Thislineofthoughtheabandonedquickly,however;itcoulddonogood.Butwhatcoulddogood,heaskedhimself.Whatcouldhedo?
Withblindingforcecametheanswer:hecoulddonothing.Billycaredforhim.Billyhadsaid\"yes.\"Billyexpectedtobehiswife.Asifhecouldsaytohernow:\"Ibegyourpardon,but’twasallamistake._I_didnotaskyoutomarryme.\"
VeryvaliantlythenWilliamsummonedhiswitsandtriedtoacthispart.Hetoldhimself,too,thatitwouldnotbeahardone;thathelovedBillydearly,andthathewouldtrytomakeherhappy.Hewincedalittleatthisthought,forherememberedsuddenlyhowoldhewas——asifhe,athisage,wereafitmatchforagirloftwenty—one!
AndthenhelookedatBilly.Thegirlwasplainlynervous.Therewasadeepflushonhercheeksandabrilliantsparkleinhereyes.
Shewastalkingrapidly——almostincoherentlyattimes——andhervoicewastremulous.Frequentlittleembarrassedlaughspunctuatedhersentences,andherfingerstoyedwitheverythingthatcamewithinreach.Sometimebeforeshehadsprungtoherfeetandhadturnedontheelectriclights;andwhenshecamebackshehadnottakenheroldpositionatWilliam’sside,buthadseatedherselfinachairnearby.Allofwhich,accordingtoWilliam’seyes,meantthemaidenlyshynessofagirlwhohasjustsaid\"yes\"tothemansheloves.
Williamwenthomethatnightinadaze.Tohimselfhesaidthathehadgoneoutinsearchofadaughter,andhadcomebackwithawife.
CHAPTERXXXVII
\"WILLIAM’SBROTHER\"
Itwasdecidedthatforthepresent,theengagementshouldnotbeknownoutsidethefamily.Theweddingwouldnottakeplaceimmediately,Williamsaid,anditwasjustaswelltokeepthemattertothemselvesuntilplanswerealittlemoredefinite.
Themembersofthefamilyweretoldatonce.AuntHannahsaid\"Oh,mygriefandconscience!\"threetimes,andmademattersscarcelybetterbyaddingapologetically:\"Oh,ofcourseit’sallright,it’sallright,only——\"Shedidnotfinishhersentence,andWilliam,whohadtoldherthenews,didnotknowwhetherhewouldhavebeenmoreorlesspleasedifshehadfinishedit.
Cyrilreceivedtheinformationmoodily,andlapsedatonceintoafitofabstractionfromwhichherousedhimselfhardlyenoughtoofferperfunctorycongratulationsandbestwishes.
BillywasalittlepuzzledatCyril’sbehavior.ShehadbeensureforsometimethatCyrilhadceasedtocarespeciallyforher,evenifheeverdidfancythathelovedher.Shehadhopedtokeephimforafriend,butoflateshehadbeenforcedtoquestionevenhisfriendliness.Hehad,infact,gonebackalmosttohisoldreserveandtaciturnaloofness.
FromtheWest,inresponsetoWilliam’snewsoftheengagement,cameacordiallypleasednoteinKate’sscrawlinghandwriting.
Kate,indeed,seemedtobetheonlymemberofthefamilywhowasgenuinelydelightedwiththecomingmarriage.AstoBertram——
Bertramappearedtohaveagedyearsinasinglenight,sodrawnandwhitewashisfacethemorningafterWilliamhadtoldhimhisplans.
WilliamhaddreadedmostofalltotellBertram.HewasverysurethatBertramhimselfcaredforBilly;anditwasdoublyhardbecauseinWilliam’sownmindwasastrongconvictionthattheyoungermanwasdecidedlytheoneforher.Realizing,however,thatBertrammustbetold,WilliamchoseatimeforthetellingwhenBertramwassmokinginhisdeninthetwilight,withhisfacehalfhiddenfromsight.
Bertramsaidlittle——verylittle,thatnight;butinthemorninghewentstraighttoBilly.
Billywasshocked.Shehadneverseenthesmiling,self—reliant,debonairBertramlikethis.
\"Billy,isthistrue?\"hedemanded.ThedullmiseryinhisvoicetoldBillythatheknewtheanswerbeforeheaskedthequestion.
\"Yes,yes;but,Bertram,please——pleasedon’ttakeitlikethis!\"
sheimplored.
\"Howwouldyouhavemetakeit?\"
\"Why,just——justsensibly.YouknowItoldyouthat——thattheothernevercouldbe——never.\"
\"IknowYOUsaidso;butI——believedotherwise.\"
\"ButItoldyou——Ididnotloveyou——thatway.\"
Bertramwinced.Herosetohisfeetabruptly.
\"Iknowyoudid,Billy.I’mafool,ofcourse,tothinkthatI
couldever——changeit.Ishouldn’thavecomehere,either,thismorning.ButI——hadto.Good—by!\"Hisface,asheheldouthishand,wastragicwithrenunciation.
\"Why,Bertram,youaren’tgoing——now——likethis!\"criedthegirl.
\"You’vejustcome!\"
Themanturnedalmostimpatiently.
\"AnddoyouthinkIcanstay——likethis?Billy,won’tyousaygood—by?\"heaskedinasoftervoice,againwithoutstretchedhand.
Billyshookherhead.Sheignoredthehand,andresolutelybackedaway.
\"No,notlikethat.Youareangrywithme,\"shegrieved.
\"Besides,youmakeitsoundasif——ifyouweregoingaway.\"
\"Iamgoingaway.\"
\"Bertram!\"TherewasterroraswellasdismayinBilly’svoice.
Againthemanturnedsharply.
\"Billy,whyareyoumakingthisthingsohardforme?\"heaskedindespair.\"Can’tyouseethatImustgo?\"
\"Indeed,Ican’t.Andyoumustn’tgo,either.Thereisn’tanyreasonwhyyoushould,\"urgedBilly,talkingveryfast,andworkingherfingersnervously.\"Thingsarejustthesameastheywerebefore——foryou.I’mjustgoingtomarryWilliam,butIwasn’tevergoingtomarryyou,sothatdoesn’tchangethingsanyforyou.
Don’tyousee?Why,Bertram,youmustn’tgoaway!Therewon’tbeanybodyleft.Cyril’sgoingnextweek,youknow;andifyougotherewon’tbeanybodyleftbutWilliamandme.Bertram,youmustn’tgo;don’tyousee?Ishouldfeellostwithout——you!\"
Billywasalmostcryingnow.
Bertramlookedupquickly.Anoddchangehadcometohisface.
ForamomenthegazedsilentlyintoBilly’sagitatedcountenance;
thenheaskedinalowvoice:
\"Billy,didyouthinkthatafteryouandWilliamweremarriedI
shouldstillcontinuetoliveat——theStrata?\"
\"Why,ofcourseyouwill!\"criedthegirl,indignantly.\"Why,Bertram,you’llbemybrotherthen——myrealbrother;andoneoftheverychiefestthingsI’manticipatingwhenIgotheretoliveisthegoodtimesyouandIwillhavetogetherwhenI’mWilliam’swife!\"
Bertramdrewinhisbreathaudibly,andcaughthislowerlipbetweenhisteeth.Withanabruptmovementheturnedhisbackandwalkedtothewindow.Forafullminutehestayedthere,watchedbytheamazed,displeasedeyesofthegirl.WhenhecamebackhesatdownquietlyinthechairfacingBilly.Hiscountenancewasgraveandhiseyeswerealittletroubled;butthehaggardlookofmiserywasquitegone.
\"Billy,\"hebegangently,\"youmustforgivemysayingthis,but——
areyouquitesureyou——loveWilliam?\"
Billyflushedwithanger.
\"Youhavenorighttoasksuchaquestion.OfcourseIloveWilliam.\"
\"Ofcourseyoudo——weallloveWilliam.Williamis,infact,amostlovableman.ButWilliam’swifeshould,perhaps,lovehimalittledifferentlyfrom——allofus.\"
\"Andshewill,certainly,\"retortedthegirl,withaquickliftingofherchin.\"Bertram,Idon’tthinkyouhaveanyrightto——tomakesuchinsinuations.\"
\"AndIwon’tmakethemanymore,\"repliedBertram,gravely.\"I
justwantedyoutomakesurethatyou——knew.\"
\"Ishallmakesure,andIshallknow,\"saidBilly,firmly——sofirmlythatitsoundedalmostasifsheweretryingtoconvinceherselfaswellasothers.
Therewasalongpause,thenthemanaskeddiffidently:
\"Andsoyouareverysurethat——thatyouwantmeto——stay?\"
\"IndeedIdo!Besides,——don’tyouremember?——thereareallmypeopletobeentertained.Theymustbetakentoplaces,andgivenmotorridesandpicnics.Youtoldmelastweekthatyou’dlovetohelpme;but,ofcourse,ifyoudon’twantto——\"
\"ButIdowantto,\"criedBertram,heartily,agleamoftheoldcheerfulnessspringingtohiseyes.\"I’mdyingto!\"
Thegirllookedupwithquickdistrust.Foramomentsheeyedhimwithbentbrows.Tohermindhehadgonebacktohisoldairy,hopefullight—heartedness.Hewasoncemore\"onlyBertram.\"Shehesitated,thensaidwithsterndecision:
\"Bertram,youknowIwantyou,andyoumustknowthatI’mdelightedtohaveyoudropthissillynotionofgoingaway.Butifthisquickchangemeansthatyouarestayingwithanyideathat——that_I_shallchange,then——thenyoumustgo.ButifyouwillstayasWILLIAM’SBROTHERthen——I’llbemorethangladtohaveyou.\"
\"I’llstay——asWilliam’sbrother,\"agreedBertram;andBillydidnotnoticethequickindrawingofhisbreathnorthecloseshuttingofhislipsafterthewordswerespoken.
CHAPTERXXXVIII
THEENGAGEMENTOFTWO
BythemiddleofJulytheroutineofBilly’sdayswaswellestablished.Mariehadbeenforaweekawelcomeadditiontothefamily,andshewasprovingtobeofinvaluableaidinentertainingBilly’sguests.Theoverworkedwidowandthelittlelodging—housekeeperfromtheWestEndwereenjoyingBilly’shospitalitynow;andjusttolookattheirbeamingcountenanceswasaninspiration,Billysaid.
Cyrilhadgoneabroad.AuntHannahwasspendingaweekattheNorthShorewithfriends.Bertram,truetohispromise,wasplayingthegallanttoBilly’sguests;andsoassiduouswasheinhisattentionsthatBillyatlastremonstratedwithhim.
\"ButIdidn’tmeanthemtotakeALLyourtime,\"sheprotested.
\"Don’ttheylikeit?Dotheyseetoomuchofme?\"hedemanded.
\"No,no!Theyloveit,ofcourse.Youmustknowthat.Nobodyelsecouldgivesuchbeautifultimesasyou’vegivenus.Butit’syourselfI’mthinkingof.You’regivingupallyourtime.
Besides,Ididn’tmeantokeepyouhereallsummer,ofcourse.Youalwaysgoawaysome,youknow,foravacation.\"
\"ButI’mhavingavacationhere,doingthis,\"laughedBertram.
\"I’msureI’mgettingseaairdowntothebeachesandmountainairouttotheBlueHills.Andasforexcitement——ifyoucanfindanythingmorewildlyexcitingthanitwasyesterdaywhenMissMarieandItookthewidowandthespinsterladyontheRoller—coaster——
justshowittome;that’sall!\"
Billylaughed.
\"Theytoldmeaboutit——Marieinparticular.Shesaidyouwerelovelytothem,andletthemdoeverysinglethingtheywantedto;
andthathalfanhouraftertheygottheretheywereliketwochildrenletoutofschool.Dearme,IwishI’dgone.IneverstayathomethatIdon’tmisssomething,\"shefinishedregretfully.
Bertramshruggedhisshoulders.
\"Ifit’sRoller—coastersandChute—the—chutesthatyouwant,I
fancyyou’llgetenoughbeforetheweekisout,\"hesighedlaughingly.\"Theysaidthey’dliketogothereto—morrow,please,whenIaskedthemwhatweshoulddonext.Whatsurprisesmeisthattheylikesuchthings——suchhair—raisingthings.WhenIfirstsawthem,black—gownedandstiff—backed,sittinginyourlittleroomhere,IthoughtIshouldneverdareofferthemanythingmorewildlyexcitingthanachurchserviceoralectureonpsychology,withperhapsabandconcerthintedat,providedthebandcouldbeproperlyinstructedbeforehandastotempoandselections.Butnow——really,Billy,whydoyousupposetheyhavetakensuchafancytothesekiddishstunts——thosetwostaidwomen?\"
Billylaughed,buthereyessoftened.
\"Idon’tknowunlessit’sbecausealltheirlivesthey’vebeentiedtosuchdeadmonotonythatjusttheexhilarationofmotionisblisstothem.Butyouwon’talwayshavetoriskyourneckandyourtemperinthisfashion,Bertram.NextweekmylittlecouplefromSouthBostoncomes.Sheadorespicturesandstuffedanimals.
You’llhavetodothemuseumswithher.Thenthere’slittlecrippledTommy——he’llbeperfectlycontentedifyou’llputhimdownwherehecanhearthebandplay.Andallyou’llhavetodowhenthatonestopsistopilothimtothenextone.ThisISgoodofyou,Bertram,andIdothankyouforit,\"finishedBilly,fervently,justasMarie,thewidow,andthe\"spinsterlady\"enteredtheroom.
Billytoldherselfthesedaysthatshewasveryhappy——veryhappyindeed.Wasshenotengagedtoagoodman,anddidshenotalsohaveitinherpowertomakethelongsummerdaysapleasuretomanypeople?Thefactthatshehadtotellherselfthatshewashappyinordertoconvinceherselfthatshewasso,didnotoccurtoBilly——yet.
NotlongafterMariearrived,Billytoldheroftheengagement.
Williamwasatthehouseveryfrequently,andowingtotheintimacyofMarie’srelationshipwiththefamilyBillydecidedtotellherhowmattersstood.Marie’sreceptionofthenewswassomewhatsurprising.Firstshelookedfrightened.
\"ToWilliam?——youareengagedtoWilliam?\"
\"Why——yes.\"
\"ButIthought——surelyitwas——don’tyoumean——Mr.Cyril?\"
\"No,Idon’t,\"laughedBilly.\"AndcertainlyIoughttoknow.\"
\"Andyoudon’t——careforhim?\"
\"Ihopenot——ifI’mgoingtomarryWilliam.\"
SolightwasBilly’svoiceandmannerthatMariedaredonemorequestion.
\"Andhe——doesn’tcare——foryou?\"
\"Ihopenot——ifWilliamisgoingtomarryme,\"laughedBillyagain.
\"Oh—h!\"breathedMarie,withanoddintonationofrelief.\"ThenI’mglad——soglad!AndIhopeyou’llbevery,veryhappy,dear.\"
BillylookedintoMarie’sglowingfaceandwaspleased:thereseemedtobesofew,soveryfewfacesintowhichshehadlookedandfoundentireapprobationofherengagementtoWilliam.
BillysawagreatdealofWilliamnow.Hewasalwayskindandconsiderate,andhetriedtohelpherentertainherguests;butBilly,gratefulasshewastohimforhisefforts,wasrelievedwhenheresignedhisplacetoBertram.Bertramdid,indeed,knowsomuchbetterhowtodoit.Williamtriedtohelpher,too,abouttraininghervinesandrosebushes;butofcourse,eveninthis,hecouldnotbeexpectedtoshowquitetheinterestthatBertrammanifestedineverygreenshootandopeningbud,forhehadnothelpedherplantthem,asBertramhad.
Billywasalittletroubledsometimes,thatshedidnotfeelmoreateasewithWilliam.Shethoughtitnaturalthatsheshouldfeelalittlediffidentwithhim,inthefaceofhissuddenchangefroman\"uncle\"toanacceptedlover;butshedidnotseewhysheshouldbeafraidofhim——yetshewas.Sheownedthattoherselfunhappily.
Andhewassogood!——sheownedthat,too.Heseemednottohaveathoughtintheworldbutforhercomfortandhappiness;andtherewasnoendtothetactfullittlethingshewasalwaysdoingforherpleasure.Heseemed,also,tohavedivinedthatshedidnotliketobekissedandcaressed;andonlyoccasionallydidhekissher,andthenitwasmerelyasortoffatherlysaluteonherforehead——forwhichconsiderationBillywasgrateful:Billydecidedthatshewouldnotliketobekissedonthelips.
AftersomedaysofpuzzlingoverthematterBillyconcludedthatitwasself—consciousnessthatcausedallthetrouble.WithWilliamshewasself—conscious.IfshecouldonlyforgetthatshewassomedaytobeWilliam’swife,theolddelightfulcomradeshipwouldreturn,andshewouldbeateaseagainwithhim.Intime,aftershehadbecomeaccustomedtotheideaofmarriage,itwouldnotsoconfuseher,ofcourse.Shelovedhimdearly,andshewantedtomakehimhappy;butforthepresent——justwhileshewas\"gettingusedtothings\"——shewouldtrytoforget,sometimes,thatshewasgoingtobeWilliam’swife.
Billywashappiernow.Shewasalwayshappieraftershehadthoughtthingsouttoherownsatisfaction.Sheturnedwithnewzesttotheentertainmentofherguests;andwithBertramsheplannedmanydelightfultripsfortheirpleasure.Bertramwasagreatcomforttoherthesedays.Never,inwordorlook,couldsheseethatheoversteppedtherolewhichhehadpromisedtoplay——
William’sbrother.
Billywentbacktohermusic,too.Anewmelodywasrunningthroughherhead,andshelongedtoputitonpaper.Alreadyherfirstlittle\"GroupofSongs\"hadfoundfriends,andBilly,toaverymodestextent,wasbeginningtotastethesweetsoffame.
Thus,byalltheseinterests,didBillytry\"togetusedtothings.\"
CHAPTERXXXIX
ALITTLEPIECEOFPAPER
OfallBilly’sguests,Mariewasveryplainlythehappiest.Shewasapermanentguest,itistrue,whiletheotherscameforonlyaweekortwoatatime;butitwasnotthis,Billydecided,thathadbroughtsobrilliantasparkletoMarie’seyes,sojoyousalaughtoherlips.Thejoyousnesswasallthemorenoticeable,becauseheretoforeMarie,whileverysweet,hadbeenalsosad.Herbigblueeyeshadalwayscarriedahauntingshadow,andherstephadlackedthespringbelongingtoyouthandhappiness.Certainly,Billyhadneverseenherlikethisbefore.
\"Verily,Marie,\"sheteasedoneday,\"haveyoufoundanexhaustlesssupplyofstockingstomend,oranever—donepuddingtomake——
which?\"
\"Why?Whatdoyoumean?\"
\"Oh,nothing.Iwasonlywonderingjustwhathadbroughtthatnewlighttoyoureyes.\"
\"Isthereanewlight?\"
\"Therecertainlyis.\"
\"ItmustbebecauseI’msohappy,then,\"sighedMarie;\"becauseyou’resogoodtome.\"
\"Isthatall?\"
\"Isn’tthatenough?\"Marie’stonewasevasive.
\"No.\"Billyshookherheadmischievously.\"Marie,whatisit?\"
\"It’snothing——really,it’snothing,\"protestedMarie,hurryingoutoftheroomwithanervouslaugh.
Billyfrowned.Shewassuspiciousbefore;shewassurenow.Inlessthantwelvehours’timecameheropportunity.ShewasaloneagainwithMarie.
\"Marie,whoishe?\"sheaskedabruptly.
\"He?Who?\"
\"Themanwhoistowearthestockingsandeatthepudding.\"
Thelittlemusicteacherflushedveryred,butshemanagedtodisplaysomethingthatmightpassforsurprise.
\"BILLY!\"
\"Come,dear,\"coaxedBilly,winningly.\"Tellmeaboutit.I’msointerested!\"
\"Butthereisn’tanythingtotell——reallythereisn’t.\"
\"Whoishe?\"
\"Heisn’tanybody——thatis,hedoesn’tknowhe’sanybody,\"amendedMarie.
Billylaughedsoftly.
\"Oh,doesn’the!Hasn’theevershown——thathecared?\"
\"No;thatis——perhapshehas,onlyIthoughtthen——thatitwas——
anothergirl.\"
\"Anothergirl!Sothere’sanothergirlinthecase?\"
\"Yes.Imean,no,\"correctedMarie,suddenlybeginningtorealizewhatshewassaying.\"Really,itwasn’tanything——itisn’tanything!\"sheprotested.
\"Hm—m,\"murmuredBilly,archly.\"Oh,I’mgettingonsome!Hedidshow,once,thathecared;butyouthoughtitwasanothergirl,andyoucoldlylookedtheotherway.Now,thereISN’Tanyothergirl,youfind,and——Marie,tellmetherest!\"
Marieshookherheademphatically,andpulledherselfgentlyawayfromBilly’sgrasp.
\"No,no,please!\"shebegged.\"Itreallyisn’tanything.I’msureI’mimaginingitall!\"shecried,assheranaway.
Duringthedaysthatfollowed,BillyspeculatednotalittleonMarie’shalf—toldstory,andwonderedinterestedlywhothemanmightbe.ShequestionedMarieonceagain,butthegirlwouldtellnothingmore;and,indeed,Billywassooccupiedwithherownperplexitiesthatshehadlittletimeforthoseofotherpeople.
ToherselfBillywasforcedtoownthatshewasnot\"gettingusedtothings.\"Shewasstillself—consciouswithWilliam;shecouldnotforgetthatshewasonedaytobehiswife.Shecouldnotbringbackthedearoldfreedomofcomradeshipwithhim.
Billywasalarmednow.Shehadbeguntoaskherselfsearchingquestions.Whatshouldshedoifnever,nevershouldshegetusedtotheideaofmarryingWilliam?Howcouldshemarryhimifhewasstill\"UncleWilliam,\"andneverherdearloverinhereyes?Whyhadshenotbeenwiseenoughandbraveenoughtotellhiminthefirstplacethatshewasnotatallsurethatshelovedhim,butthatshewouldtrytodoso?Thenwhenshehadtried——asshehadnow——andfailed,shecouldhavetoldhimhonestlythetruth,anditwouldnothavebeensogreatashocktohimasitmustbenow,ifsheshouldtellhim.
Billyhadremorsefullycometotheconclusionthatshecouldneverloveanymanwellenoughtomarryhim,whenonedaysosmallathingasapieceofpaperflutteredintohervision,andshowedherthefallacyofthatidea.
Itwasahalf—sheetofnotepaper,anditblewfromMarie’sbalconytothelawnbelow.Billyfoundittherelater,andasshepickedituphereyesfellonasinglenameinMarie’shandwritinginscribedhalfadozentimesasifthewriterhadmusinglyaccompaniedherthoughtswithherpen;andthenamewas,\"MarieHenshaw.\"
ForamomentBillystaredatthenameperplexedly——theninaflashcametheremembranceofMarie’swords;andBillybreathed:
\"Henshaw!——theman——BERTRAM!\"
Billydroppedthepaperthenandfled.Inherownroom,behindlockeddoors,shesatdowntothink.
Bertram!ItwasheforwhomMariecared——HERBertram!AndthenitcametoBillywithstaggeringforcethathewasnotHERBertramatall.HenevercouldbeherBertramnow.Hewas——Marie’s.
Billywasfrightenedthen,sofiercewasthisstrangenewsomethingthatrosewithinher——thisoverpoweringsomethingthatseemedtoblotoutalltheworld,andleaveonly——Bertram.Sheknewthen,thatithadalwaysbeenBertramtowhomshehadturned,thoughshehadbeenblindtothecauseofthatturning.Alwaysherplanshadincludedhim.Alwaysshehadbeenthehappiestinhispresence;
neverhadshepicturedhimanywhereelsebutatherside.
Certainlyneverhadshepicturedhimasthedevotedloverofanotherwoman!Andshehadnotknownwhatitallmeant——
poorblindchildthatshewas!
VeryresolutelynowBillysetherselftolookingmatterssquarelyintheface.Sheunderstooditquitewell.AllsummerMarieandBertramhadbeenthrowntogether.NowonderMariehadfalleninlovewithBertram,andthathe——BillythoughtshecomprehendednowwhyBertramhadfounditsoeasyforthelastfewweekstobeWilliam’sbrother.She,ofcourse,hadbeenthe\"othergirl\"whomMariehadoncefearedthatthemanloved.Itwasallsoclear——sowoefullyclear!
WithanachingheartBillyaskedherselfwhatnowwastobedone.
Forherself,turnwhicheverwayshecould,shecouldseenothingbutunhappiness.Shedetermined,therefore,withSpartanfortitude,thattonooneelsewouldshebringequalunhappiness.
Shewouldbesilent.BertramandMarielovedeachother.Thatmatterwassettled.AstoWilliam——BillythoughtofthestoryWilliamhadtoldherofhislonelylife,——ofthepleahehadmadetoher;andherheartached.Whateverhappened,Williammustbemadehappy.Williammustnotbetold.HerpromisetoWilliammustbekept.
CHAPTERXL
WILLIAMPAYSAVISIT
BeforeSeptemberpassedallBilly’sfriendssaidthathersummer’sself—appointedtaskhadbeentoohardforher.Innootherwaycouldtheyaccountforthesadchangethathadcometoher.
UndeniablyBillylookedreallyill.Alwaysslender,shewasshadow—likenow.Hereyeshadfoundagainthewistfulappealofhergirlhood,onlynowtheycarriedsomethingthatwasalmostfear,aswell.Therose—flushhadgonefromhercheeks,andpatheticlittlehollowshadappeared,makingtheroundyoungchinbelowlookalmostpointed.CertainlyBillydidseemtobeill.
LateinSeptemberWilliamwentWestonbusiness.Incidentallyhecalledtoseehissister,Kate.
\"Well,andhowiseverybody?\"askedKate,cheerily,afterthegreetingswereover.
Williamsighed.
\"Well,’everybody,’tome,Kate,isprettybadlyoff.We’reworriedaboutBilly.\"
\"Billy!Youdon’tmeanshe’ssick?Why,she’salwaysbeenthepictureofhealth!\"
\"Iknowshehas;butsheisn’tnow.\"
\"What’sthetrouble?\"
\"That’swhatwedon’tknow.\"
\"You’vehadthedoctor?\"
\"Ofcourse;twoorthreeofthem——thoughmuchagainstBilly’swill.
But——theydidn’thelpus.\"
\"Whatdidtheysay?\"
\"Theycouldfindnothingexceptperhapsalittletemporarystomachtrouble,orsomethingofthatkind,whichtheyallagreedwasnojustcauseforherpresentcondition.\"
\"Butwhatdidtheysayitwas?\"
\"Why,theysaiditseemedlikenervousness,orasifsomethingwastroublingher.Theyaskedifsheweren’tundersomesortofstrain.\"
\"Well,isshe?Doesanythingtroubleher?\"
\"NotthatIknowof.Anyhow,ifthereisanything,noneofuscanfindoutwhatitis.\"
Katefrowned.Shethrewaquicklookintoherbrother’sface.
\"William,\"shebeganhesitatingly,\"forgiveme,but——Billyisquitehappyin——herengagement,Isuppose.\"
Themanflushedpainfully,andsighed.
\"I’vethoughtofthat,ofcourse.Infact,itwasthefirstthingIdidthinkof.Ievenbegantowatchherratherclosely,andonceI——questionedheralittle.\"
\"Whatdidshesay?\"
\"SheseemedsofrightenedanddistressedthatIdidn’tsaymuchmyself.Icouldn’t.Ihadbutjustbegunwhenhereyesfilledwithtears,andsheaskedmeinafrightenedlittlevoiceifshehaddoneanythingtodispleaseme,anythingtomakemeunhappy;andsheseemedsoanxiousandgrievedanddismayedthatIshouldevenquestionher,thatIhadtostop.\"
\"Whathasshedonethissummer?Wherehasshebeen?\"
\"Shehasn’tbeenanywhere.Didn’tIwriteyou?She’skeptopenhouseforalotofherlessfortunatefriends——asortofvacationhome,youknow;and——andImustsayshe’sgiventhemaworldofhappiness,too.\"
\"Butwasn’tthathardforher?\"
\"Itdidn’tseemtobe.Sheappearedtoenjoyitimmensely,particularlyatfirst.Ofcourseshehadplentyofhelp,andthatwonderfullittleMissHawthornhasbeenahostinherself.They’reallgonenow,anyway,exceptMissHawthorn.\"
\"ButBillymusthavehadthecareandtheexcitement.\"
\"Perhaps——toacertainextent.Thoughnotmuch,afterall.YouseeBertram,too,hasgivenuphissummertothem,andhasbeenplayingthedevotedescorttothewholebunch.Indeed,forthelastfewweeksofit,sinceBillybegantoseemsoill,heandMissHawthornhaveschemedtotakeallthecarefromBilly,andtheyhavedonethewholethingtogether.\"
\"ButwhatHASBillydonetomakeherlikethis?\"
\"Idon’tknow.She’sdonelotsforme,inallsortsofways——
cataloguingmycurios,youknow,andgoingwithmetohuntupthings.Infact,sheseemsthehappiestwhensheISdoingsomethingforme.It’scometobeasortofmaniawithher,I’mafraid——todosomethingforme.Kate,I’mreallyworried.Whatdoyousupposeisthematter?\"
Kateshookherhead.Thepuzzledfrownhadcomebacktoherface.
\"Ican’timagine,\"shebeganslowly.\"Ofcourse,whenItoldheryoulovedherand——\"
\"Whenyoutoldherwha—at?\"explodedtheusuallylow—voicedWilliam,withsuddensharpness.
\"WhenItoldherthatyoulovedher,William.Yousee,I——\"
Williamsprangtohisfeet.
\"ToldherthatIlovedher!\"hecried,aghast.\"Goodheavens,Kate,doyoumeantosaythatYOUtoldherTHAT.\"
\"Why,y—yes.\"
\"AndmayIaskwhereyougotyourinformation?\"
\"Why,WilliamHenshaw,whataquestion!Igotitfromyourself,ofcourse,\"defendedKate.
\"FromME!\"William’sfaceexpressedsheeramazement.
\"Certainly;onthatdrivewhenIwasEastinJune,\"returnedKate,withdignity.\"YOUevidentlyhaveforgottenit,butIhavenot.
Youtoldmeveryfranklyhowmuchyouthoughtofher,andhowyoulongedtohaveherbacktherewithyou,butthatshedidn’tseemtobereadytocome.Iwassorryforyou,andIwantedtodosomethingtohelp,particularlyasitmighthavebeenmyfault,partly,thatshewentaway,inthefirstplace.\"
Williamliftedhishead.
\"Whatdoyoumean?\"
\"Why,nothing,onlythatI——Itoldheralittleofhow——howupsettingherarrivalhadbeentoeverything,andofhowmuchyouhaddoneforher,andputyourselfout.Isaiditsoshe’dappreciatethings,ofcourse,butshetookitquitedifferentlyfromwhatIhadintendedsheshouldtakeit,andseemedquitecutupaboutit.Thenshewentawayinthatwily,impulsivefashion.\"
Williambithislip,buthedidnotspeak.Katewasplungingonfeverishly,andinthefaceofthegreaterrevelationheletthelesseronedrop.
\"Andsothat’swhyIwasparticularlyanxioustobringthingsaroundrightagain,\"continuedKate.\"Andthat’swhyIspoke.I
thoughtI’dseenhowthingswere,andonthedriveIsaidso.TheniswhenIadvisedyoutospeaktoBilly;butyoudeclaredthatBillywasn’tready,andthatyoucouldn’tmakeagirlmarryagainstherwill.NOWdon’tyourecollectit?\"
AgreatlightofunderstandingbrokeoverWilliam’sface.Hestartedtospeak,butsomethingevidentlystayedthewordsonhislips.Withcontrolleddeliberationheturnedandsatdown.Thenhesaid:
\"Kate,willyoukindlytellmejustwhatyouDIDdo?\"
\"Why,Ididn’tdosoverymuch.Ijusttriedtohelp,that’sall.
AfterItalkedwithyou,andadvisedyoutoaskBillyrightawaytomarryyou,Iwenttoher.Ithoughtshecaredforyoualready,anyway;butIjustwantedtotellherhowverymuchitwastoyou,andsosortofpavetheway.AndnowcomesthepartthatIstartedtotellyoualittlewhileagowhenyoucaughtmeupsosharply.I
wasgoingtosaythatwhenItoldBillythis,sheappearedtobesurprised,andalmostfrightened.Yousee,shehadn’tknownyoucaredforher,afterall,andsoIhadachancetohelpandmakeitplaintoherhowyoudidloveher,sothatwhenyouspokeeverythingwouldbeallright.There,that’sall.YouseeIdidn’tdosoverymuch.\"
\"’Soverymuch’!\"groanedWilliam,startingtohisfeet.\"GreatScott!\"
\"Why,William,whatdoyoumean?Whereareyougoing?\"
\"I’mgoing——to——Billy,\"retortedWilliamwithslowdistinctness.
\"AndI’mgoingtotrytogetthere——before——you——CAN!\"Andwiththisextraordinaryshot——forWilliam——heleftthehouse.
WilliamwenttoBillyasfastassteamcouldcarryhim.Hefoundherinherlittledrawing—roomlistlesslywatchingwithAuntHannahthegameofchessthatBertramandMariewereplaying.
\"Billy,youpoor,dearchild,comehere,\"hesaidabruptly,assoonastheexcitementofhisunexpectedarrivalhadpassed.\"Iwanttotalktoyou.\"Andheledthewaytotheverandawhichheknewwouldbesilentanddeserted.
\"Totalkto——me?\"murmuredBilly,asshewonderinglycametohisside,astartledquestioninginherwidedarkeyes.
CHAPTERXLI
THECROOKEDMADESTRAIGHT
Williamdidnotre—enterthehouseafterhistalkwithBillyontheveranda.
\"Iwillgodownthestepsandaroundbytherosegardentothestreet,dear,\"hesaid.\"I’drathernotgoinnow.Justmakemyadieus,please,andsaythatIcouldn’tstayanylonger.Andnow——
good—by.\"Hiseyesastheylookeddownather,weremoistandverytender.Hislipstrembledalittle,buttheysmiled,andtherewasalookofnew—bornpeaceandjoyonhisface.
Billy,too,wassmiling,thoughwistfully.Thefrightenedquestioninghadgonefromhereyes,leavingonlyinfinitetenderness.
\"Youaresureit——itisallright——now?\"shestammered.
\"Verysure,littlegirl;andit’sthefirsttimeithasbeenrightforweeks.Billy,thatwasverydearofyou,andIloveyouforit;butthinkhownear——howperilouslynearyoucametolifelongmisery!\"
\"ButIthought——youwantedme——somuch,\"shesmiledshyly.
\"AndIdid,andIdo——foradaughter.Youdon’tdoubtthatNOW?\"
\"No,oh,no,\"laughedBilly,softly;andtoherfacecameahappylookofreliefasshefinished:\"AndI’llbesogladtobe——thedaughter!\"
Forsomeminutesafterthemanhadgone,Billystoodbythestepswherehehadlefther.ShewasstilltherewhenBertramcametotheverandadoorandspoketoher.
\"Billy,IsawWilliamgobythewindow,soIknewyouwerealone.
MayIspeaktoyou?\"
Thegirlturnedwithastart.
\"Why,ofcourse!Whatisit?——butIthoughtyouwereplaying.
WhereisMarie?\"
\"Thegameisfinished;besides——Billy,whyareyoualwaysaskingmelatelywhereMarieis,asifIwereherkeeper,orshemine?\"hedemanded,withatouchofnervousirritation.
\"Why,nothing,Bertram,\"smiledBilly,alittlewearily;\"onlythatyouwereplayingtogetherafewminutesago,andIwonderedwhereshehadgone.\"
\"’Afewminutesago’!\"echoedBertramwithsuddenbitterness.
\"Evidentlythetimepassedswiftlywithyou,Billy.WilliamwasouthereMOREthananhour.\"
\"Why——Bertram!\"
\"Yes,Iknow.I’venobusinesstosaythat,ofcourse,\"sighedtheman;\"but,Billy,that’swhyIcameout——becauseImustspeaktoyouthisonce.Won’tyoucomeandsitdown,please?\"heimploreddespairingly.
\"Why,Bertram,\"murmuredBillyagain,faintly,assheturnedtowardthevine—shadedcornerandsatdown.Hereyeswerestartled.A
swiftcolorhadcometohercheeks.
\"Billy,\"begantheman,inasternlycontrolledvoice,\"pleaseletmespeakthisonce,anddon’ttrytostopme.Youmaythink,foramoment,thatit’sdisloyaltoWilliamifyoulisten;butitisn’t.
There’sthismuchduetome——thatyouletmespeaknow.Billy,I
can’tstandit.I’vetried,butit’snouse.I’vegottogoaway,andit’srightthatIshould.I’mnottheonlyonethatthinksso,either.Mariedoes,too.\"
\"MARIE!\"
\"Yes.Italkeditalloverwithher.She’sknownforalongtimehowit’sbeenwithme;howIcared——foryou.\"
\"Marie!You’vetoldMariethat?\"gaspedBilly.
\"Yes.Surelyyoudon’tmindMarie’sknowing,\"wentonBertram,dejectedly.\"Andshe’sbeensogoodtome,andtriedto——helpme.\"
BertramwasnotlookingatBillynow.Ifhehadbeenhewouldhaveseentheincredulousjoycomeintoherface.Hiseyesweremoodilyfixedonthefloor.
\"Andso,Billy,I’vecometotellyou.I’mgoingaway,\"hecontinued,afteramoment.\"I’vegottogo.Ithoughtonce,whenIfirsttalkedwithyouofWilliam,thatyoudidn’tknowyourownheart;thatyoudidn’treallycareforhim.Iwasevenfoolenoughtothinkthat——thatitwouldbeItowhomyou’dturn——someday.
AndsoIstayed.ButIstayedhonorably,Billy!YOUknowthat!
YouknowthatIhaven’tonceforgotten——notonce,thatIwasonlyWilliam’sbrother.IpromisedyouI’dbethat——andIhavebeen;
haven’tI?\"
Billynoddedsilently.Herfacewasturnedaway.
\"But,Billy,Ican’tdoitanylonger.I’vegottoaskformypromiseback,andthen,ofcourse,Ican’tstay.\"
\"Butyou——youdon’thavetogo——away,\"murmuredthegirl,faintly.
Bertramsprangtohisfeet.Hisfacewaswhite.
\"Billy,\"hecried,standingtallandstraightbeforeher,\"Billy,I
loveeverytouchofyourhand,everyglanceofyoureye,everywordthatfallsfromyourlips.DoyouthinkIcanstay——now?Iwantmypromiseback!WhenI’mnolongerWilliam’sbrother——thenI’llgo!\"
\"Butyoudon’thavetohaveitback——thatis,youdon’thavetohaveitatall,\"stammeredBilly,flushingadorably.She,too,wasonherfeetnow.
\"Billy,whatdoyoumean?\"
\"Don’tyousee?I——IHAVEturned,\"shefalteredbreathlessly,holdingoutbothherhands.
Eventhen,inspiteofthegreatlightthatleapedtohiseyes,Bertramadvancedonlyasinglestep.
\"But——William?\"hequestioned,unbelievingly.
\"ItWASamistake,justasyouthought.Weknownow——bothofus.
Wedon’teitherofuscarefortheother——thatway.And——Bertram,IthinkitHASbeenyou——allthetime,onlyIdidn’tknow!\"
\"Billy,Billy!\"chokedBertraminavoiceshakenwithemotion.Heopenedhisarmsthen,wide——andBillywalkedstraightintothem.
CHAPTERXLII
THE\"ENDOFTHESTORY\"
ItwastwodaysafterBilly’snewhappinesshadcometoherthatCyrilcamehome.HewentverysoontoseeBilly.
Thegirlwassurprisedatthechangeinhisappearance.Hehadgrownthinandhaggardlooking,andhiseyesweresomber.Hemovedrestlesslyabouttheroomforatime,finallyseatinghimselfatthepianoandlettinghisfingersslipfromonemournfullittlemelodytoanother.Then,withadiscordantcrash,heturned.
\"Billy,doyouthinkanygirlwouldmarry——me?\"hedemanded.
\"Why,Cyril!\"
\"There,now,pleasedon’tbeginthat,\"hebeggedfretfully.\"I
realize,ofcourse,thatI’maveryunlikelysubjectformatrimony.
Youmademeunderstandthatclearlyenoughlastwinter!\"
\"Last——winter?\"
Cyrilraisedhiseyebrows.
\"Oh,Icametoyouforalittleencouragement,andtomakeaconfession,\"hesaid.\"Imadetheconfession——butIdidn’tgettheencouragement.\"
Billychangedcolor.Shethoughtsheknewwhathemeant,butatthesametimeshecouldn’tunderstandwhyheshouldwishtorefertothatconversationnow.
\"A——confession?\"sherepeated,hesitatingly.
\"Yes.ItoldyouthatI’dbeguntodoubtmybeingsuchawoman—
hater,afterall.IintimatedthatYOU’Dbegunthesofteningprocess,andthatthenI’dfoundacertainotheryoungwomanwhohad——well,whohadkeptupthegoodwork.\"
\"Oh!\"criedBillysuddenly,withapeculiarintonation.\"Oh—h!\"
Thenshelaughedsoftly.
\"Well,thatwastheconfession,\"resumedCyril.\"ThenIcameoutflat—footedandsaidthatIwantedtomarryher——butthereiswhereIdidn’tgettheencouragement!\"
\"Indeed!I’mafraidIwasn’tveryconsiderate,\"stammeredBilly.
\"No,youweren’t,\"agreedCyril,moodily.\"Ididn’tknowbutnow——\"
hisvoicesoftenedalittle——\"withthisnewhappinessofyoursandBertram’sthat——youmightfindalittleencouragementforme.\"
\"AndIwill,\"criedBilly,promptly.\"Tellmeabouther.\"
\"Idid——lastwinter,\"reproachedtheman,\"andyouweresureIwasdeceivingmyself.YoudrewthegloomiestsortofpictureofthemiseryIwouldtakewithawife.\"
\"Idid?\"Billywaslaughingverymerrilynow.
\"Yes.Yousaidshe’dalwaysbetalkingandlaughingwhenIwantedtobequiet,andthatshe’dwanttodragmeouttopartiesandplayswhenIwantedtostayathome;and——oh,lotsofthings.I
triedtomakeitcleartoyouthat——thatthislittlewomanwasn’tthatsort.ButIcouldn’t,\"finishedCyril,gloomily.
\"Butofcoursesheisn’t,\"declaredBilly,withquicksympathy.
\"I——Ididn’tknow——WHAT——Iwas——talkingabout,\"sheaddedwithemphaticdistinctness.ThenshesmiledtothinkhowlittleCyrilknewhowverytruethosewordswere.\"Tellmeabouther,\"shebeggedagain.\"Iknowshemustbeverylovelyandbrilliant,andofcourseawonderfulmusician.YOUcouldn’tchooseanyoneelse!\"
TohersurpriseCyrilturnedabruptlyandbegantoplayagain.A
nervouslittlestaccatoscherzofellfromhisfingers,butitdroppedalmostatonceintoaquietermelody,andendedwithsomethingthatsoundedverymuchlikethelaststrainof\"Home,SweetHome.\"Thenhewheeledaboutonthepianostool.
\"Billy,that’sexactlywhereyou’rewrong——IDON’Twantthatkindofwife.Idon’twantabrilliantone,and——now,Billy,thissoundslikehorribleheresy,Iknow,butit’strue——Idon’tcarewhethershecanplay,ornot;butIshouldpreferthatsheshouldn’tplay——much!\"
\"Why,CyrilHenshaw!——andyou,withyourmusic!Asifyoucouldbecontentedwithawomanlikethat!\"
\"Oh,Iwanthertolikemusic,ofcourse,\"modifiedCyril;\"butI
don’tcaretohaveherMAKEit.Billy,doyouknow?You’lllaugh,ofcourse,butmypictureofawifeisalwaysonething:aroomwithatableandashadedlamp,andalittlewomanbesideitwiththelightonherhair,andagreat,basketofsewingbesideher.
YouseeIAMdomestic!\"hefinishedalittledefiantly.
\"Ishouldsayyouwere,\"laughedBilly.\"Andhaveyoufoundher?——
thislittlewomanwhoistodonothingbutsitandsewinthecircleoftheshadedlamp?\"
\"Yes,I’vefoundher,butI’mnotatallsureshe’sfoundme.
That’swhereIwantyourhelp.Oh,Idon’tmean,ofcourse,\"headded,\"thatshe’sgottositunderthatlampallthetime.It’sonlythat——thatIhopeshelikesthatsortofthing.\"
\"And——doesshe?\"
\"Yes;thatis,Ithinkshedoes,\"smiledCyril.\"Anyhow,shetoldmeoncethat——thatthethingsshelikedbesttodoinalltheworldweretomendstockingsandtomakepuddings.\"
Billysprangtoherfeetwithalittlecry.Now,indeed,hadCyrilkepthispromiseandmade\"manythingsclear\"toher.
\"Cyril,comehere,\"shecriedtremulously,leadingthewaytotheopenverandadoor.ThenextmomentCyrilwaslookingacrossthelawntothelittlesummerhouseinthemidstofBilly’srosegarden.
InfullviewwithinthesummerhousesatMarie——sewing.
\"Go,Cyril;she’swaitingforyou,\"smiledBilly,mistily.\"Thelight’sonlythesun,tobesure,andmaybethereisn’tawholebasketofsewingthere.But——SHE’Sthere!\"
\"You’ve——guessed,then!\"breathedCyril.
\"I’venotguessed——Iknow.And——it’sallright.\"
\"Youmean——?\"OnlyCyril’spleadingeyesfinishedthequestion.
\"Yes,I’msureshedoes,\"noddedBilly.Andthensheaddedunderherbreathasthemanpassedswiftlydownthesteps:\"’MarieHenshaw’indeed!So’twasCyrilallthetime——andneverBertram——
whowastheinspirationofthatbitofpapergive—away!\"
WhensheturnedbackintotheroomshecamefacetofacewithBertram.
\"Ispoke,dear,butyoudidn’thear,\"hesaid,ashehurriedforwardwithoutstretchedhands.
\"Bertram,\"greetedBilly,withsurprisingirrelevance,\"’andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafter’——theyDID!Isn’tthatalwaystheendingtothestory——alovestory?\"
\"Ofcourse,\"saidBertramwithemphasis;——\"OURlovestory!\"
\"Andtheirs,\"supplementedBilly,softly;butBertramdidnothearthat.