Mr. Raymond

“ Lord Raymond presented himself to the house with fearless confidence and insinuating address. After the Duke of ——— and Mr. Ryland had finished their speeches, he commenced. Assuredly he had not conned his lesson; and at first he hesitated, pausing in his ideas, and in the choice of his expressions. By degrees he warmed; his words flowed with ease, his language was full of vigour, and his voice of persuasion. He reverted to his past life, his successes in Greece, his favour at home. ”

“ He is like Lesley. He loathes sentiment. No, Mr. Raymond, I won't take it!' she added, as he tried to unfasten the râm rucki. 'Give it to Sir George himself, if you like--there he is, coming to meet us. Or,' she continued, with an elusive, almost mischievous smile, as she went forward to greet her husband, leaving those two on the path together, 'give it back to Miss Drummond! She gave it you first!'
Jack Raymond looked after her quite angrily ”

“ The stock operator seated himself at the table upon entering.
His companion, sinking into a chair and burying his face in his hands, groaned aloud.
For a moment Mr. Callister regarded him gloomily.
Then, extending his hand, he grasped his shoulder and shook the man with some violence.
"Rube, Rube, I say!"
"Well, what is it, Lije? Why the deuce can't you let me be?"
"But there's no use in this kind of business. What's done is done, and can't be helped. Brace up man, and try to look as near like yourself as you can. Here comes Paddy to see what we'll take." ”

“ Raymond was unable to stay: but for the peremptory message, he would not have come out at all that busy evening. Mr. Trace put his hat on to walk part of the way with his son. They struck into the plantation, arm in arm: it was the shortest way; and the moon glimmered cheerily through the trees.
"You are as tall as I am, Raymond," observed Mr. Trace.
"And that's not very tall; I hope to shoot up yet," answered Raymond. "You should see Bertie Loftus. But it seems to me that you have grown shorter."
"As we all do, when age and care come upon us," remarked Mr. Trace. ”

“ You are much too good for one.”
Mr Raymond laughed. “Thank you; I fear I did not detect the compliment. May I put the counter question, and ask how you came to be a Tory?”
“Why, I was born so,” said I.
“And so was I a Whig,” replied he.
“Excuse me!” came laughingly from my other hand, in Miss Newton’s voice. “The waters are not quite so smooth as they were, and I thought I had better be at hand to pour a little oil if necessary. Mr Raymond, I am afraid you are getting worldly. Is that not the proper word?”
“It is the proper word for an improper thing,” said Mr Raymond. ”

“ Raymond. “There are a lot of things Mrs. Marston and I want, and we mean to turn the 'Emporium' upside down. But we are not entirely selfish, Tom; we are buying new mosquito netting for you, Mr. Rudd, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Young, and Mr. Lorimer.” (The two last-named were the overseers.)
“How are you going, Marie?” asked Raymond with a smile; “we can't spare the cutter, and you don't want to be drowned in a taumualua.'
“Ah! we are not the poor, weak women you think we are. ”

“ With a glad cry she caught up her crutches and swung herself toward the keeper:
“Oh! sir, I thank you. I was so tired and the coat was lovely soft. And I know you. You’re Mr. Weems, the gardener, and I’ve seen Max. He’s at our house, I mean he was—last night. And he will be again, ’cause he’s with father, who’ll fetch him back. Father just loves dogs and animals. And say, please, which is Bonny-Gay’s house?”
“Bless my soul! You don’t say? Then you must belong around here, though I didn’t think it. You’ve seen Max, and you ask for our Bonny-Gay! ”

“ Everybody had eaten as much as he desired, and the big sleighs came round to convey the lads back to Newspaper Square, to the old lives of labor and, alas! poverty; but which were to be far brighter, for a long time to come, because of that one day’s hilarious enjoyment.
In the cheery back parlor, that evening, Miss Lucy assembled a little group of people. There were father Johns, and Doctor Frank, and Mr. Graham; besides Molly and Towsley—I mean Lionel—sitting cosily together on one of the very same satin sofas of which, such a little while before, they had both been afraid. ”

“ It is most curious and interesting to watch this growing man of forty—to see how he studies and how high his aims are. His conversation is always earnest and careful, though full of fun. He is just now pondering much upon actors and their ways. Raymond, who is doing the “Gilded Age,” is so hopelessly given “to saving at the spigot and losing at the bung-hole” that he is evidently not over-satisfied nor does he count the acting everything it might be.
We sat talking, chiefly we women, after dinner and looking at the sunset. Mr. Clemens lay down with a book and J. went to look over his lecture. ”

“ I will inform him at once."
"Edna, you here!" exclaimed the broker, in tones of surprise, as he hurriedly emerged from the office, closing the door carefully behind him, not, however, without enabling the watchful eyes of the disguised clerk to catch a glimpse of Detective Cutts poring over the plans upon the desk within.
"Yes, father," replied the girl, coldly, "I am here, as you see."
"Mr. Maxwell, oblige me by stepping out into the hall a moment," said the broker, hurriedly. "I wish to speak with my daughter alone, and Mr. Cutts is too busy to be disturbed."
Frank obeyed. ”

“ We’ll have ter come down on the price. They ain’t nobody, ’less he’s jest another such old man as Mr. Brook, goin’ ter pay such a pile as that fer posies—second-hand ones, too.”
“Robert, where did you get all this wisdom, and you but eight?”
“Oh! I’ve been around,” said Robert, with an inimitable little swagger, which brought a fleeting smile to Beatrice’s face.
“All right. Let’s try the hotel, that is, if the people will let us. I think I have heard that the curbstone merchants—as we are now, dear—have each a self-appropriated place with which he allows nobody else to interfere. ”

“ We don’t often have such nice sledding in Baltimore, you know, Mr. Smith.”
“And, Uncle Joe, I was never on a sled in all my whole life!” entreated Josephine, folding her hands imploringly.
[101] “No, sir, that’s what she says. She’s a Californian, from away the other side the map. Where the oranges come from. Say, Josephine, did you bring any oranges with you?” inquired Michael.
“Not one,” said the little girl, regretfully. “I guess there wasn’t time. Mamma and big Bridget had so much packing to do, and Doctor Mack prob’ly didn’t think. I wish I had. I do wish I had.” ”

“ It is as necessary that we have a Christian daily paper in Raymond, especially now that we have the saloon influence to meet, as it is to have a church or a college. So I am satisfied that the five hundred thousand dollars that Mr. Norman will know how to use so well will be a powerful factor in Raymond to do as Jesus would.
"About my other plan, Rachel, I want you to work with me. Rollin and I are going to buy up a large part of the property in the Rectangle. The field where the tent now is, has been in litigation for years. ”

“ Short, with a humorous look.
“Yes, and how he obtained his wealth in spite of entire lack of education.”
“It was a lucky find, and he’s one of the richest men of the town; but if he had education he would get twice the satisfaction out of his wealth that he does as it is; at least, I think so.”
“And I do not doubt that you are right,” assented Captain Raymond.
“Well, Miss Lulu, how many pounds of fire-crackers do you expect to set off to-day?” asked Mr. Short. “So patriotic a young lady [284] will hardly be satisfied with less than two or three, I suppose.” ”

“ And he raised his hands in mock despair.
"Now don't be an ass, Bicky," said Stanley, who deemed that a Court of Inquiry over which he presided was much too weighty an affair to be approached with levity; "it's no joking matter. The kid's in a beastly mess, and, when he owns up, we must try to get him off as lightly as possible. I think perhaps we've let this youth and his chum, the Gray Doe, get too cheeky, and to that extent we're to blame.... Now, Ray, answer me some questions. Did you get a thousand lines from our revered housemaster, Carpet—Mr. Fillet?" ”

“ Or father? ’Tisn’t half-fun, this inspection of San Leon without Dad here to tell us things. I haven’t seen him this morning, any more than I have Jim. Do you know where they are?”
Poor Lady Gray was not much better at keeping secrets than old Lemuel was. She had had to put a great constraint upon herself not to reveal the anxiety which consumed her. Hours had now passed since Mr. Ford had ridden away, with a couple of men attending him. All the other men not absolutely required to look after the place had [Pg 109] been despatched to search on foot. ”

“ This speech somewhat disconcerted young Raymond, who was anxious to get into Mr. Middleton's good graces; but his discomfiture was soon removed by his saying, "Boy, don't take what I've said in high dudgeon. Folks allus see the roughest side of me first; I'm a friend to you, and allus will be as long as you do well." Then chancing to think his guests were hungry, he called out, "Saints and angels! Why don't you bring in supper, you lazy bones thar in the kitchen? Do you hear?"
"Yes, marster," said three or four negroes at once, "supper'll be ready d'rectly." ”

“ No; it’s not my scheme, either, it’s Mr. Brook’s; so, sure to be right. Good-bye.”
“Farewell! But, say, Bonny!”
“Well?” turning upon the doorstep, with a bit of impatience showing on her merry face.
“Do you talk all the time when you are at Mr. Brook’s, or—”
“Isabelle!” called Mrs. Beckwith’s voice from the sitting-room.
“Yes, Mother.”
[196] “Please make a cup of tea and bring it to the doctor, with a plate of biscuit. He has a long drive before him, and must not be let to go without something.”
“Dear, dear me! My mother’s hospitality is something formidable! ”

“ As they came back both were laughing excitedly, and Raymond was loudly talking. [258] “Let us leave it there to show to Captain Howard. He will never believe it else. Let not another arrow be shot till then, lest somebody strike the target and the jar bring this arrow down.”
“Except Mr. Jerrold!” Arabella stipulated, with a gush of laughter. “There is no danger of his hitting the target, far or near.”
“Yes,—yes,—” exclaimed Raymond, adopting the suggestion. “Here, Jerrold, value your special privileges! You only may draw the bow.” ”

“ Robert ignored the inquiry. He had now eaten all that his capacity permitted, and he began to think of home. Not that homesickness troubled him, but a longing to boast of that day’s experience over the humdrum, matter-of-fact life which had probably gone on in the Second Avenue flat.
“Say, Bon! It’s time fer a feller ter go! Motherkin’ll be gettin’ worried ’bout us.”
“If Mr. Brook will excuse us we will go at once, before the up-town cars get crowded.”
“Golly! Will you ride? Eh?”
“Yes, dear. We are a long way from our own neighborhood now.” ”

“ It’s ter’ble cold where she stays now, my father says; and he ’vises Jim to fetch her. They’re money; and they would help, wouldn’t they?”
“Hm-m. Yes. And you—don’t want them?”
“If he can’t win them I do. I’d rather he’d get them himself, ’cause he’s so pleased when he beats anybody; but if he can’t—why, I will—I hope. Now I know ’bout them, he must have them.”
“Hm-m,” said Lord Plunkett again, grimly. “Oddest child. Like her. Immensely.”
“Steenie!” called Mr. Calthorp; and she darted toward him. “Are you sure that you wish to ride in this exhibition, darling? Are you timid? ”

“ Lean on me. Don’t fear. Oh! I’m strong, very strong, and uncle is just yonder, coming this way. Uncle—uncle!”
The stranger was almost past speech. Mr. Dutton recognized that at once and added his support to Margot’s. Between them they half-led, half-carried the wanderer to the canoe and lifted him into it, where he sank [Pg 33] exhausted. Then they dipped their paddles and the boat shot homeward, racing with death. Angelique was still on the beach and still complaining of their foolhardiness, but one word from her master silenced that. “Lend a hand, woman! Here’s something real to worry about. ”

“ But are you going to the bees before supper?”
“I must. This is the time of greatest need for watching. Yet I’m tired! Hard work isn’t all fun, is it, Motherkin? and I’ve worked awfully hard to-day!”
“More busily than usual?”
“It seems so. Good Mr. Brook does get so interested in his catalogue, and he is apparently so delighted with my superior merits as a secretary, that he forgets himself and would keep me writing right along till midnight, I believe, if it weren’t for dear Miss Joanna or interfering Mr. Dolloway. By the way, Mother, something is wrong with that man. ”

“ But I hope, in consideration of the pleasure that your talent has given me, that you will accept the painting stuff I so gladly provided. If you choose, also, you may leave a small gift for Angelique. Come. Pride is commendable, but not always.”
“Very well. Thank you, then, for your gift. Now, the price list.”
It had been a gratification to Mr. Dutton that Adrian had never worn the suits of clothing [Pg 117] which he had laid out ready for use, on that morning after his arrival at the island. The lad had preferred the rougher costume suited to the woods and still wore it. ”