CHAPTER IV
THE SUMMONS
During those months spent at Bhulwana with the surgeon's wife a measureof peace did gradually return to Stella. She took no part in thegaieties of the station, but her widow's mourning made it easy for herto hold aloof. Undoubtedly she earned Lady Harriet's approval by sodoing, but Mrs. Ermsted continued to look at her askance,notwithstanding the fact that her small daughter had developed a warmliking for the sister of her beloved Tommy.
"Wait till she gets back to Kurrumpore," said Mrs. Ermsted. "We shallsee her in her true colours then."
She did not say this to Mrs. Ralston. She visited The Grand Stand lessand less frequently. She was always full of engagements and seldom had amoment to spare for the society of this steady friend of hers. And Mrs.Ralston never sought her out. It was not her way. She was ready for all,but she intruded upon none.
Mrs. Ralston's affection for Stella had become very deep. There wasbetween them a sympathy that was beyond words. They understood eachother.
As the wet season drew on, their companionship became more and moreintimate though their spoken confidences were few. Mrs. Ralston neverasked for confidences though she probably received more than any otherwoman in the station.
It was on a day in September of drifting clouds and unbroken rain thatStella spoke at length of a resolution that had been gradually formingin her mind. She found no difficulty in speaking; in fact it seemed thenatural thing to do. And she felt even as she gave utterance to thewords that Mrs. Ralston already knew their import.
"Mary," she said, "after Christmas I am going back to England."
Mrs. Ralston betrayed no surprise. She was in the midst of an elaboratedarn in the heel of a silk sock. She looked across at Stella gravely.
"And when you get there, my dear?" she said.
"I shall find some work to do." Stella spoke with the decision of onewho gives utterance to the result of careful thought. "I think I shallgo in for hospital training. It is hard work, I know; but I am strong. Ithink hard work is what I need."
Mrs. Ralston was silent.
Stella went on. "I see now that I made a mistake in ever coming outhere. It wasn't as if Tommy really wanted me. He doesn't, you know. Hisfriend Captain Monck is all-sufficing--and probably better for him. Inany case--he doesn't need me."
"You may be right, dear," Mrs. Ralston said, "though I doubt if Tommywould view it in the same light. I am glad anyhow that you will spendChristmas out here. I shall not lose you so soon."
Stella smiled a little. "I don't want to hurt Tommy's feelings, and Iknow they would be hurt if I went sooner. Besides I would like to haveone cold weather out here."
"And why not?" said Mrs. Ralston. She added after a moment, "What willyou do with Peter?"
Stella hesitated. "That is one reason why I have not come to a decisionsooner. I don't like leaving poor Peter. It occurred to me possibly thatdown at Kurrumpore he might find another master. Anyway, I shall tellhim my plans when I get there, and he will have the opportunity"--shesmiled rather sadly--"to transfer his devotion to someone else."
"He won't take it," said Mrs. Ralston with conviction. "The fidelity ofthese men is amazing. It puts us to shame."
"I hate the thought of parting with him," Stella said. "But what can Ido?"
She broke off short as the subject of their discussion came softly intothe room, salver in hand. He gave her a telegram and stood backdecorously behind her chair while she opened it.
Mrs. Ralston's grave eyes watched her, and in a moment Stella looked upand met them. "From Kurrumpore," she said.
Her face was pale, but her hands and voice were steady.
"From Tommy?" questioned Mrs. Ralston.
"No. From Captain Monck. Tommy is ill--very ill. Malaria again. Hethinks I had better go to him."
"Oh, my dear!" Mrs. Ralston's exclamation held dismay.
Stella met it by holding out to her the message. "Tommy down withmalaria," it said. "Condition serious. Come if you are able. Monck."
Mrs. Ralston rose. She seemed to be more agitated than Stella. "I shallgo too," she said.
"No, dear, no!" Stella stopped her. "There is no need for that. I shallbe all right. I am perfectly strong now, stronger than you are. And theysay malaria never attacks newcomers so badly. No. I will go alone. Iwon't be answerable to your husband for you. Really, dear, really, I amin earnest."
Her insistence prevailed, albeit Mrs. Ralston yielded very unwillingly.She was not very strong, and she knew well that her husband would begreatly averse to her taking such a step. But the thought of Stellagoing alone was even harder to face till her look suddenly fell uponPeter the Great standing motionless behind her chair.
"Ah well, you will have Peter," she said with relief.
And Stella, who was bending already over her reply telegram, repliedinstantly with one of her rare smiles. "Of course I shall have Peter!"
Peter's responding smile was good to see. "I will take care of my_mem-sahib_," he said.
Stella's reply was absolutely simple. "Starting at once," she wrote; andwithin half an hour her preparations were complete.
She knew Monck well enough to be certain that he would not havetelegraphed that urgent message had not the need been great. He hadnursed Tommy once before, and she knew that in Tommy's estimation atleast he had been the means of saving his life. He was a man of steadynerve and level judgment. He would not have sent for her if his faith inhis own powers had not begun to weaken. It meant that Tommy was veryill, that he might be dying. All that was great in Stella rose upimpulsively at the call. Tommy had never really wanted her before.
To Mrs. Ralston who at the last stood over her with a glass of wine shewas as a different woman. There was nothing headlong about her, but thequiet energy of her made her realize that she had been fashioned forbetter things than the social gaieties with which so many were content.Stella would go to the deep heart of life.
She yearned to accompany her upon her journey to the plains, butStella's solemn promise to send for her if she were taken ill herselfconsoled her in a measure. Very regretfully did she take leave of her,and when the rattle of the wheels that bore Stella and the faithfulPeter away had died at last in the distance she turned back into herempty bungalow with tears in her eyes. Stella had become dear to her asa sister.
It was an all-night journey, and only a part of it could be accomplishedby train, the line ending at Khanmulla which was reached in the earlyhours of the morning. But for Peter's ministrations Stella wouldprobably have fared ill, but he was an experienced traveller andsurrounded her with every comfort that he could devise. The night wasclose and dank. They travelled through pitch darkness. Stella lay backand tried to sleep; but sleep would not come to her. She was tired, butrepose eluded her. The beating of the unceasing rain upon the tin roof,and the perpetual rattle of the train made an endless tattoo in herbrain from which there was no escape. She was haunted by the memory ofthe last journey that she had made along that line when leavingKurrumpore in the spring, of Ralph and the ever-growing passion in hiseyes, of the first wild revolt within her which she had so barelyquelled. How far away seemed those days of an almost unbelievabletorture! She could regard them now dispassionately, albeit with wonder.She marvelled now that she had ever given herself to such a man. By thelight of experience she realized how tragic had been her blunder, andnow that the awful sense of shock and desolation had passed she could bethankful that no heavier penalty had been exacted. The man had beentaken swiftly, mercifully, as she believed. He had been spared much, andshe--she had been delivered from a fate far worse. For she could neverhave come to love him. She was certain of that. Lifelong misery wouldhave been her portion, school herself to submission though she might.She believed that the awakening from that dream of lethargy could nothave been long deferred for either of them, and with it would have comea bitterness immeasurable. She did not think he had ever honestlybelieved that she loved him. But at least he had never guessed at theactual repulsion with w
hich at times she had been filled. She wasthankful to think that he could never know that now, thankful that nowshe had come into her womanhood it was all her own. She valued herfreedom almost extravagantly since it had been given back to her. Andshe also valued the fact that in no worldly sense was she the richer forhaving been Ralph Dacre's wife. He had had no private means, and she wasthankful that this was so. She could not have endured to reap anybenefit from what she now regarded as a sin. She had borne herpunishment, she had garnered her experience. And now she walked oncemore with unshackled feet; and though all her life she would carry themarks of the chain that had galled her she had travelled far enough torealize and be thankful for her liberty.
The train rattled on through the night. Anxiety came, wraith-like atfirst, drifting into her busy brain. She had hardly had time to beanxious in the rush of preparation and departure. But restlessness pavedthe way. She began to ask herself with growing uneasiness what could beawaiting her at the end of the journey. The summons had been so clearand imperative. Her first thought, her instinct, had been to obey. Tillthe enforced inaction of this train journey she had not had time to feelthe gnawing torture of suspense. But now it came and racked her. Thethought of Tommy and his need became paramount. Did he know that she washastening to him, she wondered? Or had he--had he already passed beyondher reach? Men passed so quickly in this tropical wilderness. The solemnmusic of an anthem she had known and loved in the old far-off days ofher girlhood rose and surged through her. She found herself repeatingthe words:
"Our life is but a shadow; So soon passeth it away, And we are gone,-- So soon,--so soon."
The repetition of those last words rang like a knell. But Tommy! Shecould not think of Tommy's eager young life passing so. Those words werewritten for the old and weary. But for such as Tommy--a thousand timesNo! He was surely too ardent, too full of life, to pass so. She felt asif he were years younger than herself.
And then another thought came to her, a curious haunting thought. Wasthe Nemesis that had overtaken her in the forbidden paradise yetpursuing her with relentless persistence? Was the measure of herpunishment not yet complete? Did some further vengeance still follow herin the wilderness of her desolation? She tried to fling the thought fromher, but it clung like an evil dream. She could not wholly shake off theimpression that it had made upon her.
Slowly the night wore away. The heat was intense. She felt as if shewere sitting in a tank of steaming vapour. The oppression of theatmosphere was like a physical weight. And ever the rain beat down,rattling, incessant, upon the tin roof above her head. She thought ofNemesis again, Nemesis wielding an iron flail that never missed itsmark. There was something terrible to her in this perpetual beating ofrain. She had never imagined anything like it.
It was in the dark of the early morning that she began at last to nearher destination. A ten-mile drive through the jungle awaited her, sheknew. She wondered if Monck had made provision for this or if allarrangements would be left in Peter's capable hands. She had never feltmore thankful for this trusty servant of hers than now with theloneliness and darkness of this unfamiliar world hedging her round. Shefelt almost as one in a hostile country, and even the thought of Tommyand his need could not dispel the impression.
The train rattled into the little iron-built station of Khanmulla. Therainfall seemed to increase as they stopped. It was like the beating ofrods upon the station-roof. There came the usual hubbub of discordantcries, but in foreign voices and in a foreign tongue.
Stella gathered her property together in readiness for Peter. Then sheturned, somewhat stiff after her long journey, and found the dooralready swinging open and a man's broad shoulders blocking the opening.
"How do you do?" said Monck.
She started at the sound of his voice. His face was in the shadow, butin a moment his features, dark and dominant, flashed to her memory. Shebent to him swiftly, with outstretched hand.
"How good of you to meet me! How is Tommy?"
He held her hand for an instant, and she was aware of a sharp tinglingthroughout her being, as though by means of that strong grasp he hadimparted strength. "He is about as bad as a man can be," he said."Ralston has been with him all night. I've borrowed his two-seater tofetch you. Don't waste any time!"
Her heart gave a throb of dismay. The brief words were as flail-like asthe rain. They demanded no answer, and she made none; only instantsubmission, and that she gave.
She had a glimpse of Peter's tall form standing behind Monck, and to himfor a moment she turned as she descended.
"You will see to everything?" she said. "You will follow."
"Leave all to me, my _mem-sahib_!" he said, deeply bowing; and she tookhim at his word.
Monck had a military overcoat on his arm in which he wrapped her beforethey left the station-shelter. Ralston's little two-seater car sheddazzling beams of light through the dripping dark. She flounderedblindly into a pool of water before she reached it, and was doublystartled by Monck lifting her bodily, without apology, out of the mire,and placing her on the seat. The beat of the rain upon the hood made herwonder if they could make any headway under it. And then, while she wasstill wondering, the engine began to throb like a living thing, and shewas aware of Monck squeezing past her to his seat at the wheel.
He did not speak, but he wrapped the rug firmly about her, and almostbefore she had time to thank him, they were in motion.
That night-ride was one of the wildest experiences that she had everknown. Monck went like the wind. The road wound through the jungle, andin many places was little more than a rough track. The car bumped andjolted, and seemed to cry aloud for mercy. But Monck did not spare, andStella crouched beside him, too full of wonder to be afraid.
They emerged from the jungle at length and ran along an open roadbetween wide fields of rice or cotton. Their course became easier, andStella realized that they were nearing the end of their journey. Theywere approaching the native portion of Kurrumpore.
She turned to the silent man beside her. "Is Tommy expecting me?" sheasked.
He did not answer her immediately; then, "He was practically unconsciouswhen I left," he said.
He put on speed with the words. They shot forward through the peltingrain at a terrific pace. She divined that his anxiety was such that hedid not wish to talk.
They passed through the native quarter as if on wings. The rain fell ina deluge here. It was like some power of darkness striving to beat themback. She pictured Monck's face, grim, ruthless, forcing his way throughthe opposing element. The man himself she could barely see.
And then, almost before she realized it, they were in the Europeancantonment, and she heard the grinding of the brakes as they reached thegate of The Green Bungalow. Monck turned the little car into thecompound, and a light shone down upon them from the verandah.
The car came to a standstill. "Do you mind getting out first?" saidMonck.
She got out with a dazed sense of unreality. He followed herimmediately; his hand, hard and muscular, grasped her arm. He led her upthe wooden steps all shining and slippery in the rain.
In the shelter of the verandah he stopped. "Wait here a moment!" hesaid.
But Stella turned swiftly, detaining him. "No, no!" she said. "I amcoming with you. I would rather know at once."
He shrugged his shoulders without remonstrance, and stood back for herto precede him. Later it seemed to her that it was the most mercifulthing he could have done. At the time she did not pause to thank him,but went swiftly past, taking her way straight along the verandah toTommy's room.
The window was open, and a bar of light stretched therefrom like a fierysword into the streaming rain. Just for a second that gleaming shaftdaunted her. Something within her shrank affrighted. Then, aware ofMonck immediately behind her, she conquered her dread and entered. Shesaw that the bar of light came from a hooded lamp which was turnedtowards the window, leaving the bed in shadow. Over the latter a man wasbending. He straightened himself sharply at
her approach, and sherecognized Major Ralston.
And then she had reached the bed, and all the love in her heart pulsedforth in yearning tenderness as she stooped. "Tommy!" she said. "Mydarling!"
He did not stir in answer. He lay like a figure carved in marble.Suddenly the rays of the lamp were turned upon him, and she saw that hisface was livid. The eyes were closed and sunken. A terrible misgivingstabbed her. Almost involuntarily she drew back.
In the same moment she felt Monck's hands upon her. He was unbuttoningthe overcoat in which she was wrapped. She stood motionless, feelingcold, powerless, strangely dependent upon him.
As he stripped the coat back from her shoulders, he spoke, his voicevery measured and quiet, but kind also, even soothing.
"Don't give up!" he said. "We'll pull him through between us."
A queer little thrill went through her. Again she felt as if he hadimparted strength. She turned back to the bed.
Major Ralston was on the other side. Across that silent form he spoke toher.
"See if you can get him to take this! I am afraid he's past it. Buttry!"
She saw that he was holding a spoon, and she commanded herself and tookit from him. She wondered at the steadiness of her own hand as she putit to the white, unconscious lips. They were rigidly closed, and for afew moments she thought her task was hopeless. Then very slowly theyparted. She slipped the spoon between.
The silence in the room was deathly, the heat intense, heavy,pall-like. Outside, the rain fell monotonously, and, mingling with itsbeating, she heard the croaking of innumerable frogs. Neither Ralstonnor Monck stirred a finger. They were watching closely with batedbreath.
Tommy's breathing was wholly imperceptible, but in that long, long pauseshe fancied she saw a slight tremor at his throat. Then the liquid thathad been in the spoon began to trickle out at the corner of his mouth.
She stood up, turning instinctively to the man beside her. "Oh, it's nouse," she said hopelessly.
He bent swiftly forward. "Let me try! Quick, Ralston! Have it ready!That's it. Now then, Tommy! Now, lad!"
He had taken her place almost before she knew it. She saw him stoop withabsolute assurance and slip his arm under the boy's shoulders. Tommy'sinert head fell back against him, but she saw his strong right hand comeout and take the spoon that Ralston held out. His dark face was bent tohis task, and it held no dismay, only unswerving determination.
"Tommy!" he said again, and in his voice was a certain grim tendernessthat moved her oddly, sending the tears to her eyes before she couldcheck them. "Tommy, wake up, man! If you think you're going out now,you're damn well mistaken. Wake up, do you hear? Wake up and swallowthis stuff! There! You've got it. Now swallow--do you hear?--swallow!"
He held the spoon between Tommy's lips till it was emptied of everydrop; then thrust it back at Ralston.
"Here take it! Pour out some more! Now, Tommy lad, it's up to you!Swallow it like a dear fellow! Yes, you can if you try. Give your mindto it! Pull up, boy, pull up! play the damn game! Don't go back on me!Ah, you didn't know I was here, did you? Thought you'd slope while myback was turned. You weren't quick enough, my lad. You've got to comeback."
There was a strange note of passion in his voice. It was obvious toStella that he had utterly forgotten himself in the gigantic task beforehim. Body and soul were bent to its fulfillment. She could see theperspiration running down his face. She stood and watched, thrilledthrough and through with the wonder of what she saw.
For at the call of that curt, insistent voice Tommy moved and maderesponse. It was like the return of a departing spirit. He came out ofthat deathly inertia. He opened his eyes upon Monck's face, staring upat him with an expression half-questioning and half-expectant.
"You haven't swallowed that stuff yet," Monck reminded him. "Get rid ofthat first! What a child you are, Tommy! Why can't you behave yourself?"
Tommy's throat worked spasmodically, he made a mighty effort andsucceeded in swallowing. Then, through lips that twitched as if he weregoing to cry, weakly he spoke.
"Hullo--hullo--you old bounder!"
"Hullo!" said Monck in stern rejoinder. "A nice game this! Aren't youashamed of yourself? You ought to be. I'm furious with you. Do you knowthat?"
"Don't care--a damn," said Tommy, and forced his quivering lips to asmile.
"You will presently, you--puppy!" said Monck witheringly. "You're morebother than you're worth. Come on, Ralston! Give him another dose!Tommy, you hang on, or I'll know the reason why! There, you little ass!What's the matter with you?"
For Tommy's smile had crumpled into an expression of woe in spite ofhim. He turned his face into Monck's shoulder, piteously striving tohide his weakness.
"Feel--so beastly--bad," he whispered.
"All right, old fellow, all right! I know." Monck's hand was on hishead, soothing, caressing, comforting. "Stick to it like a Briton! We'llpull you round. Think I don't understand? What? But you've got to doyour bit, you know. You've got to be game. And here's your sisterwaiting to lend a hand, come all the way to this filthy hole on purpose.You are not going to let her see you go under. Come, Tommy lad!"
The tears overflowed down Stella's cheeks. She dared not show herself.But, fortunately for her, Tommy did not desire it. Monck's words tookeffect upon him, and he made a trembling effort to pull himselftogether.
"Don't let her see me--like this!" he murmured. "I'll be betterpresently. You tell her, old chap, and--I say--look after her, won'tyou?"
"All right, you cuckoo," said Monck.