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Updated: May 2, 2025
Thus had come the breaking of whatever tie there was between Alice Greggory and Arkwright. Not to have broken it would have meant, for Alice, the placing of herself in a position where, sometime, apologies must be made for her father. This was what Mrs. Greggory had meant and again, as Billy thought of it, Billy's heart rejoiced. Was not her way clear now before her?
A swift change crossed Mrs. Greggory's perturbed face. "Oh, then you didn't come for it again to-day," she said. "I'm so glad! I didn't want to refuse you." "Indeed I didn't come for it and we sha'n't again. Don't worry about that, please." Mrs. Greggory sighed. "I'm afraid you thought me very rude and and impossible the other day," she stammered.
It was all confusion then, in his mind, and he was glad indeed when he could leave the house. He wanted to be alone. He wanted to think. He must, in some way, thrash out this astounding thing that had come to him. Arkwright did not visit the Annex again for some days. Until he was more nearly sure of himself and of his feelings, he did not wish to see Alice Greggory.
So very glowing, indeed, was her eagerness in the matter, that it looked suspiciously as if she thought, could she but bring this thing about, that old scores against herself would be erased. Billy told herself, virtuously, however, that not only for Arkwright did she desire this marriage to take place, but for Alice Greggory. In the very nature of things Alice would one day be left alone.
He had signed himself "Michael Jeremiah Arkwright"; and to Billy that was the most pathetic thing in the letter it sounded so hopeless and dreary to one who knew the jaunty "M. J." Alice Greggory, Billy saw frequently. Billy and Aunt Hannah were great friends with the Greggorys now, and had been ever since the Greggorys' ten-days' visit at Hillside.
Alice Greggory and her mother were there, too the result of much persuasion. Indeed, according to Bertram, Billy had been able to fill the Annex only by telling each prospective resident that he or she was absolutely necessary to the welfare and happiness of every other resident. Not that the house was full, either. There were still two unoccupied rooms.
"I suppose you don't ever call him 'Mary Jane," she said to the girl, a little mischievously, one day. "'Mary Jane'? Mr. Arkwright? No, I don't," rejoined Miss Greggory, with an odd smile. Then, after a moment, she added: "I believe his brothers and sisters used to, however." "Yes, I know," laughed Billy. "We thought he was a real Mary Jane, once." And she told the story of his arrival.
But, Miss Greggory, you can't how can you stand it till then? You've shivered three times since I came, and you look as if you were going to faint away." Miss Greggory shook her head. "It is nothing, really," she insisted. "I am quite well. It is only I didn't happen to feel like eating much breakfast this morning; and that, with no luncheon " She let a gesture finish her sentence. "No luncheon!
Thursday forenoon, therefore, Alice Greggory would, in all probability, be at Hillside, specially as there would doubtless be an appointment or two for private rehearsal with some nervous soloist whose part was not progressing well. Such being the case, Billy had a plan she meant to carry out.
Near it set a tray-like plate of the same ware and decoration. "If you'll lift it down, please, yourself," motioned Mrs. Greggory. "I don't like to with these," she explained, tapping the crutches at her side. With fingers that were almost reverent in their appreciation, the collector reached for the teapot. His eyes sparkled. "Billy, look, what a beauty!
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