FullReads

“‘So I gather.’

“‘And I’m speaking now in the name of the boys. There was a meeting held just now, while you were dropping your card on the Bishop; and I’m to tell you, as deputy, that trouble ain’t to be spared over him. It’s a hopeless case; but you hear–trouble ain’t to be spared; and the municipality foots the–‘

“‘Hold hard, there,’ I broke in; and told him how the land lay. When I’d done he held out a huge but well-shaped hand, palm upwards.

“‘Put it there,’ he said.

“We shook hands, and walked together (still to the strain of ‘Juliana’) as far as the Necropolis gate. I observed that several citizens appeared at the doors of the saloons along our route, and looked inquiringly at Captain Bill, who answered in each case with a wink.

“‘That passes you,’ he explained, ‘for the freedom of Eucalyptus City, as you’d say at home. When you want it, you’ve only to come and fetch it–in a pail. You’re among friends.’

“He backed up this assurance by shaking my hand a second time, and with great fervour. And so we parted.

“As I neared the spring on my homeward road I saw Miss Montmorency standing beside the track, awaiting me. She looked decidedly better, and handed me back my handkerchief, almost dry and neatly folded.

“‘And how did you find him?’ she asked.

“I told her.

“‘We allowed it was that–the boys and I. We allowed he wouldn’t last out the fall. Did you meet any of the boys?’

“‘I’ve been having a short drink and a long talk with Captain Bill.’

“She nodded her head, breaking off to clap both palms to her temples.

“‘My! It does ache! I’m powerful glad you seen Bill. Now you know the worst o’ me and we can start fair. I allowed, first along, that I play this hand alone; but now you’ve got to help. Now and then I catch myself weakening. It’s dreadful choky, sitting by the hour and filling up that poor innocent with lies. And the eyes of him!’ (she stamped her foot): ‘I could whip his father and mother for having no more sense than to let him start. Doctor, you’ll have to help.'”

“I rode down to Eucalyptus again next morning and found the Bishop seated and talking with Miss Montmorency in the gaudy little parlour.

“‘We were just going out for a walk together,’ he explained, as we shook hands.

“‘And now you’ll just have to walk out with the Doctor instead; and serve you right for talking foolishness.’ She moved towards the door.

“‘Doctor,’ he said, ‘I wish you would make her listen. I feel much better to-day–altogether a different man. If this improvement continues, I shall start in a week at the farthest. And I was trying to tell her–Doctor, you can have no notion of her goodness. ‘I was a stranger and she took me in’–‘

“Miss Montmorency, with her hand on the door, turned sharply round at this, and shot a queer sort of look at me. I thought she was going to speak; but she didn’t.

“‘Excuse me,’ I said to the Bishop, as the door closed, ‘but that’s your Bible, I take it, on the table yonder. May I have it for a moment?’

“I picked it up and followed Miss Montmorency, whom I found just outside on the landing.

“‘What’s the meaning of it?’ she demanded, very low and fierce.

“‘I guessed that text had jerked you a bit. No, I haven’t given you away. He was talking out of the Bible.’ I found the place for her. ‘You’d better take it to your room and read the whole passage,’ said I, and went back to the parlour.

“‘I have lent your Bible to Miss Montmorency,’ I said.

“The Bishop seemed lost in thought, but made no remark until we were outside the house and starting for our short walk. Then he laid a hand on my arm. ‘Forgive me,’ he said; ‘I had no idea you were earnest in these matters.’