Part 31 (1/2)
CHAPTER X
While Andrew was still patiently waiting in London, a south-bound express swung down the long slope from Shap; past Oxenholme, past Milnthorpe, past Carnforth, out into the green levels of Lancas.h.i.+re. In one corner of a first-cla.s.s carriage sat Jean Walkingshaw, her eyes smiling approval at that very paper which was to disturb her brother's serenity a few hours later. Her father sat opposite watching her.
”Well, what do you think of it?” he inquired.
”I think it's most amusing and--and--”
”Spirited?”
”Oh, very spirited!” she laughed. ”In fact, I think it's a splendid speech.”
He seemed gratified.
”Some fellows didn't seem to care for it,” he observed.
”They must have been very stupid, then!”
”Old buffers generally are,” he replied. ”Some of the young chaps thought it first-rate, even though they were a little startled for the moment. Though why people should feel startled by anything so self-evident as my remarks beats me. Be hanged to them for silly idiots!
Eh, Jean?”
His momentary expression of chagrin made way for a merry smile, which set his daughter smiling gaily back.
”If they disagree with you, father, they must be!” she laughed.
They sat silent for a few minutes, Jean watching the green fields and trees and gates and walls rush past to join the jagged fells behind them, her father watching her.
”It's awfully good of you taking me back with you,” she said presently.
”If it's a treat for you, you deserve it,” he answered affectionately; ”and if it's not--well, anyhow, it's pleasant for me having your company.”
”It is a treat for me, though I don't quite see what I've done to deserve it.”
”You have stood by your father, my dear; and one good turn deserves another. I'd have been most infernally sick if I'd forgotten that dinner. It gave me the very chance of saying a word or two in season I'd been longing for. I only hope it will do the old fogies good.”
He took up the paper and glanced again at the report.
”'Remarkable speech,' they call it,” he continued complacently. ”Well, they are not very far wrong. It _was_ a remarkable speech. Eh, Jean?”
The good gentleman seemed unable to obtain his daughter's approval often enough. The fact was he had been a trifle disappointed with the att.i.tude of some of his old friends last night. There was no doubt about it, he must go to the young folks for the meed of sympathy he deserved.
Jean again looked out of the window, but she ceased to pay much attention to the backward-drifting landscape. Her heart was too full of hopes and questionings and restless wonder. In a little she turned to her father again and said, with an eye so candid and a smile so kind that many members even of her own s.e.x would never have suspected a hint of ulterior design--
”Do you know, you are the very best of fathers!”
He replied in the same spirit of affection, and she continued--
”I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to being in London again! You couldn't have done anything I'd have liked better.”