*CHAPTER XXV.*
*SHORT NOTICE.*
When Toney woke the next morning she remembered first, that she was veryhappy about Jeanie and the genius; secondly, that she was very unhappyabout--oh, it was that Lewis Waycott was going away and she should loseall his help and---- Then she called herself horridly selfish, andlastly she felt very sorry for poor Maud, who would lose both her sisterand her lover. Toney hugged Trick and told him she couldn't understandsome things, and that sometimes life was all askew! Trick licked herhands vigorously as if to agree with her. But Toney had to speed theparting guests, and had little time to think of herself.
Jeanie came down to breakfast with a changed expression on her face.Frank Weston had no eyes but for her, with now and then a side glance atToney. Happily, Lady Dove was tired, so did not appear. Sheparticularly disliked lovers.
"We want to be married as soon as possible," said the genius afterbreakfast to Toney, "will you help us? Jeanie says you can workmiracles, and then I will take her to Germany."
"That's just what I should like; I hate grand weddings. I'll tell youwhat, Maud, if you will give me leave I'll manage it all: will a week beshort enough?"
They looked at each other and laughed,
"Would it be possible? Mother----"
"Oh, I know she'll say she can't afford it! Aunt Dove always does whenshe doesn't want anything. I'll order your trousseau from the manwho--from a very quick and ready firm, and then Mr. Hales will marry youin the early morning. We'll have a record wedding, but I must have mypoor friends there."
Maud laughed, and the lovers smiled as Mr. Weston answered,
"It sounds delightfully original, but indeed we could not give you allthis trouble. Jeanie has some money from her cousin abroad and----"
"The money was given for music. It isn't fair, is it, to use it foranything else? Do let me do as I like, Mr. Weston, to show you forgiveme! Maud will help me."
"Frank has engagements this week he cannot put off now. It isimpossible," said Jeanie, looking at her lover.
"Of course, that's why you'll let me do everything. Come back to-dayweek, Mr. Weston, and then you'll find everything ready. It's just whatPups would have done. Once he got a couple married straight off,because he was afraid the man would change his mind--I don't mean it asan example."
Everyone laughed, and the farewell seemed quite cheerful, especially asToney sent the pair in her motor to the station, and then she and Maudwent off to the Haven. Toney was so happy in planning everything andgetting Maud's advice on the subject of clothes, that for the moment sheforgot her own little load of sorrow.
"That nice man must come down and take orders! I'll give him _carteblanche_, Maud, but I must choose colours and style. I'll telegraphto-day. It's wonderful what money can do in hurrying people up. Howshall we break it to Mrs. Hamilton?"
"I don't know--but oh, Toney, I don't think we ought to accept all thisfrom you. I--don't believe now that Cousin George was in the businessat all and--mother ought not to accept. However, she really has noready money so she would like to linger a long time overthis--engagement, and Jeanie might----"
"Fall ill or something might happen, and she would never forgive us,would she? But I do want to say one thing, Maud--I'm so sorry that--Mr.Waycott's----"
"About Lewis, what about him?" asked Maud, leaning on the gate of theHaven.
"About his going away! I know it will be hard for you, but he _must_stay for Jeanie's wedding if it's so soon."
"Lewis going away! How odd, he has said nothing about it."
"Gracious stars! I ought not to have told you!" Poor Toney blushed."But of course I thought you would know."
"It's quite right he should," added Maud quickly. "he has worked so hardover the estate lately, and he really wants a change, he is ratherdown."
"You are jolly over it. Forgive me for letting it out. When you aremarried I'll do the same for you, Maud, as for Jeanie, if you'll letme."
Then the two girls went in, and Toney had to interview the Harrises andCaptain Grant till it was time to go home. No Lewis met them to-day.Toney felt still more uncomfortable at having let the cat out of thebag, but admired the way Maud took it. So noble not to be the leastjealous that Lewis had told her first, she thought, but veryheavy-hearted herself she went to her study to work with Mr. Russell.
However, even business was exciting to-day, the plans for the new Homehaving come, and everything had to be looked into. Each inmate orcouple were to have a bedroom and sitting-room, besides the jointdining-room and drawing-room, and though everything was to be simple,nothing was to be mean. Even Plantagenet Russell warmed up, but toherself she said, "I want Mr. Waycott's opinion, he always has goodideas, I must go and ask him--perhaps he wants to give all his time toMaud. Why is he going? I expect I've taken too much of his time." Mr.Russell interrupted her thoughts.
"Here is a letter from Mr. Staines, Miss Whitburn. He says you have beenspending too much lately. Your parties and the Haven, and----"
Toney laughed.
"Isn't that like a lawyer, they never can bear your spending all yourincome; but it's better he should ruffle up a bit now, he'll have moreprovocation soon when the house begins. Now, Mr. Russell, telephone tothe firm of Woods. Can they make a trousseau in four days?"
Mr. Russell gasped.
"A trousseau in four days?"
"Yes, perhaps I'd better hitch on myself. Hulloa, hulloa, hitch on to4004. Miss Whitburn is on and is in a hurry."
When communication was established, Toney began,
"Send off same gentleman as before at once. Want first-class trousseauin four days."
"Quite impossible, madam. Very busy."
"Oh, then hitch me on to someone who can. Why not multiply workers?" Apause and then the firm gave in.
"Very well, madam. Have things in stock which will help. Mr. Woodswill be with you this evening."
"Thank you, very much. Must hurry up at times; couple can't wait."
Then Toney decided she must go to Waycott Hall to prepare Jeanie andMrs. Hamilton, and the plans must be seen by Mr. Waycott. She calledTrick, and not waiting for motor or horse dashed off across the park.
"One must stretch oneself when there is a sort of lump on one's chest,"she said to herself. Even the plans seemed to have lost some of theirdelight--Toney did love to feel happy. She gave a run when she came tothe gap, and she and Trick bounded over together, and to her dismay shenearly fell upon Lewis Waycott, who had just turned a corner. Both ofthem laughed and Trick danced round his heels but only looked at them.
"I'm awfully sorry! I was coming to see Jeanie, and--to see if you andMaud would look at the last plans? How strange you should be here.It's all right, to-day week: you _must_ stay for it, won't you?"
"Stay for what?" asked Lewis.
"Didn't Maud tell you? Haven't you seen her?"
"No, I've been out all the morning miles away. The cottages in theStanmore Lane must be rebuilt."
"Oh--I want to make an awful confession."
"You, Toney!---- Are you--no--what is it?" He looked so grave thatToney laughed.
"Don't be frightened! it's bad, but might be worse! I let the cat outof the bag and told Maud you were going away! Of course you ought totell her first."
"She'll know soon enough----"
"Oh--but wouldn't it be nicer if you told her?"
"Told Maud? I suppose I ought to tell Aunt Honoria first. She'll berather cut up, and--Toney, is it true that Jeanie is really going tomarry Frank Weston at once?"
"Yes, that's the other thing. I've undertaken it--in a week!"
"You are not an undertaker, Toney."
They both laughed like old times.
"You see Mrs. Hamilton will say this and that and the other. I expectshe isn't overpleased. Aunt Dove would be the same, so I've promised tosee it through--in a week, clo' and all! I'm just delighted--you see itwould
never do to fail after one's hard work."
"Will they be happy?"
"Happy! you should have seen Jeanie's face, it was like---- Oh, I don'tknow what it was like! All the troubles fled away and just nothing butlove in her eyes."
The path was narrow and Lewis fell back. He clenched his right hand.Why couldn't he just say, "Toney, let me see love in your eyes," but allthe county would declare----
"You've done it all," was all he said.
"It's a great privilege--isn't it? but I was thinking of Maud and youtoo. The clo' is ordered. It was fun! But you will stay for it, won'tyou?"
"I don't know--I think I've taken my passage."
"Passage! where to?"
"To Somaliland."
"Maud said you wanted change."
"Did she? She is so taken up with her sister, she sees nothing else."
"I'm sure she does, but she is very noble-minded. But why not wait for aweek--and here are my plans finished and you must look them over."
"Oh, I can do that, Toney, before I go."
"You are always good and kind. When will you come back?"
"I've no plans, it depends."
"On what?--on Maud, of course."
"Of course, if Aunt Delia and Maud go away I can't stay away too long."
"Why should they go?"
"No reason, so I expect they'll stay."
"Maud is very unselfish."
"Yes--but unselfish women are not always easy to deal with."
They turned into a path leading to the front of Waycott Hall, and Toneyremarked,
"I think this is the most beautiful house I have ever seen. How can youleave it! Your people will miss you--and--" she wanted to say, "andMaud will be lonely," but he evidently would not discuss Maud with her,so she stopped.
"Oh, it will be all right---- There are some things one can't stand toolong."
"Of course, repairs of gates and tenants' grumbles and--I know I alwayswonder at Uncle Evas' patience over it all. Now I will go and find Mrs.Hamilton. Will she churn a bit?" Lewis smiled.
"I expect she'll be not too pleased because she--was looking out for agood match."
Toney flew into the drawing-room, where in the pleasant room full of oldtreasures, the two ladies sat working. Maud and Jeanie were not there.
"How do you do, Mrs. Hamilton, it's all beautiful and I want to tell youthat----"
"That you are a deep conspirator," said Miss Honoria.
"It was so beautiful, wasn't it, all music---- I couldn't hear it, butpeople said he played out of his heart, anyhow, it's fixed up and I'mgoing to help them with the trousseau. You don't mind, do you? It'ssuch a pleasure for me to manage. I think some ancestor of mine musthave been a store manager."
"But really, Antonia, I can't allow it, I can't accept--they must waittill----"
"Till they lose sight of each other again! Oh, it's not possible. Hejust worships her."
"Jeanie was very much admired last night," sighed Mrs. Hamilton.
"If you give leave you needn't trouble one bit. It's to be quite quietand simple, and you'll just drive to church and half an hour will doit."
Mrs. Hamilton was torn by conflicting thoughts. Toney's generosity wassplendid, but Jeanie might do better by waiting.
"Please say 'yes,' or I must telegraph to stop Wood."
"You must have your way, silly child. You always do! Oh, here's Lewis.Have you heard of Antonia's generous offer? I really doubt but----"
"Toney's quite right. They've waited long enough. By the way, I'msorry, Aunt Delia, but I have settled to travel a little and I shan't behere. I'll give the wedding breakfast anyhow, and my blessing."
"Lewis, what do you mean?" exclaimed Miss Honoria. "Impossible!"
"You must stay," said Aunt Delia.
"Impossible!" echoed Lewis and turned away but added, "I'll look overthese plans, Toney, and let you have them back."