"Well, and so I will."
She brought her the letter. Jael read it and changed color, and was delighted for a moment or two; but soon her good sense and humility prevailed. ""Twas to surprise you, like. I do know he looks higher than me."
"More fool he. But I don"t believe it."
"You may," said Jael, and turned the conversation to Patty"s approaching marriage; once launched in that direction, it flowed without intermission till the men returned, and dinner smoked upon the board.
After dinner Henry watched an opportunity, and slipped out into the yard, got the tools out, put his great-coat over them, and away to Cairnhope Church. He knew better than go past Raby Hall to it: he went back toward Hillsborough, full three miles, and then turned off the road and got on the heather. He skirted the base of a heathery mound, and at last saw the church on an elevation before him, made for it incautiously over some boggy ground, and sank in up to his waist.
He extricated himself with considerable difficulty, and cast a woful look at his clothes.
Then he turned to, and piled up a heap of stones to mark the dangerous spot; for he foresaw he must often travel that way in all weathers. At last he reached the church, removed the lock, and fastened the door with screws. He then went back to the farm as fast as he could. But all this had taken a long time, and the sun was sinking as he got into the yard.
He was in the very act of concealing the lock in the gig, when Martha Dence came out at him, as red as a turkey-c.o.c.k.
"You thought but little of my sister, young man, to leave her all these hours, and you come out to spend the day with her."
"Stuff and nonsense! I came out on my own business."
"So it seems. And it have taken you into worse company. A fine figure she has made you."
"Who?"
"The hussy you have been after this while."
"That"s so like you girls. You think a man has nothing to do but to run after women."
"What business can you have on the Sabbath-day, I"d like to know."
"Would you? Well, I"ll tell you--when I tell the bellman."
"You are quite right, Mr. Little. Trust none but your friends."
This was a bitter remark. Henry could not reply to it, and that moved his bile. Patty pursued her advantage, and let him know that, when a young man brought a young woman out for the day, he did not leave her for three hours at a stretch, unless he meant to affront her. She raised her voice in saying this, and so did he in replying, "Tell you I came out on my own business, not Jael"s; but I am a good-natured fellow, considering all I endure, so I took that opportunity to bring your sister out to see you. Could I guess you two couldn"t make yourselves happy for one afternoon without flirting? So much for sisterly affection! Well, next time I"ll come alone--if I come at all."
Jael came out at the raised voices, and received this last sentence full in the face. She turned pale.
"Oh, Patty, Patty, what have you been saying?"
"I"ve been speaking my mind, that is all."
"Ay, and you"ve made him say the only unkind word I ever heard from his lips."
"I"m very sorry, Jael," said the young man, penitently.
"Oh, then I"m to blame, because he is so ill-tempered." And Patty bridled.
"Partly. You should not interfere between friends." Having delivered this admonition, Jael softened it by kissing her, and whispered, "Father"s asking for his tea."
Patty went in as meek as Moses.
Then Jael turned to Henry, and laid her hand on his arm, while her gray eyes searched his face.
"There"s something amiss. You are never cross, except when you are unhappy. What is it?"
"Oh, Jael, my heart is broken. She is going to be married."
"Who says so?"
"Mr. Cheetham told me she was engaged to a Mr. Coventry."
"What can Mr. Cheetham know? To be sure the gentleman is a good deal with her, and I hear he has courted her this two years; and she likes his company, that"s certain. But she is used to be admired, and she is very hard to please."
"What, then, you think it is not quite hopeless?"
"While there"s life there"s hope."
"What had I better do?"
"Nay, you shouldn"t ask me."
"Oh, yes: you advised me so wisely about the insurance."
"Ay, but then I saw it clear. He is purse-proud, and I knew he"d think a deal more of you if you insured your life for a vast o" money. But now I don"t see clear; and I"m loath to advise. Happen you"d hate me afterward if it went wrong."
"No, no, I wouldn"t be so ungrateful."
Jael shook her head, doubtfully.
"Well, then," said Henry, "don"t advise me; but put yourself in my place. (I"ll tell you a secret I daren"t trust to Patty. I have found a way to beat the Trades, and make my fortune in a year or two.) Now what would you do, if you were me?"
This question raised a tumult in Jael"s heart. But her strong will, her loyalty, and, above all, her patience, conquered, though not without signs of the struggle, a bosom that heaved somewhat higher, and a low voice that trembled a little. "If I was a young man, I wouldn"t shilly-shally, nor wait till I was rich, before I spoke. I"d have it out with her. I"d get her alone, and tell her all. Then, if she showed any sign of liking, I"d beg her to wait a bit, and say I"d soon be a gentleman for her sake. And if she cares naught for you, better know it, and leave her, than fare in heaven one hour and in h.e.l.l the next, as I have seen thee do this while, my poor lad."
"It is wise and good advice, and I"ll take it. I"ve kept all my courage for the Trades; I"d better have shown her a little. But there"s one thing more I want to ask you."
This was too much. Jael"s courage and patience failed her for once.
"Keep it," she cried almost wildly. "I can"t bear no more. There"s not one la.s.s in a hundred would do what I have done for you: yet you want more. D"ye think I"m not flesh and blood, as well as her?"
And she began to cry bitterly.
This took Henry quite by surprise, and grieved him. He consoled her, and coaxed her, in vague terms, that did not produce any effect. So then he kissed her cheek, and dried her eyes with his own handkerchief, and that was not quite so ineffectual. She gave a final sob, and said, with some slight remains of pa.s.sion, "There, there; never heed me. It takes a deal of patience to go through the world." And so she left him.
He was not sorry to be alone a minute, and think. This short dialogue with Jael gave him some insight into female character. It made him suspect that he had been too timid with Grace Carden, and also that there were two women in the game instead of one.
When the time came to return he asked leave to borrow a horse-cloth.
He aired it by the fire, and remarked that it had turned very cold.
"Why," said Patty, "you have got your top-coat. Well, you are a soft one."