RETURN FROM THE HONEYMOON
Though, before the event, Mr. Chaffe had enjoined secrecy in the
matter of Lawrence Maynard, yet, since the affair fell out so
contrary, none obeyed him. It made a good story, and though many who
heard it shared Arthur's concern, none sank into such a deep
dejection as he over this trial and failure of faith. Jane Bamsey
shared John's indignation that both parties had won their way; while
her mother mourned with Mr. Chaffe over Dinah's downfall. For the
rest Robert Withycombe and Callicott, the boxer, related their
experience in many ears, and more laughed than frowned who heard them.
The attitude of Joe Stockman was defined in a conversation held a
week later with Melinda.
She came to Falcon Farm in a condition somewhat nervous, for she had
great news for Joe and felt doubtful how he would take it. She had
accepted the hand of Harry Ford in marriage and acknowledged to
herself that propriety demanded Mr. Stockman should be the first to
know her decision.
She brought a bouquet for Susan, who was returning that evening with
her husband.
"Everybody's beginning a new life seemingly," said Mrs. Honeysett.
"And I was wishful to know your view touching Orphan Dinah, because
as you think in that matter, so shall I."
But this diplomacy was wasted.
"No, no--you don't think like what I do--let's have no pretences,
Melinda. And as to my late cowman, if the new one ain't so clever
with women, he's quite so clever with cows. Chaffe have been up here
wringing his hands, and your brother, the sailor, have told me the
tale also; and on the whole I dare say it will be all right for
Dinah. She come out very clear, so Robert says. They was both in
deadly earnest and now they are gone beyond reach of prayers or
cusses alike, and I don't wish 'em no harm. If the time had to come
again, I'd keep my mouth shut about it. Anyway they'll be married as
far as words can marry 'em, when they get to Australia; and if the
world thinks you're married, that's all that matters."
"So Mr. Ford says. He's took a pretty large-minded view. In fact
nobody don't wish 'em any harm, except Jane Bamsey and her brother."
"And you be going to marry the gardener, Melinda?"
She started.
"I thought you was to be the first, after my family, to hear it, Joe."
"So I was. Robert told me last night."
"I do hope you'll feel kindly to us."
"Red to red--eh? Fire to fire when a red woman marries a red man;
because it's well known when red loves red--however, I'm not one to
cry danger afore it's in sight. Live and let live is my motto, and
never more than now, when my own days be running out so fast."
"Don't say that, Joe."
Mr. Stockman's age had in fact leapt up by a decade since Melinda's
refusal to marry him. He now spoke of himself as a man of
seventy-five and intended to behave as such, save in the matter of
his own small pleasures. He was not really regretful of the
situation as it had developed, and knew exceedingly well that he
would be more comfortable with Soosie-Toosie than he could have been
with a wife. But he intended to get something--indeed, a good
deal--out of pending changes, and designed a programme for his
son-in-law that embraced more work and larger responsibility. That
Thomas would be equal to the coming demands he also felt assured.
Joe spoke of him now.
"We must be reasonable to age. Justice the married pair will be
prepared to do me; but damn it, when you be in sight of seventy-five
and feel older, along of trial and disappointments, you've a right to
a bit more than justice from the rising generation; and I mean to
have it."
"Of course you will."
"As to you, I'll be your friend as before, Melinda, and Ford must
understand I am so. There's something in me that holds out the hand
of friendship again and again until seventy-times seven; and in your
case, though it's turning the other cheek to the smiter, still I do
it."
"A proper living Christian, as we all know," declared Mrs. Honeysett,
much relieved. She talked for some time and presently left, filled
with admiration for Joe's sentiments.
Then came home Susan and her husband in the best of spirits, to be
gratified in their turn by the amiability of their welcome. They had
often debated what form it would take, and forgot that Mr. Stockman
had suffered the unexampled experience of being without his daughter
for a fortnight.
Both were deeply interested in the story of Lawrence and Dinah; but
while Soosie-Toosie ventured to hope that the right thing had
happened, Thomas took a contrary opinion.
"Two wrongs don't make a right," he said, "nor yet two hundred. I
speak as a man who now knows the dignity of the married state, and I
think they've done a very wicked deed and will be punished for it.
She's a lost creature in my opinion."
"Why for, Thomas?" asked Mr. Stockman.
"Because marriage be the work of the Lord upon two human hearts,"
said Mr. Palk; "and when they have clove together by the plan of
their Maker, they be one and can no more be set apart by any human
contrivance than the growing grain from the young corn. Be God
likely to make a mistake and bring two people together unless He knew
they was made for each other? 'Tis only our wicked craving for
novelty makes us think there's misfits."
"If us all waited till your age, no doubt there wouldn't be so many,"
admitted Joe, "and so long as the law don't make love a part of
marriage, so long there'll be failures. But we must be merciful to
circumstances so far as we can. Many marry each other as was never
intended to do so by their Creator, and when such wants to part, it
may often be that He'd like to see 'em allowed to do so afore the man
cuts the woman's throat, or she puts poison in his tea."
"But if marriage wears like ours will, then give God the credit,"
suggested Mrs. Palk.
"'Tis a magnificent state in my opinion," declared Thomas, "and
there'll be no shadow of turning with me and Susan. We be wonderful
addicted to each other a'ready."
"Take that woman to Barnstaple," added his wife. "There was a case,
father. Her husband left her more'n seven years ago and was thought
to have lost his reason and killed himself, which no doubt he did do.
She tried her bestest to find the man high and low, but couldn't, and
a bit after the seven years were over, Mrs. Courtier called upon the
law to say she was free. And the law done so. And she married a
publican while we was there, and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Stockman went to
the wedding, for everybody was well content about it. 'Twas a great
affair."
"Charity covers a multitude of sins, no doubt," said Thomas, "and
charity may cover him and her; but it won't cover their children--not
if the Church and the Law can help it."
"The law can't act unless you set it in motion," explained Joe, "and
so far as we know, the man's real wife will never hear what he's
done."
"And if Mrs. Courtier, why not Maynard?" continued Soosie-Toosie.
"And if I'd known of these adventures, I'd have sent the paper to
Lawrence--to cheer him up; because he was a good man in his way and
wouldn't have done evil to Orphan Dinah, or anybody."
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