CHAPTERI
BILLYWRITESALETTER
BillyNeilsonwaseighteenyearsoldwhentheaunt,whohadbroughtherupfrombabyhood,died.MissBenton’sdeathleftBillyquitealoneintheworld——alone,andpeculiarlyforlorn.ToMr.JamesHarding,ofHarding&Harding,whohadchargeofBilly’snotinconsiderableproperty,thegirlpouredoutherheartinallitslonelinesstwodaysafterthefuneral.
\"Yousee,Mr.Harding,thereisn’tanyone——notanyonewho——
cares,\"shechoked.
\"Tut,tut,mychild,it’snotsobadasthat,surely,\"remonstratedtheoldman,gently.\"Why,I——Icare.\"
Billysmiledthroughtear—weteyes.
\"ButIcan’tLIVEwithyou,\"shesaid.
\"I’mnotsosureofthat,either,\"retortedtheman.\"I’mthinkingthatLettyandAnnwouldLIKEtohaveyouwithus.\"
Thegirllaughednowoutright.ShewasthinkingofMissLetty,whohad\"nerves,\"andofMissAnn,whohada\"heart\";andshepicturedherownyoung,breezy,healthyselfattemptingtoconformtothehushedandshadedthingthatlifewas,withinLawyerHarding’shome.
\"Thankyou,butI’msuretheywouldn’t,\"sheobjected.\"Youdon’tknowhownoisyIam.\"
Thelawyerstirredrestlesslyandpondered.
\"But,surely,mydear,isn’ttheresomerelative,somewhere?\"hedemanded.\"Howaboutyourmother’speople?\"
Billyshookherhead.Hereyesfilledagainwithtears.
TherewasonlyAuntElla,ever,thatIknewanythingabout.Sheandmotherweretheonlychildrentherewere,andmotherdiedwhenIwasayearold,youknow.\"
\"Butyourfather’speople?\"
\"It’sevenworsethere.Hewasanonlychildandanorphanwhenmothermarriedhim.HediedwhenIwasbutsixmonthsold.AfterthattherewasonlymotherandAuntElla,thenAuntEllaalone;andnow——noone.\"
\"Andyouknownothingofyourfather’speople?\"
\"Nothing;thatis——almostnothing.\"
\"Thenthereissomeone?\"
Billysmiled.Adeeperpinkshowedinhercheeks.
\"Why,there’sone——amanbutheisn’treallyfather’speople,anyway.ButI——Ihavebeentemptedtowritetohim.\"
\"Whoishe?\"
\"TheoneI’mnamedfor.Hewasfather’sboyhoodchum.Youseethat’swhyI’m’Billy’insteadofbeingaproper’Susie,’or’Bessie,’or’SallyJane.’Fatherhadmadeuphismindtonamehisbaby’William’afterhischum,andwhenIcame,AuntEllasaid,hewasquitebroken—hearteduntilsomebodyhitupontheideaofnamingmeBilly.’Thenhewascontent,foritseemsthathealwayscalledhischum’Billy’anyhow.Andso——’Billy’Iamto—day.\"
\"Doyouknowthisman?\"
\"No.Youseefatherdied,andmotherandAuntEllaknewhimonlyveryslightly.Motherknewhiswife,though,AuntEllasaid,andSHEwaslovely.\"
\"Hm——;well,wemightlookthemup,perhaps.Youknowhisaddress?\"
\"Oh,yesunlesshe’smoved.We’vealwayskeptthat.AuntEllausedtosaysometimesthatshewasgoingtowritetohimsomedayaboutme,youknow.\"
\"What’shisname?\"
\"WilliamHenshaw.HelivesinBoston.\"
LawyerHardingsnatchedoffhisglasses,andleanedforwardinhischair.
\"WilliamHenshaw!NottheBeaconStreetHenshaws!\"hecried.
ItwasBilly’sturntobeexcited.She,too,leanedforwardeagerly.
\"Oh,doyouknowhim?That’slovely!AndhisaddressISBeaconStreet!IknowbecauseIsawitonlyto—day.Yousee,IHAVEbeentemptedtowritehim.\"
\"Writehim?Ofcourseyou’llwritehim,\"criedthelawyer.\"Andwedon’tneedtodomuch’lookingup’there,child.I’veknownthefamilyforyears,andthisWilliamwasacollegemateofmyboy’s.
Nicefellow,too.I’veheardNedspeakofhim.Therewerethreesons,William,andtwoothersmuchyoungerthanhe.I’veforgottentheirnames.\"
\"Thenyoudoknowhim!I’msoglad,\"exclaimedBilly.\"Yousee,heneverseemedtomequitereal.\"
\"Iknowabouthim,\"correctedthelawyer,smilingly,\"thoughI’llconfessI’veratherlosttrackofhimlately.Nedwillknow.I’llaskNed.Nowgohome,mydear,anddrythoseprettyeyesofyours.
Or,betterstill,comehomewithmetotea.I——I’lltelephoneuptothehouse.\"Andherosestifflyandwentintotheinneroffice.
Someminutespassedbeforehecameback,redofface,andplainlydistressed.
\"Mydearchild,I——I’msorry,but——butI’llhavetotakebackthatinvitation,\"heblurtedoutmiserably.\"Mysistersare——arenotwellthisafternoon.Annhasbeenhavingaturnwithherheart——
youknowAnn’sheartis——isbad;andLetty——Lettyisalwaysnervousatsuchtimes——verynervous.Er——I’msosorry!Butyou’ll——excuseit?\"
\"IndeedIwill,\"smiledBilly,\"andthankyoujustthesame;only\"——
hereyestwinkledmischievously——\"youdon’tmindifIdosaythatitISluckythatwehadn’tgoneonplanningtohavemelivewiththem,Mr.Harding!\"
\"Eh?Well——er,IthinkyourplanabouttheHenshawsisverygood,\"
heinterposedhurriedly.\"I’llspeaktoNed——I’llspeaktoNed,\"
hefinished,asheceremoniouslybowedthegirlfromtheoffice.
JamesHardingkepthisword,andspoketohissonthatnight;buttherewaslittle,afterall,thatNedcouldtellhim.Yes,herememberedBillyHenshawwell,buthehadnotheardofhimforyears,sinceHenshaw’smarriage,infact.Hemustbefortyyearsold,Nedsaid;buthewasafinefellow,anexceptionallyfinefellow,andwouldbesuretodealkindlyandwiselybyhislittleorphannamesake;ofthatNedwasverysure.
\"That’sgood.I’llwritehim,\"declaredMr.JamesHarding.\"I’llwritehimtomorrow.\"
Hedidwrite——butnotsosoonasBillywrote;forevenashespoke,Billy,inherlonelylittleroomattheotherendofthetown,waslayingbareallherhomesicknessinfourlongpagesto\"DearUncleWilliam.\"
CHAPTERII
\"THESTRATA\"
BertramHenshawcalledtheBeaconStreethome\"TheStrata.\"ThisannoyedCyril,andevenWilliam,notalittle;thoughtheyreflectedthat,afterall,itwas\"onlyBertram.\"ForthewholeofBertram’stwenty—fouryearsoflifeithadbeenlikethis——\"It’sonlyBertram,\"hadbeenatoncethecurseandthesalvationofhisexistence.
Inthisparticularcase,however,Bertram’svagaryoffancyhadsomeexcuse.TheBeaconStreethouse,thehomeofthethreebrothers,wasa\"Strata.\"
\"Yousee,it’slikethis,\"Bertramwouldexplainairilytosomenewacquaintancewhoexpressedsurpriseatthename;\"ifIcouldsliceoffthefrontofthehouselikealoafofcake,you’dunderstanditbetter.ButjustsupposethatoldBunkerHillshouldsuddenlyspoutfireandbrimstoneandburyusundertonsofashes——onlyfancytheconditionofmindofthosefuturearchaeologistswhentheystruckourhouseaftertheirmonthsofdigging!
\"Whatwouldtheyfind?Listen.First:stratumnumberone,thetopfloor;that’sCyril’s,youknow.They’dnotethebarefloors,thesparsebutheavyfurniture,thepiano,theviolin,theflute,thebook—linedwalls,andtheabsenceofeverysortofcurtain,cushion,orknickknack.’Herelivedaplainman,’they’dsay;’ascholar,amusician,stern,unlovedandunloving;amonk.’
\"Andwhatnext?They’dstrikeWilliam’sstratumnext,thethirdfloor.Imagineit!YouknowWilliamasaStateStreetbroker,well—off,awidower,tall,angular,slowofspeech,alittlebald,verymuchnearsighted,andtheownerofthekindestheartintheworld.ButreallytoknowWilliam,youmustknowhisrooms.
Williamcollectsthings.Hehasalwayscollectedthings——andhe’ssavedeveryoneofthem.There’satraditionthatattheageofoneyearhecreptintothehousewithfoursmallroundwhitestones.Anyhow,ifhedid,he’sgotthemnow.Restassuredofthat——andhe’sfortythisyear.Miniatures,carvedivories,bugs,moths,porcelains,jades,stamps,postcards,spoons,baggagetags,theatreprograms,playing—cards——thereisn’tanythingthathedoesn’tcollect.He’sonteapots,now.Imagineit——Williamandteapots!Andthey’reallthereinhisrooms——onegloriousmassofconfusion.Justfancythosearchaeologiststryingtomaketheir’monk’livethere!
\"Butwhentheyreachme,mystratum,they’llhaveaworsetimeyet.
Yousee,_I_likecushionsandcomfort,andIhavethemeverywhere.
AndIlike——well,Ilikelotsofthings.Myroomsdon’tbelongtothatmonk,notalittlebit.Andsoyousee,\"Bertramwouldfinishmerrily,\"that’swhyIcallitall’TheStrata.’\"
And\"TheStrata\"itwastoalltheHenshaws’friends,andeventoWilliamandCyrilthemselves,inspiteoftheirobjectiontotheterm.
FrombabyhoodtheHenshawboyshadlivedinthehandsome,roomyhouse,facingthePublicGarden.Ithadbeentheirfather’sboyhoodhome,aswell,andheandhiswifehaddiedthere,soonafterKate,theonlydaughter,hadmarried.Attheageoftwenty—
two,WilliamHenshaw,theeldestson,hadbroughthisbridetothehouse,andtogethertheyhadstriventomakeahomeforthetwoyoungerorphanboys,Cyril,twelve,andBertram,six.ButMrs.
William,afterashortfiveyearsofmarriedlife,haddied;andsincethen,thehousehadknownalmostnothingofawoman’stouchorcare.
Littlebylittleastheyearspassed,thehouseanditsinmateshadfallenintowhathadgivenBertramhisexcuseforthename.Cyril,thirtyyearsoldnow,dignified,reserved,aversetocats,dogs,women,andconfusion,hadearlytakenhimselfandhismusictothepeaceandexclusivenessofthefourthfloor.Belowhim,Williamhadlongdiscouragedanymeddlingwithhispreciouschaosofpossessions,andhadfinallycometospendnearlyallhissparetimeamongthem.ThisleftBertramtoundisputedownershipofthesecondfloor,andrightroyallydidheholdswaytherewithhispaintsandbrushesandeasels,hisoldarmor,richhangings,rugs,andcushions,andeverywherehisspecialty——his\"FaceofaGirl.\"
Fromcanvas,plaque,andpaneltheylookedout——thosegirlishfaces:winsome,wilful,pert,demure,merry,sad,beautiful,evenalmostugly——theywereallthere;andtheyweregrowingfamous,too.Theworldofartwasbeginningtotakenotice,andtoadjustitsspectaclesforamorecriticalglance.This\"FaceofaGirl\"
byHenshawbadefairtobeworthwhile.
BelowBertram’scheerysecondfloorwerethedimoldlibraryanddrawing—rooms,silent,stately,andalmostneverused;andbelowthemwerethedining—roomandthekitchen.HereruledDongLing,theChinesecook,andPete.
Petewas——indeed,itishardtellingwhatPetewas.Hesaidhewasthebutler;andhelookedthepartwhenheansweredthebellatthegreatfrontdoor.Butatothertimes,whenhesweptaroom,ordustedMasterWilliam’scurios,helooked——likenothingsomuchaswhathewas:afussy,faithfuloldman,whoexpectedtodieintheservicehehadenteredfiftyyearsbeforeasalad.
ThusinalltheBeaconStreethouse,therehadnotforyearsbeenthetouchofawoman’shand.EvenKate,themarriedsister,hadlongsincegivenuptryingtoinstructDongLingortochidePete,thoughshestillwalkedacrosstheGardenfromherCommonwealthAvenuehomeandtrippedupthestairstocallinturnuponherbrothers,Bertram,William,andCyril.
CHAPTERIII
THESTRATA——WHENTHELETTERCOMES
Itwasonthesixo’clockdeliverythatWilliamHenshawreceivedtheletterfromhisnamesake,Billy.Tosaytheleast,theletterwasagreatshocktohim.HehadnotquiteforgottenBilly’sfather,whohaddiedsolongago,itistrue,buthehadforgottenBilly,entirely.Evenashelookedatthedisconcertingepistlewithitsround,neatlyformedletters,hehadgreatdifficultyinferretingouttheparticularnicheinhismemorywhichcontainedthefactthatWalterNeilsonhadhadachild,andhadnameditforhim.
Andthischild,this\"Billy,\"thisunknownprogenyofanallbutforgottenboyhoodfriend,wasaskingahome,andwithhim!
Impossible!AndWilliamHenshawpeeredattheletterasif,atthissecondreading,itsmessagecouldnotbesomonstrous.
\"Well,oldman,what’sup?\"ItwasBertram’samazedvoicefromthehalldoorway;andindeed,WilliamHenshaw,red—facedandplainlytrembling,seatedontheloweststepofthestairway,andgazing,wild—eyed,attheletterinhishand,wassomewhatofanamazingsight.\"WhatISup?\"
\"What’sup!\"groanedWilliam,startingtohisfeet,andwavingtheletterfranticallyintheair.\"What’sup!Youngman,doyouwantustotakeinachildtoboard?——aCHILD?\"herepeatedinslowhorror.
\"Well,hardly,\"laughedtheother.\"Er,perhapsCyrilmightlikeit,though;eh?\"
\"Come,come,Bertram,besensibleforonce,\"pleadedhisbrother,nervously.\"Thisisserious,reallyserious,Itellyou!\"
\"Whatisserious?\"demandedCyril,comingdownthestairway.
\"Can’titwait?Petehasalreadysoundedthegongtwicefordinner.\"
Williammadeadespairinggesture.
\"Well,come,\"hegroaned.\"I’lltellyouatthetableItseemsI’vegotanamesake,\"heresumedinashakingvoice,afewmomentslater;\"WalterNeilson’schild.\"
\"Andwho’sWalterNeilson?\"askedBertram.
\"Aboyhoodfriend.Youwouldn’trememberhim.Thisletterisfromhischild.\"
\"Well,let’shearit.Goahead.Ifancywecanstandthe——LETTER;
eh,Cyril?\"
Cyrilfrowned.Cyrildidnotknow,perhaps,howoftenhefrownedatBertram.
Theeldestbrotherwethislips.Hishandshookashepickeduptheletter.
\"It——it’ssoabsurd,\"hemuttered.Thenheclearedhisthroatandreadtheletteraloud.
\"DEARUNCLEWILLIAM:Doyoumindmycallingyouthat?YouseeI
wantSOMEone,andthereisn’tanyonenow.YouarethenearestI’vegot.Maybeyou’veforgotten,butI’mnamedforyou.WalterNeilsonwasmyfather,youknow.MyAuntEllahasjustdied.
\"WouldyoumindverymuchifIcametolivewithyou?Thatis,betweentimes——I’mgoingtocollege,ofcourse,andafterthatI’mgoingtobe——well,Ihaven’tdecidedthatpartyet.IthinkI’llconsultyou.Youmayhavesomepreference,youknow.YoucanbethinkingitupuntilIcome.
\"There!MaybeIoughtnottohavesaidthat,forperhapsyouwon’twantmetocome.IAMnoisy,I’llown,butnotsoIthinkyou’llminditmuchunlesssomeofyouhave’nerves’ora’heart.’Yousee,MissLettyandMissAnn——they’reMr.Harding’ssisters,andMr.Hardingisourlawyer,andhewillwritetoyou.Well,wherewasI?Oh,Iknow——onMissLetty’snerves.And,say,doyouknow,thatiswhereIdoget——onMissLetty’snerves.Ido,truly.Yousee,Mr.HardingverykindlysuggestedthatIlivewiththem,but,mercy!MissLetty’snerveswon’tletyouwalkexceptontiptoe,andMissAnn’sheartwon’tletyouspeakexceptinwhispers.Allthechairsandtableshavewornlittlesocketsinthecarpets,andit’sacrimetomovethem.Thereisn’tawindow—shadeinthehousethatisn’tpulleddownEXACTLYtothemiddlesash,exceptwherethesunshines,andthosearepulledwaydown.ImaginemeandSpunklivingthere!Oh,bytheway,youdon’tmindmybringingSpunk,doyou?Ihopeyoudon’t,forIcouldn’tlivewithoutSpunk,andhecouldn’tlivewithoutme.
\"Pleaseletmehearfromyouverysoon.Idon’tmindifyoutelegraph;andjust’come’wouldbeallyou’dhavetosay.ThenI’dgetreadyrightawayandletyouknowwhattraintomeetmeon.
And,oh,say——ifyou’llwearapinkinyourbuttonholeIwill,too.
Thenwe’llknoweachother.Myaddressisjust’HampdenFalls.’
\"Yourawfullyhomesicknamesake,\"BILLYHENSHAWNEILSON\"
ForonelongminutetherewasablanksilenceabouttheHenshawdinner—table;thentheeldestbrother,lookinganxiouslyfromonemantotheother,stammered:
\"W—well?\"
\"GreatScott!\"breathedBertram.
Cyrilsaidnothing,buthislipswerewhitewiththeirtensepressureagainsteachother.
Therewasanotherpause,andagainWilliambrokeitanxiously.
\"Boys,thisisn’thelpingmeoutany!What’stobedone?\"
\"’Done’!\"flamedCyril.\"Surely,youaren’tthinkingforamomentofLETTINGthatchildcomehere,William!\"
Bertramchuckled.
\"HeWOULDliventhingsup,Cyril;wouldn’the?Suchnicesmoothfloorsyou’vegotup—stairstotrundlelittletincartsacross!\"
\"Tinnonsense!\"retortedCyril.\"Don’tbesilly,Bertram.Thatletterwasn’twrittenbyababy.He’dbemuchmorelikelytomakehimselfathomewithyourpaintbox,orwithsomeofWilliam’sjunk.\"
\"Oh,Isay,\"expostulatedWilliam,\"we’llHAVEtokeephimoutofthosethings,youknow.\"
Cyrilpushedbackhischairfromthetable.
\"’We’llhavetokeephimout’!William,youcan’tbeinearnest!
Youaren’tgoingtoletthatboycomehere,\"hecried.
\"ButwhatcanIdo?\"falteredtheman.
\"Do?Say’no,’ofcourse.Asifwewantedaboytobringup!\"
\"ButImustdosomething.I——I’mallhe’sgot.Hesaysso.\"
\"Goodheavens!Well,sendhimtoboarding—school,then,ortothepenitentiary;anywherebuthere!\"
\"Shucks!Letthekidcome,\"laughedBertram.\"Poorlittlehomesickdevil!What’stheuse?I’lltakehimin.Howoldishe,anyhow?\"
Williamfrowned,andmusedaloudslowly.
\"Why,Idon’tknow.Hemustbe——er——why,boys,he’snochild,\"
brokeoffthemansuddenly.\"Walterhimselfdiedseventeenoreighteenyearsago,notmorethanayearortwoafterhewasmarried.Thatchildmustbesomewherearoundeighteenyearsold!\"
\"AndonlythinkhowCyrilWASworryingaboutthosetincarts,\"
laughedBertram.\"Nevermind——eightoreighteen——lethimcome.Ifhe’sthatage,hewon’tbothermuch.\"
\"Andthis——er——’Spunk’;doyoutakehim,too?Butprobablyhedoesn’tbother,either,\"murmuredCyril,withsmoothsarcasm.
\"Gorry!IforgotSpunk,\"acknowledgedBertram.\"Say,whatintimeisSpunk,doyousuppose?\"
\"Dog,maybe,\"suggestedWilliam.
\"Well,whateverheis,youwillkindlykeepSpunkdown—stairs,\"
saidCyrilwithdecision.\"Theboy,IsupposeIshallhavetoendure;butthedog——!\"
\"Hm—m;well,judgingbyhisname,\"murmuredBertram,apologetically,\"itmaybejustpossiblethatSpunkwon’tbeeasilycontrolled.Butmaybeheisn’tadog,anyhow.He——er——soundssomethinglikeaparrottome.\"
Cyrilrosetohisfeetabruptly.Hehadeatenalmostnodinner.
\"Verywell,\"hesaidcoldly.\"ButpleaserememberthatIholdyouresponsible,Bertram.Whetherit’sadog,oraparrot,or——oramonkey,IshallexpectyoutokeepSpunkdown—stairs.Thisadoptingintothefamilyanunknownboyseemstomeveryabsurdfrombeginningtoend.ButifyouandWilliamwillhaveitso,ofcourseI’venothingtosay.FortunatelymyroomsareattheTOPofthehouse,\"hefinished,asheturnedandleftthedining—room.
Foramomenttherewassilence.Thebrowsoftheyoungermanwereupliftedquizzically.
\"I’mafraidCyrilisbothered,\"murmuredWilliamthen,inatroubledvoice.
Bertram’sfacechanged.Sternlinescametohisboyishmouth.
\"Heisalwaysbothered——withanything,lately.\"
Theeldermansighed.
\"Iknow,butwithhistalent——\"
\"’Talent’!GreatScott!\"cutinBertram.\"Halftheworldhastalentofonesortoranother;butthatdoesn’tnecessarilymakethemunabletolivewithanyoneelse!Really,Will,it’sbecomingserious——aboutCyril.He’sgettingtobe,foralltheworld,likethosefinickyoldmaidsthatthatyoungnamesakeofyourswroteabout.He’llmakeuswhisperandwalkontiptoeyet!\"
Theothersmiled.
\"Don’tyouworry.Youaren’tinanydangerofbeingkepttooquiet,youngman.\"
\"NothankstoCyril,then,\"retortedBertram.\"Anyhow,that’sonereasonwhyIwasfortakingthekid——tomellowupCyril.Heneedsitallright.\"
\"ButIhadtotakehim,Bert,\"arguedtheelderbrother,hisfacegrowinganxiousagain.\"ButHeavenonlyknowswhatI’mgoingtodowithhimwhenIgethim.WhatshallIsaytohim,anyway?HowshallIwrite?Idon’tknowhowtogetupaletterofthatsort!\"
\"Whynottakehimathiswordandtelegraph?Ifancyyouwon’thavetosay’come’butoncebeforeyouseehim.Hedoesn’tseemtobeabashfulyouth.\"
\"Hm—m;Imightdothat,\"acquiescedWilliam,slowly.\"Butwasn’ttheresomebody——alawyer——goingtowritetome?\"hefinished,consultingtheletterbyhisplate.\"Yes,\"headded,afteramoment,\"aMr.Harding.Wonderifhe’sanyrelationtoNedHarding.IusedtoknowNedatHarvard,andseemsasifhecamefromHampdenFalls.We’llsoonsee,atallevents.MaybeI’llhearto—morrow.\"
\"Ishouldn’twonder,\"noddedBertram,asherosefromthetable.
\"Anyhow,Iwouldn’tdoanythingtillIdidhear.\"
CHAPTERIV
BILLYSENDSATELEGRAM
JamesHarding’sletterverypromptlyfollowedBilly’s,thoughitwasnotlikeBilly’satall.IttoldsomethingofBilly’sproperty,andmentionedthat,accordingtoMrs.Neilson’swill,Billywouldnotcomeintocontrolofherfortuneuntiltheageoftwenty—oneyearswasreached.ItdweltatsomelengthuponthefactofBilly’slonelinessintheworld,andexpressedthehopethatherfather’sfriendcouldfinditinhishearttowelcometheorphanintohishome.ItmentionedNed,andtheoldcollegefriendship,anditclosedbysayingthatthewriter,JamesHarding,wasgladtorenewhisacquaintancewiththegoodoldHenshawfamilythathehadknownlongyearsago;andthathehopedsoontohearfromWilliamHenshawhimself.
Itwasagoodletter——butitwasnotwellwritten.JamesHarding’shandwritingwasnotdistinguishedforitslegibility,andhiscorrespondentsrejoicedthatthemostofhislettersweredictatedtohisstenographer.Inthiscase,however,hehadelectedtousethemorepersonalpen;anditwasbecauseofthisthatWilliamHenshaw,evenafterreadingtheletter,wasstillunawareofhismistakeinsupposinghisnamesake,Billy,tobeaboy.
InthemainthelawyerhadreferredtoBillybyname,oras\"theorphan,\"orasthat\"poor,lonelychild.\"Andwheneverthemoredistinctivefeminine\"her\"or\"herself\"hadoccurred,thecarelesslyformedlettershadmadethemsomuchlike\"his\"and\"himself\"thattheycarriednohintofthetruthtoamanwhohadnottheslightestreasonforthinkinghimselfinthewrong.Itwasthereforestillforthe\"boy,\"Billy,thatWilliamHenshawatoncesetaboutmakingaplaceinthehome.
Firsthetelegraphedthesingleword\"Come\"toBilly.
\"I’llsetthepoorlad’sheartatrest,\"hesaidtoBertram.\"I
shallanswerHarding’slettermoreatlength,ofcourse.NaturallyhewantstoknowsomethingaboutmenowbeforehesendsBillyalong;butthereisnoneedfortheboytowaitbeforeheknowsthatI’lltakehim.Ofcoursehewon’tcomeyet,tillHardinghearsfromme.\"
Itwasjusthere,however,thatWilliamHenshawmetwithasurprise,forwithintwenty—fourhourscameBilly’sanswer,andbytelegraph.
\"I’mcomingto—morrow.TraindueatfiveP.M.
\"BILLY.\"
WilliamHenshawdidnotknowthatinHampdenFallsBilly’strunkhadbeenpackedfordays.Billywasdesperate.Thehouse,evenwiththemaid,andwiththeobligingneighborandhiswifewhostayedtherenights,wastoBillynothingbutadismaltomb.
LawyerHardinghadfallensuddenlyill;shecouldnoteventellhimthattheblessedtelegram\"Come\"hadarrived.HenceBilly,lonely,impulsive,andalwaysusedtopleasingherself,hadtakenmattersinhandwithaconfidentgrasp,andhaddeterminedtowaitnolonger.
Thatitwasafearsomelyunknownfuturetowhichshewassojauntilypledgingherselfdidnottroublethegirlintheleast.
Billywasromantic.Tosallygailyforthwithapinkinthebuttonholeofhercoattofindherfather’sfriendwhowasa\"Billy\"too,seemedtoBillyNeilsonnotonlydelightful,buteminentlysensible,andanexcellentwayoutofherpresenthomesickloneliness.Sosheboughtthepinkandherticket,andimpatientlyawaitedthetimetostart.
TotheBeaconStreethouse,Billy’scheerfultelegrambroughtthedirestconsternation.EvenKatewashastilysummonedtothefamilyconclavethatimmediatelyresulted.
\"There’snothing——simplynothingthatIcando,\"shedeclaredirritably,whenshehadheardthestory.\"Surely,youdon’texpectMEtotaketheboy!\"
\"No,no,ofcoursenot,\"sighedWilliam.\"Butyousee,IsupposedI’dhavetimeto——togetusedtothings,andtomakearrangements;
andthisisso——sosudden!Ihadn’tevenansweredHarding’sletteruntilto—day;andhehasn’tgotthat——muchlessrepliedtoit.\"
\"Butwhatcouldyouexpectaftersendingthatidiotictelegram?\"
demandedthelady.\"’Come,’indeed!\"
\"Butthat’swhatBillytoldmetodo.\"
\"Whatifitwas?Justbecauseafoolisheighteen—year—oldboytellsyoutodosomething,mustyou,asupposedlysensibleforty—
year—oldmanobey?\"
\"IthinkittickledWill’sromanticstreak,\"laughedBertram.\"Itseemedsosortofalluringtosendthatoneword’Come’outintospace,andwatchwhathappened.\"
\"Well,he’sfoundout,certainly,\"observedCyril,withgrimsatisfaction.
\"Oh,no;ithasn’thappenedyet,\"correctedBertram,cheerfully.
\"It’sjustgoingtohappen.William’sgottoputonthepinkfirst,youknow.That’sthetalisman.\"
Williamreddened.
\"Bertram,don’tbefoolish.Isha’n’twearanypink.Youmustknowthat.\"
\"How’llyoufindhim,then?\"
\"Why,he’llhaveoneon;that’senough,\"settledWilliam.
\"Hm—m;maybe.Thenhe’llhaveSpunk,too,\"murmuredBertram,mischievously.
\"Spunk!\"criedKate.
\"Yes.Hewrotethathehopedwewouldn’tmindhisbringingSpunkwithhim.\"
\"Who’sSpunk?
\"Wedon’tknow.\"Bertram’slipstwitched.
\"Youdon’tknow!Whatdoyoumean?\"
\"Well,Willthinksit’sadog,andIbelieveCyrilisanticipatingamonkey.Imyselfambackingitforaparrot.\"
\"Boys,whathaveyoudone!\"groanedKate,fallingbackinherchair.\"Whathaveyoudone!\"
ToWilliamherwordswerelikeanelectricshockstirringhimtoinstantaction.Hesprangabruptlytohisfeet.
\"Well,whateverwe’vedone,we’vedoneit,\"hedeclaredsternly;
\"andnowwemustdotherest——anddoitwell,too.He’sthesonofmyboyhood’sdearestfriend,andheshallbemadewelcome.Nowtobusiness!Bertram,yousaidyou’dtakehimin.Didyoumeanit?\"
Bertramsoberedinstantly,andcameerectinhischair.Williamdidnotoftenspeaklikethis;butwhenhedid——
\"Yes,Will.Heshallhavethelittlebedroomattheendofthehall.Ineverusedtheroommuch,anyhow,andwhatfewdudsIhavethereshallbeclearedoutto—morrow.\"
\"Good!Nowtherearesomeotherlittledetailstoarrange,thenI’llgodown—stairsandtellPeteandDongLing.And,pleasetounderstand,we’regoingtomakethisladwelcome——welcome,Isay!\"
\"Yes,sir,\"saidBertram.NeitherKatenorCyrilspoke.
CHAPTERV
GETTINGREADYFORBILLY
TheHenshawhouseholdwasearlyastironthedayofBilly’sexpectedarrival,andpreparationsfortheguest’scomfortwerewellunderwaybeforebreakfast.Thecenterofactivitywasinthelittleroomattheendofthehallonthesecondfloor;though,asBertramsaid,thewholeStratafeltthe\"upheaval.\"
BybreakfasttimeBertramwiththeavowedintentionofgiving\"thelittlechaphalfashow,\"hadtheroomclearedforaction;andafterthatthewholehousewascalleduponforcontributionstowardtheroom’sadornment.Andmostgenerouslydidmostofthehouserespond.EvenDongLingslipperedup—stairsandpresentedaweirdChinesebannerwhichhesaidhewas\"vellymuchglad\"togive.AstoPete——Petewasinhiselement.Petelovedboys.Hadhenotservedthemnearlyallhislife?Incidentallyitmaybementionedthathedidnotcareforgirls.
OnlyCyrilheldhimselfaloof.Butthathewasnotobliviousoftheproceedingsbelowhimwasevidencedbythesomberbassthatfloateddownfromhispianostrings.Cyrilalwaysplayedaccordingtothemoodthatwasonhim;andwhenBertramheardthismorningtherhythmicbeatsofmournfulness,hechuckledandsaidtoWilliam:
\"That’sChopin’sFuneralMarch.EvidentlyCythinksthisisthedeathknelltoallhishopesoffuturepeaceandhappiness.\"
\"Dearme!IwishCyrilwouldtakesomeinterest,\"grievedWilliam.
\"Oh,hetakesinterestallright,\"laughedBertram,meaningly.\"HetakesINTEREST!\"
\"Iknow,but——Bertram,\"brokeofftheelderman,anxiously,fromhisperchonthestepladder,\"wouldyouputtherifleoverthiswindow,orthefishing—rod?\"
\"Why,Idon’tthinkitmakesmuchdifference,solongasthey’resomewhere,\"answeredBertram.\"AndtherearetheseIndianclubsandtheswordstobedisposedof,youknow.\"
\"Yes;andit’sgoingtolookfine;don’tyouthink?\"exultedWilliam.\"Andyouknowforthewall—spacebetweenthewindowsI’mgoingtobringdownthatcaseofmine,ofspiders.\"
Bertramraisedhishandsinmocksurprise.
\"Here——downhere!You’regoingtotrustanyofthoseprecioustreasuresofyoursdownhere!\"
Williamfrowned.
\"Nonsense,Bertram,don’tbesilly!They’llbesafeenough.
Besides,they’reold,anyhow.Iwasonspidersyearsago——whenI
wasBilly’sage,infact.Ithoughthe’dlikethemhere.Youknowboysalwayslikesuchthings.\"
\"Oh,’twasn’tBillyIwasworryingabout,\"retortedBertram.\"Itwasyou——andthespiders.\"
\"Notmuchyouworryaboutme——oranythingelse,\"repliedWilliam,good—humoredly.\"There!howdoesthatlook?\"hefinished,ashecarefullypickedhiswaydownthestepladder.
\"Fine!——er——onlyratherwarlike,maybe,withthegunsandthatriotousconfusionofknivesandscimitersoverthechiffonier.Butthen,maybeyou’reintendingBillyforasoldier;eh?\"
\"Doyouknow?IAMgettinginterestedinthatboy,\"beamedWilliam,withsomeexcitement.\"Whatkindofthingsdoyousupposehedoeslike?\"
\"There’snotelling.Maybehe’sasissychap,andwillhowlatyourgunsandspiders.Perhapshe’llpreferautumnleavesandworstedmottoesfordecoration.\"
\"Notmuchhewill,\"contestedtheother.\"NosonofWalterNeilson’scouldbeasissy.Neilsonwasthebesthalf—backintenyearsatHarvard,andhewasalwaysinforeverythinggoingthatwasworthwhile.’Autumnleavesandworstedmottoes’indeed!
Bah!\"
\"Allright;butthere’sstilladarkhorseinthecase,youknow.
Wemustn’tforget——Spunk.\"
Theeldermanstirreduneasily.
\"Bert,whatdoyousupposethatcreatureis?Youdon’tthinkCyrilcanberight,andthatit’sa——monkey?\"
\"’Younevercantell,’\"quotedBertram,merrily.\"OfcoursethereAREotherthings.Ifitwereyou,now,we’donlyhavetohuntupthespecialthingyouhappenedtobecollectingatthetime,andthatwouldbeit:asnake,alizard,atoad,ormaybeabutterfly.
Youknowyouwerealwaysluggingthosethingshomewhenyouwerehisage.\"
\"Yes,Iknow,\"sighedWilliam.\"ButIcan’tthinkit’sanythinglikethat,\"hefinished,asheturnedaway.
TherewasverylittledoneintheBeaconStreethousethatdaybutto\"getreadyforBilly.\"InthekitchenDongLingcooked.
Everywhereelse,exceptinCyril’sdomain,Petedustedandsweptand\"puttered\"tohisheart’scontent.Williamdidnotgototheofficeatallthatday,andBertramdidnottouchhisbrushes.
OnlyCyrilattendedtohisusualwork:practisingforacomingconcert,andcorrectingtheproofsofhisnewbook,\"MusicinRussia.\"
AttenminutesbeforefiveWilliam,anxious—eyedandnervous,foundhimselfattheNorthStation.Then,andnottillthen,didhedrawalongbreathofrelief.
\"There!Ithinkeverything’sready,\"hesighedtohimself.\"Atlast!\"
Heworenopinkinhisbuttonhole.Therewasnoneedthatheshouldaccedetothatsillyrequest,hetoldhimself.Hehadonlytolookforayouthofperhapseighteenyears,whowouldbealone,alittlefrightened,possibly,andwhowouldhaveapinkinhisbuttonhole,andprobablyadogonaleash.
Ashewaited,themanwasconsciousofacuriouswarmthathisheart.Itwashisnamesake,WalterNeilson’sboy,thathehadcometomeet;ahomesick,lonelyorphanwhohadappealedtohim——tohim,outofalltheworld.Longyearsagoinhisownarmstherehadbeenlaidatinybundleofflannelholdingapreciouslittlered,puckeredface.Butinamonth’stimethelittlefacehadturnedcoldandwaxen,andthehopesthatthewhiteflannelbundlehadcarriedhaddiedwiththebabyboy;——andthatbabywouldhavebeenaladgrownbythistime,ifhehadlived——aladnotfarfromtheageofthisBillywhowascomingto—day,reflectedtheman.AndthewarmthinhisheartdeepenedandglowedthemoreashestoodwaitingatthegateforBillytoarrive.
ThetrainfromHampdenFallswaslate.Notuntilquitefifteenminutespastfivediditrollintothetrain—shed.Thenatonceitslonglineofpassengersbegantosweeptowardtheirongate.
Williamwasjustinsidethegatenow,anxiouslyscanningeveryfaceandformthatpassed.Thereweremanyhalf—grownlads,buttherewasnotonewithapinkinhisbuttonholeuntilveryneartheend.
ThenWilliamsawhim——apleasant—faced,blue—eyedboyinaneatgraysuit.WithalowcryWilliamstartedforward;buthesawatoncethatthegray—cladyouthwasunmistakablyoneofamerryfamilyparty.Helookedtobeanythingbutaladthatwaslonelyandforlorn.
Williamhesitatedandfellback.Thisdebonair,self—reliantfellowcouldnotbeBilly!Butasahastyglancedownthelinerevealedonlyhalfadozenstragglingwomen,andbeyondthem,noone,WilliamdecidedthatitmustbeBilly;andtakingbraveholdofhiscourage,hehurriedaftertheblue—eyedyouthandtappedhimontheshoulder.
\"Er——aren’tyouBilly?\"hestammered.
Theladstoppedandstared.Heshookhisheadslowly.
\"No,sir,\"hesaid.
\"Butyoumustbe!Areyousure?\"
Theboylaughedthistime.
\"Sorry,sir,butmynameis’Frank’;isn’tit,mother?\"headdedmerrily,turningtotheladyathisside,whowasregardingWilliamveryunfavorablythroughapairofgold—bowedspectacles.
Williamdidnotwaitformore.Withastammeredapologyandaflusteredliftingofhishathebackedaway.
ButwherewasBilly?
Williamlookedabouthiminhelplessdismay.Allaroundwasawide,emptyspace.ThelongaisletotheHampdenFallstrainwasdesertedsaveforthebaggage—menloadingthetrunksandbagsontotheirtrucks.Nowherewasthereanyonewhoseemedforlornorillateaseexceptaprettygirlwithasuit—case,andwithacoveredbasketonherarm,whostoodjustoutsidethegate,gazingalittlenervouslyabouther.
Williamlookedtwiceatthisgirl.First,becausethesplashofcoloragainstherbrowncoathadcalledhisattentiontothefactthatshewaswearingapink;andsecondlybecauseshewasverypretty,andherdarkeyescarriedapeculiarlywistfulappeal.
\"ToobadBertramisn’there,\"thoughtWilliam.\"He’dbesketchingthatfaceinnotimeonhiscuff.\"
ThepinkhadgivenWilliamalmostapang.Hehadbeensolongingtoseeapink——thoughinadifferentplace.Hewonderedsympatheticallyifshe,too,hadcometomeetsomeonewhohadnotappeared.Henoticedthatshewalkedawayfromthegateonceortwice,towardthewaiting—room,andpeeredanxiouslythroughtheglassdoors;butalwaysshecamebacktothegateasiffearfultobelongawayfromthatplace.Heforgotallaboutherverysoon,forhermovementshadgivenhimasuddenidea:perhapsBillywasinthewaiting—room.Howstupidofhimnottothinkofitbefore!
Doubtlesstheyhadmissedeachotherinthecrowd,andBillyhadgonestraighttothewaiting—roomtolookforhim.AndwiththisthoughtWilliamhurriedawayatonce,leavingthegirlstillstandingbythegatealone.
Helookedeverywhere.Systematicallyhepacedupanddownbetweenthelongrowsofseats,lookingforaboywithapink.Heevenwentoutuponthestreet,andgazedanxiouslyinalldirections.
ItoccurredtohimafteratimethatpossiblyBilly,likehimself,hadchangedhismindatthelastmoment,andnotwornthepink.
Perhapshehadforgottenit,orlostit,orevennotbeenabletogetitatall.VerybitterlyWilliamblamedhimselfthenfordisregardinghisownpartofthesuggestedplan.Ifonlyhehadwornthepinkhimself!——buthehadnot;anditwasuselesstorepine.Inthemeantime,wherewasBilly,hewonderedfrantically.
CHAPTERVI
THECOMINGOFBILLY
AfteranotherlongsearchWilliamcamebacktothetrain—shed,vaguelyhopingthatBillymighteventhenbethere.Thegirlwasstillstandingalonebythegate.Therewasanothertrainonthetracknow,andtherushofmanyfeethadsweptheralittletooneside.Shelookedfrightenednow,andalmostreadytocry.Still,Williamnoticedthatherchinwasliftedbravely,andthatshewasmakingasterneffortatself—control.Hehesitatedamoment,thenwentstraighttowardher.
\"Ibegyourpardon,\"hesaidkindly,liftinghishat,\"butInoticethatyouhavebeenwaitingheresometime.PerhapsthereissomethingIcandoforyou.\"
Arosycolorswepttothegirl’sface.Hereyeslosttheirfrightenedappeal,andsmiledfranklyintohis.
\"Oh,thankyou,sir!ThereISsomethingyoucandoforme,ifyouwillbesokind.Yousee,Ican’tleavethisplace,I’msoafraidhe’llcomeandI’llmisshim.But——Ithinkthere’ssomemistake.
Couldyoutelephoneforme?\"BillyNeilsonwascountry—bred,andinHampdenFallsallmenservedallothermenandwomen,whethertheywerestrangersornot;sotoBillythiswasnotanextraordinaryrequesttomake,intheleast.
WilliamHenshawsmiled.
\"Certainly;Ishallbeverygladtotelephoneforyou.Justtellmewhomyouwant,andwhatyouwanttosay.\"
\"Thankyou.Ifyou’llcallupMr.WilliamHenshaw,then,ofBeaconStreet,please,andtellhimBilly’scome.I’llwaithere.\"
\"Oh,thenBillydidcome!\"criedthemaningladsurprise,hisfacealight.\"Butwhereishe?DoYOUknowBilly?\"
\"IshouldsayIdid,\"laughedBilly,withthelightnessofalong—
lostchildwhohasfoundafriend.\"Why,IamBilly,myself!\"
ToWilliamHenshawtheworldswamdizzily,andwentsuddenlymad.
Thefloorrose,andtherooffell,whilecarsandpeopleperformedimpossibleacrobaticfeatsabove,below,andaroundhim.Then,fromafaroff,heheardhisownvoicestammer:
\"You——are——B—Billy!\"
\"Yes;andI’llwaithere,ifyou’lljusttellhim,please.He’sexpectingme,youknow,soit’sallright,onlyperhapshemadeamistakeinthetime.Maybeyouknowhim,anyhow.\"
WithonemightyeffortWilliamHenshawpulledhimselfsharplytogether.Heevenlaughed,andtossedhisheadinavaliantimitationofBillyherself;buthisvoiceshook.
\"Knowhim!——IshouldsayIdid!\"hecried.\"Why,IamWilliamHenshaw,myself.\"
\"You!——UncleWilliam!Why,where’syourpink?\"
Theman’sfacewasalreadysoreditcouldnotgetanyredder——butittriedtodoso.
\"Why,er——I——it——er——ifyou’lljustcomeintothewaiting—roomaminute,mydear,\"hestutteredmiserably,\"I——I’llexplain——aboutthat.Ishallhavetoleaveyou——foraminute,\"heplungedonfrenziedly,asheledthewaytoaseat;\"A——matterofbusinessthatImustattendto.I’llbe——rightback.Waithere,please!\"
Andhealmostpushedthegirlintoaseatandhurriedaway.
AtasafedistanceWilliamHenshawturnedandlookedback.Hiskneeswereshaking,andhisfingershadgrowncoldattheirtips.
Hecouldseeherplainly,asshebentoverthebasketinherlap.
Hecouldseeeventheprettycurveofhercheek,andofherslenderthroatwhensheliftedherhead.
AndthatwasBilly——aGIRL!
Peoplenearhimatthatmomentsawaflushed—faced,nervous—
appearingmanthrowuphishandswithadespairinggesture,rollhiseyesheavenward,andthenplungeintothenearesttelephonebooth.
InduetimeWilliamHenshawhadhisbrotherBertramattheotherendofthewire.
\"Bertram!\"hecalledshakily.
\"Hullo,Will;thatyou?What’sthematter?You’relate!Didn’thecome?\"
\"Come!\"groanedWilliam.\"GoodLord!Bertram——Billy’saGIRL!\"
\"Awh—what?\"
\"Agirl.\"
\"AGIRL!\"
\"Yes,yes!Don’tstandthererepeatingwhatIsayinthatidioticfashion,Bertram.Dosomething——dosomething!\"
\"’Dosomething’!\"gaspedBertram.\"GreatScott,Will!Ifyouwantmetodosomething,don’tknockmesillywithablowlikethat.
Nowwhatdidyousay?\"
\"IsaidthatBillyis——a——girl.Can’tyougetthat?\"demandedWilliam,despairingly.
\"Well,byJove!\"breathedBertram.
\"Come,come,think!Whatshallwedo?\"
\"Why,bringherhome,ofcourse.\"
\"Home——home!\"chatteredWilliam.\"Doyouthinkwefivemencanbringupadistractinglyprettyeighteen—year—oldgirlwithcurlycheeksandpinkhair?\"
\"Withwha—at?\"
\"No,no.Imeancurlyhairandpinkcheeks.Bertram,dobesensible,\"beggedtheman.\"Thisisserious!\"
\"Serious!Ishouldsayitwas!OnlyfancywhatCywillsay!A
girl!Holysmoke!Toteheralong——Iwanttoseeher!\"
\"ButIsaywecan’tkeephertherewithus,Bertram.Don’tyouseewecan’t?\"
\"ThentakehertoKate’s,orto——tooneofthoseYoungWomen’sChristianUnionthings.\"
\"No,no,Ican’tdothat.That’simpossible.Don’tyouunderstand?She’sexpectingtogohomewithme——HOME!I’mherUncleWilliam.\"
\"LuckyUncleWilliam!\"
\"Bestill,Bertram!\"
\"Well,doesn’tsheknowyour——mistake?——thatyouthoughtshewasaboy?\"
\"Heavenforbid!——Ihopenot,\"criedtheman,fervently.\"I’mostletitoutonce,butIthinkshedidn’tnoticeit.Yousee,we——wewerebothsurprised.\"
\"Well,Ishouldsay!\"
\"And,Bertram,Ican’tturnherout——Ican’t,Itellyou.Onlyfancymygoingtohernowandsaying:’Ifyouplease,Billy,youcan’tliveatmyhouse,afterall.Ithoughtyouwereaboy,youknow!’GreatScott!Bert,ifshe’donceturnedthosebigbrowneyesofhersonyouasshehasonme,you’dsee!\"
\"I’dbedelighted,I’msure,\"sungamerryvoiceacrossthewires.
\"Soundsrealinteresting!\"
\"Bertram,can’tyoubeseriousandhelpmeout?\"
\"ButwhatCANwedo?\"
\"Idon’tknow.We’llhavetothink;butfornow,getKate.
Telephoneher.Tellhertocomerightstraightover,andthatshe’sgottostayallnight.\"
\"Allnight!\"
\"Ofcourse!Billy’sgottohaveachaperon;hasn’tshe?Nowhurry.Weshallbeuprightaway.\"
\"Kate’sgotcompany.\"
\"Nevermind——leave’em.Tellhershe’sgottoleave’em.AndtellCyril,ofcourse,whattoexpect.And,looka—here,youtwobehave,now.Noneofyournonsense!Nowmind.I’mnotgoingtohavethischildtormented.\"
\"Iwon’tbataneyelid——onmyword,Iwon’t,\"chuckledBertram.
\"But,oh,Isay,——Will!\"
\"Yes.\"
\"What’sSpunk?\"
\"Eh?——oh——GreatScott!IforgotSpunk.Idon’tknow.She’sgotabasket.He’sinthat,Isuppose.Anyhow,hecan’tbeanymoreofabombshellthanhismistresswas.Nowbequick,andnoneofyourfooling,Bertram.Tellthemall——PeteandDongLing.Don’tforget.Iwouldn’thaveBillyfindoutfortheworld!FixitupwithKate.You’llhavetofixitupwithher;that’sall!\"Andtherecamethesharpclickofthereceiveragainstthehook.
CHAPTERVII
INTRODUCINGSPUNK
InthesoftApriltwilightCyrilwasplayingadreamywaltzwhenBertramknocked,andpushedopenthedoor.
\"Say,oldchap,you’llhavetoquityourmooningthistimeandsitupandtakenotice.\"
\"Whatdoyoumean?\"Cyrilstoppedplayingandturnedabruptly.
\"ImeanthatWillhasgonecrazy,andIthinktherestofusaregoingtofollowsuit.\"
Cyrilshruggedhisshouldersandwhirledaboutonthepianostool.
Inamomenthisfingershadslidoncemoreintothedreamywaltz.
\"Whenyougetreadytotalksense,I’lllisten,\"hesaidcoldly.
\"Oh,verywell;ifyoureallywantitbrokengently,it’sthis:
WillhasmetBilly,andBillyisagirl.They’redueherenow’mostanytime.\"
Themusicstoppedwithacrash.
\"A——GIRL!\"
\"Yes,agirl.Oh,I’vebeenallthroughthat,andIknowhowyoufeel.ButasnearasIcanmakeout,it’sreallyso.I’vehadinstructionstotelleverybody,andI’vetold.IgotKateonthetelephone,andshe’scomingover.YouKNOWwhatSHE’LLbe.DongLingishavingwhatIsupposeareChinesehystericsinthekitchen;
andPeteisswingingbackandforthlikeapenduluminthedining—
room,moaning’GoodLord,deliverus!’ateverybreath.Iwouldsuggestthatyoufollowmedown—stairssothatwemaybedecentlyreadyfor——whatevercomes.\"Andheturnedaboutandstalkedoutoftheroom,followedbyCyril,whowastoostunnedtoopenhislips.
Katecamefirst.Shewasnotstunned.Shehadagreatdealtosay.
\"Really,thisisalittlethemostabsurdthingIeverheardof,\"
shefumed.\"Whatintheworlddoesyourbrothermean?\"
ThatshequiteignoredherownrelationshiptotheculpritwasnotlostonBertram.Hemadeinstantresponse.
\"AsnearasIcanmakeout,\"herepliedsmoothly,\"YOURbrotherhasfallenundertheswayofapairofgreatdarkeyes,twopinkcheeks,andanunknownquantityofcurlyhair,allofwhichinitsentiretyishisnamesake,islonesome,andisinneedofahome.\"
\"Butshecan’tlive——here!\"
\"Willsayssheshall.\"
\"Butthatisutternonsense,\"cutinCyril.
\"ForonceIagreewithyou,Cyril,\"laughedBertram;\"butWilliamdoesn’t.\"
\"Buthowcanshedoit?\"demandedKate.
\"Don’tknow,\"answeredBertram.\"He’sestablishedapetticoatproprietyinyouforafewhours,atleast.Meanwhile,he’sgoingtothink.Atleast,hesaysheis,andthatwe’vegottohelphim.\"
\"Humph!\"snappedKate.\"Well,Icanprophesywesha’n’tthinkalike——soyou’dnoticeit!\"
\"Iknowthat,\"noddedBertram;\"andI’mwithyouandCyrilonthis.
Thewholethingisabsurd.Theideaofthrustingasilly,eighteen—year—oldgirlhereintoourlivesinthisfashion!ButyouknowwhatWilliswhenhe’sreallyroused.Youmightaswelltrytomoveanicegood—naturedmountainbysaying’please,’astotrytostirhimundercertaincircumstances.Mostofthetime,I’llown,wecantwisthimaroundourlittlefingers.Butnotnow.
You’llsee.Inthefirstplace,she’sthedaughterofhisdeadfriend,andsheDIDwriteapatheticlittleletter.Itgottotheinsideofme,anyhow,whenIthoughtshewasaboy.\"
\"Aboy!Whowouldn’tthinkshewasaboy?\"interposedCyril.
\"’Billy,’indeed!Canyoutellmewhatforanysanemanshouldhavenamedagirl’Billy’?\"
\"ForWilliam,yourbrother,evidently,\"retortedBertram,dryly.
\"Anyhow,hedidit,andofcourseourmistakewasaverynaturalone.Thedickensofitisnowthatwe’vegottokeepitfromher,soWillsays;andhow——hush!heretheyare,\"hebrokeoff,astherecamethesoundofwheelsstoppingbeforethehouse.
Therefollowedtheclickofakeyinthelockandtheopeningofaheavydoor;then,fullintheglareoftheelectriclightsstoodaplainlynervousman,andagirlwithstartled,appealingeyes.
\"Mydear,\"stammeredWilliam,\"thisismysister,Kate,Mrs.
Hartwell;andhereareCyrilandBertram,whomI’vetoldyouof.
AndofcourseIdon’tneedtosaytothemthatyouareBilly.\"
Itwasover.Williamdrewalongbreath,andgaveanagonizedlookintohisbrothers’eyes.ThenBillyturnedfromMrs.Hartwellandheldoutacordialhandtoeachofthemeninturn.
\"Oh,youdon’tknowhowlovelythisis——tome,\"shecriedsoftly.
\"AndtothinkthatyouwerewillingIshouldcome!\"Thetwoyoungermencaughttheirbreathsharply,andtriednottoseeeachother’seyes.\"Youlooksogood——allofyou;andIdon’tbelievethere’soneofyouthat’sgotnervesoraheart,\"shelaughed.
Bertramralliedhiswitstorespondtothechallenge.
\"Noheart,MissBilly?Nowisn’tthatjustabithardonus——rightatfirst?\"
\"Notamite,ifyoutakeitthewayImeanit,\"dimpledBilly.
\"Heartsthatareallrightjustkeeponpumping,andyouneverknowtheyarethere.Theyaren’tworthmentioning.It’stheotherkind——thekindthatfluttersattheleastnoiseandjumpsattheleastbang!AndIdon’tbelieveanyofyoumindnoisesandbangs,\"
shefinishedmerrily,asshehandedherhatandcoattoMrs.
Hartwell,whowaswaitingtoreceivethem.
Bertramlaughed.Cyrilscowled,andoccupiedhimselfinfindingachair.Williamhadalreadydroppedhimselfwearilyontothesofanearhissister.Billystillcontinuedtotalk.
\"NowwhenSpunkandIgettotraining——oh,andyouhaven’tseenSpunk!\"sheinterruptedherselfsuddenly.\"Why,theintroductionsaren’thalfover.Whereishe,UncleWilliam——thebasket?\"
\"I——Iputitin——inthehall,\"mumbledWilliam,startingtorise.
\"No,no;I’llgethim,\"criedBilly,hurryingfromtheroom.Shereturnedinamoment,thegreencoveredbasketinherhand.\"He’sbeenasleep,Iguess.He’sslept’mostallthewaydown,anyhow.
He’ssousedtobeingtoted’roundinthisbasketthathedoesn’tminditabit.ItakehimeverywhereinitattheFalls.\"
Therewasanelectricpause.Fourpairsofstartled,questioning,fearfuleyeswereonthebasketwhileBillyfumbledattheknotofthestring.Thenextmoment,withatriumphantflourish,Billyliftedfromthebasketandplacedontheflooraverysmallgraykittenwithaverylargepinkbow.
\"There,ladiesandgentlemen,mayIpresenttoyou,Spunk.\"
Thetinycreaturewinkedandblinked,andbalancedforamomentonsleepylegs;thenattheuncontrollableshoutthatburstfromBertram’sthroat,hefacedtheman,humpedhistinyback,bristledhisdiminutivetailtoalmostunbelievablefluffiness,andspitwrathfully.
\"AndsothatisSpunk!\"chokedBertram.
\"Yes,\"saidBilly.\"ThisisSpunk.\"
CHAPTERVIII
THEROOM——ANDBILLY
ForthefirstfifteenminutesafterBilly’sarrivalconversationwasafitfulthingmadeupmostlyofamerrymonologueonthepartofBillyherself,interspersedwithsomewhatdazedrepliesfromoneafteranotherofherauditorsasshetalkedtotheminturn.Noonethoughttoaskifshecaredtogouptoherroom,andduringtheentirefifteenminutesBillysatonthefloorwithSpunkinherlap.ShewasstilltherewhenthefunerealfaceofPeteappearedinthedoorway.Pete’sjawdropped.Itwasplainthatonlythesternestself—controlenabledhimtoannouncedinner,withanythinglikedignity.Buthemanagedtostammeroutthewords,andthenturnloftilyaway.Bertram,whosatnearthedoor,however,sawhimraisehishandsinhorrorasheplungedthroughthehallanddownthestairway.
WithamotiontoBertramtoleadthewaywithBilly,Williamfrenziedlygrippedhissister’sarm,andhissedinherearforalltheworldlikeavillaininmelodrama:
\"Listen!You’llsleepinBert’sroomto—night,andBertwillcomeup—stairswithme.GetBillytobedassoonasyoucanafterdinner,andthencomebackdowntous.We’vegottoplanwhat’sgottobedone.Sh—h!\"Andhedraggedhissisterdownstairs.
Inthedining—roomtherewasaslightcommotion.BillystoodatherchairwithSpunkinherarms.BeforeherPetewasstanding,dumblystaringintohereyes.Atlasthestammered:
\"Ma’am?\"
\"Achair,please,Isaid,forSpunk,youknow.Spunkalwayssitsatthetablerightnexttome.\"
ItwastoomuchforBertram.Hefledchokinglytothehall.
Williamdroppedweaklyintohisownplace.CyrilstaredashadPete;butMrs.Hartwellspoke.
\"Youdon’tmean——thatthatcat——hasachair——atthetable!\"shegasped.
\"Yes;andisn’titcuteofhim?\"beamedBilly,entirelymisconstruingthesurpriseinthelady’svoice.\"Hismotheralwayssatattablewithus,andbehavedbeautifully,too.OfcourseSpunkislittle,andmakesmistakessometimes.Buthe’lllearn.Oh,there’sachairrighthere,\"sheadded,asshespiedBertram’schildhood’shigh—chair,whichforlongyearshadstoodunusedinthecorner.
\"I’lljustsqueezeitrightinhere,\"shefinishedgleefully,makingroomforthechairatherside.
WhenBertram,alittleredofface,butverygrave,entered,thedining—roomamomentlater,hefoundthefamilyseatedwithSpunksnuglyplacedbetweenBillyandaplainlydisgustedanddismayedbrother,Cyril.Thekittenwasalertandinterested;buthehadsettledbackinhischair,andwaslookingasabsurdlydignifiedastheflaringpinkbowwouldlethim.
\"Isn’theadear?\"Billywassaying.ButBertramnoticedthattherewasnoreplytothisquestion.
Itwasapeculiardinner—party.OnlyBillydidnotfeelthestrain.EvenSpunkwasnotentirelyhappy——hiseffortstoinvestigatethetableanditscontentsweretoofrequentlycurbedbyhismistressforhisunalloyedsatisfaction.William,itistrue,madeavaliantattempttocausetheconversationtobegeneral;buthefaileddismally.Katewassternlysilent,whileCyrilwasopenlyrepellent.Bertramtalked,indeed——butBertramalwaystalked;andverysoonheandBillyhadthingsprettymuchtothemselves——thatis,withoccasionalinterruptionscausedbySpunk.
Spunkhadaninquisitivenoseorpawforeachnewdishplacedbeforehismistress;andBillyspentmuchtimeadmonishinghim.
Billysaidshewastraininghim;thatitwaswonderfulwhattrainingwoulddo,and,ofcourse,SpunkWASlittle,now.
DinnerwashalfoverwhentherewasaslightdiversioncreatedbySpunk’sconclusiontogetacquaintedwiththesilentmanathisleft.Cyril,however,didnotrespondtoSpunk’sadvances.Soveryevident,indeed,wastheman’saversionthatBillyturnedinamazement.