CHAPTER TEN.
AN EXCELLENT BEGINNING.
Dinner was served at seven o'clock at the Nag's Head, and was asubstantial meal, consisting of spiced salt beef, gooseberry pie, andcheese. Mrs McNab carved the joint at the sideboard, and directed themovements of the maid by a series of glares which appeared to be fraughtwith wondrous significance.
"Brither Elgood" took the head of the table, and beamed upon hiscompanions with cherubic good-nature, while his brother sat on his left,immersed in thought and his dinner. An elderly man with a strongGlasgow accent came next, accompanied by a homely, kindly-looking wife.(Margot sighed with relief to find that after all she was not the onlylady of the company). Across from them sat a bowed old man, wearing aclerical collar with his tweed coat, and a thin, weedy-looking youth,evidently his son. An eminently staid and respectable company, buthardly of thrilling interest!
Ronald's handsome, clear-cut face stood out like a cameo among them,while Margot's fluffy net blouse looked a garment of superfinesmartness. There was no opportunity of talking to either of thebrothers Elgood, separated as they were by the length of the table. Theclergyman, Mr Moffat, remarked that it had been a fine day, an ex-ceptionally fine day! Mrs Macalister, the Glasgow lady, handed themustard with the suggestion that it was always an improvement to aboiled round; but with these thrilling exceptions the newcomers wereleft to their own devices. Conversation even among the older residentswas spasmodic and intermittent, and in no sense could the meal be termedsociable or cheerful.
As soon as it was over "the real Mr Elgood" darted upstairs to his ownroom, the remaining gentlemen strolled out of doors to smoke theirpipes, and Mrs Macalister escorted Margot to the best parlour acrossthe landing.
It was a chill, yet fusty little apartment, the shrine of theaccumulated treasures of Mrs McNab's lifetime. Time was when she hadbeen cook to a family in Edinburgh, before McNab won her reluctantconsent to matrimony. Photographs of different members of "The Family"were displayed in plush frames on the mantelpiece, table, and piano-top.Mr Moncrieff in Sheriff's attire, "The Mistress" in black satin;Master Percy in cap and gown, Miss Isabel reclining in a hammock, MasterBunting and Miss Poppet in various stages of development. There wasalso a framed picture of "The House"; a tambourine painted with purpleiris by Miss Isabel's own hands; an old bannerette in cross-stitchpendent from the mantelpiece, a collection of paper mats, shaded fromorange to white, the glass-covered vase of wax flowers which hadattracted Ron's notice, one or two cheap china vases, a pot of muskplaced diametrically in the centre of a wicker table, a sofa, and two"occasional chairs" gorgeously upholstered in red satin and green plush.
Mrs Macalister seated herself in the larger of the chairs, Margot tookpossession of the smaller, and heroically stifled a yawn. Anotherevening she would wrap herself in her golf cape and go out into theclear cool evening air; but now at last fatigue overpowered her; fatigueand a little chill of disappointment and doubt. How would it bepossible to become intimate with a man who sat at the opposite end ofthe table, shut himself in his own room, and was apparently oblivious ofhis surroundings? With characteristic recklessness Margot had put onher very prettiest blouse, hoping to make a good impression on thisfirst evening, but for all the attention it had received it might aswell have been black delaine! She sighed and yawned again, whereuponMrs Macalister manifested a kindly concern.
"You're tired out, poor lassie! Ye've had a weary journey of it. FromLondon, I believe? I have a daughter married in Notting Hill. Willthat be anywhere near where you stay? I'm hoping she'll be up to visitus in the New Year, and bring the baby with her. I have five children.The eldest girl is settled in Glasgow. I say, that's something to bethankful for, to have a married daughter near by. There was a younglawyer paying her attention who's away to the Cape. If it had been him,I'd have broken my heart! It's bad enough to have Lizzie in London,where, if the worst comes to the worst, ye can get to her for thirty-three shillings, but I couldn't bear one of my girls to go abroad..."
"But the men have to go--it's their duty to the Empire; and somebodymust marry the poor things," Margot declared, still stifling yawns, butroused to a sleepy interest in Lizzie and her sisters. She foresaw thatMrs Macalister would need but the slightest encouragement to divulgeher entire family history, and wondered whether time would prove her tobe more of a solace or a bore. As a rule, she herself preferred tomonopolise the larger share of a conversation, but to-night she was tootired to do more than offer the necessary remarks by the way.
"Oh ay, that's right enough. I don't object to their marrying, so longas it isn't one of my girls. I sent Isabel off on a visit to a schoolfriend when young Bailey began to grow particular. A mother can managethese things, if she's any gumption, without letting the young peoplesuspect that there is any interference. They like their own way, youngpeople do, and Isabel is obstinate, like her father. Mr Macalister canbe led, but he'll never be driven. Ye have to ca' canny to get thebetter of him."
Margot murmured a few words of polite but somewhat vague import, beingrather puzzled to decide in what light she was expected to view MrMacalister's characteristics. It occurred to her that as the good ladywas determined to talk, the conversation might be carefully directedinto more interesting channels, and valuable information gleanedconcerning the other guests of the house.
"Have you been staying here long? Are you going to make a long visit?"she inquired; whereupon her companion began again with increased vigour.
"We've been a matter of a week, and as for the future, it just depends!Mr Macalister's been failing for the past year. He's just unduly seton his business, and his nerves," (she pronounced it "nearves") "are ina terrible condition. The doctor warned him he would have a collapse ifhe didn't get a rest at once. `Take him away where he can't get lettersand telegrams every hour of the day,' he told me. `Take him to thequietest place you can find, and keep him there as long as ye can!' Sohere we are; but how long he'll put up with it, is past my knowledge.He begins to weary already, and of course no man will ever believe thatany one else will take his place. They're conceited creatures, my dear.Mr Macalister--"
"It is nice for him having so many companions. I suppose you know theother visitors quite well?" Margot felt that for one evening she hadheard as much as she cared for about Mr Macalister, and headed thesubject in the desired direction with unflinching determination. "TheMr Elgood who took the head of the table seems very agreeable."
"Oh ay, he's a friendly wee body!" Mrs Macalister allowed,patronisingly. "There's no harm in him, nor in his brother neither,though he keeps himself to himself, and is always busy with his fishing,or writing, or what not. My husband went fishing with him one day, butthey didn't seem to hit it exactly. Mr Macalister is very genial-likewhen he's in health, and he can't do with any one who's stand-off. Healways says--"
"But Mrs McNab seems to prefer the younger brother. He must be nice,or she would not like him so much," interrupted Margot once more; andMrs Macalister smiled with unruffled good-humour.
"Oh ay, they're just two dour, silent bodies who understand each otherand each other's ways. He goes and has a crack with her now and then,and I've even heard them laugh,"--her voice took an awed and increduloustone--"but at the table he never raises his voice. Mr Macalister sayshe is very close. He couldn't get anything out of him at all, and allhis friends say Mr Macalister ought to have been a lawyer, for he'sjust wonderful for getting to the bottom of things. Of course when aman's run down, he isna at his best. Ye can't judge him, as I say, asyou can when he's in his usual--"
Margot groaned in spirit! To keep Mr Macalister out of theconversation was evidently a hopeless feat. She saw before her a longsuccession of interviews when she would sit caged up in this littleroom, listening to the expressions of his virtues and failings! To-night she felt a moral conviction that she would soon fall asleep underthe strain, and making an excuse of writing home, escaped to her ownroom, scribbled a few words on the back o
f a postcard, wrapped herselfin her golf cape, and went out into the road in search of Ron.
It was still broad daylight, but now the sky was grey and colourless,and the mountains had ceased to smile. Like grim watching sentinelsthey stood on either side, closing in the Glen in a solitude that wasalmost awesome to behold. It seemed impossible to believe that twenty-four hours earlier one had been in the great city, and had consideredRegent's Park countrified! Margot hurried forward to meet Ron, who wasstrolling along by himself, the other men of the party being out ofsight. He looked at her with some anxiety, as she approached, and askedan eager question--
"What's the matter? Aren't you well? I thought you were not comingout. You look quite white!"
"I'm cold and tired, and--scarey! The beauty seems to have disappeared,and it's all so grim and grey. I made an excuse and came out to youwith a card to post--but we needn't take it to-night, it's too far tothe village."
"Nonsense! the walk is just what you need. You are tired with sittingstill, and a sharp trot will warm you up, and help you to sleep. Comealong. I'll give you a start to the bend of the road, and race you tothe nearest tree."
Margot was not in the least in the mood for running races, but as ameans of getting warm it was not to be despised, so she startedpromptly, running with swift, easy steps, and gradually quickening pace,as Ron gained upon her from the rear. She had not been educated at agirls' public school and been captain of the sports committee fornothing, and, given a short handicap, could often come off best. As thefollowing footsteps grew nearer and nearer she spurted bravely forward,the ends of her cape streaming wildly in the breeze, her uncovered hairruffled into curling ends. The tree was but a few yards distant; shewas laughing and panting, dodging from right and left, to prevent Ronfrom passing by from behind, when round a bend in the road a figureappeared directly in her path, the figure of Brither Elgood himself, hisround eyes bulging with surprise and curiosity. He came to an abruptstandstill in the middle of the road, and the racers followed hisexample, looking, if the truth were told, a trifle abashed to bediscovered in so childish an amusement.
"Halloa! What is the matter? Is the Inn on fire?"
Margot laughed merrily. The voice, the tone, the manner, were those ofa friend of a lifetime, rather than an acquaintance of an hour. It wasimpossible to answer formally; moreover, the humour of the idea made itsappeal.
"No, indeed! On ice, more likely! We were so cold that a race seemedthe only chance of getting warm! I hope we didn't startle you toomuch!"
"I like being startled," returned Mr Elgood complacently. He stoodstill, swinging his cane, looking from brother to sister with bright,approving eyes. "I was afraid you were feeling tired after yourjourney, but evidently you have not yet reached the age of fatigue.That's right! Thats quite right! I am glad that you have joined us atthe Nag's Head. We are a respectable and harmonious party, but we needlife--young life! We may weary _you_, but you will refresh and enlivenus. In the name of our little company, I welcome you to the Glen?"
"Thank you, sir," said Ron simply, while Margot, as usual, hastened toamplify his words.
"I hope we shall be friends. I hope we shall all be friends. I wasdreadfully tired really, but I felt worse staying in the house, and inthat little parlour after dinner I nearly fell asleep."
Mr Elgood's eyes lit up with a flash of humour.
"But when a man's out of health you canna judge him! When he's in hisusual, Mr Macalister's a verra interesting character!" he saidsolemnly. Then, meeting Margot's start and smile, he began to laughagain, and to shake in his happy, jelly-like fashion. "Ah--ha, I know!I guessed what was in store for you, as I saw you led away. She's agood woman that; a good, kind, womanly woman. Her devotion does hercredit. When you and I get a wife, sir, we shall do well if we find onehalf so loyal and devoted."
He looked at Ron as he spoke, bringing his eyebrows together in a quick,scrutinising glance; but Ron's face was blank and unresponsive.Enshrined in his heart was a dim figure, half goddess, half fairy, acreature of thistledown, of snow, of blossom tossed before the wind; alovely illusive vision who in due time was to appear and complete hislife. It was a violation of the shrine to suggest a Mrs Macalister!He stood still, his brows knitted, his lips pressed together in a thin,warning line. Margot was impatient at his lack of response, but all thesame he looked wonderfully handsome and interesting, and she could seethat Mr Elgood regarded him with awakened interest, conscious that herewas a character cut out of a pattern of its own, not made in the samemould as the vast majority of his fellows.
They turned and walked together along the winding road. Evidentlyfriendship progressed quickly in this quiet glen, and guests livingbeneath the same roof accepted each other in simple, natural fashion, asmembers of a common household. Margot felt a sense of protection in thepresence of this little man, so much older than herself, so friendly, soabsolutely unsentimental in manner. His head was on a level with herown, and she read a frank admiration in his eyes, but it was anadmiration of which Agnes herself could not have disapproved. He wasthe kind of man one would have chosen for an uncle--an indulgentbachelor uncle with plenty of money, and a partiality for standingtreat!
"Tell me about the people in the Inn! I am always so interested inpeople!" she cried eagerly. "My brother likes other things better--books and pictures and mountains--but I like the living things best. Iknow a good deal about Mr Macalister's health, and about Lizzie, andIsabel, and their husbands and babies, and their lovers before they weremarried. They come from Glasgow--and the old clergyman is Scotch too, Isuppose. Is every one Scotch except ourselves and you? We come fromLondon--"
Mr Elgood's face shadowed quickly.
"Yes! but don't mention it. Never mention it!" he cried quickly. "Ilive there, too, or as nearly live as is possible in the surroundings.Now for three or four weeks I've escaped, and my one endeavour is toforget that such a place exists. I ask every one as a favour never tomention as much as the name in my hearing. You'll remember, won't you,and be good enough to indulge me? For the moment Miss--Miss Vane, I ama Heelander, born and bred, a strapping young chieftain of five-and-twenty. The Elgood of Elgood, an it please you, in bonnet and kilt, andmy foot is on my native heather!"
He tilted his cap on one side, and threw a swagger into his walk,cleverly remindful of the swirl of tartan skirts, then turning uponMargot, queried quickly--
"Why do you laugh? It's rude to laugh! Is it so impossible to think ofme in the character?"
"I laugh because I'm pleased," Margot answered, truthfully enough. "Ido love to pretend! Let's bury London and our lives there, and pretendthat we are _all_ Highlanders! We will be your guests up in yourmountain fastness, and you will take us about, and show us the scenes ofyour historic feuds with neighbouring clans, and we will swear to helpyou, if any new trouble should arise!"
"Right oh!" cried Mr Elgood, laughing. "I shall be only too proud.I'm a sociable beggar--during holiday time--and want to do nothing butsmoke and talk. To talk nonsense, of course. Nothing dull orimproving." He cast a sudden, suspicious look at the girl's face. "Youare not clever by any chance, are you? I can't stand cleverness in thecountry."
Margot laughed gaily.
"I think I am--rather!" she declared audaciously. "I couldn't confessto being stupid, even to please a Highland chief, but it's in a veryfeminine way. I don't know anything about politics or science, and I'veforgotten almost all that I learnt at school, but I take an interest inthings, and understand people pretty well. I am generally clever enoughto get my own way!"
She laughed again, remembering the purpose of the moment, and its closeconnection with this newly-made acquaintance. Instinctively she turnedtowards Ron, and the two pairs of brown eyes met, and flashed a messageof mischief, affection, and secret understanding--a glance which madethe watcher sigh with a sudden realisation of his own lost youth, hisbald head, and increasing bulk. They were only a pair of children,these newcomers; k
indly, affectionate, light-hearted children, whosecompanionship would be a tonic to a lonely, tired man. The broadcherubic countenance showed a passing shadow of wistfulness, as heslacked his pace and said in hesitating tones--
"I am afraid I have tacked myself on to you, without waiting for aninvitation. I will say good evening now, unless I can act as guide, orhelp you in any way. Have you any special object in your walk?"
"Only the post office in the village. Do please come with us if youwill! We should be delighted to have you!" cried Margot eagerly; andRon looked down into the little man's face with his beautiful dreamyeyes, and said simply, "Please come, sir," with a sincerity which therewas no denying.
Mr Elgood beamed with satisfaction. "Come awa, then, ma bonnie men!"he cried jauntily, and waved his stick in the air.
For the very first evening Margot could not help thinking that they hadmade an excellent beginning!