The Pillars of the House; Or, Under Wode, Under Rode, Vol. 1 (of 2)

by Charlotte M. Yonge

  CHAPTER XXIII.

  SMOKE-JACK ALLEY.

  _Launce._ It is no matter if the ty'd were lost, for it is the unkindest ty'd that ever man ty'd.

  _Panthino._ What's the unkindest ty'd?

  _Launce._ Why, he that's ty'd here--Crab, my dog.--_Shakespeare._

  John Harewood returned, bringing with him what Alda took for adressing-case, and Cherry for a drawing-box, but which proved tocontain a wonderful genie to save the well-worn fingers many a prick.To Lance he first administered the magical words, 'All right,' and thenmaking an opportunity, he put five sovereigns into his hand. Lance'sfirst impulse was, however, not to thank, but to exclaim, 'Then Poulterhas not got it?'

  No, Poulter's conscience had forbidden him to purchase 'littleUnderwood's' treasure at what he knew to be so much beneath its value;but he had given Captain Harewood his best advice and recommendations,and by that means the violin had been taken at a London shop, still ata price beneath his estimate, but the utmost that could be expectedwhere ready money was the point. Lance ought to have been delighted,and his native politeness made him repeat, 'Thank you;' but he couldnot quite keep down his regret--'Now I shall never see or hear heragain.'

  However, the next day, when Bernard flew upon him at twelve o'clock,asseverating that there was shade all the way, he allowed himself to bepersuaded, prudently carrying with him only ten shillings, and trustingto his blue umbrella rather than to Bernard's shade, which could hardlyhave been obtained by sidling against the walls.

  Bernard did not seem to have enjoyed much more of Stingo's society thanLance of his violin's--the produce of the same bounty. He confessedthat he had only ventured on taking the dog out three times in astring, and on one of these occasions he had broken loose after a cat,on another had fought with Nares's dog, and on the third had snapped atAngela.

  'You didn't take Angel into these places!'

  'No, she came to meet me.'

  'That's a sign of grace; but, Bear, I can't stand these diggings atall. I've a great mind to turn back.'

  'You won't!' cried Bernard. 'You must have been here often when youwere a grammar-school fellow.'

  'Not we! This is a cut below us! Fulbert would never have been caughthere!'

  'But you are going to get me out of this fix?'

  'Haven't I said I will? only hold your tongue, and let me alone tomanage the rascal. If you open your mouth, I've done with it.'

  Bernard was forced to acquiesce, though Lance's manner vexed andirritated him. Popular and valuable as Lance had been with thechoristers, he was not dealing as well with his brother, perhaps partlybecause he was more consciously trying to influence him; and likewisebecause the state of his health and his prospects so far affectedhis manner, that though never ill-humoured, it had lost some of theeasy careless sweetness of high spirits, and assumed an ironicaltone, exasperating to a child who could not brook ridicule. He wasashamed and dismayed at the place where Bernard was leading him, solow and disreputable that the boys of his time had never haunted it,and his own _gamin_ propensities had never extended so far. It was atumble-down quarter; the houses, deplorable hovels, run up hastily forthe workmen at the potteries, and every third or fourth a beer-shop;and in the midst dwelt Mr. Sims, a maimed poacher, who kept a largelive-stock with which to trade on the sporting tastes of the youth ofBexley.

  Probably he was gratified to see that 'my brother' meant nothingmore imposing than the chorister; but Lance had so cultivated hisopportunities at Dick Graeme's home, as to be more knowing on thesubject than Felix would have been. Indeed, it did not take muchscience to estimate the value of the 'real animal,' whose market priceseemed to have fallen considerably. Lance, as he looked at the pied,bandy-legged, long-nosed cur, felt it impossible to set his costagainst his keep, nor was he designed by nature for driving bargains;but Sims' expectations were founded on the probable, and the debt wasannulled for three-and-sixpence and Stingo himself. Much civility wasexpended on Lance; dogs, rabbits, and other curiosities were exhibited,and an invitation given to come with the other young gents to admirethe favourite terrier's exploits upon a cage of rats shortly expected,admission free.

  'You will come, won't you?' cried Bernard eagerly, as they went out.

  'What? To all the vilest sports in the place!'

  'But Lance, you told me about the rat hunt at Mr. Graeme's.'

  'What? Turning out the barn, with Mr. Graeme himself, and Bill, and allthe rest? Do you think that's like letting a lot of wretched beasts outof a trap to be snapped up by a cur of a dog, with no end of drinkingfoul-mouthed blackguards betting on him?'

  'You are always so savage, Lance; and now you've gone and paid away allthe money.'

  'What more?'

  'There's the shooting-gallery, you see.'

  Lance did see a public-house called the Flying Stag, where Bernard hadcontrived to incur a debt of a few shillings under Nares's patronage.While inquiring after the amount, he saw Mr. Mowbray Smith coming alongthe alley, and was more amused than shocked at the amazement his ownpresence there would cause the Curate; but just then he perceived thatmen were standing scowling at their doors, and slovenly women throngingout like ants when their hill is disturbed: and asking an explanationfrom the damsel in ear-rings who attended to him, he heard that 'thechaps are determined that that there Smith shall not have the impudenceto show his face here again, for a hypocrite, defrauding of the poor.You'd best be away, young gents, there will be a fracaw!'

  'A row!' cried Bernard, between excitement and alarm. 'Shall we stayand see it? Won't Smith spy us?'

  Lance deigned no reply, but seeing the rough-looking men gathering asif to obstruct the Curate's way, he shot across the street to shakehands with him.

  'You! I am sorry to see you!' said Mr. Smith severely: at which Lancegave what under other circumstances would have been an impudent smile,and asked, 'Have you anywhere here to go?'

  'I am just come away from a sick man. But you know how wrong it is tobring your little brother here. Take him away,' he added, trying toprevent them from joining him, and at the same time a voice shouted,'Let him alone, young gents, he aint your sort;' and a hissing andhooting broke out all round, 'A parson as ought to have his gown pulledover his head!' 'What's gone of the coals?' 'How about the blankets?'

  Bernard got a tight grip, out of sight, of Lance's coat; Mr. Smith grewred and bit his lips; but Lance walked close to him, and as they beganto be jostled, took his arm, holding the blue sun-shade over both theirheads. Unsavoury missiles began to fly; but a woman screeched, 'Badluck to ye, ye vagabone! ye've ruinated the young gentleman's purtyblue umberella!'

  'Down with it, young chap,' called another, 'or ye'll be served withthe same sauce!'

  'Serve un right too!' was the rejoinder. ''Tis they Underwoods, asnever stands up for poor men's rights, and is all for the tyrants.'(All this full of abusive epithets.)

  'Who said that?' broke out Lance, beginning hastily to close hisumbrella, and trying to wrench his arm from Mr. Smith; 'I'm ready forhim.'

  But Mr. Smith, with an angry 'Are you mad?' held him fast; and hisstruggles provoked a good-humoured laugh at the little champion, stillso white and slight.

  'No, no,' said a big powerful man, collaring a great lad who had beenthrusting forward at Lance's defiance, 'we don't have no mills withnatomies like you! Go home and mind yer own business. Your father wasanother guess sort of parson, and I'll not see a finger laid on you. Beoff, till we've given that other bad lot a bit of our mind.'

  'Not I!' growled Lance. 'I'll have it out with that rascalthere.--Nonsense, Mr. Smith; I can, I say--and I will!'

  But the big man and Mr. Smith were perfectly in accordance this time;and without a word between them, the impulse of the coal-heaver'sweight somehow opened a path, where, shoved by the one, and dragged bythe other, Lance was at the corner--then round it--the crowd followedno farther.

  'A plucky little chap that!' quoth the coal-heaver to Mr. Smith. 'Youmay thank your s
tars that he's his father's son, or it would have beenthe worse for you! And if ever you show the face of you here again, youknow what to expect.'

  'I expect nothing but what I am willing to receive in my Master'sservice,' said Mr. Smith, firmly meeting his eyes. 'Meantime, thank youfor the help you have given me with these boys. Good morning. You willjudge me more fairly another time.'

  The man added another contemptuous oath to those with which he hadfreely laden his discourse; but Lance paused a moment to say, 'Thankyou too, you meant it well; but I wish you'd have let me have it outwith that foul-mouthed cad.'

  'Wait till ye're a match for him, and welcome,' said the man. 'Blessye! what could that fist do with Black Bill?'

  'For shame, boys! come away,' said the infinitely disgusted Curate;and not a word was spoken down the first street; Bernard was stilltrembling with excitement, and Lance, conscious perhaps that though hisinterference had answered his purpose, he had been betrayed into whathe now saw to have been absurd.

  At last the Curate spoke, his naturally harsh voice wavering a littlebetween reproach and acknowledgment. 'I am very sorry for all this,Lancelot Underwood. I believe you joined me out of a kind and generousfeeling, of which I am sensible; otherwise, I should feel it my duty toreport to your brother where I met you.'

  'You are quite welcome,' said Lance, coolly.

  'And I must say,' continued Mr. Smith, 'that if your whole training,as well as your recent severe illness, do not withhold you from suchassociations, at least I entreat you to pause before leading yourlittle brother into them.'

  Lance made no answer, except to halt at a public drinking fountain,to wash away the damage his umbrella had sustained; and there, with aserious 'Take care!' the Curate left the brothers.

  'Catch me going to his help again!' exclaimed Bernard, entirelyunconscious that his own gratitude to Lance was on a par with Mr.Smith's. 'He may get out of the next row as he can!'

  'Ah! Bear! You see how you are corrupting my innocent youth!'

  'A meddling donkey! I wish he had a rotten egg in each eye! Now it willall come out.'

  'What will?'

  'Where we have been.'

  'That's the best thing that could happen.'

  'You don't mean that you mean to let it out?'

  'If you expect me to tell lies for you, you are out there.'

  'But, Lance, Lance,' in an agony, 'you wouldn't be such a sneak, when Itrusted you?'

  Lance laughed. The bare idea of betrayal seemed so absurd, that hescarcely thought it worth removing.

  The two were slackening their pace as they saw Felix at thecarriage-door of a lady customer; and Lance said gravely, 'I'll see toMother Goldie; but now, Bear, that you are out of this scrape, I giveyou fair warning, that if I find you grubbing your nose into that sortof thing again, I'll put a stop to it, one way or another.'

  'I'm not a bit worse than the rest. All the other fellows do it.'

  'Oh, I suppose, if you think Stingo the right thing in dogs, you thinkNares the right thing in fellows!'

  At that moment the customer drove off, and Felix having spied the bluesun-shade, tarried at the door to administer a remonstrance to Lanceon being so foolish as to venture into the noon-day sun. He was notable to come in to dinner till it was half over, and then it was with amerry look and question, 'What's this, boys, about Mowbray Smith beingmobbed in Smoke-jack Alley and your making in to the rescue?'

  'Oh,' said Lance, 'there was an attempt at getting up a shindy, but itwas of the meanest description. No one knew how to set about it. Therewas only one Irishman there, and he was a woman.' (This with a wink toSibby.)

  'And you didn't offer to fight big Ben Blake?'

  'Ben Blake, on the contrary, elbowed us all safe out, because my fatherwas another guess sort of parson!'

  'And there was a horrible little cad making faces,' exclaimed Bernard,unable to resist claiming part of the glory, 'and I was just going tohave pitched into him----'

  'What--you saw the row getting up, and went to stand by Smith?' saidFelix.

  'Yes,' said Bernard boldly; 'and nobody durst lay a finger on him whenwe were on each side of him!'

  At which everybody burst out laughing, including Mr. Froggatt, andLance most of all. 'Who was it, then,' he struggled to say gravely,'that pulled so hard at the back of my coat? I suppose it must havebeen some little cad. I thought it had been you.'

  'Well, it was time to hold you back, when you were going to fight thatgreat lout!'

  'For my part,' said Lance, 'I think it must have been Smith and I thatwere holding the Great Bear back by his tail from fighting big BenBlake. Eh?'

  Bernard, never able to bear being laughed at, looked intensely sulky;and a true description of the affair being asked by Mr. Froggatt,Lance gave it, exactly enough, but with so much of the comic sidethat every one was in fits of merriment, all of which, in his presentmood, the younger boy imagined to be aimed at him. He was too full ofangry self-consequence really to attend, so as to see how entirelydisconnected with himself the laughter was; all he cared for was thatLance should not betray him; and to assure himself on this head, itmust be confessed that he hovered on the upper stairs out of sight,while Felix was lingering on the lower to say to Lance, 'Of course itwas only Smith's affair that took you into Smoke-jack Alley?'

  'Not exactly,' said Lance.

  Bernard trembled with resentment and alarm.

  'I don't want to ask questions, but you know it is not a nice place foryourself or for Bernard.'

  'My dear governor, I know that as well or better than you do, and itwon't be my fault if I go there again.'

  'Don't let it be anybody's fault,' returned Felix, and vanished throughthe office door; while Lance, sighing wearily, was heard repairingto his refuge in his own room, and Bernard grimly and moodily swunghimself down-stairs, on his way to afternoon school, believing himselfa much aggrieved party. Here was Lance, whom he had believed afellow-inhabitant of the Alsatia of boyhood, turned into one of thosenatural enemies, moral police, who wanted to do him good! True, Lancehad helped him out of his scrape, and guarded his secret; but Bernardcould not forgive either his own alarm, or the 'not exactly;' and theterms of confidence so evident between him and Felix seemed to placethem in the same hateful category. Worse than all, Lance had laughedat him, and Bernard was far too proud and self-important not to feelevery joke like so many nettle-stings. He had expected an easy carelesshelper; he had found what he could not comprehend, whether boy or man,but at any rate a thing with that intolerable possession, a conscience,and a strong purpose of keeping him out of mischief.

  To detect which purpose was to be resolved on thwarting it. Nor, itmust be allowed, was Lance's management perfect. He wanted to makehimself a companion such as would content the boy instead of theNareses; but to cross the interval of amusement between sixteen and tenrequired condescension, that could not but be perceived and rejected,nor did he perceive that ridicule was an engine most fatal in dealingwith Bernard. Of course nothing like all this passed through theboy's mind. Lance simply saw that his little brother was getting intomischief, and tried to play with him to keep him out of it, but wasneither well nor happy enough to do so naturally, and therefore did notsucceed. Yet if he had abstained from showing Bernard a picture in thestyle of Punch, of the real animal and no mistake, and Bernard himselfpointing to Felix and observing that the governor didn't know what'swhat, he might have prevailed to prevent the boy from eluding him andgoing to Mr. Sims' rat-hunt.

  Of all this Felix knew nothing. He still had much lee-way to make up,in consequence of his absence, and the excitement in the town told uponthe business.

  Mr. Bevan's reply had been a timid endeavour at peace-making whichfoes called shuffling, and friends could only call weakness, so thatit added to the general exasperation. Then came the Archdeacon'sinvestigation, which elucidated the Curate's moral integrity, butshowed how money subscribed for charity had gone in the churchexpenses, that ought to have been otherwise provided for. It wasall
owed that the Rector had been only to blame in leaving the wholeadministration to the Curate under his wife's dominion, and as the ladycould not be put forward, Mr. Smith was left to bear the whole brunt ofthe storm.

  His obsequiousness to Lady Price had alienated his brother clergy, andhis fellow-curate allowed himself to be kept aloof by his mother, in amanner that became ungenerous. Half petulant, and wholly ungracious, asMr. Smith's manner was in receiving assistance, only strong principlecould lead any one to befriend him; and his few advisers found itdifficult to hinder him from making a public exposure of 'my Lady,' orfrom throwing up his work suddenly and leaving the town, which would ofcourse have been fatal to his prospects.

  The Pursuivant had a difficult course to steer. Mr. Froggatt wouldfain have ignored the strife altogether, but the original note ofdefiance having been sounded by his trumpet, this was not possible,and the border line between justice and partizanship was not easyto keep. Whether the young editor did keep it was a question. ToMr. Smith, he seemed a tame, lukewarm supporter; to Mr. Froggatt, adangerously conscientious and incautious champion; and the vociferouspublic despised the dull propriety, and narrow partizanship, of theold country paper. Finally, on the first Saturday in October, thereappeared the first sheet of the Bexley Tribune, with a cutting articleon bloated dignitaries and blood-sucking parasites, and an equallypersonal review of all the Proudie literature. On the Monday morningone hundred and twenty-nine Pursuivants remained on hand. Redstonetook the trouble to count them, and to look into the office to ask Mr.Underwood where they should be stowed away.

  'I wish he was smothered in them, the malicious brute!' said Lance,grinding his teeth, when Felix had given a summary answer. 'What ablessing to see the ugly back of him on the 1st of November!'

  'I'm not so sure of that,' said Felix, as he sorted the letters of theSunday post.

  'Do you think he can do us any harm?'

  'No; but he seems a specimen of an article hard to supply at the sameprice.'

  'Are those answers to your advertisement?'

  'Yes, and very unpromising.'

  Lance came to look them over with him, and to put aside those worthshowing to Mr. Froggatt; but it seemed that an assistant suitablein appearance and intelligence was so costly as to alarm theirold-fashioned notions. He must be efficient, for Mr. Froggatt wasequal to little exertion, and never came in on bad days; and to givean increased salary when the paper was struggling with a rival wasserious; yet the only moderate proposal was from a father at Dearport,who wanted his son boarded, lodged, and treated as one of the family.

  'That is impossible,' said Felix, 'unless the Froggatts would do it.'

  'Eighteen!' said Lance. 'I'm sixteen, and up to the ways of the place!Why don't you set me to work before I have eaten my head off?'

  'It would not do for you afterwards,' said Felix; 'I don't like yourrushing out to serve.'

  'But really, Felix, I mean it. I can do all Redstone does, exceptlifting some of the weights; and I am as old as you when you began.'

  'No, no, Lance; your line is cut out for you.'

  'It was,' said Lance, 'but I'm off it, and no good as I am; and if youcould save Redstone's salary, you might send Bear to Stoneborough,instead of letting him stay here and go to the dogs.'

  'Ah!' groaned Felix, 'it is hard that all this should come to upset hischances!'

  'Are you really afraid those rascals can do us much harm?'

  'We have a sound county circulation beyond their reach, but everycopy they sell is so much out of our pockets; and there are so manypeople possessed with a love of the low and scurrilous, as well as somany who differ in politics, that it must thrive unless they stultifythemselves. Don't look so appalled, Lancey boy; we aint coming togrief, only it will be a close shave at home this winter.'

  'Then, Felix, let me help! You don't know the comfort it would be.'

  'Not so loud,' said Felix, stepping into the shop. Lance stoodthoughtful, then hearing more footsteps, ran out, and found two orthree boys come for school materials, and some maids waiting to changevolumes for their ladies. He gave his ready help; and there ensueda lull, for it was a wet day, such as to make Mr. Froggatt's comingdoubtful. Felix took a second survey of the applications.

  'Now, Fee, do think about this; I am in earnest.'

  'So am I, Lance; I am very thankful to you, but it is not to be thoughtof.'

  'Why not? Am I too small? For that's mending. There's one good thing inbeing ill, it sets one growing. My thick go-to-meeting trousers that Ileft at Minsterham, are gone up to my ankles; I must ask Wilmet if Clemhasn't left a pair that have got too seedy for Cambridge.'

  'It is not that, Lance, but the disadvantage it might be to you inafter-life.'

  'If I took to it for good?'

  'No, no, Lance; one is enough.'

  'Stay. Don't shut me up that way. Recollect what this horriddonothingness is doing for me. I am losing all chance of theexhibition, and they can't keep me on at the Cathedral without, for myvoice has got like an old crow's; and besides, if I can't read, what'sthe good of standing for scholarships?'

  'You will feel very differently when your head is stronger. Besides, ifthere should be anything in what we were told at Ewmouth, it would be apity to get more involved with trade.'

  'I thought that was never to be spoken of.'

  'And this is my first time. Don't take it as a licence.'

  'I could see the sense of that, if it were you,' said Lance, 'but notfor No. 5.'

  'No. 1 would have his place and work found for him, but No. 5 might notfind it easy to turn to something else.'

  'Well!' said Lance, considering, 'you said that possibility was notto make any difference to us. Wouldn't it be making the wrong sortof difference to let it keep a great lout like me in idleness whileBernard is going to the bad?'

  'What do you mean about Bernard?' said Felix, now thoroughly roused.'Is it worse than you and Fulbert were in your _gamin_ days?'

  'I am afraid so,' said Lance. 'Ful took better care of himself than heseemed to do, and his friends were decent fellows, not like the lotthat have hooked in poor little Bear.'

  'I suppose it was some scrape of his that took you into Smoke-jackAlley. I thought you would get him out best without me.'

  'The little dog, he was always after me when I didn't want him, but nowI can't get at him. In short, there's nothing for it but cutting theconnection between him and Jem Nares.'

  'Just tell me how far it goes. What has he been doing with him?'

  'Taking him to see rat-killing at Sims' in Smoke-jack Alley.'

  'You couldn't hinder it?'

  'No. Indeed, Felix, I did my best,' and the tears sprang into the boy'seyes; 'I did all but go after him, for I knew that would be worse thanno good.'

  'You need not apologize to me,' said Felix, laying down his pen; 'Ihave been very wrong. Between this business of Smith's and all the restof it, I have hardly known which way to turn. I knew that I had nottaken the right line with Fulbert, and interference made him worse, andI thought you had taken Bear in hand. Why, Lancey, I never meant toupset you. You have done all you could.'

  'I _did_ think I was good for that,' said Lance ruefully, 'after allour old swells at Minsterham said about influence on the choir andbosh. That when it comes to one's own brother--'

  The tears were almost girl-like, and Felix's comfort was in the tonethat suited them. 'Indeed, Lance, you may be doing him more good thanyou know. I thank you with all my heart; you are a much more real helpand comfort to us all than you guess.'

  'That's what you say to Cherry!' said Lance, impatiently. 'Now I can bereal help, if you would only let me, and then Bernard could go out ofthe way of these fellows.'

  'That he shall do, if I have to dip into the Chester legacy again.'

  'Better take my way,' said Lance, reviving; 'a young man with goodreferences only wants board and lodging.'

  'It is not possible, Lance. It would not be respectful to the Bishopor the Dean, who have strained a
point to keep you. There--I hear Mr.Kenyon's voice in the shop. I must go.'

  'Only one thing, Felix. Will you hear what Jack Harewood says to it?'

  To this Felix readily assented. He was hurried and harassed nearlyto the extent of his time and capacity; he could not pause to givefull consideration to his young brother's project, and was glad thatthe ungracious task of silencing it should be imposed on one lessimmediately interested.

  John Harewood was always at Wilmet's side after four o'clock. Beforethat time he sometimes went to his home; he often spent the afternoonwith Geraldine, but he was not usually about the house in the morning.So Lance, in a fever of impatience, wandered till he hunted him downwriting letters in the coffee-room at the Fortinbras Arms.

  'Jack, I say, come and have a walk.'

  'Pleasant weather!'

  'You want to be watered, after all that parching in India. It isn'training now, and such a jolly cool day!'

  'Jollier for you than a finer day, mayhap,' said the good-naturedsoldier, who greatly commiserated Lance's enforced idleness, and onlywondered at his not making it a greater misery to every one else. Healso understood what the inured ears of the family never guessed, sinceLance never complained, the distress of Theodore's constant hum andconcertina to sensitive ears and excited nerves; and had observed thatLance had flagged ever since the journey to Minsterham, with less ofvigour and more of sharpness. Sure that something was preying on theboy, he deferred his least important letters, to splash away with himin mud and mist, and hear him explain his views, with the fullnessoften more possible towards friend than family.

  John was greatly surprised, but did not make any crushing objection,and listened with thorough sympathy. He doubted, however, whether Lancewould be doing any real good, and not only throwing more, instead ofless work upon Felix. Sensibly enough the boy went into the matter.He said that when Felix began, the staff had also consisted of Mr.Froggatt, Redstone, a lad called Stubbs, and a boy. Now Felix did muchmore than Mr. Froggatt had then done, and Stubbs was a useful pieceof mechanism without a head, and Lance believed himself quite able tofill the place Felix had taken at the same age; indeed, he had far lesseither to learn or to overcome, and though his arithmetical powers werestill in abeyance, he had rather excelled in that line at the Cathedralschool.

  'I know, of course,' said Lance, 'that a man from a London house wouldbe of more use; but there's this awful salary, and he would never careto look after Felix.'

  'I allow that; but even if you can be of much present use, is it not atthe expense of greater usefulness by-and-by?'

  'I am sick of that! Edgar and Clem both mean to be of use by-and-by,and what comes of it? Edgar has spent Felix's two hundred pounds thathe borrowed, and now has got his own, all to repay when he is a greatpainter. And he is six years older than I am! Now if I earned my guineaa week, as Felix did, it would be real good now, and I should belearning the trade for the future.'

  'That's the question. First, would the guinea a week make so muchappreciable difference?'

  'Is that all you know about it, Jack? First, I should be earning mykeep, not eating my head off; and then Bernard might be sent safe offto school.'

  'You don't mean to say that otherwise he could not?'

  'It has been a terribly costly year. There's Edgar. Then Clem couldn'tsettle in at Cambridge for nothing; there's been Alda turned backon Felix's hands; there's been illness, and goodness knows what thedoctors may charge; and there's Felix's outing and mine!'

  John answered by opening his pocket-book and showing Dr. Manby'saccount receipted.

  'O Jack! You don't mean--'

  'Considering that Will was the sole cause of the doctor being wanted atall, we could only wish to bear the damages.'

  'I hope you have told Wilmet. It would be a ton weight off her mind.'

  'I hope she would think the Chapter did it; but if you think she isanxious, let her know that it is all right.'

  'You are a brick, John! But Felix himself said it would be a closeshave. I wish I could throttle that Bexley Tribune, and all its dirtysupporters!'

  'Do you know, Lance, I am very much struck with your brother's--ay, andold Froggatt's conduct in this matter.'

  Lance flushed with pleasure. 'Go ahead, Jack!'

  'Of course, for a paper to keep its politics is nothing; but to take upthe cause of an unpopular man, whose slights have been marked--'

  'Who has been a malicious little cad,' chimed in the chorister.

  'To take up his cause, simply as a matter of justice, and therewith ofthe Church, without truckling to public opinion, at absolute risk andloss, seems to me generosity and principle quite out of the common way.'

  'You're about right there,' said Lance, intensely gratified; 'anddoesn't it make one burn to help the old fellow?'

  'Quite true. The question is, which way to help him; and while I grantyou that the being idle at home just now is a terrible trial, whetherit might not be better to be patient under it, than to disqualifyyourself for a line in which you might do more--that is if it doesdisqualify you.'

  'What line do you mean?' said Lance.

  'Scholarship, the University.'

  'That wasn't what I wanted most,' said Lance; 'and as for that, I'mdisqualified enough by all this waste of time.'

  'What was your wish, then?'

  'I'll tell you,' said Lance, with lowered voice. 'When I used to liecatching notes of the chanting, and knowing that the organ was quietfor me, I used to feel that if I got well, I must give up my lifeto it, and study music in full earnest, so as to be a real lift topeople's praise, perhaps in our own Cathedral. I thought maybe I couldget in as a lay-vicar when my year is up, and work at harmony underMiles, and take a musical degree. But then came that day when the organseemed to be crushing and grinding my head to bits--and of all Psalmsin the world it was the forty-second! and Manby telling me on my lifenot to try to do anything for I can't tell how long.'

  'Was that the reason you sold your violin?'

  'No, of course not; except that it was a sin and a shame to keep it forno good, when I thought a pound might pull that little ape Bernard outof the mire. And I've been asking questions, and find it would takehuge time and cost to study music so as to be worth anything; and heream I, a great lout, not doing that or any other good on the face of theearth--as much worse than Theodore as I am bigger. So if I can helpFelix, when he is fighting the fight in the Pursuivant for God's honourand good and right, wouldn't that be a sort of service?'

  'So undertaken,' said John, with a huskiness in his voice. 'Well,Lance, I will talk it over with Felix, if you like.'

  For John Harewood, not having any strong musical bias, did not greatlyappreciate the career that Lance had chalked out for himself; andwhile thrilled by the boy's devotional feeling, thought it tingedby enthusiasm, and had seen enough of Cathedral singing-men to haveno wish to see him among them. If the loss of time was to preventa University career, he thought book-selling under Felix's eye thepreferable occupation.

  Discussion was, however, deferred by the arrival of a home friend, whohad sought him out at the hotel; and Lance had to go home without him,and wear through the day between dawdling, drawing, and playing withStella, as best he might, till after school-hours; when, eager to turnto the account of his wardrobe these moments when Wilmet was free fromher Captain, he drew her into his room.

  Presently after, Felix heard the most amazing noises to which hisfamily had ever treated him, and thankful that the wet day had reducedthe denizens of the reading-room to one deaf old gentleman, he hurriedupstairs, and beheld through the open door of Mr. Froggatt's room,Bernard raving, roaring, dancing, and stamping, in an over-masteringpassion, and tearing some paper up with teeth and hands. Just thenLance grasped his collar, and tried in vain to rescue the paper; buthe fought with fists, bites, and kicks, like something frantic, untilFelix, with a bound forward, suddenly captured him, and dragged himback, still tearing and crunching the paper.

  'For shame! Be quiet! You a
re heard all over the place.--Shut the door.'

  The door was shut by Wilmet, while Bernard stood quailing under thestern face, strong hand, and tone of displeasure in which Felixdemanded, 'What is the meaning of this?'

  'That Bernard refuses to wear Lance's outgrown clothes,' said Wilmet.

  'Do you mean that this is the cause of this disgraceful outbreak?'

  'I--I don't see why--' growled Bernard, 'why I should wear everybody'sbeastly old things.'

  'It is right you should hear the whole, Felix,' said Wilmet. 'WhenI showed him that Lance would have some still shabbier clothes ofClement's altered for him, he said if Lance chose to be a snob, hewould not. Lance answered that it was a choice between that andpetticoats; and then he fell into this extraordinary state, when I canonly hope he did not know what he was saying or doing.'

  'He was drawing me,' bellowed Bernard, 'drawing me in his brute of abook!' and he was so infuriated, that words never before heard by hissister followed, as he quivered and stamped even under Felix's grasp,which at length forced him into desisting; but the command, 'Go upto your room this instant,' could only be carried out by main force,amid tremendous kicking and struggling, Felix carrying him, and Wilmetfollowing to unfasten the hands that clutched at the rail; while Lancestood aghast at one door, and Cherry in an agony at another, and Stellacrept into a corner, and hid her face in terror.

  'Well, we never had the like of this before!' said Felix, coming down,having locked him in, and heard him begin to bounce about the barrack,like prisoners in the breaking-out frenzy. 'Can it be all about theclothes?'

  'I don't think you know what a grievance the having to take to old oneshas always been to him, poor little boy!' said Cherry, very nearlycrying, for Bernard was so much her own child, that in spite of hishaving cast her off, she was in full instinct of defence; 'and hedislikes Lance's most of all, because of the Cathedral peculiarities.'

  'Ah! you have always humoured him by taking off that chorister'sfrill,' said Wilmet; 'but there _could_ be no objection to thosetrousers. They were almost new when Fulbert left them, and Lance hasonly had them for best one winter.'

  Felix could not help laughing. 'Long had she worn, and now Belindawears,' he quoted. 'My dear Mettie, the effect is better than thedetail. You should spare us the pedigree, however respectable.'

  'Well, I said nothing about it,' said Wilmet. 'Was it what you saidabout petticoats, Lance?'

  'Lance does tease and aggravate that child unbearably!' exclaimedCherry, too much vexed not to be relieved to turn her blame uponsomebody; 'and it is very unkind of him, for he knows Bernard cannotbear to be laughed at.'

  'Hush! Cherry,' said Wilmet; 'if Lance did, he didn't mean it. It hasbeen quite too much--'

  'Indeed it has, said Felix. 'You had better lie down at once, Lance.'

  A good deal more than Bernard's outbreak had gone to the pain anddizziness that prevented Lance from even attempting to reply toCherry's accusation, but made him turn quietly back into his room;while Felix was obliged to hurry downstairs again; and Alda made herfrequent remark that 'those boys were really unbearable.'

  'Poor Lance! it was not his fault,' said Wilmet.

  'You don't know, Wilmet!' said Cherry indignantly. 'I did hope thatwhen he came home, my poor little Bernard might get better managed--heused to be so fond of him; but he has done nothing but worry and laughat him, and I don't at all wonder it has come to this. I shall go upand see about the poor little fellow.'

  'Do you mean to let her go and pet him after such outrageousnaughtiness?' asked Alda, as Cherry moved to begin the difficult ascent.

  'I should not do it myself,' said Wilmet; 'but I daresay she will dohim good.'

  Alda held up her hands in wonder. How many quarrels might have beengoing on at that moment, if three of the family at least had notexercised the forbearance she so little understood.

  Cherry and her Lord Gerald mounted the attic stairs. It was for thefirst time in her life, and she was so imperfect in the geography ofthe upper floor, that she had to open one or two doors before she found'the barrack,' with Bernard lying kicking his heels fiercely at thebeam across the low room. The amazing presence of Geraldine suspendedthis occupation. 'How did you come here?' he gasped.

  'I came to see you, Bear. My poor Bear! I am so sorry!' said Cherry,sitting down on one of the beds; 'how could you go on so?'

  There was rebuke and pain in her voice, and Bernard resented it.'They've no business to bait me,' he said. 'I've no peace in my life!'

  'But that doesn't make it right to fly into such dreadful passions.'

  'I wouldn't do it if they'd let me alone. I don't see why I should bethe one to wear every one's nasty old clothes.'

  'Why, Felix and Clement couldn't well wear yours!'

  'It was all Lance's doing. Lance has bothered me out of existence eversince he came home.'

  'But you should try to bear it, if he _is_ a little cross and tiresome.You know he is not at all well yet, and all this has quite knocked himup.'

  'I'm glad of it!' said Bernard viciously. 'Served him right for settingWilmet on, and then drawing his abominable pictures; as if it wasn'tenough to have spoilt all my pleasure, and sold Stingo!'

  'What was Stingo?'

  'Oh, just a dog--'

  'A dog!'

  'Yes, my dog; and Lance went and sold him, and then drew a beastlypicture of him and me.'

  'But, Bernard, how could you have a dog?'

  'Oh, I bought him with some money Travis gave me, and a cad down in thetown kept him for me; but then Travis didn't give me any more--'

  'But, Bernard, you must have known you ought not. Did you get intodebt?'

  'Ay, just for a few shillings; and the brute threatened me so that Ijust asked Lance--'

  'Was he such a dangerous dog? O Bear!'

  'No, no--the man that kept him. I thought Lance would tackle himwithout making a row.'

  'And did he?'

  'Ay. He said he hadn't got a penny, and he kept me waiting ever solong; but I fancy he got it from Harewood. He might as well have let mekeep Stingo!'

  Cherry's views of the relations between Lance and Bernard had begunto adjust themselves, and she began to reason on the impropriety ofkeeping the dog; but she soon perceived that this was only rangingherself on the side of the enemy, and exciting the obduracy of herfavourite, who was determined to be a victim. In truth, Bernard wasnot repentant enough to treat her with confidence, and his world wasso entirely beyond her knowledge, that she did not possess the threadsthat would have led to it. All that she did perceive was, that much ofBernard's irritation was at the endeavour to keep him out of mischief,and that her own gentle persuasions were almost as distasteful asLance's jests. She sat on, arguing, talking, entreating, till it hadlong been quite dark; and Wilmet at last came up to say that she mustnot stay any longer in the cold, and to ask Bernard whether he wouldsay he was sorry.

  'I didn't want her to come here bothering,' was Bernard's gratefulremark.

  'Well, I advise you to take care you are in a better mood before Felixcomes,' said Wilmet.--'Come, Cherry, it is not safe for you to go downalone.'

  Cherry could only entreat, 'Do, Bear, do,' and try to kiss the avertedcheek.

  She did not know that as soon as the door was shut on him and thelittle flicker of gas, Bernard fell into an anguish of sobs and tears,the work of her persevering love, softening and lessening the obstinatepride so far that the next visitors met with a much better receptionthan they might have done. The first came stumbling up with a wearystep, and pushed open the door, saying, 'Here, Bear, don't bear malice.I'm awfully sorry I ever drew that thing! I'll never do you again. Soshake hands, and have done with it.'

  'All right,' returned Bernard, outstretching his hand as one who feltthat amends were made him, but could not receive them graciously; andLance's weary and confused senses were satisfied. He never perceivedhard lumps of offence unless he ran his head very hard against them,and even now little guessed the amount of annoyance hi
s raillery hadgiven.

  And next came a quick, resolute tread that made the little fellowshiver with apprehension, never guessing at his brother's self-debatewhether obstinate impenitence ought not to bring the rod, and wonderingrecollection of his own displeasure when Mr. Audley recommended itsdisuse in the fatherless household. Felix held by the spirit ratherthan the letter, and had decided that unless he found submission,signal punishment must ensue.

  It was an immense relief to him to detect by eye and ear that the childhad been crying, and to be able to say that seeing that he was sorrymade it possible to attend to Lance's kind entreaty not to be hard uponhim. Absolute words of penitence Felix did not try to exact; but aftera few words of sympathy, which Bernard had by no means expected, on thehardship of the second-hand wardrobe, and a reminder of the necessity,he proceeded to rebuke for the passionate behaviour, and above allfor the language Bernard had used; expressing to the full how much ithad shocked and appalled him, by showing what sort of associates theboy must have chosen since he had learnt such words at all, and whata shame and disgrace he felt it that one of the brothers should everhave uttered them. And Bernard--who had learnt that Satanic primerwith a certain shame and repugnance, under the strong desire to showhimself neither girl, muff, nor choir-boy, and certainly would neverin his right senses have betrayed his proficiency at home--was a gooddeal impressed, and finally began to cry again, and to promise to curehimself.

  Believed to have thus fulfilled the least pleasing of all his duties,Felix went down to his long-delayed evening meal, and therewith to afamily council. Lance was gone to bed, and his proposal was the morefreely discussed, as well as his relations with Bernard.

  'That boy must go at once to Stoneborough,' said Felix. 'I shall writeto Dr. Cheviot to-night.'

  Wilmet sighed. 'I suppose I ought not to have objected,' she said; 'butI did think Lance would have kept him in order.'

  'He has tried,' said Felix.

  'O Felix!' cried Cherry, turning to him with tears in her eyes, 'I amafraid I was unjust to Lance just now, and I am so sorry! Do you know,the naughty little fellow had been keeping a dog and got into debt; andLance paid all--I can't think how!'

  'That I believe I can tell,' said John Harewood, 'though I am afraid itis a breach of confidence. He sold his violin.'

  'That violin that I was so angry with him for buying!' said Wilmet.'Well, he is a dear little fellow!'

  'And I scolded him for being unkind!' cried Cherry, in despair. 'Oh, ishe asleep? I should like to beg his pardon,' and her hand clasped LordGerald.

  'About the worst thing you could do to the poor boy, Cherry,' saidFelix, 'when he is only lying there trying to get his head quiet enoughto let him sleep.'

  'Nor must you betray me,' added John, smiling at poorconscience-stricken Cherry.

  'And it is a mercy the fiddle is gone!' said Alda. 'I used to hear himplaying it somewhere among the out-houses in the spring, and it wasenough to distract one, added to Theodore's dronings.'

  'It must have been like parting with a bit of his life,' sighed Cherry;'and yet Bernard would not mind him, and they _did_ quarrel!'

  'Boys who deal well with juniors at school do sometimes fail withlittle brothers,' said John. 'Besides, I observe that where there ispride there is always a distaste and dread of those who have much powerof ridicule.'

  'I suspect, too,' said Felix, 'that Lance has made the turn in lifewhen one gets superfluously earnest, and nothing so upsets influence. Ihave felt it myself.'

  'So all this trouble and vexation has been weighing on the dear littlefellow,' said Wilmet. 'No wonder he is not half so well as when he camehome!'

  'No,' said Felix; 'I wonder whether the Froggatts would let him come tothem for a week or two, or whether it would be too dull to be good forhim.'

  'If his mind were settled about the future, it would be rest ratherthan dullness,' said John; 'but I think a good deal of his trouble iscaused by Manby's verdict, and for that perhaps the best cure would beletting him have his wish.'

  'You, John!' exclaimed Felix; 'I thought you would have put that out ofhis head!'

  'On the contrary, he made me think there was a good deal in hisarguments. First, as regards you, would he be of any real use?'

  'Never mind that,' said Felix. 'I heard something to-day that wouldmake it practicable; but I can't have that boy wasted.'

  'The point is, what is waste? Now his strongest aptitude never was forclassical work; and if he is not to touch a Latin book till Christmas,and then only cautiously, I do not see what chance he would have, evenif Will were out of the way.'

  'And if not at Minsterham, so much the less anywhere else,' saidWilmet. 'Besides, it might be a dreadful risk if his head were to beoverstrained.'

  'And in the meantime, the being kept here doing nothing, and vexinghimself, is wearing his spirits, and hurting him more than any lightoccupation, especially what he felt to be a labour of love.'

  'That is quite true again,' said Felix. 'I quite believe he would bemuch happier if he began working with me to-morrow; but it might beletting a mere fit of impatience and despondency fix him for life in anuncongenial business.'

  'I thought you preferred it!' exclaimed Wilmet.

  'Oh yes,' said Felix, with a sort of half contempt in his tone; 'butthese boys of ours are a different sort of stuff, and we have seen thatit will never answer to pin them down to plod.'

  'Lance would never be like Edgar!' exclaimed Wilmet; 'as if Edgar everthought of doing anything so unselfish in his life!'

  'O Wilmet! indeed he _thought!_' cried Cherry.

  'Yes, but always of five or six years hence!' said Wilmet.

  'Lance is very like Edgar,' said Felix. 'He has what I believe belongsto the artist temperament; and that he is the bravest, the mostuncomplaining little fellow I ever came across, and probably wouldnever break off what he had begun, makes me the more anxious not to letthis access of generosity--ay, and tedium--lead to taking any decidedstep while he is so young.'

  'When you come to artist temperament, I don't understand,' said Wilmet.'Lance doesn't even draw anything like Cherry or Edgar--much good doesthat do! and as to his music, it would not be much of a living.'

  'I believe he thinks that the alternative,' said John.

  'For goodness' sake!' cried Alda, 'he doesn't want to get taken onin London! To have him singing and fiddling in public would be worsethan anything. You put that out of his head, I hope, John. Even if hechanged his name--'

  'It never was in his head,' said John. 'He never thought of anythingbut his old line--Cathedral music: and the sacrifice to him is of that,not of the chance of the University.'

  'That's not so bad,' said Alda, 'because it is a great chance whetherany one ever heard of it.'

  'But I doubt if it be a very desirable life, as things are at presentconstituted,' said John. 'I am not sure that it is not better to givethe musical talent freely for that service, than to make it one's tradeand livelihood.'

  'I think you are right there,' said Felix. 'I suppose there is alwayssome degree of disenchantment.'

  'What did you say made his notion practicable?' said Wilmet.

  'I've had Mr. Lamb with me this evening--'

  'Mr. Bruce's managing clerk,' explained Wilmet to the Captain. 'Does hewant you to have Ernest?'

  'Yes. He has missed the exhibition from the grammar-school; and as hecan't go to Oxford, fancies (deluded youth!) that he will get morereading in this line than any other. He is ready to give a premium withhim, and spoke what Mr. Froggatt would call very handsomely about ourhouse being one where he could trust him. I believe Mr. Froggatt willbe gratified, and accept him.'

  'Ernest Lamb--Serious mutton,' repeated Cherry; 'doesn't he look veryheavy?'

  'Yes; he is bookish without being quick. I don't expect he will be ofmuch use just yet, but he is as steady as old Time; and though he andLance would neither of them do alone, yet together I think we could geton.'

  'Then,' said John, 'does it not seem to you
, Wilmet, that it would bea greater positive benefit to accept Lance's offer for the present--ontrial, as one may say--than to leave him to the depression that iscertainly doing him harm?'

  'And if Lance was there,' said Wilmet, 'I should have some comfort thatFelix would be properly looked after.'

  'Whatever happens,' said Felix, 'I shall send Lance out to Marshlandsfor a fortnight, and see if he is in the same mind when he comes back.After all, it depends on Mr. Froggatt: and he will be afraid peoplewill say we have turned in the whole Grammar-school behind the counter.I wonder if Lance is safe not to laugh in the old ladies' faces whenthey ask--What number of what magazine, how many years ago, had areceipt for washing anti-macassars?'

  By which they knew him to be very much exhilarated.

  That fortnight at Marshlands was not wasted. Lance had facultiesfor never being dull. He pottered about with Mr. or Mrs. Froggatt,fed their chickens, gathered their apples and nuts, petted theircats, tried to teach words to their parrot and tricks to their dogs,played cribbage and back-gammon with them in the evening, never had ahead-ache, never was at a loss or upon their hands, gained their heartscompletely, and came home wonderfully benefited by the respite fromnoise and harass, and quite decided to stand by his proposal, to whichthe partners, with some hesitation, had finally acceded.

  END OF VOL. I.