Part 28 (2/2)
”I don't wish you to come if you don't want to,” replied Jones; ”you can stop here till doomsday for me. But do you suppose I'd come here for the mere amus.e.m.e.nt of hearing you give me the lie?”
”I'll go!” said Billy, with as much emphasis as he had previously expressed on declining to go.
The matter was soon explained to the manager of the Grotto. Mr Jones was so plausible, and gave such unexceptionable references, that it is no disparagement to the penetration of the superintendent of that day to say that he was deceived. The result was, as we have shown, that Billy ere long found his way to Ramsgate.
When Mr Jones introduced him ceremoniously to Nora, he indulged in a prolonged and hearty fit of laughter. Nora gazed at Billy with a look of intense amazement, and Billy stared at Nora with a very mingled expression of countenance, for he at once saw through the deception that had been practised on him, and fully appreciated the difficulty of his position--his powers of explanation being hampered by a warning, given him long ago by his friend Jim Welton, that he must be careful how he let Nora into the full knowledge of her father's wickedness.
CHAPTER NINETEEN.
CONFIDENCES AND CROSS PURPOSES.
Katie Durant, sitting with a happy smile on her fair face, and good-will in her sweet heart to all mankind--womankind included, which says a good deal for her--was busy with a beautiful sketch of a picturesque watermill, meditating on the stirring scene she had so recently witnessed, when a visitor was announced.
”Who can it be?” inquired Katie; ”papa is out, you know, and no one can want me.”
The lodging-house keeper, Mrs Cackles, smiled at the idea of no one wanting Katie, knowing, as she did, that there were at least twenty people who would have given all they were worth in the world to possess her, either in the form of wife, sister, daughter, friend governess, or companion.
”Well, miss, she do wants you, and says as no one else will do.”
”Oh, a lady, please show her in, Mrs Cackles.”
”Well, she ain't a lady, either, though I've seen many a lady as would give their weight in gold to be like her.”
So saying the landlady departed, and in a few seconds introduced Nora.
”Miss Jones!” cried Katie, rising with a pleased smile and holding out her hand; ”this is a very unexpected pleasure.”
”Thank you, Miss Durant. I felt sure you would remember me,” said Nora, taking a seat, ”and I also feel sure that you will a.s.sist me with your advice in a matter of some difficulty, especially as it relates to the boy about whose sick brother you came to me at Yarmouth some time ago-- you remember?”
”Oh! Billy Towler,” exclaimed Katie, with animation; ”yes, I remember; you are right in expecting me to be interested in him. Let me hear all about it.”
Hereupon Nora gave Katie an insight into much of Billy Towler's history, especially dwelling on that part of it which related to his being sent to the Grotto, in the hope of saving him from the evil influences that were brought to bear upon him in his intercourse with her father.
”Not,” she said, somewhat anxiously, ”that I mean you to suppose my dear father teaches him anything that is wicked; but his business leads him much among bad men--and--they drink and smoke, you know, which is very bad for a young boy to see; and many of them are awful swearers. Now, poor Billy has been induced to leave the Grotto and to come down here, for what purpose I don't know; but I am _so_ disappointed, because I had hoped he would not have got tired of it so soon; and what distresses me most is, that he does not speak all his mind to me; I can see that, for he is very fond of me, and did not use to conceal things from me--at least I fancied not. The strange thing about it too is, that he says he is willing to return to the Grotto immediately, if I wish it.”
”I am very _very_ sorry to hear all this,” said Katie, with a troubled air; ”but what do you propose to do, and how can I a.s.sist you?--only tell me, and I shall be so happy to do it, if it be in my power.”
”I really don't know how to put it to you, dear Miss Durant, and I could not have ventured if you had not been so very kind when I met you in Yarmouth; but--but your father owns several vessels, I believe, and-- and--you will excuse me referring to it, I know--he was so good as to get a situation on board of the Wellington--which has so unfortunately been wrecked--for a young--a--a young--man; one of those who was saved--”
”Yes, yes,” said Katie, quickly, thinking of Stanley Hall, and blus.h.i.+ng scarlet; ”I know the young gentleman to whom you refer; well, go on.”
”Well,” continued Nora, thinking of Jim Welton, and blus.h.i.+ng scarlet too, ”that young man said to me that he felt sure if I were to make application to Mr Durant through you, he would give Billy a situation in one of his s.h.i.+ps, and so get him out of harm's way.”
”He was right,” said Katie, with a somewhat puzzled expression; ”and you may rely on my doing what I can for the poor boy with papa, who is always happy to help in such cases; but I was not aware that Mr Hall knew either you or Billy.”
”Mr Hall!” exclaimed Nora, in surprise.
”Did you not refer to him just now?”
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