“I did want to see him once; you know I never have.”
It would be such a surprise to find that Guy was no other than the terrible inspector, that he would not undeceive her, the doctor thought; and so he relapsed into a thoughtful mood, from which Maddy roused him by broaching the subject of the unpaid bill, asking if he’d please not trouble grandpa, but wait until she could pay it.
“Perhaps it’s wrong asking it when you were so good, but if you will only take me for payment,” and Maddy’s soft brown eyes were lifted to his face.
“Yes, Maddy, I’ll take you for payment,” the doctor said, smiling, half seriously, as his eyes rested fondly upon her.
Maddy did not understand him, but began to calculate out loud how long it would take to earn the money. She’d heard people say that the doctor charged a dollar a visit to Honedale, and he’d been so many, many times, that it would take a great many weeks to pay him; besides, there was the debt to Mr. Guy. She wanted to help pay that, but did not see how she could, unless he waited too. Did the doctor think he would? It seemed terrible to the doctor that one so young as Maddy should be harassed with the payment of debts, and he felt a most intense desire for the right to shield her from all such care, but he must not speak of it then. She was too young, and he would rather she should remain a little longer an artless child, confiding all her troubles to him as if he had been her brother.
“There’s Aikenside,” he said at last, and it was not long before they passed through the gate, guarded by the great bronze lions, and struck into the graveled road leading to the house.
“It’s grander, finer, than I ever dreamed. Oh! if I could some time have just such a home! and, doctor, look! What does make that water go up in the air so? Is it what they call a fountain?”
In her excitement Maddy had risen, and with one band resting on the doctor’s shoulder, was looking round her eagerly. Guy Remington would have laughed, and been gratified, too, could he have heard the enthusiastic praises heaped upon his home by the little school-girl as she drove up to his door. But Guy was away in the dusty cars, and only Jessie stood on the piazza to receive her teacher. There were warm words of welcome, kisses and hugs; and then Jessie led her friend to the chamber she was to occupy.
“Mother wanted you to sleep the other side of the house, but brother Guy said no, you should have a pleasant room; and when Guy says a thing, it’s so. It’s nice in here, and close to me. See, I’m right here,” and Jessie opened a door leading directly to her own sleeping-room. “Here’s one trunk,” she continued, as a servant brought up and set down, a little contemptuously, the small hair-cloth box containing Maddy’s wardrobe. “Here’s one: where’s the rest?” and she was flying after Tom, when Muddy stopped her, saying:
“I have but one;—that’s all.”