Part 17 (1/2)
”I have been lonely today dear, so lonely! My mother did not come, and Mother Hatton has not even sent to ask whether I was alive or dead.”
”Yet she is very unhappy about your condition. Jane, my darling Jane!
What is it that induces these attacks? Does your medical man know?”
”If so, he does not tell me. I am a little to blame this time, John. On the afternoon I was taken sick, I went in the carriage to the village. I ought not to have gone. I was far from feeling well, and as soon as I reached the market-house, I met two men helping a wounded girl to the hospital. Do you remember, John?”
”I remember. Her hand was caught in some machinery and torn a good deal.
I sent the men with her to the village.”
”While I was speaking to her, Mrs. Mark Levy drove up. She insisted on taking what she called 'the poor victim' to the hospital in her carriage; and before I could interfere the two men lifted the girl into Mrs. Levy's carriage and they were off like lightning without a word to me. I was so angry. I turned sick and faint and was obliged to come home as quickly as possible and send for Dr. Sewell.”
”O Jane! Why did you care?”
”I was shocked by that woman's interference.”
”She meant it kindly. I suppose----”
”But what right had she to meddle with your hands? If the girl required to be taken in a carriage to the hospital, there was my carriage. I think that incident helped to make me sick.”
”You should have lifted the injured girl at once, Jane, and then Mrs.
Levy would have had no opportunity to take your place.”
”She is such an interfering woman. Her fingers are in everyone's way and really, John, she has got the charitable affairs of Hatton town in her hands. The girls' clubs rely on her for everything, and she gives without any consideration, John. How much is her husband worth? Is he very rich? She appears to have no end of money--and John, dear, she is always in my way. I don't know how she manages it, but she is. I wish you would get them out of our town, dear.”
”I cannot, Jane. Levy is a large property-owner. He is not indigent. He is not lazy. He is not in any way immoral. He has become a large taxpayer, and has of late political aspirations. He annoys me frequently, but money is now everything. And he has money--plenty of it.
Until he came, we were the richest family in Hatton. Father and I have really built Hatton. We have spent thousands of pounds in making it a model community, but we have received little grat.i.tude. I think, Jane, that men have more respect for those who _make_ money, than for those who _give it away_.”
”You don't like Mr. Levy, do you, John?”
”He annoys me very frequently. It is not easy to like people who do that.”
”His wife annoys me. Cannot we make up some plan to put them down a peg or two?”
”We can do nothing against them, my dear.”
”Why, John?”
”Because 'G.o.d beholdeth mischief and spite to requite it.' And after all, these Levys are only trying to win public respect and that by perfectly honorable means. True they are pus.h.i.+ng, but no one can push Yorks.h.i.+re men and women beyond their own opinions and their own interests. In the meantime, they are helpful to the town.”
”Mrs. Swale, of Woodleigh, told me she had heard that Mrs. Levy came from the Lake District and is a Christian. Do you believe that, John?”
”Not for a minute. Mr. Levy is a Hebrew of long and honorable descent.
His family came from Spain to England in the time of Henry the Seventh.
Such Jews never marry Christian women. I do not believe either love or money could make them do it. I have no doubt that Mrs. Levy has a family record as ancient and as honorable as her husband's. She is a kind-hearted woman and really handsome. She has four beautiful sons. I tell you, Jane, when she stands in the midst of them she is a sight worth looking at.”