Billywasrelieved.Sheconcludedthat,afterall,Bertramwasgoingtobesensible.Shedecidedthatshe,too,wouldbesensible.Shewouldaccepthimonthis,hischosenplane,andshewouldthinknomoreofhis\"nonsense.\"
Billythrewherselfthenevenmoreenthusiasticallyintoherbelovedwork.ShetoldMariethatafterallwassaidanddone,therecouldnotbeanymanthatwouldtipthescalesoneinchwithmusicontheotherside.Shewasalittlehurt,itistrue,whenMarieonlylaughedandanswered:
\"Butwhatifthemanandthemusicbothhappentobeonthesameside,mydear;whatthen?\"
Marie’svoicewaswistful,inspiteofthelaugh——sowistfulthatitremindedBillyoftheirconversationafewweeksbefore.
\"Butitisyou,Marie,whowantthestockingstodarnandthepuddingstomake,\"sheretortedplayfully.\"NotI!And,doyouknow?IbelieveIshallturnmatchmakeryet,andfindyouaman;
andthechiefestofhisqualificationsshallbethathe’swretchedlyhardonhishose,andthatheadorespuddings.\"
\"No,no,MissBilly,don’t,please!\"beggedtheother,inquickterror.\"ForgetallIsaidtheotherday;pleasedo!Don’ttell——
anybody!\"
ShewassoobviouslydistressedandfrightenedthatBillywaspuzzled.
\"There,there,’twasonlyajest,ofcourse,\"shesoothedher.
\"But,reallyMarie,itisthedear,domesticlittlemouselikeyourselfthatoughttobesomebody’swife——andthat’sthekindmenarelookingfor,too.\"
Mariegaveaslowshakeofherhead.
\"Notthekindofmanthatissomebody,thatdoessomething,\"sheobjected;\"andthat’stheonlykindIcould——love.HEwantsawifethatisbeautifulandclever,thatcandothingslikehimself——LIKE
HIMSELF!\"sheiteratedfeverishly.
Billyopenedwidehereyes.
\"Why,Marie,onewouldthink——youalreadyknew——suchaman,\"shecried.
Thelittlemusicteacherchangedherposition,andturnedhereyesaway.
\"Ido,ofcourse,\"sheretortedinamerryvoice,\"lotsofthem.
Don’tyou?Come,we’vediscussedmymatrimonialprospectsquitelongenough,\"shewentonlightly.\"Youknowwestartedwithyours.Supposewegobacktothose.\"
\"ButIhaven’tany,\"demurredBilly,assheturnedwithasmiletogreetAuntHannah,whohadjustenteredtheroom.\"I’mnotgoingtomarry;amI,AuntHannah?\"
\"Er——what?Marry?Mygriefandconscience,whataquestion,Billy!Ofcourseyou’regoingtomarry——whenthetimecomes!\"
exclaimedAuntHannah.
Billylaughedandshookherheadvigorously.Butevenassheopenedherlipstoreply,RosaappearedandannouncedthatMr.
Calderwellwaswaitingdown—stairs.Billywasangrythen,forafterthemaidwasgone,themerrimentinAuntHannah’slaughonlymatchedthatinMarie’s——andtheintonationwasunmistakable.
\"Well,I’mnot!\"declaredBillywithpinkcheeksandmuchindignation,asshelefttheroom.Andasiftoconvinceherself,Marie,AuntHannah,andalltheworldthatsuchwasthecase,sherefusedCalderwellsodecidedlythatnightwhenhe,forthehalf—
dozenthtime,laidhishandandheartatherfeet,thatevenCalderwellhimselfwasconvinced——sofarashisowncasewasconcerned——andlefttownthenextday.
BertramtoldAuntHannahafterwardthatheunderstoodMr.Calderwellhadgonetopartsunknown.TohimselfBertramshamelesslyownedthatthemore\"unknown\"theywere,thebetterhehimselfwouldbepleased.
CHAPTERXXX
MARIEFINDSAFRIEND
ItwasonaverycoldJanuaryafternoon,andCyrilwashurryingupthehilltowardBilly’shouse,whenhewasstartledtoseeaslenderyoungwomansittingonacurbstonewithherheadagainstanelectric—lightpost.Hestoppedabruptly.
\"Ibegyourpardon,but——why,MissHawthorn!ItisMissHawthorn;
isn’tit?\"
Underhisquestioningeyesthegirl’spalefacebecamesopainfullyscarletthatinsheerpitythemanturnedhiseyesaway.Hethoughthehadseenwomenblushbefore,buthedecidednowthathehadnot.
\"I’msure——haven’tImetyouatMissNeilson’s?Areyouill?
Can’tIdosomethingforyou?\"hebegged.
\"Yes——no——thatis,IAMMissHawthorn,andI’vemetyouatMissNeilson’s,\"stammeredthegirl,faintly.\"Butthereisn’tanything,thankyou,thatyoucando——Mr.Henshaw.Istoppedto——
rest.\"
Themanfrowned.
\"But,surely——pardonme,MissHawthorn,butIcan’tthinkityourusualcustomtochooseanicycurbstoneforarestingplace,withthethermometerdowntozero.Youmustbeill.LetmetakeyoutoMissNeilson’s.\"
\"No,no,thankyou,\"criedthegirl,strugglingtoherfeet,thevividredagainfloodingherface.\"Ihavealesson——togive.\"
\"Nonsense!You’renotfittogivealesson.Besides,theyareallfolderol,anyway,halfofthem.Adozenlessons,moreorless,won’tmakeanydifference;they’llplayjustaswell——andjustasatrociously.Come,IinsistupontakingyoutoMissNeilson’s.\"
\"No,no,thankyou!Ireallymustn’t.I——\"Shecouldsaynomore.Astrong,yetverygentlehandhadtakenfirmholdofherarminsuchawayashalftosupporther.Aforcequiteoutsideofherselfwascarryingherforwardstepbystep——andMissHawthornwasnotusedtostrong,gentlehands,noryettoaforcequiteoutsideofherself.NeitherwassheaccustomedtowalkarminarmwithMr.CyrilHenshawtoMissBilly’sdoor.Whenshereachedtherehercheekswerelikeredrosesforcolor,andhereyeswerelikethestarsforbrightness.Yetaminutelater,confrontedbyMissBilly’sastonishedeyes,thestarsandtherosesfled,andaverywhite—facedgirlfelloverinadeathlikefaintinCyrilHenshaw’sarms.
MariewasputtobedinthelittleroomnexttoBilly’s,andwasperemptorilyhushedwhenfaintremonstrancewasmade.Thenextmorning,white—facedandwide—eyed,sheresolutelypulledherselfhalfupright,andannouncedthatshewasallwellandmustgohome——
hometoMariewasasix—by—ninehallbed—roominaSouthEndlodginghouse.
VerygentlyBillypushedherbackonthepillowandlaidadetaininghandonherarm.
\"No,dear.Now,pleasebesensibleandlistentoreason.Youaremyguest.Youdidnotknowit,perhaps,forI’mafraidtheinvitationgotalittledelayed.Butyou’retostay——oh,lotsofweeks.\"
\"I——stayhere?Why,Ican’t——indeed,Ican’t,\"protestedMarie.
\"Butthatisn’tabitofanicewaytoacceptaninvitation,\"
disapprovedBilly.\"Youshouldsay,’Thankyou,I’dbedelighted,I’msure,andI’llstay.’\"
Inspiteofherselfthelittlemusicteacherlaughed,andinthelaughhertensemusclesrelaxed.
\"MissBilly,MissBilly,whatisonetodowithyou?Surelyyouknow——youmustknowthatIcan’tdowhatyouask!\"
\"I’msureIdon’tseewhynot,\"arguedBilly.\"I’mmerelygivingyouaninvitationandallyouhavetodoistoacceptit.\"
\"Buttheinvitationisonlythekindwayyourhearthasofcoveringanotherofyourmanycharities,\"objectedMarie;\"besides,Ihavetoteach.Ihavemylivingtoearn.\"
\"Butyoucan’t,\"demurredtheother.\"That’sjustthetrouble.
Don’tyousee?Thedoctorsaidlastnightthatyoumustnotteachagainthiswinter.\"
\"Notteach——again——thiswinter!No,no,hecouldnotbesocruelasthat!\"
\"Itwasn’tcruel,dear;itwaskind.Youwouldbeillifyouattemptedit.Nowyou’llgetbetter.Hesaysallyouneedisrestandcare——andthat’sexactlywhatImeanmyguestshallhave.\"
Quicktearscametothesickgirl’seyes.
\"Therecouldn’tbeakinderheartthanyours,MissBilly,\"shemurmured,\"butIcouldn’t——Ireallycouldn’tbeaburdentoyoulikethis.Ishallgotosomehospital.\"
\"Butyouaren’tgoingtobeaburden.Youaregoingtobemyfriendandcompanion.\"
\"Acompanion——andinbedlikethis?\"
\"Well,THATwouldn’tbeimpossible,\"smiledBilly;\"but,asithappensyouwon’thavetoputthattothetest,foryou’llsoonbeupanddressed.Thedoctorsaysso.Nowsurelyyouwillstay.\"
Therewasalongpause.Thelittlemusicteacher’seyeshadleftBilly’sfaceandwerecirclingtheroom,wistfullylingeringonthehangingsoffilmylace,thedaintywallcovering,andtheexquisitewatercolorsintheirwhite—and—goldframes.Atlastshedrewadeepsigh.
\"Yes,I’llstay,\"shebreathedrapturously;\"but——youmustletmehelp.\"
\"Help?Helpwhat?\"
\"Helpyou;yourletters,yourmusic—copying,youraccounts——
anything,everything.Andifyoudon’tletmehelp,\"——themusicteacher’svoicewasverysternnow——\"ifyoudon’tletmehelp,I
shallgohomejust——as——soon——as——I——can——walk!\"
\"Dearme!\"dimpledBilly.\"Andisthatall?Well,youshallhelp,andtoyourheart’scontent,too.Infact,I’mnotatallsurethatIsha’n’tkeepyoudarningstockingsandmakingpuddingsallthetime,\"sheaddedmischievously,asshelefttheroom.
MissHawthornsatupthenextday.Thedayfollowing,inoneofBilly’s\"flutterywrappers,\"asshecalledthem,shewalkedallabouttheroom.Verysoonshewasabletogodown—stairs,andinanastonishinglyshorttimeshefittedintothedailylifeasifshehadalwaysbeenthere.Shewas,moreover,ofsuchassistancetoBillythatevensheherselfcouldseethevalueofherwork;andsoshestayed,content.
ThelittlemusicteachersawagooddealofBilly’sfriendsthen,particularlyoftheHenshawbrothers;andverygladwasBillytoseethecomradeshipgrowingbetweenthem.ShehadknownthatWilliamwouldbekindtotheorphangirl,butshehadfearedthatMariewouldnotunderstandBertram’snonsenseorCyril’sreserve.
ButverysoonBertramhadbegged,andobtained,permissiontotrytoreproduceoncanvasthesheenofthefine,fairhair,andtheveiledbloomoftherose—leafskinthatwereMarie’sgreatestcharms;andalreadyCyrilhadunbentfromhisusualstiffnessenoughtoplaytohertwice.SoBilly’sfearsonthatscorewereatanend.
CHAPTERXXXI
THEENGAGEMENTOFONE
ManytimesduringthosewinterdaysBillythoughtofMarie’swords:
\"Butwhatifthemanandthemusicbothhappentobeonthesameside?\"Theyworriedher,tosomeextent,and,curiously,theypleasedanddispleasedheratthesametime.
Shetoldherselfthatsheknewverywell,ofcourse,whatMariemeant:itwasCyril;hewastheman,andthemusic.ButwasCyrilbeginningtocareforher;anddidshewanthimto?VeryseriouslyonedayBillyaskedherselfthesequestions;verycalmlyshearguedthematterinhermind——aswasBilly’sway.
Shewasproud,certainly,ofwhatherinfluencehadapparentlydoneforCyril.Shewasgratifiedthattoherhewasshowingtherealdepthandbeautyofhisnature.ItWASflatteringtofeelthatshe,andonlyshe,hadthuswontheregardofaprofessionalwoman—
hater.Then,besidesallthis,therewashismusic——hisgloriousmusic.Thinkoftheblissoflivingeverwiththat!Imaginelifewithamanwhosesoulwouldbesoperfectlyattunedtohersthatexistencewouldbeonegrandharmony!Ah,that,truly,wouldbetheidealmarriage!Butshehadplannednottomarry.Billyfrownednow,andtappedherfootnervously.Itwas,indeed,mostpuzzling——thisquestion,andshedidnotwanttomakeamistake.
Then,too,shedidnotwishtowoundCyril.IfthedearmanHAD
comeoutofhisicyprison,andwerereachingouttimidhandstoherforherhelp,herinterest,herlove——thetragedyofit,ifhemetwithnoresponse!ThisvisionofCyrilwithoutstretchedhands,andofherselfwithcold,avertedeyeswasthelaststrawinthebalancewithBilly.ShedecidedsuddenlythatshedidcareforCyril——alittle;andthatsheprobablycouldcareforhimagreatdeal.Withthisthought,Billyblushed——alreadyinherownmindshewasasgoodaspledgedtoCyril.
ItwasagreatchangeforBilly——thissuddenleapfromgirlhoodandirresponsibilitytowomanhoodandcare;butshetookitfearlessly,resolutely.IfshewastobeCyril’swifeshemustmakeherselffitforit——andinpursuanceofthishighidealshefollowedMarieintothekitchentheverynexttimethelittlemusicteacherwentouttomakeoneofherdaintydessertsthatthefamilylikedsowell.
\"I’lljustwatch,ifyoudon’tmind,\"announcedBilly.
\"Why,ofcoursenot,\"smiledMarie,\"butIthoughtyoudidn’tliketomakepuddings.\"
\"Idon’t,\"ownedBilly,cheerfully.
\"Thenwhythis——watchfulness?\"
\"Nothing,onlyIthoughtitmightbejustaswellifIknewhowtomakethem.YouknowhowCyril——thatis,ALLtheHenshawboyslikeeverykindyoumake.\"
TheegginMarie’shandslippedfromherfingersandcrasheduntidilyontheshelf.WithagleefullaughBillywelcomedthediversion.Shehadnotmeanttospeaksoplainly.ItwasonethingtotrytofitherselftobeCyril’swife,andquiteanothertodisplaythoseeffortssoopenlybeforetheworld.
Thepuddingwasmadeatlast,butMarieprovedtobeanervousteacher.Herhandshook,andhermemoryalmostfailedheratoneortwocriticalpoints.Billylaughinglysaidthatitmustbestagefright,owingtothepresenceofherselfasspectator;andwiththisMariepromptly,andsomewhateffusively,agreed.
SoverybusywasBillyduringthenextfewdays,acquiringhernewdomesticity,thatshedidnotnoticehowlittleshewasseeingofCyril.Thenshesuddenlyrealizedit,andaskedherselfthereasonforit.Cyrilwasatthehousecertainly,justasfrequentlyashehadbeen;butshesawthatanewshynessinherselfhaddevelopedwhichwascausinghertoberestlessinhispresence,andwasleadinghertolikebettertohaveMarieorAuntHannahintheroomwhenhecalled.Shediscovered,too,thatshewelcomedWilliam,andevenBertram,withpeculiarenthusiasm——iftheyhappenedtointerruptatete—a—tetewithCyril.
Billywasdisturbedatthis.Shetoldherselfthatthisshynesswasnotstrange,perhaps,inasmuchasherideasinregardtoloveandmarriagehadundergonesoabruptachange;butitmustbeovercome.IfshewastobeCyril’swife,shemustliketobewithhim——andofcourseshereallydidliketobewithhim,forshehadenjoyedhiscompanionshipverymuchduringallthesepastweeks.
Shesetherselftherefore,now,determinedlytocultivatingCyril.
ItwasthenthatBillymadeastrangeandfearsomediscovery:thereweresomethingsaboutCyrilthatshedid——not——like!
Billywasinexpressiblyshocked.Heretoforehehadbeensohigh,soirreproachable,sogod—like!——butheretoforehehadbeenafriend.Nowhewasappearinginanewrole——thoughunconsciously,sheknew.Heretoforeshehadlookedathimwitheyesthatsawonlythedelightfulandmarvelousunfoldingofacoldlyreservednatureunderthewarmthofherownencouragingsmile.Nowshelookedathimwitheyesthatsawonlythepossibilitiesofthatsamenaturewhenitshouldhavebeenunfoldedinalifelongcompanionship.Andwhatshesawfrightenedher.Therewasstillthemusic——sheacknowledgedthat;butithadcometoBillywithoverwhelmingforcethatmusic,afterall,wasnoteverything.Themancounted,aswell.VeryfranklythenBillystatedthecasetoherself.
\"Whatpassesfor’fascinatingmystery’inhimnowwillbeplainmoroseness——sometime.Heis’taciturn’now;he’llbe——cross,then.
Itis’erratic’whenhewon’tplaythepianoto—day;butafewyearsfromnow,whenherefusessomesimplerequestofmine,itwillbe——stubbornness.Allthisitwillbe——ifIdon’tlovehim;
andIdon’t.IknowIdon’t.Besides,wearen’treallycongenial.
Ilikepeoplearound;hedoesn’t.Iliketogotoplays;hedoesn’t.Helikesrainydays;Iabhorthem.Thereisnodoubtofit——lifewithhimwouldnotbeonegrandharmony;itwouldbeonejanglingdiscord.Isimplycannotmarryhim.Ishallhavetobreaktheengagement!
Billyspokewithregretfulsorrow.ItwasevidentthatshegrievedtobringpaintoCyril.Thensuddenlythegloomleftherface:shehadrememberedthatthe\"engagement\"wasjustthreeweeksold——andwasaprofoundsecret,notonlytothebridegroomelect,buttoalltheworldaswell——saveherself!
Billywasveryhappyafterthat.Shesangaboutthehouseallday,andshedancedsometimesfromroomtoroom,solightwereherfeetandherheart.ShemadenomorepuddingswithMarie’ssupervision,butshewasparticularlycarefultohavethelittlemusicteacherorAuntHannahwithherwhenCyrilcalled.Shemadeuphermind,itistrue,thatshehadbeenmistaken,andthatCyrildidnotloveher;stillshewishedtobeonthesafeside,andshebecamemoreandmoreaversetobeingleftalonewithhimforanylengthoftime.
CHAPTERXXXII
CYRILHASSOMETHINGTOSAY
LongbeforespringBillywasforcedtoowntoherselfthatherfanciedsecurityfromlovemakingonthepartofCyrilnolongerexisted.Shebegantosuspectthattherewasreasonforherfears.
Cyrilcertainlywas\"different.\"Hewasmoreapproachable,lessreserved,evenwithMarieandAuntHannah.Hewasnotnearlysotaciturn,either,andhewasmuchmoregraciousabouthisplaying.
EvenMariedaredtoaskhimfrequentlyformusic,andheneverrefusedherrequest.ThreetimeshehadtakenBillytosomeplaythatshewantedtosee,andhehadinvitedMarie,too,besidesAuntHannah,whichhadpleasedBillyverymuch.HehadbeenatthesametimesogenialandsogallantthatBillyhaddeclaredtoMarieafterwardthathedidnotseemlikehimselfatall,butlikesomeoneelse.
Mariehaddisagreedwithher,itistrue,andhadsaidstiffly:
\"I’msureIthoughtheseemedverymuchlikehimself.\"ButthathadnotchangedBilly’sopinionatall.
ToBilly’smind,nothingbutlovecouldsohavesoftenedthesternCyrilshehadknown.Shewas,therefore,allthemorecarefulthesedaystoavoidatete—a—tetewithhim,thoughshewasnotalwayssuccessful,particularlyowingtoMarie’sunaccountableperversenessinsooftenhavingletterstowriteorworktodo,justwhenBillymostwantedhertomakeasafethirdwithherselfandCyril.Itwasuponsuchanoccasion,afterMariehadabruptlyleftthemalonetogether,thatCyrilhadobserved,alittlesharply:
\"Billy,Iwishyouwouldn’tsayagainwhatyousaidtenminutesagowhenMissMariewashere.\"
\"Whatwasthat?\"
AverysillyreferencetothatoldnotionthatyouandeveryoneelseseemtohavethatIama’woman—hater.’\"
Billy’sheartskippedabeat.Onethought,poundedthroughherbrainanddinneditselfintoherears——atallcostsCyrilmustnotbeallowedtosaythatwhichshesofeared;hemustbesavedfromhimself.
\"Woman—hater?Why,ofcourseyou’reawoman—hater,\"shecriedmerrily.\"I’msure,I——Ithinkit’slovelytobeawoman—hater.\"
Themanopenedwidehiseyes;thenhefrownedangrily.
\"Nonsense,Billy,Iknowbetter.Besides,I’minearnest,andI’mnotawoman—hater.\"
\"Oh,buteveryonesaysyouare,\"chatteredBilly.\"And,afterall,youknowitISdistinguishing!\"
Withadisdainfulexclamationthemansprangtohisfeet.Foratimehepacedtheroominsilence,watchedbyBilly’sfearfuleyes;
thenhecamebackanddroppedintothelowchairatBilly’sside.
Hiswholemannerhadundergoneacompletechange.Hewasalmostshamefacedashesaid:
\"Billy,IsupposeImightaswellownup.Idon’tthinkIdidthinkmuchofwomenuntilIsaw——you.\"
Billyswallowedandwetherlips.Shetriedtospeak;butbeforeshecouldformthewordsthemanwentonwithhisremarks;andBillydidnotknowwhethertobethemorerelievedorfrightenedthereat.
\"Butyouseenowit’sdifferent.That’swhyIdon’tliketosailanylongerunderfalsecolors.There’sbeenachange——agreatandwonderfulchangethatIhardlyunderstandmyself.\"
\"That’sit!Youdon’tunderstandit,I’msure,\"interposedBilly,feverishly.\"Itmaynotbesuchachange,afterall.Youmaybedeceivingyourself,\"shefinishedhopefully.
Themansighed.
\"Ican’twonderyouthinkso,ofcourse,\"healmostgroaned.\"I
wasafraiditwouldbelikethat.Whenone’sbeenpaintedblackallone’slife,it’snoteasytochangeone’scolor,ofcourse.\"
\"Oh,butIdidn’tsaythatblackwasn’taverynicecolor,\"
stammeredBilly,alittlewildly.
\"Thankyou.\"Cyril’sheavybrowsroseandfellthefractionofaninch.\"Still,ImustconfessthatjustnowIshouldpreferanothershade.\"
Hepaused,andBillycastdistractedlyaboutinhermindforasimple,naturalchangeofsubject.ShehadjustdecidedtoaskhimwhathethoughtoftheconditionoftheBrittanypeasants,whenhequestionedabruptly,andinavoicethatwasnotquitesteady:
\"Billy,whatshouldyousayifIshouldtellyouthattheavowedwoman—haterhadstrayedsofarfromtheprescribedpathasto——tolikeonewomanwellenoughastowantto——marryher?\"
ThewordwaslikeamatchtothegunpowderofBilly’sfears.Herself—controlwasshatteredinstantlyintobits.
\"Marry?No,no,youwouldn’t——youcouldn’treallybethinkingofthat,\"shebabbled,growingredandwhitebyturns.\"Onlythinkhowawifewould——wouldb—botheryou!\"
\"Botherme?WhenIlovedher?\"
\"Butjustthink——remember!She’dwantcushionsandrugsandcurtains,andyoudon’tlikethem;andshe’dalwaysbetalkingandlaughingwhenyouwantedquiet;andshe——she’dwanttodragyououttoplaysandpartiesand——andeverywhere.Indeed,Cyril,I’msureyou’dneverlikeawife——long!\"Billystoppedonlybecauseshehadnobreathwithwhichtocontinue.
Cyrillaughedalittlegrimly.
\"Youdon’tdrawaveryattractivepicture,Billy.Still,I’mnotafraid.Idon’tthinkthisparticular——wifewoulddoanyofthosethings——totroubleme.\"
\"Oh,butyoudon’tknow,youcan’ttell,\"arguedthegirl.
\"Besides,youhavehadsolittleexperiencewithwomenthatyou’djustbesuretomakeamistakeatfirst.Youwanttolookaroundverycarefully——verycarefully,beforeyoudecide.\"
\"Ihavelookedaround,andverycarefully,Billy.Iknowthatinalltheworldthereisjustonewomanforme.\"
Billystruggledtoherfeet.Mingledpainandterrorlookedfromhereyes.Shebegantospeakwildly,incoherently.ShewonderedafterwardjustwhatshewouldhavesaidifAuntHannahhadnotcomeintotheroomatthatmomentandannouncedthatBertramwasatthedoortotakeherforasleigh—rideifshecaredtogo.
\"Ofcourseshe’llgo,\"declaredCyril,promptly,answeringforher.
\"ItistimeIwasoffanyhow.\"ToBilly,hesaidinalowvoice:
\"Youhaven’tbeenveryencouraging,littlegirl——infact,you’vebeenmightydiscouraging.Butsomeday——someotherday,I’lltrytomakecleartoyou——manythings.\"
BillygreetedBertramverycordially.Itwassucharelief——hischeery,genialcompanionship!Theair,too,wasbracing,andalltheworldlayunderasnow—whiteblanketofsparklingpurity.
Everythingwassobeautiful,sorestful!
Itwasnotsurprising,perhaps,thattheveryfranknessofBilly’sjoymisledBertramalittle.Hisbloodtingledathernearness,andhiseyesgrewdeepandtenderashelookeddownatherhappyface.Butofalltheeagerwordsthatweresonearhislips,notonereachedthegirl’searsuntilthegood—byesweresaid;thenwistfullyBertramhazarded:
\"Billy,don’tyouthink,sometimes,thatI’mgaining——justalittleonthatrivalofmine——thatmusic?\"
Billy’sfaceclouded.Sheshookherheadgently.
\"Bertram,pleasedon’t——whenwe’vehadsuchabeautifulhourtogether,\"shebegged.\"Ittroublesme.Ifyoudo,Ican’tgo——
again.\"
\"Butyoushallgoagain,\"criedBertram,bravelysmilingstraightintohereyes.\"Andtheresha’n’teveranythingintheworldtroubleyou,either——thatIcanhelp!\"
CHAPTERXXXIII
WILLIAMISWORRIED
Billy’ssleigh—ridehadbeenduetothekindnessofabelatedwinterstormthathadsurprisedeveryonethelastofMarch.Afterthat,March,asifashamedofheruntowardbehavior,donnedhersweetestsmilesand\"wentout\"liketheproverbiallamb.WiththecomingofApril,andthestirringoflifeinthetrees,Billy,too,begantoberestless;andattheearliestpossiblemomentshemadeherplansforherlonganticipated\"digginginthedirt.\"
Justhere,muchtohersurprise,shemetwithwonderfulassistancefromBertram.Heseemedtoknowjustwhenandwhereandhowtodig,andhedisplayedsuddenlyaremarkableknowledgeoflandscapegardening.(Thatthisknowledgewasasrecentinitsacquirementasitwassuddeninitsdisplay,Billydidnotknow.)Verylearnedlyhetalkedofperennialsandannuals;andwithouthesitationhemadeoutalistoffloweringshrubsandplantsthatwouldgivehera\"successionofbloomthroughouttheseason.\"Hiswordsandphrasessmackedloudlyoftheverynewestflorists’
catalogues,butBillydidnotnoticethat.Sheonlywonderedattheseeminglyexhaustlesssourceofhiswisdom.
\"Isuspect’twouldhavebeenbetterifwe’dbegunthingslastfall,\"hetoldherfrowninglyoneday.\"Butthere’splentywecandonowanyway;andwe’llputinsomequick—growingthings,justforthisseason,untilwecangetthemorepermanentthingsestablished.\"
Andsotheyworkedtogether,studying,scheming,orderingplantsandseeds,theirtwoheadsclosetogetherabovethegailycoloredcatalogues.Latertherewastheworkitselftobedone,andthoughstrongmendidtheheavierpart,therewasyetplentyleftforBilly’seagerfingers——andforBertram’s.Andifsometimesintheintimacyofseed—sowingandplant—setting,thetouchoftheslendererfingerssentathrillthroughthebrownerones,Bertrammadenosign.Hewascarefulalwaystobethecheerful,helpfulassistant——andthatwasall.
Billy,itistrue,wasalittledisturbedatbeingquitesomuchwithBertram.Shedreadedarepetitionofsomesuchwordsashadbeenutteredattheendofthesleigh—ride.ShetoldherselfthatshehadnorighttogrieveBertram,tomakeithardforhimbybeingwithhim;butattheverynextbreath,shecouldbutquestion;didshegrievehim?Wasithardforhimtohaveherwithhim?Thenshewouldglanceathiseagerfaceandmeethisbuoyantsmile——andanswer\"no.\"Afterthat,foratime,atleast,herfearswouldbeless.
SystematicallyBillyavoidedCyrilthesedays.Shecouldnotforgethispromisetomakemanythingscleartohersomeday.Shethoughtsheknewwhathemeant——thathewouldtrytoconvinceher(asshehadtriedtoconvinceherself)thatshewouldmakeagoodwifeforhim.
BillywasverysurethatifCyrilcouldbepreventedfromspeakinghismindjustnow,hismindwouldchangeintime;henceherdeterminationtogivehismindthatopportunity.
Billy’savoidanceofCyrilwasthemoreeasilyaccomplishedbecauseshewasforatimetakingacompleterestfromhermusic.Thenewsongshadbeenfinishedandsenttothepublishers.Therewasnoexcuse,therefore,forCyril’scomingtothehouseonthatscore;
and,indeed,heseemedofhisownaccordtobemakingonlyinfrequentvisitsnow.Billywaspleased,particularlyasMariewasnottheretoplaythirdparty.Mariehadtakenupherteachingagain,muchtoBilly’sdistress.
\"ButIcan’tstayherealways,likethis,\"Mariehadprotested.
\"ButIshouldliketokeepyou!\"Billyhadresponded,withnolessdecision.
Mariehadbeenfirm,however,andhadgone,leavingthelittlehouselonelywithouther.
AsidefromherworkinthegardenBillyasresolutelyavoidedBertramasshedidCyril.Itwasnatural,therefore,thatatthiscrisissheshouldturntoWilliamwithapeculiarfeelingofrestfulness.He,atleast,wouldbesafe,shetoldherself.Soshefranklywelcomedhiseveryappearance,sungtohim,playedtohim,andtooklongwalkswithhimtoseesomewonderfulbraceletornecklacethathehaddiscoveredinadingylittlecurio—shop.
Williamwasdelighted.Hewasveryfondofhisnamesake,andhehadsecretlychafedalittleatthewayhisyoungerbrothershadmonopolizedherattention.Hewasrejoicednowthatsheseemedtobeturningtohimforcompanionship;andveryeagerlyheacceptedallthetimeshecouldgivehim.
Williamhad,intruth,beengrowingmoreandmorelonelyeversinceBilly’sbriefstaybeneathhisroofyearsbefore.Thosefewshortweeksofhermerrypresencehadshownhimhowveryforlornthehousewaswithoutit.Moreandmoresorrowfullyduringpastyears,histhoughtshadgonebacktothelittlewhiteflannelbundleandtothedearhopesithadcarriedsolongago.Iftheboyhadonlylived,thoughtWilliam,mournfully,therewouldnotnowhavebeenthatdrearysilenceinhishome,andthatsoreacheinhisheart.
VerysoonafterWilliamhadfirstseenBilly,hebegantolaywonderfulplans,andineveryplanwasBilly.Shewasnothischildbyfleshandblood,heacknowledged,butshewashisbyrightofloveandneededcare.Infancyhelookedstraightdowntheyearsahead,andeverywherehesawBilly,aloving,much—loveddaughter,thejoyofhislife,thesolaceofhisdecliningyears.
TonoonehadWilliamtalkedofthis——andtonoonedidheshowthebitternessofhisgriefwhenhesawhisvisionfadeintonothingnessthroughBilly’sunchangingrefusaltoliveinhishome.
Onlyhehimselfknewtheheartache,theloneliness,thealmostunbearablelongingofthepastwintermonthswhileBillyhadlivedatHillside;andonlyhehimselfknewnowthealmostoverwhelmingjoythatwashisbecauseofwhathethoughthesawinBilly’schangedattitudetowardhimself.
GreataswasWilliam’sjoy,however,hiscautionwasgreater.HesaidnothingtoBillyofhisnewhopes,thoughhedidtrytopavethewaybydroppinganoccasionalwordaboutthelonelinessoftheBeaconStreethousesinceshewentaway.Therewassomethingelse,too,thatcausedWilliamtobesilent——whathethoughthesawbetweenBillyandBertram.ThatBertramwasinlovewithBilly,heguessed;butthatBillywasnotinlovewithBertramheverymuchfeared.Hehesitatedalmosttospeakormovelestsomethingheshouldsayordoshould,justatthecriticalmoment,turnmattersthewrongway.ToWilliamthismarriageofBertramandBillywasanidealmethodofsolvingtheproblem,asofcourseBillywouldcometheretothehousetolive,andhewouldhavehis\"daughter\"
afterall.Butasthedayspassed,andhecouldseenoprogressonBertram’spart,nochangeinBilly,hebegantobeseriouslyworried——andtoshowit.
CHAPTERXXXIV
CLASSDAY
EarlyinJuneBillyannouncedherintentionofnotgoingawayatallthatsummer.
\"Idon’tneedit,\"shedeclared.\"Ihavethiscool,beautifulhouse,thisair,thissunshine,thisadorableview.Besides,I’vegotaschemeImeantocarryout.\"
TherewassomeconsternationamongBilly’sfriendswhentheyfoundoutwhatthis\"scheme\"was:sundryofBilly’shumbleracquaintancesweretosharethehouse,theair,thesunshine,andtheadorableviewwithher.
\"But,mydearBilly,\"Bertramcried,aghast,\"youdon’tmeantosaythatyouaregoingtoturnyourbeautifullittlehouseintoafresh—airplaceforBoston’sslumchildren!\"
\"Notabitofit,\"smiledthegirl,\"thoughI’dliketo,really,ifIcould,\"sheadded,perversely.\"Butthisisquiteanotherthing.
It’snoslumwork,nocharity.Inthefirstplacemyguestsaren’tquitesopoorasthat,andthey’remuchtooproudtobereachedbytheavowedcharityworker.Buttheyneeditjustthesame.\"
\"Butyouhaven’tmuchspareroom;haveyou?\"questionedBertram.
\"No,unfortunately;soIshallhavetotakeonlytwoorthreeatatime,andkeepthemmaybeaweekortendays.It’sjustasugarplum,Bertram.Trulyitis,\"sheaddedwhimsically,butwithatenderlightinhereyes.
\"Butwhoarethesepeople?\"Bertram’sfacehadlostitslookofshockedsurprise,andhisvoiceexpressedgenuineinterest.
\"Well,tobeginwith,there’sMarie.She’llstayallsummerandhelpmeentertainmyguests;atthesametimeherdutieswon’tbearduous,andshe’llgetalittleplaytimeherself.OneweekI’mgoingtohavealittleoldmaidwhokeepsalodginghouseintheWestEnd.Foruncountedyearsshe’sbeenpracticallytiedtoadoorbell,withneverawholedaytobreathefree.I’vemadearrangementsthereforasistertokeephouseawholeweek,andI’mgoingtoshowthislittleoldmaidthingsshehasn’tseenforyears:theocean,thegreenfields,andasummerplayortwo,perhaps.
\"Thenthere’salittlecouplethatliveinathird—storyflatinSouthBoston.They’reyoungandlikegoodtimes;butthemanisonasmallsalary,andtheyhavehadlotsofsickness.He’sbeenoutsomuchhecan’ttakeanyvacation,andtheywouldn’thaveanymoneytogoanywhereifhecould.Well,I’mgoingtohavethemaweek.She’llbehereallthetime,andhe’llcomeoutatnight,ofcourse.
\"Anotheroneisawidowwithsixchildren.Thechildrenarealreadyprovidedforbyafresh—airsociety,butthewomanI’mgoingtotake,and——andgiveherawholeweekoffoodthatshedidn’thavetocookherself.Anotheroneisawomanwhoisnotsoverypoor,butwhohaslostherbaby,andisblueanddiscouraged.
Therearesomechildren,too,onecrippled,andaboywhosayshe’s’justlonesome.’Andthereare——really,Bertram,thereisnoendtothem.\"
\"Icanwellbelievethat,\"declaredBertram,withemphasis,\"sofarasyourgenerousheartisconcerned.\"
Billycoloredandlookeddistressed.
\"Butitisn’tgenerosityorcharityatall,Bertram,\"sheprotested.
\"Youaremistakenwhenyouthinkitis——really!Why,Ishallenjoyeverybitofitjustaswellastheydo——andbetter,perhaps.\"
\"Butyoustayhere——inthecity——allsummerfortheirsakes.\"
\"WhatifIdo?Besides,thisisn’ttherealcity,\"arguedBilly,\"withallthesetreesandlawnsaboutone.Andanotherthing,\"sheadded,leaningforwardconfidentially,\"Imightaswellconfess,Bertram,youcouldn’thiremetoleavetheplacethissummer——notwhileallthesethingsIplantedarecomingup!\"
Bertramlaughed;butforsomereasonhelookedwonderfullyhappyasheturnedaway.
OnthefifteenthofJuneKateandherhusbandarrivedfromtheWest.AyoungbrotherofMr.Hartwell’swastobegraduatedfromHarvard,andKatesaidtheyhadcomeontorepresentthefamily,astheelderMr.andMrs.Hartwellwerenotstrongenoughtoundertakethejourney.Katewaslookingwellandhappy.ShegreetedBillywitheffusivecordiality,andopenlyexpressedheradmirationofHillside.Shelookedverykeenlyintoherbrothers’face,andseemedwellpleasedwiththeappearanceofCyrilandBertram,butnotsomuchsowithWilliam’scountenance.
\"WilliamdoesNOTlookwell,\"shedeclaredonedaywhensheandBillywerealonetogether.
\"Sick?UncleWilliamsick?Oh,Ihopenot!\"criedthegirl.
\"Idon’tknowwhetherit’s’sick’ornot,\"returnedMrs.Hartwell.
\"Butit’ssomething.He’stroubled.I’mgoingtospeaktohim.
He’sworriedoversomething;andhe’sgrownterriblythin.\"
\"Buthe’salwaysthin,\"reasonedBilly.
\"Iknow,butnotlikethis——ever.Youdon’tnoticeit,perhaps,orrealizeit,seeinghimeverydayasyoudo.ButIknowsomethingtroubleshim.\"
\"Oh,Ihopenot,\"murmuredBilly,withanxiouseyes.\"Wedon’twantUncleWilliamtroubled:wealllovehimtoowell.\"
Mrs.Hartwelldidnotatoncereply;butforalongminuteshethoughtfullystudiedBilly’sfaceasitwasbentabovethesewinginBilly’shand.Whenshedidspeakshehadchangedthesubject.
YoungHartwellwastodelivertheIvyOrationintheStadiumonClassDay,andalltheHenshawswerelookingeagerlyforwardtotheoccasion.
\"YouhaveseentheStadium,ofcourse,\"saidBertramtoBilly,afewdaysbeforetheanticipatedFriday.
\"Onlyfromacrosstheriver.\"
\"Isthatso?Andyou’veneverbeenhereClassDay,either.Good!
Thenyou’vegotatreatinstore.Justwaitandsee!\"
AndBillywaited——andshesaw.Billybegantosee,infact,beforeClassDay.YoungHartwellwasapopularfellow,andhewaseagertohavehisfriendsmeetBillyandtheHenshaws.HewasamemberoftheInstituteof1770,D.K.E.,Stylus,Signet,RoundTable,andHastyPuddingClubs,andnearlyeveryoneofthesehadsomesortoffunctionplannedforClass—Dayweek.BythetimethedayitselfarrivedBillywasalmostasexcitedaswasyoungHartwellhimself.
ItrainedClass—Daymorning,butatnineo’clockthesuncameoutanddrovethecloudsaway,muchtoeveryone’sdelight.Billy’sdaybeganatnoonwiththespreadgivenbytheHastyPuddingClub.
Billywonderedafterwardhowmanytimesthatdayremarksliketheseweremadetoher:
\"You’vebeenhereClassDaybefore,ofcourse.You’veseentheconfetti—throwing!No?Well,youjustwait!\"
AttenminutesoffourBillyandMrs.Hartwell,withMr.HartwellandBertramasescorts,enteredthecool,echoingshadowsundertheStadium,andthenoutinthesunlighttheybegantoclimbthebroadstepstotheirseats.
\"Iwantedthemhighup,yousee,\"explainedBertram,\"becauseyoucangettheeffectsomuchbetter.There,hereweare!\"
ForthefirsttimeBillyturnedandlookedabouther.Shegavealowcryofdelight.
\"Oh,oh,howbeautiful——howwonderfullybeautiful!\"
\"Youjustwait!\"crowedBertram.\"Ifyouthinkthisisbeautiful,youjustwait!\"
Billydidnotseemtohearhim.Hereyesweresweepingthewonderfulscenebeforeher,andherfacewasaglowwithdelight.
Firsttherewasthegreatamphitheateritself.Onlythewidecurveofthehorseshoewasropedoffforto—day’saudience.Beyondlaythetwosideswiththeirtierabovetierofemptyseats,almostdazzlinginthesunshine.Withintheroped—offcurvethescenewasofkaleidoscopicbeauty.Charminglygownedyoungwomenandcarefullygroomedyoungmenwereeverywhere,stirring,chatting,laughing.Gay—coloredparasolsandflower—gardenhatsmadehereandtherebrilliantsplashesofrainbowtints.Abovewasanalmostcloudlesscanopyofblue,andatthefarhorizon,earthandskymetandmadeapicturethatwaslikeawondrouspaintedcurtainhungfromheavenitself.
Atthefirstsoundofthedistantbandthattoldofthegraduates’
coming,Bertramsaidalmostwistfully:
\"ClassDayistheonlytimewhenIfeel’outofit.’YouseeI’mthefirstmaleHenshawforagesthathasn’tbeenthroughHarvard;
andto—day,youknow,isthetimewhentheoldgradscomebackanddostuntslikethekids——iftheycan(andsomeofthemcanallright!).Theymarchinbyclassesaheadoftheseniors,andviewitheachotheringivingtheiryells.You’llseeCyrilandWilliam,ifyoureyesaresharpenough——andyou’llseethemasyouneversawthembefore.\"
FardownthegreenfieldBillyspiednowthelongblacklineofmovingfigureswithabandinthelead.Nearerandneareritcameuntil,greetedbyamightyroarfromthousandsofthroats,theleaderssweptintothegreatbowlofthehorseshoecurve.
Andhowtheyyelledandcheered——thosemenwhosefirstClassDaylayfive,ten,fifteen,eventwentyormoreyearsbehindthem,astoldbythebannerswhichtheysoproudlycarried.Howtheygottheirheadstogetherandgavethe\"Rah!Rah!Rah!\"withunswervingeyesontheirleader!Howtheybeattheairwiththeirhatsintimetotheirlustyshouts!Andhowthethrongsabovecheeredandclappedinanswer,untiltheyalmostsplittheirthroats——anddidsplittheirgloves——especiallywhentheblack—gownedseniorssweptintoview.
Andwhenthecurvinglineofblackhadbecomeonesolidmassofhumanitythatfilledthebowlfromsidetoside,thevastthrongseatedthemselves,andagreathushfellwhiletheGleeClubsang.
YoungHartwellprovedtobeagoodspeaker,andhisringingvoicereachedeventhetopmosttierofseats.Billywascharmedandinterested.Everythingshesawandheardwasbutanewsourceofenjoyment,andshehadquiteforgottenthethingforwhichshewasto\"wait,\"whenshesawtheusherspassingthroughtheaisleswiththeirbasketsofmany—huedpackagesofconfettiandcountlessrollsofpaperribbon.
Itbeganthen,themerrywarbetweenthestudentsbelowandthethrongabove.Inatricetheairwasfilledwithshimmeringbitsofred,blue,white,green,purple,pink,andyellow.Fromalldirectionsflutteringstreamersthatshowedeverycoloroftherainbow,wereflungtothebreezeuntil,upheldbythesupportingwires,theymadeafairylaceworkofmarvelousbeauty.
\"Oh,oh,oh!\"criedBilly,hereyesmistywithemotion.\"IthinkI
neversawanythinginmylifesolovely!
\"Ithoughtyou’dlikeit,\"gloriedBertram.\"YouknowIsaidtowait!\"
Butevenwiththis,ClassDayforBillywasnotfinished.TherewasstillHartwell’sownspreadfromsixtoeight,andafterthattherewerethePresident’sreception,anddancingintheMemorialHallandintheGymnasium.TherewastheFairylandoftheyard,too,softlyaglowwithmovingthrongsofbeautifulwomenandgallantmen.ButwhatBillyrememberedbestofallwastheexquisiteharmonythatcametoherthroughthehushednightairwhentheGleeClubsangFairHarvardonthestepsofHolworthyHall.
CHAPTERXXXV
SISTERKATEAGAIN
ItwasontheSundayfollowingClassDaythatMrs.Hartwellcarriedoutherdeterminationto\"speaktoWilliam.\"TheWesthadnottakenfromKateherloveofmanaging,andshethoughtshesawnowamatterthatsorelyneededherguidinghand.
William’sthinface,anxiouslooks,andnervousmannerhadtroubledhereversinceshecame.Thenoneday,verysuddenly,hadcomeenlightenment:Williamwasinlove——andwithBilly.
Mrs.HartwellwatchedWilliamverycloselyafterthat.ShesawhiseyesfollowBillyfondly,yetanxiously.Shesawhisopenjoyatbeingwithher,andatanylittleattention,word,orlookthatthegirlgavehim.Sheremembered,too,somethingthatBertramhadsaidaboutWilliam’sgriefbecauseBillywouldnotliveattheStrata.Shethoughtshesawsomethingelse,also:thatBillywasfondofWilliam,butthatWilliamdidnotknowit;hencehisfrequenttroubledscrutinyofherface.WhythesetwoshouldplayatcrosspurposesSisterKatecouldnotunderstand.Shesmiled,however,confidently:theyshouldnotplayatcrosspurposesmuchlonger,shedeclared.
OnSundayafternoonKateaskedhereldestbrothertotakeherdriving.
\"Notamotorcar;Iwantahorse——thatwillletmetalk,\"shesaid.
\"Certainly,\"agreedWilliam,withasmile;butBertram,whochancedtohearher,putintheslycomment:\"AsifANYhorsecouldprevent——that!\"
OnthedriveKatebegantotalkatonce,butshedidnotplungeintothesubjectnearestherheartuntilshehadadroitlyledWilliamintoaglowingenumerationofBilly’smanycharmingcharacteristics;thenshesaid:
\"William,whydon’tyoutakeBillyhomewithyou?\"
Williamstirreduneasilyashealwaysdidwhenanythingannoyedhim.
\"MydearKate,thereisnothingIshouldlikebettertodo,\"hereplied.
\"Thenwhydon’tyoudoit?\"
\"I——hopeto,sometime.\"
\"Butwhynotnow?\"
\"I’mafraidBillyisnotquite——ready.\"
\"Nonsense!Ayounggirllikethatdoesnotknowherownmindlotsoftimes.Justpressthematteralittle.Lovewillworkwonders——
sometimes.\"
Williamblushedlikeagirl.Tohimherwordshadbutonemeaning——
Bertram’sloveforBilly.Williamhadneverspokenofthissuspectedloveaffairtoanyone.Hehadeventhoughtthathewastheonlyonethathaddiscoveredit.Tohearhissisterreferthuslightlytoitcamethereforeinthenatureofashocktohim.
\"Thenyouhave——seenit——too?\"hestammered\"’Seenit,too,’\"laughedKate,withherconfidenteyesonWilliam’sflushedface,\"IshouldsayIhadseenit!Anyonecouldseeit.\"
Williamblushedagain.Lovetohimhadalwaysbeensomethingsacred;somethingthatcalledforhushedvoicesandtwilight.
Thismerrydiscussioninthesunlightofevenanother’slovewasdisconcerting.
\"Nowcome,William,\"resumedKate,afteramoment;\"speaktoBilly,andhavethemattersettledonceforall.It’sworryingyou.I
canseeitis.\"
AgainWilliamstirreduneasily.
\"But,Kate,Ican’tdoanything.Itoldyoubefore;Idon’tbelieveBillyis——ready.\"
\"Nonsense!Askher.\"
\"ButKate,agirlwon’tmarryagainstherwill!\"
\"Idon’tbelieveitisagainstherwill.\"
\"Kate!Honestly?\"
\"Honestly!I’vewatchedher.\"
\"ThenIWILLspeak,\"criedtheman,hisfacealight,\"if——ifyouthinkanythingIcansaywould——help.Thereisnothing——nothinginallthisworldthatIsodesire,Kate,astohavethatlittlegirlbackhome.Andofcoursethatwoulddoit.She’dlivethere,youknow.\"
\"Why,of——course,\"murmuredKate,withapuzzledfrown.TherewassomethinginthislastremarkofWilliam’sthatshedidnotquiteunderstand.SurelyhecouldnotsupposethatshehadanyideathatafterhehadmarriedBillytheywouldgotoliveanywhereelse;——
shethought.Foramomentsheconsideredthemattervaguely;thensheturnedherattentiontosomethingelse.Shewasthemorereadytodothisbecauseshebelievedthatshehadsaidenoughforthepresent:itwaswelltosowseeds,butitwasalsowelltoletthemhaveachancetogrow,shetoldherself.
Mrs.Hartwell’snextmovewastospeaktoBilly,andshewascarefultodothisatonce,sothatshemightpavethewayforWilliam.
Shebeganherconversationwithaningratiatingsmileandthewords:
\"Well,Billy,I’vebeendoingalittledetectiveworkonmyownaccount.\"
\"Detectivework?\"
\"Yes;aboutWilliam.YouknowItoldyoutheotherdayhowtroubledandanxioushelookedtome.Well,I’vefoundoutwhat’sthematter.\"
\"Whatisit?\"
\"Yourself.\"
\"Myself!Why,Mrs.Hartwell,whatcanyoumean?\"
Theelderladysmiledsignificantly.
\"Oh,it’smerelyanothercase,mydear,of’faintheartneverwonfairlady.’I’vebeenhelpingonthefaintheart;that’sall.\"
\"ButIdon’tunderstand.\"
\"No?Ican’tbelieveyouquitemeanthat,mydear.SurelyyoumustknowhowearnestlymybrotherWilliamislongingforyoutogobackandlivewithhim.\"
LikeWilliam,Billyflushedscarlet.
\"Mrs.Hartwell,certainlynoonecouldknowbetterthanYOURSELF
whythatisquiteimpossible,\"shefrowned.
Theothercoloredconfusedly.
\"Iunderstand,ofcourse,whatyoumean.And,Billy,I’llconfessthatI’vebeensorrylotsoftimes,since,thatIspokeasIdidtoyou,particularlywhenIsawhowitgrievedmybrotherWilliamtohaveyougoaway.IfIblunderedthen,I’msorry;andperhapsI
didblunder.Atallevents,thatisonlythemorereasonnowwhyI
amsoanxioustodowhatIcantorectifythatoldmistake,andpleadWilliam’ssuit.\"
ToMrs.Hartwell’sblankamazement,Billylaughedoutright.
\"’William’ssuit’!\"shequotedmerrily.\"Why,Mrs.Hartwell,thereisn’tany’suit’toit.UncleWilliamdoesn’twantmetomarryhim!\"
\"Indeedhedoes.\"
Billystoppedlaughing,andsatsuddenlyerect.
\"MRS.HARTWELL!\"
\"Billy,isitpossiblethatyoudidnotknowthis?\"
\"IndeedIdon’tknowit,and——excuseme,butIdon’tthinkyoudo,either.\"
\"ButIdo.I’vetalkedwithhim,andhe’sverymuchinearnest,\"
urgedMrs.Hartwell,speakingveryrapidly.\"Hesaysthere’snothinginalltheworldthathesodesires.And,Billy,youdocareforhim——Iknowyoudo!\"
\"Why,ofcourseIcareforhim——butnot——thatway.\"
\"But,Billy,think!\"Mrs.Hartwellwasveryearnestnow,andalittlefrightened.ShefeltthatshemustbringBillytotermsinsomewaynowthatWilliamhadbeenencouragedtoputhisfatetothetest.\"JustrememberhowgoodWilliamhasalwaysbeentoyou,andthinkwhatyouhavebeen,andmayBE——ifyouonlywill——inhislonelylife.Thinkofhisgreatsorrowyearsago.Thinkofthisdrearywasteofyearsbetween.Thinkhownowhishearthasturnedtoyouforloveandcomfortandrest.Billy,youcan’tturnaway!——
youcan’tfinditinyourhearttoturnawayfromthatdear,goodmanwholovesyouso!\"Mrs.Hartwell’svoiceshookeffectively,andevenhereyeslookedthroughtears.Mentallyshewascongratulatingherself:shehadnotsupposedshecouldmakesotouchinganappeal.
Inthechairoppositethegirlsatverystill.Shewaspale,andhereyesshowedafrightenedquestioningintheirdepths.Foralongminuteshesaidnothing,thensherosedazedlytoherfeet.
\"Mrs.Hartwell,pleasedonotspeakofthistoanyone,\"shebeggedinalowvoice.\"I——Iamtakenquitebysurprise.Ishallhavetothinkitout——alone.\"
Billydidnotsleepwellthatnight.AlwaysbeforehereyeswasthevisionofWilliam’sface;andalwaysinherearswastheechoofMrs.Hartwell’swords:\"RememberhowgoodWilliamhasalwaysbeentoyou.Thinkofhisgreatsorrowyearsago.Thinkofthisdrearywasteofyearsbetween.Thinkhownowhishearthasturnedtoyouforloveandcomfortandrest.\"
ForatimeBillytossedaboutonherbedtryingtoclosehereyestothevisionandherearstotheecho.Then,findingthatneitherwaspossible,shesetherselfearnestlytothinkingthematterout.
Williamlovedher.Extraordinaryasitseemed,suchwasthefact;
Mrs.Hartwellsaidso.Andnow——whatmustshedo;whatcouldshedo?Shelovednoone——ofthatshewasverysure.Shewasevenbeginningtothinkthatshewouldneverloveanyone.TherewereCalderwell,Cyril,Bertram,tosaynothingofsundryothers,whohadlovedher,apparently,butwhomshecouldnotlove.Suchbeingthecase,ifshewere,indeed,incapableofloveherself,whyshouldshenotmakethesacrificeofgivinguphercareer,herindependence,andinthatwaybringthisgreatjoytoUncleWilliam’sheart?Evenasshesaidthe\"UncleWilliam\"toherself,Billybitherlipandrealizedthatshemustnolongersay\"Uncle\"William——ifshemarriedhim.
\"Ifshemarriedhim.\"Thewordsstartledher.\"Ifshemarriedhim.\"Well,whatofit?ShewouldgotoliveattheStrata,ofcourse;andtherewouldbeCyrilandBertram.Itmightbeawkward,andyet——shedidnotbelieveCyrilwasinlovewithanythingbuthismusic;andastoBertram——itwasthesamewithBertramandhispainting,andhewouldsoonforgetthathehadeverfanciedhelovedher.Afterthathewouldbesimplyacongenialfriendandcompanion——agoodcomrade.AsBillythoughtofit,indeed,oneofthepleasantestfeaturesofthismarriagewithWilliamwouldbethedelightfulcomradeshipofher\"brother,\"
Bertram.
BillydweltthenatsomelengthonWilliam’sloveforher,hislongingforherpresence,andhisdrearyyearsofloneliness
Andhewassogoodtoher,sherecollected;hehadalwaysbeengoodtoher.Hewasolder,tobesure——mucholderthanshe;but,afterall,itwouldnotbesodifficult,soverydifficult,tolearntolovehim.Atallevents,whateverhappened,shewouldhavethesupremesatisfactionofknowingthatatleastshehadbroughtintodearUncle——thatis,intoWilliam’slifethegreatpeaceandjoythatonlyshecouldgive.
ItwasalmostdawnwhenBillyarrivedatthisnotuncheerfulstateofprospectivemartyrdom.Sheturnedoverthenwithasigh,andsettledherselftosleep.Shewasrelievedthatshehaddecidedthequestion.ShewasgladthatsheknewjustwhattosaywhenWilliamshouldspeak.Hewasadear,dearman,andshewouldnotmakeithardforhim,shepromisedherself.ShewouldbeWilliam’swife.
CHAPTERXXXVI
WILLIAMMEETSWITHASURPRISE
Inspiteofhissister’sconfidentassurancethatthetimewasripeforhimtospeaktoBilly,Williamdelayedsomedaysbeforebroachingthemattertoher.HiscouragewasnotsogoodasithadbeenwhenhewastalkingwithKate.Itseemednow,asitalwayshad,afearsomethingtotrytohastenonthisloveaffairbetweenBillyandBertram.Hecouldnotsee,inspiteofKate’swords,thatBillyshowedunmistakableevidenceatallofbeinginlovewithhisbrother.Themorehethoughtofit,infact,themorehedreadedthecarryingoutofhispromisetospeaktohisnamesake.
Whatshouldhesay,heaskedhimself.Howcouldhewordit?Hecouldnotverywellaccostherwith:\"Oh,Billy,Iwishyou’dpleasehurryupandmarryBertram,becausethenyou’dcomeandlivewithme.\"NeithercouldhepleadBertram’scausedirectly.QuiteprobablyBertramwouldprefertopleadhisown.Then,too,ifBillyreallywasnotinlovewithBertram——whatthen?Mightnothisownuntimelyhasteinthematterforeverputanendtothechanceofhercaringforhim?
Itwas,indeed,adelicatematter,andasWilliamponderedithewishedhimselfwelloutofit,andthatKatehadnotspoken.Butevenasheformedthewish,WilliamrememberedwithathrillKate’spositiveassertionthatawordfromhimwoulddowonders,andthatnowwasthetimetoutterit.Hedecidedthenthathewouldspeak;
thathemustspeak;butthatatthesametimehewouldproceedwithacautionthatwouldpermitahastyretreatifhesawthathiswordswerenothavingthedesiredeffect.Hewouldbeginwithafrankconfessionofhisgriefatherleavinghim,andofhislongingforherreturn;thenverygradually,ifwisdomcounseledit,hewouldgoontospeakofBertram’sloveforher,andofhisownhopethatshewouldmakeBertramandalltheStratagladbylovinghiminreturn.
Mrs.HartwellhadreturnedtoherWesternhomebeforeWilliamfoundjusttheopportunityforhistalkwithBilly.Truetohisbeliefthatonlyhushedvoicesandtwilightwerefittingforsuchasubject,hewaiteduntilhefoundthegirlearlyoneeveningaloneonhervine—shadedveranda.Henoticedthatasheseatedhimselfathersidesheflushedalittleandhalfstartedtorise,withanervousflutteringofherhands,andamurmured\"I’llcallAuntHannah.\"Itwasthenthatwithsuddencourage,heresolvedtospeak.
\"Billy,don’tgo,\"hesaidgently,withatouchofhishandonherarm.\"ThereissomethingIwanttosaytoyou.I——Ihavewantedtosayitforsometime.\"
\"Why,of——ofcourse,\"stammeredthegirl,fallingbackinherseat.
AndagainWilliamnoticedthatoddflutteringoftheslimlittlehands.
Foratimenoonespoke,thenWilliambegansoftly,hiseyesonthedistantsky—linestillfaintlyaglowwiththesunset’sreflection.
\"Billy,Iwanttotellyouastory.Longyearsagotherewasamanwhohadahappyhomewithayoungwifeandatinybabyboyinit.
Icouldnotbegintotellyoualltheplansthatmanmadeforthatbabyboy.Suchagreatandgoodandwonderfulbeingthattinybabywasonedaytobecome.Butthebaby——wentaway,afteratime,andcarriedwithhimalltheplans——andhenevercameback.Behindhimheleftemptyheartsthatached,andgreatbareroomsthatseemedalwaystobeechoingsighsandsobs.Andthen,oneday,suchafewyearsafter,theyoungwifewenttofindherbaby,andleftthemanallalonewiththeheartthatachedandthegreatbareroomsthatechoedsighsandsobs.
\"Perhapsitwasthis——thebarenessoftherooms——thatmadethemanturntohisboyishpassionforcollectingthings.Hewantedtofillthoseroomsfull,full!——sothatthesighsandsobscouldnotbeheard;andhewantedtofillhisheart,too,withsomethingthatwouldstilltheache.Andhetried.Alreadyhehadhisboyishtreasures,andthesehelinedupinbravearray,buthisroomsstillechoed,andhisheartstillached;sohebuiltmoreshelvesandboughtmorecabinets,andsethimselftofillingthem,hopingatthesametimethathemightfillallthatdrearywasteofhoursoutsideofbusiness——hourswhichoncehadbeenalltooshorttodevotetotheyoungwifeandthebabyboy.
\"Onebyonetheyearspassed,andonebyonetheshelvesandthecabinetswerefilled.Themanfancied,sometimes,thathehadsucceeded;butinhisheartofheartsheknewthattheachewasmerelydulled,andthatdarknesshadonlytocometosettheroomsoncemoretoechoingthesighsandsobs.Andthen——butperhapsyouaretiredofthestory,Billy.\"Williamturnedwithquestioningeyes.
\"No,oh,no,\"falteredBilly.\"Itisbeautiful,butso——sad!\"
\"Butthesaddestpartisdone——Ihope,\"saidWilliam,softly.\"Letmetellyou.Awonderfulthinghappenedthen.Suddenly,rightoutofadullgrayskyofhopelessness,droppedalittlebrown—eyedgirlandalittlegraycat.Alloverthehousetheyfrolicked,fillingeverynookandcrannywithlaughterandlightandhappiness.Andthen,likemagic,themanlosttheacheinhisheart,andtheroomslosttheirechoingsighsandsobs.Themanknew,then,thatneveragaincouldhehopetofillhisheartandlifewithsenselessthingsofclayandmetal.Heknewthattheonethinghewantedalwaysnearhimwasthelittlebrown—eyedgirl;andhehopedthathecouldkeepher.Butjustashewasbeginningtobaskinthisnewlight——itwentout.Assuddenlyastheyhadcome,thelittlebrown—eyedgirlandthegraycatwentaway.Why,themandidnotknow.Heknewonlythattheachehadcomeback,doublyintense,andthattheroomsweremoregloomythanever.Andnow,Billy,\"——William’svoiceshookalittle——\"itisforyoutofinishthestory.Itisforyoutosaywhetherthatman’sheartshallacheonandondowntoalonelyoldage,andwhetherthoseroomsshallalwaysechothesighsandsobsofthepast.\"
\"AndIwillfinishit,\"chokedBilly,holdingoutbothherhands.
\"Itsha’n’tache——theysha’n’techo!\"
Themanleanedforwardeagerly,unbelievingly,andcaughtthehandsinhisown.
\"Billy,doyoumeanit?Thenyouwill——come?\"
\"Yes,yes!Ididn’tknow——Ididn’tthink.Ineversupposeditwaslikethat!OfcourseI’llcome!\"Andinamomentshewassobbinginhisarms.
\"Billy!\"breathedWilliamrapturously,ashetouchedhislipstoherforehead.\"MyownlittleBilly!\"
Itwasafewminuteslater,whenBillywasmorecalm,thatWilliamstartedtospeakofBertram.Foramomenthehadbeentemptednottomentionhisbrother,nowthathisownpointhadbeenwonsosurprisinglyquick;butthenewsoftnessinBilly’sfacehadencouragedhim,andhedidnotliketolettheoccasionpasswhenawordfromhimmightdosomuchforBertram.Hislipsparted,butnowordscame——Billyherselfhadbeguntospeak.
\"I’msureIdon’tknowwhyI’mcrying,\"shestammered,dabbinghereyeswithherroundmoistballofahanderchief.\"IhopewhenI’myourwifeI’lllearntobemoreself—controlled.ButyouknowIamyoung,andyou’llhavetobepatient.\"
AsoncebeforeatsomethingBillysaid,theworldtoWilliamwentsuddenlymad.Hisheadswamdizzily,andhisthroattightenedsothathecouldscarcelybreathe.BysheerforceofwillhekepthisarmaboutBilly’sshoulder,andheprayedthatshemightnotknowhownumbandcoldithadgrown.Eventhenhethoughthecouldnothaveheardaright.
\"Er——yousaid——\"hequestionedfaintly.
\"IsaywhenI’myourwifeIhopeI’lllearntobemoreself—
controlled,\"laughedBilly,nervously.\"YouseeIjustthoughtI
oughttoremindyouthatIamyoung,andthatyou’llhavetobepatient.\"
Williamstammeredsomething——ahurriedsomething;hewonderedafterwardwhatitwas.ThatitmusthavebeensatisfactorytoBillywasevident,forshebeganlaughinglytotalkagain.Whatshesaid,Williamscarcelyknew,thoughhewasconsciousofmakinganoccasionalvaguereply.Hewasstillflounderinginahopelessseaofconfusionanddismay.Hisowndesirewastogetupandsaygoodnightatonce.Hewantedtobealonetothink.Herealized,however,withsickeningforce,thatmendonotproposeandrunaway——iftheyareaccepted.Andhewasaccepted;herealizedthat,too,overwhelmingly.Thenhetriedtothinkhowithadhappened,whathehadsaid;howshecouldsohavemisunderstoodhismeaning.