“I must get back, uncle, thank you,” said Philip. “I asked for Soda to be brought round by two o’clock.”
“But you must eat your luncheon, man!”
But Philip was obdurate. He knew that Alvin and Miss Le Breton were in Hastings, and that they were riding. He knew, too, that they would be returning about two o’clock, and he meant to join them as if by accident.
He knew nothing of Dan’s ill-success with his Madonna, and firmly believed the two young people were now engaged; but he saw no reason why he should not pick up a few of the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. He had got his own lonely life to lead, and now his work did not fill his life any longer. It did not satisfy the craving for love and sympathy. He found that the world he had created for himself was a very lonely world indeed; yet, so short a time ago, he had imagined it all-sufficient! The isolation of the bungalow had begun to be hard to endure. He felt it rather a grievance, too, that new people should be at Hawk’s Nest. It was an invasion of his home. Home? it would never be home again, with his mother gone!—his mother whom he had never valued half enough. Truly his world seemed to have crumbled away about him!
If Eweretta had only lived! How different it all might have been! If only Dan had not been in the running!—but he must never think of that!
Miss Le Breton, so like to Eweretta, but more than Eweretta had ever been in some ways! Eweretta had never that sweet calm which made her half-sister so restful! How desirable she was!
How Philip wanted rest! From what? From himself!
Philip rode slowly in the direction of Gissing, so that he had only got as far as Ore church when he heard the welcome clatter of horses’ hoofs behind, and drawing rein, waited for Miss Le Breton and Alvin to overtake him.
Philip uncovered as they came up.
“Hallo! Barrimore,” called Alvin. “You were the man in my mind! There are animated pictures—all Canadian—to-night at the Public Hall at eight o’clock. We are all driving in to see them; and there is a spare place. Won’t you come with us? You know a little of Canada, too. For us, it will be like going home.”