pgw.adamselindistress-第16章

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e　son　of　the　house　languishes　in　chokey　because　he　has　a　row　with　you　in　Piccadilly；　and　on　top　of　all　that　you　e　here　and　camp　out　at　the　castle　gates！　Naturally　the　family　are　a　bit　peeved。　Only　natural；　eh？　I　mean　to　say；　what？〃
　George　listened　to　this　address　in　bewilderment。　Maud　in　love　with　him！　It　sounded　incredible。　That　he　should　love　her　after　their　one　meeting　was　a　different　thing　altogether。　　That　was　perfectly　natural　and　in　order。　But　that　he　should　have　had　the　incredible　luck　to　win　her　affection。　The　thing　struck　him　as　grotesque　and　ridiculous。
　〃In　love　with　me？〃　he　cried。　〃What　on　earth　do　you　mean？〃　　Reggie's　bewilderment　equalled　his　own。
　〃Well；　dash　it　all；　old　top；　it　surely　isn't　news　to　you？　She　must　have　told　you。　Why；　she　told　me！〃
　〃Told　you？　Am　I　going　mad？〃
　〃Absolutely！　I　mean　absolutely　not！　Look　here。〃　Reggie　hesitated。　The　subject　was　delicate。　But；　once　started；　it　might　as　well　be　proceeded　with　to　some　conclusion。　A　fellow　couldn't　go　on　talking　about　his　iron…shots　after　this　just　as　if　nothing　had　happened。　This　was　the　time　for　the　laying　down　of　cards；　the　opening　of　hearts。　〃I　say；　you　know；〃　he　went　on；　feeling　his　way；　〃you'll　probably　think　it　deuced　rummy　of　me　talking　like　this。　Perfect　stranger　and　what　not。　Don't　even　know　each　other's　names。〃
　〃Mine's　Bevan；　if　that'll　be　any　help。〃
　〃Thanks　very　much；　old　chap。　Great　help！　Mine's　Byng。　Reggie　Byng。　Well；　as　we're　all　pals　here　and　the　meeting's　tiled　and　so　forth；　I'll　start　by　saying　that　the　mater　is　most　deucedly　set　on　my　marrying　Lady　Maud。　Been　pals　all　our　lives；　you　know。　Children　together；　and　all　that　sort　of　rot。　　Now　there's　nobody　I　think　a　more　corking　sportsman　than　Maud；　if　you　know　what　I　mean；　butthis　is　where　the　catch　es　inI'm　most　frightfully　in　love　with　somebody　else。　　Hopeless；　and　all　that　sort　of　thing；　but　still　there　it　is。　And　all　the　while　the　mater　behind　me　with　a　bradawl；　sicking　me　on　to　propose　to　Maud　who　wouldn't　have　me　if　I　were　the　only　fellow　on　earth。　You　can't　imagine；　my　dear　old　chap；　what　a　relief　it　was　to　both　of　us　when　she　told　me　the　other　day　that　she　was　in　love　with　you；　and　wouldn't　dream　of　looking　at　anybody　else。　　I　tell　you；　I　went　singing　about　the　place。〃
　George　felt　inclined　to　imitate　his　excellent　example。　A　burst　of　song　was　the　only　adequate　expression　of　the　mood　of　heavenly　happiness　which　this　young　man's　revelations　had　brought　upon　him。　The　whole　world　seemed　different。　Wings　seemed　to　sprout　from　Reggie's　shapely　shoulders。　The　air　was　filled　with　soft　music。　Even　the　wallpaper　seemed　moderately　attractive。
　He　mixed　himself　a　second　whisky　and　soda。　It　was　the　next　best　thing　to　singing。
　〃I　see；〃　he　said。　It　was　difficult　to　say　anything。　Reggie　was　regarding　him　enviously。
　〃I　wish　I　knew　how　the　deuce　fellows　set　about　making　a　girl　fall　in　love　with　them。　Other　chappies　seem　to　do　it；　but　I　can't　even　start。　She　seems　to　sort　of　gaze　through　me；　don't　you　know。　She　kind　of　looks　at　me　as　if　I　were　more　to　be　pitied　than　censured；　but　as　if　she　thought　I　really　ought　to　do　something　about　it。　Of　course；　she's　a　devilish　brainy　girl；　and　I'm　a　fearful　chump。　Makes　it　kind　of　hopeless；　what？〃
　George；　in　his　new…born　happiness；　found　a　pleasure　in　encouraging　a　less　lucky　mortal。
　〃Not　a　bit。　What　you　ought　to　do　is　to〃
　〃Yes？〃　said　Reggie　eagerly。
　George　shook　his　head。
　〃No；　I　don't　know；〃　he　said。
　〃Nor　do　I；　dash　it！〃　said　Reggie。
　George　pondered。
　〃It　seems　to　me　it's　purely　a　question　of　luck。　Either　you're　lucky　or　you're　not。　Look　at　me；　for　instance。　What　is　there　about　me　to　make　a　wonderful　girl　love　me？〃
　〃Nothing！　I　see　what　you　mean。　At　least；　what　I　mean　to　say　is〃
　〃No。　You　were　right　the　first　time。　It's　all　a　question　of　luck。　There's　nothing　anyone　can　do。〃
　〃I　hang　about　a　good　deal　and　get　in　her　way；〃　said　Reggie。　　〃She's　always　tripping　over　me。　I　thought　that　might　help　a　bit。〃
　〃It　might；　of　course。〃
　〃But　on　the　other　hand；　when　we　do　meet；　I　can't　think　of　anything　to　say。〃
　〃That's　bad。〃
　〃Deuced　funny　thing。　I'm　not　what　you'd　call　a　silent　sort　of　chappie　by　nature。　But；　when　I'm　with　herI　don't　know。　　It's　rum！〃　He　drained　his　glass　and　rose。　〃Well；　I　suppose　I　may　as　well　be　staggering。　Don't　get　up。　Have　another　game　one　of　these　days；　what？〃
　〃Splendid。　Any　time　you　like。〃
　〃Well；　so　long。〃
　〃Good…bye。〃
　George　gave　himself　up　to　glowing　thoughts。　For　the　first　time　in　his　life　he　seemed　to　be　vividly　aware　of　his　own　existence。　　It　was　as　if　he　were　some　newly…created　thing。　Everything　around　him　and　everything　he　did　had　taken　on　a　strange　and　novel　interest。　He　seemed　to　notice　the　ticking　of　the　clock　for　the　first　time。　When　he　raised　his　glass　the　action　had　a　curious　air　of　newness。　All　his　senses　were　oddly　alert。　He　could　even
　〃How　would　it　be；〃　enquired　Reggie；　appearing　in　the　doorway　like　part　of　a　conjuring　trick。　〃If　I　gave　her　a　flower　or　two　every　now　and　then？　Just　thought　of　it　as　I　was　starting　the　car。　She's　fond　of　flowers。〃
　〃Fine！〃　said　George　heartily。　He　had　not　heard　a　word。　　The　alertness　of　sense　which　had　e　to　him　was　acpanied　by　a　strange　inability　to　attend　to　other　people's　speech。　This　would　no　doubt　pass；　but　meanwhile　it　made　him　a　poor　listener。
　〃Well；　it's　worth　trying；〃　said　Reggie。　〃I'll　give　it　a　whirl。　Toodleoo！〃
　〃Good…bye。〃
　〃Pip…pip！〃
　Reggie　withdrew；　and　presently　came　the　noise　of　the　car　starting。　George　returned　to　his　thoughts。
　Time；　as　we　understand　it；　ceases　to　exist　for　a　man　in　such　circumstances。　Whether　it　was　a　minute　later　or　several　hours；　George　did　not　know；　but　presently　he　was　aware　of　a　small　boy　standing　beside　hima　golden…haired　boy　with　blue　eyes；　who　wore　the　uniform　of　a　page。　He　came　out　of　his　trance。　This；　he　recognized；　was　the　boy　to　whom　he　had　given　the　note　for　Maud。　He　was　different　from　any　other　intruder。　He　meant　something　in　George's　scheme　of　things。
　〃'Ullo！〃　said　the　youth。
　〃Hullo；　Alphonso！〃　said　George。
　〃My　name's　not　Alphonso。〃
　〃Well；　you　be　very　careful　or　it　soon　may　be。〃
　〃Got　a　note　for　yer。　From　Lidy　Mord。〃
　〃You'll　find　some　cake　and　ginger…ale　in　the　kitchen；〃　said　the　grateful　George。　〃Give　it　a　trial。〃
　〃Not　'arf！〃　said　the　stripling。
　
　CHAPTER　11。
　
　George　opened　the　letter　with　trembling　and　reverent　fingers。
　　　　　〃DEAR　MR。　BEVAN；
　　　　　　〃Thank　you　ever　so　much　for　your　note；　which　Albert　gave　　　　　to　me。　How　very；　very　kind。　。　。〃
　〃Hey；　mister！〃
　George　looked　up　testily。　The　boy　Albert　had　reappeared。
　〃What's　the　matter？　Can't　you　find　the　cake？〃
　〃I've　found　the　kike；〃　rejoined　Albert；　adducing　proof　of　the　statement　in　the　shape　of　a　massive　slice；　from　which　he　took　a　substantial　bite　to　assist　thought。　〃But　I　can't　find　the　ginger　ile。〃
　George　waved　him　away。　This　interruption　at　such　a　moment　was　annoying。
　〃Look　for　it；　child；　look　for　it！　Sniff　after　it！　Bay　on　its　trail！　It's　somewhere　about。〃
　〃Wri'！〃　mumbled　Albert　through　the　cake。　He　flicked　a　crumb　off　his　cheek　with　a　tongue　which　would　have　excited　the　friendly　interest　of　an　ant…eater。　〃I　like　ginger…ile。〃
　〃Well；　go　and　bathe　in　it。〃
　〃Wri'！〃
　George　returned　to　his　letter。
　　　　〃DEAR　MR。　BEVAN；
　　　　　　〃Thank　you　ever　so　much　for　your　note；　which　Albert　gave　　　　　to　me。　How　very；　very　kind　of　you　to　e　here　like　this　and　　　　　　to　say　。　。　。
　〃Hey；　mister！〃
　〃Good　Heavens！〃　George　glared。　〃What's　the　matter　now？　　Haven't　you　found　that　ginger…ale　yet？〃
　〃I've　found　the　ginger…ile　right　enough；　but　I　can't　find　the　thing。〃
　〃The　thing？　What　thing？〃
　〃The　thing。　The　thing　wot　you　open　ginger…ile　with。〃
　〃Oh；　you　mean　the　thing？　It's　in　the　middle　drawer　of　the　dresser。　Use　your　eyes；　my　boy！〃
　〃Wri'〃。
　George　gave　an　overwrought　sigh　and　began　the　letter　again。
　　　　〃DEAR　MR。　BEVAN；
　　　　　　〃Thank　you　ever　so　much　for　your　note　which　Albert　gave　　　　　to　me。　How　very；　very　kind　of　you　to　e　here　like　this　and　　　　　to　say　that　you　would　help　me。　And　how　clever　of　you　to　　　　　find　me　after　I　was　so　secretive　that　day　in　the　cab！　　You　　　　　really　can　help　me；　if　you　are　willing。　It's　too　long　to　　　　　explain　in　a　note；　but　I　am　in　great　trouble；　and　there　is　　　　　nobody　except　you　to　help　me。　I　will　explain　everything　　　　　when　I　see　you。　The　difficulty　will　be　to　slip　away　from　　　　　home。　They　are　watching　me　every　moment；　I'm　afraid。　　But　I　　　　　will　try　my　hardest　to　see　you　very　soon。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Yours　sincerely；　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃MAUD　MARSH。〃
　Just　for　a　moment　it　must　be　confessed；　the　tone　of　the　letter　damped　George。　He　could　not　have　said　just　what　he　had　expected；　but　certainly　Reggie's　revelations　had　prepared　him　for　something　rather　warmer；　something　more　in　the　style　in　which　a　girl　would　write　to　the　man　she　loved。　The　next　moment；　however；　he　saw　how　foolish　any　such　expectation　had　been。　How　on　earth　could　any　reasonable　man　expect　a　girl　to　let　herself　go　at　this　stage　of　the　proceedings？　It　was　for　him　to　make　the　first　move。　Naturally　she　wasn't　going　to　reveal　her　feelings　until　he　had　revealed　his。
　George　raised　the　letter　to　his　lips　and　kissed　it　vigorously。
　〃Hey；　mister！〃
　George　started　guiltily。　The　blush　of　shame　overspread　his　cheeks。　The　room　seemed　to　echo　with　the　sound　of　that　fatuous　kiss。
　〃Kitty；　Kitty；　Kitty！〃　he　called；　snapping　his　fingers；　and　repeating　the　incriminating　noise。　〃I　was　just　calling　my　cat；〃　he　explained　with　dignity。　〃You　didn't　see　her　in　there；　did　you？〃
　Albert's　blue　eyes　met　his　in　a　derisive　stare。　The　lid　of　the　left　one　fluttered。　It　was　but　too　plain　that　Albert　was　not　convinced。
　〃A　little　black　cat　with　white　shirt…front；〃　babbled　George　perseveringly。　〃She's　usually　either　here　or　there；　oror　somewhere。　Kitty；　Kitty；　Kitty！〃
　The　cupid's　bow　of　Albert's　mouth　parted。　He　uttered　one　word。
　〃Swank！〃
　There　was　a　tense　silence。　What　Albert　was　thinking　one　cannot　say。　The　thoughts　of　Youth　are　long；　long　thoughts。　　What　George　was　thinking　was　that　the　late　King　Herod　had　been　unjustly　blamed　for　a　policy　which　had　been　both　statesmanlike　and　in　the　interests　of　the　public。　He　was　blaming　mawkish　sentimentality　of　the　modem　legal　system　which　ranks　the　evisceration　and　secret　burial　of　small　boys　as　a　crime。
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　〃You　know　what　I　mean。〃
　〃I've　a　good　mind　to〃
　Albert　waved　a　deprecating　hand。
　〃It's　all　right；　mister。　I'm　yer　friend。〃
　〃You　are；　are　you？　Well；　don't　let　it　about。　I've　got　a　reputation　to　keep　up。〃
　〃I'm　yer　friend；　I　tell　you。　I　can　help　yer。　I　want　to　help　yer！〃
　George's　views　on　infanticide　underwent　a　slight　modification。　After　all；　he　felt；　much　must　be　excused　to　Youth。　Youth　thinks　it　funny　to　see　a　man　kissing　a　letter。　It　is　not　funny；　of　course；　it　is　beautiful；　but　it's　no　good　arguing　the　point。　Let　Youth　have　its　snigger；　provided；　after　it　has　finished　sniggering；　it　intends　to　buckle　to　and　be　of　practical　assistance。　Albert；　as　an　ally；　was　not　to　be　despised。　George　did　not　know　what　Albert's　duties　as　a　page…boy　were；　but　they　seemed　to　be　of　a　nature　that　gave　him　plenty　of　leisure　and　freedom；　and　a　friendly　resident　of　the　castle　with　leisure　and　freedom　was　just　what　he