all roads lead to calvary-第12章

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l　movement　on　foot。　　He　felt　it　his　duty　to　go。　I　want　you　particularly　to　meet　the　boy。　　He　will　interest　you。〃

Miss　Tolley　appeared　to　be　getting　muddled。　　〃Whose　boy？〃　she　demanded。

〃Ivanoff's；〃　explained　the　Human　Document。　　〃He　was　our　only　child。〃

Flossie　appeared；　towing　a　white…haired；　distinguished…looking　man；　a　Mr。　Folk。　　She　introduced　him　and　immediately　disappeared。　　Joan　wished　she　had　been　left　alone　a　little　longer。　　She　would　like　to　have　heard　more。　　Especially　was　she　curious　concerning　Abner；　the　lady's　third。　　Would　the　higher　moral　law　compel　him；　likewise；　to　leave　the　poor　lady　saddled　with　another　couple　of　children？　　Or　would　she；　on　this　occasion；　get　inor　rather；　get　off；　first？　Her　own　fancy　was　to　back　Abner。　　She　did　catch　just　one　sentence　before　Miss　Tolley；　having　obtained　more　food　for　reflection　than　perhaps　she　wanted；　signalled　to　her　secretary　that　the　note…book　might　be　closed。

〃Woman's　right　to　follow　the　dictates　of　her　own　heart；　uncontrolled　by　any　law；〃　the　Human　Document　was　insisting：　　〃That　is　one　of　the　first　things　we　must　fight　for。〃

Mr。　Folk　was　a　well…known　artist。　　He　lived　in　Paris。　　〃You　are　wonderfully　like　your　mother；〃　he　told　Joan。　　〃In　appearance；　I　mean；〃　he　added。　　〃I　knew　her　when　she　was　Miss　Caxton。　　I　acted　with　her　in　America。〃

Joan　made　a　swift　effort　to　hide　her　surprise。　　She　had　never　heard　of　her　mother　having　been　upon　the　stage。

〃I　did　not　know　that　you　had　been　an　actor；〃　she　answered。

〃I　wasn't　really；〃　explained　Mr。　Folk。　　〃I　just　walked　and　talked　naturally。　　It　made　rather　a　sensation　at　the　time。　　Your　mother　was　a　genius。　　You　have　never　thought　of　going　on　the　stage　yourself？〃

〃No；〃　said　Joan。　　〃I　don't　think　I've　got　what　you　call　the　artistic　temperament。　　I　have　never　felt　drawn　towards　anything　of　that　sort。〃

〃I　wonder；〃　he　said。　　〃You　could　hardly　be　your　mother's　daughter　without　it。〃

〃Tell　me；〃　said　Joan。　　〃What　was　my　mother　like？　　I　can　only　remember　her　as　more　or　less　of　an　invalid。〃

He　did　not　reply　to　her　question。　　〃Master　or　Mistress　Eminent　Artist；〃　he　said；　〃intends　to　retire　from　his　or　her　particular　stage；　whatever　it　may　be。　　That　paragraph　ought　always　to　be　put　among　the　obituary　notices。〃

〃What's　your　line？〃　he　asked　her。　　〃I　take　it　you　have　one　by　your　being　here。　　Besides；　I　am　sure　you　have。　　I　am　an　old　fighter。　　I　can　tell　the　young　soldier。　　What's　your　regiment？〃

Joan　laughed。　　〃I'm　a　drummer　boy；〃　she　answered。　　〃I　beat　my　drum　each　week　in　a　Sunday　newspaper；　hoping　the　lads　will　follow。〃

〃You　feel　you　must　beat　that　drum；〃　he　suggested。　　〃Beat　it　louder　and　louder　and　louder　till　all　the　world　shall　hear　it。〃

〃Yes；〃　Joan　agreed；　〃I　think　that　does　describe　me。〃

He　nodded。　　〃I　thought　you　were　an　artist；〃　he　said。　　〃Don't　let　them　ever　take　your　drum　away　from　you。　　You'll　go　to　pieces　and　get　into　mischief　without　it。〃

〃I　know　an　old　actress；〃　he　continued。　　〃She's　the　mother　of　four。　They　are　all　on　the　stage　and　they've　all　made　their　mark。　　The　youngest　was　born　in　her　dressing…room；　just　after　the　curtain　had　fallen。　　She　was　playing　the　Nurse　to　your　mother's　Juliet。　　She　is　still　the　best　Nurse　that　I　know。　　'Jack's　always　worrying　me　to　chuck　it　and　devote　myself　to　the　children；'　she　confided　to　me　one　evening；　while　she　was　waiting　for　her　cue。　　'But；　as　I　tell　him；　I'm　more　helpful　to　them　being　with　them　half　the　day　alive　than　all　the　day　dead。'　　That's　an　anecdote　worth　remembering；　when　your　time　comes。　　If　God　gives　woman　a　drum　he　doesn't　mean　man　to　take　it　away　from　her。　　She　hasn't　got　to　be　playing　it　for　twenty…four　hours　a　day。　　I'd　like　you　to　have　seen　your　mother's　Cordelia。〃

Flossie　was　tacking　her　way　towards　them。　　Joan　acted　on　impulse。　〃I　wish　you'd　give　me　your　address；〃　she　said　〃where　I　could　write　to　you。　　Or　perhaps　you　would　not　mind　my　coming　and　seeing　you　one　day。　　I　would　like　you　to　tell　me　more　about　my　mother。〃

He　gave　her　his　address　in　Paris　where　he　was　returning　almost　immediately。

〃Do　come；〃　he　said。　　〃It　will　take　me　back　thirty…three　years。　　I　proposed　to　your　mother　on　La　Grande　Terrasse　at　St。　Germain。　　We　will　walk　there。　　I'm　still　a　bachelor。〃　　He　laughed；　and；　kissing　her　hand；　allowed　himself　to　be　hauled　away　by　Flossie；　in　exchange　for　Mrs。　Phillips；　for　whom　Miss　Lavery　had　insisted　on　an　invitation。

Joan　had　met　Mrs。　Phillips　several　times；　and　once；　on　the　stairs；　had　stopped　and　spoken　to　her；　but　had　never　been　introduced　to　her　formally　till　now。

〃We　have　been　meaning　to　call　on　you　so　often；〃　panted　Mrs。　Phillips。　　The　room　was　crowded　and　the　exertion　of　squeezing　her　way　through　had　winded　the　poor　lady。　　〃We　take　so　much　interest　in　your　articles。　　My　husband〃　she　paused　for　a　second；　before　venturing　upon　the　word；　and　the　aitch　came　out　somewhat　over…　aspirated〃reads　them　most　religiously。　　You　must　come　and　dine　with　us　one　evening。〃

Joan　answered　that　she　would　be　very　pleased。

〃I　will　find　out　when　Robert　is　free　and　run　up　and　let　you　know；〃　she　continued。　　〃Of　course；　there　are　so　many　demands　upon　him；　especially　during　this　period　of　national　crisis；　that　I　spare　him　all　the　social　duties　that　I　can。　　But　I　shall　insist　on　his　making　an　exception　in　your　case。〃

Joan　murmured　her　sense　of　favour；　but　hoped　she　would　not　be　allowed　to　interfere　with　more　pressing　calls　upon　Mr。　Phillips's　time。

〃It　will　do　him　good；〃　answered　Mrs。　Phillips；　〃getting　away　from　them　all　for　an　hour　or　two。　　I　don't　see　much　of　him　myself。〃

She　glanced　round　and　lowered　her　voice。　　〃They　tell　me；〃　she　said；　〃that　you're　a　B。A。〃

〃Yes；〃　answered　Joan。　　〃One　goes　in　for　it　more　out　of　vanity；　I'm　afraid；　than　for　any　real　purpose　that　it　serves。〃

〃I　took　one　or　two　prizes　myself；〃　said　Mrs。　Phillips。　　〃But；　of　course；　one　forgets　things。　　I　was　wondering　if　you　would　mind　if　I　ran　up　occasionally　to　ask　you　a　question。　　Of　course；　as　you　know；　my　'usband　'as　'ad　so　few　advantages〃the　lady's　mind　was　concerned　with　more　important　matters；　and　the　aspirates；　on　this　occasion；　got　themselves　neglected〃It　is　wonderful　what　he　'as　done　without　them。　　But　if；　now　and　then；　I　could　'elp　him〃

There　was　something　about　the　poor；　foolish　painted　face；　as　it　looked　up　pleadingly；　that　gave　it　a　momentary　touch　of　beauty。

〃Do；〃　said　Joan；　speaking　earnestly。　　〃I　shall　be　so　very　pleased　if　you　will。〃

〃Thank　you；〃　said　the　woman。　　Miss　Lavery　came　up　in　a　hurry　to　introduce　her　to　Miss　Tolley。　　〃I　am　telling　all　my　friends　to　read　your　articles；〃　she　added；　resuming　the　gracious　patroness；　as　she　bowed　her　adieus。

Joan　was　alone　again　for　a　while。　　A　handsome　girl；　with　her　hair　cut　short　and　parted　at　the　side；　was　discussing　diseases　of　the　spine　with　a　curly…headed　young　man　in　a　velvet　suit。　　The　gentleman　was　describing　some　of　the　effects　in　detail。　　Joan　felt　there　was　danger　of　her　being　taken　ill　if　she　listened　any　longer；　and　seeing　Madge's　brother　near　the　door；　and　unoccupied；　she　made　her　way　across　to　him。

Niel　Singleton；　or　Keeley；　as　he　called　himself　upon　the　stage；　was　quite　unlike　his　sister。　　He　was　short　and　plump；　with　a　preternaturally　solemn　face；　contradicted　by　small　twinkling　eyes。　He　motioned　Joan　to　a　chair　and　told　her　to　keep　quiet　and　not　disturb　the　meeting。

〃Is　he　brainy？〃　he　whispered　after　a　minute。

〃I　like　him；〃　said　Joan。

〃I　didn't　ask　you　if　you　liked　him；〃　he　explained　to　her。　　〃I　asked　you　if　he　was　brainy。　　I'm　not　too　sure　that　you　like　brainy　men。〃

〃Yes；　I　do；〃　said　Joan。　　〃I　like　you；　sometimes。〃

〃Now；　none　of　that；〃　he　said　severely。　　〃It's　no　good　your　thinking　of　me。　　I'm　wedded　to　my　art。　　We　are　talking　about　Mr。　Halliday。〃

〃What　does　Madge　think　of　him？〃　asked　Joan。

〃Madge　has　fallen　in　love　with　him；　and　her　judgment　is　not　to　be　relied　upon；〃　he　said。　　〃I　suppose　you　couldn't　answer　a　straight　question；　if　you　tried。〃

〃Don't　be　so　harsh　with　me；〃　pleaded　Joan　meekly。　　〃I'm　trying　to　think。　　Yes；〃　she　continued；　〃decidedly　he's　got　brains。〃

〃Enough　for　the　two　of　them？〃　demanded　Mr。　Singleton。　　〃Because　he　will　want　them。　　Now　think　before　you　speak。〃

Joan　considered。　　〃Yes；〃　she　answered。　　〃I　should　say　he's　just　the　man　to　manage　her。〃

〃Then　it's　settled；〃　he　said。　　〃We　must　save　her。〃

〃Save　her　from　what？〃　demanded　Joan。

〃From　his　saying　to　himself：　　'This　is　Flossie's　idea　of　a　party。　This　is　the　sort　of　thing　that；　if　I　marry　her；　I　am　letting　myself　in　for。'　　If　he　hasn't　broken　off　the　engagement　already；　we　may　be　in　time。〃

He　led　the　way　to　the　piano。　　〃Tell　Madge　I　want　her；〃　he　whispered。　　He　struck　a　few　notes；　and　then　in　a　voice　that　drowned　every　other　sound　in　the　room；　struck　up　a　comic　song。

The　effect　was　magical。

He　followed　it　up　with　another。　　This　one　with　a　chorus；　consisting　chiefly　of　〃Umpty　Umpty　Umpty　Umpty　Ay；〃　which　was　vociferously　encored。

By　the　time　it　was　done　with；　Madge　had　discovered　a　girl　who　could　sing　〃Three　Little　Pigs；〃　and　a　sad；　pale…faced　gentleman　who　told　stories。　　At　the　end　of　one　of　them　Madge's　brother　spoke　to　Joan　in　a　tone　more　of　sorrow　than　of　anger。

〃Hardly　the　sort　of　anecdote　that　a　truly　noble　and　high…minded　young　woman　would　have　received　with　laughter；〃　he　commented。

〃Did　I　laugh？〃　said　Joan。

〃Your　having　done　so　unconsciously　only　makes　the　matter　worse；〃　observed　Mr。　Singleton。　　〃I　had　hoped　it　emanated　from　politeness；　not　enjoyment。〃

〃Don't　tease　her；〃　said　Madge。　　〃She's　having　an　evening　off。〃

Joan　and　the　Singletons　were　the　last　to　go。　　They　promised　to　show　Mr。　Halliday　a　short　cut　to　his　hotel　in　Holborn。

〃Have　you　thanked　Miss　Lessing　for　a　pleasant　evening？〃　asked　Mr。　Singleton；　turning　to　Mr。　Halliday。

He　laughed　and　put　his　arm　round　her。　　〃Poor　little　woman；〃　he　said。　　〃You're　looking　so　tired。　　It　was　jolly　at　the　end。〃　　He　kissed　her。

He　had　passed　through　the　swing　doors；　and　they　were　standing　on　the　pavement　waiting　for　Joan's　bus。

〃Why　did　we　all　like　him？〃　asked　Joan。　　〃Even　Miss　Lavery。　　There's　nothing　extraordinary　about　him。〃

〃Oh　yes　there　is；〃　said　Madge。　　〃Love　has　lent　him　gilded　armour。　From　his　helmet　waves　her　crest；〃　she　quoted。　　〃Most　men　look　fine　in　that　costume。　　Pity　they　can't　always　wear　it。〃

The　conductor　seemed　impatient。　　Joan　sprang　upon　the　step　and　waved　her　hand。



CHAPTER　VII



Joan　was　making　herself　a　cup　of　tea　when　there　came　a　tap　at　the　door。　　It　was　Mrs。　Phillips。

〃I　heard　you　come　in；〃　she　said。　　〃You're　not　busy；　are　you？〃

〃No；〃　answered　Joan。　　〃I　hope　you're　not。　　I'm　generally　in　about　this　time；　and　it's　always　nice　to　gossip　over　a　dish　of　tea。〃

〃Why　do　you　say　'dish'　of　tea！〃　asked　Mrs。　Phillips；　as　she　lowered　herself　with　evident　satisfaction　into　the　easy　chair　Joan　placed　for　her。

〃Oh；　I　don't　know；〃　laughed　Joan。　　〃Dr。　Johnson　always　talked　of　a　'dish'　of　tea。　　Gives　it　a　literary　flavour。〃

〃I've　heard　of　him；〃　said　Mrs。　Phillips。　　〃He's　worth　reading；　isn't　he？〃

〃Well；　he　talked　more　amusingly　than　he　wrote；〃　explained　Joan。　〃Get　Boswell's　Life　of　him。　　Or　I'll　lend　you　mine；〃　she　added；　〃if　you'll　be　careful　of　it。　　You'll　find　all　the　passages　marked　that　are　best　worth　remembering。　　At　least；