Part 25 (1/2)

”No, sir, I want to find my bearings--to learn where I am--if I _can_.

It isn't boasting, it's only business. I've a value here, or I haven't.

I've been under the impression I was valuable. You know that, don't you, sir?”

”Oh, I've no quarrel with you--if you'll go on serving me faithfully.”

”I'll serve the firm faithfully, sir--with the uttermost best that's in me.”

”All right then.”

”Because that's _my_ way, sir--the old-fas.h.i.+oned style I took up as a boy--and couldn't change now, sir, if I wanted to.”

When Mears came from behind the gla.s.s his face was flushed; he breathed stertorously; and he held his hands beneath the wide skirts of his frock coat to conceal the fact that they were shaking. But he kept the coat-tails swis.h.i.+ng bravely, and he marched up and down between two counters with so grand a tramp that no one dared look at him closely.

Then, after a few minutes, Marsden came swaggering, with his hat c.o.c.ked and a lighted cigar in his mouth. Before going out into the street, he ostentatiously paused; and spoke to Mr. Mears amicably, even jovially.

And the shop comprehended that the battle was over, and that there was to be a truce between the two men.

On some days when Mrs. Marsden would probably have come down from the house into the counting-house she was prevented from doing so by a grievous headache.

These headaches attacked her suddenly and with appalling force. At first the pain was like toothache; then it was like earache, and then the whole head seemed to be rent as if struck with an axe--and afterwards for several hours there was a dull numbing discomfort, with occasional neuralgic twinges and throbbings.

Resting in her bedroom after such an attack, she was surprised by receiving a visit from Enid. She was lying on a sofa that Yates had pushed before the fire, and at the sound of voices outside the door she started up and hastily scrambled to her feet.

”Mother dear, may I come in? I'm so sorry you're ill.”

Since their parting last autumn they had not set eyes on each other, and for a little while they talked almost as strangers.

”Yates, bring up the tea.”

”Oh, but isn't it too early for tea?”

”No. Get it as quickly as you can, Yates. Mrs. Kenion must be ready for tea--after her long drive.”

”I came by train. Thank you--I own I should like a cup, if it isn't really troubling you.”

”Of course not.... Do take the easy chair.”

”This is very comfortable.... But won't you lie down again? I have disturbed you.”

”Not in the least. I think it will do me good to sit up. Won't you take off your coat?”

Enid let the fur boa fall back from her slender neck, and undid two b.u.t.tons of her long grey coat.

”Really,” she said, with a little laugh, ”it's so cold that I haven't properly thawed yet.”

She was charmingly dressed, and she looked very graceful and well-bred--but not at all plump; in fact rather too thin. While they drank their tea, she told her mother of the kindness of her husband's relatives--a sister-in-law was a particular favourite; but everybody was nice and kind; there were many pleasant neighbours, and all had called and paid friendly attentions to the young couple.

”I am so glad to hear that,” said Mrs. Marsden. ”My only fear of the country was that you might sometimes feel yourself too much isolated.”

”Oh, I'm never in the least lonely. There's so much to do--and even if there weren't people coming in and out perpetually, the house would take up all my time.”