CHAPTER XI
A FEAST OF THE GODS
I sped through the streets to our house as swiftly, I am sure, as thatancient messenger of the Pagan gods--he that had the wings tied to hisfeet that he might travel the faster. My dear mother was rejoiced at theCaptain's kindness, but she would by no means hear of coming with me.She bade me return with speed, that I might not keep the companywaiting, and to thank the Captain for her with all my heart for hiskindness and condescension.
When I got back to the Noble Rose I found our little company allassembled in the Dolphin. No one stayed my entrance this time, forthough the same fellow that I had tussled with before saw me enter hemade no objection this time, and even saluted me in a loutish manner;for I was the Captain's friend, and as such claimed respect.
Lancelot was leaning against the mantelpiece, and Marjorie and myCaptain were sitting by plying him with questions and listening eagerlyto his answers. Lancelot had drawn off his travelling boots and sprucedhimself, and looked a comely fellow. When I entered he broke off in whathe was saying to clasp my hand again, while the Captain rang for dinner,expressing as he did so the civilest regrets at my mother's absence.Then we all sat to table and dined together in the pleasantestgood-fellowship.
Never shall I forget that dinner, not if I live to be a hundred--whichis not unlikely, for I come of a long-lived race by my mother's side,and winds and waters have so toughened me that I ought to last with thebest of my ancestors. There was a Latin tag Mr. Davies used to tease mewith about the Feasts of the Gods. Feasts of the Gods, forsooth! Theycould not compare, I'll dare wager, with that repast in the Dolphin Roomof the Noble Rose, on that crisp spring day when I and the world wereyounger.
I might well be excused, a raw provincial lad, if I did feel shyish inthe presence of such gentlefolk. But they were such true gentlefolk thatit was impossible for long not to feel at ease in their society. So whenI learnt that Lancelot had not changed one whit in his love for me, andwhen I found that not the Captain alone, but his beautiful niece too,did everything to make me feel happy and at home--why, it would havebeen churlish of me not to have aided their gentleness by making myselfas agreeable as might be.
"HE BROKE OFF IN WHAT HE WAS SAYING TO CLASP MY HAND."]
The Captain had so much to say of his scheme or dream, and we were socontent to listen like good children, that we did not rise from tabletill nigh three o'clock. It was such a happy dream, and so feelinglydepicted by the Captain, that it never occurred to me for a moment todoubt in any wise its feasibility, or to feel aught but sure that I wasengaged in the greatest undertaking wherein man had ever shared. When wedid part at last, on the understanding that I was to attend upon theCaptain daily, I shook hands with Marjorie as with an old friend. I wasfor shaking hands with Lancelot, too, but he would not hear of it. Hewould walk home with me, he said; he could not lose me so soon afterfinding me again. So we issued out of the Noble Rose together,arm-in-arm, in very happy mind.
We walked for a few paces in silence, the sweet silence that often fallsupon long-parted friends when their hearts are too full for parley. ThenLancelot asked me suddenly 'Is she not wonderful?' and I could answerno more than 'indeed,' for she seemed to me the most wonderful creaturethe world had ever seen, which opinion I entertain and cherish to thisvery day and hour.
'Is she not better than her picture in little?' he questioned, and againI had no more to say than 'indeed,' though I would have liked to findother words for my thoughts. By this time we had come to the way where Ishould turn to my home, but here Lancelot would needs have it that weshould go and visit Mr. Davies's shop in the High Street. I must saythat this resolve somewhat smote my conscience, for it was many a longday since I had crossed Mr. Davies's threshold; but I would not sayLancelot nay, and so we went our ways to the High Street and Mr.Davies's shop. And indeed I am glad we did so.
Marjorie Page 11