SALTHAVEN

By W. W. Jacobs

1908

CHAPTER I

MR. JOHN VYNER, ship-owner, pushed his chair back from his writing-tableand gazed with kindly condescension at the chief clerk as he stoodbefore it with a handful of papers. 

"We shall be able to relieve you of some of your work soon, Hartley, " hesaid, slowly. "Mr. Robert will come into the firm next week. " The chiefclerk bowed. 

"Three years at Cambridge, " resumed Mr. Vyner, meditatively, "and twoyears spent up and down the world studying the business methods of othernations ought to render him invaluable to us. "

"No doubt, sir, " said Hartley. "It is an excellent training. "

"For a time, " said the ship-owner, leaning back and placing the tips ofhis fingers together, "for a time I am afraid that he will have to haveyour room. Later on--ha--if a room should--ha--fall vacant in thebuilding, we might consider taking it. "

"Yes, sir, " said the other. 

"And, of course, " resumed Mr. Vyner, "there is one great advantage inyour being in the general office which must not be overlooked; you cankeep an eye on the juniors better. "

"It is cheerful, too, sir, " suggested the chief clerk; "the onlything--"

"Yes?" said Mr. Vyner, somewhat loudly. 

Mr. Hartley shrank a little. "I was going to say that it is rather asmall room for Mr. Robert, " he said, quickly. 

"It will do for a time, " said the other. 

"And--and I think I told you, sir, that there is an unpleasantsm--odour. "

Mr. Vyner knitted his brows. "I offered to have that seen to, but yousaid that you didn't mind it, " he remarked. 

"Just so, sir, " said Hartley; "but I was thinking of Mr. Robert. Hemight not like it; it's very strong at times--very strong indeed. "

"You ought to have had it attended to before, " said Mr. Vyner, with someseverity. "You had better call at Gillows' on your way home and ask themto send a man up first thing to-morrow morning. "

He drew his chair to the table again, and Hartley, after lingering amoment, withdrew to his own room. 

Ten out of his thirty-five years of service had been passed there, and he stifled a sigh as he looked at the neat array of drawers andpigeon-holes, the window overlooking the bridge and harbour, andthe stationer's almanac which hung over the fireplace. The japannedletter-rack and the gum-bottle on the small mantelpiece were oldfriends. 

The day's work completed, he walked home in sober thought. It was apleasant afternoon in May, but he was too preoccupied to pay any heed tothe weather, and, after informing a man who stopped him to tell him thathe had lost a wife, six children, and a right leg, that it was just fiveminutes past six, resumed his way with a hazy idea of having been usefulto a fellow-creature. 

He brightened a little as he left the bustle of the town behind, andfrom sheer force of habit glanced at the trim front-gardens as hepassed. The cloud lifted still more as he reached his own garden andmentally compared his flowers with those he had just passed. 

His daughter was out, and tea for one was laid in the front room. Hedrew his chair to the table, and taking up the tea-pot, which the maidhad just brought in, poured himself out a cup of tea. 

He looked round the comfortable room with pleasure. After all, nobodycould take that from him. He stirred his tea and had just raised the cupto his lips when he set it down untasted and sat staring blankly beforehim. A low rumble of voices from the kitchen fell unpleasantly on hisear; and his daughter Joan had left instructions too specific to bemisunderstood as to his behaviour in the event of Rosa entertaining malecompany during her absence. He coughed twice, loudly, and was gladto note the disappearance of the rumble. Pleased with his successhe coughed a third time, a sonorous cough charged with importance. Awhispered rumble, possibly a suggestion of withdrawal, came from thekitchen. 

"Only his tea gone the wrong way, " he heard, reassuringly, from Rosa. 

The rumble, thus encouraged, deepened again. It became confident andwas heard to laugh. Mr. Hartley rose and, standing on the hearthrug withlegs apart, resolved to play the man. He leaned over and rang the bell. The voices stopped. Then he heard Rosa say, "Not him! you stay where youare. "

She came slowly in response to the bell, and thrusting a yellow head inat the door gazed at him inquiringly. 

"I--I want a little more hot water, " said her master, mildly. 

"More?" repeated Rosa. "Why, I brought you over a pint. "

"I want some more, " said Mr. Hartley. Then a bright thought struck him. "I am expecting Miss Joan home every minute, " he added, significantly. 

Rosa tossed her head. "She ain't coming home till nine, " she remarked, "so if it's only for her you want the hot water, you won't want it. "

"I--I thought I heard a man's voice, " he said at last. 

[Illustration: I thought I heard a man's voice 012]

"Very good, " said her master, with an attempt at dignity; "you can go. "

Rosa went, whistling. Mr. Hartley, feeling that he had done all thatcould be expected of a man, sat down and resumed his tea. The rumblingfrom the kitchen, as though in an endeavour to make up for lost time, became continuous. It also became louder and more hilarious. Pale anddetermined Mr. Hartley rose a second time and, seizing the bell-pull, rang violently. 

"Does anybody want to see me?" he inquired, as Rosa's head appeared. 

"You? No, " was the reply. 

"I thought, " said her master, gazing steadily at the window, "I thoughtsomebody was inquiring for me. "

"Well, there hasn't been, " said Rosa. 

Mr. Hartley, with a magisterial knitting of the brows, which hadoccasionally been found effective with junior clerks, affected toponder. 

"I--I thought I heard a man's voice, " he said at last. 

"Nobody's been inquiring for you, " said Rosa calmly. "If they did Ishould come in and let you know. Nobody's been for you that I've heardof, and I don't see how they could come without me knowing it. "

"Just so, " said Mr. Hartley. "Just so. "

He turned to the mantelpiece for his tobacco-jar, and Rosa, afterstanding for some time at the "ready" with a hostile stare, cleared herthroat noisily and withdrew. The voices in the kitchen broke outwith renewed vehemence; Mr. Hartley coughed again--a cough lackingin spirit--and, going out at the front door, passed through theside-entrance to the garden and tended his plants with his back to thekitchen window. 

Hard at work at the healthful pastime of weeding, his troubles slippedfrom him. The path became littered with little tufts of grass, and heWas just considering the possibility of outflanking the birch-broom, which had taken up an advantageous position by the kitchen window, whena young man came down the side-entrance and greeted him with respectfulenthusiasm. 

"I brought you these, " he said, opening a brown leather bag andextracting a few dried roots. "I saw an advertisement. I forget thename of them, but they have beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers. They arefree growers, and grow yards and yards the first year. "

"And miles and miles the second, " said Mr. Hartley, regarding them withextraordinary ferocity. "Bindweed is the name, and once get it in yourgarden and you'll never get rid of it. "

"That wasn't the name in the advertisement, " said the other, dubiously. 

"I don't suppose it was, " said Hartley. "You've got a lot to learn ingardening yet, Saunders. "

"Yes, sir, " said the other; "I've got a good teacher, though. "

Mr. Hartley almost blushed. "And how is your garden getting on?" heinquired. 

"It's--it's getting on, " said Mr. Saunders, vaguely. 

"I must come and have a look at it, " said Hartley. 

"Not yet, " said the young man, hastily. "Not yet. I shouldn't like youto see it just yet. Is Miss Hartley well?"

Mr. Hartley said she was, and, in an abstracted fashion, led the waydown the garden to where an enormous patch of land--or so it seemed toMr. Saunders--awaited digging. The latter removed his coat and, hangingit with great care on an apple tree, turned back his cuffs and seizedthe fork. 

"It's grand exercise, " said Mr. Hartley, after watching him for sometime. 

"Grand, " said Mr. Saunders, briefly. 

"As a young man I couldn't dig enough, " continued the other, "butnowadays it gives me a crick in the back. "

"Always?" inquired Mr. Saunders, with a slight huskiness. 

"Always, " said Mr. Hartley. "But I never do it now; Joan won't let me. "

Mr. Saunders sighed at the name and resumed his digging. "Miss Hartleyout?" he asked presently, in a casual voice. 

"Yes; she won't be home till late, " said the other. "We can have afine evening's work free of interruptions. I'll go and get on with myweeding. "

He moved off and resumed his task; Mr. Saunders, with a suppressedgroan, went on with his digging. The ground got harder and harder andhis back seemed almost at breaking-point. At intervals he had whatgardeners term a "straight-up, " and with his face turned toward thehouse listened intently for any sounds that might indicate the return ofits mistress. 

"Half-past eight, " said Hartley at last; "time to knock off. I've put afew small plants in your bag for you; better put them in in the morningbefore you start off. "

Mr. Saunders thanked him, and reaching down his coat put it on andfollowed Mr. Hartley to the house. The latter, steering him round by theside-entrance, accompanied him to the front gate. 

"If you would like to borrow my roller or lawn-mower at any time, " hesaid, cordially, "I should be very pleased to lend them to you. Itisn't very far. "

Mr. Saunders, who would sooner have died than have been seen dragginga roller through the streets, thanked him warmly. With an idea ofprolonging his stay, he suggested looking at them. 

"They're locked up now, " said Mr. Hartley. "See them another time. Good-night. "

"Good-night, " said Mr. Saunders. "I'll look in to-morrow evening, if Imay. "

"No use to-morrow, " Mr. Hartley called after him; "there will be nobodyat home but Joan. "

CHAPTER II

MR. ROBERT VYNER entered upon his new duties with enthusiasm. The secondday he was at the office half an hour before anybody else; on the thirdday the staff competed among themselves for the honour of arrivingfirst, and greeted him as respectfully as their feelings would permitwhen he strolled in at a quarter to eleven. The arrival of the seniorpartner on the day following at a phenomenally early hour, for the sakeof setting an example to the junior, filled them with despair. Their spirits did not revive until Mr. John had given up the task asinconvenient and useless. 

A slight fillip was given to Robert's waning enthusiasm by the arrivalof new furniture for his room. A large mahogany writing-table, full ofdrawers and pigeon-holes, gave him a pleasant sense of importance, andthe revolving chair which went with it afforded a welcome relief toa young and ardent nature. Twice the office-boy had caught the juniorpartner, with his legs tucked up to avoid collisions, whirling wildlyaround, and had waited respectfully at the door for the conclusion ofthe performance. 

[Illustration: The office boy caught the Junior Partner 020]

"It goes a bit stiff, Bassett, " said the junior partner. 

"Yessir, " said Bassett. 

"I'm trying to ease it a bit, " explained Mr. Robert. 

"Yessir, " said Bassett again. 

Mr. Robert regarded him closely. An undersized boy in spectacles, witha large head and an air of gravity and old age on his young features, which the junior thought somewhat ill-placed for such an occasion. 

"I suppose you never twizzle round on your chair, Bassett?" he said, slowly. 

Bassett shivered at the idea. "No, sir, " he said, solemnly; "I've got mywork to do. "

Mr. Robert sought for other explanations. "And, of course, you have astool, " he remarked; "you couldn't swing round on that. "

"Not even if I wanted to, sir, " said the unbending Bassett. 

Mr. Robert nodded, and taking some papers from his table held thembefore his face and surveyed the youth over the top. Bassett stoodpatiently to attention. 

"That's all right, " said the other; "thank you. "

"Thank you, sir, " said Bassett, turning to the door. 

"By the way, " said Mr. Robert, eying him curiously as he turned thehandle, "what exercise _do_ you take?"

"Exercise, sir?" said Bassett. 

Mr. Robert nodded. "What do you do of an evening for amusement after thearduous toils of the day are past? Marbles?"

"No, sir, " said the outraged one. "If I have any time to spare I amusemyself with a little shorthand. "

"Amuse!" exclaimed the other. He threw himself back in his chair and, sternly checking its inclination to twirl again, sought for a flawin the armour of this paragon. "And what else do you do in the way ofrecreation?"

"I've got a vivarium, sir. "

Mr. Robert hesitated, but curiosity got the better of his dignity. "What's that?" he inquired. 

"A thing I keep frogs and toads in, sir, " was the reply. 

Mr. Robert, staring hard at him, did his honest best to check thenext question, but it came despite himself. "Are you--are you married, Bassett?" he inquired. 

Bassett regarded him calmly. "No, sir, " he said, with perfect gravity. "I live at home with my mother. "

The junior partner gave him a nod of dismissal, and for some time satgazing round the somewhat severely furnished office, wondering withsome uneasiness what effect such surroundings might have on a noble butimpressionable temperament. He brought round a few sketches the nextday to brighten the walls, and replated the gum-bottle and other usefulornaments by some German beer-mugs. 

Even with these aids to industry he found the confinement of officesomewhat irksome, and, taking a broad view of his duties, graduallyrelieved Bassett of his errands to the docks. It was necessary, he toldhimself, to get a thorough grasp of the whole business of ship-owning. In the stokeholds of Vyner and Son's' steamships he talked learnedly oncoal with the firemen, and, quite unaided, hit on several schemes forthe saving of coal--all admirable except for the fact: that severalknots per hour would be lost. 

"The thing is to take an all-round view, " he said to Captain. Trimblett, of the SS. _Indian Chief_, as he strolled back with thatelderly mariner from the ship to the office one day. 

"That's it, sir, " said the captain. 

"Don't waste, and, at the same time, don't pinch, " continued Mr. Robert, oracularly. 

"That's business in a nutshell, " commented the captain. "Don't spoilthe ship for a ha'porth of tar, and, on the other hand, don't getleaving the tar about for other people to sit on. "

"But you got it off, " said Robert, flushing. "You told me you had. "

"As far as tar ever can be got off, " asserted the captain, gloomily. "Yes. Why I put my best trousers on this morning, " he continued, in atone of vague wonder, "I'm sure I don't know. It was meant to be, Isuppose; it's all for some wise purpose: that we don't know of. "

"Wise fiddlesticks!" exclaimed Robert, shortly--"Your particular brandof fatalism is the most extraordinary nonsense I ever heard of. What itmeans: is that thousands of years ago, or millions, perhaps, was decidedthat I should be born on purpose to tar your blessed trousers. "

"That and other things, " said the immovable captain. "It's all laiddown for us, everything we do, and we can't help doing it. When I put onthose trousers this morning--"

"Oh, hang your trousers, " said Robert. "You said it didn't matter, andyou've been talking about nothing else ever since. "

"I won't say another word about it, " said the captain. "I remember thelast pair I had done; a pair o' white ducks. My steward it was; one o'those silly, fat-headed, staring-eyed, garping--"

"Go on, " said the other, grimly. 

"Nice, bright young fellows, " concluded the captain, hastily; "he got onvery well, I believe. "

"After he left you, I suppose?" said Mr. Vyner, smoothly. 

"Yes, " said the innocent captain. He caught a glance of the other's faceand ruminated. "After I had broken him of his silly habits, " he added. 

He walked along smiling, and, raising his cap with a flourish, beamedin a fatherly manner on a girl who was just passing. Robert replaced hishat and glanced over his left shoulder. 

"Who is that?" he inquired. "I saw her the other day; her face seemsfamiliar to me. "

"Joan Hartley, " replied the captain. "Nathaniel Hartley's daughter. Tomy mind, the best and prettiest girl in Salthaven. "

[Illustration: Best and prettiest girl in Salthaven 024]

"Eh?" said the other, staring. "Hartley's daughter? Why, I should havethought--"

The best and prettiest girl in Salthaven

"Yes, sir?" said Captain Trimblett, after a pause. 

"Nothing, " concluded Robert, lamely. "She doesn't look like it; that'sall. "

"She's got his nose, " maintained the captain, with the obstinate air ofa man prepared to go to the stake for his opinions. "Like as two peastheir noses are; you'd know them for father and daughter anywhere bythat alone. "

Mr. Vyner assented absently. He was wondering where the daughter of thechief clerk got her high looks from. 

"Very clever girl, " continued the captain. "She got a scholarship andwent to college, and then, when her poor mother died, Hartley was solonely that she gave it all up and came home to keep house for him. "

"Quite a blue-stocking, " suggested Robert. 

"There's nothing of the blue-stocking about her, " said the captain, warmly. "In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if she became engaged soon. "

Mr. Vyner became interested. "Oh!" he said, with an instinctive glanceover his left shoulder. 

Captain Trimblett nodded sagely. "Young fellow of the name of Saunders, "he said slowly. 

"Oh!" said the other again. 

"You might have seen him at Wilson's, the ship-broker's, " pursued thecaptain. "Bert Saunders his name is. Rather a dressy youngster, perhaps. Generally wears a pink shirt and a very high stand-up collar--one o'those collars that you have to get used to. "

Mr. Vyner nodded. 

"He's not good enough for her, " said the captain, shaking his head. "Butthen, nobody is. Looked at that way it's all right. "

"You seem to take a great interest in it, " said Robert. 

"He came to me with his troubles, " said Captain Trimblett, bunching uphis gray beard in his hand reflectively. "Leastways, he made aremark or two which I took up. Acting under my advice he is taking upgardening. "

Mr. Vyner glanced at him in mystification. 

"Hartley is a great gardener, " explained the other with a satisfiedsmile. "What is the result? He can go there when he likes, so to speak. No awkwardness or anything of that sort. He can turn up there bold asbrass to borrow a trowel, and take three or four hours doing it. "

"You're a danger to society, " said Robert, shaking his head. 

"People ought to marry while they're young, " said the captain. "If theydon't, like as not they're crazy to marry in their old age. There's mylandlord here at Tranquil Vale, fifty-two next birthday, and over hisears in love. He has got it about as bad as a man can have it. "

"And the lady?" inquired Robert. 

"She's all right, " said the captain. He lowered his voiceconfidentially. "It's Peter's sister, that's the trouble. He's afraid tolet her know. All we can do is to drop a little hint here and a littlehint there, so as to prepare her for the news when it's broken to her. "

"Is she married?" inquired Robert, pausing as they reached the office. 

"No, " said Captain Trimblett; "widow. "

Mr. Vyner gave a low whistle. "When do you sail, cap'n?" he inquired, ina voice oily with solicitude. 

"Soon as my engine-room repairs are finished, I suppose, " said theother, staring. 

"And you--you are giving her hints about courtship and marriage?"inquired Mr. Vyner, in tones of carefully-modulated surprise. 

"She's a sensible woman, " said the captain, reddening, "and she's nomore likely to marry again than I am. "

"Just what I was thinking, " said Mr. Vyner. 

He shook his head, and, apparently deep in thought, turned and walkedslowly up the stairs. He was pleased to notice as he reached the firstlanding that the captain was still standing where he had left him, staring up the stairs. 

CHAPTER III

IN a somewhat ruffled state of mind Captain Trimblett pursued his waytoward Tranquil Vale, a. Row of neat cottages situated about a mile anda half from the town, and inhabited principally by retired mariners. Thegardens, which ran down to the river, boasted a particularly fine strainof flag-staffs; battered figure-heads in swan-like attitudes lent apleasing touch of colour, and old boats sawn in halves made convenientarbours in which to sit and watch the passing pageant of the sea. 

At No. 5 the captain paused to pass a perfectly dry boot over a scraperof huge dimensions which guarded the entrance, and, opening the door, finished off on the mat. Mrs. Susanna Chinnery, who was setting tea, looked up at his entrance, and then looked at the clock. 

"Kettle's just on the boil, " she remarked. 

"Your kettle always is, " said the captain, taking a chair--"when it'stime for it to be, I mean, " he added, hastily, as Mrs. Chinnery showedsigns of correcting him. 

"It's as easy to be punctual as otherwise, " said Mrs. Chinnery; "easier, if people did but know it. "

"So it is, " murmured the captain, and sat gazing, with a sudden woodenexpression, at a picture opposite of the eruption of Vesuvius. 

"Peter's late again, " said Mrs. Chinnery, in tones of hopelessresignation. 

"Business, perhaps, " suggested Captain Trimblett, still intent onVesuvius. 

"For years and years you could have set the clock by him, " continuedMrs. Chinnery, bustling out to the kitchen and bustling back againwith the kettle; "now I never know when to expect him. He was lateyesterday. "

Captain Trimblett cleared his throat. "He saw a man nearly run over, " hereminded her. 

"Yes; but how long would that take him?" retorted Mrs. Chinnery. "If theman _had_ been run over I could have understood it. "

The captain murmured something about shock. 

"On Friday he was thirty-three minutes late, " continued the other. 

"Friday, " said the faithful captain. "Friday he stopped to listen to aman playing the bagpipes--a Scotchman. "

"That was Thursday, " said Mrs. Chinnery. 

The captain affected to ponder. "So it was, " he said, heartily. "What amemory you have got! Of course, Friday he walked back to the office forhis pipe. "

"Well, we won't wait for him, " said Mrs. Chinnery, taking the head ofthe table and making the tea. "If he can't come in to time he must putup with his tea being cold. That's the way we were brought up. "

"A very good way, too, " said the captain. He put a radish into his mouthand, munching slowly, fell to gazing at Vesuvius again. It was not untilhe had passed his cup up for the second time that a short, red-faced mancame quickly into the room and, taking a chair from its place againstthe wall, brought it to the table and took a seat opposite the captain. 

"Late again, Peter, " said his sister. 

"Been listening to a man playing the cornet, " said Mr. Truefitt, briefly. 

Captain Trimblett, taking the largest radish he could find, pushed itinto his mouth and sat gazing at him in consternation. He had used uptwo musical instruments in less than a week. 

"You're getting fond of music in your old age, " said Mrs. Chinnery, tartly. "But you always are late nowadays. When it isn't music it'ssomething else. What's come over you lately I can't think. "

Mr. Truefitt cleared his throat for speech, and then, thinking better ofit, helped himself to some bread and butter and went on with his meal. His eyes met those of Captain Trimblett and then wandered away to thewindow. The captain sprang into the breach. 

"He wants a wife to keep him in order, " he said, with a boldness thattook Mr. Truefitt's breath away. 

"Wife!" exclaimed Mrs. Chinnery. "Peter!"

She put down her cup and laughed--a laugh so free from disquietude thatMr. Truefitt groaned in spirit. 

"He'll go off one of these days. " said the captain with affectedjoviality. "You see if he don't. "

Mrs. Chinnery laughed again. "He's a born bachelor, " she declared. "Why, he'd sooner walk a mile out of his way any day than meet a woman. He'sbeen like it ever since he was a boy. When I was a girl and broughtfriends of mine home to tea, Peter would sit like a stuffed dummy andnever say a word. "

"I've known older bachelors than him to get married, " said the captain. "I've known 'em down with it as sudden as heart disease. In a way, it isheart disease, I suppose. "

"Peter's heart's all right, " said Mrs. Chinnery. 

"He might drop down any moment, " declared the captain. 

Mr. Truefitt, painfully conscious of their regards, passed his cupup for some more tea and made a noble effort to appear amused, as thecaptain cited instance after instance of confirmed bachelors being ledto the altar. 

"I broke the ice for you to-day, " he said, as they sat after tea in thelittle summer-house at the bottom of the garden, smoking. 

Mr. Truefitt's gaze wandered across the river. "Yes, " he said, slowly, "yes. "

"I was surprised at myself, " said the captain. 

"I was surprised at you, " said Mr. Truefitt, with some energy. "So faras I can see, you made it worse. "

The captain started. "I did it for the best, my lad, " he said, reproachfully. "She has got to know some day. You can't be made late bycornets and bagpipes every day. "

Mr. Truefitt rumpled his short gray hair. "You see, I promised her, " hesaid, suddenly. 

"I know, " said the captain, nodding. "And now you've promised MissWillett. "

"When they brought him home dead, " said Mr. Truefitt, blowing out acloud of smoke, "she was just twenty-five. Pretty she was then, cap'n, as pretty a maid as you'd wish to see. As long as I live, Susanna, andhave a home, you shall share it'; that's what I said to her. "

The captain nodded again. 

"And she's kept house for me for twenty-five years, " continued Mr. Truefitt; "and the surprising thing to me is the way the years havegone. I didn't realize it until I found an old photograph of hers theother day taken when she was twenty. Men don't change much. "

The captain looked at him--at the close-clipped gray whiskers, thebluish lips, and the wrinkles round the eyes. "No, " he said, stoutly. "But she could live with you just the same. "

The other shook his head. "Susanna would never stand another woman inthe house, " he said, slowly. "She would go out and earn her own living;that's her pride. And she wouldn't take anything from me. It's turningher out of house and home. "

"She'd be turning herself out, " said the captain. 

"Of course, there is the chance she might marry again, " said the other, slowly. "She's had several chances, but she refused 'em all. "

"From what she said one day, " said the captain, "I got the idea thatshe has kept from marrying all these years for your sake. "

Mr. Truefitt put his pipe down on the table and stared blankly beforehim. "That's the worst of it, " he said, forlornly; "but something willhave to be done. I've been engaged three weeks now, and every time Ispend a few minutes with Cecilia--Miss Willett--I have to tell a lieabout it. "

"You do it very well, " said his friend. "Very well indeed. "

"And Susanna regards me as the most truthful man that ever breathed, "continued Mr. Truefitt. 

"You've got a truthful look about you, " said the captain. "If I didn'tknow you so well I should have thought the same. "

Unconscious of Mr. Truefitt's regards he rose and, leaning his arm onthe fence at the bottom of the garden, watched the river. 

"Miss Willett thinks she might marry again, " said Mr. Truefitt, picking up his pipe and joining him. "She'd make an excellent wife foranybody--anybody. "

The captain assented with a nod. 

"Nobody could have a better wife, " said Mr. Truefitt. 

The captain, who was watching an outward-bound barque, nodded again, absently. 

"She's affectionate, " pursued Mr. Truefitt, "a wonderful housekeeper, a good conversationalist, a good cook, always punctual, always at home, always--"

The captain, surprised at a fluency so unusual, turned and eyed himin surprise. Mr. Truefitt broke off abruptly, and, somewhat red in theface, expressed his fear that the barque would take the mud if shewere not careful. Captain Trimblett agreed and, to his friend's relief, turned his back on him to watch her more closely. It was a comfortableposition, with his arms on the fence, and he retained it until Mr. Truefitt had returned to the summer-house. 

[Illustration: It was a comfortable position 034]

CHAPTER IV

MR. ROBERT VYNER had been busy all the afternoon, and the clock stillindicated fifteen minutes short of the time at which he had intended toleave. He leaned back in his chair, and, yielding to the slight rotatorymovement of that active piece of furniture, indulged in the first twirlfor three days. Bassett or no Bassett, it was exhilarating, and, havinggone to the limit in one direction, he obtained impetus by a clutch atthe table and whirled back again. A smothered exclamation from the doorarrested his attention, and putting on the break with some suddenness hefound himself looking into the pretty, astonished eyes of Joan Hartley. 

"I beg your pardon, " she said, in confusion. "I thought it was myfather. "

"It--it got stuck, " said Mr. Vyner, springing up and regarding the chairwith great disfavour. "I was trying to loosen it. I shall have tosend it back, I'm afraid; it's badly made. There's no cabinet-makingnowadays. "

Miss Hartley retreated to the doorway. 

"I am sorry; I expected to find my father here, " she said. "It used tobe his room. "

"Yes, it was his room, " said the young man. "If you will come in and sitdown I will send for him. "

"It doesn't matter, thank you, " said Joan, still standing by the door. "If you will tell me where his room is now, I will go to him. "

"He--he is in the general office, " said Robert Vyner, slowly. 

Miss Hartley bit her lip and her eyes grew sombre. 

"Don't go, " said Mr. Vyner, eagerly. "I'll go and fetch him. He isexpecting you. "

"Expecting me?" said the girl. "Why, he didn't know I was coming. "

"Perhaps I misunderstood him, " murmured Mr. Vyner. "Pressure ofbusiness, " he said, vaguely, indicating a pile of papers on his table. "Hardly know what people do say to me. "

He pushed a comfortable easy-chair to the window, and the girl, aftera moment's hesitation, seated herself and became interested in the lifeoutside. Robert Vyner, resuming his seat, leaned back and gazed at herin frank admiration. 

"Nice view down the harbour, isn't it?" he said, after a long pause. 

Miss Hartley agreed--and sat admiring it. 

"Salthaven is a pretty place altogether, I think, " continued Robert. "I was quite glad to come back to it. I like the town and I like thepeople. Except for holidays I haven't been in the place since I wasten. "

Miss Hartley, feeling that some comment was expected, said, "Indeed!"

"You have lived here all your life, I suppose?" said the perseveringRobert. 

"Practically, " said Miss Hartley. 

Mr. Vyner stole a look at her as she sat sideways by the window. Conscience and his visitor's manner told him that he ought to go for herfather; personal inclination told him that there was no hurry. For thefirst time in his experience the office became most desirable place inthe world. He wanted to sit still and look at her, and for some time, despite her restlessness, obeyed his inclinations. She turned at last toask for her father, and in the fraction of a second he was immersed ina bundle of papers. Knitted brows and pursed lips testified to hisabsorption. He seized a pen and made an endorsement; looked at it withhis head on one side and struck it out again. 

[Illustration: Immersed in a bundle of papers 038]

"My father?" said Miss Hartley, in a small but determined voice. 

Mr. Vyner gazed at her in a preoccupied fashion. Suddenly his facechanged. 

"Good gracious! yes, " he said, springing up and going to the door. "Howstupid of me!"

He stepped into the corridor and stood reflecting. In some circumstanceshe could be business-like enough. After reflecting for three minutes hecame back into the room. 

"He will be in soon, " he said, resuming his seat. Inwardly he resolvedto go and fetch him later on--when the conversation flagged, forinstance. Meantime he took up his papers and shook his head over them. 

"I wish I had got your father's head for business, " he said, ruefully. 

Miss Hartley turned on him a face from which all primness had vanished. The corners of her mouth broke and her eyes grew soft. She smiled at Mr. Vyner, and Mr. Vyner, pluming himself upon his address, smiled back. 

"If I knew half as much as he does, " he continued, "I'd--I'd----"

Miss Hartley waited, her eyes bright with expectation. 

"I'd, " repeated Mr. Vyner, who had rashly embarked on a sentence beforehe had seen the end of it, "have a jolly easy time of it, " he concluded, breathlessly. 

Miss Hartley surveyed him in pained surprise. "I thought my fatherworked very hard, " she said, with a little reproach in her voice. 

"So he does, " said the young man, hastily, "but he wouldn't if he onlyhad my work to do; that's what I meant. As far as he is concerned heworks far too hard. He sets an example that is a trouble to all of usexcept the office-boy. Do you know Bassett?"

Miss Hartley smiled. "My father tells me he is a very good boy, " shesaid. 

"A treasure!" said Robert. "'Good' doesn't describe Bassett. He is thesort of boy who would get off a 'bus after paying his fare to kicka piece of orange peel off the pavement. He has been nourished oncopy-book headings and 'Sanford and Merton. ' Ever read 'Sanford andMerton'?"

"I--I tried to once, " said Joan. 

"There was no 'trying' with Bassett, " said Mr. Vyner, rather severely. "He took to it as a duck takes to water. By modelling his life onits teaching he won a silver medal for never missing an attendance atschool. "

"Father has seen it, " said Joan, with a smile. 

"Even the measles failed to stop him, " continued Robert. "Day by day, alittle more flushed than usual, perhaps, he sat in his accustomedplace until the whole school was down with it and had to be closed inconsequence. Then, and not till then, did Bassett feel that he had savedthe situation. "

"I don't suppose he knew it, poor boy, " said Joan. 

"Anyway, he got the medal, " said Robert, "and he has a row of prizes forgood conduct. I never had one; not even a little one. I suppose you hada lot?"

Miss Hartley maintained a discreet silence. 

"Nobody ever seemed to notice my good conduct, " continued Mr. Vyner, still bent on making conversation. "They always seemed to notice theother kind fast enough; but the 'good' seemed to escape them. "

He sighed faintly, and glancing at the girl, who was looking out of thewindow again, took up his pen and signed his blotting-paper. 

"I suppose you know the view from that window pretty well?" he said, putting the paper aside with great care. 

"Ever since I was a small girl, " said Joan, looking round. "I used tocome here sometimes and wait for father. Not so much lately; and now, ofcourse--"

Mr. Vyner looked uncomfortable. "I hope you will come to this roomwhenever you want to see him, " he said, earnestly. "He--he seemed toprefer being in the general office. "

Miss Hartley busied herself with the window again. "Seemed to prefer, "she said, impatiently, under her breath. "Yes. "

There was a long silence, which Mr. Vyner, gazing in mute consternationat the vision of indignant prettiness by the window, felt quite unableto break. He felt that the time had at last arrived at which he mightsafely fetch Mr. Hartley without any self-upbraidings later on, andwas just about to rise when the faint tap at the door by which Bassettalways justified his entrance stopped him, and Bassett entered the roomwith some cheques for signature. Despite his habits, the youth startedslightly as he saw the visitor, and then, placing the cheques before Mr. Vyner, stood patiently by the table while he signed them. 

"That will do, " said the latter, as he finished. "Thank you. "

"Thank you, sir, " said Bassett. He gave a slow glance at the window, and, arranging the cheques neatly, turned toward the door. 

"Will Mr. Hartley be long?" inquired Joan, turning round. 

"Mr. Hartley, miss?" said Bassett, pausing, with his hand on the knob. "Mr. Hartley left half an hour ago. "

Mr. Vyner, who felt the eyes of Miss Hartley fixed upon him, resisted bya supreme effort the impulse to look at her in return. 

"Bassett!" he said, sharply. 

"Sir?" said the other. . "Didn't you, " said Mr. Vyner, with a fine andgrowing note of indignation in his voice--"didn't you tell Mr. Hartleythat Miss Hartley was here waiting for him?"

"No, sir, " said Bassett, gazing at certain mysterious workings of thejunior partner's face with undisguised amazement. "I--"

"Do you mean to tell me, " demanded Mr. Vyner, looking at him with greatsignificance, "that you forgot?"

"No, sir, " said Bassett; "I didn't--"

"That will do, " broke in Mr. Vyner, imperiously. "That will do. You cango. "

"But, " said the amazed youth, "how could I tell--"

"That--will--do, " said Mr. Vyner, very distinctly. 

"I don't want any excuses. You can go at once. And the next time you aretold to deliver a message, please don't forget. Now go. "

With a fine show of indignation he thrust the gasping Bassett from theroom. 

[Illustration: A fine show of indignation 044]

He rose from his chair and, with a fine show of indignation, thrust thegasping Bassett from the room, and then turned to face the girl. 

"I am so sorry, " he began. "That stupid boy--you see how stupid he is--"

"It doesn't matter, thank you, " said Joan. "It--it wasn't veryimportant. "

"He doesn't usually forget things, " murmured Mr. Vyner. "I wish now, " headded, truthfully, "that I had told Mr. Hartley myself. "

He held the door open for her, and, still expressing his regret, accompanied her down-stairs to the door. Miss Hartley, somewhatembarrassed, and a prey to suspicions which maidenly modesty forbade herto voice, listened in silence. 

"Next time you come, " said Mr. Vyner, pausing just outside the door, "Ihope--"

Something dropped between them, and fell with a little tinkling crash onto the pavement. Mr. Vyner stooped, and, picking up a pair of clumsilyfashioned spectacles, looked swiftly up at the office window. 

"Bassett, " he said, involuntarily. 

He stood looking at the girl, and trying in vain to think of somethingto say. Miss Hartley, with somewhat more colour than usual, gave him alittle bow and hurried off. 

CHAPTER V

SMILING despite herself as she thought over the events of the afternoon, Joan Hartley walked thoughtfully homeward. Indignation at Mr. Vyner'spresumption was mingled with regret that a young man of undeniably goodlooks and somewhat engaging manners should stoop to deceit. The factthat people are considered innocent until proved guilty did not concernher. With scarcely any hesitation she summed up against him, the onlything that troubled her being what sentence to inflict, and how toinflict it. She wondered what excuse he could make for such behaviour, and then blushed hotly as she thought of the one he would probablyadvance. Confused at her own thoughts, she quickened her pace, in happyignorance of the fact that fifty yards behind her Captain Trimblett andher father, who had witnessed with great surprise her leave-taking ofMr. Vyner, were regulating their pace by hers. 

[Illustration: Were regulating their pace by hers 048]

"She's a fine girl, " said the captain, after a silence that had enduredlong enough to be almost embarrassing. "A fine girl, but--"

He broke off, and completed his sentence by a shake of the head. 

"She must have come for me, " said Hartley, "and he happened to bestanding there and told her I had gone. "

"No doubt, " said the captain, dryly. "That's why she went scurrying offas though she had got a train to catch, and he stood there all thattime looking after her. And, besides, every time he sees me, in some oddfashion your name crops up. "

"My name?" said the other, in surprise. 

"Your name, " repeated the captain, firmly, "Same as Joan's, ain't it?The after-part of it, anyway. That's the attraction. Talk all roundyou--and I talk all round you, too. Nobody'd dream you'd got a daughterto hear the two of us talk--sometimes. Other times, if I bring her namein, they'd think you'd got nothing else. "

Mr. Hartley glanced at him uneasily. "Perhaps--" he began. 

"There's no 'perhaps' about it, " said the masterful captain. "If you'renot very careful there'll be trouble. You know what Mr. John is--he'sgot big ideas, and the youngster is as obstinate as a mule. "

"It's all very well, " said Hartley, "but how can I be careful? What canI do? Besides, I dare say you are making mountains of mole-heaps; sheprobably hurried off thinking to catch me up. "

Captain Trimblett gave a little dry cough. "Ask her, " he said, impressively. 

"I'm not going to put any such ideas into her head, " said his friend. 

"Sound her, then, " said the captain. "This is the way I look at it. Weall think he is a very nice fellow, don't we?"

"He is, " said Hartley, decidedly. 

"And we all think she's a splendid girl, don't we?" continued the other. 

"Something of the sort, " said Hartley, smiling. 

"There you are, then, " said the captain, triumphantly. "What is morelikely than that they should think the same of each other? Besides, Iknow what he thinks; I can read him like a book. "

"You can't read Joan, though, " said the other. "Why, she often puzzlesme. "

"I can try, " said the captain. "I haven't known her all these yearsfor nothing. Now, don't tell her we saw her. You leave her to me--andlisten. "

"Better leave her alone, " said Hartley. 

The captain, who was deep in thought, waved the suggestion aside. Hewalked the remainder of the way in silence, and even after they were inthe house was so absorbed in his self-appointed task, and so vague inhis replies, that Joan, after offering him the proverbial penny forhis thoughts, suggested to her father in a loud whisper that he had gotsomething in mind. 

"Thinking of the ships he has lost, " she said, in a still louderwhisper. 

The captain smiled and shook his head at her. 

"Couldn't lose a ship if I tried, " he said, nudging Hartley to call hisattention to what was to follow. "I was saying so to Mr. Robert onlyyesterday!"

His voice was so deliberate, and his manner so significant, that MissHartley looked up in surprise. Then she coloured furiously as she sawboth gentlemen eying her with the air of physicians on the lookoutfor unfavourable symptoms. Anger only deepened her colour, and anunladylike and unfilial yearning to bang their two foolish headstogether possessed her. Explanations were impossible, and despiteher annoyance she almost smiled as she saw the concern in the eye thecaptain turned on her father. 

"Saying so only yesterday, " repeated the former, "to Mr. Robert. "

"I saw him this afternoon, " said Joan, with forced composure. "I wentup to father's room and found _him_ there. Why didn't you tell me youhad given up your room, father?"

Mr. Hartley pleaded in excuse that he thought he had told her, and wassurprised at the vehemence of her denial. With a slightly offended airhe pointed out that it was a very small matter after all. 

"There is nothing to be annoyed about, " he said. 

"You went there to see me, and, not finding me there, came down again. "

"Ye-es, " said Joan, thoughtfully. 

"Just put her head in at the door and fled, " explained the captain, still watching her closely. 

Miss Hartley appeared not to have heard him. 

"Came down three stairs at a time, " he continued, with a poor attempt ata chuckle. 

"I was there about half an hour waiting for father, " said Joan, eyinghim very steadily. "I thought that he was in the other office. Is thereanything else I can tell you?"

The captain collapsed suddenly, and, turning a red face upon Hartley, appealed to him mutely for succour. 

"Me?" he spluttered, feebly. "I--I don't want to know anything. Yourfather thought--"

"I didn't think anything, " said Hartley, with some haste. 

The captain eyed him reproachfully. "I thought your father thought--" hebegan, and, drawing out a large handkerchief, blew his nose violently. 

"Yes?" said Joan, still very erect. 

"That is all, " said the captain, with an air of dignity. 

He brushed some imaginary atoms from his beard, and, finding the girl'sgaze still somewhat embarrassing, sought to relieve the tension. 

"I've known you since you were five, " he said, with inconsequent pathos. 

"I know, " said Joan, smiling, and putting her hand on his broadshoulder. "You're a dear old stupid; that is all. "

"Always was, " said the relieved captain, "from a child. "

He began, with a cheerful countenance, to narrate anecdotes of hisstupidity until, being interrupted by Hartley with one or two choiceexamples that he had forgotten, he rose and muttered something aboutseeing the garden. His progress was stayed by a knock at the front doorand an intimation from Rosa that he was wanted. 

"My bo'sun, " he said, reentering the room with a letter. "Excuse me. "

He broke the seal, and turned to Hartley with a short laugh. "PeterTruefitt, " he said, "wants me to meet him at nine o'clock and go hometogether, pretending that he has been here with me. Peter is improving. "

"But he can't go on like this forever, " said his scandalized friend. 

"He's all right, " said the captain, with a satisfied wink. "I'm lookingafter him. I'm stage-manager. I'll see----"

His voice faltered, and then died away as he caught Miss Hartley's eyeand noticed the air of artless astonishment with which she was regardinghim. 

"Always was from a child, " she quoted. 

The captain ignored her. 

"I'll just give Walters a note, " he said, turning to Hartley with somedignity. "You don't mind his waiting?"

He turned to a small writing-table, and with an air of preoccupation, assumed for Miss Hartley's benefit, began to try a pen on histhumb-nail. Hartley, going to the door, sent the boatswain off to thekitchen for a glass of ale. 

"Or perhaps you prefer tea?" he added, thoughtfully. 

"Ale will do, sir, " said Mr. Walters, humbly. 

He walked to the kitchen, and, pushing the door open softly, went in. Rosa Jelks, who was sitting down reading, put aside her book and smiledwelcome. 

"Sit down, " she said, patronizingly; "sit down. "

"I was going to, " said Mr. Walters. "I'm to 'ave a glass of ale. "

"Say 'please, '" said Rosa, shaking her yellow locks at him, and risingto take a glass from the dresser. 

She walked into the scullery humming a tune, and the pleasant sound ofbeer falling into a glass fell on the boatswain's ears. He stroked hissmall black moustache and smiled. 

"Would you like me to take a sip at the glass first?" inquired Rosa, coming back carefully with a brimming glass, "just to give it aflavour?"

Mr. Walters stared at her in honest amazement. After a moment heremarked gruffly that the flavour of the ale itself was good enough forhim. Rosa's eyes sparkled. 

"Just a sip, " she pleaded. 

"Go on, then, " said Mr. Walters, grudgingly. 

"Chin, chin!" said Rosa. 

The boatswain's face relaxed. Then it hardened suddenly and a dazedlook crept into his eyes as Rosa, drinking about two-thirds of the ale, handed him the remainder. 

"That's for your impudence, " she said, sharply. "I don't like beer. "

Mr. Walters, still dazed, finished the beer without a word and placedthe glass on the table. A faint sigh escaped him, but that was all. 

"Bear!" said Rosa, making a face at him. 

She looked at his strong, lean face and powerful figure approvingly, butthe bereaved boatswain took no notice. 

"Bear!" said Rosa again. 

She patted her hair into place, and, in adjusting a hair-pin, permitteda long, thick tress to escape to her shoulder. She uttered a littlesqueal of dismay. 

"False, ain't it?" inquired Mr. Walters, regarding her antics with someamazement. 

"False!" exclaimed Rosa. "Certainly not. Here! Tug!"

She presented her shoulder to the boatswain, and he, nothing loath, gavea tug, animated by the loss of two-thirds of a glass of beer. The nextinstant a loud slap rang through the kitchen. 

[Illustration: Nothing loath, gave a tug 056]

"And I'd do it again for two pins, " said the outraged damsel, as sheregarded him with watering eyes. "Brute!"

She turned away, and, pink with annoyance, proceeded to arrange her hairin a small cracked glass that hung by the mantel-piece. 

"I 'ad a cousin once, " said Mr. Walters, thoughtfully, "that used to lether 'air down and sit on it. Tall gal, too, she was. "

"So can I, " snapped Rosa, rolling the tress up on her finger, holding itin place, and transfixing it with a hair-pin. 

"H'm, " said the boatswain. 

"What d'ye mean by that?" demanded Rosa, sharply. "Do you mean to sayI can't?"

"You might if you cut it off first, " conceded Mr. Walters. 

"Cut it off?" said Rosa, scornfully. "Here! Look here!"

She dragged out her hair-pins and with a toss of her head sent thecoarse yellow locks flying. Then, straightening them slightly, shepulled out a chair and confronted him triumphantly. And at that momentthe front-room bell rang. 

"That's for you, " said Mr. Walters, pointedly. 

Rosa, who was already back at the glass, working with feverish haste, made no reply. The bell rang again, and a third time, Rosa finallyanswering it in a coiffure that looked like a hastily constructed bird'snest. 

"There's your letter, " she said, returning with a face still flushed. "Take it and go. "

"Thankee, " said the boatswain. "Was they very frightened?"

"Take it and go, " repeated Rosa, with cold dignity. "Your young womanmight be expecting you; pity to keep her waiting. "

"I ain't got a young woman, " said Mr. Walters, slowly. 

"You surprise me!" said Rosa, with false astonishment. 

"I never would 'ave one, " said the boatswain, rising, and placing theletter in his breast-pocket. "I've got along all right for thirty yearswithout 'em, and I ain't going to begin now. "

"You must have broke a lot of hearts with disappointment, " said Rosa. 

"I never could see anything in young wimmen, " said the boatswain, musingly. "Silly things, most of 'em. Always thinking about their looks;especially them as haven't got none. "

He took up the empty glass and toyed with it thoughtfully. 

"It's no good waiting, " said Rosa; "you won't get no more beer; not ifyou stay here all night. "

"So long!" said the boatswain, still playing with the glass. "So long! Iknow one or two that'll 'ave a fit pretty near when I tell 'em about yousitting on your 'air. "

He put up his left arm instinctively, but Miss Jelks by a supreme effortmaintained her calmness. Her eyes and colour were beyond her control, but her voice remained steady. 

"So long!" she said, quietly. She took the glass from him and smiled. "If you like to wait a moment, I'll get you a little drop more, " shesaid, graciously. 

"Here's luck!" said Mr. Walters, as she returned with the glass. Hedrank it slowly and then, wiping his lips with the back of his hand, stood regarding her critically. 

"Well, so long!" he said again, and, before the astonished maiden couldresist, placed a huge arm about her neck and kissed her. 

"You do that again, if you dare!" she gasped, indignantly, as she brokeloose and confronted him. "The idea!"

"I don't want to do it agin, " said the boatswain. "I've 'ad a glass ofale, and you've 'ad a kiss. Now we're quits. "

He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand again and walked off with theair of a man who has just discharged an obligation. He went out theback way, and Rosa, to whom this sort of man was an absolutely newexperience, stood gazing after him dumbly. Recovering herself, shefollowed him to the gate, and, with a countenance on which amazementstill lingered, stood watching his tall figure up the road. 

CHAPTER VI

"WORK!" said Mr. Robert Vyner, severely, as he reclined in a deck-chairon the poop of the _Indian Chief_ and surveyed his surroundings throughhalf-closed eyes. "Work! It's no good sitting here idling while theworld's work awaits my attention. "

Captain Trimblett, who was in a similar posture a yard away, assented. He also added that there was "nothing like it. "

"There's no play without work, " continued Mr. Vyner, in a spirit ofself-admonition. 

The captain assented again. "You said something about work half an hourago, " he remarked. 

"And I meant it, " said Mr. Vyner; "only in unconscious imitation I dozedoff. What I really want is for somebody to take my legs, somebody elsemy shoulders, and waft me gently ashore. "

"I had a cook o' mine put ashore like that once, " said CaptainTrimblett, in a reminiscent voice; "only I don't know that I would havecalled it 'wafting, ' and, so far as my memory goes, he didn't either. Hehad a lot to say about it, too. "

Mr. Vyner, with a noisy yawn, struggled out of his chair and stoodadjusting his collar and waistcoat. 

"If I couldn't be a chrysalis, " he said, slowly, as he looked down atthe recumbent figure of the captain, "do you know what I would like tobe?"

"I've had a very hard day's work, " said the other, defensively, as hestruggled into a sitting posture--"very hard. And I was awake half thenight with the toothache. "

"That isn't an answer to my question, " said Mr. Vyner, gently. "Butnever mind; try and get a little sleep now; try and check that feverishdesire for work, which is slowly, very, very slowly, wearing you to skinand bone. Think how grieved the firm would be if the toothache carriedyou off one night. Why not go below and turn in now? It's nearly fiveo'clock. "

"Couldn't sleep if I did, " replied the captain, gravely. "Besides, I'vegot somebody coming aboard to have tea with me this afternoon. "

"All right, I'm going, " said Robert, reassuringly. "Nobody I know, Isuppose?"

"No, " said the captain. "Not exactly, " he added, with a desire of beingstrictly accurate. 

Mr. Vyner became thoughtful. The captain's reticence, coupled withthe fact that he had made two or three attempts to get rid of him thatafternoon, was suspicious. He wondered whether Joan Hartley was theexpected guest; the captain's unwillingness to talk whenever her namecame up having by no means escaped him. And once or twice the captainhad, with unmistakable meaning, dropped hints as to the progress madeby Mr. Saunders in horticulture and other pursuits. At the idea of thiselderly mariner indulging in matrimonial schemes with which he had nosympathy, he became possessed with a spirit of vindictive emulation. 

"It seems like a riddle; you've excited my curiosity, " he said, as hethrew himself back in the chair again and looked at the gulls wheelinglazily overhead. "Let me see whether I can guess--I'll go as soon as Ihave. "

"'Tisn't worth guessing, " said Captain Trimblett, with a touch ofbrusqueness. 

"Don't make it too easy, " pleaded Mr. Vyner. "Guess number one: a lady?"

The captain grunted. 

"A widow, " continued Mr. Vyner, in the slow, rapt tones of aclairvoyant. "The widow!"

"What do you mean by _the_ widow?" demanded the aroused captain. 

"The one you are always talking about, " replied Mr. Vyner, winking atthe sky. 

"Me!" said the captain, purpling. "I don't talk about her. You don'thear me talk about her. I'm not always talking about anybody. I mightjust have mentioned her name when talking about Truefitt's troubles;that's all. "

"That's what I meant, " said Robert Vyner, with an air of mild surprise. 

"Well, it's not her, " said the captain, shortly. 

"Somebody I know, but not exactly, " mused Robert. "Somebody I know, but--Let me think. "

He closed his eyes in an effort of memory, and kept them shut so longthat the captain, anxious to get him away before his visitor's arrival, indulged in a loud and painful fit of coughing. Mr. Vyner's eyesremained closed. 

"Any more guesses?" inquired the captain, loudly. 

Mr. Vyner, slept on. Gulls mewed overhead; a rattle of cranes soundedfrom the quays, and a conversation--mostly in hoarse roars--took placebetween the boatswain in the bows and an elderly man ashore, but heremained undisturbed. Then he sprang up so suddenly that he nearlyknocked his chair over, and the captain, turning his head after him inamaze, saw Joan Hartley standing at the edge of the quay. 

Before he could interfere Mr. Vyner, holding her hand with anxioussolicitude, was helping her aboard. Poised for a moment on the sideof the ship, she sprang lightly to the deck, and the young man, relinquishing her hand with some reluctance, followed her slowly towardthe captain. 

Ten minutes later, by far the calmest of the three, he sat at tea in thesmall but comfortable saloon. How he got there Captain Trimblett couldnot exactly remember. Mr. Vyner had murmured something about a slightheadache, due in his opinion to the want of a cup of tea, and, evenwhile talking about going home to get it, had in an abstracted fashiondrifted down the companion-way. 

"I feel better already, " he remarked, as he passed his cup up to MissHartley to be refilled. "It's wonderful what a cup of tea will do. "

"It has its uses, " said the captain, darkly. 

He took another cup himself and sat silent and watchful, listening tothe conversation of his guests. A slight appearance of reserve on MissHartley's part, assumed to remind Mr. Vyner of his bad behaviour onthe occasion of their last meeting, was dispelled almost immediately. Modesty, tinged with respectful admiration, was in every glance andevery note of his voice. When she discovered that a man who had askedfor his tea without sugar had drunk without remark a cup containingthree lumps, she became thoughtful. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, in concern. 

Modesty and Mr. Vyner--never boon companions--parted company. 

"I thought you had given me the wrong cup, " he said, simply. 

The explanation seemed to Captain Trimblett quite inadequate. Hesat turning it over in his mind, and even the rising colour in MissHartley's cheek did not serve to enlighten him. But he was glad tonotice that she was becoming reserved again. Mr. Vyner noticed it, too, and, raging inwardly against a tongue which was always striving afterhis undoing, began with a chastened air to criticise the architecture ofthe new chapel in Porter Street. Architecture being a subject of whichthe captain knew nothing, he discussed it at great length, somewhatpleased to find that both his listeners were giving him their undividedattention. 

He was glad to notice, when they went up on deck again, that his guestshad but little to say to each other, and, with a view to keeping themapart as much as possible, made no attempt to detain her when Joan roseand said that she must be going. She shook hands and then turned to Mr. Vyner. 

"Oh, I must be going, too, " said that gentleman. 

He helped her ashore and, with a wave of his hand to Captain Trimblett, set off by her side. At the bridge, where their ways homeward diverged, Joan half stopped, but Mr. Vyner, gazing straight ahead, kept on. 

"Fine chap, Captain Trimblett, " he said, suddenly. 

"He is the kindest man I know, " said Joan, warmly. 

Mr. Vyner sang his praises for three hundred yards, secretly consciousthat his companion was thinking of ways and means of getting rid ofhim. The window of a confectioner's shop at last furnished the necessaryexcuse. 

"I have got a little shopping to do, " she said, diving in suddenly. "Good-by. "

"The 'good-by' was so faint that it was apparent to her as she stood inthe shop and gave a modest order for chocolates that he had not heardit. She bit her lip, and after a glance at the figure outside, addedto her order a large one for buns. She came out of the shop with a bagoverflowing with them. 

"Let me, " said Mr. Vyner, hastily. 

Miss Hartley handed them over at once, and, walking by his side, strovehard to repress malicious smiles. She walked slowly and gave appraisingglances at shop windows, pausing finally at a greengrocer's to purchasesome bananas. Mr. Vyner, with the buns held in the hollow of hisarm, watched her anxiously, and his face fell as she agreed with thegreengrocer as to the pity of spoiling a noble bunch he was displaying. Insufficiently draped in a brown-paper bag, it took Mr. Vyner's otherarm. 

"You are quite useful, " said Miss Hartley, with a bright smile. 

Mr. Vyner returned the smile, and in bowing to an acquaintance nearlylost a bun. He saved it by sheer sleight of hand, and noting that hiscompanion was still intent on the shops, wondered darkly what furtherburdens were in store for him. He tried to quicken the pace, but MissHartley was not to be hurried. 

"I must go in here, I think, " she said, stopping in front of a draper's. "I sha'n't be long. "

Mr. Vyner took his stand by the window with his back to the passers-by, and waited. At the expiration of ten minutes he peeped in at thedoor, and saw Miss Hartley at the extreme end of the shop thoughtfullyfingering bales of cloth. He sighed, and, catching sight of a small boyregarding him, had a sudden inspiration. 

"Here! Would you like some buns, old chap?" he cried. 

The child's eyes glistened. 

"Take 'em, " said Mr. Vyner, thankfully. "Don't drop 'em. "

He handed them over and stood smiling benevolently as the small boy, with both arms clasped round the bag, went off hugging it to his bosom. Another urchin, who had been regarding the transaction with speechlessenvy, caught his eye. He beckoned him to him and, with a few kind wordsand a fatherly admonition not to make himself ill, presented him withthe bananas. Then he drew a deep breath, and with a few kind wordshe presented him with the bananas assuming an expression of gravitybefitting the occasion, braced himself for the inevitable encounter. 

[Illustration: Presented him with the bananas 068]

Five minutes later Miss Hartley, bearing a large and badly-tied parcel, came smiling out to him. The smile faded suddenly, and she stoodregarding him in consternation. 

"Why--!" she began. "Where--?"

Mr. Vyner eyed her carefully. "I gave 'em away, " he said, slowly. "Twopoor, hungry little chaps stood looking at me. I am awfully fond ofchildren, and before I knew what I was doing--"

"I've no doubt, " said Joan, bitterly, as she realized her defeat. "I'veno doubt. "

Mr. Vyner leaned toward the parcel. "Allow me, " he murmured, politely. 

"Thank you, Til carry it myself, " said Joan, sharply. 

Her taste for shopping had evaporated, and clutching her parcel shewalked rapidly homeward. An occasional glance at her companion did notquite satisfy her that he was keeping his sense of humour under propercontrol. There was a twitching of his lips which might, she felt, in alittle time become contagious. She averted her head. 

"That's all right, " said Mr. Vyner, with a sigh of relief. "I was halfafraid that I had offended you. "

CHAPTER VII

TO the great relief of Mr. Truefitt's imagination, his sister suddenlyceased from all comment upon the irregularity of his hours. Unprepared, by the suddenness of the change, he recited mechanically, for the firstday or two, the reasons he had invented for his lateness, but theirreception was of so chilling a nature that his voice was scarcelyaudible at the finish. Indeed, when he came home one evening with aperfectly true story of a seaman stabbed down by the harbour, Mrs. Chinnery yawned three times during the narration, and Captain Trimblettshook his head at him. 

"True or not, " said the latter, after Mrs. Chinnery had left the room, "it doesn't matter. It isn't worth while explaining when explanationsare not asked for. "

"Do you think she knows?" inquired Mr. Truefitt, with bated voice. 

"She knows something, " replied the captain. "I _believe_ she knows allabout it, else she wouldn't keep so quiet. Why not tell her straightout? Tell her when she comes in, and get it over. She's got to know someday. "

"Poor Susan!" said Mr. Truefitt, with feeling. "I'm afraid she'll feelit. It's not nice to have to leave home to make room for somebody else. And she won't stay in it with another woman, I'm certain. "

"Here she comes, " said the captain, getting up. "I'll go out for alittle stroll, and when I come back I shall expect to find you've made aclean breast of it. "

Mr. Truefitt put out a hand as though to detain him, and then, thinkingbetter of it, nodded at him with an air of great resolution, and puffedfuriously at his pipe. Under cover of clouds of smoke he prepared forthe encounter. 

Closing the door gently behind him, the captain, after a moment'sindecision, drifted down the road. A shower of rain had brought outsweet odours from the hedgerow opposite, and a touch of salt freshenedthe breeze that blew up the river. Most of the inhabitants of the Valewere in bed, and the wet road was lonely under the stars. He walked asfar as a little bridge spanning a brook that ran into the river, andseating himself on the low parapet smoked thoughtfully. His mind wentback to his own marriage many years before, and to his children, whomhe had placed, on his wife's death, with a second cousin in London. Anunusual feeling of loneliness possessed him. He smoked a second pipe andthen, knocking the ashes out on the bridge, walked slowly homeward. 

Mr. Truefitt, who was sitting alone, looked up as he entered and smiledvaguely. 

"All right?" queried the captain, closing the door and crossing to achair. 

"Right as ninepence, " said Mr. Truefitt. "I've been worrying myself allthis time for nothing. Judging by her manner, she seemed to think it wasthe most natural and proper thing in the world. "

"So it is, " said the captain, warmly. 

"She talked about it as calmly as though she had a brother married everyweek, " continued Mr. Truefitt. "I don't suppose she has quite realizedit yet. "

"I don't know that I have, " said the captain. "This has been the onlyhome I've had for the last ten years; and _I_ feel leaving it, what mustit be for her?"

Mr. Truefitt shook his head. 

"I'm beginning to feel old, " said the captain, "old and lonely. Changeslike this bring it home to one. "

He took out his pouch, and shaking his head solemnly began to fill hispipe again. 

"You ought to follow my example, " said Mr. Truefitt, eagerly. 

"Too old, " said the captain. 

"Nonsense!" said the other. "And the older you get, the lonelier you'llfeel. Mind that!"

"I shall go and live with my boys and girls when I leave the sea, " saidthe captain. 

"They'll probably be married themselves by that time, " said hiscomforter. 

He rose, and, going to an old corner cupboard, took out a bottle ofwhiskey and a couple of glasses and put them on the table. The captain, helping himself liberally, emptied his glass to Miss Willett. 

"She's coming to tea on Friday, with her mother, " said Mr. Truefitt. 

Captain Trimblett took some more whiskey and solemnly toasted Mrs. Willett. He put his glass down, and lighting his pipe, which had goneout, beamed over at his friend. 

"Are there any more in the family?" he inquired. 

"There's an uncle, " said Mr. Truefitt, slowly, "and----"

"One at a time, " said the captain, stopping him with one hand raised, while he helped himself to some more whiskey with the other. "Theuncle!"

He drank the third glass slowly, and, sinking back in his chair, turnedto his friend with a countenance somewhat flushed and wreathed insmiles. 

"Who else?" he inquired. 

"No more to-night, " said Mr. Truefitt, firmly, as he got up and putthe bottle back in the cupboard. He came back slowly, and, resuming hisseat, gazed in a meditative fashion at his friend. 

"Talking about your loneliness--" he began. 

"My loneliness?" repeated the captain, staring at "You were talkingabout feeling lonely, " Mr. Truett reminded him. 

He proceeded with almost equal care to assist her mother

"So I was, " said the captain. "So I was. You're quite right; but it'sall gone now. It's wonderful what a little whiskey will do. "

"Wonderful what a lot will do, " said Mr. Truefitt, with sudden asperity. "You were talking about your loneliness, and I was advising you to getmarried. "

"So you were, " said the captain, nodding at him. "Good-night. "

He went off to bed with a suddenness that was almost disconcerting. Thusdeserted, Mr. Truefitt finished his whiskey and water and, his head fullof plans for the betterment of everybody connected with him, blew outthe lamp and went upstairs. 

Owing possibly to his efforts in this direction Captain Trimblett andMrs. Chinnery scarcely saw him until Friday afternoon, when he droveup in a fly, and, after handing out Miss Willett with great tenderness, proceeded with almost equal care to assist her mother. The latter, afragile little old lady, was at once conducted to a chair and, havingbeen comfortably seated was introduced to Mrs. Chinnery. 

[Illustration: Proceeded with almost equal care to assist her mother074]

"It's a long way, " she said, as her daughter divested her of her bonnetand shawl, "but Cissie would insist on my coming, and I suppose, afterall, it's only right I should. "

"Of course, mother, " said Miss Willett, hurriedly. 

"Right is right, " continued the old lady, "after all is said and done. And I'm sure Mr. Truefitt has been to ours often enough. "

Mr. Truefitt coughed, and the captain--a loyal friend--assisted him. 

"Night after night, " said the old lady, during a brief interval. 

Mr. Truefitt, still coughing slightly, began to place chairs at a tableon which, as the captain presently-proved to his own dissatisfaction, there was not even; room for a pair of elbows. At the last moment theseating arrangements had to be altered owing to a leg of the table whichgot in the way of Mrs. Willett's. The captain, in his anxiety to be ofservice, lowered a leaf of the table too far, and an avalanche of fooddescended to the floor. 

"It don't matter, " said Mrs. Chinnery, in a voice that belied her words. "Captain Trimblett is always doing something like that. The last time wehad visitors he--"

"Kept on eating the cake after she had shaken her head at me, "interrupted the captain, who was busy picking up the provisions. 

"Nothing of the kind, " cried Mrs. Chinnery, who was in no mood forfrivolity. "I shouldn't think of doing such a thing, " she added, turning to Mrs. Willett, as the lady allowed herself to be placed in amore convenient position. "It's all Captain Trimblett's nonsense. "

Mrs. Willett listened politely, "It _is_ annoying, though, " sheremarked. 

"He might eat all the cake in the house for what I care, " said Mrs. Chinnery, turning very red, and raising her voice a little. 

"As a matter of fact I don't like cake, " said the captain, who wasbecoming uncomfortable. 

"Perhaps it was something else, " said the excellent Mrs. Willett, withthe air of one assisting to unravel a mystery. 

Mrs. Chinnery, who was pouring out tea, glared at her in silence. Shealso spared a glance for Captain Trimblett, which made that gentlemanseriously uneasy. With an idea of turning the conversation into saferand more agreeable channels, he called the old lady's attention to apencil drawing of a ruined castle which adorned the opposite wall. Mrs. Willett's first remark was that it had no roof. 

"It's a ruin, " said the captain; "done by Mrs. Chinnery. "

The faded blue eyes behind the gold-rimmed spectacles inspected itcarefully. "Done when she was a child--of course?" said Mrs. Willett. 

"Eighteen, " said Mrs. Chinnery, in a deep voice. 

"I'm no judge of such things, " said the old lady, shaking her head. "Ionly know what I like; but I dare say it's very clever. "

She turned to help herself from a plate that the captain was offeringher, and, finding that it contained cake, said that she would preferbread and butter. 

"Not that I don't like cake, " she said. "As a rule I am rather partialto it. "

"Well, have some now, " said the unfortunate captain, trying to avoidMrs. Chinnery's eye. 

"Bread and butter, please, " said Mrs. Willett, with quiet decision. 

The captain passed it, and after a hopeless glance at Mr. Truefitt andMiss Willett, who were deep in the enjoyment of each other's society, returned to the subject of art. 

"If I could draw like that, ma'am, " he said, with a jerk of his headtoward the ruined castle, "I should give up the sea. "

Mrs. Willett inspected it again, even going to the length of taking offher glasses and polishing them, with a view to doing perfect justice tothe subject. "Would you really?" she said, when she had finished. 

The captain made no reply. He sat appalled at the way in which the oldlady was using him to pay off some of the debt that she fancied was dueto Mrs. Chinnery. 

"You must see some of my daughter's pictures, " she said, turning to him. "Fruit and birds mostly, in oil colours. But then, of course, she hadgood masters. There's one picture--let me see!"

She sat considering, and began to reel off the items on her fingers asshe enumerated them. "There's a plate of oranges, with a knife andfork, a glass, a bottle, two and a half walnuts and bits of shell, three-quarters of an apple, a pipe, a cigar, a bunch of grapes, and agreen parrot looking at it all with his head on one side. "

"And very natural of him, too, " murmured Mrs. Chinnery. 

"It's coming here, " interposed Mr. Truefitt, suddenly. "It belongs toMrs. Willett, but she has given it to us. I wonder which will be thebest place for it?"

The old lady looked round the room. "It will have to hang there, " shesaid, pointing to the "Eruption of Vesuvius, " "where that beehive is. "

"Bee--!" exclaimed the startled captain. He bent toward her andexplained. 

"Oh, well, it don't matter, " said the old lady. "I thought it was abeehive--it looks like one; and I can't see what's written under it fromhere. But that's where Cecilia's picture must go. "

She made one or two other suggestions with regard to the rearrangementof the pictures, and then, having put her hand to the plough, proceededto refurnish the room. And for her own private purposes she affected tothink that Mr. Truefitt's taste was responsible for the window-curtains. 

"Mother has got wonderful taste, " said Miss Willett, looking round. "Allover Salthaven her taste has become a--a--"

"Byword, " suggested Mrs. Chinnery. 

"Proverb, " said Miss Willett. "Are you feeling too warm, mother?" sheasked, eying the old lady with sudden concern. 

"A little, " said Mrs. Willett. "I suppose it's being used to big rooms. I always was one for plenty of space. It doesn't matter--don't trouble. "

"It's no trouble, " said Captain Trimblett, who was struggling with thewindow. "How is that?" he inquired, opening it a little at the top andreturning to his seat. 

"There is a draught down the back of my neck, " said Mrs. Willett; "butdon't trouble about me if the others like it. If I get a stiff neckCecilia can rub it for me when I get home with a little oil of camphor. "

"Yes, mother, " said Miss Willett. 

"I once had a stiff neck for three weeks, " said Mrs. Willett. 

The captain rose again and, with a compassionate glance at Mr. Truefitt, closed the window. 

"One can't have everything in this world, " said the old lady; "it oughtto be a very cosey room in winter, You can't get too far away from thefire, I mean. "

"It has done for us for a good many years now, " said Mrs. Chinnery. "I've never heard Peter complain. "

"He'd never complain, " said Mrs. Willett, with a fond smile at herprospective son-in-law. "Why, he wouldn't know he was uncomfortableunless somebody told him. "

Mrs. Chinnery pushed back her chair with a grating noise, strangely inharmony with her feelings, and, after a moment's pause to control hervoice, suggested that the gentlemen should take the visitors roundthe garden while she cleared away--a proposal accepted by all but Mrs. Willett. 

"I'll stay here and watch you, " she said. 

Captain Trimblett accompanied Mr. Truefitt and Miss Willett into thegarden, and after pointing out the missing beauties of a figure-headin the next garden but one, and calling attention to the geraniums nextdoor, left the couple to themselves. Side by side in the little arbourthey sat gazing on to the river and conversing in low tones of theirfuture happiness. 

For some time the captain idled about the garden, keeping as far awayfrom the arbour as possible, and doing his best to suppress a decayedbut lively mariner named Captain Sellers, who lived two doors off. Amongother infirmities the latter was nearly stone-deaf, and, after givingup as hopeless the attempt to make him understand that Mr. Truefitt andMiss Willett were not, the captain at last sought shelter in the house. 

He found the table clear and a bowl of flowers placed in the exactcentre. On opposite sides of the room, each with her hands folded inher lap, and both sitting bolt upright, Mrs. Willett and Mrs. Chinneryconfronted each other. With a muttered reference to his ship, thecaptain took up his stick and fled. 

[Illustration: Mrs. Willett and Mrs. Chinnery confronted each other 082]

He spent the evening in the billiard-room of the Golden Fleece, and didnot return until late. A light in the room up-stairs and a shadow onthe blind informed him that Mrs. Chinnery had retired. He stepped inquietly, and closed the door behind him. Mr. Truefitt, a picture ofwoe, was sitting in his usual place at the corner of the stove, and asupper-table, loaded with food, was untouched. 

"Gone?" inquired the captain, scenting disaster. 

"Some time ago, " said Mr. Truefitt. "They wouldn't stay to supper. Iwish you had been here to persuade them. "

"I wish I had, " said the captain, untruthfully. 

He gave utterance to a faint sigh in token of sympathy with Mr. Truefitt's evident distress, and drew a chair to the table. He shookhis head, and with marvellous accuracy, considering that his gazewas fastened on a piece of cold beef, helped himself to a wedge ofsteak-pie. He ate with an appetite, and after pouring out and drinking aglass of ale gazed again at the forlorn figure of Mr. Truefitt. 

"Words?" he breathed, in a conspirator's whisper. 

The other shook his head. "No; they were very polite, " he replied, slowly. 

The captain nearly emitted a groan. He checked it with two square inchesof pie-crust. 

"A misunderstanding, " said Mr. Truefitt. 

The captain said "Ah!" It was all he could say for the moment. 

"A misunderstanding, " said the other. "I misled Mrs. Willett, " he added, in a tense whisper. 

"Good heavens!" said the captain. 

"She had always understood--from me, " continued Mr. Truefitt, "that whenI married Susanna would go. I always thought she would. Anybody who knewSusanna would have thought so. You would--wouldn't you?"

"In the ordinary way--yes, " said the captain; "but circumstances altercases. "

"It came out--in conversation, " said the hapless Mr. Truefitt, "thatSusanna wouldn't dream of leaving me. It also came out that Mrs. Willettwouldn't dream of letting Cecilia marry me till she does. What's to bedone?"

The captain took a slice of beef to assist thought. "You must havepatience, " he said, sagely. 

"Patience!" said Mr. Truefitt, with unusual heat. "Patience be d--d! I'mfifty-two! And Cecilia's thirty-nine!"

"Time flies!" said the captain, who could think of nothing else to say. 

Mr. Truefitt looked at him almost savagely. Then he sank back in hischair. 

"It's a pity Susanna doesn't get married again, " he said, slowly. "Sofar as I can see, that's the only way out of it. Cecilia said so to mejust as she was leaving. "

"Did she?" said the captain. He looked thoughtful, and Mr. Truefittwatched him anxiously. For some time he seemed undecided, and then, withthe resolute air of a man throwing appearances to the winds, he drew anuncut tongue toward him and cut off a large slice. 

CHAPTER VIII

NEARLY a week had elapsed since Robert Vyner's failure to givesatisfaction as a light porter, and in all that time, despite his utmostefforts, he had failed to set eyes on Joan Hartley. In the hope of achance encounter he divided his spare time between the narrow, crookedstreets of Salthaven and the deck of the _Indian Chief_, but in vain. In a mysterious and highly unsatisfactory fashion Miss Hartley seemed tohave vanished from the face of the earth. 

In these circumstances he manifested a partiality for the company ofMr. Hartley that was a source of great embarrassment to that gentleman, whose work rapidly accumulated while he sat in his old office discussinga wide range of subjects, on all of which the junior partner seemedequally at home and inclined to air views of the most unorthodoxdescription. He passed from topic to topic with bewildering facility, and one afternoon glided easily and naturally from death duties toinsect powder, and from that to maggots in rose-buds, almost before hisbewildered listener could take breath. From rose-buds he discoursed ongardening--a hobby to which he professed himself desirous of devotingsuch few hours as could be spared from his arduous work as a member ofthe firm. 

"I hear that your garden is the talk of Salthaven, " he remarked. 

Mr. Hartley, justly surprised, protested warmly. 

"That's what I heard, " said Mr. Vyner, doggedly. 

Mr. Hartley admitted that his borders were good. He also gave favourablemention to his roses. 

"My favourite flower, " said Mr. Vyner, with enthusiasm. 

"I'll bring you a bunch to-morrow, if you will let me, " said Mr. Hartley, rising and turning toward the door. 

The other stopped him with outstretched hand. "No, don't do that, "he said, earnestly. "I hate cutting flowers. It seems sucha--a--desecration. "

Mr. Hartley, quite unprepared for so much feeling on the subject, gazedat him in astonishment. 

"I should like to see them, too, " said Robert, musingly, "very much. "

The chief clerk, with a little deprecatory cough, got close to thedoor as a dim idea that there might be something after all in CaptainTrimblett's warnings occurred to him. 

"Yours are mostly standard roses, aren't they?" said the perseveringRobert. 

"Mostly, " was the reply. 

Mr. Vyner regarded him thoughtfully. "I suppose you don't care to letpeople see them for fear they should learn your methods?" he said, atlast. 

Mr. Hartley, coming away from the door, almost stuttered in his haste todisclaim such ungenerous sentiments. "I am always glad to show them, " hesaid, emphatically, "and to give any information I can. "

"I should like to see them some time, " murmured Robert. 

The other threw caution to the winds. "Any time, " he said, heartily. 

Mr. Vyner thanked him warmly, and, having got what he wanted, placedno further obstacles in the way of his withdrawal. He bought a bookentitled "Roses and How to Grow Them" the same afternoon and the nextevening called to compare his knowledge with Mr. Hartley's. 

Mr. Hartley was out; Miss Hartley was out; but at Rosa's invitation hewent in to await their return. At her further suggestion--due to a habitshe had of keeping her ears open and a conversation between her masterand Captain Trimblett on the previous evening--he went into the gardento see the flowers. 

"The other one's there, " said Rosa, simply, as she showed him the way. 

Mr. Vyner started, but a glance at Rosa satisfied him that there was allto lose and nothing to gain by demanding an explanation which she wouldbe only too ready to furnish. With an air of cold dignity he strolleddown the garden. 

A young man squatting in a painful attitude at the edge of aflower-bed paused with his trowel in the air and eyed him with mingledconsternation and disapproval. After allowing nearly a week to elapsesince his last visit, Mr. Saunders, having mustered up sufficientcourage to come round for another lesson in horticulture, had discoveredto his dismay that both Mr. Hartley and his daughter had engagementselsewhere. That his evening should not be given over to disappointmententirely, however, the former had set him a long and arduous task beforetaking his departure. 

"Don't let me interrupt you, " said Mr. Vyner, politely, as the otherrose and straightened himself. "What are you doing--besides decapitatingworms?"

"Putting in these plants, " said Mr. Saunders, resentfully. 

Mr. Vyner eyed them with the eye of a connoisseur, and turning one overwith his stick shook his head disparagingly. For some time he amusedhimself by walking up and down the garden inspecting the roses, andthen, lighting a cigarette, threw himself at full length on to a gardenbench that stood near Mr. Saunders and watched him at work. 

"Fascinating pursuit, " he remarked, affably. 

Mr. Saunders grunted; Mr. Vyner blew out a thin thread of smoke towardthe sky and pondered. 

"Fine exercise; I wish I could get fond of it, " he remarked. 

"Perhaps you could if you tried, " said the other, without looking round. 

"After all, " said Mr. Vyner, thoughtfully; "after all, perhaps it doesone just as much good to watch other people at it. My back aches withwatching you, and my knees are stiff with cramp. I suppose yours are, too?"

Mr. Saunders made no reply. He went on stolidly with his work until, reaching over too far with the trowel, he lost his balance and pitchedforward on to his hands. Somewhat red in the face he righted himself, and knocking the mould off his hands, started once more. 

"Try, try, try again, " quoted the admiring onlooker. 

"Perhaps you'd like to take a turn, " said Mr. Saunders, looking roundand speaking with forced politeness. 

Mr. Vyner shook his head, and, helping himself to another cigarette, proffered the case to the worker, and, on that gentleman callingattention to the grimy condition of his hands, stuck one in his mouthand lit it for him. Considerably mollified by these attentions, theamateur gardener resumed his labours with a lighter heart. 

Joan Hartley, returning half an hour later, watched them for sometime from an upper window, and then, with a vague desire to compelthe sprawling figure on the bench to get up and do a little work, cameslowly down the garden. 

"You are working too hard, Mr. Saunders, " she remarked, after Mr. Vynerhad shaken hands and the former had pleaded the condition of his. 

"He likes it, " said Mr. Vyner. 

"At any rate, it has got to be finished, " said Mr. Saunders. 

Miss Hartley looked at them, and then at the work done and the heap ofplants still to go in. She stood tapping the ground thoughtfully withher foot. 

"I expect that we are only interrupting him by standing here talkingto him, " said Robert Vyner, considerately. "No doubt he is wishing usanywhere but here; only he is too polite to say so. "

Ignoring Mr. Saunders's fervent protestations, he took a tentative stepforward, as though inviting Miss Hartley to join him; but she stoodfirm. 

"Will you give me the trowel, please?" she said, with sudden decision. 

Before Mr. Saunders could offer any resistance she took it from him, and stooping gracefully prepared to dig. Mr. Vyner interposed with somehaste. 

"Allow me, " he said. 

Miss Hartley placed the trowel in his hands at once, and with herlips curved in a slight smile stood watching his efforts. By almostimperceptible degrees she drew away from him and, attended by thedevoted Mr. Saunders, sauntered slowly about the garden. The worker, glaring sideways, watched them as they roamed from flower to flower. Thelow murmur of their voices floated on the still air, and once or twicehe heard Miss Hartley laugh with great distinctness. 

Apparently engrossed with his task, Mr. Vyner worked cheerfully for tenminutes. The hand that held the trowel was so far fairly clean, and hewas about to use it to take out a cigarette when he paused, and a broadsmile spread slowly over his features. He put down the trowel, and, burrowing in the wet earth with both hands, regarded the result withsmiling satisfaction. The couple came toward him slowly, and Mr. Saunders smiled in his turn as he saw the state of the other's hands. 

"I beg your pardon, " said Mr. Vyner, standing up as Miss Hartley cameclose; "I wish you would do something for me. "

"Yes?" said Joan. 

"I want a cigarette. "

The girl looked puzzled. "Yes?" she said again. 

Mr. Vyner, grave as a judge, held up his disgraceful hands. "They are ina case in the inside pocket of my coat, " he said, calmly. 

Miss Hartley drew back a pace. "Perhaps Mr. Saunders could help you, "she said, hastily. 

Mr. Vyner shook his head. "His hands are worse than mine, " he said, mournfully. 

He held up his arm so that his coat opened a little more, and MissHartley, after a moment's hesitation, thrust a small hand into hispocket and drew out the case. 

"To open it you press the catch, " said Mr. Vyner. 

Miss Hartley pressed, and the case flew open. She stood holding itbefore him, and Mr. Vyner, with a helpless gesture, again exhibited hishands. 

"If you would complete your kindness by putting one in my mouth, " hemurmured. 

[Illustration: She placed it between his lips with a little jab 094]

For a few moments she stood in a state of dazed indecision; then, slowlyextracting a cigarette from the case, she placed it between his lipswith a little jab that made it a failure, as a smoke, from the first. Mr. Saunders, who had been watching events with a brooding eye, hastily struck a match and gave him a light, and Mr. Vyner, with anill-concealed smile, bent down to his work again. He was pleased tonotice that though the conversation between the others still proceeded, after a fitful fashion, Miss Hartley laughed no more. 

He worked on steadily, and trampled ground and broken plants borewitness to his industry. He was just beginning to feel that he had doneenough gardening for that day, when the return of Mr. Hartley broughtwelcome relief. The astonishment of the latter at finding this new andunlooked-for assistance was at first almost beyond words. When he couldspeak he thanked him brokenly for his trouble and, depriving him of histools, took him indoors to wash. 

"He means well, " he said, slowly, after Mr. Vyner had at last taken hisdeparture; "he means well, but I am afraid Mr. John wouldn't like it. "

Miss Hartley flushed. "We didn't ask him to come, " she said, withspirit. 

"No, " said her father, plucking at his beard, and regarding her with atroubled expression. "No; I'm afraid that he is one of those young menthat don't want much asking. "

CHAPTER IX

OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to moresentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after hislabours. He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airyreference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of theriver by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife hadreceived with the silence it merited. It was evident that his absencehad been the subject of some comment, but his father made no referenceto it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring. 

He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleepagain, rose and dressed. Nobody else was stirring, and going quietlydownstairs he took up a cap and went out. 

Except for a labouring man or two tramping stolidly to work, the streetswere deserted. The craft anchored in the river seemed asleep, and hestood for some time on the bridge idly watching the incoming tide. Helit his pipe and then, with a feeble endeavour to feel a little surpriseat the fact, discovered that he was walking in the direction of Mr. Hartley's house. 

His pace slackened as he neared it, and he went by gazing furtively atthe drawn blinds of the front windows. A feeling of regret that JoanHartley should be missing such a delightful morning would not be denied;in imagination he saw himself strolling by her side and pointing out toher the beauties of the most unfrequented portions of the river bank. A sudden superstitious trust in fate--caught possibly from CaptainTrimblett--made him turn and walk slowly past the house again. With anidea of giving fate another chance he repeated the performance. In allhe passed eight times, and was about to enter upon the ninth, when hehappened to look across the road and saw, to his annoyance, the smallfigure of Bassett speeding toward him. 

"He is not down yet, sir, " said Bassett, respectfully. 

Mr. Vyner suppressed his choler by an effort. 

"Oh!" he said, stiffly. "Well?"

Bassett drew back in confusion. "I--I saw you walk up and down severaltimes looking at the house, sir, and I thought it my duty to come andtell you, " he replied. 

Mr. Vyner regarded him steadfastly. "Thank you, " he said, at last. "Andhow is it that you are out at such an early hour, prowling about like araging lion looking for its breakfast?"

"I wasn't, sir, " said Bassett; "I shall have my breakfast when I gethome, at eight o'clock. I always get up at six; then I make sure of twohours in the fresh air. "

"And what time do you close your eyes on the world and its vanities?"inquired Mr. Vyner, with an appearance of great interest. 

"I always go to bed as the clock strikes ten, sir, " said the youth. 

"And suppose--suppose the clock should be wrong one day?" suggested theother, "would you apprehend any lasting injury to your constitution?"

"It couldn't be, sir, " said Bassett; "I wind it myself. "

Mr. Vyner regarded him more thoughtfully than before. "I can foresee, "he said, slowly, "that you will grow up a great and good and wise man, unless--"

"Yes, sir, " said Bassett, anxiously. 

"Unless somebody kills you in the meantime, " concluded Mr. Vyner. "It is not fair to tempt people beyond their strength, Bassett. Even averdict of 'Justifiable homicide' might not quite ease the slayer'sconscience. "

"No, sir, " said the perplexed youth. 

Mr. Vyner suddenly dropped his bantering air. 

"How was it I didn't see you?" he demanded, sternly. 

"I don't think you looked my side of the road, sir, " said Bassett. "Youwere watching Mr. Hartley's windows all the time; and, besides, I wasbehind that hedge. "

He pointed to a well-trimmed privet hedge in a front garden opposite. 

"Behind the hedge?" repeated the other, sharply. "What were you therefor?"

"Watching a snail, sir, " replied Bassett. 

"A _what?_" inquired Mr. Vyner, raising his voice. 

"A snail, sir, " repeated the youth. "I've got a book on naturalhistory, and I've just been reading about them. I saw this one as Iwas passing, and I went inside to study its habits. They are veryinteresting little things to watch--very. "

Fortified by the approval of a conscience that never found fault, hemet the searchlight gaze that the junior partner turned upon him withoutflinching. Quite calm, although somewhat puzzled by the other's manner, he stood awaiting his pleasure. 

"Yes, " said Robert Vyner, at last; "very interesting indeed, I shouldthink; but you have forgotten one thing, Bassett. When secreted behind ahedge watching one of these diverting little--er----"

"Gasteropodous molluscs, sir, " interjected Bassett, respectfully. 

"Exactly, " said the other. "Just the word I was trying to think of. Whenbehind a hedge watching them it is always advisable to whistle as loudlyand as clearly as you can. "

"I never heard that, sir, " said Bassett, more and more perplexed. "It'snot in my book, but I remember once reading, when I was at school, thatspiders are sometimes attracted by the sound of a flute. "

"A flute would do, " said Mr. Vyner, still watching him closely; "but acornet would be better still. Good-morning. "

He left Bassett gazing after him round-eyed, and, carefully refrainingfrom looking at Hartley's windows, walked on at a smart pace. As hewalked he began to wish that he had not talked so much; a vision ofBassett retailing the conversation of the morning to longer heads thanhis own in the office recurring to him with tiresome persistency. And, on the other hand, he regretted that he had not crossed the road andmade sure that there was a snail. 

Busy with his thoughts he tramped on mechanically, until, pausing on apiece of high ground to admire the view, he was surprised to see thatthe town lay so far behind. At the same time sudden urgent promptingsfrom within bore eloquent testimony to the virtues of early rising andexercise as aids to appetite. With ready obedience he began to retracehis steps. 

The business of the day was just beginning as he entered the outskirtsof the town again. Blinds were drawn aside and maid-servants busy atfront doors. By the time he drew near Laurel Lodge--the name wasthe choice of a former tenant--the work of the day had begun in realearnest. Instinctively slackening his pace, he went by the house withhis eyes fastened on the hedge opposite, being so intent on what might, perhaps, be described as a visual alibi for Bassett's benefit, in casethe lad still happened to be there, that he almost failed to notice thatHartley was busy in his front garden and that Joan was standing by him. He stopped short and bade them "Good-morning. "

Mr. Hartley dropped his tools and hastened to the gate. "Good-morning, "he said, nervously; "I hope that there is nothing wrong. I went a littleway to try and find you. "

"Find me?" echoed Mr. Vyner, reddening, as a suspicion of the truthoccurred to him. 

"Bassett told me that you had been walking up and down waiting to seeme, " continued Hartley. 

"I dressed as fast as I could, but by that time you were out of sight. "

Facial contortions, in sympathy with the epithets he was mentallyheaping upon the head of Bassett, disturbed for a moment the serenityof Mr. Vyner's countenance. A rapid glance at Miss Hartley helped him toregain his composure. 

"I don't know why the boy should have been so officious, " he said, slowly; "I didn't want to see you. I certainly passed the house on myway. Oh, yes, and then I thought of going back--I did go a little wayback--then I altered my mind again. I suppose I must have passed threetimes. "

"I was afraid there was something wrong, " said Hartley. "I am very gladit is all right. I'll give that lad a talking to. He knocked us allup and said that you had been walking up and down for twenty-threeminutes. "

The generous colour in Mr. Vyner's cheeks was suddenly reflected in MissHartley's. Their eyes met, and, feeling exceedingly foolish, he resolvedto put a bold face on the matter. 

"Bassett is unendurable, " he said, with a faint laugh, "and I suspecthis watch. Still, I must admit that I did look out for you, because Ithought if you were stirring I should like to come in and see what sortof a mess I made last night. Was it very bad?"

"N-no, " said Hartley; "no; it perhaps requires a little attention. Halfan hour or so will put it right. "

"I should like to see my handiwork by daylight, " said Robert. 

Hartley opened the garden-gate and admitted him, and all three, passing down the garden, stood gravely inspecting the previous night'sperformance. It is to be recorded to Mr. Vyner's credit that he cougheddisparagingly as he eyed it. 

"Father says that they only want taking up and replanting, " said Joan, softly, "and the footmarks caked over, and the mould cleared away fromthe path. Except for that your assistance was invaluable. "

"I--I didn't quite say that, " said Hartley, mildly. 

"You ought to have, then, " said Robert, severely. "I had no idea it wasso bad. You'll have to give me some lessons and see whether I do betternext time. Or perhaps Miss Hartley will; she seems to be all right, sofar as the theory of the thing goes. "

Hartley smiled uneasily, and to avoid replying, moved off a little wayand became busy over a rosebush. 

"Will you?" inquired Mr. Vyner, very softly. "I believe that I couldlearn better from you than from anybody; I should take more interest inthe work. One wants sympathy from a teacher. "

Miss Hartley shook her head. "You had better try a three months' courseat Dale's Nurseries, " she said, with a smile. "You would get moresympathy from them than from me. "

"I would sooner learn from you, " persisted Robert. 

"I could teach you all I know in half an hour, " said the girl. 

Mr. Vyner drew a little nearer to her. "You overestimate my powers, " hesaid, in a low voice. "You have no idea how dull I can be; I am sure itwould take at least six months. "

"That settles it, then, " said Joan. "I shouldn't like a dull pupil. "

Mr. Vyner drew a little nearer still. "Perhaps--perhaps 'dull' isn'tquite the word, " he said, musingly. 

"It's not the word I should--" began Joan, and stopped suddenly. 

"Thank you, " murmured Mr. Vyner. "It's nice to be understood. What wordwould you use?"

Miss Hartley, apparently interested in her father's movements, made noreply. 

"Painstaking?" suggested Mr. Vyner; "assiduous? attentive? devoted?"

Miss Hartley, walking toward the house, affected not to hear. 'Afragrant smell of coffee, delicately blended with odour of grilledbacon, came from the open door and turned his thoughts to more mundanethings. Mr. Hartley joined them just as the figure of Rosa appeared atthe door. "Breakfast is quite ready, miss, " she announced. 

She stood looking at them, and Mr. Vyner noticed an odd, strainedappearance about her left eye which he attributed to a cast. A closerinspection made him almost certain that she was doing her best to wink. 

"I laid for three, miss, " she said, with great simplicity. "You didn'tsay whether the gentleman was going to stop or not; and there's no harmdone if he don't. "

Mr. Hartley started, and in a confused fashion murmured something thatsounded like an invitation; Mr. Vyner, in return murmuring somethingabout "goodness" and "not troubling them, " promptly followed Joanthrough the French windows of the small dining-room. 

"It's awfully kind of you, " he said, heartily, as he seated himselfopposite his host; "as a matter of fact I'm half famished. "

He made a breakfast which bore ample witness to the truth of hisstatement; a meal with long intervals of conversation. To Hartley, whousually breakfasted in a quarter of an hour, and was anxious tostart for the office, it became tedious in the extreme, and his eyesrepeatedly sought the clock. He almost sighed with relief as the visitortook the last piece of toast in the rack, only to be plunged again intodepression as his daughter rang the bell for more. Unable to endure itany longer he rose and, murmuring something about getting ready, quittedthe room. 

"I'm afraid I'm delaying things, " remarked Mr. Vyner, looking after himapologetically. 

Miss Hartley said, "Not at all, " and, as a mere piece of convention, considering that he had already had four cups, offered him some morecoffee. To her surprise he at once passed his cup up. She looked at thecoffee-pot and for a moment thought enviously of the widow's cruse. 

"Only a little, please, " he said. "I want it for a toast. "

"A toast?" said the girl. 

Mr. Vyner nodded mysteriously. "It is a solemn duty, " he said, impressively, "and I want you to drink it with me. Are you ready?'Bassett, the best of boys!'"

[Illustration: To Bassett, the best of boys 106]

Joan Hartley, looking rather puzzled, laughed, and put the cup to herlips. Robert Vyner put his cup down and regarded her intently. 

"Do you know why we drank his health?" he inquired. 

"No. "

"Because, " said Robert, pausing for a moment to steady his voice, "because, if it hadn't been for his officiousness, I should not besitting here with you. "

He leaned toward her. "Do you wish that you had not drunk it?" he asked. 

Joan Hartley raised her eyes and looked at him so gravely that themischief, with which he was trying to disguise his nervousness, died outof his face and left it as serious as her own. For a moment her eyes, clear and truthful, met his. 

"No, " she said, in a low voice. 

And at that moment Rosa burst into the room with two pieces of scorchedbread and placed them upon the table. Unasked, she proffered evidence onher own behalf, and with great relish divided the blame between the coalmerchant, the baker, and the stove. Mr. Hartley entered the room beforeshe had done herself full justice, and Vyner, obeying a glance fromJoan, rose to depart. 

CHAPTER X

MR. VYNER spent the remainder of the morning in a state of dreamyexaltation. He leaned back in his chair devising plans for a future inwhich care and sorrow bore no part, and neglected the pile of work onhis table in favour of writing the name "Joan Vyner" on pieces of paper, which he afterward burnt in the grate. At intervals he jumped up andwent to the window, in the faint hope that Joan might be passing, andonce, in the highest of high spirits, vaulted over his table. Removingink from his carpet afterward by means of blotting-paper was only anagreeable diversion. 

By mid-day his mood had changed to one of extreme tenderness andhumility, and he began to entertain unusual misgivings as to hisworthiness. He went home to lunch depressed by a sense of hisshortcomings; but, on his return, his soaring spirits got the better ofhim again. Filled with a vast charity, his bosom overflowing with lovefor all mankind, he looked about to see whom he could benefit; andBassett entering the room at that moment was sacrificed without delay. Robert Vyner was ashamed to think that he should have left the lad'svaluable services unrewarded for so long. 

"It's a fine afternoon, Bassett, " he said, leaning back and regardinghim with a benevolent smile. 

"Beautiful, sir, " said the youth. 

"Too fine to sit in a stuffy office, " continued the other. "Put on youhat and go out and enjoy yourself. "

"Sir?" said the amazed Bassett. 

"Take a half holiday, " said Vyner, still smiling. 

"Thank you, sir, " said Bassett, "but I don't care for holidays; and, besides, I've got a lot of work to do. "

"Do it to-morrow, " said Vyner. "Go on--out you go!"

"It can't be done to-morrow, sir, " said the youth, almost tearfully. "I've got all the letters to copy, and a pile of other work. And besidesI shouldn't know what to do with myself if I went. "

Mr. Vyner eyed him in astonishment. "I'm sorry to find a tendencyto disobedience in you, Bassett, " he said, at last. "I've noticedit before. And as to saying that you wouldn't know what to do withyourself, it's a mere idle excuse. "

"What time have I got to go, sir?" asked Bassett, resignedly. 

"Time?" exclaimed the other. "Now, at once. Avaunt!"

The boy stood for a moment gazing at him in mute appeal, and then, moving with laggard steps to the door, closed it gently behind him. A sudden outbreak of four or five voices, all speaking at once, thatfiltered through the wall, satisfied Mr. Vyner that his orders werebeing obeyed. 

Horrified at the grave charge of disobedience, Bassett distributedhis work and left with what the junior clerk--whom he had constitutedresiduary legatee--considered unnecessary and indecent haste. The lattergentleman, indeed, to the youth's discomfiture, accompanied him asfar as the entrance, and spoke eloquently upon the subject all the waydownstairs. His peroration consisted almost entirely of a repetition ofthe words "lazy fat-head. "

With this hostile voice still ringing in his ears Bas-sett strolledaimlessly about the streets of his native town. He spent some time ata stall in front of a second-hand bookshop, and was just deep in anenthralling romance, entitled "Story of a Lump of Coal, " when a hugehand was laid upon his shoulder, and he turned to meet the admiring gazeof Mr. Walters. 

"More book-larning, " said the boatswain, in tones of deep respect. "It's a wonder to me that that head of yours don't bust. "

"Heads don't burst, " said Bassett. "The brain enlarges with use the sameas muscles with exercise. They can't burst. "

"I only wish I had arf your laming, " said Mr. Walters; "just arf, and Ishould be a very different man to wot I am now. Well, so long. "

"Where are you going?" inquired the youth, replacing the book. 

"Seven Trees, " replied the other, displaying a small parcel. "I've gotto take this over there for the skipper. How far do you make it?"

"Four miles, " said Bassett. "I'll come with you, if you like. "

"Wot about the office?" inquired the boatswain, in surprise. 

Bassett, explained, and a troubled expression appeared on the seaman'sface as he listened. He was thinking of the last conversation he had hadwith the youth, and the hearty way in which he had agreed with him as tothe pernicious action of malt and other agreeable liquors on the humanframe. He remembered that he had committed himself to the statement thatwild horses could not make him drink before six in the evening, and thennot more than one half-pint. 

"It's a long walk for a 'ot day, " he said, slowly. "It might be too muchfor you. "

"Oh, no; I'm a good walker, " said Bassett. 

"Might be too much for that head of yours, " said Mr. Walters, considerately. 

"I often walk farther than that, " was the reply. 

Mr. Walters drew the back of his hand across a mouth which was alreadydry, and resigned himself to his fate. He had lied quite voluntarily, and pride told him that he must abide by the consequences. And eightmiles of dusty road lay between him and relief. He strode along stoutly, and tried to turn an attentive ear to a dissertation on field-mice. Atthe end of the first mile he saw the sign of the Fox and Hounds peepingthrough the trees, and almost unconsciously slackened his pace as heremembered that it was the last inn on the road to Seven Trees. 

"It's very 'ot, " he murmured, mopping his brow with his sleeve, "and I'mas dry as a bone. "

"I'm thirsty, too, " said Bassett; "but you know the cure for it, don'tyou?"

"O' course I do, " said the boatswain, and nearly smacked his lips. 

"Soldiers do it on the march, " said Bassett. 

"I've seen 'em, " said Mr. Walters, grinning. 

"A leaden bullet is the best thing, " said Bassett, stooping and pickingup a pebble, which he polished on his trousers, "but this will do aswell. Suck that and you won't be troubled with thirst. "

The boatswain took it mechanically, and, after giving it another wipe onhis own trousers, placed it with great care in his mouth. Bassett foundanother pebble and they marched on sucking. 

"My thirst has quite disappeared, " he said, presently. "How's yours?"

"Worse and worse, " said Mr. Walters, gruffly. 

"It'll be all right in a minute, " said Bassett. "Perhaps I had the bestpebble. If it isn't, perhaps we could get a glass of water at a cottage;athough it isn't good to drink when you are heated. "

Mr. Walters made no reply, but marched on, marvelling at his lack ofmoral courage. Bassett, quite refreshed, took out his pebble, and aftera grateful tribute to its properties placed it in his waistcoat pocketfor future emergencies. 

By the time they had reached Seven Trees and delivered the parcel Mr. Walters was desperate. The flattering comments that Bassett had madeupon his common-sense and virtue were forgotten. Pleading fatigue he satdown by the roadside and, with his eyes glued to the open door of thePedlar's Rest, began to hatch schemes of deliverance. 

A faint smell of beer and sawdust, perceptible even at that distance, set his nostrils aquiver. Then he saw an old labourer walk from the barto a table, bearing a mug of foaming ale. Human nature could endure nomore, and he was just about to throw away a hard-earned character fortruth and sobriety when better thoughts intervened. With his eyes fixedon the small figure by his side, he furtively removed the pebble fromhis mouth, and then with a wild cry threw out his arms and clutched athis throat. 

"What's the matter?" cried Bassett, as the boatswain sprang to his feet. 

"The stone, " cried Mr. Walters, in a strangulated voice; "it's stuck inmy throat. "

Bassett thumped him on the back like one possessed. "Cough it up!" hecried. "Put your finger down! Cough!"

The boatswain waved his arms and gurgled. "I'm choking!" he moaned, anddashed blindly into the inn, followed by the alarmed boy. 

[Illustration: I'm choking 116]

"Pot--six ale!" he gasped, banging on the little counter. 

The landlord eyed him in speechless amazement. 

"Six ale!" repeated the boatswain. "Pot! Quick! G-r-r. "

"You be off, " said the landlord, putting down a glass he was wiping, and eying him wrathfully. "How dare you come into my place like that?What do you mean by it?"

"He has swallowed a pebble!" said Bassett, hastily. 

"If he'd swallowed a brick I shouldn't be surprised, " said the landlord, "seeing the state he's in. I don't want drunken sailors in my place;and, what's more, I won't have 'em. "

"Drunk?" said the unfortunate boatswain, raising his voice. "Me? Why, Iain't--"

"Out you go!" said the landlord, in a peremptory voice, "and be quickabout it; I don't want people to say you got it here. "

"Got it?" wailed Mr. Walters. "_Got it?_ I tell you I ain't had it. Iswallowed a stone. "

"If you don't go out, " said the landlord, as Mr. Walters, in token ofgood faith, stood making weird noises in his throat and rolling hiseyes, "I'll have you put out. How dare you make them noises in my bar!Will--you--go?"

Mr. Walters looked at him, looked at the polished nickel taps, and theneat row of mugs on the shelves. Then, without a word, he turned andwalked out. 

"Has it gone down?" inquired Bassett presently, as they walked along. 

"Wot?" said the boatswain, thoughtlessly. 

"The pebble. "

"I s'pose so, " said the other, sourly. 

"I should think it would be all right, then, " said the boy; "foreignbodies, even of considerable size, are often swallowed with impunity. How is your thirst now?"

The boatswain stopped dead in the middle of the road and stood eyinghim suspiciously, but the mild eyes behind the glasses only betrayedfriendly solicitude. He grunted and walked on. 

By the time the Fox and Hounds came in sight again he had resolved notto lose a reputation which entailed suffering. He clapped the boy on theback, and after referring to a clasp-knive which he remembered to haveleft on the grass opposite the Pedlar's Rest, announced his intentionof going back for it. He did go back as far as a bend in the road, and, after watching Bassett out of sight, hastened with expectant steps intothe inn. 

He rested there for an hour, and, much refreshed, walked slowly intoSalthaven. It was past seven o'clock, and somewhat at a loss how tospend the evening he was bending his steps toward the Lobster Pot, asmall inn by the quay, when in turning a corner he came into violentcollision with a fashionably attired lady. 

"I beg pardon, ma'am, " he stammered. "I'm very sorry. I didn't see whereI was--Why! Halloa, yaller wig!"

Miss Jelks drew back and, rubbing, her arm, eyed him haughtily. 

"Fancy you in a 'at like that, " pursued the astonished boatswain. "Nowonder I thought you was a lady. Well, and 'ow are you?"

[Illustration: No wonder I thought you was a lady 118]

"My health is very well, I thank you, " returned Miss Jelks, stiffly. 

"That's right, " said the boatswain, heartily. 

Conversation came suddenly to a standstill, and they stood eying eachother awkwardly. 

"It's a fine evening, " said Mr. Walters, at last. 

"Beautiful, " said Rosa. 

They eyed each other again, thoughtfully. 

"You hurt my arm just now, " said Rosa, rubbing it coquettishly. "You'revery strong, aren't you?"

"Middling, " said the boatswain. 

"Very strong, I should say, " said Rosa. "You've got such a broad chestand shoulders. "

The boatswain inflated himself. 

"And arms, " continued Miss Jelks, admiringly. "Arms like--like--"

"Blocks o' wood, " suggested the modest Mr. Walters, squinting at themcomplacently. 

"Or iron, " said Rosa. "Well, good-by; it's my evening out, and I mustn'twaste it. "

"Where are you going?" inquired the boatswain. 

Miss Jelks shook her head. "I don't know, " she said, softly. 

"You can come with me if you like, " said Mr. Walters, weighing his wordscarefully. "A little way. I ain't got nothing better to do. "

Miss Jelks's eyes flashed, then with a demure smile she turned andwalked by his side. They walked slowly up the street, and Mr. Walters'sbrows grew black as a series of troublesome coughs broke out behind. Aglance over his shoulder showed him three tavern acquaintances roguishlyshaking their heads at him. 

"Arf a second, " he said, stopping. "I'll give 'em something to coughabout. "

Rosa clutched his arm. "Not now; not while you are with me, " she said, primly. 

"Just one smack, " urged the boatswain. 

He looked round again and clenched his fists, as his friends, with theirarms fondly encircling each other's waists, walked mincingly across theroad. He shook off the girl's arm and stepped off the pavement as withlittle squeals, fondly believed to be feminine, they sought sanctuary inthe Red Lion. 

"They're not worth taking notice of, " said Rosa. 

She put a detaining hand through his arm again and gave it a littlegentle squeeze. A huge feather almost rested on his shoulder, and thescent of eau-de-Cologne assailed his nostrils. He walked on in silentamazement at finding himself in such a position. 

"It's nice to be out, " said Rosa, ignoring a feeble attempt on hispart to release his arm. "You've no idea how fresh the air smells afteryou've been shut up all day. "

"You've got a comfortable berth, though, haven't you?" said Mr. Walters. 

"Fairish, " said Rosa. "There's plenty of work; but I likework--housework. "

The boatswain said "Oh!"

"Some girls can't bear it, " said Rosa, "but then, as I often say, whatare they going to do when they get married?"

"Ah!" said the boatswain, with an alarmed grunt, and made anotherattempt to release his arm. 

"Oh, I beg your pardon, " said Rosa, making a pretence of freeing him. "I'm afraid I'm leaning on you; but I sprained my ankle yesterday, and Ithought--"

"All right, " said Mr. Walters, gruffly. 

"Thank you, " said Rosa, and leaned on him heavily. "Housework is theproper thing for girls, " she continued, with some severity. "Every girlought to know how to keep her husband's house clean and cook nicely forhim. But there--all they think about is love. What did you say?"

"Nothing, " said Mr. Walters, hastily. "I didn't say a word. "

"I don't understand it myself, " said Rosa, takings an appraising glanceat him from under the brim of her hat; "I can't think why people want toget married when they're comfortable. "

"Me neither, " said the boatswain. 

"Being friends is all right, " said Rosa, meditatively, "but falling inlove and getting married always seemed absurd to me. "

"Me too, " said Mr. Walters, heartily. 

With a mind suddenly at ease he gave himself over to calm enjoyment ofthe situation. He sniffed approvingly at the eau-de-Cologne, and leanedheavily toward the feather. Apparently without either of them knowingit, his arm began to afford support to Miss Jelks's waist. They walkedon for a long time in silence. 

"Some men haven't got your sense, " said Rosa, at last, with a sigh. "There's a young fellow that brings the milk--nice young fellow I thoughthe was--and all because I've had a word with him now and again, he triedto make love to me. "

"Oh, did he?" said Mr. Walters, grimly. "What's his name?"

"It don't matter, " said Rosa. "I don't think he'll try it again. "

"Still, I might as well learn 'im a lesson, " said the boatswain. "I likea bit of a scrap. "

"If you are going to fight everybody that tries to take notice of meyou'll have your work cut out, " said Miss Jelks, in tones ofmelancholy resignation, "and I'm sure it's not because I give themany encouragement. And as for the number that ask me to walk out withthem--well, there!"

Mr. Walters showed his sympathy with such a state of affairs by apressure that nearly took her breath away. They sat for an hour and ahalf on a bench by the river discussing the foolishness of young men. 

"If any of them chaps trouble you again, " he said, as they shook handsat the gate of Laurel Lodge, "you let me know. Do you have Sundayevening out too?"

CHAPTER XI

"I HAVE been knocking for the last ten minutes, " said Hartley, as hestood one evening at the open door of No. 5, Tranquil Vale, and lookedup at Captain Trimblett. 

"I was in the summer-house, " said the captain, standing aside to let himenter. 

"Alone?" queried the visitor. 

"Alone? Yes, of course, " said the captain, sharply. "Why shouldn't I be?Peter's courting--as usual. "

"And Mrs. Chinnery?" inquired the other. 

"She's away for a day or two, " replied the captain; "friends atMarsham. "

He stopped in the small kitchen to get some beer and glasses, and, withthe bottle gripped under his arm and a glass in each hand, led the wayto the summer-house. 

"I came to ask your advice, " said Hartley, as he slowly filled his pipefrom the pouch the captain pushed toward him. 

[Illustration: I came to ask your advice 126]

"Joan?" inquired the captain, who was carefully decanting the beer. 

Mr. Hartley nodded. 

"Robert Vyner?" pursued the captain. 

Hartley nodded again. 

"What did I tell you?" inquired the other, placing a full tumbler beforehim. "I warned you from the first. I told you how it would be. I----"

"It's no good talking like that, " said Hartley, with feeble irritation. "You're as bad as my poor old grandmother; she always knew everythingbefore it happened--at least, she said so afterward. What I want to knowis: how is it to be stopped? He has been round three nights running. "

"Your grandmother is dead, I suppose?" said the offended captain, gazingat the river. "Else she might have known what to do. "

"I'm sorry, " said Hartley, apologetically; "but I am so worried that Ihardly know what I'm saying. "

"That's all right, " said the captain, amiably. He drank some beer and, leaning back on the seat, knitted his brows thoughtfully. 

"He admired her from the first, " he said, slowly. "I saw that. Does shelike him, I wonder?"

"It looks like it, " was the reply. 

The captain shook his head. "They'd make a fine couple, " he said, slowly. "As fine as you'd see anywhere. It's fate again. Perhaps he wasmeant to admire her; perhaps millions of years ago----"

"Yes, yes, I know, " said Hartley, hastily; "but to prevent it. "

"Fate can't be prevented, " said the captain, who was now on hisfavourite theme. "Think of the millions of things that had to happento make it possible for those two young people to meet and cause thistrouble. That's what I mean. If only one little thing had been missing, one little circumstance out of millions, Joan wouldn't have been born;you wouldn't have been born. "

Mr. Hartley attempted to speak, but the captain, laying down his pipe, extended an admonitory finger. 

"To go back only a little way, " he said, solemnly, "your father had themeasles, hadn't he?"

"I don't know--I believe so, " said Hartley. 

"Good, " said the captain; "and he pulled through 'em, else you wouldn'thave been here. Again, he happened to go up North to see a friend whowas taken ill while on a journey, and met your mother there, didn't he?"

Hartley groaned. 

"If your father's friend hadn't been taken ill, " said the captain, withtremendous solemnity, as he laid his forefinger on his friend's knee, "where would you have been?"

"I don't know, " said Hartley, restlessly, "and I don't care. "

"Nobody knows, " said the other, shaking his head. "The thing is, as youare here, it seems to me that things couldn't have been otherwise. Theywere all arranged. When your father went up North in that light-heartedfashion, I don't suppose he thought for a moment that you'd be sittinghere to-day worrying over one of the results of his journey. "

"Of course he didn't, " exclaimed Hartley, impatiently; "how could he?Look here, Trimblett, when you talk like that I don't know where I am. If my father hadn't married my mother I suppose he would have marriedsomebody else. "

"My idea is that he couldn't, " said the captain, obstinately. "If athing has got to be it will be, and there's no good worrying aboutit. Take a simple example. Some time you are going to die of a certaindisease--you can only die once--and you're going to be buried in acertain grave--you can only be buried in one grave. Try and think thatin front of you there is that one particular disease told off to killyou at a certain date, and in one particular spot of all this earththere is a grave waiting to be dug for you. At present we don't know thedate, or the disease, or the grave, but there they are, all waiting foryou. That is fate. What is the matter? Where are you going?"

"Home, " said Hartley, bitterly, as he paused at the door. "I came roundto you for a little help, and you go on in a way that makes my fleshcreep. Good-by. "

"Wait a bit, " said the captain, detaining him. "Wait a bit; let's seewhat can be done. "

He pulled the other back into his seat again and, fetching anotherbottle of beer from the house to stimulate invention, sat evolvingschemes for his friend's relief, the nature of which reflected morecredit upon his ingenuity than his wisdom. 

"But, after all, " he said, as Hartley made a third attempt to depart, "what is the good? The very steps we take to avoid disaster may be theones to bring it on. While you are round here getting advice from me, Robert Vyner may be availing himself of the opportunity to propose. "

Hartley made no reply. He went out and walked' up and down the garden, inspecting it. The captain, who was no gardener, hoped that theexpression of his face was due to his opinion of the flowers. 

"You must miss Mrs. Chinnery, " said Hartley, at last. 

"No, " said the captain, almost explosively; "not at all. Why should I?"

"It can't be so homelike without her, " said Hartley, stooping to pull upa weed or two. 

"Just the same, " said the other, emphatically. "We have a woman in todo the work, and it doesn't make the slightest difference to me--not theslightest. "

"How is Truefitt?" inquired Hartley. 

The captain's face darkened. "Peter's all right, " he said, slowly. "He'snot treated me--quite well, " he added, after a little hesitation. 

"It's natural he should neglect you a bit, as things are, " said hisfriend. 

"Neglect?" said the captain, bitterly. "I wish he would neglect me. He'sturning out a perfect busybody, and he's getting as artful as they make'em. I never would have believed it of Peter. Never. "

Hartley waited. 

"I met Cap'n Walsh the other night, " said Trimblett; "we hadn't seeneach other for years, and we went into the Golden Fleece to have adrink. You know what Walsh is when he's ashore. And he's a man thatwon't be beaten. He had had four tries to get a 'cocktail' right thathe had tasted in New York, and while he was superintending the mixingof the fifth I slipped out. The others were all right as far as I couldjudge; but that's Walsh all over. "

"Well?" said Hartley. 

"I came home and found Peter sitting all alone in the dumps, " continuedthe captain. "He has been very down of late, and, what was worse, he hadgot a bottle of whiskey on the table. That's a fatal thing to begin; andpartly to keep him company, but mainly to prevent him drinking more thanwas good for him, I helped him finish the bottle--there wasn't much init. "

"Well?" said Hartley again, as the captain paused. 

"He got talking about his troubles, " said the captain, slowly. "You knowhow things are, and, like a fool, I tried to cheer him up by agreeingwith him that Mrs. Chinnery would very likely make things easy for himby marrying again. In fact, so far as I remember, I even helped him tothink of the names of one or two likely men. He said she'd make anybodyas good a wife as a man could wish. "

"So she would, " said Hartley, looking at him with sudden interest. "Infact, I have often wondered--"

"He went on talking like that, " continued the captain, hastily, "and outof politeness and good feeling I agreed with him. What else could Ido? Then--I didn't take much notice of it because, as I said, he wasdrinking whiskey--he--he sort of wondered why--why--"

"Why you didn't offer to marry her?" interrupted Hartley. 

The captain nodded. "It took my breath away, " he said, impressively, "and I lost my presence of mind. Instead of speaking out plain I triedto laugh it off--just to spare his feelings--and said I wasn't worthy ofher. "

"What did he say?" inquired Hartley, curiously, after another longpause. 

"Nothing, " replied the captain. "Not a single word. He just gave me astrange look, shook my hand hard, and went off to bed. I've been uneasyin my mind ever since. I hardly slept a wink last night; and Peterbehaves as though there is some mysterious secret between us. What wouldyou do?"

Mr. Hartley took his friend's arm and paced thoughtfully up and down thegarden. 

"Why not marry her?" he said, at last. 

"Because I don't want to, " said the captain, almost violently. 

"You'd be safer at sea, then, " said the other. 

"The ship won't be ready for sea for weeks yet, " said Captain Trimblett, dolefully. "She's going on a time-charter, and before she is taken overshe has got to be thoroughly overhauled. As fast as they put one thingright something else is found to be wrong. "

"Go to London and stay with your children for a bit, then, " saidHartley. "Give out that you are only going for a day or two, and thendon't turn up till the ship sails. "

The captain's face brightened. "I believe Vyner would let me go, " hereplied. "I could go in a few days' time, at any rate. And, by theway--Joan!"

"Eh?" said Hartley. 

"Write to your brother-in-law at Highgate, and send her there for atime, " said the captain. "Write and ask him to invite her. Keep her andyoung Vyner apart before things go too far. "

"I'll see how things go for a bit, " said Hartley, slowly. "It's awkwardto write and ask for an invitation. And where do your ideas of fatecome in?". "They come in all the time, " said the captain, with greatseriousness. "Very likely my difficulty was made on purpose for us tothink of a way of getting you out of yours. Or it might be Joan's fateto meet somebody in London at her uncle's and marry him. If she goes wemight arrange to go up together, so that I could look after her. "

"I'll think it over, " said his friend, holding out his hand. "I must begoing. "

"I'll come a little way with you, " said the captain, leading the wayinto the house. "I don't suppose Peter will be in yet, but he might; andI've had more of him lately than I want. "

He took up his hat and, opening the door, followed Hartley out into theroad. The evening was warm, and they walked slowly, the captain stilldiscoursing on fate and citing various instances of its working whichhad come under his own observation. He mentioned, among others, thecase of a mate of his who found a wife by losing a leg, the unfortunateseaman falling an easy victim to the nurse who attended him. 

"He always put it down to the effects of the chloroform, " concluded thecaptain; "but my opinion is, it was to be. "

He paused at Hartley's gate, and was just indulging in the usualargument as to whether he should go indoors for a minute or not, when aman holding a handkerchief to his bleeding face appeared suddenly roundthe corner of the house and, making a wild dash for the gate, nearlyoverturned the owner. 

[Illustration: Holding a handkerchief to his bleeding face 134]

"It looks like our milkman!" said Hartley, recovering his balance andgazing in astonishment after the swiftly retreating figure. "I wonderwhat was the matter with him?"

"He would soon know what was the matter with him if I got hold of him, "said the wrathful captain. 

Hartley opened the door with his key, and the captain, still mutteringunder his breath, passed in. Rosa's voice, raised in expostulation, sounded loudly from the kitchen, and a man's voice, also raised, washeard in response. 

"Sounds like my bo'sun, " said the captain, staring as he passed into thefront room. "What's he doing here?"

Hartley shook his head. 

"Seems to be making himself at home, " said the captain, fidgeting. "He's as noisy as if he was in his own house. "

"I don't suppose he knows you are here, " said his friend, mildly. 

Captain Trimblett still fidgeted. "Well, it's your house, " he said atlast. "If you don't mind that lanky son of a gun making free, I supposeit's no business of mine. If he made that noise aboard my ship--"

Red of face he marched to the window and stood looking out. Fortified byhis presence, Hartley rang the bell. 

"Is there anybody in the kitchen?" he inquired, as Rosa answered it. "Ifancied I heard a man's voice. "

"The milkman was here just now, " said Rosa, and, eying him calmly, departed. 

The captain swung round in wrathful amazement. 

"By--, " he spluttered; "I've seen--well--by--b-r-r-r------ Can I ringfor that d----d bo'sun o' mine?

"Certainly, " said Hartley. 

The captain crossed to the fireplace and, seizing the bell-handle, gavea pull that made the kitchen resound with wild music. After a decentinterval, apparently devoted to the allaying of masculine fears, Rosaappeared again. 

"Did you ring, sir?" she inquired, gazing at her master. 

"Send that bo'sun o' mine here at once!" said the captain, gruffly. 

Rosa permitted herself a slight expression of surprise. "Bo'sun, sir?"she asked, politely. 

"Yes. "

The girl affected to think. "Oh, you mean Mr. Walters?" she said, atlast. 

"Send him here, " said the captain. 

Rosa retired slowly, and shortly afterward something was heard brushingsoftly against the wall of the passage. It ceased for a time, andjust as the captain's patience was nearly at an end there was a sharpexclamation, and Mr. Walters burst suddenly into the room and lookedthreateningly over his shoulder at somebody in the passage. 

"What are you doing here?" demanded Captain Trimblett, loudly. 

Mr. Walters eyed him uneasily, and with his cap firmly gripped in hisleft hand saluted him with the right. Then he turned his head sidewaystoward the passage. The captain repeated his question in a voice, ifanything, louder than before. 

The strained appearance of Mr. Walters's countenance relaxed. 

"Come here for my baccy-box, wot I left here the other day, " he said, glibly, "when you sent me. "

"What were you making that infernal row about, then?" demanded thecaptain. 

Mr. Walters cast an appealing glance toward the passage and listenedacutely. "I was--grumbling because--I couldn't--find it, " he said, withpainstaking precision. 

"Grumbling?" repeated the captain. "That ugly voice of yours was enoughto bring the ceiling down. What was the matter with that man that burstout of the gate as we came in, eh?"

The boatswain's face took on a wooden expression. 

"He--his nose was bleeding, " he said, at last. 

"I know that, " said the captain, grimly; "but what made it bleed?"

For a moment Mr. Walters looked like a man who has been given a riddletoo difficult for human solution. Then his face cleared again. 

"He--he told me--he was object--subject to it, " he stammered. "Been likeit since he was a baby. "

He shifted his weight to his other foot and shrugged eloquently theshoulder near the passage. 

"What did you do to him?" demanded the captain, in a low, stern voice. 

"Me, sir?" said Mr. Walters, with clumsy surprise. "Me, sir? I--I--all Idone--all I done--was ta put a door-key down his back. "

"Door-key?" roared the captain. 

"To--to stop the bleeding, sir, " said Mr. Walters, looking at the floorand nervously twisting his cap in his hands. "It's a old-fashioned--"

"That'll do, " exclaimed the captain, in a choking voice, "that'll do. I don't want any more of your lies. How dare you come to Mr. Hartley'shouse and knock his milkman about, eh? How dare you? What do you mean byit?"

Mr. Walters fumbled with his cap again. "I was sitting in the kitchen, "he said at last, "sitting in the kitchen--hunting 'igh and low for mybaccy-box--when this 'ere miserable, insulting chap shoves his head inat the door and calls the young lady names. "

"Names?" said the captain, frowning, and waving an interruption fromHartley aside. "What names?"

Mr. Walters hesitated again, and his brow grew almost as black as thecaptain's. 

"'Rosy-lips, '" he said, at last; "and I give 'im such a wipe acrost--"

"Out you go, " cried the wrathful captain. "Out you go, and if I hearyour pretty little voice in this house again you'll remember it, I cantell you. D'ye hear? Scoot!"

Mr. Walters said "Thank you, " and, retiring with an air of greatdeference, closed the door softly behind him. 

"There's another of them, " said Captain Trimblett subsiding into achair. "And from little things I had heard here and there I thought heregarded women as poison. Fate again, I suppose; he was made to regardthem as poison all these years for the sake of being caught by thattow-headed wench in your kitchen. "

CHAPTER XII

BY no means insensible to the difficulties in the way, Joan Hartley hadgiven no encouragement to Mr. Robert Vyner to follow up the advantageafforded him by her admission at the breakfast-table. Her father'suneasiness, coupled with the broad hints which Captain Trimblett mistookfor tactfulness, only confirmed her in her resolution; and Mr. Vyner, inhis calmer moments, had to admit to himself that she was right--forthe present, at any rate. Meantime, they were both young, and, with theconfidence of youth, he looked forward to a future in which hisfather's well-known views on social distinctions and fitting matrimonialalliances should have undergone a complete change. As to his mother, shemerely seconded his father's opinions, and, with admiration born of loveand her marriage vows, filed them for reference in a memory which had onmore than one occasion been a source of great embarrassment to a man whohad not lived for over fifty years without changing some of them. 

Deeply conscious of his own moderation, it was, therefore, with a senseof annoyance that Mr. Robert Vyner discovered that Captain Trimblett wasactually attempting to tackle him upon the subject which he consideredleast suitable for discussion. They were sitting in his office, andthe captain, in pursuance of a promise to Hartley, after two or threereferences to the weather, and a long account of an uninterestingconversation with a policeman, began to get on to dangerous ground. 

"I've been in the firm's service a good many years now, " he began. 

"I hope you'll be in as many more, " said Vyner, regarding him almostaffectionately. 

"Hartley has been with you a long time, too, " continued Trimblett, slowly. "We became chums the first time we met, and we've been friendsever since. Not just fair-weather friends, but close and hearty; else Iwouldn't venture to speak to you as I'm going to speak. "

Mr. Vyner looked up at him suddenly, his face hard and forbidding. Then, as he saw the embarrassment in the kindly old face before him, his angervanished and he bent his head to hide a smile. 

"Fire away, " he said, cordially. 

"I'm an old man, " began the captain, solemnly. 

"Nonsense, " interrupted Robert, breezily. "Old man indeed! A man isas old as he feels, and I saw you the other night, outside the GoldenFleece, with Captain Walsh--"

"I couldn't get away from him, " said the captain, hastily. 

"So far as I could see you were not trying, " continued the remorselessRobert. "You were instructing him in the more difficult and subtlemovements of a hornpipe, and I must say I thought your elasticity waswonderful--wonderful. "

"It was just the result of an argument I had with him, " said thecaptain, looking very confused, "and I ought to have known better. But, as I was saying, I am an old man, and--"

"But you look so young, " protested Mr. Vyner. 

"Old man, " repeated the captain, ignoring the remark. "Old age has itsprivileges, and one of them is to give a word in season before it is toolate. "

"'A stitch in time saves nine, " quoted Robert, with an encouraging nod. 

"And I was speaking to Hartley the other day, " continued the captain. "He hasn't been looking very well of late, and, as far as I can makeout, he is a little bit worried over the matter I want to speak to youabout. "

Robert Vyner's face hardened again for a moment. He leaned back in hischair and, playing with his watch-chain, regarded the other intently. Then he smiled maliciously. 

"He told me, " he said, nodding. 

"Told you?" repeated the captain, in astonishment. 

Mr. Vyner nodded again, and bending down pretended to glance at somepapers on his table. 

"Green-fly, " he said, gravely. "He told me that he syringes early andlate. He will clear a tree, as he thinks, and while he has gone to mixanother bucket of the stuff there are several generations born. Bassettinforms me that a green-fly is a grandfather before it is half an hourold. So you see it is hopeless. Quite. "

Captain Trimblett listened with ill-concealed impatience. "I wasthinking of something more important than green-flies, " he said, emphatically. 

"Yes?" said Vyner, thoughtfully. 

It was evident that the old sailor was impervious to hints. Renderedunscrupulous by the other's interference, and at the same time unwillingto hurt his feelings, Mr. Vyner bethought himself of a tale to which hehad turned an unbelieving ear only an hour or two before. 

"Of course, I quite forgot, " he said, apologetically. "How stupid of me!I hope that you'll accept my warmest congratulations and be very, veryhappy. I can't tell you how pleased I am. But for the life of me I can'tsee why it should worry Hartley. "

"Congratulations?" said the captain, eying him in surprise. "Whatabout?"

"Your marriage, " replied Robert. "I only heard of it on my way to theoffice, and your talking put it out of my head. "

"_Me_?" said Captain Trimblett, going purple with suppressed emotion. "My _marriage?_ I'm not going to be married. Not at all. "

"What do you mean by 'not at all?" inquired Mr. Vyner, looking puzzled. "It isn't a thing you can do by halves. "

"I'm not going to be married at all, " said the captain, raising hisvoice. "I never thought of such a thing. Who--who told you?"

"A little bird, " said Robert, with a simpering air. 

Captain Trimblett took out a handkerchief, and after blowing his noseviolently and wiping his heated face expressed an overpowering desire towring the little bird's neck. 

"Who was it?" he repeated. 

"A little bird of the name of Sellers--Captain Sellers, " replied Robert. "I met him on my way here, hopping about in the street, simply brimmingover with the news. "

"There isn't a word of truth in it, " said the agitated captain. "Inever thought of such a thing. That old mischief-making mummy must bemad--stark, starin' mad. "

"Dear me!" said Robert, regretfully. "He seems such a dear old chap, andI thought it was so nice to see a man of his age so keenly interested inthe love-affairs of a younger generation. Anybody might have thought youwere his own son from the way he talked of you. "

"I'll 'son' him!" said the unhappy captain, vaguely. 

"He is very deaf, " said Robert, gently, "and perhaps he _may_ havemisunderstood somebody. Perhaps somebody told him you were _not_ goingto be married. Funny he shouts so, isn't it? Most deaf people speak in avery low voice. "

"Did he shout that?" inquired Captain Trimblett, in a quivering voice. 

"Bawled it, " replied Mr. Vyner, cheerfully; "but as it isn't true, Ireally think that you ought to go and tell Captain Sellers at once. There is no knowing what hopes he may be raising. He is a fine old man;but perhaps, after all, he is a wee bit talkative. "

Captain Trimblett, who had risen, stood waiting impatiently until theother had finished, and then, forgetting all about the errand that hadbrought him there, departed in haste. Mr. Vyner went to the window, anda broad smile lit up his face as he watched the captain hurrying acrossthe bridge. With a blessing on the head of the most notorious old gossipin Salthaven, he returned to his work. 

Possessed by a single idea, Captain Trimblett sped on his way at a paceagainst which both his age and his figure protested in vain. By the timehe reached Tranquil Vale he was breathless, and hardly able to gasphis inquiry for Captain Sellers to the old housekeeper who attended thedoor. 

"He's a-sitting in the garden looking at his flowers, " she replied. "Will you go through?"

Captain Trimblett went through. His head was erect and his face and eyesblazing. A little old gentleman, endowed with the far sight peculiar tomen who have followed the sea, who was sitting in a deck-chair at thebottom of the garden, glimpsed him and at once collapsed. By the timethe captain reached the chair he discovered a weasel-faced, shrunken oldfigure in a snuff-coloured suit of clothes sunk in a profound slumber. He took him by the arms and shook him roughly. 

"Yes? Halloa! What's matter?" inquired Captain Sellers, half waking. 

Captain Trimblett arched his hand over his mouth and bent to an earapparently made of yellow parchment. 

"Cap'n Sellers, " he said, in a stern, thrilling voice, "I've got a boneto pick with you. "

[Illustration: I've got a bone to pick with you 148]

The old man opened his eyes wide and sat blinking at him. "I've beenasleep, " he said, with a senile chuckle. "How do, Cap'n Trimblett?"

"I've got a bone to pick with you, " repeated the other. 

"Eh?" said Captain Sellers, putting his hand to his ear. 

"A--bone--to--pick--with--you, " said the incensed Trimblett, raising hisvoice. "What do you mean by it?"

"Eh?" said Captain Sellers, freshly. 

"What do you mean by saying things about me?" bawled Trimblett. "Howdare you go spreading false reports about me? I'll have the law of you. "

Captain Sellers smiled vaguely and shook his head. 

"I'll prosecute you, " bellowed Captain Trimblett. "You're shamming, youold fox. You can hear what I say plain enough. You've been spreadingreports that I'm going to--"

He stopped and looked round just in time. Attracted by the volume of hisvoice, the housekeeper had come to the back door, two faces appearedat the next-door windows, and the back of Mr. Peter Truefitt was justdisappearing inside his summer-house. 

"I know you are talking, " said Captain Sellers, plaintively, "because Ican see your lips moving. It's a great affliction--deafness. "

He fell back in his chair again, and, with a crafty old eye cocked onthe windows next door, fingered a scanty tuft of white hair on his chinand smiled weakly. Captain Trimblett controlled himself by an effort, and, selecting a piece of paper from a bundle of letters in his pocket, made signs for a pencil. Captain Sellers shook his head; then he glancedround uneasily as Trimblett, with an exclamation of satisfaction, foundan inch in his waistcoat-pocket and began to write. He nodded sternly atthe paper when he had finished, and handed it to Captain Sellers. 

The old gentleman received it with a pleasant smile, and, extricatinghimself from his chair in a remarkable fashion considering his age, began to fumble in his pockets. He went through them twice, and hiscountenance, now lighted by hope and now darkened by despair, conveyedto Captain Trimblett as accurately as speech could have done thefeelings of a man to whom all reading matter, without his spectacles, ismere dross. 

"I can't find my glasses, " said Captain Sellers, at last, loweringhimself into the chair. Then he put his hand to his ear and turnedtoward his visitor. "Try again, " he said, encouragingly. 

Captain Trimblett eyed him for a moment in helpless wrath, and then, turning on his heel, marched back through the house, and after standingirresolute for a second or two entered his own. The front room wasempty, and from the silence he gathered that Mrs. Chinnery was out. Hefilled his pipe, and throwing himself into an easy-chair sought to calmhis nerves with tobacco, while he tried to think out his position. His meditations were interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Truefitt, andsomething in the furtive way that gentleman eyed him as he came into theroom only served to increase his uneasiness. 

"Very warm, " said Truefitt. 

The captain assented, and with his eyes fixed on the mantelpiece smokedin silence. 

"I saw you. . . Talking. . . To Captain Sellers just now, " said Mr. Truefitt, after a long pause. 

"Aye, " said the captain. "You did. "

His eyes came from the mantelpiece and fixed themselves on those of hisfriend. Mr. Truefitt in a flurried fashion struck a match and applied itto his empty pipe. 

"I'll have the law of him, " said the captain, fiercely; "he has beenspreading false reports about me. "

"Reports?" repeated Mr. Truefitt, in a husky voice. 

"He has been telling everybody that I am about to be married, " thunderedthe captain. 

Mr. Truefitt scratched the little bit of gray whisker that grew by hisear. 

"I told him, " he said at last. 

"You?" exclaimed the amazed captain. "But it isn't true. "

Mr. Truefitt turned to him with a smile intended to be arch andreassuring. The result, owing to his nervousness, was so hideous thatthe captain drew back in dismay. 

"It's--it's all right, " said Mr. Truefitt at last. "Ah! If it hadn'tbeen for me you might have gone on hoping for years and years, withoutknowing the true state of her feelings toward you. "

"What do you mean?" demanded the captain, gripping the arms of hischair. 

"Sellers is a little bit premature, " said Mr. Truefitt, coughing. "Thereis nothing settled yet, of course. I told him so. Perhaps I oughtn't tohave mentioned it at all just yet, but I was so pleased to find that itwas all right I had to tell somebody. "

"What are you--talking about?" gasped the captain. 

Mr. Truefitt looked up, and by a strong effort managed to meet theburning gaze before him. 

"I told Susanna, " he said, with a gulp. 

"Told her? Told her what?" roared the captain. 

"Told her that you said you were not worthy of her, " replied Mr. Truefitt, very slowly and distinctly. 

The captain took his pipe out of his mouth, and laying it on the tablewith extreme care listened mechanically while the clock struck five. 

"What did she say?" he inquired, hoarsely, after the clock had finished. 

Mr. Truefitt leaned over, and with a trembling hand patted him on theshoulder. 

"She said, 'Nonsense'" he replied, softly. 

[Illustration: She said, 'Nonsense' he replied, softly 152]

The captain rose and, putting on his cap--mostly over one eye--put outhis hands like a blind man for the door, and blundered out into thestreet. 

CHAPTER XIII

"MR. VYNER wants to see you, sir, " said Bassett, as Hartley, coming infrom a visit to the harbour, hung his hat on a peg and began to changeinto the old coat he wore in the office. "Mr. John; he has rung threetimes. "

The chief clerk changed his coat again, and after adjusting his hair inthe little piece of unframed glass which he had bought in the street fora penny thirty years before, hastened to the senior partner's room. 

Mr. Vyner, who was rinsing his hands in a little office washstand thatstood in the corner, looked round at his entrance and, after carefullydrying his hands on a soft towel, seated himself at his big writingtable, and, leaning back, sat thoughtfully regarding his finger-nails. His large, white, freckled hands were redolent of scented soap, and, together with his too regular teeth, his bald head, and whiteside-whiskers, gave him an appearance of almost aggressive cleanliness. 

"I rang for you several times, " he said, looking up with a frown. 

"I have just come back from Wilson's, " said Hartley; "you told me tosee them to-day. "

Mr. Vyner said "Yes, " and, caressing his shaven chin in his hand, appeared to forget the other's existence. 

"How long have you been with us?" he inquired at last. 

"Thirty-five years, sir, " said Hartley, studying his face with suddenanxiety. 

"A long time, " said the senior partner, dryly. "A long time. "

"A pleasant time, sir, " ventured the other, in a low voice. 

Mr. Vyner's features relaxed, and took on--after some trouble--anappearance of benevolence. 

"I hope so, " he said, in patronizing tones. "I hope so. Vyner andSon have the name for being good masters. I have never heard anycomplaints. "

He pushed his chair back and, throwing one leg over the other, lookeddown at his patent-leather boots. The benevolent expression haddisappeared. 

[Illustration: He leaned back in his chair 156]

"Thirty-five years, " he said, slowly. "H'm! I had no idea it was solong. You have--ha--no family, worth mentioning?"

"One daughter, " said Hartley, his lips going suddenly dry. 

"Just so. Just so, " said the senior partner. He looked at his bootsagain. "And she is old enough to earn her own living. Or she mightmarry. You are in a fortunate position. "

Hartley, still watching him anxiously, bowed. 

"In the event, for instance, " continued Mr. Vyner, in careless tones--"in the event of your retiring from the service of Vyner and Son, thereis nobody that would suffer much. That is a great consideration--a verygreat consideration. "

Hartley, unable to speak, bowed again. 

"Change, " continued Mr. Vyner, with the air of one uttering a new butindisputable fact--"change is good for us all. So long as you retainyour present position there is, of course, a little stagnation in theoffice; the juniors see their way barred. "

He took up a paper-knife and, balancing it between his fingers, tappedlightly with it on the table. 

"Is your daughter likely to be married soon?" he inquired, looking upsuddenly. 

Hartley shook his head. "N-no; I don't think so, " he said, thickly. 

The senior partner resumed his tapping. 

"That is a pity, " he said at last, with a frown. "Of course, youunderstand that Vyner and Son are not anxious to dispense with yourservices--not at all. In certain circumstances you might remain withus another ten or fifteen years, and then go with a good retiringallowance. At your present age there would be no allowance. Do youunderstand me?"

The chief clerk tried to summon a little courage, little dignity. 

"I am afraid I don't, " he said, in a low voice. "It is all so sudden. I--I am rather bewildered. " Mr. Vyner looked at him impatiently. 

He leaned back in his chair, and watched his chief clerk closely

"I said just now, " he continued, in a hard voice, "that Vyner and Sonare not anxious to dispense with your services. That is, in a way, a figure of speech. Mr. Robert knows nothing of this, and I may tellyou--as an old and trusted servant of the firm--that his share as apartner is at present but nominal, and were he to do anything seriouslyopposed to my wishes, such as, for instance--such as a--ha--matrimonialalliance of which I could not approve, the results for him would bedisastrous. Do you understand?"

In a slow, troubled fashion Hartley intimated that he did. He beganto enter into explanations, and was stopped by the senior partner'suplifted hand. 

"That will do, " said the latter, stiffly. "I have no doubt I know allthat you could tell me. It is--ha--only out of consideration for yourlong and faithful service that I have--ha--permitted you a glimpse intomy affairs--our affairs. I hope, now, that I have made myself quiteclear. "

He leaned back in his chair and, twisting the paper-knife idly betweenhis fingers, watched his chief clerk closely. 

"Wouldn't it be advisable--" began Hartley, and stopped abruptly at theexpression on the other's face. "I was thinking that if you mentionedthis to Mr. Robert--"

"Certainly not!" said Mr. Vyner, with great sharpness. "Certainly not!"

Anger at having to explain affairs to his clerk, and the task ofselecting words which should cause the least loss of dignity, almostdeprived him of utterance. 

"This is a private matter, " he said at last, "strictly betweenourselves. I am master here, and any alteration in the staff is a matterfor myself alone. I do not wish--in fact, I forbid you to mention thematter to him. Unfortunately, we do not always see eye to eye. He isyoung, and perhaps hardly as worldly wise as I could wish. "

He leaned forward to replace the paper-knife on the table, and, afterblowing his nose with some emphasis, put the handkerchief back in hispocket and sat listening with a judicial air for anything that his chiefclerk might wish to put before him. 

"It would be a great blow to me to leave the firm, " said Hartley, aftertwo ineffectual attempts to speak. "I have been in it all my life--allmy life. At my age I could scarcely hope to get any other employmentworth having. I have always tried to do my best. I have never--"

"Yes, yes, " said the other, interrupting with a wave of his hand;"that has been recognized. Your remuneration has, I believe, been inaccordance with your--ha--services. And I suppose you have made someprovision?"

Hartley shook his head. "Very little, " he said, slowly. "My wife wasill for years before she died, and I have had other expenses. My lifeis insured, so that in case of anything happening to me there would besomething for my daughter, but that is about all. "

"And in case of dismissal, " said the senior partner, with somecheerfulness, "the insurance premium would, of course, only be an extraresponsibility. It is your business, of course; but if I were--ha--inyour place I should--ha--marry my daughter off as soon as possible. Ifyou could come to me in three months and tell me--"

He broke off abruptly and, sitting upright, eyed his clerk steadily. 

"That is all, I think, " he said at last. "Oh, no mention of this, ofcourse, in the office--I have no desire to raise hopes of promotion inthe staff that may not be justified; I may say that I hope will _not_ bejustified. "

He drew his chair to the table, and with a nod of dismissal took up hispen. Hartley went back to his work with his head in a whirl, and for thefirst time in twenty years cast a column of figures incorrectly, therebyputting a great strain on the diplomacy of the junior who made thediscovery. 

He left at his usual hour, and, free from the bustle of the office, tried to realize the full meaning of his interview with Mr. Vyner. Hethought of his pleasant house and garden, and the absence of demand inSalthaven for dismissed clerks of over fifty. His thoughts turned toLondon, but he had grown up with Vyner and Son and had but little tosell in the open market. Walking with bent head he cannoned againsta passer-by, and, looking up to apologize, caught sight of CaptainTrimblett across the way, standing in front of a jeweller's window. 

A tall, sinewy man in a serge suit, whom Hartley recognized as CaptainWalsh, was standing by him. His attitude was that of an indulgentpoliceman with a refractory prisoner, and twice Hartley saw him lay holdof the captain by the coat-sleeve, and call his attention to somethingin the window. Anxious to discuss his affairs with Trimblett, Hartleycrossed the road. 

"Ah! here's Hartley, " said the tall captain, with an air of relief, asCaptain Trimblett turned and revealed a hot face mottled and streakedwith red. "Make him listen to reason. He won't do it for me. 

"What's the matter?" inquired Hartley, listlessly. 

"A friend o' mine, " said Captain Walsh, favouring him with a hideouswink, "a _great_ friend o' mine, is going to be married, and I want togive him a wedding present before I go. I sail to-morrow. "

"Well, ask _him_ what he'd like, " said Trimblett, making anotherineffectual attempt to escape. "Don't bother me. "

"I can't do that, " said Walsh, with another wink; "it's awkward; besideswhich, his modesty, would probably make him swear that he wasn't goingto be married at all. In fact, he has told me that already. I want youto choose for him. Tell me what _you'd_ like, and no doubt it'll pleasehim. What do you say to that cruet-stand?"

"D------m the cruet-stand!" said Trimblett, wiping his hot face. 

"All right, " said the unmoved Walsh, with his arm firmly linked in thatof his friend. "What about a toast-rack? That one!"

"I don't believe in wedding-presents, " said Trimblett, thickly. "Neverdid. I think it's an absurd custom. And if your friend says he isn'tgoing to be married, surely he ought to know. "

"Shyness, " rejoined Captain Walsh--"pure shyness. He's one of the best. I know his idea. His idea is to be married on the quiet and without anyfuss. But it isn't coming off. No, sir. Now, suppose it was you--don'tbe violent; I only said suppose--how would that pickle-jar strike you?"

"I know nothing about it, " said Captain Trimblett, raising his voice. "Besides, I can't take the responsibility of choosing for another man. Itold you so before. "

Captain Walsh paid no heed. His glance roved over the contents of thewindow. 

"Trimblett's a terror, " he said in a serene voice, turning to Hartley. "I don't know what it's like walking down the High Street looking intoshop-windows with a fretful porcupine; but I can make a pretty goodguess. "

"You should leave me alone, then, " said Trimblett, wrenching his armfree. "Wedding-presents have no interest for me. "

"That's what he keeps saying, " said Walsh, turning to Hartley again;"and when I referred just now--in the most delicate manner--to love'syoung dream, I thought he'd ha' bust his boilers. "

As far as Hartley could see, Captain Trimblett was again withinmeasurable distance of such a catastrophe. For a moment he struggledwildly for speech, and then, coming to the conclusion that nothing hecould say would do him any good, he swung on his heel and walked off. Hartley, with a nod to Walsh, followed. 

"That idiot has been pestering me for the last half-hour, " said CaptainTrimblett, after walking for some distance in wrathful silence. "Iwonder whether it would be brought in murder if I wrung old Sellers'sneck? I've had four people this morning come up and talk to me aboutgetting married. At least, they started talking. "

"Turn a deaf ear, " said Hartley. 

"Deaf ear?" repeated the captain. "I wish I could. The last few daysI've been wishing that I hadn't got ears. It's all Truefitt's doing. He's hinting now that I'm too bashful to speak up, and that weak-headedCecilia Willett believes him. If you could only see her fussing roundand trying to make things easy for me, as she considers, you'd wonder Idon't go crazy. "

"We've all got our troubles, " said Hartley, shaking his head. 

The indignant-captain turned and regarded him fiercely. 

"I am likely to leave Vyner and Son, " said the other, slowly, "afterthirty-five years. "

The wrath died out of the captain's face, and he regarded his old friendwith looks of affectionate concern. In grim silence he listened to anaccount of the interview with Mr. Vyner. 

"You know what it all means, " he said, savagely, as Hartley finished. 

"I--I think so, " was the reply. 

"It means, " said the captain, biting his words--"it means that unlessJoan is married within three months, so as to be out of Robert Vyner'sway, you will be dismissed the firm. It saves the old man's pride a bitputting it that way, and it's safer, too. And if Robert Vyner marriesher he will have to earn his own living. With luck he might get thirtyshillings a week. "

"I know, " said the other. 

"Get her to town as soon as possible, " continued the captain, impressively. He paused a moment, and added with some feeling, "That'swhat I'm going to do; I spoke to Mr. Vyner about it to-day. We will goup together, and I'll look after her. "

"I'll write to-night, " said Hartley. "Not that it will make anydifference, so far as I can see. "

"It's a step in the right direction, at any rate, " retorted the captain. "It keeps her out of young Vyner's way, and it shows John Vyner thatyou are doing your best to meet his views, and it might make him realizethat you have got a little pride, too. "

Partly to cheer Hartley up, and partly to avoid returning to TranquilVale, he spent the evening with him, and, being deterred by the presenceof Miss Hartley from expressing his opinion of John Vyner, indulgedinstead in a violent tirade against the tyranny of wealth. Lured on bythe highly interested Joan, he went still further, and in impassionedwords committed himself to the statement that all men were equal, andshould have equal rights, only hesitating when he discovered that shehad been an unwilling listener on an occasion when he had pointed outto an offending seaman certain blemishes in his family tree. He thenchanged the subject to the baneful practice of eavesdropping. 

By the time he reached home it was quite late. There was no moon, butthe heavens were bright with stars. He stood outside for a few momentslistening to the sound of voices within, and then, moved perhaps by thequiet beauty of the night, strolled down to the river and stood watchingthe lights of passing craft. Midnight sounded in the distance as hewalked back. 

The lamp was still burning, but the room was empty. He closed the doorsoftly behind him, and stood eying, with some uneasiness, a large anduntidy brown-paper parcel that stood in the centre of the table. Fromthe crumpled appearance of the paper and the clumsily tied knots it hadthe appearance of having been opened and fastened up again by unskilledhands. The sense of uneasiness deepened as he approached the table andstood, with his head on one side, looking at it. 

He turned at the sound of a light shuffling step in the kitchen. Thedoor opened gently and the head of Mr. Truefitt was slowly inserted. Glimpses of a shirt and trousers, and the rumpled condition of theintruder's hair, suggested that he had newly risen from bed. 

"I heard you come in, " he said, in a stealthy whisper. 

[Illustration: I heard you come in, he said, in a stealthy whisper 166]

"Yes?" said the captain. 

"There was no address on it, " said Mr. Truefitt, indicating the parcelby a nod; "it was left by somebody while we were out, and on openingit we found it was for you. At least, partly. I thought I ought to tellyou. "

"It don't matter, " said the captain, with an effort. 

Mr. Truefitt nodded again. "I only wanted to explain how it was, " hesaid. "Good-night. "

He closed the door behind him, and the captain, after eying the parcelfor some time, drew a clasp-knife from his pocket and with tremblingfingers cut the string and stripped off the paper. The glisteningmetal of the largest electro-plated salad-bowl he had ever seen met hishorrified gaze. In a hypnotized fashion he took out the fork and spoonand balanced them in his fingers. A small card at the bottom of the bowlcaught his eye, and he bent over and read it:--

"_With Hearty Congratulations and Best Wishes to Captain and Mrs. Trimblett from Captain Michael Walsh_. "

For a long time he stood motionless; then, crumpling the card up andplacing it in his pocket, he took the bowl in his arms and bore it tohis bedroom. Wrapped again in its coverings, it was left to languish onthe top of the cupboard behind a carefully constructed rampart of oldcardboard boxes and worn-out books. 

CHAPTER XIV

MR. HARTLEY'S idea, warmly approved by Captain Trimblett, was to divulgethe state of affairs to his daughter in much the same circuitous fashionthat Mr. Vyner had revealed it to him. He had not taken into account, however, the difference in temper of the listeners, and one or twoleading questions from Joan brought the matter to an abrupt conclusion. She sat divided between wrath and dismay. 

"You--you must have misunderstood him, " she said at last, with a littlegasp. "He could not be so mean, and tyrannical, and ridiculous. "

Her father shook his head. "There is no room for misunderstanding, " hesaid, quietly. "Still, I have got three months to look about me, and Idon't suppose we shall starve. "

Miss Hartley expressed the wish--as old as woman--to give the offender apiece of her mind. She also indulged in a few general remarks concerningthe obtuseness of people who were unable to see when they were notwanted, by which her father understood her to refer to Vyner junior. 

"I was afraid you cared for him, " he said, awkwardly. 

"I?" exclaimed Joan, in the voice of one unable to believe her ears. "Oh, father, I am surprised at you; I never thought you would say such athing. "

Mr. Hartley eyed her uneasily. 

"Why should you think anything so absurd?" continued his daughter, withsome severity. 

Mr. Hartley, with much concern, began to cite a long list of thingsresponsible for what he freely admitted was an unfortunate mistake onhis part. His daughter listened with growing impatience and confusion, and, as he showed no signs of nearing the end, rose in a dignifiedfashion and quitted the room. She was back, however, in a minute or two, and, putting her arm on his shoulder, bent down and kissed him. 

"I had no idea you were so observant, " she remarked, softly. 

"I don't think I am really, " said the conscientious man. "If it hadn'tbeen for Trimblett--"

Miss Hartley, interrupting with spirit, paid a tribute to the captainthat ought to have made his ears burn. 

"I ought to have been more careful all these years, " said her fatherpresently. "If I had, this would not have mattered so much. Prodigalitynever pays--"

Joan placed her arm about his neck again. "Prodigality!" she said, witha choking laugh. "You don't know the meaning of the word. And you havehad to help other people all your life. After all, perhaps you andCaptain Trimblett are wrong; Mr. Vyner can't be in earnest, it is tooabsurd. "

"Yes, he is, " said Hartley, sitting up, with a sudden air ofdetermination. "But then, so am I. I am not going to be dictated to inthis fashion. My private affairs are nothing to do with him. I--I shallhave to tell him so. "

"Don't do anything yet, " said Joan, softly, as she resumed her seat. "By the way--"

"Well?" said her father, after a pause. 

"That invitation from Uncle William was your doing, " continued Joan, levelling an incriminating finger at him. 

"Trimblett's idea, " said her father, anxious to give credit where it wasdue. "His idea was that if you were to go away for a time Robert Vynerwould very likely forget all about you. "

"I'm not afraid of that, " said Joan, with a slight smile. "I mean--Imean--what business has Captain Trimblett to concern himself about myaffairs?"

"I know what you mean, " said Hartley, in a low voice. 

He got up, and crossing to the window stood looking out on his belovedgarden. His thoughts went back to the time, over twenty years ago, when he and his young wife had planted it. He remembered that in thosefar-off days she had looked forward with confidence to the time whenhe would be offered a share in the firm. For a moment he felt almostglad----

"I suppose that Captain Trimblett is right, " said Joan, who had beenwatching him closely; "and I'll go when you like. "

Her father came from the window. "Yes, " he said, and stood looking ather. 

"I am going out a little way, " said Joan, suddenly. 

Hartley started, and glanced instinctively at the clock. "Yes, " he saidagain. 

His daughter went upstairs to dress, and did her best to work up alittle resentment against being turned out of her home to avoid a callerwhom she told herself repeatedly she had no wish to see. Her reflectionswere cut short by remembering that time was passing, and that Mr. Vyner's punctuality, in the matter of these calls, was of a nature towhich the office was a stranger. 

She put on her hat and, running downstairs, opened the door and wentout. At the gate she paused, and, glancing right and left, saw RobertVyner approaching. He bowed and quickened his pace. 

"Father is indoors, " she said with a friendly smile, as she shook hands. 

"It's a sin to be indoors an evening like this, " said Robert, readily. "Are you going for a walk?"

"A little way; I am going to see a friend, " said Joan. "Good-by. "

"Good-by, " said Mr. Vyner, and turned in at the gate, while Joan, alittle surprised at his docility, proceeded on her way. She walkedslowly, trying, in the interests of truth, to think of some acquaintanceto call upon. Then she heard footsteps behind, gradually gaining uponher. 

[Illustration: Think I'm the most forgetful man in Salthaven 172]

"I really think I'm the most forgetful man in Salt-haven, " said Mr. Robert Vyner, in tones of grave annoyance, as he ranged alongside. "Icame all this way to show your father a book on dahlias, and now I findI've left it at the office. What's a good thing for a bad memory?"

"Punish yourself by running all the way, I should think, " replied Joan. "It might make you less forgetful next time. "

Mr. Vyner became thoughtful, not to say grave. "I don't know so muchabout running, " he said, slowly. "I've had an idea for some time pastthat my heart is a little bit affected. "

Joan turned to him swiftly. "I'm so sorry, " she faltered. "I had noidea; and the other night you were rolling the grass. Why didn't youspeak of it before?"

Her anxiety was so genuine that Mr. Vyner had the grace to feel a littlebit ashamed of himself. 

"When I say that my heart is affected, I don't mean in the way of--ofdisease, " he murmured. 

"Is it weak?" inquired the girl. 

Mr. Vyner shook his head. 

"Well, what is the matter with it?"

Mr. Vyner sighed. "I don't know, " he said, slowly. "It is not of longstanding; I only noticed it a little while ago. The first time I had anattack I was sitting in my office--working. Let me see. I think it wasthe day you came in there to see your father. Yes, I am sure it was. "

Miss Hartley walked on, looking straight before her. 

"Since then, " pursued Mr. Vyner, in the mournful tones suited to thesubject, "it has got gradually worse. Sometimes it is in my mouth;sometimes--if I feel that I have offended anybody--it is in my boots. "

Miss Hartley paid no heed. 

"It is in my boots now, " said the invalid, plaintively; "tight boots, too. Do you know what I was thinking just now when you looked at me inthat alarmed, compassionate way?"

"Not alarmed, " muttered Miss Hartley. 

"I was thinking, " pursued Mr. Vyner, in a rapt voice, "I was thinkingwhat a fine nurse you would make. Talking of heart troubles put it inmy mind, I suppose. Fancy being down for a month or two with a complaintthat didn't hurt or take one's appetite away, and having you for anurse!"

"I think that if you are going to talk nonsense--" began Joan, halfstopping. 

"I'm not, " said the other, in alarm, "I've quite finished; I have, indeed. "

He stole a glance at the prim young, figure by his side, and his voiceagain developed a plaintive note. "If you only knew what it was like, "he continued, "to be mewed up in an office all day, with not a soul tospeak to, and the sun shining, perhaps you'd make allowances. "

"I saw you down by the harbour this morning, " said the girl. 

"Harbour?" said the other, pretending to reflect--"this morning?"

Joan nodded. "Yes; you were lounging about--in the sunshine--smoking acigarette. Then you went on to the _Indian Chief_ and stood talking for, oh, quite a long time to Captain Trimblett. Then--"

"Yes?" breathed Mr. Vyner, as she paused in sudden confusion. "What didI do next?"

Miss Hartley shook her head. "I only saw you for a moment, " she said. 

Mr. Vyner did not press the matter; he talked instead on other subjects, but there was a tenderness in his voice for which Miss Hartley toldherself her own thoughtlessness was largely responsible. She trembledand walked a little faster. Then, with a sense of relief, she sawCaptain Trimblett approaching them. His head was bent in thought, andhis usual smile was missing as he looked up and saw them. 

"I wanted to see you, " he said to Joan. "I'm off to London to-morrow. "

"To-morrow!" repeated the girl, in surprise. 

"Twelve-thirty train, " said the captain, looking shrewdly from one tothe other. "I'm just off home; there are one or two matters I mustattend to before I go, and I wanted to talk to you. "

"I will come with you, " said Joan, quickly. "I haven't seen Mrs. Chinnery for a long time. " She nodded to Mr. Vyner and held out herhand. "Good-by. "

"Good-by, " said that gentleman. He shook hands reluctantly, and hisamiable features took on a new expression as he glanced at the captain. 

"Try and cheer him up, " he said, with an air of false concern. "It'sonly for a little while, cap'n; you'll soon be back and--you know theold adage?"

"Yes, " said the captain, guardedly. 

"Although, of course, there are several, " said Mr. Vyner, thoughtfully. "I wonder whether we were thinking of the same one?"

"I dare say, " said the other, hastily. 

"I was thinking of 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'--of the _IndianChief_" said the ingenuous Robert. "Was that the one you were thinkingof?"

The captain's reply was inaudible as he turned and bore off MissHartley. The young man stood for some time watching them, and, as Joanand her burly companion disappeared round the corner, shook his head andset off home. 

"He'll sober down as he gets older, " said the captain, after they hadproceeded some way in silence. "I'm glad I met you. Your father toldme you were going to London, and I was thinking we might go up together. It's odd we should both be going. Quite a coincidence. "

"In more ways than one, " said Joan. "Father told me you had arranged ittogether. I quite know why I am going. "

The captain coughed. 

"I know why you are going, too, " said Joan. 

The captain coughed again, and muttered something about "children" and"business. "

"And if I'm going to-morrow I had better get back and pack, " continuedthe girl. 

"Plenty of time in the morning, " said the captain. "It'll make thetime pass. It's a mistake to stow your things away too soon--a greatmistake. "

"I would sooner do it, though, " said Joan, pausing. 170

"You come along to Tranquil Vale, " said Captain Trimblett, with forcedjoviality. "Never mind about your packing. Stay to supper, and I'll seeyou home afterward. "

Miss Hartley eyed him thoughtfully. 

"Why?" she inquired. 

"Pleasure of your company, " said the captain. 

"Why?" said Miss Hartley again. 

The captain eyed her thoughtfully in his turn. 

"I--I haven't told 'em I'm going yet, " he said, slowly. "It'll be alittle surprise to them, perhaps. Miss Willett will be there. She'sa silly thing. She and Peter might make a duet about it If you arethere----"

"I'll take care of you, " said Joan, with a benevolent smile. "You'll besafe with me. What a pity you didn't bring your little troubles to me atfirst!"

The captain turned a lurid eye upon her, and then, realizing thatsilence was more dignified and certainly safer than speech, saidnothing. He walked on with head erect and turned a deaf ear to the faintsounds which Miss Hartley was endeavouring to convert into coughs. 

Mrs. Chinnery, who was sitting alone in the front room, rose and greetedher with some warmth as she entered, and, the usual reproachful questionput and answered as to the length of time since her last visit, took herhat from her and went upstairs with it. An arch smile from Miss Hartleyduring her absence was met by the ungrateful captain with a stony stare. 

"I came to bid you good-by, " said Joan, as Mrs. Chinnery returned. "I amoff to London to-morrow. "

"London!" said Mrs. Chinnery. 

"I am going to stay with an uncle, " replied Joan. 

"Quite a coincidence, isn't it?" said the captain, averting his gazefrom the smiling face of Miss Hartley, and trying to keep his voicelevel. 

"Coincidence!" said Mrs. Chinnery, staring at him. 

[Illustration: I've got to go, too, said the captain 180]

"I've got to go, too, " said the captain, with what he fondly imaginedwas a casual smile. "Got to run up and see my boys and girls. Just aflying visit there and back. So we are going together. "

"You!" said the astonished Mrs. Chinnery. "Why didn't you tell me? Why, I've got nothing ready. Serves me right for putting things off. "

The captain began to murmur something about an urgent letter, but Mrs. Chinnery, who had opened the cupboard and brought out a work-basketcontaining several pairs of the thick woollen socks that formed thecaptain's usual wear, was almost too busy to listen. She threaded aneedle, and, drawing a sock over her left hand, set to work on a gapingwound that most women would have regarded as mortal. 

Mr. Truefitt and Mrs. Willett entered from the garden just as theCaptain was explaining for the third time. 

"Children are not ill, I hope, " said Mr. Truefitt with ill concealedanxiety. 

"No, " said the Captain. 

Mrs. Willett had seated herself by the side of Mrs. Chinnery, venturedto pat that lady's busy hand. 

"He will soon be back, " she murmured. 

"He will look after that, " said Mr. Truefitt, with a boisterous laugh. "Won't you, cap'n?"

Miss Willett sat regarding Captain Trimblett with a pensive air. She wasbeginning to regard his diffidence and shyness as something abnormal. Hints of the most helpful nature only seemed to add to his discomfort, and she began to doubt whether he would ever muster up sufficientresolution to put an end to a situation that was fast becomingembarrassing to all concerned. 

"Of course, " she said, suddenly, "it is only right that you should runup and see your children first. I hadn't thought of that. "

"First?" repeated the captain, his face flooding with colour as herealized the inward meaning of the remark. "What do you mean by first?"

His voice was so loud that Miss Willett sat up with a start and lookedround nervously. 

"Miss Willett means before you sail, " said Joan, gently, before thatlady could speak. "How pleased they will be to see you!"

"Aye, aye, " said the captain, regaining his composure by an effort. 

"What a lot of things he will have to tell them!" murmured thepersevering Miss Willett. "Have you ever seen them?" she inquired, turning to Mrs. Chinnery. 

"No, " was the reply. 

"How strange!" said Miss Willett, with a reproachful glance at thecaptain. "I expect you'll like them very much when you do. "

"Sure to, " chimed in Mr. Truefitt. "Susanna was always partial tochildren. "

"I'm sure she is, " said Miss Willett, regarding the industrious Mrs. Chinnery affectionately. "How fortunate!"

She rose as she spoke, and, screwing her face up at Joan with greatsignificance, asked her whether she wouldn't care to see the garden. 

"Very much, " said Joan. "Come along, " she added, turning to the captain. "Now come and show me that rose-bush you have been talking about somuch. "

Captain Trimblett rose with an alacrity that mystified Miss Willett morethan ever, and, having gained the garden, found so many things to showMiss Hartley, and so much to talk about, that supper was on the tablebefore he had finished. Fearful of being left alone with Miss Willett, he stuck to his young protector so closely that in going in at the doorhe trod on her heel. Miss Hartley entered the room limping, and, havinggained her seat, sat eying him with an expression in which pain andreproachful mirth struggled for the mastery. 

"What a delightful evening!" she said, in an affected voice, as thecaptain walked home with her about an hour later; "I have enjoyed myselftremendously. "

The captain uttered an impatient exclamation. 

"It reminded me of the old fable of the lion and the mouse, " continuedJoan. 

The captain grunted again, and, in a voice that he vainly endeavoured torender polite, said that he did not know what she was talking about. 

CHAPTER XV

MR. ROBERT VYNER received the news of Miss Hartley's sudden departurewith an air of polite interest. The secrecy of the affair and the factthat she had gone with Captain Trimblett convinced him that it was nocasual visit, and he mused bitterly on the strange tendency of seafaringpeople to meddle with the affairs of others. An attempt to ascertainfrom Hartley the probable duration of her visit, and other interestingparticulars, as they sat together in the young man's office, yielded nosatisfaction. 

"She made up her mind to go rather suddenly, didn't she?" he inquired. 

Hartley said "Yes, " and murmured something about taking advantage of theopportunity of going up with Captain Trimblett. "She is very fond of thecaptain, " he added. 

"Is she staying near him?" asked Vyner, without looking up from hiswork. 

The chief clerk, who was anxious to get away, said "No, " and eyed himuneasily. 

"I hope that London will agree with her, " continued Robert, politely. "Is she staying in a healthy part?"

"Very, " said the other. 

Mr. Vyner bent over his work again, and scowled diabolically at aninnocent letter which said that his instructions should have immediateattention. "Which do you consider a healthy part?" he said presently. 

Mr. Hartley, after some reflection, said there were many districtswhich merited that description. He mentioned eleven, and was discoursingsomewhat learnedly on drainage and soils when he noticed that the youngman's attention was wandering. With a muttered reference to his work, herose and quitted the room. 

Day succeeded day in tiresome waiting, and Mr. Robert Vyner, leaningback in his chair, regarded with a hostile eye the pile of work thataccumulated on his table as he sat dreaming of Joan Hartley. Ina species of waking nightmare he would see her beset by hordes ofrespectful but persistent admirers. He manifested a craving forMr. Hartley's society, and, discovering by actual experience that, melancholy as the house was without its mistress, all other places weremore melancholy still, contrived, to its owner's great discomfort, tospend a considerable number of his evenings there. 

"He's a pattern to all of you, " said Rosa to Mr. Walters, who sat in thekitchen one evening, cautiously watching Mr. Vyner through a small holein the muslin blind. 

Mr. Walters grunted. 

"I believe he worships the ground she treads on, " said Rosa, in exaltedtones. 

Mr. Walters grunted again, and her colour rose. For nearly a fortnightshe had not spoken to any other man--at least, to the boatswain'sknowledge--and she fully realized the cloying effect of security upon aman of his temperament. 

"Last night I saw him standing for half an hour looking into a shop, "she said, softly. "What shop do you think it was?"

Mr. Walters's face took on an obstinate expression. "Butcher's?" hehazarded, at last. 

"Butcher's!" repeated Rosa, with scorn. "What should he want to look ina butcher's for? It was Hickman's, the jeweller's. "

The boatswain said "Oh!" and devoted himself with renewed interest tohis task of watching Mr. Vyner. Miss Jelks's conversation for some timepast had circled round engagement-rings, a subject which brought himface to face with the disagreeable side of flirtation. 

"More fool him, " he said, without looking round. 

Rosa gazed fixedly at the back of his head. She was far too sensiblenot to have noticed the gradual waning of his passion, and she chidedherself severely for having dropped her usual tactics. At the same timeshe realized that she was not alone to blame in the matter, the gildedyouth of Salthaven, after one or two encounters with Mr. Walters, havingcome to the conclusion that a flirtation with her was a temptation to beavoided. 

"Most men _are_ fools, " she said, calmly. "A young fellow I met theother evening--the night you couldn't come out--went on like a madmanjust because I wouldn't promise to meet him again. "

"Pity I didn't see 'im, " said Mr. Walters, grimly. 

"Oh!" said Rosa, losing her head. "Why?"

"I'd ha' give 'im something to make a fuss about, " said the boatswain, "that's all. "

"It's not his fault, " said Rosa, softly. "He couldn't help himself. He told me so. Quite the gentleman--quite. You ought to see the wayhe raises his hat. And his head is covered all over with little shortcurls. "

"Like a nigger, " said Mr. Walters, with disappointing calmness. 

He removed his eye from the window and, taking out his pipe, began tofill it from a small metal box. Rosa, compressing her lips, watched himwith a sardonic smile. 

"Got anything to do this evening?" she inquired. 

"No, " said the other. 

"Well, I have, " said Rosa, with a bright smile, "so I'll saygood-evening. "

Mr. Walters rose and, replacing a box of matches in his pocket, stoodwatching her with his mouth open. 

"Don't hurry, " she said, at last. 

The boatswain sat down again. 

"I mean when you get outside, " explained the girl. 

Mr. Walters gazed at her in slow perplexity, and then, breathingheavily, walked out of the kitchen like a man in a dream. His suspicionswere aroused, and with an idea that a little blood-letting wouldgive him relief, he wasted the entire evening lying in wait for agood-looking, gentlemanly young man with curly hair. 

Miss Jelks waited for his appearance the following evening in vain. Several evenings passed, but no boatswain, and it became apparent atlast that he had realized the perils of his position. Anger at hisdefection was mingled with admiration for his strength of mind everytime she looked in the glass. 

She forged her weapons slowly. A new hat was ready, but a skirt and coatstill languished at the dressmaker's. She waited until they camehome, and then, dressing her hair in a style which owed something toa fashion-paper and something to her lack of skill, sallied out to putmatters on a more satisfactory footing. 

It was early evening, and the street fairly full, but for some timeshe wandered about aimlessly. Twice she smiled at young men of heracquaintance, and they smiled back and went on their way. The third shemet with a smile so inviting that against his better sense he stopped, and after a nervous glance round made a remark about the weather. 

"Beautiful, " said Rosa. "Have you been ill, Mr. Filer?"

"Ill?" said the young man, staring. "No. Why?"

"Haven't seen you for such a long time, " said Miss Jelks, swinging herparasol. "I've been wondering what had become of you. I was afraid youwere ill. "

Mr. Filer caressed his moustache. "I haven't seen you about, " heretorted. 

"I haven't been out lately, " said the girl; "it's so lonely walkingabout by yourself that I'd sooner sit indoors and mope. "

Mr. Filer stood blinking thoughtfully. "I s'pose you're going to meet afriend?" he said, at last. 

"No, " said Rosa. "I s'pose you are?"

Mr. Filer said "No" in his turn. 

Two minutes later, in a state of mind pretty evenly divided betweentrepidation and joy, he found himself walking by her side. 

They chose at first the quietest streets, but under Miss Jelks'sguidance drifted slowly back to the town. 

To her annoyance the boatswain was nowhere to be seen, and the ideaof wasting the evening in the society of Mr. Filer annoyed her beyondmeasure. She became moody, and vague in her replies to his sallies, seated herself on a pile of timber, and motioned the young man tojoin her and finally, with the forlorn hope that Mr. Walters might bespending the evening aboard ship, strolled on to the quay. 

Work was over and they had the place to themselves. 

[Illustration: She seated herself on a pile of timber 190]

She seated herself on a pile of timber and, motioning the young man tojoin her, experienced a sudden thrill as she saw the head of Mr. Waltersprotruding tortoise-like over the side of the _Indian Chief_, whichlay a little way below them. Fearful that Mr. Filer should see it, shedirected his attention to two small boys who were disporting themselvesin a ship's boat, and, with her head almost on his shoulder, blotted outthe steamer with three feathers and a bunch of roses. 

It was a beautiful evening, but Mr. Filer failed to understand why sheshould slap his hand when he said so. He could hardly open his mouthwithout being requested to behave himself and getting another tiny slap. Greatly encouraged by this treatment he ventured to pass his left armround her waist, and, in full view of the choking boatswain, imprisonboth her hands in his. 

Miss Jelks endured it for two minutes, and then, breaking away, gavehim a playful little prod with her parasol and fled behind a warehouseuttering faint shrieks. Mr. Filer gave chase at once, in happy ignorancethat his rival had nearly fallen overboard in a hopeless attempt to seeround the corner. Flesh and blood could stand it no longer, and when thecouple emerged and began to walk in a more sober fashion toward the townan infuriated boatswain followed a little in the rear. 

Mr. Filer saw him first and, with a sudden sinking at his heart, droppedhis light banter and began to discourse on more serious subjects. Heattempted to widen the distance between them, but in vain. A secondglance showed him Mr. Walters close behind, with a face like that of twodestroying angels rolled into one. Trembling with fright he quickenedhis pace and looked round eagerly for means of escape. His glance fellon a confectioner's window, and muttering the word "Ice" he dashed in, followed in a more leisurely fashion by Miss Jelks. 

"I was just feeling like an ice, " she said, as she took a seat ata little marble-topped table. She put her hat straight in a mirroropposite, and removing her gloves prepared for action. 

Mr. Filer ate his ice mechanically, quite unaware of its flavour; thenas nothing happened he plucked up courage and began to talk. His voiceshook a little at first, but was gradually getting stronger, when hebroke off suddenly with his spoon in mid-air and gazed in fascinatedhorror at a disc of greenish-yellow nose that pressed against theshop-window. The eyes behind it looked as though they might melt theglass. 

He put his spoon down on the table and tried to think. Miss Jelksfinished her ice and sat smiling at him. 

"Could you--could you eat another?" he faltered. 

Miss Jelks said that she could try, and remarked, casually, that she hadonce eaten thirteen, and had shared the usual superstition concerningthat number ever since. 

"Aren't you going to have one, too?" she inquired, when the fresh icearrived. 

Mr. Filer shook his head, and, trying hard to ignore the face at thewindow, said that he was not hungry. He sat trembling with agitation, and, desirous of postponing the encounter with the boatswain as long aspossible, kept ordering ices for Miss Jelks until that lady, in justiceto herself, declined to eat any more. 

"I can't finish this, " she said. "You'll have to help me. "

She took up a generous spoonful, and in full view of the face at thewindow leaned across the table and put it into Mr. Filer's unwillingmouth. With a violent shudder he saw the boatswain leave the window andtake up a position in front of the door. Miss Jelks drew on her glovesand, with another glance in the mirror as she rose, turned to leave. Mr. Filer made no attempt to follow. 

"Ain't you ready?" said Miss Jelks, pausing. 

"I'm not feeling very well, " said the young man, desperately, as hepassed his hand across his forehead. "It's the ice, I think--I'm notused to 'em. "

"Perhaps the air will do you good, " said Rosa. 

Mr. Filer shook his head. Whatever good the air might do him would, hefelt certain, be counteracted by the treatment of the boatswain. 

"Don't wait for me, " he said, with a faint sad smile. "I might be herefor hours; I've been like it before. "

"I can't leave you like this, " said Rosa. "Why"--she turned suddenly, and her face lit up with a smile--"here's Mr. Walters! How fortunate!He'll be able to help you home. "

"No--don't trouble, " gasped Mr. Filer, as the boatswain came intothe shop and prepared to render first aid by moistening his palms andrubbing them together. "It's very kind of you, but I shall be all rightif I'm left alone. I'd rather be left alone--I would indeed. "

"You'd better let the gentleman help you home, " urged the shopkeeper. "He looks strong. "

Mr. Filer shuddered. 

"And you can lean on me, " said Rosa, softly. 

Mr. Filer shuddered again, and with surprising energy, considering hisinvalid condition, gripped the iron frame of the table with his legs andclutched the top with his hands. 

"I don't like leaving him here, " said Rosa, hesitating. 

[Illustration: I don't like leaving him here 196]

"Neither don't I, " growled the boatswain. "'Ow-ever, I s'pose I'll runagainst 'im sooner or later. "

He escorted Rosa to the door and, after a yearning glance at Mr. Filer, followed her out and walked by her side in silence. 

"Poor fellow, " said Rosa, at last. "How generous he is! I believe he'dgive me anything I asked for. "

Mr. Walters started and, bending his brows, muttered something aboutgiving Mr. Filer more than he asked for. 

"Oh, yes; I dare say, " retorted Rosa, turning on him with sudden heat. "I'm not to speak to anybody to please you. You leave my friends alone. What's it got to do with you?"

"I see you, " said Mr. Walters, darkly; "I see you from the ship. Youlittle thought as 'ow I was a watching your little games. "

Miss Jelks stopped and, drawing herself up, regarded him haughtily. 

"I didn't ask you for your company, Mr. Walters, " she said, sharply, "so you can take yourself off as soon as you like. "

She turned and walked off in the opposite direction, and Mr. Walters, after a moment's hesitation, turned and followed. They walked in thisfashion for some distance; then the boatswain, quickening his pace, caught her roughly by the arm. 

"I want to show you something, " he growled. 

Miss Jelks eyed him disdainfully. 

"In 'ere, " said the other, pointing to the same jeweller's window thathad been the cause of so much discomfort to Captain Trimblett. 

"Well?" said the girl, her eyes sparkling. 

For answer the gentle swain took her by the elbows and propelled herinto the shop, and approaching the counter gazed disagreeably at theshopman. 

"I want a ring for this young lady, " he said, reddening despite himself. "A good 'un--one o' the best. "

The man turned to the window and, after a little careful groping, unhooked a velvet card studded with rings. Rosa's eyes shone, but shedrew off her glove with a fine show of unwillingness at the boatswain'scommand. 

"Try that on, " he said, pointing to a ring. 

Miss Jelks placed it on the third finger of her left hand, and holdingit up to the light gazed at it entranced. 

"'Ow much?" said the boatswain, jerking his head. 

"That's a very nice ring, " said the assistant. 

"Twenty--" he referred to a tiny label on the card, "twenty-fivepounds. "

The boatswain's jaw dropped, and both listeners made noble efforts toappear unconscious that his breathing was anything out of the ordinary. 

"Take it off, " he said, as soon as he could speak; "take it off atonce. "

"It's too large, " said Rosa, with a sigh. 

She drew it off, and, turning to a case the jeweller placed before her, tried on several more. Suited at last, she held up her hand with thering on it for Mr. Walters's inspection. 

"It fits beautifully, " she said, softly, as the boatswain scratched theback of his neck. 

"A very nice ring, that, " said the assistant. "A queen might wear it. "

"Take it off, " cried Mr. Walters, hastily. 

"Seventeen shillings and sixpence, " said the jeweller, almost asquickly. 

"I like it better than the other, " said Rosa. 

"It is better, " said the boatswain, in a relieved voice. 

He counted out the money and, turning a deaf but blushing ear tothe jeweller's glowing description of his wedding-rings, led the wayoutside. Rosa took his arm and leaned on it heavily. 

"Fancy! We are engaged now, " she said, squeezing his arm and looking upat him. 

Mr. Walters, who seemed to be in a state of considerable perturbation, made no reply. 

"Fancy you being in such a hurry!" continued Rosa, with another squeeze. 

"It's a failing of mine, " said the boatswain, still staring straightbefore him. "Always was. "

CHAPTER XVI

JOAN HARTLEY'S ideas of London, gathered from books and illustratedpapers, were those of a town to which her uncle and aunt were utterstrangers. Mr. William Carr knew Cornhill and the adjacent districtthoroughly, and thirty or forty years before had made periodicaldescents upon the West-end. He left home at half-past eight everymorning and returned every evening at five minutes to six, except onSaturdays, when he returned at ten minutes past three, and spent hishalf holiday in the dining-room reading an early edition of the eveningpaper. Any paragraphs relating to Royalty were read aloud to his wife, who knew not only all the members of the English Royal Family by name, but also those dignitaries abroad who had the happiness to be connectedwith it in marriage. She could in all probability have given the Kinghimself much useful information as to the ages and fourth and fifthChristian names of some of the later and more remote members of hisfamily. 

Her day was as regular and methodical as her husband's. The morning wasdevoted to assisting and superintending the general servant for the timebeing; after dinner, at one o'clock, she retired upstairs to dress andwent down to the shops to make a few purchases, returning in good timeto give her husband tea. The early part of the evening was devoted towaiting for supper; the latter part to waiting for bed. 

During the first week of Joan's visit an agreeable thrill wascommunicated to the household by preparations for an evening, or perhapsan afternoon and evening, in town. The event came off--in the third weekof her stay--on a wet Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Carr and Joan got wetwalking to the omnibus, and wetter still waiting at one corner of theBank of England for Mr. Carr, who was getting wet at another. 

[Illustration: Corner of the Bank of England 202]

Mr. Carr, who was in holiday attire, was smoking a large cigar in honourof the occasion, which he extinguished upon entering an omnibus andre-lighted at the Zoological Gardens. By the aid of careful manipulationand the rain it lasted him until evening. They wound up an eventful dayat a theatre, and Mr. Carr, being anxious to do the thing well, took them all the way home in a four-wheeler. A little sum in mentalarithmetic, which he worked on the way and submitted to the cabman atthe end of the journey, was found to be wrong. 

The outing was not repeated. Mrs. Carr went about for a day or two withthe air of one who had returned from a long and fatiguing expedition;and her husband, when he returned from business the day following andchanged into his slippers, paid such a warm tribute to the joys andcomforts of home that his niece abandoned all ideas of any furtherjaunts. Wearied by the dulness and the monotony of the streets, shebegan to count the days till her return. Her father's letters madeno mention of it; but the Salthaven news in them only increased hereagerness. 

She returned one day from a solitary ramble on Hampstead Heath to findthat Salthaven, or a whiff of it, had come to her. A deep voice, toowell known to be mistaken, fell on her ears as she entered the frontdoor, and hastening to the drawing-room she found her aunt entertainingCaptain Trimblett to afternoon tea. One large hand balanced a cup andsaucer; the other held a plate. His method of putting both articlesin one hand while he ate or drank might have excited the envy of apractised juggler. When Joan entered the room she found her aunt, withher eyes riveted on a piece of the captain's buttered toast thatwas lying face downward on the carpet, carrying on a disjointedconversation. 

"I just looked in, " said the captain, as Joan almost embraced him. "Mindthe tea!"

"Looked in?" echoed Joan. 

"One tram, three buses--one of 'em a mistake--and my own legs, " said thecaptain. "I had no idea it was so far. "

"People have no idea how far out we really are, " said Mrs. Carr, lookinground with a satisfied smile. "I've noticed it before. Did you find theair different, Captain Trimblett?"

"Very, " said the captain with a sudden gasp, as he caught sight of thepiece of toast. "Very fine air. Very fine. Very--quite strong. "

He shifted his feet restlessly and the toast disappeared. For a momentMrs. Carr thought that the floor had opened and swallowed it up. Realizing that the day of useful miracles had passed, she gazed fixedlyat his left foot. 

"Well, " said the captain, turning a relieved face to Joan, "how is theround of gayety? Are you tired of being a butterfly yet? I suppose afterthis Salt-haven won't be good enough for you?"

"There's nothing like life for young people, " said Mrs. Carr. "Give themplenty of life and that's all they want. "

Miss Hartley, whose back was toward her aunt, made a grimace. 

"It's very natural, " said the captain. 

Miss Hartley made a further effort--one that she had relinquished at theage of ten--but the captain, intent upon a bite, missed it. 

"In my young days all I thought of was gadding about, " said Mrs. Carr, smiling. "I wasn't very strong either; it was just my spirits kept meup. But I used to suffer for it afterward. "

"We all do, " said the captain, politely. 

By a feat of absolute legerdemain he took out his handkerchief andbrushed some crumbs from his beard. His cup slid to the edge of thesaucer and peeped over, but, throwing the spoon overboard, righteditself just in time. Somewhat pleased with himself he replaced thehandkerchief and, drinking the remainder of his tea, thankfully handedthe crockery to Joan. After which, with a mind relieved, he-sat and spunhis marvelling hostess a few tales of the sea. 

He left under plea of business, before Mr. Carr's return, and with areference to the family likeness obtaining between omnibuses, askedJoan to see him safe aboard. He accompanied the request with such adistortion of visage that she rightly concluded that he wished for anopportunity to speak to her alone. 

"You're looking better, " he said, when they got outside. "A year or twoin London will be the making of you. "

"A year or two!" echoed the startled Joan. "I've had quite enough of italready, thank you. I've never been so dull. "

"You haven't got used to the change yet, " said the captain, indulgently. "That's natural; but in another month I expect you'll have quite adifferent tale to tell. "

"I am going home next weak, " said Miss Hartley, in a decided voice. 

Captain Trimblett coughed. 

"Why shouldn't I?" inquired the girl, in reply. 

The captain coughed again. 

"I should think the Carrs would be glad to have you, " he replied, becoming suddenly busy with his handkerchief, "especially as they havegot no children. And a year or two with them in town would give you a--asort of finish. "

"You have heard something from my father?" exclaimed Joan, turning onhim. 

"He--he wrote, " said the captain. 

"Did he suggest my staying here?"

"No, " said the captain, putting his handkerchief away with great care. "No, I can't say he did. But he has had another interview with Mr. John Vyner, and it seems that the old gentleman is quite taking it forgranted that you have left Salthaven for good. He was quite genial toyour father. "

"Did father undeceive him?" inquired the girl. 

"He didn't say, " rejoined the other. "My idea is he didn't; but it'sonly my idea, mind. "

For some time Miss Hartley walked on in disdainful silence. She broke itat last in favour of Mr. Vyner, senior. 

"Talking won't alter facts, though, " said the admiring captain, shakinghis head. 

The girl paid no heed. 

"Now, if you only stayed here for a little while, " said the captain, persuasively, "say a couple of years, no doubt things would rightthemselves. Anything might happen in two years. Mind, it's not yourfather's idea, it's mine. I'd do anything for him; he has done me many agood turn in his time, and I want to pay him back. "

Miss Hartley, softening somewhat, thanked him. 

"And what is two years at your time of life?" continued the captain, brightly. "Nothing. Why, I'm going away for that time as a matter ofcourse. "

"I want to go home, " said Joan. "I feel that I can't breathe in thisdreary place. You wouldn't like me to die, would you?"

"Certainly not, " said the captain, promptly. 

"You would sooner die yourself, wouldn't you?" said Joan, with a slyglance at him. 

The captain said "Yes, " with all the comfortable assurance of a healthyman living in a civilized country. Then he started as Miss Hartleyturned suddenly and pinched his arm. 

"Eh?" cried the captain, rubbing it. 

"I don't want you to die for me, " said Joan with a little laugh, "butI was thinking over things the other day, and I got an idea of howyou could help me if you would. I gave it up, however. I felt sure youwouldn't do it, but if you say you would die for me--

"When I said 'die'--" began the captain, uneasily. 

"I'm not going to ask you to do anything as dreadful as that, " continuedJoan; "at least, I don't think it is; but the beauty of it is it issomething you _can_ do. I am going back to Salthaven, but to makeeverybody comfortable and happy I thought of going back under a newname. That's the idea. "

"New name?" repeated the puzzled captain. 

Joan nodded and turned a somewhat flushed face in his direction. 

"A new name, " she repeated. "My father will be left undisturbed, Mr. John Vyner will be satisfied, and Mr. Robert--"

"Yes?" said the captain, after a pause. 

"Nothing, " said the girl. 

"But I don't understand, " said the captain, "What good will changingyour name do?"

"Wait till you hear it, " retorted the girl, with an amused glance athim. 

"I am waiting, " said the other, somewhat shortly. 

"You'll see at once when I tell you, " said Joan; "and I'm sure you won'tmind. I am going back to Salthaven under the name of Mrs. Trimblett. "

The captain stopped suddenly in his stride, and with a bewildered airstrove to rally his disordered faculties. Alarm and consternation chokedhis utterance. 

"Poor dear!" said Joan, with another giggle. "Don't be alarmed. It's thebest thing that could happen to you; it will prevent all other attemptson your freedom. "

"I can take a joke, " said the captain, finding his speech at last;"I can take a joke as well as most men, but this is going a trifle toofar. "

"But I'm not joking, " said the girl. "I'm going back as Mrs. Trimblett;I am, indeed. Don't look so frightened; I'm not going to marry you, really. Only pretend, as the children say. "

"You don't know what you're talking about!" exclaimed the astonishedcaptain. 

"Putting aside your feelings--and mine, " said Joan, "it's a good thingfor everybody else, isn't it? We mustn't consider ourselves--that wouldbe selfish. "

The captain shook his head in angry amazement. 

"I suppose, when you said just now that you would do anything forfather, you didn't mean it, then?" said Joan. "And when you said you'ddie for me, you--"

"I tell you, " interrupted the captain, violently, "it's impossible. Inever heard of such a thing. "

"It's quite possible, " declared the girl. "I shall go back home, and youmust get back to Salthaven just in time to sail. Mr. Vyner will be sopleased at the news, he will let you stay away as long as you like, I amsure. "

"And what about when I come back?" demanded the captain. 

"When you come back, " said Joan, slowly--"just before, in fact--I shalltell the truth and give people to understand that I did it to obligeyou--to prevent somebody else marrying you against your will. "

"Oh!" said the captain, struggling nobly with his feelings. "Oh, youwill!"

"To-morrow, " continued Joan, "I will buy the wedding-ring. I know thatthat ought to be your business, but I'll get it, because I know whereI can get one cheap. I saw some the other day. Rolled gold they arecalled. Eighteenpence each. "

The captain choked. 

"Have you considered, " he said, loftily, as soon as he was capable ofspeech, "that it would be a lie?"

Joan nodded, carelessly. 

"A lie!" repeated Captain Trimblett, in a thrilling voice. 

"Yes, " said Joan. "I remember I heard you tell father once that if youhad a sovereign for every lie you had told you would be able to give upthe sea. So you had better do it. You can do it better than I _can_. "

Captain Trimblett threw his hands apart with a sudden supreme gesture. 

"I won't listen to another word!" he said, hotly. "I should never hearthe end of it. Where are those omnibuses?"

"We are not near them yet, " was the reply. "We have been walking awayfrom them. When you have listened to reason I will take you to them. "

The captain closed his lips obstinately. He would have closed hisears, too, if he could, but, unable to do that, quickened his pace ina forlorn attempt to outdistance her. She plied him with argumentsand entreaties, but in vain. He was immovable. Finally, in a tremblingvoice, she said that it didn't matter, and apologized for troubling himwith her concerns. 

"I would do anything in reason, my dear, " said the mollified captain. 

"It doesn't matter, " repeated the girl. 

"It's quite impossible, " said the captain, gently. "It's really anoutrageous idea. You'll see it yourself by and by. "

Miss Hartley thanked him, and taking out a handkerchief dabbed her eyesgently and made a pathetic attempt to smile. 

"Don't say any more about it, " she pleaded. "I have no doubt you areright. Only when you said you would do anything for us I--I thought youmeant it. I see how uncomfortable it might be for you. I ought to havethought of that before. "

The unfortunate captain turned crimson, but, glancing at the spectacleof resignation by his side, managed to keep his temper under restraint. 

"I'm not thinking of myself at all, " he growled. 

"Perhaps you are without knowing it, " suggested Miss Hartley, in a voicefree from all trace of personal feeling. "I thought that you wouldhave done a little thing like that for me--and father. I'm sorry I wasmistaken. However, I shall go back to Salthaven in any case. "

She dabbed a perfectly dry eye again, and watched the captain closelywith the other. 

"I suppose there will be trouble, " she continued, meditatively; "still, that will be your fault. I have done all I could do. "

She walked on in pained silence and paid no heed to the explanations andarguments by which the captain sought to justify his refusal. He beganto get confused and rambling in his defence, and finally, to terminatean embarrassing interview, grunted out something about thinking it over. A moment later a radiant and admiring young woman was flattering him upto the skies. 

"Mind, I only said I would think it over, " said the captain, regardingher indignantly. 

"Of course, " said Joan, "I quite understand that; and you will write andbreak the news to father, won't you?"

"No, I'm hanged if I do, " answered the captain. 

"Never mind, then; I'll do it, " said the girl, hastily. "I shall justwrite and tell him that I have changed my name to Trimblett. Peoplehave a right to change their name if they like. Lots of them do it. Make haste, you'll lose your omnibus. I shall never forget yourkindness--never. "

"Mind!" panted the captain, as she hurried him along, "it--isn't--settled. I am only going to think it over. "

"I don't know what we should have done without you, " continued Joan. "There isn't another man in the world would be so kind, I am sure. If you were only thirty or forty years younger I would marry you inreality. "

"Mind!" said the captain, grasping the rail of the omnibus and pausingwith his foot on the step, "I haven't--promised. "

[Illustration: Mind, I haven't promised 212]

"I'll write and tell you when I've done it, " said Joan. "I'll take allthe responsibility. Good-by! Good-by!"

The conductor hoisted him aboard and he slowly mounted the stairs. Hepaused at the top to wave a feeble hand, and then, subsiding heavilyinto a seat, sat thinking out a long and polite letter of refusal. 

CHAPTER XVII

JOAN HARTLEY'S letter to her father was not so easy to write as she hadimagined. She tore up draft after draft, and at last, in despair, wrotehim a brief and dutiful epistle, informing him that she had changedher name to Tremblett. She added--in a postscript--that she expected hewould be surprised; and, having finished her task, sat trying to decidewhether to commit it to the post or the flames. 

It was a question that occupied her all the evening, and the followingmorning found her still undecided. It was not until the afternoon, whena letter came from Captain Trimblett, declining in violent terms and atgreat length to be a party to her scheme, that she made up her mind. Theinformation that he had been recalled to Salthaven on the day followingonly served to strengthen her resolution, and it was with a feeling ofalmost pious thankfulness that she realized the advantages of such anarrangement. She went out and posted her letter to her father, and then, with a mind at ease, wrote a nice letter to Captain Trimblett, full ofapologies for her precipitancy, and regretting that he had not informedher before of what she called his change of mind. She added that, aftermature deliberation, she had decided not to return to Salthaven untilafter he had sailed. 

Captain Trimblett got the letter next morning and, hurrying off to thenearest post-office, filled up a telegraph-form with a few incisivewords dashed off at white heat. He destroyed six forms before hehad arrived at what he considered a happy mean between strength andpropriety, and then at the lady clerk's earnest request altered oneof the words of the seventh. A few hours later he was on his way toSalthaven. 

It was late when he arrived and the office of Vyner and Son was closed. He went on to Laurel Lodge, and, after knocking and ringing for sometime in vain, walked back to the town and went on board his ship. Thenew crew had not yet been signed on, and Mr. Walters, the only manaboard, was cut short in his expressions of pleasure at the captain'sreturn and sent ashore for provisions. 

[Illustration: Cut short in his expressions of pleasure 216]

"Time you went to sea again, " said the captain a little later as theboatswain went on his hands and knees to recover the pieces of a platehe had dropped. 

"I wish I'd gone a month ago, sir, " said Mr. Walters. "Shore's no placefor a sailorman. "

The captain grunted, and turning suddenly surprised the eye of Mr. Walters fixed upon him with an odd, puzzled expression that he hadnoticed before that evening. Mr. Walters, caught in the act, ducked fromsight, and recovered a crumb that was trying to pass itself off as apiece of china. 

"What are you staring at me for?" demanded the captain. 

"Me, sir?" said the boatswain. "I wasn't staring. "

He rose with his hands full of pieces and retreated to the door. Almostagainst his will he stole another glance at the captain and blinkedhastily at the gaze that met his own. 

"If I've got a smut on my nose--" began the captain, ferociously. 

"No, sir, " said Mr. Walters, disappearing. 

"Come here!" roared the other. 

The boatswain came back reluctantly. 

"If I catch you making those faces at me again, " said the captain, whomthe events of the last day or two had reduced to a state of chronicill-temper, "I'll--I'll----"

"Yessir, " said Mr. Walters, cheerfully. "I----"

He disappeared again, but his voice came floating down thecompanion-ladder. "I 'ope--you'll accept--my good--wishes. "

Captain Trimblett started as though he had been stung, and histemperature rose to as near boiling point as science and the humanmechanism will allow. Twice he opened his mouth to bellow the boatswainback again, and twice his courage failed him. He sat a picture ofwrathful consternation until, his gaze falling on a bottle of beer, heemptied it with great rapidity, and pushing his plate away and lightinghis pipe sat trying to read a harmless meaning into Mr. Walters'sinfernal congratulations. 

He rose early next morning and set off for Laurel Lodge, a prey togloom, which the furtive glances of Mr. Walters had done nothing todissipate. Hartley was still in his bedroom when he arrived, but Rosashowed him into the dining-room, and, having placed a chair, spedlightly upstairs. 

"I've told him, " she said, returning in a breathless condition andsmiling at him. 

The captain scowled at her. 

"And he says he'll be down in a minute. "

"Very good, " said the captain, with a nod of dismissal. 

Miss Jelks went as far as the sideboard, and, taking out a tablecloth, proceeded to set the breakfast, regarding the captain with unaffectedinterest as she worked. 

"He ain't been very well the last day or two, " she said, blandly. 

The captain ignored her. 

"Seems to have something on his mind, " continued Miss Jelks, with a tossof her head, as she placed the sugar-bowl and other articles on thetable. 

The captain regarded her steadily for a moment, and then, turning, tookup a newspaper. 

"I should think he never was what you'd call a strong man, " murmuredMiss Jelks. "He ain't got the look of it. "

The captain's temper got the better of him. "Who are you talkingabout?" he demanded, turning sharply. 

Miss Jelks's eyes shone, but there was no hurry, and she smoothed down acorner of the tablecloth before replying. 

"Your father-in-law, sir, " she said, with a faint air of surprise. 

Captain Trimblett turned hastily to his paper again, but despite hisutmost efforts a faint wheezing noise escaped him and fell like softmusic on the ears of Miss Jelks. In the hope that it might be repeated, or that manifestations more gratifying still might be vouchsafed toher, she lingered over her task and coughed in an aggressive fashion atintervals. 

She was still busy when Hartley came downstairs, and, stopping for amoment at the doorway, stood regarding the captain with a look of timiddisapproval. The latter rose and, with a significant glance in thedirection of Rosa, shook hands and made a remark about the weather. 

"When did you return?" inquired Hartley, trying to speak easily. 

"Last night, " said the other. "I came on here, but you were out. "

Hartley nodded, and they sat eying each other uneasily and waiting forthe industrious Rosa to go. The captain got tired first, and throwingopen the French windows slipped out into the garden and motioned toHartley to follow. 

"Joan wrote to you, " he said, abruptly, as soon as they were out ofearshot. 

"Yes, " said the other, stiffly. 

"Understand, it wasn't my fault, " said the captain, warmly. "I wash myhands of it. I told her not to. "

"Indeed!" said Hartley, with a faint attempt at sarcasm. "It was noconcern of mine, of course. "

The captain turned on him sharply, and for a moment scathing words hungtrembling on his lips. He controlled himself by an effort. 

"She wrote to you, " he said, slowly, "and instead of waiting to see me, or communicating with me, you spread the news all over the place. "

"Nothing of the kind, " said Hartley. "As a matter of fact, it's not athing I am anxious to talk about. Up to the present I have only toldRosa. "

"Only!" repeated the choking captain. "Only! Only told Rosa! Where wasthe town-crier? What in the name of common-sense did you want to tellher for?"

"She would have to be told sooner or later, " said Hartley, staring athim, "and it seemed to me better to tell her before Joan came home. Ithought Joan would prefer it; and if you had heard Rosa's comments Ithink that you'd agree I was right. "

The captain scarcely listened. "Well, it's all over Salthaven by now, "he said, resignedly. 

He seated himself on the bench with his hands hanging loosely betweenhis knees, and tried to think. In any case he saw himself held up toridicule, and he had a strong feeling that to tell the truth now wouldprecipitate a crisis between Vyner and his chief clerk. The former wouldprobably make a fairly accurate guess at the circumstances responsiblefor the rumour, and act accordingly. He glanced at Hartley standingawkwardly before him, and, not without a sense of self-sacrifice, resolved to accept the situation. 

"Yes; Rosa had to be told, " he said, philosophically. "Fate again; youcan't avoid it. "

Hartley took a turn or two up and down the path. 

"The news came on me like a--like a thunderbolt, " he said, pausing infront of the captain. "I hadn't the slightest idea of such a thing, andif I say what I think--"

"Don't!" interrupted the captain, warmly. "What's the good?"

"When were you married?" inquired the other. "Where were you married?"

"Joan made all the arrangements, " said the captain, rising hastily. "Askher. "

"But--" said the astonished Hartley. 

"Ask her, " repeated the captain, walking toward the house and flingingthe words over his shoulder. "I'm sick of it. "

He led the way into the dining-room and, at the other's invitation, tooka seat at the breakfast-table, and sat wondering darkly how he was toget through the two days before he sailed. Hartley, ill at ease, pouredhim out a cup of coffee and called his attention to the bacon-dish. 

"I can't help thinking, " he said, as the captain helped himself andthen pushed the dish toward him--"I can't help thinking that there issomething behind all this; that there is some reason for it that I don'tquite understand. "

The captain started. "Never mind, " he said, with gruff kindness. 

"But I do mind, " persisted the other. "I have got an idea that it hasbeen done for the benefit--if you can call it that--of a third person. "

The captain eyed him with benevolent concern. "Nonsense, " he said, uneasily. "Nothing of the kind. We never thought of you. "

"I wasn't thinking of myself, " said Hartley, staring; "but I know thatJoan was uneasy about you, although she pretended to laugh at it. Ifeel sure in my own mind that she has done this to save you from Mrs. Chinnery. If it hadn't--"

He stopped suddenly as the captain, uttering a strange gaspingnoise, rose and stood over him. For a second or two the captain stoodstruggling for speech, then, stepping back with a suddenness thatoverturned his chair, he grabbed his cap from the sideboard and dashedout of the house. The amazed Mr. Hartley ran to the window and, withsome uneasiness, saw his old friend pelting along at the rate of a goodfive miles an hour. 

Breathing somewhat rapidly from his exertions, the captain moderated hispace after the first hundred yards, and went on his way in a state ofmind pretty evenly divided between wrath and self-pity. He walked inthought with his eyes fixed on the ground, and glancing up, too late toavoid him, saw the harbour-master approaching. 

Captain Trimblett, composing his features to something as near hisnormal expression as the time at his disposal would allow, gave a briefnod and would have passed on. He found his way, however, blocked bysixteen stone of harbour-master, while a big, red, clean-shaven facesmiled at him reproachfully. 

"How are you?" said Trimblett, jerkily. 

The harbour-master, who was a man of few words, made no reply. He drewback a little and, regarding the captain with smiling interest, rolledhis head slowly from side to side. 

"Well! Well! Well!" he said at last. 

Captain Trimblett drew himself up and regarded him with a glance theausterity of which would have made most men quail. It affected theharbourmaster otherwise. 

[Illustration: C-ck! he said, waggishly 224]

"C--ck!" he said, waggishly, and drove a forefinger like a petrifiedsausage into the other's ribs. 

The assault was almost painful, and, before the captain could recover, the harbour-master, having exhausted his stock of witticisms, bothverbal and physical, passed on highly pleased with himself. 

It was only a sample of what the day held in store for the captain, and before it was half over he was reduced to a condition of ragingimpotence. The staff of Vyner and Son turned on their stools as one manas he entered the room, and regarded him open-eyed for the short timethat he remained there. Mr. Vyner, senior, greeted him almost withcordiality, and, for the second time in his experience, extended a bigwhite hand for him to shake. 

"I have heard the news, captain, " he said, in extenuation. 

Captain Trimblett bowed, and in response to an expression of good wishesfor his future welfare managed to thank him. He made his escape as soonas possible, and, meeting Robert Vyner on the stairs, got a fleetingglance and a nod which just admitted the fact of his existence. 

The most popular man in Salthaven for the time being, he spent the bestpart of the day on board his ship, heedless of the fact that numerousacquaintances were scouring the town in quest of him. One or two hardyspirits even ventured on board, and, leaving with some haste, bemoaned, as they went, the change wrought by matrimony in a hitherto amiable andcivil-spoken mariner. 

The one drop of sweetness in his cup was the news that Mrs. Chinnery wasaway from home for a few days, and after carefully reconnoitring fromthe bridge of the _Indian Chief_ that evening he set off to visit hislodgings. He reached Tranquil Vale unmolested, and, entering the housewith a rather exaggerated air of unconcern, nodded to Mr. Truefitt, who was standing on the hearthrug smoking, and hung up his cap. Mr. Truefitt, after a short pause, shook hands with him. 

"She's away, " he said, in a deep voice. 

"She? Who?" faltered the captain. 

"Susanna, " replied Mr. Truefitt, in a deeper voice still. 

The captain coughed and, selecting a chair with great care, slowlyseated himself. 

"She left you her best wishes, " continued Mr. Truefitt, still standing, and still regarding him with an air of severe disapproval. 

"Much obliged, " murmured the captain. 

"She would do it, " added Mr. Truefitt, crossing to the window andstaring out at the road with his back to the captain. "And she saidsomething about a silver-plated butter-dish; but in the circumstances Isaid 'No. ' Miss Willett thought so too. "

"How is Miss Willett?" inquired the captain, anxious to change thesubject. 

"All things considered, she's better than might be expected, " repliedMr. Truefitt, darkly. 

Captain Trimblett said that he was glad to hear it, and, finding thesilence becoming oppressive, inquired affectionately concerning thehealth of Mrs. Willett, and learned to his discomfort that she was inthe same enigmatical condition as her daughter. 

"And my marriage is as far off as ever, " concluded Mr. Truefitt. "Some people seem to be able to get married as often as they please, andothers can't get married at all. "

"It's all fate, " said the captain, slowly; "it's all arranged for us. "

Mr. Truefitt turned and his colour rose. 

"Your little affair was arranged for you, I suppose?" he said, sharply. 

"It was, " said the captain, with startling vehemence. 

Mr. Truefitt, who was lighting his pipe, looked up at him from loweredbrows, and then, crossing to the door, took his pipe down the garden tothe summer-house. 

CHAPTER XVIII

"THIS time to-morrow night, " said Mr. Walters, as he slowly paced acountry lane with Miss Jelks clinging to his arm, "I shall be at sea. "

Miss Jelks squeezed his arm and gave vent to a gentle sigh. "Twoyears'll soon slip away, " she remarked. "It's wonderful how time flies. How much is twice three hundred and sixty-five?"

"And you mind you behave yourself, " said the boatswain, hastily. "Remember your promise, mind. "

"Of course I will, " said Rosa, carelessly. 

"You've promised not to 'ave your evening out till I come back, " theboatswain reminded her; "week-days and Sundays both. And it oughtn't tobe no 'ardship to you. Gals wot's going to be married don't want to gogadding about. "

"Of course they don't, " said Rosa. "I shouldn't enjoy being out withoutyou neither. And I can get all the fresh air I want in the garden. "

"And cleaning the winders, " said the thoughtful boatswain. 

Miss Jelks, who held to a firm and convenient belief in the likenessbetween promises and piecrusts, smiled cheerfully. 

"Unless I happen to be sent on an errand I sha'n't put my nose outsidethe front gate, " she declared. 

"You've passed your word, " said Mr. Walters, slowly, "and that's goodenough for me; besides which I've got a certain party wot's promised tokeep 'is eye on you and let me know if you don't keep to it. "

"Eh?" said the startled Rosa. "Who is it?"

"Never you mind who it is, " said Mr. Walters, judicially. "It's betterfor you not to know, then you can't dodge 'im. He can keep his eye onyou, but there's no necessity for you to keep your eye on 'im. I don'tmind wot _he_ does. "

Miss Jelks maintained her temper with some difficulty; but the absolutenecessity of discovering the identity of the person referred to by Mr. Walters, if she was to have any recreation at all during the next twoyears, helped her. 

"He'll have an easy job of it, " she said, at last, with a toss of herhead. 

"That's just wot I told 'im, " said the boatswain. "He didn't want totake the job on at first, but I p'inted out that if you behaved yourselfand kept your promise he'd 'ave nothing to do; and likewise, if youdidn't, it was only right as 'ow I should know. Besides which I gave 'ima couple o' carved peach stones and a war-club that used to belong to aSandwich Islander, and took me pretty near a week to make. "

Miss Jelks looked up at him sideways. "Be a bit of all right if hecomes making up to me himself, " she said, with a giggle. "I wonderwhether he'd tell you that?"

"He won't do that, " said the boatswain, with a confident smile. "He'smuch too well-behaved, 'sides which he ain't old enough. "

Miss Jelks tore her arm away. "You've never been and set thatold-fashioned little shrimp Bassett on to watch me?" she said, shrilly. 

"Never you mind who it is, " growled the discomfited boatswain. "It's gotnothing to do with you. All you've got to know is this: any time 'e seesyou out--this party I'm talking of--he's going to log it. He calls itkeeping a dairy, but it comes to the same thing. "

"I know what I call it, " said the offended maiden, "and if I catch thatlittle horror spying on me he'll remember it. "

"He can't spy on you if you ain't out, " said the boatswain. "That's wotI told 'im; and when I said as you'd promised he saw as 'ow it would beall right. I'm going to try and bring him 'ome a shark's tooth. "

"Goin' to make it?" inquired Rosa, with a sniff. 

"And might I ask, " she inquired, as the amorous boatswain took her armagain, "might I ask who is going to watch you?"

"Me?" said the boatswain, regarding her with honest amazement. "I don'twant no watching. Men don't. "

"In--deed!" said Miss Jelks, "and why not?"

"They don't like it, " said Mr. Walters, simply. 

Miss Jelks released her arm again, and for some time they walked onopposite sides of the lane Her temper rose rapidly, and at last, tearingoff her glove, she drew the ring from her finger and handed it to theboatswain. 

[Illustration: She drew the ring from her finger 232]

"There you are!" she exclaimed. "Take it!"

Mr. Walters took it, and, after a vain attempt to place it on his littlefinger, put it in his waistcoat-pocket and walked on whistling. 

"We're not engaged now, " explained Rosa. 

"Aye, aye, " said the boatswain, cheerfully. "Only walking out. "

"Nothing of the kind, " said Rosa. "I sha'n't have nothing more to dowith you. You'd better tell Bassett. "

"What for?" demanded the other. 

"What for?" repeated Rosa. "Why, there's no use him watching me now. "

"Why not?" demanded Mr. Walters. 

Miss Jelks caught her breath impatiently. "Because it's got nothing todo with you what I do now, " she said, sharply. "I can go out with who Ilike. "

"Ho!" said the glaring Mr. Walters. "Ho! Can you? So that's your littlegame, is it? Here--"

He fumbled in his pocket and, producing the ring, caught Miss Jelks'shand in a grip that made her wince, and proceeded to push it on herlittle finger. "Now you behave yourself, else next time I'll take itback for good. "

Miss Jelks remonstrated, but in vain. The boatswain passed his left armabout her waist, and when she became too fluent increased the pressureuntil she gasped for breath. Much impressed by these signs of affectionshe began to yield, and, leaning her head against his shoulder, voluntarily renewed her vows of seclusion. 

She went down to the harbour next day to see him off, and stood watchingwith much interest the bustle on deck and the prominent share borne byher masterful admirer. To her thinking, Captain Trimblett, stiffand sturdy on the bridge, played but a secondary part. She sent theboatswain little signals of approval and regard, a proceeding whichwas the cause of much subsequent trouble to a newly joined A. B. Whomisunderstood their destination. The warps were thrown off, a bellclanged in the engine-room, the screw revolved, and a gradually wideningpiece of water appeared between the steamer and the quay. Men on boardsuspended work for a moment for a last gaze ashore, and no fewerthan six unfortunates responded ardently to the fluttering of herhandkerchief. She stood watching until the steamer had disappeared rounda bend in the river, and then, with a sense of desolation and a holidayfeeling for which there was no outlet, walked slowly home. 

She broke her promise to the boatswain the following evening. For onething, it was her "evening out, " and for another she felt that thesooner the Bassett nuisance was stopped, the better it would be forall concerned. If the youth failed to see her she was the gainer to theextent of an evening in the open air, and if he did not she had an ideathat the emergency would not find her unprepared. 

She walked down to the town first and spent some time in front of theshop-windows. Tiring of this, she proceeded to the harbour and inspectedthe shipping, and then with the feeling strong upon her that it would bebetter to settle with Bassett at her own convenience, she walked slowlyto the small street in which he lived, and taking up a position nearlyopposite his house paced slowly to and fro with the air of one keepingan appointment. She was pleased to observe, after a time, a slightmovement of the curtains opposite, and, satisfied that she had attainedher ends, walked off. The sound of a street door closing saved her thenecessity of looking round. 

At first she strolled slowly through the streets, but presently, increasing her pace, resolved to take the lad for a country walk. At Tranquil Vale she paused to tie up her boot-lace, and, satisfyingherself that Bassett was still in pursuit, set off again. 

She went on a couple of miles farther, until turning the sharp corner ofa lane she took a seat on the trunk of a tree that lay by the side andwaited for him to come up. She heard his footsteps coming nearer andnearer, and with a satisfied smile noted that he had quickened his pace. He came round the corner at the rate of over four miles an hour, and, coming suddenly upon her, was unable to repress a slight exclamationof surprise. The check was but momentary, and he was already passingon when the voice of Miss Jelks, uplifted in sorrow, brought him to astandstill. 

"Oh, Master Bassett, " she cried, "I am surprised! I couldn't havebelieved it of you. "

Bassett, squeezing his hands together, stood eying her nervously. 

"And you so quiet, too, " continued Rosa; "but there, you quiet ones arealways the worst. "

The boy, peering at her through his spectacles, made no reply. 

"The idea of a boy your age falling in love with _me_, " said Rosa, modestly lowering her gaze. 

"_What!_" squeaked the astonished Bassett, hardly able to believe hisears. 

"Falling in love and dogging my footsteps, " said Rosa, with relish, "and standing there looking at me as though you could eat me. "

"You must be mad, " said Bassett, in a trembling voice. "Stark staringmad. "

"It's to make you leave off loving me, " she explained

"Don't make it worse, " said Rosa kindly. "I suppose you can't help it, and ought to be pitied for it really. Now I know why it was you winkedat me when you came to the house the other day. "

"_Winked!_" gasped the horrified youth. "_Me?_"

"I thought it was weakness of sight, at the time, " said the girl, "but Isee my mistake now. I am sorry for you, but it can never be. I amanother's. "

Bassett, utterly bereft of speech, stood eying her helplessly. 

"Don't stand there making those sheep's eyes at me, " said Rosa. "Try andforget me. Was it love at first sight, or did it come on gradual like?"

Bassett, moistening his tongue, shook his head. 

"Am I the first girl you ever loved?" inquired Rosa, softly. 

"No, " said the boy. "I mean--I have never been in--love. I don't knowwhat you are talking about. "

"Do you mean to say you are not in love with me?" demanded Rosa, springing up suddenly. 

"I do, " said Bassett, blushing hotly. 

"Then what did you follow me all round the town for, and then downhere?"

Bassett, who was under a pledge of secrecy to the boatswain, and, moreover, had his own ideas as to the reception the truth might meetwith, preserved an agonized silence. 

"It's no good, " said Rosa, eying him mournfully. "You can't deceive me. You are head over heels, and the kindest thing I can do is to be cruelto you--for your own sake. "

She sprang forward suddenly, and, before the astounded youth coulddodge, dealt him a sharp box on the ear. As he reeled under the blow sheboxed the other. 

[Illustration: It's to make you leave off loving me 236]

"It's to make you leave off loving me, " she explained; "and if I evercatch you following me again you'll get some more; besides which I shalltell your mother. "

She picked up her parasol from the trunk, and after standing regardinghim for a moment with an air of offended maidenhood, walked back to thetown. Bassett, after a long interval, returned by another road. 

CHAPTER XIX

JOAN HARTLEY returned to Salthaven a week after Captain Trimblett'sdeparture, and, with a lively sense of her inability to satisfy thecuriosity of her friends, spent most of the time indoors. To evade herfather's inquiries she adopted other measures, and the day after herreturn, finding both her knowledge and imagination inadequate to thetask of satisfying him, she first waxed impatient and then tearful. Finally she said that she was thoroughly tired of the subject, andexpressed a fervent hope that she might hear no more about it. Anyfurther particulars would be furnished by Captain Trimblett, upon hisreturn. 

"But when I asked him about it he referred me to you, " said Hartley. "The whole affair is most incomprehensible. "

"We thought it would be a surprise to you, " agreed Joan. 

"It was, " said her father, gloomily. "But if you are satisfied, Isuppose it is all right. "

He returned to the attack next day, but gained little information. MissHartley's ideas concerning the various marriage ceremonies were of thevaguest, but by the aid of "Whitaker's Almanack" she was enabled todeclare that the marriage had taken place by license at a church in thedistrict where Trimblett was staying. As a help to identification sheadded that the church was built of stone, and that the pew-opener hada cough. Tiresome questions concerning the marriage certificate weredisposed of by leaving it in the captain's pocket-book. And again shedeclared that she was tired of the subject. 

"I can't imagine what your aunt was thinking about, " said her father. "If you had let me write--"

"She knew nothing about it, " said Joan, hastily; "and if you hadwritten to her she would have thought that you were finding fault withher for not looking after me more. It's done now, and if I'm satisfiedand Captain Trimblett is satisfied, that is all that matters. You didn'twant me to be an old maid, did you?"

Mr. Hartley gave up the subject in despair, but Miss Willett, who calleda day or two later, displayed far more perseverance. After the usualcongratulations she sat down to discuss the subject at length, andsubjected Joan to a series of questions which the latter had muchdifficulty in evading. For a newly married woman, Miss Willett couldonly regard her knowledge of matrimony as hazy in the extreme. 

"She don't want to talk about it, " said Mr. Truefitt, the followingevening as he sat side by side with Miss Willett in the littlesummer-house overlooking the river. "Perhaps she is repenting italready. "

"It ought to be a tender memory, " sighed Miss Willett. "I'm sure--"

She broke off and blushed. 

"Yes?" said Mr. Truefitt, pinching her arm tenderly. 

"Never mind, " breathed Miss Willett. "I mean--I was only going to saythat I don't think the slightest detail would have escaped _me_. All sheseems to remember is that it took place in a church. "

"It must have been by license, I should think, " said Mr. Truefitt, scowling thoughtfully. "Ordinary license, I should say. I have beenreading up about them lately. One never knows what may happen. "

Miss Willett started. 

"Trimblett has not behaved well, " continued Mr. Truefitt, slowly, "byno means, but I must say that he has displayed a certain amount of dash;_he_ didn't allow anything or anybody to come between him and matrimony. He just went and did it. "

He passed his arm round Miss Willett's waist and gazed reflectivelyacross the river. 

"And I suppose we shall go on waiting all our lives, " he said at last. "We consider other people far too much. "

Miss Willett shook her head. "Mother always keeps to her word, " shesaid, with an air of mournful pride. "Once she says anything she keepsto it. That's her firmness. She won't let me marry so long as Mrs. Chinnery stays here. We must be patient. "

Mr. Truefitt rumpled his hair irritably and for some time sat silent. Then he leaned forward and, in a voice trembling with excitement, whispered in the lady's ear. 

"_Peter!_" gasped Miss Willett, and drew back and eyed him in tremblinghorror. 

"Why not?" said Mr. Truefitt, with an effort to speak stoutly. "It's ouraffair. "

Miss Willett shivered and, withdrawing from his arm, edged away to theextreme end of the seat and averted her gaze. 

"It's quite easy, " whispered the tempter. 

Miss Willett, still looking out at the door, affected not to hear. 

"Not a soul would know until afterward, " continued Mr. Truefitt, in anardent whisper. "It could all be kept as quiet as possible. I'll havethe license ready, and you could just slip out for a morning walk andmeet me at the church, and there you are. And it's ridiculous of twopeople of our age to go to such trouble. "

"Mother would never forgive me, " murmured Miss Willett. "Never!"

"She'd come round in time, " said Mr. Truefitt. 

"Never!" said Miss Willett. "You don't know mother's strength of mind. But I mustn't stay and listen to such things. It's wicked!"

She got up and slipped into the garden, and with Mr. Truefitt inattendance paced up and down the narrow paths. 

"Besides, " she said, after a long silence, "I shouldn't like to sharehousekeeping with your sister. It would only lead to trouble between us, I am sure. "

Mr. Truefitt came to a halt in the middle of the path, and stoodrumpling his hair again as an aid to thought. Captain Sellers, who waslooking over his fence, waved a cheery salutation. 

"Fine evening, " he piped. 

The other responded with a brief nod. 

"What did you say?" inquired Captain Sellers, who was languishing for alittle conversation. 

"Didn't say anything!" bawled Mr. Truefitt. 

"You must speak up if you want me to hear you!" cried the captain. "It'sone o' my bad days. "

Truefitt shook his head, and placing himself by the side of Miss Willettresumed his walk. Three fences away, Captain Sellers kept pace withthem. 

"Nothing fresh about Trimblett, I suppose?" he yelled. 

Truefitt shook his head again. 

"He's a deep 'un!" cried Sellers--"wonderful deep! How's the other one?Bearing up? I ain't seen her about the last day or two. I believe thatwas all a dodge of Trimblett's to put us off the scent. It made a foolof me. "

Mr. Truefitt, with a nervous glance at the open windows of his house, turned and walked hastily down the garden again. 

"He quite deceived me, " continued Captain Sellers, following--"quite. What did you say?"

"Nothing, " bawled Mr. Truefitt, with sudden ferocity. 

"Eh!" yelled the captain, leaning over the fence with his hand to hisear. 

"Nothing!"

"Eh?" said the captain, anxiously. "Speak up! What?"

"Oh, go to--Jericho!" muttered Mr. Truefitt, and, taking Miss Willettby the arm, disappeared into the summer-house again. "Where were we whenthat old idiot interrupted us?" he inquired, tenderly. 

Miss Willett told him, and, nestling within his encircling arm, listenedwith as forbidding an expression as she could command to furtherarguments on the subject of secret marriages. 

"It's no use, " she said at last "I mustn't listen. It's wicked. I amsurprised at you, Peter. You must never speak to me on the subjectagain. "

She put her head on his shoulder, and Mr. Truefitt, getting a bettergrip with his arm, drew her toward him. 

"Think it over, " he whispered, and bent and kissed her. 

"Never, " was the reply. 

Mr. Truefitt kissed her again, and was about to repeat the performancewhen she started up with a faint scream, and, pushing him away, dartedfrom the summer-house and fled up the garden. Mr. Truefitt, red withwrath, stood his ground and stared ferociously at the shrunken figure ofCaptain Sellers standing behind the little gate in the fence that gaveon to the foreshore. The captain, with a cheery smile, lifted the latchand entered the garden. 

"I picked a little bunch o' flowers for Miss Willett, " he said, advancing and placing them on the table. 

"Who told you to come into my garden?" shouted the angry Mr. Truefitt. 

"Yes, all of 'em, " said Captain Sellers, taking up the bunch and lookingat them. "Smell!"

He thrust the bunch into the other's face, and withdrawing it plungedhis own face into it with rapturous sniffs. Mr. Truefitt, his nosedecorated with pollen ravished from a huge lily, eyed him murderously. 

"Get out of my garden, " he said, with an imperious wave of his hand. 

"I can't hear what you say, " said the captain, following the directionof the other's hand and stepping outside. "Sometimes I think mydeafness gets worse. It's a great deprivation. ''

"Is it?" said Mr. Truefitt. He made a funnel of both hands and bent tothe old man's willing ear. 

"You're an artful, interfering, prying, inquisitive old busybody, " hebellowed. "Can you hear that?"

"Say it again, " said the captain, his old eyes snapping. 

Mr. Truefitt complied. 

"I didn't quite catch the last word, " said the captain. 

"_Busybody!_" yelled Mr. Truefitt. "_Busybody!_ B--u--s----"

"I heard, " said Captain Sellers, with sudden and alarming dignity. "Takeyour coat off. "

"Get out of my garden, " responded Mr. Truefitt, briefly. 

"Take your coat off, " repeated Captain Sellers, sternly. He removed hisown after a little trouble, and rolling back his shirt sleeves stoodregarding with some pride a pair of yellow, skinny old arms. Then heclenched his fists, and, with an agility astonishing in a man of hisyears, indulged in a series of galvanic little hops in front of theastounded Peter Truefitt. 

"Put your hands up!" he screamed. "Put 'em up, you tailor's dummy! Put'em up, you Dutchman!"

"Go out of my garden, " repeated the marvelling Mr. Truefitt. "Go homeand have some gruel and go to bed!"

Captain Sellers paid no heed. Still performing marvellous things withhis feet, he ducked his head over one shoulder, feinted with his left atMr. Truefitt's face, and struck with his right somewhere near thecentre of his opponent's waistcoat. Mr. Truefitt, still gazing athim open-mouthed, retreated backward, and, just as the captain'sparchment-like fist struck him a second time, tripped over a water-canthat had been left in the path and fell heavily on his back in aflower-bed. 

"Time!" cried Captain Sellers, breathlessly, and pulled out a bigsilver watch to consult, as Miss Willett came hurrying down the garden, followed by Mrs. Chinnery. 

[Illustration: Time! cried Captain Sellers 248]

"Peter!" wailed Miss Willett, going on her knees and raising his head. "Oh, Peter!"

"Has he hurt you?" inquired Mrs. Chinnery, stooping. 

"No; I'm a bit shaken, " said Mr. Truefitt, crossly. "I fell over thatbla--blessed water-can. Take that old marionette away. I'm afraid totouch him for fear he'll fall to pieces. "

"Time!" panted Captain Sellers, stowing his watch away and resuming hisprancing. "Come on! Lively with it!"

Miss Willett uttered a faint scream and thrust her hand out. 

"Lor' bless the man!" cried Mrs. Chinnery, regarding the old gentleman'santics with much amazement "Go away! Go away at once!"

"Time!" cried Captain Sellers. 

She stepped forward, and her attitude was so threatening that CaptainSellers hesitated. Then he turned, and, picking up his coat, began tostruggle into it. 

"I hope it will be a lesson to him, " he said, glaring at Mr. Truefitt, who had risen by this time and was feeling his back. "You see what comesof insulting an old sea-dog. "

He turned and made his way to the gate, refusing with a wave of his handMrs. Chinnery's offer to help him down the three steps leading to theshore. With head erect and a springy step he gained his own garden, and even made a pretence of attending to a flower or two before sittingdown. Then the deck-chair claimed him, and he lay, a limp bundle ofaching old bones, until his housekeeper came down the garden to see whathad happened to him. 

CHAPTER XX

FOR the first week or two after Joan Hartley's return Mr. Robert Vynerwent about in a state of gloomy amazement. Then, the first shock ofsurprise over, he began to look about him in search of reasons for amarriage so undesirable. A few casual words with Hartley at oddtimes only served to deepen the mystery, and he learned with growingastonishment of the chief clerk's ignorance of the whole affair. A faintsuspicion, which he had at first dismissed as preposterous, persistedin recurring to him, and grew in strength every time the subject wasmentioned between them. His spirits improved, and he began to speak ofthe matter so cheerfully that Hartley became convinced that everybodyconcerned had made far too much of ordinary attentions paid by anordinary young man to a pretty girl. Misled by his son's behaviour, Mr. Vyner, senior, began to entertain the same view of the affair. 

"Just a boyish admiration, " he said to his wife, as they sat alone oneevening. "All young men go through it at some time or other. It's a sortof--ha--vaccination, and the sooner they have it and get over it thebetter. "

"He has quite got over it, I think, " said Mrs. Vyner, slowly. 

Mr. Vyner nodded. "Lack of opposition, " he said, with a satisfied air. "Lack of visible opposition, at any rate. These cases require management. Many a marriage has been caused by the efforts made to prevent it. "

Mrs. Vyner sighed. Her husband had an irritating habit of taking hera little way into his confidence and then leaving the rest to animagination which was utterly inadequate to the task. 

"There is nothing like management, " she said, safely. "And I am surenobody could have had a better son. He has never caused us a day'sanxiety. "

"Not real anxiety, " said her husband--"no. "

Mrs. Vyner averted her eyes. "When, " she said, gently--"when are yougoing to give him a proper interest in the firm?"

Mr. Vyner thrust his hands into his trousers pockets and leaned back inhis chair. "I have been thinking about it, " he said, slowly. "He wouldhave had it before but for this nonsense. Nothing was arranged atfirst, because I wanted to see how he was going to do. His work isexcellent--excellent. "

It was high praise, but it was deserved, and Mr. Robert Vyner would havebeen the first to admit it. His monstrous suspicion was daily growingless monstrous and more plausible. It became almost a conviction, and heresolved to test it by seeing Joan and surprising her with a few suddencareless remarks of the kind that a rising K. C. Might spring upona particularly difficult witness. For various reasons he chose anafternoon when the senior partner was absent, and, after trying in vainto think out a few embarrassing questions on the way, arrived at thehouse in a condition of mental bankruptcy. 

The obvious agitation of Miss Hartley as she shook hands did not tend toput him at his ease. He stammered something about "congratulations" andthe girl stammered something about "thanks, " after which they sat stilland eyed each other nervously. 

"Beautiful day, " said Mr. Vyner at last, and comforted himself with thereflection that the most eminent K. C. 's often made inane remarks withthe idea of throwing people off their guard. 

Miss Hartley said "Yes. "

"I hope you had a nice time in town?" he said, suddenly. 

"Very nice, " said Joan, eying him demurely. 

"But of course you did, " said Robert, with an air of sudden remembrance. "I suppose Captain Trimblett knows London pretty well?"

"Pretty well, " repeated the witness. 

Mr. Vyner eyed her thoughtfully. "I hope you won't mind my saying so, "he said, slowly, "but I was awfully pleased to hear of your marriage. Ithink it is always nice to hear of one's friends marrying each other. "

"Yes, " said the girl. 

"And Trimblett is such a good chap, " continued Mr. Vyner. "He is sosensible for his age. "

He paused expectantly, but nothing happened. 

"So bright and cheerful, " he explained. 

Miss Hartley still remaining silent, he broke off and sat watching herquietly. To his eyes she seemed more charming than ever. There was adefiant look in her eyes, and a half-smile trembled round the cornersof her mouth. He changed his seat for one nearer to hers, and leaningforward eyed her gravely. Her colour deepened and she breathed quickly. 

"Don't--don't you think Captain Trimblett is lucky?" she inquired, withan attempt at audacity. 

[Illustration: Don't you think Captain Trimblett is lucky 254]

Mr. Vyner pondered. "No, " he said at last. 

Miss Hartley caught her breath. 

"How rude!" she said, after a pause, lowering her eyes. 

"No, it isn't, " said Robert. 

"Really!" remonstrated Miss Hartley. 

"I think that I am luckier than he is, " said Robert, in a low voice. "Atleast, I hope so. Shall I tell you why?"

"No, " said Joan, quickly. 

Mr. Vyner moistened his lips. 

"Perhaps you know, " he said, unsteadily. 

Joan made no reply. 

"You do know, " said Robert. 

Miss Hartley looked up with a sudden, careless laugh. 

"It sounds like a conundrum, " she said, gayly. "But it doesn't matter. I hope you _will_ be lucky. "

"I intend to be, " said Robert. 

"My hus--husband, " said Joan, going very red, "would probably use theword 'fate' instead of 'luck. '"

"It is a favourite word of my wife's, " said Robert gravely. "Ah, what acouple they would have made!"

"_Who?_" inquired Joan, eying him in bewilderment. 

"My wife and your husband, " said Robert. "I believe they were made foreach other. "

Miss Hartley retreated in good order. "I think you are talkingnonsense, " she said, with some dignity. 

"Yes, " said Robert, with a smile. "Ground-bait. "

"What?" said Joan, in a startled voice. 

"Ground-bait. "

Miss Hartley made an appeal to his better feelings. "You are making myhead ache, " she said, pathetically. "I'm sure I don't know what you aretalking about. "

Mr. Vyner apologized, remarking that it was a common fault ofyoung husbands to talk too much about their wives, and added, as aninteresting fact, that he had only been married that afternoon. MissHartley turned a deaf ear. 

He spread a little ground-bait--of a different kind--before Hartleyduring the next few days, and in a short time had arrived at a prettyaccurate idea of the state of affairs. It was hazy and lacking indetail, but it was sufficient to make him give Laurel Lodge a wide berthfor the time being, and to work still harder for that share in thefirm which he had always been given to understand would be his. In themeantime he felt that Joan's _marriage de convenance_ was a comfortablearrangement for all parties concerned. 

This was still his view of it as he sat in his office one afternoonabout a couple of months after Captain Trimblett's departure. He had metMiss Hartley in the street the day before, and, with all due regardto appearances, he could not help thinking that she had been somewhatunnecessarily demure. In return she had gone away with three crushedfingers and a colour that was only partially due to exercise. He wasleaning back in his chair thinking it over when his father entered. 

"Busy?" inquired John Vyner. 

"Frightfully, " said his son, unclasping his hands from the back of hishead. 

"I have just been speaking to Hartley, " said the senior partner, watching him keenly. "I had a letter this morning from the Trimblettfamily. "

"Eh?" said his son, staring. 

"From the eldest child--a girl named Jessie, " replied the other. "Itappears that a distant cousin who has been in charge of them has diedsuddenly, and she is rather at a loss what to do. She wrote to me aboutsending the captain's pay to her. "

"Yes, " said his son, nodding; "but what has Hartley got to do with it?"

"Do with it?" repeated Mr. Vyner in surprised tones. "I take it that heis in a way their grandfather. "

"Gran--" began his son, and sat gasping. "Yes, of course, " he said, presently, "of course. I hadn't thought of that. Of course. "

"From his manner at first Hartley appeared to have forgotten it too, "said Mr. Vyner, "but he soon saw with me that the children ought not tobe left alone. The eldest is only seventeen. "

Robert tried to collect his thoughts. "Yes, " he said, slowly. 

"He has arranged for them to come and live with him, " continued Mr. Vyner. 

The upper part of his son's body disappeared with startling suddennessover the arm of his chair and a hand began groping blindly in search ofa fallen pen. A dangerous rush of blood to the head was perceptible ashe regained the perpendicular. 

"Was--was Hartley agreeable to that?" he inquired, steadying his voice. 

His father drew himself up in his chair. "Certainly, " he said, stiffly;"he fell in with the suggestion at once. It ought to have occurred tohim first. Besides the relationship, he and Trimblett are old friends. The captain is an old servant of the firm and his children must belooked after; they couldn't be left alone in London. "

"It's a splendid idea, " said Robert--"splendid. By far the best thingthat you could have done. "

"I have told him to write to the girl to-night, " said Mr. Vyner. "He isnot sure that she knows of her father's second marriage. And I have toldhim to take a day or two off next week and go up to town and fetch them. It will be a little holiday for him. "

"Quite a change for him, " agreed Robert. Conscious of his father'sscrutiny, his face was absolutely unmoved and his voice easy. "How manychildren are there?"

"Five, " was the reply--"so she says in the letter. The two youngest aretwins. "

For the fraction of a second something flickered across the face ofRobert Vyner and was gone. 

"Trimblett's second marriage was rather fortunate for them, " he said, ina matter-of-fact voice. 

He restrained his feelings until his father had gone, and then, witha gasp of relief, put his head on the table and gave way to them. Convulsive tremours assailed him, and hilarious sobs escaped atintervals from his tortured frame. Ejaculations of "Joan!" and "Poorgirl!" showed that he was not entirely bereft of proper feeling. 

His head was still between his arms upon the table and his body stillshaking, when the door opened and Bassett entered the room and stoodgazing at him in a state of mild alarm. He stood for a minute diagnosingthe case, and then, putting down a handful of papers, crossed softlyto the mantel-piece and filled a tumbler with water. He came back andtouched the junior partner respectfully on the elbow. 

"Will you try and drink some of this, sir?" he said, soothingly. 

The startled Robert threw up his arm. There was a crash of glass, andBassett, with his legs apart and the water streaming down his face, stood regarding him with owlish consternation. His idea that the juniorpartner was suffering from a species of fit was confirmed by the lattersuddenly snatching his hat from its peg and darting wildly from theroom. 

[Illustration: Snatching his hat from its peg 258]

CHAPTER XXI

MRS. WILLETT sat in her small and over-furnished living-room in a stateof open-eyed amazement. Only five minutes before she had left the roomto look for a pair of shoes whose easiness was their sole reasonfor survival, and as a last hope had looked under Cecilia's bed, anddiscovered the parcels. Three parcels all done up in brown paper andready for the post, addressed in Cecilia's handwriting to:--

Mrs. P. Truefitt, Findlater's Private Hotel, Finsbury Circus, London. 

She smoothed her cap-strings down with trembling hands and tried tothink. The autumn evening was closing in, but she made no attempt toobtain a light. Her mind was becoming active, and the shadows aidedthought. At ten o'clock her daughter, returning from Tranquil Vale, wassurprised to find her still sitting in the dark. 

"Why, haven't you had any supper?" she inquired, lighting the gas. 

"I didn't want any, " said her mother, blinking at die sudden light. 

Miss Willett turned and pulled down the blinds. Then she came back, and, standing behind her mother's chair, placed a hand upon her shoulder. 

"It--it will be lonely for you when I've gone, mother, " she said, smoothing the old lady's lace collar. 

"Gone?" repeated Mrs. Willett. "Gone? Why, has that woman consented togo at last?"

Miss Willett shrank back. "No, " she said, trembling, "but--"

"You can't marry till she does, " said Mrs. Willett, gripping the armsof her chair. "Not with my consent, at any rate. Remember that. I'm notgoing to give way; she must. "

Miss Willett said "Yes, mother, " in a dutiful voice, and then, avoidingher gaze, took a few biscuits from the sideboard. 

"There's a difference between strength of mind and obstinacy, " continuedMrs. Willett. "It's obstinacy with her--sheer obstinacy; and I am notgoing to bow down to it--there's no reason why I should. "

Miss Willett said "No, mother. "

"If other people like to bow down to her, " said Mrs. Willett, smoothingher dress over her knees, "that's their look-out. But she won't get medoing it. "

She went up to bed and lay awake half the night, and, rising late nextmorning in consequence, took advantage of her daughter's absence to peerunder the bed. The parcels had disappeared. She went downstairs, withher faded but alert old eyes watching Cecilia's every movement. 

"When does Mr. Truefitt begin his holidays?" she inquired, at last. 

Miss Willett, who had been glancing restlessly at the clock, startedviolently. 

"To--to--to-day, " she gasped. 

Mrs. Willett said "Oh!"

"I--I was going out with him at eleven--for a little walk, " said herdaughter, nervously. "Just a stroll. "

Mrs. Willett nodded. "Do you good, " she said, slowly. "What are yougoing to wear?"

Her daughter, still trembling, looked at her in surprise. "This, " shesaid, touching her plain brown dress. 

Mrs. Willett's voice began to tremble. "It's--it's rather plain, " shesaid. "I like my daughter to be nicely dressed, especially when she isgoing out with her future husband. Go upstairs and put on your lightgreen. "

Miss Willett, paler than ever, gave a hasty and calculating glance atthe clock and disappeared. 

"And your new hat, " Mrs. Willett called after her. 

She looked at the clock too, and then, almost as excited as herdaughter, began to move restlessly about the room. Her hands shook, andgoing up to the glass over the mantel-piece she removed her spectaclesand dabbed indignantly at her eyes. By the time Cecilia returned she wassitting in her favourite chair, a picture of placid and indifferent oldage. 

"That's better, " she said, with an approving nod; "much better. "

She rose, and going up to her daughter rearranged her dress a little. "You look very nice, dear, " she paid, with a little cough. "Mr. Truefittought to be proud of you. Good-by. "

[Illustration: You look very nice, dear 264]

Her daughter kissed her, and then, having got as far as the door, cameback and kissed her again. She made a second attempt to depart, andthen, conscience proving too much for her, uttered a stifled sob andcame back to her mother. 

"Oh, I can't, " she wailed; "I can't. "

"You'll be late, " said her mother, pushing her away. "Good-by. "

"I can't, " sobbed Miss Willett; "I can't do it. I'm--I'm deceiving----"

"Yes, yes, " said the old lady, hastily; "tell me another time. Good-by. "

She half led and half thrust her daughter to the door. 

"But, " said the conscience-stricken Cecilia, "you don't under--"

"A walk will do you good, " said her mother; "and don't cry; try and lookyour best. "

She managed to close the door on her, and her countenance cleared as sheheard her daughter open the hall door and pass out. Standing well backin the room, she watched her to the gate, uttering a sharp exclamationof annoyance as Cecilia, with a woebegone shake of the head, turned andcame up the path again. A loud tap at the window and a shake of the headwere necessary to drive her off. 

Mrs. Willett gave her a few minutes' start, and then, in a state ofextraordinary excitement, went upstairs and, with fingers trembling withhaste, put on her bonnet and cape. 

"You're not going out alone at this time o' the morning, ma'am?" saidthe old servant, as she came down again. 

"Just as far as the corner, Martha, " said the old lady, craftily. 

"I'd better come with you, " said the other. 

"Certainly not, " said Mrs. Willett. "I'm quite strong this morning. Goon with your stoves. "

She took up her stick and, opening the door, astonished Martha by hernimbleness. At the gate she looked right and left, and for the firsttime in her life felt that there were too many churches in Salthaven. For several reasons, the chief being that Cecilia's father lay in thechurchyard, she decided to try St. Peter's first, and, having procureda cab at the end of the road, instructed the cabman to drive to withinfifty yards of the building and wait for her. 

The church was open, and a peep through the swing-doors showed her asmall group standing before the altar. With her hand on her side shehobbled up the stone steps to the gallery, and, helping herself alongby the sides of the pews, entered the end one of them all and sankexhausted on the cushions. 

The service had just commenced, and the voice of the minister soundedwith unusual loudness in the empty church. Mr. Truefitt and Miss Willettstood before him like culprits, Mr. Truefitt glancing round uneasilyseveral times as the service proceeded. Twice the old lavender-colouredbonnet that was projecting over the side of the gallery drew back inalarm, and twice its owner held her breath and rated herself sternlyfor her venturesomeness. She did not look over again until she heard alittle clatter of steps proceeding to the vestry, and then, with a hastyglance round, slipped out of the pew and made her way downstairs and outof the church. 

Her strength was nearly spent, but the cabman was on the watch, and, driving up to the entrance, climbed down and bundled her into the cab. The drive was all too short for her to compose herself as she would haveliked, and she met the accusatory glance of Martha with but little ofher old spirit. 

"I went a little too far, " she said, feebly, as the servant helped herto the door. 

"What did I tell you?" demanded the other, and placing her in herchair removed her bonnet and cape, and stood regarding her with sourdisapproval. 

"I'm getting better, " said the old lady, stoutly. 

"I'm getting my breath back again. I--I think I'll have a glass ofwine. "

"Yes, 'm, " said Martha, moving off. "The red-currant?"

"Red-currant!" said Mrs. Willett, sharply. "Red-currant! Certainly not. The port. "

Martha disappeared, marvelling, to return a minute or two later withthe wine and a glass on a tray. Mrs. Willett filled her glass and, whispering a toast to herself, half emptied it. 

"Martha!" she said, looking round with a smile. 

"Ma'am!"

"If you like to go and get a glass you can have a little drop yourself. "

[Illustration: You can have a little drop yourself 268]

She turned and took up her glass again, and, starting nervously, nearlylet it fall as a loud crash sounded outside. The bewildered Martha hadfallen downstairs. 

CHAPTER XXII

JOAN HARTLEY did not realize the full consequences of her departurefrom the truth until the actual arrival of the Trimblett family, which, piloted by Mr. Hartley, made a triumphant appearance in a couple ofstation cabs. The roofs were piled high with luggage, and the leadingcabman shared his seat with a brass-bound trunk of huge dimensions andextremely sharp corners. 

A short, sturdy girl of seventeen jumped out as soon as the vehiclescame to a halt, and, taking her stand on the curb, proceeded tosuperintend the unloading. A succession of hasty directions to theleading cabman, one of the most docile of men, ended in the performanceof a marvellous piece of jugglery with the big trunk, which he firstbalanced for an infinitesimal period of time on his nose, and thencaught with his big toe. 

[Illustration: Marvellous piece of jugglery 272]

"What did you do that for?" demanded Miss Trimblett, hotly. 

There is a limit to the patience of every man, and the cabman wasproceeding to tell her when he was checked by Mr. Hartley. 

"He ought to be locked up, " said Miss Trimblett flushing. 

She took up a band-box and joined the laden procession of boys and girlsthat was proceeding up the path to the house. Still red with indignationshe was introduced to Joan, and, putting down the band-box, stood eyingher with frank curiosity. 

"I thought you were older, " she said at last. "I had no idea father wasmarried again until I got the letter. I shall call you Joan. "

"You had all better call me that, " said Miss Hartley, hastily. 

"Never more surprised in my life, " continued Miss Trimblett. "However--"

She paused and looked about her. 

"This is George, " she said, pulling forward a heavy-looking youth ofsixteen. "This is Ted; he is fourteen--small for his age--and these arethe twins, Dolly and Gertrude; they're eleven. Dolly has got red hairand Gerty has got the sweetest temper. "

The family, having been introduced and then summarily dismissed by thearbitrary Jessie, set out on a tour of inspection, while the elders, proceeding upstairs, set themselves to solve a problem in sleepingaccommodation that would have daunted the proprietor of a Margatelodging-house. A scheme was at last arranged by which Hartley gave uphis bedroom to the three Misses Trimblett and retired to a tiny roomunder the tiles. Miss Trimblett pointed out that it commanded a fineview. 

"It is the only thing to be done, " said Joan, softly. 

"It isn't very big for three, " said Miss Trimblett, referring to herown room, "but the twins won't be separated. I've always been used to aroom to myself, but I suppose it can't be helped for the present. "

She went downstairs and walked into the garden. The other members ofthe family were already there, and Hartley, watching them from thedining-room window, raised his brows in anguish as he noticed thepartiality of the twins for cut flowers. 

It was, as he soon discovered, one of the smallest of the troubles thatfollowed on his sudden increase of family. His taste in easy-chairs metwith the warm approval of George Trimblett, and it was clear thatthe latter regarded the tobacco-jar as common property. The twins'belongings--a joint-stock affair--occupied the most unlikely places inthe house; and their quarrels were only exceeded in offensiveness bytheir noisy and uncouth endearments afterwards. Painstaking but hopelessattempts on the part of Miss Trimblett to "teach Rosa her place" addedto the general confusion. 

By the end of a month the Trimblett children were in full possession. George Trimblett, owing to the good offices of Mr. Vyner, senior, hadobtained a berth in a shipping firm, but the others spent the days athome, the parties most concerned being unanimously of the opinion thatit would be absurd to go to school before Christmas. They spoke withgreat fluency and good feeling of making a fresh start in the New Year. 

"Interesting children, " said Robert Vyner, who had dropped in oneafternoon on the pretext of seeing how they were getting on. "I wishthey were mine. I should be so proud of them. "

Miss Hartley, who was about to offer him some tea, thought better of it, and, leaning back in her chair, regarded him suspiciously. 

"And, after all, what is a garden for?" pursued Mr. Vyner, as a steadysuccession of thuds sounded outside, and Ted, hotly pursued by thetwins, appeared abruptly in the front garden and dribbled a footballacross the flower-beds. 

"They are spoiling the garden, " said Joan, flushing. "Father is indespair. "

Mr. Vyner shook his head indulgently. "Girls will be girls, " he said, glancing through the window at Gertrude, who had thrown herself on theball and was being dragged round the garden by her heels. "I'm afraidyou spoil them, though. "

Miss Hartley did not trouble to reply. 

"I saw your eldest boy yesterday, at Marling's, " continued theindustrious Mr. Vyner. "He is getting on pretty well; Marling tells mehe is steady and quiet. I should think that he might be a great comfortto you in your old age. "

In spite of the utmost efforts to prevent it, Miss Hartley began tolaugh. Mr. Vyner regarded her in pained astonishment. 

"I didn't intend to be humorous, " he said, with some severity. "I amfond of children, and, unfortunately, I--I am childless. "

He buried his face in his handkerchief, and, removing it after a decentinterval, found that his indignant hostess was preparing to quit theroom. 

"Don't go, " he said, hastily. "I haven't finished yet. "

[Illustration: Don't go, he said, hastily 276]

"I haven't got time to stay and talk nonsense, " said Joan. 

"I'm not going to, " said Robert, "but I want to speak to you. I have aconfession to make. "

"Confession?"

Mr. Vyner nodded with sad acquiescence. "I deceived you grossly theother day, " he said, "and it has been worrying me ever since. "

"It doesn't matter, " said Joan, with a lively suspicion of his meaning. 

"Pardon me, " said Mr. Vyner, with solemn politeness, "if I say that itdoes. I--I lied to you, and I have been miserable ever since. "

Joan waited in indignant silence. 

"I told you that I was married, " said Mr. Vyner, in thrilling tones. "Iam not. "

Miss Hartley, who had seated herself, rose suddenly with a fair show oftemper. "You said you were not going to talk nonsense!" she exclaimed. 

"I am not, " said the other, in surprise. "I am owning to a fault, makinga clean breast of my sins, not without a faint hope that I am setting anexample that will be beautifully and bountifully followed. "

"I have really got too much to do to stay here listening to nonsense, "said Miss Hartley, vigorously. 

"I am a proud man, " resumed Mr. Vyner, "and what it has cost me tomake this confession tongue cannot tell; but it is made, and I now, inperfect confidence--almost perfect confidence--await yours. "

"I don't understand you, " said Joan, pausing, with her hand on the door. 

"Having repudiated my dear wife, " said Mr. Vyner, sternly, "I now ask, nay, demand, that you repudiate Captain Trimblett--and all his works, "he added, as ear-splitting screams sounded from outside. 

"I wish----" began Joan, in a low voice. 

"Yes?" said Robert, tenderly. 

"That you would go. "

Mr. Vyner started, and half rose to his feet. Then he thought better ofit. 

"I thought at first that you meant it, " he said, with a slight laugh. 

"I do mean it, " said Joan, breathing quickly. 

Robert rose at once. "I am very sorry, " he said, with grave concern. "I did not think that you were taking my foolishness seriously. "

"I ought to be amused, I know, " said Joan, bitterly. "I ought to behumbly grateful to your father for having those children sent here. Iought to be flattered to think that he should remember my existence andmake plans for my future. "

"He--he believes that you are married to Captain Trimblett, " saidRobert. 

"Fortunately for us, " said Joan, dryly. 

"Do you mean, " said Robert, regarding her fixedly, "that my fatherarranged that marriage?"

Joan bit her lip. "No, " she said at last. 

"He had something to do with it, " persisted Robert. "What was it?"

Joan shook her head. 

"Well, I'll ask him about it, " said Mr. Vyner. 

"Please don't, " said the girl. "It is my business. "

"You have said so much, " said Robert, "that you had better say more. That's what comes of losing your temper. Sit down and tell me all aboutit, please. "

Joan shook her head again. 

"You are not angry with me?" said Mr. Vyner. 

"No. "

"That's all right, then, " said Robert, cheerfully. "That encourages meto go to still further lengths. You've got to tell me all about it. Iforgot to tell you, but I'm a real partner in the firm now. I've got ahard and fast share in the profits--had it last Wednesday; since when Ihave already grown two inches. In exchange for this confidence I awaityours. You must speak a little louder if you want me to hear. "

"I didn't say anything, " said the girl. 

"You are wasting time, then, " said Robert, shaking his head. "And thateldest girl of yours may come in at any moment. "

Despite her utmost efforts Miss Hartley failed to repress a smile;greatly encouraged, Mr. Vyner placed a chair for her and took one by herside. 

"Tell me everything, and I shall know where we are, " he said, in a lowvoice. 

"I would rather--" began Miss Hartley. 

"Yes, I know, " interrupted Mr. Vyner, with great gravity; "but we werenot put into this world to please ourselves. Try again. "

Miss Hartley endeavoured to turn the conversation, but in vain. In lessthan ten minutes, with a little skilful prompting, she had told him all. 

"I didn't think that it was quite so bad as that, " said Robert, goingvery red. "I am very sorry--very. I can't think what my father wasabout, and I suppose, in the first place, that it was my fault. "

"Yours?" exclaimed Joan. 

"For not displaying more patience, " said Robert, slowly. "But I wasafraid of---of being forestalled. "

Miss Hartley succeeded in divesting her face of every atom ofexpression. Robert Vyner gazed at her admiringly. 

"I am glad that you understand me, " he murmured. "It makes things easierfor me. I don't suppose that you have the faintest idea how shy andsensitive I really am. "

Miss Hartley, without even troubling to look at him, said that she wasquite sure she had not. 

"Nobody has, " said Robert, shaking his head, "but I am going to make afight against it. I am going to begin now. In the first place I want younot to think too hardly of my father. He has been a very good father tome. We have never had a really nasty word in our lives. "

"I hope you never will have, " said Joan, with some significance. 

"I hope not, " said Robert; "but in any case I want to tell you--"

Miss Hartley snatched away the hand he had taken, and with a hastyglance at the door retreated a pace or two from him. 

"What is the matter?" he inquired, in a low voice. 

Miss Hartley's eyes sparkled. 

"My eldest daughter has just come in, " she said, demurely. "I think youhad better go. "

CHAPTER XXIII

MRS. CHINNERY received the news of her brother's marriage with acalmness that was a source of considerable disappointment and annoyanceto her friends and neighbours. To begin with, nobody knew how it hadreached her, and several worthy souls who had hastened to her, hot-foot, with what they had fondly deemed to be exclusive information hadsome difficulty in repressing their annoyance. Their astonishment wasincreased a week later on learning that she had taken a year's lease ofNo. 9, Tranquil Vale, which had just become vacant, and several men hadto lie awake half the night listening to conjectures as to where she hadgot the money. 

Most of the furniture at No. 5 was her own, and she moved it inpiecemeal. Captain Sellers, who had his own ideas as to why shewas coming to live next door to him, and was somewhat flattered inconsequence, volunteered to assist, and, being debarred by deafness fromlearning that his services were refused, caused intense excitement bygetting wedged under a dressing-table on the stairs. 

[Illustration: Wedged under a dressing-table 282]

To inquiries as to how he got there, the captain gave but brief replies, and those of an extremely sailorly description, the whole of his reallyremarkable powers being devoted for the time being to the question ofhow he was to get out. He was released at length by a man and a saw, and Mrs. Chinnery, as soon as she could speak, gave him a pressinginvitation to take home with him any particular piece of the table forwhich he might have a fancy. 

He was back next morning with a glue-pot, and divided his time betweenboiling it up on the kitchen stove and wandering about the house insearch of things to stick. Its unaccountable disappearance during hisabsence in another room did much to mar the harmony of an otherwiseperfect day. First of all he searched the house from top to bottom;then, screwing up his features, he beckoned quietly to Mrs. Chinnery. 

"I hadn't left it ten seconds, " he said, mysteriously. "I went intothe front room for a bit of stick, and when I went back it hadgone--vanished. I was never more surprised in my life. "

"Don't bother me, " said Mrs. Chinnery. "I've got enough to do. "

"Eh?"

Mrs. Chinnery, who was hot and flustered, shook her head at him. 

"It's a very odd thing, " said Captain Sellers, shaking his head. "Inever lost a glue-pot before in my life--never. Do you know anythingabout that charwoman that's helping you?"

"Yes, of course, " said Mrs. Chinnery. 

The captain put his hand to his ear. 

"Yes, of course. "

"I don't like her expression, " said Captain Sellers, firmly. "I'm avery good judge of faces, and there's a look, an artful look, abouther eyes that I don't like. It's my belief she's got my glue-pot stowedabout her somewhere; and I'm going to search her. "

"You get out of my house, " cried the overwrought Mrs. Chinnery. 

"Not without my glue-pot, " said Captain Sellers, hearing for once. "Takethat woman upstairs and search her. A glue-pot--a hot glue-pot--can't gowithout hands. "

Frail in body but indomitable in spirit he confronted the accused, who, having overheard his remarks, came in and shook her fist in his face andthreatened him with the terrors of the law. 

"A glue-pot can't go without hands, " he said, obstinately. "If you hadasked me for a little you could have had it, and welcome; but you had nobusiness to take it. "

"Take it!" vociferated the accused. "What good do you think it would beto me? I've 'ad eleven children and two husbands, and I've never beenaccused of stealing a glue-pot before. Where do you think I could putit?"

"I don't know. " said the captain, as soon as he understood. "That's whatI'm curious about. You go upstairs with Mrs. Chinnery, and if she don'tfind that you've got that glue-pot concealed on you, I shall be verymuch surprised. Why not own up the truth before you scald yourself?"

Instead of going upstairs the charwoman went to the back door and sat onthe step to get her breath, and, giving way to a sense of humour whichhad survived the two husbands and eleven children, wound up with astrong fit of hysterics. Captain Sellers, who watched through the windowas she was being taken away, said that perhaps it was his fault forputting temptation in her way. 

Mrs. Chinnery tried to keep her door fast next morning, but it was ofno use. The captain was in and out all day, and, having found a tin ofgreen paint and a brush among his stores, required constant watching. The day after Mrs. Chinnery saw her only means of escape, and at nineo'clock in the morning, with fair words and kind smiles, sent him intoSalthaven for some picture-cord. He made four journeys that day. He cameback from the last in a butcher's cart, and having handed Mrs. Chinnerythe packet of hooks and eyes, for which he had taken a month's wear outof his right leg, bade her a hurried good-night and left for home on thearm of the butcher. 

He spent the next day or two in an easy-chair by the fire, but thearrival of Mrs. Willett to complete the furnishing of No. 5 from herown surplus stock put him on his legs again. As an old neighbour andintimate friend of Mr. Truefitt's he proffered his services, and Mrs. Willett, who had an old-fashioned belief in "man, " accepted them. Hisone idea--the pot of paint being to him like a penny in a schoolboy'spocket--was to touch things up a bit; Mrs. Willett's idea was for him tohelp hang pictures and curtains. 

"The steps are so rickety they are only fit for a man, " she screamed inhis ear. "Martha has been over with them twice already. "

Captain Sellers again referred to the touching-up properties of greenpaint. Mrs. Willett took it from him, apparently for the purpose ofinspection, and he at once set out in search of the glue-pot. 

"We'll do the curtains downstairs first, " she said to Martha. "Upstairscan wait. "

The captain spent the morning on the steps, his difficulties being by nomeans lessened by the _tremolo_ movement which Martha called steadyingthem. Twice he was nearly shaken from his perch like an over-ripe plum, but all went well until they were hanging the curtains in the bestbed-room, when Martha, stooping to recover a dropped ring, shut thesteps up like a pair of compasses. 

[Illustration: Brought the curtains down with him 288]

The captain, who had hold of the curtains at the time, brought them downwith him, and lay groaning on the floor. With the help of her mistress, who came hurrying up on hearing the fall, Martha got him on to the bedand sent for the doctor. 

"How do you feel?" inquired Mrs. Willett, eying him anxiously. 

"Bad, " said the captain, closing his eyes. "Every bone in my body isbroken, I believe. It feels like it. "

Mrs. Willett shook her head and sought for words to reassure him. "Keepyour spirits up, " she said, encouragingly. "Don't forget that: 'There'sa sweet little cherub that sits up aloft to look after the life of poorJack. '"

Captain Sellers opened his eyes and regarded her fixedly. "He wouldn'tha' been sitting there long if that fool Martha had been holding thesteps, " he said, with extraordinary bitterness. 

He closed his eyes again and refused to speak until the doctor came. Then, having been stripped and put to bed for purposes of examination, he volunteered information as to his condition which twice caused thedoctor to call him to order. 

"You ought to be thankful it's no worse, " he said, severely. 

The captain sniffed. "When you've done pinching my leg, " he said, disagreeably, "I'll put it back into bed again. "

The doctor relinquished it at once, and, standing by the bed, regardedhim thoughtfully. 

"Well, you've had a shock, " he said at last, "and you had better stay inbed for a few days. "

"Not here, " said Mrs. Willett, quickly. "My daughter and her husbandwill be home in a day or two. "

The doctor looked thoughtful again; then he bent and spoke in thecaptain's ear. 

"We are going to move you to your own house, " he said. 

"No, you're not, " said the other, promptly. 

"You'll be more comfortable there, " urged the doctor. 

"I'm not going to be moved, " said Captain Sellers, firmly. "It might befatal. I had a chap once--fell from aloft--and after he'd been in thesaloon for a day or two I had him carried for'ard, and he died on theway. And he wasn't nearly as bad as I am. "

"Well, we'll see how you are to-morrow, " said the doctor, with a glanceat Mrs. Willett. 

"I shall be worse to-morrow, " said the captain, cheerfully. "But I don'twant to give any trouble. Send my housekeeper in to look after me. Shecan sleep in the next room. "

They argued with him until his growing deafness rendered argumentuseless. A certain love of change and excitement would not be denied. Captain Sellers, attended by his faithful housekeeper, slept that nightat No. 5, and awoke next morning to find his prognostications as to hiscondition fully confirmed. 

"I'm aching all over, " he said to Mrs. Willett. "I can't bear to betouched. "

"You'll have to be moved to your own house, " said Mrs. Chinnery, who hadcome in at Mrs. Willett's request to see what could be done. "We expectmy brother home in a day or two. "

"Let him come, " said the captain, feebly. "I sha'n't bite him. "

"But you're in his bed, " said Mrs. Chinnery. 

"Eh?"

"In his bed, " screamed Mrs. Chinnery. 

"I sha'n't bite him, " repeated the captain. 

"But he can't sleep with you, " said Mrs. Chinnery, red with loudspeaking. 

"I don't want him to, " said Captain Sellers. "I've got nothing againsthim, and, in a general way of speaking, I'm not what could be called aparticular man--but I draw the line. "

Mrs. Chinnery went downstairs hastily and held a council of war withMrs. Willett and Martha. It was decided to wait for the doctor, but thelatter, when he came, could give no assistance. 

"He's very sore and stiff, " he said, thoughtfully, "but it's nothingserious. It's more vanity than anything else; he likes being made a fussof and being a centre of attraction. He's as tough as leather, and themost difficult old man I have ever encountered. "

"Is he quite right in his head?" demanded Mrs. Chinnery, hotly. 

The doctor pondered. "He's a little bit childish, but his head willgive more trouble to other people than to himself, " he said at last. "Beas patient with him as you can, and if you can once persuade him to getup, perhaps he will consent to be moved. "

Mrs. Chinnery, despite a naturally hot temper, did her best, but invain. Mrs. Willett was promptly denounced as a "murderess, " and thecaptain, holding forth to one or two callers, was moved almost to tearsas he reflected upon the ingratitude and hardness of woman. An accountof the accident in the _Salthaven Gazette_, which described him as"lying at death's door, " was not without its effect in confining him toMr. Truefitt's bed. 

The latter gentleman and his wife, in blissful ignorance of theaccident, returned home on the following evening. Mrs. Willett and Mrs. Chinnery, apprised by letter, were both there to receive them, and theformer, after keeping up appearances in a stately fashion for a fewminutes, was finally persuaded to relent and forgive them both. Afterwhich, Mrs. Truefitt was about to proceed upstairs to take off herthings, when she was stopped by Mrs. Chinnery. 

"There--there is somebody in your room, " said the latter. 

"In my room?" said Mrs. Truefitt, in a startled voice. 

"We couldn't write to you, " said Mrs. Willett, with a little shadeof reproach in her voice, "because you didn't give us your address. Captain Sellers had an accident and is in your bed. "

"_Who?_" said the astounded Mr. Truefitt. "_What!_"

Mrs. Willett, helped by Mrs. Chinnery, explained the affair to him; Mr. Truefitt, with the exception of a few startled ejaculations, listened insombre silence. 

"Well, we must use the next room for to-night, " he said at last, "andI'll have him out first thing in the morning. "

"His housekeeper sleeps there, " said Mrs. Willett, shaking her head. 

"And a niece of hers, who helps her with him, in the little room, " addedMrs. Chinnery. 

Mr. Truefitt got up and walked about the room. Broken remarks about "anice home-coming" and "galvanized mummies" escaped him at intervals. Mrs. Willett endured it for ten minutes, and then, suddenly rememberingwhat was due to a mother-in-law, made a successful intervention. In asomewhat subdued mood they sat down to supper. 

The Truefitts slept at Mrs. Willett's that night, but Mr. Truefitt wasback first thing next morning to take possession of his own house. Hefound Captain Sellers, propped up with pillows, eating his breakfast, and more than dubious as to any prospects of an early removal. 

"Better wait a week or two and see how I go on, " he said, slowly. "Isha'n't give any trouble. "

"But you are giving trouble, " shouted the fuming Mr. Truefitt. "You'rean absolute nuisance. If it hadn't been for your officiousness itwouldn't have happened. "

The captain put his plate aside and drew himself up in the bed. 

"Get out of my room, " he said, in a high, thin voice. 

"You get out of my bed, " shouted the incensed Mr. Truefitt. "I'll giveyou ten minutes to dress yourself and get out of my house. If you're notout by then, I'll carry you out. "

He waited downstairs for a quarter of an hour, and then, going to thebed-room again, discovered that the door was locked. Through the keyholethe housekeeper informed him that it was the captain's orders, andbegged him to go away as the latter was now having his "morning's nap. "

Captain Sellers left with flags flying and drums beating three dayslater. To friends and neighbours generally he confided the interestingfact that his departure was hastened by a nightly recurring dream ofbeing bitten by sharks. 

CHAPTER XXIV

THE news that Mrs. Chinnery had taken a house of her own and was anxiousto let rooms, gave Robert Vyner an idea which kept him busy the wholeof an evening. First of all he broached it to Hartley, but finding himdivided between joy and nervousness he took the matter into hisown hands and paid a visit to Tranquil Vale; the result of which hecommunicated with some pride to Joan Hartley the same afternoon. 

"It was my own idea entirely, " he said with a feeble attempt to conceala little natural pride. "Some people would call it an inspiration. Directly I heard that Mrs. Chinnery was anxious to let rooms I thoughtof your children--I mentioned the idea to your father and escaped anembrace by a hair's breadth. I was prepared to remind him that 'Absencemakes the heart grow fonder' and to follow it up with 'Distance lendsenchantment to the view'; but it was unnecessary. It will be a greatthing for Mrs. Chinnery. "

Miss Hartley looked thoughtful. 

"And you, " said Robert reproachfully. 

"If father is satisfied--" began Miss Hartley. 

"'Satisfied' is a cold and inadequate word, " said Robert. "He wasdelighted. He could not have been more pleased if I had told him thatthe entire five had succumbed to an attack of croup. I left my work tolook after itself to come and give you the news. "

"You are very kind, " said Joan, after some consideration. 

"It is a good thing for all concerned, " said Robert. "It is a load offmy mind. The last time I was here, I was interrupted at a most criticalmoment by the entrance of Miss Trimblett. "

"And now, instead of coming here to see them, you will have to go toMrs. Chinnery's, " said Joan. 

"When I want to, " said Mr. Vyner with a forced smile, as the twins camerushing into the room. "Yes. "

The exodus took place three days afterward to the entire satisfaction ofall concerned. Tranquil Vale alone regarded the advent of the newcomerswith a certain amount of uneasiness, the joy of Ted and the twinswhen they found that there was a river at the bottom of the garden, threatening to pass all bounds. In a state of wild excitement theysat on the fence and waved to passing craft, until in an attempt todo justice to a larger ship than usual, Miss Gertrude Trimblett wavedherself off the fence on to the stones of the foreshore below. 

[Illustration: Waved herself off the fence on to the stones 298]

Captain Sellers, who had been looking on with much interest, at oncedescended and rendered first aid. It was the first case he had had sincehe had left the sea, but, after a careful examination, he was able toassure the sufferer that she had broken her right leg in two places. Thediscovery was received with howls of lamentation from both girls, untilDolly blinded with tears, happened to fall over the injured limb andreceived in return such hearty kicks from it that the captain wascompelled to reconsider his diagnosis, and after a further examinationdiscovered that it was only bent. In quite a professional manner he useda few technical terms that completely covered his discomfiture. 

It was the beginning of a friendship which Tranquil Vale did its best toendure with fortitude, and against which Mrs. Chinnery fought in vain. In the company of Ted and the twins Captain Sellers renewed his youth. Together they discovered the muddiest places on the foreshore, andtogether they borrowed a neighbour's boat and sailed down the river inquest of adventures. With youth at the prow and dim-sighted age at thehelm, they found several. News of their doings made Hartley congratulatehimself warmly on their departure. 

"Mrs. Chinnery is just the woman to manage them, " he said to Joan, "andTruefitt tells me that having children to look after has changed herwonderfully. "

Miss Hartley, with a little shiver, said she could quite understand it. 

"I mean for the better, " said her father, "he said she is getting quiteyoung and jolly again. And he told me that young Saunders is there agreat deal. " Miss Hartley raised her eyebrows in mute interrogation. 

"He pretends that he goes to see George, " said her father, dropping hisvoice, "but Truefitt thinks that it is Jessie. I suppose Trimblett won'tmind; he always thought a lot of Saunders. I don't know whether youought to interfere. "

"Certainly not, " said Joan flushing. "What has it got to do with me?"

"Well, I just mentioned it, " said Hartley, "although I suppose Mrs. Chinnery is mostly responsible while they are with her. I am writing totell Trimblett that the children are at Tranquil Vale. When he comes backperhaps, he will make other arrangements. "

"Very likely, " said his daughter abruptly, "or perhaps he will marryMrs. Chinnery. "

Mr. Hartley, who was at supper, put down his knife and fork and sateying her in very natural amazement. "Marry Mrs. Chinnery?" he gasped, "but how can he?"

"I mean, " said Joan with a sudden remembrance of the state of affairs, "I mean if anything should happen to me. "

Mr. Hartley finished his supper and drawing his chair up to the fire satsmoking in thoughtful silence. 

"And if anything happens to Trimblett perhaps you will marry again, " hesaid at last. 

Miss Hartley shook her head. "I am not afraid, " she said ambiguously. 

Her confidence was put to the test less than a fortnight later by anunexpected visit from Mr. Robert Vyner, who, entering the room in asomewhat breathless condition, accepted a chair and sat gazing at herwith an air of mysterious triumph. 

"I'm the bearer of important news, " he announced. "Dispatches from thefront. You'll hear all about it from your father when he comes home, butI wanted to be the first with it. "

"What is the matter?" inquired Joan. 

Mr. Vyner looked shocked. "All important news, good or bad, should bebroken gently, " he said reproachfully. "Do you know any Scotch?"

"Scotch!" said the mystified Miss Hartley. 

Mr. Vyner nodded. "The best laid schemes o' mice and men gang oftagley, " he quoted in a thrilling voice. "Do you understand that?"

"I'll wait till father comes home, " announced Miss Hartley, with somedecision. 

"There are other quotations bearing on the matter in hand, " saidMr. Vyner, thoughtfully, "but I have forgotten them. At present I amthinking of you to the utter exclusion of everything else. Not that thatis anything unusual. Far from it. To cut a long story short, CaptainTrimblett has been left behind at San Francisco with malaria, and themate has taken the ship on. "

Miss Hartley gave a little cry of concern. 

"He has had it before, " said Mr. Vyner composedly, "but he seems to havegot it bad this time, and when he is fit enough, he is coming home. Nowwhat are you going to do?"

"Poor Captain Trimblett, " said Joan. "I am so sorry. "

"What are you going to do?" repeated Mr. Vyner, impressively. "Hischildren are at Salthaven, and he will live here because my father andI had practically decided to give him the berth of ship's husband afterthis voyage. He will have it a little sooner, that's all. Appropriateberth for a marrying man like that, isn't it? Sounds much more romanticthan marine superintendent. "

"I made sure that he would be away for at least two years, " said Joan, regarding him helplessly. 

"There is nothing certain in this world, " said Mr. Vyner, sedately. "Youshould have thought of that before. The whole thing is bound to comeout now. There are only two courses open to you. You might marry CaptainTrimblett in reality--"

"What is the other?" inquired Joan, as he paused. 

"The other, " said Mr. Vyner slowly and lowering his voice, "the otherstands before you. All he can urge in his favour is, that he is youngerthan Trimblett, and, as I have said on another occasion, with----"

"If there is nothing more than that in his favour----" said Joan turningaway. 

"Nothing, " said Robert, humbly, "unless--"

"Unless what?"

"Unless you know of anything. "

Joan Hartley, her gaze still averted, shook her head. 

"Still, " said Mr. Vyner, with an air of great thoughtfulness, "a paragonwould be awful to live with. Awful. Fancy marrying Bassett for instance!Fancy being married to a man you could never find fault with. "

"There is a third course open to me, " said Joan, turning round. "I couldgo away. "

Mr. Vyner got up slowly and took a step toward her. "Would you--wouldyou sooner go away than stay with me?" he said in a low voice. 

"I--I don't want to go away, " said Joan after a long pause. 

Mr. Vyner took two more steps. 

"I'm so fond of Salthaven, " added Joan hastily. 

"So am I, " said Robert. "It seems to me that we have a lot of ideasin common. Don't you think it would simplify matters if you stayed atSalthaven and married me?"

Joan eyed him gravely. "I don't think it would simplify matters withyour father, " she said, slowly. 

Mr. Vyner's fourth and last step took him to her chair. 

"Is that your only objection?" he murmured, bending over her. 

"I might think of others--in time, " said Joan. 

Mr. Vyner bent a little lower, but so slowly that Miss Hartley wascompelled to notice it. She got up suddenly and confronted him. He tookboth her hands in his, but so gently that she offered no resistance. 

"That is a bargain, " he said, trying to steady his voice. "I will soonarrange matters with my father. "

Joan smiled faintly and shook her head. 

"You'll see, " said Robert confidently. "I've been a good son to him, andhe knows it. And I always have had my own way. I'm not going to alternow. It wouldn't be good for him. "

"You are holding my hands, " said Joan. 

"I know, " said Mr. Vyner. "I like it. "

He released them reluctantly and stood looking at her. Miss Hartleyafter a brave attempt to meet his gaze, lowered her eyes. For a timeneither of them spoke. 

"I'm as bad as Trimblett, " said Robert at last. "I am beginning tobelieve in fate. It is my firm opinion that we were intended for eachother. I can't imagine marrying anybody else, can you?"

Miss Hartley, still looking down, made no reply. 

CHAPTER XXV

ROBERT VYNER walked home slowly, trying as he went to evolve a schemewhich should in the first place enable him to have his own way, and, in the second to cause as little trouble as possible to everybody. As aresult of his deliberations he sought his father, whom he found enjoyinga solitary cup of tea, and told him that he had been to Hartley's withthe news of Captain Trimblett's illness. He added casually that Mrs. Trimblett was looking remarkably well. And he spoke feelingly of thepleasure afforded to all right-minded people at being able to carry alittle sympathy and consolation into the homes of the afflicted. 

Mr. Vyner senior sipped his tea. "She has got her father and thechildren if she wants sympathy, " he said gruffly. 

Robert shook his head. "It's not quite the same thing, " he said gravely. 

"The children ought to be with her, " said his father. "I neverunderstood why they should have gone to Mrs. Chinnery; still that's notmy affair. "

"It was to assist Mrs. Chinnery for one thing, " said Robert. "And besidesthey were awfully in the way. "

He heard his father put his tea-cup down and felt, rather than saw, thathe was gazing at him with some intentness. With a pre-occupied air herose and left the room. 

Satisfied with the impression he had made, he paid another visit toHartley's on the day following and then, despite Joan's protests, becamean almost daily visitor. His assurance that they were duty visits paidonly with a view to their future happiness only served to mystify her. The fact that Hartley twice plucked up courage to throw out hints as tothe frequency of his visits, and the odd glances with which his fatherfavoured him, satisfied him that he was in the right path. 

For a fortnight he went his way unchecked, and, apparently blind to thegrowing stiffness, of his father every time the subject was mentioned, spoke freely of Mrs. Trimblett and the beautiful resignation with whichshe endured her husband's misfortunes. His father listened for the mostpart in silence, until coming at last to the conclusion, that there wasnothing to be gained by that policy he waited until his wife had leftthe dining-room one evening and ventured a solemn protest. 

"She is a very nice girl, " said the delighted Robert. 

"Just so, " said his father, leaning toward a candle and lighting hiscigar, "although perhaps that is hardly the way to speak of a marriedwoman. "

"And we have been friends for a long time, " said Robert. 

Mr. Vyner coughed dryly. 

"Just so, " he said again. 

"Why shouldn't I go and see her when I like?" said Robert, after apause. 

"She is another man's wife, " said his father, "and it is a censoriousworld. "

Robert Vyner looked down at the cloth. "If she were not, I supposethere would be some other objection?" he said gloomily. 

Mr. Vyner laid his cigar on the side of a plate and drew himself up. "Myboy, " he said impressively, "I don't think I deserve that. Both yourmother and myself would--ha--always put your happiness before our ownprivate inclinations. "

He picked up his cigar again and placing it in his mouth looked thepersonification of injured fatherhood. 

"Do you mean, " said Robert, slowly, "do you mean that if she were singleyou would be willing for me to marry her?"

"It is no good discussing that, " said Mr. Vyner with an air of greatconsideration. 

"But would you?" persisted his son. 

Mr. Vyner was a very truthful man as a rule, but there had beeninstances--he added another. 

"Yes, " he said with a slight gasp. 

Robert sprang up with a haste that overturned his coffee, and seizinghis father's hand shook it with enthusiasm. Mr. Vyner somewhat affected, responded heartily. 

"Anything possible for you, Bob, " he said, fervently, "but this isimpossible. "

His son looked at him. "I have never known you to go back on your word, "he said emphatically. 

"I never have, " said Mr. Vyner. 

"Your word is your bond, " said Robert smiling at him. "And now I want totell you something. "

"Well, " said the other, regarding him with a little uneasiness. 

"She is not married, " said Robert, calmly. 

Mr. Vyner started up and his cigar fell unheeded to the floor. 

[Illustration: His cigar fell unheeded to the floor 308]

"_What!_" he said, loudly. 

"She is not married, " repeated his son. 

Mr. Vyner sank back in his chair again and looking round mechanicallyfor his cigar, found it tracing a design on the carpet. 

"D------n, " he said fervently, as he stooped to remove it. He tossed itin his plate and leaning back glared at his son. 

"Do you mean that she didn't marry Trimblett?" he inquired in atrembling voice. 

"Yes. "

Mr. Vyner drew the cigar-box toward him and selecting a cigar with greatcare, nipped off the end and, having lighted it, sat smoking in silence. 

"This is very extraordinary, " he said at last watching his son's eyes. 

"I suppose she had a reason, " said Robert in a matter-of-fact voice. 

Mr. Vyner winced. He began to realize the state of affairs and sattrembling in impotent. Then he rose and paced up and down. He thoughtof his veiled threats to Hartley, the idea that his son should know ofthem added his anger. 

"You are of full age, " he said bitterly, "and have your ownincome--now. "

Robert flushed and then turned pale. 

"I will give that up if you wish, provided you'll retain Hartley, " hesaid, quietly. 

Mr. Vyner continued his perambulation smoked furiously and mutteredsomething "forcing conditions upon him. "

"I can't leave Hartley in the lurch, " said he quietly. "It's not hisfault. I can look to myself. "

Mr. Vyner stopped and regarded him. "Don't be a fool, " he said, shortly. "If it wasn't for mother--"

His son repressed a smile by an effort and feel more at ease. One ofMrs. Vyner's privileges was to serve as an excuse for any display ofweakness of which her husband might be guilty. 

"This pretended marriage will be a further scandal, " said Mr. Vyner, frowning. "What are you going to tell people?"

"Nothing, " said Robert. 

"Do you think it is conducive to discipline to marry the daughter of mychief clerk?" continued his father. 

Robert shook his head. 

"No, " he said, decidedly. "I have been thinking of that. It would bebetter to give him a small interest in the firm--equal to his salary, say. "

Well aware of the uses of physical exercise at moments of mental stress, Mr. Vyner started on his walk again. He began to wonder whether, afterall, he ought to consider his wife's feelings in the matter. 

"She is a very nice girl, " said Robert, after watching him for sometime. "I wish you knew her. "

Mr. Vyner waved the remark away with a large impatient hand. 

"She declines to marry me against your wishes, " continued his son, "butnow that you have given your consent--"

The room suddenly became too small for Mr. Vyner. He passed out into thehall and a few seconds later his son heard the library door close withan eloquent bang. He shrugged his shoulders and lighting a cigarette satdown to wait. He was half-way through his third cigarette when the dooropened and his father came into the room again. 

"I have been talking to your mother, " said Mr. Vyner, in a statelyfashion. "She is very much upset, of course. Very. She is not strong, and I--ha--we came to the conclusion that you must do as you please. "

He stepped to the table and with a trembling hand helped himself to awhiskey and soda. Robert took up a glass with a little claret in it. 

"Success to the young couple, " he said cheerfully. 

Mr. Vyner paused with the glass at his lips and eyed him indignantly. Then with a wooden expression of face--intended possibly to suggest thathe had not heard--took a refreshing drink. He placed the glass on thetable and turned to see his son's outstretched hand. 

CHAPTER XXVI

CAPTAIN TRIMBLETT was back again in his old quarters, and already somuch improved in health that he was able to repel with considerablevigor the many inquirers who were anxious to be put in possession of thereal facts concerning his pretended marriage. It was a subject on whichthe captain was dumb, but in some mysterious fashion it came to beunderstood that it was a device on the part of a self-sacrificing andchivalrous ship-master to save Miss Hartley from the attentions ofa determined admirer she had met in London. It was the versionsanctioned--if not invented--by Mr. Robert Vyner. 

It was a source of some little protestation of spirit to Miss Jelks thatthe captain had been brought home by his faithful boatswain. Conductbased on an idea of two years' absence had to be suddenly and entirelyaltered. She had had a glimpse of them both on the day of their arrival, but the fact that Mr. Walters was with his superior officer, and thatshe was with Mr. Filer, prevented her from greeting him. 

In the wrath of his dismissal Mr. Filer met him more than half-way. 

"Somebody 'ad to look arter 'im, " said Mr. Walters, referring to thecaptain, as he sat in Rosa's kitchen the following evening, "and healways 'ad a liking for me. Besides which I wanted to get 'ome and seeyou. "

"You have got it bad, " said Rosa with a gratified titter. 

"Look arter you, I ought to ha' said, " retorted Mr. Walters, gloweringat her, "and from wot I hear from Bassett, it's about time I did. "

"Ho!" said Miss Jelks, taking a deep breath. "Ho, really!"

"I had it out of 'im this morning, " continued Mr. Walters, eying hersternly; "I waited for 'im as he come out of his 'ouse. He didn't wantto tell me at first, but when he found as 'ow he'd been late for theoffice if he didn't, he thought better of it. "

Miss Jelks leaned back in her chair with a ladylike sneer upon herexpressive features. 

"I'll Bassett him, " she said slowly. 

"And I'll Filer _him_, " said Mr. Walters, not to be outdone in thecoining of verbs. 

"It's a pity he don't say them things to my face, " said Rosa, "I'd soonlet him know. "

"He's going to, " said the boatswain readily. "I said we'd meet him onSunday arternoon by Kegg's boat-house. Then we'll see wot you've got tosay for yourself. Shut that door D'ye want to freeze me!"

"I'll shut it when you're gone, " said Rosa calmly. "Make haste, else Ishall catch cold. I'll go with you on Sunday afternoon--just so as youcan beg my pardon--and after that I don't want anything more to do withyou. You'd try the temper of a saint, you would. "

Mr. Walters looked round the warm and comfortable kitchen, and his facefell. "I ain't going to judge you till I've heard both sides, " he saidslowly, and then seeing no signs of relenting in Rosa's face, passed outinto the black night. 

He walked down to the rendezvous on Sunday afternoon with a well-dressedcircle. Miss Jelks only spoke to him once, and that was when he trodon her dress. A nipping wind stirred the surface of the river, and theplace was deserted except for the small figure of Bassett shelteringunder the lee of the boat-house. He came to meet them and raising anew bowler hat stood regarding Miss Jelks with an expression in whichcompassion and judicial severity were pretty evenly combined. 

"Tell me, afore her, wot you told me the other day, " said Mr. Walters, plunging at once into business. 

"I would rather not, " said Bassett, adjusting his spectacles and lookingfrom one to the other, "but in pursuance of my promise, I have noalternative. "

"Fire away, " commanded the boatswain. 

Bassett coughed, and then in a thin but firm voice complied. The list ofMiss Jelks's misdeeds was a long one, and the day was cold, but he didnot miss a single item. Miss Jelks, eying him with some concern as heproceeded, began to think he must have eyes at the back of his head. Theboatswain, whose colour was deepening as he listened, regarded her witha lurid eye. 

"And you believe it all, " said Rosa, turning to him with a pitying smileas Bassett concluded his tale. "Why don't he go on; he ain't finishedyet. "

"Wot!" said Mr. Walters with energy. 

"He ain't told you about making love to me yet, " said Rosa. 

"I didn't, " said the youth. "I shouldn't think of doing such a thing. Itwas all a mistake of yours. "

Miss Jelks uttered a cruel laugh. "Ask him whether he followed me likea pet dog, " she said turning to the astonished boatswain. "Ask him if hedidn't say he loved the ground my feet trod on. Ask him if he wanted totake me to Marsham Fair and cried because I wouldn't go. "

"Eh?" gasped the boatswain, staring at the bewildered Bassett

"Ask him if he didn't go down on his knees to me in Pringle's Lane oneday--a muddy day--and ask me to be his, " continued the unscrupulousRosa. "Ask him if he didn't say I was throwing myself away on awooden-headed boatswain with bandy legs. "

"Bandy wot?" ejaculated the choking Mr. Walters, as he bestowed aninvoluntary glower at the limbs in question. 

"I can assure you I never said so, " said Bassett; earnestly. "I nevernoticed before that they were bandy. And I never--"

An enormous fist held just beneath his nose stopped him in mad career. 

[Illustration: An enormous fist held just beneath his nose 316]

"If you was only three foot taller and six or seven stone 'eavier, " saidthe palpitating boatswain, "I should know wot to do with you. 

"I assure you--" began Bassett. 

"If you say another word, " declared Mr. Walters, in grating accents, "I'll take you by the scruff of your little neck and drop you in theriver. And if you tell any more lies about my young woman to a livingsoul I'll tear you limb from limb, and box your ears arter-wards. "

With a warning shake of the head at the gasping Bassett he turned toMiss Jelks, but that injured lady, with her head at an alarming angle, was already moving away. Even when he reached her side she seemedunaware of his existence, and it was not until the afternoon was welladvanced that she deigned to take the slightest notice of his abjectapologies. 

"It's being at sea and away from you that does it, " he said humbly. 

"And a nasty jealous temper, " added Miss Jelks. 

"I'm going to try for a shore-berth, " said her admirer. "I spoke to Mr. Vyner--the young one--about it yesterday, and he's going to see wot hecan do for me. If I get that I shall be a different man. "

"He'd do anything for Miss Joan, " said the mollified Rosa thoughtfully, "and if you behave yourself and conquer your wicked jealous nature Imight put in a word for you with her myself. "

Mr. Walters thanked her warmly and with a natural anxiety regarding hisfuture prospects, paid frequent visits to learn what progress she wasmaking. He haunted the kitchen with the persistency of a blackbeetle, and became such a nuisance at last that Miss Hartley espoused his causealmost with enthusiasm. 

"He is very much attached to Rosa, but he takes up a lot of her time, "she said to Robert Vyner as they were on their way one evening toTranquil Vale to pay a visit to Captain Trimblett. 

"I'll get him something for Rosa's sake, " said Robert, softly. "I shallnever forget that she invited me to breakfast when her mistress wouldhave let me go empty away. Do you remember?"

"I remember wondering whether you were going to stay all day, " saidJoan. 

"It never occurred to me, " said Mr. Vyner in tones of regret. "I'mafraid you must have thought me very neglectful. "

They walked on happily through the dark, cold night until the lightedwindows of Tranquil Vale showed softly in the blackness. There wasa light in the front room of No. 5, and the sound of somebody movinghurriedly about followed immediately upon Mr. Vyner's knock. Then thedoor opened and Captain Trimblett stood before them. 

"Come in, " he said heartily. "Come in, I'm all alone this evening. "

He closed the door behind them, and, while Mr. Vyner stood gazingmoodily at the mound on the table which appeared to have been hastilycovered up with a rather soiled towel, placed a couple of easy chairsby the fire. Mr. Vyner, with his eyes still on the table, took his seatslowly, and then transferring his regards to Captain Trimblett, askedhim in a stern vein what he was smiling at Joan for. 

"She smiled at me first, " said the captain. 

Mr. Vyner shook his head at both of them, and at an offer of a glass ofbeer looked so undecided that the captain, after an uneasy glance at thetable, which did not escape Mr. Vyner, went to the kitchen to procuresome. 

"I wonder, " said Robert musingly, as he turned to the table, "I wonderif it would be bad manners to--"

"Yes, " said Joan, promptly. 

Mr. Vyner sighed and tried to peer under a corner of the towel. "I cansee a saucer, " he announced, excitedly. 

Miss Hartley rose and pointing with a rigid fore-finger at her ownchair, changed places with him. 

"You want to see yourself, " declared Mr. Vyner. 

Miss Hartley scorned to reply. 

"Let's share the guilt, " continued the other. "You shut your eyes andraise the corner of the towel, and I'll do the 'peeping'. "

The return of the unconscious captain with the beer rendered a replyunnecessary. 

"We half thought you would be at number nine, " he said as the captainpoured him out a glass. 

"I'm keeping house this evening, " said the captain, "or else I shouldhave been. "

"It's nice for you to have your children near you, " said Joan, softly. 

Captain Trimblett assented. "And it's nice to be able to give up thesea, " he said with a grateful glance at Vyner. "I'm getting old, andthat last bout of malaria hasn't made me any younger. "

"The youngsters seem to get on all right with Mrs. Chinnery, " saidRobert, eying him closely. 

"Splendidly, " said the Captain. "I should never have thought that shewould have been so good with children. She half worships them. "

"Not all of them, " said Mr. Vyner. 

"All of 'em, " said the captain. 

"Twins, as well?" said Mr. Vyner, raising his voice. 

"She likes them best of all, " was the reply. 

Mr. Vyner rose slowly from his chair. "She is a woman in a million, " hesaid impressively. "I wonder why--"

"They're very good girls, " said the captain hastily. "Old Sellers thinksthere is nobody like them. "

"I expect you'll be making a home for them soon, " said Robert, thoughtfully; "although it will be rather hard on Mrs. Chinnery to partwith them. Won't it?"

"We are all in the hands of fate, " said the captain gazing suddenly athis tumbler. "Fate rules all things from the cradle to the grave. "

He poured himself out a little more beer and lapsing into a reminiscentmood cited various instances in his own career, in confirmation. It wasan interesting subject, but time was pressing and Mr. Vyner, after aregretful allusion to that part, announced that they must be going. Joanrose, and Captain Trimblett, rising at the same moment, knocked over hisbeer and in a moment of forgetfulness snatched the towel from the tableto wipe it up. The act revealed an electro-plated salad-bowl of nobleproportions, a saucer of whitening and some pieces of rag.