"As I didn't see you downstairs I came up to look for you; Gertrude's with Hilda. Haven't Florence and Leonard arrived yet?"
"Train seems to be late," Andrew replied. "I suppose I should have gone to meet them, but I felt lazy."
"Was that all?"
"It wasn't my only reason. To tell the truth, I shirked the drive home with Leonard. I'm a poor dissembler and our relations are rather strained. It will be easier to meet him when there are others about."
"They'll be on his side."
"I expect so; but I'm not afraid of direct opposition6. It's beating about a delicate subject and trying to keep on safe ground that bothers me."
[Pg 236]"I know; it's embarrassing. You won't be able to broach7 matters of any importance to-night."
"No. We'll have one or two outside people here and I want my homecoming to be harmonious8. We'll let things stand over till to-morrow."
"Feeling nervous about it?" Wannop suggested with a grin.
"You needn't be downhearted. I don't know that your people are remarkably10 broad-minded, but they're straight—I'll say that even for Robert. They'll come round if they think you're right. But don't be apologetic; take a firm tone. Manner goes a long way and, after all, you are the head of Allinson's."
Andrew rose, for there were voices and footsteps below, and they went down to meet the arriving guests. The hall was large and square, with seats in recesses14 and one or two small tables and comfortable chairs scattered15 about. Mrs. Fenwood had come with Robert Allinson, who shook hands with Andrew heartily16, though there was a hint of constraint17 in his manner afterward18. He was not quite satisfied with Andrew's conduct before leaving England, and could not forget that his interference in the matter of Mrs. Olcott's house had been thwarted19. He regarded Wannop, who was saying something humorous to Mrs. Fenwood, with a suspicious eye.
Then there was a rattle20 of wheels outside and Florence Hathersage came in with Leonard. He expressed his pleasure at Andrew's safe return and after a few friendly words hurried off to his room. When he came down[Pg 237] again three more guests arrived, and Andrew went eagerly to meet them. Ethel Hillyard and Mrs. Olcott were foremost, and after welcoming them Andrew turned toward a man with a lined, brown face, bearing the stamp of the soldier. It was with marked cordiality that they shook hands.
"It's good to see you, Tom," Andrew said. "I heard you had just got home, and though it's an unhealthy country, you're looking very fit."
"A little fever now and then, though I escaped fairly well," rejoined the other with a friendly smile. "I have a good deal to say to you when we get a chance." He lowered his voice as he added: "I'm deeply grateful."
The meeting had a dramatic interest to the onlookers21. Every eye had been fixed22 on the stranger. As he had come with Mrs. Olcott his identity was obvious; and the good-will both men had shown had its significance. Then Andrew led the Olcotts forward and presented them to the elderly unmarried relative who managed his household and looked after Hilda. Mrs. Olcott's color was slightly heightened, though she smiled, for she understood the interest she had aroused and this was her triumph. She had produced the husband whose absence had excited comment and whose existence some had ventured to doubt. Moreover, he was a man to be proud of, and nobody who had witnessed their meeting could doubt that he was Andrew's trusted friend. Robert Allinson looked at him earnestly and then turned to Leonard with a frown. He was narrow and censorious, but he was just, and he felt that he had been mistaken, or perhaps misled.
They went in to dinner and Andrew sat at the head of his table, saying enough to keep conversation going, but content to give Leonard the lead. Considering[Pg 238] how he stood toward his host, Hathersage showed admirable tact23. He skilfully24 turned every topic which might prove difficult and kept the others on safe ground; he was witty25 in a polished manner, but if anything a little too obviously at ease. For the first time it struck one or two of the party with surprise that there was something in Andrew's bearing which his more brilliant brother-in-law lacked. The soldier from tropical Africa bore the same elusive26 stamp of command, sincerity27 and steadfastness28. Ethel Hillyard, studying them carefully, decided29 that Leonard was, by comparison, cheap and superficial.
Still, it was largely due to his efforts that dinner was a pleasant function without an awkward pause in it; and afterward the guests dispersed30 through several rooms to amuse themselves. When Andrew found a place by Ethel Hillyard in a recess13 in the hall, she surveyed him with smiling scrutiny31.
"I think you did well in going to Canada," she said. "Though I can't quite express what I mean, you look bigger."
Ethel laughed.
"Oh, well, I don't want to make you embarrassed! I believe you had a trying time. Looking after the silver mine didn't prove as easy as you expected?"
"I don't remember what I expected, but I found it very difficult."
"So I gathered. Antony Wannop seems to think the reforms you have in view won't be popular. I suppose you have been summoned home to explain?"
"No," said Andrew; "I came. There's a difference."
"It's marked," Ethel answered. "But we are old[Pg 239] friends, Andrew; follow your own bent33, stick to your guns. Whatever plans you have determined34 on will be fair. Once before I told you not to be daunted35; but it strikes me that you need less encouragement now."
"Thank you," said Andrew. "I'm sorry I can't tell you much about the matter. You see——"
"It's a family affair, and after all I have my ideas. But you made some new friends by the Lake of Shadows, didn't you?"
"Yes; staunch ones. They showed their friendship in a very practical way. That's something I owe to you; I suspect that you have been prejudicing them in my favor."
"Then you have a good opinion of Geraldine?"
Andrew colored as he met her inquiring glance.
"Yes," he said simply, "the highest I'm capable of forming."
Ethel smiled rather curiously36. Two or three years earlier she had contemplated37 the possibility of Andrew's seeking her for his wife, but her feelings had not been deeply stirred, and when she saw that she had taken too much for granted she quietly submitted and retained a very friendly interest in him. Now, however, there was something grimly amusing in the thought that she had given him to Geraldine.
"Well," she said, "I'm sure she merits it. But to speak of something else, I'm glad you asked the Olcotts here."
"That's another matter in which I'm indebted to you. What do you think of Olcott? He sat next to you."
"A delightful38 man." Ethel, who was direct and fearless, looked up at her companion. "No one could[Pg 240] doubt Mrs. Olcott's devotion to him, and I think it's warranted." Then she rose. "You must have a good deal to say to the others and I mustn't monopolize39 you."
Andrew went to the smoking-room, which proved to be unoccupied, but as he was leaving it Olcott came in.
"I stole away and followed you," he said. "Sit down a minute and light up."
Olcott took out two glasses and filled them.
"It's your house, but I feel at home."
"So you ought!"
Olcott raised his glass.
"Here's to you, old friend, and may you get with full measure, as you give! I can't wish you anything better." He put down his glass and continued: "And now we'll proceed to business. As soon as I'd had a talk with Clare I paid a check into your bank."
"Sure it's convenient?"
"Quite: I had my duties increased and, what was much less usual, a corresponding increase of pay. I'd rather have come over when you were alone, and I only got home yesterday, but Clare insisted on my appearing to-night. Can you guess the reason?"
"Yes." Andrew flushed but looked at his friend with steady eyes. "I got very savage41 about the matter, and wondered whether I'd been in any way to blame. Still, you left things pretty mixed when you went away—your wife needed somebody to straighten them out, and I'm not a tactful person."
"I'd only a day or two's notice, and there wasn't time to arrange matters properly. But it's hard to imagine that people who knew you could be such credulous42 fools. I mustn't say anything stronger of your relatives."
[Pg 241]"I don't think being my relatives makes them any brighter," Andrew replied with a grin. "My father was the last genius in the family; talent often skips a generation. But we'll let the matter drop."
"If you find gratitude43 hard to put up with. It seems that your sister Hilda has told Clare something about your adventures. You had some rough experiences in Canada?"
"You're right," returned Olcott grimly. "We must have a long talk; but here's the clergyman coming in search of you and he looks as if he had something important to say."
"Andrew," he said, "I have come to express my regret at having wronged you by suspicions which I am now ashamed of."
"After all, perhaps you had some excuse. I wasn't as careful as I should have been; but I'm getting tired of the subject."
"It's painful, but I must go on. I knew what a mistake I had made as soon as I saw Olcott come in; but you don't understand yet how far my suspicions led me. I felt it my duty to see Judson about Mrs. Olcott's lease."
"Ah! You mean you put the screw on him? I'm glad your plot seems to have failed."
"So am I," said Robert. "I'll confess that I was disappointed at first and suspected Wannop of interfering46. As you know, he's lax in his views."
"It's unfortunate the laxity you complain of isn't more common." Andrew broke into a smile. "No[Pg 242] doubt Wannop was too clever for you; but I don't bear you any grudge47. I believe you meant well, and good intentions seem to excuse a good deal of harshness."
"I did what I thought was my duty," Robert said with dignity, and moved away.
Shortly afterward Andrew entered the drawing-room, where he was surprised to see Robert talking to Mrs. Olcott. The clergyman looked unusually solemn and Mrs. Olcott's expression was resigned. Hilda, joining her brother, glanced toward the other two.
"Isn't he amusing?" she said with a soft laugh. "He's doing penance48 and feeling as awkward as he deserves. No doubt Mrs. Olcott feels horribly bored."
"What do you know about the matter?" Andrew asked sharply.
"More than you think. Robert believes he's making full amends49 by countenancing50 Mrs. Olcott as he's doing. After this, of course, nobody need fight shy of her."
"Well," he said, "I've a higher opinion of Robert now than I've had for some time."
"He's pompous52 and silly," Hilda declared. "Sometimes I feel sorry for him, sometimes he makes me positively53 wicked; but after all he has his good points. For one thing, he's not afraid."
She went away when Andrew joined his elder sisters, and the evening passed pleasantly. When the party broke up Andrew strolled out to the terrace and leaned on the low wall. There was no moon, but the night was clear and mild. Bare trees rose in shadowy masses across the dark stretch of lawn; the ghyll beyond it was filled with mist, out of which there rose the gurgle of running water. In the distance a ridge54 of moor cut darkly[Pg 243] against the sky. The lights in the house went out one by one; the stillness was soothing55 and Andrew became lost in thought.
He knew and loved every wood and field in the dim countryside he looked out upon. He had spent happy, healthful days on the purple moors56 when the grouse57 came flitting across the heather; among the turnips58 and yellow stubble in the valley where the partridge coveys lay; and by deep pools in the ghyll where the silver sea-trout gleamed through the brown peat water. It was a harmless life he had led there, but he felt that it had been a wasted one. Its peaceful sounds had dulled his ears to the clamor of the busy world where the work he had neglected badly needed doing. He was not a prig and felt no call to be a general reformer, but the Allinson honor was tainted59 and it was his business to remove the stain. He might fail, but he must concentrate upon the task all the power he possessed60.
Then he began to consider ways and means. A good deal depended on his relatives' attitude. They could hamper61 him by their resistance and he wanted their support, though he was prepared to go on without it. To-night they had obviously acquitted62 him of a supposititious folly63, which was something to the good; indeed, he had been especially pleased by Robert's frank expression of regret. He had looked for determined opposition from the clergyman, but now he did not despair of winning him. Though prejudiced and conventional, Robert was sincere, and that was a great thing.
To-morrow evening the family council must be held. He imagined that Leonard was clever enough to have put him in the wrong beforehand. He would, no doubt, be called on to explain his rash interference with the[Pg 244] company's Canadian affairs, and he must make the best defense64 he could. Indeed, he must bear with a good deal, if needful, to make his defense effective; but, if this could not be done, there was another line he meant to take. He would let those who misjudged him know that he was the head of Allinson's and would go on as he had begun.
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1
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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muggy
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| adj.闷热的；adv.（天气）闷热而潮湿地；n.（天气）闷热而潮湿 | |
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boggy
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| adj.沼泽多的 | |
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moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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broach
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| v.开瓶，提出(题目) | |
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harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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tussle
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| n.&v.扭打，搏斗，争辩 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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usurp
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| vt.篡夺，霸占；vi.篡位 | |
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depose
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| vt.免职；宣誓作证 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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15
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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onlookers
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| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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steadfastness
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| n.坚定，稳当 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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monopolize
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| v.垄断，独占，专营 | |
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40
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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interfering
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| adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词 | |
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47
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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48
penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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49
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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50
countenancing
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| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的现在分词 ) | |
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51
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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52
pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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54
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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56
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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grouse
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| n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦 | |
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turnips
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| 芜青( turnip的名词复数 )； 芜菁块根； 芜菁甘蓝块根； 怀表 | |
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59
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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64
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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