The Man from Ceylon
Page 14
Jessica found her voice at last with a supreme effort.
“Then—it was Gerard—who knocked him down!”
Kirby nodded.
“But I’ll make him pay for it,” he thundered. “If he thinks he’s getting off scot-free just because he smashed his arm he’s made the mistake of his miserable life. If it costs me every shilling I’ve got, I’ll take him to court and show him up—insolent puppy that he is. Got the cheek of the devil! You should have heard the insulting way he spoke to Monty——”
Jessica smiled tremulously as she reminded him impulsively, “Well, you were not very polite to him yourself, this morning, dear, were you?”
Kirby’s clenched fist suddenly unclasped itself, and for a moment he looked like an abashed schoolboy before he spoke—with surprising emotion.
“That’s all over and done with, Jess, and though as yet I can hardly believe it myself, I owe more to that Man from Ceylon than I can ever repay——”
“To— Monty? “she whispered, incredulously.
Her father nodded. “Yes—to our Monty! … It was he who saved me from ruination when I made such a confounded fool of myself on the Exchange. And without letting me know a thing about it. Never would have done, either, I’ll bet my last bob, if that fool Winter hadn’t lost his temper and given the show away. He knew all the time, of course, and was just hoarding it up to have a bang at me when it suited him—he and his thieving brother between them! A pair of despicable crooks, that’s what they are! But I’ll get my own back—I’ll get my own back, you’ll see! “He suddenly collapsed into an armchair as if exhausted by his own eloquence. “Damned if I know why Monty did it,” he submitted. “Unless— the only reason I can think of, is that it was for Paddy’s sake, and because—unfortunately for her— and for all of you, if it comes to that—I happen to be her father——”
For Paddy’s sake! … when only that morning Paddy had admitted that their engagement was at an end—if, as she had so defiantly said, ‘It ever had a beginning.’
Kirby rose to his feet.
“I’ll just go and see your mother—and—Jessica-say a kind word to Monty when you see him. As I have already told you, we owe him more than we can ever repay——” He shook his grey head ruefully. “I never believed there was still such unbounded generosity in this upside down old world.”
Say a kind word to him! … Such a poor request when there was so much more in her heart that she had longed to say to Monty almost ever since they first met!
A kind word! …
When Kirby had gone, Dilly appeared again at the door, her face wreathed in smiles. “Mr. Monty says Mr. Gordon will be all right,” she said triumphantly. “What did I tell you, Miss Jessica? It was that black cat!…so I’ve just given him the bit of haddock that was left over from breakfast. And now I’m going to make some more tea! … Well, and you haven’t had yours after all! Never mind, I’ll make a fresh pot and bring it in here so you can all have some together,” and picking up Jessica’s neglected cup she departed this time singing with almost heraldic joy.
Say a kind word to Monty! …
Jessica saw him pass the window in the direction of the garage and heard him whistling with his usual cheeriness. Was he on his way to continue packing up his goods and chattels as he had called it? and was he still determined to leave Kirlou?
Say a kind word to him! …
For a moment she still hesitated, before hurrying from the room and across the garden.
Yes, he was still packing up! … ramming things haphazard into a half-filled case but still whistling as if he hadn’t a care in the world. As perhaps he hasn’t, Jessica thought helplessly, but he turned when he heard her footstep and smiled.
“All’s well with the world,” he told her. “The doctor—not your friend the great Barker, but the hospital chap—has assured us there is no cause for serious alarm, though it will be some time before Gordon will be up and about again—and perhaps on his way to Australia,” he added with calm deliberation.
There was a brief silence before Jessica spoke.
“And—will you go with him?”
Monty rammed a pair of shabby boots into a corner of the case before he replied. “Looks like it! … there’s nothing to keep me here, now, is there? Though the Guv’nor has, so to speak, offered me the freedom of the City.”
She moved a step nearer to him. “Monty—there is something I want to say to you—something— father has told me of your—your wonderful—generosity to him—to all of us—and I want to thank you. With all my heart I want to thank you, and if—if there is anything I can do to—to show my gratitude… .” Her voice faltered and died away, and Monty said with gruff emotion,
“There is only one thing you could do—and that, I know, is the last thing in the world you could or would ever wish to do—care to hear what it is? “he enquired with a faint smile, and then as Jessica whispered, “Yes, please tell me,” he caught her hand.
“Say that you love me—and will be my wife— though I know it’s asking the impossible.”
“And—Paddy? “Jessica said quietly.
He let her hand go.
“Oh—Paddy! … That was just a foolish impulse on both sides. I am nothing to her, or she to me— which is why, in spite of your father very kindly requesting me to stay on as a—perhaps not quite so unwanted a guest today—I have refused.”
“And if—I ask you to stay? “she said steadily.
Monty looked at her with a grim smile.
“Just to show your—gratitude?” he submitted hardily, and then she took bis hand as she replied,
“No—because—I shall never be happy again—if you leave me.”
They looked at one another in complete silence for a moment before Monty said,
“I think I loved you from the first moment we met, Jessica.”
Jessica looked almost beautiful as she answered, “You only—think you loved me?—when I am quite sure that I have always loved you—Oh—Monty!”
For his arms were round her, holding her fast—his face pressed to hers—as he whispered over and over again,” My love—my own! … my dearly beloved.”
And then, as if in urgent apology for the way the moments had dragged away on leaden feet that afternoon, they now seemed to fly on golden wings, until Jessica gently tried to disengage herself from his embrace.
“What will the family say? “she asked in happy confusion.
Monty laughed. “Who cares? “he submitted.
“And—will you still go to Australia?”
“I’ll—stay here—go anywhere, do anything that will make you happy,” he answered.
They fell guiltily apart as Dilly’s voice called from the house. “Miss Jessica? Mr. Monty! … Tea is ready.”
“Don’t tell the family— not today,” Jessica pleaded. Monty drew her to him and kissed her lips.
“Haven’t I just said that I will do anything in the world that will make you happy—within reason,” he added warningly.
“I can never be happier than I am now,” she answered.
“Then two great minds think as one,” Monty told her. “Because I feel like—well, like Romeo and all the rest of the great lovers rolled into one—and then something over.”
Jessica raised her hands to her hair which she knew was somewhat ruffled. “Do I look all right? “she asked anxiously.
Monty saluted her with mock dignity as he assured her, “You look—as ever—the most beautiful girl in the world… .”
They walked back to the house a circumspect pace apart, to find that Kirby had already helped himself to a cup of tea and a large slice of home-made, not very exciting looking cake.
“Paddy’s gone to the pictures,” he announced dubiously. “She said she wanted cheering up.” He looked at Monty with a faint attempt at his usual scowl. “Quarrelled?” he enquired tensely. “It wouldn’t surprise me if you have. Never thought you two were in the least suited——What do you say, Jess?”
When she had gone, Kirby looked at Monty. “I am not an eloquent man—never was!” he said not quite truthfully, “and—when I was a boy at school the thing I most abominated was having to learn Shakespeare—but—oddly enough—and this will probably amuse you—there is one bit of his stuff I have always remembered, heaven alone knows why! and it is— though for the life of me I can’t remember the chap who is supposed to have said it—‘Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart’. See what I’m driving at?” he enquired with gruff emotion.
Monty took his hand in a hard grip.
“And I thank you, too—from the bottom of m y heart,” he answered.
Kirby stared at him.
“What the devil for? “he demanded. “Unless— oh, it’s for young Paddy, I suppose?”
Monty hesitated—and then deliberately,
“No—it’s Jessica,” he admitted. “Jessica! And it always has been. I can’t explain now—but I felt I must tell you, knowing you would for the present treat it in absolute confidence. It’s her wish, as well as mine——”
Kirby stared even harder.
“Well, I’ll be damned! “he ejaculated, and then smacking Monty hard on the shoulder, “Damned and delighted—” he declared. “Made for each other, you and she! That’s what I’ve always thought, believe it or not! Though what the devil we shall do without her …” He shook his head despondently, but was quickly smiling again as he repeated even more forcibly than before—” Well, I’ll be damned!”
*
For the next few days life seemed to be crowded with one event after another—the most important being, so Dilly insisted, that the black cat calmly refused to return to wherever he had come from, and settled down at Kirlou’ as if he owned the darned house’, so Kirby protested, though as a matter of fact he took an immediate fancy to the new arrival, and on one occasion actually returned from London with a mysterious package under his arm which he solemnly announced were “Sprats for Inky,” the name which Monty had chosen for the ‘new lodger’, as he called the cat. To Jessica, however, the most important event of all was that Monty calmly unpacked his belongings once again, announcing that he was’ staying put—like the cat’ —at any rate for the time being.
“What does that mean? for the time being? “Jessica enquired anxiously, but as they were not alone, Monty’s only reply was a smile and a “Wait and see.”
Over at Chipham Hospital Gordon was slowly recovering from his injuries, though when Jessica went to visit him, she was shocked by his appearance, in spite of the fact that he assured her cheerfully that he had no intention whatever of seeking a permit to depart for the Better Land for many years to come, and that he would lay her any odds she liked that before many months he would be on his way to Australia.
Perhaps the most surprising thing of all was that Mrs. Mansfield, instead of collapsing when she was ‘told of Gordon’s accident, seemed to take a new lease of life, and insisted upon leaving her room and being driven over to the Hospital, from which she returned looking brighter and more cheerful than she had done for some time.
“If, after all he has suffered, my dear boy can laugh and make up his mind to get well,” she said with some emotion, “it is the least I can do to follow his example.”
“A wonderful woman, your mother,” so Kirby said to Jessica, and then, after the slightest hesitation, “do you know what is in my mind? … that as soon as Gordon is able to travel, we all take a trip to Australia. I’m not as young as I was—and— well, I’ve had a surprisingly good offer to sell my business —with a life interest—and a complete change would do us all good. What do you think?”
“And— Kirlou? “Jessica asked, quickly.
Kirby shrugged his shoulders.
“Let it—or shut it up. Selby will never come back to live here—he means to settle in London when he leaves Cambridge at the end of the summer—and as you’re to be married——” He broke off with a whistle a of dismay, “Now I’ve let the cat out of the bag, I suppose!”
Jessica flushed sensitively.
“Did—Monty tell you? I asked him not to—at least, not yet—because of Paddy.”
“Oh—Paddy!” her father submitted. “She’ll fall on her feet whatever happens. I expect if the truth’s known, she’s found another boy friend already, judging by the way she keeps racing off to London.” He patted Jessica’s cheek. “I don’t know anything that has pleased me more than the fact that you and Monty mean to fix things up. I’ll even go so far as to say that I believe you’ll be as happy together as your mother and I have been—and still are! … and that’s saying a mouthful. Look here——” He stopped speaking abruptly as Paddy entered the room looking her prettiest and smoking a cigarette.
“News for the family,” she announced cheerily. “I’ve got a job—just the sort I’ve always wanted— with a Film Company. Not that I know a thing about it, but the producer man—Richard Ambrose his name is, seems pretty sure he can make something of me. Anyway, there’s no harm in trying, is there? “she submitted.
“With a Film company!” Kirby ejaculated. “What in the world will your mother say?”
Paddy laughed. “I’ve told her, and she’s quite pleased—perhaps she thinks that in a week or two she’ll see my lovely face placarded all over the place side by side with Laurence Olivier or someone. Anyway, it’s all settled and I start tomorrow—but I shall have to live in London—Richard says he can find rooms for me with a maiden aunt of his, so you needn’t be afraid I shall run completely wild.”
“So you call the man by his Christian name already, do you? Well, I’ll be damned,” Kirby ejaculated. “I must have a word with your mother about this,” and away he went.
Paddy looked after him with amused eyes.
“And what do you think, my dear sister?” she enquired.
Jessica shook her head. “If you’ll be happy and make a success—as somehow I am sure you will— that’s all that matters,” she said a little sadly.
Paddy echoed her words meaningly. “And if you’re happy and make a success—as somehow I am sure you will—that is all that matters too——” She smiled a little uncertainly. “Yes, I know all about you and the Man from Ceylon! “she admitted lightly. “I wasn’t spying—but—last night I saw you with him in the garden—just after supper, and—well! … no need to say any more, is there? except—that I wish I had half your luck, to be going to marry a man I—really—care for. No, don’t say anything,” she urged as Jessica would have spoken. “I know I made a complete fool of myself—about Peter—but that’s all over!…By the way, his wedding is next week, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“But I shall not be there—to give him my blessing,” Paddy said fippantly.
She lit a fresh cigarette with a trembling hand, before remarking with forced carelessness, “Well, perhaps some day, the answer will be in the Box Office! … and I shall be making ten thousand a year—if it is true that the day of miracles is not yet over——”
Her voice broke, and she forcibly flung the freshlylit cigarette into the grate. “Oh, damn everything, as the Guv’nor says,” she cried passionately, and ran from the room. …
Jessica and Monty strolled round the garden together again that evening in the gathering dusk unashamedly—hand in hand this time—for Monty had quietly insisted that their engagement should at last be made ‘front-page news’, as he called it, though to his amazement nobody seemed particularly surprised, and Mrs. Mansfield calmly admitted that Kirby had already told her, “Of course in the strictest confidence. You see, we have never kept anything secret from one another.”
“And you take a lesson from that, my girl,” Monty warned Jessica with pretended severity when they were alone.
It was a lovely
evening—with a new moon smiling down at them from a cloudless sky as they talked of the future, and Jessica told him of her father’s suggestion that the entire family should take a trip to Australia as soon as Gordon was able to travel.
“Which should be quite soon, according to the doctor’s latest report,” Monty said.
Jessica sighed. “I don’t think I—really want to go,” she admitted, regretfully. “I—can’t bear the thought of leaving home—and everything I have lived with so long, though I know it would do mother good—and Gordon is still so keen about it.”
Monty drew her hand through his arm.
“We’re not going, Miss Mansfield,” he announced calmly. “We’re staying here in Kirlou—and if the Guv’nor really likes the life when he gets to the back of Beyond and makes up his mind to stay, as I believe he will, I shall offer to buy the house from him and make it our permanent abode.”
Jessica looked at him with wide-open eyes.
“Buy—Kirlou I” she gasped. “But—I thought you’d—spent most of your money—helping us! Not that I mind if—like me—you haven’t a penny in the world of your own.”
Monty laughed. “I’m not as broke as you imagine,” he admitted calmly. “But telling a tale of poverty suited me at the time—for reasons you will probably understand. Anyhow, if you think you could still tolerate an existence in Kirlou with this unpaying guest—though I suppose henceforth he will be obliged to pay!—there is nothing I could possibly prefer.”
There were tears of happiness in Jessica’s eyes.
“Oh— Monty!” she whispered. “It would be just—heaven.”
Monty drew her to him and kissed her.
“There is one other point,” he announced in businesslike fashion. “I have discussed the question with Dilly, and she is delighted at the thought of staying on with us. Apparently she shares my belief that the family will migrate and was wondering what would become of her—so out of pure kindness of heart I asked how she would enjoy waiting on the Man from Ceylon— and his beloved wife, naturally—” and then as Jessica would have spoken—” One moment! … there is yet another condition to which I sincerely hope you will agree—to which as your lord and master I shall insist that you agree——”