A VEREKER'S ADVICE TO A VEREKER
Diogenes, perceiving he was permitted to loiter no more,
philosophically betook himself to his heels, or rather hoofs, and
trotted briskly supper-wards, up hill and down, until suddenly, above
the rattle and grind of the wheels, I was aware of a man's voice,
peculiarly sonorous and sweet, upraised in joyful singing.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below--"
The single voice was joined by others that swelled in jubilant chorus:
"Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."
Reaching the top of a hill I looked down upon a little hamlet shady
with trees, a cluster of thatched, flower-girt cottages, a hoary
church, an ancient inn before which last stood Jessamy Todd and a
group of rustic folk, men in smocked frocks or shirt sleeves,
bare-armed women in aprons or print gowns, children tousled and round
of eye, and all, for the most part, very silent, with heads reverently
bowed, for Jessamy was praying:
"--so Heavenly Father here we be, Thy children all, weary with
another day's labour, grant us this night Thy peace, each one. If
any there be that grieve, O Father, comfort 'em; if any there be
in pain, O Father, pity an' cherish 'em; if any do bear ill-will
agin his brother, O Father, turn his anger to love that love may
come thereby. Oh, make us strong against all temptations, that when
we come to our last, long sleep we may rest with Thee for ever.
Amen.
And good-night, friends and brothers."
Hereupon Jessamy put on his hat, paused to grasp the horny hands
extended to him, then lifted a large canvas bag to his shoulder, but
at my shout he turned and flourished his hat in salutation as we drove
up.
"Why, Jessamy," exclaimed Diana, as he placed the bag in the cart,
"what's come t' your face?" And now I saw his comely features were
disfigured by an ugly blue weal.
"Oh, nothin' much, Ann," he exclaimed, smiling a little sheepishly.
"Only a whip--"
"Lord, Jess--whose?"
"I come on a fine gentleman thrashing of a little lad, whereupon I
ventured a word of remonstrance as in dooty bound and turned to look
to the lad as lay a-weepin', whereupon the gentleman took occasion to
gi'e me this here--ye see he didn't 'appen to know me, poor soul!"
"Well, I hope you gave the 'poor soul' all he needed!" cried Diana,
cracking the whip so loudly that Diogenes pricked startled ears.
"I'm afraid I did, Ann, God forgive me. The Old Adam's very strong in
me."
"And how's the poor boy?"
"Why, the gentleman wore ridin' boots, d'ye see--"
"Ah!" exclaimed Diana between white teeth. "And what's become o' the
gentleman--"
"They--put him to bed," confessed Jessamy guiltily, "but he's nice an'
comfortable, Ann, an'll be right as nine pence in th' morning."
"What sort of a person was he?" I enquired.
"A biggish chap, a bit too round an' wi' too much neck."
"How often did ye hit him, Jess?"
"Four times, Ann! Four times, an' one would ha' been plenty. Four
times an' me preachin' forgiveness an' brotherly love--"
"Brotherly love's no good agin' that kind o' beast, a good strong
fist's the thing, or better still a little, sharp _churi_--like
mine!"
"Ah, but when I hit him," sighed Jessamy, "I went on hitting him--not
for the good of his soul but because--I--I j'yed in it--"
"Well, it did him just as much good, anyhow!" said Diana whereupon
Jessamy sighed again and shook his head in self-reproof. Seeing him
thus downcast, I laid a hand on his arm and with the other felt in my
pocket.
"Do you happen to possess a watch, Jessamy?" I enquired.
"Aye, for sure," he nodded, "that is, I did, an' a rare good 'un too,
but it don't go these days by reason of a brick as was hove at me by a
riotous fe-male."
"Good heavens!" I exclaimed. "Why?"
"The poor creetur' being in liquor didn't take kindly to my method o'
prayer, so she let fly a brick as took me in the watch, bein'
fortunate for me but bad for my watch--a good, silver watch, too, as
was given me by my old dad just afore he died. An' so I ain't had the
'eart to buy another."
"Then will you please accept this?" said I a little diffidently, aware
of Diana's sharp eyes, and I thrust the timepiece into his hand.
"Why--but--how can I--Lord bless me!" stammered Jessamy, glancing from
the watch to me and back again irresolutely.
"You'd better put it into your pocket, Jess, quick, or he'll throw it
into the ditch!" nodded Diana. "So put it into your pocket and thank
the pretty gentleman." This Jessamy did, after no little demur and
with reiterated expressions of thanks.
"Which do remind me, sir, as I have a letter for you," said he.
"And my name is Peregrine," I nodded.
"A letter, Peregrine, as was give to me for you by your uncle, Sir
Jervas." And presently, having felt through his numerous pockets, he
brought forth the letter in question, which, with due apology, I
proceeded to open and read; here it is:
"MY DEAR PEREGRINE:
Apropos of your forthcoming marriage (at this I started) be guided by
your own discretion in the matter, since Marriage is one of the few
serious dangers to be feared in an otherwise somewhat vapid tedium we
call life. Be yourself to yourself, guide, philosopher and friend,
since you are likely to heed the wisdom of such more than that of any
other friend, for I judge that being a Vereker, no Vereker (or any
other lesser human) can stay you from your fixed purpose. So (writing
as a relation who has developed an unexpected regard for you) my
serious advice is--act upon your own advice. Your beautiful gipsy is a
magnificent creature with a mind and will of her own, the dignified
unrestraint of a dryad and the deplorable diction of a wandering gipsy
wench. She would be excellent as a picture, entertaining as a
companion and execrable as a wife. This of course is merely the
opinion of a Vereker which to another Vereker is of not the slightest
consideration. None the less, being somewhat your senior in years, I
would venture to point out what I have learned by bitter experience,
to wit, nephew, viz: that which is delightful for an hour may disgust
in a week and become intolerable within a month.
In which certainty
I subscribe myself,
Most humbly your uncle,
Jervas Vereker.
P.S. If you care to designate such address as will find you, your
allowance shall be forwarded either by week or month as you shall
determine."
Scarcely had I finished the perusal of this characteristic missive
than we turned from the road and jolted down the grassy slope towards
the little wood from whose rustling shadow came the blithe thump and
ring of the Tinker's busy hammer, which merry clamour ceased suddenly;
and forth to welcome us came Jerry, sooty and grimed as Vulcan himself
and smiling in cheery greeting. And glancing from his honest face,
with its wise and kindly eyes, over the quiet peace of this sheltered
wood and smiling countryside, to Diana's proud and vital beauty, I
knew indeed that no Vereker or any other human could stay me from my
purpose.
"Jeremy," said I, plunging hand into pocket, "I don't know if you
possess a watch or want a watch, but I've bought you one; pray accept
it in memory of our friendship and as a very small mark of my esteem."
"Lord love me--a silver watch!" exclaimed the Tinker for about the
tenth time, clapping the same to his ear.
"Two on 'em, brother!" said Jessamy, doing the same by his.
"My soul!" exclaimed the Tinker. "Fortune ain't in the habit o'
showering brand-noo silver watches about me like this an' it's apt to
ketch me unprepared with words to soot the occasion--"
"True, brother, when Peregrine stuck mine into my fist it was like a
roaster in the short ribs, low, brother, low--I was floored, taken
aback, an' nat'rally broached to an' come to a dead halt--"
"Wicked extravagance, I call it!" exclaimed Diana, glancing up from
the potatoes she was peeling. "Though if he wants to waste his money,
he couldn't ha' wasted it better!"
"For that," said I, seating myself beside her, "I will help you with
those things if you'll show me how!" At this she glanced swiftly at me
without lifting her head and in her eyes was an indescribable
kindliness and her vivid lips were curved to smile so tender that I
stared in joyful bewilderment and forgot all else in the world until
roused by the Tinker's voice:
"And exactly what o'clock might it be by your chronometer, Jessamy?"
"Precisely fifteen minutes an' three quarters past seven, brother."
"Then, according to mine, you're precisely three quarters of a minute
fast, Jessamy, my lad."
"Why, as to that, friend," answered Jessamy, "it's in my mind that
you're just about that much slow, comrade."
And so, reaching a knife, I began to help Diana in the peeling of
potatoes and, though finding it a somewhat trying business, yet
contrived ever and anon to steal surreptitious glances at her downbent
face and to surprise more than once that new soft and shy-sweet wonder
in her glance.
"You'll cut yourself if you aren't more careful!" she admonished, and
the kindness it seemed had somehow got into her voice.
"What matter?" said I. "What does anything matter except--"
"What?" she questioned softly.
"You, Diana--you and only you--"
"Don't be silly!" said she, but in the same gentle voice and though
she stooped her head a little lower, I thought the colour was deepened
in her cheek.
"Should you think me silly, Diana, if I told you--"
"Yes, I should!" she answered so suddenly that I started and the wet
potato shot from my grasp.
"I fancy it'll rain to-night, Jessamy," said the Tinker, glancing up
at the heavens.
"Brother, I'm pretty sure of it," answered Jessamy, "I noticed the
clouds bankin' up to wind'ard. We'd best rig up t' other tent--"
"Why, Peregrine," exclaimed the Tinker, as I stooped to recover the
elusive vegetable, "who's been sp'iling of your noo coat, your
collar's all ripped, lad?"
"A black scoundrel who insulted Diana," I exclaimed, clenching my
fists.
"A gentleman as spoke to me, you mean!"
"The damned rogue tried to kiss you--"
"Well, what of it--I didn't let him, did I?"
"You have no business to run such risks," said I angrily, my gorge
rising at memory of the fellow, "a tavern is no place for a girl--"
"Well, I can't live under a glass case!" she retorted. "And, anyway, I
can take care of myself--better than you can!"
"Yes," I answered humbly, "I fear I am not a very terrible
champion--Jessamy, O Jessamy, teach me how to fight!"
For answer Jessamy rose and opening his canvas bag reached thence four
of those padded gloves termed 'mufflers.'
"With your uncle George's compliments!" said he, glancing at me with
twinkling eyes. "And now, seeing the light's good, if you'm minded to
try a round or so afore supper, why cheerily it is, messmate!"
Then, tossing aside the half-peeled potato I stripped off my coat.