Part 13 (1/2)
”If you'd come to me instead of to the mill people.”
”You don't know their side.”
”Much better than you do. I've talked with our father often and often about it. He was no tyrant and n.o.body could ever accuse him of injustice.”
Raymond flashed; but he kept his mouth shut on that theme. The only bitter quarrels between the brothers had been on the subject of their father, and the younger knew that the ground was dangerous. At this moment the last thing he desired was any difference with Daniel.
”I'll keep it all in mind, Dan. I don't want to do anything to annoy you, G.o.d knows. Is there any more? I must go and look after young Estelle.”
”Only one thing; and this is purely personal, and so I hope you'll excuse me. I've just been seeing Uncle Ernest, and n.o.body wished us better fortune than he does.”
”He's a good old boy. I've learned a lot about spinning from him.”
”I know. But--look here, Raymond, I do beg of you--I implore of you not to be too friendly with Sabina Dinnett. You can't think how I should hate anything like that. It isn't fair--it isn't fair to the woman, or to me, or to the family. You must see yourself that sort of thing isn't right. She's a very good girl--our champion spinner Best says; and if you go distracting her and taking her out of her station, you are doing her a very cruel turn and upsetting her peace of mind. And the others will be jealous, of course, and so it will go on. It isn't playing the game--it really isn't. That's all. I know you're a sportsman and all that; so I do beg you'll be a sportsman in business too, and take a proper line and remember your obligations. And if I've said a harsh, or unfair word, I'm sorry for it; but you know I haven't.”
Seeing that Sabina Dinnett was now in paramount and triumphant possession of Raymond's mind, he felt thankful that his brother, by running on over this subject and concluding upon the whole question, had saved him the necessity for any direct reply. Whether he would have lied or no concerning Sabina, Raymond did not stop to consider. There is little doubt that he would. But the need was escaped; and so thankful did he feel, that he responded to the admonishment in a tone more complete and with promises more comprehensive than Daniel expected.
”You're dead right. Of course I know it! I've been a silly fool all round. But I won't open my mouth so wide in future, Dan. And don't think I'm wasting my time. I'm working like the devil, really, and learning everything from the beginning. Best will tell you that's true. He's a splendid teacher and I'll see more of him in future. And I'll read all about yarn and get the hang of the markets, and so on.”
”Thank you--you can't say more. And you might come into Bridport oftener, I think. Aunt Jenny was saying she never sees you now.”
”I will,” promised Raymond. ”I'm going to dine with you both on my birthday. I believe she'll be good for fifty quid this year. Father left her a legacy of a thousand.”
They parted, and Raymond returned to Estelle, who was now watching the warping, while Daniel went into his foreman's office.
Estelle was radiant. She had fallen in love with the works.
”The girls are all so kind and clever,” she said.
”Rather so. I expect you know all about everything now.”
”Hardly anything yet. But you must let me come again. I do want to know all about it. It is splendidly interesting.”
”Of course, come and go when you like, kiddy.”
”And I'm going to ask some of them to tea with me,” declared Estelle.
”They all love flowers, and I'm going to show them our garden and my pets. I've asked seven of them and two men.”
”Ask me, too.”
She brought out a piece of paper and showed him that she had written down nine names.
”And if they like it, they'll tell the others and I shall ask them too,”
she said. ”Father is always wanting me to spend money, so now I'll spend some on a beautiful tea.”
Raymond saw the name of Sabina Dinnett.
”I'll be there to help you,” he promised.