Demos eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 744 pages of information about Demos.

Demos eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 744 pages of information about Demos.

‘What do you wish me to do?’ he asked, only half turning.

’To go and see Mrs. Mutimer in the garden, and accept her invitation to dinner.’

‘I haven’t got a dress-suit,’ he groaned.

’No matter.  If you go away I’ll never speak to you again, and you know you wouldn’t like that.’

He gazed at her miserably—­his face was one which lent itself to a miserable expression, and the venerable appearance of his frockcoat and light trousers filled in the picture of mishap.

‘Have you been joking with me?’

’No, I’ve been telling you the truth.  But that’s no reason why you should break loose all at once.  Please do as I tell you; go to the garden now and stop to dinner.  I am not accustomed to ask a thing twice.’

She was almost serious.  Keene smiled in a sickly way, bowed, and went to do her bidding.

CHAPTER XX

Among the little girls who had received invitations to the tea-party were two named Rendal, the children of the man whose dismissal from New Wanley had been announced by Mutimer.  Adela was rather surprised to see them in the garden.  They were eight and nine years old respectively, and she noticed that both had a troubled countenance, the elder showing signs of recent tears.  She sought them out particularly for kind words during tea-time.  After the reading she noticed them standing apart, talking to each other earnestly; she saw also that they frequently glanced at her.  It occurred to her that they might wish to say something and had a difficulty in approaching.  She went to them, and a question or two soon led the elder girl to disclose that she was indeed desirous of speaking in private.  Giving a hand to each, she drew them a little apart.  Then both children began to cry, and the elder sobbed out a pitiful story.  Their mother was wretchedly ill and had sent them to implore Mrs. Mutimer’s good word that the father might be allowed another chance.  It was true he had got drunk—­the words sounded terrible to Adela from the young lips—­but he vowed that henceforth he would touch no liquor.  It was ruin to the family to be sent away; Rendal might not find work for long enough; there would be nothing for it but to go to a Belwick slum as long as their money lasted, and thence to the workhouse.  For it was well understood that no man who had worked at New Wanley need apply to the ordinary employers; they would have nothing to do with him.  The mother would have come herself, but could not walk the distance.

Adela was pierced with compassion.

‘I will do my best,’ she said, as soon as she could trust her voice.  ‘I promise you I will do my best.’

She could not say more, and the children evidently hoped she would have been able to grant their father’s pardon forthwith.  They had to be content with Adela’s promise, which did not sound very cheerful, but meant more than they could understand.

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Project Gutenberg
Demos from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.