Part 32 (1/2)
”He has been waiting, that is all,” Nell's voice was low as she spoke.
Her eyes were fixed upon the ground, and a deep, rich flush was mantling her cheeks and brow. Then she lifted her head and spoke with considerable embarra.s.sment. ”Yes, he has been waiting,” she repeated, ”waiting for something to happen. It all depended upon that.”
”I know. He has been waiting to see what answer you would give to Ben.
Is that it?”
”Yes, that's it.”
”And you have refused him?”
”Couldn't you tell that by what happened this afternoon?”
”Certainly. But I wished to hear it from your own lips. And so you think Stubbles will be very angry and will foreclose at once?”
”There is no doubt about it. I am sure that he will. Ben will see to that. I am afraid you do not know the Stubbles yet. They will stop at nothing, especially the men.”
”I think I know something, more perhaps than you realise,” and a slight smile flitted across Douglas' face. ”And I believe I know now,” he added, ”why you met Ben by the old tree. There was so much at stake that you did not wish to offend him.”
”You have guessed right. Oh, it was terrible! I felt like a hypocrite all the time, and yet I had not the courage to refuse meeting him for fear of what would happen.”
”But you had the courage at last, though?”
”It was only when I could stand him no longer. I knew for some time that he was not a good man, but his actions of late have so disgusted me beyond all bounds of endurance that I refused to have anything more to do with him. There, I have told you all, and I feel greatly relieved.”
”I suppose you hardly know what you will do if you lose your place. Is there not some one from whom you could borrow enough money to pay off the mortgage?”
”I am afraid not. We have no security to give, and, besides, I dread the thought of asking for help. Father will be almost heartbroken, and it will make him more bitter than ever.”
”At what?”
”The Church and all connected with it. Mr. Stubbles has been a warden here for years, and the way he has acted has been partly the cause of father's bitter feelings. Now he will be worse than ever. I wonder what the new clergyman will be like.”
”Perhaps he may be able to settle matters.”
”I am afraid not. He will have to do as the Stubbles say or leave, just as the others did. If he should happen to be a very strong-minded man and will stand up for justice and right, he will have a most difficult time of it. In that case, father would be his firm friend, though I fear he could do but little to help him.”
”His moral a.s.sistance would mean much, though, would it not?”
”Perhaps so,” and Nell sighed. ”But I think I must go home now.
Father and Nan will be wondering what has kept me. Won't you come and see father? I know he wants to talk to you about his book. I am thankful he has something to occupy his mind.”
CHAPTER XXI
OUTDONE
When they reached the house, they found Nan up in arms. She scolded Nell for being away so long and leaving her to get supper and wash the dishes.
”I don't think it is fair,” she pouted. ”You go off and have a good time, while I must stay home and drudge like a slave.”