Part 39 (1/2)

”My wires are down and the trolley isn't running!”

She laughed, and it was pleasant to hear her, John thought.

”Is that the kind of things you say? They are making you out a humorist.”

”There's no harder lot. Who is this enemy that's undoing me?”

”There's a certain person called Raridan. He's always telling me of the things you say.”

”The villain! I merely lecture him for his good; and so he thought I was joking!”

They had reached the Porter grounds where the walk had been cleared, and they stamped the snow from their shoes on the cement pavement and walked on together. Evelyn dropped her tone of raillery, and John asked about her father. John had followed Mr. Porter's sickness through Raridan's reports, and had called at the house only a few times since the banker's seizure. They entered the gate at the foot of the hill and walked up the long slope to the door.

”Won't you come in?” she asked.

”I oughtn't to; there's work waiting for me down town.”

She sent the maid who let them in for hot water, and threw down her furs in the hall while it was being brought. The tea table had been moved into the library during Mrs. Whipple's visit, and Evelyn left John to revive the fire while she went to speak to her father. Saxton had not taken off his coat, and when she came back he stood b.u.t.toning it as if he meant to leave.

”It's historic, but not exactly a handsome garment,” she said, shaking the tea caddy.

”You shake the caddy when you can't hit the ball: new rule of golf.” He had b.u.t.toned his ulster to the chin, and really intended to go. She poured the steaming water into the tea-pot, and walked to the fire with folded arms, s.h.i.+vering.

”Of course, if you prefer your uniform!” She spread her hands to the flames. Her mood was new to him; he felt suddenly that he knew her better than ever before; and this having occurred to him as he stood watching her, he accused himself instantly. He had no right to be there; no one had any right to be there but Warry Raridan! She had turned swiftly and was smiling at him. The darkness had fallen suddenly outside. The maid went about closing blinds and turning on the lights.

He felt, by antic.i.p.ation, the loneliness that lay for him beyond the soft glow of this room. This was, after all, only a moment's respite.

Evelyn was back at the tea table. She held a lump of sugar poised above a cup, and looked at him inquiringly, as though of course he was staying and wished his tea. He unb.u.t.toned the coat and threw it on a chair.

”One lump, thanks!”

”It was the sandwiches that did it, I'm sure,” she said, pa.s.sing him a plate of bread and b.u.t.ter.

”I should like to refute your statement, but candor compels me to admit its truth,” he answered. ”I just happen to remember that I haven't had luncheon yet. Excuse me if I take two.”

She went to the wall and pushed a b.u.t.ton.

”You're a foolish person and I'm going to punish you. Father's beef tea is ready day and night, and”--she said to the Swedish maid,--”bring some more hot water and the decanter.”

”_J'y suis; j'y reste._ I think I have died and gone to Heaven.”

”You don't deserve Heaven. Why didn't you tell me?”

”That I wanted a sandwich? They advised me against it as a kid. We are taught repression in Ma.s.sachusetts and I try to live up to my training.”

He p.r.o.nounced beef tea no such deadly drug as it was reported to be, and he drank it until she was content. He concocted a hot toddy while she twitted him about his use of the tea-table implements for so ign.o.ble a use; and she made him talk of his work and of the Traction Company's affairs.

”Mr. Wheaton has explained about it,” she said, ”and Warry too. Warry seems to be very much interested in some work he is doing in connection with it.”

”Yes, he does his work well, too!” said John, with enthusiasm. He had no right to be there; but being there he could praise his friend. He told her in detail about some of Warry's work. Warry had, he said, a legal mind, and knew the philosophy of the law as only the old-time lawyers did. He rose and replenished the fire and went on talking. Some amusing incidents had occurred in the adjustment of legal questions relating to the receivers.h.i.+p and he told of them in a way to reflect the greatest credit on Warry.