第53章

"I heard another girl say that--just before I left New York--a girl that's just a wonder," said his master."A girl can be a wonder, can't she?""Rose is, sir," protested Pearson."She is, indeed, sir.And her eyes are that blue--""Blue, are they? " interrupted Tembarom."I know the kind.I'm on to the whole thing.And what's more, I'm going to fix it.You tell Rose--and tell her from me--that she's going to leave that place, and you're going to stay in this one, and--well, presently things'll begin to happen.They're going to be all right--ALL RIGHT," he went on, with immensely convincing emphasis."She's going to have that little home of her own." He paused a moment for reflection, and then a sudden thought presented itself to him."Why, darn it!" he exclaimed, "there must be a whole raft of little homes that belong to me in one place or another.Why couldn't I fix you both up in one of them?""Oh, sir!" Pearson broke forth in some slight alarm.He went so fast and so far all in a moment.And Pearson really possessed a neat, well-ordered conscience, and, moreover, "knew his place." "I hope I didn't seem to be expecting you to trouble yourself about me, sir.I mustn't presume on your kindness.""It's not kindness; it's--well, it's just human.I'm going to think this thing over.You just keep your hair on, and let me do my own valeting, and you'll see I'll fix it for you somehow."What he thought of doing, how he thought of doing it, and what Pearson was to expect, the agitated young man did not know.The situation was of course abnormal, judged by all respectable, long-established custom.A man's valet and his valet's "young woman" were not usually of intimate interest.Gentlemen were sometimes "kind" to you--gave you half a sovereign or even a sovereign, and perhaps asked after your mother if you were supporting one; but--"I never dreamed of going so far, sir," he said."I forgot myself, I'm afraid.""Good thing you did.It's made me feel as if we were brothers." He laughed again, enjoying the thought of the little thing who cared for Pearson "too much" and had eyes that were "that blue." "Say, I've just thought of something else.Have you bought her an engagement-ring yet?""No, sir.In our class of life jewelry is beyond the means.""I just wondered," Mr.Temple Barholm said.He seemed to be thinking of something that pleased him as he fumbled for his pocket-book and took a clean banknote out of it."I'm not on to what the value of this thing is in real money, but you go and buy her a ring with it, and Ibet she'll be so pleased you'll have the time of your life."Pearson taking it; and recognizing its value in UNreal money, was embarrassed by feeling the necessity of explanation.

"This is a five-pound note, sir.It's too much, sir, it is indeed.

This would FURNISH THE FRONT PARLOR." He said it almost solemnly.

Mr.Temple Barholm looked at the note interestedly.

"Would it? By jinks!" and his laugh had a certain softness of recollection."I guess that's just what Ann would say.She'd know what it would furnish, you bet your life!""I'm most grateful, sir," protested Pearson, "but I oughtn't to take it.Being an American gentleman and not accustomed to English money, you don't realize that--""I'm not accustomed to any kind of money," said his master."I'm scared to be left alone in the room with it.That's what's the matter.

If I don't give some away, I shall never know I've got it.Cheer up, Pearson.You take that and buy the ring, and when you start furnishing, I'll see you don't get left.""I don't know what to say, sir," Pearson faltered emotionally."Idon't, indeed."

"Don't say a darned thing," replied Mr.Temple Barholm.And just here his face changed as Mr.Palford had seen it change before, and as Pearson often saw it change later.His New York jocular irreverence dropped from him, and he looked mature and oddly serious.

"I've tried to sort of put you wise to the way I've lived and the things I HAVEN'T had ever since I was born," he said, "but I guess you don't really know a thing about it.I've got more money coming in every year than a thousand of me would ever expect to see in their lives, according to my calculation.And I don't know how to do any of the things a fellow who is what you call `a gentleman' would know how to do.I mean in the way of spending it.Now, I've got to get some fun out of it.I should be a mutt if I didn't, so I'm going to spend it my own way.I may make about seventy-five different kinds of a fool of myself, but I guess I sha'n't do any particular harm.""You'll do good, sir,--to every one."

"Shall I?--said Tembarom, speculatively."Well, I'm not exactly setting out with that in my mind.I'm no Young Men's Christian Association, but I'm not in for doing harm, anyway.You take your five-pound note--come to think of it, Palford said it came to about twenty- five dollars, real money.Hully gee! I never thought I'd have twenty-five dollars to GIVE AWAY! It makes me feel like I was Morgan.""Thank you, sir; thank you," said Pearson, putting the note into his pocket with rapt gratitude in his neat face."You --you do not wish me to remain--to do anything for you?""Not a thing.But just go and find out if Mr.Strangeways is asleep.

If he isn't and seems restless, I'll come and have a talk with him.""Yes, sir," said Pearson, and went at once.