CHAPTER XII
When Shirley came down to the street at five o'clock. Graham waswaiting for her as he promised, and swung the car door open for herwith as much eagerness as if he were taking the girl of his choice on apicnic instead of just doing a poor little stenographer a kindness.
"I telephoned to the store and sent a message to George. We're goingto pick him up on our way," he said as the car wended its way skilfullythrough the traffic.
She was sitting beside him, and he looked down at her as if they werepartners in a pleasant scheme. A strange sense of companionship withhim thrilled through her, and was properly rebuked and fled at once,without really rippling the surface of her joy much. She haddetermined to have the pleasure out of this one evening ride at least,and would not let her thoughts play truant to suggest what wider,sweeter realms might be for other girls. She was having this goodtime. It was for her and no one else, and she would just enjoy it asmuch as she could, and keep it the sweet, sane, innocent pleasure thatit really was. If she was not a fool, everything would be all right.
George was waiting in a quiver of pride and eagerness for them as theyswept up to the employees' entrance, and a line of admiringfellow-laborers stood gaping on the sidewalk to watch his departure.
"Oh, gee! Isn't this great?" shouted George, climbing into the backseat hilariously. "Got a whole omnibus of a car this time, haven'tyou?"
"Yes, I thought we'd have plenty of room for your mother, so she couldlie down if she liked."
"That was very kind of you," murmured Shirley. "You think ofeverything, don't you? I'm sure I don't see how we ever could havemanaged without your help. I should have been frightened a dozen timesand been ready to give up."
"Not you!" said Graham fervently. "You're the kind that never givesup. You've taught me several valuable lessons."
As they turned the corner into the old street where the little brickhouse stood, Shirley suddenly began to have a vivid realization thatshe had told her mother nothing whatever about Mr. Graham. What wouldshe think, and how could she explain his presence? She had expected toget there before Graham arrived and have time enough to make her motherunderstand, but now she began to realize that her real reason forleaving the matter yet unexplained was that she did not know just whatto say without telling the whole story from beginning to end.
"I'll hurry in and see if mother is all ready," she said, as the carstopped in front of the house, and the children rushed out eagerly,Doris just behind the others, to see the "booful tar."
"Mother," said Shirley, slipping softly into the house and going overto the bed where she lay with hat and coat on, fully ready. "Mother, Isha'n't have time to explain all about it, but it's all right; so don'tthink anything. Mr. Graham, the man who owns the place where we aregoing, has been kind enough to offer to take you in his car. He thinksit will be easier for you than the trolley, and he is out at the doornow waiting. It's perfectly all right. He has been very kind aboutit----"
"Oh daughter, I couldn't think of troubling any one like that!" saidthe mother, shrinking from the thought of a stranger; but, looking up,she saw him standing, hat in hand, just in the doorway. The childrenhad led him to the door when he offered to help their mother out to thecar.
"Mother, this is Mr. Graham," said Shirley.
Mrs. Hollister, a little pink spot on each cheek, tried to rise, butthe young man came forward instantly and stooped over her.
"Don't try to get up, Mrs. Hollister. Your daughter tells me youhaven't been walking about for several weeks. You must reserve allyour strength for the journey. Just trust me. I'm perfectly strong,and I can lift you and put you into the car almost without your knowingit. I often carry my own mother up-stairs just for fun, and she'squite a lot larger and heavier than you. Just let me put my hand underyour back so, and now this hand here. Now if you'll put your armsaround my neck--yes, that way--no, don't be a bit afraid. I'mperfectly strong, and I won't drop you."
Little Mrs. Hollister cast a frightened look at her daughter andanother at the fine, strong face bent above her, felt herself liftedlike thistle-down before she had had time to protest, and found herselfobediently putting her weak arms around his neck and resting herfrightened head against a strong shoulder. A second more, and she waslying on the soft cushions of the car, and the young man was pilingpillows about her and tucking her up with soft, furry robes.
"Are you perfectly comfortable?" he asked anxiously. "I didn't strainyour back or tire you, did I?"
"Oh, no, indeed!" said the bewildered woman. "You are very kind, and Ihardly knew what you were doing till I was here. I never dreamed ofanything like this. Shirley didn't tell me about it."
"No," said the young man, smiling, "she said she wanted to surpriseyou; and I believe she thought you might worry a little if you heardthe details of the journey. Now, kitten, are you ready to get in?" Heturned a smiling face to Doris, who stood solemnly waiting her turn,with an expression of one who at last sees the gates of the kingdom ofheaven opening before her happy eyes.
"Soor!" said Doris in a tone as like Harley's as possible. She liftedone little shabby shoe, and tried to reach the step, but failed, andthen surrendered her trusting hands to the young man; and he lifted herin beside her mother.
"Sit there, kitten, till your sister comes out," he said, looking ather flower face admiringly.
Doris giggled.
"I ain't a kitty," she declared; "I'se a 'ittle gurrul!"
"Well, little girl, do you like to go riding?"
"Soor! I do 'ike to go widin'!" said Doris. "Oh! There goes muvver'sbed!" as the drayman came out carrying the headboard.
Shirley meanwhile was working rapidly, putting the last things from hermother's bed into the box, tossing things into the empty clothes-basketthat had been left for this purpose, and directing the man who wastaking down the bed and carrying out the boxes and baskets. At lastall the things were out of the house, and she was free to go. Sheturned for one swift moment, and caught a sob in her throat. There hadnot been time for it before. It had come when she saw the young manstoop and lift her mother so tenderly and bear her out to the car.
But the children were calling her loudly to come. She gave one happydab at her eyes with her handkerchief to make sure no tears hadescaped, and went out of the little brick house forever.
A little middle seat had been turned down for Carol, and Doris was inher lap. Graham turned the other middle seat down for Shirley; theboys piled into the front seat with him; and they were off. Mrs.Hollister in her wonder over it all completely forgot to look back intowhat she had been wont to call in the stifling days of summer her"frying-pan," or to wonder whether she were about to jump into thefire. She just lay back on her soft cushions, softer than any she hadever rested upon before, and felt herself glide along away from thehated little dark house forever! It was a wonderful experience. Italmost seemed as if a chariot of fire had swooped down and gathered allher little flock with her, and was carrying them to some kind ofgracious heaven where comfort would be found at last. A bit of hopesprang up within her, utterly unpremeditated and unreasonable, andpersisted so that she could not help feeling happy. As yet it had notcome to her to wonder who this handsome young man was that presumed tolift her and carry her like a baby, and move her on beds of down toutterly unknown regions. She was too much taken up with the wonder ofit all. If Doris hadn't been prattling, asking questions of her, andthe light breeze hadn't flapped a lock of hair into her eyes andtickled her nose, she might have thought she was dreaming, so utterlyunreal did it all seem to her.
And now they passed out from the narrow streets, through crowdedthoroughfares for a brief space, then out beyond, and free, into thewider reaches. Fair houses and glimpsed of green were appearing. Thecar was gliding smoothly, for the sake of the invalid not going at highspeed; and she could see on every side. The trees were in full leaf;the sky was large and blue; the air was filled with freshness. Shedrew a long breath; and
closed her eyes to pray, "Oh, my Father!" andthen opened them again to see whether it was all true. Shirley,sensitive for her to the slightest breath, turned and drew the robescloser about her mother, and asked whether she were perfectly warm andwhether she wanted another pillow under her head.
Graham did not intrude himself upon the family behind him. He wasabsorbed in the two boys, who were entirely willing to be monopolized.He told them all about the car, and discoursed on the mysteries of thedifferent makes with a freedom that gave George the impression that hewas himself almost a man to be honored by such talk.
It was nearly seven o'clock when they reached Glenside and the bigstone barn came in sight, for they had travelled slowly to make iteasier for the invalid.
Elizabeth had sighted the car far down the road below the curve; and,switching on every electric light in the place, she fled down theladder to the basement, dragging the willing Jenkins after her. Herethey waited with bated breath until the family had gone inside, whenthey made their stealthy way out the east end, across the little brookunder the fence, and down the road, to be picked up by the caraccording to previous arrangement.
As the car came in sight of the barn a deep silence suddenly fell uponthe little company. Even Doris felt it, and ceased her prattle to lookfrom one to another. "Whatzie mattah?" she asked Shirley shyly,putting out her hand to pat Shirley's face in a way she had when shewas uneasy or troubled. "_Whatzie mattah, Surly?_"
But Shirley only squeezed her hand reassuringly, and smiled.
As they drew near, the young people noticed that the bars of the fencein front of the barn had been taken down and the ditch filled insmoothly. Then they saw that the car was turning in and going straightup the grassy incline to the door.
Mrs. Hollister, lying comfortably among her cushions, was looking atthe evening sky, hearing a bird that reminded her of long ago, andscarcely noticed they had turned until the car stopped. Then in silentjoy the children swarmed out of the car, and with one consent stoodback and watched mother, as the strong young man came to the open doorand gathered her in his arms once more.
"Now we're almost home, Mrs. Hollister," he said pleasantly. "Just putyour arms around my neck once more, and we'll soon have you beside yourown fire." He lifted her and bore her in to the wide couch before thecrackling fire that Elizabeth had started just before she went to lookout the door the last time.
Then into the blazing light of the transformed barn they all stepped,and every one stood back and stared, blinking. What was this? Whatwondrous perfume met their senses? What luxury! What flowers! Whathangings!
They stood and stared, and could not understand; and between them theyforgot to wonder what their mother was thinking, or to do a thing butstupidly stare and say, "Why!" and "Oh!" and "Ah!" half under theirbreath.
"Just phone me if you need anything, Miss Hollister, please. I shallbe glad to serve you," said Graham, stepping quickly over to the door."Mrs. Hollister, I hope you'll be none the worse for your ride"; and heslipped out the door, and was gone.
The sound of the car softly purring its way backward down the slopebrought Shirley out of her daze; but, when she turned and understoodthat he was gone, the car was just backing into the road, turning witha quick whirl, and was away before she could make him hear.
"Oh! He is _gone_!" she cried out, turning in dismay to the children."He is gone, and we never thanked him!"
George was out down the road like a shot; and the rest, forgetful forthe moment of the invalid who had been the great anxiety all day,crowded at the door to watch him. They could hear the throbbing of themachine; they heard it stop down the road and start again almostimmediately, growing fainter with every whir as it went farther fromthem. In a moment more George came running back.
"He's gone. He meant to, I guess, so we could have it all to ourselvesright at first. Elizabeth and the man were down the road waiting forhim. They've been dolling the place up to surprise us."
"Oh!" said Shirley, turning to look around, her cheeks growing rosy."Oh! Isn't it beautiful?" Then, turning swiftly to the couch andkneeling, she said, "Oh _mother_!"
"What does it all mean, daughter?" asked the bewildered mother, lookingabout on the great room that seemed a palace to her sad eyes.
But they all began to clamor at once, and she could make nothing of it.
"Oh Shirley, look at the curtains! Aren't they perfectly dear?" criedCarol ecstatically.
"Perf'ly deah!" echoed Doris, dancing up and down gleefully.
"And here's a card, 'With love from Elizabeth'! Isn't it sweet of her?Isn't she a perfect _darling_?"
"Who is Elizabeth?" asked Mrs. Hollister, rising to her elbow andlooking around.
"Gee! Look at the flowers!" broke in George. "It's like our store atEaster! I say! Those lilies are pretty keen, aren't they, Shirl?"
"Wait'll you see the dining-room!" called Harley, who was investigatingwith the help of his nose. "_Some_ supper-table! Come on quick; I'mstarved. Hello! Hustle here quick. Here's another sign-board!"
They followed to the dining-room. Harley, still following his nose,pursued his investigations to the kitchen, discovered the source of thesavory odors that were pervading the place, and raised another cry soappreciative that the entire family, with the exception of the invalid,followed him and found the supper steaming hot and crying to be eaten.
After the excitement was somewhat quieted Shirley took command.
"Now, children, you're getting mother all excited, and this won't do.And, besides, we must eat this supper right away before it spoils.Quiet down, and bring the hot things to the table while I get mother'sthings off. Then we will tell her all about it. There's plenty oftime, you know. We're going to stay right here all summer."
"Aw, gee! Can't we bring mother out to the table?" pleaded George."Harley and I could lift that couch just as easy."
"Why, I don't know," said Shirley, hesitating. "You know she isn'tstrong, and she will worry about your lifting her."
"Oh Shirley, let her come," pleaded Carol. "We could all take hold andwheel the couch out here; you know the floor is real smooth since thosenew boards were put in, and there are good castors on the couch."
"Mother! Mother! You're coming out to supper!" they chorused, rushingback to the living-room; and before the invalid realized what washappening her couch was being wheeled carefully, gleefully into thebrilliantly lighted dining-room, with Doris like a fairy sprite dancingattendance, and shouting joyously:
"Mudder's tumin' to suppy! Mudder's tumin' to suppy adin!"
The mother gazed in amazement at the royally spread table, so smotheredin flowers that she failed to recognize the cracked old blue dishes.
"Children, I insist," she raised her voice above the happy din. "Iinsist on knowing immediately what all this means. Where are we, andwhat is this? A hotel? And who was the person who brought us here? Icannot eat anything nor stay here another minute until I know. Peoplecan't rent houses like this for ten dollars a month anywhere, and Ididn't suppose we had come to charity, even if I am laid up for a fewdays."
Shirley could see the hurt in her mother's eyes and the quick alarm inher voice, and came around to her couch, smiling.
"Now, mother dear, we'll tell you the whole thing. It isn't a hotelwe're in, and it isn't a house at all. It's only an old barn!"
"A barn!" Mrs. Hollister sat up on her couch alertly, and looked atthe big bowl of roses in the middle of the table, at the soft, flowingcurtains at the window and the great pot of Easter lilies on the littlestand in front, and exclaimed, "Impossible!"
"But it is, really, mother, just a grand old stone barn! Look at thewalls. See those two over there are just rough stones, and this oneback of you is a partition made of common boards. That's only an oldbrown denim curtain over there to hide the kitchen, and we've got theold red chenille curtains up to partition off the bedrooms. The boysare going to sleep up in the hay-loft, and it's going to be just great!"
r /> Mrs. Hollister looked wildly at the stone walls, back at the newpartition, recognized one by one the ancient chairs, the old bookcasenow converted into a china-closet, the brown denim curtain that hadonce been a cover for the dining-room floor in the little brick house.Now it was washed and mended, and was doing its faded part to look likea wall and fit into the scheme of things. She darted questioningglances at the wealth of flowers, and the abundantly set table, thensettled back on her pillow but half satisfied.
"They don't have curtains in a barn!" she remarked dryly.
"Those are a present from Elizabeth, the little sister of the landlord.She was out here with him when he came to see about things, and she gotacquainted with Carol. She has put up those curtains, and brought theflowers, and fixed the table, for a surprise. See, mother!" andShirley brought the card on which Elizabeth had printed her crudewelcome.
Mrs. Hollister took the card as if it were some sort of alife-preserver, and smiled with relief.
"But this is a great deal to do for strangers," she said tremblingly,and tears began to glitter in her eyes. "They must be wealthy people."
"Yes, mother, I think they are," said Shirley, "and they have been mostkind."
"But, daughter, wealthy people do not usually take the trouble to dothings like that for nothing. And ten dollars a month for a barn couldbe nothing to them."
"I know, mother, but he seems very well satisfied with the price," saidShirley with a troubled brow. "I----"
"Something's burning!" yelled Harley at the top of his lungs from thekitchen, and immediately they all rushed out to rescue the supper,which took that moment to assert itself.
"Now, mother," said Shirley, coming in with a big tureen of soup,"we've got to eat this supper or it will spoil. You're not to askanother question till we are through."
They all settled expectantly down at the table, Doris climbing joyouslyinto her high chair, calling:
"Suppy! Suppy! Oh goody!"
Such a clatter and a clamor, such shoutings over the sandwiches andsuch jumpings up and down to carry something to mother! Such lingeringover the delicious ice-cream and fresh strawberries that were found inthe freezer! Think of it! Real strawberries for _them_ that time ofyear!
Then, when they had eaten all they could, and began to realize that itwas time to get mother to bed, they pushed the chairs back, and allfell to clearing off the table and putting things away. It was Carolwho discovered the big roasted fowl and the bowl of salad set away inthe tiny ice-box ready for to-morrow. How had Elizabeth, who neverkept house in her life, known just what would be nice for a family wereall tired out with moving, and needed to lie back and rest beforestarting on with living?
The dishes were almost washed when the cart arrived with the last loadof things, and the drayman helped George to put up mother's bed.
They wheeled the couch into the living-room after the big doors wereclosed and safely fastened for the night. Before the glowing fireShirley helped mother to undress, then rolled her couch into thebedroom and got her to bed.
"Do you mind very much that it is only a barn, mother dear?" questionedShirley, bending anxiously over her mother after she was settled.
"I can't make it seem like a barn, dear; it seems a palace!" said themother with a tremble in her voice. "I'm glad it's a barn, because wecould never afford a house with space like this, and air!" She threwout her hands as if to express her delight in the wide rooms, and drewin a breath of the delicious country air, so different from air of thedusty little brick house in the city.
"Daughter!" she drew Shirley down where she could whisper to her."You're sure he is not looking on us as objects of charity, and you'resure he understands that you are a self-respecting girl earning herhonorable living and paying her way? You know this is a wicked,deceitful world we live in, and there are all sorts of people in it."
"Mother dear! I'm sure. Sure as anybody could be. He has been aperfect gentleman. You didn't think he looked like one of those--thosepeople--that go around misunderstanding girls, did you mother?"
The mother remembered the gentle, manly way in which the young man hadlifted her and carried her to and from the car, and her heart warmed tohim. Yet her fears lingered as she watched her sweet-eyed girl.
"No-o-o," she answered slowly; "but then, you can't always judge. Hecertainly was a gentleman, and he was very nice-looking." Then shelooked sharply at Shirley.
"You won't go to getting any notions in your head, dear child?" Hereyes were wistful and sad as she searched the sweet, weary face of thegirl. "You know rich young men follow whims sometimes for a few days.They don't mean anything. I wouldn't want your heart broken. I wishhe was an old man with white hair."
"Oh mother dear!" laughed Shirley with heart-free ring to her voice,"did you think you had a young fool for a daughter? He was only beingnice because he is a perfect gentleman; but I know he is not in thesame universe as I am, so far as anything more than pleasant kindlinessis concerned. We shall probably never see him again now that we aresettled. But don't you think I ought to go and telephone thanks to hislittle sister? They will be home by this time, and it seems as if weought to make some acknowledgment of her great kindness."
"By all means, dear; but how can you? Is there a pay-station nearhere? I thought you said this was out in the country."
"Why, we have a telephone of our own, muddy dear! Just think of theluxury of it! Us with a telephone! Mr. Graham had it put into thebarn when he was making some repairs, so he could communicate with hisworkmen; and he said if we would like it we might keep it. It is oneof those 'pay-as-you-go' phones, with a place to drop nickels and dimesin; so we are perfectly independent. Mr. Graham thought it would be acomfort to you when George or I had to stay late in town."
"How thoughtful of him! He must be a _wonderful_ rich man! By allmeans telephone at once, and tell the little girl to say to her brotherfrom me that I shall esteem it a privilege to thank him personally forall that he has done for my children, sometime when he is out this way.Think. A real rose by my bed!" She reached out a frail hand, andtouched the exquisite petals lovingly. "It is wonderful!"
So Shirley went into the living-room to telephone, while all thechildren stood about to watch and comment and tell her what to say.Doris sat on a little cushion at her feet in awe, and listened, askingCarol with large eyes: "Is Sirley tautin to Dod? Vy doesn't see suther yeyes?" for Shirley's conversation over the telephone sounded tothe little sister much like a prayer of thanksgiving; only she was notaccustomed to hearing that joyous laughter in the voice when peopleprayed.
Then Doris was put to bed in her own little crib, and the light inmother's room was switched off amid Doris's flood of questions.
"Vat makes it light? Vy did it do avay? Will it tum adin?"
At last she was asleep, and the other children tiptoed excitedly aboutpreparing for bed, going up and downstairs softly, whispering back andforth for this or that they could not find, till quiet settled downupon the tired, happy household, and the bullfrogs in the distant creekdroned out the nightly chorus.