’Master Stanley, it won’t do. I heard
it—I could not help hearing. I little
thought you had any such matter to speak—and
you spoke so sudden like, I could not help it.
You were angry, and raised your voice. What could
old Tamar do? I heard it all before I knew where
I was.’
’I really think, Tamar, you’ve taken leave
of your wits—you are quite in the clouds.
Come, Tamar, tell me, once for all—only
drop your voice a little, if you please—what
the plague has got into your old head. Come,
I say, what is it?’
He stooped and leaned his ear to Tamar; and when she
had done, he laughed. The laugh, though low,
sounded wild and hollow in that dark solitude.
’Really, dear Tamar, you must excuse my laughing.
You dear old witch, how the plague could you take
any such frightful nonsense into your head? I
do assure you, upon my honour, I never heard of so
ridiculous a blunder. Only that I know you are
really fond of us, I should never speak to you again.
I forgive you. But listen no more to other people’s
conversation. I could tell you how it really
stands now, only I have not time; but you’ll
take my word of honour for it, you have made the most
absurd mistake that ever an old fool tumbled into.
No, Tamar, I can’t stay any longer now; but
I’ll tell you the whole truth when next I go
down to Redman’s Farm. In the meantime,
you must not plague poor Miss Radie with your nonsense.
She has too much already to trouble her, though of
quite another sort. Good-night, foolish old Tamar.’
’Oh, Master Stanley, it will take a deal to
shake my mind; and if it be so, as I say, what’s
to be done next—what’s to be done—oh,
what is to be done?’
‘I say good-night, old Tamar; and hold your
tongue, do you see?’
’Oh, Master Stanley, Master Stanley! my poor
child—my child that I nursed!—anything
would be better than this. Sooner or later judgment
will overtake you, so sure as you persist in it.
I heard what Miss Radie said; and is not it true—is
not it cruel—is not it frightful to go on?’
’You don’t seem to be aware, my good Tamar,
that you have been talking slander all this while,
and might be sent to gaol for it. There, I’m
not angry—only you’re a fool.
Good-night.’
He shook her hand, and jerked it from him with suppressed
fury, passing on with a quickened pace. And as
he glided through the dark, towards splendid old Brandon,
he ground his teeth, and uttered two or three sentences
which no respectable publisher would like to print.
DEEP AND SHALLOW.
Lawyer Larkin’s mind was working more diligently
than anyone suspected upon this puzzle of Mark Wylder.
The investigation was a sort of scientific recreation
to him, and something more. His sure instinct
told him it was a secret well worth mastering.
