SIR JASPER'S GENEROSITY.
ALTHOUGH Eric now had his great chum within only half-a-mile of the
Moat House, he did not, on that account, neglect his favourite
sister, and managed so that she should be included in many of his
pleasures. He persuaded Mrs. Wallis and Joy to visit the cricket
field and watch the boys at play of an evening, and on more than one
occasion Miss Pring and her niece accompanied them.
Sir Jasper took a great deal of interest in the Crumleigh Cricket
Club, and when the Vicar called at the Moat House one afternoon,
about a week after Celia had gone to T—, he considerably surprised
him by suggesting that the members of the club should be presented
with caps.
"They would be very proud of them, I have no doubt," Mr. Cole
replied, "but I don't know—"
He paused, for he had been about to say he did not know who was going
to provide the caps. The conversation was taking place in the
drawing-room, where several visitors were assembled, including Miss
Pring, her niece, and Lawrence Puttenham.
"But you don't know who is going to give the caps, I suppose you were
going to remark?" proceeded Sir Jasper. "Well, I will. You must
decide upon the colours. What do you think of dark blue caps
embroidered with C.C.C., for Crumleigh Cricket Club, in gold letters,
in front?"
"The very thing!" Eric cried, excitedly, breaking in upon the
conversation. He and Lawrence Puttenham had been listening with great
interest. "Uncle Jasper, I never knew anyone like you! You're a
regular brick! A downright good sort! Isn't he, Putty?"
"Sir Jasper is very kind," Putty answered in his usual sober fashion.
"Kind! I should think so!" the Vicar exclaimed. He was deeply
gratified by this sign that the old man took an interest in his work
in the parish, and the success of the Crumleigh Cricket Club was what
he greatly desired.
"Yes, dark blue caps with gold letters would be most suitable,"
he agreed.
"I will order the caps by to-night's post," Sir Jasper said
decisively, "that is quite settled. And I'll tell you what I think
you had better do, Mr. Cole—bring the boys here to tea one evening,
and my niece shall present the caps to them. What do you say to that
plan, Margaret?" he questioned, turning to Mrs. Wallis.
"I think it's a capital idea of yours, having them here to tea,"
she answered, "and I am sure they would all enjoy it; but I consider
you ought to give them the caps yourself, Uncle Jasper."
"Yes, yes!" everyone insisted.
"Well, well, I'll think about it," Sir Jasper said, good-humouredly.
"I'll let you know as soon as the caps arrive," he told the Vicar,
"and then you can settle when will be the most suitable day for the
tea. I expect it will have to be a Saturday, eh?"
"Yes, Saturday for preference," Mr. Cole replied, "for most of the
boys leave work early on that day."
"Very well. They shall have a substantial meat tea, and—"
"And you'll preside, won't you, Uncle Jasper?" Eric broke in eagerly.
"No, my boy. The Vicar shall take the top of the table, for the boys
will feel at home with him and they would not with me. I want them
to have a thoroughly enjoyable time. The meal shall be prepared for
them in the dining-room, and after they have partaken of it, they
shall have their caps. Yes, perhaps I may present them myself."
"Isn't it jolly of him?" Eric exclaimed, as he and Lawrence Puttenham
wandered out into the garden a short while later. "He's really very
good-hearted. Did I tell you he gave me a sovereign the other day?
He was equally generous to the girls. What a lark it will be having
the boys here to tea! Uncle Jasper's sure to provide a splendid feed
for them. He's a kind old chap really, isn't he? I wish he wasn't
so down on poor Joy, though."
"Why is he?" inquired Putty. He liked the sister who was so devoted
to her brother; and had remarked with surprise that she always seemed
shy and embarrassed in Sir Jasper's presence. "What has she done?
Has she offended him in some way?"
Eric explained the situation, and waxed hot and indignant as he told
how Sir Jasper believed Joy to have deliberately deceived him.
"She wouldn't have told him an untruth, I'm certain of that,"
he said, decidedly. "If she had done wrong she'd have said so.
She wouldn't have dreamt of telling a story."
"I expect there's been a misunderstanding," Putty said soothingly,
for Eric's face was flushed with anger as he reflected on Sir
Jasper's suspicion of his dearly loved sister. "It'll all work out
straight, you'll find—things always do. Right is right, you know.
You don't think, do you, that the novel the puppy destroyed belonged
to your other sister?"
"To Celia?" Eric cried, in astonishment.
"Yes," Putty answered, quietly.
"I never thought of that. But no, I don't think it's likely.
Celia's not fond of reading. Besides, she'd never stand by—"
He paused abruptly, an expression of doubt crossing his face.
Putty proceeded:
"Many people read light literature who never read anything else.
I'll tell you what made me suggest your sister Celia might have been
the culprit in this case. I was it a stationer's shop at T— the other
day with Mr. Cole, and I saw her there with another girl, and they
were looking over a heap of cheap, sensational novels. They didn't
see either Mr. Cole or me, because there were a good many people
in the shop, and we were behind them."
"Did Mr. Cole notice Celia?" Eric inquired.
"Oh, yes! But he didn't speak to her. He told me afterwards who her
companion was."
"Lulu Tillotson, of course?"
"Yes. I say, Wallis, what a dressed up doll she is!"
"Is she? Yes, so Joy told me. I've never seen Celia's great friend
myself, but I heard Uncle Jasper say her father is one of the richest
men in T—, and he thinks nothing is too good for his daughter.
I expect Celia finds herself in clover there. By the way, did they
purchase any of the novels?"
"I don't know, for they were still looking over them when we left
the shop. They were whispering and giggling a good deal, and—"
Putty broke off, looking confused, as it occurred to him that he
ought not to be telling this to Celia's brother. Eric's expression
was grave; he was thinking deeply, and wondering if it was possible
that, owing to some mistake, Joy was suffering for her sister's
fault. If so, Celia must be aware of the fact.
Perhaps no one at the Moat House missed Celia quite so much as Sir
Jasper. He had grown accustomed to her companionship of an evening,
and declared the house was not like the same place without her.
"She is so winning and bright," he said to his niece on one occasion,
"and so invariably sweet-tempered. Ah, I shall be glad when she
returns! Celia is my favourite of your children, Margaret; which is
yours?"
"I love them all alike," Mrs. Wallis replied. She was not surprised
to hear her uncle's open acknowledgment of his preference for Celia.
"I don't think a mother should feel any difference in her affection
for her children—I am sure I do not. They are all very dear to me,
and all very fond of each other, I do believe."
"Eric is an outspoken lad," Sir Jasper remarked, with approval in his
tone; "but did you not tell me the other day that he is inclined
to be idle at school?"
"I fear so, judging from the reports I receive of him. This last term
he has done better, however. A steady, studious lad like Lawrence
Puttenham is the very friend for Eric."
"Your boy is all right, Margaret," Sir Jasper said, smiling;
"he's good at heart."
The mother's face brightened at this praise of her son. At that
moment the sound of music fell upon their ears, and Sir Jasper sat
quietly listening.
"How well Joy plays!" he exclaimed at length. "She improves rapidly.
She practices a long time every day, does she not?"
"Yes, she shows real talent for music, so every one says; and Miss
Mary Pring is delighted with the progress She is making."
"She ought to have a first-rate music-master, by-and-by," Sir Jasper
asserted; "but I suppose Miss Mary Pring is competent to teach her
for the present?"
"Oh, yes," Mrs. Wallis agreed. "I should so like to be able to give
Joy a really good musical education; I believe if she had that she
would make her mark as a pianist, for I am sure she would work hard
and conscientiously."
"She is very desirous of earning money by her music, she tells me."
"Yes, poor child. You must not think her mercenary, Uncle Jasper.
Remember, she has known what poverty is. I don't mean want, but the
poverty which denies everything but the merest necessaries. My little
girls went to school at A—, but I could not afford to have them
taught accomplishments, so that I had to teach them music myself.
Is it any wonder that Joy should wish to turn her one talent to some
account?"
"Certainly not. What about Celia? She is not musical, I know; but I
suppose she shows a talent for something?"
"No, I do not think she does."
"She is not ambitious, like Joy?"
"Not in the same way," Mrs. Wallis answered, hesitatingly. "Celia is
very fond of the good things of this life. I fear she is a little
selfish."
"Oh, I should hardly think that! I have proved that she is a
kind-hearted little soul. I hope she is enjoying her visit to the
Tillotsons. Let me see, you heard from her this morning, I think you
told me?"
Happening to have Celia's letter in her pocket, Mrs. Wallis produced
it, and handed it to her uncle, desiring him to read it. It ran as
follows:
"My dear mother,—Can you fancy that I have been here ten days?
I cannot, for the time has simply flown. I am enjoying my visit
very much, and Mr. Tillotson, who is most kind to me, hopes you
will not hurry me home. Next Tuesday is the flower-show; it is
to be a very grand affair, and Lulu is having a new frock made
for the occasion; she has decided to have it white, like mine,
so that we may look like sisters.
"I hope dear Uncle Jasper is very well; please give him
my best love, and tell him I am finding the money he gave me
very useful. I suppose Eric is spending most of his time
with Lawrence Puttenham, and I expect Joy is wishing
she had come with me. I have been with Lulu several times
to tea at different people's houses, and have played tennis
or croquet nearly every day, for Lulu belongs to a club,
and she is allowed to take a friend with her.
"I will write again after the flower-show and tell you
all about it.
"With much love, dear mother,
"I am,"
"Your affectionate daughter,"
"CELIA."
"A very nicely-written, well-expressed letter," said Sir Jasper,
as he returned the epistle to Mrs. Wallis. "She is evidently having
a good time. Tillotson told me how pleased he was to see the
friendship between his little girl and yours. I was confident
he would do all he could to make Celia enjoy her visit. It is a pity
Joy did not go with her sister."
"Joy did not wish to leave whilst her brother was at home; besides,
Lulu and Celia are so wrapped up in each other, that I think Joy
is best where she is. Hark! She is playing your favourite piece,
now, Uncle Jasper."
He listened with pleasure as the strains of "The Last Rose of Summer"
came through the open drawing-room window. Joy's rendering of the old
tune was exquisitely tender and sympathetic, and Sir Jasper's face
softened into a gentle, retrospective smile. Afterwards Mrs. Wallis
told the little girl how pleased her uncle had been with her playing.
The cricket caps arrived in due course; and one Saturday afternoon
the members of the Crumleigh Cricket Club all visited the Moat House,
by Sir Jasper Amery's invitation, and were entertained to a
substantial tea, at which, as had been arranged, the Vicar presided.
The boys, who were somewhat shy at first, were soon put at their
ease; and Eric and Lawrence Puttenham, seated one on either side of
the long dining-table, kept up the conversation, and would not allow
it to flag.
Sam Dart was the least talkative of the visitors, but he appeared
to approve of the proceedings; and Eric rightly guessed that his
unusual quietude was caused by a laudable desire that his unruly
tongue should give no offence, and respected him for his silence.
The boys did full justice to the good things provided for them, and
after the meal was over, they all repaired to the terrace outside the
house, where Sir Jasper and Mrs. Wallis and Joy were awaiting them.
Then the caps were duly presented by Sir Jasper, who made a gracious
little speech to each recipient, and subsequently the Vicar thanked
the master of the Moat House, in the name of the Crumleigh Cricket
Club, for his kindly interest and generosity.
"It has given me much pleasure to entertain the members of the club,"
Sir Jasper replied, in return, as he looked around on the eager faces
of the group surrounding him, "and I shall hope to see you all again
another year."
"Three cheers for Sir Jasper Amery!" cried a voice at this instant;
whereupon, the cheers were promptly given with great heartiness, and
Sir Jasper's wrinkled countenance expressed his gratification.
"Did you notice which of the boys it was who called for three cheers
for Uncle Jasper?" Eric asked Joy later on, when the visitors had
left.
"No, I did not," was the reply; "did you?"
"Yes. It was Sam Dart. I believe that was the only occasion on which
he opened his lips during all the time he was here. He spoke to some
purpose then, didn't he?"
"Did the boys enjoy their tea?" Joy inquired.
"Rather! Uncle Jasper has treated the club very handsomely, hasn't
he?"
"Yes, indeed! He is very good and kind. And, do you know," she
proceeded happily, "he has been quite nice to me to-day, and once he
called me 'my dear,' just as he used to do before—"
"Oh, by the way," Eric broke in, "I want to ask you something.
Did that novel there's been so much fuss about belong to Celia,
by any chance? You needn't look so startled, Joy. Say yes or no."
But this Joy stoutly declined to do, and though her brother pressed
her for an answer to his question, she persistently refused to give
it. He grew quite cross with her at length, and declared he would
ascertain the truth of the matter. "I believe you're shielding
Celia," he said, suspiciously; "and since you're so obstinate,
I won't tell you why I think so. I know more than you imagine, and
I'll find out the rest."