BY AND BY.
BY the time the cab arrived at Hampstead, Fritz knew the extent of his
grief—knew that his only son would not be able to welcome his father or
respond to his love. Otto would not enter, but wished Gertrude farewell
when she left the cab, and had himself driven back in it to his hotel,
where his brother intended to join him later in the evening.
Mrs. Shaddock met Mr. Leigh in the hall, and after a few words of
kindly greeting, asked Gertrude to take her brother to his little boy's
bedside.
She led the way up-stairs and opened her sister's door, herself passing
on to her own chamber; she felt as if she could bear no more.
She did not know why, but the moment she was alone, she laid her head
down on the window-sill and cried as if her heart would break. She
thought she was crying over the sad scene that must be happening on
the next floor; she pictured Rose's face as she uncovered their little
Lester and showed what a shadow only was left of their bright darling;
she pictured Fritz's anguish and indignation. But all the while, she
wept with a nameless pain, as if for herself too, until she remembered
that she would be expected down-stairs, and must not give way thus.
This thought roused her, so taking off her bonnet and putting on some
little evening adornment, she hastened to the dining-room, where she
knew the whole family were just collecting for their late tea.
On the stairs were her brother and sister, who explained that nurse had
offered to stay with Lester, so they thought they would do well to join
the family circle, and put aside their anxiety in deference to the kind
wishes of their host and hostess.
At tea the merits of various physicians were discussed, Mr. Shaddock
recommending one of whom he had heard at his office, who had treated an
analogous case most successfully.
It was at last decided that Mr. Leigh should call in Harley Street on
his way home to his hotel, and should if possible make an appointment
for the morning with the physician, if he should advise little Lester's
being brought to him.
"And what am I to tell Otto?" he asked at last, when he rose to go.
Gertrude had been dreading that question all the evening. How could she
make Otto's proposition? And yet how could she refuse to do so?
"My brother came up from Rugby with me yesterday," said Mr. Leigh,
turning to Mrs. Shaddock, "and asks if you will allow Gertrude and some
of your young people to visit the South Kensington Museum with him. He
has never seen the Natural History collection yet, and if they would
like to come, he would be so pleased."
"I cannot come, because it is our 'at home' day," said Mollie. "Mother
always wants me."
"Would you like to go, Daisy?" asked Gertrude.
"I should," said Randall; "it would be far nicer than school."
"Thank you—" answered Daisy, hesitating, "if—I should 'like' it very
much; Hugh and I have always wanted to go there."
"I s'pose you wouldn't care to go without Hugh," said Randall, "but he
ought not to miss school; he is always missing school for something or
another!"
"Oh, Randall!" exclaimed Daisy. "It is not his fault that he is not
strong."
Randall shrugged his little shoulders expressively; he was, however,
too interested in the South Kensington plan to pursue the subject, so
he asked—
"Will you take me, Miss Ashlyn?"
"Certainly, my dear, if your mother will let you go."
Hugh's eyes were fixed on his mother's face, while his father was
watching him unobserved.
"To-morrow is your half-holiday, is it not, Hugh?" he asked.
Hugh started and coloured. "Oh, I should like to go," he exclaimed,
hesitating, "if Daisy is going, and if Miss Ashlyn does not mind."
Randall was close to him, and nudged his arm now with a whispered
comment, which, however, he did not hear.
"What did you say?" he asked, as he received a second nudge.
"Mother said you should have no treats nor anything because of your
burning that five-pound note."
Hugh crimsoned, and then, catching his father's eye, he went to his
side.
"Randall says I ought not to go because of that five-pound note."
"That is forgiven," answered his father quietly; "do not trouble about
Randall, my boy."
Hugh raised his head, a light shining in his eyes.
Gertrude was rapidly arranging times and trains with her
brother-in-law, as he was anxious to be off. Then he ran up-stairs once
more to kiss his newly-found child, and with a grateful adieu to the
rest, he was gone.
Rose remained with Lester; the boys were already busy down-stairs with
their lessons; Daisy and Hugh hastened to their schoolroom to prepare
theirs; and Gertrude, after a brief visit to her sister, sought them
and settled down to lessons and work, feeling as if the last few days
had been a dream.
When Daisy rose to say good-night, she put her hand on Gertrude's
shoulder: "Miss Ashlyn, Randall will love you by and by."
"I hope so, dear."
"I'm awfully sorry he is so disagreeable—but indeed if you go on being
kind, he will by and by."
"Yes, dear," she answered, "that is what I look for."
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