CHAPTER XII
MISS MAKE-BELIEVE WAKES UP
IT becomes necessary that we should return to the deck of that yacht_Blue Bird_, there to discover Mr. Daniel Meggison beaming upon GilbertByfield, and inwardly congratulating himself on having once morestepped straight into the heart of a difficult and delicate business.We have to imagine the state of mind of that misguided young manGilbert, in once again finding himself saddled with Mr. Daniel Meggison.
Yet, if the truth be told, there was behind this resentment some faintsneaking feeling of relief. In imagination he had gone over scenes thatmust presently be enacted on that yacht; and always had come against adead wall, beyond which he could not go; and that dead wall had sprungup hard and firm whenever he thought of how he must look into the eyesof Bessie Meggison. He had seen her in many different moods--stillalways in his imagination; but, to do the man credit, he had seen heralways pure. Which is only another way of saying that she had alwaysbeen the girl he had first imagined her to be.
Shorn of all the romantic element in it, the thing had painted itselfin brutal colours; and Byfield had been able to leap the years, asit were, and to see her in the future. He had set out to do thisthing with the finest motives, and it was not his fault entirely thathis hand had been forced, and that he had been compelled to take adifferent course from that he had at first contemplated; neverthelesshe could not blink the fact that what he was to do now was shameful.So that the coming of Daniel Meggison, while it changed every plan hehad, yet relieved the situation of awkwardness; there were to be noneof those scenes between himself and Bessie, when she would demand anexplanation he could not fully give.
Nevertheless (such is the inconsistency of man) he rebelled at thethought that once again this man Meggison was to take matters intohis own hands, and to do as he liked, with the unconscious aid of thegirl. Gilbert was quite prepared to end the matter, and, however,reluctantly, to be done with the whole business for ever; but he wasnot prepared to go on with it under present conditions. The thingresolved itself into the ridiculous; this carrying away into the worldof Mr. Daniel Meggison, in the absurd frock-coat and silk hat of hissupposed respectability.
Dejectedly enough, Gilbert showed the girl over the yacht--DanielMeggison tailing behind, and expressing loud approval of everything.Then, so soon as it could be managed, the young man got rid of Bessie,and approached the father. For he had determined that now he would nolonger mince matters.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand the position, Meggison," saidGilbert, standing leaning over the side while the old man stood besidehim. "What do you imagine I'm going to do; what do you think is goingto happen, now that you have come here with Bessie?"
Mr. Daniel Meggison opened wide eyes of virtuous astonishment. "What amI going to do?" he echoed. "Is it possible that you imagined, sir, thatI was going to allow my daughter to come here alone? Is it possiblethat you thought that her old father would be so neglectful of herinterests as to permit such a thing? What in the name of all that'smoral did you think I should do?"
That was a poser indeed; Gilbert bit his lip and said nothing. Mr.Daniel Meggison pursued his advantage relentlessly.
"My child, sir, has no mother," he went on in a subdued tone. "I havenot been fortunate, Mr. Byfield, so far as the world is concerned,but yet I have held up my head. I have been father and mother too tomy girl; she has never been able to complain that I have not watchedover her. Consequently, when she comes to me, and in the joy of hergirlish heart says to me--'Father--I love this man, and this man lovesme'--I take her to my heart, and I rejoice with her. Nevertheless,sir"--Daniel Meggison wagged his head sternly at the otherman--"nevertheless, knowing the ways of men, I say to myself that Imust be careful, and I must be watchful. My suspicions are aroused whenI learn that there is to be a secret stealing away from the house--withtalk of a yacht--and a voyage--and unknown countries. When my childturns to me, and says naturally and simply--'You will of course comewith me, father'--the tears gather in my eyes, and I know that all iswell. Providence has arranged that I am to shepherd my child, afterall. And here I am."
The difficulty lay, of course, in the fact that the old schemer wasabsolutely right; out of the lips of another man his words would havesounded magnificently indeed. Setting aside the fact that he had beenworking for himself, and had followed the girl simply because she ledthe way to that gold mine Daniel Meggison had discovered in his oldage, the man was absolutely right in what he had done, and Gilbert hadno word in reply. But after a moment or two he turned to Meggison, andsaid bitterly enough the only thing he felt he could say.
"Very well, Meggison--we will grant that you are right," he said. "Butyou must understand that I am not going to carry you about the worldfor your own pleasure; I shouldn't think of such a thing. Since themoment when I did a mad thing for the sake of this girl you have doneyour best to drain me; you have, in fact, announced your intentionof living upon me for the rest of your life. Therefore I'll end thematter; since I cannot help Bessie without being preyed on by you foryour own purposes, I will not help her at all. The game is ended; youcan go back to that miserable, shiftless, shifty life you were livingat the time I first met you. Take Bessie away, and let's put an end tothe matter. I've done with it."
Daniel Meggison walked after him, and laid a detaining hand on his arm."Not so fast, my young friend--not so fast," he urged. "For the sakeof my child, and for the sake of the past, I will overlook certainreferences to what you term my miserable, shiftless, shifty existence;I will swallow that particular insult, as I have swallowed others. Butthis matter cannot be ended in the fashion you suggest. Nay more--itshall not be ended."
"We'll see about that," said Gilbert. "I give you fair warning that youare to get off this boat as soon as you can possibly manage it; you areto make what excuses you like to Bessie; and you are not to come backhere, nor to go again to Fiddler's Green. In fact, so far as Fiddler'sGreen is concerned, I may tell you that I have given instructions tothe servants there that your credit is stopped, and that you are not tobe admitted if you go to the place again."
"I guessed as much," said Daniel, with a grin. "That was one reasonwhy I pursued you here--because I really wanted you to understand thatyou can't take people up one minute, and drop them the next, likeso many hot potatoes. I did not seek you, young man; you sought me;consequently you've got to put up with me. I decline to go."
"You'll think better of it presently," said Gilbert, turning awayhelplessly.
"Sir--I defy you!" said Daniel Meggison, in a stage whisper, as he ranafter the other man. "You dare not do anything--because you dare nottell Bessie. If I wasn't a weakling, without a penny to bless myselfwith in the world, I would not shelter myself behind my child. But youcompel me to do so--and I am not ashamed. I defy you. You dare not tellBessie the truth!"
Gilbert knew only too well that that was strictly true; he wentbelow, nursing his wrath, and wondering what had better be done. Mr.Daniel Meggison, mildly jubilant, went down below also, in search ofrefreshment.
Now that astute servant Pringle had had instructions that directlythe guest expected by Gilbert arrived the _Blue Bird_ was to start.Consequently he went below now in search of his master, and findinghim, pointed out that the captain was ready, and only awaited Gilbert'sinstructions. Gilbert Byfield, in a quandary indeed, told the manangrily that he had changed his mind.
"I'm not going to start yet at all, Pringle," he said.
"Very good, sir," said Pringle cheerfully. "Expecting anybody else,sir?"
"The Lord only knows!" exclaimed Gilbert. "I shouldn't be surprised ifeverybody else came--any number of them. We must wait, at any rate; Iwon't start yet."
"Very good, sir," said Pringle; and retired wondering. "'Shouldn't besurprised if everybody came.' Wonder what he means?" muttered the manto himself. "However, it doesn't matter; only it doesn't look as if weshould have a very cheery or chatty party."
Meanwhile those who were on their way to the yacht were proceeding asfas
t as various trains would carry them. Mrs. Julia Stocker and herhusband had discovered that by taking a route across country they wouldavoid the necessity of going to London, and would arrive at Newhavenvery late that night; they chose that route accordingly. Mr. AubreyMeggison made a dash for London, and caught the mail train down--asdid also Mrs. Ewart-Crane and her daughter, piloted by Jordan Tant.As, however, they had never seen Aubrey (so far, at least, as theladies were concerned), and as Mr. Jordan Tant was too busy even tonotice him, it happened that they all travelled down by the same traintogether, without mutual discovery.
Simon Quarle, for his part, was unlucky enough to miss the mail train,but found on that particular day that there was another and a slowertrain, half an hour later; by that he travelled, on his way to findthat yacht on which all his thoughts were centred.
Now it happened that on that particular night a dense and heavy whitefog, with indeed almost a suggestion of the "London particular" to addto its density, settled down upon Newhaven, and upon the coast for somemiles inland, and upon the sea that washed that coast. A perplexing fogfor the summer, and one not to be accounted for; and it only concernsus in so far that many strange things were to happen under the mantleof it. Pringle eyed it with concern, for it meant that there was nopossibility of a start being made; and Pringle was of a restlessdisposition, with a love of the sea that was as incongruous as thatsuggestion of humour in his eyes. However, there was the fog, and theyhad to make the best of it.
But Pringle was troubled, because he could not quite understand whatwas happening, or what was going to happen. He knew enough of hismaster and of that master's moods to know that he must not question himfurther; and he had a vague notion that there might be other peoplecoming to the yacht, or there might not. Being of a philosophical turnof mind, he decided to be prepared for anything that might happen.
Then, in the most surprising fashion, various people drifted in,sulkily or suspiciously, out of the fog, and confronted Pringle. In thefirst place a lanky youth, with his hat on the back of his head, andwith a cigarette drooping from the corner of his mouth; a youth who wasanxious to know whether this really was the yacht _Blue Bird_, ownedby Mr. Gilbert Byfield; and whether, further, a young lady and an oldgentleman had come on board already. Being assured as to these points,Mr. Aubrey Meggison instructed Pringle in a lordly fashion to show himto a cabin.
"And there's no call for you to mention that I've arrived; I'll breakit to 'em later," said Aubrey.
Next there drifted in out of the night Mrs. Ewart-Crane and Enid,piloted by the anxious Jordan Tant; and in this case there was a longconsultation on the quay, while Pringle stood waiting, before theyconsented to go on board. And there Mr. Jordan Tant button-holedPringle at once, and explained the situation.
"No one is to be disturbed so late as this; Mrs. Ewart-Crane willchoose her own time for an interview with Mr. Byfield. Let them retiresomewhere--the ladies, I mean--and show me some place where I can beout of the way also. With daylight the atmosphere will be likely toclear, in more ways than one."
"Very good, sir," said the obliging Pringle; and proceeded toaccommodate the party without further delay.
The coming of Mr. and Mrs. Stocker would have surprised any other man;but Pringle was equal even to them. He scratched his head a littleas he thought of what the accommodation was; but cheerfully solved adifficulty that was growing in his mind by whispering to Mr. EdwardStocker--"Man and wife, sir, I presume?"--and on being assured thatthat was the fact, conducting them with some ceremony and much delicacyto one cabin.
Pringle had finally decided that the vessel was fairly well stocked,and was discussing the situation with the captain, when he was hailedfor the last time from the quay; and after preliminaries theredescended to him the square-shouldered figure of Simon Quarle. Onceagain Pringle was button-holed, and once again he proved equal to theemergency.
"Yes, sir--quite right, sir; young lady and elderly gentleman. Best notdisturb them till the morning, sir; sunshine an' daylight makes a worldof difference, if the temper is at all 'eated, sir. Mr. Byfield, sir,wouldn't care to be disturbed, I know. Cold night, sir, with the fog;could I get you anything, sir?"
"What you can get me is a bunk of some sort--some place I can sleepin," said Simon Quarle, in a determined voice. "And you need not letanyone know that I'm here; I'll explain to Mr. Byfield myself in themorning."
"Very good, sir," replied the smiling but bewildered Pringle. "Thisway, sir."
Pringle counted them on his fingers, and shook his head over them, anddecided that they were a little mixed. Proud of the way in which he hadaccommodated the party, he went on deck, and assured the captain thatit was all right, but that they were "a rummy lot." Being summoned in agreat hurry by Gilbert Byfield, he discovered that gentleman evidentlyin a very fierce and bitter humour, striding up and down his cabin.Pringle discreetly remained at the door.
"Oh, Pringle"--Gilbert turned quickly as the man appeared--"let it beunderstood that we start as early as possible in the morning--directlyit clears. Let there be no delay. Do you understand?"
"Certainly, sir--perfectly, sir," said Pringle. He hesitated at thedoor, and came a step or two into the cabin. "And--and the passengers,sir?"
Gilbert of course understood him to refer to Mr. Daniel Meggison andBessie; he answered curtly enough. "They are not to be disturbed; theygo with me," he said.
"Very good, sir," said Pringle, in the hushed tones of one labouringunder deep amazement. "Very good indeed, sir." Then he vanished.
There were, of course, excellent reasons why the various members ofthat extraordinary company should keep out of each other's way. Mr.Jordan Tant, in particular, conjured up in a vivid imagination thewrath of Gilbert Byfield at discovering that Mrs. Ewart-Crane and herdaughter were on board. The Stockers were too much overawed by theirsurroundings, and too much afraid of the result of that impulsiveaction taken by Mrs. Julia Stocker, to do anything but remain in thecabin that had been allotted to them, a little frightened at what theyhad done. Aubrey intended to wait for that moment when he could throwhimself, as he had done so often, on the protection of his sister; andSimon Quarle was fiercely determined to wait until daylight, and thenconfront Byfield on his own deck, and have the matter out with him.
So far as Pringle was concerned, he dared not, of course, againapproach his master; and gradually, as sleep settled down comfortablyon the various passengers, the fog lifted, and the fair moon shoneforth, and the crew set about preparations for departure. Presently theengines started, and the _Blue Bird_ glided out of Newhaven Harbourinto the English Channel, and turned westward. Unexpected journeysare always tiring; and all those with whom we are concerned had madeunexpected journeys that day. They slept soundly, lulled to slumber bythe throbbing of the engines, and the sound of the waves through whichthey churned their way.
Almost the first of the company to wake in the morning and to comeon deck was Bessie. The _Blue Bird_ was plunging and tearing througha choppy sea, but the new sensation was delightful; she had neverexperienced anything like it before. New ideas, and new hopes anddesires, seemed to be buffeted into her by the boisterous wind; aboveall, it was good to feel that she was really afloat with Gilbert onthis great sea, and to know also that her father was safely on boardwith her. She encountered Gilbert; and for a moment or two they heldhands shyly, the man forgetting readily enough all that had happened.
"Good morning," she said, ducking her head to avoid the wind, andlaughing.
"Good morning, Bessie mine," he responded. "You look as fresh as arose."
"You were not hurt with me for bringing poor father with meyesterday--were you?" she asked. "You see, I couldn't very well comealone--and poor father loves the sea; in fact he says that he has anadventurous spirit that has been kept severely in check. You didn'tmind, did you?"
"I don't mind anything this morning," he assured her. "All the littlecares and troubles and worries seem to have been left behind in thenarrow life that I have lived; this morning I
breathe a freer, betterair, and you are with me; what more could any man desire? Come tobreakfast, my dear; I'm hungry, if you're not."
In the midst of breakfast Mr. Daniel Meggison appeared, very muchdishevelled, and with a wild and curious stare in his eyes not to beaccounted for by the mere strangeness of his surroundings. Duringthe progress of the meal he more than once broke out into a chuckleof laughter; and then checked himself, and became amazingly solemn.In the very act of cracking an egg he stopped, like one haunted,listening; chuckled again, and then became solemn again; and made amost surprising remark to Gilbert.
"Byfield--do you know what I did? It wasn't drink, because your manonly brought me one in the course of a long and thirsty evening--andit wasn't dreams, because I slept soundly. But I"--he glanced over hisshoulder, and his face became strangely convulsed again--"I opened thewrong cabin door!"
"Well--what of that?" asked Gilbert.
"Nothing. Nothing at all," said Daniel; and again became remarkablysolemn.
As a matter of fact Daniel Meggison, staggering along a corridor in theship that morning, had opened a cabin door, and had seen that whichcaused his hair to rise and his flesh to creep. The vision beforehim, in the mere fragment of time before he closed the door again,was that of Mrs. Julia Stocker, leaning half-way out of a bunk andgroaning; while Mr. Stocker held on to another bunk with one hand, andendeavoured to dress himself with the aid of the other, the while hegroaned in concert. Daniel Meggison had been so alarmed that he hadclosed the door hurriedly, and had come away, certain in his own mindthat he had been deceived, and that this was but a mere uneasy vision.
After breakfast, however, he went down again and proceeded to explore.Discovering again that cabin, the door of which he had opened, heonce more peered in, and once more saw the figures of the Stockers;retreated hurriedly, and began to have a dim idea of what had happened.He opened another door, and came upon Simon Quarle, also desperatelyill, and too far gone to take any notice of him; slammed that door, andstood in the rocking, heaving vessel, striving to understand what hadhappened. He was on the point of further investigation, when Pringlecame delicately and skilfully towards him, balancing a small tray onwhich was a glass.
"Morning, sir," said Pringle cheerfully. "A bit fresh--isn't it, sir?"
"Too fresh for me," said Daniel Meggison, clutching at the man. "Here,I say, my fine fellow--a word with you. Who came on board last night?"
Pringle, balancing the tray and watching the glass upon it, answereddeliberately. "Mr. Byfield first, sir--and you and the young lady.That's three. Then a large lady and a small gent--married--namesunknown----"
"Stocker. I've seen them," said Daniel. "Was that all?"
"Oh, by no means, sir," said Pringle cheerfully. "Two other ladies, anda small gentleman very much out of breath; another gentleman, tall andthin, that asked most particular about you and the lady, and said youwasn't to be disturbed; smoking a cigarette, that gentleman was, sir."
"Aubrey--my disgraceful son--for a thousand pounds!" said Daniel."Clever boy, Aubrey; knows his way about."
"And last, sir, just as I thought we had shipped the lot of 'em, ina manner of speaking, another gentleman, with a very loud voice andwhat I might call a way of snapping at a man. Square shoulders--cleanshaven."
"Simon Quarle!" exclaimed Daniel Meggison. "We've got the wholemenagerie!"
"Exactly, sir. Just what occurred to me, sir. You'll excuse me, sir, Iknow; lady very ill along 'ere--the married one."
Daniel Meggison struggled on deck, and tried to think. By whatextraordinary process of events they had all contrived to follow he didnot know; still less did he understand who the two strange ladies andthe gentleman out of breath might be. He felt, however, that he wouldwait a little before imparting his knowledge to anyone else; some oldspirit of deviltry that had long lain dormant in him whispered to himto be silent, and to await developments.
But for the fact that Pringle was such a very discreet servant thediscovery must have been made long before it actually was. But Pringlewas that admirable type of servant that told himself he had certainduties to perform, and was well paid for performing them, and thatnothing else mattered. Consequently during the next two days he waitedupon these new passengers, prostrate in their cabins, with the mostassiduous care, and said nothing to anyone. Daniel Meggison stumbledabout the ship, hourly expecting the explosion that must follow thediscovery of the full passenger list; Bessie was blissfully unconsciousof everything, except that she was on the wide sea, with the man sheloved for company.
Gradually, however, the weather changed; and gradually one by one thewhite-faced passengers crept out of their cabins. Pringle, feelingquite certain in his own mind that his master would welcome theiradvent in restored health, bustled about to get out deck chairs, andgenerally to make his patients comfortable. It was destined to be amorning of surprises for everyone; but Pringle did not know that, andhe was as cheerful as ever as he gradually persuaded one and another togo up on deck.
It happened that Gilbert was standing alone when he heard a movementbehind him, and turning, saw the first of the invalids being helped upthe companion by Pringle, who made use of little encouraging remarkson the way. The patient was Mrs. Stocker, who clung to Pringle as shemight have clung to her best friend.
"That's it, ma'am--you won't know yourself when you're on deck, andget the breeze. Other foot, ma'am; that's right--now here we are, andhere's Mr. Byfield absolutely waitin' for us. If you would be so kind,sir"--this to the amazed Gilbert--"if you would be so kind, sir, as totake the lady's other arm, I could get her to the chair there in a merematter of winking. That's it, ma'am; take your time from us--asking themaster's pardon."
"What--in the name of all that's marvellous----" Gilbert was staring atthe woman who clutched him, and was quite mechanically stepping alongthe deck in the direction indicated.
"I can explain everything," said Mrs. Stocker. "I came on account of myniece; I have suffered severely for my devotion. I am suffering now."
"The gentleman, sir, said he'd find his way up alone," said Pringle."It's taken it out of the gentleman a lot, sir; much more frail thanthe lady, sir. Talkin' of angels!--here he is, sir."
"Beautiful vessel, sir," murmured poor Edward Stocker, gettingdiscreetly a little behind Pringle. "Most sorry to have been ill on thepremises, as I might say, sir; it doesn't seem exactly grateful forprivileges--does it, sir?"
Gilbert walked past him, and accosted Pringle, who now for the firsttime began to look doubtful. "How did these people come on board,Pringle?" he asked.
"Well, sir," said the man--"they--they just came. Asked for you, sir,and seemed as if they knew they were expected, and--and here they are,sir. Every one who came on board seemed to know you, and seemed tothink they'd be expected, sir."
"Every one? How many more?"
"Five more, sir--only five. Two ladies, and a gentleman with them--andtwo separate gents that tumbled in without appearing to know eachother, sir."
"But why did you let them stop--and who the deuce are they?" demandedGilbert angrily.
"If you please, sir, you'll remember I asked you if any more wasexpected, and the remark you made, sir, was (askin' your pardon, ofcourse, sir)--'The Lord only knows!' In fact, you seemed to think, sir,that all sorts of people might be droppin' in. Consequently, sir, whenthey did arrive I made 'em as comfortable as I could, and I've waitedon 'em simply 'and and foot ever since. Very ill they've been indeed,sir."
From that moment the passengers may be said to have emerged graduallyand with caution. Mr. Tant came on deck with something of a scaredlook, and seemed appalled to find himself on the open sea; seized byGilbert, he blurted out something of what had happened.
"It's no use bullying me," he said, in an aggrieved fashion. "I didn'tbring them; they brought me. Thank your stars that you've got a man onboard in case of emergencies. Enid and her mother were both franticallyanxious about you, and simply insisted on coming straight away to theyacht; though why on earth you wa
nted to bring 'em away to sea beatsme."
"I didn't even know they were on board," exclaimed Gilbert furiously."It's simply monstrous that I should be followed about in this fashion.I understand there are five of you, besides those I've alreadydiscovered; who are the other two?"
"How should I know?" retorted Tant crossly. "You've taken an interestin so many people, and have adopted families wholesale, that you oughtto know better than I do. Where's that man of yours? I'm ravenouslyhungry for the first time in three days. This is a beastly vessel forpitching."
As he went away sounds of a struggle and of heated voices floated toGilbert from below; and a moment or two later Simon Quarle struggled ondeck, grasping by the collar Aubrey Meggison, whom he was dragging intriumph with him. Aubrey was protesting feebly, and endeavouring undertrying circumstances to sustain his dignity.
"Come out--stowaway!" exclaimed Simon excitedly. "Anotherhanger-on--another creature sneaking behind a woman's skirts, andshirking the honest work he ought to do. Come on deck and showyourself!"
"So you are the other two--are you?" asked Gilbert. "May I ask whatbrings you here, Mr. Quarle?"
"You may--and you shall be answered," said Simon Quarle sturdily."I come to have an explanation with you--and I come also to set afew matters straight. I didn't expect to be carried away to sea likethis----"
"You're not the only one," said Gilbert, with a smile. "All yourfollowers are here--all the people with whom you have associatedyourself. There's quite a ship's load of them--of all sorts and sizesand qualities!"
Even in such an amazing business as this a crisis had to be reached;all the many threads had to be gathered together. That crisis wasreached when Bessie presently came along the deck, accompanied by herfather; when she stared with amazement at Mrs. Julia Stocker and Mr.Stocker, reposing in deck chairs; when she encountered her brother,disposed to be affectionate from sheer terror of what might happen tohim; and when she was finally received into the arms of Simon Quarlewith a friendly hug.
"Don't you be afraid, Bessie," said Quarle. "I came on board on purposeto look after you; no one shall do you any harm. You've got one friendin the world, at least."
"I seem to have a great many friends," said Bessie, looking round atthem. "Father, dear--you and Mr. Byfield have been arranging a surprisefor me; you've brought all our friends together, even here. Here's dearAubrey--and Aunt Julia and Uncle Ted, and----"
"So this is the girl--is it?" It was an unfriendly voice, and itproceeded from Mrs. Ewart-Crane, who had that moment climbed to thedeck accompanied by her daughter. From an unfinished breakfast JordanTant had also appeared; so that they were all gathered about her onthat deck, with the friendly arms of Simon Quarle round her; hertroubled eyes were turned upon Gilbert.
"I did not expect to see you here," said Gilbert slowly to Mrs.Ewart-Crane. "Perhaps now you'll explain what it is you want?"
"We've been carried to sea quite against our will, and in deplorableweather," said Enid. "May I ask if this is the young lady who is thecause of all this trouble and disturbance?" she asked, looking atBessie.
"Don't you mind, my dear; I'm close to you," growled Simon Quarle.
"This is Miss Bessie Meggison," said Gilbert.
"Gilbert and I are very glad to see you," said Bessie, still watchingByfield, but speaking bravely. "Gilbert has been good enough to take usall away on his beautiful yacht; I didn't know there was going to besuch a large party. Why do you all look at me so strangely--why won'tsomeone speak to me?"
"Don't take any notice of 'em; keep a brave heart, child," growledSimon Quarle in the same fashion as before.
"I certainly think it's time, Byfield, that some proper explanation wasmade," said Tant, adjusting himself with difficulty to the rolling ofthe vessel. "It's a mad business from beginning to end; but it seems tome Miss Meggison is the only one that doesn't understand it."
"She understands all that is necessary," broke in Daniel Meggisonfiercely. "She trusts her poor old father, and she knows where herbest friends are. Come, now--what if we all go to breakfast? or at allevents get some refreshment of some sort? Splendid notion!"
"Mr. Byfield has asked us to sail with him on his yacht," said Bessiesteadily. "What explanation is needed? My father and I would never havecome away from England like this, but that my father had a fortune,and was able suddenly to make up for many years of hardship and misery.I would have liked to stay at Fiddler's Green for ever."
"You don't seem to understand that the house at Fiddler's Greenbelonged to Mr. Byfield," broke in the cold voice of Mrs. Ewart-Crane.
"Borrowed by me under a special arrangement," persisted DanielMeggison. "Why don't we all go to breakfast?"
"Lent to your father by Mr. Byfield, because for some absurd reasonhe thought it might be well for you, who had lived all your life in apoverty-stricken district of London, to have a taste of the country,"said Enid. "Will the girl never understand?"
"Bear it bravely; keep a stiff upper lip before 'em all!" urged SimonQuarle, in a growling undertone. "We'll get you out of this muddle withclean hands yet."
"Mr. Byfield--won't you tell me what it all means?" asked Bessie.
"I never meant that you should know the truth," said Gilbert. "I playeda game of make-believe, just as you had done; your father's fortunewas make-believe too. God knows you've been welcome to anything I'vebeen able to do for you; we'd have been happy enough but for all themeddlers and muddiers who have been about us. Now you know the truth."
"There was never any fortune--never any money, except what you gaveus?" she said slowly, looking at Byfield. "All the rest is lies--andpretence----"
"Only make-believe, Bessie," said Gilbert gently.
"There's no more make-believe for me!" she exclaimed, with a sudden newfierceness. "I'm not a child any more." Then suddenly breaking down,she looked at them appealingly, with eyes swimming with tears. "Won'tyou turn your faces from me?" she pleaded. "Don't you see that I amshamed and mean and horrible? For pity's sake turn your faces away fromme!"
She turned her own then, and hid it on the friendly breast of SimonQuarle.
"SHE TURNED HER OWN FACE THEN, AND HID IT ON THEFRIENDLY BREAST OF SIMON QUARLE." _Page 212_]