H. B. Marriott Watson

“ Cradley was dull beyond question, and perhaps even indefensibly dull. George Richardson never attempted to defend it against her attacks when the first rapture had disappeared. Spring passed into summer, and despite her full pageant summer proved dull. A beauty may be dull, you know, and very often is. The resplendent lanes and woods and hills were dull; and then the hot days brought the dust; and Ellice, missing the shops and the parties and the theatres and the restaurants, and the unceasing stream of people, known and unknown, declared the situation intolerable. ”

“ Mowbray renewed the stolen joys of liberty and worldliness.
"I have enjoyed myself, but it's reached a limit," murmured Polly Fairfax in George's ear after the play. "Hassall has become an emphatic nuisance. He ought to know there are hundreds of him hanging about any theatre. But your Lord Arthur's a dear." ”

“ Society straddled between religious works and hunting. In summer there was no hunting, but there were always religious works, and plenty of old maids to be absorbed in them. For the male part of the inhabitants hunting was the prime consideration, and George did not hunt. He could not have afforded to hunt even if he had wanted to, which he certainly did not. Of course the Vicar's wife, Mrs. Mowbray, called on Ellice, but she, though young, was prim and heavy and gauche as well, and so did not count very much. ”

“ Ellice was pretty, after her fashion, and her figure was nice; she had a talkative nature, and could sustain a conversation with spirit—but humor had been denied to her. George Richardson's eyes ruffled up in a twinkle.
"It is pretty bad of them," he declared, as they began to walk toward the house. "I've a good mind to send in a bill for puppy-biscuits to Lord Garfield, and so bring his wife to reason." ”

“ Now if you were to go up to Cradley Park to Lord Garfield's house-party assembled this coming September for partridge shooting, you would find ears blank to Illusion and my very name. Possibly you might catch some one's attention. Richardson? Lives here? Is that the writin' chap? No, I never read any, but I believe my sister read one once.' But, mind you, that would be an extra well-informed guest. They're not interested in me or what I do. They buy my books, if they buy them at all, as they buy groceries. You don't call on your grocer."
"It's all shameful," declared Ellice, simmering. ”

“ Lord Arthur Vallings, who had the soul of a music-hall lion comique, played Touchstone with gusto, but Touchstone much edited. It was between Lord Arthur and Miss Fairfax that the play began to "go." At the dress rehearsal everybody played up magnificently. Ellice in a pretty summer gown was installed among the privileged spectators; to one side of her Mrs. Beaman, on the other Lady Melcombe. George Richardson, who for the first time visited the scene, on the express invitation of Lady Garfield, wandered about examining people and effects with a critical eye. ”

“ In fact, the man who makes their guns is more important than such as I. He does count. They'll know his name and have a respect for him."
"Then why did you bring me here?" demanded Ellice tragically. "We must leave at once."
At this moment the maid announced Mrs. Mowbray, the Vicar's wife, who approached slowly, in all the righteous resignation of her dull and sober raiment. Ellice's face showed a perfunctory welcome, but George bustled about in a way which was alien to his usual large deliberation. ”

“ Ellice receiving news of this state of commotion, withered; it seemed that she had counted her chickens too soon. It was not until Estelle Fairfax arrived that a restitution of the balance took place.
Mrs. Richardson accompanied Estelle Fairfax to Cradley Park on a broiling afternoon. "I thought we'd better get to close quarters at once, Lady Carfield," said the actress. "So I got Mrs. Richardson to bring me up."
Lady Carfield acknowledged Ellice with an amiable smile. "We have been doing ever so much," she declared, eagerly. "But we do want your assistance. I'm so glad you've come at last." ”

“ George reflected. "I believe I've heard Ellice speak of him. He is a sporting man with a sporting wife."
"His wife is as plain as a pikestaff, but has a wonderful figure. Hassall's a beauty, one of the real lady-killers. I'm his new victim."
On this occasion, you understand, Ellice had retired. The day had been one glow of satisfaction, and she had retired happy, felix opportunitate somni. The Melcombe girls had been civil, and Mrs. Hassall tolerant; Lady Garfield had been cordial, meeting her as though old friends met, and Miss Colclough had been and able and interested. ”

“ Beaman or the Misses Beaman to Holt Place; which was another matter that vexed Ellice's stricken heart.
"Go away—do. George, keep that beast off," she said, crossly, as the second hound puppy made a sudden manifestation of its affection for her by rising on its hind legs and pawing at her fresh summer frock. George jerked back the beast.
"What's the use of the silly fellow?" she went on, reverting to young Beaman. "Here have I been walking puppies (ugh!) for four months, and nothing has happened. Lady Carfield, Lady Melcombe, the Hasalls—none of them have called." ”

“ Lady Carfield thought that Miss Melcombe might play Audrey, but she (Mrs. Mowbray) thought that the part of Celia ought to be entrusted to Lady Carfield. From the conversation it was evident that the two ladies had been resuming acquaintance with Shakespeare and the Forest of Arden. Ellice, having the news of Miss Fairfax's consent, was now the conduit of its conveyance, and Mrs. Mowbray and she exchanged and interchanged views. George had started the engine. He deserved his comfortable pipe. ”

“ Books are produced, and so are guns and motor-cars. They couldn't produce any one of these. Why should they consider the person who produces books for them to buy as more important than the persons who produce guns or motor-cars? ”

“ Ellice's attention tautened. George's idea was good. After all, clever men had their uses. She overlooked in her approval the scrawny bodies of the Melcombe girls, recognized and bitterly criticised from church pews.
"Yes," George's assent this time was doubtful. "I hardly designed a local affair. I was thinking I might assist you in another way. I might get Miss Estelle Fairfax."
"Miss Fairfax!" Mrs. Mowbray woke up, deserting parish and bells and the narrow confines of Cradley. "You mean Miss Fairfax the actress?" ”