Such kindness from a stranger passed him, he said, and the man must be either crazy or a millionaire. The fact, however, helped the Greys in his estimation. Somebody with money must think a great deal of them, and the day after Herbert left for New Haven he suggested to his wife that they should call at the Greys.
“Most everybody is calling,” he said, “and I don’t want to be the only dog in the manger.”
Mrs. White, who had a headache, declined, and the judge went alone, gotten up with a good deal of care, in his second best clothes, with a flower in his button hole, and gloves, which he seldom wore, on his hands. He wished to impress Louie with a sense of what she had lost when she declined an alliance with his family. She received him courteously, but did not seem at all abashed, and answered his questions civilly.
Neither her father, nor her mother could see him, she said, but she would tell them he had called, and she thanked him for coming.
“Oh, that’s a mere nothing,” he replied, with a pompous wave of his hand. “We are taught in the good book to have charity, you know, and I mean to have it. Yes, I do, and I was goin’ to offer you my tenement for nothing—the one you used to live in, when I heard you was to stay here. You’ve no idea who the man is that gives you the rent? It’s amazing!”
Louie had been growing stiffer and more dignified as he talked, for she understood perfectly that he was trying to patronize her and did not wish for his patronage. His mention of the White Row tenement brought a scarlet flush to her cheek and an angry gleam to her eyes. She could go back to Bay Cottage willingly, if they went of their own free will and seeking, but as dependents on Herbert’s father, never! And she did not even thank him for what he had proposed to do.
It would not be necessary for them move at present, thanks to some kind friend whom they did not know, but whom they should pay in time, she said, with her head held high and something in her manner which made the judge feel small beside her.
She would not shame the White pedigree, he thought, admiring her in spite of his pride.
“Oh, yes, certainly. We all hope your father will be on his feet again before long. Remember me to him and your mother; if there’s anything we can do, call on us. I hain’t forgot the run. No, I hain’t! and I feel friendly, I do, and don’t care a cent about losing the back rent on the bank. No, I don’t! I can afford that. Yes, I can! Good day!” he said, with another wave of his hand, which he might have offered to Louie, if she had not stood with her hands clasped behind her.
“Good-morning, sir!” she said, standing quite still, as he went out, thinking to himself, “Gritty and plucky and proud, and, by the Lord Harry, handsome as blazes. Herbert might do worse—if she wa’n’t Grey’s daughter. Well, I’ve done my duty, and needn’t pray to be delivered from uncharitableness.”