "I did speak of it, and she is very anxious that + nothing shall be done in that direction. Even if the Italian should be + caught, she would not have the affair again publicly discussed and + dissected. She believes the man's story, and she never wants to hear + of him again. Indeed, I think that if it should be proved that the + Italian killed Mr. Chester on purpose, it would be the greatest blow + that could be inflicted upon her." +</p> +<p> + "Then," said I, "I might as well let the negro man go his way. I have + not paid him his passage-money to the city. I knew he would wait until + he got it, and it might be desirable to take him into custody." +</p> +<p> + "Oh no," she said. "Mrs. Chester spoke about that. She doesn't want + the man troubled in any way. He knew nothing of the message he + carried. Now I am going to tell father about it—she asked me to do + it." +</p> +<p> + That evening was a merry one. We had charades, and a good many other + things were going on. Miss Willoughby was an admirable actress, and + Miss Edith was not bad, although she could never get rid of her + personality. I was in a singular state of mind. I felt as if I had + been relieved from a weight. My spirits were actually buoyant. +</p> +<p> + "You should not be so unreasonably gay," said Miss Edith to me. "That + may be your way when you get better acquainted with people, but I am + afraid some of the family will think that you are in such good spirits + because Mrs. Chester now knows that she is a widow." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, there is no danger of their thinking anything of that sort," I + said. "Don't you suppose they will attribute my good spirits to the + fact that the man who took my bicycle to Waterton brought back my big + valise, so that I am enabled to look like a gentleman in the parlor? + And then, as he also brought word that my bicycle will be all ready + for me to-morrow, don't you think it is to be expected of me that I + should try to make myself as agreeable as possible on this my last + evening with all you good friends?" +</p> +<p> + She shook her head. "Those excuses will not pass. You are abnormally + cheerful. My study of you is extremely interesting, but not altogether + satisfactory." +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XV +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + MISS WILLOUGHBY +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I">t was decreed the next day that I should not leave until after + dinner. They would send me over to Blackburn Station by a cross-road, + and I could then reach Waterton in less than an hour. "There is + another good thing about this arrangement," said Miss Edith, for it + was she who announced it to me, "and that is that you can take charge + of Amy." + +<p> + I gazed at her mystified, and she said, "Don't you know that Miss + Willoughby is going in the same train with you?" +</p> +<p> + "What!" I exclaimed, far too forcibly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. Her visit ends to-day. She lives in Waterton. But why should + that affect you so wonderfully? I am sure you cannot object to an hour + in the train with Amy Willoughby. She may talk a good deal, but you + must admit that she talks well." +</p> +<p> + "Object!" I said. "Of course I don't object. She talks very well + indeed, and I shall be glad to have the pleasure of her company." +</p> +<p> + "No one would have thought so," she said, looking at me with a + criticising eye, "who had seen you when you heard she was going." +</p> +<p> + "It was the suddenness," I said. +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," she replied, "and your delicate nerves." +</p> +<p> + In my soul I cried out to myself: "Am I ever to break free from young + women! Is there to be a railroad accident between here and Waterton! + If so, I shall save the nearest old gentleman!" +</p> +<p> + I believe the Larramies were truly sorry to have me go. Each one of + them in turn told me so. Mrs. Larramie again said to me, with tears in + her eyes, that it made her shudder to think what that home might be if + it had not been for me. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Larramie and Walter promised to get up some fine excursions if I + would stay a little longer, and Genevieve made me sit down beside her + under a tree. +</p> +<p> + "I am awfully sorry you are going," she said. "I always wanted a + gentleman friend, and I believe if you'd stay a little longer you'd be + one. You see, Walter is really too old for me to confide in, and Percy + thinks he's too old—and that's a great deal worse. But you're just + the age I like. There are so many things I would say to you if you + lived here." +</p> +<p> + Little Clara, cried when she heard I was going, and I felt myself + obliged to commit the shameful deception of talking about baby bears + and my possible return to this place. +</p> +<p> + Miss Edith accompanied us to the station, and when I took leave of her + on the platform she gave me a good, hearty handshake. "I believe that + we shall see each other again," she said, "and when we meet I want you + to make a report, and I hope it will be a good one!" +</p> +<p> + "About what?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + She smiled in gentle derision, and the conductor cried, "All aboard!" +</p> +<p> + I found a vacant seat, and, side by side, Miss Willoughby and I sped + on towards Waterton. +</p> +<p> + For some time I had noticed that Miss Willoughby had ceased to look + past me when she spoke to me, and now she fixed her eyes fully upon me + and said: +</p> +<p> + "I am always sorry when I go away from that house, for I think the + people who live there are the dearest in the world, excepting my own + mother and aunt, who are nearer to me than anybody else, although, if + I needed a mother, Mrs. Larramie would take me to her heart, I am + sure, just as if I were her own daughter, and I am not related to them + in any way, although I have always looked upon Edith as a sister, and + I don't believe that if I had a real sister she could possibly have + been as dear a girl as Edith, who is so lovable and tender and + forgiving—whenever there is anything to forgive—and who, although + she is a girl of such strong character and such a very peculiar way of + thinking about things, has never said a hard word to me in all her + life, even when she found that our opinions were different, which was + something she often did find, for she looks upon everything in this + world in her own way, and bases all her judgments upon her own + observations and convictions, while I am very willing to let those + whom I think I ought to look up to and respect judge for me—at least + in a great many things, but of course not in all matters, for there + are some things which we must decide for ourselves without reference + to other people's opinions, though I should be sorry indeed if I had + so many things to decide as Edith has, or rather chooses to have, for + if she would depend more upon other people I think it would not only + be easier for her, but really make her happier, for if you could hear + some of the wonderful things which she has discussed with me after + we have gone to bed at night it would really make your head ache—that + is, if you are subject to that sort of thing, which I am if I am kept + awake too long, but I am proud to say that I don't think I ever + allowed Edith to suppose that I was tired of hearing her talk, for + when any one is as lovely as she is I think she ought to be allowed to + talk about what she pleases and just along as she pleases." +</p> +<a name="image-0028"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-28.png"> +<img src="images/bc-28s.png" width="162" height="200" +alt="'Talking About Baby Bears'"><br />'Talking About Baby Bears'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Surprising as it may appear, nothing happened on that railroad + journey. No cow of Cathay blundered in front of the locomotive; no + freight train came around a curve going in the opposite direction upon + the same track; everything went smoothly and according to schedule. + Miss Willoughby did not talk all the time. She was not the greatest + talker I ever knew; she was not even the fastest; she was always + willing to wait until her turn came, but she had wonderful endurance + for a steady stretch. She never made a bad start, she never broke, she + went steadily over the track until the heat had been run. +</p> +<p> + When the time came for me to speak she listened with great interest, + and sometimes at my words her eyes sparkled almost as much as they + did when she was speaking herself. She knew a great many things, and + I was pleased to find out that she was especially interested in the + good qualities of the people she knew. I never heard so many gracious + sentiments in so short a time. +</p> +<p> + Miss Willoughby's residence was but a short distance from the station + at Waterton; and as she thought it entirely unnecessary to take a cab, + I attended to her baggage, and offered to walk with her to her home + and carry her little bag. I was about to leave her at the door, but + this she positively forbade. I must step in for a minute or two to see + her mother and her aunt. They had heard of me, and would never forgive + her if she let me go without their seeing me. As the door opened + immediately, we went in. +</p> +<p> + Miss Willoughby's mother and aunt were two most charming elderly + ladies, immaculately dainty in their dress, cordial of manner, bright + of eye, and diminutive of hand, producing the impression of gentle + goodness set off by soft white muslin, folded tenderly. +</p> +<p> + They had heard of me. In the few days in which I had been with the + Larramies, Miss Willoughby had written of me. They insisted that I + should stay to supper, for what good reason could there be for my + taking that meal at the hotel—not a very good one—when they would be + so glad to have me sup with them and talk about our mutual friends? +</p> +<p> + I had no reasonable objection to offer, and, returning to the station, + I took my baggage to the hotel, where I prepared to sup with the + Willoughby family. +</p> +<p> + They were now a little family of three, although there was a brother + who had started away the day before on a bicycling tour very like my + own, and they were both so delighted to have Amy visit the Larramies, + and they were both so delighted to have her come back. +</p> +<p> + The supper was a delicate one, suitable for canary birds, but at an + early stage of the meal a savory little sirloin steak was brought on + which had been cooked especially for me. Of course I could not be + expected to be satisfied with thin dainties, no matter how tasteful + they might be. +</p> +<p> + This house was the abode of intelligence, cultivated taste, and + opulence. It was probably the finest mansion of the town. In every + room there were things to see, and after supper we looked at them, + and, as I wandered from pictures to vases and carved ivory, the + remarks of the two elder ladies and Miss Willoughby seemed like a + harmonized chorus accompanying the rest of the performance. Each spoke + at the right time, each in her turn said the thing she ought to say. + It was a rare exhibition of hospitable enthusiasm, tempered by + sympathetic consideration for me and for each other. +</p> +<p> + I soon discovered that many of the water-color drawings on the walls + were the work of Miss Willoughby, and when she saw I was interested in + them she produced a portfolio of her sketches. I liked her coloring + very much. It was sometimes better than her drawing. It was dainty, + delicate, and suggestive. One picture attracted me the moment my eyes + fell upon it; it was one of the most carefully executed, and it + represented the Holly Sprig Inn. +</p> +<p> + "You recognize that!" said Miss Willoughby, evidently pleased. "You + see that light-colored spot in the portico? That's Mrs. Chester; she + stood there when I was making the drawing. It is nothing but two or + three little dabs, but that is the way she looked at a distance. + Around on this side is the corner of the yard where the bear tried to + eat up the tire of your bicycle." +</p> +<p> + I gazed and gazed at the little light-colored spot in the portico. I + gave it form, light, feeling. I could see perfect features, blue + eyes which looked out at me, a form of simple grace. +</p> +<a name="image-0029"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-29.png"> +<img src="images/bc-29s.png" width="187" height="200" +alt="'I Held That Picture a Good While'"><br />'I Held That Picture a Good While'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + I held that picture a good while, saying little, and scarcely + listening to Miss Willoughby's words. At last I felt obliged to + replace it in the portfolio. If the artist had been a poor girl, I + would have offered to buy it; if I had known her better, I would have + asked her to give it to me; but I could do nothing but put it back. +</p> +<p> + Glancing at the clock I saw that it was time for me to go, but when I + announced this fact the ladies very much demurred. Why should I go to + that uncomfortable hotel? They would send for my baggage. There was + not the least reason in the world why I should spend the night in that + second-rate establishment. +</p> +<p> + "See," said Mrs. Willoughby, opening the door of a room in the rear of + the parlor, "if you will stay with us to-night we will lodge you in + the chamber of the favored guest. All the pictures on the walls were + done by my daughter." +</p> +<p> + I looked into the room. It was the most charming and luxurious bedroom + I had ever seen. It was lighted, and the harmony of its furnishings + was a treat to the eye. +</p> +<p> + But I stood firm in my purpose to depart. I would not spend the night + in that house. There would be a fire, burglars, I knew not what! + Against all kind entreaties I urged the absolute necessity of my + starting away by the very break of day, and I could not disturb a + private family by any such proceeding. They saw that I was determined + to go, and they allowed me to depart. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + AN ICICLE +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/m.png" alt="M">y room at the hotel was as dreary as a stubble-field upon a November + evening. The whole house was new, varnished, and hard. My bedroom was + small. A piece of new ingrain carpet covered part of the hard + varnished floor. Four hard walls and a ceiling, deadly white, + surrounded me. The hard varnished bedstead (the mattress felt as if it + were varnished) nearly filled the little room. Two stiff chairs, and a + yellow window-shade which looked as if it were made of varnished wood, + glittered in the feeble light of a glass lamp, while the ghastly + grayish pallor of the ewer and basin on the wash-stand was thrown into + bold relief by the intenser whiteness of the wall behind it. + +<p> + I put out my light as soon as possible and resolutely closed my eyes, + for a street lamp opposite my window would not allow the room to fade + into obscurity, and, as long as the hardness of the bed prevented me + from sleeping, my thoughts ran back to the chamber of the favored + guest, but my conscience stood by me. Cathay is a country where it is + necessary to be very careful. +</p> +<p> + I did not leave Waterton until after nine o'clock the next day, for, + although I was early at the shop to which my bicycle had been sent, it + was not quite ready for me, and I had to wait. Fortunately no + Willoughby came that way. +</p> +<p> + But when at last I mounted my wheel I sped away rapidly towards the + north. I had ordered my baggage expressed to a town fifty miles away, + and I hoped that if I rode steadily and kept my eyes straight in front + of me I might safely get out of Cathay, for the boundaries of that + fateful territory could not extend themselves indefinitely. +</p> +<p> + Towards the close of the afternoon I saw a female in front of me, her + back to me, walking, and pushing a bicycle. +</p> +<p> + "Now," said I to myself, "she is doing that because she likes it, and + it is none of my business." I gazed over the fields on the other side + of the road, but as I passed her I could not help giving a glance at + her machine. The air was gone from the tire of the hind wheel. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said I to myself, "perhaps her pump is out of order, or it may + be that she does not know how to work it. It is getting late. She may + have to go a long distance. I could pump it up for her in no time. + Even if there is a hole in it I could mend it." But I did not stop. I + had steeled my heart against any more adventures in Cathay. +</p> +<p> + But my conscience did not stand by me. I could not forget that poor + woman plodding along the weary road and darkness not far away. I went + slower and slower, and at last I turned. +</p> +<p> + "It would not take me five minutes to help her," I said. "I must be + careful, but I need not be a churl." And I rode rapidly back. +</p> +<p> + I came in sight of her just as she was turning into the gateway of a + pretty house yard. Doubtless she lived there. I turned again and spun + away faster than I had gone that day. +</p> +<p> + For more than a month I journeyed and sojourned in a beautiful river + valley and among the low foot-hills of the mountains. The weather was + fair, the scenery was pleasing, and at last I came to believe that I + had passed the boundaries of Cathay. I took no tablets from my little + box. I did not feel that I had need of them. +</p> +<p> + In the course of time I ceased to travel north-ward. My vacation was + not very near its end, but I chose to turn my face towards the scene + of my coming duties. I made a wide circuit, I rode slowly, and I + stopped often. +</p> +<p> + One day I passed through a village, and at the outer edge of it a + little girl, about four years old, tried to cross the road. Tripping, + she fell down almost in front of me. It was only by a powerful and + sudden exertion that I prevented myself from going over her, and as I + wheeled across the road my machine came within two feet of her. She + lay there yelling in the dust. I dismounted, and, picking her up I + carried her to the other side of the road. There I left her to toddle + homeward while I went on my way. I could not but sigh as I thought + that I was again in Cathay. +</p> +<p> + Two days after this I entered Waterton. There was another road, said + to be a very pleasant one, which lay to the westward, and which would + have taken me to Walford through a country new to me, but I wished to + make no further explorations in Cathay, and if one journeys back upon + a road by which he came he will find the scenery very different. +</p> +<p> + I spent the night at the hotel, and after breakfast I very reluctantly + went to call upon the Willoughbys. I forced myself to do this, for, + considering the cordiality they had shown me, it would have required + more incivility than I possessed to pass through the town without + paying my respects. But to my great joy none of the ladies was at + home. I hastened from the house with a buoyant step, and was soon + speeding away, and away, and away. +</p> +<p> + The road was dry and hard, the sun was bright, but there was a fresh + breeze in my face, and I rolled along at a swift and steady rate. On, + on I went, until, before the sun had reached its highest point, I + wheeled out of the main road, rolled up a gravel path, and dismounted + in front of the Holly Sprig Inn. +</p> +<p> + I leaned my bicycle against a tree and went in-doors. The place did + not seem so quiet as when I first saw it. I had noticed a lady sitting + under a tree in front of the house. There was a nurse-maid attending a + child who was playing on the grass. Entering the hall, I glanced into + the large room which I had called the "office," and saw a man there + writing at a table. +</p> +<p> + Presently a maid-servant came into the hall. She was not one I had + noticed before. I asked if I could see Mrs. Chester, and she said she + would go and look for her. There were chairs in the hall, and I might + have waited for her there, but I did not. I entered the parlor, and + was pleased to find it unoccupied. I went to the upper end of the + room, as far as possible from the door. +</p> +<p> + In a few minutes I heard a step in the hall. I knew it, and it was + strange how soon I had learned to know it. She stopped in front of the + office, then she went on towards the porch, and turning she came into + the parlor, first looking towards the front of the room and then + towards the place where I stood. +</p> +<p> + The light from a window near me fell directly upon her as she + approached me, and I could see that there was a slight flush on her + face, but before she reached me it had disappeared. She did not greet + me. She did not offer me her hand. In fact, from what afterwards + happened, I believe that she did not consider me at that moment a fit + subject for ordinary greeting. She stood up in front of me. She gazed + steadfastly into my face. Her features wore something of their + ordinary pleasant expression, but to this there was added a certain + determination which I had never seen there before. She gave her head a + little quick shake. +</p> +<p> + "No, sir!" she said. +</p> +<p> + This reception amazed me. I had been greatly agitated as I heard her + approach, turning over in my mind what I should first say to her, but + now I forgot everything I had prepared. "No what?" I exclaimed. +</p> +<a name="image-0030"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-30.png"> +<img src="images/bc-30s.png" width="142" height="200" +alt="'No, Sir,' She Said'"><br />'No, Sir,' She Said'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "'No' means that I will not marry you." +</p> +<p> + I stood speechless. "Of course you are thinking," she continued, "that + you have never asked me to marry you. But that isn't at all necessary. + As soon as I saw you standing there, back two weeks before your + vacation is over, and when I got a good look at your face, I knew + exactly what you had come for. I was afraid when you left here that + you would come back for that, so I was not altogether unprepared. I + spoke promptly so as to spare you and to make it easier for me." +</p> +<p> + "Easier!" I repeated. "What do you mean?" +</p> +<p> + "Easier, because the sooner you know that I will not marry you the + better it will be for you and for me." +</p> +<p> + Now I could restrain myself no longer. "Why can't I marry you?" I + asked, speaking very rapidly, and, I am afraid, with imprudent energy. + "Is it any sort of condition or circumstance which prevents? Do you + think that I am forcing myself upon you at a time when I ought not to + do it? If so, you have mistaken me. Ever since I left here I have + thought of scarcely anything but you, and I have returned thus early + simply to tell you that I love you! I had to do that! I could not + wait! But as to all else, I can wait, and wait, and wait, as long as + you please. You can tell me to go away and come back at whatever time + you think it will be right for you to give me an answer." +</p> +<p> + "This is the right time," she said, "and I have given you your answer. + But, unfortunately, I did not prevent you from saying what you came to + say. So now I will tell you that the conditions and circumstances to + which you allude have nothing to do with the matter. I have a reason + for my decision which is of so much more importance than any other + reason that it is the only one which need be considered." +</p> +<p> + "What is that?" I asked, quickly. +</p> +<p> + "It is because I keep a tavern," she answered. "It would be wrong and + wicked for you to marry a woman who keeps a tavern." +</p> +<p> + Now my face flushed. I could feel it burning. "Keep a tavern!" I + exclaimed. "That is a horrible way to put it! But why should you think + for an instant that I cared for that? Do you suppose I consider that a + dishonorable calling? I would be only too glad to adopt it myself and + help you keep a tavern, as you call it." +</p> +<p> + "That is the trouble!" she exclaimed. "That is the greatest trouble. I + believe you would. I believe that you think that the life would just + suit you." +</p> +<p> + "Then sweep away the tavern!" I exclaimed. "Banish it. Leave it. Put + it out of all thought or consideration. I can wait for you. I can make + a place and a position for you. I can—" +</p> +<p> + "No, you cannot," she interrupted. "At least, not for a long time, + unless one of your scholars dies and leaves you a legacy. It is the + future that I am thinking about. No matter what you might sweep away, + and to what position you might attain, it could always be said, 'He + married a woman who used to keep a tavern.' Now, every one who is a + friend to you, who knows what is before you, if you choose to try for + it, should do everything that can be done to prevent such a thing ever + being said of you. I am a friend to you, and I am going to prevent + it." +</p> +<p> + I stood unable to say one word. Her voice, her eyes, even the manner + in which she stood before me, assured me that she meant everything she + said. It was almost impossible to believe that such an amiable + creature could turn into such an icicle. +</p> +<p> + "I do not want you to feel worse than you can help," she said, "but it + was necessary for me to speak as firmly and decidedly as I could, and + now it is all settled." +</p> +<p> + I knew it was all settled. I knew it as well as if it had been settled + for years. But, with my eyes still ardently fixed on her, I remembered + the little flush when she came into the room. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me one thing," said I, "and I will go. If it were not for what + you say about your position in life, and all that—if there had not + been such a place as this inn—then could you—" +</p> +<p> + She moved away from me. "You are as great a bear as the other one!" + she exclaimed, and turning she left the room by a door in the rear. + But in the next moment she ran back, holding out her hand. "Good-bye!" + she said. +</p> +<p> + I took her hand, but held it not a second. Then she was gone. I stood + looking at the door which she had closed behind her, and then I left + the house. There was no reason why I should stay in that place another + minute. +</p> +<p> + As I was about to mount my bicycle the boy came around the corner of + the inn. Upon his face was a diabolical grin. The thought rushed into + my mind that he might have been standing beneath the parlor window. + Instinctively I made a movement towards him, but he did not run. I + turned my eyes away from him and mounted. I could not kill a boy in + the presence of a nurse-maid. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I"> was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my + trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, + no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home. + I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port + of refuge. + +<p> + The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched + hands. They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for + no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it + was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with + them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been + in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations + to make that house my home until school began again. +</p> +<p> + The house was even livelier than when I left it. There was a married + couple visiting there, enthusiastic devotees of golf; one of Mr. + Walter's college friends was with him; and, to my surprise, Miss Amy + Willoughby was there again. +</p> +<p> + Genevieve received me with the greatest warmth, and I could see that + her hopes of a gentleman friend revived. Little Clara demanded to be + kissed as soon as she saw me, and I think she now looked upon me as a + permanent uncle or something of that kind. As soon as possible I was + escorted by the greater part of the family to see the bear. +</p> +<p> + Miss Edith had welcomed me as if I had been an old friend. It warmed + my heart to receive the frank and cordial handshake she gave me. She + said very little, but there was a certain interrogation in her eyes + which assured me that she had much to ask when the time came. As for + me, I was in no hurry for that time to come. I did not feel like + answering questions, and with as much animation as I could assume I + talked to everybody as we went to see the bear. +</p> +<p> + This animal had grown very fat and super-contented, but I found that + the family were in the condition of Gentleman Waife in Bulwer's novel, + and were now wondering what they would do with it. +</p> +<p> + "You see," cried Percy, who was the principal showman, "the neighbors + are all on pins and needles about him. Ever since the McKenna sisters + spread the story that Orso was in the habit of getting under beds, + there isn't a person within five miles of here who can go to bed + without looking under it to see if there is a bear there. There are + two houses for sale about a mile down the road, and we don't know any + reason why people should want to go away except it's the bear. Nearly + all the dogs around here are kept chained up for fear that Orso will + get hold of them, and there is a general commotion, I can tell you. At + first it was great fun, but it is getting a little tiresome now. We + have been talking about shooting him, and then I shall have his bones, + which I am going to set up as a skeleton, and it is my opinion that + you ought to have the skin." +</p> +<p> + Several demurrers now arose, for nobody seemed to think that I would + want such an ugly skin as that. +</p> +<p> + "Ugly!" cried Percy, who was evidently very anxious to pursue his + study of comparative anatomy. "It's a magnificent skin. Look at that + long, heavy fur. Why, if you take that skin and have it all cleaned, + and combed out, and dyed some nice color, it will be fit to put into + any room." +</p> +<p> + Genevieve was in favor of combing and cleaning, oiling and dyeing the + hide of the bear without taking it off. +</p> +<p> + "If you would do that," she declared, "he would be a beautiful bear, + and we would give him away. They would be glad to have him at Central + Park." +</p> +<p> + The Larramies would not listen to my leaving that day. There were a + good many people in the house, but there was room enough for me, and, + when we had left the bear without solving the problem of his final + disposition, there were so many things to be done and so many things + to be said that it was late in the afternoon before Miss Edith found + the opportunity of speaking to me for which she had been waiting so + long. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said she, as we walked together away from the golf links, but + not towards the house, "what have you to report?" +</p> +<p> + "Report?" I repeated, evasively. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, you promised to do that, and I always expect people to fulfil + their promises to me. You came here by the way of the Holly Sprig Inn, + didn't you?" +</p> +<p> + I assented. "A very roundabout way," she said. "It would have been + seven miles nearer if you had come by the cross-road. But I suppose + you thought you must go there first." +</p> +<p> + "That is what I thought," I answered. +</p> +<p> + "Have you been thinking about her all the time you have been away?" +</p> +<p> + "Nearly all the time." +</p> +<p> + "And actually cut off a big slice of your vacation in order to see + her?" +</p> +<p> + I replied that this was precisely the state of the case. +</p> +<p> + "But, after all, you weren't successful. You need not tell me anything + about that—I knew it as soon as I saw you this morning. But I will + ask you to answer one thing: Is the decision final?" +</p> +<p> + I sighed—I could not help it, but she did not even smile. "Yes," I + said, "the affair is settled definitely." +</p> +<p> + For a minute or so we walked on silently, and then she said: "I do not + want you to think I am hard-hearted, but I must say what is in me. I + congratulate you, and, at the same time, I am sorry for her." +</p> +<p> + At this amazing speech I turned suddenly towards her, and we both + stopped. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said she, standing before me with her clear eyes fixed upon my + face, "you are to be congratulated. I think it is likely she is the + most charming young woman you are ever likely to meet—and I know a + great deal more about her than you do, for I have known her for a long + time, and your acquaintance is a very short one—she has qualities you + do not know anything about; she is lovely! But for all that it would + be very wrong for you to marry her, and I am glad she had sense enough + not to let you do it." +</p> +<p> + "Why do you say that?" I asked, a little sharply. +</p> +<p> + "Of course you don't like it," she replied, "but it is true. She may + be as lovely as you think her—and I am sure she is. She may be of + good family, finely educated, and a great many more things, but all + that goes for nothing beside the fact that for over five years she has + been the landlady of a little hotel." +</p> +<p> + "I do not care a snap for that!" I exclaimed. "I like her all the + better for it. I—" +</p> +<p> + "That makes it worse," she interrupted, and as she spoke I could not + but recollect that a similar remark had been made to me before. "I + have not the slightest doubt that you would have been perfectly + willing to settle down as the landlord of a little hotel. But if you + had not—even if you had gone on in the course which father has + marked out for you, and you ought to hear him talk about you—you + might have become famous, rich, nobody knows what, perhaps President + of a college, but still everybody would have known that your wife was + the young woman who used to keep the Holly Sprig Inn, and asked the + people who came there if they objected to a back room, and if they + wanted tea or coffee for their breakfast. Of course Mrs. Chester + thought too much of you to let you consider any such foolishness." +</p> +<p> + I made no answer to this remark. I thought the young woman was taking + a great deal upon herself. +</p> +<p> + "Of course," she continued, "it would have been a great thing for Mrs. + Chester, and I honor her that she stood up stiffly and did the thing + she ought to do. I do not know what she said when she gave you her + final answer, but whatever it was it was the finest compliment she + could have paid you." +</p> +<p> + I smiled grimly. "She likened me to a bear," I said. "Do you call that + a compliment?" +</p> +<p> + Edith Larramie looked at me, her eyes sparkling. "Tell me one thing," + she said. "When she spoke to you in that way weren't you trying to + find out how she felt about the matter exclusive of the inn?" +</p> +<p> + I could not help smiling again as I assented. +</p> +<p> + "There!" she exclaimed. "I am beginning to have the highest respect + for my abilities as a forecaster of human probabilities. It was like + you to try to find out that, and it was like her to snub you. But + let's walk on. Would you like me to give you some advice." +</p> +<p> + "I am afraid your advice is not worth very much," I answered, "but I + will hear it." +</p> +<p> + "Well, then," she said, "I advise you to fall in love with somebody + else just as soon as you can. That is the best way to get this affair + out of your mind, and until you do that you won't be worth anything." +</p> +<p> + I felt that I now knew this girl so well that I could say anything to + her. "Very well, then," said I; "suppose I fall in love with you?" +</p> +<p> + "That isn't a very nice speech," she said. "There is a little bit of + spitefulness in it. But it doesn't mean anything, anyway. I am out of + the competition, and that is the reason I can speak to you so freely. + Moreover, that is the reason I know so much about the matter. I am not + biassed. But you need have no trouble—there's Amy." +</p> +<p> + "Don't say Amy to me, I beg of you!" I exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" she persisted. "She is very pretty. She is as good as she + can be. She is rich. And if she were your wife you would want her to + talk more than she does, you would be so glad to listen to her. I + might say more about Amy, but I won't." +</p> +<p> + "Would it be very impolite," said I, "if I whistled?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know," she said, "but you needn't do it. I will consider it + done. Now I will speak of Bertha Putney. I was bound to mention Amy + first, because she is my dear friend, but Miss Putney is a grand girl. + And I do not mind telling you that she takes a great interest in you." +</p> +<p> + "How do you know that?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "I have seen her since you were here—she lunched with us. As soon as + she heard your name mentioned—and that was bound to happen, for this + family has been talking about you ever since they first knew you—she + began to ask questions. Of course the bear came up, and she wanted to + know every blessed thing that happened. But when she found out that + you got the bear at the Holly Sprig her manner changed, and she + talked no more about you at the table. +</p> +<p> + "But in the afternoon she had a great deal to say to me. I did not + know exactly what she was driving at, and I may have told her too + much. We said a great many things—some of which I remember and some I + do not—but I am sure that I never knew a woman to take more interest + in a man than she takes in you. So it is my opinion that if you would + stop at the Putneys' on your way home you might do a great deal to + help you get rid of the trouble you are now in. It makes me feel + something like a spy in a camp to talk this way, but I told you I was + your friend, and I am going to be one. Spies are all right when they + are loyal to their own side." +</p> +<p> + I was very glad to have such a girl on my side, but this did not seem + to be a very good time to talk about the advantages of a call upon + Miss Putney. +</p> +<p> + In spite of all the entreaties of the Larramie family, I persisted in + my intention of going on to Walford the next morning, and, in reply to + their assurances that I would find it dreadfully dull in that little + village during the rest of my vacation, I told them that I should be + very much occupied and should have no time to be dull. I was going + seriously to work to prepare myself for my profession. For a year or + two I had been deferring this important matter, waiting until I had + laid by enough money to enable me to give up school-teaching and to + apply myself entirely to the studies which would be necessary. All + this would give me enough to do, and vacation was the time in which I + ought to do it. The distractions of the school session were very much + in the way of a proper contemplation of my own affairs. +</p> +<p> + "That sounds very well," said Miss Edith, when there was no one by, + "but if you cannot get the Holly Sprig Inn out of your mind, I do not + believe you will do very much 'proper contemplation.' Take my advice + and stop at the Putneys'. It can do you no harm, and it might help to + free your mind of distractions a great deal worse than those of the + school." +</p> +<p> + "By filling it with other distractions, I suppose you mean," I + answered. "A fickle-minded person you must think me. But it pleases me + so much to have you take an interest in me that I do not resent any of + your advice." +</p> +<p> + She laughed. "I like to give advice," she said, "but I must admit that + I sometimes think better of a person if he does not take it. But I + will say—and this is all the advice I am going to give you at + present—that if you want to be successful in making love, you must + change your methods. You cannot expect to step up in front of a girl + and stop her short as if she were a runaway horse. A horse doesn't + like that sort of thing, and a girl doesn't like it. You must take + more time about it. A runaway girl doesn't hurt anybody, and, if you + are active enough, you can jump in behind and take the reins and stop + her gradually without hurting her feelings, and then, most likely, you + can drive her for all the rest of your life." +</p> +<p> + "You ought to have that speech engraved in uncial characters on a slab + of stone," said I. "Any museum would be glad to have it." +</p> +<p> + I had two reasons besides the one I gave for wishing to leave this + hospitable house. In the first place, Edith Larramie troubled me. I + did not like to have any one know so much about my mental interior—or + to think she knew so much. I did not like to feel that I was being + managed. I had a strong belief that if anybody jumped into a vehicle + she was pulling he would find that she was doing her own driving and + would allow no interferences. I liked her very much, but I was sure + that away from her I would feel freer in mind. +</p> +<p> + The other reason for my leaving was Amy Willoughby. During my little + visit to her house my acquaintance with her had grown with great + rapidity. Now I seemed to know her very well, and the more I knew her + the better I liked her. It may be vanity, but I think she wanted me to + like her, and one reason for believing this was the fact that when she + was with me—and I saw a great deal of her during the afternoon and + evening I spent with the Larramies—she did not talk so much, and when + she did speak she invariably said something I wanted to hear. +</p> +<p> + Remembering the remarks which had been made about her by her friend + Edith, I could not but admit that she was a very fine girl, combining + a great many attractive qualities, but I rebelled against every + conviction I had in regard to her. I did not want to think about her + admirable qualities. I did not want to believe that in time they would + impress me more forcibly than they did now. I did not want people to + imagine that I would come to be so impressed. If I stayed there I + might almost look upon her in the light of a duty. +</p> +<p> + The family farewell the next morning was a tumultuous one. Invitations + to ride up again during my vacation, to come and spend Saturdays and + Sundays, were intermingled with earnest injunctions from Genevieve in + regard to a correspondence which she wished to open with me for the + benefit of her mind, and declarations from Percy that he would let me + know all about the bear as soon as it was decided what would be the + best thing to happen to him, and entreaties from little Clara that I + would not go away without kissing her good-bye. +</p> +<p> + But amid the confusion Miss Edith found a chance to say a final word + to me. "Don't you try," she said, as I was about to mount my bicycle, + "to keep those holly sprigs in your brain until Christmas. They are + awfully stickery, they will not last, and, besides, there will not be + any Christmas." +</p> +<p> + "And how about New-Year's Day?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "That is the way to talk," said she. "Keep your mind on that and you + will be all right." +</p> +<p> + As I rode along I could not forget that it would be necessary for me + to pass the inn. I had made inquiries, but there were no byways which + would serve my purpose. There was nothing for me to do but keep on, + and on I kept. I should pass so noiselessly and so swiftly that I did + not believe any one would notice me, unless, indeed, it should be the + boy. I earnestly hoped that I should not see the boy. +</p> +<p> + Whether or not I was seen from the inn as I passed it I do not know. + In fact, I did not know when I passed it. No shout of immature + diabolism caught my ear, no scent of lemon came into my nostrils, and + I saw nothing but the line of road directly in front of me. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + REPENTANCE AVAILS NOT +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/w.png" alt="W">hen I was positively certain that I had left the little inn far + behind me, I slackened my speed, and, perceiving a spreading tree by + the road-side, I dismounted and sat down in the shade. It was a hot + day, and unconsciously I had been working very hard. Several persons + on wheels passed along the road, and every time I saw one approaching + I was afraid that it might be somebody I knew, who might stop and sit + by me in the shade. I was now near enough to Walford to meet with + people from that neighborhood, and I did not want to meet with any one + just now. I had a great many things to think about and just then I was + busy trying to make up my mind whether or not it would be well for me + to stop at the Putneys'. + +<p> + If I should pass without stopping, some one in the lodge would + probably see me, and the family would know of my discourtesy, but, + although it would have been a very simple thing to do, and a very + proper thing, I did not feel sure that I wanted to stop. If Edith + Larramie had never said anything about it, I think I would surely have + made a morning call upon the Putneys. +</p> +<p> + After I had cooled off a little I rose to remount; I had not decided + anything, but it was of no use to sit there any longer. Glancing along + the road towards Walford, I saw in the distance some one approaching + on a wheel. Involuntarily I stood still and watched the on-coming + cyclist, who I saw was a woman. She moved steadily and rapidly on the + other side of the road. Very soon I recognized her. It was Miss + Putney. +</p> +<p> + As she came nearer and nearer I was greatly impressed with her + appearance. Her costume was as suitable and becoming for the occasion + as if it had been an evening dress for a ball, and she wheeled better + than any woman cyclist I ever saw. Her head was erect, her eyes + straight before her, and her motion was rhythm of action. +</p> +<p> + With my hand on my wheel I moved a few steps towards the middle of the + road. I was about to take off my cap when she turned her eyes upon me. + She even moved her head a little so as to gaze upon me a few seconds + longer. Her face was quiet and serene, her eyes were large, clear, and + observant. In them was not one gleam of recognition. Turning them + again upon the road in front of her, she sped on and away. +</p> +<a name="image-0031"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-31.png"> +<img src="images/bc-31s.png" width="200" height="177" +alt="'Cut Like That'"><br />'Cut Like That'</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + For some minutes I stood looking after her, utterly astonished. I do + not think in all my life I had ever been cut like that. What did it + mean? Could she care enough about me to resent my stopping at the + Holly Sprig? Was it possible that she could have known what had been + likely to happen there, and what had happened there? All this was very + improbable, but in Cathay people seemed to know a great many things. + Anyway, she had solved my problem for me. I need give no further + thought to a stop at her father's mansion. +</p> +<p> + I mounted and rode on, but not rapidly. I was very much moved. My soul + grew warm as I thought of the steady gaze of the eyes which that girl + had fixed upon me. For a mile or so I moved steadily and quietly in a + mood of incensed dignity. I pressed the pedals with a hard and cruel + tread. I did not understand. I could scarcely believe. +</p> +<p> + Soon, however, I began to move a little faster. Somehow or other I + became conscious that there was a bicycle at some distance behind me. + I pushed on a little faster. I did not wish to be overtaken by + anybody. Now I was sure there was a wheel behind me. I could not hear + it, but I knew it was there. +</p> +<p> + Presently I became certain that my instincts had not deceived me, for + I heard the quick sound of a bicycle bell. This was odd, for surely no + one would ring for me to get out of the way. Then there was another + tinkle, a little nearer. +</p> +<p> + Now I sped faster and faster. I heard the bell violently ringing. Then + I thought, but I am not sure, that I heard a voice. I struck out with + the thrust of a steam-engine, and the earth slipped backward beneath + me like the water of a mill-race. I passed wagons as if they had been + puffs of smoke, and people on wheels as though they were flying + cinders. +</p> +<p> + In some ten minutes I slackened speed and looked back. For a long + distance behind me not a bicycle was in sight. I now pursued my + homeward way with a warm body and a lacerated heart. I hated this + region which I had called Cathay. Its inhabitants were not barbarians, + but I was suffering from their barbarities. I had come among them + clean, whole, with an upright bearing. I was going away torn, bloody, + and downcast. +</p> +<p> + If the last words of the lady of the Holly Sprig meant the sweet thing + I thought they meant, then did they make the words which preceded them + all the more bitter. The more friendly and honest the counsels of + Edith Larramie had grown, the deeper they had cut into my heart. Even + the more than regard with which my soul prompted me to look back to + Amy Willoughby was a pain to me. My judgment would enrage me if it + should try to compel me to feel as I did not want to feel. +</p> +<p> + But none of these wounds would have so pained and disturbed me had it + not been for the merciless gaze which that dark-eyed girl had fixed + upon me as she passed me standing in the road. And if she had gone too + far and had done more than her own nature could endure, and if it were + she who had been pursuing me, then the wound was more cruel and the + smart deeper. If she believed me a man who would stop at the ringing + of her bell, then was I ashamed of myself for having given her that + impression. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + BEAUTY, PURITY, AND PEACE +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/i.png" alt="I"> now proposed to wheel my way in one long stretch to Walford. I took + no interest in rest or in refreshment. Simply to feel that I had done + with this cycle of Cathay would be to me rest, refreshment, and, + perhaps, the beginning of peace. + +<p> + The sun was high in the heavens, and its rays were hot, but still I + kept steadily on until I saw a female figure by the road-side waving a + handkerchief. I had not yet reached her, but she had stopped, was + looking at me, and was waving energetically. I could not be mistaken. + I turned and wheeled up in front of her. It was Mrs. Burton, the + mother of the young lady who had injured her ankle on the day when I + set out for my journey through Cathay. +</p> +<p> + "I am so glad to see you," she said, as she shook hands with me. "I + knew you as soon as my eyes first fell upon you. You know I have + often seen you on the road before we became acquainted with you. We + have frequently talked about you since you were here, and we did not + expect you would be coming back so soon. Mr. Burton has been hoping + that he would have a chance to know you better. He is very fond of + school-masters. He was an intimate friend of Godfrey Chester, who had + the school at Walford some years before you came—when the boys and + girls used to go to school together—and of the man who came + afterwards. He was a little too elderly, perhaps, but Mr. Burton liked + him too, and now he hopes that he is going to know you. But excuse me + for keeping you standing so long in the road. You must come in. We + shall have dinner in ten minutes. I was just coming home from a + neighbor's when I caught sight of you." +</p> +<p> + I declined with earnestness. Mr. Burton might be a very agreeable man, + but I wanted to make no new acquaintances then. I must keep on to + Walford. +</p> +<p> + But the good lady would listen to no refusals of her hospitality. I + was just in time. I must need a mid-day rest and something to eat. She + was very sorry that Mr. Burton was not at home. He nearly always was + at home, but to-day he had gone to Waterton. But if I would be + contented to take dinner with her daughter and herself, they would be + delighted to have me do so. She made a motion to open the gate for me, + but I opened it for her, and we both went in. The daughter met us at + the top of the garden walk. She came towards me as a cool summer + breeze comes upon a hot and dusty world. There was no flush upon her + face, but her eyes and lips told me that she was glad to see me before + she spoke a word or placed her soft, white hand in mine. At the first + touch of that hand I felt glad that Mrs. Burton had stopped me in the + road. Here was peace. +</p> +<p> + That dinner was the most soothing meal of which I had ever partaken. I + did the carving, my companions did the questioning, and nearly all the + conversation was about myself. Ordinarily I would not have liked this, + but every word which was said by these two fair ladies—for the + sweetness of the mother was merely more seasoned than that of the + daughter—was so filled with friendly interest that it gratified me to + make my answers. +</p> +<p> + They seemed to have heard a great deal about me during my wanderings + through Cathay. They knew, of course, that I had stopped with the + Putneys, for I had told them that, but they had also heard that I had + spent a night at the Holly Sprig, and had afterwards stayed with the + Larramies. But of anything which had happened which in the slightest + degree had jarred upon my feelings they did not appear to have heard + the slightest mention. +</p> +<p> + I might have supposed that only good and happy news thought it worth + while to stop at that abode of peace. As I looked upon the serene and + tender countenance of Mrs. Burton I wondered how a cloud rising from + want of sympathy with early peas ever could have settled over this + little family circle; but it was the man who had caused the cloud. I + knew it. It is so often the man. +</p> +<p> + When we had finished dinner and had gone out to sit in the cool + shadows of the piazza, I let my gaze rest as often as I might upon the + fair face of that young girl. Several times her eyes met mine, but + their lids never drooped, their tender light did not brighten. I felt + that she was so truly glad to see me that her pleasure in the meeting + was not affected one way or the other by the slight incident of my + looking at her. +</p> +<p> + If ever a countenance told of innocence, purity, and truth, her + countenance told of them. I believe that if she had thought it + pleased me to look at her, it would have pleased her to know that it + gave me pleasure. +</p> +<p> + As I talked with her and looked at her, and as I looked at her mother + and talked with her, it was impressed upon me that if there is one + thing in this world which is better than all else, it is peace, that + peace which comprises so many forms of happiness and deep content. + That the thoughts which came to me could come to a heart so lacerated, + so torn, so full of pain as mine had been that morning, seemed + wonderful, and yet they came. +</p> +<p> + Once or twice I tried to banish these thoughts. It seemed + disrespectful to myself to entertain them so soon after other thoughts + which I now wished to banish utterly. I am not a hero of romance. I am + only a plain human being, and such is the constitution of my nature + that the more troubled and disturbed is my soul, the more welcome is + purity, truth, and peace. +</p> +<p> + But, after all, my feelings were not quite natural, and the change in + them was too sudden. It was the consequence of too violent a reaction, + but, such as it was, it was complete. I would not be hasty. I would + not be deficient in self-respect. But if at that moment I had known + that this was the time to declare what I wished to have, I would + unhesitatingly have asked for beauty, purity, and peace. +</p> +<p> + A maid came out upon the piazza who wanted something. Mrs. Burton half + rose, but her daughter forestalled her. "I will go," said she. "Excuse + me one minute." +</p> +<p> + If my face expressed the sentiment, "Oh, that the mother had gone!" I + did not intend that it should do so. Mrs. Burton then began to talk + about her daughter. +</p> +<p> + "She is like her father," she said, "in so many ways. For one thing, + she is very fond of school-masters. I do not know exactly why this + should be, but her teachers always seem to be her friends. In fact, + she is to marry a school-master—that is, an assistant professor at + Yale. He is in Europe now, but we expect him back early in the fall." +</p> +<p> + A short time after this, when the daughter had returned and I rose to + go, the young girl put her soft, white hand into mine exactly as she + had done when I arrived, and the light in her eyes showed me, just as + it had showed me before, the pleasure she had taken in my visit. But + the mother's farewell was different from her greeting. I could see in + her kind air a certain considerate sympathy which was not there + before. She had been very prompt to tell me of her daughter's + engagement. +</p> +<p> + That young angel of peace and truth would not have deemed it necessary + to say a word about the matter, even to a young man who was a + school-master, and between whom and her family a mutual interest was + rapidly growing. But with the mother it was otherwise. She had seen + the shadows pass away from my countenance as I sat and talked upon + that cool piazza, my eyes bent upon her daughter. Mothers know. +</p> +<br /> +<a name="2HCH0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<hr> + +<h2> + CHAPTER XX +</h2> +<br /> +<h4> + BACK FROM CATHAY +</h4> +<hr> +<br /> <img align=left src="images/t.png" alt="T">he next morning, being again settled in my rooms in Walford, I went + to call upon the Doctor and his daughter. The Doctor was not at home, + but his daughter was glad to see me. + +<p> + "And how do you like your cycle of Cathay?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "I do not like it at all," I answered. "It has taken me upon a dreary + round. I am going to change it for another as soon as I have an + opportunity." +</p> +<p> + "Then it has not been a wheel of fortune to you?" she remarked. "And + as for that country which you figuratively called Cathay, did you find + that pleasant?" +</p> +<p> + "In some ways, yes, but in others not. You see, I came back before my + vacation was over, and I do not care to go there any more." +</p> +<p> + She now wanted me to tell her where I had really been and what had + happened to me, and I gave her a sketch of my adventures. Of course I + could not enter deeply into particulars, for that would make too long + a story, but I told her where I had stopped, and my accounts of the + bear and the horse were deeply interesting. +</p> +<p> + "It seems to me," she said, when I had finished, "that if things had + been a little different, you might have had an extremely pleasant + tour. For instance, if Mr. Godfrey Chester had been living, I think + you would have liked him very much, and it is probable that you would + have been glad to stay at his inn for several days. It is a beautiful + country thereabout." +</p> +<p> + "Did you know him?" I asked. +</p> +<p> + "Oh yes," she said; "he was my teacher during part of my school-days + here. And then there is Mr. Burton; father is very fond of him. He is + a man of great intelligence. It was unfortunate that you did not see + more of him." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps you know Mr. Putney?" I said. +</p> +<p> + "No," she answered. "I have heard a great deal about him. He seems to + be a stiff sort of a man. But as to Mr. Larramie, everybody likes him. + He is a great favorite throughout the county, and his son Walter is a + rising young man. I am glad you made the acquaintance of the + Larramies." +</p> +<p> + "So am I," I said, "very glad indeed. And, by-the-way, do you know a + young man named Willoughby? I never heard his first name, but he lives + at Waterton." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, the Willoughbys of Waterton," she said. "I have heard a great + deal about them. Father used to know the old gentleman. He was a great + collector of rare books, but he is dead now. If you had met him you + would have found him a man of your own tastes." +</p> +<p> + When I was going away she stopped me for a moment. "I forgot to ask + you," she said; "did you take any of those capsules I gave you when + you were starting off on your cycle?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said I, "I took some of them." But I could not well explain the + capricious way in which I had endeavored to guard against the germs of + malaria, and to call my own attention to the threatening germs of + erratic fancy. +</p> +<p> + "Then you do not think they did you any good?" she said. +</p> +<p> + "I am not sure," I replied. "I cannot say anything about that. But of + one thing I am certain, and that is, that if any germs of any kind + entered my system, it is perfectly free from them now." +</p> +<p> + "I am glad to hear that," she said. +</p> +<p> + It was about a week after this that I received a letter from Percy + Larramie. "I thought you would like to know about the bear," he wrote. + "Somebody must have forgotten to feed him, and he broke his chain and + got away. He went straight over to the Holly Sprig Inn, and I expect + he did that because the inn was the last place he had seen his master. + I did not know bears cared so much for masters. He didn't stay long at + the inn, but he stayed long enough to bite a boy. Then he went into + the woods. +</p> +<p> + "As soon as we heard of it we all set off on a bear-hunt. It was jolly + fun, although I did not so much as catch a sight of him. Father shot + him at a three-hundred-foot range. It was a Winchester rifle with a + thirty-two cartridge. It was a beautiful shot, Walter said, and I wish + I had made it. +</p> +<p> + "We took his skin off and tore it only in two or three places, which + can be mended. Would you like to have the skin, and do you care + particularly about the head? If you don't, I would like to have it, + because without it the skeleton will not be perfect." +</p> +<p> + I wrote to Percy that I did not desire so much as a single hair of the + beast. I did not tell him so, but I despised the bears of Cathay. +</p> +<p> + It was just before the Christmas holidays when I finally made up my + mind that of all the women in the world the Doctor's daughter was the + one for me, and when I told her so she did not try to conceal that + this was also her own opinion. I had seen the most charming qualities + in other women, and my somewhat rapid and enthusiastic study of them + had so familiarized me with them that I was enabled readily to + perceive their existence in others. I found them all in the Doctor's + daughter. +</p> +<p> + Her father was very well pleased when he heard of our compact. It was + plain that he had been waiting to hear of it. When he furthermore + heard that I had decided to abandon all thought of the law, and to + study medicine instead, his satisfaction was complete. He arranged + everything with affectionate prudence. I should read with him, + beginning immediately, even before I gave up my school. I should + attend the necessary medical courses, and we need be in no hurry to + marry. We were both young, and when I was ready to become his + assistant it would be time enough for him to give me his daughter. +</p> +<p> + We were sitting together in the Doctor's library and had been looking + over some of the papers of the Walford Literary Society, of which we + were both officers, when I said, looking at her signature: + "By-the-way, I wish you would tell me one thing. What does the initial + 'E.' stand for in your name? I never knew any one to use it." +</p> +<p> + "No," she said; "I do not like it. It was given to me by my mother's + sister, who was a romantic young lady. It is Europa. And I only hope," + she added, quickly, "that you may have fifty years of it." +</p> +<hr> +<p> + Three years of the fifty have now passed, and each one of the young + women I met in Cathay has married. The first one to go off was Edith + Larramie. She married the college friend of her brother who was at the + house when I visited them. When I met her in Walford shortly after I + heard of her engagement, she took me aside in her old way and told me + she wanted me always to look upon her as my friend, no matter how + circumstances might change with her or me. +</p> +<p> + "You do not know how much of a friend I was to you," she said, "and it + is not at all necessary you should know. But I will say that when I + saw you getting into such a dreadful snarl in our part of the + country, I determined, if there were no other way to save you, I would + marry you myself! But I did not do it, and you ought to be very glad + of it, for you would have found that a little of me, now and then, + would be a great deal more to your taste than to have me always." +</p> +<a name="image-0032"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<a href="images/bc-32.png"> +<img src="images/bc-32s.png" width="126" height="200" +alt="Europa"><br />Europa</a></center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Mrs. Chester married the man who had courted her before she fell in + love with her school-master. It appeared that the fact of her having + been the landlady of the Holly Sprig made no difference in his case. + He was too rich to have any prospects which might be interfered with. +</p> +<p> + Amy Willoughby married Walter Larramie. That was a thing which might + well have been expected. I was very glad to hear it, for I shall never + fail to be interested in the Larramies. +</p> +<p> + About a year ago there was a grand wedding at the Putney city mansion. + The daughter of the family was married to an Italian gentleman with a + title. I read of the affair in the newspapers, and having heard, in + addition, a great many details of the match from the gossips of + Walford, I supposed myself to be fully informed in regard to this + grand alliance, and was therefore very much surprised to receive, + personally, an announcement of the marriage upon a very large and + stiff card, on which were given, in full, the various titles and + dignities of the noble bridegroom. I did not believe Mr. Putney had + sent me this card, nor that his wife had done so; certainly the Count + did not send it. But no matter how it came to me, I was very sure I + owed it to the determination, on the part of some one, that by no + mischance should I fail to know exactly what had happened. I heard + recently that the noble lady and her husband expect to spend the + summer at her father's country-house, and some people believe that + they intend to make it their permanent home. +</p> +<p> + The Doctor strongly advises that Europa and I should go before long + and settle in the Cathay region. He thinks that it will be a most + excellent field for me to begin my labors in, and he knows many + families there who would doubtless give me their practice. +</p> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12334 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/12334-h/images/a.png b/12334-h/images/a.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c0c2ce --- /dev/null +++ b/12334-h/images/a.png diff --git a/12334-h/images/b.png b/12334-h/images/b.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a59a84 --- /dev/null +++ b/12334-h/images/b.png diff --git a/12334-h/images/bc-01.png b/12334-h/images/bc-01.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2aeada8 --- /dev/null +++ b/12334-h/images/bc-01.png diff --git a/12334-h/images/bc-01s.png b/12334-h/images/bc-01s.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fc80f52 --- /dev/null +++ b/12334-h/images/bc-01s.png diff --git a/12334-h/images/bc-02.png 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