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diff --git a/5301-h/5301-h.htm b/5301-h/5301-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c3e143 --- /dev/null +++ b/5301-h/5301-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12473 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!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> + The Imperialist, by Sara Jeannette Duncan, 1861-1922 (aka Mrs. Everard + Cotes) + </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 The Imperialist, by +(a.k.a. Mrs. Everard Cotes) Sara Jeannette Duncan + +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: The Imperialist + +Author: (a.k.a. Mrs. Everard Cotes) Sara Jeannette Duncan + +Release Date: April 21, 2009 [EBook #5301] +Last Updated: November 4, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IMPERIALIST *** + + + + +Produced by Gardner Buchanan, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE IMPERIALIST + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Sara Jeannette Duncan, 1861-1922 (aka Mrs. Everard Cotes) + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1904 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <p> + It would have been idle to inquire into the antecedents, or even the + circumstances, of old Mother Beggarlegs. She would never tell; the + children, at all events, were convinced of that; and it was only the + children, perhaps, who had the time and the inclination to speculate. Her + occupation was clear; she presided like a venerable stooping hawk, over a + stall in the covered part of the Elgin market-place, where she sold + gingerbread horses and large round gingerbread cookies, and brown sticky + squares of what was known in all circles in Elgin as taffy. She came, it + was understood, with the dawn; with the night she vanished, spending the + interval on a not improbable broomstick. Her gingerbread was better than + anybody’s; but there was no comfort in standing, first on one foot and + then on the other, while you made up your mind—the horses were + spirited and you could eat them a leg at a time, but there was more in the + cookies—she bent such a look on you, so fierce and intolerant of + vacillation. She belonged to the group of odd characters, rarer now than + they used to be, etched upon the vague consciousness of small towns as in + a way mysterious and uncanny; some said that Mother Beggarlegs was + connected with the aristocracy and some that she had been “let off” being + hanged. The alternative was allowed full swing, but in any case it was + clear that such persons contributed little to the common good and, being + reticent, were not entertaining. So you bought your gingerbread, + concealing, as it were, your weapons, paying your copper coins with a + neutral nervous eye, and made off to a safe distance, whence you turned to + shout insultingly, if you were an untrounced young male of Elgin, “Old + Mother Beggarlegs! Old Mother Beggarlegs!” And why “Beggarlegs” nobody in + the world could tell you. It might have been a dateless waggery, or it + might have been a corruption of some more dignified surname, but it was + all she ever got. Serious, meticulous persons called her “Mrs” Beggarlegs, + slightly lowering their voices and slurring it, however, it must be + admitted. The name invested her with a graceless, anatomical interest, it + penetrated her wizened black and derisively exposed her; her name went far + indeed to make her dramatic. Lorne Murchison, when he was quite a little + boy was affected by this and by the unfairness of the way it singled her + out. Moved partly by the oppression of the feeling and partly by a desire + for information he asked her sociably one day, in the act of purchase, why + the gilt was generally off her gingerbread. He had been looking long, as a + matter of fact, for gingerbread with the gilt on it, being accustomed to + the phrase on the lips of his father in connection with small profits. + Mother Beggarlegs, so unaccustomed to politeness that she could not + instantly recognize it, answered him with an imprecation at which he, no + doubt, retreated, suddenly thrown on the defensive hurling the usual + taunt. One prefers to hope he didn’t, with the invincible optimism one has + for the behaviour of lovable people; but whether or not his kind attempt + at colloquy is the first indication I can find of that active sympathy + with the disabilities of his fellow-beings which stamped him later so + intelligent a meliorist. Even in his boy’s beginning he had a heart for + the work; and Mother Beggarlegs, but for a hasty conclusion, might have + made him a friend. + </p> + <p> + It is hard to invest Mother Beggarlegs with importance, but the date helps + me—the date I mean, of this chapter about Elgin; she was a person to + be reckoned with on the twenty-fourth of May. I will say at once, for the + reminder to persons living in England that the twenty-fourth of May was + the Queen’s Birthday. Nobody in Elgin can possibly have forgotten it. The + Elgin children had a rhyme about it— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The twenty-fourth of May + Is the Queen’s Birthday; + If you don’t give us a holiday, + We’ll all run away. +</pre> + <p> + But Elgin was in Canada. In Canada the twenty-fourth of May WAS the + Queen’s Birthday; and these were times and regions far removed from the + prescription that the anniversary “should be observed” on any of those + various outlying dates which by now, must have produced in her immediate + people such indecision as to the date upon which Her Majesty really did + come into the world. That day, and that only, was the observed, the + celebrated, a day with an essence in it, dawning more gloriously than + other days and ending more regretfully, unless, indeed, it fell on a + Sunday when it was “kept” on the Monday, with a slightly clouded feeling + that it wasn’t exactly the same thing. Travelled persons, who had spent + the anniversary there, were apt to come back with a poor opinion of its + celebration in “the old country”—a pleasant relish to the + more-than-ever appreciated advantages of the new, the advantages that came + out so by contrast. More space such persons indicated, more enterprise + they boasted, and even more loyalty they would flourish, all with an + affectionate reminiscent smile at the little ways of a grandmother. A + “Bank” holiday, indeed! Here it was a real holiday, that woke you with + bells and cannon—who has forgotten the time the ancient piece of + ordnance in “the Square” blew out all the windows in the Methodist church?—and + went on with squibs and crackers till you didn’t know where to step on the + sidewalks, and ended up splendidly with rockets and fire-balloons and + drunken Indians vociferous on their way to the lock-up. Such a day for the + hotels, with teams hitched three abreast in front of their aromatic + barrooms; such a day for the circus, with half the farmers of Fox County + agape before the posters—with all their chic and shock they cannot + produce such posters nowadays, nor are there any vacant lots to form + attractive backgrounds—such a day for Mother Beggarlegs! The hotels, + and the shops and stalls for eating and drinking, were the only places in + which business was done; the public sentiment put universal shutters up, + but the public appetite insisted upon excepting the means to carnival. An + air of ceremonial festivity those fastened shutters gave; the sunny little + town sat round them, important and significant, and nobody was ever known + to forget that they were up, and go on a fool’s errand. No doubt they had + an impressiveness for the young countryfolk that strolled up and down Main + Street in their honest best, turning into Snow’s for ice-cream when a + youth was disposed to treat. (Gallantry exacted ten-cent dishes, but for + young ladies alone, or family parties, Mrs Snow would bring five-cent + quantities almost without asking, and for very small boys one dish and the + requisite number of spoons.) There was discrimination, there was choice, + in this matter of treating. A happy excitement accompanied it, which you + could read in the way Corydon clapped his soft felt hat on his head as he + pocketed the change. To be treated—to ten-cent dishes—three + times in the course of the day by the same young man gave matter for + private reflection and for public entertainment, expressed in the broad + grins of less reckless people. I speak of a soft felt hat, but it might be + more than that: it might be a dark green one, with a feather in it; and + here was distinction, for such a hat indicated that its owner belonged to + the Independent Order of Foresters, who Would leave their spring wheat for + forty miles round to meet in Elgin and march in procession, wearing their + hats, and dazzlingly scatter upon Main Street. They gave the day its touch + of imagination, those green cocked hats; they were lyrical upon the + highways; along the prosaic sidewalks by twos and threes they sang + together. It is no great thing, a hat of any quality; but a small thing + may ring dramatic on the right metal, and in the vivid idea of Lorne + Murchison and his sister Advena a Robin Hood walked in every Independent + Forester, especially in the procession. Which shows the risks you run if + you, a person of honest livelihood and solicited vote, adopt any portion + of a habit not familiar to you, and go marching about with a banner and a + band. Two children may be standing at the first street corner, to whom + your respectability and your property may at once become illusion and your + outlawry the delightful fact. + </p> + <p> + A cheap trip brought the Order of Green Hats to Elgin; and there were + cheap trips on this great day to persuade other persons to leave it. The + Grand Trunk had even then an idea of encouraging social combination for + change of scene, and it was quite a common thing for the operatives of the + Milburn Boiler Company to arrange to get themselves carried to the + lakeside or “the Falls” at half a dollar a head. The “hands” got it up + themselves and it was a question in Elgin whether one might sink one’s + dignity and go as a hand for the sake of the fifty-cent opportunity, a + question usually decided in the negative. The social distinctions of Elgin + may not be easily appreciated by people accustomed to the rough and ready + standards of a world at the other end of the Grand Trunk; but it will be + clear at a glance that nobody whose occupation prescribed a clean face + could be expected to travel cheek by jowl, as a privilege, with persons + who were habitually seen with smutty ones, barefaced smut, streaming out + at the polite afternoon hour of six, jangling an empty dinner pail. So + much we may decide, and leave it, reflecting as we go how simple and + satisfactory, after all, are the prejudices which can hold up such obvious + justification. There was recently to be pointed out in England the heir to + a dukedom who loved stoking, and got his face smutty by preference. He + would have been deplorably subversive of accepted conventions in Elgin; + but, happily or otherwise, such persons and such places have at present + little more than an imaginative acquaintance, vaguely cordial on the one + side, vaguely critical on the other, and of no importance in the sum. + </p> + <p> + Polite society, to return to it, preferred the alternative of staying at + home and mowing the lawn or drinking raspberry vinegar on its own + beflagged verandah; looking forward in the afternoon to the lacrosse + match. There was nearly always a lacrosse match on the Queen’s Birthday, + and it was the part of elegance to attend and encourage the home team, as + well as that of small boys, with broken straw hats, who sneaked an + entrance, and were more enthusiastic than anyone. It was “a quarter” to + get in, so the spectators were naturally composed of persons who could + afford the quarter, and persons like the young Flannigans and Finnigans, + who absolutely couldn’t, but who had to be there all the same. Lorne and + Advena Murchison never had the quarter, so they witnessed few lacrosse + matches, though they seldom failed to refresh themselves by a sight of the + players after the game when, crimson and perspiring, but still glorious in + striped jerseys, their lacrosses and running shoes slung over one + shoulder, these heroes left the field. + </p> + <p> + The Birthday I am thinking of, with Mrs Murchison as a central figure in + the kitchen, peeling potatoes for dinner, there was a lacrosse match of + some importance for the Fox County Championship and the Fox County Cup as + presented by the Member for the South Riding. Mrs Murchison remains the + central figure, nevertheless, with her family radiating from her, gathered + to help or to hinder in one of those domestic crises which arose when the + Murchisons were temporarily deprived of a “girl.” Everybody was subject to + them in Elgin, everybody had to acknowledge and face them. Let a new mill + be opened, and it didn’t matter what you paid her or how comfortable you + made her, off she would go, and you might think yourself lucky if she gave + a week’s warning. Hard times shut down the mills and brought her back + again; but periods of prosperity were very apt to find the ladies of Elgin + where I am compelled to introduce Mrs Murchison—in the kitchen. + “You’d better get up—the girl’s gone,” Lorne had stuck his head into + his sister’s room to announce, while yet the bells were ringing and the + rifles of the local volunteers were spitting out the feu de joie. “I’ve + lit the fire an’ swep’ out the dining-room. You tell mother. Queen’s + Birthday, too—I guess Lobelia’s about as mean as they’re made!” And + the Murchisons had descended to face the situation. Lorne had by then done + his part, and gone out into the chromatic possibilities of the day; but + the sense of injury he had communicated to Advena in her bed remained and + expanded. Lobelia, it was felt, had scurvily manipulated the situation—her + situation, it might have been put, if any Murchison had been in the temper + for jesting. She had taken unjustifiable means to do a more unjustifiable + thing, to secure for herself an improper and unlawful share of the day’s + excitements, transferring her work, by the force of circumstances, to the + shoulders of other people since, as Mrs Murchison remarked, somebody had + to do it. Nor had she her mistress testified the excuse of fearing + unreasonable confinement. “I told her she might go when she had done her + dishes after dinner,” said Mrs Murchison, “and then she had only to come + back at six and get tea—what’s getting tea? I advised her to finish + her ironing yesterday, so as to be free of it today; and she said she + would be very glad to. Now, I wonder if she DID finish it!” and Mrs + Murchison put down her pan of potatoes with a thump to look in the family + clothes basket. “Not she! Five shirts and ALL the coloured things. I call + it downright deceit!” + </p> + <p> + “I believe I know the reason she’ll SAY,” said Advena. “She objects to rag + carpet in her bedroom. She told me so.” + </p> + <p> + “Rag carpet—upon my word!” Mrs Murchison dropped her knife to + exclaim. “It’s what her betters have to do with! I’ve known the day when + that very piece of rag carpet—sixty balls there were in it and every + one I sewed with my own fingers—was the best I had for my spare + room, with a bit of ingrain in the middle. Dear me!” she went on with a + smile that lightened the whole situation, “how proud I was of that + performance! She didn’t tell ME she objected to rag carpet!” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mother,” Advena agreed, “she knew better.” + </p> + <p> + They were all there in the kitchen, supporting their mother, and it seems + an opportunity to name them. Advena, the eldest, stood by the long kitchen + table washing the breakfast cups in “soft” soap and hot water. The soft + soap—Mrs Murchison had a barrelful boiled every spring in the back + yard, an old colonial economy she hated to resign—made a fascinating + brown lather with iridescent bubbles. Advena poured cupfuls of it from on + high to see the foam rise, till her mother told her for mercy’s sake to + get on with those dishes. She stood before a long low window, looking out + into the garden and the light, filtering through apple branches on her + face showed her strongly featured and intelligent for fourteen. Advena was + named after one grandmother; when the next girl came Mrs Murchison, to + make an end of the matter, named it Abigail, after the other. She thought + both names outlandish and acted under protest, but hoped that now + everybody would be satisfied. Lorne came after Advena, at the period of a + naive fashion of christening the young sons of Canada in the name of her + Governor-General. It was a simple way of attesting a loyal spirit, but + with Mrs Murchison more particular motives operated. The Marquis of Lorne + was not only the deputy of the throne, he was the son-in-law of a good + woman of whom Mrs Murchison thought more, and often said it, for being the + woman she was than for being twenty times a Queen; and he had made a + metrical translation of the Psalms, several of which were included in the + revised psalter for the use of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, from + which the whole of Knox Church sang to the praise of God every Sunday. + These were circumstances that weighed with Mrs Murchison, and she called + her son after the Royal representative, feeling that she was doing well + for him in a sense beyond the mere bestowal of a distinguished and a + euphonious name, though that, as she would have willingly acknowledged, + was “well enough in its place.” + </p> + <p> + We must take this matter of names seriously; the Murchisons always did. + Indeed, from the arrival of a new baby until the important Sunday of the + christening, nothing was discussed with such eager zest and such sustained + interest as the name he should get—there was a fascinating list at + the back of the dictionary—and to the last minute it was + problematical. In Stella’s case, Mrs Murchison actually changed her mind + on the way to church; and Abby, who had sat through the sermon expecting + Dorothy Maud, which she thought lovely, publicly cried with + disappointment. Stella was the youngest, and Mrs Murchison was thankful to + have a girl at last whom she could name without regard to her own + relations or anybody else’s. I have skipped about a good deal, but I have + only left out two, the boys who came between Abby and Stella. In their + names the contemporary observer need not be too acute to discover both an + avowal and to some extent an enforcement of Mr Murchison’s political + views; neither an Alexander Mackenzie nor an Oliver Mowat could very well + grow up into anything but a sound Liberal in that part of the world + without feeling himself an unendurable paradox. To christen a baby like + that was, in a manner, a challenge to public attention; the faint + relaxation about the lips of Dr Drummond—the best of the Liberals + himself, though he made a great show of keeping it out of the pulpit—recognized + this, and the just perceptible stir of the congregation proved it. + Sonorously he said it. “Oliver Mowat, I baptize thee in the Name of the + Father—” The compliment should have all the impressiveness the rite + could give it, while the Murchison brothers and sisters, a-row in the + family pew, stood on one foot with excitement as to how Oliver Mowat would + take the drops that defined him. The verdict was, on the way home, that he + behaved splendidly. Alexander Mackenzie, the year before, had roared. + </p> + <p> + He was weeping now, at the age of seven, silently, but very copiously, + behind the woodpile. His father had finally cuffed him for importunity; + and the world was no place for a just boy, who asked nothing but his + rights. Only the woodpile, friendly mossy logs unsplit, stood inconscient + and irresponsible for any share in his black circumstances; and his tears + fell among the lichens of the stump he was bowed on till, observing them, + he began to wonder whether he could cry enough to make a pond there, and + was presently disappointed to find the source exhausted. The Murchisons + were all imaginative. + </p> + <p> + The others, Oliver and Abby and Stella, still “tormented.” Poor Alec’s + rights—to a present of pocket-money on the Queen’s Birthday—were + common ones, and almost statutory. How their father, sitting comfortably + with his pipe in the flickering May shadows under the golden pippin, + reading the Toronto paper, could evade his liability in the matter was + unfathomable to the Murchisons; it was certainly illiberal; they had a + feeling that it was illegal. A little teasing was generally necessary, but + the resistance today had begun to look ominous and Alec, as we know, too + temerarious, had retired in disorder to the woodpile. + </p> + <p> + Oliver was wiping Advena’s dishes. He exercised himself ostentatiously + upon a plate, standing in the door to be within earshot of his father. + </p> + <p> + “Eph Wheeler,” he informed his family, “Eph Wheeler, he’s got twenty-five + cents, an’ a English sixpence, an’ a Yankee nickel. An’ Mr Wheeler’s only + a common working man, a lot poorer’n we are.” + </p> + <p> + Mr Murchison removed his pipe from his lips in order, apparently, to + follow unimpeded the trend of the Dominion’s leading article. Oliver eyed + him anxiously. “Do, Father,” he continued in logical sequence. “Aw do.” + </p> + <p> + “Make him, Mother,” said Abby indignantly. “It’s the Queen’s BIRTHDAY!” + </p> + <p> + “Time enough when the butter bill’s paid,” said Mrs Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “Oh the BUTTER bill! Say, Father, aren’t you going to?” + </p> + <p> + “What?” asked John Murchison, and again took out his pipe, as if this were + the first he had heard of the matter. + </p> + <p> + “Give us our fifteen cents each to celebrate with. You can’t do it under + that,” Oliver added firmly. “Crackers are eight cents a packet this year, + the small size.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense,” said Mr Murchison. The reply was definite and final, and its + ambiguity was merely due to the fact that their father disliked giving a + plump refusal. “Nonsense” was easier to say, if not to hear than “No.” + Oliver considered for a moment, drew Abby to colloquy by the pump, and + sought his brother behind the woodpile. Then he returned to the charge. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Father,” he said, “CASH DOWN, we’ll take ten.” + </p> + <p> + John Murchison was a man of few words, but they were usually impregnated + with meaning, especially in anger. “No more of this,” he said. “Celebrate + fiddlesticks! Go and make yourselves of some use. You’ll get nothing from + me, for I haven’t got it.” So saying, he went through the kitchen with a + step that forbade him to be followed. His eldest son, arriving over the + backyard fence in a state of heat, was just in time to hear him. Lorne’s + apprehension of the situation was instant, and his face fell, but the + depression plainly covered such splendid spirits that his brother asked + resentfully, “Well, what’s the matter with YOU?” + </p> + <p> + “Matter? Oh, not much. I’m going to see the Cayugas beat the Wanderers, + that’s all; an’ Abe Mackinnon’s mother said he could ask me to come back + to tea with them. Can I, Mother?” + </p> + <p> + “There’s no objection that I know of,” said Mrs Murchison, shaking her + apron free of stray potato-parings, “but you won’t get money for the + lacrosse match or anything else from your father today, <i>I</i> can + assure you. They didn’t do five dollars worth of business at the store all + day yesterday, and he’s as cross as two sticks.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that’s all right.” Lorne jingled his pocket and Oliver took a + fascinated step toward him. “I made thirty cents this morning, delivering + papers for Fisher. His boy’s sick. I did the North Ward—took me + over’n hour. Guess I can go all right, can’t I?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes, I suppose you can,” said his mother. The others were dumb. + Oliver hunched his shoulders and kicked at the nearest thing that had + paint on it. Abby clung to the pump handle and sobbed aloud. Lorne looked + gloomily about him and went out. Making once more for the back fence, he + encountered Alexander in the recognized family retreat. “Oh, my goodness!” + he said, and stopped. In a very few minutes he was back in the kitchen, + followed sheepishly by Alexander, whose grimy face expressed the hope that + beat behind his little waistcoat. + </p> + <p> + “Say, you kids,” he announced, “Alec’s got four cents, an’ he says he’ll + join up. This family’s going to celebrate all right. Come on down town.” + </p> + <p> + No one could say that the Murchisons were demonstrative. They said + nothing, but they got their hats. Mrs Murchison looked up from her + occupation. + </p> + <p> + “Alec,” she said, “out of this house you don’t go till you’ve washed your + face. Lorne, come here,” she added in a lower voice, producing a bunch of + keys. “If you look in the right-hand corner of the top small drawer in my + bureau you’ll find about twenty cents. Say nothing about it, and mind you + don’t meddle with anything else. I guess the Queen isn’t going to owe it + all to you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + “We’ve seen changes, Mr Murchison. Aye. We’ve seen changes.” + </p> + <p> + Dr Drummond and Mr Murchison stood together in the store door, over which + the sign “John Murchison: Hardware,” had explained thirty years of varying + commercial fortune. They had pretty well begun life together in Elgin. + John Murchison was one of those who had listened to Mr Drummond’s trial + sermon, and had given his vote to “call” him to the charge. Since then + there had been few Sundays when, morning and evening, Mr Murchison had not + been in his place at the top of his pew, where his dignified and + intelligent head appeared with the isolated significance of a strong + individuality. People looked twice at John Murchison in a crowd; so did + his own children at home. Hearing some discussion of the selection of a + premier, Alec, looking earnestly at him once said, “Why don’t they tell + Father to be it?” The young minister looked twice at him that morning of + the trial sermon, and asked afterward who he was. A Scotchman, Mr Drummond + was told, not very long from the old country, who had bought the Playfair + business on Main Street, and settled in the “Plummer Place,” which already + had a quarter of a century’s standing in the annals of the town. The + Playfair business was a respectable business to buy; the Plummer Place, + though it stood in an unfashionable outskirt, was a respectable place to + settle in; and the minister, in casting his lot in Elgin, envisaged John + Murchison as part of it, thought of him confidently as a “dependance,” saw + him among the future elders and office-bearers of the congregation, a man + who would be punctual with his pew-rent, sage in his judgements, and whose + views upon church attendance would be extended to his family. + </p> + <p> + So the two came, contemporaries, to add their labour and their lives to + the building of this little outpost of Empire. It was the frankest + transfer, without thought of return; they were there to spend and be spent + within the circumference of the spot they had chosen, with no ambition + beyond. In the course of nature, even their bones and their memories would + enter into the fabric. The new country filled their eyes; the new town was + their opportunity, its destiny their fate. They were altogether occupied + with its affairs, and the affairs of the growing Dominion, yet obscure in + the heart of each of them ran the undercurrent of the old allegiance. They + had gone the length of their tether, but the tether was always there. + Thus, before a congregation that always stood in the early days, had the + minister every Sunday morning for thirty years besought the Almighty, with + ardour and humility, on behalf of the Royal Family. It came in the long + prayer, about the middle. Not in the perfunctory words of a ritual, but in + the language of his choice, which varied according to what he believed to + be the spiritual needs of the reigning House, and was at one period, + touching certain of its members, though respectful, extremely candid. The + General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, “now in session,” also—was + it ever forgotten once? And even the Prime Minister, “and those who sit in + council with him,” with just a hint of extra commendation if it happened + to be Mr Gladstone. The minister of Knox Church, Elgin, Ontario, Canada, + kept his eye on them all. Remote as he was, and concerned with affairs of + which they could know little, his sphere of duty could never revolve too + far westward to embrace them, nor could his influence, under any + circumstances, cease to be at their disposal. It was noted by some that + after Mr Drummond had got his D.D. from an American University he also + prayed occasionally for the President of the neighbouring republic; but + this was rebutted by others, who pointed out that it happened only on the + occurrence of assassinations, and held it reasonable enough. The cavillers + mostly belonged to the congregation of St Andrew’s, “Established”—a + glum, old-fashioned lot indeed—who now and then dropped in of a + Sunday evening to hear Mr Drummond preach. (There wasn’t much to be said + for the preaching at St Andrew’s.) The Established folk went on calling + the minister of Knox Church “Mr” Drummond long after he was “Doctor” to + his own congregation, on account of what they chose to consider the + dubious source of the dignity; but the Knox Church people had their own + theory to explain this hypercriticism, and would promptly turn the + conversation to the merits of the sermon. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-five years it was, in point, this Monday morning when the Doctor—not + being Established we need not hesitate, besides by this time nobody did—stood + with Mr Murchison in the store door and talked about having seen changes. + He had preached his anniversary sermon the night before to a full church + when, laying his hand upon his people’s heart, he had himself to repress + tears. He was aware of another strand completed in their mutual bond: the + sermon had been a moral, an emotional, and an oratorical success; and in + the expansion of the following morning Dr Drummond had remembered that he + had promised his housekeeper a new gas cooking-range, and that it was high + time he should drop into Murchison’s to inquire about it. Mrs Forsyth had + mentioned at breakfast that they had ranges with exactly the improvement + she wanted at Thompson’s, but the minister was deaf to the hint. Thompson + was a Congregationalist and, improvement or no improvement, it wasn’t + likely that Dr Drummond was going “outside the congregation” for anything + he required. It would have been on a par with a wandering tendency in his + flock, upon which he systematically frowned. He was as great an autocrat + in this as the rector of any country parish in England undermined by + Dissent; but his sense of obligation worked unfailingly both ways. + </p> + <p> + John Murchison had not said much about the sermon; it wasn’t his way, and + Dr Drummond knew it. “You gave us a good sermon last night, Doctor”; not + much more than that, and “I noticed the Milburns there; we don’t often get + Episcopalians”; and again, “The Wilcoxes”—Thomas Wilcox, wholesale + grocer, was the chief prop of St Andrew’s—“were sitting just in + front of us. We overtook them going home, and Wilcox explained how much + they liked the music. ‘Glad to see you,’ I said. ‘Glad to see you for any + reason,’” Mr Murchison’s eye twinkled. “But they had a great deal to say + about ‘the music.’” It was not an effusive form of felicitation; the + minister would have liked it less if it had been, felt less justified, + perhaps, in remembering about the range on that particular morning. As it + was, he was able to take it with perfect dignity and good humour, and to + enjoy the point against the Wilcoxes with that laugh of his that did + everybody good to hear; so hearty it was, so rich in the grain of the + voice, so full of the zest and flavour of the joke. The range had been + selected, and their talk of changes had begun with it, Mr Murchison + pointing out the new idea in the boiler and Dr Drummond remembering his + first kitchen stove that burned wood and stood on its four legs, with + nothing behind but the stove pipe, and if you wanted a boiler you took off + the front lids and put it on, and how remarkable even that had seemed to + his eyes, fresh from the conservative kitchen notions of the old country. + He had come, unhappily, a widower to the domestic improvements on the + other side of the Atlantic. “Often I used to think,” he said to Mr + Murchison, “if my poor wife could have seen that stove how delighted she + would have been! But I doubt this would have been too much for her + altogether!” + </p> + <p> + “That stove!” answered Mr Murchison. “Well I remember it. I sold it myself + to your predecessor, Mr Wishart, for thirty dollars—the last + purchase he ever made, poor man. It was great business for me—I had + only two others in the store like it. One of them old Milburn bought—the + father of this man, d’ye mind him?—the other stayed by me a matter + of seven years. I carried a light stock in those days.” + </p> + <p> + It was no longer a light stock. The two men involuntarily glanced round + them for the satisfaction of the contrast Murchison evoked, though neither + of them, from motives of vague delicacy, felt inclined to dwell upon it. + John Murchison had the shyness of an artist in his commercial success, and + the minister possibly felt that his relation toward the prosperity of a + member had in some degree the embarrassment of a tax-gatherer’s. The stock + was indeed heavy now. You had to go upstairs to see the ranges, where they + stood in rows, and every one of them bore somewhere upon it, in raised + black letters, John Murchison’s name. Through the windows came the + iterating ring on the iron from the foundry in Chestnut Street which fed + the shop, with an overflow that found its way from one end of the country + to the other. Finicking visitors to Elgin found this wearing, but to John + Murchison it was the music that honours the conqueror of circumstances. + The ground floor was given up to the small wares of the business, chiefly + imported; two or three young men, steady and knowledgeable-looking, moved + about in their shirt sleeves among shelves and packing-cases. One of them + was our friend Alec; our other friend Oliver looked after the books at the + foundry. Their father did everything deliberately; but presently, in his + own good time, his commercial letter paper would be headed, with regard to + these two, “John Murchison and Sons.” It had long announced that the + business was “Wholesale and Retail.” + </p> + <p> + Dr Drummond and Mr Murchison, considering the changes in Elgin from the + store door, did it at their leisure, the merchant with his thumbs thrust + comfortably in the armholes of his waistcoat, the minister, with that + familiar trick of his, balancing on one foot and suddenly throwing his + slight weight forward on the other. “A bundle of nerves,” people called + the Doctor: to stand still would have been a penance to him; even as he + swayed backward and forward in talking, his hand must be busy at the seals + on his watch chain and his shrewd glance travelling over a dozen things + you would never dream so clever a man would take notice of. It was a + prospect of moderate commercial activity they looked out upon, a street of + mellow shopfronts on both sides, of varying height and importance, wearing + that air of marking a period, a definite stop in growth, that so often + coexists with quite a reasonable degree of activity and independence in + colonial towns. One could almost say, standing there in the door at + Murchison’s, where the line of legitimate enterprise had been overpassed + and where its intention had been none too sanguine—on the one hand + in the faded, and pretentious red brick building with the false third + storey, occupied by Cleary which must have been let at a loss to dry-goods + or anything else; on the other hand in the solid “Gregory block,” opposite + the market, where rents were as certain as the dividends of the Bank of + British North America. + </p> + <p> + Main Street expressed the idea that, for the purpose of growing and doing + business, it had always found the days long enough. Drays passed through + it to the Grand Trunk station, but they passed one at a time; a certain + number of people went up and down about their affairs, but they were never + in a hurry; a street car jogged by every ten minutes or so, but nobody ran + after it. There was a decent procedure; and it was felt that Bofield—he + was dry-goods, too—in putting in an elevator was just a little + unnecessarily in advance of the times. Bofield had only two storeys, like + everybody else, and a very easy staircase, up which people often declared + they preferred to walk rather than wait in the elevator for a young man to + finish serving and work it. These, of course, were the sophisticated + people of Elgin; countryfolk, on a market day, would wait a quarter of an + hour for the young man and think nothing of it; and I imagine Bofield + found his account in the elevator, though he did complain sometimes that + such persons went up and down on frivolous pretexts or to amuse the baby. + As a matter of fact, Elgin had begun as the centre of “trading” for the + farmers of Fox County, and had soon over-supplied that limit in demand; so + that when other interests added themselves to the activity of the town + there was still plenty of room for the business they brought. Main Street + was really, therefore, not a fair index; nobody in Elgin would have + admitted it. Its appearance and demeanour would never have suggested that + it was now the chief artery of a thriving manufacturing town, with a + collegiate institute, eleven churches, two newspapers, and an asylum for + the deaf and dumb, to say nothing of a fire department unsurpassed for + organization and achievement in the Province of Ontario. Only at twelve + noon it might be partly realized when the prolonged “toots” of seven + factory whistles at once let off, so to speak, the hour. Elgin liked the + demonstration; it was held to be cheerful and unmistakable, an indication + of “go-ahead” proclivities which spoke for itself. It occurred while yet + Dr Drummond and Mr Murchison stood together in the store door. + </p> + <p> + “I must be getting on,” said the minister, looking at his watch. “And what + news have you of Lorne?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he seems to have got through all right.” + </p> + <p> + “What—you’ve heard already, then?” + </p> + <p> + “He telegraphed from Toronto on Saturday night.” Mr Murchison stroked his + chin, the better to retain his satisfaction. “Waste of money—the + post would have brought it this morning—but it pleased his mother. + Yes, he’s through his Law Schools examination, and at the top, too, as far + as I can make out.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, and you never mentioned it!” Dr Drummond spoke with the resigned + impatience of a familiar grievance. It was certainly a trying + characteristic of John Murchison that he never cared about communicating + anything that might seem to ask for congratulation. “Well, well! I’m very + glad to hear it.” + </p> + <p> + “It slipped my mind,” said Mr Murchison. “Yes, he’s full-fledged + ‘barrister and solicitor’ now; he can plead your case or draw you up a + deed with the best of them. Lorne’s made a fair record, so far. We’ve no + reason to be ashamed of him.” + </p> + <p> + “That you have not.” Personal sentiments between these two Scotchmen were + indicated rather than indulged. “He’s going in with Fulke and Warner, I + suppose—you’ve got that fixed up?” + </p> + <p> + “Pretty well. Old man Warner was in this morning to talk it over. He says + they look to Lorne to bring them in touch with the new generation. It’s a + pity he lost that son of his.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, a great pity. But since they had to go outside the firm they couldn’t + have done better; they couldn’t have done better. I hope Lorne will bring + them a bit of Knox Church business too; there’s no reason why Bob + Mackintosh should have it all. They’ll be glad to see him back at the + Hampden Debating Society. He’s a great light there, is Lorne; and the + Young Liberals, I hear are wanting him for chairman this year.” + </p> + <p> + “There’s some talk of it. But time enough—time enough for that! + He’ll do first-rate if he gets the law to practise, let alone the making + of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe so; he’s young yet. Well, good morning to you. I’ll just step over + the way to the Express office and get a proof out of them of that sermon + of mine. I noticed their reporter fellow—what’s his name?—Rawlins, + with his pencil out last night, and I’ve no faith in Rawlins.” + </p> + <p> + “Better cast an eye over it,” responded Mr Murchison cordially, and stood + for a moment or two longer in the door watching the crisp, significant + little figure of the minister as he stepped briskly over the crossing to + the newspaper office. There Dr Drummond sat down, before he explained his + errand, and wrote a paragraph. + </p> + <p> + “We are pleased to learn,” it ran “that Mr Lorne Murchison, eldest son of + Mr John Murchison, of this town, has passed at the capital of the Province + his final examination in Law, distinguishing himself by coming out at the + top of the list. It will be remembered that Mr Murchison, upon entering + the Law Schools, also carried off a valuable scholarship. We are glad to + be able to announce that Mr Murchison, Junior, will embark upon his + profession in his native town, where he will enter the well-known firm of + Fulke and Warner.” + </p> + <p> + The editor, Mr Horace Williams, had gone to dinner, and Rawlins was out so + Dr Drummond had to leave it with the press foreman. Mr Williams read it + appreciatively on his return, and sent it down with the following + addition: + </p> + <p> + “This is doing it as well as it can be done. Elgin congratulates Mr L. + Murchison upon having produced these results, and herself upon having + produced Mr L. Murchison.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + From the day she stepped into it Mrs Murchison knew that the Plummer Place + was going to be the bane of her existence. This may have been partly + because Mr Murchison had bought it, since a circumstance welded like that + into one’s life is very apt to assume the character of a bane, unless + one’s temperament leads one to philosophy, which Mrs Murchison’s didn’t. + But there were other reasons more difficult to traverse: it was plainly + true that the place did require a tremendous amount of “looking after,” as + such things were measured in Elgin, far more looking after than the + Murchisons could afford to give it. They could never have afforded, in the + beginning, to possess it had it not been sold, under mortgage, at a + dramatic sacrifice. The house was a dignified old affair, built of wood + and painted white, with wide green verandahs compassing the four sides of + it, as they often did in days when the builder had only to turn his hand + to the forest. It stood on the very edge of the town; wheatfields in the + summer billowed up to its fences, and corn-stacks in the autumn camped + around it like a besieging army. The plank sidewalk finished there; after + that you took the road or, if you were so inclined, the river, into which + you could throw a stone from the orchard of the Plummer Place. The house + stood roomily and shadily in ornamental grounds, with a lawn in front of + it and a shrubbery at each side, an orchard behind, and a vegetable + garden, the whole intersected by winding gravel walks, of which Mrs + Murchison was wont to say that a man might do nothing but weed them and + have his hands full. In the middle of the lawn was a fountain, an empty + basin with a plaster Triton, most difficult to keep looking respectable + and pathetic in his frayed air of exile from some garden of Italy sloping + to the sea. There was also a barn with stabling, a loft, and big carriage + doors opening on a lane to the street. The originating Plummer, Mrs + Murchison often said, must have been a person of large ideas, and she + hoped he had the money to live up to them. The Murchisons at one time kept + a cow in the barn, till a succession of “girls” left on account of the + milking, and the lane was useful as an approach to the backyard by the + teams that brought the cordwood in the winter. It was trying enough for a + person with the instinct of order to find herself surrounded by + out-of-door circumstances which she simply could not control but Mrs + Murchison often declared that she could put up with the grounds if it had + stopped there. It did not stop there. Though I was compelled to introduce + Mrs Murchison in the kitchen, she had a drawing-room in which she might + have received the Lieutenant-Governor, with French windows and a cut-glass + chandelier, and a library with an Italian marble mantelpiece. She had an + icehouse and a wine cellar, and a string of bells in the kitchen that + connected with every room in the house; it was a negligible misfortune + that not one of them was in order. She had far too much, as she declared, + for any one pair of hands and a growing family, and if the ceiling was not + dropping in the drawing-room, the cornice was cracked in the library or + the gas was leaking in the dining-room, or the verandah wanted reflooring + if anyone coming to the house was not to put his foot through it; and as + to the barn, if it was dropping to pieces it would just have to drop. The + barn was definitely outside the radius of possible amelioration—it + passed gradually, visibly, into decrepitude, and Mrs Murchison often + wished she could afford to pull it down. + </p> + <p> + It may be realized that in spite of its air of being impossible to + “overtake”—I must, in this connection, continue to quote its + mistress—there was an attractiveness about the dwelling of the + Murchisons the attractiveness of the large ideas upon which it had been + built and designed, no doubt by one of those gentlefolk of reduced income + who wander out to the colonies with a nebulous view to economy and + occupation, to perish of the readjustment. The case of such persons, when + they arrive, is at once felt to be pathetic; there is a tacit local + understanding that they have made a mistake. They may be entitled to + respect, but nothing can save them from the isolation of their difference + and their misapprehension. It was like that with the house. The house was + admired—without enthusiasm—but it was not copied. It was felt + to be outside the general need, misjudged, adventitious; and it wore its + superiority in the popular view like a folly. It was in Elgin, but not of + it: it represented a different tradition; and Elgin made the same + allowance for its bedroom bells and its old-fashioned dignities as was + conceded to its original master’s habit of a six-o’clock dinner, with + wine. + </p> + <p> + The architectural expression of the town was on a different scale, + beginning with “frame,” rising through the semidetached, culminating + expensively in Mansard roofs, cupolas and modern conveniences, and + blossoming, in extreme instances, into Moorish fretwork and silk portieres + for interior decoration. The Murchison house gained by force of contrast: + one felt, stepping into it, under influences of less expediency and more + dignity, wider scope and more leisured intention; its shabby spaces had a + redundancy the pleasanter and its yellow plaster cornices a charm the + greater for the numerous close-set examples of contemporary taste in red + brick which made, surrounded by geranium beds, so creditable an appearance + in the West Ward. John Murchison in taking possession of the house had + felt in it these satisfactions, had been definitely penetrated and soothed + by them, the more perhaps because he brought to them a capacity for + feeling the worthier things of life which circumstances had not previously + developed. He seized the place with a sense of opportunity leaping sharp + and conscious out of early years in the grey “wynds” of a northern + Scottish town; and its personality sustained him, very privately but none + the less effectively, through the worry and expense of it for years. He + would take his pipe and walk silently for long together about the untidy + shrubberies in the evening, for the acute pleasure of seeing the big horse + chestnuts in flower; and he never opened the hall door without a feeling + of gratification in its weight as it swung under his hand. In so far as he + could, he supplemented the idiosyncrasies he found. The drawing-room + walls, though mostly bare in their old-fashioned French paper—lavender + and gilt, a grape-vine pattern—held a few good engravings; the + library was reduced to contain a single bookcase, but it was filled with + English classics. John Murchison had been made a careful man, not by + nature, by the discipline of circumstances; but he would buy books. He + bought them between long periods of abstinence, during which he would + scout the expenditure of an unnecessary dollar, coming home with a parcel + under his arm for which he vouchsafed no explanation, and which would + disclose itself to be Lockhart, or Sterne, or Borrow, or Defoe. Mrs + Murchison kept a discouraging eye upon such purchases; and when her + husband brought home Chambers’s Dictionary of English Literature, after + shortly and definitely repulsing her demand that he should get himself a + new winter overcoat, she declared that it was beyond all endurance. Mrs + Murchison was surrounded, indeed, by more of “that sort of thing” than she + could find use or excuse for; since, though books made but a sporadic + appearance, current literature, daily, weekly, and monthly, was + perpetually under her feet. The Toronto paper came as a matter of course, + as the London daily takes its morning flight into the provinces, the local + organ as simply indispensable, the Westminster as the corollary of church + membership and for Sunday reading. These were constant, but there were + also mutables—Once a Week, Good Words for the Young, Blackwood’s, + and the Cornhill they used to be; years of back numbers Mrs Murchison had + packed away in the attic, where Advena on rainy days came into the + inheritance of them, and made an early acquaintance with fiction in Ready + Money Mortiboy and Verner’s Pride, while Lorne, flat on his stomach beside + her, had glorious hours on The Back of the North Wind. Their father + considered such publications and their successors essential, like tobacco + and tea. He was also an easy prey to the subscription agent, for works + published in parts and paid for in instalments, a custom which Mrs + Murchison regarded with abhorrence. So much so that when John put his name + down for Masterpieces of the World’s Art, which was to cost twenty dollars + by the time it was complete, he thought it advisable to let the numbers + accumulate at the store. + </p> + <p> + Whatever the place represented to their parents, it was pure joy to the + young Murchisons. It offered a margin and a mystery to life. They saw it + far larger than it was; they invested it, arguing purely by its difference + from other habitations, with a romantic past. “I guess when the Prince of + Wales came to Elgin, Mother, he stayed here,” Lorne remarked, as a little + boy. Secretly he and Advena took up boards in more than one unused room, + and rapped on more than one thick wall to find a hollow chamber; the house + revealed so much that was interesting, it was apparent to the meanest + understanding that it must hide even more. It was never half lighted, and + there was a passage in which fear dwelt—wild were the gallopades + from attic to cellar in the early nightfall, when every young Murchison + tore after every other, possessed, like cats, by a demoniac ecstasy of the + gloaming. And the garden, with the autumn moon coming over the apple trees + and the neglected asparagus thick for ambush, and a casual untrimmed boy + or two with the delicious recommendation of being utterly without + credentials, to join in the rout and be trusted to make for the back fence + without further hint at the voice of Mrs Murchison—these were joys + of the very fibre, things to push ideas and envisage life with an + attraction that made it worth while to grow up. + </p> + <p> + And they had all achieved it—all six. They had grown up sturdily, + emerging into sobriety and decorum by much the same degrees as the old + house, under John Murchison’s improving fortunes, grew cared for and + presentable. The new roof went on, slate replacing shingles, the year Abby + put her hair up; the bathroom was contemporary with Oliver’s leaving + school; the electric light was actually turned on for the first time in + honour of Lorne’s return from Toronto, a barrister and solicitor; several + rooms had been done up for Abby’s wedding. Abby had married, early and + satisfactorily, Dr Harry Johnson, who had placidly settled down to await + the gradual succession of his father’s practice; “Dr Harry and Dr Henry” + they were called. Dr Harry lived next door to Dr Henry, and had a good + deal of the old man’s popular manner. It was an unacknowledged + partnership, which often provided two opinions for the same price; the + town prophesied well of it. That left only five at home, but they always + had Abby over in the West Ward, where Abby’s housekeeping made an interest + and Abby’s baby a point of pilgrimage. These considerations almost + consoled Mrs Murchison declaring, as she did, that all of them might have + gone but Abby, who alone knew how to be “any comfort or any dependence” in + the house; who could be left with a day’s preserving; and I tell you that + to be left by Mrs Murchison with a day’s preserving, be it cherries or + strawberries, damsons or pears, was a mark of confidence not easy to + obtain. Advena never had it; Advena, indeed, might have married and + removed no prop of the family economy. Mrs Murchison would have been + “sorry for the man”—she maintained a candour toward and about those + belonging to her that permitted no illusions—but she would have + stood cheerfully out of the way on her own account. When you have seen + your daughter reach and pass the age of twenty-five without having learned + properly to make her own bed, you know without being told that she will + never be fit for the management of a house—don’t you? Very well + then. And for ever and for ever, no matter what there was to do, with a + book in her hand—Mrs Murchison would put an emphasis on the “book” + which scarcely concealed a contempt for such absorption. And if, at the + end of your patience, you told her for any sake to put it down and attend + to matters, obeying in a kind of dream that generally drove you to take + the thing out of her hands and do it yourself, rather than jump out of + your skin watching her. + </p> + <p> + Sincerely Mrs Murchison would have been sorry for the man if he had + arrived, but he had not arrived. Advena justified her existence by taking + the university course for women at Toronto, and afterward teaching the + English branches to the junior forms in the Collegiate Institute, which + placed her arbitrarily outside the sphere of domestic criticism. Mrs + Murchison was thankful to have her there—outside—where little + more could reasonably be expected of her than that she should be down in + time for breakfast. It is so irritating to be justified in expecting more + than seems likely to come. Mrs Murchison’s ideas circulated strictly in + the orbit of equity and reason; she expected nothing from anybody that she + did not expect from herself; indeed, she would spare others in far larger + proportion. But the sense of obligation which led her to offer herself up + to the last volt of her energy made her miserable when she considered that + she was not fairly done by in return. Pressed down and running over were + the services she offered to the general good, and it was on the ground of + the merest justice that she required from her daughters “some sort of + interest” in domestic affairs. From her eldest she got no sort of + interest, and it was like the removal of a grievance from the hearth when + Advena took up employment which ranged her definitely beyond the necessity + of being of any earthly use in the house. Advena’s occupation to some + extent absorbed her shortcomings, which was much better than having to + attribute them to her being naturally “through-other,” or naturally + clever, according to the bias of the moment. Mrs Murchison no longer + excused or complained of her daughter; but she still pitied the man. + </p> + <p> + “The boys,” of course, were too young to think of matrimony. They were + still the boys, the Murchison boys; they would be the boys at forty if + they remained under their father’s roof. In the mother country, men in + short jackets and round collars emerge from the preparatory schools; in + the daughter lands boys in tailcoats conduct serious affairs. Alec and + Oliver, in the business, were frivolous enough as to the feminine + interest. For all Dr Drummond’s expressed and widely known views upon the + subject, it was a common thing for one or both of these young men to stray + from the family pew on Sunday evenings to the services of other + communions, thereafter to walk home in the dusk under the maples with some + attractive young person, and be sedately invited to finish the evening on + her father’s verandah. Neither of them was guiltless of silk ties knitted + or handkerchiefs initialled by certain fingers; without repeating scandal, + one might say by various fingers. For while the ultimate import of these + matters was not denied in Elgin, there was a general feeling against + giving too much meaning to them, probably originating in a reluctance + among heads of families to add to their responsibilities. These early + spring indications were belittled and laughed at; so much so that the + young people them selves hardly took them seriously, but regarded them as + a form of amusement almost conventional. Nothing would have surprised or + embarrassed them more than to learn that their predilections had an + imperative corollary, that anything should, of necessity, “come of it.” + Something, of course, occasionally did come of it; and, usually after + years of “attention,” a young man of Elgin found himself mated to a young + woman, but never under circumstances that could be called precipitate or + rash. The cautious blood and far sight of the early settlers, who had much + to reckon with, were still preponderant social characteristics of the town + they cleared the site for. Meanwhile, however, flowers were gathered, and + all sorts of evanescent idylls came and went in the relations of young men + and maidens. Alec and Oliver Murchison were already in the full tide of + them. + </p> + <p> + From this point of view they did not know what to make of Lorne. It was + not as if their brother were in any way ill calculated to attract that + interest which gave to youthful existence in Elgin almost the only flavour + that it had. Looks are looks, and Lorne had plenty of them; taller by an + inch than Alec, broader by two than Oliver, with a fine square head and + blue eyes in it, and features which conveyed purpose and humour, lighted + by a certain simplicity of soul that pleased even when it was not + understood. “Open,” people said he was, and “frank”—so he was, frank + and open, with horizons and intentions; you could see them in his face. + Perhaps it was more conscious of them than he was. Ambition, definitely + shining goals, adorn the perspectives of young men in new countries less + often than is commonly supposed. Lorne meant to be a good lawyer, squarely + proposed to himself that the country should hold no better; and as to more + selective usefulness, he hoped to do a little stumping for the right side + when Frank Jennings ran for the Ontario House in the fall. It wouldn’t be + his first electioneering: from the day he became chairman of the Young + Liberals the party had an eye on him, and when occasion arose, winter or + summer, by bobsleigh or buggy, weatherbeaten local bosses would convey him + to country schoolhouses for miles about to keep a district sound on + railway policy, or education, or tariff reform. He came home smiling with + the triumphs of these occasions, and offered them, with the slow, + good-humoured, capable drawl that inspired such confidence in him, to his + family at breakfast, who said “Great!” or “Good for you, Lorne!” John + Murchison oftenest said nothing, but would glance significantly at his + wife, frowning and pursing his lips when she, who had most spirit of them + all, would exclaim, “You’ll be Premier yet, Lorne!” It was no part of the + Murchison policy to draw against future balances: they might believe + everything, they would express nothing; and I doubt whether Lorne himself + had any map of the country he meant to travel over in that vague future, + already defining in local approbation, and law business coming freely in + with a special eye on the junior partner. But the tract was there, + subconscious, plain in the wider glance, the alerter manner; plain even in + the grasp and stride which marked him in a crowd; plain, too, in the + preoccupation with other issues, were it only turning over a leader in the + morning’s Dominion, that carried him along indifferent to the allurements + I have described. The family had a bond of union in their respect for + Lorne, and this absence of nugatory inclinations in him was among its + elements. Even Stella who, being just fourteen, was the natural mouthpiece + of family sentiment, would declare that Lorne had something better to do + than go hanging about after girls, and for her part she thought all the + more of him for it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <p> + “I am requested to announce,” said Dr Drummond after the singing of the + last hymn, “the death, yesterday morning, of James Archibald Ramsay, for + fifteen years an adherent and for twenty-five years a member of this + church. The funeral will take place from the residence of the deceased, on + Court House Street, tomorrow afternoon at four o’clock. Friends and + acquaintances are respectfully—invited—to attend.” + </p> + <p> + The minister’s voice changed with the character of its affairs. Still + vibrating with the delivery of his sermon, it was now charged with the + official business of the interment. In its inflections it expressed both + elegy and eulogy; and in the brief pause before and after “invited” and + the fall of “attend” there was the last word of comment upon the mortal + term. A crispation of interest passed over the congregation; every chin + was raised. Dr Drummond’s voice had a wonderful claiming power, but he + often said he wished his congregation would pay as undivided attention to + the sermon as they did to the announcements. + </p> + <p> + “The usual weekly prayer meeting will be held in the basement of the + church on Wednesday evening.” Then almost in a tone of colloquy, and with + just a hint of satire about his long upper lip— + </p> + <p> + “I should be glad to see a better attendance of the young people at these + gatherings. Time was when the prayer meeting counted among our young men + and women as an occasion not to be lightly passed over. In these days it + would seem that there is too much business to be done, or too much + pleasure to be enjoyed, for the oncoming generation to remember their + weekly engagement with the Lord. This is not as it should be; and I rely + upon the fathers and mothers of this congregation, who brought these + children in their arms to the baptismal font, there to be admitted to the + good hopes and great privileges of the Church of God—I rely upon + them to see that there shall be no departure from the good old rule, and + that time is found for the weekly prayer meeting.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs Murchison nudged Stella, who returned the attention, looking + elaborately uninterested, with her foot. Alec and Oliver smiled + consciously; their father, with an expression of severe gravity, backed up + the minister who, after an instant’s pause, continued— + </p> + <p> + “On Tuesday afternoon next, God willing, I shall visit the following + families in the East Ward—Mr Peterson, Mr Macormack, Mrs Samuel + Smith, and Mr John Flint. On Thursday afternoon in the South Ward, Mrs + Reid, Mr P. C. Cameron, and Mr Murchison. We will close by singing the + Third Doxology: Blessed, blessed be Jehovah, Israel’s God to all eternity—” + </p> + <p> + The congregation trooped out; the Murchisons walked home in a clan, Mr and + Mrs Murchison, with Stella skirting the edge of the sidewalk beside them, + the two young men behind. Abby, when she married Harry, had “gone over” to + the Church of England. The wife must worship with the husband; even Dr + Drummond recognized the necessity, though he professed small opinion of + the sway of the spouse who, with Presbyterian traditions behind her, could + not achieve union the other way about; and Abby’s sanctioned defection was + a matter of rather shame-faced reference by her family. Advena and Lorne + had fallen into the degenerate modern habit of preferring the evening + service. + </p> + <p> + “So we’re to have the Doctor on Thursday,” said Mrs Murchison, plainly not + displeased. “Well, I hope the dining-room carpet will be down.” + </p> + <p> + “I expect he’ll be wanting his tea,” replied Mr Murchison. “He’s got you + in the right place on the list for that, Mother—as usual.” + </p> + <p> + “I’d just like to see him go anywhere else for his tea the day he was + coming to our house,” declared Stella. “But he GENERALLY has too much + sense.” + </p> + <p> + “You boys,” said Mrs Murchison, turning back to her sons, “will see that + you’re on hand that evening. And I hope the Doctor will rub it in about + the prayer meeting.” Mrs Murchison chuckled. “I saw it went home to both + of you, and well it might. Yes, I think I may as well expect him to tea. + He enjoys my scalloped oysters, if I do say it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “We’ll get Abby over,” said Mr Murchison. “That’ll please the Doctor.” + </p> + <p> + “I must say,” remarked Stella, “he seems to think a lot more of Abby now + that she’s Mrs Episcopal Johnson.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Abby and Harry must come,” said Mrs Murchison, “and I was thinking + of inviting Mr and Mrs Horace Williams. We’ve been there till I’m ashamed + to look them in the face. And I’ve pretty well decided,” she added + autocratically, “to have chicken salad. So if Dr Drummond has made up his + mouth for scalloped oysters he’ll be disappointed.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother,” announced Stella, “I’m perfectly certain you’ll have both.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll consider it,” replied her mother. “Meanwhile we would be better + employed in thinking of what we have been hearing. That’s the third sermon + from the Book of Job in six weeks. I must say, with the whole of the two + Testaments to select from, I don’t see why the Doctor should be so taken + up with Job.” + </p> + <p> + Stella was vindicated; Mrs Murchison did have both. The chicken salad + gleamed at one end of the table and the scalloped oysters smoked delicious + at the other. Lorne had charge of the cold tongue and Advena was entrusted + with the pickled pears. The rest of the family were expected to think + about the tea biscuits and the cake, for Lobelia had never yet had a + successor that was any hand with company. Mrs Murchison had enough to do + to pour out the tea. It was a table to do anybody credit, with its glossy + damask and the old-fashioned silver and best china that Mrs Murchison had + brought as a bride to her housekeeping—for, thank goodness, her + mother had known what was what in such matters—a generous attractive + table that you took some satisfaction in looking at. Mrs Murchison came of + a family of noted housekeepers; where she got her charm I don’t know. + Six-o’clock tea, and that the last meal in the day, was the rule in Elgin, + and a good enough rule for Mrs Murchison, who had no patience with the + innovation of a late dinner recently adopted by some people who could keep + neither their servants nor their digestions in consequence. It had been a + crisp October day; as Mr Murchison remarked, the fall evenings were + beginning to draw in early; everybody was glad of the fire in the grate + and the closed curtains. Dr Drummond had come about five, and the + inquiries and comments upon family matters that the occasion made + incumbent had been briskly exchanged, with just the word that marked the + pastoral visit and the practical interest that relieved it. And he had + thought, on the whole, that he might manage to stay to tea, at which Mrs + Murchison’s eyes twinkled as she said affectionately— + </p> + <p> + “Now, Doctor, you know we could never let you off.” + </p> + <p> + Then Abby had arrived and her husband, and finally Mr and Mrs Williams, + just a trifle late for etiquette, but well knowing that it mustn’t be + enough to spoil the biscuits. Dr Drummond in the place of honour, had + asked the blessing, and that brief reminder of the semiofficial character + of the occasion having been delivered, was in the best of humours. The + Murchisons were not far wrong in the happy divination that he liked coming + to their house. Its atmosphere appealed to him; he expanded in its humour, + its irregularity, its sense of temperament. They were doubtful + allurements, from the point of view of a minister of the Gospel, but it + would not occur to Dr Drummond to analyse them. So far as he was aware, + John Murchison was just a decent, prosperous, Christian man, on whose word + and will you might depend, and Mrs Murchison a stirring, independent + little woman, who could be very good company when she felt inclined. As to + their sons and daughters, in so far as they were a credit, he was as proud + of them as their parents could possibly be, regarding himself as in a much + higher degree responsible for the formation of their characters and the + promise of their talents. And indeed, since every one of them had “sat + under” Dr Drummond from the day he or she was capable of sitting under + anybody, Mr and Mrs Murchison would have been the last to dispute this. It + was not one of those houses where a pastor could always be sure of leaving + some spiritual benefit behind; but then he came away himself with a + pleasant sense of nervous stimulus which was apt to take his mind off the + matter. It is not given to all of us to receive or to extend the communion + of the saints; Mr and Mrs Murchison were indubitably of the elect, but he + was singularly close-mouthed about it, and she had an extraordinary way of + seeing the humorous side—altogether it was paralysing, and the + conversation would wonderfully soon slip round to some robust secular + subject, public or domestic. I have mentioned Dr Drummond’s long upper + lip; all sorts of racial virtues resided there, but his mouth was also + wide and much frequented by a critical, humorous, philosophical smile + which revealed a view of life at once kindly and trenchant. His shrewd + grey eyes were encased in wrinkles, and when he laughed his hearty laugh + they almost disappeared in a merry line. He had a fund of Scotch stories, + and one or two he was very fond of, at the expense of the Methodists, that + were known up and down the Dominion, and nobody enjoyed them more than he + did himself. He had once worn his hair in a high curl on his scholarly + forehead, and a silvering tuft remained brushed upright; he took the + old-fashioned precaution of putting cotton wool in his ears, which gave + him more than ever the look of something highly concentrated and conserved + but in no way detracted from his dignity. St Andrew’s folk accused him of + vanity because of the diamond he wore on his little finger. He was by no + means handsome, but he was intensely individual; perhaps he had vanity; + his people would have forgiven him worse things. And at Mrs Murchison’s + tea party he was certainly, as John Murchison afterward said, “in fine + feather.” + </p> + <p> + An absorbing topic held them, a local topic, a topic involving loss and + crime and reprisals. The Federal Bank had sustained a robbery of five + thousand dollars, and in the course of a few days had placed their cashier + under arrest for suspected complicity. Their cashier was Walter Ormiston, + the only son of old Squire Ormiston, of Moneida Reservation, ten miles out + of Elgin, who had administered the affairs of the Indians there for more + years than the Federal Bank had existed. Mr Williams brought the latest + news, as was to be expected; news flowed in rivulets to Mr Williams all + day long; he paid for it, dealt in it, could spread or suppress it. + </p> + <p> + “They’ve admitted the bail,” Mr Williams announced, with an air of + self-surveillance. Rawlins had brought the intelligence in too late for + the current issue, and Mr Williams was divided between his human desire to + communicate and his journalistic sense that the item would be the main + feature of the next afternoon’s Express. + </p> + <p> + “I’m glad of that. I’m glad of that,” repeated Dr Drummond. “Thank you, + Mrs Murchison, I’ll send my cup. And did you learn, Williams, for what + amount?” + </p> + <p> + Mr Williams ran his hand through his hair in the effort to remember, and + decided that he might as well let it all go. The Mercury couldn’t fail to + get it by tomorrow anyhow. + </p> + <p> + “Three thousand,” he said. “Milburn and Dr Henry Johnson.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought Father was bound to be in it,” remarked Dr Harry. + </p> + <p> + “Half and half?” asked John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “No,” contributed Mrs Williams. “Mr Milburn two and Dr Henry one. Mr + Milburn is Walter’s uncle, you know.” + </p> + <p> + Mr Williams fastened an outraged glance on his wife, who looked another + way. Whatever he thought proper to do, it was absolutely understood that + she was to reveal nothing of what “came in,” and was even carefully to + conserve anything she heard outside with a view to bringing it in. Mrs + Williams was too prone to indiscretion in the matter of letting news slip + prematurely; and as to its capture, her husband would often confess, with + private humour, that Minnie wasn’t much of a mouser. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that’s something to be thankful for,” said Mrs Murchison. “I lay + awake for two hours last night thinking of that boy in jail, and his poor + old father, seventy-nine years of age, and such a fine old man, so + thoroughly respected.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know the young fellow,” said Dr Drummond, “but they say he’s of + good character, not over-solid, but bears a clean reputation. They’re all + Tories together, of course, the Ormistons.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s an old U. E. Loyalist family,” remarked Advena. “Mr Ormiston has one + or two rather interesting Revolutionary trophies at his house out there.” + </p> + <p> + “None the worse for that. None the worse for that,” said Dr Drummond. + </p> + <p> + “Old Ormiston’s father,” contributed the editor of the Express, “had a + Crown grant of the whole of Moneida Reservation at one time. Government + actually bought it back from him to settle the Indians there. He was a + well-known Family Compact man, and fought tooth and nail for the Clergy + Reserves in ‘fifty.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” said Dr Drummond, with a twinkle. “We’ll hope young Ormiston + is innocent, nevertheless.” + </p> + <p> + “Nasty business for the Federal Bank if he is,” Mr Williams went on. + “They’re a pretty unpopular bunch as it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course he’s innocent,” contributed Stella, with indignant eyes; “and + when they prove it, what can he do to the bank for taking him up? That’s + what I want to know.” + </p> + <p> + Her elders smiled indulgently. “A lot you know about it, kiddie,” said + Oliver. It was the only remark he made during the meal. Alec passed the + butter assiduously, but said nothing at all. Adolescence was inarticulate + in Elgin on occasions of ceremony. + </p> + <p> + “I hear they’ve piled up some big evidence,” said Mr Williams. “Young + Ormiston’s been fool enough to do some race-betting lately. Minnie, I wish + you’d get Mrs Murchison to show you how to pickle pears. Of course,” he + added, “they’re keeping it up their sleeve.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a hard place to keep evidence,” said Lorne Murchison at last with a + smile which seemed to throw light on the matter. They had all been + waiting, more or less consciously, for what Lorne would have to say. + </p> + <p> + “Lorne, you’ve got it!” divined his mother instantly. + </p> + <p> + “Got what, Mother?” + </p> + <p> + “The case! I’ve suspected it from the minute the subject was mentioned! + That case came in today!” + </p> + <p> + “And you sitting there like a bump on a log, and never telling us!” + exclaimed Stella, with reproach. + </p> + <p> + “Stella, you have a great deal too much to say,” replied her brother. + “Suppose you try sitting like a bump on a log. We won’t complain. Yes, the + Squire seems to have made up his mind about the defence, and my seniors + haven’t done much else today.” + </p> + <p> + “Rawlins saw him hitched up in front of your place for about two hours + this morning,” said Mr Williams. “I told him I thought that was good + enough, but we didn’t say anything, Rawlins having heard it was to be + Flynn from Toronto. And I hadn’t forgotten the Grand Trunk case we put + down to you last week without exactly askin’. Your old man was as mad as a + hornet—wanted to stop his subscription; Rawlins had no end of a time + to get round him. Little things like that will creep in when you’ve got to + trust to one man to run the whole local show. But I didn’t want the + Mercury to have another horse on us.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think you’ll get a look in, Lorne?” asked Dr Harry. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, not a chance of it. The old man’s as keen as a razor on the case, and + you’d think Warner never had one before! If I get a bit of grubbing to do, + under supervision, they’ll consider I ought to be pleased.” It was the + sunniest possible tone of grumbling; it enlisted your sympathy by its very + acknowledgement that it had not a leg to stand on. + </p> + <p> + “They’re pretty wild about it out Moneida way,” said Dr Harry. “My father + says the township would put down the bail three times over.” + </p> + <p> + “They swear by the Squire out there,” said Mr Horace Williams, liberally + applying his napkin to his moustache. “He treated some of them more than + square when the fall wheat failed three years running, about ten years + back; do you remember, Mr Murchison? Lent them money at about half the + bank rate, and wasn’t in an awful sweat about getting it in at that + either.” + </p> + <p> + “And wasn’t there something about his rebuilding the school-house at his + own expense not so long ago?” asked Dr Drummond. + </p> + <p> + “Just what he did. I wanted to send Rawlins out and make a story of it—we’d + have given it a column, with full heads; but the old man didn’t like it. + It’s hard to know what some people will like. But it was my own + foolishness for asking. A thing like that is public property.” + </p> + <p> + “There’s a good deal of feeling,” said Lorne. “So much that I understand + the bank is moving for change of venue.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope they won’t get it,” said Dr Drummond sharply. “A strong local + feeling is valuable evidence in a case like this. I don’t half approve + this notion that a community can’t manage its own justice when it happens + to take an interest in the case. I’ve no more acquaintance with the Squire + than ‘How d’ye do?’ and I don’t know his son from Adam; but I’d serve on + the jury tomorrow if the Crown asked it, and there’s many more like me.” + </p> + <p> + Mr Williams, who had made a brief note on his shirt cuff, restored his + pencil to his waistcoat pocket. “I shall oppose a change of venue,” said + he. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <p> + It was confidently expected by the Murchison family that when Stella was + old enough she would be a good deal in society. Stella, without doubt, was + well equipped for society; she had exactly those qualities which appealed + to it in Elgin, among which I will mention two—the quality of being + able to suggest that she was quite as good as anybody without saying so, + and the even more important quality of not being any better. Other things + being equal—those common worldly standards that prevailed in Elgin + as well as anywhere else in their degree—other things being equal, + this second simple quality was perhaps the most important of all. Mr and + Mrs Murchison made no claim and small attempt upon society. One doubts + whether, with children coming fast and hard times long at the door, they + gave the subject much consideration; but if they did, it is highly + unlikely to have occurred to them that they were too good for their + environment. Yet in a manner they were. It was a matter of quality, of + spiritual and mental fabric; they were hardly aware that they had it, but + it marked them with a difference, and a difference is the one thing a + small community, accustomed comfortably to scan its own intelligible + averages, will not tolerate. The unusual may take on an exaggeration of + these; an excess of money, an excess of piety, is understood; but + idiosyncrasy susceptible to no common translation is regarded with the + hostility earned by the white crow, modified among law-abiding humans into + tacit repudiation. It is a sound enough social principle to distrust that + which is not understood, like the strain of temperament inarticulate but + vaguely manifest in the Murchisons. Such a strain may any day produce an + eccentric or a genius, emancipated from the common interests, possibly + inimical to the general good; and when, later on, your genius takes flight + or your eccentric sells all that he has and gives it to the poor, his + fellow townsmen exchange shrewd nods before the vindicating fact. + </p> + <p> + Nobody knew it at all in Elgin, but this was the Murchisons’ case. They + had produced nothing abnormal, but they had to prove that they weren’t + going to, and Stella was the last and most convincing demonstration. + Advena, bookish and unconventional, was regarded with dubiety. She was out + of the type; she had queer satisfactions and enthusiasms. Once as a little + girl she had taken a papoose from a drunken squaw and brought it home for + her mother to adopt. Mrs Murchison’s reception of the suggested duty may + be imagined, also the comments of acquaintances—a trick like that! + The inevitable hour arrived when she should be instructed on the piano, + and the second time the music teacher came her pupil was discovered on the + roof of the house, with the ladder drawn up after her. She did not wish to + learn the piano, and from that point of vantage informed her family that + it was a waste of money. She would hide in the hayloft with a novel; she + would be off by herself in a canoe at six o’clock in the morning; she + would go for walks in the rain of windy October twilights and be met + kicking the wet leaves along in front of her “in a dream.” No one could + dream with impunity in Elgin, except in bed. Mothers of daughters + sympathized in good set terms with Mrs Murchison. “If that girl were mine—” + they would say, and leave you with a stimulated notion of the value of + corporal punishment. When she took to passing examinations and teaching, + Elgin considered that her parents ought to be thankful in the probability + that she had escaped some dramatic end. But her occupation further removed + her from intercourse with the town’s more exclusive circles: she had taken + a definite line, and she pursued it, preoccupied. If she was a brand + snatched from the burning, she sent up a little curl of reflection in a + safe place, where she was not further interrupted. + </p> + <p> + Abby, inheriting all these prejudices, had nevertheless not done so badly; + she had taken no time at all to establish herself; she had almost + immediately married. In the social estimates of Elgin the Johnsons were + “nice people,” Dr Henry was a fine old figure in the town, and Abby’s + chances were good enough. At all events, when she opened her doors as a + bride, receiving for three afternoons in her wedding dress, everybody had + “called.” It was very distinctly understood, of course, that this was a + civility that need not lead to anything whatever, a kind of bowing + recognition, to be formally returned and quite possibly to end there. With + Abby, in a good many cases, it hadn’t ended there; she was doing very + well, and as she often said with private satisfaction, if she went out + anywhere she was just as likely as not to meet her brothers. Elgin + society, shaping itself, I suppose, to ultimate increase and prosperity, + had this peculiarity, that the females of a family, in general acceptance, + were apt to lag far behind the males. Alec and Oliver enjoyed a good deal + of popularity, and it was Stella’s boast that if Lorne didn’t go out much + it needn’t be supposed he wasn’t asked. It was an accepted state of things + in Elgin that young men might be invited without their sisters, implying + an imperturbability greater than London’s, since London may not be aware + of the existence of sisters, while Elgin knew all sorts of more + interesting things about them. The young men were more desirable than the + young women; they forged ahead, carrying the family fortunes, and the + “nicest” of them were the young men in the banks. Others might be more + substantial, but there was an allure about a young man in a bank as + difficult to define as to resist. To say of a certain party-giver that she + had “about every bank clerk in town” was to announce the success of her + entertainment in ultimate terms. These things are not always penetrable, + but no doubt his gentlemanly form of labour and its abridgement in the + afternoons, when other young men toiled on till the stroke of six, had + something to do with this apotheosis of the bank clerk, as well as his + invariable taste in tailoring, and the fact that some local family + influence was probably represented in his appointment. Privilege has + always its last little stronghold, and it still operates to admiration on + the office stools of minor finance in towns like Elgin. At all events, the + sprouting tellers and cashiers held unquestioned sway—young doctors + and lawyers simply didn’t think of competing; and since this sort of thing + carries its own penalty, the designation which they shared with so many + distinguished persons in history became a byword on the lips of envious + persons and small boys, by which they wished to express effeminacy and the + substantive of the “stuck-up.” “D’ye take me fur a bank clurk?” was a form + of repudiation among corner loafers as forcible as it was unjustifiable. + </p> + <p> + I seem to have embarked, by way of getting to the Milburns’ party—there + is a party at the Milburns’ and some of us are going—upon an + analysis of social principles in Elgin, an adventure of difficulty, as I + have once or twice hinted, but one from which I cannot well extricate + myself without at least leaving a clue or two more for the use of the + curious. No doubt these rules had their nucleus in the half-dozen + families, among whom we may count the shadowy Plummers, who took upon + themselves for Fox County, by the King’s pleasure, the administration of + justice, the practice of medicine and of the law, and the performance of + the charges of the Church of England a long time ago. Such persons would + bring their lines of demarcation with them, and in their new milieu of + backwoods settlers and small traders would find no difficulty in drawing + them again. But it was a very long time ago. The little knot of + gentry-folk soon found the limitations of their new conditions; years went + by in decades, aggrandizing none of them. They took, perforce, to the ways + of the country, and soon nobody kept a groom but the Doctor, and nobody + dined late but the Judge. There came a time when the Sheriff’s whist club + and the Archdeacon’s port became a tradition to the oldest inhabitant. + Trade flourished, education improved, politics changed. Her Majesty + removed her troops—the Dominion wouldn’t pay, a poor-spirited + business—and a bulwark went with the regiment. The original + dignified group broke, dissolved, scattered. Prosperous traders foreclosed + them, the spirit of the times defeated them, young Liberals succeeded them + in office. Their grandsons married the daughters of well-to-do persons who + came from the north of Ireland, the east of Scotland, and the Lord knows + where. It was a sorry tale of disintegration with a cheerful sequel of + rebuilding, leading to a little unavoidable confusion as the edifice went + up. Any process of blending implies confusion to begin with; we are here + at the making of a nation. + </p> + <p> + This large consideration must dispose of small anomalies, such as the + acceptance, without cant, of certain forms of the shop, euphemized as the + store, but containing the same old vertebral counter. Not all forms. + Dry-goods were held in respect and chemists in comparative esteem; house + furnishings and hardware made an appreciable claim, and quite a leading + family was occupied with seed grains. Groceries, on the other hand, were + harder to swallow, possibly on account of the apron, though the grocer’s + apron, being of linen, had several degrees more consideration than the + shoemaker’s, which was of leather; smaller trades made smaller + pretensions; Mrs Milburn could tell you where to draw the line. They were + all hard-working folk together, but they had their little prejudices: the + dentist was known as “Doc,” but he was not considered quite on a medical + level; it was doubtful whether you bowed to the piano-tuner, and quite a + curious and unreasonable contempt was bound up in the word “veterinary.” + Anything “wholesale” or manufacturing stood, of course, on its own feet; + there was nothing ridiculous in molasses, nothing objectionable in a + tannery, nothing amusing in soap. Such airs and graces were far from + Elgin, too fundamentally occupied with the amount of capital invested, and + too profoundly aware how hard it was to come by. The valuable part of it + all was a certain bright freedom, and this was of the essence. Trade was a + decent communal way of making a living, rooted in independence and the + general need; it had none of the meaner aspects. Your bow was negligible + to the piano-tuner, and everything veterinary held up its head. And all + this again qualified, as everywhere, by the presence or absence of the + social faculty, that magnetic capacity for coming, as Mrs Murchison would + say, “to the fore,” which makes little of disadvantages that might seem + insuperable and, in default, renders null and void the most unquestionable + claims. Anyone would think of the Delarues. Mr Delarue had in the dim past + married his milliner, yet the Delarues were now very much indeed to the + fore. And, on the other hand, the Leverets of the saw mills, rich and + benevolent; the Leverets were not in society simply, if you analysed it, + because they did not appear to expect to be in it. Certainly it was well + not to be too modest; assuredly, as Mrs Murchison said, you put your own + ticket on, though that dear soul never marked herself in very plain + figures, not knowing, perhaps for one thing, quite how much she was worth. + On the other hand, “Scarce of company, welcome trumpery,” Mrs Murchison + always emphatically declared to be no part of her social philosophy. The + upshot was that the Murchisons were confined to a few old friends and + looked, as we know, half-humorously, half-ironically, for more brilliant + excursions, to Stella and “the boys.” + </p> + <p> + It was only, however, the pleasure of Mr Lorne Murchison’s company that + was requested at the Milburns’ dance. Almost alone among those who had + slipped into wider and more promiscuous circles with the widening of the + stream, the Milburns had made something like an effort to hold out. The + resisting power was not thought to reside in Mr Milburn, who was + personally aware of no special ground for it, but in Mrs Milburn and her + sister, Miss Filkin, who seemed to have inherited the strongest ideas. in + the phrase of the place, about keeping themselves to themselves. A strain + of this kind is sometimes constant, even so far from the fountainhead, + with its pleasing proof that such views were once the most general and the + most sacred defence of middle-class firesides, and that Thackeray had, + after all, a good deal to excuse him. Crossing the Atlantic they doubtless + suffered some dilution; but all that was possible to conserve them under + very adverse conditions Mrs Milburn and Miss Filkin made it their duty to + do. Nor were these ideas opposed, contested, or much traversed in Elgin. + It was recognized that there was “something about” Mrs Milburn and her + sister—vaguely felt—that you did not come upon that thinness + of nostril, and slope of shoulder, and set of elbow at every corner. They + must have got it somewhere. A Filkin tradition prevailed, said to have + originated in Nova Scotia: the Filkins never had been accessible, but if + they wanted to keep to themselves, let them. In this respect Dora Milburn, + the only child, was said to be her mother’s own daughter. The shoulders, + at all events, testified to it; and the young lady had been taught to + speak, like Mrs Milburn, with what was known as an “English accent.” The + accent in general use in Elgin was borrowed—let us hope temporarily—from + the other side of the line. It suffered local modifications and + exaggerations, but it was clearly an American product. The English accent + was thoroughly affected, especially the broad “a.” The time may come when + Elgin will be at considerable pains to teach itself the broad “a,” but + that is in the embroidery of the future, and in no way modifies the + criticism of Dora Milburn. + </p> + <p> + Lorne Murchison, however, was invited to the dance. The invitation reached + him through the post: coming home from office early on Saturday he + produced it from his pocket. Mrs Murchison and Abby sat on the verandah + enjoying the Indian summer afternoon; the horse chestnuts dropped crashing + among the fallen leaves, the roadside maples blazed, the quiet streets ran + into smoky purple, and one belated robin hopped about the lawn. Mrs + Murchison had just remarked that she didn’t know why, at this time of + year, you always felt as if you were waiting for something. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I hope you feel honoured,” remarked Abby. Not one of them would + have thought that Lorne should feel especially honoured; but the + insincerity was so obvious that it didn’t matter. Mrs Murchison, cocking + her head to read the card, tried hard not to look pleased. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs Milburn. At Home,” she read. “Dancing. Well she might be at home + dancing, for all me! Why couldn’t she just write you a little friendly + note, or let Dora do it? It’s that Ormiston case,” she went on shrewdly. + “They know you’re taking a lot of trouble about it. And the least they + could do, too.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne sat down on the edge of the verandah with his hands in his trousers + pockets, and stuck his long legs out in front of him. “Oh, I don’t know,” + he said. “They have the name of being nifty, but I haven’t got anything + against the Milburns.” + </p> + <p> + “Name!” ejaculated Mrs Murchison. “Now long ago was it the Episcopalians + began that sewing-circle business for the destitute clergy of + Saskatchewan?” + </p> + <p> + “Mother!” put in Abby, with deprecation. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I won’t be certain about the clergy, but I tell you it had to do + with Saskatchewan, for that I remember! And anyhow, the first meeting was + held at the Milburns’—members lent their drawing-rooms. Well, Mrs + Leveret and Mrs Delarue went to the meeting—they were very thick + just then, the Leverets and the Delarues. They were so pleased to be going + that they got there about five minutes too soon, and they were the first + to come. Well, they rang the bell and in they went. The girl showed them + into the front drawing-room and asked them to sit down. And there in the + back drawing-room sat Mrs Milburn and Miss Filkin, AND NEVER SPOKE TO + THEM! Took not the smallest notice, any more than if they had been stray + cats—not so much! Their own denomination, mind you, too! And there + they might have been sitting still if Mrs Leveret hadn’t had the spirit to + get up and march out. No thank you. No Milburns for me.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne watched his mother with twinkling eyes till she finished. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mother, after that, if it was going to be a sewing circle I think + I’d send an excuse,” he said, “but maybe they won’t be so mean at a + dance.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <p> + Octavius Milburn would not, I think, have objected to being considered, + with relation to his own line in life, a representative man. He would have + been wary to claim it, but if the stranger had arrived unaided at this + view of him, he would have been inclined to think well of the stranger’s + power of induction. That is what he was—a man of averages, balances, + the safe level, no more disposed to an extravagant opinion than to wear + one side whisker longer than the other. You would take him any day, + especially on Sunday in a silk hat, for the correct medium: by his careful + walk with the spring in it, his shrewd glance with the caution in it, his + look of being prepared to account for himself, categorically, from head to + foot. He was fond of explaining, in connection with an offer once made him + to embark his capital in Chicago, that he preferred a fair living under + his own flag to a fortune under the Stars and Stripes. There we have the + turn of his mind, convertible into the language of bookkeeping, a balance + struck, with the profit on the side of the flag, the patriotic equivalent + in good sound terms of dollars and cents. With this position understood, + he was prepared to take you up on any point of comparison between the + status and privileges of a subject and a citizen—the political + MORALE of a monarchy and a republic—the advantage of life on this + and the other side of the line. There was nothing he liked better to + expatiate upon, with that valuable proof of his own sincerity always at + hand for reference and illustration. His ideal was life in a practical, + go-ahead, self-governing colony, far enough from England actually to be + disabused of her inherited anachronisms and make your own tariff, near + enough politically to keep your securities up by virtue of her protection. + He was extremely satisfied with his own country; one saw in his talk the + phenomenon of patriotism in double bloom, flower within flower. I have + mentioned his side whiskers: he preserved that facial decoration of the + Prince Consort; and the large steel engraving that represents Queen + Victoria in a flowing habit and the Prince in a double-breasted frock coat + and a stock, on horseback, hung over the mantelpiece in his drawing-room. + If the outer patriotism was a little vague, the inner had vigour enough. + Canada was a great place. Mr Milburn had been born in the country, and had + never “gone over” to England; Canada was good enough for him. He was born, + one might say, in the manufacturing interest, and inherited the complacent + and Conservative political views of a tenderly nourished industry. Mr + Milburn was of those who were building up the country; with sufficient + protection he was prepared to go on doing it long and loyally; meanwhile + he admired the structure from all points of view. As President of the + Elgin Chamber of Commerce, he was enabled once a year to produce no end of + gratifying figures; he was fond of wearing on such occasions the national + emblem in a little enamelled maple leaf; and his portrait and biography + occupied a full page in a sumptuous work entitled Canadians of Today, sold + by subscription, where he was described as the “Father of the Elgin + Boiler.” + </p> + <p> + Mr and Mrs Milburn were in the drawing-room to receive their young guests, + a circumstance which alone imparted a distinction to the entertainment. At + such parties the appearance of the heads of the house was by no means + invariable; frequently they went to bed. The simple explanation was that + the young people could stand late hours and be none the worse next day; + their elders had to be more careful if they wanted to get down to + business. Moreover, as in all new societies, between the older and the + younger generation there was a great gulf fixed, across which intercourse + was difficult. The sons and daughters, born to different circumstances, + evolved their own conventions, the old people used the ways and manners of + narrower days; one paralysed the other. It might be gathered from the + slight tone of patronage in the address of youth to age that the advantage + lay with the former; but polite conversation, at best, was sustained with + discomfort. Such considerations, however, were far from operating with the + Milburns. Mrs Milburn would have said that they were characteristic of + quite a different class of people; and so they were. + </p> + <p> + No one would have supposed, from the way in which the family disposed + itself in the drawing-room, that Miss Filkin had only just finished making + the claret cup, or that Dora had been cutting sandwiches till the last + minute, or that Mrs Milburn had been obliged to have a distinct + understanding with the maid—Mrs Milburn’s servants were all “maids,” + even the charwoman, who had buried three husbands—on the subject of + wearing a cap when she answered the door. Mrs Milburn sat on a chair she + had worked herself, occupied with something in the new stitch; Dora + performed lightly at the piano; Miss Filkin dipped into Selections from + the Poets of the Century, placed as remotely as possible from the others; + Mr Milburn, with his legs crossed, turned and folded a Toronto evening + paper. Mrs Milburn had somewhat objected to the evening paper in the + drawing-room. “Won’t you look at a magazine, Octavius?” she said; but Mr + Milburn advanced the argument that it removed “any appearance of + stiffness,” and prevailed. It was impossible to imagine a group more + disengaged from the absurd fuss that precedes a party among some classes + of people; indeed, when Mr Lorne Murchison arrived—like the + unfortunate Mrs Leveret and Mrs Delarue, he was the first—they + looked almost surprised to see him. + </p> + <p> + Lorne told his mother afterward that he thought, in that embarrassing + circumstance, of Mrs Leveret and Mrs Delarue, and they laughed consumedly + together over his discomforture; but what he felt at the moment was not + the humour of the situation. To be the very first and solitary arrival is + nowhere esteemed the happiest fortune, but in Elgin a kind of ridiculous + humiliation attached to it, a greed for the entertainment, a painful + unsophistication. A young man of Elgin would walk up and down in the snow + for a quarter of an hour with the thermometer at zero to escape the + ignominy of it; Lorne Murchison would have so walked. Our young man was + potentially capable of not minding, by next morning he didn’t mind; but + immediately he was fast tied in the cobwebs of the common prescription, + and he made his way to each of the points of the compass of the Milburns’ + drawing-room to shake hands, burning to the ears. Before he subsided into + a chair near Mr Milburn he grasped the collar of his dress coat on each + side and drew it forward, a trick he had with his gown in court, a nervous + and mechanical action. Dora, who continued to play, watched him over the + piano with an amusement not untinged with malice. She was a tall fair + girl, with several kinds of cleverness. She did her hair quite + beautifully, and she had a remarkable, effective, useful reticence. Her + father declared that Dora took in a great deal more than she ever gave out—an + accomplishment, in Mr Milburn’s eyes, on the soundest basis. She looked + remarkably pretty and had remarkably good style, and as she proceeded with + her mazurka she was thinking, “He has never been asked here before: how + perfectly silly he must feel coming so early!” Presently as Lorne grew + absorbed in talk and forgot his unhappy chance, she further reflected, “I + don’t think I’ve ever seen him till now in evening dress; it does make him + a good figure.” This went on behind a faultless coiffure and an expression + almost classical in its detachment; but if Miss Milburn could have thought + on a level with her looks I, for one, would hesitate to take any liberty + with her meditations. + </p> + <p> + However, the bell began to ring with the briefest intermissions, the maid + in the cap to make constant journeys. She opened the door with a welcoming + smile, having practically no deportment to go with the cap: human nature + does not freeze readily anywhere. Dora had to leave the piano: Miss Filkin + decided that when fifteen had come she would change her chair. Fifteen + soon came, the young ladies mostly in light silks or muslins cut square, + not low, in the neck, with half-sleeves. This moderation was prescribed in + Elgin, where evening dress was more a matter of material than of cut, a + thing in itself symbolical if it were desirable to consider social + evolution here. For middle-aged ladies high necks and long sleeves were + usual; and Mrs Milburn might almost have been expected to appear thus, in + a nicely made black broche, perhaps. It was recognized as like Mrs + Milburn, in keeping with her unbending ideas, to wear a dress cut as + square as any young lady’s, with just a little lace let in, of a lavender + stripe. The young men were nearly all in the tailor’s convention for their + sex the world over, with here and there a short coat that also went to + church; but there some departures from orthodoxy in the matter of collars + and ties, and where white bows were achieved, I fear none of the wearers + would have dreamed of defending them from the charge of being ready-made. + </p> + <p> + It was a clear, cold January night and everybody, as usual, walked to the + party; the snow creaked and ground underfoot, one could hear the arriving + steps in the drawing-room. They stamped and scraped to get rid of it in + the porch, and hurried through the hall, muffled figures in overshoes, to + emerge from an upstairs bedroom radiant, putting a last touch to hair and + button hole, smelling of the fresh winter air. Such gatherings usually + consisted entirely of bachelors and maidens, with one or two exceptions so + recently yoked together that they had not yet changed the plane of + existence; married people, by general consent, left these amusements to + the unculled. They had, as I have hinted, more serious preoccupations, + “something else to do”; nobody thought of inviting them. Nobody, that is, + but Mrs Milburn and a few others of her way of thinking, who saw more + elegance and more propriety in a mixture. On this occasion she had asked + her own clergyman, the pleasant-faced rector of St Stephen’s, and Mrs + Emmett, who wore that pathetic expression of fragile wives and mothers who + have also a congregation at their skirts. Walter Winter was there, too. Mr + Winter had the distinction of having contested South Fox in the + Conservative interest three time unsuccessfully. Undeterred, he went on + contesting things: invariably beaten, he invariably came up smiling and + ready to try again. His imperturbability was a valuable asset; he never + lost heart or dreamed of retiring from the arena, nor did he ever cease to + impress his party as being their most useful and acceptable + representative. His business history was chequered and his exact financial + equivalent uncertain, but he had tremendously the air of a man of affairs; + as the phrase went, he was full of politics, the plain repository of deep + things. He had a shrewd eye, a double chin, and a bluff, crisp, jovial + manner of talking as he lay back in an armchair with his legs crossed and + played with his watch chain, an important way of nodding assent, a weighty + shake of denial. Voting on purely party lines, the town had later rewarded + his invincible expectation by electing him Mayor, and then provided itself + with unlimited entertainment by putting in a Liberal majority on his + council, the reports of the weekly sittings being constantly considered as + good as a cake walk. South Fox, as people said, was not a healthy locality + for Conservatives. Yet Walter Winter wore a look of remarkable hardiness. + He had also tremendously the air of a dark horse, the result both of + natural selection and careful cultivation. Even his political enemies took + it kindly when he “got in” for Mayor, and offered him amused + congratulations. He made a personal claim on their cordiality, which was + not the least of his political resources. Nature had fitted him to public + uses; the impression overflowed the ranks of his own supporters and + softened asperity among his opponents. Illustration lies, at this moment + close to us. They had not been in the same room a quarter of an hour + before he was in deep and affectionate converse with Lorne Murchison, + whose party we know, and whose political weight was increasing, as this + influence often does, with a rapidity out of proportion with his + professional and general significance. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a pity now,” said Mr Winter, with genial interest, “you can’t get + that Ormiston defence into your own hands. Very useful thing for you.” + </p> + <p> + The younger man shifted a little uncomfortably in his seat. It is one + thing to entertain a private vision and another to see it materialized on + other lips. + </p> + <p> + “Oh I’d like it well enough,” he said, “but it’s out of the question, of + course. I’m too small potatoes.” + </p> + <p> + “There’s a lot of feeling for old Ormiston. Folks out there on the Reserve + don’t know how to show it enough.” + </p> + <p> + “They’ve shown it a great deal too much. We don’t want to win on + ‘feeling,’ or have it said either. And we were as near as possible having + to take the case to the Hamilton Assizes.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess you were—I guess you were.” Mr Winter’s suddenly increased + gravity expressed his appreciation of the danger. “I saw Lister of the + Bank the day they heard from Toronto—rule refused. Never saw a man + more put out. Seems they considered the thing as good as settled. General + opinion was it would go to Hamilton, sure. Well I don’t know how you + pulled it off, but it was a smart piece of work, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne encountered Mr Winter’s frank smile with an expression of crude and + rather stolid discomfort. It had a base of indignation, corrected by a + concession to the common idea that most events, with an issue pendent, + were the result of a smart piece of work: a kind of awkward shrug was in + it. He had no desire to be unpleasant to Walter Winter—on the + contrary. Nevertheless, an uncompromising line came on each side of his + mouth with his reply. + </p> + <p> + “As far as I know,” he said, “the application was dismissed on its + demerits.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it was,” said Mr Winter good-humouredly. “You don’t need to + tell me that. Well, now, this looks like dancing. Miss Filkin, I see, is + going to oblige on the piano. Now I wonder whether I’m going to get Miss + Dora to give me a waltz or not.” + </p> + <p> + Chairs and table were in effect being pushed back, and folding doors + opened which disclosed another room prepared for this relaxation. Miss + Filkin began to oblige vigorously on the piano, Miss Dora granted Mr + Winter’s request, which he made with elaborate humour as an impudent old + bachelor whom “the boys” would presently take outside and kill. Lorne + watched him make it, envying him his assurance; and Miss Milburn was aware + that he watched and aware that he envied. The room filled with gaiety and + movement: Mr Milburn, sidling dramatically along the wall to escape the + rotatory couples, admonished Mr Murchison to get a partner. He withdrew + himself from the observation of Miss Dora and Mr Winter, and approached a + young lady on a sofa, who said “With very great pleasure.” When the dance + was over he re-established the young lady on the sofa and fanned her with + energy. Looking across the room, he saw that Walter Winter, seated beside + Dora, was fanning himself. He thought it disgusting and, for some reason + which he did not pause to explore, exactly like Winter. He had met Miss + Milburn once or twice before without seeing her in any special way: here, + at home, the centre of the little conventions that at once protected and + revealed her, conventions bound up in the impressive figures of her mother + and her aunt, she had a new interest, and all the attraction of that which + is not easily come by. It is also possible that although Lorne had met her + before, she had not met him; she was meeting him now for the first time, + as she sat directly opposite and talked very gracefully to Walter Winter. + Addressing Walter Winter, Lorne was the object of her pretty remarks. + While Mr Winter had her superficial attention, he was the bland medium + which handed her on. Her consciousness was fixed on young Mr Murchison, + quite occupied with him: she could not imagine why they had not asked him + long ago; he wasn’t exactly “swell,” but you could see he was somebody. So + already she figured the potential distinction in the set of his shoulders + and the carriage of his head. It might have been translated in simple + terms of integrity and force by anyone who looked for those things. Miss + Milburn was incapable of such detail, but she saw truly enough in the + mass. + </p> + <p> + Lorne, on the opposite sofa, looked at her across the town’s traditions of + Milburn exclusiveness. Oddly enough, at this moment when he might have + considered that he had overcome them, they seemed to gather force, exactly + in his line of vision. He had never before been so near Dora Milburn, and + he had never before perceived her so remote. He had a sense of her + distance beyond those few yards of carpet quite incompatible with the + fact. It weighed upon him, but until she sent him a sudden unexpected + smile he did not know how heavily. It was a dissipating smile; nothing + remained before it. Lorne carefully restored his partner’s fan, bowed + before her, and went straight across the room. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <p> + It is determined with something like humour that communities very young + should occupy themselves almost altogether with matters of grave and + serious import. The vision of life at that period is no doubt unimpeded + and clear; its conditions offer themselves with a certain nakedness and + force, both as to this world and to that which is to come. The town of + Elgin thus knew two controlling interests—the interest of politics + and the interest of religion. Both are terms we must nevertheless + circumscribe. Politics wore a complexion strictly local, provincial, or + Dominion. The last step of France in Siam, the disputed influence of + Germany in the Persian Gulf, the struggle of the Powers in China were not + matters greatly talked over in Elgin; the theatre of European diplomacy + had no absorbed spectators here. Nor can I claim that interest in the + affairs of Great Britain was in any way extravagant. + </p> + <p> + A sentiment of affection for the reigning house certainly prevailed. It + was arbitrary, rococo, unrelated to current conditions as a tradition sung + down in a ballad, an anachronism of the heart, cherished through long rude + lifetimes for the beauty and poetry of it—when you consider, beauty + and poetry can be thought of in this. Here was no Court aiding the + transmutation of the middle class, no King spending money; here were no + picturesque contacts of Royalty and the people, no pageantry, no blazonry + of the past, nothing to lift the heart but an occasional telegram from the + monarch expressing, upon an event of public importance, a suitable + emotion. Yet the common love for the throne amounted to a half-ashamed + enthusiasm that burned with something like a sacred flame, and was among + the things not ordinarily alluded to, because of the shyness that attaches + to all feeling that cannot be justified in plain terms. A sentiment of + affection for the reigning house certainly prevailed; but it was a thing + by itself. The fall of a British Government would hardly fail to excite + comment, and the retirement of a Prime Minister would induce both the + Mercury and the Express to publish a biographical sketch of him, + considerably shorter than the leader embodying the editor’s views as to + who should get the electric light contract. But the Government might + become the sole employer of labour in those islands, Church and school + might part company for ever, landlords might be deprived of all but + compassionate allowances and, except for the degree of extravagance + involved in these propositions, they would hardly be current in Elgin. The + complications of England’s foreign policy were less significant still. It + was recognized dimly that England had a foreign policy, more or less had + to have it, as they would have said in Elgin; it was part of the huge + unnecessary scheme of things for which she was responsible—unnecessary + from Elgin’s point of view as a father’s financial obligations might be to + a child he had parted with at birth. It all lay outside the facts of life, + far beyond the actual horizon, like the affairs of a distant relation from + whom one has nothing to hope, not even personal contact, and of whose + wealth and greatness one does not boast much, because of the irony + involved. Information upon all these matters was duly put before Elgin + every morning in the telegrams of the Toronto papers; the information + came, until the other day, over cables to New York and was disseminated by + American news agencies. It was, therefore, not devoid of bias; but if this + was perceived it was by no means thought a matter for protesting measures, + especially as they would be bound to involve expense. The injury was too + vague, too remote, to be more than sturdily discounted by a mental + attitude. Belief in England was in the blood, it would not yield to the + temporary distortion of facts in the newspapers—at all events, it + would not yield with a rush. Whether there was any chance of insidious + sapping was precisely what the country was too indifferent to discover. + Indifferent, apathetic, self-centred—until whenever, down the wind, + across the Atlantic, came the faint far music of the call to arms. Then + the old dog of war that has his kennel in every man rose and shook + himself, and presently there would be a baying! The sense of kinship, + lying too deep for the touch of ordinary circumstance, quickened to that; + and in a moment “we” were fighting, “we” had lost or won. + </p> + <p> + Apart, however, from the extraordinary, the politics of Elgin’s daily + absorption were those of the town, the Province, the Dominion. Centres of + small circumference yield a quick swing; the concern of the average + intelligent Englishman as to the consolidation of his country’s interests + in the Yangtse Valley would be a languid manifestation beside that of an + Elgin elector in the chances of an appropriation for a new court house. + The single mind is the most fervid: Elgin had few distractions from the + question of the court house or the branch line to Clayfield. The arts + conspired to be absent; letters resided at the nearest university city; + science was imported as required, in practical improvements. There was + nothing, indeed, to interfere with Elgin’s attention to the immediate, the + vital, the municipal: one might almost read this concentration of interest + in the white dust of the rambling streets, and the shutters closed against + it. Like other movements of the single mind, it had something of the + ferocious, of the inflexible, of the unintelligent; but it proudly wore + the character of the go-ahead and, as Walter Winter would have pointed out + to you, it had granted eleven bonuses to “capture” sound commercial + concerns in six years. + </p> + <p> + In wholesome fear of mistake, one would hesitate to put church matters + either before or after politics among the preoccupations of Elgin. It + would be safer and more indisputable to say that nothing compared with + religion but politics, and nothing compared with politics but religion. In + offering this proposition also we must think of our dimensions. There is a + religious fervour in Oxford, in Mecca, in Benares, and the sign for these + ideas is the same; we have to apply ourselves to the interpretation. In + Elgin religious fervour was not beautiful, or dramatic, or + self-immolating; it was reasonable. You were perhaps your own first + creditor; after that your debt was to your Maker. You discharged this + obligation in a spirit of sturdy equity: if the children didn’t go to + Sunday school you knew the reason why. The habit of church attendance was + not only a basis of respectability, but practically the only one: a person + who was “never known to put his head inside a church door” could not be + more severely reprobated, by Mrs Murchison at all events. It was the + normal thing, the thing which formed the backbone of life, sustaining to + the serious, impressive to the light, indispensable to the rest, and the + thing that was more than any of these, which you can only know when you + stand in the churches among the congregations. Within its prescribed + limitations it was for many the intellectual exercise, for more the + emotional lift, and for all the unfailing distraction of the week. The + repressed magnetic excitement in gatherings of familiar faces, + fellow-beings bound by the same convention to the same kind of behaviour, + is precious in communities where the human interest is still thin and + sparse. It is valuable in itself, and it produces an occasional detached + sensation. There was the case, in Dr Drummond’s church, of placid-faced, + saintly old Sandy MacQuhot, the epileptic. It used to be a common regret + with Lorne Murchison that as sure as he was allowed to stay away from + church Sandy would have a fit. That was his little boy’s honesty; the + elders enjoyed the fit and deprecated the disturbance. + </p> + <p> + There was a simple and definite family feeling within communions. “They + come to our church” was the argument of first force whether for calling or + for charity. It was impossible to feel toward a Congregationalist or an + Episcopalian as you felt toward one who sang the same hymns and sat under + the same admonition week by week, year in and year out, as yourself. + “Wesleyans, are they?” a lady of Knox Church would remark of the newly + arrived, in whom her interest was suggested. “Then let the Wesleyans look + after them.” A pew-holder had a distinct status; an “adherent” enjoyed + friendly consideration, especially if he adhered faithfully; and stray + attendants from other congregations were treated with punctilious + hospitality, places being found for them in the Old Testament, as if they + could hardly be expected to discover such things for themselves. The + religious interest had also the strongest domestic character in quite + another sense from that of the family prayers which Dr Drummond was always + enjoying. “Set your own house in order and then your own church” was a + wordless working precept in Elgin. Threadbare carpet in the aisles was + almost as personal a reproach as a hole under the dining-room table; and + self-respect was barely possible to a congregation that sat in faded pews. + The minister’s gown even was the subject of scrutiny as the years went on. + It was an expensive thing to buy, but an oyster supper would do it and + leave something over for the organ. Which brings us to the very core and + centre of these activities, their pivot, their focus and, in a human + sense, their inspiration—the minister himself. + </p> + <p> + The minister was curiously special among a people so general; he was in a + manner raised in life on weekdays as he was in the pulpit on Sundays. He + had what one might call prestige; some form of authority still survived in + his person, to which the spiritual democracy he presided over gave a + humorous, voluntary assent. He was supposed to be a person of undetermined + leisure—what was writing two sermons a week to earn your living by?—and + he was probably the more reverend, or the more revered, from the fact that + he was in the house all day. A particular importance attached to + everything he said and did; he was a person whose life answered different + springs, and was sustained on quite another principle than that of supply + and demand. The province of public criticism was his; but his people made + up for the meekness with which they sat under it by a generous use of the + corresponding privilege in private. Comments upon the minister partook of + hardiness; it was as if the members were determined to live up to the fact + that the office-bearers could reduce his salary if they liked. Needless to + say, they never did like. Congregations stood loyally by their pastors, + and discussion was strictly intramural. If the Methodists handed theirs on + at the end of three years with a breath of relief, they exhaled it among + themselves; after all, for them it was a matter of luck. The + Presbyterians, as in the case of old Mr Jamesion of St Andrew’s, held on + till death, pulling a long upper lip: election was not a thing to be + trifled with in heaven or upon earth. + </p> + <p> + It will be imagined whether Dr Drummond did not see in these conditions + his natural and wholesome element, whether he did not fit exactly in. The + God he loved to worship as Jehovah had made him a beneficent despot and + given him, as it were, a commission. If the temporal power had charged him + to rule an eastern province, he would have brought much the same qualities + to the task. Knox Church, Elgin, was his dominion, its moral and material + affairs his jealous interest, and its legitimate expansion his chief + pride. In “anniversary” sermons, which he always announced the Sunday + before, he seldom refrained from contrasting the number on the roll of + church membership, then and now, with the particular increase in the year + just closed. If the increase was satisfactory, he made little comment + beyond the duty of thanksgiving—figures spoke for themselves. If it + was otherwise Dr Drummond’s displeasure was not a thing he would conceal. + He would wing it eloquently on the shaft of his grief that the harvest had + been so light; but he would more than hint the possibility that the + labourers had been few. Most important among his statistics was the number + of young communicants. Wanderers from other folds he admitted, with a not + wholly satisfied eye upon their early theological training, and to persons + duly accredited from Presbyterian churches elsewhere he gave the right + hand of fellowship; but the young people of his own congregation were his + chief concern always, and if a gratifying number of these had failed to + “come forward” during the year, the responsibility must lie somewhere. Dr + Drummond was willing to take his own share; “the ministrations of this + pulpit” would be more than suspected of having come short, and the + admission would enable him to tax the rest upon parents and Bible-class + teachers with searching effect. The congregation would go gloomily home to + dinner, and old Sandy MacQuhot would remark to his wife, “It’s hard to say + why will the Doctor get himself in sic a state aboot mere numbers. We’re + told ‘where two or three are gathered together.’ But the Doctor’s all for + a grand congregation.” + </p> + <p> + Knox Church, under such auspices could hardly fail to enlarge her borders; + but Elgin enlarged hers faster. Almost before you knew where you were + there spread out the district of East Elgin, all stacks of tall chimneys + and rows of little houses. East Elgin was not an attractive locality; it + suffered from inundation sometimes, when the river was in spring flood; it + gave unresentful room to a tannery. It was the home of dubious practices + at the polls, and the invariable hunting-ground for domestic servants. + Nevertheless, in the view of Knox Church, it could not bear a character + wholly degraded; too many Presbyterians, Scotch foremen, and others, had + their respectable residence there. For these it was a far cry to Dr + Drummond in bad weather, and there began to be talk of hiring the East + Elgin schoolhouse for Sunday exercises if suitable persons could be got to + come over from Knox Church and lead them. I do not know who was found to + broach the matter to Dr Drummond; report says his relative and + housekeeper, Mrs Forsyth, who perhaps might do it under circumstances of + strategical advantage. Mrs Forsyth, or whoever it was, had her reply in + the hidden terms of an equation—was it any farther for the people of + East Elgin to walk to hear him preach than for him to walk to minister to + the people of East Elgin, which he did quite once a week, and if so, how + much? Mrs Forsyth, or whoever it was, might eliminate the unknown + quantity. It cannot be said that Dr Drummond discouraged the project; he + simply did not mention it and as it was known to have been communicated to + him this represented effectively the policy of the closed door. He found + himself even oftener in East Elgin, walking about on his pastoral errands + with a fierce briskness of aspect and a sharp inquiring eye, before which + one might say the proposition slunk away. Meanwhile, the Methodists who, + it seemed, could tolerate decentralization, or anything short of round + dances, opened a chapel with a cheerful sociable, and popularized the + practice of backsliding among those for whom the position was + theologically impossible. Good Presbyterians in East Elgin began to turn + into makeshift Methodists. The Doctor missed certain occupants of the + gallery seats and felt the logic of circumstances. Here we must all yield, + and the minister concealed his discomfiture in a masterly initiative. The + matter came up again at a meeting of the church managers, brought up by Dr + Drummond, who had the satisfaction of hearing that a thing put into the + Doctor’s hands was already half done. In a very few weeks it was entirely + done. The use of the schoolhouse was granted through Dr Drummond’s + influence with the Board free of charge; and to understand the triumph of + this it should be taken into account that three of the trustees were + Wesleyans. Services were held regularly, certain of Dr Drummond’s elders + officiating; and the conventicle in the schoolhouse speedily became known + as Knox Church Mission. It grew and prospered. The first night “I to the + hills will lift mine eyes” went up from East Elgin on the uplifting tune + that belongs to it, the strayed came flocking back. + </p> + <p> + This kind never go forth again; once they refind the ark of the covenant + there they abide. In the course of time it became a question of a better + one, and money was raised locally to build it. Dr Drummond pronounced the + first benediction in Knox Mission Church, and waited, well knowing human + nature in its Presbyterian aspect, for the next development. It came, and + not later than he anticipated, in the form of a prayer to Knox Church for + help to obtain the services of a regularly ordained minister. Dr Drummond + had his guns ready: he opposed the application; where a regularly ordained + minister was already at the disposal of those who chose to walk a mile and + a half to hear him, the luxury of more locally consecrated services should + be at the charge of the locality. He himself was willing to spend and be + spent in the spiritual interests of East Elgin; that was abundantly + proven; what he could not comfortably tolerate was the deviation of + congregational funds, the very blood of the body of belief, into other + than legitimate channels. He fought for his view with all his tactician’s + resources, putting up one office-bearer after another to endorse it but + the matter was decided at the general yearly meeting of the congregation; + and the occasion showed Knox Church in singular sympathy with its + struggling offspring. Dr Drummond for the first time in his ministry, was + defeated by his people. It was less a defeat than a defence, an unexpected + rally round the corporate right to direct corporate activities; and the + congregation was so anxious to wound the minister’s feelings as little as + possible that the grant in aid of the East Elgin Mission was embodied in a + motion to increase Dr Drummond’s salary by two hundred and fifty dollars a + year. The Doctor with a wry joke, swallowed his gilded pill, but no + coating could dissimulate its bitterness, and his chagrin was plain for + long. The issue with which we are immediately concerned is that three + months later Knox Church Mission called to minister to it the Reverend + Hugh Finlay, a young man from Dumfriesshire and not long out. Dr Drummond + had known beforehand what their choice would be. He had brought Mr Finlay + to occupy Knox Church pulpit during his last July and August vacation, and + Mrs Forsyth had reported that such midsummer congregations she had simply + never worshipped with. Mrs Forsyth was an excellent hand at pressed tongue + and a wonder at knitted counterpanes, but she had not acquired tact and + never would. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <p> + The suggestion that the Reverend Hugh Finlay preached from the pulpit of + Knox Church “better sermons” than its permanent occupant, would have been + justly considered absurd, and nobody pronounced it. The church was full, + as Mrs Forsyth observed, on these occasions; but there were many other + ways of accounting for that. The Murchisons, as a family, would have been + the last to make such an admission. The regular attendance might have + been, as much as anything, out of deference to the wishes of the Doctor + himself, who invariably and sternly hoped, in his last sermon, that no + stranger occupying his place would have to preach to empty pews. He was + thinking, of course, of old Mr Jamieson with whom he occasionally + exchanged and whose effect on the attendance had not failed to reach him. + With regard to Mr Jamieson he was compelled, in the end, to resort to + tactics: he omitted to announce the Sunday before that his venerable + neighbour would preach, and the congregation, outwitted, had no resource + but to sustain the beard-wagging old gentleman through seventhly to the + finish. There came a time when the dear human Doctor also omitted to + announce that Mr Finlay would preach, but for other reasons, meanwhile, as + Mrs Forsyth said, he had no difficulty in conjuring a vacation + congregation for his young substitute. They came trooping, old and young. + Mr and Mrs Murchison would survey their creditable family rank with a + secret compunction, remembering its invariable gaps at other times, and + then resolutely turn to the praise of God with the reflection that one + means to righteousness was as blessed as another. They themselves never + missed a Sunday, and as seldom failed to remark on the way back that it + was all very interesting, but Mr Finlay couldn’t drive it home like the + Doctor. There were times, sparse and special occasions, when the Doctor + himself made one of the congregation. Then he would lean back luxuriously + in the corner of his own pew, his wiry little form half-lost in the + upholstery his arms folded, his knees crossed, his face all humorous + indulgence; yes, humorous. At the announcement of the text a twinkle would + lodge in the shrewd grey eyes and a smile but half-suppressed would settle + about the corners of the flexible mouth: he knew what the young fellow + there would be at. And as the young fellow proceeded, his points would be + weighed to the accompaniment of the Doctor’s pendent foot, which moved + perpetually, judiciously; while the smile sometimes deepened, sometimes + lapsed, since there were moments when any young fellow had to be taken + seriously. It was an attitude which only the Doctor was privileged to + adopt thus outwardly; but in private it was imitated all up and down the + aisles, where responsible heads of families sat considering the quality of + the manna that was offered them. When it fell from the lips of Mr Finlay + the verdict was, upon the whole, very favourable, as long as there was no + question of comparison with the Doctor. + </p> + <p> + There could be, indeed, very little question of such comparison. There was + a generation between them and a school, and to that you had to add every + set and cast of mind and body that can make men different. Dr Drummond, in + faith and practice, moved with precision along formal and implicit lines; + his orbit was established, and his operation within it as unquestionable + as the simplest exhibit of nature. He took in a wonderful degree the stamp + of the teaching of his adolescent period; not a line was missing nor a + precept; nor was the mould defaced by a single wavering tendency of later + date. Religious doctrine was to him a thing for ever accomplished, to be + accepted or rejected as a whole. He taught eternal punishment and + retribution, reconciling both with Divine love and mercy; he liked to + defeat the infidel with the crashing question, “Who then was the architect + of the Universe?” The celebrated among such persons he pursued to their + deathbeds; Voltaire and Rousseau owed their reputation, with many persons + in Knox Church, to their last moments and to Dr Drummond. He had a + triumphant invective which drew the mind from chasms in logic, and a + tender sense of poetic beauty which drew it, when he quoted great lines, + from everything else. He loved the euphony of the Old Testament; his + sonorous delivery would lift a chapter from Isaiah to the height of + ritual, and every Psalm he read was a Magnificat whether he would or no. + The warrior in him was happy among the Princes of Issachar; and the + parallels he would find for modern events in the annals of Judah and of + Israel were astounding. Yet he kept a sharp eye upon the daily paper, and + his reference to current events would often give his listeners an + audacious sense of up-to-dateness which might have been easily discounted + by the argument they illustrated. The survivors of a convulsion of nature, + for instance, might have learned from his lips the cause and kind of their + disaster traced back forcibly to local acquiescence in iniquity, and drawn + unflinchingly from the text, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the + Lord.” The militant history of his Church was a passion with him; if ever + he had to countenance canonization he would have led off with Jenny + Geddes. “A tremendous Presbyterian” they called him in the town. To hear + him give out a single psalm, and sing it with his people, would convince + anybody of that. There was a choir, of course, but to the front pews, at + all events, Dr Drummond’s leading was more important than the choir’s. It + was a note of dauntless vigour, and it was plain by the regular forward + jerk of his surpliced shoulder that his foot was keeping time: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Where the assemblies of the just + And congregations are. +</pre> + <p> + You could not help admiring, and you could not help respecting; you were + compelled by his natural force and his unqualified conviction, his + tireless energy and his sterling sort. + </p> + <p> + It is possible to understand, however, that after sitting for twenty-five + years under direction so unfailing and so uncompromising, the congregation + of Knox Church might turn with a moderate curiosity to the spiritual + indications of the Reverend Hugh Finlay. He was a passionate romantic, and + his body had shot up into a fitting temple for such an inhabitant as his + soul. He was a great long fellow, with a shock of black hair and deep + dreams in his eyes; his head was what people called a type, a type I + suppose of the simple motive and the noble intention, the detached point + of view and the somewhat indifferent attitude to material things, as it + may be humanly featured anywhere. His face bore a confusion of ideals; he + had the brow of a Covenanter and the mouth of Adonais, the flame of + religious ardour in his eyes and the composure of perceived philosophy on + his lips. He was fettered by an impenetrable shyness; it was in the pulpit + alone that he could expand, and then only upon written lines, with hardly + a gesture, and the most perfunctory glances, at conscientious intervals, + toward his hearers. A poor creature, indeed, in this respect, Dr Drummond + thought him—Dr Drummond, who wore an untrammelled surplice which + filled like an agitated sail in his quick tacks from right to left. “The + man loses half his points,” said Dr Drummond. I doubt whether he did, + people followed so closely, though Sandy MacQuhot was of the general + opinion when he said that it would do nobody any harm if Mr Finlay would + lift his head oftener from the book. + </p> + <p> + Advena Murchison thought him the probable antitype of an Oxford don. She + had never seen an Oxford don, but Mr Finlay wore the characteristics these + schoolmen were dressed in by novelists; and Advena noted with delight the + ingenuity of fate in casting such a person into the pulpit of the + Presbyterian Church in a young country. She had her perception of comedy + in life; till Finlay came she had found nothing so interesting. With his + arrival, however, other preoccupations fell into their proper places. + </p> + <p> + Finlay, indeed, it may be confessed at once, he and not his message was + her engrossment from the beginning. The message she took with reverent + gentleness; but her passionate interest was for the nature upon which it + travelled, and never for the briefest instant did she confuse these + emotions. Those who write, we are told transcribe themselves in spite of + themselves; it is more true of those who preach, for they are also candid + by profession, and when they are not there is the eye and the voice to + help to betray them. Hugh Finlay, in the pulpit, made himself manifest in + all the things that matter to Advena Murchison in the pew; and from the + pew to the pulpit her love went back with certainty, clear in its + authority and worshipping the ground of its justification. When she bowed + her head it was he whom she heard in the language of his invocations; his + doctrine rode, for her, on a spirit of wide and sweet philosophy; in his + contemplation of the Deity she saw the man. He had those lips at once + mobile, governed and patient, upon which genius chooses oftenest to rest. + As to this, Advena’s convictions were so private as to be hidden from + herself; she never admitted that she thought Finlay had it, and in the + supreme difficulty of proving anything else we may wisely accept her view. + But he had something, the subtle Celt; he had horizons, lifted lines + beyond the common vision, and an eye rapt and a heart intrepid; and though + for a long time he was unconscious of it, he must have adventured there + with a happier confidence because of her companionship. + </p> + <p> + From the first Advena knew no faltering or fluttering, none of the baser + nervous betrayals. It was all one great delight to her, her discovery and + her knowledge and her love for him. It came to her almost in a logical + development; it found her grave, calm, and receptive. She had even a + private formula of gratitude that the thing which happened to everybody, + and happened to so many people irrelevantly, should arrive with her in + such a glorious defensible, demonstrable sequence. Toward him it gave her + a kind of glad secret advantage; he was loved and he was unaware. She + watched his academic awkwardness in church with the inward tender smile of + the eternal habile feminine, and when they met she could have laughed and + wept over his straightened sentences and his difficult manner, knowing how + little significant they were. With his eyes upon her and his words offered + to her intelligence, she found herself treating his shy formality as the + convention it was, a kind of make-believe which she would politely and + kindly play up to until he should happily forget it and they could enter + upon simpler relations. She had to play up to it for a long time, but her + love made her wonderfully clever and patient; and of course the day came + when she had her reward. Knowing him as she did, she remembered the day + and the difference it made. + </p> + <p> + It was toward the end of an afternoon in early April; the discoloured snow + still lay huddled in the bleaker fence corners. Wide puddles stood along + the roadsides, reflecting the twigs and branches of the naked maples; last + year’s leaves were thick and wet underfoot, and a soft damp wind was + blowing. Advena was on her way home and Finlay overtook her. He passed her + at first, with a hurried silent lifting of his hat; then perhaps the + deserted street gave a suggestion of unfriendliness to his act, or some + freshness in her voice stayed him. At all events, he waited and joined + her, with a word or two about their going in the same direction; and they + walked along together. He offered her his companionship, but he had + nothing to say; the silence in which they pursued their way was no doubt + to him just the embarrassing condition he usually had to contend with. To + her it seemed pregnant, auspicious; it drew something from the low grey + lights of the wet spring afternoon and the unbound heart-lifting wind; she + had a passionate prevision that the steps they took together would lead + somehow to freedom. They went on in that strange bound way, and the day + drew away from them till they turned a sudden corner, when it lay all + along the yellow sky across the river, behind a fringe of winter woods, + stayed in the moment of its retreat on the edge of unvexed landscape. They + stopped involuntarily to look, and she saw a smile come up from some depth + in him. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, well,” he said, as if to himself, “it’s something to be in a country + where the sun still goes down with a thought of the primaeval.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I prefer the sophistication of chimney-pots,” she replied. “I’ve + always longed to see a sunset in London, with the fog breaking over + Westminster.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you don’t care about them for themselves, sunsets?” he asked, with + the simplest absence of mind. + </p> + <p> + “I never yet could see the sun go down, But I was angry in my heart,” she + said, and this time he looked at her. + </p> + <p> + “How does it go on?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t know. Only those two lines stay with me. I feel it that way, + too. It’s the seal upon an act of violence, isn’t it, a sunset? Something + taken from us against our will. It’s a hateful reminder, in the midst of + our delightful volitions, of how arbitrary every condition of life is.” + </p> + <p> + “The conditions of business are always arbitrary. Life is a business—we + have to work at ourselves till it is over. So much cut off and ended it + is,” he said, glancing at the sky again. “If space is the area of life and + time is its opportunity, there goes a measure of opportunity.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said Advena, “where it goes?” + </p> + <p> + “Into the void behind time?” he suggested, smiling straight at her. + </p> + <p> + “Into the texture of the future,” she answered, smiling back. + </p> + <p> + “We might bring it to bear very intelligently on the future, at any rate,” + he returned. “The world is wrapped in destiny, and but revolves to roll it + out.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t remember that,” she said curiously. + </p> + <p> + “No you couldn’t,” he laughed outright. “I haven’t thought it good enough + to publish.” + </p> + <p> + “And it isn’t the sort of thing,” she ventured gaily, “you could put in a + sermon.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it isn’t.” They came to a corner of the street which led to Mr + Finlay’s boarding-house. It stretched narrowly to the north and there was + a good deal more snow on each side of it. They lingered together for a + moment talking, seizing the new joy in it which was simply the joy of his + sudden liberation with her consciously pushing away the moment of parting; + and Finlay’s eyes rested once again on the evening sky beyond the river. + </p> + <p> + “I believe you are right and I am a moralizer,” he said. “There IS pain + over there. One thinks a sunset beautiful and impressive, but one doesn’t + look at it long.” + </p> + <p> + Then they separated, and he took the road to the north, which was still + snowbound, while she went on into the chilly yellow west, with the odd + sweet illusion that a summer day was dawning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <p> + The office of Messrs Fulke, Warner, & Murchison was in Market Street, + exactly over Scott’s drug store. Scott with his globular blue and red and + green vessels in the window and his soda-water fountain inside; was on the + ground floor; the passage leading upstairs separated him from Mickie, + boots and shoes; and beyond Mickie, Elgin’s leading tobacconist shared his + place of business with a barber. The last two contributed most to the + gaiety of Market Street: the barber with the ribanded pole, which stuck + out at an angle; the tobacconist with a nobly featured squaw in chocolate + effigy who held her draperies under her chin with one hand and + outstretched a packet of cigars with the other. + </p> + <p> + The passage staircase between Scott’s and Mickie’s had a hardened look, + and bore witness to the habit of expectoration; ladies, going up to Dr + Simmons, held their skirts up and the corners of their mouths down. Dr + Simmons was the dentist: you turned to the right. The passage itself + turned to the left, and after passing two doors bearing the law firm’s + designation in black letters on ground glass, it conducted you with + abruptness to the office of a bicycle agent, and left you there. For + greater emphasis the name of the firm of Messrs Fulke, Warner & + Murchison was painted on the windows also; it could be seen from any part + of the market square, which lay, with the town hall in the middle, + immediately below. During four days in the week the market square was + empty. Odds and ends of straw and paper blew about it; an occasional + pedestrian crossed it diagonally for the short cut to the post-office; the + town hall rose in the middle, and defied you to take your mind off the + ugliness of municipal institutions. On the other days it was a scene of + activity. Farmers’ wagons, with the shafts turned in were ranged round + three sides of it; on a big day they would form into parallel lanes and + cut the square into sections as well. The produce of all Fox County filled + the wagons, varying agreeably as the year went round. Bags of potatoes + leaned against the sidewalk, apples brimmed in bushel measures, ducks + dropped their twisted necks over the cart wheels; the town hall, in this + play of colour, stood redeemed. The produce was mostly left to the women + to sell. On the fourth side of the square loads of hay and cordwood + demanded the master mind, but small matters of fruit, vegetables, and + poultry submitted to feminine judgement. The men “unhitched,” and went + away on their own business; it was the wives you accosted, as they sat in + the middle, with their knees drawn up and their skirts tucked close, + vigilant in rusty bonnets, if you wished to buy. Among them circulated the + housewives of Elgin, pricing and comparing and acquiring; you could see it + all from Dr Simmons’s window, sitting in his chair that screwed up and + down. There was a little difficulty always about getting things home; only + very ordinary people carried their own marketing. Trifling articles, like + eggs or radishes, might be smuggled into a brown wicker basket with + covers; but it did not consort with elegance to “trapes” home with + anything that looked inconvenient or had legs sticking out of it. So that + arrangements of mutual obligation had to be made: the good woman from whom + Mrs Jones had bought her tomatoes would take charge of the spring chickens + Mrs Jones had bought from another good woman just as soon as not, and + deliver them at Mrs Jones’s residence, as under any circumstances she was + “going round that way.” + </p> + <p> + It was a scene of activity but not of excitement, or in any sense of joy. + The matter was too hard an importance; it made too much difference on both + sides whether potatoes were twelve or fifteen cents a peck. The dealers + were laconic and the buyers anxious; country neighbours exchanged the time + of day, but under the pressure of affairs. Now and then a lady of Elgin + stopped to gossip with another; the countrywomen looked on, curious, grim, + and a little contemptuous of so much demonstration and so many words. Life + on an Elgin market day was a serious presentment even when the sun shone, + and at times when it rained or snowed the aesthetic seemed a wholly + unjustifiable point of view. It was not misery, it was even a difficult + kind of prosperity, but the margin was small and the struggle plain. + Plain, too, it was that here was no enterprise of yesterday, no fresh + broken ground of dramatic promise, but a narrow inheritance of the + opportunity to live which generations had grasped before. There were bones + in the village graveyards of Fox County to father all these sharp + features; Elgin market square, indeed, was the biography of Fox County + and, in little, the history of the whole Province. The heart of it was + there, the enduring heart of the new country already old in acquiescence. + It was the deep root of the race in the land, twisted and unlovely, but + holding the promise of all. Something like that Lorne Murchison felt about + it as he stood for a moment in the passage I have mentioned and looked + across the road. The spectacle never failed to cheer him; he was uniformly + in gayer spirits, better satisfied with life and more consciously equal to + what he had to do, on days when the square was full than on days when it + was empty. This morning he had an elation of his own; it touched + everything with more vivid reality. The familiar picture stirred a joy in + him in tune with his private happiness; its undernote came to him with a + pang as keen. The sense of kinship surged in his heart; these were his + people, this his lot as well as theirs. For the first time he saw it in + detachment. Till now he had regarded it with the friendly eyes of a + participator who looked no further. Today he did look further: the whole + world invited his eyes, offering him a great piece of luck to look + through. The opportunity was in his hand which, if he could seize and + hold, would lift and carry him on. He was as much aware of its potential + significance as anyone could be, and what leapt in his veins till he could + have laughed aloud was the splendid conviction of resource. Already in the + door of the passage he had achieved, from that point he looked at the + scene before him with an impulse of loyalty and devotion. A tenderness + seized him for the farmers of Fox County, a throb of enthusiasm for the + idea they represented, which had become for him suddenly moving and + pictorial. At that moment his country came subjectively into his + possession; great and helpless it came into his inheritance as it comes + into the inheritance of every man who can take it, by deed of imagination + and energy and love. He held this microcosm of it, as one might say, in + his hand and looked at it ardently; then he took his way across the road. + </p> + <p> + A tall thickly built young fellow detached himself from a group, smiling + broadly at the sight of Murchison, and started to meet him. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Lorne,” he said. He had smiled all the way anticipating the + encounter. He was obviously in clothes which he did not put on every day, + but the seriousness of this was counteracted by his hard felt hat, which + he wore at an angle that disregarded convention. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Elmore! You back?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s about it.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t say! Back to stay?” + </p> + <p> + “Far’s I can see. Young Alf’s made up his mind to learn the dentist + business, and the old folks are backin’ him; so I don’t see but I’ve got + to stop on and run the show. Father’s gettin’ up in years now.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes. I suppose he must be. It’s a good while since you went West. + Well, what sort of a country have they got out Swan River way? Booming + right along?” + </p> + <p> + “Boom nothing. I don’t mean to say there’s anything the matter with the + country; there ain’t; but you’ve got to get up just as early in the + mornings out there as y’do anywhere, far’s I noticed. An’ it’s a lonesome + life. Now I AM back I don’t know but little old Ontario’s good enough for + me. ‘N I hear you’ve taken up the law, Lorne. Y’always had a partiality + for it, d’y’ remember, up there to the Collegiate? I used to think it’d be + fine to travel with samples, those days. But you were dead gone on the + law. ‘N by all reports it pans out pretty well don’t it?” + </p> + <p> + The young men had taken their way among the shifting crowd together. Lorne + Murchison, although there was something too large about him for the town’s + essential stamp, made by contrast, as he threaded the desultory groups of + country people, a type of the conventional and the formed; his companion + glanced at him now and then with admiration. The values of carriage and of + clothes are relative: in Fifth Avenue Lorne would have looked countrified, + in Piccadilly colonial. Districts are imaginable, perhaps not in this + world, where the frequenters of even those fashionable thoroughfares would + attract glances of curiosity by their failure to achieve the common + standard in such things. Lorne Murchison, to dismiss the matter, was well + up to the standard of Elgin, though he wore his straw hat quite on the + back of his head and buried both hands in his trousers pockets. His eye + was full of pleasant easy familiarity with the things he saw, and ready to + see larger things; it had that beam of active inquiry, curious but never + amazed that marks the man likely to expand his horizons. Meanwhile he was + on capital terms with his little world, which seemed to take pleasure in + hailing him by his Christian name; even morose Jim Webster, who had failed + three times in groceries, said “Morning, Lorne” with a look of toleration. + He moved alertly; the poise of his head was sanguine; the sun shone on + him; the timidest soul came nearer to him. He and Elmore Crow, who walked + beside him, had gone through the lower forms of the Elgin Collegiate + Institute together, that really “public” kind of school which has so much + to do with reassorting the classes of a new country. The Collegiate + Institute took in raw material and turned out teachers, more teachers than + anything. The teachers taught, chiefly in rural districts where they could + save money, and with the money they saved changed themselves into doctors, + Fellows of the University, mining engineers. The Collegiate Institute was + a potential melting-pot: you went in as your simple opportunities had made + you; how you shaped coming out depended upon what was hidden in the core + of you. You could not in any case be the same as your father before you; + education in a new country is too powerful a stimulant for that, working + upon material too plastic and too hypothetical; it is not yet a normal + force, with an operation to be reckoned on with confidence. It is indeed + the touchstone for character in a new people, for character acquired as + apart from that inherited; it sometimes reveals surprises. Neither Lorne + Murchison nor Elmore Crow illustrates this point very nearly. Lorne would + have gone into the law in any case, since his father was able to send him, + and Elmore would inevitably have gone back to the crops since he was early + defeated by any other possibility. Nevertheless, as they walk together in + my mind along the Elgin market square, the Elgin Collegiate Institute + rises infallibly behind them, a directing influence and a responsible + parent. Lorne was telling his great news. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t say!” remarked Elmore in response to it. “Lumbago is it? Pa’s + subject to that too; gets an attack most springs. Mr Fulke’ll have to lay + right up—it’s the only thing.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m afraid he will. And Warner never appeared in court in his life.” + </p> + <p> + “What d’ye keep Warner for, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he does the conveyancing. He’s a good conveyancer, but he isn’t any + pleader and doesn’t pretend to be. And it’s too late to transfer the case; + nobody could get to the bottom of it as we have in the time. So it falls + on me.” + </p> + <p> + “Caesar, his ghost! How d’ye feel about it, Lorne? I’d be scared green. + Y’don’t TALK nervous. Now I bet you get there with both feet.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope to get there,” the young lawyer answered; and as he spoke a + concentration came into his face which drove the elation and everything + else that was boyish out of it. “It’s bigger business than I could have + expected for another five years. I’m sorry for the old man, though—HE’S + nervous, if you like. They can hardly keep him in bed. Isn’t that somebody + beckoning to you?” + </p> + <p> + Elmore looked everywhere except in the right direction among the carts. If + you had been “to the Collegiate,” relatives among the carts selling + squashes were embarrassing. + </p> + <p> + “There,” his companion indicated. + </p> + <p> + “It’s Mother,” replied Mr Crow, with elaborate unconcern; “but I don’t + suppose she’s in anything of a hurry. I’ll just go along with you far’s + the post-office.” He kept his glance carefully from the spot at which he + was signalled, and a hint of copper colour crawled up the back of his + neck. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but she is. Come along, Elmore; I can go that way.” + </p> + <p> + “It’ll be longer for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit.” Lorne cast a shrewd glance at his companion. “And as we’re + passing, you might just introduce me to your mother; see?” + </p> + <p> + “She won’t expect it, Lorne.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s all right, my son. She won’t refuse to meet a friend of yours.” He + led the way as he spoke to the point of vantage occupied by Mrs Crow, + followed, with plain reluctance, by her son. She was a frail-looking old + woman, with a knitted shawl pinned tightly across her chest, and her + bonnet, in the course of commercial activity, pushed so far back as to be + almost falling off. + </p> + <p> + “You might smarten yourself with that change, Elmore,” she addressed him, + ignoring his companion. “There’s folks coming back for it. Two-dollar + bill, wa’n’t it? Fifty cents—seventy-five—dollar’n a half. + That’s a Yankee dime, an’ you kin march straight back with it. They don’t + pass but for nine cents, as you’re old enough to know. Keep twenty-five + cents for your dinner—you’ll get most for the money at the Barker + House—an’ bring me back another quarter. Better go an’ get your + victuals now—it’s gone twelve—while they’re hot.” + </p> + <p> + Elmore took his instructions without visible demur; and then, as Lorne had + not seen fit to detach himself, performed the ceremony of introduction. As + he performed it he drew one foot back and bowed himself, which seemed + obscurely to facilitate it. The suspicion faded out of Mrs Crow’s tired + old sharp eyes under the formula, and she said she was pleased to make our + friend’s acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + “Mr Murchison’s changed some since the old days at the Collegiate,” Elmore + explained, “but he ain’t any different under his coat. He’s practisin’ the + law.” + </p> + <p> + “Lawyers,” Mrs Crow observed, “are folks I like to keep away from.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right, too,” responded Lorne, unabashed. “And so you’ve got my + friend here back on the farm, Mrs Crow?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, he’s back on the farm, an’ when he’s wore out his Winnipeg + clothes and his big ideas, we’re lookin’ to make him some use.” Mrs Crow’s + intention, though barbed, was humorous, and her son grinned broadly. + </p> + <p> + “There’s more money in the law,” he remarked “once you get a start. Here’s + Mr Murchison goin’ to run the Ormiston case; his old man’s down sick, an’ + I guess it depends on Lorne now whether Ormiston gets off or goes to + penitentiary.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs Crow’s face tied itself up into criticism as she looked our young man + up and down. “Depends upon you, does it?” she commented. “Well, all I’ve + got to say is it’s a mighty young dependence. Coming on next week, ain’t + it? You won’t be much older by then. Yes’m,” she turned to business, “I + don’t say but what it’s high for rhubarb, but there ain’t another bunch in + the market, and won’t be for a week yet.” + </p> + <p> + Under cover of this discussion Lorne bade the Crows good morning, + retreating in the rear of the lady who found the rhubarb high. Mrs Crow’s + drop of acid combined with his saving sense of the humour of it to adjust + all his courage and his confidence, and with a braver face than ever he + involuntarily hastened his steps to keep pace with his happy chance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <p> + In the wide stretches of a new country there is nothing to bound a local + excitement, or to impede its transmission at full value. Elgin was a + manufacturing town in southern Ontario, but they would have known every + development of the Federal Bank case at the North Pole if there had been + anybody there to learn. In Halifax they did know it, and in Vancouver, + B.C., while every hundred miles nearer it warmed as a topic in proportion. + In Montreal the papers gave it headlines; from Toronto they sent special + reporters. Of course, it was most of all the opportunity of Mr Horace + Williams, of the Elgin Express, and of Rawlins, who held all the cards in + their hands, and played them, it must be said, admirably, reducing the + Mercury to all sorts of futile expedients to score, which the Express + would invariably explode with a guffaw of contradiction the following day. + It was to the Express that the Toronto reporters came for details and + local colour; and Mr Williams gave them just as much as he thought they + ought to have and no more. It was the Express that managed, while + elaborately abstaining from improper comment upon a matter sub judice, to + feed and support the general conviction of young Ormiston’s innocence, and + thereby win for itself, though a “Grit” paper, wide reading in that hotbed + of Toryism, Moneida Reservation, while the Conservative Mercury, with its + reckless sympathy for an old party name, made itself criminally liable by + reviewing cases of hard dealing by the bank among the farmers, and only + escaped prosecution by the amplest retraction and the most contrite + apology. As Mr Williams remarked, there was no use in dwelling on the + unpopularity of the bank, that didn’t need pointing out; folks down + Moneida way could put any newspaper wise on the number of mortgages + foreclosed and the rate for secondary loans exacted by the bank in those + parts. That consideration, no doubt, human nature being what it is, + contributed the active principle to the feeling so widely aroused by the + case. We are not very readily the prey to emotions of faith in our + fellows, especially, perhaps, if we live under conditions somewhat hard + and narrow; the greater animosity behind is, at all events, valuable to + give force and relief and staying power to a sentiment of generous + conviction. But however we may depreciate its origin, the conviction was + there, widespread in the townships: young Ormiston would “get clear”; the + case for the defence might be heard over every bushel of oats in Elgin + market-place. + </p> + <p> + In Elgin itself opinion was more reserved. There was a general view that + these bank clerks were fast fellows, and a tendency to contrast the habits + and the pay of such dashing young men, an exercise which ended in a not + unnatural query. As to the irritating caste feeling maintained among them, + young Ormiston perhaps gave himself as few airs as any. He was generally + conceded indeed by the judging sex to be “nice to everybody”; but was not + that exactly the nature for which temptations were most easily spread? The + town, moreover, had a sapience of its own. Was it likely that the bank + would bring a case so publicly involving its character and management + without knowing pretty well what it was about? The town would not be + committed beyond the circle of young Ormiston’s intimate friends, which + was naturally small if you compared it with the public; the town wasn’t + going to be surprised at anything that might be proved. On the other hand, + the town was much more vividly touched than the country by the accident + which had made Lorne Murchison practically sole counsel for the defence, + announced as it was by the Express with every appreciation of its dramatic + value. Among what the Express called “the farming community” this, in so + far as it had penetrated, was regarded as a simple misfortune, a dull blow + to expectancy, which expectancy had some work to survive. Elgin, with its + finer palate for sensation, saw in it heightened chances, both for Lorne + and for the case; and if any ratepayer within its limits had remained + indifferent to the suit, the fact that one side of it had been confided to + so young and so “smart” a fellow townsman would have been bound to draw + him into the circle of speculation. Youth in a young country is a symbol + wearing all its value. It stands not only for what it is. The trick of + augury invests it, at a glance, with the sum of its possibilities, the + augurs all sincere, confident, and exulting. They have been justified so + often; they know, in their wide fair fields of opportunity, just what + qualities will produce what results. There is thus a complacence among + adolescent peoples which is vaguely irritating to their elders; but the + greybeards need not be over-captious; it is only a question of time, + pathetically short-lived in the history of the race. Sanguine persons in + Elgin were freely disposed to “bet on” Lorne Murchison, and there were + none so despondent as to take the view that he would not come out of it, + somehow; with an added personal significance. To make a spoon is a + laudable achievement, but it may be no mean business to spoil a horn. + </p> + <p> + As the Express put it, there was as little standing room for ladies and + gentlemen in the courthouse the first day of the Spring Assizes as there + was for horses in the Court House Square. The County Crown Attorney was + unusually, oddly, reinforced by Cruickshank, of Toronto—the great + Cruickshank, K.C., probably the most distinguished criminal lawyer in the + Province. There were those who considered that Cruickshank should not have + been brought down, that it argued undue influence on the part of the bank, + and his retainer was a fierce fan to the feeling in Moneida; but there is + no doubt that his appearance added all that was possible to the universal + interest in the case. Henry Cruickshank was an able man and, what was + rarer a fastidious politician. He had held office in the Dominion Cabinet, + and had resigned it because of a difference with his colleagues in the + application of a principle; they called him, after a British politician of + lofty but abortive views, the Canadian Renfaire. He had that independence + of personality, that intellectual candour, and that touch of magnetism + which combine to make a man interesting in his public relations. + Cruickshank’s name alone would have filled the courthouse, and people + would have gone away quoting him. + </p> + <p> + From the first word of the case for the prosecution there was that in the + leading counsel’s manner—a gravity, a kindness, an inclination to + neglect the commoner methods of scoring—that suggested, with the + sudden chill of unexpectedly bad news, a foregone conclusion. The reality + of his feeling reference to the painful position of the defendant’s + father, the sincerity of his regret on behalf of the bank, for the + deplorable exigency under which proceedings had been instituted, spread a + kind of blankness through the court; men frowned thoughtfully, and one or + two ladies shed furtive tears. Even the counsel for the defence, it was + afterward remembered, looked grave, sympathetic, and concerned, in + response to the brief but significant and moving sentences with which his + eminent opponent opened the case. It is not my duty to report the trial + for any newspaper; I will therefore spare myself more than the most + general references; but the facts undoubtedly were that a safe in the + strong room of the bank had been opened between certain hours on a certain + night and its contents abstracted; that young Ormiston, cashier of the + bank, was sleeping, or supposed to be sleeping, upon the premises at this + time, during the illness of the junior whose usual duty it was; and that + the Crown was in possession of certain evidence which would be brought + forward to prove collusion with the burglary on the part of the defendant, + collusion to cover deficits for which he could be held responsible. In a + strain almost apologetic, Mr Cruickshank explained to the jury the + circumstances which led the directors to the suspicion which they now + believed only too regrettably well founded. These consisted in the fact + that the young man was known to be living beyond his means, and so to be + constantly visited by the temptation to such a crime; the special + facilities which he controlled for its commission and, in particular, the + ease and confidence with which the actual operation had been carried out, + arguing no fear of detection on the part of the burglars, no danger of + interference from one who should have stood ready to defend with his life + the property in his charge, but who would shortly be seen to have been + toward it, first, a plunderer in his own person, and afterward the + accomplice of plunderers to conceal his guilt. Examination showed the safe + to have been opened with the dexterity that demands both time and + coolness; and the ash from a pipe knocked out against the wall at the side + of the passage offered ironical testimony to the comfort in which the + business had been done. + </p> + <p> + The lawyer gave these considerations their full weight, and it was in + dramatic contrast with the last of them that he produced the first + significant fragment of evidence against Ormiston. There had been, after + all, some hurry of departure. It was shown by a sheet of paper bearing the + mark of a dirty thumb and a hasty boot-heel, bearing also the combination + formula for opening the safe. + </p> + <p> + The public was familiar with that piece of evidence; it had gone through + every kind of mill of opinion; it made no special sensation. The evidence + of the caretaker who found the formula and of the witnesses who + established it to be in young Ormiston’s handwriting, produced little + interest. Mr Cruickshank, in elaborating his theory as to why with the + formula in their hands the depredators still found it necessary to pick + the lock, offered nothing to speculations already current—the + duplicate key with which they had doubtless been enabled to supply + themselves was a clumsy copy and had failed them; that conclusion had been + drawn commonly enough. The next scrap of paper produced by the prosecution + was another matter. It was the mere torn end of a greasy sheet; upon it + was written “Not less than 3,000 net,” and it had been found in the + turning out of Ormiston’s dressing-table. It might have been anything—a + number of people pursed their lips contemptuously—or it might have + been, without doubt, the fragment of a disreputable transaction that the + prosecuting counsel endeavoured to show it. Here, no doubt, was one of the + pieces of evidence the prosecution was understood to have up its sleeve, + and that portion of the prosecuting counsel’s garment was watched with + feverish interest for further disclosures. They came rapidly enough, but + we must hurry them even more. The name of Miss Florence Belton, when it + rose to the surface of the evidence, riveted every eye and ear. Miss + Belton was one of those ambiguous ladies who sometimes drift out from the + metropolitan vortex and circle restfully in backwaters for varying + periods, appearing and disappearing irrelevantly. They dress beautifully; + they are known to “paint” and thought to dye their hair. They establish no + relations, being much too preoccupied. making exceptions only, as a rule, + in favour of one or two young men, to whom they extend amenities based—it + is the common talk—upon late hours and whiskey-and-soda. They seem + superior to the little prevailing conventions; they excite an unlawful + interest; though nobody knows them black nobody imagines them white; and + when they appear upon Main Street in search of shoelaces or elastic heads + are turned and nods, possibly nudges, exchanged. Miss Belton had come from + New York to the Barker House, Elgin, and young Ormiston’s intimacy with + her was one of the things that counted against him in the general view. It + was to so count more seriously in the particular instance. Witnesses were + called to prove that he had spent the evening of the burglary with Miss + Belton at her hotel, that he had remained with her until one o’clock, that + he was in the habit of spending his evenings with Miss Belton. + </p> + <p> + Rawlins of the Express did not overdo the sensation which was caused in + the courtroom when the name of this lady herself was called to summon her + to the witness box. It was indeed the despair of his whole career. He + thought despondingly ever after of the thrill, to which he himself was not + superior and which, if he had only been able to handle it adequately, + might have led him straight up the ladder to a night editorship. Miss + Belton appeared from some unsuspected seat near the door, throwing back a + heavy veil, and walking as austerely as she could, considering the colour + of her hair. She took her place without emotion and there she corroborated + the evidence of the servants of the hotel. To the grave questions of the + prosecution she fluently replied that the distraction of these evenings + had been cards—cards played, certainly, for money, and that she, + certainly, had won very considerable sums from the defendant from time to + time. In Elgin the very mention of cards played for money will cause a + hush of something deeper than disapproval; there was silence in the court + at this. In producing several banknotes for Miss Belton’s identification, + Mr Cruickshank seemed to profit by the silence. Miss Belton identified + them without hesitation, as she might easily, since they had been traced + to her possession. Asked to account for them; she stated, without winking, + that they had been paid to her by Mr Walter Ormiston at various times + during the fortnight preceding the burglary, in satisfaction of debts at + cards. She, Miss Belton, had left Elgin for Chicago the day after the + burglary. Mr Ormiston knew that she was going. He had paid her the four + fifty-dollar notes actually traced, the night before she left, and said. + “You won’t need to break these here, will you?” He seemed anxious that she + should not, but it was the merest accident that she hadn’t. In all, she + had received from Mr Ormiston four hundred and fifty dollars. No, she had + no suspicion that the young man might not be in a position to make such + payments. She understood that Mr Ormiston’s family was wealthy, and never + thought twice about it. + </p> + <p> + She spoke with a hard dignity, the lady, and a great effect of doing + business, a kind of assertion of the legitimate. The farmers of Fox County + told each other in chapfallen appreciation that she was about as + level-headed as they make them. Lawyer Cruickshank, as they called him, + brought forth from her detail after detail, and every detail fitted + damningly with the last. The effect upon young Ormiston was so painful + that many looked another way. His jaw was set and his features contorted + to hold himself from the disgrace of tears. He was generally acknowledged + to be overwhelmed by the unexpected demonstration of his guilt, but + distress was so plain in him that there was not a soul in the place that + was not sorry for him. In one or two resolute faces hope still glimmered, + but it hardly survived the cross-examination of the Crown’s chief witness + by the counsel for the defence which, as far as it went, had a perfunctory + air and contributed little to the evidence before the Court. It did not go + all the way, however. The case having opened late, the defence was + reserved till the following day, when proceedings would be resumed with + the further cross-examination of Miss Belton. + </p> + <p> + As the defendant’s counsel went down the courthouse steps Rawlins came up + to him to take note of his demeanour and anything else that might be + going. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty stiff row to hoe you’ve got there, Lorne,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty stiff,” responded Lorne. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <p> + Imagination, one gathers, is a quality dispensed with of necessity in the + practice of most professions, being that of which nature is, for some + reason, most niggardly. There is no such thing as passing in imagination + for any department of public usefulness, even the government of Oriental + races; the list of the known qualified would be exhausted, perhaps, in + getting the papers set. Yet neither poet nor philosopher enjoys it in + monopoly; the chemist may have it, and the inventor must; it has been + proved the mainspring of the mathematician, and I have hinted it the + property of at least two of the Murchisons. Lorne was indebted to it + certainly for his constructive view of his client’s situation, the view + which came to him and stayed with him like a chapter in a novel, from the + hour in which Ormiston had reluctantly accounted for himself upon the + night of the burglary. It was a brilliant view, that perceived the young + clerk the victim of the conspiracy he was charged with furthering; its + justification lay back, dimly, among the intuitions about human nature + which are part of the attribute I have quoted. I may shortly say that it + was justified; another day’s attendance at the Elgin Courthouse shall not + be compulsory here, whatever it may have been there. Young Ormiston’s + commercial probity is really no special concern of ours; the thing which + does matter, and considerably, is the special quality which Lorne + Murchison brought to the task of its vindication, the quality that made + new and striking appeal, through every channel of the great occasion, to + those who heard him. It was that which reinforced and comforted every + friend Ormiston had in the courtroom, before Lorne proceeded either to + deal with the evidence of the other side, or to produce any jot or tittle + of his own; and it was that which affected his distinguished opponent to + the special interest which afterward showed itself so pleasantly superior + to the sting of defeat. The fact that the defence was quite as + extraordinarily indebted to circumstantial evidence as the prosecution in + no way detracted from the character of Lorne’s personal triumph; rather, + indeed, in the popular view and Rawlins’s, enhanced it. There was in it + the primitive joy of seeing a ruffian knocked down with his own + illegitimate weapons, from the moment the dropped formula was proved to be + an old superseded one, and unexpected indication was produced that + Ormiston’s room, as well as the bank vault, had been entered the night of + the robbery, to the more glorious excitement of establishing Miss Belton’s + connection—not to be quoted—with a cracksman at that moment + being diligently inquired for by the New York police with reference to a + dramatically bigger matter. You saw the plot at once as he constructed it; + the pipe ash became explicable in the seduction of Miss Belton’s charms. + The cunning net unwove itself, delicately and deliberately, to tangle + round the lady. There was in it that superiority in the art of + legerdemain, of mere calm, astonishing manipulation, so applauded in + regions where romance has not yet been quite trampled down by reason. + Lorne scored; he scored in face of probability, expectation, fact; it was + the very climax and coruscation of score. He scored not only by the cards + he held but by the beautiful way he played them, if one may say so. His + nature came into this, his gravity and gentleness, his sympathy, his young + angry irony. To mention just one thing, there was the way he held Miss + Belton up, after the exposure of her arts, as the lady for whom his client + had so chivalric a regard that he had for some time refused to state his + whereabouts at the hour the bank was entered in the fear of compromising + her. For this, no doubt, his client could have strangled him, but it + operated, of course, to raise the poor fellow in the estimation of every + body, with the possible exception of his employers. When, after the + unmistakable summing-up, the foreman returned in a quarter of an hour with + the verdict of “Not guilty,” people noticed that the young man walked out + of court behind his father with as drooping a head as if he had gone under + sentence; so much so that by common consent he was allowed to slip quietly + away. Miss Belton departed, followed by the detective, whose services were + promptly transferred to the prosecution, and by a proportion of those who + scented further entertainment in her perfumed, perjured wake. But the + majority hung back, leaving their places slowly; it was Lorne the crowd + wanted to shake hands with to say just a word of congratulation to, + Lorne’s triumph that they desired to enhance by a hearty sentence, or at + least an admiring glance. Walter Winter was among the most genial. + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” he said, “what did I tell you? Didn’t I tell you you ought to + take this case?” Mr Winter, with his chest thrust out, plumed and strutted + in justifiable pride of prophecy. “Now, I’ll tell you another thing: + today’s event will do more for you than it has for Ormiston. Mark my + words!” + </p> + <p> + They were all of that opinion, all the fine foretellers of the profit + Lorne should draw from his spirited and conspicuous success; they stood + about in knots discussing it; to some extent it eclipsed the main interest + and issue of the day, at that moment driving out, free and disconsolate, + between the snake fences of the South Riding to Moneida Reservation. The + quick and friendly sense of opportunity was abroad on Lorne Murchison’s + behalf; friends and neighbours and Dr Drummond, and people who hardly knew + the fellow, exchanged wise words about what his chance would do for him. + What it would immediately do was present to nobody so clearly, however, as + to Mr Henry Cruickshank, who decided that he would, after all, accept Dr + Drummond’s invitation to spend the night with him, and find out the little + he didn’t know already about this young man. + </p> + <p> + That evening the Murchisons’ doorbell rang twice. The first time it was to + admit the Rev. Hugh Finlay, who had come to return Sordello, which he had + borrowed from Advena, and to find out whether she thought with him about + the interpretation of certain passages, and if not—there was always + the possibility—wherein their divergence lay. The second time the + door opened to Dr Drummond and Mr Cruickshank; and the electric light had + to be turned on in the drawing-room, since the library was already + occupied by Mr Finlay and Advena, Mr and Mrs Murchison never having got + over their early habit of sitting in the dining-room after tea. Even then + Mrs Murchison had to put away her workbasket, and John Murchison to knock + the ashes out of his pipe, looking at one another with surprised inquiry + when Eliza informed them of their visitors. Luckily, Mr Lorne was also in, + and Eliza was sent to tell him, and Mr Lorne came down the stairs two at a + time to join the party in the drawing-room, which was presently supplied + by Eliza with a dignified service of cake and wine. The hall divided that + room from the library, and both doors were shut. We cannot hesitate about + which to open; we have only, indeed, to follow the recognized tradition of + Elgin, which would never have entered the library. No vivid conclusion + should be drawn, no serious situation may even be indicated. It would + simply have been considered, in Elgin, stupid to go into the library. + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t a case for the High Commissioner for Canada,” Mr Cruickshank was + saying. “It’s a case for direct representation of the interests concerned, + and their view of the effect upon trade. That’s the only voice to speak + with if you want to get anything done. Conviction carries conviction. The + High Commissioner is a very useful fellow to live in London and look after + the ornamental, the sentimental, and immigration—nobody could do it + better than Selkirk. And in England, of course, they like that kind of + agency. It’s the good old dignified way; but it won’t do for everything. + You don’t find our friend Morgan operating through the American equivalent + of a High Commissioner.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you don’t,” said John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “He goes over there as a principal, and the British Government, if he + wants to deal with it, is only another principal. That’s the way our + deputation will go. We’re practically all shippers, though of course the + matter of tenders will come later. There is big business for them here, + national business, and we propose to show it. The subsidy we want will + come back to the country four times over in two years. Freights from + Boston alone—” + </p> + <p> + “It’s the patriotic, imperial argument you’ll have to press, I doubt,” + said John Murchison. “They’re not business people over there—the men + in office are not. How should they be? The system draws them from the + wrong class. They’re gentlemen—noblemen, maybe—first, and + they’ve no practical education. There’s only one way of getting it, and + that’s to make your own living. How many of them have ever made tuppence? + There’s where the Americans beat them so badly—they’ve got the sixth + sense, the business sense. No; you’ll not find them responding greatly to + what there is in it for trade—they’d like to well enough, but they + just won’t see it; and, by George! what a fine suspicion they’ll have of + ye! As to freights from Boston,” he continued, as they all laughed, “I’m + of opinion you’d better not mention them. What! steal the trade of a + friendly power! Tut, tut!” + </p> + <p> + It was a long speech for John Murchison, but they were all excited to a + pitch beyond the usual. Henry Cruickshank had brought with him an event of + extraordinary importance. It seemed to sit there with him, significant and + propitious, in the middle of the sofa; they all looked at it in the + pauses. Dr Drummond, lost in an armchair, alternately contemplated it and + remembered to assert himself part of it. As head of a deputation from the + United Chambers of Commerce of Canada shortly to wait on the British + Government to press for the encouragement of improved communications + within the Empire, Cruickshank had been asked to select a secretary. The + appointment, in view of the desirability, for political reasons, of giving + the widest publicity to the hopes and motives of the deputation, was an + important one. The action of the Canadian Government, in extending + conditional promises of support, had to be justified to the Canadian + taxpayer; and that shy and weary person whose shoulders uphold the + greatness of Britain, had also to receive such conciliation and + reassurance as it was possible to administer to him, by way of nerving the + administrative arm over there to an act of enterprise. Mr Cruickshank had + had two or three young fellows, mostly newspaper men, in his mind’s eye; + but when Lorne came into his literal range of vision, the others had + promptly been retired in our friend’s favour. Young Mr Murchison, he had + concluded, was the man they wanted; and if his office could spare him, it + would probably do young Mr Murchison no harm in any sort of way to + accompany the deputation to London and throw himself into the matter the + deputation had at heart. + </p> + <p> + “But it’s the Empire!” said Lorne, with a sort of shy fire, when Mr + Cruickshank enunciated this. + </p> + <p> + We need not, perhaps, dwell upon the significance of his agreement. It was + then not long since the maple leaf had been stained brighter than ever, + not without honour, to maintain the word that fell from him. The three + older men looked at him kindly; John Murchison, rubbing his chin as he + considered the situation, slightly shook his head. One took it that in his + view the Empire was not so readily envisaged. + </p> + <p> + “That has a strong bearing,” Mr Cruickshank assented. + </p> + <p> + “It’s the whole case—it seems to me,” repeated young Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “It should help to knit us up,” said Dr Drummond. “I’ll put my name down + on the first passenger list, if Knox Church will let me off. See that you + have special rates,” he added, with a twinkle, “for ministers and + missionaries.” + </p> + <p> + “And only ten days to get him ready in,” said Mrs Murchison. “It will take + some seeing to, I assure you; and I don’t know how it’s to be done in the + time. For once, Lorne, I’ll have to order you ready-made shirts, and + you’ll just have to put up with it. Nothing else could possibly get back + from the wash.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll put up with it, Mother.” + </p> + <p> + They went into other details of Lorne’s equipment while Mrs Murchison’s + eye still wandered over the necessities of his wardrobe. They arranged the + date on which he was to meet the members of the deputation in Montreal, + and Mr Cruickshank promised to send him all available documents and such + presentation of the project as had been made in the newspapers. + </p> + <p> + “You shall be put in immediate possession of the bones of the thing,” he + said, “but what really matters,” he added pleasantly, “I think you’ve got + already.” + </p> + <p> + It took, of course, some discussion, and it was quite ten o’clock before + everything was gone into, and the prospect was clear to them all. As they + emerged into the hall together, the door of the room opposite also opened, + and the Rev. Hugh Finlay found himself added to their group. They all made + the best of the unexpected encounter. It was rather an elaborate best, + very polite and entirely grave, except in the instance of Dr Drummond, who + met his subaltern with a smile in which cordiality struggled in vain to + overcome the delighted humour. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <p> + It was the talk of the town, the pride of the market-place, Lorne + Murchison’s having been selected to accompany what was known as the + Cruickshank deputation to England. The general spirit of congratulation + was corrected by a tendency to assert it another proof of sagacity on the + chairman’s part; Elgin wouldn’t be too flattered; Lawyer Cruickshank + couldn’t have done better. You may be sure the Express was well ahead with + it. “Honour to Our Young Fellow Townsman. A Well-Merited Compliment,” and + Rawlins was round promptly next morning to glean further particulars. He + found only Mrs Murchison, on a stepladder tying up the clematis that + climbed about the verandah, and she told him a little about clematis and a + good deal about the inconvenience of having to abandon superintending the + spring cleaning in order to get Lorne ready to go to the Old Country at + such short notice, but nothing he could put in the paper. Lorne, sought at + the office, was hardly more communicative. Mr Williams himself dropped in + there. He said the Express would now have a personal interest in the + object of the deputation, and proposed to strike out a broad line, a + broader line than ever. + </p> + <p> + “We’ve got into the way of taking it for granted,” said Mr Williams, “that + the subsidy idea is a kind of mediaeval idea. Raise a big enough shout and + you get things taken for granted in economics for a long while. Conditions + keep changing, right along, all the time, and presently you’ve got to + reconsider. There ain’t any sort of ultimate truth in the finest economic + position, my son; not any at all.” + </p> + <p> + “We’ll subsidize over here, right enough,” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + “That’s the idea—that’s the prevailing idea, just now. But lots of + people think different—more than you’d imagine. I was talking to old + man Milburn just now—he’s dead against it. ‘Government has no + business,’ he said, ‘to apply the taxes in the interests of any company. + It oughtn’t to know how to spell “subsidy.” If the trade was there it + would get itself carried,’ he said.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that surprises me,” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + “Surprised me, too. But I was on the spot with him; just thought of it in + time. ‘Well, now, Mr Milburn,’ I said, ‘you’ve changed your mind. Thought + that was a thing you Conservatives never did,’ I said. ‘We don’t—I + haven’t,’ he said. ‘What d’ye mean? Twenty-five years ago,’ I said, ‘when + you were considering whether you’d start the Milburn Boiler Works here or + in Hamilton, Hamilton offered you a free site, and Elgin offered you a + free site and a dam for your water power. You took the biggest subsidy an’ + came here,’ I said.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne laughed: “What did he say to that?” + </p> + <p> + “Hadn’t a word. ‘I guess it’s up to me,’ he said. Then he turned round and + came back. ‘Hold on, Williams; he said. ‘You know so much already about my + boiler works, it wouldn’t be much trouble for you to write out an account + of them from the beginning, would it? Working in the last quarter of a + century of the town’s progress, you know, and all that. Come round to the + office tomorrow, and I’ll give you some pointers.’ And he fixed up a + two-column ad right away. He was afraid I’d round on him, I suppose, if I + caught him saying anything more about the immorality of subsidies.” + </p> + <p> + “He won’t say anything more.” + </p> + <p> + “Probably not. Milburn hasn’t got much of a political conscience, but he’s + got a sense of what’s silly. Well, now, I expect you want all the time + there is.” + </p> + <p> + Mr Williams removed himself from the edge of the table, which was strewn + with maps and bluebooks, printed official, and typewritten demi-official + papers. + </p> + <p> + “Give ‘em a notion of those Assiniboian wheat acres, my boy, and the ranch + country we’ve got; tell ‘em about the future of quick passage and cold + storage. Get ‘em a little ashamed to have made so many fortunes for Yankee + beef combines; persuade ‘em the cheapest market has a funny way of getting + the dearest price in the end. Give it ‘em, Lorne, hot and cold and + fricasseed. The Express will back you up.” + </p> + <p> + He slapped his young friend’s shoulder, who seemed occupied with matters + that prevented his at once feeling the value of this assurance. “Bye-bye,” + said Mr Williams. “See you again before you start.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course!” Lorne replied. “I’ll—I’ll come round. By the way, + Williams, Mr Milburn didn’t say anything—anything about me in + connection with this business? Didn’t mention, I suppose, what he thought + about my going?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word, my boy! He was away up in abstract principles; he generally + is. Bye-bye.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s gone to his head a little bit—only natural,” Horace reflected + as he went down the stairs. “He’s probably just feeding on what folks + think of it. As if it mattered a pin’s head what Octavius Milburn thinks + or don’t think!” + </p> + <p> + Lorne, however, left alone with his customs returns and his immigration + reports, sat still, attaching a weight quite out of comparison with a + pin’s head to Mr Milburn’s opinion. He turned it over and over, instead of + the tabulated figures that were his business: he had to show himself his + way to the conclusion that such a thing could not matter seriously in the + end, since Milburn hadn’t a dollar involved—it would be different if + he were a shareholder in the Maple Line. He wished heartily, nevertheless, + that he could demonstrate a special advantage to boiler-makers in + competitive freights with New York. What did they import, confound them! + Pig-iron? Plates and rivets? Fortunately he was in a position to get at + the facts, and he got at them with an interest of even greater intensity + than he had shown to the whole question since ten that morning. Even now, + the unprejudiced observer, turning up the literature connected with the + Cruickshank deputation, may notice a stress laid upon the advantages to + Canadian importers of ore in certain stages of manufacture which may + strike him as slightly, very slightly, special. Of course there are a good + many of them in the country. So that Mr Horace Williams was justified to + some extent in his kindly observation upon the excusable egotism of youth. + Two or three letters, however, came in while Lorne was considering the + relation of plates and rivets to the objects of his deputation. They were + all congratulatory; one was from the chairman of the Liberal Association + at its headquarters in Toronto. Lorne glanced at them and stowed them away + in his pocket. He would read them when he got home, when it would be a + pleasure to hand them over to his mother. She was making a collection of + them. + </p> + <p> + He had a happy perception that same evening that Mr Milburn’s position was + not, after all, finally and invincibly taken against the deputation and + everything—everybody—concerned with it. He met that gentleman + at his own garden gate. Octavius paused in his exit, to hold it open for + young Murchison, thus even assisting the act of entry, a thing which + thrilled Lorne sweetly enough when he had time to ponder its possible + significance. Alas! the significance that lovers find! Lorne read a world + in the behaviour of Dora’s father in holding the gate open. He saw + political principle put aside in his favour, and social position forgotten + in kindness to him. He saw the gravest, sincerest appreciation of his + recent success, which he took as humbly as a dog will take a bone; he read + a fatherly thought at which his pulses bounded in an arrogance of triumph, + and his heart rose to ask its trust. And Octavius Milburn had held the + gate open because it was more convenient to hold it open than to leave it + open. He had not a political view in the world that was calculated to + affect his attitude toward a practical matter; and his opinion of Lorne + was quite uncomplicated: he thought him a very likely young fellow. + Milburn himself, in the Elgin way, preferred to see no great significance + of this sort anywhere. Young people were young people; it was natural + enough that they should like each other’s society. They, the Milburns, + were very glad to see Mr Murchison, very glad indeed. It was frequent + matter for veiled humorous reference at the table that he had been to call + again, at which Dora would look very stiff and dignified, and have to be + coaxed back into the conversation. As to anything serious, there was no + hurry; plenty of time to think of that. Such matters dwelt under the + horizon; there was no need to scan them closely; and Mr Milburn went his + way, conscious of nothing more than a comfortable gratification that Dora, + so far as the young men were concerned, seemed as popular as other girls. + </p> + <p> + Dora was not in the drawing-room. Young ladies in Elgin had always to be + summoned from somewhere. For all the Filkin instinct for the conservation + of polite tradition, Dora was probably reading the Toronto society weekly—illustrated, + with correspondents all over the Province—on the back verandah and, + but for the irruption of a visitor, would probably not have entered the + formal apartment of the house at all that evening. Drawing-rooms in Elgin + had their prescribed uses—to receive in, to practise in, and for the + last sad entertainment of the dead, when the furniture was disarranged to + accommodate the trestles; but the common business of life went on outside + them, even among prosperous people, the survival, perhaps, of a habit + based upon thrift. The shutters were opened when Lorne entered, to let in + the spring twilight, and the servant pulled a chair into its proper + relation with the room as she went out. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Milburn and Miss Filkin both came in before Dora did. Lorne found + their conversation enchanting, though it was mostly about the difficulty + of keeping the lawn tidy; they had had so much rain. Mrs Milburn assured + him kindly that there was not such another lawn as his father’s in Elgin. + How Mr Murchison managed to have it looking so nice always she could not + think. Only yesterday she and Mr Milburn had stopped to admire it as they + passed. + </p> + <p> + “Spring is always a beautiful time in Elgin,” she remarked. “There are so + many pretty houses here, each standing in its own grounds. Nothing very + grand, as I tell my friend, Miss Cham, from Buffalo where the residences + are, of course, on quite a different scale; but grandeur isn’t everything, + is it?” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + “But you will be leaving for Great Britain very soon now, Mr Murchison,” + said Miss Filkin. “Leaving Elgin and all its beauties! And I dare say you + won’t think of them once again till you get back!” + </p> + <p> + “I hope I shall not be so busy as that, Miss Filkin.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, I’m sure Mr Murchison won’t forget his native town altogether,” + said Mrs Milburn, “though perhaps he won’t like it so well after seeing + dear old England!” + </p> + <p> + “I expect,” said Lorne simply, “to like it better.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, of course, we shall all be pleased if you say that, Mr Murchison,” + Mrs Milburn replied graciously. “We shall feel quite complimented. But I’m + afraid you will find a great deal to criticize when you come back—that + is, if you go at all into society over there. I always say there can be + nothing like good English society.” + </p> + <p> + “I want to attend a sitting of the House,” Lorne said. “I hope I shall + have time for that. I want to see those fellows handling their public + business. I don’t believe I shall find our men so far behind, for point of + view and grasp and dispatch. Of course there’s always Wallingham to make a + standard for us all. But they haven’t got so many Wallinghams.” + </p> + <p> + “Wasn’t it Wallingham, Louisa, that Mr Milburn was saying at breakfast was + such a dangerous man? So able, he said, but dangerous. Something to do + with the tariff.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh?” said Lorne, and he said no more, for at that moment Dora came in. + She came in looking very straight and graceful and composed. Her personal + note was carried out in her pretty clothes, which hung and “sat” upon her + like the rhythm of verses; they could fall no other way. She had in every + movement the definite accent of young ladyhood; she was very much aware of + herself, of the situation, and of her value in it, a setting for herself + she saw it, and saw it truly. No one, from the moment she entered the + room, looked at anything else. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr Murchison,” she said. “How do you do? Mother, do you mind if I + open the window? It’s quite warm out of doors—regular summer.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne sprang to open the window, while Miss Filkin, murmuring that it had + been a beautiful day, moved a little farther from it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, please don’t trouble, Mr Murchison; thank you very much!” Miss + Milburn continued, and subsided on a sofa. “Have you been playing tennis + this week?” + </p> + <p> + Mr Murchison said that he had been able to get down to the club only once. + </p> + <p> + “The courts aren’t a bit in good order. They want about a week’s rolling. + The balls get up anywhere,” said Dora. + </p> + <p> + “Lawn tennis,” Mrs Milburn asserted herself, “is a delightful exercise. I + hope it will never go out of fashion; but that is what we used to say of + croquet, and it has gone out and come in again.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne listened to this with deference; there was a hint of patience in the + regard Dora turned upon her mother. Mrs Milburn continued to dilate upon + lawn tennis, dealt lightly with badminton, and brought the conversation + round with a graceful sweep to canoeing. Dora’s attitude before she had + done became slightly permissive, but Mrs Milburn held on till she had + accomplished her conception of conduct for the occasion; then she + remembered a meeting in the schoolhouse. + </p> + <p> + “We are to have an address by an Indian bishop,” she told them. “He is on + his way to England by China and Japan, and is staying with our dear + rector, Mr Murchison. Such a treat I expect it will be.” + </p> + <p> + “What I am dying to know,” said Miss Filkin, in a sprightly way, “is + whether he is black or white!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs Milburn then left the room, and shortly afterward Miss Filkin thought + she could not miss the bishop either, conveying the feeling that a bishop + was a bishop, of whatever colour. She stayed three minutes longer than Mrs + Milburn, but she went. The Filkin tradition, though strong, could not hold + out entirely against the unwritten laws, the silently claimed privileges, + of youth in Elgin. It made its pretence and vanished. + </p> + <p> + Even as the door closed the two that were left looked at one another with + a new significance. A simpler relation established itself between them and + controlled all that surrounded them; the very twilight seemed conscious + with it; the chairs and tables stood in attentive harmony. + </p> + <p> + “You know,” said Dora, “I hate your going, Lorne!” + </p> + <p> + She did indeed seem moved, about the mouth, to discontent. There was some + little injury in the way she swung her foot. + </p> + <p> + “I was hoping Mr Fulke wouldn’t get better in time; I was truly!” + </p> + <p> + The gratitude in young Murchison’s eyes should have been dear to her. I + don’t know whether she saw it; but she must have been aware that she was + saying what touched him, making her point. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it’s a good thing to go, Dora.” + </p> + <p> + “A good thing for you! And the regatta coming off the first week in June, + and a whole crowd coming from Toronto for it. There isn’t another person + in town I care to canoe with, Lorne, you know perfectly well!” + </p> + <p> + “I’m awfully sorry!” said Lorne. “I wish—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I’m GOING, I believe. Stephen Stuart has written from Toronto, and + asked me to sail with him. I haven’t told Mother, but he’s my second + cousin, so I suppose she won’t make a fuss.” + </p> + <p> + The young man’s face clouded; seeing which she relented. “Oh, of course, + I’m glad you’re going, really,” she assured him. “And we’ll all be proud + to be acquainted with such a distinguished gentleman when you get back. Do + you think you’ll see the King? You might, you know, in London.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll see him if he’s visible,” laughed Lorne. “That would be something to + tell your mother, wouldn’t it? But I’m afraid we won’t be doing business + with His Majesty.” + </p> + <p> + “I expect you’ll have the loveliest time you ever had in all your life. Do + you think you’ll be asked out much, Lorne?” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t imagine who would ask me. We’ll get off easy if the street boys + don’t shout: ‘What price Canucks?’ at us! But I’ll see England, Dora; I’ll + feel England, eat and drink and sleep and live in England, for a little + while. Isn’t the very name great? I’ll be a better man for going, till I + die. We’re all right out here, but we’re young and thin and weedy. They + didn’t grow so fast in England, to begin with, and now they’re rich with + character and strong with conduct and hoary with ideals. I’ve been reading + up the history of our political relations with England. It’s astonishing + what we’ve stuck to her through, but you can’t help seeing why—it’s + for the moral advantage. Way down at the bottom, that’s what it is. We + have the sense to want all we can get of that sort of thing. They’ve + developed the finest human product there is, the cleanest, the most + disinterested, and we want to keep up the relationship—it’s + important. Their talk about the value of their protection doesn’t take in + the situation as it is now. Who would touch us if we were running our own + show?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t believe they are a bit better than we are,” replied Miss Milburn. + “I’m sure I haven’t much opinion of the Englishmen that come out here. + They don’t think anything of getting into debt, and as often as not they + drink, and they never know enough to—to come in out of the rain. + But, Lorne—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but we’re very apt to get the failures. The fellows their folks give + five or six hundred pounds to and tell them they’re not expected back till + they’re making a living. The best men find their level somewhere else, + along recognized channels. Lord knows we don’t want them—this + country’s for immigrants. We’re manufacturing our own gentlemen quite fast + enough for the demand.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think we were! Why, Lorne, Canadians—nice Canadians are + just as gentlemanly as they can be! They’ll compare with anybody. Perhaps + Americans have got more style:” she weighed the matter; “but Canadians are + much better form, I think. But, Lorne, how perfectly dear of you to send + me those roses. I wore them, and nobody there had such beauties. All the + girls wanted to know where I got them, but I only told Lily, just to make + her feel a pig for not having asked you—my very greatest friend! She + just about apologized—told me she wanted to ask about twenty more + people, but her mother wouldn’t let her. They’ve lost an uncle or + something lately, and if it hadn’t been for Clara Sims staying with them + they wouldn’t have been giving anything.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll try to survive not having been asked. But I’m glad you wore the + roses, Dora.” + </p> + <p> + “I dropped one, and Phil Carter wanted to keep it. He’s so silly!” + </p> + <p> + “Did you—did you let him keep it?” + </p> + <p> + “Lorne Murchison! Do you think I’d let any man keep a rose I’d been + wearing?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her, suddenly emboldened. “I don’t know about roses, Dora, + but pansies—those are awfully nice ones in your dress. I’m very fond + of pansies; couldn’t you spare me one? I wouldn’t ask for a rose, but a + pansy—” + </p> + <p> + His eyes were more ardent than what he found to say. Beneath them Dora + grew delicately pink. The pansies drooped a little; she put her slender + fingers under one, and lifted its petals. + </p> + <p> + “It’s too faded for your buttonhole,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “It needn’t stay in my buttonhole. I know lots of other places!” he + begged. + </p> + <p> + Dora considered the pansy again, then she pulled it slowly out, and the + young man got up and went over to her, proffering the lapel of his coat. + </p> + <p> + “It spoils the bunch,” she said prettily. “If I give you this you will + have to give me something to take its place.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + “I know it will be something better,” said Dora, and there was a little + effort in her composure. “You send people such beautiful flowers, Lorne.” + </p> + <p> + She rose beside him as she spoke, graceful and fair, to fasten it in; and + it was his hand that shook. + </p> + <p> + “Then may I choose it?” said Lorne. “And will you wear it?” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you may. Why are you—why do you—Oh, Lorne, stand + still!” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll give you, you sweet girl, my whole heart!” he said in the vague + tender knowledge that he offered her a garden, where she had but to walk, + and smile, to bring about her unimaginable blooms. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <p> + They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and + Mrs Murchison. The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s + mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the + Plummers. It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse + chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it + had done faithfully for thirty years. John was no longer in his + shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a + black alpaca coat. He smoked his meerschaum with the same old + deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held + its original, which lasted him fifteen years. A great deal of John + Murchison’s character was there, in the way he held his pipe, his + gentleness and patience, even the justice and repose and quiet strength of + his nature. He smoked and read the paper the unfailing double solace of + his evenings. I should have said that it was Mrs Murchison who talked. She + had the advantage of a free mind, only subconsciously occupied with her + white wool and agile needles; and John had frequently to choose between + her observations and the politics of the day. + </p> + <p> + “You saw Lorne’s letter this morning, Father?” + </p> + <p> + John took his pipe out of his mouth. “Yes,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “He seems tremendously taken up with Wallingham. It was all Wallingham, + from one end to the other.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s not remarkable,” said John Murchison, patiently. + </p> + <p> + “You’d think he had nothing else to write about. There was that reception + at Lord What-you-may-call-him’s, the Canadian Commissioner’s, when the + Prince and Princess of Wales came, and brought their family. I’d like to + have heard something more about that than just that he was there. He might + have noticed what the children had on. Now that Abby’s family is coming + about her I seem to have my hands as full of children’s clothes as ever I + had. Abby seems to think there’s nothing like my old patterns; I’m sure + I’m sick of the sight of them!” + </p> + <p> + Mr Murchison refolded his newspaper, took his pipe once more from his + mouth, and said nothing. + </p> + <p> + “John, put down that paper! I declare it’s enough to drive anybody crazy! + Now look at that boy walking across the lawn. He does it every night, + delivering the Express, and you take no more notice! He’s wearing a + regular path!” + </p> + <p> + “Sonny,” said Mr Murchison, as the urchin approached, “you mustn’t walk + across the grass.” + </p> + <p> + “Much good that will do!” remarked Mrs Murchison. “I’d teach him to walk + across the grass, if—if it were my business. Boy—isn’t your + name Willie Parker? Then it was your mother I promised the coat and the + other things to, and you’ll find them ready there, just inside the hall + door. They’ll make down very well for you, but you can tell her from me + that she’d better double-seam them, for the stuff’s apt to ravel. And + attend to what Mr Murchison says; go out by the gravel—what do you + suppose it’s there for?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs Murchison readjusted her glasses, and turned another row of the tiny + sock. “I must say it’s a pleasure to have the lawn neat and green,” she + said, with a sigh. “Never did I expect to see the day it would be anything + but chickweed and dandelions. We’ve a great deal to be thankful for, and + all our children spared to us, too. John,” she continued, casting a shrewd + glance over her needles at nothing in particular; “do you suppose anything + was settled between Lorne and Dora Milburn before he Started?” + </p> + <p> + “He said nothing to me about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, very likely he wouldn’t. Young people keep such a tremendous + lot to themselves nowadays. But it’s my belief they’ve come to an + understanding.” + </p> + <p> + “Lily might do worse,” said John Murchison, judicially. + </p> + <p> + “I should think Dora might do worse! I don’t know where she’s going to do + better! The most promising young man in Elgin, well brought up, well + educated, well started in a profession! There’s not a young fellow in this + town to compare with Lorne, and perfectly well you know it, John. Might do + worse! But that’s you all over. Belittle your own belongings!” + </p> + <p> + Mr Murchison smiled in amused tolerance. “They’ve always got you to blow + their trumpet, Mother,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “And more than me. You ought to hear Dr Drummond about Lorne! He says that + if the English Government starts that line of boats to Halifax the country + will owe it to him, much more than to Cruickshank, or anybody else.” + </p> + <p> + “Dr Drummond likes to talk,” said John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “Lorne’s keeping his end up all right,” remarked Stella, jumping off her + bicycle in time to hear what her mother said. “It’s great, that old + Wallingham asking him to dinner. And haven’t I just been spreading it!” + </p> + <p> + “Where have you been, Stella?” asked Mrs Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, only over to the Milburns’. Dora asked me to come and show her the + new flower-stitch for table centres. Dora’s suddenly taken to fancy work. + She’s started a lot—a lot too much!” Stella added gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “If Dora likes to do fancy work I don’t see why anybody should want to + stop her,” remarked Mrs Murchison, with a meaning glance at her husband. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose she thinks she’s going to get Lorne,” said Stella. Her + resentment was only half-serious, but the note was there. + </p> + <p> + “What put that into your head?” asked her mother. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, anybody can see that he’s devoted to her, and has been for + ages, and it isn’t as if Lorne was one to HAVE girlfriends; she’s + absolutely the only thing he’s ever looked at twice. She hasn’t got a + ring, that’s true, but it would be just like her to want him to get it in + England. And I know they correspond. She doesn’t make any secret of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I dare say! Other people have eyes in their head as well as you, + Stella,” said Mrs Murchison, stooping for her ball. “But there’s no need + to take things for granted at such a rate. And, above all, you’re not to + go TALKING, remember!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you think Dora Milburn’s good enough,” returned Lorne’s youngest + sister in threatening accents, “it’s more than I do, that’s all. Hello, + Miss Murchison!” she continued, as Advena appeared. “You’re looking + ‘xtremely dinky-dink. Expecting his reverence?” + </p> + <p> + Advena made no further reply than a look of scornful amusement, which + Stella, bicycling forth again, received in the back of her head. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Mrs Murchison, “if you had taken any share in the bringing + up of this family, Stella ought to have her ears boxed this minute!” + </p> + <p> + “We’ll have to box them,” said Mr Murchison, “when she comes back.” Advena + had retreated into the house. “IS she expecting his reverence?” asked her + father with a twinkle. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t ask me! I’m sure it’s more than I can tell you. It’s a mystery to + me, that matter, altogether. I’ve known him come three evenings in a week + and not again for a month of Sundays. And when he does come there they + sit, talking about their books and their authors; you’d think the world + had nothing else in it! I know, for I’ve heard them, hard at it, there in + the library. Books and authors won’t keep their house or look after their + family for them; I can tell them that, if it does come to anything, which + I hope it won’t.” + </p> + <p> + “Finlay’s fine in the pulpit,” said John Murchison cautiously. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the man’s well enough; it’s him I’m sorry for. I don’t call Advena + fitted to be a wife, and last of all a minister’s. Abby was a treasure for + any man to get, and Stella won’t turn out at all badly; she’s taking hold + very well for her age. But Advena simply hasn’t got it in her, and that’s + all there is to say about it.” Mrs Murchison pulled her needles out right + side out with finality. “I don’t deny the girl’s talented in her own way, + but it’s no way to marry on. She’d much better make up her mind just to be + a happy independent old maid; any woman might do worse. And take no + responsibilities.” + </p> + <p> + “There would always be you, Mother, for them to fall back on.” It was as + near as John Murchison ever got to flattery. + </p> + <p> + “No thank you, then! I’ve brought up six of my own, as well as I was able, + which isn’t saying much, and a hard life I’ve had of it. Now I’m done with + it; they’ll have to find somebody else to fall back on. If they get + themselves into such a mess”—Mrs Murchison stopped to laugh with + sincere enjoyment—“they needn’t look to me to get them out.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess you’d have a hand, Mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Not I. But the man isn’t thinking of any such folly. What do you suppose + his salary is?” + </p> + <p> + “Eight hundred and fifty dollars a year. They raised it last month.” + </p> + <p> + “And how far would Advena be able to make that go, with servants getting + the money they do and expecting the washing put out as a matter of course? + Do you remember Eliza, John, that we had when we were first married? Seven + dollars a month she got; she would split wood at a pinch, and I’ve never + had one since that could do up shirts like her. Three years and a half she + was with me, and did everything, everything I didn’t do. But that was + management, and Advena’s no manager. It would be me that would tell him, + if I had the chance. Then he couldn’t say he hadn’t been warned. But I + don’t think he has any such idea.” + </p> + <p> + “Advena,” pronounced Mr Murchison, “might do worse.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don’t know whether she might. The creature is well enough to + preach before a congregation. But what she can see in him out of the + pulpit is more than I know. A great gawk of a fellow, with eyes that + always look as if he were in the middle of next week! He may be able to + talk to Advena, but he’s no hand at general conversation; I know he finds + precious little to say to me. But he’s got no such notion. He comes here + because, being human, he’s got to open his mouth some time or other, I + suppose; but it’s my opinion he has neither Advena nor anybody else in his + mind’s eye at present. He doesn’t go the right way about it.” + </p> + <p> + “H’m!” said John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “He brought her a book the last time he came—what do you think the + name of it was? The something or other of Plato! Do you call that a + natural gift from a young man who is thinking seriously of a girl? + Besides, if I know anything about Plato he was a Greek heathen, and no + writer for a Presbyterian minister to go lending around. I’d Plato him to + the rightabout if it was me!” + </p> + <p> + “She might read worse than Plato,” remarked John. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, she read it fast enough. She’s your own daughter for outlandish + books. Mercy on us, here comes the man! We’ll just say ‘How d’ye do?’ to + him, and then start for Abby’s, John. I’m not easy in my mind about the + baby, and I haven’t been over since the morning. Harry says it’s nothing + but stomach, but I think I know whooping-cough when I hear it. And if it + is whooping-cough the boy will have to come here and rampage, I suppose, + till they’re clear of it. There’s some use in grandmothers, if I do say it + myself!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <p> + If anyone had told Mr Hugh Finlay, while he was pursuing his rigorous path + to the ideals of the University of Edinburgh, that the first notable + interest of his life in the calling and the country to which even then he + had given his future would lie in his relations with any woman, he would + have treated the prediction as mere folly. To go far enough back in + accounting for this one would arrive at the female sort, sterling and + arid, that had presided over his childhood and represented the sex to his + youth, the Aunt Lizzie, widowed and frugal and spare, who had brought him + up; the Janet Wilson, who had washed and mended him from babyhood, good + gaunt creature half-servant and half-friend—the mature respectable + women and impossible blowsy girls of the Dumfriesshire village whence he + came. With such as these relations, actual or imagined, could only be of + the most practical kind, matters to be arranged on grounds of expediency, + and certainly not of the first importance. The things of first importance—what + you could do with your energy and your brains to beat out some microscopic + good for the world, and what you could see and feel and realize in it of + value to yourself—left little room for the feminine consideration in + Finlay’s eyes; it was not a thing, simply, that existed there with any + significance. Woman in her more attractive presentment, was a daughter of + the poets, with an esoteric, or perhaps only a symbolic, or perhaps a + merely decorative function; in any case, a creature that required an + initiation to perceive her—a process to which Finlay would have been + as unwilling as he was unlikely to submit. Not that he was destitute of + ideals about women—they would have formed in that case a strange + exception to his general outlook—but he saw them on a plane detached + and impersonal, concerned with the preservation of society the maintenance + of the home, the noble devotions of motherhood. Women had been known, + historically, to be capable of lofty sentiments and fine actions: he would + have been the last to withhold their due from women. But they were removed + from the scope of his imagination, partly by the accidents I have + mentioned and partly, no doubt, by a simple lack in him of the inclination + to seek and to know them. + </p> + <p> + So that Christie Cameron, when she came to stay with his aunt in Bross + during the few weeks after his ordination and before his departure for + Canada, found a fair light for judgement and more than a reasonable + disposition to acquiesce in the scale of her merits, as a woman, on the + part of Hugh Finlay. He was familiar with the scale of her merits before + she came; his Aunt Lizzie did little but run them up and down. When she + arrived she answered to every item she was a good height, but not too + tall; a nice figure of a woman, but not what you would call stout; a + fresh-faced body whose excellent principles were written in every feature + she had. She was five years older than Hugh, but even that he came to + accept in Aunt Lizzie’s skilful exhibition as something to the total of + her advantages. A pleasant independent creature with a hundred a year of + her own, sensible and vigorous and good-tempered, belonging as well to the + pre-eminently right denomination. She had virtues that might have figured + handsomely in an advertisement had Aunt Lizzie, in the plenitude of her + good will, thought fit to take that measure on Christie’s behalf. But + nothing was farther from Aunt Lizzie’s mind. We must, in fairness, add + Christie Cameron to the sum of Finlay’s acquaintance with the sex; but + even then the total is slender, little to go upon. + </p> + <p> + Yet the fact which Mr Finlay would in those days have considered so + unimaginable remained; it had come into being and it remained. The chief + interest of his life, the chief human interest, did lie in his relations + with Advena Murchison. He might challenge it, but he could not move it; he + might explain, but he could not alter it. And there had come no point at + which it would have occurred to him to do either. When at last he had seen + how simple and possible it was to enjoy Miss Murchison’s companionship + upon unoccupied evenings he had begun to do it with eagerness and zest, + the greater because Elgin offered him practically no other. Dr Drummond + lived, for purposes of intellectual contact, at the other end of the + century, the other clergy and professional men of the town were separated + from Finlay by all the mental predispositions that rose from the virgin + soil. He was, as Mrs Murchison said, a great gawk of a fellow; he had + little adaptability; he was not of those who spend a year or two in the + New World and go back with a trans-Atlantic accent, either of tongue or of + mind. Where he saw a lack of dignity, of consideration, or of restraint, + he did not insensibly become less dignified or considerate or restrained + to smooth out perceptible differences; nor was he constituted to absorb + the qualities of those defects, and enrich his nature by the geniality, + the shrewdness, the quick mental movement that stood on the other side of + the account. He cherished in secret an admiration for the young men of + Elgin, with their unappeasable energy and their indomitable optimism, but + he could not translate it in any language of sympathy and but for Advena + his soul would have gone uncomforted and alone. + </p> + <p> + Advena, as we know, was his companion. Seeing herself just that, + constantly content to be just that, she walked beside him closer than he + knew. She had her woman’s prescience and trusted it. Her own heart, all + sweetly alive, counselled her to patience; her instincts laid her in bonds + to concealment. She knew, she was sure; so sure that she could play + sometimes, smiling, with her living heart— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The nightingale was not yet heard + For the rose was not yet blown, +</pre> + <p> + she could say of his; and what was that but play, and tender laughter, at + the expense of her own? And then, perhaps, looking up from the same book, + she would whisper, alone in her room— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, speed the day, thou dear, dear May, +</pre> + <p> + and gaze humbly through tears at her own face in the glass loving it on + his behalf. She took her passion with the weight of a thing ordained; she + had come upon it where it waited for her, and they had gone on together, + carrying the secret. There might be farther to go, but the way could never + be long. + </p> + <p> + Finlay said when he came in that the heat for May was extraordinary; and + Advena reminded him that he was in a country where everything was + accomplished quickly, even summer. + </p> + <p> + “Except perhaps civilization.” she added. They were both young enough to + be pleased with cleverness for its specious self. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is slow everywhere,” he observed; “but how you can say so, with + every modern improvement staring you in the face—” + </p> + <p> + “Electric cars and telephones! Oh, I didn’t say we hadn’t the products,” + and she laughed. “But the thing itself, the precious thing; that never + comes just by wishing, does it? The art of indifference, the art of choice—” + </p> + <p> + “If you had refinements in the beginning what would the end be?” he + demanded. “Anaemia.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t quarrel with the logic of it. I only point out the fact. To + do that is to acquiesce, really. I acquiesce; I have to. But one may long + for the more delicate appreciations that seem to flower where life has + gone on longer.” + </p> + <p> + “I imagine,” Finlay said, “that to wish truly and ardently for such things + is to possess them. If you didn’t possess them you wouldn’t desire them! + As they say, as they say—” + </p> + <p> + “As they say?” + </p> + <p> + “About love. Some novelist does. To be conscious in any way toward it is + to be fatally infected.” + </p> + <p> + “What novelist?” Advena asked, with shining interest. + </p> + <p> + “Some novelist. I—I can’t have invented it,” he replied, somewhat + confounded. He got up and walked to the window, where it stood open upon + the verandah. “I don’t write novels,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you live them,” suggested Advena. “I mean, of course,” she added, + laughing, “the highest class of fiction.” + </p> + <p> + “Heaven forbid!” + </p> + <p> + “Why Heaven forbid? You are sensitive to life, and a great deal of it + comes into your scope. You can’t see a thing truly without feeling it; you + can’t feel it without living it. I don’t write novels either, but I + experience—whole publishers’ lists.” + </p> + <p> + “That means,” he said, smiling, “that your vision is up to date. You see + the things, the kind of things that you read of next day. The modern moral + sophistications—?” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t make me out boastful,” she replied. “I often do.” + </p> + <p> + “Mine would be old-fashioned, I am afraid. Old stories of pain”—he + looked out upon the lawn, white where the chestnut blossoms were dropping, + and his eyes were just wistful enough to stir her adoration—“and of + heroism that is quite dateless in the history of the human heart. At least + one likes to hope so.” + </p> + <p> + “I somehow think,” she ventured timidly, “that yours would be classic.” + </p> + <p> + Finlay withdrew his glance abruptly from the falling blossoms as if they + had tempted him to an expansion he could not justify. He was impatient + always of the personal note, and in his intercourse with Miss Murchison he + seemed of late to be constantly sounding it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t know,” he said, almost irritably. “I only meant that I see + the obvious things, while you seem to have an eye for the subtle. There’s + reward, I suppose, in seeing anything. But about those more delicate + appreciations of societies longer evolved, I sometimes think that you + don’t half realize, in a country like this, how much there is to make up.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything really to make up?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, so much! Freedom from old habits, inherited problems: look at the + absurd difficulty they have in England in handling such a matter as + education! Here you can’t even conceive it—the schools have been on + logical lines from the beginning, or almost. Political activity over there + is half-strangled at this moment by the secular arm of religion; here it + doesn’t even impede the circulation! Conceive any Church, or the united + Churches, for the matter of that, asking a place in the conduct of the + common schools of Ontario! How would the people take it? With anger, or + with laughter, but certainly with sense. ‘By all mean let the ministers + serve education on the School Boards,’ they would say, ‘by election like + other people’—an opportunity, by the way, which has just been + offered to me. I’m nominated for East Elgin in place of Leverett, the + tanner, who is leaving the town. I shall do my best to get in, too; there + are several matters that want seeing to over there. The girls’ playground, + for one thing, is practically under water in the spring.” + </p> + <p> + “You should get in without the least difficulty. Oh, yes there is + something in a fresh start: we’re on the straight road as a nation, in + most respects; we haven’t any picturesque old prescribed lanes to travel. + So you think that makes up?” + </p> + <p> + “It’s one thing. You might put down space—elbow-room.” + </p> + <p> + “An empty horizon,” Advena murmured. + </p> + <p> + “For faith and the future. An empty horizon is better than none. England + has filled hers up. She has now—these,” and he nodded at a window + open to the yellow west. Advena looked with him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if you have a creative imagination,” she said “like Wallingham’s. But + even then your vision must be only political economic, material. You can’t + conceive the—flowers—that will come out of all that. And if + you could it wouldn’t be like having them.” + </p> + <p> + “And the scope of the individual, his chance of self-respect, unhampered + by the traditions of class, which either deaden it or irritate it in + England! His chance of significance and success! And the splendid, + buoyant, unused air to breathe, and the simplicity of life, and the plenty + of things!” + </p> + <p> + “I am to be consoled because apples are cheap.” + </p> + <p> + “You are to be consoled for a hundred reasons. Doesn’t it console you to + feel under your very feet the forces that are working to the immense + amelioration of a not altogether undeserving people?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Advena, rebelliously; and indeed he had been a trifle didactic + to her grievance. They laughed together, and then with a look at her in + which observation seemed suddenly to awake, Finlay said— + </p> + <p> + “And those things aren’t all, or nearly all. I sometimes think that the + human spirit, as it is set free in these wide unblemished spaces, may be + something more pure and sensitive, more sincerely curious about what is + good and beautiful—” + </p> + <p> + He broke off, still gazing at her, as if she had been an idea and no more. + How much more she was she showed him by a vivid and beautiful blush. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad you are so well satisfied,” she said, and then, as if her words + had carried beyond their intention, she blushed again. + </p> + <p> + Upon which Hugh Finlay saw his idea incarnate. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <p> + If it were fair or adequate to so quote, I should be very much tempted to + draw the history of Lorne Murchison’s sojourn in England from his letters + home. He put his whole heart into these, his discoveries and his + recognitions and his young enthusiasm, all his claimed inheritance, all + that he found to criticize and to love. His mother said, half-jealously + when she read them, that he seemed tremendously taken up with the old + country; and of course she expressed the thing exactly, as she always did: + he was tremendously taken up with it. The old country fell into the lines + of his imagination, from the towers of Westminster to the shops in the + Strand; from the Right Hon. Fawcett Wallingham, who laid great issues + before the public, to the man who sang melancholy hymns to the same public + up and down the benevolent streets. It was naturally London that filled + his view; his business was in London and his time was short; the country + he saw from the train, whence it made a low cloudy frame for London, with + decorations of hedges and sheep. How he saw London, how he carried away + all he did in the time and under the circumstances, may be thought a + mystery; there are doubtless people who would consider his opportunities + too limited to gather anything essential. Cruickshank was the only one of + the deputation who had been “over” before; and they all followed him + unquestioningly to the temperance hotel of his preference in Bloomsbury, + where bedrooms were three and six and tea was understood as a solid meal + and the last in the day. Bates would have voted for the Metropole, and + McGill had been advised that you saw a good deal of life at the Cecil, but + they bowed to Cruickshank’s experience. None of them were total + abstainers, but neither had any of them the wine habit; they were not + inconvenienced, therefore, in taking advantage of the cheapness with which + total abstinence made itself attractive, and they took it, though they + were substantial men. As one of them put it, they weren’t over there to + make a splash, a thing that was pretty hard to do in London, anyhow; and + home comforts came before anything. The conviction about the splash was + perhaps a little the teaching of circumstances. They were influential + fellows at home, who had lived for years in the atmosphere of appreciation + that surrounds success; their movements were observed in the newspapers; + their names stood for wide interests, big concerns. They had known the + satisfaction of a positive importance, not only in their community but in + their country; and they had come to England invested as well with the + weight that is attached to a public mission. It may very well be that they + looked for some echo of what they were accustomed to, and were a little + dashed not to find it—to find the merest published announcement of + their arrival, and their introduction by Lord Selkirk to the Colonial + Secretary; and no heads turned in the temperance hotel when they came into + the dining-room. It may very well be. It is even more certain, however + that they took the lesson as they found it, with the quick eye for things + as they are which seems to come of looking at things as they will be, and + with just that humorous comment about the splash. It would be misleading + to say that they were humbled; I doubt whether they even felt their + relativity, whether they ever dropped consciously, there in the Bloomsbury + hotel, into their places in the great scale of London. Observing the + scale, recognizing it, they held themselves unaffected by it; they kept, + in a curious, positive way, the integrity of what they were and what they + had come for; they maintained their point of view. So much must be + conceded. The Empire produces a family resemblance, but here and there, + when oceans intervene, a different mould of the spirit. + </p> + <p> + Wallingham certainly invited them to dinner one Sunday, in a body, an + occasion which gave one or two of them some anxiety until they found that + it was not to be adorned by the ladies of the family. Tricorne was there, + President of the Board of Trade, and Fleming, who held the purse-strings + of the United Kingdom, two Ministers whom Wallingham had asked because + they were supposed to have open minds—open, that is to say, for + purposes of assimilation. Wallingham considered, and rightly, that he had + done very well for the deputation in getting these two. There were other + “colleagues” whose attendance he would have liked to compel; but one of + them, deep in the country, was devoting his weekends to his new French + motor, and the other to the proofs of a book upon Neglected Periods of + Mahommedan History, and both were at the breaking strain with overwork. + Wallingham asked the deputation to dinner. Lord Selkirk, who took them to + Wallingham, dined them too, and invited them to one of those garden + parties for the sumptuous scale of which he was so justly famed; the + occasion we have already heard about, upon which royalty was present in + two generations. They travelled to it by special train, a circumstance + which made them grave, receptive, and even slightly ceremonious with one + another. Lord Selkirk, with royalty on his hands, naturally could not give + them much of his time, and they moved about in a cluster, avoiding the + ladies’ trains and advising one another that it was a good thing the High + Commissioner was a man of large private means; it wasn’t everybody that + could afford to take the job. Yet they were not wholly detached from the + occasion; they looked at it, after they had taken it in, with an air + half-amused, half-proprietary. All this had, in a manner, come out of + Canada, and Canada was theirs. One of them—Bates it was—responding + to a lady who was effusive about the strawberries, even took the modestly + depreciatory attitude of the host. “They’re a fair size for this country, + ma’am, but if you want berries with a flavour we’ll do better for you in + the Niagara district.” + </p> + <p> + It must be added that Cruickshank lunched with Wallingham at his club, and + with Tricorne at his; and on both occasions the quiet and attentive young + secretary went with him, for purposes of reference, his pocket bulging + with memoranda. The young secretary felt a little embarrassed to justify + his presence at Tricorne’s lunch, as the Right Honourable gentleman seemed + to have forgotten what his guests had come for beyond it, and talked + exclusively and exhaustively about the new possibilities for fruit-farming + in England. Cruickshank fairly shook himself into his overcoat with + irritation afterward. “It’s the sort of thing we must except,” he said, as + they merged upon Pall Mall. It was not the sort of thing Lorne expected; + but we know him unsophisticated and a stranger to the heart of the Empire, + which beats through such impediment of accumulated tissue. Nor was it the + sort of thing they got from Wallingham, the keen-eyed and probing, whose + skill in adjusting conflicting interests could astonish even their + expectation, and whose vision of the essentials of the future could lift + even their enthusiasm. One would like to linger over their touch with + Wallingham, that fusion of energy with energy, that straight, satisfying, + accomplishing dart. There is more drama here; no doubt, than in all the + pages that are to come. But I am explaining now how little, not how much, + the Cruickshank deputation, and especially Lorne Murchison, had the + opportunity of feeling and learning in London, in order to show how + wonderful it was that Lorne felt and learned so widely. That, what he + absorbed and took back with him is, after all, what we have to do with; + his actual adventures are of no great importance. + </p> + <p> + The deputation to urge improved communications within the Empire had few + points of contact with the great world, but its members were drawn into + engagements of their own, more, indeed, than some of them could + conveniently overtake. Mr Bates never saw his niece in the post-office, + and regrets it to this day. The engagements arose partly out of business + relations. Poulton who was a dyspeptic, complained that nothing could be + got through in London without eating and drinking; for his part he would + concede a point any time not to eat and drink, but you could not do it; + you just had to suffer. Poulton was a principal in one of the railway + companies that were competing to open up the country south of Hudson’s Bay + to the Pacific, but having dealt with that circumstance in the course of + the day he desired only to be allowed to go to bed on bread and butter and + a little stewed fruit. Bates, whose name was a nightmare to every other + dry-goods man in Toronto, naturally had to see a good many of the + wholesale people; he, too, complained of the number of courses and the + variety of the wines, but only to disguise his gratification. McGill, of + the Great Bear Line, had big proposals to make in connection with southern + railway freights from Liverpool; and Cameron, for private reasons of + magnitude, proposed to ascertain the real probability of a duty to + foreigners on certain forms of manufactured leather—he turned out in + Toronto a very good class of suitcase. Cruickshank had private connections + to which they were all respectful. Nobody but Cruickshank found it + expedient to look up the lost leader of the Canadian House of Commons, + contributed to a cause still more completely lost in home politics; nobody + but Cruickshank was likely to be asked to dine by a former + Governor-General of the Dominion, an invitation which nobody but + Cruickshank would be likely to refuse. + </p> + <p> + “It used to be a ‘command’ in Ottawa,” said Cruickshank, who had got on + badly with his sovereign’s representative there, “but here it’s only a + privilege. There’s no business in it, and I haven’t time for pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + The nobleman in question had, in effect, dropped back into the Lords. So + far as the Empire was concerned, he was in the impressive rearguard, and + this was a little company of fighting men. + </p> + <p> + The entertainments arising out of business were usually on a scale more or + less sumptuous. They took place in big, well-known restaurants, and + included a look at many of the people who seem to lend themselves so + willingly to the great buzzing show that anybody can pay for in London, + their names in the paper in the morning, their faces at Prince’s in the + evening, their personalities no doubt advantageously exposed in various + places during the day. But there were others, humbler ones in Earl’s Court + Road or Maida Vale, where the members of the deputation had relatives whom + it was natural to hunt up. Long years and many billows had rolled between, + and more effective separations had arisen in the whole difference of life; + still, it was natural to hunt them up, to seek in their eyes and their + hands the old subtle bond of kin, and perhaps—such is our vanity in + the new lands—to show them what the stock had come to overseas. They + tended to be depressing these visits: the married sister was living in a + small way; the first cousin seemed to have got into a rut; the uncle and + aunt were failing, with a stooping, trembling, old-fashioned kind of + decrepitude, a rigidity of body and mind, which somehow one didn’t see + much over home. + </p> + <p> + “England,” said Poulton, the Canadian-born, “is a dangerous country to + live in; you run such risks of growing old.” They agreed, I fear, for more + reasons than this that England was a good country to leave early; and you + cannot blame them—there was not one of them who did not offer in his + actual person proof of what he said. Their own dividing chance grew + dramatic in their eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I was offered a clerkship with the Cunards the day before I sailed,” said + McGill. “Great Scott, if I’d taken that clerkship!” He saw all his + glorious past, I suppose, in a suburban aspect. + </p> + <p> + “I was kicked out,” said Cameron, “and it was the kindest attention my + father ever paid me;” and Bates remarked that it was worth coming out + second-class, as he did, to go back in the best cabin in the ship. + </p> + <p> + The appearance and opinions of those they had left behind them prompted + them to this kind of congratulation, with just a thought of compunction at + the back of it for their own better fortunes. In the further spectacle of + England most of them saw the repository of singularly old-fashioned ideas + the storehouse of a good deal of money; and the market for unlimited + produce. They looked cautiously at imperial sentiment; they were full of + the terms of their bargain and had, as they would have said, little use + for schemes that did not commend themselves on a basis of common profit. + Cruickshank was the biggest and the best of them; but even Cruickshank + submitted the common formulas; submitted them and submitted to them. + </p> + <p> + Only Lorne Murchison among them looked higher and further; only he was + alive to the inrush of the essential; he only lifted up his heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <p> + Lorne was thus an atom in the surge of London. The members of the + deputation, as their business progressed, began to feel less like atoms + and more like a body exerting an influence, however obscurely hid in a + temperance hotel, upon the tide of international affairs; but their + secretary had naturally no initiative that appeared, no importance that + was taken account of. In these respects, no less than in the others, he + justified Mr Cruickshank’s selection. He did his work as unobtrusively as + he did it admirably well; and for the rest he was just washed about, + carried, hither and thither, generally on the tops of omnibuses, + receptive, absorbent, mostly silent. He did try once or twice to talk to + the bus drivers—he had been told it was a thing to do if you wanted + to get hold of the point of view of a particular class; but the thick + London idiom defeated him, and he found they grew surly when he asked them + too often to repeat their replies. He felt a little surly himself after a + while, when they asked him, as they nearly always did, if he wasn’t an + American. “Yes,” he would say in the end, “but not the United States + kind,” resenting the necessity of explaining to the Briton beside him that + there were other kinds. The imperial idea goes so quickly from the heart + to the head. He felt compelled, nevertheless, to mitigate his denial to + the bus drivers. + </p> + <p> + “I expect it’s the next best thing.” he would say, “but it’s only the next + best.” + </p> + <p> + It was as if he felt charged to vindicate the race, the whole of + Anglo-Saxondom, there in his supreme moment, his splendid position, on the + top of an omnibus lumbering west out of Trafalgar Square. + </p> + <p> + One introduction of his own he had. Mrs Milburn had got it for him from + the rector, Mr Emmett, to his wife’s brother, Mr Charles Chafe, who had + interests in Chiswick and a house in Warwick Gardens. Lorne put off + presenting the letter—did not know, indeed, quite how to present it, + till his stay in London was half over. Finally he presented himself with + it, as the quickest way, at the office of Mr Chafe’s works at Chiswick. He + was cordially received, both there and in Warwick Gardens, where he met + Mrs Chafe and the family, when he also met Mr Alfred Hesketh. Lorne went + several times to the house in Warwick Gardens, and Hesketh—a nephew—was + there on the very first occasion. It was an encounter interesting on both + sides. He—Hesketh—was a young man with a good public school + and a university behind him, where his very moderate degree, however, + failed to represent the activity of his mind or the capacity of his + energy. He had a little money of his own, and no present occupation; he + belonged to the surplus. He was not content to belong to it; he cast about + him a good deal for something to do. There was always the Bar, but only + the best fellows get on there, and he was not quite one of the best + fellows; he knew that. He had not money enough for politics or interest + enough for the higher departments of the public service, nor had he those + ready arts of expression that lead naturally into journalism. Anything + involving further examinations he rejected on that account; and the future + of glassware, in view of what they were doing in Germany, did not entice + him to join his uncle in Chiswick. Still he was aware of enterprise, + convinced that he had loafed long enough. + </p> + <p> + Lorne Murchison had never met anyone of Hesketh’s age in Hesketh’s + condition before. Affluence and age he knew, in honourable retirement; + poverty and youth he knew, embarked in the struggle; indolence and youth + he also knew, as it cumbered the ground; but youth and a competence, + equipped with education, industry, and vigour, searching vainly in fields + empty of opportunity, was to him a new spectacle. He himself had intended + to be a lawyer since he was fourteen. There never had been any impediment + to his intention, any qualification to his desire. He was still under his + father’s roof, but that was for the general happiness; any time within the + last eighteen months, if he had chosen to hurry fate, he might have + selected another. He was younger than Hesketh by a year, yet we may say + that he had arrived, while Hesketh was still fidgeting at the + starting-point. + </p> + <p> + “Why don’t you farm?” he asked once. + </p> + <p> + “Farming in England may pay in a quarter of a century, not before. I can’t + wait for it. Besides, why should I farm? Why didn’t you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Lorne, “in your case it seems about the only thing left. I? + Oh it doesn’t attract us over there. We’re getting away from it—leaving + it to the newcomers from this side. Curious circle, that: I wonder when + our place gets overcrowded, where we shall go to plough?” + </p> + <p> + Hesketh’s situation occupied them a good deal; but their great topic had a + wider drift, embracing nothing less than the Empire, pausing nowhere short + of the flag. The imperial idea was very much at the moment in the public + mind; it hung heavily, like a banner, in every newspaper, it was filtering + through the slow British consciousness, solidifying as it travelled. In + the end it might be expected to arrive at a shape in which the British + consciousness must either assimilate it or cast it forth. They were saying + in the suburbs that they wanted it explained; at Hatfield they were + saying, some of them, with folded arms, that it was self evident; other + members of that great house, swinging their arms, called it blackness of + darkness and ruin, so had a prophet divided it against itself. Wallingham, + still in the Cabinet, was going up and down the country trying not to + explain too much. There was division in the Cabinet, sore travail among + private members. The conception being ministerial, the Opposition applied + itself to the task of abortion, fearing the worst if it should be + presented to the country fully formed and featured, the smiling offspring + of progress and imagination. Travellers to Greater Britain returned waving + joyous torches in the insular fog; they shed a brilliance and infectious + enthusiasm, but there were not enough to do more than make the fog + visible. Many persons found such torches irritating. They pointed out that + as England had groped to her present greatness she might be trusted to + feel her way further. “Free trade,” they said, “has made us what we are. + Put out these lights!” + </p> + <p> + Mr Chafe was one of these. He was a cautious, heavy fellow, full of + Burgundy and distrust. The basis of the imperial idea inspired him with + suspicion and hostility. He could accept the American tariff on English + manufactures; that was a plain position, simple damage, a blow full in the + face, not to be dodged. But the offer of better business in the English + colonies in exchange for a duty on the corn and meat of foreign countries—he + could see too deep for that. The colonials might or might not be good + customers; he knew how many decanters he sold in the United States, in + spite of the tariff. He saw that the tax on food-stuffs was being + commended to the working-man with the argument of higher wages. Higher + wages, with the competition of foreign labour, spelt only one word to + English manufacturers, and that was ruin. The bugbear of higher wages, + immediate, threatening, near, the terror of the last thirty years, closed + the prospect for Charles Chafe; he could see nothing beyond. He did not + say so, but to him the prosperity of the British manufacturer was bound up + in the indigence of the operative. Thriving workmen, doing well, and + looking to do better, rose before him in terms of menace, though their + prosperity might be rooted in his own. “Give them cheap food and keep them + poor,” was the sum of his advice. His opinions had the emphasis of the + unexpected, the unnatural: he was one of the people whom Wallingham’s + scheme in its legitimate development of a tariff on foreign manufactures + might be expected to enrich. This fact, which he constantly insisted on, + did give them weight; it made him look like a cunning fellow not to be + caught with chaff. He and his business had survived free trade—though + he would not say this either—and he preferred to go on surviving it + rather than take the chances of any zollverein. The name of the thing was + enough for him, a word made in Germany, thick and mucky, like their + tumblers. As to the colonies—Mr Chafe had been told of a certain + spider who devoured her young ones. He reversed the figure and it stood, + in the imperial connection, for all the argument he wanted. + </p> + <p> + Alfred Hesketh had lived always in the hearing of such doctrine; it had + stood to him for political gospel by mere force of repetition. But he was + young, with the curiosity and enterprise and impatience of dogma of youth; + he belonged by temperament and situation to those plastic thousands in + whom Wallingham hoped to find the leaven that should leaven the whole + lump. His own blood stirred with the desire to accomplish, to carry + further; and as the scope of the philanthropist did not attract him, he + was vaguely conscious of having been born too late in England. The new + political appeal of the colonies, clashing suddenly upon old insular + harmonies, brought him a sense of wider fields and chances; his own case + he freely translated into his country’s, and offered an open mind to + politics that would help either of them. He looked at the new countries + with interest, an interest evoked by their sudden dramatic leap into the + forefront of public concern. He looked at them with what nature intended + to be the eye of a practical businessman. He looked at Lorne Murchison, + too, and listened to him, with steady critical attention. Lorne seemed in + a way to sum it all up in his person, all the better opportunity a man had + out there; and he handled large matters of the future with a confidence + and a grip that quickened the circulation. Hesketh’s open mind gradually + became filled with the imperial view as he had the capacity to take it; + and we need not be surprised if Lorne Murchison, gazing in the same + direction, supposed that they saw the same thing. + </p> + <p> + Hesketh confessed, declared, that Murchison had brought him round; and + Lorne surveyed this achievement with a thrill of the happiest triumph. + Hesketh stood, to him, a product of that best which he was so occupied in + admiring and pursuing. Perhaps he more properly represented the second + best; but we must allow something for the confusion of early impressions. + Hesketh had lived always in the presence of ideals disengaged in England + as nowhere else in the world; in Oxford, Lorne knew, they clustered thick. + There is no doubt that his manners were good, and his ideas unimpeachable + in the letter; the young Canadian read the rest into him and loved him for + what he might have been. + </p> + <p> + “As an Englishman,” said Hesketh one evening as they walked together back + from the Chafes’ along Knightsbridge, talking of the policy urged by the + Colonial representatives at the last Conference, “I could wish the idea + were more our own—that we were pressing it on the colonies instead + of the colonies pressing it on us.” + </p> + <p> + “Doesn’t there come a time in the history of most families,” Lorne + replied, “when the old folks look to the sons and daughters to keep them + in touch with the times? Why shouldn’t a vigorous policy of Empire be + conceived by its younger nations—who have the ultimate resources to + carry it out? We’ve got them and we know it—the iron and the coal + and the gold, and the wheat-bearing areas. I dare say it makes us seem + cheeky, but I tell you the last argument lies in the soil and what you can + get out of it. What has this country got in comparison? A market of forty + million people, whom she can’t feed and is less and less able to find work + for. Do you call that a resource? I call it an impediment—a penalty. + It’s something to exploit, for the immediate profit in it, something to + bargain with; but even as a market it can’t preponderate always, and I + can’t see why it should make such tremendous claims.” + </p> + <p> + “England isn’t superannuated yet, Murchison.” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet. Please God she never will be. But she isn’t as young as she was, + and it does seem to me—” + </p> + <p> + “What seems to you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’m no economist, and I don’t know how far to trust my impressions, + and you needn’t tell me I’m a rank outsider, for I know that; but coming + here as an outsider, it does seem to me that it’s from the outside that + any sort of helpful change in the conditions of this country has got to + come. England still has military initiative, though it’s hard to see how + she’s going to keep that unless she does something to stop the + degeneration of the class she draws her army from; but what other kind do + we hear about? Company-promoting, bee-keeping, asparagus-growing, + poultry-farming for ladies, the opening of a new Oriental Tea-Pot in + Regent Street, with samisen-players between four and six, and Japanese + attendants who take the change on their hands and knees. London’s one + great stomach—how many eating places have we passed in the last ten + minutes? The place seems all taken up with inventing new ways of making + rich people more comfortable and better-amused—I’m fed up with the + sight of shiny carriages with cockaded flunkeys on ‘em, wooden-smart, + rolling about with an elderly woman and a parasol and a dog. England seems + to have fallen back on itself, got content to spend the money there is in + the country already; and about the only line of commercial activity the + stranger sees is the onslaught on that accumulation. London isn’t the + headquarters for big new developing enterprises any more. If you take out + Westminster and Wallingham, London is a collection of traditions and great + houses, and newspaper offices, and shops. That sort of thing can’t go on + for ever. Already capital is drawing away to conditions it can find a + profit in—steel works in Canada, woollen factories in Australia, + jute mills in India. Do you know where the boots came from that shod the + troops in South Africa? Cawnpore. The money will go, you know, and that’s + a fact; the money will go, and the people will go, anyhow. It’s only a + case of whether England sends them with blessing and profit and greater + glory, or whether she lets them slip away in spite of her.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say it will,” replied Hesketh; “I’ve got precious little, but what + there is I’d take out fast enough, if I saw a decent chance of investing + it. I sometimes think of trying my luck in the States. Two or three + fellows in my year went over there and aren’t making half a bad thing of + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come,” said Lorne, half-swinging round upon the other, with his hands + in his pockets, “it isn’t exactly the time, is it, to talk about chucking + the Empire?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, no, it isn’t,” Hesketh admitted. “One might do better to wait, I + dare say. At all events, till we see what the country says to Wallingham.” + </p> + <p> + They walked on for a moment or two in silence; then Lorne broke out again. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it’s unreasonable, but there’s nothing I hate so much as to + hear Englishmen talk of settling in the United States.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s risky, I admit. And I’ve never heard anybody yet say it was + comfortable.” + </p> + <p> + “In a few years, fifty maybe, it won’t matter. Things will have taken + their direction by then; but now it’s a question of the lead. The + Americans think they’ve got it, and unless we get imperial federation of + course they have. It’s their plain intention to capture England + commercially.” + </p> + <p> + “We’re a long way from that,” said Hesketh. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but it’s in the line of fate. Industrial energy is deserting this + country; and you have no large movement, no counter-advance, to make + against the increasing forces that are driving this way from over there—nothing + to oppose to assault. England is in a state of siege, and doesn’t seem to + know it. She’s so great—Hesketh, it’s pathetic!—she offers an + undefended shore to attack, and a stupid confidence, a kindly blindness, + above all to Americans, whom she patronizes in the gate.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe we do patronize them,” said Hesketh. “It’s rotten bad form.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, form! I may be mad, but one seems to see in politics over here a lack + of definition and purpose, a tendency to cling to the abstract and to + precedent—‘the mainstay of the mandarin’ one of the papers calls it; + that’s a good word—that give one the feeling that this kingdom is + beginning to be aware of some influence stronger than its own. It lies, of + course, in the great West, where the corn and the cattle grow; and between + Winnipeg and Chicago choose quickly, England!” + </p> + <p> + His companion laughed. “Oh, I’m with you,” he said, “but you take a + pessimistic view of this country, Murchison.” + </p> + <p> + “It depends on what you call pessimism,” Lorne rejoined. “I see England + down the future the heart of the Empire, the conscience of the world. and + the Mecca of the race.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <p> + The Cruickshank deputation returned across that North Atlantic which it + was their desire to see so much more than ever the track of the flag, + toward the middle of July. The shiny carriages were still rolling about in + great numbers when they left; London’s air of luxury had thickened with + the advancing season and hung heavily in the streets; people had begun to + picnic in the Park on Sundays. They had been from the beginning a source + of wonder and of depression to Lorne Murchison, the people in the Park, + those, I mean, who walked and sat and stood there for the refreshment of + their lives, for whom the place has a lyrical value as real as it is + unconscious. He noted them ranged on formal benches, quiet, respectable, + absorptive, or gathered heavily, shoulder to shoulder, docile under the + tutelage of policemen, listening to anyone who would lift a voice to speak + to them. London, beating on all borders, hemmed them in; England outside + seemed hardly to contain for them a wider space. Lorne, with his soul full + of free airs and forest depths, never failed to respond to a note in the + Park that left him heavy-hearted, longing for an automatic distributing + system for the Empire. When he saw them bring their spirit-lamps and + kettles and sit down in little companies on four square yards of turf, + under the blackened branches, in the roar of the traffic, he went back to + Bloomsbury to pack his trunk, glad that it was not his lot to live with + that enduring spectacle. + </p> + <p> + They were all glad, every one of them, to turn their faces to the West + again. The unready conception of things, the political concentration upon + parish affairs, the cumbrous social machinery, oppressed them with its + dull anachronism in a marching world; the problems of sluggish + overpopulation clouded their eager outlook. These conditions might have + been their inheritance. Perhaps Lorne Murchison was the only one who + thanked Heaven consciously that it was not so; but there was no man among + them whose pulse did not mark a heart rejoiced as he paced the deck of the + Allan liner the first morning out of Liverpool, because he had leave to + refuse them. None dreamed of staying, of “settling,” though such a course + was practicable to any of them except Lorne. They were all rich enough to + take the advantages that money brings in England, the comfort, the + importance, the state; they had only to add their wealth to the sumptuous + side of the dramatic contrast. I doubt whether the idea even presented + itself. It is the American who takes up his appreciative residence in + England. He comes as a foreigner, observant, amused, having disclaimed + responsibility for a hundred years. His detachment is as complete as it + would be in Italy, with the added pleasure of easy comprehension. But + homecomers from Greater Britain have never been cut off, still feel their + uneasy share in all that is, and draw a long breath of relief as they turn + again to their life in the lands where they found wider scope and + different opportunities, and that new quality in the blood which made them + different men. + </p> + <p> + The deputation had accomplished a good deal; less, Cruickshank said, than + he had hoped, but more than he had expected. They had obtained the promise + of concessions for Atlantic services, both mail and certain classes of + freight, by being able to demonstrate a generous policy on their own side. + Pacific communications the home Government was more chary of; there were + matters to be fought out with Australia. The Pacific was further away, as + Cruickshank said, and you naturally can’t get fellows who have never been + there to see the country under the Selkirks and south of the Bay—any + of them except Wallingham, who had never been there either, but whose + imagination took views of the falcon. They were reinforced by news of a + shipping combination in Montreal to lower freights to South Africa against + the Americans; it wasn’t news to them, some of them were in it; but it was + to the public, and it helped the sentiment of their aim, the feather on + the arrow. They had secured something, both financially and morally; what + best pleased them, perhaps, was the extent to which they got their scheme + discussed. Here Lorne had been invaluable; Murchison had done more with + the newspapers, they agreed, than any of them with Cabinet Ministers. The + journalist everywhere is perhaps more accessible to ideas, more + susceptible to enthusiasm, than his fellows, and Lorne was charged with + the object of his deputation in its most communicable, most captivating + form. At all events, he came to excellent understanding, whether of + agreement or opposition, with the newspapermen he met—Cruickshank + knew a good many of them and these occasions were more fruitful than the + official ones—and there is no doubt that the guarded approval of + certain leading columns had fewer ifs and buts and other qualifications in + consequence, while the disapproval of others was marked by a kind of + unwilling sympathy and a freely accorded respect. Lorne found London + editors surprisingly unbiased, London newspapers surprisingly + untrammelled. They seemed to him to suffer from no dictated views, no + interests in the background or special local circumstances. They had open + minds, most of them, and when a cloud appeared it was seldom more than a + prejudice. It was only his impression, and perhaps it would not stand + cynical inquiry; but he had a grateful conviction that the English Press + occupied in the main a lofty and impartial ground of opinion, from which + it desired only a view of the facts in their true proportion. On his + return he confided it to Horace Williams, who scoffed and ran the national + politics of the Express in the local interests of Fox County as hard as + ever; but it had fallen in with Lorne’s beautiful beliefs about England, + and he clung to it for years. + </p> + <p> + The Williamses had come over the second evening following Lorne’s arrival, + after tea. Rawlins had gone to the station, just to see that the Express + would make no mistake in announcing that Mr L. Murchison had “Returned to + the Paternal Roof,” and the Express had announced it, with due + congratulation. Family feeling demanded that for the first twenty-four + hours he should be left to his immediate circle, but people had been + dropping in all the next day at the office, and now came the Williamses + “trapesing,” as Mrs Murchison said, across the grass, though she was too + content to make it more than a private grievance, to where they all sat on + the verandah. + </p> + <p> + “What I don’t understand,” Horace Williams said to Mr Murchison, “was why + you didn’t give him a blow on the whistle. You and Milburn and a few + others might have got up quite a toot. You don’t get the secretary to a + deputation for tying up the Empire home every day.” + </p> + <p> + “You did that for him in the Express,” said John Murchison, smiling as he + pressed down, with an accustomed thumb, the tobacco into his pipe. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we said nothing at all! Wait till he’s returned for South Fox,” + Williams responded jocularly. + </p> + <p> + “Why not the Imperial Council—of the future—at Westminster + while you’re about it?” remarked Lorne, flipping a pebble back upon the + gravel path. + </p> + <p> + “That will keep, my son. But one of these days, you mark my words, Mr L. + Murchison will travel to Elgin Station with flags on his engine and he’ll + be very much surprised to find the band there, and a large number of his + fellow-citizens, all able-bodied shouting men, and every factory whistle + in Elgin let off at once, to say nothing of kids with tin ones. And if the + Murchison Stove and Furnace Works siren stands out of that occasion I’ll + break in and pull it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “It won’t stand out,” Stella assured him. “I’ll attend to it. Don’t you + worry.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you had a lovely time, Mr Murchison?” said Mrs Williams, gently + tilting to and fro in a rocking-chair, with her pretty feet in their + American shoes well in evidence. It is a fact, or perhaps a parable, that + should be interesting to political economists, the adaptability of + Canadian feet to American shoes; but fortunately it is not our present + business. Though I must add that the “rocker” was also American; and the + hammock in which Stella reposed came from New York; and upon John + Murchison’s knee, with the local journal, lay a pink evening paper + published in Buffalo. + </p> + <p> + “Better than I can tell you, Mrs Williams, in all sorts of ways. But it’s + good to be back, too. Very good!” Lorne threw up his head and drew in the + pleasant evening air of midsummer with infinite relish while his eye + travelled contentedly past the chestnuts on the lawn, down the vista of + the quiet tree-bordered street. It lay empty in the solace of the evening, + a blue hill crossed it in the distance, and gave it an unfettered look, + the wind stirred in the maples. A pair of schoolgirls strolled up and down + bareheaded; now and then a buggy passed. + </p> + <p> + “There’s room here,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Find it kind of crowded up over there?” asked Mr Williams. “Worse than + New York?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes. Crowded in a patient sort of way—it’s enough to break your + heart—that you don’t see in New York! The poor of New York—well, + they’ve got the idea of not being poor. In England they’re resigned, + they’ve got callous. My goodness! the fellows out of work over there—you + can SEE they’re used to it, see it in the way they slope along and the + look in their eyes, poor dumb dogs. They don’t understand it, but they’ve + just got to take it! Crowded? Rather!” + </p> + <p> + “We don’t say ‘rather’ in this country, mister,” observed Stella. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you can say it now, kiddie.” + </p> + <p> + They laughed at the little passage—the traveller’s importation of + one or two Britishisms had been the subject of skirmish before—but + silence fell among them for a moment afterward. They all had in the blood + the remembrance of what Lorne had seen. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you’ve been doing big business,” said Horace Williams. + </p> + <p> + Lorne shook his head. “We haven’t done any harm,” he said, “but our + scheme’s away out of sight now. At least it ought to be.” + </p> + <p> + “Lost in the bigger issue.” said Williams, and Lorne nodded. + </p> + <p> + The bigger issue had indeed in the meantime obscured the political + horizon, and was widely spreading. A mere colonial project might well + disappear in it. England was absorbed in a single contemplation. + Wallingham, though he still supported the disabilities of a right + honourable evangelist with a gospel of his own, was making astonishing + conversions; the edifice of the national economic creed seemed coming over + at the top. It was a question of the resistance of the base, and the world + was watching. + </p> + <p> + “Cruickshank says if the main question had been sprung a month ago we + wouldn’t have gone over. As it is, on several points we’ve got to wait. If + they reject the preferential trade idea over there we shall have done a + little good, for any government would be disposed to try to patch up + something to take the place of imperial union in that case; and a few + thousands more for shipping subsidies and cheap cablegrams would have a + great look of strengthening the ties with the colonies. But if they commit + themselves to a zollverein with us and the rest of the family you won’t + hear much more about the need to foster communications. Communications + will foster themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “Just so,” remarked John Murchison. “They’ll save their money.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t think so before—I couldn’t,” Lorne went on, “but I’m + afraid it’s rather futile, the kind of thing we’ve been trying to do. It’s + fiddling at a superstructure without a foundation. What we want is the + common interest. Common interest, common taxation for defence, common + representation, domestic management of domestic affairs, and you’ve got a + working Empire.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as easy as slippin’ off a log,” remarked Horace Williams. + </p> + <p> + “Common interest, yes,” said his father; “common taxation, no, for defence + or any other purpose. The colonies will never send money to be squandered + by the London War Office. We’ll defend ourselves, as soon as we can manage + it, and buy our own guns and our own cruisers. We’re better business + people than they are, and we know it.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess that’s right, Mr Murchison,” said Horace Williams. “Our own army + and navy—in the sweet bye-and-bye. And let ‘em understand they’ll be + welcome to the use of it, but quite in a family way—no sort of + compulsion.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Lorne, “that’s compatible enough.” + </p> + <p> + “And your domestic affairs must include the tariff,” Mr Murchison went on. + “There’s no such possibility as a tariff that will go round. And tariffs + are kittle cattle to shoo behind.” + </p> + <p> + “Has anybody got a Scotch dictionary?” inquired Stella. “This conversation + is making me tired.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose you run away and play with your hoop,” suggested her brother. “I + can’t see that as an insuperable difficulty, Father. Tariffs could be made + adaptable, relative to the common interest as well as to the individual + one. We could do it if we liked.” + </p> + <p> + “Your adaptability might easily lead to other things. What’s to prevent + retaliation among ourselves? There’s a slump in textiles, and the home + Government is forced to let in foreign wool cheaper. Up goes the + Australian tax on the output of every mill in Lancashire. The last state + of the Empire might be worse than the first.” + </p> + <p> + “It wouldn’t be serious. If I pinched Stella’s leg as I’m going to in a + minute, she will no doubt kick me; and her instincts are such that she + will probably kick me with the leg I pinched, but that won’t prevent our + going to the football match together tomorrow and presenting a united + front to the world.” + </p> + <p> + They all laughed, and Stella pulled down her lengthening petticoats with + an air of great offence, but John Murchison shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “If they manage it, they will be clever,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Talking of Lancashire,” said Williams, “there are some funny fellows over + there writing in the Press against a tax on foreign cotton because it’s + going to ruin Lancashire. And at this very minute thousands of looms are + shut down in Lancashire because of the high price of cotton produced by an + American combine—and worse coming, sevenpence a pound I hear they’re + going to have it, against the fourpence ha’penny they’ve got it up to + already. That’s the sort of thing they’re afraid to discourage by a duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Would a duty discourage it?” asked John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “Why not—if they let British-grown cotton in free? They won’t + discourage the combine much—that form of enterprise has got to be + tackled where it grows; but the Yankee isn’t the only person in the world + that can get to understand it. What’s to prevent preferential conditions + creating British combines, to compete with the American article, and + what’s to prevent Lancashire getting cheaper cotton in consequence? Two + combines are better than one monopoly any day.” + </p> + <p> + “May be so. It would want looking into. We won’t see a duty on cotton + though, or wool either for that matter. The manufacturers would be pleased + enough to get it on the stuff they make, but there would be a fine outcry + against taxing the stuff they use.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you see much of the aristocracy, Mr Murchison?” asked Mrs Williams. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Lorne, “but I saw Wallingham.” + </p> + <p> + “You saw the whole House of Lords,” interposed Stella, “and you were + introduced to three.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, that’s so. Fine-looking set of old chaps they are, too. We’re + a little too funny over here about the Lords—we haven’t had to make + any.” + </p> + <p> + “What were they doing the day you were there, Lorne?” asked Williams. + </p> + <p> + “Motorcar legislation,” replied Lorne. “Considerably excited about it, + too. One of them had had three dogs killed on his estate. I saw his letter + about it in the Times.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see anything to laugh at in that,” declared Stella. “Dogs are + dogs.” + </p> + <p> + “They are, sister, especially in England.” + </p> + <p> + “Laundresses aren’t washerwomen there,” observed Mrs Murchison. “I’d like + you to see the colour of the things he’s brought home with him, Mrs + Williams. Clean or dirty, to the laundry they go—weeks it will take + to get them right again—ingrained London smut and nothing else.” + </p> + <p> + “In this preference business they’ve got to lead the way,” Williams + reverted. “We’re not so grown up but what grandma’s got to march in front. + Now, from your exhaustive observation of Great Britain, extending over a + period of six weeks, is she going to?” + </p> + <p> + “My exhaustive observation,” said Lorne, smiling, “enables me to tell you + one thing with absolute accuracy; and that is that nobody knows. They + adore Wallingham over there—he’s pretty nearly a god—and + they’d like to do as he tells them, and they’re dead sick of theoretic + politics; but they’re afraid—oh, they’re afraid!” + </p> + <p> + “They’ll do well to ca’ canny,” said John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “There’s two things in the way, at a glance,” Lorne went on. “The + conservatism of the people—it isn’t a name, it’s a fact—the + hostility and suspicion; natural enough: they know they’re stupid, and + they half suspect they’re fair game. I suppose the Americans have taught + them that. Slow—oh, slow! More interested in the back-garden fence + than anything else. Pick up a paper, at the moment when things are being + done, mind, all over the world, done against them—when their + shipping is being captured, and their industries destroyed, and their + goods undersold beneath their very noses—and the thing they want to + know is—Why Are the Swallows Late? I read it myself, in a ha’penny + morning paper, too—that they think rather dangerously go-ahead—a + whole column, headed, to inquire what’s the matter with the swallows. The + Times the same week had a useful leader on Alterations in the Church + Service, and a special contribution on Prayers for the Dead. Lord, they + need ‘em! Those are the things they THINK about! The session’s nearly + over, and there’s two Church Discipline Bills, and five Church Bills—bishoprics + and benefices, and Lord knows what—still to get through. Lot of + anxiety about ‘em, apparently! As to a business view of politics, I expect + the climate’s against it. They’ll see over a thing—they’re fond of + doing that—or under it, or round one side of it, but they don’t seem + to have any way of seeing THROUGH it. What they just love is a good round + catchword; they’ve only got to hear themselves say it often enough, and + they’ll take it for gospel. They’re convinced out of their own mouths. + There was the driver of a bus I used to ride on pretty often, and if he + felt like talking, he’d always begin, ‘As I was a-saying of yesterday—’ + Well, that’s the general idea—to repeat what they were a-sayin’ of + yesterday; and it doesn’t matter two cents that the rest of the world has + changed the subject. They’ve been a-sayin’ a long time that they object to + import duties of any sort or kind, and you won’t get them to SEE the + business in changing. If they do this it won’t be because they want to, it + will be because Wallingham wants them to.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess that’s so,” said Williams. “And if Wallingham gets them to he + ought to have a statue in every capital in the Empire. He will, too. Good + cigar this, Lorne! Where’d you get it?” + </p> + <p> + “They are Indian cheroots—‘Planters,’ they call ‘em—made in + Madras. I got some through a man named Hesketh, who has friends out there, + at a price you wouldn’t believe for as decent a smoke. You can’t buy ‘em + in London; but you will all right, and here, too, as soon as we’ve got the + sense to favour British-grown tobacco.” + </p> + <p> + “Lorne appreciates his family better than he did before,” remarked his + youngest sister, “because we’re British grown.” + </p> + <p> + “You were saying you noticed two things specially in the way?” said his + father. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the other’s of course the awful poverty—the twelve millions + that haven’t got enough to do with. I expect it’s an outside figure and it + covers all sorts of qualifying circumstances; but it’s the one the Free + Fooders quote, and it’s the one Wallingham will have to handle. They’ve + muddled along until they’ve GOT twelve million people in that condition, + and now they have to carry on with the handicap. We ask them to put a tax + on foreign food to develop our wheat areas and cattle ranges. We say, + ‘Give us a chance and we’ll feed you and take your surplus population.’ + What is to be done with the twelve million while we are growing the wheat? + The colonies offer to create prosperity for everybody concerned at a + certain outlay—we’ve got the raw materials—and they can’t + afford the investment because of the twelve millions, and what may happen + meanwhile. They can’t face the meanwhile—that’s what it comes to.” + </p> + <p> + “Fine old crop of catchwords in that situation,” Mr Williams remarked; and + his eye had the spark of the practical politician. “Can’t you hear ‘em at + it, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “It scares them out of everything but hand-to-mouth politics. Any other + remedy is too heroic. They go on pointing out and contemplating and + grieving, with their percentages of misery and degeneration; and they go + on poulticing the cancer with benevolence—there are people over + there who want the State to feed the schoolchildren! Oh, they’re kind, + good, big-hearted people; and they’ve got the idea that if they can only + give enough away everything will come right. I was talking with a man one + day, and I asked him whether the existence of any class justified + governing a great country on the principle of an almshouse. He asked me + who the almsgivers ought to be, in any country. Of course it was tampering + with my figure—in an almshouse there aren’t any; but that’s the way + it presents itself to the best of them. Another fellow was frantic at the + idea of a tax on foreign food—he nearly cried—but would be + very glad to see the Government do more to assist emigration to the + colonies. I tried to show him it would be better to make it profitable to + emigrate first, but I couldn’t make him see it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, and there’s the old thing against them, of course—the handling + of imperial and local affairs by one body. Anybody’s good enough to attend + to the Baghdad Railway, and nobody’s too good to attend to the town pump. + Is it any wonder the Germans beat them in their own shops and Russia walks + into Thibet? The eternal marvel is that they stand where they do.” + </p> + <p> + “At the top,” said Mr Williams. + </p> + <p> + “Oh—at the top! Think of what you mean when you say ‘England.’” + </p> + <p> + “I see that the demand for a tariff on manufactured goods is growing,” + Williams remarked, “even the anti-food-tax organs are beginning to shout + for that.” + </p> + <p> + “If they had put it on twenty years ago,” said Lorne, “there would be no + twelve million people making a problem for want of work, and it would be a + good deal easier to do imperial business today.” + </p> + <p> + “You’ll find,” said John Murchison, removing his pipe, “that protection’ll + have to come first over there. They’ll put up a fence and save their trade—in + their own good time, not next week or next year—and when they’ve + done that they’ll talk to us about our big ideas—not before. And if + Wallingham hadn’t frightened them with the imperial job, he never would + have got them to take up the other. It’s just his way of getting both + done.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope you’re right, Father,” said Lorne, with a covert glance at his + watch. “Horace—Mrs Williams—I’ll have to get you to excuse me. + I have an engagement at eight.” + </p> + <p> + He left them with a happy spring in his step, left them looking after him, + talking of him, with pride and congratulation. Only Stella, with a severe + lip and a disapproving eye, noted the direction he took as he left the + house. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <p> + Peter Macfarlane had carried the big Bible up the pulpit steps of Knox + Church, and arranged the glass of water and the notices to be given out + beside it, twice every Sunday for twenty years. He was a small spare man, + with thin grey hair that fell back from the narrow dome of his forehead to + his coat collar, decent and severe. He ascended the pulpit exactly three + minutes before the minister did; and the dignity with which he put one + foot before the other made his appearance a ceremonious feature of the + service and a thing quoted. “I was there before Peter” was a triumphant + evidence of punctuality. Dr Drummond would have liked to make it a test. + It seemed to him no great thing to expect the people of Knox Church to be + there before Peter. + </p> + <p> + Macfarlane was also in attendance in the vestry to help the minister off + with his gown and hang it up. Dr Drummond’s gown needed neither helping + nor hanging; the Doctor was deftness and neatness and impatience itself, + and would have it on the hook with his own hands, and never a fold + crooked. After Mr Finlay, on the contrary, Peter would have to pick up and + smooth out—ten to one the garment would be flung on a chair. Still, + he was invariably standing by to see it flung, and to hand Mr Finlay his + hat and stick. He was surprised and put about to find himself one Sunday + evening too late for this attendance. The vestry was empty, the gown was + on the floor. Peter gathered it up with as perturbed an air as if Mr + Finlay had omitted a point of church observance. “I doubt they get into + slack ways in these missions,” said Peter. He had been unable, with Dr + Drummond, to see the necessity for such extensions. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Hugh Finlay, in secular attire, had left the church by the + vestry door, and was rapidly overtaking groups of his hearers as they + walked homeward. He was unusually aware of his change of dress because of + a letter in the inside pocket of his coat. The letter, in that intimate + place, spread a region of consciousness round it which hastened his blood + and his step. There was purpose in his whole bearing; Advena Murchison, + looking back at some suggestion of Lorne’s, caught it, and lost for a + moment the meaning of what she said. When he overtook them, with plain + intention, she walked beside the two men, withdrawn and silent, like a + child. It was unexpected and overwhelming, his joining them after the + service, accompanying them, as it were, in the flesh after having led them + so far in the spirit; he had never done it before. She felt her heart + confronted with a new, an immediate issue, and suddenly afraid. It shrank + from the charge for which it longed, and would have fled; yet, paralysed + with delight, it kept time with her sauntering feet. + </p> + <p> + They talked of the sermon, which had been strongly tinged with the issue + of the day. Dreamer as he was by temperament, Finlay held to the wisdom of + informing great public questions with the religious idea, vigorously + disclaimed that it was anywhere inadmissible. + </p> + <p> + “You’ll have to settle with the Doctor, Mr Finlay,” Lorne warned him + gaily, “if you talk politics in Knox Church. He thinks he never does.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think,” said Finlay, “that he would object to—to one’s going + as far afield as I did tonight?” + </p> + <p> + “He oughtn’t to,” said Lorne. “You should have heard him when old Sir John + Macdonald gerrymandered the electoral districts and gave votes to the + Moneida Indians. The way he put it, the Tories in the congregation + couldn’t say a word, but it was a treat for his fellow Grits.” + </p> + <p> + Finlay smiled gravely. “Political convictions are a man’s birthright,” he + said. “Any man or any minister is a poor creature without them. But of + course there are limits beyond which pulpit influence should not go, and I + am sure Dr Drummond has the clearest perception of them. He seems to have + been a wonderful fellow, Macdonald, a man with extraordinary power of + imaginative enterprise. I wonder whether he would have seen his way to + linking up the Empire as he linked up your Provinces here?” + </p> + <p> + “He’d have hated uncommonly to be in opposition, but I don’t see how he + could have helped it,” Lorne said. “He was the godfather of Canadian + manufacturers, you know—the Tories have always been the industrial + party. He couldn’t have gone for letting English stuff in free, or cheap; + and yet he was genuinely loyal and attached to England. He would + discriminate against Manchester with tears in his eyes! Imperialist in his + time spelled Conservative, now it spells Liberal. The Conservatives have + always talked the loudest about the British bond, but when it lately came + to doing we’re on record on the right side, and they’re on record on the + wrong. But it must make the old man’s ghost sick to see—” + </p> + <p> + “To see his court suit stolen,” Advena finished for him. “As Disraeli said—wasn’t + it Disraeli?” She heard, and hated the note of constraint in her voice. + “Am I reduced,” she thought, indignantly, “to falsetto?” and chose, since + she must choose, the betrayal of silence. + </p> + <p> + “It did one good to hear the question discussed on the higher level,” said + Lorne. “You would think, to read the papers, that all its merits could be + put into dollars and cents.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ve noticed some of them in terms of sentiment—affection for the + mother country—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that’s lugged in. But it doesn’t cover the moral aspect,” Lorne + returned. “It’s too easy and obvious, as well; it gives the enemy cause to + offend.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there’s a tremendous moral aspect,” Finlay said, “tremendous moral + potentialities hidden in the issue. England has more to lose than she + dreams.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s just where I felt, as a practical politician, a little restless + while you were preaching,” said Lorne, laughing. “You seemed to think the + advantage of imperialism was all with England. You mustn’t press that view + on us, you know. We shall get harder to bargain with. Besides, from the + point of your sermon, it’s all the other way.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t agree! The younger nations can work out their own salvation + unaided; but can England alone? Isn’t she too heavily weighted?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, materially, very likely! But morally, no,” said Lorne, stoutly. + “There, if you like, she has accumulations that won’t depreciate. Money + isn’t the only capital the colonies offer investment for.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m afraid I see it in the shadow of the degeneration of age and + poverty,” said Finlay, smiling—“or age and wealth, if you prefer + it.” + </p> + <p> + “And we in the disadvantage of youth and easy success,” Lorne retorted. + “We’re all very well, but we’re not the men our fathers were: we need a + lot of licking into shape. Look at that disgraceful business of ours in + the Ontario legislature the other day, and look at that fellow of yours + walking out of office at Westminster last session because of a disastrous + business connection which he was morally as clear of as you or I! I tell + you we’ve got to hang on to the things that make us ashamed; and I guess + we’ve got sense enough to know it. But this is my corner. I am going to + look in at the Milburns’, Advena. Good night, Mr Finlay.” + </p> + <p> + Advena, walking on with Finlay, became suddenly aware that he had not once + addressed her. She had the quick impression that Lorne left him bereft of + a refuge; his plight heartened her. + </p> + <p> + “If the politicians on both sides were only as mutually appreciative,” she + said, “the Empire would soon be knit.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment he did not answer. “I am afraid the economic situation is not + quite analogous,” he said, stiffly and absently, when the moment had + passed. + </p> + <p> + “Why does your brother always call me ‘Mr’ Finlay?” he demanded presently. + “It isn’t friendly.” + </p> + <p> + The note of irritation in his voice puzzled her. “I think the form is + commoner with us,” she said, “even among men who know each other fairly + well.” Her secret glance flashed over the gulf that nevertheless divided + Finlay and her brother, that would always divide them. She saw it with + something like pain, which struggled through her pride in both. “And then, + you know—your calling—” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it is that,” he replied, ill content. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve noticed Dr Drummond’s way,” she told him, with rising spirits. “It’s + delightful. He drops the ‘Mr’ with fellow-ministers of his own + denomination only—never with Wesleyans or Baptists, for a moment. He + always comes back very genial from the General Assembly, and full of + stories. ‘I said to Grant,’ or ‘Macdonald said to me’—and he always + calls you ‘Finlay,’” she added shyly. “By the way, I suppose you know he’s + to be the new Moderator?” + </p> + <p> + “Is he, indeed? Yes—yes, of course, I knew! We couldn’t have a + better.” + </p> + <p> + They walked on through the early autumn night. It was just not raining. + The damp air was cool and pungent with the smell of fallen leaves, which + lay thick under their feet. Advena speared the dropped horse chestnut + husks with the point of her umbrella as they went along. She had picked up + half a dozen when he spoke again. “I want to tell you—I have to tell + you—something—about myself, Miss Murchison.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like,” said Advena steadily, “to hear.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a matter that has, I am ashamed to confess, curiously gone out of + my mind of late—I should say until lately. There was little until + lately—I am so poor a letter writer—to remind me of it. I am + engaged to be married!” + </p> + <p> + “But how interesting!” exclaimed Advena. + </p> + <p> + He looked at her taken aback. His own mood was heavy; it failed to answer + this lightness from her. It is hard to know what he expected, what his + unconscious blood expected for him; but it was not this. If he had little + wisdom about the hearts of women, he had less about their behaviour. She + said nothing more, but inclined her head in an angle of deference and + expectation toward what he should further communicate. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know that I have ever told you much about my life in Scotland,” + he went on. “It has always seemed to me so remote and—disconnected + with everything here. I could not suppose it would interest anyone. I was + cared for and educated by my father’s only sister, a good woman. It was as + if she had whole charge of the part of my life that was not absorbed in + work. I don’t know that I can make you understand. She was identified with + all the rest—I left it to her. Shortly before I sailed for Canada + she spoke to me of marriage in connection with my work and—welfare, + and with—a niece of her husband’s who was staying with us at the + time, a person suitable in every way. Apart from my aunt, I do not know—However, + I owed everything to her, and I—took her advice in the matter. I + left it to her. She is a managing woman; but she can nearly always prove + herself right. Her mind ran a great deal, a little too much perhaps, upon + creature comforts, and I suppose she thought that in emigrating a man + might do well to companion himself.” + </p> + <p> + “That was prudent of her,” said Advena. + </p> + <p> + He turned a look upon her. “You are not—making a mock of it?” he + said. + </p> + <p> + “I am not making a mock of it.” + </p> + <p> + “My aunt now writes to me that Miss Christie’s home has been broken up by + the death of her mother, and that if it can be arranged she is willing to + come to me here. My aunt talks of bringing her. I am to write.” + </p> + <p> + He said the last words slowly, as if he weighed them. They had passed the + turning to the Murchisons’, walking on with the single consciousness of a + path under them, and space before them. Once or twice before that had + happened, but Advena had always been aware. This time she did not know. + </p> + <p> + “You are to write,” she said. She sought in vain for more words; he also, + throwing back his head, appeared to search the firmament for phrases + without result. Silence seemed enforced between them, and walked with + them, on into the murky landscape, over the fallen leaves. Passing a + streetlamp, they quickened their steps, looking furtively at the light, + which seemed leagued against them with silence. + </p> + <p> + “It seems so extraordinarily—far away,” said Hugh Finlay, of Bross, + Dumfries, at length. + </p> + <p> + “But it will come near,” Advena replied. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think it ever can.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him with a sudden leap of the heart, a wild, sweet dismay. + </p> + <p> + “They, of course, will come. But the life of which they are a part, and + the man whom I remember to have been me—there is a gulf fixed—” + </p> + <p> + “It is only the Atlantic,” Advena said. She had recovered her vision; in + spite of the stone in her breast she could look. The weight and the hurt + she would reckon with later. What was there, after all, to do? Meanwhile + she could look, and already she saw with passion what had only begun to + form itself in his consciousness, his strange, ironical, pitiful plight. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. “It is not marked in any geography,” he said, and gave + her a troubled smile. “How can I make it clear to you? I have come here + into a new world, of interests unknown and scope unguessed before. I know + what you would say, but you have no way of learning the beauty and charm + of mere vitality—you have always been so alive. One finds a physical + freedom in which one’s very soul seems to expand; one hears the happiest + calls of fancy. And the most wonderful, most delightful thing of all is to + discover that one is oneself, strangely enough, able to respond—” + </p> + <p> + The words reached the woman beside him like some cool dropping balm, + healing, inconceivably precious. She knew her share in all this that he + recounted. He might not dream of it, might well confound her with the + general pulse; but she knew the sweet and separate subcurrent that her + life had been in his, felt herself underlying all these new joys of his, + could tell him how dear she was. But it seemed that he must not guess. + </p> + <p> + It came to her with force that his dim perception of his case was + grotesque, that it humiliated him. She had a quick desire that he should + at least know that civilized, sentient beings did not lend themselves to + such outrageous comedies as this which he had confessed; it had somehow + the air of a confession. She could not let him fall so lamentably short of + man’s dignity, of man’s estate, for his own sake. + </p> + <p> + “It is a curious history,” she said. “You are right in thinking I should + not find it quite easy to understand. We make those—arrangements—so + much more for ourselves over here. Perhaps we think them more important + than they are.” + </p> + <p> + “But they are of the highest importance.” He stopped short, confounded. + </p> + <p> + “I shall try to consecrate my marriage,” he said presently, more to + himself than to Advena. + </p> + <p> + Her thought told him bitterly: “I am afraid it is the only thing you can + do with it,” but something else came to her lips. + </p> + <p> + “I have not congratulated you. I am not sure,” she went on, with + astonishing candour, “whether I can. But I wish you happiness with all my + heart. Are you happy now?” + </p> + <p> + He turned his great dark eyes on her. “I am as happy, I dare say, as I + have any need to be.” + </p> + <p> + “But you are happier since your letter came?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said. The simple word fell on her heart, and she forbore. + </p> + <p> + They went on again in silence until they arrived at a place from which + they saw the gleam of the river and the line of the hills beyond. Advena + stopped. + </p> + <p> + “We came here once before together—in the spring. Do you remember?” + she asked. + </p> + <p> + “I remember very well.” She had turned, and he with her. They stood + together with darkness about them, through which they could just see each + other’s faces. + </p> + <p> + “It was spring then, and I went back alone. You are still living up that + street? Good night, then, please. I wish again—to go back—alone.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her for an instant in dumb bewilderment, though her words + were simple enough. Then as she made a step away from him he caught her + hand. + </p> + <p> + “Advena,” he faltered, “what has happened to us? This time I cannot let + you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <p> + “Lorne,” said Dora Milburn, in her most animated manner, “who do you think + is coming to Elgin? Your London friend, Mr Hesketh! He’s going to stay + with the Emmetts, and Mrs Emmett is perfectly distracted; she says he’s + accustomed to so much, she doesn’t know how he will put up with their + plain way of living. Though what she means by that, with late dinner and + afternoon tea every day of her life, is more than I know.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, that’s splendid!” replied Lorne. “Good old Hesketh! I knew he + thought of coming across this fall, but the brute hasn’t written to me. + We’ll have to get him over to our place. When he gets tired of the + Emmetts’ plain ways he can try ours—they’re plainer. You’ll like + Hesketh; he’s a good fellow, and more go-ahead than most of them.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think I should ask him to stay if I were you, Lorne. Your mother + will never consent to change her hours for meals. I wouldn’t dream of + asking an Englishman to stay if I couldn’t give him late dinner; they + think so much of it. It’s the trial of Mother’s life that Father will not + submit to it. As a girl she was used to nothing else. Afternoon tea we do + have, he can’t prevent that, but Father kicks at anything but one o’clock + dinner and meat tea at six, and I suppose he always will.” + </p> + <p> + “Doesn’t one tea spoil the other?” Lorne inquired. “I find it does when I + go to your minister’s and peck at a cress sandwich at five. You haven’t + any appetite for a reasonable meal at six. But I guess it won’t matter to + Hesketh; he’s got a lot of sense about things of that sort. Why he served + out in South Africa—volunteered. Mrs Emmett needn’t worry. And if we + find him pining for afternoon tea we can send him over here.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if he’s nice. But I suppose he’s pretty sure to be nice. Any friend + of the Emmetts—What is he like, Lorne?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he’s just a young man with a moustache! You seem to see a good many + over there. They’re all alike while they’re at school in round coats, and + after they leave school they get moustaches, and then they’re all alike + again.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you wouldn’t tease. How tall is he? Is he fair or dark? What + colour are his eyes?” + </p> + <p> + Lorne buried his head in his hands in a pretended agony of recollection. + </p> + <p> + “So far as I remember, not exactly tall, but you wouldn’t call him short. + Complexion—well, don’t you know?—that kind of middling + complexion. Colour of his eyes—does anybody ever notice a thing like + that? You needn’t take my word for it, but I should say they were a kind + of average coloured eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Lorne! You ARE—I suppose I’ll just have to wait till I see him. But + the girls are wild to know, and I said I’d ask you. He’ll be here in about + two weeks anyhow, and I dare say we won’t find him so much to make a fuss + about. The best sort of Englishmen don’t come over such a very great deal, + as you say. I expect they have a better time at home.” + </p> + <p> + “Hesketh’s a very good sort of Englishman,” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + “He’s awfully well off, isn’t he?” + </p> + <p> + “According to our ideas I suppose he is,” said Lorne. “Not according to + English ideas.” + </p> + <p> + “Still less according to New York ones, then,” asserted Dora. “They + wouldn’t think much of it there even if he passed for rich in England.” It + was a little as if she resented Lorne’s comparison of standards, and + claimed the American one as at least cis-Atlantic. + </p> + <p> + “He has a settled income,” said Lorne, “and he’s never had to work for it, + whatever luck there is in that. That’s all I know. Dora—” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Lorne, you’re not to be troublesome.” + </p> + <p> + “Your mother hasn’t come in at all this evening. Don’t you think it’s a + good sign?” + </p> + <p> + “She isn’t quite so silly as she was,” remarked Dora. “Why I should not + have the same freedom as other girls in entertaining my gentleman friends + I never could quite see.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe if we told her we had made up our minds it would be all right,” + he pleaded. + </p> + <p> + “I’m not so sure Lorne. Mother’s so deep. You can’t always tell just by + what she DOES. She thinks Stephen Stuart likes me—it’s too perfectly + idiotic; we are the merest friends—and when it’s any question of you + and Stephen—well, she doesn’t say anything, but she lets me see! She + thinks such a lot of the Stuarts because Stephen’s father was Ontario + Premier once, and got knighted.” + </p> + <p> + “I might try for that myself if you think it would please her,” said the + lover. + </p> + <p> + “Please her! And I should be Lady Murchison!” she let fall upon his + ravished ears. “Why, Lorne, she’d just worship us both! But you’ll never + do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + Dora looked at him with pretty speculation. She had reasons for supposing + that she did admire the young man. + </p> + <p> + “You’re too nice,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “That isn’t good enough,” he responded, and drew her nearer. + </p> + <p> + “Then why did you ask me?—No, Lorne, you are not to. Suppose Father + came in?” + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t mind—Father’s on my side, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “Father isn’t on anybody’s side,” said his daughter, wisely. + </p> + <p> + “Dora, let me speak to him!” + </p> + <p> + Miss Milburn gave a clever imitation of a little scream of horror. + </p> + <p> + “INDEED I won’t! Lorne, you are never, NEVER to do that! As if we were in + a ridiculous English novel!” + </p> + <p> + “That’s the part of an English novel I always like,” said Lorne. “The + going and asking. It must about scare the hero out of a year’s growth; but + it’s a glorious thing to do—it would be next day, anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s just the sort of thing to please Mother,” Dora meditated, “but she + can’t be indulged all the time. No, Lorne, you’ll have to leave it to me—when + there’s anything to tell.” + </p> + <p> + “There’s everything to tell now,” said he, who had indeed nothing to keep + back. + </p> + <p> + “But you know what Mother is, Lorne. Suppose they hadn’t any objection, + she would never keep it to herself! She’d want to go announcing it all + over the place; she’d think it was the proper thing to do.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Dora, why not? If you knew how I want to announce it! I should like + to publish it in the sunrise—and the wind—so that I couldn’t + go out of doors without seeing it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t mind having it in Toronto Society, when the time comes. But + not yet, Lorne—not for ages. I’m only twenty-two—nobody thinks + of settling down nowadays before she’s twenty-five at the very earliest. I + don’t know a single girl in this town that has—among my friends, + anyway. That’s three years off, and you CAN’T expect me to be engaged for + three years.” + </p> + <p> + “No.” said Lorne, “engaged six months, married the rest of the time. Or + the periods might run concurrently if you preferred—I shouldn’t + mind.” + </p> + <p> + “An engaged girl has the very worst time. She gets hardly any attention, + and as to dances—well, it’s a good thing for her if the person she’s + engaged to CAN dance,” she added, teasingly. + </p> + <p> + Lorne coloured. “You said I was improving, Dora,” he said, and then + laughed at the childish claim. “But that isn’t really a thing that counts, + is it? If our lives only keep step it won’t matter much about the + ‘Washington Post.’ And so far as attention goes, you’ll get it as long as + you live, you little princess. Besides, isn’t it better to wear the love + of one man than the admiration of half a dozen?” + </p> + <p> + “And be teased and worried half out of your life by everybody you meet? + Now, Lorne, you’re getting serious and sentimental, and you know I hate + that. It isn’t any good either—Mother always used to say it made me + more stubborn to appeal to me. Horrid nature to have, isn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + Lorne’s hand went to his waistcoat pocket and came back with a tiny + packet. “It’s come, Dora—by this morning’s English mail.” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes sparkled, and then rested with guarded excitement upon the little + case. “Oh, Lorne!” + </p> + <p> + She said nothing more, but watched intently while he found the spring, and + disclosed the ring within. Then she drew a long breath. “Lorne Murchison, + what a lovely one!” + </p> + <p> + “Doesn’t it look,” said he, “just a little serious and sentimental?” + </p> + <p> + “But SUCH good style, too,” he declared, bending over it. “And quite new—I + haven’t seen anything a bit like it. I do love a design when it’s + graceful. Solitaires are so old-fashioned.” + </p> + <p> + He kept his eyes upon her face, feeding upon the delight in it. Exultation + rose up in him: he knew the primitive guile of man, indifferent to such + things, alluring with them the other creature. He did not stop to condone + her weakness; rather he seized it in ecstasy; it was all part of the glad + scheme to help the lover. He turned the diamonds so that they flashed and + flashed again before her. Then, trusting his happy instinct, he sought for + her hand. But she held that back. “I want to SEE it,” she declared, and he + was obliged to let her take the ring in her own way and examine it, and + place it in every light, and compare it with others worn by her friends, + and make little tentative charges of extravagance in his purchase of it, + while he sat elated and adoring, the simple fellow. + </p> + <p> + Reluctantly at last she gave up her hand. “But it’s only trying on—not + putting on,” she told him. He said nothing till it flashed upon her + finger, and in her eyes he saw a spark from below of that instinctive + cupidity toward jewels that man can never recognize as it deserves in + woman, because of his desire to gratify it. + </p> + <p> + “You’ll wear it, Dora?” he pleaded. + </p> + <p> + “Lorne, you are the dearest fellow! But how could I? Everybody would + guess!” + </p> + <p> + Her gaze, nevertheless, rested fascinated on the ring, which she posed as + it pleased her. + </p> + <p> + “Let them guess! I’d rather they knew, but—it does look well on your + finger, dear.” + </p> + <p> + She held it up once more to the light, then slipped it decisively off and + gave it back to him. “I can’t, you know, Lorne. I didn’t really say you + might get it; and now you’ll have to keep it till—till the time + comes. But this much I will say—it’s the sweetest thing, and you’ve + shown the loveliest taste, and if it weren’t such a dreadful give-away I’d + like to wear it awfully.” + </p> + <p> + They discussed it with argument, with endearment, with humour, and + reproach, but her inflexible basis soon showed through their talk: she + would not wear the ring. So far he prevailed, that it was she, not he, who + kept it. Her insistence that he should take it back brought something like + anger out of him; and in the surprise of this she yielded so much. She did + it unwillingly at the time, but afterward, when she tried on the thing + again in the privacy of her own room; she was rather satisfied to have it, + safe under lock and key, a flashing, smiling mystery to visit when she + liked and reveal when she would. + </p> + <p> + “Lorne could never get me such a beauty again if he lost it,” she advised + herself, “and he’s awfully careless. And I’m not sure that I won’t tell + Eva Delarue, just to show it to her. She’s as close as wax.” + </p> + <p> + One feels a certain sorrow for the lover on his homeward way, squaring his + shoulders against the foolish perversity of the feminine mind, resolutely + guarding his heart from any hint of real reprobation. Through the + sweetness of her lips and the affection of her pretty eyes, through all + his half-possession of all her charms and graces, must have come dully the + sense of his great occasion manque, that dear day of love when it leaves + the mark of its claim. And in one’s regret there is perhaps some alloy of + pity, that less respectful thing. We know him elsewhere capable of + essaying heights, yet we seem to look down upon the drama of his heart. It + may be well to remember that the level is not everything in love. He who + carefully adjusts an intellectual machine may descry a higher mark; he can + construct nothing in a mistress; he is, therefore, able to see the facts + and to discriminate the desirable. But Lorne loved with all his + imagination. This way dares the imitation of the gods by which it improves + the quality of the passion, so that such a love stands by itself to be + considered, apart from the object, one may say. A strong and beautiful + wave lifted Lorne Murchison along to his destiny, since it was the pulse + of his own life, though Dora Milburn played moon to it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <p> + Alfred Hesketh had, after all, written to young Murchison about his + immediate intention of sailing for Canada and visiting Elgin; the letter + arrived a day or two later. It was brief and businesslike, but it gave + Lorne to understand that since his departure the imperial idea had been + steadily fermenting, not only in the national mind, but particularly in + Hesketh’s; that it produced in his case a condition only to be properly + treated by personal experience. Hesketh was coming over to prove whatever + advantage there was in seeing for yourself. That he was coming with the + right bias Lorne might infer, he said, from the fact that he had waited a + fortnight to get his passage by the only big line to New York that stood + out for our mercantile supremacy against American combination. + </p> + <p> + “He needn’t bother to bring any bias,” Lorne remarked when he had read + this, “but he’ll have to pay a lot of extra luggage on the one he takes + back with him.” + </p> + <p> + He felt a little irritation at being offered the testimony of the Cunard + ticket. Back on his native soil, its independence ran again like sap in + him: nobody wanted a present of good will; the matter stood on its merits. + </p> + <p> + He was glad, nevertheless, that Hesketh was coming, gratified that it + would now be his turn to show prospects, and turn figures into facts, and + make plain the imperial profit from the further side. Hesketh was such an + intelligent fellow, there would be the keenest sort of pleasure in + demonstrating things, big things, to him, little things, too, ways of + living, differences of habit. Already in the happy exercise of his + hospitable instinct he saw how Hesketh would get on with his mother, with + Stella, with Dr Drummond. He saw Hesketh interested, domiciled, remaining—the + ranch life this side of the Rockies, Lorne thought, would tempt him, or + something new and sound in Winnipeg. He kept his eye open for chances, and + noted one or two likely things. “We want labour mostly,” he said to + Advena, “but nobody is refused leave to land because he has a little + money.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think not, indeed,” remarked Mrs Murchison, who was present. “I + often wish your father and I had had a little more when we began. That + whole Gregory block was going for three thousand dollars then. I wonder + what it’s worth now?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you and Father are worth more, too,” remarked Stella acutely. + </p> + <p> + “In fact, all the elder members of the family have approximated in value, + Stella,” said her brother, “and you may too, in time.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll take my chance with the country,” she retorted. They were all + permeated with the question of the day; even Stella, after holding + haughtily aloof for some time, had been obliged to get into step, as she + described it, with the silly old Empire. Whatever it was in England, here + it was a family affair; I mean in the town of Elgin, in the shops and the + offices, up and down the tree-bordered streets as men went to and from + their business, atomic creatures building the reef of the future, but + conscious, and wanting to know what they were about. Political parties had + long declared themselves, the Hampden Debating Society had had several + grand field nights. Prospective lifelong friendships, male and female in + every form of “the Collegiate,” had been put to this touchstone, sometimes + with shattering effect. If you would not serve with Wallingham the + greatness of Britain you were held to favour going over to the United + States; there was no middle course. It became a personal matter in the + ward schools and small boys pursued small boys with hateful cries of + “Annexationist!” The subject even trickled about the apple-barrels and + potato-bags of the market square. Here it should have raged, pregnant as + it was with bucolic blessing; but our agricultural friends expect nothing + readily except adverse weather, least of all a measure of economic benefit + to themselves. Those of Fox County thought it looked very well, but it was + pretty sure to work out some other way. Elmore Crow failed heavily to + catch a light even from Lorne Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “You keep your hair on, Lorne,” he advised. “We ain’t going to get such + big changes yet. An’ if we do the blooming syndicates ‘ll spoil ‘em for + us.” + </p> + <p> + There were even dissentients among the farmers. The voice of one was + raised who had lived laborious years, and many of them in the hope of + seeing his butter and cheese go unimpeded across the American line. It + must be said, however, that still less attention was paid to him, and it + was generally conceded that he would die without the sight. + </p> + <p> + It was the great topic. The day Wallingham went his defiant furthest in + the House and every colonial newspaper set it up in acclaiming headlines, + Horace Williams, enterprising fellow, remembered that Lorne had seen the + great man under circumstances that would probably pan out, and send round + Rawlins. Rawlins was to get something that would do to call “Wallingham in + the Bosom of his Family,” and as much as Lorne cared to pour into him + about his own view of the probable issue. Rawlins failed to get the + interview, came back to say that Lorne didn’t seem to think himself a big + enough boy for that, but he did not return empty-handed. Mr Murchison sent + Mr Williams the promise of some contributions upon the question of the + hour, which he had no objection to sign and which Horace should have for + the good of the cause. Horace duly had them, the Express duly published + them, and they were copied in full by the Dominion and several other + leading journals, with an amount of comment which everyone but Mrs + Murchison thought remarkable. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t pretend to understand it,” she said, “but anybody can see that he + knows what he’s talking about.” John Murchison read them with a critical + eye and a pursed-out lip. + </p> + <p> + “He takes too much for granted.” + </p> + <p> + “What does he take for granted?” asked Mrs Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “Other folks being like himself,” said the father. + </p> + <p> + That, no doubt, was succinct and true; nevertheless, the articles had + competence as well as confidence. The writer treated facts with restraint + and conditions with sympathy. He summoned ideas from the obscurity of + men’s minds, and marshalled them in the light, so that many recognized + what they had been trying to think. He wrote with homeliness as well as + force, wishing much more to make the issue recognizable than to create + fine phrases, with the result that one or two of his sentences passed into + the language of the discussion which, as any of its standard-bearers would + have told you, had little use for rhetoric. The articles were competent: + if you listened to Horace Williams you would have been obliged to accept + them as the last, or latest, word of economic truth, though it must be + left to history to endorse Mr Williams. It was their enthusiasm, however, + that gave them the wing on which they travelled. People naturally took + different views, even of this quality. “Young Murchison’s working the + imperial idea for all it’s worth,” was Walter Winter’s; and Octavius + Milburn humorously summed up the series as “tall talk.” + </p> + <p> + Alfred Hesketh came, it was felt, rather opportunely into the midst of + this. Plenty of people, the whole of Market Square and East Elgin, a good + part, too, probably, of the Town Ward, were unaware of his arrival; but + for the little world he penetrated he was clothed with all the interest of + the great contingency. His decorous head in the Emmetts’ pew on Sunday + morning stood for a symbol as well as for a stranger. The nation was on + the eve of a great far-reaching transaction with the mother country, and + thrilling with the terms of the bargain. Hesketh was regarded by people in + Elgin who knew who he was with the mingled cordiality and distrust that + might have met a principal. They did not perhaps say it, but it was in + their minds. “There’s one of them,” was what they thought when they met + him in the street. At any other time he would have been just an + Englishman; now he was invested with the very romance of destiny. The + perception was obscure, but it was there. Hesketh, on the other hand, + found these good people a very well-dressed, well-conditioned, decent lot, + rather sallower than he expected, perhaps, who seemed to live in a + fair-sized town in a great deal of comfort, and was wholly unconscious of + anything special in his relation to them or theirs to him. + </p> + <p> + He met Lorne just outside the office of Warner, Fulke, and Murchison the + following day. They greeted heartily. “Now this IS good!” said Lorne, and + he thought so. Hesketh confided his first impression. “It’s not unlike an + English country town,” he said, “only the streets are wider, and the + people don’t look so much in earnest.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, they’re just as much in earnest some of the time,” Lorne laughed, + “but maybe not all the time!” + </p> + <p> + The sun shone crisply round them; there was a brisk October market; on the + other side of the road Elmore Crow dangled his long legs over a cart flap + and chewed a cheroot. Elgin was abroad, doing business on its wide margin + of opportunity. Lorne cast a backward glance at conditions he had seen. + </p> + <p> + “I know what you mean,” he said. “Sharp of you to spot it so soon, old + chap! You’re staying with the English Church minister, aren’t you—Mr + Emmett? Some connection of yours, aren’t they?” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs Emmett is Chafe’s sister—Mrs Chafe, you know, is my aunt,” + Hesketh reminded him. “I say, Murchison, I left old Chafe wilder than + ever. Wallingham’s committee keep sending him leaflets and things. They + take it for granted he’s on the right side, since his interests are. The + other day they asked him for a subscription! The old boy sent his reply to + the Daily News and carried it about for a week. I think that gave him real + satisfaction; but he hates the things by post.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne laughed delightedly. “I expect he’s snowed under with them. I sent + him my own valuable views last week.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m afraid they’ll only stiffen him. That got to be his great argument + after you left, the fact that you fellows over here want it. He doesn’t + approve of a bargain if the other side sees a profit. Curiously enough, + his foremen and people out in Chiswick are all for it. I was talking to + one of them just before I left—‘Stands to reason, sir,’ he said, ‘we + don’t want to pay more for a loaf than we do now. But we’ll do it, sir, if + it means downing them Germans; he said.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne’s eyebrows half-perceptibly twitched. “They do ‘sir’ you a lot over + there, don’t they?” he said. “It was as much as I could do to get at what + a fellow of that sort meant, tumbling over the ‘sirs’ he propped it up + with. Well, all kinds of people, all kinds of argument, I suppose, when it + comes to trying to get ‘em solid! But I was going to say we are all hoping + you’ll give us a part of your time while you’re in Elgin. My family are + looking forward to meeting you. Come along and let me introduce you to my + father now—he’s only round the corner.” + </p> + <p> + “By all means!” said Hesketh, and they fell into step together. As Lorne + said, it was only a short distance, but far enough to communicate a + briskness, an alertness, from the step of one young man to that of the + other. “I wish it were five miles,” Hesketh said, all his stall-fed + muscles responding to the new call of his heart and lungs. “Any good walks + about here? I asked Emmett, but he didn’t know—supposed you could + walk to Clayfield if you didn’t take the car. He seems to have lost his + legs. I suppose parsons do.” + </p> + <p> + “Not all of them,” said Lorne. “There’s a fellow that has a church over in + East Elgin, Finlay his name is, that beats the record of anything around + here. He just about ranges the county in the course of a week.” + </p> + <p> + “The place is too big for one parish, no doubt,” Hesketh remarked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he’s a Presbyterian! The Episcopalians haven’t got any hold to speak + of over there. Here we are,” said Lorne, and turned in at the door. The + old wooden sign was long gone. “John Murchison and Sons” glittered instead + in the plate-glass windows, but Hesketh did not see it. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you think he’ll be in here?” he asked, on young Murchison’s heels. + </p> + <p> + “Because he always is when he isn’t over at the shop,” replied Lorne. + “It’s his place of business—his store, you know. There he is! Hard + luck—he’s got a customer. We’ll have to wait.” + </p> + <p> + He went on ahead with his impetuous step; he did not perceive the + instant’s paralysis that seemed to overtake Hesketh’s, whose foot dragged, + however, no longer than that. It was an initiation; he had been told he + might expect some. He checked his impulse to be amused, and guarded his + look round, not to show unseemly curiosity. His face, when he was + introduced to Alec, who was sorting some odd dozens of tablespoons, was + neutral and pleasant. He reflected afterward that he had been quite equal + to the occasion. He thought, too, that he had shown some adaptability. + Alec was not a person of fluent discourse, and when he had inquired + whether Hesketh was going to make a long stay, the conversation might have + languished but for this. + </p> + <p> + “Is that Birmingham?” he asked, nodding kindly at the spoons. + </p> + <p> + “Came to us through a house in Liverpool,” Alec responded. “I expect you + had a stormy crossing, Mr Hesketh.” + </p> + <p> + “It was a bit choppy. We had the fiddles on most of the time,” Hesketh + replied. “Most of the time. Now, how do you find the bicycle trade over + here? Languishing, as it is with us?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it keeps up pretty well,” said Alec, “but we sell more spoons. ‘N’ + what do you think of this country, far as you’ve seen it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come now, it’s a little soon to ask, isn’t it? Yes—I suppose + bicycles go out of fashion, and spoons never do. I was thinking,” added + Hesketh, casting his eyes over a serried rank, “of buying a bicycle.” + </p> + <p> + Alec had turned to put the spoons in their place on the shelves. “Better + take your friend across to Cox’s,” he advised Lorne over his shoulder. + “He’ll be able to get a motorbike there,” a suggestion which gave Mr + Hesketh to reflect later that if that was the general idea of doing + business it must be an easy country to make money in. + </p> + <p> + The customer was satisfied at last, and Mr Murchison walked sociably to + the door with him; it was the secretary of the local Oddfellows’ Lodge, + who had come in about a furnace. + </p> + <p> + “Now’s our chance,” said Lorne. “Father, this is Mr Hesketh, from London—my + father, Hesketh. He can tell you all you want to know about Canada—this + part of it, anyway. Over thirty years, isn’t it, Father, since you came + out?” + </p> + <p> + “Glad to meet you,” said John Murchison, “glad to meet you, Mr Hesketh. + We’ve heard much about you.” + </p> + <p> + “You must have been quite among the pioneers of Elgin, Mr Murchison,” said + Hesketh as they shook hands. Alec hadn’t seemed to think of that; Hesketh + put it down to the counter. + </p> + <p> + “Not quite,” said John. “We’ll say among the early arrivals.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever been back in your native Scotland?” asked Hesketh. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, twice.” + </p> + <p> + “But you prefer the land of your adoption?” + </p> + <p> + “I do. But I think by now it’ll be kin,” said Mr Murchison. “It was good + to see the heather again, but a man lives best where he’s taken root.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes. You seem to do a large business here, Mr Murchison.” + </p> + <p> + “Pretty well for the size of the place. You must get Lorne to take you + over Elgin. It’s a fair sample of our rising manufacturing towns.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope he will. I understand you manufacture to some extent yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “We make our own stoves and a few odd things.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t send any across the Atlantic yet?” queried Hesketh jocularly. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet. No, sir!” + </p> + <p> + Then did Mr Hesketh show himself in true sympathy with the novel and + independent conditions of the commonwealth he found himself in. + </p> + <p> + “I beg you won’t use that form with me,” he said, “I know it isn’t the + custom of the country, and I am a friend of your son’s, you see.” + </p> + <p> + The iron merchant looked at him, just an instant’s regard, in which + astonishment struggled with the usual deliberation. Then his considering + hand went to his chin. + </p> + <p> + “I see. I must remember,” he said. + </p> + <p> + The son, Lorne, glanced in the pause beyond John Murchison’s broad + shoulders, through the store door and out into the moderate commerce of + Main Street, which had carried the significance and the success of his + father’s life. His eye came back and moved over the contents of the place, + taking stock of it, one might say, and adjusting the balance with pride. + He had said very little since they had been in the store. Now he turned to + Hesketh quietly. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t bother about that if I were you,” he said. “My father spoke + quite—colloquially.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said Hesketh. + </p> + <p> + They parted on the pavement outside. “I hope you understand,” said Lorne, + with an effort at heartiness, “how glad my parents will be to have you if + you find yourself able to spare us any of your time?” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks very much,” said Hesketh; “I shall certainly give myself the + pleasure of calling as soon as possible.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <p> + “Dear me!” said Dr Drummond. “Dear me! Well! And what does Advena + Murchison say to all this?” + </p> + <p> + He and Hugh Finlay were sitting in the Doctor’s study, the pleasantest + room in the house. It was lined with standard religious philosophy, + standard poets, standard fiction, all that was standard, and nothing that + was not; and the shelves included several volumes of the Doctor’s own + sermons, published in black morocco through a local firm that did business + by the subscription method, with “Drummond” in gold letters on the back. + There were more copies of these, perhaps, than it would be quite + thoughtful to count, though a good many were annually disposed of at the + church bazaar, where the Doctor presented them with a generous hand. A + sumptuous desk, and luxurious leather-covered armchairs furnished the + room; a beautiful little Parian copy of a famous Cupid and Psyche + decorated the mantelpiece, and betrayed the touch of pagan in the + Presbyterian. A bright fire burned in the grate, and there was not a speck + of dust anywhere. + </p> + <p> + Dr Drummond, lost in his chair, with one knee dropped on the other, joined + his fingers at the tips, and drew his forehead into a web of wrinkles. + Over it his militant grey crest curled up; under it his eyes darted two + shrewd points of interrogation. + </p> + <p> + “What does Miss Murchison say to it?” he repeated with craft and courage, + as Finlay’s eyes dropped and his face slowly flushed under the question. + It was in this room that Dr Drummond examined “intending communicants” and + cases likely to come before the Session; he never shirked a leading + question. “Miss Murchison,” said Finlay, after a moment, “was good enough + to say that she thought her father’s house would be open to Miss—to + my friends when they arrived; but I thought it would be more suitable to + ask your hospitality, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Did she so?” asked Dr Drummond gravely. It was more a comment than an + inquiry. “Did she so?” Infinite kindness was in it. + </p> + <p> + The young man assented with an awkward gesture, half-bend, half-nod, and + neither for a moment spoke again. It was one of those silences with a + character, conscious, tentative. Half-veiled, disavowed thoughts rose up + in it, awakened by Advena’s name, turning away their heads. The ticking of + the Doctor’s old-fashioned watch came through it from his waistcoat + pocket. It was he who spoke first. + </p> + <p> + “I christened Advena Murchison,” he said. “Her father was one of those who + called me, as a young man, to this ministry. The names of both her parents + are on my first communion roll. Aye!”... + </p> + <p> + The fire snapped and the watch went on ticking. + </p> + <p> + “So Advena thought well of it all. Did she so?” + </p> + <p> + The young man raised his heavy eyes and looked unflinchingly at Dr + Drummond. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Murchison,” he said, “is the only other person to whom I have + confided the matter. I have written, fixing that date, with her approval—at + her desire. Not immediately. I took time to—think it over. Then it + seemed better to arrange for the ladies reception first, so before posting + I have come to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the letter has not gone?” + </p> + <p> + “It is in my pocket.” + </p> + <p> + “Finlay, you will have a cigar? I don’t smoke myself; my throat won’t + stand it; but I understand these are passable. Grant left them here. He’s + a chimney, that man Grant. At it day and night.” + </p> + <p> + This was a sacrifice. Dr Drummond hated tobacco, the smell of it, the ash + of it, the time consumed in it. There was no need at all to offer Finlay + one of the Reverend Grant’s cigars. Propitiation must indeed be desired + when the incense is abhorred. But Finlay declined to smoke. The Doctor, + with his hands buried deep in his trousers pockets, where something + metallic clinked in them, began to pace and turn. His mouth had the set it + wore when he handled a difficult motion in the General Assembly. + </p> + <p> + “I’m surprised to hear that, Finlay; though it may be well not to be + surprised at what a woman will say—or won’t say.” + </p> + <p> + “Surprised?” said the younger man confusedly. “Why should anyone be + surprised?” + </p> + <p> + “I know her well. I’ve watched her grow up. I remember her mother’s + trouble because she would scratch the paint on the pew in front of her + with the nails in her little boots. John Murchison sang in the choir in + those days. He had a fine bass voice; he has it still. And Mrs Murchison + had to keep the family in order by herself. It was sometimes as much as + she could do, poor woman. They sat near the front, and many a good hard + look I used to give them while I was preaching. Knox Church was a + different place then. The choir sat in the back gallery, and we had a + precentor, a fine fellow—he lost an arm at Ridgway in the Fenian + raid. Well I mind him and the frown he would put on when he took up the + fork. But, for that matter, every man Jack in the choir had a frown on in + the singing, though the bass fellows would be the fiercest. We’ve been + twice enlarged since, and the organist has long been a salaried + professional. But I doubt whether the praise of God is any heartier than + it was when it followed Peter Craig’s tuning-fork. Aye. You’d always hear + John Murchison’s note in the finish.” + </p> + <p> + Finlay was listening with the look of a charmed animal. Dr Drummond’s + voice was never more vibrant, more moving, more compelling than when he + called up the past; and here to Finlay the past was itself enchanted. + </p> + <p> + “She always had those wonderful dark eyes. She’s pale enough now, but as a + child she was rosy. Taking her place of a winter evening, with the snow on + her fur cap and her hair, I often thought her a picture. I liked to have + her attention while I was preaching, even as a child; and when she was + absent I missed her. It was through my ministrations that she saw her way + to professing the Church of Christ, and under my heartfelt benediction + that she first broke bread in her Father’s house. I hold the girl in great + affection, Finlay; and I grieve to hear this.” + </p> + <p> + The other drew a long breath, and his hand tightened on the arm of his + chair. He was, as we know, blind to many of the world’s aspects, even to + those in which he himself figured; and Dr Drummond’s plain hypothesis of + his relations with Advena came before him in forced illumination, flash by + tragic flash. This kind of revelation is more discomforting than darkness, + since it carries the surprise of assault, and Finlay groped in it, + helpless and silent. + </p> + <p> + “You are grieved, sir?” he said mechanically. + </p> + <p> + “Man, she loves you!” exclaimed the Doctor, in a tone that would no longer + forbear. + </p> + <p> + Hugh Finlay seemed to take the words just where they were levelled, in his + breast. He half leaped from his chair; the lower part of his face had the + rigidity of iron. + </p> + <p> + “I am not obliged to discuss such a matter as that,” he said hoarsely, + “with you or with any man.” + </p> + <p> + He looked confusedly about him for his hat, which he had left in the hall; + and Dr Drummond profited by the instant. He stepped across and laid a hand + on the younger man’s shoulder. Had they both been standing the gesture + would have been impossible to Dr Drummond with dignity; as it was, it had + not only that, but benignance, a kind of tender good will, rare in + expression with the minister, rare, for that matter, in feeling with him + too, though the chord was always there to be sounded. + </p> + <p> + “Finlay,” he said; “Finlay!” + </p> + <p> + Between two such temperaments the touch and the tone together made an + extraordinary demonstration. Finlay, with an obvious effort, let it lie + upon him. The tension of his body relaxed, that of his soul he covered, + leaning forward and burying his head in his hands. + </p> + <p> + “Will you say I have no claim to speak?” asked Dr Drummond, and met + silence. “It is upon my lips to beg you not to send that letter, Finlay.” + He took his hand from the young man’s shoulder, inserted a thumb in each + of his waistcoat pockets, and resumed his walk. + </p> + <p> + “On my own account I must send it,” said Finlay. “On Miss Murchison’s—she + bids me to. We have gone into the matter together.” + </p> + <p> + “I can imagine what you made of it together. There’s a good deal of her + father in Advena. He would be the last man to say a word for himself. You + told her this tale you have told me, and she told you to get Miss Christie + out and marry her without delay, eh? And what would you expect her to tell + you—a girl of that spirit?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot see why pride should influence her.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you know little about women. It was pride, pure and simple, Finlay, + that made her tell you that—and she’ll be a sorry woman if you act + on it.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Finlay, suddenly looking up, “I may know little about women, + but I know more about Advena Murchison than that. She advised me in the + sense she thought right and honourable, and her advice was sincere. And, + Dr Drummond, deeply as I feel the bearing of Miss Murchison’s view of the + matter, I could not, in any case, allow my decision to rest upon it. It + must stand by itself.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean that your decision to marry to oblige your aunt should not be + influenced by the fact that it means the wrecking of your own happiness + and that of another person. I can’t agree, Finlay. I spoke first of Advena + Murchison because her part and lot in it are most upon my heart. I feel, + too, that someone should put her case. Her own father would never open his + lips. If you’re to be hauled over the coals about this I’m the only man to + do it. And I’m going to.” + </p> + <p> + A look of sharp determination came into the minister’s eyes; he had the + momentary air of a small Scotch terrier with a bidding. Finlay looked at + him in startled recognition of another possible phase of his dilemma; he + thought he knew it in every wretched aspect. It was a bold reference of Dr + Drummond’s; it threw down the last possibility of withdrawal for Finlay; + they must have it out now, man to man, with a little, perhaps, even in + that unlikely place, of penitent to confessor. It was an exigency, it + helped Finlay to pull himself together, and there was something in his + voice, when he spoke, like the vibration of relief. + </p> + <p> + “I am pained and distressed more than I have any way of telling you, sir,” + he said, “that—the state of feeling—between Miss Murchison and + myself should have been so plain to you. It is incomprehensible to me that + it should be so, since it is only very lately that I have understood it + truly myself. I hope you will believe that it was the strangest, most + unexpected, most sudden revelation.” + </p> + <p> + He paused and looked timidly at the Doctor; he, the great fellow, in + straining bondage to his heart, leaning forward with embarrassed tension + in every muscle, Dr Drummond alert, poised, critical, balancing his little + figure on the hearthrug. + </p> + <p> + “I preach faith in miracles,” he said. “I dare say between you and her it + would be just that.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been deeply culpable. Common sense, common knowledge of men and + women should have warned me that there might be danger. But I looked upon + the matter as our own—as between us only. I confess that I have not + till now thought of that part of it, but surely—You cannot mean to + tell me that what I have always supposed my sincere and devoted friendship + for Miss Murchison has been in any way prejudicial—” + </p> + <p> + “To her in the ordinary sense? To her prospects of marriage and her + standing in the eyes of the community? No, Finlay. No. I have not heard + the matter much referred to. You seem to have taken none of the ordinary + means—you have not distinguished her in the eyes of gossip. If you + had it would be by no means the gravest thing to consider. Such tokens are + quickly forgotten, especially here, where attentions of the kind often, + I’ve noticed, lead to nothing. It is the fact, and not the appearance of + it, that I speak of—that I am concerned with.” + </p> + <p> + “The fact is beyond mending,” said Finlay, dully. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, the fact is beyond mending. It is beyond mending that Advena + Murchison belongs to you and you to her in no common sense. It’s beyond + mending that you cannot now be separated without such injury to you both + as I would not like to look upon. It’s beyond mending, Finlay, because it + is one of those things that God has made. But it is not beyond marring, + and I charge you to look well what you are about in connection with it.” + </p> + <p> + A flash of happiness, of simple delight, lit the young man’s sombre eyes + as the phrases fell. To the minister they were mere forcible words; to + Finlay they were soft rain in a famished land. Then he looked again + heavily at the pattern of the carpet. + </p> + <p> + “Would you have me marry Advena Murchison?” he said, with a kind of shamed + yielding to the words. + </p> + <p> + “I would—and no other. Man, I saw it from the beginning!” exclaimed + the Doctor. “I don’t say it isn’t an awkward business. But at least + there’ll be no heartbreak in Scotland. I gather you never said a word to + the Bross lady on the subject, and very few on any other. You tell me you + left it all with that good woman, your aunt, to arrange after you left. Do + you think a creature of any sentiment would have accepted you on those + terms? Not she. So far as I can make out, Miss Cameron is just a sensible, + wise woman that would be the first to see the folly in this business if + she knew the rights of it. Come, Finlay, you’re not such a great man with + the ladies—you can’t pretend she has any affection for you.” + </p> + <p> + The note of raillery in the Doctor’s voice drew Finlay’s brows together. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” he said, “whether I have to think of her affections, but I + do know I have to think of her dignity, her confidence, and her belief in + the honourable dealing of a man whom she met under the sanction of a + trusted roof. The matter may look light here; it is serious there. She has + her circle of friends; they are acquainted with her engagement. She has + made all her arrangements to carry it out; she has disposed of her life. I + cannot ask her to reconsider her lot because I have found a happier + adjustment for mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Finlay,” said Dr Drummond, “you will not be known in Bross or anywhere + else as a man who has jilted a woman. Is that it?” + </p> + <p> + “I will not be a man who has jilted a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no sophist like pride. Look at the case on its merits. On the + one side a disappointment for Miss Cameron. I don’t doubt she’s counting + on coming, but at worst a worldly disappointment. And the very grievous + humiliation for you of writing to tell her that you have made a mistake. + You deserve that, Finlay. If you wouldn’t be a man who has jilted a woman + you have no business to lend yourself to such matters with the capacity of + a blind kitten. That is the damage on the one side. On the other—” + </p> + <p> + “I know all that there is to be said,” interrupted Finlay, “on the other.” + </p> + <p> + “Then face it, man. Go home and write the whole truth to Bross. I’ll do it + for you—no, I won’t, either. Stand up to it yourself. You must hurt + one of two women; choose the one that will suffer only in her vanity. I + tell you that Scotch entanglement of yours is pure cardboard farce—it + won’t stand examination. It’s appalling to think that out of an + extravagant, hypersensitive conception of honour, egged on by that poor + girl, you could be capable of turning it into the reality of your life.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ve taken all these points of view, sir, and I can’t throw the woman + over. The objection to it isn’t in reason—it’s somehow in the past + and the blood. It would mean the sacrifice of all that I hold most + valuable in myself. I should expect myself after that to stick at nothing—why + should I?” + </p> + <p> + “There is one point of view that perhaps you have not taken,” said Dr + Drummond, in his gravest manner. “You are settled here in your charge. In + all human probability you will remain here in East Elgin, as I have + remained here, building and fortifying the place you have won for the Lord + in the hearts of the people. Advena Murchison’s life will also go on here—there + is nothing to take it away. You have both strong natures. Are you prepared + for that?” + </p> + <p> + “We are both prepared for it. We shall both be equal to it. I count upon + her, and she counts upon me, to furnish in our friendship the greater part + of whatever happiness life may have in store for us.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you must be a pair of born lunatics!” said Dr Drummond, his jaw + grim, his eyes snapping. “What you propose is little less than a crime, + Finlay. It can come to nothing but grief, if no worse. And your wife, poor + woman, whatever she deserves, it is better than that! My word, if she + could choose her prospect, think you she would hesitate? Finlay, I entreat + you as a matter of ordinary prudence, go home and break it off. Leave + Advena out of it—you have no business to make this marriage whether + or no. Leave other considerations to God and to the future. I beseech you, + bring it to an end!” + </p> + <p> + Finlay got up and held out his hand. “I tell you from my heart it is + impossible,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I can’t move you?” said Dr Drummond. “Then let us see if the Lord can. + You will not object, Finlay, to bring the matter before Him, here and now, + in a few words of prayer? I should find it hard to let you go without + them.” + </p> + <p> + They went down upon their knees where they stood; and Dr Drummond did + little less than order Divine interference; but the prayer that was + inaudible was to the opposite purpose. + </p> + <p> + Ten minutes later the minister himself opened the door to let Finlay out + into the night. “You will remember,” he said as they shook hands, “that + what I think of your position in this matter makes no difference whatever + to the question of your aunt’s coming here with Miss Cameron when they + arrive. You will bring them to this house as a matter of course. I wish + you could be guided to a different conclusion but, after all, it is your + own conscience that must be satisfied. They will be better here than at + the Murchisons’,” he added with a last shaft of reproach, “and they will + be very welcome.” + </p> + <p> + It said much for Dr Drummond that Finlay was able to fall in with the + arrangement. He went back to his boarding-house, and added a postscript + embodying it to his letter to Bross. Then he walked out upon the midnight + two feverish miles to the town, and posted the letter. The way back was + longer and colder. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <p> + “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this + for you.” + </p> + <p> + Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at + the post-office. Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but + not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box + that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry. In time the + boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on + the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it + earlier. Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when + he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he + would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere + ice, as he was last year. + </p> + <p> + “Looks like it,” responded Mr Winter, cheerfully. “The boys have been + round as usual. I told them they’d better try another shop this time, but + they seemed to think the old reliable was good enough to go on with.” + </p> + <p> + This exchange, to anyone in Elgin, would have been patently simple. On + that day there was only one serious topic in Elgin, and there could have + been only one reference to business for Walter Winter. The Dominion had + come up the day before with the announcement that Mr Robert Farquharson + who, for an aggregate of eleven years, had represented the Liberals of + South Fox in the Canadian House of Commons, had been compelled under + medical advice to withdraw from public life. The news was unexpected, and + there was rather a feeling among Mr Farquharson’s local support in Elgin + that it shouldn’t have come from Toronto. It will be gathered that Horace + Williams, as he himself acknowledged, was wild. The general feeling, and + to some extent Mr Williams’s, was appeased by the further information that + Mr Farquharson had been obliged to go to Toronto to see a specialist, + whose report he had naturally enough taken to party headquarters, whence + the Dominion would get it, as Mr Williams said, by telephone or any + quicker way there was. Williams, it should be added, was well ahead with + the details, as considerate as was consistent with public enterprise, of + the retiring member’s malady, its duration, the date of the earliest + symptoms, and the growth of anxiety in Mrs Farquharson, who had finally + insisted—and how right she was!—on the visit to the + specialist, upon which she had accompanied Mr Farquharson. He sent round + Rawlins. So that Elgin was in possession of all the facts, and Walter + Winter, who had every pretension to contest the seat again and every + satisfaction that it wouldn’t be against Farquharson, might naturally be + expected to be taken up with them sufficiently to understand a man who + slapped him on the shoulder in the post-office with the remark I have + quoted. + </p> + <p> + “I guess they know what they’re about,” returned Mr Milburn. “It’s a bad + knock for the Grits, old Farquharson having to drop out. He’s getting up + in years, but he’s got a great hold here. He’ll be a dead loss in votes to + his party. I always said our side wouldn’t have a chance till the old man + was out of the way.” + </p> + <p> + Mr Winter twisted the watch-chain across his protuberant waistcoat, and + his chin sank in reflective folds above his neck-tie. Above that again his + nose drooped over his moustache, and his eyelids over his eyes, which + sought the floor. Altogether he looked sunk, like an overfed bird, in + deferential contemplation of what Mr Milburn was saying. + </p> + <p> + “They’ve nobody to touch him, certainly in either ability or experience,” + he replied, looking up to do it, with a handsome air of concession. “Now + that Martin’s dead, and Jim Fawkes come that howler over Pink River, + they’ll have their work cut out for them to find a man. I hear Fawkes + takes it hard, after all he’s done for ‘em, not to get the nomination, but + they won’t hear of it. Quite right, too; he’s let too many people in over + that concession of his to be popular, even among his friends.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose he has. Dropped anything there yourself?—No? Nor I. When + a thing gets to the boom stage I say let it alone, even if there’s gold in + it and you’ve got a School of Mines man to tell you so. Fawkes came out of + it at the small end himself, I expect, but that doesn’t help him any in + the eyes of businessmen.” + </p> + <p> + “I hear,” said Walter Winter, stroking his nose, “that old man Parsons has + come right over since the bosses at Ottawa have put so much money on + preference trade with the old country. He says he was a Liberal once, and + may be a Liberal again, but he doesn’t see his way to voting to give his + customers blankets cheaper than he can make them, and he’ll wait till the + clouds roll by.” + </p> + <p> + “He won’t be the only one, either,” said Milburn. “Take my word for it, + they’ll be dead sick and sorry over this imperial craze in a year’s time, + every Government that’s taken it up. The people won’t have it. The Empire + looks nice on the map, but when it comes to practical politics their bread + and butter’s in the home industries. There’s a great principle at stake, + Winter; I must say I envy you standing up for it under such favourable + conditions. Liberals like Young and Windle may talk big, but when it comes + to the ballot-box you’ll have the whole manufacturing interest of the + place behind you, and nobody the wiser. It’s a great thing to carry the + standard on an issue above and beyond party politics—it’s a purer + air, my boy.” + </p> + <p> + Walter Winter’s nod confirmed the sagacity of this, and appreciated the + highmindedness. It was a parting nod; Mr Winter had too much on hand that + morning to waste time upon Octavius Milburn; but it was full of the + qualities that ensure the success of a man’s relation with his fellows. + Consideration was in it, and understanding, and that kind of geniality + that offers itself on a plain business footing, a commercial heartiness + that has no nonsense about it. He had half a dozen casual chats like this + with Mr Milburn on his way up Main Street, and his manner expanded in + cordiality and respect with each, as if his growing confidence in himself + increased his confidence in his fellow-men. The same assurance greeted him + several times over. Every friend wanted to remind him of the enemy’s + exigency, and to assure him that the enemy’s new policy was enough by + itself to bring him romping in at last; and to every assurance he + presented the same acceptable attitude of desiring for particular reasons + to take special note of such valuable views. At the end he had neither + elicited nor imparted a single opinion of any importance; nevertheless, he + was quite entitled to his glow of satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + Among Mr Winter’s qualifications for political life was his capacity to + arrive at an estimate of the position of the enemy. He was never persuaded + to his own advantage; he never stepped ahead of the facts. It was one of + the things that made him popular with the other side, his readiness to do + justice to their equipment, to acknowledge their chances. There is + gratification of a special sort in hearing your points of vantage + confessed by the foe; the vanity is soothed by his open admission that you + are worthy of his steel. It makes you a little less keen somehow, about + defeating him. It may be that Mr Winter had an instinct for this, or + perhaps he thought such discourse more profitable, if less pleasant, than + derisive talk in the opposite sense. At all events, he gained something + and lost nothing by it, even in his own camp, where swagger might be + expected to breed admiration. He was thought a level-headed fellow who + didn’t expect miracles; his forecast in most matters was quoted, and his + defeats at the polls had been to some extent neutralized by his sagacity + in computing the returns in advance. + </p> + <p> + So that we may safely follow Mr Winter to the conclusion that the Liberals + of South Fox were somewhat put to it to select a successor to Robert + Farquharson who could be depended upon to keep the party credit exactly + where he found it. The need was unexpected, and the two men who would have + stepped most naturally into Farquharson’s shoes were disqualified as + Winter described. The retirement came at a calculating moment. South Fox + still declared itself with pride an unhealthy division for Conservatives; + but new considerations had thrust themselves among Liberal counsels, and + nobody yet knew what the country would say to them. The place was a “Grit” + strong-hold, but its steady growth as an industrial centre would give a + new significance to the figures of the next returns. The Conservative was + the manufacturers’ party, and had been ever since the veteran Sir John + Macdonald declared for a protective “National Policy,” and placed the + plain issue before the country which divided the industrial and the + agricultural interests. A certain number of millowners—Mr Milburn + mentioned Young and Windle—belonged to the Liberals, as if to + illustrate the fact that you inherit your party in Canada as you inherit + your “denomination,” or your nose; it accompanies you, simply, to the + grave. But they were exceptions, and there was no doubt that the other + side had been considerably strengthened by the addition of two or three + thriving and highly capitalized concerns during the past five years. Upon + the top of this had come the possibility of a great and dramatic change of + trade relations with Great Britain, which the Liberal Government at Ottawa + had given every sign of willingness to adopt—had, indeed, initiated, + and were bound by word and letter to follow up. Though the moment had not + yet come, might never come, for its acceptance or rejection by the country + as a whole, there could be no doubt that every by-election would be + concerned with the policy involved, and that every Liberal candidate must + be prepared to stand by it in so far as the leaders had conceived and + pushed it. Party feeling was by no means unanimous in favour of the + change; many Liberals saw commercial salvation closer in improved trade + relations with the United States. On the other hand, the new policy, + clothed as it was in the attractive sentiment of loyalty, and making for + the solidarity of the British race, might be depended upon to capture + votes which had been hitherto Conservative mainly because these + professions were supposed to be an indissoluble part of Conservatism. It + was a thing to split the vote sufficiently to bring an unusual amount of + anxiety and calculation into Liberal counsels. The other side were in no + doubt or difficulty: Walter Winter was good enough for them, and it was + their cheerful conviction that Walter Winter would put a large number of + people wise on the subject of preference trade bye-and-bye, who at present + only knew enough to vote for it. + </p> + <p> + The great question was the practicability of the new idea and how much + further it could safely be carried in a loyal Dominion which was just + getting on its industrial legs. It was debated with anxiety at Ottawa, and + made the subject of special instruction to South Fox, where the + by-election would have all the importance of an early test. “It’s a clear + issue,” wrote an influential person at Ottawa to the local party leaders + at Elgin, “we don’t want any tendency to hedge or double. It’s straight + business with us, the thing we want, and it will be till Wallingham either + gets it through over there, or finds he can’t deal with us. Meanwhile it + might be as well to ascertain just how much there is in it for platform + purposes in a safe spot like South Fox, and how much the fresh opposition + will cost us where we can afford it. We can’t lose the seat, and the + returns will be worth anything in their bearing on the General Election + next year. The objection to Carter is that he’s only half-convinced; he + couldn’t talk straight if he wanted to, and that lecture tour of his in + the United States ten years ago pushing reciprocity with the Americans + would make awkward literature.” + </p> + <p> + The rejection of Carter practically exhausted the list of men available + whose standing in the town and experience of its suffrages brought them + naturally into the field of selection; and at this point Cruickshank wrote + to Farquharson suggesting the dramatic departure involved in the name of + Lorne Murchison. Cruickshank wrote judiciously, leaving the main arguments + in Lorne’s favour to form themselves in Farquharson’s mind, but countering + the objections that would rise there by the suggestion that after a long + period of confidence and steady going, in fact of the orthodox and + expected, the party should profit by the swing of the pendulum toward + novelty and tentative, rather than bring forward a candidate who would + represent, possibly misrepresent, the same beliefs and intentions on a + lower personal level. As there was no first-rate man of the same sort to + succeed Farquharson, Cruickshank suggested the undesirability of a + second-rate man; and he did it so adroitly that the old fellow found + himself in a good deal of sympathy with the idea. He had small opinion of + the lot that was left for selection, and smaller relish for the prospect + of turning his honourable activity over to any one of them. Force of habit + and training made him smile at Cruickshank’s proposition as impracticable, + but he felt its attraction, even while he dismissed it to an inside + pocket. Young Murchison’s name would be so unlooked-for that if he, + Farquharson, could succeed in imposing it upon the party it would be + almost like making a personal choice of his successor, a grateful idea in + abdication. Farquharson wished regretfully that Lorne had another five + years to his credit in the Liberal record of South Fox. By the time the + young fellow had earned them he, the retiring member, would be quite on + the shelf, if in no completer oblivion; he could not expect much of a + voice in any nomination five years hence. He sighed to think of it. + </p> + <p> + It was at that point of his meditations that Mr Farquharson met Squire + Ormiston on the steps of the Bank of British North America, an + old-fashioned building with an appearance of dignity and probity, a look + of having been founded long ago upon principles which raised it above + fluctuation, exactly the place in which Mr Farquharson and Squire Ormiston + might be expected to meet. The two men, though politically opposed, were + excellent friends; they greeted cordially. + </p> + <p> + “So you’re ordered out of politics, Farquharson?” said the squire. “We’re + all sorry for that, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m afraid so; I’m afraid so. Thanks for your letter—very friendly + of you, squire. I don’t like it—no use pretending I do—but it + seems I’ve got to take a rest if I want to be known as a going concern.” + </p> + <p> + “A fellow with so much influence in committee ought to have more control + of his nerve centres,” Ormiston told him. The squire belonged to that + order of elderly gentlemen who will have their little joke. “Well, have + you and Bingham and Horace Williams made up your minds who’s to have the + seat?” + </p> + <p> + Farquharson shook his head. “I only know what I see in the papers,” he + said. “The Dominion is away out with Fawkes, and the Express is about as + lukewarm with Carter as he is with federated trade.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Government won’t be obliged to you for Carter,” said Mr Ormiston; “a + more slack-kneed, double-jointed scoundrel was never offered a commission + in a respectable cause. He’ll be the first to rat if things begin to look + queer for this new policy of yours and Wallingham’s.” + </p> + <p> + “He hasn’t got it yet,” Farquharson admitted, “and he won’t with my good + will. So you’re with us for preference trade, Ormiston?” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a thing I’d like to see. It’s a thing I’m sorry we’re not in a + position to take up practically ourselves. But you won’t get it, you know. + You’ll be defeated by the senior partner. It’s too much of a doctrine for + the people of England. They’re listening to Wallingham just now because + they admire him, but they won’t listen to you. I doubt whether it will + ever come to an issue over there. This time next year Wallingham will be + sucking his thumbs and thinking of something else. No, it’s not a thing to + worry about politically, for it won’t come through.” + </p> + <p> + The squire’s words suggested so much relief in that conviction that + Farquharson, sharp on the flair of the experienced nose for waverers, + looked at him observantly. + </p> + <p> + “I’m not so sure It’s a doctrine with a fine practical application for + them as well as for us, if they can be got to see it, and they’re bound to + see it in time. It’s a thing I never expected to live to believe, never + thought would be practicable until lately, but now I think there’s a very + good chance of it. And, hang it all,” he added, “it may be unreasonable, + but the more I notice the Yankees making propositions to get us away from + it, the more I want to see it come through.” + </p> + <p> + “I have very much the same feeling,” the squire acknowledged. “I’ve been + turning the matter over a good deal since that last Conference showed + which way the wind was blowing. And the fellows in your Government gave + them a fine lead. But such a proposition was bound to come from your side. + The whole political history of the country shows it. We’re pledged to take + care of the damned industries.” + </p> + <p> + Farquharson smiled at the note of depression. “Well, we want a bigger + market somewhere,” he said with detachment “and it looks as if we could + get it now Uncle Sam has had a fright. If the question comes to be fought + out at the polls, I don’t see how your party could do better than go in + for a wide scheme of reciprocity with the Americans—in raw products, + of course with a tariff to match theirs on manufactured goods. That would + shut a pretty tight door on British connection though.” + </p> + <p> + “They’ll not get my vote if they do,” said the squire, thrusting his hands + fiercely into his breeches pockets. + </p> + <p> + “As you say, it’s most important to put up a man who will show the + constituency all the credit and benefit there is in it, anyhow,” + Farquharson observed. “I’ve had a letter this morning,” he added, + laughing, “from a fellow—one of the bosses, too—who wants us + to nominate young Murchison.” + </p> + <p> + “The lawyer?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s the man. He’s too young, of course—not thirty. But he’s well + known in the country districts; I don’t know a man of his age with a more + useful service record. He’s got a lot of friends, and he’s come a good + deal to the front lately through that inter-imperial communications + business—we might do worse. And upon my word, we’re in such a hole—” + </p> + <p> + “Farquharson,” said old Squire Ormiston, the red creeping over features + that had not lost in three generations the lines of the old breed, “I’ve + voted in the Conservative interest for forty years, and my father before + me. We were Whigs when we settled in Massachusetts, and Whigs when we + pulled up stakes and came North rather than take up arms against the King; + but it seemed decent to support the Government that gave us a chance again + under the flag, and my grandfather changed his politics. Now, confound it! + the flag seems to be with the Whigs again, for fighting purposes, anyhow; + and I don’t seem to have any choice. I’ve been debating the thing for some + time now, and your talk of making that fine young fellow your candidate + settles it. If you can get your committee to accept young Murchison, you + can count on my vote, and I don’t want to brag, but I think you can count + on Moneida too, though it’s never sent in a Grit majority yet.” + </p> + <p> + The men were standing on the steps of the bank, and the crisp air of + autumn brought them both an agreeable tingle of enterprise. Farquharson’s + buggy was tied to the nearest maple. + </p> + <p> + “I’m going over to East Elgin to look at my brick-kilns,” he said. “Get in + with me, will you?” + </p> + <p> + As they drove up Main Street they encountered Walter Winter, who looked + after them with a deeply considering eye. + </p> + <p> + “Old Ormiston always had the Imperial bee in his bonnet,” said he. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <p> + Alfred Hesketh was among the first to hear of Lorne’s nomination to + represent the constituency of South Fox in the Dominion Parliament. The + Milburns told him; it was Dora who actually made the communication. The + occasion was high tea; Miss Milburn’s apprehension about Englishmen and + late dinner had been dissipated in great amusement. Mr Hesketh liked + nothing better than high tea, liked nothing so much. He came often to the + Milburns’ after Mrs Milburn said she hoped he would, and pleased her + extremely by the alacrity with which he accepted her first invitation to + stay to what she described as their very simple and unconventional meal. + Later he won her approval entirely by saying boldly that he hoped he was + going to be allowed to stay. It was only in good English society, Mrs + Milburn declared, that you found such freedom and confidence; it reminded + her of Mrs Emmett’s saying that her sister-in-law in London was always at + home to lunch. Mrs Milburn considered a vague project of informing a + select number of her acquaintances that she was always at home to high + tea, but on reflection dismissed it, in case an inconvenient number should + come at once. She would never have gone into detail, but since a tin of + sardines will only hold so many, I may say for her that it was the part of + wisdom. + </p> + <p> + Mr Hesketh, however, wore the safe and attractive aspect of a single + exceptional instance; there were always sardines enough for him. It will + be imagined what pleasure Mrs Milburn and Miss Filkin took in his visits, + how he propped up their standard of behaviour in all things unessential, + which was too likely to be growing limp, so far from approved examples. I + think it was a real aesthetic satisfaction; I know they would talk of it + afterward for hours, with sighing comparisons of the “form” of the young + men of Elgin, which they called beside Hesketh’s quite outre. It was a + favourite word with Mrs Milburn—outre. She used it like a lorgnette, + and felt her familiarity with it a differentiating mark. Mr Milburn, never + so susceptible to delicate distinctions, looked upon the young Englishman + with benevolent neutrality. Dora wished it to be understood that she + reserved her opinion. He might be all that he seemed, and again he might + not. Englishmen were so deep. They might have nice manners, but they + didn’t always act up to them, so far as she had noticed. There was that + Honourable Somebody, who was in jail even then for trying to borrow money + under false pretences from the Governor-General. Lorne, when she expressed + these views to him, reassured her, but she continued to maintain a guarded + attitude upon Mr Hesketh, to everybody except Mr Hesketh himself. + </p> + <p> + It was Dora, as I have said, who imparted the news. Lorne had come over + with it in the afternoon, still a little dazed and unbelieving in the face + of his tremendous luck, helped by finding her so readily credulous to + thinking it reasonably possible himself. He could not have done better + than come to Dora for a correction of any undue exaltation that he might + have felt, however. She supplied it in ten minutes by reminding him of + their wisdom in keeping the secret of their relations. His engagement to + the daughter of a prominent Conservative would not indeed have told in his + favour with his party, to say nothing of the anomaly of Mr Milburn’s + unyielding opposition to the new policy. “I never knew Father so nearly + bitter about anything,” Dora said, a statement which left her lover + thoughtful, but undaunted. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll bring him round,” said Lorne, “when he sees that the British + manufacturer can’t possibly get the better of men on the spot, who know to + a nut the local requirements.” + </p> + <p> + To which she had responded, “Oh, Lorne, don’t begin THAT again,” and he + had gone away hot-foot for the first step of preparation. + </p> + <p> + “It’s exactly what I should have expected,” said Hesketh, when she told + him. “Murchison is the very man they want. He’s cut out for a political + success. I saw that when he was in England.” + </p> + <p> + “You haven’t been very long in the country, Mr Hesketh, or we shouldn’t + hear you saying that,” said Mr Milburn, amicably. “It’s a very remarkable + thing with us, a political party putting forward so young a man. Now with + you I expect a young fellow might get in on his rank or his wealth—your + principle of nonpayment of members confines your selection more or less. I + don’t say you’re not right, but over here we do pay, you see, and it makes + a lot of difference in the competition. It isn’t a greater honour, but + it’s more sought for. I expect there’ll be a good many sore heads over + this business.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s all the more creditable to Murchison,” said Hesketh. + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is—a great feather in his cap. Oh, I don’t say young + Murchison isn’t a rising fellow, but it’s foolishness for his party—I + can’t think who is responsible for it. However, they’ve got a pretty + foolish platform just now—they couldn’t win this seat on it with any + man. A lesson will be good for them.” + </p> + <p> + “Father, don’t you think Lorne will get in?” asked Dora, in a tone of + injury and slight resentment. + </p> + <p> + “Not by a handful,” said her father. “Mr Walter Winter will represent + South Fox in the next session of Parliament, if you ask my opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Father,” returned his daughter with an outraged inflection, “you’ll + vote for Lorne?” + </p> + <p> + A smile went round the table, discreetest in Mrs Milburn. + </p> + <p> + “I’m afraid not,” said Mr Milburn, “I’m afraid not. Sorry to disoblige, + but principles are principles.” + </p> + <p> + Dora perceptibly pouted. Mrs Milburn created a diversion with green-gage + preserves. Under cover of it Hesketh asked, “Is he a great friend of + yours?” + </p> + <p> + “One of my very greatest,” Dora replied. “I know he’ll expect Father to + vote for him. It makes it awfully embarrassing for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I fancy he’ll understand!” said Hesketh, easily. “Political + convictions are serious things, you know. Friendship isn’t supposed to + interfere with them. I wonder,” he went on, meditatively, “whether I could + be of any use to Murchison. Now that I’ve made up my mind to stop till + after Christmas I’ll be on hand for the fight. I’ve had some experience. I + used to canvass now and then from Oxford; it was always a tremendous + lark.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mr Hesketh, DO! Really and truly he is one of my oldest friends, and + I should love to see him get in. I know his sister, too. They’re a very + clever family. Quite self-made, you know, but highly respected. Promise me + you will.” + </p> + <p> + “I promise with pleasure. And I wish it were something it would give me + more trouble to perform. I like Murchison,” said Hesketh. + </p> + <p> + All this transpiring while they were supposed to be eating green-gage + preserves, and Mrs Milburn and Miss Filkin endeavoured to engage the head + of the house in the kind of easy allusion to affairs of the moment to + which Mr Hesketh would be accustomed as a form of conversation—the + accident to the German Empress, the marriage of one of the Rothschilds. + The ladies were compelled to supply most of the facts and all of the + interest but they kept up a gallant line of attack; and the young man, + taking gratified possession of Dora’s eyes, was extremely obliged to them. + </p> + <p> + Hesketh lost no time in communicating his willingness to be of use to + Murchison, and Lorne felt all his old friendliness rise up in him as he + cordially accepted the offer. It was made with British heartiness, it was + thoroughly meant. Lorne was half-ashamed in his recognition of its + quality. A certain aloofness had grown in him against his will since + Hesketh had prolonged his stay in the town, difficult to justify, + impossible to define. Hesketh as Hesketh was worthily admirable as ever, + wholesome and agreeable, as well turned out by his conscience as he was by + his tailor; it was Hesketh in his relation to his new environment that + seemed vaguely to come short. This in spite of an enthusiasm which was + genuine enough; he found plenty of things to like about the country. It + was perhaps in some manifestation of sensitiveness that he failed; he had + the adaptability of the pioneer among rugged conditions, but he could not + mingle quite immediately with the essence of them; he did not perceive the + genius loci. Lorne had been conscious of this as a kind of undefined + grievance; now he specified it and put it down to Hesketh’s isolation + among ways that were different from the ways he knew. You were bound to + notice that Hesketh as a stranger had his own point of view, his own + training to retreat upon. + </p> + <p> + “I certainly liked him better over there,” Lorne told Advena, “but then he + was a part of it—he wasn’t separated out as he is here. He was just + one sort of fellow that you admired, and there were lots of sorts that you + admired more. Over here you seem to see round him somehow.” + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t have thought it difficult,” said his sister. + </p> + <p> + “Besides,” Lorne confessed, “I expect it was easier to like him when you + were inclined to like everybody. A person feels more critical of a + visitor, especially when he’s had advantages,” he added honestly. “I + expect we don’t care about having to acknowledge ‘em so very much—that’s + what it comes to.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see them,” said Advena. “Mr Hesketh seems well enough in his way, + fairly intelligent and anxious to be pleasant. But I can’t say I find him + a specially interesting or valuable type.” + </p> + <p> + “Interesting, you wouldn’t. But valuable—well, you see, you haven’t + been in England—you haven’t seen them over there, crowds of ‘em, + piling up the national character. Hesketh’s an average, and for an average + he’s high. Oh, he’s a good sort—and he just SMELLS of England.” + </p> + <p> + “He seems all right in his politics,” said John Murchison, filling his + pipe from the tobacco jar on the mantelpiece. “But I doubt whether you’ll + find him much assistance the way he talks of. Folks over here know their + own business—they’ve had to learn it. I doubt if they’ll take + showing from Hesketh.” + </p> + <p> + “They might be a good deal worse advised.” + </p> + <p> + “That may be,” said Mr Murchison, and settled down in his armchair behind + the Dominion. + </p> + <p> + “I agree with Father,” said Advena. “He won’t be any good, Lorne.” + </p> + <p> + “Advena prefers Scotch,” remarked Stella. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know. He’s full of the subject,” said Lorne. “He can present it + from the other side.” + </p> + <p> + “The side of the British exporter?” inquired his father, looking over the + top of the Dominion with unexpected humour. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. Though there are places where we might talk cheap overcoats and + tablecloths and a few odds and ends like that. The side of the all-British + loaf and the lot of people there are to eat it,” said Lorne. “That ought + to make a friendly feeling. And if there’s anything in the sentiment of + the scheme,” he added, “it shouldn’t do any harm to have a good specimen + of the English people advocating it. Hesketh ought to be an + object-lesson.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t put too much faith in the object-lesson,” said John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “Neither would I,” said Stella emphatically. “Mister Alfred Hesketh may + pass in an English crowd, but over here he’s just an ignorant young man, + and you’d better not have him talking with his mouth at any of your + meetings. Tell him to go and play with Walter Winter.” + </p> + <p> + “I heard he was asking at Volunteer Headquarters the other night,” + remarked Alec, “how long it would be before a man like himself, if he + threw in his lot with the country, could expect to get nominated for a + provincial seat.” + </p> + <p> + “What did they tell him?” asked Mr Murchison, when they had finished their + laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I heard they said it would depend a good deal on the size of the lot.” + </p> + <p> + “And a little on the size of the man,” remarked Advena. + </p> + <p> + “He said he would be willing to take a seat in a Legislature and work up,” + Alec went on. “Ontario for choice, because he thought the people of this + Province more advanced.” + </p> + <p> + “There’s a representative committee being formed to give the inhabitants + of the poor-house a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day,” said Advena. “He + might begin with that.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say he would if anybody told him. He’s just dying to be taken into + the public service,” Alec said. “He’s in dead earnest about it. He thinks + this country’s a great place because it gives a man the chance of a public + career.” + </p> + <p> + “Why is it,” asked Advena “that when people have no capacity for private + usefulness they should be so anxious to serve the public?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come,” said Lorne, “Hesketh has an income of his own. Why should he + sweat for his living? We needn’t pride ourselves on being so taken up with + getting ours. A man like that is in a position to do some good, and I hope + Hesketh will get a chance if he stays over here. We’ll soon see how he + speaks. He’s going to follow Farquharson at Jordanville on Thursday week.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder at Farquharson,” said his father. + </p> + <p> + By this time the candidature of Mr Lorne Murchison was well in the public + eye. The Express announced it in a burst of beaming headlines, with a + biographical sketch and a “cut” of its young fellow-townsman. Horace + Williams, whose hand was plain in every line apologized for the brevity of + the biography—quality rather than quantity, he said; it was all + good, and time would make it better. This did not prevent the Mercury + observing the next evening that the Liberal organ had omitted to state the + age at which the new candidate was weaned. The Toronto papers commented + according to their party bias, but so far as the candidate was concerned + there was lack of the material of criticism. If he had achieved little for + praise he had achieved nothing for detraction. There was no inconsistent + public utterance, no doubtful transaction, no scandalous paper to bring + forward to his detriment. When the fact that he was but twenty-eight years + of age had been exhausted in elaborate ridicule, little more was + available. The policy he championed, however, lent itself to the widest + discussion, and it was instructive to note how the Opposition press, while + continuing to approve the great principle involved, found material for + gravest criticism in the Government’s projected application of it. + Interest increased in the South Fox by-election as its first touchstone, + and gathered almost romantically about Lorne Murchison as its spirited + advocate. It was commonly said that whether he was returned or not on this + occasion, his political future was assured; and his name was carried up + and down the Dominion with every new wind of imperial doctrine that blew + across the Atlantic. He himself felt splendidly that he rode upon the + crest of a wave of history. However the event appeared which was hidden + beyond the horizon, the great luck of that buoyant emotion, of that + thrilling suspense, would be his in a very special way. He was exhilarated + by the sense of crisis, and among all the conferences and calculations + that armed him for his personal struggle, he would now and then breathe in + his private soul, “Choose quickly, England,” like a prayer. + </p> + <p> + Elgin rose to its liking for the fellow, and even his political enemies + felt a half-humorous pride that the town had produced a candidate whose + natural parts were held to eclipse the age and experience of party hacks. + Plenty of them were found to declare that Lorne Murchison would poll more + votes for the Grits than any other man they could lay their hands on, with + the saving clause that neither he nor any other man could poll quite + enough this time. They professed to be content to let the issue have it; + meanwhile they congratulated Lorne on his chance, telling him that a knock + or two wouldn’t do him any harm at his age. Walter Winter, who hadn’t been + on speaking terms with Farquharson, made a point of shaking hands with + Murchison in the publicity of the post-office, and assuring him that he, + Winter, never went into a contest more confident of the straight thing on + the part of the other side. Such cavilling as there was came from the + organized support of his own party and had little importance because it + did. The grumblers fell into line almost as soon as Horace Williams said + they would; a little oil, one small appointment wrung from the Ontario + Government—Fawkes, I believe, got it—and the machine was again + in good working order. Lorne even profited, in the opinion of many, by the + fact of his youth, with its promise of energy and initiative, since Mr + Farquharson had lately been showing the defects as well as the qualities + of age and experience, and the charge of servile timidity was already in + the mouths of his critics. + </p> + <p> + The agricultural community took it, as usual, with phlegm; but there was a + distinct tendency in the bar at Barker’s, on market-days, to lay money on + the colt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <p> + Mr Farquharson was to retain his seat until the early spring, for the + double purpose of maintaining his influence upon an important commission + of which he was chairman until the work should be done, and of giving the + imperial departure championed by his successor as good a chance as + possible of becoming understood in the constituency. It was understood + that the new writ would issue for a date in March; Elgin referred all + interest to that point, and prophesied for itself a lively winter. Another + event, of importance less general, was arranged for the end of February—the + arrival of Miss Cameron and Mrs Kilbannon from Scotland. Finlay had + proposed an earlier date, but matters of business connected with her + mother’s estate would delay Miss Cameron’s departure. Her arrival would be + the decisive point of another campaign. He and Advena faced it without + misgiving, but there were moments when Finlay greatly wished the moment + past. + </p> + <p> + Their intimacy had never been conspicuous, and their determination to make + no change in it could be carried out without attracting attention. It was + very dear to them, that determination. They saw it as a test, as an ideal. + Last of all, perhaps, as an alleviation. They were both too much + encumbered with ideas to move simply, quickly, on the impulse of passion. + They looked at it through the wrong end of the glass, and thought they put + it farther away. They believed that their relation comprised, would always + comprise, the best of life. It was matter for discussion singularly + attractive; they allowed themselves upon it wide scope in theory. They + could speak of it in the heroic temper, without sadness or bitterness; the + thing was to tear away the veil and look fate in the face. The great + thing, perhaps, was to speak of it while still they could give themselves + leave; a day would arrive, they acknowledged with averted eyes, when + dumbness would be more becoming. Meanwhile, Mrs Murchison would have found + it hard to sustain her charge against them that they talked of nothing but + books and authors; the philosophy of life, as they were intensely creating + it, was more entrancing than any book or any author. Simply and + definitely, and to their own satisfaction, they had abandoned the natural + demands of their state; they lived in its exaltation and were far from + accidents. Deep in both of them was a kind of protective nobility; I will + not say it cost them nothing, but it turned the scenes between them into + comedy of the better sort, the kind that deserves the relief of stone or + bronze. Advena, had she heard it, would have repelled Dr Drummond’s + warning with indignation. If it were so possible to keep their friendship + on an unfaltering level then, with the latitude they had, what danger + could attend them later, when the social law would support them, divide + them, protect them? Dr Drummond, suspecting all, looked grimly on, and + from November to March found no need to invite Mr Finlay to occupy the + pulpit of Knox Church. + </p> + <p> + They had come to full knowledge that night of their long walk in the dark + together; but even then, in the rush and shock and glory of it, they had + held apart; and their broken avowals had crossed with difficulty from one + to the other. The whole fabric of circumstance was between them, to + realize and to explore; later surveys, as we know, had not reduced it. + They gave it great credit as a barrier; I suppose because it kept them out + of each other’s arms. It had done that. + </p> + <p> + It was Advena, I fear, who insisted most that they should continue upon + terms of happy debt to one another, the balance always changing, the + account never closed and rendered. She no doubt felt that she might impose + the terms; she had unconsciously the sense of greater sacrifice, and knew + that she had been mistress of the situation long before he was aware of + it. He agreed with joy and with misgiving; he saw with enthusiasm her high + conception of their alliance, but sometimes wondered, poor fellow, whether + he was right in letting it cover him. He came to the house as he had done + before, as often as he could, and reproached himself that he could not, + after all, come very often. + </p> + <p> + That they should discuss their relation as candidly as they sustained it + was perhaps a little peculiar to them, so I have laid stress on it; but it + was not by any means their sole preoccupation. They talked like tried + friends of their every-day affairs. Indeed, after the trouble and + intoxication of their great understanding had spent itself, it was the + small practical interests of life that seemed to hold them most. One might + think that Nature, having made them her invitation upon the higher plane, + abandoned them in the very scorn of her success to the warm human + commonplaces that do her work well enough with the common type. Mrs + Murchison would have thought better of them if she had chanced again to + overhear. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn’t advise you to have it lined with fur,” Advena was saying. The + winter had sharply announced itself, and Finlay, to her reproach about his + light overcoat, had declared his intention of ordering a buffalo-skin the + following day. “And the buffaloes are all gone, you know—thirty + years ago,” she laughed. “You really are not modern in practical matters. + Does it ever surprise you that you get no pemmican for dinner, and hardly + ever meet an Indian in his feathers?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her with delight in his sombre eyes. It was a new discovery, + her capacity for happily chaffing him, only revealed since she had come + out of her bonds to love; it was hard to say which of them took the + greater pleasure in it. + </p> + <p> + “What is the use of living in Canada if you can’t have fur on your + clothes?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + “You may have a little—astrakhan, I would—on the collar and + cuffs,” she said. “A fur lining is too hot if there happens to be a thaw, + and then you would leave it off and take cold. You have all the look,” she + added, with a gravely considering glance at him, “of a person who ought to + take care of his chest.” + </p> + <p> + He withdrew his eyes hurriedly, and fixed them instead on his pipe. He + always brought it with him, by her order, and Advena usually sewed. He + thought as he watched her that it made the silences enjoyable. + </p> + <p> + “And expensive, I dare say, too,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, more or less. Alec paid fifty dollars for his, and never liked it.” + </p> + <p> + “Fifty dollars—ten pounds! No vair for me!” he declared. “By the + way, Mrs Firmin is threatening to turn me out of house and home. A married + daughter is coming to live with her, and she wants my rooms.” + </p> + <p> + “When does she come—the married daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, not till the early spring! There’s no immediate despair,” said + Finlay, “but it is dislocating. My books and I had just succeeded in + making room for one another.” + </p> + <p> + “But you will have to move, in any case, in the early spring.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I will. I had—I might have remembered that.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you found a house yet?” Advena asked him. + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you been looking?” It was a gentle, sensible reminder. + </p> + <p> + “I’m afraid I haven’t.” He moved in his chair as if in physical + discomfort. “Do you think I ought—so soon? There are always plenty + of—houses, aren’t there?” + </p> + <p> + “Not plenty of desirable ones. Do you think you must live in East Elgin?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be rather more convenient.” + </p> + <p> + “Because there are two semidetached in River Street, just finished, that + look very pretty and roomy. I thought when I saw them that one of them + might be what you would like.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” he said, and tried not to say it curtly. + </p> + <p> + “They belong to White, the grocer. River Street isn’t East Elgin, but it + is that way, and it would be a great deal pleasanter for—for her.” + </p> + <p> + “I must consider that, of course. You haven’t been in them? I should hope + for a bright sitting-room, and a very private study.” + </p> + <p> + If Advena was aware of any unconscious implication, the pair of eyes she + turned upon him showed no trace of satisfaction in it. + </p> + <p> + “No, I haven’t. But if I could be of any use I should be very glad to go + over them with you, and—” + </p> + <p> + She stopped involuntarily, checked by the embarrassment in his face, + though she had to wait for his words to explain it. + </p> + <p> + “I should be most grateful. But—but might it not be misunderstood?” + </p> + <p> + She bent her head over her work, and one of those instants passed between + them which he had learned to dread. They were so completely the human pair + as they sat together, withdrawn in comfort and shelter, absorbed in homely + matters and in each other; it was easy to forget that they were only a + picture, a sham, and that the reality lay further on, in the early spring. + It must have been hard for him to hear without resentment that she was + ready to help him to make a home for that reality. He was fast growing + instructed in women, although by a post-graduate course. + </p> + <p> + Advena looked up. “Possibly,” she said, calmly, and their agitation lay + still between them. He was silently angry; the thing that stirred without + their leave had been sweet. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Advena, “I can’t go, I suppose. I’m sorry. I should have liked + so much to be of use.” She looked up at him appealingly, and sudden tears + came and stood in her eyes, and would perhaps have undone his hurt but + that he was staring into the fire. + </p> + <p> + “How can you be of use,” he said, almost irritably, “in such ways as + those? They are not important, and I am not sure that for us they are + legitimate. If you were about to be—married”—he seemed to + plunge at the word—“I should not wish either to hasten you or to + house you. I should turn my back on it all. You should have nothing from + me,” he went on, with a forced smile, “but my blessing, delivered over my + shoulder.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure they are not important,” she said humbly—privately all + unwilling to give up her martyrdom, “but surely they are legitimate. I + would like to help you in every little way I can. Don’t you like me in + your life? You have said that I may stay.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you think that by taking strong measures one can exorcise + things,” he said. “That if we could only write out this history of ours in + our hearts’ blood it would somehow vanish.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” she said, “but I should like to do it all the same.” + </p> + <p> + “You must bear with me if I refuse the heroic in little. It is even harder + than the other.” He broke off, leaning back and looking at her from under + his shading hand as if that might protect him from too complete a vision. + The firelight was warm on her cheek and hair, her needle once again + completed the dear delusion: she sat there, his wife. This was an aspect + he forbade, but it would return; here it was again. + </p> + <p> + “It is good to have you in my life,” he said. “It is also good to + recognize one’s possibilities.” + </p> + <p> + “How can you definitely lose me?” she asked, and he shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know. Now that I have found you it is as if you and I had been + rocked together on the tide of that inconceivable ocean that casts us + half-awake upon life,” he said dreamily. “It isn’t friendship of ideas, + it’s a friendship of spirit. Indeed, I hope and pray never wholly to lose + that.” + </p> + <p> + “You never will,” she told him. “How many worlds one lives in as the day + goes by with the different people one cares for—one beyond the + other, concentric, ringing from the heart! Yours comprises all the others; + it lies the farthest out—and alas! at present, the closest in,” she + added irresistibly to the asking of his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “But,” she hurried on, taking high ground to remedy her indiscretion, “I + look forward to the time when this—other feeling of ours will become + just an idea, as it is now just an emotion, at which we should try to + smile. It is the attitude of the gods.” + </p> + <p> + “And therefore not becoming to men. Why should we, not being gods. borrow + their attitude?” said Finlay. + </p> + <p> + “I could never kill it,” she put her work in her lap to say, “by any + sudden act of violence. It would seem a kind of suicide. While it rules it + is like one’s life—absolute. But to isolate it—to place it + beyond the currents from the heart—to look at it, and realize it, + and conquer it for what it is—I don’t think it need take so very + long. And then our friendship will be beautiful without reproach.” + </p> + <p> + “I sometimes fear there may not be time enough in life,” he said. “And if + I find that I must simply go—to British Columbia, I think—those + mining missions would give a man his chance against himself. There is + splendid work to be done there, of a rough-and-ready kind that would make + it puerile to spend time in self-questioning.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled as if at a violent boy. “We can do it. We can do it here,” she + said. “May I quote another religion to you? ‘From purification there + arises in the Yogi a thorough discernment of the cause and nature of the + body, whereupon he loses that regard which others have for the bodily + form.’ Then, if he loves, he loves in spirit and in truth. I look forward + to the time,” she went on calmly, “when the best that I can give you or + you can give me will ride upon a glance.” + </p> + <p> + “I used to feel more drawn to the ascetic achievement and its rewards,” he + remarked thoughtfully, “than I do now.” + </p> + <p> + “If I were not a Presbyterian in Canada,” she told him, “I would be a + Buddhist in Burma. But I have inherited the Shorter Catechism; I must + remain without the Law.” + </p> + <p> + Finlay smiled. “They are the simple,” he said. “Our Law makes wise the + simple.” + </p> + <p> + Advena looked for a moment into the fire. She was listening, with + admiration, to her heart; she would not be led to consider esoteric + contrasts of East and West. + </p> + <p> + “Isn’t there something that appeals to you,” she said, “in the thought of + just leaving it, all unsaid and all undone, a dear and tender projection + upon the future that faded—a lovely thing we turned away from, until + one day it was no longer there?” + </p> + <p> + “Charming,” he said, averting his eyes so that she should not see the + hunger in them. “Charming—literature!” + </p> + <p> + She smiled and sighed, and he wrenched his mind to the consideration of + the Buddhism of Browning. She followed him obediently, but the lines they + wanted did not come easily; they were compelled to search and verify. + Something lately seemed lost to them of that kind of glad activity; he was + more aware of it than she, since he was less occupied in the aesthetic + ecstasy of self-torture. In the old time before the sun rose they had been + so conscious of realms of idea lying just beyond the achievement of + thought, approachable, visible by phrases, brokenly, realms which they + could see closer when they essayed together. He constantly struggled to + reach those enchanted areas again, but they seemed to have gone down + behind the horizon; and the only inspiration that carried them far drew + its impetus from the poetry of their plight. They looked for verses to + prove that Browning’s imagination carried him bravely through lives and + lives to come, and found them to speculate whether in such chances they + might hope to meet again. + </p> + <p> + And the talk came back to his difficulties with his Board of Management, + and to her choice of a frame for the etching he had given her, by his + friend the Glasgow impressionist, and to their opinion of a common + acquaintance, and to Lorne and his prospects. He told her how little she + resembled her brother, and where they diverged, and how; and she listened + with submission and delight, enchanted to feel his hand upon her intimate + nature. She lingered in the hall while he got into his overcoat, and saw + that a glove was the worse for wear. “Would it be the heroic-in-little,” + she begged, “to let me mend that?” + </p> + <p> + As he went out alone into the winter streets he too drew upon a pagan for + his admonition. “‘What then art thou doing here, O imagination?’” he + groaned in his private heart. “‘Go away, I entreat thee by the gods, for I + want thee not. But thou art come again according to thy old fashion. I am + not angry with thee, only go away!’” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV + </h2> + <p> + Miss Milburn pressed her contention that the suspicion of his desire would + be bad for her lover’s political prospects till she made him feel his + honest passion almost a form of treachery to his party. She also hinted + that, for the time being, it did not make particularly for her own comfort + in the family circle, Mr Milburn having grown by this time quite bitter. + She herself drew the excitement of intrigue from the situation, which she + hid behind her pretty, pale, decorous features, and never betrayed by the + least of her graceful gestures. She told herself that she had never been + so right about anything as about that affair of the ring—imagine, + for an instant, if she had been wearing it now! She would have banished + Lorne altogether if she could. As he insisted on an occasional meeting, + she clothed it in mystery, appointing it for an evening when her mother + and aunt were out, and answering his ring at the door herself. To her + family she remarked with detachment that you saw hardly anything of Lorne + Murchison now, he was so taken up with his old election; and to Hesketh + she confided her fear that politics did interfere with friendship, + whatever he might say. He said a good deal, he cited lofty examples; but + the only agreement he could get from her was the hope that the + estrangement wouldn’t be permanent. + </p> + <p> + “But you are going to say something, Lorne,” she insisted, talking of the + Jordanville meeting. + </p> + <p> + “Not much,” he told her. “It’s the safest district we’ve got, and they + adore old Farquharson. He’ll do most of the talking—they wouldn’t + thank me for taking up the time. Farquharson is going to tell them I’m a + first-class man, and they couldn’t do better, and I’ve practically only to + show my face and tell them I think so too.” + </p> + <p> + “But Mr Hesketh will speak?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; we thought it would be a good chance of testing him. He may interest + them, and he can’t do much harm, anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + “Lorne, I should simply love to go. It’s your first meeting.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll take you.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr Murchison, HAVE you taken leave of your senses? Really, you are—” + </p> + <p> + “All right, I’ll send you. Farquharson and I are going out to the Crow + place to supper, but Hesketh is driving straight there. He’ll be delighted + to bring you—who wouldn’t?” + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn’t be allowed to go with him alone,” said Dora, thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Well, no. I don’t know that I’d approve of that myself,” laughed the + confident young man. “Hesketh is driving Mrs Farquharson, and the cutter + will easily hold three. Isn’t it lucky there’s sleighing?” + </p> + <p> + “Mother couldn’t object to that,” said Dora. “Lorne, I always said you + were the dearest fellow! I’ll wear a thick veil, and not a soul will know + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a soul would in any case,” said Lorne. “It’ll be a Jordanville crowd, + you know—nobody from Elgin.” + </p> + <p> + “We don’t visit much in Jordanville, certainly. Well, Mother mayn’t + object. She has a great idea of Mrs Farquharson, because she has attended + eleven Drawing-Rooms at Ottawa, and one of them was given—held, I + should say—by the Princess Louise.” + </p> + <p> + “I won’t promise you eleven,” said Lorne, “but there seems to be a pretty + fair chance of one or two.” + </p> + <p> + At this she had a tale for him which charmed his ears. “I didn’t know + where to look,” she said. “Aunt Emmie, you know, has a very bad trick of + coming into my room without knocking. Well, in she walked last night, and + found me before the glass PRACTISING MY CURTSEY! I could have killed her. + Pretended she thought I was out.” + </p> + <p> + “Dora, would you like ME to promise something?” he asked, with a + mischievous look. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, I would. I don’t care how much YOU promise. What?” + </p> + <p> + But already he repented of his daring, and sat beside her suddenly + conscious and abashed. Nor could any teasing prevail to draw from him what + had been on his audacious lips to say. + </p> + <p> + Social precedents are easily established in the country. The accident that + sent the first Liberal canvasser for Jordanville votes to the Crow place + for his supper would be hard to discover now; the fact remains that he has + been going there ever since. It made a greater occasion than Mrs Crow + would ever have dreamed of acknowledging. She saw to it that they had a + good meal of victuals, and affected indifference to the rest; they must + say their say, she supposed. If the occasion had one satisfaction which + she came nearer to confessing than another, it was that the two or three + substantial neighbours who usually came to meet the politicians left their + wives at home, and that she herself, to avoid giving any offence on this + score, never sat down with the men. Quite enough to do it was, she would + explain later, for her and the hired girl to wait on them and to clear up + after them. She and Bella had their bite afterward when the men had + hitched up, and when they could exchange comments of proud congratulation + upon the inroads on the johnny-cake or the pies. So there was no ill + feeling, and Mrs Crow, having vindicated her dignity by shaking hands with + the guests of the evening in the parlour, solaced it further by + maintaining the masculine state of the occasion, in spite of protests or + entreaties. To sit down opposite Mr Crow would have made it ordinary + “company”; she passed the plates and turned it into a function. + </p> + <p> + She was waiting for them on the parlour sofa when Crow brought them in out + of the nipping early dark of December, Elmore staying behind in the yard + with the horses. She sat on the sofa in her best black dress with the bead + trimming on the neck and sleeves, a good deal pushed up and wrinkled + across the bosom, which had done all that would ever be required of it + when it gave Elmore and Abe their start in life. Her wiry hands were + crossed in her lap in the moment of waiting: you could tell by the look of + them that they were not often crossed there. They were strenuous hands; + the whole worn figure was strenuous, and the narrow set mouth, and the + eyes which had looked after so many matters for so long, and even the way + the hair was drawn back into a knot in a fashion that would have given a + phrenologist his opportunity. It was a different Mrs Crow from the one + that sat in the midst of her poultry and garden-stuff in the Elgin market + square; but it was even more the same Mrs Crow, the sum of a certain + measure of opportunity and service, an imperial figure in her bead + trimming, if the truth were known. + </p> + <p> + The room was heated to express the geniality that was harder to put in + words. The window was shut; there was a smell of varnish and whatever was + inside the “suite” of which Mrs Crow occupied the sofa. Enlarged + photographs—very much enlarged—of Mr and Mrs Crow hung upon + the walls, and one other of a young girl done in that process which tells + you at once that she was an only daughter and that she is dead. There had + been other bereavements; they were written upon the silver coffin-plates + which, framed and glazed, also contributed to the decoration of the room; + but you would have had to look close, and you might feel a delicacy. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Crow made her greetings with precision, and sat down again upon the + sofa for a few minutes’ conversation. + </p> + <p> + “I’m telling them,” said her husband, “that the sleighin’s just held out + for them. If it ‘ud been tomorrow they’d have had to come on wheels. + Pretty soft travellin’ as it was, some places, I guess.” + </p> + <p> + “Snow’s come early this year,” said Mrs Crow. “It was an open fall, too.” + </p> + <p> + “It has certainly,” Mr Farquharson backed her up. “About as early as I + remember it. I don’t know how much you got out here; we had a good foot in + Elgin.” + </p> + <p> + “‘Bout the same, ‘bout the same,” Mr Crow deliberated, “but it’s been + layin’ light all along over Clayfield way—ain’t had a pair of + runners out, them folks.” + </p> + <p> + “Makes a more cheerful winter, Mrs Crow, don’t you think, when it comes + early?” remarked Lorne. “Or would you rather not get it till after + Christmas?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know as it matters much, out here in the country. We don’t get a + great many folks passin’, best of times. An’ it’s more of a job to take + care of the stock.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s so,” Mr Crow told them. “Chores come heavier when there’s snow on + the ground, a great sight, especially if there’s drifts.” + </p> + <p> + And for an instant, with his knotted hands hanging between his knees he + pondered this unvarying aspect of his yearly experience. They all pondered + it, sympathetic. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, Mr Farquharson,” Mrs Crow turned to him. “An’ how reely BE ye? + We’ve heard better, an’ worse, an’ middlin’—there’s ben such + contradictory reports.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, very well, Mrs Crow. Never better. I’m going to give a lot more + trouble yet. I can’t do it in politics, that’s the worst of it. But here’s + the man that’s going to do it for me. Here’s the man!” + </p> + <p> + The Crows looked at the pretendant, as in duty bound, but not any longer + than they could help. + </p> + <p> + “Why, I guess you were at school with Elmore?” said Crow, as if the idea + had just struck him. + </p> + <p> + “He may be right peart, for all that,” said Elmore’s mother, and Elmore, + himself, entering with two leading Liberals of Jordanville, effected a + diversion, under cover of which Mrs Crow escaped, to superintend, with + Bella, the last touches to the supper in the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + Politics in and about Jordanville were accepted as a purely masculine + interest. If you had asked Mrs Crow to take a hand in them she would have + thanked you with sarcasm, and said she thought she had about enough to do + as it was. The school-house, on the night of such a meeting as this, was + recognized to be no place for ladies. It was a man’s affair, left to the + men, and the appearance there of the other sex would have been greeted + with remark and levity. Elgin, as we know, was more sophisticated in every + way, plenty of ladies attended political meetings in the Drill Shed, where + seats as likely as not would be reserved for them; plenty of handkerchiefs + waved there for the encouragement of the hero of the evening. They did not + kiss him; British phlegm, so far, had stayed that demonstration at the + southern border. + </p> + <p> + The ladies of Elgin, however, drew the line somewhere, drew it at country + meetings. Mrs Farquharson went with her husband because, since his state + of health had handed him over to her more than ever, she saw it a part of + her wifely duty. His retirement had been decided upon for the spring, but + she would be on hand to retire him at any earlier moment should the + necessity arise. “We’ll be the only female creatures there, my dear,” she + had said to Dora on the way out, and Hesketh had praised them both for + public spirit. He didn’t know, he said, how anybody would get elected in + England without the ladies, especially in the villages, where the people + were obliged to listen respectfully. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder you can afford to throw away all the influence you get in the + rural districts with soup and blankets,” he said; “but this is an + extravagant country in many ways.” Dora kept silence, not being sure of + the social prestige bound up with the distribution of soup and blankets, + but Mrs Farquharson set him sharply right. + </p> + <p> + “I guess we’d rather do without our influence if it came to that,” she + said. + </p> + <p> + Hesketh listened with deference to her account of the rural district which + had as yet produced no Ladies Bountiful, made mental notes of several + points, and placed her privately as a woman of more than ordinary + intelligence. I have always claimed for Hesketh an open mind; he was + filling it now, to its capacity, with care and satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + The schoolroom was full and waiting when they arrived. Jordanville had + been well billed, and the posters held, in addition to the conspicuous + names of Farquharson and Murchison, that of Mr Alfred Hesketh (of London, + England). There was a “send-off” to give to the retiring member, there was + a critical inspection to make of the new candidate, and there was Mr + Alfred Hesketh, of London, England, and whatever he might signify. They + were big, quiet, expectant fellows, with less sophistication and polemic + than their American counterparts, less stolid aggressiveness than their + parallels in England, if they have parallels there. They stood, indeed, + for the development between the two; they came of the new country but not + of the new light; they were democrats who had never thrown off the monarch—what + harm did he do there overseas? They had the air of being prosperous, but + not prosperous enough for theories and doctrines. The Liberal vote of + South Fox had yet to be split by Socialism or Labour. Life was a decent + rough business that required all their attention; there was time enough + for sleep but not much for speculation. They sat leaning forward with + their hats dropped between their knees, more with the air of big + schoolboys expecting an entertainment than responsible electors come + together to approve their party’s choice. They had the uncomplaining + bucolic look, but they wore it with a difference; the difference, by this + time, was enough to mark them of another nation. Most of them had driven + to the meeting; it was not an adjournment from the public house. Nor did + the air hold any hint of beer. Where it had an alcoholic drift the flavour + was of whisky; but the stimulant of the occasion had been tea or cider, + and the room was full of patient good will. + </p> + <p> + The preliminaries were gone through with promptness; the Chair had supped + with the speakers, and Mr Crow had given him a friendly hint that the boys + wouldn’t be expecting much in the way of trimmings from HIM. Stamping and + clapping from the back benches greeted Mr Farquharson. It diminished, grew + more subdued, as it reached the front. The young fellows were mostly at + the back, and the power of demonstration had somehow ebbed in the old + ones. The retiring member addressed his constituents for half an hour. He + was standing before them as their representative for the last time, and it + was natural to look back and note the milestones behind, the changes for + the better with which he could fairly claim association. They were matters + of Federal business chiefly, beyond the immediate horizon of Jordanville, + but Farquharson made them a personal interest for that hour at all events, + and there were one or two points of educational policy which he could + illustrate by their own schoolhouse. He approached them, as he had always + done on the level of mutual friendly interest, and in the hope of doing + mutual friendly business. “You know and I know,” he said more than once; + they and he knew a number of things together. + </p> + <p> + He was afraid, he said, that if the doctors hadn’t chased him out of + politics, he never would have gone. Now, however, that they gave him no + choice, he was glad to think that though times had been pretty good for + the farmers of South Fox all through the eleven years of his appearance in + the political arena, he was leaving it at a moment when they promised to + be better still. Already, he was sure, they were familiar with the main + heads of that attractive prospect and, agreeable as the subject, great as + the policy was to him, he would leave it to be further unfolded by the + gentleman whom they all hoped to enlist in the cause, as his successor for + this constituency, Mr Lorne Murchison, and by his friend from the old + country, Mr Alfred Hesketh. He, Farquharson, would not take the words out + of the mouths of these gentlemen, much as he envied them the opportunity + of uttering them. The French Academy, he told them, that illustrious body + of literary and scientific men, had a custom, on the death of a member and + the selection of his successor, of appointing one of their number to + eulogize the newcomer. The person upon whom the task would most + appropriately fall, did circumstances permit, would be the departing + academician. In this case, he was happy to say, circumstances did permit—his + political funeral was still far enough off to enable him to express his + profound confidence in and his hearty admiration of the young and vigorous + political heir whom the Liberals of South Fox had selected to stand in his + shoes. Mr Farquharson proceeded to give his grounds for this confidence + and admiration, reminding the Jordanville electors that they had met Mr + Murchison as a Liberal standard-bearer in the last general election, when + he, Farquharson, had to acknowledge very valuable services on Mr + Murchison’s part. The retiring member then thanked his audience for the + kind attention and support they had given him for so many years, made a + final cheerful joke about a Pagan divinity known as Anno Domini, and took + his seat. + </p> + <p> + They applauded him, and it was plain that they regretted him, the tried + friend, the man there was never any doubt about, whose convictions they + had repeated, and whose speeches in Parliament they had read with a kind + of proprietorship for so long. The Chair had to wait, before introducing + Mr Alfred Hesketh, until the backbenchers had got through with a double + rendering of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” which bolder spirits sent + lustily forth from the anteroom where the little girls kept their hats and + comforters, interspersed with whoops. Hesketh, it had been arranged, + should speak next, and Lorne last. + </p> + <p> + Mr Hesketh left his wooden chair with smiling ease, the ease which is + intended to level distinctions and put everybody concerned on the best of + terms. He said that though he was no stranger to the work of political + campaigns, this was the first time that he had had the privilege of + addressing a colonial audience. “I consider,” said he handsomely, “that it + is a privilege.” He clasped his hands behind his back and threw out his + chest. + </p> + <p> + “Opinions have differed in England as to the value of the colonies, and + the consequence of colonials. I say here with pride that I have ever been + among those who insist that the value is very high and the consequence + very great. The fault is common to humanity, but we are, I fear, in + England, too prone to be led away by appearances, and to forget that under + a rough unpolished exterior may beat virtues which are the brightest + ornaments of civilization, that in the virgin fields of the possessions + which the good swords of our ancestors wrung for us from the Algonquins + and the—and the other savages—may be hidden the most glorious + period of the British race.” + </p> + <p> + Mr Hesketh paused and coughed. His audience neglected the opportunity for + applause, but he had their undivided attention. They were looking at him + and listening to him, these Canadian farmers, with curious interest in his + attitude, his appearance, his inflection, his whole personality as it + offered itself to them—it was a thing new and strange. Far out in + the Northwest, where the emigrant trains had been unloading all the + summer, Hesketh’s would have been a voice from home; but here, in + long-settled Ontario, men had forgotten the sound of it, with many other + things. They listened in silence, weighing with folded arms, appraising + with chin in hand; they were slow, equitable men. + </p> + <p> + “If we in England,” Hesketh proceeded, “required a lesson—as perhaps + we did—in the importance of the colonies, we had it; need I remind + you? in the course of the late protracted campaign in South Africa. Then + did the mother country indeed prove the loyalty and devotion of her + colonial sons. Then were envious nations compelled to see the spectacle of + Canadians and Australians rallying about the common flag, eager to attest + their affection for it with their life-blood, and to demonstrate that + they, too, were worthy to add deeds to British traditions and victories to + the British cause.” + </p> + <p> + Still no mark of appreciation. Hesketh began to think them an unhandsome + lot. He stood bravely, however, by the note he had sounded. He dilated on + the pleasure and satisfaction it had been to the people of England to + receive this mark of attachment from far-away dominions and dependencies, + on the cementing of the bonds of brotherhood by the blood of the fallen, + on the impossibility that the mother country should ever forget such + voluntary sacrifices for her sake, when, unexpectedly and irrelevantly, + from the direction of the cloakroom, came the expressive comment “Yah!” + </p> + <p> + Though brief, nothing could have been more to the purpose, and Hesketh + sacrificed several effective points to hurry to the quotation— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + What should they know of England + Who only England know? +</pre> + <p> + which he could not, perhaps, have been expected to forbear. His audience, + however, were plainly not in the vein for compliment. The same voice from + the anteroom inquired ironically, “That so?” and the speaker felt advised + to turn to more immediate considerations. + </p> + <p> + He said he had had the great pleasure on his arrival in this country to + find a political party, the party in power, their Canadian Liberal party, + taking initiative in a cause which he was sure they all had at heart—the + strengthening of the bonds between the colonies and the mother country. He + congratulated the Liberal party warmly upon having shown themselves + capable of this great function—a point at which he was again + interrupted; and he recapitulated some of the familiar arguments about the + desirability of closer union from the point of view of the army, of the + Admiralty, and from one which would come home, he knew, to all of them, + the necessity of a dependable food supply for the mother country in time + of war. Here he quoted a noble lord. He said that he believed no definite + proposals had been made, and he did not understand how any definite + proposals could be made; for his part, if the new arrangement was to be in + the nature of a bargain, he would prefer to have nothing to do with it. + </p> + <p> + “England,” he said, loftily, “has no wish to buy the loyalty of her + colonies, nor, I hope, has any colony the desire to offer her allegiance + at the price of preference in British markets. Even proposals for mutual + commercial benefit may be underpinned, I am glad to say, by loftier + principles than those of the market-place and the counting-house.” + </p> + <p> + At this one of his hearers, unacquainted with the higher commercial plane, + exclaimed, “How be ye goin’ to get ‘em kept to, then?” + </p> + <p> + Hesketh took up the question. He said a friend in the audience asked how + they were to ensure that such arrangements would be adhered to. His answer + was in the words of the Duke of Dartmoor, “By the mutual esteem, the + inherent integrity, and the willing compromise of the British race.” + </p> + <p> + Here someone on the back benches, impatient, doubtless, at his own + incapacity to follow this high doctrine, exclaimed intemperately, “Oh, + shut up!” and the gathering, remembering that this, after all, was not + what it had come for, began to hint that it had had enough in intermittent + stamps and uncompromising shouts for “Murchison!” + </p> + <p> + Hesketh kept on his legs, however, a few minutes longer. He had a + trenchant sentence to repeat to them which he thought they would take as a + direct message from the distinguished nobleman who had uttered it. The + Marquis of Aldeburgh was the father of the pithy thing, which he had + presented, as it happened, to Hesketh himself. The audience received it + with respect—Hesketh’s own respect was so marked—but with + misapprehension; there had been too many allusions to the nobility for a + community so far removed from its soothing influence. “Had ye no friends + among the commoners?” suddenly spoke up a dry old fellow, stroking a long + white beard; and the roar that greeted this showed the sense of the + meeting. Hesketh closed with assurances of the admiration and confidence + he felt toward the candidate proposed to their suffrages by the Liberal + party that were quite inaudible, and sought his yellow pinewood schoolroom + chair with rather a forced smile. It had been used once before that day to + isolate conspicuous stupidity. + </p> + <p> + They were at bottom a good-natured and a loyal crowd, and they had not, + after all, come there to make trouble, or Mr Alfred Hesketh might have + carried away a worse opinion of them. As it was, young Murchison, whose + address occupied the rest of the evening, succeeded in making an + impression upon them distinct enough, happily for his personal influence, + to efface that of his friend. He did it by the simple expedient of talking + business, and as high prices for produce and low ones for agricultural + implements would be more interesting there than here, I will not report + him. He and Mr Farquharson waited, after the meeting, for a personal word + with a good many of those present, but it was suggested to Hesketh that + the ladies might be tired, and that he had better get them home without + unnecessary delay. Mrs Farquharson had less comment to offer during the + drive home than Hesketh thought might be expected from a woman of her + intelligence, but Miss Milburn was very enthusiastic. She said he had made + a lovely speech, and she wished her father could have heard it. + </p> + <p> + A personal impression, during a time of political excitement, travels + unexpectedly far. A week later Mr Hesketh was concernedly accosted in Main + Street by a boy on a bicycle. + </p> + <p> + “Say, mister, how’s the dook?” + </p> + <p> + “What duke?” asked Hesketh, puzzled. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, any dook,” responded the boy, and bicycled cheerfully, away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI + </h2> + <p> + Christmas came and went. Dr Drummond had long accepted the innovation of a + service on Christmas Day, as he agreed to the anthem while the collection + was being taken up, to flowers about the pulpit, and to the habit of + sitting at prayer. He was a progressive by his business instinct, in + everything but theology, where perhaps his business instinct also operated + the other way, in favour of the sure thing. The Christmas Day service soon + became one of those “special” occasions so dear to his heart, which made a + demand upon him out of the ordinary way. He rose to these on the wing of + the eagle, and his congregation never lacked the lesson that could be most + dramatically drawn from them. His Christmas Day discourse gathered + everything into it that could emphasize the anniversary, including a + vigorous attack upon the saints’ days and ceremonies of the Church of + England calculated to correct the concession of the service, and pull up + sharply any who thought that Presbyterianism was giving way to the + spurious attractions of sentimentality or ritual. The special Easter + service, with every appropriate feature of hymn and invocation, was apt to + be marked by an unsparing denunciation of the pageants and practices of + the Church of Rome. Balance was thus preserved, and principle relentlessly + indicated. + </p> + <p> + Dr Drummond loved, as I have said, all that asked for notable comment; the + poet and the tragedian in him caught at the opportunity, and revelled in + it. Public events carried him far, especially if they were disastrous, but + what he most profited by was the dealing of Providence with members of his + own congregation. Of all the occasions that inspired him, the funeral + sermon was his happiest opportunity, nor was it, in his hands, by any + means unstinted eulogy. Candid was his summing-up, behind the decent veil, + the accepted apology of death; he was not afraid to refer to the follies + of youth or the weaknesses of age in terms as unmistakable as they were + kindly. + </p> + <p> + “Grace,” he said once, of an estimable plain spinster who had passed away, + “did more for her than ever nature had done.” He repeated it, too. “She + was far more indebted, I say, to grace, than to nature,” and before his + sharp earnestness none were seen to smile. Nor could you forget the note + in his voice when the loss he deplored was that of a youth of virtue and + promise, or that of a personal friend. His very text would be a blow upon + the heart; the eyes filled from the beginning. People would often say that + they were “sorry for the family,” sitting through Dr Drummond’s + celebration of their bereavement; and the sympathy was probably well + founded. But how fine he was when he paid the last tribute to that upright + man, his elder and office-bearer, David Davidson! How his words marched, + sorrowing to the close! “Much I have said of him, and more than he would + have had me say.” Will it not stay with those who heard it till the very + end, the trenchant, mournful fall of that “more than he would have had me + say”? + </p> + <p> + It was a thing that Hugh Finlay could not abide in Dr Drummond. + </p> + <p> + As the winter passed, the little Doctor was hard put to it to keep his + hands off the great political issue of the year, bound up as it was in the + tenets of his own politics, which he held only less uncompromisingly than + those of the Shorter Catechism. It was, unfortunately for him, a gradual + and peaceful progress of opinion, marked by no dramatic incidents; and + analogy was hard to find in either Testament for a change of fiscal policy + based on imperial advantage. Dr Drummond liked a pretty definite parallel; + he had small opinion of the practice of drawing a pint out of a thimble, + as he considered Finlay must have done when he preached the gospel of + imperialism from Deuteronomy XXX, 14. “But the word is very nigh unto + thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” Moreover, to + preach politics in Knox Church was a liberty in Finlay. + </p> + <p> + The fact that Finlay had been beforehand with him operated perhaps to + reconcile the Doctor to his difficulty; and the candidature of one of his + own members in what was practically the imperial interest no doubt + increased his embarrassment. Nevertheless, he would not lose sight of the + matter for more than two or three weeks together. Many an odd blow he + delivered for its furtherance by way of illustrating higher things, and he + kept it always, so to speak, in the practical politics of the long prayer. + </p> + <p> + It was Sunday evening, and Abby and her husband, as usual, had come to + tea. The family was complete with the exception of Lorne, who had driven + out to Clayfield with Horace Williams, to talk over some urgent matters + with persons whom he would meet at supper at the Metropole Hotel at + Clayfield. It was a thing Mrs Murchison thought little short of scandalous—supper + to talk business on the Sabbath day, and in a hotel, a place of which the + smell about the door was enough to knock you down, even on a weekday. Mrs + Murchison considered, and did not scruple to say so, that politics should + be left alone on Sundays. Clayfield votes might be very important, but + there were such things as commandments, she supposed. “It’ll bring no + blessing,” she declared severely, eyeing Lorne’s empty place. + </p> + <p> + The talk about the lamplit table was, nevertheless, all of the election, + blessed or unblessed. It was not in human nature that it shouldn’t be, as + Mrs Murchison would have very quickly told you if you had found her + inconsistent. There was reason in all things, as she frequently said. + </p> + <p> + “I hear,” Alec had told them, “that Octavius Milburn is going around + bragging he’s got the Elgin Chamber of Commerce consolidated this time.” + </p> + <p> + “Against us?” exclaimed Stella; and her brother said, “Of course!” + </p> + <p> + “Those Milburns,” remarked Mrs Murchison, “are enough to make one’s blood + boil. I met Mrs Milburn in the market yesterday; she’d been pricing Mrs + Crow’s ducks, and they were just five cents too dear for her, and she + stopped—wonderful thing for her—and had SUCH an amount to say + about Lorne, and the honour it was, and the dear only knows what! Butter + wouldn’t melt in her mouth—and Octavius Milburn doing all he knew + against him the whole time! That’s the Milburns! I cut her remarkably + short,” Mrs Murchison added, with satisfaction, “and when she’d made up + her mind she’d have to give that extra five cents for the ducks because + there weren’t any others to be had, she went back and found I’d bought + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done, Mother!” said Alec, and Oliver remarked that if those were + today’s ducks they were too good for the Milburn crowd, a lot. + </p> + <p> + “I expect she wanted them, too,” remarked Stella. “They’ve got the only Mr + Hesketh staying with them now. Miss Filkin’s in a great state of + excitement.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess we can spare them Hesketh,” said John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “He’s a lobster,” said Stella with fervour. + </p> + <p> + “He seems to bring a frost where he goes,” continued Abby’s husband, “in + politics, anyhow. I hear Lorne wants to make a present of him to the other + side, for use wherever they’ll let him speak longest. Is it true he began + his speech out at Jordanville—‘Gentlemen—and those of you who + are not gentlemen’?” + </p> + <p> + “Could he have meant Mrs Farquharson and Miss Milburn?” asked Mr Murchison + quietly, when the derision subsided; and they laughed again. + </p> + <p> + “He told me,” said Advena, “that he proposed to convert Mr Milburn to the + imperial policy.” + </p> + <p> + “He’ll have his job cut out for him,” said her father. + </p> + <p> + “For my part,” Abby told them, “I think the Milburns are beneath contempt. + You don’t know exactly what it is, but there’s something ABOUT them—not + that we ever come in contact with them,” she continued with dignity. “I + believe they used to be patients of Dr Henry’s till he got up in years, + but they don’t call in Harry.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe that’s what there is about them,” said Mr Murchison, innocently. + </p> + <p> + “Father’s made up his mind,” announced Dr Harry, and they waited, + breathless. There could be only one point upon which Dr Henry could be + dubitating at that moment. + </p> + <p> + “He’s going to vote for Lorne.” + </p> + <p> + “He’s a lovely old darling!” cried Stella. “Good for Dr Henry Johnson! I + knew he would.” + </p> + <p> + The rest were silent with independence and gratification. Dr Henry’s + Conservatism had been supposed to be invincible. Dr Harry they thought a + fair prey to Murchison influence, and he had capitulated early, but he had + never promised to answer for his father. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he’s taken his time about it, and he’s consulted about all the known + authorities,” said his son, humorously. “Went right back to the Manchester + school to begin with—sat out on the verandah reading Cobden and + Bright the whole summer; if anybody came for advice sent ‘em in to me. I + did a trade, I tell you! He thought they talked an awful lot of sense, + those fellows—from the English point of view. ‘D’ye mean to tell + me,’ he’d say, ‘that a generation born and bred in political doctrine of + that sort is going to hold on to the colonies at a sacrifice? They’d + rather let ‘em go at a sacrifice!’ Well, then he got to reading the other + side of the question, and old Ormiston lent him Parkin, and he lent old + Ormiston Goldwin Smith, and then he subscribed to the Times for six months—the + bill must have nearly bust him; and then the squire went over without + waiting for him and without any assistance from the Times either; and + finally—well, he says that if it’s good enough business for the + people of England it’s good enough business for him. Only he keeps on + worrying about the people of England, and whether they’ll make enough by + it to keep them contented, till he can’t next month all right, he wants it + to be distinctly understood that family connection has nothing to do with + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it hasn’t,” Advena said. + </p> + <p> + “But we’re just as much obliged,” remarked Stella. + </p> + <p> + “A lot of our church people are going to stay at home election day,” + declared Abby; “they won’t vote for Lorne, and they won’t vote against + imperialism, so they’ll just sulk. Silly, I call it.” + </p> + <p> + “Good enough business for us,” said Alec. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what I want to know is,” said Mrs Murchison, “whether you are + coming to the church you were born and brought up in, Abby, or not, + tonight? There’s the first bell.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m not going to any church.” said Abby. “I went this morning. I’m going + home to my baby.” + </p> + <p> + “Your father and mother,” said Mrs Murchison, “can go twice a day, and be + none the worse for it. By the way, Father, did you know old Mrs Parr was + dead? Died this morning at four o’clock. They telephoned for Dr Drummond, + and I think they had little to do, for he had been up with her half the + night already, Mrs Forsyth told me.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he go?” asked Mr Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “He did not, for the very good reason that he knew nothing about it. Mrs + Forsyth answered the telephone, and told them he hadn’t been two hours in + his bed, and she wouldn’t get him out again for an unconscious deathbed, + and him with bronchitis on him and two sermons to preach today.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll warrant Mrs Forsyth caught it in the morning,” said John Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “That she did. The doctor was as cross as two sticks that she hadn’t had + him out to answer the phone. ‘I just spoke up,’ she said, ‘and told him I + didn’t see how he was going to do any good to the pour soul over a + telephone wire.’ ‘It isn’t that,’ he said, ‘but I might have put them on + to Peter Fratch for the funeral. We’ve never had an undertaker in the + church before,’ he said; ‘he’s just come, and he ought to be supported. + Now I expect it’s too late, they’ll have gone to Liscombe.’ He rang them + up right away, but they had.” + </p> + <p> + “Dr Drummond can’t stand Liscombe,” said Alec, as they all laughed a + little at the Doctor’s foible, all except Advena, who laughed a great + deal. She laughed wildly, then weakly. “I wouldn’t—think it a + pleasure—to be buried by Liscombe myself!” she cried hysterically, + and then laughed again until the tears ran down her face, and she lay back + in her chair and moaned, still laughing. + </p> + <p> + Mr and Mrs Murchison, Alec, Stella, and Advena made up the family party; + Oliver, for reasons of his own, would attend the River Avenue Methodist + Church that evening. They slipped out presently into a crisp white winter + night. The snow was banked on both sides of the street. Spreading garden + fir trees huddled together weighted down with it; ragged icicles hung from + the eaves or lay in long broken fingers on the trodden paths. The snow + snapped and tore under their feet; there was a glorious moon that observed + every tattered weed sticking up through the whiteness, and etched it with + its shadow. The town lay under the moon almost dramatic, almost + mysterious, so withdrawn it was out of the cold, so turned in upon its own + soul of the fireplace. It might have stood, in the snow and the silence, + for a shell and a symbol of the humanity within, for angels or other + strangers to mark with curiosity. Mr and Mrs Murchison were neither angels + nor strangers; they looked at it and saw that the Peterson place was still + standing empty, and that old Mr Fisher hadn’t finished his new porch + before zero weather came to stop him. + </p> + <p> + The young people were well ahead; Mrs Murchison, on her husband’s arm, + stepped along with the spring of an impetus undisclosed. + </p> + <p> + “Is it to be the Doctor tonight?” asked John Murchison. “He was so hoarse + this morning I wouldn’t be surprised to see Finlay in the pulpit. They’re + getting only morning services in East Elgin just now, while they’re + changing the lighting arrangements.” + </p> + <p> + “Are they, indeed? Well, I hope they’ll change them and be done with it, + for I can’t say I’m anxious for too much of their Mr Finlay in Knox + Church.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you like the man well enough for a change, Mother!” John assured her. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve nothing to say against his preaching. It’s the fellow himself. And I + hope we won’t get him tonight for, the way I feel now, if I see him + gawking up the pulpit steps it’ll be as much as I can do to keep in my + seat, and so I just tell you, John.” + </p> + <p> + “You’re a little out of patience with him, I see,” said Mr Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “And it would be a good thing if more than me were out of patience with + him. There’s such a thing as too much patience, I’ve noticed.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say,” replied her husband, cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + “If Advena were any daughter of mine she’d have less patience with him.” + </p> + <p> + “She’s not much like you,” assented the father. + </p> + <p> + “I must say I like a girl to have a little spirit if a man has none. And + before I’d have him coming to the house week after week the way he has, + I’d see him far enough.” + </p> + <p> + “He might as well come there as anywhere,” Mr Murchison replied, + ambiguously. “I suppose he has now and then time on his hands?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he won’t have it on his hands much longer.” + </p> + <p> + “He won’t, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “No, he won’t,” Mrs Murchison almost shook the arm she was attached to. + “John, I think you might show a little interest! The man’s going to be + married.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t say that?” John Murchison’s tone expressed not only + astonishment but concern. Mrs Murchison was almost mollified. + </p> + <p> + “But I do say it. His future wife is coming here to Elgin next month, she + and her aunt, or her grandmother, or somebody, and they’re to stay at Dr + Drummond’s and be married as soon as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense,” said Mr Murchison, which was his way of expressing simple + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “There’s no nonsense about it. Advena told me herself this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “Did she seem put out about it?” + </p> + <p> + “She’s not a girl to show it,” Mrs Murchison hedged, “if she was. I just + looked at her. ‘Well,’ I said, ‘that’s a piece of news. When did you hear + it?’ I said. ‘Oh, I’ve known it all the winter!’ says my lady. What I + wanted to say was that for an engaged man he had been pretty liberal with + his visits, but she had such a queer look in her eyes I couldn’t express + myself, somehow.” + </p> + <p> + “It was just as well left unsaid,” her husband told her, thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “I’m not so sure,” Mrs Murchison retorted. “You’re a great man, John, for + letting everything alone. When he’s been coming here regularly for more + than a year, putting ideas into the girl’s head—” + </p> + <p> + “He seems to have told her how things were.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s all very well—if he had kept himself to himself at the same + time.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mother, you know you never thought much of the prospect.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I didn’t,” Mrs Murchison said. “It wouldn’t be me that would be + married to him, and I’ve always said so. But I’d got more or less used to + it,” she confessed. “The man’s well enough in some ways. Dear knows there + would be a pair of them—one’s as much of a muddler as the other! And + anybody can see with half an eye that Advena likes him. It hasn’t turned + out as I expected, that’s a fact, John, and I’m just very much annoyed.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m not best pleased about it myself,” said John Murchison, expressing, + as usual, a very small proportion of the regret that he felt, “but I + suppose they know their own business.” + </p> + <p> + Thus, in their different ways, did these elder ones also acknowledge their + helplessness before the advancing event. They could talk of it in private + and express their dissatisfaction with it, and that was all they could do. + It would not be a matter much further turned over between them at best. + They would be shy of any affair of sentiment in terms of speech, and from + one that affected a member of the family, self-respect would help to pull + them the other way. Mrs Murchison might remember it in the list of things + which roused her vain indignation; John Murchison would put it away in the + limbo of irremediables that were better forgotten. For the present they + had reached the church door. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Murchison saw with relief that Dr Drummond occupied his own pulpit, + but if her glance had gone the length of three pews behind her she would + have discovered that Hugh Finlay made one of the congregation. + Fortunately, perhaps, for her enjoyment of the service, she did not look + round. Dr Drummond was more observing, but his was a position of + advantage. In the accustomed sea of faces two, heavy shadowed and + obstinately facing fate, swam together before Dr Drummond, and after he + had lifted his hands and closed his eyes for the long prayer he saw them + still. So that these words occurred, near the end, in the long prayer— + </p> + <p> + “O Thou Searcher of hearts, who hast known man from the beginning, to whom + his highest desires and his loftiest intentions are but as the desires and + intentions of a little child, look with Thine own compassion, we beseech + Thee, upon souls before Thee in any peculiar difficulty. Our mortal life + is full of sin, it is also full of the misconception of virtue. Do Thou + clear the understanding, O Lord, of such as would interpret Thy will to + their own undoing; do Thou teach them that as happiness may reside in + chastening, so chastening may reside in happiness. And though such stand + fast to their hurt, do Thou grant to them in Thine own way, which may not + be our way, a safe issue out of the dangers that beset them.” + </p> + <p> + Dr Drummond had his own method of reconciling foreordination and free + will. To Advena his supplication came with that mysterious double emphasis + of chance words that fit. Her thought played upon them all through the + sermon, rejecting and rejecting again their application and their argument + and the spring of hope in them. She, too, knew that Finlay was in church + and, half timidly, she looked back for him, as the congregation filed out + again into the winter streets. But he, furious, and more resolved than + ever, had gone home by another way. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII + </h2> + <p> + Octavius Milburn was not far beyond the facts when he said that the Elgin + Chamber of Commerce was practically solid this time against the Liberal + platform, though to what extent this state of things was due to his + personal influence might be a matter of opinion. Mr Milburn was President + of the Chamber of Commerce, and his name stood for one of the most + thriving of Elgin’s industries, but he was not a person of influence + except as it might be represented in a draft on the Bank of British North + America. He had never converted anybody to anything, and never would, + possibly because the governing principle of his life was the terror of + being converted to anything himself. If an important nonentity is an + imaginable thing, perhaps it would stand for Mr Milburn; and he found it a + more valuable combination than it may appear, since his importance gave + him position and opportunity, and his nonentity saved him from their + risks. Certainly he had not imposed his view upon his fellow-members—they + would have blown it off like a feather—yet they found themselves + much of his mind. Most of them were manufacturing men of the Conservative + party, whose factories had been nursed by high duties upon the goods of + outsiders, and few even of the Liberals among them felt inclined to + abandon this immediate safeguard for a benefit more or less remote, and + more or less disputable. John Murchison thought otherwise, and put it in + few words as usual. He said he was more concerned to see big prices in + British markets for Canadian crops than he was to put big prices on + ironware he couldn’t sell. He was more afraid of hard times among the + farmers of Canada than he was of competition by the manufacturers of + England. That is what he said when he was asked if it didn’t go against + the grain a little to have to support a son who advocated low duties on + British ranges; and when he was not asked he said nothing, disliking the + discount that was naturally put upon his opinion. Parsons, of the Blanket + Mills, bolted at the first hint of the new policy and justified it by + reminding people that he always said he would if it ever looked like + business. + </p> + <p> + “We give their woollen goods a pull of a third as it is,” he said, “which + is just a third more than I approve of. I don’t propose to vote to make it + any bigger—can’t afford it.” + </p> + <p> + He had some followers, but there were also some, like Young, of the Plough + Works, and Windle, who made bicycles, who announced that there was no need + to change their politics to defeat a measure that had no existence, and + never would have. What sickened them, they declared, was to see young + Murchison allowed to give it so much prominence as Liberal doctrine. The + party had been strong enough to hold South Fox for the best part of the + last twenty years on the old principles, and this British boot-licking + feature wasn’t going to do it any good. It was fool politics in the + opinion of Mr Young and Mr Windle. + </p> + <p> + Then remained the retail trades, the professions, and the farmers. Both + sides could leave out of their counsels the interests of the leisured + class, since the leisured class in Elgin consisted almost entirely of + persons who were too old to work, and therefore not influential. The + landed proprietors were the farmers, when they weren’t, alas! the banks. + As to the retail men, the prosperity of the stores of Main Street and + Market Street was bound up about equally with that of Fox County and the + Elgin factories. The lawyers and doctors, the odd surveyors and engineers, + were inclined, by their greater detachment, to theories and prejudices, + delightful luxuries where a certain rigidity of opinion is dictated by + considerations of bread and butter. They made a factor debatable, but + small. The farmers had everything to win, nothing to lose. The prospect + offered them more for what they had to sell, and less for what they had to + buy, and most of them were Liberals already; but the rest had to be + convinced, and a political change of heart in a bosom of South Fox was as + difficult as any other. Industrial, commercial, professional, + agricultural, Lorne Murchison scanned them all hopefully, but Walter + Winter felt them his garnered sheaves. + </p> + <p> + It will be imagined how Mr Winter, as a practical politician, rejoiced in + the aspect of things. The fundamental change, with its incalculable + chances to play upon, the opening of the gate to admit plain detriment in + the first instance for the sake of benefit, easily beclouded, in the + second, the effective arm, in the hands of a satirist, of sentiment in + politics—and if there was a weapon Mr Winter owned a weakness for it + was satire—the whole situation, as he often confessed, suited him + down to the ground. He professed himself, though no optimist under any + circumstances very well pleased. Only in one other place, he declared, + would he have preferred to conduct a campaign at the present moment on the + issue involved, though he would have to change his politics to do it + there, and that place was England. He cast an envious eye across the ocean + at the trenchant argument of the dear loaf; he had no such straight road + to the public stomach and grand arbitrator of the fate of empires. If the + Liberals in England failed to turn out the Government over this business, + they would lose in his eyes all the respect he ever had for them, which + wasn’t much, he acknowledged. When his opponents twitted him with + discrepancy here, since a bargain so bad for one side could hardly fail to + favour the other, he poured all his contempt on the scheme as concocted by + damned enthusiasts for the ruin of businessmen of both countries. Such + persons, Mr Winter said, if they could have their way, would be happy and + satisfied; but in his opinion neither England nor the colonies could + afford to please them as much as that. He professed loud contempt for the + opinions of the Conservative party organs at Toronto, and stood boldly for + his own views. That was what would happen, he declared, in every + manufacturing division in the country, if the issue came to be fought in a + general election. He was against the scheme, root and branch. + </p> + <p> + Mr Winter was skilled, practised, and indefatigable. We need not follow + him in all his ways and works; a good many of his arguments, I fear, must + also escape us. The Elgin Mercury, if consulted, would produce them in + daily disclosure; so would the Clayfield Standard. One of these offered a + good deal of sympathy to Mayor Winter, the veteran of so many good fights, + in being asked to contest South Fox with an opponent who had not so much + as a village reeveship to his public credit. If the Conservative candidate + felt the damage to his dignity, however, he concealed it. + </p> + <p> + In Elgin and Clayfield, where factory chimneys had also begun to point the + way to enterprise, Winter had a clear field. Official reports gave him + figures to prove the great and increasing prosperity of the country, + astonishing figures of capital coming in, of emigrants landing, of new + lands broken, new mineral regions exploited, new railways projected, of + stocks and shares normal safe, assured. He could ask the manufacturers of + Elgin to look no further than themselves, which they were quite willing to + do, for illustration of the plenty and the promise which reigned in the + land from one end to the other. He could tell them that in their own + Province more than one hundred new industries had been established in the + last year. He could ask them, and he did ask them, whether this was a + state of things to disturb with an inrush from British looms and rolling + mills, and they told him with applause that it was not. + </p> + <p> + Country audiences were not open to arguments like these; they were slow in + the country, as the Mercury complained, to understand that agricultural + prospects were bound up with the prosperity of the towns and cities; they + had been especially slow in the country in England, as the Express + ironically pointed out, to understand it. So Winter and his supporters + asked the farmers of South Fox if they were prepared to believe all they + heard of the good will of England to the colonies, with the flattering + assumption that they were by no means prepared to believe it. Was it a + likely thing, Mr Winter inquired, that the people of Great Britain were + going to pay more for their flour and their bacon, their butter and their + cheese, than they had any need to do, simply out of a desire to benefit + countries which most of them had never seen, and never would see? No, said + Mr Winter, they might take it from him, that was not the idea. But Mr + Winter thought there was an idea, and that they and he together would not + have much trouble in deciphering it. He did not claim to be longer-sighted + in politics than any other man, but he thought the present British idea + was pretty plain. It was, in two words, to secure the Canadian market for + British goods, and a handsome contribution from the Canadian taxpayer + toward the expense of the British army and navy, in return for the offer + of favours to food supplies from Canada. But this, as they all knew, was + not the first time favours had been offered by the British Government to + food supplies from Canada. Just sixty years ago the British Government had + felt one of these spasms of benevolence to Canada, and there were men + sitting before him who could remember the good will and the gratitude, the + hope and the confidence, that greeted Stanley’s bill of that year, which + admitted Canadian wheat and flour at a nominal duty. Some could remember, + and those who could not remember could read; how the farmers and the + millers of Ontario took heart and laid out capital, and how money was easy + and enterprise was everywhere, and how agricultural towns such as Elgin + was at that time sent up streets of shops to accommodate the trade that + was to pour in under the new and generous “preference” granted to the + Dominion by the mother country. And how long, Mr Winter demanded, swinging + round in that pivotal manner which seems assisted by thumbs in the + armholes of the waistcoat, how long did the golden illusion last? + Precisely three years. In precisely three years the British nation + compelled the British Government to adopt the Free Trade Act of ‘46. The + wheat of the world flowed into every port in England, and the hopes of + Canada, especially the hopes of Ontario, based then, as now, on + “preferential” treatment, were blasted to the root. Enterprise was laid + flat, mortgages were foreclosed, shops were left empty, the milling and + forwarding interests were temporarily ruined, and the Governor-General + actually wrote to the Secretary of State in England that things were so + bad that not a shilling could be raised on the credit of the Province. + </p> + <p> + Now Mr Winter did not blame the people of England for insisting on free + food. It was the policy that suited their interests, and they had just as + good a right to look after their interests, he conceded handsomely, as + anybody else. But he did blame the British Government for holding out + hopes, for making definite pledges, to a young and struggling nation, + which they must have known they would not be able to redeem. He blamed + their action then, and he would blame it now, if the opportunity were + given to them to repeat it, for the opportunity would pass and the pledge + would pass into the happy hunting ground of unrealizable politics, but not—and + Mr Winter asked his listeners to mark this very carefully—not until + Canada was committed to such relations of trade and taxes with the + Imperial Government as would require the most heroic efforts—it + might run to a war—to extricate herself from. In plain words, Mr + Winter assured his country audiences, Great Britain had sold them before, + and she would sell them again. He stood there before them as loyal to + British connection as any man. He addressed a public as loyal to British + connection as any public. BUT—once bitten twice shy. + </p> + <p> + Horace Williams might riddle such arguments from end to end in the next + day’s Express, but if there is a thing that we enjoy in the country, it is + having the dodges of Government shown up with ignominy, and Mr Winter + found his account in this historic parallel. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could have been more serious in public than his line of defence + against the danger that menaced, but in friendly ears Mr Winter derided it + as a practical possibility, like the Liberals, Young and Windle. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me,” he said, talking to Octavius Milburn, “that the + important thing at present is the party attitude to the disposition of + Crown lands and to Government-made railways. As for this racket of + Wallingham’s, it has about as much in it as an empty bun-bag. He’s running + round taking a lot of satisfaction blowing it out just now, and the swells + over there are clapping like anything, but the first knock will show that + it’s just a bun-bag, with a hole in it.” + </p> + <p> + “Folks in the old country are solid on the buns, though,” said Milburn as + they parted, and Alfred Hesketh, who was walking with his host, said—“It’s + bound in the end to get down to that, isn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + Presently Hesketh came back to it. + </p> + <p> + “Quaint idea, that—describing Wallingham’s policy as a bun-bag,” he + said, and laughed. “Winter is an amusing fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “Wallingham’s policy won’t even be a bun-bag much longer,” said Milburn. + “It won’t be anything at all. Imperial union is very nice to talk about, + but when you come down to hard fact it’s Australia for the Australians, + Canada for the Canadians, Africa for the Africans, every time.” + </p> + <p> + “Each for himself, and devil take the hindmost,” said Hesketh; “and when + the hindmost is England, as our friend Murchison declares it will be—” + </p> + <p> + “So much the worse for England,” said Milburn, amiably. “But we should all + be sorry to see it and, for my part, I don’t believe such a thing is at + all likely. And you may be certain of one thing,” he continued, + impressively: “No flag but the Union Jack will ever wave over Canada.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I’m sure of that!” Hesketh responded. “Since I have heard more of + your side of the question I am quite convinced that loyalty to England and + complete commercial independence—I might say even commercial + antagonism—may exist together in the colonies. It seems paradoxical, + but it is true.” + </p> + <p> + Mr Hesketh had naturally been hearing a good deal more of Mr Milburn’s + side of the question, staying as he was under Mr Milburn’s hospitable + roof. It had taken the least persuasion in the world to induce him to make + the Milburns a visit. He found them delightful people. He described them + in his letters home as the most typically Canadian family he had met, + quite simple and unconventional, but thoroughly warm-hearted, and + touchingly devoted to far-away England. Politically he could not see eye + to eye with Mr Milburn, but he could quite perceive Mr Milburn’s grounds + for the view he held. One thing, he explained to his correspondents, you + learned at once by visiting the colonies, and that was to make allowance + for local conditions, both social and economic. + </p> + <p> + He and Mr Milburn had long serious discussions, staying behind in the + dining-room to have them after tea, when the ladies took their fancy work + into the drawing-room, and Dora’s light touch was heard upon the piano. It + may be supposed that Hesketh brought every argument forward in favour of + the great departure that had been conceived in England; he certainly + succeeded in interesting his host very deeply in the English point of + view. He had, however, to encounter one that was made in Canada—it + resided in Mr Milburn as a stone might reside in a bag of wool. Mr Milburn + wouldn’t say that this preference trade idea, if practicable, might not + work out for the benefit of the Empire as a whole. That was a thing he + didn’t pretend to know. But it wouldn’t work out for his benefit that was + a thing he did know. When a man was confronted with a big political change + the question he naturally asked himself was, “Is it going to be worth my + while?” and he acted on the answer to that question. He was able to + explain to Hesketh, by a variety of facts and figures, of fascinating + interest to the inquiring mind, just how and where such a concern as the + Milburn Boiler Company would be “hit” by the new policy, after which he + asked his guest fairly, “Now, if you were in my shoes, would you see your + way to voting for any such thing?” + </p> + <p> + “If I were in your shoes,” said Hesketh, thoughtfully, “I can’t say I + would.” + </p> + <p> + On grounds of sentiment, Octavius assured him, they were absolutely at + one, but in practical matters a man had to proceed on business principles. + He went about at this time expressing great esteem for Hesketh’s capacity + to assimilate facts. His opportunity to assimilate them was not curtailed + by any further demand for his services in the South Fox campaign. He was + as willing as ever, he told Lorne Murchison, to enlist under the flag, and + not for the first time; but Murchison and Farquharson, and that lot, while + grateful for the offer, seemed never quite able to avail themselves of it: + the fact was all the dates were pretty well taken up. No doubt, Hesketh + acknowledged, the work could be done best by men familiar with the local + conditions, but he could not avoid the conviction that this attitude + toward proffered help was very like dangerous trifling. Possibly these + circumstances gave him an added impartiality for Mr Milburn’s facts. As + the winter advanced his enthusiasm for the country increased with his + intelligent appreciation of the possibilities of the Elgin boiler. The + Elgin boiler was his object-lesson in the development of the colonies; he + paid, several visits to the works to study it, and several times he + thanked Mr Milburn for the opportunity of familiarizing himself with such + an important and promising branch of Canadian industry. + </p> + <p> + “It looks,” said Octavius one evening in early February, “as if the Grits + were getting a little anxious about South Fox—high time, too. I see + Cruickshank is down to speak at Clayfield on the seventh, and Tellier is + to be here for the big meeting at the opera house on the eleventh.” + </p> + <p> + “Tellier is Minister of Public Works, isn’t he?” asked Hesketh. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—and Cruickshank is an ex-Minister,” replied Mr Milburn. “Looks + pretty shaky when they’ve got to take men like that away from their work + in the middle of the session.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be glad,” remarked his daughter Dora, “when this horrid election + is over. It spoils everything.” + </p> + <p> + She spoke a little fretfully. The election and the matters it involved did + interfere a good deal with her interest in life. As an occupation it + absorbed Lorne Murchison even more completely than she occasionally + desired; and as a topic it took up a larger share of the attention of Mr + Alfred Hesketh than she thought either reasonable or pleasing. Between + politics and boilers Miss Milburn almost felt at times that the world held + a second place for her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII + </h2> + <p> + The progress of Mrs Kilbannon and Miss Christie Cameron up the river to + Montreal, and so west to Elgin, was one series of surprises, most of them + pleasant and instructive to such a pair of intelligent Scotchwomen, if we + leave out the number of Roman Catholic churches that lift their special + symbol along the banks of the St Lawrence and the fact that Hugh Finlay + was not in Elgin to meet them upon their arrival. Dr Drummond, of course, + was there at the station to explain. Finlay had been obliged to leave for + Winnipeg only the day before, to attend a mission conference in place of a + delegate who had been suddenly laid aside by serious illness. Finlay, he + said, had been very loath to go, but there were many reasons why it was + imperative that he should; Dr Drummond explained them all. “I insisted on + it,” he assured them, frankly. “I told him I would take the + responsibility.” + </p> + <p> + He seemed very capable of taking it, both the ladies must have thought, + with his quick orders about the luggage and his waiting cab. Mrs Kilbannon + said so. “I’m sure,” she told him, “we are better off with you than with + Hugh. He was always a daft dependence at a railway station.” + </p> + <p> + They both—Mrs Kilbannon and Dr Drummond—looked out of the + corners of their eyes, so to speak, at Christie, the only one who might be + expected to show any sensitiveness; but Miss Cameron accepted the + explanation with readiness. Indeed, she said, she would have been real + vexed if Mr Finlay had stayed behind on her account—she showed + herself well aware of the importance of a nomination, and the desirability + of responding to it. + </p> + <p> + “It will just give me an opportunity of seeing the town,” she said, + looking at it through the cab windows as they drove; and Dr Drummond had + to admit that she seemed a sensible creature. Other things being equal, + Finlay might be doing very well for himself. As they talked of Scotland—it + transpired that Dr Drummond knew all the braes about Bross as a boy—he + found himself more than ever annoyed with Finlay about the inequality of + other things; and when they passed Knox Church and Miss Cameron told him + she hadn’t realized it was so imposing an edifice, he felt downright sorry + for the woman. + </p> + <p> + Dr Drummond had persuaded Finlay to go to Winnipeg with a vague hope that + something in the fortnight’s grace thus provided, might be induced to + happen. The form it oftenest took to his imagination was Miss Christie’s + announcement, when she set foot upon the station platform, that she had + become engaged, on the way over, to somebody else, some fellow-traveller. + Such things, Dr Drummond knew, did come about, usually bringing distress + and discomfiture in their train. Why, then, should they not happen when + all the consequences would be rejoiceful? + </p> + <p> + It was plain enough, however, that nothing of the kind had come to pass. + Miss Christie had arrived in Elgin, bringing her affections intact; they + might have been in any one of her portmanteaux. She had come with definite + calm intention, precisely in the guise in which she should have been + expected. At the very hour, in the very clothes, she was there. Robust and + pleasant, with a practical eye on her promising future, she had arrived, + the fulfilment of despair. Dr Drummond looked at her with acquiescence, + half-cowed, half-comic, wondering at his own folly in dreaming of anything + else. Miss Cameron brought the situation, as it were, with her; it had to + be faced, and Dr Drummond faced it like a philosopher. She was the + material necessity, the fact in the case, the substantiation of her own + legend; and Dr Drummond promptly gave her all the consideration she + demanded in this aspect. Already he heard himself pronouncing a blessing + over the pair—and they would make the best of it. With + characteristic dispatch he decided that the marriage should take place the + first Monday after Finlay’s return. That would give them time to take a + day or two in Toronto, perhaps, and get back for Finlay’s Wednesday prayer + meeting. “Or I could take it off his hands,” said Dr Drummond to himself. + “That would free them till the end of the week.” Solicitude increased in + him that the best should be made of it; after all, for a long time they + had been making the worst. Mrs Forsyth, whom it had been necessary to + inform when Mrs Kilbannon and Miss Cameron became actually imminent, saw + plainly that the future Mrs Finlay had made a very good impression on the + Doctor; and as nature, in Mrs Forsyth’s case, was more powerful than + grace, she became critical accordingly. Still, she was an honest soul: she + found more fault with what she called Miss Cameron’s “shirt-waists” than + with Miss Cameron herself, whom she didn’t doubt to be a good woman though + she would never see thirty-five again. Time and observation would no doubt + mend or remodel the shirt-waists; and meanwhile both they and Miss Cameron + would do very well for East Elgin, Mrs Forsyth avowed. Mrs Kilbannon, + definitely given over to caps and curls as they still wear them in Bross, + Mrs Forsyth at once formed a great opinion of. She might be something, Mrs + Forsyth thought, out of a novel by Mr Crockett, and made you long to go to + Scotland, where presumably everyone was like her. On the whole the ladies + from Bross profited rather than lost by the new frame they stepped into in + the house of Dr Drummond, of Elgin, Ontario. Their special virtues, of + dignity and solidity and frugality, stood out saliently against the ease + and unconstraint about them; in the profusion of the table it was little + less than edifying to hear Mrs Kilbannon, invited to preserves, say, + “Thank you, I have butter.” It was the pleasantest spectacle, happily + common enough, of the world’s greatest inheritance. We see it in + immigrants of all degrees, and we may perceive it in Miss Cameron and Mrs + Kilbannon. They come in couples and in companies from those little + imperial islands, bringing the crusted qualities of the old blood bottled + there so long, and sink with grateful absorption into the wide bountiful + stretches of the further countries. They have much to take, but they give + themselves; and so it comes about that the Empire is summed up in the + race, and the flag flies for its ideals. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Forsyth had been told of the approaching event; but neither Dr + Drummond, who was not fond of making communications he did not approve of, + nor the Murchisons, who were shy of the matter as a queer business which + Advena seemed too much mixed up with, had mentioned it to anyone else. + Finlay himself had no intimates, and moved into his new house in River + Street under little comment. His doings excited small surprise, because + the town knew too little about him to expect him to do one thing more than + another. He was very significant among his people, very important in their + lives but not, somehow, at any expense to his private self. He knew them, + but they did not know him; and it is high praise of him that this was no + grievance among them. They would tell you without resentment that the + minister was a “very reserved” man; there might be even a touch of proper + pride in it. The worshippers of Knox Church mission were rather a reserved + lot themselves. It was different with the Methodists; plenty of expansion + there. + </p> + <p> + Elgin, therefore, knew nothing, beyond the fact that Dr Drummond had two + ladies from the old country staying with him, about whom particular + curiosity would hardly be expected outside of Knox Church. In view of + Finlay’s absence, Dr Drummond, consulting with Mrs Kilbannon, decided that + for the present Elgin need not be further informed. There was no need, + they agreed, to give people occasion to talk; and it would just be a + nuisance to have to make so many explanations. Both Mrs Kilbannon and her + niece belonged to the race that takes great satisfaction in keeping its + own counsel. Their situation gained for them the further interest that + nothing need be said about it; and the added importance of caution was + plainly to be discerned in their bearing, even toward one another. It was + a portentous business, this of marrying a minister, under the most + ordinary circumstances, not to be lightly dealt with, and even more of an + undertaking in a far new country where the very wind blew differently, and + the extraordinary freedom of conversation made it more than ever necessary + to take heed to what you were saying. So far as Miss Cameron and Mrs + Kilbannon were aware, the matter had not been “spoken of” elsewhere at + all. Dr Drummond, remembering Advena Murchison’s acquaintance with it, had + felt the weight of a complication, and had discreetly held his tongue. Mrs + Kilbannon approved her nephew in this connection. “Hugh,” she said, “was + never one to let on more than necessary.” It was a fine secret between + Hugh, in Winnipeg, whence he had written all that was lawful or desirable, + and themselves at Dr Drummond’s. Miss Cameron said it would give her more + freedom to look about her. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of all this security, and on the very first day after their + arrival, it was disconcerting to be told that a lady, whose name they had + never heard before, had called to see Miss Cameron and Mrs Kilbannon. They + had not even appeared at church, as they told one another with dubious + glances. They had no reason whatever to expect visitors. Dr Drummond was + in the cemetery burying a member; Mrs Forsyth was also abroad. “Now who in + the world,” asked Mrs Kilbannon of Miss Cameron, “is Miss Murchison?” + </p> + <p> + “They come to our church,” said Sarah, in the door. “They’ve got the + foundry. It’s the oldest one. She teaches.” + </p> + <p> + Sarah in the door was even more disconcerting than an unexpected visitor. + Sarah invariably took them off their guard, in the door or anywhere. She + freely invited their criticism, but they would not have known how to mend + her. They looked at her now helplessly, and Mrs Kilbannon said, “Very + well. We will be down directly.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be just some friendly body,” she said, as they descended the + stairs together, “or it may be common curiosity. In that case we’ll + disappoint it.” + </p> + <p> + Whatever they expected, therefore, it was not Advena. It was not a tall + young woman with expressive eyes, a manner which was at once abrupt and + easy, and rather a lounging way of occupying the corner of a sofa. “When + she sat down,” as Mrs Kilbannon said afterward, “she seemed to untie and + fling herself as you might a parcel.” Neither Mrs Kilbannon nor Christie + Cameron could possibly be untied or flung, so perhaps they gave this + capacity in Advena more importance than it had. But it was only a part of + what was to them a new human demonstration, something to inspect very + carefully and accept very cautiously—the product, like themselves, + yet so suspiciously different, of these free airs and these astonishingly + large ideas. In some ways, as she sat there in her graceful dress and + careless attitude, asking them direct smiling questions about their + voyage, she imposed herself as of the class whom both these ladies of + Bross would acknowledge unquestioningly to be “above” them; in others she + seemed to be of no class at all; so far she came short of small standards + of speech and behaviour. The ladies from Bross, more and more confused, + grew more and more reticent, when suddenly, out of a simple remark of Miss + Cameron’s about missing in the train the hot-water cans they gave you “to + your feet” in Scotland, reticence descended upon Miss Murchison also. She + sat in an odd silence, looking at Miss Cameron, absorbed apparently in the + need of looking at her, finding nothing to say, her flow of pleasant + inquiry dried up, and all her soul at work, instead, to perceive the + woman. Mrs Kilbannon was beginning to think better of her—it was so + much more natural to be a little backward with strangers—when the + moment passed. Their visitor drew herself out of it with almost a + perceptible effort, and seemed to glance consideringly at them in their + aloofness, their incommunicativeness, their plain odds with her. I don’t + know what she expected; but we may assume that she was there simply to + offer herself up, and the impulse of sacrifice seldom considers whether or + not it may be understood. It was to her a normal, natural thing that a + friend of Hugh Finlay’s should bring an early welcome to his bride; and to + do the normal, natural thing at keen personal cost was to sound that + depth, or rise to that height of the spirit where pain sustains. We know + of Advena that she was prone to this form of exaltation. Those who feel + themselves capable may pronounce whether she would have been better at + home crying in her bedroom. + </p> + <p> + She decided badly—how could she decide well?—on what she would + say to explain herself. + </p> + <p> + “I am so sorry,” she told them, “that Mr Finlay is obliged to be away.” + </p> + <p> + It was quite wrong; it assumed too much, her knowledge and their + confidence, and the propriety of discussing Mr Finlay’s absence. There was + even an unconscious hint of another kind of assumption in it—a + suggestion of apology for Mr Finlay. Advena was aware of it even as it + left her lips, and the perception covered her with a damning blush. She + had a sudden terrified misgiving that her role was too high for her, that + she had already cracked her mask. But she looked quietly at Miss Cameron + and smiled across the tide that surged in her as she added, “He was very + distressed at having to go.” + </p> + <p> + They looked at her in an instant’s blank astonishment. Miss Cameron opened + her lips and closed them again, glancing at Mrs Kilbannon. They fell back + together, but not in disorder. This was something much more formidable + than common curiosity. Just what it was they would consider later; + meanwhile Mrs Kilbannon responded with what she would have called cool + civility. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you have heard that Mr Finlay is my nephew?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed I have. Mr Finlay has told me a great deal about you, Mrs + Kilbannon, and about his life at Bross,” Advena replied. “And he has told + me about you, too,” she went on, turning to Christie Cameron. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, a long time ago. He has been looking forward to your arrival for some + months, hasn’t he?” + </p> + <p> + “We took our passages in December,” said Miss Cameron. + </p> + <p> + “And you are to be married almost immediately, are you not?” Miss + Murchison continued, pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Kilbannon had an inspiration. “Could he by any means have had the + banns cried?” she demanded of Christie, who looked piercingly at their + visitor for the answer. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” Advena laughed softly. “Presbyterians haven’t that custom over + here—does it still exist anywhere? Mr Finlay told me himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he informed all his acquaintances?” asked Mrs Kilbannon. “We thought + maybe his elders would be expecting to hear, or his Board of Management. + Or he might have just dropped a word to his Sessions Clerk. But—” + </p> + <p> + Advena shook her head. “I think it unlikely,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Then why would he be telling you?” inquired the elder lady, bluntly. + </p> + <p> + “He told me, I suppose, because I have the honour to be a friend of his,” + Advena said, smiling. “But he is not a man, is he, who makes many friends? + It is possible, I dare say, that he has mentioned it to no one else.” + </p> + <p> + Poor Advena! She had indeed uttered her ideal to unsympathetic ears—brought + her pig, as her father would have said, to the wrong market. She sat + before the ladies from Bross, Hugh Finlay’s only confidante. She sat + handsome and upheld and not altogether penetrable, a kind of gipsy to + their understanding, though indeed the Romany strain in her was beyond any + divining of theirs. They, on their part, reposed in their clothes with all + their bristles out—what else could have been expected of them?—convinced + in their own minds that they had come not only to a growing but to a + forward country. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Kilbannon was perhaps a little severe. “I wonder that we have not + heard of you, Miss Murchison,” said she, “but we are happy to make the + acquaintance of any of my nephew’s friends. You will have heard him + preach, perhaps?” + </p> + <p> + “Often,” said Advena, rising. “We have no one here who can compare with + him in preaching. There was very little reason why you should have heard + of me. I am—of no importance.” She hesitated and fought for an + instant with a trembling of the lip. “But now that you have been persuaded + to be a part of our life here,” she said to Christie, “I thought I would + like to come and offer you my friendship because it is his already. I hope—so + much—that you will be happy here. It is a nice little place. And I + want you to let me help you—about your house, and in every way that + is possible. I am sure I can be of use.” She paused and looked at their + still half-hostile faces. “I hope,” she faltered, “you don’t mind my—having + come?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” said Christie, and Mrs Kilbannon added, “I’m sure you mean + it very kindly.” + </p> + <p> + A flash of the comedy of it shot up in Advena’s eyes. “Yes,” she said, “I + do. Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + If they had followed her departure they would have been further confounded + to see her walk not quite steadily away; shaken with fantastic laughter. + They looked instead at one another, as if to find the solution of the + mystery where indeed it lay, in themselves. + </p> + <p> + “She doesn’t even belong to his congregation,” said Christie. “Just a + friend, she said.” + </p> + <p> + “I expect the friendship’s mostly upon her side,” remarked Mrs Kilbannon. + “She seemed frank enough about it. But I would see no necessity for + encouraging her friendship on my own account, if I were in your place, + Christie.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I’ll manage without it,” said Christie. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX + </h2> + <p> + The South Fox fight was almost over. Three days only remained before the + polling booths would be open, and the voters of the towns of Elgin and + Clayfield and the surrounding townships would once again be invited to + make their choice between a Liberal and a Conservative representative of + the district in the Dominion House of Commons. The ground had never been + more completely covered, every inch of advantage more stubbornly held, by + either side, in the political history of the riding. There was no doubt of + the hope that sat behind the deprecation in Walter Winter’s eye, nor of + the anxiety that showed through the confidence freely expressed by the + Liberal leaders. The issue would be no foregone conclusion, as it had been + practically any time within the last eleven years; and as Horace Williams + remarked to the select lot that met pretty frequently at the Express + office for consultation and rally, they had “no use for any sort of + carelessness.” + </p> + <p> + It was undeniably felt that the new idea, the great idea whose putative + fatherhood in Canada certainly lay at the door of the Liberal party, had + drawn in fewer supporters than might have been expected. In England + Wallingham, wearing it like a medal, seemed to be courting political + excommunication with it, except that Wallingham was so hard to effectively + curse. The ex-Minister deserved, clearly, any ban that could be put upon + him. No sort of remonstrance could hold him from going about openly and + persistently exhorting people to “think imperially,” a liberty which, as + is well known, the Holy Cobdenite Church, supreme in those islands, + expressly forbids. Wallingham appeared to think that by teaching and + explaining he could help his fellow-islanders to see further than the + length of their fists, and exorcise from them the spirit, only a century + and a quarter older and a trifle more sophisticated, that lost them the + American colonies. But so far little had transpired to show that + Wallingham was stronger than nature and destiny. There had been Wallingham + meetings of remarkable enthusiasm; his supporters called them + epoch-making, as if epochs were made of cheers. But the workingman of + Great Britain was declaring stolidly in the by-elections against any + favour to colonial produce at his expense, thereby showing himself one of + those humble instruments that Providence uses for the downfall of arrogant + empires. It will be thus, no doubt, that the workingman will explain in + the future his eminent usefulness to the government of his country, and it + will be in these terms that the cost of educating him by means of the + ballot will be demonstrated. Meanwhile we may look on and cultivate + philosophy; or we may make war upon the gods with Mr Wallingham which is, + perhaps, the better part. + </p> + <p> + That, to turn from recrimination, was what they saw in Canada looking + across—the queerest thing of all was the recalcitrance of the farm + labourer; they could only stare at that—and it may be that the + spectacle was depressing to hopeful initiative. At all events, it was + plain that the new policy was suffering from a certain flatness on the + further side. As a ballon d’essai it lacked buoyancy; and no doubt Mr + Farquharson was right in declaring that above all things it lacked + actuality, business—the proposition, in good set terms, for men to + turn over, to accept or reject. Nothing could be done with it, Mr + Farquharson averred, as a mere prospect; it was useful only to its + enemies. We of the young countries must be invited to deeds, not theories, + of which we have a restless impatience; and this particular theory, though + of golden promise, was beginning to recoil to some extent, upon the cause + which had been confident enough to adopt it before it could be translated + into action and its hard equivalent. The Elgin Mercury probably overstated + the matter when it said that the Grits were dead sick of the preference + they would never get; but Horace Williams was quite within the mark when + he advised Lorne to stick to old Reform principles—clean + administration, generous railway policy, sympathetic labour legislation, + and freeze himself a little on imperial love and attachment. + </p> + <p> + “They’re not so sweet on it in Ottawa as they were, by a long chalk,” he + said. “Look at the Premier’s speech to the Chambers of Commerce in + Montreal. Pretty plain statement that, of a few things the British + Government needn’t expect.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t know,” said Lorne. “He was talking to manufacturers, you + know, a pretty skittish lot anywhere. It sounded independent, but if you + look into it you won’t find it gave the cause away any.” + </p> + <p> + “The old man’s got to think of Quebec, where his fat little majority + lives,” remarked Bingham, chairman of the most difficult subdivision in + the town. “The Premier of this country drives a team, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Lorne, “but he drives it tandem, and Johnny Francois is the + second horse.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe so,” returned Mr Williams, “but the organ’s singing pretty small, + too. Look at this.” He picked up the Dominion from the office table and + read aloud: “‘If Great Britain wishes to do a deal with the colonies she + will find them willing to meet her in a spirit of fairness and enthusiasm. + But it is for her to decide, and Canada would be the last to force her + bread down the throat of the British labourer at a higher price than he + can afford to pay for it.’ What’s that, my boy? Is it high-mindedness? No, + sir, it’s lukewarmness.” + </p> + <p> + “The Dominion makes me sick,” said young Murchison. “It’s so scared of the + Tory source of the scheme in England that it’s handing the whole boom of + the biggest chance this country ever had over to the Tories here. If + anything will help us to lose it that will. No Conservative Government in + Canada can put through a cent of preference on English goods when it comes + to the touch, and they know it. They’re full of loyalty just now—baying + the moon—but if anybody opens a window they’ll turn tail fast + enough.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess the Dominion knows it, too,” said Mr Williams. “When Great + Britain is quite sure she’s ready to do business on preference lines it’s + the Liberal party on this side she’ll have to talk to. No use showing + ourselves too anxious, you know. Besides, it might do harm over there. + We’re all right; we’re on record. Wallingham knows as well as we do the + lines we’re open on—he’s heard them from Canadian Liberals more than + once. When they get good and ready they can let us know.” + </p> + <p> + “Jolly them up with it at your meetings by all means,” advised Bingham, + “but use it as a kind of superfluous taffy; don’t make it your main + lay-out.” + </p> + <p> + The Reform Association of South Fox had no more energetic officer than + Bingham, though as he sat on the edge of the editorial table chewing + portions of the margin of that afternoon’s Express, and drawling out + maxims to the Liberal candidate, you might not have thought so. He was + explaining that he had been in this business for years, and had never had + a job that gave him so much trouble. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll win out,” he said, “but the canvass isn’t any Christmas joy—not + this time. There’s Jim Whelan,” he told them. “We all know what Jim is—a + Tory from way back, where they make ‘em so they last, and a soaker from + way back, too; one day on his job and two days sleepin’ off his whiskey. + Now we don’t need Jim Whelan’s vote, never did need it, but the boys have + generally been able to see that one of those two days was election day. + There’s no necessity for Jim’s putting in his paper—a character like + that—no necessity at all—he’d much better be comfortable in + bed. This time, I’m darned if the old boozer hasn’t sworn off! Tells the + boys he’s on to their game, and there’s no liquor in this town that’s good + enough to get him to lose his vote—wouldn’t get drunk on champagne. + He’s held out for ten days already, and it looks like Winter’d take his + cross all right on Thursday.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess I’d let him have it, Bingham,” said Lorne Murchison with a kind + of tolerant deprecation, void of offence, the only manner in which he knew + how to convey disapproval to the older man. “The boys in your division are + a pretty tough lot, anyhow. We don’t want the other side getting hold of + any monkey tricks.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s necessary to win this election, young man,” said Bingham, “lawfully. + You won’t have any trouble with my bunch.” + </p> + <p> + It was not, as will be imagined, the first discussion, so late in the day, + of the value of the preference trade argument to the Liberal campaign. + They had all realized, after the first few weeks, that their young + candidate was a trifle overbitten with it, though remonstrance had been a + good deal curbed by Murchison’s treatment of it. When he had brought it + forward at the late fall fairs and in the lonely country schoolhouses, his + talk had been so trenchant, so vivid and pictorial, that the gathered + farmers listened with open mouths, like children, pathetically used with + life, to a grown-up fairy tale. As Horace Williams said, if a dead horse + could be made to go this one would have brought Murchison romping in. And + Lorne had taken heed to the counsel of his party leaders. At joint + meetings, which offered the enemy his best opportunity for travesty and + derision, he had left it in the background of debate, devoting himself to + arguments of more immediate utility. In the literature of the campaign it + glowed with prospective benefit, but vaguely, like a halo of Liberal + conception and possible achievement, waiting for the word from overseas. + The Express still approved it, but not in headlines, and wished the fact + to be widely understood that while the imperial idea was a very big idea, + the Liberals of South Fox were going to win this election without any + assistance from it. + </p> + <p> + Lorne submitted. After all, victory was the thing. There could be no + conquest for the idea without the party triumph first. He submitted, but + his heart rebelled. He looked over the subdivisional reports with Williams + and Farquharson, and gave ear to their warning interpretations; but his + heart was an optimist, and turned always to the splendid projection upon + the future that was so incomparably the title to success of those who + would unite to further it. His mind accepted the old working formulas for + dealing with an average electorate, but to his eager apprehending heart it + seemed unbelievable that the great imperial possibility, the dramatic + chance for the race that hung even now, in the history of the world, + between the rising and the setting of the sun, should fail to be perceived + and acknowledged as the paramount issue, the contingency which made the + by-election of South Fox an extraordinary and momentous affair. He + believed in the Idea; he saw it, with Wallingham, not only a glorious + prospect, but an educative force; and never had he a moment of such + despondency that it confounded him upon his horizon in the faded colours + of some old Elizabethan mirage. + </p> + <p> + The opera house, the night of Mr Murchison’s final address to the electors + of South Fox, was packed from floor to ceiling, and a large and patient + overflow made the best of the hearing accommodation of the corridors and + the foyer. A Minister was to speak, Sir Matthew Tellier, who held the + portfolio of Public Works; and for drawing a crowd in Elgin there was + nothing to compare with a member of the Government. He was the sum of all + ambition and the centre of all importance; he was held to have achieved in + the loftiest sense, and probably because he deserved to; a kind of + afflatus sat upon him. They paid him real deference and they flocked to + hear him. Cruickshank was a second attraction; and Lorne himself, even at + this stage of the proceedings, “drew” without abatement. They knew young + Murchison well enough; he had gone in and out among them all his life; yet + since he had come before them in this new capacity a curious interest had + gathered about him. People looked at him as if he had developed something + they did not understand, and perhaps he had; he was in touch with the + Idea. They listened with an intense personal interest in him which, no + doubt, went to obscure what he said: perhaps a less absorbing personality + would have carried the Idea further. However, they did look and listen—that + was the main point, and on their last opportunity they were in the opera + house in great numbers. + </p> + <p> + Lorne faced them with an enviable security; the friendliness of the + meeting was in the air. The gathering was almost entirely of one political + complexion: the Conservatives of the town would have been glad enough to + turn out to hear Minister Tellier; but the Liberals were of no mind to + gratify them at the cost of having to stand themselves, and were on hand + early to assert a prior moral claim to chairs. In the seated throng Lorne + could pick out the fine head of his father, and his mother’s face, bright + with anticipation, beside. Advena was there, too, and Stella; and the boys + would have a perch, not too conspicuous, somewhere in the gallery. Dr + Drummond was in the second row, and a couple of strange ladies with him: + he was chuckling with uncommon humour at some remark of the younger one + when Lorne noted him. Old Sandy MacQuhot was in a good place; had been + since six o’clock, and Peter Macfarlane, too, for that matter, though + Peter sat away back as beseemed a modest functionary whose business was + with the book and the bell. Altogether, as Horace Williams leaned over to + tell him, it was like a Knox Church sociable—he could feel + completely at home; and though the audience was by no means confined to + Knox Church, Lorne did feel at home. Dora Milburn’s countenance he might + perhaps have missed, but Dora was absent by arrangement. Mr Milburn, as + the fight went on, had shown himself so increasingly bitter, to the point + of writing letters in the Mercury attacking Wallingham and the Liberal + leaders of South Fox, that his daughter felt an insurmountable delicacy in + attending even Lorne’s “big meeting.” Alfred Hesketh meant to have gone, + but it was ten by the Milburns’ drawing-room clock before he remembered. + Miss Filkin actually did go, and brought home a great report of it. Miss + Filkin would no more have missed a Minister than she would a bishop; but + she was the only one. + </p> + <p> + Lorne had prepared for this occasion for a long time. It was certain to + come, the day of the supreme effort, when he should make his final appeal + under the most favourable circumstances that could be devised, when the + harassing work of the campaign would be behind him, and nothing would + remain but the luxury of one last strenuous call to arms. The glory of + that anticipation had been with him from the beginning; and in the + beginning he saw his great moment only in one character. For weeks, while + he plodded through the details of the benefits South Fox had received and + might expect to receive at the hands of the Liberal party, he privately + stored argument on argument, piled phrase on phrase, still further to + advance and defend the imperial unity of his vision on this certain and + special opportunity. His jihad it would be, for the faith and purpose of + his race; so he scanned it and heard it, with conviction hot in him, and + impulse strong, and intention noble. Then uneasiness had arisen, as we + know; and under steady pressure he had daily drawn himself from these high + intentions, persuaded by Bingham and the rest that they were not yet “in + shape” to talk about. So that his address on this memorable evening would + have a different stamp from the one he designed in the early burning hours + of his candidature. He had postponed those matters, under advice, to the + hour of practical dealing, when a Government which it would be his + privilege to support would consider and carry them. He put the notes of + his original speech away in his office desk with solicitude—it was + indeed very thorough, a grand marshalling of the facts and review of the + principles involved—and pigeonholed it in the chambers of his mind, + with the good hope to bring it forth another day. Then he devoted his + attention to the history of Liberalism in Fox County—both ridings + were solid—and it was upon the history of Liberalism in Fox County, + its triumphs and its fruits, that he embarked so easily and so assuredly, + when he opened his address in the opera house that Tuesday night. + </p> + <p> + Who knows at what suggestion, or even precisely at what moment, the fabric + of his sincere intention fell away? Bingham does not; Mr Farquharson has + the vaguest idea; Dr Drummond declares that he expected it from the + beginning, but is totally unable to say why. I can get nothing more out of + them, though they were all there, though they all saw him, indeed a + dramatic figure, standing for the youth and energy of the old blood, and + heard him, as he slipped away into his great preoccupation, as he made + what Bingham called his “bad break.” His very confidence may have + accounted for it; he was off guard against the enemy, and the more + completely off guard against himself. The history of Liberalism in Fox + County offered, no doubt, some inlet to the rush of the Idea; for + suddenly, Mr Farquharson says, he was “off.” Mr Farquharson was on the + platform, and “I can tell you,” said he, “I pricked up my ears.” They all + did; the Idea came in upon such a personal note. + </p> + <p> + “I claim it my great good fortune,” the young man was suddenly telling + them, in a note of curious gravity and concentration, “and however the + fight goes, I shall always claim it my great good fortune to have been + identified, at a critical moment, with the political principles that are + ennobled in this country by the imperialistic aim. An intention, a great + purpose in the endless construction and reconstruction of the world, will + choose its own agency; and the imperial design in Canada has chosen the + Liberal party, because the Liberal party in this country is the party of + the soil, the land, the nation as it springs from that which makes it a + nation; and imperialism is intensely and supremely a national affair. Ours + is the policy of the fields. We stand for the wheat-belt and the + stockyard, the forest and the mine, as the basic interests of the country. + We stand for the principles that make for nation-building by the slow + sweet processes of the earth, cultivating the individual rooted man who + draws his essence and his tissues from the soil and so, by unhurried, + natural, healthy growth, labour sweating his vices out of him, forms the + character of the commonwealth, the foundation of the State. So the + imperial idea seeks its Canadian home in Liberal councils. The imperial + idea is far-sighted. England has outlived her own body. Apart from her + heart and her history, England is an area where certain trades are carried + on—still carried on. In the scrolls of the future it is already + written that the centre of the Empire must shift—and where, if not + to Canada?” + </p> + <p> + There was a half-comprehending burst of applause, Dr Drummond’s the first + clap. It was a curious change from the simple colloquial manner in which + young Murchison had begun and to which the audience were accustomed; and + on this account probably they stamped the harder. They applauded Lorne + himself; something from him infected them; they applauded being made to + feel like that. They would clap first and consider afterward. John + Murchison smiled with pleasure, but shook his head. Bingham, doubled up + and clapping like a repeating rifle, groaned aloud under cover of it to + Horace Williams: “Oh, the darned kid!” + </p> + <p> + “A certain Liberal peer of blessed political memory,” Lorne continued, + with a humorous twist of his mouth, “on one of those graceful, elegant, + academic occasions which offer political peers such happy opportunities of + getting in their work over there, had lately a vision which he described + to his university audience of what might have happened if the American + colonies had remained faithful to Great Britain—a vision of monarch + and Ministers, Government and Parliament, departing solemnly for the other + hemisphere. They did not so remain; so the noble peer may conjure up his + vision or dismiss his nightmare as he chooses; and it is safe to prophesy + that no port of the United States will see that entry. But, remembering + that the greater half of the continent did remain faithful, the northern + and strenuous half, destined to move with sure steps and steady mind to + greater growth and higher place among the nations than any of us can now + imagine—would it be as safe to prophesy that such a momentous + sailing-day will never be more than the after-dinner fantasy of + aristocratic rhetoric? Is it not at least as easy to imagine that even + now, while the people of England send their viceroys to the ends of the + earth, and vote careless millions for a reconstructed army, and sit in the + wrecks of Cabinets disputing whether they will eat our bread or the + stranger’s, the sails may be filling, in the far harbour of time which + will bear their descendants to a representative share of the duties and + responsibilities of Empire in the capital of the Dominion of Canada?” + </p> + <p> + It was the boldest proposition, and the Liberal voters of the town of + Elgin blinked a little, looking at it. Still they applauded, hurriedly, to + get it over and hear what more might be coming. Bingham, on the platform, + laughed heartily and conspicuously, as if anybody could see that it was + all an excellent joke. Lorne half-turned to him with a gesture of protest. + Then he went on— + </p> + <p> + “If that transport ever left the shores of England we would go far, some + of us, to meet it; but for all the purposes that matter most it sailed + long ago. British statesmen could bring us nothing better than the ideals + of British government; and those we have had since we levied our first tax + and made our first law. That precious cargo was our heritage, and we never + threw it overboard, but chose rather to render what impost it brought; and + there are those who say that the impost has been heavy, though never a + dollar was paid.” + </p> + <p> + He paused for an instant and seemed to review and take account of what he + had said. He was hopelessly adrift from the subject he had proposed to + himself, launched for better or for worse upon the theme that was + subliminal in him and had flowed up, on which he was launched, and almost + rudderless, without construction and without control. The speech of his + first intention, orderly, developed, was as far from him as the history of + Liberalism in Fox County. For an instant he hesitated; and then, under the + suggestion, no doubt, of that ancient misbehaviour in Boston Harbour at + which he had hinted, he took up another argument. I will quote him a + little. + </p> + <p> + “Let us hold,” he said simply, “to the Empire. Let us keep this patrimony + that has been ours for three hundred years. Let us not forget the flag. We + believe ourselves, at this moment, in no danger of forgetting it. The day + after Paardeburg, that still winter day, did not our hearts rise within us + to see it shaken out with its message everywhere, shaken out against the + snow? How it spoke to us, and lifted us, the silent flag in the new fallen + snow! Theirs—and ours... That was but a little while ago, and there + is not a man here who will not bear me out in saying that we were never + more loyal, in word and deed, than we are now. And that very state of + things has created for us an undermining alternative... + </p> + <p> + “So long as no force appeared to improve the trade relations between + England and this country Canada sought in vain to make commercial bargains + with the United States. They would have none of us or our produce; they + kept their wall just as high against us as against the rest of the world: + not a pine plank or a bushel of barley could we get over under a + reciprocal arrangement. But the imperial trade idea has changed the + attitude of our friends to the south. They have small liking for any + scheme which will improve trade between Great Britain and Canada, because + trade between Great Britain and Canada must be improved at their expense. + And now you cannot take up an American paper without finding the report of + some commercial association demanding closer trade relations with Canada, + or an American magazine in which some far-sighted economist is not urging + the same thing. They see us thinking about keeping the business in the + family; with that hard American common sense that has made them what they + are, they accept the situation; and at this moment they are ready to offer + us better terms to keep our trade.” + </p> + <p> + Bingham, Horace Williams, and Mr Farquharson applauded loudly. Their young + man frowned a little and squared his chin. He was past hints of that kind. + </p> + <p> + “And that,” he went on to say, “is, on the surface, a very satisfactory + state of things. No doubt a bargain between the Americans and ourselves + could be devised which would be a very good bargain on both sides. In the + absence of certain pressing family affairs, it might be as well worth our + consideration as we used to think it before we were invited to the family + council. But if anyone imagines that any degree of reciprocity with the + United States could be entered upon without killing the idea of British + preference trade for all time, let him consider what Canada’s attitude + toward that idea would be today if the Americans had consented to our + proposals twenty-five years ago, and we were invited to make an imperial + sacrifice of the American trade that had prospered, as it would have + prospered, for a quarter of a century! I doubt whether the proposition + would even be made to us... + </p> + <p> + “But the alternative before Canada is not a mere choice of markets; we are + confronted with a much graver issue. In this matter of dealing with our + neighbour our very existence is involved. If we would preserve ourselves + as a nation, it has become our business, not only to reject American + overtures in favour of the overtures of our own great England, but to + keenly watch and actively resist American influence, as it already + threatens us through the common channels of life and energy. We often say + that we fear no invasion from the south, but the armies of the south have + already crossed the border. American enterprise, American capital, is + taking rapid possession of our mines and our water power, our oil areas + and our timber limits. In today’s Dominion, one paper alone, you may read + of charters granted to five industrial concerns with headquarters in the + United States. The trades unions of the two countries are already + international. American settlers are pouring into the wheat-belt of the + Northwest, and when the Dominion of Canada has paid the hundred million + dollars she has just voted for a railway to open up the great lone + northern lands between Quebec and the Pacific, it will be the American + farmer and the American capitalist who will reap the benefit. They + approach us today with all the arts of peace, commercial missionaries to + the ungathered harvests of neglected territories; but the day may come + when they will menace our coasts to protect their markets—unless, by + firm, resolved, whole-hearted action now, we keep our opportunities for + our own people.” + </p> + <p> + They cheered him promptly, and a gathered intensity came into his face at + the note of praise. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing on earth can hold him now,” said Bingham, as he crossed his arms + upon a breast seething with practical politics, and waited for the worst. + </p> + <p> + “The question of the hour for us,” said Lorne Murchison to his + fellow-townsmen, curbing the strenuous note in his voice, “is deeper than + any balance of trade can indicate, wider than any department of statistics + can prove. We cannot calculate it in terms of pig-iron, or reduce it to + any formula of consumption. The question that underlies this decision for + Canada is that of the whole stamp and character of her future existence. + Is that stamp and character to be impressed by the American Republic + effacing”—he smiled a little—“the old Queen’s head and the new + King’s oath? Or is it to be our own stamp and character, acquired in the + rugged discipline of our colonial youth, and developed in the national + usage of the British Empire?”... + </p> + <p> + Dr Drummond clapped alone; everybody else was listening. + </p> + <p> + “It is ours,” he told them, “in this greater half of the continent, to + evolve a nobler ideal. The Americans from the beginning went in a spirit + of revolt; the seed of disaffection was in every Puritan bosom. We from + the beginning went in a spirit of amity, forgetting nothing, disavowing + nothing, to plant the flag with our fortunes. We took our very + Constitution, our very chart of national life, from England—her + laws, her liberty, her equity were good enough for us. We have lived by + them, some of us have died by them...and, thank God, we were long poor... + </p> + <p> + “And this Republic,” he went on hotly, “this Republic that menaces our + national life with commercial extinction, what past has she that is + comparable? The daughter who left the old stock to be the light woman + among nations, welcoming all comers, mingling her pure blood, polluting + her lofty ideals until it is hard indeed to recognize the features and the + aims of her honourable youth...” + </p> + <p> + Allowance will be made for the intemperance of his figure. He believed + himself, you see, at the bar for the life of a nation. + </p> + <p> + “...Let us not hesitate to announce ourselves for the Empire, to throw all + we are and all we have into the balance for that great decision. The seers + of political economy tell us that if the stars continue to be propitious, + it is certain that a day will come which will usher in a union of the + Anglo-Saxon nations of the world. As between England and the United States + the predominant partner in that firm will be the one that brings Canada. + So that the imperial movement of the hour may mean even more than the + future of the motherland, may reach even farther than the boundaries of + Great Britain...” + </p> + <p> + Again he paused, and his eye ranged over their listening faces. He had + them all with him, his words were vivid in their minds; the truth of them + stood about him like an atmosphere. Even Bingham looked at him without + reproach. But he had done. + </p> + <p> + “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, his voice dropping, with a hint of + tiredness, to another level, “I have the honour to stand for your + suffrages as candidate in the Liberal interest for the riding of South Fox + in the Dominion House of Commons the day after tomorrow. I solicit your + support, and I hereby pledge myself to justify it by every means in my + power. But it would be idle to disguise from you that while I attach all + importance to the immediate interests in charge of the Liberal party, and + if elected shall use my best efforts to further them, the great task + before that party, in my opinion, the overshadowing task to which, I shall + hope, in my place and degree to stand committed from the beginning, is the + one which I have endeavoured to bring before your consideration this + evening.” + </p> + <p> + They gave him a great appreciation, and Mr Cruickshank, following, spoke + in complimentary terms of the eloquent appeal made by the “young and + vigorous protagonist” of the imperial cause, but proceeded to a number of + quite other and apparently more important grounds why he should be + elected. The Hon. Mr Tellier’s speech—the Minister was always kept + to the last—was a defence of the recent dramatic development of the + Government’s railway policy, and a reminder of the generous treatment + Elgin was receiving in the Estimates for the following year—thirty + thousand dollars for a new Drill Hall, and fifteen thousand for + improvements to the post-office. It was a telling speech, with the chink + of hard cash in every sentence, a kind of audit by a chartered accountant + of the Liberal books of South Fox, showing good sound reason why the + Liberal candidate should be returned on Thursday, if only to keep the + balance right. The audience listened with practical satisfaction. “That’s + Tellier all over,” they said to one another... + </p> + <p> + The effect in committee of what, in spite of the Hon. Mr Tellier’s + participation, I must continue to call the speech of the evening, may be + gathered from a brief colloquy between Mr Bingham and Mr Williams, in the + act of separating at the door of the opera house. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know what it was worth to preference trade,” said Bingham, “but + it wasn’t worth a hill o’ beans to his own election.” + </p> + <p> + “He had as soft a snap,” returned Horace Williams, on the brink of tears—“as + soft a snap as anybody ever had in this town. And he’s monkeyed it all + away. All away.” + </p> + <p> + Both the local papers published the speech in full the following day. “If + there’s anything in Manchester or Birmingham that Mr Lorne Murchison would + like,” commented the Mercury editorially, “we understand he has only to + call for it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX + </h2> + <p> + The Milburns’ doorbell rang very early the morning of the election. The + family and Alfred Hesketh were just sitting down to breakfast. Mr Hesketh + was again the guest of the house. He had taken a run out to Vancouver with + Mr Milburn’s partner, who had gone to settle a point or two in connection + with the establishment of a branch there. The points had been settled and + Hesketh, having learned more than ever, had returned to Elgin. + </p> + <p> + The maid came back into the room with a conscious air, and said something + in a low voice to Dora, who flushed and frowned a little, and asked to be + excused. As she left the room a glance of intelligence passed between her + and her mother. While Miss Milburn was generally thought to be “most like” + her father both in appearance and disposition, there were points upon + which she could count on an excellent understanding with her other parent. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Lorne,” she said, having carefully closed the drawing-room door, + “what in the world have you come here for? Today of all days! Did anybody + see you?” + </p> + <p> + The young man, standing tall and broad-shouldered before the mantelpiece, + had yet a look of expecting reproach. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” he said humbly. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think Father would like it,” Dora told him, “if he knew you were + here. Why, we’re having an early breakfast on purpose to let him get out + and work for Winter. I never saw him so excited over an election. To think + of your coming today!” + </p> + <p> + He made a step toward her. “I came because it is today,” he said. “Only + for a minute, dear. It’s a great day for me, you know—whether we win + or lose. I wanted you to be in it. I wanted you to wish me good luck.” + </p> + <p> + “But you know I always do,” she objected. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know. But a fellow likes to hear it, Dora—on the day, you + know. And I’ve seen so little of you lately.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him measuringly. “You’re looking awfully thin,” she + exclaimed, with sudden compunction. “I wish you had never gone into this + horrid campaign. I wish they had nominated somebody else.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne smiled half-bitterly. “I shouldn’t wonder if a few other people + wished the same thing,” he said. “But I’m afraid they’ll have to make the + best of it now.” + </p> + <p> + Dora had not sanctioned his visit by sitting down; and as he came nearer + to her she drew a step away, moving by instinct from the capture of the + lover. But he had made little of that, and almost as he spoke was at her + side. She had to yield her hands to him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you’ll win it for them if anybody could,” she assured him. + </p> + <p> + “Say ‘win it for us,’ dear.” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. “I’m not a Liberal—yet,” she said, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “It’s only a question of time.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll never be converted to Grit politics.” + </p> + <p> + “No, but you’ll be converted to me,” he told her, and drew her nearer. + “I’m going now, Dora. I dare say I shouldn’t have come. Every minute + counts today. Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + She could not withhold her face from his asking lips, and he had bent to + take his privilege when a step in the hall threatened and divided them. + </p> + <p> + “It’s only Mr Hesketh going upstairs,” said Dora, with relief. “I thought + it was Father. Oh, Lorne—fly!” + </p> + <p> + “Hesketh!” Young Murchison’s face clouded. “Is he working for Winter, + too?” + </p> + <p> + “Lorne! What a thing to ask when you know he believes in your ideas. But + he’s a Conservative at home, you see, so he says he’s in an awkward + position, and he has been taking perfectly neutral ground lately. He + hasn’t a vote, anyway.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Lorne. “He’s of no consequence.” + </p> + <p> + The familiar easy step in the house of his beloved, the house he was being + entreated to leave with all speed, struck upon his heart and his nerves. + She, with her dull surface to the more delicate vibrations of things, + failed to perceive this, or perhaps she would have thought it worth while + to find some word to bring back his peace. She disliked seeing people + unhappy. When she was five years old and her kitten broke its leg, she had + given it to a servant to drown. + </p> + <p> + He took his hat, making no further attempt to caress her, and opened the + door. “I hope you WILL win, Lorne,” she said, half-resentfully, and he, + with forced cheerfulness, replied, “Oh, we’ll have a shot at it.” Then + with a little silent nod at her which, notwithstanding her provocations, + conveyed his love and trust, he went out into the struggle of the day. + </p> + <p> + In spite of Squire Ormiston’s confident prediction, it was known that the + fight would be hottest, among the townships, in Moneida Reservation. Elgin + itself, of course, would lead the van for excitement, would be the real + theatre for the arts of practical politics; but things would be pretty + warm in Moneida, too. It was for that reason that Bingham and the rest + strongly advised Lorne not to spend too much of the day in the town, but + to get out to Moneida early, and drive around with Ormiston—stick to + him like a fly to poison-paper. + </p> + <p> + “You leave Elgin to your friends,” said Bingham. “Just show your face here + and there wearing a smile of triumph, to encourage the crowd; but don’t + worry about the details—we’ll attend to them.” + </p> + <p> + “We can’t have him upsettin’ his own election by any interference with the + boys,” said Bingham to Horace Williams. “He’s got too long a nose for all + kinds of things to be comfortable in town today. He’ll do a great deal + less harm trotting round the Reserve braced up against old Ormiston.” + </p> + <p> + So Elgin was left to the capable hands of the boys, for the furtherance of + the Liberal interest and the sacred cause of imperialism. Mr Farquharson, + whose experience was longer and whose nose presumably shorter than the + candidate’s, never abandoned the Town Ward. Bingham skirmished between the + polling-booths and the committee room. Horace Williams was out all day—Rawlins + edited the paper. The returns wouldn’t be ready in time for anything but + an extra anyhow, and the “Stand to Arms, South Fox,” leader had been + written two days ago. The rest was millinery, or might be for all anybody + would read of it. The other side had a better idea of the value of their + candidate than to send him into the country. Walter Winter remained where + he was most effective and most at home. He had a neat little livery + outfit, and he seemed to spend the whole day in it accompanied by intimate + personal friends who had never spoken to him, much less driven with him, + before. Two or three strangers arrived the previous night at the leading + hotels. Their business was various, but they had one point in common: they + were very solicitous about their personal luggage. I should be sorry to + assign their politics, and none of them seemed to know much about the + merits of the candidates, so they are not perhaps very pertinent, except + for the curiosity shown by the public at the spectacle of gentlemen + carrying their own bags when there were porters to do it. + </p> + <p> + It was a day long remembered and long quoted. The weather was spring-like, + sun after a week’s thaw; it was pleasant to be abroad in the relaxed air + and the drying streets, that here and there sent up threads of steam after + the winter house-cleaning of their wooden sidewalks. Voting was a + privilege never unappreciated in Elgin; and today the weather brought out + every soul to the polls; the ladies of his family waiting, in many + instances, on the verandah, with shawls over their heads, to hear the + report of how the fight was going. Abby saw Dr Harry back in his + consulting room, and Dr Henry safely off to vote, and then took the two + children and went over to her father’s house because she simply could not + endure the suspense anywhere else. The adventurous Stella picketed herself + at a corner near the empty grocery which served as a polling-booth for + Subdivision Eleven, one of the most doubtful, but was forced to retire at + the sight of the first carryall full of men from the Milburn Boiler + Company flaunting a banner inscribed “We are Solid for W.W.” Met in the + hall by her sister, she protested that she hadn’t cried till she got + inside the gate, anyhow. Abby lectured her soundly on her want of proper + pride: she was much too big a girl to be “seen around” on a day when her + brother was “running,” if it were only for school trustee. The other + ladies of the family, having acquired proper pride kept in the back of the + house so as not to be tempted to look out of the front windows. Mrs + Murchison assumed a stoical demeanour and made a pudding; though there was + no reason to help Eliza, who was sufficiently lacking in proper pride to + ask the milkman whether Mr Lorne wasn’t sure to be elected down there now. + The milkman said he guessed the best man ‘ud get in, but in a manner which + roused general suspicion as to which he had himself favoured. + </p> + <p> + “We’ll finish the month,” said Mrs Murchison, “and then not another quart + do we take from HIM—a gentleman that’s so uncertain when he’s asked + a simple question.” + </p> + <p> + The butcher came, and brought a jovial report without being asked for it; + said he was the first man to hand in a paper at his place, but they were + piling up there in great shape for Mr Murchison when he left. + </p> + <p> + “If he gets in, he gets in,” said Mrs Murchison. “And if he doesn’t it + won’t be because of not deserving to. Those were real nice cutlets + yesterday, Mr Price, and you had better send us a sirloin for tomorrow, + about six pounds; but it doesn’t matter to an ounce. And you can save us + sweetbreads for Sunday; I like yours better than Luff’s.” + </p> + <p> + John Murchison, Alec, and Oliver came shortly up to dinner, bringing + stirring tales from the field. There was the personator in Subdivision Six + of a dead man—a dead Grit—wanted by the bloodhounds of the + other side and tracked to the Reform committee room, where he was + ostensibly and publicly taking refuge. + </p> + <p> + “Why did he go there?” asked Stella, breathlessly. + </p> + <p> + “Why, to make it look like a put-up job of ours, of course, “said her + brother. “And it was a put-up job, a good old Tory fake. But they didn’t + calculate on Bingham and Bingham’s memory. Bingham happened to be in the + committee room, and he recognized this fellow for a regular political + tough from up Muskoka way, where they get six for a bottle of Canadian and + ten if it’s Scotch. ‘Why, good morning,’ says Bingham, ‘thought you were + in jail,’ and just then he catches sight of a couple of trailers from the + window. Well, Bingham isn’t just lightning smart, but then he isn’t SLOW, + you know. ‘Well,’ he says, ‘you can’t stop here,’ and in another second he + was throwing the fellow out. Threw him out pretty hard, too. I guess; + right down the stairs, and Bingham on top. Met Winter’s men at the door. + ‘The next time you want information from the headquarters of this + association, gentlemen,’ Bingham said, ‘send somebody respectable.’ + Bingham thought the man was just any kind of low spy at first, but when + they claimed him for personation, Bingham just laughed. ‘Don’t be so hard + on your friends; he said. I don’t think we’ll hear much more about that + little racket.” + </p> + <p> + “Can’t anything be done to any of them?” asked Stella. “Not today, of + course, but when there’s time.” + </p> + <p> + “We’ll have to see about it, Stella,” said Alec. “When there’s time.” + </p> + <p> + “Talking about Bingham,” Oliver told them; “you know Bingham’s story about + Jim Whelan keeping sober for two weeks, for the first time in twenty + years, to vote for Winter? Wouldn’t touch a thing—no, he was going + to do it this time, if he died for it; it was disagreeable to refuse + drinks, but it was going to be worth his while. Been boasting about the + post-office janitorship Winter was to give him if he got in. Well, in he + came to Number Eleven this morning all dressed up, with a clean collar, + looking thirstier than any man you ever saw, and gets his paper. Young + Charlie Bingham is deputy returning officer at Number Eleven. In a second + back comes Whelan. ‘This ballot’s marked; he says; ‘you don’t fool me.’ + ‘Is it?’ says Charlie, taking it out of his hand. ‘That’s very wrong, Jim; + you shouldn’t have marked it,’ and drops it into the ballot-box. Oh, Jim + was wild! The paper had gone in blank, you see, and he’d lost all those + good drunks and his vote too! He was going to have Charlie’s blood right + away. But there it was—done. He’d handed in his ballot—he + couldn’t have another.” + </p> + <p> + They all laughed, I fear, at the unfortunate plight of the too suspicious + Whelan. “Why did he think the ballot was marked?” asked Advena. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there was a little smudge on it—a fly-spot or something, + Charlie says. But you couldn’t fool Whelan.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope,” said Stella meditatively, “that Lorne will get in by more than + one. He wouldn’t like to owe his election to a low-down trick like that” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you be at all alarmed, you little girlish thing,” replied her + brother. “Lorne will get in by five hundred.” + </p> + <p> + John Murchison had listened to their excited talk, mostly in silence, + going on with his dinner as if that and nothing else were the important + matter of the moment. Mrs Murchison had had this idiosyncrasy of his “to + put up with” for over thirty years. She bore it now as long as she could. + </p> + <p> + “FATHER!” she exploded at last. “Do you think Lorne will get in by five + hundred?” + </p> + <p> + Mr Murchison shook his head, and bestowed his whole attention upon the + paring of an apple. If he kept his hopes to himself, he also kept his + doubts. “That remains to be seen,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Well, considering it’s your own son, I think you might show a little more + confidence,” said Mrs Murchison. “No thank you; no dessert for me. With a + member of the family being elected—or not—for a seat in + Parliament, I’m not the one to want dessert.” + </p> + <p> + Between Mr Murchison and the milkman that morning, Mrs Murchison felt + almost too much tried by the superior capacity for reticence. + </p> + <p> + It was seven in the evening before the ballot-boxes were all in the hands + of the sheriff, and nine before that officer found it necessary to let the + town know that it had piled up a majority of three hundred for Walter + Winter. He was not a supporter of Walter Winter, and he preferred to wait + until the returns began to come in from Clayfield and the townships, in + the hope that they would make the serious difference that was required of + them. The results were flashed one after the other to the total from the + windows of the Express and the Mercury upon the cheering crowd that + gathered in Market Square. There were moments of wild elation, moments of + deep suspense upon both sides, but when the final addition and subtraction + was made the enthusiastic voters of South Fox, including Jim Whelan, who + had neglected no further opportunity, read, with yells and groans, hurrahs + and catcalls, that they had elected Mr Lorne Murchison to the Dominion + House of Commons by a majority of seventy. + </p> + <p> + Then the band began to play and all the tin whistles to rejoice. Young and + Windle had the grace to blow their sirens, and across the excited darkness + of the town came the long familiar boom of the Murchison Stove Works. + Every Liberal in Elgin who had any means of making a noise made it. From + the window of the Association committee room their young fellow-townsman + thanked them for the honour they had done him, while his mother sat in the + cab he had brought her down in and applauded vigorously between tears, and + his father took congratulations from a hundred friendly hands. They all + went home in a torchlight procession, the band always playing, the tin + whistles always performing; and it was two in the morning before the + occasion could in any sense be said to be over. + </p> + <p> + Lights burned quite as late, however, in the Conservative committee room, + where matters were being arranged to bark threateningly at the heels of + victory next day. Victory looked like something that might be made to turn + and parley. A majority of seventy was too small for finality. Her + attention was called without twenty-four hours’ delay to a paragraph in + the Elgin Mercury, plainly authoritative, to the effect that the election + of Mr Murchison would be immediately challenged, on the ground of the + infringement in the electoral district of Moneida of certain provisions of + the Ontario Elections Act with the knowledge and consent of the candidate, + whose claim to the contested seat, it was confidently expected, would be + rendered within a very short time null and void. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI + </h2> + <p> + “You can never trust an Indian,” said Mrs Murchison at the anxious family + council. “Well do I remember them when you were a little thing, Advena, + hanging round the town on a market-day; and the squaws coming to the back + door with their tin pails of raspberries to sell, and just knowing English + enough to ask a big price for them. But it was on the squaws we depended + in those days, or go without raspberry preserves for the winter. + Slovenly-looking things they were with their three or four coloured + petticoats and their papooses on their backs. And for dirt—! But I + thought they were all gone long ago.” + </p> + <p> + “There are enough of them left to make trouble all right,” said Alec. + “They don’t dress up like they used to, and I guess they send the papooses + to kindergarten now; but you’ll find plenty of them lying around any time + there’s nothing to do but vote and get drunk.” + </p> + <p> + Allowing for the natural exaggeration of partisanship, the facts about the + remaining red man of Moneida were much as Alec described them. On + market-days he slid easily, unless you looked twice, into what the Express + continues to call the farming community. Invariably, if you did look + twice, you would note that his stiff felt hat was an inch taller in the + crown than those worn generally by the farming community, the pathetic + assertion, perhaps, of an old sovereignty; invariably, too his coat and + trousers betrayed a form within, which, in the effort at adaptation, had + become high-shouldered and lank of leg. And the brown skin was there to be + noticed, though you might pass it by, and the high cheek-bones and the + liquidly muddy eye. He had taken on the signs of civilization at the level + which he occupied; the farming community had lent him its look of + shrewdness in small bargains and its rakish sophistication in garments, + nor could you always assume with certainty, except at Fox County fairs and + elections, that he was intoxicated. So much Government had done for him in + Fox County, where the “Reservation,” nursing the dying fragment of his + race, testified that there is such a thing as political compunction. Out + in the wide spaces of the West he still protects his savagery; they know + an Indian there today as far as they can see him, without a second glance. + </p> + <p> + And in Moneida, upon polling-days, he still, as Alec said, “made trouble.” + Perhaps it would be more to the fact to say that he presented the elements + of which trouble is made. Civilization had given him a vote, not with his + coat and trousers, but shortly after; and he had not yet learned to keep + it anywhere but in his pocket, whence the transfer was easy, and could be + made in different ways. The law contemplated only one, the straight drop + into the ballot-box; but the “boys” had other views. The law represented + one level of political sentiment, the boys represented another; both + parties represented the law, both parties were represented by the boys; + and on the occasion of the South Fox election the boys had been active in + Moneida. There are, as we know, two kinds of activity on these occasions, + one being set to observe the other; and Walter Winter’s boys, while + presumably neglecting no legitimate opportunity of their own, claimed to + have been highly successful in detecting the methods of the other side. + </p> + <p> + The Indians owed their holdings, their allowances, their school, and their + protecting superintendent, Squire Ormiston, to a Conservative Government. + It made a grateful bond of which a later Conservative Government was not, + perhaps, unaware, when it added the ballot to its previous benefits. The + Indians, therefore, on election-days, were supposed to “go solid” for the + candidate in whom they had been taught to see good will. If they did not + go quite solid, the other side might point to the evolution of the + political idea in every dissentient—a gladdening spectacle, indeed, + on which, however, the other side seldom showed any desire to dwell. + </p> + <p> + Hitherto the desires and intentions of the “Reserve” had been exemplified + in its superintendent. Squire Ormiston had never led his wards to the + polls—there were strong reasons against that. But the squire made no + secret of his politics, either before or, unluckily, after he changed + them. The Indians had always known that they were voting on the same side + as “de boss.” They were likely, the friends of Mr Winter thought, to know + now that they were voting on a different side. This was the secret of Mr + Winter’s friends’ unusual diligence on voting-day in Moneida. The mere + indication of a wish on the part of the superintendent would constitute + undue influence in the eye of the law. The squire was not the most + discreet of men—often before it had been the joke of Conservative + councils how near the old man had come to making a case for the Grits in + connection with this chief or that. I will not say that he was acquainted + with the famous letter from Queen Victoria, affectionately bidding her + Indian children to vote for the Conservative candidate. But perhaps he had + not adhered to the strictest interpretation of the law which gave him + fatherly influence in everything pertaining to his red-skinned charges’ + interests temporal and spiritual, excepting only their sacred privilege of + the ballot. He may even have held it in some genial derision, their sacred + privilege; it would be natural, he had been there among them in + unquestioned authority so long. Now it had assumed an importance. The + squire looked at it with the ardour of a converted eye. When he told Mr + Farquharson that he could bring Moneida with him to a Liberal victory, he + thought and spoke of the farmers of the township not of his wards of the + Reserve. Yet as the day approached these would infallibly become voters in + his eyes, to swell or to diminish the sum of Moneida’s loyalty to the + Empire. They remembered all this in the committee room of his old party. + “The squire,” they said to one another, “will give himself away this time + if ever he did.” Then young Murchison hadn’t known any better than to + spend the best part of the day out there, and there were a dozen witnesses + to swear that old Ormiston introduced him to three or four of the chiefs. + That was basis enough for the boys detailed to watch Moneida, basis enough + in the end for a petition constructed to travel to the High Court at + Toronto for the purpose of rendering null and void the election of Mr + Lorne Murchison, and transferring the South Fox seat to the candidate of + the opposite party. + </p> + <p> + That possibility had been promptly frustrated by a cross petition. There + was enough evidence in Subdivision Eleven, according to Bingham, to void + the Tory returns on six different counts; but the house-cat sold by Peter + Finnigan to Mr Winter for five dollars would answer all practical + purposes. It was a first-rate mouser, Bingham said, and it would settle + Winter. They would have plenty of other charges “good and ready” if + Finnigan’s cat should fail them, but Bingham didn’t think the court would + get to anything else; he had great confidence in the cat. + </p> + <p> + The petitions had been lodged with promptness. “Evidence,” as Mr Winter + remarked, “is like a good many other things—better when it’s hot, + especially the kind you get on the Reserve.” To which, when he heard it, + Bingham observed sarcastically that the cat would keep. The necessary + thousand dollars were ready on each side the day after the election, + lodged in court the next. Counsel were as promptly engaged—the + Liberals selected Cruickshank—and the suit against the elected + candidate, beginning with charges against his agents in the town, was + shortly in full hearing before the judges sent from Toronto to try it. + Meanwhile the Elgin Mercury had shown enterprise in getting hold of + Moneida evidence, and foolhardiness, as the Express pointed out, in + publishing it before the matter was reached in court. There was no + foolhardiness in printing what the Express knew about Finnigan’s cat; it + was just a common cat, and Walter Winter paid five dollars for it, + Finnigan declaring that if Mr Winter hadn’t filled him up with bad whiskey + before the bargain, he wouldn’t have let her go under ten, he was that + fond of the creature. The Express pointed out that this was grasping of + Finnigan, as the cat had never left him, and Mr Winter showed no intention + of taking her away; but there was nothing sub judice about the cat. + Finnigan, before he sobered up, had let her completely out of the bag. It + was otherwise with the charges that were to be made, according to the + Mercury, on the evidence of Chief Joseph Fry and another member of his + tribe, to the effect that he and his Conservative friends had been + instructed by Squire Ormiston and Mr Murchison to vote on this occasion + for both the candidates, thereby producing, when the box was opened, + eleven ballot-papers inscribed with two crosses instead of one, and + valueless. Here, should the charges against a distinguished and highly + respected Government official fail, as in the opinion of the Express they + undoubtedly would fail of substantiation was a big libel case all dressed + and ready and looking for the Mercury office. “Foolish—foolish,” + wrote Mr Williams at the close of his editorial comments. “Very + ill-advised.” + </p> + <p> + “They’ve made no case so far,” Mr Murchison assured the family. “I saw + Williams on my way up, and he says the evidence of that corner grocery + fellow—what’s his name?—went all to pieces this morning. + Oliver was in court. He says one of the judges—Hooke—lost his + patience altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “They won’t do anything with the town charges,” Alec said, “and they know + it. They’re saving themselves for Moneida and old man Ormiston.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I heartily wish,” said Mrs Murchison, in a tone of grievance with + the world at large, and if you were not responsible you might keep out of + the way—“I heartily wish that Lorne had stayed at home that day and + not got mixed up with old man Ormiston.” + </p> + <p> + “They’ll find it pretty hard to fix anything on Lorne,” said Alec. “But I + guess the Squire did go off his head a little.” + </p> + <p> + “Have they anything more than Indian evidence?” asked Advena. + </p> + <p> + “We don’t know what they’ve got,” said her brother darkly “and we won’t + till Wednesday, when they expect to get round to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Indian evidence will be a poor dependence in Cruickshank’s hands,” Mr + Murchison told them, with a chuckle. “They say this Chief Joseph Fry is + going about complaining that he always got three dollars for one vote + before, and this time he expected six for two, and got nothing!” + </p> + <p> + “Chief Joseph Fry!” exclaimed Alec. “They make me tired with their Chief + Josephs and Chief Henrys! White Clam Shell—that was the name he got + when he wasn’t christened.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s the name,” remarked Advena, “that he probably votes under.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Mrs Murchison, “it was very kind of Squire Ormiston to give + Lorne his support, but it seems to me that as far as Moneida is concerned + he would have done better alone.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I guess he wouldn’t, Mother,” said Alec. “Moneida came right round + with the Squire, outside the Reserve. If it hadn’t been for the majority + there we would have lost the election. The old man worked hard, and Lorne + is grateful to him, and so he ought to be.” + </p> + <p> + “If they carry the case against Lorne,” said Stella, “he’ll be + disqualified for seven years.” + </p> + <p> + “Only if they prove him personally mixed up in it,” said the father. “And + that,” he added with a concentration of family sentiment in the emphasis + of it, “they’ll not do.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII + </h2> + <p> + It was late afternoon when the train from the West deposited Hugh Finlay + upon the Elgin platform, the close of one of those wide, wet, uncertain + February days when the call of spring is on the wind though spring is + weeks away. The lights of the town flashed and glimmered down the streets + under the bare swaying maple branches. The early evening was full of soft + bluster; the air was conscious with an appeal of nature, vague yet + poignant. The young man caught at the strange sympathy that seemed to be + abroad for his spirit. He walked to his house, courting it, troubled by + it. They were expecting him that evening at Dr Drummond’s, and there it + was his intention to go. But on his way he would call for a moment to see + Advena Murchison. He had something to tell her. It would be news of + interest at Dr Drummond’s also; but it was of no consequence, within an + hour or so, when they should receive it there, while it was of great + consequence that Advena should hear it at the earliest opportunity, and + from him. There is no weighing or analysing the burden of such a necessity + as this. It simply is important: it makes its own weight; and those whom + it concerns must put aside other matters until it has been accomplished. + He would tell her: they would accept it for a moment together, a moment + during which he would also ascertain whether she was well and strong, with + a good chance of happiness—God protect her—in the future that + he should not know. Then he would go on to Dr Drummond’s. + </p> + <p> + The wind had risen when he went out again; it blew a longer blast, and the + trees made a steady sonorous rhythm in it. The sky was full of clouds that + dashed upon the track of a failing moon; there was portent everywhere, and + a hint of tumult at the end of the street. No two ways led from Finlay’s + house to his first destination. River Street made an angle with that on + which the Murchisons lived—half a mile to the corner, and + three-quarters the other way. Drops drove in his face as he strode along + against the wind, stilling his unquiet heart, that leaped before him to + that brief interview. As he took the single turning he came into the full + blast of the veering, irresolute storm. The street was solitary and full + of the sound of the blown trees, wild and uplifting. Far down the figure + of a woman wavered before the wind across the zone of a blurred lamp-post. + She was coming toward him. He bent his head and lowered his umbrella and + lost sight of her as they approached, she with the storm behind her, + driven with hardly more resistance than the last year’s blackened leaves + that blew with her, he assailed by it and making the best way he could. + Certainly the wind was taking her part and his, when in another moment her + skirt whipped against him and he saw her face glimmer out. A mere wreck of + lines and shadows it seemed in the livid light, with suddenly perceiving + eyes and lips that cried his name. She had on a hat and a cloak, but + carried no umbrella, and her hands were bare and wet. Pitifully the storm + blew her into his arms, a tossed and straying thing that could not speak + for sobs; pitifully and with a rough incoherent sound he gathered and held + her in that refuge. A rising fear and a great solicitude laid a finger + upon his craving embrace of her; he had a sense of something strangely + different in her, of the unknown irremediable. Yet she was there, in his + arms, as she had never been before; her plight but made her in a manner + sweeter; the storm that brought her barricaded them in the empty spaces of + the street with a divinely entreating solitude. He had been prepared to + meet her in the lighted decorum of her father’s house and he knew what he + should say. He was not prepared to take her out of the tempest, helpless + and weeping and lost for the harbour of his heart, and nothing could he + say. He locked his lips against all that came murmuring to them. But his + arms tightened about her and he drew her into the shelter of a wall that + jutted out in the irregular street; and there they stood and clung + together in a long, close, broken silence that covered the downfall of her + spirit. It was the moment of their great experience of one another; never + again, in whatever crisis, could either know so deep, so wonderful a + fathoming of the other soul. Once as it passed, Advena put up her hand and + touched his cheek: There were tears on it, and she trembled, and wound her + arm about his neck, and held up her face to his. “No,” he muttered, and + crushed it against his breast. There without complaint she let it lie; she + was all submission to him: his blood leaped and his spirit groaned with + the knowledge of it. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you come out? Why did you come, dear?” he said at last. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know. There was such a wind. I could not stay in the house.” + </p> + <p> + She spoke timidly, in a voice that should have been new to him, but that + it was, above all, her voice. + </p> + <p> + “I was on my way to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I know. I thought you might perhaps come. If you had not—I think I + was on my way to you.” + </p> + <p> + It seemed not unnatural. + </p> + <p> + “Did you find—any message from me when you came?” she asked + presently, in a quieted, almost a contented tone. + </p> + <p> + It shot—the message—before his eyes, though he had seen it no + message, in the preoccupation of his arrival. + </p> + <p> + “I found a rose on my dressing-table,” he told her; and the rose stood for + him in a wonder of tenderness, looking back. + </p> + <p> + “I smuggled it in,” she confessed, “I knew your old servant—she used + to be with us. The others—from Dr Drummond’s—have been there + all day making it warm and comfortable for you. I had no right to do + anything like that, but I had the right, hadn’t I, to bring the rose?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” he answered her, hard-pressed, “how we are to bear this.” + </p> + <p> + She shrank away from him a little, as if at a glimpse of a surgeon’s + knife. + </p> + <p> + “We are not to bear it,” she said eagerly. “The rose is to tell you that. + I didn’t mean it, when I left it, to be anything more—more than a + rose; but now I do. I didn’t even know when I came out tonight. But now I + do. We aren’t to bear it, Hugh. I don’t want it so—now. I can’t—can’t + have it so.” + </p> + <p> + She came nearer to him again and caught with her two hands the lapels of + his coat. He closed his own over them and looked down at her in that + half-detachment, which still claimed and held her. + </p> + <p> + “Advena,” he whispered, out of the sudden clamour in his mind, “she can’t + be—she isn’t—nothing has happened to her?” + </p> + <p> + She smiled faintly, but her eyes were again full of fear at his + implication of the only way. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no!” she said. “But you have been away, and she has come. I have seen + her; and oh! she won’t care, Hugh—she won’t care.” + </p> + <p> + Her asking, straining face seemed to gather and reflect all the light + there was in the shifting night about them. The rain had stopped, but the + wind still hurtled past, whirling the leaves from one darkness to another. + They were as isolated, as outlawed there in the wild wet wind as they were + in the confusion of their own souls. + </p> + <p> + “We must care,” he said helplessly, clinging to the sound and form of the + words. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no!” she cried. “No, no! Indeed I know now what is possible and what + is not!” + </p> + <p> + For an instant her eyes searched the rigid lines of his face in + astonishment. In their struggle to establish the impossible she had been + so far ahead, so greatly the more confident and daring, had tempted him to + such heights, scorning every dizzy verge, that now, when she turned quite + back from their adventure, humbly confessing it too hard, she could not + understand how he should continue to set himself doggedly toward it. + Perhaps, too, she trusted unconsciously in her prerogative. He loved her, + and she him: before she would not, now she would. Before she had preferred + an ideal to the desire of her heart; now it lay about her; her strenuous + heart had pulled it down to foolish ruin, and how should she lie abased + with it and see him still erect and full of the deed they had to do? + </p> + <p> + “Come,” he said, “let me take you home, dear,” and at that and some accent + in it that struck again at hope, she sank at his feet in a torrent of + weeping, clasping them and entreating him, “Oh send her away! Send her + away!” + </p> + <p> + He lifted her, and was obliged literally to support her. Her hat had + fallen off; he stroked her hair and murmured such comfort to her as we + have for children in their extremity, of which the burden is chiefly love + and “Don’t cry.” She grew gradually quieter, drawing one knows not what + restitution from the intrinsic in him; but there was no pride in her, and + when she said “Let me go home now,” it was the broken word of hapless + defeat. They struggled together out into the boisterous street, and once + or twice she failed and had to stop and turn. Then she would cling to a + wall or a tree, putting his help aside with a gesture in which there was + again some pitiful trace of renunciation. They went almost without a word, + each treading upon the heart of the other toward the gulf that was to + come. They reached it at the Murchisons’ gate, and there they paused, as + briefly as possible, since pause was torture, and he told her what he + could not tell her before. + </p> + <p> + “I have accepted the charge of the White Water Mission Station in + Alberta,” he said. “I, too, learned very soon after I left you what was + possible and what was not. I go as soon as—things can be set in + order here. Good-bye, my dear love, and may God help us both.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him with a pitiful effort at a steady lip. “I must try to + believe it,” she said. “And afterward, when it comes true for you, + remember this—I was ashamed.” + </p> + <p> + Then he saw her pass into her father’s house, and he took the road to his + duty and Dr Drummond’s. + </p> + <p> + His extremity was very great. Through it lines came to him from the + beautiful archaic inheritance of his Church. He strode along hearing them + again and again in the dying storm. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + So, I do stretch my hands + To Thee my help alone; + Thou only understands + All my complaint and moan. +</pre> + <p> + He listened to the prayer on the wind, which seemed to offer it for him, + listened and was gravely touched. But he himself was far from the throes + of supplication. He was looking for the forces of his soul; and by the + time he reached Dr Drummond’s door we may suppose that he had found them. + </p> + <p> + Sarah who let him in, cried, “How wet you are, Mr Finlay!” and took his + overcoat to dry in the kitchen. The Scotch ladies, she told him, and Mrs + Forsyth, had gone out to tea, but they would be back right away, and + meanwhile “the Doctor” was expecting him in the study—he knew the + way. + </p> + <p> + Finlay did know the way but, as a matter of fact, there had been time for + him to forget it; he had not crossed Dr Drummond’s threshold since the + night on which the Doctor had done all, as he would have said, that was + humanly possible to bring him, Finlay, to reason upon the matter of his + incredible entanglement in Bross. The door at the end of the passage was + ajar however, as if impatient; and Dr Drummond himself, standing in it, + heightened that appearance, with his “Come you in, Finlay. Come you in!” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor looked at the young man in a manner even more acute, more + shrewd, and more kindly than was his wont. His eye searched Finlay + thoroughly, and his smile seemed to broaden as his glance travelled. + </p> + <p> + “Man,” he said, “you’re shivering,” and rolled him an armchair near the + fire. (“The fellow came into the room,” he would say, when he told the + story afterward to the person most concerned, “as if he were going to the + stake!”) “This is extraordinary weather we are having, but I think the + storm is passing over.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope,” said Finlay, “that my aunt and Miss Cameron are well. I + understand they are out.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, very well—finely. They’re out at present, but you’ll see them + bye-and-bye. An excellent voyage over they had—just the eight days. + But we’ll be doing it in less than that when the new fast line is running + to Halifax. But four days of actual ocean travelling they say now it will + take. Four days from imperial shore to shore! That should incorporate us—that + should bring them out and take us home.” + </p> + <p> + The Doctor had not taken a seat himself, but was pacing the study, his + thumbs in his waistcoat pockets; and a touch of embarrassment seemed added + to the inveterate habit. + </p> + <p> + “I hear the ladies had pleasant weather.” Finlay remarked. + </p> + <p> + “Capital—capital! You won’t smoke? I know nothing about these + cigars; they’re some Grant left behind him—a chimney, that man + Grant. Well, Finlay”—he threw himself into the arm-chair on the + other side of the hearth—“I don’t know what to say to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” said Finlay restively, “it has all been said, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it has not all been said,” Dr Drummond retorted. “No, it has not. + There’s more to be said, and you must hear it, Finlay, with such patience + as you have. But I speak the truth when I say that I don’t know how to + begin.” + </p> + <p> + The young man gave him opportunity, gazing silently into the fire. He was + hardly aware that Dr Drummond had again left his seat when he started + violently at a clap on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Finlay!” exclaimed the Doctor. “You won’t be offended? No—you + couldn’t be offended!” + </p> + <p> + It was half-jocular, half-anxious, wholly inexplicable. + </p> + <p> + “At what,” asked Hugh Finlay, “should I be offended?” + </p> + <p> + Again, with a deep sigh, the Doctor dropped into his chair. “I see I must + begin at the beginning,” he said. But Finlay, with sudden intuition, had + risen and stood before him trembling, with a hand against the mantelpiece. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said, “if you have anything to tell me of importance, for God’s + sake begin at the end.” + </p> + <p> + Some vibration in his voice went straight to the heart of the Doctor, + banishing as it travelled, every irrelevant thing that it encountered. + </p> + <p> + “Then the end is this, Finlay,” he said. “The young woman, Miss Christie + Cameron, whom you were so wilfully bound and determined to marry, has + thrown you over—that is, if you will give her back her word—has + jilted you—that is, if you’ll let her away. Has thought entirely + better of the matter.” + </p> + <p> + (“He stared out of his great sockets of eyes as if the sky had fallen,” Dr + Drummond would say, recounting it.) + </p> + <p> + “For—for what reason?” asked Finlay, hardly yet able to distinguish + between the sound of disaster and the sense that lay beneath. + </p> + <p> + “May I begin at the beginning?” asked the Doctor, and Hugh silently + nodded. + </p> + <p> + (“He sat there and never took his eyes off me, twisting his fingers. I + might have been in a confession-box,” Dr Drummond would explain to her.) + </p> + <p> + “She came here, Miss Cameron, with that good woman, Mrs Kilbannon, it will + be three weeks next Monday,” he said, with all the air of beginning a + story that would be well worth hearing. “And I wasn’t very well pleased to + see her, for reasons that you know. However, that’s neither here nor + there. I met them both at the station, and I own to you that I thought + when I made Miss Cameron’s acquaintance that you were getting better than + you deserved in the circumstances. You were a thousand miles away—now + that was a fortunate thing!—and she and Mrs Kilbannon just stayed + here and made themselves as comfortable as they could. And that was so + comfortable that anyone could see with half an eye”—the Doctor’s own + eye twinkled—“so far as Miss Cameron was concerned, that she wasn’t + pining in any sense of the word. But I wasn’t sorry for you, Finlay, on + that account.” He stopped to laugh enjoyingly, and Finlay blushed like a + girl. + </p> + <p> + “I just let matters bide and went about my own business. Though after poor + Mrs Forsyth here—a good woman enough, but the brains of a rabbit—it + was pleasant to find these intelligent ladies at every meal, and wonderful + how quick they were at picking up the differences between the points of + Church administration here and at home. That was a thing I noticed + particularly in Miss Cameron. + </p> + <p> + “Matters went smoothly enough—smoothly enough—till one + afternoon that foolish creature Advena Murchison”—Finlay started—“came + here to pay a call on Miss Cameron and Mrs Kilbannon. It was well and + kindly meant, but it was not a wise-like thing to do. I didn’t exactly + make it out, but it seems that she came all because of you and on account + of you; and the ladies didn’t understand it, and Mrs Kilbannon came to me. + My word, but there was a woman to deal with! Who was this young lady, and + what was she to you that she should go anywhere or do anything in your + name? Without doubt”—he put up a staying hand—“it was foolish + of Advena. And what sort of freedom, and how far, and why, and what way, + and I tell you it was no easy matter, to quiet her. ‘Is Miss Cameron + distressed about it?’ said I. ‘Not a bit,’ said she, ‘but I am, and I must + have the rights of this matter,’ said she, ‘if I have to put it to my + nephew himself.’ + </p> + <p> + “It was at that point, Finlay, that the idea—just then that the + thought came into my mind—well I won’t say absolutely, but + practically for the first time—Why can’t this matter be arranged on + a basis to suit all parties? So I said to her, ‘Mrs Kilbannon,’ I said, + ‘if you had reasonable grounds for it, do you think you could persuade + your niece not to marry Hugh Finlay?’ Wait—patience!” He held up his + hand, and Finlay gripped the arm of his chair again. + </p> + <p> + “She just stared at me. ‘Are you gone clean daft, Dr Drummond?’ she said. + ‘There could be no grounds serious enough for that. I will not believe + that Hugh Finlay has compromised himself in any way.’ I had to stop her; I + was obliged to tell her there was nothing of the kind—nothing of the + kind; and later on I’ll have to settle with my conscience about that. ‘I + meant,’ I said, the reasonable grounds of an alternative: ‘An + alternative?’ said she. To cut a long story short,” continued the Doctor, + leaning forward, always with the finger in his waistcoat pocket to + emphasize what he said, “I represented to Mrs Kilbannon that Miss Cameron + was not in sentimental relations toward you, that she had some reason to + suspect you of having placed your affections elsewhere, and that I myself + was very much taken up with what I had seen of Miss Cameron. In brief, I + said to Mrs Kilbannon that if Miss Cameron saw no objection to altering + the arrangements to admit of it, I should be pleased to marry her myself. + The thing was much more suitable in every way. I was fifty-three years of + age last week, I told her, ‘but’ I said, ‘Miss Cameron is thirty-six or + seven, if she’s a day, and Finlay there would be like nothing but a + grown-up son to her. I can offer her a good home and the minister’s pew in + a church that any woman might be proud of—and though far be it from + me,’ I said, ‘to depreciate mission work, either home or foreign, Miss + Cameron in that field would be little less than thrown away. Think it + over,’ I said. + </p> + <p> + “Well, she was pleased, I could see that. But she didn’t half like the + idea of changing the original notion. It was leaving you to your own + devices that weighed most with her against it; she’d set her heart on + seeing you married with her approval. So I said to her, to make an end of + it, ‘Well, Mrs Kilbannon,’ I said, ‘suppose we say no more about it for + the present. I think I see the finger of Providence in this matter; but + you’ll talk it over with Miss Cameron, and we’ll all just make it, for the + next few days, the subject of quiet and sober reflection. Maybe at the end + of that time I’ll think better of it myself, though that is not my + expectation.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I think,’ she said, ‘we’ll just leave it to Christie.’” + </p> + <p> + As the Doctor went on with his tale, relaxation had stolen dumbly about + Finlay’s brow and lips. He dropped from the plane of his own absorption to + the humorous common sense of the recital: it claimed and held him with + infinite solace. His eyes had something like the light of laughter in + them, flashing behind a cloud, as he fixed them on Dr Drummond, and said, + “And did you?” + </p> + <p> + “We did,” said Dr Drummond, getting up once more from his chair, and + playing complacently with his watch-charms as he took another turn about + the study. “We left it to Miss Cameron, and the result is”—the + Doctor stopped sharply and wheeled round upon Finlay—“the result is—why, + the upshot seems to be that I’ve cut you out, man!” + </p> + <p> + Finlay measured the little Doctor standing there twisting his watch-chain, + beaming with achieved satisfaction, in a consuming desire to know how far + chance had been kind to him, and how far he had to be simply, unspeakably, + grateful. He stared in silence, occupied with his great debt; it was like + him that that, and not his liberty, should be first in his mind. We who + have not his opportunity may find it more difficult to decide; but from + our private knowledge of Dr Drummond we may remember what poor Finlay + probably forgot at the moment, that even when pitted against Providence, + the Doctor was a man of great determination. + </p> + <p> + The young fellow got up, still speechless, and confronted Dr Drummond. He + was troubled for something to say; the chambers of his brain seemed empty + or reiterating foolish sounds. He pressed the hand the minister offered + him and his lips quivered. Then a light came into his face, and he picked + up his hat. + </p> + <p> + “And I’ll say this for myself,” chuckled Dr Drummond. “It was no hard + matter.” + </p> + <p> + Finlay looked at him and smiled. “It would not be, sir,” he said lamely. + Dr Drummond cast a shrewd glance at him and dropped the tone of banter. + </p> + <p> + “Aye—I know! It’s no joking matter,” he said, and with a hand behind + the young man’s elbow, he half pushed him to the door and took out his + watch. He must always be starting somebody, something, in the right + direction, the Doctor. “It’s not much after half-past nine, Finlay,” he + said. “I notice the stars are out.” + </p> + <p> + It had the feeling of a colloquial benediction, and Finlay carried it with + him all the way. + </p> + <p> + It was nevertheless nearly ten when he reached her father’s house, so late + that the family had dispersed for the night. Yet he had the hardihood to + ring, and the hour blessed them both, for Advena on the stair, catching + who knows what of presage out of the sound, turned, and found him at the + threshold herself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII + </h2> + <p> + “I understand how you must feel in the matter, Murchison, said Henry + Cruickshank. “It’s the most natural thing in the world that you should + want to clear yourself definitely, especially as you say, since the + charges have been given such wide publicity. On the other hand, I think it + quite possible that you exaggerate the inference that will be drawn from + our consenting to saw off with the other side on the two principal + counts.” + </p> + <p> + “The inference will be,” said Lorne “that there’s not a pin to choose + between Winter’s political honesty and my own. I’m no Pharisee, but I + don’t think I can sit down under that. I can’t impair my possible + usefulness by accepting a slur upon my reputation at the very beginning.” + </p> + <p> + “Politics are very impersonal. It wouldn’t be remembered a year.” + </p> + <p> + “Winter of course,” said young Murchison moodily, “doesn’t want to take + any chances. He knows he’s done for if we go on. Seven years for him would + put him pretty well out of politics. And it would suit him down to the + ground to fight it over again. There’s nothing he would like better to see + than another writ for South Fox.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s all right,” the lawyer responded, “but Moneida doesn’t look + altogether pleasant, you know. We may have good grounds for supposing that + the court will find you clear of that business; but Ormiston, so far as I + can make out, was playing the fool down there for a week before + polling-day, and there are three or four Yellow Dogs and Red Feathers only + too anxious to pay back a grudge on him. We’ll have to fight again, + there’s no doubt about that. The only question is whether we’ll ruin + Ormiston first or not. Have you seen Bingham?” + </p> + <p> + “I know what Bingham thinks,” said Lorne, impatiently. “The Squire’s + position is a different consideration. I don’t see how I can—However, + I’ll go across to the committee room now and talk it over.” + </p> + <p> + It is doubtful whether young Murchison knew all that Bingham thought; + Bingham so seldom told it all. There were matters in the back of Bingham’s + mind that prompted him to urge the course that Cruickshank had been + empowered by the opposing counsel to suggest—party considerations + that it would serve no useful purpose to talk over with Murchison. Bingham + put it darkly when he said he had quite as much hay on his fork as he + cared to tackle already, implying that the defence of indiscretions in + Moneida was quite an unnecessary addition. Contingencies seemed probable, + arising out of the Moneida charges that might affect the central + organization of the party in South Fox to an extent wholly out of + proportion with the mere necessity of a second election. Bingham talked it + over with Horace Williams, and both of them with Farquharson; they were + all there to urge the desirability of “sawing off” upon Lorne when he + found them at headquarters. Their most potent argument was, of course, the + Squire and the immediate dismissal that awaited him under the law if undue + influence were proved against him. Other considerations found the newly + elected member for South Fox obstinate and troublesome, but to that he was + bound to listen, and before that he finally withdrew his objections. The + election would come on again, as happened commonly enough. Bingham could + point to the opening, in a few days, of a big flour-milling industry + across the river, which would help; operations on the Drill Hall and the + Post-Office would be hurried on at once, and the local party organization + would be thoroughly overhauled. Bingham had good reason for believing that + they could entirely regain their lost ground, and at the same time + dissipate the dangerous impression that South Fox was being undermined. + Their candidate gave a reluctant ear to it all, and in the end agreed to + everything. + </p> + <p> + So that Chief Joseph Fry—the White Clam Shell of his own lost fires—was + never allowed the chance of making good the election losses of that year, + as he had confidently expected to do when the charge came on; nor was it + given to any of the Yellow Dogs and Red Feathers of Mr Cruickshank’s + citation to boast at the tribal dog-feasts of the future, of the occasion + on which they had bested “de boss.” Neither was any further part in public + affairs, except by way of jocular reference, assigned to Finnigan’s cat. + The proceedings of the court abruptly terminated, the judges reported the + desirability of a second contest, and the public accepted with a wink. The + wink in any form was hateful to Lorne Murchison, but he had not to + encounter it long. + </p> + <p> + The young man had changed in none of the aspects he presented to his + fellow-citizens since the beginning of the campaign. In the public eye he + wore the same virtues as he wore the same clothes; he summed up even a + greater measure of success; his popularity was unimpaired. He went as + keenly about the business of life, handling its details with the same + capable old drawl. Only his mother, with the divination of mothers, + declared that since the night of the opera house meeting Lorne had been + “all worked up.” She watched him with furtive anxious looks, was + solicitous about his food, expressed relief when she knew him to be safely + in bed and asleep. He himself observed himself with discontent, unable to + fathom his extraordinary lapse from self-control on the night of his final + address. He charged it to the strain of unavoidable office work on top of + the business of the campaign, abused his nerves, talked of a few days’ + rest when they had settled Winter. He could think of nothing but the + points he had forgotten when he had his great chance. “The flag should + have come in at the end,” he would say to himself, trying vainly to + remember where it did come in. He was ill pleased with the issue of that + occasion; and it was small compensation to be told by Stella that his + speech gave her shivers up and down her back. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the theory of Empire coursed in his blood, fed by the revelation + of the future of his country in every newspaper, by the calculated + prophecies of American onlookers, and by the telegrams which repeated the + trumpet notes of Wallingham’s war upon the mandarinate of Great Britain. + It occupied him so that he began to measure and limit what he had to say + about it, and to probe the casual eye for sympathy before he would give an + inch of rope to his enthusiasm. He found it as hard as ever to understand + that the public interest should be otherwise preoccupied, as it plainly + was, that the party organ, terrified of Quebec, should shuffle away from + the subject with perfunctory and noncommittal reference, that among the + men he met in the street, nobody’s blood seemed stirred, whatever the + day’s news was from England. He subscribed to the Toronto Post, the + leading organ of the Tories, because of its fuller reports and more + sympathetic treatment of the Idea, due to the fact that the Idea + originated in a brain temporarily affiliated to the Conservative party. If + the departure to imperial preference had any damage in it for Canadian + interests, it would be for those which the Post made its special care; but + the spirit of party draws the breath of expediency, and the Post flaunting + the Union Jack every other day, put secondary manufactures aside for + future discussion, and tickled the wheat-growers with the two-shilling + advantage they were coming into at the hands of the English Conservatives, + until Liberal leaders began to be a little anxious about a possible loss + of wheat-growing votes. It was, as John Murchison said, a queer position + for everybody concerned; queer enough, no doubt, to admit a Tory journal + into the house on sufferance and as a special matter; but he had a + disapproving look for it as it lay on the hall floor, and seldom was the + first to open it. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless Lorne found more satisfaction in talking imperialism with his + father than with anyone else. While the practical half of John Murchison + was characteristically alive to the difficulties involved, the sentimental + half of him was ready at any time to give out cautious sparks of sympathy + with the splendour of Wallingham’s scheme; and he liked the feeling that a + son of his should hark back in his allegiance to the old land. There was a + kind of chivalry in the placing of certain forms of beauty—political + honour and public devotion, which blossomed best, it seemed, over there—above + the material ease and margin of the new country, and even above the grand + chance it offered for a man to make his mark. Mr Murchison was susceptible + to this in anyone, and responsive to it in his son. + </p> + <p> + As to the local party leaders, they had little more than a shrug for the + subject. So far as they were concerned, there was no Empire and no Idea; + Wallingham might as well not have been born. It seemed to Lorne that they + maintained toward him personally a special reticence about it. Reticence + indeed characterized their behaviour generally during the period between + the abandonment of the suits and the arrangement of the second Liberal + convention. They had little advice for him about his political attitude, + little advice about anything. He noticed that his presence on one or two + occasions seemed to embarrass them, and that his arrival would sometimes + have a disintegrating effect upon a group in the post-office or at a + street corner. He added it, without thinking, to his general heaviness; + they held it a good deal against him, he supposed, to have reduced their + proud standing majority to a beggarly two figures; he didn’t blame them. + </p> + <p> + I cannot think that the sum of these depressions alone would have been + enough to overshadow so buoyant a soul as Lorne Murchison’s. The + characteristics of him I have tried to convey were grafted on an excellent + fund of common sense. He was well aware of the proportions of things; he + had no despair of the Idea, nor would he despair should the Idea + etherealize and fly away. Neither had he, for his personal honour, any + morbid desires toward White Clam Shell or Finnigan’s cat. His luck had + been a good deal better than it might have been; he recognized that as + fully as any sensible young man could, and as for the Great Chance, and + the queer grip it had on him, he would have argued that too if anyone had + approached him curiously about it. There I think we might doubt his + conclusions. There is nothing subtler, more elusive to trace than the + intercurrents of the emotions. Politics and love are thought of at + opposite poles, and Wallingham perhaps would have laughed to know that he + owed an exalted allegiance in part to a half-broken heart. Yet the impulse + that is beyond our calculation, the thing we know potential in the blood + but not to be summoned or conditioned, lies always in the shadow of the + ideal; and who can analyse that, and say, “Of this class is the will to + believe in the integrity of the beloved and false; of that is the desire + to lift a nation to the level of its mountain-ranges”? Both dispositions + have a tendency to overwork the heart; and it is easy to imagine that they + might interact. Lorne Murchison’s wish, which was indeed a burning longing + and necessity, to believe in the Dora Milburn of his passion, had been + under a strain since the night on which he brought her the pledge which + she refused to wear. He had hardly been conscious of it in the beginning, + but by constant suggestion it had grown into his knowledge, and for weeks + he had taken poignant account of it. His election had brought him no + nearer a settlement with her objection to letting the world know of their + relations. The immediate announcement that it was to be disputed gave Dora + another chance, and once again postponed the assurance that he longed for + with a fever which was his own condemnation of her, if he could have read + that sign. For months he had seen so little of her, had so altered his + constant habit of going to the Milburns’, that his family talked of it, + wondering among themselves; and Stella indulged in hopeful speculations. + They did not wonder or speculate at the Milburns’. It was an axiom there + that it is well to do nothing rashly. + </p> + <p> + Lorne, in the office on Market Street, had been replying to Mr Fulke to + the effect that the convention could hardly be much longer postponed, but + that as yet he had no word of the date of it when the telephone bell rang + and Mr Farquharson’s voice at the other end asked him to come over to the + committee room. “They’ve decided about it now, I imagine,” he told his + senior, putting on his hat; and something of the wonted fighting elation + came upon him as he went down the stairs. He was right in his supposition. + They had decided about it, and they were waiting, in a group that made + every effort to look casual, to tell him when he arrived. + </p> + <p> + They had delegated what Horace Williams called “the job” to Mr + Farquharson, and he was actually struggling with the preliminaries of it, + when Bingham, uncomfortable under the curious quietude of the young + fellow’s attention, burst out with the whole thing. + </p> + <p> + “The fact is, Murchison, you can’t poll the vote. There’s no man in the + Riding we’d be better pleased to send to the House; but we’ve got to win + this election, and we can’t win it with you.” + </p> + <p> + “You think you can’t?” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + “You see, old man,” Horace Williams put in, “you didn’t get rid of that + save-the-Empire-or-die scheme of yours soon enough. People got to think + you meant something by it.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall never get rid of it,” Lorne returned simply, and the others + looked at one another. + </p> + <p> + “The popular idea seems to be,” said Mr Farquharson judicially, “that you + would not hesitate to put Canada to some material loss, or at least to + postpone her development in various important directions, for the sake of + the imperial connection.” + </p> + <p> + “Wasn’t that,” Lorne asked him, “what, six months ago, you were all + prepared to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” said Bingham, with the air of repudiating for everybody + concerned. “Not for a cent. We were willing at one time to work it for + what is was worth, but it never was worth that, and if you’d had a little + more experience, Murchison, you’d have realized it.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s right, Lorne,” contributed Horace Williams. “Experience—that’s + all you want. You’ve got everything else, and a darned sight more. We’ll + get you there, all in good time. But this time—” + </p> + <p> + “You want me to step down and out,” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + “That’s for you to say,” Bingham told him. “We can nominate you again all + right, but we’re afraid we can’t get you the convention. Young and Windle + have been working like moles for the past ten days—” + </p> + <p> + “For Carter?” interrupted Lorne: “Carter, of course.” + </p> + <p> + They nodded. Carter stood the admitted fact. + </p> + <p> + “I’m sorry it’s Carter,” said Lorne thoughtfully. “However—” And he + dropped, staring before him, into silence. The others eyed him from + serious, underhung faces. Horace Williams, with an obvious effort, got up + and clapped him on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Brace up, old chap,” he said. “You made a blame good fight for us, and + we’ll do the same for you another day.” + </p> + <p> + “However, gentlemen,” the young man gathered himself up to say, “I believe + I understand the situation. You are my friends and this is your advice. We + must save the seat. I’ll see Carter. If I can get anything out of him to + make me think he’ll go straight on the scheme to save the Empire”—he + smiled faintly—“when it comes to a vote, I’ll withdraw in his favour + at the convention. Horace here will think up something for me—any + old lie will do, I suppose? In any case, of course, I withdraw.” + </p> + <p> + He took his hat, and they all got up, startled a little at the quick and + simple close of the difficult scene they had anticipated. Horace Williams + offered his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Shake, Lorne,” he said, and the other two, coming nearer, followed his + example. + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes,” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + He left them with a brief excuse, and they stood together in a moment’s + silence, three practical politicians who had delivered themselves from a + dangerous network involving higher things. + </p> + <p> + “Dash these heart-to-heart talks,” said Bingham irritably, “it’s the only + thing to do, but why the devil didn’t he want something out of it? I had + that Registrarship in my inside pocket.” + </p> + <p> + “If anybody likes to kick me round the room,” remarked Horace Williams + with depression, “I have no very strong objection.” + </p> + <p> + “And now,” Mr Farquharson said with a sigh, “we understand it’s got to be + Carter. I suppose I’m too old a man to do jockey for a three-year-old, but + I own I’ve enjoyed the ride.” + </p> + <p> + Lorne Murchison went out into the companionship of Main Street, the new + check in his fortunes hanging before him. We may imagine that it hung + heavily; we may suppose that it cut off the view. As Bingham would have + said, he was “up against it” and that, when one is confidently treading + the straight path to accomplishment, is a dazing experience. He was up + against it, yet already he had recoiled far enough to consider it; already + he was adapting his heart, his nerves, and his future to it. His heart + took it greatly, told him he had not yet force enough for the business he + had aspired to, but gave him a secret assurance. Another time he would + find more strength and show more cunning; he would not disdain the tools + of diplomacy and desirability, he would dream no more of short cuts in + great political departures. His heart bowed to its sorry education and + took counsel with him, bidding him be of good courage and push on. He was + up against it, but he would get round it, and there on the other side lay + the same wide prospect, with the Idea shining high. At one point he + faltered, but that was a matter of expediency rather than of courage. He + searched and selected, as he went along the street, among phrases that + would convey his disaster to Dora Milburn. + </p> + <p> + Just at that point, the turning to his own office, he felt it hard luck + that Alfred Hesketh should meet and want a word with him. Hesketh had + become tolerable only when other things were equal. Lorne had not seen him + since the night of his election, when his felicitations had seemed to + stand for very little one way or another. His manner now was more + important charged with other considerations. Lorne waited on the word, + uncomfortably putting off the necessity of coming out with his misfortune. + </p> + <p> + “I haven’t come across you, Murchison, but you’ve had my sympathy, I + needn’t say, all this time. A man can’t go into politics with gloves on, + there’s no doubt about that. Though mind you, I never for a moment + believed that you let yourself in personally. I mean, I’ve held you all + through, above the faintest suspicion.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you?” said Lorne. “Well, I suppose I ought to be grateful.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have—I assure you! But give me a disputed election for the + revelation of a rotten state of things—eh?” + </p> + <p> + “It does show up pretty low, doesn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + “However, upon my word, I don’t know whether it’s any better in England. + At bottom we’ve got a lower class to deal with, you know. I’m beginning to + have a great respect for the electorate of this country, Murchison—not + necessarily the methods, but the rank and file of the people. They know + what they want, and they’re going to have it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Lorne, “I guess they are.” + </p> + <p> + “And that brings me to my news, old man. I’ve given the matter a lot of + time and a lot of consideration, and I’ve decided that I can’t do better + than drive in a stake for myself in this new country of yours.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t so very new,” Lorne told him, in rather dull response, “but I + expect that’s a pretty good line to take. Why, yes—first rate.” + </p> + <p> + “As to the line,” Hesketh went on, weightily, leading the way through an + encumbering group of farmers at a corner, “I’ve selected that, too. + Traction-engines. Milburn has never built them yet, but he says the + opportunity is ripe—” + </p> + <p> + “Milburn!” Lorne wheeled sharply. + </p> + <p> + “My future partner. He was planning extensions just as I came along, a + fortunate moment, I hope it will prove, for us both. I’d like to go into + it with you, some time when you have leisure—it’s a scheme of + extraordinary promise. By the way, there’s an idea in it that ought to + appeal to you—driving the force that’s to subdue this wilderness of + yours.” + </p> + <p> + “When you’ve lived here for a while,” said Lorne, painfully preoccupied, + “you’ll think it quite civilized. So you’re going in with Milburn?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I’m proud of it already! I shall make a good Canadian, I trust. And + as good an imperialist,” he added, “as is consistent with the claims of my + adopted country.” + </p> + <p> + “That seems to be the popular view,” said Lorne. + </p> + <p> + “And a very reasonable view, too. But I’m not going to embark on that with + you, old fellow—you shan’t draw me in. I know where you are on that + subject.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I—I’m stranded. But it’s all right—the subject isn’t,” + Lorne said quietly; and Hesketh’s exclamations and inquiries brought out + the morning’s reverse. The young Englishman was cordially sorry, full of + concern and personal disappointment, abandoning his own absorbing affairs, + and devoting his whole attention to the unfortunate exigency which Lorne + dragged out of his breast, in pure manfulness, to lay before him. + </p> + <p> + However, they came to the end of it, arriving at the same time at the door + which led up the stairs to the office of Fulke, Warner, and Murchison. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Lorne. ‘“Thank you. Oh, I dare say it will come all + right in the course of time. You return to England, I suppose—or do + you?—before you go in with Milburn?” + </p> + <p> + “I sail next week,” said Hesketh, and a great relief shot into the face of + his companion. “I have a good deal to see to over there. I shan’t get back + much before June, I fancy. And—I must tell you—I am doing the + thing very thoroughly. This business of naturalizing myself, I mean. I am + going to marry that very charming girl—a great friend of yours, by + the way, I know her to be—Miss Milburn.” + </p> + <p> + For accepting the strokes of fate we have curiously trivial + demonstrations. Lorne met Hesketh’s eye with the steadiness of a lion’s in + his own; the unusual thing he did was to take his hands out of his pockets + and let his arms hang loosely by his side. It was as tragic a gesture of + helplessness as if he had flung them above his head. + </p> + <p> + “Dora is going to marry you?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe she will do me that honour. And I consider it an honour. Miss + Milburn will compare with any English girl I ever met. But I half expected + you to congratulate me. I know she wrote to you this morning—you + were one of the first.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall probably find the letter,” said Lorne mechanically, “when I go + home.” + </p> + <p> + He still eyed Hesketh narrowly, as if he had somewhere concealed about him + the explanation of this final bitter circumstance. He had a desire not to + leave him, to stand and parley—to go upstairs to the office would be + to plunge into the gulf. He held back from that and leaned against the + door frame, crossing his arms and looking over into the market-place for + subjects to postpone Hesketh’s departure. They talked of various matters + in sight, Hesketh showing the zest of his newly determined citizenship in + every observation—the extension of the electric tramway, the pulling + down of the old Fire Hall. In one consciousness Lorne made concise and + relevant remarks; in another he sat in a spinning dark world and waited + for the crash. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to come when Hesketh said, preparing to go, “I’ll tell Miss + Milburn I saw you. I suppose this change in your political prospects won’t + affect your professional plans in any way you’ll stick on here, at the + Bar?” + </p> + <p> + It was the very shock of calamity, and for the instant he could see + nothing in the night of it but one far avenue of escape, a possibility he + had never thought of seriously until that moment. The conception seemed to + form itself on his lips, to be involuntary. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know. A college friend has been pressing me for some time to join + him in Milwaukee. He offers me plenty of work, and I am thinking seriously + of closing with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Go over to the United States? You can’t mean that!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes—it’s the next best thing!” + </p> + <p> + Hesketh’s face assumed a gravity, a look of feeling and of remonstrance. + He came a step nearer and put a hand on his companion’s arm. + </p> + <p> + “Come now, Murchison,” he said, “I ask you—is this a time to be + thinking of chucking the Empire?” + </p> + <p> + Lorne moved farther into the passage with an abruptness which left his + interlocutor staring. He stood there for a moment in silence, and then + turned to mount the stair with a reply which a passing dray happily + prevented from reaching Hesketh’s ears. + </p> + <p> + “No, damn you,” he said. “It’s not!” + </p> + <p> + I cannot let him finish on that uncontrolled phrase, though it will be + acknowledged that his provocation was great. Nor must we leave him in + heavy captivity to the thought of oblivion in the unregarding welter of + the near republic, of plunging into more strenuous activities and + abandoning his ideal, in queer inverted analogy to the refuging of weak + women in a convent. We know that his ideal was strong enough to reassert + itself, under a keen irony of suggestion, in the very depth of his + overwhelming: and the thing that could rise in him at that black moment + may be trusted, perhaps, to reclaim his fortitude and reconsecrate his + energy when these things come again into the full current of his life. The + illness that, after two or three lagging days, brought him its merciful + physical distraction was laid in the general understanding at the door of + his political disappointment; and, among a crowd of sympathizers confined + to no party, Horace Williams, as his wife expressed it, was pretty nearly + wild during its progress. The power of the press is regrettably small in + such emergencies, but what restoration it had Horace anxiously + administered; the Express published a daily bulletin. The second election + passed only half-noticed by the Murchison family; Carter very nearly + re-established the Liberal majority. The Dominion dwelt upon this repeated + demonstration of the strength of Reform principles in South Fox, and Mrs + Murchison said they were welcome to Carter. + </p> + <p> + Many will sympathize with Mrs Murchison at this point, I hope, and regret + to abandon her in such equivocal approval of the circumstances which have + arisen round her. Too anxiously occupied at home to take her share in the + general pleasant sensation of Dr Drummond’s marriage, she was compelled to + give it a hurried consideration and a sanction which was practically + wrested from her. She could not be clear as to the course of events that + led to it, nor entirely satisfied, as she said, about the ins and outs of + the affair; this although she felt she could be clearer, and possibly had + better grounds for being satisfied, than other people. As to Advena’s + simple statement that Miss Cameron had made a second choice of the Doctor, + changing her mind, as far as Mrs Murchison could see, without rhyme or + reason, that Mrs Murchison took leave to find a very poor explanation. + Advena’s own behaviour toward the rejection is one of the things which her + mother declares, probably truly, that she never will understand. To pick + up a man in the actual fling of being thrown over, will never, in Mrs + Murchison’s eyes, constitute a decorous proceeding. I suppose she thinks + the creature might have been made to wait at least until he had found his + feet. She professes to cherish no antagonism to her future son-in-law on + this account, although, as she says, it’s a queer way to come into a + family; and she makes no secret of her belief that Miss Cameron showed + excellent judgement in doing as she did, however that far-seeing woman + came to have the opportunity. + </p> + <p> + Hesketh had sailed before Lorne left his room, to return in June to those + privileges and prospects of citizenship which he so eminently deserves to + enjoy. When her brother’s convalescence and departure for Florida had + untied her tongue, Stella widely proclaimed her opinion that Mr Hesketh’s + engagement to Miss Milburn was the most suitable thing that could be + imagined or desired. We know the youngest Miss Murchison to be inclined to + impulsive views; but it would be safe, I think, to follow her here. Now + that the question no longer circles in the actual vortex of Elgin politics + Mr Octavius Milburn’s attitude toward the conditions of imperial + connection has become almost as mellow as ever. Circumstances may arise + any day, however, to stir up that latent bitterness which is so potential + in him: and then I fear there will be no restraining him from again + attacking Wallingham in the papers. + </p> + <p> + Henry Cruickshank, growing old in his eminence and less secure, perhaps, + in the increasing conflict of loud voices, of his own grasp of the + ultimate best, fearing too, no doubt, the approach of that cynicism which, + moral or immoral, is the real hoar of age, wrote to young Murchison while + he was still examining the problems of the United States with the + half-heart of the alien, and offered him a partnership. The terms were so + simple and advantageous as only to be explicable on the grounds I have + mentioned, though no phrase suggested them in the brief formulas of the + letter, in which one is tempted to find the individual parallel of certain + propositions of a great government also growing old. The offer was + accepted, not without emotion, and there, too, it would be good to trace + the parallel, were we permitted; but for that it is too soon, or perhaps + it is too late. Here, for Lorne and for his country, we lose the thread of + destiny. The shuttles fly, weaving the will of the nations, with a skein + for ever dipped again; and he goes forth to his share in the task among + those by whose hand and direction the pattern and the colours will be + made. + </p> + <p> + END <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Imperialist, by +(a.k.a. 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