Part 8

"Of course you must keep office hours, I don't want to overwork you, please. Do take care I don't, for I'm awfully strong and love work. I'm going to finish my driving lessons this morning, because we shall soon want to go and hunt up these people, and I don't want to kill anyone nor dogs. Oh, there's Trick creeping in, he's not partial to you," and off she flew and shut the door just in time to prevent a recurrence of yesterday's scene. Left to himself, Plantagenet Russell slowly paced the pleasant room where he had meant to have a good time! His other offers of work would have been child's play to what was now expected of him, and then to be told that the work was "noble." Plantagenet had a dislike to penniless people, because he had known what it was to be penniless himself, and he wanted to think that all poverty was the fault of the people who were poor; that is in the class which Miss Whitburn wished to help. But even Plantagenet Russell was dimly conscious of having been suddenly roused to look out of another window. Was there really something beyond material comfort and an easy-going life? Was there something noble in poverty, something noble in getting rid of your money when you had it--for the sake of others? It was too new an idea to accept at once, indeed this morning he kicked against the pricks, but suddenly he threw away a cigar he had been fingering, and sat down to tackle his heap of letters.

As for Toney, having got through her difficult task of trying to influence her unwilling secretary, she went off to her motor-car lesson, feeling this was a first requisite for her work.

"I don't want the people to have his Royal Highness patronising them, but I expect when he sees how interesting the work is, he'll be just about nice. There's so much to do, and then the building will want a lot of thought. Brother Giles lived by the labours of his hands, but I'm thinking it's much more difficult to get rid of money properly, than to beg for money you haven't got. Ouf!"

*CHAPTER XIV.*

*THE FIRST-FRUITS.*

Toney drove up in her motor with a sudden dash very much like herself, and entered the drawing-room at Waycott Hall a few days after. She looked so radiant and happy as she stood in the doorway, that Miss Waycott, who was sitting alone, could not help smiling at the charming picture.

"How do you do, Miss Waycott? Please forgive me, but I wanted to see Mr. Waycott and tell him----"

"Shall I do instead? Lewis is out about the place somewhere. Sit down if you have time."

"Time! Oh! I just spend my time in making time now! But you will be glad to hear one thing."

"What is it? It is evidently good news by your face."

"I can drive the motor quite well now, and so can Jim! Mr. Waycott saw us going up a hedge so he won't believe it; but I've got my certificate, and Mr. Hughes, the London man, said I took to it like a duck to water. It's lovely, glorious! You have such a go-a-head-and-be-jolly sort of feeling. You will let me drive you somewhere, Miss Waycott, won't you?"

Miss Waycott's keen face was all smiles.

"May I wait till you are quite proficient? I have delicate nerves!"

"Pity! I haven't any. Jim and I can go anywhere now. Of course it's not so nice as driving horses, but it's exciting, and it's quicker if you are in a hurry, and you don't feel sorry for the animals."

Lewis had scented the motor-car and hurried in. Even a sight of Toney did him good.

"I've got my certificate," she exclaimed, shaking hands, "I knew you would be glad, and also"--she lowered her voice--"I wanted to show you the plans."

Miss Waycott rose, saying,

"I know Maud will like to see you, I'll go and fetch her. She is playing her violin somewhere."

Toney unfolded the roll in her hand.

"Here they are, look, lovely artistic buildings! South aspect, separate front doors, and a nice big garden in front and behind. Now you must help me about the land, you said you would."

"I've thought deeply about it. Do you know Deep Hollow Farm? It's been thrown on my hands, and there is a beautiful upland meadow with nice south aspect. There is a good water supply at the farm, and----"

"How just delightful! May I really buy it? Let me see, the high road cuts across by the farm."

"Yes--but--I want to give it to you, Toney."

"Give it! Of course not. How can I give what costs me nothing. Market price, and--but you know, anyhow, it is a gift, because heaps of those high and mighty landlords wouldn't let me buy anything. Uncle Evas would but he daren't! You know there would be strained relationships, so I won't even ask him."

"We will have it valued then, and being so near I can give an eye to the building. How about your letters, Toney? Mrs. Faber gave me a description of the first post--I laughed!"

"It wasn't a very laughing matter. I thought his Royal Highness would pack up and go, but he's thought better of it, at least he's still considering it. The worst was there were heaps more afterwards, and he can't keep abreast of it so he says."

"Poor Plantagenet! You will be had up for cruelty."

"I think work can't kill people, it is toodling about which is so tiring. I escape every afternoon, for the visitors are numerous, and Aunt Dove has a real good time telling them of her niece's wild doings. Miss Grossman did have influenza, and poor Chum has not been allowed to go home. Aunt Dove says that she only shows common gratitude by staying. Do you really, really mean I may have Deep Hollow Farm and the land belonging to it?"

"The land is not good, the advantage will be on my side."

At that moment Miss Waycott returned, followed by Maud and Mrs. Hamilton. Both were cordial to Toney, but the cordiality from the last lady did not ring quite true. Envy is a subtle poison and it required much Christianity not to envy the girl's splendid health and splendid fortune. Mrs. Hamilton could not imagine why some people were so lucky and why no legacies ever fell to her share--mere nobodies now had all the money. Pride is not altogether a satisfying dish when served up ungarnished.

"You have made all the county-side talk, Miss Whitburn, with your generosity to Sir Evas' tenants."

"I don't see what there is to talk about, everyone could do the same if they liked."

"Alas! everyone has not your means,"

Toney turned the conversation, she did not want to say that very hard work and not means only had made the success.

"Do you know, Miss Waycott, I've had to talk very seriously to Trick, for he hates Mr. Russell, who is dreadfully afraid of him."

Lewis burst out laughing.

"Poor man, I shall never forget your invitation to put his legs on the table!"

"It would have been much simpler if he had done so, and I daresay he does it in private; but what a pity Trick can't read St. Francis' sermon to 'Brother Wolf.'"

"Those legends are quite foolish," said Mrs. Hamilton. "I never let you and Jeanie read legends when you were young for fear of your believing in them."

"I believe them all," exclaimed Toney. "Why not? The wolf wagged his head and held out his paw to show he promised never to eat anyone again. I wish Brother Trick was as easily converted."

"My dear Toney!" said Miss Waycott, "wherever do you get these stories?"

"They are all right; Mr. Hales gave them to me, and of course he meant me to read, mark, and inwardly digest it--only it's very, very difficult!"

"He was an original saint, anyhow, and so quite suits you," said Lewis smiling.

"I mustn't stay and talk so much. I am afraid I shall never be able to copy Brother Juniper who resolved to keep silence for six months! Imagine that!"

"Pray don't imitate Brother Juniper," laughed Miss Waycott.

"Mrs. Hamilton, won't you trust yourself in the new motor? I've got my certificate in my pocket."

"Yes, come along, Aunt Delia; I want to come, too, and go round by Deep Hollow. Miss Whitburn thinks she will like to buy it, and I must get as much as I can out of her," said Lewis gravely.

"My dear Lewis, you always cheat yourself," sighed Mrs. Hamilton, who was hopelessly literal.

"I know riches have no attraction for you! Yes, I will come. Is there room for Maud?"

"Of course, I bought a very roomy car; you see it's got to be very useful, but some of my friends won't mind being squashed."

Mrs. Hamilton was not going to let Lewis drive about alone with the heiress.

In a few minutes they were going rather briskly through the park where the trees were turning into gold, then out upon the lonely high road till Deep Hollow was reached.

"Will you wait a few minutes, Aunt Delia, as I must extol my wares," and Lewis led Toney towards his unlet farm.

"You might make the farm, too, very useful for a caretaker or your chief constable!" said Lewis.

"I must go and live there myself!"

"What an idea! Look, on that high ground you could build your palace of peace, and there would be good views and good air."

"Do you really, really mean it? It is perfect, I want it all to be very simple, but comfortable and homely. Mrs. Hamilton won't like waiting, but we must come again. I'll write to Mr. Staines and tell him to send somebody to clench our matter. No money could pay you for your generosity, so there's to be no bargaining."

Toney flew back and Lewis followed more leisurely, anxious to help her, but wishing he could kick down the golden barrier.

"Maud was wondering if you were lost!" said Mrs. Hamilton.

"It seems so wonderful that I can really buy some land," said Toney springing into the car. "Mr. Waycott is going to sell me Deep Hollow Farm."

"We were bargaining about the price," said Lewis, stepping in. "Don't you think we ought to make hay whilst the sun shines, Aunt Delia?"

"Business is very disagreeable for young ladies," was Aunt Delia's answer, "it rubs off the bloom of youth."

Toney spun her wheel round and was off. She did not appreciate Aunt Delia very much, and she felt she disliked her, but meant not to show her feelings, first, because she was Lewis Waycott's aunt, and secondly because she knew humility was to be cultivated, if she was to be like St. Francis, or even like Brother Juniper, who played see-saw with the children so that people might despise him and he might be humbled.

About a mile from the village Toney saw an old woman carrying a heavy basket, and exclaimed,

"It's old Nancy Poulter. She's been carrying the washing home." She pulled up the motor with wonderful precision as the old woman curtseyed and smiled at Miss Tonia.

"How do you do, Mrs. Poulter; won't you let me give you a ride home? You have still a mile to go, and that basket's too heavy."

The old woman looked at Mrs. Hamilton and then at Toney.

"No, no, my dear, when you be alone some day without the quality. 'Tis a bit heavy, but lor', Miss Toney, I'll manage."

"No you shan't. The quality won't mind. There, get in behind, and we'll take the basket in front." Lewis had learnt his lesson in politeness long ago, and now got out and placed the big basket in front between him and Toney, whilst the old woman was almost lifted in by her, the rug being tucked in round her.

"You mustn't get a chill after getting hot, Mrs. Poulter. I'll whisk you home in no time. You know Mrs. and Miss Hamilton, don't you?"

Toney was off again like lightning, and Mrs. Hamilton felt she was taken in. She was a lady, and always spoke to the poor with kind condescension, but she would never have dreamt of sharing her carriage with a panting and perspiring old woman from the village. Maud was, however, less particular than her mother, and remarked,

"It's nice to get such a quick carriage, Mrs. Poulter! We have been round by Deep Hollow in no time."

"These new-fashioned carriages are a sight to see to be sure, ma'am, but Miss Toney, she be that clever a-driving and a-riding, I don't mind a-trusting of her. My son says he never saw such a one for horses--though, to be sure, there ain't any in here. It is a long way to Whitfield, and I was beginning to feel done up, that I was, and 'tain't often one gets a lift. To be sure, to be sure."

Then Toney pulled up at the cottage door in no time, and helped out the old woman whilst Lewis carried her basket to the door, amidst her profuse apologies of [Transcriber's note: word(s) missing here]

"Don't ee, now, sir, be a carrying my basket. 'Tain't fit for such as you. But 'tain't no use going agin Miss Toney, she won't listen to nothing if it's to save anyone a bit of trouble. Bless her."

"That's what a good many people say, Mrs. Poulter. Good afternoon," and Lewis raised his hat and returned to his place beside Toney.

"You see what a useful machine I have! Poor old Nancy, she works too hard for that selfish son. What luck! the gates are open. Now I'll just spin you up, Mrs. Hamilton, in style. There are no Bobbies here."

The car flew, and Mrs. Hamilton and Maud held on tightly with one hand and clutched their hats with the other, whilst Lewis laughed.

"This is quite your style, Toney. You do go a pace, I hope it isn't kingdom come for us all."

"No fear; you will go and talk about the farm to his Royal Highness, won't you, and just interest him."

They pulled up at the front door safe and sound, but surprises were not over yet.

"If you please, Miss Whitburn," said Diggings severely, "there's five persons come here asking for Mr. Russell, and her ladyship has 'em in the drawing-room as Mr. Russell is out, and she says you were to come at once when you came in."

Toney turned back to Lewis.

"Oh, come and help me; no, please go and find Mr. Russell, he's mooning somewhere near by, I expect; for, do you know, I believe it's the _avant garde_ who have got impatient. I did beg Mr. Russell to answer the letters, but he wanted to tabulate. What will Aunt Dove say! Mrs. Hamilton, will you and Maud go back with Jim, or come in the drawing-room? There's only a few visitors. Who is there, Diggings?"

"Lady Southbourne and the Hon. Mr. Lang is there, miss, and a few more visitors besides the five persons."

Mrs. Hamilton was not partial to Lady Dove and much preferred going home in the motor, so Jim, who was on the spot, went off with alacrity.

Toney hurried towards the drawing-room. The five persons Diggings spoke of so disdainfully must be either a doctor, officer, clergyman, or relation of the above, and enjoying a bad quarter of an hour with Lady Dove.

She was not mistaken; as she entered she caught sight of five shabby genteel individuals, who were now evidently too much alarmed to do anything more than sit dejectedly in the enclosure of a window.

"Antonia!" said Lady Dove in her most severe voice, "I believe there are some persons here wishing to see you. Pray take them to your own room."

*CHAPTER XV.*

*GENTLE AND SIMPLE.*

Toney wished with all her heart her _avante garde_ had not been shown into Lady Dove's presence, but now that they were here she would not for the world hustle them out. She might hurt their feelings, and they must consider that "something to their advantage" meant only a snubbing. She hid her despair with extra energy. How she hated social distinctions! The Honourable Edward came forward to greet her with great cordiality. His mother, more slowly, did the same. Toney felt a difficulty in introducing the _avante garde_, as she did not know one of their names. However she made a dash at Smith, hoping one of them would respond to the call.

"Oh, Mr. Lang, may I introduce Mr. Smith to you?" She seized on the meekest and saddest individual, who wore large spectacles and looked much depressed.

"My name is Dr. Harris," he said, raising himself to his full height. "The Rev. Smith you may mean," and he indicated an old clergyman wearing a threadbare coat, who also held the advertisement in his hand.

"Oh yes, of course, how do you do, Mr. Smith? You came to see Mr. Russell, didn't you, but I can do just as well. Mr. Lang, this is Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Harris."

"Miss Smith, if you please," corrected a prim lady with remains of faint beauty.

Mrs. Harris, however, looked most disconcerted; Lady Dove's anger had fallen especially upon her, so now she only murmured, holding out a piece of newspaper.

"We only came to see about this advertisement, because we didn't get any answer, and we were so anxious----"

"Of course, yes, it's all right." Then Toney turned to the last individual, a man who looked somewhat superior to the others, and who smiled without intermission.

"Mr.----" Toney paused, she couldn't say Smith again, but she got no answer, only a nod and another smile.

"He's stone deaf," said Miss Smith, who by her manner was trying to show Toney that a clergyman's sister is always a lady, little guessing that Toney cared for none of such things.

"He joined us," said Dr. Harris, "but his infirmity makes it difficult to converse with him, his name is, I believe, Grant--Captain Grant!"

Captain Grant smiled and nodded, and insisted on Toney's reading her own advertisement, by pointing to it line by line with his first finger.

"Yes, of course--Mr. Lang, Captain Grant," she introduced the two, and then hurriedly went to the tea-table, where Mrs. Faber was in her old position of tea-maker.

"Chum, dear, I'm plunging about in a bog; give them some tea quickly; that will be to their advantage anyhow. Mr. Lang will perhaps help me. Aunt Dove is looking awfully churny with the poor dears."

For a few minutes Toney flew about helping her five friends to minute cups of tea and tiny wafers of bread and butter, but the Honourable Edward Lang came nobly to the front, though with an amused smile on his face. The two elder ladies talked together earnestly and discussed the injustice of Radicals and Socialists, for on these topics they were in accord.

Dr. Harris was not however going to be put off with only tiny cups of tea.

"I should be much obliged, madam, if you could tell me when we may expect to see Mr. Plantagenet Russell? We, at all events, must catch the earliest train back."

"There he is!" exclaimed Toney, catching sight of Lewis and Mr. Russell coming hastily to the house. "I really think you had better go and see him in his private room. Let me show you the way, and I'll order a substantial tea there. You must be awfully hungry."

Toney headed the procession out of the drawing-room, Edward Lang, hurrying to open the door for her, and hiding, as best he could, his amused smile as Toney nodded at him, saying, "I'll come back soon."

Lady Dove gave a sigh of relief. She was so much annoyed that she forgot her role of kind aunt.

"Antonia is incorrigible. You see how she collects strange people round her. I tried hard to show her what an English lady should be like, but it was trouble wasted."

"She will soon outgrow all that," said Lady Southbourne kindly; "in these days young people are so original, but it does not last!"

Mr. Lang laughed heartily.

"I am sure Miss Whitburn will always be original. She certainly can't help being kind."

"She drags Sir Evas into all kinds of queer things. He has really felt the strain of so much work. General Stone was hardly kind to make him the girl's guardian."

"He looked as if he enjoyed all the coming of age," said Edward Lang; to himself he added, "I don't mind relieving him of the burden of fifty thousand a year at all! Good heavens! the girl must be allowed to have her head at first, then she'll soon calm down."

"Dear Lady Dove," said Lady Southbourne, gently laying her pale lavender kid gloved hand on her hostess as a mark of sympathy, "young people will be young people, I daresay when you were young----"

"No indeed, I was brought up by a very particular mother, who knew what a young lady should be like."

"Ah! yes, those were indeed good old days!"

At this moment Toney rushed in again with breathless speed, and addressed herself to Mr. Lang.

"There! it's all right, and they have unfrozen, poor dears. It's strange, isn't it, how these stately English homes act like cold storage on people."

"Cold storage brings us excellent things from abroad."

"I'd rather come over warm! Gracious stars! I had a trouble to thaw them, but now they're sitting down to a proper meal."

"Are your friends Salvationists, Antonia, or did they come for begging purposes?" said Lady Dove.

"They came hoping to hear of something to their advantage. You see, Lady Southbourne, I advertised for people in reduced circumstances, and the answers were so many that Mr. Russell couldn't keep ahead."

"Something to their advantage, and pray what is that, Antonia? You must have taken leave of your five senses!" exclaimed Lady Dove, turning pink with vexation.

Here Mrs. Faber threw herself into the breach.

"It's only one of Toney's kind schemes, Lady Dove. I will go and see after the visitors, Toney, if you take my place."

This happily turned the stream of hot lava from poor Toney, and Lady Dove remarked,

"It is most tiresome, my companion has influenza. I generally find, don't you, Lady Southbourne, that middle-class people always give in if even a little finger aches. Of course, poor things, they do not understand our motto of 'noblesse oblige.'"

The Honourable Edward left the two ladies to their duet over the cowardice of the middle-class, and went to sit by Toney, who was drinking tea in earnest.

"It's rather warm work when you're taken by surprise. If I had been here it would have been all right," she said, smiling once more.

"I think it's always 'all right' where you are," said the young man gallantly. Toney looked up suddenly and gazed at him.

"Gracious stars! how awfully nice of you to say that, but it isn't true! I always seem to raise the dust when I come into this room! Aunt Dove was made of different paste, so somehow we don't blend. You see I was just reared anyhow, never knew there were gentlemen and ladies till I came here! Out home we were all men and women, and pretty rough at that--ouf!"

"We are all going to become Socialists, whether we like it or not," he said softly.

"You'll exclude Aunt Dove, won't you?" and Toney's merry laugh sounded through the room.

"So little self-control," Lady Dove was heard to murmur.

"That's me!" said Toney, nodding her head, "but as you were kind enough just now to overlook my 'bringing up,' as Aunt Dove calls it, I'll tell you about my friends. I'm going to buy Deep Hollow Farm and build a sort of a Home for stray folk that can't swim against the stream."

"Will these be your first inmates?"

"Perhaps, Mr. Russell will tabulate them all, and we'll take the worst cases. No favour, but, of course, I must help them because they took such a lot of trouble to come to-day, and because I expect they felt pretty bad before I came!"

"I think it is a noble idea, Miss Whitburn--I hope you will let me help you as much as I can. There may be some cases in which I can prove useful."

"Of course there will be. Let me see, will you come and help to tabulate? Mr. Russell groans over the work."

Mr. Lang had no intention of working hard, but he hid this intention.

"I'm at your commands, Miss Whitburn." He was wondering in what manner and how soon he could make an offer to Toney! Would she be easily won? He began to fear a title would not be a great attraction. He would have to go in for Socialism or Individualism or some 'ism, to have a better chance of getting L50,000 a year. It would be rather fatiguing, but his debts were many, and the money was worth the effort. Miss Whitburn was not likely to be particular about tying up money, and Sir Evas, her guardian, was very easy-going, and would be glad to get her well married. So argued Edward Lang, never doubting but that he would be a welcome suitor. Unfortunately many mothers with marriageable daughters were so very kind to him and had spoilt him. At the bottom he was not a bad fellow, but terribly extravagant.