DIVIDED WAYS.
Some few weeks passed quite uneventfully, bringing them to the end of
June; and then it was that Mistress Hathaway chanced to send a message
into the town that she would have her granddaughter Judith come over to
see her roses, of which there was a great show in the garden. Judith was
nothing loath; she felt she had somewhat neglected the old dame of late;
and so, one morning--or rather one midday it was, for the family had but
finished dinner--found her in her own room, before her mirror, busy with
an out-of-door toilet, with Prudence sitting patiently by. Judith seemed
well content with herself and with affairs in general on this warm
summer day; now she spoke to Prudence, again she idly sang a scrap of
some familiar song, while the work of adornment went on apace.
"But why such bravery, Judith?" her friend said, with a quiet smile.
"Why should you take such heed about a walk through the fields to
Shottery?"
"Truly I know not," said Judith, carelessly; "but well I wot my
grandmother will grumble. If I am soberly dressed, she says I am a
sloven, and will never win me a husband; and if I am pranked out, she
says I am vain, and will frighten away the young men with my pride. In
Heaven's name, let them go, say I; I can do excellent well without them.
What think you of the cap, good Prue? 'Twas but last night I finished
it, and the beads I had from Warwick."
She took it up and regarded it, humming the while:
O say, my Joan, say, my Joan, will not that do?
I cannot come every day to woo.
"Is't not a pretty cap, good gossip?"
Prudence knew that she ought to despise such frivolities, which truly
were a snare to her, for she liked to look at Judith when she was
dressed as she was now, and she forgot to condemn these pretty colors.
On this occasion Judith was clad in a gown of light gray, or rather
buff, with a petticoat of pale blue taffeta, elaborately quilted with
her own handiwork; the small ruff she wore, which was open in front, and
partly showed her neck, was snow-white and stiffly starched; and she was
now engaged in putting on her soft brown hair this cap of gray velvet,
adorned with two rows of brass beads, and with a bit of curling feather
at the side of it. Prudence's eyes were pleased, if her conscience bade
her disapprove; nay, sometimes she had to confess that at heart she was
proud to see her dear gossip wear such pretty things, for that she
became them so well.
"Judith," said she, "shall I tell you what I heard your father say of
you last night? He was talking to Julius, and they were speaking of this
one and that, and how they did; and when you were mentioned, 'Oh yes,'
says your father, 'the wench looks bravely well; 'tis a pity she cannot
sell the painting of her cheeks: there may be many a dame at the court
would buy it of her for a goodly sum.'"
Judith gave a quick, short laugh: this was music in her ears--coming
from whence it did.
"But, Judith," said her friend, with a grave inquiry in her face, "what
is't that you have done to Tom Quiney that he comes no longer near the
house?--nay, he will avoid you when he happens to see you abroad, for
that I have observed myself, and more than once. What is the matter? How
have you offended him?"
"What have I done?" she said; and there was a swift and angry color in
her face. "Let him ask what his own evil imaginings have done. Not that
I care, in good sooth!"
"But what is it, Judith? There must be a reason."
"Why," said Judith, turning indignantly to her, "you remember,
sweetheart, the Sunday morning that Mrs. Pike's little boy was taken
ill, and you were sent for, and did not come to church? Well, I had gone
along to the church-yard to seek you, and was waiting for you, when who
must needs make his appearance but the worthy Master Blaise--nay, but I
told you, good Prue, the honor he would put upon me; and, thank Heaven,
he hath not returned to it, nor spoken to my father yet, as far as I can
learn. Then, when the good parson's sermon was over--body o' me, he let
me know right sharply I was no saint, though a saint I might become, no
doubt, were I to take him for my master--as I say, the lecture he gave
me was over, and we were walking to the church door, when who should
come by but Master Quiney and some of the others. Oh, well I know my
gentleman! The instant he clapped eyes on me he suspected there had been
a planned meeting--I could see it well--and off he goes in high dudgeon,
and not a word nor a look--before the others, mind you, before the
others, good Prue; that was the slight he put upon me. Marry, I care
not! Whither he has gone, there he may stay!"
She spoke rapidly and with warmth: despite the scorn that was in her
voice, it was clear that that public slight had touched her deeply.
"Nay, Judith," said her gentle companion, "'twere surely a world of pity
you should let an old friend go away like that--through a mischance
merely----"
"An old friend?" said she. "I want none of such friends, that have ill
thoughts of you ere you can speak. Let him choose his friends elsewhere,
say I; let him keep to his tapsters, and his ale-house wenches; there he
will have enough of pleasure, I doubt not, till his head be broke in a
brawl some night!"
Then something seemed to occur to her. All at once she threw aside the
bit of ribbon she had in her fingers, and dropped on her knee before her
friend, and seized hold of Prudence's hands.
"I beseech your pardon, sweet Prue!--indeed, indeed, I knew not what I
said; they were but idle words; good mouse, I pray you heed them not. He
may have reasons for distrusting me; and in truth I complain not; 'tis a
small matter; but I would not have you think ill of him through these
idle words of mine. Nay, nay, they tell me he is sober and diligent,
that his business prospers, that he makes many friends, and that the
young men regard him as the chief of them, whether it be at merriment or
aught else."
"I am right glad to hear you speak so of the young man, Judith,"
Prudence said, in her gentle way, and yet mildly wondering at this
sudden change of tone. "If he has displeased you, be sure he will be
sorry for it, when he knows the truth."
"Nay, nay, sweet mouse," Judith said, rising and resuming her careless
manner, as she picked up the ribbon she had thrown aside. "'Tis of no
moment. I wish the young man well. I pray you speak to none of that I
have told you; perchance 'twas but an accident, and he meant no slight
at all; and then--and then," she added, with a kind of laugh, "as the
good parson seems determined that willy-nilly I must wed him and help
him in his charge of souls, that were a good ending, sweet Prue?"
She was now all equipped for setting forth, even to the feather fan that
hung from her girdle by a small silver cord.
"But I know he hath not spoken to my father yet, else I should have
heard of it, in jest or otherwise. Come, mouse, shall we go? or the good
dame will have a scolding for us."
Indeed, this chance reference to the slight put upon her in the
church-yard seemed to have left no sting behind it. She was laughing as
she went down the stair, at some odd saying of Bess Hall's that her
father had got hold of. When they went outside she linked her arm within
that of her friend, and nodded to this or the other passer-by, and had a
merry or a pleasant word for them, accordingly as they greeted her. And
Green sleeves was all my joy,
Green sleeves was my delight,
came naturally into her idle brain; for the day seemed a fit one for
holiday-making; the skies were clear, with large white clouds moving
slowly across the blue; and there was a fair west wind to stir the
leaves of the trees and the bushes, and to touch warmly and softly her
pink-hued cheek and pearly neck.
"Ah, me," said she, in mock desolation, "why should one go nowadays to
Shottery? What use is in't, sweet Prue, when all the magic and
enticement is gone from it? Aforetime I had the chance of meeting with
so gracious a young gentleman, that brought news of the King's court,
and spoke so soft you would think the cuckoo in the woods was still to
listen. That was something to expect when one had walked so far--the
apparition--a trembling interview--and then so civil and sweet a
farewell! But now he is gone away, I know not whither; and he has
forgotten that ever he lodged in a farm-house, like a king consorting
with shepherds; and doubtless he will not seek to return. Well----"
"You have never heard of him since, Judith?" her friend said, with rapid
look.
"Alas, no!" she said, in the same simulated vein. "And sometimes I ask
myself whether there ever was such a youth--whether the world ever did
produce such a courtly gentleman, such a paragon, such a marvel of
courtesy--or was it not but a trick of the villain wizard? Think of it,
good Prue--to have been walking and talking with a ghost, with a thing
of air, and that twice, too! Is't not enough to chill the marrow in your
bones? Well, I would that all ghosts were as gentle and mannerly; there
would be less fear of them among the Warwickshire wenches. But do you
know, good Prue," she said, suddenly altering her tone into something of
eagerness, "there is a matter of more moment than ghosts that concerns
us now. By this time, or I am mistaken quite, there must be a goodly
bulk of the new play lying in the oaken chest; and again and again have
I tried to see whether I might dare to carry away some of the sheets,
but always there was some one to hinder. My father, you know, has been
much in the summer-house since the business of the new twenty acres was
settled; and then again, when by chance he has gone away with the
bailiff somewhere, and I have had my eye on the place, there was goodman
Matthew on the watch, or else a maid would come by to gather a dish of
green gooseberries for the baking, or Susan would have me seek out a
ripe raspberry or two for the child, or my mother would call to me from
the brew-house. But 'tis there, Prue, be sure; and there will come a
chance, I warrant; I will outwit the ancient Matthew----"
"Do you never bethink you, Judith, what your father would say were he to
discover?" her friend said, glancing at her, as they walked along the
highway.
Judith laughed, but with some heightened color.
"My father?" said she. "Truly, if he alone were to discover, I should
have easy penance. Were it between himself and me, methinks there were
no great harm done. A daughter may fairly seek to know the means that
has gained for her father the commendation of so many of the great
people, and placed him in such good estate in his own town. Marry, I
fear not my father's knowing, were I to confess to himself; but as for
the others, were they to learn of it--my mother, and Susan, and Dr.
Hall, and the pious Master Walter--I trow there might be some stormy
weather abroad. At all events, good Prue, in any such mischance, you
shall not suffer; 'tis I that will bear the blame, and all the blame;
for indeed I forced you to it, sweet mouse, and you are as innocent of
the wickedness as though you had ne'er been born."
And now they were just about to leave the main road for the foot-path
leading to Shottery, when they heard the sound of some one coming along
on horseback; and turning for a second, they found it was young Tom
Quiney, who was on a smart galloway nag, and coming at a goodly pace. As
he passed them he took off his cap, and lowered it with formal courtesy.
"Give ye good-day," said he; but he scarcely looked at them, nor did he
pull up for further talk or greeting.
"We are in such haste to be rich nowadays," said Judith, with a touch of
scorn in her voice, as the two maidens set forth to walk through the
meadows, "that we have scarce time to be civil to our friends."
But she bore away no ill-will; the day was too fine for that. The soft
west wind was tempering the heat and stirring the leaves of the elms;
red and white wild roses were sprinkled among the dark green of the
hedges; there was a perfume of elder blossom in the air; and perhaps
also a faint scent of hay, for in the distance they could see the mowers
at work among the clover, and could see the long sweep of the scythe.
The sun lay warm on the grass and the wild flowers around them; there
was a perfect silence but for the singing of the birds; and now and
again they could see one of the mowers cease from his work, and a soft
clinking sound told them that he was sharpening the long, curving blade.
They did not walk quickly; it was an idle day.
Presently some one came up behind them and overtook them. It was young
Master Quiney, who seemed to have changed his mind, and was now on foot.
"You are going over to Shottery, Prudence?" said he.
Prudence flushed uneasily. Why should he address her, and have no word
for Judith?
"Yes," said she; "Mistress Hathaway would have us see her roses; she is
right proud of them this year."
"'Tis a good year for roses," said he, in a matter-of-fact way, and as
if there were no restraint at all on any of the party.
And then it seemed to occur to him that he ought to account for his
presence.
"I guessed you were going to Shottery," said he, indifferently, and
still addressing himself exclusively to Prudence; "and I got a lad to
take on the nag and meet me at the cross-road; the short-cut through the
meadows is pleasant walking. To Mistress Hathaway's, said you? I dare
promise you will be pleased with the show; there never was such a year
for roses; and not a touch of blight anywhere, as I have heard. And a
fine season for the crops, too; just such weather as the farmers might
pray for; Look at that field of rye over there, now--is't not a goodly
sight?"
He was talking with much appearance of self-possession; it was Prudence
who was embarrassed. As for Judith, she paid no heed; she was looking
before her at the hedges and the elms, at the wild flowers around, and
at the field of bearded rye that bent in rustling gray-green undulations
before the westerly breeze.
"And how does your brother, Prudence?" he continued. "'Tis well for him
his business goes on from year to year without respect of the seasons;
he can sleep o' nights without thinking of the weather. It is the common
report that the others of the Town Council hold him in great regard, and
will have him become alderman ere long; is it not so?"
"I have heard some talk of it," Prudence said, with her eyes cast down.
At this moment they happened to be passing some patches of the common
mallow that were growing by the side of the path; and the tall and
handsome youth who was walking with the two girls (but who never once
let his eyes stray in the direction of Judith) stooped down and pulled
one of the brightest clusters of the pale lilac blossoms.
"You have no flower in your dress, Prudence," said he, offering them to
her.
"Nay, I care not to wear them," said she; and she would rather have
declined them, but as he still offered them to her, how could she help
accepting them and carrying them in her hand? And then, in desperation,
she turned and addressed the perfectly silent and impassive Judith.
"Judith," said she, "you might have brought the mastiff with you for a
run."
"Truly I might, sweetheart," said Judith, cheerfully, "but that my
grandmother likes him not in the garden; his ways are overrough."
"Now that reminds me," said he, quickly (but always addressing
Prudence), "of the little spaniel-gentle that I have. Do you know the
dog, Prudence? 'Tis accounted a great beauty, and of the true Maltese
breed. Will you accept him from me? In truth I will hold it a favor if
you will take the little creature."
"I?" said Prudence, with much amazement; for she had somehow vaguely
heard that the dog had been purchased and brought to Stratford for the
very purpose of being presented to Judith.
"I assure you 'tis just such an one as would make a pleasant companion
for you," said he; "a gentle creature as ever was, and affectionate
too--a most pleasant and frolicsome playfellow. Will you take it,
Prudence? for what can I do with the little beast? I have no one to look
after it."
"I had thought you meant Judith to have the spaniel," said she, simply.
"Nay, how would that do, sweetheart?" said Judith, calmly. "Do you think
the Don would brook such invasion of his domain? Would you have the
little thing killed? You should take it, good cousin; 'twill be company
for you should you be alone in the house."
She had spoken quite as if she had been engaged in the conversation all
the way through; there was no appearance of anger or resentment at his
ostentatious ignoring of her presence: whatever she felt she was too
proud to show.
"Then you will take the dog, Prudence," said he. "I know I could not
give it into gentler hands, for you could not but show it kindness, as
you show to all."
"Give ye good thanks," said Prudence, with her pale face flushing with
renewed embarrassment, "for the offer of the gift; but in truth I doubt
if it be right and seemly to waste such care on a dumb animal when there
be so many of our fellow-creatures that have more pressing claims on us.
And there are enough of temptations to idleness without our wilfully
adding to them. But I thank you for the intention of your
kindness--indeed I do."
"Nay, now, you shall have it, good Prudence, whether you will or no,"
said he with a laugh. "You shall bear with the little dog but for a
week, that I beg of you; and then if it please you not, if you find no
amusement in its tricks and antics, I will take it back again. 'Tis a
bargain; but as to your sending of it back, I have no fears; I warrant
you 'twill overcome your scruples, for 'tis a most cunning and crafty
playfellow, and merry withal; nor will it hinder you from being as kind
and helpful to those around you as you have ever been. I envy the dog
that is to have so gentle a guardian."
They were now come to a parting of the ways; and he said he would turn
off to the left, so as to reach the lane at the end of which his nag was
awaiting him.
"And with your leave, Prudence," said he, "I will bring the little
spaniel to your house this evening, for I am only going now as far as
Bidford; and if your brother be at home he may have half an hour to
spare, that we may have a chat about the Corporation, and the new
ordinances they propose to make. And so fare you well, and good wishes
go with you!"
And with that he departed, and was soon out of sight.
"Oh, Judith," Prudence exclaimed, almost melting into tears, "my heart
is heavy to see it!"
"What, then, good cousin?" said Judith, lightly.
"The quarrel."
"The quarrel, dear heart! Think of no such thing. In sober truth, dear
Prudence, I would not have matters other than they are; I would not; I
am well content; and as for Master Quiney, is not he improved? Did ever
mortal hear him speak so fair before? Marry, he hath been learning good
manners, and profited well. But there it is; you are so gentle,
sweetheart, that every one, no matter who, must find you good company;
while I am fractious, and ill to bear with; and do I marvel to see any
one prefer your smooth ways and even disposition? And when he comes
to-night, heed you, you must thank him right civilly for bringing you
the little spaniel; 'tis a great favor; the dog is one of value that
many would prize----"
"I cannot take it--I will not have it. 'Twas meant for you, Judith, as
well you know," the other cried, in real distress.
"But you must and shall accept the gift," her friend said, with
decision. "Ay, and show yourself grateful for his having singled you out
withal. Neither himself nor his spaniel would go long a-begging in
Stratford, I warrant you; give him friendly welcome, sweetheart."
"He went away without a word to you, Judith."
"I am content."
"But why should it be thus?" Prudence said, almost piteously.
"Why? Dear mouse, I have told you. He and I never did agree; 'twas ever
something wrong on one side or the other; and wherefore should not he
look around for a gentler companion? 'Twere a wonder should he do aught
else; and now he hath shown more wisdom than ever I laid to his credit."
"But the ungraciousness of his going, Judith," said the gentle Prudence,
who could in no wise understand the apparent coolness with which Judith
seemed to regard the desperate thing that had taken place.
"Heaven have mercy! why should that trouble you if it harm not me?" was
the instant answer. "My spirits are not like to be dashed down for want
of a 'fare you well.' In good sooth, he had given you so much of his
courtesy and fair speeches that perchance he had none to spare for
others."
By this time they were come to the little wooden gate leading into the
garden; and it was no wonder they should pause in passing through that
to regard the bewildering and glowing luxuriance of foliage and blossom,
though this was but a cottage inclosure, and none of the largest. The
air seemed filled with the perfume of this summer abundance; and the
clear sunlight shone on the various masses of color--roses red and
white, pansies, snapdragon, none-so-pretty, sweet-williams of every
kind, to say nothing of the clustering honeysuckle that surrounded the
cottage door.
"Was't not worth the trouble, sweetheart?" Judith said. "Indeed, the
good dame does well to be proud of such a pageant."
As she spoke her grandmother suddenly made her appearance, glancing
sharply from one to the other of them.
"Welcome, child, welcome," she said, "and to you, sweet Mistress Shawe."
And yet she did not ask them to enter the cottage; there was some kind
of hesitation about the old dame's manner that was unusual.
"Well, grandmother," said Judith, gayly, "have you no grumbling? My cap
I made myself; then must it be out of fashion. Or I did not make it
myself; then it must have cost a mint of money. Or what say you to my
petticoat--does not the color offend you? Shall I ever attain to the
pleasing of you, think you, good grandmother?"
"Wench, wench, hold your peace!" the old dame said, in a lower voice.
"There is one within that may not like the noise of strangers--though he
be no stranger to you, as he says----"
"What, grandmother?" Judith exclaimed, and involuntarily she shrank back
a little, so startled was she. "A stranger? In the cottage? You do not
mean the young gentleman that is in hiding--that I met in the lane----"
"The same, Judith, the same," she said, quickly; "and I know not whether
he would wish to be seen by more than needs be----"
She glanced at Judith, who understood: moreover, the latter had pulled
together her courage again.
"Have no fear, good grandmother," said she; and she turned to Prudence.
"You hear, good Prue, who is within."
"Yes," the other answered, but somewhat breathless.
"Now, then, is such an opportunity as may ne'er occur again," Judith
said. "You will come with me, good Prue? Nay, but you must."
"Indeed I shall not!" Prudence exclaimed, stepping back in affright.
"Not for worlds, Judith, would I have aught to do with such a thing. And
you, Judith, for my sake, come away! We will go back to Stratford!--we
will look at the garden some other time!--in truth, I can see your
grandmother is of my mind too. Judith, for the love of me, come!--let us
get away from this place!"
Judith regarded her with a strange kind of smile.
"I have had such courtesy and fair manners shown me to-day, sweet
Prue," said she, with a sort of gracious calmness, "that I am fain to
seek elsewhere for some other treatment, lest I should grow vain. Will
it please you wait for me in the garden, then? Grandmother, I am going
in with you to help you give your guest good welcome."
"Judith!" the terrified Prudence exclaimed, in a kind of despair.
But Judith, with her head erect, and with a perfect and proud
self-possession, had followed her grandmother into the house.