CHAPTER XXVII
MISUNDERSTANDING
A figure was standing on the bank watching the boat's approach. It wasJudge Trent. His hands were clasped behind his ample black coat, butinstead of the usual shade to his eagle eyes a flat earth-colored cap,with an extraordinarily broad visor, gave his sharp face the effect ofsome wary animal that peers from under the eaves of its home.
The young people waved their hands as they recognized him.
"Come back, have you?" he said, without moving. "It's about time."
"Were you listening to that dear thrush?" asked Sylvia, as she jumpedfrom the boat.
"I was, and have been for half an hour. The fellow's staying powers aresomething marvelous."
The speaker brought a hand around from his back, prepared to meet hisniece, whom he scrutinized without a change of expression. Shepossessed herself not only of the hand, but his arm, and deliberatelykissed his cheek.
"I hope you received my letter about the boat, Uncle Calvin. You don'tknow how happy you made me."
Dunham noted the surprised start, and received the frowning look whichthe judge sent in his direction. The rose leaf of Sylvia's faceremained close to the parchment folds of the lawyer's cheek.
"Well, it was about time I made you happy, wasn't it?" he replied.
"I ought to stay here now," said Sylvia, "and row you about, instead ofgoing back to Hawk Island."
"Oh. You're going back to Hawk Island?" The girl thought she detected anote of disappointment in the brusque tone.
"I'm not sure. I haven't decided," she returned.
"She is going back," observed Dunham affably, "with me in about anhour."
Judge Trent glared at the speaker. Both Sylvia's hands being claspedabout his arm, he was holding himself with conscious and woodenrigidity. This was his own flesh and blood, however, and she wasclinging to him, and Dunham might be hanged for all he cared.
"My niece will decide that, and not you," he returned with surprisingbelligerency.
"Hello!" thought Dunham, amused. "Is Arcady getting on the legalnerves?" "We're a house party," he explained firmly. "We've come overhere for some clothes. We shall be obliged to start back in about anhour because we have to take you with us, and we don't want to keep youout too late."
"Hey?" asked the judge.
"Yes," said Sylvia. "Edna asked us to bring either you or Thinkrightback with us."
"Now that's very untactful of you, Miss Sylvia," objected John."Supposing she did say either of them. Don't you know, first come,first served, and moreover that Judge Trent is company?"
"Yes, I've no idea that Thinkright would leave the farm over night atthis busy time, anyway," replied Sylvia. "Where is he? I must see himbefore I decide. I'm really not sure about going back. Perhaps, UncleCalvin, it will be best for you and Mr. Dunham to go without me."
The lawyer's steely gaze was sunk in the soft blue depths of hers. Inthis mood she reminded him of his last parting with Laura. No womansince that day had clung to his arm.
He grunted a dissent. "John and I see enough of each other as it is,"he returned.
"The idea of any one seeing enough of John!" was the thought thatflashed through Sylvia's mind. What she said was, "Would you reallyrather I went too, Uncle Calvin?"
The sharp eyes under the visor saw the expression in Dunham's face atthe caressing tone.
"Oh, suit yourself, of course," he replied briefly, "suit yourself;"but he carefully made no motion of his rigid arm which shoulddiscourage Sylvia from leaning upon it, and the three moved off towardthe house.
Minty Foster suddenly appeared, dragging herself shyly between thetrees. "I seen yer comin' past the mill," she said. Her usually stolidface was so eloquent of satisfaction at meeting Sylvia again that thegirl dropped her uncle's arm, and, stooping, kissed the red cheek.
"Don't you want to go and see if Benny won't give you a sail while he'swaiting for us, Minty?" she suggested.
"Y' ain't goin' back, are yer?" protested the child, round-eyed.
"I'm not quite sure," replied Sylvia. Each new, trifling incidentreassured her, and went to lighten her heart. Here was home andwelcome, whatever had been her mistakes abroad.
Minty ran on to the waterside, and the three resumed their walk. Thechime of little joy-bells and the silvery flourish of melody continuedto come from woodland depths.
"What a pity we haven't time to find that darling hermit!" said thegirl. "He must be near. Once I succeeded in discovering him, and I satso quietly he didn't mind me, even if he saw. He was on the verytopmost twig of a pine, so little and so brown against the vast blue.Uncle Calvin, I'm so glad you bought the Mill Farm!"
"Well, so am I," replied the judge.
"Some time," said Sylvia, "when you get very--unexpectedly--rich, Iwish you'd buy the Tide Mill."
"You do?" grunted the lawyer. "What for, pray? Want to see a bonfire onthe water?"
"Oh, dear, no!" Sylvia glanced around at Dunham. "Wouldn't it betragic, after all its troubles, to see it burned at the stake?"
"She wants to tie blue ribbons around its neck and chuck it under thechin," explained John.
"Ah, I see," said the judge, smiling grimly as he remembered Sylvia'scomments on the mill the first day he met her.
"There's Thinkright," cried Sylvia, suddenly breaking from hercompanions and running fleetly toward the house.
With one accord the two men watched her greet the third by kissing himfirst on one cheek and then on the other.
"It was only one of yours, Judge," said Dunham. "If I were you I'd callhim out."
"I don't grudge it to him," returned the lawyer. "She's making up tohim for her mother's lack."
He waited a moment, hoping John would continue on the subject. He hadthought often of his niece since his last visit, and in the past dayshad heard only good words for her; but Thinkright might be expected tobe partial to Laura's child, and the Fosters were scarcely judges. Hewished very much to learn the opinion of the girl which would be formedby a man of John's world and experience. Dunham kept silent as theypursued their measured walk, and the judge's desire forced thequestion.
"Well, and how do you find Miss Lacey, now you've had a near view?"
"Oh--Miss Lacey. Yes. Brisk and busy as a little bumblebee. The roundpeg in the round hole, as you might say."
"H'm," returned the judge. "I'm interested to know how she strikes aman of your sort."
"She's all right, I tell you," returned John argumentatively. "Youdon't know a good thing when you see it, Judge. Domestic, capable,executive, cheerful,"--John warmed to his subject. His heart had beenmade soft to-day, and he remembered the row of inappropriate poplars.
"Domestic? That's a pleasant surprise. But how about manners andbreeding? I'm aware that what might pass muster with me might look verydifferent under the lens of the society man. I've only to scratch yourlegal skin, John, to find a society man. I've always known that."
"Why, I should call her manners mighty comfortable ones," returned theyoung man. "She's a practical homemaker, that's what she is; and you'rea--well, it's unintelligent of you to go on living alone, that's all,with that wrinkled map of Ireland for your only appetizer."
The judge looked thoughtful. "I hadn't got as far as that," he said."My habits are pretty hopelessly settled, I'm afraid. I don't think Iought to inflict myself on anybody at this late day."
"Nonsense. I know she wouldn't look at it that way, and perhaps thissummer'll do the business. When you get over to Hawk Island and seeher"--
"See who!" Judge Trent faced his companion, and his shaggy brows movedup and down portentously beneath the overhanging eaves of his browncap. "You mortal idiot," he thundered, "who are you talking about?"
Dunham's mouth fell open. "Miss Lacey. You said--Miss Lacey! Didyou--were you asking about Sylvia?"
"_No!_" roared Judge Trent wrathfully. "I asked about Miss Lacey. Whatare you doing with Sylvia's name? Miss Lacey I say, and you'd bettersay so, too!"
John mechani
cally drew his cap from his pocket, and fanned his heatedcountenance. Little did Judge Trent suspect how far this young man hadrambled and swam and floated and sailed from that port where Sylviamight have been Miss Lacey to him. So it was _her_ manners and breedingupon which her uncle desired a society man's verdict. What if he shoulddescribe to the judge the Look, the Idea, and the Potion that awaitedhis home-coming?
Then there rushed over him the matrimonial bureau zeal with which hehad done his best for Miss Martha. The combination reminiscence was toomuch. If it severed his connection with the law offices at Seatonforever, his self-control must snap, and all at once he threw back hishead with a laugh which woke every echo that side the Tide Mill.
A black and towering shadow suddenly appeared at one of the farmhousewindows. Mrs. Lem, with Judge Trent an actuality and the splendid Mr.Dunham a constantly impending possibility, had been helmeted daily fromearly morn till set of sun. It was her imposing crest that John's stormof hilarity had brought into view.
The judge's fearful scowl relaxed, and he seized his companion's arm.
"I called you some names, didn't I, Boy," he said, when he could makehimself heard. "Overlook it, won't you? I didn't know you were such afool as not to be able to see when a chapter in a man's life is closed.Now let's begin at the beginning again. You who know all there is toknow about girls, you for whom the exception proves the rule that youcan manage them with one hand tied behind you,--what do you think ofthe exception? Tell me now. What do you think of Sylvia?"
"No, no, Judge," gasped Dunham. "Let me off. I'm exhausted."
"Brace up. I want to know."
"Well," returned John, wiping his eyes, "I think she made a tardyarrival on this planet. She's too late for her century."
"An old-fashioned girl, eh? I rather like that."
"Older fashioned than you're thinking of. She belongs in legends, andall sorts of stories that begin 'Once upon a time.' Do you catch theidea? She's the exact opposite in every respect of that excellent ladywe--no, I mean I have just been talking about,--her aunt."
The judge's face fell, though his eagle glance was sharp.
"Yet, it is the Lacey blood that's done it," he said. "You mean she'serratic, visionary, unpractical."
"Yes. I mean that I think her very charming bonnet, if she ever woreone, would have a bee in it."
"John, that's worse than I feared," replied the judge dejectedly."Confound Sam Lacey! She's a rather engaging girl with it all?"
"Immensely so. In fact, to such an extent that most people would preferto follow her moods rather than to revel in the excellent qualities ofa good housekeeper."
"What does Edna think?" asked the lawyer.
"Oh, come, come, Judge!" protested Dunham. "If you have the man'sstandpoint,--a wholly admiring standpoint, I hope you understand,--thatought to satisfy you for one day."
"I shall go back with you to Hawk Island," announced Judge Trentbriefly. "Sylvia shall go too. I wish to observe her outside thisatmosphere."
Meanwhile Sylvia had borne Thinkright away, in front of the house tothe shade of the AEolian pine tree, and pulled him down beside her on arustic seat.
"Oh, Thinkright, it's ages since you and I sat here last."
"Happy ages, I hope," he answered.
"Yes, I've been living a poem ever since I said goodby to you, untilthis noon. I've been walking on air,--living in a happy dream; thensuddenly a bucket of cold water was dashed over me, and I came tomyself."
"Are you sure it was yourself you came to?" asked Thinkright, for hesaw the trouble in the eyes he loved. "Sometimes our dreams are nearerthe truth than our mistaken waking notions."
"Oh, I wish this were a dream!" returned the girl devoutly; "for I'veoffended Edna."
"How?"
"If I only knew! I've gone through every incident of my stay, and Ican't find a clue. I've been so careful about Mr. Dunham."
"About Mr. Dunham?"
"Yes; never to try even to attract his attention or behave as if Iexpected him to notice me."
"I don't understand at all," said Thinkright. "Do you mean that he andEdna care for each other?"
"Why, of course."
"But they haven't met often of late."
"I know; but of course she never could forget him, and they're so muchalike in all their ways and tastes"--
"Hold hard, little one. Edna Derwent has a court of admirers at home.It isn't likely she has ever had time to think of Mr. Dunham."
"Oh, you know there couldn't be another like him," was Sylvia's quickresponse, given so devoutly that her companion regarded her moreclosely.
"I saw as soon as he came how things were, and would be; and I wasextra careful. I've really almost avoided him, and yet, I'm going totell you honestly, Thinkright, while he admires Edna so much, I seem toamuse him, and he has taken more notice of me than I wish he would;because of course all he thinks about me is that I'm a Western product,and he is curious about my difference from them. I can't imagine how Idid it, but in some way I've offended Edna."
"How does she show it?"
"Just by a little coldness and difference in her manner; but it makesall the difference to me; and I want to stay with you now!" She cameclose to him and looked up into his face.
"There isn't a thing to do," he returned, "except to think right aboutit. I suppose you've been remembering that?"
"Ye-es, some," answered Sylvia, with hesitation.
"That's Mr. Dunham coming along with the judge now, isn't it?" askedThinkright.
"Yes. Edna invited us yesterday to spend a week at the cottage, and weplanned to come over to-day to get our clothes; and then last night shewas cool to me, and this noon she was still more changed,--or else Inoticed it more,--and oh," added the girl hastily, "they're coming thisway. Tell them you want me to stay here, please do!"
"Does Edna expect you back?"
"Yes, but"--
"And you haven't attempted any explanation with her?"
"No, but"--
Thinkright patted the arm near him.
"Can't have my little girl show the white feather like that. You andEdna both know how to think. There isn't any power that can preventyour meeting on the right ground, and there is nothing hidden thatshall not be revealed. The truth, even about this trifle, whatever itmay be, will set you free."
"Is this a secret session?" asked Judge Trent as the two menapproached.
Sylvia's speaking countenance seemed to say that it was; but Thinkrightarose and shook hands with John.
"Edna's invited me to come back with these young people," said thelawyer. "She wanted you instead, I believe, but for reasons I'll gofirst, if you have no objection."
"None in the world," returned his cousin, "for I couldn't stay awayjust now."
"Sylvia, I think you'd better pack your bag," went on Judge Trent."Time is flying."
Thinkright deliberately studied Dunham's expression as the latterwatched the young girl, whose indecision and trouble were obvious.
"Be game, Miss Sylvia, be game," suggested John. "Steamer leaves dockin half an hour sharp, as Judge Trent elects to have a late supper atAnemone Cottage rather than an early one in the shade of Mrs. Lem'spompadour."
"Then I'm going, am I, Thinkright?" asked Sylvia, her eyes appealing tohim as she rose.
"Of course you're going," put in the judge authoritatively. "I've hadno visit with you yet."
"All right," returned Sylvia, smiling faintly at her uncle; but shetook Thinkright's arm.
"I'll meet you in half an hour," she said to the other men, and startedtoward the house, with her cousin captive.
"Get your thought right on the way back, little one," he said. "Youknow how. You have nothing to conceal from Edna, I suppose?"
Sylvia did not answer at once, and Thinkright, after a moment, turnedand looked into her grave, downcast face.
She spoke, after the little silence, with a collected dignity which wasvery becoming. "I'm ready to give Edna an account of every action ofmine bene
ath her roof."
"Very well, my child. I haven't a doubt of it. It's better for you togo back to-night. I'm sure you think so."
"Yes, I do think so," replied Sylvia.