The Man from Ceylon

by Ruby M. Ayres

  “Surprised to see me?” he enquired, and then. lowering his voice— “Don’t look so apprehensive, my dear—I’ve good news for you! “… And then in an exultant stage-whisper—“I’m out of the wood”

  She repeated his words vaguely—

  “Out of the wood?”

  Kirby nodded. “Yes.” He followed her into the kitchen, closing the door behind him. “It’s a miracle—and I still can’t believe it’s true, but apparently I’ve a good friend somewhere—pessimistic as I’ve been—” he put his hands on her shoulders, shaking her with playful insistence—” Say something, my dear!…don’t stare at me like that. I’m out of the wood, I tell you——”

  “You mean—we needn’t sell the house? “she faltered.

  Kirby nodded. “Everything is O.K.—thank God,” he added with profound emotion.

  “But—what happened? Who is the friend?” Jessica asked in bewilderment.

  Her father shook his head.

  “I can’t tell you. It’s all a mystery to me—but when I got to Town, Winter—Stephen Winter—was at the office and he informed me that someone—he refused to tell me who—said he had given his word to keep it a secret—had settled all my liabilities—and that I owed him nothing.” He passed a hand over his forehead as if wondering whether he could really be speaking the truth—” Can’t believe it—seems like a dream—but it’s taught me a lesson—and I’ve finished with the damned Stock Exchange once and for all! Finished, I tell you,” he added fiercely, as if daring her to contradict him, and then laughing lightheartedly—” Forget it, my girl—forget what a crazy fool your father has been—!…There’s someone at the door—I’ll run up and see your mother—” but before he turned away he took her hand in a warm clasp—” Forget it! “he repeated. “ And go and see who’s at the door——”

  It was John Barker, but for a moment Jessica felt completely dazed and could think of nothing to say as she stood aside to let him enter.

  Out of the wood!…the words echoed again and again through her mind with unbelievable thankfulness.

  Out of the wood!…the house was not to be sold!—and her father—thanks to some wonderful friend—was miraculously out of his trouble.

  “Anything the matter? “Barker asked with a note of anxiety. “Your mother… .”

  Jessica found her voice with difficulty.

  “Oh no—she’s much better—it’s only——” and the tears came—tears of passionate relief which she could neither check nor control.

  “I’m sorry—it’s nothing—really,” she sobbed. “Don’t take any notice—I—it’s only” she gave a smothered cry of protest as John suddenly took her in his arms, pressing her cheek to his shoulder.

  “You’re tired and run-down, my dear,” he said with infinite concern. “If only you would let me care for you—if only you would be my wife——”

  Neither of them realised that the front door was still half open, or that Paddy was hurrying up the garden path.

  She came to an abrupt standstill as she saw Jessica in John Barker’s embrace, and a faintly incredulous smile crossed her face before she turned away, walking carefully on the grass border so that her footsteps should not be heard, and then rushing round to the garage where Monty was putting the car away.

  “What do you think’s happened? “she challenged him breathlessly. “You’ll never guess!…I’ve had the shock of my life—I told you it was John’s car at the gate—but——”

  Monty interrupted her in concern—“Not—your mother?”

  Paddy shook her head.

  “No—not Mother this time—it’s Jessica—

  Monty suddenly dropped the rug which he was placing over the bonnet of the car—

  “You mean—she’s ill? “he asked sharply.

  Paddy chuckled. “It depends what you mean by’ill’—At any rate, she and John are locked in each other’s arms—they didn’t see me, of course—much too engrossed—but”—her voice hardened defiantly —“it looks as if Peter’s won’t be the only wedding we shall have to attend in the near future!…I wonder whose the third will be!…troubles always come in threes, so we’re told—but I never imagined that Jessica would beat me at the game——”

  Monty had turned away and it was a moment before he spoke—

  “You mean—you mean that she and Barker…” he said with slow difficulty.

  “You can bet your sweet life,” Paddy assured him confidently. “Mother always thought John rather fancied Jess—but—oh well—I don’t mind admitting it’s given me a bit of a shock to see them—like that! Our circumspect Jess, of all people! “She laughed. “I expect you’ll be the next to succumb to somebody’s charms——” she prophesied gaily, but her smile died away as Monty took a sudden step towards her.

  “Any hope? “he asked briefly.

  Paddy stared at him with wide-open eyes.

  “Any—hope? “she echoed, and then with an effort at lightheartedness, “Trying to be funny, my dear?”

  Monty laughed shortly.

  “No—quite serious—for once!…What do you say, Paddy? We get along quite well together—and I—I—like you.”

  “Like me!” Paddy winced as she suddenly thought of Peter Phillips, and the passionate words with which, he had expressed his undying love for her. They had meant so little, after all—or how could he have changed so soon?

  “ Like me!” she repeated—she eyed him critically. “Well, I rather like you, too,” she agreed after a moment with pretended sincerity—” So if this is a genuine offer…I may consider it——”

  Why not? she asked herself defiantly. Monty was a rich man, and life was too short to grieve for ever over a love which had never been sincere.

  One could do so much with money—travel, buy lovely clothes—and live in the luxury of which she had always dreamed—

  They would be married quite soon, too—there was nothing to wait for—married before Jessica, who would no doubt be sufficiently old-fashioned to expect at least a six month’s engagement—perhaps even before Peter and Rose Gallon—which would show Peter how completely indifferent she was to his unfaithfulness.

  Unfaithfulness!—Paddy’s conscience gave her an unkind twinge as she remembered that it was she who had so definitely scorned Peter’s love—she who was solely responsible for the way in which he had left her.

  Oh well, what did it matter? Stupid to look back and to regret anything; from this moment she would only look ahead to the good times she could have as Monty’s wife.

  Sixty thousand pounds!—a colossal sum more than she had ever dreamed of possessing—not that it would actually be her own—but Monty was extremely generous, as she had already discovered—so—she came back to the present with a start as he suddenly spoke—

  “A penny for your thoughts, fair lady!”

  Paddy laughed—” A whole penny!…Are you sure you can really afford such a colossal sum! “And then, as she saw John Barker’s car moving away from the gate, she took Monty’s hand—” Come along, and let us congratulate my happy sister, and tell her our own wonderful news.” She half raised her face as if confident that he would kiss her, but he only said—” You run on while I lock up the garage.”

  So this was romance!…Paddy was torn between tears and laughter as she walked slowly to the house. Did Monty really care for her? Yes, he must care, or why had he asked her to marry him?

  But— had he asked her?

  In the hall she met Jessica, carrying the tea-tray— and she seemed to avoid Paddy’s eyes as she spoke.

  “You’re home earlier than I expected. Father is, too! so we were having tea together in mother’s room

  —but I can soon make some more——” she had half

  turned back to the kitchen when Paddy stopped her—

  “Prepare for a great surprise, dear sister, before you give me one! Monty and I are engaged—!…Oh— mind!… you nearly dropped the tray—and you know how short we are of cups. I suppose the news is a bit of a shock
, isn’t it?”

  Jessica laughed unsteadily—

  “No—oh no—I think I—guessed it would happen. I hope you will be—very happy.”

  “The reciprocity of the sentiment is unbounded! “she replied dramatically. “Mother always thought John was keen on you—so your news won’t come as a surprise to her.”

  Paddy made a little grimace.

  “What do you mean—my news? “Jessica asked sharply.

  Paddy laughed—” Only that I saw you locked in his embrace—quite by accident, of course!…So we’ve made a double event of it—we might even arrange a double wedding, with luck!”

  Jessica set the tea-tray down on the hall table with unsteady hands—

  “You’re talking nonsense,” she said agitatedly. “I’m not engaged, if that’s what you mean. You’re talking nonsense—” and then as Paddy stared at her disbelievingly she admitted with an unconscious note of defiance—” If you must know, John did ask me to marry him but I refused because——” she broke off sharply as Monty appeared at the open door.

  There was a brief silence before Paddy said profoundly,

  “Well!…Did you hear that, Monty? Jess isn’t engaged— So after all it’s only you and I who are in the headlines!”

  Jessica had hurriedly turned to pick up the tea-tray again, but Paddy grabbed it from her.

  “I’ll take that up and ‘break the news to mother’, as the old song has it, at the same time. It will cheer her up,” and with a nod and a smile to Monty she departed upstairs, comically whistling the well-known bars of the “Wedding March “.

  Jessica looked at Monty with a wavering smile.

  “So you really will be one of the family? “she said with forced lightness, and then as he did not speak, “I hope—I am sure—that you and Paddy will be very happy together. I’11 just put the kettle on again and make another pot of tea for us. I’m sorry we haven’t anything more exciting with which to celebrate the great occasion.”

  Monty followed her into the kitchen.

  “Dilly out? “he asked.

  “Yes, she’s gone to do the shopping for me.”

  There was a moment’s silence while she refilled the kettle and set it on the gas-ring, before Monty said,

  “So it was a false report, was it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That Paddy believed you were to be the future Mrs. Barker.”

  Jessica laughed. “Yes, utterly and entirely false. Paddy has too lively an imagination.”

  “Don’t you—like the fellow?”

  “John? Oh yes, very much indeed, but not well enough to marry him.” She turned to take some more cups from the dresser asking with an effort at gaiety, “Any more questions from learned counsel?”

  She was so confident that he would make a joking reply that her heart seemed to miss a beat when he said bluntly,

  “I suppose you’ve never been what is called’in love’, have you? Don’t believe in it, perhaps?”

  Jessica shook her head. “I’m not lucky like Paddy, you know. I haven’t had any experience——”

  “I asked if you believe in it,” he insisted.

  “Believe in it!…Well, I suppose we all do, don’t we?”

  “I never did—until the day I barged into your family circle as an unexpected guest——”

  “And then of course, it was a case of love at first sight,” Jessica submitted lightheartedly. “Paddy’s other countless admirers will be green with envy when they hear the news, poor boys!”

  There was another brief silence before Monty said with slow intensity, “You seem very sure that I am referring to—your sister.”

  She turned abruptly to look at him. “Well— naturally,” she submitted, and then as he suddenly caught her hand she gave a stifled exclamation, “What are you doing, Monty? What have I said?—what is the matter?”

  She tried to shake his hand aside, but it was useless, and there was a grim look in his eyes as he said bluntly,

  “I’ve made a damned fool of myself, that’s what’s the matter. Listen, Jessica—I——” He broke off with a smothered oath, sharply releasing her as the back door opened and Dilly marched in.

  “Biggest queues at the shops I’ve seen for weeks, Miss Jess,” she announced as she plumped her laden shopping-basket down on the table. “Because jam’s off the ration, I suppose!…Not that it’s worth having, or it wouldn’t be!…Kettle’s boiling over— I’ll make the tea—you go and have a rest. I suppose you’ve been on your feet ever since dinner-time. Looks tired, doesn’t she, Mr. Monty? Is the mistress all right, Miss Jess?”

  “Yes, quite all right—and——” Jessica laughed with a note of defiance. “We’ve got some news for you, Dilly—Mr. Monty and Miss Paddy are engaged to be married.”

  Dilly gasped, and almost dropped the kettle.

  “Engaged!…Well, I can’t say I’m altogether surprised—I see it coming along, as you might say. I’m sure I hope you’ll be very happy, sir.”

  “No harm in hoping,” Monty retorted grimly, and turning abruptly, he left the kitchen.

  Dilly looked at Jessica with a dubious smile.

  “Well, that’s the second wedding we’ve heard about this week, isn’t it? “she remarked. “And now there’s sure to be a third—so they say, don’t they, Miss Jess?”

  Jessica tried to laugh. “Well, let’s hope it won’t be yours,” she said. “I don’t know what I should do if you suddenly made up your mind to desert me too.”

  But Dilly confidently assured her there was no such possibility.

  “I’m like you, Miss Jess—not the marrying sort.”

  Paddy’s cheerful voice suddenly called from upstairs. “Monty—you’re wanted. Come and receive a blessing from your future in-laws——”

  Dilly chuckled. “And he’ll give her a diamond ring, I suppose, won’t he, Miss Jess? Mr. Gordon says that Mr. Monty’s a very rich gentleman! Not that money’s much good nowadays, from all accounts.”

  Was anything much good, Jessica wondered, and she glanced down at her hand which Monty had gripped so fiercely.

  What had he meant by that sudden strange outburst? Wasn’t he really happy in his engagement to Paddy? But of course he must be—she was so attractive to all men, and besides, Monty would never have asked her to marry him unless he had really wanted her.

  Dilly broke in again upon her agitated thoughts.

  “Where will you have the tea, Miss Jess? Shall I take it to the mistress’s room? There seems to be a real party going on up there,” she added with a chuckle, as a sudden burst of laughter from Kirby broke the silence. “And the master home so early too! Perhaps he guessed what had happened,” she added knowingly. “You ought to go up and join them all, Miss—so—as——”

  Jessica interrupted her. “No, I’ll just have a cup down here——” for of course they were all quite happy without her, she told herself with a sigh, and a sudden feeling of regret rose in her heart as she thought of John Barker.

  Perhaps after all the wiseacres were right who said that second-best is better than none—better than loneliness surely? And now she had sent John away perhaps some day—like poor little Miss Dawson down the road—she too, would know the full and tragic eloquence of that word.

  Loneliness! Life was so perplexing!…Only yesterday Paddy had declared that she was sick to death of the word’love’ and that she did not believe in it— only to burst into tears a moment later at the thought of Peter’s forthcoming marriage. And yet today she was all gaiety and excitement over her engagement to Monty, whilst he— “I’ve made a damned fool of myself——”

  Jessica tried in vain to forget the blunt and surprising admission but it persistently haunted her throughout the evening, especially when Kirby—with an air of profound mystery—produced from some unknown source a bottle of what he declared to be ‘a magnum of pre-war fizz’, in which to drink the health of the newly-engaged couple!

  “A bit flat, isn’t it? “Paddy remarked
, screwing up her nose after the first sip. “What do you say, Monty? “But Monty merely replied that he was no connoisseur and firmly believed in’ putting the spirits down to keep the spirits up’.

  Everything seemed ‘a bit flat’, Jessica thought with a feeling of weary depression as, after the family had drained the bottle of its last drop and she was gathering the empty glasses onto a tray, Gordon gave her a brotherly pat on the shoulder and said, “Well, here’s hoping it will be your turn next, old dear!”

  “Why not yours? “she submitted. He made a grimace.

  “No thanks—no matrimonial ties for me. My idea of bliss is to live alone in the backwoods—far from the madding crowd and all female influence——”

  Paddy gave an exaggerated shudder.

  “What a loathesome thought!…I’ll bet you’d hate it and refuse to go if the opportunity ever came. You’ve been far too spoilt at home to be able to shift for yourself.”

  “And—supposing the opportunity has come?” her brother suggested calmly.

  Jessica looked at him with sudden apprehension.

  “You’re joking,” she said quickly. “And anyway, you know it would break mother’s heart if you went abroad to live.”

  ” Do hearts break? “Paddy enquired ironically.

  There was a brief silence before Monty spoke.

  “Well, if you want a partner to help run the show—the sheep-farm, or whatever the proposition is—I’m your man.”

  Gordon laughed. “I can’t see Paddy in the back of beyond dressed in old slacks and not a boy-friend within fifty miles.”

  “How right you are,” Paddy agreed. “And for goodness’ sake stop talking such nonsense. The fizz must have got into your heads.”

  But though she determinedly changed the subject, later that evening when Paddy had turned the wireless on full blast to listen to her favourite dance band, Gordon drew Jessica aside.

  “Come here—I want a word with you.”

  And when, a little mystified, she followed him to the dining-room, he said abruptly, “It’s not a joke— what I said this evening—about going abroad. I’ve got the opportunity—a chap I met at the Golf Club— he’s going out in a month’s time—to Southern Australia—and has offered to take me along——” And then as she would have interrupted—” It’s what I’ve always wanted, you know it is! I hate the City and all the red tape stuff of office work. I’m no good at it, anyway, and the Guv’nor knows it. This is too good a chance to miss. You’ll stand by me, won’t you, Jess? There’s no future for a chap like me in this country today, and the sooner I’m off the better. Well, say something!”… he urged impatiently as she just looked at him in stunned silence.