five tales-第13章

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　　She　knew　she　mustn't　come！　　Old　Heythorp　had　watched　her　entrance　with　cynical　amusement。　　The　way　she　whiffed　herself　at　that　young　pup　in　passing；　the　way　her　eyes　slid　round！　　He　had　a　very　just　appreciation　of　his　son's　widow；　and　a　smile　settled　deep　between　his　chin　tuft　and　his　moustache。　　She　lifted　his　hand；　kissed　it；　pressed　it　to　her　splendid　bust；　and　said：

〃So　here　I　am　at　last；　you　see。　　Aren't　you　surprised？〃

Old　Heythorp；　shook　his　head。

〃I　really　had　to　come　and　see　you；　Guardy；　we　haven't　had　a　sight　of　you　for　such　an　age。　　And　in　this　awful　weather！　　How　are　you；　dear　old　Guardy？〃

〃Never　better。〃　　And；　watching　her　green…grey　eyes；　he　added：

〃Haven't　a　penny　for　you！〃

Her　face　did　not　fall；　she　gave　her　feather…laugh。

〃How　dreadful　of　you　to　think　I　came　for　that！　　But　I　am　in　an　awful　fix；　Guardy。〃

〃Never　knew　you　not　to　be。〃

〃Just　let　me　tell　you；　dear；　it'll　be　some　relief。　　I'm　having　the　most　terrible　time。〃

She　sank　into　a　low　chair；　disengaging　an　overpowering　scent　of　violets；　while　melancholy　struggled　to　subdue　her　face　and　body。

〃The　most　awful　fix。　　I　expect　to　be　sold　up　any　moment。　　We　may　be　on　the　streets　to…morrow。　　I　daren't　tell　the　children；　they're　so　happy；　poor　darlings。　　I　shall　be　obliged　to　take　Jock　away　from　school。　　And　Phyllis　will　have　to　stop　her　piano　and　dancing；　it's　an　absolute　crisis。　　And　all　due　to　those　Midland　Syndicate　people。　I've　been　counting　on　at　least　two　hundred　for　my　new　story；　and　the　wretches　have　refused　it。〃

With　a　tiny　handkerchief　she　removed　one　tear　from　the　corner　of　one　eye。　　〃It　is　hard；　Guardy；　I　worked　my　brain　silly　over　that　story。〃

》From　old　Heythorp　came　a　mutter　which　sounded　suspiciously　like：


〃Rats！〃

Heaving　a　sigh；　which　conveyed　nothing　but　the　generosity　of　her　breathing　apparatus；　Mrs。　Larne　went　on：

〃You　couldn't；　I　suppose；　let　me　have　just　one　hundred？〃

〃Not　a　bob。〃

She　sighed　again；　her　eyes　slid　round　the　room；　then　in　her　warm　voice　she　murmured：

〃Guardy；　you　were　my　dear　Philip's　father；　weren't　you？　　I've　never　said　anything；　but　of　course　you　were。　　He　was　so　like　you；　and　so　is　Jock。〃

Nothing　moved　in　old　Heythorp's　face。　　No　pagan　image　consulted　with　flowers　and　song　and　sacrifice　could　have　returned　less　answer。　　Her　dear　Philip！　　She　had　led　him　the　devil　of　a　life；　or　he　was　a　Dutchman！　　And　what　the　deuce　made　her　suddenly　trot　out　the　skeleton　like　this？　　But　Mrs。　Larne's　eyes　were　still　wandering。

〃What　a　lovely　house！　　You　know；　I　think　you　ought　to　help　me；　Guardy。　　Just　imagine　if　your　grandchildren　were　thrown　out　into　the　street！〃

The　old　man　grinned。　　He　was　not　going　to　deny　his　relationshipit　was　her　look…out；　not　his。　　But　neither　was　he　going　to　let　her　rush　him。

〃And　they　will　be；　you　couldn't　look　on　and　see　it。　　Do　come　to　my　rescue　this　once。　　You　really　might　do　something　for　them。〃

With　a　rumbling　sigh　he　answered：

〃Wait。　　Can't　give　you　a　penny　now。　　Poor　as　a　church　mouse。〃

〃Oh！　　Guardy

〃Fact。〃

Mrs。　Larne　heaved　one　of　her　most　buoyant　sighs。　　She　certainly　did　not　believe　him。

〃Well！〃　she　said；　〃you'll　be　sorry　when　we　come　round　one　night　and　sing　for　pennies　under　your　window。　　Wouldn't　you　like　to　see　Phyllis？　　I　left　her　in　the　hall。　　She's　growing　such　a　sweet　gairl。　Guardy　just　fifty！〃

〃Not　a　rap。〃

Mrs。　Larne　threw　up　her　hands。　　〃Well！　You'll　repent　it。　　I'm　at　my　last　gasp。〃　　She　sighed　profoundly；　and　the　perfume　of　violets　escaped　in　a　cloud；　Then；　getting　up；　she　went　to　the　door　and　called：　〃Phyllis！〃

When　the　girl　entered　old　Heythorp　felt　the　nearest　approach　to　a　flutter　of　the　heart　for　many　years。　　She　had　put　her　hair　up！　　She　was　like　a　spring　day　in　January；　such　a　relief　from　that　scented　humbug；　her　mother。　　Pleasant　the　touch　of　her　lips　on　his　forehead；　the　sound　of　her　clear　voice；　the　sight　of　her　slim　movements；　the　feeling　that　she　did　him　creditclean…run　stock；　she　and　that　young　scamp　Jockbetter　than　the　holy　woman；　his　daughter　Adela；　would　produce　if　anyone　were　ever　fool　enough　to　marry　her；　or　that　pragmatical　fellow；　his　son　Ernest。

And　when　they　were　gone　he　reflected　with　added　zest　on　the　six　thousand　pounds　he　was　getting　for　them　out　of　Joe　Pillin　and　his　ships。　　He　would　have　to　pitch　it　strong　in　his　speech　at　the　general　meeting。　　With　freights　so　low；　there　was　bound　to　be　opposition。　　No　dash　nowadays；　nothing　but　gabby　caution！　　They　were　a　scrim…shanking　lot　on　the　Boardhe　had　had　to　pull　them　round　one　by　onethe　deuce　of　a　tug　getting　this　thing　through！　　And　yet；　the　business　was　sound　enough。　　Those　ships　would　earn　money；　properly　handled…good　money

His　valet；　coming　in　to　prepare　him　for　dinner；　found　him　asleep。　　He　had　for　the　old　man　as　much　admiration　as　may　be　felt　for　one　who　cannot　put　his　own　trousers　on。　　He　would　say　to　the　housemaid　Molly：　〃He's　a　game　old　blightermust　have　been　a　rare　one　in　his　day。　Cocks　his　hat　at　you；　even　now；　I　see！〃　　To　which　the　girl；　Irish　and　pretty；　would　reply：　〃Well；　an'　sure　I　don't　mind；　if　it　gives　um　a　pleasure。　　'Tis　better　anyway　than　the　sad　eye　I　get　from　herself。〃

At　dinner；　old　Heythorp　always　sat　at　one　end　of　the　rosewood　table　and　his　daughter　at　the　other。　　It　was　the　eminent　moment　of　the　day。　With　napkin　tucked　high　into　his　waistcoat；　he　gave　himself　to　the　meal　with　passion。　　His　palate　was　undimmed；　his　digestion　unimpaired。　　He　could　still　eat　as　much　as　two　men；　and　drink　more　than　one。　　And　while　he　savoured　each　mouthful　he　never　spoke　if　he　could　help　it。　　The　holy　woman　had　nothing　to　say　that　he　cared　to　hear；　and　he　nothing　to　say　that　she　cared　to　listen　to。　　She　had　a　horror；　too；　of　what　she　called　〃the　pleasures　of　the　table〃those　lusts　of　the　flesh！　　She　was　always　longing　to　dock　his　grub；　he　knew。　　Would　see　her　further　first！　　What　other　pleasures　were　there　at　his　age？　　Let　her　wait　till　she　was　eighty。　　But　she　never　would　be；　too　thin　and　holy！

This　evening；　however；　with　the　advent　of　the　partridge　she　did　speak。

〃Who　were　your　visitors；　Father？〃

Trust　her　for　nosing　anything　out！　　Fixing　his　little　blue　eyes　on　her；　he　mumbled　with　a　very　full　mouth：　〃Ladies。〃

〃So　I　saw；　what　ladies？〃

He　had　a　longing　to　say：　'Part　of　one　of　my　families　under　the　rose。'　As　a　fact　it　was　the　best　part　of　the　only　one；　but　the　temptation　to　multiply　exceedingly　was　almost　overpowering。　　He　checked　himself；　however；　and　went　on　eating　partridge；　his　secret　irritation　crimsoning　his　cheeks；　and　he　watched　her　eyes；　those　cold　precise　and　round　grey　eyes；　noting　it；　and　knew　she　was　thinking：　'He　eats　too　much。'

She　said：　〃Sorry　I'm　not　considered　fit　to　be　told。　　You　ought　not　to　be　drinking　hock。〃

Old　Heythorp　took　up　the　long　green　glass；　drained　it；　and　repressing　fumes　and　emotion　went　on　with　his　partridge。　　His　daughter　pursed　her　lips；　took　a　sip　of　water；　and　said：

〃I　know　their　name　is　Larne；　but　it　conveyed　nothing　to　me；　perhaps　it's　just　as　well。〃

The　old　man；　mastering　a　spasm；　said　with　a　grin：

〃My　daughter…in…law　and　my　granddaughter。〃

〃What！　　Ernest　marriedOh！　　nonsense！〃

He　chuckled；　and　shook　his　head。

〃Then　do　you　mean　to　say；　Father；　that　you　were　married　before　you　married　my　mother？〃

〃No。〃

The　expression　on　her　face　was　as　good　as　a　play！

She　said　with　a　sort　of　disgust：　〃Not　married！　　I　see。　　I　suppose　those　people　are　hanging　round　your　neck；　then；　no　wonder　you're　always　in　difficulties。　　Are　there　any　more　of　them？〃

Again　the　old　man　suppressed　that　spasm；　and　the　veins　in　his　neck　and　forehead　swelled　alarmingly。　　If　he　had　spoken　he　would　infallibly　have　choked。　　He　ceased　eating；　and　putting　his　hands　on　the　table　tried　to　raise　himself。　　He　could　not　and　subsiding　in　his　chair　sat　glaring　at　the　stiff；　quiet　figure　of　his　daughter。

〃Don't　be　silly；　Father；　and　make　a　scene　before　Meller。　　Finish　your　dinner。〃

He　did　not　answer。　　He　was　not　going　to　sit　there　to　be　dragooned　and　insulted！　　His　helplessness　had　never　so　weighed　on　him　before。　　It　was　like　a　revelation。　　A　logthat　had　to　put　up　with　anything！　　A　log！　　And；　waiting　for　his　valet　to　return；　he　cunningly　took　up　his　fork。

In　that　saintly　voice　of　hers　she　said：

〃I　suppose　you　don't　realise　that　it's　a　shock　to　me。　　I　don't　know　what　Ernest　will　think〃

〃Ernest　be　d…d。〃

〃I　do　wish；　Father；　you　wouldn't　swear。〃

Old　Heythorp's　rage　found　vent　in　a　sort　of　rumble。　　How　the　devil　had　he　gone　on　all　these　years　in　the　same　house　with　that　woman；　dining　with　her　day　after　day！　　But　the　servant　had　come　back　now；　and　putting　down　his　fork　he　said：

〃Help　me　up！〃

The　man　paused；　thunderstruck；　with　the　souffle　balanced。　　To　leave　dinner　unfinishedit　was　a　portent！

〃Help　me　up！〃

〃Mr。　Heythorp's　not　very　well；　Meller；　take　his　other　arm。〃

The　old　man　shook　off　her　hand。

〃I'm　very　well。　　Help　me　up。　　Dine　in　my　own　room　in　future。〃

Raised　to　his　feet；　he　walked　slowly　out；　but　in　his　sanctum　he　did　not　sit　down；　obsessed　by　this　first　overwhelming　realisation　of　his　helplessness。　　He　stood　swaying　a　little；　holding　on　to　the　table；　till　the　servant；　having　finished　serving　dinner；　brought　in　his　port。

〃Are　you　waiting　to　sit　down；　sir？〃

He　shook　his　head。　　Hang　it；　he　could　do　that　for　himself；　anyway。　He　must　think　of　something　to　fortify　his　position　against　that　woman。　　And　he　said：

〃Send　me　Molly！〃

〃Yes；　sir。〃　　The　man　put　down　the　port　and　went。

Old　Heythorp　filled　his　glass；　drank；　and　filled　again。　　He　took　a

cigar　from　the　box　and　lighted　it。　　The　girl　came　in；　a　grey…eyed；　dark…haired　damsel；　and　stood　with　her　hands　folded；　her　head　a　little　to　one　side；　her　lips　a　little　parted。　　The　old　man　said：

〃You're　a　human　being。〃

〃I　would　hope　so；　sirr。〃

〃I'm　going　to　ask　you　something　as　a　human　beingnot　a　servant　see？〃

〃No；　sirr；　but　I　will　be　glad　to　do　anything　you　like。〃

〃Then　put　your　nose　in　here　every　now　and　then；　to　see　if　I　want　anything。　　Meller　goes　out　sometimes。　　Don't　say　anything；　Just　put　your　nose　in。〃

〃Oh！　　an'　I　will；　'tis　a　pleasure　'twill　be　to　do　ut。

He　nodded；　and　when　she　had　gone　lowered　himself　into　his　chair　with　a　sense　of　appeasement。　　Pretty　girl！　　Comfort　to　see　a　pretty　face…　not　a　pale；　peeky　thing　like　Adela's。　　His　anger　burned　up　anew。　　So　she　counted　on　his　helplessness；　had　begun　to　count　on　that；　had　she？　She　should　see　that　there　was　life　in　the　old　dog　yet！　　And　his　sacrifice　of　the　uneaten　souffle；　the　still　less　eaten　mushrooms；　the　peppermint　sweet　with　which　he　usually　concluded　dinner；　seemed　to　consecrate　that　purpose。　　They　all　thought　he　was　a　hulk；　without　a　shot　left　in　the　locker！　　He　had　seen　a　couple　of　them　at　the　Board　that　afternoon　shrugging　at　each　other；　as　though　saying：　'Look　at　him！'　And　young　Farney　pitying　him。　　Pity；　forsooth！　　And　that　coarse…grained　solicitor　chap　at　the　creditors'　meeting　curling　his　lip　as　much　as　to　say：　'One　foot　in　the　grave！'　　He　had　seen　the　clerks　dowsing　the　glim　of　their　grins；　and　that　young　pup　Bob　Pillin　screwing　up　his　supercilious　mug　over　his　dog…collar。　　He　knew　that　scented　humbug　Rosamund　was　getting　scared　that　he'd　drop　off　before　she'd　squeezed　him　dry。　　And　his　valet　was　always　look