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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/76969-0.txt b/76969-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..13f2d70 --- /dev/null +++ b/76969-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6818 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76969 *** + +Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. + + + +[Illustration: "Calamity seems to be her portion," said the man coolly. + _Jock's Inheritance]_ _[Frontispiece_] + + + +_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ + +PUBLISHED BY WARD, LOCK & CO., LTD. + + ADRIENNE + A GIRL AND HER WAYS + HER KINGDOM + MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS + A STRANGE COURTSHIP + UNDER A CLOUD + NOEL'S CHRISTMAS TREE + + + + JOCK'S + + INHERITANCE + + + BY + + AMY LE FEUVRE + + Author of "My Heart's in the Highlands," + "A Girl and Her Ways," "Noel's Christmas Tree," etc. + + + + WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED + LONDON AND MELBOURNE + + + MADE IN ENGLAND + Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London + + + + CONTENTS + +CHAP. + + I A VENTURE + + II THE OLD HOUSE + + III WHAT A CUPBOARD CONTAINED + + IV LILAC FARM + + V A HARD BLOW + + VI IN NEW QUARTERS + + VII VENETIA DISAPPEARS + + VIII DISASTER + + IX JOCK'S CONFESSION + + X ORRIS'S LETTER + + XI IN RETREAT + + XII NEW QUARTERS AGAIN + + XIII JOCK'S ARRIVAL + + XIV A VISIT TO VEDDON WEAL + + XV WED + + XVI JOCK'S INHERITANCE + + + + JOCK'S INHERITANCE + +CHAPTER I + +A VENTURE + +IT was four o'clock in the afternoon in the beginning of January. The +room was cosy and comfortable. Outside, there was a bitter north-east +wind; the grey dusk hid the opposite row of houses, but the noise of +the traffic in the next street was ceaseless, and the girl sitting +before the blazing fire, her hands clasped loosely round her knees, +was continually raising her head in a listening attitude. Then she +heard the electric bell of her flat ring, and she rose to her feet +expectantly. + +The door opened, and a man was ushered in by a very trim maid. + +The girl uttered an exclamation of dismay. + +"'You,' Dugald!" + +"Yes, it's myself," said the newcomer in brisk tones; "don't look so +'dour,' as we Scotch say." + +The girl smiled. She was tall and slender, but she was not beautiful; +only a pair of merry brown eyes and a humorously twisted mouth redeemed +her from plainness, but she carried her inches with dignity, and she +had an attractive personality. + +"Sit down. I'm expecting my sister-in-law and my small niece to stay +with me. It is all rather sudden. Here's her letter. What do you think +of it?" She took a letter off her mantelpiece and handed it to him. + + "MY DEAR ORRIS,— + + "Calamity has overtaken me. I told you I was going to marry Captain +Arteris. My wedding day was fixed for the tenth of next month, and we +were to have been married in Cannes. I must tell you, about four months +ago, he persuaded me to invest all my capital in an oil well of his; he +said it would give me twelve per cent. right away. The oil has failed, +and the company, which I rather gather is Frank himself, is insolvent. +He came to me perfectly abject, saying he couldn't afford to marry, and +is now on his way to try new fields of fortune in California. So that's +off. The shock of it was too much for me, and I have been very ill. How +are Pippa and I to live upon my small pension? I must come and talk +over things with you, and I'm writing this just before leaving by the +night express. + + "Your affectionate sister, + + "VENETIA." + +"Calamity seems to be her portion," said the man coolly; "but I fail +to see why you should be brought into it again. You set her up in a +millinery venture, did you not?" + +Orris nodded. + +"She has neither the health nor capacity to earn," she said. + +"Take my advice and don't offer her a home." + +"I think," she remarked, "that you had better not stay. I hear a taxi, +and you and she never hit it off." + +"Hang her!" muttered the man under his breath. But he got up from his +chair. "I came to suggest a dinner at the Carlton to-night. Marie is up +in town, and wants to see you." + +"I'm sorry." + +She waved a rather impatient hand to him, and he left the room with a +heavy frown. + +"Venetia is a born parasite," he said to himself, "and Orris is a +perfect fool in her hands." + +Then, in a moment or two, the door opened, and Orris's sister-in-law +appeared. + +She shed her fur coat before she embraced. "Oh, what weather! And we've +had such a rough crossing! I'm perished with cold!" + +"Where's the child?" demanded Orris. + +"Downstairs, chattering her head off to Dugald, who tumbled into us. +Does he still live in your pockets, Orris?" + +Orris flushed, then she laughed. + +"You never will realize that our cousinship is a thing by itself. Ah, +here comes Pippa!" + +Venetia had taken off her hat and was standing over the fire; she had +a pale golden bobbed head and a very short dress. She looked about +seventeen in the firelight. The child who danced into the room and up +to Orris was dark-eyed, with a mop of very curly fair hair. She had +small features and a beautiful skin. + +"Aunt Ollie—Aunt Ollie!" she cried, throwing her arms round her aunt. +"Aren't you very glad to see me? I've grown yards, and mummy's shoes +almost fit me if I stuff paper into the toes! And I walked all round +the ship with the captain, and do you know I have a darling dove in a +cage? And Cousin Dugald was saying a wicked word when he met us on the +stairs, so I put my hand in his pocket quick like a thief, and picked +his cigarette-case; and then he and me had a scrimmage, but he says +there's a new bear at the Zoo wants to see me, and we think we'll go +to-morrow." + +She paused for breath. Her mother turned her head. + +"Go and fetch me my handbag, Pippa. I left it in the cab, and Anita has +got it." + +The child instantly obeyed. + +"You can put us up, Orris?" + +"Of course. I have a big spare room." + +"You're very comfortable in this flat. I suppose you realize that we're +penniless. Pippa and I have both been in the doctor's hands. He advised +a good healthy out-of-door life for us both. So ridiculous! But I +couldn't stay on in Cannes." + +"Pippa looks thin and white." + +"She's never still; she tires me to death. I never ought to have been a +mother. I haven't the health for it. Children are a never-ending care +and responsibility. You'll have to take her off my hands for a bit. +Have you still got your job at the club?" + +"Yes, I'm still manageress." + +"I should like a similar job if I could get it. You have a very good +time and a good salary." + +"It's good enough for one," said Orris, laughing, and her laugh was +clear and ringing, "but it won't be very good for three. I'll do the +best I can for you, Vennie dear. We must talk over this idea of a +country life." + +"Don't make me an item in it. But Pippa has a cough which ought to be +cured. If I had the money, I would send her down to a country farmhouse +with Anita, my maid. I suppose you can put her up too? I forgot to say +I was bringing her over with us. She's half Italian, half French, and +adores Pippa, and knows how to manage her." + +"I think she can share my one maid's room," said Orris. + +Pippa was back. + +"I wiss I was a organ-man, mummy! There's one with a monkey in the +street. May I go and be friends with him?" + +"No," said her mother sharply; "you may not. Oh, dear! How tired I am! +Orris, I'll go straight to bed. Anita will wait on me—I only want a cup +of tea." + +Orris took her to her spare room without a word. She saw that she had +every comfort there, and then returned to her little niece, whom she +found in front of the fire with two dolls and a Teddy bear. + +"It's my family, Aunt Ollie—Beauty and the Beast and their little baby. +I'm really fondest of the Beast; he's so soft and squeezy." + +Then a fit of coughing stopped further talking. And as Orris watched +the child's flushed, strained face and beating heart, sudden anxiety +seized her. + +"Pippa, my darling, you're nothing but a bag of bones with a little +skin over them!" + +She took her on her lap as she spoke, and, exhausted by her coughing, +the child rested her head on her shoulder and sighed. + +"Mummy hates fat people. There was a fat lady on the boat. She could +hardly walk. I can run faster than anybody can catch me." + +Tea was being brought in. Orris was distressed at her niece's small +appetite. When it was over, she found her hands full helping the +travellers to unpack and settle them comfortably for the night. But +later on, she came back to the fireside and sat very still in her +chair, as she reviewed the situation. + +"This will make a big change in my life," she said to herself. "I +cannot support Vennie in the luxury she demands, if we live on in +town. And the child will die here. For Jim's sake, I must look after +them. Well, it is good to have belongings; I was getting selfish and +self-centred—and a few days will do wonders, I expect. I must get a +doctor's opinion, and arrive at Vennie's mind. Light will come—it +always does." + +As she sat there, she looked back to her girlhood's days. Her first +real trouble was when she was a happy careless schoolgirl of fifteen. +She was recalled from her boarding-school to her young mother's +death-bed. She had caught a severe chill which turned to pneumonia, and +after a few days' illness passed away, whispering in a breathless way +to her little daughter: "Take care of daddy." + +Orris had had eight years of sheltered life with her father, who was +a dreamy scholar, and lived in a world of books and manuscripts. He +was twenty years older than her mother, and died leaving his daughter +almost penniless. + +Her one brother was a Civil Servant in India. He came home on leave at +his father's death with his wife and child, and wanted Orris to go back +to India and make his house her home. This she refused to do. Venetia +and she had little in common. And she knew she would not be a welcome +visitor to her sister-in-law. + +Through an old school friend she obtained a post as assistant +manageress of a woman's club in London, and proved so capable and +dependable that, on the retirement of her friend, she was elected the +manageress, and had been there ever since. + +Trouble came again. Her brother was carried off suddenly by virulent +typhus, and his widow and child came home, where Orris did her best +to obtain some employment for her sister-in-law. But Venetia was +not a worker; she threw up everything after a few weeks' trial, and +eventually went out to the Riviera as travelling companion to a rich +young widow. She had drifted about on the Continent for two years. And +as Orris realized now that her small income had entirely disappeared, +it needed all her courage and buoyancy to face the future. + +"I think," she murmured to herself, with a smile breaking over her +face, "that my role is to be one of the world's caretakers. Better that +than stagnating in a lonely pool! And if Venetia may prove a difficult +problem, Pippa will be my greatest joy." + +And with this conclusion she went to bed. She had learnt already how to +grapple with difficulties and yet maintain a cheerful contented spirit. + + +A week later she walked into her flat with a radiant face. + +It was nine o'clock in the evening. For a wonder Venetia was at home. +She was crouched over the fire reading a novel, and looked up at her +sister-in-law with discontented eyes. + +"What a time you've been! I've had a rotten day. I'm getting fed-up +with this cold fog and rain." + +"So sorry, dear! I was kept later than usual, for a Mrs. Calthrop +wanted to talk to me, and our talk was so engrossing that I did not +notice how the time was going. Such good news, Vennie! An open door, I +call it." + +Orris slipped off her fur coat and drew an easy-chair up to the fire. + +Venetia looked at her with a half-scornful curl of the lip. + +"You're easily pleased," she said. + +"Yes, I hope I am, but even you must acknowledge that this is what we +have been wanting. I had been telling one or two of the members that I +feared I would have to give up my post as I wanted to try for something +in the country, and Mrs. Calthrop had heard of it. I don't know if +you've heard me speak of her. She's a very energetic busy woman with an +only son—rather delicate. He has lately come into an old property quite +unexpectedly. He was secretary for some years to the owners of it. An +old man and his wife. Their name was Muir. The husband died about three +years ago, and the wife the end of last year. Young Calthrop had made +himself very useful to them both. And to everyone's astonishment, the +whole of the property has been left to him." + +"Do come to the point," said Venetia languidly. "I'm not interested in +these people." + +"Yes, but you must be, because of what follows. Mrs. Calthrop is +anxious for her son to sell the whole of the library in the old house. +It is a very valuable one, but is in a state of hopeless confusion. The +death duties and taxes have rather crippled them this year, and she +wants to go to Algiers with him and travel a bit. Neither of them are +book lovers, but she knows I am. She knew my father many years ago, and +briefly her proposition is this: that I should go down and catalogue +and put the library into perfect order before it is put into the market +for sale. She wants a good price for it, and will get it, I expect. I +can't understand her being willing—or her son either—to part with such +a possession. But there it is! She offers me board and house room, says +I can take friends or relations with me, and offers me three pounds +a week. I think it will be a year's task. She means to be abroad for +about that time with her son, and says she would like me to take up my +quarters there till they return." + +"Does she boss the show? What is this son like? Not married, is he? I +should like to meet him." + +Venetia's interest was awakened. She lit a cigarette, and lay back in +her chair, thinking hard. + +"I think she is boss, if you ask me. I have only seen her son once, and +then he struck me as a good-looking effeminate creature. I believe one +of his lungs is affected. No, he is not married, I'm glad to think. +He's not your sort, Venetia." + +"My sort," said Venetia, taking her cigarette out of her mouth, and +watching the spiral of smoke ascend from her lips, "is anyone with +decent manners, and a good balance at his bank." + +"I don't fancy he has too big a balance at present, but I daresay later +on, he'll be all right. The house is charming, I believe, but rather in +the wilds. It is on the borders of Hampshire, on high ground, and is in +the pine district. Very healthy, she says. I was thinking what a chance +for Pippa!" + +"And what about me?" + +Orris looked at her sister-in-law with a good-humoured tolerance. + +"You must come with us and make the best of it. The salary, of course, +isn't much, but we can make it do, with board and lodging thrown in. In +two years' time Pippa will, we'll hope, be strong and robust. I believe +there are three or four good old servants left with the house, so we +shall be comfortable." + +"I conclude you have accepted the post?" + +"Not until I have talked it over with you. But we should be fools to +throw such a chance away. I am to let Mrs. Calthrop have my decision +to-morrow morning." + +There was silence. Orris knew her sister-in-law well enough not to urge +her consent. + +And at last, Venetia spoke. + +"We can but try it. It will be good for the child. I think that I'll +let you take her down and settle in first. I've promised to pay the +Lucas-Seymours a visit the beginning of next month." + +"All right. I rather think I can get Mary Watson to come back to the +club for a bit. She resigned, you know, because her brother lost his +wife, and wanted her to look after his children, but the eldest is home +from school now, and she's not wanted in the same way. There will be a +lot to see to, but I shall try to sub-let this flat. I don't want to +store my bits of furniture." + +A busy time for Orris followed. Once having made a decision, she never +looked back. Her friends and a few relations objected to her leaving +town. Her cousin, Dugald McTavert, was one of these. + +"It's the height of folly turning yourself into a book grubber for such +a paltry screw, and burying yourself in a mouldy rat-eaten ruin for the +sake of a child who could be boarded out quite cheaply in any lodgings +or farm." + +"Well, now," said Orris, facing him gravely, "I always tell you that I +am led into pleasant pastures. I'm longing myself, after three years of +London turmoil, to breathe pure country air and live a quiet life. It +has come to me so easily and quickly that I simply look up, and give +thanks for it." + +"As you gave thanks for your job in town," said Dugald. + +"Yes, I did; and I've enjoyed all of it. I love my fellow-creatures, +and I've had some experience in dealing with them. And I won't say +that my brain hasn't benefited by my town life, and all the lectures +and music that I have enjoyed. But there's another side of me that I +have not cultivated. I've never had time to think—I won't use that +old-fashioned word, meditate—but I shall have time to browse amongst my +books, and have Nature around me." + +"Deadly dull, you'll become!" + +"Not I, with a child like Pippa to keep me young. She's alive to her +finger tips, and she's worth keeping in this world, Dugald. To let her +pine and die for lack of the right atmosphere would be pure murder!" + +"And Madame la Mère?" + +"Well, we must wait and see. She's willing to make the experiment, and +she will put in some visits when she's bored." + +"I'm a relation, so I'll look you up one weekend," Dugald announced. + +"My mouldy ruin won't interest you. I wish you could see the photo of +the house which Mrs. Calthrop showed me. It isn't anything near a ruin. +And the garden is a dream. But, of course, you can come and see us, if +you can tear yourself away from town." + +"You'll hail my advent with joy. You aren't made to live alone, +Orris, as you'll find to your cost. Your life has been pretty full of +acquaintances and friends these last few years, and it will be a big +drop down to one small child and a few country yokels! As for Madam +Parasite, she'll flee back to town after two days of it. Why, Calthrop +himself won't live there!" + +"It's his health," Orris said; "he was there for some years as +secretary." + +"Yes, he was preparing his habitation. Do you know that there's a +nephew of the old Muirs somewhere? Rather hard lines on him! A rolling +stone, I believe, couldn't stay at home, and they took offence, and +cut him out of the will. But people say Mrs. Calthrop is a powerful +personality; she was a cousin of the Muirs, was she not? She stayed a +good bit with them. The rotten part of it all is that the old people +left her son the property as he appreciated their library so. That is +mentioned in their will, and the first thing he does is to sell the +blooming concern!" + +"It isn't sold yet. How did you hear all this gossip?" + +"I looked up the will at Somerset House, and I've known Calthrop. He +belongs to my club. He's a nincompoop, and entirely under his mother's +thumb." + +"Well, they've been very good in giving me the job, and I'm not hearing +anything against them." + +"You and Pippa in a lone empty country house—ghosts perhaps! My dear +girl, you're taking a false step. Back out of it!" + +But Orris laughed at him and pursued her own way. And at last, her +affairs were settled, and one grey day towards the end of March, she +and Pippa and the Italian maid started from Waterloo for their new home. + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE OLD HOUSE + +"NOW, my Pippa, wake up! We are going to get out." + +The child had been wildly excited for the first half of the journey. +Her tongue and limbs were in perpetual motion. Climbing up and down +on the seat to see out of the window, putting her head out of it when +she had a chance, peeping out in the corridor and addressing every one +she saw out there, planting her Teddy bear in all sorts of impossible +positions, and chatting ceaselessly to Anita and her aunt. Orris was +very thankful when, after a substantial lunch had been eaten, Pippa +grew quieter, pillowed her head against her aunt's shoulder, and +finally dropped into a sound sleep, which lasted till they arrived at +their destination. Orris had started on her journey early in the day, +as she wanted to arrive before dark; and now, as they gathered up their +belongings and followed the porter out into the road, bright golden +sunshine greeted them. A shabby old private omnibus was waiting for +them. + +The Muirs had been far too old-fashioned to start a car. Their carriage +and horses had been sold. The 'bus was the only vehicle that occupied +the roomy coach-house and the old cob started off now at a pace +somewhere between a walk and a trot. Orris sat back and regarded the +country road with some interest. Pippa had hardly recovered from her +sleep, so was silent. Steadily they wound round, up-hill all the way. +The air got keener and fresher. + +Then they reached the busy little market town of Spenbury on the +top of the hill; they jogged along the cobbled streets, past an old +square-towered church, a covered market-place and a long row of shops, +and then long rows of pines appeared on either side of them. The sun +was setting now, and sank like a red ball of fire through the slender +stems of the pines. Pippa caught a glance of it and was roused at once. + +"How does the sun know to the very right minute when he has to go +to bed, Aunt Ollie? I wish he'd forget to-night and not go quite so +punctil. I don't like roads when they're dark, do you?" + +"We shall be home before dark, darling. I think we are only three miles +out of the town which we have passed already. Can you smell the pines, +Pippa? I think they are my favourite trees." + +Pippa did a good deal of sniffing, and then announced— + +"I smell kittens in the straw." + +Orris laughed. + +"You mean you smell straw. I think the 'bus has a stable smell, musty +and fusty—but not kittens." + +"Our kittens in Cannes were 'always' in straw," said Pippa firmly. + +They were climbing another hill now, and then crossed a wild bit of +heath. At last some big iron gates appeared, and a high wall on either +side of them. There was a little lodge inside, and the gates were +opened by a woman. Pippa kissed her hand to her in her friendly little +way. The drive was bordered with thick masses of evergreen, but in a +very few minutes they came upon a square substantial old stone house, +with a low wing on each side of it covered with ivy. + +"Look, look! There are candles in the windows!" cried Pippa. + +But it was only the reflection of the red shining sun, and Orris smiled +at her small niece. + +"It's just kissing the house good-night before it goes to sleep, Pippa. +We are here at last. Isn't it a dear old house?" + +"It's 'rather' like a castle," said the child. + +They ascended some broad stone steps and the door was opened promptly +by an awkward-looking youth. A wide hall confronted them. At the +farther end, there was a wide fireplace with a blazing log fire. An +old oak staircase rose from the middle of the hall. There were no +stair carpets or rugs, and Orris shivered a little as she stood on +the black-and-white flagged floor. Then, with a little bustle and +importance, an elderly servant came forward to greet them. + +"Good evening, ma'am. Mrs. Calthrop will doubtless have told you that +I am cook-housekeeper here. Mrs. Snow is my name. Twenty-seven years +I've lived here. She's asked me to make you comfortable whilst you are +here. I've prepared the old nurseries for the little lady; they're in +the west wing over the library, and, thinking she might be lonely, I've +given you the big bedroom close to her. But you can take your choice +to-morrow. I thought you'd like to be over the library, but I'll have +you moved into one of the south rooms, if you prefer it. Now, Dan, what +are you staring at? Get the luggage in 'at once!'" + +From a very gentle suave voice, Mrs. Snow turned into a perfect virago +as she glared at the unfortunate youth. Then she added in an aside to +Orris: + +"These country boys are impossible to train. I remember the time when +a butler and three footmen were in our service. Now I am running the +house with a tweeny and a housemaid and this lout who is supposed to +do the parlour work. Of course, I have been by myself for a couple of +months now. Mrs. Calthrop finds it dull, but I'm hoping she'll settle +in before long. When they've travelled a bit she tells me they mean to +come home." + +Orris smiled pleasantly at the talkative woman. + +"I expect the nursery wing will suit us perfectly. Shall we follow you?" + +Up the broad shallow oak stairs, then along a corridor, through a green +baize door, and then they were ushered into a big square room which +faced the setting sun. Pippa scampered about immediately, peeping into +everything. It was plainly but comfortably furnished—a stout oak table +in the middle of the room, a couple of easy-chairs, an oak chest, a big +cupboard in the wall, and a bookcase with some very shabby books on the +shelves. A few chairs, an old roomy couch, and a faded Turkey carpet +completed the furnishing. Some coloured prints were on the walls, one +descriptive of the Battle of Waterloo, the others chiefly ships. A +bright fire was blazing in the grate. + +"It isn't damp," said Mrs. Snow; "I've had fires for the past week in +all the rooms. It's a long time since they've been used, but I pride +myself on keeping the house free from damp. There are two big bedrooms +beyond this—one leads out of it." + +Orris found all quite satisfactory. She arranged that Pippa, with +Anita, should sleep in the night nursery, and she took the other +bedroom farther down the passage. The outlook of all the rooms was over +a big lawn, with a cedar tree in the middle of it. Beyond were slopes +of wild moor and pine woods. + +Later on, when Orris and her small niece sat down to a comfortable +well-served supper, in what Mrs. Snow called the morning-room +downstairs, Orris said to the child: + +"Well, Pippa, we've fallen on our feet. I think, if you and I can't +make ourselves happy here, we shall deserve to be hung and quartered!" + +Pippa laughed merrily. + +"I think it's a fairy-palace, Aunt Ollie. I shall play hide-and-seek +all over it. Why, I can run my hoop along the passages, they're so +never-ending!" + + +In a few days, they had settled down. The big dining-room and +drawing-room remained shut up, as also was the smoking-room. Orris made +the small morning-room her sitting-room, and had her meals there. Pippa +shared breakfast and lunch with her, but she had her tea and supper in +the nursery. Anita, a wonderfully adaptable, good-tempered girl, seemed +perfectly content with her surroundings, and Orris started work at once +in the old library. + +It was the room she loved best in the house. It was in the west wing of +the house and was fifty feet long with six great windows all reaching +to the floor. Every available inch of wall was packed with shelves and +books, most of them with glass doors to preserve them. + +Her favourite position was at the big writing-table drawn up between +the two centre windows. She looked out over a wide stretch of country, +with blue hills in the distance, and sometimes she would drop her +catalogue and MSS., and, leaning her elbows on the table and cupping +her chin in her hands, would gaze out dreamily over the fields and pine +woods and wide expanse of sky. She had the inherited scholarly love +for ancient books, but she had also a poet's and an artist's soul. And +sometimes she would spring up from her chair and dash out of one of the +half-open windows to join her small niece in her play upon the lawn. + +Pippa was a very busy little person, and everything that came to hand +was thoroughly investigated. Before she had been there a week, she +knew the family histories of the servants indoors and out. The cows +and pigs and fowls were all individuals to her with characteristics of +their own. The trees and shrubs were objects of her interest. She never +rested till she knew the names of all, and Randall, the old gardener, +would push up his hat and scratch his head, as he was questioned by the +eager child. + +"Ay, dearie me! 'Tis the Lord A'mighty Himself ye must question when it +comes to why one tree beareth fruit, and another nought. But they all +bear seed to carry on. And that's the business they were given to do." + +"Yes, but I'm quite certain God doesn't want you to be cutting the +darling daisies and the dandelions when they come up," she retorted, +shaking her curly head disapprovingly; "and that's what you say you do +always." + +"The A'mighty teached the first gardener, missy. And everythink I do is +right; you just think on that." + +Pippa was quenched. She stared at the old man with her far-seeing eyes. + +"And how many gardeners afore you?" she demanded. + +Randall trundled his barrow away out of her reach, muttering, as he did +so: + +"'Tis the tongue of a female, sure enough, small though she be!" + +To Pippa the garden was fairyland. There were winding walks through +shrubberies, and a sunk water-garden with a fountain in the middle +playing over the Cupids. Pippa called them angels. There was a +summer-house at the end of a broad terrace walk, which was under a +pergola of beautiful creepers, and there was an old walled fruit and +vegetable garden, with mossy paths and box borders. But she would +cheerfully leave all these attractions for a walk with her aunt through +the pine woods. + +Orris loved taking her into the woods. She and Pippa would make a +little fire of cones and needles, and sit by it, watching the blue +smoke rise into the sky, and inhaling the sweet aromatic fragrance of +the pines. + +There was no village near them, only a small hamlet of houses. The +church and village of Veddon Weal was a mile away; their nearest +neighbours were the labourers' families who worked on the farm +adjoining the house. The postman, who was the local carpenter, occupied +the biggest cottage, and the schoolmaster and organist lived in an old +toll-house on the high road. + +Orris began to feel that Venetia would not stand the isolation of the +place, but she enjoyed it; and Pippa's cheeks grew round and rosy, and +her appetite increased in a marvellous fashion. + +Mrs. Snow soon enlightened Orris as regards her neighbours. + +"We've got a pleasant Rector, but his wife gives herself airs, and only +visits the county. The Rector has a sister who's little more than a +drudge in the house. She's rather a poor hand at visiting, seems too +shy to get out her words. The only big house near this is the manor, +and belongs to a writer. They say he has a big name in London, but his +books are too clever for most of us. He lives in it quite alone, and +goes abroad every winter. He's away now. Then there's the two Misses +Dashwood. They live next the rectory in a cottage belonging to the +Rector. But I don't think you will be troubled with visitors." + +"I don't want them," said Orris, with her happy laugh. "I haven't +come here to enjoy society, but just to do my job, and enjoy this +exhilarating air. I've never lived eight hundred feet above sea-level +in my life before. It makes me feel quite skittish!" + +She had a feeling that Mrs. Snow did not approve of her light-hearted +ways. The good woman seemed to have no humour, and would listen to +Pippa's astounding assertions with a solid expressionless face. + +"Do you like being tickled, Mrs. Snow?" Pippa asked her one day, +when she met her on the stairs. "I'm very fond of tickling persons, +'specially cats. + +"We had a cat who always lay on her back and held up her arms to be +tickled, she loved it so," Pippa continued. + +"I'm sorry I can't be a cat to oblige you," was Mrs. Snow's stiff +response. And then she passed on. + +And Pippa gazed after her wistfully. She felt sorry for people who did +not want to talk to her. + +She was more successful with John Tinker, the postman. + +She very often ran down the drive to meet him, for he did not arrive +till after she had had her breakfast. + +"You're my favrit person outside the house," she informed him. "I'm +always expectin' letters from my mummy. You're like a everyday Father +Chris'mas. You bring us surprises, and we never are quite sure what." + +"Ay, missy, I be a pretty powerful sort o' person," responded John. +"I often thinks much the same meself. There's nobody, not the king +hisself, that holds so many messages o' life and death in his hands. I +brings joy and wealth to some folks, and mourning and woe to others." + +It was not long before Pippa visited him in his cottage, where he +introduced her to his old mother, a comfortable smiling dame of seventy +years. Here Pippa made herself completely at home; she helped Mrs. +Tinker to iron, to bake cakes, to weed her small garden, and when not +with her, she was to be found with John in his workshop watching him +work with the greatest interest, collecting his wood shavings—or curls +as she called them—and very often coming home with a bunch on each side +of her small head, tumbling over her ears. + +She also collected a good deal of local gossip. Orris sometimes +reproved her for repeating things. + +"But I'm so 'normously interested, Aunt Ollie; I like to know every +bit about everybody. If John could only get a proper car, he'd take me +round with his letters, but his cycle will only hold him and his bags. +And there's one house he goes to that has a myst'ry." + +"Nonsense, childie." + +"It isn't nonsense, Aunt Ollie. Listen! It's a very very old house +called Ivy Towers. You can see nothing but ivy, and just bits of +windows, and some windows are covered right over, and always, always, +always, something happens in that house, and nobody ever lives there +over three years." + +Orris laughed. + +"Things happen, as you call it, to us all, darling. John is an old +gossip." + +But Pippa was too much in earnest to feel snubbed. + +"They die, and they have naxidents, and they lose their money. And it's +been empty for a very long time, and now peoples are coming into it, +and John says they'll have bad luck." + +Orris laughed again. She was not much interested in her neighbours. The +library was beginning to engross her life and thoughts. Orris was a +true scholar's daughter. She inherited her father's love for books and +she dipped into old philosophers' treatises with as much zest as a girl +shows over her first novel. + +One afternoon she walked over to the village to interview the village +laundress. On the way she met two ladies. One of them was vainly trying +to reach a bit of flowering palm in the hedge. Being a good head taller +than she, Orris came to her help. She was cordially thanked for her +services. + +"How very kind of you! My sister and I are always bringing home spoils +from the hedges. Now I wonder if I may ask if you are at Pinestones? +And if so, would you—may I call?" + +"I shall be delighted," said Orris, smiling. "It is a lonely life after +London, but I am too busy to be dull. I expect you are the Misses +Dashwood. Mrs. Snow has mentioned your names." + +She glanced at the sisters as she spoke. The eldest and most active was +rather a striking looking woman—grey-haired, with dark vivacious eyes +and bright colouring. She was very upright and quick in her movements. +The younger one was fair and pale and fretful-looking. + +"Yes, we are the Misses Dashwood—I am Louisa, and my sister is Grace. +It is a quiet life here, as you say. I lived in London for thirty years +before I came here. We have been in our little cottage over seven years +now, and are very happy there." + +They turned back with her towards the village, and before they reached +it, Orris felt that she had made a friend. Miss Louisa Dashwood was a +clever cultured woman, had been principal of a ladies' college for some +years, and had taken part in many philanthropic objects after she had +retired. Orris wondered how she could have come to the country. But she +gathered that it was for her sister's sake. Miss Grace said little, and +when she spoke her voice was plaintive and complaining. + +"There is no Society, and no Squire since Mr. Muir died, and the Rector +is absorbed in botany and in his parish. We just vegetate, and talk +about the butcher's wife and her delicacy, and the cobbler's truant +son, and the uppishness of our servant-maids." + +"I think we are happy in having neighbours to talk about," said Miss +Louisa cheerily. + +Then, coming to their cottage, a little grey stone building covered +with creepers, they parted with Orris, Miss Louisa promising to come +and see her in a very few days. + +This she did. Her sister did not accompany her. As they sat in the +pleasant library together, their talk became rather intimate. + +"Do you ever look back and think how wonderful your life has been?" +Miss Louisa asked. "Of course, you are young, but even you have had +your environment changed once or twice, I expect." + +"Yes," assented Orris. "I have had rather a full life up to now. I +think it has always been my lot to have others to think about, and that +is a blessing, is it not?" + +Miss Louisa's eyes sparkled. + +"Yes, but it has its dangers. I have had luxury and hard work, and now +I have comparative ease, combined with poverty. I felt leaving my work +in London, but I've been put into another class, I tell myself. You +know 'doing' is sometimes an easier thing than 'being.' Do you follow +me? We are too busy sometimes with what we call good works and charity +to remember the charity of our Bible." + +"How?" asked Orris. + +"The perfecting of our personal character. Workers are apt to be very +slipshod over virtues. They're easily puffed up, easily provoked, very +overbearing and intolerant, too sure of their own powers, too severe +on others' failings. They don't shine in their home life. I have been +made to see this. I've worked and tried to form character in others; +now I find hard work in moulding my own according to the pattern on the +Mount! What a prosy person you must think me." + +Orris did not think her so. She was intensely interested. And when Mrs. +Snow gave her a few more details about the sisters, she was still more +so. + +"The eldest Miss Dashwood is a proper saint. Her sister, Miss Grace, +has fits of epilepsy, and at best she's a discontented soul. Miss +Louisa gave up all her work in London, and came to live with her sister +when their mother died. I know all about them, for my niece has lived +with them these four years or so. Miss Grace fair bullies her sister. +She's her willing slave. If she goes out in the afternoon to anything +sociable like, and Miss Grace is too ailing to go, Miss Grace cries +like a child all the time she's away, and tells her sister when she +comes back that she neglects her and doesn't love her, and goes on at +her terrible. And Miss Louisa is always bright and cheerful; my niece +says 'tis a pleasure to be near her." + +"Do they ever come here?" Orris asked. "Does Mrs. Calthrop know them?" + +"They're on visiting terms." Then Mrs. Snow slightly changed her tone. +"Of course, they'll not be visiting here now. Not till the mistress +returns." + +Orris laughed her merry laugh. Mrs. Snow's snubs did not affect her in +the least. + +"You want to keep me in my place, don't you? I assure you I'm much +too busy to want visitors. But I have already made Miss Dashwood's +acquaintance, and we may see more of each other." + +"I'm sure," murmured Mrs. Snow, "I meant nothing slighting." And then +she hastily made herself scarce, and Orris laughed again. + +"Poor old thing! I suppose she has a supreme contempt for any lady who +earns her living. She's a thorough Early Victorian old retainer." + + + +CHAPTER III + +WHAT A CUPBOARD CONTAINED + +THE day had been wet and cheerless. Orris had hardly moved from her +chair in the library, except to go to and fro between her big table and +the bookcase. She had seen Pippa at mealtimes, but the child was much +engrossed in turning a big wooden box into a dolls' house. Anita was +helping her, and with her clever fingers was making a very good job of +it. + +The Rector appeared at tea-time. It was his first call, and Orris found +him a very pleasant visitor. + +When he departed, she accompanied him to the hall door, and for a +moment looked over the wide vista of dusky fields and pine woods, and +above them a pale lemon sky. The rain had stopped. The sun was having +his innings for a few brief moments before he finally disappeared. +Orris stood with parted lips breathing in the fresh pure air, and +enjoying it as she did so. Then she suddenly bethought herself of +Pippa, who usually came to her at this hour. Leisurely she mounted the +broad oak steps, calling "Pippa! Pippa, come along, my sweet!" + +There was no sudden rush of flying footsteps; no response to her call. +She hastened her steps. Pippa very quiet, meant Pippa in mischief, and +when she found the nursery door locked, she shook her head. + +"Oh, Pippa," she cried, "you must never lock me out. Open the door at +once." + +There was a fumbling of the lock, and Pippa appeared, with big +mysterious eyes. + +"What is the matter, darling? Why are you locked in alone?" + +Pippa retreated to the hearthrug, where she stood dancing up and down +on her toes with clasped hands and big open eyes and mouth. + +"Nita is at her tea. I've been enjoying myself 'normously." + +"I'm so glad. What's up, you monkey? You had better confess." + +Pippa smiled tremulously, then pursed her lips primly together. + +"It's a secret, Aunt Ollie." + +Orris stood still and waited. Pippa's secrets were never of long +duration. It was a question of patience. + +Then suddenly the child darted to the big hanging cupboard at the end +of the room. + +"I've got a man here," she cried triumphantly; and then she flung open +the door. "And he isn't a buggler!" she added. + +Orris had occasion to be startled when a tall figure appeared +from behind Pippa's dressing-gown and coats and confronted her. +He was dressed in a rough tweed shooting suit, had a lean, rather +pleasant-looking face, very broad shoulders, and was unmistakably a +gentleman. + +"You little traitor!" he said, turning to Pippa. "A nice keeper of +secrets you are!" + +"I couldn't! It just bursted right through me," said Pippa contritely. + +The man looked so crestfallen, and the child so proudly elate, that +Orris, after gazing helplessly at them both, surprised herself and them +by a mellow peal of laughter. + +"I can't help it," she gasped. "They say laughter is caused by sudden +surprise. Will you give me some explanation of this extraordinary +proceeding on your part?" She turned to the stranger as she spoke. + +He did not look in the least uncomfortable, but drew forward an easy +chair for her near the fire, and got hold of another for himself. + +"Let us all sit down and be comfortable," he said; "there's no reason +why we should not be. And then I'll tell you all, and anything you +would like to know. It begins and ends with Snuffy, the person you +call Mrs. Snow. I've always called her Snuffy, because as a small kid, +she was perpetually saying to me, 'That's enough—that's enough, Master +Jock.' It soon becomes 'snuff' if you say it fast enough!" + +He was turning to Pippa now, who was regarding him with admiring eyes. + +"The first question I would like to ask is, how did you get here?" said +Orris gravely. + +She resented his light gay manner, though light was dawning upon her as +to his identity. + +"Snuffy refused me admittance this morning. And that put my back up." + +"Oh, let me tell her," interrupted Pippa. "It was so 'lovely,' Aunt +Ollie! He came climbing up my wall, and looked in at the window, like +the prince in my fairy-book does to the lovely princess shut up in her +tower. And I opened the window a teeny bit and said: + +"'Are you a prince?' And he said, 'I see you're a princess.' So then +o' course he came in, and he sat down on the floor and told me a story +about a alligator and him on the other side of the world. And then we +heard you calling, and he said he must be hid, or he would shock you, +so I hid him." + +The man laughed. + +"That's that!" he said. "Just in a nutshell. I spent the first half +of my life here, and I was furious when Snuffy kept up her old grudge +against me, and shut me out. I wasn't aware that the old nursery was +inhabited till I climbed up and saw the light. I meant to go downstairs +decorously, and confront Snuffy again on the inside of the door, and +insist upon being presented to the lady in possession." + +"That is hardly my role," said Orris quietly. "Pippa and I are birds of +passage. You must be old Miss Muir's nephew, who went abroad." + +"The scamp and blackguard and ne'er-do-weel. Don't I look it? Isn't +scrambling up the old ivy roots and frightening an innocent babe just +what is expected of such a character?" + +"But I wasn't frightened. You couldn't frighten me," said Pippa, +darting forward and perching herself on his knee. "I knewed you weren't +a buggler; you told me so." + +"I'm a bad hat," the stranger said, but his hand caressed the curly +head. + +And Orris, looking at him calmly and critically, liked him on the spot. +He had humorous, kindly grey eyes, and his face, though tanned and +weather-worn, had no signs of dissipation; he looked as if he had lived +out-of-doors by night and day. His lips and chin were determined, and +he had, for a man, a peculiarly sweet smile. + +"Cousin Letitia," he went on; "or Mrs. Calthrop, as you know her, left +orders with Snuffy that in her absence I was not to be admitted to the +house. She guessed I would come racing over the ocean when my poor aunt +departed this life, but why she should grudge me a sight of the old +place I don't know. I hear her son has been left everything—so virtue +is rewarded. How he stuck to the old library! And oh, how he hated it!" + +Orris looked up questioningly. + +"Did he attempt my job?" + +"My dear Miss Bright Eyes—I don't know your name, so have coined one +for you—my uncle and aunt were simply demented over their library. +Personally they did not care for books, but a neighbour, a Mr. +Dunscombe, on one unfortunate occasion told them that they possessed +an untold mine of wealth in their books. He is a writer himself, and +wanted to avail himself of several books of reference. + +"About two hundred years ago, the Muirs came from Scotland and settled +here, and they bought the old library with the house. It had belonged +to some Charter-houses for many generations, but the family had died +out. The books were in hopeless confusion. I suppose you see that. So +my uncle began to make a catalogue. He had no gift for languages, and +when he saw Persian, Chinese, Italian, and ancient Egyptian scripts, he +gave it up in despair. + +"Then I was called into the breach. I had been to Oxford, and had +slipped through my term there fairly creditably, so of course I was +the one to do it. I was set down in that dry and dusty library, and +expected to work seven or eight hours a day. A perfect catalogue must +be made and I was to do it. I stuck it for seven months, and then I +struck. There was a row! I decamped for a time, and wandered over the +Continent for a few years, till my uncle died. + +"Then I came home and was received by my aunt with open arms, but +Cousin Letitia and son had come to share her loneliness, and dear +Edmund had accepted the post as librarian. I did not somehow fit in. +I discovered Edmund making away with some valuable old MSS. He parted +with them to a Jewish bookseller in town—a man I happened to have had +some dealings with, when I was home before. I promptly exposed him—very +impulsive and rash! Cousin Letitia never forgave me. My aunt was +slipping under her powerful and persuasive personality. Snuffy likewise +succumbed to it. She and I never could hit it off. From a boy I had +teased her, and she cannot understand or take a joke. I expect you've +found that out, haven't you? + +"Well, there was nothing for me to do. I wanted to take over the home +farm, that would have been a job after my own heart! But my aunt would +not hear of it. It was a divided camp—secretly my aunt favoured me, but +she was timid, and had not the courage of her convictions. And a man +has no chance against a clever woman's tongue. I don't know to this day +how it was my aunt was poisoned against me, but I saw, though the house +had been my home since I was three years old, it was to be my home no +longer. + +"So, to cut a long story short, I said good-bye to them all, and went +off to New Zealand. For ten years I have been farming there, and now +I come back to find her gone, and my cousin in possession. No, I am +wrong; it is you and this wee elf in possession. Let me warn you +against expending your health and strength among those books. It will +be the work of a life-time to get them in proper order. And if they +mean to sell the whole, just sort the books into lots—according to the +language—" He paused for breath. + +"Oh, do talk to me now," pleaded Pippa. "Will you take me down to the +stream to-morrow, where you used to catch the little frogs?" + +"What does your aunt say? Is she going to be friendly with me?" His +eyes met Orris's grave scrutiny with great composure. "I really have +no black deeds on my conscience. I have just been a hard-working +farmer. You can't be a villain if you love the earth as I do. It is +men and cities who make criminals. And I am staying with Dunscombe. +He and I came back in the same boat part of the way. I only landed at +Southampton three days ago. And Burton, my aunt's lawyer, was the one +who has given me the news." + +"Were you expecting to come into this property yourself?" + +He smiled. + +"It wasn't a shock to me to find the cousins first. I believe my aunt +thought I had gone to the bad. I used to write occasionally, but I +never had a line from her." + +"Oh, Aunt Ollie, I think he's a 'dear' man," cried Pippa, not +understanding all the conversation, but gathering from Orris's face +that she was rather doubtful of the stranger. "Do have his bed made up +in one of the big empty rooms. Mummy would love to see him, and she's +coming very soon." + +Orris could not help laughing, and Jock Muir joined her. + +"That's right," he said. "Now we're all friends, and we'll just go +down and confront Snuffy, and then I'll get back to my host. She must +understand that your friends are not to be shut out." + +"I don't see what right she has to keep 'you' out," said Orris. + +And then there was a slight cough outside the door, and the person +under discussion appeared. + +To say she was startled is too mild a way of putting it. She was +dumbfounded. + +"I thought it might be the Rector," she explained. "I heard a man's +voice, and I could not understand how he had come upstairs." + +"And you little thought to see me, Snuffy! But here I am, completely +at home, as you see, and very interested in the present inmates of +Pinestones." + +Orris pitied Mrs. Snow's confusion. + +"I know all about Mr. Muir," she said to her; "and I really do not +think Mrs. Calthrop would wish you to shut the door in his face. As +he is staying in the neighbourhood, it is only natural that he should +give you a call. Mrs. Calthrop told me I should be free to receive any +visitors, so I am sure you will admit him next time he comes." + +"I won't run away with any of the plate, Snuffy, I assure you. But I +think I can claim my two cricket cups on the dining-room sideboard, and +there's that trunk of mine in the attic. I shall have to overhaul that." + +Mrs. Snow drew herself up to her full height as she replied: + +"I am responsible to Mrs. Calthrop now, Master Jock. I am in her +service, and, difficult as it may be, I try to carry out her orders. +I will have your belongings sent to your present address, sir, if you +will give it to me." + +"I'm staying at the Manor," said Jock good-humouredly. "I won't be +hard on you, Snuffy, for it's good for you that you can transfer your +allegiance so thoroughly. I am here because I determined to be here, +and when it comes to a pitched battle between us, I generally come off +victor. But I shan't trouble you much—not at present. After all, it may +be the house that you care most for. The inhabitants are regarded by +you as useful in helping you to stay on." + +Then he stood up and held out his hand to Orris, whilst Mrs. Snow beat +a retreat without another word. + +"Good-bye. We shall meet again. I seem to have taken up all the time in +pouring out my life's history to you. Can't think why I did it. I'm not +generally so communicative." + +"I've been very interested, and I am entirely sympathetic," said Orris, +wincing at the strength in his grip. + +"Oh," cried Pippa, "will you climb up into my nursery another day?" + +He shook his head. + +"My legs are not so agile as they were. I thought nothing of it as a +boy, but we shall see a lot of each other, little elf. And we won't let +Snuffy get the better of us." + +He strode out of the room, and down the stairs. Pippa ran after him, +and kissed her hand to him from the corridor above. + +"I wiss you would stay and go to bed here," she cried. "But you're my +friend now for evermore, and I'll tell God in my prayers to-night that +if Mrs. Snuffy locks you out-of-doors again, He had better send His +Angel to open it without a key, like He did for Peter." + +Then she came back to her aunt and stood in front of her, looking up +into her face with her mischievous eyes. + +"Auntie Ollie, he is a 'darling' man! Nobody has ever climbed up into a +window where I was before. Wasn't it quite a 'venture?" + +"It was, most assuredly, Pippa. But I wouldn't advise you to welcome +and harbour 'any' strange man who climbs in at a window." + +"No, I wouldn't," said Pippa thoughtfully; "not if he had a red nose +and was dirty. When do you think he'll come and see us again?" + +"We won't think any more about him. Now, won't you let me have a look +at this wonderful dolls' house?" + +Pippa danced back to her nursery. For a time her thoughts were turned +into another channel, until her prayer-time came. + +Her aunt, who always came to her for that occasion, was sitting in the +low chair by the nursery fire, and Pippa in her blue dressing-gown was +kneeling by her and with bent head and clasped hands was murmuring her +usual formula in the most angelic voice. She very often made startling +postscripts to her prayers, so Orris was not surprised at her sudden +energetic appeal. + +"And oh, please, God, bless my dear man, and make Aunt Ollie love him +as much as I do, and ask him to a tea-party very soon. And never, never +let Mrs. Snuffy get the better of us." Then she jumped up. "He said she +shouldn't, you know, Aunt Ollie, but I think God had better help us, +hadn't He? Because she thinks the house belongs to her more than to us." + +"And I think she is right, for it is her home, and we are here only for +a time. But, my darling, you mustn't call her Mrs. Snuffy; she would be +very angry if she heard you. And I don't like angry people. I want to +live in peace." + +"I won't to her face," said Pippa earnestly. Then she scrambled into +bed. "He's rather like a grown-up Peter Pan, isn't he?" + +"Go to sleep and forget him," said Orris, kissing the little upturned +face. + +But she herself found her mind full of Jock Muir. She wondered that +there had been so little bitterness in his tone when telling her how, +quietly and thoroughly he had been defrauded of his home. + +"He is either the most clever dissembler or the most angelic of men. I +wonder which he is," she mused. "And why should he torture himself by +staying in the neighbourhood, and subjecting himself to the ignominy +of being shut out of his rightful property by a housekeeper? I can't +understand it. Well, it is none of my business. I must occupy myself +with books and not men." + +She worked with extra vigour for the next few days, and though sunshine +streamed in upon her, and birds trilled out their love-songs outside +the library window and Pippa more than once danced in upon her with +coaxing requests to come out to play, Orris shook her head and fingered +her old leather books in a determined way. + +"I'm here to work, and work I must. The history of this old house, and +the different members of the family have nothing to do with me, except +that I am in Mrs. Calthrop's pay, and am bound to work for her." + +And then one morning, when she entered the room, prepared to begin her +work, she was startled to see a tall figure sitting lazily on the low +broad window-sill close to her desk. The window was open, and Jock Muir +was coolly smoking his pipe, one leg inside the window, the other out. + +When he saw her come in, he took out his pipe, slipped one leg over, +and stood outside on the grass, giving her a little courteous bow, and +a flush of amused recognition in his grey eyes. + +"Good morning. I've been waiting for you. How are you getting on?" + +"Slowly. I long for more knowledge—especially about Persian and Indian +books. I wish I knew some scholar who could help me." + +"Dunscombe could. He's been ransacking Persia for copy quite lately." + +He had resumed his seat on the window-sill, and Orris sank into +her chair with a helpless feeling that she could not prevent this +interruption. + +"Is he the friend you are staying with? The author?" + +"Yes. I'll bring him over—or—we won't offend Snuffy's extreme +conscientiousness—suppose you come to tea with us to-morrow afternoon? +Four o'clock, and bring the elf." + +"You are startlingly unconventional. Can I walk into a stranger's house +an uninvited guest?" + +"I thought I had given you an invitation. Hang it all, Miss Bright +Eyes, Dunscombe and I have knocked about in the world too much to stand +on ceremony. If you want help, he's the man to help you." + +"My name, Mr. Muir, is Orris Coventry." + +He smiled at her. + +"Thank you. I'm a very independent person, eh? What do you think of the +house? Rather mouldy, isn't it?" + +"I really have not been over it. My small niece has been into all the +rooms that she dares. Mrs. Snow has a good many locked up, and she does +not consider that we should take liberties, or explore farther than our +own wing, and the rooms apportioned to us there." + +"Oh, she's a Tartar. Don't let her bully you. I must come and show the +elf the powder-room. She will love it. Do you approve of these huge old +houses being kept up for the sole benefit of one or two people?" + +"They are many of them historic," said Orris. "I personally love old +places. The atmosphere is perfectly different to a newly built house." + +"One of the Georges stayed here once. I think that's the only bit of +history Pinestones has. When I was a boy, I had many wild dreams of +what I would do here when I grew up. You see they always told me I +should inherit it. I was going to turn the east wing into an almshouse +for all the old servants and workpeople, and the west wing into a +cottage hospital for the sick children—that's the nursery wing where +you are, and then I was going to live in the middle part of it myself, +and rule them all, old and young, with a rod of iron." + +"What a nice boy you must have been!" + +"I was imbued with the idea that I had been put into the world to do +my fellow-creatures a good turn. I had a tutor who talked to me in +that style. And what a boy learns when he is seven or eight, he never +forgets! But," he added with his flashing smile, "I did not grow up a +prig, strange to say! It was the other way about. And for a long time +now I've just lived for myself. I have nobody else to live for, or +consider." + +Orris looked at him thoughtfully, but did not speak. + +He went on: + +"But I must be doing. Stagnation is too boring for words. I've had a +pretty strenuous life on the other side of the ocean. I'd rather break +stones on the road than sit in an armchair with a pipe and book all +day!" + +"I suppose you will return to your work, then?" Orris asked. + +"Not a bit of it. Have sold my land and cattle. No. I'm in the +mother-country for good or ill." + +"I'm afraid you must have sold thinking yourself the heir to this?" + +He nodded. + +"I meant to come back and have a busy time farming my own land. +Out-of-door work is the life for me. I love the earth and all that it +contains! You know the Home Farm here is going to pot! My old aunt +ought to have replaced Nat Thane when he died, instead of letting his +lazy son step into his shoes. If I were master here, I would buy up the +adjoining farm, which is getting too much for old Preston—he's between +eighty and ninety—and work the two together. + +"Have you been over to Preston's farm? The house is my idea of a home. +You talk of atmosphere. For a cheery happy one, give me Lilac Farm. As +a small boy, I was always made welcome to any meal, and I've never had +such teas since. I was there yesterday in the jolly old kitchen, and +Preston and I had a confab together. This is my last free day. I am +going to work for him for a bit. He wants help badly." + +"You're an enigma to me," said Orris, smiling; "if I were in your +circumstances, I would keep as far-away as I could from the ones who +had disinherited me." + +He smiled back at her. + +"Ah!" he said. "That's not my idea. Not at all." + +Silence fell on them for a few moments. Then Orris broke it. + +"The world of books," she said, "rather absorbs me. It is a strange +life living amongst clever brains still speaking, though long extinct. +I find I must dip into one and another as I take them in my hand, +and it always is a marvel to me how sound the advice of the old +philosophers is and how applicable to the present day. Human nature +never alters. Of course, the one Book above all is the Bible. We can in +these most modern days still go to it for all we need. It never fails +one. I have been reading bits from Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, and +Fénelon. Of course, Fénelon is the most enlightened, but nothing that +they say touches one's soul as the Bible does." + +"I knew you had a soul, directly I caught sight of you," said +Jock lightly; "and a pretty big one for your size. Now mine is an +infinitesimal atom. It was bigger when I was a boy, but has gone on +shrinking so rapidly that at times I wonder if I possess any at all. By +soul I mean the spirit—that's what you mean, isn't it? Let's discuss +it? I love an argument." + +But Orris suddenly retreated into herself; for she did not know whether +he was speaking in earnest or in mockery. And then the library door +burst open, and Pippa came dancing in. + +"Aunt Ollie! You must come out in the garden. There's a lovely daff +come out under the nursery window. It did it in the night. It was only +a green stalk yesterday." + +Then she saw Jock and made a dash for the window. + +He immediately made a feint of alarm, and crashed into the shrubbery +near. Pippa hurled herself out of the low window and flew after him. +Her joyous cries and shouts, as she chased the elusive Jock, resounded +over the old garden. + +Orris smiled, then resumed her work. By and by Pippa came in rosy and +breathless. + +"He's gone, but I catched him at last; and he says he'll wait for us +to-morrow at four o'clock outside the big gate, and will show us the +way to the Manor. We're going there to tea. Won't it be fun?" + +"But, my darling, we haven't been asked to tea." + +"Oh, yes; he says Mr. Dunscombe will 'love' us to come. Dan told me +he's a very nice genpleum. He used to come and dine here with the old +lady, and he used to give Dan half-crowns." + +Orris laughed. + +"Mr. Jock Muir goes too fast for me. Run away, my pet! I mustn't be +disturbed till luncheon." + +Pippa disappeared, and Orris had no more interruptions. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +LILAC FARM + +IN spite of Orris's reluctance, Pippa had won the day. And at four +o'clock the next day, she and her aunt were standing outside the gate. +They were not kept waiting, for Jock Muir was punctual. He took off his +cap with a flourish when he saw them. + +"I never meant to come," said Orris smiling, "but pertinacity and +importunity have been too much for me." + +"Of course we've comed," cried Pippa joyously; "we simply love going +out to tea. And when I telled Snuffy, she said—" + +"Pippa, what did I tell you? 'Mrs. Snow.'" + +"Oh, Aunt Ollie, when I'm with Master Jock, I talk like he does. But +she said she was s'prised at our goings on. And Master Jock was a +'never do well.'" + +"So he is," laughed Jock, "but he's going to be good to-day. No +climbing in at windows! We're going in at the front door." + +Pippa danced along the lanes in the highest spirits. + +Jock enlightened Orris as to the different landlords in the place. +He talked away, and Orris was the listener; she began to wonder soon +whether there was not something solid under his apparent superficiality. + +His passion seemed to be farming; the earth to him was a precious +inheritance. He knew every field by name; he discoursed to her on the +rotation of crops, the breeding of cattle, and the different species of +seed and grain. Then he laughed at his enthusiasm. + +"You're a topping listener, but I'm boring you stiff. I know I am. My +hobby is farming, yours is books. Now you talk to me and cultivate my +agricultural mind." + +"No, I can't do that. We're in the open, and I love the country. I +never knew how much, till I was in it again. I have lived in town for +so long, that I forgot the joys of spring, and the scent of the earth +and buds." + +It was a delicious spring day, and when they turned in at a green +wooden gate from the lane, and walked up a drive bordered by green +banks covered with sheets of golden daffodils, Orris stood still to +enjoy it. + +"I think freshness is the most beautiful thing in the world," she said; +"young new life is so fascinating. And it is so unconscious of its +charms. The flowers, the lambs, children, I adore them all!" + +Pippa danced on in front, singing as she went: + + "Daffy-down-dilly + Came up in the cold + Through the brown mould." + + "So little by little + She brought her leaves out, + All clustered about; + And then her bright flowers + Began to unfold, + Till Daffy stood robed + In her spring green and gold." + +And then, as the drive gave a twist, and an old weather-worn stone +house with mullion windows came in view, she stood still and regarded +it with breathless interest. Pippa had a wonderful way of investing +inanimate things with life, and houses of all sorts held her entranced. + +"Now, Aunt Ollie, what is this house thinking about?" she asked, +turning round to the two grown-ups following her. "One of its little +top windows seems winking at me, but it's a grave old thing, isn't it?" + +"But it's better than it looks," said Jock quickly. "It has been a kind +old house to me. I never have to climb up into a window. The door loves +to be open. There! It's open now." + +And so it was, and the afternoon sunshine streamed in upon a black oak +floor, with some rather shabby rugs and a tiger skin spread upon it. +Jock led them gaily along this hall, and threw open a door into the +study without ceremony. + +"Hullo, Dunscombe—you there? Here am I with my newly-created family. +They belong to my old home, 'ergo' they belong to me! This is Miss +Coventry, who is tearing her hair over Persian books and manuscripts. +You'll be able to help her." + +A tall slenderly-built man with stooping shoulders, and a finely cut +artist's face, got up from his chair behind a big writing-table. He had +dark deeply-sunken eyes, and very bushy eyebrows. + +"It is kind of you to waive ceremony and come to see me," he said. +"Jock told me of your labours in the Muirs' Library—you are brave to +tackle it, but I've always heard it's a very rare and valuable one. It +seems a pity to sell it, but it will enrich many book lovers." + +He drew a chair for her up to a big open fireplace, in which blazing +logs of wood were crackling merrily. Orris felt at ease at once, and in +a few minutes, she and he were talking about books with the greatest +zest and animation. She discovered that she had read one of his first +books long ago. It was a collection of essays—one of which had made a +great impression upon her. + +"I don't write essays now," he said, with a slight deprecating shrug of +his shoulders. "They're always the work of an egoist, you know; and I'm +not so sure of myself and my opinions as I used to be." + +Orris thought this over. + +"What do you write about now?" + +"Chiefly tribal life in distant lands. It's immensely interesting to +me to trace connection between apparently very distant races. I have +been travelling for the last five years, and ran across Jock on my last +voyage home." + +Orris looked across at Jock. He was entirely absorbed with Pippa, and +was showing her the contents of a drawer full of curios. + +"It's very hard lines on him," she said in a low voice. + +Mr. Dunscombe looked at her with some amusement in his dark eyes. + +"How much do you know, I wonder!" he said. + +Orris looked questioningly at him, but he would not pursue the subject. + +"There's sterling worth in Jock," he said, "and his aunt was a fool +not to find it out. But you'll never make a bookworm of Jock. He +takes after his first parent, and, up to now, he's been a good farmer +spoiled. Do you think Mrs. Calthrop would object to my walking over +one day and having a look at the library? It would be to her advantage +if she wishes to sell it, for I mean to be at the sale. And I think I +might help you over the Persian and Indian section." + +"I am sure she would not mind, and I should be delighted. Do you know +her well?" + +"No, but I have met her. I knew old Mr. Muir best, but he was funny +over his books. Would never let any guest browse amongst them. I think +I must have met your father once when I was a youngster. Didn't he live +in Surrey?" + +"Yes; he would never move very far from London, because he loved the +British Museum so. He was always going up to it." + +"It was there I first met him, and he insisted that I should go down +and dine with him. I remember that we got into his library, and got so +keen over his books, that we ignored the summons to dinner, and were a +good hour late in taking our places at the table. He was alone then, +with a housekeeper." + +"That was after my mother's death, I expect." + +They talked away till a big gong sounded in the hall for tea. And then +they all went into the dining-room where a round table had been placed +in a deep window recess. The window faced a wide expanse of wooded +country. + +Pippa's eyes were on the table. There were enough cakes and hot scones +to satisfy her. Then she turned suddenly to her host: + +"I'm so glad to know you," she said, "because you've got our Mary's +cousin with you. I think he's what you call a handyman. What's the +difference between a handman and a footman? But he got a glass eye in +the war, and I'm simply 'longing' to see it!" + +"That must be Peter. You shall see him after tea." + +Mr. Dunscombe took her seriously, and when grown-up people did that, +Pippa's head was raised several inches higher. + +There was no lack of conversation during tea, and afterwards Jock +insisted upon walking Orris off to Lilac Farm. + +"It's only three fields away. Peter with his glass eye will occupy +Pippa till we come back. Come with us, Dunscombe?" + +Their host shook his head. + +"I must have a couple of hours' writing before dinner." + +Orris demurred at leaving Pippa in a strange house, but she was already +in the kitchen garden busy hoeing up a plot of ground with Peter. +So, after bidding her be very good and not leave the garden till she +returned, Orris walked across the fields with Jock. + +"You'll find Dunscombe an awfully good fellow," said Jock. "Most +writers have a bit of swank about them. He has none. And his work is +brilliant. I'm quoting the English 'Review' and 'Spectator.'" + +"Has he always lived alone?" asked Orris. + +"Ever since I've known him. He did have a love affair once, I believe, +but the girl wanted him to throw over his writing and go on the Stock +Exchange. And he quietly chucked her, and has had nothing to do with +women since. Won't have a lady housekeeper; his fat cook runs the +house, and does it uncommonly well. And I can't tell you what a lot +of good he does on the quiet. Anyone in trouble has only to write to +him, and he either promptly helps them, or hands them over to some one +who is better able to do it than himself. He wants me to take up my +quarters in his house, but Preston has offered me a room at the farm; +and as I shall be an agricultural labourer, farm quarters will suit me +best. There now, lean over this hedge, and be ready to fall on your +knees and worship a typical country farm." + +Orris looked over the hedge, and lost her heart at once to Lilac Farm. + +It was bordered on one side by a snowy apple orchard; on the other +by groups of trees, chiefly lilacs and laburnums. The house had a +long thatched roof with gables, rather large casement windows, and an +old-fashioned creeper-covered porch. Great chimneys rose above it. In +front were box-edged beds of spring flowers and curious birds cut out +of yew. Towards the back of it were substantial farm buildings. Sloping +green hills partly covered with pines, and rich meadows now full of +sheep and cattle surrounded it. + +"The outside is topping," said Jock, "but nothing compared to the +inside. Now come along." + +When Orris, along with Jock, reached the porch door, they found a tall +grey-haired man leaning against it smoking his pipe. His eyes were lit +up with a welcome when he saw Jock. + +"I've brought a lady to see you. Is Mrs. Preston busy?" + +"Never too busy to see you, my lad. Wife, ye're wanted. Come in and sit +down, ma'am." + +He led the way into a charming hall furnished simply but in very good +taste. Oak-panelled walls and dark oak floor and stairs were brightened +by coloured sporting prints, and comfortable rugs under foot. On +a round table were newspapers and books. A fire was burning in a +wide-open hearth. Orris sat down on an old oak settle, and then Mrs. +Preston appeared. She was stout and smiling, and genuinely pleased to +see Orris. + +"Of course we've heard about you," she said. "And if I may repeat it, I +did say that I thought it was a lonesome life for any young lady to be +shut up with books only as company. Now will you come this way with me, +and we'll leave Tom and Mr. Muir to smoke together?" + +She opened a door at the farther end of the hall, and Orris found +herself in a most comfortable sitting-room. The deep window-sills were +full of pink and white hyacinths in bloom. There was a big table with +a red cloth on which reposed Mrs. Preston's work-basket. Her armchair +was drawn up to it. Oil portraits of the family's ancestors graced +the walls, and there were two big glass bookcases. Orris saw at once +that the Prestons were one of the good old yeomen families, who had +always loved and tilled the soil. She was put into an easy-chair by the +blazing fire, and very soon she and Mrs. Preston were talking away like +old friends. + +"'Tis no wonder," the good woman said, "my husband likes a talk with +Jock. We've known him since he was a little lad of five years old, and +having no son or daughter of our own, we always made him welcome. I +can't understand the rights of this will business. I can't believe Mrs. +Muir would cut off her favourite nephew, so to speak, with a shilling. +Why should he lose his inheritance for a far-away cousin? Between +ourselves, miss, I doubt if they've got hold of the right will. I saw +Miss Muir a week before she died, and she said to me: 'If Jock isn't +back before I go, Mrs. Preston, tell him he was in my thoughts to the +last.' And she smiled quite sweetly and easily as she spoke. Now, would +she have done that if she had cut him out of her will?" + +Orris shook her head. + +"I'm a stranger," she said, "so I can offer no opinion, but it doesn't +seem kind of her, or natural." + +Then, not wishing to discuss Jock Muir's affairs, Orris began admiring +the old room with its oak beams across the ceiling. + +"Yes, this is our sitting-room," Mrs. Preston replied. "I'm +old-fashioned, and like one room free of smoke. Tom's friends sit and +smoke in the hall, and I join them sometimes. We've no drawing-room; I +don't see the use of a room for show. I'd like to show you my kitchen." + +She got up, and led the way through a small lobby into the big kitchen. +The copper pans shone in the firelight. Great hams hung from the +rafters, and the old dresser, which extended nearly one side of the +room, was filled with real valuable old china. + +Baking was going on. Mrs. Preston introduced her old servant, Mary +Bush, to Orris. + +"Mary has been with me seventeen years. She and I are always busy +together in the mornings. I don't know what I should do without her." + +Mary, a smiling dark-haired woman, looked up at Orris. + +"You'll be in Master Jock's house, miss? Does Mrs. Snow make you +comfortable?" + +"Oh, yes—quite." + +Mary gave a little sniff of disapproval. + +"She's a sour-tempered soul. Many's the time Master Jock as a boy would +creep into the kitchen on my baking days. 'Mary,' he'd say, 'give me +one of your buns. I'm always hungry; and Snuffy never makes buns for +me, because she and auntie haven't any sweet tooth between them.' Dear +soul! I can hear his little voice now!" + +"Ah, well," said Mrs. Preston, "he'll get plenty of buns now, Mary, for +his room is ready for him, and he'll be in the house with us next week." + +Then they went back to the sitting-room. + +"It's a great joy to us," said Mrs. Preston on the way, "having Jock +take hold here to help on the farm. Tom isn't what he was. I don't say +this to everybody, Miss Coventry, but he has had heart attacks, and our +doctor has warned me he may go off suddenly. We're living on the edge +of eternity, Tom and me. I always pray I mayn't be kept here long after +him. But I keep cheerful. 'Twould be bad for him to see me anxious. I +often tell him I may go first." + +Orris did not wonder at Jock's liking for this worthy couple. There was +something essentially homely in the atmosphere. She felt she would like +to stay with them herself. + +"Well," questioned Jock, looking up at her with his sunny smile, "have +you been stealing Mrs. Preston's heart, or has she been stealing yours?" + +Orris laughed. + +"I shan't have any qualms about you now," she said. "I did feel a kind +of pity for your homeless condition, but then I had not been introduced +to Lilac Farm." + +She sat down and talked to Mr. Preston for a little time longer, and +then she and Jock took their leave. But before she had left, she had +been invited to bring Pippa to tea in the following week. + +"I congratulate you on your friends," she said to Jock, as they walked +across the fields together. + +"Yes, they're worth knowing. Now here's somebody coming whom I do not +like. It's our Rector's wife." + +They could not elude her, as she was coming across the fieldpath +towards them. Just before she met them, she paused and put up a +lorgnette to her eyes. Then she advanced with a rather stiff smile. + +Jock took off his hat with a little flourish. + +"Then it is you," the lady said, addressing him; "I heard you were in +the neighbourhood, and wondered—" She hesitated. + +Jock smiled frankly at her. + +"Yes, all the neighbourhood is wondering, I dare say, but it is really +myself in the flesh; and, moreover, I mean to stay. May I introduce +Miss Coventry—but perhaps you have already called upon her?" + +"Mrs. Snow assures me," said Orris, with her dimpling smile, "that I am +not in a position to be called upon." + +Mrs. Villars looked at her with grave aloofness. + +"My husband calls on all his parishioners," she said; "I expect he has +already done so on you." + +"Yes; he was most kind. But I do not need calls in a social way. I am +too busy for that." Then feeling that this was slightly inconsistent +with her afternoon's dissipation, Orris added, "I have been taking time +off this afternoon, for Mr. Muir has insisted upon making me acquainted +with some of his friends. We have just been over to Lilac Farm." + +Mrs. Villars seemed about to say something, but stopped herself. She +looked worried, then in another moment she blurted out: + +"I want lodgings at once. I am on my way to ask Mrs. Preston to take +two ladies in—very distressful circumstances." + +"I doubt if she'll be able to do that," said Jock, "for I'm about to +occupy her only spare room." + +"Oh, but she must! I really know of no other person who could make +Lady Violet Archer comfortable. It is most unfortunate. She and her +daughter—old friends of mine—have just come to live at Ivy Towers, and +foolish village gossip has driven away all the servants she brought +with her. They have not a soul in the house. We unfortunately are full +up, friends from town who will not be leaving us till next week. Lady +Violet is not strong, and this has upset her. Her nerves have always +been shaky." + +"Then," said Jock, and, to Orris's surprise, his voice sounded quite +stern, "why on earth did you let them come to the Towers? You know its +reputation." + +"I am above such superstition, and so is my husband." Mrs. Villars gave +them a stiff little bow and passed on. + +Orris looked after her with interest. + +"A handsome woman, but she showed in her face her disapproval of me. +Now, Mr. Muir, what is the story about this unfortunate house? Even +Pippa has regaled me with gossip about it. Is it haunted?" + +Jock nodded rather shortly. + +"You'll laugh at us in these enlightened times. It is not haunted with +visible ghosts, but misfortune seems to descend on all tenants who try +to live there. I must say I wonder at Mrs. Villars recommending her +friends to take it." + +"I believe they're old friends. I expect she wanted them over here. She +doesn't think much of any of us." + +They had come to the Manor. Orris called for her small niece, and +returned home with her. Her thoughts dwelt upon the Towers. She felt +sorry for the servantless lady and daughter there, but she had little +idea of how soon and how much they would affect her. + + + +CHAPTER V + +A HARD BLOW + +TWO or three days after the visit to the Manor, Pippa came to her aunt +in the afternoon with an air of delighted mystery upon her small face. + +"Aunt Ollie, I've had a real letter without a stamp broughted by the +butcher's boy. Now, who 'do' you think it's from?" + +Orris looked up from her books. + +"Do you want me to read it for you?" + +"Please. It's from a grown-up person, because they can't write plain." + +Orris took the note from the child's hand. It ran as follows— + + "If the Little Elf would like to have a surprise and unearth buried +treasure, let her go into the big bedroom at the top of the staircase, +and press a little knob in the wall under a picture of a curly-haired +dog. + + "N.B.*—Lie low, and beware of Snuffy." + + * N.B.—nota bene + +"Oh, it's my dear Master Jock!" exclaimed Pippa excitedly, beginning +to dance up and down on her toes. "I'll go immechately. It's a secret +room, Aunt Ollie." + +"I think I'd better come with you." + +"I think no. I'd like to aventure it myself." + +"Well, run along, and if you're too long away, I shall come after you." + +Orris was feeling a little worried that day. Pippa's mother was +arriving in two days' time, and she felt that she would be rather a +discordant element in the house. Mrs. Snow was not very obliging, and +though the food was good and they were comfortably lodged, yet the +attendance was not what it ought to have been, and Venetia was a most +exacting and inconsiderate person. When Orris told Mrs. Snow that she +would be arriving, she seemed very discomposed. + +"I've had a call from Mrs. Villars this morning; there is letters +passing between her and Mrs. Calthrop. I shall be very glad when people +who belong here are in their own again. It is altogether too much for +me. Such plans and changes are most upsetting." + +"What is upsetting you?" asked Orris good-humouredly. + +"The least said soonest mended," said Mrs. Snow darkly; "you'll hear +soon enough; and maybe this new lady belonging to you had best not +hurry to get here." + +Orris could get nothing more out of her. But she felt uneasy and +anxious. And when Pippa had left her, she leant her elbows on her +writing-table and, forgetting her books, gave herself up to meditation. + +She was not long left in peace. Peals of childish laughter and flying +feet spoke of the coming of Pippa. She dashed in at the door like a +whirlwind. + +"Oh, Aunt Ollie! I'm laughing right through me; my heart is laughing +even—I hear it bump. I found the knob, and it's the lovely, lovely +powder-room; and it has china pictures all round it and above to the +ceiling, and they all come out of the Bible, and the people are quite +ridic'lous, they make me 'roar' with laughing and when I opened the +door there was a hijeous old woman with a tall black hat and kind of +hairy and beardy all over her face, and she was sitting at a table with +a big heap of chocs in front of her to sell. And she winked at me, +and said, 'Two chocs for a kiss!' And I thought she might be a fairy +witch, so I gave her a tiny kiss on the tip of her chin, and I got two +chocs. And then she said, 'Two more if you come and sit on my lap!' And +I thought about it, and then I saw a ring on her finger, and it was +Master Jock's, so I knowed; and I jumped on his knee, and he squeezed +and tickled me; and we screamed, and then we heard somebody coming, +and Master Jock put me outside the door quick, and said, 'Don't tell +Snuffy'; and there she was, and so I ran away. But isn't he a darling +to give me such surprises?" + +"I think Mr. Muir is foolish to come here so much," said Orris, with a +frown. "Where is he now?" + +"In the powder-room. Come and see it, Aunt Ollie." + +Orris was tugged to her feet, but she went willingly enough to the +powder-room, of which she had heard but not seen. She found Jock there +rolling up his disguise. He laughed when he saw her. + +"The Elf and I like a bit of fun," he said apologetically. "I promised +to show her this room one day, and I had an hour to spare. Do you see +these old Dutch tiles? Aren't they quaint? I used to spend part of +my Sundays here when I was a youngster. It was considered part of my +scriptural education, but did you ever see such comic illustrations? +The artist must have had a high sense of humour." + +Orris looked at the tiles with interest and admiration. The walls were +lined with them from floor to ceiling, but her thoughts took a turn +away from them. + +"Tea will be in directly," she said; "come downstairs and have some +before you go. I want to know about Lady Violet Archer and her +daughter." + +"They're at Lilac Farm. Came two days ago, but only till they find +other quarters." + +"They could find lodgings here," said Orris; "there are so many unused +bedrooms. How I wish the house was mine! But Mrs. Snow is the drawback. +Pippa, darling, run to the nursery. It is your tea-time." + +"I'll tell Anita all about this beautiful little room," said Pippa, +dancing away. + +Then, as they descended the stairs together, Orris said: + +"My sister-in-law is joining me here. I am afraid Mrs. Snow does not +like it, but Mrs. Calthrop gave me leave to have her." + +Jock looked at her queerly. + +"I rather wish your sister-in-law would keep away. I like you best +alone." + +"Mr. Muir!" + +"Don't, I beseech you; don't do the 'aughty to me, as Snuffy used to +say. Here she is! Oh, dash her! She always catches me." + +"Mr. Muir is going to have tea with me, Mrs. Snow," said Orris, with +great dignity of manner. + +Mrs. Snow stood before them in the hall with folded arms. + +"I never let Mr. Muir in this afternoon," she said with icy coldness. + +"No, Snuffy: but you can't keep me out of my old home. I'm part and +parcel of it, and whoever is here will be haunted by me, so I give you +fair warning." + +"I shall have to write to Mrs. Calthrop and tell her I can't do my duty +to her," said Mrs. Snow, and she retreated. + +Orris felt no compunction in giving Jock a cup of tea. + +"I can write to Mrs. Calthrop too," she said. "I know she will not +object to my asking friends to tea. She said I was to look upon it as a +temporary home." + +Jock stood on the hearthrug looking round the library with rather +dreamy eyes. + +"I wish I were a book-lover," he said, "but I learn all my lessons from +Nature." + +"I think I learn a good deal from books," said Orris gravely, "but I +hope I shan't imbibe too much philosophy from some of these dear old +men. I don't want to get stony and unimpressed by my surroundings, and, +personally, my heart warms to an unconventional impulsive person. That +is why Pippa charms me." + +"And do include me. I am told that I'm too unconventional for society." + +Orris laughed. + +"I think you are very audacious to steal in and out of this house as +you do. I don't wonder that Mrs. Snow disapproves. How did you get in +this afternoon?" + +"Through one of the open windows. I am not audacious. I have a right +here." + +He snapped his lips together like steel. Orris was startled to see +the hardness and determination in his face. Then he looked at her and +smiled. + +"If they shut you and the Elf up in jail, I should get to you," he said. + +"We were strangers a week or two ago," Orris remarked quietly. + +"We're fast, firm friends now," he said, with a little laugh; "and when +once I make friends, I keep them." + +Silence fell upon them for a moment. + +Jock suddenly broke it. + +"Let's pretend, like the children. This is your house and mine. I have +come in rather tired after an afternoon's work in the fields. And +you're waiting to give me my tea." + +"How could we share a house?" said Orris, laughing. "What nonsense you +talk!" + +"How? By walking into church one day, and coming out man and wife. +Nothing easier." + +"Oh, Mr. Muir!" + +Orris was reduced to speechlessness. + +Jock looked at her with a funny shy repentant look. + +"There now! See how you precipitate me into speech! But that will +happen to us one day, you know. Only, of course, I never do take the +proper course, and go slowly. And—don't speak! You'll say we haven't +known each other long enough, and a lot of stuff like that! You bowled +me over that day when you stood looking at me with a mixture of shocked +disapproval and amusement. And you're simply adorable, as you sit there +with the sunlight in your hair and your dimples, which will appear in +spite of your stern resolve to keep them under." + +"I shall go away and leave you if you go on talking like this." Orris +spoke very gravely. Her head was raised rather haughtily. + +"I'm sorry. Forget my rash speech. I'm desperately in love with you, +and if I can't marry you, I shall be a bachelor for the rest of my +days. There! That's off my chest. Now we'll talk of other things. I'm +not even going to ask you your opinion of me, for fear of hearing +something nasty! I've a message from Dunscombe for you. He would like +to come up to-morrow morning and give you some help over your Persian +MSS." + +"I shall be very glad to see him." + +Conversation rather languished, but Jock soon took his leave. + +"Am I forgiven?" he asked as he took her hand in his. + +"Oh, yes," said Orris. "I can see you are not like anyone else. Your +time in the Colonies has made you very un-English." + +She felt perturbed and breathless, and longed to be alone. When he had +gone, she drew her chair to the open window. As a girl in the secluded +life with her scholar father she had met very few young men of her own +age. Her father's friends were hers. They were all scholars, and had +very little interest in women. After his death, her cousin Dugald had +come into her life. But beyond a friendly liking for him, she could +not go. He proposed to her at various intervals, and after repeated +refusals, he had to be content with her cousinly friendship. She had +met other men, but none had appealed to her; she had come to think +that she was destined for a single life. Sometimes she wondered if her +ideals were too high, or her opinion of herself and her requirements +too great. She almost laughed now at the thought of this gay, +light-hearted, irresponsible young stranger daring to lay siege to her +heart. + +"Preposterous and absurd!" she muttered to herself. "He was making +game of me. I hope he did not think that I took it seriously. But I do +dislike his bringing such a subject forward. He could not have been in +earnest. I must not see so much of him, and I must keep Pippa away from +him. Really, I am rather thankful that Venetia is coming to-morrow. +Now, if he were to take a fancy to her, what a charming stepfather he +would make to my darling Pippa! I am afraid Venetia would not look at +him: farming would be abhorrent to her." + +The next afternoon Venetia arrived. She seemed a little distrait and +cross, but made a great fuss over Pippa. The child was an affectionate +little soul, but was not very demonstrative, and Orris listened rather +impatiently to her sister-in-law's talk. + +"Haven't you missed me, my pet? Have you forgotten your mummy? Your +poor mummy, who has nobody left to love her except her little girl. +Come and kiss me again! Tell me you love me. If I thought that Auntie +Ollie was stealing your heart from me, I would take you right away!" + +"Oh, Venetia, how can you talk so!" Orris said. + +"I mean every word. People are unkind, cruel to those who have no +money, and are down in their luck. I've been proving the truth of that, +visiting round. No one is anxious to receive an impecunious widow, +especially if she is at all good-looking. Who have we near us here in +the shape of neighbours?" + +Orris tried to tell her. Venetia was interested at once in Jock, and +told Pippa that she must take her to see him. Then she said: + +"Come upstairs, my darling, and I will show you what a sweet silk frock +I've bought you. White silk with little roses round neck and sleeves." + +"Oh, Venetia! She has so many frocks," expostulated Orris. + +Venetia nodded at her, laughing as she left the room with her child. +Putting her head in at the door, she said: + +"And the bill is coming in to you, Orris. I got it at Gorringe's." + +Venetia brought a different atmosphere into the old house at once. She +made her presence felt, and she and Mrs. Snow had a good many passages +of arms together before many days passed. + +A small trap and pony were discovered in the village, and with some +little persuasion, Orris had it placed at her sister-in-law's disposal. +Dan drove her about in it, and Pippa accompanied her. They were soon +friendly with both Jock and Mr. Dunscombe. + +The latter came over and gave Orris a good deal of help with her +catalogue. Jock did not come to the house so much. He was working on +the farm, and it was at his work that Pippa introduced her mother to +him. Orris was relieved that he stayed away. + +And then, about ten days after Venetia arrived, the thunderbolt fell. + +The postman brought a letter to Orris from Mrs. Calthrop. + +She read it at breakfast, and she read and re-read it, and did some +deep thinking before she spoke to Venetia about it. + +It was a lovely sunny morning. Pippa was sitting up, with eager +anticipation in her shining face. + +"Let's talk plans, mummy. I've thoughted of a lovely one. We'll take +the trap and make the pony take us to the sea somewhere, and we'll take +our dinner with us. Sangwiches and eggs and sponge cakes, with 'plenty' +of jam in the middle. 'And' gingybeer, 'and' mushrooms and cheese!" + +Her mother laughed. + +"To be taken, and then well shaken, Pips! And then the sea! You +ridiculous child, we're nowhere near the sea." + +"No, but we can get there, mummy. We've only to go far enough. Because, +you know, England is an island, and the sea comes all round it. Did you +know that, mummy? Anita told me yesterday." + +"Ask your auntie what she's looking so dismal about?" said Venetia +languidly. + +Orris gave a start and looked up from her letter. + +"Have you finished breakfast, Pippa? Could you run out into the garden +and pick some flowers for my vase in the library? You were going to do +it yesterday, were you not? But it rained." + +"So I will," said Pippa cheerfully and unsuspectingly. She danced out +of the room, and Orris drew a long breath. + +"I want to speak to you, Venetia. I know you haven't been very +satisfied with this old house, nor with the attendance you get in it, +so perhaps you will not mind. But—we shall have to flit." + +"What on earth do you mean?" + +Venetia sat up, all attention at once. + +"There's a long rigmarole from Mrs. Calthrop saying how heavy her +expenses are abroad, and that Mrs. Villars, our Rector's wife, has +asked her if she could possibly let the house to some old friends of +hers, who will pay very handsomely for it. They are the people I told +you about who are now lodging at Lilac Farm. They took a house with an +unfortunate history could get no servants to stay with them." + +"Oh, I remember. Lady Violet Archer is the woman's name. I met her once +in town. Mrs. Calthrop can't turn us out." + +"I'm afraid she can. She has offered, of course, to add to my salary in +lieu of board and lodging. She says Mrs. Snow could not manage for all +of us, and I quite see that she could not. They want to come at once, +for Lady Violet is not in good health, and there is not room at the +farm for her maid." + +"I never heard of such proceedings," said Venetia angrily. "We can't +be turned out into the street like dogs. You had better throw up your +work and come back to town, Orris. Pippa has recovered her health in +a wonderful way. She is fat and rosy, and perfectly untiring in her +energy! And I honestly tell you this country will bore me to death. We +have no neighbours. Mr. Muir is amusing, but he's a farmer, or wants to +make himself into one. And Mr. Dunscombe is a dull bookworm. But Mrs. +Calthrop has broken her contract with you. I should make her pay for +doing it. You 'must!'" + +Orris was silent; she was conning over in her mind the different houses +in the village. It would be comparatively easy to find lodgings for +herself and Pippa, but Venetia was a different matter. Mrs. Calthrop +had suggested lodgings in a farm or cottage, so that she could come to +her work daily. Orris felt that this easy happy life of hers had very +soon taken wings and flown away. + +But she had not much time for thinking, for breakfast was hardly over +before Mrs. Snow came in announcing that a lady was in the drawing-room +and wished to see her. + +"Who is it?" Orris asked. + +"Miss Archer," said Mrs. Snow shortly. + +In another moment, Orris was shaking hands with a very young pretty +girl. She was dressed in rough Harris tweed, with a grey felt hat +pulled over her soft brown hair, but everything about her was dainty +and fresh, and her complexion like that of a blush rose. + +"I have come on 'such' a disagreeable errand," she said; "and I feel +you will dislike us very much when you know that Mrs. Calthrop has let +this house to mother for some months. But, believe me, it was only this +morning that we realized that you were going to be turned out for us. +And mother said that I had better come round and explain that it was +not our doing. Mrs. Villars has arranged everything with Mrs. Calthrop, +and we knew nothing about you until yesterday evening, and then we were +talking with Mrs. Preston and she told us." + +"My dear Miss Archer, please don't feel uncomfortable about it. This is +only a temporary job, and I did not expect to settle down here for good +and all. I have felt very sorry for you. I heard about your troubles." + +"I wish that we had never come to this part," said the girl ruefully. +"It was such a surprising and uncomfortable experience at the Towers. +Are you superstitious? Of course, Mrs. Villars laughs at it all, but I +wish she would sleep there a few nights, as we did." + +"Tell me about it," said Orris sympathetically. + +Reyne Archer responded instantly to her interest. She did not seem to +have much definite complaint of the Towers beyond queer noises, but she +declared the whole atmosphere of the house was eerie and melancholy. +And from the unfortunate house, she went on impulsively to confide +in Orris a good many of her difficulties in her home life. Orris had +a way of inspiring confidence with total strangers. She learnt that +Reyne had been dragged about in attendance on an invalid mother from +the time she had been fifteen. Lady Violet always spent her winters on +the Riviera, and divided her time at home between London and Brighton, +and occasional visits to Scotland. Reyne had never been to school; she +had a haphazard, desultory education, attending classes at intervals, +and having governesses and masters for a few months at a time, and for +the last four years had been going out with her mother to the different +social functions that came in their way. + +"I am so tired of it all," she said, heaving a sigh; "and now the +doctors say mother must have rest and quiet in the country. It is so +unfortunate that our first venture should prove so disastrous. I don't +believe she will be here very long, but she has promised her doctor she +will stay quiet in the country all this summer." + +"What are your hobbies?" Orris asked. "You must have some." + +"Oh," said the girl, with heightened colour, "I want to be of some use +in the world. It's all so empty and unsatisfying, going to dances and +theatres and at-homes; always seeing the same people, and talking the +same kind of talk. I've had it since I was quite a little girl. Mother +always took me with her everywhere. I had no proper childhood. And two +years ago, in the town, I heard a sermon, and it has altered my whole +life. May I tell you about it? You won't laugh?" + +"No," said Orris softly; "I shall like to hear." + +"It was an unknown preacher in an unknown church. At least, it wasn't a +church where many of our sort go—I drifted into it one wet evening. And +the text was: 'Where art thou?' He told us of places where we might be, +and asked us to catalogue ourselves in one of them. I don't remember +all the places. 'In the far country,' was one, 'lost on the mountain,' +'hiding behind fig leaves,' 'standing idle in the market-place,' and +then he suggested a change of life and scene to 'in the fold,' 'on the +highway of holiness,' and 'in the Lord's hand.' + +"I can't tell you how eloquent he was. I came away and went to my room +and hunted about till I found a little old Bible that I had given me +as a child, and then I prayed, and, oh, I can't explain, but though my +outward circumstances haven't altered, my heart has." + +She paused, then added hurriedly: + +"You will think me quite mad, talking to you like this the first time +I see you. I don't know what has made me do it. But you're leading a +useful life and your face tells me you understand these things. May +I—will you be friendly with me and let me pour out to you sometimes?" + +"Certainly I will," said Orris with warmth that surprised herself. She +was about to say more, but they were interrupted by Mrs. Snow in the +usual way. And after discussing business with that worthy person, Reyne +Archer took a hurried leave. But as she was going, she said to Orris: + +"May I suggest that if you do want comfortable rooms that you +should come to Lilac Farm? Mrs. Preston is such a dear, and she has +half-suggested it herself." + +"There's nothing I should like better," said Orris, "but we're too +large a party. Four in number. She hasn't the rooms. Besides, Mr. Muir +is going to occupy her spare room." + +"Well, come over and talk to her about it. Do, and I shall see you +again." + + + +CHAPTER VI + +IN NEW QUARTERS + +ORRIS did not delay in making her plans. She started at once for the +village, but on the way she met Jock Muir striding along as if he were +in a walking race. + +"Ah!" he cried, when he saw her. "Good morning. I'm coming to make a +rumpus. What is this about your turning out of Pinestones? You shan't +do it. I won't have it." + +Orris laughed. + +"You really are a most amusing man," she said. "I am not being turned +out of my job. That is the only thing that I should mind; and I don't +think you must try to arrange our affairs for us. I shall be quite +happy if I can get rooms somewhere. Mrs. Snow is difficult, and we +shall all be relieved if we get away from her." + +"Where are you going? To the village? I will walk with you. Now tell me +all about it." + +Orris complied in her easy happy way. He grew calmer after a bit, and +when she mentioned Lilac Farm, his face brightened. + +"I believe Mrs. Preston will take you in if anyone will. If she sees +the Elf, she'll do it. She adores children. She has several empty +attics, you know. We won't go to the village. Come straight off to her." + +"I would rather not, just now," said Orris slowly. "We shall be turning +you out." + +"Oh, that's nothing at all. Dunscombe wants to put me up; and I shall +be in and out of the farm all day. I have my midday meal there. We'll +all be such a happy family; and you'll be able to look out of your +window in the early morning and see me working in the fields!" + +Orris laughed, and he joined her. + +"It's a first-rate plan," he said eagerly. "You'll be well rid of +Snuffy, and it's quite a short walk across the fields. The places join +each other. I insist upon your coming to Lilac Farm at once." + +"I must speak to my sister-in-law first. Yes, I mean it. You mustn't +try to manage me." + +"But don't you see that Mrs. Preston may not be able to take you in, +and then you would be going on a wrong tack? I won't try to manage +you—I don't believe I ever could—but I will try to persuade you. Just +come along and talk it over with her. Don't be unreasonable—it's so +narrow; and if you're anything, you're open to reason and common sense." + +Of course, in the end he got his way, and Orris was led off to Lilac +Farm instead of to the village. When Jock had seen her in close +confabulation with Mrs. Preston, he tactfully slipped away to his work. + +And Mrs. Preston was more accommodating than Orris had dared to hope. + +"If Mrs. Coventry and the little girl would share the big spare +bedroom, I have a smaller one that I could give you. I know I could +make it comfortable for you, and I could get an attic ready for the +maid. It's the attendance I'm doubtful about, but if she would wait +upon you, I could do it easily. I'm always busy in the kitchen every +morning, so my sitting-room would be at Mrs. Coventry's disposal. She +could have it to herself." + +"Oh," said Orris, with a sigh of relief, "that would do beautifully. +My sister-in-law always retires to her bedroom between lunch and tea, +if she is not out-of-doors. I shall be all day at work, and my little +niece is happy anywhere." + +They went on talking. Mrs. Preston suggested them coming into the +kitchen for the dinner in the middle of the day, but having their +breakfast and tea in her sitting-room, and joining them at supper +again. To Orris, this was perfectly satisfactory, but she knew that the +real difficulty would be with Venetia. And she returned home as quickly +as she could to talk it over with her. + +At first, as she feared, Venetia declared that she could not and would +not live in a farmhouse. Then, when the alternative seemed to be +cottage rooms in the village, she hesitated. Finally she said, with a +very ill grace, that they could give it a trial. And Orris settled the +matter as soon as possible before she had time to change her mind. + +In three days' time, Lady Violet had taken over Pinestones, and Orris +and her small family were established at Lilac Farm. + +She saw Reyne Archer several times, but neither of them got an +opportunity of any quiet talk together. They were both very busy. Pippa +was enchanted with the move, though she told Jock that she was very +sorry to leave the "darling little secret powder-room," as she called +it. + +"But I'll climb in at the windows like you did," she said gleefully, +"and hide when I hear Snuffy coming." + +"No, no!" said Orris, overhearing this remark. "Once away, you must +keep away." + +"But, Aunt Ollie, I may come and see you sometimes, just in at the +window. I can climb over ever so easy!" + +Orris shook her head. + +"You'll have such delightful things to see and do at the farm that you +won't want to leave it," she prophesied; "and when I am at work, I +don't want to be disturbed." + +"You wait till haymaking comes," said Jock; "you'll have the time of +your life then." + +Pippa insisted upon being told all details of haymaking; and Orris had +little fear that she would venture far-away from the farm. + +For herself, the atmosphere of the farm was very peaceful and happy. +The only lurking doubt in her heart was the close proximity of Jock. He +was always there to early dinner, and was in and out of the farm all +day. But she had little time or opportunity of speaking to him alone. +Venetia entirely monopolized him at meal times. She told Orris that he +was the only person of their own class for her to speak to. + +"And though he's a rough diamond," she said, "and nearly penniless, +there's something rather attractive about him. He can make you laugh, +which is something in this dismal desolate country." + +One day Orris took an afternoon off. + +Reyne Archer begged her to come a drive with her. Her mother had +just had her car down from town, but was laid up with an attack of +neuralgia, and so Reyne was free to use it. + +"I want you to myself," Reyne informed her, "but I've promised to go to +tea with the Misses Dashwood, and I'm going to take you. They said they +wanted to see more of you. Don't you like the eldest one? I do." + +"Yes; I think she's delightful. But I haven't time to pay many visits, +and since my sister-in-law has arrived, I feel that my spare time ought +to be devoted to her." + +"Well, I want you this afternoon. Don't disappoint me." + +Orris yielded. The weather was getting warmer; spring was turning into +early summer; and sometimes the many hours in the old library tired and +depressed her. She felt that a change and rest would do her good. When +she told Venetia of the invitation, she did not meet with much sympathy. + +"Oh, I suppose I must accustom myself to do without you. When you're +not working, you're amusing yourself; it's quite natural, but rather +dull for me." + +"What did you want to do this afternoon?" Orris asked. + +They were standing in the porch after the early dinner at the farm, +Venetia with the inevitable cigarette in her mouth. Pippa had had a +swing put up in the orchard, and Jock Muir was tossing her through the +air before he went off to his work again. + +Venetia shrugged her shoulders. + +"We might have driven into the town. It's simply deadly, living here +day after day." + +"Shall we go in after tea? I can be back at half-past five." + +"Oh, I don't know, but I want some books. I shall go and rest now." + +She disappeared up the stairs. + +Orris gazed rather wistfully after her. She felt it was dull for +Venetia, but did not know how to remedy matters. + +And then Jock came up to get his hat, and seeing the expression on her +face, stopped short. + +"What's worrying you?" + +Orris laughed. + +"Nothing. I'm sorry for my sister-in-law." + +Jock screwed up his lips rather enigmatically. + +"I shouldn't be. She's going to have a visitor this afternoon." + +"Who? What do you mean?" + +"I came across a man at the 'Golden Bells' this morning. I had to take +one of the horses to be shod next door—that's a parenthesis to let you +know I wasn't tippling—and he asked the way to Lilac Farm. One of these +Bond Street chaps, I should say, from the cut of his clothes. I was +quite nervous lest he should have come down to see you, but it was Mrs. +Coventry, not Miss Coventry, whom he wanted, so my mind is relieved. +And he's coming over here after his lunch is over. He was surprised +that he couldn't have fried sole and spaghetti at the inn. On my honour +he was!" + +"I know nobody of that description," said Orris. "I am expecting a +cousin down this week or next, but it is not he." + +She beat a rapid retreat up the stairs, resenting Jock's interest in +her visitors. + +"That will show him that I am not going to shut myself up entirely to +his society," said Orris to herself. + +A short time after, she and Reyne Archer were gliding smoothly along +the roads in the open car. + +"I want to take you to the top of Churt's Hill," Reyne said. "Have you +been there?" + +"No; it is beyond my walking powers. How much ease and enjoyment you +have, if you own a car!" + +"Yes, but, like everything else, you don't value it when you are +accustomed to it. I'm afraid I'm a discontented soul at present." + +"Are you? I wonder why?" said Orris cheerfully. "Don't spoil a pleasant +bit of life by hankering after the impossible. If you're tired of town, +surely this must refresh you?" + +"Oh," said Reyne impulsively, "isn't it a waste of life? There's so +much to be done, so few doing anything but just getting through life as +comfortably as they can." + +"Isn't your mother rather delicate? If you are her only daughter, you +could not leave her." + +"No," said Reyne, a little bitterly; "she has already told me that. +If I leave her, she stops my allowance. She is determined to keep me +entirely dependent on her. And penniless workers are at a disadvantage. +I have asked about various hostels, and you must contribute something +towards your keep, naturally. Of course, I could join communities where +they would take me for nothing, but my pride stands in the way." + +"I wouldn't be in a hurry about leaving your mother," said Orris +gently. "I was tempted sorely, some years ago, to leave my father. I +did not seem to be of much use to him; he was a scholar and absorbed in +his books. Yet before he died, he thanked me for sticking to him, and I +have always been glad I did.' + +"But you weren't in the treadmill of smart society," said Reyne. + +"No, not in your set. But I thought I was stagnating, burying my +talents in the earth. And now, looking back, I see that it was all +training." + +"For what you are doing now?" + +"Partly. I'm able to support myself and my belongings by the knowledge +that I got with my father, but I did not mean that side. Miss Dashwood +will tell you what I mean. She, after all, is only going through the +same phase as yourself, looking after, and keeping happy, her nearest +and dearest. It makes for character, calls forth the best of one's +powers, when we're in the smallest corners." + +Orris spoke gravely, but ended her sentence with her happy smile, and +Reyne took hold of her hand caressingly. + +"Talk away. I love being preached to. Nobody does it. Tell me charity +begins at home, that instead of going abroad to tell the heathen what +has been done for them, I ought to be influencing my mother! But you +know that's quite an impossibility. It ought to be the other way +about—a daughter can't influence a mother, especially such a mother as +I have—a mother with a masterful spirit and an iron will." + +Orris was silent. + +"Love and prayer will work miracles," she said at last. "You know the +early Christian women were told to be 'keepers at home.' Of course, +people laugh at that in these days, but don't be in a hurry to rush +ahead before the door is opened. Don't make up your mind as to what you +must, or must not, do. Let God do it for you." + +"It is so difficult to stay still knowing that my best years are being +given over to what is really condemned in the Bible. You must say it +is. 'Lovers of pleasures more than of God,' isn't that rightly quoted?" + +"Yes," said Orris, "but the beginning of that quotation is: +'Disobedient to parents, unthankful, without natural affection.'" + +Reyne sighed. + +"Why don't you help a little in the parish?" Orris suggested. "I am +told that Miss Villars is overburdened with it. Mrs. Villars leaves it +all to her, and this is a big parish, they say. Couldn't you take a +Sunday class whilst you are here? I should personally love to do it. I +had one always in London, but I feel here that Pippa needs me on Sunday +afternoons. She and I always have a class together." + +"I might do that," said Reyne, visibly brightening. "You don't know how +good it is to talk with anyone who cares and understands." + +They reached Churt's Hill, and got out from the car, walking to the +summit, where a few stunted pines were grouped together. But the view +was a magnificent one overlooking several counties, rivers like threads +of silver wound up and down the valleys, wooded slopes, rich verdant +meadows lay before them, little villages nestling close to their +churches, and in the far distance a line of blue sea. Orris gazed with +a full heart, and Reyne drew a long breath. + +"Isn't it inspiring!" she said. "We might be on the top of the +Delectable Mountains. We're so far removed up here from petty troubles +and vexations. I'm sure space and freedom are necessary to our +well-being. Nobody ought to have nerves who lives in such surroundings +as these." + +"No," said Orris thoughtfully, "but I suppose every one needs a +different environment. If Venetia were here with us, she would not +enjoy it. Many only stagnate in the country; they live in town." + +Reyne gave another sigh. Then she said: + +"We're going to have visitors next week. I believe you know them. Now +I come to think of it, aren't they connexions of yours? Major Dugald +McTavert and Mrs. Laing, his sister." + +"They're cousins," said Orris, smiling. "How strange! I only heard from +Dugald the other day, saying he would be in these parts soon, for he +would be staying with friends in the neighbourhood. Does he know you +are in the Muirs' house?" + +"No, he wrote to the house of ill-omen, as we now call it. I wonder +who the next tenants will be! It is so attractively advertised that it +never remains empty long, I believe." + +"I wish it could be burnt," said Orris uneasily. + +"You are very superstitious about it. I felt, when I was in it, that I +was as safe there as anywhere. But it is not a happy house." + +"No," said Orris. "I think I must tell you what happened the other day. +Pippa persuaded Mr. Muir to take her over it. She had heard a good deal +about it from the postman, who is a great friend of hers. When she came +back, I asked her about it. She had run away from Mr. Muir for a few +minutes, it seems, had thought she would hide from him, and then she +said suddenly: + +"'I'm 'fraid Master Jock swears wicked words sometimes. I heard drefful +words one after the other behind the door. He says he didn't, but who +could it be, Aunt Ollie?' + +"I asked Mr. Muir, and he vows he never uttered a word, but says Pippa +was in the room where most of the tragedies have taken place." + +"That's queer. Oh, I'm thankful we're out of it! Will you come over +to dinner with us one night, when your cousins are with us? And your +sister-in-law too? Do; I know mother means to ask you." + +"I think we shall be very glad to do so when the invitation arrives," +said Orris, laughing. + +Then they walked back to the car, and found their way to the +Misses Dashwood's cottage. They met Miss Villars there, who seemed +very pleased to see them. Orris had not yet spoken to her, though +she had seen her in church and in the distance. She was a thin, +harassed-looking girl, but when Orris began to talk to her, she +brightened up wonderfully. + +"I have so wanted to know you," she said; "you look so happy, and you +have that darling little niece who always talks to everybody she meets." + +"Yes, she's a sociable little soul, but a little too forward with her +tongue," said Orris in her cheerful way. "You must be fond of children. +I see you surrounded by them in church." + +"Yes, I enjoy the Sunday school. My sister-in-law does not care for +children. I love them. Fancy! We have been here fourteen years this +month, and I've seen some of my little scholars grow up and marry. It +makes me feel so old! Have you heard our news? My brother is giving up +the living. He has been offered one in London, and my sister-in-law +wants to go. It is at Hampstead." + +"Will you be sorry to leave?" Orris asked, wishing she could honestly +regret the Rector's departure, but he was a poor preacher, and had not +much personality or influence amongst his parishioners. + +"I shall be very sorry. I know every one here. It is so hard to begin +all over again." + +"You are happy in having such work," said Orris; "now Miss Archer, who +is with me, is bemoaning her lack of occupation." + +"Oh, is she going to stay here? Would she visit a few of the old +people? We know the man who is coming, but he is unmarried and rather +young. I believe his mother, who lives with him, is old and infirm. I +wondered who would look after every one when I went. I could tell her +all about the ones who most appreciate being visited." + +"I rather fancy she will be here only for the summer, but I know she +would be very glad to give all the help she can." + +Then Orris introduced the girls and began to talk to the Misses +Dashwood. + +When they left, Reyne was a different person. She was delighted at the +opening that seemed in front of her. + +"Of course, the new Rector may not want me interfering, but if he has +no wife, he may be glad of some help," she said. "I've heard that Miss +Villars has done more in the parish than her brother." + +"Yes, all the villagers turn to her. Mrs. Villars does nothing. It is +not her line, she says." + +Orris was dropped at Lilac Farm on the way back. She felt that the +afternoon's drive had refreshed and rested her. She found Venetia +sitting in the orchard reading a novel, and Pippa was playing near her. + +"I've had a visitor," she said, as Orris approached her. + +"I wonder who?" + +"You don't know him. A man I met in Italy. He is partly Italian—at +least, his mother was of that nationality. He is going to stay at +Churt's Grange. Do you know the people there?" + +"My dear Venetia, I know no one." + +"Mr. Muir will tell us. There he is, crossing the farmyard. Run and +tell him I want him, Pippa." + +Away flew Pippa, coming back perched on Jock's broad shoulders. + +He smiled when he heard Venetia's query. + +"Churt's Grange lies the other side of Churt's Hill. Very worthy +people—very rich. Made their money in Glasgow. Only been there ten +years. Do you want to know them?" + +"Mr. Riley is going to bring Mrs. Potter to call. I told him we did not +even possess a sitting-room of our own. It is so absurdly rustic and +unconventional here." + +"Mrs. Potter won't mind. She'll gush over it all. The country to her is +a kind of stage for her amusement." + +"You will be quite gay," said Orris. "An invitation to dine with the +Archers is coming to us. Dugald and Marie are actually coming to stay +at Pinestones." + +"I wonder who Dugald is?" said Jock, in his usual audacious manner. + +Venetia looked up quickly. + +"The man who I hope is going to marry Orris," she said. "He has been +waiting for her for years." + +Orris's brows contracted. A pink flush rose to her cheeks. + +"Please do not talk nonsense, Venetia," she said in a vexed tone. + +Jock looked as black as thunder. And then Pippa, who had been taking it +all in, suddenly threw her word in. + +"Oh, but the man I want Aunt Ollie to marry is Master Jock," she said. +"I simply would love him to be my—my stone-father." + +It was impossible to help laughing. + +"Stepfather, you mean," corrected her mother. "He couldn't be your +stepfather unless he married me. Run away child, and don't interfere in +grown-up people's conversation." + +"Pippa is wiser than the whole lot of us put together," said Jock, as +he went off to the farmyard again, where he was helping Mr. Preston +with a sick cow. + +Pippa darted off with him. + +"I'm very fond of Cousin Dugald," she confided in him, "but I don't +think he ever climbed up into a window in his life. And I simply +''dore' you for doing it!" + + + +CHAPTER VII + +VENETIA DISAPPEARS + +"NOW, Dugald, you must go away. My time is not my own. It is Mrs. +Calthrop's this morning till half-past twelve, when I go to dinner." + +"It's past my comprehension," said Dugald, eyeing the rows of books +in front of him critically, "how a catalogue can take so long in the +making. I bet you I would do it in a fortnight!" + +"Where ignorance is bliss!" said Orris, laughing. + +"But look here, I came down to see you; I've been here two days and +have hardly got a squint of you. When is your time your own? Answer +truthfully." + +"If you promise to leave me in peace, and I can get these three hours +clear of interruptions, I will meet you somewhere this afternoon, and +we'll have a walk, if you like. Be at Lilac Farm at three o'clock. +Venetia will be very pleased to see you to tea if you care to return +with me. That is, providing Lady Violet has not other plans for you. I +would remind you that you are her guest." + +"Thank you," Dugald said sarcastically. Then he altered his tone. +"Isn't it queer the Archers coming here and turning you out? I never +heard of such a topsy-turvy arrangement. And I hear the rightful but +defrauded heir is in the neighbourhood, and that you and he are great +pals. Have I cause for jealousy?" + +"Go away! I shan't talk to you any more. The friends I make cannot +possibly concern you." Orris turned her back upon him and plunged into +her work. + +It was little more than half-past nine, but from his bedroom window +Dugald had caught sight of her crossing the fields, and had hastened +down to have a chat with her. He looked at her very ruefully now. + +"You've no occasion to slave away like this," he said, "to give that +lazy parasite money to fly round with. Well, I suppose I must make my +exit. I shall be at the Farm at three, sharp." He left the room. + +Orris was not disturbed again. Reyne respected her wishes, and rarely +came near her. Lady Violet ignored her, and her cousin Dugald's sister, +Marie, hardly realized that she was in the house. + +When Orris arrived at the Farm for dinner, Pippa met her breathlessly. + +"Mummy has gone away in a car with Mr. Riley. And haymaking is +beginning to-morrow, and I'm going to be in the hayfields all day long, +and Master Jock will make me little cubbyholes in it. Won't it be +glorious!" + +"And what are your plans for this afternoon, I wonder?" asked Orris. +"Is your mother out for the day?" + +"Yes. She said I was to be good. I wiss I'd gone with her, but she +wouldn't take me. She said she mightn't be home till I was in bed!" + +"Where is Anita?" + +Pippa advanced to her aunt on tiptoe, her finger to her lips. + +"Locked in the barn. She—she bored me!" + +The last words were in such exact imitation of her mother's tones that +Orris smiled in spite of herself. + +"But that is very naughty, Pippa. You wouldn't like to be locked in the +barn." + +"Oh, yes, I would, 'cause I can squeeze down through the holes into the +mangers." + +Orris went to release the tearful and very indignant Anita, and told +her to take her work after dinner into the orchard, and keep Pippa in +sight. + +"I am going out for a walk, but I shall be back before tea. As her +mother is out, you will be responsible for her." + +"She is too wild, the child," murmured Anita. "I try, I make play with +her, but she flies like lightning in all parts of the farm at once. She +plays with peegs, she makes herself—her frocks like them. I wash—and +wash—but she is always not fit to look at for a little lady!" + +"Never mind! This is the country." + +"I do agree with my mistress: I like town." + +Anita the adaptable was distinctly ruffled. Orris smoothed her down. +She wondered if she had better leave her little niece, for it was +evidently one of her naughty days. + +At dinner Jock asked her if she was worried. + +"Do I look so?" she asked. + +"You have a certain pucker on your brow which always comes there when +your mind is working at something unpleasant." + +Orris laughed, and her brow cleared. + +"I am going for a walk with my Cousin Dugald," she said; "and I am +wondering whether Pippa will be all right if I leave her at home." + +Pippa was chattering away to the farmer at the other end of the table +or Orris would not have discussed her. Jock looked at her with his +whimsical smile. + +"Is it a case of pleasure versus duty? Let the cousin go, and bring +Pippa out into the five-acre meadow. We're starting the haymaking." + +"To-day? + +"Well, the machine isn't working quite right—we're giving it a trial." + +"Anita might take her down, if you could have an eye on her." + +"All right—I'm game. Because I think you ought to have a change from us +country folk sometimes." + +Mrs. Preston overheard this conversation. + +"No, Mr. Muir, don't hint that Miss Coventry doesn't like us. She might +have been born and brought up in the country, she's so understanding +and simple." + +"Now you've said it!" laughed Jock. "Miss Coventry, simple!" + +"I beg your pardon, I'm sure," said poor Mrs. Preston, covered with +confusion. + +"My dear Mrs. Preston," said Orris, "simplicity is a virtue which all +of us ought to possess. I wish I had more of it." + +"Would your little niece like to bide in the kitchen with me? We're +making some raspberry jam this afternoon." + +Directly Pippa heard this she was enchanted at the idea of it, and +Orris departed for her walk with a light heart. + +She took Dugald through the pinewoods. They had many mutual friends, +and she enjoyed hearing of town life, and all that was going on. + +"It seems years since I was in the bustle of it all," she said. "I +suppose you think my life stagnation at present?" + +"I'm afraid I couldn't stick it. Why doesn't Venetia get married again, +and relieve you of herself and child, then we would have you in town?" + +"I don't know that you would," said Orris slowly. + +It was an exquisite afternoon; they were leaning over a fence at the +edge of the woods and looking down along the rich pastoral valley below +them. There was a peculiar freshness in the air; every tree and shrub +seemed vibrant with luxurious life, and the pines behind them were +sending out their aromatic fragrance. + +Orris turned to pick a branch of wild roses as she spoke; and as she +inhaled their delicate fragrance, she said again: + +"I don't know that you would. The country is getting a hold of me. +The naturalness and simplicity of it all appeals to me. I am enjoying +first-hand the good gifts of God. I feel now as if I could not take +town life up again. If I could find a thatched cottage vacant, which +is, of course, an impossibility in these days, I believe I would +venture to take it. Look at that view in front of you! Isn't it +exquisite?" + +"Oh, you can get many as good, outside town," said Dugald +indifferently. Then, turning to her eagerly, he said: "You mustn't +vegetate here too long. You have gifts which are squandered here. And +we—I—want you back again. I haven't a soul who cares whether I live +or die. I mean it. And I miss your motherly—sisterly—oh, how I wish I +could say 'wifely'—lectures for my good. Hurry up over that library and +come back." + +"I have a good three months' work at it, yet," said Orris. "You don't +any of you want me. You map out your days and nights in one long array +of gaieties; you say the same things every day, you repeat scandal, +you tell each other 'bon mots,' you criticize each other, and you +contribute nothing towards the welfare of the unfortunate. And at the +end of your life, what have you got to show for it?" + +Dugald looked at her with mischievous eyes. "Go on. I've heard all this +before." + +"Yes; it's futile talking to you. And I'm just as bad myself. Reyne +Archer has been stirring me up by her fresh enthusiasm, and longing +after a busy, useful life. I have done very little in town, but here, I +fancy, if I were to settle down and get to know the country folk round, +I could do something to help them on a bit. So little amuses them, so +little pleases them. I'm not speaking of the young, but of the old and +feeble. I've just seen a few of them, but they fascinate me. I have +never come in contact with country people before. They're so leisurely +and shrewd, and think more than the Cockneys do. They have more time, +of course." + +"How you drift away from the point," Dugald said. "Promise me you will +return to town in September. You will have had your three months by +then." + +"Indeed, I shall promise nothing of the sort. Now shall we go back?" + +Dugald felt, when the walk was over that he had gained nothing by +it. He had hoped that absence from town might make her more eager to +return. He had also hoped that she would have missed him, and learnt to +wish for him. + +When they reached the farm, they found a bountiful tea awaiting them. +Mrs. Preston had suggested to Anita to carry it out under the apple +trees in the orchard. + +Dugald did not stay long. Perhaps Pippa's chatter of her wonderful +"Master Jock" did not smooth matters. If Jock did not like the sound of +him, Dugald most certainly disliked his presence at the farm. + +When he was gone, and Pippa had been taken to bed, Orris sat on in the +silent orchard. The future looked uncertain to her, and sometimes she +had an intense craving for a home of her own. Her flat was not a home, +she told herself. She wanted a garden, a sweet restful place where, as +now, she could sit and meditate with no fear of interruption. + +She was a little anxious over Venetia. Every day found her more +discontented and more restive. These new friends of hers did not seem +to make her happier, only made her long the more to return to town. +And Orris did not care for this new admirer of hers. Mr. Riley seemed +to her a parvenu, and neither well-bred nor intellectual. Venetia was +never happy unless she had some man attendant on her, but Orris feared +she was more than interested in this one. + +She did not return till half-past ten, and was cross with Orris for +waiting up for her. + +"I thought you might be glad of a cup of soup. Have you been out in the +car all day?" + +"We've been up to town," Venetia said shortly, "and we dined at +Salisbury on the way back." + +Orris saw she did not wish to be questioned, so said no more and went +off to bed. + +The next day she and Venetia dined with the Archers. The Rector and his +wife were there, but no one else. It was not exactly a happy gathering. +Venetia and Dugald heartily disliked each other. Mrs. Villars had +taken it into her head not to approve of Orris. Marie, a lively young +matron of two-and-thirty, put her foot into it all round. She told Mrs. +Villars that the country was deadly, and that parsons and their wives +were the deadliest. This was in innocence of Mrs. Villars' calling. She +told Lady Archer that they thought it a burning shame for Mrs. Calthrop +to let her house and turn Orris out, after making arrangements with her +definitely to stay there. And she asked Venetia why she did not try +another millinery venture in town. It was so fashionable, and she would +promise to patronize her if she did so! + +Reyne and Orris did not get a chance of any talk together until just as +she was leaving, and then Reyne said: + +"I want to tell you that I have mother's consent to my taking over some +of Miss Villars' work when she leaves. I am so happy about it. It seems +as if it has just been given to me. And I do agree with you that I +ought not to leave mother at present. If only she stays in the country, +it will be delightful! I am going to enjoy it all now, and shall leave +the future to take care of itself." + +Dugald walked home with Orris and Venetia. The latter said, when she +came into the farm: + +"Preserve me from going out again to any of these deadly country +dinners! Orris, I'm getting to the end of my tether. I shall have to +break away from you." + +"But what do you think of doing?" said Orris, a little wearily. This +kind of conversation was getting frequent and monotonous. + +"I think I should commit suicide if I stayed here much longer." + +"Don't be foolish!" Orris's tone was sharp. "You have more backbone +than that, Venetia, so don't pretend that you haven't. We can't get +everything we want in life; and you have here at least food and +lodging." + +"I thought you would add 'comfort,' for that I have not got. And talk +of life! This isn't life, it's stagnation. I am not a tortoise. I can't +sleep away my time as you want me to do. I shall go to one of those +cheap boardinghouses in Bayswater or Kensington. I don't mind leaving +you Pippa for a time. She ought to be going to school soon. How is it +to be managed?" + +"I shall be able to do it," said Orris. Then she added, with a little +laugh: "That is, if I don't get too many bills of yours to pay." + +Venetia shrugged her shoulders. + +"If you will take your brother's liabilities upon your shoulders, it +isn't for me to complain. Good-night. I'm off to bed. I've warned you +that I shall make my exit soon." Then, as she was turning away, she +looked back. "You and I are not fitted to live together, Orris. You are +too superior in your aloofness from all fun and frivolity. You good +people are on such a different plane to us mere ordinary beings that +you make us uncomfortable in your presence." + +"I have tried not to be a prig," murmured Orris. + +"You can't hide your contempt for me." + +Orris was dumb. She realized that she had been impatient, intolerant +of her sister-in-law's vagaries, and she wondered if she could have +influenced her more, had she shown her more sympathy. She looked at +Venetia somewhat wistfully. + +"I wish you would teach me how to understand you," she said. + +Venetia laughed and blew her an airy kiss. + +"Good-night again. You've been a useful old thing to me, and you're a +pattern aunt to Pippa. You ought to be a mother. I'm not suited to the +role. Marry this young penniless farmer who's so desperately in love +with you. He isn't a bad sort—not spicy enough for me, but good enough +in his way." She disappeared. + + +Two days after, she made good her words. She had gone off again with +Mr. Riley in his car, presumably to some races that were taking place +about ten miles away. + +This time Orris waited up till between eleven and twelve. She had felt +uneasy all the evening. Pippa had been curiously mysterious, and wagged +her head to and fro every time her mother's name was mentioned. + +When she was put to bed, Orris went in and tucked her up after hearing +her say her evening prayer. + +When Pippa got to, "God bless mummy," she gave a little giggle. + +Orris promptly reproved her, whereupon she looked up with big eyes. + +"God knows why I'm laughing. He will ascuse me." + +"Have you got anything on your mind, my pet?" Orris asked, as she gave +her a "good-night" kiss. + +"No," said Pippa virtuously; "I've been a 'markably good girl to-day." + +Orris paced outside the house in the sweet dusky evening till it was +too dark to see, then she came to the conclusion that Venetia might be +sleeping at the Potters', so she went to bed when it was nearly twelve +o'clock. + +The next morning Anita brought her a note which she had found on her +mistress's dressing-table. It ran as follows: + + "DEAR ORRIS,— + + "I haven't been long in doing it, have I? But Jack Riley has +precipitated matters. We are being married to-morrow at the Registrar's +in town. I go up to-night and sleep at the Metropole. He joins me +to-morrow. I didn't think he was in earnest till yesterday. He has +a ranch in California and we're going out there, but I must have a +maid to go with me, so will you send Anita along with my trunks? I've +packed one. She must pack the other and bring them up to town—to the +Metropole. She loves travelling, so will like to come with me. I +leave you Pippa. I shall miss her, but Jack doesn't want a ready-made +daughter at present; and we shall be travelling about, which would be +bad for her. You won't have me as a burden on your shoulders, so you +will be able to do better for her. She must be educated soon. I should +pack her off to a boarding-school if I were you, and go back to your +club again. Good-bye. + + "You did your best for us, but a country farm is the limit for— + + "Your good-for-nothing Sis, + + "VENETIA." + +Orris read this through with dazed eyes. She hardly knew whether +she was glad or sorry. Her immediate anxiety was Pippa with no maid +to look after her. She realized her capacity for mischief, and the +impossibility of doing her work and looking after the child. + +She called Anita to her. It was quite true what Venetia had said. She +had a passion for travelling, and was willing to go anywhere with her +mistress. + +"Miss Pippa, she is too great a charge; she likes not me when I am +reproving her; and she is too wild to be held still and good. I do +better with full-grown ladies who do not pour ink into my shoes and +comb the peegs with my best comb!" + +"I'm afraid Miss Pippa has been very naughty." + +"She is born so," said Anita philosophically. + +She departed with alacrity to pack her mistress's trunks, and Orris +went down to breakfast with perplexed eyes. + +Pippa was chattering in the porch to Jock who was filling his pipe +preparatory to going into the hayfields. + +"Oh, Aunt Ollie, be quick with our brekfus', I'm going to be all day in +the hayfield, and I shall make it into little cocks to-day. Jock says I +can." + +"Do you know your mummy has gone away?" + +Pippa looked at her aunt and smiled. + +"Aha! You didn't know I'd a secret! Mummy told me not to tell, and so +last night I didn't, though it nearly bursted from me ever so many +times. Mummy came to me in the orchard when the car was waiting for +her, and she kissed me and whispered in my ear that she was going away. +Mummy often goes away quite sudden, doesn't she? She told me not to +tell you till this morning, and I really quite forgot, I was so busy +thinking about the hay." + +"Have children any hearts?" queried Jock, in an undertone. "Is it +anything serious, Bright Eyes?" + +"Run in, Pippa; there's some bread and milk for you this morning. I'm +just coming." + +The child danced into the house. In a few words, Orris told Jock of +what had happened. He gave a low long whistle. + +"You don't want me to congratulate you," he said. + +"No; it has almost knocked me down—the suddenness of it. But I wonder +that it has not happened before. He has money, so I consider she ought +to be content." + +"And send you something for the child, I should hope?" + +Orris shook her head. + +"Never. He evidently has stipulated that the child is to be shunted +on me. I would not have it otherwise. She would be ruined if she +accompanied them. I don't consider him a nice man—he is very fast and +go ahead. Of course, Venetia is old enough to know her own mind." + +"Well, I'm inclined to feel cheery about it. The Elf has stolen her way +into Mrs. Preston's heart, so you needn't worry." + +"But she is too busy to look after her." + +"She will be my charge for to-day." + +"I must get some kind of nursemaid for her," said Orris. Then she +smiled at him. "I am beginning to tell you all my difficulties. I +wonder why!" + +"Because you know that everything that interests you interests me," +responded Jock quickly. "I expect you to confide in me." + +"Go along to your work," said Orris, laughing. And then she joined her +little niece at breakfast. + +Mrs. Preston, on being told the news, showed immense relief. + +"I have done my best for Mrs. Coventry, but she's like a fish out of +water here, miss. She was always grumbling and bewailing our simple +ways. We'll manage fine. I believe Mrs. Will's Lily is at home out of +place. She's a nice girl and has known good service—been nurse-girl up +at Tarbets Hall. Shall I make inquiries about her?" + +"Do, please, dear Mrs. Preston, for Anita must leave at once—this +afternoon, if possible. My sister-in-law will want her luggage." + +There were a good many arrangements to be made before Orris was free to +leave for her work. In fact, she did not go to Pinestones till after +dinner. Anita had left by the two o'clock train, and Mrs. Preston said +Pippa could have tea with her in the kitchen, if she did not have it in +the hayfield. So Orris left the farm with an easy conscience. + +As she was crossing the fields, she met Mr. Dunscombe. + +"You are quite a stranger," he said. "How are you getting on with your +work?" + +"I am seeing my way through the foreign section, but I haven't tackled +the Old English yet." + +She plunged into her subject. Mr. Dunscombe had been of the greatest +help to her in many ways. + +"Don't hurry too much," was his advice, on parting. "We don't want you +to leave us, you know." + +"I am not nearly at that point," Orris said. "Sometimes I think I shall +never want to leave this smiling country. My town tastes are retiring +to the background." + +"We'll do our best to keep you," he said pleasantly. + +And then he went his way, and Orris went hers, more than glad to feel +that her work should occupy her thoughts for the present. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +DISASTER + +IT was Sunday afternoon. Orris sat under one of the old apple trees in +the orchard in a lounge wicker chair. Pippa was sprawling on a plaid +rug at her feet. She disdained chairs, and having on a fresh white +muslin frock, was not allowed to roll the grass at will during her +Sunday lesson time. + +She lay on her chest now, chewing stalks of grass, and beating a tattoo +with her impatient little feet, but she had been listening intently +to one of the old Gospel stories which her aunt had been telling her. +Orris was taking the different incidents in the life of our Lord, and +had been telling the story of Zacchæus this afternoon. + +Unseen by teacher or hearer Jock Muir had stolen up after them, and +lounging behind a thick old apple trunk, had let his eyes dwell +contentedly on the face which, to him, was the dearest and sweetest in +the world. Then Pippa spoke. + +"I wiss, Aunt Ollie, I wiss Jesus was going about in these villages +to-day. Let's pretend He is. Only think how lovely it would be! He +would be walking towards our house here, perhaps, and He'd have come +through the village, and all the persons would have jumped out of their +houses and run after Him; and old Mrs. Bone would hobble up to Him on +her c'utches, and He'd give her new legs at once, and she would go +skipping and dancing along; and little Johnnie White would be taken out +of his bed, and made quite well; and old Tom Burden would have his ears +touched, and never be deaf again. And then they'd all come along the +road, and crowd and crowd round Him, and then I'd climb up into that +old oak by the gate, and look at Him through the leaves, and He'd look +up at me, and everybody would look too, and He'd say: + +"'Make haste, Pippa, and come down, for I'm going to spend the day at +your house!' + +"Oh, how dreffully exciting it would be! And then I'd climb down and +He'd perhaps take my hand and we'd come into the door and you would be +waiting for us, and Mrs. Preston would be getting dinner ready as fast +as she could, and the crowds would all have to wait outside. We'd shut +the door tight and have Jesus all to ourselves!" + +Orris never checked Pippa's flights of fancy. The child was looking up +at her with shining eyes, her whole soul in her words. + +"Well, Pippa, darling," said Orris, in a soft reverent voice, "suppose +we did have our Lord to ourselves, what would you say to Him, would you +ask Him for anything?" + +Pippa shut her eyes tight and considered. Then, with screwed up eyelids +she said at last with infinite satisfaction and content: + +"I'd just creep up softly and sit upon His knees, and love Him." + +There was a little silence; a blackbird suddenly lifted up his voice +behind them, and burst into an ecstatic song of joy. + +Orris murmured to herself, not loud enough for Pippa to hear: + +"Of such is the kingdom of Heaven." + +And then Jock showed himself. + +Pippa jumped up and flung herself into his arms. + +"We've done our lesson. Are you come to tea?" + +"May I?" He looked at Orris, and she nodded with a smile. + +"Pippa, darling, would you go in and help Mrs. Preston get the tea? I +know you like to be useful." + +Away danced Pippa. + +"And Master Jock shall have some cream on his bread instead of butter. +He likes that," she called out, as she ran into the house. + +Jock lay down on the rug which Pippa had vacated. + +"I've been listening for some minutes to you both." + +Orris looked at him earnestly. + +"Oh, don't you wish we were like little children? Don't you sometimes +envy them their perfect faith and trust and love? It seems to shame +one, when one doubts and hesitates and forgets." + +Jock was silent. Then he said: + +"I can't remember the exact somewhat hackneyed quotation. Doesn't it +run like this: + + "''Tis little joy + To know I'm farther off from Heaven than when I was + a boy'?" + +"Did you have Pippa's faith when you were small?" Orris asked quietly. + +"Didn't I tell you? I had a most religious tutor before I went +to Harrow. He began teaching me when I was six. He went out as a +missionary to India afterwards. He coloured my whole small life with +his religion. I heard of his death about five years ago. He always +wrote to me every Christmas—never failed." + +"You haven't lost your faith?" asked Orris. + +He looked at her meditatively. + +"One can neglect, or nurture it. I've done a good deal in the +neglecting way. Neglect a field, you know, and it soon turns out a crop +of unwholesome weeds—gets rank and barren, doesn't it?" + +"But a good farmer is always trying to reclaim his waste land." + +"I'm a bad hat!" said Jock, trying to speak lightly, but failing. + +Orris leant forward and laid her hand gently on his shoulder. + +"Come back to your Owner," she said. "He'll clear and redeem your +barren field. Hand yourself over to Him again. He had you as a little +boy, He wants you now." + +Jock thrilled at her touch, and also at her words. + +"Is it all a myth?" he queried. + +And then Orris said very softly: + +"'I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep +that which I have committed unto Him against that day.'" + +Then there was silence again between them. + +Jock broke it at last by saying in a lighter tone: "You didn't see me +in church to-day?" + +"No." + +"I was there—came in late, and had to go out before the final hymn. The +sick cow was taken worse. I believe my calling is a vet. I'm better at +handling sick animals than Preston is, so he tells me. How do you like +our new parson?" + +"Very much. Better than Mr. Villars. He is alive, and believes in his +message." + +Pippa here joined them again, summoning them to tea. + +Orris had said what she wanted to Jock; it was not her way to worry, +or to weary anyone by over-much talking. But she had always felt that +something real lay under Jock's happy-go-lucky nature. + +As he and Pippa teased and joked and played together that quiet Sunday +evening, she wondered if he had cast aside his memories again. But when +he took his leave of her a little later on, he said: + +"Thank you for my Sunday lesson. I shan't forget it." Then he raised +her hand suddenly to his lips, kissed it, and departed before she could +say a word. + +Orris found herself thinking about him a great deal. One of the traits +in his character that she admired, was the good-tempered philosophical +way in which he took the loss of his inheritance; there seemed to be no +bitterness or vindictiveness in his composition towards those who had +evidently defrauded him of his rights. It was not that he did not feel +it, she felt sure. She had seen the sudden flash of his eyes, and the +tightening of his lips, when his will or wishes were crossed, but she +never heard him lift his voice in anger to anyone. He seemed to have +absolute control over his feelings, and no one could make him lose his +temper. All children, all animals, adored him; the farm hands would do +anything for him, and he got more work out of them than did anyone else. + + +One day he and she were having a discussion together over the world in +general. Orris had been talking about her sister-in-law, and said she +was one of the products of the war. + +"I ought to make more allowances for her. She tells me I am not +sympathetic, and think and show my superiority in every way, but the +fact is, I'm almost a generation behind her. I don't smoke, I don't +shingle, or use a lip-stick, or care for jazz dances and night clubs. +I'm hopelessly old-fashioned, and, of course, she thinks me a prig, but +our tastes are utterly different. And what I say is that this present +generation are too much like a flock of sheep. They follow each other, +and some of them have not the courage to own to a different standard +and individuality to the rest. The worst thing in the world for a young +girl is to be found out-of-date or behind the times. It's all wrong. We +each have a different personality, and ought to know our own minds and +stick to them, without being biased by others. I suppose all ideals and +standards have been lost. + +"'Live like the rest, and let everything else go hang!' That's the +motto of the young girl of to-day. I am thinking of Pippa in the years +to come. I may not have her with me many years. How can I expect her to +be stronger than the rest of her contemporaries?" + +Jock was silent for a few minutes, then he turned to her with his +delightfully sunny smile. + +"You know, I understand your sister-in-law's point of view. And you are +so strong, so genuinely superior to most of us that it does give one a +kind of hopeless feeling about getting hold of you and your affections. +I sometimes wickedly feel that I should like to see you brought down a +little lower—not in your ideals and morals—Heaven forbid that!—but in +your—shall I say circumstances? I should like to see you low enough to +be glad and thankful of my comfort and guidance. I should like to have +the raising of you." + +"Oh, dear!" cried Orris. "You will always become so personal. But I +am sorry I seem to show my superiority. I don't feel superior in any +way—except, honestly—yes, in my heart I do feel superior to Venetia, +and that is the reason why I have never been able to influence her or +get her to like me. I'm all wrong. I wish I had more patience, more +tolerance, more love for those who have such a different outlook to +myself." + +Jock nodded. + +"More love," he murmured. "It will come if you cultivate it, and I can +wait." + +He generally ended all serious conversation by some such remark. But +Orris thought of what he had said, and prayed daily for more humility +and diffidence of self. + + +One day, after the haymaking was over, and when the weather was rather +wet and stormy, Orris took Pippa down to Pinestones with her. The young +girl who was looking after her was not very satisfactory, and did not +seem to be able to manage her. Pippa had been rescued, soaking wet to +the skin, from a shallow pond, where she had been trying to wash some +young pigs, and had refused to have her frock changed, saying that, as +she was wet, she could have a good paddle. Later, she developed a bad +cold, and had to be kept in bed for two days. Now she was well again, +but Orris thought that she would rather have her under her own eye in +the library; and Pippa, of course, was delighted at the prospect before +her. + +She accompanied her aunt well wrapped up in her little mackintosh cape +and hood, carrying her Teddy bear, a doll, and a box of zigzag puzzles. + +"I shall be frifefully busy, Aunt Ollie," she said, "and I promise not +to say one word to you, only to myself and to Teddy and to Rosemary." + +Orris established her in a corner of the library, and for an hour or +two this plan was very satisfactory. Orris was absorbed in her work, +and Pippa in her play. + +Then came an interruption. Reyne came to ask if Miss Dashwood might +speak to Orris for a moment. It was about an entertainment which she +was getting up for the benefit of the village girls' club, and in which +Orris had promised to perform. + +"Could you come and speak to her? I hate interrupting you, and it is +against rules, I know, but she came up here, hoping to catch you." + +Orris consented immediately, telling Pippa to stay where she was till +she returned. Miss Dashwood kept her longer than she thought, and she +found it was getting near lunch time when the interview was over. + +Coming hurriedly into the library, she called Pippa, put on her cloak +and hat, and equipping herself also, hurried home across the fields. +The rain had stopped, but there was a high wind, and Pippa much enjoyed +losing her hat, and having a chase over a muddy ditch after it. + +Only Mrs. Preston dined with them. It was market day, and both Jock and +the farmer were away in the neighbouring town. + +After dinner, Orris found that some of Pippa's clothes required +mending, so she and Pippa spent a quiet hour or two up in the bedroom. +Then Orris thought she might make up for her interrupted morning by +putting in another hour or so of work, so she asked Mrs. Preston to +have Pippa with her, and give her her tea, as she might be late. Mrs. +Preston was always glad to have the child with her in the afternoon, +but the morning was too busy a time to look after her. + +Orris started away across the field path as usual, but as she came +within sight of Pinestones she saw, to her horror, a huge column of +smoke rising from behind the trees. + +She quickened her steps, thinking at first it must be a chimney on +fire, but she soon found it was more than that, and when she saw that +both smoke and flames were pouring out of the windows of the west wing, +she gave a horrified cry. + +"The library! The precious library!" + +She tore along in a frantic breathless way, and found when she got +there that the gardener and the postman and a few odd men were hard at +work with a hose and buckets. The fire-engine had been sent for, but +had not yet arrived. + +"Oh, save the books! Save the books!" Orris cried. + +And as the hose was playing on one of the French windows, without a +thought of herself, she dashed in, and in spite of smoke and heat, +actually got hold of a few priceless volumes that were nearest the +window. + +"Hold hard, miss; you can't do it. You'll be burnt!" the gardener +called out. + +But Orris seemed blind and deaf to everything but the precious books. +Again she dashed in, but this time she enveloped herself in a blanket +that had been brought from the house. The gardener arrayed himself in +another, and followed her, but they could save but very few books. The +fire was raging hotly, and the smoke caused by the hose playing into +the room was suffocating. + +It seemed a hideous nightmare to Orris! Three times she ventured in, +and reclaimed some of her treasures; she was in too much excitement to +notice whether she was burnt or not. For the fourth time she was going +in, but there was a sudden clatter, and the fire-engine was upon the +scene. + +In the usual country way, a tremendous lot of talking took place before +they got to work. Orris felt every minute was precious, and was about +to dash into the room again, in spite of the protests around her, +when she suddenly felt some one put his hands upon her shoulders from +behind, and hold her in an iron grip. + +"No, you don't! The firemen themselves can't enter that room now!" + +Orris struggled frantically. She knew it was Jock who held her. He had +come up on the fire-engine from the town. + +"I must go!" she cried. "I must try to save some! Oh, think of it! The +library! The books are priceless! Let me go!" + +Jock tightened his hold, put his arm round her, and drew her away from +the scene. + +"If you promise to behave yourself, I'll go and help, but if you won't, +I shall continue to hold you." + +Inadvertently, he caught hold of one of her hands. She uttered a slight +cry, and drew it away. Jock saw at once that both her hands were badly +burned. Without a word, he caught her up in his arms, as if she were a +baby, and carried her into the house. + +Lady Violet and Reyne were watching with anxious eyes the awful +conflagration in the west wing. But now the engine had arrived, they +had hopes of saving the rest of the house. + +Jock carried Orris into the drawing-room, which was in the east wing, +and laid her upon one of the couches there. Then he saw that she had +fainted. The shock and the burns she had received had been too much for +her. Happily the telephone was in the house. Jock at once 'phoned for +the doctor, and asked Reyne to stay with her. + +"I must go back. We may save something. You're quite safe; the wind +happily is not in this direction and is blowing away from us. Get some +oil. Have you any lint? Cover her hands up as soon as you can. She may +be burned elsewhere. I'll come back as soon as I can." + +It seemed as if Jock took command of the whole situation. + +"Water, and plenty of it, is the only chance," he said. "Come! Every +one work away with a will!" + +And before an hour had passed, the fire had been got under. Not, +however, before the library had been completely gutted. But through +the smoking debris Jock went in and out, still rescuing a few of the +books which had escaped the flames. Alas! There were very few to save. +The fire had been so fiercely fanned by the high wind, and the wooden +shelves were so brittle and old, that only the charred and blackened +fragments of the once famous library remained. + +When Jock felt that he could do no more, he strode into the house to +see how Orris was faring. The doctor had been and dressed her wounds. +Both hands and one arm were severely burned, also her left leg and +ankle. A great burnt hole in her dress showed where the fire had caught +her. + +He found her still lying on the couch, pale and exhausted. But the +misery in her eyes was not due to her hurts. + +Reyne was sitting by her. + +"Oh, Mr. Muir, come and add your persuasions to mine. We want her to +sleep here. She must; she isn't fit to be moved." + +"It can't be thought of," said Orris, a hot flush coming to her cheeks. +"It's very kind of you, but I must get back to Pippa and to my own +bed." She finished her sentence with a wry smile. Then she looked up at +Jock with eager eyes. "Have you saved any more of them? They can't—they +can't be all destroyed." + +"Yes, I've saved some more," he said soothingly. Then he turned to +Reyne. "If you could let her be lifted into your car, I don't think she +will hurt. Mrs. Preston is a born nurse. She'll only worry here. The +sooner she's moved the better." + +Reyne acquiesced reluctantly, but she felt she would have to be in +attendance on her mother, as Lady Violet was much upset by the shock of +it all, and she knew that Orris would be in good hands at the farm. + +The car was brought round, and Jock again carried Orris down the broad +steps and put her comfortably inside; then he got in beside her. For +one moment his eyes turned to the blackened west wing, but he said +nothing. + +Orris, keenly sensitive to all around her, said quickly: + +"It can't mean as much to you as it does to me. It seems like some evil +dream. What a horrible dream it would be; and yet it is true—it's the +awful fact!" + +"It's a mercy you've escaped as you have," said Jock, looking at her +bandaged limbs. "Didn't you realize what was happening to you?" + +"No, oh no; it was the books that mattered. I did put out the +flames when my skirt caught alight. I think I did it with the thick +table-cloth. Oh, what can I do? How can I tell Mrs. Calthrop?" + +"You talk as if you'd been the author of the fire," said Jock. "Don't +worry so. You're agitating yourself unnecessarily." + +"But how could it have caught fire? I can't understand it. There was no +fire in the room. It's not a question of a defective chimney." She was +getting flushed and excited. + +Jock bent towards her. + +"Look here," he said, "I'm not going to let you say another word. Lie +still, or I shall take you in my arms again and make you." + +Orris was dumb. The pain in her limbs was increasing. She was thankful +when the farm was reached. In a very few moments, she was upon her own +bed. + +Jock delivered to Mrs. Preston a sleeping-draught, left by the doctor, +and then went back to the scene of the fire. He was still anxious to +pick out of the debris some of the treasures that had been in the +library. + +Mrs. Snow and the servants were so thankful to be untouched by the +fire in their quarters that they did not seem to take any interest in +the ruined library. Mrs. Snow spent her time in conjectures as to the +origin of the fire, but could get no light upon it. + +"Well, at any rate," she said, with a sniff, "Miss Coventry will have +lost her job, and it seemed as if she were never coming to the end of +it. I dare say she may have been careless with the matches. I've seen +her using sealing-wax in there, and there's no telling. The room was +all right before she went into it that morning, for I went in myself to +see if the girl had dusted properly. It's a mystery which will have to +be cleared up by some one." + + + +CHAPTER IX + +JOCK'S CONFESSION + +PIPPA was not allowed to see her aunt that evening. Owing to the +sleeping-draught, Orris had some sleep, but she was very feverish the +next morning, and suffered acutely. Mrs. Preston did everything for +her, though Orris begged for the attendance of Lily, the village girl. + +"You are more than busy, I know. Please don't worry over me." + +"My dear, it's a pleasure. I love nursing. When I was a girl, before I +married, I always said I should like to nurse in a hospital. Lily is +helping in the kitchen." + +And then a soft little knock was heard at the door, and Pippa's most +coaxing voice beseeching to be let in. + +"Let her come," said Orris. "And you've done everything, dear Mrs. +Preston. I can't thank you enough. I am ready to see the doctor now, +and have only to wait for him." + +Mrs. Preston left the room rather unwillingly, and Pippa, with big +eyes, approached the bed. + +"Poor Aunt Ollie! Master Jock has been telling me all about you. Is you +very hurt?" + +"No, darling. I shall soon be better." Then Orris raised herself a +little on her pillow, and her soft dark eyes fixed themselves on her +small niece's face. "Pippa dear, I want you to tell me exactly what you +did yesterday, when I left you in the library." + +Pippa frowned. + +"I think I was puzzling out the puzzle." + +"And then?" + +"Then? Oh then—" Pippa hesitated. + +"Well, don't be afraid. I know you are going to be truthful." + +"I think the nex' thing was I tried to make some cigarettes like +mummy's, out of the paper in the waste-paper basket." + +"And then you took the matches?" + +"Yes, I did, just to light the end of them, you know, but I was very +tidy. I lighted them in the basket, but they wouldn't light. And then +you came to the door, and I threw the matches in the basket, and you +hurried me out, you know, because you said we'd be late for lunch." + +Orris was silent. She could not speak for a moment. She and her niece +between them had burnt down the library of a few hundred years. The +fear had been in her heart from the time she had returned to the farm +the evening before. + +As her brain cleared, she had fixed upon Pippa as the culprit. And +now her fears were realized. She lay, looking at her niece, unable to +speak, and Pippa grew frightened. + +"Are you angry with me, Aunt Ollie? I didn't make a fire, you know. The +matches wouldn't light." + +"I am afraid, my Pippa, the matches did light. Some little bit of paper +must have burnt slowly and ignited the box, and then the flames spread +and spread. How often you have been warned about fire!" + +Pippa stared at her aunt uncomprehendingly. + +And then the doctor came in, and she was sent away, and Mrs. Preston +would not let her see her aunt again that day. + +"She has a high temperature and some fever, and the doctor says she's +to be kept very quiet," Mrs. Preston told her. + +Pippa was unusually silent that day. Jock came up and tried to cheer +her up. He thought it was her aunt's state that was depressing her, and +she gave him no clue to her thoughts. + +Orris herself was suffering so much from the pain of her burns, +and also from the horror and anguish which she felt at the tragedy +of the burnt library, that she almost forgot the existence of her +little niece. She was light-headed for two days, and when finally her +temperature dropped, and her pulse and heart were normal, she lay +crushed and almost lifeless upon her bed. Nothing seemed to rouse her. +Miss Dashwood, Reyne, and Jock called daily, but no one was allowed to +see her. + + +At last, she was able to be moved out on the roomy couch in Mrs. +Preston's sitting-room. And it was there Jock found her one sunny +afternoon. He was shocked to see her so white and fragile. + +She tried to smile when she saw him. + +"You've been through a good deal to look like this," Jock said, as he +bent over her. + +"I can't shake hands," she murmured. "I am as helpless as a baby; I +can't move one of my fingers." + +"I am so sorry." + +"Sit down," she said. "And don't look at me like that." + +"Like what?" + +"As if I were an object of pity! I am strong, and I am fast getting +well. I am a weak coward; and at present, I am wishing I could die, for +I feel I can't face life." + +"That's not like you." + +"No. Weren't you wishing that something would shake my +self-sufficiency? You see a wreck now before you. I am down so low +that I feel I shall never raise my head again. Tell me, what is done +to people who through carelessness cause such a catastrophe, such a +colossal loss, as that of Mrs. Calthrop's library? Has anything been +heard of her? I know Mrs. Snow wired. Have you been down there?" + +"I've been there every day, picking out charred fragments, in spite of +Snuffy's warning me off the premises. Snuffy got a wire two or three +days ago. They're coming back, posthaste, of course—will arrive this +evening as a matter of fact. Lady Violet is afraid she will have to +move her quarters again. But I have reassured her on that point; she +has the house till the autumn, legally." + +"I repeat again that I'm a coward," said Orris. "The guilty always +are. I feel like a bogus company promoter who has ruined a few +hundred widows and poor people, or a murderer. I fail to imagine Mrs. +Calthrop's state of mind." + +"Now look here, let's have a straight talk. Did you wilfully set that +library on fire? Make a clean breast of it." + +Orris gave a weak laugh. + +"Wilfully destroy a thing that is my livelihood and the apple of my +eye! I'll tell you. It was sheer negligence and carelessness to leave a +child in that precious library alone. I did it." + +In a few words she told him the facts of the case. + +Jock was very grave and gentle. He seemed to be holding himself in, for +he spoke slowly and thoughtfully, unlike his usual impetuous fashion. + +"I don't think Mrs. Calthrop could blame you," he said, "but there's +no saying what an angry woman will do, so I shall effectually suppress +her. You need not be afraid. I shall see she does not come near you." + +"Oh, how I could laugh at your assurance, if I wasn't so miserable," +said Orris. "I don't know why I'm confiding in you like this. Put +yourself in my place; what would you do? I won't run away, but that +is what I should like to do. Of course, I shall meet Mrs. Calthrop. I +shall not shirk that; and I shall tell her exactly what I have told +you. But much as I feel for her, it's the books—the books I am thinking +of. I had learnt the value of them; I had learnt to love them. It is +through me that they have been destroyed. If I had not come here, the +library would be safe and sound to-day. That rings on in my head all +day, all night." + +"But," said Jock, "I've heard that useless grief for the past lays up +future grief for the present. Think that out. Dunscombe said that to me +one day, and it's quite true. Books and possessions aren't the best of +human life. If you had lost your life, now, ah! Where should I be?" + +"My life at present seems of no value," said Orris in a hopeless tone. + +"My darling!—Yes, I will say it; you can't stop me—I should like to +take you in my arms and comfort you, but I daren't touch you. And +that's the confounded nuisance of it! Listen. Suppose the library +belonged to me, would you feel as bad about it as you do now?" + +"I can't suppose such a case. Yes, the loss of it would weigh just as +heavily on my soul. Of course, my pride squirms at Mrs. Calthrop's just +indignation. I know her well. I have had dealings with her at the Club +in town; and whilst she has always been kind to me, I have seen her +very hard and bitter to those who vex and annoy her. But, of course, I +merit her displeasure. I can go through with that." + +"You shall not," Jock said decisively. "Don't you know I would guard +and keep you from the least annoyance if I could? And I have power in +this matter. Poor little Pippa has precipitated matters. I guarantee +that Mrs. Calthrop shall not give you one unkind word. She will not +have the right to do so." + +"Oh, how can you talk so?" said Orris. "But it's very kind of you." + +"Kind!" Jock muttered another word under his breath. "Well, you shall +have something else to think of to-night besides the loss of the +library and Mrs. Calthrop's wrath. But I think I must first tell you of +a scene I have had with Snuffy to-day. She heard I was digging about +amongst the burnt rubbish in the library, and came off like a hot fury +to see what I was about. I laughed at her, as usual, and told her I was +working on behalf of the owner of the library. + +"Then she dared to say something about you. I think I'll tell you, to +let you know the sort she is. She said she'd always had her doubts as +to what you were really doing with the books. Any auctioneer could come +up and catalogue those books in a week, she said. And she'd an idea +that you knew Mrs. Calthrop was coming back, and just made a bonfire of +the whole to hide your idleness, etc. So I fixed her with my eye. + +"'Out of this house you go this day month,' I said. And I think she saw +I was in a white fury, for she quailed under my gaze. 'And you've lost +a comfortable fat job by your false, malicious tongue. You're not fit +to lie down and lick Miss Coventry's boots, though I'd like to make you +do it.' + +"She tossed her head. 'And who are you to talk of giving me notice?' +she said. + +"And I answered: 'You'll know that within the next four-and-twenty +hours.' + +"She crept off like a whipped hound. I don't often show my ire, but she +got it red-hot, I can tell you!" + +"But I really don't understand you, and why you take such a high hand," +murmured Orris, feeling bewildered by his talk. + +"I'm putting off my explanation because I don't know how you'll take +it. If only you'll put your hand in mine! No, you can't do that—but +just assure me with your sweet lips that you will try to care for the +vagrant and ne'er-do-well; it will make the telling easier." Jock +smiled into her face so persuasively that Orris shut her eyes. + +"Oh, my dear," he went on, "what does a library more or less matter if +you and I come together? I'd rather lose ten hundred libraries than +just lose you. I've been awfully patient. Do be kind! Tell me to hope. +Give me some slight encouragement! If you have had wakeful nights, I +have too. There's a lot before me, but I can go through it so joyfully +if you'll only let me have your love." + +But Orris shook her head and, weak as she was, the tears came to her +eyes. + +Jock was all compunction at once. + +"What a brute I am! Mrs. Preston will be giving it to me for agitating +you." + +"No," said Orris, "you are not agitating me. But at this juncture, when +I've been the cause of such a calamity, it isn't the time to become +engaged to you. I suppose you think you could fight my battles for me. +I thank you with all my heart for the thought, but I can stand alone. I +have done it for several years now." + +"Then hear my confession! I hope you will believe me! Just before my +aunt died, after she had made her will, leaving me out of it, she +went up to London, to be free for one day from the supervision of her +cousins. She had been thinking over things, and had got at the truth of +a few of the misrepresentations about her errant nephew. In that one +day in town, she went to a strange lawyer, got a short and simple will +made out, in which she left me every single thing she possessed. This +she, in the calmest and most rash way, posted off to me with a letter +saying why she did so. It was the merest fluke that I got it, as I was +travelling about at the time. I came home as soon as I could, and found +that the Calthrops were in possession. It amused me—the situation; and +when Snuffy shut me out, I thought I would play round for a bit, and +see what they were doing. + +"Then one day as you know, I determined to get into my own house. The +Elf received me so delightfully and whole-heartedly that I continued +the game; and when you came in—well, you bowled me over. I found out +all about you when I left. I wanted to know you. I knew if I took +possession of my house your job would be over, and you would fly back +to town; then I should never see you again. So, to gain time, I laid +low, and, honestly, I've found the life here well worth living. And I +have learnt to know you. I believe I know you through and through, and +we are close friends—you can't deny it." + +He paused. + +Orris lay and looked up at him with blanched lips. Never had she +imagined such a situation as this. She managed to gasp out: + +"Then the library is yours, and I have destroyed it for you. Oh, it's +worse than ever!" + +"Is it? I don't think so. The library was the cause of my leaving home. +I had no reason to love it—until you came there. Since then it has been +different. Don't you see that we can snap our fingers at everybody now, +and go and get married to-morrow? Then we shall be able to rebuild the +west wing with the insurance money, and live happily ever after." + +"Oh, what a boy you are! I really feel overwhelmed. I can't take it all +in. Does nobody know this secret of yours?" + +"Only Dunscombe, and he's not a talker, as you know. He has kept 'mum.' +No, nobody knows." + +"But you must—you must feel the loss of the library. It never, never +can be replaced." + +"I'm saving odds and ends of it in spite of Snuffy. You know your Bible +better than I; doesn't it remind us that we brought nothing into the +world, neither can take anything out of it? I am not a reader; the few +years of my life will be, I hope, none the less happy for not owning a +famous library. I did feel incensed at Mrs. Calthrop wishing to sell +it, but of course she never could. That knowledge comforted me." + +"Oh, how you must have been laughing up your sleeve at us all! I so +often wondered why you took the loss of your inheritance so calmly." + +"Honestly, I shouldn't have minded losing it. I'm a born farmer. What +has vexed me is seeing the Home Farm being so mismanaged. I ached to +run it myself. Now I shall have that pleasure. Has my news cheered you?" + +"I think it has," said Orris, smiling, "I feel so glad for you. How I +have wasted my pity on you!" + +"Never! I claim with gladness every atom of it. I shall want more from +you than that; and I'm going to have it, too. You can't get away from +me, Orris. It wasn't only your figure, your grace, your sweetness, +but your soul I saw shining through you that first day. My soul flew +straight to yours. You drew me as a magnet. I shan't worry you more +now. I've given you a lot to think about. I'm going over to Pinestones +this evening. I'm not going to take the chance of Mrs. Calthrop or her +son arriving over here." + +"I shouldn't mind. She would not come to-night, after her long journey. +Let her have a night in peace. You can afford to be generous. It will +be such a blow." + +"You're siding with her. Does she require our sympathy? I feel bitter. +She so systematically set to work to oust me and to influence my poor +old aunt. I have her letter which says so. But I'll do as you say. +After all, Mrs. Preston has you in her charge. She can refuse to let +her see you. Now will you promise me to sleep to-night? May I—may I do +what you do to the little Elf?" + +"What is that?" asked Orris unthinkingly. + +"I'll show you." Stooping, he kissed her on the cheek. "God bless you, +darling sweetheart!" + +And then he turned and fled, whilst Orris lay back on her cushions, not +knowing whether it was anger or joy that brought the red blood rushing +up into her face. + +"He's so audacious," she murmured. And then she lay still, thinking +over his news and fitting it into the past, wondering at her density in +not having discovered his secret before. + +As Jock went out of the farm, Pippa came dancing up to him. + +"Have you seen Aunt Ollie?" + +"Yes, and she's far from well yet. Are you keeping your promise and +being a little angel?" + +Pippa nodded. + +"Do angels play see-saw? Tom Bridge has made me such a lovely one +across that big lumpy bank the other side of the barn. Do come and try +it!" + +In a moment, like a boy, he was off with her. Mrs. Preston heard her +screams of delighted laughter and shook her head. + +"Ah, Jock, you ought to have a child of your own, you love them so!" +she said, and then she went to Orris. + +Orris said nothing of what she had heard. Jock evidently was still +keeping his own counsel, and until he had seen Mrs. Calthrop, she +concluded that he wished the matter to be kept quiet. + +But when Pippa came to wish her good-night later on, she said, with big +eyes: + +"Master Jock says that p'raps next Sunday he'll ask Lady Vi'let to let +me see the powder-room again. Won't Snuffy be angry when Master Jock +and I creep upstairs and hide ourselves away in it? And he says one day +he'll show me an old dolls' house in one of the top attics. It belonged +to a little cousin of his who died, and it's very, very old. But it may +in some wonderful way come to be mine one day. How do you think he will +manage it? Will he be a buggler, and climb up into a window and steal +it?" + +"My darling, he would never steal." + +"No; I suppose he wouldn't. Oh, Aunt Ollie, don't you 'love' Master +Jock? When I was hugging him just now, he laughed and said he wished +you were there, and then we'd all hug together. Shall we do it nex' +time he comes? You could say, one, two, three, and away, and then we'd +all do it together." + +"Run away to bed, darling," was her aunt's comment. + +And obeying, Pippa turned back at the door. + +"I hope I shan't have to wait long for that dolls' house. Master Jock +seemed to think it might be got for me before very, very long. Isn't +fifteen days a 'very' long time?" + +"A very short time to me." + +"I'll ask God in my prayers to cut off a few days. He could do it easy. +He could make the sun skip them over; they could be got rid of while we +were sleeping." + +Pippa disappeared. + +Her aunt lay back on her couch and thought and thought, and finally +evolved a certain plan of action in her head, which somewhat eased her +troubled mind. + + + +CHAPTER X + +ORRIS'S LETTER + +JOCK arrived at Pinestones about eleven o'clock the next morning. Dan +opened the door, and looked rather scared when he saw him. + +"I want to see Miss Archer." + +Dan hesitated, then led the way to the drawing-room, and in a few +moments Reyne appeared. + +"Is Mrs. Calthrop staying here?" he asked, after they had shaken hands. + +"Yes, for the night. Mother begged her to stay longer, but she and her +son are going to the 'Golden Bells' in the village. They seem to prefer +it. How is Orris? I can't tell you how upset the Calthrops are. Mrs. +Snow has told them that it must have been through some carelessness of +Orris's that the fire took place. I can't understand it, but I'm sure +Orris is not responsible for it, and I told Mrs. Calthrop so. She is +going to the farm this afternoon to see her." + +"No, she isn't," said Jock, smiling. "I must see this good lady. +Wish me well through a most unpleasant interview, Miss Archer. It is +imperative that I should see her, but I think she will decline to do +it. You must get us together, for I'm not going away till I've had an +interview." + +Reyne looked at him a little uncertainly. He spoke so decisively that +she felt he would not be easily turned away. + +"I will go up to her. She has not left her room yet." + +"Thank you. I hoped you would be my messenger; the fat would be in the +fire if you sent old Snuffy." + +When she left him, Jock paced to and fro in the big drawing-room with +compressed lips. Once he paused, and with his hands in his pockets +stood looking out of the long windows, facing the garden. Then it was +that a dreamy look came into his eyes. + +"I wonder," he murmured, "how soon I shall win her." + +It was a long time before Mrs. Calthrop appeared. He judged rightly. +She had at first flatly declined to see him, and said it was great +impertinence for him to come near the house, but Reyne pleaded his +cause. + +"I think it is on some urgent business matter. He would not come here +unless it was. He is generally too hard at work to make morning calls. +He may bring you a message from Miss Coventry. He works on the farm +where she lodges." + +"From what I hear," said Mrs. Calthrop with asperity, "they are +continually together. And his behaviour towards the old housekeeper +here has been most insolent. He can have nothing to say to me." + +"He may have discovered the origin of the fire. I told him I would +bring you down. I hope I did not do wrong." + +After some further persuasion Mrs. Calthrop came downstairs. + +When she opened the drawing-room door, her demeanour was haughty and +cold. + +Jock looked at her, and a feeling of pity shot through his heart. Then +he said: + +"I know you are surprised, and not very pleased to see me, but I shall +not stay long. This fire is a terrible affair. I conclude you have kept +up the insurance for the house and library?" + +"That is my concern, not yours," said Mrs. Calthrop. "But as a matter +of fact, the insurance people are getting the police here to inquire +into the circumstances. It seems very mysterious. Miss Coventry may +throw some light upon the matter. I am going to see her this afternoon." + +"That will be unnecessary when you have heard what I have to say. +Directly I heard of my aunt's death, I came home. As you must know, +the contents of her will were totally unexpected. But you acted too +precipitately. She made a later will than that which you possess, and +it is a very different one." + +"I should like to see it." + +Mrs. Calthrop spoke calmly, but her lips went white. She sat down, and +rested her clasped hands upon a small table in front of her. + +"I have a copy of it. The original is with the lawyer in town, who drew +it up. Here it is. I should also like you to see a letter which my aunt +wrote to me. She did a very unusual and a rash thing: she sent me her +will by ordinary post, and told me to keep it until after her death. +She must have died within a few weeks of signing it." + +Mrs. Calthrop took the document and letter from him. She opened the +letter first. It was as follows: + + "MY DEAREST JOCK,— + + "Yesterday I met the postman coming in at the gate and received your +welcome letter. I have never received any letters from you at all for +the last two years, or longer, but I am Inexpressibly thankful to know +that you have been working so well and steadily all this time. I was +led to suppose otherwise. I am not at all well. I wish you were home. +I have not been myself, and am now but a cipher in my own house. My +cousin Letitia overwhelms me. + + "I cannot withstand her, and even Edmund has got upon my nerves. I +am sorry for the causes that drove you away. I shall go up to town +to-morrow and make a fresh will, 'by myself.' I am a free agent, after +all. And I shall send it out to you for safety. Wills get lost, and I +want you to come home and settle down and run the farm as you wished. + + "I was unduly influenced last year after a bad attack of flu; and I +almost was made to believe that you were dead—or, at any rate, gone to +the bad altogether. And now I find that it is not true, and I'm glad +and thankful. My dearest love, and write to me again. + + "Your loving aunt, + + "ELLA." + +Mrs. Calthrop read this letter through with icy composure. Then she +took up the copy of the will, but she did not read it. + +"I would ask you to leave this with me. I would like my lawyer to see +it. It is a very extraordinary proceeding. I cannot understand such a +complete change of thought and action. Her mind must have been unhinged +at the last." Her voice was steady, but her hand trembled. + +"Well," said Jock easily, "you see I'm the man in possession. I don't +want to turn Lady Violet and her daughter out. You let the house to +them for six months, so we'll let that still stand good. As regards +the library, it's as big a loss to me as it seemed to be to you, but +the insurance will help to restore the wing, if necessary. It will not +bring the books back. Those are gone for ever. Our lawyers must have a +consultation together and arrange business matters. Shall I tell Miss +Coventry you're coming to see her?" + +"I shall be returning to town to-morrow," said Mrs. Calthrop. "I shall, +of course, wish to know if this later will is genuine and legal. You +will hear from me in a few days' time. Good morning!" She swept out of +the room. + +And Jock gave vent to an exclamation. + +"She has pluck, certainly!" he muttered to himself. And then he went +out into the hall, and almost tumbled into the arms of Mrs. Snow. + +He did not chaff her as was his usual custom. He could not forget the +way in which she had talked about Orris. + +"You'll remember the notice I gave you," he said gravely. "You have a +month more here, not a day longer." + +Mrs. Snow stared at him, as if he were not responsible for his words. +In fact, she really did wonder whether he was right in his senses. But +he gave her no explanation, only joined Reyne and her mother, who were +taking a little walk up and down the terrace outside. In a very few +words he explained his position to them. + +"The only apology I must make is the dismissing of Mrs. Snow, who is no +doubt serving you well. But she has been a most baleful influence in +this house for many years, and I want to get rid of her at once. I'll +try and find you another housekeeper to take her place." + +But Lady Violet assured him this would not be necessary. + +"It's kind of you to wish us to stay out our time, but I shall be very +glad to get back to town sooner. We will stay till the end of the +month, then you can take possession. I really must congratulate you, +Mr. Muir, for I know how you have loved the place. We have heard a good +deal of the village talk, and it seems right and proper that you should +come here." + +Jock gave a funny little bow. He admired Lady Violet's quick change of +front. A few days ago she was alluding to him in terms of disparagement +as "that penniless young farmer." + +Reyne looked at him with a friendly smile. + +"I always felt you belonged here," she said. "But I can't understand +why you have been in hiding, as it were, all this time." + +"I was going to wait till Mrs. Calthrop came back from her trip +abroad," said Jock, a little hesitatingly. "I wasn't in a hurry. +Besides, I wanted to give Preston a help with his place. I enjoy +farming—the practical part of it—and every year you're at it, you gain +experience!" + +Then he made off, for he feared more questions, and he would not for +all the world have told anyone his real reason for remaining incognito. + +He visited the farm in the afternoon, and there made a clean breast to +the Prestons, who were much amazed, and not a little perplexed, at his +news. + +"Don't ask me why I've done it," he besought them. "It was a sudden +freak or fancy, and for many reasons I should like to have slipped +along as I was. But this fire and Mrs. Calthrop's return have hurried +things on a bit. It was no good her uselessly distressing herself over +the loss of her son's library, when it was in reality mine." + +Then he went off to Orris. He found her under her favourite apple tree +in the orchard. She was reading, and for a wonder Pippa was away, out +for a walk with the village girl. + +"Oh," he groaned, throwing himself down on the grass at her feet, "I'm +having such a time confessing! I can't stand the queries as to why I +haven't taken possession of my house before." + +"Well, we all think it very foolish of you," said Orris. + +"You know why I did it," he retorted, looking at her reproachfully. +"How are you feeling, Orris?" + +"Very much better, thank you, Jock," she said, laughing. "If you will +use my name, I will use yours. After all, we know each other well +enough by this time to do so." + +"Say my name again, do," entreated Jock. "You have put new life into me +by doing it." + +She shook her head at him. Then she said: + +"We have had rather a trying visit this afternoon. About two o'clock, +the inspector of the police from Spenbury called. I was put through a +searching cross-examination, and in the end I had to send for Pippa. +She was very funny, as you can imagine she would be. First, she was +rather frightened, then excited. She was asked to give an exact account +of herself when she was left alone in the library. + +"'Teddy Bear wanted to smoke a cigarette,' she said, 'so o' course I +had to make one for him like mummy does sometimes. And then he wanted +me to light it for him, and I tried, but it wouldn't burn. And then +Aunt Ollie came along, and I threw the matchbox in the paper basket and +came away, and I 'sure you there wasn't one tiny bit of fire there! I +never left any fire at all!' She repeated this with much emphasis. + +"I said to the inspector that there was no conclusive evidence that +she was the culprit. And he agreed with me, but it was a probable +explanation of the origin of the fire. He began talking about it to me, +and then Pippa stepped up to him with big eyes and, putting her hand on +his knee, said in an awed whisper: + +"'If you don't know for certain, why don't you ask God to tell you? +He's the only Person who truly knows who did it.' + +"The inspector smiled. 'I could ask, missy,' he said; 'that part would +be easy, but the difficulty would be to get the answer.' + +"'Oh, I get lots of answers from God, I feel them inside me,' she said; +'and God knows quite well that I wouldn't have burnt up a house. I +couldn't do it if I tried.' + +"I sent her out of the room. She is so assured that she did not do it, +that it does not trouble her. But I feel utterly crushed." + +"There is nothing for you to feel crushed about. I'm sorry that the +inspector has bothered you. I meant to have got his ear first. He has +lost no time about it." + +"Have you broken the news to Mrs. Calthrop? Tell me about it." + +He told her. + +"I feel I must see her," Orris said. "After all, she got me this job; I +am in her employ." + +"Yes, but she won't like to see you. She's feeling sore and hurt all +round, and will get away from here as quickly as she can. Let her write +to you—she's sure to do that." + +Orris looked doubtful. + +"I will wait, if you think it wiser. When are you going to take +possession?" + +"I'm not in a hurry. I've a lot of business to tackle, and the Home +Farm is my next affair. The man who is in charge of it is a rotter. +He'll have to go, and I shall take it over myself." + +Orris looked at him meditatively. + +"Through me and mine you have lost the most valuable part of your +property," she said. "I don't think I shall ever lift up my head again." + +"I am not going to encourage you to bemoan past events," said Jock. +"You and I are going to begin a fresh chapter together, very soon. I +won't hurry you. I must tell you that the Elf is going to pay another +visit to the powder-room with me. Lady Violet has given me 'carte +blanche' to come and go as I please, and there is something I want to +give her out of the attic." + +"You are very good to her." + +Orris spoke slowly, as if weighing her words. For a moment she felt +inclined to confide in him her intentions ahead; then she judged +silence would be most prudent. And after some further talk, he took his +leave. + +On the following Sunday, Pippa got her wish and went off to the +powder-room with him. And a few days later, she was shown the old +dolls' house in the attic. Jock promised to have it done up for her, +and she was in a state of wild delight about it. + +Then, towards the end of the week, Jock came up to the farm again. +He had been very busy, had been up to town once or twice to see his +lawyer, and had been making many necessary changes on his small +property. + +The village and neighbourhood heard of the news with much exhilaration. +They all wanted Jock to be owner of Pinestones. Now, as he strode +across the fields to Lilac Farm, his heart was filled with hope. Surely +Orris would listen to his suit! Surely she would not hold out much +longer! She was so downcast, so gentle and diffident now! It would be +easier to persuade her, to bend her to his will. He felt that he had +the power within himself to make her happy. And no one else in the wide +world could love her as much, or give her such wholesale worship and +adoration! So he reasoned with himself. + +His step was blithe and gay as he opened the porch door. Mrs. Preston +had seen his approach and came to welcome him, but he was struck by her +tired dispirited look. + +"Well, Mrs. Preston, I've come to see Miss Coventry. I haven't seen +her for these last three days, I've been so awfully busy. I hope she's +nearly well by this time." + +Mrs. Preston looked at him with miserable eyes. + +"She's gone away. She went yesterday." + +"Gone away!" Jock looked dumbfounded. "Where to?" + +"That I don't know. She wouldn't tell me. I am afraid she thought I +would tell you." + +"But she hasn't gone away from me?" Jock's tone was short, sharp and +bitter. + +"She's left a note to be given to you when you called." + +Jock seized it, saying somewhat impatiently: "Why didn't you let me +have it yesterday? I suppose she has gone back to town?" + +"I don't think she has. But perhaps the letter will tell you," said +Mrs. Preston. "I'm sure it's a blow to me. I loved having them here. +Miss Coventry has cheered me as I've never been cheered before, and as +to little Pippa, she's the darling of my heart. I dote upon her, and so +does Tom." + +Jock strode off with his note to the old orchard, then, leaning his +back against Orris's apple tree, he read, with rather angry eyes, the +following letter: + + "DEAR JOCK, + + "This is going to be a difficult letter, for I fear you will +misunderstand me and be hurt. You have been so good, so kind, so +forgiving through this time of trouble, that I cannot bear to distress +you. But I must get away. And I don't want to be followed or to be +written to. They say time heals wounds. Time and absolute quiet may +heal mine. At present, I feel I want no sympathy, no friends, above +all, no environment that will open up the past. It is cowardly on my +part, but I want to be free of it all, to be able to take stock of +myself, as it were, under fresh and strange conditions. I hope I am +not morbid. I must face life again, and take up some work for the +sake of my darling Pippa, but for the present I am going to rest—my +brain, my body, my soul. So don't on any account worry over me, don't +try to discover where I am, don't write to me. If you really care for +me, do none of these things. Our part in the late destruction of your +property will keep people's tongues wagging busily for some time yet. I +am perhaps not altogether making this move on my own account, but the +position is bad for Pippa, who is being made the centre of comment and +attraction. I want her to forget her part in the tragedy. We shall be +quite well and comfortable. Do not give us a thought, but take care of +yourself and be happy. + + "Yours always sincerely, + + "ORRIS COVENTRY." + +Jock read this through and through, snapping his lips together like +steel, as he did when he was much moved. The blow had fallen heavily. +He had not been prepared for it. He had not thought it possible that +Orris would take herself out of his life so suddenly. + +"It's a cruel letter," was his first thought; and then he relented. + +"Poor little soul! She has gone to hide her wounds, and thinks that she +can hide from me! She's more like a child now than I ever thought she +could be. Hide from me! It's quite an absurd impossibility!" + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IN RETREAT + +AWAY down in Devonshire was a little village by the sea. As yet no +motor-bus had touched it, for it could only be reached by one of the +old pack-horse lanes, and the way was steep and stony, up a precipitous +hill, and down through a narrow combe to the sea. A cluster of +fishermen's cottages, an old storm-battered grey church on the hill +above them, a couple of farmhouses, and a small granite vicarage, these +composed the village of Cudweed Cove. + +A butcher came every Saturday from Drangerford, a small town eight +miles inland; he brought loaves of bread for those who did not bake +at home. A grocer and oilman arrived every Wednesday; he also brought +bread, and with these supplies the people of Cudweed were well content. +Fish was not very plentiful, but shrimps and crabs were always to be +had, and lobsters occasionally. + +Into this small village, at the close of a hot afternoon in August, +arrived Orris and her little niece. They had been driven in a small +trap from Drangerford, and their destination was a little whitewashed +cottage half-way up the combe. + +The cottage was owned by a Mrs. Dabbs, a widow, and she had as a young +girl lived with Orris and her father for some years. She had always +been devoted to Orris, and had often said how much she would like to +see her again. On the previous Christmas, she had come up to London +to see a married sister, and Orris had given her tea at her flat, and +promised one day that she would pay her a visit at Cudweed. + +As Orris had racked her brain to think of what place she could take +refuge in, away from all friends and acquaintances, she suddenly +thought of Maria Dabbs. So she wrote to her at once, and received a +reply in two days' time, saying that she could put her large spare +bedroom and little parlour at her disposal, and would be delighted to +take her in and do for her. + +Pippa was half delighted, half regretful, at this sudden move. She did +not at all like going away without wishing "Master Jock" good-bye. She +wanted her dolls' house, and she loved the farm, but, childlike, the +excitement of a journey in a train, and going to the sea kept up her +spirits. + +Orris felt tired and depressed. She did not see her future. She had a +shrinking from town life again, and yet felt that to give Pippa a good +education, she must supplement her small income in some way or other. + +Mrs. Calthrop had written her a brief letter, enclosing a cheque up to +the date of the fire. Jock had judged her rightly. She had no desire to +see Orris, but in her letter she wrote: + + "Of course, I cannot believe in this extraordinary will that has so +suddenly been produced by Jock Muir. If he had received it when he says +he did, would he have kept it so quiet all this time? I am going to +take legal steps when I reach town." + +She never mentioned the fire. The loss of the library did not trouble +her now, it was eclipsed by her intense anxiety to prove this recent +will invalid. + +But nothing could put the disastrous fire out of Orris's thoughts. She +was thinking of it now as the trap creaked and rattled up and down the +stony lane, with the steep banks and high hedges on either side of it. + +"Would the drive ever end?" she wondered. She marvelled at Pippa, who +was keeping up an animated conversation with the old driver. His broad +soft Devonshire tongue amused her greatly. + +"Say it again," she said, with her rippling laugh. "It's something like +French, isn't it? What is 'gurt,' and 'wisht'?" + +The old man shook his head. + +"Aw, 'ee'll find 'en oot, I rackon, when the wind do cum auver 'ee. It +do drive doon to the zay praper strong 'twixt the girt hedges. Us be +terrible buffeted here to winter. The moor on tap on we, an the zay to +bottom, but there, a' be livin' to Drangerford now, on'y foreigners ull +niver bide in this vitty plaace." + +"You mustn't depress us," said Orris, smiling, and trying to turn her +thoughts to things around her. "It isn't winter yet, but August—the +month in the year which is best for the sea." + +When they at last came in sight of Cudweed, the old driver rattled down +the lane at a tremendous pace and drew up at Pansy Cottage in great +style. Mrs. Dabbs was standing at the door to welcome them, dressed in +a fresh-starched pink cotton gown. + +Pippa was enchanted with the smallness and quaintness of the cottage. +The big shells and china dogs on the mantelpiece of the small +sitting-room delighted her, as did also a stuffed parrot in a case. +She wanted to go and see the sea before her supper, and scampered up +and down stairs and in and out of the rooms till Orris felt giddy. But +she was quite firm on one point, that Pippa must do no sight-seeing +that night, but have her supper and go straight to bed. And by the time +supper, consisting of hot chicken and bread sauce, and a milk pudding, +had been consumed, and her box unpacked, and everything arranged for +bedtime, Pippa was quite ready to be tucked in upon a real feather bed +and fall asleep, to be ready for the joys of to-morrow. + +After she was disposed of, Orris took a turn along the beach to ease +her aching head. The tide was out, the rocks, with their slimy amber +seaweed, were touched with gold from the setting sun. It was a very +still evening; the sea lay calm and still with just a ripple at the +edge, and as Orris paced the golden sand and dreamily gazed out over +the ocean in front of her to the opalescent sky, with faint rosy clouds +on the horizon, peace stole into her heart. + +"After all," she mused, "I am not a criminal. I have only been guilty +of an act of carelessness. And if he doesn't feel it as much as I do, I +ought to be thankful." + +And then her thoughts dwelt on Jock. At first, she had looked upon him +as a careless, irresponsible boy. Gradually, as she came to know him +better, she found, if he had a boy's sense of humour and light-hearted +gaiety, he had a man's will and purpose in life. At the farm, the +Prestons' opinion of him impressed her. + +"He's a born master of men," said the old farmer. + +"He's the kindest heart and the sweetest temper in the world," said his +wife. + +And Orris had proved both these statements to be true. + +"I have really come away to test my own heart," she murmured to +herself; "to discover whether I could love him enough to cast in my +lot with his. I was afraid of his hurrying me into something of which +I might repent later. I believe I'm a very cold-blooded, cautious +creature. I have lived down my warm impulses. I felt too old for him a +short while back, but I don't now. I believe, if we did come together, +he would be my master, and his will bears mine down already. But I +never, never could marry him unless we were of one mind on the deepest +things in life. He knows that, I am sure, though I think he feels more +than he says. It is of no use; I cannot make up my mind yet. If I were +really in love with him, there would be no hesitation. And he is worthy +of being loved as he would himself love. I will try and not think about +him any more at present." + +But in the ensuing days Orris found this very difficult, for Pippa's +talk was incessantly about "Master Jock," as she always insisted upon +calling him. + +"If he was here, I b'lieve he would take me into the sea on his back!" +she sighed one day. + +"If only Master Jock would walk in at the window one day and come and +help me build my sand castles, Aunt Ollie! Can't you write and ask him +to come?" + +"Do you think Master Jock is settled in his house yet? We'll soon go +back, won't we? And then he'll ask us to tea, and p'raps we'll have it +in the darling little powder-room." + +Orris found it quite impossible to explain the situation to Pippa, so +would generally try to turn her mind to another subject. + + +And one day a fair-haired boy appeared on the sands. He was the old +Vicar's grandson, who came every summer to see his grandparents. He +and Pippa were about the same age, and were soon the greatest friends. +Orris was glad and thankful to see the intimacy between them. She was +making friends with some of the fisher-folk. Occasionally she went to +tea at the Vicarage, but the old Vicar and his wife were badly off, and +plainly said they could not offer much hospitality to visitors. Orris +liked the Vicar; he was a dreamy mystic, talked over the heads of his +parishioners in his sermons, but was a good friend to them in the week, +and was never absent from any sick-bed or troubled house. + +A week or two passed very quietly. Then came Orris's birthday. Pippa +had made great preparations for it. Mrs. Dabbs had been told to make a +big iced cake; Pippa herself had made some wonderful little cakes for +the occasion, Mrs. Dabbs had, of course, superintended them. They were +made of dough, and were supposed to represent mice, with currants for +their eyes and slips of candied peel for their mouths. + +Pippa had been to the post office in the village, and had bought +a wonderful shell box out of her own money. She rather coveted it +herself, and spent a good deal of her time in unwrapping it and +wrapping it up again in its silver paper coverings. But of course it +was a dead secret. Then, the day before, she had been into some meadows +and collected all the wild flowers she could find, chiefly ox-eyed +daisies and wild grasses, and had made a long wreath or garland with +which to decorate her aunt. This also was hidden away, and for the +time Pippa was a most mysterious little person, stealing up and down +stairs on tiptoe, and into the kitchen to talk about the event in loud +whispers to Mrs. Dabbs. + +Of course, Orris was delighted with the garland and the shell box. They +were both presented to her at half-past six in the morning by a very +wide-awake little person in her white nightie and bare feet. + +"Dear Aunt Ollie, I wiss you very many happy returns of the day." + +So Orris took the giver and the gifts into bed with her, and had no +more rest that morning. + +But the postman arrived that day with a parcel for her. She had as yet +told no one of her address, and could not understand it. The postmark +was unfortunately erased, but the box proved to contain some most +exquisite hot-house flowers, and at the bottom, in a little separate +parcel of silver paper, were two pairs of white suede gloves. A hot +flush came into Orris's face as she recognized the writing: + + "Blessing and joy be yours to-day. From one who thinks of you." + +"Now how has he discovered my address?" Orris gasped in bewilderment +and dismay. She remembered how often he had said: "You'll never be able +to get away from me. I should find you in any corner of the earth you +chose to go to!" He had done it. Her secrecy was a failure. If he knew +her whereabouts, there was no reason to conceal it from anyone else. +And how had he known her birthday? She called Pippa to her. + +"Pippa darling, have you ever talked about my birthday to anyone?" + +"No," said Pippa promptly and cheerfully; "at least, Master Jock asked +me one day. He put it down in a book he had; and he put mine too. I +wish my birfday would be quicker about coming. It seems 'years' since +my last one. Has Master Jock sent you these pretty flowers?" + +"I rather think he has." + +Orris sat looking at her presents as if she were lost in a dream. How +"could" he have discovered her retreat? She had not told Dugald or any +of her friends in town. No one knew that she had left Veddon Weal. She +wondered if he would respect her wish to be left alone, or whether he +would suddenly appear in person one day. She finally decided that she +would not acknowledge his gifts. Then he would know that she wished to +be left undisturbed. + +But the following week a box of chocolates arrived for Pippa. There was +no word with it, no signature, so that also was left unacknowledged. + +Pippa was now quite reconciled to her new life; she played daily +with Allan Bridges, the little boy, and she was friends with all the +fishermen. Orris simply rested—or lazed, as she expressed it. She +had not had such a holiday for years, and it was doing her good. But +when September came, and the days began to shorten, and the weather +became chilly, she wondered what her next move had better be. Her +cousin Dugald implored her to come back to town. She had, after some +considerable thought, let him have her address, and then, feeling +she was rather like an ostrich hiding her head in the sand, she had +at last written to Reyne. She and Lady Violet were back in town, and +Lady Violet had been extra poorly and was going to the Riviera for the +winter. + +"I am going," Reyne wrote, "with a contented heart. Miss Dashwood has +taught me such lessons from her cheerfulness with that poor sister of +hers that I am now going to put her principles into practice. I have +missed the village people so much. I learnt to know them as friends, +but Mrs. Dane writes occasionally, giving me all the village news. +I hear that Mr. Muir has not yet taken possession of his house, for +it is in the builder's hands, and he is having it renovated from top +to bottom. He is busy farming his own land. He often dines with Mr. +Dane—they seem to be great friends. I am afraid we shall not meet each +other again before I go abroad, but if you chance to come up to town, +do come and see us." + +Orris shook her head. + +"No," she murmured to herself, "I do not feel like town—not yet!" + +It was a few days after this that she met, on the sands, a stranger. +She looked a well-bred woman, was very tall, and carried her head +proudly. She was dressed plainly in a severely-cut coat and skirt, with +a soft grey felt hat pulled over her head. She might be between fifty +and sixty, had white hair, very striking dark eyes with thick bushy +eyebrows, and her face was stern and unfriendly. Yet when she saw Pippa +dancing about on the sand, covered all over with strands of seaweed, +and calling out to her aunt that she was a mermaid just come out of the +sea, she smiled at her, and her smile was peculiarly sweet. When Orris +went in to dinner, she asked Maria Dabbs who she was. + +"Oh, that's Miss Lyle," she replied promptly. "She has come down to +her house again. She really owns the village, and lives at Cudweed +Chase. 'Tis about two miles from here. She lives in London most of +the year, but comes down here for a month or two at a time, and she +arrived yesterday. She generally rides about on a big grey horse. She's +masterful, but kind; she's very good to our Vicar and his wife, and she +always takes charge of the Sunday school when she's here." + +Orris felt interested in this new arrival. It was not long before Pippa +made her acquaintance. + +She was playing on the beach alone one morning—for Orris had rather a +bad headache and was lying down—and Miss Lyle stopped and spoke to her. + +Pippa, of course, was delighted to give her full information about +herself. + +"I think I must come and see your aunt," Miss Lyle said, after she had +received a jumble of facts from the child. + +"I wish you would," said Pippa. "Aunt Ollie has no books to look at +here, and no Master Jock to talk to, nor Mrs. Preston, and she doesn't +laugh so often as she used to. Can you make people laugh?" + +"No, I never could," said Miss Lyle a little grimly, though her eyes +twinkled in spite of herself. + +Pippa sighed. + +"Master Jock always does—'always.' You simple can't help laughing, +for if you don't, he gives you a squeeze and a tickle. He says if you +laugh, you make the world go round quicker. Did you know that?" + +"I expect you could teach me a lot of things," said Miss Lyle +pleasantly. And then she passed on. + +Pippa told Orris, when she saw her, that the new lady was "very solemn +indeed, but just a little bit smily when you talked to her." + +The very next day Miss Lyle appeared at the cottage, and in the course +of conversation Orris gleaned that she was a lonely woman and had had a +great deal of trouble in her life. She did not give Orris any details. + +"I am a busy woman in town," she said. "I have found the only cure +for loneliness is work. I am secretary and treasurer to one or two +philanthropic projects, but I get away here for relaxation in the +summer and autumn. I'm fond of the fisher-folk. I suppose I must not +ask you if you are making a long stay here?" + +"I don't know," said Orris; "I came here for a rest and change, but my +circumstances are rather difficult at present, and I hardly know what +my future plans are going to be." + +"Will you come over to lunch with me one day next week? I won't ask the +child. I would like to have you to myself." + +Orris consented. She felt strangely drawn towards this grave stately +woman. + +After she had left, Maria Dabbs told Orris a little more about her. Her +father and mother had died together of virulent 'flu in London. She was +engaged to be married to the Vicar of Cudweed, evidently a charming +man, from Mrs. Dabbs's account. And then, only a twelvemonth after +her parents' death, and a week before their wedding was fixed, he was +drowned trying to rescue a fishing boat in a gale. + +"And she's been all alone in the world ever since," Mrs. Dabbs said. +"She did have a brother away at sea, but he was killed in the war; it +seems that every one has been taken from her that she loves. Of course, +she's wealthy, but she lives in a most simple style, and doesn't seem +to care for the things that money could give her." + +"Perhaps," said Orris gently, "she has most of her treasures away from +this world." + +"Yes," assented Mrs. Dabbs, "she's very religious—I know that; for one +month, in a very stormy autumn that we had, when our Vicar was down +with pneumonia and nobody could be got to take the services, and the +church was shut, she opened the schoolroom on Sunday evening and had a +service there with us. And we had some hymns, and she got Peter Lobbs +to read the lessons, and she gave us such a sweet simple kind of talk +out of the Bible that all of us said we wished we could have her always +doing it." + +Orris went to lunch at Cudweed Chase the following week. It was a +rugged grey stone house by the sea, not beautiful, but sheltered and +comfortable inside, furnished in the solid Early Victorian style. Miss +Lyle received her in a pleasant sunny morning-room overlooking the bay; +and before very long Orris found herself confiding in her a little of +her late history. Jock's name did not figure much in it, but Miss Lyle +showed such interest and sympathy, that Orris perhaps was led to be +more confidential than she would have thought it possible, with such a +comparative stranger. + +When they parted, Miss Lyle said: + +"You are fortunate in having such a charming little niece. If I had +any of my flesh and blood left to me, I should not feel so desolate at +times. My house, my money will come to an end when I die. I have no one +to whom I could leave my possessions. I have sometimes been tempted to +sell them. And then, again, I've felt when bring a few town friends for +rest that perhaps I can do more good with my house than would anyone +else. And my tenants look to my coming and are glad to have me here for +a bit." + +As Orris walked home, she felt she had made a new friend, and she was +thankful for the fresh interest that had been put into her life. + + + +CHAPTER XII + +NEW QUARTERS AGAIN + +AS the days went on, Orris began to wonder whether she should ever hear +of Jock Muir again. Though she had told him not to write or follow her, +she inconsistently began to want him to do one or the other. She had +withdrawn herself from him of her own free will, but the miss of him +brought an aching blank in her life. She took herself to task for this; +she was angry that she could not shut him out of her thoughts, and +tried her best to forget him. + +Pippa still chatted incessantly about him, but, like a happy child, +she took this change in her life philosophically, and was engrossed +with her little playmate at the Vicarage. When he went home, and +she was left alone once more, she turned to the old fishermen for +companionship. They all loved her, and would take her out in their +boats to their lobster-traps, and occasionally for a row out to sea. + +Orris was at first a little nervous about these expeditions, but the +old men were cautious and experienced boatmen, and Pippa was absolutely +tractable and good when with them. + +One day Orris was sitting on the rocks reading a letter from Venetia. +She did not often write, but whenever she did, she made allusions +to Pippa's education. Was she being sent to school? There was no +possibility of having her out in California, but she hoped she would be +well educated, for she regretted in her own case that she had not been +at a good school when young. + +Orris made an attempt at lessons with Pippa for an hour every morning, +but she felt that the child ought to be learning more steadily. And +now, the letter in hand, she was once more considering ways and means. + +She was interrupted presently by the appearance of Miss Lyle, who sat +down beside her to have a chat. + +"What is worrying you this morning?" she asked at once. + +Orris smiled. + +"My old problem, which I must solve pretty soon. I cannot continue to +laze away my life here, and let Pippa grow up a dunce. I can't bear to +send her away from me, but she must be educated." + +"It's very strange to find you at that problem this morning. You know, +as I go through life, I am always trying to bring together employers +and employees. It's a difficult task. I have told you that my interests +in town are with the poor gentlefolk in our land. Now, I know a girl +there who is simply working herself to death at a High School in +Kensington. She is not strong, and the confined life is killing her. +Her doctor told her the other day that she ought to get out of London, +but in these days of competition she is afraid of giving up her present +post for fear she would not find another. Her earnings help a delicate +mother in little comforts. Now, can you afford to have her as governess +to your small niece? She is not a London girl, she loves the country, +and it would be the making of her to get these Atlantic breezes through +her." + +Orris considered. + +"Of course, a governess is what Pippa ought to have, if she does not +go to school. I cannot teach her. I feel it would spoil the conditions +of our affection—if you know what I mean. Pippa needs a certain amount +of discipline during lesson hours. She thinks she can play with an +aunt, but she would not try to play with a governess. But I am a little +uncertain of my movements, and Mrs. Dabbs could not find room for +another lodger. May I think over it, and let you know?" + +"Of course. But I want to say something more. You have told me a little +about your circumstances, and I gather that the governess's salary may +be a difficulty. Now I have a proposal to make to you. I spend, as you +know, most of the year in town; my house lies idle, and will be empty +this coming winter. Will you and your little niece take possession +of it, and keep it warmed and aired for me? I have three or four old +servants who find it dull without anyone there. Mabel Raynor can be +fitted in easily. Now, please, listen, and don't let pride stand in +the way of benefiting me and many others. I want you to do something +for me. I have been longing to send down certain invalids and poor +gentlefolk, who are needing comfort and rest, for a long stay at my +house, but I cannot do it unless there is some one there who would act +as hostess and run the house. You have managed a club in town: would +you care to manage a kind of rest home for me? Live in my house and be +the lady superintendent? I would give a salary of £200 a year, and this +would help to pay for your little niece's education." She paused. + +Orris drew a long breath. It seemed at first too good to be true. Her +tangled knot was unravelled. Her way before her was clear and plain. +She did not hesitate a moment. She turned to Miss Lyle with deep +feeling in her tone: + +"I can't thank you enough for your generous offer. I will not let pride +stand in the way. Why should I? I must earn. I have not a big enough +income to support Pippa as well as myself, and I am afraid her mother +has cast her off for the time. You have indeed solved my problem. There +is nothing I should like better than to take such a post." + +"What a sensible girl you are! I shall come down for visits now and +then, but I warn you I shall fill your hands with occupation. There are +so many of my ventures in this small village in which I should like +your help. You will be my substitute in my absence. I suppose you will +not find it dreary in the winter?" + +"How could I, with Pippa?" said Orris. "And I'm getting to know the +fisher-folk, and I'm never tired of the sea." + +Then they began to discuss the plan in every detail. + +Miss Lyle lost no time in setting to work. She went up to town the next +day, and insisted upon Orris accompanying her to interview Miss Raynor. +She took Orris to her town house as guest; and when they came back in +two days' time, the matter was settled. + +Pippa had been as good as gold in her aunt's absence, but she was +rather mystified as to what was going on. Orris broke the news to her +one fine morning, as they sat on the sands together. At first Pippa +pouted. + +"I don't like governesses." + +"How many do you know?" asked her aunt, laughing. "This governess is +so young and bright, Pippa! She loves games, and will play with you as +well as teach you; and I shall never be far-away." + +But when told of their move into the big comfortable house by the sea, +Pippa's spirits rose. + +"I do love the sea so much, Aunt Ollie; there are so many lovely things +in it—like crabs and seaweed and shells. But aren't we ever going back +to see Master Jock again? I thought we'd come here for a holiday." + +"So we did, darling, but the sea suits us both, doesn't it? And I have +got a new job, Pippa. I can't be idle, you know; and I'm going to keep +house for Miss Lyle when she is away, and look after some visitors of +hers, who will be coming to stay." + +This sounded rather exciting to Pippa. She loved making fresh friends, +and would have made acquaintance with the whole world, could she have +managed it. + + +A few weeks later, they left Mrs. Dabbs, and moved into Cudweed Chase. + +A short time before their departure, Orris received a brace of +partridges and a pheasant. This time the label was quite decipherable, +and she knew they had come from Jock. + +Still she could not make up her mind to write to him. He was obeying +her injunction, and she felt, if she once broke the ice, he might come +down and try to interfere with her plans. + +Miss Lyle did not go back to town till Orris was thoroughly settled +into her new home. + +Miss Raynor arrived, and she and Pippa had a pleasant suite of rooms +all to themselves—a schoolroom, a large bedroom, and a smaller one +leading out of it where Pippa slept. The little girl was very proud and +pleased to have a bedroom of her own, and took at once a great liking +to her governess. + +Mabel Raynor was a delicate-looking girl, with large dark eyes and pale +cheeks, but she was energetic and high-spirited, and had the knack of +teaching small children and keeping them happy in lesson time. + +When Miss Lyle left, Orris began to find her time pleasantly occupied. +She acted as organist every Sunday in the little church, she took the +Sunday school in the afternoon, and she had a weekly class for the +fisher-lads, and young men when they worked at crafts. She was thankful +that she had little leisure for brooding over the past. When Dugald +heard of this fresh move of hers, he came down to expostulate. + +"You are the most extraordinary soul for falling on your feet," he +grumbled. "I was hoping you would get so moped and dull with the lack +of occupation and of society that you would thankfully throw yourself +into my arms when I came down to see you, and beseech me to take you +back to town." + +"Is that like me?" questioned Orris, with dignity. + +"Perhaps not, but I'm always hoping to see a change in you. You are too +self-sufficing, my dear Coz." + +"Oh!" sighed Orris, with downfallen face, as she remembered another who +complained of the same fault in her. "Surely I am not, now. I have had +a fall, and a bad one, Dugald. I sometimes think that, like Queen Mary +with Calais, I shall go down to the grave with 'library' engraven on my +heart. I hope I shan't fail in my trust now. I pray I may not." + +Dugald looked around him. They were talking in the comfortable +morning-room at Cudweed Chase, the room in which Orris chiefly lived. +There was a blazing log fire in the open grate, golden chrysanthemums +were in great bowls on the deep window-sills, brightening the room +with their colour. If it was furnished in Early Victorian style, it +was essentially comfortable. There were deep armchairs, and a big +Chesterfield covered with bright cretonne; the Turkey carpet underfoot +and heavy red velvet curtains to the three windows facing seaward all +made for warmth and cosiness. + +"Yes," he repeated; "you fall on your feet, and go from one comfortable +house to another. Not that I call the farmhouse comfortable, but you +started well down there, at Pinestones. What is that fellow doing? +Going on with his farming, or living decently, like the rest of us?" + +"I think his life as a farmer more decent than lounging about in London +clubs," said Orris rather sharply. "I believe he is continuing to farm." + +"Knew I would get a rise out of you if I but mentioned his name," said +Dugald, with a short laugh. "Now, look here, Orris, you are not going +to waste your life down in this quiet place, and spend the rest of your +years as a housekeeper or caretaker—whichever you like to call it. Give +it a trial if you like, but come up to town before Christmas, now do! +Your flat will be vacant again, I believe, by that time. We want you +badly." + +Orris shook her head. + +"You are a disturber of peace, Dugald. I may come up for some Christmas +shopping, that is all that I can promise. I am perfectly happy here, +and so is Pippa. I could not be dull. Next week we are having three or +four visitors." + +Dugald shrugged his shoulders. + +"'Decayed gentlewomen'! Isn't that the expression? What a life for +'you!' Will you sit up doing knitting and crochet with them, and +talking about rheumatics, and all the ills of poverty and old age?" + +"At all events, I shall be trying to cheer poverty and old age," +retorted Orris good-humouredly. And she sent him back to town with no +ray of hope for himself in the situation. + +"His life is so limited," she said to herself; "it is bounded on all +sides by conventionality. Never, never could I link my life to his, and +he must be convinced of it by now." + +Her thoughts flashed to Jock. He would never stagnate anywhere. He was +a born worker, and whatever he put his hand to seemed to prosper. "I +should like a talk with him again," was the desire of her heart; "he +braces one, and makes one believe in the happiness of work." Then, as +usual, she took herself to task for thinking about him, and turned to +other matters in hand. + +A great pleasure soon came to Pippa. Miss Lyle kept a couple of horses +for her own use, and a tiny Shetland pony to work the big lawnmower. +She had an old coachman who had served her faithfully for years; and as +he had to exercise the horses in his mistress's absence, he asked Orris +if she would care to ride one of them. + +"The little Missy could have the pony. I would dearly like to teach her +to ride. Miss Lyle herself took her first riding lessons from me." + +Orris demurred at first. She had ridden as a young girl, and had always +loved horses. As for Pippa, she went perfectly wild at the thought. + +Miss Lyle was consulted, and she said she would be only too glad for +them both to exercise the horses. So the riding began. + +Pippa took to it as a duck takes to water. She went out directly after +breakfast with Perkins, before her lessons began, and sometimes had a +ride with her aunt in the afternoon. The narrow lanes and steep hills +did not incommode the horses. Perkins said that he was thankful they +kept the motors and charabancs from coming near them. Like most grooms, +he had a jealous horror of Miss Lyle taking to a car and putting down +her horses. + +"Oh, Aunt Ollie," said Pippa one day, coming in rosy and breathless +after her ride, "How I wish Master Jock could see me on my pony! Shall +we 'never' see him again? He is my bestest friend in the world!" + +"Perhaps he may come and see us one day," said Orris. + +She knew that the word must come from her, but she was not yet ready to +send it, and little thought of the circumstances in front of her that +would force her hand. + +The first visitors to arrive from town were a lonely clergyman's widow, +an Irish single lady who had lost her beautiful property, and an Indian +Officer's daughter who had attempted to set up a small preparatory +school for little boys at Hampstead Heath and had failed in the attempt. + +Of the three, Orris's sympathy was mostly with the latter. She was +barely thirty, but looked much older. She had a young brother at a +public school, whom she was educating; and latterly she had almost +starved herself to do it. Miss Lyle had found her one day fainting in a +'bus. In her usual prompt energetic way, she had accompanied her home, +and then, seeing the poverty of her bed-sitting-room, she had insisted +upon taking her into her town house as a guest, and, after hearing her +story, had sent her off to Cudweed. + +"If you don't like to be idle," she said brusquely to her, "I'll give +you orders for knitted silk jumpers. I supply a shop in town with those +made by different friends of mine." + +So Kathleen Walters had arrived, and Orris and she became very good +friends. + +Miss O'Flauty and Mrs. Hatton, the other two ladies, got on extremely +well together. Orris had often heard of the great difficulty in having +a happy household of perfect strangers, but so far she had had no +disagreeables. Each of the three was thankful beyond words to be for a +time freed from the carking care of a small purse and a lonely life. + +And then one morning Miss Raynor came to Orris with a troubled face. + +"I don't think Pippa is at all well, so I am keeping her in bed. She +does not want to get up, says her head hurts her. She complained of the +cold yesterday evening, and I gave her a hot drink and put her to bed; +it may be a slight chill. Will you come to her?" + +Orris had been at her fisher-lads' class the evening before. + +"Why didn't you tell me last night?" she said, as she took a +thermometer into Pippa's room. + +"I thought it might pass off." + +Pippa seemed drowsy and flushed when her aunt bent over her. Her +temperature was found to be one hundred and three, and the doctor was +sent for at once. He looked grave when he had examined her. + +"Has she been playing in the village at all?" he asked. + +"I don't think so. Why?" + +"There's an outbreak of fever—rather a nasty kind; and one child is +dying, I fear." + +Orris's face blanched. + +The doctor, an old man, put his hand on her shoulder. + +"Don't get frightened. With good nursing, there ought to be no danger, +but one can never tell. Would you like a nurse?" + +"No, oh, no," cried Orris; "not unless she gets very much worse. Is it +infectious?" + +"Slightly, I should take precautions. If you nurse her, keep in this +part of the house." Then he gave her directions, and Orris listened +with a clear head but an aching heart. + +Very anxious days followed. Miss Raynor ran the house, and looked after +the guests. Orris never left the sick child's room. Maria Dabbs came up +to help, and proved very efficient as a nurse. Poor little Pippa became +delirious, for the fever ran very high, and her incessant talk was +about "Master Jock." + +"I want Master Jock. Why doesn't he come? I want to go to the +powder-room. Let's hide from Snuffy! Not you, Aunt Ollie, I want Master +Jock to carry me!" + +She was a frail little thing, and had always had more spirit than +strength. The doctor was anxious, for her strength seemed ebbing away. + +And Orris, outwardly calm and almost cheerful, was in her heart +absolutely hopeless. She thought of the light-hearted careless mother +so many thousands of miles away, but who yet had a great affection +for her child; and she thought of her own life unbrightened by the +winning ways and joyous spirits of her little niece. Her lips moved in +continual prayer: + + "O God, let it be Thy will to spare her! Have mercy on us! Come near, +in our hour of need, and heal and save, for we cannot!" + +The fever ran its course, and, when it left her, the child lay like +a broken lily, her little wasted face, with its big eyes, white as +the pillows on which she rested. She hardly knew her aunt, until one +afternoon she sat up in trembling agitation. + +"Master Jock! Oh, I want Master Jock." + +The pitiful wail was too much for Orris. + +"Yes, darling, he will come. I'll send for him." + +The doctor happened to call at that moment. Orris followed him out of +the room. + +"She seems to be conscious. Shall I send for Mr. Muir? She cries +continually for him." + +"Send by all means. I've known that kind of thing answer if—if he can +be in time, but she's getting weaker. A distinct step down-hill this +morning." + +With trembling hands Orris wrote out a wire: + + "Pippa wants you. Come immediately." + +And dispatched it by the hands of Perkins. + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +JOCK'S ARRIVAL + +IT was early dawn when he arrived. Orris met him at the front door, and +for the first time, her fortitude nearly forsook her. + +"She is sinking fast," she said, as she held out her hand to him, "but +she still murmurs your name. She has had no sleep for twenty-four +hours, but she is barely conscious." + +She led the way swiftly upstairs, and Jock followed her in perfect +silence. The darkened room, the tiny wasted form in the bed, the +agonized look in Orris's eyes as she signed to him to come near, sent a +thrill through Jock's heart. But very softly, he seated himself by the +bed, and took the little hand in his. + +"Little Elf!" he said, in his cheerful good-natured tone. + +Instantly the heavy lashes quivered and the eyelids opened. A long look +of recognition followed. + +"Master—" the little voice could get no farther, and trailed away into +silence. + +"Yes, I'm here; and we're going to have great fun when you get better." + +Pippa drew his hand up to her, and laid her cheek on it with a +quivering smile, the first smile that Orris had seen for many a long +day. Her lips moved. + +"Stay." + +"Yes, I'm going to stay all right." + +The heavy eyelids shut again. Orris came forward, and with a teaspoon +got some meat jelly into her mouth. She swallowed it, pillowed her +cheek afresh on Jock's hand with infinite satisfaction, and dropped off +into a sound and healing sleep. Jock sat still, and for two hours never +moved. + +"It's touch and go with her," Orris had whispered. + +He nodded, but the tender pity and love in his face, as he looked at +Pippa, brought the tears with a rush to Orris's eyes. + +She sat on the opposite side of the bed, and they waited together +for the awakening. At one time, Orris thought she might even now be +slipping away from them, so faint was her breathing, but Jock reassured +her. + +"She is breathing regularly. I believe she'll pull round." + +His quiet cheery voice brought hope and balm to Orris's soul. She was +nearly at the end of her strength, and Jock was shocked to see how thin +and worn she had become. + +When at last Pippa opened her eyes, Maria Dabbs came forward. + +"Go and have something to eat, ma'am. You've been up all night. I'll +call you if there's any change. She'll take some food from me, I know." + +"You've comed at last," said Pippa in a faint whisper, as poor Jock's +hand was released. + +He stood up and smiled upon her. + +"Yes; and I'm not going to be sent away from you, either," he said in +his pleasant way. "There's no Snuffy in this house, is there? Now I'm +going to take Aunt Ollie away and make her eat some breakfast. And then +we'll come back to you. What you have to do is to sleep and eat all day +long until you get strong enough to play hide-and-seek with me." + +Pippa smiled. She was being fed by Maria; and then again her eyelids +closed, and she slept. + +When a little later Jock and Orris met downstairs for breakfast, they +were strangely composed and quiet. Pippa was the one subject of their +conversation. Orris was asked how long she had been ill, and she gave +as much detail as she could. + +"I believe," she said, "you have brought her the sleep she needed. She +was really fretting to see you. She has never forgotten you, and has +talked about you perpetually." + +"I could not come till you sent for me," said Jock gravely. + +Orris said nothing; then asked him if he had been travelling all night. + +"More or less. I started at midnight. There was no train before." + +"The doctor will be here directly. We will wait to hear how he finds +her, and then you will have some rest, will you not?" + +Jock gave a quiet laugh. + +"A sleepless night is nothing to me," he said. "I should think you are +far more in need of rest than I. Is there an inn of any sort in your +village where I could get a bed to-night?" + +Orris considered. + +"I believe that Mrs. Perkins could put you up," she said. "Perkins is +our old coachman here. He lives in the cottage at the bottom of the +drive. Would you like to walk down and see?" + +"Thanks, but I'll wait till we know how the wee Elf is." Then, after a +pause, he asked: "And how long have you been here? I thought you were +living in the village." + +"Who told you that?" + +He looked up at her with a little of the old mischief in his eyes. + +"Well, I came down to see one day. Do you wonder how I found out your +retreat? In the simplest way possible. + +"I knew your banker in Veddon Weal. I went straight to him before +you had had time to pledge him to secrecy. He told me you were going +to Devonshire, he believed; you had been over, and mentioned Cudweed +Cove to him. So two months ago, I ached for the sight of you, and +my patience was well-nigh exhausted. I came as a tourist, slept in +Drangerford for the night, and got to Cudweed one fine morning—borrowed +a motor cycle. I dodged you about the whole morning, saw you and the +Elf on the sands, and was satisfied that you were well and happy. I +gossiped with the fisher-folk a bit, was told where you were lodging, +and went home in the afternoon." + +"Oh!" said Orris, with a little sigh. "I don't think there is another +man in the whole world so foolish as you." + +"Is this a private hotel?" Jock asked. "I came across just now two +elderly ladies who bowed to me and disappeared, and a young woman +directed me to this room in a very charming way, just as if she were +hostess." + +"That was Miss Raynor, Pippa's governess." + +In a few brief words, Orris explained her present position, and touched +on Miss Lyle's extreme kindness to her. + +And almost in the same words as Dugald had used, Jock made comment on +her explanation. + +"You certainly do fall on your feet, but you always would, wherever you +go." + +They were interrupted here by the doctor's arrival. Orris went out to +him immediately, and Jock paced up and down the room with knitted brow +and brooding eyes. + +She was a long time away. The doctor came downstairs at last. Jock +heard their murmuring voices in the hall, and then he opened the door, +as the doctor's car moved swiftly off down the drive. + +Orris had disappeared, but in a few moments, he found her. She had +turned aside into her morning-room, and, throwing herself in a chair +by her writing-table, had bowed her head in her hands and was weeping +bitterly. + +[Illustration: For a moment he looked at the bowed figure, and longed +to kneel down by her side. _Jock's Inheritance]_] + +For one moment Jock's lips paled. Had the child already passed away +from them? He made a quick step forward, and Orris looked up. + +"Oh," she sobbed, "it's the joy—the relief! He says she has turned the +corner—she is going to be spared to us." + +"Thank God!" murmured Jock with real feeling. For a moment he looked +at the bowed figure, and longed to kneel down by her side and comfort +her in his own way, but there was some nice instinct within him that +forbade him, at this juncture, to intrude himself and his desires upon +her notice. So he smothered his feelings, and spoke in a peculiarly +quiet grave tone. "I think I'll go and see your coachman's wife, and +then, later on, perhaps the Elf would like to see me again. I won't +excite her; I know how quiet she'll have to be kept." + +Orris held out her hand to him. + +"Forgive me for giving way like this. It has been such a strain. Yes, +do go and fix up something with Mrs. Perkins. I must go up to Pippa +again." + +She rose and left the room, and Jock strode out of the house and down +the drive on his errand. + +For the next few days, Jock haunted Cudweed Chase. But so quiet and +self-controlled was he, that Orris began to wonder whether his liking +for her had died a natural death. He, as well as she, seemed entirely +absorbed in the small invalid. + +And as Pippa came back to them again, and day by day grew brighter +and stronger, she insisted upon monopolizing Jock's society. She grew +fretful if he was out of the sick-room for long at a time, and at +length Orris began to protest. + +"We are spoiling her," she said to him one afternoon, when he had +announced his intention of going out fishing, and the laments of +Pippa had made him give up the idea. "She is well enough now to be +reasonable; you are making her selfish, and that will not make for her +happiness." + +"I shall not be here much longer," he replied, "so she can have as much +of me as she wants." + +The next day, after lunch, Orris asked Jock if he would like a ride +with her. + +"I am leaving Miss Raynor with Pippa for the afternoon. It will be our +only opportunity if you leave us to-morrow." + +Jock gave her such a look that Orris almost repented of her proposal, +but she had felt sorry for him passing all his days indoors, and wanted +to show him a little of their beautiful country. It was the first time +Jock had seen Orris on horseback; he could not but help admire the ease +and grace with which she sat her horse. + +His spirits rose as they cantered down the drive and met the tang of +the salt sea breeze full in their faces. + +"This is a treat which I did not expect," he said to her. "I have been +very good, have I not? We have both kept each other at arms' length, +and the little Elf has taken all our time and thoughts. But now, as you +say, this is our only opportunity for a quiet talk, you may be sure I +will make full use of it." + +Orris was silent for a moment, then she said pleasantly: + +"Do. Tell me all about Veddon Weal. How are the Prestons? And the +Misses Dashwood? And is Mr. Dane getting on with the villagers? Tell me +all your local gossip. I shall love to hear it." + +He fell in with her mood, and gave her details of every one and +everything in his neighbourhood. Then he asked lightly: + +"And when are you coming back to us?" + +"Oh, I am settling in here very comfortably," said Orris. "I am really +interested in Miss Lyle's philanthropy. I wish you could have met her. +She is my ideal of what a rich woman should be. Just a steward—nothing +more or less." + +"It seems a most strange coincidence," said Jock slowly, "that you and +I should be led into the same groove, though under utterly different +conditions. I won't say it's extraordinary, because it has all been +arranged, I believe, for a purpose. Dane and I have been putting our +heads together, and the result is that I am not going to rebuild the +west wing. I shall have the ground cleared, but in the big meadow below +the kitchen gardens, I am building a roomy house in cottage style. +Dane came from an East-End parish, and is great friends with his Vicar +there. Relays of tired and delicate East-Enders are to be sent down +for rest and change, and Miss Dashwood is going to be secretary and +treasurer, and work it in conjunction with a matron who will be in +charge. It's just a sop to Dane—and a pleasant job for Miss Dashwood, +who thirsts for a little more occupation." Jock added this last +sentence a little awkwardly, for Orris's glowing radiant face turned +towards him embarrassed him. + +"Oh, Jock," she said, "how delightful! It's the first bit of light and +comfort that has come to me since that awful fire. You are bringing +good out of evil." + +"Let us dismount," he said suddenly, "and look at the view." + +They were on high ground; a sloping bit of rough moor led to the edge +of the cliffs; beyond was the blue ocean. A fleet of fishing boats were +putting out to sea, and the sun was already slowly disappearing below +the horizon, but it was sending its rosy rays across the water, and +Orris drew a long breath of pleasure and appreciation as she watched it. + +She was ready to fall in with Jock's suggestion. He tethered the horses +to some iron railings, and then found a pile of granite slabs upon +which they sat, facing the sea. + +"You haven't answered my question yet," he said, laying his right hand +over one of hers as he spoke. "When are you coming back to us?" + +Orris could not answer. + +"You'll never get away from me," Jock went on. "I'm positive that we +are two souls who are meant to cleave together eternally, and you must +know it too by this time. I have been getting the house ready for you +as fast as I can; and I have a surprise for Pippa in it. I have waited +patiently for your time, and now it has come. You are not going to send +me home an unhappy man, are you?" + +Orris looked up at him serenely, though her heart was throbbing +painfully. + +"But what is it that you want?" she asked. "I cannot come back to the +Farm—my work is over at Pinestones." + +"Your work at Pinestones is not begun. You know what I want, and the +work there is to do there. You have to take rather an uncouth rough +sort of a fellow, and mould him into a model husband. Oh, Orris, don't +let us beat about the bush any longer. Put your dear hand in mine, and +tell me that you'll come to me." + +Orris did not move. She was gazing out over the sea. She was going to +capitulate—she had no doubt about her feelings by this time—but she +hesitated. Jock saw the hesitation. He took her hands in his, and made +her look at him. + +"Now then, my heart's dearest," he said, "be straight and true—you can +be no other. Tell me that you'll be mine." + +"I will." + +The words were soberly uttered: they had as solemn a ring about them as +if uttered in the marriage service. + +And then Jock's arms were about her and their lips met. + +It was some minutes after that, releasing herself from his embrace, she +said a little playfully: "And you have never asked if I love you?" + +"I don't need to," he said. "I'm not much to love, but my love for you +is big enough for us both." + +"Oh, Jock, dear Jock!" + +Happy tears rose to Orris's eyes. + +"Do you know what you are to me?" she said. "A tower of strength, +a modern knight of chivalry, one whom I know I could test to the +uttermost and who would never fail me. I think, of all combinations, +the equal mixture of strength and gentleness is what I admire most, and +these are what you possess." + +"Spare my blushes," said Jock, and he had reddened slightly under his +tanned skin, but the joyous light in his eyes deepened into a steady +glow at her words. + +They sat on there, oblivious of time, until the last golden rays of +the sun had died away, and then in the dusky twilight they rode home +together. + +"You must let me tell the Elf the good news," said Jock, as they +entered the house. + +"Yes," assented Orris; "it will please her." + +So Jock went upstairs, and found Pippa sitting up amongst her pillows +with a small white face and big eyes. + +She smiled her sunny smile when she saw him. "I've been wissing you +were here," she assured him. + +Then, as he stooped and gave her a kiss, she seized his hand. + +"Master Jock, Miss Raynor says you're going away. You aren't, are you? +I reely won't get well if you do—I know I won't! And I do want you to +see me ride my pony." + +"I promise you I shall do that one day." + +Miss Raynor slipped out of the room. + +Jock drew a long breath. + +"Ah!" he said. "Now we're alone, I can tell you a secret. It's a +stupendous one. I hope your eyes won't fall out of your head. I'm +hurrying back to get Pinestones made clean and smart for you and Aunt +Ollie. This is a very nice house, but it's not nearly so nice as mine. +The dolls' house is fresh with paint and papering, and waiting for you +to come to it. The powder-room holds a surprise for you. And I think +there will be a little brown pony with a very long tail champing his +hay in the stables, and waiting for a little Elf to ride him." + +Pippa clapped her thin little hands. + +"Are we going to live with you?" she asked. + +"I hope you are. I've asked Aunt Ollie, and she has said 'yes.' We +shall have to go to church first, so make haste and get well, for we +shall want you there." + +"Oh, Master Jock!" Pippa's eyes were dancing with joy. "And there'll be +no Snuffy to be cross and turn us out; and I'll be able to go into the +powder-room whenever I like. And you'll swing and see-saw me, and we'll +both do lots of fun togever!" + +"Lots," said Jock cheerfully. "But it's all a secret at present, +remember. Only Aunt Ollie and you and I can talk about it in whispers." + +Pippa nodded. This was after her own heart. + +When Orris opened the door, two radiant faces were turned towards her. + +"Aunt Ollie, Master Jock is going to belong to us. He's told me so," +Pippa cried exultantly. + +"I think it will be the other way about," said Orris, smiling. + +And Jock, putting his hand on her shoulder, said: + +"We're going to be one happy family; and if Pippa were only well +enough, she and I would have a mad gambol together at the very thought +of it. But we'll wait to have our rejoicings later, won't we, little +Elf?" + +"When my legs have left off shaking," said Pippa. + +And then Orris sat down by the bed and drew her into her arms. + +"We must thank God, darling, that He has made you better." + +"Yes," responded Pippa, her eyes fixed on Jock's happy face; "and I'll +thank God for making Master Jock come to us, for I was tired of waiting +for him." + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A VISIT TO VEDDON WEAL + +CHRISTMAS found Orris and Pippa still at Cudweed Chase, and though Jock +would have had it otherwise, he had to possess his soul in patience. +Miss Lyle spent Christmas with them, and she and Orris were busy making +the season bright to all around them. + +Pippa was nearly well again, and able to take very short rides on her +beloved pony. + +Orris had been up to town for two or three days, and in that time she +had made her engagement known to her friends. Dugald received her news +in gloomy silence. + +"It was an evil day," he said, "when you went off to Pinestones. I bear +Mrs. Calthrop a grudge for taking you there." + +"Now, Dugald, if I had never gone there, my feelings towards you would +have been just the same. Be content to be my dear cousin and friend. +You knew long ago that I could never be anything more." + +"You'll turn into a mouldy frump!" + +"Better that than a town gadabout!" + +She saw Reyne Archer, for their visit to the Riviera had been delayed +owing to Lady Violet getting a bad attack of 'flu, and received some +news from her which astonished and delighted her. Mr. Dane had been up +to town to see them several times, and on the last occasion had asked +Reyne to be his wife. + +"And mother likes him so much that she makes no difficulty about it at +all," Reyne said. "Oh, Orris, you and I in the same parish! Think how +heavenly it will be! But we are not going to be married yet. A cousin +of mine is coming to be mother's companion when I leave her. The way +has smoothed out so wonderfully, and I shall have the desire of my +heart—to be a useful worker instead of an idler; and last and best of +all, to have such a splendid man to guide and help me." + +"And to love you!" Orris put in, smiling. "I am so very, very glad, +Reyne dear." + +She saw many of her old friends in town, but she was quite ready to +leave it, and come back to the lonely grey house by the sea. She felt +rather guilty when she saw Miss Lyle's extreme disappointment and +regret that she was leaving her. But after a good deal of thinking, she +came down to breakfast one morning with a bright idea in her head. And +this was to suggest Miss Dashwood for the next Lady Superintendent of +Cudweed Chase. + +"Of course," she said to Miss Lyle, "I don't know that she would do +it. She has an invalid sister, but she could be made very comfortable +here, if you would extend your invitation to her. You would love +Miss Dashwood. She is so clever and cultured and brimful of life and +cheerfulness! And she has given up all her beloved work so happily and +contentedly for the sake of her poor sister. I shall be truly sorry if +she leaves our village, but for her sake I should be delighted, because +it is work that she will love." + +"It sounds feasible," said Miss Lyle. "Will you write to her? Is it too +far for her to come and see me?" + +"I am afraid she would not leave her sister. She is never away from her +for a day. I will write at once." + +Brisk correspondence ensued, but the matter was not clinched until +Orris herself went down and stayed for a few days with the Prestons. + +Jock was, of course, enchanted. He wanted to consult her about several +alterations at Pinestones, and met her at the station, one bright +frosty afternoon in January, with a radiant face. + +"You are very bold in venturing here," he said to her, as he drove +her to Lilac Farm in a new car in which he had just invested. "How do +you know I will let you away again? I'm just feeling that the days +are empty and useless without you. I've been wonderfully patient, I +consider." + +"Now, Jock, I haven't come down here on our own business, but on Miss +Lyle's. Do you think I can persuade Miss Dashwood to make the venture?" + +"I'm not approving of it. She's running, or going to run, my Rest Home, +remember. I don't want to part with her." + +Orris looked grave, then she laid her hand gently on his arm. + +"Don't you think I could run that for you? We shall be only changing +places." + +He looked at her, laughed, then screwed up his lips. + +"I want a wife to attend to me, first of all. Not to be a busybody +outside her home." Orris said nothing. + +"I wish I wasn't driving," Jock said irrelevantly. "It keeps me from +doing what I want to do. Speech is too cold for my mood at present." + +"Let us keep to our subject," Orris said with her quiet dignity. "I +am not going to be your slave and chattel, am I? It isn't a chaffing +matter. If I am going to be your wife, Jock, there will be many outside +bits of work that I shall like to do. You built your Rest Home. Don't +you think your wife is the person to be the secretary or treasurer of +it?" + +"I think my wife will be an adorable angel, and will be able to twist +her poor inferior husband round her finger." + +Then they both laughed. + +"I shall be entranced for you to be boss altogether of my Rest Home, my +house, and perhaps of me." + +"That I should never be," Orris said; "I know my limitations. It is +your strength and pertinacity that sometimes appals me. Shall we ever +be on different sides I wonder?" + +"Our conversation is not profitable," Jock said gaily. "We will be +joyful in each other's company and let the future go hang!" + +When they reached Lilac Farm, Mrs. Preston gave Orris a warm welcome. + +"It's so delightful to know that you're coming soon to live amongst +us," she said. "'Twas what Tom and I always hoped, but things seemed a +bit contrary before you went away." + +Jock was loath to leave. + +"You're tired, sweetheart," he said, when a few minutes later he was +saying good-bye to her in the old hall, and Mrs. Preston had discreetly +left them. "I feel that the little Elf's illness took a great deal out +of you, but it brought 'me' great happiness." Then, taking her in his +arms, he said very tenderly: "I am longing to have you in my keeping. +You have always been looking after other people, and now you'll have to +take instead of give." + +"I'd like to ask you something, Jock," said Orris, a little wistfully. +"I wanted to do it when you came to us at Cudweed, but I was not brave +enough!" + +"Why? Are you afraid of me? Never!" + +"No, but I am afraid of your cloaking your real feelings by a veneer +of—of indifference." + +"Now look here, you and I are on very intimate terms now; we're going +to be one before long, instead of two. You may ask me any question you +like. I will bare my soul to you. Never hesitate to scold me, question +me, and advise me for my good. We have got to know each other through +and through!" + +"Are things different with you now? Can you and I talk together of the +unseen world? Have you got your old faith back?" + +Jock held her tighter in his arms, and looked into her eyes very +earnestly. + +"Do you think I'd have bothered over this Rest Home, and been such +chums with Dane, if I hadn't had anything in common with him? I'm not +going to have any barriers between us, sweetheart. Your God is my God, +your faith is my faith, and your hope mine. You'll be my guardian +angel, and help me along, I know. But I've made up my mind to say, as +Joshua did: 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!'" + +Orris's eyes filled with tears, which tears Jock promptly kissed away. + +"I shall have to go," he said. "This is a tantalizing visit of yours, +but I invite you to tea to-morrow afternoon, just to see that my +preparations indoors are according to your liking." + +"I shall love to come," said Orris. + +And then they parted, and she slipped indoors again with a happy heart. +She had instinctively felt that Jock had changed, before she gave him +her answer at Cudweed. She was assured of it now, and she thanked God +in her heart for this assurance. She knew well that it would have only +spelled disaster to link her life to his unless they had been of one +mind upon the real and deep things of eternity. + +The next morning she set off on her visit to Miss Dashwood, who was +both surprised and delighted to see her. + +But when she unfolded her plan, Louisa Dashwood demurred at taking part +in it. + +"Personally I should love to do what you want, but it is Grace who will +object. She likes, if I may say so, to be my centre, and would not like +other people to share my interest and care. Will you wait a moment? I +will call her. It is better to discuss the matter fully before her. She +likes you, and may be influenced by your wishes." + +So Miss Grace came in, and, as Louisa had said, she vetoed the +proposition at once. + +"I am not strong enough to move. And from what you say, it is a lonely +house in a lonely position. It is bad enough here, but we know a +few people and have the village close to us, and Mr. Dane is a very +pleasant Vicar." + +"I don't think you would be lonely," Orris said, "for you would +have very pleasant people in the house, and the village is not very +far-away, and there is a low pony-chaise which Miss Lyle says she would +put entirely at your disposal. I can't tell you how lovely the sea is. +And the country round, and the air, is glorious. Miss Lyle would come +and go, and to me she is a most fascinating personality." + +Grace shrugged her shoulders. + +"I do not care for strangers," she said. "No, it is a plan that I for +one could not contemplate for a moment." + +"But, Miss Grace, you are always complaining of this small cottage, and +you do not care for the villagers. You would have many more comforts at +Cudweed Chase." + +"Are you wanting to get rid of us?" Miss Grace demanded sharply. "Is it +because you are going to live here that you want us to go?" + +"Oh, Grace!" expostulated her sister, seeing Orris's hurt look. "It +is entirely on our account that Miss Coventry has come down to-day to +tell us about this. It is a hard matter, as you know, for us to make +both ends meet. If I had an extra two hundred pounds a year, and a +comfortable house to live in, do you realize how many extra comforts +you would enjoy?" + +"I am feeling ill," said Grace suddenly, putting her hand to her head; +"you are agitating me. I must go and lie down." + +She left the room, and her sister accompanied her. Then she returned to +Orris, who was looking disappointed and depressed. + +Louisa put her hand upon her arm. + +"Cheer up," she said. "It isn't easy to help us, is it? But Grace may +think it over and alter her mind. Leave it an open question for a few +days, will you? Grace hates changes, though she always says she is not +happy here. But I don't think she would be happy anywhere—it is not her +nature to be so. And sometimes she suddenly turns round and agrees to +what is proposed, after I have given up hope that she will do so." + +"I should insist upon the plan if I felt it would be for her good," +said Orris. + +"No, you would not," said Louisa, smiling, "if you knew that opposition +of any kind really makes her ill. Persuasion, not force, is the only +way to deal with her." + +They talked together for some time, and then Orris left, her mission +still unfulfilled. But Louisa promised to do her best to influence the +fretful invalid, and Orris went back to the farm, wondering at the +cheerful patience and serene calm of her friend. + + +Jock appeared directly the farm dinner was over, and he and Orris +walked over the fields together. They first inspected the new building +which was very nearly completed, and then stood together on the waste +piece of ground upon which the west wing had once stood. + +"It makes me very sad," said Orris. "Why did you not build it up again?" + +"The house is big enough without it," said Jock cheerfully. "I've had, +as you see, all the rubbish taken away, and we'll make this bit of +ground into a sunk rose-garden. Truefitt, my new gardener, is wild to +do it. Now come along into the house." + +Orris was surprised to see how much had been done to the house when she +entered it. Fresh paint and papering, and a general clearance of old +worthless bits of furniture, and some really good bits of oak put in +their place, gave the house a new aspect altogether. He took her into +dining-room, smoking-room, and big drawing-room, and showed her the +room upstairs that he was going to make into a private sitting-room for +her. + +"You must have some retreat where you'll be able to get away from me," +he said to her lightly, and Orris assented at once. + +"We can't sit in each other's pockets all day long," she said. "But I +don't think you'll ever overburden me with your society, Jock. It will +be the other way about. Yet I would not have you an idle man about the +house. Out-of-doors is your sphere, and I'm old-fashioned enough to +believe that indoors will be the sphere for me." + +"It will be heaven on earth," said Jock in a low emphatic tone. "We're +going to have tea in the hall now. Will you pour out? I'll sit opposite +you and imagine we're already husband and wife." + +His gay spirits infected Orris. Her dimples had free play. After tea +was over, he and she took counsel over patterns of chintz and damask, +as to the best material to re-cover the drawing-room furniture. Then +Orris was shown the contents of the powder-room, and when she came out +she said: + +"I don't wonder at Pippa's infatuation for you. But you spoil her, +Jock." + +"I couldn't," he said. "I only hope she'll stay with us till she grows +up." + +Orris looked grave. + +"I am anxious about her future, with such a mother. But I tell myself +that I have her at the most susceptible age, so I shall have faith to +believe that her character will be formed before she joins her mother +again." + +Jock was loath to let her go when the time came for her to return to +the farm. + +"I have all to-morrow," Orris said. + +"Oh, do let us get married at once," cried Jock. "What is the good of +waiting? You don't want a regular show, do you?" + +"I should like," Orris replied softly, "to creep into a little quiet +lonely church, and plight our troth before God, away from every one." + +"And so should I. We'll do it. I'll get a special licence and we'll do +it before you go back to Cudweed." + +"No, no! What an impulsive creature you are! Miss Lyle has determined +to give me a send-off. I have promised her to be married from her +house." + +"Well, let us settle the day. I shan't let you move from this house +till you've done it!" + +He was as good as his word, and though he chafed at the delay, Orris +would not leave Cudweed till the end of the following month. They +settled the day, and then he let her go. But he arranged to take her +for a ride and show her round his farm the following day. + + +The following morning Orris had an early visit from Louisa Dashwood. + +"My dear Miss Coventry, it's done. Grace has relented, and I am +allowed to take up the post. It is Mr. Muir's doing. He came round +last night after his dinner, and simply coaxed and wheedled Grace into +acquiescence. What a power he has with his tongue! Will you be able to +withstand him in anything. I wonder?" + +"I wonder that, sometimes," said Orris, smiling. "But I hope such an +emergency will not occur. I am very thankful for your news. Now I can +return to Miss Lyle with a light heart." + +"At the same time," said Louisa, "may I say that I have real regret in +removing myself away from your society. We have not seen very much of +each other, but when we have met I have always benefited." + +"No," said Orris; "I think you have been my benefactor. I have taken +heart again and again when I have seen your cheerful courage and +patience. We must not be parted for good. I hope sometimes you may be +able to pay us a visit." + +And then, as she said, Orris returned to Cudweed with a light heart. +Miss Lyle was pleased to hear about her successor, and Pippa was +eagerness itself to hear all about "Master Jock" in his "real own home." + + + +CHAPTER XV + +WED + +IT was Orris's wedding day, and though March had come in like a lion, +it was going out, as proverbially it should, like a lamb. It was a +still bright day. The sea lay serene and calm, with only a ripple of +movement, as it lapped the shore. + +Orris stood at her bedroom window looking out upon it with dreamy happy +eyes. Life had given her a good share of its cares and anxieties. Now +she faced the future, feeling that whatever the coming years might +bring her, loss or gain, she could face them steadfastly, for Jock +would be by her side. + +It was, as they had both wished, going to be a very quiet gathering. +Miss Lyle was in a comparatively empty house, for her last guests had +departed, and she had purposely refrained from having any others till +the wedding was over. Miss Raynor was the only outsider. Mr. Dunscombe, +as best man, was staying with Jock at the village inn. Dugald had +been invited, but would not come. His sister Marie had accepted her +invitation, and was very comfortably ensconced in the best spare +bedroom. + +Orris had asked that she might be left undisturbed in her room till the +carriage came to take her to church. Perkins had been allowed to get +out the old-fashioned brougham, which Miss Lyle so seldom used, for the +occasion. + +At eleven o'clock she heard a soft knock at her door. It was Pippa, +almost hidden by the big white bridal bouquet which she was carrying. + +"It's for you, Aunt Ollie; it's all come out of the 'servatory. And, +oh, how lovely you are!" + +"And you, Pippa, are my sweet white Elf indeed." + +For Jock had asked that Orris should be in the traditional white, and +very queenly she looked in the soft white satin gown, with no trimming +of any kind about her, except an Italian lace berthe and her veil, both +heirlooms belonging to her mother. Pippa, in her tiny white frock and +lace cap, with silver ribbon and a silver sash around her waist, was a +dainty picture. Her cheeks were pink with excitement. + +Orris stooped and kissed her. + +"My darling!" she said. "What lovely flowers! Is it time to go?" + +Pippa nodded. + +"Miss Lyle is waiting, and the carriage is here, and Bess and Bones +have real satin rosettes to their ears." + +Then they descended the stairs, and Marie, at the bottom, gave Orris a +quick kiss before she got into the carriage. + +"It's a shame," she said, "that you should not be in town amongst all +your friends. Who is there to admire you here, except a handful of +fisher-folk?" + +Her words sent Orris into her carriage with a smile. Miss Lyle followed +her, for she was going to give her away. She had discarded her usual +severe style of dress, and was in a powder-blue crêpe-de-chine gown, +with black velvet hat and ostrich feathers, and black fox fur round her +shoulders. She looked, as she was, a very handsome woman. + +They were very silent as they drove to the little church. It was a +painful occasion to Miss Lyle. She remembered, as a young woman, how +she had hoped to come to that same church as a bride. Her wedding +day had been fixed and she was within a week of it when the tragedy +occurred that took her fiancé from her. + +And Orris began to feel nervous. They found quite a little crowd +collected in the church porch. The carriage which preceded them had +been hired from the inn, and contained Marie and Pippa. + +A few minutes later, and Orris and Jock stood side by side, taking part +in one of the most solemn services in the Prayer Book. + +Jock was very grave. His erect, stalwart figure evoked open admiration +from some of the village women. + +"Ay, he du be a praper man, sure 'nuff. He holds his head like a king! +Vit to wed the dear lady!" + +When it was over, and Jock was driving back in the brougham with his +bride, he took her hand in his. + +"My greatest moment in my life!" he said. "But oh, sweetheart, what a +nervous opportunity it is! What a comfort to feel we shall never have +to go through it again!" + +And Orris's amusement at his speech took away her momentary feeling of +shyness. + +They had a pleasant informal meal at the house before departing for the +tiny village in Cornwall where they were going to have a fortnight's +honeymoon. At first they meant to dispense with that, but later Orris +began to think differently. + +"It will do you good to get right away from your farm, Jock. Let us +have a complete holiday with nothing to distract us." + +And so to Cornwall they went, and Pippa waited impatiently for the time +when she should join them at Pinestones. + + +It was a lovely day in April when the bride and bridegroom came home. +Pippa and her governess had arrived early in the afternoon, and the +hall was decked with flowers when they appeared. + +"Why, you little Elf," said Jock, seizing the child and swinging her up +in his arms, "you've been stealing my flowers." + +"They're mine too," cried Pippa joyously. "We all belong to each other. +Aunt Ollie said so." + +"Well, if you belong to me, I shall do what I like with you, and I'm +going to lock you in the powder-room for theft! Come along!" + +Pippa willingly obeyed. It had needed all her self-control to keep from +entering her favourite room, but she had been strictly forbidden to go +near it. Orris accompanied them, for she knew the secret. + +When the door was opened, Pippa gave a gasp, then a shout. + +For the little room was furnished now. A thick carpet was underfoot, +and a child's suite of furniture was in it. There was a tiny round +table, a miniature armchair, and two little wooden chairs with +blue velvet cushions upon them. The window was draped with quaint +old-fashioned chintz curtains. Against one side of the wall was the +dolls' house, against the other was a small glass bookcase, holding +children's books. There was a tiny rocking-chair, and a little white +china stove with a miniature oven in it. On a little side table was a +basket-tray, upon which was a pretty china tea-set. + +"Well," said Jock, "does it suit Your Highness, wee Elf? It's to be +your own room, and you can shut us all out if you like." + +Pippa flung herself into his arms. + +"I knewed there would be something lovely, but not half so good as +this. You are the darlingest man in the world, Master Jock!" + +"I think, Pippa," said Orris, smiling, "that you must forget that name. +He is Uncle Jock now." + +Pippa went round and round the room in ecstasy of delight. She sat in +every chair, she drew them up to the table and spread out the tea-cups +on it, and wanted to have tea there and then. She rocked herself in the +rocking-chair, she looked at all the books, and then ran away to fetch +Miss Raynor to see it all. + +Jock and Orris went downstairs and found tea awaiting them in the +drawing-room. + +"You know how to give pleasure, Jock," said Orris, as she sat down at +the tea-tray and commenced to pour out tea. "Pippa is a lucky child." + +"Not so lucky as I am!" said Jock warmly. "This is what I pictured to +myself over and over again: you and I having tea together in our own +house. It has all come to pass as I told you it would. What do you feel +like?" + +"Very much at home," said Orris, laughing. + +"Oh, say something nicer than that!" + +"What can I say? We won't be always expressing our happiness in words, +Jock. It is too deep for that." + +"Yes," he assented more soberly, but letting his eyes travel over her +slowly with radiant content in them; "it is deep and sure and lasting." + +Orris could echo his words in her heart. She knew that life would bring +shadows and trials, but she felt she could meet them contentedly if +Jock were by her side. + +When their tea was over, she wandered round the house with Jock, and +interviewed the cook, a new importation and a great improvement upon +Mrs. Snow. + +Orris was amused at Jock's housewifely qualities. He had got a new +staff of servants alone and unaided, had interviewed them personally, +had told them that he was a stern master but, he hoped, a just one; and +that their mistress was an "angel on earth." + +"I shall never keep up my reputation," said Orris, laughing, when Jock +told her this. He assured her gravely that she could not change her +nature. + +The room to which they drifted last was the smoking-room. Here on one +side was a new glass bookcase made of dark oak, and on the shelves were +the remnants of the burnt library. Jock had had a few of the volumes +rebound, but, for the most part, the blackened and singed leather +covers remained. + +"Now, darling," said Jock, as he opened the door for her to inspect +them, "we must have no sighs or laments for the books that are gone, +only pleasure for those which remain." + +Orris smiled at him, but an eager light came into her face as she +fingered some of her treasures. "Oh, Jock, in the winter evenings we +must make ourselves more acquainted with some of these old writers. How +glad I am that so many of them have been saved! No, I won't lament over +the past. I have put it from me." + +"That's A 1! And do you know, I have an instinct that had my precious +library remained, I should have found in it a formidable rival. You +were getting absorbed in it. It would not have been pleasant to come +home tired and hungry and find a wife absolutely indifferent to my +needs, deaf to my plaintive voice, entirely buried in her books. You +might have quoted your old philosophers to me all day long, until I +should long to destroy their works. Now you are detached from that +unlucky catalogue making, and have nothing in the world to take off +your thoughts from your lord and husband." + +Orris laughed at him. + +"I warn you, I mean to lead my own life, and I claim my own +individuality. And you will find me sometimes in this room enjoying +some of the old authors whom I have learnt to love." + +"Oh yes," assented Jock; "in my absence you can read as much as you +like, but not when I am home." + +"We shan't quarrel," said Orris contentedly. "Your bark is always worse +than your bite, Jock. To hear you sometimes, one would think that you +had a masterful, tyrannical temper, whereas I know to the contrary. +Pippa can twist you round her finger." + +Jock's eyes rested on his wife with a tender light in them. + +"You and she together will coax the life out of me, but I have a streak +of obstinacy in me." + +Then he took his wife out into the garden. The peace and beauty of it +brought stillness and sweetness into their souls. They talked of unseen +things, and watched the sunset from the terrace overlooking the pine +woods. + +"Oh, Orris," Jock said, as finally they returned to the house, "at one +time I had lost all interest in this place. But now you are going to +make it into a home, I feel so differently. We'll emanate sunshine and +content on all around—you see if we don't!" + +"With God's help, we'll attempt it," was Orris's rejoinder. + +Pippa was a happy child at all times, but this arrival at Pinestones, +with the present of the powder-room for her own peculiar domain, +almost turned her head. And when, the next morning, Jock came to the +schoolroom door and said he wanted to introduce her to a little brown +gentleman who was waiting to see her, her eyes nearly started out of +her head. + +"Is it anuver surprise?" she asked. + +Jock nodded. + +"What's he like?" she said in a delighted whisper, as hand in hand with +him she danced down the stairs, eager expectation shining out of her +eyes. + +"Well, his hair is too long to please me, and he's rather fat." + +"Oh!" screamed Pippa. "Is he a pixie or a brownie?" + +"Come and see." + +He led her out to the stable, and then she guessed; and she danced up +and down in excitement. + +In another moment she was standing by the dearest little brown pony +that she had ever seen. He had come from Exmoor, and his mane and tail +were flowing in the wind. In a moment, she had climbed upon his back. + +"What's his name? Is he mine to keep? Can I ride on him whenever I +like?" + +"His name must be Pixie, I think. He's absolutely quiet, and a little +boy has been riding him for over a year, so I think he'll carry you +nicely. He is for your very own." + +Pippa looked at Jock with unutterable gratitude. + +"I do think you're the wonderfullest man in the world," she said, +"better than Father Christmas or a fairy godmother. Can I ride him now?" + +"Not without a saddle. In half an hour's time, you shall." + +The happy child flew into the house. Miss Raynor saw that lessons +must not be started that first day, so she gave her a full holiday, +and Pippa spent the morning with her pony and the afternoon in her +powder-room. + +It took a few days to calm her high spirits and make her willing to +settle down to her lessons again, but Miss Raynor understood her, had a +fund of patience and of humour, and kept her happy. + +Two or three days after their return, they had a visit from their +Vicar. Orris thought he looked worn and weary. She asked him if he had +been overworking himself. + +He smiled at her. + +"There's not much chance of that here. My days are only pleasantly +filled. No, I have had an uncongenial task to do, and I think I have +accomplished it." + +"You began it over a month ago," said Jock, looking at him with +interest. "Tell us the result." + +"What is it?" asked Orris, scenting a mystery. + +Mr. Dane drew a long sigh. + +"Well, Mrs. Muir, I have not been at all happy about a certain house +in my parish. You know it. Ivy Towers. I cannot tolerate superstition +in any shape or form. Christians ought to be above it. I heard that +some new tenants were going to take it, so when they came down to +inspect it, I thought it my duty to warn them. Not against the house, +but against the intense credulity and superstition of the villagers. +The power of suggestion is great. I was afraid from what had happened +before that they would soon be driven out of it. And they were most +grateful to me. + +"He is one of these invalided officers; she is quite young, and has a +young family. But she besought me to use my powers of exorcism, and in +the end I promised to do this: to live in the house myself for a good +month before they came into it. My good old Susan was willing to come +with me. Mother wanted to pay my married sister a visit, so I let the +Vicarage, and Ivy Towers has been my home for some time now." + +"And what have you seen or heard?" questioned Orris. "Is it only the +power of suggestion that has proved so fatal to those who live there?" + +Mr. Dane did not reply for a moment or two, then he said slowly: + +"Our nerve, even our sight, is not always as reliable as it should be. +But I can assure you with certainty now that the house will harm no one +in future. If evil in the world is strong, God Almighty is stronger. I +laid hold of His strength, and it has not failed me." + +"It has been a strain," said Orris, looking at his white face and +hollow eyes. + +And Mr. Dane, looking at her with a smile, said: + +"'This kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting!'" + +He would say no more. But as far as Ivy Towers was concerned, the tide +of misfortune was turned. The villagers knew what their Vicar had done, +and expressed their satisfaction. + +Major and Mrs. Latimer with their four little boys moved in at once; +they brought their own servants with them, and peace and cheerfulness +reigned there. Pippa was delighted to have small playmates near her, +and she and they met frequently. Ivy Towers was now a home of merry +children. The atmosphere of depression was no more. + +In a few weeks' time, Orris had settled down into her new home. She +found her days, like Mr. Dane's, "pleasantly filled." + +Jock was out every morning, sometimes away for the whole day, but the +evenings were always spent with his wife. + +Orris visited the villagers, helped the Vicar in many of his +organizations, and worked hard in making the Rest Home a success to +those who would use it. + +She heard from Venetia, who congratulated her warmly upon her marriage. + +"I always knew you would pull it off," she wrote, "you couldn't +withstand his determination to get you; and as it turns out, you have +done remarkably well for yourself. I am still leaving Pippa under +your care. I think she needs English training and education. Perhaps +she will grow up a different stamp to her cosmopolitan mother. But I +haven't given her to you altogether. When you get a family of your own, +you may not want her. And when she gets a young woman, I shall be glad +to have her with me." + +Orris showed this to Jock. + +"It makes me shiver," she said, "when I think of the day on which I +shall have to hand Pippa over to her mother." + +"We'll get her married first," said Jock the optimist. + +"Marriage, with you, is a cure for all evils," laughed Orris. + +"It's a cure for a good many, as far as girls are concerned," he +retorted; "that is, if they get the right kind of husband who'll look +after them and keep them from follies." + +"You're very primitive," Orris said. "Don't you know that the modern +girl will not be managed by anyone, least of all by her husband?" + +"I thank God daily that you are not modern," said Jock. + +"Even so," Orris said demurely, "I cannot always be managed, Jock." + +He laughed. + +"Our wills have never clashed yet, and I hope they never will." + +Yet only a few days after this conversation, they had their first +disagreement. + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +JOCK'S INHERITANCE + +MARIE LAING wrote and asked Orris and her husband up to town for a +week. She lived in a small house in Kensington Gore. She told Orris +frankly why she wanted them both. + + "You've been married in such a hole-and-corner style that your friends +in town are wondering what your husband is like. And I want them to see +that you have married a gentleman and one who can hold his own with +any. I think it is his due to be recognized by your relatives. I shall +give one or two quiet dinners and invite some of your old friends. +Don't lose sight of us, for I tell you that we expect to be entertained +by you later on. You must not seclude yourself in the country and get +out of touch with civilization." + +At first Orris thought she would keep this letter to herself, but she +had been so accustomed to tell Jock everything that she put it into his +hand. + +"We can afford to laugh at Marie and her fussiness," she said, "but all +the same, I think we'd better go. I should like to have a week in town." + +A dark flush mounted to Jock's cheeks as he read the letter; then he +tossed it back to her. + +"I don't see myself being dragged up to town to be shown off like a +tame monkey," he said hotly. + +"Oh, Jock, don't be so foolish! I wish I had not shown you the letter. +We can afford to laugh at her. But at the same time, I should like to +accept the invitation." + +"Then you can accept it, but don't include me." + +"I should not think of going without you." + +They were facing each other now. Orris with a worried pleading look in +her eyes, but with determination about her lips; Jock with grim-set +mouth, and shoulders set taut and square, a sign of extreme obstinacy. + +"You will not come if I ask you?" Orris said. + +"Not if you go down on your knees to me," Jock snapped out. + +And then very quietly, without another word, Orris left the room. + +She went upstairs to her little sitting-room, and there, sitting in a +low chair by the window, she cupped her chin in her hands and pondered +over the situation. + +Jock should not shut her away from her old acquaintances and friends. +It would neither be right nor kind to do so. And it would be wrong to +encourage him to shut himself away from his own kind. He might develop +into a tyrant or a crank. Orris had seen both types amongst country +squires, and she dreaded such a possibility for her husband. She +considered that it was not a question of her own liking, so much as +that it would be bad for both of them if they never left their country +house, and if Jock refused to be friendly with any of her relatives. +Yet how could she compel him to come with her against his will? + +An hour passed, and still she sat there. The letter had come by the +evening post. It was the hour that she generally sat with Jock in the +smoking-room, between tea and dinner, but she felt that she could not +go down to-night. She wondered if he would come and seek her, but he +did not. She did not meet him again till dinnertime. + +For the first time since their marriage, there was restraint between +them. Orris talked cheerfully of different matters that interested them +both locally, and Jock responded with a slight effort. + +She went into the drawing-room afterwards and Jock shut himself up in +the smoking-room. + +About ten o'clock, with a weary sigh, Orris put aside the book she had +been trying to read and resolved to go to bed. Then, as she was moving +towards the door, Jock came in. + +"We've got to have this out before we go to bed," he said. + +"Come and sit down, then," said Orris very quietly. + +Jock looked at her sharply. + +"You've been crying," he said. + +"A few tears," Orris said, striving to keep her lips from quivering. +"You see, Jock, this is my first experience of your anger. And you are +so rarely angry with anyone that I feel it all the more." + +Jock stood over her on the hearthrug. He would not sit down. + +"I've a raging hot temper when roused," he said; "and I'm proud, and +I won't be made into a puppet and have to talk and dance for the +edification of your cousin Dugald and other empty-headed noodles of his +kin." + +"Now, Jock, is that kind or just?" + +He was silent. Then he burst forth: + +"I wish I did not love you so much. It saps away all my determination +and will." He was down on his knees by her now and his arms were round +her. "Do you want this so much, sweetheart?" + +Orris felt inclined to make an unconditional surrender, but her +commonsense and right judgment saved her. + +"Jock, dear, when I married you, I never knew that it would entail my +giving up all my relations and friends. We are so sure of each other's +love that jealousy cannot find room in either of our hearts. You know +that I enjoy nothing without you. To go to London so soon after our +marriage and leave you down here would evoke criticism from all I know. +If you love me, make this sacrifice for me. I know your dislike to +town, but it is only for a week. And oh, Jock, my dearest, I will be +frank, I am so proud of my husband that I want my relations to know him +and appreciate him." + +"Don't flatter. I'll come with you. I have tackled hard jobs in my life +and this will be the toughest. But I won't have you shed tears on my +account." And he kissed her as if he could not let her go. + +Orris said no more, but as they went upstairs together she murmured: + +"I hope the next time it will be I that make the sacrifice, and not +you, dearest." + +They went to town and nothing happened to mar their visit there. Jock +met two old friends, one—a Colonel Stacy, who had been at Oxford at the +same college with him, and who was a great friend of Marie Laing's. +The other was a Lord Denver, who had recently come into his title and +property, and who had lived for two years with Jock at his farm in New +Zealand. Both were delighted to see Jock again, and Orris was glad that +their friendship had prevented him from feeling dull or lonely. + +He did his best to make himself pleasant to his wife's friends, but +after two dinners, three receptions, and two afternoon teas, he told +Orris that he had done his duty and would go out no more. + +She and he did a little sight-seeing together, and attended a service +in Westminster Abbey, which Orris loved. + +They did not see Reyne, as she was abroad with her mother, and Dugald +had gone over to Paris. He did not wish to see Orris in the company of +her husband. + +When the day came for them to leave for home, Jock was as light-hearted +as a boy. + +"Give me the country," he said to Marie; "you're all frittering away +your time and spending money like water without having anything to show +for it. I can imagine girls and boys jigging round, but there are men +and women well on the way to seventy who are as keen as the young ones +on amusement." + +Marie laughed at him. + +"You earnest backwoodsman," she said; "if we make gods of our pleasure, +you make them of your work! We use our brains more than you do. +Agricultural labour exercises muscles, not brains." + +"I beg to differ. If you were to drop in to a country inn on market day +and hear a few farmers talking, it would make you sit up and teach you +a bit." + +"Oh," said Orris, laughing, "you will never understand each other, so +don't argue any more." + +They came home, but before they reached their gates they heard sad +news. Mr. Preston had been carried home unconscious from the fields +with a bad heart attack, and he was sinking fast. + +"I must go to them," Jock said; and he went off to the farm at once. + +Orris would have liked to accompany him, but she was afraid of +intruding at a time when perhaps wife and husband wanted to be alone +together. + +It was late at night before Jock came back. He was very grave. + +"He has gone," he said to Orris, when she met him in the hall, "and +I've lost one of my best friends here." + +"How is Mrs. Preston?" + +"Wonderful, as she always is. I'm glad I went. He knew me—and said +good-bye. And then he took his wife's hand. + +"'Twon't be long before you come to me,' he whispered to her. + +"And she looked at him with her brave smiling eyes. 'Ask God to make +the time short,' she said. + +"And he nodded, and then he murmured: 'A good wife from the Lord.' + +"I came away, for Dane arrived, but I waited till his visit was over, +and he came down just as Preston had breathed his last." + +Orris's eyes were full of tears. + +"I don't know how Mrs. Preston will live without him, but I know she +will be comforted." + +It was rather a sad home-coming, but when Orris met Mrs. Preston she +found her resigned and calm. + +"It's only a short time," she said; "and I 'know' he's happy, so how +can I mourn?" + +Jock had been left executor and trustee. He was over at the farm a +good deal after the funeral had taken place. Mr. Preston had expressed +a wish that Jock should take over the farm and work it with his. +Mrs. Preston had enough to keep on the house and live there. She was +pleased to have Jock still about the place, and he was as tender and +considerate as a son might have been. + + +A fortnight after their return, Jock and Orris were on the terrace +together. It was a lovely evening. The garden below them was full of +the fragrance of late spring flowers. In the distance, a red sun was +sinking behind the pine woods. Pippa had just left them and gone up to +bed. She had been telling Jock a wonderful Norwegian legend that Miss +Raynor had been relating to her. + +"And so," she ended, "the king brought the peasant girl into the palace +and made her his queen. And he made a big feast and told all his people +that God had given her to him, and so she was to be called Queen +Theodora, the gift of God. Did God give Aunt Ollie to you, Uncle Jock?" + +"He did, indeed," said Jock, with deep feeling. He sat on silently with +Orris after she had left them. + +Orris was gazing at the fair scene in front of her. + +"It is a beautiful inheritance, Jock," she said at last. + +He looked up at her. + +"Yes," he answered. "But you remind me continually that I am only a +steward. The possession which I prize most is beside me. I was thinking +of old Preston's words this morning. I knew they came from the Bible, +so I hunted them up. 'Houses and possessions' we are told, come from +our 'fathers.' A good wife, or a 'prudent,' as it puts it, 'comes from +the Lord.' Pippa was perfectly right in her deduction just now. My +inheritance from men is a matter of indifference to me. My inheritance +from the Lord is my all in all." + +And Orris, as she turned to meet his ardent tender gaze, could but pray +that she might never fail or disappoint him. + + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76969 *** diff --git a/76969-h/76969-h.htm b/76969-h/76969-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..86b946b --- /dev/null +++ b/76969-h/76969-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7092 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Jock's Inheritance, by Amy Le Feuvre│ Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/image001.jpg" type="image/cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size:12.0pt; + font-family:"Verdana"; +} + +p {text-indent: 2em;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} + +.w100 { + width: auto + } + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +p.t1 {text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 125%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t2 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 150%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t3 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t3b { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 100%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center + } + +p.t4 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: center + } + +p.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +p.poem { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + padding: 20px 0; + text-align: left; + width: 555px; + } + +p.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 90%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76969 ***</div> + + +<p>Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image001" style="max-width: 33.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image001.jpg" alt="image001"> +</figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image002" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image002.jpg" alt="image002"></figure> +<p class="t4"> +<b>"Calamity seems to be her portion," said the man coolly.</b><br> +<b> <em>Jock's Inheritance]</em>    +                    +        <em>[Frontispiece</em></b><br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p><em>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</em></p> + +<p>PUBLISHED BY WARD, LOCK & CO., LTD.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>     ADRIENNE</p> +<p>     A GIRL AND HER WAYS</p> +<p>     HER KINGDOM</p> +<p>     MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS</p> +<p>     A STRANGE COURTSHIP</p> +<p>     UNDER A CLOUD</p> +<p>     NOEL'S CHRISTMAS TREE</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h1>JOCK'S<br> +<br> +INHERITANCE</h1> + +<p><br><br></p> + +<p class="t3"> +BY<br> +</p> + +<p class="t1"> +AMY LE FEUVRE<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p class="t4"> +Author of "My Heart's in the Highlands,"<br> +"A Girl and Her Ways," "Noel's Christmas Tree," etc.<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br></p> + +<p class="t3"> +WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED<br> +</p> + +<p class="t4"> +LONDON AND MELBOURNE<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t4"> +MADE IN ENGLAND<br> +Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t3b"> +CONTENTS<br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>CHAP.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_1">I A VENTURE</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_2">II THE OLD HOUSE</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_3">III WHAT A CUPBOARD CONTAINED</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_4">IV LILAC FARM</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_5">V A HARD BLOW</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_6">VI IN NEW QUARTERS</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_7">VII VENETIA DISAPPEARS</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_8">VIII DISASTER</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_9">IX JOCK'S CONFESSION</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_10">X ORRIS'S LETTER</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_11">XI IN RETREAT</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_12">XII NEW QUARTERS AGAIN</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_13">XIII JOCK'S ARRIVAL</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_14">XIV A VISIT TO VEDDON WEAL</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_15">XV WED</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_16">XVI JOCK'S INHERITANCE</a></p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t2"> +<b>JOCK'S INHERITANCE</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_1">CHAPTER I</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>A VENTURE</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>IT was four o'clock in the afternoon in the beginning of January. The +room was cosy and comfortable. Outside, there was a bitter north-east +wind; the grey dusk hid the opposite row of houses, but the noise of +the traffic in the next street was ceaseless, and the girl sitting +before the blazing fire, her hands clasped loosely round her knees, +was continually raising her head in a listening attitude. Then she +heard the electric bell of her flat ring, and she rose to her feet +expectantly.</p> + +<p>The door opened, and a man was ushered in by a very trim maid.</p> + +<p>The girl uttered an exclamation of dismay.</p> + +<p>"'You,' Dugald!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's myself," said the newcomer in brisk tones; "don't look so +'dour,' as we Scotch say."</p> + +<p>The girl smiled. She was tall and slender, but she was not beautiful; +only a pair of merry brown eyes and a humorously twisted mouth redeemed +her from plainness, but she carried her inches with dignity, and she +had an attractive personality.</p> + +<p>"Sit down. I'm expecting my sister-in-law and my small niece to stay +with me. It is all rather sudden. Here's her letter. What do you think +of it?" She took a letter off her mantelpiece and handed it to him.</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "MY DEAR ORRIS,—<br> +<br> + "Calamity has overtaken me. I told you I was going to marry Captain +Arteris. My wedding day was fixed for the tenth of next month, and we +were to have been married in Cannes. I must tell you, about four months +ago, he persuaded me to invest all my capital in an oil well of his; he +said it would give me twelve per cent. right away. The oil has failed, +and the company, which I rather gather is Frank himself, is insolvent. +He came to me perfectly abject, saying he couldn't afford to marry, and +is now on his way to try new fields of fortune in California. So that's +off. The shock of it was too much for me, and I have been very ill. How +are Pippa and I to live upon my small pension? I must come and talk +over things with you, and I'm writing this just before leaving by the +night express.<br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">"Your affectionate sister,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 17.5em;">"VENETIA."</span><br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>"Calamity seems to be her portion," said the man coolly; "but I fail +to see why you should be brought into it again. You set her up in a +millinery venture, did you not?"</p> + +<p>Orris nodded.</p> + +<p>"She has neither the health nor capacity to earn," she said.</p> + +<p>"Take my advice and don't offer her a home."</p> + +<p>"I think," she remarked, "that you had better not stay. I hear a taxi, +and you and she never hit it off."</p> + +<p>"Hang her!" muttered the man under his breath. But he got up from his +chair. "I came to suggest a dinner at the Carlton to-night. Marie is up +in town, and wants to see you."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry."</p> + +<p>She waved a rather impatient hand to him, and he left the room with a +heavy frown.</p> + +<p>"Venetia is a born parasite," he said to himself, "and Orris is a +perfect fool in her hands."</p> + +<p>Then, in a moment or two, the door opened, and Orris's sister-in-law +appeared.</p> + +<p>She shed her fur coat before she embraced. "Oh, what weather! And we've +had such a rough crossing! I'm perished with cold!"</p> + +<p>"Where's the child?" demanded Orris.</p> + +<p>"Downstairs, chattering her head off to Dugald, who tumbled into us. +Does he still live in your pockets, Orris?"</p> + +<p>Orris flushed, then she laughed.</p> + +<p>"You never will realize that our cousinship is a thing by itself. Ah, +here comes Pippa!"</p> + +<p>Venetia had taken off her hat and was standing over the fire; she had +a pale golden bobbed head and a very short dress. She looked about +seventeen in the firelight. The child who danced into the room and up +to Orris was dark-eyed, with a mop of very curly fair hair. She had +small features and a beautiful skin.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Ollie—Aunt Ollie!" she cried, throwing her arms round her aunt. +"Aren't you very glad to see me? I've grown yards, and mummy's shoes +almost fit me if I stuff paper into the toes! And I walked all round +the ship with the captain, and do you know I have a darling dove in a +cage? And Cousin Dugald was saying a wicked word when he met us on the +stairs, so I put my hand in his pocket quick like a thief, and picked +his cigarette-case; and then he and me had a scrimmage, but he says +there's a new bear at the Zoo wants to see me, and we think we'll go +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>She paused for breath. Her mother turned her head.</p> + +<p>"Go and fetch me my handbag, Pippa. I left it in the cab, and Anita has +got it."</p> + +<p>The child instantly obeyed.</p> + +<p>"You can put us up, Orris?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. I have a big spare room."</p> + +<p>"You're very comfortable in this flat. I suppose you realize that we're +penniless. Pippa and I have both been in the doctor's hands. He advised +a good healthy out-of-door life for us both. So ridiculous! But I +couldn't stay on in Cannes."</p> + +<p>"Pippa looks thin and white."</p> + +<p>"She's never still; she tires me to death. I never ought to have been a +mother. I haven't the health for it. Children are a never-ending care +and responsibility. You'll have to take her off my hands for a bit. +Have you still got your job at the club?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm still manageress."</p> + +<p>"I should like a similar job if I could get it. You have a very good +time and a good salary."</p> + +<p>"It's good enough for one," said Orris, laughing, and her laugh was +clear and ringing, "but it won't be very good for three. I'll do the +best I can for you, Vennie dear. We must talk over this idea of a +country life."</p> + +<p>"Don't make me an item in it. But Pippa has a cough which ought to be +cured. If I had the money, I would send her down to a country farmhouse +with Anita, my maid. I suppose you can put her up too? I forgot to say +I was bringing her over with us. She's half Italian, half French, and +adores Pippa, and knows how to manage her."</p> + +<p>"I think she can share my one maid's room," said Orris.</p> + +<p>Pippa was back.</p> + +<p>"I wiss I was a organ-man, mummy! There's one with a monkey in the +street. May I go and be friends with him?"</p> + +<p>"No," said her mother sharply; "you may not. Oh, dear! How tired I am! +Orris, I'll go straight to bed. Anita will wait on me—I only want a cup +of tea."</p> + +<p>Orris took her to her spare room without a word. She saw that she had +every comfort there, and then returned to her little niece, whom she +found in front of the fire with two dolls and a Teddy bear.</p> + +<p>"It's my family, Aunt Ollie—Beauty and the Beast and their little baby. +I'm really fondest of the Beast; he's so soft and squeezy."</p> + +<p>Then a fit of coughing stopped further talking. And as Orris watched +the child's flushed, strained face and beating heart, sudden anxiety +seized her.</p> + +<p>"Pippa, my darling, you're nothing but a bag of bones with a little +skin over them!"</p> + +<p>She took her on her lap as she spoke, and, exhausted by her coughing, +the child rested her head on her shoulder and sighed.</p> + +<p>"Mummy hates fat people. There was a fat lady on the boat. She could +hardly walk. I can run faster than anybody can catch me."</p> + +<p>Tea was being brought in. Orris was distressed at her niece's small +appetite. When it was over, she found her hands full helping the +travellers to unpack and settle them comfortably for the night. But +later on, she came back to the fireside and sat very still in her +chair, as she reviewed the situation.</p> + +<p>"This will make a big change in my life," she said to herself. "I +cannot support Vennie in the luxury she demands, if we live on in +town. And the child will die here. For Jim's sake, I must look after +them. Well, it is good to have belongings; I was getting selfish and +self-centred—and a few days will do wonders, I expect. I must get a +doctor's opinion, and arrive at Vennie's mind. Light will come—it +always does."</p> + +<p>As she sat there, she looked back to her girlhood's days. Her first +real trouble was when she was a happy careless schoolgirl of fifteen. +She was recalled from her boarding-school to her young mother's +death-bed. She had caught a severe chill which turned to pneumonia, and +after a few days' illness passed away, whispering in a breathless way +to her little daughter: "Take care of daddy."</p> + +<p>Orris had had eight years of sheltered life with her father, who was +a dreamy scholar, and lived in a world of books and manuscripts. He +was twenty years older than her mother, and died leaving his daughter +almost penniless.</p> + +<p>Her one brother was a Civil Servant in India. He came home on leave at +his father's death with his wife and child, and wanted Orris to go back +to India and make his house her home. This she refused to do. Venetia +and she had little in common. And she knew she would not be a welcome +visitor to her sister-in-law.</p> + +<p>Through an old school friend she obtained a post as assistant +manageress of a woman's club in London, and proved so capable and +dependable that, on the retirement of her friend, she was elected the +manageress, and had been there ever since.</p> + +<p>Trouble came again. Her brother was carried off suddenly by virulent +typhus, and his widow and child came home, where Orris did her best +to obtain some employment for her sister-in-law. But Venetia was +not a worker; she threw up everything after a few weeks' trial, and +eventually went out to the Riviera as travelling companion to a rich +young widow. She had drifted about on the Continent for two years. And +as Orris realized now that her small income had entirely disappeared, +it needed all her courage and buoyancy to face the future.</p> + +<p>"I think," she murmured to herself, with a smile breaking over her +face, "that my role is to be one of the world's caretakers. Better that +than stagnating in a lonely pool! And if Venetia may prove a difficult +problem, Pippa will be my greatest joy."</p> + +<p>And with this conclusion she went to bed. She had learnt already how to +grapple with difficulties and yet maintain a cheerful contented spirit.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>A week later she walked into her flat with a radiant face.</p> + +<p>It was nine o'clock in the evening. For a wonder Venetia was at home. +She was crouched over the fire reading a novel, and looked up at her +sister-in-law with discontented eyes.</p> + +<p>"What a time you've been! I've had a rotten day. I'm getting fed-up +with this cold fog and rain."</p> + +<p>"So sorry, dear! I was kept later than usual, for a Mrs. Calthrop +wanted to talk to me, and our talk was so engrossing that I did not +notice how the time was going. Such good news, Vennie! An open door, I +call it."</p> + +<p>Orris slipped off her fur coat and drew an easy-chair up to the fire.</p> + +<p>Venetia looked at her with a half-scornful curl of the lip.</p> + +<p>"You're easily pleased," she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I hope I am, but even you must acknowledge that this is what we +have been wanting. I had been telling one or two of the members that I +feared I would have to give up my post as I wanted to try for something +in the country, and Mrs. Calthrop had heard of it. I don't know if +you've heard me speak of her. She's a very energetic busy woman with an +only son—rather delicate. He has lately come into an old property quite +unexpectedly. He was secretary for some years to the owners of it. An +old man and his wife. Their name was Muir. The husband died about three +years ago, and the wife the end of last year. Young Calthrop had made +himself very useful to them both. And to everyone's astonishment, the +whole of the property has been left to him."</p> + +<p>"Do come to the point," said Venetia languidly. "I'm not interested in +these people."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you must be, because of what follows. Mrs. Calthrop is +anxious for her son to sell the whole of the library in the old house. +It is a very valuable one, but is in a state of hopeless confusion. The +death duties and taxes have rather crippled them this year, and she +wants to go to Algiers with him and travel a bit. Neither of them are +book lovers, but she knows I am. She knew my father many years ago, and +briefly her proposition is this: that I should go down and catalogue +and put the library into perfect order before it is put into the market +for sale. She wants a good price for it, and will get it, I expect. I +can't understand her being willing—or her son either—to part with such +a possession. But there it is! She offers me board and house room, says +I can take friends or relations with me, and offers me three pounds +a week. I think it will be a year's task. She means to be abroad for +about that time with her son, and says she would like me to take up my +quarters there till they return."</p> + +<p>"Does she boss the show? What is this son like? Not married, is he? I +should like to meet him."</p> + +<p>Venetia's interest was awakened. She lit a cigarette, and lay back in +her chair, thinking hard.</p> + +<p>"I think she is boss, if you ask me. I have only seen her son once, and +then he struck me as a good-looking effeminate creature. I believe one +of his lungs is affected. No, he is not married, I'm glad to think. +He's not your sort, Venetia."</p> + +<p>"My sort," said Venetia, taking her cigarette out of her mouth, and +watching the spiral of smoke ascend from her lips, "is anyone with +decent manners, and a good balance at his bank."</p> + +<p>"I don't fancy he has too big a balance at present, but I daresay later +on, he'll be all right. The house is charming, I believe, but rather in +the wilds. It is on the borders of Hampshire, on high ground, and is in +the pine district. Very healthy, she says. I was thinking what a chance +for Pippa!"</p> + +<p>"And what about me?"</p> + +<p>Orris looked at her sister-in-law with a good-humoured tolerance.</p> + +<p>"You must come with us and make the best of it. The salary, of course, +isn't much, but we can make it do, with board and lodging thrown in. In +two years' time Pippa will, we'll hope, be strong and robust. I believe +there are three or four good old servants left with the house, so we +shall be comfortable."</p> + +<p>"I conclude you have accepted the post?"</p> + +<p>"Not until I have talked it over with you. But we should be fools to +throw such a chance away. I am to let Mrs. Calthrop have my decision +to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>There was silence. Orris knew her sister-in-law well enough not to urge +her consent.</p> + +<p>And at last, Venetia spoke.</p> + +<p>"We can but try it. It will be good for the child. I think that I'll +let you take her down and settle in first. I've promised to pay the +Lucas-Seymours a visit the beginning of next month."</p> + +<p>"All right. I rather think I can get Mary Watson to come back to the +club for a bit. She resigned, you know, because her brother lost his +wife, and wanted her to look after his children, but the eldest is home +from school now, and she's not wanted in the same way. There will be a +lot to see to, but I shall try to sub-let this flat. I don't want to +store my bits of furniture."</p> + +<p>A busy time for Orris followed. Once having made a decision, she never +looked back. Her friends and a few relations objected to her leaving +town. Her cousin, Dugald McTavert, was one of these.</p> + +<p>"It's the height of folly turning yourself into a book grubber for such +a paltry screw, and burying yourself in a mouldy rat-eaten ruin for the +sake of a child who could be boarded out quite cheaply in any lodgings +or farm."</p> + +<p>"Well, now," said Orris, facing him gravely, "I always tell you that I +am led into pleasant pastures. I'm longing myself, after three years of +London turmoil, to breathe pure country air and live a quiet life. It +has come to me so easily and quickly that I simply look up, and give +thanks for it."</p> + +<p>"As you gave thanks for your job in town," said Dugald.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I did; and I've enjoyed all of it. I love my fellow-creatures, +and I've had some experience in dealing with them. And I won't say +that my brain hasn't benefited by my town life, and all the lectures +and music that I have enjoyed. But there's another side of me that I +have not cultivated. I've never had time to think—I won't use that +old-fashioned word, meditate—but I shall have time to browse amongst my +books, and have Nature around me."</p> + +<p>"Deadly dull, you'll become!"</p> + +<p>"Not I, with a child like Pippa to keep me young. She's alive to her +finger tips, and she's worth keeping in this world, Dugald. To let her +pine and die for lack of the right atmosphere would be pure murder!"</p> + +<p>"And Madame la Mère?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we must wait and see. She's willing to make the experiment, and +she will put in some visits when she's bored."</p> + +<p>"I'm a relation, so I'll look you up one weekend," Dugald announced.</p> + +<p>"My mouldy ruin won't interest you. I wish you could see the photo of +the house which Mrs. Calthrop showed me. It isn't anything near a ruin. +And the garden is a dream. But, of course, you can come and see us, if +you can tear yourself away from town."</p> + +<p>"You'll hail my advent with joy. You aren't made to live alone, +Orris, as you'll find to your cost. Your life has been pretty full of +acquaintances and friends these last few years, and it will be a big +drop down to one small child and a few country yokels! As for Madam +Parasite, she'll flee back to town after two days of it. Why, Calthrop +himself won't live there!"</p> + +<p>"It's his health," Orris said; "he was there for some years as +secretary."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he was preparing his habitation. Do you know that there's a +nephew of the old Muirs somewhere? Rather hard lines on him! A rolling +stone, I believe, couldn't stay at home, and they took offence, and +cut him out of the will. But people say Mrs. Calthrop is a powerful +personality; she was a cousin of the Muirs, was she not? She stayed a +good bit with them. The rotten part of it all is that the old people +left her son the property as he appreciated their library so. That is +mentioned in their will, and the first thing he does is to sell the +blooming concern!"</p> + +<p>"It isn't sold yet. How did you hear all this gossip?"</p> + +<p>"I looked up the will at Somerset House, and I've known Calthrop. He +belongs to my club. He's a nincompoop, and entirely under his mother's +thumb."</p> + +<p>"Well, they've been very good in giving me the job, and I'm not hearing +anything against them."</p> + +<p>"You and Pippa in a lone empty country house—ghosts perhaps! My dear +girl, you're taking a false step. Back out of it!"</p> + +<p>But Orris laughed at him and pursued her own way. And at last, her +affairs were settled, and one grey day towards the end of March, she +and Pippa and the Italian maid started from Waterloo for their new home.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_2">CHAPTER II</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>THE OLD HOUSE</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>"NOW, my Pippa, wake up! We are going to get out."</p> + +<p>The child had been wildly excited for the first half of the journey. +Her tongue and limbs were in perpetual motion. Climbing up and down +on the seat to see out of the window, putting her head out of it when +she had a chance, peeping out in the corridor and addressing every one +she saw out there, planting her Teddy bear in all sorts of impossible +positions, and chatting ceaselessly to Anita and her aunt. Orris was +very thankful when, after a substantial lunch had been eaten, Pippa +grew quieter, pillowed her head against her aunt's shoulder, and +finally dropped into a sound sleep, which lasted till they arrived at +their destination. Orris had started on her journey early in the day, +as she wanted to arrive before dark; and now, as they gathered up their +belongings and followed the porter out into the road, bright golden +sunshine greeted them. A shabby old private omnibus was waiting for +them.</p> + +<p>The Muirs had been far too old-fashioned to start a car. Their carriage +and horses had been sold. The 'bus was the only vehicle that occupied +the roomy coach-house and the old cob started off now at a pace +somewhere between a walk and a trot. Orris sat back and regarded the +country road with some interest. Pippa had hardly recovered from her +sleep, so was silent. Steadily they wound round, up-hill all the way. +The air got keener and fresher.</p> + +<p>Then they reached the busy little market town of Spenbury on the +top of the hill; they jogged along the cobbled streets, past an old +square-towered church, a covered market-place and a long row of shops, +and then long rows of pines appeared on either side of them. The sun +was setting now, and sank like a red ball of fire through the slender +stems of the pines. Pippa caught a glance of it and was roused at once.</p> + +<p>"How does the sun know to the very right minute when he has to go +to bed, Aunt Ollie? I wish he'd forget to-night and not go quite so +punctil. I don't like roads when they're dark, do you?"</p> + +<p>"We shall be home before dark, darling. I think we are only three miles +out of the town which we have passed already. Can you smell the pines, +Pippa? I think they are my favourite trees."</p> + +<p>Pippa did a good deal of sniffing, and then announced—</p> + +<p>"I smell kittens in the straw."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed.</p> + +<p>"You mean you smell straw. I think the 'bus has a stable smell, musty +and fusty—but not kittens."</p> + +<p>"Our kittens in Cannes were 'always' in straw," said Pippa firmly.</p> + +<p>They were climbing another hill now, and then crossed a wild bit of +heath. At last some big iron gates appeared, and a high wall on either +side of them. There was a little lodge inside, and the gates were +opened by a woman. Pippa kissed her hand to her in her friendly little +way. The drive was bordered with thick masses of evergreen, but in a +very few minutes they came upon a square substantial old stone house, +with a low wing on each side of it covered with ivy.</p> + +<p>"Look, look! There are candles in the windows!" cried Pippa.</p> + +<p>But it was only the reflection of the red shining sun, and Orris smiled +at her small niece.</p> + +<p>"It's just kissing the house good-night before it goes to sleep, Pippa. +We are here at last. Isn't it a dear old house?"</p> + +<p>"It's 'rather' like a castle," said the child.</p> + +<p>They ascended some broad stone steps and the door was opened promptly +by an awkward-looking youth. A wide hall confronted them. At the +farther end, there was a wide fireplace with a blazing log fire. An +old oak staircase rose from the middle of the hall. There were no +stair carpets or rugs, and Orris shivered a little as she stood on +the black-and-white flagged floor. Then, with a little bustle and +importance, an elderly servant came forward to greet them.</p> + +<p>"Good evening, ma'am. Mrs. Calthrop will doubtless have told you that +I am cook-housekeeper here. Mrs. Snow is my name. Twenty-seven years +I've lived here. She's asked me to make you comfortable whilst you are +here. I've prepared the old nurseries for the little lady; they're in +the west wing over the library, and, thinking she might be lonely, I've +given you the big bedroom close to her. But you can take your choice +to-morrow. I thought you'd like to be over the library, but I'll have +you moved into one of the south rooms, if you prefer it. Now, Dan, what +are you staring at? Get the luggage in 'at once!'"</p> + +<p>From a very gentle suave voice, Mrs. Snow turned into a perfect virago +as she glared at the unfortunate youth. Then she added in an aside to +Orris:</p> + +<p>"These country boys are impossible to train. I remember the time when +a butler and three footmen were in our service. Now I am running the +house with a tweeny and a housemaid and this lout who is supposed to +do the parlour work. Of course, I have been by myself for a couple of +months now. Mrs. Calthrop finds it dull, but I'm hoping she'll settle +in before long. When they've travelled a bit she tells me they mean to +come home."</p> + +<p>Orris smiled pleasantly at the talkative woman.</p> + +<p>"I expect the nursery wing will suit us perfectly. Shall we follow you?"</p> + +<p>Up the broad shallow oak stairs, then along a corridor, through a green +baize door, and then they were ushered into a big square room which +faced the setting sun. Pippa scampered about immediately, peeping into +everything. It was plainly but comfortably furnished—a stout oak table +in the middle of the room, a couple of easy-chairs, an oak chest, a big +cupboard in the wall, and a bookcase with some very shabby books on the +shelves. A few chairs, an old roomy couch, and a faded Turkey carpet +completed the furnishing. Some coloured prints were on the walls, one +descriptive of the Battle of Waterloo, the others chiefly ships. A +bright fire was blazing in the grate.</p> + +<p>"It isn't damp," said Mrs. Snow; "I've had fires for the past week in +all the rooms. It's a long time since they've been used, but I pride +myself on keeping the house free from damp. There are two big bedrooms +beyond this—one leads out of it."</p> + +<p>Orris found all quite satisfactory. She arranged that Pippa, with +Anita, should sleep in the night nursery, and she took the other +bedroom farther down the passage. The outlook of all the rooms was over +a big lawn, with a cedar tree in the middle of it. Beyond were slopes +of wild moor and pine woods.</p> + +<p>Later on, when Orris and her small niece sat down to a comfortable +well-served supper, in what Mrs. Snow called the morning-room +downstairs, Orris said to the child:</p> + +<p>"Well, Pippa, we've fallen on our feet. I think, if you and I can't +make ourselves happy here, we shall deserve to be hung and quartered!"</p> + +<p>Pippa laughed merrily.</p> + +<p>"I think it's a fairy-palace, Aunt Ollie. I shall play hide-and-seek +all over it. Why, I can run my hoop along the passages, they're so +never-ending!"</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>In a few days, they had settled down. The big dining-room and +drawing-room remained shut up, as also was the smoking-room. Orris made +the small morning-room her sitting-room, and had her meals there. Pippa +shared breakfast and lunch with her, but she had her tea and supper in +the nursery. Anita, a wonderfully adaptable, good-tempered girl, seemed +perfectly content with her surroundings, and Orris started work at once +in the old library.</p> + +<p>It was the room she loved best in the house. It was in the west wing of +the house and was fifty feet long with six great windows all reaching +to the floor. Every available inch of wall was packed with shelves and +books, most of them with glass doors to preserve them.</p> + +<p>Her favourite position was at the big writing-table drawn up between +the two centre windows. She looked out over a wide stretch of country, +with blue hills in the distance, and sometimes she would drop her +catalogue and MSS., and, leaning her elbows on the table and cupping +her chin in her hands, would gaze out dreamily over the fields and pine +woods and wide expanse of sky. She had the inherited scholarly love +for ancient books, but she had also a poet's and an artist's soul. And +sometimes she would spring up from her chair and dash out of one of the +half-open windows to join her small niece in her play upon the lawn.</p> + +<p>Pippa was a very busy little person, and everything that came to hand +was thoroughly investigated. Before she had been there a week, she +knew the family histories of the servants indoors and out. The cows +and pigs and fowls were all individuals to her with characteristics of +their own. The trees and shrubs were objects of her interest. She never +rested till she knew the names of all, and Randall, the old gardener, +would push up his hat and scratch his head, as he was questioned by the +eager child.</p> + +<p>"Ay, dearie me! 'Tis the Lord A'mighty Himself ye must question when it +comes to why one tree beareth fruit, and another nought. But they all +bear seed to carry on. And that's the business they were given to do."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I'm quite certain God doesn't want you to be cutting the +darling daisies and the dandelions when they come up," she retorted, +shaking her curly head disapprovingly; "and that's what you say you do +always."</p> + +<p>"The A'mighty teached the first gardener, missy. And everythink I do is +right; you just think on that."</p> + +<p>Pippa was quenched. She stared at the old man with her far-seeing eyes.</p> + +<p>"And how many gardeners afore you?" she demanded.</p> + +<p>Randall trundled his barrow away out of her reach, muttering, as he did +so:</p> + +<p>"'Tis the tongue of a female, sure enough, small though she be!"</p> + +<p>To Pippa the garden was fairyland. There were winding walks through +shrubberies, and a sunk water-garden with a fountain in the middle +playing over the Cupids. Pippa called them angels. There was a +summer-house at the end of a broad terrace walk, which was under a +pergola of beautiful creepers, and there was an old walled fruit and +vegetable garden, with mossy paths and box borders. But she would +cheerfully leave all these attractions for a walk with her aunt through +the pine woods.</p> + +<p>Orris loved taking her into the woods. She and Pippa would make a +little fire of cones and needles, and sit by it, watching the blue +smoke rise into the sky, and inhaling the sweet aromatic fragrance of +the pines.</p> + +<p>There was no village near them, only a small hamlet of houses. The +church and village of Veddon Weal was a mile away; their nearest +neighbours were the labourers' families who worked on the farm +adjoining the house. The postman, who was the local carpenter, occupied +the biggest cottage, and the schoolmaster and organist lived in an old +toll-house on the high road.</p> + +<p>Orris began to feel that Venetia would not stand the isolation of the +place, but she enjoyed it; and Pippa's cheeks grew round and rosy, and +her appetite increased in a marvellous fashion.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Snow soon enlightened Orris as regards her neighbours.</p> + +<p>"We've got a pleasant Rector, but his wife gives herself airs, and only +visits the county. The Rector has a sister who's little more than a +drudge in the house. She's rather a poor hand at visiting, seems too +shy to get out her words. The only big house near this is the manor, +and belongs to a writer. They say he has a big name in London, but his +books are too clever for most of us. He lives in it quite alone, and +goes abroad every winter. He's away now. Then there's the two Misses +Dashwood. They live next the rectory in a cottage belonging to the +Rector. But I don't think you will be troubled with visitors."</p> + +<p>"I don't want them," said Orris, with her happy laugh. "I haven't +come here to enjoy society, but just to do my job, and enjoy this +exhilarating air. I've never lived eight hundred feet above sea-level +in my life before. It makes me feel quite skittish!"</p> + +<p>She had a feeling that Mrs. Snow did not approve of her light-hearted +ways. The good woman seemed to have no humour, and would listen to +Pippa's astounding assertions with a solid expressionless face.</p> + +<p>"Do you like being tickled, Mrs. Snow?" Pippa asked her one day, +when she met her on the stairs. "I'm very fond of tickling persons, +'specially cats.</p> + +<p>"We had a cat who always lay on her back and held up her arms to be +tickled, she loved it so," Pippa continued.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I can't be a cat to oblige you," was Mrs. Snow's stiff +response. And then she passed on.</p> + +<p>And Pippa gazed after her wistfully. She felt sorry for people who did +not want to talk to her.</p> + +<p>She was more successful with John Tinker, the postman.</p> + +<p>She very often ran down the drive to meet him, for he did not arrive +till after she had had her breakfast.</p> + +<p>"You're my favrit person outside the house," she informed him. "I'm +always expectin' letters from my mummy. You're like a everyday Father +Chris'mas. You bring us surprises, and we never are quite sure what."</p> + +<p>"Ay, missy, I be a pretty powerful sort o' person," responded John. +"I often thinks much the same meself. There's nobody, not the king +hisself, that holds so many messages o' life and death in his hands. I +brings joy and wealth to some folks, and mourning and woe to others."</p> + +<p>It was not long before Pippa visited him in his cottage, where he +introduced her to his old mother, a comfortable smiling dame of seventy +years. Here Pippa made herself completely at home; she helped Mrs. +Tinker to iron, to bake cakes, to weed her small garden, and when not +with her, she was to be found with John in his workshop watching him +work with the greatest interest, collecting his wood shavings—or curls +as she called them—and very often coming home with a bunch on each side +of her small head, tumbling over her ears.</p> + +<p>She also collected a good deal of local gossip. Orris sometimes +reproved her for repeating things.</p> + +<p>"But I'm so 'normously interested, Aunt Ollie; I like to know every +bit about everybody. If John could only get a proper car, he'd take me +round with his letters, but his cycle will only hold him and his bags. +And there's one house he goes to that has a myst'ry."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, childie."</p> + +<p>"It isn't nonsense, Aunt Ollie. Listen! It's a very very old house +called Ivy Towers. You can see nothing but ivy, and just bits of +windows, and some windows are covered right over, and always, always, +always, something happens in that house, and nobody ever lives there +over three years."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed.</p> + +<p>"Things happen, as you call it, to us all, darling. John is an old +gossip."</p> + +<p>But Pippa was too much in earnest to feel snubbed.</p> + +<p>"They die, and they have naxidents, and they lose their money. And it's +been empty for a very long time, and now peoples are coming into it, +and John says they'll have bad luck."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed again. She was not much interested in her neighbours. The +library was beginning to engross her life and thoughts. Orris was a +true scholar's daughter. She inherited her father's love for books and +she dipped into old philosophers' treatises with as much zest as a girl +shows over her first novel.</p> + +<p>One afternoon she walked over to the village to interview the village +laundress. On the way she met two ladies. One of them was vainly trying +to reach a bit of flowering palm in the hedge. Being a good head taller +than she, Orris came to her help. She was cordially thanked for her +services.</p> + +<p>"How very kind of you! My sister and I are always bringing home spoils +from the hedges. Now I wonder if I may ask if you are at Pinestones? +And if so, would you—may I call?"</p> + +<p>"I shall be delighted," said Orris, smiling. "It is a lonely life after +London, but I am too busy to be dull. I expect you are the Misses +Dashwood. Mrs. Snow has mentioned your names."</p> + +<p>She glanced at the sisters as she spoke. The eldest and most active was +rather a striking looking woman—grey-haired, with dark vivacious eyes +and bright colouring. She was very upright and quick in her movements. +The younger one was fair and pale and fretful-looking.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are the Misses Dashwood—I am Louisa, and my sister is Grace. +It is a quiet life here, as you say. I lived in London for thirty years +before I came here. We have been in our little cottage over seven years +now, and are very happy there."</p> + +<p>They turned back with her towards the village, and before they reached +it, Orris felt that she had made a friend. Miss Louisa Dashwood was a +clever cultured woman, had been principal of a ladies' college for some +years, and had taken part in many philanthropic objects after she had +retired. Orris wondered how she could have come to the country. But she +gathered that it was for her sister's sake. Miss Grace said little, and +when she spoke her voice was plaintive and complaining.</p> + +<p>"There is no Society, and no Squire since Mr. Muir died, and the Rector +is absorbed in botany and in his parish. We just vegetate, and talk +about the butcher's wife and her delicacy, and the cobbler's truant +son, and the uppishness of our servant-maids."</p> + +<p>"I think we are happy in having neighbours to talk about," said Miss +Louisa cheerily.</p> + +<p>Then, coming to their cottage, a little grey stone building covered +with creepers, they parted with Orris, Miss Louisa promising to come +and see her in a very few days.</p> + +<p>This she did. Her sister did not accompany her. As they sat in the +pleasant library together, their talk became rather intimate.</p> + +<p>"Do you ever look back and think how wonderful your life has been?" +Miss Louisa asked. "Of course, you are young, but even you have had +your environment changed once or twice, I expect."</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Orris. "I have had rather a full life up to now. I +think it has always been my lot to have others to think about, and that +is a blessing, is it not?"</p> + +<p>Miss Louisa's eyes sparkled.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it has its dangers. I have had luxury and hard work, and now +I have comparative ease, combined with poverty. I felt leaving my work +in London, but I've been put into another class, I tell myself. You +know 'doing' is sometimes an easier thing than 'being.' Do you follow +me? We are too busy sometimes with what we call good works and charity +to remember the charity of our Bible."</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Orris.</p> + +<p>"The perfecting of our personal character. Workers are apt to be very +slipshod over virtues. They're easily puffed up, easily provoked, very +overbearing and intolerant, too sure of their own powers, too severe +on others' failings. They don't shine in their home life. I have been +made to see this. I've worked and tried to form character in others; +now I find hard work in moulding my own according to the pattern on the +Mount! What a prosy person you must think me."</p> + +<p>Orris did not think her so. She was intensely interested. And when Mrs. +Snow gave her a few more details about the sisters, she was still more +so.</p> + +<p>"The eldest Miss Dashwood is a proper saint. Her sister, Miss Grace, +has fits of epilepsy, and at best she's a discontented soul. Miss +Louisa gave up all her work in London, and came to live with her sister +when their mother died. I know all about them, for my niece has lived +with them these four years or so. Miss Grace fair bullies her sister. +She's her willing slave. If she goes out in the afternoon to anything +sociable like, and Miss Grace is too ailing to go, Miss Grace cries +like a child all the time she's away, and tells her sister when she +comes back that she neglects her and doesn't love her, and goes on at +her terrible. And Miss Louisa is always bright and cheerful; my niece +says 'tis a pleasure to be near her."</p> + +<p>"Do they ever come here?" Orris asked. "Does Mrs. Calthrop know them?"</p> + +<p>"They're on visiting terms." Then Mrs. Snow slightly changed her tone. +"Of course, they'll not be visiting here now. Not till the mistress +returns."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed her merry laugh. Mrs. Snow's snubs did not affect her in +the least.</p> + +<p>"You want to keep me in my place, don't you? I assure you I'm much +too busy to want visitors. But I have already made Miss Dashwood's +acquaintance, and we may see more of each other."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure," murmured Mrs. Snow, "I meant nothing slighting." And then +she hastily made herself scarce, and Orris laughed again.</p> + +<p>"Poor old thing! I suppose she has a supreme contempt for any lady who +earns her living. She's a thorough Early Victorian old retainer."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_3">CHAPTER III</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>WHAT A CUPBOARD CONTAINED</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>THE day had been wet and cheerless. Orris had hardly moved from her +chair in the library, except to go to and fro between her big table and +the bookcase. She had seen Pippa at mealtimes, but the child was much +engrossed in turning a big wooden box into a dolls' house. Anita was +helping her, and with her clever fingers was making a very good job of +it.</p> + +<p>The Rector appeared at tea-time. It was his first call, and Orris found +him a very pleasant visitor.</p> + +<p>When he departed, she accompanied him to the hall door, and for a +moment looked over the wide vista of dusky fields and pine woods, and +above them a pale lemon sky. The rain had stopped. The sun was having +his innings for a few brief moments before he finally disappeared. +Orris stood with parted lips breathing in the fresh pure air, and +enjoying it as she did so. Then she suddenly bethought herself of +Pippa, who usually came to her at this hour. Leisurely she mounted the +broad oak steps, calling "Pippa! Pippa, come along, my sweet!"</p> + +<p>There was no sudden rush of flying footsteps; no response to her call. +She hastened her steps. Pippa very quiet, meant Pippa in mischief, and +when she found the nursery door locked, she shook her head.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Pippa," she cried, "you must never lock me out. Open the door at +once."</p> + +<p>There was a fumbling of the lock, and Pippa appeared, with big +mysterious eyes.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, darling? Why are you locked in alone?"</p> + +<p>Pippa retreated to the hearthrug, where she stood dancing up and down +on her toes with clasped hands and big open eyes and mouth.</p> + +<p>"Nita is at her tea. I've been enjoying myself 'normously."</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad. What's up, you monkey? You had better confess."</p> + +<p>Pippa smiled tremulously, then pursed her lips primly together.</p> + +<p>"It's a secret, Aunt Ollie."</p> + +<p>Orris stood still and waited. Pippa's secrets were never of long +duration. It was a question of patience.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly the child darted to the big hanging cupboard at the end +of the room.</p> + +<p>"I've got a man here," she cried triumphantly; and then she flung open +the door. "And he isn't a buggler!" she added.</p> + +<p>Orris had occasion to be startled when a tall figure appeared +from behind Pippa's dressing-gown and coats and confronted her. +He was dressed in a rough tweed shooting suit, had a lean, rather +pleasant-looking face, very broad shoulders, and was unmistakably a +gentleman.</p> + +<p>"You little traitor!" he said, turning to Pippa. "A nice keeper of +secrets you are!"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't! It just bursted right through me," said Pippa contritely.</p> + +<p>The man looked so crestfallen, and the child so proudly elate, that +Orris, after gazing helplessly at them both, surprised herself and them +by a mellow peal of laughter.</p> + +<p>"I can't help it," she gasped. "They say laughter is caused by sudden +surprise. Will you give me some explanation of this extraordinary +proceeding on your part?" She turned to the stranger as she spoke.</p> + +<p>He did not look in the least uncomfortable, but drew forward an easy +chair for her near the fire, and got hold of another for himself.</p> + +<p>"Let us all sit down and be comfortable," he said; "there's no reason +why we should not be. And then I'll tell you all, and anything you +would like to know. It begins and ends with Snuffy, the person you +call Mrs. Snow. I've always called her Snuffy, because as a small kid, +she was perpetually saying to me, 'That's enough—that's enough, Master +Jock.' It soon becomes 'snuff' if you say it fast enough!"</p> + +<p>He was turning to Pippa now, who was regarding him with admiring eyes.</p> + +<p>"The first question I would like to ask is, how did you get here?" said +Orris gravely.</p> + +<p>She resented his light gay manner, though light was dawning upon her as +to his identity.</p> + +<p>"Snuffy refused me admittance this morning. And that put my back up."</p> + +<p>"Oh, let me tell her," interrupted Pippa. "It was so 'lovely,' Aunt +Ollie! He came climbing up my wall, and looked in at the window, like +the prince in my fairy-book does to the lovely princess shut up in her +tower. And I opened the window a teeny bit and said:</p> + +<p>"'Are you a prince?' And he said, 'I see you're a princess.' So then +o' course he came in, and he sat down on the floor and told me a story +about a alligator and him on the other side of the world. And then we +heard you calling, and he said he must be hid, or he would shock you, +so I hid him."</p> + +<p>The man laughed.</p> + +<p>"That's that!" he said. "Just in a nutshell. I spent the first half +of my life here, and I was furious when Snuffy kept up her old grudge +against me, and shut me out. I wasn't aware that the old nursery was +inhabited till I climbed up and saw the light. I meant to go downstairs +decorously, and confront Snuffy again on the inside of the door, and +insist upon being presented to the lady in possession."</p> + +<p>"That is hardly my role," said Orris quietly. "Pippa and I are birds of +passage. You must be old Miss Muir's nephew, who went abroad."</p> + +<p>"The scamp and blackguard and ne'er-do-weel. Don't I look it? Isn't +scrambling up the old ivy roots and frightening an innocent babe just +what is expected of such a character?"</p> + +<p>"But I wasn't frightened. You couldn't frighten me," said Pippa, +darting forward and perching herself on his knee. "I knewed you weren't +a buggler; you told me so."</p> + +<p>"I'm a bad hat," the stranger said, but his hand caressed the curly +head.</p> + +<p>And Orris, looking at him calmly and critically, liked him on the spot. +He had humorous, kindly grey eyes, and his face, though tanned and +weather-worn, had no signs of dissipation; he looked as if he had lived +out-of-doors by night and day. His lips and chin were determined, and +he had, for a man, a peculiarly sweet smile.</p> + +<p>"Cousin Letitia," he went on; "or Mrs. Calthrop, as you know her, left +orders with Snuffy that in her absence I was not to be admitted to the +house. She guessed I would come racing over the ocean when my poor aunt +departed this life, but why she should grudge me a sight of the old +place I don't know. I hear her son has been left everything—so virtue +is rewarded. How he stuck to the old library! And oh, how he hated it!"</p> + +<p>Orris looked up questioningly.</p> + +<p>"Did he attempt my job?"</p> + +<p>"My dear Miss Bright Eyes—I don't know your name, so have coined one +for you—my uncle and aunt were simply demented over their library. +Personally they did not care for books, but a neighbour, a Mr. +Dunscombe, on one unfortunate occasion told them that they possessed +an untold mine of wealth in their books. He is a writer himself, and +wanted to avail himself of several books of reference.</p> + +<p>"About two hundred years ago, the Muirs came from Scotland and settled +here, and they bought the old library with the house. It had belonged +to some Charter-houses for many generations, but the family had died +out. The books were in hopeless confusion. I suppose you see that. So +my uncle began to make a catalogue. He had no gift for languages, and +when he saw Persian, Chinese, Italian, and ancient Egyptian scripts, he +gave it up in despair.</p> + +<p>"Then I was called into the breach. I had been to Oxford, and had +slipped through my term there fairly creditably, so of course I was +the one to do it. I was set down in that dry and dusty library, and +expected to work seven or eight hours a day. A perfect catalogue must +be made and I was to do it. I stuck it for seven months, and then I +struck. There was a row! I decamped for a time, and wandered over the +Continent for a few years, till my uncle died.</p> + +<p>"Then I came home and was received by my aunt with open arms, but +Cousin Letitia and son had come to share her loneliness, and dear +Edmund had accepted the post as librarian. I did not somehow fit in. +I discovered Edmund making away with some valuable old MSS. He parted +with them to a Jewish bookseller in town—a man I happened to have had +some dealings with, when I was home before. I promptly exposed him—very +impulsive and rash! Cousin Letitia never forgave me. My aunt was +slipping under her powerful and persuasive personality. Snuffy likewise +succumbed to it. She and I never could hit it off. From a boy I had +teased her, and she cannot understand or take a joke. I expect you've +found that out, haven't you?</p> + +<p>"Well, there was nothing for me to do. I wanted to take over the home +farm, that would have been a job after my own heart! But my aunt would +not hear of it. It was a divided camp—secretly my aunt favoured me, but +she was timid, and had not the courage of her convictions. And a man +has no chance against a clever woman's tongue. I don't know to this day +how it was my aunt was poisoned against me, but I saw, though the house +had been my home since I was three years old, it was to be my home no +longer.</p> + +<p>"So, to cut a long story short, I said good-bye to them all, and went +off to New Zealand. For ten years I have been farming there, and now +I come back to find her gone, and my cousin in possession. No, I am +wrong; it is you and this wee elf in possession. Let me warn you +against expending your health and strength among those books. It will +be the work of a life-time to get them in proper order. And if they +mean to sell the whole, just sort the books into lots—according to the +language—" He paused for breath.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do talk to me now," pleaded Pippa. "Will you take me down to the +stream to-morrow, where you used to catch the little frogs?"</p> + +<p>"What does your aunt say? Is she going to be friendly with me?" His +eyes met Orris's grave scrutiny with great composure. "I really have +no black deeds on my conscience. I have just been a hard-working +farmer. You can't be a villain if you love the earth as I do. It is +men and cities who make criminals. And I am staying with Dunscombe. +He and I came back in the same boat part of the way. I only landed at +Southampton three days ago. And Burton, my aunt's lawyer, was the one +who has given me the news."</p> + +<p>"Were you expecting to come into this property yourself?"</p> + +<p>He smiled.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't a shock to me to find the cousins first. I believe my aunt +thought I had gone to the bad. I used to write occasionally, but I +never had a line from her."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Aunt Ollie, I think he's a 'dear' man," cried Pippa, not +understanding all the conversation, but gathering from Orris's face +that she was rather doubtful of the stranger. "Do have his bed made up +in one of the big empty rooms. Mummy would love to see him, and she's +coming very soon."</p> + +<p>Orris could not help laughing, and Jock Muir joined her.</p> + +<p>"That's right," he said. "Now we're all friends, and we'll just go +down and confront Snuffy, and then I'll get back to my host. She must +understand that your friends are not to be shut out."</p> + +<p>"I don't see what right she has to keep 'you' out," said Orris.</p> + +<p>And then there was a slight cough outside the door, and the person +under discussion appeared.</p> + +<p>To say she was startled is too mild a way of putting it. She was +dumbfounded.</p> + +<p>"I thought it might be the Rector," she explained. "I heard a man's +voice, and I could not understand how he had come upstairs."</p> + +<p>"And you little thought to see me, Snuffy! But here I am, completely +at home, as you see, and very interested in the present inmates of +Pinestones."</p> + +<p>Orris pitied Mrs. Snow's confusion.</p> + +<p>"I know all about Mr. Muir," she said to her; "and I really do not +think Mrs. Calthrop would wish you to shut the door in his face. As +he is staying in the neighbourhood, it is only natural that he should +give you a call. Mrs. Calthrop told me I should be free to receive any +visitors, so I am sure you will admit him next time he comes."</p> + +<p>"I won't run away with any of the plate, Snuffy, I assure you. But I +think I can claim my two cricket cups on the dining-room sideboard, and +there's that trunk of mine in the attic. I shall have to overhaul that."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Snow drew herself up to her full height as she replied:</p> + +<p>"I am responsible to Mrs. Calthrop now, Master Jock. I am in her +service, and, difficult as it may be, I try to carry out her orders. +I will have your belongings sent to your present address, sir, if you +will give it to me."</p> + +<p>"I'm staying at the Manor," said Jock good-humouredly. "I won't be +hard on you, Snuffy, for it's good for you that you can transfer your +allegiance so thoroughly. I am here because I determined to be here, +and when it comes to a pitched battle between us, I generally come off +victor. But I shan't trouble you much—not at present. After all, it may +be the house that you care most for. The inhabitants are regarded by +you as useful in helping you to stay on."</p> + +<p>Then he stood up and held out his hand to Orris, whilst Mrs. Snow beat +a retreat without another word.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye. We shall meet again. I seem to have taken up all the time in +pouring out my life's history to you. Can't think why I did it. I'm not +generally so communicative."</p> + +<p>"I've been very interested, and I am entirely sympathetic," said Orris, +wincing at the strength in his grip.</p> + +<p>"Oh," cried Pippa, "will you climb up into my nursery another day?"</p> + +<p>He shook his head.</p> + +<p>"My legs are not so agile as they were. I thought nothing of it as a +boy, but we shall see a lot of each other, little elf. And we won't let +Snuffy get the better of us."</p> + +<p>He strode out of the room, and down the stairs. Pippa ran after him, +and kissed her hand to him from the corridor above.</p> + +<p>"I wiss you would stay and go to bed here," she cried. "But you're my +friend now for evermore, and I'll tell God in my prayers to-night that +if Mrs. Snuffy locks you out-of-doors again, He had better send His +Angel to open it without a key, like He did for Peter."</p> + +<p>Then she came back to her aunt and stood in front of her, looking up +into her face with her mischievous eyes.</p> + +<p>"Auntie Ollie, he is a 'darling' man! Nobody has ever climbed up into a +window where I was before. Wasn't it quite a 'venture?"</p> + +<p>"It was, most assuredly, Pippa. But I wouldn't advise you to welcome +and harbour 'any' strange man who climbs in at a window."</p> + +<p>"No, I wouldn't," said Pippa thoughtfully; "not if he had a red nose +and was dirty. When do you think he'll come and see us again?"</p> + +<p>"We won't think any more about him. Now, won't you let me have a look +at this wonderful dolls' house?"</p> + +<p>Pippa danced back to her nursery. For a time her thoughts were turned +into another channel, until her prayer-time came.</p> + +<p>Her aunt, who always came to her for that occasion, was sitting in the +low chair by the nursery fire, and Pippa in her blue dressing-gown was +kneeling by her and with bent head and clasped hands was murmuring her +usual formula in the most angelic voice. She very often made startling +postscripts to her prayers, so Orris was not surprised at her sudden +energetic appeal.</p> + +<p>"And oh, please, God, bless my dear man, and make Aunt Ollie love him +as much as I do, and ask him to a tea-party very soon. And never, never +let Mrs. Snuffy get the better of us." Then she jumped up. "He said she +shouldn't, you know, Aunt Ollie, but I think God had better help us, +hadn't He? Because she thinks the house belongs to her more than to us."</p> + +<p>"And I think she is right, for it is her home, and we are here only for +a time. But, my darling, you mustn't call her Mrs. Snuffy; she would be +very angry if she heard you. And I don't like angry people. I want to +live in peace."</p> + +<p>"I won't to her face," said Pippa earnestly. Then she scrambled into +bed. "He's rather like a grown-up Peter Pan, isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Go to sleep and forget him," said Orris, kissing the little upturned +face.</p> + +<p>But she herself found her mind full of Jock Muir. She wondered that +there had been so little bitterness in his tone when telling her how, +quietly and thoroughly he had been defrauded of his home.</p> + +<p>"He is either the most clever dissembler or the most angelic of men. I +wonder which he is," she mused. "And why should he torture himself by +staying in the neighbourhood, and subjecting himself to the ignominy +of being shut out of his rightful property by a housekeeper? I can't +understand it. Well, it is none of my business. I must occupy myself +with books and not men."</p> + +<p>She worked with extra vigour for the next few days, and though sunshine +streamed in upon her, and birds trilled out their love-songs outside +the library window and Pippa more than once danced in upon her with +coaxing requests to come out to play, Orris shook her head and fingered +her old leather books in a determined way.</p> + +<p>"I'm here to work, and work I must. The history of this old house, and +the different members of the family have nothing to do with me, except +that I am in Mrs. Calthrop's pay, and am bound to work for her."</p> + +<p>And then one morning, when she entered the room, prepared to begin her +work, she was startled to see a tall figure sitting lazily on the low +broad window-sill close to her desk. The window was open, and Jock Muir +was coolly smoking his pipe, one leg inside the window, the other out.</p> + +<p>When he saw her come in, he took out his pipe, slipped one leg over, +and stood outside on the grass, giving her a little courteous bow, and +a flush of amused recognition in his grey eyes.</p> + +<p>"Good morning. I've been waiting for you. How are you getting on?"</p> + +<p>"Slowly. I long for more knowledge—especially about Persian and Indian +books. I wish I knew some scholar who could help me."</p> + +<p>"Dunscombe could. He's been ransacking Persia for copy quite lately."</p> + +<p>He had resumed his seat on the window-sill, and Orris sank into +her chair with a helpless feeling that she could not prevent this +interruption.</p> + +<p>"Is he the friend you are staying with? The author?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I'll bring him over—or—we won't offend Snuffy's extreme +conscientiousness—suppose you come to tea with us to-morrow afternoon? +Four o'clock, and bring the elf."</p> + +<p>"You are startlingly unconventional. Can I walk into a stranger's house +an uninvited guest?"</p> + +<p>"I thought I had given you an invitation. Hang it all, Miss Bright +Eyes, Dunscombe and I have knocked about in the world too much to stand +on ceremony. If you want help, he's the man to help you."</p> + +<p>"My name, Mr. Muir, is Orris Coventry."</p> + +<p>He smiled at her.</p> + +<p>"Thank you. I'm a very independent person, eh? What do you think of the +house? Rather mouldy, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I really have not been over it. My small niece has been into all the +rooms that she dares. Mrs. Snow has a good many locked up, and she does +not consider that we should take liberties, or explore farther than our +own wing, and the rooms apportioned to us there."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she's a Tartar. Don't let her bully you. I must come and show the +elf the powder-room. She will love it. Do you approve of these huge old +houses being kept up for the sole benefit of one or two people?"</p> + +<p>"They are many of them historic," said Orris. "I personally love old +places. The atmosphere is perfectly different to a newly built house."</p> + +<p>"One of the Georges stayed here once. I think that's the only bit of +history Pinestones has. When I was a boy, I had many wild dreams of +what I would do here when I grew up. You see they always told me I +should inherit it. I was going to turn the east wing into an almshouse +for all the old servants and workpeople, and the west wing into a +cottage hospital for the sick children—that's the nursery wing where +you are, and then I was going to live in the middle part of it myself, +and rule them all, old and young, with a rod of iron."</p> + +<p>"What a nice boy you must have been!"</p> + +<p>"I was imbued with the idea that I had been put into the world to do +my fellow-creatures a good turn. I had a tutor who talked to me in +that style. And what a boy learns when he is seven or eight, he never +forgets! But," he added with his flashing smile, "I did not grow up a +prig, strange to say! It was the other way about. And for a long time +now I've just lived for myself. I have nobody else to live for, or +consider."</p> + +<p>Orris looked at him thoughtfully, but did not speak.</p> + +<p>He went on:</p> + +<p>"But I must be doing. Stagnation is too boring for words. I've had a +pretty strenuous life on the other side of the ocean. I'd rather break +stones on the road than sit in an armchair with a pipe and book all +day!"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you will return to your work, then?" Orris asked.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it. Have sold my land and cattle. No. I'm in the +mother-country for good or ill."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you must have sold thinking yourself the heir to this?"</p> + +<p>He nodded.</p> + +<p>"I meant to come back and have a busy time farming my own land. +Out-of-door work is the life for me. I love the earth and all that it +contains! You know the Home Farm here is going to pot! My old aunt +ought to have replaced Nat Thane when he died, instead of letting his +lazy son step into his shoes. If I were master here, I would buy up the +adjoining farm, which is getting too much for old Preston—he's between +eighty and ninety—and work the two together.</p> + +<p>"Have you been over to Preston's farm? The house is my idea of a home. +You talk of atmosphere. For a cheery happy one, give me Lilac Farm. As +a small boy, I was always made welcome to any meal, and I've never had +such teas since. I was there yesterday in the jolly old kitchen, and +Preston and I had a confab together. This is my last free day. I am +going to work for him for a bit. He wants help badly."</p> + +<p>"You're an enigma to me," said Orris, smiling; "if I were in your +circumstances, I would keep as far-away as I could from the ones who +had disinherited me."</p> + +<p>He smiled back at her.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said. "That's not my idea. Not at all."</p> + +<p>Silence fell on them for a few moments. Then Orris broke it.</p> + +<p>"The world of books," she said, "rather absorbs me. It is a strange +life living amongst clever brains still speaking, though long extinct. +I find I must dip into one and another as I take them in my hand, +and it always is a marvel to me how sound the advice of the old +philosophers is and how applicable to the present day. Human nature +never alters. Of course, the one Book above all is the Bible. We can in +these most modern days still go to it for all we need. It never fails +one. I have been reading bits from Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, and +Fénelon. Of course, Fénelon is the most enlightened, but nothing that +they say touches one's soul as the Bible does."</p> + +<p>"I knew you had a soul, directly I caught sight of you," said +Jock lightly; "and a pretty big one for your size. Now mine is an +infinitesimal atom. It was bigger when I was a boy, but has gone on +shrinking so rapidly that at times I wonder if I possess any at all. By +soul I mean the spirit—that's what you mean, isn't it? Let's discuss +it? I love an argument."</p> + +<p>But Orris suddenly retreated into herself; for she did not know whether +he was speaking in earnest or in mockery. And then the library door +burst open, and Pippa came dancing in.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Ollie! You must come out in the garden. There's a lovely daff +come out under the nursery window. It did it in the night. It was only +a green stalk yesterday."</p> + +<p>Then she saw Jock and made a dash for the window.</p> + +<p>He immediately made a feint of alarm, and crashed into the shrubbery +near. Pippa hurled herself out of the low window and flew after him. +Her joyous cries and shouts, as she chased the elusive Jock, resounded +over the old garden.</p> + +<p>Orris smiled, then resumed her work. By and by Pippa came in rosy and +breathless.</p> + +<p>"He's gone, but I catched him at last; and he says he'll wait for us +to-morrow at four o'clock outside the big gate, and will show us the +way to the Manor. We're going there to tea. Won't it be fun?"</p> + +<p>"But, my darling, we haven't been asked to tea."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; he says Mr. Dunscombe will 'love' us to come. Dan told me +he's a very nice genpleum. He used to come and dine here with the old +lady, and he used to give Dan half-crowns."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jock Muir goes too fast for me. Run away, my pet! I mustn't be +disturbed till luncheon."</p> + +<p>Pippa disappeared, and Orris had no more interruptions.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_4">CHAPTER IV</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>LILAC FARM</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>IN spite of Orris's reluctance, Pippa had won the day. And at four +o'clock the next day, she and her aunt were standing outside the gate. +They were not kept waiting, for Jock Muir was punctual. He took off his +cap with a flourish when he saw them.</p> + +<p>"I never meant to come," said Orris smiling, "but pertinacity and +importunity have been too much for me."</p> + +<p>"Of course we've comed," cried Pippa joyously; "we simply love going +out to tea. And when I telled Snuffy, she said—"</p> + +<p>"Pippa, what did I tell you? 'Mrs. Snow.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Aunt Ollie, when I'm with Master Jock, I talk like he does. But +she said she was s'prised at our goings on. And Master Jock was a +'never do well.'"</p> + +<p>"So he is," laughed Jock, "but he's going to be good to-day. No +climbing in at windows! We're going in at the front door."</p> + +<p>Pippa danced along the lanes in the highest spirits.</p> + +<p>Jock enlightened Orris as to the different landlords in the place. +He talked away, and Orris was the listener; she began to wonder soon +whether there was not something solid under his apparent superficiality.</p> + +<p>His passion seemed to be farming; the earth to him was a precious +inheritance. He knew every field by name; he discoursed to her on the +rotation of crops, the breeding of cattle, and the different species of +seed and grain. Then he laughed at his enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"You're a topping listener, but I'm boring you stiff. I know I am. My +hobby is farming, yours is books. Now you talk to me and cultivate my +agricultural mind."</p> + +<p>"No, I can't do that. We're in the open, and I love the country. I +never knew how much, till I was in it again. I have lived in town for +so long, that I forgot the joys of spring, and the scent of the earth +and buds."</p> + +<p>It was a delicious spring day, and when they turned in at a green +wooden gate from the lane, and walked up a drive bordered by green +banks covered with sheets of golden daffodils, Orris stood still to +enjoy it.</p> + +<p>"I think freshness is the most beautiful thing in the world," she said; +"young new life is so fascinating. And it is so unconscious of its +charms. The flowers, the lambs, children, I adore them all!"</p> + +<p>Pippa danced on in front, singing as she went:</p> + +<p class="poem"> +<br> +"Daffy-down-dilly<br> + Came up in the cold<br> + Through the brown mould."<br> + <br> +"So little by little<br> + She brought her leaves out,<br> + All clustered about;<br> + And then her bright flowers<br> + Began to unfold,<br> + Till Daffy stood robed<br> + In her spring green and gold."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>And then, as the drive gave a twist, and an old weather-worn stone +house with mullion windows came in view, she stood still and regarded +it with breathless interest. Pippa had a wonderful way of investing +inanimate things with life, and houses of all sorts held her entranced.</p> + +<p>"Now, Aunt Ollie, what is this house thinking about?" she asked, +turning round to the two grown-ups following her. "One of its little +top windows seems winking at me, but it's a grave old thing, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"But it's better than it looks," said Jock quickly. "It has been a kind +old house to me. I never have to climb up into a window. The door loves +to be open. There! It's open now."</p> + +<p>And so it was, and the afternoon sunshine streamed in upon a black oak +floor, with some rather shabby rugs and a tiger skin spread upon it. +Jock led them gaily along this hall, and threw open a door into the +study without ceremony.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Dunscombe—you there? Here am I with my newly-created family. +They belong to my old home, 'ergo' they belong to me! This is Miss +Coventry, who is tearing her hair over Persian books and manuscripts. +You'll be able to help her."</p> + +<p>A tall slenderly-built man with stooping shoulders, and a finely cut +artist's face, got up from his chair behind a big writing-table. He had +dark deeply-sunken eyes, and very bushy eyebrows.</p> + +<p>"It is kind of you to waive ceremony and come to see me," he said. +"Jock told me of your labours in the Muirs' Library—you are brave to +tackle it, but I've always heard it's a very rare and valuable one. It +seems a pity to sell it, but it will enrich many book lovers."</p> + +<p>He drew a chair for her up to a big open fireplace, in which blazing +logs of wood were crackling merrily. Orris felt at ease at once, and in +a few minutes, she and he were talking about books with the greatest +zest and animation. She discovered that she had read one of his first +books long ago. It was a collection of essays—one of which had made a +great impression upon her.</p> + +<p>"I don't write essays now," he said, with a slight deprecating shrug of +his shoulders. "They're always the work of an egoist, you know; and I'm +not so sure of myself and my opinions as I used to be."</p> + +<p>Orris thought this over.</p> + +<p>"What do you write about now?"</p> + +<p>"Chiefly tribal life in distant lands. It's immensely interesting to +me to trace connection between apparently very distant races. I have +been travelling for the last five years, and ran across Jock on my last +voyage home."</p> + +<p>Orris looked across at Jock. He was entirely absorbed with Pippa, and +was showing her the contents of a drawer full of curios.</p> + +<p>"It's very hard lines on him," she said in a low voice.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dunscombe looked at her with some amusement in his dark eyes.</p> + +<p>"How much do you know, I wonder!" he said.</p> + +<p>Orris looked questioningly at him, but he would not pursue the subject.</p> + +<p>"There's sterling worth in Jock," he said, "and his aunt was a fool +not to find it out. But you'll never make a bookworm of Jock. He +takes after his first parent, and, up to now, he's been a good farmer +spoiled. Do you think Mrs. Calthrop would object to my walking over +one day and having a look at the library? It would be to her advantage +if she wishes to sell it, for I mean to be at the sale. And I think I +might help you over the Persian and Indian section."</p> + +<p>"I am sure she would not mind, and I should be delighted. Do you know +her well?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I have met her. I knew old Mr. Muir best, but he was funny +over his books. Would never let any guest browse amongst them. I think +I must have met your father once when I was a youngster. Didn't he live +in Surrey?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he would never move very far from London, because he loved the +British Museum so. He was always going up to it."</p> + +<p>"It was there I first met him, and he insisted that I should go down +and dine with him. I remember that we got into his library, and got so +keen over his books, that we ignored the summons to dinner, and were a +good hour late in taking our places at the table. He was alone then, +with a housekeeper."</p> + +<p>"That was after my mother's death, I expect."</p> + +<p>They talked away till a big gong sounded in the hall for tea. And then +they all went into the dining-room where a round table had been placed +in a deep window recess. The window faced a wide expanse of wooded +country.</p> + +<p>Pippa's eyes were on the table. There were enough cakes and hot scones +to satisfy her. Then she turned suddenly to her host:</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad to know you," she said, "because you've got our Mary's +cousin with you. I think he's what you call a handyman. What's the +difference between a handman and a footman? But he got a glass eye in +the war, and I'm simply 'longing' to see it!"</p> + +<p>"That must be Peter. You shall see him after tea."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dunscombe took her seriously, and when grown-up people did that, +Pippa's head was raised several inches higher.</p> + +<p>There was no lack of conversation during tea, and afterwards Jock +insisted upon walking Orris off to Lilac Farm.</p> + +<p>"It's only three fields away. Peter with his glass eye will occupy +Pippa till we come back. Come with us, Dunscombe?"</p> + +<p>Their host shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I must have a couple of hours' writing before dinner."</p> + +<p>Orris demurred at leaving Pippa in a strange house, but she was already +in the kitchen garden busy hoeing up a plot of ground with Peter. +So, after bidding her be very good and not leave the garden till she +returned, Orris walked across the fields with Jock.</p> + +<p>"You'll find Dunscombe an awfully good fellow," said Jock. "Most +writers have a bit of swank about them. He has none. And his work is +brilliant. I'm quoting the English 'Review' and 'Spectator.'"</p> + +<p>"Has he always lived alone?" asked Orris.</p> + +<p>"Ever since I've known him. He did have a love affair once, I believe, +but the girl wanted him to throw over his writing and go on the Stock +Exchange. And he quietly chucked her, and has had nothing to do with +women since. Won't have a lady housekeeper; his fat cook runs the +house, and does it uncommonly well. And I can't tell you what a lot +of good he does on the quiet. Anyone in trouble has only to write to +him, and he either promptly helps them, or hands them over to some one +who is better able to do it than himself. He wants me to take up my +quarters in his house, but Preston has offered me a room at the farm; +and as I shall be an agricultural labourer, farm quarters will suit me +best. There now, lean over this hedge, and be ready to fall on your +knees and worship a typical country farm."</p> + +<p>Orris looked over the hedge, and lost her heart at once to Lilac Farm.</p> + +<p>It was bordered on one side by a snowy apple orchard; on the other +by groups of trees, chiefly lilacs and laburnums. The house had a +long thatched roof with gables, rather large casement windows, and an +old-fashioned creeper-covered porch. Great chimneys rose above it. In +front were box-edged beds of spring flowers and curious birds cut out +of yew. Towards the back of it were substantial farm buildings. Sloping +green hills partly covered with pines, and rich meadows now full of +sheep and cattle surrounded it.</p> + +<p>"The outside is topping," said Jock, "but nothing compared to the +inside. Now come along."</p> + +<p>When Orris, along with Jock, reached the porch door, they found a tall +grey-haired man leaning against it smoking his pipe. His eyes were lit +up with a welcome when he saw Jock.</p> + +<p>"I've brought a lady to see you. Is Mrs. Preston busy?"</p> + +<p>"Never too busy to see you, my lad. Wife, ye're wanted. Come in and sit +down, ma'am."</p> + +<p>He led the way into a charming hall furnished simply but in very good +taste. Oak-panelled walls and dark oak floor and stairs were brightened +by coloured sporting prints, and comfortable rugs under foot. On +a round table were newspapers and books. A fire was burning in a +wide-open hearth. Orris sat down on an old oak settle, and then Mrs. +Preston appeared. She was stout and smiling, and genuinely pleased to +see Orris.</p> + +<p>"Of course we've heard about you," she said. "And if I may repeat it, I +did say that I thought it was a lonesome life for any young lady to be +shut up with books only as company. Now will you come this way with me, +and we'll leave Tom and Mr. Muir to smoke together?"</p> + +<p>She opened a door at the farther end of the hall, and Orris found +herself in a most comfortable sitting-room. The deep window-sills were +full of pink and white hyacinths in bloom. There was a big table with +a red cloth on which reposed Mrs. Preston's work-basket. Her armchair +was drawn up to it. Oil portraits of the family's ancestors graced +the walls, and there were two big glass bookcases. Orris saw at once +that the Prestons were one of the good old yeomen families, who had +always loved and tilled the soil. She was put into an easy-chair by the +blazing fire, and very soon she and Mrs. Preston were talking away like +old friends.</p> + +<p>"'Tis no wonder," the good woman said, "my husband likes a talk with +Jock. We've known him since he was a little lad of five years old, and +having no son or daughter of our own, we always made him welcome. I +can't understand the rights of this will business. I can't believe Mrs. +Muir would cut off her favourite nephew, so to speak, with a shilling. +Why should he lose his inheritance for a far-away cousin? Between +ourselves, miss, I doubt if they've got hold of the right will. I saw +Miss Muir a week before she died, and she said to me: 'If Jock isn't +back before I go, Mrs. Preston, tell him he was in my thoughts to the +last.' And she smiled quite sweetly and easily as she spoke. Now, would +she have done that if she had cut him out of her will?"</p> + +<p>Orris shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I'm a stranger," she said, "so I can offer no opinion, but it doesn't +seem kind of her, or natural."</p> + +<p>Then, not wishing to discuss Jock Muir's affairs, Orris began admiring +the old room with its oak beams across the ceiling.</p> + +<p>"Yes, this is our sitting-room," Mrs. Preston replied. "I'm +old-fashioned, and like one room free of smoke. Tom's friends sit and +smoke in the hall, and I join them sometimes. We've no drawing-room; I +don't see the use of a room for show. I'd like to show you my kitchen."</p> + +<p>She got up, and led the way through a small lobby into the big kitchen. +The copper pans shone in the firelight. Great hams hung from the +rafters, and the old dresser, which extended nearly one side of the +room, was filled with real valuable old china.</p> + +<p>Baking was going on. Mrs. Preston introduced her old servant, Mary +Bush, to Orris.</p> + +<p>"Mary has been with me seventeen years. She and I are always busy +together in the mornings. I don't know what I should do without her."</p> + +<p>Mary, a smiling dark-haired woman, looked up at Orris.</p> + +<p>"You'll be in Master Jock's house, miss? Does Mrs. Snow make you +comfortable?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes—quite."</p> + +<p>Mary gave a little sniff of disapproval.</p> + +<p>"She's a sour-tempered soul. Many's the time Master Jock as a boy would +creep into the kitchen on my baking days. 'Mary,' he'd say, 'give me +one of your buns. I'm always hungry; and Snuffy never makes buns for +me, because she and auntie haven't any sweet tooth between them.' Dear +soul! I can hear his little voice now!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, well," said Mrs. Preston, "he'll get plenty of buns now, Mary, for +his room is ready for him, and he'll be in the house with us next week."</p> + +<p>Then they went back to the sitting-room.</p> + +<p>"It's a great joy to us," said Mrs. Preston on the way, "having Jock +take hold here to help on the farm. Tom isn't what he was. I don't say +this to everybody, Miss Coventry, but he has had heart attacks, and our +doctor has warned me he may go off suddenly. We're living on the edge +of eternity, Tom and me. I always pray I mayn't be kept here long after +him. But I keep cheerful. 'Twould be bad for him to see me anxious. I +often tell him I may go first."</p> + +<p>Orris did not wonder at Jock's liking for this worthy couple. There was +something essentially homely in the atmosphere. She felt she would like +to stay with them herself.</p> + +<p>"Well," questioned Jock, looking up at her with his sunny smile, "have +you been stealing Mrs. Preston's heart, or has she been stealing yours?"</p> + +<p>Orris laughed.</p> + +<p>"I shan't have any qualms about you now," she said. "I did feel a kind +of pity for your homeless condition, but then I had not been introduced +to Lilac Farm."</p> + +<p>She sat down and talked to Mr. Preston for a little time longer, and +then she and Jock took their leave. But before she had left, she had +been invited to bring Pippa to tea in the following week.</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you on your friends," she said to Jock, as they walked +across the fields together.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they're worth knowing. Now here's somebody coming whom I do not +like. It's our Rector's wife."</p> + +<p>They could not elude her, as she was coming across the fieldpath +towards them. Just before she met them, she paused and put up a +lorgnette to her eyes. Then she advanced with a rather stiff smile.</p> + +<p>Jock took off his hat with a little flourish.</p> + +<p>"Then it is you," the lady said, addressing him; "I heard you were in +the neighbourhood, and wondered—" She hesitated.</p> + +<p>Jock smiled frankly at her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, all the neighbourhood is wondering, I dare say, but it is really +myself in the flesh; and, moreover, I mean to stay. May I introduce +Miss Coventry—but perhaps you have already called upon her?"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Snow assures me," said Orris, with her dimpling smile, "that I am +not in a position to be called upon."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Villars looked at her with grave aloofness.</p> + +<p>"My husband calls on all his parishioners," she said; "I expect he has +already done so on you."</p> + +<p>"Yes; he was most kind. But I do not need calls in a social way. I am +too busy for that." Then feeling that this was slightly inconsistent +with her afternoon's dissipation, Orris added, "I have been taking time +off this afternoon, for Mr. Muir has insisted upon making me acquainted +with some of his friends. We have just been over to Lilac Farm."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Villars seemed about to say something, but stopped herself. She +looked worried, then in another moment she blurted out:</p> + +<p>"I want lodgings at once. I am on my way to ask Mrs. Preston to take +two ladies in—very distressful circumstances."</p> + +<p>"I doubt if she'll be able to do that," said Jock, "for I'm about to +occupy her only spare room."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but she must! I really know of no other person who could make +Lady Violet Archer comfortable. It is most unfortunate. She and her +daughter—old friends of mine—have just come to live at Ivy Towers, and +foolish village gossip has driven away all the servants she brought +with her. They have not a soul in the house. We unfortunately are full +up, friends from town who will not be leaving us till next week. Lady +Violet is not strong, and this has upset her. Her nerves have always +been shaky."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Jock, and, to Orris's surprise, his voice sounded quite +stern, "why on earth did you let them come to the Towers? You know its +reputation."</p> + +<p>"I am above such superstition, and so is my husband." Mrs. Villars gave +them a stiff little bow and passed on.</p> + +<p>Orris looked after her with interest.</p> + +<p>"A handsome woman, but she showed in her face her disapproval of me. +Now, Mr. Muir, what is the story about this unfortunate house? Even +Pippa has regaled me with gossip about it. Is it haunted?"</p> + +<p>Jock nodded rather shortly.</p> + +<p>"You'll laugh at us in these enlightened times. It is not haunted with +visible ghosts, but misfortune seems to descend on all tenants who try +to live there. I must say I wonder at Mrs. Villars recommending her +friends to take it."</p> + +<p>"I believe they're old friends. I expect she wanted them over here. She +doesn't think much of any of us."</p> + +<p>They had come to the Manor. Orris called for her small niece, and +returned home with her. Her thoughts dwelt upon the Towers. She felt +sorry for the servantless lady and daughter there, but she had little +idea of how soon and how much they would affect her.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_5">CHAPTER V</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>A HARD BLOW</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>TWO or three days after the visit to the Manor, Pippa came to her aunt +in the afternoon with an air of delighted mystery upon her small face.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Ollie, I've had a real letter without a stamp broughted by the +butcher's boy. Now, who 'do' you think it's from?"</p> + +<p>Orris looked up from her books.</p> + +<p>"Do you want me to read it for you?"</p> + +<p>"Please. It's from a grown-up person, because they can't write plain."</p> + +<p>Orris took the note from the child's hand. It ran as follows—</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "If the Little Elf would like to have a surprise and unearth buried +treasure, let her go into the big bedroom at the top of the staircase, +and press a little knob in the wall under a picture of a curly-haired +dog.<br> +<br> + "N.B.*—Lie low, and beware of Snuffy."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p class="footnote"> +<br> +* N.B.—nota bene<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's my dear Master Jock!" exclaimed Pippa excitedly, beginning +to dance up and down on her toes. "I'll go immechately. It's a secret +room, Aunt Ollie."</p> + +<p>"I think I'd better come with you."</p> + +<p>"I think no. I'd like to aventure it myself."</p> + +<p>"Well, run along, and if you're too long away, I shall come after you."</p> + +<p>Orris was feeling a little worried that day. Pippa's mother was +arriving in two days' time, and she felt that she would be rather a +discordant element in the house. Mrs. Snow was not very obliging, and +though the food was good and they were comfortably lodged, yet the +attendance was not what it ought to have been, and Venetia was a most +exacting and inconsiderate person. When Orris told Mrs. Snow that she +would be arriving, she seemed very discomposed.</p> + +<p>"I've had a call from Mrs. Villars this morning; there is letters +passing between her and Mrs. Calthrop. I shall be very glad when people +who belong here are in their own again. It is altogether too much for +me. Such plans and changes are most upsetting."</p> + +<p>"What is upsetting you?" asked Orris good-humouredly.</p> + +<p>"The least said soonest mended," said Mrs. Snow darkly; "you'll hear +soon enough; and maybe this new lady belonging to you had best not +hurry to get here."</p> + +<p>Orris could get nothing more out of her. But she felt uneasy and +anxious. And when Pippa had left her, she leant her elbows on her +writing-table and, forgetting her books, gave herself up to meditation.</p> + +<p>She was not long left in peace. Peals of childish laughter and flying +feet spoke of the coming of Pippa. She dashed in at the door like a +whirlwind.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Aunt Ollie! I'm laughing right through me; my heart is laughing +even—I hear it bump. I found the knob, and it's the lovely, lovely +powder-room; and it has china pictures all round it and above to the +ceiling, and they all come out of the Bible, and the people are quite +ridic'lous, they make me 'roar' with laughing and when I opened the +door there was a hijeous old woman with a tall black hat and kind of +hairy and beardy all over her face, and she was sitting at a table with +a big heap of chocs in front of her to sell. And she winked at me, +and said, 'Two chocs for a kiss!' And I thought she might be a fairy +witch, so I gave her a tiny kiss on the tip of her chin, and I got two +chocs. And then she said, 'Two more if you come and sit on my lap!' And +I thought about it, and then I saw a ring on her finger, and it was +Master Jock's, so I knowed; and I jumped on his knee, and he squeezed +and tickled me; and we screamed, and then we heard somebody coming, +and Master Jock put me outside the door quick, and said, 'Don't tell +Snuffy'; and there she was, and so I ran away. But isn't he a darling +to give me such surprises?"</p> + +<p>"I think Mr. Muir is foolish to come here so much," said Orris, with a +frown. "Where is he now?"</p> + +<p>"In the powder-room. Come and see it, Aunt Ollie."</p> + +<p>Orris was tugged to her feet, but she went willingly enough to the +powder-room, of which she had heard but not seen. She found Jock there +rolling up his disguise. He laughed when he saw her.</p> + +<p>"The Elf and I like a bit of fun," he said apologetically. "I promised +to show her this room one day, and I had an hour to spare. Do you see +these old Dutch tiles? Aren't they quaint? I used to spend part of +my Sundays here when I was a youngster. It was considered part of my +scriptural education, but did you ever see such comic illustrations? +The artist must have had a high sense of humour."</p> + +<p>Orris looked at the tiles with interest and admiration. The walls were +lined with them from floor to ceiling, but her thoughts took a turn +away from them.</p> + +<p>"Tea will be in directly," she said; "come downstairs and have some +before you go. I want to know about Lady Violet Archer and her +daughter."</p> + +<p>"They're at Lilac Farm. Came two days ago, but only till they find +other quarters."</p> + +<p>"They could find lodgings here," said Orris; "there are so many unused +bedrooms. How I wish the house was mine! But Mrs. Snow is the drawback. +Pippa, darling, run to the nursery. It is your tea-time."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell Anita all about this beautiful little room," said Pippa, +dancing away.</p> + +<p>Then, as they descended the stairs together, Orris said:</p> + +<p>"My sister-in-law is joining me here. I am afraid Mrs. Snow does not +like it, but Mrs. Calthrop gave me leave to have her."</p> + +<p>Jock looked at her queerly.</p> + +<p>"I rather wish your sister-in-law would keep away. I like you best +alone."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Muir!"</p> + +<p>"Don't, I beseech you; don't do the 'aughty to me, as Snuffy used to +say. Here she is! Oh, dash her! She always catches me."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Muir is going to have tea with me, Mrs. Snow," said Orris, with +great dignity of manner.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Snow stood before them in the hall with folded arms.</p> + +<p>"I never let Mr. Muir in this afternoon," she said with icy coldness.</p> + +<p>"No, Snuffy: but you can't keep me out of my old home. I'm part and +parcel of it, and whoever is here will be haunted by me, so I give you +fair warning."</p> + +<p>"I shall have to write to Mrs. Calthrop and tell her I can't do my duty +to her," said Mrs. Snow, and she retreated.</p> + +<p>Orris felt no compunction in giving Jock a cup of tea.</p> + +<p>"I can write to Mrs. Calthrop too," she said. "I know she will not +object to my asking friends to tea. She said I was to look upon it as a +temporary home."</p> + +<p>Jock stood on the hearthrug looking round the library with rather +dreamy eyes.</p> + +<p>"I wish I were a book-lover," he said, "but I learn all my lessons from +Nature."</p> + +<p>"I think I learn a good deal from books," said Orris gravely, "but I +hope I shan't imbibe too much philosophy from some of these dear old +men. I don't want to get stony and unimpressed by my surroundings, and, +personally, my heart warms to an unconventional impulsive person. That +is why Pippa charms me."</p> + +<p>"And do include me. I am told that I'm too unconventional for society."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed.</p> + +<p>"I think you are very audacious to steal in and out of this house as +you do. I don't wonder that Mrs. Snow disapproves. How did you get in +this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"Through one of the open windows. I am not audacious. I have a right +here."</p> + +<p>He snapped his lips together like steel. Orris was startled to see +the hardness and determination in his face. Then he looked at her and +smiled.</p> + +<p>"If they shut you and the Elf up in jail, I should get to you," he said.</p> + +<p>"We were strangers a week or two ago," Orris remarked quietly.</p> + +<p>"We're fast, firm friends now," he said, with a little laugh; "and when +once I make friends, I keep them."</p> + +<p>Silence fell upon them for a moment.</p> + +<p>Jock suddenly broke it.</p> + +<p>"Let's pretend, like the children. This is your house and mine. I have +come in rather tired after an afternoon's work in the fields. And +you're waiting to give me my tea."</p> + +<p>"How could we share a house?" said Orris, laughing. "What nonsense you +talk!"</p> + +<p>"How? By walking into church one day, and coming out man and wife. +Nothing easier."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Muir!"</p> + +<p>Orris was reduced to speechlessness.</p> + +<p>Jock looked at her with a funny shy repentant look.</p> + +<p>"There now! See how you precipitate me into speech! But that will +happen to us one day, you know. Only, of course, I never do take the +proper course, and go slowly. And—don't speak! You'll say we haven't +known each other long enough, and a lot of stuff like that! You bowled +me over that day when you stood looking at me with a mixture of shocked +disapproval and amusement. And you're simply adorable, as you sit there +with the sunlight in your hair and your dimples, which will appear in +spite of your stern resolve to keep them under."</p> + +<p>"I shall go away and leave you if you go on talking like this." Orris +spoke very gravely. Her head was raised rather haughtily.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry. Forget my rash speech. I'm desperately in love with you, +and if I can't marry you, I shall be a bachelor for the rest of my +days. There! That's off my chest. Now we'll talk of other things. I'm +not even going to ask you your opinion of me, for fear of hearing +something nasty! I've a message from Dunscombe for you. He would like +to come up to-morrow morning and give you some help over your Persian +MSS."</p> + +<p>"I shall be very glad to see him."</p> + +<p>Conversation rather languished, but Jock soon took his leave.</p> + +<p>"Am I forgiven?" he asked as he took her hand in his.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Orris. "I can see you are not like anyone else. Your +time in the Colonies has made you very un-English."</p> + +<p>She felt perturbed and breathless, and longed to be alone. When he had +gone, she drew her chair to the open window. As a girl in the secluded +life with her scholar father she had met very few young men of her own +age. Her father's friends were hers. They were all scholars, and had +very little interest in women. After his death, her cousin Dugald had +come into her life. But beyond a friendly liking for him, she could +not go. He proposed to her at various intervals, and after repeated +refusals, he had to be content with her cousinly friendship. She had +met other men, but none had appealed to her; she had come to think +that she was destined for a single life. Sometimes she wondered if her +ideals were too high, or her opinion of herself and her requirements +too great. She almost laughed now at the thought of this gay, +light-hearted, irresponsible young stranger daring to lay siege to her +heart.</p> + +<p>"Preposterous and absurd!" she muttered to herself. "He was making +game of me. I hope he did not think that I took it seriously. But I do +dislike his bringing such a subject forward. He could not have been in +earnest. I must not see so much of him, and I must keep Pippa away from +him. Really, I am rather thankful that Venetia is coming to-morrow. +Now, if he were to take a fancy to her, what a charming stepfather he +would make to my darling Pippa! I am afraid Venetia would not look at +him: farming would be abhorrent to her."</p> + +<p>The next afternoon Venetia arrived. She seemed a little distrait and +cross, but made a great fuss over Pippa. The child was an affectionate +little soul, but was not very demonstrative, and Orris listened rather +impatiently to her sister-in-law's talk.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you missed me, my pet? Have you forgotten your mummy? Your +poor mummy, who has nobody left to love her except her little girl. +Come and kiss me again! Tell me you love me. If I thought that Auntie +Ollie was stealing your heart from me, I would take you right away!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Venetia, how can you talk so!" Orris said.</p> + +<p>"I mean every word. People are unkind, cruel to those who have no +money, and are down in their luck. I've been proving the truth of that, +visiting round. No one is anxious to receive an impecunious widow, +especially if she is at all good-looking. Who have we near us here in +the shape of neighbours?"</p> + +<p>Orris tried to tell her. Venetia was interested at once in Jock, and +told Pippa that she must take her to see him. Then she said:</p> + +<p>"Come upstairs, my darling, and I will show you what a sweet silk frock +I've bought you. White silk with little roses round neck and sleeves."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Venetia! She has so many frocks," expostulated Orris.</p> + +<p>Venetia nodded at her, laughing as she left the room with her child. +Putting her head in at the door, she said:</p> + +<p>"And the bill is coming in to you, Orris. I got it at Gorringe's."</p> + +<p>Venetia brought a different atmosphere into the old house at once. She +made her presence felt, and she and Mrs. Snow had a good many passages +of arms together before many days passed.</p> + +<p>A small trap and pony were discovered in the village, and with some +little persuasion, Orris had it placed at her sister-in-law's disposal. +Dan drove her about in it, and Pippa accompanied her. They were soon +friendly with both Jock and Mr. Dunscombe.</p> + +<p>The latter came over and gave Orris a good deal of help with her +catalogue. Jock did not come to the house so much. He was working on +the farm, and it was at his work that Pippa introduced her mother to +him. Orris was relieved that he stayed away.</p> + +<p>And then, about ten days after Venetia arrived, the thunderbolt fell.</p> + +<p>The postman brought a letter to Orris from Mrs. Calthrop.</p> + +<p>She read it at breakfast, and she read and re-read it, and did some +deep thinking before she spoke to Venetia about it.</p> + +<p>It was a lovely sunny morning. Pippa was sitting up, with eager +anticipation in her shining face.</p> + +<p>"Let's talk plans, mummy. I've thoughted of a lovely one. We'll take +the trap and make the pony take us to the sea somewhere, and we'll take +our dinner with us. Sangwiches and eggs and sponge cakes, with 'plenty' +of jam in the middle. 'And' gingybeer, 'and' mushrooms and cheese!"</p> + +<p>Her mother laughed.</p> + +<p>"To be taken, and then well shaken, Pips! And then the sea! You +ridiculous child, we're nowhere near the sea."</p> + +<p>"No, but we can get there, mummy. We've only to go far enough. Because, +you know, England is an island, and the sea comes all round it. Did you +know that, mummy? Anita told me yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Ask your auntie what she's looking so dismal about?" said Venetia +languidly.</p> + +<p>Orris gave a start and looked up from her letter.</p> + +<p>"Have you finished breakfast, Pippa? Could you run out into the garden +and pick some flowers for my vase in the library? You were going to do +it yesterday, were you not? But it rained."</p> + +<p>"So I will," said Pippa cheerfully and unsuspectingly. She danced out +of the room, and Orris drew a long breath.</p> + +<p>"I want to speak to you, Venetia. I know you haven't been very +satisfied with this old house, nor with the attendance you get in it, +so perhaps you will not mind. But—we shall have to flit."</p> + +<p>"What on earth do you mean?"</p> + +<p>Venetia sat up, all attention at once.</p> + +<p>"There's a long rigmarole from Mrs. Calthrop saying how heavy her +expenses are abroad, and that Mrs. Villars, our Rector's wife, has +asked her if she could possibly let the house to some old friends of +hers, who will pay very handsomely for it. They are the people I told +you about who are now lodging at Lilac Farm. They took a house with an +unfortunate history could get no servants to stay with them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I remember. Lady Violet Archer is the woman's name. I met her once +in town. Mrs. Calthrop can't turn us out."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid she can. She has offered, of course, to add to my salary in +lieu of board and lodging. She says Mrs. Snow could not manage for all +of us, and I quite see that she could not. They want to come at once, +for Lady Violet is not in good health, and there is not room at the +farm for her maid."</p> + +<p>"I never heard of such proceedings," said Venetia angrily. "We can't +be turned out into the street like dogs. You had better throw up your +work and come back to town, Orris. Pippa has recovered her health in +a wonderful way. She is fat and rosy, and perfectly untiring in her +energy! And I honestly tell you this country will bore me to death. We +have no neighbours. Mr. Muir is amusing, but he's a farmer, or wants to +make himself into one. And Mr. Dunscombe is a dull bookworm. But Mrs. +Calthrop has broken her contract with you. I should make her pay for +doing it. You 'must!'"</p> + +<p>Orris was silent; she was conning over in her mind the different houses +in the village. It would be comparatively easy to find lodgings for +herself and Pippa, but Venetia was a different matter. Mrs. Calthrop +had suggested lodgings in a farm or cottage, so that she could come to +her work daily. Orris felt that this easy happy life of hers had very +soon taken wings and flown away.</p> + +<p>But she had not much time for thinking, for breakfast was hardly over +before Mrs. Snow came in announcing that a lady was in the drawing-room +and wished to see her.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" Orris asked.</p> + +<p>"Miss Archer," said Mrs. Snow shortly.</p> + +<p>In another moment, Orris was shaking hands with a very young pretty +girl. She was dressed in rough Harris tweed, with a grey felt hat +pulled over her soft brown hair, but everything about her was dainty +and fresh, and her complexion like that of a blush rose.</p> + +<p>"I have come on 'such' a disagreeable errand," she said; "and I feel +you will dislike us very much when you know that Mrs. Calthrop has let +this house to mother for some months. But, believe me, it was only this +morning that we realized that you were going to be turned out for us. +And mother said that I had better come round and explain that it was +not our doing. Mrs. Villars has arranged everything with Mrs. Calthrop, +and we knew nothing about you until yesterday evening, and then we were +talking with Mrs. Preston and she told us."</p> + +<p>"My dear Miss Archer, please don't feel uncomfortable about it. This is +only a temporary job, and I did not expect to settle down here for good +and all. I have felt very sorry for you. I heard about your troubles."</p> + +<p>"I wish that we had never come to this part," said the girl ruefully. +"It was such a surprising and uncomfortable experience at the Towers. +Are you superstitious? Of course, Mrs. Villars laughs at it all, but I +wish she would sleep there a few nights, as we did."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about it," said Orris sympathetically.</p> + +<p>Reyne Archer responded instantly to her interest. She did not seem to +have much definite complaint of the Towers beyond queer noises, but she +declared the whole atmosphere of the house was eerie and melancholy. +And from the unfortunate house, she went on impulsively to confide +in Orris a good many of her difficulties in her home life. Orris had +a way of inspiring confidence with total strangers. She learnt that +Reyne had been dragged about in attendance on an invalid mother from +the time she had been fifteen. Lady Violet always spent her winters on +the Riviera, and divided her time at home between London and Brighton, +and occasional visits to Scotland. Reyne had never been to school; she +had a haphazard, desultory education, attending classes at intervals, +and having governesses and masters for a few months at a time, and for +the last four years had been going out with her mother to the different +social functions that came in their way.</p> + +<p>"I am so tired of it all," she said, heaving a sigh; "and now the +doctors say mother must have rest and quiet in the country. It is so +unfortunate that our first venture should prove so disastrous. I don't +believe she will be here very long, but she has promised her doctor she +will stay quiet in the country all this summer."</p> + +<p>"What are your hobbies?" Orris asked. "You must have some."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said the girl, with heightened colour, "I want to be of some use +in the world. It's all so empty and unsatisfying, going to dances and +theatres and at-homes; always seeing the same people, and talking the +same kind of talk. I've had it since I was quite a little girl. Mother +always took me with her everywhere. I had no proper childhood. And two +years ago, in the town, I heard a sermon, and it has altered my whole +life. May I tell you about it? You won't laugh?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Orris softly; "I shall like to hear."</p> + +<p>"It was an unknown preacher in an unknown church. At least, it wasn't a +church where many of our sort go—I drifted into it one wet evening. And +the text was: 'Where art thou?' He told us of places where we might be, +and asked us to catalogue ourselves in one of them. I don't remember +all the places. 'In the far country,' was one, 'lost on the mountain,' +'hiding behind fig leaves,' 'standing idle in the market-place,' and +then he suggested a change of life and scene to 'in the fold,' 'on the +highway of holiness,' and 'in the Lord's hand.'</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you how eloquent he was. I came away and went to my room +and hunted about till I found a little old Bible that I had given me +as a child, and then I prayed, and, oh, I can't explain, but though my +outward circumstances haven't altered, my heart has."</p> + +<p>She paused, then added hurriedly:</p> + +<p>"You will think me quite mad, talking to you like this the first time +I see you. I don't know what has made me do it. But you're leading a +useful life and your face tells me you understand these things. May +I—will you be friendly with me and let me pour out to you sometimes?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I will," said Orris with warmth that surprised herself. She +was about to say more, but they were interrupted by Mrs. Snow in the +usual way. And after discussing business with that worthy person, Reyne +Archer took a hurried leave. But as she was going, she said to Orris:</p> + +<p>"May I suggest that if you do want comfortable rooms that you +should come to Lilac Farm? Mrs. Preston is such a dear, and she has +half-suggested it herself."</p> + +<p>"There's nothing I should like better," said Orris, "but we're too +large a party. Four in number. She hasn't the rooms. Besides, Mr. Muir +is going to occupy her spare room."</p> + +<p>"Well, come over and talk to her about it. Do, and I shall see you +again."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_6">CHAPTER VI</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>IN NEW QUARTERS</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>ORRIS did not delay in making her plans. She started at once for the +village, but on the way she met Jock Muir striding along as if he were +in a walking race.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he cried, when he saw her. "Good morning. I'm coming to make a +rumpus. What is this about your turning out of Pinestones? You shan't +do it. I won't have it."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed.</p> + +<p>"You really are a most amusing man," she said. "I am not being turned +out of my job. That is the only thing that I should mind; and I don't +think you must try to arrange our affairs for us. I shall be quite +happy if I can get rooms somewhere. Mrs. Snow is difficult, and we +shall all be relieved if we get away from her."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going? To the village? I will walk with you. Now tell me +all about it."</p> + +<p>Orris complied in her easy happy way. He grew calmer after a bit, and +when she mentioned Lilac Farm, his face brightened.</p> + +<p>"I believe Mrs. Preston will take you in if anyone will. If she sees +the Elf, she'll do it. She adores children. She has several empty +attics, you know. We won't go to the village. Come straight off to her."</p> + +<p>"I would rather not, just now," said Orris slowly. "We shall be turning +you out."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's nothing at all. Dunscombe wants to put me up; and I shall +be in and out of the farm all day. I have my midday meal there. We'll +all be such a happy family; and you'll be able to look out of your +window in the early morning and see me working in the fields!"</p> + +<p>Orris laughed, and he joined her.</p> + +<p>"It's a first-rate plan," he said eagerly. "You'll be well rid of +Snuffy, and it's quite a short walk across the fields. The places join +each other. I insist upon your coming to Lilac Farm at once."</p> + +<p>"I must speak to my sister-in-law first. Yes, I mean it. You mustn't +try to manage me."</p> + +<p>"But don't you see that Mrs. Preston may not be able to take you in, +and then you would be going on a wrong tack? I won't try to manage +you—I don't believe I ever could—but I will try to persuade you. Just +come along and talk it over with her. Don't be unreasonable—it's so +narrow; and if you're anything, you're open to reason and common sense."</p> + +<p>Of course, in the end he got his way, and Orris was led off to Lilac +Farm instead of to the village. When Jock had seen her in close +confabulation with Mrs. Preston, he tactfully slipped away to his work.</p> + +<p>And Mrs. Preston was more accommodating than Orris had dared to hope.</p> + +<p>"If Mrs. Coventry and the little girl would share the big spare +bedroom, I have a smaller one that I could give you. I know I could +make it comfortable for you, and I could get an attic ready for the +maid. It's the attendance I'm doubtful about, but if she would wait +upon you, I could do it easily. I'm always busy in the kitchen every +morning, so my sitting-room would be at Mrs. Coventry's disposal. She +could have it to herself."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Orris, with a sigh of relief, "that would do beautifully. +My sister-in-law always retires to her bedroom between lunch and tea, +if she is not out-of-doors. I shall be all day at work, and my little +niece is happy anywhere."</p> + +<p>They went on talking. Mrs. Preston suggested them coming into the +kitchen for the dinner in the middle of the day, but having their +breakfast and tea in her sitting-room, and joining them at supper +again. To Orris, this was perfectly satisfactory, but she knew that the +real difficulty would be with Venetia. And she returned home as quickly +as she could to talk it over with her.</p> + +<p>At first, as she feared, Venetia declared that she could not and would +not live in a farmhouse. Then, when the alternative seemed to be +cottage rooms in the village, she hesitated. Finally she said, with a +very ill grace, that they could give it a trial. And Orris settled the +matter as soon as possible before she had time to change her mind.</p> + +<p>In three days' time, Lady Violet had taken over Pinestones, and Orris +and her small family were established at Lilac Farm.</p> + +<p>She saw Reyne Archer several times, but neither of them got an +opportunity of any quiet talk together. They were both very busy. Pippa +was enchanted with the move, though she told Jock that she was very +sorry to leave the "darling little secret powder-room," as she called +it.</p> + +<p>"But I'll climb in at the windows like you did," she said gleefully, +"and hide when I hear Snuffy coming."</p> + +<p>"No, no!" said Orris, overhearing this remark. "Once away, you must +keep away."</p> + +<p>"But, Aunt Ollie, I may come and see you sometimes, just in at the +window. I can climb over ever so easy!"</p> + +<p>Orris shook her head.</p> + +<p>"You'll have such delightful things to see and do at the farm that you +won't want to leave it," she prophesied; "and when I am at work, I +don't want to be disturbed."</p> + +<p>"You wait till haymaking comes," said Jock; "you'll have the time of +your life then."</p> + +<p>Pippa insisted upon being told all details of haymaking; and Orris had +little fear that she would venture far-away from the farm.</p> + +<p>For herself, the atmosphere of the farm was very peaceful and happy. +The only lurking doubt in her heart was the close proximity of Jock. He +was always there to early dinner, and was in and out of the farm all +day. But she had little time or opportunity of speaking to him alone. +Venetia entirely monopolized him at meal times. She told Orris that he +was the only person of their own class for her to speak to.</p> + +<p>"And though he's a rough diamond," she said, "and nearly penniless, +there's something rather attractive about him. He can make you laugh, +which is something in this dismal desolate country."</p> + +<p>One day Orris took an afternoon off.</p> + +<p>Reyne Archer begged her to come a drive with her. Her mother had +just had her car down from town, but was laid up with an attack of +neuralgia, and so Reyne was free to use it.</p> + +<p>"I want you to myself," Reyne informed her, "but I've promised to go to +tea with the Misses Dashwood, and I'm going to take you. They said they +wanted to see more of you. Don't you like the eldest one? I do."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I think she's delightful. But I haven't time to pay many visits, +and since my sister-in-law has arrived, I feel that my spare time ought +to be devoted to her."</p> + +<p>"Well, I want you this afternoon. Don't disappoint me."</p> + +<p>Orris yielded. The weather was getting warmer; spring was turning into +early summer; and sometimes the many hours in the old library tired and +depressed her. She felt that a change and rest would do her good. When +she told Venetia of the invitation, she did not meet with much sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose I must accustom myself to do without you. When you're +not working, you're amusing yourself; it's quite natural, but rather +dull for me."</p> + +<p>"What did you want to do this afternoon?" Orris asked.</p> + +<p>They were standing in the porch after the early dinner at the farm, +Venetia with the inevitable cigarette in her mouth. Pippa had had a +swing put up in the orchard, and Jock Muir was tossing her through the +air before he went off to his work again.</p> + +<p>Venetia shrugged her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"We might have driven into the town. It's simply deadly, living here +day after day."</p> + +<p>"Shall we go in after tea? I can be back at half-past five."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know, but I want some books. I shall go and rest now."</p> + +<p>She disappeared up the stairs.</p> + +<p>Orris gazed rather wistfully after her. She felt it was dull for +Venetia, but did not know how to remedy matters.</p> + +<p>And then Jock came up to get his hat, and seeing the expression on her +face, stopped short.</p> + +<p>"What's worrying you?"</p> + +<p>Orris laughed.</p> + +<p>"Nothing. I'm sorry for my sister-in-law."</p> + +<p>Jock screwed up his lips rather enigmatically.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't be. She's going to have a visitor this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Who? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I came across a man at the 'Golden Bells' this morning. I had to take +one of the horses to be shod next door—that's a parenthesis to let you +know I wasn't tippling—and he asked the way to Lilac Farm. One of these +Bond Street chaps, I should say, from the cut of his clothes. I was +quite nervous lest he should have come down to see you, but it was Mrs. +Coventry, not Miss Coventry, whom he wanted, so my mind is relieved. +And he's coming over here after his lunch is over. He was surprised +that he couldn't have fried sole and spaghetti at the inn. On my honour +he was!"</p> + +<p>"I know nobody of that description," said Orris. "I am expecting a +cousin down this week or next, but it is not he."</p> + +<p>She beat a rapid retreat up the stairs, resenting Jock's interest in +her visitors.</p> + +<p>"That will show him that I am not going to shut myself up entirely to +his society," said Orris to herself.</p> + +<p>A short time after, she and Reyne Archer were gliding smoothly along +the roads in the open car.</p> + +<p>"I want to take you to the top of Churt's Hill," Reyne said. "Have you +been there?"</p> + +<p>"No; it is beyond my walking powers. How much ease and enjoyment you +have, if you own a car!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but, like everything else, you don't value it when you are +accustomed to it. I'm afraid I'm a discontented soul at present."</p> + +<p>"Are you? I wonder why?" said Orris cheerfully. "Don't spoil a pleasant +bit of life by hankering after the impossible. If you're tired of town, +surely this must refresh you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Reyne impulsively, "isn't it a waste of life? There's so +much to be done, so few doing anything but just getting through life as +comfortably as they can."</p> + +<p>"Isn't your mother rather delicate? If you are her only daughter, you +could not leave her."</p> + +<p>"No," said Reyne, a little bitterly; "she has already told me that. +If I leave her, she stops my allowance. She is determined to keep me +entirely dependent on her. And penniless workers are at a disadvantage. +I have asked about various hostels, and you must contribute something +towards your keep, naturally. Of course, I could join communities where +they would take me for nothing, but my pride stands in the way."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be in a hurry about leaving your mother," said Orris +gently. "I was tempted sorely, some years ago, to leave my father. I +did not seem to be of much use to him; he was a scholar and absorbed in +his books. Yet before he died, he thanked me for sticking to him, and I +have always been glad I did.'</p> + +<p>"But you weren't in the treadmill of smart society," said Reyne.</p> + +<p>"No, not in your set. But I thought I was stagnating, burying my +talents in the earth. And now, looking back, I see that it was all +training."</p> + +<p>"For what you are doing now?"</p> + +<p>"Partly. I'm able to support myself and my belongings by the knowledge +that I got with my father, but I did not mean that side. Miss Dashwood +will tell you what I mean. She, after all, is only going through the +same phase as yourself, looking after, and keeping happy, her nearest +and dearest. It makes for character, calls forth the best of one's +powers, when we're in the smallest corners."</p> + +<p>Orris spoke gravely, but ended her sentence with her happy smile, and +Reyne took hold of her hand caressingly.</p> + +<p>"Talk away. I love being preached to. Nobody does it. Tell me charity +begins at home, that instead of going abroad to tell the heathen what +has been done for them, I ought to be influencing my mother! But you +know that's quite an impossibility. It ought to be the other way +about—a daughter can't influence a mother, especially such a mother as +I have—a mother with a masterful spirit and an iron will."</p> + +<p>Orris was silent.</p> + +<p>"Love and prayer will work miracles," she said at last. "You know the +early Christian women were told to be 'keepers at home.' Of course, +people laugh at that in these days, but don't be in a hurry to rush +ahead before the door is opened. Don't make up your mind as to what you +must, or must not, do. Let God do it for you."</p> + +<p>"It is so difficult to stay still knowing that my best years are being +given over to what is really condemned in the Bible. You must say it +is. 'Lovers of pleasures more than of God,' isn't that rightly quoted?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Orris, "but the beginning of that quotation is: +'Disobedient to parents, unthankful, without natural affection.'"</p> + +<p>Reyne sighed.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you help a little in the parish?" Orris suggested. "I am +told that Miss Villars is overburdened with it. Mrs. Villars leaves it +all to her, and this is a big parish, they say. Couldn't you take a +Sunday class whilst you are here? I should personally love to do it. I +had one always in London, but I feel here that Pippa needs me on Sunday +afternoons. She and I always have a class together."</p> + +<p>"I might do that," said Reyne, visibly brightening. "You don't know how +good it is to talk with anyone who cares and understands."</p> + +<p>They reached Churt's Hill, and got out from the car, walking to the +summit, where a few stunted pines were grouped together. But the view +was a magnificent one overlooking several counties, rivers like threads +of silver wound up and down the valleys, wooded slopes, rich verdant +meadows lay before them, little villages nestling close to their +churches, and in the far distance a line of blue sea. Orris gazed with +a full heart, and Reyne drew a long breath.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it inspiring!" she said. "We might be on the top of the +Delectable Mountains. We're so far removed up here from petty troubles +and vexations. I'm sure space and freedom are necessary to our +well-being. Nobody ought to have nerves who lives in such surroundings +as these."</p> + +<p>"No," said Orris thoughtfully, "but I suppose every one needs a +different environment. If Venetia were here with us, she would not +enjoy it. Many only stagnate in the country; they live in town."</p> + +<p>Reyne gave another sigh. Then she said:</p> + +<p>"We're going to have visitors next week. I believe you know them. Now +I come to think of it, aren't they connexions of yours? Major Dugald +McTavert and Mrs. Laing, his sister."</p> + +<p>"They're cousins," said Orris, smiling. "How strange! I only heard from +Dugald the other day, saying he would be in these parts soon, for he +would be staying with friends in the neighbourhood. Does he know you +are in the Muirs' house?"</p> + +<p>"No, he wrote to the house of ill-omen, as we now call it. I wonder +who the next tenants will be! It is so attractively advertised that it +never remains empty long, I believe."</p> + +<p>"I wish it could be burnt," said Orris uneasily.</p> + +<p>"You are very superstitious about it. I felt, when I was in it, that I +was as safe there as anywhere. But it is not a happy house."</p> + +<p>"No," said Orris. "I think I must tell you what happened the other day. +Pippa persuaded Mr. Muir to take her over it. She had heard a good deal +about it from the postman, who is a great friend of hers. When she came +back, I asked her about it. She had run away from Mr. Muir for a few +minutes, it seems, had thought she would hide from him, and then she +said suddenly:</p> + +<p>"'I'm 'fraid Master Jock swears wicked words sometimes. I heard drefful +words one after the other behind the door. He says he didn't, but who +could it be, Aunt Ollie?'</p> + +<p>"I asked Mr. Muir, and he vows he never uttered a word, but says Pippa +was in the room where most of the tragedies have taken place."</p> + +<p>"That's queer. Oh, I'm thankful we're out of it! Will you come over +to dinner with us one night, when your cousins are with us? And your +sister-in-law too? Do; I know mother means to ask you."</p> + +<p>"I think we shall be very glad to do so when the invitation arrives," +said Orris, laughing.</p> + +<p>Then they walked back to the car, and found their way to the +Misses Dashwood's cottage. They met Miss Villars there, who seemed +very pleased to see them. Orris had not yet spoken to her, though +she had seen her in church and in the distance. She was a thin, +harassed-looking girl, but when Orris began to talk to her, she +brightened up wonderfully.</p> + +<p>"I have so wanted to know you," she said; "you look so happy, and you +have that darling little niece who always talks to everybody she meets."</p> + +<p>"Yes, she's a sociable little soul, but a little too forward with her +tongue," said Orris in her cheerful way. "You must be fond of children. +I see you surrounded by them in church."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I enjoy the Sunday school. My sister-in-law does not care for +children. I love them. Fancy! We have been here fourteen years this +month, and I've seen some of my little scholars grow up and marry. It +makes me feel so old! Have you heard our news? My brother is giving up +the living. He has been offered one in London, and my sister-in-law +wants to go. It is at Hampstead."</p> + +<p>"Will you be sorry to leave?" Orris asked, wishing she could honestly +regret the Rector's departure, but he was a poor preacher, and had not +much personality or influence amongst his parishioners.</p> + +<p>"I shall be very sorry. I know every one here. It is so hard to begin +all over again."</p> + +<p>"You are happy in having such work," said Orris; "now Miss Archer, who +is with me, is bemoaning her lack of occupation."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is she going to stay here? Would she visit a few of the old +people? We know the man who is coming, but he is unmarried and rather +young. I believe his mother, who lives with him, is old and infirm. I +wondered who would look after every one when I went. I could tell her +all about the ones who most appreciate being visited."</p> + +<p>"I rather fancy she will be here only for the summer, but I know she +would be very glad to give all the help she can."</p> + +<p>Then Orris introduced the girls and began to talk to the Misses +Dashwood.</p> + +<p>When they left, Reyne was a different person. She was delighted at the +opening that seemed in front of her.</p> + +<p>"Of course, the new Rector may not want me interfering, but if he has +no wife, he may be glad of some help," she said. "I've heard that Miss +Villars has done more in the parish than her brother."</p> + +<p>"Yes, all the villagers turn to her. Mrs. Villars does nothing. It is +not her line, she says."</p> + +<p>Orris was dropped at Lilac Farm on the way back. She felt that the +afternoon's drive had refreshed and rested her. She found Venetia +sitting in the orchard reading a novel, and Pippa was playing near her.</p> + +<p>"I've had a visitor," she said, as Orris approached her.</p> + +<p>"I wonder who?"</p> + +<p>"You don't know him. A man I met in Italy. He is partly Italian—at +least, his mother was of that nationality. He is going to stay at +Churt's Grange. Do you know the people there?"</p> + +<p>"My dear Venetia, I know no one."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Muir will tell us. There he is, crossing the farmyard. Run and +tell him I want him, Pippa."</p> + +<p>Away flew Pippa, coming back perched on Jock's broad shoulders.</p> + +<p>He smiled when he heard Venetia's query.</p> + +<p>"Churt's Grange lies the other side of Churt's Hill. Very worthy +people—very rich. Made their money in Glasgow. Only been there ten +years. Do you want to know them?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Riley is going to bring Mrs. Potter to call. I told him we did not +even possess a sitting-room of our own. It is so absurdly rustic and +unconventional here."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Potter won't mind. She'll gush over it all. The country to her is +a kind of stage for her amusement."</p> + +<p>"You will be quite gay," said Orris. "An invitation to dine with the +Archers is coming to us. Dugald and Marie are actually coming to stay +at Pinestones."</p> + +<p>"I wonder who Dugald is?" said Jock, in his usual audacious manner.</p> + +<p>Venetia looked up quickly.</p> + +<p>"The man who I hope is going to marry Orris," she said. "He has been +waiting for her for years."</p> + +<p>Orris's brows contracted. A pink flush rose to her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Please do not talk nonsense, Venetia," she said in a vexed tone.</p> + +<p>Jock looked as black as thunder. And then Pippa, who had been taking it +all in, suddenly threw her word in.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but the man I want Aunt Ollie to marry is Master Jock," she said. +"I simply would love him to be my—my stone-father."</p> + +<p>It was impossible to help laughing.</p> + +<p>"Stepfather, you mean," corrected her mother. "He couldn't be your +stepfather unless he married me. Run away child, and don't interfere in +grown-up people's conversation."</p> + +<p>"Pippa is wiser than the whole lot of us put together," said Jock, as +he went off to the farmyard again, where he was helping Mr. Preston +with a sick cow.</p> + +<p>Pippa darted off with him.</p> + +<p>"I'm very fond of Cousin Dugald," she confided in him, "but I don't +think he ever climbed up into a window in his life. And I simply +''dore' you for doing it!"</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_7">CHAPTER VII</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>VENETIA DISAPPEARS</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>"NOW, Dugald, you must go away. My time is not my own. It is Mrs. +Calthrop's this morning till half-past twelve, when I go to dinner."</p> + +<p>"It's past my comprehension," said Dugald, eyeing the rows of books +in front of him critically, "how a catalogue can take so long in the +making. I bet you I would do it in a fortnight!"</p> + +<p>"Where ignorance is bliss!" said Orris, laughing.</p> + +<p>"But look here, I came down to see you; I've been here two days and +have hardly got a squint of you. When is your time your own? Answer +truthfully."</p> + +<p>"If you promise to leave me in peace, and I can get these three hours +clear of interruptions, I will meet you somewhere this afternoon, and +we'll have a walk, if you like. Be at Lilac Farm at three o'clock. +Venetia will be very pleased to see you to tea if you care to return +with me. That is, providing Lady Violet has not other plans for you. I +would remind you that you are her guest."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," Dugald said sarcastically. Then he altered his tone. +"Isn't it queer the Archers coming here and turning you out? I never +heard of such a topsy-turvy arrangement. And I hear the rightful but +defrauded heir is in the neighbourhood, and that you and he are great +pals. Have I cause for jealousy?"</p> + +<p>"Go away! I shan't talk to you any more. The friends I make cannot +possibly concern you." Orris turned her back upon him and plunged into +her work.</p> + +<p>It was little more than half-past nine, but from his bedroom window +Dugald had caught sight of her crossing the fields, and had hastened +down to have a chat with her. He looked at her very ruefully now.</p> + +<p>"You've no occasion to slave away like this," he said, "to give that +lazy parasite money to fly round with. Well, I suppose I must make my +exit. I shall be at the Farm at three, sharp." He left the room.</p> + +<p>Orris was not disturbed again. Reyne respected her wishes, and rarely +came near her. Lady Violet ignored her, and her cousin Dugald's sister, +Marie, hardly realized that she was in the house.</p> + +<p>When Orris arrived at the Farm for dinner, Pippa met her breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"Mummy has gone away in a car with Mr. Riley. And haymaking is +beginning to-morrow, and I'm going to be in the hayfields all day long, +and Master Jock will make me little cubbyholes in it. Won't it be +glorious!"</p> + +<p>"And what are your plans for this afternoon, I wonder?" asked Orris. +"Is your mother out for the day?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. She said I was to be good. I wiss I'd gone with her, but she +wouldn't take me. She said she mightn't be home till I was in bed!"</p> + +<p>"Where is Anita?"</p> + +<p>Pippa advanced to her aunt on tiptoe, her finger to her lips.</p> + +<p>"Locked in the barn. She—she bored me!"</p> + +<p>The last words were in such exact imitation of her mother's tones that +Orris smiled in spite of herself.</p> + +<p>"But that is very naughty, Pippa. You wouldn't like to be locked in the +barn."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I would, 'cause I can squeeze down through the holes into the +mangers."</p> + +<p>Orris went to release the tearful and very indignant Anita, and told +her to take her work after dinner into the orchard, and keep Pippa in +sight.</p> + +<p>"I am going out for a walk, but I shall be back before tea. As her +mother is out, you will be responsible for her."</p> + +<p>"She is too wild, the child," murmured Anita. "I try, I make play with +her, but she flies like lightning in all parts of the farm at once. She +plays with peegs, she makes herself—her frocks like them. I wash—and +wash—but she is always not fit to look at for a little lady!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind! This is the country."</p> + +<p>"I do agree with my mistress: I like town."</p> + +<p>Anita the adaptable was distinctly ruffled. Orris smoothed her down. +She wondered if she had better leave her little niece, for it was +evidently one of her naughty days.</p> + +<p>At dinner Jock asked her if she was worried.</p> + +<p>"Do I look so?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"You have a certain pucker on your brow which always comes there when +your mind is working at something unpleasant."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed, and her brow cleared.</p> + +<p>"I am going for a walk with my Cousin Dugald," she said; "and I am +wondering whether Pippa will be all right if I leave her at home."</p> + +<p>Pippa was chattering away to the farmer at the other end of the table +or Orris would not have discussed her. Jock looked at her with his +whimsical smile.</p> + +<p>"Is it a case of pleasure versus duty? Let the cousin go, and bring +Pippa out into the five-acre meadow. We're starting the haymaking."</p> + +<p>"To-day?</p> + +<p>"Well, the machine isn't working quite right—we're giving it a trial."</p> + +<p>"Anita might take her down, if you could have an eye on her."</p> + +<p>"All right—I'm game. Because I think you ought to have a change from us +country folk sometimes."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Preston overheard this conversation.</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. Muir, don't hint that Miss Coventry doesn't like us. She might +have been born and brought up in the country, she's so understanding +and simple."</p> + +<p>"Now you've said it!" laughed Jock. "Miss Coventry, simple!"</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, I'm sure," said poor Mrs. Preston, covered with +confusion.</p> + +<p>"My dear Mrs. Preston," said Orris, "simplicity is a virtue which all +of us ought to possess. I wish I had more of it."</p> + +<p>"Would your little niece like to bide in the kitchen with me? We're +making some raspberry jam this afternoon."</p> + +<p>Directly Pippa heard this she was enchanted at the idea of it, and +Orris departed for her walk with a light heart.</p> + +<p>She took Dugald through the pinewoods. They had many mutual friends, +and she enjoyed hearing of town life, and all that was going on.</p> + +<p>"It seems years since I was in the bustle of it all," she said. "I +suppose you think my life stagnation at present?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I couldn't stick it. Why doesn't Venetia get married again, +and relieve you of herself and child, then we would have you in town?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know that you would," said Orris slowly.</p> + +<p>It was an exquisite afternoon; they were leaning over a fence at the +edge of the woods and looking down along the rich pastoral valley below +them. There was a peculiar freshness in the air; every tree and shrub +seemed vibrant with luxurious life, and the pines behind them were +sending out their aromatic fragrance.</p> + +<p>Orris turned to pick a branch of wild roses as she spoke; and as she +inhaled their delicate fragrance, she said again:</p> + +<p>"I don't know that you would. The country is getting a hold of me. +The naturalness and simplicity of it all appeals to me. I am enjoying +first-hand the good gifts of God. I feel now as if I could not take +town life up again. If I could find a thatched cottage vacant, which +is, of course, an impossibility in these days, I believe I would +venture to take it. Look at that view in front of you! Isn't it +exquisite?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can get many as good, outside town," said Dugald +indifferently. Then, turning to her eagerly, he said: "You mustn't +vegetate here too long. You have gifts which are squandered here. And +we—I—want you back again. I haven't a soul who cares whether I live +or die. I mean it. And I miss your motherly—sisterly—oh, how I wish I +could say 'wifely'—lectures for my good. Hurry up over that library and +come back."</p> + +<p>"I have a good three months' work at it, yet," said Orris. "You don't +any of you want me. You map out your days and nights in one long array +of gaieties; you say the same things every day, you repeat scandal, +you tell each other 'bon mots,' you criticize each other, and you +contribute nothing towards the welfare of the unfortunate. And at the +end of your life, what have you got to show for it?"</p> + +<p>Dugald looked at her with mischievous eyes. "Go on. I've heard all this +before."</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's futile talking to you. And I'm just as bad myself. Reyne +Archer has been stirring me up by her fresh enthusiasm, and longing +after a busy, useful life. I have done very little in town, but here, I +fancy, if I were to settle down and get to know the country folk round, +I could do something to help them on a bit. So little amuses them, so +little pleases them. I'm not speaking of the young, but of the old and +feeble. I've just seen a few of them, but they fascinate me. I have +never come in contact with country people before. They're so leisurely +and shrewd, and think more than the Cockneys do. They have more time, +of course."</p> + +<p>"How you drift away from the point," Dugald said. "Promise me you will +return to town in September. You will have had your three months by +then."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I shall promise nothing of the sort. Now shall we go back?"</p> + +<p>Dugald felt, when the walk was over that he had gained nothing by +it. He had hoped that absence from town might make her more eager to +return. He had also hoped that she would have missed him, and learnt to +wish for him.</p> + +<p>When they reached the farm, they found a bountiful tea awaiting them. +Mrs. Preston had suggested to Anita to carry it out under the apple +trees in the orchard.</p> + +<p>Dugald did not stay long. Perhaps Pippa's chatter of her wonderful +"Master Jock" did not smooth matters. If Jock did not like the sound of +him, Dugald most certainly disliked his presence at the farm.</p> + +<p>When he was gone, and Pippa had been taken to bed, Orris sat on in the +silent orchard. The future looked uncertain to her, and sometimes she +had an intense craving for a home of her own. Her flat was not a home, +she told herself. She wanted a garden, a sweet restful place where, as +now, she could sit and meditate with no fear of interruption.</p> + +<p>She was a little anxious over Venetia. Every day found her more +discontented and more restive. These new friends of hers did not seem +to make her happier, only made her long the more to return to town. +And Orris did not care for this new admirer of hers. Mr. Riley seemed +to her a parvenu, and neither well-bred nor intellectual. Venetia was +never happy unless she had some man attendant on her, but Orris feared +she was more than interested in this one.</p> + +<p>She did not return till half-past ten, and was cross with Orris for +waiting up for her.</p> + +<p>"I thought you might be glad of a cup of soup. Have you been out in the +car all day?"</p> + +<p>"We've been up to town," Venetia said shortly, "and we dined at +Salisbury on the way back."</p> + +<p>Orris saw she did not wish to be questioned, so said no more and went +off to bed.</p> + +<p>The next day she and Venetia dined with the Archers. The Rector and his +wife were there, but no one else. It was not exactly a happy gathering. +Venetia and Dugald heartily disliked each other. Mrs. Villars had +taken it into her head not to approve of Orris. Marie, a lively young +matron of two-and-thirty, put her foot into it all round. She told Mrs. +Villars that the country was deadly, and that parsons and their wives +were the deadliest. This was in innocence of Mrs. Villars' calling. She +told Lady Archer that they thought it a burning shame for Mrs. Calthrop +to let her house and turn Orris out, after making arrangements with her +definitely to stay there. And she asked Venetia why she did not try +another millinery venture in town. It was so fashionable, and she would +promise to patronize her if she did so!</p> + +<p>Reyne and Orris did not get a chance of any talk together until just as +she was leaving, and then Reyne said:</p> + +<p>"I want to tell you that I have mother's consent to my taking over some +of Miss Villars' work when she leaves. I am so happy about it. It seems +as if it has just been given to me. And I do agree with you that I +ought not to leave mother at present. If only she stays in the country, +it will be delightful! I am going to enjoy it all now, and shall leave +the future to take care of itself."</p> + +<p>Dugald walked home with Orris and Venetia. The latter said, when she +came into the farm:</p> + +<p>"Preserve me from going out again to any of these deadly country +dinners! Orris, I'm getting to the end of my tether. I shall have to +break away from you."</p> + +<p>"But what do you think of doing?" said Orris, a little wearily. This +kind of conversation was getting frequent and monotonous.</p> + +<p>"I think I should commit suicide if I stayed here much longer."</p> + +<p>"Don't be foolish!" Orris's tone was sharp. "You have more backbone +than that, Venetia, so don't pretend that you haven't. We can't get +everything we want in life; and you have here at least food and +lodging."</p> + +<p>"I thought you would add 'comfort,' for that I have not got. And talk +of life! This isn't life, it's stagnation. I am not a tortoise. I can't +sleep away my time as you want me to do. I shall go to one of those +cheap boardinghouses in Bayswater or Kensington. I don't mind leaving +you Pippa for a time. She ought to be going to school soon. How is it +to be managed?"</p> + +<p>"I shall be able to do it," said Orris. Then she added, with a little +laugh: "That is, if I don't get too many bills of yours to pay."</p> + +<p>Venetia shrugged her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"If you will take your brother's liabilities upon your shoulders, it +isn't for me to complain. Good-night. I'm off to bed. I've warned you +that I shall make my exit soon." Then, as she was turning away, she +looked back. "You and I are not fitted to live together, Orris. You are +too superior in your aloofness from all fun and frivolity. You good +people are on such a different plane to us mere ordinary beings that +you make us uncomfortable in your presence."</p> + +<p>"I have tried not to be a prig," murmured Orris.</p> + +<p>"You can't hide your contempt for me."</p> + +<p>Orris was dumb. She realized that she had been impatient, intolerant +of her sister-in-law's vagaries, and she wondered if she could have +influenced her more, had she shown her more sympathy. She looked at +Venetia somewhat wistfully.</p> + +<p>"I wish you would teach me how to understand you," she said.</p> + +<p>Venetia laughed and blew her an airy kiss.</p> + +<p>"Good-night again. You've been a useful old thing to me, and you're a +pattern aunt to Pippa. You ought to be a mother. I'm not suited to the +role. Marry this young penniless farmer who's so desperately in love +with you. He isn't a bad sort—not spicy enough for me, but good enough +in his way." She disappeared.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Two days after, she made good her words. She had gone off again with +Mr. Riley in his car, presumably to some races that were taking place +about ten miles away.</p> + +<p>This time Orris waited up till between eleven and twelve. She had felt +uneasy all the evening. Pippa had been curiously mysterious, and wagged +her head to and fro every time her mother's name was mentioned.</p> + +<p>When she was put to bed, Orris went in and tucked her up after hearing +her say her evening prayer.</p> + +<p>When Pippa got to, "God bless mummy," she gave a little giggle.</p> + +<p>Orris promptly reproved her, whereupon she looked up with big eyes.</p> + +<p>"God knows why I'm laughing. He will ascuse me."</p> + +<p>"Have you got anything on your mind, my pet?" Orris asked, as she gave +her a "good-night" kiss.</p> + +<p>"No," said Pippa virtuously; "I've been a 'markably good girl to-day."</p> + +<p>Orris paced outside the house in the sweet dusky evening till it was +too dark to see, then she came to the conclusion that Venetia might be +sleeping at the Potters', so she went to bed when it was nearly twelve +o'clock.</p> + +<p>The next morning Anita brought her a note which she had found on her +mistress's dressing-table. It ran as follows:</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "DEAR ORRIS,—<br> +<br> + "I haven't been long in doing it, have I? But Jack Riley has +precipitated matters. We are being married to-morrow at the Registrar's +in town. I go up to-night and sleep at the Metropole. He joins me +to-morrow. I didn't think he was in earnest till yesterday. He has +a ranch in California and we're going out there, but I must have a +maid to go with me, so will you send Anita along with my trunks? I've +packed one. She must pack the other and bring them up to town—to the +Metropole. She loves travelling, so will like to come with me. I +leave you Pippa. I shall miss her, but Jack doesn't want a ready-made +daughter at present; and we shall be travelling about, which would be +bad for her. You won't have me as a burden on your shoulders, so you +will be able to do better for her. She must be educated soon. I should +pack her off to a boarding-school if I were you, and go back to your +club again. Good-bye.<br> +<br> + "You did your best for us, but a country farm is the limit for—<br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 15em;">"Your good-for-nothing Sis,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 25em;">"VENETIA."</span><br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>Orris read this through with dazed eyes. She hardly knew whether +she was glad or sorry. Her immediate anxiety was Pippa with no maid +to look after her. She realized her capacity for mischief, and the +impossibility of doing her work and looking after the child.</p> + +<p>She called Anita to her. It was quite true what Venetia had said. She +had a passion for travelling, and was willing to go anywhere with her +mistress.</p> + +<p>"Miss Pippa, she is too great a charge; she likes not me when I am +reproving her; and she is too wild to be held still and good. I do +better with full-grown ladies who do not pour ink into my shoes and +comb the peegs with my best comb!"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid Miss Pippa has been very naughty."</p> + +<p>"She is born so," said Anita philosophically.</p> + +<p>She departed with alacrity to pack her mistress's trunks, and Orris +went down to breakfast with perplexed eyes.</p> + +<p>Pippa was chattering in the porch to Jock who was filling his pipe +preparatory to going into the hayfields.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Aunt Ollie, be quick with our brekfus', I'm going to be all day in +the hayfield, and I shall make it into little cocks to-day. Jock says I +can."</p> + +<p>"Do you know your mummy has gone away?"</p> + +<p>Pippa looked at her aunt and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Aha! You didn't know I'd a secret! Mummy told me not to tell, and so +last night I didn't, though it nearly bursted from me ever so many +times. Mummy came to me in the orchard when the car was waiting for +her, and she kissed me and whispered in my ear that she was going away. +Mummy often goes away quite sudden, doesn't she? She told me not to +tell you till this morning, and I really quite forgot, I was so busy +thinking about the hay."</p> + +<p>"Have children any hearts?" queried Jock, in an undertone. "Is it +anything serious, Bright Eyes?"</p> + +<p>"Run in, Pippa; there's some bread and milk for you this morning. I'm +just coming."</p> + +<p>The child danced into the house. In a few words, Orris told Jock of +what had happened. He gave a low long whistle.</p> + +<p>"You don't want me to congratulate you," he said.</p> + +<p>"No; it has almost knocked me down—the suddenness of it. But I wonder +that it has not happened before. He has money, so I consider she ought +to be content."</p> + +<p>"And send you something for the child, I should hope?"</p> + +<p>Orris shook her head.</p> + +<p>"Never. He evidently has stipulated that the child is to be shunted +on me. I would not have it otherwise. She would be ruined if she +accompanied them. I don't consider him a nice man—he is very fast and +go ahead. Of course, Venetia is old enough to know her own mind."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm inclined to feel cheery about it. The Elf has stolen her way +into Mrs. Preston's heart, so you needn't worry."</p> + +<p>"But she is too busy to look after her."</p> + +<p>"She will be my charge for to-day."</p> + +<p>"I must get some kind of nursemaid for her," said Orris. Then she +smiled at him. "I am beginning to tell you all my difficulties. I +wonder why!"</p> + +<p>"Because you know that everything that interests you interests me," +responded Jock quickly. "I expect you to confide in me."</p> + +<p>"Go along to your work," said Orris, laughing. And then she joined her +little niece at breakfast.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Preston, on being told the news, showed immense relief.</p> + +<p>"I have done my best for Mrs. Coventry, but she's like a fish out of +water here, miss. She was always grumbling and bewailing our simple +ways. We'll manage fine. I believe Mrs. Will's Lily is at home out of +place. She's a nice girl and has known good service—been nurse-girl up +at Tarbets Hall. Shall I make inquiries about her?"</p> + +<p>"Do, please, dear Mrs. Preston, for Anita must leave at once—this +afternoon, if possible. My sister-in-law will want her luggage."</p> + +<p>There were a good many arrangements to be made before Orris was free to +leave for her work. In fact, she did not go to Pinestones till after +dinner. Anita had left by the two o'clock train, and Mrs. Preston said +Pippa could have tea with her in the kitchen, if she did not have it in +the hayfield. So Orris left the farm with an easy conscience.</p> + +<p>As she was crossing the fields, she met Mr. Dunscombe.</p> + +<p>"You are quite a stranger," he said. "How are you getting on with your +work?"</p> + +<p>"I am seeing my way through the foreign section, but I haven't tackled +the Old English yet."</p> + +<p>She plunged into her subject. Mr. Dunscombe had been of the greatest +help to her in many ways.</p> + +<p>"Don't hurry too much," was his advice, on parting. "We don't want you +to leave us, you know."</p> + +<p>"I am not nearly at that point," Orris said. "Sometimes I think I shall +never want to leave this smiling country. My town tastes are retiring +to the background."</p> + +<p>"We'll do our best to keep you," he said pleasantly.</p> + +<p>And then he went his way, and Orris went hers, more than glad to feel +that her work should occupy her thoughts for the present.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_8">CHAPTER VIII</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>DISASTER</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>IT was Sunday afternoon. Orris sat under one of the old apple trees in +the orchard in a lounge wicker chair. Pippa was sprawling on a plaid +rug at her feet. She disdained chairs, and having on a fresh white +muslin frock, was not allowed to roll the grass at will during her +Sunday lesson time.</p> + +<p>She lay on her chest now, chewing stalks of grass, and beating a tattoo +with her impatient little feet, but she had been listening intently +to one of the old Gospel stories which her aunt had been telling her. +Orris was taking the different incidents in the life of our Lord, and +had been telling the story of Zacchæus this afternoon.</p> + +<p>Unseen by teacher or hearer Jock Muir had stolen up after them, and +lounging behind a thick old apple trunk, had let his eyes dwell +contentedly on the face which, to him, was the dearest and sweetest in +the world. Then Pippa spoke.</p> + +<p>"I wiss, Aunt Ollie, I wiss Jesus was going about in these villages +to-day. Let's pretend He is. Only think how lovely it would be! He +would be walking towards our house here, perhaps, and He'd have come +through the village, and all the persons would have jumped out of their +houses and run after Him; and old Mrs. Bone would hobble up to Him on +her c'utches, and He'd give her new legs at once, and she would go +skipping and dancing along; and little Johnnie White would be taken out +of his bed, and made quite well; and old Tom Burden would have his ears +touched, and never be deaf again. And then they'd all come along the +road, and crowd and crowd round Him, and then I'd climb up into that +old oak by the gate, and look at Him through the leaves, and He'd look +up at me, and everybody would look too, and He'd say:</p> + +<p>"'Make haste, Pippa, and come down, for I'm going to spend the day at +your house!'</p> + +<p>"Oh, how dreffully exciting it would be! And then I'd climb down and +He'd perhaps take my hand and we'd come into the door and you would be +waiting for us, and Mrs. Preston would be getting dinner ready as fast +as she could, and the crowds would all have to wait outside. We'd shut +the door tight and have Jesus all to ourselves!"</p> + +<p>Orris never checked Pippa's flights of fancy. The child was looking up +at her with shining eyes, her whole soul in her words.</p> + +<p>"Well, Pippa, darling," said Orris, in a soft reverent voice, "suppose +we did have our Lord to ourselves, what would you say to Him, would you +ask Him for anything?"</p> + +<p>Pippa shut her eyes tight and considered. Then, with screwed up eyelids +she said at last with infinite satisfaction and content:</p> + +<p>"I'd just creep up softly and sit upon His knees, and love Him."</p> + +<p>There was a little silence; a blackbird suddenly lifted up his voice +behind them, and burst into an ecstatic song of joy.</p> + +<p>Orris murmured to herself, not loud enough for Pippa to hear:</p> + +<p>"Of such is the kingdom of Heaven."</p> + +<p>And then Jock showed himself.</p> + +<p>Pippa jumped up and flung herself into his arms.</p> + +<p>"We've done our lesson. Are you come to tea?"</p> + +<p>"May I?" He looked at Orris, and she nodded with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Pippa, darling, would you go in and help Mrs. Preston get the tea? I +know you like to be useful."</p> + +<p>Away danced Pippa.</p> + +<p>"And Master Jock shall have some cream on his bread instead of butter. +He likes that," she called out, as she ran into the house.</p> + +<p>Jock lay down on the rug which Pippa had vacated.</p> + +<p>"I've been listening for some minutes to you both."</p> + +<p>Orris looked at him earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't you wish we were like little children? Don't you sometimes +envy them their perfect faith and trust and love? It seems to shame +one, when one doubts and hesitates and forgets."</p> + +<p>Jock was silent. Then he said:</p> + +<p>"I can't remember the exact somewhat hackneyed quotation. Doesn't it +run like this:</p> + +<p class="poem"> +<br> +"''Tis little joy<br> + To know I'm farther off from Heaven than when I was<br> + a boy'?"<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>"Did you have Pippa's faith when you were small?" Orris asked quietly.</p> + +<p>"Didn't I tell you? I had a most religious tutor before I went +to Harrow. He began teaching me when I was six. He went out as a +missionary to India afterwards. He coloured my whole small life with +his religion. I heard of his death about five years ago. He always +wrote to me every Christmas—never failed."</p> + +<p>"You haven't lost your faith?" asked Orris.</p> + +<p>He looked at her meditatively.</p> + +<p>"One can neglect, or nurture it. I've done a good deal in the +neglecting way. Neglect a field, you know, and it soon turns out a crop +of unwholesome weeds—gets rank and barren, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"But a good farmer is always trying to reclaim his waste land."</p> + +<p>"I'm a bad hat!" said Jock, trying to speak lightly, but failing.</p> + +<p>Orris leant forward and laid her hand gently on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Come back to your Owner," she said. "He'll clear and redeem your +barren field. Hand yourself over to Him again. He had you as a little +boy, He wants you now."</p> + +<p>Jock thrilled at her touch, and also at her words.</p> + +<p>"Is it all a myth?" he queried.</p> + +<p>And then Orris said very softly:</p> + +<p>"'I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep +that which I have committed unto Him against that day.'"</p> + +<p>Then there was silence again between them.</p> + +<p>Jock broke it at last by saying in a lighter tone: "You didn't see me +in church to-day?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"I was there—came in late, and had to go out before the final hymn. The +sick cow was taken worse. I believe my calling is a vet. I'm better at +handling sick animals than Preston is, so he tells me. How do you like +our new parson?"</p> + +<p>"Very much. Better than Mr. Villars. He is alive, and believes in his +message."</p> + +<p>Pippa here joined them again, summoning them to tea.</p> + +<p>Orris had said what she wanted to Jock; it was not her way to worry, +or to weary anyone by over-much talking. But she had always felt that +something real lay under Jock's happy-go-lucky nature.</p> + +<p>As he and Pippa teased and joked and played together that quiet Sunday +evening, she wondered if he had cast aside his memories again. But when +he took his leave of her a little later on, he said:</p> + +<p>"Thank you for my Sunday lesson. I shan't forget it." Then he raised +her hand suddenly to his lips, kissed it, and departed before she could +say a word.</p> + +<p>Orris found herself thinking about him a great deal. One of the traits +in his character that she admired, was the good-tempered philosophical +way in which he took the loss of his inheritance; there seemed to be no +bitterness or vindictiveness in his composition towards those who had +evidently defrauded him of his rights. It was not that he did not feel +it, she felt sure. She had seen the sudden flash of his eyes, and the +tightening of his lips, when his will or wishes were crossed, but she +never heard him lift his voice in anger to anyone. He seemed to have +absolute control over his feelings, and no one could make him lose his +temper. All children, all animals, adored him; the farm hands would do +anything for him, and he got more work out of them than did anyone else.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>One day he and she were having a discussion together over the world in +general. Orris had been talking about her sister-in-law, and said she +was one of the products of the war.</p> + +<p>"I ought to make more allowances for her. She tells me I am not +sympathetic, and think and show my superiority in every way, but the +fact is, I'm almost a generation behind her. I don't smoke, I don't +shingle, or use a lip-stick, or care for jazz dances and night clubs. +I'm hopelessly old-fashioned, and, of course, she thinks me a prig, but +our tastes are utterly different. And what I say is that this present +generation are too much like a flock of sheep. They follow each other, +and some of them have not the courage to own to a different standard +and individuality to the rest. The worst thing in the world for a young +girl is to be found out-of-date or behind the times. It's all wrong. We +each have a different personality, and ought to know our own minds and +stick to them, without being biased by others. I suppose all ideals and +standards have been lost.</p> + +<p>"'Live like the rest, and let everything else go hang!' That's the +motto of the young girl of to-day. I am thinking of Pippa in the years +to come. I may not have her with me many years. How can I expect her to +be stronger than the rest of her contemporaries?"</p> + +<p>Jock was silent for a few minutes, then he turned to her with his +delightfully sunny smile.</p> + +<p>"You know, I understand your sister-in-law's point of view. And you are +so strong, so genuinely superior to most of us that it does give one a +kind of hopeless feeling about getting hold of you and your affections. +I sometimes wickedly feel that I should like to see you brought down a +little lower—not in your ideals and morals—Heaven forbid that!—but in +your—shall I say circumstances? I should like to see you low enough to +be glad and thankful of my comfort and guidance. I should like to have +the raising of you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" cried Orris. "You will always become so personal. But I +am sorry I seem to show my superiority. I don't feel superior in any +way—except, honestly—yes, in my heart I do feel superior to Venetia, +and that is the reason why I have never been able to influence her or +get her to like me. I'm all wrong. I wish I had more patience, more +tolerance, more love for those who have such a different outlook to +myself."</p> + +<p>Jock nodded.</p> + +<p>"More love," he murmured. "It will come if you cultivate it, and I can +wait."</p> + +<p>He generally ended all serious conversation by some such remark. But +Orris thought of what he had said, and prayed daily for more humility +and diffidence of self.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>One day, after the haymaking was over, and when the weather was rather +wet and stormy, Orris took Pippa down to Pinestones with her. The young +girl who was looking after her was not very satisfactory, and did not +seem to be able to manage her. Pippa had been rescued, soaking wet to +the skin, from a shallow pond, where she had been trying to wash some +young pigs, and had refused to have her frock changed, saying that, as +she was wet, she could have a good paddle. Later, she developed a bad +cold, and had to be kept in bed for two days. Now she was well again, +but Orris thought that she would rather have her under her own eye in +the library; and Pippa, of course, was delighted at the prospect before +her.</p> + +<p>She accompanied her aunt well wrapped up in her little mackintosh cape +and hood, carrying her Teddy bear, a doll, and a box of zigzag puzzles.</p> + +<p>"I shall be frifefully busy, Aunt Ollie," she said, "and I promise not +to say one word to you, only to myself and to Teddy and to Rosemary."</p> + +<p>Orris established her in a corner of the library, and for an hour or +two this plan was very satisfactory. Orris was absorbed in her work, +and Pippa in her play.</p> + +<p>Then came an interruption. Reyne came to ask if Miss Dashwood might +speak to Orris for a moment. It was about an entertainment which she +was getting up for the benefit of the village girls' club, and in which +Orris had promised to perform.</p> + +<p>"Could you come and speak to her? I hate interrupting you, and it is +against rules, I know, but she came up here, hoping to catch you."</p> + +<p>Orris consented immediately, telling Pippa to stay where she was till +she returned. Miss Dashwood kept her longer than she thought, and she +found it was getting near lunch time when the interview was over.</p> + +<p>Coming hurriedly into the library, she called Pippa, put on her cloak +and hat, and equipping herself also, hurried home across the fields. +The rain had stopped, but there was a high wind, and Pippa much enjoyed +losing her hat, and having a chase over a muddy ditch after it.</p> + +<p>Only Mrs. Preston dined with them. It was market day, and both Jock and +the farmer were away in the neighbouring town.</p> + +<p>After dinner, Orris found that some of Pippa's clothes required +mending, so she and Pippa spent a quiet hour or two up in the bedroom. +Then Orris thought she might make up for her interrupted morning by +putting in another hour or so of work, so she asked Mrs. Preston to +have Pippa with her, and give her her tea, as she might be late. Mrs. +Preston was always glad to have the child with her in the afternoon, +but the morning was too busy a time to look after her.</p> + +<p>Orris started away across the field path as usual, but as she came +within sight of Pinestones she saw, to her horror, a huge column of +smoke rising from behind the trees.</p> + +<p>She quickened her steps, thinking at first it must be a chimney on +fire, but she soon found it was more than that, and when she saw that +both smoke and flames were pouring out of the windows of the west wing, +she gave a horrified cry.</p> + +<p>"The library! The precious library!"</p> + +<p>She tore along in a frantic breathless way, and found when she got +there that the gardener and the postman and a few odd men were hard at +work with a hose and buckets. The fire-engine had been sent for, but +had not yet arrived.</p> + +<p>"Oh, save the books! Save the books!" Orris cried.</p> + +<p>And as the hose was playing on one of the French windows, without a +thought of herself, she dashed in, and in spite of smoke and heat, +actually got hold of a few priceless volumes that were nearest the +window.</p> + +<p>"Hold hard, miss; you can't do it. You'll be burnt!" the gardener +called out.</p> + +<p>But Orris seemed blind and deaf to everything but the precious books. +Again she dashed in, but this time she enveloped herself in a blanket +that had been brought from the house. The gardener arrayed himself in +another, and followed her, but they could save but very few books. The +fire was raging hotly, and the smoke caused by the hose playing into +the room was suffocating.</p> + +<p>It seemed a hideous nightmare to Orris! Three times she ventured in, +and reclaimed some of her treasures; she was in too much excitement to +notice whether she was burnt or not. For the fourth time she was going +in, but there was a sudden clatter, and the fire-engine was upon the +scene.</p> + +<p>In the usual country way, a tremendous lot of talking took place before +they got to work. Orris felt every minute was precious, and was about +to dash into the room again, in spite of the protests around her, +when she suddenly felt some one put his hands upon her shoulders from +behind, and hold her in an iron grip.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't! The firemen themselves can't enter that room now!"</p> + +<p>Orris struggled frantically. She knew it was Jock who held her. He had +come up on the fire-engine from the town.</p> + +<p>"I must go!" she cried. "I must try to save some! Oh, think of it! The +library! The books are priceless! Let me go!"</p> + +<p>Jock tightened his hold, put his arm round her, and drew her away from +the scene.</p> + +<p>"If you promise to behave yourself, I'll go and help, but if you won't, +I shall continue to hold you."</p> + +<p>Inadvertently, he caught hold of one of her hands. She uttered a slight +cry, and drew it away. Jock saw at once that both her hands were badly +burned. Without a word, he caught her up in his arms, as if she were a +baby, and carried her into the house.</p> + +<p>Lady Violet and Reyne were watching with anxious eyes the awful +conflagration in the west wing. But now the engine had arrived, they +had hopes of saving the rest of the house.</p> + +<p>Jock carried Orris into the drawing-room, which was in the east wing, +and laid her upon one of the couches there. Then he saw that she had +fainted. The shock and the burns she had received had been too much for +her. Happily the telephone was in the house. Jock at once 'phoned for +the doctor, and asked Reyne to stay with her.</p> + +<p>"I must go back. We may save something. You're quite safe; the wind +happily is not in this direction and is blowing away from us. Get some +oil. Have you any lint? Cover her hands up as soon as you can. She may +be burned elsewhere. I'll come back as soon as I can."</p> + +<p>It seemed as if Jock took command of the whole situation.</p> + +<p>"Water, and plenty of it, is the only chance," he said. "Come! Every +one work away with a will!"</p> + +<p>And before an hour had passed, the fire had been got under. Not, +however, before the library had been completely gutted. But through +the smoking debris Jock went in and out, still rescuing a few of the +books which had escaped the flames. Alas! There were very few to save. +The fire had been so fiercely fanned by the high wind, and the wooden +shelves were so brittle and old, that only the charred and blackened +fragments of the once famous library remained.</p> + +<p>When Jock felt that he could do no more, he strode into the house to +see how Orris was faring. The doctor had been and dressed her wounds. +Both hands and one arm were severely burned, also her left leg and +ankle. A great burnt hole in her dress showed where the fire had caught +her.</p> + +<p>He found her still lying on the couch, pale and exhausted. But the +misery in her eyes was not due to her hurts.</p> + +<p>Reyne was sitting by her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Muir, come and add your persuasions to mine. We want her to +sleep here. She must; she isn't fit to be moved."</p> + +<p>"It can't be thought of," said Orris, a hot flush coming to her cheeks. +"It's very kind of you, but I must get back to Pippa and to my own +bed." She finished her sentence with a wry smile. Then she looked up at +Jock with eager eyes. "Have you saved any more of them? They can't—they +can't be all destroyed."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've saved some more," he said soothingly. Then he turned to +Reyne. "If you could let her be lifted into your car, I don't think she +will hurt. Mrs. Preston is a born nurse. She'll only worry here. The +sooner she's moved the better."</p> + +<p>Reyne acquiesced reluctantly, but she felt she would have to be in +attendance on her mother, as Lady Violet was much upset by the shock of +it all, and she knew that Orris would be in good hands at the farm.</p> + +<p>The car was brought round, and Jock again carried Orris down the broad +steps and put her comfortably inside; then he got in beside her. For +one moment his eyes turned to the blackened west wing, but he said +nothing.</p> + +<p>Orris, keenly sensitive to all around her, said quickly:</p> + +<p>"It can't mean as much to you as it does to me. It seems like some evil +dream. What a horrible dream it would be; and yet it is true—it's the +awful fact!"</p> + +<p>"It's a mercy you've escaped as you have," said Jock, looking at her +bandaged limbs. "Didn't you realize what was happening to you?"</p> + +<p>"No, oh no; it was the books that mattered. I did put out the +flames when my skirt caught alight. I think I did it with the thick +table-cloth. Oh, what can I do? How can I tell Mrs. Calthrop?"</p> + +<p>"You talk as if you'd been the author of the fire," said Jock. "Don't +worry so. You're agitating yourself unnecessarily."</p> + +<p>"But how could it have caught fire? I can't understand it. There was no +fire in the room. It's not a question of a defective chimney." She was +getting flushed and excited.</p> + +<p>Jock bent towards her.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he said, "I'm not going to let you say another word. Lie +still, or I shall take you in my arms again and make you."</p> + +<p>Orris was dumb. The pain in her limbs was increasing. She was thankful +when the farm was reached. In a very few moments, she was upon her own +bed.</p> + +<p>Jock delivered to Mrs. Preston a sleeping-draught, left by the doctor, +and then went back to the scene of the fire. He was still anxious to +pick out of the debris some of the treasures that had been in the +library.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Snow and the servants were so thankful to be untouched by the +fire in their quarters that they did not seem to take any interest in +the ruined library. Mrs. Snow spent her time in conjectures as to the +origin of the fire, but could get no light upon it.</p> + +<p>"Well, at any rate," she said, with a sniff, "Miss Coventry will have +lost her job, and it seemed as if she were never coming to the end of +it. I dare say she may have been careless with the matches. I've seen +her using sealing-wax in there, and there's no telling. The room was +all right before she went into it that morning, for I went in myself to +see if the girl had dusted properly. It's a mystery which will have to +be cleared up by some one."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_9">CHAPTER IX</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>JOCK'S CONFESSION</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>PIPPA was not allowed to see her aunt that evening. Owing to the +sleeping-draught, Orris had some sleep, but she was very feverish the +next morning, and suffered acutely. Mrs. Preston did everything for +her, though Orris begged for the attendance of Lily, the village girl.</p> + +<p>"You are more than busy, I know. Please don't worry over me."</p> + +<p>"My dear, it's a pleasure. I love nursing. When I was a girl, before I +married, I always said I should like to nurse in a hospital. Lily is +helping in the kitchen."</p> + +<p>And then a soft little knock was heard at the door, and Pippa's most +coaxing voice beseeching to be let in.</p> + +<p>"Let her come," said Orris. "And you've done everything, dear Mrs. +Preston. I can't thank you enough. I am ready to see the doctor now, +and have only to wait for him."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Preston left the room rather unwillingly, and Pippa, with big +eyes, approached the bed.</p> + +<p>"Poor Aunt Ollie! Master Jock has been telling me all about you. Is you +very hurt?"</p> + +<p>"No, darling. I shall soon be better." Then Orris raised herself a +little on her pillow, and her soft dark eyes fixed themselves on her +small niece's face. "Pippa dear, I want you to tell me exactly what you +did yesterday, when I left you in the library."</p> + +<p>Pippa frowned.</p> + +<p>"I think I was puzzling out the puzzle."</p> + +<p>"And then?"</p> + +<p>"Then? Oh then—" Pippa hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't be afraid. I know you are going to be truthful."</p> + +<p>"I think the nex' thing was I tried to make some cigarettes like +mummy's, out of the paper in the waste-paper basket."</p> + +<p>"And then you took the matches?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I did, just to light the end of them, you know, but I was very +tidy. I lighted them in the basket, but they wouldn't light. And then +you came to the door, and I threw the matches in the basket, and you +hurried me out, you know, because you said we'd be late for lunch."</p> + +<p>Orris was silent. She could not speak for a moment. She and her niece +between them had burnt down the library of a few hundred years. The +fear had been in her heart from the time she had returned to the farm +the evening before.</p> + +<p>As her brain cleared, she had fixed upon Pippa as the culprit. And +now her fears were realized. She lay, looking at her niece, unable to +speak, and Pippa grew frightened.</p> + +<p>"Are you angry with me, Aunt Ollie? I didn't make a fire, you know. The +matches wouldn't light."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid, my Pippa, the matches did light. Some little bit of paper +must have burnt slowly and ignited the box, and then the flames spread +and spread. How often you have been warned about fire!"</p> + +<p>Pippa stared at her aunt uncomprehendingly.</p> + +<p>And then the doctor came in, and she was sent away, and Mrs. Preston +would not let her see her aunt again that day.</p> + +<p>"She has a high temperature and some fever, and the doctor says she's +to be kept very quiet," Mrs. Preston told her.</p> + +<p>Pippa was unusually silent that day. Jock came up and tried to cheer +her up. He thought it was her aunt's state that was depressing her, and +she gave him no clue to her thoughts.</p> + +<p>Orris herself was suffering so much from the pain of her burns, +and also from the horror and anguish which she felt at the tragedy +of the burnt library, that she almost forgot the existence of her +little niece. She was light-headed for two days, and when finally her +temperature dropped, and her pulse and heart were normal, she lay +crushed and almost lifeless upon her bed. Nothing seemed to rouse her. +Miss Dashwood, Reyne, and Jock called daily, but no one was allowed to +see her.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>At last, she was able to be moved out on the roomy couch in Mrs. +Preston's sitting-room. And it was there Jock found her one sunny +afternoon. He was shocked to see her so white and fragile.</p> + +<p>She tried to smile when she saw him.</p> + +<p>"You've been through a good deal to look like this," Jock said, as he +bent over her.</p> + +<p>"I can't shake hands," she murmured. "I am as helpless as a baby; I +can't move one of my fingers."</p> + +<p>"I am so sorry."</p> + +<p>"Sit down," she said. "And don't look at me like that."</p> + +<p>"Like what?"</p> + +<p>"As if I were an object of pity! I am strong, and I am fast getting +well. I am a weak coward; and at present, I am wishing I could die, for +I feel I can't face life."</p> + +<p>"That's not like you."</p> + +<p>"No. Weren't you wishing that something would shake my +self-sufficiency? You see a wreck now before you. I am down so low +that I feel I shall never raise my head again. Tell me, what is done +to people who through carelessness cause such a catastrophe, such a +colossal loss, as that of Mrs. Calthrop's library? Has anything been +heard of her? I know Mrs. Snow wired. Have you been down there?"</p> + +<p>"I've been there every day, picking out charred fragments, in spite of +Snuffy's warning me off the premises. Snuffy got a wire two or three +days ago. They're coming back, posthaste, of course—will arrive this +evening as a matter of fact. Lady Violet is afraid she will have to +move her quarters again. But I have reassured her on that point; she +has the house till the autumn, legally."</p> + +<p>"I repeat again that I'm a coward," said Orris. "The guilty always +are. I feel like a bogus company promoter who has ruined a few +hundred widows and poor people, or a murderer. I fail to imagine Mrs. +Calthrop's state of mind."</p> + +<p>"Now look here, let's have a straight talk. Did you wilfully set that +library on fire? Make a clean breast of it."</p> + +<p>Orris gave a weak laugh.</p> + +<p>"Wilfully destroy a thing that is my livelihood and the apple of my +eye! I'll tell you. It was sheer negligence and carelessness to leave a +child in that precious library alone. I did it."</p> + +<p>In a few words she told him the facts of the case.</p> + +<p>Jock was very grave and gentle. He seemed to be holding himself in, for +he spoke slowly and thoughtfully, unlike his usual impetuous fashion.</p> + +<p>"I don't think Mrs. Calthrop could blame you," he said, "but there's +no saying what an angry woman will do, so I shall effectually suppress +her. You need not be afraid. I shall see she does not come near you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how I could laugh at your assurance, if I wasn't so miserable," +said Orris. "I don't know why I'm confiding in you like this. Put +yourself in my place; what would you do? I won't run away, but that +is what I should like to do. Of course, I shall meet Mrs. Calthrop. I +shall not shirk that; and I shall tell her exactly what I have told +you. But much as I feel for her, it's the books—the books I am thinking +of. I had learnt the value of them; I had learnt to love them. It is +through me that they have been destroyed. If I had not come here, the +library would be safe and sound to-day. That rings on in my head all +day, all night."</p> + +<p>"But," said Jock, "I've heard that useless grief for the past lays up +future grief for the present. Think that out. Dunscombe said that to me +one day, and it's quite true. Books and possessions aren't the best of +human life. If you had lost your life, now, ah! Where should I be?"</p> + +<p>"My life at present seems of no value," said Orris in a hopeless tone.</p> + +<p>"My darling!—Yes, I will say it; you can't stop me—I should like to +take you in my arms and comfort you, but I daren't touch you. And +that's the confounded nuisance of it! Listen. Suppose the library +belonged to me, would you feel as bad about it as you do now?"</p> + +<p>"I can't suppose such a case. Yes, the loss of it would weigh just as +heavily on my soul. Of course, my pride squirms at Mrs. Calthrop's just +indignation. I know her well. I have had dealings with her at the Club +in town; and whilst she has always been kind to me, I have seen her +very hard and bitter to those who vex and annoy her. But, of course, I +merit her displeasure. I can go through with that."</p> + +<p>"You shall not," Jock said decisively. "Don't you know I would guard +and keep you from the least annoyance if I could? And I have power in +this matter. Poor little Pippa has precipitated matters. I guarantee +that Mrs. Calthrop shall not give you one unkind word. She will not +have the right to do so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how can you talk so?" said Orris. "But it's very kind of you."</p> + +<p>"Kind!" Jock muttered another word under his breath. "Well, you shall +have something else to think of to-night besides the loss of the +library and Mrs. Calthrop's wrath. But I think I must first tell you of +a scene I have had with Snuffy to-day. She heard I was digging about +amongst the burnt rubbish in the library, and came off like a hot fury +to see what I was about. I laughed at her, as usual, and told her I was +working on behalf of the owner of the library.</p> + +<p>"Then she dared to say something about you. I think I'll tell you, to +let you know the sort she is. She said she'd always had her doubts as +to what you were really doing with the books. Any auctioneer could come +up and catalogue those books in a week, she said. And she'd an idea +that you knew Mrs. Calthrop was coming back, and just made a bonfire of +the whole to hide your idleness, etc. So I fixed her with my eye.</p> + +<p>"'Out of this house you go this day month,' I said. And I think she saw +I was in a white fury, for she quailed under my gaze. 'And you've lost +a comfortable fat job by your false, malicious tongue. You're not fit +to lie down and lick Miss Coventry's boots, though I'd like to make you +do it.'</p> + +<p>"She tossed her head. 'And who are you to talk of giving me notice?' +she said.</p> + +<p>"And I answered: 'You'll know that within the next four-and-twenty +hours.'</p> + +<p>"She crept off like a whipped hound. I don't often show my ire, but she +got it red-hot, I can tell you!"</p> + +<p>"But I really don't understand you, and why you take such a high hand," +murmured Orris, feeling bewildered by his talk.</p> + +<p>"I'm putting off my explanation because I don't know how you'll take +it. If only you'll put your hand in mine! No, you can't do that—but +just assure me with your sweet lips that you will try to care for the +vagrant and ne'er-do-well; it will make the telling easier." Jock +smiled into her face so persuasively that Orris shut her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear," he went on, "what does a library more or less matter if +you and I come together? I'd rather lose ten hundred libraries than +just lose you. I've been awfully patient. Do be kind! Tell me to hope. +Give me some slight encouragement! If you have had wakeful nights, I +have too. There's a lot before me, but I can go through it so joyfully +if you'll only let me have your love."</p> + +<p>But Orris shook her head and, weak as she was, the tears came to her +eyes.</p> + +<p>Jock was all compunction at once.</p> + +<p>"What a brute I am! Mrs. Preston will be giving it to me for agitating +you."</p> + +<p>"No," said Orris, "you are not agitating me. But at this juncture, when +I've been the cause of such a calamity, it isn't the time to become +engaged to you. I suppose you think you could fight my battles for me. +I thank you with all my heart for the thought, but I can stand alone. I +have done it for several years now."</p> + +<p>"Then hear my confession! I hope you will believe me! Just before my +aunt died, after she had made her will, leaving me out of it, she +went up to London, to be free for one day from the supervision of her +cousins. She had been thinking over things, and had got at the truth of +a few of the misrepresentations about her errant nephew. In that one +day in town, she went to a strange lawyer, got a short and simple will +made out, in which she left me every single thing she possessed. This +she, in the calmest and most rash way, posted off to me with a letter +saying why she did so. It was the merest fluke that I got it, as I was +travelling about at the time. I came home as soon as I could, and found +that the Calthrops were in possession. It amused me—the situation; and +when Snuffy shut me out, I thought I would play round for a bit, and +see what they were doing.</p> + +<p>"Then one day as you know, I determined to get into my own house. The +Elf received me so delightfully and whole-heartedly that I continued +the game; and when you came in—well, you bowled me over. I found out +all about you when I left. I wanted to know you. I knew if I took +possession of my house your job would be over, and you would fly back +to town; then I should never see you again. So, to gain time, I laid +low, and, honestly, I've found the life here well worth living. And I +have learnt to know you. I believe I know you through and through, and +we are close friends—you can't deny it."</p> + +<p>He paused.</p> + +<p>Orris lay and looked up at him with blanched lips. Never had she +imagined such a situation as this. She managed to gasp out:</p> + +<p>"Then the library is yours, and I have destroyed it for you. Oh, it's +worse than ever!"</p> + +<p>"Is it? I don't think so. The library was the cause of my leaving home. +I had no reason to love it—until you came there. Since then it has been +different. Don't you see that we can snap our fingers at everybody now, +and go and get married to-morrow? Then we shall be able to rebuild the +west wing with the insurance money, and live happily ever after."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a boy you are! I really feel overwhelmed. I can't take it all +in. Does nobody know this secret of yours?"</p> + +<p>"Only Dunscombe, and he's not a talker, as you know. He has kept 'mum.' +No, nobody knows."</p> + +<p>"But you must—you must feel the loss of the library. It never, never +can be replaced."</p> + +<p>"I'm saving odds and ends of it in spite of Snuffy. You know your Bible +better than I; doesn't it remind us that we brought nothing into the +world, neither can take anything out of it? I am not a reader; the few +years of my life will be, I hope, none the less happy for not owning a +famous library. I did feel incensed at Mrs. Calthrop wishing to sell +it, but of course she never could. That knowledge comforted me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how you must have been laughing up your sleeve at us all! I so +often wondered why you took the loss of your inheritance so calmly."</p> + +<p>"Honestly, I shouldn't have minded losing it. I'm a born farmer. What +has vexed me is seeing the Home Farm being so mismanaged. I ached to +run it myself. Now I shall have that pleasure. Has my news cheered you?"</p> + +<p>"I think it has," said Orris, smiling, "I feel so glad for you. How I +have wasted my pity on you!"</p> + +<p>"Never! I claim with gladness every atom of it. I shall want more from +you than that; and I'm going to have it, too. You can't get away from +me, Orris. It wasn't only your figure, your grace, your sweetness, +but your soul I saw shining through you that first day. My soul flew +straight to yours. You drew me as a magnet. I shan't worry you more +now. I've given you a lot to think about. I'm going over to Pinestones +this evening. I'm not going to take the chance of Mrs. Calthrop or her +son arriving over here."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't mind. She would not come to-night, after her long journey. +Let her have a night in peace. You can afford to be generous. It will +be such a blow."</p> + +<p>"You're siding with her. Does she require our sympathy? I feel bitter. +She so systematically set to work to oust me and to influence my poor +old aunt. I have her letter which says so. But I'll do as you say. +After all, Mrs. Preston has you in her charge. She can refuse to let +her see you. Now will you promise me to sleep to-night? May I—may I do +what you do to the little Elf?"</p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked Orris unthinkingly.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you." Stooping, he kissed her on the cheek. "God bless you, +darling sweetheart!"</p> + +<p>And then he turned and fled, whilst Orris lay back on her cushions, not +knowing whether it was anger or joy that brought the red blood rushing +up into her face.</p> + +<p>"He's so audacious," she murmured. And then she lay still, thinking +over his news and fitting it into the past, wondering at her density in +not having discovered his secret before.</p> + +<p>As Jock went out of the farm, Pippa came dancing up to him.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Aunt Ollie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and she's far from well yet. Are you keeping your promise and +being a little angel?"</p> + +<p>Pippa nodded.</p> + +<p>"Do angels play see-saw? Tom Bridge has made me such a lovely one +across that big lumpy bank the other side of the barn. Do come and try +it!"</p> + +<p>In a moment, like a boy, he was off with her. Mrs. Preston heard her +screams of delighted laughter and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Jock, you ought to have a child of your own, you love them so!" +she said, and then she went to Orris.</p> + +<p>Orris said nothing of what she had heard. Jock evidently was still +keeping his own counsel, and until he had seen Mrs. Calthrop, she +concluded that he wished the matter to be kept quiet.</p> + +<p>But when Pippa came to wish her good-night later on, she said, with big +eyes:</p> + +<p>"Master Jock says that p'raps next Sunday he'll ask Lady Vi'let to let +me see the powder-room again. Won't Snuffy be angry when Master Jock +and I creep upstairs and hide ourselves away in it? And he says one day +he'll show me an old dolls' house in one of the top attics. It belonged +to a little cousin of his who died, and it's very, very old. But it may +in some wonderful way come to be mine one day. How do you think he will +manage it? Will he be a buggler, and climb up into a window and steal +it?"</p> + +<p>"My darling, he would never steal."</p> + +<p>"No; I suppose he wouldn't. Oh, Aunt Ollie, don't you 'love' Master +Jock? When I was hugging him just now, he laughed and said he wished +you were there, and then we'd all hug together. Shall we do it nex' +time he comes? You could say, one, two, three, and away, and then we'd +all do it together."</p> + +<p>"Run away to bed, darling," was her aunt's comment.</p> + +<p>And obeying, Pippa turned back at the door.</p> + +<p>"I hope I shan't have to wait long for that dolls' house. Master Jock +seemed to think it might be got for me before very, very long. Isn't +fifteen days a 'very' long time?"</p> + +<p>"A very short time to me."</p> + +<p>"I'll ask God in my prayers to cut off a few days. He could do it easy. +He could make the sun skip them over; they could be got rid of while we +were sleeping."</p> + +<p>Pippa disappeared.</p> + +<p>Her aunt lay back on her couch and thought and thought, and finally +evolved a certain plan of action in her head, which somewhat eased her +troubled mind.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_10">CHAPTER X</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>ORRIS'S LETTER</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>JOCK arrived at Pinestones about eleven o'clock the next morning. Dan +opened the door, and looked rather scared when he saw him.</p> + +<p>"I want to see Miss Archer."</p> + +<p>Dan hesitated, then led the way to the drawing-room, and in a few +moments Reyne appeared.</p> + +<p>"Is Mrs. Calthrop staying here?" he asked, after they had shaken hands.</p> + +<p>"Yes, for the night. Mother begged her to stay longer, but she and her +son are going to the 'Golden Bells' in the village. They seem to prefer +it. How is Orris? I can't tell you how upset the Calthrops are. Mrs. +Snow has told them that it must have been through some carelessness of +Orris's that the fire took place. I can't understand it, but I'm sure +Orris is not responsible for it, and I told Mrs. Calthrop so. She is +going to the farm this afternoon to see her."</p> + +<p>"No, she isn't," said Jock, smiling. "I must see this good lady. +Wish me well through a most unpleasant interview, Miss Archer. It is +imperative that I should see her, but I think she will decline to do +it. You must get us together, for I'm not going away till I've had an +interview."</p> + +<p>Reyne looked at him a little uncertainly. He spoke so decisively that +she felt he would not be easily turned away.</p> + +<p>"I will go up to her. She has not left her room yet."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. I hoped you would be my messenger; the fat would be in the +fire if you sent old Snuffy."</p> + +<p>When she left him, Jock paced to and fro in the big drawing-room with +compressed lips. Once he paused, and with his hands in his pockets +stood looking out of the long windows, facing the garden. Then it was +that a dreamy look came into his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I wonder," he murmured, "how soon I shall win her."</p> + +<p>It was a long time before Mrs. Calthrop appeared. He judged rightly. +She had at first flatly declined to see him, and said it was great +impertinence for him to come near the house, but Reyne pleaded his +cause.</p> + +<p>"I think it is on some urgent business matter. He would not come here +unless it was. He is generally too hard at work to make morning calls. +He may bring you a message from Miss Coventry. He works on the farm +where she lodges."</p> + +<p>"From what I hear," said Mrs. Calthrop with asperity, "they are +continually together. And his behaviour towards the old housekeeper +here has been most insolent. He can have nothing to say to me."</p> + +<p>"He may have discovered the origin of the fire. I told him I would +bring you down. I hope I did not do wrong."</p> + +<p>After some further persuasion Mrs. Calthrop came downstairs.</p> + +<p>When she opened the drawing-room door, her demeanour was haughty and +cold.</p> + +<p>Jock looked at her, and a feeling of pity shot through his heart. Then +he said:</p> + +<p>"I know you are surprised, and not very pleased to see me, but I shall +not stay long. This fire is a terrible affair. I conclude you have kept +up the insurance for the house and library?"</p> + +<p>"That is my concern, not yours," said Mrs. Calthrop. "But as a matter +of fact, the insurance people are getting the police here to inquire +into the circumstances. It seems very mysterious. Miss Coventry may +throw some light upon the matter. I am going to see her this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"That will be unnecessary when you have heard what I have to say. +Directly I heard of my aunt's death, I came home. As you must know, +the contents of her will were totally unexpected. But you acted too +precipitately. She made a later will than that which you possess, and +it is a very different one."</p> + +<p>"I should like to see it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Calthrop spoke calmly, but her lips went white. She sat down, and +rested her clasped hands upon a small table in front of her.</p> + +<p>"I have a copy of it. The original is with the lawyer in town, who drew +it up. Here it is. I should also like you to see a letter which my aunt +wrote to me. She did a very unusual and a rash thing: she sent me her +will by ordinary post, and told me to keep it until after her death. +She must have died within a few weeks of signing it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Calthrop took the document and letter from him. She opened the +letter first. It was as follows:</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "MY DEAREST JOCK,—<br> +<br> + "Yesterday I met the postman coming in at the gate and received your +welcome letter. I have never received any letters from you at all for +the last two years, or longer, but I am Inexpressibly thankful to know +that you have been working so well and steadily all this time. I was +led to suppose otherwise. I am not at all well. I wish you were home. +I have not been myself, and am now but a cipher in my own house. My +cousin Letitia overwhelms me.<br> +<br> + "I cannot withstand her, and even Edmund has got upon my nerves. I +am sorry for the causes that drove you away. I shall go up to town +to-morrow and make a fresh will, 'by myself.' I am a free agent, after +all. And I shall send it out to you for safety. Wills get lost, and I +want you to come home and settle down and run the farm as you wished.<br> +<br> + "I was unduly influenced last year after a bad attack of flu; and I +almost was made to believe that you were dead—or, at any rate, gone to +the bad altogether. And now I find that it is not true, and I'm glad +and thankful. My dearest love, and write to me again.<br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 18em;">"Your loving aunt,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 25em;">"ELLA."</span><br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>Mrs. Calthrop read this letter through with icy composure. Then she +took up the copy of the will, but she did not read it.</p> + +<p>"I would ask you to leave this with me. I would like my lawyer to see +it. It is a very extraordinary proceeding. I cannot understand such a +complete change of thought and action. Her mind must have been unhinged +at the last." Her voice was steady, but her hand trembled.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jock easily, "you see I'm the man in possession. I don't +want to turn Lady Violet and her daughter out. You let the house to +them for six months, so we'll let that still stand good. As regards +the library, it's as big a loss to me as it seemed to be to you, but +the insurance will help to restore the wing, if necessary. It will not +bring the books back. Those are gone for ever. Our lawyers must have a +consultation together and arrange business matters. Shall I tell Miss +Coventry you're coming to see her?"</p> + +<p>"I shall be returning to town to-morrow," said Mrs. Calthrop. "I shall, +of course, wish to know if this later will is genuine and legal. You +will hear from me in a few days' time. Good morning!" She swept out of +the room.</p> + +<p>And Jock gave vent to an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"She has pluck, certainly!" he muttered to himself. And then he went +out into the hall, and almost tumbled into the arms of Mrs. Snow.</p> + +<p>He did not chaff her as was his usual custom. He could not forget the +way in which she had talked about Orris.</p> + +<p>"You'll remember the notice I gave you," he said gravely. "You have a +month more here, not a day longer."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Snow stared at him, as if he were not responsible for his words. +In fact, she really did wonder whether he was right in his senses. But +he gave her no explanation, only joined Reyne and her mother, who were +taking a little walk up and down the terrace outside. In a very few +words he explained his position to them.</p> + +<p>"The only apology I must make is the dismissing of Mrs. Snow, who is no +doubt serving you well. But she has been a most baleful influence in +this house for many years, and I want to get rid of her at once. I'll +try and find you another housekeeper to take her place."</p> + +<p>But Lady Violet assured him this would not be necessary.</p> + +<p>"It's kind of you to wish us to stay out our time, but I shall be very +glad to get back to town sooner. We will stay till the end of the +month, then you can take possession. I really must congratulate you, +Mr. Muir, for I know how you have loved the place. We have heard a good +deal of the village talk, and it seems right and proper that you should +come here."</p> + +<p>Jock gave a funny little bow. He admired Lady Violet's quick change of +front. A few days ago she was alluding to him in terms of disparagement +as "that penniless young farmer."</p> + +<p>Reyne looked at him with a friendly smile.</p> + +<p>"I always felt you belonged here," she said. "But I can't understand +why you have been in hiding, as it were, all this time."</p> + +<p>"I was going to wait till Mrs. Calthrop came back from her trip +abroad," said Jock, a little hesitatingly. "I wasn't in a hurry. +Besides, I wanted to give Preston a help with his place. I enjoy +farming—the practical part of it—and every year you're at it, you gain +experience!"</p> + +<p>Then he made off, for he feared more questions, and he would not for +all the world have told anyone his real reason for remaining incognito.</p> + +<p>He visited the farm in the afternoon, and there made a clean breast to +the Prestons, who were much amazed, and not a little perplexed, at his +news.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me why I've done it," he besought them. "It was a sudden +freak or fancy, and for many reasons I should like to have slipped +along as I was. But this fire and Mrs. Calthrop's return have hurried +things on a bit. It was no good her uselessly distressing herself over +the loss of her son's library, when it was in reality mine."</p> + +<p>Then he went off to Orris. He found her under her favourite apple tree +in the orchard. She was reading, and for a wonder Pippa was away, out +for a walk with the village girl.</p> + +<p>"Oh," he groaned, throwing himself down on the grass at her feet, "I'm +having such a time confessing! I can't stand the queries as to why I +haven't taken possession of my house before."</p> + +<p>"Well, we all think it very foolish of you," said Orris.</p> + +<p>"You know why I did it," he retorted, looking at her reproachfully. +"How are you feeling, Orris?"</p> + +<p>"Very much better, thank you, Jock," she said, laughing. "If you will +use my name, I will use yours. After all, we know each other well +enough by this time to do so."</p> + +<p>"Say my name again, do," entreated Jock. "You have put new life into me +by doing it."</p> + +<p>She shook her head at him. Then she said:</p> + +<p>"We have had rather a trying visit this afternoon. About two o'clock, +the inspector of the police from Spenbury called. I was put through a +searching cross-examination, and in the end I had to send for Pippa. +She was very funny, as you can imagine she would be. First, she was +rather frightened, then excited. She was asked to give an exact account +of herself when she was left alone in the library.</p> + +<p>"'Teddy Bear wanted to smoke a cigarette,' she said, 'so o' course I +had to make one for him like mummy does sometimes. And then he wanted +me to light it for him, and I tried, but it wouldn't burn. And then +Aunt Ollie came along, and I threw the matchbox in the paper basket and +came away, and I 'sure you there wasn't one tiny bit of fire there! I +never left any fire at all!' She repeated this with much emphasis.</p> + +<p>"I said to the inspector that there was no conclusive evidence that +she was the culprit. And he agreed with me, but it was a probable +explanation of the origin of the fire. He began talking about it to me, +and then Pippa stepped up to him with big eyes and, putting her hand on +his knee, said in an awed whisper:</p> + +<p>"'If you don't know for certain, why don't you ask God to tell you? +He's the only Person who truly knows who did it.'</p> + +<p>"The inspector smiled. 'I could ask, missy,' he said; 'that part would +be easy, but the difficulty would be to get the answer.'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, I get lots of answers from God, I feel them inside me,' she said; +'and God knows quite well that I wouldn't have burnt up a house. I +couldn't do it if I tried.'</p> + +<p>"I sent her out of the room. She is so assured that she did not do it, +that it does not trouble her. But I feel utterly crushed."</p> + +<p>"There is nothing for you to feel crushed about. I'm sorry that the +inspector has bothered you. I meant to have got his ear first. He has +lost no time about it."</p> + +<p>"Have you broken the news to Mrs. Calthrop? Tell me about it."</p> + +<p>He told her.</p> + +<p>"I feel I must see her," Orris said. "After all, she got me this job; I +am in her employ."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but she won't like to see you. She's feeling sore and hurt all +round, and will get away from here as quickly as she can. Let her write +to you—she's sure to do that."</p> + +<p>Orris looked doubtful.</p> + +<p>"I will wait, if you think it wiser. When are you going to take +possession?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not in a hurry. I've a lot of business to tackle, and the Home +Farm is my next affair. The man who is in charge of it is a rotter. +He'll have to go, and I shall take it over myself."</p> + +<p>Orris looked at him meditatively.</p> + +<p>"Through me and mine you have lost the most valuable part of your +property," she said. "I don't think I shall ever lift up my head again."</p> + +<p>"I am not going to encourage you to bemoan past events," said Jock. +"You and I are going to begin a fresh chapter together, very soon. I +won't hurry you. I must tell you that the Elf is going to pay another +visit to the powder-room with me. Lady Violet has given me 'carte +blanche' to come and go as I please, and there is something I want to +give her out of the attic."</p> + +<p>"You are very good to her."</p> + +<p>Orris spoke slowly, as if weighing her words. For a moment she felt +inclined to confide in him her intentions ahead; then she judged +silence would be most prudent. And after some further talk, he took his +leave.</p> + +<p>On the following Sunday, Pippa got her wish and went off to the +powder-room with him. And a few days later, she was shown the old +dolls' house in the attic. Jock promised to have it done up for her, +and she was in a state of wild delight about it.</p> + +<p>Then, towards the end of the week, Jock came up to the farm again. +He had been very busy, had been up to town once or twice to see his +lawyer, and had been making many necessary changes on his small +property.</p> + +<p>The village and neighbourhood heard of the news with much exhilaration. +They all wanted Jock to be owner of Pinestones. Now, as he strode +across the fields to Lilac Farm, his heart was filled with hope. Surely +Orris would listen to his suit! Surely she would not hold out much +longer! She was so downcast, so gentle and diffident now! It would be +easier to persuade her, to bend her to his will. He felt that he had +the power within himself to make her happy. And no one else in the wide +world could love her as much, or give her such wholesale worship and +adoration! So he reasoned with himself.</p> + +<p>His step was blithe and gay as he opened the porch door. Mrs. Preston +had seen his approach and came to welcome him, but he was struck by her +tired dispirited look.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mrs. Preston, I've come to see Miss Coventry. I haven't seen +her for these last three days, I've been so awfully busy. I hope she's +nearly well by this time."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Preston looked at him with miserable eyes.</p> + +<p>"She's gone away. She went yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Gone away!" Jock looked dumbfounded. "Where to?"</p> + +<p>"That I don't know. She wouldn't tell me. I am afraid she thought I +would tell you."</p> + +<p>"But she hasn't gone away from me?" Jock's tone was short, sharp and +bitter.</p> + +<p>"She's left a note to be given to you when you called."</p> + +<p>Jock seized it, saying somewhat impatiently: "Why didn't you let me +have it yesterday? I suppose she has gone back to town?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think she has. But perhaps the letter will tell you," said +Mrs. Preston. "I'm sure it's a blow to me. I loved having them here. +Miss Coventry has cheered me as I've never been cheered before, and as +to little Pippa, she's the darling of my heart. I dote upon her, and so +does Tom."</p> + +<p>Jock strode off with his note to the old orchard, then, leaning his +back against Orris's apple tree, he read, with rather angry eyes, the +following letter:</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "DEAR JOCK,<br> +<br> + "This is going to be a difficult letter, for I fear you will +misunderstand me and be hurt. You have been so good, so kind, so +forgiving through this time of trouble, that I cannot bear to distress +you. But I must get away. And I don't want to be followed or to be +written to. They say time heals wounds. Time and absolute quiet may +heal mine. At present, I feel I want no sympathy, no friends, above +all, no environment that will open up the past. It is cowardly on my +part, but I want to be free of it all, to be able to take stock of +myself, as it were, under fresh and strange conditions. I hope I am +not morbid. I must face life again, and take up some work for the +sake of my darling Pippa, but for the present I am going to rest—my +brain, my body, my soul. So don't on any account worry over me, don't +try to discover where I am, don't write to me. If you really care for +me, do none of these things. Our part in the late destruction of your +property will keep people's tongues wagging busily for some time yet. I +am perhaps not altogether making this move on my own account, but the +position is bad for Pippa, who is being made the centre of comment and +attraction. I want her to forget her part in the tragedy. We shall be +quite well and comfortable. Do not give us a thought, but take care of +yourself and be happy.<br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">"Yours always sincerely,</span><br> +<br> +<span style="margin-left: 15em;">"ORRIS COVENTRY."</span><br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>Jock read this through and through, snapping his lips together like +steel, as he did when he was much moved. The blow had fallen heavily. +He had not been prepared for it. He had not thought it possible that +Orris would take herself out of his life so suddenly.</p> + +<p>"It's a cruel letter," was his first thought; and then he relented.</p> + +<p>"Poor little soul! She has gone to hide her wounds, and thinks that she +can hide from me! She's more like a child now than I ever thought she +could be. Hide from me! It's quite an absurd impossibility!"</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_11">CHAPTER XI</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>IN RETREAT</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>AWAY down in Devonshire was a little village by the sea. As yet no +motor-bus had touched it, for it could only be reached by one of the +old pack-horse lanes, and the way was steep and stony, up a precipitous +hill, and down through a narrow combe to the sea. A cluster of +fishermen's cottages, an old storm-battered grey church on the hill +above them, a couple of farmhouses, and a small granite vicarage, these +composed the village of Cudweed Cove.</p> + +<p>A butcher came every Saturday from Drangerford, a small town eight +miles inland; he brought loaves of bread for those who did not bake +at home. A grocer and oilman arrived every Wednesday; he also brought +bread, and with these supplies the people of Cudweed were well content. +Fish was not very plentiful, but shrimps and crabs were always to be +had, and lobsters occasionally.</p> + +<p>Into this small village, at the close of a hot afternoon in August, +arrived Orris and her little niece. They had been driven in a small +trap from Drangerford, and their destination was a little whitewashed +cottage half-way up the combe.</p> + +<p>The cottage was owned by a Mrs. Dabbs, a widow, and she had as a young +girl lived with Orris and her father for some years. She had always +been devoted to Orris, and had often said how much she would like to +see her again. On the previous Christmas, she had come up to London +to see a married sister, and Orris had given her tea at her flat, and +promised one day that she would pay her a visit at Cudweed.</p> + +<p>As Orris had racked her brain to think of what place she could take +refuge in, away from all friends and acquaintances, she suddenly +thought of Maria Dabbs. So she wrote to her at once, and received a +reply in two days' time, saying that she could put her large spare +bedroom and little parlour at her disposal, and would be delighted to +take her in and do for her.</p> + +<p>Pippa was half delighted, half regretful, at this sudden move. She did +not at all like going away without wishing "Master Jock" good-bye. She +wanted her dolls' house, and she loved the farm, but, childlike, the +excitement of a journey in a train, and going to the sea kept up her +spirits.</p> + +<p>Orris felt tired and depressed. She did not see her future. She had a +shrinking from town life again, and yet felt that to give Pippa a good +education, she must supplement her small income in some way or other.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Calthrop had written her a brief letter, enclosing a cheque up to +the date of the fire. Jock had judged her rightly. She had no desire to +see Orris, but in her letter she wrote:</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "Of course, I cannot believe in this extraordinary will that has so +suddenly been produced by Jock Muir. If he had received it when he says +he did, would he have kept it so quiet all this time? I am going to +take legal steps when I reach town."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>She never mentioned the fire. The loss of the library did not trouble +her now, it was eclipsed by her intense anxiety to prove this recent +will invalid.</p> + +<p>But nothing could put the disastrous fire out of Orris's thoughts. She +was thinking of it now as the trap creaked and rattled up and down the +stony lane, with the steep banks and high hedges on either side of it.</p> + +<p>"Would the drive ever end?" she wondered. She marvelled at Pippa, who +was keeping up an animated conversation with the old driver. His broad +soft Devonshire tongue amused her greatly.</p> + +<p>"Say it again," she said, with her rippling laugh. "It's something like +French, isn't it? What is 'gurt,' and 'wisht'?"</p> + +<p>The old man shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Aw, 'ee'll find 'en oot, I rackon, when the wind do cum auver 'ee. It +do drive doon to the zay praper strong 'twixt the girt hedges. Us be +terrible buffeted here to winter. The moor on tap on we, an the zay to +bottom, but there, a' be livin' to Drangerford now, on'y foreigners ull +niver bide in this vitty plaace."</p> + +<p>"You mustn't depress us," said Orris, smiling, and trying to turn her +thoughts to things around her. "It isn't winter yet, but August—the +month in the year which is best for the sea."</p> + +<p>When they at last came in sight of Cudweed, the old driver rattled down +the lane at a tremendous pace and drew up at Pansy Cottage in great +style. Mrs. Dabbs was standing at the door to welcome them, dressed in +a fresh-starched pink cotton gown.</p> + +<p>Pippa was enchanted with the smallness and quaintness of the cottage. +The big shells and china dogs on the mantelpiece of the small +sitting-room delighted her, as did also a stuffed parrot in a case. +She wanted to go and see the sea before her supper, and scampered up +and down stairs and in and out of the rooms till Orris felt giddy. But +she was quite firm on one point, that Pippa must do no sight-seeing +that night, but have her supper and go straight to bed. And by the time +supper, consisting of hot chicken and bread sauce, and a milk pudding, +had been consumed, and her box unpacked, and everything arranged for +bedtime, Pippa was quite ready to be tucked in upon a real feather bed +and fall asleep, to be ready for the joys of to-morrow.</p> + +<p>After she was disposed of, Orris took a turn along the beach to ease +her aching head. The tide was out, the rocks, with their slimy amber +seaweed, were touched with gold from the setting sun. It was a very +still evening; the sea lay calm and still with just a ripple at the +edge, and as Orris paced the golden sand and dreamily gazed out over +the ocean in front of her to the opalescent sky, with faint rosy clouds +on the horizon, peace stole into her heart.</p> + +<p>"After all," she mused, "I am not a criminal. I have only been guilty +of an act of carelessness. And if he doesn't feel it as much as I do, I +ought to be thankful."</p> + +<p>And then her thoughts dwelt on Jock. At first, she had looked upon him +as a careless, irresponsible boy. Gradually, as she came to know him +better, she found, if he had a boy's sense of humour and light-hearted +gaiety, he had a man's will and purpose in life. At the farm, the +Prestons' opinion of him impressed her.</p> + +<p>"He's a born master of men," said the old farmer.</p> + +<p>"He's the kindest heart and the sweetest temper in the world," said his +wife.</p> + +<p>And Orris had proved both these statements to be true.</p> + +<p>"I have really come away to test my own heart," she murmured to +herself; "to discover whether I could love him enough to cast in my +lot with his. I was afraid of his hurrying me into something of which +I might repent later. I believe I'm a very cold-blooded, cautious +creature. I have lived down my warm impulses. I felt too old for him a +short while back, but I don't now. I believe, if we did come together, +he would be my master, and his will bears mine down already. But I +never, never could marry him unless we were of one mind on the deepest +things in life. He knows that, I am sure, though I think he feels more +than he says. It is of no use; I cannot make up my mind yet. If I were +really in love with him, there would be no hesitation. And he is worthy +of being loved as he would himself love. I will try and not think about +him any more at present."</p> + +<p>But in the ensuing days Orris found this very difficult, for Pippa's +talk was incessantly about "Master Jock," as she always insisted upon +calling him.</p> + +<p>"If he was here, I b'lieve he would take me into the sea on his back!" +she sighed one day.</p> + +<p>"If only Master Jock would walk in at the window one day and come and +help me build my sand castles, Aunt Ollie! Can't you write and ask him +to come?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think Master Jock is settled in his house yet? We'll soon go +back, won't we? And then he'll ask us to tea, and p'raps we'll have it +in the darling little powder-room."</p> + +<p>Orris found it quite impossible to explain the situation to Pippa, so +would generally try to turn her mind to another subject.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>And one day a fair-haired boy appeared on the sands. He was the old +Vicar's grandson, who came every summer to see his grandparents. He +and Pippa were about the same age, and were soon the greatest friends. +Orris was glad and thankful to see the intimacy between them. She was +making friends with some of the fisher-folk. Occasionally she went to +tea at the Vicarage, but the old Vicar and his wife were badly off, and +plainly said they could not offer much hospitality to visitors. Orris +liked the Vicar; he was a dreamy mystic, talked over the heads of his +parishioners in his sermons, but was a good friend to them in the week, +and was never absent from any sick-bed or troubled house.</p> + +<p>A week or two passed very quietly. Then came Orris's birthday. Pippa +had made great preparations for it. Mrs. Dabbs had been told to make a +big iced cake; Pippa herself had made some wonderful little cakes for +the occasion, Mrs. Dabbs had, of course, superintended them. They were +made of dough, and were supposed to represent mice, with currants for +their eyes and slips of candied peel for their mouths.</p> + +<p>Pippa had been to the post office in the village, and had bought +a wonderful shell box out of her own money. She rather coveted it +herself, and spent a good deal of her time in unwrapping it and +wrapping it up again in its silver paper coverings. But of course it +was a dead secret. Then, the day before, she had been into some meadows +and collected all the wild flowers she could find, chiefly ox-eyed +daisies and wild grasses, and had made a long wreath or garland with +which to decorate her aunt. This also was hidden away, and for the +time Pippa was a most mysterious little person, stealing up and down +stairs on tiptoe, and into the kitchen to talk about the event in loud +whispers to Mrs. Dabbs.</p> + +<p>Of course, Orris was delighted with the garland and the shell box. They +were both presented to her at half-past six in the morning by a very +wide-awake little person in her white nightie and bare feet.</p> + +<p>"Dear Aunt Ollie, I wiss you very many happy returns of the day."</p> + +<p>So Orris took the giver and the gifts into bed with her, and had no +more rest that morning.</p> + +<p>But the postman arrived that day with a parcel for her. She had as yet +told no one of her address, and could not understand it. The postmark +was unfortunately erased, but the box proved to contain some most +exquisite hot-house flowers, and at the bottom, in a little separate +parcel of silver paper, were two pairs of white suede gloves. A hot +flush came into Orris's face as she recognized the writing:</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "Blessing and joy be yours to-day. From one who thinks of you."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>"Now how has he discovered my address?" Orris gasped in bewilderment +and dismay. She remembered how often he had said: "You'll never be able +to get away from me. I should find you in any corner of the earth you +chose to go to!" He had done it. Her secrecy was a failure. If he knew +her whereabouts, there was no reason to conceal it from anyone else. +And how had he known her birthday? She called Pippa to her.</p> + +<p>"Pippa darling, have you ever talked about my birthday to anyone?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Pippa promptly and cheerfully; "at least, Master Jock asked +me one day. He put it down in a book he had; and he put mine too. I +wish my birfday would be quicker about coming. It seems 'years' since +my last one. Has Master Jock sent you these pretty flowers?"</p> + +<p>"I rather think he has."</p> + +<p>Orris sat looking at her presents as if she were lost in a dream. How +"could" he have discovered her retreat? She had not told Dugald or any +of her friends in town. No one knew that she had left Veddon Weal. She +wondered if he would respect her wish to be left alone, or whether he +would suddenly appear in person one day. She finally decided that she +would not acknowledge his gifts. Then he would know that she wished to +be left undisturbed.</p> + +<p>But the following week a box of chocolates arrived for Pippa. There was +no word with it, no signature, so that also was left unacknowledged.</p> + +<p>Pippa was now quite reconciled to her new life; she played daily +with Allan Bridges, the little boy, and she was friends with all the +fishermen. Orris simply rested—or lazed, as she expressed it. She +had not had such a holiday for years, and it was doing her good. But +when September came, and the days began to shorten, and the weather +became chilly, she wondered what her next move had better be. Her +cousin Dugald implored her to come back to town. She had, after some +considerable thought, let him have her address, and then, feeling +she was rather like an ostrich hiding her head in the sand, she had +at last written to Reyne. She and Lady Violet were back in town, and +Lady Violet had been extra poorly and was going to the Riviera for the +winter.</p> + +<p>"I am going," Reyne wrote, "with a contented heart. Miss Dashwood has +taught me such lessons from her cheerfulness with that poor sister of +hers that I am now going to put her principles into practice. I have +missed the village people so much. I learnt to know them as friends, +but Mrs. Dane writes occasionally, giving me all the village news. +I hear that Mr. Muir has not yet taken possession of his house, for +it is in the builder's hands, and he is having it renovated from top +to bottom. He is busy farming his own land. He often dines with Mr. +Dane—they seem to be great friends. I am afraid we shall not meet each +other again before I go abroad, but if you chance to come up to town, +do come and see us."</p> + +<p>Orris shook her head.</p> + +<p>"No," she murmured to herself, "I do not feel like town—not yet!"</p> + +<p>It was a few days after this that she met, on the sands, a stranger. +She looked a well-bred woman, was very tall, and carried her head +proudly. She was dressed plainly in a severely-cut coat and skirt, with +a soft grey felt hat pulled over her head. She might be between fifty +and sixty, had white hair, very striking dark eyes with thick bushy +eyebrows, and her face was stern and unfriendly. Yet when she saw Pippa +dancing about on the sand, covered all over with strands of seaweed, +and calling out to her aunt that she was a mermaid just come out of the +sea, she smiled at her, and her smile was peculiarly sweet. When Orris +went in to dinner, she asked Maria Dabbs who she was.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's Miss Lyle," she replied promptly. "She has come down to +her house again. She really owns the village, and lives at Cudweed +Chase. 'Tis about two miles from here. She lives in London most of +the year, but comes down here for a month or two at a time, and she +arrived yesterday. She generally rides about on a big grey horse. She's +masterful, but kind; she's very good to our Vicar and his wife, and she +always takes charge of the Sunday school when she's here."</p> + +<p>Orris felt interested in this new arrival. It was not long before Pippa +made her acquaintance.</p> + +<p>She was playing on the beach alone one morning—for Orris had rather a +bad headache and was lying down—and Miss Lyle stopped and spoke to her.</p> + +<p>Pippa, of course, was delighted to give her full information about +herself.</p> + +<p>"I think I must come and see your aunt," Miss Lyle said, after she had +received a jumble of facts from the child.</p> + +<p>"I wish you would," said Pippa. "Aunt Ollie has no books to look at +here, and no Master Jock to talk to, nor Mrs. Preston, and she doesn't +laugh so often as she used to. Can you make people laugh?"</p> + +<p>"No, I never could," said Miss Lyle a little grimly, though her eyes +twinkled in spite of herself.</p> + +<p>Pippa sighed.</p> + +<p>"Master Jock always does—'always.' You simple can't help laughing, +for if you don't, he gives you a squeeze and a tickle. He says if you +laugh, you make the world go round quicker. Did you know that?"</p> + +<p>"I expect you could teach me a lot of things," said Miss Lyle +pleasantly. And then she passed on.</p> + +<p>Pippa told Orris, when she saw her, that the new lady was "very solemn +indeed, but just a little bit smily when you talked to her."</p> + +<p>The very next day Miss Lyle appeared at the cottage, and in the course +of conversation Orris gleaned that she was a lonely woman and had had a +great deal of trouble in her life. She did not give Orris any details.</p> + +<p>"I am a busy woman in town," she said. "I have found the only cure +for loneliness is work. I am secretary and treasurer to one or two +philanthropic projects, but I get away here for relaxation in the +summer and autumn. I'm fond of the fisher-folk. I suppose I must not +ask you if you are making a long stay here?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Orris; "I came here for a rest and change, but my +circumstances are rather difficult at present, and I hardly know what +my future plans are going to be."</p> + +<p>"Will you come over to lunch with me one day next week? I won't ask the +child. I would like to have you to myself."</p> + +<p>Orris consented. She felt strangely drawn towards this grave stately +woman.</p> + +<p>After she had left, Maria Dabbs told Orris a little more about her. Her +father and mother had died together of virulent 'flu in London. She was +engaged to be married to the Vicar of Cudweed, evidently a charming +man, from Mrs. Dabbs's account. And then, only a twelvemonth after +her parents' death, and a week before their wedding was fixed, he was +drowned trying to rescue a fishing boat in a gale.</p> + +<p>"And she's been all alone in the world ever since," Mrs. Dabbs said. +"She did have a brother away at sea, but he was killed in the war; it +seems that every one has been taken from her that she loves. Of course, +she's wealthy, but she lives in a most simple style, and doesn't seem +to care for the things that money could give her."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," said Orris gently, "she has most of her treasures away from +this world."</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Mrs. Dabbs, "she's very religious—I know that; for one +month, in a very stormy autumn that we had, when our Vicar was down +with pneumonia and nobody could be got to take the services, and the +church was shut, she opened the schoolroom on Sunday evening and had a +service there with us. And we had some hymns, and she got Peter Lobbs +to read the lessons, and she gave us such a sweet simple kind of talk +out of the Bible that all of us said we wished we could have her always +doing it."</p> + +<p>Orris went to lunch at Cudweed Chase the following week. It was a +rugged grey stone house by the sea, not beautiful, but sheltered and +comfortable inside, furnished in the solid Early Victorian style. Miss +Lyle received her in a pleasant sunny morning-room overlooking the bay; +and before very long Orris found herself confiding in her a little of +her late history. Jock's name did not figure much in it, but Miss Lyle +showed such interest and sympathy, that Orris perhaps was led to be +more confidential than she would have thought it possible, with such a +comparative stranger.</p> + +<p>When they parted, Miss Lyle said:</p> + +<p>"You are fortunate in having such a charming little niece. If I had +any of my flesh and blood left to me, I should not feel so desolate at +times. My house, my money will come to an end when I die. I have no one +to whom I could leave my possessions. I have sometimes been tempted to +sell them. And then, again, I've felt when bring a few town friends for +rest that perhaps I can do more good with my house than would anyone +else. And my tenants look to my coming and are glad to have me here for +a bit."</p> + +<p>As Orris walked home, she felt she had made a new friend, and she was +thankful for the fresh interest that had been put into her life.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_12">CHAPTER XII</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>NEW QUARTERS AGAIN</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>AS the days went on, Orris began to wonder whether she should ever hear +of Jock Muir again. Though she had told him not to write or follow her, +she inconsistently began to want him to do one or the other. She had +withdrawn herself from him of her own free will, but the miss of him +brought an aching blank in her life. She took herself to task for this; +she was angry that she could not shut him out of her thoughts, and +tried her best to forget him.</p> + +<p>Pippa still chatted incessantly about him, but, like a happy child, +she took this change in her life philosophically, and was engrossed +with her little playmate at the Vicarage. When he went home, and +she was left alone once more, she turned to the old fishermen for +companionship. They all loved her, and would take her out in their +boats to their lobster-traps, and occasionally for a row out to sea.</p> + +<p>Orris was at first a little nervous about these expeditions, but the +old men were cautious and experienced boatmen, and Pippa was absolutely +tractable and good when with them.</p> + +<p>One day Orris was sitting on the rocks reading a letter from Venetia. +She did not often write, but whenever she did, she made allusions +to Pippa's education. Was she being sent to school? There was no +possibility of having her out in California, but she hoped she would be +well educated, for she regretted in her own case that she had not been +at a good school when young.</p> + +<p>Orris made an attempt at lessons with Pippa for an hour every morning, +but she felt that the child ought to be learning more steadily. And +now, the letter in hand, she was once more considering ways and means.</p> + +<p>She was interrupted presently by the appearance of Miss Lyle, who sat +down beside her to have a chat.</p> + +<p>"What is worrying you this morning?" she asked at once.</p> + +<p>Orris smiled.</p> + +<p>"My old problem, which I must solve pretty soon. I cannot continue to +laze away my life here, and let Pippa grow up a dunce. I can't bear to +send her away from me, but she must be educated."</p> + +<p>"It's very strange to find you at that problem this morning. You know, +as I go through life, I am always trying to bring together employers +and employees. It's a difficult task. I have told you that my interests +in town are with the poor gentlefolk in our land. Now, I know a girl +there who is simply working herself to death at a High School in +Kensington. She is not strong, and the confined life is killing her. +Her doctor told her the other day that she ought to get out of London, +but in these days of competition she is afraid of giving up her present +post for fear she would not find another. Her earnings help a delicate +mother in little comforts. Now, can you afford to have her as governess +to your small niece? She is not a London girl, she loves the country, +and it would be the making of her to get these Atlantic breezes through +her."</p> + +<p>Orris considered.</p> + +<p>"Of course, a governess is what Pippa ought to have, if she does not +go to school. I cannot teach her. I feel it would spoil the conditions +of our affection—if you know what I mean. Pippa needs a certain amount +of discipline during lesson hours. She thinks she can play with an +aunt, but she would not try to play with a governess. But I am a little +uncertain of my movements, and Mrs. Dabbs could not find room for +another lodger. May I think over it, and let you know?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. But I want to say something more. You have told me a little +about your circumstances, and I gather that the governess's salary may +be a difficulty. Now I have a proposal to make to you. I spend, as you +know, most of the year in town; my house lies idle, and will be empty +this coming winter. Will you and your little niece take possession +of it, and keep it warmed and aired for me? I have three or four old +servants who find it dull without anyone there. Mabel Raynor can be +fitted in easily. Now, please, listen, and don't let pride stand in +the way of benefiting me and many others. I want you to do something +for me. I have been longing to send down certain invalids and poor +gentlefolk, who are needing comfort and rest, for a long stay at my +house, but I cannot do it unless there is some one there who would act +as hostess and run the house. You have managed a club in town: would +you care to manage a kind of rest home for me? Live in my house and be +the lady superintendent? I would give a salary of £200 a year, and this +would help to pay for your little niece's education." She paused.</p> + +<p>Orris drew a long breath. It seemed at first too good to be true. Her +tangled knot was unravelled. Her way before her was clear and plain. +She did not hesitate a moment. She turned to Miss Lyle with deep +feeling in her tone:</p> + +<p>"I can't thank you enough for your generous offer. I will not let pride +stand in the way. Why should I? I must earn. I have not a big enough +income to support Pippa as well as myself, and I am afraid her mother +has cast her off for the time. You have indeed solved my problem. There +is nothing I should like better than to take such a post."</p> + +<p>"What a sensible girl you are! I shall come down for visits now and +then, but I warn you I shall fill your hands with occupation. There are +so many of my ventures in this small village in which I should like +your help. You will be my substitute in my absence. I suppose you will +not find it dreary in the winter?"</p> + +<p>"How could I, with Pippa?" said Orris. "And I'm getting to know the +fisher-folk, and I'm never tired of the sea."</p> + +<p>Then they began to discuss the plan in every detail.</p> + +<p>Miss Lyle lost no time in setting to work. She went up to town the next +day, and insisted upon Orris accompanying her to interview Miss Raynor. +She took Orris to her town house as guest; and when they came back in +two days' time, the matter was settled.</p> + +<p>Pippa had been as good as gold in her aunt's absence, but she was +rather mystified as to what was going on. Orris broke the news to her +one fine morning, as they sat on the sands together. At first Pippa +pouted.</p> + +<p>"I don't like governesses."</p> + +<p>"How many do you know?" asked her aunt, laughing. "This governess is +so young and bright, Pippa! She loves games, and will play with you as +well as teach you; and I shall never be far-away."</p> + +<p>But when told of their move into the big comfortable house by the sea, +Pippa's spirits rose.</p> + +<p>"I do love the sea so much, Aunt Ollie; there are so many lovely things +in it—like crabs and seaweed and shells. But aren't we ever going back +to see Master Jock again? I thought we'd come here for a holiday."</p> + +<p>"So we did, darling, but the sea suits us both, doesn't it? And I have +got a new job, Pippa. I can't be idle, you know; and I'm going to keep +house for Miss Lyle when she is away, and look after some visitors of +hers, who will be coming to stay."</p> + +<p>This sounded rather exciting to Pippa. She loved making fresh friends, +and would have made acquaintance with the whole world, could she have +managed it.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>A few weeks later, they left Mrs. Dabbs, and moved into Cudweed Chase.</p> + +<p>A short time before their departure, Orris received a brace of +partridges and a pheasant. This time the label was quite decipherable, +and she knew they had come from Jock.</p> + +<p>Still she could not make up her mind to write to him. He was obeying +her injunction, and she felt, if she once broke the ice, he might come +down and try to interfere with her plans.</p> + +<p>Miss Lyle did not go back to town till Orris was thoroughly settled +into her new home.</p> + +<p>Miss Raynor arrived, and she and Pippa had a pleasant suite of rooms +all to themselves—a schoolroom, a large bedroom, and a smaller one +leading out of it where Pippa slept. The little girl was very proud and +pleased to have a bedroom of her own, and took at once a great liking +to her governess.</p> + +<p>Mabel Raynor was a delicate-looking girl, with large dark eyes and pale +cheeks, but she was energetic and high-spirited, and had the knack of +teaching small children and keeping them happy in lesson time.</p> + +<p>When Miss Lyle left, Orris began to find her time pleasantly occupied. +She acted as organist every Sunday in the little church, she took the +Sunday school in the afternoon, and she had a weekly class for the +fisher-lads, and young men when they worked at crafts. She was thankful +that she had little leisure for brooding over the past. When Dugald +heard of this fresh move of hers, he came down to expostulate.</p> + +<p>"You are the most extraordinary soul for falling on your feet," he +grumbled. "I was hoping you would get so moped and dull with the lack +of occupation and of society that you would thankfully throw yourself +into my arms when I came down to see you, and beseech me to take you +back to town."</p> + +<p>"Is that like me?" questioned Orris, with dignity.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, but I'm always hoping to see a change in you. You are too +self-sufficing, my dear Coz."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" sighed Orris, with downfallen face, as she remembered another who +complained of the same fault in her. "Surely I am not, now. I have had +a fall, and a bad one, Dugald. I sometimes think that, like Queen Mary +with Calais, I shall go down to the grave with 'library' engraven on my +heart. I hope I shan't fail in my trust now. I pray I may not."</p> + +<p>Dugald looked around him. They were talking in the comfortable +morning-room at Cudweed Chase, the room in which Orris chiefly lived. +There was a blazing log fire in the open grate, golden chrysanthemums +were in great bowls on the deep window-sills, brightening the room +with their colour. If it was furnished in Early Victorian style, it +was essentially comfortable. There were deep armchairs, and a big +Chesterfield covered with bright cretonne; the Turkey carpet underfoot +and heavy red velvet curtains to the three windows facing seaward all +made for warmth and cosiness.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he repeated; "you fall on your feet, and go from one comfortable +house to another. Not that I call the farmhouse comfortable, but you +started well down there, at Pinestones. What is that fellow doing? +Going on with his farming, or living decently, like the rest of us?"</p> + +<p>"I think his life as a farmer more decent than lounging about in London +clubs," said Orris rather sharply. "I believe he is continuing to farm."</p> + +<p>"Knew I would get a rise out of you if I but mentioned his name," said +Dugald, with a short laugh. "Now, look here, Orris, you are not going +to waste your life down in this quiet place, and spend the rest of your +years as a housekeeper or caretaker—whichever you like to call it. Give +it a trial if you like, but come up to town before Christmas, now do! +Your flat will be vacant again, I believe, by that time. We want you +badly."</p> + +<p>Orris shook her head.</p> + +<p>"You are a disturber of peace, Dugald. I may come up for some Christmas +shopping, that is all that I can promise. I am perfectly happy here, +and so is Pippa. I could not be dull. Next week we are having three or +four visitors."</p> + +<p>Dugald shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"'Decayed gentlewomen'! Isn't that the expression? What a life for +'you!' Will you sit up doing knitting and crochet with them, and +talking about rheumatics, and all the ills of poverty and old age?"</p> + +<p>"At all events, I shall be trying to cheer poverty and old age," +retorted Orris good-humouredly. And she sent him back to town with no +ray of hope for himself in the situation.</p> + +<p>"His life is so limited," she said to herself; "it is bounded on all +sides by conventionality. Never, never could I link my life to his, and +he must be convinced of it by now."</p> + +<p>Her thoughts flashed to Jock. He would never stagnate anywhere. He was +a born worker, and whatever he put his hand to seemed to prosper. "I +should like a talk with him again," was the desire of her heart; "he +braces one, and makes one believe in the happiness of work." Then, as +usual, she took herself to task for thinking about him, and turned to +other matters in hand.</p> + +<p>A great pleasure soon came to Pippa. Miss Lyle kept a couple of horses +for her own use, and a tiny Shetland pony to work the big lawnmower. +She had an old coachman who had served her faithfully for years; and as +he had to exercise the horses in his mistress's absence, he asked Orris +if she would care to ride one of them.</p> + +<p>"The little Missy could have the pony. I would dearly like to teach her +to ride. Miss Lyle herself took her first riding lessons from me."</p> + +<p>Orris demurred at first. She had ridden as a young girl, and had always +loved horses. As for Pippa, she went perfectly wild at the thought.</p> + +<p>Miss Lyle was consulted, and she said she would be only too glad for +them both to exercise the horses. So the riding began.</p> + +<p>Pippa took to it as a duck takes to water. She went out directly after +breakfast with Perkins, before her lessons began, and sometimes had a +ride with her aunt in the afternoon. The narrow lanes and steep hills +did not incommode the horses. Perkins said that he was thankful they +kept the motors and charabancs from coming near them. Like most grooms, +he had a jealous horror of Miss Lyle taking to a car and putting down +her horses.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Aunt Ollie," said Pippa one day, coming in rosy and breathless +after her ride, "How I wish Master Jock could see me on my pony! Shall +we 'never' see him again? He is my bestest friend in the world!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he may come and see us one day," said Orris.</p> + +<p>She knew that the word must come from her, but she was not yet ready to +send it, and little thought of the circumstances in front of her that +would force her hand.</p> + +<p>The first visitors to arrive from town were a lonely clergyman's widow, +an Irish single lady who had lost her beautiful property, and an Indian +Officer's daughter who had attempted to set up a small preparatory +school for little boys at Hampstead Heath and had failed in the attempt.</p> + +<p>Of the three, Orris's sympathy was mostly with the latter. She was +barely thirty, but looked much older. She had a young brother at a +public school, whom she was educating; and latterly she had almost +starved herself to do it. Miss Lyle had found her one day fainting in a +'bus. In her usual prompt energetic way, she had accompanied her home, +and then, seeing the poverty of her bed-sitting-room, she had insisted +upon taking her into her town house as a guest, and, after hearing her +story, had sent her off to Cudweed.</p> + +<p>"If you don't like to be idle," she said brusquely to her, "I'll give +you orders for knitted silk jumpers. I supply a shop in town with those +made by different friends of mine."</p> + +<p>So Kathleen Walters had arrived, and Orris and she became very good +friends.</p> + +<p>Miss O'Flauty and Mrs. Hatton, the other two ladies, got on extremely +well together. Orris had often heard of the great difficulty in having +a happy household of perfect strangers, but so far she had had no +disagreeables. Each of the three was thankful beyond words to be for a +time freed from the carking care of a small purse and a lonely life.</p> + +<p>And then one morning Miss Raynor came to Orris with a troubled face.</p> + +<p>"I don't think Pippa is at all well, so I am keeping her in bed. She +does not want to get up, says her head hurts her. She complained of the +cold yesterday evening, and I gave her a hot drink and put her to bed; +it may be a slight chill. Will you come to her?"</p> + +<p>Orris had been at her fisher-lads' class the evening before.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you tell me last night?" she said, as she took a +thermometer into Pippa's room.</p> + +<p>"I thought it might pass off."</p> + +<p>Pippa seemed drowsy and flushed when her aunt bent over her. Her +temperature was found to be one hundred and three, and the doctor was +sent for at once. He looked grave when he had examined her.</p> + +<p>"Has she been playing in the village at all?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so. Why?"</p> + +<p>"There's an outbreak of fever—rather a nasty kind; and one child is +dying, I fear."</p> + +<p>Orris's face blanched.</p> + +<p>The doctor, an old man, put his hand on her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Don't get frightened. With good nursing, there ought to be no danger, +but one can never tell. Would you like a nurse?"</p> + +<p>"No, oh, no," cried Orris; "not unless she gets very much worse. Is it +infectious?"</p> + +<p>"Slightly, I should take precautions. If you nurse her, keep in this +part of the house." Then he gave her directions, and Orris listened +with a clear head but an aching heart.</p> + +<p>Very anxious days followed. Miss Raynor ran the house, and looked after +the guests. Orris never left the sick child's room. Maria Dabbs came up +to help, and proved very efficient as a nurse. Poor little Pippa became +delirious, for the fever ran very high, and her incessant talk was +about "Master Jock."</p> + +<p>"I want Master Jock. Why doesn't he come? I want to go to the +powder-room. Let's hide from Snuffy! Not you, Aunt Ollie, I want Master +Jock to carry me!"</p> + +<p>She was a frail little thing, and had always had more spirit than +strength. The doctor was anxious, for her strength seemed ebbing away.</p> + +<p>And Orris, outwardly calm and almost cheerful, was in her heart +absolutely hopeless. She thought of the light-hearted careless mother +so many thousands of miles away, but who yet had a great affection +for her child; and she thought of her own life unbrightened by the +winning ways and joyous spirits of her little niece. Her lips moved in +continual prayer:</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "O God, let it be Thy will to spare her! Have mercy on us! Come near, +in our hour of need, and heal and save, for we cannot!"<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>The fever ran its course, and, when it left her, the child lay like +a broken lily, her little wasted face, with its big eyes, white as +the pillows on which she rested. She hardly knew her aunt, until one +afternoon she sat up in trembling agitation.</p> + +<p>"Master Jock! Oh, I want Master Jock."</p> + +<p>The pitiful wail was too much for Orris.</p> + +<p>"Yes, darling, he will come. I'll send for him."</p> + +<p>The doctor happened to call at that moment. Orris followed him out of +the room.</p> + +<p>"She seems to be conscious. Shall I send for Mr. Muir? She cries +continually for him."</p> + +<p>"Send by all means. I've known that kind of thing answer if—if he can +be in time, but she's getting weaker. A distinct step down-hill this +morning."</p> + +<p>With trembling hands Orris wrote out a wire:</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "Pippa wants you. Come immediately."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>And dispatched it by the hands of Perkins.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_13">CHAPTER XIII</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>JOCK'S ARRIVAL</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>IT was early dawn when he arrived. Orris met him at the front door, and +for the first time, her fortitude nearly forsook her.</p> + +<p>"She is sinking fast," she said, as she held out her hand to him, "but +she still murmurs your name. She has had no sleep for twenty-four +hours, but she is barely conscious."</p> + +<p>She led the way swiftly upstairs, and Jock followed her in perfect +silence. The darkened room, the tiny wasted form in the bed, the +agonized look in Orris's eyes as she signed to him to come near, sent a +thrill through Jock's heart. But very softly, he seated himself by the +bed, and took the little hand in his.</p> + +<p>"Little Elf!" he said, in his cheerful good-natured tone.</p> + +<p>Instantly the heavy lashes quivered and the eyelids opened. A long look +of recognition followed.</p> + +<p>"Master—" the little voice could get no farther, and trailed away into +silence.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm here; and we're going to have great fun when you get better."</p> + +<p>Pippa drew his hand up to her, and laid her cheek on it with a +quivering smile, the first smile that Orris had seen for many a long +day. Her lips moved.</p> + +<p>"Stay."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm going to stay all right."</p> + +<p>The heavy eyelids shut again. Orris came forward, and with a teaspoon +got some meat jelly into her mouth. She swallowed it, pillowed her +cheek afresh on Jock's hand with infinite satisfaction, and dropped off +into a sound and healing sleep. Jock sat still, and for two hours never +moved.</p> + +<p>"It's touch and go with her," Orris had whispered.</p> + +<p>He nodded, but the tender pity and love in his face, as he looked at +Pippa, brought the tears with a rush to Orris's eyes.</p> + +<p>She sat on the opposite side of the bed, and they waited together +for the awakening. At one time, Orris thought she might even now be +slipping away from them, so faint was her breathing, but Jock reassured +her.</p> + +<p>"She is breathing regularly. I believe she'll pull round."</p> + +<p>His quiet cheery voice brought hope and balm to Orris's soul. She was +nearly at the end of her strength, and Jock was shocked to see how thin +and worn she had become.</p> + +<p>When at last Pippa opened her eyes, Maria Dabbs came forward.</p> + +<p>"Go and have something to eat, ma'am. You've been up all night. I'll +call you if there's any change. She'll take some food from me, I know."</p> + +<p>"You've comed at last," said Pippa in a faint whisper, as poor Jock's +hand was released.</p> + +<p>He stood up and smiled upon her.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and I'm not going to be sent away from you, either," he said in +his pleasant way. "There's no Snuffy in this house, is there? Now I'm +going to take Aunt Ollie away and make her eat some breakfast. And then +we'll come back to you. What you have to do is to sleep and eat all day +long until you get strong enough to play hide-and-seek with me."</p> + +<p>Pippa smiled. She was being fed by Maria; and then again her eyelids +closed, and she slept.</p> + +<p>When a little later Jock and Orris met downstairs for breakfast, they +were strangely composed and quiet. Pippa was the one subject of their +conversation. Orris was asked how long she had been ill, and she gave +as much detail as she could.</p> + +<p>"I believe," she said, "you have brought her the sleep she needed. She +was really fretting to see you. She has never forgotten you, and has +talked about you perpetually."</p> + +<p>"I could not come till you sent for me," said Jock gravely.</p> + +<p>Orris said nothing; then asked him if he had been travelling all night.</p> + +<p>"More or less. I started at midnight. There was no train before."</p> + +<p>"The doctor will be here directly. We will wait to hear how he finds +her, and then you will have some rest, will you not?"</p> + +<p>Jock gave a quiet laugh.</p> + +<p>"A sleepless night is nothing to me," he said. "I should think you are +far more in need of rest than I. Is there an inn of any sort in your +village where I could get a bed to-night?"</p> + +<p>Orris considered.</p> + +<p>"I believe that Mrs. Perkins could put you up," she said. "Perkins is +our old coachman here. He lives in the cottage at the bottom of the +drive. Would you like to walk down and see?"</p> + +<p>"Thanks, but I'll wait till we know how the wee Elf is." Then, after a +pause, he asked: "And how long have you been here? I thought you were +living in the village."</p> + +<p>"Who told you that?"</p> + +<p>He looked up at her with a little of the old mischief in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well, I came down to see one day. Do you wonder how I found out your +retreat? In the simplest way possible.</p> + +<p>"I knew your banker in Veddon Weal. I went straight to him before +you had had time to pledge him to secrecy. He told me you were going +to Devonshire, he believed; you had been over, and mentioned Cudweed +Cove to him. So two months ago, I ached for the sight of you, and +my patience was well-nigh exhausted. I came as a tourist, slept in +Drangerford for the night, and got to Cudweed one fine morning—borrowed +a motor cycle. I dodged you about the whole morning, saw you and the +Elf on the sands, and was satisfied that you were well and happy. I +gossiped with the fisher-folk a bit, was told where you were lodging, +and went home in the afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Orris, with a little sigh. "I don't think there is another +man in the whole world so foolish as you."</p> + +<p>"Is this a private hotel?" Jock asked. "I came across just now two +elderly ladies who bowed to me and disappeared, and a young woman +directed me to this room in a very charming way, just as if she were +hostess."</p> + +<p>"That was Miss Raynor, Pippa's governess."</p> + +<p>In a few brief words, Orris explained her present position, and touched +on Miss Lyle's extreme kindness to her.</p> + +<p>And almost in the same words as Dugald had used, Jock made comment on +her explanation.</p> + +<p>"You certainly do fall on your feet, but you always would, wherever you +go."</p> + +<p>They were interrupted here by the doctor's arrival. Orris went out to +him immediately, and Jock paced up and down the room with knitted brow +and brooding eyes.</p> + +<p>She was a long time away. The doctor came downstairs at last. Jock +heard their murmuring voices in the hall, and then he opened the door, +as the doctor's car moved swiftly off down the drive.</p> + +<p>Orris had disappeared, but in a few moments, he found her. She had +turned aside into her morning-room, and, throwing herself in a chair +by her writing-table, had bowed her head in her hands and was weeping +bitterly.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image003" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image003.jpg" alt="image003"></figure> +<p class="t4"> +<b>For a moment he looked at the bowed figure,</b><br> +<b>and longed to kneel down by her side.</b><br> +<em>Jock's Inheritance]</em><br> +</p> + +<p>For one moment Jock's lips paled. Had the child already passed away +from them? He made a quick step forward, and Orris looked up.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she sobbed, "it's the joy—the relief! He says she has turned the +corner—she is going to be spared to us."</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" murmured Jock with real feeling. For a moment he looked +at the bowed figure, and longed to kneel down by her side and comfort +her in his own way, but there was some nice instinct within him that +forbade him, at this juncture, to intrude himself and his desires upon +her notice. So he smothered his feelings, and spoke in a peculiarly +quiet grave tone. "I think I'll go and see your coachman's wife, and +then, later on, perhaps the Elf would like to see me again. I won't +excite her; I know how quiet she'll have to be kept."</p> + +<p>Orris held out her hand to him.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me for giving way like this. It has been such a strain. Yes, +do go and fix up something with Mrs. Perkins. I must go up to Pippa +again."</p> + +<p>She rose and left the room, and Jock strode out of the house and down +the drive on his errand.</p> + +<p>For the next few days, Jock haunted Cudweed Chase. But so quiet and +self-controlled was he, that Orris began to wonder whether his liking +for her had died a natural death. He, as well as she, seemed entirely +absorbed in the small invalid.</p> + +<p>And as Pippa came back to them again, and day by day grew brighter +and stronger, she insisted upon monopolizing Jock's society. She grew +fretful if he was out of the sick-room for long at a time, and at +length Orris began to protest.</p> + +<p>"We are spoiling her," she said to him one afternoon, when he had +announced his intention of going out fishing, and the laments of +Pippa had made him give up the idea. "She is well enough now to be +reasonable; you are making her selfish, and that will not make for her +happiness."</p> + +<p>"I shall not be here much longer," he replied, "so she can have as much +of me as she wants."</p> + +<p>The next day, after lunch, Orris asked Jock if he would like a ride +with her.</p> + +<p>"I am leaving Miss Raynor with Pippa for the afternoon. It will be our +only opportunity if you leave us to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Jock gave her such a look that Orris almost repented of her proposal, +but she had felt sorry for him passing all his days indoors, and wanted +to show him a little of their beautiful country. It was the first time +Jock had seen Orris on horseback; he could not but help admire the ease +and grace with which she sat her horse.</p> + +<p>His spirits rose as they cantered down the drive and met the tang of +the salt sea breeze full in their faces.</p> + +<p>"This is a treat which I did not expect," he said to her. "I have been +very good, have I not? We have both kept each other at arms' length, +and the little Elf has taken all our time and thoughts. But now, as you +say, this is our only opportunity for a quiet talk, you may be sure I +will make full use of it."</p> + +<p>Orris was silent for a moment, then she said pleasantly:</p> + +<p>"Do. Tell me all about Veddon Weal. How are the Prestons? And the +Misses Dashwood? And is Mr. Dane getting on with the villagers? Tell me +all your local gossip. I shall love to hear it."</p> + +<p>He fell in with her mood, and gave her details of every one and +everything in his neighbourhood. Then he asked lightly:</p> + +<p>"And when are you coming back to us?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am settling in here very comfortably," said Orris. "I am really +interested in Miss Lyle's philanthropy. I wish you could have met her. +She is my ideal of what a rich woman should be. Just a steward—nothing +more or less."</p> + +<p>"It seems a most strange coincidence," said Jock slowly, "that you and +I should be led into the same groove, though under utterly different +conditions. I won't say it's extraordinary, because it has all been +arranged, I believe, for a purpose. Dane and I have been putting our +heads together, and the result is that I am not going to rebuild the +west wing. I shall have the ground cleared, but in the big meadow below +the kitchen gardens, I am building a roomy house in cottage style. +Dane came from an East-End parish, and is great friends with his Vicar +there. Relays of tired and delicate East-Enders are to be sent down +for rest and change, and Miss Dashwood is going to be secretary and +treasurer, and work it in conjunction with a matron who will be in +charge. It's just a sop to Dane—and a pleasant job for Miss Dashwood, +who thirsts for a little more occupation." Jock added this last +sentence a little awkwardly, for Orris's glowing radiant face turned +towards him embarrassed him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jock," she said, "how delightful! It's the first bit of light and +comfort that has come to me since that awful fire. You are bringing +good out of evil."</p> + +<p>"Let us dismount," he said suddenly, "and look at the view."</p> + +<p>They were on high ground; a sloping bit of rough moor led to the edge +of the cliffs; beyond was the blue ocean. A fleet of fishing boats were +putting out to sea, and the sun was already slowly disappearing below +the horizon, but it was sending its rosy rays across the water, and +Orris drew a long breath of pleasure and appreciation as she watched it.</p> + +<p>She was ready to fall in with Jock's suggestion. He tethered the horses +to some iron railings, and then found a pile of granite slabs upon +which they sat, facing the sea.</p> + +<p>"You haven't answered my question yet," he said, laying his right hand +over one of hers as he spoke. "When are you coming back to us?"</p> + +<p>Orris could not answer.</p> + +<p>"You'll never get away from me," Jock went on. "I'm positive that we +are two souls who are meant to cleave together eternally, and you must +know it too by this time. I have been getting the house ready for you +as fast as I can; and I have a surprise for Pippa in it. I have waited +patiently for your time, and now it has come. You are not going to send +me home an unhappy man, are you?"</p> + +<p>Orris looked up at him serenely, though her heart was throbbing +painfully.</p> + +<p>"But what is it that you want?" she asked. "I cannot come back to the +Farm—my work is over at Pinestones."</p> + +<p>"Your work at Pinestones is not begun. You know what I want, and the +work there is to do there. You have to take rather an uncouth rough +sort of a fellow, and mould him into a model husband. Oh, Orris, don't +let us beat about the bush any longer. Put your dear hand in mine, and +tell me that you'll come to me."</p> + +<p>Orris did not move. She was gazing out over the sea. She was going to +capitulate—she had no doubt about her feelings by this time—but she +hesitated. Jock saw the hesitation. He took her hands in his, and made +her look at him.</p> + +<p>"Now then, my heart's dearest," he said, "be straight and true—you can +be no other. Tell me that you'll be mine."</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>The words were soberly uttered: they had as solemn a ring about them as +if uttered in the marriage service.</p> + +<p>And then Jock's arms were about her and their lips met.</p> + +<p>It was some minutes after that, releasing herself from his embrace, she +said a little playfully: "And you have never asked if I love you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't need to," he said. "I'm not much to love, but my love for you +is big enough for us both."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jock, dear Jock!"</p> + +<p>Happy tears rose to Orris's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Do you know what you are to me?" she said. "A tower of strength, +a modern knight of chivalry, one whom I know I could test to the +uttermost and who would never fail me. I think, of all combinations, +the equal mixture of strength and gentleness is what I admire most, and +these are what you possess."</p> + +<p>"Spare my blushes," said Jock, and he had reddened slightly under his +tanned skin, but the joyous light in his eyes deepened into a steady +glow at her words.</p> + +<p>They sat on there, oblivious of time, until the last golden rays of +the sun had died away, and then in the dusky twilight they rode home +together.</p> + +<p>"You must let me tell the Elf the good news," said Jock, as they +entered the house.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Orris; "it will please her."</p> + +<p>So Jock went upstairs, and found Pippa sitting up amongst her pillows +with a small white face and big eyes.</p> + +<p>She smiled her sunny smile when she saw him. "I've been wissing you +were here," she assured him.</p> + +<p>Then, as he stooped and gave her a kiss, she seized his hand.</p> + +<p>"Master Jock, Miss Raynor says you're going away. You aren't, are you? +I reely won't get well if you do—I know I won't! And I do want you to +see me ride my pony."</p> + +<p>"I promise you I shall do that one day."</p> + +<p>Miss Raynor slipped out of the room.</p> + +<p>Jock drew a long breath.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said. "Now we're alone, I can tell you a secret. It's a +stupendous one. I hope your eyes won't fall out of your head. I'm +hurrying back to get Pinestones made clean and smart for you and Aunt +Ollie. This is a very nice house, but it's not nearly so nice as mine. +The dolls' house is fresh with paint and papering, and waiting for you +to come to it. The powder-room holds a surprise for you. And I think +there will be a little brown pony with a very long tail champing his +hay in the stables, and waiting for a little Elf to ride him."</p> + +<p>Pippa clapped her thin little hands.</p> + +<p>"Are we going to live with you?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I hope you are. I've asked Aunt Ollie, and she has said 'yes.' We +shall have to go to church first, so make haste and get well, for we +shall want you there."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Master Jock!" Pippa's eyes were dancing with joy. "And there'll be +no Snuffy to be cross and turn us out; and I'll be able to go into the +powder-room whenever I like. And you'll swing and see-saw me, and we'll +both do lots of fun togever!"</p> + +<p>"Lots," said Jock cheerfully. "But it's all a secret at present, +remember. Only Aunt Ollie and you and I can talk about it in whispers."</p> + +<p>Pippa nodded. This was after her own heart.</p> + +<p>When Orris opened the door, two radiant faces were turned towards her.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Ollie, Master Jock is going to belong to us. He's told me so," +Pippa cried exultantly.</p> + +<p>"I think it will be the other way about," said Orris, smiling.</p> + +<p>And Jock, putting his hand on her shoulder, said:</p> + +<p>"We're going to be one happy family; and if Pippa were only well +enough, she and I would have a mad gambol together at the very thought +of it. But we'll wait to have our rejoicings later, won't we, little +Elf?"</p> + +<p>"When my legs have left off shaking," said Pippa.</p> + +<p>And then Orris sat down by the bed and drew her into her arms.</p> + +<p>"We must thank God, darling, that He has made you better."</p> + +<p>"Yes," responded Pippa, her eyes fixed on Jock's happy face; "and I'll +thank God for making Master Jock come to us, for I was tired of waiting +for him."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_14">CHAPTER XIV</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>A VISIT TO VEDDON WEAL</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>CHRISTMAS found Orris and Pippa still at Cudweed Chase, and though Jock +would have had it otherwise, he had to possess his soul in patience. +Miss Lyle spent Christmas with them, and she and Orris were busy making +the season bright to all around them.</p> + +<p>Pippa was nearly well again, and able to take very short rides on her +beloved pony.</p> + +<p>Orris had been up to town for two or three days, and in that time she +had made her engagement known to her friends. Dugald received her news +in gloomy silence.</p> + +<p>"It was an evil day," he said, "when you went off to Pinestones. I bear +Mrs. Calthrop a grudge for taking you there."</p> + +<p>"Now, Dugald, if I had never gone there, my feelings towards you would +have been just the same. Be content to be my dear cousin and friend. +You knew long ago that I could never be anything more."</p> + +<p>"You'll turn into a mouldy frump!"</p> + +<p>"Better that than a town gadabout!"</p> + +<p>She saw Reyne Archer, for their visit to the Riviera had been delayed +owing to Lady Violet getting a bad attack of 'flu, and received some +news from her which astonished and delighted her. Mr. Dane had been up +to town to see them several times, and on the last occasion had asked +Reyne to be his wife.</p> + +<p>"And mother likes him so much that she makes no difficulty about it at +all," Reyne said. "Oh, Orris, you and I in the same parish! Think how +heavenly it will be! But we are not going to be married yet. A cousin +of mine is coming to be mother's companion when I leave her. The way +has smoothed out so wonderfully, and I shall have the desire of my +heart—to be a useful worker instead of an idler; and last and best of +all, to have such a splendid man to guide and help me."</p> + +<p>"And to love you!" Orris put in, smiling. "I am so very, very glad, +Reyne dear."</p> + +<p>She saw many of her old friends in town, but she was quite ready to +leave it, and come back to the lonely grey house by the sea. She felt +rather guilty when she saw Miss Lyle's extreme disappointment and +regret that she was leaving her. But after a good deal of thinking, she +came down to breakfast one morning with a bright idea in her head. And +this was to suggest Miss Dashwood for the next Lady Superintendent of +Cudweed Chase.</p> + +<p>"Of course," she said to Miss Lyle, "I don't know that she would do +it. She has an invalid sister, but she could be made very comfortable +here, if you would extend your invitation to her. You would love +Miss Dashwood. She is so clever and cultured and brimful of life and +cheerfulness! And she has given up all her beloved work so happily and +contentedly for the sake of her poor sister. I shall be truly sorry if +she leaves our village, but for her sake I should be delighted, because +it is work that she will love."</p> + +<p>"It sounds feasible," said Miss Lyle. "Will you write to her? Is it too +far for her to come and see me?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid she would not leave her sister. She is never away from her +for a day. I will write at once."</p> + +<p>Brisk correspondence ensued, but the matter was not clinched until +Orris herself went down and stayed for a few days with the Prestons.</p> + +<p>Jock was, of course, enchanted. He wanted to consult her about several +alterations at Pinestones, and met her at the station, one bright +frosty afternoon in January, with a radiant face.</p> + +<p>"You are very bold in venturing here," he said to her, as he drove +her to Lilac Farm in a new car in which he had just invested. "How do +you know I will let you away again? I'm just feeling that the days +are empty and useless without you. I've been wonderfully patient, I +consider."</p> + +<p>"Now, Jock, I haven't come down here on our own business, but on Miss +Lyle's. Do you think I can persuade Miss Dashwood to make the venture?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not approving of it. She's running, or going to run, my Rest Home, +remember. I don't want to part with her."</p> + +<p>Orris looked grave, then she laid her hand gently on his arm.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think I could run that for you? We shall be only changing +places."</p> + +<p>He looked at her, laughed, then screwed up his lips.</p> + +<p>"I want a wife to attend to me, first of all. Not to be a busybody +outside her home." Orris said nothing.</p> + +<p>"I wish I wasn't driving," Jock said irrelevantly. "It keeps me from +doing what I want to do. Speech is too cold for my mood at present."</p> + +<p>"Let us keep to our subject," Orris said with her quiet dignity. "I +am not going to be your slave and chattel, am I? It isn't a chaffing +matter. If I am going to be your wife, Jock, there will be many outside +bits of work that I shall like to do. You built your Rest Home. Don't +you think your wife is the person to be the secretary or treasurer of +it?"</p> + +<p>"I think my wife will be an adorable angel, and will be able to twist +her poor inferior husband round her finger."</p> + +<p>Then they both laughed.</p> + +<p>"I shall be entranced for you to be boss altogether of my Rest Home, my +house, and perhaps of me."</p> + +<p>"That I should never be," Orris said; "I know my limitations. It is +your strength and pertinacity that sometimes appals me. Shall we ever +be on different sides I wonder?"</p> + +<p>"Our conversation is not profitable," Jock said gaily. "We will be +joyful in each other's company and let the future go hang!"</p> + +<p>When they reached Lilac Farm, Mrs. Preston gave Orris a warm welcome.</p> + +<p>"It's so delightful to know that you're coming soon to live amongst +us," she said. "'Twas what Tom and I always hoped, but things seemed a +bit contrary before you went away."</p> + +<p>Jock was loath to leave.</p> + +<p>"You're tired, sweetheart," he said, when a few minutes later he was +saying good-bye to her in the old hall, and Mrs. Preston had discreetly +left them. "I feel that the little Elf's illness took a great deal out +of you, but it brought 'me' great happiness." Then, taking her in his +arms, he said very tenderly: "I am longing to have you in my keeping. +You have always been looking after other people, and now you'll have to +take instead of give."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to ask you something, Jock," said Orris, a little wistfully. +"I wanted to do it when you came to us at Cudweed, but I was not brave +enough!"</p> + +<p>"Why? Are you afraid of me? Never!"</p> + +<p>"No, but I am afraid of your cloaking your real feelings by a veneer +of—of indifference."</p> + +<p>"Now look here, you and I are on very intimate terms now; we're going +to be one before long, instead of two. You may ask me any question you +like. I will bare my soul to you. Never hesitate to scold me, question +me, and advise me for my good. We have got to know each other through +and through!"</p> + +<p>"Are things different with you now? Can you and I talk together of the +unseen world? Have you got your old faith back?"</p> + +<p>Jock held her tighter in his arms, and looked into her eyes very +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I'd have bothered over this Rest Home, and been such +chums with Dane, if I hadn't had anything in common with him? I'm not +going to have any barriers between us, sweetheart. Your God is my God, +your faith is my faith, and your hope mine. You'll be my guardian +angel, and help me along, I know. But I've made up my mind to say, as +Joshua did: 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!'"</p> + +<p>Orris's eyes filled with tears, which tears Jock promptly kissed away.</p> + +<p>"I shall have to go," he said. "This is a tantalizing visit of yours, +but I invite you to tea to-morrow afternoon, just to see that my +preparations indoors are according to your liking."</p> + +<p>"I shall love to come," said Orris.</p> + +<p>And then they parted, and she slipped indoors again with a happy heart. +She had instinctively felt that Jock had changed, before she gave him +her answer at Cudweed. She was assured of it now, and she thanked God +in her heart for this assurance. She knew well that it would have only +spelled disaster to link her life to his unless they had been of one +mind upon the real and deep things of eternity.</p> + +<p>The next morning she set off on her visit to Miss Dashwood, who was +both surprised and delighted to see her.</p> + +<p>But when she unfolded her plan, Louisa Dashwood demurred at taking part +in it.</p> + +<p>"Personally I should love to do what you want, but it is Grace who will +object. She likes, if I may say so, to be my centre, and would not like +other people to share my interest and care. Will you wait a moment? I +will call her. It is better to discuss the matter fully before her. She +likes you, and may be influenced by your wishes."</p> + +<p>So Miss Grace came in, and, as Louisa had said, she vetoed the +proposition at once.</p> + +<p>"I am not strong enough to move. And from what you say, it is a lonely +house in a lonely position. It is bad enough here, but we know a +few people and have the village close to us, and Mr. Dane is a very +pleasant Vicar."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you would be lonely," Orris said, "for you would +have very pleasant people in the house, and the village is not very +far-away, and there is a low pony-chaise which Miss Lyle says she would +put entirely at your disposal. I can't tell you how lovely the sea is. +And the country round, and the air, is glorious. Miss Lyle would come +and go, and to me she is a most fascinating personality."</p> + +<p>Grace shrugged her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I do not care for strangers," she said. "No, it is a plan that I for +one could not contemplate for a moment."</p> + +<p>"But, Miss Grace, you are always complaining of this small cottage, and +you do not care for the villagers. You would have many more comforts at +Cudweed Chase."</p> + +<p>"Are you wanting to get rid of us?" Miss Grace demanded sharply. "Is it +because you are going to live here that you want us to go?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Grace!" expostulated her sister, seeing Orris's hurt look. "It +is entirely on our account that Miss Coventry has come down to-day to +tell us about this. It is a hard matter, as you know, for us to make +both ends meet. If I had an extra two hundred pounds a year, and a +comfortable house to live in, do you realize how many extra comforts +you would enjoy?"</p> + +<p>"I am feeling ill," said Grace suddenly, putting her hand to her head; +"you are agitating me. I must go and lie down."</p> + +<p>She left the room, and her sister accompanied her. Then she returned to +Orris, who was looking disappointed and depressed.</p> + +<p>Louisa put her hand upon her arm.</p> + +<p>"Cheer up," she said. "It isn't easy to help us, is it? But Grace may +think it over and alter her mind. Leave it an open question for a few +days, will you? Grace hates changes, though she always says she is not +happy here. But I don't think she would be happy anywhere—it is not her +nature to be so. And sometimes she suddenly turns round and agrees to +what is proposed, after I have given up hope that she will do so."</p> + +<p>"I should insist upon the plan if I felt it would be for her good," +said Orris.</p> + +<p>"No, you would not," said Louisa, smiling, "if you knew that opposition +of any kind really makes her ill. Persuasion, not force, is the only +way to deal with her."</p> + +<p>They talked together for some time, and then Orris left, her mission +still unfulfilled. But Louisa promised to do her best to influence the +fretful invalid, and Orris went back to the farm, wondering at the +cheerful patience and serene calm of her friend.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Jock appeared directly the farm dinner was over, and he and Orris +walked over the fields together. They first inspected the new building +which was very nearly completed, and then stood together on the waste +piece of ground upon which the west wing had once stood.</p> + +<p>"It makes me very sad," said Orris. "Why did you not build it up again?"</p> + +<p>"The house is big enough without it," said Jock cheerfully. "I've had, +as you see, all the rubbish taken away, and we'll make this bit of +ground into a sunk rose-garden. Truefitt, my new gardener, is wild to +do it. Now come along into the house."</p> + +<p>Orris was surprised to see how much had been done to the house when she +entered it. Fresh paint and papering, and a general clearance of old +worthless bits of furniture, and some really good bits of oak put in +their place, gave the house a new aspect altogether. He took her into +dining-room, smoking-room, and big drawing-room, and showed her the +room upstairs that he was going to make into a private sitting-room for +her.</p> + +<p>"You must have some retreat where you'll be able to get away from me," +he said to her lightly, and Orris assented at once.</p> + +<p>"We can't sit in each other's pockets all day long," she said. "But I +don't think you'll ever overburden me with your society, Jock. It will +be the other way about. Yet I would not have you an idle man about the +house. Out-of-doors is your sphere, and I'm old-fashioned enough to +believe that indoors will be the sphere for me."</p> + +<p>"It will be heaven on earth," said Jock in a low emphatic tone. "We're +going to have tea in the hall now. Will you pour out? I'll sit opposite +you and imagine we're already husband and wife."</p> + +<p>His gay spirits infected Orris. Her dimples had free play. After tea +was over, he and she took counsel over patterns of chintz and damask, +as to the best material to re-cover the drawing-room furniture. Then +Orris was shown the contents of the powder-room, and when she came out +she said:</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder at Pippa's infatuation for you. But you spoil her, +Jock."</p> + +<p>"I couldn't," he said. "I only hope she'll stay with us till she grows +up."</p> + +<p>Orris looked grave.</p> + +<p>"I am anxious about her future, with such a mother. But I tell myself +that I have her at the most susceptible age, so I shall have faith to +believe that her character will be formed before she joins her mother +again."</p> + +<p>Jock was loath to let her go when the time came for her to return to +the farm.</p> + +<p>"I have all to-morrow," Orris said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do let us get married at once," cried Jock. "What is the good of +waiting? You don't want a regular show, do you?"</p> + +<p>"I should like," Orris replied softly, "to creep into a little quiet +lonely church, and plight our troth before God, away from every one."</p> + +<p>"And so should I. We'll do it. I'll get a special licence and we'll do +it before you go back to Cudweed."</p> + +<p>"No, no! What an impulsive creature you are! Miss Lyle has determined +to give me a send-off. I have promised her to be married from her +house."</p> + +<p>"Well, let us settle the day. I shan't let you move from this house +till you've done it!"</p> + +<p>He was as good as his word, and though he chafed at the delay, Orris +would not leave Cudweed till the end of the following month. They +settled the day, and then he let her go. But he arranged to take her +for a ride and show her round his farm the following day.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>The following morning Orris had an early visit from Louisa Dashwood.</p> + +<p>"My dear Miss Coventry, it's done. Grace has relented, and I am +allowed to take up the post. It is Mr. Muir's doing. He came round +last night after his dinner, and simply coaxed and wheedled Grace into +acquiescence. What a power he has with his tongue! Will you be able to +withstand him in anything. I wonder?"</p> + +<p>"I wonder that, sometimes," said Orris, smiling. "But I hope such an +emergency will not occur. I am very thankful for your news. Now I can +return to Miss Lyle with a light heart."</p> + +<p>"At the same time," said Louisa, "may I say that I have real regret in +removing myself away from your society. We have not seen very much of +each other, but when we have met I have always benefited."</p> + +<p>"No," said Orris; "I think you have been my benefactor. I have taken +heart again and again when I have seen your cheerful courage and +patience. We must not be parted for good. I hope sometimes you may be +able to pay us a visit."</p> + +<p>And then, as she said, Orris returned to Cudweed with a light heart. +Miss Lyle was pleased to hear about her successor, and Pippa was +eagerness itself to hear all about "Master Jock" in his "real own home."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_15">CHAPTER XV</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>WED</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>IT was Orris's wedding day, and though March had come in like a lion, +it was going out, as proverbially it should, like a lamb. It was a +still bright day. The sea lay serene and calm, with only a ripple of +movement, as it lapped the shore.</p> + +<p>Orris stood at her bedroom window looking out upon it with dreamy happy +eyes. Life had given her a good share of its cares and anxieties. Now +she faced the future, feeling that whatever the coming years might +bring her, loss or gain, she could face them steadfastly, for Jock +would be by her side.</p> + +<p>It was, as they had both wished, going to be a very quiet gathering. +Miss Lyle was in a comparatively empty house, for her last guests had +departed, and she had purposely refrained from having any others till +the wedding was over. Miss Raynor was the only outsider. Mr. Dunscombe, +as best man, was staying with Jock at the village inn. Dugald had +been invited, but would not come. His sister Marie had accepted her +invitation, and was very comfortably ensconced in the best spare +bedroom.</p> + +<p>Orris had asked that she might be left undisturbed in her room till the +carriage came to take her to church. Perkins had been allowed to get +out the old-fashioned brougham, which Miss Lyle so seldom used, for the +occasion.</p> + +<p>At eleven o'clock she heard a soft knock at her door. It was Pippa, +almost hidden by the big white bridal bouquet which she was carrying.</p> + +<p>"It's for you, Aunt Ollie; it's all come out of the 'servatory. And, +oh, how lovely you are!"</p> + +<p>"And you, Pippa, are my sweet white Elf indeed."</p> + +<p>For Jock had asked that Orris should be in the traditional white, and +very queenly she looked in the soft white satin gown, with no trimming +of any kind about her, except an Italian lace berthe and her veil, both +heirlooms belonging to her mother. Pippa, in her tiny white frock and +lace cap, with silver ribbon and a silver sash around her waist, was a +dainty picture. Her cheeks were pink with excitement.</p> + +<p>Orris stooped and kissed her.</p> + +<p>"My darling!" she said. "What lovely flowers! Is it time to go?"</p> + +<p>Pippa nodded.</p> + +<p>"Miss Lyle is waiting, and the carriage is here, and Bess and Bones +have real satin rosettes to their ears."</p> + +<p>Then they descended the stairs, and Marie, at the bottom, gave Orris a +quick kiss before she got into the carriage.</p> + +<p>"It's a shame," she said, "that you should not be in town amongst all +your friends. Who is there to admire you here, except a handful of +fisher-folk?"</p> + +<p>Her words sent Orris into her carriage with a smile. Miss Lyle followed +her, for she was going to give her away. She had discarded her usual +severe style of dress, and was in a powder-blue crêpe-de-chine gown, +with black velvet hat and ostrich feathers, and black fox fur round her +shoulders. She looked, as she was, a very handsome woman.</p> + +<p>They were very silent as they drove to the little church. It was a +painful occasion to Miss Lyle. She remembered, as a young woman, how +she had hoped to come to that same church as a bride. Her wedding +day had been fixed and she was within a week of it when the tragedy +occurred that took her fiancé from her.</p> + +<p>And Orris began to feel nervous. They found quite a little crowd +collected in the church porch. The carriage which preceded them had +been hired from the inn, and contained Marie and Pippa.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, and Orris and Jock stood side by side, taking part +in one of the most solemn services in the Prayer Book.</p> + +<p>Jock was very grave. His erect, stalwart figure evoked open admiration +from some of the village women.</p> + +<p>"Ay, he du be a praper man, sure 'nuff. He holds his head like a king! +Vit to wed the dear lady!"</p> + +<p>When it was over, and Jock was driving back in the brougham with his +bride, he took her hand in his.</p> + +<p>"My greatest moment in my life!" he said. "But oh, sweetheart, what a +nervous opportunity it is! What a comfort to feel we shall never have +to go through it again!"</p> + +<p>And Orris's amusement at his speech took away her momentary feeling of +shyness.</p> + +<p>They had a pleasant informal meal at the house before departing for the +tiny village in Cornwall where they were going to have a fortnight's +honeymoon. At first they meant to dispense with that, but later Orris +began to think differently.</p> + +<p>"It will do you good to get right away from your farm, Jock. Let us +have a complete holiday with nothing to distract us."</p> + +<p>And so to Cornwall they went, and Pippa waited impatiently for the time +when she should join them at Pinestones.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>It was a lovely day in April when the bride and bridegroom came home. +Pippa and her governess had arrived early in the afternoon, and the +hall was decked with flowers when they appeared.</p> + +<p>"Why, you little Elf," said Jock, seizing the child and swinging her up +in his arms, "you've been stealing my flowers."</p> + +<p>"They're mine too," cried Pippa joyously. "We all belong to each other. +Aunt Ollie said so."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you belong to me, I shall do what I like with you, and I'm +going to lock you in the powder-room for theft! Come along!"</p> + +<p>Pippa willingly obeyed. It had needed all her self-control to keep from +entering her favourite room, but she had been strictly forbidden to go +near it. Orris accompanied them, for she knew the secret.</p> + +<p>When the door was opened, Pippa gave a gasp, then a shout.</p> + +<p>For the little room was furnished now. A thick carpet was underfoot, +and a child's suite of furniture was in it. There was a tiny round +table, a miniature armchair, and two little wooden chairs with +blue velvet cushions upon them. The window was draped with quaint +old-fashioned chintz curtains. Against one side of the wall was the +dolls' house, against the other was a small glass bookcase, holding +children's books. There was a tiny rocking-chair, and a little white +china stove with a miniature oven in it. On a little side table was a +basket-tray, upon which was a pretty china tea-set.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jock, "does it suit Your Highness, wee Elf? It's to be +your own room, and you can shut us all out if you like."</p> + +<p>Pippa flung herself into his arms.</p> + +<p>"I knewed there would be something lovely, but not half so good as +this. You are the darlingest man in the world, Master Jock!"</p> + +<p>"I think, Pippa," said Orris, smiling, "that you must forget that name. +He is Uncle Jock now."</p> + +<p>Pippa went round and round the room in ecstasy of delight. She sat in +every chair, she drew them up to the table and spread out the tea-cups +on it, and wanted to have tea there and then. She rocked herself in the +rocking-chair, she looked at all the books, and then ran away to fetch +Miss Raynor to see it all.</p> + +<p>Jock and Orris went downstairs and found tea awaiting them in the +drawing-room.</p> + +<p>"You know how to give pleasure, Jock," said Orris, as she sat down at +the tea-tray and commenced to pour out tea. "Pippa is a lucky child."</p> + +<p>"Not so lucky as I am!" said Jock warmly. "This is what I pictured to +myself over and over again: you and I having tea together in our own +house. It has all come to pass as I told you it would. What do you feel +like?"</p> + +<p>"Very much at home," said Orris, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, say something nicer than that!"</p> + +<p>"What can I say? We won't be always expressing our happiness in words, +Jock. It is too deep for that."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he assented more soberly, but letting his eyes travel over her +slowly with radiant content in them; "it is deep and sure and lasting."</p> + +<p>Orris could echo his words in her heart. She knew that life would bring +shadows and trials, but she felt she could meet them contentedly if +Jock were by her side.</p> + +<p>When their tea was over, she wandered round the house with Jock, and +interviewed the cook, a new importation and a great improvement upon +Mrs. Snow.</p> + +<p>Orris was amused at Jock's housewifely qualities. He had got a new +staff of servants alone and unaided, had interviewed them personally, +had told them that he was a stern master but, he hoped, a just one; and +that their mistress was an "angel on earth."</p> + +<p>"I shall never keep up my reputation," said Orris, laughing, when Jock +told her this. He assured her gravely that she could not change her +nature.</p> + +<p>The room to which they drifted last was the smoking-room. Here on one +side was a new glass bookcase made of dark oak, and on the shelves were +the remnants of the burnt library. Jock had had a few of the volumes +rebound, but, for the most part, the blackened and singed leather +covers remained.</p> + +<p>"Now, darling," said Jock, as he opened the door for her to inspect +them, "we must have no sighs or laments for the books that are gone, +only pleasure for those which remain."</p> + +<p>Orris smiled at him, but an eager light came into her face as she +fingered some of her treasures. "Oh, Jock, in the winter evenings we +must make ourselves more acquainted with some of these old writers. How +glad I am that so many of them have been saved! No, I won't lament over +the past. I have put it from me."</p> + +<p>"That's A 1! And do you know, I have an instinct that had my precious +library remained, I should have found in it a formidable rival. You +were getting absorbed in it. It would not have been pleasant to come +home tired and hungry and find a wife absolutely indifferent to my +needs, deaf to my plaintive voice, entirely buried in her books. You +might have quoted your old philosophers to me all day long, until I +should long to destroy their works. Now you are detached from that +unlucky catalogue making, and have nothing in the world to take off +your thoughts from your lord and husband."</p> + +<p>Orris laughed at him.</p> + +<p>"I warn you, I mean to lead my own life, and I claim my own +individuality. And you will find me sometimes in this room enjoying +some of the old authors whom I have learnt to love."</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," assented Jock; "in my absence you can read as much as you +like, but not when I am home."</p> + +<p>"We shan't quarrel," said Orris contentedly. "Your bark is always worse +than your bite, Jock. To hear you sometimes, one would think that you +had a masterful, tyrannical temper, whereas I know to the contrary. +Pippa can twist you round her finger."</p> + +<p>Jock's eyes rested on his wife with a tender light in them.</p> + +<p>"You and she together will coax the life out of me, but I have a streak +of obstinacy in me."</p> + +<p>Then he took his wife out into the garden. The peace and beauty of it +brought stillness and sweetness into their souls. They talked of unseen +things, and watched the sunset from the terrace overlooking the pine +woods.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Orris," Jock said, as finally they returned to the house, "at one +time I had lost all interest in this place. But now you are going to +make it into a home, I feel so differently. We'll emanate sunshine and +content on all around—you see if we don't!"</p> + +<p>"With God's help, we'll attempt it," was Orris's rejoinder.</p> + +<p>Pippa was a happy child at all times, but this arrival at Pinestones, +with the present of the powder-room for her own peculiar domain, +almost turned her head. And when, the next morning, Jock came to the +schoolroom door and said he wanted to introduce her to a little brown +gentleman who was waiting to see her, her eyes nearly started out of +her head.</p> + +<p>"Is it anuver surprise?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Jock nodded.</p> + +<p>"What's he like?" she said in a delighted whisper, as hand in hand with +him she danced down the stairs, eager expectation shining out of her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well, his hair is too long to please me, and he's rather fat."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" screamed Pippa. "Is he a pixie or a brownie?"</p> + +<p>"Come and see."</p> + +<p>He led her out to the stable, and then she guessed; and she danced up +and down in excitement.</p> + +<p>In another moment she was standing by the dearest little brown pony +that she had ever seen. He had come from Exmoor, and his mane and tail +were flowing in the wind. In a moment, she had climbed upon his back.</p> + +<p>"What's his name? Is he mine to keep? Can I ride on him whenever I +like?"</p> + +<p>"His name must be Pixie, I think. He's absolutely quiet, and a little +boy has been riding him for over a year, so I think he'll carry you +nicely. He is for your very own."</p> + +<p>Pippa looked at Jock with unutterable gratitude.</p> + +<p>"I do think you're the wonderfullest man in the world," she said, +"better than Father Christmas or a fairy godmother. Can I ride him now?"</p> + +<p>"Not without a saddle. In half an hour's time, you shall."</p> + +<p>The happy child flew into the house. Miss Raynor saw that lessons +must not be started that first day, so she gave her a full holiday, +and Pippa spent the morning with her pony and the afternoon in her +powder-room.</p> + +<p>It took a few days to calm her high spirits and make her willing to +settle down to her lessons again, but Miss Raynor understood her, had a +fund of patience and of humour, and kept her happy.</p> + +<p>Two or three days after their return, they had a visit from their +Vicar. Orris thought he looked worn and weary. She asked him if he had +been overworking himself.</p> + +<p>He smiled at her.</p> + +<p>"There's not much chance of that here. My days are only pleasantly +filled. No, I have had an uncongenial task to do, and I think I have +accomplished it."</p> + +<p>"You began it over a month ago," said Jock, looking at him with +interest. "Tell us the result."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Orris, scenting a mystery.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dane drew a long sigh.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mrs. Muir, I have not been at all happy about a certain house +in my parish. You know it. Ivy Towers. I cannot tolerate superstition +in any shape or form. Christians ought to be above it. I heard that +some new tenants were going to take it, so when they came down to +inspect it, I thought it my duty to warn them. Not against the house, +but against the intense credulity and superstition of the villagers. +The power of suggestion is great. I was afraid from what had happened +before that they would soon be driven out of it. And they were most +grateful to me.</p> + +<p>"He is one of these invalided officers; she is quite young, and has a +young family. But she besought me to use my powers of exorcism, and in +the end I promised to do this: to live in the house myself for a good +month before they came into it. My good old Susan was willing to come +with me. Mother wanted to pay my married sister a visit, so I let the +Vicarage, and Ivy Towers has been my home for some time now."</p> + +<p>"And what have you seen or heard?" questioned Orris. "Is it only the +power of suggestion that has proved so fatal to those who live there?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Dane did not reply for a moment or two, then he said slowly:</p> + +<p>"Our nerve, even our sight, is not always as reliable as it should be. +But I can assure you with certainty now that the house will harm no one +in future. If evil in the world is strong, God Almighty is stronger. I +laid hold of His strength, and it has not failed me."</p> + +<p>"It has been a strain," said Orris, looking at his white face and +hollow eyes.</p> + +<p>And Mr. Dane, looking at her with a smile, said:</p> + +<p>"'This kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting!'"</p> + +<p>He would say no more. But as far as Ivy Towers was concerned, the tide +of misfortune was turned. The villagers knew what their Vicar had done, +and expressed their satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Major and Mrs. Latimer with their four little boys moved in at once; +they brought their own servants with them, and peace and cheerfulness +reigned there. Pippa was delighted to have small playmates near her, +and she and they met frequently. Ivy Towers was now a home of merry +children. The atmosphere of depression was no more.</p> + +<p>In a few weeks' time, Orris had settled down into her new home. She +found her days, like Mr. Dane's, "pleasantly filled."</p> + +<p>Jock was out every morning, sometimes away for the whole day, but the +evenings were always spent with his wife.</p> + +<p>Orris visited the villagers, helped the Vicar in many of his +organizations, and worked hard in making the Rest Home a success to +those who would use it.</p> + +<p>She heard from Venetia, who congratulated her warmly upon her marriage.</p> + +<p>"I always knew you would pull it off," she wrote, "you couldn't +withstand his determination to get you; and as it turns out, you have +done remarkably well for yourself. I am still leaving Pippa under +your care. I think she needs English training and education. Perhaps +she will grow up a different stamp to her cosmopolitan mother. But I +haven't given her to you altogether. When you get a family of your own, +you may not want her. And when she gets a young woman, I shall be glad +to have her with me."</p> + +<p>Orris showed this to Jock.</p> + +<p>"It makes me shiver," she said, "when I think of the day on which I +shall have to hand Pippa over to her mother."</p> + +<p>"We'll get her married first," said Jock the optimist.</p> + +<p>"Marriage, with you, is a cure for all evils," laughed Orris.</p> + +<p>"It's a cure for a good many, as far as girls are concerned," he +retorted; "that is, if they get the right kind of husband who'll look +after them and keep them from follies."</p> + +<p>"You're very primitive," Orris said. "Don't you know that the modern +girl will not be managed by anyone, least of all by her husband?"</p> + +<p>"I thank God daily that you are not modern," said Jock.</p> + +<p>"Even so," Orris said demurely, "I cannot always be managed, Jock."</p> + +<p>He laughed.</p> + +<p>"Our wills have never clashed yet, and I hope they never will."</p> + +<p>Yet only a few days after this conversation, they had their first +disagreement.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h3><a id="Chapter_16">CHAPTER XVI</a></h3> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>JOCK'S INHERITANCE</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>MARIE LAING wrote and asked Orris and her husband up to town for a +week. She lived in a small house in Kensington Gore. She told Orris +frankly why she wanted them both.</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "You've been married in such a hole-and-corner style that your friends +in town are wondering what your husband is like. And I want them to see +that you have married a gentleman and one who can hold his own with +any. I think it is his due to be recognized by your relatives. I shall +give one or two quiet dinners and invite some of your old friends. +Don't lose sight of us, for I tell you that we expect to be entertained +by you later on. You must not seclude yourself in the country and get +out of touch with civilization."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>At first Orris thought she would keep this letter to herself, but she +had been so accustomed to tell Jock everything that she put it into his +hand.</p> + +<p>"We can afford to laugh at Marie and her fussiness," she said, "but all +the same, I think we'd better go. I should like to have a week in town."</p> + +<p>A dark flush mounted to Jock's cheeks as he read the letter; then he +tossed it back to her.</p> + +<p>"I don't see myself being dragged up to town to be shown off like a +tame monkey," he said hotly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jock, don't be so foolish! I wish I had not shown you the letter. +We can afford to laugh at her. But at the same time, I should like to +accept the invitation."</p> + +<p>"Then you can accept it, but don't include me."</p> + +<p>"I should not think of going without you."</p> + +<p>They were facing each other now. Orris with a worried pleading look in +her eyes, but with determination about her lips; Jock with grim-set +mouth, and shoulders set taut and square, a sign of extreme obstinacy.</p> + +<p>"You will not come if I ask you?" Orris said.</p> + +<p>"Not if you go down on your knees to me," Jock snapped out.</p> + +<p>And then very quietly, without another word, Orris left the room.</p> + +<p>She went upstairs to her little sitting-room, and there, sitting in a +low chair by the window, she cupped her chin in her hands and pondered +over the situation.</p> + +<p>Jock should not shut her away from her old acquaintances and friends. +It would neither be right nor kind to do so. And it would be wrong to +encourage him to shut himself away from his own kind. He might develop +into a tyrant or a crank. Orris had seen both types amongst country +squires, and she dreaded such a possibility for her husband. She +considered that it was not a question of her own liking, so much as +that it would be bad for both of them if they never left their country +house, and if Jock refused to be friendly with any of her relatives. +Yet how could she compel him to come with her against his will?</p> + +<p>An hour passed, and still she sat there. The letter had come by the +evening post. It was the hour that she generally sat with Jock in the +smoking-room, between tea and dinner, but she felt that she could not +go down to-night. She wondered if he would come and seek her, but he +did not. She did not meet him again till dinnertime.</p> + +<p>For the first time since their marriage, there was restraint between +them. Orris talked cheerfully of different matters that interested them +both locally, and Jock responded with a slight effort.</p> + +<p>She went into the drawing-room afterwards and Jock shut himself up in +the smoking-room.</p> + +<p>About ten o'clock, with a weary sigh, Orris put aside the book she had +been trying to read and resolved to go to bed. Then, as she was moving +towards the door, Jock came in.</p> + +<p>"We've got to have this out before we go to bed," he said.</p> + +<p>"Come and sit down, then," said Orris very quietly.</p> + +<p>Jock looked at her sharply.</p> + +<p>"You've been crying," he said.</p> + +<p>"A few tears," Orris said, striving to keep her lips from quivering. +"You see, Jock, this is my first experience of your anger. And you are +so rarely angry with anyone that I feel it all the more."</p> + +<p>Jock stood over her on the hearthrug. He would not sit down.</p> + +<p>"I've a raging hot temper when roused," he said; "and I'm proud, and +I won't be made into a puppet and have to talk and dance for the +edification of your cousin Dugald and other empty-headed noodles of his +kin."</p> + +<p>"Now, Jock, is that kind or just?"</p> + +<p>He was silent. Then he burst forth:</p> + +<p>"I wish I did not love you so much. It saps away all my determination +and will." He was down on his knees by her now and his arms were round +her. "Do you want this so much, sweetheart?"</p> + +<p>Orris felt inclined to make an unconditional surrender, but her +commonsense and right judgment saved her.</p> + +<p>"Jock, dear, when I married you, I never knew that it would entail my +giving up all my relations and friends. We are so sure of each other's +love that jealousy cannot find room in either of our hearts. You know +that I enjoy nothing without you. To go to London so soon after our +marriage and leave you down here would evoke criticism from all I know. +If you love me, make this sacrifice for me. I know your dislike to +town, but it is only for a week. And oh, Jock, my dearest, I will be +frank, I am so proud of my husband that I want my relations to know him +and appreciate him."</p> + +<p>"Don't flatter. I'll come with you. I have tackled hard jobs in my life +and this will be the toughest. But I won't have you shed tears on my +account." And he kissed her as if he could not let her go.</p> + +<p>Orris said no more, but as they went upstairs together she murmured:</p> + +<p>"I hope the next time it will be I that make the sacrifice, and not +you, dearest."</p> + +<p>They went to town and nothing happened to mar their visit there. Jock +met two old friends, one—a Colonel Stacy, who had been at Oxford at the +same college with him, and who was a great friend of Marie Laing's. +The other was a Lord Denver, who had recently come into his title and +property, and who had lived for two years with Jock at his farm in New +Zealand. Both were delighted to see Jock again, and Orris was glad that +their friendship had prevented him from feeling dull or lonely.</p> + +<p>He did his best to make himself pleasant to his wife's friends, but +after two dinners, three receptions, and two afternoon teas, he told +Orris that he had done his duty and would go out no more.</p> + +<p>She and he did a little sight-seeing together, and attended a service +in Westminster Abbey, which Orris loved.</p> + +<p>They did not see Reyne, as she was abroad with her mother, and Dugald +had gone over to Paris. He did not wish to see Orris in the company of +her husband.</p> + +<p>When the day came for them to leave for home, Jock was as light-hearted +as a boy.</p> + +<p>"Give me the country," he said to Marie; "you're all frittering away +your time and spending money like water without having anything to show +for it. I can imagine girls and boys jigging round, but there are men +and women well on the way to seventy who are as keen as the young ones +on amusement."</p> + +<p>Marie laughed at him.</p> + +<p>"You earnest backwoodsman," she said; "if we make gods of our pleasure, +you make them of your work! We use our brains more than you do. +Agricultural labour exercises muscles, not brains."</p> + +<p>"I beg to differ. If you were to drop in to a country inn on market day +and hear a few farmers talking, it would make you sit up and teach you +a bit."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Orris, laughing, "you will never understand each other, so +don't argue any more."</p> + +<p>They came home, but before they reached their gates they heard sad +news. Mr. Preston had been carried home unconscious from the fields +with a bad heart attack, and he was sinking fast.</p> + +<p>"I must go to them," Jock said; and he went off to the farm at once.</p> + +<p>Orris would have liked to accompany him, but she was afraid of +intruding at a time when perhaps wife and husband wanted to be alone +together.</p> + +<p>It was late at night before Jock came back. He was very grave.</p> + +<p>"He has gone," he said to Orris, when she met him in the hall, "and +I've lost one of my best friends here."</p> + +<p>"How is Mrs. Preston?"</p> + +<p>"Wonderful, as she always is. I'm glad I went. He knew me—and said +good-bye. And then he took his wife's hand.</p> + +<p>"'Twon't be long before you come to me,' he whispered to her.</p> + +<p>"And she looked at him with her brave smiling eyes. 'Ask God to make +the time short,' she said.</p> + +<p>"And he nodded, and then he murmured: 'A good wife from the Lord.'</p> + +<p>"I came away, for Dane arrived, but I waited till his visit was over, +and he came down just as Preston had breathed his last."</p> + +<p>Orris's eyes were full of tears.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how Mrs. Preston will live without him, but I know she +will be comforted."</p> + +<p>It was rather a sad home-coming, but when Orris met Mrs. Preston she +found her resigned and calm.</p> + +<p>"It's only a short time," she said; "and I 'know' he's happy, so how +can I mourn?"</p> + +<p>Jock had been left executor and trustee. He was over at the farm a +good deal after the funeral had taken place. Mr. Preston had expressed +a wish that Jock should take over the farm and work it with his. +Mrs. Preston had enough to keep on the house and live there. She was +pleased to have Jock still about the place, and he was as tender and +considerate as a son might have been.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>A fortnight after their return, Jock and Orris were on the terrace +together. It was a lovely evening. The garden below them was full of +the fragrance of late spring flowers. In the distance, a red sun was +sinking behind the pine woods. Pippa had just left them and gone up to +bed. She had been telling Jock a wonderful Norwegian legend that Miss +Raynor had been relating to her.</p> + +<p>"And so," she ended, "the king brought the peasant girl into the palace +and made her his queen. And he made a big feast and told all his people +that God had given her to him, and so she was to be called Queen +Theodora, the gift of God. Did God give Aunt Ollie to you, Uncle Jock?"</p> + +<p>"He did, indeed," said Jock, with deep feeling. He sat on silently with +Orris after she had left them.</p> + +<p>Orris was gazing at the fair scene in front of her.</p> + +<p>"It is a beautiful inheritance, Jock," she said at last.</p> + +<p>He looked up at her.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered. "But you remind me continually that I am only a +steward. The possession which I prize most is beside me. I was thinking +of old Preston's words this morning. I knew they came from the Bible, +so I hunted them up. 'Houses and possessions' we are told, come from +our 'fathers.' A good wife, or a 'prudent,' as it puts it, 'comes from +the Lord.' Pippa was perfectly right in her deduction just now. My +inheritance from men is a matter of indifference to me. My inheritance +from the Lord is my all in all."</p> + +<p>And Orris, as she turned to meet his ardent tender gaze, could but pray +that she might never fail or disappoint him.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76969 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/76969-h/images/image001.jpg b/76969-h/images/image001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..47ddd99 --- /dev/null +++ b/76969-h/images/image001.jpg diff --git a/76969-h/images/image002.jpg b/76969-h/images/image002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a1faae --- /dev/null +++ b/76969-h/images/image002.jpg diff --git a/76969-h/images/image003.jpg b/76969-h/images/image003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e225252 --- /dev/null +++ b/76969-h/images/image003.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5dba15 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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