There had been some little dispute about the drawing up of the terms
between Hallett and Mr Rowle. The former would not listen to the old
gentleman's proposition that it should be settled by a letter between
them, saying that it ought to be a proper legal document, for both their
sakes; and the knot was solved, as they did not wish to consult a
solicitor, by my proposing to bring Tom Girtley home with me some
evening, when the legal training he was undergoing might prove
sufficient for the purpose.
It was settled to be so, and a few evenings later, I called in Lincoln's
Inn Fields, at the offices where Tom was now engaged, and he accompanied
me to Great Ormond Street.
Mary had had her instructions to have a "high tea" ready for us, and her
ideas of delicacies took the form of hot baked potatoes and cold
lobsters; and upon these, with shouts of laughter, we made an attack,
for it was wonderful in those days what the youthful digestive organs
would conquer without fail. Tom Girtley had several times been to my
apartments, but I had never introduced him to the Halletts, for there
had been too much trouble in connection with Linny's illness for their
rooms to be attractive to a casual visitor.
But now times were altered; Hallett looked brighter, Linny was nearly
her own merry pretty self again, and Mrs Hallett, perhaps, a little
less weak and despondent, which is not saying much.
Tom Girtley had altered very much since we had become friends, having
started ahead of me, and a year had changed him from a boy into quite a
man, at whose hirsute appendages I used to look with perhaps just a
trace of envy. There was something very frank and manly about him, and
he had all a boy's love of a bit of fun; but at the same time, he was
full of shrewdness and common-sense, the former being rubbed daily by
his profession into a keener edge.
All in good time Mr Jabez arrived, according to what was fast growing
into a regular custom, and he favoured Tom Girtley with a short nod and
a very searching look. Then together we went upstairs, where I saw Mr
Jabez frown as our legal visitor was introduced to Mrs Hallett and
Linny, the latter blushing slightly at Tom's admiring gaze.
The old man uttered a sigh of relief then as Linny rose and helped Mrs
Hallett to leave the room during the transaction of the business, and I
noted that he was very snappish and abrupt while the arrangement went
on.
It was very simple, and soon done, Tom Girtley drawing up first on
foolscap a draft of the arrangement, which was agreed to on both sides,
and then transferred to a couple of stamped papers, signed and
witnessed, one being kept by each party to the transaction.
All this was done in so satisfactory a manner to Mr Jabez that he
became somewhat less abrupt to my companion, and even went so far as to
say that he had never seen a legal document which pleased him so well.
"Not so many heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, young
gentleman," he said gruffly. "You lawyers have made a lot of money out
of those parties in your time. Now, don't you think we might ask the
ladies to step back?"
This was done, and we had a very pleasant evening, Tom Girtley winning
golden opinions for his merry ways, even bringing a smile to Mrs
Hallett's pale face; and at last, when it was time to go, Hallett
exclaimed:
"Of course, we shall see you again, Mr Girtley?"
"May I come?" he said eagerly.
"If you can find any pleasure in our rather dull home," replied Hallett.
"Good--"
He was going to say, "gracious," but he refrained, and looked in a
puzzled and amused way at Mr Jabez, who had kicked out one leg under
the table, and his foot had come in contact with his host.
"Spasm!" said Mr Jabez abruptly; and when Tom Girtley went down with me
the old man remained.
"Well, Tom, what do you think of my friends the Halletts?" I said, as
we went down to the door.
"I'm delighted with them," he cried. "I like Hallett; and as for his
sister--I say, Tony, are you making play there?"
"Making play?"
"There, don't be so innocent, man alive! Are you in love with her?"
"What nonsense! No."
"Then I am," he said. "I wouldn't have poached on your preserves, but
it's all over with me now. Alas, poor me! so soon, and I am barely
twenty. Good-night, old boy, and thanks for a pleasant evening."
"Don't be in such a hurry," I exclaimed. "I'm going a little way with
you."
He was in high spirits, and we were just crossing the street, when we
came suddenly upon John Lister--so suddenly, that Tom observed my start.
"Who's that?" he said quickly.
"One of our black clouds," I said bitterly.
"Black clouds?" he said, in a puzzled tone.
"And yours, too," I said, "if you talk like you did just now."
"I like solving knotty points," he said; "but you must give me a clue."
"Not to-night, Tom," I said. "Say good-night now. Some other time."
"All right, my mysterious youth," he cried, laughing; and after shaking
hands, I hurried back, to find Mr Jabez standing at the door.
"Oh, here you are," he said. "I am just waiting to say good-night. I
say, Grace, is that fellow square?"
"I believe him to be a thorough scoundrel," I said angrily.
"He seems quite taken with little Linny there."
"I know that," I said bitterly.
"And yet you brought him here, sir."
"I? Brought him here?" I exclaimed. "It was going on before I knew
them."
"What! that boy--that parchment slip?" he exclaimed.
"No, no," I said hastily. "I meant John Lister."
As the words were leaving my lips, he of whom I spoke passed by on the
other side, and turned his face to look up at the second floor, the
light from a gas-lamp making his countenance perfectly clear.
"Oh!" said Mr Jabez softly; and, after standing watching the retiring
figure, he too went his way.