XXXIX. BOB LOVEDAY STRUTS UP AND DOWN
One night, about a week later, two men were walking in the dark along theturnpike road towards Overcombe, one of them with a bag in his hand.
'Now,' said the taller of the two, the squareness of whose shoulderssignified that he wore epaulettes, 'now you must do the best you can foryourself, Bob. I have done all I can; but th'hast thy work cut out, Ican tell thee.'
'I wouldn't have run such a risk for the world,' said the other, in atone of ingenuous contrition. 'But thou'st see, Jack, I didn't thinkthere was any danger, knowing you was taking care of her, and keeping myplace warm for me. I didn't hurry myself, that's true; but, thinks I, ifI get this promotion I am promised I shall naturally have leave, and thenI'll go and see 'em all. Gad, I shouldn't have been here now but foryour letter!'
'You little think what risks you've run,' said his brother. 'However,try to make up for lost time.'
'All right. And whatever you do, Jack, don't say a word about this othergirl. Hang the girl!--I was a great fool, I know; still, it is over now,and I am come to my senses. I suppose Anne never caught a capful of windfrom that quarter?'
'She knows all about it,' said John seriously.
'Knows? By George, then, I'm ruined!' said Bob, standing stock-still inthe road as if he meant to remain there all night.
'That's what I meant by saying it would be a hard battle for 'ee,'returned John, with the same quietness as before.
Bob sighed and moved on. 'I don't deserve that woman!' he criedpassionately, thumping his three upper ribs with his fist.
'I've thought as much myself,' observed John, with a dryness which wasalmost bitter. 'But it depends on how thou'st behave in future.'
'John,' said Bob, taking his brother's hand, 'I'll be a new man. Isolemnly swear by that eternal milestone staring at me there that I'llnever look at another woman with the thought of marrying her whilst thatdarling is free--no, not if she be a mermaiden of light! It's a luckything that I'm slipped in on the quarterdeck! it may help me withher--hey?'
'It may with her mother; I don't think it will make much difference withAnne. Still, it is a good thing; and I hope that some day you'll commanda big ship.'
Bob shook his head. 'Officers are scarce; but I'm afraid my luck won'tcarry me so far as that.'
'Did she ever tell you that she mentioned your name to the King?'
The seaman stood still again. 'Never!' he said. 'How did such a thingas that happen, in Heaven's name?'
John described in detail, and they walked on, lost in conjecture.
As soon as they entered the house the returned officer of the navy waswelcomed with acclamation by his father and David, with mild approval byMrs. Loveday, and by Anne not at all--that discreet maiden havingcarefully retired to her own room some time earlier in the evening. Bobdid not dare to ask for her in any positive manner; he just inquiredabout her health, and that was all.
'Why, what's the matter with thy face, my son?' said the miller, staring.'David, show a light here.' And a candle was thrust against Bob's cheek,where there appeared a jagged streak like the geological remains of alobster.
'O--that's where that rascally Frenchman's grenade busted and hit me fromthe Redoubtable, you know, as I told 'ee in my letter.'
'Not a word!'
'What, didn't I tell 'ee? Ah, no; I meant to, but I forgot it.'
'And here's a sort of dint in yer forehead too; what do that mean, mydear boy?' said the miller, putting his finger in a chasm in Bob's skull.
'That was done in the Indies. Yes, that was rather a troublesome chop--acutlass did it. I should have told 'ee, but I found 'twould make myletter so long that I put it off, and put it off; and at last thought itwasn't worth while.'
John soon rose to take his departure.
'It's all up with me and her, you see,' said Bob to him outside the door.'She's not even going to see me.'
'Wait a little,' said the trumpet-major. It was easy enough on the nightof the arrival, in the midst of excitement, when blood was warm, for Anneto be resolute in her avoidance of Bob Loveday. But in the morningdetermination is apt to grow invertebrate; rules of pugnacity are lesseasily acted up to, and a feeling of live and let live takes possessionof the gentle soul. Anne had not meant even to sit down to the samebreakfast-table with Bob; but when the rest were assembled, and had gotsome way through the substantial repast which was served at this hour inthe miller's house, Anne entered. She came silently as a phantom, hereyes cast down, her cheeks pale. It was a good long walk from the doorto the table, and Bob made a full inspection of her as she came up to achair at the remotest corner, in the direct rays of the morning light,where she dumbly sat herself down.
It was altogether different from how she had expected. Here was she, whohad done nothing, feeling all the embarrassment; and Bob, who had donethe wrong, feeling apparently quite at ease.
'You'll speak to Bob, won't you, honey?' said the miller after a silence.To meet Bob like this after an absence seemed irregular in his eyes.
'If he wish me to,' she replied, so addressing the miller that no part,scrap, or outlying beam whatever of her glance passed near the subject ofher remark.
'He's a lieutenant, you know, dear,' said her mother on the same side;'and he's been dreadfully wounded.'
'Oh?' said Anne, turning a little towards the false one; at which Bobfelt it to be time for him to put in a spoke for himself.
'I am glad to see you,' he said contritely; 'and how do you do?'
'Very well, thank you.'
He extended his hand. She allowed him to take hers, but only to theextent of a niggardly inch or so. At the same moment she glanced up athim, when their eyes met, and hers were again withdrawn.
The hitch between the two younger members of the household tended to makethe breakfast a dull one. Bob was so depressed by her unforgiving mannerthat he could not throw that sparkle into his stories which theirsubstance naturally required; and when the meal was over, and they wentabout their different businesses, the pair resembled the two Dromios inseldom or never being, thanks to Anne's subtle contrivances, both in thesame room at the same time.
This kind of performance repeated itself during several days. At last,after dogging her hither and thither, leaning with a wrinkled foreheadagainst doorposts, taking an oblique view into the room where shehappened to be, picking up worsted balls and getting no thanks, placing asplinter from the Victory, several bullets from the Redoubtable, a stripof the flag, and other interesting relics, carefully labelled, upon hertable, and hearing no more about them than if they had been pebbles fromthe nearest brook, he hit upon a new plan. To avoid him she frequentlysat upstairs in a window overlooking the garden. Lieutenant Lovedaycarefully dressed himself in a new uniform, which he had caused to besent some days before, to dazzle admiring friends, but which he had neveras yet put on in public or mentioned to a soul. When arrayed he enteredthe sunny garden, and there walked slowly up and down as he had seenNelson and Captain Hardy do on the quarter-deck; but keeping his rightshoulder, on which his one epaulette was fixed, as much towards Anne'swindow as possible.
But she made no sign, though there was not the least question that shesaw him. At the end of half-an-hour he went in, took off his clothes,and gave himself up to doubt and the best tobacco.
He repeated the programme on the next afternoon, and on the next, neversaying a word within doors about his doings or his notice.
Meanwhile the results in Anne's chamber were not uninteresting. She hadbeen looking out on the first day, and was duly amazed to see a navalofficer in full uniform promenading in the path. Finding it to be Bob,she left the window with a sense that the scene was not for her; then,from mere curiosity, peeped out from behind the curtain. Well, he was apretty spectacle, she admitted, relieved as his figure was by a densemass of sunny, close-trimmed hedge, over which nasturtiums climbed inwild luxuriance; and if she could care for him one bit, which shecouldn't, his form would have b
een a delightful study, surpassing ininterest even its splendour on the memorable day of their visit to thetown theatre. She called her mother; Mrs. Loveday came promptly.
'O, it is nothing,' said Anne indifferently; 'only that Bob has got hisuniform.'
Mrs. Loveday peeped out, and raised her hands with delight. 'And he hasnot said a word to us about it! What a lovely epaulette! I must callhis father.'
'No, indeed. As I take no interest in him I shall not let people comeinto my room to admire him.'
'Well, you called me,' said her mother.
'It was because I thought you liked fine clothes. It is what I don'tcare for.'
Notwithstanding this assertion she again looked out at Bob the nextafternoon when his footsteps rustled on the gravel, and studied hisappearance under all the varying angles of the sunlight, as if fineclothes and uniforms were not altogether a matter of indifference. Hecertainly was a splendid, gentlemanly, and gallant sailor from end to endof him; but then, what were a dashing presentment, a naval rank, andtelling scars, if a man was fickle-hearted? However, she peeped on tillthe fourth day, and then she did not peep. The window was open, shelooked right out, and Bob knew that he had got a rise to his bait atlast. He touched his hat to her, keeping his right shoulder forwards,and said, 'Good-day, Miss Garland,' with a smile.
Anne replied, 'Good-day,' with funereal seriousness; and the acquaintancethus revived led to the interchange of a few words at supper-time, atwhich Mrs. Loveday nodded with satisfaction. But Anne took especial carethat he should never meet her alone, and to insure this her ingenuity wasin constant exercise. There were so many nooks and windings on themiller's rambling premises that she could never be sure he would not turnup within a foot of her, particularly as his thin shoes were almostnoiseless.
One fine afternoon she accompanied Molly in search of elderberries formaking the family wine which was drunk by Mrs. Loveday, Anne, and anybodywho could not stand the rougher and stronger liquors provided by themiller. After walking rather a long distance over the down they came toa grassy hollow, where elder-bushes in knots of twos and threes rose froman uneven bank and hung their heads towards the south, black and heavywith bunches of fruit. The charm of fruit-gathering to girls is enhancedin the case of elderberries by the inoffensive softness of the leaves,boughs, and bark, which makes getting into the branches easy and pleasantto the most indifferent climbers. Anne and Molly had soon gathered abasketful, and sending the servant home with it, Anne remained in thebush picking and throwing down bunch by bunch upon the grass. She was soabsorbed in her occupation of pulling the twigs towards her, and therustling of their leaves so filled her ears, that it was a great surprisewhen, on turning her head, she perceived a similar movement to her ownamong the boughs of the adjoining bush.
At first she thought they were disturbed by being partly in contact withthe boughs of her bush; but in a moment Robert Loveday's face peered fromthem, at a distance of about a yard from her own. Anne uttered a littleindignant 'Well!' recovered herself, and went on plucking. Bob thereuponwent on plucking likewise.
'I am picking elderberries for your mother,' said the lieutenant at last,humbly.
'So I see.'
'And I happen to have come to the next bush to yours.'
'So I see; but not the reason why.'
Anne was now in the westernmost branches of the bush, and Bob had leantacross into the eastern branches of his. In gathering he swayed towardsher, back again, forward again.
'I beg pardon,' he said, when a further swing than usual had taken himalmost in contact with her.
'Then why do you do it?'
'The wind rocks the bough, and the bough rocks me.' She expressed by alook her opinion of this statement in the face of the gentlest breeze;and Bob pursued: 'I am afraid the berries will stain your pretty hands.'
'I wear gloves.'
'Ah, that's a plan I should never have thought of. Can I help you?'
'Not at all.'
'You are offended: that's what that means.'
'No,' she said.
'Then will you shake hands?'
Anne hesitated; then slowly stretched out her hand, which he took atonce. 'That will do,' she said, finding that he did not relinquish itimmediately. But as he still held it, she pulled, the effect of whichwas to draw Bob's swaying person, bough and all, towards her, and herselftowards him.
'I am afraid to let go your hand,' said that officer, 'for if I do yourspar will fly back, and you will be thrown upon the deck with greatviolence.'
'I wish you to let me go!'
He accordingly did, and she flew back, but did not by any means fall.
'It reminds me of the times when I used to be aloft clinging to a yardnot much bigger than this tree-stem, in the mid-Atlantic, and thinkingabout you. I could see you in my fancy as plain as I see you now.'
'Me, or some other woman!' retorted Anne haughtily.
'No!' declared Bob, shaking the bush for emphasis, 'I'll protest that Idid not think of anybody but you all the time we were dropping downchannel, all the time we were off Cadiz, all the time through battles andbombardments. I seemed to see you in the smoke, and, thinks I, if I goto Davy's locker, what will she do?'
'You didn't think that when you landed after Trafalgar.'
'Well, now,' said the lieutenant in a reasoning tone; 'that was a curiousthing. You'll hardly believe it, maybe; but when a man is away from thewoman he loves best in the port--world, I mean--he can have a sort oftemporary feeling for another without disturbing the old one, which flowsalong under the same as ever.'
'I can't believe it, and won't,' said Anne firmly.
Molly now appeared with the empty basket, and when it had been filledfrom the heap on the grass, Anne went home with her, bidding Loveday afrigid adieu.
The same evening, when Bob was absent, the miller proposed that theyshould all three go to an upper window of the house, to get a distantview of some rockets and illuminations which were to be exhibited in thetown and harbour in honour of the King, who had returned this year asusual. They accordingly went upstairs to an empty attic, placed chairsagainst the window, and put out the light; Anne sitting in the middle,her mother close by, and the miller behind, smoking. No sign of anypyrotechnic display was visible over the port as yet, and Mrs. Lovedaypassed the time by talking to the miller, who replied in monosyllables.While this was going on Anne fancied that she heard some one approach,and presently felt sure that Bob was drawing near her in the surroundingdarkness; but as the other two had noticed nothing she said not a word.
All at once the swarthy expanse of southward sky was broken by the blazeof several rockets simultaneously ascending from different ships in theroads. At the very same moment a warm mysterious hand slipped round herown, and gave it a gentle squeeze.
'O dear!' said Anne, with a sudden start away.
'How nervous you are, child, to be startled by fireworks so far off,'said Mrs. Loveday.
'I never saw rockets before,' murmured Anne, recovering from hersurprise.
Mrs. Loveday presently spoke again. 'I wonder what has become of Bob?'
Anne did not reply, being much exercised in trying to get her hand awayfrom the one that imprisoned it; and whatever the miller thought he keptto himself, because it disturbed his smoking to speak.
Another batch of rockets went up. 'O I never!' said Anne, in ahalf-suppressed tone, springing in her chair. A second hand had with therise of the rockets leapt round her waist.
'Poor girl, you certainly must have change of scene at this rate,' saidMrs. Loveday.
'I suppose I must,' murmured the dutiful daughter.
For some minutes nothing further occurred to disturb Anne's serenity.Then a slow, quiet 'a-hem' came from the obscurity of the apartment.
'What, Bob? How long have you been there?' inquired Mrs. Loveday.
'Not long,' said the lieutenant coolly. 'I heard you were all here, andcrept up quietly, not to disturb ye.'
'Why don'
t you wear heels to your shoes like Christian people, and notcreep about so like a cat?'
'Well, it keeps your floors clean to go slip-shod.'
'That's true.'
Meanwhile Anne was gently but firmly trying to pull Bob's arm from herwaist, her distressful difficulty being that in freeing her waist sheenslaved her hand, and in getting her hand free she enslaved her waist.Finding the struggle a futile one, owing to the invisibility of herantagonist, and her wish to keep its nature secret from the other two,she arose, and saying that she did not care to see any more, felt her waydownstairs. Bob followed, leaving Loveday and his wife to themselves.
'Dear Anne,' he began, when he had got down, and saw her in the candle-light of the large room. But she adroitly passed out at the other door,at which he took a candle and followed her to the small room. 'DearAnne, do let me speak,' he repeated, as soon as the rays revealed herfigure. But she passed into the bakehouse before he could say more;whereupon he perseveringly did the same. Looking round for her here heperceived her at the end of the room, where there were no means of exitwhatever.
'Dear Anne,' he began again, setting down the candle, 'you must try toforgive me; really you must. I love you the best of anybody in the wide,wide world. Try to forgive me; come!' And he imploringly took her hand.
Anne's bosom began to surge and fall like a small tide, her eyesremaining fixed upon the floor; till, when Loveday ventured to draw herslightly towards him, she burst out crying. 'I don't like you, Bob; Idon't!' she suddenly exclaimed between her sobs. 'I did once, but Idon't now--I can't, I can't; you have been very cruel to me!' Sheviolently turned away, weeping.
'I have, I have been terribly bad, I know,' answered Bob,conscience-stricken by her grief. 'But--if you could only forgive me--Ipromise that I'll never do anything to grieve 'ee again. Do you forgiveme, Anne?'
Anne's only reply was crying and shaking her head.
'Let's make it up. Come, say we have made it up, dear.'
She withdrew her hand, and still keeping her eyes buried in herhandkerchief, said 'No.'
'Very well, then!' exclaimed Bob, with sudden determination. 'Now I knowmy doom! And whatever you hear of as happening to me, mind this, youcruel girl, that it is all your causing!' Saying this he strode with ahasty tread across the room into the passage and out at the door,slamming it loudly behind him.
Anne suddenly looked up from her handkerchief, and stared with round weteyes and parted lips at the door by which he had gone. Having remainedwith suspended breath in this attitude for a few seconds she turnedround, bent her head upon the table, and burst out weeping anew withthrice the violence of the former time. It really seemed now as if hergrief would overwhelm her, all the emotions which had been suppressed,bottled up, and concealed since Bob's return having made themselves asluice at last.
But such things have their end; and left to herself in the large, vacant,old apartment, she grew quieter, and at last calm. At length she tookthe candle and ascended to her bedroom, where she bathed her eyes andlooked in the glass to see if she had made herself a dreadful object. Itwas not so bad as she had expected, and she went downstairs again.
Nobody was there, and, sitting down, she wondered what Bob had reallymeant by his words. It was too dreadful to think that he intended to gostraight away to sea without seeing her again, and frightened at what shehad done she waited anxiously for his return.