A Bottle in the Smoke: A Tale of Anglo-Indian Life

by Janet Milne Rae

  CHAPTER XV.

  Next morning, soon after Mr. Rayner left for the High Court, a peonarrived with a chit from him to tell Hester that he had been summoned tothe Mofussil on pressing business, and would probably be absent for acouple of days, and directing that his dressing-boy should bring his kitto the railway station. Hester felt disappointed that his unlooked-fordeparture deprived her of the opportunity she desired to tell him thatall was now arranged for the projected trip to Ennore, which was to beannounced by her to the girls of the Club that evening.

  Mrs. Fellowes' modest room was beginning to be a familiar place to theEurasian girls. She had not followed any hard-and-fast plan inconducting the meetings further than making it her object to draw forththese young women who lolled listlessly about the pandals of theirpent-up homes, to endeavour to fill their hearts with new thoughts, andtheir hands with useful work. "The pioneer meeting," Mr. Morpethgleefully called it, no effort of quite a similar kind ever having beenattempted before for the betterment of the aimless lives in the purlieusof the Eurasian quarter. Mrs. Fellowes and her "lieutenant," as Hestercalled herself, proved inventive in happy methods in which cheerful workand rational amusement intermingled. The older lady, with unweariedskill and patience, shaped useful garments for the girls, and tried topersuade them to substitute neat sewing for their careless methods offixing them up anyhow. Interesting books were always provided forreading aloud, as well as a growing library fed by Mr. Morpeth. Apiano, the gift of an unknown donor, had been lately introduced, greatlyenhancing the popularity of the gathering, which was only beginning tobe known; and Mrs. Fellowes was always on the outlook for new recruits.

  The end of the hour had come on this afternoon, and Hester was divulgingMrs. Fellowes' invitation to Ennore to the assembled girls when she wasinterrupted by a new arrival.

  A young woman, attired more gaudily than was usual to the "Friendly,"had pushed open the door and taken her seat without note or comment, andwas gazing intently at Hester. The new-comer was the object of muchwhispering and many scowls from the frequenters of the meeting. Hesterpresumed that she wished to become a member, but her aspect was sounconciliatory that she felt some hesitation in addressing her, andapplied for information to a girl standing by her side. All she couldlearn was that the girl had only recently appeared in Vepery and wasunknown to her; the stranger, however, seemed to have sharp ears.

  "If it's my name you want," she said, "I'm not ashamed of it as somemight be of theirs. Mine's Miss Leila Baltus!"

  A displeased murmur went round the meeting, and all eyes were directedto Miss Baltus, who tossed her head defiantly.

  "We are glad to see you," began Hester with quiet courtesy. "We welcomeeveryone to our meeting." She paused, but resumed, "With regard to Mrs.Fellowes' kind invitation, we shall have to restrict our number to thosealready on our list."

  Approving nods from the company acknowledged the reasonableness of Mrs.Rayner's remark. A girl, who evidently knew more about the stranger thanthe one to whom Hester had applied for information, said in a loudwhisper to her neighbour:

  "Cheap on Leila for her impudence! She's got thatt awfulee high andmighty since she went to Calcutta--and thatt spiteful too!"

  Stung by hearing her name, and no doubt ruffled that she was not even tohave the chance of declining the proposed treat, Leila Baltus rose,dropping her showy parasol noisily on the floor as she did so. She madeher way towards the door, saying enigmatically:

  "I'll take my leave now. I've seen you, and that's enough for oneafternoon!"

  She hissed out the words and rolled her dark eyes unpleasantly on thesweet young English face. "There will be a second meeting, or my name'snot Leila Baltus! A Friendlee Society, forsooth!" Her cheap skirt withits papery rustle swished along the floor as she made her exit.

  A disapproving murmur ran through the ranks of the loyal partisans, butthe incident was soon forgotten amid the pleasant preoccupation over thetrip on the following morning.

  On Hester's mind, however, it left an unpleasant recollection. She hopedthe mutinous intruder might prove more amenable to Mrs. Fellowes'influence at some future time, and that they might one day be able toget nearer to this embittered-looking girl with the beautiful eyes. Tohave had such a bellicose element in to-morrow's party would have beenjarring, to say the least of it, and unfair to the others. It wasdoubtless hearing of the pleasure which she was not to share, however,that had made the girl so rude and unmannerly. Noting her name in herpocket-book, Hester resolved to consult with her wise friend what shouldbe their attitude towards Miss Leila Baltus.

  The bungalow where Mrs. Fellowes was staying belonged to an old anddistinguished firm of Madras merchants. The principals of the firm hadused it on occasion as a country house before South Indian hills becameso easy of access; and often now they put it at the disposal of friends.To many a young couple had Binny's Bungalow at Ennore proved a place ofdear romance; to many a weary veteran a haven of quiet rest.

  There was a peculiar fairyism about Ennore. It seemed to nestle in allits sylvan beauty on the borders of an inland lake whose slopes werefringed by cocoanut palms, dense glossy shrubs, and odoriferous spiceplants; while graceful bamboos flung their interlacing tendrils allabout. Great water-lilies spread themselves over the surface of thewater, and the water-fowl floated or skimmed over its sparkling ripples.A trim, white-sailed boat, with an ancient, white-bearded serang inattendance, was always at the disposal of the bungalow guests. Afloat onthe placid waters of the lake and sheltered by its leafy borders, everyobject tended to convince one that it was entirely an inland sheet ofwater, till suddenly you might, perchance, be startled by the shrill cryof a sea-gull, or the fierce roll of the near breakers would fall onyour astounded ear. You would then glance across the sunny ripples ofthe lake, and perceive with amazement that a strip of sand was all thatdivided the peaceful backwater from the great Bay of Bengal; so whiteand thin were its grains that they might be put through an hour-glasswithout refinement, and so narrow was the strip that, in a minute, achild could run across it. On one side light zephyrs dance on the tinyripples; on the other, the waters roll in mighty waves dashed to theshore in tossing, writhing floods of whitest foam.

  At the upper end of this long stretch of smooth sand stands the gallantlittle bungalow with its trim, green-painted _persiennes_, trellisedverandahs, and its breezy "up-stair" room, surrounded by some sturdydate palms, and sheltered from the elements by a belt of hardy jungletrees which break the fury of the gales.

  The one ample sitting-room of the bungalow from which branched variousbedrooms and dressing-rooms, seemed to Hester the most English-lookingroom of a certain type which she had seen since coming to the East.Perhaps it suggested the old-fashioned inn-parlour more than anythingintimately domestic. On its walls hung numerous quaint-coloured printsof English hunting scenes. Its sofas, planted against the walls, offeredluxurious rest; while its big dining-table and rows of chairs gave it ahospitable air. The many windows at each end of the long room disclosedimpartially the inland beauties of the backwater, and the expanse of thegreat restless ocean. On one side of the building the favoured smallguests, who found themselves making holiday at the bungalow, might floattheir mimic ships in safety; and on the other, beyond the mass ofseething foam, the stateliest ships of the world might be seen sailingover the great deep.

  Hester had driven out early to help Mrs. Fellowes with preparations forher numerous guests, and now stood by the side of the hostess, givingthe girls a smiling welcome to Ennore. It soon proved that theprearranged programme for their entertainment was superfluous, socharmed were the guests with the unwonted surroundings in which theyfound themselves. Some groups sought the long narrow strip of sunlitsand by the "many dashing ocean shore," to search for the rare shells tobe found there, thrown up by the tide, retreating with shrieks oflaughter when the curling waves dashed their spray upon them. Otherswere more fascinated by the peaceful charm of the backwater, and madeexpeditions in the boat to the further end of the lake
, bent on securingtrophies of greenery for the decoration of their dull Vepery parlours.The white-haired, nut-brown serang had many freights of passengers thatday, and more than one sensational shriek reached the ladies who sat inthe verandah watching all the ongoings.

  A plentiful tiffin brought the guests indoors for a time, but they wereeager to be out again, even under the hot afternoon sun, to explore thesylvan brakes or saunter on the sunny sands.

  "Do you know, Mrs. Fellowes," said Hester, "I begin to feel rather animpostor! I told myself that I must come to-day to help you toentertain your guests, and now I find I'm doing nothing but hugelyenjoying myself!"

  She lay back happily in one of the luxurious teakwood arm-chairs whichwere a special and memorable feature of the verandah.

  "Well, my dear, I'm only too glad you are having a nice rest," returnedMrs. Fellowes, glancing at her with a kindly smile. "I thought youlooked rather jaded and worried when you arrived, but this air iswonderfully soothing and restoring."

  "I confess I was rather worried last night," said Hester, with a sigh."How would you act if you were suddenly presented with a costly gift byyour husband which you neither admired nor wished?" she asked, decidingshe would take counsel of the woman Mr. Morpeth called a "wise saint."She proceeded to tell her of the difficulty she felt when suddenlyconfronted with the gorgeous diamond pendant in its elegant case andbeen asked to accept this distasteful gift, and what her attitude hadbeen.

  "Oh, my dear, I do think such a prompt refusal was a little bit rough onyour husband, though I sympathise with you in the main, for I know youdon't care for jewels. But these matters must be handled verydelicately. For instance, I think if Joe had taken it into his head topresent me with something he would be much hurt if I declined to accepthis offering; but then, to be sure, it would not be a costly gift asyours is----"

  "Diamonds of the first water, Alfred described them," said Hester,shaking her head.

  "Why, they must have cost a fortune! But your husband is no doubt ableto afford them--he must be a very rich man."

  A knot rose in Hester's throat. Since her husband was so demonstrativelyrich, why had he so irritatingly declined the little boon which she hadcraved? Good taste and loyalty forbade her sharing with her friend themain source of her discomfort in having had the costly gift pressed uponher. Mrs. Fellowes, however, perceived that she was deeply perturbedconcerning the incident, but she felt she could not encourage Hester topersevere in her determination to have the pendant returned. That coursewould certainly have the effect of widening the little rift which seemedalready vibrating.

  "Just you ask your husband to put the jewel in his safe to keep it fromthieves, and, when it is stowed away like that, you will both forget togive it an airing, and you won't have to bedeck yourself with it."

  "A capital idea! That will please Alfred, and will save me more wordsabout the matter."

  "Only," Mrs. Fellowes added, "you might stipulate that in future yourhusband's affection would be more valued if it did not take the form ofcostly gifts. Your husband must be very rich," repeated Mrs. Fellowes,this time with an interrogative note in her voice and a glance atHester. "Young barristers out here are seldom able to present theirwives with diamonds of the first water."

  "No, I don't think Alfred is what could be called rich. But you know hehas an addition to what he earns--an allowance from his people. I forgethow much it is, but he told father. Both his parents died when he was ababy, and an aunt and her husband brought him up. His uncle Rayner hadbeen in the same firm as his father, and I think Alfred has still ashare in the business, but I don't interest myself in these matters. Ihave a very unbusiness-like mind," she added with a sigh. "I'm afraid myhusband thinks me quite hopeless in that department, though I am vainenough to believe that I could now manage the domestic side better--atleast more economically--than he does."

  "But you do, don't you? Why, when the Colonel and I dined with youlately I recollect one of Mr. Rayner's bachelor friends said chaffingly:'It's easy to see your Eve's hand in this Paradise, Rayner!' And Iremember I quite loved your husband when I heard him say with an air ofglee, 'Yes, isn't she a splendid housekeeper?'"

  "A splendid housekeeper! Oh, Alfred must have been joking! I only wishhe would let me have a try! Of course everything was very new andstrange to me at first, but I've found my way about in many things now.I'm no more an absolute 'griffin.' For one thing, I'm quite sure I couldmanage much more economically than we're doing now. Alfred admits we arespending a great deal----"

  Hester's voice faltered as she recalled the humiliating context in whichhe had made the unexpected admission.

  "Well, my dear, look here," said Mrs. Fellowes in an emphatic tone,after a little silence. "As the price of your concession in keeping thediamonds, suppose you stipulate for a freer hand on the housekeepingreins, especially since your husband admits that these expenses arelarge. I would strongly advise you to arrange this."

  Mrs. Fellowes called to mind the Colonel having more than once remarkedthat the young Rayners must be spending lacs between horse-flesh andelegant dinners. She felt glad that this talk had given her theopportunity of offering some advice on the subject to the young wifewhom she had come to admire and love for other qualities than merely herpersonal charm.

  The bright day had faded. That magical, and, in Eastern lands, momentaryinterval between light and darkness had fallen. The girls were at lengthgathered in the brightly-lit sitting-room, having an evening meal beforestarting on their homeward way. Their cheerful faces and happy laughtertold how greatly they had enjoyed their day.

  "We've just been awfulee happy," said one spokeswoman. "'Twill be a taleto tell for many a day in Vepery!"

  "And won't thatt cat, Leila Baltus, be spiteful when she hears wot agood time we've had, and her kept out," remarked another.

  "Oh, but that is not a kind source of satisfaction, Rosa," said Mrs.Fellowes, looking at the girl, and shaking her head in gentledisapproval. "Who is Leila Baltus?" she asked in an undertone, turningto Hester; but the question was unheard in the general bustle ofdeparture.

  The last carriageful was now driving off, and a shrill chorus ofexpressions of gratitude mingled with the sea sounds which were moreaudible now that the darkness had fallen. Long afterwards Hesterremembered this night, and conjured up a vivid picture of this shore ofthe Bay of Bengal, the sweet placid face of the "wise saint," the eagergroups of amber-faced girls with the evidence of a happy innocent daywritten on every feature, and the background of the brightly-litparlour, while a stone's throw away rolled the darkened waters of thegreat restless ocean.

  Hester, in her husband's absence, had agreed to remain the night withher friend. Colonel Fellowes appeared presently, having driven out tosee his wife, and a pleasant evening followed. When Hester mounted thenarrow staircase to the delightful bedroom assigned to her on the flatroof, she felt it was long since such an entirely happy day had been herportion. With its many doors opening on the leads, this room was anabode of luxury on hot Indian plains. Here no drowsy punkah-wallah hadto be roused by the sleepless victim to pull the weary wind-fan! The seabreeze wooed one to sleep even on the hottest nights, and through themany doors open to the dark blue vault, one could lie in bed and watchthe stars come out, tracing whole constellations from one's downy pillowto the music of the wild waves.