"And look here, Mr. Waycott, I've drawn out a plan. I want you to see
it."
"A plan for what?"
"Why to house my doctors, officers, and orphans."
"You don't mean to build?"
"Of course I do, only the difficulty is the land to build on. Aunt Dove
will never consent to have a Home on the estate."
"I expect she won't."
"Then I shall be up a tree, because I want it close by. I shall want to
see after it, and you promised you would help me, and Uncle Evas will be
awfully interested."
Lewis gave a side glance at Toney. She was perfectly in earnest.
"We must manage it somehow I see. You'll give me a night to consider it
in, won't you?"
"Of course! I've been thinking of it ever since I knew my General had
left me his money. I've made lovely plans about all sorts of things."
"You have built castles in Spain?"
"No, only a stone house at Aldersfield. It will be hard work I know,
but I love what Mr. Hales calls 'the strenuous life.'"
"You always were active-minded, but I think you will live to repent your
palace."
"But you won't laugh about it, and you'll help, won't you?" Toney was
very much in earnest. Lewis paused and took her hand suddenly.
"Of course I will. It is very, very good of you to trust me. It's a
compact."
Toney looked at him suddenly. A faint blush spread where there was
room, then the nervousness passed away.
"I do trust you ever so much. Thank you. What shall we exchange for a
compact. It ought to be half a button! But about his Royal Highness,
do you think he had better be warned?"
"I really think I would let him enjoy one night more without a
nightmare."
Even Toney, who was terribly in earnest at this moment, could not resist
laughing.
"You must come and see him. He really is very nice looking, but I am
rather disappointed that he does not care to talk of Australia. You
ought to stick to your country through thick and thin."
"Especially through thick masses of begging letters. You are a brave
woman!"
"Come in and call on him. Do you know Aunt Dove is so happy as she can
speak her mind to my dear chum, who has taken Miss Grossman's place for
a few days. It does bring back my first arrival to hear her patiently
reading a novel. Aunt Dove likes murders, because she can say, 'How very
shocking!' but Chum has the courage to skip now and then. She is free
at last!"
They had now reached Aldersfield, having taken a short cut across the
park, and they instinctively made for the garden door nearest the
secretary's room. Toney knocked, and there was a sound of moving before
the "come in" allowed Toney to enter and find his Royal Highness seated
at his writing table looking very secretarial. There was a strong smell
of smoke, and the big armchair was close to the fire.
"Mr. Lewis Waycott has come to call on you," said Toney. "He's our next
door neighbour; you must be tired of sorting letters."
The introduction was very correct. Plantagenet Russell was much afraid
of condescension, so put on the superior and nonchalant tone.
"Will you kindly sit down," he said to his visitor. Toney had already
sunk down on a low window sill. Lewis surreptitiously examined the new
secretary, and inwardly smiled at the grand manner. He would soon find
that he must climb down.
"Ah! fine country about here, but not a part of the world I know at all.
Lady Dove has most kindly suggested some shooting, I suppose there is
plenty."
"And there is some excellent golf," said Lewis cheerfully.
"Ah! I should have thought the neighbourhood was too scattered for
that."
"I think you'll find it a growing neighbourhood," said Lewis,
remembering Toney's advertisement and glancing at her, but she turned
her head away in terror.
"Ah! I'm surprised at that. I shouldn't have expected it."
"The unexpected is frequently met with here."
"Indeed! As to society I always prefer solitude to second-rate people."
"We used to be very select, but--since----"
Toney looked reproachfully at him.
"England is changing very much in that respect; what with Socialists and
Radicals, we are going to the dogs."
Whether Trick thought the remark too derogatory to be passed over, or
whether he was bent on mischief, certain it is that at this moment he
trotted in from the garden door, and seeing his mistress in company with
a strange man, flew at his heels.
"Put your feet up, Mr. Russell, anywhere. Trick will gnaw your heels if
you don't. Please forgive him, but I never can break him of the habit.
Trick! Trick!"
His Royal Highness had not obeyed, so that he found himself attacked as
if his heels were two rats, with sudden darts at one and then the other.
It was really a most unpardonable position to put one into. Lewis could
not restrain his amusement as Toney made ineffectual dashes. His Royal
Highness tried to kick the offender, which, of course, only increased
the evil.
"Don't kick him, please; he'll never forgive you." Lewis came to the
rescue as he had done once before, and seized Trick by his shaggy coat,
whilst Toney ran to open the door wider.
"How can you, Trick, I am so ashamed of you! I assure you, Mr. Russell,
he has not done it for years. I only hope he won't remember your kicks.
He's terribly sensitive."
Mr. Russell looked more than annoyed. The grand manner had forsaken
him, and Toney plunged into a business talk to help him to recover his
calmness.
"I hope you have not found the letters tiresome."
"They are from various tradesmen, but I mean to put it all down in
double entry, a system of my own."
"I think you'll find single entry enough," laughed Lewis, and then to
Toney's delight he suggested the secretary coming for a stroll with him,
and both men disappeared, but not through the garden door.
*CHAPTER XIII.*
*A BIG PILE.*
Lady Dove came down to breakfast next morning much disturbed in spirit
because Miss Grossman had sent word she was still very feverish and
should remain in bed. Lady Dove had a horror of catching anything from
those about her, but all the same she felt injured at her companion's
message. As she came down the stairs she tried to elicit sympathy from
her husband who was in the hall.
"I consider it a most improper message, Evas, and if you were not so
callous to my feelings you would think the same."
"But, my dear Melina, Miss Grossman cannot help being feverish, and it's
very considerate of her to keep out of your way. You have a dread of
infection you know."
"I was not aware of it, Evas, but of course it is much kinder to our
fellow-creatures to keep free from ailments. I have always gone on that
principle. Men never realise what women put up with in silence. Are
there any letters to-day?"
Sir Evas paused in front of the hall table where the letters were always
laid in order in rows and heaps according to ownership. To-day his eyes
strayed on to two vast piles.
"Good gracious, what's this? Plan---- Ah! Plantagenet Russell, Esq.
Well!" Lady Dove stood aghast
"What does this mean? How can that young man have so many
acquaintances? All for him!"
"No, not all. One letter for you, dear, some for me, and a good heap
for Toney. The postman will rebel if----"
Toney came running down with Trick. She took in the situation at a
glance.
"Good morning, Aunt Dove. How did you sleep, Uncle Evas?" and Toney
bestowed her kisses all round. "Chum, dear, did you dream of your
piccaninnies? Powder me pink! What a little cart-load of letters for
Mr. Russell! I think he needn't have them for breakfast, they would
swamp his food."
"I can't understand----" said Lady Dove, who had not jumped to
conclusions as did Sir Evas.
"Evidently he is a gentleman well known to-day," continued Toney. Then
she glanced on her own pile. "He may have mine too, except a few! I
never did like letters much, people don't say what they really want to
say in letters, do they?"
"I can't imagine what you mean, Antonia," answered Lady Dove, heading
the procession to the dining-room and sweeping her rustling skirts with
determination. "If people don't want to say what they do say, they
don't write. I must say you do make the most illogical remarks of
anyone I know."
Prayers followed--at which his Royal Highness did not put in an
appearance, and Lady Dove said the responses louder and more
impressively than usual, which was her way of letting the household know
she was ruffled.
"I say, Toney, is this what we are to expect?" asked Sir Evas in a low
tone to his niece, "the revenue will give you a testimonial!"
"I want to keep my name out of it," answered Toney in the same tone,
"and isn't that the good of a secretary?"
"Have you offered free meals to the county?"
"Oh no! Uncle, that's bad political economy. Hush!"
"Pray, Evas, what are you remarking? I think conversations in low tones
are most unseemly at breakfast. Ah! Mr. Plantagenet Russell, I hope
you slept well. We are rather early as Sir Evas always thinks he has so
much to do, a remark I notice which often hides idleness."
"Every duty, for _me_, has its appointed time!" said the secretary.
"Your letters are in the hall. I suppose you have a large circle of
acquaintances, Mr. Russell?"
Toney was trying to smother her laughter as the secretary bowed low to
the hostess.
"Not very large," said Mr. Russell, as if he were trying to be humble.
"Rather a bore to answer them."
"I'm afraid it will take you some time, but, of course, one uses a
paper-basket largely, even with letters from acquaintances," said Lady
Dove politely. She was won over by the new secretary's deference.
"I hope you will tabulate them," put in Toney meditatively. "One can
see at a glance then if--they are worse off or better off than the
others."
"I make a list of everything," said Lady Dove. "You remember, don't you,
Anne Faber, how well I kept the callers' book? One could see at a
glance if people had not done their duty. I can always manage to show
people politely what I think of them."
Mr. Russell murmured his approbation.
"It takes a very little time to book up letters, and I never believe
those who say their letters were lost in the post."
"I don't think your letters will take very little time to-day, but, of
course, I shall help you," said Toney, thinking of the terrible heaps in
the hall.
Mr. Russell looked at the heiress with mild condescension.
"Thank you, I prefer doing it alone, and then there can be no mistake.
I should not wish to stop your lessons in motor driving, Miss Whitburn."
"I've nearly conquered it; I've stuck up over my dressing table,
'_Laborare est orare_,' that means the 'motor-car.'"
"Well, Toney, I hope it won't soon be your epitaph this neat Latin,"
smiled her uncle.
Happily Lady Dove soon got into most interesting conversation with Mr.
Russell on the subject of social duties, so that Toney was then able to
escape and to beckon to her uncle and Mrs. Faber to come and help her.
Sir Evas could not help laughing heartily when he contemplated the
pyramid of letters.
"This beats even you, Toney! Confess what you have been doing. Your
aunt thinks the poor young man has such a large circle of friends."
"Oh, Toney, what is the new scheme?" said Mrs. Faber smiling.
Toney pulled her advertisement out of her pocket.
"I was so much afraid you would see it, but really I didn't guess the
people would answer so promptly."
"Good heavens! Russell will be tabulating for days!"
"I expect there will be more by next post. Quick, let's carry them into
the office. I think you won't complain that the secretary will be idle.
You see, uncle, I shall be kept busy going to see them and just looking
round."
"Busy! It's the work of Sisyphus or what's his name."
"I'll carry them in my skirt. Shoot them in, uncle. Chum, carry the
rest and open the doors for us. Don't drop any, uncle, it may be just
the most deserving case."
"It's my belief you have trod on a hornet's nest. Besides, they won't
have believed in that advertisement!"
"I think they have," said Toney, emptying her skirt on the secretary's
table. "St. Francis hadn't a daily post and never advertised," she
continued rather sadly, "but he would have tackled it somehow."
Mrs. Faber was busy putting the letters in some kind of order, and could
not help smiling.
"What guidance are you going to give Mr. Russell?"
"I've thought it all out and it will be awfully interesting work, only I
want to do it as much as I can myself like Brother Giles. He believed
that work was as good as prayer, and that even if you were talking to an
angel and your superior called you, you must leave the angel."
"They are not very common visitors, Toney. Well, good-bye, I'll leave
you to tackle his Serene Highness."
"And I must write up Lady Dove's visiting book," said Mrs. Faber, so
they both escaped as they heard Mr. Russell's step in the passage.
"I didn't find the letters in the hall," he said, seeing Toney. Then
his glance fell on the writing table. "What--are those--letters?
Impossible!"
Toney had to confess.
"They have exceeded my greatest expectations I assure you."
"Hundreds!" murmured the secretary.
"Yes, I haven't counted them. It's in answer to this advertisement,"
and Toney read it out. "You know I've heaps of money and I've got to
give it away; but it will take a lot of time, attention, and trouble.
Anyhow, I've prepared myself for it, and you see how much I want your
help."
"Yes, I see." He looked hopelessly at the table. "I thought you wanted
an ordinary secretary."
"Oh, no, I don't want anything ordinary. It's a glorious work and
you'll find it so. We must tabulate these first, some will be quite
hopeless, but lots will want immediate help till we can house them."
"House them, where?" said Mr. Russell, roused from his lethargy into
positive dread.
"Oh, yes, of course, house them. I've got the plans all ready in a
rough way, and when I've got the land we can go ahead. It will be just
beautiful!"
"Beautiful--in what way?"
"Entering into all the lives of people who are down in their luck. I'll
confess I did several times think I'd give it all in a big lump and have
done with it, but that was downright cowardice. A people's palace sounds
first-rate, but when you come to look into it it's very little use. You
know money is nothing without labour."
"Labour is nothing without money, I should say," said Mr. Russell with a
sarcastic smile; "but as your house is not built, what can you do with
these people?" He opened the envelopes at random. "Yes, I see it's the
usual thing. A broken-down clergyman--has a large family, struggled
many years against bad luck--I dare say a drone. Here's another, a
doctor who has lost his health in the discharge of his duties, and----"
"Of course, he must be inquired about. My father was a doctor and--I
see now, he died of over-work for other people." Toney clasped her
hands, and her eyes looked soft through a thin veil of unshed tears. "I
shall never resist a doctor's claim unless you help me! I know you will
like the work. You are sort of a countryman of mine, and it's an honour
for us, isn't it, that we can pull together."
Mr. Plantagenet Russell looked at his despised heiress a moment to see
if she was in earnest. Yes, she certainly was in deadly earnest! He had
meant to have an easy time, and on the threshold he was confronted with
stupendous work, and then told it was "a great honour." It was the
first glimmer of something above mere
"do-your-duty-and-have-done-with-it" that had ever entered his head.
"I will think it over if I may," was his cautious answer. "In any case
I had better begin at once or I shall not finish booking up before
nightfall. As to answering them it is impossible to-day.
"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."