Part 40 (1/2)

”Some among them have not yet glanced askance at you,” remarked Lady Johnson, placid above her sewing.

”Do you mean those suckling babes in the orchard yonder? Oh, la! When the Major leaves, I shall choose the likeliest among 'em to amuse me.

Not that I would cross Penelope,” she added gaily, ”or flout her. No.

But these boys perplex her. They are too ardent, and she too kind.”

”What!” I exclaimed, feeling my face turn hot.

”Why, it is true enough,” remarked Lady Johnson. ”Yonder child has no experience, and is too tender at heart to resent a gallantry over-bold.

Which is why I keep my eye upon these youngsters that they make not a fool of a girl who is easily confused by flattery, and who remains silent when dusk and the fleeting moment offer opportunities to impudent young men, which they seldom fail to embrace.”

”And seldom fail to embrace the lady, also,” added Claudia, laughing.

”_You_ were different, Jack.”

”I saw that ensign, Dudley, kiss her behind the lilacs,” added Lady Johnson, ”and the girl seemed dumb, and never even upbraided the little beast. Had she complained to me I should have made him certain observations, but could not while she herself remained mute. Because I do not choose to have anybody think I go about eavesdropping.”

”Penelope Grant appears to find their company agreeable,” said I, in a voice not like my own, but a dry and sullen voice such as I never before heard issue out o' my own mouth.

”Penelope likes men,” observed Lady Johnson, sewing steadily upon her baby's garments of fine linen.

”Penelope is not too averse to a stolen kiss, I fear,” said Claudia, smiling. ”Lord! Nor is any pretty woman, if only she admit the truth!

No! However, there is a certain shock in a kiss which silences maiden inexperience and sadly confuses the unaccustomed. Wait till the girl gains confidence to box some impertinent's ear!”

I knew not why, yet never, I think, had any news sounded in my ears so distastefully as the news I now had of this girl, I remembered Nick's comment,--”Like flies around a sap-pan.” And it added nothing to my pleasure or content of mind to turn and gaze upon that disquieting scene in the orchard yonder.

For here, it seemed, was another Claudia in the making,--still unlearned in woman's wiles; not yet equipped for those subtle coquetries and polished cruelties which destroy, yet naturally and innocently an enchantress of men. And some day to be conscious of her power, and certain to employ it!

Flora came, wearing a blue and orange bandanna, and the great gold hoops in her ears glittering in the sun.

Each day, now, it appeared, Lady Johnson retired for an hour's repose whilst Claudia read to her; and that hour had arrived.

”You dine with us, of course,” said Lady Johnson, going, and looking at me earnestly. Then there was a sudden flash of tears; but none fell.

”My dear, dear Jack,” she murmured, as I laid my lips against both her hands.... And so she went into the house, Claudia lingering, having shamelessly pressed my hand, and a devil laughing at me out of her two eyes.

”Is there news of Sir John to comfort us?” she whispered, making a caress of her voice as she knew so well how to do.

”And if I have any, I may not tell you, Claudia,” said I.

”Oh, la! Aid and comfort to the enemy? Is it that, Jack? And if you but wink me news that Sir John is safe?”

”I may not even wink,” said I, smiling forlornly.

”Aye? So! That's it, is it! A wink from you at me, and pouf!--a courtmartial! Bang! A squad of execution! Is that it, Jack?”

”I should deserve it.”

”Lord! If men really got their deserts, procreation would cease, and the world, depopulated, revert to the forest beasts. Well, then--so Sir John is got away?”