第58章 IN WHICH KEZIAH BREAKS THE NEWS(3)

John,you mustn't speak that way of Nat Hammond.He ain't the kind to drive a girl against her will.And Grace is not one to be driven.Are you blind?Can't you see?Why,only yesterday,she--Do you think I shall permit such a wicked crime as that to--Ss-sh!No,it ain't wicked,it's right.Right and best for everybody,for her especial.Yesterday she might have forgot for a minute.But think,just think what would have happened if she cared for you.But she does!I know she does.Mrs.Coffin,stand away from that door.No,John;if you go out of that door now,to go to her,you'll have to go by main strength.You shan't wreck yourself and that girl if I can help it.Be a man.The pair looked at each other.Keziah was determined,but so,evidently,was he.She realized,with a sinking heart,that her words had made absolutely no impression.He did not attempt to pass,but he slowly shook his head.

Mrs.Coffin,he said,perhaps you believe you're doing right.Ihope--yes,I'll give you credit for that belief.But I KNOW I am right and I shall go to her.Such a--a BARGAIN as that you have just told me of is no more to be regarded than--John,I beg you--

NO.

Then go.Go this minute and break her heart and ruin her life and spoil her good name in this village where she's lived since she was eight years old.Go!be selfish.I suppose that's part of a man's make-up.Go!Never mind her.Go!I do 'mind'her,as you call it.I AM thinking of her.No,you're not.It's yourself.

If it was myself--and God knows it is the only happiness on earth for me--if it was only myself,and I really thought she wished me to stay away,I'd stay,I'd stay,though I'd pray to die before this hour was over.I know,I know.I've prayed to die myself afore now,but I'm here yet;and so will you be.We can't die so easy.But I know--

Do you suppose SHE would come to YOU if she knew it would be your ruin?He hesitated.The last time they met,ages before--no,only the previous afternoon--she had told him it was his happiness and his future only that she thought of.He choked and drew his hand across his eyes.

Mrs.Coffin,he said,you tell me it will be her ruin.YOU tell me so.You SAY she doesn't want me.I tell you that the only thing that will keep me from her is hearing that from her own lips.

When she tells me to leave her I will,and not before.She'll tell you,John;she'll tell you.I know you must despise me,pretty nigh.I cal'late you think I'm a worldly old woman,carin'nothin'for your feelin's.Maybe I've talked pretty hard in the last few minutes,but I haven't meant to be hard.To be honest,I didn't think you'd listen to me.I expected you'd insist on seein'her yourself.Well,then,go and see her,if you must,though what will come of it can only be more trouble,for you run the risk of folks knowin'it and beginnin'to wonder.And I know Grace.She's made up her mind and won't change it.But I do ask you this:I ask you not to go now.Wait a little while,do.Ileft her asleep,worn out by what she's been through and under the effects of the doctor's sleepin'medicine.He said she must rest or he was afraid her brain would give out.For her sake,then,wait a little.Then,if you don't hear from her,maybe I can arrange a meetin'place where you can see her without anyone's knowin'it.I'll try.But do wait a little while,for her sake,won't you?At last he was listening and hesitating.

Won't you?begged Keziah.

Yes,he answered slowly.I'll wait.I'll wait until noon,somehow,if I can.I'll try.But not a minute later.Not one.

You don't know what you're asking,Mrs.Coffin.Yes,I do.I know well.And I thank you for her sake.But he did not have to wait until noon.At six o'clock,through the dew-soaked grass of the yard,came the Higgins boy.For the first time in his short life he had been awake all night and he moved slowly.

The housekeeper opened the door.Ike held up an envelope,clutched in a grimy hand.

It's for you,Mrs.Keziah,he said.Gracie,she sent it.There ain't no answer.Keziah took the letter.How is she?And how's Nat?she asked.

They're doin'pretty well,so ma says.Ma's there now and they've sent for Hannah Poundberry.Gee!he added,yawning,I ain't slept a wink.Been on the jump,now I tell ye.Didn't none of them Come-Outers git in,not one.I sent 'em on the home tack abilin'.You ought to hear me give old Zeke Bassett Hail Columby!

Gosh!I was just ahopin'HE'D come.

Mrs.Coffin closed the door and tore open the envelope.Within was another addressed,in Grace's handwriting,to Mr.Ellery.The housekeeper entered the study,handed it to him and turned away.

The minister,who had been pacing the floor,seized the note eagerly.It was written in pencil and by a hand that had trembled much.Yet there was no indecision in the written words.

Dear John,wrote Grace.I presume Aunt Keziah has told you of uncle's death and of my promise to Nat.It is true.I am going to marry him.I am sure this is right and for the best.Our friendship was a mistake and you must not see me again.Please don't try.

GRACE VAN HORNE.

Beneath was another paragraph.

Don't worry about me.I shall be happy,I am sure.And I shall hope that you may be.I shall pray for that.The note fell to the floor with a rustle that sounded loud in the stillness.Then Keziah heard the minister's step.She turned.He was moving slowly across the room.

John,she cried anxiously,you poor boy!

He answered without looking back.

I'm--going--up--to--my--room,he said,a pause between each word.

I want to be alone awhile,Mrs.Coffin.

Wearily Keziah set about preparing breakfast.Not that she expected the meal would be eaten,but it gave her something to do and occupied her mind.The sun had risen and the light streamed in at the parsonage windows.The breeze blew fresh and cool from the ocean.It was a magnificent morning.

She called to him that breakfast was ready,but he did not answer.

She could eat nothing herself,and,when the table was cleared,prepared to do the week's washing,for Monday is always washday in Trumet.Noon came,dinner time,but still he did not come down.