Part 6 (1/2)
”I daresay I have,” was the reply.
”Strange he should come back after all these years,” said Mrs. Kingdom; ”though, to be sure, I don't know why he shouldn't. It's his native place, and his father lives here.”
”Who are you talking about?” inquired the captain.
”Why, James Hardy,” replied his sister. ”I thought you said you had heard. He's coming back to Sunwich and going into partners.h.i.+p with old Swann, the s.h.i.+pbroker. A very good thing for him, I should think.”
”I'm not interested in the doings of the Hardys,” said the captain, gruffly.
”I'm sure I'm not,” said his sister, defensively.
Captain Nugent proceeded with his meal in silence. His hatred of Hardy had not been lessened by the success which had attended that gentleman's career, and was not likely to be improved by the well-being of Hardy junior. He pa.s.sed his cup for some more tea, and, with a furtive glance at the photograph on the mantelpiece, wondered what had happened to his own son.
”I don't suppose I should know him if I saw him,” continued Mrs. Kingdom, addressing a respectable old arm-chair; ”London is sure to have changed him.”
”Is this water-cress?” inquired the captain, looking up from his plate.
”Yes. Why?” said Mrs. Kingdom.
”I only wanted information,” said her brother, as he deposited the salad in question in the slop-basin.
Mrs. Kingdom, with a resigned expression, tried to catch her niece's eye and caught the captain's instead. Miss Nugent happening to glance up saw her fascinated by the basilisk glare of the master of the house.
”Some more tea, please,” she said.
Her aunt took her cup, and in grat.i.tude for the diversion picked out the largest lumps of sugar in the basin.
”London changes so many people,” mused the persevering lady, stirring her tea. ”I've noticed it before. Why it is I can't say, but the fact remains. It seems to improve them altogether. I dare say that young Hardy--”
”Will you understand that I won't have the Hardys mentiond in my house?” said the captain, looking up. ”I'm not interested in their business, and I will not have it discussed here.”
”As you please, John,” said his sister, drawing herself up. ”It's your house and you are master here. I'm sure I don't want to discuss them. Nothing was farther from my thoughts. You understand what your father says, Kate?”
”Perfectly,” said Miss Nugent. ”When the desire to talk about the Hardys becomes irresistible we must go for a walk.”
The captain turned in his chair and regarded his daughter steadily. She met his gaze with calm affection.
”I wish you were a boy,” he growled.
”You're the only man in Sunwich who wishes that,” said Miss Nugent, complacently, ”and I don't believe you mean it. If you'll come a little closer I'll put my head on your shoulder and convert you.”
”Kate!” said Mrs. Kingdom, reprovingly.
”And, talking about heads,” said Miss Nugent, briskly, ”reminds me that I want a new hat. You needn't look like that; good-looking daughters always come expensive.”
She moved her chair a couple of inches in his direction and smiled alluringly. The captain s.h.i.+fted uneasily; prudence counselled flight, but dignity forbade it. He stared hard at Mrs. Kingdom, and a smile of rare appreciation on that lady's face endeavoured to fade slowly and naturally into another expression. The chair came nearer.
”Don't be foolish,” said the captain, gruffly.