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"No," he said, "we'll come around and help you put up the team. No use washing up till we get our things." Silas, with the spring-wagon, duly appeared. On top of the baggage, legs in air, was the discarded canopy of the carryall. Beside Silas sat Nelton. He was trembling all over. In his lap he held Lewis's hat. His bulging eyes were fastened on it. "There they be," grunted Silas.
The caller was Vi. "Hallo!" said Leighton as Nelton showed her in, "this is fortune. Take off your things and stay." "I will some of them," drawled Vi; "but not just yet." She sat down. "What on earth are you doing in town?" asked Leighton. "Well," said Vi, "up to three weeks ago I was here at the beck and call of your son. Then he suddenly took French leave." She turned and faced Leighton.
Then they went into the living-room, and straight for the two big leather chairs which, had they lacked that necessary measure of discretion which Nelton had assigned to them, might have told of many a battle of the mind with the things that are. "Well, Boy," said Leighton, "what is it?" "Dad," cried Lewis, with beaming face, "I've found the woman the all-embracing woman."
"Master Lewis," said Nelton, gravely, "there's lots of people besides you and the governor that thinks we serving-men says 'Yes, sir, thank you, sir, to any one for the syke of a guinea a week and keep. Now you and the stout party eating the toothpick over yonder knows better."
From the park he went mechanically to the flat, and sat for hours by the window looking out upon the dead Sunday gray of London. Darkness came, and with it Nelton and lights. Nelton remarked that there was nothing to eat in the house. "I know," said Lewis, and sat on, too abject to dress and go out for dinner. In his depression his thoughts turned naturally to his father.
Leighton merely glanced up, flashed a look into the eyes of his son. He saw and knew the light that was there for the light that lingers in the eyes of him who comes from looking upon holy inner places. For an hour neither spoke, then Leighton said: "Going out to lunch to-day?" "No," said Lewis; "I've told Nelton I'd be in." "About this marriage," said Leighton, smiling.
"Fancy your governor a-pullin' of my leg!" murmured Nelton, presumably to Lewis, but apparently to space. "Why don't 'e tell this old josser as I'm a menial, and be done with it." Old William started, stared at Nelton, then at Leighton. He walked off toward the carryall, scratching his head. "What is it?" he asked Lewis, in a loud whisper. "That's dad's valet," said Lewis, grinning.
Not since Leighton had gambled with him, and won all he possessed, had such a blow been dealt to his faith. Both Lewis and his father passed a miserable night, but not even Nelton could have guessed it when the two met in the morning for a late Sunday breakfast. Leighton felt a touch of pride in the bearing of his son.
Nelton knocked, and threw open the door without waiting for an answer. "Her ladyship," he announced. Lady Derl entered. She was looking very girlish in a close-fitting, tailored walking-suit. The skirt was short the first short skirt to reach London. Beneath it could be seen her very pretty feet. They walked excitedly. Lady Derl was angry. She held a large card in her hand.
"What do I s'y?" repeated Nelton, licking his lips. Lewis, grinning on the lounge, was eavesdropping with all his ears. "H m m," said the stranger, "double your pay every year if you keep it up." "I s'y this," said Nelton, a slight tremble in his voice, "I've been serving gentlemen so long that I don't think we'd hit it off together, thank you."
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