CHAPTER XXVII
AT THE CONCERT
Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer'sinvitation to dinner. Brought up in the country in comparativepoverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want ofacquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table. But he had a betterthan ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books hecould get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabledhim to converse intelligently. Then his modest self-possession was ofvalue to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
Julia Godfrey, the merchant's only daughter, was a lively and animatedgirl, a year or two younger than Herbert. She had been the belle of thedancing school, and Tom Stanton, among other boys, had always been proudto have her for a partner. She, however, had taken no particular fancyto Tom, whose evident satisfaction with himself naturally provokedcriticisms on the part of others. Of this, however, Tom was unconscious,and flattered himself that his personal appearance was strikinglyattractive, and was quite convinced that his elaborate and gorgeousneckties must attract admiration.
Julia awaited the advent of her father's young guest with interest, andher verdict was favorable. He was, to be sure, very plainly dressed,but his frank and open face and pleasant expression did not needfine clothes to set them off. Julia at once commenced an animatedconversation with our hero.
"Weren't you frightened when you saw the robber?" she asked, for herfather had told her of Herbert's adventure with the burglar.
"No," said Herbert, "I did not feel afraid."
"How brave you must be?" said Julia, with evident admiration.
"There was no need of my being frightened," said Herbert, modestly. "Iwas expecting him."
"I know I should have been frightened to death," said Julia, decidedly.
"You are a girl, you know," said Herbert. "I suppose it is natural forgirls to be timid."
"I don't know but it is, but I am sure it is not natural to all boys tobe brave."
Herbert smiled.
"I was out in the country, one day, walking with Frank Percy," proceededJulia, "when a big, ugly-looking dog met us. Frank, instead of standingby, and defending me, ran away as fast as his feet could carry him. Ilaughed at him so much about it that he doesn't like to come near mesince that."
"How did you escape?" asked Herbert, with interest.
"I saw there was no use in running away, so I patted him on the head,and called him 'Poor dog,' though I expected every minute he was goingto bite me. That calmed him down, and he went off without doing anyharm."
Herbert found Mrs. Godfrey to be a pleasant, motherly-looking lady, whoreceived him kindly. He felt that he should like it very much if she washis aunt, instead of Mrs. Stanton, whom he had never seen, and did notthink he should care about meeting.
"What do you think of Tom Stanton?" asked Julia, "Of course, you knowhim--the other boy in pa's counting-room."
"I am not very well acquainted with him yet," said Herbert, evasively,for he did not care to say anything unfavorable of Tom. "Do you knowhim?"
"Yes, he used to go to the same dancing school with me last winter."
"Then you know him better than I do."
"I don't like him much," said Julia. "He's always thinking of himselfand his neckties. He always came to dancing school in a differentnecktie; to let us know how many he had, I suppose. Didn't you noticehis necktie?"
"It was pretty large, I thought," said Herbert, smiling.
"Yes, he's fond of wearing large ones."
"I am afraid you are talking uncharitably, Julia," said her mother,mildly. "Girls, you know, are sometimes fond of dress."
So the conversation drifted on to other topics. Julia, at first,addressed our hero as Mr. Mason, until he requested her to call himHerbert, a request which she readily complied with. They were soon onexcellent terms, and appeared to be mutually pleased.
"Young people," said Mr. Godfrey, after dinner, "there is to be anattractive concert at the Academy of Music this evening. I secured seatsthis morning for four. Suppose we all go?"
"I shall be delighted, for one, papa," said Julia. "You will like to go,Herbert, won't you?"
"Very much," said our hero.
"Then you can escort me, while papa and mamma walk together."
Herbert felt that this arrangement would be very agreeable, so far ashe was concerned. It was, in fact, adopted, and the four paired offtogether, as Julia had suggested, Julia amusing Herbert by her livelyremarks.
Entering the hall, they followed the usher to their seats, which wereeligibly located only a few rows back from the stage.
Just behind them sat a party, among whom the new arrivals produced quitea sensation. Not to keep the reader in suspense, that party consisted ofMr. and Mrs. Stanton, Tom and Maria. There was but slight acquaintancebetween the two families, as Mr. Godfrey's stood higher, socially, thanMr. Stanton's. The gentlemen, however, had a bowing acquaintance, andthe young people had met at dancing school.
"Why, there's Mr. Godfrey and his family, Tom," said Maria, turningtowards her brother. "Who's that boy with them? Julia hasn't got anybrother, has she?"
Tom had watched the entrance of the party with lively dissatisfaction.That his beggarly cousin should appear in public on such intimate termswith Julia Godfrey, to whom he himself had paid attention, but withoutany special encouragement, struck him as particularly mortifying.
"Mr. Godfrey's son!" he said, disdainfully. "That boy is Herbert Mason."
"Our cousin?" asked Maria, with interest. "Ma, did you hear?" shewhispered, eagerly. "That boy in front of us is Cousin Herbert."
"That boy with the Godfreys?" said Mrs. Stanton, in surprise.
"Yes, he's talking with Julia now."
"Are you sure? Who told you?"
"Tom."
"Is it true, Tom?"
"Yes," said Tom, frowning.
"What could have induced the Godfreys to bring him along?" said Mrs.Stanton, who was no better pleased than Tom at the social success of thepoor relation.
"He's quite good-looking," said Maria.
"Nonsense," said her mother, sharply. "He has a very countrified look."
The news was communicated to Mr. Stanton, who looked with interest athis sister's son, whom he had not seen since he was a very young child.He fervently wished him back again in Ohio, where he might convenientlyforget his existence. Here in New York, especially since an unluckychance, as he considered it, had brought him into the same counting-roomas his son, it would be difficult to avoid taking some notice ofhim. But, so far as pecuniary assistance was concerned, Mr. Stantondetermined that he would give none, unless it was forced upon him. Hadhe known our hero better, he would have been less alarmed.
With all his prejudices, Mr. Stanton could not help confessing thatHerbert was a boy of whom any uncle might be proud. Though plainlydressed, he did not seem out of place at a fashionable concert,surrounded by well-dressed people.
It must not be supposed that Herbert was left in ignorance of thevicinity of the only relations he had in the city.
"There's Tom Stanton, just behind you, with his father and mother andsister," whispered Julia.
Herbert turned his head slightly. He was desirous of seeing whathis uncle and aunt were like. His uncle met his gaze, and turneduncomfortably away, appearing not to know him, yet conscious that in hisaffected ignorance he was acting shabbily. Mrs. Stanton did not flinch,but bent a cold gaze of scrutiny upon the unwelcome nephew. Tom lookedsupercilious, and elevated his pug nose a trifle. Maria, only, looked asif she would like to know her cousin.
It was only a hasty glance on Herbert's part, but it brought him to arapid conclusion that he would not claim relationship. If any advanceswere made, they must come from the other side.
Tom fidgeted in his seat, watching with ill-concealed vexation theconfidential conversation which appeared to be going on between Juliaand his cousin.
"What she can see in that boor, I can't imagine," he
said to himself.
Moreover, though Julia had looked around, she had not deigned anyrecognition of himself, and this hurt his pride. He finally determinedto overlook the neglect, and address her, which he could readily do, ashe sat almost directly behind her.
"Good-evening, Miss Julia," he said, familiarly, bending forward.
"Oh, good-evening, Mr. Stanton," said Julia, coldly, just turningslightly. "Herbert, isn't that a beautiful song?"
"She calls him Herbert," said Tom, in scornful disgust. "I wonder if sheknows he is nothing but a beggar?"
"How are you enjoying the concert, Miss Julia?" he continued, resolvednot to take the rebuff.
"Very well," said Julia. "By the way," she continued, with a suddenthought, "I believe you are acquainted with Mr. Mason."
Herbert, upon this, bowed pleasantly, but Tom said, in rather adisagreeable tone, "I know Mr. Mason slightly."
"Oh," said Julia, arching her eyebrows, "I thought you were both inpapa's counting-room."
"We shall know each other better by and by," said Herbert, smiling.
Tom did not appear to hear this, but tried to keep up the conversationwith Julia, desiring to have it appear that they were intimate friends;but the young lady gave brief replies, and finally, turning away,devoted herself once more to Herbert, much to Tom's disgust. In fact,what he saw made Tom pass a very unpleasant evening, and when, on theirreturn home, Maria suggested that Julia had taken a fancy to Herbert, hetold her to mind her own business, which Maria justly considered a pieceof rudeness wholly uncalled for.