Part 15 (1/2)
For her, obstinate confidence was to-day the sole refuge, and she set her teeth as she verified Mrs. Maurice's prediction: ”'Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.' My own father cannot betray the faith of his loyal child.”
Dreading Eliza's scrutiny, it was with a feeling of temporary relief that she recollected an engagement to attend a ”lawn party” held that afternoon at a residence whose owner was laboring to raise an endowment fund for a local charity. When she reached home, a change of costume gave time to marshal all her defensive forces; and, as she came downstairs to join her waiting chaperon, Mrs. Mitch.e.l.l forbore to comment on the unusual color that burned in her cheeks.
”Little mother, don't sit up for me. I promised Mrs. Ellerbee to a.s.sist at the flower table, and may be kept late. Be sure you get your beauty sleep.”
Dinner was delayed an hour beyond the usual time, but Senator Kent did not appear, and as such deviations from domestic rule had recently occurred often, and were explained by congestion of business at the Capitol, incident to approaching adjournment, Mrs. Mitch.e.l.l took her meal alone. It was prayer-meeting evening at the Methodist Church in her neighborhood, and, after the exercises ended, she walked home, took up a magazine, and tried unsuccessfully to read. The political atmosphere was so charged with electricity that she felt a crisis was imminent, and only the extent of the storm was conjectural. How much Eglah suspected the foster-mother merely surmised, because some inexplicable barrier seemed, within the past fortnight, built up to limit their free interchange of thought. It was a sultry, sombre night; city walls and pavements sent up their garnered heat in quivering waves, and the stars were blurred and faint as they retreated behind a dim haze that was not mist. At eleven o'clock the street corner light showed her Senator Kent walking rapidly. She went into the dining-room to arrange the salad and cold tea he always enjoyed after missing his dinner, and while he lingered in the hall Eglah returned. She was bare-headed, very pale, and her lips fluttered, but a brave, tender smile lighted her eyes, and she put her arms about his neck and kissed him twice.
”How tired you poor national Solons must be! But I know one whose day's work is not yet ended, and who must pick a whole flock of crows with me, right now. Why did you change your vote on the 'Bison Head' purchase?”
”Who says I did?”
His face was deeply flushed, but he laughed and pinched her white cheek.
”The chairman has a daughter.”
”A leaky gossip. Congressmen ought to be bachelors or childless widowers; but then, my dear, how could I possibly exist without you?”
”Father, what induced you to favor a measure you have condemned so emphatically?”
”Several good reasons I am much too tired to discuss. Don't forget your Emerson, who says 'a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen,' and remember, also, 'a wise man sometimes changes his mind, a fool never.' The bill will not be reported till next session, and conditions alter, so _apres moi le deluge_!”
She walked toward the dining-room, and on the threshold Eliza saw her put both hands to her throat. Drawing her breath quickly, she turned back and threw her arms around him.
”Oh, father! Was it kind, was it merciful to let me learn by chance from strangers that you have determined to resign your senators.h.i.+p, to end a glorious career in which you know my dearest hopes and pride centre?”
For a moment he made no reply, only clasped her closely, pillowed her head on his breast, and kissed her cold cheek repeatedly.
Then he spoke in a husky tone, as a nervous surgeon might, uncertain of his own diagnosis.
”My darling girl, I confess it was a cowardly dread of the pain I knew my decision would cause you, and I very weakly put off the evil day as long as possible. Immediately after adjournment I intended to tell you all the plans that seem best for our future, and did not antic.i.p.ate this premature disclosure, which is presumptuous impertinence in its author.
In quitting public life even temporarily, my brightest compensation is the prospect of spending my time in the sweet companions.h.i.+p of my precious, incomparable daughter. Forgive your old father the arrant cowardice of keeping silent for a few days.”
She clung to him like a frightened child, and he felt her trembling as one in an ague.
”Why must you resign? Why step down when you have a right to expect the new administration will offer you a place in the Cabinet? Why? Don't keep back anything from me now.”
”My love, I don't wish to distress you; I shrink from exciting any alarm, but you certainly have a right to the truth. My health does not permit the amount of canva.s.sing work that I believe will be required for my re-election, because our State legislature will be much divided this presidential campaign over vital issues, both local and national. As my term expires soon, I think it best to resign now, and avoid grave complications that threaten our party organization in the State legislature. Recently I have had premonitions that drove me to consult Dr. McLemore, and he advises me to withdraw from active political life, at least for a season. He believes complete rest and freedom from public responsibility are all that my health demands. I did not wish you to know this, but you are such an inquisitive monkey, such an arbitrary minx, that nothing less than the whole truth will satisfy your exacting reason. Now kiss me, my pretty chestnut burr, and let us pick no more crows.”
”You have been ill, and we--I--never suspected it?”
She caught her breath spasmodically, stifling a sob. Her father glanced significantly at Eliza, who stood beside the table, lifting a pitcher of iced tea that clinked against its sides in her nervous grasp.
”I see Mrs. Mitch.e.l.l--always admirably reliable--has kept her promise to me. Now she can tell you I had a very severe attack the night we were so late at Secretary P----'s dinner, and you could not understand my delay in dressing.”
”Ma-Lila! You kept me in ignorance of father's danger, when you should have warned me?”
”Your father positively forbade any mention of the matter to you, and as I never saw or heard of a recurrence of what he a.s.sured me was merely the result of imprudent indulgence in oysters, cheese, and beer, I had no excuse for disobeying his command to keep silence.”
The little woman's eyes sparkled, and an involuntary curl of her lip did not escape Eglah's questioning sorrowful gaze.