*CHAPTER IV.*
*VERY EARLY.*
Toney was alone in the little bare simple room which had been hers onher first arrival at Aldersfield. She sat down on the window-sill withTrick in her arms, and she looked back with wonder across the fiveyears' interval since her arrival. She remembered the terriblehomesickness that had seized her in the stifling atmosphere ofAldersfield, but God had made her paths smooth for her since then, andnow He was going to give her the great responsibility of wealth. Shedid not feel the burden as much as an older woman might have done, forbesides possessing the courage of youth, her mind was not complex. Hergreat ideas were simple enough after all--to give good times to all theneedy people she came in contact with. That had been her father'screed, and that should be hers. She had yet to find out that even thiscreed is not nearly as simple as it appears at first sight. Toney'sprayers were never very lengthy, but they came from her heart, andbefore she got into bed she laughed softly to herself as she examined asheet of paper on which was written,
"Toney's time-table, on her twenty-first birthday," thinking of the oldtime-table that had brought her into so much disgrace with Lady Dove.
This one had to begin early, for it was St. Simon and St. Jude's Day,and before anyone but underlings were about, Toney stepped out of thehouse and began running across the park as if she were running for awager, Trick panting after her. She had to be in time for the eighto'clock early service, which Mr. Hales, despite small encouragement fromhis flock, never omitted on Saints' Days. Lady Dove said it wasridiculous of him to have these early services, as she never went tothem. Mrs. Hales, Silvia, and an old servant, these formed all hiscongregation, till just as he was about to begin, Toney entered, pantingaudibly.
"Where two or three are gathered together there am I in the midst ofthem," thought the Vicar, and was not discouraged. When the othershurried home, Toney still remained on her knees, till suddenly Trickpattered in to remind her that he was waiting for her, and Toney tookthe hint.
The Vicar was also waiting for her outside.
"Oh!" exclaimed Toney with her radiant smile, "that is kind of you, Iwanted to see you so much."
"Many happy returns of the day, Toney," he said, holding her hand, thenvery simply he added, "I have been praying for you." The Vicar was notashamed of mentioning his prayers--had he not been ordained to prayer,and was it not his duty to wear his colours as bravely as did his formerpupil?
"Thank you. I know you _mean_ it! and you're not thinking of the money,are you? Everybody will be to-day, but I want to tell you that I'mgoing to have a fling just this week, so don't scold, and afterthat--I'm going to be as wise as Solomon. Honour bright!"
The Vicar smiled.
"Well, Toney, what's the fling?"
"One thing I'm doing the dinner and the dance as it should be done.Aunt Dove wouldn't hear of--things I wanted, so I begged for a freehand. You are all coming, aren't you? And Dr. Latham will be there, andhe's helped me ever so much, and Mr. Waycott is awfully nice, and I'vegot my Chum. Oh, you don't know how different she is. You'll pay herspecial attention, won't you, Mr. Hales? She is really quite clevernow, it's Mr. Faber's doing, they read together every day a good bookand a literary book. I call that a real union, don't you?"
"Some wives wouldn't thank their husbands for educating them."
"You won't talk five minutes with Mr. Faber before he mentions somethingwonderful about his dearest Anne. It's real sweet!" and Toney laughedfor joy.
"Come in to breakfast, Toney, and see mother and Silvia."
"I can't, thank you. I must get back; Uncle Evas wants a lot ofsupporting to-day, because Aunt Dove is not very--happy in her mind."
"By the way, Toney, has that surprising distribution of letters lastnight anything to do with you? Silvia said she saw two men going round.She thought at first it was the Insurance people who are always wantingto bury babies, but then she recognised your friend Jim, and anAldersfield gardener."
Toney laughed.
"I would have liked to see our friends open their letters! Oh, Trick,be quiet, he thinks you haven't taken any notice of him. Then, ohplease, do tell me if Thomas has been happy with his wife? The childrenlook nicely cared for anyhow."
"Yes, that marriage turned out very well. I only hope you will----"The Vicar paused.
"I know, 'make a good use of your money.' Don't please. Mr. Stainesand Uncle Evas have both tried to preach little sermons on that text."
The Vicar had not thought of the money, but he let it pass with a smileas Toney continued,
"I want to tell you that I put my first cheque in the bag this morning;it's for the sick and needy, and you know them best, and anyone else whowants it. Pups used to say it's much better to reform people withhappiness than with reproaches. You agree, don't you? Now good-bye,and come early. Oh, please make friends with Miss Grossman. It's realdifficult."
Toney was gone like a sudden cyclone, and the Vicar stood and lookedafter her. A little sigh escaped him, and then he walked home to hisbreakfast. Before he could reach it, however, he was waylaid by Thomas'wife.
"Oh, sir, Thomas he sent me to ask you, sir, if it was a mistake. Mrs.Smith, next door to me, she's had the same, and Culver too."
"What is it?" asked the Vicar, taking the envelope presented to him.
"It's in it, sir, if you don't mind, and do you think it's a mistake?"
"What mistake? Oh----" He understood as he read the note in Toney'swriting,
"DEAR MR. AND MRS. THOMAS,
"Please spend this little present just as you like. It's a birthdaytreat to myself, and come in good time to the dinner and dance.
"Your sincere friend, "TONEY WHITBURN.
"P.S.--Tell the children they shall have a separate room and can make asmuch noise as they like."
"The children is so excited, sir, they wouldn't eat their victualsyesterday, but Thomas says he's sure it's a mistake."
"In what way, Mrs. Thomas?"
"Well, sir, the sovereign I mean, a whole sovereign. And it's the sameto the others. We didn't want no money from Miss Toney, but it do seemjust a nice surprise."
The Vicar unfolded the silver paper and saw the golden sovereign withhis own eyes. He had heard Toney was rich, but this beginning appearedlavish and was it wise?
"I don't think it's a mistake, Mrs. Thomas."
"Thank you, sir. Thomas he wouldn't hear of spending it till I'd askedyou, and he do say how he'll keep the coin, but I says Miss Toney tellsus to spend it and it wouldn't be honest not to."
Mrs. Thomas had already mentally spent it, and could not at all agreewith wrapping up the gold as a keepsake.
"Certainly, she means you to spend it. You must all come to do herhonour to-day. If we could all think of other people instead ofourselves as she does, our village would be none the worse!"
"Thomas thinks no end of her after what she did for him, sir, hewouldn't go the public now as he used to do if you was to pay him to go,all along of Miss Toney. Thank you, sir, I'll tell Thomas."
In another moment the Vicar met his own gardener, who lived in a cottageclose by.
"If you please, sir, Miss Toney sent me a sovereign. Is it all right,sir, for me to accept it?"
"She has made no favourite, Turner, every villager on her uncle's estatehas the same, I believe."
Mr. Hales returned home with a smile on his lips.
"Mother! our madcap heiress has sent a sovereign to each of her uncle'scottagers. I don't know what other surprises we shall have thisevening." Mrs. Hales shook her head.
"The old General ought to have secured some controlling power for her."
"She will pauperize the village," said Silvia, who was still pretty, buthad now a little discontented expression on her face, and the reason wasthat Captain Nichols, a young penniless officer who admired her, andwhom she loved, would not come forward, as he could not make up his mindto give up his ow
n extravagances. Without owning it to herself, Silviawas jealous of the once despised Harum Scarum. Silvia's younger sisterhad boldly faced poverty, and gone to be a lady nurse, but was comingfor two days at Toney's special request.
"When you get a present of a sovereign, Silvia, are you pauperized?"said the Vicar smiling.
"It isn't often I do!"
"I think we may safely say Toney will not repeat this surprise."
"Of course it is easy to be generous when you have heaps of money! Iwonder how much Toney has got," and Silvia heaved a little sigh.
"I rather pity her," said Mr. Hales gently. "Lady Dove never says a kindword about her, at least to me."
"I think Toney likes her inferiors best," added Silvia. "I hear Mrs.Faber has come to stay at Aldersfield. She must remember the time whenshe was only the poor companion."
"We none of us received her very kindly," remarked the Vicar, cuttingsome bread, and then Silvia gave a quick glance at her brother's face.Was it possible that he admired Toney? If he married her and herfortune, what great things might he not achieve for himself and hisfamily! Silvia determined to say nothing more against Toney. Vaguepossibilities which she would have been ashamed to own aloud flittedthrough her mind.
"Anyhow, she is very, very generous, and I mean to enjoy the ball," shesaid in quite a cheerful voice.
Mrs. Hales was opening her letters and exclaimed suddenly,
"Really that child! Listen! dear boy."
"MY DEAR MRS. HALES,
"I always remember your kindness to the wild colt you allowed to come toyour house. It was awfully nice of you, and I don't want to do anythinghorrid in return, but it would give me so much pleasure if you would buyyour ball dresses out of this cheque. I know you are not rich, becauseAunt Dove paid you for teaching me, but I know you and Mr. Hales wouldhave done the same for me for nothing. I don't want to feel to-nightthat anyone is the poorer for my birthday party. Please accept mylittle present and don't be proud about it. Just for to-morrow I'mhaving a fling. There's several little things I've heard you say youwanted, but it's nicer to get what one likes oneself, isn't it? Willyou find something Mr. Hales would like. Every now and then Pups boughtme something just ridiculously beautiful, so that he might have thepleasure of seeing me wear it, but really these surprise presents wererather a trial to me, as he didn't know what girls appreciated. Pleasethink of me when you say your prayers to-morrow, as this money will giveme a lot of trouble, but I don't mean to funk it.
"YOUR AFFECTIONATE TONEY."
"What is the cheque?" asked Silvia eagerly. She noticed that her namewas not mentioned. Toney was too honest to thank those who had dislikedher.
"A hundred pounds. I cannot refuse it, it will help us so much; there'sa new drawing-room carpet that I was puzzling how to get!" The Vicarlaughed.
"Is that a ball dress, mother? Has Silvia a nice dress this evening, wemust all look our best!"
"Both the girls will look nice, but this money will make my conscienceeasy. I had been thinking I was extravagant."
"I'll go and meet Amy at the station," exclaimed Silvia. "We can payher journey now. Oh dear, money is useful, however much Frank proclaimsthe blessings of poverty."
The Vicar never argued with Silvia. He had often felt sorry his prettysister could not have more advantages, and he knew all about Tom Nicholsand the hopelessness of the love affair.
"We will give Toney a return of cheerful spirits," he said. "I shall godown early to Aldersfield with Waycott. We have consulted how best tohelp her. I believe Lady Dove pretends to know nothing about it all.Why can't people recognise their blessings?"
"Lady Dove's present blessing is Miss Crossman. You told me to makefriends with her, but I really could not. She told me she preferred herown company when her duties were over, and she did not like to encroachon her walk and rest times," said Silvia.
They all laughed.
"I wonder if Toney will break that crust of ice," said Mrs. Halesthoughtfully.
"Artificial ice is impenetrable!" was the Vicar's answer.
Then they all went their various ways, but there was a warm glow in eachof their hearts, though the reasons for it were different.