*CHAPTER V.*
*PREPARATIONS.*
The great barn behind Aldersfield House was the scene of much bustle andwork on this eventful morning. Foremost among all the workers was Toneyherself, dressed in a short serge dress covered with a big apron. Shelooked the picture of happiness, and even Aunt Dove's coldcongratulations at breakfast had not been able to damp her spirits.Mrs. Faber was making "button-holes," whilst Toney was arranging flowersin vases with her deft magic touch to adorn the long tables. Men wereputting up festoons among the dark rafters, and the brightest sunshinewas pouring in at the door and windows.
"Won't it be lovely! and won't their eyes open! Gracious stars! What'sthis?"
A large box was being wheeled in, and Lewis Waycott came behind it withan amused smile on his face.
"Many happy returns," he said, as Toney flew to receive him. "I'vebrought you some flowers. I know you're particular about having thebest." Two men were soon unpacking the box, and displayed a wealth ofglorious blossoms, mostly exotics.
"Oh!" gasped Toney, "but--where did you get them?"
"I sent Graham for them to London. I thought your friends should seesomething new in the way of flowers!"
"That is awfully nice. I never thought of that. It will give themsomething to talk about, and I was just at my wits' end for moreflowers; Aunt Dove doesn't like to denude her hot-houses, but oh, Mr.Waycott, just imagine, uncle went out very early and _stole_ some! Hedid really, I saw him, but don't tell! and he sent them in as a presentfrom Aunt Dove for my feast! I'm sure she knew nothing about it, so Imustn't thank her."
The two laughed heartily together, and then Lewis looked round at thetransformed barn.
"Have you got my work marked out?"
"I should think so, but come round first and admire! Look at mybirthday cake. It's all made of little cottages in sugar. It's myidea!"
"However is it to be cut?"
"You'll help, won't you? I just couldn't have got all ready withoutyou, and your men have taken as deep an interest as our own."
"Of course, the invitation amply rewards them---- By the way, Toney,I've got a personal present for you; will you accept it?"
He dived into a pocket and brought out a small box.
Toney opened it and drew forth a locket surrounded with small diamonds,and within it was a beautifully painted miniature of Toney's father.
The girl looked up suddenly and her eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Pups!"she gasped, "how did you get it?"
"Is it like? Mrs. Faber helped me. I believe she stole an oldphotograph you possess, and--you see your friends are all expertthieves!"
"I shall never forget this," she said, brushing the tears away with theback of her somewhat grimy hand, "and I shall always think of you twotogether. I think the artist must have been just inspired. If only_he_ could come this evening, he'd have gone round to everyone of theguests and said something jolly."
"I'll try and take his place," said Lewis a little shyly, and then heseized a hammer and nails and was soon among the rafters with the othermen. Sir Evas presently made his entrance and looked round.
"Why, Toney, this will be a fairy palace! I see you have already putyour aunt's flowers in water."
"Yes, and look, uncle, at these leaves with them! I used to pick up thegold leaves when I was a tiny and bring them to Pups for his poorpeople. I really thought they were gold; but just see what Mr. Waycotthas brought! Beautiful flowers to remind me of home, and crowds oforchids for your people to talk about. Isn't it scrumptious of him?He's done the real thinking."
"Good heavens, Toney, it must have cost him----"
"Oh, uncle, if you had grand visitors you'd think nothing of it, andpoor folk are just as fond of flowers as 'ristocrats, now aren't they?"
"Well, really, I have never thought about it."
"And look what he's given me," and Toney opened the locket. "Therearen't many men that would have thought of it, and besides, he's goingto make himself awfully pleasant to our people to-night, and, uncle, youwill too, won't you?"
"In so far as in me lieth, Toney," said Sir Evas doubtfully.
"Oh, yes, you can. Have you learnt that list of names I gave you? Iput them quite plain, a column for the men and women and a column forthe children. It took a deal of writing to get all the names of thechildren, you know, so I hope you've learnt them."
"You don't write _very_ plain, Toney!"
"Oh, that's an excuse!" laughed Toney, "let me see, what's the name ofTimothy Grant's fourth child? He's your cowman, uncle, so you really_ought_ to know _his_ children."
"Polly," answered Sir Evas, looking grave.
"Oh! why the eldest is Polly, there couldn't be two Pollys, you know.It's Marthyann, all in one, Mrs. Grant declares, she says she 'giv itout herself to Mr. 'ales.'"
"Is Marthyann coming, Toney, and shall I be expected to recognise her?"
"They'd just adore you if you were to go up straight to her and call herMarthyann, but it won't do if you go to the wrong one, so perhaps you'dbetter ask me first."
"But I assure you, Toney, your list was longer than my arm; it wouldwant a royal memory to attempt it!"
"I _think_ I've got them all right, but Jenny Varly's eldest boy isTommy Varly, and John Todd's second boy is Tommy Todd, and they arecousins, and as like as two peas, and I do sometimes mistake them! But,uncle, there are no drones here, as you aren't very handy with yourfingers, can you hold that box of nails for Phil Smith?"
"Well, for a few minutes. I've a lot to do this morning, and Mr.Staines is still requiring my services, and your new secretary is comingto-morrow, and your aunt is rather upset because the gardeners are allhere, and----"
"I've left her Miss Grossman," answered Toney laughing, "she's a host inherself, and she told me she didn't hold by spoiling _poor_ people! Whyit's just the poor we ought to spoil! Don't you think so, uncle?"
Sir Evas pretended not to hear as he did not want Toney to bring up hisremarks against him at some future time. He knew this was aninconvenient habit of hers, so he slipped out of the barn as soon as hecould when she wasn't looking.
The workers went on with all speed. All had to be done by five o'clockwhen the guests would begin to arrive.
"I suppose you have had to hire the knives and spoons," said Lewis,coming down for a moment to contemplate his work.
"Yes. Uncle said I could have all the kitchen things, but--I--didn'twant them, and Aunt Dove wouldn't hear of her plate being unearthed, soI've hired it all."
"Not real plate!"
Toney nodded.
"Yes, just real silver, and everything like lords and ladies, won't theybe pleased? Something to remember!"
"I hope it won't disappear, Toney!"
"How can you suggest anything so unkind! You see the children have theother barn, and Mrs. Faber undertakes them. A child is always good withher. Isn't it odd? Do you see that Mr. Faber is hard at work there nowwith her? I shall want to cut myself in three pieces! Oh, I am sohappy!"
Lewis glancing at her face did not doubt her happiness, but he could notecho the speech. Before Toney had become an heiress, Lewis had fallen inlove with her, he had made her promise to give him something when heshould ask for it, and then suddenly this terrible fortune had droppeddown from the skies, and had set up a wall of division between him andthe girl he admired as well as loved. No girl in his estimation couldapproach Toney in all the qualities he so much respected; he knew shewas not a highly accomplished English young lady, she did not move withrhythmic beauty, she did not sing like a syren or play like Chopin, butshe was just Toney, with splendid health and beauty of her own, and witha character which influenced nearly everyone that came in contact withher. Lewis knew that it was owing to her that his cottages were now inperfect repair, and that he now deserved better the name of a goodlandlord than he had done before. It was Toney's influence, Toney'sexample of doing her best for her neighbours with
all her heart, thathad awakened his conscience, and yet the Waycotts were very proud oftheir good name. He could not bear that it should be said he hadmarried the heiress for money--and he knew Lady Dove would say it.Would the world believe that he had loved the wild colt who had firstvisited him with the poor companion? Toney had said herself peoplewould want to marry her money, how should he be able to prove thecontrary? Why had the old General ever taken a fancy to her?
He had not, however, to-day much time for thought, he could not evenflatter himself that Toney connected him in the least with that kind oflove, she was certainly heart-whole; would the awakening ever come,would blindfolded Cupid by chance let one of his arrows pierce her?Lewis could not answer this question. If only he might woo her, hethought that perhaps he could awaken the sleeping boy, but there lay thedifficulty; he could not, he dared not face the bare idea of Toney'sthinking and of saying--for she seldom hid her thoughts--
"Oh, it's only my money you care about!" He must wait, and in themeantime what if someone bolder or less scrupulous won her!
As Lewis hurried to the hall to pick up some possessions before goinghome to lunch, he came face to face with Lady Dove.
"I've been helping to decorate," he said, to account for his presence.
"It is very kind of you, I'm sure, Mr. Waycott, though it was quiteunnecessary to trouble you. Antonia is most thoughtless; I can't get aman or a boy to do anything to-day. She has got them all."
"They look uncommonly lively over it."
"I daresay, anything is better than one's plain duty. However, it willbe over to-morrow." Lady Dove heaved a sigh.
"It's very kind of you to keep open house," said Lewis, not knowing whatto say.
"I don't wish to get credit when it's not deserved. Antonia will payfor it all. The General left her a great deal of money, you know."
"I suppose so," said Lewis, screwing his stick round on the gravel.
"Yes, indeed; I don't quite know how much, because my poor husband hasdone nothing else these last four years but attend to all this wretchedmoney. I assure you I never could get any of his company, and somehowhe was fortunate in some land speculations, which he never was with hisown."
"Sir Evas said he would quite miss the occupation."
"Well, I for one shall be glad for him. He looks ten years older. It'sperfectly ridiculous to wear yourself out; and he never gets a penny byit, of course. He is quite morbidly particular about money. He alwayssays he never would have married me if I had been an heiress. He doesso hate that modern habit of heiress hunting."
"I don't think anyone would think Sir Evas was paid for his kindness."
"There are so many evil tongues, Mr. Waycott; one hears suchextraordinary things. Already I've had two or three names mentioned tome as likely to pay court to Antonia--for her money, of course."
"It will be certainly a bar to disinterested affection," answered Lewis.He would like to have used his stick on Lady Dove's head. She smiledgraciously.
"I have seldom met such a thing, Mr. Waycott. I shall be very muchinterested when I do! Poor Antonia must not expect to meet it, forcertainly she has not charm or beauty to attract a man simply forherself."
"Good morning, Lady Dove. I must hurry off. My aunts will be waiting."
"Tell dear Mrs. Hamilton that I shall expect her to take pity on me thisevening. Good-bye; so kind of you to have come."
Lewis hurried home in no enviable mood, and he slashed the unoffendinghemlock heads with savage fury, wishing he were inflicting punishment"on that old cat."
"She meant me to understand her insinuations, of course. Well, she neednot be afraid. Of course I saw through her; I'm not a blind ass."