five tales-第20章

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e　fair　game；　would　make　him　think：　'Is　she　really　such　an　innocent？　　Doesn't　she　really　want　me　to　kiss　her？'　　Alas！　such　intrusions　lasted　but　a　moment　before　a　blast　of　awe　and　chivalry　withered　them；　and　a　strange　and　tragic　delicacylike　nothing　he　had　ever　knownresumed　its　sway。　　And　suddenly　he　heard　her　say：

〃Why　do　you　know　such　awful　men？〃

〃What？　　I　don't　know　any　awful　men。〃

〃Oh　yes；　you　do；　one　came　here　yesterday；　he　had　whiskers；　and　he　was　awful。〃

〃Whiskers？〃　　His　soul　revolted　in　disclaimer。　　〃I　believe　I　only　know　one　man　with　whiskersa　lawyer。〃

〃Yesthat　was　him；　a　perfectly　horrid　man。　　Mother　didn't　mind　him；　but　I　thought　he　was　a　beast。〃

〃Ventnor！　　Came　here？　　How　d'you　mean？〃

〃He　did；　about　some　business　of　yours；　too。〃　　Her　face　had　clouded　over。　　Bob　Pillin　had　of　late　been　harassed　by　the　still…born　beginning　of　a　poem：

　　　　　　　　　〃I　rode　upon　my　way　and　saw　　　　　　　　　　　A　maid　who　watched　me　from　the　door。〃

It　never　grew　longer；　and　was　prompted　by　the　feeling　that　her　face　was　like　an　April　day。　　The　cloud　which　came　on　it　now　was　like　an　April　cloud；　as　if　a　bright　shower　of　rain　must　follow。　　Brushing　aside　the　two　distressful　lines；　he　said：

〃Look　here；　Miss　LarnePhyllislook　here！〃

〃All　right；　I'm　looking！〃

〃What　does　it　meanhow　did　he　come？　　What　did　he　say？〃

She　shook　her　head；　and　her　hair　quivered；　the　scent　of　camomile；　verbena；　hay　was　wafted；　then　looking　at　her　lap；　she　muttered：

〃I　wish　you　wouldn'tI　wish　mother　wouldn'tI　hate　it。　　Oh！　　Money！　Beastlybeastly！〃　and　a　tearful　sigh　shivered　itself　into　Bob　Pillin's　reddening　ears。

〃I　saydon't！　　And　do　tell　me；　because〃

〃Oh！　you　know。〃

〃I　don'tI　don't　know　anything　at　all。　　I　never…〃

Phyllis　looked　up　at　him。　　〃Don't　tell　fibs；　you　know　mother's　borrowing　money　from　you；　and　it's　hateful！〃

A　desire　to　lie　roundly；　a　sense　of　the　cheque　in　his　pocket；　a　feeling　of　injustice；　the　emotion　of　pity；　and　a　confused　and　black　astonishment　about　Ventnor；　caused　Bob　Pillin　to　stammer：

'Well；　I'm　d…d！〃　and　to　miss　the　look　which　Phyllis　gave　him　through　her　lashesa　look　saying：

〃Ah！　that's　better！〃

〃I　am　d…d！　　Look　here！　　D'you　mean　to　say　that　Ventnor　came　here　about　my　lending　money？　　I　never　said　a　word　to　him…〃

〃There　you　seeyou　are　lending！〃

He　clutched　his　hair。

〃We've　got　to　have　this　out；〃　he　added。

〃Not　by　the　roots！　　Oh！　you　do　look　funny。　　I've　never　seen　you　with　your　hair　untidy。　　Oh！　oh！〃

Bob　Pillin　rose　and　paced　the　room。　　In　the　midst　of　his　emotion　he　could　not　help　seeing　himself　sidelong　in　the　mirror；　and　on　pretext　of　holding　his　head　in　both　his　hands；　tried　earnestly　to　restore　his　hair。　　Then　coming　to　a　halt　he　said：

〃Suppose　I　am　lending　money　to　your　mother；　what　does　it　matter？　It's　only　till　quarter…day。　　Anybody　might　want　money。〃

Phyllis　did　not　raise　her　face。

〃Why　are　you　lending　it？〃

〃Becausebecausewhy　shouldn't　I？〃　　and　diving　suddenly；　he　seized　her　hands。

She　wrenched　them　free；　and　with　the　emotion　of　despair；　Bob　Pillin　took　out　the　envelope。

〃If　you　like；〃　he　said；　〃I'll　tear　this　up。　　I　don't　want　to　lend　it；　if　you　don't　want　me　to；　but　I　thoughtI　thought〃　　It　was　for　her　alone　he　had　been　going　to　lend　this　money！

Phyllis　murmured　through　her　hair：

〃Yes！　　You　thought　that　Ithat's　what's　so　hateful！〃

Apprehension　pierced　his　mind。

〃Oh！　　I　neverI　swear　I　never〃

〃Yes；　you　did；　you　thought　I　wanted　you　to　lend　it。〃

She　jumped　up；　and　brushed　past　him　into　the　window。

So　she　thought　she　was　being　used　as　a　decoy！　　That　was　awful　especially　since　it　was　true。　　He　knew　well　enough　that　Mrs。　Larne　was　working　his　admiration　for　her　daughter　for　all　that　it　was　worth。　　And　he　said　with　simple　fervour：

〃What　rot！〃　　It　produced　no　effect；　and　at　his　wits'　end；　he　almost　shouted：　〃Look；　Phyllis！　　If　you　don't　want　me　tohere　goes！〃　Phyllis　turned。　　Tearing　the　envelope　across　he　threw　the　bits　into　the　fire。　　〃There　it　is；〃　he　said。

Her　eyes　grew　round；　she　said　in　an　awed　voice：　〃Oh！〃

In　a　sort　of　agony　of　honesty　he　said：

〃It　was　only　a　cheque。　　Now　you've　got　your　way。〃

Staring　at　the　fire　she　answered　slowly：

〃I　expect　you'd　better　go　before　mother　comes。

Bob　Pillin's　mouth　fell　afar；　he　secretly　agreed；　but　the　idea　of　sacrificing　a　moment　alone　with　her　was　intolerable；　and　he　said　hardily：

〃No；　I　shall　stick　it！〃

Phyllis　sneezed。

〃My　hair　isn't　a　bit　dry；〃　and　she　sat　down　on　the　fender　with　her　back　to　the　fire。

A　certain　spirituality　had　come　into　Bob　Pillin's　face。　　If　only　he　could　get　that　wheeze　off：　〃Phyllis　is　my　only　joy！〃　or　even：　〃Phyllisdo　youwon't　youmayn't　I？〃　　But　nothing　camenothing。

And　suddenly　she　said：

〃Oh！　don't　breathe　so　loud；　it's　awful！〃

〃Breathe？　　I　wasn't！〃

〃You　were；　just　like　Carmen　when　she's　dreaming。〃

He　had　walked　three　steps　towards　the　door；　before　he　thought：　'What　does　it　matter？　　I　can　stand　anything　from　her；　and　walked　the　three　steps　back　again。

She　said　softly：

〃Poor　young　man！〃

He　answered　gloomily：

〃I　suppose　you　realise　that　this　may　be　the　last　time　you'll　see　me？〃

〃Why？　　I　thought　you　were　going　to　take　us　to　the　theatre。〃

〃I　don't　know　whether　your　mother　willafter…〃

Phyllis　gave　a　little　clear　laugh。

〃You　don't　know　mother。　　Nothing　makes　any　difference　to　her。〃

And　Bob　Pillin　muttered：

〃I　see。〃　　He　did　not；　but　it　was　of　no　consequence。　　Then　the　thought　of　Ventnor　again　ousted　all　others。　　What　on　earth…how　on　earth！　　He　searched　his　mind　for　what　he　could　possibly　have　said　the　other　night。　　Surely　he　had　not　asked　him　to　do　anything；　certainly　not　given　him　their　address。　　There　was　something　very　odd　about　it　that　had　jolly　well　got　to　be　cleared　up！　　And　he　said：

〃Are　you　sure　the　name　of　that　Johnny　who　came　here　yesterday　was　Ventnor？〃

Phyllis　nodded。

〃And　he　was　short；　and　had　whiskers？〃

〃Yes；　red；　and　red　eyes。〃

He　murmured　reluctantly：

〃It　must　be　him。　　Jolly　good　cheek；　I　simply　can't　understand。　　I　shall　go　and　see　him。　　How　on　earth　did　he　know　your　address？〃

〃I　expect　you　gave　it　him。〃

〃I　did　not。　　I　won't　have　you　thinking　me　a　squirt。〃

Phyllis　jumped　up。　　〃Oh！　　Lawks！　　Here's　mother！〃　　Mrs。　Larne　was　coming　up　the　garden。　　Bob　Pillin　made　for　the　door。　　〃Good…bye；〃　he　said；　〃I'm　going。〃　　But　Mrs。　Larne　was　already　in　the　hall。　Enveloping　him　in　fur　and　her　rich　personality；　she　drew　him　with　her　into　the　drawing…room；　where　the　back　window　was　open　and　Phyllis　gone。

〃I　hope；〃　she　said；　〃those　naughty　children　have　been　making　you　comfortable。　　That　nice　lawyer　of　yours　came　yesterday。　　He　seemed　quite　satisfied。〃

Very　red　above　his　collar；　Bob　Pillin　stammered：

〃I　never　told　him　to；　he　isn't　my　lawyer。　　I　don't　know　what　it　means。〃

Mrs。　Larne　smiled。　　〃My　dear　boy；　it's　all　right。　　You　needn't　be　so　squeamish。　　I　want　it　to　be　quite　on　a　business　footing。〃

Restraining　a　fearful　inclination　to　blurt　out：　〃It's　not　going　to　be　on　any　footing！〃　　Bob　Pillin　mumbled：　〃I　must　go；　I'm　late。〃

〃And　when　will　you　be　able…？〃

〃Oh！　　I'llI'll　sendI'll　write。　　Good…bye！〃　　And　suddenly　he　found　that　Mrs。　Larne　had　him　by　the　lapel　of　his　coat。　　The　scent　of　violets　and　fur　was　overpowering；　and　the　thought　flashed　through　him：　'I　believe　she　only　wanted　to　take　money　off　old　Joseph　in　the　Bible。　　I　can't　leave　my　coat　in　her　hands！　　What　shall　I　do？'

Mrs。　Larne　was　murmuring：

〃It　would　be　se　sweet　of　you　if　you　could　manage　it　today〃；　and　her　hand　slid　over　his　chest。　　〃Oh！　　You　have　brought　your　cheque…book　what　a　nice　boy！〃

Bob　Pillin　took　it　out　in　desperation；　and；　sitting　down　at　the　bureau；　wrote　a　cheque　similar　to　that　which　he　had　torn　and　burned。　A　warm　kiss　lighted　on　his　eyebrow；　his　head　was　pressed　for　a　moment　to　a　furry　bosom；　a　hand　took　the　cheque；　a　voice　said：　〃How　delightful！〃　　and　a　sigh　immersed　him　in　a　bath　of　perfume。　　Backing　to　the　door；　he　gasped：

〃Don't　mention　it；　andand　don't　tell　Phyllis；　please。　　Good…bye！〃

Once　through　the　garden　gate；　he　thought：　'By　gum！　　I've　done　it　now。　That　Phyllis　should　know　about　it　at　all！　　That　beast　Ventnor！'

His　face　grew　almost　grim。　　He　would　go　and　see　what　that　meant　anyway！




3

Mr。　Ventnor　had　not　left　his　office　when　his　young　friend's　card　was　brought　to　him。　　Tempted　for　a　moment　to　deny　his　own　presence；　he　thought：　'No！　　What's　the　good？　　Bound　to　see　him　some　time！'　　If　he　had　not　exactly　courage；　he　had　that　peculiar　blend　of　self…　confidence　and　insensibility　which　must　needs　distinguish　those　who　follow　the　law；　nor　did　he　ever　forget　that　he　was　in　the　right。

〃Show　him　in！〃　　he　said。

He　would　be　quite　bland；　but　young　Pillin　might　whistle　for　an　explanation；　he　was　still　tormented；　too；　by　the　memory　of　rich　curves　and　moving　lips；　and　the　possibilities　of　better　acquaintanceship。

While　shaking　the　young　man's　hand　his　quick　and　fulvous　eye　detected　at　once　the　discomposure　behind　that　mask　of　cheek　and　collar；　and　relapsing　into　one　of　those　swivel　chairs　which　give　one　an　advantage　over　men　more　statically　seated；　he　said：

〃You　look　pretty　bobbish。　　Anything　I　can　do　for　you？〃

Bob　Pillin；　in　the　fixed　chair　of　the　consultor；　nursed　his　bowler　on　his　knee。

〃Well；　yes；　there　is。　　I've　just　been　to　see　Mrs。　Larne。〃

Mr。　Ventnor　did　not　flinch。

〃Ah！　　Nice　woman；　pretty　daughter；　too！〃　　And　into　those　words　he　put　a　certain　meaning。　　He　never　waited　to　be　bullied。　　Bob　Pillin　felt　the　pressure　of　his　blood　increasing。

〃Look　here；　Ventnor；〃　he　said；　〃I　want　an　explanation。〃

〃What　of？〃

〃Why；　of　your　going　there；　and　using　my　name；　and　God　knows　what。〃

Mr。　Ventnor　gave　his　chair　two　little　twiddles　before　he　said

〃Well；　you　won't　get　it。〃

Bob　Pillin　remained　for　a　moment　taken　aback；　then　he　muttered　resolutely：

〃It's　not　the　conduct　of　a　gentleman。〃

Every　man　has　his　illusions；　and　no　man　likes　them　disturbed。　　The　gingery　tint　underlying　Mr。　Ventnor's　colouring　overlaid　it；　even　the　whites　of　his　eyes　grew　red。〃

〃Oh！〃　　he　said；　〃indeed！　　You　mind　your　own　business；　will　you？〃

〃It　is　my　businessvery　much　so。　　You　made　use　of　my　name；　and　I　don't　choose…〃

〃The　devil　you　don't！　　Now；　I　tell　you　what…〃

〃Mr。　Ventnor　leaned　forward〃you'd　better　hold　your　tongue；　and　not　exasperate　me。　　I'm　a　good…tempered　man；　but　I　won't　stand　your　impudence。〃

Clenching　his　bowler　hat；　and　only　kept　in　his　seat　by　that　sense　of　something　behind；　Bob　Pillin　ejaculated：

〃Impudence！　　That's　goodafter　what　you　did！　　Look　here；　why　did　you？　　It's　so　extraordinary！〃

Mr。　Ventnor　answered：

〃Oh！　is　it？　　You　wait　a　bit；　my　friend！〃

Still　more　moved　by　the　mystery　of　this　affair；　Bob　Pillin　could　only　mutter：

〃I　never　gave　you　their　address；　we　were　only　talking　about　old　Heythorp。〃


And　at　the　smile　which　spread　between　Mr。　Ventnor's　whiskers；　he　jumped　up；　crying：

〃It's　not　the　thing；　and　you're　not　going　to　put　me　off。　　I　insist　on　an　explanation。〃

Mr。　Ventnor　leaned　back；　crossing　his　stout　legs；　joining　the　tips　of　his　thick　fingers。　　In　this　attitude　he　was　always　self…possessed。

〃You　dodo　you？〃

〃Yes。　　You　must　have　had　some　reason。'

Mr。　Ventnor　gazed　up　at　him。

〃I'll　give　you　a