He was turning away in a far more furious mood than had seemed possible to so easy-going a man, and his hostess hastily laid a detaining hand upon his arm.
“My dear sir, what have I said? Do you know this doctor and dislike him? I’m sorry. Forget him, then, please and just enjoy this wonderful air which nobody could possibly ‘poison.’ It’s perfect to-day, with just enough crispness in it to remind us it is really autumn and our picnicking days are numbered. The young folks have felt it dull, sometimes, lingering so long in the Copse, but it’s been a restful, happy time to me. One has to get away from home worries once in a while to keep things in their right proportion. And, after all, what does it matter where we live or what we have so long as there is peace and good will in one’s heart? Not much, do you think?”
Aunt Betty was herself in happy mood and had talked on more to prevent the guest’s departure than to “preach,” as she called such little dissertations. She had gained her point. The Colonel settled back again in the familiar chair he had appropriated on his first visit and gradually the lines of anger left his face. An expression of intense sadness took their place, and after a moment he sighed:
“Ah! hum. I hadn’t a right to get huffy. I reckon you don’t know—some facts. You couldn’t. Nobody could, without explainin’ an’ I cayn’t explain. This much I’ll say. I haven’t set foot in this yeah region sence—in a right smart while. I never meant to again. But—I lost my wallet an’ I came to seek it. I’ve cause to think, Madam, ’t one your folks has it. If so, they must deliver real soon. To me it’s vallyble. Also, it might concern Miss Dorothy. She an’ me—an’ you, of course, Mrs. Calvert, bein’ a Calvert—Well, it’s an old story an’ I’ll wait till after dinner, thank ye, ma’am. And if you don’t mind, I’ll just lean back an’ take my ‘forty winks.’ I hain’t rested none too well, lately. I’ve been thinkin’. Ah! hum. A man’s no right to think. He cayn’t an’ be real comf’table. Beg pahdon.”
Aunt Betty watched him, smiling. He was a bore who, at times, was amusing. She knew that he had been well educated and had still a fondness for books, as was proved by his habitual use of “Marcus Aurelius;” but like many other cultured southern people he lapsed into the speech of the colored folks, with whom his life had been passed. His “yeah,” and “cayn’t,” “right smart,” and “soon” for early, were musical as he uttered them; and under all his laziness and carelessness he had the instincts of a gentleman.
“Poor old fellow! I wish I could do something for him, before we finally part company. I’m glad he didn’t go away again in anger, though he doesn’t ‘stay mad,’ as Dolly says. And I wonder what that scrip of paper in that old wallet does mean! My young folks are greatly excited over it, and Dolly told me some ridiculous story about her great-great-grandfather and his great-great-grandmother that seems to be the beginning of things. Anyway, though they found it, or Metty did, the Colonel claims it and I must see that it is returned.”
So reflected Mrs. Calvert, watching her guest’s peaceful slumber; then, resuming her own book, forgot him and his affairs, at least for the time being.
“Where did Elsa take those monks? It’s all well enough for her to train ’em, but they aren’t hers and she needn’t think so. I’d like to take a hand in that business, myself. Wouldn’t you, Melvin? They belong to you and me, you know. And I say isn’t this the beastliest slow-poke of a hole you ever saw? How on earth do you put in your time? All these days what have you done?” demanded Gerald, moving restlessly from tender to shore, and already heartily sick of the quiet Copse.
“Well, we fish, the Captain and I. We search the woods for berries and grapes. We go to the farmhouses nearest for supplies; and right here, Gerald Blank, let me warn you. Don’t you go expecting fine living on the Lily. You see there wasn’t much capital to start on, not for so many folks; and the other day what was left was lost.”
“Lost? Lost! How could a fellow lose anything in this hole, even if he tried? What do you mean?”