Clive Terrence hung around. He calmly took it for granted that the
Clouds wanted him as long as he condescended to stay. In fact, it
wouldn't have troubled him whether they wanted him or not if he wanted
to stay. He had discovered that Leslie was the very same kind of a
"peach" which her younger days had promised her to be, and there was
plenty of good fun, so he stayed. He said he wanted to see what the
college was like before he made his decision, and day after day went
by with apparently no plans whatever for leaving in the near future.
Julia Cloud didn't like him. She admitted that much to herself the
very first evening, and for that reason she was twice as cordial to
him as she might have been if she had liked him better. She reasoned
that it was unfair to take a sudden dislike that way, and perhaps it
was only a sign he needed a bit of their home all the more. So she
made him welcome and treated him as she did any other boys who came.
But more and more as the days slipped by she did not like him. At
first she was a bit worried about his influence on Allison, till she
saw that he merely annoyed Allison. Then she began to be annoyed by
his constant attendance on Leslie. And finally she grew exceedingly
restless and anxious as day succeeded day and Howard came no more.
Finally, one evening just before dinner, she went to the 'phone and
called up the college. It happened that she caught Howard just as he
was going down to dinner. She told him they were homesick for him and
there was roast lamb and green peas and strawberry shortcake for
dinner, wouldn't he come? He came. Who could refuse Julia Cloud?
But the face of Clive Terrence was a study when, unannounced, Howard
entered the living-room. Julia Cloud had seen him coming and quietly
opened the door. Such a storm of delighted welcome as met him warmed
his heart and dispelled the evil spirits that had haunted him during
the week.
In the chatter of talk while they were being seated at the dinner
table the visitor was almost forgotten, and he sat watching them
glumly while Allison and Leslie eagerly discussed plans for some
society in which they seemed to be interested. At last he grew weary
of being ignored and in the first pause he languidly drawled:
"Leslie, I think you and I'll take the cah and go in town to a show
this evening. I'm bored to death."
Leslie looked at him with flashing eyes and then extinguished him with
her cool tone:
"Do you? Well, think again! I'm having a lovely time"--and went on
talking to Howard about the senior play that was to come off the
next week. It did not suit Clive in the least to be ignored, so he
started in to tell about other senior plays in other colleges where
he had been and quite made himself the centre of the stage, laughing
at his own jokes and addressing all his remarks to Leslie until
her cheeks grew hot with annoyance. She wanted so to hear what
Howard and Allison were talking about in low, grave tones. She
watched the strong, fine face of Howard Letchworth, and it suddenly
came over her that he seemed very far away from her, like a friend
who used to be, but had moved away. Something in her throat hurt, and
a sinking feeling came in her heart. Like a flash it came to her
that Howard Letchworth would be graduated in three more weeks, and
perhaps would go away then and they would see him no more. She
caught a word or two now and then as he talked to Allison that
indicated that he was seriously contemplating such a possibility. Yet
he had not said a word to her about it! And they had been such good
friends! A grieved look began to grow around her expressive little
cupid's bow of a mouth, and her big eyes grew sorrowful as she
watched the two. She was not listening to Clive, who drawled on
unaware of her inattention.
Suddenly Leslie became aware that Clive had risen and was standing
over her with something in his hand which he had taken from his vest,
something small and shining, and he was saying:
"Want to wear it, Les? Here, I'll put it on you, then everybody will
think we are engaged----!"
It was his fraternity pin he was holding out with smiling assurance
and the significance of his words came over her as a sentence read
without comprehension will suddenly recall itself and pierce into the
realization. With a stifled cry she sprang away from him.
"Mercy, no, Clive! I didn't know you were so silly. I never wear boys'
fraternity pins. I think such things are too sacred to be trifled
with!"
This was what she said, but she was miserably aware that Howard had
turned away and picked up his hat just as Clive had leaned over her
with the pin, and almost immediately he left. He had been so engrossed
with his talk with Allison that he had not seemed to see her
repulsion of Clive, and his manner toward her as he bade her
good-night was cool and distant. All the pleasant intimacy of all the
months together seemed suddenly wiped out, and Howard a grown-up
stranger. She felt herself a miserably unhappy little girl.
Julia Cloud, from the advantage of the dining-room where she was doing
little things, for the next day, watched the drama with a heavy heart.
What had come between her children, and what could she do about it?
The only comforting thing about it seemed to be that each was as
unhappy as the other. Could it be that Howard Letchworth was jealous
of this small-souled, spoiled son of fortune who was visiting them?
Surely not. Yet what made him act in this ridiculous fashion? She felt
like shaking him even while she pitied him. She half-meditated calling
him back and trying to find out what was the matter, but gave it up.
After all, what could she do?
Leslie, as the door closed behind Howard, turned with one dagger look
at Clive, and dashed up-stairs to her room, where she locked herself
in and cried till her eyes were too swollen for study; but she only
told Julia Cloud, when she came up gently to inquire, that she had a
bad headache and wanted to go to bed.
Julia Cloud, kneeling beside her gray couch a little later, laying all
her troubles on the One who was her strength, found it hard not to
emphasize her dislike even in prayer toward the useless little excuse
for a young man who was lolling down-stairs reading a novel and
smoking innumerable cigarettes in spite of her expressed wish to the
contrary.
The first Sunday after young Terrence's arrival it rained and was
very dismal and cold for spring. Howard had been asked to go to a
nearby Reform School for the afternoon and speak to the boys, and Jane
was caring for a little child whose mother was ill in the hospital.
Leslie was unhappy and restless, wandering from window to window
looking out. Their guest had chosen to remain in bed that morning, so
relieving them from the necessity of trying to get him to go to
church, but he was on hand for lunch in immaculate attire, apparently
ready for a holiday. There was a cozy fire on the hearth, and he
lolled luxuriously in an arm-chair seemingly well pleased with himself
and all the world. Julia Cloud wondered just what she would better do
about the afternoon hour with this uncongenial guest on hand, but
Leslie and Allison, after a hasty whispered consultation in the
dining-room with numerous dubious glances toward the guest, ending in
wry faces, came and settled down with their Bibles as usual. There was
a loyalty in the quiet act that almost brought the tears to Julia
Cloud's eyes, and she rewarded them with a loving, understanding
smile.
But when the guest was asked to join the little circle he only stared
in amazement. He had no idea of trying to conform to their habits.
"Thanks! No! I hate reading aloud. Books always bore me anyway. The
_Bible_! Oh _Heck_! NO! Count me out!" And he swung one leg over the
arm of his chair, and picked up the Sunday illustrated supplement
which he had gone out and purchased, and which was now strewn all
about the floor. He continued for sometime to rattle the paper and
whistle in a low tone rudely while the reading went on, then he threw
down his paper and lighted a cigarette. But that did not seem to
soothe his nerves sufficiently, so he strolled over to the piano and
began to drum bits of popular airs and sing in a high nasal tone that
he was pleased to call "whiskey tenor." Julia Cloud, with a despairing
glance at him, finally closed her book and suggested that they had
read enough for that day, and the little audience drifted away
unhappily to their rooms. Leslie did not come down again all the
afternoon until just time for Christian Endeavor. Young Terrence by
this time was reduced to almost affability, and looked up hopefully.
He was about to propose a game of cards, but when he saw Leslie
attired in raincoat and hat he stared:
"Great Scott! You don't have to go up to college to-night, do you?
It's raining cats and dogs!"
"Allison and I are going to Christian Endeavor," answered Leslie
quietly. "Would you like to go?" She had been trying to school herself
to give this invitation because she thought she ought to, but she
hoped sincerely it would not be accepted. It seemed as if she could
not bear to have the whole day spoiled.
For answer young Terrence laughed extravagantly:
"Christian Endeavor! What's the little old idea?"
"Better come and find out," said Allison, coming down-stairs just
then. "Ready, Leslie? We'll have to hustle. It's getting late."
In alarm at the idea of spending any more time alone the young man
arose most unexpectedly.
"Oh, sure! I'll go! Anything for a little fun!" and he joined them in
a moment more, clad in rubber coat and storm hat.
Leslie could scarcely keep back the tears as she walked beside him
through the dark street, not listening to his boasting about riding
the waves in Hawaii. Suppose Howard was at meeting! He would
think--what would he think?
And of course Howard was at the meeting that night, for he happened to
be the leader. Leslie's cheeks burned as she sat down and saw that
Clive had manoeuvred to sit beside her. She tried to catch Howard's
eyes and fling a greeting to him, but he seemed not to see his old
friends and to be utterly absorbed in hunting up hymns.
The first song had scarcely died away before Clive began a conversation
with a low growl, making remarks of what he apparently considered a
comic nature about everything and everybody in the room, with a
distinctness that made them entirely audible to those seated around
them. Leslie's cheeks flamed and her eyes flashed angrily, but he only
seemed to enjoy it the more, and kept on with his running commentary.
"For pity's sake, Clive, keep still, can't you?" whispered Leslie
anxiously. "They will think you never had any bringing up!"
"I should worry!" shrugged the amiable Clive comically with a motion
of his handsome shoulders that sent two susceptible young things near
him into a series of poorly suppressed giggles. Clive looked up and
gravely winked at them, and the two bent down their heads in sudden
hopeless mirth. Clive was delighted. He was having a grand time. He
could see that the leader was annoyed and disgusted. This was balm to
his bored soul. He made more remarks under cover of a bowed head
during the prayer, and stole glances at the two giggling neighbors.
Then he nudged Leslie and endeavored to get her to join in the mirth.
Poor Leslie with her burning cheeks, her brimming eyes, and her angry
heart! Her last vision of the leader as she bowed her head had been a
haughty, annoyed glance in their direction as he said: "Let us pray."
She felt that she could not stand another minute of this torture.
Almost she felt she must get up and go out, and she made a hasty
little movement to carry out the impulse, and then suddenly it came to
her that if she went Clive would follow her, and it would look to
Howard as if she had created the disturbance and they had gone off
together to have a good time. So she settled down to endure the rest
of the meeting, lifting miserable eyes of appeal to Allison as soon as
the prayer was ended. If only there had been a seat vacant up front
somewhere, a single seat with no other near it, where her tormentor
could not follow, she would have gone to it swiftly, but the seats
were all filled and there was nothing to do but sit still and frown
her disapproval. Perhaps Allison might have done something to quiet
the guest if he had noticed, but Allison was, at the moment of
Leslie's appeal, deeply wrapped in setting down a few items which must
be announced, and he almost immediately arose and went forward with
his slip of paper and held a whispered converse with Howard Letchworth
during the hymn that followed, afterwards taking a chair down from the
platform and placing it beside the chairman of an important committee
that he might consult with him about something. During this sudden
move on the part of Allison, Clive Terrence did have his attention
turned aside somewhat from his mischief-making, for he was watching
Allison with an amazed expression. Not anything that he had seen
since coming to the town had so astonished him as to see this young
man of wealth and position and undoubted strength of will and purpose,
get up in a church and go forward as if he had some business in the
affair. He sat up, with his loose, handsome under lip half-dropped in
surprise, and watched Allison, with a curious startled expression, and
when a moment later the leader said quietly: "Our president has a
message for us" and Allison arose and faced the crowded room with an
eager, spirited, interested look on his face, and began to talk
earnestly, outlining a plan for a deeper spiritual life among the
members, his expression was one of utter bewilderment, as if he
suddenly saw trees walking about the streets or inanimate objects
beginning to show signs of intellect. He was thinking that Allison
Cloud certainly had changed, and was wondering what on earth had
brought it about. It couldn't be any line that his guardian had on
him, for he was a thousand miles away. Was it that little, quiet,
insipid mouse of an aunt that had done it? She must be rich or
something, the way the brother and sister seemed to be tied to her
apron-string. Where did Al Cloud get that line of talk he was handing
out, anyway? Why, he talked about God as if He were an intimate friend
of his, and spoke of prayer and Bible reading in the way common,
ordinary people talked of going to breakfast or eating candy, as if
they were necessary and pleasurable acts. Why, it was inconceivable!
What was he doing it for? There must be a reason.
For fully five minutes he sat quiet in puzzled thought, watching this
strange gathering, gradually taking it in that they were all taking
part in the proceedings and that they seemed interested and eager.
Why, even those two giggling girls who had "fallen" so readily for his
nonsense had sobered down and one read a verse from the Bible while
the other repeated a verse of poetry! He turned and blinked at them in
wonder. What had so influenced them that they all fell in line and
performed their part as if it were being rehearsed for his benefit?
What was the motive power? The query interested him to the point of
good behavior all through the remainder of the meeting, and while he
was standing waiting for Allison and Leslie at the close. It seemed
that somehow there was a real interest, for they lingered as if there
were vital matters to discuss, and Leslie was the centre of a group of
quite common-looking girls. It must be some sort of social settlement
work or other connected with the church and someone had induced these
two who were to his thinking of a higher order of being by right of
wealth and social position, to take an interest and "run" this society
or whatever it was. He could not make it out at all. He was much
disgusted that the young people insisted on staying to church and had
a bad hour living through it, although he was surprised to find it as
interesting as it was. The minister seemed quite human and they had a
great deal of singing. Still it was all a bore, of course. He found a
great many things in life to bore him.
As soon as he and Allison were out on the street he broached the
subject:
"What's the little old idea, old man? Are you a sort of grand mogul or
high priest or something to this mob? And what do you get out of it?"
Allison turned and looked solemnly at him through the dark, and
answered with a kind of glow in his voice that seemed to lighten his
face and puzzled the questioner more than all that had gone before:
"I'm just one of them, son, and it happens to be my turn just now to
be presiding officer; but I get out of it more than I ever got out of
anything in life before."
"Oh!" said Clive inanely, quite at a loss to know what he meant.
"I never knew before that people could know God personally, be His pal
sort of, you know, and work with Him, and it's been GREAT!" added
Allison.
"Oh!" said Clive once more, quite weakly, not knowing what else to
say, and they walked on for almost a block without speaking another
word. Clive was thinking that certainly Allison had changed, as that
unmannerly chump on the train had said. Changed most perplexingly and
peculiarly. But Allison had forgotten almost that Clive was there. He
was thinking over some good news he had to tell Jane about a protégé
of hers who had taken a shy part in the meeting, and wondering if he
could get away for a few minutes to run up and tell her or if it would
be better to call her up on the 'phone.
Howard Letchworth had not come home with them. He had whispered a
hurried excuse to Allison about someone he had to see up at college
before they left for the city, and hurried away at the close of the
meeting, and Leslie with a choking feeling in her throat and burning
tears held back from her eyes by mighty effort, announced to Allison
that she wasn't coming home just now, she was going to stay for a
little after prayer meeting the Lookout Committee were having. She
would walk home with the Martins, who went right by their door. For
Leslie was done with Clive Terrence and she wanted him to understand
it. So Clive was landed at home with Julia Cloud for companion, who
had not gone to church on account of staying to nurse Cherry, who had
taken a bad cold and needed medicine. Allison hurried away to give
Jane her message, and there was nothing for Clive to do but to go to
bed and resolve never to spend another Sunday in such boredom. For he
"couldn't see" hobnobbing with an "old woman," as he called Julia
Cloud, the way the others seemed entirely willing to do. What was she
anyway but some poor relation likely who was acting as housekeeper?
But at least for once in his life Clive Terrence realized that there
was such a thing in the world as a live religion and a few people who
held to it and loved it and _enjoyed_ it. He couldn't understand it,
but he had to admit it, although he was convinced that behind it all
there must be some ulterior motive or those people would never bother
themselves to that extent.
But Leslie came home from the church with a heavy heart and crept up
to her room with bravely cheerful smiles to deceive Julia Cloud; and
then cried herself to sleep; while Julia Cloud, wise-eyed, kept her
own counsel and carried her perplexities to the throne of God.