Part 12 (1/2)

”I was about to say,” replied Brown, in the sweetest of tones, ”that if these two who are most interested, and who are extremely sane and reasonable persons, have come to an agreement upon a question, I'd bank on that decision as being about the thing.” At which Helen gave his arm a quick squeeze.

”Well, mother,” said Betty, ”I think he's fine, and I never admired him so much as now. You know he may never see her again, and she has the whole of his heart.”

”Not quite, I guess,” said Brown in a low tone to Helen, who, blus.h.i.+ng vividly, replied in like tone, ”You seem to be remarkably well informed.”

”I know,” said Brown confidently. ”But he is a mine of blind stupidity!

If some one would dig him up, explore him--blast him, in short!

Confound him!”

But when the Superintendent learned of all that Shock's decision involved, he made a point to insert among his mult.i.tudinous engagements a visit to the Macgregor cottage.

”It was a great scene, I a.s.sure you,” said Brown, who was describing it afterwards to the young ladies.

”Those two old Spartans, all ice and granite outside, all molten lava within, stood up looking at each other a minute or two without the quiver of an eyelid and then the old chief burred out:”

”'You are to be congratulated upon your son, Mrs. Macgregor.'”

”'Ay,' said she in a matter of fact tone, 'he will be doing his duty, I warrant.'”

”'And, believe me, your mutual sacrifice has not been unnoticed.'”

”'It is not great beside His own, but it iss all we could. It iss our life.'”

”The old chap bowed like a prince and then his voice burred like a buzz saw as he answered, 'Remember I did not ask you for him!'”

”'No, it wa.s.s not you.'”

”'But I want to tell you,' said the chief, 'I am proud to get a son who for the Cause can forsake such a mother, and I thank G.o.d for the mother that can give up such a son.'”

”And then he gripped her hand with that downward pull of his,--he gave it to me once when he heard I was Shock's friend, and nearly jerked me off my feet,--and without more words he was gone, while I stood behind them like a blubbering idiot.”

”Oh, isn't she a dear!” exclaimed Betty, ”poor thing.”

”Poor thing!” echoed Helen warmly, ”indeed she doesn't think so. She's as proud of him as she can be, and feels herself rich in his love; and so she is.”

Her tone and manner struck Brown with sudden pity.

”Hang his stupidity!” he said to himself, ”can't the old bloke see. But he has not such a blamed low opinion of himself that he can't imagine any girl, much less a girl like that, looking at him, and even if he did come to see it he would not think of asking her to share the life he's going to out there; and, by Jove! it would be hard enough for her.

I guess I won't take the responsibility of interfering in this business.”

But Brown had no need to interfere. Mrs. Fairbanks, of all people, did what was necessary. On the morning of Shock's departure it was she who declared that someone should take pity on ”that dear old lady,” and should stand by her in her hour of ”desertion.”

”So I think I shall drive over this afternoon; and, Helen, perhaps you had better come with me. You seem to have great influence with her.”

But Helen was of quite another mind. She shrank from intruding upon what she knew would be a sacred hour to mother and son. But when Mrs.

Fairbanks expressed her determination to go Helen finally agreed to accompany her.

”Oh, let's all go, mother,” said Betty.