CHAPTER TWENTY.
UNDERGRADUATE FRIENDS.
Hannah strolled into Darsie's study, open letter in hand. "Here'sgames!" she announced. "An invitation from Mrs Hoare for myself andfriend--that's you--to go to tea on Sunday afternoon. That's becauseI'm Dan's sister, of course. He'll be there, too, I expect, and thehandsome Percival, and lots more men. The question is, shall we go?"
Now Mrs Hoare was the wife of the head of that well-known college ofwhich Dan and Ralph were members, and the invitation was therefore thefulfilment of one of Darsie's dreams.
"Of course we'll go!" she cried ardently. "Sunday tea at a man'scollege is part of the Cambridge programme, and we want to see all thatwe can. Personally, I consider that they might have asked us before."She lay back in her seat, and stared dreamily at the wall, puckering herbrow in thought, the while Hannah chuckled in the background.
"I know what you are thinking about!"
"You don't!" cried Darsie, and blushed, a deep guilty blush.
"I _do_! Costume for Sunday, and the question of possibly squeezing outthree or four shillings to buy an extra bit of frippery to add to yourcharms!"
"Boo!" cried Darsie impatiently; then with a sudden change of front:"And if I _was_, I was perfectly right! Newnham girls are not halfcareful enough about their appearance, and it tells against the cause.A perfect woman, nobly planned, ought to be as clever as she is--er--dainty, and as dainty as she is clever."
"Thank you for the concession! Very considerate of you, I'm sure. Ifyou had stuck to `beautiful,' I should have been hopelessly left out.Even `dainty' is beyond me, I'm afraid; but I'll promise you to be neatand tidy, and saints can do no more--if they happen to have been born_plain_ saints, that's to say!"
Hannah stood in front of the mirror, staring back at her flat, squareface with an expression of serenely detached criticism.
"If you are the beauty of this college, I run a close race for the boobyprize! Bit of a handicap that, if you care about popularity. ThisSunday afternoon now! they'll all be buzzing round you like so manyflies, while I do wallflower in a corner. Nonsense to say that looksdon't count! So far as I can see, the difference between your face andmine will probably make the difference in our lives. You'll marry alord of high degree, and I'll school marm and be maiden aunt."
"Oh, Hannah!" Darsie was acutely discomfited by such words fromHannah's lips. True they were spoken in matter-of-fact tones, andwithout the suspicion of a whine, but as the first instance of anythingapproaching a lament, the occasion was historic. "Oh, Hannah, dear--it's only at first! After the first no one cares a rap _what_ you looklike, so long as you're nice."
"Fal-de-ral!" cried Hannah scornfully. "Of course they care! Any onewould--should myself, but you needn't look so hang-dog, my dear. It'snot _your_ fault, and I am quite comfortable, thank you. If any manever wants to marry me, I'll know jolly well that it's for myself, andthat he really loves me through and through. There isn't any of theglamour business about this child to make him imagine that he cares,when it's only a passing phase. And if it's my lot to live alone, I'llback myself to be as happy as most wives I come across. It's my ownbig, splendid life, and I'm going to _make_ it splendid, or know thereason why!" Hannah struck a dramatic gesture, danced a few fancy stepsin an elephantine manner, and stumped towards, the door. "So be it,then! We accept with pleasure, and I'll leave you to trim your hat."
Whether or no any such embellishment did take place history sayeth not,but it is certain that Darsie Garnett made a very charming picture onthe following Sunday afternoon, and that her dainty style of beautyshowed to peculiar advantage against the oak panelling of the statelyold room in which the head of --- College and his gracious, fragile-looking wife dispensed tea to their guests.
The first few minutes after their arrival were rather an ordeal to thetwo Freshers, who had never before been present at such a gathering, andfelt themselves the cynosure of every eye; but the kindness of host andhostess soon put them at their ease.
A fair sprinkling of college men were in the room, handing round tea andcakes to the guests. Dan Vernon greeted Darsie with an illuminating"Halloa!" and his sister with an even shorter grunt; but it was onlywhen she was comfortably settled down to tea that Darsie caught sight ofRalph Percival's fair, close-clipped head at the far side of the table.He seemed in no hurry to speak to her--a fact duly scored against him inMiss Darsie's mind, and this indifference served to pique her into amore vivacious reception of the attentions of his companions.
As Hannah had foretold, her pretty friend held quite a little court asone man after another strolled up to join the animated group around herchair. There were two other girls in that group, and a married womanwith a strikingly sweet face, who had been introduced as the sister ofthe hostess. Mrs Reeves, as she was called, appeared to be on intimateterms with the men, and her presence, instead of acting as a restraint,only added to their enjoyment. Darsie thought that she was a charmingcreature, was conscious that she herself was being scrutinised withspecial attention, and sincerely hoped that the verdict was favourable.It was a curious person who did not wish to stand well in AliciaReeves's estimation!
Suddenly Ralph Percival edged in at the back of the group, and stationedhimself by Darsie with an air of possession.
"Well, Miss Darsie Garnett, isn't it about time that you had some talkwith me?"
"Quite time!" Darsie's tone was eloquent, and she looked Ralph in theface with a quiet steadiness, at which he had the grace to blush. Hehad been in no hurry to claim acquaintanceship until her social successwas assured; she was fully aware of the fact, but her pique died a rapiddeath as she looked closely into the lad's face. Ralph at twenty-twowas as handsome as in his boyhood, handsomer, indeed, but there wereother changes, which the girl's eyes were quick to read; for though wemay keep silence with our tongue, the hand of Time imprints marks uponour features which are unfailing guides to our spiritual progress ordecline.
For many months past Ralph Vernon had persistently allowed himself tofall short of his best, slacking in work, overstepping at play,abandoning "straightness" for a gathering mesh of deceit. Attached tohis name was an unsavoury reputation of card-playing for high stakes, ofdrinking too much, although not to the extent of actual drunkenness; andthe character had alienated from him the friendship of serious men, andevoked a disapproving aloofness in the manner of his instructors. Atthe moment when he most needed help those who were best fitted to giveit sedulously avoided his company, and in this first moment of meetingDarsie was tempted to follow their example.
Horrid to look like that! At his age to own those lines, those reddenedeyes, that dulled white skin! Up went the little head, the slender neckreared itself proudly, the red lips curled over small white teeth.Darsie intended to wither Ralph by the sight of such obvious distaste,but with the easy vanity of his nature he attributed her airs to girlishpique at his own neglect, and was correspondingly elated thereat.
The little schoolgirl who had been his sister's friend had grown into a"stunning girl," with whom the men were evidently greatly impressed.Ralph decided that the hour had come to claim her as an old friend andtake her under his wing. He sat himself down by her side andpersistently monopolised her attention.
"College life evidently suits you, Darsie. You are looking rippinglywell!"
"Am I? Sorry to be unable to return the compliment!"
"Oh!" Ralph moved impatiently. "Don't _you_ begin that tune! It isdinned into my ears from morning till night. A fellow may swot himselfinto a rag, and not a word will be said, but if he oversteps an inch forhis own amusement there's the dickens to pay. I said from the startthat I intended to have a good rag. College is one of the best times ina man's life, and he's a fool if he doesn't make the most of hischance."
"It is also--incidentally--supposed to be a time for mentalimprovement," returned Darsie in sententious tones, which brought uponher an instant rebuke.
"Oh, for pity's sake don't
come the Newnham swag over me! Can't standthose girls as a rule. Avoid 'em like poison. Take my advice as an oldfriend and avoid that style as you would the plague. You're too jollypretty to come the strong-minded female. Far better stick to your oldstyle. Men like it a heap better."
"It is a matter of perfect indifference to me _what_ men like!" declaredDarsie, not, it is to be feared, with absolute veracity. "I am proud tobe a Newnhamite, and if the girls do have a few mannerisms, they countfor precious little beside their virtues. They are up to work, and they_do_ work with might and main, though there can be no place in the worldwhere there is no fun. We are always having some prank or other--politicals, and cocoa-parties and hockey matches, and dances--"
"What's the fun of dances with no men to dance with? Wait till Mayterm, and see what a real ball is like. We'll have some river picnics,too, and breakfasts at the Orchard. There's lots to be done in summer,but just now there's nothing on but teas. You must come to tea in myrooms. I've got a slap-up study." He turned towards Mrs Reeves andaddressed her with confident familiarity. "Mrs Reeves will playchaperon, and I'll promise you the best cakes that Cambridge canproduce."
"Oh, yes, I'll play chaperon." To Darsie's surprise the sweet-facedwoman smiled back into Ralph's face with friendly eyes, not appearingeven to notice the over-confidence of his manner. "Mr Percival givescharming parties, and I can answer for it that his boast as to the cakesis justified. I can never fathom where he gets them."
She turned to Darsie with a little gesture of confidence, and slightlylowered her voice. "I am known as `the Professional Chaperon.' I hopeyou will engage my services if you are in need of such a personage, butperhaps we ought to know one another a little better first. I shouldlike so much to know you! Will you come to see me one afternoon nextweek when you are free, and feel inclined for a chat? I won't ask anyone else, so that we can have a real cosy time."
Surprised and gratified, and more than a little flattered, Darsiementioned her free hours, and received in return Mrs Reeves's cardbearing an address in Grange Road, then once more Ralph engrossed herattention.
"I say! You might ask Ida up for a night or two, and bring her along.They'll let you have a friend now and then, and she'd like it all right.Awfully decent in writing to me, Ida is, and fights my battles at home.Sensible girl! Understand it's no good to jaw. I'd like to have Idaup for a bit."
"So would I. I'll ask her with pleasure." One of Ralph's best pointshad been his affection for his sisters, and the reminder thereofsoftened Darsie's heart. She smiled at him with recovered friendliness."I'll ask Ida, and you must ask Dan and Hannah Vernon, and make a nicefamily party. Do you see much of Dan? I don't expect _he_ makes a ragof himself over amusement!"
Ralph shrugged carelessly. "I've no use for Vernon! Good head forroutine work, but as a pal, dull as you make 'em! I'll ask him once asyou make a point of it, but I don't fancy you'll want him twice. As forthe sister--but perhaps I'd better not make any remarks?"
"Much better!" Darsie said frostily. "Your manners have not improved,Ralph. I think, if you please, that I would rather not talk to you anymore for the present. Would you tell Dan Vernon that I want him to takeyour place?"
It was the first, the very first time in her life that Darsie hadessayed the part of queening it over a member of the opposite sex, andthe success of the venture was startling even to herself. Ralphflushed, flinched, rose without a word, and stalked across the room tosummon Dan as required; and Dan came meekly forward, seated himself inthe discarded chair, and faced her with an air of solemn expectation.His rugged face looked plain and roughly hewn in contrast with Ralph'sclassical features, but the dark eyes were eloquent as of yore, and thesight of the tilted chin brought back a score of old-time memories.Darsie looked at him with satisfaction, but with a disconcertingblankness of mind as to what to say first. From the other side of theroom Ralph was looking on with cynical eyes; it was imperative that thesilence should be broken at once.
"Dan, _please_ say something! I wanted Ralph to go, so I asked for you.Do please find something to say."
Dan smiled broadly. Each time that she saw him smile Darsie wonderedafresh how she could ever have thought him plain. His dark eyes glowedupon her with the look she liked best to see.
"What am I to say? It's good to see you here, Darsie. You are lookingvery--well! Everything going all right? Sure there's nothing I cando?"
"No." Darsie beamed happily. At that moment there seemed nothing leftto wish. Dan's friendliness gave the finishing touch to her content,and the world was _couleur de rose_. "I am loving it all more than Iexpected. The work's glorious, and the play's glorious, and I'm justabsorbed in both. It's splendid, coming here to-day to see this lovelyold house and meet you again. I thought you had forgotten all aboutme."
But Dan had drawn back into his shell, and refused to be cajoled. Heglowered at the opposite wall for some minutes, then asked abruptly--
"Why did you send off Percival?"
"Oh--!" Darsie hesitated, and then answered with discretion: "I hadtalked to him as much as I cared about for the moment, and I shall seehim soon again. He is going to get up a tea-party for me, with thatsweet Mrs Reeves as chaperon. I told him to ask you and Hannah."
"You should not have done that!" Dan spoke with sharp displeasure. "Idon't care to accept Percival's hospitality for myself, and certainlynot for my sister. I shall tell Hannah to refuse."
Darsie glanced across to where Hannah sat, a typical plain Hannah atthat moment, with feet planted well apart, and on her face theexpression of dour determination which she adopted in moments ofboredom; from her to Ralph Percival, standing in graceful pose, hisfine, almost feminine, profile outlined clearly against the panelledwall, and, glancing, laughed softly to herself. It seemed so ridiculousto think of this girl needing protection from this man.
"I fancy Hannah is quite capable of looking after herself."
"I'm sure of it. She's a new-comer, however, and she doesn't get intoPercival's set if I can help it."
"Dan! It can't be so bad if Mrs Reeves is willing to go. She acceptedin a minute. I heard her myself."
"She goes everywhere, to the wildest fellows' rooms. She has her ownideas, no doubt, but I don't profess to understand them." He hesitated,puckering his brows, and looking at her with dark, questioning eyes. "Ihave no authority over you, Darsie, but I wish--"
"Ralph saved my life," interrupted Darsie simply.
Dan looked at her sharply, stared with scrutinising attention at herface, but spoke no further word of protest. He evidently realised, asDarsie did herself, that it would be a mean act to reject the friendshipof a man who had wrought so great a service.
Half an hour later the two girls slowly wended their way past the towergateway of Trinity, past Caius, with its twinkling lights, statelyKing's, and modest Catherine's, to the homelike shelter of their owndear Newnham.
"Well!" cried Hannah, breaking a long silence, "you had a big successand I had--_not_! But you're not a bit happier than I, that I can see.Men are poor, blind bats. I prefer my own sex; they are much morediscriminating, and when they like you--they _like_ you, and there's nomore shilly-shally. Those men never know their own minds!"