 17 Three days later came the satisfying answer to my cable-message. Damn! Sailing Wednesday! Prince dead! Glad I was he had used the cable. In a letter there would doubtless have been still other words improper to appear of England. Belnab Jackson thereafter bore himself with a dignity quite tremendous, even for him. Graciously aloof he was as one carrying an inner light. We hold them in the hollow of our hand, said he, and both his wife and himself took pains on our own thoroughfare to cut the honourable George dead. No idea, say, the poor chap never at all noticed it. They spoke of him as a remittance man, the black sheep of a noble family. They mentioned sympathetically the trouble his vicious ways had been to his brother, the Earl. Indeed so mysteriously important were they in allusions of this sort, that I was obliged to caution them lest they let out the truth. As it was there ran through the town an undercurrent of puzzled suspicion. It was intimated that we had something in our sleeves. Whether this tension was felt by the honourable George I had no means of knowing. I dare say not, as he is self-centred, being seldom aware of anything beyond his own immediate sensations. But I had reason to believe that the clondike woman had divined some menace in our attitude of marked indifference. Her own manner, when it could be observed, grew increasingly defiant if that were possible. The alliance of the honourable George with the bohemian set had become, of course, a public scandal, after the day of his appearance in her trap, and after his betrayal of the Belknap Jacksons had been gossiped to rags. He no longer troubled himself to pretend any esteem whatever for the north side set. Scarce a day passed, but he appeared in public as the woman's escort. He flagrantly performed her commissions, and asked their questionable bohemian gatherings with their beer and sausages and that sort of thing. He was the gayest of that gay mad set. Indeed, of his old associates, Cousin Egbert quite almost alone seemed to find him any longer desirable, and him I had no heart to caution, knowing that I should only wound without enlightening him, he being entirely impervious to even these cruder aspects of class distinction. I daresay he would have considered the marriage of the honourable George as no more than the marriage of one of his cattle-person companions. I mean to say, he is a dear old sort, and I should never fail to defend him in the most disheartening of his vagaries, but he is undeniably insensitive to what one does and does not do. The conviction ran, let me repeat, that we had another pot of broth on the fire. I gleaned as much from the mixer. She being one of the few others besides Cousin Egbert in whose liking the honourable George had not terrifically descended. She made it a point to address me on the subject over a dish of tea at the grill one afternoon, choosing a table sufficiently remote from my other feminine guests, who doubtless at their own tables, discussed the same complication. I was indeed glad that we were remote from other occupied tables, because in the course of her remarks she quite forcefully uttered an oath, which I thought it as well not to have known that I cared to tolerate in my lady patrons. As to what Jackson feels about the way it was handed out to him that Sunday, she bluntly declared, I don't care a dash. The oath quite dazed me for a moment, although I had been warned that she would use language on occasion. What I do care about, she went on briskly, is that I won't have this girl pestered by Jackson, or by you, or by any man that wears hair. Why, Jackson talks so silly about her sometimes. You'd think she was a bad woman, and he keeps hinting about something he's going to put over, till I can hardly keep my hands off him. I just know some day he'll make me forget I'm a lady. Now take it from me, Bill. If you're sitting in with him, don't start anything you can't finish. Really, she was quite fierce about it. I mean to say, the glitter in her eyes made me recall what Cousin Egbert had said of Mrs. Effie, her being quite entirely willing to take on a rattlesnake and give it the advantage of the first two assaults. Somewhat flustered I was, yet I hastened to assure her that whatever steps I might feel obliged to take for the protection of the Honourable George, they would involve nothing at all unfair to the lady in question. Well, they better hadn't, she resumed threateningly. That girl had a hard time, all right, but listen here, she's as right as a church. She couldn't fool me a minute if she wasn't. Don't you suppose I've been around and around quite some? It's because she likes to have a good time and outdresses these dames here. Is that any reason they should get out there, hammers? Ain't she earned some right to a good time? Tell me, after being married, when she was a silly kid, to two-spot Kenner, the swine. And God bless the trigger finger of the man that bumped him off. As for the poor old judge, don't worry. I like the old boy, but Kate Kenner won't do anything more than make a monkey of him, just to spout Jackson and his band of lady-knockers. Marry him? Say, get me right, Bill. I'll put it as delicate as I can. The judge is too darned far from being a mental giant for that. I dare say she would have slanged me for another half-hour, but for the constant strain of keeping her voice down. As it was, she boomed up now and again in a way that reduced to listening silence the ladies at several distant tables. As to the various points she had raised, I was somewhat confused about the Honourable George, for example. He was, to be sure, no mental giant, but one occupying his position is not required to be. Indeed, in the class to which he was born, one well knows that a mental giant would be quite as distressingly bizarre as any other freak. I regretted not having retorted this to her, for it now occurred to me that she had gone it rather strong with her poor old judge. I mean to say it was almost quite a little bit raw for a native American to adopt this patronising tone toward one of us. And yet I found that my esteem for the mixer had increased rather than diminished, by reason of her plucky defence of the clondike woman. I had no reason to suppose that the designing creature was worth a defence, but I could only admire the valor that made it. Also, I found food for profound meditation in the mixer's assertion that the woman's sole aim was to make a monkey of the Honourable George. If she were right, a maze alliance need not be feared, at which thought I felt a great relief that she should achieve the lesser and perhaps equally easy feat with the poor chap was a calamity that would be, I fancied, endured by his lordship with a serene fortitude. Curiously enough, as I went over the mixer's tirade, point by point, I found in myself an inexplicable loss of animus toward the clondike woman. I will not say I was moved to sympathy for her, but doubtless that strange ferment of equality stirred me toward her with something less than the indignation I had formerly felt. Perhaps she was an entirely worthy creature. In that case, I merely wished her to be taught that one must not look too far above one's station, even in America, in so serious an affair as matrimony. With all my heart I should wish her a worthy mate of her own class, and I was glad indeed to reflect upon the truth of my assertion to the mixer that no unfair advantage would be taken of her. His lordship would remove the honourable George from her toils, a maid-monkey perhaps, but no husband. Again that day did I listen to a defence of this woman, and from a source whence I could little have expected it. Meditating upon the matter I found myself staring at Mrs. Judson as she polished some glassware in the pantry. As always the worthy woman made a pleasing picture in her neat print gown. From staring at her rather absently I caught myself reflecting that she was one of the few women whose hair is always perfectly quaffed. I mean to say, no matter what the press of her occupation, it never goes here and there. From the hair my meditative eye, still rather absently I believe, descended her quite good figure to her boots, then upon my gaze ceased to be absent. They were not boots, they were bronzed slippers with high heels and metal buckles and of a character so distinctive that I instantly knew they had once before been impressed upon my vision. Suddenly my mind identified them. They had been worn by the Klondike woman on the occasion of a dinner at the grill, in conjunction with a gown to match and a bluish scarf, all combining to achieve an immense effect. My assistant hummed at her task unconscious of my scrutiny. I recall that I coughed slightly before disclosing to her that my attention had been attracted to her slippers. She took the reference lightly, affecting, as the sex will, to belittle any prized possession in the face of masculine praise. I have seen them before, I ventured. She gives me all of hers. I haven't had to buy shoes since baby was born. She gives me lots of things, stockings and things. She likes me to have them. I didn't know you knew her. Years. I'm there once a week to give the house a good going over. That jab of hers is the limit, dust, till you can't rest. And when I clean, he just grins. I'm used upon this. The woman was already giving half her time to superintending two assistants in the preparation of the international relish. Her work is too much, in addition to your own. I suggested me work too hard, not in a thousand years. I do all right for you, don't I? It was true. She was anything but a slacker. I more nearly approached my real objection. A woman in your position, I began, can't be too careful as to the associations she forms. I had meant to go on, but found it quite absurdly impossible. My assistant set down the glass she had and quite venomously brandished her towel at me. So that's it. She began, and almost, could get no farther for mere sputtering. I mean to say, I had long recognized that she possessed character, but never had I suspected that she would have so inadequate a control of her temper. So that's it. She sputtered again, and I thought you were too decent to join in that talk about a woman just because she's young and wears pretty clothes and likes to go out. I'm astonished at you. I really am. I thought you were more of a man. She broke off, scowling at me, most furiously, feeling all at once rather a fool. I sought to conciliate her. I have joined in no talk, I said. I'm any suggested, but she shut me off sharply. And let me tell you one thing. I can pick out my associates in this town without any outside help. The idea, that girl is just as nice a person as ever walked the earth, and nobody ever said she wasn't, except those crumpy old cats that hate her good looks because the men all like her. Old cats, I echoed, wishing to rebuke this violence of epithet, but she would have none of me. Nasty old spiked cats. She insisted with even more violence and went on to an almost quite blasphemous absurdity. A prince in his palace wouldn't be any too good for her. Tut, tut, I said, greatly shocked. Tut, nothing. She retorted fiercely. A regular prince in his palace. That's what she deserves. There isn't a single man in this one horse town that's good enough to pick up her glove. And she knows it, too. She's carrying on with your silly Englishman now, but it's just to pay those old cats back in their own coin. She'll carry on with him, yes, but Mary? Good heavens and earth, marriage is serious. With this novel conclusion, she seized another glass and began to wipe it viciously. She glared at me, seeming to believe that she had closed the interview, but I couldn't stop. In some curious way she had stirred me rather out of myself, but not about the clondike woman, nor about the Honourable George. I began most illogically, I admit, to rage inwardly about another matter. You have other associates, I exclaimed quite violently. Those cattle-persons, I know quite all about it. That hank and buck, they come here on the chance of seeing you. They bring you boxes of candy. They bring you little presents. Twice, they've escorted you home at night. When you quite well knew, I was only too glad to do it. I felt my temper most curiously running away with me, ranting about things I hadn't meant to at all. I looked for another outburst from her, but to my amazement she flushed me a smile, with the most enigmatic look back of it. She tossed her head, but resumed her wiping of a glass with a certain demureness. She spoke almost meekly. They are very old friends, and I'm sure they always act right. I don't see anything wrong in it, even if Buck Edwards has shown me a good deal of attention. But this very meekness of hers seemed to arouse all the violence in my nature. I won't have it, I said. You have no right to receive presents from men. I tell you I won't have it. You have no right. Haven't I? She suddenly said in the most curious, cool little voice, her eyes falling before mine. Haven't I? I didn't know. It was quite chilling, her tone and manner. I was cool in an instant. Things seemed to mean so much more than I had supposed they did. I mean to say it was a fair crumpler. She paused in her wiping of a glass, but did not regard me. I was horribly moved to go to her. But cruelly remembered that that sort of thing would never do. I trust I have said enough, I remarked with entirely recovered dignity. You have, she said. I mean I won't have such things. I said, I hear you, she said, and fell again to her work. I thereupon investigated an ice-box and found enough matter for complaint against the hob's boy to enable me to manage a dignified withdrawal to the rear. The remarkable creature was humming again as I left. I stood in the back door of the grill, giving upon the alley, where I mused, rather excitedly. Here I was presently interrupted by the dog, Mr. Barker. For weeks now I had been relieved of his odious attentions by the very curious circumstance that he had transferred them to the Honourable George. Not all my kicks and cuffs and beatings had sufficed one wit to repulse him. He had kept after me, fond upon me, in spite of them. And then on a day he had suddenly, with glad cries, become enamoured of the Honourable George, waiting for him at doors, following him, hanging upon his every look. And the Honourable George had rather fancied the beast and made much of him. And yet this animal is reputed by poets and that sort of thing, to be man's best friend, faithfully sharing his good fortune and his bad, staying by his side to that bitter end, even refusing to leave his body when he has perished, starving there with a dauntless fidelity. How should Grinde the weavers of these tributes would have been to observe the fickle nature of the beast in question? For weeks he had hardly deigned me a glance. It had been a relief, to be sure. But what a sickening disclosure are the Cur's trifling inconstancy. Even now, though he sniffed hungrily at the open door, he paid me not the least attention, me, whom he had once idolised. I slipped back to the ice-box and procured some slices of beef that were far too good for him. He fell to them with only a perfunctory acknowledgement of my agency in procuring them. Why, I thought you hated him. Suddenly said the voice of his owner, she had tiptoed to my side. I do, I said quite savagely. But the unspeakable beast can't be left to starve, can he? I felt her eyes upon me, but would not turn. Suddenly she put her hand upon my shoulder, patting it, rather curiously, as she might have soothed her child. When I did turn she was back at her task. She was humming again. Or did she glance my way? Quite certainly she was no longer conscious that I stood about. She had quite forgotten me. I could tell as much from her manner. Such, I reflected, with an unaccustomed cynicism, is the light inconsequence of women and dogs. Yet I still experienced a curiously thrilling determination to protect her from her own good nature in the matter of her associates. At a later and cooler moment of the day I reflected upon her defence of the Klondike woman, a prince in his palace, not too good for her? No doubt she had meant me to take these remarkable words quite seriously. It was amazing, I thought, with what seriousness the lower classes of the country took their dogma of equality, and with what naive confidence they relied upon us to accept it. Equality in North America was indeed praiseworthy. I had already given it the full weight of my approval and meant to live by it. But at home, of course, that sort of thing would never do, the crude moral worth of the Klondike woman might be all that her two defenders had alleged, and indeed I failed to gain that strange little thrill of almost sympathy for her, as one who has been unjustly dispersed, but I could only resolve that I would be no party to any unfair plan of opposing her. The Honourable George must be saved from her trifling as well as from her serious designs, if such she might have. But so far as I could influence the process, it should cause as little chagrin as possible to the offender. This much the mixer and my charwoman had achieved with me? Indeed quite hopeful I was that when the creature had been set right as to what was due one of our oldest and proudest families she would find life entirely pleasant among those of her own station. She seemed to have a good heart. As the day of his lordship's arrival drew near, Belknap Jackson became increasingly concerned about the precise manner of his reception and the details of his entertainment, despite my best assurances that no especially profound thought need be given to either. His lordship being quite that sort, fussy enough in his own way but hardly formal or pretentious. His prospective host, after many consultations with me, at length allowed himself to be dissuaded from meeting his lordship in correct afternoon garb of frock coat and top hat, consenting at my urgent suggestion to a mere lounge suit of tweeds with a soft rolled hat and a suitable rough day-stick. Again in a matter of the menu for his lordship's initial dinner, which we had determined might well be tendered him at my establishment, both husband and wife were rather keen for an elaborate repast of many courses, feeling that anything less would be doing insufficient honour to their illustrious guest. But I at length convinced them that I quite knew what his lordship would prefer, a vegetable soup, an abundance of boiled mutton with potatoes, a thick pudding, a bit of scientifically correct cheese, and a jug of beer. Rather trying they were, at my first mention of this, a dinner quite without finesse to be sure, but eminently nutritive and only their certainty that I knew his lordship's ways made them give in. The affair was to be confined to the family, his lordship the only guest. This being thought discreet for the night of his arrival in view of the peculiar nature of his mission, Belknap Jackson had hoped against hope that the mixer might not be present, and even so late as the day of his lordship's arrival he was cheered by word that she might be compelled to keep her bed with a neuralgia. To the afternoon train I accompanied him in his new motor-car, finding him not a little distressed because the chauffeur, a native of the town, had stoutly and with some not nice words I gathered refused to wear the smart uniform which his employer had provided. I would have shopped the fellow in an instant, he confided to me. Had it been at any other time he was most impertinent, but as usual here I am at the mercy of circumstances. We couldn't well subject Brinsted to those loathsome public conveyances. We waited in the usual throng of the leisureed lower classes who are so naively pleased at the passage of a train. I found myself picturing their childish wonder had they guessed the identity of him we were there to meet. Even as the train appeared, Belknap Jackson made a last moan of complaint. Mrs. Pattengill, he observed dejectedly, is about the house again, and I fear will be quite well enough to be with us this evening. For a moment I almost quite disapproved of the fellow. I mean to say he was vogue, and all that, and no doubt had been wretchedly mistreated, but after all the mixer was not one to be wished ill too. A moment later I was contrasting the quiet arrival of his lordship with the clamour and confusion that had marked the advent among us of the honourable George. He carried but one bag unattracted no attention whatever from the station loungers. While I have never known him to be entirely vogue in his appointments, his lordship carries off a lounge suit and his grey cloth hat with a certain manner which the honourable George was never known to achieve even in the days when I groomed him. The grayish rather aggressive-looking side-whiskers first caught my eye, and a moment later I had taken his hand. Ben App Jackson at the same time took his bag, and with a trepidation so obvious that his lordship may perhaps have been excusable for a momentary misapprehension. I mean to say he instantly and crisply directed Ben App Jackson to go forward to the luggage van and recover his box. A bit awkward it was to be sure, but I speedily took the situation in hand by formally presenting the two men, covering the palpable embarrassment of the host, by explaining to his lordship the astounding ingenuity of their American luggage system. By the time I had deprived him of his check and convinced him that his box would be admirably recovered by a person delegated to that service, Ben App Jackson again in form was apologising to him for the squalid character of the station and for the hardship he must be prepared to endure in a crude western village. Here again the host was annoyed by having to call repeatedly to his mecanition in order to detach him from a gossiping group of loungers. He came smoking a quite fearfully bad cigar, and took his place at the wheel entirely without any suitable deference to his employer. His lordship during the ride rather pointedly surveyed me, being impressed I daresay by something in my appearance and manner quite new to him. Doubtless I had been feeling equal for so long that the thing was to be noticed in my manner. He made no comment upon me, however. Indeed almost the only time he spoke during our passage was to voice his astonishment at not having been able to procure the London Times at the press stalls along the way. His host made clucking noises of sympathy at this. He had, he said, already warned his lordship that America was still crude. Crude! Of course! What! What! exclaimed his lordship, but naturally they'd have the times. I daresay the beggars were too lazy to look it out. Laziness! What! Leave a job teaching them to know their places! Ventured Belnap Jackson, moodily regarding the back of his chauffeur, which somehow contrived to be eloquent with disrespect for him. My word! What rot! rejoined his lordship. I saw that he had arrived in one of his peppery moods. I found, see, he could not have recited a multiplication table without becoming fanatically assertive about it. That was his way. I doubt if he had ever condescended to have an opinion. What might have been opinions came out on him like a rash in form of the most violent convictions. What rot! Not to know their places, but they must know them! He snappishly added. Quite so. His host hastened to assure him. It dashed fine big-country you have! Was his only other observation. Indeed, indeed! murmured his host mildly. I had rather dreaded the oath which his lordship is prone to use lightly. Reaching the Belnap Jackson house, his lordship was shown to the apartment prepared for him. Tea will be served in half an hour, your—er, a brinstead? Missed his host cordially, although seemingly at a loss how to address him. Quite so. What, what? Tea! Of course! Of course! Why, wouldn't it be? Main time, if you don't mind, I'll have a word with Wuggles at once. Then ab Jackson softly and politely withdrew at once. Alone with his lordship I thought it best to acquaint him most instantly with the change in my circumstances. Being lightly upon the matter of my now-being and equal with rather most of the North Americans, he listened with exemplary patience to my brief recital and was good enough to felicitate me. Sure you? Glad to hear it? Glad no end? Worthy fellow, always knew it, and equal, of course, of course, take up their equality by all means if you take them up themselves? This lot of nose-talking biggers, and putting ours, every place one shouldn't. But don't blame you, do it myself, if I could. England gone to pot, quite. Gone to pot, sir? I gasped. Don't argue, course it has. Women, slasher fiends, and firebrands. Pictures, churches, golf greens, cabinet members, nothing safe. Putting their beastly filth into pillar-boxes. Women one knows, hussies though, want the vote, rot, awful rot. Don't blame you for America, wish I might too, good thing my word. No backbone in Downing Street, let the fiends out again directly they're hungry. No system, no firmness, no dash, starve them proper I would. He was working himself into no end of a state. I sought to divert him. About the Honourable George, sir? I've injured. What's the silly ass up to now, dancing girl on him, yes? How he does it I can't think. No looks, no manner, no way with women. Can't stand him myself. Where can they? Frightful bore, old George is. Well, well, man, I'm waiting, tell me, tell me, tell me. Briefly I disclosed to him that his brother had entangled himself with a young person who had indeed been a dancing girl, or a bit like that, in the province of Alaska, that at the time of my cable there was strong reason to believe she would stop at nothing, even marriage, but that I had since come to suspect that she might be bent only on making a fool of her victim, she being, although an honest enough character, rather inclined to levity and without proper respect for established families. I hinted briefly at the social warfare of which she had been a storm-center. I said again, remembering the warm words of the mixer and of my charwoman, that to the best of my knowledge her character was without blemish, all at once I was feeling preposterously sorry for the creature. His lordship listened, though with a crossfire of interruptions, Alaska dancing girl, silly, nothing but snow and mines in Alaska, or again, make a fool of old George, what silly piffle, already done it himself, what, what, waste her time, and if she wasn't keen to marry him, had I called him across the ocean to intervene in a vulgar village squabble about social precedence? Social precedence, silly rot! I insisted that his brother should be seen to. One couldn't tell what the woman might do, her audacity was tremendous, even for an American. To this he listened more patiently. Dare say you're right, you don't go off your head easily. I'll rag him proper, now I'm here, always knew the ass would make a silly marriage if he could. Yes, yes, I'll break it up quick enough. I say I'll break it up proper, dancers that sort, dangerous, but I know their tricks. A summons to tea below interrupted him. Hungry, my word, hard they dared eat in that dining-coach, tinned stuff all about one, appendicitis, made a conjournal, some colonel chap found it out, hunting sort, looked a fool beside his silly horse, but seemed to know, took no chances, said the tin opener, slays its thousands, rot no doubt, perhaps not. I led him below, hardly daring at the moment to confess my own responsibility for his fears. Another time, I thought, we might chat of it. Bernab Jackson, with his wife and the mixer, awaited us, his lordship was presented, and I excused myself. Mrs. Pettengill, his lordship, the Earl of Brinstead, had been the host's speech of presentation to the mixer. How do, Earl, I'm right glad to meet you! Had been the mixer's acknowledgement, together with a hearty grasp of the hand, I saw his lordship's face brighten. What ho! He cried, with the first cheerfulness he had exhibited, and the mixer, still vigorously pumping his hand, had replied, Same here, with a vast smile of good nature, it occurred to me that they at least were quite going to get each other, as Americans say. Come right in, and sit down in the parlor. She was saying, at last, I don't eat between meals like you English folks are always doing, but I'll take a shot of hooch with you. The bell-nap Jackson stood back, not a little distressed. They seemed to publish that their guest was being torn from them. A shot of hooch? observed his lordship. I dare say, your shooting over here is absolutely top-hole, keener sport than our popping at driven birds, what, what! CHAPTER XVIII At a lateish seven, when the grill had become nicely filled, with a representative crowd, the bell-nap Jackson's arrived, with his lordship. The latter had not dressed, and I was able to detect that bell-nap Jackson, doubtless noting his guest's attire at the last moment, had hastily changed back to a lounge-suit of his own. Also, I noted the absence of the mixer, and wondered how the host had contrived to eliminate her. On this point he found an opportunity to enlighten me before taking his seat. Mark my words, that old devil is up to something, he darkly said, and I saw that he was genuinely put about, for not often does he fall into strong language. After pushing herself forward with his lordship all through tea-time, in the most brazen manner, she announces that she has a previous dinner engagement, and can't be with us. I'm as well pleased to have her absent, of course, but I'd pay handsomely to know what her little game is. Imagine her not dining with the Earl of Brinstead, when she had the chance. That shows some things wrong. I don't like it. I tell you she's capable of things. I'm used upon this. The mixer was undoubtedly capable of things, especially things concerning her son-in-law, and yet I could imagine no opening for her at the present moment, and said as much. And Mrs. Belnap Jackson, I was glad to observe, did not share her husband's evident worry. She had entered the place plumingly, as it were, sweeping the length of the room before his lordship, with quite all the manner her somewhat stubby figure could carry off. Seated as she became at once vivacious, chatting to his lordship brightly and continuously, taking the room the while with her lawn-yawn, half a dozen ladies of the north side-set were with parties at other tables, I saw she was immensely stimulated by the circumstance that these friends were unaware of her guest's identity. I divined that before the evening was over she would contrive to disclose it. His lordship responded but duly to her animated chat. He is never less urbane than when hungry, and I took pains to have his favorite soup served quite almost at once. This he fell upon. I may say that he has always a hearty manner of attacking his soup. Not infrequently he makes noises. He did so on this occasion. I mean to say there was no finesse. I hovered near, anxious that the service should be without flaw. His head bent slightly over his plate, I saw a spoonful of soup ascending with precision toward his lips, but curiously it halted in mid-air, then fell back. His lordship's eyes had become fixed upon someone back of me. And once, too, I noted looks of consternation upon the faces of the Belknap Jacksons. The hostess freezing in the very midst of some choice phrase she had smilingly begun. I turned quickly. It was the Klondike person, radiant in the costume of black and the black hat. She moved down the hushed room with well lifted chin, eyes straight ahead and narrowed to but a faint offended consciousness of the staring crowd. It was well done. It was superior. I am able to judge those things. Reaching a table the second but one from the Belknap Jacksons, she relaxed finally from the austere note of her progress and turned to her companions with a pretty and quite perfect confusion as to which chair she might occupy. Quite awfully these companions were the mixer, overwhelming in black velvet and diamonds, and cousin Egbert, uncomfortable enough looking, but as correctly enveloped in evening dress as he could ever manage by himself, his cravat had been tied many times and needed it once more. They were seated by the raccoon with quite all his impressiveness of manner. They faced the Belknap Jacksons party, yet seemed unconscious of its presence. Cousin Egbert, with a bored manner which I am certain he achieved only with tremendous effort, scanned my simple menu. The mixer settled herself with a vast air of comfort and arranged various hand belongings about her on the table. Between them the clondike woman sat with a restraint that would actually not have ill become one of our own women. She did not look about, her hands were still, her head was up. At former times with her own set she had been wont to exhibit a rather defiant vivacity. Now she did not challenge. She eloquently there pervaded her a reserve that seemed almost to exhale a fragrance. But of course that is silly rot, I mean to say, she drew the attention without visible effort. She only waited. The Earl of Brinstead, as we all saw, had continued to stare. Rice slowly arose the spoon of soup, for mere animal habit was strong upon him. Yet at a certain elevation it each time fell slowly back. He was acting like a mechanical toy. Then the mixer caught his eye and nodded crisply. He bobbed in response. What ho! The Dowager! He exclaimed, and that time the soup was successfully resumed. Poor old Mater sighed his hostess, she's constantly taking up people. One does, you know, in these queer western towns. Jolly old thing, awfully good sport, said his lordship. But his eyes were not on the mixer. Terribly then I recalled the honourable George's behaviour at that same table. The night he had first viewed this clondike person, his lordship was staring in much the same fashion, yet I was relieved to observe that the woman this time was quite unconscious of the interest she had aroused. In the case of the honourable George, who had frankly ogled her, for the poor chap has ever lacked the finer shades in these matters. She had not only been aware of it, but had deliberately played upon it. It is not too much to say that she had shown herself to be a creature of blandishments. More than once she had permitted her eyes to rest upon him with that peculiarly womanish gaze, which, although superficially of a blank innocence, is yet all-seeing and even shoots little fine arrows of questions from its ambuscade. But now she was ignoring his lordship as utterly as she did the Belknap Jacksons. To be sure she may later have been in some way informed that his eyes were seeking her. But never once I am sure did she descend to even a veiled challenge of his glance, or betray the faintest discreet consciousness of it, and this I was indeed glad to note in her. Clearly she must know where to draw the line, permitting herself a malicious laxity with a younger brother, which she would not have the presumption to assay with the holder of the title. Pleased I was, I say, to detect in her this proper respect for his lordship's position. It showed her to be not all unworthy. The dinner proceeded, his lordship being good enough to compliment me on the fair, which I knew was done to his liking. Yet even in the very presence of the boiled mutton his eyes were too often upon his neighbor. When he behaved thus in the presence of a dish of mutton I had not to be told that he was strongly moved. I uneasily recalled now that he had once been a bit of a dog himself. I mean to say there was talk in the countryside, though of course it had died out, a score of years ago. I thought it as well, however, that he be told almost immediately that the person he honoured with his glance was no other than the one he had come to subtract his unfortunate brother from. The dinner progressed somewhat jerkily because of his lordship's inattention, through the pudding and cheese, to coffee. Where had I known his lordship behaved so languidly in the presence of food he cared for? His hosts ate even less. They were worried. Mrs. Belknap Jackson, however, could simply no longer contain within herself the secret of their guest's identity. With excuses to the deaf ears of his lordship she left to address a friend at a distant table. She addressed others at other tables, leaving a flutter of sensation in her wake, Belknap Jackson having lighted one of his non-throat cigarettes, endeavored to engross his lordship with an account of their last election of offices to the country club. His lordship was not properly attentive to this. Indeed with his hostess gone he no longer made any pretense of concealing his interest in the other table. I saw him catch the eye of the mixer, and, astonishingly, intercepted from her a swift but most egregious wink. One moment, said his lordship to the host, must pay my respects to the Dowager, what what? Jolly old Muggins, yes! And he was gone. I heard the mixer's amazing presentation speech. Mrs. Canner, Mr. Flaude, his lordship, say, listen here, is your right name Brinstead or Basingwell, like your brother's? The Klondike person acknowledged the thing with a faintly gracious nod. It carried an air. Despite the slightness of it, Cousin Egbert was more cordial. Pleased to meet you, lord, said he, and grasped the newcomer's hand. Come on, sit in with us, and have some coffee and a cigar. Here, Jeff, bring the lord a good cigar. We was just talking about you that minute. How do you like our town? Say, this here coolant valley—I lost the rest. His lordship had seated himself at his own table, bell, nap, jackson, writhed acutely. He was lighting a second cigarette, the first, not yet a quarter, consumed. At once the fore began to be thick as thieves, though it was apparent that his lordship had eyes only for the woman. Coffee was brought, his lordship lighted his cigar, and now the word had so run for Mrs. Bellnap-Jackson that all eyes were drawn to this table. He had created her sensation, and it had become, all at once, more of one than she had thought. From Mrs. Judge Ballad's table I caught her glare at her unconscious mother. It was not the way one's daughter should regard one in public. Presently contriving to pass the table again, I noted that Cousin Egbert had changed his form of address. Have some brandy with your coffee, Earl. Here, Jeff, bring Earl and all of us some liqueurs. I divined the monstrous truth that he supposed himself to be calling his lordship by his first name, and he in turn must have understood my shocked glance of rebuke. For a bit later, with glad relief in his tones, he was addressing his lordship as Cap, and by self he had given the rank of Colonel. The clondike person in the beginning finally maintained her reserve. Only at the last did she descend to vivacity, or the use of her eyes. This later laxness made me wonder if, after all, she would feel bound to pay his lordship the respect he was wanted to command from her class. You and poor George are rather alike. I overheard, except that he uses the single what, and you use the double. Hasn't he any right to use the double what yet? And what does it mean, anyway? Tell us. What what? Demanded his lordship a bit puzzled. But that's it. What do you say what what for? It can't do you any good. What what? But I mean to say, you're having me on. My word, you are smoofing. I mean to say, what what, to be sure, chaffing lot you are. He laughed. He was behaving almost with levity. But poor old George is so much younger than you, you must make allowances. I again caught her saying, and his lordship replied, not at all, not at all. Better of a half-score years, barely a half-score, nine and a few months, younger, what rot, chaffing again. Really it was a bit thick, the creature saying, poor old George, quite as if he was something in an institution having to be wheeled about in a bath-chair with rugs and water-bottles. Glad I was when the trio gave signs of departure. It was, it was woman's craft dictating it, I dare say. She had made her effect and knew when to go. Of course we shall have to talk over my dreadful designs on your poor old George, said the amazing woman intently regarding his lordship at parting. Leave it to me, said he, with a scarcely veiled significance. Well, see you again, cap, said Cousin Egbert warmly, I'll take you around to meet some of the boys. We'll see you have a good time. What ho! His lordship replied cordially. The contact person flashed him one enigmatic look, then turned to precede her companions. Again down the thronged room she swept, with that chin-lifted, drooping-eyed, faintly offended half-consciousness of some staring rabble at hand, that concerned her not at all. Her alert, feminine foes, I am certain, read no slightest trace of amusement in her unwavering lowered glance. So easily she could have been crude here. Benap Jackson, enduring his ignominious solitude to the limit of his powers, had joined his wife at the lower end of the room. They had taken the unfortunate development with what grace they could. His lordship had dropped in upon them quite informally, charming man that he was. Of course he would quickly break up the disgraceful affair beginning at once. They would doubtless entertain him in a quiet way. At the deserted table his lordship now relieved a certain sickening apprehension that had beset me. What what! Quite right to call me out here. Don't forget it. Dangerous creature that badly needed I was. Can't think why you waited so long. Anything might have happened to old George. Break it up proper, though. Never do it all. Impossible person for him. Quite. I saw they had indeed taken no pains to hide the woman's identity from him, nor their knowledge of his reason for coming out to the States. Though with wretchedly low taste they had done this chaffingly. Yet it was only too plain that his lordship now realized what had been the profound gravity of the situation, and I was glad to see that he meant to end it without any nonsense. Silly ass, old George, though! He added as the Belknap Jackson's approached. How a creature like that could ever have fancied him! What what! His hosts were profuse in their apologies for having so thoughtlessly run away from his lordship. They carried it off rather well. They were keen for sitting at the table once more, as the other observant diners were lingering on, but his lordship would have none of this. Stuffy place! Said he, best be getting on. And so reluctantly they led him down the gauntlet of widened eyes. Even so, the tenth Earl of Brinstead had dined publicly with them. More than we paid they were for the slight the honourable George had put upon them in the affair of the piano forte artist. An hour later Belknap Jackson had me on by telephone. His voice was not a little worried. I say, is his lordship the Earl subject to spells of any sort? We were in the library, where I was showing him some photographic views of dear old Baston, and right over a superb print of our public library, he seemed to lose consciousness. Might it be a stroke, or do you think it's just a healthy sleep, and shall I venture to shake him? How would he take that, or should I merely cover him with a travelling rug? It would be so dreadful if anything happened when he's been with us such a little time. I knew his lordship. He has the gift of sleeping quite informally when his attention is not too closely engaged. I suggested that the host set his musical phonograph in motion on some one of the more audible selections. As I heard no more from him that night, I dare say my plan worked. Our town, as may be imagined, buzzed with transcendent gossip on the motto. The recorder disclosed at last that the bell-knap joxons of Boston and Redgap were quietly entertaining his lordship the Earl of Brinstead, though since the evening before this had been news to hardly anyone, nor needed to be said that a viciously fermenting element in the gossip concerned the apparently cordial meeting of his lordship with the clondike person, an encounter that had been watched with jealous eyes by more than one matron of the north side set. It was even intimated that if his lordship had come to put the creature in her place, he had chosen a curious way to set about it. Also there were hard words uttered of the bell-knap joxons by Mrs. Effie, and severe blame put upon myself, because his lordship had not come out to the floods. But the Brinsteads have always stopped with us before, she went about saying, as if there had been quite a long succession of them, I mean to say only the Honourable George had stopped on with them, unless indeed the woman actually counted me as one. Between herself and Mrs. Bellknap Jackson, I understood, therein sued early that morning by telephone a passage of virulent acidity, Mrs. Effie being heard by Cousin Egbert to say bluntly that she would get even. Undoubtedly she did not share the annoyance of the bellknap joxons that certain eccentricities now developed by his lordship, which made him at times a trying house-guest. That first morning he arose at Five Sharp, a custom of his which I deeply regretted not having warned his host about. Discovering quite no one about, he had ventured abroad in search of breakfast, finding it at length, in the eating establishment known as Bert's Place, in the company with engine-drivers, plate-layers, milk-persons, and others of a common sort. Thereafter he had tramped furiously about the town and its environs for some hours, at last encountering Cousin Egbert, who escorted him to the flout-home for his first interview with the Honourable George. The latter received his lordship in bed, so Cousin Egbert later informed me. He had left the two together, went upon for an hour. There were heard quite all over the house words of the most explosive character. Cousin Egbert much alarmed at the passionate beginning of the interview, suspected they might do each other a mischief, and for some moments hovered about, with the aim, if need be, of preserving human life. But as the uproar continued evenly, he had length concluded they would do no more than talk, the outcome proving the accuracy of his surmise. Mrs. Effie, meantime, saw her opportunity, and seized it with a cool readiness, which I have often remarked in her. Belap Jackson, distressed beyond measure at the strange absence of his guest, had communicated with me by telephone several times without result. Not until near noon was I able to give him any light. Mrs. Effie had then called me to know what his lordship preferred for luncheon. Replying that cold beef, pickles, and beer were his usual midday fancy, I hastened to allay the fears of the Belap Jackson's, only to find that Mrs. Effie had been before me. She says, came the annoyed voice of the host, that the dear Earl dropped in for a chat with his brother, and has most delightfully begged her to give him luncheon. She says he will doubtless wish to drive with them this afternoon, but I had already planned to drive him myself, to the country club, and about. The woman is high-handed, I must say. For God's sake, can't you do something? I was obliged to tell him straight that the thing was beyond me. Though I promised to recover his guest promptly, should any opportunity occur, the latter did not, however, drive with the floods that afternoon. He was observed walking abroad with cousin Egbert, and it was later reported by persons of unimpeachable veracity that they had been seen to enter the Condike person's establishment. Evening drew on without further news, but then certain elated members of the Bohemian set made it loosely known that they were that evening to dine informally at their leader's house to meet his lordship. It seemed a bit extraordinary to me, yet I could not but rejoice that he should thus adopt the peaceful methods of diplomacy for the extrication of his brother. Belmaptaxon now telephoning to know if I had heard this report, Kennard, he styled it. I confirmed it, and remarked that his lordship was undoubtedly by way of bringing strong pressure to bear on the woman. But I had expected him to meet a few people here this evening, cried the host, pathetically. I was then obliged to tell him that the Brinstead's force centuries had been bluntly averse to meeting a few people. It seemed to run in the blood. The Bohemian dinner, although quite informal, was said to have been highly enjoyed by all, including the Honourable George, who was among those present, as well as cousin Egbert. The latter gossiped briefly of the affair the following day. Sure, the cap had a good time, all right, he said. Of course he ain't the mixer the judge is, but he livens up quite some. Now then, talks like a bunch of firecrackers going off all at once. Donnie, funny guy, I walked with him to the Jackson's about twelve or one. He's going back to Miss Kennard's house today. He says it'll take a lot of talking back and forth to get this thing settled right, and it's got to be right, he says. He's seen that right off. He paused as if to meditate profoundly. If you was to ask me, though, I'd say she had him, just like that. He held an open hand toward me, then tightly clenched it. Suspecting he might spread absurd gossip of this sort, I explained carefully to him that his lordship had indeed at once perceived her to be a dangerous woman, and that he was now taking his own cunning way to break off the distressing affair between her and his brother. He listened patiently, but seemed wedded to some monstrous view of his own. Them dames of that their northside set, better watch out, he remarked ominously. First thing they know, what that Kate Kenner will hand them, they can make a lemonade out of. I could make but little of this, save its general import, which was, of course, quite shockingly preposterous. I found myself wishing to be sure that his lordship had been able to accomplish his mission to North America without appearing to meet the person as a social equal, as I feared indeed that a wrong impression of his attitude would be gained by the undissurning public. It might have been better, I was almost quite certain, had he adopted a stern and even brutal method at the outset, instead of the circuitous and diplomatic, Belknap Jackson shared this view with me. I should hate dreadfully to have his lordship's reputation suffer for this, he confided to me. The first week dragged to its close in this regrettable fashion, oftener than not, his host caught no glimpse of his lordship throughout the day. The smart trap and the tandem team were constantly ready, but he had not yet been driven abroad by his host. Each day he alleged the necessity of conferring with the woman. Dangerous creature, my word, but dangerous, he would announce. Takes no end of managing. Do it, though, do it proper. Take a high hand with her. Can't have silly old George in a mess. Oh, brother, what, what? Time needed, though. Not with you at dinner, if you don't mind. Creature has a way of picking up things, not half-nasty. But each day Belknap Jackson met him with pressing offers of such entertainment as the town afforded. Three times he had been obliged to postpone the informal evening affair for a few smart people. Yet, though patient, he was determined. Reluctantly at last he abandoned the design of driving his guest about in the trap, but he insistently put forward the motor-car. He would drive it himself. They would spend pleasant hours going about the country. His lordship continued elusive. To myself he confided that his host was a nagger. Awfully nagging, sorg—yes, doesn't know the strain I'm under getting this silly affair straight. Country interesting, no doubt, what, what, but my word, saw nothing but country coming out. Country quite all about, miles and miles, both sides of the metals. In enough country, seen motor-cars, too, my word, enough of both, what, what. Yet it seemed that on the Saturday after his arrival he could no longer decently put off his insistent host. He consented to accompany him in the motor-car. Rotten judging it was on the part of Belknap Jackson, he should have listened to me. They departed after luncheon, the host at the wheel. I had his account of such following events as I did not myself observe. A country-club, he observed early in the drive. No one there, of course. You'd never believe the trouble I've had. Jolly good-club, replied his lordship. Drive back that way, back that way, it appeared, would take them by the detached villa of the Klondike person. Stop here! Directed his lordship. Shall detain you a moment. This was at two-thirty of a fair afternoon. I am able to give but the bare facts, yet I must assume that the emotions of Belknap Jackson, as he waited there, during the ensuing two hours, were of a quite distressing nature, as much was intimated by several observant towns-people who passed him. He was said to be distraite, to be smoking his cigarettes furiously. At four-thirty his lordship reappeared. With a pedant's solicitude he escorted the Klondike person, fetchingly gowned in a street costume of the latest mode. They chatted gaily to the car. Hope I've not kept you waiting, old chap! Said his lordship genially. Time slips by one so. You two met, of course, of course. He bestowed his companion in the tunnel, and ensconced himself beside her. Drive, said he, to your good shops, drapers, chemists, where was it? To the central market responded the lady in bell-like tones. Then to the red front store, and to that dear little Japanese shop, if he doesn't mind. Course not, course not! Are you warm? Let me fasten the robe. I confess to have felt a hearted fascination for this moment, as I was able to reconstruct it from Belknap Jackson's impassioned words. It was by way of being one of those scenes we properly loathe, yet morbidly cannot resist overlooking if opportunity offers. To the flood tide of our Saturday shopping throng, swept the car, and its remarkably assembled occupants, the street fair gasped. The woman's former parade of the Honourable George had been as nothing to this exposure. Poor Jackson's face was a study, declared the mixer to me later. I dare say it was still a study when my own turn came to observe it. The car halted before the shops that had been designated. The clondike person dispatched her commissions in a superbly leisured manner, attentively accompanied by the Earl of Brinstead bearing packages for her. Belknap Jackson at the wheel stared straight ahead. I am told he bore himself with dignity, even when some of our more ingenious citizens paused to converse with him concerning his new motor car. He is even said to have managed a smile when his passengers returned. I have it, exclaimed his lordship now. Deust good plan! Go to that ruggle's place for a jolly fat tea. No end of a spree, what-what! It is said that on three occasions in turning his car and traversing the short block to the grill, the owner escaped disastrous collision with other vehicles only by the narrowest possible margin. He may have courted something of the sort. I dare say he was desperate. Join us, of course! said his lordship as he assisted his companion to a light. Even I am told the host managed to illumine his refusal with a smile. He would take no tea, the doctor's orders. The surprising pair entered at the height of my tea-hour and were served to an accompaniment of stairs from the ladies present. To this they appeared oblivious, being intent upon their conference. His lordship was amiable to a degree. It now occurred to me that he had found the woman even more dangerous than he had at first supposed. He was being forced to play a deep game with her, and was meeting Gile with Gile. He had, I suspected, found his poor brother far deeper in than any of us had thought. Doubtless he had written compromising letters that must be secured, letters she would hold at a price. And yet I had never before had excuse to believe his lordship possessed the diplomatic temperament. I reflected that I must always have misread him. He was deep, after all. Not until the two left did I learn that Belknap Jackson awaited them with his car. He loitered about in adjacent doorways, quite like a hired fellow. He was passionately smoking more cigarettes than were good for him. I escorted my guests to the car. Belknap Jackson took his seat with but one glance at me, yet it was eloquent of all the ignominy that had been heaped upon him. Home, I think, said the lady when they were well seated. She said it charmingly. Home! He waited his lordship. Are you quite protected by the robe? An incautious pedestrian at the next crossing narrowly escaped being run down. He shook a fist at the vanishing car and uttered a stream of oaths so vile that he would instantly have been taken up in any well-policed city. Half an hour later Belknap Jackson called me. He—he got out with that fiend! He's stayed on there, but my cat can nothing be done. His lordship is playing a most desperate game. I hastened to assure him he's meeting difficulties. She must have her dupes letters in her possession. Blackmail, I dare say, best leave his lordship free, is a deep character. She presumed far this afternoon. Only the man's position saved him with me. His voice seemed choked with anger. Then, remotely, faint as a distant cannonading, a rumble reached me. It was hoarse laughter of the mixer, perhaps in another room. The electric telephone has been perfected in the states to a marvellous delicacy of response. I now found myself observing Mrs. Effie, who had been among the absorbed onlookers while the pair were at their tea, she having occupied a table with Mrs. Judge Ballard and Mrs. Dr. Martingale. Deeply immersed in thought she had been, scarce replying to her companions, her eyes had narrowed in a way I well knew when she reviewed the social field. Still absorbed she was, when Cousin Egbert entered, accompanied by the Honourable George. The latter had seen but little of his brother since their first stormy interview. But he had also seen little of the clondike woman. His spirits, however, had seemed quite undashed. He rarely missed his tea. Now as they seated themselves they were joined quickly by Mrs. Effie, who engaged her relative in earnest converse. It was easy to see that she begged a favour. She kept a hand on his arm. She urged. Presently, seeming to have achieved her purpose, she left them, and I paused to greet the pair. I guess that there Mrs. Effie is awful silly, remarked Cousin Egbert enigmatically. No, sir, she can't ever tell how the cat is going to jump. Nor would he say more, though he most elatedly held a secret. With this circumstance I connected the announcement in Monday's recorder that Mrs. Senator Floud would on that evening entertain at dinner. The members of Red Gap's Bohemian set, including Mrs. Kate Kenner, the guest of honour being his lordship, the Earl of Brinstead, at present visiting in this city, covers. It added would be laid for fourteen. I saw that Cousin Egbert would have been made the ambassador to conduct what must have been a business of some delicacy. Among the members of the North Side set the report occasioned the wildest alarm, and yet so staunch were known to be the principles of Mrs. Effie that few accused her of downright treachery. It seemed to be felt that she was but lending herself to the furtherance of some deep design of his lordships. Blackmail, the recovery of compromising letters, the avoidance of legal proceedings, these were hinted at. For myself I suspected that she had merely misconstrued the seeming cordiality of his lordship toward the woman and, at the expense of the Belknap-Jacksons, had sought the honour of entertaining him. If to do that she must entertain the woman? Well and good. She was not one to funk her fences with the game in sight. Consulting me as to the menu for her dinner, she allowed herself to be persuaded to the vegetable soup, boiled mutton, thick pudding, and cheese, which I recommended, though she pleaded at length for a chance to use the new fish set, and for a complicated salad portrayed in her latest woman's magazine, covered with grated nuts, it was, in the illustration. I was able, however, to convince her that his lordship would regard grated nuts as silly. From Belknap-Jackson I learned by telephone. During these days, being sensitive, he stopped in almost quite continuously, that Mrs. Effie had profusely explained to his wife about the dinner. Of course, my dear, I couldn't have the presumption to ask you and your husband to sit at table with the creature, even if he did think it all right to drive her about town on a shopping trip. But I thought we ought to do something to make the dear Earl's visit one to be remembered. He's so appreciative. I'm sure you understand just how things are. When reciting this speech to me, Belknap-Jackson assayed to simulate the tone and excessive manner of a woman gushing falsely. The fellow was quite bitter about it. I sometimes think I'll give up. He concluded, God only knows what things are coming to. It began to seem, even to me, that they were coming a bit thick. But I knew that his lordship was a determined man. He was of the bulldog breed that has made Old England what it is. I mean to say, I knew he would put the woman in her place. End of chapter 18.