\"Why,Mr.Cyril,don’tyousee?Spunkistryingtosay’Howdoyoudo’?\"
\"Verylikely;butI’mnotfondofcats,MissBilly.\"
\"You’renotfond——of——cats!\"repeatedthegirl,asifshecouldnothaveheardaright.\"Whynot?\"
Cyrilchangedhisposition.
\"Why,justbecauseI——I’mnot,\"heretortedlamely.\"Isn’tthereanythingthat——thatyoudon’tlike?\"
Billyconsidered.
\"Why,notthatIknowof,\"shebegan,afteramoment,\"onlyrainydaysand——tripe.AndSpunkisn’tabitlikethose.\"
Bertramchuckled,andevenCyrilsmiled——thoughunwillingly.
\"Allthesame,\"hereiterated,\"Idon’tlikecats.\"
\"Oh,I’msosorry,\"lamentedBilly;andatthegrievedhurtinherdarkeyesBertramcamepromptlytotherescue.
\"Nevermind,MissBilly.CyrilisonlyONEofus,andthereisalltherestoftheStratabesides.\"
\"The——what?\"
\"TheStrata.Youdon’tknow,ofcourse,butlisten,andI’lltellyou.\"Andhelaunchedgailyforthintohisfavoritestory.
Billywasdulyamusedandinterested.Shelaughedandclappedherhands,andwhenthestorywasdonesheclappedthemagain.
\"Oh,whatafunnyhouse!AndhowperfectlylovelythatI’mgoingtoliveinit,\"shecried.ThenstraightatMrs.Hartwellshehurledabombshell.\"Butwhereisyourstratum?\"shedemanded.
\"Mr.Bertramdidn’tmentionathingaboutyou!\"
Cyrilsaidasharpwordunderhisbreath.Bertramchokedoveracough.KatethrewintoWilliam’seyesalookthatwasatonceangry,accusing,anddespairing.ThenWilliamspoke.
\"Er——she——itisn’tanywhere,mydear,\"hestammered;\"orrather,itisn’there.KatelivesupontheAvenue,yousee,andisonlyherefor——foradayortwo——justnow.\"
\"Oh!\"murmuredBilly.AndtherewasnotoneintheroomatthatmomentwhodidnotblessSpunk——forSpunksuddenlyleapedtothetablebeforehim;andintheensuingconfusionhismistressquiteforgottoquestionfurtherconcerningMrs.Hartwell’sstratum.
Dinnerover,thethreemen,withtheirsisterandBilly,trailedup—stairstothedrawing—rooms.Billytoldthem,then,ofherlifeatHampdenFalls.ShecriedalittleatthementionofAuntElla;
andsheportrayedveryvividlythelonelylifefromwhichsheherselfhadsogladlyescaped.Shesoonhadeveryonelaughing,evenCyril,overherstoriesofthelawyer’shomethatmighthavebeenhers,withitsgloomanditshushanditssocketedchairs.
Assoonaspossible,however,Mrs.Hartwell,withamurmured\"I
knowyoumustbetired,Billy,\"suggestedthatthegirlgoup—
stairstoherroom.\"Come,\"sheadded,\"Iwillshowyoutheway.\"
Therewassomedelay,eventhen,forSpunkhadtobeprovidedwithsleepingquarters;anditwasnotwithoutsomehesitationthatBillyfinallyplacedthekitteninthereluctanthandsofPete,whohadbeenhastilysummoned.ThensheturnedandfollowedMrs.
Hartwellup—stairs.
Itseemedtothethreemeninthedrawing—roomthatalmostimmediatelycamethepiercingshriek,andtheexcitedvoiceoftheirsisterinexpostulation.Withoutwaitingformoretheyleapedtothestairwayandhurriedup,twostepsatatime.
\"Forheaven’ssake,Kate,whatisit?\"pantedWilliam,whohadbeenoutdistancedbyhismoreagilebrothers.
Katewasonherfeet,herfacethepictureofdistressedamazement.
InthelowchairbythewindowBillysatwhereshehadflungherself,herhandsoverherface.Hershoulderswereshaking,andfromherthroatcamechokinglittlecries.
\"Idon’tknow,\"quaveredKate.\"Ihaven’ttheleastidea.Shewasallrighttillshegotup—stairshere,andIturnedonthelights.
Thenshegaveoneshriekand——youknowallIknow.\"
Williamadvancedhurriedly.
\"Billy,whatisthematter?Whatareyoucryingfor?\"hedemanded.
Billydroppedherhandsthen,andtheysawherface.Shewasnotcrying.Shewaslaughing.Shewaslaughingsoshecouldscarcelyspeak.
\"Oh,youdid,youdid!\"shegurgled.\"Ithoughtyoudid,andnowI
know!\"
\"Didwhat?Whatdoyoumean?\"William’susuallygentlevoicewassharp.EvenWilliam’snerveswerebeginningtofeelthestrainofthelastfewhours.
\"ThoughtIwasa——b—boy!\"chokedBilly.\"Youcalledme’he’onceinthestation——Ithoughtyoudid;butIwasn’tsure——nottillI
sawthisroom.ButnowIknow——Iknow!\"Andoffshewentintoanotherhystericalgaleoflaughter——Billy’snerves,too,werebeginningtorespondtotheexcitementofthelastfewhours.
Astothethreemenandthewoman,theystoodsilent,helpless,lookingintoeachother’sfaceswithdespairingeyes.
InamomentBillywasonherfeet,flutteringabouttheroom,touchingthisthing,lookingatthat.Nothingescapedher.
\"I’mtofish——andshoot——andfence!\"shecrowed.\"And,oh!——lookatthoseknives!U—ugh!And,my!whatarethese?\"shecried,pouncingontheIndianclubs.\"Andlookatthespiders!
Dear,dear,IAMgladthey’redead,anyhow,\"sheshudderedwithanervouslaughthatwasalmostasob.
SomethinginBilly’svoicestirredMrs.Hartwelltosuddenaction.
\"Come,come,thiswillneverdo,\"sheprotestedauthoritatively,motioningherbrotherstoleavetheroom.\"Billyisquitetiredout,andneedsrest.Shemustn’ttalkanotherbitto—night.\"
\"Ofc—coursenot,\"stammeredWilliam.Andonlytoogladofanexcusetowithdrawfromaveryembarrassingsituation,thethreemencalledbackafalteringgood—night,andprecipitatelyfleddown—stairs.
CHAPTERIX
AFAMILYCONCLAVE
\"Well,William,\"greetedKate,grimly,whenshecameintothedrawing—room,afterputtingherchargetobed,\"haveyouhadenough,now?\"
\"’Enough’!Whatdoyoumean?\"
Kateraisedhereyebrows.
\"Why,surely,you’renotthinkingNOWthatyoucankeepthisgirlhere;areyou?\"
\"Idon’tknowwhynot.\"
\"William!\"
\"Well,whereshallshego?Willyoutakeher?\"
\"I?Certainlynot,\"declaredKate,withdecision.\"I’msureIseenoreasonwhyIshould.\"
\"NomoredoIseewhyWilliamshould,either,\"cutinCyril.
\"Oh,come,what’stheuse,\"interposedBertram.\"Letherstay.
She’sanicelittlething,I’msure.\"
CyrilandKateturnedsharply.
\"Bertram!\"Thecrywasaduetofangryamazement.ThenKateadded:\"Itseemsthatyou,too,havecomeundertheswayofdarkeyes,pinkcheeks,andanunknownquantityofcurlyhair!\"
Bertramlaughed.
\"Oh,well,shewouldbeniceto——er——paint,\"hemurmured.
\"Seehere,children,\"demurredWilliam,alittlesternly,\"allthisiswastingtime.Thereisnowayoutofit.Iwouldn’tbeseenturningthathomelesschildawaynow.Wemustkeepher;that’ssettled.Thequestionis,howshallitbedone?Wemusthavesomewomanfriendheretobehercompanion,ofcourse;butwhomshallweget?\"
Katesighed,andlookedherdismay.BertramthrewaglanceintoCyril’seyes,andmadeanexpressivegesture.
\"Yousee,\"itseemedtosay.\"Itoldyouhowitwouldbe!\"
\"Nowwhomshallweget?\"questionedWilliamagain.\"Wemustthink.\"
UnattachedgentlewomenofsuitableageanddesirabletemperdidnotprovetobesonumerousamongtheHenshaws’acquaintances,however,astomaketheselectionofachaperonveryeasy.Severalwerethoughtofandsuggested;butineachcasethecandidatewasfoundtopossessoneormorecharacteristicsthatmadetheideaofherpresenceutterlyabhorrenttosomeoneofthebrothers.AtlastWilliamexpostulated:
\"Seehere,boys,wearen’tanynearerasettlementthanwewereinthefirstplace.Thereisn’tanywoman,ofcourse,whowouldexactlysuitallofus;andsoweshalljusthavetobewillingtotakesomeonewhodoesn’t.\"
\"Thetroubleis,\"explainedBertram,airily,\"wewantsomeonewhowillbeinvisibletoeveryoneexcepttheworldandBilly,andwhowillbeinaudiblealways.\"
\"Idon’tknowbutyouareright,\"sighedWilliam.\"ButsupposewesettleonAuntHannah.Sheseemstobetheleastobjectionableofthelot,andIthinkshe’dcome.She’saloneintheworld,andI
believethecomfortableroominessofthishousewouldbeverygratefultoheraftertheinconvenienceofherstuffylittleroomoverattheBackBay.\"
\"Youbetitwould!\"murmuredBertram,feelingly;butWilliamdidnotappeartohearhim.
\"She’samiable,fairlysensible,andalwaysalady,\"hewenton;
\"andto—morrowmorningIbelieveI’llrunoverandseeifshecan’tcomerightaway.\"
\"AndmayIaskwhich——er——stratumshe——they——willoccupy?\"smiledBertram.
\"Youmayask,butI’mafraidyouwon’tfindoutverysoon,\"
retortedWilliam,dryly,\"ifwetakeaslongtodecidethatmatteraswehavetherestofit.\"
\"Er——Cyrilhasthemost——UNOCCUPIEDspace,\"volunteeredBertram,cheerfully.
\"Indeed!\"retaliatedCyril.\"Supposeyouletmespeakformyself!
Ofcourse,sofarastruckisconcerned,I’mnotinitwithyouandWill.ButasfortheUSEIputmyroomsto——!Besides,IalreadyhavePetethere,andwouldhaveDongLingprobably,ifheslepthere.However,ifyouwantanyofmyrooms,don’tletmypettywantsandwishesinterfere——\"
\"No,no,\"interruptedWilliam,inquickconciliation.\"Wedon’twantyourrooms,Cyril.AuntHannahabhorsstairs.OfcourseI
mightmove,Isuppose.Myroomsareoneflightless;butifIonlydidn’thavesomanythings!\"
\"Oh,youmen!\"shruggedKate,wearily.\"Whydon’tyouaskmyopinionsometimes?Itseemstomethatinthiscaseawoman’switmightbeofsomehelp!\"
\"Allright,goahead!\"noddedWilliam.
Kateleanedforwardeagerly——Katelovedto\"manage.\"
\"Goeasy,now,\"cautionedBertram,warily.\"Youknowastrata,evenoneassolidasours,won’tstandtoomuchofanearthquake!\"
\"Itisn’tanearthquakeatall,\"sniffedKate.\"It’saverysensiblemoveallaround.Herearethesetwogreatdrawing—rooms,thelibrary,andthelittlereception—roomacrossthehall,andnotoneofthemiseverusedbutthis.Ofcoursethewomenwouldn’tliketosleepdownhere,butwhydon’tyou,Bertram,takethebackdrawing—room,thelibrary,andthelittlereception—roomforyours,andleavethewholeofthesecondfloorforBillyandAuntHannah?\"
\"Goodforyou,Kate,\"criedBertram,appreciatively.\"You’vehititsquareonthehead,andwe’lldoit.I’llmoveto—morrow.Thelightdownhereisjustasgoodasitisup—stairs——ifyouletitin!\"
\"Thankyou,Bertram,andyou,too,Kate,\"breathedWilliam,fervently.\"Now,ifyoudon’tmind,IbelieveI’llgotobed.I
amtired!\"
CHAPTERX
AUNTHANNAH
AssoonaspossibleafterbreakfastWilliamwenttoseeAuntHannah.
HannahStetsonwasnotreallyWilliam’saunt,thoughshehadbeencalledAuntHannahforyears.Shewasthewidowofadistantcousin,andshelivedinasnuglittleroominaBackBayboarding—
house.Shewasaslender,white—hairedwomanwithkindblueeyes,andalovablesmile.Hercheekswerestillfaintlypink,andherfinesilver—whitehairbrokeintolittlekinksandcurlsaboutherears.AccordingtoBertramshealwaysmadeonethinkof\"lavenderandoldlace.\"
ShewelcomedWilliamcordiallythismorning,thoughwithfaintsurpriseinhereyes.
\"Yes,IknowI’manearlycaller,andanunexpectedone,\"beganWilliam,hurriedly.\"AndIshallhavetoplungestraightintothematter,too,forthereisn’ttimetopreamble.I’vetakenaneighteen—year—oldgirltobringup,AuntHannah,andIwantyoutocomedownandlivewithustochaperonher.\"
\"Mygriefandconscience,WILLIAM!\"gaspedthelittlewoman,agitatedly.
\"Yes,yes,Iknow,AuntHannah,everythingyouwouldsayifyoucould.Butpleaseskipthehysterics.We’veallhadthem,andKatehasalreadyusedeverypossibleadjectivethatyoucouldthinkup.Nowit’sjustthis.\"AndhehurriedlygaveMrs.Stetsonafullaccountofthecase,andtoldherplainlywhathehopedandexpectedthatshewoulddoforhim.
\"Why,yes,ofcourse——I’llcome,\"acquiescedthelady,alittlebreathlessly,\"if——ifyouaresureyou’regoingto——keepher.\"
\"Good!AndrememberIsaid’now,’please——thatIwantedyoutocomerightaway,to—day.OfcourseKatecan’tstay.Justgetinhalfadozenwomentohelpyoupack,andcome.\"
\"Halfadozenwomeninthatlittleroom,William——impossible!\"
\"Well,Ionlymeanttogetenoughsoyoucouldcomerightoffthismorning.\"
\"ButIdon’tneedthem,William.Thereareonlymyclothesandbooks,andsuchthings.YouknowitisaFURNISHEDroom.\"
\"Allright,allright,AuntHannah.Iwantedtomakesureyouhurried,that’sall.Yousee,Idon’twantBillytosuspectjusthowmuchshe’supsettingus.I’veaskedKatetotakeherovertoherhousefortheday,whileBertramismovingdown—stairs,andwhilewe’regettingyousettled.I——Ithinkyou’lllikeitthere,AuntHannah,\"addedWilliam,anxiously.\"OfcourseBilly’sgotSpunk,but——\"hehesitated,andsmiledalittle.
\"Gotwhat?\"falteredtheother.
\"Spunk.Oh,Idon’tmeanTHATkind,\"laughedWilliam,inanswertothedismayedexpressiononhisaunt’sface.\"Spunkisacat.\"
\"Acat!——butsuchaname,William!I——Ithinkwe’llchangethat.\"
\"Eh?Oh,youdo,\"murmuredWilliam,withacurioussmile.\"Verywell;bethatasitmay.Anyhow,you’recoming,andweshallwantyouallsettledbydinnertime,\"hefinished,ashepickeduphishattogo.
WithKate,BillyspentthelongdayverycontentedlyinKate’sbeautifulCommonwealthAvenuehome.Thetwoboys,Paul,twelveyearsold,andEgbert,eight,werealittleshy,itistrue,andnotreallyofmuchuseascompanions;buttherewasalittleKate,fouryearsold,whoprovedtobewonderfullyentertaining.
Billywasnotmuchusedtochildren,andshefoundthisfour—year—
oldatomofhumanitytobeagreatsourceofinterestandamusement.SheeventoldMrs.HartwellatpartingthatlittleKatewasalmostasniceasSpunk——whichremark,oddlyenough,didnotappeartopleaseMrs.HartwelltotheextentthatBillythoughtthatitwould.
AttheBeaconStreethouseBillywaspresentedatoncetoMrs.
Stetson.
\"Andyouaretocallme’AuntHannah,’mydear,\"saidthelittlewoman,graciously,\"justastheboysdo.\"
\"Thankyou,\"dimpledBilly,\"andyoudon’tknow,AuntHannah,howgooditseemstometocomeintosomanyrelatives,allatonce!\"
Upongoingup—stairsBillyfoundherroomsomewhatchanged.Itwasfarlesswarlike,andthecaseofspidershadbeentakenaway.
\"Andthiswillbeyourstratum,youknow,\"announcedBertramfromthestairway,\"yoursandAuntHannah’s.You’retohavethiswholefloor.WillandCyrilareabove,andI’mdown—stairs.\"
\"Youare?Why,Ithoughtyou——were——here.\"Billy’sfacewaspuzzled.
\"Here?Oh,well,Ididhave——somethingshere,\"heretortedairily;\"butItookthemallawayto—day.Yousee,mystratumisdown—stairs,anditdoesn’tdotomixthelayers.Bytheway,youhaven’tbeenup—stairsyet;haveyou?Comeon,andI’llshowyou——
andyou,too,AuntHannah.\"
Billyclappedherhands;butAuntHannahshookherhead.
\"I’llleavethatforyoungerfeetthanmine,\"shesaid;addingwhimsically:\"It’sbestsometimesthatonedoesn’ttrytosteptoofaroffone’sownlevel,youknow.\"
\"Allright,\"laughedtheman.\"Comeon,MissBilly.\"
Onthedoorattheheadofthestairshetappedtwice,lightly.
\"Well,Pete,\"calledCyril’svoice,nonetoocordially.
\"Pete,indeed!\"scoffedBertram.\"You’vegotcompany,youngman.
Openthedoor.MissBillyisviewingtheStrata.\"
Thebarefloorechoedtoaquicktread,thenthedooropenedandCyrilfacedthemwithaforcedsmileonhislips.
\"Comein——thoughIfeartherewillbelittle——tosee,\"hesaid.
Bertramassumedapompousattitude.
\"Ladiesandgentlemen;youbeholdherethelioninhislair.\"
\"Bestill,Bertram,\"orderedCyril.
\"Heisalion,really,\"confidedBertram,inalowervoice;\"butasheprefersit,we’lljustcallhim’theMusicalMan.’\"
\"IshouldthinkIwassomesortofmusic—boxthatturnedwithacrank,\"bristledCyril.
Bertramgrinned.
\"A——CRANK,didyousay?Well,evenIwouldn’thavequitedaredtosaythat,youknow!\"
WithanimpatientgestureCyrilturnedonhisheel.Bertramfelloncemoreintohispompousattitude.
\"BeforeyouistheMan’sworkshop,\"heorated.\"Atyourrightyouseehisinstrumentsoftor——Imean,hisinstruments:apiano,flute,etc.Atyourleftisthedeskwithitspens,paper,erasers,inkandpostagestamps.Imentionthesebecausethereare——er——sofewthingstomentionhere.Beyond,throughtheopendoor,onemaycatchglimpsesofstillotherrooms;buttheyholdevenlessthanthisoneholds.Traditiondothassert,however,thatinoneisacouch—bed,andinanother,twochairs.\"
Billylistenedsilently.Hereyeswerequestioning.ShewasnotquitesurehowtotakeBertram’swords;andthebareroomsandtheirstern—facedmasterfilledherwithavaguepity.ButthepausethatfollowedBertram’snonsenseseemedtobewaitingforhertofillit.
\"Oh,Ishouldliketohearyou——play,Mr.Cyril,\"shestammered.
Then,gatheringcourage.\"CANyouplay’TheMaiden’sPrayer’?\"
Bertramgaveacough,aspasmodiccoughthatsenthim,red—faced,outintothehall.Fromtherehecalled:
\"Can’tstopfortheanimalstoperform,MissBilly.It’s’mostdinnertime,andwe’vegotlotstoseeyet.\"
\"Allright;but——sometime,\"noddedBillyoverhershouldertoCyrilassheturnedaway.\"Ijustlovethat’Maiden’sPrayer’!\"
\"NowthisisWilliam’sstratum,\"announcedBertramatthefootofthestairs.\"Youwillperceivethatthereisnoknockinghere;
William’sdoorsarealwaysopen.\"
\"Byallmeans!Comein——comein,\"calledWilliam’scheeryvoice.
\"Oh,my,whatalotofthings!\"exclaimedBilly.\"My——my——whatalotofthings!HowSpunkwilllikethisroom!\"
Bertramchuckled;thenhemadeagreatdisplayofdrawingalongbreath.
\"Intheshorttimeatourdisposal,\"hebeganloftily,\"itwillbeimpossibletopointouteachparticulararticleandgiveitshistoryfromthebeginning;butsomewhereyouwillfindfourroundwhitestones,which——\"
\"Er——yes,weknowallaboutthosewhitestones,\"interruptedWilliam,\"andyou’llpleaseletmetalkaboutmyownthingsmyself!\"Andhebeamedbenevolentlyonthewondering—eyedgirlatBertram’sside.
\"Buttherearesomany!\"breathedBilly.
\"Allthemorechancethen,\"smiledWilliam,\"thatsomewhereamongthemyou’llfindsomethingtointerestyou.NowtheseChineseceramics,andthesebronzes——maybeyou’dlikethose,\"hesuggested.
Andwitharesignedsighandanexaggeratedairofsubmission,Bertramsteppedbackandgavewaytohisbrother.
\"Andtherearetheseminiatures,andtheseJapaneseporcelains.Orperhapsyou’dlikestamps,ortheatreprogramsbetter,\"Williamfinishedanxiously.
Billydidnotreply.Shewasturningroundandround,hereyeswideandamazed.Suddenlyshepouncedonabeautifullydecoratedteapot,andhelditupinadmiringhands.
\"Oh,whataprettyteapot!Andwhatacutelittleplateitsetsin!\"shecried.
Thecollectorfairlybubbledoverwithjoy.
\"That’saLowestoft——arealLowestoft!\"hecrowed.\"Notthathard—
pastestufffromtheOrientthat’sCALLEDLowestoft,buttherealthing——English,youknow.Andthat’sthetraythatgoeswithit,too.Wonderful——howIgotthemboth!Youknowthey’mostalwaysgetseparated.Ipaidacoolhundredforthem,anyhow.\"
\"Ahundreddollarsforateapot!\"gaspedBilly.
\"Yes;andhere’sanicelittlepieceoflustre—ware.Pretty——isn’tit?Andthere’safinebitofblackbasalt.And——\"
\"Er——Will,\"interposedBertram,meekly.
\"Oh,andhere’saCastleford,\"criedWilliam,payingnoattentiontotheinterruption.\"Marked,too;see?’D.D.&Co.,Castleford.’
Youknowthereisn’tmuchofthatwaremarked.Thisisabeauty,too,Ithink.Youseethispittedsurface——theymadethatwithtinylittlepointssetintotheinnersideofthemold.Thedesignstandsoutfineonthis.It’soneofthebestIeversaw.And,oh——\"
\"Er——William,\"interposedBertramagain,alittlelouderthistime.
\"MayIjustsay——\"
\"Anddidyounoticethis’OldBlue’?\"hurriedonWilliam,eagerly.
\"Lidsetsdownin,yousee——that’solderthanthekindwhereitsetsoverthetop.Nowhere’sone——\"
\"William,\"almostshoutedBertram,\"DINNERISREADY!Petehassoundedthegongtwicealready!\"
\"Eh?Oh,sureenough——sureenough,\"acknowledgedWilliam,witharegretfulglanceathistreasures.\"Well,wemustgo,wemustgo.\"
\"ButIhaven’tseenyourstratumatall,\"demurredBillytoherguide,astheywentdownthestairway.
\"Thenthere’ssomethingleftforto—morrow,\"promisedBertram;\"butyoumustremember,Ihaven’tgotanybeautiful’OldBlues’and’blackbasalts,’tosaynothingofstampsandbaggagetags.ButI’llmakeyousometea——somerealtea——andthat’smorethanWilliamhasdone,withallhishundredandoneteapots!\"
CHAPTERXI
BERTRAMHASVISITORS
Spunkdidnotchangehisname;butthatwasperhapstheonlythingthatdidnotmeetwithsomesortofchangeduringtheweeksthatimmediatelyfollowedBilly’sarrival.Givenahouse,fivemen,andanironboundroutineoflife,anditisscarcelynecessarytosaythattheadventofasomewhatfussyelderlywoman,animpulsiveyounggirl,andavery—much—alivesmallcatwillmakesomedifference.AstoSpunk’sname——itwasnotMrs.Stetson’sfaultthateventhatwasleftundisturbed.
Mrs.StetsonearlybecameacquaintedwithSpunk.Shewasintroducedtohim,indeed,onthenightofherarrival——thoughfortunatelynotattable:WilliamhadseentoitthatSpunkdidnotappearatdinner,thoughtoaccomplishthisthemanhadbeenobligedtofacetheamazedandgrievedindignationofthekitten’smistress.
\"ButIdon’tseehowanyoneCANobjecttoanicecleanlittlecatatthetable,\"Billyhadremonstratedtearfully.
\"Iknow;but——er——theydo,sometimes,\"Williamhadstammered;\"andthisisoneofthetimes.AuntHannahwouldneverstandforit——
never!\"
\"Oh,butshedoesn’tknowSpunk,\"Billyhadobservedthen,hopefully.\"Youjustwaituntilsheknowshim.\"
Mrs.Stetsonbeganto\"know\"Spunkthenextday.TheimmediatesourceofherknowledgewasthediscoverythatSpunkhadfoundherballofblackknittingyarn,andhaddelightedlycapturedit.Notthathewascontenttoletitremainwhereitwas——indeed,no.Herolleditdownthestairs,batteditthroughthehalltothedrawing—room,andthenproceededto’chasse’withitinandoutamongthelegsofvariouschairsandtables,endinginonegrandwhirlthatwoundtheyarnroundandroundhissmallbody,andkeeledhimoverhalfuponhisback.Thereheblissfullywenttosleep.
Billyfoundhimafteragleefulfollowingoftheslenderwoollentrail.Mrs.Stetsonwaswithher——butshewasnotgleeful.
\"Oh,AuntHannah,AuntHannah,\"gurgledBilly,\"isn’thejusttoocuteforanything?\"
AuntHannahshookherhead.
\"ImustconfessIdon’tseeit,\"shedeclared.\"Mydear,justlookatthathopelesssnarl!\"
\"Oh,butitisn’thopelessatall,\"laughedBilly.\"It’slikeoneofthosestringstheyunwindatpartieswithapresentattheendofit.AndSpunkisthepresent,\"sheadded,whenshehadextricatedthesmallgraycat.\"Andyoushallholdhim,\"shefinished,graciouslyentrustingthesleepykittentoMrs.Stetson’sunwillingarms.
\"But,I——it——Ican’t——Billy!Idon’tlikethatname,\"blurtedouttheindignantlittleladywithasmuchwarmthassheeverallowedherselftoshow.\"Itmustbechangedto——to’Thomas.’\"
\"Changed?Spunk’snamechanged?\"demandedBilly,inahorrifiedvoice.\"Why,AuntHannah,itcan’tbechanged;it’sHIS,youknow.\"Thenshelaughedmerrily.\"’Thomas,’indeed!Why,youolddear!——justsupposeIshouldaskYOUtochangeyourname!Now_I_
like’HelenClarabella’lotsbetterthan’Hannah,’butI’mnotgoingtoaskyoutochangethat——andI’mgoingtoloveyoujustaswell,evenifyouare’Hannah’——seeifIdon’t!Andyou’llloveSpunk,too,I’msureyouwill.Nowwatchmefindtheendofthissnarl!\"Andshedancedovertothedumbfoundedlittleladyinthebigchair,gaveheranaffectionatekiss,andthenattackedthetangledmassofblackwithskilfulfingers.
\"But,I——you——oh,mygriefandconscience!\"finishedthelittlewomanwhosenamewasnotHelenClarabella.——\"Oh,mygriefandconscience,\"accordingtoBertram,wasAuntHannah’sdeadliestswear—word.
InAuntHannah’sblacksilklapSpunkstretchedluxuriously,andblinkedsleepyeyes;thenwithalongpurrofcontenthecurledhimselfforanothernap——stillSpunk.
ItwassometimeafterluncheonthatdaythatBertramheardaknockathisstudiodoor.Bertramwasbusy.Hisparticularpet\"FaceofaGirl\"wastobesubmittedsoontothejudgesofaforthcomingArtExhibition,anditwasnotyetfinished.Hewastryingtomakeupnowforthemanyhourslostduringthelastfewdays;andevenBertram,attimes,didnotlikeinterruptions.Hismodelhadgone,buthewasstillworkingrapidlywhentheknockcame.Histonewasnotquitecordialwhenheanswered.
\"Well?\"
\"It’sI——SpunkandI.Maywecomein?\"calledaconfidentvoice.
Bertramsaidasharpwordbehindhisteeth——butheopenedthedoor.
\"Ofcourse!Iwas——painting,\"heannounced.
\"Howlovely!AndI’llwatchyou.Oh,my——whataprettyroom!\"
\"I’mgladyoulikeit.\"
\"IndeedIdo;Ilikeiteversomuch.Ishallstayherelots,I
know.\"
\"Oh,you——will!\"ForonceevenBertram’sreadytonguefailedtofindfittingresponse.
\"Yes.Nowpaint.Iwanttoseeyou.AuntHannahhasgoneoutanyway,andI’mlonesome.IthinkI’llstay.\"
\"ButIcan’t——thatis,I’mnotusedtospectators.\"
\"Ofcourseyouaren’t,youpooroldlonesomeness!Butitisn’tgoingtobethatway,anymore,youknow,nowthatI’vecome.I
sha’n’tletyoubelonesome.\"
\"Icouldsweartothat,\"declaredtheman,withsuddenfervor;andforBilly’speaceofminditwasjustaswell,perhaps,thatshedidnotknowtheexactsourceofthatfervency.
\"Nowpaint,\"commandedBillyagain.
Becausehedidnotknowwhatelsetodo,Bertrampickedupabrush;
buthedidnotpaint.ThefirststrokeofhisbrushagainstthecanvaswastoSpunkachallenge;andSpunkneverrefusedachallenge.WithaboundhewasonBertram’sknee,gleefulpawoutstretched,battingattheendofthebrush.
\"Tut,tut——no,no——naughtySpunk!Say,butwasn’tthatcute?\"
chuckledBilly.\"Doitagain!\"
Theartistgaveanexasperatedsigh.
\"Mydeargirl,\"heprotested,\"cruelasitmayseemtoyou,thispictureisnotakindergartengamefortheedificationofsmallcats.ImustpolitelyaskSpunktodesist.\"
\"Buthewon’t!\"laughedBilly.\"Nevermind;wewilltakeitsomedaywhenhe’sasleep.Let’snotpaintanymore,anyhow.I’vecometoseeyourrooms.\"Andshesprangblithelytoherfeet.\"Dear,dear,whatalotoffaces!——andallgirls,too!Howfunny!Whydon’tyoupaintotherthings?Still,theyarerathernice.\"
\"Thankyou,\"acceptedBertram;dryly.
Bertramdidnotpaintanymorethatafternoon.Billyfoundmuchtointeresther,andsheaskednumberlessquestions.Shewasgreatlyexcitedwhensheunderstoodthefullsignificanceoftheomnipresent\"FaceofaGirl\";andshegraciouslyofferedtoposeherselffortheartist.Shespent,indeed,quitehalfanhourturningherheadfromsidetoside,anddemanding\"Nowhow’sthat?——
andthat?\"Tiringatlastofthis,shesuggestedSpunkasasubstitute,remarkingthat,afterall,cats——prettycatslikeSpunk——wereevennicertopaintthangirls.
SherescuedSpunkthenfromthepaint—boxwherehehadbeenholdinghighcarnivalwithBertram’stubesofpaint,anddemandedifBertrameversawamoredelightful,moreentrancing,morealtogether—to—be—desiredmodel.Shewassoartless,somerry,sofranklycharmedwithitallthatBertramcouldnotfinditinhishearttobeangry,notwithstandinghisannoyance.Butwhenatfouro’clock,shetookherselfandhercatcheerilyup—stairs,heliftedhishandsindespair.
\"GreatScott!\"hegroaned.\"Ifthisisasampleofwhat’scoming——
I’mGOING,that’sall!\"
CHAPTERXII
CYRILTAKESHISTURN
BillyhadbeenamemberoftheBeaconStreethouseholdaweekbeforesherepeatedhervisittoCyrilatthetopofthehouse.
ThistimeBertramwasnotwithher.Shewentalone.EvenSpunkwasleftbehind——Billyrememberedherprospectivehost’saversiontocats.
BillydidnotfeelthatsheknewCyrilverywell.Shehadtriedseveraltimestochatwithhim;butshehadmadesolittleheadway,thatshefinallycametotheconclusion——privatelyexpressedtoBertram——thatMr.Cyrilwasbashful.Bertramhadonlylaughed.HehadlaughedtheharderbecauseatthatmomenthecouldhearCyrilpoundingouthisangryannoyanceonthepianoupstairs——CyrilhadjustescapedfromoneofBilly’smostdetermined\"attempts,\"andBertramknewit.Bertram’slaughhadpuzzledBilly——andithadnotquitepleasedher.Henceto—dayshedidnottellhimofherplantogoup—stairsandseewhatshecoulddoherself,alone,tocombatthis\"foolishbashfulness\"onthepartofMr.CyrilHenshaw.
Inspiteofherbravery,BillywaitedquiteonewholeminuteatthetopofthestairsbeforeshehadthecouragetoknockatCyril’sdoor.
Thedoorwasopenedatonce.
\"Why——Billy!\"criedthemaninsurprise.
\"Yes,it’sBilly.I——Icameupto——togetacquainted,\"shesmiledwinningly.
\"Why,er——youareverykind.Willyou——comein?\"
\"Thankyou;yes.Yousee,Ididn’tbringSpunk.I——remembered.\"
Cyrilbowedgravely.
\"Youareverykind——again,\"hesaid.
Billyfidgetedinherchair.Tohermindshewasnot\"gettingon\"
atall.Shedeterminedonaboldstroke.
\"Yousee,Ithoughtif——ifIshouldcomeuphere,wheretherewouldn’tbesomanyaround,wemightgetacquainted,\"sheconfided;
\"thenIwouldgettolikeyoujustaswellasIdotheothers.\"
Attheoddlookthatcameintotheman’sface,thegirlrealizedsuddenlywhatshehadsaid.Hercheeksflushedaconfusedred.
\"Oh,dear!Thatis,Imean——Ilikeyou,ofcourse,\"sheflounderedmiserably;thenshebrokeoffwithafranklaugh.\"There!youseeInevercouldgetoutofanything.Imightaswellownrightup.
IDON’TlikeyouaswellasIdoUncleWilliamandMr.Bertram.Sothere!\"
Cyrillaughed.ForthefirsttimesincehehadseenBilly,somethingthatwasverylikeinterestcameintohiseyes.
\"Oh,youdon’t,\"heretorted.\"Nowthatis——er——veryUNkindofyou.\"
Billyshookherhead.
\"Youdon’tsaythatasifyoumeantit,\"sheaccusedhim,hereyesgravelystudyinghisface.\"NowI’Minearnest._I_reallywanttolikeYOU!\"
\"Thankyou.Thenperhapsyouwon’tmindtellingmewhyyoudon’tlikeme,\"hesuggested.
AgainBillyflushed.
\"Why,I——Ijustdon’t;that’sall,\"shefaltered.Thenshecriedaggrievedly:\"There,now!you’vemademebeimpolite;andIdidn’tmeantobe,truly.\"
\"Ofcoursenot,\"assentedtheman;\"anditwasn’timpolite,becauseIaskedyoufortheinformation,youknow.Imayconcludethen,\"
hewentonwithanoddtwinkleinhiseyes,\"thatIammerelyclassedwithtripeandrainydays.\"
\"With——wha—at?\"
\"Tripeandrainydays.Thosearetheonlythings,ifIrememberrightly,thatyoudon’tlike.\"
Thegirlstared;thenshechuckled.
\"There!IknewI’dlikeyoubetterifyou’donlySAYsomething,\"
shebeamed.\"Butlet’snottalkanymoreaboutthat.Playtome;
won’tyou?Youknowyoupromisedme’TheMaiden’sPrayer.’\"
Cyrilstiffened.
\"Pardonme,butyoumustbemistaken,\"herepliedcoldly.\"Idonotplay’TheMaiden’sPrayer.’\"
\"Oh,whatashame!AndIdosoloveit!Butyouplayotherthings;I’veheardyoualittle,andMr.Bertramsaysyoudo——inconcertsandthings.\"
\"Doeshe?\"murmuredCyril,withaslightliftingofhiseyebrows.
\"There!Nowoffyougoagainallsilentandhorrid!\"chaffedBilly.\"WhathaveIsaidnow?Mr.Cyril——doyouknowwhatI
think?Ibelieveyou’vegotNERVES!\"Billy’svoicewassotragicthatthemancouldbutlaugh.
\"PerhapsIhave,MissBilly.\"
\"LikeMissLetty’s?\"
\"I’mnotacquaintedwiththelady.\"
\"Gee!wouldn’tyoutwomakeapair!\"chuckledBillyunexpectedly.
\"No;but,really,Imean——doyouwantpeopletowalkontiptoeandspeakinwhispers?\"
\"Sometimes,perhaps.\"
Thegirlsprangtoherfeet——butshesighed.
\"ThenI’mgoing.Thismightbeoneofthetimes,youknow.\"Shehesitated,thenwalkedtothepiano.\"My,wouldn’tIliketoplayonthat!\"shebreathed.
Cyrilshuddered.CyrilcouldimaginewhatBillywouldplay——andCyrildidnotlike\"rag—time,\"nor\"TheStorm.\"
\"Oh,doyouplay?\"heaskedconstrainedly.
Billyshookherhead.
\"Notmuch.Onlylittlebitsofthings,youknow,\"shesaidwistfully,assheturnedtowardthedoor.
Forsomeminutesaftershehadgone,Cyrilstoodwhereshehadlefthim,hiseyesmoodyandtroubled.
\"IsupposeImighthaveplayed——something,\"hemutteredatlast;
\"but——’TheMaiden’sPrayer’!——goodheavens!\"
BillywasalittleshywithCyrilwhenhecamedowntodinnerthatnight.Forthenextfewdays,indeed,sheheldherselfveryobviouslyalooffromhim.Cyrilcaughthimselfwonderingonceifshewereafraidofhis\"nerves.\"Hedidnottrytofindout,however;hewastooemphaticallycontentthatofherownaccordsheseemedtobeleavinghiminpeace.
ItmusthavebeenaweekafterBilly’svisittothetopofthehousethatCyrilstoppedhisplayingveryabruptlyoneday,andopenedhisdoortogodown—stairs.Atthefirststephestartedbackinamazement.
\"Why,Billy!\"heejaculated.
Thegirlwassittingverynearthetopofthestairway.Athisappearanceshegottoherfeetshamefacedly.
\"Why,Billy,whatintheworldareyoudoingthere?\"
\"Listening.\"
\"Listening!\"
\"Yes.Doyoumind?\"
Themandidnotanswer.Hewastoosurprisedtofindwordsatonce,andhewastryingtorecollectwhathehadbeenplaying.
\"Yousee,listeningtomusicthiswayisn’tlikelisteningto——totalking,\"hurriedonBilly,feverishly.\"Itisn’tsneakinglikethat;isit?\"
\"Why——no.\"
\"Andyoudon’tmind?\"
\"Why,surely,Ioughtnottomind——that,\"headmitted.
\"ThenIcankeeprightonasIhavedone.Thankyou,\"sighedBilly,inrelief.
\"Keeprighton!Haveyoubeenherebefore?\"
\"Why,yes,lotsofdays.And,say,Mr.Cyril,whatisthat——thatthingthat’sallchordswithbigbassnotesthatkeepsayingsomethingsofineandsplendidthatitmarchesonandon,gettingbiggerandgrander,justasiftherecouldn’tanythingstopit,untilitallendsinonegreatburstoftriumph?Mr.Cyril,whatisthat?\"
\"Why,Billy!\"——theinterestthistimeintheman’sfacewasnotfaint——\"IwishImightmakeotherscatchmymeaningasIhaveevidentlymadeyoudoit!That’ssomethingofmyown——thatI’mwriting,youunderstand;andI’vetriedtosay——justwhatyousayyouheard.\"
\"AndIdidhearit——Idid!Oh,won’tyouplayit,please,withthedooropen?\"
\"Ican’t,Billy.I’msorry,indeedIam.ButI’veanappointment,andI’mlatenow.Youshallhearit,though,Ipromiseyou,andwiththedoorwideopen,\"continuedtheman,as,withamurmuredapology,hepassedthegirlandhurrieddownthestairs.
Billywaiteduntilsheheardtheouterhalldoorshut;thenverysoftlyshecreptthroughCyril’sopendoorway,andcrossedtheroomtothepiano.
CHAPTERXIII
ASURPRISEALLAROUND
Maycame,andwithitwarmsunnydays.Therewasalittlebalconyattherearofthesecondfloor,andonthisMrs.StetsonandBillysatmanyamorningandsewed.TherewereoccupationsthatBillylikedbetterthansewing;butshewasdutiful,andshewasreallyfondofAuntHannah;sosheacceptedasgracefullyaspossiblethatgoodlady’sdictumthatawomanwhocouldnotsew,andsewwell,wasnoladyatall.
OneofthethingsthatBillylikedtodosomuchbetterthantosewwastoplayonCyril’spiano.Shewasverycareful,however,thatMr.Cyrilhimselfdidnotfindthisout.Cyrilwasfrequentlygonefromthehouse,andalmostasfrequentlyAuntHannahtooknaps.Atsuchtimesitwasveryeasytoslipup—stairstoCyril’srooms,andonceatthepiano,Billyforgoteverythingelse.
Oneday,however,theinevitablehappened:Cyrilcamehomeunexpectedly.ThemanheardthepianofromWilliam’sfloor,andwithasurprisedejaculationhehurriedupstairstwostepsatatime.Atthedoorhestoppedinamazement.
Billywasatthepiano,butshewasnotplaying\"rag—time,\"\"TheStorm,\"noryet\"TheMaiden’sPrayer.\"Therewasnomusicbeforeher,butunderherfingers\"bigbassnotes\"verymuchlikeCyril’sown,weremarchingonandontovictory.Billy’sfacewasrapturouslyintentandhappy.
\"ByJove——Billy!\"gaspedtheman.
Billyleapedtoherfeetandwhirledaroundguiltily.
\"Oh,Mr.Cyril——I’msosorry!\"
\"Sorry!——andyouplaylikethat!\"
\"No,no;I’mnotsorryIplayed.It’sbecauseyou——foundme.\"
Billy’scheekswereashamedred,buthereyesweredefiantlybrilliant,andherchinwasatarebellioustilt.\"Iwasn’tdoingany——harm;notifyouweren’there——withyourNERVES!\"
Themanlaughedandcameslowlyintotheroom.
\"Billy,whotaughtyoutoplay?\"
\"Noone.Ican’tplay.IcanonlypickoutlittlebitsofthingsinC.\"
\"Butyoudoplay.Ijustheardyou.\"
Billyshruggedhershoulders.
\"Thatwasnothing.ItwasonlywhatIhadheard.Iwastryingtomakeitsoundlike——yours.\"
\"And,byGeorge!yousucceeded,\"mutteredCyrilunderhisbreath;
thenaloudheasked:\"Didn’tyoueverstudymusic?\"
Billy’seyesdimmed.
\"No.ThatwastheonlythingAuntEllaandIdidn’tthinkalikeabout.Shehadanoldsquarepiano,alltin—pannyandthin,youknow.Iplayedsomeonit,andwantedtotakelessons;butI
didn’twanttopractiseonthat.Iwantedanewone.That’swhatshewouldn’tdo——getmeanewpiano,orletmedoit.ShesaidSHE
practisedonthatpiano,andthatitwasquitegoodenoughforme,especiallytolearnon.I——I’mafraidIgotstuffy.Ihatedthatpianoso!ButIwasalmostreadytogiveinwhen——whenAuntElladied.\"
\"Andallyouplaythenisjustbyear?\"
\"By——ear?Isupposeso——ifyoumeanwhatIhear.EasythingsI
canplayquick,but——butthosechordsAREhard;theyskiparoundso!\"
Cyrilsmiledoddly.
\"Ishouldsayso,\"heagreed.\"ButperhapsthereissomethingelsethatIplay——thatyoulike.Isthere?\"
\"Oh,yes.Nowthere’sthatlittlethingthatswingsandswayslikethis,\"criedBilly,droppingherselfontothepianostoolandwhiskingabout.Billywasnotafraidnow,nordefiant.Shewasonlyeagerandhappyagain.InamomentadreamywaltzfelluponCyril’sears——awaltzthatheoftenplayedhimself.Itwasnotplayedcorrectly,itistrue.Therewerenotes,andsometimeswholemeasures,thatwereverydifferentfromtheprintedmusic.
Butthetune,therhythm,andthespiritwerethere.
\"Andthere’sthis,\"saidBilly;\"andthis,\"shewenton,slidingintoonelittlestrainafteranother——allofwhichwererecognizedbytheamazedmanatherside.
\"Billy,\"hecried,whenshehadfinishedandwhirleduponhimagain,\"Billy,wouldyouliketolearntoplay——reallyplayfromnotes?\"
\"Oh,wouldn’tI!\"
\"Thenyoushall!We’llhaveapianotomorrowinyourroomsforyoutopractiseon.And——I’llteachyoumyself.\"
\"Oh,thankyou,Mr.Cyril——youdon’tknowhowIthankyou!\"exultedBilly,asshedancedfromtheroomtotellAuntHannahofthisgreatandgoodthingthathadcomeintoherlife.
ToBilly,thispromiseofCyril’stobeherteacherwasverykind,verydelightful;butitwasnotintheleastathingatwhichtomarvel.ToBertram,however,itmostcertainlywas.
\"Well,guesswhat’shappened,\"hesaidtoWilliamthatnight,afterhehadheardthenews.\"I’llbelieveanythingnow——anything:thatyou’llraffleoffyourcollectionofteapotsatthenextchurchfair,orthatIshallgotoEgyptasa’Cooky’guide.Listen;
CyrilisgoingtogivepianolessonstoBilly!——CYRIL!\"
CHAPTERXIV
AUNTHANNAHSPEAKSHERMIND
BertramsaidthattheStratawasnotastrataanylonger.Hedeclaredthatbetweenthem,BillyandSpunkhadcausedsuchanupheavalthattherewasnotellingwhereonestratumleftoffandanotherbegan.WhatBillyhadnotattendedto,Spunkhad,hesaid.
\"Yousee,it’slikethis,\"heexplainedtoanamusedfriendoneday.\"BillyistakingpianolessonsofCyril,andsheisposingforoneofmyheads.Naturally,then,suchfemininebelongingsasfancy—work,thread,thimbles,andhairpinsareduetoshowupatanytimeeitherinCyril’sapartmentsormine——tosaynothingofWilliam’s;andshe’sinWilliam’slots——tolookforSpunk,iffornootherpurpose.
\"YoumustknowthatSpunklikesWilliam’sfloorthebestofthebunch,therearesomanydelightfulthingstoplaywith.NotthatSpunkstaysthere——dearme,no.He’sasociablelittlechap,andhisusualcourseistopounceonashelf,knockoffsomeobjectthattickleshisfancy,thenlugitinhismouthto——well,anywherethathehappenstofeellikegoing.Cyrilhasfoundhimup—stairswithasmallminiature,batteredandchewedalmostbeyondrecognition.AndAuntHannahnearlyhadafitonedaywhenheappearedinherroomwithanenormoushard—shelledblackbug——dead,ofcourse——thathehadfishedfromacasethatPetehadleftopen.
Asforme,IcanswearthatthelittleroundwhitestonehewasplayingwithinmypartofthehousewasoneofWilliam’sCollectionNumberOne.
\"Andthatisn’tall,\"Bertramcontinued.\"Billybringshermusicdowntoshowtome,andlugsmyheadsallovertherestofthehousetoshowtootherfolks.Andthereisalwayseverywhereaknitshawl,forAuntHannahissuretofeeladraught,andBillykeepsshawlshandy.Sothereyouare!Wecertainlyaren’tastrataanylonger,\"hefinished.
Billywas,indeed,verymuchathomeintheBeaconStreethouse——
toomuchso,AuntHannahthought.AuntHannahwas,infact,seriouslydisturbed.ToWilliamoneevening,lateinMay,shespokehermind.
\"William,whatareyougoingtodowithBilly?\"sheaskedabruptly.
\"Dowithher?Whatdoyoumean?\"returnedWilliamwiththecontentedsmilethatwassooftenonhislipsthesedays.\"ThisisBilly’shome.\"
\"That’stheworstofit,\"sighedthewoman,withashakeofherhead.
\"Theworstofit!AuntHannah,whatdoyoumean?Don’tyoulikeBilly?\"
\"Yes,yes,William,ofcourseIlikeBilly.Iloveher!Whocouldhelpit?That’snotwhatImean.It’sofBillyI’mthinking,andoftherestofyou.Shecan’tstayherelikethis.Shemustgoaway,toschool,or——orsomewhere.\"
\"Andshe’sgoinginSeptember,\"repliedtheman.\"She’llgotopreparatoryschoolfirst,andtocollege,probably.\"
\"Yes,butnow——rightaway.Sheoughttogo——somewhere.\"
\"Why,yes,forthesummer,ofcourse.Butthoseplansaren’tcompletedyet.BillyandIweretalkingofitlastevening.Youknowtheboysarealwaysawaymoreorless,butIseldomgountilAugust,andweletPeteandDongLingoffthenforamonthandclosethehouse.ItoldBillyI’dsendyouandheranywhereshelikedforthewholesummer,butshesaysno.Shepreferstostayherewithme.ButIdon’tquitefancythatidea——throughallthehotJuneandJuly——soIdon’tknowbutI’llgetacottagesomewherenearatoneofthebeaches,whereIcanrunbackandforthnightandmorning.Ofcourse,inthatcase,wetakePeteandDongLingwithusandclosethehouserightaway.IfearCyrilwouldnotfancyitmuch;but,afterall,heandBertramwouldbeoffmoreorless.Theyalwaysareinthesummer.\"
\"But,William,youhaven’tyetgotmyideaatall,\"demurredAuntHannah,withadiscouragedshakeofherhead.\"It’saway!——awayfromallthis——fromyou——thatIwanttogetBilly.\"
\"Away!Awayfromme,\"criedtheman,withanoddintonationofterror,ashestartedforwardinhischair.\"Why,AuntHannah,whatareyoutalkingabout?\"
\"AboutBilly.Thisisnoplaceinwhichtobringupayounggirl——
ayounggirlwhohasnotoneshredofrelationshiptoexcuseit.\"
\"Butsheismynamesake,andquitealoneintheworld,AuntHannah;
quitealone——poorchild!\"
\"MydearWilliam,thatisexactlyit——sheisachild,andyetsheisnot.That’swherethetroublelies.\"
\"Whatdoyoumean?\"
\"William,Billyhasbeenbroughtupinalittlecountrytownwithaspinsterauntandawholegood—natured,tolerantvillageforcompany.Well,shehasacceptedyouandyourentirehousehold,evendowntoDongLing,onthesamebasis.\"
\"Well,I’msureI’mglad,\"assertedthemanwithgenialwarmth.
\"It’sgoodforustohaveherhere.It’sgoodfortheboys.She’salreadylivenedCyrilupandtonedBertramdown.Imayaswellconfess,AuntHannah,thatI’vebeenmorethanalittledisturbedaboutBertramoflate.Idon’tlikethatBobSeaverthatheissofondof;andsomeotherfellows,too,thathavebeencomingherealtogethertoomuchduringthelastyear.Bertramsaysthey’reonlyalittle’Bohemian’intheirtastes.Andtomethat’stheworstofit,forBertramhimselfisquitetoomuchinclinedthatway.\"
\"Exactly,William.AndthatonlygoestoprovewhatIsaidbefore.
Bertramisnotaspinsteraunt,andneitherareanyoftherestofyou.ButBillytakesyouthatway.\"
\"Takesusthatway——asspinsteraunts!\"
\"Yes.ShemakesherselfasfreeinthishouseasshewasinherAuntElla’satHampdenFalls.ShefliesuptoCyril’sroomshalfadozentimesadaywithsomequestionaboutherlessons;andIdon’tknowhowlongshe’dsitathisfeetandadoringlylistentohisplayingifhedidn’tsometimesgetoutofpatienceandtellhertogoandpractiseherself.ShemakesnothingoftrippingintoBertram’sstudioatallhoursoftheday;andhe’ssketchedherheadateveryconceivableangle——whichcertainlydoesn’ttendtomakeBillymodestorretiring.Astoyou——youknowhowmuchshe’sinyourrooms,spendingeveningaftereveningfussingoveryourcollections.\"
\"Iknow;butwe’re——we’resortingthemandmakingacatalogue,\"
defendedtheman,anxiously.\"Besides,I——Iliketohaveherthere.Shedoesn’tbothermeabit.\"
\"No;Iknowshedoesn’t,\"repliedAuntHannah,withacuriousinflection.\"Butdon’tyousee,William,thatallthisisn’tgoingtoquitedo?Billy’stooyoung——andtooold.\"
\"Come,come,AuntHannah,isthatexactlylogical?\"
\"It’strue,atleast.\"
\"But,afterall,where’stheharm?Don’tyouthinkthatyouarejustalittlebittoo——fastidious?Billy’snothingbutacare—freechild.\"
\"It’sthe’free’partthatIobjectto,William.Shehastakeneveryoneofyouintointimatecompanionship——evenPeteandDongLing.\"
\"PeteandDongLing!\"
\"Yes.\"Mrs.Stetson’schincameup,andhernostrilsdilatedalittle.\"BillywenttoPetetheotherdaytohavehimbuttonhershirt—waistupintheback;andyesterdayIfoundherdown—stairsinthekitcheninstructingDongLinghowtomakechocolatefudge!\"
Williamfellbackinhischair.
\"Well,well,\"hemuttered,\"well,well!Sheisachild,andnomistake!\"Hepaused,hisbrowsdrawnintoatroubledfrown.\"But,AuntHannah,whatCANIdo?Ofcourseyoucouldtalktoher,but——
Idon’tseemtoquitelikethatidea.\"
\"Mygriefandconscience——no,no!Thatisn’twhatisneededatall.Itwouldonlyservetomakeherself—conscious;andthat’sheronesalvationnow——thatsheisn’tself—conscious.Yousee,it’sonlythefaultofherenvironmentandtraining,afterall.Itisn’therheartthat’swrong.\"
\"Indeeditisn’t!\"
\"Itwillbedifferentwhensheisolder——whenshehasseenalittlemoreoftheworldoutsideHampdenFalls.She’llgotoschool,ofcourse,andIthinksheoughttotravelalittle.Meanwhile,shemustn’tlive——justlikethis,though;certainlynotforatime,atleast.\"
\"No,no,I’mafraidnot,\"agreedWilliam,perplexedly,risingtohisfeet.\"Butwemustthink——whatcanbedone.\"Hisstepwasevenslowerthanusualashelefttheroom,andhiseyesweretroubled.
CHAPTERXV
WHATBERTRAMCALLS\"THELIMIT\"
Athalfpastteno’clockontheeveningfollowingMrs.Stetson’sveryplaintalkwithWilliam,thetelephonebellattheBeaconStreethouserangsharply.Peteansweredit.
\"Well?\"——Peteneversaid\"hello.\"
\"Hello.Isthatyou,Pete?\"calledBilly’svoiceagitatedly.\"IsUncleWilliamthere?\"
\"No,MissBilly.\"
\"Ohdear!Well,Mr.Cyril,then?\"
\"He’sout,too,MissBilly.AndMr.Bertram——they’reallout.\"
\"Yes,yes,IknowHE’Sout,\"almostsobbedBilly.\"Dear,dear,whatshallIdo!Pete,you’llhavetocome.Thereisn’tanyotherway!\"
\"Yes,Miss;where?\"Pete’svoicewasdubious,butrespectful.
\"TotheBoylstonStreetsubway——ontheCommon,youknow——North—
boundside.I’llwaitforyou——butHURRY!Yousee,I’mallalonehere.\"
\"Alone!MissBilly——inthesubwayatthistimeofnight!But,MissBilly,youshouldn’t——youcan’t——youmustn’t——\"stutteredtheoldmaninhelplesshorror.
\"Yes,yes,Pete,butnevermind;Iamhere!AndIshouldthinkif’twassuchadreadfulthingyouwouldhurryFASTtogethere,soI
wouldn’tbealone,\"appealedBilly.
WithaninarticulatecryPetejerkedthereceiverontothehook,andstumbledawayfromthetelephone.FiveminuteslaterhehadleftthehouseandwashurryingthroughtheCommontotheBoylstonStreetsubwaystation.
Billy,alongcloakthrownoverherwhitedress,waswaitingforhim.Herwhiteslipperstappedtheplatformnervously,andherhair,underthelightscarfoflace,fluffedintolittlebrokencurlsasifithadbeenblownbythewind.
\"MissBilly,MissBilly,whatcanthismean?\"gaspedtheman.
\"WhereisMrs.Stetson?\"
\"AtMrs.Hartwell’s——youknowsheisgivingareceptionto—night.
Butcome,wemusthurry!I’mafterMr.Bertram.\"
\"AfterMr.Bertram!\"
\"Yes,yes.\"
\"Alone?——likethis?\"
\"ButI’mnotalonenow;Ihaveyou.Don’tyousee?\"
Attheblankstupefactionintheman’sface,thegirlsighedimpatiently.