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diff --git a/330-h/330-h.htm b/330-h/330-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6ef4424 --- /dev/null +++ b/330-h/330-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10575 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Where There's a Will, by Mary Roberts Rinehart + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Where There's A Will, by Mary Roberts Rinehart + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Where There's A Will + +Author: Mary Roberts Rinehart + +Release Date: March 14, 2006 [EBook #330] +Last Updated: January 20, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHERE THERE'S A WILL *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + WHERE THERE'S A WILL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Mary Roberts Rinehart + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <big><b>WHERE THERE'S A WILL</b></big> + </a><br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> + CHAPTER III </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> + CHAPTER VI </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> + CHAPTER IX </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> + CHAPTER XII </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> + CHAPTER XV </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> + CHAPTER XVIII </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX </a><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> + CHAPTER XXI </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII </a><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0024"> + CHAPTER XXIV </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV </a><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0027"> + CHAPTER XXVII </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII </a> <br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX </a><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0030"> + CHAPTER XXX </a><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + WHERE THERE'S A WILL + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <h3> + I HAVE A WARNING + </h3> + <p> + When it was all over Mr. Sam came out to the spring-house to say good-by + to me before he and Mrs. Sam left. I hated to see him go, after all we had + been through together, and I suppose he saw it in my face, for he came + over close and stood looking down at me, and smiling. "You saved us, + Minnie," he said, "and I needn't tell you we're grateful; but do you know + what I think?" he asked, pointing his long forefinger at me. "I think + you've enjoyed it even when you were suffering most. Red-haired women are + born to intrigue, as the sparks fly upward." + </p> + <p> + "Enjoyed it!" I snapped. "I'm an old woman before my time, Mr. Sam. What + with trailing back and forward through the snow to the shelter-house, and + not getting to bed at all some nights, and my heart going by fits and + starts, as you may say, and half the time my spinal marrow fairly chilled—not + to mention putting on my overshoes every morning from force of habit and + having to take them off again, I'm about all in." + </p> + <p> + "It's been the making of you, Minnie," he said, eying me, with his hands + in his pockets. "Look at your cheeks! Look at your disposition! I don't + believe you'd stab anybody in the back now!" + </p> + <p> + (Which was a joke, of course; I never stabbed anybody in the back.) + </p> + <p> + He sauntered over and dropped a quarter into the slot-machine by the door, + but the thing was frozen up and refused to work. I've seen the time when + Mr. Sam would have kicked it, but he merely looked at it and then at me. + </p> + <p> + "Turned virtuous, like everything else around the place. Not that I don't + approve of virtue, Minnie, but I haven't got used to putting my foot on + the brass rail of the bar and ordering a nut sundae. Hook the money out + with a hairpin, Minnie, and buy some shredded wheat in remembrance of me." + </p> + <p> + He opened the door and a blast of February wind rattled the window-frames. + Mr. Sam threw out his chest under his sweater and waved me another + good-by. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'm off, Minnie," he said. "Take care of yourself and don't sit too + tight on the job; learn to rise a bit in the saddle." + </p> + <p> + "Good-by, Mr. Sam!" I called, putting down Miss Patty's doily and + following him to the door; "good-by; better have something before you + start to keep you warm." + </p> + <p> + He turned at the corner of the path and grinned back at me. + </p> + <p> + "All right," he called. "I'll go down to the bar and get a lettuce + sandwich!" + </p> + <p> + Then he was gone, and happy as I was, I knew I would miss him terribly. I + got a wire hairpin and went over to the slot-machine, but when I had + finally dug out the money I could hardly see it for tears. + </p> + <p> + It began when the old doctor died. I suppose you have heard of Hope + Sanatorium and the mineral spring that made it famous. Perhaps you have + seen the blotter we got out, with a flash-light interior of the + spring-house on it, and me handing the old doctor a glass of mineral + water, and wearing the embroidered linen waist that Miss Patty Jennings + gave me that winter. The blotters were a great success. Below the picture + it said, "Yours for health," and in the body of the blotter, in red + lettering, "Your system absorbs the health-giving drugs in Hope Springs + water as this blotter soaks up ink." + </p> + <p> + The "Yours for health" was my idea. + </p> + <p> + I have been spring-house girl at Hope Springs Sanatorium for fourteen + years. My father had the position before me, but he took rheumatism, and + as the old doctor said, it was bad business policy to spend thousands of + dollars in advertising that Hope Springs water cured rheumatism, and then + have father creaking like a rusty hinge every time he bent over to fill a + glass with it. + </p> + <p> + Father gave me one piece of advice the day he turned the spring-house over + to me. + </p> + <p> + "It's a difficult situation, my girl," he said. "Lots of people think it's + simply a matter of filling a glass with water and handing it over the + railing. Why, I tell you a barkeeper's a high-priced man mostly, and his + job's a snap to this. I'd like to know how a barkeeper would make out if + his customers came back only once a year and he had to remember whether + they wanted their drinks cold or hot or 'chill off'. And another thing: if + a chap comes in with a tale of woe, does the barkeeper have to ask him + what he's doing for it, and listen while he tells how much weight he lost + in a blanket sweat? No, sir; he pushes him a bottle and lets it go at + that." + </p> + <p> + Father passed away the following winter. He'd been a little bit delirious, + and his last words were: "Yes, sir; hot, with a pinch of salt, sir?" Poor + father! The spring had been his career, you may say, and I like to think + that perhaps even now he is sitting by some everlasting spring measuring + out water with a golden goblet instead of the old tin dipper. I said that + to Mr. Sam once, and he said he felt quite sure that I was right, and that + where father was the water would be appreciated. He had heard of father. + </p> + <p> + Well, for the first year or so I nearly went crazy. Then I found things + were coming my way. I've got the kind of mind that never forgets a name or + face and can combine them properly, which isn't common. And when folks + came back I could call them at once. It would do your heart good to see + some politician, coming up to rest his stomach from the free bar in the + state house at the capital, enter the spring-house where everybody is + playing cards and drinking water and not caring a rap whether he's the man + that cleans the windows or the secretary of the navy. If he's been there + before, in sixty seconds I have his name on my tongue and a glass of water + in his hand, and have asked him about the rheumatism in his right knee and + how the children are. And in ten minutes he's sitting in a bridge game and + trotting to the spring to have his glass refilled during his dummy hand, + as if he'd grown up in the place. The old doctor used to say my memory was + an asset to the sanatorium. + </p> + <p> + He depended on me a good bit—the old doctor did—and that + winter he was pretty feeble. (He was only seventy, but he'd got in the + habit of making it eighty to show that the mineral water kept him young. + Finally he got to BEING eighty, from thinking it, and he died of senility + in the end.) + </p> + <p> + He was in the habit of coming to the spring-house every day to get his + morning glass of water and read the papers. For a good many years it had + been his custom to sit there, in the winter by the wood fire and in the + summer just inside the open door, and to read off the headings aloud while + I cleaned around the spring and polished glasses. + </p> + <p> + "I see the president is going fishing, Minnie," he'd say, or "Airbrake is + up to 133; I wish I'd bought it that time I dreamed about it. It was you + who persuaded me not to, Minnie." + </p> + <p> + And all that winter, with the papers full of rumors that Miss Patty + Jennings was going to marry a prince, we'd followed it by the spring-house + fire, the old doctor and I, getting angry at the Austrian emperor for + opposing it when we knew how much too good Miss Patty was for any + foreigner, and then getting nervous and fussed when we read that the + prince's mother was in favor of the match and it might go through. Miss + Patty and her father came every winter to Hope Springs and I couldn't have + been more anxious about it if she had been my own sister. + </p> + <p> + Well, as I say, it all began the very day the old doctor died. He stamped + out to the spring-house with the morning paper about nine o'clock, and the + wedding seemed to be all off. The paper said the emperor had definitely + refused his consent and had sent the prince, who was his cousin, for a + Japanese cruise, while the Jennings family was going to Mexico in their + private car. The old doctor was indignant, and I remember how he tramped + up and down the spring-house, muttering that the girl had had a lucky + escape, and what did the emperor expect if beauty and youth and wealth + weren't enough. But he calmed down, and soon he was reading that the + papers were predicting an early spring, and he said we'd better begin to + increase our sulphur percentage in the water. + </p> + <p> + I hadn't noticed anything strange in his manner, although we'd all noticed + how feeble he was growing, but when he got up to go back to the sanatorium + and I reached him his cane, it seemed to me he avoided looking at me. He + went to the door and then turned and spoke to me over his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "By the way," he remarked, "Mr. Richard will be along in a day or so, + Minnie. You'd better break it to Mrs. Wiggins." + </p> + <p> + Since the summer before we'd had to break Mr. Dick's coming to Mrs. + Wiggins the housekeeper, owing to his finding her false front where it had + blown out of a window, having been hung up to dry, and his wearing it to + luncheon as whiskers. Mr. Dick was the old doctor's grandson. + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" I said, and he turned around and looked square at me. + </p> + <p> + "He's a good boy at heart, Minnie," he said. "We've had our troubles with + him, you and I, but everything has been quiet lately." + </p> + <p> + When I didn't say anything he looked discouraged, but he had a fine way of + keeping on until he gained his point, had the old doctor. + </p> + <p> + "It HAS been quiet, hasn't it?" he demanded. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know," I said; "I have been deaf since the last explosion!" And I + went down the steps to the spring. I heard the tap of his cane as he came + across the floor, and I knew he was angry. + </p> + <p> + "Confound you, Minnie," he exclaimed, "if I could get along without you + I'd discharge you this minute." + </p> + <p> + "And if I paid any attention to your discharging me I'd have been gone a + dozen times in the last year," I retorted. "I'm not objecting to Mr. Dick + coming here, am I? Only don't expect me to burst into song about it. Shut + the door behind you when you go out." + </p> + <p> + But he didn't go at once. He stood watching me polish glasses and get the + card-tables ready, and I knew he still had something on his mind. + </p> + <p> + "Minnie," he said at last, "you're a shrewd young woman—maybe more + head than heart, but that's well enough. And with your temper under + control, you're a CAPABLE young woman." + </p> + <p> + "What has Mr. Dick been up to now?" I asked, growing suspicious. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing. But I'm an old man, Minnie, a very old man." + </p> + <p> + "Stuff and nonsense," I exclaimed, alarmed. "You're only seventy. That's + what comes of saying in the advertising that you are eighty—to show + what the springs have done for you. It's enough to make a man die of + senility to have ten years tacked to his age." + </p> + <p> + "And if," he went on, "if anything happens to me, Minnie, I'm counting on + you to do what you can for the old place. You've been here a good many + years, Minnie." + </p> + <p> + "Fourteen years I have been ladling out water at this spring," I said, + trying to keep my lips from trembling. "I wouldn't be at home any place + else, unless it would be in an aquarium. But don't ask me to stay here and + help Mr. Dick sell the old place for a summer hotel. For that's what he'll + do." + </p> + <p> + "He won't sell it," declared the old doctor grimly. "All I want is for you + to promise to stay." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'll stay," I said. "I won't promise to be agreeable, but I'll stay. + Somebody'll have to look after the spring; I reckon Mr. Dick thinks it + comes out of the earth just as we sell it, with the whole pharmacopoeia in + it." + </p> + <p> + Well, it made the old doctor happier, and I'm not sorry I promised, but + I've got a joint on my right foot that throbs when it is going to rain or + I am going to have bad luck, and it gave a jump then. I might have known + there was trouble ahead. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <h3> + MISS PATTY ARRIVES + </h3> + <p> + It was pretty quiet in the spring-house that day after the old doctor + left. It had started to snow and only the regulars came out. What with the + old doctor talking about dying, and Miss Patty Jennings gone to Mexico, + when I'd been looking forward to her and her cantankerous old father + coming to Hope Springs for February, as they mostly did, I was depressed + all day. I got to the point where Mr. Moody feeding nickels into the + slot-machine with one hand and eating zwieback with the other made me + nervous. After a while he went to sleep over it, and when he had slipped a + nickel in his mouth and tried to put the zwieback in the machine he + muttered something and went up to the house. + </p> + <p> + I was glad to be alone. I drew a chair in front of the fire and wondered + what I would do if the old doctor died, and what a fool I'd been not to be + a school-teacher, which is what I studied for. + </p> + <p> + I was thinking to myself bitterly that all that my experience in the + spring fitted me for was to be a mermaid, when I heard something running + down the path, and it turned out to be Tillie, the diet cook. + </p> + <p> + She slammed the door behind her and threw the Finleyville evening paper at + me. + </p> + <p> + "There!" she said, "I've won a cake of toilet soap from Bath-house Mike. + The emperor's consented." + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense!" I snapped, and snatched the paper. Tillie was right; the + emperor HAD! I sat down and read it through, and there was Miss Patty's + picture in an oval and the prince's in another, with a turned-up mustache + and his hand on the handle of his sword, and between them both was the + Austrian emperor. Tillie came and looked over my shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not keen on the mustache," she said, "but the sword's beautiful—and, + oh, Minnie, isn't he aristocratic? Look at his nose!" + </p> + <p> + But I'm not one to make up my mind in a hurry, and I'd heard enough talk + about foreign marriages in the years I'd been dipping out mineral water to + make me a skeptic, so to speak. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not so sure," I said slowly. "You can't tell anything by that kind of + a picture. If he was even standing beside a chair I could get a line on + him. He may be only four feet high." + </p> + <p> + "Then Miss Jennings wouldn't love him," declared Tillie. "How do you + reckon he makes his mustache point up like that?" + </p> + <p> + "What's love got to do with it?" I demanded. "Don't be a fool, Tillie. It + takes more than two people's pictures in a newspaper with a red heart + around them and an overweight cupid above to make a love-match. Love's a + word that's used to cover a good many sins and to excuse them all." + </p> + <p> + "She isn't that kind," said Tillie. "She's—she's as sweet as she's + beautiful, and you're as excited as I am, Minnie Waters, and if you're + not, what have you got the drinking glass she used last winter put on the + top shelf out of reach for?" She went to the door and slammed it open. + "Thank heaven I'm not a dried-up old maid," she called back over her + shoulder, "and when you're through hugging that paper you can send it up + to the house." + </p> + <p> + Well, I sat there and thought it over, Miss Patty, or Miss Patricia, + being, so to speak, a friend of mine. They'd come to the Springs every + winter for years. Many a time she'd slipped away from her governess and + come down to the spring-house for a chat with me, and we'd make pop-corn + together by my open fire, and talk about love and clothes, and even the + tariff, Miss Patty being for protection, which was natural, seeing that + was the way her father made his money, and I for free trade, especially in + the winter when my tips fall off considerable. + </p> + <p> + And when she was younger she would sit back from the fire, with the + corn-popper on her lap and her cheeks as red as cranberries, and say: "I + DON'T know why I tell you all these things, Minnie, but Aunt Honoria's + funny, and I can't talk to Dorothy; she's too young, you know. Well, HE + said—" only every winter it was a different "he." + </p> + <p> + In my wash-stand drawer I'd kept all the clippings about her coming out + and the winter she spent in Washington and was supposed to be engaged to + the president's son, and the magazine article that told how Mr. Jennings + had got his money by robbing widows and orphans, and showed the little + frame house where Miss Patty was born—as if she's had anything to do + with it. And so now I was cutting out the picture of her and the prince + and the article underneath which told how many castles she'd have, and I + don't mind saying I was sniffling a little bit, for I couldn't get used to + the idea. And suddenly the door closed softly and there was a rustle + behind me. When I turned it was Miss Patty herself. She saw the clipping + immediately, and stopped just inside the door. + </p> + <p> + "YOU, TOO," she said. "And we've come all this distance to get away from + just that." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I shan't talk about it," I replied, not holding out my hand, for + with her, so to speak, next door to being a princess—but she leaned + right over and kissed me. I could hardly believe it. + </p> + <p> + "Why won't you talk about it?" she insisted, catching me by the shoulders + and holding me off. "Minnie, your eyes are as red as your hair!" + </p> + <p> + "I don't approve of it," I said. "You might as well know it now as later, + Miss Patty. I don't believe in mixed marriages. I had a cousin that + married a Jew, and what with him making the children promise to be good on + the Talmud and her trying to raise them with the Bible, the poor things is + that mixed up that it's pitiful." + </p> + <p> + She got a little red at that, but she sat down and took up the clipping. + </p> + <p> + "He's much better looking than that, Minnie," she said soberly, "and he's + a good Catholic. But if that's the way you feel we'll not talk about it. + I've had enough trouble at home as it is." + </p> + <p> + "I guess from that your father isn't crazy about it," I remarked, getting + her a glass of spring water. The papers had been full of how Mr. Jennings + had forbidden the prince the house when he had been in America the summer + before. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly he's crazy about it—almost insane!" she said, and smiled + at me in her old way over the top of the glass. Then she put down the + glass and came over to me. "Minnie, Minnie," she said, "if you only knew + how I've wanted to get away from the newspapers and the gossips and come + to this smelly little spring-house and talk things over with a red-haired, + sharp-tongued, mean-dispositioned spring-house girl—!" + </p> + <p> + And with that I began to blubber, and she came into my arms like a baby. + </p> + <p> + "You're all I've got," I declared, over and over, "and you're going to + live in a country where they harness women with dogs, and you'll never + hear an English word from morning to night." + </p> + <p> + "Stuff!" She gave me a little shake. "He speaks as good English as I do. + And now we're going to stop talking about him—you're worse than the + newspapers." She took off her things and going into my closet began to + rummage for the pop-corn. "Oh, how glad I am to get away," she sang out to + me. "We're supposed to have gone to Mexico; even Dorothy doesn't know. + Where's the pop-corner or the corn-popper or whatever you call it?" + </p> + <p> + She was as happy to have escaped the reporters and the people she knew as + a child, and she sat down on the floor in front of the fire and began to + shell the corn into the popper, as if she'd done it only the day before. + </p> + <p> + "I guess you're safe enough here," I said. "It's always slack in January—only + a few chronics and the Saturday-to-Monday husbands, except a drummer now + and then who drives up from Finleyville. It's too early for drooping + society buds, and the chronic livers don't get around until late March, + after the banquet season closes. It will be pretty quiet for a while." + </p> + <p> + And at that minute the door was flung open, and Bath-house Mike staggered + in. + </p> + <p> + "The old doctor!" he gasped. "He's dead, Miss Minnie—died just now + in the hot room in the bathhouse! One minute he was givin' me the divil + for something or other, and the next—I thought he was asleep." + </p> + <p> + Something that had been heavy in my breast all afternoon suddenly seemed + to burst and made me feel faint all over. But I didn't lose my head. + </p> + <p> + "Does anybody know yet?" I asked quickly. He shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "Then he didn't die in the bath-house, Mike," I said firmly. "He died in + his bed, and you know it. If it gets out that he died in the hot room I'll + have the coroner on you." + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty was standing by the railing of the spring. I got my shawl and + started out after Mike, and she followed. + </p> + <p> + "If the guests ever get hold of this they'll stampede. Start any + excitement in a sanatorium," I said, "and one and all they'll dip their + thermometers in hot water and swear they've got fever!" + </p> + <p> + And we hurried to the house together. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <h3> + A WILL + </h3> + <p> + Well, we got the poor old doctor moved back to his room, and had one of + the chambermaids find him there, and I wired to Mrs. Van Alstyne, who was + Mr. Dicky Carter's sister, and who was on her honeymoon in South Carolina. + The Van Alstynes came back at once, in very bad tempers, and we had the + funeral from the preacher's house in Finleyville so as not to harrow up + the sanatorium people any more than necessary. Even as it was a few left, + but about twenty of the chronics stayed, and it looked as if we might be + able to keep going. + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty sent to town for a black veil for me, and even went to the + funeral. It helped to take my mind off my troubles to think who it was + that was holding my hand and comforting me, and when, toward the end of + the service, she got out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes I was almost + overcome, she being, so to speak, in the very shadow of a throne. + </p> + <p> + After it was all over the relatives gathered in the sun parlor of the + sanatorium to hear the will—Mr. Van Alstyne and his wife and about + twenty more who had come up from the city for the funeral and stayed over—on + the house. + </p> + <p> + Well, the old doctor left me the buttons for his full dress waistcoat and + his favorite copy of Gray's Anatomy. I couldn't exactly set up + housekeeping with my share of the estate, but when the lawyer read that + part of the will aloud and a grin went around the room I flounced out of + my chair. + </p> + <p> + "Maybe you think I'm disappointed," I said, looking hard at the family, + who weren't making any particular pretense at grief, and at the house + people standing around the door. "Maybe you think it's funny to see an + unmarried woman get a set of waistcoat buttons and a medical book. Well, + that set of buttons was the set he bought in London on his wedding trip, + and the book's the one he read himself to sleep with every night for + twenty years. I'm proud to get them." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Alstyne touched me on the arm. + </p> + <p> + "Everybody knows how loyal you've been, Minnie," he assured me. "Now sit + down like a good girl and listen to the rest of the will." + </p> + <p> + "While I'm up I might as well get something else off my mind," I said. "I + know what's in that will, but I hadn't anything to do with it, Mr. Van + Alstyne. He took advantage of my being laid up with influenza last + spring." + </p> + <p> + They thought that was funny, but a few minutes later they weren't so + cheerful. You see the sanatorium was a mighty fine piece of property, with + a deer park and golf links. We'd had plenty of offers to sell it for a + summer hotel, but we'd both been dead against it. That was one of the + reasons for the will. + </p> + <p> + The whole estate was left to Dicky Carter, who hadn't been able to come, + owing to his being laid up with an attack of mumps. The family sat up and + nodded at one another, or held up its hands, but when they heard there was + a condition they breathed easier. + </p> + <p> + Beginning with one week after the reading of the will—and not a day + later—Mr. Dick was to take charge of the sanatorium and to stay + there for two months without a day off. If at the end of that time the + place was being successfully conducted and could show that it hadn't lost + money, the entire property became his for keeps. If he failed it was to be + sold and the money given to charity. + </p> + <p> + You would have to know Richard Carter to understand the excitement the + will caused. Most of us, I reckon, like the sort of person we've never + dared to be ourselves. The old doctor had gone to bed at ten o'clock all + his life and got up at seven, and so he had a sneaking fondness for the + one particular grandson who often didn't go to bed at all. Twice to my + knowledge when he was in his teens did Dicky Carter run away from school, + and twice his grandfather kept him for a week hidden in the shelter-house + on the golf links. Naturally when Mr. Van Alstyne and I had to hide him + again, which is further on in the story, he went to the old shelter-house + like a dog to its kennel, only this time—but that's ahead, too. + </p> + <p> + Well, the family went back to town in a buzz of indignation, and I carried + my waistcoat buttons and my Anatomy out to the spring-house and had a good + cry. There was a man named Thoburn who was crazy for the property as a + summer hotel, and every time I shut my eyes I could see "Thoburn House" + over the veranda and children sailing paper boats in the mineral spring. + </p> + <p> + Sure enough, the next afternoon Mr. Thoburn drove out from Finleyville + with a suit case, and before he'd taken off his overcoat he came out to + the spring-house. + </p> + <p> + "Hello, Minnie," he exclaimed. "Does the old man's ghost come back to dope + the spring, or do you do it?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know what you are talking about, Mr. Thoburn," I retorted + sharply. "If you don't know that this spring has its origin in—" + </p> + <p> + "In Schmidt's drug store down in Finleyville!" he finished for me. "Oh, I + know all about that spring, Minnie! Don't forget that my father's cows + used to drink that water and liked it. I leave it to you," he said, + sniffing, "if a self-respecting cow wouldn't die of thirst before she + drank that stuff as it is now." + </p> + <p> + I'd been filling him a glass—it being a matter of habit with me—and + he took it to the window and held it to the light. + </p> + <p> + "You're getting careless, Minnie," he said, squinting at it. "Some of + those drugs ought to be dissolved first in hot water. There's a lump of + lithia there that has Schmidt's pharmacy label on it." + </p> + <p> + "Where?" I demanded, and started for it. He laughed at that, and putting + the glass down, he came over and stood smiling at me. + </p> + <p> + "As ingenuous as a child," he said in his mocking way, "a nice, little + red-haired child! Minnie, how old is this young Carter?" + </p> + <p> + "Twenty-three." + </p> + <p> + "An—er—earnest youth? Willing to buckle down to work and make + the old place go? Ready to pat the old ladies on the shoulder and squeeze + the young ones' hands?" + </p> + <p> + "He's young," I said, "but if you're counting on his being a fool—" + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," he broke in hastily. "If he hasn't too much character he'll + probably succeed. I hope he isn't a fool. If he isn't, oh, friend Minnie, + he'll stand the atmosphere of this Garden of Souls for about a week, and + then he'll kill some of them and escape. Where is he now?" + </p> + <p> + "He's been sick," I said. "Mumps!" + </p> + <p> + "Mumps! Oh, my aunt!" he exclaimed, and fell to laughing. He was still + laughing when he got to the door. + </p> + <p> + "Mumps!" he repeated, with his hand on the knob. "Minnie, the old place + will be under the hammer in three weeks, and if you know what's good for + you, you'll sign in under the new management while there's a vacancy. + You've been the whole show here for so long that it will be hard for you + to line up in the back row of the chorus." + </p> + <p> + "If I were you," I said, looking him straight in the eye, "I wouldn't pick + out any new carpets yet, Mr. Thoburn. I promised the old doctor I'd help + Mr. Dick, and I will." + </p> + <p> + "So you're actually going to fight it out," he said, grinning. "Well, the + odds are in your favor. You are two to my one." + </p> + <p> + "I think it's pretty even," I retorted. "We will be hindered, so to speak, + by having certain principles of honor and honesty. You have no handicap." + </p> + <p> + He tried to think of a retort, and not finding one he slammed out of the + spring-house in a rage. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Alstyne and his wife came in that same day, just before dinner, + and we played three-handed bridge for half an hour. As I've said, they'd + been on their honeymoon, and they were both sulky at having to stay at the + Springs. It was particularly hard on Mrs. Van Alstyne, because, with seven + trunks of trousseau with her, she had to put on black. But she used to + shut herself up in her room in the evenings and deck out for Mr. Sam in + her best things. We found it out one evening when Mrs. Biggs set fire to + her bureau cover with her alcohol curling-iron heater, and Mrs. Sam, who + had been going around in a black crepe dress all day, rushed out in pink + satin with crystal trimming, and slippers with cut-glass heels. + </p> + <p> + After the first rubber Mrs. Van Alstyne threw her cards on the floor and + said another day like this would finish her. + </p> + <p> + "Surely Dick is able to come now," she said, like a peevish child. "Didn't + he say the swelling was all gone?" + </p> + <p> + "Do you expect me to pick up those cards?" Mr. Sam asked angrily, looking + at her. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Sam yawned and looked up at him. + </p> + <p> + "Of course I do," she answered. "If it wasn't for you I'd not have stayed + a moment after the funeral. Isn't it bad enough to have seven trunks full + of clothes I've never worn, and to have to put on poky old black, without + keeping me here in this old ladies' home?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam looked at the cards and then at her. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not going to pick them up," he declared. "And as to our staying here, + don't you realize that if we don't your precious brother will never show + up here at all, or stay if he does come? And don't you also realize that + this is probably the only chance he'll ever have in the world to become + financially independent of us?" + </p> + <p> + "You needn't be brutal," she said sharply. "And it isn't so bad for you + here as it is for me. You spend every waking minute admiring Miss + Jennings, while I—there isn't a man in the place who'll talk + anything but his joints or his stomach." + </p> + <p> + She got up and went to the window, and Mr. Sam followed her. Nobody pays + any attention to me in the spring-house; I'm a part of it, like the brass + rail around the spring, or the clock. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not admiring Miss Jennings," he corrected, "I'm sympathizing, dear. + She looks too nice a girl to have been stung by the title bee, that's + all." + </p> + <p> + She turned her back to him, but he pretended to tuck the hair at the back + of her neck up under her comb, and she let him do it. As I stooped to + gather up the cards he kissed the tip of her ear. + </p> + <p> + "Listen," he said, "there's a scream of a play down at Finleyville + to-night called Sweet Peas. Senator Biggs and the bishop went down last + night, and they say it's the worst in twenty years. Put on a black veil + and let's slip away and see it." + </p> + <p> + I think she agreed to do it, but that night after dinner, Amanda King, who + has charge of the news stand, told me the sheriff had closed the + opera-house and that the leading woman was sick at the hotel. + </p> + <p> + "They say she looked funny last night," Amanda finished, "and I guess + she's got the mumps." + </p> + <p> + Mumps! + </p> + <p> + My joint gave a throb at that minute. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <h3> + AND A WAY + </h3> + <p> + Mr. Sam wasn't taking any chances, for the next day he went to the city + himself to bring Mr. Dick up. Everything was quiet that day and the day + after, except that on the second day I had a difference of opinion with + the house doctor and he left. + </p> + <p> + The story of the will had got out, of course, and the guests were waiting + to see Mr. Dick come and take charge. I got a good bit of gossip from Miss + Cobb, who had had her hair cut short after a fever and used to come out + early in the morning and curl it all over her head, heating the curler on + the fire log. I never smell burnt hair that I don't think of Miss Cobb + trying to do the back of her neck. She was one of our regulars, and every + winter for ten years she'd read me the letters she had got from an + insurance agent who'd run away with a married woman the day before the + wedding. She kept them in a bundle, tied with lavender ribbon. + </p> + <p> + It was on the third day, I think, that Miss Cobb told me that Miss Patty + and her father had had a quarrel the day before. She got it from one of + the chambermaids. Mr. Jennings was a liver case and not pleasant at any + time, but he had been worse than usual. Annie, the chambermaid, told Miss + Cobb that the trouble was about settlements, and that the more Miss Patty + tried to tell him it was the European custom the worse he got. Miss Patty + hadn't come down to breakfast that day, and Mr. Moody and Senator Biggs + made a wager in the Turkish bath—according to Miss Cobb—Mr. + Moody betting the wedding wouldn't come off at all. + </p> + <p> + "Of course," Miss Cobb said, wetting her finger and trying the iron to see + if it was hot, "of course, Minnie, they're not married yet, and if Father + Jennings gets ugly and makes any sort of scandal it's all off. A scandal + just now would be fatal. These royalties are very touchy about other + people's reputations." + </p> + <p> + Well, I heard that often enough in the next few days. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam hadn't come back by the morning of the sixth day, but he wired his + wife the day before that Mr. Dick was on the way. But we met every train + with a sleigh, and he didn't come. I was uneasy, knowing Mr. Dick, and + Mrs. Sam was worried, too. + </p> + <p> + By that time everybody was waiting and watching, and on the early train on + the sixth day came the lawyer, a Mr. Stitt. Mr. Thoburn was going around + with a sort of greasy smile, and if I could have poisoned him safely I'd + have done it. + </p> + <p> + It had been snowing hard for a day or so, and at eleven o'clock that day I + saw Miss Cobb and Mrs. Biggs coming down the path to the spring-house, + Mrs. Biggs with her crocheting-bag hanging to the handle of her umbrella. + I opened the door, but they wouldn't come in. + </p> + <p> + "We won't track up your clean floor, Minnie," Mrs. Biggs said—she + was a little woman, almost fifty, who'd gone through life convinced she'd + only lived so long by the care she took of herself—"but I thought + I'd better come and speak to you. Please don't irritate Mr. Biggs to-day. + He's been reading that article of Upton Sinclair's about fasting, and + hasn't had a bite to eat since noon yesterday." + </p> + <p> + I noticed then that she looked pale. She was a nervous creature, although + she could drink more spring water than any human being I ever saw, except + one man, and he was a German. + </p> + <p> + Well, I promised to be careful. I've seen them fast before, and when a fat + man starts to live on his own fat, like a bear, he gets about the same + disposition. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Biggs started back, but Miss Cobb waited a moment at the foot of the + steps. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Van Alstyne is back," she said, "but he came alone." + </p> + <p> + "Alone!" I repeated, staring at her in a sort of daze. + </p> + <p> + "Alone," she said solemnly, "and I heard him ask for Mr. Carter. It seems + he started for here yesterday." + </p> + <p> + But I'd had time to get myself in hand, and if I had a chill up my spine + she never knew it. As she started after Mrs. Biggs I saw Mr. Sam hurrying + down the path toward the spring-house, and I knew my joint hadn't throbbed + for nothing. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam came in and slammed the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + "What's this about Mr. Dick not being here?" he shouted. + </p> + <p> + "Well, he isn't. That's all there is to it, Mr. Van Alstyne," I said + calmly. I am always calm when other people get excited. For that reason + some people think my red hair is a false alarm, but they soon find out. + </p> + <p> + "But he MUST be here," said Mr. Van Alstyne. "I put him on the train + myself yesterday, and waited until it started to be sure he was off." + </p> + <p> + "The only way to get Mr. Richard anywhere you want him to go," I said + dryly, "is to have him nailed in a crate and labeled." + </p> + <p> + "Damned young scamp!" said Mr. Van Alstyne, although I have a sign in the + spring-house, "Profanity not allowed." + </p> + <p> + "EXACTLY what was he doing when you last laid eyes on him?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "He was on the train—" + </p> + <p> + "Was he alone?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Sitting?" + </p> + <p> + "No, standing. What the deuce, Minnie—" + </p> + <p> + "Waving out the window to you?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course not!" exclaimed Mr. Van Alstyne testily. "He was raising the + window for a girl in the next seat." + </p> + <p> + "Precisely!" I said. "Would you know the girl well enough to trace her?" + </p> + <p> + "That's ridiculous, you know," he said trying to be polite. "Out of a + thousand and one things that may have detained him—" + </p> + <p> + "Only one thing ever detains Mr. Dick, and that always detains him," I + said solemnly. "That's a girl. You're a newcomer in the family, Mr. Van + Alstyne; you don't remember the time he went down here to the station to + see his Aunt Agnes off to the city, and we found him three weeks later in + Oklahoma trying to marry a widow with five children." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Alstyne dropped into a chair, and through force of habit I gave + him a glass of spring water. + </p> + <p> + "This was a pretty girl, too," he said dismally. + </p> + <p> + I sat down on the other side of the fireplace, and it seemed to me that + father's crayon enlargement over the mantel shook its head at me. + </p> + <p> + After a minute Mr. Van Alstyne drank the water and got up. + </p> + <p> + "I'll have to tell my wife," he said. "Who's running the place, anyhow? + You?" + </p> + <p> + "Not—exactly," I explained, "but, of course, when anything comes up + they consult me. The housekeeper is a fool, and now that the house + doctor's gone—" + </p> + <p> + "Gone! Who's looking after the patients?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, most of them have been here before," I explained, "and I know their + treatment—the kind of baths and all that." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, YOU know the treatment!" he said, eying me. "And why did the house + doctor go?" + </p> + <p> + "He ordered Mr. Moody to take his spring water hot. Mr. Moody's spring + water has been ordered cold for eleven years, and I refused to change. It + was between the doctor and me, Mr. Van Alstyne." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, of course," he said, "if it was a matter of principle—" He + stopped, and then something seemed to strike him. "I say," he said; "about + the doctor—that's all right, you know; lots of doctors and all that. + But for heaven's sake, Minnie, don't discharge the cook." + </p> + <p> + Now that was queer, for it had been running in my head all morning that in + the slack season it would be cheaper to get a good woman instead of the + chef and let Tillie, the diet cook, make the pastry. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam picked up his hat and looked at his watch. + </p> + <p> + "Eleven thirty," he said, "and no sign of that puppy yet. I guess it's up + to the police." + </p> + <p> + "If there was only something to do," I said, with a lump in my throat, + "but to have to sit and do nothing while the old place dies it's—it's + awful, Mr. Van Alstyne." + </p> + <p> + "We're not dead yet," he replied from the door, "and maybe we'll need you + before the day's over. If anybody can sail the old bark to shore, you can + do it, Minnie. You've been steering it for years. The old doctor was no + navigator, and you and I know it." + </p> + <p> + It was blowing a blizzard by that time, and Miss Patty was the only one + who came out to the spring-house until after three o'clock. She shook the + snow off her furs and stood by the fire, looking at me and not saying + anything for fully a minute. + </p> + <p> + "Well," she said finally, "aren't you ashamed of yourself?" + </p> + <p> + "Why?" I asked, and swallowed hard. + </p> + <p> + "To be in all this trouble and not let me know. I've just this minute + heard about it. Can't we get the police?" + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Van Alstyne is trying," I said, "but I don't hope much. Like as not + Mr. Dick will turn up tomorrow and say his calendar was a day slow." + </p> + <p> + I gave her a glass of water, and I noticed when she took it how pale she + was. But she held it up and smiled over it at me. + </p> + <p> + "Here's to everything turning out better than we expect!" she said, and + made a face as she drank the water. I thought that she was thinking of her + own troubles as well as mine, for she put down the glass and stood looking + at her engagement ring, a square red ruby in an old-fashioned setting. It + was a very large ruby, but I've seen showier rings. + </p> + <p> + "There isn't anything wrong, Miss Patty, is there?" I asked, and she + dropped her hand and looked at me. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, no," she said. "That is, nothing much, Minnie. Father is—I + think he's rather ridiculous about some things, but I dare say he'll come + around. I don't mind his fussing with me, but—if it should get in + the papers, Minnie! A breath of unpleasant notoriety now would be fatal!" + </p> + <p> + "I don't see why," I said sharply. "The royal families of Europe have a + good bit of unpleasant notoriety themselves occasionally. I should think + they'd fall over themselves to get some good red American blood. Blue + blood's bad blood; you can ask any doctor." + </p> + <p> + But she only smiled. + </p> + <p> + "You're like father, Minnie," she said. "You'll never understand." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not sure I want to," I snapped, and fell to polishing glasses. + </p> + <p> + The storm stopped a little at three and most of the guests waded down + through the snow for bridge and spring water. By that time the afternoon + train was in, and no Mr. Dick. Mr. Sam was keeping the lawyer, Mr. Stitt, + in the billiard room, and by four o'clock they'd had everything that was + in the bar and were inventing new combinations of their own. And Mrs. Sam + had gone to bed with a nervous headache. + </p> + <p> + Senator Biggs brought the mail down to the spring-house at four, but there + was nothing for me except a note from Mr. Sam, rather shaky, which said + he'd no word yet and that Mr. Stitt had mixed all the cordials in the bar + in a beer glass and had had to go to bed. + </p> + <p> + At half past four Mr. Thoburn came out for a minute. He said there was + only one other train from town that night and the chances were it would be + snowed up at the junction. + </p> + <p> + "Better get on the band wagon before the parade's gone past," he said in + an undertone. But I went into my pantry and shut the door with a slam, and + when I came out he was gone. + </p> + <p> + I nearly went crazy that afternoon. I put salt in Miss Cobb's glass when + she always drank the water plain. Once I put the broom in the fire and + started to sweep the porch with a fire log Luckily they were busy with + their letters and it went unnoticed, the smell of burning straw not + rising, so to speak, above the sulphur in the spring. + </p> + <p> + Senator Biggs went from one table to another telling how well he felt + since he stopped eating, and trying to coax the other men to starve with + him. + </p> + <p> + It's funny how a man with a theory about his stomach isn't happy until he + has made some other fellow swallow it. + </p> + <p> + "Well," he said, standing in front of the fire with a glass of water in + his hand, "it's worth while to feel like this. My head's as clear as a + bell. I don't care to eat; I don't want to eat. The 'fast' is the + solution." + </p> + <p> + "Two stages to that solution, Senator," said the bishop; "first, + resolution; last, dissolution." + </p> + <p> + Then they all began at once. If you have ever heard twenty people airing + their theories on diet you know all about it. One shouts for Horace + Fletcher, and another one swears by the scraped-beef treatment, and + somebody else never touches a thing but raw eggs and milk, and pretty soon + there is a riot of calories and carbohydrates. It always ends the same + way: the man with the loudest voice wins, and the defeated ones limp over + to the spring and tell their theories to me. They know I'm being paid to + listen. + </p> + <p> + On this particular afternoon the bishop stopped the riot by rising and + holding up his hand. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "let us not be + rancorous. If each of us has a theory, and that theory works out to his + satisfaction, then—why are we all here?" + </p> + <p> + "Merely to tell one another the good news!" Mr. Jennings said sourly from + his corner. + </p> + <p> + Honest, it was funny. If some folks were healthy they'd be lonesome. + </p> + <p> + But when things had got quiet—except Mr. Moody dropping nickels into + the slot-machine—I happened to look over at Miss Patty, and I saw + there was something wrong. She had a letter open in her lap not one of the + blue ones with the black and gold seal that every one in the house knew + came from the prince but a white one, and she was staring at it as if + she'd seen a ghost. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <h3> + WANTED—AN OWNER + </h3> + <p> + I have never reproached Miss Patty, but if she had only given me the + letter to read or had told me the whole truth instead of a part of it, I + would have understood, and things would all have been different. It is all + very well for her to say that I looked worried enough already, and that + anyhow it was a family affair. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD. + </p> + <p> + All she did was to come up to me as I stood in the spring, with her face + perfectly white, and ask me if my Dicky Carter was the Richard Carter who + stayed at the Grosvenor in town. + </p> + <p> + "He doesn't stay anywhere," I said, with my feet getting cold, "but that's + where he has apartments. What has he been doing now?" + </p> + <p> + "You're expecting him on the evening train, aren't you?" she asked. "Don't + stare like that: my father's watching." + </p> + <p> + "He ought to be on the evening train," I said. I wasn't going to say I + expected him. I didn't. + </p> + <p> + "Listen, Minnie," she said, "you'll have to send him away again the moment + he comes. He must not go into the house." + </p> + <p> + I stood looking at her, with my mouth open. + </p> + <p> + "Not go into the house," I repeated, "with everybody waiting for him for + the last six days, and Mr. Stitt here to turn things over to him!" + </p> + <p> + She stood tapping her foot, with her pretty brows knitted. + </p> + <p> + "The wretch!" she cried, "the hateful creature as if things weren't bad + enough! I suppose he'll have to come, Minnie, but I must see him before he + sees any one else." + </p> + <p> + Just then the bishop brought his glass over to the spring. + </p> + <p> + "Hot this time, Minnie," he said. "Do you know, I'm getting the + mineral-water habit, Patty! I'm afraid plain water will have no attraction + for me after this." + </p> + <p> + He put his hand over hers on the rail. They were old friends, the bishop + and the Jenningses. + </p> + <p> + "Well, how goes it to-day with the father?" he said in a low tone, and + smiling. + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty shrugged her shoulders. "Worse, if possible." + </p> + <p> + "I thought so," he said cheerfully. "If state of mind is any criterion I + should think he has had a relapse. A little salt, Minnie." Miss Patty + stood watching him while he tasted it. + </p> + <p> + "Bishop," she said suddenly, "will you do something for me?" + </p> + <p> + "I always have, Patty." He was very fond of Miss Patty, was the bishop. + </p> + <p> + "Then—to-night, not later than eight o'clock, get father to play + cribbage, will you? And keep him in the card-room until nine." + </p> + <p> + "Another escapade!" he said, pretending to be very serious. "Patty, Patty, + you'll be the death of me yet. Is thy servant a dog, that he should do + this thing?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly NOT," said Miss Patty. "Just a dear, slightly bald, but still + very distinguished slave!" + </p> + <p> + The bishop picked up her left hand and looked at the ring and from that to + her face. + </p> + <p> + "There will be plenty of slaves to kiss this little hand, where you are + going, my child," he said. "Sometimes I wish that some nice red-blooded + boy here at home—but I dare say it will turn out surprisingly well + as it is." + </p> + <p> + "Bishop, Bishop!" Mrs. Moody called. "How naughty of you, and with your + bridge hand waiting to be held!" + </p> + <p> + He carried his glass back to the table, stopping for a moment beside Mr. + Jennings. + </p> + <p> + "If Patty becomes any more beautiful," he said, "I shall be in favor of + having her wear a mask. How are we young men to protect ourselves?" + </p> + <p> + "Pretty is as pretty does!" declared Mr. Jennings from behind his + newspaper, and Miss Patty went out with her chin up. + </p> + <p> + Well, I knew Mr. Dick had been up to some mischief; I had suspected it all + along. But Miss Patty went to bed, and old Mrs. Hutchins, who's a sort of + lady's-maid-companion of hers, said she mustn't be disturbed. I was pretty + nearly sick myself. And when Mr. Sam came out at five o'clock and said + he'd been in the long-distance telephone booth for an hour and had called + everybody who had ever known Mr. Dick, and that he had dropped right off + the earth, I just about gave up. He had got some detectives, he said, and + there was some sort of a story about his having kept right on the train to + Salem, Ohio, but if he had they'd lost the trail there, and anyhow, with + the railroad service tied up by the storm there wasn't much chance of his + getting to Finleyville in time. + </p> + <p> + Luckily Mr. Stitt was in bed with a mustard leaf over his stomach and ice + on his head, and didn't know whether it was night or morning. But Thoburn + was going around with a watch in his hand, and Mr. Sam was for killing him + and burying the body in the snow. + </p> + <p> + At half past five I just about gave up. I was sitting in front of the fire + wondering why I'd taken influenza the spring before from getting my feet + wet in a shower, when I had been standing in a mineral spring for so many + years that it's a wonder I'm not web-footed. It was when I had influenza + that the old doctor made the will, you remember. Maybe I was crying, I + don't recall. + </p> + <p> + It was dark outside, and nothing inside but firelight. Suddenly I seemed + to feel somebody looking at the back of my neck and I turned around. There + was a man standing outside one of the windows, staring in. + </p> + <p> + My first thought, of course, was that it was Mr. Dick, but just as the + face vanished I saw that it wasn't. It was older by three or four years + than Mr. Dick's and a bit fuller. + </p> + <p> + I'm not nervous. I've had to hold my own against chronic grouches too long + to have nerves, so I went to the door and looked out. The man came around + the corner just then and I could see him plainly in the firelight. He was + covered with snow, and he wore a sweater and no overcoat, but he looked + like a gentleman. + </p> + <p> + "I beg your pardon for spying," he said, "but the fire looked so snug! + I've been trying to get to the hotel over there, but in the dark I've lost + the path." + </p> + <p> + "That's not a hotel," I snapped, for that touched me on the raw. "That's + Hope Springs Sanatorium, and this is one of the Springs." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Hope Springs, internal instead of eternal!" he said. "That's awfully + bad, isn't it? To tell you the truth, I think I'd better come in and get + some; I'm short on hope just now." + </p> + <p> + I thought that was likely enough, for although his voice was cheerful and + his eyes smiled, there was a drawn look around his mouth, and he hadn't + shaved that day. I wish I had had as much experience in learning what's + right with folks as I have had in learning what's wrong with them. + </p> + <p> + "You'd better come in and get warm, anyhow," I told him, "only don't + spring any more gags. I've been 'Hebe' for fourteen years and I've served + all the fancy drinks you can name over the brass railing of that spring. + Nowadays, when a fellow gets smart and asks for a Mamie Taylor, I charge + him a Mamie Taylor price." + </p> + <p> + He shut the door behind him and came over to the fire. + </p> + <p> + "I'm pretty well frozen," he said. "Don't be astonished if I melt before + your eyes; I've been walking for hours." + </p> + <p> + Now that I had a better chance to see him I'd sized up that drawn look + around his mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Missed your luncheon, I suppose," I said, poking the fire log. He grinned + rather sheepishly. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I haven't had any, and I've certainly missed it," he said. + </p> + <p> + "Fasting's healthy, you know." + </p> + <p> + I thought of Senator Biggs, who carried enough fat to nourish him for + months, and then I looked at my visitor, who hadn't an ounce of extra + flesh on him. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing's healthy that isn't natural," I declared. "If you'd care for a + dish of buttered and salted pop-corn, there's some on the mantel. It's + pretty salty; the idea is to make folks thirsty so they'll enjoy the + mineral water." + </p> + <p> + "Think of raising a real thirst only to drown it with spring water!" he + said. But he got the pop corn and he ate it all. If he hadn't had any + luncheon he hadn't had much breakfast. The queer part was—he was a + gentleman; his clothes were the right sort, but he had on patent leather + shoes in all that snow and an automobile cap. + </p> + <p> + I put away the glasses while he ate. Pretty soon he looked up and the + drawn lines were gone. He wasn't like Mr. Dick, but he was the same type, + only taller and heavier built. + </p> + <p> + "And so it isn't a hotel," he remarked. "Well, I'm sorry. The caravansary + in the village is not to my liking, and I had thought of engaging a suite + up here. My secretary usually attends to these things, but—don't + take away all the glasses, Heb—I beg your pardon—but the + thirst is coming." + </p> + <p> + He filled the glass himself and then he came up and stood in front of me, + with the glass held up in the air. + </p> + <p> + "To the best woman I have met in many days," he said, not mocking but + serious. "I was about to lie down and let the little birds cover me with + leaves." Then he glanced at the empty dish and smiled. "To buttered + pop-corn! Long may it wave!" he said, and emptied the glass. + </p> + <p> + Well, I found a couple of apples in my pantry and brought them out, and + after he ate them he told me what had happened to him. He had been a + little of everything since he left college he was about twenty-five had + crossed the Atlantic in a catboat and gone with somebody or other into + some part of Africa—they got lost and had to eat each other or + lizards, or something like that—and then he went to the Philippines, + and got stuck there and had to sell books to get home. He had a little + money, "enough for a grub-stake," he said, and all his folks were dead. + Then a college friend of his wrote a rural play called Sweet Peas—"Great + title, don't you think?" he asked—and he put up all the money. It + would have been a hit, he said, but the kid in the play—the one that + unites its parents in the last act just before he dies of tuberculosis—the + kid took the mumps and looked as if, instead of fading away, he was going + to blow up. Everybody was so afraid of him that they let him die alone for + three nights in the middle of the stage. Then the leading woman took the + mumps, and the sheriff took everything else. + </p> + <p> + "You city folks seem to know so much," I said, "and yet you bring a + country play to the country! Why don't you bring out a play with women in + low-necked gowns, and champagne suppers, and a scandal or two? They packed + Pike's Opera-House three years ago with a play called Why Women Sin." + </p> + <p> + Well, of course, the thing failed, and he lost every dollar he'd put into + it, which was all he had, including what he had in his pockets. + </p> + <p> + "They seized my trunks," he explained, "and I sold my fur-lined overcoat + for eight dollars, which took one of the girls back home. It's hard for + the women. A fellow can always get some sort of a job—I was coming + up here to see if they needed an extra clerk or a waiter, or chauffeur, or + anything that meant a roof and something to eat—but I suppose they + don't need a jack-of-all-trades." + </p> + <p> + "No," I answered, "but I'll tell you what I think they're going to need. + And that's an owner!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <h3> + THE CONSPIRACY + </h3> + <p> + I'm not making any excuses. I did it for the best. In any sort of crisis + there are always folks who stand around and wring their hands and say, + "What shall we do?" And then if it's a fire and somebody has had enough + sense to send for the engines, they say: "Just look at what the water + did!" Although as far as I can see I'm the only one that suffered any + damage. + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Thoburn had not been there, sitting by to see the old sanatorium + die so it could sprout wings and fly as a summer hotel, I'd never have + thought of it. But I was in despair. + </p> + <p> + I got up and opened the door, but the Snow came in in a cloud, and the + path was half a foot deep again. It shows on what little threads big + things hang, for when I saw the storm I gave up the idea of bringing Mr. + Sam down to see the young man, and the breath of fresh air in my face + brought me to my senses. + </p> + <p> + But the angel of providence appeared in the shape of Mike, the bath man, + coming down through the snow in a tearing rage. The instant I saw Mike I + knew it was settled. + </p> + <p> + "Am I or am I not to give Mr. Moody a needle shower?" he shouted, almost + beside himself. And I saw he had his overcoat over his bath costume, which + is a Turkish towel. + </p> + <p> + "A needle shower followed by a salt rub," said I. "He's been having them + for eleven years. What's the matter?" + </p> + <p> + "That fool of a young doctor," shouted Mike, "he told him before he left + that if he'd been taking them for eleven years and wasn't any better it + was time to stop. Ain't business bad enough—only four people in the + house takin' baths regular—without his buttin' in!" + </p> + <p> + "Where's Mr. Moody?" + </p> + <p> + "In the bath. I've locked up his clothes." + </p> + <p> + "You give him a needle shower and a salt rub," I ordered, "and if he makes + a fuss just send for me. And, Mike," I said, as he started out, "ask Mr. + Van Alstyne to come out here immediately." + </p> + <p> + That's the way it was all the time. Everybody brought their troubles to + me, and I guess I thought I was a little tin god on wheels and the place + couldn't get along without me. But it did; it does. We all think we'll + leave a big hole behind us when we go, but it's just like taking your + thumb out of a bowl of soup. There isn't even a dent. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Alstyne came out on the run, and when he saw Mr. Pierce by the + fire—that was his name, Alan Pierce—he stopped and stared. + Then he said: + </p> + <p> + "You infernal young scamp!" And with that Mr. Pierce jumped up, surprised + and pretty mad, and Mr. Van Alstyne saw his mistake. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sure I beg your pardon!" he said. "The fact is, I was expecting + somebody else, and in the firelight—" + </p> + <p> + "You surprised me, that's all," said Mr. Pierce. "Under the circumstances, + I'm glad I'm not the other chap." + </p> + <p> + "You may be," assured Mr. Sam grimly. "You're not unlike him, by the way. + A little taller and heavier, but—" + </p> + <p> + Now it's all very well for Mr. Sam to say I originated the idea and all + that, but as truly as I am writing this, as I watched his face I saw the + same thought come into it. He looked Mr. Pierce up and down, and then he + stared into the fire and puckered his mouth to whistle, but he didn't. And + finally he glanced at me, but I was looking into the fire, too. + </p> + <p> + "Just come, haven't you?" he asked. "How did you get up the hill?" + </p> + <p> + "Walked," said Mr. Pierce, smiling. "It took some digging, too. But I + didn't come for my health, unless you think three meals a day are + necessary for health." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam turned and stared at him. "By Jove! you don't mean it!" + </p> + <p> + "I wish I didn't," Mr. Pierce replied. "One of the hardest things I've had + to remember for the last ten hours was that for two years I voluntarily + ate only two meals a day. A man's a fool to do a thing like that! It's + reckless." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam got up and began to walk the floor, his hands in his pockets. He + tried to get my eye, but still I looked in the fire. + </p> + <p> + "All traffic's held up, Minnie," he said. "The eight o'clock train is + stalled beyond the junction, in a drift. I've wired the conductor, and + Carter isn't on it." + </p> + <p> + "Well?" said I. + </p> + <p> + "If we could only get past to-day," Mr. Sam went on; "if Thoburn would + only choke to death, or—if there was somebody around who looked like + Dick. I dare say, by to-morrow—" He looked at Mr. Pierce, who smiled + and looked at him. + </p> + <p> + "And I resemble Dick!" said Mr. Pierce. "Well, if he's a moral and upright + young man—" + </p> + <p> + "He isn't!" Mr. Sam broke in savagely. And then and there he sat down and + told Mr. Pierce the trouble we were in, and what sort of cheerful idiot + Dicky Carter was, and how everybody liked him, but wished he would grow up + before the family good name was gone, and that now he had a chance to make + good and be self-supporting, and he wasn't around, and if Mr. Sam ever got + his hands on him he'd choke a little sense down his throat. + </p> + <p> + And then Mr. Pierce told about the play and the mumps, and how he was + stranded. When Mr. Sam asked him outright if he'd take Mr. Dick's place + overnight he agreed at once. + </p> + <p> + "I haven't anything to lose," he said, "and anyhow I've been on a diet of + Sweet Peas so long that a sanatorium is about what I need." + </p> + <p> + "It's like this," explained Mr. Sam, "Old Stitt is pretty thoroughly + jingled—excuse me, Minnie, but it's the fact. I'll take you to his + room, with the lights low, and all you'll need to do is to shake hands + with him. He's going on the early train to-morrow. Then you needn't mix + around much with the guests until to-morrow, and by that time I hope to + have Dick within thrashing distance." + </p> + <p> + Just as they'd got it arranged that Mr. Pierce was to put on Mr. Sam's + overcoat and walk down to the village so that he could come up in a + sleigh, as if he had driven over from Yorkton—he was only to walk + across the hall in front of the office, with his collar up, just enough to + show himself and then go to his room with a chill—just as it was all + arranged, Mr. Sam thought of something. + </p> + <p> + "The house people are waiting for Dick," he said to me, "and about forty + women are crocheting in the lobby, so they'll be sure to see him. Won't + some of them know it isn't Dick?" + </p> + <p> + I thought pretty fast. + </p> + <p> + "He hasn't been around much lately," I said. "Nobody would know except + Mrs. Wiggins. She'll never forget him; the last time he was here he put on + her false front like a beard and wore it down to dinner." + </p> + <p> + "Then it's all off," he groaned. "She's got as many eyes as a potato." + </p> + <p> + "And about as much sense," said I. "Fiddlesticks! She's not so good we + can't replace her, and what's the use of swallowing a camel and then + sticking at a housekeeper?" + </p> + <p> + "You can't get her out of the house in an hour," he objected, but in a + weak voice. + </p> + <p> + "I can!" I said firmly. + </p> + <p> + (I did. Inside of an hour she went to the clerk, Mr. Slocum, and handed in + her resignation. She was a touchy person, but I did NOT say all that was + quoted. I did NOT say the kitchen was filthy; I only said it took away my + appetite to look in at the door. But she left, which is the point.) + </p> + <p> + Well, I stood in the doorway and watched them disappear in the darkness, + and I felt better than I had all day. It's great to be able to DO + something, even if that something is wrong. But as I put on my shawl and + turned out the lights, I suddenly remembered. Miss Patty would be waiting + in the lobby for Mr. Dick, and she would not be crocheting! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <h3> + MR. PIERCE ACQUIRES A WIFE + </h3> + <p> + Whoever has charge of the spring-house at Hope Springs takes the news + stand in the evening. That's an old rule. The news stand includes tobacco + and a circulating library, and is close to the office, and if I missed any + human nature at the spring I got it there. If you can't tell all about a + man by the way he asks for mineral water and drinks it, by the time you've + supplied his literature and his tobacco and heard him grumbling over his + bill at the office, you've got a line on him and a hook in it. + </p> + <p> + After I ate my supper I relieved Amanda King, who runs the news stand in + the daytime, when she isn't laid off with the toothache. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam was right. All the women had on their puffs, and they were sitting + in a half-circle on each side of the door. Mrs. Sam was there, looking + frightened and anxious, and standing near the card-room door was Miss + Patty. She was all in white, with two red spots on her cheeks, and I + thought if her prince could have seen her then he would pretty nearly have + eaten her up. Mr. Thoburn was there, of course, pretending to read the + paper, but every now and then he looked at his watch, and once he got up + and paced off the lobby, putting down the length in his note-book. I + didn't need a mind-reader to tell me he was figuring the cost of a new + hardwood floor and four new rugs. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam came to the news stand, and he was so nervous he could hardly + light a cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "I've had a message from one of the detectives," he said. "They've traced + him to Salem, Ohio, but they lost him there. If we can only hold on this + evening—! Look at that first-night audience!" + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Pierce is due in three minutes," I told him. "I hope you told him to + kiss his sister." + </p> + <p> + "Nothing of the sort," he objected. "Why should he kiss her? Mrs. Van + Alstyne is afraid of the whole thing: she won't stand for that." + </p> + <p> + "I guess she could endure it," I remarked dryly. + </p> + <p> + "It's astonishing how much of that sort of thing a woman can bear." + </p> + <p> + He looked at me and grinned. + </p> + <p> + "By gad," he said, "I wouldn't be as sophisticated as you are for a good + deal. Isn't that the sleigh?" + </p> + <p> + Everybody had heard it. The women sat up and craned forward to look at the + door: Mrs. Sam was sitting forward clutching the arms of her chair. She + was in white, having laid off her black for that evening, with a red rose + pinned on her so Mr. Pierce would know her. Miss Patty heard the + sleigh-bells also, and she turned and came toward the door. Her mouth was + set hard, and she was twisting the ruby ring as she always did when she + was nervous. And at the same moment Mr. Sam and I both saw it; she was in + white, too, and she had a red rose tucked in her belt! + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam muttered something and rushed at her, but he was too late. Just as + he got to her the door opened and in came Mr. Pierce, with Mr. Sam's fur + coat turned up around his ears and Mr. Sam's fur cap drawn well down on + his head. He stood for an instant blinking in the light, and Mrs. Van + Alstyne got up nervously. He never even saw her. His eyes lighted on Miss + Patty's face and stayed there. Mr. Sam was there, but what could he do? + Mr. Pierce walked over to Miss Patty, took her hand, said, "Hello there!" + and KISSED HER. It was awful. + </p> + <p> + Most women will do anything to save a scene, and that helped us, for she + never turned a hair. But when Mr. Sam got him by the arm and led him + toward the stairs, she turned so that the old cats sitting around could + not see her and her face was scarlet. She went over to the wood fire—our + lobby is a sort of big room with chairs and tables and palms, and an open + fire in winter—and sat down. I don't think she knew herself whether + she was most astonished or angry. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Biggs gave a nasty little laugh. + </p> + <p> + "Your brother didn't see you," she said to Mrs. Van Alstyne. "I dare say a + sister doesn't count much when a future princess is around!" + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Van Alstyne was still staring up the staircase, but she came to + herself at that. She had some grit in her, if she did look like a French + doll. + </p> + <p> + "My brother and Miss Jennings are very old friends," she remarked quietly. + I believe that was what she thought, too. I don't think she had seen the + other red rose, and what was she to think but that Mr. Pierce had known + Miss Jennings somewhere? She was dazed, Mrs. Sam was. But she carried off + the situation anyhow, and gave us time to breathe. We needed it. + </p> + <p> + "If I were his highness," said Miss Cobb, spreading the Irish lace collar + she was making over her knee and squinting at it, "I should wish my + fiancee to be more er—dignified. Those old Austrian families are + very haughty. They would not understand our American habit of osculation." + </p> + <p> + I was pretty mad at that, for anybody could have seen Miss Patty didn't + kiss him. + </p> + <p> + "If by osculation you mean kissing, Miss Cobb," I said, going over to her, + "I guess you don't remember the Austrian count who was a head waiter here. + If there was anything in the way of osculation that that member of an old + Austrian family didn't know, I've got to find it out. He could kiss all + around any American I ever saw!" + </p> + <p> + I went back to my news stand. I was shaking so my knees would hardly hold + me. All I could think of was that they had swallowed Mr. Pierce, bait and + hook, and that for a time we were saved, although in the electric light + Mr. Pierce was a good bit less like Dicky Carter than he had seemed to be + in the spring-house by the fire. + </p> + <p> + Well, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." + </p> + <p> + Everybody went to bed early. Mr. Thoburn came over and bought a cigar on + his way up-stairs, and he was as gloomy as he had been cheerful before. + </p> + <p> + "Well," I said, "I guess you won't put a dancing floor in the dining-room + just yet, Mr. Thoburn." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not in a hurry," he snapped. "It's only January, and I don't want the + place until May. I'll get it when I'm ready for it. I had a good look at + young Carter, and he's got too square a jaw to run a successful + neurasthenics' home." + </p> + <p> + I went to the pantry myself at ten o'clock and fixed a tray of supper for + Mr. Pierce. He would need all his strength the next day, and a man can't + travel far on buttered pop-corn. I found some chicken and got a bottle of + the old doctor's wine—I had kept the key of his wine-cellar since he + died—and carried the tray up to Mr. Pierce's sitting-room. He had + the old doctor's suite. + </p> + <p> + The door was open an inch or so, and as I was about to knock I heard a + girl's voice. It was Miss Patty! + </p> + <p> + "How can you deny it?" she was saying angrily. "I dare say you will even + deny that you ever saw this letter before!" + </p> + <p> + There was a minute's pause while I suppose he looked at the letter. + </p> + <p> + "I never did!" he said solemnly. + </p> + <p> + There had been a queer sound all along, but now I made it out. Some one + else was in the room, sniveling and crying. + </p> + <p> + "My poor lamb!" it whimpered. And I knew it was Mrs. Hutchins, Miss + Patty's old nurse. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps," said Miss Patty, "you also deny that you were in Ohio the day + before yesterday." + </p> + <p> + "I was in Ohio, but I positively assert—" + </p> + <p> + "I'll send for the police, that's what I'll do!" Mrs. Hutchins said, with + a burst of rage, and her chair creaked. "How can I ever tell your father?" + </p> + <p> + "You'll do nothing of the sort," said Miss Patty. "Do you want the whole + story in the papers? Isn't it awful enough as it is? Mr. Carter, I have + asked my question twice now and I am waiting for an answer." + </p> + <p> + "But I don't know the answer!" he said miserably. "I—I assure you, + I'm absolutely in the dark. I don't know what's in the letter. I—I + haven't always done what I should, I dare say, but my conduct in the state + of Ohio during the last few weeks has been without stain—unless I've + forgotten—but if it had been anything very heinous, I'd remember, + don't you think?" + </p> + <p> + Somebody crossed the room, and a paper rustled. + </p> + <p> + "Read that!" said Miss Patty's voice. And then silence for a minute. + </p> + <p> + "Good lord!" exclaimed Mr. Pierce. + </p> + <p> + "Do you deny that?" + </p> + <p> + "Absolutely!" he said firmly. "I—I have never even heard of the + Reverend Dwight Johnstone—" + </p> + <p> + There was a scream from Mrs. Hutchins, and a creak as she fell into her + chair again. + </p> + <p> + "Your father!" she said, over and over. "What can we say to your father?" + </p> + <p> + "And that is all you will say?" demanded Miss Patty scornfully. "'You + don't know;' 'there's a mistake;' 'you never saw the letter before!' Oh, + if I were only a man!" + </p> + <p> + "I'll tell you what we'll do," Mr. Pierce said, with something like hope + in his voice. "We'll send for Mr. Van Alstyne! That's the thing, of + course. I'll send for—er—Jim." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Alstyne's name is Sam, but nobody noticed. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Van Alstyne!" repeated Miss Patty in a dazed way. + </p> + <p> + I guessed it was about time to make a diversion, so I knocked and walked + in with the tray, and they all glared at me. Mrs. Hutchins was collapsed + in a chair, holding a wet handkerchief to her eyes, and one side of her + cap was loose and hanging down. Miss Patty was standing by a table, white + and angry, and Mr. Pierce was about a yard from her, with the letter in + his hands. But he was looking at her. + </p> + <p> + "I've brought your supper, Mr. Carter," I began. Then I stopped and stared + at Miss Patty and Mrs. Hutchins. "Oh," I said. + </p> + <p> + "Thank you," said Mr. Pierce, very uncomfortable. "Just put it down + anywhere." + </p> + <p> + I stalked across the room and put it on the table. Then I turned and + looked at Mrs. Hutchins. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry," I said, "but it's one of the rules of this house that guests + don't come to these rooms. They're strictly private. It isn't MY rule, + ladies, but if you will step down to the parlor—" + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hutchins' face turned purple. She got up in a hurry. + </p> + <p> + "I'm here with Miss Jennings on a purely personal matter," she said + furiously. "How dare you turn us out?" + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense, Minnie!" said Miss Patty. "I'll go when I'm ready." + </p> + <p> + "Rule of the house," I remarked, and going over to the door I stood + holding it open. There wasn't any such rule, but I had to get them out; + they had Mr. Pierce driven into a corner and yelling for help. + </p> + <p> + "There is no such rule and you know it, Minnie!" Miss Patty said angrily. + "Come, Nana! We're not learning anything, and there's nothing to be done + until morning, anyhow. My head's whirling." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hutchins went out first. + </p> + <p> + "The first thing I'D do if I owned this place, I'd get rid of that + red-haired girl," she snapped to Mr. Pierce. "If you want to know why + there are fewer guests here every year, I'll tell you. SHE'S the reason!" + Then she flounced out with her head up. + </p> + <p> + (That was pure piffle. The real reason, as every thinking person knows, is + Christian Science. It's cheaper and more handy. And now that it isn't + heresy to say it, the spring being floored over, I reckon that most + mineral springs cure by suggestion. Also, of course, if a man's drinking + four gallons of lithia water a day, he's so saturated that if he does + throw in anything alcoholic or indigestible, it's too busy swimming for + its life to do any harm.) + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce took a quick step toward Miss Patty and looked down at her. + </p> + <p> + "About—what happened down-stairs to-night," he stammered, with the + unhappiest face I ever saw on a man, "I—I've been ready to knock my + fool head off ever since. It was a mistake—a—" + </p> + <p> + "My letter, please," said Miss Patty coolly, looking back at him without a + blink. + </p> + <p> + "Please don't look like that!" he begged. "I came in suddenly out of the + darkness, and you—" + </p> + <p> + "My letter, please!" she said again, raising her eyebrows. + </p> + <p> + He gave up trying then. He held out the letter and she took it and went + out with her head up and scorn in the very way she trailed her skirt over + the door-sill. But I'm no fool; it didn't need the way he touched the + door-knob where she had been holding it, when he closed the door after + her, to tell me what ailed him. + </p> + <p> + He was crazy about her from the minute he saw her, and he hadn't a change + of linen or a cent to his name. And she, as you might say, on the ragged + edge of royalty, with queens and princes sending her stomachers and tiaras + until she'd hardly need clothes! Well, a cat may look at a king. + </p> + <p> + He went over to the fireplace, where I was putting his coffee to keep it + hot, and looked down at me. + </p> + <p> + "I've a suspicion, Minnie," he said, "that, to use a vulgar expression, + I've bitten off more than I can chew in this little undertaking, and that + I'm in imminent danger of choking to death. Do you know anybody, a friend + of Miss er—Jennings, named Dorothy?" + </p> + <p> + "She's got a younger sister of that name," I said, with a sort of chill + going over me. "She's in boarding-school now." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, no, she's not!" he remarked, picking up the coffee-pot. "It seems + that I met her on the train somewhere or other the day before yesterday, + and ran off with her and married her!" + </p> + <p> + I sat back on the rug speechless. + </p> + <p> + "You should have warned me, Minnie," he went on, growing more cheerful + over his chicken and coffee. "I came up here to-night, the proud possessor + of a bunch of keys, a patent folding cork-screw and a pocket, automobile + road map. Inside two hours I have a sanatorium and a wife. At this rate, + Minnie, before morning I may reasonably hope to have a family." + </p> + <p> + I sat where I was on the floor and stared into the fire. Don't tell me the + way of the wicked is hard; the wicked get all the fun there is out of + life, and as far as I can see, it's the respectable "in at ten o'clock and + up at seven" part of the wicked's family that has all the trouble and does + the worrying. + </p> + <p> + "If we could only keep it hidden for a few days!" I said. "But, of course, + the papers will get it, and just now, with columns every day about Miss + Patty's clothes—" + </p> + <p> + "Her what?" + </p> + <p> + "And all the princes of the blood sending presents, and the king not + favoring it very much—" + </p> + <p> + "What are you talking about?" + </p> + <p> + "About Miss Jennings' wedding. Don't you read the newspaper?" + </p> + <p> + He hadn't really known who she was up to that minute. He put down the tray + and got up. + </p> + <p> + "I—I hadn't connected her with the—the newspaper Miss + Jennings," he said, and lighted a cigarette over the lamp. Something in + his face startled me, I must say. + </p> + <p> + "You're not going to give up now?" I asked. I got up and put my hand on + his arm, and I think he was shaking. "If you do, I'll—I'll go out + and drown myself, head down, in the spring." + </p> + <p> + He had been going to run away—I saw it then—but he put a hand + over mine. Then he looked at the door where Miss Patty had gone out and + gave himself a shake. + </p> + <p> + "I'll stay," he said. "We'll fight it out on this line if it takes all + summer, Minnie." He stood looking into the fire, and although I'm not fond + of men, knowing, as I have explained, a great deal about their stomachs + and livers and very little about their hearts, there was something about + Mr. Pierce that made me want to go up and pat him on the head like a + little boy. "After all," he said, "what's blue blood to good red blood?" + </p> + <p> + Which was almost what the bishop had said! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <h3> + AND MR. MOODY INDIGESTION + </h3> + <p> + Mr. Moody took indigestion that night—not but that he always had it, + but this was worse—and Mrs. Moody came to my room about two o'clock + and knocked at the door. + </p> + <p> + "You'd better come," she said. "There's no doctor, and he's awful bad. + Blames you, too; he says you made him take a salt rub." + </p> + <p> + "My land," I snapped, trying to find my bedroom slippers, "I didn't make + him take clam chowder for supper, and that's what's the matter with him. + He's going on a strained rice diet, that's what he's going to do. I've got + to have my sleep." + </p> + <p> + She was waiting in the hall in her kimono, and holding a candle. Anybody + could see she'd been crying. As she often said to me, of course she was + grateful that Mr. Moody didn't drink—no one knew his virtues better + than she did. But her sister married a man who went on a terrible bat + twice a year, and all the rest of the time he was humble and affable + trying to make up for it. And sometimes she thought if Mr. Moody would + only take a little whisky when he had these attacks—! I'd rather be + the wife of a cheerful drunkard any time than have to live with a + cantankerous saint. Miss Cobb and I had had many a fight over it, but at + that time there wasn't much likelihood of either of us being called on to + choose. + </p> + <p> + Well, we went down to Mr. Moody's room, and he was sitting up in bed with + his knees drawn up to his chin and a hot-water bottle held to him. + </p> + <p> + "Look at your work, woman," he said to me when I opened the door. + </p> + <p> + "I'm dying!" + </p> + <p> + "You look sick," I said, going over to the bed. It never does to cross + them when they get to the water-bottle stage. "The pharmacy clerk's gone + to a dance over at Trimble's, but I guess I can find you some whisky." + </p> + <p> + "Do have some whisky, George," begged Mrs. Moody, remembering her + brother-in-law. + </p> + <p> + "I never touch the stuff and you both know it," he snarled. He had a fresh + pain just then and stopped, clutching up the bottle. "Besides," he + finished, when it was over, "I haven't got any whisky." + </p> + <p> + Well, to make a long story short, we got him to agree to some whisky from + the pharmacy, with a drop of peppermint in it, if he could wash it down + with spring water so it wouldn't do him any harm. + </p> + <p> + "There isn't any spring water in the house," I said, losing my temper a + little, "and I'm not going out there in my bedroom slippers, Mr. Moody. I + don't see why your eating what you shouldn't needs to give me pneumonia." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Moody was standing beside the bed, and I saw her double chin begin to + work. If you have ever seen a fat woman, in a short red kimono holding a + candle by, a bed, and crying, you know how helpless she looks. + </p> + <p> + "Don't go, Minnie," she sniffled. "It would be too awful. If you are + afraid you could take the poker." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not going!" I declared firmly. "It's—it's dratted idiocy, + that's all. Plain water would do well enough. There's a lot of people + think whisky is poison with water, anyhow. Where's the pitcher?" + </p> + <p> + Oh, yes, I went. I put on some stockings of Mrs. Moody's and a petticoat + and a shawl and started. It was when I was in the pharmacy looking for the + peppermint that I first noticed my joint again. A joint like that's a + blessing or a curse, the way you look at it. + </p> + <p> + I found the peppermint and some whisky and put them on the stairs. Then I + took my pitcher and lantern and started for the spring-house. It was still + snowing, and part of the time Mrs. Moody's stockings were up to their + knees. The wind was blowing hard, and when I rounded the corner of the + house my lantern went out. I stood there in the storm, with the shawl + flapping, thanking heaven I was a single woman, and about ready to go back + and tell Mr. Moody what I thought of him when I looked toward the + spring-house. + </p> + <p> + At first I thought it was afire, then I saw that the light was coming from + the windows. Somebody was inside, with a big fire and all the lights + going. + </p> + <p> + I'd had tramps sleep all night in the spring-house before, and once they + left a card by the spring: "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to + drink!" So I started out through the snow on a half run. By the bridge + over Hope Springs Creek I slipped and fell, and I heard the pitcher smash + to bits on the ice below. But as soon as I could move I went on again. + That spring-house had been my home for a good many years, and the tramp + didn't live who could spend the night there if I knew it. + </p> + <p> + I realized then that I should have taken the poker. I went over cautiously + to one of the windows, wading in deep snow to get there—and if you + have ever done that in a pair of bedroom slippers you can realize the + state of my mind—and looked in. + </p> + <p> + There were three chairs drawn up in a row in front of the fire, with my + bearskin hearth-rug on them to make a couch, and my shepherd's plaid shawl + folded at one end for a pillow. And stretched on that with her long + sealskin coat laid over her was Dorothy Jennings, Miss Patty's younger + sister! She was alone, as far as I could see, and she was leaning on her + elbow with her cheek in her hand, staring at the fire. Just then the door + into the pantry opened and out came Mr. Dick himself. + </p> + <p> + "Were you calling, honey?" he said, coming over and looking down at her. + </p> + <p> + "You were such a long time!" says she, glancing up under her lashes at + him. "I—I was lonely!" + </p> + <p> + "Bless you," says Mr. Dick, stooping over her. "What did I ever do without + you?" + </p> + <p> + I could have told her a few things he did, but by that time it was coming + over me pretty strong that here was the real Dicky Carter and that I had + an extra one on my hands. The minute I looked at this one I knew that + nobody but a blind man would mistake one for the other, and Mr. Thoburn + wasn't blind. I tell you I stood out in that snow-bank and perspired! + </p> + <p> + When I looked again Mr. Dick was on his knees by the row of chairs, and + Miss Dorothy—Mrs. Dicky, of course—was running her fingers + through his hair. + </p> + <p> + "Minnie used to keep apples and things in the pantry," he said, "but she + must be growing stingy in her old age; there's not a bite there." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not so very hungry when I have you!" cooed Mrs. Dicky. + </p> + <p> + "But you can't eat me." He brought her hand down from his hair—I may + be stingy in my old age, but I've learned a few things, and one is that a + man feels like a fool with his hair rumpled, and I can tell the degree of + a woman's experience by the way she lets his top hair alone—and + pretended to bite it, her hand, of course. "Although I could eat you," he + said. "I'd like to take a bite out of your throat right there." + </p> + <p> + Well, it was no place for me unless they knew I was around. I waded around + to the door and walked in, and there was a grand upsetting of the sealskin + coat and my shepherd's plaid shawl. Mr. Dick jumped to his feet and Mrs. + Dick sat bolt upright and stared at me over the backs of the chairs. + </p> + <p> + "Minnie!" cried Mr. Dick. "As I'm a married man, it's Minnie herself; + Minnie, the guardian angel! The spirit of the place! Dorothy, don't you + remember Minnie?" + </p> + <p> + She came toward me with her hand out. She was a pretty little thing, not + so beautiful as Miss Patty, but with a nice way about her. + </p> + <p> + "I'm awfully glad to see you again," she said. "Of course I remember—why + you are hardly dressed at all! You must be frozen!" + </p> + <p> + I went over to the fire and emptied my bedroom slippers of snow. Then I + sat down and looked at them both. + </p> + <p> + "Frozen!" repeated I; "I'm in a hot sweat. If you two children meant to + come, why in creation didn't you come in time?" + </p> + <p> + "We did," replied Mr. Dick, promptly. "We crawled under the wire fence + into the deer park at five minutes to twelve. The will said 'Be on the + ground,' and I was—flat on the ground!" + </p> + <p> + "We've had the police," I said, drearily enough. "I wouldn't live through + another day like yesterday for a hundred dollars." + </p> + <p> + "We were held up by the snow," he explained. "We got a sleigh to come over + in, but we walked up the hill and came here. I don't mind saying that my + wife's people don't know about this yet, and we're going to lay low until + we've cooked up some sort of a scheme to tell them." Then he came over and + put his hand on my shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Poor old Minnie!" he said; "honest, I'm sorry. I've been a hard child to + raise, haven't I? But that's all over, Minnie. I've got an incentive now, + and it's 'steady, old boy,' for me from now. You and I will run the place + and run it right." + </p> + <p> + "I don't want to!" I retorted, holding my bedroom slippers to steam before + the fire. "I'm going to buy out Timmon's candy store and live a quiet + life, Mr. Dick. This place is making me old." + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense! We're going to work together, and we'll make this the busiest + spot in seven counties. Dorothy and I have got it all planned out and + we've got some corking good ideas." He put his hands in his pockets and + strutted up and down. "It's the day of advertising, you know, Minnie," he + said. "You've got to have the goods, and then you've got to let people + know you've got the goods. What would you say to a shooting-gallery in the + basement, under the reading-room?" + </p> + <p> + "Fine!" I said, with sarcasm, turning my slippers. "If things got too + quiet that would wake them up a bit, and we could have a balloon ascension + on Saturdays!" + </p> + <p> + "Not an ascension," said he, with my bitterness going right over his head. + "Nothing sensational, Minnie. That's the way with women; they're always + theatrical. But what's the matter with a captive balloon, and letting + fresh-air cranks sleep in a big basket bed—say, at five hundred + feet? Or a thousand—a thousand would be better. The air's purer." + </p> + <p> + "With a net below," says I, "in case they should turn over and fall out of + bed! It's funny nobody ever thought of it before!" + </p> + <p> + "Isn't it?" exclaimed Mrs. Dick. "And we've all sorts of ideas. Dick—Mr. + Carter has learned of a brand new cocktail for the men—" + </p> + <p> + "A lulu!" he broke in. + </p> + <p> + "And I'm going around to read to the old ladies and hold their hands—" + </p> + <p> + "You'll have to chloroform them first," I put in. "Perhaps it would be + better to give the women the cocktail and hold the men's hands." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, if you're going to be funny!" Mr. Dick said savagely, "we'll not tell + you any more. I've been counting on you, Minnie. You've been here so long. + You know," he said to his wife, "when I was a little shaver I thought + Minnie had webbed-feet—she was always on the bank, like a duck. You + ARE a duck, Minnie," he says to me; "a nice red-headed duck! Now don't be + quirky and spoil everything." + </p> + <p> + I couldn't be light-hearted to save my life. + </p> + <p> + "Your sister's been wild all day," I told Mrs. Dick. "She got your letter + to-day—yesterday—but I don't think she's told your father + yet." + </p> + <p> + "What!" she screeched, and caught at the mantelpiece to hold herself. "Not + Pat!" she said, horrified, "and father! Here!" + </p> + <p> + Well, I listened while they told me. They hadn't had the faintest idea + that Mr. Jennings and Miss Patty were there at the sanatorium. The girl + had been making a round of visits in the Christmas holidays, and instead + of going back to school she'd sent a forged excuse and got a month off—she + hadn't had any letters, of course. The plan had been not to tell anybody + but her sister until Mr. Dick had made good at the sanatorium. + </p> + <p> + "The idea was this, Minnie," said Mr. Dick. "Old—I mean Mr. Jennings + is—is not well; he has a chronic indisposition—" + </p> + <p> + "Disposition, I call it," put in Mr. Jennings' daughter. + </p> + <p> + "And he's apt to regard my running away with Dorothy when I haven't a + penny as more of an embezzlement than an elopement." + </p> + <p> + "Fiddle!" exclaimed Mrs. Dick. "I asked you to marry me, and now they're + here and have to spoil it all." + </p> + <p> + The thought of her father and his disposition suddenly overpowered her and + she put her yellow head on the back of a chair and began to cry. + </p> + <p> + "I—I can't tell him!" she sobbed. "I wrote to Pat,—why doesn't + Pat tell him? I'm going back to school." + </p> + <p> + "You'll do nothing of the sort. You're a married woman now, and where I go + you go. My country is your country, and my sanatorium is your sanatorium." + He was in a great rage. + </p> + <p> + But she got up and began trying to pull on her fur coat, and her jaw was + set. She looked like her father for a minute. + </p> + <p> + "Where are you going?" he asked, looking scared. + </p> + <p> + "Anywhere. I'll go down to the station and take the first train, it + doesn't matter where to." She picked up her muff, but he went over and + stood against the door. + </p> + <p> + "Not a step without me!" he declared. "I'll go with you, of course; you + know that. I'm not afraid of your father: I'd as soon as not go in and + wake him now and tell him the whole thing—that you've married a chap + who isn't worth the butter on his bread, who can't buy you kid gloves—" + </p> + <p> + "But you will, as soon as the sanatorium succeeds!" she put in bravely. + She put down her muff. "Don't tell him to-night, anyhow. Maybe Pat will + think of some way to break it to him. She can do a lot with father." + </p> + <p> + "I hope she can think of some way to break another Richard Carter to the + people in the house," I said tartly. + </p> + <p> + "Another Richard Carter!" they said together, and then I told them about + how we had waited and got desperate, and how we'd brought in Mr. Pierce at + the last minute and that he was asleep now at the house. They roared. To + save my life I couldn't see that it was funny. But when I came to the part + about Thoburn being there, and his having had a good look at Mr. Pierce, + and that he was waiting around with his jaws open to snap up the place + when it fell under the hammer, Mr. Dick stopped laughing and looked + serious. + </p> + <p> + "Lord deliver us from our friends!" he said. "Between you and Sam, you've + got things in a lovely mess, Minnie. What are you going to do about it + now?" + </p> + <p> + "It's possible we can get by Thoburn," I said. "You can slip in to-night, + we can get Mr. Pierce out—Lord knows he'll be glad to go—and + Miss Dorothy can go back to school. Then, later, when you've got things + running and are making good—" + </p> + <p> + "I'm not going back to school," she declared, "but I'll go away; I'll not + stand in your way, Dicky." She took two steps toward the door and waited + for him to stop her. + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense, Minnie," he exclaimed angrily and put his arm around her, "I + won't be separated from my wife. You got me into this scrape, and—" + </p> + <p> + "I didn't marry you!" I retorted. "And I'm not responsible for your + father-in-law's disposition." + </p> + <p> + "You'll have to help us out," he finished. + </p> + <p> + "What shall I do? Murder Mr. Jennings?" I asked bitterly. "If you expect + me to suggest that you both go to the house, and your wife can hide in + your rooms—" + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" asked Mr. Dick. + </p> + <p> + Well, I sat down again and explained patiently that it would get out among + the servants and cause a scandal, and that even if it didn't I wasn't + going to have any more deception: I had enough already. And after a while + they saw it as I did, and agreed to wait and see Miss Patty before they + decided. They wanted to have her wakened at once, but I refused, although + I agreed to bring her out first thing in the morning. + </p> + <p> + "But you can't stay here," I said. "There'll be Miss Cobb at nine o'clock, + and the man comes to light the fire at eight." + </p> + <p> + "We could go to the old shelter-house on the golf links," suggested Mr. + Dick, looking me square in the eye. (I took the hint, and Mrs. Dicky never + knew he had been hidden there before.) + </p> + <p> + "Nobody ever goes near it in winter." So I put on my slippers again and we + started through the snow across the golf links, Mr. Dick carrying a bundle + of firewood, and I leading the way with my lantern. Twice I went into a + drift to my waist, and once a rabbit bunted into me head on, and would + have scared me into a chill if I hadn't been shaking already. The two + behind me were cheerful enough. Mr. Dick pointed out the general direction + of the deer park which hides the shelter-house from the sanatorium, and if + you'll believe it, with snow so thick I had to scrape it off the lantern + every minute or so, those children planned to give something called A + Midsummer Night's Dream in the deer park among the trees in the spring, to + entertain the patients. + </p> + <p> + "I wish to heaven I'd wake up and find all THIS a dream," I called back + over my shoulder. But they were busy with costumes and getting some folks + they knew from town to take the different parts and they never even heard + me. The last few yards they snowballed each other and me. I tell you I + felt a hundred years old. + </p> + <p> + We got into the shelter-house by my crawling through a window, and when we + had lighted the fire and hung up the lantern, it didn't seem so bad. The + place had been closed since summer, and it seemed colder than outside, but + those two did the barn dance then and there. There were two rooms, and Mr. + Dick had always used the back one to hide in. It's a good thing Mrs. Dick + was not a suspicious person. Many a woman would have wondered when she saw + him lift a board in the floor and take out a rusty tin basin, a cake of + soap, a moldy towel, a can of sardines, a tooth-brush and a rubber + carriage robe to lay over the rafters under the hole in the roof. But it's + been my experience that the first few days of married life women are blind + because they want to be and after that because they have to be. + </p> + <p> + It was about four when I left them, sitting on a soap box in front of the + fire toasting sardines on the end of Mr. Dick's walking-stick. Mrs. Dick + made me put on her sealskin coat, and I took the lantern, leaving them in + the firelight. They'd gone back to the captive balloon idea and were + wondering if they couldn't get it copyrighted! + </p> + <p> + I took a short cut home, crawling through the barbed-wire fence and going + through the deer park. I was too tired and cold to think. I stumbled down + the hill to the house, and just before I got to the corner I heard voices, + and the shuffling of feet through the snow. The next instant a lantern + came around the corner of the house. Mr. Thoburn was carrying it, and + behind him were the bishop, Mike the bath man, and Mr. Pierce. + </p> + <p> + "It's like that man Moody," the bishop was saying angrily, "to send the + girl—" + </p> + <p> + "Piffle!" snarled Mr. Thoburn. "If ever a woman was able to take care of + herself—" And then they saw me, and they all stopped and stared. + </p> + <p> + "Good gracious, girl!" said the bishop, with his dressing-gown blowing out + straight behind him in the wind. "We thought you'd been buried in a + drift!" + </p> + <p> + "I don't see why!" I retorted defiantly. "Can't I go out to my own + spring-house without having a posse after me to bring me back?" + </p> + <p> + "Ordinarily," said Mr. Thoburn, with his snaky eyes on me, "I think I may + say that you might go almost anywhere without my turning out to recover + you. But Mrs. Moody is having hysterics." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Moody! I'd forgotten the Moodys! + </p> + <p> + "She is convinced that you have drowned yourself, head down, in the + spring," Mr. Pierce said in his pleasant way. "You've been gone two hours, + you know." + </p> + <p> + He took my arm and turned me toward the house. I was dazed. + </p> + <p> + "In answer to your urgent inquiry," Mr. Thoburn called after me, + disagreeably, "Mr. Moody has not died. He is asleep. But, by the way, + where's the spring water?" + </p> + <p> + I didn't answer him; I couldn't. We went into the house; Mrs. Moody and + Miss Cobb were sitting on the stairs. Mrs. Moody had been crying, and Miss + Cobb was feeding her the whisky I had left, with a teaspoon. She had had a + half tumblerful already and was quite maudlin. She ran to me and put her + arms around me. + </p> + <p> + "I thought I was a murderess!" she cried. "Oh, the thought! Blood on my + soul! Why, Minnie Waters, wherever did you get that sealskin coat!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <h3> + DOLLY, HOW COULD YOU? + </h3> + <p> + I lay down across my bed at six o'clock that morning, but I was too tired + and worried to sleep, so at seven I got up and dressed. + </p> + <p> + I was frightened when I saw myself in the glass. My eyes looked like burnt + holes in a blanket. I put on two pairs of stockings and heavy shoes, for I + knew I was going to do the Eskimo act again that day and goodness knows + how many days more, and then I went down and knocked at the door of Miss + Patty's room. She hadn't been sleeping either. She called to me in an + undertone to come in, and she was lying propped up with pillows, with + something pink around her shoulders and the night lamp burning beside the + bed. She had a book in her hand, but all over the covers and on the table + at her elbow were letters in the blue foreign envelopes with the red and + black and gold seal. + </p> + <p> + I walked over to the foot of the bed. + </p> + <p> + "They're here," I said. + </p> + <p> + She sat up, and some letters slid to the floor. + </p> + <p> + "THEY'RE here!" she repeated. "Do you mean Dorothy?" + </p> + <p> + "She and her husband. They came last night at five minutes to twelve. + Their train was held up by the blizzard and they won't come in until they + see you. They're hiding in the shelter-house on the golf links." + </p> + <p> + I think she thought I was crazy: I looked it. She hopped out of bed and + closed the door into her sitting-room—Mrs. Hutchins' room opened off + it—and then she came over and put her hand on my arm. + </p> + <p> + "Will you sit down and try to tell me just what you mean?" she said. "How + can my sister and her—her wretch of a husband have come last night + at midnight when I saw Mr. Carter myself not later than ten o'clock?" + </p> + <p> + Well, I had to tell her then about who Mr. Pierce was and why I had to get + him, and she understood almost at once. She was the most understanding + girl I ever met. She saw at once what Mr. Sam wouldn't have known in a + thousand years—that I wanted to save the old place not to keep my + position—but because I'd been there so long, and my father before + me, and had helped to make it what it was and all that. And she stood + there in her nightgown—she who was almost a princess—and + listened to me, and patted me on the shoulder when I broke down, telling + her about Thoburn and the summer hotel. + </p> + <p> + "But here I am," I finished, "telling you about my troubles and forgetting + what I came for. You'll have to go out to the shelter-house, Miss Patty. + And I guess you're expected to fix it up with your father." + </p> + <p> + She stopped unfastening her long braids of hair. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly I'll go to the shelter-house," she said, "and I'll shake a + little sense into Dorothy Jennings—the abominable little idiot! But + they needn't think I'm going to help them with father; I wouldn't if I + could, and I can't. He won't speak to me. I'm in disgrace, Minnie." She + gave her hair a shake, twisted it into a rope and then a knot, and stuck a + pin in it. It was lovely: I wish Miss Cobb could have seen her. "You've + known father for years, Minnie: have you ever known him to be so—so—" + </p> + <p> + "Devilish" was the word she meant, but I finished for her. + </p> + <p> + "Unreasonable?" I said. "Well, once before when you were a little girl, he + put his cane through a window in the spring-house, because he thought it + needed air. The spring-house, of course, not the cane." + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," she said, looking around the room, "and now he's putting a cane + through every plan I have made. Do you see my heavy boots?" + </p> + <p> + "It's like this," I remarked, bringing the boots from outside the door, + "if he's swallowed the prince and is choking on the settlement question he + might as well get over it. All those foreigners expect pay for taking a + wife. Didn't the chef here want to marry Tillie, the diet cook, and didn't + he want her to turn over the three hundred dollars she had in the bank, + and her real estate, which was a sixth interest in a cemetery lot? But + Tillie stuck it out and he wouldn't take her without." + </p> + <p> + "It isn't quite the same, Minnie," she said, sitting down on the floor to + put on her stockings. + </p> + <p> + "The principle's the same," I retorted, "and if you ask me—" + </p> + <p> + "I haven't," she said disagreeably, "and when you begin to argue, Minnie, + you make my head ache." + </p> + <p> + "I have had a heartache for a week," I snapped, "let alone heartburn, and + I'll be glad when the Jennings family is safely married and I can sleep at + night." + </p> + <p> + I was hurt. I went out and shut the door behind me, but I stopped in the + hall and went back. + </p> + <p> + "I forgot to say," I began, and stopped. She was still sitting on the + floor, trying to put her heavy boots on, and crying all over them. + </p> + <p> + "Stop that instantly," I said, and jerked her shoes from her. "Get into a + chair and let me put them on. And if you will wait a jiffy I'll bring you + a cup of coffee. I'm not even a Christian in the morning until I've had my + coffee." + </p> + <p> + "You haven't had it yet, have you?" she asked, and we laughed together, + rather shaky. But as I buttoned her shoes I saw her eyes going toward the + blue letters on the bed. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Minnie," she said, "if you only knew how peculiar they are in Europe! + They'll never allow a sanatorium in the family!" + </p> + <p> + "I guess a good many would be the better for having one close," I said. + </p> + <p> + Well, I left her to get dressed and went to the kitchens. Tillie was there + getting the beef tea ready for the day, but none of the rest was around. + They knew the housekeeper was gone, but I guess they'd forgotten that I + was still on hand. I put a kettle against the electric bell that rings in + the chef's room so it would keep on ringing and went on into the diet + kitchen. + </p> + <p> + "Tillie," I said, "can you trust me?" + </p> + <p> + She looked up from her beef. + </p> + <p> + "Whether I can or not, I always have," she answered. + </p> + <p> + "Well, can I trust you? That's more to the point." + </p> + <p> + She put down her knife and came over to me, with her hands on her hips. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know what you're up to, Minnie," she said, "and I don't know that + I care. But if you've forgotten the time I went to the city and brought + you sulphur and the Lord only knows what for your old spring when you'd + run short and were laid up with influenza—" + </p> + <p> + "Hush!" I exclaimed. "You needn't shout it. Tillie, I don't want you to + ask me any questions, but I want four raw eggs in a basket, a pot of + coffee and cream, some fruit if you can get it when the chef unlocks the + refrigerator room, and bread and butter. They can make their own toast." + </p> + <p> + "They?" she said, with her mouth open. + </p> + <p> + But I didn't explain any more. I had found Tillie about a year before, + frying sausages at the railroad station, and made her diet cook at the + sanatorium. Mrs. Wiggins hadn't wanted her, but, as I told the old doctor + at the time, we needed somebody in the kitchen to keep an eye on things + for us. It was through Tillie that we discovered that the help were having + egg-nog twice a day, with eggs as scarce as hens' teeth, and the pharmacy + clerk putting in a requisition for more whisky every week. + </p> + <p> + Well, I scribbled a note to Mr. Van Alstyne, telling what had happened, + and put it under his door, and then I met Miss Patty in the hall by the + billiard room and I gave her some coffee from the basket, in the sun + parlor. It was still dark, although it was nearly eight o'clock, and + nobody saw us go out together. Just as we left I heard the chef in the + kitchen bawling out that he'd murder whoever put the kettle against the + bell, and Tillie saying it must have dropped off the hook and landed + there. + </p> + <p> + We went to the spring-house first, to avoid suspicion, and then across + back of the deer park to the shelter-house. It was still snowing, but not + so much, and the tracks we had made early in the morning were still there, + mine off to one side alone, and the others close together and side by + side. There was a whole history in those snow tracks, mine alone and kind + of offish, and the others cuddling together. It made me lonely to look at + them. + </p> + <p> + I remember wishing I'd taught school, as I was educated to; woman wasn't + made to live alone, and most school-teachers get married. + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty did not say much. She was holding her chin high and looking + rather angry and determined. At the spring-house I gave her the basket and + took an armful of fire-wood myself. I knew Mr. Dick would never think of + it until the fire was out. + </p> + <p> + They were both asleep in the shelter-house. He was propped up against the + wall on a box, with the rubber carriage robe around him, and she was lying + by the fire, with Mrs. Moody's shawl over her and her muff under her head. + Miss Patty stood in the doorway for an instant. Then she walked over and, + leaning down, shook her sister by the arm. + </p> + <p> + "Dorothy!" she said. "Wake up, you wretched child!" And shook her again. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Dicky groaned and yawned, and opened her eyes one at a time. + </p> + <p> + But when she saw it was Miss Patty she sat up at once, looking dazed and + frightened. + </p> + <p> + "You needn't pinch me, Pat!" she said, and at that Mr. Dick wakened and + jumped up, with the carriage robe still around him. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Dolly, Dolly!" said Miss Patty suddenly, dropping on her knees beside + Mrs. Dicky, "what a bad little girl you are! What a thing for you to do! + Think of father and Aunt Honoria!" + </p> + <p> + "I shan't," retorted Mrs. Dicky decidedly. "I'm not going to spoil my + honeymoon like that. For heaven's sake, Pat, don't cry. I'm not dead. + Dick, this is my sister, Patricia." + </p> + <p> + Miss Pat looked at him, but she didn't bow. She gave him one look, from + his head to his heels. + </p> + <p> + "Dolly, how COULD you!" she said, and got up. + </p> + <p> + It wasn't very comfortable for Mr. Dick, but he took it much better than I + expected. He went over and gave his wife a hand to help her up, and still + holding hers, he turned to Miss Patty. + </p> + <p> + "You are perfectly right," he said, "I don't see how she could myself. The + more you know of me the more you'll wonder. But she did; we're up against + that." + </p> + <p> + He grinned at Miss Patty, and after a minute Miss Patty smiled back. But + it wasn't much of a smile. I was unpacking the breakfast, putting the + coffee-pot on the fire and getting ready to cook the eggs and make toast. + But I was watching, too. Suddenly Mrs. Dick made a dive for Miss Patty and + threw her arms around her. + </p> + <p> + "You darling!" she cried. "I'm so glad to see you again—Pat, you'll + tell father, won't you? He'll take it from you. If I tell him he'll have + apoplexy or something." + </p> + <p> + But Miss Patty set her pretty mouth—both those girls have their + father's mouth—and held her sister out at arm's length and looked at + her. + </p> + <p> + "Listen," she said. "Do you know what you have done to me? Do you know + that when father knows this he's going to annul the marriage or have Mr. + Carter arrested for kidnaping or abduction?—whatever it is." Mrs. + Dick puckered her face to cry, and Mr. Dick took a step forward, but Miss + Patty waved him off. "You know father as well as I do, Dolly. You know + what he is, and lately he's been awful. He's not well—it's his liver + again—and he won't listen to anything. Why, the Austrian ambassador + came up here, all this distance, to talk about the etiquette of the—of + my wedding, something about precedence, and he wouldn't even see him." + </p> + <p> + "He can't annul it," said Mr. Dick angrily. "I'm of age. And I can support + my wife, too, or will be able—soon." + </p> + <p> + "Dolly's not of age," said Miss Patty wearily. "I've sat up all night + figuring it out. He's going to annul the marriage, or he'll make a scandal + anyhow, and that's just as bad. Dolly,"—she turned to her sister + imploringly—"Dolly, I can't have a scandal now. You know how Oskar's + people have taken this, anyhow; they've given in, because he insisted, but + they don't want me, and if there's a lot of notoriety now the emperor will + send him to Africa or some place, and—" + </p> + <p> + "I wish they would!" Mrs. Carter burst out suddenly. "I hate the whole + thing. They only tolerate you—us—for our money. You needn't + look at me like that; Oskar may be all right, but his mother and sisters + are hateful—simply hateful!" + </p> + <p> + "I'll not be with them." + </p> + <p> + "No, but they'll be with you." Mrs. Dicky walked over to the window and + looked out, dabbing her eyes. "You've been everything to me, Pat, and I'm + so happy now—I'd rather be here on a soap box with Dick than on a + throne or a dais or whatever you'll have to sit on over there, with Oskar. + I want to be happy—and you won't. Look at Alice Thorne and her + duke!" + </p> + <p> + "If you really want me to be happy," Miss Patty said, going over to her, + "you'll go back to school until the wedding is over." + </p> + <p> + "I won't leave Dicky." She swung around and gave Mr. Dick an adoring + glance, and Miss Patty looked discouraged. + </p> + <p> + "Take him with you," she said. "Isn't there some place near where he could + stay, and telephone you now and then?" + </p> + <p> + "Telephone!" said Mrs. Dick scornfully. + </p> + <p> + "Can't leave," Mr. Dick objected. "Got to be on the property." + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty shrugged her shoulders and turned to go. "You're both perfectly + hopeless," she said. "I'll go and tell father, Dorothy, but you know what + will happen. You'll be back in school at Greenwich by to-night, and your—husband + will probably be under arrest." She opened the door, but I dropped the + toast I was making and ran after her. + </p> + <p> + "If he is arrested," I said, "they'll have to keep him on the place. He + can't leave." + </p> + <p> + She didn't say anything; she lifted her hand and looked at the ruby ring, + and then she glanced back into the room where Mr. Dick and his wife were + whispering together, and turned up her coat collar. + </p> + <p> + "I'm going," she said, and stepped into the snow. But they called her back + in a hurry. + </p> + <p> + "Look here, Miss—Miss Patricia," Mr. Dick said, "why can't we stay + here, where we are? It's very comfortable—that is, it's livable. + There's plenty of fresh air, anyhow, and everybody's shouting for fresh + air nowadays. They've got somebody to take my place in the house." + </p> + <p> + "And father needn't know a thing—you can fix that," broke in Mrs. + Dick. "And after your wedding he will be in a better humor; he'll know + it's over and not up to him any more." + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty came back to the shelter-house again and sat down on the soap + box. + </p> + <p> + "We MIGHT carry it off," she said. "If I could only go back to town! But + father is in one of his tantrums, and he won't go, or let me go. The idea!—with + Aunt Honoria on the long-distance wire every day, having hysterics, and my + clothes waiting to be tried on and everything. I'm desperate." + </p> + <p> + "And all sorts of things being arranged for you!" put in Mrs. Dick + enviously. "And the family jewels being reset in Vienna for you and all + that! It would be great—if you only didn't have to take Oskar with + the jewels!" + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty frowned. + </p> + <p> + "You are not going to marry him," she said, with a glance at Mr. Dick, + who, with his coat off, was lying flat on the floor, one arm down in the + hole where the things had been hidden, trying to hook up a can of baked + beans. "If it doesn't turn out well, you and father have certainly done + your part in the way of warning. It's just as Aunt Honoria said; the + family will make a tremendous row beforehand, but afterward, when it all + turns out well, they'll take the credit." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dick was busy with the beans and I was turning the eggs. Mrs. Dick + went over to her sister and put her arm around her. + </p> + <p> + "That's right, Patty," she said, "you're more like mother than I am. I'm a + Jennings all over—except that, heavens be praised, I've got the + Sherwood liver. I guess I'm common plebeian, like dad, too. I'm plebeian + enough, anyhow, to think there's been a lot too much about marriage + settlements and the consent of the emperor in all this, and not enough + about love." + </p> + <p> + I could have patted Mrs. Dicky on the back for that, and I almost upset + the eggs into the fire. I'm an advocate of marrying for love every time, + although a title and a bunch of family jewels thrown in wouldn't worry me. + </p> + <p> + "Do you want me to protest that the man who has asked me to marry him + cares about me?" Miss Patty replied in an angry undertone. "Couldn't he + have married a thousand other girls! Hadn't a marriage been arranged + between him and the cousin—" + </p> + <p> + "I know all that," Mrs. Dicky said, and her voice sounded older than Miss + Patty's, and motherly. "But—are you in love with him, Pat?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly," Miss Patty said indignantly. "Don't be silly, Dolly." + </p> + <p> + At that instant Mr. Dick found the beans, and got up shouting that we'd + have a meal fit for a prince—if princes ate anything so every day as + baked beans. I put the eggs on a platter and poured the coffee, and we all + sat around the soap box and ate. I wished that Miss Cobb could have seen + me there—how they insisted on my having a second egg, and was my + coffee cold, and wasn't I too close to the fire? It was Minnie here and + Minnie there, and me next to Miss Patty on the floor, and she, as you may + say, right next to royalty. I wished it could have been in the + spring-house, with father's crayon enlargement looking down on us. + </p> + <p> + Everybody felt better for the meal, and we were sitting there laughing and + talking and very cheerful when Mr. Van Alstyne opened the door and looked + in. His face was stern, but when he saw us, with Miss Patty on her knees + toasting a piece of bread and Mr. Dicky passing the tin basin as a + finger-bowl, he stopped scowling and looked amused. + </p> + <p> + "They're here, Sallie," he called to his wife, and they both came in, + covered with snow, and we had coffee and eggs all over again. + </p> + <p> + Well, they stayed for an hour, and Mr. Sam talked himself black in the + face and couldn't get anywhere. For the Dickys refused to be separated, + and Mrs. Dick wouldn't tell her father, and Miss Patty wouldn't do it for + her, and the minute Mr. Sam made a suggestion that sounded rational Mrs. + Dick would cry and say she didn't care to live, anyhow, and she wished she + had died of ptomaine poisoning the time she ate the bad oysters at school. + </p> + <p> + So finally Mr. Sam gave up and said he washed his hands of the whole + affair, and that he was going to make another start on his wedding + journey, and if they wanted to be a pair of fools it wasn't up to him—only + for heaven's sake not to cry about it. And then he wiped Mrs. Dicky's eyes + and kissed her, she being, as he explained, his sister-in-law now and much + too pretty for him to scold. + </p> + <p> + And when the Dickys found they were not going to be separated we had more + coffee all around and everybody grew more cheerful. + </p> + <p> + Oh, we were very cheerful! I look back now and think how cheerful we were, + and I shudder. It was strange that we hadn't been warned by Mr. Pierce's + square jaw, but we were not. We sat around the fire and ate and laughed, + and Mr. Dick arranged that Mr. Pierce should come out to him every evening + for orders about the place if he accepted, and everybody felt he would—and + I was to come at the same time and bring a basket of provisions for the + next day. Of course, the instant Mr. Jennings left the young couple could + go into the sanatorium as guests under another name and be comfortable. + And as soon as the time limit was up, and the place was still running + smoothly, they could declare the truth, claim the sanatorium, having + fulfilled the conditions of the will, and confess to Mr. Jennings—over + the long-distance wire. + </p> + <p> + Well, it promised well, I must say. Mr. Stitt left on the ten train that + morning, looking lemon-colored and mottled. He insisted that he wasn't + able to go, but Mr. Sam gave him a headache powder and put him on the + train, anyhow. + </p> + <p> + Yes, as I say, it promised well. But we made two mistakes: we didn't count + on Mr. Thoburn, and we didn't know Mr. Pierce. And who could have imagined + that Mike the bath man would do as he did? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <h3> + ANOTHER COMPLICATION + </h3> + <p> + After luncheon, when everybody at Hope Springs takes a nap, we had another + meeting at the shelter-house, this time with Mr. Pierce. He had spent the + morning tramping over the hills with a gun and keeping out of the way of + people, and what with three square meals, a good night's sleep and the + exercise, he was looking a lot better. Seen in daylight, he had very dark + hair and blue-gray eyes and a very square chin, although it had a sort of + dimple in it. I used to wonder which won out, the dimple or the chin, but + I wasn't long in finding out. + </p> + <p> + Well, he looked dazed when I took him to the shelter-house and he saw Mr. + Dick and Mrs. Dick and the Mr. Sams and Miss Patty. They gave him a + lawn-mower to sit on, and Mr. Sam explained the situation. + </p> + <p> + "I know it's asking a good bit, Mr. Pierce," he said, "and personally I + can see only one way out of all this. Carter ought to go in and take + charge, and his—er—wife ought to go back to school. But they + won't have it, and—er—there are other reasons." He glanced at + Miss Patty. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce also glanced at Miss Patty. He'd been glancing at her at + intervals of two seconds ever since she came in, and being a woman and + having a point to gain, Miss Patty seemed to have forgotten the night + before, and was very nice to him. Once she smiled directly at him, and + whatever he was saying died in his throat of the shock. When she turned + her head away he stared at the back of her neck, and when she looked at + the fire he gazed at her profile, and always with that puzzled look, as if + he hadn't yet come to believe that she was the newspaper Miss Jennings. + </p> + <p> + After everything had been explained to him, including Mr. Jennings' liver + and disposition, she turned to him and said: + </p> + <p> + "We are in your hands, you see, Mr. Pierce. Are you going to help us?" And + when she asked him that, it was plain to me that he was only sorry he + couldn't die helping. + </p> + <p> + "If everybody agrees to it," he said, looking at her, "and you all think + it's feasible and I can carry it off, I'm perfectly willing to try." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, it's feasible," Mr. Dick said in a relieved voice, getting up and + beginning to strut up and down the room. "It isn't as though I'm beyond + call. You can come out here and consult me if you get stuck. And then + there's Minnie; she knows a good bit about the old place." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam looked at me and winked. + </p> + <p> + "Of course," said Mr. Dick, "I expect to retain control, you understand + that, I suppose, Pierce? You can come out every day for instructions. I + dare say sanatoriums are hardly your line." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce was looking at Miss Patty and she knew it. When a woman looks + as unconscious as she did it isn't natural. + </p> + <p> + "Eh—oh, well no, hardly," he said, coming to himself; "I've tried + everything else, I believe. It can't be worse than carrying a bunch of + sweet peas from garden to garden." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dick stopped walking and turned suddenly to stare at Mr. Pierce. + </p> + <p> + "Sweet—what?" he said. + </p> + <p> + Everybody else was talking, and I was the only one who saw him change + color. + </p> + <p> + "Sweet peas," said Mr. Pierce. "And that reminds me—I'd like to make + one condition, Mr. Carter. I feel in a measure responsible for the + company; most of them have gone back to New York, but the leading woman is + sick at the hotel in Finleyville. I'd like to bring her here for two weeks + to recuperate. I assure you, I have no interest in her, but I'm sorry for + her; she's had the mumps." + </p> + <p> + "Mumps!" everybody said together, and Mr. Sam looked at his + brother-in-law. + </p> + <p> + "Kid in the play got 'em, and they spread around," Mr. Pierce explained. + "Nasty disease." + </p> + <p> + "Why, you've just had them, too, Dicky!" said his wife. They all turned to + look at him, and I must say his expression was curious. + </p> + <p> + Luckily, I had the wit to knock over the breakfast basket, which was still + there, and when we'd gathered up the broken china, Mr. Dick had got + himself in hand. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry, old man," he said to Mr. Pierce, "but I'm not in favor of + bringing Miss—the person you speak of—up to the sanatorium + just now. Mumps, you know—very contagious, and all that." + </p> + <p> + "She's over that part," Mr. Pierce said; "she only needs to rest." + </p> + <p> + "Certainly—let her come," said Mrs. Dicky. "If they're as contagious + as all that, you haven't been afraid of MY getting them." + </p> + <p> + "I—I'm not in favor of it," Mr. Dick insisted, looking obstinate. + "The minute you bring an actress here you've got the whole place by the + ears." + </p> + <p> + "Fiddlesticks!" said his sister. "Because any actress could set YOU by the + ears—" + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Dick sat up suddenly. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly, if she isn't well bring her up," said Miss Patty. "Only—won't + she know your name is not Carter?" + </p> + <p> + "She's discretion itself," Mr. Pierce said. "Her salary hasn't been paid + for a month, and as I'm responsible, I'd be glad to see her looked after." + </p> + <p> + "I don't want her here. I'll—I'll pay her board at the hotel," Mr. + Dick began, "only for heaven's sake, don't—" + </p> + <p> + He stopped, for every one was staring. + </p> + <p> + "Why in the world would you do that?" Miss Patty asked. "Don't be + ridiculous. That's the only condition Mr. Pierce has made." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dick stalked to the window and looked out, his hands in his pockets. I + couldn't help being reminded of the time he had run away from school, when + his grandfather found him in the shelter-house and gave him his choice of + going back at once or reading medicine with him. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, bring her up! Bring her up!" he said without looking around. "If + Pierce won't stay unless he can play the friend in need, all right. But + don't come after me if the whole blamed sanatorium swells up with mumps + and faints at the sight of a pickle." + </p> + <p> + That was Wednesday. + </p> + <p> + Things at the sanatorium were about the same on the surface. The women + crocheted and wondered what the next house doctor would be like, and the + men gambled at the slot-machines and played billiards and grumbled at the + food and the management, and when they weren't drinking spring water they + were in the bar washing away the taste of it. They took twenty minutes on + the verandas every day for exercise and kept the house temperature at + eighty. Senator Biggs was still fasting and Mrs. Biggs took to spending + all day in the spring-house and turning pale every time she heard his + voice. It was that day, I think, that I found the magazine with Upton + Sinclair's article on fasting stuck fast in a snow-drift, as if it had + been thrown violently. + </p> + <p> + Wednesday afternoon Miss Julia Summers came with three lap robes, a white + lace veil and a French poodle in a sleigh and went to bed in one of the + best rooms, and that night we started to move out furniture to the + shelter-house. + </p> + <p> + By working almost all night we got the shelter-house fairly furnished, + although we made a trail through the snow that looked like a fever chart. + Toward daylight Mr. Sam dropped a wash-bowl on my toe and I went to bed + with an arnica compress. + </p> + <p> + I limped out in time to be on hand before Miss Cobb got there, but what + with a chilblain on my heel and hardly any sleep for two nights—not + to mention my toe—I wasn't any too pleasant. + </p> + <p> + "It's my opinion you're overeating, Minnie," Miss Cobb said. "You're + skin's a sight!" + </p> + <p> + "You needn't look at it," I retorted. + </p> + <p> + She burned the back of her neck just then and it was three minutes before + she could speak. When she could she was considerably milder. + </p> + <p> + "Just give it a twist or two, Minnie, won't you?" she said, holding out + the curler. "I haven't been able to sleep on the back of my head for three + weeks." + </p> + <p> + Well, I curled her hair for her and she told me about Miss Summers being + still shut in her room, and how she'd offered Mike an extra dollar to give + the white poodle a Turkish bath—it being under the weather as to + health—and how Mike had soaked the little beast for an hour in a tub + of water, forgetting the sulphur, and it had come out a sort of mustard + color, and how Miss Summers had had hysterics when she saw it. + </p> + <p> + "Mike dipped him in bluing to bleach him again, or rather 'her'—it's + name is Arabella—" Miss Cobb said, "but all it did was to make it + mottled like an Easter egg. Everybody is charmed. There were no dogs + allowed while the old doctor lived. Things were different." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, things were different," I assented, limping over to heat the curler. + "How—how does Mr. Carter get along?" + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb put down her hand-mirror and sniffed. + </p> + <p> + "Well," she said, "goodness knows I'm no trouble maker, but somebody ought + to tell that young man a few things. He's forever looking at the + thermometer and opening windows. I declare, if I hadn't brought my woolen + tights along I'd have frozen to death at breakfast. Everybody's + complaining." + </p> + <p> + I put that away in my mind to speak about. It was only by nailing the + windows shut and putting strips of cotton batting around the cracks that + we'd ever been able to keep people there in the winter. I had my first + misgiving then. Heaven knows I didn't realize what it was going to be. + </p> + <p> + Well, by the evening of that day things were going fairly well. Tillie + brought out a basket every morning to me at the spring-house, fairly + bursting with curiosity, and Mr. Sam got some canned stuff in Finleyville + and took it after dark to the shelter-house. But after the second day Mrs. + Dicky got tired holding a frying-pan over the fire and I had to carry out + at least one hot meal a day. + </p> + <p> + They got their own breakfast in a chafing-dish, or rather he got it and + carried it to her. And she'd sit on the edge of her cot, with her feet on + the soap box—the floor was drafty—wrapped in a pink satin + negligee with bands of brown fur on it, looking sweet and perfectly happy, + and let him feed her boiled egg with a spoon. I took them some books—my + Gray's Anatomy, and Jane Eyre and Molly Bawn, by The Duchess, and the + newspapers, of course. They were full of talk about the wedding, and the + suite the prince was bringing over with him, and every now and then a + notice would say that Miss Dorothy Jennings, the bride's young sister, who + was still in school and was not coming out until next year, would be her + sister's maid of honor. And when they came to that, they would hug each + other—or me, if I happened to be close—and act like a pair of + children, which they were. Generally it would end up by his asking her if + she wasn't sorry she wasn't back at Greenwich studying French conjugations + and having a dance without any men on Friday nights, and she would say + "Wretch!" and kiss him, and I'd go out and slam the door. + </p> + <p> + But there was something on Mr. Dick's mind. I hadn't known him for + fourteen years for nothing. And the night Mr. Sam and I carried out the + canned salmon and corn and tomatoes he walked back with me to the edge of + the deer park, Mr. Sam having gone ahead. + </p> + <p> + "Now," I said, when we were out of ear-shot, "spit it out. I've been + expecting it." + </p> + <p> + "Listen, Minnie," he answered, "is Ju—is Miss Summers still confined + to her room?" + </p> + <p> + "No," I replied coldly. "Ju—Miss Summers was down to-night to + dinner." + </p> + <p> + "Then she's seen Pierce," he said, "and he's told her the whole story and + by to-morrow—" + </p> + <p> + "What?" I demanded, clutching his arm. "You wretched boy, don't tell me + after all I've done." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, confound it, Minnie," he exclaimed, "it's as much your fault as mine. + Couldn't you have found somebody else, instead of getting, of all things + on earth, somebody from the Sweet Peas Company?" + </p> + <p> + "I see," I said slowly. "Then it WASN'T coincidence about the mumps!" + </p> + <p> + "Confounded kid had them," he said with bitterness. "Minnie, something's + got to be done, and done soon. If you want the plain truth, Miss—er—Summers + and I used to be friends—and—well, she's suing me for breach + of promise. Now for heaven's sake, Minnie, don't make a fuss—" + </p> + <p> + But my knees wouldn't hold me. I dropped down in a snow-drift and covered + my face. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <h3> + MISS PATTY'S PRINCE + </h3> + <p> + I dragged myself back to the spring-house and dropped in front of the + fire. What with worry and no sleep and now this new complication I was + dead as yesterday's newspaper. I sat there on the floor with my hands + around my knees, thinking what to do next, and as I sat there, the crayon + enlargement of father on the spring-house wall began to shake its head + from side to side, and then I saw it hold out its hand and point a finger + at me. + </p> + <p> + "Cut and run, Minnie," it said. "Get out from under! Go and buy Timmon's + candy store before the smash—the smash—!" + </p> + <p> + When I opened my eyes Mr. Pierce was sitting on the other side of the + chimney and staring at the fire. He had a pipe between his teeth, but he + wasn't smoking, and he had something of the same look about his mouth he'd + had the first day I saw him. + </p> + <p> + "Well?" he said, when he saw I was awake. + </p> + <p> + "I guess I was sleeping." I sat up and pushed in my hairpins and yawned. I + was tireder than ever. "I'm clean worn out." + </p> + <p> + "Of course you're tired," he declared angrily. "You're not a horse, and + you haven't been to bed for two nights." + </p> + <p> + "Care killed the cat," I said. "I don't mind losing sleep, but it's like + walking in a swamp, Mr. Pierce. First I put a toe in—that was when I + asked you to stay over night. Then I went a step farther, lured on, as you + may say, by Miss Patty waving a crown or whatever it is she wants, just + beyond my nose. And to-night I've got a—well, to-night I'm in to the + neck and yelling for a quick death." + </p> + <p> + He leaned over to where I sat before the fire and twisted my head toward + him. + </p> + <p> + "To-night—what?" he demanded. + </p> + <p> + But that minute I made up my mind not to tell him. He might think the + situation was too much for him and leave, or he might decide he ought to + tell Miss Summers where Dick was. There was no love lost between him and + Mr. Carter. + </p> + <p> + "To-night—I'm just tired and cranky," I said, "so—is Miss + Summers settled yet?" + </p> + <p> + He nodded, as if he wasn't thinking of Miss Summers. + </p> + <p> + "What did you tell her?" + </p> + <p> + "Haven't seen her," he said. "Sent her a note that I was understudying a + man named Carter and to mind to pick up her cues." + </p> + <p> + "It's a common enough name," I said, but he had lighted his pipe again and + had dropped forward, one elbow on his knee, his hand holding the bowl of + his pipe, and staring into the fire. He looked up when I closed and locked + the pantry door. + </p> + <p> + "I've just been thinking," he remarked, "here we are—a group of + people—all struggling like mad for one thing, but with different + motives. Mine are plain enough and mercenary enough, although a certain + red-haired girl with a fine loyalty to an old doctor and a sanatorium is + carrying me along with her enthusiasm. And Van Alstyne's motives are clear + enough—and selfish. Carter is merely trying to save his own skin—but + a girl like Miss Pat—Miss Jennings!" + </p> + <p> + "There's nothing uncertain about what she wants, or wrong either," I + retorted. "She's right enough. The family can't stand a scandal just now + with her wedding so close." + </p> + <p> + He smiled and got up, emptying his pipe. + </p> + <p> + "Nevertheless, oh, Minnie, of the glowing hair and heart," he said, "Miss + Jennings has disappointed me. You see, I believe in marrying for love." + </p> + <p> + "Love!" I was disgusted. "Don't talk to me about love! Love is the sort of + thing that makes two silly idiots run away and get married and live in a + shelter-house, upsetting everybody's plans, while their betters have to + worry themselves sick and carry them victuals." + </p> + <p> + He got up and began to walk up and down the spring-house, scowling at the + floor. + </p> + <p> + "Of course," he agreed, "he may be a decent sort, and she may really want + him." + </p> + <p> + "Of course she does!" I said. He stopped short. "I've been wanting a set + of red puffs for three years, and I can hardly walk past Mrs. Yost's + window down in the village. They've got some that match my hair and I + fairly yearn for them. But if I got 'em I dare say I'd put them in a box + and go after wanting something else. It's the same way with Miss Patty. + She'll get her prince, and because it isn't real love, but only the same + as me with the puffs, she'll go after wanting something else. Only she + can't put him away in a box. She'll have to put him on and wear him for + better, for worse." + </p> + <p> + "Lord help her!" he said solemnly, and went over to the window and stood + there looking out. + </p> + <p> + I went over beside him. From the window we could see the three rows of + yellow lights that marked the house, and somebody with a lantern was going + down the path toward the stables. Mr. Pierce leaned forward, his hands at + the top of the window-sash, and put his forehead against the glass. + </p> + <p> + "Why is it that a lighted window in a snow-storm always makes a fellow + homesick?" he said in his half-mocking way. "If he hasn't got a home it + makes him want one." + </p> + <p> + "Well, why don't you get one?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "On nothing a year?" he said. "Not even prospects! And set up housekeeping + in the shelter-house with my good friend Minnie carrying us food and + wearing herself to a shadow, not to mention bringing trashy books to my + bride." + </p> + <p> + "She isn't that kind," I broke in, and got red. I'd been thinking of Miss + Patty. But he went over to the table and picked up his glass of spring + water, only to set it down untasted. + </p> + <p> + "No, she's not that kind!" he agreed, and never noticed the slip. + </p> + <p> + "You know, Minnie, women aren't all alike, but they're not all different. + An English writer has them classified to a T—there's the mother + woman—that's you. You're always mothering somebody with that + maternal spirit of yours. It's a pity it's vicarious." + </p> + <p> + I didn't say anything, not knowing just what he meant. But I've looked it + up since and I guess he was about right. + </p> + <p> + "And there's the mistress woman—Mrs. Dicky, for example, or—" + he saw Miss Cobb's curler on the mantel and picked it up—"or even + Miss Cobb," he said. "Coquetry and selfishness without maternal instinct. + How much of Miss Cobb's virtue is training and environment, Minnie, not to + mention lack of temptation, and how much was born in her?" + </p> + <p> + "She's a preacher's daughter," I remarked. I could understand about Mrs. + Dicky, but I thought he was wrong about Miss Cobb. + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," he said. "And the third kind of woman is the mistress-mother + kind, and they're the salt of the earth, Minnie." He began to walk up and + down by the spring with his hands in his pockets and a far-away look in + his eyes. "The man who marries that kind of woman is headed straight for + paradise." + </p> + <p> + "That's the way!" I snapped. "You men have women divided into classes and + catalogued like horses on sale." + </p> + <p> + "Aren't they on sale?" he demanded, stopping. "Isn't it money, or liberty, + or—or a title, usually?" I knew he was thinking of Miss Patty again. + </p> + <p> + "As for the men," I continued, "I guess you can class the married ones in + two classes, providers and non-providers. They're all selfish and they + haven't enough virtue to make a fuss about." + </p> + <p> + "I'd be a shining light in the non-provider class," he said, and picking + up his old cap he opened the door. Miss Patty herself was coming up the + path. + </p> + <p> + She was flushed from the cold air and from hurrying, and I don't know that + I ever saw her look prettier. When she came into the light we could both + see that she was dressed for dinner. Her fur coat was open at the neck, + and she had only a lace scarf over her head. (She was a disbeliever in + colds, anyhow, and all winter long she slept with the windows open and the + steam-heat off!) + </p> + <p> + "I'm so glad you're still here, Minnie!" she exclaimed, breathing fast. + "You haven't taken the dinner out to the shelter-house yet, have you?" + </p> + <p> + "Not yet," I replied. "Tillie hasn't brought the basket. The chef's been + fussing about the stuff we're using in the diet kitchen the last few days, + and I wouldn't be surprised if he's shut off all extras." + </p> + <p> + But I guess her sister and Mr. Dick could have starved to death just then + without her noticing. She was all excitement, for all she's mostly so + cool. + </p> + <p> + "I have a note here for my sister," she said, getting it out of her + pocket. "I know we all impose on you, Minnie, but—will you take it + for me? I'd go, but I'm in slippers, and, anyhow, I'd need a lantern, and + that would be reckless, wouldn't it?" + </p> + <p> + "In slippers!" Mr. Pierce interrupted. "It's only five degrees above zero! + Of all the foolhardy—!" + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty did not seem to hear him. She gave the letter to me and + followed me out on the step. + </p> + <p> + "You're a saint, Minnie," she said, leaning over and squeezing my arm, + "and because you're going back and forth in the cold so much, I want you + to have this—to keep." + </p> + <p> + She stooped and picked up from the snow beside the steps something soft + and furry and threw it around my neck, and the next instant I knew she was + giving me her chinchilla set, muff and all. I was so pleased I cried, and + all the way over to the shelter-house I sniveled and danced with joy at + the same time. There's nothing like chinchilla to tone down red hair. + </p> + <p> + Well, I took the note out to the shelter-house, and rapped. Mr. Dick let + me in, and it struck me he wasn't as cheerful as usual. He reached out and + took the muff. + </p> + <p> + "Oh," he said, "I thought that was the supper." + </p> + <p> + "It's coming," I said, looking past him for Mrs. Dicky. Usually when I + went there she was drawing Mr. Dick's profile on a bit of paper or + teaching him how to manicure his nails, but that night she was lying on + the cot and she didn't look up. + </p> + <p> + "Sleeping?" I asked in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + "Grumping!" Mr. Dick answered. He went over and stood looking down at her + with his hands in his pockets and his hair ruffled as if he'd been running + his fingers through it. She never moved a shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Dorothy," he said. "Here's Minnie." + </p> + <p> + She pretended not to hear. + </p> + <p> + "Dorothy!" he repeated. "I wish you wouldn't be such a g—Confound + it, Dolly, be reasonable. Do you want to make me look like a fool?" + </p> + <p> + She turned her face enough to uncover one eye. + </p> + <p> + "It wouldn't be difficult," she answered, staring at him with the one eye. + It was red from crying. + </p> + <p> + "Now listen, Dolly." He got down on one knee beside the cot and tried to + take her hand, but she jerked it away. "I've tried wearing my hair that + way, and it—it isn't becoming, to say the least. I don't mind having + it wet and brushed back in a pompadour, if you insist, but I certainly do + balk at the ribbon." + </p> + <p> + "You've only got to wear the ribbon an hour or so, until it dries." She + brought her hand forward an inch or so and he took it and kissed it. It + should have been slapped. + </p> + <p> + "I'll tell you what I'll do," he said. "You can fix it any way you please, + when it's too late for old Sam or Pierce to drop in, and I'll wear the + confounded ribbon all night. Won't that do?" + </p> + <p> + But she had seen the note and sat up and held out her hand for it. She was + wearing one of Miss Patty's dresses and it hung on her—not that Miss + Patty was large, but she had a beautiful figure, and Mrs. Dicky, of + course, was still growing and not properly filled out. + </p> + <p> + "Dick!" she said suddenly, "what do you think? Oskar is here! Pat's in the + wildest excitement. He's in town, and Aunt Honoria has telephoned to know + what to do! Listen: he is incog., of course, and registered as Oskar von + Inwald. He did an awfully clever thing—came in through Canada while + the papers thought he was in St. Moritz." + </p> + <p> + "For heaven's sake," replied Mr. Dick, "tell her not to ask him here. I + shouldn't know how to talk to him." + </p> + <p> + "He speaks lovely English," declared Mrs. Dick, still reading. + </p> + <p> + "I know all that," he said, walking around nervously, "but if he's going + to be my brother-in-law, I suppose I don't get down on my knees and knock + my head on the floor. What do I say to him? Your Highness? Oh, I've known + a lord or two, but that's different. You call them anything you like and + lend them money." + </p> + <p> + "I dare say you can with Oskar, too." Mrs. Dicky put the note down and + sighed. "Well, he's coming. Pat says dad won't go back to town until he's + had twenty-one baths, and he's only had eleven and she's got to stay with + him. And you needn't worry about what to call Oskar. He's not to know + we're here." + </p> + <p> + I was worried on my way back to the spring-house—not that the prince + would make much difference, as far as I could see things being about as + bad as they could be. But some of the people were talking of leaving, and + since we had to have a prince it seemed a pity he wasn't coming with all + his retinue and titles. It would have been a good ten thousand dollars' + worth of advertising for the place, and goodness knows we needed it. + </p> + <p> + When I got back to the spring-house Miss Patty and Mr. Pierce were still + there. He was in front of the fire, with his back to it, and she was near + the door. + </p> + <p> + "Of course it isn't my affair," he was saying. "You are perfectly—" + Then I opened the door and he stopped. I went on into the pantry to take + off my overshoes, and as I closed the door he continued. "I didn't mean to + say what I have. I meant to explain about the other night—I had a + right to do that. But you forced the issue." + </p> + <p> + "I was compelled to tell you he was coming," she said angrily. "I felt I + should. You have been good enough to take Mr. Carter's place here and save + me from an embarrassing situation—" + </p> + <p> + "I had no philanthropic motives," he insisted stubbornly. "I did it, as + you must know, for three meals a day and a roof over my head. If you wish + me to be entirely frank, I disapprove of the whole thing." + </p> + <p> + I heard the swish of her dress as she left the door and went toward him. + </p> + <p> + "What would you have had me do?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "Take those two children to your father. What if there was a row? Why + should there be such a lot made of it, anyhow? They're young, but they'll + get older. It isn't a crime for two people to—er—love each + other, is it? And if you think a scandal or two in your family—granting + your father would make a scandal—is going to put another patch on + the ragged reputations of the royal family of—" + </p> + <p> + "How dare you!" she cried furiously. "How DARE you!" + </p> + <p> + I heard her cross the room and fling the door open and a second later it + slammed. When I came out of the pantry Mr. Pierce was sitting in his old + position, elbow on knee, holding his pipe and staring at the bowl. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <h3> + WE GET A DOCTOR + </h3> + <p> + I had my hands full the next day. We'd had another snow-storm during the + night and the trains were blocked again. About ten o'clock we got a + telegram from the new doctor we'd been expecting, that he'd fallen on the + ice on his way to the train and broken his arm, and at eleven a delegation + from the guests waited on Mr. Pierce and told him they'd have to have a + house physician at once. + </p> + <p> + Senator Biggs was the spokesman. He said that, personally, he couldn't + remain another day without one; that he should be under a physician's care + every moment of his fast, and that if no doctor came that day he'd be in + favor of all the guests showing their displeasure by leaving together. + </p> + <p> + "Either that," Thoburn said from the edge of the crowd, "or call it a + hotel at once and be done with it. A sanatorium without a doctor is like + an omelet without eggs!" + </p> + <p> + "Hamlet without ham," somebody said. + </p> + <p> + "We're doing the best we can," Mr. Pierce explained. "We—we expect a + doctor to-day." + </p> + <p> + "When?" from Mr. Jennings, who had come on a cane and was watching Mr. + Pierce like a hawk. + </p> + <p> + "This afternoon, probably. As there is no one here very ill—" + </p> + <p> + But at that they almost fell on him and tore him to pieces. I had to step + in front of him myself and say we'd have somebody there by two o'clock if + we had to rob a hospital to get him. And Mr. Sam cried, "Three cheers for + Minnie, the beautiful spring-house girl!" and led off. + </p> + <p> + There's no doubt about it—a man ought to be born to the sanatorium + business. A real strong and healthy man has no business trying to run a + health resort, and I saw Mr. Pierce wasn't making the hit that I'd + expected him to. + </p> + <p> + He was too healthy. You only needed to look at him to know that he took a + cold plunge every morning, and liked to walk ten miles a day, and could + digest anything and go to sleep the minute his head touched the pillow. + And he had no tact. When Mrs. Biggs went to him and explained that the + vacuum cleaner must not be used in her room—that it exhausted the + air or something, and she could hardly breathe after it—he only + looked bewildered and then drew a diagram to show her it was impossible + that it could exhaust the air. The old doctor knew how: he'd have ordered + an oxygen tank opened in the room after the cleaner was used and she'd + have gone away happy. + </p> + <p> + Of course Mr. Pierce was most polite. He'd listen to their complaints—and + they were always complaining, that's part of the regime—with a + puzzled face, trying to understand, but he couldn't. He hadn't a nerve in + his body. Once, when one of the dining-room girls dropped a tray of dishes + and half the women went to bed with headache from the nervous shock, he + never even looked up, but went on with his dinner, and the only comment he + made afterward was to tell the head waitress to see that Annie didn't have + to pay breakage—that the trays were too heavy for a woman, anyhow. + As Miss Cobb said, he was impossible. + </p> + <p> + Well, as if I didn't have my hands full with getting meals to the + shelter-house, and trying to find a house doctor, and wondering how long + it would be before "Julia" came face to face with Dick Carter somewhere or + other, and trying to keep one eye on Thoburn while I kept Mr. Pierce + straight with the other—that day, during luncheon, Mike the bath man + came out to the spring-house and made a howl about his wages. He'd been + looking surly for two days. + </p> + <p> + "What about your wages?" I snapped. "Aren't you getting what you've always + had?" + </p> + <p> + "No tips!" he said sulkily. "Only a few taking baths—only one daily, + and that's that man Jennings. There's no use talking, Miss Minnie, I've + got to have a double percentage on that man or you'll have to muzzle him. + He—he's dangerous." + </p> + <p> + "If I give you the double percentage, will you stay?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know but that I'd rather have the muzzle, Miss Minnie," he + answered slowly, "but—I'll stay. It won't be for long." + </p> + <p> + Which left me thinking. I'd seen Thoburn talking to Mike more than once + lately, and he'd been going around with an air of assurance that didn't + make me any too cheerful. Evenings, when I'd relieved Amanda King at the + news stand, I'd seen Thoburn examining the woodwork of the windows, and + only the night before, happening on the veranda unexpectedly, I found Mike + and him measuring it with a tape line. As I say, Mike's visit left me + thinking. + </p> + <p> + The usual crowd came out that afternoon and drank water and sat around the + fire and complained—all except Senator Biggs, who happened in just + as I was pouring melted butter over a dish of hot salted pop-corn. He + stood just inside the door, sniffling, with his eyes fixed on the butter, + and then groaned and went out. + </p> + <p> + He looked terrible—his clothes hung on him like bags; as the bishop + said, it was ghastly to see a convexity change to such a concavity in + three days. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Moody won three dollars that day from the slot-machine and was almost + civil to his wife, but old Jennings sat with his foot on a stool and + yelled if anybody slammed the door. Mrs. Hutchins brought him out with her + eyes red and asked me if she could leave him there. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry if I was rude to you the other night, Minnie," she said, "but I + was upset. I'm so worn-out that I'll have to lie down for an hour, and if + he doesn't get better soon, I—I shall have to have help. My nerves + are gone." + </p> + <p> + At four o'clock Mr. Sam came in, and he had Mr. Thoburn tight by the arm. + </p> + <p> + "My dear old chap," he was saying, "it would be as much as your life's + worth. That ground is full of holes and just now covered with snow—!" + </p> + <p> + He caught my eye, and wiped his forehead. + </p> + <p> + "Heaven help us!" he said, coming over to the spring, "I found him making + for the shelter-house, armed with a foot rule! Somebody's got to take him + in hand—I tell you, the man's a menace!" + </p> + <p> + "What about the doctor?" I asked, reaching up his glass. + </p> + <p> + "Be here to-night," he answered, "on the—" + </p> + <p> + But at that minute a boy brought a telegram down and handed it to him. The + new doctor was laid up with influenza! + </p> + <p> + We sat there after the others had gone, and Mr. Sam said he was for giving + up the fight, only to come out now with the truth would mean such a lot of + explaining and a good many people would likely find it funny. Mr. Pierce + came in later and we gave him the telegram to read. + </p> + <p> + "I don't see why on earth they need a doctor, anyhow," he said, "they're + not sick. If they'd take a little exercise and get some air in their lungs—" + </p> + <p> + "My dear fellow," Mr. Sam cried in despair, "some people are born in + sanatoriums, some acquire them, and others have them thrust upon them—I've + had this place thrust upon me. I don't know why they want a doctor, but + they do. They balked at Rodgers from the village. They want somebody here + at night. Mr. Jennings has the gout and there's the deuce to pay. Some of + them talk of leaving." + </p> + <p> + "Let 'em leave," said Mr. Pierce. "If they'd go home and drink three + gallons of any kind of pure water a day—" + </p> + <p> + "Sh! That's heresy here! My dear fellow, we've got to keep them." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce glanced at the telegram and handed it back. + </p> + <p> + "Lot's of starving M. D.'s would jump at the chance," he said, "but if + it's as urgent as all this we can't wait to hunt. I'll tell you, Van + Alstyne, there's a chap down in the village he was the character man with + the Sweet Peas Company—and he's stranded there. I saw him this + morning. He's washing dishes in the depot restaurant for his meals. We + used to call him Doc, and I've a hazy idea that he's a graduate M. D.—name's + Barnes." + </p> + <p> + "Great!" cried Mr. Van Alstyne. "Let's have Barnes. You get him, will you, + Pierce?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce promised and they started out together. At the door Mr. Sam + turned. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, by the way, Minnie," he called, "better gild one of your chairs and + put a red cushion on it. The prince has arrived." + </p> + <p> + Well, I thought it all out that afternoon as I washed the glasses, and it + was terrible. I had two people in the shelter-house to feed and look after + like babies, with Tillie getting more curious every day about the basket + she brought, and not to be held much longer; and I had a man running the + sanatorium and running it to the devil as fast as it could go. Not that he + wasn't a nice young man, big, strong-jawed and all that, but you can't + make a diplomat out of an ordinary man in three days, and it takes more + diplomacy to run a sanatorium a week than it does to be secretary of state + for four years. Then I had a prince incognito, and Thoburn stirring up + mischief, and the servants threatening to strike, and no house doctor— + </p> + <p> + Just as I got to that somebody opened the door behind me and looked in. I + glanced around, and it was a man with the reddest hair I ever saw. Mine + was pale by comparison. He was rather short and heavy-set, and he had a + pleasant face, although not handsome, his nose being slightly bent to the + left. But at first all I could see was his hair. + </p> + <p> + "Good evening," he said, edging himself in. "Are you Miss Waters?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," I said, rising and getting a glass ready, "although I'm not called + that often, except by people who want to pun on my name and my business." + I looked at him sharply, but he hadn't intended any pun. + </p> + <p> + He took off his hat and came over to the spring where I was filling his + glass. + </p> + <p> + "If that's for me, you needn't bother," he said. "If it tastes as it + smells, I'm not thirsty. My name's Barnes, and I was to wait here for Mr. + Van Alstyne." + </p> + <p> + "Barnes!" I repeated. "Then you're the doctor." + </p> + <p> + He grinned, and stood turning his hat around in his hands. + </p> + <p> + "Not exactly," he said. "I graduated in medicine a good many years ago, + but after a year of it, wearing out more seats of trousers waiting for + patients than I earned enough to pay for, and having to have new trousers, + I took to other things." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes," I said. "You're an actor now." + </p> + <p> + He looked thoughtful. + </p> + <p> + "Some people think I'm not," he answered, "but I'm on the stage. Graduated + there from prize-fighting. Prize-fighting, the stage, and then writing for + magazines—that's the usual progression. Sometimes, as a sort of + denouement before the final curtain, we have dinner at the White House." + </p> + <p> + I took a liking to the man at once. It was a relief to have somebody who + was willing to tell all about himself and wasn't incognito, or in hiding, + or under somebody else's name. I put a fresh log on the fire, and as it + blazed up I saw him looking at me. + </p> + <p> + "Ye gods and little fishes!" he said. "Another redhead! Why, we're as + alike as two carrots off the same bunch!" + </p> + <p> + In five minutes I knew how old he was, and where he was raised, and that + what he wanted more than anything on earth was a little farmhouse with + chickens and a cow. + </p> + <p> + "Where you can have air, you know," he said, waving his hands, which were + covered with reddish hair. "Lord, in the city I starve for air! And where, + when you're getting soft you can go out and tackle the wood-pile. That's + living!" + </p> + <p> + And then he wanted to know what he was to do at the sanatorium and I told + him as well as I could. I didn't tell him everything, but I explained why + Mr. Pierce was calling himself Carter, and about the two in the + shelter-house. I had to. He knew as well as I did that three days before + Mr. Pierce had had nothing to his name but a folding automobile road map + or whatever it was. + </p> + <p> + "Good for old Pierce!" he said when I finished. "He's a prince, Miss + Waters. If you'd seen him sending those girls back to town—well, + I'll do all I can to help him. But I'm not much of a doctor. It's safe to + acknowledge it; you'll find it out soon enough." + </p> + <p> + Mr. and Mrs. Van Alstyne came in just then, and Mr. Sam told him what he + was expected to do. It wasn't much: he was to tell them at what + temperatures to take their baths, "and Minnie will help you out with + that," he added, and what they were to eat and were not to eat. "Minnie + will tell you that, too," he finished, and Mr. Barnes, DOCTOR Barnes, came + over and shook my hand. + </p> + <p> + "I'm perfectly willing to be first assistant," he declared. "We'll put our + heads together and the result will be—" + </p> + <p> + "Combustion!" said Mr. Sam, and we all laughed. + </p> + <p> + "Remember," Mr. Sam instructed him, as Doctor Barnes started out, "when + you don't know what to prescribe, order a Turkish bath. The baths are to a + sanatorium what the bar is to a club—they pay the bills." + </p> + <p> + Well, we got it all fixed and Doctor Barnes started out, but at the door + he stopped. + </p> + <p> + "I say," he asked in an undertone, "the stork doesn't light around here, + does he?" + </p> + <p> + "Not if they see him first!" I replied grimly, and he went out. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE PRINCE—PRINCIPALLY + </h3> + <p> + It was all well enough for me to say—as I had to to Tillie many a + time—that it was ridiculous to make a fuss over a person for what, + after all, was an accident of birth. It was well enough for me to say that + it was only by chance that I wasn't strutting about with a crown on my + head and a man blowing a trumpet to let folks know I was coming, and by + the same token and the same chance Prince Oskar might have been a + red-haired spring-house girl, breaking the steels in her figure stooping + over to ladle mineral water out of a hole in the earth. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, at five o'clock, after every one had gone, when I saw Miss + Patty, muffled in furs, tripping out through the snow, with a tall thin + man beside her, walking very straight and taking one step to her four, I + felt as though somebody had hit me at the end of my breast-bone. + </p> + <p> + They stopped a minute outside before they came in, and I had to take + myself in hand. + </p> + <p> + "Now look here, Minnie, you idiot," I said to myself, "this is America; + you're as good as he is; not a bend of the knee or a stoop of the neck. + And if he calls you 'my good girl' hit him." + </p> + <p> + They came in together, laughing and talking, and, to be honest, if I + hadn't caught the back of a chair, I'd have had one foot back of the other + and been making a courtesy in spite of myself. + </p> + <p> + "We're late, Minnie!" Miss Patty said. "Oskar, this is one of my best + friends, and you are to be very nice to her." + </p> + <p> + He had one of those single glass things in his eye and he gave me a good + stare through it. Seen close he was handsomer than Mr. Pierce, but he + looked older than his picture. + </p> + <p> + "Ask her if she won't be nice to me," he said in as good English as mine, + and held out his hand. + </p> + <p> + "Any of Miss Patty's friends—" I began, with a lump in my throat, + and gave his hand a good squeeze. I thought he looked startled, and + suddenly I had a sort of chill. + </p> + <p> + "Good gracious!" I exclaimed, "should I have kissed it?" + </p> + <p> + They roared at that, and Miss Patty had to sit down in a chair. + </p> + <p> + "You see, she knows, Oskar," she said. "The rest are thinking and perhaps + guessing, but Minnie is the only one that knows, and she never talks. + Everybody who comes here tells Minnie his troubles." + </p> + <p> + "But—am I a trouble?" he asked in a low tone. I was down in the + spring, but I heard it. + </p> + <p> + "So far you have hardly been an unalloyed joy," she replied, and from the + spring I echoed "Amen." + </p> + <p> + "Yes—I'm so hung with family skeletons that I clatter when I walk," + I explained, pretending I hadn't heard, and brought them both glasses of + water. "It's got to be a habit with some people to save their sciatica and + their husband's dispositions and their torpid livers and their unpaid + bills and bring 'em here to me." + </p> + <p> + He sniffed at the glass and put it down. + </p> + <p> + "Herr Gott!" he said, "what a water! It is—the whole thing is + extraordinary! I can understand the reason for Carlsbad or Wiesbaden—it + is gay. One sees one's friends; it is—social. But here—!" + </p> + <p> + He got up and, lifting a window curtain, peered out into the snow. + </p> + <p> + "Here," he repeated, "shut in by forests and hills, a thousand miles from + life—" He shrugged his shoulders and came back to the table. "It is + well enough for the father," he went on to Miss Patty, "but for you! Why—it + is depressing, gray. The only bit of color in it all is—here, in + what you call the spring-house." I thought he meant Miss Patty's cheeks or + her lovely violet eyes, but he was looking at my hair. I had caught his + eye on it before, but this time he made no secret about it, and he sighed, + for all the world as if it reminded him of something. He went over to the + slot-machine and stood in front of it, humming and trying the different + combinations. I must say he had a nice back. + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty came over and slipped her hand in mine. + </p> + <p> + "Well?" she whispered, looking at me with her pretty eyebrows raised. + </p> + <p> + "He looks all right," I had to confess. "Perhaps you can coax him to + shave." + </p> + <p> + She laughed. + </p> + <p> + "Oskar!" she called, "you have passed, but you are conditioned. Minnie + objects to the mustache." + </p> + <p> + He turned and looked at me gravely. + </p> + <p> + "It is my—greatest attraction," he declared, "but it is also a great + care. If Miss Minnie demands it, I shall give it to her in a—in a + little box." He sauntered over and looked at me in his audacious way. "But + you must promise to care for it. Many women have loved it." + </p> + <p> + "I believe that!" I answered, and stared back at him without blinking. "I + guess I wouldn't want the responsibility." + </p> + <p> + But I had an idea that he meant what he said about the many women, and + that Miss Patty knew it as well as I did. She flushed a little, and they + went very soon after that. I stood and watched them until they disappeared + in the snow, and I felt lonelier than ever, and sad, although certainly he + was better than I had expected to find him. He was a man, and not a little + cub with a body hardly big enough to carry his forefathers' weaknesses. + But he had a cold eye and a warm mouth, and that sort of man is generally + a social success and a matrimonial failure. + </p> + <p> + It wasn't until toward night that I remembered I'd been talking to a real + prince and I hadn't once said "your Highness" or "your Excellency" or + whatever I should have said. I had said "You!" + </p> + <p> + I had hardly closed the door after them when it opened again and Mr. + Pierce came in. He shut the door and, going over to one of the tables, put + a package down on it. + </p> + <p> + "Here's the stuff you wanted for the spring, Minnie," he announced. "I + suppose I can't do anything more than register a protest against it?" + </p> + <p> + "You needn't bother doing that," I answered, "unless it makes you feel + better. Your authority ends at that door. Inside the spring-house I'm in + control." + </p> + <p> + (It's hard to believe, with things as they are, that I once really + believed that. But I did. It was three full days later that I learned that + I'd been mistaken!) + </p> + <p> + Well, he sat there and looked at nothing while I heated water in my brass + kettle over the fire and dissolved the things against Thoburn's quick eye + the next day, and he didn't say anything. He had a gift for keeping quiet, + Mr. Pierce had. It got on my nerves after a while. + </p> + <p> + "Things are doing better," I remarked, stirring up my mixture. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," he said, without moving. + </p> + <p> + "I suppose they're happier now they have a doctor?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes—no—I don't know. He's not much of a doctor, you know—and + there don't seem to be any medical books around." + </p> + <p> + "There's one on the care and feeding of infants in the circulating + library," I said, "and he can have my Anatomy." + </p> + <p> + "You're generous!" he remarked, with one of his quick smiles. + </p> + <p> + "It's a book," I snapped, and fell to stirring again. But he was moping + once more, with his feet out and his hands behind his head, staring at the + ceiling. + </p> + <p> + "I say, Minnie—" + </p> + <p> + "Yes?" + </p> + <p> + "Miss—Miss Jennings and the von Inwald were here just now, weren't + they? I passed them on the bridge." + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "What—how do you like him?" + </p> + <p> + "Better than I expected and not so well as I might," I said. "If you are + going to the house soon you might take Miss Patty her handkerchief. It's + there under that table." + </p> + <p> + I took my mixture into the pantry and left it to cool. But as I started + back I stopped. He had got the handkerchief and was standing in front of + the fire, holding it in the palm of his hand and looking at it. And all in + a minute he crushed it to his face with both hands and against the + firelight I could see him quivering. + </p> + <p> + I stepped back into the pantry and came out again noisily. He was standing + very calm and quiet where he had been before, and no handkerchief in + sight. + </p> + <p> + "Well," I said, "did you get it?" + </p> + <p> + "Get what?" + </p> + <p> + "Miss Patty's handkerchief?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh—that! Yes. Here it is." He pulled it out of his pocket and held + it up by the corner. + </p> + <p> + "Ridiculous size, isn't it, and—" he held it up to his nose—"I + dare say one could almost tell it was hers by the scent. It's—it's + like her." + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" I said, suddenly suspicious, and looked at it. "Well," I said, + "it may remind you of Miss Patty, and the scent may be like Miss Patty, + but she doesn't use perfume on her handkerchief. This has an E. C. on it, + which means Eliza Cobb." + </p> + <p> + He left soon after, rather crestfallen, but to save my life I couldn't + forget what I'd seen—him with that scrap of linen that he thought + was hers crushed to his face, and his shoulders heaving. I had an idea + that he hadn't cared much for women before, and that, this being a first + attack, he hadn't established what the old doctor used to call an + immunity. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <h3> + PIERCE DISAPPROVES + </h3> + <p> + Mrs. Hutchins came out to the spring-house the next morning. She was + dressed in a black silk with real lace collar and cuffs, and she was so + puffed up with pride that she forgot to be nasty to me. + </p> + <p> + "I thought I'd better come to you, Minnie," she said. "There seems to be + nobody in authority here any more. Mr. Carter has put the—has put + Mr. von Inwald in the north wing. I can not imagine why he should have + given him the coldest and most disagreeable part of the house." + </p> + <p> + I said I'd speak to Mr. Carter and try to have him moved, and she rustled + over to where I was brushing the hearth and stooped down. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. von Inwald is incognito, of course," she said, "but he belongs to a + very old family in his own country—a noble family. He ought to have + the best there is in the house." + </p> + <p> + I promised that, too, and she went away, but I made up my mind to talk to + Mr. Pierce. The sanatorium business isn't one where you can put your own + likes and dislikes against the comfort of the guests. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb came out a few minutes after; she had on her new green silk with + the white lace trimming. She saw me staring as she threw off her cape and + put her curler on the log. + </p> + <p> + "It's a little dressy for so early, of course, Minnie," she said, "but I + wish you'd see some of the other women! Breakfast looked like an afternoon + reception. What would you think of pinning this black velvet ribbon around + my head?" + </p> + <p> + "It might have done twenty years ago, Miss Cobb," I answered, "but I + wouldn't advise it now." I was working at the slot-machine, and I heard + her sniff behind me as she hung up her mirror on the window-frame. + </p> + <p> + She tried the curler on the curtain, which she knows I object to, but she + was too full of her subject to be sulky for long. + </p> + <p> + "I wish you could see Blanche Moody!" she began again, standing holding + the curler, with a thin wreath of smoke making a halo over her head. + "Drawn in—my dear, I don't see how she can breathe! I guess there's + no doubt about Mr. von Inwald." + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to know who put this beer check in the slot-machine yesterday," + I said as indifferently as I could. "What about Mr. von Inwald?" + </p> + <p> + She tiptoed over to me, the halo trailing after her. + </p> + <p> + "About his being a messenger from the prince to Miss Jennings!" she + answered in a whisper. "He spent last night closeted with papa, and the + chambermaid on that floor told Lily Biggs that there was almost a + quarrel." + </p> + <p> + "That doesn't mean anything," I objected. "If the Angel Gabriel was shut + in with Mr. Jennings for ten minutes he'd be blowing his trumpet for + help." + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb shrugged her shoulders and took hold of a fresh wisp of hair + with the curler. + </p> + <p> + "I dare say," she assented, "but the Angel Gabriel wouldn't have waited to + breakfast with Miss Jennings, and have kissed her hand before everybody at + the foot of the stairs!" + </p> + <p> + "Is he handsome?" I asked, curious to know how he would impress other + women. But Miss Cobb had never seen a man she would call ugly. + </p> + <p> + "Handsome!" she said. "My dear, he's beautiful! He has a duel scar on his + left cheek—all the nobility have them over there. I've a cousin + living in Berlin—she's the wittiest person—and she says the + German child of the future will be born with a scarred left cheek!" + </p> + <p> + Well, I was sick enough of hearing of Mr. von Inwald before the day was + over. All morning in the spring-house they talked Mr. von Inwald. They + pretended to play cards, but they were really playing European royalty. + Every time somebody laid down a queen, he'd say, "Is the queen still + living, or didn't she die a few years ago?" And when they played the + knave, they'd start off about the prince again. They'd all decided that + Mr. von Inwald was noble—somebody said that the "von" was a sort of + title. The women were planning to make the evenings more cheerful, too. + They couldn't have a dance with the men using canes or forbidden to + exercise, but Miss Cobb had a lot of what she called "parlor games" that + she wanted to try out. "Introducing the Jones family" was one of them. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon Mr. von Inwald came out to the spring-house and sat + around, very affable and friendly, drinking the water. He and the bishop + grew quite chummy. Miss Patty was not there, but about four o'clock Mr. + Pierce came out. He did not sit down, but wandered around the room, not + talking to anybody, but staring, whenever he could, at the prince. Once I + caught Mr. von Inwald's eyes fixed on him, as if he might have seen him + before. After a while Mr. Pierce sat down in a corner like a sulky child + and filled his pipe, and as nobody noticed him except to complain about + the pipe, which he didn't even hear, he sat there for a half-hour, bent + forward, with his pipe clenched in his teeth, and never took his eyes off + Mr. von Inwald's face. + </p> + <p> + Senator Biggs was the one who really caused the trouble. He spent a good + deal of time in the spring-house trying to fool his stomach by keeping it + filled up all the time with water. He had got past the cranky stage, being + too weak for it; his face was folded up in wrinkles like an accordion and + his double chin was so flabby you could have tucked it away inside his + collar. + </p> + <p> + "What do you think of American women, Mr. von Inwald?" he asked, and + everybody stopped playing cards and listened for the answer. As Mr. von + Inwald represented the prince, wouldn't he be likely to voice the prince's + opinion of American women? + </p> + <p> + It's my belief Mr. von Inwald was going to say something nice. He smiled + as if he meant to, but just then he saw Mr. Pierce in his corner sneering + behind his pipe. They looked at each other steadily, and nobody could + mistake the hate in Mr. Pierce's face or his sneer. After a minute the + prince looked away and shrugged his shoulders, but he didn't make his + pretty speech. + </p> + <p> + "American women!" he said, turning his glass of spring water around on the + table before him, "they are very lovely, of course." He looked around and + there were Mrs. Moody and Mrs. Biggs and Miss Cobb, and he even glanced at + me in the spring. Then he looked again at Mr. Pierce and kept his eyes + there. "But they are spoiled, fearfully spoiled. They rule their parents + and they expect to rule their husbands. In Europe we do things better; we + are not—what is the English?—hag-ridden?" + </p> + <p> + There was a sort of murmur among the men, but the women all nodded as if + they thought Europe was entirely right. They'd have agreed with him if + he'd advocated sixteen wives sitting cross-legged on a mat, like the + Turks. Mr. Pierce was still staring at the prince. + </p> + <p> + "What I don't quite understand, Mr. von Inwald," the bishop put in in his + nice way, "is your custom of expecting a girl to bring her husband a + certain definite sum of money and to place it under the husband's control. + Our wealthy American girls control their own money," He was thinking of + Miss Patty, and everybody knew it. + </p> + <p> + The prince turned red and glared at the bishop. Then I think he remembered + that they didn't know who he was, and he smiled and started to turning the + glass again. + </p> + <p> + "Pardon!" he said. "Is it not better? What do women know of money? They + throw it away on trifles, dress, jewels—American women are + extravagant. It is one result of their—of their spoiling." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce got up and emptied his pipe into the fire. Then he turned. + </p> + <p> + "I'm afraid you have not known the best type of American women," he said, + looking hard at the prince. "Our representative women are our middle-class + women. They do not contract European alliances, not having sufficient + money to attract the attention of the nobility, or enough to buy titles, + as they do pearls, for the purpose of adornment." + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald got up, and his face was red. Mr. Pierce was white and + sneering. + </p> + <p> + "Also," he went on, "when they marry they wish to control their own money, + and not see it spent in—ways with which you are doubtless familiar." + </p> + <p> + We were all paralyzed. Nobody moved. Mr. Pierce put his pipe in his pocket + and stalked out, slamming the door. Then Mr. von Inwald shrugged his + shoulders and laughed. + </p> + <p> + "I see I shall have to talk to our young friend," he said and picked up + his glass. "I'm afraid I've given a wrong impression. I like the American + women very much; too well," he went on with a flash of his teeth, looking + around the room, and brought the glass to the spring for me to fill. But + as I've said before, I can tell a good bit about a man from the way he + gives me his glass, and he was in a perfect frenzy of rage. When I reached + it back to him he gripped it until his nails were white. + </p> + <p> + My joint ached all the rest of the afternoon. About five o'clock Mr. + Thoburn stopped in long enough to say: "What's this I hear about Carter + making an ass of himself to-day?" + </p> + <p> + "I haven't heard it," I answered. "What is it?" + </p> + <p> + But he only laughed and turned up his collar to go. + </p> + <p> + "Jove, Minnie," he said, "why do women of your spirit always champion the + losing side? Be a good girl; give me a hand now and then with this thing, + and I'll see you don't lose by it." + </p> + <p> + "We're not going to lose," I retorted angrily. "Nobody has left yet. We + are still ahead on the books." + </p> + <p> + He came over and shook a finger in my face. + </p> + <p> + "Nobody has left—and why? Because they're all taking a series of + baths. Wait until they've had their fifteen, or twenty-one, or whatever + the cure is, and then see them run!" + </p> + <p> + It was true enough; I knew it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <h3> + THE PRINCE, WITH APOLOGIES + </h3> + <p> + Tillie brought the supper basket for the shelter-house about six o'clock + and sat down for a minute by the fire. She said Mr. Pierce (Carter to her) + had started out with a gun about five o'clock. It was foolish, but it made + me uneasy. + </p> + <p> + "They've gone plumb crazy over that Mr. von Inwald," she declared. "It + makes me tired. How do they know he's anything but what he says he is? He + may be a messenger from the emperor of Austria, and he may be selling + flannel chest protectors. Miss Cobb's all set up; she's talking about + getting up an entertainment and asking that Miss Summers to recite." + </p> + <p> + She got up, leaving the basket on the hearth. + </p> + <p> + "And say," she said, "you ought to see that dog now. It's been soakin' in + peroxide all day!" + </p> + <p> + She went out with the peroxide, but a moment later she opened the door and + stuck her head in, nodding toward the basket. + </p> + <p> + "Say," she said, "the chef's getting fussy about the stuff I'm using in + the diet kitchen. You've got to cut it out soon, Minnie. If I was you I'd + let him starve." + </p> + <p> + "What!" I screeched, and grasped the rail of the spring. + </p> + <p> + "Let him starve!" she repeated. + </p> + <p> + "Wha—what are you talking about?" I demanded when I got my voice. + </p> + <p> + She winked at me from the doorway. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm on all right, Minnie!" she assured me, "although heaven only + knows where he puts it all! He's sagged in like a chair with broken + springs." + </p> + <p> + I saw then that she thought I was feeding Senator Biggs on the sly, and I + breathed again. But my nerves were nearly gone, and when just then I heard + a shot from the direction of the deer park, even Tillie noticed how pale I + got. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know what's come over you, Minnie," she said. "That's only Mr. + Carter shooting rabbits. I saw him go out as I started down the path." + </p> + <p> + I was still nervous when I put on my shawl and picked up the basket. But + there was a puddle on the floor and the soup had spilled. There was + nothing for it but to go back for more soup, and I got it from the kitchen + without the chef seeing me. When I opened the spring-house door again Mr. + Pierce was by the fire, and in front of him, where I'd left the basket, + lay a dead rabbit. He was sitting there with his chin in his hands looking + at the poor thing, and there was no basket in sight. + </p> + <p> + "Well," I asked, "did you change my basket into a dead rabbit?" + </p> + <p> + "Basket!" he said, looking up. "What basket?" + </p> + <p> + I looked everywhere, but the basket was gone, and after a while I decided + that Mr. Dick had had an attack of thoughtfulness (or hunger) and had + carried it out himself. + </p> + <p> + And all the time I looked for the basket Mr. Pierce sat with the gun + across his knees and stared at the rabbit. + </p> + <p> + "I'd thank you to take that messy thing out of here," I told him. + </p> + <p> + "Poor little chap!" he exclaimed. "He was playing in the snow, and I + killed him—not because I wanted food or sport, Minnie, but—well, + because I had to kill something." + </p> + <p> + "I hope you don't have those attacks often," I said. He looked at the + rabbit and sighed. + </p> + <p> + "Never in my life!" he answered. "For food or sport, that's different, but—blood-lust!" + He got up and put the gun in the corner, and I saw he looked white and + miserable. + </p> + <p> + "I don't like myself to-night, Minnie," he said, trying to smile, "and + nobody likes me. I'm going into the garden to eat worms!" + </p> + <p> + I didn't like to scold him when he was feeling bad anyhow, but business is + business. So I asked him how long he thought people would stay if he acted + as he had that day. I said that a sanatorium was a place where the man who + runs it can't afford to have likes and dislikes; that for my part I'd a + good deal rather he'd get rid of his excitement by shooting off a gun, + provided he pointed it away from the house, than to sit around and let his + mind explode and kill all our prospects. I told him, too, to remember that + he wasn't responsible for the morals or actions of his guests, only for + their health. + </p> + <p> + "Health!" he echoed, and kicked a chair. "Health! Why, if I wanted to keep + a good dog in condition, Minnie, I wouldn't bring him here." + </p> + <p> + "No," I retorted, "you'd shut him in an old out oven, and give him a shoe + to chew, and he'd come out in three days frisking and happy. But you can't + do that with people." + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" he asked. "Although, of course, the supply of out ovens and old + shoes is limited here." + </p> + <p> + "As far as Mr. von Inwald goes," I went on, "that's not your affair or + mine. If Miss Patty's own father can't prevent it, why should you worry + about it?" + </p> + <p> + "Precisely," he agreed. "Why should I? But I do, Minnie—that's the + devil of it." + </p> + <p> + "There are plenty of nice girls," I suggested, feeling rather sorry for + him. + </p> + <p> + "Are there? Oh, I dare say." He stooped and picked up his rabbit. + "Straight through the head; not so bad for twilight. Poor little chap!" + </p> + <p> + He said good night and went out, taking the gun and the rabbit with him, + and I went into the pantry to finish straightening things for the night. + In a few minutes I heard voices in the other room, one Mr. Pierce's, and + one with a strong German accent. + </p> + <p> + "When was that?" Mr. von Inwald's voice. + </p> + <p> + "A year ago, in Vienna." + </p> + <p> + "Where?" + </p> + <p> + "At the Bal Tabarin. You were in a loge. The man I was with told me who + the woman was. It was she, I think, who suggested that you lean over the + rail—" + </p> + <p> + "Ah, so!" said Mr. von Inwald as if he just remembered. "Ah, yes, I recall—I + was with—the lady was red-haired, is it not? And it was she who + desired me—" + </p> + <p> + "You leaned over the rail and poured a glass of wine on my head. It was + very funny. The lady was charmed." + </p> + <p> + "I recall it perfectly. I remember that I did it under protest—it + was a very fine wine, and expensive." + </p> + <p> + "Then you also recall," said Mr. Pierce, very quietly, "that because you + were with a—well, because you were with a woman, I could not return + your compliment. But I demanded the privilege at some future date when you + were alone." + </p> + <p> + "It is a pity," replied Mr. von Inwald, "that now, when I am alone, there + is no wine!" + </p> + <p> + "No, there is no wine," Mr. Pierce agreed slowly, "but there is—" + </p> + <p> + I opened the door at that, and both of them started. Mr. von Inwald was + standing with his arms folded, and Mr. Pierce had one arm raised holding + up a glass of spring water. In another second it would have been in the + other man's face. + </p> + <p> + I walked over to Mr. Pierce and took the glass out of his hand, and his + expression was funny to see. + </p> + <p> + "I've been looking everywhere for that glass," I said. "It's got to be + washed." + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald laughed and picked up his soft hat from the table. + </p> + <p> + He turned around at the door and looked back at Mr. Pierce, still + laughing. + </p> + <p> + "Accept my apologies!" he said. "It was such a fine wine, and so + expensive." + </p> + <p> + Then he went out. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <h3> + STOP, THIEF! + </h3> + <p> + I was pretty nervous when I took charge of the news stand that evening. + Amanda King had an appointment with the dentist and had left everything + topsyturvey. I was still straightening up when people began to come down + to dinner. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb walked over to the news stand, and she'd cut the white yoke out + of her purple silk. She looked very dressy, although somewhat thin. + </p> + <p> + "Everybody has dressed for dinner to-night, Minnie," she informed me. "We + didn't want Mr. von Inwald to have a wrong idea of American society, + especially after Mr. Carter's ridiculous conduct this afternoon, and I + wonder if you'll be sweet enough to start the phonograph in the orchestra + gallery as we go in—something with dignity, you know—the + wedding march, or the overture from Aida." + </p> + <p> + "Aida's cracked," I said shortly, "and as far as I'm concerned, Mr. von + Inwald can walk in to his meals without music, or starve to death waiting + for the band." + </p> + <p> + But she got the phonograph, anyhow, and put the elevator boy in the + gallery with it. She picked out some things by Caruso and Tetrazzini and + piled them on a chair, but James had things to himself up there, and + played The Spring Chicken through three times during dinner, with Miss + Cobb glaring at the gallery until the back of her neck ached, and the + dining-room girls waltzing in with the dishes and polka-ing out. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Moody came out when dinner was over in a fearful rage and made for the + news stand. + </p> + <p> + "One of your ideas, I suppose," he asserted. "What sort of a night am I + going to have after chewing my food to rag-time, with my jaws doing a + skirt-dance? Why in heaven's name couldn't you have had something slow, + like Handel's Largo, if you've got to have music?" + </p> + <p> + But dinner was over fifteen minutes sooner than usual. James cake-walked + everybody out to My Ann Elizer, and Miss Cobb was mortified to death. + </p> + <p> + Two or three things happened that night. For one, I got a good look at + Miss Julia Summers. She was light-haired and well-fleshed, with an ugly + face but a pleasant smile. She wore a low-necked dress that made Miss + Cobb's with the yoke out look like a storm collar, and if she had a broken + heart she didn't show it. + </p> + <p> + "Hello," she cried, looking at my hair, "are you selling tobacco here or + are you the cigar-lighter?" + </p> + <p> + "Neither," I answered, looking over her head. "I am employed as the + extinguisher of gay guests." + </p> + <p> + "Good," she said, smiling. "I'm something fine at that myself. Suppose I + stay here and help. If I watch that line of knitting women I'll be + crotcheting Arabella's wool in my sleep to-night." + </p> + <p> + Well, she was too cheerful to be angry with. So she stayed around for a + while, and it was amazing how much tobacco I sold that evening. Men who + usually bought tobies bought the best cigars, and when Mr. Jennings came + up, scowling, and I handed him the brand he'd smoked for years, she took + one, clipped the end of it as neat as a finger nail and gave it to him, + holding up the lighter. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not going to smoke yet, young woman," he said, glaring at her. But + she only smiled. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry," she said. "I've been waiting hungrily until some + discriminating smoker would buy one of those and light it. I love the + aroma." + </p> + <p> + And he stood there for thirty minutes, standing mostly on one foot on + account of the gouty one, puffing like a locomotive, with her sniffing at + the aroma and telling him how lonely she felt with no friends around and + just recovering from a severe illness. + </p> + <p> + At eight o'clock he had Mrs. Hutchins bring him his fur-lined coat and he + and Miss Julia took Arabella, the dog, for a walk on the veranda! + </p> + <p> + The rest of the evening was quiet, and I needed it. Miss Patty and Mr. von + Inwald talked by the fire and I think he told her something—not all—of + the scene in the spring-house. For she passed Mr. Pierce at the foot of + the stairs on her way up for the night and she pretended not to see him. + He stood there looking up after her with his mouth set, and at the turn + she glanced down and caught his eye. I thought she flushed, but I wasn't + sure, and at that minute Senator Biggs bought three twenty-five-cent + cigars and told me to keep the change from a dollar. I was so surprised at + the alteration in him that I forgot Miss Patty entirely. + </p> + <p> + About twelve o'clock, just after I went to my room, somebody knocked at + the door. When I opened, the new doctor was standing in the hall. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry to disturb you," he said, "but nobody seems to know where the + pharmacy clerk is and I'll have to get some medicine." + </p> + <p> + "If I'd had my way, we'd have had a bell on that pharmacy clerk long ago," + I snapped, getting my keys. "Who's sick?" + </p> + <p> + "The big man," he replied. "Biggs is his name, I think, a senator or + something." + </p> + <p> + I was leading the way to the stairs, but I stopped. "I might have known + it," I said. "He hasn't been natural all evening. What's the matter with + him? Too much fast?" + </p> + <p> + "Fast!" He laughed. "Too much feast! He's got as pretty a case of + indigestion as I've seen for some time. He's giving a demonstration that's + almost theatrical." + </p> + <p> + Well, he insisted it was indigestion, although I argued that it wasn't + possible, and he wanted ipecac. + </p> + <p> + "I haven't seen a pharmacopoeia for so long that I wouldn't know one if I + met it," he declared, "but I've got a system of mnemonics that never + fails. Ipecac and colic both end with 'c'—I'll never forget that + conjunction. It was pounded in and poured in in my early youth." + </p> + <p> + Well, the pharmacy was locked, and we couldn't find a key to fit it. And + when I suggested mustard and warm water he jumped at the idea. + </p> + <p> + "Fine!" he said. "Better let me dish out the spring-water and you take my + job! Lead on, MacDuff, to the kitchen." + </p> + <p> + Although it was only midnight there was not a soul about. A hall leads + back of the office to the kitchen and pantries, and there was a low light + there, but the rest was dark. We bumped through the diet kitchen and into + the scullery, when we found we had no matches. I went back for some, and + when I got as far as the diet kitchen again Doctor Barnes was there, just + inside the door. + </p> + <p> + "Sh!" he whispered. "Come into the scullery. The kitchen is dark, but + there is somebody in there, fumbling around, striking matches. I suppose + you don't have such things as burglars in this neck of the woods?" + </p> + <p> + Well, somebody had broken into Timmons' candy store a week before and + stolen a box of chewing-gum and a hundred post-cards, and I told him so in + a whisper. + </p> + <p> + "Anyhow, it isn't the chef," I said. "He's had a row with the bath man and + is in bed with a cut hand and a black eye, and nobody else has any + business here." + </p> + <p> + We tiptoed into the scullery in the dark: just then somebody knocked a + kettle down in the kitchen and it hit the stove below with a crash. + Whoever was there swore, and it was not Francois, who expresses his + feelings mostly in French. This was English. + </p> + <p> + There's a little window from the kitchen into the scullery as well as a + door. The window had a wooden slide and it was open an inch or so. We + couldn't see anything, but we could hear a man moving around. Once he + struck a match, but it went out and he said "Damn!" again, and began to + feel his way toward the scullery. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes happened to touch my hand and he patted it as if to tell me + not to be frightened. Then he crept toward the scullery door and waited + there. + </p> + <p> + It swung open slowly, but he waited until it closed again and the man was + in the room. Then he yelled and jumped and there was the sound of a fall. + I could hardly strike the match—I was trembling so—but when I + did there was Mr. Dick lying flat on the floor and the doctor sitting on + him. + </p> + <p> + "Mister Dick!" I gasped, and dropped the match. + </p> + <p> + "Something hit me!" Mr. Dick said feebly, and when I had got a candle + lighted and had explained to Doctor Barnes that it was a mistake, he got + off him and let him up. He was as bewildered as Mr. Dick and pretty nearly + as mad. + </p> + <p> + We put him—Mr. Dick—in a chair and gave him a glass of water, + and after he had got his breath—the doctor being a heavy man—he + said he was trying to find something to eat. + </p> + <p> + "Confound it, Minnie," he exclaimed, "we're starving! It seems to me there + are enough of you here at least to see that we are fed. Not a bite since + lunch!" + </p> + <p> + "But I thought you had the basket," I explained. "I left it at the + spring-house, and when I went back it was gone." + </p> + <p> + "So that was it!" he answered. And then he explained that just about the + time they expected their supper they saw a man carry a basket stealthily + through the snow to the deer park. It was twilight, but they watched him + from the window, and he put the basket through the barbed-wire fence and + then crawled after it. Just inside he sat down on a log and, opening the + basket, began to eat. He was still there when it got too dark to see him. + </p> + <p> + "If that was our dinner," he finished savagely, "I hope he choked to death + over it." + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes chuckled. "He didn't," he said, "but he's got the worst case + of indigestion in seven counties." + </p> + <p> + Well, I got the mustard and water ready with Mr. Dick standing by hoping + Mr. Biggs would die before he got it, and then I filled a basket for the + shelter-house. I put out the light and he took the basket and started out, + but he came back in a hurry. + </p> + <p> + "There's somebody outside talking," he said. I went to the door with him + and listened. + </p> + <p> + "The sooner the better," Mike was saying. "I'm no good while I've got it + on my mind." + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Thoburn: "To-morrow is too soon: they're not in the mood yet. + Perhaps the day after. I'll let you know." + </p> + <p> + I didn't get to sleep until almost morning, and then it was to dream that + Mr. Pierce was shouting "Hypocrites" to all the people in the sanatorium + and threatening to throw glasses of mustard and warm water at them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <h3> + A BUNCH OF LETTERS + </h3> + <p> + When people went down to breakfast the next morning they found a card + hanging on the office door with a half dozen new rules on it, and when I + went out to the spring-house the guests were having an indignation meeting + in the sun parlor, with the bishop in the chair, and Senator Biggs, so + wobbly he could hardly stand, making a speech. + </p> + <p> + I tried to see Mr. Pierce, but early as it was he had gone for a walk, + taking Arabella with him. So I called a conference at the shelter-house—Miss + Patty, Mr. and Mrs. Van Alstyne, Mr. and Mrs. Dick, and myself. Mrs. Dick + wasn't dressed, but she sat up on the edge of her cot in her + dressing-gown, with her feet on the soap box, and yawned. As we didn't + have enough chairs, Miss Patty jerked the soap box away and made me sit + down. Mr. Dick was getting breakfast. + </p> + <p> + We were in a tight place and we knew it. + </p> + <p> + "He is making it as hard for us as he can," Mrs. Sam declared. "The idea + of having the card-room lights put out at midnight, and the breakfast room + closed at ten! Nobody gets up at that hour." + </p> + <p> + "He was to come here every evening for orders," said Mr. Dick, measuring + ground coffee with a tablespoon, as I had showed him. "He came just once, + and as for orders—well, he gave 'em to me!" + </p> + <p> + But Miss Patty was always fair. + </p> + <p> + "I loathe him," she asserted. "I want to quarrel with him the minute I see + him. He—he is presumptuous to the point of impertinence—but + he's honest: he thinks we're all hypocrites—those that are well and + those that are sick or think they are—and he hates hypocrisy." + </p> + <p> + Everybody talked at once, then, and she listened. + </p> + <p> + "Very well," she said. "I'll amend it. We're not all hypocrites. My + motives in all this are perfectly clear—and selfish." + </p> + <p> + "You and old Pierce would make a fine team, Pat," Mrs. Dick remarked with + a yawn. "I like hypocrites myself. They're so comfy. But if you're not + above advice, Pat, you'll have Aunt Honoria break her neck or something—anything + to get father back to town. Something is going to explode, and Oskar + doesn't like to be agitated." + </p> + <p> + She curled up on the cot with that and went sound asleep. The rest of us + had coffee and talked, but there wasn't anything to do. As Mr. Sam said, + Mr. Pierce didn't want to stay, anyhow, and as likely as not if we went to + him in a body and told him he must come to the shelter-house for + instructions, and be suave and gentle when he was called down by the + guests about the steam-pipes making a racket, he'd probably prefer to go + down to the village and take Doctor Barnes' place washing dishes at the + station. That wouldn't call for any particular mildness. + </p> + <p> + But he settled it by appearing himself. He came across the snow from the + direction of Mount Hope, and he had a pair of skees over his shoulder. (At + that time I didn't even know the name of the things, but I learned enough + about them later.) I must say he looked very well beside Mr. Dick, who + wasn't very large, anyhow, and who hadn't had time to put on his collar, + and Mr. Sam, who's always thin and sallow and never takes a step he + doesn't have to. + </p> + <p> + I let him in, and when he saw us all there he started and hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "Come in, Pierce," Mr. Sam said. "We've just been talking about you." + </p> + <p> + He came in, but he didn't look very comfortable. + </p> + <p> + "What have you decided to do with me?" he asked. "Put me under restraint?" + </p> + <p> + He was unbuttoning his sweater, and now he took out two of the smallest + rabbits I ever saw and held them up by the ears. Miss Patty gave a little + cry and took them, cuddling them in her lap. + </p> + <p> + "They're starving and almost frozen, poor little devils," he said. "I + found them near where I shot the mother last night, Minnie, and by way of + atonement I'm going to adopt them." + </p> + <p> + Well, although the minute before they'd all been wishing they'd never seen + him, they pretty nearly ate him up. Miss Patty held the rabbits, so we all + had turns at feeding them warm milk with a teaspoon and patting their pink + noses. When it came Mr. Pierce's turn they were about full up, so he + curled his big body on the floor at Miss Patty's feet and talked to the + rabbits and looked at her. He had one of those faces that's got every + emotion marked on it as clear as a barometer—when he was mad his + face was mad all over, and when he was pleased he glowed to the tips of + his ears. And he was pleased that morning. + </p> + <p> + But, of course, he had to be set right about the sanatorium, and Mr. Sam + began it. Mr. Pierce listened, sitting on the floor and looking puzzled + and more and more unhappy. Finally he got up and drew a long breath. + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," he agreed. "I know you are all right and I'm wrong—according + to your way of thinking. But if these people want to be well, why should I + encourage them to do the wrong thing? They eat too much, they don't + exercise"—he turned to Mr. Van Alstyne. + </p> + <p> + "Why, do you know, I asked a half dozen of the men—one after the + other—to go skeeing with me this morning and not one of them + accepted!" + </p> + <p> + "Really!" Mr. Sam exclaimed mockingly. + </p> + <p> + "What can you do with people like that?" Mr. Pierce went on. "They don't + want to be well; they're all hypocrites. Look at that man Biggs! I'll lay + you ten to one that after fasting five days and then stealing a whole + chicken, a dozen oysters and Lord knows what else, now that he's sick, + he'll hold it against me." + </p> + <p> + "He's not holding anything," I objected. + </p> + <p> + "Because HE is a hypocrite—" Mr. Sam began. + </p> + <p> + "That's not the point, Pierce," Mr. Dick broke in importantly. "You were + to come here for orders and you haven't done it. You're running this place + for me, not for yourself." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce looked at Mr. Dick and from there to Mr. Sam and smiled. + </p> + <p> + "I did come," he explained. "I came twice, and each time we played + roulette. I lost all the money I'd had in advance. Honestly," he + confessed, "I felt I couldn't afford to come every day." + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty got up and put the baby rabbits into her sister's big fur muff. + </p> + <p> + "We are all talking around the question," she said. "Mr. Pierce undertook + to manage the sanatorium, and to try to manage it successfully. He can not + do that without making some attempt at conciliating the people. It's—it's + absurd to antagonize them." + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," he said coldly. "I was to manage it, and to try to do it + successfully. I'm sorry my methods don't meet with the approval of this—er—executive + committee. But it might as well be clear that I intend to use my own + methods—or none." + </p> + <p> + Well, what could we do? Miss Patty went out with her head up, and the rest + of us stayed and ate humble pie, and after a while he agreed to stay if he + wasn't interfered with. He said he and Doctor Barnes had a plan that he + thought was a winner—that it would either make or break the place, + and he thought it would make it. And by that time we were so meek that we + didn't even ask what it was. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes and Miss Summers were the first to come to the mineral + spring that morning. She stopped just inside the door and sniffed. + </p> + <p> + "Something's dead under the floor," she said. + </p> + <p> + "If there's anything dead," Doctor Barnes replied, "it's in the center of + the earth. That's the sulphur water." + </p> + <p> + She came in at that, but unwillingly, and sat down with her handkerchief + to her nose. Then she saw me. + </p> + <p> + "Good gracious!" she exclaimed. "What have you done that they put you + here?" + </p> + <p> + "If you mean the bouquet from the spring, you get to like it after a + while," I said grimly. "Ordinary air hasn't got any snap for me now." + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" She looked at me suspiciously, but I was busy wiping off the + tables. "Well," she said, holding up the glass Doctor Barnes had brought + her, "it doesn't cost me anything, so here goes. But think of paying money + for it!" + </p> + <p> + She drank it down in a gulp and settled herself in her chair. + </p> + <p> + "What'll it do to me?" she asked. "Mixed drinks always play the deuce with + me, Barnes, and you know it." + </p> + <p> + "If you'll cut down your diet and take some exercise it will make you + thin," I began. "'The process is painless and certain: kindly nature in + her benevolent plan—'" + </p> + <p> + "Give me another!" she interrupted, and Doctor Barnes filled her glass + again. "Some women spell fate f-a-t-e," she said, looking at the water, + "but I spell it without the e." + </p> + <p> + She took half of it and then put down the glass. "Honestly," she declared, + "I'd rather be fat." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce met them there a few minutes later and they had a + three-cornered chat. But Miss Summers evidently didn't know just how much + I knew and was careful of what she said. Once, however, when I was in the + pantry she thought I was beyond ear-shot. + </p> + <p> + "Good heavens, Pierce," she said, "if they could put THAT in a play!" + </p> + <p> + "Cut it out, Julia," Doctor Barnes snapped, and it wasn't until they had + gone that I knew she'd meant me. I looked through the crack of the door + and she was leaning over taking a puff at Doctor Barnes' cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "Curious old world, isn't it?" she said between puffs. "Here we are the + three of us—snug and nice, having seven kinds of hell-fire water and + not having to pay for it; three meals a day and afternoon tea ditto, good + beds and steam-heat ditto—and four days ago where were we? Pierce, + you were hocking your clothes! Doc, you—" + </p> + <p> + "Washing dishes!" he said. "I never knew before how extravagant it is to + have a saucer under a cup!" + </p> + <p> + "And I!" she went on, "I, Julia Summers, was staring at a ceiling in the + Finleyville hotel, with a face that looked like a toy balloon." + </p> + <p> + "And now," said Doctor Barnes, "you are more beautiful than ever. I am a + successful physician—oh, lord, Julia, if you'd hear me faking lines + in my part! And my young friend here—Pierce—Julia, Pierce has + now become a young reprobate named Dicky Carter, and may the Lord have + mercy on his soul!" + </p> + <p> + I tried to get out in time, but I was too late. I saw her rise, saw the + glass of water at her elbow roll over and smash on the floor, and saw her + clutch wildly at Mr. Pierce's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Not—not DICKY Carter!" she cried. + </p> + <p> + "Richard—they call him Dick," Mr. Pierce said uneasily, and loosened + her fingers from his coat. + </p> + <p> + Oh, well, everybody knows it now—how she called Mr. Dick everything + in the calendar, and then began to cry and said nobody would ever know + what she'd been through with, and the very dress she had on was a part of + the trousseau she'd had made, and what with the dressmaker's bills— + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she stopped crying. + </p> + <p> + "Where is he, anyhow?" she demanded. + </p> + <p> + "All we are sure of," Mr. Pierce replied quietly, "is that he is not in + the sanatorium." + </p> + <p> + She looked at us all closely, but she got nothing from my face. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, very well," she said, shrugging her shoulders, "I'll wait until he + shows up. It doesn't cost anything." + </p> + <p> + Then, with one of her easy changes, she laughed and picked up her muff to + go. + </p> + <p> + "Minnie and I," she said, "will tend bar here, and in our leisure moments + we will pour sulphur water on a bunch of Dicky's letters that I have, to + cool 'em." She walked to the door and turned around, smiling. + </p> + <p> + "Carry fire insurance on 'em all the time," she finished and went out, + leaving us staring at one another! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <h3> + MISS COBB'S BURGLAR + </h3> + <p> + I went to bed early that night. What with worrying and being alternately + chilled by tramping through the snow and roasted as if I was sitting on a + volcano with an eruption due, I was about all in. We'd been obliged to + tell Mrs. Sam about the Summers woman, and I had to put hot flannels on + her from nine to ten. She was quieter when I left her, but, as I told Mr. + Sam, it was the stillness of despair, not resignation. + </p> + <p> + I guess it was about four o'clock in the morning when a hand slid over my + face, and I sat up and yelled. The hand covered my mouth at that, and + something long and white and very thin beside the bed said: "Sh! For + heaven's sake, Minnie!" + </p> + <p> + It was Miss Cobb! It was lucky I came to my senses when I did, for her + knees gave way under her just then and she doubled up on the floor beside + the bed with her face in my comfort. + </p> + <p> + I lighted a candle and set it on a chair beside the bed and took a good + look at her. She was shaking all over, which wasn't strange, for I sleep + with my window open, and she had a key in her hand. + </p> + <p> + "Here," she gasped, holding out the key, "here, Minnie, wake the house and + get him, but, oh, Minnie, for heaven's sake, save my reputation!" + </p> + <p> + "Get who?" I demanded, for I saw it was her room key. + </p> + <p> + "I have been coming here for ten years," she groaned, out of the comfort, + "and now, to be bandied about by the cold breath of scandal!" + </p> + <p> + I shook her by the shoulder + </p> + <p> + "The cold breath you are raving about is four degrees below zero. If you + can't tell me what's the matter I'm going back to bed and cover my feet." + </p> + <p> + She got up at that and stood swaying, with her nightgown flapping around + her like a tent. + </p> + <p> + "I have locked a man in my room!" she declared in a terrible voice, and + collapsed into the middle of the bed. + </p> + <p> + Well, I leaned over and tried to tell her she'd made a mistake. The more I + looked at her, with her hair standing straight out over her head, and her + cambric nightgown with a high collar and long sleeves, and the hump on her + nose where her brother Willie had hit her in childhood with a baseball + bat, the surer I was that somebody had made a mistake—likely the + man. + </p> + <p> + Now there's two ways to handle a situation like that: one of them is to + rouse the house—and many a good sanatorium has been hurt by a + scandal and killed by a divorce; the other way is to take one strong man + who can hold his tongue, find the guilty person, and send him a fake + telegram the next morning that his mother is sick. I've done that more + than once. + </p> + <p> + I sat down on the side of the bed and put on my slippers. + </p> + <p> + "What did he look like?" I asked. "Could you see him?" + </p> + <p> + She uncovered one eye. + </p> + <p> + "Not—not distinctly," she said. "I—think he was large, and—and + rather handsome. That beast of a dog must have got in my room and was + asleep under the bed, for it wakened me by snarling." + </p> + <p> + There was nothing in that to make me nervous, but it did. As I put on my + kimono I was thinking pretty hard. + </p> + <p> + I could not waken Mr. Pierce by knocking, so I went in and shook him. He + was sound asleep, with his arms over his head, and when I caught his + shoulder he just took my hand and, turning over, tucked it under his cheek + and went asleep again. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Pierce! Mr. Pierce!" He wakened a little at that, but not enough to + open his eyes. He seemed to know that the hand wasn't his, however, for he + kissed it. And with that I slapped him and he wakened. He lay there + blinking at my candle and then he yawned. + </p> + <p> + "Musht have been ashleep!" he said, and turned over on his other side and + shut his eyes. + </p> + <p> + It was two or three minutes at least before I had him sitting on the side + of the bed, with a blanket spread over his knees, and was telling him + about Miss Cobb. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Cobb!" he said. "Oh, heavens, Minnie, tell her to go back to bed!" + He yawned. "If there's anybody there it's a mistake. I'm sleepy. What time + is it?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm not going out of this room until you get up!" I declared grimly. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, very well!" he said, and put his feet back into bed. "If you think + I'm going to get up while you're here—" + </p> + <p> + After he seemed pretty well wakened I went out. I waited in the + sitting-room and I heard him growling as he put on his clothes. When he + came out, however, he was more cheerful, and he stopped in the hall to + fish a case out of Mr. Sam's dressing-gown pocket and light a cigarette. + </p> + <p> + "Now!" he said, taking my arm. "Forward, the light-ly clad brigade! But—" + he stopped—"Minnie, we are unarmed! Shall I get the patent folding + corkscrew?" + </p> + <p> + He had to be quiet when we got to the bedroom floors, however, and when we + stopped outside Miss Cobb's door he was as sober as any one could wish + him. + </p> + <p> + "You needn't come in," he whispered. "Ten to one she dreamed it, but if + she didn't you're better outside. And whatever you hear, don't yell." + </p> + <p> + I gave him the key and he fitted it quietly in the lock. Arabella, just + inside, must have heard, for she snarled. But the snarl turned into a + yelp, as if she'd been suddenly kicked. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce, with his hand on the knob, turned and looked at me in the + candle-light. Then he opened the door. + </p> + <p> + Arabella gave another yelp and rushed out; she went between my feet like a + shot and almost overthrew me, and when I'd got my balance again I looked + into the room. Mr. Pierce was at the window, staring out, and the room was + empty. + </p> + <p> + "The idiot!" Mr. Pierce said. "If it hadn't been for that snowbank! Here, + give me that candle!" + </p> + <p> + He stood there waving it in circles, but there was neither sight nor sound + from below. After a minute Mr. Pierce put the window down and we stared at + the room. All the bureau drawers were out on the floor, and the lid of + poor Miss Cobb's trunk was open and the tray upset. But her silver-backed + brush was still on the bureau and the ring the insurance agent had given + her lay beside it. + </p> + <p> + We brought her back to her room, and she didn't know whether to be happy + that she was vindicated or mad at the state her things were in. I tucked + her up in bed after she'd gone over her belongings and Mr. Pierce had + double-locked the window and gone out. She drew my head down to her and + her eyes were fairly popping out of her head. + </p> + <p> + "I feel as though I'm going crazy, Minnie!" she whispered, "but the only + things that are gone are my letters from Mr. Jones, and—my black + woolen tights!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <h3> + NO MARRIAGE IN HEAVEN + </h3> + <p> + I slept late the next morning, and when I'd had breakfast and waded to the + spring-house it was nearly nine. It was still snowing, and no papers or + mail had got through, although the wires were still in fair working order. + </p> + <p> + As I floundered out I thought I saw somebody slink around the corner of + the spring-house, but when I got there nobody was in sight. I was on my + knees in front of the fireplace, raking out the fire, when I heard the + door close behind me, and when I turned, there stood Mr. Dick, muffled to + the neck, with his hat almost over his face. + </p> + <p> + "What the deuce kept you so late this morning?" he demanded, in a sulky + voice, and limping over to a table he drew a package out of his pocket and + slammed it on the table. + </p> + <p> + "I was up half the night, as usual," I said, rising. "You oughtn't to be + here, Mr. Dick!" + </p> + <p> + He caught hold of the rail around the spring, and hobbling about, dropped + into a chair with a groan. + </p> + <p> + "For two cents," he declared, "I'd chop a hole in the ice pond and drown + myself. There's no marriage in Heaven." + </p> + <p> + "That's no argument for the other place," I answered, and stopped, + staring. He was pulling something out of his overcoat pocket, an inch at a + time. + </p> + <p> + "For God's sake, Minnie," he exclaimed, "return this—this garment to—whomever + it belongs to!" + </p> + <p> + He handed it to me, and it was Miss Cobb's black tights! I stood and + stared. + </p> + <p> + "And then," he went on, reaching for the package on the table, "when + you've done that, return to 'Binkie' these letters from her Jonesie." + </p> + <p> + He took the newspaper off the bundle then, and I saw it was wrapped with a + lavender ribbon. I sat down and gazed at him, fascinated. He was the + saddest-eyed piece of remorse I'd seen for a long time. + </p> + <p> + "And when you've got your breath back, Minnie," he said feebly, "and your + strength, would you mind taking the floor mop and hitting me a few cracks? + Only not on the right leg, Minnie—not on the right leg. I landed on + it last night; it's twisted like a pretzel." + </p> + <p> + "Don't stand and stare," he continued irritably, when I didn't make a + move, "at least get that—that infernal black garment out of sight. + Cover it with the newspaper. And if you don't believe that a sweet-faced + young girl like my wife has a positive talent for wickedness and + suspicion, go out to the shelter-house this morning." + </p> + <p> + "So it was you!" I gasped, putting the newspaper over the tights. + </p> + <p> + "Why in the name of peace did you jump out the window, and what did you + want with—with these things?" + </p> + <p> + He twisted around in his chair to stare at me, and then stooped and + clutched frantically at his leg, as if for inspiration. + </p> + <p> + "Want with those things!" he snarled. "I suppose you can't understand that + a man might wake up in the middle of the night with a mad craving for a + pair of black woolen tights, and—" + </p> + <p> + "You needn't be sarcastic with me," I broke in. "You can save that for + your wife. I suppose you also had a wild longing for the love-letters of + an insurance agent—" + </p> + <p> + And then it dawned on me, and I sat down and laughed until I cried. + </p> + <p> + "And you thought you were stealing your own letters!" I cried. "The ones + she carries fire insurance on! Oh, Mr. Dick, Mr. Dick!" + </p> + <p> + "How was I to know it wasn't Ju—Miss Summers' room?" he demanded + angrily. "Didn't I follow the dratted dog? And wouldn't you have thought + the wretched beast would have known me instead of sitting on its tail + under the bed and yelling for mother? I gave her the dog myself. Oh, I + tell you, Minnie, if I ever get away from this place—" + </p> + <p> + "You've got to get away this minute," I broke in, remembering. "They'll be + coming any instant now." + </p> + <p> + He got up and looked around him helplessly. + </p> + <p> + "Where'll I go?" he asked. "I can't go back to the shelter-house." + </p> + <p> + I looked at him and he tried to grin. + </p> + <p> + "Fact," he said, "hard to believe, but—fact, Minnie. She's got the + door locked. Didn't I tell you she is of a suspicious nature? She was + asleep when I left, and mostly she sleeps all night. And just because she + wakes when I'm out, and lets me come in thinking she's asleep, when she + has one eye open all the time, and she sees what I'd never even seen + myself—that the string of that damned garment, whatever it is, is + fastened to the hook of my shoe, me thinking all the time that the weight + was because I'd broken my leg jumping—doesn't she suddenly sit up + and ask me where I've been? And I—I'm unsuspicious, Minnie, by + nature, and I said I'd been asleep. Then she jumped up and showed me that—that + thing—those things, hanging to my shoe, and she hasn't spoken to me + since. I wish I was dead." + </p> + <p> + And just then a dog barked outside and somebody on the step stamped the + snow off his feet. We were both paralyzed for a moment. + </p> + <p> + "Julia!" Mr. Dick cried, and went white. + </p> + <p> + I made a leap for the door, just as the handle turned, and put my back + against it. + </p> + <p> + "Just a minute," I called. "The carpet is caught under it!" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dick had lost his head and was making for the spring, as if he thought + hiding his feet would conceal him. I made frantic gestures to him to go + into my pantry, and he went at last, leaving his hat on the table, I left + the door and flung it after him—the hat, of course, not the door—and + when Miss Summers sauntered in just after, I was on my knees brushing the + hearth, with my heart going three-four time and skipping every sixth beat. + </p> + <p> + "Hello!" she said. "Lovely weather—for polar bears. If the natives + wade through this all winter it's no wonder they walk as if they are + ham-strung. Don't bother getting me a glass. I'll get my own." + </p> + <p> + She was making for the pantry when I caught her, and I guess I looked + pretty wild. + </p> + <p> + "I'll get it," I said. "I—that's one of the rules." + </p> + <p> + She put her hands in the pockets of her white sweater and smiled at me. + </p> + <p> + "Do you know," she declared, "the old ladies' knitting society isn't so + far wrong about you! About your making rules—whatever you want, + WHENEVER you want 'em." + </p> + <p> + She put her head on one side. + </p> + <p> + "Now," she went on, "suppose I break that rule and get my own glass? What + happens to me? I don't think I'll be put out!" + </p> + <p> + I threw up my hands in despair, for I was about at the end of my string. + </p> + <p> + "Get it then!" I exclaimed, and sat down, waiting for the volcano to + erupt. But she only laughed and sat down on a table, swinging her feet. + </p> + <p> + "When you know me better, Minnie," she said, "you'll know I don't spoil + sport. I happen to know you have somebody in the pantry—moreover, I + know it's a man. There are tracks on the little porch, my dear girl, not + made by your galoshes. Also, my dearest girl, there's a gentleman's glove + by your chair there!" I put my foot on it. "And just to show you what a + good fellow I am—" + </p> + <p> + She got off the table, still smiling, and sauntered to the pantry door, + watching me over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Don't be alarmed!" she called through the door, "I'm not coming in! I + shall take my little drink of nature's benevolent remedy out of the tin + ladle, and then—I shall take my departure!" + </p> + <p> + My heart was skipping every second beat by that time, and Miss Julia stood + by the pantry door, her head back and her eyes almost closed, enjoying + every minute of it. If Arabella hadn't made a diversion just then I think + I'd have fainted. + </p> + <p> + She'd pulled the newspaper and the tights off the table and was running + around the room with them, one leg in her mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Stop it, Arabella!" said Miss Julia, and took the tights from her. + "Yours?" she asked, with her eyebrows raised. + </p> + <p> + "No—yes," I answered. + </p> + <p> + "I'd never have suspected you of them!" she remarked. "Hardly sheer enough + to pull through a finger ring, are they?" She held them up and gazed at + them meditatively. "That's one thing I draw the line at. On the boards, + you know—never have worn 'em and never will. They're not modest, to + my mind,—and, anyhow, I'm too fat!" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam and his wife came in at that moment, Mr. Sam carrying a bottle of + wine for the shelter-house, wrapped in a paper, and two cans of something + or other. He was too busy trying to make the bottle look like something + else—which a good many people have tried and failed at—to + notice what Miss Summers was doing, and she had Miss Cobb's protectors + stuffed in her muff and was standing very dignified in front of the fire + by the time they'd shaken off the snow. + </p> + <p> + "Good morning!" she said. + </p> + <p> + "Morning!" said Mr. Sam, hanging up his overcoat with one hand, and trying + to put the bottle in one of the pockets with the other. Mrs. Sam didn't + look at her. + </p> + <p> + "Good morning, Mrs. Van Alstyne!" Miss Summers almost threw it at her. "I + spoke to you before; I guess you didn't hear me." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes, I heard you," answered Mrs. Sam, and turned her back on her. + Give me a little light-haired woman for sheer devilishness! + </p> + <p> + I'd expected to see Miss Summers fly to pieces with rage, but she stared + at Mrs. Sam's back, and after a minute she laughed. + </p> + <p> + "I see!" she remarked slowly. "You're the sister, aren't you?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam had given up trying to hide the bottle and now he set it on the + floor with a thump and came over to the fire. + </p> + <p> + "It's—you see, the situation is embarrassing," he began. "If we had + had any idea—" + </p> + <p> + "I might have been still in the Finleyville hotel!" she finished for him. + "Awful thought, isn't it?" + </p> + <p> + "Under the circumstances," went on Mr. Sam, nervously, "don't you think it + would be—er—better form if er—under the circumstances—" + </p> + <p> + "I'm thinking of my circumstances," she put in, good-naturedly. "If you + imagine that six weeks of one-night stands has left me anything but a + rural wardrobe and a box of dog biscuit for Arabella, you're pretty well + mistaken. I haven't even a decent costume. All we had left after the + sheriff got through was some grass mats, a checked sunbonnet and a pump." + </p> + <p> + "Minnie," Mrs. Sam said coldly, "that little beast of a dog is trying to + drink out of the spring!" + </p> + <p> + I caught her in time and gave her a good slapping. When I looked up Miss + Summers was glaring down at me over the rail. + </p> + <p> + "Just what do you mean by hitting my dog?" she demanded. It was the first + time I'd seen her angry. + </p> + <p> + "Just what I appeared to mean," I answered. "If you want to take it as a + love pat, you may." And I stalked to the door and threw the creature out + into the snow. It was the first false step that day; if I'd known what + putting that dog out meant—! "I don't allow dogs here," I said, and + shut the door. + </p> + <p> + Miss Summers was furious; she turned and stared at Mrs. Sam, who was + smiling at the fire. + </p> + <p> + "Let Arabella in," she said to me in an undertone, "or I'll open the + pantry door!" + </p> + <p> + "Open the door!" I retorted. I was half hysterical, but it was no time to + weaken. She looked me straight in the eye for fully ten seconds; then, to + my surprise, she winked at me. But when she turned on Mr. Sam she was cold + rage again and nothing else. + </p> + <p> + "I am not going to leave, if that is what you are about to suggest," she + said. "I've been trying to see Dicky Carter the last ten days, and I'll + stay here until I see him." + </p> + <p> + "It's a delicate situation—" + </p> + <p> + "Delicate!" she snapped. "It's indelicate it's indecent, that's what it + is. Didn't I get my clothes, and weren't we to have been married by the + Reverend Dwight Johnstone, out in Salem, Ohio? And didn't he go out there + and have old Johnstone marry him to somebody else? The wretch! If I ever + see him—" + </p> + <p> + A glass dropped in the pantry and smashed, but nobody paid any attention. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm not going until he comes!" she continued. "I'll stay right here, + and I'll have what's coming to me or I'll know the reason why. Don't + forget for a minute that I know why Mr. Pierce is here, and that I can + spoil the little game by calling the extra ace, if I want to." + </p> + <p> + "You're forgetting one thing," Mrs. Sam said, facing her for the first + time, "if you call the game, my brother is worth exactly what clothes he + happens to be wearing at the moment and nothing else. He hasn't a penny of + his own." + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe it," she sniffed. "Look at the things he gave me!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. I've already had the bills," said Mr. Sam. + </p> + <p> + She whirled and looked at him, and then she threw back her head and + laughed. + </p> + <p> + "You!" she said. "Why, bless my soul! All the expense of a double life and + none of its advantages!" + </p> + <p> + She went out on that, still laughing, leaving Mrs. Sam scarlet with rage, + and when she was safely gone I brought Mr. Dick out to the fire. He was so + limp he could hardly walk, and it took three glasses of the wine and all + Mr. Sam could do to start him back to the shelter-house. His sister would + not speak to him. + </p> + <p> + Mike went to Mr. Pierce that day and asked for a raise of salary. + </p> + <p> + He did not get it. Perhaps, as things have turned out, it was for the + best, but it is strange to think how different things would have been if + he'd been given it. He was sent up later, of course, for six months for + malicious mischief, but by that time the damage was done. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <h3> + EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY + </h3> + <p> + That was on a Saturday morning. During the golf season Saturday is always + a busy day with us, with the husbands coming up for over Sunday, and + trying to get in all the golf, baths and spring water they can in + forty-eight hours. But in the winter Saturday is the same as any, other + day. + </p> + <p> + It had stopped snowing and the sun was shining, although it was so cold + that the snow blew like powder. By eleven o'clock every one who could walk + had come to the spring-house. Even Mr. Jennings came down in a wheeled + chair, and Senator Biggs, still looking a sort of grass-green and keeping + his eyes off me, came and sat in a corner, with a book called Fast versus + Feast held so that every one could see. + </p> + <p> + There were bridge tables going, and five hundred, and a group around the + slot-machine, while the crocheters formed a crowd by themselves, + exchanging gossip and new stitches. + </p> + <p> + About twelve o'clock Mr. Thoburn came in, and as he opened the door, in + leaped Arabella. The women made a fuss over the creature and cuddled her, + and when I tried to put her out everybody objected. So she stayed, and + Miss Summers put her through a lot of tricks, while the men crowded + around. As I said before, Miss Summers was a first favorite with the men. + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald and Miss Patty came in just then and stood watching. + </p> + <p> + "And now," said Mr. von Inwald, "I propose, as a reward to Miss Arabella, + a glass of this wonderful water. Minnie, a glass of water for Arabella!" + </p> + <p> + "She doesn't drink out of one of my glasses," I declared angrily. + </p> + <p> + "It's one of my rules that dogs—" + </p> + <p> + "Tut!" said Mr. Thoburn. "What's good for man is good for beast. Besides, + the little beggar's thirsty." + </p> + <p> + Well, they made a great fuss about the creature's being thirsty, and so + finally I got a panful of spring water and it drank until I thought it + would burst. I'm not vicious, as I say, but I wish it had. + </p> + <p> + Well, the dog finished and lay down by the fire, and everything seemed to + go on as before. Mr. Thoburn was in a good humor, and he came over to the + spring and brought a trayful of glasses. + </p> + <p> + "To save you steps, Minnie!" he explained. "You have no idea how it pains + me to see you working. Gentlemen, name your poison!" + </p> + <p> + "A frappe with blotting-paper on the side," Mr. Moody snarled from the + slot-machine. "If I drink much more, I'll have to be hooped up like a + barrel." + </p> + <p> + "Just what is the record here?" the bishop asked. "I'm ordered eight + glasses, but I find it more than a sufficiency." + </p> + <p> + "We had one man here once who could drink twenty-five at a time," I said, + "but he was a German." + </p> + <p> + "He was a tank," Mr. Sam corrected grumpily. He was watching something on + the floor—I couldn't see what. "All I need is to swallow a few + goldfish and I'd be a first-class aquarium." + </p> + <p> + "What I think we should do," Miss Cobb said, "is to try to find out just + what suits us, and stick to that. I'm always trying." + </p> + <p> + "Damned trying!" Mr. Jennings snarled, and limped over for more water. + "I'd like to know where to go for rheumatism." + </p> + <p> + "I got mine here," said Mr. Thoburn cheerfully. "It's my opinion this + place is rheumatic as well as malarious. And as for this water, with all + due respect to the spirit in the spring"—he bowed to me—"I + think it's an insult to ask people to drink it. It isn't half so strong as + it was two years ago. Taste it; smell it! I ask the old friends of the + sanatorium, is that water what it used to be?" + </p> + <p> + "Don't tell me it was ever any worse than this!" Miss Summers exclaimed. + But Thoburn went on. The card-players stopped to listen, but Mr. Sam was + still staring at something on the floor. + </p> + <p> + "I tell you, the spring is losing its virtue, and, like a woman, without + virtue, it is worthless." + </p> + <p> + "But interesting!" Mr. Sam said, and stooped down. + </p> + <p> + "Consider," went on Mr. Thoburn, standing and holding his glass to the + light, "how we are at the mercy of this little spring! A convulsion in the + bowels of the earth, and its health-giving properties may be changed to + the direst poison. How do we know, you and I, some such change has not + occurred overnight? Unlikely as it is, it's a possibility that, sitting + here calmly, we may be sipping our death potion." + </p> + <p> + Some of the people actually put down their glasses and everybody began to + look uneasy except Mr. Sam, who was still watching something I could not + see. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Thoburn looked around and saw he'd made an impression. "We may," he + continued, "although my personal opinion of this water is that it's + growing too weak to be wicked. I prove my faith in Mother Nature; if it is + poisoned, I am gone. I drink!" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam suddenly straightened up and glanced at Miss Summers. "Perhaps I'm + mistaken," he said, "but I think there is something the matter with + Arabella." + </p> + <p> + Everybody looked: Arabella was lying on her back, jerking and twitching + and foaming at the mouth. + </p> + <p> + "She's been poisoned!" Miss Summers screeched, and fell on her knees + beside her. "It's that wretched water!" + </p> + <p> + There was pretty nearly a riot in a minute. Everybody jumped up and stared + at the dog, and everybody remembered the water he or she had just had, and + coming on top of Mr. Thoburn's speech, it made them babbling lunatics. As + I look back, I have a sort of picture of Miss Summers on the floor with + Arabella in her lap, and the rest telling how much of the water they had + had and crowding around Mr. Thoburn. + </p> + <p> + "It seems hardly likely it was the water," he said, "although from what I + recall of my chemistry it is distinctly possible. Springs have been known + to change their character, and the coincidence—the dog and the water—is + certainly startling. Still, as nobody feels ill—" + </p> + <p> + But they weren't sure they didn't. The bishop said he felt perfectly well, + but he had a strange inclination to yawn all the time, and Mrs. Biggs' + left arm had gone to sleep. And then, with the excitement and all, Miss + Cobb took a violent pain in the back of her neck and didn't know whether + to cry or to laugh. + </p> + <p> + Well, I did what I could. The worst of it was, I wasn't sure it wasn't the + water. I thought possibly Mr. Pierce had made a mistake in what he had + bought at the drug store, and although I don't as a rule drink it myself, + I began to feel queer in the pit of my stomach. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Thoburn came over to the spring, and filling a glass, took it to the + light, with every one watching anxiously. When he brought it back he + stooped over the railing and whispered to me. + </p> + <p> + "When did you fix it?" he asked sternly. + </p> + <p> + "Last night," I answered. It was no time to beat about the bush. + </p> + <p> + "It's yellower than usual," he said. "I'm inclined to think something has + gone wrong at the drug store, Minnie." + </p> + <p> + I could hardly breathe. I had the most terrible vision of all the guests + lying around like Arabella, twitching and foaming, and me going to prison + as a wholesale murderess. Any hair but mine would have turned gray in that + minute. + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald was watching like the others, and now he came over and + caught Mr. Thoburn by the arm. + </p> + <p> + "What do you think—" he asked nervously. "I—I have had three + glasses of it!" + </p> + <p> + "Three!" shouted Senator Biggs, coming forward. "I've had eleven! I tell + you, I've been feeling queer for twenty-four hours! I'm poisoned! That's + what I am." + </p> + <p> + He staggered out, with Mrs. Biggs just behind him, and from that moment + they were all demoralized. I stood by the spring and sipped at the water + to show I wasn't afraid of it, with my knees shaking under me and Arabella + lying stock-still, as if she had died, under my very nose. One by one they + left to look for Doctor Barnes, or to get the white of egg, which somebody + had suggested as an antidote. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb was one of the last to go. She turned in the doorway and looked + back at me, with tears in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "It isn't your fault, Minnie," she said, "and forgive me if I have ever + said anything unkind to you." Then she went, and I was alone, looking down + at Arabella. + </p> + <p> + Or rather, I thought I was alone, for there was a movement by one of the + windows and Miss Patty came forward and knelt by the dog. + </p> + <p> + "Of all the absurdities!" she said. "Poor little thing! Minnie, I believe + she's breathing!" + </p> + <p> + She put the dog's head in her lap, and the little beast opened its eyes + and tried to wag its blue tail. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Miss Patty, Miss Patty!" I exclaimed, and I got down beside her and + cried on her shoulder, with her stroking my hand and calling me dearest! + Me! + </p> + <p> + I was wiping my eyes when the door was thrown open and Mr. Pierce ran in. + He had no hat on and his hair was powdered with snow. He stopped just + inside the door and looked at Miss Patty. + </p> + <p> + "You—" he said "you are all right? You are not—" he came + forward and stood over her, with his heart in his eyes. She MUST have + known from that minute. + </p> + <p> + "My God!" he exclaimed, "I thought you were poisoned!" + </p> + <p> + She looked up, without smiling, and then I thought she half shut her eyes, + as if what she saw in his face hurt her. + </p> + <p> + "I am all right," she assured him, "and little Arabella will be all right, + too. She's had a convulsion, that's all—probably from overeating. As + for the others—!" + </p> + <p> + "Where is the—where is von Inwald?" + </p> + <p> + "He has gone to take the white of an egg," she replied rather haughtily. + She was too honest to evade anything, but she flushed. Of course, I knew + what he didn't—that the prince had been among the first to scurry to + the house, and that he hadn't even waited for her. + </p> + <p> + He walked to the window, as if he didn't want her to see what he thought + of that, and I saw him looking hard at something outside in the snow. When + he walked back to the fire he was smiling, and he stooped over and poked + Arabella with his finger. + </p> + <p> + "So that was it!" he said. "Full to the scuppers, poor little wretch! + Minnie, I am hoist with my own petard, which in this case was a + boomerang." + </p> + <p> + "Which is in English—" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "With the instinct of her sex, Arabella has unearthed what was meant to be + buried forever. She had gorged herself into a convulsion on that rabbit I + shot last night!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <h3> + THE MUTINY + </h3> + <p> + They went to the house together, he carrying Arabella like a sick baby and + Miss Patty beside him. As far as I could see they didn't speak a word to + each other, but once or twice I saw her turn and look up at him as if she + was puzzled. + </p> + <p> + I closed the door and stood just inside, looking at father's picture over + the mantel. As sure as I stood there, the eyes were fixed on the spring, + and I sensed, as you may say, what they meant. I went over and looked down + into the spring, and it seemed to me it was darker than usual. It may have + smelled stronger, but the edge had been taken off my nose, so to speak, by + being there so long. + </p> + <p> + From the spring I looked again at father, and his eyes were on me mournful + and sad. I felt as though, if he'd been there, father would have turned + the whole affair to the advantage of the house, and it was almost more + than I could bear. I was only glad the old doctor's enlargement had not + come yet. I couldn't have endured having it see what had occurred. + </p> + <p> + The only thing I could think of was to empty the spring and let the water + come in plain. I could put a little sulphur in to give it color and + flavor, and if it turned out that Mr. Pierce was right and that Arabella + was only a glutton, I could put in the other things later. + </p> + <p> + I was carrying out my first pailful when Doctor Barnes came down the path + and took the pail out of my hand. + </p> + <p> + "What are you doing?" he asked. "Making a slide?" + </p> + <p> + "No," I said bitterly, "I am watering the flowers." + </p> + <p> + "Good!" He was not a bit put out. "Let me help you." He took the pail + across the path and poured a little into the snow at the base of a + half-dozen fence posts. "There!" he said, coming back triumphant. "The + roses are done. Now let's have a go at the pansies and the lady's-slippers + and the—the begonias. I say"—he stopped suddenly on his way in—"sulphur + water on a begonia—what would it make? Skunk cabbage?" + </p> + <p> + Inside, however, he put down the pail, and pulling me in, closed the door. + </p> + <p> + "Now forget it!" he commanded. "Just because a lot of damn fools see a dog + in a fit and have one, too, is that any reason for your being scared + wall-eyed and knock-kneed?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm not!" I snapped. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you're wall-eyed with fright," he insisted. "Of course, you're the + best judge of your own knees, but after last night—Had any lunch?" + </p> + <p> + I shook my head. + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," he said. "You make me think of the little boy who dug + post-holes in the daytime and took in washings at night to support the + family. Sit down." + </p> + <p> + I sat. + </p> + <p> + "Inhale and exhale slowly four times, and then swallow the lump in your + throat.... Gone?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Good." He was fumbling in his pocket and he brought out a napkin. When he + opened it there was a sandwich, a piece of cheese and a banana. + </p> + <p> + "What do you think of that?" he asked, watching me anxiously. "Looks + pretty good?" + </p> + <p> + "Fine," I said, hating to disappoint him, although I never eat sardines, + and bananas give me indigestion, "I'm hungry enough to eat a raw Italian." + </p> + <p> + "Then fall to," he directed, and with a flourish he drew a bottle of + ginger ale from his pocket. + </p> + <p> + "How's this?" he demanded, holding it up. "Cheers but doesn't inebriate; + not a headache in a barrel; ginger ale to the gingery! 'A quart of ale is + a dish for a king,'" he said, holding up a glass. "That's Shakespeare, + Miss Minnie." + </p> + <p> + I was a good bit more cheerful when I'd choked down the sandwich, + especially when he assured me the water was all right—"a little + high, as you might say, but not poisonous. Lord, I wish you could have + seen them staggering into my office!" + </p> + <p> + "I saw enough," I said with a shiver. + </p> + <p> + "That German, von Inwald," he went on, "he's the limit. He accused us of + poisoning him for reasons of state!" + </p> + <p> + "Where are they now?" + </p> + <p> + "My dear girl," he answered, putting down his glass, "what has been + pounded into me ever since I struck the place? The baths! I prescribe 'em + all day and dream 'em all night. Where are the poisonees now? They are + steaming, stewing, exuding in the hot rooms of the bath department—all + of them, every one of them! In the hold and the hatches down!" + </p> + <p> + He picked up the pail and went down the steps to the spring. + </p> + <p> + "After all," he said, "it won't hurt to take out a little of this and pour + it on the ground. It ought to be good fertilizer." He stooped. "'Come, + gentle spring, ethereal mildness, come,'" he quoted, and dipped in the + pail. + </p> + <p> + Just then somebody fell against the door and stumbled into the room. It + was Tillie, as white as milk, and breathing in gasps. + </p> + <p> + "Quick!" she screeched, "Minnie, quick!" + </p> + <p> + "What is it?" I asked, jumping up. She'd fallen back against the + door-frame and stood with her hand clutching her heart. + </p> + <p> + "That dev—devil—Mike!" she panted. "He has turned on the steam + in the men's baths and gone—gone away!" + </p> + <p> + "With people in the bath?" Doctor Barnes asked, slamming down the pail. + </p> + <p> + Tillie nodded. + </p> + <p> + "Then why in creation don't they get out of the baths until we can shut + off the steam?" I demanded, grabbing up my shawl. But Tillie shook her + head in despair. + </p> + <p> + "They can't," she answered, "he's hid their clothes!" + </p> + <p> + The next thing I recall is running like mad up the walk with Doctor Barnes + beside me, steadying me by the arm. I only spoke once that I remember and + that was just as we got to the house, + </p> + <p> + "This settles it!" I panted, desperately. "It's all over." + </p> + <p> + "Not a bit of it!" he said, shoving me up the steps and into the hall. + "The old teakettle is just getting 'het up' a bit. By the gods and little + fishes, just listen to it singing down there!" + </p> + <p> + The help was gathered in a crowd at the head of the bath-house staircase, + where a cloud of steam was coming up, and down below we could hear furious + talking, and somebody shouting, "Mike! Mike!" in a voice that was choked + with rage and steam. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes elbowed his way through the crowd to the top of the stairs + and I followed. + </p> + <p> + "There's Minnie!" Amanda King yelled. "She knows all about the place. + Minnie, you can shut it off, can't you?" + </p> + <p> + "I'll try," I said, and was starting down, when Doctor Barnes jerked me + back. + </p> + <p> + "You stay here," he said. "Where's Mr. Pier—where's Carter?" + </p> + <p> + "Down with the engineer," somebody replied out of the steam cloud. + </p> + <p> + "Hello there!" he called down the staircase. "How's the air?" + </p> + <p> + "Clothes! Send us some clothes!" + </p> + <p> + It was Mr. Sam calling. The rest was swallowed up in a fresh roaring, as + if a steam-pipe had given away. That settled the people below. With a + burst of fury they swarmed up the stairs in their bath sheets, the bishop + leading, and just behind him, talking as no gentleman should talk under + any circumstances, Senator Biggs. The rest followed, their red faces + shining through the steam—all of them murderous, holding their + sheets around them with one hand, and waving the other in a frenzy. It was + awful. + </p> + <p> + The help scattered and ran, but I stood my ground. The sight of a man in a + sheet didn't scare me and it was no time for weakness. + </p> + <p> + The steam was thicker than ever, and the hall was misty. A moment later + the engineer came up and after him Mr. Pierce, with a towel over his mouth + and a screw-driver in his hand. He was white with rage. He brushed past + the sheets without paying the slightest attention to them, and tore the + towel off his mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Who saw Mike last?" he shouted across to where the pharmacy clerk, the + elevator boy and some of the bell-boys had retreated to the office and + were peeping out through the door. + </p> + <p> + Here Mr. Moody, who's small at any time, and who without the padding on + his shoulders and wrapped in a sheet with his red face above, looked like + a lighted cigarette, darted out of the crowd and caught him by the sleeve. + </p> + <p> + "Here!" he cried, "we've got a few things to say to you, you young—" + </p> + <p> + "Take your hand off my arm!" thundered Mr. Pierce. + </p> + <p> + The storm broke with that. They crowded around Mr. Pierce, yelling like + maniacs, and he stood there, white-faced, and let them wear themselves + out. The courage of a man in a den of lions was nothing to it. Doctor + Barnes forced his way through the crowd and stood there beside him. + </p> + <p> + It wasn't only the steam and their clothes being hidden; it had started + with the scare at the spring in the morning, and when they had told him + what they thought about that, they went back still further and bellowed + about the mismanagement of the place ever since he had taken charge, and + the food, and the steam-heat, and the new rules—oh, they hated him + all right, and they told him so, purple-faced with rage and heat, dancing + around him and shaking one fist in his face, as I say, while they held + their sheets fast with the other. + </p> + <p> + And I stood there and watched, my mind awhirl, expecting every minute to + hear that they were all leaving, or to have some one forget and shake both + fists at once. + </p> + <p> + And that's how it ended finally—I mean, of course, that they said + they would all leave immediately, and that he ought to be glad to have + them go quietly, and not have him jailed for malicious mischief or + compounding a felony. The whole thing was an outrage, and the three train + would leave the house as empty as a squeezed lemon. + </p> + <p> + I wanted to go forward and drop on my knees and implore them to remember + the old doctor, and the baths they'd had when nothing went wrong, and the + days when they'd sworn that the spring kept them young and well, but there + was something in Mr. Pierce's face that kept me back. + </p> + <p> + "At three o'clock, then," he said. "Very well." + </p> + <p> + "Don't be a fool!" I heard Mr. Sam from the crowd. + </p> + <p> + "Is that all you have to say?" roared Mr. von Inwald. I hadn't noticed him + before. He had his sheet on in Grecian style and it looked quite + ornamental although a little short. "Haven't you any apology to make, + sir?" + </p> + <p> + "Neither apology nor explanation to you," Mr. Pierce retorted. And to the + other: "It is an unfortunate accident—incident, if you prefer." He + looked at Thoburn, who was the only one in a bath robe, and who was the + only cheerful one in the lot. "I had refused a request of the bath man's + and he has taken this form of revenge. If this gives me the responsibility + I am willing to take it. If you expect me to ask you to stay I'll not do + it. I don't mind saying that I am as tired of all this as you are." + </p> + <p> + "As tired of what?" demanded Mr. Moody, pushing forward out of the crowd. + Mr. Sam was making frantic gestures to catch Mr. Pierce's eye, but he + would not look at him. + </p> + <p> + "Of all this," he said. "Of charging people sanatorium prices under a + pretense of making them well. Does anybody here imagine he's going to find + health by sitting around in an overstuffed leather chair, with the + temperature at eighty, eating five meals a day, and walking as far as the + mineral spring for exercise?" + </p> + <p> + There was a sort of angry snarl in the air, and Mr. Sam threw up his one + free hand in despair. + </p> + <p> + "In fact," Mr. Pierce went on, "I'd about decided on a new order of things + for this place anyhow. It's going to be a real health resort, run for + people who want to get well or keep well. People who wish to be overfed, + overheated and coddled need not come—or stay." + </p> + <p> + The bishop spoke over the heads of the others, who looked dazed. + </p> + <p> + "Does that mean," he inquired mildly, "that—guests must either obey + this new order of things or go away?" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce looked at the bishop and smiled. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry, sir," he said, "but as every one is leaving, anyhow—" + </p> + <p> + They fairly jumped at him then. They surrounded him in a howling mob and + demanded how he dared to turn them out, and what did he mean by saying + they were overfed, and they would leave when they were good and ready and + not before, and he could go to blazes. It was the most scandalous thing + I've ever known of at Hope Springs, and in the midst of it Mr. Pierce + stood cool and quiet, waiting for a chance to speak. And when the time + came he jumped in and told them the truth about themselves, and most of it + hurt. + </p> + <p> + He was good and mad, and he stood there and picked out the flabby ones and + the fat ones, the whisky livers and the tobacco hearts and the banquet + stomachs, and called them out by name. + </p> + <p> + When he got through they were standing in front of him, ashamed to look at + one another, and not knowing whether to fall on him and tear him to + pieces, or go and weep in a corner because they'd played such havoc with + the bodies the Lord gave them. If he'd weakened for a minute they'd have + jumped on him. But he didn't. He got through and stood looking at them in + their sheets, and then he said coolly: + </p> + <p> + "The bus will be ready at two-thirty, gentlemen," and turning on his + heels, went into the office and closed the door. + </p> + <p> + They scattered to their rooms in every stage of rage and excitement, and + at last only Mr. Sam and I were left staring at each other. "Damned young + idiot!" he said. "I wish to heavens you'd never suggested bringing him + here, Minnie!" + </p> + <p> + And leaving me speechless with indignation, he trailed himself and his + sheet up the stairs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <h3> + HOME TO ROOST + </h3> + <p> + I couldn't stand any more. It was all over! I rushed to my room and threw + myself on the bed. At two-thirty I heard the bus come to the porte-cochere + under my window and then drive away; that was the last straw. I put a + pillow over my head so nobody could hear me, and then and there I had + hysterics. I knew I was having them, and I wasn't ashamed. I'd have + exploded if I hadn't. And then somebody jerked the pillow away and I + looked up, with my eyes swollen almost shut, and it was Doctor Barnes. He + had a glass of water in his hand and he held it right above me. + </p> + <p> + "One more yell," he said, "and it goes over you!" + </p> + <p> + I lay there staring up at him, and then I knew what a fright I looked, and + although I couldn't speak yet, I reached up and felt for my hairpins. + </p> + <p> + "That's better," he said, putting down the glass. "Another ten minutes of + that and you'd have burst a blood vessel. Don't worry. I know I have no + business here, but I anticipated something of this kind, and it may + interest you to know that I've been outside in the hall since the first + whoop. It's been a good safety-valve." + </p> + <p> + I sat up and stared at him. I could hardly see out of my eyes. He had his + back to the light, but I could tell that he had a cross of adhesive + plaster on his cheek and that one eye was almost shut. He smiled when he + saw my expression. + </p> + <p> + "It's the temperament," he said. "It goes with the hair. I've got it too, + only I'm apt to go out and pick a fight at such times, and a woman hasn't + got that outlet. As you see, I found Mike, and my disfigurement is to + Mike's as starlight to the noonday glare. Come and take a walk." + </p> + <p> + I shook my head, but he took my arm and pulled me off the bed. + </p> + <p> + "You come for a walk!" he said. "I'll wait in the hall until you powder + your nose. You look like a fire that's been put out by a rain-storm." + </p> + <p> + I didn't want to go, but anything was better than sitting in the room + moping. I put on my jacket and Miss Patty's chinchillas, which cheered me + a little, but as we went downstairs the quiet of the place sat on my chest + like a weight. + </p> + <p> + The lower hall was empty. A new card headed "Rules" hung on the door into + the private office, but I did not read it. What was the use of rules + without people to disobey them? Mrs. Moody had forgotten her crocheting + bag and it hung on the back of a chair. I had to bite my lip to keep it + from trembling again. + </p> + <p> + "The Jenningses are still here," said the doctor. "The old man is madder + than any hornet ever dared be, and they go in the morning. But the + situation was too much for our German friend. He left with the others." + </p> + <p> + Well, we went out and I took the path I knew best, which was out toward + the spring-house. There wasn't a soul in sight. The place looked lonely, + with the trees hung with snow, and arching over the board walk. At the + little bridge over the creek Doctor Barnes stopped, and leaning over the + rail, took a good look at me. + </p> + <p> + "When you self-contained women go to pieces," he said, "you pretty near + smash, don't you? You look as if you'd had a death in your family." + </p> + <p> + "This WAS my family," I half sniveled. + </p> + <p> + "But," he said, "you'll be getting married and having a home of your own + and forgetting all about this." + </p> + <p> + He looked at me with his sharp eyes. "There's probably some nice chap in + the village, eh?" + </p> + <p> + I shook my head. I had just caught sight of the broken pieces of the Moody + water-pitcher on the ice below. + </p> + <p> + "No nice young man!" he remarked. "Not the telegraph operator, or the + fellow who runs the livery-stable—I've forgotten his name." + </p> + <p> + "Look here," I turned on him, "if you're talking all this nonsense to keep + my mind off things, you needn't." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not," he said. "I'm asking for the sake of my own mind, but we'll not + bother about that now. We'd better start back." + </p> + <p> + It was still snowing, although not so hard. The air had done me some good, + but the lump in my throat seemed to have gone to my chest. The doctor + helped me along, for the snow was drifting, and when he saw I was past the + crying stage he went back to what we were both thinking about. + </p> + <p> + "Old Pierce is right," he said. "Remember, Miss Minnie, I've nothing + against you or your mineral spring; in fact, I'm strong for you both. But + while I'm out of the ring now for good—I don't mind saying to you + what I said to Pierce, that the only thing that gets into training here, + as far as I can see, is a fellow's pocketbook." + </p> + <p> + We went back to the house and I straightened the news stand, Amanda King + having taken a violent toothache as a result of the excitement. The + Jenningses were packing to go, and Miss Summers had got a bottle of + peroxide and shut herself in her room. At six o'clock Tillie beckoned to + me from the door of the officers' dining-room and said she'd put the + basket in the snow by the grape arbor. I got ready, with a heavy heart, to + take it out. I had forgotten all about their dinner, for one thing, and I + had to carry bad news. + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Pierce had been there before me. I saw tracks in the fresh snow, + for, praise heaven! it had snowed all that week and our prints were filled + up almost as fast as we made them. When I got to the shelter-house it was + in a wild state of excitement. Mrs. Dick, with her cheeks flushed, had + gathered all her things on the cot and was rolling them up in sheets and + newspapers. But Mr. Dick was sitting on the box in front of the fire with + his curly hair standing every way. He had been roasting potatoes, and as I + opened the door, he picked one up and poked at it to see if it was done. + </p> + <p> + "Damn!" he said, and dropped it. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Dick sat on the cot rolling up a pink ribbon and looked at him. + </p> + <p> + "If you want to know exactly my reason for insisting on moving to-night, + I'll tell you," she said, paying no attention to me. "It is your + disposition." + </p> + <p> + He didn't say anything, but he put his foot on the potato and smashed it. + </p> + <p> + "If I had to be shut in here with you one more day," she went on, "I'd + hate you." + </p> + <p> + "Why the one more day?" he asked, without looking up. + </p> + <p> + But she didn't answer him. She was in the worst kind of a temper; she + threw the ribbon down, and coming over, lifted the lid of my basket and + looked in. + </p> + <p> + "Ham again!" she exclaimed ungratefully. "Thanks so much for remembering + us, Minnie. I dare say our dinner to-day slipped your mind!" + </p> + <p> + "I wonder if it strikes you, Minnie," Mr. Dick said, noticing me for the + first time, "that if you and Sam hadn't been so confounded meddling, that + fellow Pierce would be washing buggies in the village livery-stable where + he belongs, and I'd be in one piece of property that's as good as gone + this minute." + </p> + <p> + "Egg salad and cheese!" said Mrs. Dick. "I'm sick of cheese. If that's the + kind of supper you've been serving—" + </p> + <p> + But I was in a bad humor, anyhow, and I'd had enough. I stood just inside + the door and I told them I'd done the best I could, not for them, but + because I'd promised the old doctor, and if I'd made mistakes I'd answer + for them to him if I ever met him in the next world. And in the meantime I + washed my hands of the whole thing, and they might make out as best they + could. I was going. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Dick heard me through. Then she came over and put her hand on mine + where it lay on the table. + </p> + <p> + "You're perfectly right," she said. "I know how you have tried, and that + the fault is all that wretched Pierce's. You mustn't mind Mr. Carter, + Minnie. He's been in that sort of humor all day." + </p> + <p> + He looked at her with the most miserable face I ever saw, but he didn't + say anything. She sighed, the little wretch. + </p> + <p> + "We've all made mistakes," she said, "and not the least was my thinking + that I—well, never mind. I dare say we will manage somehow." + </p> + <p> + He got up then, his face twisted with misery. + </p> + <p> + "Say it," he said. "You hate me; you shiver if I touch your hand—oh, + I'm not very keen, but I saw that." + </p> + <p> + "The remedy for that is very, simple," she replied coolly. "You needn't + touch my hand." + </p> + <p> + "Stop!" I snapped. "Just stop before you say something you'll be sorry + for. Of course, you hate each other. It beats me, anyhow, why two people + who get married always want to get away by themselves until they're so + sick of each other that they don't get over it the rest of their lives. + The only sensible honeymoon I ever heard of was when one of the + chambermaids here married a farmer in the neighborhood. It was harvest and + he couldn't leave, so she went ALONE to see her folks and she said it beat + having him along all hollow." + </p> + <p> + She was setting out the supper, putting things down with a bang. He didn't + move, although he must have been starving. + </p> + <p> + "Another thing I'd advise," I said. "Eat first and talk after. You'll see + things different after you've got something in your stomach." + </p> + <p> + "I wish you wouldn't meddle, Minnie!" she snapped, and having put down her + own plate and knife and fork, not laying a place for him, she went over + and tried to get one of the potatoes from the fire. + </p> + <p> + Well, she burnt her finger, or pretended to, and I guess her solution was + as good as mine, for she began to cry, and when I left he was tying it up + with a bit of his handkerchief; if she shivered when he kissed it I didn't + notice it. They were to come up to the house after her father left in the + morning, and I was to dismiss all the old help and get new ones so he + could take charge and let Mr. Pierce go. + </p> + <p> + I plodded back with my empty basket. I had only one clear thought,—that + I wouldn't have any more tramping across the golf links in the snow. I was + too tired really to care that with the regular winter boarders gone and + eight weeks still until Lent, we'd hardly be able to keep going another + fortnight. I wanted to get back to my room and go to bed and forget. + </p> + <p> + But as I came near the house I saw Mr. Pierce come out on the front piazza + and switch on the lights. He stood there looking out into the snow, and + the next minute I saw why. Coming up the hill and across the lawn was a + shadowy line of people, black against the white. They were not speaking, + and they moved without noise over the snow. I thought for a minute that my + brain had gone wrong; then the first figure came into the light, and it + was the bishop. He stood at the front of the steps and looked up at Mr. + Pierce. + </p> + <p> + "I dare say," he said, trying to look easy, "that this is sooner than you + expected us!" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce looked down at the crowd. Then he smiled, a growing smile that + ended in a grin. + </p> + <p> + "On the contrary," he said, "I've been expecting you for an hour or more." + </p> + <p> + The procession began to move gloomily up the steps. All of them carried + hand luggage, and they looked tired and sheepish Miss Cobb stopped in + front of Mr. Pierce. + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean to say," she demanded furiously, "that you knew the railroad + was blocked with snow, and yet you let us go!" + </p> + <p> + "On the contrary, Miss Cobb," he said politely, "I remember distinctly + regretting that you insisted on going. Besides, there was the Sherman + House." + </p> + <p> + Senator Briggs {sic} stopped in front of him. "Probably you also knew that + THAT was full, including the stables, with people from the stalled + trains," he asserted furiously. + </p> + <p> + Two by two they went in and through the hall, stamping the snow off, and + up to their old rooms again, leaving Slocum, the clerk, staring at them as + if he couldn't believe his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce and I watched from the piazza, through the glass. + </p> + <p> + We saw Doctor Barnes stop and look, and then go and hang over the news + stand and laugh himself almost purple, and we saw Mr. Thoburn bringing up + the tail of the procession and trying to look unconcerned. I am not a + revengeful woman, but that was one of the happiest moments of my life. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes turned suddenly, and catching me by the arm, whirled me + around and around, singing wildly something about Noah and "the animals + went in two by, two, the elephant and the kangaroo." + </p> + <p> + He stopped as suddenly as he began and walked me to the door again. + </p> + <p> + "We've got 'em in the ark," he said, "but I'm thinking this forty days of + snow is nearly over, Minnie. I don't think much of the dove and the + olive-branch, but WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THEM." + </p> + <p> + "It's against the law," I quavered. + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense!" he said. "We've got to make 'em WANT to stay!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <h3> + BACK TO NATURE + </h3> + <p> + We gave them a good supper and Mr. Pierce ordered claret served without + extra charge. By eight o'clock they were all in better humor, and when + they'd gathered in the lobby Miss Summers gave an imitation of Marie + Dressler doing the Salome dance. Every now and then somebody would look + out and say it was still snowing, and with the memory of the drifts and + the cold stove in the railroad station behind them, they'd gather closer + around the fire and insist that they would go as soon as the road was + cleared. + </p> + <p> + But with the exception of Mr. von Inwald, not one of them really wanted to + go. As Doctor Barnes said over the news stand, each side was bluffing and + wouldn't call the other, and the fellow with the most nerve would win. + </p> + <p> + "And, oh, my aunt!" he said, "what a sweet disposition the von Inwald has! + Watch him going up and banging his head against the wall!" + </p> + <p> + Everybody was charmed with the Salome dance, especially when Miss Summers + drew the cover off a meat platter she'd been dancing around, and there was + Arabella sitting on her hind legs, with a card tied to her neck, and the + card said that at eleven there would be a clambake in the kitchen for all + the guests. + </p> + <p> + (The clambake was my idea, but the dog, of course, was Miss Julia's. I + never saw a woman so full of ideas, although it seems that what should + have been on the platter was the head of somebody or other.) + </p> + <p> + Just after the dance I saw Mr. von Inwald talking to Miss Patty. He had + been ugly all evening, and now he looked like a devil. She stood facing + him with her head thrown back and her fingers twisting her ruby ring. I + guessed that she was about as much surprised as anything else, people + having a habit of being pleasant to her most of the time. He left her in a + rage, and as he went he collided with Arabella and kicked her. Miss Patty + went white but Miss Summers was not a bit put out. She simply picked up + the howling dog and confronted Mr. von Inwald. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps you didn't notice," she said sweetly, "but you kicked my dog." + </p> + <p> + "Why don't you keep her out of the way?" he snarled, and they stood + glaring at each other. + </p> + <p> + "Under the circumstances, Arabella," Miss Julia said—and everybody + was listening—"we can only withdraw Mr. von Inwald's invitation to + the kitchen." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you, I had not intended to go," he said furiously, and went out + into the veranda, slamming the door behind him. Mr. Jennings looked up + from where he was playing chess by the fire and nodded at Miss Summers. + </p> + <p> + "Serves him right for his temper!" he said. + </p> + <p> + "Checkmate!" said the bishop. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jennings turned and glared at the board. Then with one sweep he threw + all the chessmen on the floor. As Tillie said later, it would be a pity to + spoil two houses with Mr. von Inwald and Mr. Jennings If they were in the + same family, they could work it off on each other. + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty came down to the news stand and pretended to hunt for a + magazine. I reached over and stroked her hand. "Don't take it too hard, + dearie," I said. "He's put out to-night, and maybe he isn't well. Men are + like babies. If their stomachs are all right and have plenty in them, + they're pleasant enough. It's been my experience that your cranky man's a + sick man." + </p> + <p> + "I don't think he is sick, Minnie," she said, with a catch in her voice. + "I—I think he is just dev—devilish!" + </p> + <p> + Well, I thought that too, so I just stroked her hand, and after a minute + she got her color again. "It is hard for him," she said. "He thinks this + is all vulgar and American, and—oh, Minnie, I want to get away, and + yet what shall I do without you to keep me sensible." + </p> + <p> + "You'll be a long ways off soon," I said, touching the ring under my hand. + </p> + <p> + "I wish you could come with me," she said, but I shook my head. + </p> + <p> + "Here is one dog that isn't going to sit under any rich man's table and + howl for crumbs," I answered. "If he kicked ME, I'd bite him." + </p> + <p> + At eleven o'clock we had the clambake with beer in the kitchen, and Mr. + von Inwald came, after all. They were really very cheerful, all of them. + Doctor Barnes insisted that Senator Biggs must not fast any longer, and he + ate by my count three dozen clams. At the end, when everybody was happy + and everything forgiven, Mr. Pierce got up and made a speech. + </p> + <p> + He said he was sorry for what had happened that day, but that much he had + said he still maintained: that to pretend to make people well in the way + most sanatoriums did it was sheer folly, and he felt his responsibility + too keenly to countenance a system that was clearly wrong and that the + best modern thought considered obsolete. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb sat up at that; she is always talking about the best modern + thought. + </p> + <p> + He said that perfect health, clear skins, bright eyes—he looked at + the women, and except for Miss Patty, there wasn't an honest complexion or + a bright eye in the lot—keen appetites and joy of living all + depended on rational and simple living. + </p> + <p> + "Hear, hear!" said the men. + </p> + <p> + "The nearer we live to nature, the better," said Senator Biggs oracularly. + </p> + <p> + "Back to nature," shouted Mr. Moody through a clam. + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," Mr. Pierce said, smiling. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Moody looked alarmed. "You don't mean doing without clothes—and + all that!" she protested. + </p> + <p> + "Surely!" Miss Summers said, holding up her beer glass. "A toast, + everybody! Back to nature, sans rats, sans rouge, sans stays, sans + everything. I'll need to wear a tag with my name on it. Nobody will + recognize me!" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce got up again at the head of the long kitchen table and said he + merely meant rational living—more air, more exercise, simpler food + and better hours. It was being done now in a thousand fresh-air farms, and + succeeding. Men went back to their business clearer-headed and women grew + more beautiful. + </p> + <p> + At that, what with the reaction from sitting in the cold station, and the + beer and everything, they all grew enthusiastic. Doctor Barnes made a + speech, telling that he used to be puny and weak, and how he went into + training and became a pugilist, and how he'd fought the Tennessee + something or other—the men nodded as if they knew—and licked + him in forty seconds or forty rounds, I'm not sure which. The men were + standing on their chairs cheering for him, and even Mr. Jennings, who'd + been sitting and not saying much, said he thought probably there was + something in it. + </p> + <p> + They ended by agreeing to try it out for a week, beginning with the + morning, when everybody was to be down for breakfast by seven-thirty. Mr. + Thoburn got up and made a speech, protesting that they didn't know what + they were letting themselves in for, and ended up by demanding to know if + he was expected to breakfast at seven-thirty. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, or earlier," Mr. Pierce said pleasantly. "I suppose you could have + something at seven." + </p> + <p> + "And suppose I refuse?" he retorted disagreeably. + </p> + <p> + But everybody turned on him, and said if they could do it, he could, and + he sat down again. Then somebody suggested that if they were to get up + they'd have to go to bed, and the party broke up. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes helped me gather up the clam shells and the plates. + </p> + <p> + "It's a risky business," he said. "To-night doesn't mean anything; they're + carried away by the reaction and the desire for something new. The next + week will tell the tale." + </p> + <p> + "If we could only get rid of Mr. Thoburn!" I exclaimed. Doctor Barnes + chuckled. + </p> + <p> + "We may not get rid of him," he said, "but I can promise him the most + interesting week of his life. He'll be too busy for mischief. I'm going to + take six inches off his waist line." + </p> + <p> + Well, in a half-hour or so I had cleared away, and I went out to the lobby + to lock up the news stand. Just as I opened the door from the back hall, + however, I heard two people talking. + </p> + <p> + It was Miss Pat and Mr. Pierce. She was on the stairs and he in the hall + below, looking up. + </p> + <p> + "I don't WANT to stay!" she was saying. + </p> + <p> + "But don't you see?" he argued. "If you go, the others will. Can't you try + it for a week?" + </p> + <p> + "I quite understand your motive," she said, looking down at him more + pleasantly than she'd ever done, "and it's very good of you and all that. + But if you'd only left things as they were, and let us all go, and other + people come—" + </p> + <p> + "That's just it," he said. "I'm told it's the bad season and nobody else + would come until Lent. And, anyhow, it's not business to let a lot of + people go away mad. It gives the place a black eye." + </p> + <p> + "Dear me," she said, "how businesslike you are growing!" + </p> + <p> + He went over close to the stairs and dropped his voice. + </p> + <p> + "If you want the bitter truth," he went on, trying to smile, "I've put + myself on trial and been convicted of being a fool and a failure. I've + failed regularly and with precision at everything I have tried. I've been + going around so long trying to find a place that I fit into, that I'm + scarred as with many battles. And now I'm on probation—for the last + time. If this doesn't go, I—I—" + </p> + <p> + "What?" she asked, leaning down to him. "You'll not—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, no," he said, "nothing dramatic, of course. I could go around the + country in a buggy selling lightning-rods—" + </p> + <p> + She drew herself back as if she resented his refusal of her sympathy. + </p> + <p> + "Or open a saloon in the Philippines!" he finished mockingly. "There's a + living in that." + </p> + <p> + "You are impossible," she said, and turned away. + </p> + <p> + Oh, I haven't any excuse to make for him! I think he was just hungry for + her sympathy and her respect, knowing nothing else was coming to him. But + the minute they grew a bit friendly he seemed to remember the prince, and + that, according to his idea of it, she was selling herself, and he would + draw off and look at her in a mocking unhappy way that made me want to + slap him. + </p> + <p> + He watched her up the stairs and then turned and walked to the fire, with + his hands in his pockets and his head down. + </p> + <p> + I closed the news stand and he came over just as I was hanging up the + cigar-case key for Amanda King in the morning. He reached up and took the + key off its nail. + </p> + <p> + "I'll keep that," he said. "It's no tobacco after this, Minnie." + </p> + <p> + "You can't keep them here, then," I retorted. "They've got to smoke; it's + the only work they do." + </p> + <p> + "We'll see," he said quietly. "And—oh, yes, Minnie, now that we + shall not be using the mineral spring—" + </p> + <p> + "Not use the mineral spring!" I repeated, stupefied. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly NOT!" he said. "This is a drugless sanatorium, Minnie, from now + on. That's part of the theory—no drugs." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'll tell you one thing," I snapped, "theory or no theory, you've + got to have drugs. No theory that I ever heard of is going to cure Mr. + Moody's indigestion and Miss Cobb's neuralgia." + </p> + <p> + "They won't have indigestion and neuralgia." + </p> + <p> + "Or Amanda King's toothache." + </p> + <p> + "We won't have Amanda King." + </p> + <p> + He put his elbow on the stand and smiled at me. + </p> + <p> + "Listen, Minnie," he said. "If you hadn't been wasting your abilities in + the mineral spring, I'd be sorry to close it. But there will be plenty for + you to do. Don't you know that the day of the medicine-closet in the + bath-room and the department-store patent-remedy counter is over? We've + got sanatoriums now instead of family doctors. In other words, we put in + good sanitation systems and don't need the plumber and his repair kit." + </p> + <p> + "The pharmacy?" I said between my teeth. + </p> + <p> + "Closed also. No medicine, Minnie. That's our slogan. This is the day of + prophylaxis. The doctors have taken a step in the right direction and are + giving fewer drugs. Christian Science has abolished drugs and established + the healer. We simply abolish the healer." + </p> + <p> + "If we're not going to use the spring-house, we might have saved the + expense of the new roof in the fall," I said bitterly. + </p> + <p> + "Not at all. For two hours or so a day the spring-house will be a + rest-house—windows wide open and God's good air penetrating to + fastnesses it never knew before." + </p> + <p> + "The spring will freeze!" + </p> + <p> + "Exactly. My only regret is that it is too small to skate on. But they'll + have the ice pond." + </p> + <p> + "When I see Mr. Moody skating on the ice pond," I said sarcastically, + "I'll see Mrs. Moody dead with the shock on the bank." + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," he replied calmly. "You'll see her skating, too." And with + that he went to bed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <h3> + LIKE DUCKS TO WATER + </h3> + <p> + They took to it like ducks take to water. Not, of course, that they didn't + kick about making their own beds and having military discipline generally. + They complained a lot, but when after three days went by with the railroad + running as much on schedule as it ever does, they were all still there, + and Mr. Jennings had limped out and spent a half-hour at the wood-pile + with his gouty foot on a cushion, I saw it was a success. + </p> + <p> + I ought to have been glad. I was, although when Mrs. Dicky found they were + all staying, and that she might have to live in the shelter-house the rest + of the winter, there was an awful scene. I was glad, too, every time I + could see Mr. Thoburn's gloomy face, or hear the things he said when his + name went up for the military walk. + </p> + <p> + (Oh yes, we had a blackboard in the hall, and every morning each guest + looked to see if it was wood-pile day or military-walk day. At first, + instead of wood-pile, it was walk-clearing day, but they soon had the snow + off all the paths.) + </p> + <p> + As I say, I was glad. It looked as if the new idea was a success, although + as Doctor Barnes said, nobody could really tell until new people began to + come. That was the real test. They had turned the baths into a gymnasium + and they had beginners' classes and advanced classes, and a prize offered + on the blackboard of a cigar for the man who made the most muscular + improvement in a week. The bishop won it the first week, being the only + one who could lie on his back and raise himself to a sitting position + without helping himself with his hands. As Mrs. Moody said, it would be + easy enough if somebody only sat on one's feet to hold them down. + </p> + <p> + But I must say I never got over the shock of seeing the spring-house + drifted with snow, all the windows wide open, the spring frozen hard, and + people sitting there during the rest hour, in furs and steamer rugs, + trying to play cards with mittens on—their hands, not the cards, of + course—and not wrangling. I was lonesome for it! + </p> + <p> + I hadn't much to do, except from two to four to be at the spring-house, + and to count for the deep-breathing exercise. Oh, yes, we had that, too! I + rang a bell every half-hour and everybody got up, and I counted slowly + "one" and they breathed in through their noses, and "two" and they exhaled + quickly through their mouths. I guess most of them used more of their + lungs than they ever knew they had. + </p> + <p> + Well, everybody looked better and felt better, although they wouldn't all + acknowledge it. Miss Cobb suffered most, not having the fire log to curl + her hair with. But as she said herself, between gymnasium and military + walks, and the silence hour, and eating, which took a long time, everybody + being hungry—and going to bed at nine, she didn't see how she could + have worried with it, anyhow. The fat ones, of course, objected to an + apple and a cup of hot water for breakfast, but except Mr. Thoburn, they + all realized it was for the best. He wasn't there for his health, he said, + having never had a sick day in his life, but when he saw it was apple and + hot water or leave, he did like Adam—he took the apple. + </p> + <p> + The strange thing of all was the way they began to look up to Mr. Pierce. + He was very strict; if he made a rule, it was obey or leave. (As they knew + after Mr. Moody refused to take the military walk, and was presented with + his bill and a railroad schedule within an hour. He had to take the + military walk with Doctor Barnes that afternoon alone.) They had to + respect a man who could do all the things in the gymnasium that they + couldn't, and come in from a ten or fifteen-mile tramp through the snow + and take a cold plunge and a swim to rest himself. + </p> + <p> + It was on Monday that we really got things started, and on Monday + afternoon Miss Summers came out to the shelter-house in a towering rage. + </p> + <p> + "Where's Mr. Pierce?" she demanded. + </p> + <p> + "I guess you can see he isn't here," I said. + </p> + <p> + "Just wait until I see him!" she announced. "Do you know that I am down on + the blackboard for the military walk to-day? + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" + </p> + <p> + She turned and glared at me. "Why not?" she repeated. "Why, the audacity + of the wretch! He brings me out into the country in winter to play in his + atrocious play, strands me, and then tells me to walk twenty miles a day + and smile over it!" She came over to me and shook my arm. "Not only that," + she said, "but he has cut out my cigarettes and put Arabella on dog + biscuit—Arabella, who can hardly eat a chicken wing." + </p> + <p> + "Well, there's something to be thankful for," I said. "He didn't put you + on dog biscuit." + </p> + <p> + She laughed then, with one of her quick changes of humor. + </p> + <p> + "The worst of it is," she said, in a confidential whisper, "I'll do it. I + feel it. I guess if the truth were known I'm some older than he is, but—I'm + afraid of him, Minnie. Little Judy is ready to crawl around and speak for + a cracker or a kind word. Oh, I'm not in love with him, but he's got the + courage to say what he means and do what he says." + </p> + <p> + She went to the door and looked back smiling. + </p> + <p> + "I'm off for the wood-pile," she called back. "And I've promised to chop + two inches off my heels." + </p> + <p> + As I say, they took to it like ducks to water—except two of them, + von Inwald and Thoburn. Mr. von Inwald stayed on, I hardly know why, but I + guess it was because Mr. Jennings still hadn't done anything final about + settlements, and with the newspapers marrying him every day it wasn't very + comfortable. Next to him, Mr. Thoburn was the unhappiest mortal I have + ever seen. He wouldn't leave, and with Doctor Barnes carrying out his + threat to take six inches off his waist, he stopped measuring + window-frames with a tape line and took to measuring himself. + </p> + <p> + I came across him on Wednesday—the third day—straggling home + from the military walk. He and Mr. von Inwald limped across the + tennis-court and collapsed on the steps of the spring-house while the + others went on to the sanatorium. I had been brushing the porch, and I + leaned on my broom and looked at them. + </p> + <p> + "You're both looking a lot better," I said. "Not so—well, not so + beer-y. How do you like it by this time?" + </p> + <p> + "Fine!" answered Mr. Thoburn. "Wouldn't stay if I didn't like it." + </p> + <p> + "Wouldn't you?" + </p> + <p> + "But I'll tell you this, Minnie," he said, changing his position with a + groan to look up at me, "somebody ought to warn that young man. Human + nature can stand a lot but it can't stand everything. He's overdoing it!" + </p> + <p> + "They like it," I said. + </p> + <p> + "They think they do," he retorted. "Mark my words, Minnie, if he adds + another mile to the walk to-morrow there will be a mutiny. Kingdoms may be + lost by an extra blister on a heel." + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald had been sitting with his feet straight out, scowling, but + now he turned and looked at me coolly. + </p> + <p> + "All that keeps me here," he said, "is Minnie's lovely hair. It takes me + mentally back home, Minnie, to a lovely lady—may I have a bit of it + to keep by me?" + </p> + <p> + "You may not," I retorted angrily. + </p> + <p> + "Oh! The lovely lady—but never mind that. For the sake of my love + for you, Minnie, find me a cigarette, like a good girl! I am desolate." + </p> + <p> + "There's no tobacco on the place," I said firmly, and went on with my + sweeping. + </p> + <p> + "When I was a boy," Mr. Thoburn remarked, looking out thoughtfully over + the snow, "we made a sort of cigarette out of corn-silk. You don't happen + to have any corn-silk about, do you, Minnie?" + </p> + <p> + "No," I said shortly. "If you take my advice, Mr. Thoburn, you'll go back + to town. You can get all the tobacco you want there—and you're + wasting your time here." I leaned on my broom and looked down at him, but + he was stretching out his foot and painfully working his ankle up and + down. + </p> + <p> + "Am I?" he asked, looking at his foot. "Well, don't count on it too much, + Minnie. You always inspire me, and sitting here I've just thought of + something." + </p> + <p> + He got up and hobbled off the porch, followed by Mr. von Inwald. I saw him + say something to Mr. von Inwald, who threw back his head and laughed. Then + I saw them stop and shake hands and go on again in deep conversation. I + felt uneasy. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes came out that afternoon and watched me while I closed the + windows. He had a package in his hand. He sat on the railing of the spring + and looked at me. + </p> + <p> + "You're not warmly enough dressed for this kind of thing," he remarked. + "Where's that gray rabbits' fur, or whatever it is?" + </p> + <p> + "If you mean my chinchillas," I said, "they're in their box. Chinchillas + are as delicate as babies and not near so plentiful. I'm warm enough." + </p> + <p> + "You look it." He reached over and caught one of my hands. "Look at that! + Blue nails! It's about four degrees above zero here, and while the rest + are wrapped in furs and steamer rugs, with hotwater bottles at their feet, + you've got on a shawl. I'll bet you two dollars you haven't got on any—er—winter + flannels." + </p> + <p> + "I never bet," I retorted, and went on folding up the steamer rugs. + </p> + <p> + "I'd like to help," he said, "but you're so darned capable, Miss Minnie—" + </p> + <p> + "You might see if you can get the slot-machine empty," I said. "It's full + of water. It wouldn't work and Mr. Moody thought it was frozen. He's been + carrying out boiling water all afternoon. If it stays in there and freezes + the thing will explode." + </p> + <p> + He wasn't listening. He'd been fussing with his package and now he opened + it and handed it to me, in the paper. + </p> + <p> + "It's a sweater," he said, not looking at me. "I bought it for myself and + it was too small— Confound it, Minnie, I wish I could lie! I bought + them for you! There's the whole business—sweater, cap, leggings and + mittens. Go on! Throw them at me!" + </p> + <p> + But I didn't. I looked at them, all white and soft, and it came over me + suddenly how kind people had been lately, and how much I'd been getting—the + old doctor's waistcoat buttons and Miss Pat's furs, and now this! I just + buried my face in them and cried. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes stood by and said nothing. Some men wouldn't have + understood, but he did. After a minute or so he came over and pulled the + sweater out from the bundle. + </p> + <p> + "I'm glad you like 'em," he said, "but as I bought them at Hubbard's, in + Finleyville, and as the old liar guaranteed they wouldn't shrink, we'd + better not cry on 'em." + </p> + <p> + Well, I put them on and I was warmer and happier than I had been for some + time. But that night when I went out to the shelter-house with the supper + basket I found both the honeymooners in a wild state of excitement. They + said that about five o'clock Thoburn had gone out to the shelter-house and + walked all around it. Finally he had stopped at one of the windows of the + other room, had worked at it with his penknife and got it open, and + crawled through. They sat paralyzed with fright, and heard him moving + around the other room, and he even tried their door. But it had been + locked. They hadn't the slightest idea what he was doing, but after + perhaps ten minutes he went away, going out the door this time and taking + the key with him. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dick had gone in when he was safely gone, but he could see nothing + unusual, except that the door of the cupboard in the corner was standing + open and there was a brand-new, folding, foot rule in it. + </p> + <p> + That day the bar was closed for good, and there was a good bit of fussing. + To add to the trouble, that evening at dinner the pastries were cut off, + and at eight o'clock a delegation headed by Senator Biggs visited Mr. + Pierce in the office and demanded pastry put back on the menu and the + stewed fruit taken off. But Mr. Pierce was firm and they came out pretty + well subdued. It was that night, I think, that candles were put in the + bedrooms, and all the electric lights were turned off at nine-thirty. + </p> + <p> + At ten o'clock I took my candle and went to Mr. Pierce's sitting-room + door. I didn't think they'd stand much more and I wanted to tell him so. + Nobody answered and I opened the door. He was asleep, face down on the + hearth-rug in front of the fire. His candle was lighted on the floor + beside him and near it lay a newspaper cutting crumpled in a ball. I + picked it up. It was a list of the bridal party for Miss Patty's wedding. + </p> + <p> + I dropped it where I found it and went out and knocked again loudly. He + wakened after a minute and came to the door with the candle in his hand. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, it's you, Minnie. Come in!" + </p> + <p> + I went in and put my candle on the table. + </p> + <p> + "I've got to talk to you," I said. "I don't mind admitting things have + been going pretty well, but—they won't stand for the candles. You + mark my words." + </p> + <p> + "If they'll stand for the bar being closed, why not the candles?" he + demanded. + </p> + <p> + "Well," I said, "they can't have electric light sent up in boxes and + labeled 'books,' but they can get liquor that way." + </p> + <p> + He whistled, and then he laughed. + </p> + <p> + "Then we'll not have any books," he said. "I guess they can manage. 'My + only books were woman's looks—'" and then he saw the ball of paper + on the floor and his expression changed. He walked over and picked it up, + smoothing it out on the palm of his hand. + </p> + <p> + After a minute he looked up at me. + </p> + <p> + "I haven't been to the shelter-house to-day. They are all right?" + </p> + <p> + "They're nervous. With everybody walking these days they daren't venture a + nose out of doors." + </p> + <p> + He was still holding the clipping. + </p> + <p> + "And—Miss Jennings!" he said. "She—I think she looks better." + </p> + <p> + "Her father's in a better humor for one thing—says Abraham Lincoln + split logs, and that it beats massage." + </p> + <p> + I had been standing in the doorway, but he took me by the arm and drew me + into the room. + </p> + <p> + "I wish you'd sit down for about ten minutes, Minnie," he said. "I guess + every fellow has a time when he's got to tell his troubles to some good + woman—not but that you know mine already. You're as shrewd as you + are kind." + </p> + <p> + I sat down on the edge of a chair. For all I had had so much to do with + the sanatorium, I never forgot that I was only the spring-house girl. He + threw himself back in his easy chair, with the candle behind him on the + table and his arms above his head. + </p> + <p> + "It's like this, Minnie," he said. "Mr. Jennings likes the new order of + things and—he's going to stay." + </p> + <p> + I nodded. + </p> + <p> + "And I like it here. I want to stay. It's the one thing I've found that I + think I can do. It isn't what I've dreamed of, but it's worth while. To + anchor the derelicts of humanity in a sort of repair dock here, and scrape + the barnacles off their dispositions, and send them out shipshape again, + surely that's something. And I can do it." + </p> + <p> + I nodded again. + </p> + <p> + "But if the Jenningses stay—" he looked at me. "Minnie, in heaven's + name, what am I going to do if SHE stays?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know, Mr. Pierce," I said. "I couldn't sleep last night for + thinking about it." + </p> + <p> + He smoothed out the paper and looked at it again, but I think he scarcely + saw it. + </p> + <p> + "The situation is humorous," he said, "only my sense of humor seems to + have died. She doesn't know I exist, except to invent new and troublesome + regulations for her annoyance. She is very sweet when she meets me, but + only because I am helping her to have her own way. And I—my God, + Minnie, I sit in the office and listen for her step outside!" + </p> + <p> + He moved a little and held out the paper in the candle-light. + </p> + <p> + "'It will please Americans to know,'" he read, "'that with the exception + of the Venetian lace robe sent by the bridegroom's mother, all of Miss + Patricia Jennings' elaborate trousseau is being made in America. + </p> + <p> + "'Prince Oskar and his suite, according to present arrangements, will sail + from Naples early in March, and the wedding date, although not yet + definitely fixed, will probably be the first week in April. The wedding + party will include—'" + </p> + <p> + He stopped there, and looked at me, trying to smile. + </p> + <p> + "I knew it all before," he said, "but there's something inevitable about + print. I guess I hadn't realized it." + </p> + <p> + He had the same look of wretchedness he'd had the first night I saw him—a + hungry look—and I couldn't help it; I went over to him and patted + him on the head like a little boy. I was only the spring-house girl, but I + was older than he was, and he needed somebody to comfort him. + </p> + <p> + "I can't think of anything to say that will help any," I said, "unless + it's what you wrote yourself on the blackboard down in the hall, 'Keep + busy and you'll keep happy.'" + </p> + <p> + He reached up for my hand, and rough and red as it was—having been + in the spring for so many years—he kissed it. + </p> + <p> + "Good for you, Minnie!" he said. "You're rational, and for a day or so I + haven't been. That's right, KEEP BUSY. I'll do it." He got up and put his + hands on my shoulders. "Good old pal, when you see me going around as if + all the devils of hell were tormenting me, just come up and say that to + me, will you?" + </p> + <p> + I promised, and he opened the door, candle in hand, and smiling. + </p> + <p> + "I'm a thousand per cent. better already," he said. "I just needed to tell + somebody, I think. I dare say I've made a lot more fuss than it really + deserves." + </p> + <p> + At the far end of the hall, a girl came out of one room, and carrying a + candle, went across to another. It was Miss Patty, going to bid her father + good night. When I left, he was still staring down the hall after her, his + candle dripping wax on the floor, and his face white. I guess he hadn't + overstated his case. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV + </h2> + <h3> + THE FIRST FRUITS + </h3> + <p> + By Friday of that week you would hardly have known any of them. The fat + ones were thinner and the thin ones fatter, and Miss Julia Summers could + put her whole hand inside her belt. + </p> + <p> + And they were pleasant. They'd sit down to a supper of ham and eggs and + apple sauce, and yell for more apple sauce, and every evening in the + billiard room they got up two weighing pools, one for the ones who wanted + to reduce, and one for the people who wanted to gain. Everybody put in a + dollar, and at gymnasium hour the next morning the ones who'd gained or + lost the most won the pool. Mr. Thoburn won the losing pool on Thursday + and Friday—he didn't want to lose weight, but he was compelled to + under the circumstances. And I think worry helped him to it. + </p> + <p> + They fussed some still about sleeping with the windows open, especially + the bald-headed men. However, the bishop, who had been bald for thirty + years, was getting a fine down all over the top of his head, and this + encouraged the rest. The bishop says it is nature's instinct to protect + itself from cold—all animals have fur, and heavier fur in winter—and + he believed that it was the ultimate cure for baldness. Men lose their + hair on top, he said, because they wear hats, and so don't need it. But + let the top of the head need protection, and lo, hair comes there. + Although, as Mr. Thoburn said, his nose was always cold in winter, and + nature never did anything for IT. + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald was still there, and not troubling himself to be agreeable + to any but the Jennings family. He and Mr. Pierce carefully avoided each + other, but I knew well enough that only policy kept them apart. Both of + them, you see, were working for something. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb came to the spring-house early Friday morning, and from the way + she came in and shut the door I knew she had something on her mind. She + walked over to where I was polishing the brass railing around the spring—it + had been the habit of years, and not easy to break—and stood looking + at me and breathing hard. + </p> + <p> + "Minnie," she exclaimed, "I have found the thief!" + </p> + <p> + "Lord have mercy!" I said, and dropped the brass polish. + </p> + <p> + "I have found the thief!" she repeated firmly. "Minnie, our sins always + find us out." + </p> + <p> + "I guess they do," I said shakily, and sat down on the steps to the + spring. "Oh, Miss Cobb, if only he would use a little bit of sense!" + </p> + <p> + "He?" she said. "HE nothing! It's that Summers woman I'm talking about, + Minnie. I knew that woman wasn't what she ought to be the minute I set + eyes on her." + </p> + <p> + "The Summers woman!" I repeated. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb leaned over the railing and shook a finger in my face. + </p> + <p> + "The Summers woman," she said. "One of the chambermaids found my—my + PROTECTORS hanging in the creature's closet!" + </p> + <p> + I couldn't speak. There had been so much happening that I'd clean + forgotten Miss Cobb and her woolen tights. And now to have them come back + like this and hang themselves around my neck, so to speak—it was too + much. + </p> + <p> + "Per—perhaps they're hers," I said weakly after a minute. + </p> + <p> + "Stuff and nonsense!" declared Miss Cobb. "Don't you think I know my own, + with L. C. in white cotton on the band, and my own darning in the knee + where I slipped on the ice? And more than that, Minnie, where those tights + are, my letters are!" + </p> + <p> + I glanced at the pantry, where her letters were hidden on the upper shelf. + The door was closed. + </p> + <p> + "But—but what would she want with the letters?" I asked, with my + teeth fairly hitting together. Miss Cobb pushed her forefinger into my + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "To blackmail me," she said, in a tragic voice, "or perhaps to publish. + I've often thought of that myself—they're so beautiful. Letters from + a life insurance agent to his lady-love—interesting, you know, and + alliterative. As for that woman—!" + </p> + <p> + "What woman!" said Miss Summers' voice from behind us. We jumped and + turned. "I always save myself trouble, so if by any chance you are + discussing me—" + </p> + <p> + "As it happens," Miss Cobb said, glaring at her, "I WAS discussing you." + </p> + <p> + "Fine!" said Miss Julia. "I love to talk about myself." + </p> + <p> + "I doubt if it's an edifying subject," Miss Cobb snapped. + </p> + <p> + Miss Julia looked at her and smiled. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps not," she said, "but interesting. Don't put yourself out to be + friendly to me, Miss Cobb, if you don't feel like it." + </p> + <p> + "Are you going to return my letters?" Miss Cobb demanded. + </p> + <p> + "Your letters?" + </p> + <p> + "My letters—that you took out of my room!" + </p> + <p> + "Look here," Miss Julia said, still in a good humor, "don't you suppose + I've got letters of my own, without bothering with another woman's?" + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps," Miss Cobb replied in triumph, "perhaps you will say that you + don't know anything of my—of my black woolen protectors?" + </p> + <p> + "Never heard of them!" said Miss Summers. "What are they?" And then she + caught my eye, and I guess I looked stricken. "Oh!" she said. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Cobb was robbed the other night," I explained, as quietly as I + could. "Somebody went into her room and took a bundle of letters." + </p> + <p> + "Letters!" Miss Summers straightened and looked at me. + </p> + <p> + "And my woolen tights," said Miss Cobb indignantly, "with all this cold + weather and military walks, and having to sit two hours a day by an open + window! And I'll tell you this, Miss Summers, your dog got in my room that + night, and while I have no suspicions, the chambermaid found my—er—missing + garment this morning in your closet!" + </p> + <p> + "I don't believe," Miss Julia said, looking hard at me, "that Arabella + would steal anything so—er—grotesque! Do you mean to say," she + added slowly, "that nothing was taken from that room but the—lingerie + and a bundle of letters?" + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," said Miss Cobb, "and I'd thank you for the letters." + </p> + <p> + "The letters!" Miss Julia retorted. "I've never been in your room. I + haven't got the letters. I've never seen them." Then a light dawned in her + face. "I—oh, it's the funniest ever!" + </p> + <p> + And with that she threw her head back and laughed until the tears rolled + down her cheeks and she held her side. + </p> + <p> + "Screaming!" she gasped. "It's screaming! But, oh, Minnie, to have seen + your face!" + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb swept to the door and turned in a fury. + </p> + <p> + "I do not think it is funny," she stormed, "and I shall report to Mr. + Carter at once what I have discovered." + </p> + <p> + She banged out, and Miss Julia put her head on a card-table and writhed + with joy. "To have seen your face, Minnie!" she panted, wiping her eyes. + "To have thought you had Dick Carter's letters, that I keep rolled in + asbestos, and then to have opened them and found they were to Miss Cobb!" + </p> + <p> + "Be as happy as you like," I snapped, "but you are barking up the wrong + tree. I don't know anything about any letters and as far as that goes, do + you think I've lived here fourteen years to get into the wrong room at + night? If I'd wanted to get into your room, I'd have found your room, not + Miss Cobb's." + </p> + <p> + She sat up and pulled her hat straight, looking me right in the eye. + </p> + <p> + "If you'll recall," she said, "I came into the spring-house, and Arabella + pulled that—garment of Miss Cobb's off a table. It was early—nobody + was out yet. You were alone, Minnie, or no," she said suddenly, "you were + not alone. Minnie, WHO was in the pantry?" + </p> + <p> + "What has that to do with it?" I managed, with my feet as cold as stone. + </p> + <p> + She got up and buttoned her sweater. + </p> + <p> + "Don't trouble to lie," she said. "I can see through a stone wall as well + as most people. Whoever got those letters thought they were stealing mine, + and there are only two people who would try to steal my letters; one is + Dick Carter, and the other is his brother-in-law. It wasn't Sam in the + pantry—he came in just after with his little snip of a wife." + </p> + <p> + "Well?" I managed. + </p> + <p> + But she was smiling again, not so pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + "I might have known it!" she said. "What a fool I've been, Minnie, and how + clever you are under that red thatch of yours! Dicky can not appear as + long as I am here, and Pierce takes his place, and I help to keep the + secret and to play the game! Well, I can appreciate a joke on myself as + well as most people, but—Minnie, Minnie, think of that guilty wretch + of a Dicky Carter shaking in the pantry!" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know what you are talking about," I said, but she only winked and + went to the door. + </p> + <p> + "Don't take it too much to heart," she advised. "Too much loyalty is a + vice, not a virtue. And another piece of advice, Minnie—when I find + Dicky Carter, stand from under; something will fall." + </p> + <p> + They had charades during the rest hour that afternoon, the overweights + headed by the bishop, against the underweights headed by Mr. Moody. They + selected their words from one of Horace Fletcher's books, and as Mr. + Pierce wasn't either over or underweight, they asked him to be referee. + </p> + <p> + Oh, they were crazy about him by that time. It was "Mr. Carter" here and + "dear Mr. Carter" there, with the women knitting him neckties and the men + coming up to be bullied and asking for more. + </p> + <p> + And he kept the upper hand, too, once he got it. It was that day, I think, + that he sent Senator Biggs up to make his bed again, and nobody in the + place will ever forget how he made old Mr. Jennings hang his gymnasium + suit up three times before it was done properly. The old man was mad + enough at the time, but inside of twenty minutes he was offering Mr. + Pierce the cigar he'd won in the wood-chopping contest. + </p> + <p> + But if Mr. Pierce was making a hit with the guests, he wasn't so popular + with the Van Alstynes or the Carters. The night the cigar stand was closed + Mr. Sam came to me and leaned over the counter. + </p> + <p> + "Put the key in a drawer," he said. "I can slip down here after the lights + are out and get a smoke." + </p> + <p> + "Can't do it, Mr. Van Alstyne," I said. "Got positive orders." + </p> + <p> + "That doesn't include me." He was still perfectly good-humored. + </p> + <p> + "Sorry," I said. "Have to have a written order from Mr. Pierce." + </p> + <p> + He put a silver dollar on the desk between us and looked at me over it. + </p> + <p> + "Will that open the case?" he asked. But I shook my head. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'll be hanged! What the devil sort of order did he give you?" + </p> + <p> + "He said," I repeated, "that I'd be coaxed and probably bribed to open the + cigar case, and that you'd probably be the first one to do it, but I was + to stick firm; you've been smoking too much, and your nerves are going." + </p> + <p> + "Insolent young puppy!" he exclaimed angrily, and stamped away. + </p> + <p> + So that I was not surprised when on that night, Friday, I was told to be + at the shelter-house at ten o'clock for a protest meeting. Mrs. Sam told + me. + </p> + <p> + "Something has to be done," she said. "I don't intend to stand much more. + Nobody has the right to say when I shall eat or what. If I want to eat + fried shoe leather, that's my affair." + </p> + <p> + We met at ten o'clock at the shelter-house, everybody having gone to bed—Miss + Patty, the Van Alstynes and myself. The Dickys were on good terms again, + for a wonder, and when we went in they were in front of the fire, she on a + box and he at her feet, with his head buried in her lap. He didn't even + look up when we entered. + </p> + <p> + "They're here, Dicky," she said. + </p> + <p> + "All right!" he answered in a smothered voice. "How many of 'em?" + </p> + <p> + "Four," she said, and kissed the tip of his ear. + </p> + <p> + "For goodness sake, Dick!" Mrs. Sam snapped in a disgusted tone, "stop + that spooning and get us something to sit on." + </p> + <p> + "Help yourself," he replied, still from his wife's lap, "and don't be + jealous, sis. If the sight of married happiness upsets you, go away. Go + away, anyhow." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam came over and jerked him into a sitting position. "Either you'll + sit up and take part in this discussion," he said angrily, "or you'll go + out in the snow until it's over." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dick leaned over and kissed his wife's hand. + </p> + <p> + "A cruel fate is separating us," he explained, "but try to endure it until + I return. I'll be on the other side of the fireplace." + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty came to the fire and stood warming her hands. I saw her sister + watching her. + </p> + <p> + "What's wrong with you, Pat?" she asked. "Oskar not behaving?" + </p> + <p> + "Don't be silly," Miss Patty said. "I'm all right." + </p> + <p> + "She's worked to death," Mrs. Sam put in. "Look at all of us. I'll tell + you I'm so tired these nights that by nine o'clock I'm asleep on my feet." + </p> + <p> + "I'm tired to death, but I don't sleep," Miss Patty said. "I—I don't + know why." + </p> + <p> + "I do," her sister said. "If you weren't so haughty, Pat, and would just + own up that you're sick of your bargain—" + </p> + <p> + "Dolly!" Miss Patty got red and then white. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, all right," Mrs. Dicky said, and shrugged her shoulders. "Only, I + hate to see you make an idiot of yourself, when I'm so happy." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dick made a move at that to go across the fireplace to her, but Mr. + Sam pushed him back where he was. + </p> + <p> + "You stay right there," he said. "Here's Pierce now." + </p> + <p> + He came in smiling, and as he stood inside the door, brushing the snow + off, it was queer to see how his eyes went around the circle until he'd + found Miss Patty and stopped at her. + </p> + <p> + Nobody answered his smile, and he came over to the fire beside Miss Patty. + </p> + <p> + "Great night!" he said, looking down at her. "There's something + invigorating in just breathing that wind." + </p> + <p> + "Do you think so?" Mrs. Sam said disagreeably. "Of course, we haven't all + got your shoulders." + </p> + <p> + "That's so," he answered, turning to her. "I said you women should not + come so far. We could have met in my sitting-room." + </p> + <p> + "You forget one thing," Mr. Dick put in disagreeably, "and that is that + this meeting concerns me, and I can not very well go to YOUR + sitting-room." + </p> + <p> + "Fact," said Mr. Pierce, "I'd forgotten about you for the moment." + </p> + <p> + "You generally do," Mr. Dick retorted. "If you want the truth, Pierce, I'm + about tired of your high-handed methods." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce set his jaw and looked down at him. + </p> + <p> + "Why? I've saved the place, haven't I? Why, look here," he said, and + pulled out a couple of letters, "these are the first fruits of those that + weep—in other words, per aspera ad astra! Two new guests coming the + last of the week—want to be put in training!" + </p> + <p> + Well, that was an argument nobody could find fault with, but their + grievance was about themselves and they couldn't forgive him. They turned + on him in the most heartless way—even Miss Patty—and demanded + that he give them special privileges—breakfast when they wanted it, + and Mr. Sam the key to the bar. And he stood firm, as he had that day in + the lobby, and let the storm beat around him, looking mostly at Miss + Patty. It was more than I could bear. + </p> + <p> + "Shame on all of you!" I said. "He's done what he promised he'd do, and + more. If he did what he ought, he'd leave this minute, and let you find + out for yourself what it is to drive thirty-odd different stomachs and the + same number of bad dispositions in one direction." + </p> + <p> + "You are perfectly right, Minnie," Miss Patty said. "We're beastly, all of + us, and I'm sorry." She went over and held out her hand to him. "You've + done the impossible," she told him. He beamed. + </p> + <p> + "Your approval means more than anything," he said, holding her hand. Mrs. + Dick sat up and opened her eyes wide. + </p> + <p> + "Speaking of Oskar," she began, and then stopped, staring past her sister, + toward the door. + </p> + <p> + We all turned, and there, blinking in the light, was Miss Summers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI + </h2> + <h3> + OVER THE FENCE IS OUT + </h3> + <p> + "WELL!" she said, and stood staring. Then she smiled—I guess our + faces were funny. + </p> + <p> + "May I come in?" she asked, and without waiting she came in and closed the + door. "You DO look cozy!" she said, and shook herself free of snow. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dick had turned white. He got up with his eyes on her, and twice he + opened his mouth and couldn't speak. He backed, still watching her, to his + wife, and stood in front of her, as if to protect her. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sam got his voice first. + </p> + <p> + "B—bad night for a walk," he said. + </p> + <p> + "Frightful!" she said. "I've been buried to my knees. May I sit down?" To + those of us who knew, her easy manner had something horrible in it. + </p> + <p> + "Sorry there are no chairs, Julia," Mr. Pierce said. "Sit on the cot, + won't you?" + </p> + <p> + "Who IS it?" Mrs. Dick asked from, as you may say, her eclipse. She and + Miss Summers were the only calm ones in the room. + </p> + <p> + "I—I don't know," Mr. Dick stammered, but the next moment Miss + Julia, from the cot, looked across at him and grinned. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Dicky!" she said. "Who'd have thought it!" + </p> + <p> + "You said you didn't know her!" his wife said from behind him. + </p> + <p> + "Who'd have thought wha—what?" he asked with bravado. + </p> + <p> + "All this!" Miss Julia waved her hand around the room, with its bare + walls, and blankets over the windows to keep the light in and the cold + out, and the circle of us sitting around on sand boxes from the links and + lawn rollers. "To find you here, all snug in your own home, with your + household gods and a wife." Nobody could think of anything to say. "That + is," she went on, "I believe there is a wife. Good heavens, Dicky, it + isn't Minnie?" + </p> + <p> + He stepped aside at that, disclosing Mrs. Dick on her box, with her + childish eyes wide open. + </p> + <p> + "There—there IS a wife, Julia," he said. "This is her—she." + </p> + <p> + Well, she'd come out to make mischief—it was written all over her + when she came in the door, but when Mr. Dick presented his wife, + frightened as he was and still proud of her, and Mrs. Dick smiled in her + pretty way, Miss Summers just walked across and looked down at her with a + queer look on her face. I shut my eyes and waited for the crash, but + nothing came, and when I opened them again there were the two women + holding hands and Miss Summers smiling a sort of crooked grin at Mr. Dick. + </p> + <p> + "I ought to be very angry with your husband," she said. "I—well, I + never expected him to marry without my being among those present. But + since he has done it—! Dick, you wretched boy, you took advantage of + my being laid up with the mumps!" + </p> + <p> + "Mumps!" Mrs. Dick said. "Why, he has just had them himself!" She looked + around the circle suspiciously, and every one of us looked as guilty as if + he had been caught with the mumps concealed around him somewhere. + </p> + <p> + "I didn't have real mumps," Mr. Dick explained. "It was only—er—a + swelling." + </p> + <p> + "You SAID it was mumps, and even now you hate pickles!" + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce had edged over to Miss Summers and patted her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Be a good sport, Julia," he whispered. + </p> + <p> + She threw off his hand. + </p> + <p> + "I'm being an idiot!" she said angrily. "Dick's an ass, and he's treated + me like a villain, but look at that baby! It will be twenty years before + she has to worry about her weight." + </p> + <p> + "I never cared for pickles," Mr. Dick was saying with dignity. "The doctor + said—" + </p> + <p> + "I think we'd better be going." Miss Patty got up and gathered up her + cloak. But if she meant to break up the party Miss Summers was not ready. + </p> + <p> + "If you don't mind," she said, "I'll stay. I'm frozen, and I've got to go + home and sleep with my window up. You're lucky," she went on to the + Dickys. "I dare say the air in here would scare us under a microscope, but + at least it is warm." + </p> + <p> + The Van Alstynes made a move to go, but Mr. Dicky frantically gestured to + them not to leave him alone, and Mrs. Sam sat down again sulkily. Mr. + Pierce picked up his cap. + </p> + <p> + "I'll take you back," he said to Miss Patty, and his face was fairly + glowing. But Miss Patty slipped her arm through mine. + </p> + <p> + "Come, Minnie, Mr. Pierce is going to take us," she said. + </p> + <p> + "I'd—I'd rather go alone," I said. + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not ready. I've got to gather up these dishes," I objected. + </p> + <p> + Out of the corner of my eye I could see the glow dying out of Mr. Pierce's + face. But Miss Patty took my arm and led me to the door. + </p> + <p> + "Let them gather up their own dishes," she said. "Dolly, you ought to be + ashamed to let Minnie slave for you the way she does. Good night, + everybody." + </p> + <p> + I did my best to leave them alone on the way back, but Miss Patty stuck + close to my heels. It was snowing, and the going was slow. + </p> + <p> + For the first five minutes she only spoke once. + </p> + <p> + "And so Miss Summers and Dicky Carter are old friends!" + </p> + <p> + "It appears so," Mr. Pierce said. + </p> + <p> + "She's rather magnanimous, under the circumstances," Miss Patty remarked + demurely. + </p> + <p> + "Under what circumstances?" + </p> + <p> + I heard her laugh a little, behind me. + </p> + <p> + "Never mind," she said. "You needn't tell me anything you don't care to. + But what a stew you must all have been in!" + </p> + <p> + There was a minute's silence behind me, and then Mr. Pierce laughed too. + </p> + <p> + "Stew!" he said. "For the last few days I've been either paralyzed with + fright or electrified into wild bursts of mendacity. And I'm not naturally + a liar." + </p> + <p> + "Really!" she retorted. "What an actor you are!" + </p> + <p> + They laughed together at that, and I gained a little on them. At the + corner where the path skirted the deer park and turned toward the house I + lost them altogether and I floundered on alone. But I had not gone twenty + feet when I stopped suddenly. About fifty yards ahead a lantern was coming + toward me through the snow, and I could hear a man's voice, breathless and + gasping. + </p> + <p> + "Set it down," it said. "The damned thing must be filled with lead." It + sounded like Thoburn. + </p> + <p> + "It's the snow," another voice replied, Mr. von Inwald's. "I told you it + would take two trips." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," Thoburn retorted, breathing in groans. "Stay up all night to get + the blamed stuff here, and then get up at dawn for a cold bath and a + twenty-mile walk and an apple for breakfast. Ugh, my shoulder is + dislocated." + </p> + <p> + I turned and flew back to Miss Patty and Pierce. They had stopped in the + shelter of the fence corner and Mr. Pierce was on his knees in front of + her! I was so astounded that I forgot for the moment what had brought me. + </p> + <p> + "Just a second," he was saying. "It's ice on the heel." + </p> + <p> + "Please get up off your knees, you'll take cold." + </p> + <p> + "Never had a cold. I'll scrape it off with my knife. Why don't you wear + overshoes?" + </p> + <p> + "I never have a cold!" she retorted. "Why, Minnie, is that you?" + </p> + <p> + "Quick," I panted. "Thoburn and Mr. von Inwald coming—basket—lantern—warn + the shelter-house!" + </p> + <p> + "Great Scott!" Mr. Pierce said. "Here, you girls crawl over the fence: + you'll be hidden there. I'll run back and warn them." + </p> + <p> + The lantern was swinging again. Mr. Thoburn's grumbling came to us through + the snow, monotonous and steady. + </p> + <p> + "I can't climb the fence!" Miss Patty said pitifully. But Mr. Pierce had + gone. + </p> + <p> + I reached my basket through the bars and climbed the fence in a hurry. + Miss Patty had got almost to the top and was standing there on one + snow-covered rail, staring across at me through the darkness. + </p> + <p> + "I can't, Minnie," she whispered hopelessly. "I never could climb a fence, + and in this skirt—!" + </p> + <p> + "Quick!" I said in a low tone. The lantern was very close. "Put your leg + over." + </p> + <p> + She did, and sat there looking down at me like a scared baby. + </p> + <p> + "Now the other." + </p> + <p> + "I—I can't!" she whispered. "If I put them both over I'll fall." + </p> + <p> + "Hurry!" + </p> + <p> + With a little grunt she put the other foot over, sat a minute with agony + in her face and her arms out, then she slid off with a squeal and brought + up in a sitting position inside the fence corner. I dropped beside her. + </p> + <p> + "What was that noise?" said Mr. Thoburn, almost upon us. "Something's + moving inside that fence corner." + </p> + <p> + "It's them deers," Mike's voice this time. We could make out the three + figures. "Darned nuisance, them deers is. They'd have been shot long ago + if the spring-house girl hadn't objected. She thinks she's the whole + cheese around here." + </p> + <p> + "Set it down again," Mr. von Inwald panted. We heard the rattle of bottles + as they put down the basket, and the next instant Thoburn's fat hand was + resting on the rail of the fence over our heads. I could feel Miss Patty + trembling beside me. + </p> + <p> + But he didn't look over. He stood there resting, breathing hard, and + swearing at the weather, while Mike waited, in surly silence, and the von + Inwald cursed in German. + </p> + <p> + After my heart had been beating in my ears for about three years the fat + hand moved, and I heard the rattle of glass again and Thoburn's groan as + he bent over his half of the load. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "'Come on, my partners in distress, + My comrades through this wilderness,'" +</pre> + <p> + he said, and the others grunted and started on. + </p> + <p> + When they had disappeared in the snow we got out of our cramped position + and prepared to scurry home. I climbed the fence and looked after them. + "Humph!" I said, "I guess that basket isn't for the hungry poor. I'd give + a good bit to know—" Then I turned and looked for Miss Patty. She + was flat on the snow, crawling between the two lower rails of the fence. + </p> + <p> + "Have you no shame?" I demanded. + </p> + <p> + She looked up at me with her head and half her long sealskin coat through + the fence. + </p> + <p> + "None," she said pitifully. "Minnie, I'm stuck perfectly tight!" + </p> + <p> + "You ought to be left as you are," I said, jerking at her, "for people to + come"—jerk—"to-morrow to look at"—jerk. She came through + at that, and we lay together in the snow and like to burst a rib laughing. + </p> + <p> + "You'll never be a princess, Miss Patty," I declared. "You're too lowly + minded." + </p> + <p> + She sat up suddenly and straightened her sealskin cap on her head. + </p> + <p> + "I wish," she said unpleasantly, "I wish you wouldn't always drag in + disagreeable things, Minnie!" + </p> + <p> + And she was sulky all the way to the house. + </p> + <p> + Miss Summers came to my room that night as I was putting my hot-water + bottle to bed, in a baby-blue silk wrapper with a band of fur around the + low neck—Miss Summers, of course, not the hot-water bottle. + </p> + <p> + "Well!" she said, sitting down on the foot of the bed and staring at me. + "Well, young woman, for a person who has never been farther away than + Finleyville you do pretty well!" + </p> + <p> + "Do what?" I asked, with the covers up to my chin. + </p> + <p> + "Do what, Miss Innocence!" she said mockingly. "You're the only red-haired + woman I ever saw who didn't look as sophisticated as the devil. I'll tell + you one thing, though." She reached down into the pocket of her + dressing-gown and brought up a cigarette and a match. "You never had me + fooled for a minute!" She looked at me over the match. + </p> + <p> + I lay and stared back. + </p> + <p> + "And another thing," she said. "I never had any real intention of marrying + Dicky Carter and raising a baby sanatorium. I wouldn't have the face to + ask Arabella to live here." + </p> + <p> + "I'm glad you feel that way, Miss Summers," I said. "I've gone through a + lot; I'm an old woman in the last two weeks. My hair's falling from its + having to stand up on end half the time." + </p> + <p> + She leaned over and put her cigarette on the back of my celluloid mirror, + and then suddenly she threw back her head and laughed. + </p> + <p> + "Minnie!" she said, between fits, "Minnie! As long as I live I'll never + forget that wretched boy's face! And the sand boxes! And the blankets over + the windows! And the tarpaulin over the rafters! And Mr. Van Alstyne + sitting on the lawnmower! I'd rather have had my minute in that doorway + than fifty thousand dollars!" + </p> + <p> + "If you had had to carry out all those things—" I began, but she + checked me. + </p> + <p> + "Listen!" she said. "Somebody with brains has got to take you young people + in hand. You're not able to look after yourselves. I'm fond of Alan + Pierce, for one thing, and I don't care to see a sanatorium that might + have been the child of my solicitude kidnaped and reared as a summer hotel + by Papa Thoburn. A good fat man is very, very good, Minnie, but when he is + bad he is horrid." + </p> + <p> + "It's too late," I objected feebly. "He can't get it now." + </p> + <p> + "Can't he!" She got up and yawned, stretching. "Well, I'll lay you ten to + one that if we don't get busy he'll have the house empty in thirty-six + hours, and a bill of sale on it in as many days." + </p> + <p> + The celluloid mirror blazed up at that minute, and she poured the contents + of my water-pitcher over the dresser. For the next hour, while I was + emptying water out of the bureau drawers and hanging up my clothes to dry, + she told me what she knew of Thoburn's scheme, and it turned me cold. + </p> + <p> + But I went to bed finally. Just as I was dozing off, somebody opened my + door, and I heard a curious scraping along the floor. I turned on the + light, and there was Arabella, half-dragging and half-carrying a solid + silver hand-mirror with a card on it: "To Minnie, to replace the one that + blew up. J. S." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII + </h2> + <h3> + A CUPBOARD FULL OF RYE + </h3> + <p> + Doctor Barnes came to me at the news stand the next morning before + gymnasium. + </p> + <p> + "Well," he said, "you look as busy as a dog with fleas. Have you heard the + glad tidings?" + </p> + <p> + "What?" I asked without much spirit. "I've heard considerable tidings + lately, and not much of it has cheered me up any." + </p> + <p> + He leaned over and ran his fingers up through his hair. + </p> + <p> + "You know, Miss Minnie," he said, "somebody ought kindly to kill our + friend Thoburn, or he'll come to a bad end." + </p> + <p> + "Shall I do it, or will you?" I said, filling up the chewing-gum jar. (Mr. + Pierce had taken away the candy case.) + </p> + <p> + Doctor Barnes glanced around to see if there was any one near, and leaned + farther over. + </p> + <p> + "The cupboard isn't empty now!" he said. "Not for nothing did I spend part + of the night in the Dicky-bird's nest! By the way, did you ever hear that + touching story about little Sally walking up and laying an egg?—I + see you have. What do you think is in the cupboard?" + </p> + <p> + "I know about it," I said shortly. "Liquor—in a case labeled 'Books—breakable.'" + </p> + <p> + "'Sing a song of sixpence, a cupboard full of rye!'" he said. "Almost a + goal! But not ONLY liquors, my little friend. Champagne—cases of it—caviar, + canned grouse with truffles, lobster, cheeses, fine cigars, everything you + could think of, erotic, exotic and narcotic. An orgy in cans and bottles, + a bacchanalian revel: a cupboard full of indigestion, joy, forgetfulness + and katzenjammer. Oh, my suffering palate, to have to leave it all without + one sniff, one sip, one nibble!" + </p> + <p> + "He's wasting his money," I said. "They're all crazy about the simple + life." + </p> + <p> + He looked around and, seeing no one in the lobby, reached over and took + one of my hands. + </p> + <p> + "Strange," he said, looking at it. "No webs, and yet it's been an + amphibious little creature most of its life. My dear girl, our friend + Thoburn is a rascal, but he is also a student of mankind and a + philosopher. Gee," he said, "think of a woman fighting her way alone + through the world with a bit of a fist like that!" + </p> + <p> + I jerked my hand away. + </p> + <p> + "It's like this, my dear," he said. "Human nature's a curious thing. It's + human nature, for instance, for me to be crazy about you, when you're as + hands-offish as a curly porcupine. And it is human nature, by the same + token, to like to be bullied, especially about health, and to respect and + admire the fellow who does the bullying. That's why we were crazy about + Roosevelt, and that's why Pierce is trailing his kingly robes over them + while they lie on their faces and eat dirt—and stewed fruit." + </p> + <p> + He reached for my hand again, but I put it behind me. + </p> + <p> + "But alas," he said, "there is another side to human nature, and our + friend Thoburn has not kept a summer hotel for nothing. It is notoriously + weak, especially as to stomach. You may feed 'em prunes and whole-wheat + bread and apple sauce, and after a while they'll forget the fat days, and + remember only the lean and hungry ones. But let some student of human + nature at the proper moment introduce just one fat day, one feast, one + revel—" + </p> + <p> + "Talk English," I said sharply. + </p> + <p> + "Don't break in on my flights of fancy," he objected. "If you want the + truth, Thoburn is going to have a party—a forbidden feast. He's + going to rouse again the sleeping dogs of appetite, and send them ravening + back to the Plaza, to Sherry's and Del's and the little Italian + restaurants on Sixth Avenue. He's going to take them up on a high mountain + and show them the wines and delicatessen of the earth, and then ask them + if they're going to be bullied into eating boiled beef and cabbage." + </p> + <p> + "Then I don't care how soon he does it," I said despondently. "I'd rather + die quickly than by inches." + </p> + <p> + "Die!" he said. "Not a bit of it. Remember, our friend Pierce is also a + student of human nature. He's thinking it out now in the cold plunge, and + I miss my guess if Thoburn's sky-rocket hasn't got a stick that'll come + back and hit him on the head." + </p> + <p> + He had been playing with one of the chewing-gum jars, and when he had gone + I shoved it back into its place. It was by the merest chance that I + glanced at it, and I saw that he had slipped a small white box inside. I + knew I was being a silly old fool, but my heart beat fast when I took it + out and looked at it. On the lid was written "For a good girl," and inside + lay the red puffs from Mrs. Yost's window down in Finleyville. Just under + them was an envelope. I could scarcely see to open it. + </p> + <p> + "Dearest Minnie," the note inside said, "I had them matched to my own + thatch, and I think they'll match yours. And since, in the words of the + great Herbert Spencer, things that match the same thing match each other—! + What do you say?—Barnes." + </p> + <p> + "P. S.—I love you. I feel like a damn fool saying it, but heaven + knows it's true." + </p> + <p> + "P. P. S.—Still love you. It's easier the second time." + </p> + <p> + "N. B.—I love you—got the habit now and can't stop writing it.—B." + </p> + <p> + Well, I had to keep calm and attend to business, but I was seething inside + like a Seidlitz powder. Every few minutes I'd reread the letter under the + edge of the stand, and the more I read it the more excited I got. When a + woman's gone past thirty before she gets her first love-letter, she isn't + sure whether to thank providence or the man, but she's pretty sure to make + a fool of herself. + </p> + <p> + Thoburn came to the news stand on his way out with the ice-cutting gang to + the pond. + </p> + <p> + "Last call to the dining-car, Minnie," he said. "'Will you—won't you—will + you—won't you—will you join the dance?'" + </p> + <p> + "I haven't any reason for changing my plans," I retorted. "I promised the + old doctor to stick by the place, and I'm sticking." + </p> + <p> + "As the man said when he sat down on the flypaper. You're going by your + heart, Minnie, and not by your head, and in this toss, heads win." + </p> + <p> + But with my new puffs on the back of my head, and my letter in my pocket, + I wasn't easy to discourage. Thoburn shouldered his pick and, headed by + Doctor Barnes, the ice-cutters started out in single file. As they passed + the news stand Doctor Barnes glanced at me, and my heart almost stopped. + </p> + <p> + "Do they—is it a match?" he asked, with his eyes on mine. + </p> + <p> + I couldn't speak, but I nodded "yes," and all that afternoon I could see + the wonderful smile that lit up his face as he went out. It made him + almost good-looking. Oh, there's nothing like love, especially if you've + waited long enough to be hungry for it, and not spoiled your taste for it + by a bite here and a piece of a heart there, beforehand, so to speak. + </p> + <p> + Miss Cobb stopped at the news stand on her way to the gymnasium. She was a + homely woman at any time, and in her bloomers she looked like a soup-bone. + Under ordinary circumstances she'd have seen the puffs from the staircase + and have asked what they cost and told me they didn't match, in one + breath. But she had something else on her mind. She padded over to the + counter in her gym shoes, and for once she'd forgotten her legs. + </p> + <p> + "May I speak to you, Minnie?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "You mostly do," I said. "There isn't a new rule about speaking, is + there?" + </p> + <p> + "This is important, Minnie," she said, rolling her eyes around as she + always did when she was excited. "I'm in such a state of ex—I see + you bought the puffs! Perhaps you will lend them to me if we arrange for a + country dance." + </p> + <p> + "They don't match," I objected. "They—they wouldn't look natural, + Miss Cobb." + </p> + <p> + "They don't look natural on you, either. Do you suppose anybody believes + that the Lord sent you hair in seventeen rows of pipes, so that, red as it + is, it looks like an instantaneous water-heater?" + </p> + <p> + "I'm not lending them," I said firmly. It would have been like lending an + engagement ring, to my mind. Miss Cobb was not offended. She went at once + to what had brought her, and bent over the counter. + </p> + <p> + "Where's the Summers woman?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "In the gym. She's made herself a new gym suit out of her polka dotted + silk, and she looks lovely." + </p> + <p> + "Humph!" retorted Miss Cobb. "Minnie, you love Miss Jennings almost like a + daughter, don't you?" + </p> + <p> + "Like a sister, Miss Cobb," I said. "I'm not feeble yet." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you wouldn't want to see her deceived." + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't have it," I answered. + </p> + <p> + "Then what do you call this?" She put a small package on the counter, and + stared at me over it. "There's treachery here, black treachery." She + pointed one long thin forefinger at the bundle. + </p> + <p> + "What is it? A bomb?" I asked, stepping back. More than once it had + occurred to me that having royalty around sometimes meant dynamite. Miss + Cobb showed her teeth. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, a bomb," she said. "Minnie, since that creature took my letters and + my er—protectors, I have suspected her. Now listen. Yesterday I went + over the letters and I missed one that beautiful one in verse, beginning, + 'Oh, creature of the slender form and face!' Minnie, it had disappeared—melted + away." + </p> + <p> + "I'm not surprised," I said. + </p> + <p> + "And so, last night, when the Summers woman was out, goodness knows where, + Blanche Moody and I went through her room. We did not find my precious + missive from Mr. Jones, but we did find these, Minnie, tied around with a + pink silk stocking." + </p> + <p> + "Heavens!" I said, mockingly. "Not a pink silk!" + </p> + <p> + "Pink," she repeated solemnly. "Minnie, I have felt it all along. Mr. + Oskar von Inwald is the prince himself." + </p> + <p> + "No!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes. And more than that, he is making desperate love to Miss Summers. + Three of those letters were written in one day! Why, even Mr. Jones—" + </p> + <p> + "The wretch!" I cried. I was suddenly savage. I wanted to take Mr. von + Inwald by the throat and choke him until his lying tongue was black, to + put the letters where Miss Patty could never see them. I wanted—I + had to stop to sell Senator Biggs some chewing-gum, and when he had gone, + Miss Cobb was reaching out for the bundle. I snatched it from her. + </p> + <p> + "Give me those letters instantly," she cried shrilly. But I marched from + behind the counter and over to the fireplace. + </p> + <p> + "Never," I said, and put the package on the log. When they were safely + blazing, I turned and looked at Miss Cobb. + </p> + <p> + "I'd put my hand right beside those letters to save Miss Patty a + heartache," I said, "and you know it." + </p> + <p> + "You're a fool." She was raging. "You'll let her marry him and have the + heartaches afterward." + </p> + <p> + "She won't marry him," I snapped, and walked away with my chin up, leaving + her staring. + </p> + <p> + But I wasn't so sure as I pretended to be. Mr. von Inwald and Mr. Jennings + had been closeted together most of the morning, and Mr. von Inwald was + whistling as he started out for the military walk. It seemed as if the + very thing that had given Mr. Pierce his chance to make good had improved + Mr. Jennings' disposition enough to remove the last barrier to Miss + Jennings' wedding with somebody else. + </p> + <p> + Well, what's one man's meat is another man's poison. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + LOVE, LOVE, LOVE + </h3> + <p> + Even if we hadn't known, we'd have guessed there was something in the air. + There was an air of subdued excitement during the rest hour in the + spring-house, and a good bit of whispering and laughing, in groups which + would break up with faces as long as the moral law the moment they saw my + eye on them. + </p> + <p> + They were planning a mutiny, as you may say, and I guess no sailors on a + pirate ship were more afraid of the captain's fist than they were of Mr. + Pierce's disapproval. He'd been smart enough to see that most of them, + having bullied other people all their lives, liked the novelty of being + bullied themselves. And now they were getting a new thrill by having a + revolt. They were terribly worked up. + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty stayed after the others had gone, sitting in front of the empty + fireplace in the same chair Mr. Pierce usually took, and keeping her back + to me. When I'd finished folding the steamer rugs and putting them away, I + went around and stood in front of her. + </p> + <p> + "Your eyes are red," I remarked. + </p> + <p> + "I've got a cold." She was very haughty. + </p> + <p> + "Your nose isn't red," I insisted. "And, anyhow, you say you never have a + cold." + </p> + <p> + "I wish you would let me alone, Minnie." She turned her back to me. "I + dare say I may have a cold if I wish." + </p> + <p> + "Do you know what they are saying here?" I demanded. "Do you know that + Miss Cobb has found out in some way or other who Mr. von Inwald is? And + that the four o'clock gossip edition says your father has given his + consent and that you can go and buy a diadem or whatever you are going to + wear, right off?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," she said, in a choked voice, with her back to me, "what of it? + Didn't you and Mr. Pierce both do your best to bring it about?" + </p> + <p> + "Our what?" I couldn't believe my ears. + </p> + <p> + "You made father well. He's so p—pleasant he'll do anything except + leave this awful place!" + </p> + <p> + "Well, of all the ungrateful people—" I began, and then Mr. Pierce + came in. He had a curious way of stopping when he saw her, as if she just + took the wind out of his sails, so to speak, and then of whipping off his + hat, if anything with sails can wear a hat, and going up to her with his + heart in his eyes. He always went straight to her and stopped suddenly + about two feet away, trying to think of something ordinary to say. Because + the extraordinary thing he wanted to say was always on the end of his + tongue. + </p> + <p> + But this day he didn't light up when he saw her. He went through all the + other motions, but his mouth was set in a straight line, and when he came + close to her and looked down his eyes were hard. + </p> + <p> + It's been my experience of men that the younger they are the harder they + take things and the more uncompromising they are. It takes a good many + years and some pretty hard knocks to make people tolerant. + </p> + <p> + "I was looking for you," he said to her. "The bishop has just told me. + There are no obstacles now." + </p> + <p> + "None," she said, looking up at him with wretchedness in her eyes, if he + had only seen. "I am very happy." + </p> + <p> + "She was just saying," I said bitterly, "how grateful she was to both of + us." + </p> + <p> + "I don't understand." + </p> + <p> + "It is not hard to understand," she said, smiling. I wanted to slap her. + "Father was unreasonable because he was ill. You have made him well. I can + never thank you enough." + </p> + <p> + But she rather overdid the joy part of it, and he leaned over and looked + in her face. + </p> + <p> + "I think I'm stupid," he said. "I know I'm unhappy. But isn't that what I + was to do—to make them well if I could?" + </p> + <p> + "How could anybody know—" she began angrily, and then stopped. "You + have done even more," she said sweetly. "You've turned them into cherubims + and seraphims. Butter wouldn't melt in their mouths. Ugh! How I hate + amiability raised to the NTH power!" + </p> + <p> + He smiled. I think it was getting through his thick man's skull that she + wasn't so happy as she should have been, and he was thrilled through and + through. + </p> + <p> + "My amiability must be the reason you dislike me!" he suggested. They had + both forgotten me. + </p> + <p> + "Do I dislike you?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "I never really + thought about it, but I'm sure I don't." She didn't look at him, she + looked at me. She knew I knew she lied. + </p> + <p> + His smile faded. + </p> + <p> + "Well," he said, "speaking of disliking amiability, you don't hate + yourself, I'm sure." + </p> + <p> + "You are wrong," she retorted, "I loathe myself." And she walked to the + window. He took a step or two after her. + </p> + <p> + "Why do it at all?" he asked in a low tone. "You don't love him—you + can't. And if it isn't love—" He remembered me suddenly and stopped. + </p> + <p> + "Please go on," she said sweetly from the window. "Do not mind Minnie. She + is my conscience, anyhow. She is always scolding me; you might both scold + in chorus." + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't presume to scold." + </p> + <p> + "Then give me a little advice and look superior and righteous. I'm + accustomed to that also." + </p> + <p> + "As long as you are in this mood, I can't give you anything but a very + good day," he said angrily, and went toward the door. But when he had + almost reached it he turned. + </p> + <p> + "I will say this," he said, "you have known for three days that Mr. + Thoburn was going to have a supper to-night, and you didn't let us know. + You must have known his purpose." + </p> + <p> + I guess I was as surprised as she was. I'd never suspected she knew. + </p> + <p> + She looked at him over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Why shouldn't he have a supper?" she demanded angrily. "I'm starving—we're + all starving for decent food. I'm kept here against my will. Why shouldn't + I have one respectable meal? You with your wretched stewed fruits and + whole-wheat breads! Ugh!" + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry. Thoburn's idea, of course, is to make the guests discontented, + so they will leave." + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" she said. She hadn't thought of that, and she flushed. "At least," + she said, "you must give me credit for not trying to spoil Dick and + Dolly's chance here." + </p> + <p> + "We are going to allow the party to go on," he said, still stiff and + uncompromising. It would have been better if he'd accepted her bit of + apology. + </p> + <p> + "How kind of you! I dare say he would have it, anyhow." She was sarcastic + again. + </p> + <p> + "Probably. And you—will go?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly." + </p> + <p> + "Even when the result—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, don't preach!" she said, putting her hands to her ears. "If you and + Minnie want to preach, why don't you preach at each other? Minnie talks + 'love, love, love.' And you preach health and morality. You drive me crazy + between you." + </p> + <p> + "Suppose," he said with a gleam in his eyes, "suppose I preach 'love, + love, love!'" + </p> + <p> + She put her fingers in her ears again. "Say it to Minnie," she cried, and + turned her back to him. + </p> + <p> + "Very well," he said. "Minnie, Miss Jennings refuses to listen, and there + are some things I must say. Once again I am going to register a protest + against her throwing herself away in a loveless marriage. I—I feel + strongly on the subject, Minnie." + </p> + <p> + She half turned, as if to interrupt. Then she thought better of it and + kept her fingers in her ears, her face flushed. But he had learned what he + hoped—that she could hear him. + </p> + <p> + "You ask me why I feel so strongly, Minnie, and you are right to ask. + Under ordinary circumstances, Minnie, any remark of mine on the subject + would be ridiculous impertinence." + </p> + <p> + He stopped and eyed her back, but she did not move. + </p> + <p> + "It is impertinence under any circumstances, but consider the provocation. + I see a young, beautiful and sensitive girl, marrying, frankly without + love, a man whom I know to be unworthy, and you ask me to stand aside and + allow it to happen!" + </p> + <p> + "Are you still preaching?" she asked coldly over her shoulder. "It must be + a long sermon." + </p> + <p> + And then, knowing he had only a moment more, his voice changed and became + deep and earnest. His hands, that were clutching a chair-back, took a + stronger hold, so that the ends of the nails were white. + </p> + <p> + "You see, Minnie," he said, turning a little pale, "I—I love Miss + Jennings myself. You have known it a long time, for you love her, too. It + has come to the point that I measure the day by the hours when I can see + her. She doesn't care for me; sometimes I think she hates me." He paused + here, but Miss Patty didn't move. "I haven't anything to offer a woman + except a clean life and the kind of love that a woman could be proud of. I + have no title—" + </p> + <p> + Miss Patty suddenly took her fingers out of her ears and turned around. + She was flushed and shaken, but she looked past him without blinking an + eyelash to me. + </p> + <p> + "Dear me," she said, "the sermon must have been exciting, Minnie! You are + quite trembly!" + </p> + <p> + And with that she picked up her muff and went out, with not a glance at + him. + </p> + <p> + He looked at me. + </p> + <p> + "Well," he said, "THAT'S over. She's angry, Minnie, and she'll never + forgive me." + </p> + <p> + "Stuff!" I snapped, "I notice she waited to hear it all, and no real woman + ever hated a man for saying he loved her." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX + </h2> + <h3> + A BIG NIGHT TO-NIGHT + </h3> + <p> + I carried out the supper to the shelter-house as usual that night, but I + might have saved myself the trouble. Mrs. Dicky was sitting on a box, with + her hair in puffs and the folding card-table before her, and Mr. Dick was + uncorking a bottle of champagne with a nail. There were two or three + queer-smelling cans open on the table. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Dick looked at my basket and turned up her nose. + </p> + <p> + "Put it anywhere, Minnie," she said loftily, "I dare say it doesn't + contain anything reckless." + </p> + <p> + "Cold ham and egg salad," I said, setting it down with a slam. "Stewed + prunes and boiled rice for dessert. If those cans taste as they smell, + you'd better keep the basket to fall back on. Where'd you get THAT?" Mr. + Dick looked at me over the bottle and winked. "In the next room," he said, + "iced to the proper temperature, paid for by somebody else, and coming + after a two-weeks' drought! Minnie, there isn't a shadow on my joy!" + </p> + <p> + "He'll miss it," I said. But Mr. Dick was pouring out three large + tumblersful of the stuff, and he held one out to me. + </p> + <p> + "Miss it!" he exclaimed. "Hasn't he been out three times to-day, tapping + his little CACHE? And didn't he bring out Moody and the senator and von + Inwald this afternoon, and didn't they sit in the next room there from two + to four, roaring songs and cracking bottles and jokes." + </p> + <p> + "Beasts!" Mrs. Dicky said savagely. "Two hours, and we daren't move!" + </p> + <p> + "Drink, pretty creature!" Mr. Dick said, motioning to my glass. "Don't be + afraid of it, Minnie; it's food and drink." + </p> + <p> + "I don't like it," I said, sipping at it. "I'd rather have the spring + water." + </p> + <p> + "You'll have to cultivate a taste for it," he explained. "You'll like the + second half better." + </p> + <p> + I got it down somehow and started for the door. Mr. Dick came after me + with something that smelled fishy on the end of a fork. + </p> + <p> + "Better eat something," he suggested. "That was considerable champagne, + Minnie." + </p> + <p> + "Stuff and nonsense," I said. "I was tired and it has rested me. That's + all, Mr. Dick." + </p> + <p> + "Sure?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly," I said with dignity, "I'm really rested, Mr. Dick. And happy—I'm + very happy, Mr. Dick." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps I'd better close the door," he said. "The light may be seen—" + </p> + <p> + "You needn't close it until I've finished talking," I said. "I've done my + best for you and yours, Mr. Dick. I hope you appreciate it. Night after + night I've tramped out here through the snow, and lost sleep, and lied + myself black in the face—you've no idea how I've had to lie, Mr. + Dick." + </p> + <p> + "Come in and shut the door, Dick," Mrs. Dick called, "I'm freezing." + </p> + <p> + That made me mad. + </p> + <p> + "Exactly," I said, glaring at her through the doorway. "Exactly—I + can wade through the snow, bringing you meals that you scorn—oh, + yes, you scorn them. What did you do to the basket tonight? Look at it, + lying there, neglected in a corner, with p—perfectly good ham and + stewed fruit in it." + </p> + <p> + All of a sudden I felt terrible about the way they had treated the basket, + and I sat down on the steps and began to cry. I remember that, and Mr. + Dick sitting down beside me and putting his arm around me and calling me + "good old Minnie," and for heaven's sake not to cry so loud. But I was + past caring. I had a sort of recollection of his getting me to stand up, + and our walking through about twenty-one miles of snow to the + spring-house. When we got there he stood off in the twilight and looked at + me. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry, Minnie," he said, "I never dreamed it would do that." + </p> + <p> + "Do what?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothing. You're sure you won't forget?" + </p> + <p> + "I never forget," I said. I had got up the steps by this time and was + trying to figure why the spring-house door had two knobs. + </p> + <p> + I hadn't any idea what he meant. + </p> + <p> + "Remember," he said, very slowly, "Thoburn is going to have his party + to-night instead of to-morrow. Tell Pierce that. To-night, not to-morrow." + I was pretty well ashamed when I got in the spring-house and sat down in + the dark. I kept saying over and over to myself, so I'd not forget, + "tonight, not to-morrow," but I couldn't remember WHAT was to be to-night. + I was sleepy, too, and my legs were cold and numb. I remember going into + the pantry for a steamer rug, and sitting down there for a minute, with + the rug around my knees before I started to the house. And that is all I + DO remember. + </p> + <p> + I was wakened by a terrible hammering in the top of my head. I reached out + for the glass of water that I always put beside my bed at night and I + touched a door-knob instead. Then I realized that the knocking wasn't all + in my head. There was a sort of steady movement of feet on the other side + of the door, with people talking and laughing. And above it all rose the + steady knock—knock of somebody beating on tin. + </p> + <p> + "Can't do it." It was the bishop's voice. "I am convinced that nothing but + dynamite will open this tin of lobster." + </p> + <p> + "Just a moment, Bishop," Mr. Thoburn's voice and the clink of bottles, "I + have a can opener somewhere. You'll find the sauce a la Newburg—" + </p> + <p> + "Here, somebody, a glass, quick! A bottle's broken!" + </p> + <p> + "Did anybody remember to bring salt and pepper?" + </p> + <p> + "DEAR Mr. Thoburn!" It sounded like Miss Cobb. "Think of thinking of all + this!" + </p> + <p> + "The credit is not mine, dear lady," Mr. Thoburn said. "Where the deuce is + that corkscrew? No, dear lady, man makes his own destiny, but his birth + date remains beyond his control." + </p> + <p> + "Ladies and gentlemen," somebody said, "to Mr. Thoburn's birthday being + beyond his control!" + </p> + <p> + There was the clink of glasses, but I had remembered what it had been that + I was to remember. And now it was too late. I was trapped in the pantry of + my spring-house and Mr. Pierce was probably asleep. I clutched my aching + head and tried to think. I was roused by hearing somebody say that Miss + Jennings had no glass, and by steps nearing the pantry. I had just time to + slip the bolt. + </p> + <p> + "Pantry's locked!" said a voice. + </p> + <p> + "Drat that Minnie!" somebody else said. "The girl's a nuisance." + </p> + <p> + "Hush!" Miss Summers said. "She's probably in there now—taking down + what we say and what we eat. Convicting us out of our own mouths." + </p> + <p> + I held my breath and the knob rattled. Then they found a glass for Miss + Patty and forgot the pantry. + </p> + <p> + Under cover of the next burst of noises I tried the pantry window, but it + was frozen shut. Nothing but a hammer would have loosened it. I began to + dig at it with a wire hairpin, but I hadn't much hope. + </p> + <p> + The fun in the spring-house was getting fast and furious. Miss Summers was + leaning against the pantry door and I judged that most of the men in the + room were around her, as usual. I put my ear to the panel of the door, and + I could pretty nearly see what was going on. They were toasting Mr. + Thoburn, and getting hungrier every minute as the supper was put out on + the card-tables. + </p> + <p> + "To the bottle!" somebody said. "In infancy, the milk bottle; in our + prime, the wine bottle; in our dotage, the pill bottle." + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald came over and stood beside Miss Summers, and I could hear + every whisper. + </p> + <p> + "I have good news for you," she said in an undertone. + </p> + <p> + "Oh! And what?" + </p> + <p> + "Sh! You may recall," she said, "the series of notes, letters, epistles, + with which you have been honoring me lately?" + </p> + <p> + "How could I forget? They were written in my heart's blood!" + </p> + <p> + "Indeed!" Her voice lifted its eyebrows, so to speak. "Well, somebody got + in my room last night and stole I dare say a pint of your heart's blood. + They're gone." + </p> + <p> + He was pretty well upset, as he might be, and she stood by and listened to + the things he said, which, if they were as bad in English as they sounded + in German, I wouldn't like to write down. + </p> + <p> + And when he cooled down and condensed, as you may say, into English, he + said Miss Jennings must have seen the letters, for she would hardly speak + to him. And Miss Summers said she hoped Miss Jennings had—she was + too nice a girl to treat shamefully. + </p> + <p> + And after he had left her there alone, I heard a sort of scratching on the + door behind Miss Summers' back, and then something being shoved under the + door. I stooped down and picked it up. It was a key! + </p> + <p> + I struck a match, and I saw by the tag that it was the one to the old + doctor's rooms. I knew right off what it meant. Mr. Pierce had gone to + bed, or pretended to throw them off the track and Thoburn had locked him + in! Thoburn hadn't taken any chances. He knew the influence Mr. Pierce had + over them all, and he and his champagne and tin cans had to get in their + work before Mr. Pierce had another chance at them. + </p> + <p> + I had no time to wonder how Miss Summers knew I was in the pantry. I tried + the window again, but it wouldn't work. Somebody in the spring-house was + shouting, "'Hot butter blue beans, please come to supper!'" and I could + hear them crowding around the tables. I worked frantically with the + hairpin, and just then two shadowy figures outside slipped around the + corner of the building. It was Mr. Pierce and Doctor Barnes! + </p> + <p> + I darted back and put my ear to the door, but they did not come in at + once. Mr. Thoburn made a speech, saying how happy he was that they were + all well and able to go back to civilization again, where the broiled + lobster flourished like a green bay tree and the prune and the cabbage + were unknown. + </p> + <p> + There was loud applause, and then Senator Biggs cleared his throat. + </p> + <p> + "Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished fellow guests," he began, "I suggest + a toast to the autocrat of Hope Springs. It is the only blot on the + evening, that, owing to the exigencies of the occasion, he can not be with + us. Securely fastened in his room, he is now sleeping the sleep that + follows a stomach attuned to prunes, a mind attuned to rule." + </p> + <p> + "Eat, drink and be merry!" somebody said, "for to-morrow you diet!" + </p> + <p> + There was a swish and rustle, as if a woman got up in a hurry. + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean," said Miss Patty's clear voice, "that you have dared to lock + Mr. Pier—Mr. Carter in his room?" + </p> + <p> + "My dear young lady," several of them began, but she didn't give them + time. + </p> + <p> + "It is outrageous, infamous!" she stormed. I didn't need to see her to + know how she looked. + </p> + <p> + "How DARE you! Suppose the building should catch fire!" + </p> + <p> + "Fire!" somebody said in a bewildered voice. "My dear young lady—" + </p> + <p> + "Don't 'my dear young lady' me," she said angrily. "Father, Bishop, will + you stand for this? Why, he may jump out the window and hurt himself! Give + me the key!" + </p> + <p> + Miss Julia's fingers were beating a tatoo behind her, as if she was afraid + I might miss it. + </p> + <p> + "If he jumps out he probably will hurt himself. It is impossible to + release him now, Miss Jennings, but if you insist we can have a mattress + placed under the window." + </p> + <p> + "Thanks, Thoburn. It won't be necessary." The voice came from the door, + and a hush fell on the party. I slipped my bolt and peeped out. Framed in + the doorway was Mr. Pierce, with Doctor Barnes looking over his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + The people in the spring-house were abject. That's the only word for it. + Craven, somebody suggested later, and they were that, too. They smiled + sickly grins and tried to be defiant, and most of them tried to put down + whatever they held in their hands and to look innocent. If you ever saw a + boy when his school-teacher asks him what he has in his mouth, and + multiply the boy thirty times in number and four times in size, you'll + know how they looked. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce never smiled. He wouldn't let them speak a word in defense or + explanation. He simply lined them up as he did at gym, and sent them, one + by one, to the corner with whatever they had in their hands. He made Mr. + Jennings give up a bottle of anchovies that he'd stuffed in his pocket, + and the bishop had to come over with a cheese. + </p> + <p> + And when it was all over, he held the door open and they went back to the + house. They fairly ducked past him in the doorway, although he hadn't said + a dozen words. It was a rout. The backbone of the rebellion was broken. I + knew that never again would the military discipline of Hope Springs be + threatened. Thoburn might as well pack and go. It was Mr. Pierce's day. + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald was almost the last. He stood by, sneering, with an open + bottle of olives in his hand, watching the others go out. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce held the door open and eyed him. + </p> + <p> + "I'll trouble you to put that bottle with the others, in the corner," Mr. + Pierce said sternly. + </p> + <p> + They stood glaring at each other angrily. + </p> + <p> + "And if I refuse?" + </p> + <p> + "You know the rules here. If you refuse, there is a hotel at Finleyville." + </p> + <p> + Mr. von Inwald glanced past Mr. Pierce to where Doctor Barnes stood behind + him, with his cauliflower ear and his pugilist's shoulders. Then he looked + at the bottle in his hand, and from it to Miss Patty, standing haughtily + by. + </p> + <p> + "I have borne much for you, Patricia," he said, "but I refuse to be + bullied any longer. I shall go to the hotel at Finleyville, and I shall + take the little olives with me." He smiled unpleasantly at Mr. Pierce, + whose face did not relax. + </p> + <p> + He walked jauntily to the door and turned, flourishing the bottle. "The + land of the free and the home of the brave!" he sneered, raising the + bottle in the air. Standing jeering in the doorway, he bowed to Miss Patty + and Mr. Pierce, and put an olive into his mouth. + </p> + <p> + But instantly he made a terrible face, and clapped a hand just in front of + his left ear. He stood there a moment, his face distorted—then he + darted into the night, and I never saw him again. + </p> + <p> + "Mumps!" Doctor Barnes ejaculated, and stood staring after him from the + steps. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX + </h2> + <h3> + LET GOOD DIGESTION + </h3> + <p> + There was no one left but Miss Patty. As she started out past him with a + crimson spot in each cheek Mr. Pierce put his hand on her arm. She + hesitated, and he closed the door on Doctor Barnes and put his back + against it. I had just time to slip back into the pantry and shut myself + in. + </p> + <p> + For a minute there wasn't a sound. Then— + </p> + <p> + "I told you I should come," Miss Patty said, in her haughtiest manner. + "You need not trouble to be disagreeable." + </p> + <p> + "Disagreeable!" he repeated. "I am abject!" + </p> + <p> + "I don't understand," she said. "But you needn't explain. It really does + not matter." + </p> + <p> + "It matters to me. I had to do this to-night. I promised you I would make + good, and if I had let this pass—Don't you see, I couldn't let it + go." + </p> + <p> + "You can let me go, now." + </p> + <p> + "Not until I have justified myself to you." + </p> + <p> + "I am not interested." + </p> + <p> + I heard him take a step or two toward her. + </p> + <p> + "I don't quite believe that," he said in a low tone. "You were interested + in what I said here this afternoon." + </p> + <p> + "I didn't hear it." + </p> + <p> + "None of it?" + </p> + <p> + "Not—not all." + </p> + <p> + "I spoke, you remember, about your sister, and about Dick—" he + paused. I could imagine her staring at him in her wide-eyed way. + </p> + <p> + "You never mentioned them!" she said scornfully and stopped. He laughed, a + low laugh, boyish and full of triumph. + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" he said. "So you DID hear! I'm going to say it again, anyhow. I love + you, Patty. I'm—I'm mad for you. I've loved you hopelessly for so + long that to-night, when there's a ray of hope, I'm—I'm hardly sane. + I—" + </p> + <p> + "Please!" she said. + </p> + <p> + "I love you so much that I waken at night just to say your name, over and + over, and when dawn comes through the windows—" + </p> + <p> + "You don't know what you are saying!" she said wildly. "I am—still—" + </p> + <p> + "I welcome the daylight," he went on, talking very fast, "because it means + another day when I can see you. If it sounds foolish, it's—it's + really lots worse than it sounds, Patty." + </p> + <p> + The door opened just then, and Doctor Barnes' voice spoke from the step. + </p> + <p> + "I say," he complained, "you needn't—" + </p> + <p> + "Get out!" Mr. Pierce said angrily, and the door slammed. The second's + interruption gave him time, I think, to see how far he'd gone, and his + voice, when he spoke again, was not so hopeful. + </p> + <p> + "I'm not pleading my cause," he said humbly, "I know I haven't any cause. + I have nothing to offer you." + </p> + <p> + "You said this afternoon," Miss Patty said softly, "that you could offer + me the—the kind of love that a woman could be proud of." + </p> + <p> + She finished off with a sort of gasp, as if she was shocked at herself. I + was so excited that my heart beat a tatoo against my ribs, and without my + being conscious of it, as you may say, the pantry door opened about an + inch and I found myself with an eye to the crack. + </p> + <p> + They were standing facing each other, he all flushed and eager and my dear + Miss Patty pale and trembly. But she wasn't shy. She was looking straight + into his eyes and her blessed lips were quivering. + </p> + <p> + "How can you care?" she asked, when he only stood and looked at her. "I've + been such a—such a selfish beast!" + </p> + <p> + "Hush!" He leaned toward her, and I held my breath. "You are everything + that is best in the world, and I—what can I offer you? I have + nothing, not even this sanatorium! No money, no title—" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, THAT!" she interrupted, and stood waiting. "Well, you—you could + at least offer yourself!" + </p> + <p> + "Patty!" + </p> + <p> + She went right over to him and put her hands on his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + "And if you won't," she said, "I'll offer myself instead!" + </p> + <p> + His arms went around her like a flash at that, and he kissed her. I've + seen a good many kisses in my day, the spring-house walk being a sort of + lover's lane, but they were generally of the quick-get-away variety. This + was different. He just gathered her up to him and held her close, and if + she was one-tenth as much thrilled as I was in the pantry she'd be ready + to die kissing. + </p> + <p> + Then, without releasing her, he raised his head, with such a look of + victory in his face that I still see it sometimes in my sleep, and his eye + caught mine through the crack. + </p> + <p> + But if I'd looked to see him drop her I was mistaken. He drew her up and + kissed her again, but this time on the forehead. And when he'd let her go + and she had dropped into a chair and hid her shining face against the + back, as if she was ashamed, which she might well be, he stood laughing + over her bent head at me. + </p> + <p> + "Come out, Minnie!" he called. "Come out and hear the good news!" + </p> + <p> + "Hear!" I said, "I've seen all the news I want." + </p> + <p> + "Gracious!" Miss Patty said, and buried her head again. But he had reached + the shameless stage; a man who is really in love always seems to get to + that point sooner or later. He stooped and kissed the back of her neck, + and if his hand shook when he pushed in one of her shell hairpins it was + excitement and not fright. + </p> + <p> + "I hardly realize it, Minnie," he said. "I don't deserve her for a + minute." + </p> + <p> + "Certainly not," I said. + </p> + <p> + "He does." Miss Patty's voice smothered. Then she got up and came over to + me. + </p> + <p> + "There is going to be an awful fuss, Minnie," she said. "Think of Aunt + Honoria—and Oskar!" + </p> + <p> + "Let them fuss!" I said grandly. "If the worst comes, you can spend your + honeymoon in the shelter-house. I'm so used to carrying meals there now + that it's second nature." + </p> + <p> + And at that they both made for me, and as Mr. Pierce kissed me Doctor + Barnes opened the door. He stood for a moment, looking queer and wild, and + then he slammed the door and we heard him stamping down the steps. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pierce had to bring him back. + </p> + <p> + Well, that's all there is to it. The place filled up and stayed filled, + but not under Mr. Pierce. Mr. Jennings said ability of his kind was wasted + there, once the place was running, and set him to building a railroad + somewhere or other, with him and Miss Patty living in a private car, and + he carrying a portable telephone with him so he can talk to her every hour + or so. Mr. Dick and his wife are running the sanatorium, or think they + are. Doctor Barnes is the whole place, really. Mr. Jennings was so glad to + have Miss Patty give up the prince and send him back home, after he'd been + a week in the hotel at Finleyville looking as if his face would collapse + if you stuck a pin in it—Mr. Jennings was so happy, not to mention + having worked off his gout at the wood-pile, that he forgave the Dickys + without any trouble, and even went out and had a meal with them in the + shelter-house before they moved in, with Mr. Dick making the coffee. + </p> + <p> + I miss the spring, as I said at the beginning. It is hard to teach an old + dog new tricks, but with Miss Patty happy, and with Doctor Barnes around— + </p> + <p> + Thoburn came out the afternoon before he left, just after the rest hour, + and showed me how much too loose his waistcoat had become. + </p> + <p> + "I've lost, Minnie," he confessed. "Lost fifteen pounds and the dream of + my life. But I've found something, too." + </p> + <p> + "What?" + </p> + <p> + "My waist line!" he said, and threw his chest out. + </p> + <p> + "You look fifteen years younger," I said, and at that he came over to me + and took my hand. + </p> + <p> + "Minnie," he said, "maybe you and I haven't always agreed, but I've always + liked you, Minnie—always." + </p> + <p> + "Thanks," I said, taking my hand away. + </p> + <p> + "You've got all kinds of spirit," he said. "You've saved the place, all + right. And if you—if you tire of this, and want another home, I've + got one, twelve rooms, center hall, tiled baths, cabinet mantels—I'd + be good to you, Minnie. The right woman could do anything with me." + </p> + <p> + When I grasped what he meant, I was staggered. + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorry," I explained, as gently as I could. "I'm—I'm going to + marry Doctor Barnes one of these days." + </p> + <p> + He stared at me. Then he laughed a little and went toward the door. + </p> + <p> + "Barnes!" he said, turning. "Another redhead, by gad! Well, I'll tell you + this, young woman, you're red, but he's redder. Your days for running + things to suit yourself are over." + </p> + <p> + "I'm glad of it," I retorted. "I want to be managed myself for a change. + Somebody," I said, "who won't be always thinking how he feels, unless it's + how he feels toward me." + </p> + <p> + "Bah! He'll bully you." + </p> + <p> + "'It's human nature to like to be bullied,'" I quoted. "And I guess I'm + not afraid. He's healthy and a healthy man's never a crank." + </p> + <p> + "A case of yours for health, eh?" he said, and held out his hand. + </p> + <p> + THE END + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Where There's A Will, by Mary Roberts Rinehart + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHERE THERE'S A WILL *** + +***** This file should be named 330-h.htm or 330-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/330/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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