Volume I Part 11 (1/2)

”No,” said Phoebe, blus.h.i.+ng for shame; ”they will come before tea.”

”Will they bring it with them?”

”Oh, father!”

”What do you mean by 'Oh, father!'? _I_ can't afford to give parties.

_I_ can't afford to go to the theatres. If people have orders given to them, they have to pay for them somehow.”

”I can give them a cup of tea, surely, father?”

”I suppose you must,” he grumbled. ”We shall have to make up for it afterward. What are you looking at me so strangely for?”

”I should like to buy a cake for tea,” said Phoebe, piteously; she was almost ready to cry, but she tried to force a smile as she added, ”and I have just twopence for my fortune. Look, father: here is my purse.

That won't pay for a cake, will it? Give me something for a birthday present.”

”To waste in cakes,” he said, with a wry face. ”Where should I have been if I had been so reckless? But you'll worry me to death, I suppose, if I refuse.” He unlocked a drawer, and took out a little packet, which he untied. There were ten two-s.h.i.+lling pieces in it, and he gave Phoebe one of them, weighing them first in his hand, and selecting the lightest and oldest. ”There. Never tell anybody that I am not generous to you.”

Phoebe turned the florin over in the palm of her hand, and eyed it dubiously; but she brightened up presently, and kissing her father, left the room with a cheerful face.

CHAPTER VIII.

A DAY-DREAMER IN LONDON STREETS.

Now as to the Lethbridges, concerning whose characters and peculiarities it is necessary to say something more.

There was Mrs. Lethbridge, whom we already know, affectionately called Aunt Leth, not only by Phoebe, but by a great many young people who were on terms of friends.h.i.+p with her. And to be on such terms with such a woman was worth while, for she was not only a magnet that attracted love, she was a sun that bestowed it. There was Mr. Lethbridge, for the same reason called Uncle Leth by his young friends, and delighted in being so called. There was f.a.n.n.y Lethbridge, their only daughter, between whom and Phoebe pa.s.sed, under the seal of sacred secrecy, the most delicious confidences. Lastly, there was Robert Lethbridge, their only son, a young gentleman of vague and unlimited views, just entering into the serious business of life, and who, when things were perfectly smooth between him and his cousin Phoebe, was addressed as Bob, and at other times, according to the measure of dignity deemed necessary, as Robert or Cousin Robert. But it was generally Bob.

Mrs. Lethbridge, on her last birthday, forty-four; Mr. Lethbridge, on _his_ last birthday, forty-eight; f.a.n.n.y on _her_ last birthday, nineteen (with many a sigh at being compelled to bid farewell to teens); Robert, on _his_ last birthday, twenty-two. These comprised the family.

To hark back for a moment. It was an undoubted love match with Aunt and Uncle Leth. He a bank clerk, with limited income; she a young lady, with no income at all. That was of small account, however. Cupid--the real one, not the counterfeit--does not pause to consider. They had a boundless income in their love, and they drew large checks upon it.

Expectations they had none, except that of being happy. Unlike the majority of expectations, theirs was fulfilled.

Outwardly and inwardly happy. For instance: their honey-moon. Was there ever a honey-moon like it, though it was not spent on the Continent?

Never. It was their opinion, and if you dispute it you do so upon insufficient evidence. Then, their children. Parents never drew sweeter delight from their offspring than they from theirs. It is a species of delight which cannot be bought, being far more precious than silver and gold, and in the hourly and daily return for love invested it proclaims itself an incomparable speculation. Robert came first, f.a.n.n.y next. This was as it should be. The boy to protect the girl, who of the two was infinitely the wiser. This is often the case with boys and girls.

The loving couple had a hard fight of it, and much to learn. They buckled to with willingness and cheerfulness, took their rubs lightly, and spread their pleasures so that they lasted a long time--not making light of them, as some do, and thus depriving themselves of the greater part of the enjoyment to be derived from them. As an example: a visit to the theatre, for which they were now able to obtain ”orders.” But it was not so during the first years of their married life. The contemplated visit used to be planned weeks beforehand--discussed, laughed over, enjoyed in the antic.i.p.ation, but not half so much as in the realization. As to which theatre, now, and which play? The grave conversations they had on the point! It was really worth while listening to them. Those nights were gala-nights. After the theatre, a bit of supper, perhaps--occasionally, but rarely--in a restaurant. The careful study of the bill of fare; the selection of the modest dishes; the merry words with which they banished the expensive ones and chose the cheapest--nothing could be more delightful, nothing more truly enjoyable. They went out to meet the sun, and revelled in its beams.

Worth laying to heart, this!

Their income of a hundred and eighty sufficed. They could not save money--but what a mine was the future!

Of the two, the one who drew most largely upon it was Mr. Lethbridge.

The extraordinary demands he made upon it, and the extraordinary readiness with which his demands were met! It will be not unpleasant to linger a little over this phase of his character, premising, for lucidity, that in all London could not be found a brighter, more agreeable day-dreamer.

Thus: Walking to the bank to save the 'bus fare, Mr. Lethbridge beguiled the way. He had kissed his wife and f.a.n.n.y, and saw them smiling at the window, and waving their hands to him as he pa.s.sed the house. He went on his way rejoicing, and straightway began to dream.

What is this he hears? A meeting of the bank directors is being held. A messenger appears before Mr. Lethbridge's desk.