"Somehow it did, when it really was an honour to shake hands with Miss
Phipps; but I want to know if I may have the farm at once and rig it up
for interviews. I could put Miss Phipps and her mother there, and she
could be sort of interviewing secretary."
"But you say she can't see?"
"Her mother could see for her and they could do it between them. Mr.
Staines is so slow about the lease, and he and your lawyer are having
_chasse croise_ about everything, and--if you don't mind lending it to
me straight off till it's paid for we could send an army of work-people
and do it up from top to toe."
Lewis looked at her bright eager face, and he felt it was also an honour
to shake hands with her, but he could say nothing but,
"Of course you shall have it, only it's giving in to Lady Dove's
selfishness."
"Pups said it was not seeing through other people's eyes that made us
selfish. I read last night about Brother Leo's dream, and I did wish
Aunt Dove could hear it, but she would think it rubbish. He saw a lot of
brothers with loads on their backs trying to cross a river, some got
half-way and some nearly to the shore, but in the end all were drowned;
and then he saw others with no loads and they got over easily, and St.
Francis explained that the loads were the riches which they could not
forsake."
"Lady Dove has a pretty good heavy load, I fancy!" said Lewis rather
savagely.
"I'm sure Pups hadn't any. That's why he got to the other side so
easily. Then I may see about the farm this very day, may I?"
"Yes, this very day, I'll come with you directly after breakfast; but
come in and hear about the Argentine cousin."
"You swear to keep the secret, won't you, Mr. Waycott?"
"Certainly, by the seven gods if you like."
As the two entered the dining-room, Miss Honoria thought she had never
seen two faces looking so perfectly happy.
Never had Jeanie Hamilton appeared so much excited as she did now as
both sisters recounted their good fortune, to which Toney listened with
a smile on her lips.
"It will pay for a whole course of Herr Ludowic. Imagine such luck!"
"Jeanie is really worth the lessons, but I'm not," said Maud humbly. "I
think she had better have it all and then she can become a
professional."
"Cousin Seaton wouldn't like that," said Mrs. Hamilton; "you can keep it
and see what you really want. I always said he would make money and
that he had a generous heart," and Toney put in,
"If he has made a lot I expect he finds it just a great pleasure to give
it away. Now I'll go on to the farm and take notes."
The farm was a most picturesque place with old black woodwork outside,
and within panelled rooms with lattice windows, but it all needed
repainting and papering. Toney was in her element, as pencil in hand,
she planned out something very pretty. She had not done before Lewis
appeared, and with his help she put down the names of the tradesmen she
should apply to to transform the old farm into something that would be
very pretty and attractive, and where some of the future dwellers in
Toney's palace should lodge.
"I am going to call the palace 'Stone House' after my General," she
said, "and you must name the farm, as it is really your gift."
"My gift when I am selling it for a handsome sum! It will be a chapel
of ease I think."
Toney laughed.
"Indeed it won't. Everybody connected with it will work hard. Pups
said hard work was like salt to dried herrings! But I do wish we could
get on with the palace. It's going to be built of stone of course, with
mullion windows and airy rooms, and very hygienic and--oh, I must ride
home, for Mr. Russell will be wanting me. He takes Aunt Dove's part,
and she is really quite nice to him."
At that moment Maud made her appearance. Her mother had sent her to
invite Toney to lunch, but in the back of her mind it was to report how
Lewis conducted himself with the heiress. Maud found them only busy
over the names of many tradesmen.
"I'm glad you came," exclaimed Toney, but not laughing. "I want you to
help Mr. Waycott to choose a name for the farm. It will be nice if you
both help."
Maud was beginning to admire Toney very much; ever since the birthday
party she always took her part when her mother and Jeanie abused her,
and now here was Toney saying something so nice. At that moment,
however, the Squire's agent came to call him away on business.
"Oh, Toney, it will be lovely to have your palace so near to Lewis,
because he does take so much interest in it."
"It is very good of him and you. If you both care it will get on."
Maud wondered why Toney put it like that; happily, Mrs. Hamilton had not
let Maud become acquainted with her plans, and as she herself had never
seen any attention, other than cousinly, on Lewis' side, the idea of
marrying him had not entered her head. In this Mrs. Hamilton had shown
her talent. She knew Lewis would resent the idea of having his wife
chosen for him, but some day he would fall in with the idea and all
would be well, but it did no harm to prepare the matrimonial path by
telling other people about it.
"Toney, dear, I want to make a confession to you," said Maud, leaning
against the gate whilst Toney sat on the top of it.
"Confession to me! I'm the worst person, for if I were a Roman Catholic
priest I would never listen to confessions, but absolve them all. I
should feel rather mean to hear people's bad thoughts, wouldn't you?"
"Well, you must listen. I think we were all horrid about you, I don't
know why, at least I think when you first came I was rather jealous of
you."
"Jealous of me when I first came! Why, I was only a poor relation."
"Yes, but you could ride and play tennis, and you always said things
straight out, which I never, never can!"
"It was only Pups' teaching."
"But I want to say I've changed my mind, Toney, and I do like you very
much now, and will you let me help you in your work? Jeanie and I do
seem to lead such useless lives. Of course now with Cousin Seaton's
present it will be better. Jeanie will go and get really good lessons
and be a success, and I shall give her my share, as it will be much
better for her, and then I thought that perhaps you would let me help
with your poor people."
"Well, now that is scrumptious of you, Maud; you're the first woman that
ever wanted to help except Crumpet, and she's got her Henry. If you
really mean it, you could come and help Miss Phipps here. Mr. Waycott
laughs because she's nearly blind--and there'll be so much to do at
first about accounts and other things."
"Let's call it 'The Haven.'"
"Yes, and you shall visit the Haven every day. That will be beautiful,
and you won't mind being a paid official, will you, as I think paid work
is more satisfactory. I'll give you one hundred pounds a year, and it
will be a real, real help."
"Oh, Toney! but---- Yes, I won't be proud because the money will be so
useful to me. It is silly our being afraid of saying we are poor. Since
I've known you, Toney, I see how foolish we are."
Toney took her hand and clasped it
"That's a token of our agreement. The Kanakas did that when I tried to
make them promise to leave off a bad habit; but I think they liked
clasping hands, as they so often forgot and had to begin again!" They
both laughed, and Maud's eyes began to shine with new hope and pleasure.
She was going to be useful.
"And there's another thing I want to ask you about. You know Jeanie
always looks so miserable; well, it's because she is constantly thinking
of Frank Weston. She rejected him because he wasn't a gentleman born, I
used to think she was right, but now--I begin to feel it's we that were
silly and foolish. How can it matter what a man is by birth so that he's
_really nice_. You don't know what a wonderful musician he is, and what
a very, very nice man. I think Jeanie broke his heart, or nearly, and I
believe she is breaking hers, as she is so cross if I mention him. Oh,
Toney, can you help her? You got Miss Crump married. Lewis says it was
all your doing."
"Gracious stars! but I do love a real, real romance. Of course I'd marry
a pig-sticker if he was real nice, but I'm not a Hamilton--I'm only just
Toney Whitburn. But, Maud, let's think out a solution, and thank you
very, very much for being so nice to me! I'll never be jealous of you!"
"Jealous of me!--how could you be, Toney?"
*CHAPTER XIX.*
*A REFUGE.*
The transformation of the farm seemed to take place by magic, for Toney
spared neither trouble nor money. She wished to have some place where
her visitors might be received with kindness and courtesy, two things
which were a very uncertain quantity at Aldersfield, that is if Lady
Dove was in the vicinity. Besides all this time, Toney was constantly
writing to the architect about plans for "Stone House," and to Mr.
Staines about the purchase of the land. It was in all these ways that
the girl's real ability was soon visible; what she did not understand
she grappled with till, as she expressed it, daylight came. Even Mr.
Russell began to feel that his employer was not only a mere girl with
whims and fancies, for that had been his first opinion of her. He was
often surprised at the grasp she had of subjects not included in a young
lady's education, and a faint spark of enthusiasm began to appear
occasionally in his work. Certainly there was a great deal of
secretarial work to do, but Toney's masterly scribbles on the letters to
be answered were seldom at fault, though expressed in somewhat quaint
fashion. She appeared to remember cases in an extraordinary manner
without their being tabulated, for she possessed a royal memory, bred of
early training and a perfectly healthy life.
Ten days later Toney rode off alone to the farm to see to last touches,
for Miss Phipps and her mother were to come that very afternoon. The
door was opened by Mrs. Thomas, who had been a cook, and Mary, now a
tall girl, was to wait on the ladies, whilst Mr. Thomas was to see after
the garden and make himself generally useful. As the whole family
adored Toney, there was no fear of the wheels not going round easily.
She had made them think they themselves were going to confer great
benefits.
"I do think, Miss Tonia, everything is ready!" said Mrs. Thomas.
"And I've put flowers in the sitting-room," added Mary. "I knew you
would wish them to have flowers."
"And we shall have a fine dairy, miss," added Thomas, "'twill supply all
your big house when it's built."
They all accepted Miss Tonia's big house quite naturally, and they all
meant to have a hand in its success.
Toney made a last inspection, her quick eyes seeing everything. Then
she returned alone into the parlour to await Maud who had gone to meet
Miss Phipps. Toney and Trick sat on the wide window seat looking into
the garden, in which beautiful chrysanthemums were to be seen, and
curled up here with Trick in her arms she had a good think.
It was very sweet of Maud to want to help her, she loved her for it, and
she loved her because Lewis loved her, and the two would perfect as
master and mistress of beautiful Waycott Hall with all its art
treasures. It was very nice of Lewis never to have thought of money at
all, as Lady Dove had formerly said he would, it showed he was what
Toney had always thought him, one of King Arthur's knights. She did
wish they had told her herself because she could have assured them how
perfect she thought it, and she would try to be awfully nice to Maud for
his sake. Of course it was his influence that had made her so much
nicer, and now so willing to join in Toney's work.
As for herself, her work was marked out quite plainly, and she must
think of nothing else; it would be years before it would run on all
fours, and till then she must keep a watchful eye over everything and
must not think of personal pleasure. Then she would be following in her
father's footsteps, and doing her duty to her neighbour as General Stone
had expected of her.
The bright face was quite grave as she leant against Trick's shaggy
locks. The burden felt just a wee bit heavy this morning, and the
future, just like a hill that went up and up a long, long way, and no
top visible at this moment. Then suddenly she shook herself and Trick
to get rid of these grey thoughts.
"I do wish Pups could appear to me as the Brothers of Poverello did so
often to each other. I shouldn't be a bit afraid, as of course he is
working hard somewhere, and of course he sees me and does care about my
work. But the Brothers of Poverello were so very, very good and always
praying, so that they were fit to see the saints, and I'm not."
At this moment, happily for Toney's spirits, a fly drove up and she flew
to receive her first visitors. Maud was there looking quite transformed
from the discontented girl she had been into a woman with a purpose.
"Here we are, Toney, and Mrs. and Miss Phipps are very cold and tired
after their journey."
Then all Toney's sadness flew away like a bird of evil omen, and she was
once more the joyous creature that scattered delight about her. Mary
Thomas was helping the ladies as if they were princesses, and Thomas was
dealing with their boxes, and Mrs. Thomas was saying that tea was ready
in the dining-room. Mrs. Phipps was a bustling, kind old lady devoted
to her nearly blind daughter and telling her how beautiful everything
was, and Miss Phipps was as cheerful as possible, talking and praising
everything.
"The work will be quite easy," said Toney, "and Miss Hamilton will look
in every day to help you, and there are four spare rooms for anyone who
wants to come and have a real good time, and you will make them very
happy I know, and Mary is just a treasure."
So the party sat down to tea, and they made Mrs. Phipps take the head of
the table because this was her home now, and she was to entertain
everybody who came, and she looked quite capable of it, and already
vastly proud of her position. And yet a month ago the workhouse had
been staring them in the face, because all their little savings had
gone. But they did not feel like paupers here, they were to work hard so
as to make less fortunate folks as happy as they were.
At last Toney rose and said good-bye, and Mrs. Phipps murmured some very
grateful words, but Miss Phipps just took Toney's hand and kissed it,
and Toney felt a tear on her hand, so she ran away, quickly followed by
Maud.
They were going down by the lane across to Waycott Hall, and for a few
minutes they were silent, then Toney exclaimed,
"Gracious stars! Maud, aren't my Poverelli just ready-made saints, and
it's so dreadful their thanking me, and I can't explain to them exactly
how it's really nothing to do with me, but with General Stone, and
really also Mr. Waycott, who let me have all this land and this lovely
farm, and you too for helping me. Do you know it's so awfully nice you
two being sort of bound up together in a work."
"We two?"
"Yes, you know, you and--your cousin."
"Oh, Lewis, you mean. I do think he is so very--I suppose I oughtn't to
say so because he's my cousin--but he has altered so much, and thinks
such a lot about his people now, I can't understand it."
"I always think he is one of Arthur's knights, and not a bit proud or
stuck-up, though of course he might be, living as he does at Waycott
Hall, which is so beautiful. I like to think of--the future."
Toney paused, she dared not go on as Maud wouldn't tell her straight
out.
"Well, I am thinking of the present, Toney! You can't think how the idea
of working has done me good. I told mother that Lewis had sold you the
farm, and she is quite pleased at my helping you. I didn't tell her
about your giving me a salary for it, as she has old-fashioned ideas,
but you know we are poor, and I do want it."
"Of course I know." Toney said to herself, "She wants to save for her
trousseau, and it's quite right of her to work for it."
"I do mean to be in earnest this time," continued Maud, "looking back I
never seem to have done anything in downright real earnest as you have,
not even my music--Jeanie was the cleverest, and I knew I could never be
first-rate as she will be if she works."
"But now of course you will have a real reason for bucking up. Wanting
to be a little like Pups helps me awfully."
"My father wasn't like yours, he somehow spent all our money."
"But you will want to be like your cousin," said Toney, making an
effort, trying to rub this idea well into Maud. Of course she must
become worthy to be the mistress of Waycott Hall!
"Yes, seeing Lewis so much in earnest is a real help. By the way,
Toney, as I was walking here I met Mr. Lang, and I asked him why he
hadn't been to tabulate lately!"
"Did you? He's had enough of it," said Toney, pretending Trick was lost
and needed a loud whistle.
"He seemed rather low, and said you didn't want him any more, and--he
really is a nice fellow, Toney. Do you know that someone told mother
that he wanted to marry you! I wonder if he does?"
"Not _me_!" said Toney laughing. "Aunt Dove is quite right, no one
would care to marry me, only General Stone's money. I'm not sweet and
pretty like you and Silvia Hales, and I'm not anything of a lady, and
your mother sort of sniffs at me I know!" Toney laughed very happily.
"We were brought up to think ladylike ways covered all our sins. I see
it differently now, and I don't mean to be a slave of that idea any
longer."
Toney suddenly pulled a newspaper cutting out of her pocket.
"Look, Maud, I want you to read this. I've got an idea." She handed
Maud an account of the splendid reception given to the great musician,
Frank Weston, in London.
"How interesting! He is a real genius. I hope Jeanie won't see it. I
believe she loves him all the time, and it's that which makes her
miserable, but--you know--his parents once had a shop."
"So did Lord Courthouse at home. I used to help him a bit when he was
hard put to it."
"But then he was Lord Courthouse!"
"Now that's right down silly, isn't it? Two people do just the same
things, and yet because one is born a lord he can do it and people
praise him, and the other man whose father was an honest tradesman is
sniffed at."
"Yes, it is foolish. I wish you could see him, Toney. He has a
beautiful face and perfect manners, because he is so earnest and
straight to the point. But Jeanie refused him. I'm sure he would never,
never ask her again, and there are no end of girls who would marry him.
I wonder he isn't married by this time."
Toney stopped still to laugh.
"I must own up, Maud, I've asked him to come and play at Aldersfield.
He thinks I'm a great lover of music, as I've offered him _carte
blanche_ as to price! and you know, Maud, I don't know one note from
another! How I shall sit out the concert I don't know, only it's going
to be one of my romances."
"What do you mean, Toney?" Maud looked distressed. "Has he accepted?"
"Yes, to-day. Mr. Russell is sending invitations for a concert at
Aldersfield House--supposed to be Aunt Dove's--all over the place, and
you'll get one. Now, mind, no refusals--and--I'll do the rest."
"Whatever did you have to pay? He nearly always refuses private people,
he hates to be patronised. But you should see him. When he has his
violin under his chin he is just inspired and you feel--lifted up almost
to heaven. Oh, why did Jeanie refuse him? I know I never could have!"
Maud laughed and Toney joined her.
"You were destined for something better, but I am scheming how to do
it."
"Toney! was it really all for Jeanie? If she knew he was going to be at
the concert she would not come."
"Well, mums the word. They'll see each other comfortably at
Aldersfield. I haven't invented any more yet!---- Isn't it perfect,
that little party at the farm and that sweet blind woman who has worked
all her life will be very kind to my _avant garde_ folk."
"I wish you had a romance of your own, Toney. If Mr. Lang----"
"Gracious stars! I hope he won't. Just imagine me as the future Lady
Southbourne having to do the civil to the county, besides--he would want
my money."
"But you would like him to have it."
"No, I shouldn't! You see, Maud, it's dedicated."
"But you could do good with it together."
"But _I_ might be out of it, besides I couldn't love him. I'm just
going to be an old maid and look after the declining years of Aunt Dove
and Uncle Evas! By the way, Aunt Dove has had a serious difference with
Miss Grossman. I do hope she won't go. She is her discipline."
"I don't think anyone can stand it long," said Maud smiling.
"My Chum stood it fifteen years; ouf! Good-bye, Maud, and keep my
secret. I'm going to have a good think about it," and Toney
disappeared, and Maud was left to grieve over her sister's dead romance.
*CHAPTER XX.*
*SHAPING A ROMANCE.*
Jeanie and Maud Hamilton shared a bedroom at Waycott Hall, and out of
this opened a pretty sitting-room where they practised their music and
wrote their letters.
The next morning Jeanie was reading an invitation written especially to
her by Toney. Maud had brought it up to her. It ran thus:--
"MY DEAR JEANIE,
"Aunt Dove is giving a concert here next week. Will you come as you are
so musical? A violinist is coming and perhaps you will like to play too
afterwards? Aunt Dove says she is very musical, so she likes the idea
of collecting the neighbourhood to hear really good music. I shan't
know if it's good or bad. Will you and your sister come and help me,
and stop the night here, as I don't know what to say to musical people,
and as you are soon going to Germany you might like to discuss your
masters with them. Please come. Aunt Dove says she loves Dvorak, but
Uncle Evas declares she has never heard anything by him. Anyhow, bring
your violin and you can play when the visitors have gone.
"YOUR AFFECTIONATE TONEY."
"What a long letter about this concert," said Jeanie. "Why can't Toney
send out proper cards of invitation like other people?"
"She thinks you are a great player and sends you a special note. It
will be nice to go and spend the night there, won't it?"
Maud looked out of the window and not at her sister. She felt very
nervous over Toney's new idea!
"No, I don't think so. It will be very tiresome. Mr. Russell is
musical, but you know, Maud, the others have no music in them. It's
dreadful playing to people who only hear a noise, isn't it? Besides, I
expect they have got hold of some second-rate fiddler. I would much
rather stay at home. You had better go."
"I do think we ought both to go. Toney is so anxious to give you
pleasure before you go away."
"I hate Toney's ostentatious lavishness. Mother says she will ruin the
neighbourhood." Maud blushed.
"Oh, Jeanie, aren't we very horrid about Toney? I wish---- Well,
anyhow, I shall go. Most likely they will have some great man, and
you'll be sorry afterwards."
There was only one great man in Jeanie's estimation, and of course he
wouldn't come to a private house.
"I want to work hard till I go away, so inferior concerts are waste of
time."
"What's the good of all your work if mother hates you earning money. If
you played at this concert it would do you good. I don't see why we
shouldn't work like other poor people."
"Mother expects us to marry," said Jeanie, "but _I_ never shall."
"Oh, Jeanie, I really believe you--still love Frank Weston!" Maud
expected something dreadful to happen but only silence followed.
"You were just made for each other and he worshipped you."
"He's forgotten me now," said Jeanie bitterly.
"Of course he can't forget the--the snubbing he got."
"I want to practise," said Jeanie, and seizing her violin she drowned
further remarks in wild melody. Her sore heart could find relief only in
music. Yes, she knew well enough now she was fretting her life away in
useless regrets.
Maud crept away with a smile on her lips. Would Toney succeed? Frank
Weston did not know that the Hamiltons were staying near Aldersfield
House, he could never guess he would meet face to face his old love who
had used him so ill. If he knew, Maud felt sure he would at once throw
up the engagement, for he could afford to please himself.
Maud seized her hat and went off to the Haven as she did every morning
now. It seemed the nicest hour of the day, for there it really was a
haven of peace. The Phipps were always cheerful, always so happy over
every little flower they found in their path.
Most mornings also Toney met her there. She was arranging for three new
inmates, the deaf Captain Grant and Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and the Phipps
were full of plans for their comfort. Toney had indeed chosen well.
To-day, when their business was done, Toney seized on Maud.
"Come along and lunch with us, I want to show you all the arrangements
for our romance. I do hope it will succeed, only you must help me,
Maud."