'WOMw^I^wW^WNW The I n I] : ■ . — 5. M . k/aj^sm, x The Manxman Some press ©pinions The Times : " With the exception of ' The Scapegoat,' this is unquestionably the finest and most dramatic of Mr. Hall Caine's novels. . . . ' The Manxman ' goes very straight to the roots of human passion and emotion. It is a remarkable book, throbbing with human interest." Mr. T. P. O'Connor, in the " Sun " : " This is a very fine and great story — one of the finest and greatest of our time. . . . Mr. Hall Caine reaches heights which are attained only by the greatest masters of fiction. ... I think of the great French writer, Stendhal, at the same moment as the great English writer. ... In short, you feel what Mr. Howells said of Tolstoi, 'This is not like life; it is life.' . . . He belongs to that small minority of the Great Elect of Literature." The Qneen : "'The Manxman' is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable books of the century. It will be read and re-read, and take its place in the literary inheritance of the English-speaking nations." "The Scotsman: " It is not too much to say that it is the most powerful story that has been written in the present generation. . . . The love of Pete, his simple- mindedness, his sufferings when he has lost Kate, are painted with a master-hand. . . . It is a work of genius." The Daily News : " It is difficult not to speak with what may seem indiscriminate praise of Mr. Hall Caine's new work, 'The Manxman.' ... A work of magnificent vitality and dramatic force." St. James's Gazette: " 'The Manxman' is a contribution to literature, and the most fastidious critic would give in exchange for it a wilderness of that deciduous trash which our publishers call fiction. ... It is not possible to part from ' The Manxman' with anything but a warm tribute of approval." — Edmund Gosse. The Liverpool Daily Post : ' ' There are three magnificent things among others in the tale. First, the clear, fearless, one-idea of the girl— her love for Philip ; wrought out with unprecedented force, and with an absence of scruple or compunction which is usually found only in the bad, but which in Kate never alienates the reader even when it inflicts the cruellest undeserved suffering. Secondly, the bold fatalism — the unintending fatalism, except from point to point — which enables Philip to march right on to the climax of his life, undiscovered as the traitor he is. Thirdly, the matchless, childlike, innocent, yet shrewd but chivalrous magnanimity of Pete, whose experiences as sweetheart, lover, husband, and reputed father are a whole epic of joy and trouble, whimsies and sorrows, gloriously dignified by such love, not only for wife but for friend, as can rarely before have been imagined." — Sir Edward Russell. The Christian World : " There is a great fascination in being present, as it were, at the birth of a classic ; and a classic undoubtedly ' The Manxman ' is. . . . He who reads ' The Manxman ' feels that he is reading a book which will be read and re-read by very many thousands with human tears and human laughter." The Speaker : "As I read, I began to say to myself, ' This is good ; ' and in a little while, ' Ah, but this is very good ; ' and at length, ' But this is amazing.' If he can only keep this up, he will have written one of the finest novels— English or foreign — of his time." — Quiller Couch. The Sketch : " It is a pleasure to say, with no back thought, no inkling of doubt, that Mr. Hall Caine has achieved greatness. ' The Manxman ' gives him place with the masters of English fiction. ... A life-long delight to every reader of one of the very finest novels of the century." — Tighe Hopkins. London: WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 Bedford Street, W.C. BY THE SAME AUTHOR Crown 8vo, uniform binding, price 3s. 6d each. The Bondman TWENTY-SIXTH THOUSAND Mr. <;i:id>l one : " ' The Bondman ' is a work of which I recognise the freshness, vigour, and sustained interest, no less than its integrity of aim." The 'I'iiiics: "It is impossible to deny originality and rude power to this saga, impossible not to admire its forceful directness, and the colossal grandeur of its leading characters." The Academy 1 "The language of 'The Bondman' is full of nervous, graphic, and poetical English ; its interest never flags, and its situations and descriptions are uiagnihcent. It is a splendid novel." The Speaker : " This is the best book that Mr. Hall Caine has yet written, and it reaches a level to which fiction very rarely attains. . . . We are, in fact, so loth to let such good work be degraded by the title of ' novel' that we are almost tempted to consider its claims to rank as a prose epic." The Scotsman: "Mr. Hall Caine has in this work placed himself beyond the front rank of the novelists of the day. He has produced a story which, for the ingenuity of its plot, for its literary excellence, for its delineation of human passions, and for its intensely powerful dramatic scenes, is distinctly ahead of all the fictional literature of our time, and fit to rank with the most powerful fictional writing of the past century." The Scapegoat TWENTY-FIRST THOUSAND Mr. Gladstone writes : " I congratulate you upon ' The Scapegoat' as a work of art, and especially upon the noble and skilfully drawn character of Israel." Mr. Walter Besant, In "The. Author": " Nearly every year there stands out a head and shoulders above its companions one work which promises to make the year memorable. This year a promise of lasting vitality is distinctly made by Mr. Hall Caine's 'Scapegoat.' It is a great book, great in conception and in execution; a strong book, strong in situation and in character ; and a human book, human in its pathos, its terror, and its passion." The Times : " In our judgment it excels in dramatic force all the author's previous efforts. Tor grace and touching pathos Naomi is a character which any romancist in the world miyht be proud to have created, and the tale of her parents' despair and hopes, and of her own development, confers upon ' The Scapegoat ' a distinction which is matchless of its kind." Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon The Academy: "The three stories in Mr. Hall Caine's book are, together, as characteristic as anything he has done. The first, that which gives its name to the me, is an exceptionally able and attractive comedy of Manx life and manners. 1 with skill, knowledge, and sympathy." The m olsmuii : " These stories are simply delightful." don: WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 Bedford Street, W.C. The Manxman - , i . » e " c ■• > •> IRcw 5ir=SbWfn '.4 -- ■ - ..' . • t (, ' fc k V t ft, fc A The Manxman By Hall Caine Author of "The Bondman," "The Scapegoat," etc. " What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own sotiif" ■Cbirt\:=f(ftb cbousanb London William Heinemann 1894 First Edition, August 3, /S94; Reprinted August 17 ,• Reprinted September 1, 1SQ4 Copyright iSgj London : Win. llcinemann New York; D. Appleton c^ Co All rights reserved T7\ CONTENTS Part I. Boys Together Page I Part II Boy and Girl . Si Part III Man and Woman 126 Part IV. Man and Wife . 211 Part V. Man and A fan ■ 279 Part VI. Man and God • 357 470200 The Manxman PART I.— BOYS TOGETHER Old Deemster Christian of Ballawhaine was a hard man — hard on the outside, at all events. They called him Iron Christian, and people said, " Don't turn that iron hand against you." Yet his char- acter was stamped with nobleness as well as strength. He was not a man of icy nature, but he loved to gather icicles about him. There was fire enough underneath, at which he warmed his old heart when alone, but he liked the air to be congealed about his face. He was a man of a closed soul. One had to wrench open the dark chamber where he kept his feelings ; but the man who had done that had uncovered his nakedness, and he cut him off for ever. That was how it happened with his son, the father of Philip. He had two sons ; the elder was an impetuous creature, a fiery spirit, one of the masterful souls who want the restraint of the curb if they are not to hurry headlong into the abyss. Old Deemster Christian had called this boy Thomas Wilson, after the serene saint who had once been Bishop of Man. He was intended, however, for the law, not for the Church. The office of Deemster never has been and never can be hereditary ; yet the Christians of Ballawhaine had been Deemsters through six generations, and old Iron Christian expected that Thomas Wilson Christian would succeed him. But there was enough uncertainty about the succession to make merit of more value than precedent in the selection, and so the old man had brought up his son to the English bar, and afterwards called him to practise in the Manx one. The young fellow had not altogether rewarded his father's endeavours. During his residence in Eng- land, he had acquired certain modern doctrines which were highly obnoxious to the old Deemster. New views on property, new ideas about woman and marriage, new theories concerning religion (always re- christened superstition), the usual barnacles of young vessels fresh from unknown waters ; but the old man was no shipwright in A 2 THE MANXMAN harbour who has learnt the art of removing them without injury to the hull. The Deemster knew these notions when he met with them in the English newspapers. There was something awesome in their effect on his stay-at-home imagination, as of vices confusing and difficult to true men that walk steadily ; but, above all, very far off, over the mountains and across the sea, like distant cities of Sodom, only waiting for Sodom's doom. And yet, lo ! here they were in a twinkling, shunted and shot into his own house and his own stackyard. " I suppose now," he said, with a knowing look, " you think Jack as good as his master ? " " No, sir," said his son gravely ; " generally much better." Iron Christian altered his will. To his elder son he left only a life-interest in Ballawhaine. " That boy will be doing something," he said, and thus he guarded against consequences. He could not help it; he was ashamed, but he could not conquer his shame — the fiery old man began to nurse a grievance against his son. The two sons of the Deemster were like the inside and outside of a bowl, and that bowl was the Deemster himself. If Thomas Wilson the elder had his father's inside fire and softness, Peter, the younger, had his father's outside ice and iron. Peter was little and almost misshapen, with a pair of shoulders that seemed to be trying to meet over a hollow chest and limbs that splayed away into vacancy. And if Nature had been grudging with him, his father was not more kind. He had been brought up to no profession, and his expectations were limited to a yearly charge out of his brother's property. His talk was bitter, his voice cold, he laughed little, and had never been known to cry. He had many things against him. Besides these sons, Deemster Christian had a girl in his house- hold, but to his own consciousness the fact was only a kind of per- fid venture. She was his niece, the child of his only brother, who had died in early manhood. Her name was Ann Charlotte de la Tremouille, called after the lady of Rushen, for the family of Chris- tian had their share of the heroic that is in all men. She had fine . a weak mouth, and great timidity. Gentle airs floated always about her, and a sort of nervous brightness twinkled over her, as of a den with the sun flickering through. Her mother died when she was a child of twelve, and in the house of her uncle and her cousins she had been brought up among men and boys. One day Peter drew the Deemster aside and told him (with ex- pre of shame, interlarded with praises of his own acuteness) bory of his brother. It was about a girl. Her name was Mona !lin ; she lived on the hill at Ballure House, half a mile south of Etamsey, and was daughter o f a man called Billy Ballure, a retired BOYS TOGETHER 3 sea-captain, and hail-fellow-well-met with all the jovial spirits of the town. There was much noise and outcry, and old Iron sent for his son. " What's this I hear ? " he cried, looking him down. " A woman 1 So that's what your fine learning comes to, eh ? Take care, sir ! take care ! No son of mine shall disgrace himself. The day ho does that he will be put to the door. " Thomas held himself in with a great effort. " Disgrace ? " he said. " What disgrace, sir, if you please ?" " What disgrace, sir 1 " repeated the Deemster, mocking his son in a mincing treble. Then he roared, " Behaving dishonourably to a poor girl — that's what's disgrace, sir ! Isn't it enough 1 eh ? eh ? " " More than enough," said the young man. " But who is doing it ? I'm not." " Then you're doing worse. Did I say worse ? Of course I said woi^se. Worse, sir, worse ! Do you hear me ? Worse ! You are trapsing around Ballure, and letting that poor girl take notions. I'll have no more of it. Is this what I sent you to England for? Aren't you ashamed of yourself ? Keep your place, sir ; keep your place. A poor girl's a poor girl, and a Deemster's a Deemster." "Yes, sir," said Thomas, suddenly firing up, " and a man's a man. As for the shame, I need be ashamed of nothing that is not shame- ful ; and the best proof I can give you that I mean no dishonour by the girl is that I intend to marry her." " What ? You intend to— what ? Did I hear " The old Deemster turned his good ear towards his son's face, and the young man repeated his threat. Never fear ! No poor girl should be misled by him. He was above all foolish conventions. Old Iron Christian was dumbfounded. He gasped, he stared, he stammered, and then fell on his son with hot reproaches. "What? Your wife? Wife? That trollop !— that minx ! that — and daughter of that sot, too, that old rip, that rowdy blather- skite — that And my own son is to lift his hand to cut his throat ! Yes, sir, cut his throat ! And I am to stand by ! No, no ! I say no, sir, no ! " The young man made some further protest, but it was lost in his father's clamour. " You will, though 1 You will ? Then your hat is your house, sir. Take to it — take to it ! " " No need to tell me twice, father." " Away then — away to your woman — your jade ! God, keep my hands off him ! " The old man lifted his clenched fist, but his son had flung out of the room. It was not the Deemster only who feared he might lay hands on his own flesh and blood. 4 THE MANXMAN " Stop ! come back, you dog ! Listen ! I've not done yet. Stop ! you hotheaded rascal, stop ! Can't you hear a man out then ? Come back ! Thomas Wilson, come back, sir. Thomas ! Thomas ! Tom ! Where is he ? Where's the boy ? " Old Iron Christian had made after his son bareheaded down to the road, shouting his name in a broken roar, but the young man was gone. Then he went back slowly, his grey hair playing in the wind. He was all iron outside, but all father within. Tli.it day the Deemster altered his will a second time, and his elder son was disinherited. II Peter succeeded in due course to the estate of Ballawhaine, but lie was not a lawyer, and the line of the Deemsters Christian was broken. Meantime Thomas Wilson Christian had been married to Mona Crellin without delay. He loved her, but he had been afraid of her ignorance, afraid also (notwithstanding his principles) of the dif- ference in their social rank, and had half intended to give her up when his father's reproaches had come to fire his anger and to spur his courage. As soon as she became his wife he realised the price he had paid for her. Happiness could not come of such a beginning. He had broken every tie in making the one which brought him down. The rich disowned him, and the poor lost respect for him. " It's positively indecent," said one. " It's potatoes marrying herrings," said another. It was little better than hunger marrying thirst. In the general downfall of his fame his profession failed him. He lost heart and ambition. His philosophy did not stand him in good stead, for it had no value in the market to which he brought it. Thus, day by day, he sank deeper into the ooze of a wrecked and wasted life. The wife did not turn out well. She was a fretful person, with :i good fiice, a bad shape, a vacant mind, and a great deal of vanity. had liked her husband a little as a lover, but when she saw that her marriage brought her nobody's envy, she fell into along fit of the vapours. Eventually she made herself believe that she was an ill-used poison. She never ceased to complain of her fate. Every- body treated her as if she had laid plans for her husband's ruin. The husb.-md continued to love her, but little by little he grew to despise her also. When he made his first plunge, he had prided himself on indulging an heroic impulse. He was not going to deliver BOYS TOGETHER 5 a good woman to dishonour because she seemed to be an obstacle to his success. But she had never realised his saci'ifice. She did not appear to understand that he might have been a great man in the island, but that love and honour had held him back. Her ignorance was pitiful, and he was ashamed of it. In earning the contempt of others he had not saved himself from self-contempt. The old sailor died suddenly in a fit of drunkenness at a fair, and husband and wife came into possession of his house and property at Ballure. This did not improve the relations between them. Tho woman perceived that their positions were reversed. She was tho bread -bringer now. One day, at a slight that her husband's people had put upon her in the street, she reminded him, in order to re- establish her wounded vanity, that but for her and hers he woidd not have so much as a roof to cover him. Yet the man continued to love her in spite of all. And she was not at first a degraded being. At times she was bright and cheerful, and, except in the worst spells of her vapours, she was a brisk and busy woman. The house was sweet and homely. There was only one thing to drive him away from it, but that was the greatest thing of all. Nevertheless they had their cheerful hours together. A child was born, a boy, and they called him Philip. He was the beginning of the end between them ; the iron stay that held them together and yet apart. The father remembered his mis- fortunes in the presence of his son, and the mother was stung afresh by the recollection of disappointed hopes. The boy was the true heir of Ballawhaine, but the inheritance was lost to him by his father's fault and he had nothing. Philip grew to be a winsome lad. There was something sweet and amiable and big-hearted, and even almost great, in him. One day the father sat in the garden by the mighty fuchsia-tree that grows on the lawn, watching his little fair-haired son play at marbles on the path with two big lads whom he had enticed out of the road, and another more familiar playmate — the little barefooted boy Peter, from the cottage by the water-trough. At first Philip lost, and with grunts of satisfaction the big ones promptly pocketed their gains. Then Philip won, and little curly Peter was stripped naked, and his lip began to fall. At that Philip paused, held his head aside, and considered, and then said quite briskly, " Peter hadn't a fair chance that time — here, let's give him another go." The father's throat swelled, and he went indoors to the mother and said, " I think — perhaps I'm to blame — but somehow I think our boy isn't like other boys. "What do you say 1 Foolish ? May be so, may be so ! No difference ? Well, no — no ! " But deep down in the secret place of his heart, Thomas Wilson Christian, broken man, uprooted tree, wrecked craft in the mud and 6 THE MANXMAN slime, began to cherish a fond idea. The son would regain all that his father had lost ! He had gifts, and he shonld be brought up to the law ; a large nature, and he should be helped to develop it ; a fine face which all must love, a sense of justice, and a great wealth of the power of radiating happiness. Deemster? AYhy not? Ballawhaine? Who could tell? The biggest, noblest, greatest of all Manxmen! God knows ! Only — only he must be taught to fly from his father's dangers. Love ? Then let him love where he can also respect — but never outside his own sphere. The island was too little for that. To love and to despise was to suffer the torments of the damned. Nourishing these dreams, the poor man began to be tortured by every caress the mother gave her son, and irritated by every word she spoke to him. Her grammar was good enough for him- self, and the exuberant caresses of her maudlin moods were even sometimes pleasant, but the boy must be degraded by neither. The woman did not reach to these high thoughts, but she was not slow to interpret the casual byplay in which they found expression. Her husband was taiching her son to disrespeck her. She wouldn't have thought it of him — she wouldn't really. But it was always the way when a plain practical woman married on the quality. Irnperence and disrespeck — that's the capers ! Imperence and dis- respeck from the ones that's doing nothing and behoulden to you for everything. It was shocking ! It was disthressing ! In such outbursts would her jealousy taunt him with his poverty, revile him for his idleness, and square accounts with him for the manifest preference of the boy. He could bear them with patience when they were alone, but in Philip's presence they were as gall and wormwood, and whips and scorpions. "Go, my lad, go," he would sometimes whimper, and hustle the boy out of the way. "No," the woman would cry, "stop and see the man your father is." And the father would mutter, "He might see the woman his mother is as well." But when she bad pinned them together, and the boy had to hear her out, the man would drop his forehead on the table and break into groans and tears. Then the woman would change quite sud- ly, and put her arms about him and kiss him and weep over him. II" could defend himself from neither her insults nor her embraces. In spite of everything he loved her. That was where the bitterness of the evil lay. But for the love he bore her, he might have got her off his back and been his own man once more. He would make ce witli her and kiss her again, and they would both kiss the boy, and be tender, and even cheerful. BOYS TOGETHER 7 Philip was still a child, but he saw the relations of his parents, and in his own way he understood everything. He loved his father best, but he did not hate his mother. She was nearly always affectionate, though often jealous of the father's greater love and care for him, and sometimes irritable from that cause alone. But the frequent broils between them were like blows that left scars on his body. He slept in a cot in the same room, and ho would cover up his head in the bedclothes at night with a feeling of fear and physical pain. A man cannot fight against himself for long. That deadly enemy is certain to slay. When Philip was six years old his father lay sick of his last sickness. The wife had fallen into habits of intemperance by this time, and stage by stage she had descended to the condition of an utterly degraded woman. There was something to excuse her. She had been disappointed in the great stakes of life ; she had earned disgrace where she had looked for admiration. She was vain, and could not bear misfortune ; and she had no deep well of love from which to drink when the fount of her pride ran dry. If her hus- band had indulged her with a little pity, everything might have gone along more easily. But he had only loved her and been ashamed. And now that he lay near to his death, the love began to ebb and the shame to deepen into dread. He slept little at night, and as often as he closed his eyes certain voices of mocking and reproach seemed to be constantly humming in his ears. "Your son!" they would cry. ""What is to become of him? Your dreams ! Your great dreams ! Deemster ! Ballawhaine ! God knows what ! You are leaving the boy ; who is to bring him up 1 His mother ? Think of it ! " At last a ray of pale sunshine broke on the sleepless wrestler with the night, and he became almost happy. " I'll speak to the boy," he thought. " I will tell him my own history, concealing nothing. Yes, I will tell him of my own father also, God rest him, the stern old man — severe, yet just." An opportunity soon befell. It was late at night — very late. The woman was sleeping off a bout of intemperance somewhere below ; and the boy, with the innocence and ignorance of his years in all that the solemn time foreboded, was bustling about the room with mighty eagerness, because he knew that he ought to be in bed. " I'm staying up to intend on you, father," said the boy. The father answered with a sigh. " Don't you asturb yourself, father. I'll intend on you." The father's sigh deepened to a moan. "If you want anything 'aticular, just call me; d'ye see, father? " And away went the boy like a gleam of light. Presently he 8 THE MANXMAN came back, leaping like the dawn. He was carrying, insecurely, a jug of poppy-head and camomile, which had been prescribed as a lotion. " Poppy-heads, father ! Poppy -heads is good, I can tell ye." "Why arn't you in bed, child?" said the father. "You must be tired." "No, I'm not tii-ed, father. I was just feeling a bit of tired, and then I took a smell of poppy-heads and away went the tiredness to Jericho. They is good." The little white head was glinting off again when the father called it back. "Come here, my boy." The child went up to the bedside, and the father ran his fingers lovingly through the long fair hair. "Do you think, Philip, that twenty, thirty, forty years hence, when you are a man — aye, a big man, little one — do you think you will remember what I shall say to you now ? " " "Why, yes, father, if it's anything 'aticular, and if it isn't you can amind me of it, can't you, father ? " The father shook his head. " I shall not be here then, my boy. I am going away " " Going away, father ? May I come too ? " "Ah ! I wish you could, little one. Yes, truly I almost wish you could." " Then } T ou'll let me go with you, father ! Oh, I am glad, father." And the boy began to caper and dance, to go down on all fours, and leap about the floor like a frog. The father fell back on his pillow with a heaving breast. Vain ! vain! What was the use of speaking? The child's outlook was life ; his own was death ; they had no common ground ; they spoke different tongues. And, after all, how could he suffer the sweet innocence of the child's soul to look down into the stained and scarred chamber of his ruined heart ? " You don't understand me, Philip. I mean that I am going — See, there's your night-dress at the foot DOYS TOGETHER 9 of the crib. Wants some buttons, does it? Never mind — in with you — that's a boy." Impossible, impossible ! And perhaps unnecessary. Who should say 1 Young as the child was, he might never forget -what he had seen and heard. Some day it must have its meaning for him. Thus the father comforted himself. Those jangling quarrels which had often scorched his brain like iron — the memory of their abject scenes came to him then, with a sort of bleeding solace ! Meanwhile, with little catching sobs, which he struggled to repi-ess, the boy lay down in his crib. When half-way gone to- wards the mists of the land of sleep, he started up suddenly, and called "Good night, father," and his father answered him "Good night." Towards three o'clock the next morning there was great commo- tion in the house. The servant was scurrying up and downstairs, and the mistress, wringing her hands, was tramping to and fro in the sick-room, crying in a tone of astonishment, as if the thought had stolen upon her unawares, " Why, he's going ! How didn't somebody tell me before 1 " The eyes of the sinking man were on the crib. " Philip," he faltered. They lifted the boy out of his bed, and brought him in his night-dress to his father's side ; and the father twisted about and took him into his arms, still half asleep and yawning. Then the mother, recovering from the stupidity of her surprise, broke into paroxysms of weeping, and fell over her husband's breast and kissed and kissed him. For once her kisses had no response. The man was dying miser- ably, for he was thinking of her and of the boy. Sometimes he babbled over Philip in a soft, inarticulate gurgle ; sometimes he looked up at his wife's face with a stony stare, and then he clung the closer to the boy, as if he would never let him go. The dark hour came, and still he held the boy in his arms. They had to release the child at last from his father's dying grip. The dead of the night was gone by this time, and the day was at the point of dawn ; the sparrows in the eaves were twdttering, and the tide, which was at its lowest ebb, was heaving on the sand far out in the bay with the sound as of a rookery awakening. Philip remembered afterwards that his mother cried so much that he was afraid, and that when he had been dressed she took him downstairs, where they all ate breakfast together, with the sun shining through the blinds. The mother did not live to overshadow her son's life. Sinking yet lower in habits of intemperance, she stayed indoors from week-end to week-end, seated herself like a weeping willow by the fireside, and drank and drank. Her excesses led to delusions. She saw ghosts io THE MANXMAN perpetually. To avoid such of them as haunted the death-room of her husband, she had a bed made up on a couch in the parlour, and one morning she was found face downwards stretched out beside it on the floor. Then Philip's father's cousin, always called his Aunty Nan, came to Ballure House to bring him up. His father had been her favourite cousin, and, in spite of all that had happened, he had been her lifelong hero also. A deep and secret tenderness, too timid to be quite aware of itself, had been lying in ambush in her heart through all the years of his miserable life with Mona. At the death of the old Deemster, her other cousin, Peter, had married and cast her off. But she was always one of those woodland herbs which are said to give out their sweetest fragrance after they have been trodden on and crushed. Philip's father had been her hero, her lost one and her love, and Philip was his father's son. Ill Little curly Pete, with the broad, bare feet, the tousled black head, the jacket half way up his back like a waistcoat with sleeves, and the hole in his trousers where the tail of his shirt should have been, was Peter Quilliam, and he was the natural son of Peter Christian. In the days when that punctilious worthy set himself to observe the doings of his elder brother at Ballure, he found it convenient to make an outwork of the hedge in front of the thatched house that stood nearest. Two persons lived in the cottage, father and daughter — Tom Quilliam, usually called Black Tom, and Bridget Quilliam, getting the name of Bridget Black Tom. The man was a short, gross creature, with an enormous head and a big, open mouth, showing broken teeth that were black with the juice of tobacco. The girl was by common judgment and report a gawk — a great, slow-eyed, comely-looking, comfortable, easy-going gawk. Black Tom was a thatcher, and with his hair poking its way through the holes in his straw hat, he tramped the island in pur- suit of his calling. This kept him from home for days together, and in that fact Peter Christian, while shadowing the morality of his her, found his own opportunity. When the child was born, neither the thatcher nor his daughter attempted to father it. Peter < inistian paid twenty pounds to the one and eighty to the other in Manx pound-notes, the boys daubed t beir door to show that the house was dishonoured, and that was the end of everything. The girl went through her "censures" silently, or with only one DOYS TOGETHER u comment. Sho had borrowed the sheet in which she appeared in church from Miss Christian of Ballawhaine, and when she took it I >.ick, the good soul of the sweet lady thought to improve the occasion. "I was wondering, Bridget," she said gravely, "what you were thinking of when you stood with Bella and Liza before the congre- gation last Sunday morning" — two other Magdalenes had done penance by Bridget's side. '"Deed, mistress," said the girl, "I was thinkin' there wasn't a sheet at one of them to match mine for whiteness. I'd 'a been ashamed to be seen in the like of theirs." Bridget may have been a gawk, but she did two things which were not gawkish. Putting the eighty greasy notes into the foot of an old stocking, she sewed them up in the ticking of her bed, and then christened her baby Peter. The money was for the child if she should not live to rear him, and the name was her way of saying that a man's son was his son in spite of law or devil. After that she kept both herself and her child by day labour in the fields, weeding and sowing potatoes, and following at the tail of the reapers, for sixpence a clay dry days, and fourpence all weathers. She might have badgered the heir of Ballawhaine, but she never did so. That person came into his inheritance, got himself elected member for Ramsey in the House of Keys, married Nessy Taub- man, daughter of the rich brewer, and became the father of another son. Such were the doings in the big house down in the valley, while up in the thatched cottage behind the water-trough, on potatoes and herrings and barley bonnag, lived Bridget and her little Pete. Pete's earliest recollections were of a boy who lived at the beau- tiful white house with the big fuchsia, by the turn of the road over the bridge that crossed the glen. This was Philip Christian, half a year older than himself, although several inches shorter, with long yellow hair and rosy cheeks, and dressed in a velvet suit of knickerbockers. Pete worshipped him in his simple way, hung about him, fetched and carried for him, and looked up to him as a marvel of wisdom and goodness and pluck. His first memory of Philip was of sleeping with him, snuggled up by his side in the dark, hushed and still in a narrow bed with iron ends to it, and of leaping up in the morning and laughing. Philip's father — a tall, white gentleman, who never laughed at all, and only smiled sometimes — had found him in the road in the even- ing waiting for his mother to come home from the fields, that he might light the fire in the cottage, and running about in the meantime to keep himself warm, and not too hungry. His second memory was of Philip guiding him round the draw- ing-room (over thick carpets, on which his bare feet made no noise), 12 THE MANXMAN and showing him the pictures on the walls, and telling him what they meant. One (an engraving of St. John, with a death's-head and a crucifix) was, according to this grim and veracious guide, a picture of a brigand who killed his victims, and always skinned their skulls with a cross-handled dagger. After that his memories of Philip and himself were as two gleams of sunshine which mingle and become one. Philip was a great reader of noble histories. He found them, frayed and tattered, at the bottom of a trunk that had tin corners and two padlocks, and stood in the room looking towards the har- bour where his mother's father, the old sailor, had slept. One of them was his special favourite, and he used to read it aloud to Pete. It told of the doings of the Carrasdhoo men. They were a bold band of desperadoes, the terror of all the island. Sometimes they worked in the fields at ploughing, and reaping, and stacking, the same as common practical men ; and sometimes they lived in houses, just like the house by the water-trough. But when the wind was rising in the nor-nor-west, and there was a taste of the brine on your lips, they would be up, and say, " The sea's calling us — we must be going." Then they would live in rocky caves of the coast where nobody could reach them, and there would be fires lit at night in tar-barrels, and shouting, and singing, and carousing ; and after that there would be ships' rudders, and figure-heads, and masts coming up with the tide, and sometimes dead bodies on the beach of sailors they had drowned — only foreign ones though — hundreds and tons of them. But that was long ago, the Carras- dhoo men were dead, and the glory of their day was departed. One quiet evening, after an awesome reading of this brave history, Philip, sitting on his haunches at the gable, with Pete like another white frog beside him, said cpiite suddenly, " Hush ! What's that ? " "I wonder," said Pete. There was never a sound in the air above the rustle of a leaf, and Pete's imagination could carry him no further. '■ Pete," said Philip, with awful gravity, "the sea's calling me." " And me," said Pete solemnly. Early that night the two lads were down at the most desolate part of Port Mooar, in a cave under the scraggy black rocks of Gob- ny-Garvain, kindling a fire of gorse and turf inside the remains of a broken barrel " See that tremendous sharp rock below low water?" said Philip. ■ Don't I, though?" said Pete. There was never a rock the size of a wirrycomb between them and the line of the sky. " That's what we call a reef," said Philip. " Wait a bit and you'll see the ships go splitting on top of it like— like " BOYS TOGETHER 13 "Like a tay-pot," said Pete. "We'll save the women, though," said Philip. "Shall we save the women, Pete? We always do." " Aw, yes, the women — and the boys," said Pete thoughtfully. Philip had his doubts about the boys, but he would not quarrel. It was nearly dark, and growing very cold. The lads croodled down by the crackling blaze, and tried to forget that they had for- gotten tea-time. " We never has to mind a bit of hungry," said Philip stoutly. "Never a ha'p'orth," said Pete. "Only when the job's done we have hams and Hitches and things for supper." "Aw, yes, ateing and drinking to the full." "Rum, Pete, we always drinks rum." " We has to," said Pete. " None of your tea," said Philip. "Coorse not, none of your ould grannie's two-penny tay," said Pete. It was quite dark by this time, and the tide was rising rapidly. There was not a star in the sky, and not a light on the sea except the revolving light of the lightship far away. The boys crept closer together and began to think of home. Philip remembered Aunty Nan. When he had stolen away on hands and knees under the parlour window she had been sewing at his new check night-shirt. A night-shirt for a Carrasdhoo man had seemed to be ridiculous then ; but where was Aunty Nannie now ? Pete remembered his mother — she would be racing round the houses and crying ; and he had visions of Black Tom — he would be racing round also and swearing. "Shouldn't we sing something, Phil?" said Pete, with a gurgle in his throat. "Sing!" said Philip, with as much scorn as he could summon, "and give them warning we're watching for them ! Well, you are a pretty, Mr. Pete ! But just you wait till the ships goes wrecking on the rocks — I mean the reefs — and the dead men's coming up like corks — hundreds and ninety and dozens of them ; my jove ! yes, then you'll hear me singing." The darkness deepened, and the voice of the sea began to moan through the back of the cave, the gorse crackled no longer, and the turf burned in a dull red glow. Night with its awfulness had come down, and the boys were cut off from everything. "They don't seem to becoming — not yet," said Philip, in a husky whisper. "Maybe it's the same as fishing," said Pete; "sometimes you catch and sometimes you don't." 14 THE MANXMAN "That's it," said Philip eagerly, "generally you don't — and then you both haves to go home and come again," he added nervously. But neither of the boys stirred. Outside the glow of the fire the blackness looked terrible. Pete nuzzled up to Philip's side, and, being untroubled by imaginative fears, soon began to feel drowsy. The sound of his measured breathing startled Philip with the terror of loneliness. "Honour bright, Mr. Pete," he faltered, nudging the head on his shoulder, and trying to keep his voice from shaking; " you call yourself a second mate, and leaving all the work to me ! " The second mate was penitent, but in less than half a minute more he was committing the same offence again. " It isn't no use," he said, "I'm that sleepy you never seen." "Then let's both take the watch below i'stead," said Philip, and they proceeded to stretch themselves out by the fire together. " Just lave it to me," said Pete ; " I'll hear them if they come in the night. I'll always does. I'm sleeping that light it's shocking. Why, sometimes I hear Black Tom when he comes home tipsy. I've done it times." ""We'll have carpets to lie on to-morrow, not stones," said Philip, wriggling on a rough one; " rolls of carpets — kidaminstrel ones." They settled themselves side by side as close to each other as they could creep, and tried not to hear the surging and sighing of the sea. Then came a tremulous whimper : "Pete!" "What's that ?" " Don't you never say your prayers when you take the watch below ? " " Sometimes we does, when mother isn't too tired, and the ould man's middling drunk and quiet." "Then don't you like to then 1 " • : Aw, yes, though, I'm liking it scandalous." The wreckers agreed to say their prayers, and got up again and said them, knee to knee, with their two little faces to the fire, and then stretched themselves out afresh. " Pete, where's your hand." " Here you are, Phil." In another minute, under the solemn darkness of the night, broken only by the smouldering fire, amid the thunderous quake of the cavern after every beat of the waves on the beach, the Car- rasdhoo men were asleep. Sometime in the dark reaches before the dawn Pete leapt up with a start. " What's that ? " he cried, in a voice of fear. But Philip wit.-; still in the mists of sleep, and, feeling the cold, he only whimpered, "Cover me up, Pete." BOYS TOGETHER 15 "Phil !" cried Pete, in an affrighted whisper. "Cover me up," drawled Philip. " I thought it was Black Tom," said Pete. There was some confused bellowing outside the cave. " My goodness grayshers ! " came in a terrible voice, " it's them, though, the pair of them ! Impozzible ! who says its impozzible ? It's themselves I'm telling you, ma'm. Guy heng ! The woman's mad, putting a scream out of herself like yonder. Safe ? Coorse they're safe, bad luck to the young wastrels ! You're for putting up a prayer for your own one. Eh ? Well, I'm for hommering mine. The dirts 1 Weaned only yesterday, and fetching a dacent man out of his bed to find them. A fire at them, too ! Well, it was the fire that found them. Pull the boat up, boys." Philip was half awake by this time. " They've come," he whispered. " The ships is come, they're on the reef. Oh, dear me ! Best go and meet them. P'raps they won't kill us if — if we — Oh, dear me ! " Then the wreckers, hand in hand, quaking and whimpering, stepped out to the mouth of the cave. At the next moment Philip found himself snatched up into the arms of Aunty Nan, who kissed him and cried over him, and rammed a great chunk of sweat cake into his cheek. Pete was faring differently. Under the leathern belt of Black Tom, who was thrashing him for both of them, he was howling like the sea in a storm. Thus the Carrasdhoo men came home by the light of early morn- ing — Pete skipping before the belt and bellowing ; and Philip holding a piece of the cake at his teeth to comfort him. IV Philip left home for school at King William's by Castletown, and then Pete had a hard upbringing. His mother was tender enough, and there were good souls like Aunty Nan to show pity to both of them. But life went like a springless bogey, nevertheless. Sin itself is often easier than simpleness to pardon and condone. It takes a soft heart to feel tenderly towards a soft head. Poor Pete's head seemed soft enough and to spare. No power and no persuasion could teach him to read and write. He went to school at the old schoolhouse by the church in Maughold village. The schoolmaster was a little man called John Thomas Corlett, pert and proud, with the sharp nose of a pike and the gait of a bantam. John Thomas was also a tailor. On a cowhouse door laid across two school forms he sat cross-legged among his cloth, his " maidens," 1 6 THE MANXMAN and his smoothing irons, with his boys and girls, class by class, in a big half circle round about him. The great little man had one standing ground of daily assault on the dusty jacket of poor Pete, and that was that the lad came late to school. Every morning Pete's welcome from the tailor-school- master was a volley of expletives, and a swipe of the cane across his shoulders. "The craythur ! The dunce ! The durt ! I'm taiching him, and taiching him, and he won't be taicht." The soul of the schoolmaster had just two human weaknesses. One of these was a weakness for drink, and as a little vessel he could not take much without being full. Then he always taught the Church catechism and swore at his boys in Manx. "Peter Quilliam," he cried one day, "who brought you out of the land of Egypt and the house of bondage 1 " "'Deed, master," said Pete, "I never was in no such places, for I never had the money nor the clothes for it, and that's how stories are getting about." The second of the schoolmaster's frailties was love of his daughter, a child of four, a cripple, whom he had lamed in her infancy, by letting her fall as he tossed her in his arms while in drink. The constant terror of his mind was lest some further accident should befall her. Between class and class he would go to a window, from which, when he had thrown up its lower sash, dim with the scratches of names, he could see one end of his own white cottage, and the little pathway, between lines of gilvers, coming down from the porch. Pete had seen the little one hobbling along this path on her lame leg, and giggling with a heart of glee when she had eluded the eyes of her mother and escaped into the road. One day it chanced, after the heavy spring rains had swollen every watercourse, that he came upon the little curly poll, tumbling and tossing like a bell-buoy in a , down the flood of the river that runs to the sea at Port Mooar. Pete rescued the child and took her home, and then, as if he had done nothing unusual, he went on to school, dripping water from his legs at every step. When John Thomas saw him coming, in bare feet, triddle-traddle, fcriddle-traddle, up the school-house floor, his indignation at the boy for being later than usual rose to fiery wrath for being drenched as well. Waiting for no explanation, concluding that Pete had been fishing for crabs among the stones of Port Lewaigue, he burst into a loud volley of his accustomed expletives, and timed and punctuated them by a thwack of the cane between every word. " The waistrel ! (thwack). The dirt ! (thwack). I'm taiching him (thwack), and taiching him (thwack), and he won't be taicht ! " (Thwack, thwack, thwack.) Pete said never a word. Polling his stinging shoulders under BOYS TOGETHER 17 his jacket, and ramming his smarting hands, like wet eels, into his breeches' pockets, he took his place in silence at the bottom of the class. But a girl, a little dark thing in a red frock, stepped out from her place beside the boy, shot up like a gleam to the schoolmaster as he returned to his seat among the cloth and needles, dealt him a smart slap across the face, and then burst into a fit of hysterical crying. Her name was Katherine Cregeen. She was the daughter of Caesar the Cornaa miller, the founder of Ballajora Chapel, and a mighty man among the Methodists. Katherine went unpunished, but that was the end of Pete's schooling. His learning was not too heavy for a big lad's head to carry — a bit of reading if it was all in print, and no writing at all except half-a-dozen capital letters. It was not a formidable equip- ment for the battle of life, but Bridget would not hear of more. She herself, meanwhile, had annexed that character which was always the first and easiest to attach itself to a woman with a child but no visible father for it — the character of a witch. That name for his mother was Pete's earliest recollection of the high-road, and when the consciousness of its meaning came to him, he did not rebel, but sullenly acquiesced, for he had been born to it and knew nothing to the contrary. If the boys quarrelled with him at play, the first word was "your mother's a butch." Then he cried at the reproach, or perhaps fought like a vengeance at the insult, but he never dreamt of disbelieving the fact or of loving his mother any the less. Bridget was accused of the evil eye. Cattle sickened in the fields, and when there was no proof that she had looked over the gate, the idea was suggested that she crossed them as a hare. One day a neighbour's dog started a hare in a meadow where some cows were grazing. This was observed by a gang of boys playing at hockey in the road. Instantly there was a shout and a whoop, and the boys with their sticks were in full chase after the yelping do?, crying, " The butch ! The butch ! It's Bridget Tom ! Corlett's dogs are hunting Bridget Black Tom ! Kill her, Laddie ! Kill her, Sailor ! Jump, dog, jump ! " One of the boys playing at hockey was Pete. When his play- fellows ran after the dogs in their fanatic thirst, he ran too, but with a storm of other feelings. Outstripping all of them, very close at the heels of the dogs, kicking some, striking others with the hockey-stick, while the tears poured down his cheeks, he cried at the top of his voice to the hare leaping in front, " Bun, mammy, run ! clink (dodge), mammy, clink ! Aw, mammy, mammy, run faster, run for your life, run ! " The hare dodged aside, shot into a thicket, and escaped its pursuers just as Corlett, the farmer, who had heard the outcry, B 1 8 THE MANXMAN came racing up with a gun. Then Pete swept his coat-sleeve across his gleaming eyes and leapt off home. When he got there, he found his mother sitting on the bink by the door knitting quietly. lie threw himself into her arms and stroked her cheek with his hand. "Oh, mammy, bogh," he cried, "how well you run! If you never run in your life you run then." " Is the boy mad ?" said Bridget. But Pete went on stroking her cheek and crying between sobs of joy, " I heard Corlett shouting to the house for a gun and a fourpenny bit, and I thought I was never going to see mammy nc more. But you did clink, mammy ! You did, though ! " The next time Katherine Cregeen saw Peter Quilliam, he was sitting on the ridge of rock at the mouth of Ballure Glen, playing doleful strains on a home-made whistle, and looking the picture of desolation and despair. His mother was lying near to death. He had left Mrs. Cregeen, Ivatherine's mother, a good soul getting the name of Grannie, to watch and tend her while he came out to comfort his simple heart in this lone spot between the land and the sea. Ivatherine's eyes filled at sight of him, and when, without looking up or speaking, he went on to play his crazy tunes, something took the girl by the throat and she broke down utterly. "Never mind, Pete. No — I don't mean that — but don't cry, Pete." Pete was not crying at all, but only playing away on his whistle and gazing out to sea with a look of dumb vacancy. Katherine knelt beside him, put her arms around his neck, and cried for both of them. Somebody hailed him from the hedge by the water-trough, and he rose, took off his cap, smoothed his hair with his hand, and walked towards the house without a word. Bridget was dying of pleurisy, brought on by a long day's work at hoeing turnips in a soaking rain. Dr. Mylechreest had poulticed her lungs with mustard and linseed, but all to no purpose. "It's feeling the same as the sun on your back at harvest," she murmured, yet the poultices brought no heat to her frozen chest. Cscsar Cregeen was at her side ; John the Clerk, too, called John Iho Widow; Kelly, the rural postman, who went by the name oi Kelly the Thief; as well as Black Tom, her father. Caesar was dis- coursing of sinnei'S and their latter end. John was remembering how at his election to the clerkship he had rashly promised to bury I »oor for nothing ; Kelly was thinking he would be the first tc carry the news to Christian Ballawhaine; and Black Tom was varying tho exercise of pounding rock-sugar for his bees with that of breaking his playful wit on the dying woman. "No use ; I'm laving you; I'm going on my long journey," said BOYS TOGETHER 19 Bridget, while Grannie used a shovel as a fan to relieve her gusty breathing. " Got anything in your pocket for the road, woman ? " said tho thatcher. " It's not houses of bricks and mortal I'm for calling at now," sho answered. "Dear heart! Put up a bit of a prayer," whispered Grannie to her husband ; and Caesar took a pinch of snuff out of his waistcoat pocket, and fell to " wrastling with the Lord." Bridget seemed to be comforted. " I see the jasper gates," sho panted, fixing her hazy eyes on the scraas under the thatch, from which broken spiders' webs hung down like rats' tails. Then she called for Pete. She had something to give him. It was the stocking foot with the eighty greasy Manx bank-notes which his father, Peter Christian, had paid her fifteen years before. Pete lit the candle and steadied it while Grannie cut the stocking from the wall side of the bed-ticking. Black Tom dropped the sugar-pounder and exposed his broken teeth in his surprise at so much wealth ; John the Widow blinked ; and Kelly the Thief poked his head forward until the peak of his postman's cap fell on to the bridge of his nose. A sea-fog lay over the land that morning, and when it lifted Bridget's soul went up as well. "Poor thing! Poor thing!" said Grannie. "The ways were cold for her — cold, cold ! " "A dacent lass," said John the Clerk; "and oughtn't to be buried with the common trash, seeing she's left money." "A hard-working woman, too, and on her feet for ever; but 'lowanced in her intellecks, for all," said Kelly. Ami Caesar cried, " A brand plucked from the burning ! Lord, give me more of the like at the judgment." "When all was over, and tears both hot and cold were wiped away — Pete shed none of them — the neighbours who had stood with the lad in the churchyard on Maughold Head returned to the cottage by the water-trough to decide what was to be done with his eighty good bank-notes. "It's a fortune," said one. "Let him put it with Mr. Dumbell," said another. "Get the boy a trade first — he's a big lump now, sixteen for spring," said a third. " A draper, eh ?" said a fourth. " May I presume? My nephew, Robbie Clucas, of Ramsey, now?" "A dacent man, very," said John the Widow; "but if I'm not ambitious, there's my son-in-law, John Cowley. The lad's cut to a dot for a grocer, and what more nicer than having your own shop and your own name over the door, if you plaze — ' Peter Quilliam, tay and sugar merchant ! ' — they're telling me John will be riding in his carriage and pair soon. " 20 THE MANXMAN " Chut ! your grannie and your carriage and pairs," shouted a rasping voice at last. It was Black Tom. '•' Who says the fortune is belonging to the lad at all 1 It's mine, and if there's law in the land I'll have it." Meanwhile, Pete, with the dull thud in his ears of earth falling on a coffin, had made his way down to Ballawhaine. He had never been there before, and he felt confused, but he did not tremble. Half-way up the carriage-drive he passed a sandy-haired youth of his own age, a slim dandy who hummed a tune and looked at him carelessly over his shoulder. Pete knew him — he was Ross, the boys called him Dross, son and heir of Christian Ballawhaine. At the big house Pete asked for the master. The English foot- man, in scarlet knee-breeches, left him to wait in the stone hall. The place was very quiet and rather cold, but all as clean as a gull's wing. There was a dark table in the middle and a high-backed chair against the wall. Two oil pictures faced each other from opposite sides. One was of an old man without a beard, but with a high forehead, framed around with short grey hair. The other was of a woman with a tired look and a baby on her lap. Under this there was a little black picture that seemed to Pete to be the like- ness of a fancy tombstone. And the print on it, so far as Pete could spell it out, was that of a tombstone too, " In loving memory of Verbena, beloved wife of Peter Chr " The Ballawhaine came crunching the sand on the hall-floor. He looked old, and had now a pent-house of bristly eyebrows of a different colour from his hair. Pete had often seen him on the road riding by. " Well, my lad, what can I do for you?" he said. He spoke in a jerky voice, as if he thought to overawe the boy. Pete fumbled his stocking cap. " Mother's dead," he answered vacantly. The Ballawhaine knew that already. Kelly the Thief had run hot -foot to inform him. He thought Pete had come to claim main- tenance now that his ruother was gone. " So she's been telling you the same old story 1 " he said briskly. At that Pete's face stiffened all at once. " She's been telling me that you're my father, sir." The Ballawhaine tried to laugh. " Indeed ! " he replied; " it's a wise child, now, that knows its own father." " I'm not rightly knowing what you mane, sir," said Pete. Then the Ballawhaine fell to slandering the poor woman in her grave, declaring that she could not know who was the father of her child, and protesting that no son of hers should ever see the colour of money of his. Saying this with a snarl, he brought down his right hand with a thump on to the table. There was a big hairy mole near the joint of the first finger. BOYS TOGETHER 21 " Aisy, sir, if you plaze," said Pete ; " she was telling me you gave her this." He turned up the corner of his jersey, tugged out of his pocket, from behind his flaps, the eighty Manx bank-notes, and held them in his right hand on the table. There was a mole at the joint of Pete's first finger also. The Ballawhaine saw it. He drew back his hand and slid it behind him. Then in another voice he said, " Well, my lad, isn't it enough ? What are you wanting with more ? " "I'm not wanting more," said Pete; "I'm not wanting this. Take it back," and he put down the roll of notes between them. The Ballawhaine sank into the chair, took a handkerchief out of his tails with the hand that had been lurking there, and began to mop his forehead. "Eh? How? What d'ye mean, boy?" he stammered. " I mane," said Pete, " that if I kept that money there is people would say my mother was a bad woman, and you bought her and paid her — I'm hearing the like at some of them." He took a step nearer. " And I mane, too, that you did wrong by my mother long ago, and now that she's dead you're blackening her ; and you're a bad heart, and a low tongue, and if I was only a man, and didn't hioiv you were my father, I'd break every bone in your skin." Then Pete twisted about and shouted into the dark part of the hall, " Come along, there, my ould cockatoo ! It's time to be putting me to the door." The English footman in the scarlet breeches had been peeping from under the stairs. That was Pete's first and last interview with his father. Peter Christian Ballawhaine was a tenor in the Keys by this time, but he had trembled before his son like a whipped cur. V Katherike Cregeen, Pete's champion at school, had been his companion at home as well. She was two years younger than Pete. Her hair was a black as a gipsy's, and her face as brown as a berry. In summer she liked best to wear a red frock without sleeves, no boots and no stockings, no collar and no bonnet, not even a sun- bonnet. From constant exposure to the sun and rain her arms and legs were as ruddy as her cheeks, and covered with a soft silken down. So often did you see her teeth that you would have said she- was always laughing. Her laugh was a little saucy trill given out 22 THE MANXMAN with head aside and eyes aslant, like that of a squirrel when he is at a safe height above your head, and has a nut in his open jaws. Pete had seen her first at school, and there he had tried to draw the eyes of the maiden upon himself by methods known only to heroes, to savages, and to boys. He had prowled around her in the playground with the wild vigour of a young colt, tossing his head, swinging his arms, screwing his body, kicking up his legs, walking on his hands, lunging out at every lad that was twice as big as him- self, and then bringing himself down at length with a whoop and a crash on his hindmost parts just in front of where she stood. For these tremendous efforts to show what a fellow he could be if he tried, he had won no applause from the boys, and Katherine herself had given no sign, though Pete had watched her out of the corners of his eyes. But in other scenes the children came together. After Philip had gone to King William's, Pete and Katherine had become bosom friends. Instead of going home after school to cool his heels in the road until his mother came from the fields, he found it neighbourly to go up to Ballajora and round by the network of paths to Cornaa. That was a long detour, but Caesar's mill stood there. It nestled down in the low bed of the river that runs through the glen called Ballaglass. Song-birds built about it in the spring of the year, and Caesar's little human songster sang there always. When Pete went that way home, what times the girl had of it ! Wading up the river, clambering over the stones, playing female Blondin on the fallen tree-trunks that spanned the chasm, slipping, falling, holding on any way up (legs or arms) by the rotten branches below, then calling for Pete's help in a voice between a laugh and a cry, flinging chips into the foaming back-wash of the mill-wheel, and chasing them down stream, racing among the gorse, and then lying full length like a lamb, without a thought of shame, while Pete took the thorns out of her bleeding feet. She was a wild duck in the glen where she lived, and Pete was a great lum- bering tame duck waddling behind her. But the glorious, happy, make-believe days too soon came to an end. The swinging cane of the great John Thomas Corlett, and the rod of a yet more relentless tyrant, darkened the sunshine of h the children. Pete was banished from school, and Katherine's father removed from Cornaa. When Caesar had taken a wife, he had married Betsy, the daughter of the owner of the inn at Sulby. After that he had " got religion," and he held that persons in the household of faith were not to drink, or to buy or to sell drink. But Grannie's father died and left his house, "The Manx Fairy," and his farm, Glenmooar, to her and her husband. About the same time the miller at Sulby also died, and the best mill in the island cried out for a tenant. BOYS TOGETHER 23 Caesar took the mill and the farm, and Grannie took the inn, being brought up to such profanities and no way bound by principle. From that time forward, Caesar pinned all envious cavillers with the text which says, "Not that which goeth into the mouth of a man defileth him, but that which cometh out." Nevertheless, Caesar's principles grew more and more puritanical year by year. There were no half measures with Caesar. Either a man was a saved soul, or he was in the very belly of hell, though the pit might not have shut its mouth on him. If a man was saved he knew it, and if he felt the manifestations of the (Spirit he could live without sin. His cardinal principles were three — instantaneous regeneration, assurance, and sinless perfection. He always said — he had said it a thousand times — that he was converted in Douglas market-place, a piece off the west door of ould St. Matthew's, at five-and-twenty minutes past six on a Sabbath evening in July, when he was two-and-twenty for harvest. While at Cornaa, Caesar had been a " local " on the preachers' plan, a class leader, and a chapel steward ; but at Sulby he out- grew the Union and set up a " body " of his own. He called them " The Christians," a title that was at once a name, a challenge, and a protest. They worshipped in the long barn over Caesar's mill, and held strong views on conduct. A saved soul must not wear gold or costly apparel, or give way to softness or bodily in- dulgence, or go to fairs for sake of sport, or apjiear in the show-tents of play-actors, or sing songs, or read books, or take any diversion that did not tend to the knowledge of God. As for carnal trans- gression, if any were guilty of it, they were to be cut off from the body of believers, for the souls of the righteous must be delivered. " The religion that's going among the Primitives these days is just Popery," said Caesar. " Let's go back to the warm ould Metho- dism and put out the Romans." When Pete turned his face from Pallawhaine, he thought first of Caesar and his mill. It would bo more exact to say he thought of Katherine and Grannie. He was homeless as well as penniless. The cottage by the water-trough was no longer possible to him, now that the mother was gone who had stood between his threatened shoulders and Black Tom. Philip was at home for a few weeks only in the year, and Ballure had lost its attraction. So Pete made his way to Sulby, offered himself to Caesar for service at the mill, and was taken on straightway at eighteenpence a week and his board. It was a curious household he entered into. First there was Caesar himself, in a moleskin waistcoat with sleeves open three buttons up, knee-breeches usually unlaced, stockings of undyed wool, and slippers with the tongues hanging out — a grim soul, with whiskers like a hoop about his face, and a shaven upper lip as heavy 24 THE MANXMAN as a moustache, for, when religion like Csesar's lays hold of a man, it takes him. first by the mouth. Then Grannie, a comfortable body in a cap, with an outlook on life that was all motherhood, a simple, tender, peaceable soul, agreeing with everybody and everything, and seeming to say nothing but "Poor thing! Poor thing!" and " Dear heart ! Dear heart ! " Then there was Nancy Cain, getting the name of Nancy Joe, the servant in name but the mistress in fact, a niece of Grannie's, a bit of a Pagan, an early riser, a tireless worker, with a plain face, a rooted disbelief in all men, a good heart, an ugly tongue, and a vixenish temper. Last of all, there was K.itherine, now grown to be a great girl, with her gipsy hair done up in a red ribbon and wearing a black pinafore bordered with white braid. Pete got on steadily at the mill. He began by lighting the kiln fire and cleaning out the pit-wheel, and then went on to the opening the flood-gates in the morning and regulating the action of the water-wheel according to the work of the day. In two years' time lir was a sound miller, safe to trust with rough stuff for cattle or fine flour for white loaf-bread. Csesar trusted him. He would take evangelising journeys to Peel or Douglas and leave Pete in charge. That led to the end of the beginning. Pete could grind the farmers' corn, but he could not make their reckonings. He kept his counts in chalk on the back of the mill-house door, a down line for every stone weight up to eight stones, and a line across for every hundredweight. Then, once a day, while the father was abroad, Katherine came over from tho inn to the desk at the little window of the mill, and turned Pete's lines into ledger accounts. These financial councils were full of delicious discomfiture. Pete always enjoyed them — after they were over. "John Robert — Molleycarane — did you say Molleycarane, Pete? Oh, Mylecharane — Myle-c-h-a-r-a-i-n-e, Molleycarane; ten stones — did you say ten? Oh, eight — e-i-g-h-t — no, eight ; oatmeal, Pete? Oh, barley-male — meal, I mean — m-e-a-1." In the middle of the night Pete remembered all these entries. They were very precious to his memory after Katherine had spoken them. They sang in his heart the same as song-birds then. They were like hymns and tunes and pieces of poetry. Crcsar returned home from a preaching tour with a great and sudden thought. He had been calling on strangers to flee from the wrath to come, and yet there were those of his own house whose faces were not turned Zionwards. That evening he held an all-night prayer-meeting for the conversion of Katherine and Pete. Through six long bonis he called on God in lusty tones, until his throat cracked and his forehead streamed. The young were thoughtless, they had the root of evil in them, they flew into frivolity from contrariness. BOYS TOGETHER 25 Draw the harrow over their souls, plough the fallows of their hearts, grind the chaff out of their household, let not the sweet apple and the crabs grow on the same bough together, give them a Melliah, let not a sheaf be forgotten, grant them the soul of this girl for a harvest- home, and of this boy for a last stook. Caesar was dissatisfied with the results. lie was used to groaning and trembling and fainting fits. "Don't you feel the love?" he cried. "I do — here, under the watch-pocket of my waistcoat." Towards midnight Katherine began to fail. "Chain the devil," cried Caesar. " Once I was down in the pit with the devil myself, but now I'm up in the loft, seeing angels through the thatch. Can't you feel the workings of the Spirit ? " As the clock was warning to strike two Katherine thought she could, and from that day forward she led the singing of the women in the choir among "The Christians." Pete remained among the unregenerate; but nevertheless " The Christians" saw him constantly. He sat on the back form and kept his eyes fixed on the " singing seat." Observing his regularity, Caesar laid a hand on his head and told him the Spirit was working in his soul at last. Sometimes Pete thought it was, and that was when he shut his eyes and listened to Katherine's voice floating up, up, up, like an angel's, into the sky. But sometimes he knew it was not ; and that was when he caught himself in the middle of Caesar's mightiest prayers crooking his neck past the pitching bald pate of Johnny Niplightly, the constable, that he might get a glimpse of the top of Katherine's bonnet when her eyes were down. Pete fell into a melancholy, and once more took to music as a comforter. It was not a home-made whistle now, but a fiddle bought out of his wages. On this he played in the cowhouse on winter evenings, and from the top of the midden outside in summer. When Caesar heard of it his wrath was fearful. What was a fiddler 1 He was a servant of corruption, holding a candle to disorderly walkers and happy sinners on their way into the devil's pinfold. And what for was fiddles 1 Fiddles was for play-actors and theaytres. " And theaytres is there" said Caesar, indicating with his foot one flag on the kitchen-floor, " and hell flames is there," he added, rolling his toe over to the joint of the next one. Grannie began to plead. What was a fiddle if you played the right tunes on it 1 Didn't they read in the ould Book of King David himself playing on harps and timbrels and such things ? And what was harps but fiddles in a way of spaking 1 Then warn'fc they all looking to be playing harps in heaven 1 'Deed, yes, though the Lord would have to be teaching her how to play hers ! Caesar was shaken. " Well, of course, certainly," he said, " if 26 THE MANXMAN there's a power in fiddling to bring souls out of bondage, and if there's going to be fiddling and the like in Abraham's bosom — why, then, of course — well, why not? — let's have the lad's fiddle up at 'The Christians. '" Nothing could have suited Pete so well. From that time forward he went out no more at nights to the cowhouse, but stayed indoors to practise hymns with Katherine. Oh, the terrible rapture of those nightly " practices ! " They brought people to the inn to hear them, and so Csesar found them good for profit both ways. There was something in Caesar's definition, nevertheless. It was found that among the saints there were certain weaker brethren who did not want a hymn to their ale. One of these was Johnny Nip- lightly, the rural constable, who was the complement of Katherine in the choir, being leader of the singing among the men. He was a tall man with a long nose, which seemed to have a perpetual cold. Making his rounds one night, he turned in at "The Manx Fairy," when Csesar and Grannie were both from home, and Nancy Joe was in charge, and Pete and Katherine were practising a revival chorus. " Where's Csesar, dough V he snuffled. "At Peel, buying the stock," snapped Nancy. " Dank de Lord ! I mean — where's Grannie 1" " Nursing Mistress Quiggin." Niplightly eased the strap of his beaver, liberated his lips, took a deep draught of ale, and then turned to Pete, with apologetic smiles, and suggested a change in the music. At that Katherine leapt up as light as laughter. "A dance," she cried, " a dance ! " " Good sakes alive 1 " said Nancy Joe. " Listen to the girl ? Is it the moon, Kitty, or what is it that's doing on you ? " " Shut your eyes, Nancy," said Katherine, " just for once, now won't you V " You can do what you like with me, with your coaxing and woaxing," said Nancy. " Enjoy yourself to the full, girl, but don't make a noise above the singing of the kettle." Pete tuned his strings, and Katherine pinned up the tail of her skirt, and threw herself into position. At the sound of the livelier preludings there came thronging out of the road into the parlour certain fellows of the baser sort, and behind them came one who was not of that denomination — a fair young man with a fine face under an Alpine hat. Heeding nothing of this audience, the girl gave a little rakish toss of her head and called on Pete to strike up. Then Pete plunged into one of the profaner tunes which he had practised in the days of the cowhouse,, and off went Katherine with u whoop. The boys stood back for her, bending down on their BOYS TOGETHER 27 haunches as at a fight of gamecocks, and encouraging her with shouts of applause. " Beautiful ! Look at that now ! Fine, though, fine ! Clane done, aw, clane ! Done to a dot ! There's leaping for you, boys 1 Guy heng, did you ever see the like 1 Jloniuier the floor, girl — higher a piece ! higher, then ! Whoop, did ye ever see such a nate pair of ankles ? " " llould your dirty tongue, you gobmouthed omathaun ! " cried Nancy Joe. She had tried to keep her eyes away, but could not. " My goodness grayshers ! " she cried. " Did you ever see the like, though? Screwing like the windmill on the schoolhouse ! Well, well, Kitty, woman ! Aw, Kirry, Kirry ! Wherever did she get it, then ? Goodsakes, the girl's twisting herself into knots ! " Pete was pulling away at the fiddle with both hands, like a bottom sawyer, his eyes dancing, his lips quivering, the whole soul of the lad lifted out of himself in an instant. " Hould on still, Kate, hould on, girl ! " he shouted. " Machree ! Machree ! The darling's dancing like a drumstick ! " " Faster ! " cried Kate. " Faster ! " The red ribbon had fallen from her head, and the wavy black hair was tumbling about her face. She was holding up her skirt with one hand, and the other arm was akimbo at her waist. Guggling, chuckling, crowing, panting, boiling, and bubbling with the animal lite which all her clays had been suppressed, and famished and starved into moans and groans, she was carried away by her own fire, gave herself up to it, and danced on the flags of the kitchen which had served Caesar for his practical typology, like a creature intoxicated with new breath. Meantime Caesar himself, coming home in his chapel hat (his tall black beaver) from Peel, where he had been buying the year's stock of herrings at the boat's side, had overtaken, on the road, the vene- rable parson of his parish, Parson Quiggin of Lezayre. Drawing up the gig with a " Woa ! " he had invited the old clergyman to a lift by his side on the gig's seat, which was cushioned with a sack of hay. The parson had accepted the invitation, and with a preliminary " Aisy ! Your legs a taste higher, sir, just to keep the pickle off your trousers," a " Gee up 1 " and a touch of the whip, they were away together, with the light of the gig-lamp on the hind-quarters of the mare, as they bobbed and screwed like a mill-race under the splash- board. It was Caesar's chance, and he took it. Having pinned one of the heads of the Church, he gave him his views on the Romans, and on the general encroachment of Popery. The parson listened complacently. He was a tolerant old soul, with a round face, expressive of perpetual happiness, though he was always blinking his little eyes and declar- 28 THE MANXMAN ing, with the Preacher, that all earthly things were vain. Hence he was nicknamed Old Vanity of Vanities. The g i< r had swept past Sulby Chapel when Caesar began to ask for the parson's opinion of certain texts. "And may I presume, Pazon Quiggin, what d'ye think of the text — ' Praise the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me praise His Holy Name 1 ' " "A very good text after meat, Mr. Cregeen," said the parson, blinking his little eyes in the dark. It was Caesar's favourite text, and his fire was kindled at the parson's praise. "Man alive," he cried, his hot breath tickling the parson's neck, " I've praiched on that text, pazon, till it's wet me through to the waistcoat." They were near to " The Manx Fairy " by this time. "And talking of praise," said Caesar, "I hear them there at their practices. Asking pardon now — it's proud I'd be, sir — perhaps you'd not be thinking mane to come in and hear the way we do ' Crown Him ! ' " " So the saints use the fiddle," said the parson, as the gig drew up at the porch of the inn. Half a minute afterwards the door of the parlour flew open with a bang, and Caesar stood and glared on the threshold with the parson's ruddy face behind him. There was a moment's silence. The uplifted toe of Katherine trailed back to the ground, the fiddle of Pete slithered to his farther side, and the smacking lips of Niplightly transfixed themselves agape. Then the voice of the parson was heard to say, " Vanity, vanity, all is vanity ! " and suddenly Caesar, still on t lie threshold, went down on his knees to pray. Caesar's prayer was only a short one. His mortified pride called for quicker solace. Rising to his feet with as much dignity as he could command under the twinkling eyes of the parson, he stuttered, " The capers ! Making a dacent house into a theaytre ! Respectable person, too — one of the first that's going! So," facing the specta- tors, "just help yourselves home the pack of you! As for these ones," turning on Kate, Pete, and the constable, " there'll be no more of your practices. I'll do without the music of three saints like you. In future I'll have three sinners to raise my singing. These polices, too!" he said with a withering smile. (Niplightly was worming his way out at the back of Parson Quiggin.) "Who began it?" shouted Caesar, looking at Katherine. I rom the moment that Caesar dropped on his knees at the door, Peli- had been well-nigh choked by an impulse to laugh aloud. But now he bit his lip and said, " I did." " Behould ye now, as imperent as a goat !" said Caesar, working his eyebrows vigorously. "You've mistaken your profession, boy. BOYS TOGETHER 29 It's a play-actorer they ought to be making of you. You're wasting your time with a plain, respectable man like me. You must lave me. Away to the loft for your chiss, boy ! And just give sheet, my lad, and don't lay to till you've fetched up at another lodgings." Pete, with his eyes on the parson's face, could control himself no longer, and he laughed so loud that the room rang. "Bight's the word, ould Nebucannezzar," he cried, and heaved up to his feet. "So long, Kitty, woman! S'long ! We'll finish it another night though, and then the ould man himself will be hould- ing the candle." Outside in the road somebody touched him on the shoulder. It was the young man in the Alpine hat. " My gough ! What 1 Phil ! " cried Pete, and he laid hold of him with both hands at once. "I've just finished at King William's and bought a boat," said Philip, "and I came up to ask you to join me — congers and cods, you know — good fun anyway. Are you willing ? " " Willing ! " cried Pete. " Am I jumping for joy 1 " And away they went down the road, swinging their legs together with a lively step. " That's a nice girl, though — Kitty, Kate, what do you call her 1 " said Phil. "Were you in then? So you saw her dancing?" said Pete eagerly. " Aw. yes, nice," he said warmly, " nice uncommon," he added absently, and then with a touch of sadness, " shocking nice ! " Presently they heard the pattering of light feet in the darkness behind them, and a voice like a broken cry calling " Pete ! " It was Kate. She came up panting and catching her breath in hiccoughs, took Pete's face in both her hands, drew it down to her own face, kissed it on the mouth, and was gone again without a word. VI PniLip had not been a success at school ; he had narrowly escaped being a failure. During his earlier years he had shown industry without gifts ; during his later years he had shown gifts without industry. His childish saying became his by-word, and half in sport, half in earnest, with a smile on his lips, and a shuddering sense of fascination, he would say when the wind freshened, " The sea's calling me, I must be off." The blood of the old sea-dog, his mother's father, was strong in him. Idleness led to disaster, and disaster to some disgrace. He was indifferent to both while at school, but shame found him out at home. 30 THE MANXMAN '• You'll be sixteen for spring," said Auntie Nan, "and what would your poor father say if he were alive 1 He thought worlds of his boy, and always said what a man he would be some day." That was the shaft that found Philip. The one passion that burned in his heart like a fire was reverence for the name and the will of his dead father. The big hopes of the broken man had sometimes come as a torture to the boy when the blood of the old salt was rioting within him. But now they came as a spur. Philip went back to school and worked like a slave. There were only three terms left, and it was too late for high honours, but the boy did wonders. He came out well, and the masters were aston- ished. " After all," they said, "there's no denying it, the boy Chris- tian must have the gift of genius. There's nothing he might not do." If Phil had much of the blood of Captain Billy, Pete had much of the blood of Black Tom. After leaving the mill at Sulby, Pete made his home in the cabin of the smack. What he was to eat, and how he was to be clothed, and where he was to be lodged when the cold nights came, never troubled his mind for an instant. He had fine times with his partner. The terms of their partnership were simple. Phil took the fun and made Pete take the fish. They were a pair of happy-go-lucky lads, and they looked to the future with cheerful faces. There was one shadow over their content, and that was the ghost of a gleam of sunshine. It made daylight between them, though, day by day as they ran together like two that run a race. The prize was Katherine Cregeen. Pete talked of her till Phil's heart awoke and trembled ; but Phil hardly knew it was so, and Pete never once suspected it. Neither confessed to the other, and the shifts of both to hide the secret of each were boyish and beautiful. There is a river famous for trout that rises in Sulby glen and flows into Bamsey harbour. One of the little attempts of the two lads to deceive each other was to make believe that it was their duty to fish this river with the rod, and so wander away singly up the banks of the stream until they came to "The Manx Fairy," and then drop in casually to quench tho thirst of so much angling. Towards the dusk of evening Philip, in a tall silk hat over a jacket and knickerbockers, would come upon Pete by the Sulby bridge, washed, combed, and in a collar. Then there would bo looks of great surprise on both sides. "What, Phil ! Is it yourself, though 1 Just thought I'd see if the trouts were biting to-night. Dear me, this is Sulby too! And bless my soul, 'The Fairy' again ! Well, a drop of drink will do no harm. Shall we put a sight on them inside, eh?" After that prelude they would go into tho house together. This little comedy was acted every night for weeks. It was art d on Ilollantide Eve six months after Pete had been turned out by BOYS TOGETHER 31 Caesar. Grannie was sitting by the glass partition, knitting at intervals, serving at the counter occasionally, and scoring up on a black board that was a mass of chalk hieroglyphics. Caesar himself in ponderous spectacles and with a big book in his hands was sitting in the kitchen behind with his back to the glass, so as to make tho lamp of the business serve also for his studies. On a bench in tho bar sat Black Tom, smoking, spitting, scraping his feet on tho sanded floor, and looking like a gigantic spider with enormous bald head. At his side was a thin man with a face pitted by smallpox, and a forehead covered with strange protuberances. This was Jonaiquc Jelly, barber, clock-mender, and Manx patriot. The postman was there, too, Kelly the Thief, a tiny creature with twinkling ferret eyes, and a face that had a settled look of age, as of one born old, being wrinkled in squares like the pointing of a cobble wall. At sight of Pete, Grannie made way, and he pxished through to the kitchen, where he seated himself in a seat in the fireplace just in front of the peat closet, and under the fish hanging to smoke. At sight of Phil she dropped her needles, smoothed her front hair, rose in spite of protest, and wiped down a chair by the ingle. Csesar eyed Pete in silence from between the top rim of his spectacles and the bottom edge of the big book; but as Philip entered he lowered the book and welcomed him. Nancy Joe was coming and going in her clogs like a rip-rap let loose between tho dairy and a pot of potatoes in their jackets which swung from the slowrie, the hook over the fire. A moment later Kate came flitting through the half-lit kitchen, her black eyes dancing and her mouth rippling in smiles. She courtesied to Philip, grimaced at Pete, and disappeared. Then from the other side of the glass partition came the husky voice of the postman, saying, " Well, I must be taking the road, gentlemen. There's Manx ones starting for Kimberley by the early sailing to-morrow morning." And then came the voice of the barber in a hoarse falsetto : " Kimberley ! That's the place for good men I'm always saying. There's Billy the Red back home with a fortune. And ould Corlett — look at ould Corlett, the Ballabeg ! Five years away at the diggings, and left a house worth twenty pounds per year per annum, not to spake of other hereditaments." After that the rasping voice of Black Tom, in a tone of irony and contempt: "Of coorse, aw, yes, of coorse, there's goold on tho cushags there, they're telling me. But I thought you were a man that's all for the island, Mr. Jelly." "Lave me alone for that," said the voice of the barber. " Manx- land for the Manx-man — that's the text I'm houlding to. But what's it saying, ' Custom must be indulged with custom, or custom 32 THE MANXMAN will die 1 ' And with these English scouring over it like puffins on the Calf, it isn't much that's left of the ould island but the name. The best of the Manx boys are going away foreign, same as these ones." " "Well, I've letters for them to the packet-office anyway," said the postman. " Who are they, Mr. Kelly? " called Philip, through the doorway. " Some of the Quarks ones from Glen Rushen, sir, and the Gills boys from Castletown over. Good-night all, good-night ! " The door closed behind the postman, and Black Tom growled, "Slips of lads — I know them." "Smart though, smart uncommon," said the bai'ber ; "that's the only sort they're wanting out yonder." There was a contemptuous snort. " So ? You'd better go to Kimberley yourself, then." " Turn the clock back a piece and I'll start before you've time to curl your hair," said the barber. Black Tom was lifting his pot. "That's the one thing," said he, "the Almighty Himself" (gulp, gulp) "can't do." "Which?" tittered the barber. " Both," said Black Tom, scratching his big head, as bald as a bladder. Caesar flashed about with his face to the glass partition. " You're like the rest of the infidels, sir," said he, " only spaking to contra- dick yourself — calling God the Almighty, and telling in the same breath of something He can't do." Meanwhile an encounter of another sort was going on at the ingle. Kate had re-appeared with a table fork which she used at intervals to test the boiling of the potatoes. At each approach to the fire she passed close to where Pete sat, never looking at Phil above the level of his boots. And as often as she bent over the pot, Pete put his arm round her waist, being so near and so tempting. For thus pestering her she beat her foot like a goat, and screwed on a look of anger which broke down in a stifled laugh; but she always took care to come again to Pete's side rather than to Phil's, until at last the nudging and shoving ended in a pinch and a little squeal, and a quick cry of "What's that?" from Csesar. Elate vanished like a flash, the dim room began to frown again, and Phil to draw his breath heavily, when the girl came back as suddenly bringing an apple and a length of string. Mounting a iir, she fixed one end of tho string to the lath of the ceiling by the peck, the parchment oatcake pan, and the other end she tied to the stalk of the apple. " What's the jeel now?" said Pete. "Fancy! Don't you know? Not heard 'Ilop-tu-naa? ' It's Hollantide Eve, man," said Kate. BOYS TOGETHER 33 Then setting the string going like a pendulum, she stood back a pace with hands clasped behind her, and snapped at the apple as it swung, sometimes catching it, sometimes missing it, sometimes marking it, sometimes biting it, her body bending and rising with its waggle, and nod, and bob, her mouth opening and closing, her white teeth gleaming, and her whole face bubbling over with delight. At every touch the speed increased, and the laughter grew louder as the apple went faster. Everybody, except the miller, joined in the fun. Phil cried out on the girl to look to her teeth, but Pete egged her on to test the strength of them. " Snap at it, Kitty ! " cried Pete. " Aw, lost ! Lost again ! Ow I One in the cheek ! No matter ! Done ! " And Black Tom and Mr. Jelly stood up to watch through the doorway. " My goodness grayshers ! " cried one. "What a mouth- ful ! " said the other. "Share it, Kitty, woman; aw, share and share alike, you know." But then came the thunderous tones of Cossar. " Drop it, drop it ! Such practices is nothing but Popery." " Popery ! " cried Black Tom from over the counter. " Chut ! non- sense, man ! The like of it was going before St. Patrick was born." Kate was puffing and panting and taking down the pendulum. " What does it mean then, Tom ? " she said ; " it's you for knowing things." " Mane 1 It manes fairies ! " " Fairies ! " Black Tom sat down with a complacent air, and his rasping voice came from the other side of the glass. " In the ould times gone by, girl, before Manxmen got too big for their breeches, they'd be off to bed by ten o'clock on Hollantide Eve to lave room for tho little people that's outside to come in. And the big woman of the house would be filling the crocks for the fairies to drink, and the big man himself would be raking the ashes so they might bake their cakes, and a girl, same as you, would be going to bed backwards " " I know ! / know ! " cried Kate, near to the ceiling, and clapping her hands. "She eats a roasted apple, and goes to bed thirsty, and then dreams that somebody brings her a drink of water, and that's the one that's to be her husband, eh 1 " " You've got it, girl." Caesar had been listening with his eyes turned sideways off his book, and now he cried, "Then drop it, I'm telling you. It's nothing but instruments of Satan, and the ones that's telling it are just flying in the face of faith from superstition and contrariety. It isn't dacent in a Christian public-house, and I'm for having no more of it." Grannie paused in her knitting, fixed her cap with one of her c 34 THE MANXMAN needles and said, "Dear heart, father! Tom meant no harm." Then, glancing at the clock and rising, "But it's time to shut up the house, anyway. Good night, Tom ! Good night all ! Good night ! " Phil and Pete rose also. Pete went to the door and pretended to look out, then came back to Kate's side and whispered, " Come, give them the slip — there's somebody outside that's waiting for you." " Let them wait," said the girl, but she laughed, and Pete knew she would come. Then he turned to Philip, " A word in your ear, Phil," he said, and took him by the arm and drew him out of the house and round to the yard of the stable. " Well, good night, Grannie," said Mr. Jelly, going out behind them. "But if I were as young as your grandson there, Mr. Quilliam, I would be making a start for somewhere." " Grandson ! " grunted Tom, heaving up, " I've got no grandson, or he wouldn't be laving me to smoke a dry pipe. But he's making an Almighty of this Phil Christian — that's it." After they were gone, Grannie began counting the till and saying, " As for fairies — one, two, three — it may be, as Caesar says — four — five — the like isn't in, but it's safer to be civil to them anyway." " Aw, yes," said Nancy Joe, " a crock of fresh water and a few good words going to bed on Hollantide Eve does no harm at all. at all." Outside in the stable-yard the feet of Black Tom and Jonaique Jelly were heard going off on the road. The late moon was hang- ing low, red as an evening sun, over the hill to the south-east. Pete was puffing and blowing as if he had been running a race. " Quick, boy, quick ! " he was whispering, " Kate's coming. A word in your ear first. Will you do me a turn, Phil 1 " " What is it ?" said Philip. " Spake to the ould man for me while I spake to the girl ! " "What about?" said Philip. But Pete could hear nothing except his own voice. "The ould angel herself, she's all right, but the ould man's hard. Spake for me, Phil ; you've got the fine English tongue at you." •- But what about?" Philip said again. "Say I may be a bit of a rip, but I'm not such a bad sort any- way. Make me out a taste, Phil, and praise me up. Say I'll be as good as goold ; yes, will I though. Tell him lie has only to say yes, and I'll be that studdy and willing and hard-working and persever- ing you never seen." " But, Pete, Pete, Pete, whatever am I to say all this about ? " Pete's puffing and panting ceased. " What about ? Why, about the girl for sure." " The girl ! " said Philip. "What else?" said Pete. "Kate ? Am I to speak for you to the father for Kate ? " BOYS TOGETHER 35 Philip's voice seemed to come up from the bottom depths of his throat. "Are you thinking hard of the job, Phil 1" There was a moment's silence. The blood had rushed to Philip's face, which was full of strange matter, but the darkness concealed it. "I didn't say that," lie faltered. Pete mistook Philip's hesitation for a silent commentary on his own unworthiness. "I know I'm only a sort of a waistrel," he said, " but, Phil, the way I'm loving that girl it's shocking. I can never take rest for thinking of her. No, I'm not sleeping at night nor working reg'lar in the day neither. Everything is telling of her, and everything is shouting her name. It's ' Kate ' in the sea, and ' Kate' in the river, and the trees and the gorse. 'Kate,' 'Kate,' ' Kate,' it's Kate constant, and I can't stand much more of it. I'm loving the girl scandalous, that's the truth, Phil." Pete paused, but Philip gave no sign. "It's hard to praise me, that's sarten sure," said Pete, "but I've known her since she was a little small thing in pinafores, and I was a slip of a big boy, and went into trousers, and we played Blondin in the glen together." Still Philip did not speak. He was gripping the stable-wall with his trembling fingers, and struggling for composure. Pete scraped the paving-stones at his feet, and mumbled again in a voice that was near to breaking, "Spake for me, Phil. It's you to do it. You've the way of saying things, and making them out to look something. It would be clane ruined in a jiffy if I did it for myself. Spake for me, boy, now won't you, now?" Still Philip was silent. He was doing his best to swallow a lump in his throat. His heart had begun to know itself. In the light of Pete's confession he had read his own secret. To give the girl up was one thing; it was another to plead for her for Pete. But Pete's trouble touched him. The lump at his throat went down, and the fingers on the wall slacked away. "I'll do it," he said, only his voice was like a sob. Then he tried to go off hastily that he might hide the emotion that came over him like a flood that had broken its dam. But Pete gripped him by the shoulder, and peered into his face in the dark. "You will, though," said Pete, with a'little shout of joy; "then it's as good as done; God bless you, old fellow." Philip began to roll about. "Tut, it's nothing," he said, with a stout heart, and then he laughed a laugh with a cry in it. He could have said no more without breaking down ; but just then a Hash of light fell on them from the house, and a hushed voice cried, "Pete!" " It's herself," whispered Pete. " She's coming 1 She's here ! " 36 THE MANXMAN Philip turned, and saw Kate in the doorway of the dairy, the sweet young figure framed like a silhouette by the light behind. "I'm going!" said Philip, and he edged up to the house as the giil stepped out. Pete followed him a step or two in approaching Kate. "Whist, man !" he whispered. "Tell the old geezer I'll be going to chapel reg'lar early tides and late shifts, and Sunday-school constant. And, whist ! tell him I'm laming myself to play on the harmonia." Then Philip slithered softly through the dairy door, and shut it after him, leaving Kate and Pete together. VII The kitchen of " The Manx Fairy " was now savoury with the odour of herrings roasting in their own brine, and musical with the crackling and frizzling of the oil as it dropped into the fire. " It's a long way back to Ballure, Mrs. Cregeen," said Philip, pop- ping his head in at the door jamb. " May I stay to a bite of supper ?" " Aw, stay and welcome," said Csesar, putting down the big book, and Nancy Joe said the same, dropping her high-pitched voice perceptibly, and Grannie said, also, " Eight welcome, sir, if you'll not be thinking mane to take pot luck with us. Potatoes and herrings, Mr. Christian ; just a Manxman's supper. Lift the pot off the slowrie, Xancy." " Well, and isn't he a Manxman himself, mother ?" said Csesar. " Of course I am, Mr. Cregeen, said Philip, laughing noisily. " If I'm not, who should be, eh V " And Manxman or no Manxman, what for should he turn up his nose at herrings same as these?" said Nancy Joe. She was dishing up a bowlful. " Where'll he get the like of them 1 Not in England over, I'll go bail." "Indeed, no, Nancy," said Philip, still laughing needlessly. "And if they had them there, the poor, useless creatures would be lost to cook them." "'Deed, would they, Nancy," said Grannie. She was rolling the potatoes into a heap on to the bare table. "And we've much to be thankful for, with potatoes and herrings three times a day; but we shouldn't bo thinking proud of ourselves for that." " Ask the gent leman todraw up, mother," said Coesar. " Draw up, sir, draw up. Here's your bowl of butter-milk. A knife and fork, Nancy. We're no people for knife and fork to a herring, sir. And a plate for Mr. Christian, woman ; a gentleman usually likes a plate. Now ate, sir, ate and welcome — but where's your friend, though?" BOYS TOGETHER 37 " Pete ! oh ! he's not far off." Saying this, Philip interrupted his laughter to distribute sage winks between Nancy Joe and Grannie. Caesar looked around with a potato half-peeled in his fingers. "And the girl — where's Kate?" he asked. " She's not far off neither," said Philip, still winking vigorously. "Put don't trouble about thein, Mr. Cregeen. They'll want no supper. They're feeding on sweeter things than herrings even." Saying this he swallowed a gulp with another laugh. Caesar lifted his head with a pinch of his herring between finger and thumb half way to his open mouth. "Were you spaking, sir?" he said. At that Philip laughed immoderately. It was a relief to drown with laughter the riot going on within. " Aw, dear, what's agate of the boy ?'' thought Grannie. " Is it a dog bite that's working on him ?" thought Nancy. " Speaking !" cried Philip, " of course I'm speaking. I've come in to do it, Mr. Cregeen — I've come in to speak for Pete. He's fond of your daughter, Caesar, and wants your good-will to marry her." " Lord-a-massy !" cried Nancy Joe. "Dear heart alive !'"' muttered Grannie. "Peter Quilliam !" said Caesar, " did you say Peter?" "I did, Mr. Cregeen, Peter Quilliam," said Philip stoutly, "my friend Pete, a rough fellow, perhaps, and without much education, but the best-hearted lad in the island. Come now, Caesar, say the word, sir, and make the young people happy." He almost foundered over that last word, but Caesar kept him up with a searching look. " Why, I picked him out of the streets, as you might say," said Caesar. " So you did, Mr. Cregeen, so you did. I always thought you were a discerning man, Caesar. What do you say, Grannie ? It's Caesar for knowing a deserving lad when he sees one, eh 1 " He gave another round of his cunning winks, and Grannie replied, " Aw, well, it's nothing against either of them anyway." Caesar was sitting as straight as a crowbar and as grim as a gannet. " And when he left me, he gave me imperence and disrespeck." "But the lad meant no harm, father," said Grannie ; "and hadn't you told him to take to the road ? " " Let every bird hatch its own eggs, mother ; it'll become you better," said Caesar. " Yes, sir, the lip of Satan and the imperence of sin." " Pete ! " cried Philip, in a tone of incredulity; " why, he hasn't a thought about you that isn't out of the Prayer-book." Caesar snorted. " No ? Then maybe that's where he's going for his curses." " No curses at all," said Nancy Joe, from the side of the table, 38 THE MANXMAN " but a right good lad though, and you've never had another that's been a patch on him." Caesar screwed round to her and said severely, " Where there's gee.-e there's dirt, and where there's women there's talking." Then turning back to Philip, he said in a tone of mock deference, "And may I presume, sir — a little question — being a thing like that's general understood — what's his fortune 1 " Philip fell back in his chair. " Fortune ? Well, I didn't think that you now " " No ? " said Caesar. " We're not children of Israel in the wilderness getting manna dropped from heaven twice a clay. If it's only potatoes and herrings itself, we're wanting it three times, you see." Do what he would to crush it, Philip could not help feeling a sense of relief. Fate was interfering ; the girl was not for Pete. For the first moment since he returned to the kitchen he breathed freely and fully. But then came the prick of conscience : he had come to plead for Pete, and he must be loyal ; he must not yield ; he must exhaust all his resources of argument and persuasion. The wild idea occurred to him to take Csesar by force of the Bible. " But think what the old book says, Mr. Cregeen, ' take no thought for the morrow ' " " That's what Johnny Niplightly said, Mr. Christian, when he lit my kiln overnight and burnt my oats before morning." " ' But consider the lilies ' " " I have considered them, sir; but I'm toiling still and mother has to spin." "And isn't Pete able to toil, too," said Philip boldly. "Nobody ter in the island; there's not a lazy bone in his body, and he'll earn his living anywhere." ' ; What is his living, sir?" said Csesar. Philip halted for an answer, and then said, " Well, he's only with in the boat at present, Mr. Cregeen." "And what's he getting? His meat and drink and a bit of pence, eh? And you'll be selling up some day, it's like, and going away to England over, and then where is he? Let the girl marry a mother-naked man at once." " Butyou're wanting help yourself, father," said Grannie. ' ; Yes, you are though, and time for chapel too and aisement in your old , » " Give the lad my mill as well as my daughter, is that it, eh?" Baid Ceesar. " No, I'm not such a goose as yonder, either. I could get heirs, sir, heirs, bless ye — fifty acres and better, not to spake of the bas'es. But I can do without them. The Lord's blest me with enough. I'm not for daubing grease on the tail of the fat pig." BOYS TOGETHER 39 " Just so, Caesar," said Philip, " just so ; you can afford to take a poor man for your son-in-law, and there's Pete " " I'd be badly in want of a bird, though, to give a groat for an owl," said Cresar. " The lad means well, anyway," said Grannie ; " and ho was that good to his mother, poor thing — it was wonderful." " I knew the woman," said Caesar; " I broke a sod of her grave myself. A brand plucked from the burning, but not a straight walker in this life. And what is the lad himself 1 A monument of sin without a name. A bastard, what else ? And that's not the port I'm sailing for." Down to this point Philip had been torn by conflicting feelings. lie was no match for Csesar in worldly logic, or at fencing with texts of Scripture. The devil had been whispering at his ear, " Let it alone, you'd better." Put his time had come at length to conquer both himself and Caesar. Rising to his feet at Caesar's last word, he cried in a voice of wrath, " What ? You call yourself a Christian man, and punish the child for the sin of the parent ! No name, indeed ! Let me tell you, Mr. Caesar Cregeen, it's possible to have one name in heaven that's worse than none at all on earth, and that's the name of a hypocrite." So sa)dng he threw back his chair, and was making for the door, when Caesar rose and said softly, " Come into the bar and have some- thing." Then, looking back at Philip's plate, he forced a laugh, and said, "Put you've turned over your herring, sir — that's bad luck." And, putting a hand on Philip's shoulder, he added, in a lower tone, "No disrespeck to you, sir; and no harm to the lad, but take my word for it, Mr. Christian, if there's an amble in the mare it'll be in the colt." Philip went off without another word. The moon was rising and whitening as he stepped from the door. Outside the porch a figure flitted past him in the uncertain shadows with a merry trill of mis- chievous laughter. He found Pete in the road, puffing and blowing as before, but from a different cause. " The living devil's in the girl for sartin," said Pete ; " I can't get my answer out of her either way." He had been chasing her for bis answer, and she had escaped him through a gate. "Put what luck with the ould man, Phil?" Then Phil told him of the failure of his mission — told him plainly and fully but tenderly, softening the hard sayings but revealing the whole truth. As he did so he was conscious that he was not feeling like one who brings bad news. He knew that his mouth in the darkness was screwed up into an ugly smile, and, do what he would, he could not make it straight and sorrowful. The happy laughter died off Pete's lips, and he listened at first in 4o THE MANXMAN silence, and afterwards with low growls. When Phil showed him how his poverty was his calamity he said, " Ay, ay, I'm only a wooden-spoon man." When Phil told him how Caesar had ripped up their old dead quarrel he muttered, " I'm on the ebby tide, Phil, that's it." And when Phil hinted at what Caesar had said of his mother and of the impediment of his own birth, a growl came up from the very depths of him, and he scraped the stones under his feet and said, " He shall repent it yet ; yes, shall he." "Come, don't take it so much to heart — it's miserable to bring you such bad news," said Phil ; but he knew the sickly smile was on his lips still, and he hated himself for the sound of his own voice. Pete found no hollow ring in it. " God bless you, Phil," he said ; " you've done the best for me, I know that. My pocket's as low as my heart, and it isn't fair to the girl, or I shouldn't be asking the ould man's lave anyway." He stood a moment in silence, crunching the wooden laths of the garden fence like matchwood in his fingers, and then said, with sudden resolution, " I know what I'll do." " What's that?" said Philip. " I'll go abroad j I'll go to Kimberley." "Never!" "Yes, will I though, and quick too. You heard what the men were saying in the evening — there's Manx ones going by the boat in the morning? Well, I'll go with them." "And you talk of being low in your pocket," said Phil. "Why, it will take all you've got, man." "And more, too," said Pete, " but you'll lend me the lave of the passage-money. That's getting into debt, but no matter. When a man falls into the water he needn't mind the rain. I'll make good money out yonder." A light had appeared at the window of an upper room, and Pete shook his clenched fist at it and cried, " Good-bye, Master Cregeen. Ill put worlds between us. You were my master once, but nobody made you my master for ever — neither you nor no man." All tin's time Philip knew that hell was in his heart. The hand that had let him loose when his anger got the better of him with Caesar was clutching at him again. Home evil voice at his ear was whispering, "Let him go ; lend him the money." "Come on, Pete," he faltered, "and don't talk nonsense !" But Pete heard nothing. He had taken a few steps forward, as far as to the stable-yard, and was watching the light in the house. It was moving from window to window of the dark Avail. "She's taking the father's candle," he muttered. "(She's there," he said softly. " No, sho has gone. She's coming back though." He lifted the stocking cap from his head and fumbled it in his hands. BOYS TOGETHER 41 " God bless her," he murmured. lie sank to his knees on the ground. "And take care of her while I'm away." The moon had come up in her whiteness behind, and all was quiet and solemn around. Philip fell back and turned away his face. VIII When Csesar came in after seeing Philip to the door, he said, " Not a word of this to the girl. You that are women are like pigs — we've got to pull the way we don't want you." On that Kate herself came in, blushing a good deal, and fussing about with great vigour. "Are you talking of the piggies, father 1 ?" she said artfully. "How tiresome they are, to be sure ! They came out into the yard when the moon rose and I had such work to get them back." Caesar snorted a little, and gave the signal for bed. " Fairies in- deed ! " he said, in a tone of vast contempt, going to the corner to wind the clock. "Just wakeness of faith," he said over the clank of the chain as the weights rose; "and no trust in God neither," he added, and then the clock struck ten. Grannie had lit two candles — one for herself and her husband, the other for Nancy Joe. Nancy had slyly filled three earthenware crocks with water from the well, and had set them on the table, mumbling something about the kettle and the morning. And Caesar himself, pretending not to see anything, and muttering dark words about waste, went from the clock to the hearth, and raked out the hot ashes to a flat surface, on which you might have laid a girdle for baking cakes. " Good-night, Nancy," called Grannie, from half-way up the stairs, and Caesar, with his head down, followed grumbling. Nancy went off next, and then Kate was left alone. She had to put out the lamp and wait for her father's candle. When the lamp was gone the gixd was in the dark, save for the dim light of the smouldering fire. She began to tremble and to laugh in a whisper. Her eyes danced in the red glow of the dying turf. She slipped off her shoes and went to a closet in the wall. There she picked an apple out of a barrel, and brought it to the fire and roasted it. Then, down on her knees before the hearth, she took two pinches of the apple and swallowed them. After that and a little shudder she rose again, and turned about to go to bed, back- wards, slowly, tremblingly, with measured steps, feeling her way past the furniture, having a shock when she touched anything, and laughing to herself, nervously, when she remembered what it was. 43 THE MANXMAN At the door of her father's room and Grannie's she called, with a quaver in her voice, and a sleepy grunt came out to her. She reached one hand through the door, which was ajar, and took the burning candle. Then she blew out the light with a trembling puff , that had to be twice repeated, and made for her own bedroom, still £oin" backwards. It was a sweet little chamber over the dairy, smelling of new milk and ripe apples, and very dainty in dimity and muslin. Two tiny windows looked out from it, one on to the stable-yard and the other on to the orchard. The late moon came through the orchard window, over the heads of the dwarf trees, and the little white place was lit up from the floor to the sloping thatch. Kate went backwards as far as to the bed, and sat down on it. She fancied she heard a step in the yard, but the yard window was at her back, and she would not look behind. She listened, but heard nothing more except a see-sawing noise from the stable, where the mare was running her rope in the manger ring. Nothing but this and tho cheep-cheep of a mouse that was gnawing the wood somewhere in the floor. " Will he come 1 " she asked herself. She rose and loosened her gown, and as it fell to her feet she laughed. '■ Winch will it be, I wonder — which?" she whispered. The moonlight had crept up to the foot of the bed, and now lay on it like a broad blue sword speckled as with rust by the patch- work counterpane. She freed her hair from its red ribbon, and it fell in a shower about her face. All around her seemed hushed and awful. She shuddered again, and with a backward hand drew down the sheets. Then she took a long, deep breath, like a sigh that is half a smile, and lay down to sleep. IX SOMEWHERE towards tho dawn, in tho vague shadow-land between a dream and the awakening, Kate thought she was startled by a hand- ful of rice thrown at her carriage on her marriage morning. Tho I lo came again, and then she knew it was from gravel dashed at her bedroom window. As she recognised the sound, a voice came as through a cavern, crying, "Kate ! " Sho was fully awake by this e. "Then it's to be Pete/' she thought. "It's bound to be Pete, it's like," she told herself. "It's himself outside, anyway." It was Pete indeed. He was standing in the thin darkness under the window, calling the girl's name out of the back of his throat, BOYS TOGETHER 43 and whistling to her in a sort of whisper. Presently he heard a move- ment inside the room, and he said over his shoulder, " She's coming." There was the click of a latch and the slithering of a sash, and then out through the little dark frame came a head like a picture, with a face all laughter, crowned by a cataract of streaming black hair, and rounded off at the throat by a shadowy hint of the whito frills of a night-dress. "Kate," said Pete again. She pretended to have come to the window merely to look out, and, like a true woman, she made a little start at the sound of his voice, and a little cry of dismay at the idea that he was so close beneath and had taken her unawares. Then she peered down into the gloom and said, in a tone of wondrous surprise, " It must bo Pete, surely." "And so it is, Kate," said Pete, "and he couldn't take rest with- out spaking to you once again." " Ah ! " she said, looking back and covering her eyes, and thinking of Black Tom and the fairies. But suddenly the mischief of her sex came dancing into her blood, and she could not help but plague the lad. " Have you lost your way, Pete 1" she asked, with an air of innocence. " Not my way, but myself, woman," said Pete. " Lost yourself ! Have the lad's wits gone moon-raking, I wonder ? Are you witched then, Pete ? " she inquired, with vast solemnity. "Aw, witched enough. Kate " " Poor fellow ! " sighed Kate. " Did she strike you unknown and sudden ? " " Unknown it was, Kirry, and sudden, too. Listen, though " "Aw clear, aw dear! Was it old Mrs. Cowley of the Curragh? Did she turn into a hare 1 ? Is it bitten you've been, Pete?" "Aw, yes, bitten enough. But, Kate " " Then it was a dog, it's like. Is it flying from the water you are, Pete?" "No, but flying to the water, woman. Kate, I say " " Is it burning they're doing for it ? " " Burning and freezing both. Will you hear me, though ? I'm going away — hundreds and thousands of miles away." Then from the window came a tone of great awe, uttered with face turned upward as if to the last remaining star. " Poor boy ! Poor boy ! it's bitten he is, for sure." "Then it's yourself that's bitten me. Kirry " There was a little crow of gaiety. "Me? Am I the witch? You called me a fairy in the road this evening." " A fairy you are, girl, and a witch too ; but listen, now " "You said I was an angel, though, at the cowhouse gable; and an angel doesn't bite." 44 THE MANXMAN Thou she barked like a dog, and laughed a shrill laugh like a •witch, and barked again. But Pete could bear no more. "Go on, then; go on with your capers ! Go on ! " he cried, in a voice of reproach. " It's not a heart that's at you at all, girl, but only a stone. You see a man going away from the island " '• From the island ? " Kate gasped. " Middling down in the mouth, too, and plagued out of his life between the ruck of you," continued Pete; " but God forgive you all, you can't help it." "Did you say you -were going out of the island, Pete?" " Coorse I did ; but what's the odds ? Africa, Kimberley, the Lord knows where " " Kimberley ! Not Kimberley, Pete ! " " Kimberley or Timbuctoo, what's it matter to the like of you ? A man's coming up in the morning to bid you good-bye before an early sailing, and you're thinking of nothing but your capers and divilments." " It's you to know what a girl's thinking, isn't it, Mr. Pete ? And why are you flying in my face for a word?" " Flying ? I'm not flying. It's driven I am." <• Driven, Pete?" " Driven away by them that's thinking I'm not fit for you. Well, that's true enough, but they shan't be telling me twice." " They ? Who are they, Pete ? " " What's the odds? Flinging my mother at me, too — poor little mother ! And putting the bastard on me, it's like. A respectable man's girl isn't going begging that she need marry a lad without a name." There was a sudden ejaculation from tho window-sash. "Who dared to say that ?" •• No matter." " Whoever they are, you can tell them, if it's me they mean, that, name or no name, when I want to marry I'll marry the man I like." " If I thought that now, Kitty " " As for you, Mr. Pete, that's so ready with your cross words, you can ,^o to your Kimberley. Yes, go, and welcome ; and what's more — what's more " But the voice of anger, in the half light overhead, broke down suddenly into an inarticulate gurgle. " Why, what's this?" said Pete in a flurry. " You're not crying though, Kate? Whatever am I saying to you, Kitty, woman? Here, hen — bash me on the head for a blockhead and an omathaun." And Pete was clambering up the wall by the side of the dairy window. BOYS TOGETHER 45 " Get down, then," whispered Kate. Her wrath was gone in a moment, and Pete, being nearer to her now, could see tears of laughter dancing in her eyes. " Get down, Pete, or I'll shut the window, I will — yes, I will.'' And, to show how much she was in earnest in getting out of his reach, she shut up the higher sash and opened the lower one. " Darling ! " cried Pete. " Hush ! What's that 1 " Kale whispered, and drew back on her knees. " Is the door of the pig-sty open again ? " said Pete. Kate drew a breath of relief. " It's only somebody snoring," she said. "The ould man," said Pete. "That's all serene! A good ould sheepdog, that snaps more than he bites, but he's best when he's sleeping — more safer, anyway." " What's the good of going awa}', Pete ? " said Kate. ' You'd have to make a fortune to satisfy father." " Others have done it, Kitty — why shouldn't I ? Manx ones too — silver kings and diamond kings, and the Lord knows what. No fear of me ! When I come back it's a queen you'll be, woman — my queen, anyway, with pigs and cattle and a girl to wash and do for you." " So that's how you'd bribe a poor girl, is it ? But you'd have to turn religious, or father would never consent." "When I come home again, Kitty, I'll be that religious you never seen. I'll be just rolling in it. You'll hear me spaking like the Book of Genesis and Abraham, and his sons, and his cousins ; I'll be coming up at night making love to you at the cowhouse door like the Acts of the Apostles." " Well, that will be some sort of courting, anyway. But who says I'll be wanting it 1 Who says I'm willing for you to go away at all with the notion that I must be bound to marry you when you come back 1 " " I do," said Pete stoutly. " Oh, indeed, sir." " Listen. I'll be working like a nigger out yonder, and making my pile, and banking it up, and never seeing nothing but the goold and the girls " " My goodness ! What do you say 1 " " Aw, never fear ! I'm a one-woman man, Kate ; but loving one is giving me eyes for all. And you'll be waiting for me constant, and never giving a skute of your little eye to them drapers and druggists from Ramsey " " Not one of them ? Not Jamesie Corrin, even — he's a nice boy, is Jamesie." " That dandy-divil with the collar ? Hould your capers, woman ! " 46 THE MANXMAN " Nor 3"oung Ballawhaine — Ross Christian, you know ? " " Ross Christian be — well, no ; but, honour bright, you'll be say- ing, ' Peter's coming ; I must be thrue ! ' " " So I've got my orders, sir, eh ? It's all settled then, is it 1 Hadn't you better fix the wedding-day and take out the banns, now that your hand is in ? I have got nothing to do with it, seemingly. Nobody asks me." " Whist, woman ! " cried Pete. " Don't you hear it ? " A cuckoo was passing over the house and calling. " It's over the thatch, Kate. ' Cuckoo ! Cuckoo ! Cuckoo ! ' Three times ! Bravo ! Three times is a good Amen. Omen is it 1 Have it as you like, love." The stars had paled out by this time, and the dawn was coming up like a grey vapour from the sea. " Ugh ! the air feels late ; I must be going in," said Kate. " Only a bit of a draught from the mountains — it's not morning yet," said Pete. A bird called from out of the mist somewhat far away. "It is, though. That's the throstle up the glen," said Kate. Another bird answered from the eaves of the house. " And what's that ? " said Pete. " Was it yourself, Kitty % How straight your voice is like the throstle's ! " She hung her head at the sweet praise, but answered tartly, " How people will be talking ! " A dead white light came sweeping over the front of the house, and the trees and the hedges, all quiet until then, began to shudder. Kate shuddered too, and drew the frills closer about her throat. "I'm going, Pete," she whispered. " Not yet. It's only a taste of the salt from the sea," said Pete. '•The moon's not out many minutes." " Why, you goose, it's been gone these two hours. This isn't Jupiter, where it's moonlight always." '•Always moonlight in Jubiter, is it?" said Pete. "My good- 3 ! What coorting there must be there ! " A cock crowed from under the hen-roost, the dog barked indoors, and i he mare began to stamp in her stall. " When do you sail, Pete?" "First tide — seven o'clock." " Time to be off, then. Cood-bye ! " " Hould hard — a word first." "Not a word. I'm going back to bed. See, there's the sun coming up over the mountains." •• I Mily a touch of red on the tip of ould Cronky's nose. Listen I Just to keep them dandy-divils from plaguing you, I'll tell Phil to have an eye on you while I'm away." BOYS TOGETHER 47 " Mr. Christian ¥ " "Call him Philip, Kate. He's as free as free. No pride at all. Let him take care of you till I come back." " I'm shutting the window, Pete ! " " Wait ! Something else. Bend down so the ould man won't hear." " I can't reach — what is it 1 " " Your hand, then ; Pll tell it to your hand." She hesitated a moment, and then dropped her hand over tho window-sill, and ho clutched at it and kissed it, and pushed back the white sleeve and ran up the arm with his lips as far as he could climb. "Another, my girl ; take your time, one more — half a one, then." She drew her arm back until her hand got up to his hand, and then she said, "What's this ? The mole on your finger still, Pete 1 You called me a witch — now see me charm it away. Listen ! — ' Ping, ping, prash, Cur yn cadley-jiargan ass my chass.' " She was uttering the Manx charm in a mock-solemn ululation when a bough snapped in the orchard, and she cried, " What's that 1 " " It's Philip. He's waiting under the apple-tree," said Pete. " My goodness me 1 " said Kate, and down went the window-sash. A moment later it rose again, and there was the beautiful young face in its frame as before, but with the rosy light of the dawn on it. " Has he been there all the while ? " she whispered. " What matter ? It's only Phil." "Good-bye! Good luck!" and then the window went down for good. "Time to go," said Philip, still in his tall silk hat and his knicker- bockers. He had been standing alone among the dead brown fern, the withering gorse, and the hanging brambles, gripping tho apple-tree and swallowing the cry that was bubbling up to his throat, but forcing himself to look upon Pete's happiness, which was his own calamity, though it was tearing his heart out, and ho could hardly bear it. The birds were singing by this time, and Pete, going back, sang and whistled with the best of them. \ In the mists of morning, Grannie had awakened in her bed with the turfy scraas of the thatch just visible above her, and the window- blind like a hazy moon floating on the wall at her side. And, fixing 48 THE MANXMAN her nightcap, she had sighed and said, "I can't close my eyes for dreaming that the poor lad has come to his end untimeously." Caesar yawned, and asked, "What lad ?" " Young Pete, of course," said Grannie. Caesar umpht and grunted. " We were poor ourselves when we began, father." Grannie felt the glare of the old man's eye on her in the darkness. "'Deed, we were; but people forget things. We had to borrow to buy our big overshot wheel ; we had, though. And when ould Parson Harrison sent us the first boll of oats, we couldn't grind it for want of " Caesar tugged at the counterpane and said, " Will you lie quiet, woman, and let a hard-working man sleep 1 " " Then don't be the young man's destruction, Caesar." Caesar made a contemptuous snort, and pulled the bed-clothes about his head. " Aw, 'deed, father, but the girl might do worse. A fine, strapping lad. And, dear heart, the cheerful face at him ! It's taking joy to look at it — like drawing water from a well ! And the laugh at the boy, too — that joyful, it's as good to hear in the morning as six pigs at a lit " "Then marry the lad yourself, woman, and have done with it," cried Caesar, and, so saying, he kicked out his leg, turned over to the Avail, and began to snore with great vigour. XI Tin: tide was up in Ptamsey Harbour, and rolling heavily on the shore before a fresh sea-breeze with a cold taste of the salt in it. A steamer lying by the quay was getting up steam; trucks were running on her gangways, the clanking crane over her hold was working, and there was much shouting of names, and ordering and protesting, and general tumult. On the after-deck stood the emi- grants for Kimberley, the Quarks from Glen Iiushen, and some of the young (Jills from Castletown — stalwart lads, bearing themselves bravely in the midst of a circle of their friends, who talked and laughed to make them forget they were on the point of going. Pete and Phil came up the quay, and were received by a shout of incredulity from Quayle, the harbour-master. "What, are you going, loo, Mr. Philip V Philip answered him "No," and passed on to the ship. Pete was still in his stocking cap and Wellington boots, but he had a monkey-jacket over his blue guernsey. Except for a parcel BOYS TOGETHER 49 in a red print handkerchief, this was all his kit and luggage. He felt a little lost amid all the bustle, and looked helpless and unhappy. The busy preparations on land and shipboard had another effect on Philip. He sniffed the breeze off the bay and laughed, and said, "The sea's calling me, Pete; I've half a mind to go with you." Pete answered with a watery smile. His high spirits were failing him at last. Five years were a long time to be away, if one built all one's hopes on coming back. So many things might happen, so many chances might befall. Pete had no heart for laughter. Philip had small mind for it, either, after the first rush of the salt in his blood was over. He felt at some moments as if hell itself were inside of him. What troubled him most was that he could not, for the life of him, be sorry that Pete was leaving the island. Once or twice since they left Sulby he had been startled by the thought that he hated Pete. He knew that his lip curled doAvn hard at sight of Pete's solemn face. But Pete never suspected this, and the innocent tenderness of the rough fellow was every moment beating it down with blows that cut like ice and burnt like fire. They were standing by the forecastle head, and talking above the loud throbbing of the funnel. "Good-bye, Phil; you've been wonderful good to me — better nor anybody in the world. I've not been much of a chum for the like of you, either — you that's college bred and ought to be the first gentry in the island if everybody had his own. But you shan't be ashamed for me, neither — no you shan't, so help me God ! I won't be long away, Phil — maybe five years, maybe less, and when I come back you'll be the first Manxman living. No ? But you will, though ; you will, I'm telling you. No nonsense at all, man. Lave it to me to know." Philip's frosty blue eyes began to melt. "And if I come back rich, I'll be your ould friend again as much as a common man may ; and if I come back poor and disappointed and done for, I'll not claim you to disgraca you ; and if I never come back at all, I'll be saying to myself in my dark hour somewhere, 1 He'll spake up for you at home, boy ; Tie'U not forget you.' " Philip could hear no more for the puffing of the steam and the clanking of the chains. " Chut ! the talk a man will put out when he's thinking of ould times gone by ! " The first bell rang on the bridge, and the harbour-master shouted, " All ashore, there ! " "Phil, there's one turn more I'll ask of you, and, if it's the last, it's the biggest." " What is it 1 " "There's Kate, you know. Keep an eye on the girl while I'm D 5 o THE MANXMAN away. Take a slieu round now and then, and put a sight on her. She'll not give a skute at the heirs the ould man's telling of ; but thein young drapers and druggists, they'll plague the life out of the girl. Bate them off, Phil. They're not worth a fudge with their fists. But don't use no violence. Just duck the dandy-divils in the harbour — that'll do." " No harm shall come to her while you are away." "Swear to it, Phil. Your word's your bond, I know that; but give me your hand and swear to it — it'll be more surer." Philip gave his hand and his oath, and then tried to turn away, for he knew that his face was reddening. " Wait ! There's another while your hand's in, Phil. Swear that nothing and nobody shall ever come between us two." " You know nothing ever will." " But swear to it, Phil. There's bad tongues going, and it'll make me more aisier. Whatever they do, whatever they say, friends and brothers to the last 1 " Philip felt a buzzing in his head, and he was so dizzy that he coidd hardly stand, but he took the second oath also. Then the bell rang again, and there was a great hubbub. Gangways were drawn up, ropes were let go, the captain called to the shore from the bridge, and the blustering harbour-master called to the bridge from the shore. "Go and stand on the end of the pier, Phil — just aback of the lighthouse — and I'll put myself at the stern. I want a friend's face to be the last tiling I see when I'm going away from the old home ! " Philip could bear no more. ' The hate in his heart was mastered. It was under his feet. His flushed face was wet. The throbbing of the funnels ceased, and all that could be heard was the running of the tide in the harbour and the wash of the waves on the shore. Across the sea the sun came up boldly, "like a guest expected," and down its dancing water-path the steamer moved away. Over the land old Barrule rose up like a sea-king with hoar-frost on his forehead, and the smoke began to lift from the chimneys of the town at his feet. "Good-bye, little island, good-bye! I'll not forget you. I'm getting kicked out of you, but you've been a good ould mother to me, and, God help me, I'll come back to you yet. So long, little Mona, slong ! I'm laving you, but I'm a Manxman still." Pete had meant to take off his stocking cap as they passed the lighthouse, and to dash the tears from his eyes like a man. But all that Philip could see from the end of the pier was a figure huddled up at the stern on a coil of rope. END OF FART I. BOY AND GIRL 51 PART II.— BOY AND GIRL AUNTIE Nan had grown uneasy because Philip was not yet started iu life. During the spell of his partnership with Pete she had pro- tested and he had coaxed, she had scolded and he had laughed. But when Pete was gone she remembered her old device, and began to play on Philip through the memory of his father. One day the air was full of the sea freshness of a beautiful Manx November. Philip sniffed it from the porch after breakfast and then gathered up his tackle for cod. "The boat again, Philip 1 " said Auntie Nan. " Then promise me to be back for tea." Philip gave his promise and kept it. When he returned after his clay's fishing the old lady was waiting for him in the little blue room which she called her own. The sweet place was more than usually dainty and comfortable that day. A bright fire was burn- ing, and everything seemed to be arranged so carefully and nattihy. The tal >lo was laid with cups and saucers, the kettle was singing on the jockey-bar, and Auntie Nan herself, in a cap of black lace and a dress of russet silk with flounces, was fluttering about with an odour of lavender and the light gaiety of a bird. "Why, what's the meaning of this?" said Philip. And the sweet old thing answered, half nervously, half jokingly, "You don't know? What a child it is, to be sure ! So you don't remember what day it is 1 " "What day? The fifth of Nov — oh, my birthday ! I had clean forgotten it, Auntie." "Yes, and you are one-and-twenty for tea-time. That's why I asked you to be home." She poured out the tea, settled herself with her feet on the fender, allowed the cat to establish itself on her skirt, and then, with a nervous smile and a slight depression of the heart, she began on her task. "How the years roll on, Philip ! It's twenty years since I gave you my first birthday present. I wasn't here when you were born, dear. Grandfather had forbidden me. Poor grandfather ! But how I longed to come and wash, and dress, and nurse my boy's boy, and call myself an auntie aloud ! Oh, dear me, the day I first saw 52 THE MANXMAN you ! Shall I ever forget it 1 Grandfather and I were at Cowley, the draper's, when a beautiful young person stepped in with a baby. A little too gay, poor thing, and that was how I knew her." "My mother?" "Yes, dear, and grandfather was standing with his back to the street. I grow hot to this day when I remember, but she didn't seem afraid. She nodded and smiled and lifted the muslin veil from the baby's face, and said 'Who's he like, Miss Christian?' It was wonderful. You were asleep, and it was the same for all the world as if your father had slept back to be a baby. I was trembling fit to drop and couldn't answer, and then your mother saw grand- father, and before I could stop her she had touched him on the shoulder. He stood with his bad ear towards us, and his sight was failing, too, but seeing the form of a lady beside him, he swept round, and bowed low, and smiled and raised his hat, as his way was with all women. Then your mother held the baby up and said quite gaily, ' Is it one of the Ballures he is, Dempster, or one of the Ballawhaines 1 ?' Dear heart, when I think of it! Grandfather straightened himself up, turned about, and was out on the street in an instant." " Poor father ! " said Philip. Auntie Nan's eyes brightened. "I was going to tell you of your first birthday, dearest. Grand- father had gone then — poor grandfather ! — and I had knitted you a little soft cap of white wool, with a tassel and a pink bow. Your mother's father was living still — Capt'n Billy, as they called him — and when I put the cap on your little head, he cried out, 'A sailor every inch of him ! ' And sure enough, though I had never thought it, a sailor's cap it was. And Capt'n Billy put you on his knee, and looked at you sideways, and slapped his thigh, and blew a cloud of smoke from his long pipe and cried again, ' This boy is for a sailor, I'm telling you.' You fell asleep in the old man's arms, and I carried you to your cot upstairs. Your father followed me into the bedroom, and your mother was there already dusting the big shells on the mantelpiece. Poor Tom ! I see him yet. He dropped his long white hand over the cot-rail, pushed back the little cap and the yellow curls from your forehead, and said proudly, 'Ah, no, this bend wasn't built for a sailor ! ' He meant no harm, but — Oh, dear, Oh. dour! — your mother heard him, and thought he was belittling her and hers. 'These qualities !' she cried, and slashed the cluster and flounced out of the room, and one of the shells fell with a clank into the fender. Your father tinned his face to the window. I could have cried for .shame that he should be ashamed before me. But looking out on the sea — the bay was very loud that day, I remember — he said in his drop voice, that was like a mellow bell, BOY AND GIRL 53 and trembler! ratherly, ' It's not for nothing, Nannie, that the child has the forehead of Napoleon. Only let God spare him and he'll be something some day, when his father, with his broken heart and his broken brain, is dead and gone, and the daisies cover him.' ' Auntie Nan carried her point. That night Philip laid up his boat for the winter, and next morning he set his face towards Balla- whaine with the object of enlisting Uncle Peter's help in starting upon the profession of the law. Auntie Nan went with him. She had urged him to the step by the twofold plea that the Ballawhaine was his only male relative of mature years, and that he had lately sent his own son Ross to study for the bar in England. Both were nervous and uncertain on the way down ; Auntie Nan talked incessantly from under her poke-bonnet, thinking to keep up Philip's courage. But when they came to the big gate and looked up at the turrets through the trees, her memory went back with deep tenderness to the days when the house had been her home, and she began to cry in silence. Philip himself was not unmoved. This had been the birthplace and birthright of his father. The English footman, in buff and scarlet, ushered them into the drawing-room with the formality proper to strangers. To their sur- prise they found Ross there. He was sitting at the piano strumming a music-hall ditty. As the door opened he shuffled to his feet, shook hands distantly with Auntie Nan, and nodded his head to Philip. The young man was by this time a sapling well fed from the old tree. Taller than his father by many inches, broader, heavier, and larger in all ways, with the slow eyes of a seal and something of a seal's face as well. But with his father's sprawling legs and his father's levity and irony of manner and of voice — a Manxman dis- guised out of all recognition of race, and apeing the fashionable follies of the hour in London. Auntie Nan settled her umbrella, smoothed her gloves and her white front hair, and inquired meekly if he was well. " Not very fit," he drawled ; " shouldn't be here if I were. But father worried my life out until I came back to recruit." "Perhaps," said Auntie Nan, looking simple and sympathetic, "perhaps you've been longing for home. It must be a great trial to a young man to live in London for the first time. That's where a young woman has the advantage — she needn't leave home, at all events. Then your lodgings, perhaps they are not in the best part either." "I used to have chambers in an Inn of Court " Auntie Nan looked concerned. " I don't think I should like Philip to live long at an inn," she said. " But now I'm in rooms in the Haymarket." Auntie Nan looked relieved. 54 THE MANXMAN " That must be better," she said. "Noisy in the mornings, per- haps, but your evenings will be quiet for study, I should think." "Precisely," said Ross, with a snigger, touching the piano again, and Philip, sitting near the door, felt the palm of his hand itch for the whole breadth of his cousin's cheek. Uncle Peter came in hurriedly, with short, nervous steps. His hair as well as his eyebrows was now white, his eye was hollow, his cheeks were thin, his mouth was restless, and he had lost some of his upper teeth, he coughed frequently, he was shabbily dressed, and had the look of a dying man. " Ah ! it's you, Anne ! and Philip, too. Good morning, Philip. < rive the piano a rest, Ross — that's a good lad. Well, Miss Chris- tian, well?" " Philip came of age yesterday, Peter," said Auntie Nan in a timid voice. "Indeed!" said the Ballawhaine, "then Ross is twenty next month. A little more than a year and a month between them." He scrutinised the old lady's face for a moment without speaking, and then said, " Well? " " He would like to go to London to study for the bar," faltered Auntie Nan. " Why not the church at home ? " "The church would have been my own choice, Peter, but his father " The Ballawhaine crossed his leg over his knee. "His father was always a man of a high stomach, ma'am," he said. Then facing towards Philip, "Your idea would be to return to the island." "Yes," aid Philip. " Practise as an advocate, and push your way to insular prefer- ment " .My father seemed to wish it, sir," said Philip. The Ballawhaine turned back to Auntie Nan. "Well, Miss Christian ?" Auntie Nan fumbled the handle of her umbrella and began — " We were thinking, Peter — you see we know so little — now if his father had been living- Tile Ballawhaine coughed, scratched with his nail on his cheek, and -aid, "You wish me to puthim with a barrister in chambers, is that it?" With a nervous smile and a little laugh of relief Auntie Nan "lifted assent. " You are aware that a step like that costs money. How much have you got to spend on it ? " " I'm afraid, Peter " " You thought I might find the expenses, eh 1 " " It's so good of you to see it in the right way, Peter" BOY AND GIRL 55 The Ballawhaine niado a wry face. " Listen," lie said dryly. " Ross has just gono to study for the English bar." " Yes," said Auntie Nan eagerly, " and it was partly that " " Indeed !" said the Ballawhaine, raising his eyebrows. " I cal- culate that his course in London will cost me, one thing with another, more than a thousand pounds." Auntie Nan lifted her gloved hands in amazement. " That sum I am prepared to spend in order that my son, as an English barrister, may have a better chance " " Do you know, we were thinking of that ourselves, Peter? " said Auntie Nan. "A better chance," the Ballawhaine continued, " of the few places open in the island than if he were brought up at the Manx bar only, which would cost me less than half as much.'' " Oh ! but the money will come back to you, both for Ross and Philip," said Auntie Nan. The Ballawhaine coughed impatiently. "You don't read me," he said irritably. " These places are few, and Manx advocates are as thick as flies in a glue-pot. For every office there must be fifty applicants, but training counts for something, and influence for something, and family for something." Auntie Nan began to be penetrated as by a chill. " These," said the Ballawhaine, " I bring to bear for Ross, that he may distance all competitors. Do you read me now 1 " " Read you, Peter ?" said Auntie Nan. The Ballawhaine fixed his hollow eye upon her, and said, " What do you ask me to do ? You come here and ask me to provide, pre- pare, and equip a rival to my own son." Auntie Nan had grasped his meaning at last. " But gracious me, Peter," she said, " Philip is your own nephew, your own brother's son." The Ballawhaine rubbed the side of his nose with his lean forefinger, and said, " Near is my shirt, but nearer is my skin." Auntie Nan fixed her timid eyes upon him, and they grew brave in their gathering indignation. " His father is dead, and he is poor and friendless," she said. "We've had differences on that subject before, mistress," he answered. " And yet vou begrudge him the little that would start him in life." " My own has earlier claim, ma'am." " Saving your presence, sir, let me tell you that every penny of the money you are spending on Ross would have been Philip's this day if things had gone different." The Ballawhaine bit his lip. " Must I, for my sins, be compelled to put an end to this interview 1 " 56 THE MANXMAN He rose to go to the door. Philip rose also. " Do you mean it ? " said Auntie Nan. " Would you dare to turn me out of the house 1 " " Come, Auntie, what's the use V said Philip. The Ballawhaine was drumming on the edge of the open door. "You are right, young man," he said, "a woman's hysteria is of no use." "That will do, sir," said Philip in a firm voice. The Ballawhaine put his hand familiarly on Philip's shoulder. " Try Bishop Wilson's theological college, my friend ; it's cheap and — - — " " Take your hand from him, Peter Christian," cried Auntie Nan. Her eyes flashed, her cheeks were aflame, her little gloved hands were clenched. "You made war between his father and your father, and when I would have made peace you prevented me. Your father is dead and your brother is dead, and both died in hate that might have died in love, only for the lies you told and the deceit you practised. But they have gone where the mask falls from all faces, and they have met before this, eye to eye and hand to hand. Yes, and they are looking down on you now, Peter Christian, and they know you at last for what you are and always have been — a deceiver and a thief." By an involuntary impulse the Ballawhaine turned his eyes upward to the ceiling while she spoke, as if he had expected to see the ghosts of his father and his brother threatening him. "Is the woman mad at all V he cried ; and the timid old lady, lifted out of herself by the flame of her anger, blazed at him again with a tongue of fire. "You have done wrong, Peter Christian, much wrong; you've done wrong all your days, and whatever your motive, God will find it out, and on that secret place he will bring your punishment. If it was only greed, you've got your wages ; but no good will they bring to you, for another will spend them, and you will see them wasted like water from the ragged rock. And if it was hate as well, you will live till it comes back on your own head like burning coal. I know it, I feel it," she cried, sweeping into the hall, "and sorry I I am to say it before your own son, who ought to honour and respect his father, out can't ; no, he can't and never will, or else he has a heart to match your own in wickedness, and no bowels of compassion at him either." "Come, Auntie, come," said Philip, putting his arm about the old lady's waist. But she swerved round again to where the Balla- whaine came slinking behind him. "Turn me out of the house, will you?" she cried. "The place where I lived fifteen years, and as mistress, too, until your evil deeds made you master. Many a good cry I've had that it's only a BOY AND GIRL 57 woman I am, and can do nothing on my own head. But I would rather be a woman that hasn't a roof to cover her than a man that can't warm to his own flesh and blood. Don't think I begrudge you your house, Peter Christian, though it was my old home, and I love it, for all I'm shown no respect in it. I would have you to know, sir, that it isn't our houses we live in after all, but our hearts — our hearts, Peter Christian — do you hear me? — our hearts, and yours is lull of darkness and dirt — and always will be, always will be." "Come, come, Auntie, come," cried Philip again, and the sweet old thing, too gentle to hurt a fly, turned on him also with the fury of a wild-cat. "Go along yourself with your 'come' and 'come' and 'come.' Say less and do more." With that final outburst she swept down the steps and along the path, leaving Philip three paces behind, and the Ballawhaine with a terrified look under the stuffed cormorant in the fanlight above the open door. The fiery mood lasted her half way home, and then broke down in a torrent of tears. " Oh dear ! oh dear!" she cried. "I've been too hasty. After all, he is your only relative. What shall I do now? Oh, what shall I do now?" Philip was walking steadily half a step behind, and he had never once spoken since they left Ballawhaine. " Pack my bag to-night, Auntie," said he with the voice of a man ; " I shall start for Douglas by the coach to-morrow morning." He sought out the best known of the Manx advocates, a college friend of his father's, and said to him, " I've sixty pounds a year, sir, from my mother's father, and my aunt has enough of her own to live on. Can I afford to pay your premium ?" The lawyer looked at him attentively for a moment, and answered, "No, you can't," and Philip's face began to fall. "But I'll take you the five years for nothing, Mr. Christian," the wise man added, " and if you suit me, I'll give you wages after two." II Philip did not forget the task wherewith Pete had charged him- It is a familiar duty in the Isle of Man, and he who discharges it is known by a familiar name. They call him the Dooiney Molla — literally, the " man-praiser ; " and his primary function is that of an informal, unmercenary, purely friendly and philanthropic match- maker, introduced by the young man to persuade the parents of the 58 THE MANXMAN young woman that ho is a splendid fellow, with substantial posses- sions or magnificent prospects, and entirely fit to marry her. But he has a secondary function, less frequent, though scarcely less familiar ; and it is that of lover by proxy, or intended husband by deputy, with duties of moral guardianship over the girl while the man him- self is off " at the herrings," or away " at the mackerel," or abroad on wider voyages. This second task, having gone through the first with dubious success, Philip discharged with conscientious zeal. The effects were peculiar. Their earliest manifestations were, as was most proper, on Philip and Kate themselves. Philip grew to be grave and won- drous solemn, for assuming the tone of guardian lifted his manners above all levity. Kate became suddenly very quiet and meek, very watchful and modest, soft of voice and most apt to blush. The girl who had hectored it over Pete and played little mistress over every- body else, grew to be like a dove under the eye of Philip. A kind of awe fell on her whenever he was near. She found it sweet to listen to his words of wisdom when he discoursed, and sweeter still to obey his will when he gave commands. The little wistful head was always turning in his direction; his voice was like joy-bells in her ears ; his parting bow under his lifted hat remained with her as a dream until the following day. She hardly knew what great change had been wrought in her, and her people at home were puzzled. " Ts it not very well you are, Kirry, woman ? " said Grannie. " Well enough, mother; why not 1 ?" said Kate. " Is it the toothache that's plaguing you 1 " " No." "Then maybe it's the new hat in the window at Miss Clucas's 1" " Hould your tongue, woman," whispered Caesar behind the back of his hand. " It's the Spirit that's working on the girl. Give it lave, mother ; give it lave." " Give it fiddlesticks," said Nancy Joe. " Give it brimstone and treacle and a cupful of wormwood and camomile." When Philip and Kate were together, their talk was all of Pete. It was " Pete likes this," and " Pete hates that," and " Peto always says so and so." That was their way of keeping up the recollection of Pete's existence; and the uses they put poor Pete to were many and peculiar. One night "The Manx Fairy" was merry and noisy with a "Scaltha," a Christmas supper given by the captain of a fishing-boat to the crew that ho meant to engage for the season. Wives, sweet- hearts, and friends were there, and the customs and superstitions of the hour were honoured. " Isn't it the funniest thing in the world, Philip ? " giggled Kate from the back of the door, and a moment afterwards she BOY AND GIRL 59 was standing alone with him in the lobby, looking demurely down at his boots. " I suppose I ought to apologise." "Why so?" " For calling you that." " Pete calls me Philip. Why shouldn't you ? " The furtive eyes rose to the buttons of his waistcoat. " Well, no ; there can't be much harm in calling you what Pete calls you, can there? But then " " Well ? " "He calls me Kate." " Do you think he would like me to do so ? " " I'm sure he would." "Shall we, then?" "I wonder!" " Just for Pete's sake ? " " Just." "Kate!" "Philip!" They didn't know what they felt. It was something exquisite, something delicious ; so sweet, so tender, they could only laugh as if some one had tickled them. " Of course, we need not do it except when we are quite by our- selves," said Kate. " Oh no, of course not, only when we are quite alone," said Philip. Thus they threw dust into each other's eyes, and walked hand in hand on the edge of a precipice. The last day of the old year after Pete's departure found Philip attending to his duty. "Are you going to put the new year in anywhere, Philip?" said Kate, from the door of the porch. " I should be the first-foot here, only I'm no use as a qualtagh," said Philip. " Why not ? " " I'm a fair man, and would bring you no luck, you know." "Ah!" There was silence for a moment, and then Kate cried "I know." "Yes?" "Come for Pete — he's dark enough, anyway." Philip was much impressed. "That's a good idea," he said gravely, "Being qualtagh for Pete is a good idea. His first New Year from home, too, poor fellow ! " " Exactly," said Kate. " Shall I, then ? " "I'll expect you at the very stroke of twelve." 60 THE MANXMAN Philip was going off. "And, Philip !" "Yes?" Then a low voice, so soft, so sweet, so merry, came from the door- way into the dark, " I'll be standing at the door of the dairy." Philip began to feel alarm, and resolved to take for the future a lighter view of his duties. He would visit "The Manx Fairy" less frequently. As soon as the Christmas holidays were over he would devote himself to his studies, and come back to Sulby no more for half a year. But the Manx Christmas is long. It begins on the 24th of December, and only ends for good on the 6th of January. In the country places, which still preserve the old tradi- tions, the culminating day is Twelfth Day. It is then that they "cut off the fiddler's head," and play valentines, which they call the " Goggans." The girls set a row of mugs on the hearth in front of the lire, put something into each of them as a symbol of a trade, and troop out to the stairs. Then the boys change the order of the mugs, and the girls come back blindfold, one by one, to select their goggans. According to the goggans they lay hands on, so will be the trades of their husbands. At this game, played at " The Manx Fairy " on the last night of Philip's holiday, Caesar being abroad on an evangelising errand, Kate was expected to draw water, but she drew a quill. " A pen ! A pen ! " cried the boys. " Who says the girl is to marry a sailor ? The ship isn't built that's to drown her husband." " Good-night all," said Philip. " Good-night, Mr. Christian, good-night, sir," said the boys. Kate slipped after him to the door. " Going so early, Philip ? " " I've to be back at Douglas to-morrow morning," said Philip. " I suppose we shan't see you very soon 1 " " No, I must set to work in earnest now." " A fortnight — a month may be ? " " Yes, and six months — I intend to do nothing else for half a year." "That's a long time, isn't it, Philip? " " Xot so long as I've wasted." " Wasted '!■ > s o you call it wasted? Of course, it's nothing to me — but there's your aunt " " A man can't always be dangling about women," said Philip. Kate began to laugh. " What are you laughing at 1 ?" '• I'm so glad I'm a girl," said Kate. "Well, so am I," said Philip. " Are you ] " It came at his face like a flash of lightning, and Philip stammered, " I mean — that is — you know — what about Pete ? " " Oh, is that all \ Well, good-night, if you must go. Shall I BOY AND GIRL 61 bring you the lantern ? No need 1 Starlight, is it 1 You can see your way to the gate quite plainly ? Very well, if you don't want showing. Good-night ! " The last words, in an injured tone, wero half lost behind the closing door. But the heart of a girl is a dark forest, and Kate had determined that, work or no work, so long a spell as six months Philip should not be away. Ill One morning in the late spring there came to Douglas a startling and most appalling piece of news — Ross Christian was constantly seen at "The Manx Fairy." On the evening of that day Philip re- appeared at Sulby. He had come down in high wrath, inventing righteous speeches by the way on plighted troths and broken pledges. Ross was there in lacquered boots, light kid gloves, frock coat, and pepper and salt trousers, leaning with elbow on the counter, that he might talk to Kate, who was serving. Philip had never before seen her at that task, and his indignation was extreme. He was more than ever sure that Grannie was a simpleton and Ceesar a brazen hypocrite. Kate nodded gaily to him as he entered, and then continued her conversation with Ross. There was a look in her eyes that was new to him, and it caused him to change his purpose. He would not be indignant, he would be cynical, he would be nasty, he would wait his opportunity and put in with some cutting remark. So, at Csesar's invitation and Grannie's welcome, he pushed through the bar-room to the kitchen, exchanged salutations, and then sat down to watch and to listen. The conversation beyond the glass partition was eager and en- thusiastic. Ross was fluent and Kate was vivacious. "My friend Monty 1" "Yes; who is Monty?" " He's the centre of the Fancy." " The Fancy ! " " Ornaments of the Ring, you know. Come now, surely you know the Ring, my dear. His rooms in St. James's Street are full of them every night. All sorts, you know — feather-weights, and heavy- weights, and greyhounds. And the faces ! My goodness, you should see them. Such worn-out old images. Knowledge boxes all awry, mouths crooked, and noses that have had the upper-cut. But good men all ; good to take their gruel, you know. Monty will have nothing else about him. He was Tom Spring's backer. Never heard of Tom Spring 1 Tom of Bedford, the incorruptible, you know, 62 THE MANXMAN only he fought cross that day. Monty lost a thousand, and Tom keeps a public in Holborn now with pictures of the Fancy round the walls." Then Kate, with a laugh, said something which Philip did not catch, because Caesar was rustling the newspaper he was reading. " Ladies come 1 " said Ross. " Girls at Monty's suppers 1 Rather ! what should you think 1 Cleopatra — but you ought to be there. I must be getting off myself very soon. There's a supper coming off next week at Handsome Honey's. Who's Honey ? Proprietor of a night-house in the Haymarket. Night-house ? You come and see, my dear." Caesar dropped the newspaper and looked across at Philip. The gaze was long and embarrassing, and, for want of better conversa- tion. Philip asked Caesar if he was thinking. "Aw, thinking, thinking, and thinking again, sir," said Caesar. Then, drawing his chair nearer to Philip's, he added, in a half whisper, "I'm getting a bit of a skute into something, though. See yonder ? They're calling his father a miser. The man's racking his tenants and starving his land. But I believe enough the young brass lagh (a weed) is choking the ould grain," Caesar, as he spoke, tipped his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of Ross, and, seeing this, Ross interrupted his conversation with Kate to address himself to her father. " »So you've been reading the paper, Mr. Cregeen 1 " "Aw, reading and reading," said Caesar grumpily. Then in another tone, " You're home again from London, sir? Great doings yonder, they're telling me. Battles, sir, great battles." Eloss elevated his eyebrows. "Have you heard of them then?" he asked. " Aw, heard enough," said Caesar, " meetings, and conferences, . conventions, and I don't know what." " Oh, oh, I see," said Ross, with a look at Kate. "They're doing without hell in England now-a-days — that's a quare tiling, sir. Conditional immorality they're calling it — the derest thing I know. Taking hell away drops the tailboard out mail's religion, eh 1" The time for closing came, and Philip had waited in vain. Only one cut had come his way, and that had not been his own. As he to go, Kate had said, "We didn't expect to see you again for months, Mr. Christian." " So it seems," said Philip, and Kate laughed a little, and that was all the work of his evening, and the whole result of his errand. Caesar was waiting for him in the porch. His face was Avhite, and it twitched visibly. It was plain to see that the natural man was fighting in Caesar. "Mr. Christian, sir," said he, "are you the gentleman that came here to speak to me for Peter Quilliam 1 " BOY AND GIRL 63 "I am," said Philip. " Then do you remember the ould Manx saying, " Perhaps the last dog may be catching the hare 1 " " Leave it to me, Mr. Cregeen," said Philip through his teeth. Half a minute afterwards he was swinging down the dark road homewards, by the side of lloss, who was drawling along with his cold voice. " So you've started on your light-weight handicap, Philip. Father was monstrous unreasonable that day. Seemed to think I was coming back here to put my shoulder out for your high bailiffships and bum-bailiff ships and heaven knows what. You're welcome to the lot for me, Philip. That girl's wonderful, though. It's positively miraculous, too ; she's the living picture of a girl of my friend Mon- tague's. Eyes, hair, that nervous movement of the mouth — every- thing. Old man looked glum enough, though. Poor little woman. I suppose she's past praying for. The old hypocrite will hold her like a dove in the claws of a buzzard hawk till she throws herself away on some Manx omathaun. It's the way with half these pretty creatures — they're wasted." Philip's blood was boiling. " Do you call it being wasted when a good girl is married to an honest man 1 " he asked. " I do ; because a girl like this can never marry the right man. The man who is worthy of her cannot marry her, and the man who marries her isn't worthy of her. It's like this, Philip. She's young she's pretty, perhaps beautiful, has manners and taste, and some refinement. The man of her own class is clumsy and ignorant, and stupid and poor. She doesn't want him, and the man she does want — the man she's lit for — daren't marry her; it would be social suicide." " And so," said Philip bitterly, " to save the man above from social suicide, the girl beneath must choose moral death- — is that it?" Ross laughed. " Do you know I thought old Jeremiah was at you in the corner there, Philip. But look at it straight. Here's a girl like that. Two things are open to her — two only. Say she marries your Manx fellow, what follows? A thatched cottage three iieltls back from the mountain road, two rooms, a cowhouse, a crock, a dresser, a press, a form, a three-legged stool, an armchair, and a clock with a dirty face, hanging on a nail in the wall. Milking, weeding, digging, ninepence a day, and a can of buttermilk, with a lump of butter thrown in. Potatoes, herrings, and bailey bonnag. Year one, a baby, a boy ; year two, another baby, a girl ; year three, twins ; year four, barefooted children squalling, dirty house, man grumbling, woman distracted, measles, hooping-cough, a journey at the tail of a cart to the bottom of the valley, and the awful words ' I am the ' " " Hush, man ! " said Philip. They were passing Lezayre church- 64 THE MANXMAN yard. When they had left it behind, he added, with a grim curl of the lip, which was lost in the darkness, "Well, that's one side. What's the other 1" "Life," said Ross. "Short and sweet, perhaps. Everything she wants, everything she can wish for — five years, four years, three years — what matt it ? " "And then?" " Every one for himself and God for us all, my boy. She's as happy as the day while it lasts, lifts her head like a rosebud in the sun " " Then drops it, I suppose, like a rose-leaf in the mud." Ross laughed again. "Yes, it's a fact, old Jeremiah has been at you, Philip. Poor little Kitty " " Keep the girl's name out of it, if you please." Ross gave a long whistle. "I was only saying the poor little woman " " It's damnable, and I'll have no more of it." "There's no duty on speech, I hope, in your precious Isle of .Alan." "There is, though," said Philip, "a duty of decency and honour, and to name that girl, foolish as she is, in the same breath with your women — But here, listen to me. Best tell you now, so there may be no mistake and no excuse. Miss Cregeen is to be married to a friend of mine. I needn't say Avho he is — he comes close enough to you at all events. When he's at home, he's able to take care of his own affairs ; but while lie's abroad I've got to see that no harm comes to his pi-omised wife. I mean to do it, too. Do you understand me, Ross ? I mean to do it. Good night ! " They were at the gate of Ballawhaine by this time, and Ross went through it giggling. IV 'I'm: following evening found Philip at "The Manx Fairy" again. Etoss was there as usual, and he was laughing and talking in a low tone with Kate. Tin's made Philip squirm on his chair, but Kate's behaviour tortured him. Her enjoyment of the man's jests was almost uproarious. She was signalling to him and peering up at him gaily. Her conduct disgusted Philip. It seemed to him an aggravation of her offence that as often as he caught the look of her face there was a roguish twinkle in the eye on his side, and a deliberate cast in his direction. This open disregard of the sanctity of a pledged word, this barefaced indifference to the pre- BOY AND GIRL 65 sence of him who stood to represent it, was positively indecent. This was what women were ! Deceit was bred in their bones. It added to Philip's gathering wrath that Caesar, who sat in shirt- sleeves making up his milling accounts from slates ciphered with crosses, and triangles, and circles, and half circles, was lifting his eyes from time to time to look first at them and then at him, with an expression of contempt. At a burst of fresh laughter and a shot of the bright eyes, Philip surged up to his feet, thrust himself between Ross and Kate, turned his back on him and his face to her, and said in a peremptory voice, " Come into the parlour instantly — I have something to say to you." " Oh, indeed ! " said Kate. But she came, looking mischievous and yet demure, with her head down but her eyes peering under their long upper lashes. " Why don't you send this fellow about his business ? " said Philip. Kate looked up in blank surprise. "What fellow 1 ?" she said. " What fellow?" said Philip, "why, this one that is shilly-shally- ing with you night after night." " You can never mean your own cousin, Philip 1 ?" said Kate. " More's the pity if he is my cousin, but he's no fit company for you." " I'm sure the gentleman is polite enough." " So's the devil himself." " He can behave and keep his temper, anyway." " Then it's the only thing he can keep. He can't keep his char- acter or his credit or his honour, and you should not encourage him." Kate's under lip began to show the inner half. " Who says 1 encourage him ? " " I do." " What right have you 1 " " Haven't I seen you with my own eyes 1" Kate grew defiant. " Well, and what if you have ] " " Then you are a jade and a coquette." The word hissed out like steam from a kettle. Kate saw it coming and took it full in the face. She felt an impulse to scream with laughter, so she seized her opportunity and cried. Philip's temper began to ebb. " That man would be a poor bargain, Kate, if he were twenty times the heir of Ballawhaine. Can't you gather from his conversation what his life and companions are 1 Of course it's nothing to me, Kate " " No, it's nothing to you," whimpered Kate, from behind both hands. " I've no right " " Of course not ; you've no right," said Kate, and she stole a look sideways, E 66 THE MANXMAN " Only- Philip did not see the glance that came from the corner of Kate's eye. " When a girl forgets a manly fellow, who happens to be abroad, for the first rascal that comes along with his dirty lands " Down went the hands with an impatient fling. "What are his lands to me?" " Then it's my duty as a friend " " Duty indeed ! Just what every old busybody says." Philip gripped her wrist. " Listen to me. If you don't send this man packing " " You are hurting me. Let go my arm." Philip flung it aside and said, " What do I care ? " " Then why did you call me a coquette ?" " Do as you like." " So I will. Philip ! Philip ! Phil ! He's gone." It was twenty miles by coach and rail from Douglas to Sulb3 r , but Philip was back at " The Manx Fairy " the next evening also. He found a saddle-horse linked to the gate-post and Ross inside the house with a riding-whip in his hand, beating the leg of his riding-breeches. When Philip appeared, Kate began to look alarmed and Ross to look ugly. Csesar, who was taking his tea in the ingle, was having an unpleasant passage with Grannie in side-breaths by the fire. " Bad, bad, a notorious bad liver and dirty with the tongue," said Caesar. " Chut, father !" said Grannie. " The young man's civil enough, and girls will be girls. What's a word or a look or a laugh when you're young and have a face that's fit for anything." " Letter her face should be pitted with smallpox than bring her to the pit of hell," said Csesar. " All flesh is grass : the grass withereth, the flower fadeth." Nancy Joe came from the dairy at the moment. " Gracious me ! did you see that now ?" she said. " I wonder at Kitty. Lut it's the way of the men, smiling and smiling and maning nothing." " Hm ! They mane a dale," growled Caesar. Etoss had recovered from his uneasiness at Philip's entrance, and was engaged in some narration whereof the only words that reached the kitchen were / knoio and I7mow repeated frequently. " You seem to know a dale, sir," shouted Caesar; "do you know what it is to be saved ? " There was silence for a moment, and then Ross, polishing his massive signet ring on his corduroy waistcoat, said, "Is that the old gentleman's complaint, I wonder?" " ,My husband is a local preacher and always strong for salvation," said Grannie by way of peace. BOY AND GIRL 67 " Is th.it all 1 " said Ross. " I thought perhaps he had taken more wine than the sacrament." " You're my cross, woman," muttered Csesar, " but no cross no crown." " Lave women's matters alone, father ; it'll become you better," said Grannie. "Laugh as you like, Mistress Cregeen; there's One above, there's One above." Ross had resumed his conversation with Kate, who was looking frightened. And listening with all his ears, Philip caught the substance of what was said. " I'm due back by this time. There's the supper at Handsome Honey's, not to speak of the everlasting examinations. But some- how I can't tear myself away. Why not ? Can't you guess ? No ? Not a notion ? I would go to-morrow — Kitty, a word in your ear "I believe in my heart that man is for kissing her," said Csesar. " 1 E he does, then by — he's done it ! Hould, sir." Caesar had risen to his feet, and in a moment the house was in an uproar. Ross lifted his head like a cock. " Were you speaking to me, mister ? " he asked. " I was, and don't demane yourself like that again," said Caesar. "Like what?" said Ross. "Paying coort to a girl that isn't fit for you." Ross lifted his hat, " Do you mean this young lady? " " No young lady at all, sir, but the daughter of a plain, respect- able man that isn't going to see her fooled. Your hat to your head, sir. You'll be wanting it for the road." " Father ! " cried Kate, in a voice of fear. Caesar turned his rough shoulder and said, "Go to your room, ma'am, and keep it for a week." " You may go," said Ross. "I'll spare the old simpleton for your sake, Kate." "You'll spare me, sir?" cried Csesar. "I've seen the day — but thank the Lord for restraining grace ! Spare me ! If you had said as much five-and-twenty years ago, sir, your head would have gone ringing against the Avail." " I'll spare you no more, then," said Ross. " Take that — and that." Amid screams from the women, two sounding blows fell on Caesar's face. At the next instant Philip was standing between the two men. " Come this way," he said, addressing Ross. " If I like," Ross answered. "This way, I tell you," said Philip. Ross snapped his fingers. ''As you please," he said, and then followed Philip out of the house. 68 THE MANXMAN Kate had run upstairs in terror, but five minutes afterwards she was on the road, with a face full of distress, and a shawl over head and shoulders. At the bridge she met Kelly, the postman. " Which way have they gone," she panted, " the } r oung Balla- whaine and Philip Christian?" " I saw them heading down to the Curragh," said Kelly, and Kate in the shawl, flew like a bird over the ground in that direction. The two young men went on without a word. Philip walked with long strides three paces in front, with head thrown back, pallid face and contracted features, mouth firmly shut, arms stiff by his side, ami difficult and audible breathing. Ross slouched behind with an air of elaborate carelessness, his horse beside him, the reins over its head and round his arm, the riding-whip under his other arm- pit, and both his hands deep in the breeches pockets. There was no road the way they went, but only a cart track, interrupted here and there by a gate, and bordered by square turf-pits half full of water. The days were long and the light was not yet failing. Beyond the gorse, the willows, the reeds, the rushes and the sally bushes of the flat land, the sun was setting over a streak of gold on the sea. They had left behind them the smell of burning turf, of crackling sticks, of fish, and of the cowhouse, and were come into the atmos- phere of flowering gorse and damp scraa soil and brine. "Far enough, ai-en't we?" shouted Ross, but Philip pushed on. He drew up at last in an open space, where the gorse had been burnt away and its black remains desolated the surface and killed the odours of life. There was not a house near, not a landmark in sight, except a windmill on the sea's verge, and the ugly tower of a church, like the funnel of a steamship between sea and sky. " We're alone at last," he said hoarsely. " We are," said Ross, interrupting the whistling of a tune, " and now that you've got me here, perhaps you'll be good enough to tell me what we've come for." Philip made no more answer than to strip himself of his coat and waistcoat. " You're never going to make a serious business of this stupid affair?" said Ross, leaning against the horse and slapping the sole of one foot with the whip. <: Take ofT your coat," said Philip in a thick voice. "Can I help it if a pretty girl " began Ross. "Will you strip?" cried Philip. BOY AND GIRL 69 Ross laughed. "Ah! now I remember our talk of the other night. But you don't moan to say," he said, flipping at the Hies at the horse's head, "that because the little woman is forgetting the curmudgeon that's abroad " Philip strode up to him with clenched hands and quivering lips and said, "Will you fight?" Ross laughed again, but the blood was in his face, and he said tauntingly, "I wouldn't distress myself, man. Daresay I'll be done with the girl before the fellow " "You're a scoundrel," cried Philip, "and if you won't stand up to me " Ross flung away his whip. " If I must, I must," he said, and then threw the horse's reins round the charred arm of a half- destroyed gorse tree. A minute afterwards the young men stood face to face. "Stop," said Ross, "let me tell you first; it's only fair. Since I went up to London I've learnt a thing or two. I've stood up before men that can strip a picture ; I've been opposite talent and I can peck a bit, but I've never heard that you can stop a blow." " Are you ready 1 " cried Philip. "As you will. You shall have one round, you'll want no more." The young men looked badly matched. Ross, in riding-breeches and shirt, with red bullet head and sprawling feet, arms like an oak and veins like willow boughs. Philip in shirt and knicker- bockers, with long fair hair, quivering face, and delicate figure. It was strength and some skill against nerve alone. Like a rush of wind Philip came on, striking right and left, and was driven back by a left-hand body-blow. " There, you've got it," said Ross; smiling benignly. " Didn't I tell you 1 That's old Bristol Bull to begin with." Philip rushed on again, and came back with a smashing blow that cut his nether lip. "You've got a second," said Ross. " Have you had enough ?" Philip did not hear, but sprang fiercely at Ross once more. The next instant he was on the ground. Then Ross took on a manner of utter contempt. "I can't keep on flipping at you all night." " Mock me when you've beaten me," said Philip, and lie was on his feet again, somewhat blown, but fresh as to spirit and doggedly resolute. "Toe the scratch, then," said Ross. "I must say you're good at your gruel." Philip flung himself on his man a third time, and fell more heavily than before, under a flush hit that seemed to bury itself in his chest. " I can't go on fighting a man that's as good for nothing as my old grandmother," said Ross. 7 o THE MANXMAN But his contempt was abating ; be was growing uneasy ; Philip was before him as fierce as ever. " Fight your equal," he cried. " I'll fight vou," growled Philip. •• You're not fit. Give it up. And look, the dark is falling." "There's enough daylight yet. Come on." " Nobody is here to shame you." " Come on, I say." Philip did not wait, but sprang on his man like a tiger. Boss met his blow, dodged, feinted; they gripped, swinging to and fro; there was a struggle, and Philip fell again with a dull thud against the ground. " Will you stop now ? " said Ross. "No, no, no," cried Philip, leaping to his feet. " I'll eat you up. I'm a glutton, I can tell you." But his voice trembled, and Philip, blind with passion, laughed. •• 5Tou'll be hurt," said Boss. '•What of that?" said Philip. "You'll be killed." " I'm willing." Boss tried to laugh mockingly, but the hoarse gurgle choked in his throat. He began to tremble. "This man doesn't know when he's mauled," he muttered, and after a loud curse he stood up afresh, with a craven and shifty look. His blows fell like scorching mis- siles, but Philip took them like a rock scoured with shingle, raining blood like water, but standing firm. " What's the use 1 " cried Boss ; " drop it." "I'll drop myself first,'" said Philip. " If you won't give it up, I will," said Boss. " You shan't," said Philip. "Take your victory if you like." - I won't." " Say you've licked me." "I'll do it first," said Philip. Boss laughed long and riotously, but he was trembling like a whipped cur. With a blob of foam on his lips he came up, collect- ing all his strength, and struck Philip a blow on the forehead that fell with the sound of a hammer on a coffin. "Are you done ? " he snuffled. "No, by God," cried Philip, black as ink with the burnt gorse from the ground, except where the blood ran red on him. "This man means to kill me," mumbled Ross. He looked round shiftily, and said. " i mean no harm by the girl." " Xou're a liar ! " cried Philip. With a glance of deep malignity, Boss closed with Philip again. BOY AND GIRL y\ It was now a struggle of right with wrong as well as nerve with strength. The sun had set under the sea, the sally hushes were shivering in the twilight, a flight of rooks were screaming overhead. Blows were no more heard. Ross gripped Philip in a venomous embrace, and dragged him on to one knee. Philip rose, Ross doubled round his waist, pushed him backward, and fell heavily on his breasl , shouting with the growl of a beast, " You'll fight me, will you 1 Get up, get up ! " Philip did not rise, and Ross began dragging and lunging at him with brutal ferocity, when suddenly, where he bent double, a blow fell on his ear from behind, another and another, a hand gripped his shirt collar and choked him, and a voice cried, "Let go, you brute, let go, let go." Ross dropped Philip and swung himself round to return the attack. It was the girl. " Oh, it's you, is it ? " he panted. She was like a fury. ''You brute, you beast, you toad," she cried, and then threw herself over Philip. He was unconscious. She lifted his head on to her lap, and, lost to all shame, to all caution, to all thought but one thought, she kissed him on the cheek, on the lips, on the eyes, on the forehead, crying, " Philip ! oh, Philip, Philip ! " Ross was shuddering beside them. " Let me look at him," he faltered, but Kate fired back with a glance like an arrow, and said, screaming like a sea-gull, " If you touch him again I'll strangle you." Ross caught a glimpse of Philip's face, and he was terrified. Going to a turf pit, he dipped both hands in the dub, and brought some water. "Take this," he said, "for Heaven's sake let me bathe his head." He dashed the water on the pallid forehead, and then withdrew his eyes, while the girl coaxed Philip back to consciousness with fresh kisses and pleading words. " Is he breathing? Feel his heart. Any pulsation 1 Oh, God ! " said Ross, " it wasn't my fault." He looked round with wild eyes ; he meditated flight. " Is he better yet ? " "What's it to you, you coward?" said Kate, with a burning glance. She went on with her work : " Come then, dear, come, come now." Philip opened his eyes in a vacant stare, and rose on his elbow. Then Kate fell back from him immediately, and began to cry quietly, being all woman now, and her moral courage gone again in an instant. But the moral courage of Mr. Ross came back as quickly. He began to sneer and to laugh lightly, picked up his riding-whip and strode over to his horse. 72 THE MANXMAN "Are you hurt'?" asked Kate, in a low tone. "Is it Kate?" said Philip. At the sound of his voice, in that low whisper, Kate's tears came streaming down. " I hope you'll forgive me," she said. " I should have taken your warning." She wiped his face with the loose sleeve of her dress, and then he st niggled to his feet. " Lean on me, Philip." "No, no, I can walk." " Do take my arm." "Oh no, Kate, I'm strong enough." " Just to please me." « Well— very well." Ross looked on with jealous rage. His horse, frightened by the fight, had twirled round and round till the reins were twisted into a knot about the gorse stump, and as he liberated the beast he flogged it back till it flew around him. Then he vaulted to the Baddle, tugged at the curb, and the horse reared. "Down," he cried with an oath, and lashed brutally at the horse's head. Meantime Kate, going past him with Philip on her arm, was saying softly, " Are you feeling better, Philip ? " And Ross, looking on in sulky meditation, sent a harsh laugh out of his hot throat, and said, "Oh, you can make your mind easy aboul him. If your other man fights for you like that you'll do. Thought you'd have three of them, did you? Or perhaps you only wanted me for your decoy 1 Why don't you kiss him now, when he can know it 1 But he's a beauty to take care of you for somebody else. Fighting for the other one, eh ? Stuff and humbug ! Take him home, and the curse of Judas on the brace of you." So saying, he burst into wild, derisive laughter, flogged his horse on the ears and the nose, shouted " Down, you brute, down ! " and shot off at a gallop across the open Curragh. Philip and Kate stood where he had left them till he had dis- appeared in the mist rising off the marshy land, and the thud of his horse's hoofs could be no more heard. Their heads were down, and though their arms were locked, their faces were turned half aside. There was silence for some time. The girl's eyelids quivered ; her !: was anxious and helpless. Then Philip said, "Let us go home," and they began to walk together. Not another word did t hoy speak. Neither looked into the other's eye.-. Th< ir entwined arms slackened a little in a passionless asun- dering, yet both felt that they must hold tight or they would fall. It was almost as if Ross's parting taunt had uncovered their hearts to each other, and revealed to themselves their secret. They were BOY AND GIRL 73 like other children of the garden of Eden, driven out and stripped naked. At the bridge they met Caesar, Grannie, Nancy Joe, and half the inhabitants of Sulby, abroad with lanterns in search of them. "They're here," cried Osesar. "You've chastised him, then! You'd bait his head off, I'll go bail. And I believe enough you'll be forgiven, sir. Yonder blow was almost bitterer than flesh can beai\ Before my days of grace — but, praise the Lord for His restraining hand, the very minute my anger was up He crippled me in the hip with rheumatics. But what's this?" holding the lantern over his head ; " there's blood on your face, sir ? " "A scratch — it's nothing," said Philip. "It's the women that's in every mischief," said Caesar. " Lord bless me, aren't the women as good as the men 1 " said Nancy. "J I'm," said Caesar. "We're told that man was made a little lower than the angels, but about woman we're just left to our own conclusions." " Scripture has nothing to do with Ross Christian, father," said Crannie. " The Lord forbid it," said Caesar. " What can you get from a cat but his skin 1 And doesn't the man come from Christian Ballawhaine 1 " "If it comes to that, though, haven't we all come from Adam 1" said Grannie. "Yes; and from Eve too, more's the pity," said Caesar. a VI For some time thereafter Philip went no more to Sulby. He had a sufficient excuse. His profession made demand of all his ener- gies. AVhen he was not at work in Douglas he was expected to be at home with his aunt at Ballure. But neither absence nor the lapse of years served to lift him out of the reach of temptation. ] [e had one besetting provocation to remembrance — one duty which forbade him to forget Kate — his pledge to Pete, his office as Doolucy Molla. Had he not vowed to keep guard over the girl ? He must do it. The trust was a sacred one. Philip found a way out of his difficulty. The post was an imper- sonal and incorruptible go-between, so he wrote frequently. Some- times he had news to send, for, to avoid the espionage of Caesar, intelligence of Pete came through him ; occasionally he had love- letters to enclose; now and then he had presents to pass on. 74 THE MANXMAN When such necessity did not arise, he found it agreeable to keep up the current of correspondence. At Christmas he sent Christmas cards, on Midsummer Day a bunch of moss roses, and even on St. Valentine's Day a valentine. All this was in discharge of his duty, and everything he did was done in the name of Pete. He persuaded himself that he sank his own self absolutely. Having denied his eyes the very sight of the girl's face, he stood erect in the belief that he was a true and loyal friend. Kate was less afraid and less ashamed. She took the presents from Pete and wore them for Philip. In her secret heart she thought no shame of this. The years gave her a larger flow of life, and made out of the bewitching girl a splendid woman, brought up to the full estate of maidenly beauty. This change wrought by time on her bodily form caused the past to seem to her a very long way off. Something had occurred that made her a different being. She was like the elder sister of that laughing girl who had known Pete. To think of that little sister as having a kind of control over her was impossible. Kate never did think of it. Nevertheless, she held her tongue. Her people were taken in by the episode of Poss Christian. According to their view, Kate loved the man and still longed for him, and that was why she never talked of Pete. Philip was disgusted with her unfaithfulness to his friend, and that was the reason of his absence. She never talked of Philip either, but they, on their part, talked of him perpetually, and fed her secret passion with his praises. Thus for three years these two were like two prisoners in neighbouring cells, very close and yet very far apart, able to hear each other's voices, yet never to see each other's faces, yearning to come together and to touch, but unable to do so because of the wall that stood between. Since the fight, Caesar had removed her from all duties of the inn, and one day in the spring she was in the gable house peeling rushes to make tallow candles when Kelly, the postman, passed by the porch, where Nancy Joe was cleaning the candle-irons. " Heard the newses, Nancy ? " said Kelly. " Mr. Philip Christian is let off two years' time and called to the bar." Nancy looked grave. "I'm sure the young gentleman is that quiet and studdy," she said. "What are they doing on him?" "Only making him a full advocate, woman," said Kelly. " You don't say ?" said Nancy. '■ 1 1' ! liis examination before the Govenar's man yesterday." '■ Aw, there now ! " "I took the letter to Ballure this evening." "It's like you would, Mr. Kelly. That's the boy for you. I'm always saying it. 'Deed I am, though, but there's ones here that won't have it at all, at all." BOY AND GIRL 75 "Miss Kate, you mane? Wo know tho raison. He's lumps in her porridge, woman. Good-day to you, Nancy." " Yes, it's doing a nice day enough, Mr. Kelly," said Nancy, and the postman passed on. Kate came gliding out with a brush in her hand. " What was the postman saying 1 " "That — Mr. — Philip — Christian — has been passing— for an advo- cate,'' said Nancy deliberately. Kate's eyes glistened, and her lips quivered with delight ; but she only said, with an air of indifference, " Was that all his news, then?" "All? D'ye say all?" said Nancy, digging away at the candle- irons. "Listen to the girl! And him that good to her while her promist man's away !" Kate shelled her rush, and said, with a sigh and a sly look, " I'm afraid you think a deal too much of him, Nancy." "Then I'll be making mends," said Nancy, "for some that's thinking a dale too little." " I'm quite at a loss to know what you see in him," said Kate. " Now, you don't say ! " said Nancy with scorching irony. Then, banging her irons, she added, "I'm not much of a woman for a man myself. They're only poor helpless creatures anyway, and I don't approve of them. But if I was for putting up with one of the sort, he wouldn't have legs and arms like a dolly, and a face like curds and whey, and coat and trousers that loud you can hear them coming up the street." With this parting shot at Ross Christian, Nancy flung into the house, thinking she had given Kate a dressing that she would never forget. Kate was radiant. Such abuse was honey on her lips, such scoldings were joy-bells in her ears. She took silent delight in provoking these attacks. They served her turn both ways, bringing her delicious joy at the praise of Philip, and at the same time preserving her secret. VII LATER that day Caesar came in from the mill with the; startling intelligence that Philip was riding up on tho high-road. " Goodness mercy!" cried Nancy, and she fled away to wash her face. Grannie with a turn of the hand settled her cap, and smoothed her grey hair under it. Kate herself had disappeared like a flash of light; but as Philip dismounted at the gate, looking taller, and older, and paler, and more serious, but raising his cap from his fair head and smiling a smile like sunshine, she was 76 THE MANXMAN coming leisurely out of the porch with a bewitching hat over her wavy black hair and a hand-basket over her arm. Then there was a little start of surprise and recognition, a short catch of quick breath and nervous salutations. "I'm going round to the nests," she said. "I suppose you'll step in to see mother." "Time enough for that," said Philip. " May I help you with the eggs first I Besides, I've something to tell you." "Is it that you're 'admitted?'" said Kate "That's nothing," said Philip. "Only the ABC, you know. ( ■(•! ting ready to begin, so to speak." They walked round to the stackyard, and he tied up his horse and gave it hay. Then, while they poked about for eggs on hands and knees among the straw, under the stacks and between the bushes, she said she hoped he would have success, and he answered that success was more than a hope to him now — it was a sort of superstition. She did not understand this, but looked up at him from all fours with brightening eyes, and said, " What a glorious thing it is to he a man ! " " Is it?" said Philip. "And yet I remember somebody who said she wasn't sorry to be a girl." " Did I ? " said Kate. " But that was long ago. And / remember somebody else who pretended he was glad I was." " That was long ago too," said Philip, and both laughed nervously. " What strange things girls are — and boys ! " said Kate, with a matronly sigh, burying her face in a nest where a hen was clucking and two downy chicks were peeping from her wing. They went through to the orchard, where the trees were breaking into eager blossoms. "I've another letter for you from Pete," said Philip. "So?" said Kate. " Here it is," said Philip. " Won't you read it?" said Kate. '■ But it's yours ; surely a girl doesn't want anybody else ' "All! but you're different, though; you know everything — and besides — lead it aloud, Philip." With her basket of eggs on one arm, and the other hand on the ■ retched arm of an apple-tree, she waited while he read : " Dearest Kin y, ---J low's yourself, darling, and how's Philip, and how's Grannie? I'm getting on tremendous. They're calling me tain now— Capt'n Pete. Sort of overseerat the Diamond .Mines Kimberley. Regular gentleman's life and no mistake. No- thing to do but sit under a monstrous big umbrella, with a paper in your list, like a chairman, while twenty Kaffirs do the work. Just a bit of a tussle now and then to keep you from dropping off. When BOY AND GIRL 77 a Kaffir turns up a diamond, you grab it, and mark it on the time- sheet against his name. They've got their own outlandish ones, but we always christen them ourselves — Sixpence, Seven Waistcoats, Shoulder-of-Mutton, Twopenny Trotter — -anything you like. When a Kaffir strikes a diamond, he gets a commission, and so does his overseer. I'm afraid I'm going to be getting terrible rich soon. Tell the old man I'll be buying that harmonia yet. They are a knowing lot, though, and if they can get up a dust to smuggle a stone when you're not looking, they will. Then they sell it to the blackleg Boers, and vou've got to raise vour voice like an advocate to get it back somehow. But the Boers can't do no harm to you with their fists at all — it's playing. They're a dirty lot, wonderful straight like some of the lazy Mans ones, especially Black Tom. When they see us down at the river washing, they say, ' What dirty people the English must be if they have to wash themselves three times a day — we only do it once a week.' When a Kaffir steals a stone we usually court-martial him, but I don't hold with it, as the fioggers on the com- pound can't be trusted ; so I always lick my own niggers, being more kinder, and if anybody does anything against me, they lynch him." Kate made a little patient sigh and turned away her head, while Philip, in a halting voice, went on — " Darling Kitty, I am longing mortal for a sight of your sweet face. When the night comes, and I'll be lying in the huts — boai'ds on the ground, and good canvas, and everything comfortable — says I to the boys, ' Shut your faces, men, and let a poor chap sleep ;' but they never twig the darkness of my meaning. I'll only be wanting a bit of quiet for thinking of ... . with the stars atwinkling down .... She's looking at that one .... Shine on my angel . . . ." "Really, Kate," faltered Philip, "I can't " " Give it to me, then,'' said Kate. She was tugging with her trembling hand at the arm of the apple-tree, and the white blossom was raining over her from the rowels of the thin boughs overhead, like silver fish falling from the herring-net. Taking the letter, she glanced over the close — "darlin Kirry how is the mackral this saison and is the millin doing middling and I wonder is the hens all lavin and is the grace gone out of the mares leg yet and how is the owl man and is he still playin hang with the texes Theer is a big chap heer that is strait like him he hath swallowed the owl Book and cant help bring it up agen but dear Kirry no more at present i axpect to be Home sune bogh, to see u all tho I dont no azactly With luv your hiving swateart peat." When she had finished the letter, she turned it over in her fingers, and gave another patient little sigh. "You didn't read it as it was spelled, Philip," she said. yZ THE MANXMAN "What odds if the spelling is uncertain when the love is as sure as that 1 " said Philip. "Did he write it himself, think you?" said Kate. " He signed it, anyway, and no doubt indited it too; but perhaps one of the Gills boys held the pen." She coloured a little, slipped the letter down her dress into her pocket, and looked ashamed. VIII This shame at Pete's letter tormented Philip, and he stayed away again. His absence stimulated Kate and made Philip himself ashamed. She was vexed with him that he did not see that all this matter of Pete was foolishness. It was absurd to think of a girl marrying a man whom she had known when he was a boy. But Philip was trying to keep the bond sacred, and so she made her terms with it. She used Pete as a link to hold Philip. After the lapse of some months, in which Philip had not been seen at Sulby, she wrote him a letter. It was to say how anxious she had been at the length of time since she had last heard from Pete, and to ask if he had any news to relieve her fears. The poor little lie was written in a trembling hand which shook honestly enough, but from the torment of other feelings. Philip answered the letter in person. Something had been speaking to him day and night, like the humming of a top, finding him pretexts on which to go ; but now he had to make excuses for staying so long away. It was evening. Kate was milking, and he went out to her in the cowhouse. " We began to think we were to see no more of you," she said, over the rattle of the milk in the pail. " I've — I've been ill," said Philip. The rattle died to a thin hiss. " Very ill % " she asked. " Well, no— not seriously," he answered. " I never once thought of that," she said. " Something ought to have told me. I've been reproaching you, too." Philip felt shame of his subterfuge, but yet more ashamed of the truth; so he leaned against the door and watched in silence. The smell of hay iloated down from the loft, and the odour of the cow's breath came in gusts as she turned her face about. Kate sat on the milking-stool close by the ewer, and her head, on which she wore a sun-bonnet, sin- Leaned against the cow's side. <; No news of Pete, then ! No?" she said. " No," said Philip. BOY AND GIRL 79 Kate dug her head deeper in the cow, and muttered, " Dear Pete ! So simple, so natural." " He is," said Philip. " So good-hearted, too." " Yes." "And such a manly fellow — any girl might like him," said Kate. " Indeed, yes," said Philip. There was silence again, and two pigs which had heen snoring on the manure heap outside began to snort their way home. Kate turned her head so that the crown of the sun-bonnet was towards Philip, and said — " Oh, dear ! Can there be anything so terrible as marrying some- body you don't care for ? " " Nothing so bad," said Philip. The mouth of the sun-bonnet came round. " Yes, there's one thing worse, Philip." "No?" " Not having married somebody you do," said Kate, and the milk rattled like hail. In the straw behind Kate there was a tailless Manx cat with three tailed kittens, and Philip began to ] lay with them. Being back to back with Kate, he could keep his countenance. " This old Horney is terrible for switching," said Kate, over her shoulder. " Don't you think ycu could hold her tail ? " That brought them face to face again. " It's so sweet to have some one to talk to about Pete," said Kate. " Yes ? " " I don't know how I could bear his long absence but for that." " Are you longing so much, Kate?" " Oh, no, not longing — not to say longing. Only you can't think what it is to be . . . have you never been yourself, Philip ? " "What?" "Hold it tight . . . in love? No?" "Well," said Philip, speaking at the crown of the sun-bonnet. "Ha! ha ! well, not properly perhaps — I don't — I can hardly say, Kate." " There ! You've let it go, after all, and she's covered me with the milk ! But I'm finished, anyway." Kate was suddenly radiant. She kissed Horney, and hugged her calf in the adjoining stall ; and as they crossed the haggard, Philip carrying the pail, she scattered great handfuls of oats to a cock and his two hens as they cackled their way to roost. " You'll be sure to come again soon, Philip, eh ? It's so sweet to have some one to remind me of " but Pete's name choked her now. " Not that I'm likely to forget him — now is that likely? But it's such a weary time to bo left alone, and a girl gets longing. Did 80 THE MANXMAN I now ? Give me the milk, then. Did I say I wasn't ? Well, 3-011 can't expect a girl to be alirayz reasonable." "•Good-bye, Kate." "Yes, you had better go now — good-bye." Philip went away in pain, yet in delight, with a delicious thrill, and a sense of stifling hypocrisy. He had felt like a fool. Kate must have thought him one. But better she should think him a fool t ban a traitor. It was all his fault. Only for him the girl would have been walled round by her love for Pete. He would come no more. IX Pun. ip held to his resolution for three months, and grew thin and pale. Then another letter came from Pete — a letter for himself, and he wondered what to do with it. To send it by post, pretending to be ill again, would be hypocrisy he could not support. He took it. The family were all at home. Nancy had just finished a noisy churning, and Kate was in the dairy, weighing the butter into pounds and stamping it. Philip read the letter in a loud voice to the old people in the kitchen, and the soft thumping and watery swishing ceased in the damp place adjoining. Pete was in high feather. He had made a mortal lot of money lately, and was for coming home quickly. Couldn't say exactly when, for some rascally blackleg Boers, who had been coi'rupting his Kaffirs and slipped up country with a pile of stones, had first to be followed and caught. That job wouldn't take long though, and they might expect to see him back within a twelvemonth, with enough in his pocket to drive away the devil and the coroner anyway. " Bould fellow !" said Caesar. "Aw, deed on Pete !" said Grannie. " Now, if it wasn't for that Boss— -" said Nancy. Philip went into the dairy, where Kate was now skimming the cream of tin; last night's milking, lie was sorry there was nothing bul a message for her this time. Had she answered Pete's former 1 No, she had not. "1 must In- wilting soon, I suppose," she»said, blowing the yellow surface. " But, I wish — -puff- — 1 could have something to tell him — puff, puff- — about you." " About me, Kate?" something sweet, I mean " — puff, puff. ■/>>{(/'. She shot a sly look upward. "Aren't you sure yet? Can't say Still f Not properly ? No?" BOY AND GIRL 81 Philip pretended not to understand. Kate's laugh echoed in the empty cream tins. " How you want people to say things ! " "No, really " began Philip. " I've always heard that the girls of Douglas are so beautiful. You must see so many now. Oh, it would be delicious to write a long story to Pete. Where you met — in church, naturally. What she's like — fair, of course. And — and all about it, you know." " That's a story you will never tell to Pete, Kate," said Philip. " No, never," said Kate quite as light, and this being just what she wished to hear, she added mournfully. " Don't say that, though. You can't think what pleasure you are denying me, and yourself, too. Take some poor girl to your heart, Philip. You don't know how happy it will make you." " Are you so happy, then, Kate?" Kate laughed merrily. " Why, what do you think?" " Dear old Pete— how happy he should be," said Philip. Kate began to hate the very name of Pete. She grew angry with Philip also. Why couldn't he guess ? Concealment was eat- ing her heart out. The next time she saw Philip, he passed her in the market-place on the market-day, as she stood by the tipped- up £ri (r , selling her butter. There was a chatter of girls all round as he bowed and went on. This vexed her, and she sold out at a penny a pound less, got the horse from the " Saddle," and drove home early. On the way to Sulby she overtook Philip and drew up. He was walking to Kirk Michael to visit the old Deemster, who was ill. Would he not take a lift ? He hesitated, half declined, and then got into the gig. As she settled herself comfortably after this change, he trod on the edge of her dress. At that he drew quickly away as if he had trodden on her foot. She laughed, but she was vexed ; and when he got down at "The Manx Fairy," saying he might call on his way back in the evening, she had no doubt Grannie would be glad to see him. The girls of the market-place were standing by the mill-pond, work clone, and arms crossed under their aprons, twittering like the pairing birds about them in the trees, when Philip returned home by Sulby. He saw Kate coming down the glen road, driving two heifers with a cushag for switch and flashing its "old at them in the horizontal gleams of sunset. She had recovered her good-humour, and was swinging along, singing merry snatches as she came — all life, all girlish blood and beauty. She pretended not to see him until they were abreast, and tho heifers were going into the yard. Then she said, " I've written and told him." "What?" said Philip. "That you say you are a confirmed old bachelor." F 82 THE MANXMAN "That J say so?" "Yes ; and that i" say you are so distant with a girl that I don't believe you have a heart at all." " You don't 1 " " Xo ; and that he couldn't have left anybody better to look after me all these years, because you haven't eyes or ears or a thought for any living creature except himself." "You've never written that to Pete?" said Philip. " Haven't I, though ?" said Kate, and she tripped off on tiptoe. He tripped after her. She ran into the yard. He ran also. She opened the gate of the orchard, slipped through, and made for the door of the dairy, and there he caught her by the waist. " Xever, you rogue ! Say no, say no ! " he panted. " Xo," she whispered, turning up her lips for a kiss. X Oraxkie saw nothing of Philip that night. He went home tingling with pleasure, and yet overwhelmed with shame. Some- times he told himself that he was no better than a Judas, and sometimes that Pete might never come back. The second thought rose oftenest. It crossed his mind like a ghostly gleam. He half wished to believe it. When he counted up the odds against Pete's return, his pulse beat quick. Then he hated himself. He was in torment. But under his distracted heart thei'e was a little chick of frightened joy, like a young cuckoo hatched in a wagtail's nest. After many days, in which no further news had come from Pete, Kate received this brief letter from Philip : " I am coming to see you this evening. Have something of grave importance to tell you." It Avas afternoon, and Kate ran upstairs, hurried on her best frock, and came down to help Nancy to gather apples in the orchard. Black Tom was there, new thatching the back of the house, and Caesar was making sugganes (straw rope) for him with a twister. There was a soft feel of autumn in the air, pigeons were coning in the ledges of the mill-house gable, and everything was luminous and tranquil. Kate had climbed to the fork of a tree, and was throwing apples into Nancy's apron, when the orchard gate clicked, and she uttered a little cry of joy unawares as Philip entered. To cover this, she pretended to be falling, and he ran to help her. "Oh, it's nothing," she said. "I thought the bough was breaking. So it's you!" Then, in a clear voice, "Is your apron full, Nancy? ? Bring another basket, then; the white one with the handles. BOY AND GIRL 83 Did you come Laxey way by the conch 1 Rode over, eh ? Nancy, do you really think we'll have sugar enough for all these Keswicks '. " "Good evenin', Mr. Christian, sir," said < laesar. And Black Tom, from the ladder on the roof, nodded his wide straw brim. "Thatching afresh, Mr. Cregeen ? " "Covering it up, sir; covering it up. May the Lord cover our sins up likewise, or how shall we cover ourselves from His avenging wrath?" "How vexing!" said Kate, from the tree. " Half of them get bruised, and will be good for nothing but preserving. They drop at the first touch — so ripe, you see." " May we all be ripe for the great gathering, and good for pre- serving, too," said Caesar. "Look at that big one, now — knotted like a blacksmith's muscles, but it'll go rotten as fast as the least HI one of the lot. It's taiching us a lesson, sir, that we all do fall — big mountains as aisy as lil cocks. This world is changeable." Philip was not listening, but looking up at Kate, with a face of half-frightened tenderness. "Do you know,' 5 she said, "I was afraid you must be ill again — ■ your apron, Nancy — that was foolish, wasn't it 1 ?" " No ; I have been well enough," said Philip. Kate looked at him. " Is it somebody else? " she asked. "I got your letter." "Can I help?" said Philip. " What is it ? I'm sure there's something," said Kate. " Set your foot here,'' he said. "Let me down, I feel giddy." "Slowly, then. Hold by this one. Cive me your hand." Their fingei'S touched, and communicated fire, "Why don't you tell me?" she said, with a passionate tightening of his hand. " It's bad news, isn't it ? Are you going away ? " " Somebody who went away will never come back," he answered. "Is it_Pete?" " Poor Pete is gone," said Philip. Her throat fluttered. " Gone ? " "He is dead," said Philip. She tottered, but drew herself up quickly. "Stop!" she said. "Let me make sure. Is there no mistake ? Is it true ?" "Too true." " I can bear the truth now — but afterwards — to-night — to-morrow — in the morning it might kill me if " "Pete is dead, Kate; he died at Kimberley." "Philip!" She burst into a wild fit of hysterical weeping, and buried her face in his breast. 84 THE MANXMAN He put his arms about her, thinking to soothe her. "There ! be brave ! Hold yourself firm. It's a terrible blow. I was too sud- den. My poor girl. My brave girl ! " She clung to him like a terrified child ; the tears came from under her eyelids tightly closed ; the flood-gates of four years' reserve went down in a moment, and she kissed him on the lips. And, throbbing with bliss and a blessed relief from four years' hypocrisy and treason, he kissed her back, and they smiled through their tears. Poor Pete ! Poor Pete ! Poor Pete ! XI At the sound of Kate's crying, Csesar had thrown away the twister and come close to listen, and Black Tom had dropped from the thatch. Nancy ran back with the basket, and Grannie came hurry- ing from the house. Caesar lifted both hands solemnly. Now, you that are women, control yourselves," said he, "and listen while I spake. Peter Quilliam's dead in Kimberley." " Goodness mercy ! " cried Grannie. " Lord alive ! " cried Nancy. And the two women went indoors, threw their aprons over their heads, and rocked themselves in their seats. '• Aw boy veen ! boy veen !" Elate came tottering in, ghostly white, and the women fell to comforting her, thereby making more tumult with their soothing moans than Kate with her crying. "Chut! Put a good face on it, woman," said Black Tom. "A whippa of a girl like you will be getting another soon, and singing, ' Mail, Smiling Morn ! ' with the best." " Shame on you, man. Ave you as drunk as Mackillya?" cried Nancy. "Your own grandson, too ! " "Never another for Kate, anyway," wept Grannie. "Aw boy veen, aw boy veen ! " '" Maybe he had another himself, who knows 1 ?" said Black Tom. "Out of sight out of mind, and these sailor lads have a rag on lots of bushes." Kate was helped to her room upstairs, Philip sat down in the kitchen, the news spread like a curragh /ire, and the bar-room was full in five minutes. In the midst of all stood Csesar, solemn and nisive. '' lb- turned his herring yonder night when he left good-bve to BOY AND GIRL 85 the four of us," he .said. " My father did the same the night he was lost running rum. for Whitehaven, and I've never seen a man do it and live." "It's forgot at you, father," wept Grannie. "It was Mr. Philip that turned it. Aw hoy veen ! boy veen ! " " How could that be, mother?" said Caesar. "Mr. Philip isn't dead." But Grannie heard no more. She was busy with the consolations of half-a-dozen women who were gathered around her. "I dreamt it the night he sailed. I heard a cry, most terrible, I did. 'Father,' says I, ' what's that 1 ' It was the same as if I had seen the poor boy coming to his end untimeously. And I didn't get a wink on the night." "Well, he has gone to the rest that remaineth," said Caesar. "The grass perisheth, and the worm devoureth, and we'll all be in heaven with him soon." "God forbid, father; don't talk of such dreadful things," said Grannie, flapping her apron. " Do you say his mother, ma'am 1 Is she in life ? No, but under the sod, I don't know the years. In- formation of the lungs, poor thing." " I've known him since I was a slip of a boy," said one. " It was whip-top time — no, it was peg-top time " "I saw him the morning he sailed," said another. " I was stand- " Mr. Christian saw him last," moaned Grannie, and the people in the bar-room peered through at Philip with awe. " I felt like a father for the lad myself," said Cresar, "he was always my white-headed boy, and I stuck to him with life. He de- sarved it, too. Maybe his birth was a bit mischancy, but what's the ould saying, ' Don't tell me what I was, tell me what I am.' And Pete was that civil with the tongue — a civiller young man never was." Black Tom tsht and spat. " Why, you were shouting out of mercy at the lad, and knocking him about like putty. He wouldn't get lave to live with you, and that's why he went away." "You're bad to forget, Thomas — I've always noticed it," said Caesar. "You'll be putting the bell about, and praiching his funeral, eh, CaBsar 1 ?" said somebody. "'Deed, yes, man, Sabbath first," said Caesar. "That's impossible, father," said Grannie. "How's the girl to have her black ready ?" " Sunday week, then, or Sunday fortnight, or the Sunday after the Melliah (harvest-home)," said Caesar ; " the crops are waiting for saving, but a dead man is past it. Oh, I'll be faithful, I'll give it them straight, it's a time for spaking like a dying man to dying men ; 86 TUB MANXMAN I'll take a tex' that'll be a lesson and a warning, ' Ho, every one that thirsteth " Black Tom tsht and spat again. " I wouldn't, Caesar ; they'll think you're going to trate them," he muttered. Philip was asked for particulars, and he brought out a letter. Jonaique Jelly, John the Clerk, and Johnny the Constable had come in by this time. " Read it, Jonaique," said Caesar. " A clane pipe first," said Black Tom. "Aren't you smooking on it, Caesar ? And isn't there a croppa of rum anywhere 1 No ! Not so much as a plate of crackers and a drop of tay going % Is it to be a totaller's funeral then? " " This is no time for feasting to the refreshment of our carnal bodies," said Caesar severely. "It's a time for praise and prayer." " I'll pud uj) a word or dwo," said the Constable meekly. "Masther Niplightly," said Caesar, "don't be too ready to show your gift. It's vanity. I'll engage in prayer myself." And Caesar offered praise for all departed in faith and tear. "Caesar is nod a man of a liberal spirit, bud he is powerful in prayer, dough," whispered the Constable. " He isn't a prodigal son, if that's what you mane," said Black Tom. "Never seen him shouting after anybody with a pint, anyway." " Now for the letter, Jonaique," said Caesar. It was from one of the Gills' boys who had sailed with Pete, and hitherto served as his letter-writer. " ' Bespected Sir,' " read Jonaique, " ' with pain and sorrow I write these few lines, to tell you of poor Peter Quilliam " ; " Aw boy veen, boy veen ! " broke in Grannie. " 'Knowing you were his friend in the old island, and the one he talked of mostly, except the girl ' " " Boy ve " " Hush, woman." " 'He made good money out here, at the diamond mines- " Never a yellow sovereign he sent to me, then," said Black Tom, '• nor the full of your fist of ha'pence either. What's the use of getting grand-childers % " Caesar waved his hand. "Go on, Jonaique. It's bad when the eitfulness of riches is getting the better of a man." "Where was I? Oh, 'good money ' ' Yet he was never for taking joy in it '" '• .More money, more cares," muttered Caesar. '" But talking and talking, and scheming for ever for coming home.' " " Ah ! home is a full cup," moaned Grannie. " It was a show the way that lad was loud of it. ' Give me a plate of mate, bolstered BOY AND GIRL 87 with cabbage, and what do I care for their buns and sarves, Grannie,' says he. Aw, boy veen, boy bogh ! " " AVhat does the nightingale care for a golden cage when he can get a twig 1 " said Caesar. " Is the boy's chest home yet 1 " asked John the Clerk. " There's something about it here," said Jonaique, " if people would only let a man get on." " It's mine," said Black Tom. " "We'll think of that by-and-bye," said Caesar, waving his hand to Joniaque. " ' He had packed his chest for going, when four blacklegs, who had been hanging round the compound, tempting and plaguing the Kaffirs, made off with a bag of stones. Desperate gaug, too; so nobody was running to be sent after them, hut poor Peter, being always a bit bull-necked, was up to the office in a jiffy, and Might he go? And off in chase in the everin' with the twenty Kaffirs of his own company to help him — not much of a lot neither, and sus- pected of dealing diamonds with the blacklegs times • but Peter always swore their love for him was getting thicker and stronger every day like sour cream. " The captain's love has been their theme, and shall be till they die," said Peter.'" " He drank up the Word like a thirsty land the rain," said Csesar. " Peter Quilliam and I had mortal joy of each other. ' Good-bye, father,' says he, and he was shaking me by the hand ter'ble. But go on, Jonaique." "'That was four months ago, and a fortnight since eight of his Kaffirs came back." " Aw dear ! " " Well, well ! " " Lord-a-massy ! " " Hush ! " " ' They overtook the blacklegs far up country, and Peter tackled them. But they had Winchester repeaters, and Peter's boys didn't know the muzzle of a gun from the neck of a gin-bottle. So the big man of the gang cocked his piece at Peter, and shouted at him like a high bailiff, "You'd better go back the way you came." "Not immajetly," said Peter, and stretched him. Then there was smoke like a smithy on hooping-day, and "To your heels, boys," shouted Peter. And if the boys couldn't equal Peter with their hands, they could bate him with their toes, and the last they heard of him, he was racing behind them with the shots of the blacklegs behind him, and shouting mortal, " Gh, oh! All up! I'm done! Home and tell, boys ! Oh, oh." ' " " Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy. When I fall I shall arise. Selah," said Caesar. Amid the tumult of moans which followed the reading, Philip, sitting with his head on his hand by the ingle, grew hot and cold with the thought that after all there was no actual certainty that 88 THE MANXMAN Pete was dead. Nobody had seen him die, nobody had buried him ; the story of the returned Kaffirs might be a lie to cover their deser- tion of Pete, their betrayal of him, or their secret league with the thieving Boers. At one awful moment Philip asked himself how he had ever believed the letter. Perhaps he had wanted to believe it. Nancy Joe touched him on the shoulder. " Kate is waiting for a word with you alone, sir," she said, and Philip crossed the kitchen into the little parlour beyond, chill with china and bowls of sea-eggs and stuffed sea-birds. " He's feeling it bad," said Nancy. " Never been the same since Pete went to the Cape," said Caesar. " I don't know for sure what good lads are going to it for." moaned Grannie. " And calling it Good Hope of all names ! Died of a bullet in his head, too, aw dear, aw dear ! Discussion of the brain it's like. And look at them black-heads too, as naked as my hand, I'll go bail. I hate the nasty dirts ! Caesar may talk of one flesh and brethren and all to that, but for my part Pm not used of black brothers, and as for black angels in heaven, it's ridiculous." " When you're all done talking I'll finish the letter," said Jonaique. " They can't help it, Mr. Jelly, the women can't help it," said Caesar. " ' Respected Sir, I must now close, but we are strapping up the chest of the deceased, just as he left it, and sending it to catch the steamer, the Juliannesburg, leaving Cape Town Wednesday fort- night '" " lira ! Johannesburg. I'll meet her at the quay — it's my duty to meet her," said Caesar. "And I'll board her in the bay," shouted Black Tom. " Thomas Quilliam," said Caesar, " it's borne in on my spirit that the devil of greed is let loose on you." " Caesar Cregeen, don't make a nose of wax of me," bawled Tom, "and don't think because you're praiching a bit that religion is going to die with you. Your head's swelling tremenjous, and you won't be able to sleep soon without somebody to tickle your feet. Ymi'11 be forgiving sins next, and taking money for absolution, and these ones will be making a pope of you and paying you pence. Pope Caesar, the publican, in his chapel hat and white choker ! But that chiss is mine, and if there's law in the land ill have it." With that Black Tom swept out of the house, and Caesar wiped his i "No use smoothing a thistle, Mr. Cregeen," said Joniaque soof bingly. "I've a conscience void of offence," said Caesar. "I can only follow the spirit's leading. But when Belial -" II'- was interrupted by a most mournful cry of '-Look here! Aw, look, then, look ! " BOY AND GIRL 89 Nancy was coming out of the back-kitchen with something between the tips of her fingers. It was :i pair of old shoes, covered with dirt and cobwebs. "These were his wearing boots," she said, and she put them on the counter. "Dear heart, yes, the very ones," said Grannie. "Poor boy, they'd move a heart of stone to see them. Something to remember him by, anyway. Many a mile his feet walked in them; but they're resting now in Abraham's bosom." Then Caesar's voice rose loud over the doleful tones around the coun- ter. "'Vital Spark of Heavenly Flame' — raise it, Mr. Niplightly. Pity we haven't Peter and his fiddle here — he played with life." "I can'd sing to-day, having a cold, bud I'll whistle id," said the Constable. " Pitch it in altoes, then," said Caesar. " I'm a bit of a base my- self, but not near so base as Peter." Meanwhile a little drama of serious interest was going on up- stairs. There sat Kate before the looking-glass, with flushed cheeks and quivering mouth. The low drone of many voices came to her through the floor. Then a dull silence and one voice, and Nancy Joe coming and going between the kitchen and bedroom. " What are they doing now, Nancy 1 " said Kate. "First one's praying, and then another's praying," said Nancy. " Lord-a-massv, thinks I, it'll be my turn next, and what'll I say?" "Where's Mr. Christian?" " Gone into the parlour. I whispered him you wanted him alone." "You never said that, Nancy," said Kate, at Nancy's reflection in the glass. " Well, it popped out," said Nancy. Kate went down, with a look of softened sorrow, and Philip, without lifting his eyes, began bemoaning Pete. They would never know his like — so simple, so true, so brave ; never, never. He was fighting against his shame at first seeing the girl after that kiss, which seemed to him now like treason at the mouth of a grave. Put, with the magic of a woman's art, Kate consoled him. He had one great comfort — he had been a loyal friend ; such fidelit\% such constancy, such affection, forgetting the difference of place, of education — every thin" Philip looked up at last, and there was the lovely face with its beaming eyes. He turned to go, and she said, softly, " How we shall miss you ! " " Why so 1 " said Philip. " We can't expect to see you so often now — now that you've not the same reason for coming." "Ill be here on Sunday," said Philip. 90 THE MANXMAN "Then you don't intend to desert us yet — not just yet, Philip ?" "Never!" said Philip. " Well, good-night ! Not that way— not by the porch. Good- night ! " As Philip went down the road in the darkness, he heard the words of the hymn that was being sung inside : " Thy glory why didst Thou enshrine In such a clod of earth as mine, And wrap Thee in my clay." XII A i that moment day was breaking over the plains of the Transvaal. The bare Veldt was opening out as the darkness receded, depth on depth, like the surface of an unbroken sea. Not a bush, not a path, only a few log-houses at long distances and wooden beacons like gibbets to define the Boer farms. No sound in the transparent air, no cloud in the unveiling sky ; just the night creeping off in silence as if in fear of awakening the sleeping morning. Across the soulless immensity a covered waggon toiled along with lour horses rattling their link chains, and a lad sideways on the shaft dangling his legs, twiddling the rope reins and whistling. Inside the wasrgon, under a little window with its bit of muslin curtain, .1 man lay in the agony of a bullet-wound in his side, and an old Boer and a woman stood beside him. He was lying hard on the place of his pain and rambling in delirium. " See, boys 1 Don't you see them ? " '• See what, my lad % " said the Boer simply, and he looked through the waggon window. " There's the head -gear of the mines. Look ! the iron roofs are glittering. And yonder's the mine tailings. "We'll be back in a jiffy. A taste of the whip, boys, and away ! " I In touched by visions, the old Boer could see nothing. " What does he see, wife, think you 1" " What can he see, stupid, with his face in the pillow like that?" With the rushing of blood in his ears the sick man called out again : "Listen ! Don't you hear it 'I That's the noise of the batteries. Whip up, and away! Away!" And he tore at the fringe of the blanket covering him with his unconscious fingers. "Poor boy! he's eager to get to the coast. But will he live to cover another morgen, think you 1" '• God knows, Jan — God only knows." BOY AND GIRL 91 And the Veldt Mas very wide, and the sea and its ships were far away, and over the weary stretch of grass, and rock, and sand, there was nothing on the horizon between desolate land and dominating sky but a waste looking like a chaos of purple and green, where no bird ever sang and no man ever lived, and God Himself was not. XIII " ( She loves me ! She loves me ! She loves me ! " The words sang in Philip's ears like a sweet tune half the way back to Ballure. Then he began to pluck at the brambles by the wayside, to wound his hand by snatching at the gorse, and to despise himself for heing glad wdien he should have been in grief. Still, he was sure of it ; there was no making any less of it. She loved him, he was free to love her, there need be no hypocrisy and no self-denial ; so he wiped the blood fi'om his fingers, and crept into the blue room of Auntie Nan. The old lady, in a dainty cap with flying streamers, was sitting by the fireside spinning. She had heard the news of Pete as Philip passed through to Sulby, and was now wondering if it was not her duty to acquaint Uncle Peter. The sweet and natty old gentle- woman, brought up in the odour of gentility, was thinking on the lines of poor Bridget Black Tom when dying under the bare scraas, that a man's son was his son in spite of law or devil. She decided against telling the Ballawhaine by remembering an incident in the life of his father. It was about Philip's father, too; so Philip stretched his legs from the sofa towards the hearth, and listened to the old Auntie's voice over the whirr of her wheel, with another voice — a younger voice, an unheard voice — -breaking in at the back of his ears when the wdieel stopped, and a sweet undersong inside of him always, saying, "Be sensible; there is no disloyalty; Pete is dead. Poor Pete ! Poor old Pete ! " " Though he had cast your father off, Philip, for threatening to make your mother his wife, he never believed there was a parson on the island would dare to marry them against his wish." "No, really?'"' " No ; and when Uncle Peter came in at dinner-time a week after and said, 'It's all over,' he said, 'No, sir, no,' and threw down his spoon in the plate, and the hot broth splashed on my hand, I re- member. But Peter said, 'It's past praying for, sir,' and then grandfather cried, 'No, I tell you no.' 'But I tell you yes, sir,' said Peter. ' Maughold Church yesterday morning before service.' Then grandfather lost himself, and called Peter ' Liar,' and cried that your father couldn't do it. ' And, besides, he's my own son after all, and 6 92 THE MANXMAN would in it.' said grandfather. But I could see that he believed what I cle Peter had told him, and, when Peter began to cry, he said, 'Forgive me, my boy: I'm your father for all, and I've a right to your forgiveness.' All the same, he wouldn't be satisfied until he had seen the register, and I had to go with him to the church." "Poor old grandfather ! ' "The vicar in those days was a little dotty man named Kissack, and it was the joy of his life to be always crushing and stifling somebody, because somebody was always depriving him of his rights or something." " I remember him — the Cockatoo. His favourite text was, 'Jesus said, then follow Me,' only the people declared he always wanted to go first." '• Shocking, Philip. It was evening when we drove up to Maug- hold, and the little parson was by the Cross, ordering somebody with a cane. ' I am told you married my son yesterday ; is it true?' said grandfather. 'Quite true,' said the vicar. 'By banns or special license?' grandfather asked. 'License, of course,' the vicar answered." "Curt enough, any way." " ' Show me the register,' said grandfather, and his face twitched and his voice was thick. 'Can't you believe me?' said the vicar. 'The register,' said grandfather. Then the vicar turned the key in the church door and strutted up the aisle, humming something. I tried to keep grandfather back even then. 'What's the use?' I said, for I knew he was only fighting against belief. But, hat in hand, he followed to the Communion rail, and there the vicar laid the open book before him. Oh, Philip, shall I ever forget it? How it all comes back — the little dim church, the smell of damp and of velvet under the holland covers of the pulpit, and the empty place echoing. And grandfather fixed his glasses and leaned over the register, but he could see nothing — only blur, blur, blur. " ' You look at it. child,' he said, over his shoulder. But I daren't face it; so he rubbed his glasses and leaned over the book again. Oh dear! he was like one who looks down the list of the slain for the name he pra ?s be may not find. But the name was there, too surely: 'Thomas Wilson Christian ... to Mona Crellin . . . signed Wm. Crellin and something Kissack.'" Philip's breath came hot and fa I "The little vicar was swinging his cane to and fro on the other id.- of the rail and smiling, and grandfather raised his eyes to him and said, 'Bo you know what you've done, sir? You've robbed me of my first born son and ruined him.' 'Nonsense, sir,' said the vicar. 'Your son was of age, and his wife had the sanction of her father. Was I to go round by Ballawhaine for BOY AND GIRL 93 permission to do my duty as a clergyman 1 ' ' Duty ! ' cried grand- father. ' \Vhen a young man marries, he marries for heaven or for hell. Your duty as a clergyman !' he cried, till his voice rang in the roof. 'If a son of yours had his hand at his throat, would you call it my duty as Deemster to hand him a knife.' ' Silence, sir,' said the vicar. ' Remember where you stand, or, Deemster though you are, you shall repent it.' 'Arrest me for brawling, will you?' cried grandfather, and he snatched the cane out of the vicar's hand and struck him across the breast. 'Arrest me now,' he said, and then tottered and stumbled out of the church by my arm and the doors of the empty pews." Philip went to bed that night with burning brow and throbbing throat. lie had made a startling discovery. He was standing where his father had stood before him ; he was doing what his father had done ; he was in clanger of his father's fate ! Where was his head that he had never thought of this before ? It was hard — it was terrible. Now that he was free to love the girl, he realised what it meant to love her. Nevertheless he was young, and he rebelled, he fought, he would not deliberate. The girl conquered in his heart that night, and he lay down to sleep. But next morning he told himself, with a shudder, that it was lucky he had gone no farther. One step more and all the evil of his father's life might have been repeated in his own. There had been nothing said, nothing done. He would go to Sulby no more. XIV That mood lasted until mid- day, and then a scout of the line of love began to creep into his heart in disguise. He reminded him- self that he had promised to go on Sunday, and that it would be unseemly to break off the acquaintance too suddenly, lesfc the simple folks should think he had borne with them throughout four years merely for the sake of Pete. But after Sunday he would take a new turn. He found Kate dressed as she had never been before. Instead of the loose red bodice and the sun-bonnet, the apron and the kilted petticoat, she wore a close-fitting dark green frock with a lace collar. The change was simple, but it made all the difference. She was not more beautiful, but she was more like a lady. It was Sunday evening, and the ' ; Fairy" was closed. Caesar and Grannie were at the preaching-house, Nancy Joe was cooking crowdie for supper, and Kate and Philip talked. The girl was quieter than Philip had ever known her-— more modest, more apt 94 THE MANXMAN i > blush, and with the old audacity of word and look quite gone. They talked of success in life, and she said — "How I should like to fight my way in the world as you are doing ! .Hut a woman can do nothing to raise herself. Isn't it hard ? Whatever the place where she was born in, she must remain there all her days. She can see her brothers rise, and her friends perhaps, but she must remain below. Isn't it a pity ? It isn't that she wants to be rich or great. Xo, not that; only she doesn't want to be left behind by the people she likes. She must be, though, and just because she's a woman. I'm sure it's so in the Isle of Man, anyway. Isn't it cruel 1 " "But aren't you forgetting something?" said Philip. "Yes?" " If a woman can't rise of herself because the doors of life are locked to her, it is always possible for a man to raise her." "Some one who loves her, you mean, and so lifts her to his own level, and takes her up with him as he goes up ?" "Why not?" said Philip. Kate's eyes beamed like sunshine. "That is lovely," she said in a low voice. " Do you know, I never thought of that before ! If it were my case, I should like that best of all. Side by side with him, and he doing all ? Oh, that is beautiful ! " And she gazed up Avith a timid joy at the inventive being who had thought of this as at something supernatural. Caesar and Grannie came back, both in fearful outbursts of Sunday clothes. Nevertheless Caesar's eyes, after the first saluta- tion with Philip, fixed themselves on Kate's unfamiliar costume. "Such worldly attire!" he muttered, following the girl round the kitchen and blowing up his black gloves. "This caring for the miserable body that will one day be lowered into the grave! What docs the Book say? — put my tall hat on the clane laiT, Nancy. 'Let it not be the outward adorning of putting on of apparel, but 1ft it be the hidden man of the heart.'" " But sakes alive, father," said Grannie, loosening a bonnet like a diver's helmet, "if it comes to that, what is Jeremiah saying', 'Can a maid forget her ornaments ?' : "It's like she can if she hasn't any to remember," said Caesar. " But maybe the prophet Jeremiah didn't know the mothers that's in now." "Chut, man! Girls are like birds, and the breed comes out in the feathers," said Grannie. "Where's she getting it then ? Not from me at all," said Caesar. " Deed, no, man," laughed ( 'nmnie, " considering the smart she is and t lie rasonable good-looking." " Hould your tongue, woman ; it'll become you better," said Cesar. BOY AND GIRL 95 Philip rose to go. "You're time enough yet, sir," cried Caesar. " I was for telling you of a job." Some of the fishermen of Ramsey had been over on Saturday, Their season was a failure, and they were loud in their protests against the trawlers who were destroying the spawn. Csesar had suggested a conference at his house on the following Saturday of Ramsey men and Peel men, and recommended Philip as an advocate to advise with them as to the best means to put a stop to the enemies of the herring. Philip promised to be there, and then went home to Auntie Nan. lie told himself on the way that Kate was completely above her surroundings, and capable of becoming as absolute a lady as ever lived on the island, without a sign of her origin in look or speech, except perhaps the rising inflexion in her voice which made the talk of the true Manxwoman the sweetest thing in the world to listen to. Auntie Nan was sitting by the lamp, reading her chapter before going to bed. " Auntie," said Philip, " don't you think the tragedy in the life of father was accidental ? Due, I mean, to the particular characters of grandfather and poor mother 1 Now, if the one had been less proud, less exclusive, or the other more capable of rising with her husband " " The tragedy was deeper than that, dear ; let me tell you a story," said Auntie Nan, laying down her book. " Three days after your father left Ballawhaine, old Maggie, the housemaid, came to my side at supper and whispered that some one was wanting me in the garden. It was Thomas. Oh dear ! it was terrible to see him there, that ought to have been the heir of everything, standing like a stranger in the dark bevond the kitchen-door." " Poor father !" said Philip. '•'"Whist, girl, come out of the light,' he whispered. 'There's a purse with twenty pounds odd in my desk upstairs ; get it, Nan, here's the key.' I knew what he wanted the money for, but I couldn't help it; I got him the purse and put ten pounds more of my own in it. ' Must you do it 1 ' I said. ' I must,' he answered. ' Your father says everybody will despise you for this marriage,' I said. ' Better they should than I should despise myself,' said he. 1 Put he calls it moral suicide,' I said. ' That's not so bad as moral murder,' he replied. ' He knows the island,' I urged, ' and so do you, Tom, and so do I, and nobody can hold up his head in a little place like this after a marriage like that.' ' All the worse for the place,' said he, 'if it stains a man's honour for acting honourably.' 5 ' "Father was an upright man," interrupted Philip. "There's no question about it, my father was a gentleman." " ' She must be a sweet, good girl, and worthy of you, or vou 96 THE MANXMAN wouldn't marry her,' said I to father ; ' but are you sure that you will be happy and make her happy 1 ?' 'We shall have each other, and it is our own affair,' said father." " Precisely," said Philip. " 'But if there is a difference between you now,' I said, 'will it be less when you are the great man we hope to see you some day ? ' ' A man is not always thinking of success,' he answered." " My father was a great man already, Auntie," burst out Philip. "He was shaken and I was ashamed, but I could not help it, I went on. 'Has the marriage gone too far?' I asked. 'It has never been mentioned between us,' said he. ' Your father is old, and can't live long,' I pleaded. ' He wants me to behave like a scoundrel,' he answered. ' Why that, if the girl has no right to you yet?' I said, and he was silent. Then I crept up and looked in at the window. ' See,' I whispered, ' he's in the library. We'll take him by surprise. Come ! ' It was not to be. There was a smell of tobacco on the air and the thud of a step on the grass. ' Who's that ?' I said. ' Who should it be,' cried father, ' but the same spy again. I'll shake the life out of him yet as a terrier would a rat. No use, girl,' he shouted hoarsely, facing towards the darkness, ' they're driving me to destruction.' ' Hush ! ' I said, and covered his mouth with my hands, and his breath was hot, like fire. But it was useless. He was married three days afterwards." Philip resolved to see Kate no more. He must go to Sulby on Saturday to meet the fishermen, but that would be a business visit ; he need not prolong it into a friendly one. All the week through he felt as if his heart would break; but he resolved to conquer his feelings. He pitied himself somewhat, and that helped him to rise above his error. XV Ox Saturday night he was early at Sulby. The bar-room was thronged with fishermen in guernseys, sea-boots, and sou'-westers. They were all on their feet together, twisting about like great congers on the quay, drinking a little and smoking a great deal, thumping the table, and all talking at once. " How've you done, Billy?" — '■ Enough to keep away the divil and the coroner, and that's about all."— "Where's Tom Dug?"— "Gone to Austrilla."— "Is Jimmv • to-day?" — "He's away to Cleveland." — "Gough, bless me, every Manx boy-seems to be going foreign." — "That's where we'll all be after long and last, if we don't stop these southside trawlers." Philip went in and was received with goodwill and rough courtesy, but no man abated a jot, of his freedom of action or liberty of speech, BOY AND GIRL 97 and the thumping and shouting were as loud as before. "Appeal to the Receiver-General." — "Chut ! an oukl woman with a face winking at you like a roast potato."—" Will we go to the Bishop, then 1 " — " A whitewashed Methodist with a soul the size of a dried pea." — "The Governor is the proper person," said Philip above the hubbub, "and lie is to visit Peel Castle next Saturday afternoon about the restora- tions. Let every Manx fisherman who thinks the trawl-boats arc enemies of the fish be there that day. Then lay your complaint before the man whose duty it is to inquire into all such grievances ; and if you want a spokesman, I'm ready to speak for you." — « Bravo ! "— " That's the ticket ! " Then the meeting was at an end ; the men went on with stories of the week's fishing, stories of smugglers, stories of the Swaddlers (the Wesleyans), stories of the totalers (teetotallers), and Philip made for the door. When he got there, he began to reflect that, being in the house, he ought to leave good-night with Caesar and Grannie. Hardly decent not to do so. No use hurting people's feelings. Might as well be civil. Cost nothing anyway. Thus an overpowering compulsion in the disguise of courtesy drew him again into Kate's company; but to-morrow he would take a new turn. "Proud to see you, Mr. Philip." said Caesar. "The Avater's playing in the kettle; make Mr. Philip a cup of tay, Nancy," said Grannie. Caesar was sitting back to the parti- tion, pretending to read out of a big Bible on his knees, but listen* ing with both ears and open mouth to the profane stories being told in the bar-room. Kate was not in the kitchen, but an open book, face downwards, lay on the chair by the turf closet. "What's this?" said Philip. "A French exercise-book ! Who- ever can it belong to here 1 " " Aw, Kirry, of coorse," said Grannie, " and sticking that close to it of an everin that you haven't a chance to put a word on her." " Vanity, sir, vanity, all vanity," said Caesar ; and again he listened hard. Philip's eyes began to blink. "Teaching herself French, is she 1 Has she been doing it long, Grannie ? " "Long enough, sir, three years or better, since poor Pete went away maybe; and at the books for ever, grammars and tex' books, and I don't know what." Caesar, with his ear at the glass, made an impatient gesture for silence, but Grannie continued, "I don't know what for people should be laming themselves foreign languages at all. For my part, there isn't one of them bates the Manx itself for plainness. And aren't we reading, when the Lord wanted to bring confusion on Noah and his disobedient sons and grandsons at going up the Tower of Babel, he made them spake different tongues'?" G 9 8 THE MANXMAN '"Good thing too," snapped Caesar, "if every poor man was bound to carry his wife up with him." Philip's eyes Avere streaming, and, unobserved, he put the lesson- book to his lips. He had guessed its secret. The girl was making herself worthy of him. God bless her ! Kate came downstairs in the dark dress and white collar of Sunday night. She saw Philip putting down the book, lowered her head and blushed, took up the volume, and smuggled it out of .sight. Then Cesar's curiosity conquered his propriety and he ventured into the bar-room, Grannie came and went between the counter and the fishermen, Nancy clicked about from dairy to door, and Kate and Philip were left alone. "You were wrong the other night," she said. "I have been thinking it over, and you were quite, quite wrong." " So ? " " If a man marries a woman beneath him, he stoops to her, and to stoop to her is to pity her, and to pity her is to be ashamed of her, and to be ashamed of her would kill her. So you are wrong." "Yes?" said Philip. "Yes," said Kate, "but do you know what it ought to be? The woman ought to marry beneath herself, and the man above himself; then as much as the woman descends, the man rises, and so ■ don't you see ? " She faltered and stopped, and Philip said, " Aren't you talking nonsense, Kate?" "Indeed, sir!" Kate pretended to be angry at the rebuff, and pouted her lips, but her eyes were beaming. " There is neither above nor below where there is real liking," :-.iid Philip. " If you like any one, and she is necessary to your life, that is the sign of your natural equality. It is God's sign, and all the rest is only man's book-keeping." "You mean," said Kate, trying to keep a grave mouth, "you mean that if a woman belongs to some one she can like, and some one belongs to her, that is being equal, and everything else is nothing? ' Eh?" "Why not?" said Philip. It was music to her, but she wagged her head solemnly and said, '• I'm sure you're wrong, Philip. I am, though. Yes, indeed I am. Put it's no use arguing. Not against you. Only " The glorious choir of love-birds in her bosom were singing so loud that she could say no more, and the irresistible one had his way. After a while, she .si tilled something into the fire. " What's that ? " said Philip. "Oh, nothing," she answered brightly. It was the French exercise-book. BOY AND GIRL 99 XVI Philip went home rebelling against his father's fate. It was accidental ; it was inevitable only in the Isle of Man. But perdi- tion to the place where a man coidd not marry the woman he loved if she chanced to be born in the manger instead of the stable loft. Perdition to the land where a man could not live unless he was a skunk or a cur. Thank God the world was wide. That night he said to Auntie Nan, "Auntie, why didn't father go away when he found the tide setting so strongly against him?" " He always meant to, but he never could," said Auntie Nan. " A woman isn't like a man, ready to pitch her tent here to-day and there to-morrow. We're more like cats, dear, and cling to the places we're used to, if they're only ruins of tumbling stones. Your mother wasn't happy in the Isle of Man, but she wouldn't leave it. Your father wouldn't go without her, and then there was the child. He was here for weal or woe, for life or death. When he married his wife he made the chain that bound him to the island as to a rock." "It wouldn't be like that with Kate," thought Philip. Put did Auntie know anything ] Had somebody told her 1 Was she warning him 1 On Sunday night, on the way home from church, she talked of his father asrain. " He came to see at last that it wasn't altogether his own affair either," she said. ' ; It was the night he died. Your mother had been \mwell and father had sent for me. It was a dark night, and late, very late, and they brought me down the hill from Lewaige Cottage with a lantern. Father was sinking, but he luould get out of bed. We were alone together then, he and I, except for you, and you were asleep in your cot by the window. He made straight for it, and struggled down on his knees at its side by help of the curtains. ' Listen,' he said, trying to whisper, though he could not, for his poor throat was making noises. You were catching your breath, as if sobbing in your sleep. ' Poor little boy, he's dreaming,' said I ; 'let me turn him on his side.' ' It's not that,' said father ; ' he went to sleep in trouble.' " " I remember it, Auntie," said Philip. " Perhaps he had been trying to tell me something." '"My boy, my son, forgive me, I have sinned against you,' ho said, and he tried to reach over the cot rail and put his lips to your forehead, but his poor head shook like palsy and bobbed down into your little face. I remember you rubbed your nose with your little fist, but you did not waken. Then I helped him back to bed, and the table with the medicine glasses jingled by the trembling of his other hand. ' It's dark, all, all dark, Nannie,' he said, ' sure some IO o THE MANXMAN angel will bring me light,' and I was so simple I thought he meant the lamp, for it was dying down, and I lit a candle." Philip went about his work that week as if the spirit of his father were hovering over him, warning him when awake in words of love and pleading, crying to him in his sleep in tones of anger and com- mand, "Stand hack; you are at the edge of the precipice." Nevertheless his soul rose in rebellion against this league as of the past and the dead. It was founded in vanity, in the desire for glory and success. Only let a man renounce the world and all that the world can give, and he can be true to himself, to his heart's impulse, to his'honour, and to his love. He would deliberate no longer. He despised himself for deliberating. If it was the world against Kate, let the world go to perdition. XVII On Saturday afternoon he was at Peel. It was a beautiful day ; the sun was shining, and the bay was blue and flat and quiet. The tide Mas down, the harbour was empty of water, but full of smacks with hanging sails and hammocks of nets and lines of mollags (bladders) up to the mast-heads. A flight of seagulls were fishing in the rnud, and swirling through the brown wings of the boats and crying. A flag floated over the ruins of the castle, the church-bells were ringing, and tlic harbour-masters were abroad in best blue and gold buttons. On the tilting-ground of the castle the fishermen had gathered, sixteen hundred strong. There were trawlers among them, Manx, [rish, and English, prowling through the crowd, and scooping up t he odds and ends of gossip as their boats on the bottom scraped up the little fish. Occasionally they were observed by the herring- fishers, and then there were high words and free fights. " Taking a creep round from Port le Murrey are you, Dan ?"—" Thought I'd pul a sight on Peel to-day."—" Pad for your complexion, though; might turn it red, I'm thinking."—" Strek me with blood will you? ['d just like you to strek me, begough. I'd put a Union Jack on your face as big as a griddle." The Governor came, an elderly man, with a formidable air, an aquiline nose, and cheeks pitted with small-pox. Philip introduced Bshermen and told their grievance. Trawling destroyed immature fish, and so contributed to the failure of the fisheries. They asked for power to stop it in the bays of the island, and within three miles of the coast. . "Then draft me a hill with that object, Mr. Christian, said the Governor, and the meeting ended with cheers for His Excellency, BOY AND GIRL 101 shouts for Philip, and mutterings of contempt from the trawlers. " Didn't think there was a man on the island could spake like it." — "But hasn't your fancy-man been rubbing his back agen the col- lege 1 »_" I'd take lil tacks home if I was yourself, Dan."—" Drink much more and it'll be two feet deep inside of you." Philip was hurrying away under the crumbling portcullis, when a deputation of the fishermen approached him. " What are we owing you, Mr. Christian 1 " asked their spokesman. " Nothing," answered Philip. " We thank you, sir, and you'll be hearing from us again. Mean- while, a word if you plaze, sir?" " What is it, men 1 " said Philip. " When a young man can spake like yonder, it's a gift, sir, and he's houlding it in trust for something. The ould island's wanting a big man ter'ble bad, and it hasn't seen the like since the days of your own grandfather. Good everin, and thank you — good everin ! " With that the rough fellows dismissed him at the ferry steps, and he hastened to the market-place, where he had left his horse. On putting up, he had seen Caesar's gig tipped up in the stable-yard. It was now gone, and, without asking questions, he mounted and made towards Ramsey. He took the old road by the cliffs, and as he cantered and galloped he hummed, and whistled, and sang, and slashed the trees to keep himself from thinking. At the crest of the hill he sighted the gig in front, and at Port Lady he came up with it. Kate was driving and Caesar was nodding and dozing. " You've been having a great day, Mr. Christian," said Caesar. " Wish I could say the same for myself ; but the heart of man is decaitful, sir, and desperately wicked. I'm not one to clap people in the castle and keep them from sea for debts of drink, and they're taking a mane advantage. Not a penny did I get to-day, sir, and many a yellow sovereign owing to me. If I was like some — now there's that Tom Raby, Glen Meay. He saw Dan the Spy coming from the total meeting last night. 'Taken the pledge, Dan]' says he. 'Yes, I have,' says Dan. 'I'm plazed to hear it,' says he; 'come in and I'll give you a good glass of rum for it.' And Dan took the rum for taking the pledge, and there he was as drunk as Mackilley in the castle this morning." Philip listened as he rode, and a half-melancholy, half-mocking expression played on his face. He was thinking of his grandfather, old Iron Christian, brought into relation with his mother's father, ( 'apt. Billy Ballure, of the dainty gentility of Auntie Nan and the unctuous vulgarity of the father of Kate. Caesar grumbled himself to sleep at last, and then Philip was alone 102 THE MANXMAN with the girl, and riding on her side of the gig. She was quiet at first, but a joyous smile lit up her face. " I was in the castle, too," she said, with a look of pride. The sun went down over the waters behind them, and cast their brown shadows on the road in front; the twilight deepened, the night came down, the moon rose in their faces, and the stars appeared. They could hear the tramp of the horses' hoofs, the roll of the gig wheels, the wash and boom of the sea on their left, and the cry of the sea-fowl somewhere beneath. The loveliness and warmth of the autumn night stole over Kate, and she began to keep up a flow of merry chatter. " I can tell all the sounds of the fields in the darkness. By the moonlight ? No ; but with my eyes shut, if you like. Now try me." She closed her eyes and went on : " Do j'ou hear that — that patter like soft rain 1 That's oats nearly ripe for harvest. Do you hear that, then — that pit-a-pat, like sheep going by on the street ? That's wheat, just ready. And there — that whiss, whiss, whiss? That's barley." She opened her eyes : " Don't you think I'm very clever 1" Philip felt an impulse to lean over the wheel and put his arms about the girl's neck. "Take care," she cried merrily; "your horse is shying." He gazed at her face, lit up in the white moonlight. " How bright and happy you seem, Kate ! " he said with a shiver ; and then he laid one hand on the gig rail. Her eyelids quivered, her mouth twitched, and she answered gaily, " Why not ? Aren't you ? You ought to be, you know. How glorious to succeed? It means so much — new things to see, new houses to visit, new pleasures, new friends " Her joyous tones broke down in a nervous laugh at that last word, and he replied, in a faltering voice, " That may be true of the big world over yonder, Kate, but it isn't so in a little island like ours. To succeed here is like going up the tower of Castle llushen with >! one locking the doors on the stone steps behind you. At every storey the room becomes less, until at the top you have only space to stand alone. Then, if you should ever come down again, there's but one way for you — over the battlements with a crash." She looked up at him with startled eyes, and his own were large and full of trouble. They were going through Kirk Michael by the •' tlic I)cfinster, who was ill, and both drew rein and went •. Iy. Some dresinas in the garden slashed their broadswords in the night air, and a windmill behind stood out against the moon like a gigantic hat. The black shadow of the horses stepped besidethem. "Are you feeling lonely to-night, Philip?" « I'm feeling " BOY AND GIRL 103 " Yes 1 " "I'm feeling as if the dead and the living, the living and the dead — oh, Kate, Kate, I don't know what I'm feeling." She put her hand caressingly on the top of his hand. " Never mind, dear," she said softly; "I'll stand by you. You shan't be alone" XVIII It was midday, then, on the tropic seas, and the horizon was closing in with clouds as of blood and vapours of stifling heat. A steamship was rolling in a heavy swell, under winds that were as hot as gusts from an open furnace. Under its decks a man lay in an atmosphere of fever and the sickening odour of bandages and stale air. Above the throb of the engines and the rattle of the rudder chain he heard a step going by his open door, and he called in a feeble voice that was cheerful and almost merry, but yet the voice of a home-sick boy — " How many days from home, engineer ? " "Not more than twenty now." "Put on steam, mate; put it on. Wish I could be skipping below and stoking up for you like mad." As the ship rolled, the" green reflection of the water and the red light of the sky shot alternately through the port-hole and lit up the berth like firelight flashing in a dead house. " Ask the boys if they'll carry me on deck, sir — just for a breath of fresh air." The sailors came and carried him. " You can do anything for a chap like that." The big sun was straight overhead, weishins: down on their shoulders, and there was no shelter anywhere, for the shadows were under foot. " Slip out the sails, lads, and let's fly along. Wish I could tumble up the rigging myself and look out from the yards same as a gull, but I'm only an ould parrot chained down to my stick." They left him, and he gazed out on the circle of water and the vapour shaking over it like a veil. The palpitating air was making the circle smaller every minute, but the world seemed cruelly large for all that. He was looking beyond the visible things; he was listen- ing deeper than the wash of the waves ; he was dreaming, dreaming. Apparitions were floating in the heat-clouds over him. Home ! Its voices whispered at his ear, its face peered into his eyes. But the hot winds came up and danced round him ; the air, the sea, the sky, the whole world, the utter universe seemed afire ; his eyes rolled upwards to his brow ; he almost choked and fainted. io4 THE MANXMAN '• Carry him below, poor fellow ! He's got a good heart to think he'll ever see home again. He'll never see it." 1 1 'ali- way down the companion-ladder he opened his eyes with a look of despair. Would God let him die after all 1 XIX Kate began to feel that Philip was slipping away from her. He loved her, she was sure of that, but something was dragging them apart. Her great enemy was Philip's success. This was rapid and constant. She wanted to rejoice in it ; she struggled to feel glad and happy, and even proud. But that was impossible. It was ungenerous, it was mean, but she could not help it — she resented every fresh mark of Philip's advancement. The world that was carrying Philip up was carrying him away. She would be left far below. It would be presumptuous to lift her eyes to him. Visions came to her of Philip in other scenes than her scenes, among ladies in drawing-rooms, beautiful, educated, clever, able to talk of many things beyond her knowledge. Then she looked at herself, and felt vexed with her hands, made coarse l)} r the work of the farm; at her father, and felt ashamed of the moleskin clothes he wore in the mill ; at her home, and flushed deep at the thought of the bar-room. It was small and pitiful, she knew that, and she shuddered under the sense of being a meaner-hearted girl than she had ever thought. If she could do something of herself to counteract the difference made by Philip's success, if she could raise hei'self a little, she would be content to keep behind, to let him go first, to see him forge ahead of her, and of everybody, being only in sight and within reach. But she could do nothing except writhe and rebel against the network of female custom, or tear herself in the thorny thicket of female morals. Harvest had begun; half the crop of G-lenmooar had been saved, a third was in stook, and then a wet day had come and stopped all work in the fields. On this wet day, in the preaching-room of the mill, amid forms and desks, with the cranch of the stones from low, the wash of the wheel from outside, and the rush of the un- crushed corn from above, Caesar sat rolling sugganes for the stack- yard, with Kate working the twister, and going backward before him, and half his neighbours sheltering from the rain and looking on. "Thought I'd have a sight up and tell you," said Kelly, the pitman. "What's the news, Mr. Kelly?" said Caesar. BOY AND GIRL 105 "The oulcl Dempster's dying," said Kelly. "Yon don't say?" said everybody. " Well, as good as dying at ten minutes wanting eight o'clock this morning," said the postman. "The drink's been too heavy for the man," said John, the clerk. " Wine is a serpent, and strong drink a mocker," said Caesar. "Who'll be the new Dempster, Mr. Niplightly ? " said Jonaique. " Hm ! " snuffled the constable, easing his helmet, " dat's a serious matter, Mr. Jelly. We'll dake our time — we'll dake our time." "Chut ! There's only one man for it," said Caesar. "Perhaps yes, perhaps no," said the constable. "Do you mane the young Ballawhaine, Mr. Cregeen?" said the postman. " Do I mane fiddlesticks ] " said Caesar. " Well, the man's father is at the Govenar reg'lar, they're telling me," said Kelly, " and Ross is this, and Ross is that " " Every dog praises his own tail," said Caesar. "I'm not denying it, the man isn't lit — he has sold himself to the devil, that's a fact " " No, he hasn't," said Caesar; "the devil gets the like for nothing." "But he's a Christian for all, and the Christians have been I >empsters time out of time " " Is he the only Christian that's in, then, eh ? " said Caesar. " Go on, Kate ; twist away." "Is it Mr. Philip? Aw, I'm saying nothing against Mr. Philip,'' said the postman. "You wouldn't get lave in this house, anyway," said Caesar. "Aw, a right gentleman and no pride at all," said the postman. "As free and free with a poor man, and no making aisy either. I've nothing agen him myself. No ; lint a bit young for a Dempster, isn't he 1 Just a taste young, as the man said, eh 1 " " Older than the young Ballawhaine, anyway," said John, the clerk. " Aw, make him Dempster, then. I'm raising no objection," said Mr. Kelly. " Go on, girl. Does that twister want oiling ? Feed it, woman, feed it," said Caesar. "His father should have been Dempster befoi'e him." said John, the clerk. " Would have been too, only he went crooked when he married on yonder woman. She's through though, and what more natural " The rope stopped again, and Kate's voice, hard and thick, came from the farther end of it. " His mother being dead, eh ?" "It was the mother that done for the father, anyway," said the clerk. " Consequently," said Kate, " he is to praise God that his mother is jrone ! " io6 THE MANXMAN "That girl wants a doctor," muttered Jonaique. '' Tlie man couldn't drag the woman up after him," began the clerk. " It's always the way " " Just that," said Kate, with bitter irony. " Of coorse, I'm not for saying it was the woman's fault en- tirely " '■ Don't apologise for her," said Kate. " She's gone and forgotten, and that being so, her son has now a chance of being Deemster." " So he has," shouted Caesar, " and not second Dempster only, but first Dempster itself in time, and go on with the twister." Kate laughed loudly, and cried, " Why don't you keep it up when your hand's in ? First Deemster Christian, and then Sir Philip Christian, and then Lord Christian, and then ■ But you're talking nonsense, and you're a pack of tattlers. There's no thought of making Philip Christian a Deemster, and no hope of it and no chance of it, and I trust there never will be." So saying, she flung the twister on the floor and rushed out of the mill, sobbing hysterically. " Dr. Clucas is wonderful for females and young girls,"' said Jonaique. " It's that Ross again," muttered Caesar. " And he'll have her yet," said Kelly, the postman. " I'd see her dead first," said Caesar. " It would be the jaws of hell and the mouth of Satan." That she who loved Philip to distraction should be the first to abuse and defame him was agony near to madness, for Kate knew where she stood. It was not merely that Philip's success was sepa- rating them, not merely that the conventions of life, its usages, its manners, and its customs were putting worlds between them. The pathos of the girl's position was no accidental thing. It was a deeper, older matter; it was the same to-day as it had been yester- day and would be to-morrow; it began in the garden of Eden and would go on till the last woman died — it Avas the natural inferiority of woman in relation to man. She had the same passions as Philip, and was moved by the same love. Put she was not free. Philip alone was free. She had to wait on Philip's will, on Philip's word. She saw Philip slipping away from her, but she could not snatch at him before he was gone; she could not speak first; she could not say, "I love you; stay with me !" She was a woman, only a woman! How wretched to be a woman! Jfow cruel ! Put ah ! the dear delicious thought ! It came stealing up into her heart when the red riot was nearly killing her. What a glorious tiling it was to be a woman after all! What a powerful thing! What a lovely and beloved thing ! To rule the king, being the slave, BOY AND GIRL 107 was sweeter than to be the king himself. That was woman's place. It was where heaven itself had put her from the beginning until now. What weapons had it given her? Beauty! Charm! Love! The joy of it ! To be the weak and ovei-corne the strong ! To bo nothing in the battle of life, and yet conqueror of all the world ! Kate vowed that, come what would, Philip should never leave her. XX Ox the day when the last of the harvest is saved in the Isle of Man, the farmer gives a supper to his farm-people, and to the neighbours who have helped him to cut and house it. This sapper, attended by simple and beautiful ceremonies, is called the Melliah. The parson may be asked to it, and if there is a friend of position and free manners, he also is invited. Csesar's Melliah fell within a week of the rope-making in the mill, and partly to punish Kate, partly to honour himself, he asked Philip to be present. "He'll come," thought Kate with secret joy, "I'm sure he'll come ; " and in this certainty, when the day of Melliah came, she went up to her room to dress for it. She was to win Philip that day or lose him for ever. It was to be her trial day — she knew that. She was to fight as for her life, and gain or lose everything. It was to be a battle royal between all the conventions of life, all the network of female custom, all the inferiority of a woman's posi- tion as God himself had suffered it to be, and one poor girl. She began to cry, but, struggling with her sadness, she dashed the teaivs from her glistening eyes. What was there to cry about 1 Philip wanted to love hex*, and he should, he must. It was a glorious day, and not yet more than two o'clock. Nancy had washed up the dinner things, the fire-irons were polished, the boots and spare whips were put up on the lath, the old hats like lines of heads on a city gate were hung round the kitchen walls, the hearthrug was down, the turf was piled up on the fire, the kettle was singing from the slowrie, and the whole house was taking its afternoon nap. Kate's bedroom looked over the orchard and across the stackyaid up the glen. She could see the barley stack growing in the haggard ; the laden cart coming down the glen road with the driver three decks up over the mare, now half smothered and looking suddenly little, like a snail under the gigantic load ; and beyond the long meadow and the Bishop's bridge, the busy fields dotted with the yellow stooks and their black shadows like a castle's studded dooi'S. When she had thrown off her blue-black dress to wash, her arms 10S THE MANXMAN and shoulders and nock -were bare. She caught sight of herself in the glass, and laughed with delight. The years had brought her a fuller flow of life. She was beautiful, and she knew it. And Philip knew it too, but he should know it to-day as he had never known it before. She folded her arms in their roundness over her bosom in its fulness and walked up and down the little room over the sheep- skin rugs, under the turfy scraas, glowing in the joy of blooming health and conscious loveliness. Then she began to dress. She took from a drawer two pairs of stockings, one black and the other red, and weighed their merits with moral gravity — which 1 The red had it, and then came the turn of the boots. There was a grand new pair, with countless buttons, two toecaps like two flowers, and an upward curve like the arm of a glove. She tried them on, bent back and forward, but relinquished them with a sigh in favour of plain shoes cut under the ankles and tied with tape. Her hair was a graver matter. Its tangled curls had never satis- fied her. She tried all means to bring them into subjection ; but the roll on top was ridiculous, and the roll behind was formal. She attempted long waves over the temples. It was impossible. With a lash-comb she dragged her hair back to its natural lawlessness, and when it fell on her forehead, and over her ears, and around her white neck in little knowing rings that came and went, and peeped out and slid back, like kittens at hide-and-seek, she laughed and was content. From a recess covered by a shawl running on a string she took down her bodice. It was a pink blouse, loose over the breast, like hills of red sand on the shore, and loose, too, over the arms, but tight at the wrist. When she put it on it lit up her head like a gleam from the sunset, and her eyes danced with delight. The skirl was a print, with a faint pink flower, the sash was a band of cotton of the colour of the bodice, and then came the solemn problems of the throat. It was round, and full, and soft, and like a tower. She would have loved to leave it bare, but dared not. Out of a drawer under the looking-glass she took a string of pearls. They were a present from BLimberley, and they hung over her Sneers a moment and then slipped back. A white silk handker- chief, with a watermark, was chosen instead. She tied it in a sailor's knot, with the ends flying loose, and the triangular corner lying down her hack. Last of all, she took out of a box a broad white straw hat, like an oyster shell, with a silver-grey ribbon, and a sweeping ostrich feather. She looked at it a moment, blew on it, plucked at its ribbon, lifted it over her head, held it at poise there, dropped it gently on to her hair, stood back from the glass to see it, and linally tore it off and sent it skimming on to the lied. BOY AND GIRL 109 The substitute was her everyday sun-bonnet, which had been lying on the floor by the press. It was also of pale pink, with spots on its print like little shells on a big scallop. When she had tossed it over her black curls, leaving the strings to fall on her bosom, she could not help but laugh aloud. After all, she was dressed exactly the same as on other days of life, except Sunday, only smarter, perhaps, and fresher maybe. The sun-bonnet was right though, and she began to play with it. It was so full of play ; it lent itself to so many moods. It could speak ; it could say anything. She poked it to a point, as girls do when the sun is hot, by closing its mouth over the tip of her nose, leaving only a slumberous dark cave visible, through which her black eyes gleamed and her eyelashes shone. She tied the strings under her chin, and tipped the bonnet back on to her neck, as girls will when the breeze is cool, leaving her hair uncovered, her mouth twitching merrily, and her head like a nymph-head in an aureole. She took it off and tossed it on her arm, the strings still knotted, swinging it like a basket, then wafting it like a fan, and walking as she did so to and fro in the room, the floor creaking, her print frock crinkling, and she herself laughing with the thrill of passion vibrat- ing and of imagined things to come. Then she went downstairs with a firm and buoyant step, her fresh lithe figure aglow with young blood and bounding health. At the gate of the "haggard " she met Nancy Joe coming out of the washhouse. "Lord save us alive !" exclaimed Nancy. "If I ever wanted to be a man until this day ! " Kate kissed and hugged her, then tied away to the Melliah field. XXI Philip, in Douglas, had received the following communication from Government House : — " His Excellency will be obliged to Mr. Philip Christian if ho will not leave the island for the present without acquainting him of his destination." The message was a simple one : it said little, anil involved and fore- shadowed nothing, but it threw Philip into a condition of great excitement. To relieve his restlessness by giving way to it, he went out to walk. It was the end of the tourist season, and the Bcn-my-Chree was leaving the harbour. Newsboys, burrowing no THE MANXMAN among the crowds on the pier to sell a Manx evening paper, were crying, " Illness of the Deemster — serious reports." Philip's hair seemed to rise from his head. The two things came together in his mind. With an effort to smudge out the connection he turned back to his lodgings, looking at everything that his eyes fell on in the rattling streets, speaking to everybody he knew, but seeing nothing and hearing nobody. The beast of life had laid its claws on him. Hack in his rooms, he took out of his pocket a packet which Auntie Nan had put in his hand when he was leaving Ramsey. It was a bundle of his father's old letters to his sister-cousin, written from London in the days when he was studying law and life was like the opening dawn. " The ink is yellow now," said Auntie Nan ; " it was black then, and the hand that wrote them is cold. But the blood runs red in them yet. Read them, Philip," she said with a meaning look, and then he was sure she knew of Sulby. Philip read his father's letters until it was far into the night, and he had gone through every line of them. They were as bright as sunshine, as free as air, easy, playful, forcible, full of picture, but, above all, egotistical, proud with the pride of intellectuality, and vain with the certainty of success. It was this egotism that fascinated Philip. He sniffed it up as a colt sniffs the sharp wind. There was no need to make allowances for it. The castles which his father had been building in the air were only as hovels to the golden palaces which his son's eager spirit was that night picturing. Philip devoured the letters. It was almost as if he had written them himself in some other state of beinsj. The message from Government House lay on a table at his right, and sometimes he put his open hand over it as he sat close under the lamp on a table at his left and read on : — . . . "Heard old Broom in the House last night, and to-day I lunched with him at Tabley's. They call him an orator and the king of conversationalists. lie speaks like a pump, and talks like a bottle running water. No conviction, no sincerity, no appeal. Civil enough to me though, and when he heard that father was a f )eemst< r, he told me the title meant Doomstei', and then asked me if I knew the meaning of ' House of Keys,' and said it had its origin in the ancient Irish custom of locking the muniment chests with twenty-four keys, whereof each counsellor kept one. "When he had left us Tabley asked if he wasn't a wonderful man, and if he didn't know something of everything, and I said, ' Yes, except the things of which I knew a little, and of them he knew nothing.' . . . My pen runs, runs. But, Nannie, my little Nannie, if this is what London calls a great man, I'll kick the ball like a toy before me yet." BOY AND GIRL m ..." So you are wondering where I am living — in mansion or attic! Behold me then in Brick Court, Temple, second floor. Cold- smith wrote the 'Vicar' on the third, but I've not got up to that yet. His rooms were those immediately above me. I seem to see him coming down past my door in that wonderful plum-coloured coat. And sitting here at night I think of him — the sudden fear, the solitary death, then these stairs thronged with his pensioners, the mighty Burke pushing through, Beynolds with his ear-trumpet, and big ' blinking Sam,' and last of all the unknown grave, God knows where, by the chapel wall. Poor little Oliver ! They say it was a woman that was ' in ' at the end. No more of the like now, no more debts, no more vain 'talk like poor Poll : ' the light's out — all still and dark." ..." How's my little Nannie 1 Does she still keep a menagerie for sick dogs and lost cats ? And how's the parson-gull with the broken wing, and does he still strut like Parson Kissack in his surplice ? I was at Westminster Hall yesterday. It was the great trial of Mitchell, M.P., who forged his father's will. Stevens defended — bad, bad, bad, smirking all the while with small facetiae. But Denman's summing up — oh ! oh ! such insight, such acute- ness ! It was wonderful. I had a seat in the gallery. The grand old hall was a thrilling scene — the dense throng, the upturned faces, the counsel, the judges, the officers of court, and then the windows, the statues, the echo of histoiy that made every stone and rafter live — Oh, Kan, Nan, listen to me ! If I live I'll sit on the bench there some day — I will, so help me God ! " When Philip had finished his father's letters, he was on the heights, and poor Kate was left far below, out of reach and out of sight. Hitherto his ambitions had been little more than the pale shadow of his father's hopes, but now they were his own realities. XXII Next morning the letter came from Cassar inviting him to the Melliah, and then he thought of Kate more tenderly. She would suffer, she would cry — it would make his heart bleed to see her; but must he for a few tears put by the aims of a lifetime 1 If only Pete had been alive ! If only Pete were yet to come home ! He grew hot and ashamed when he remembered the time, so lately past, when the prayer of his secret heart would have been different. It was so easy now to hate himself for such evil impulses. Philip decided to go to the Melliah. It would give him the chance he wanted of breaking off the friendship finally. More than H2 THE MANXMAN friendship there had never been, except secretly, and that could not count, lie knew he was deceiving himself ; he felt an uneasy sense of loss of honour and a sharp pang of tender love as often as Kate's face rose up before him. On the day of the Melliah he set off early, riding by way of St. John's that he might inquire at Kirk Michael about the Deemster. lie found the great man's house a desolate place. The gate was pad- lucked, and lie had to clamber over it ; the dresinas slashed above him going down the path, and the fallen leaves encumbered his feet. At the door, which was shut, he rang, and before it was opened to him an old woman put her untidy head out of a little window at the side. " It's scandalous the doings that's here, sir," she whispered. " The Dempster's gone into 'sterics with the drink, and the lil farmer fellow, Billiam Cowley, is over and giving him as much as he wants, and driving everybody away." " Can I speak to him 1 '" said Philip. " Billiam 1 It isn't fit. He'll blackguard you mortal, and the Dempster himself is past it. Just sitting with the brandy and drinking and drinking, and ateing nothing; but that dirt brought up on the Curragh shouting for beefstakes morning and night, and having his dinner laid on a beautiful new white sheet as clane as a bed." From the ambush of a screen before an open door, Philip looked into the room where the Deemster was killing himself. The window shutters were up to keep out the daylight; candles were burning in the necks of bottles on the mantelpiece ; a fire smouldered in a grate littered with paper and ashes; a coarse-featured man was eating ravenously at the table, a chop-bone in his fingers, and veins like cords moving on his low forehead — and the Deemster himself, judge of his island since the death of Iron Christian, was propped up in a chair, with a smoking glass on a stool beside him, and a monkey perched on his shoulder. " Turn them out, neck and crop, Dempster; the women are all for robbing a man," said the fellow; and a husky, •n-out voice replied to him with a grunt and a laugh, " Ilm ! That's only what you're doing yourself, then, you rascal, and if I'd let the right one in long ago you wouldn't be here now — nor I neither, would I, Jacko I The tail of the monkey flapped on the Deemster's breast, and Philip crept away with a shiver. The sun was shining brightly outside the house, and the air was fresh and sweet. Hemounting his horse, which was neighing and stamping at the gate, Philip rode hard to bring back a sense of warmth. At the "Fairy" lie alighted and put up, and saw Grannie, who was laving tables in the mill. "I'm busy as Trap's wife," ^]\v said, "and if you were the Gove- nar itself you wouldn't get lave to spake to me now. Put a sight BOY AND GIRL 113 on himself on the field yonder, the second meadow past the Bishop's bridge, and come back with the boys to supper." Philip found the Melliah field. Two-score workers, men, women, and children, a cart and a pair of horses were scattered over it. Where the corn had been cut the day before the stubble had been woven overnight into a white carpet of cobwebs, which neither sun nor step of man had yet dispelled. There were the smell of the straw, the cawing of the rooks in the glen, the hissing to the breeze of the barley still standing, the swish of the scythe and the gling of the sickle, the bending and rising of the shearers, the swaying of the binders dragging the sheaves, the gluek of the wheels of the cart, the merry head of a child peeping out of a stook like a young bird out of the broken egg, and a girl in scarlet, whom Philip re- cognised, standing at the farthest hedge, and waving the corn band with which she was tieing to some one below. Philip vaulted into the field, and was instantly seized by every woman working in it, except Kate, tied up with the straw ropes, and onlv liberated on paying the toll of an intruder. "But I've come to work," he protested, and Caesar, who was plot- ting the last rigs of the harvest, paired him with Kate and gave him a sickle. " He's a David, he'll smite down his thousands," said Caesar. Then cocking his eye up the field, " the Ballabeg for leader," he cried, "he's a plate-ribbed man. And let ould Maggie take the butt along with him. Jemmy the Bed for the after-rig, and Bobbie to follow Mollie with the cart. Now ding-dong, boys, bend your backs and down with it." Kate had not looked up when Philip came into the field, but she had seen him come, and she gave a little start when he took his place in his shirt-sleeves beside her. He used some conventional phrases which she scarcely answered, and then nothing was heard but the sounds of the sickle and the corn. She worked steadily for some time, and he looked up at her at intervals with her round bare arms and supple waist and firm-set foot and tight red stocking. Two butterflies tumbling in the air played around her sun-bonnet and a lady-clock settled on her wrist. Time was called for rest as Nancy Joe came through the gate bringing a basket with bottles and a can. "The belly's a malefactor that forgets former kindness," said Caesar ; " ate and drink." Then the men formed a group about the ale, the older women drank tea, the children making bands were given butter-milk, and the younger women with babes went cooing and clucking to the hedge where the little ones lay nuzzled up and unattended, some asleep in shawls, some awake on their backs and grabbing at the wondrous forests of marguerites towering up beside them, and all H it 4 THE MANXMAN trving with one voice at sight of the breast, which the mothers were as glad to give as they to take. The rooks cawed in the glen, there was a hot hnrn of bees, and a company of starlings passed overhead, glittering in the sunlight like the scales of a herring. "They're taiching us a lesson," said Caesar. " They're going to- gether over the sea; but there's someones on earth would sooner go to heaven itself solitary, and take joy if they found themselves all alone and the cock of the walk there." Kate and Philip stood and talked where they had been shear- ing quietly, simply, without apparent interest, and meanwhile the workers discussed them. First the men : " He works his siggle like a man though." — " A stout boy anyway; give him practice and he'd shear many a man in bed." Then the women ! " She's looking as bright as a pewter pot, and she's all so pretty as the Govenar's daughter too." — "Got a good heart, though. Only last week she had word of Pete, and look at the scarlet perricut." Finally both men and women : " Lave her alone, mother; it's that Dross that's wasting the woman." — "Well, if I was a man Pd know my tack." — " Wouldn't trust. It comes with Caesar anyway ; the Lord prospers him ; she'll have her pick- ings. Nothing bates religion in this world. It's like going to the shop with an ould Manx shilling — you get your pen'orth of taffy and twelve pence out." — "Lend's a hand with the jough then, boy. None left? Aw, Caesar's wonderful religious, but there's never much lavings of ale with him." Caesar was striding through the stooks past Philip and Kate. " Will it thrash well, Mr. Cregeen ? " said Philip. "Eight bolls to the acre maybe, but no straw to spake of, sir," said Caesar. "Now, boys, let the weft rest on the last end, finish your work." The workers fell to again, and the sickle of the leader sang round his head as he hacked and blew and sent off his breath in spits until the green grass springing up behind him left only a triangular corner of yellow corn. Fore-rig and the after-rig took a tussle together, and presently nothing was standing of all the harvest of Glenmooar but one mum 11 shaft of ears a yard wide or less. Then the leaders stopped, and all the shearers of the field came up and down their sickles into the soil in a close circle, making a sheaf of crescent mo " Now for the Melliah," said Caesar. " Who's to be Queen 1 " There was a cry for Kate, and she sailed forward buoyantly, fresh still, warm with her work, and looking like the after-glow from the sunset in the lengthening shadows from the west. "Strike them from their legs, Kirry," cried Nancy Joe, and Kate BOY AND GIRL 115 drew up one of the sickles, swept her left arm over the standing corn, and at a single stroke of her right brought the last ears to the ground. Then there was a great shout. " Hurrah for the Melliah I" It rang through the glen and echoed in the mountains. Grannie heard it in the valley, and said to herself, "Caesar's Melliah's took." "Well, we've gathered the ripe corn, praise His name," said Caesar, " but what shall be done at the great gathering for unripe Christians 1 " Kate lifted her last sheaf and tied it about with a piece of blue ribbon, and Philip plucked the cushag (the ragwort) from the hedge, and gave it her to put in the band. This being done, the Queen of the Melliah stepped back, feeling Philip's eyes following her, while the oldest woman shearer came forward. " I've a crown-piece here that's being lying in my pocket long enough, Joney," said Caesar with an expansive air, and he gave the woman her accustomed dole. She was a timid, shrinking creature, having a face walled with wrinkles, and wearing a short blue petticoat, showing heavy dull boots like a man's, and thick black stockings. Then the young fellows went racing over the field, vaulting the stooks, stretching a straw rope for the girls to jump over, heighten- ing and tightening it to trip them up, and slackening and twirling it to make them skip. And the girls were falling with a laugh, and leaping up again and flying off like the dust, tearing their frocks and dropping their sun-bonnets as if the barley grains they had been reaping had got into their blood. In the midst of this maddening frolic, while Caesar and the others were kneeling behind the barley stack, Kate snatched Philip's hat from his head and shot like a gleam into the depths of the glen. Philip dragged up his coat by one of its arms and fled after her. XXIII Sulby Glex is winding, soft, rich, sweet, and exquisitely beautiful. A thin thread of blue water, laughing, babbling, brawling, whoop- ing, leaping, gliding, and stealing down from the mountains ; great boulders worn smooth and ploughed hollow by the wash of ages ; wet moss and lichen on the channel walls ; deep, cool dubbs ; tiny reefs; little cascades of boiling foam; lines of trees like sentinels on either side, making the light dim through the over- shadowing leafage; gaunt trunks torn up by winds and thrown across the stream with their heads to the feet of their fellows ; the golden fuschia here, the green trammon there; now and again a n6 THE MANXMAN poor old tholthan, a roofless house, with grass growing on its kitchen floor ; and over all the sun peering down with a hundred eyes into the dark and slumberous gloom, and the breeze singing somewhere up in the tree-tops to the voice of the river below. Kate had run out on the stem of one of the fallen trees, and there Philip found her, over the middle of the stream, laughing, dancing, waving his hat in one hand, and making sweeping bows to her reflection in the water below. "Come back," he cried. "You terrible girl, you'll fall. Sit down there — don't torment me, sit down." After a curtsey to him she turned her attention to her skirts, wound them about her ankles, sat on the trunk, and dangled her shapely feet half an inch over the surface of the stream. Then Philip had time to observe that the other end of the tree did not reach the opposite bank, but dipped short into the water. So he barricaded his end by sitting on it, and said triumphantly : " My hat, if you please." Kate looked and gave a little cry of alarm and then a chuckle, and then she said — ■ " You thought you'd caught me, didn't you ? You can't, though," ami she dropped on to a boulder from which she might have skipped ashore. " I can't, can't 1 ? " said Philip ; and he twisted a smaller boulder on his side, so that Kate was surrounded by water and cut off from the bank. " My hat now, madam," he said with majestic despotism. She would not deliver it, so he pretended to leave her where she was. "Good-bye, then; good evening," he cried over the laughter of the stream, and turned away a step bare-headed. A moment later his confidence was dashed. When he turned his head back Kate had whipped off her shoes and stockings, and was ramming the one inside the other. " What are you doing? " cried Philip. "Catch this— and this," she said, flinging the shoes across to him. Then clapping his straw hat on tho crown of her sun-bonnet, she tucked up her skirts with both hands and waded ashore. "What a clever boy you are! You thought you'd caught me again, didn't you ?" she said. "I've caught your shoes, anyway," said Philip, "and until you give me my bat I'll stick to them." She was on the shingle, but in her bare feet, and could not make fcep. " My shoes, please?" she pleaded. " My hat first," he answered. "Take it." " No ; you must give it me." BOY AND GIRL 117 "Never ! I'll sit here all night first," said Kate. "I'm willing," said Philip. They were sitting thus, the one bare-headed, the other with bare feet, and on the same stone, as if seats in the glen were scarce, when there came the sound of a hymn from the field they had left, and then it was agreed by way of mutual penalty that Kate should put on Philip's hat on condition that Philip should be required to put on Kate's shoes. At the next moment Philip, suddenly sobered, was reproaching himself fiercely. "What was he doing? lie had come to tell Kate that he should come no more, and this was how he had begun ! Yesterday he was in Douglas reading his father's letters, and here he was to-day, forgetting himself, his aims in life, his duties, his obligations — everything. "Philip," he thought, " you are as weak as water. Give up your plans ; you are not fit for them ; abandon your hopes — -they are too high for you." " How solemn we are all at once ! " said Kate. The hymn (a most doleful strain, dragged out to death on every note) was still coming from the Melliah field, and she added, slyly, shyly, with a mixture of boldness and nervousness, "Do you think this world is so very bad, then ? " "Well — aw — no," he faltered, and looking up he met her eye, and they both laughed. "It's all nonsense, isn't it?" she said, and they began to walk down the glen. " But where are we going ? " "Oh, we'll come out this way just as well." The scutch grass, the long rat-tail, and the golden cushag were swishing against his riding-breeches and her print dress. "I must tell her now," he thought. In the narrow places she went first, and he followed with a lagging step, trying to begin. " Better prepare her," he thought. But he could think of no commonplace leading up to what he wished to say. Presentlv, through a tangle of wild fuchsia, there was a smell of burning turf in the air and the sound of milking into a pail, and then a voice came up surprisingly as from the ground, saying, " Ai.-y on the thatch, Miss Cregeen, ma'am. : ' It was old Joney, the shearer, milking her goat, and Kate had stepped on to the roof of her house without knowing it, for the little place was low and opened from the water's edge and leaned again.vt the bank. Philip made some conventional inquiries, and she answered that she had been thirty years there, and had one son living with her, and he was an imbecile. 'There was once a flock at me, and I was as young as you are ii8 THE MANXMAN then, miss, and all as happy; but they're laving me one by one, except this one, and he isn't wise, poor boy." Philip tried to steel his heart. "It is cruel," he thought, "it will hurt her; but what must be, must be." She began to sing and went carolling down the glen, keeping two paces in front of him. He followed like an assassin meditating the moment to strike. "He is going to say something," she thought, and then she sang louder. "Kate," he called huskily. But she only clapped her hands, and cried in a voice of delight, " The echo ! Here's the echo ! Let's shout to it." Her kindling features banished his purpose for the time, and he delivered himself to her play. Then she called up the gill, " Ec — ho ! Ec — ho ! " and listened, but there was no response, and she said, "It won't answer to its own name. What shall I call?" "Oh, an)'thing," said Philip. " Phil— ip ! Phil— ip ! " she called, and then said pettishly, " No, Philip won't hear me either." She laughed. "He's always so stupid though, and perhaps he's asleep." " More this way," said Philip. "Try now." " You try." Philip took up the call. " Kate ! " he shouted, and back came the answer, Ate! "Kate — y!" — Ate — ?/. " Ah ! how quick ! Katey's a good girl. Hark how she answers you." said Kate. They walked a few steps, and Kate called again, " Philip ! " There was no answer. "Philip is stubborn; he won't have anything to do with me," said Kate. Then Philip called a second time, "Katey ! " And back came the echo as before. " Well, that's too bad. Katey is — yes, she's actually following you !" Philip's courage oozed out of him. " Not yet," he thought. Traordy-liooar — time enough. "After supper, when everybody is going! Outside the mill, in the half light of candles within and darkness without! It will sound so ordinary then, 'Good-bye! Eaven't you heard the news? Auntie Nan is reconciled at last to Leaving Ballure and joining me in Douglas.' That's it ; so simple, so commonplace." The light was now coming between the trees on the closing west in long swords of sunset red. They could hear the jolting of the laden cart on its way down the glen. The birds were fairly rioting overhead, and all sorts of joyous sounds filled the air. Underfoot there were long ferns and gorse, which caught at her crinkling dress sometimes, and then he Liberated her and they laughed. A trailing bough of deadly nightshade was hanging from the broken head of an BOY AND GIRL 119 old ash stump, whose wasted feet were overgrown by two scarlet-tipped toadstools, and she plucked a long tendril of it and wound it about her head, tipping ber sun-bonnet back, and letting the red berries droop over her dark hair to her face. Tben she began to sing, were I monarch o' the globe, Wi' thee to reign, A\i' thee to reign. Radiant gleams shot out of her black pupils, and flashes of love like lightning passed from her eye to his. Then he tried to moralise. " Ah ! " he said, out of tbe gravity of his wisdom, "if one could only go on for ever like this, living from minute to minute ! But that's the difference between a man and a woman. A woman lives in the world of her own heart. If she has interests, they centre there. But a man has his interests outside his affections. He is compelled to deny himself, to let the sweetest things go by." Kate began to laugh, and Philip ended by laughing too. " Look !" she cried, "only look." On the top of the bank above them a goat was skirmishing. He was a ridiculous fellow ; sometimes cropping with saucy jerks, then kicking up his heels, as if an invisible imp had pinched him, then wagging his rump and laughing in his nostrils. "As I was saying," said Philip, "a man has to put by the pleasures of life. Now here's myself, for example. I am bound, do you know, by a kind of duty — a sort of vow made to the dead, I might say- " "I'm sure he's going to say something," thought Kate. The voice of his heart was speaking louder and quicker than his halting tongue. She saw that a blow was coming, and looked about for the means to ward it off. "The fairy's dubb !" she cried suddenly, and darted from his side to the water's edge. It was a little round pool, black as ink, lying quiet and apparently motionless under a noisy place where the waters swirled and churned over black moss, and the stream ran into the dark. Philip had no choice but to follow her. " Cut me a -willow ! Your penknife ! Quick, sir, quick ! Not that old branch — a sapling. There, that's it. Now you shall hear me tell my own fortune." "An ordeal is it?" said Philip. " Hush ! Be quiet, still, or little Phonodoree wont listen. Hush, now hush ! " With solemn airs, but a certain sparkle in her eyes, she went down on her knees by the pool, stretched her round arm over the water, i2o THE MANXMAN passed the willow bough slowly across its surface, and recited her incantation : Willow bough, willow hough, which of the four, Sink, circle, or swim, or come floating ashore ? Which is the fortune yon keep for my life, Old maid or young mistress or widow or wife? With the last word she flung the willow bough on to the pool, and sat back on her heels to watch it as it moved slowly with the motion of the water. " Bravo ! " cried Philip. " Be quiet. It's swimming. Xo, it's coming ashore." "It's wife, Kate. No, it's widow. No, it's " "Do be serious. Oh, dear ! it's going — yes, it's going round. Not that either. No, it has— yes, it has oh ! " " Sunk ! " said Philip, laughing and clapping his hands. " You're doomed to be an old maid, Kate. Phonodoree says so." "Cruel Brownie! I'm vexed that I bothered with him," said Kate, dropping her lip. Then nodding to her reflection in the water where the willow bough had disappeared, she said, " Poor little Katey ! He might have given you something else. Anything but that dear, eh ? " " What," laughed Philip, " crying 1 Because Phonodoree — never !" Kate leapt up with averted face. " What nonsense you are talking ! " she said. " There are tears in your eyes, though," said Philip. " No wonder, either. You're so ridiculous. And if I'm meant for an old maid, you're meant for an old bachelor — and quite right too ! " -oh, it is, is it?" "Yes, indeed. You've got no more heart than a mushroom, for you're all head and legs, and you're going to be just as bald some day." " I am, am I, mistress ? " "If I Avere you, Philip, I should hire myself out for a scarecrow, and then having nothing under your clothes wouldn't so much matter." ' : It wouldn't, wouldn't it?" said Philip. She was shying off at a half circle ; he was beating round her. " But you'n' nearly as old as Methuselah already, and what you'll be when you're a man " " Look out ! " She made him an arch curtsey and leapt round a tree, and cried from the other .side, "I know. A squeaking old croaker, with the usual old song, "Deed yes, friends, this world is a vale of sin and misery.' The men's the misery and the women's the sin " "You rogue, you ! " cried Philip. lie made after her, and she fled, still speaking. " What do you think a girl wants with a Oh ! Oh ! Oo !" BOY AND GIRL 12 r Her tirade ended suddenly. She had plunged into .a bed of the prickly gorse, and was feeling in twenty places at once what it was to wear low shoes and thin stockings. ""With a Samson, eh?" cried Philip, striding on in his riding breeches, and lifting the captured creature in his arms. "Why, to carry her, you torment, to carry her through the gorse like this." "Ah !" she said, turning her face over his shoulder, and tickling his neck with her bi'eath. Her hair caught in a tree, and fell in a dark shower over his breast. He set her on her feet ; they took hands, and went carolling down the glen together : " The brightest jewel in my crown, Wad be my queen, wad be my queen."' The daylight lingered as if loth to leave them. There was the fluttering of wings overhead, and sometimes the last piping of birds. The wind wandered away, and left their voices sovereign of all the air. Then there came a distant shout ; the cheer of the farm people on reaching home with the Melliah. It awakened Philip as from a fit of intoxication. " This is madness," he thought. " What am I doing ?" " He is going to speak now," she told herself. Her gaiety shaded off into melancholy, and her melancholy burst into wild gaiety again. The night had come down, the moon had risen, the stars had appeared. She crept closer to Philip's side, and began to tell him the story of a witch. They were near to the house the witch had lived in. There it was — that roofless cottage — that tholthan under the deep trees like a dungeon. " Have you never heard of her, Philip ? Xo 1 The one they called the Deemster's lady 1 " "What Deemster?" said Philip. "This one, Deemster Mylrea, who is said to be dying." " II e is dying ; he is killing himself ; I saw him to-day," said Philip. "Well, she was the blacksmith's daughter, and he left her, and she went mad and cursed him, and said she was his wife though they hadn't been to church, and he should never marry anybody else. Then her father turned her out, and she came up here all alone, and there was a baby, and they were saying she killed it, and everybody was afraid of her. And all the time her boy was making himself a great, great man until he got to be Peemster. But he never married, never, though times and times people were putting this lady on him and then that; but when they told the witch, she only laughed and said, 'Let him, he'll get lave enough!' At last she was old and going on two sticks, and like to die any day, and then he crept out of his big house unknown to any one and stole up here to the woman's 122 THE MANXMAN cottage. And when she saw the old man she said, ' So } T ou've come at last, boy ; but you've been keeping me long, bogh, you've been keeping me long.' And then she died. Wasn't that strange?" Her dark eyes looked up at him and her mouth quivered. " Was it witchcraft, then 1" said Philip. " Oh, no ; it was only because he was her husband. That was the hold she had of him. He was tempted away by a big house and a big name, but he had to come back to her. And it's the same with a woman. Once a girl is the wife of somebody, she must cling to him, and if she is ever false she must return. Something compels her. That's if she's really his wife — really, truly. How beautiful, isn't it 1 Isn't it beautiful ? " " Do you think that, Kate ? Do you think a man, like a woman, would cling the closer ? " " He couldn't help himself, Philip." Philip tried to say it was only a girl's morality, but her confidence shamed him. She slipped her moist fingers into his hand again. They Avere close by the deserted tholthan, and she was creeping nearer and nearer to his side. A bat swirled above their heads and she made a faint cry. Then a cat shot from under a gooseberry bush, and she gave a little scream. She was breathing irregularly. He could smell the perfume of her fallen hair. He was in agony of pain and delight. His heart was leaping in his bosom ; his eyes were burning. " She's right," he thought. " Love is best. It is everything. It is the crown of life. Shall I give it up for the Dead Sea fruit of worldly success? Think of the Deemster! Wifeless, childless, living solitary, dying alone, unregretted, unmourned. What is the wickedness you are plotting ? Your father is dead, you can do him neither good nor harm. This girl is alive. She loves you. Love her. Let the canting hypocrites prate as they will." She had disengaged her hand, and was creeping away from him in the half darkness, treading softly and going off like a gleam. "Kate!" he called. He heard her laughter, he heard the drowsy hum of the gill, he could smell the warm odour of the gorse bushes. "Put this is madness," he thought. "This is the fever of an Lour. STield now and I am ruined for life. The girl has come lift ween me and my aims, my vows, my work — -everything. She has tempted me, and I am as weak as water." "Kate!" She did not answer. " Come here this moment, Kate. I have something to say to you." " Bite !" she said, coming back and holding an apple to his lips. Six- had plucked it in the overgrown garden. '• Listen ! I'm leaving Ramsey for good — don't intend to practise BOY AND GIRL 123 in the northern courts any longer — settling in Douglas — best work lies there, you see — worst of it is — we shan't meet again soon — not very soon, you know — not for years, perhaps " He began by stammering, and went on stuttering, blurting out his words, and trembling at the sound of his own voice. "Philip, you must not go ! " she cried. " I'm sorry, Kate, veiy sorry. Shall always remember so tenderly — not to say fondly — the happy boy and girl days together." " Philip, Philip, you must not go — you cannot go — you shall not go !" He could see her bosom heaving under her loose red bodice. She took hold of his arm and draped at it. " Won't you spare me ? Will you shame me to death 1 Must I tell you 1 If you won't speak, I will. You cannot leave me, Philip, because — because — what do I care 1 — because I love you ! " "Don't say that, Kate!" "I love you, Philip — I love you — I love you !" "Would to God I had never been born ! " " But I will show you how sweet it is to be alive. Take me, take me — I am yours ! " Her upturned face seemed to flash. He staggered like one seized with sriddiness. It was a thing of terror to behold her. Still he struggled. " Though apart, we shall remember each other, Kate." " I don't want to remember. I want to have you with me." " Our hearts will always be together." " Come to me then, Philip, come to me ! " " The purest part of our hearts— our souls " " But I want you I Will you drive a girl to shame herself again 1 I want you, Philip ! I want your eyes, that I may see them every day ; and your hair, that I may feel it with my hands ; and yonv lips — can I help it 1 — yes, and your lips, that I may kiss and kiss them ! " " Kate ! Kate ! Turn your eyes away. Don't look at me like that ! " She was fifrhtins: for her life. It was to be now or never. " If you won't come to me, I'll go to you ! " she cried ; and then she sprang upon him, and all grew confused, the berries of the night- shade whipped his forehead, and the moon and the stars went out. " My love ! My darling ! My girl ! " " You won't go now ? " she sobbed. " God forgive me, I cannot." " Kiss me. I feel your heart beating. You are mine — mine — mine ! Say you won't go now ! " " God forgive us both ! " " Kiss me again, Philip ! Don't despise me that I love you better than myself ! " She was weeping, she was laughing, her heart was throbbing up 124 THE MANXMAN to her throat. At the next moment she had broken from his embrace and was gone. " Kate ! Kate ! " Her voice came from the tholthan. " Philip ! " When a good woman falls from honour, is it merely that she is a victim of momentary intoxication, of stress of passion, of the fever of instinct ? Ko. It is mainly that she is a slave of the sweetest, tenderesfc, most spiritual and pathetic of all human fallacies — the fallacy that by giving herself to the man she loves she attaches him to herself for ever. This is the real betrayer of nearly all good women that are betrayed. It lies at the root of tens of thousands of the cases that make up the merciless story of man's sin and woman's weakness. Alas ! it is only the woman who clings the closer. The impulse of the man is to draw apart. He must conquer it or she is lost. Such is the old cruel difference and inequality of man and woman as nature made them — the old trick, the old tragedy. XXIV. Old Mannanin, the magician, according to his wont, had sur- rounded his island with mist that day, and, in the helpless void of things unrevealed, a steamship bound for Liverpool came with engines slacked some points north of her course, blowing her fogdiorn over the breathless sea with that unearthly yell which must surely be the sound whereby the devil summons his legions out of chaos. Presently something dropping through the dense air settled for a moment on the damp rope of the companion ladder, and one of the •engers recognised it. •' My gough ! It's a bird, a sparrow," he cried. At the same moment there was a rustle of wind, the mist lifted, and a great round shoulder rose through the white gauze, as if it had been the ghost of a mountain. "That's the Isle of Man," the passenger shouted, and there was a cry of incredulity. "It's the Calf, I'm telling you, boys. Lave it to me to know." And instantly the engines were reversed. Tie- pa >enger, a stalwart fellow, with a look as of pallor under a tawny tan, walked the deck in a, fever of excitement, sometimes shouting in a cracked voice, sometimes laughing huskily, and at last breaking down in a hoarse gurgle like a sob. " Can't you put mo ashore, capt'n 1" " Sorry I can't, sir, we've lost time already." There was a dog with him, a little, misshapen, ugly creature, and BOY AND GIRL 125 he lifted it up in his arms and hugged it, and called it hy blusterous swear names, with noises of inarticulate affection. Then he went down to his berth in the second cabin and opened a little box of letters, and took them out one by one, and leaned up to the port to read them, lie had read them before, and he knew them by heart, but he traced the lines with his broad forefinger, and spelled the words one by one. And as he did so he laughed aloud, and then ciied to himself, and then laughed once more. " She is well and happy, and looking lovely, and, if she does not write, don't think she is forgetting you." " God bless her. And God bless him, too. God bless them both ! " He went up on deck again, for he could not rest in one place long. There was a breeze now, and he filled his lungs and blew and blew. The island was dying down over the sea in a pale light of silver grey. An engineman and a stoker were leaning over the bulwark to cool themselves. " Happy enough now, sir, eh 1 " " Happy as a sand-boy, mate, only mortal hungry. Tiffin, you say? Aw, the heart has its hunger same as anything else, and mine has been on short commons these five 3'ears and better. See that island there, lying like a salmon gull atop of the water? Looks as if she might dip under it, doesn't she ? That's my home, my native land, as the man says, and only three weeks ago I wasn't looking to see the thundering ould thing again; but God is good, you see, and I'm middling fit for all. I'm a Manxman myself, mate, and I've got a HI Manx woman that's waiting for me yonder. It's only an ould shirt I'm bringing her to patch, as the saying is, but she'll be that joyful you never seen. It's bad to take a woman by surprise, though — these nervous creatures — 'sterics, you see — I'll send her a tallygraph from the Stage. My sakes! the joy she'll be taking of that boy, too ! He'll be getting sixpence for himself and a drink of butter-milk. It's always the way of these poor lil things — can't stand no good news at all — people coming home and the like — not much worth, these women — crying reglar — can't help it. Well, you see, they're tender-hearteder than us, and when anybody's been five years . . . Be gough, we're making way, though ! The island's- going under, for sure. Or is it my eyes that isn't so clear since my bit of a bullet-wound ! Aw, God is good tremenjous ! " The breaking voice stopped suddenly, and the engine-men turned about, but the passenger was stumbling down the cabin stairs. " If ever a man came back from the dead it's that one," said both men together. END OF TART II. 126 THE MANXMAN PART III.— MAN AND WOMAN Philip was vanquished, and he knew it, but he was not daunted, he was not distressed. To have resisted the self-abandonment of Kate's love would have been monstrous. Therefore, he had done no wrong, and there was nothing to be ashamed of. But when he reached Ballure he did not dash into Auntie Nan's room, according to his wont, though a light was burning there, and he could hear the plop and click of thread and needle ; he crept upstairs to his own, and sat down to write a letter. It was the first of his love letters. " I shall count the days, the hours, and the minutes until we meet again, my darling, and I shall he constantly asking what time it is. And seeing we must be so much apart, let us contrive a means of being together, nevertheless. Listen ! — I whisper the secret in your ear. To-morrow night and every night eat your supper at eight o'clock exactly; I will do the same, and so we shall be supping in each other's company, my little wife, though twenty miles divide us. If anybody asks me to supper, I will refuse in order that I may sup with you. ' I am promised to a friend,' I'll say, and then I'll sit down in my rooms alone, but you will be with me." Tingling with delight, he wrote this letter to Kate, though less than an hour parted from her, and went out to post it. He was going upstairs again, steadily, on tiptoe, his head half aside and his face over his shoulder, when Auntie Nan's voice came from the blue room— "Philip!" I le returned with a sheepish look, and a sense, never felt before, of being naked, so to speak. But Auntie Nan did not look at him. She was working a lamb on a sampler, and she reached over the frame to take something out of a drawer and hand it to him. It was a medallion of a young child — a boy, with long fair curls like a girl's, and a face like sunshine. ' ; Was it father, Auntie?" " Yes ; a French painter who came ashore with Thurlot painted it for grandfather." Philip laid it on the table. He was more than ever sure that itie Nan had heard something. Such were her tender ways of warning him. He could not be vexed. " I'm sleepy to-night, Auntie, and you look tired too. You've MAN AND WOMAN 127 been waiting up for me again. Now, you really must not. Besides, it limits one's freedom." " That's nothing, Philip. You said you would come home after calling on the poor Deemster, and so- ■" " He's in a bad way, Auntie. Drink — delirium — such a wreck. Well, good night ! " " Did you read the letters, dear ? " "Oh, yes. Father's letters. Yes, I read them. Good night." " Aren't they beautiful 1 Haven't they the very breath of ambi- tion and enthusiasm ? But poor father ! How soon the brightness melted away ! He never repined, though. Oh, no, never. Indeed, he used to laugh and joke at our dreams and our castles in the air. ' You must do it all yourself, Nannie ; you shall have all the cakes and ale.' Yes, when he was a dying man he would joke like that. But sometimes he would grow serious, and then he would say, ' Give little Philip some for all. He'll deserve it more than me. Oh, God,' lie would say, ' let me think to myself when I'm there, you've missed the good things of life, but your son has got them ; you are here, but he is on the heights ; lie still, thou poor aspiring heart, lie still in jour grave and rest.' " Philip felt like a bird struggling in the meshes of a net. " My father was a poet, Auntie, trying to be a man of the world. That was the real mischief in his life, if you think of it." Auntie Nan looked up with her needle at poise above the sampler, and said in •<: nervous voice, "The real mischief of your father's life, Philip, was love — what they call love. But love is not that. Love is peace and virtue, and right living, and that is only madness and frenzy, and when people wake up from it they wake up as from a nightmare. Men talk of it as a holy thing — it is unholy. Books are written in praise of it — I would have such books burnt. When anybody falls to it, he is like a blind man who has lost his guide, tottering straight to the precipice. Women fall to it too. Yes, good women as well as good men ; I have seen them tempted " Philip was certain of it now. Some one had been prying upon him at Sulby. He was angry, and his anger spent itself on Auntie Nan in a torrent of words. "You are wrong, Aunt Anne, quite wrong. Love is the one lovely thing in life. It is beauty, it is poetry. Call it passion if you will — what would the world be like without it? A place where every human heart would be an island standing alone ; a place without children, without joy, without merriment, without laughter. No, no ; Heaven has given us love, and we are wrong when we try to put it away. We cannot put it away, and when we make the attempt we are punished for our pride and arrogance. It ought to be enough for us to let heaven decide whether we are to be great men or little men, and to decide for 128 THE MANXMAN ourselves whether we are to be good men and happy men. And the greatest happiness of life is love. Heaven would have to work a miracle to enable us to live without it. But Heaven does not work such a miracle, because the greatest miracle of heaven is love itself." The needle hand of Auntie Nan was trembling above her sampler, and her lips were twitching. "You are a young man yet, Philip,*' she faltei'ed, "but I am an old lady now, dear, and I have seen the fruits of the intoxication you call passion. Oh, have I not, have I not ? It wrecks lives, ruins prospects, breaks up homes, sets father against son, and brother against brother " Philip would give her no chance. He was tramping across the room, and he burst out with, "You are wrong again, Auntie. You are always wrong in these matters, because you are always thinking from the particular to the general — you are always thinking of my father. What you have been calling my father's fall was really his fate. He deserved it. If he had been fit for the high destiny he aspired to— if he had been fit to be a judge, he would not have fallen. That he did fall is proof enough that he was not fit. God did not intend it. My father's aspirations were not the call of a stern vocation, they were mere poetic ambition. If he had ever by great ill-fortune lived to be made Deemster, he would have found himself out, and the island would have found him out, and you yourself would have found him out, and all the world would have been undeceived. As a poet he might have been a great man, but as a Deemster he must have been a mockery, a hypocrite, an im- postor, and a sham." Auntie Nan rose to her feet with a look of fright on her sweet old face, and something dropped with a clank on to the floor. "<)li, Philip, Philip, if I thought you could ever repeat the error ' ' But Philip gave her no time to finish. Tossing his disordered hair from his forehead, he swung out of the, room. Being alone, he began to collect himself. Was it, in sober fact, he who had spoken like that? Of his father too? To Auntie Nan us well ? He saw how it was; he had been speaking of his father, but he had been thinking of himself; he had been struggling to justify himself, to reconcile, strengthen, and fortify himself. But in doing so he had been breaking an idol, a lifedong idol, his own idol and Auntie Nan's. lie stumbled downstairs in a rush of remorse, and burst again into the room crying in a broken voice, "Auntie ! Auntie ! " Hut the room was empty; the lamp was turned down; the sampler was pushed aside. Something crunched under his foot, anil he stooped and picked it up. It was the medallion, and it was MAN AND WOMAN 129 cracked across. The accident terrified him. His skin seemed to creep. He felt as if lie had trodden on his father's face. Putting the broken picture into his pocket, he turned about like a guilty man and crept silently to bed in the darkness. But the morning brought him solace for the pains of the night — it brought him a letter from Kate. " The Melliah is over at long, long last, and I am allowed to be alone with my thoughts. They sang ' Keerie fu Snaighty ' after you left, and 'The King can only love his wife, And I can do the sa-a-ame, And I can do the same.' But there is really nothing to tell you, for nothing happened of the slightest consequence. Good night ! I am going to bed after I have posted this letter at the bridge. Two hours hence you will appear to me in sleep, tmless I lie that long awake to think of you. I generally do. Good-bye, my dear lord and master ! You will let me know what you think best to be done. Your difficulties alarm me terribly. You see, dear, we two are about to do something so much out of the common. Good night ! I lift my head that you may give me another kiss on the eyes, and here are two for yours." Then there were empty brackets [ ], which Kate had put her lips to, expecting Philip to do the same. IT Philip was going into his chambers in Douglas that morning when he came upon a messenger from Government House in stately intercourse with his servant. His Excellency begged him to step up to Onchan immediately, and to remain for lunch. The Governor's carriage was at the door, and Philip got into it. He was not excited ; he remembered his agitation at the Governor's former message and smiled. On leaving his own rooms he had not forgotten to order supper for eight o'clock precisely. He found the Governor polite and expansive as usual. He was sitting in a room hung round with ponderous portraits of former Governors, most of them in frills and ruffles, and one vast picture of King George. "You will have heard," he said, "that our northern Deemster is dead." "Is he so? " said Philip. "I saw him at one o'clock yesterday.'' " He died at two 1 " said the Governor. " Poor man, poor man ! " said Philip. That was all. Net a tremble of the eyelid, not a quiver of the lip. "You are aware that the office is a Crown appointment?" said the Governor. " Applications are made, you know, to the Homo 1 i 3 o THE MANXMAN Office, but it is probable that my advice may be asked by the Secre- tary in his selection. I may, perhaps, be of use to a candidate." Philip gave no sign, and the Governor shifted his leg and con- tinued with a smile, " Certainly that appears to be the impression of your brother advocates, Mr. Christian ; they are about me already, like wasps at a glue-pot. I will not question but you'll soon be one of them." Philip made a gesture of protestation, and the Governor waved his hand and smiled again. " Oh, I shan't blame } r ou ; young men are ambitious. It is natural that they should wish to advance them- selves in life. In your case, too, if I may say so, there is the further spur of a desire to recover the position your family once held, and lately lost through the mistake or misfortune of your father." Philip bowed gravely, but said nothing. " That, no doubt," said the Governor, " would be a fact in your favour. The great fact against you would be that you are still so young. Let me see, is it eight-and-twenty 1 " " Twenty-six," said Philip. " No more ? Only six-and-twenty 1 And then, successful as your career has been thus far — perhaps I should say distinguished or even brilliant — you are still unsettled in life." Philip asked if his Excellency meant that he was still unmarried. "And if I do," the Governor replied, with pretended severity, " and if I do, don't smile too broadly, young man. You ought to know by this time that the personal equation counts for some- thing in this old-fashioned island of yours. Now, the late Deemster was an example which it would be perilous to repeat. If it were repeated, I know who would hear of the blunder every day of his life, and it wouldn't be the Home Secretary either. Deemster Mylrea was call< d upon to punish the crimes of drink, and he was himself a drunkard; to try the offences of sensuality, and he was himself a sensualist." Philip could not help it — he gave a little crack of laughter, "To be sure," said the (Governor hastily, "you are in no danger of his excesses; but you will not be a safe candidate to recommend until you have placed yourself to all appearances out of the reach of i hem. ' 1 Jeware of these Christians,' said the great Derby to his son ; and pardon me if I revive the warning to a Christian himself." The colour came strong into Philip's face. Even at that moment he felt angry at so coarse a version of his father's fault. "You mean," said he, "that we are apt to marry unwisely." " I do that," said the Governor. " There's no telling," said Philip, with a faint crack of his fingers ; and the Governor frowned a little — the pock-marks seemed to spread. " Of course, all this is outside my duty, Mr. Christian — I needn't MAN AND WOMAN 131 tell you that; but I feel an interest in you, and I've done you some services already, though naturally a young man will think he has done everything for himself. Ah !" he said, rising from his seat at the sound of a gong, "luncheon is ready. Let us join the ladies." Then, with one hand on Philip's shoulder familiarly, "Only a word more, Mr. Christian. Send in your application immediately, and — take the advice of an old fiddler — marry as soon afterwards as may he. But with your prospects it would he a sin not to walk care- fully. If she's English, so much the better ; but if she's Manx — take care." Philip lunched with the Governor's wife, who told him she remembered his grandfather; also with his unmarried daughter, who said she had heard him speak for the fishermen at Peel. An official "At home," the last of the summer, was to be held in the garden that afternoon, and Philip was invited to remain. He did so, and thereby witnessed the assaults of the wasps at the glue-pot. They buzzed about the Governor, they buzzed about his wife, they buzzed about his dog and about a tame deer, which took grapes from the hands of the guests. An elderly gentleman, sitting alone in a cai'riage, drove up to the lawn. It was Peter Christian Ballawhaine, looking feebler, whiter, and more splay-footed than before. Philip stepped up to his uncle and offered his arm to alight by. But the Ballawhaine brushed it aside and pushed through to the Governor, to whom he talked in- cessantly for some minutes of his son Ross, saying he had sent for him and would like to present him to his Excellency. If Philip lacked enjoyment of the scene, if his face lacked heart and happiness, it was not the fault of his host. "Will you not take Lady So-and-so to have tea?" the Governor would say; and presently Philip found himself in a circle of official wifedom, whose husbands had been made Knights by the Queen, and themselves made Ladies by — God knows whom. The talk was of the late Deemster. " Such a life ! It's a mercy he lasted so long ! " "A pity, you mean, my dear, not to be hard on him either." " Poor thing ! He ought to have married. Such a man wants a wife to look after him. Don't you think so, Mr. Christian 1 ' "Why," said a white-haired dame, "have you never heard of his great romance 1 " " Ah ! tell us of that. Who was the lady ? " "The lady " there was a pause; the white-haired dame coughed, smiled, closed her little ferret eyes, dropped her voice, and said with mock gravity, "The lady was the blacksmith's daughter, dearest." And then there was a merry trill of laughter. Philip felt sick, bowed to his hosts, and left. As he was going off, his uncle intercepted him, holding out both hands. I3 2 THE MANXMAN "How's this, Philip? You never come to Ballawhaine now. I see ! Oh, I see ! Too busy with the women to remember an old man. They're all talking of yon. Putting the comather on them, eh ? I know, I know ; don't tell me." Ill Philip's way home lay through the town, but he made a circuit of the country, across Onchan, so heartsick was he, so utterly choked with bitter feelings. He felt as if all the angels and devils together must be making a mock at him. The thing he had worked for through five heavy years, the end he had aimed at. the goal he had fought for, was his already — his for the stretching out of his hand. Yet now that it was his, he could not have it. Oh, the mockery of his fate ! Oh. the irony of his life ! It was shrieking, it was frantic ! Then his bolder spirit seemed to say, "What is all this childish fuming about ? Fortune comes to you with both hands full. Be bold, and you may have both the wish of your soul and the desire of your heart — both the Deemstership and Kate." It was impossible to believe that. If he married Kate, the Governor would not recommend him as Deemster. Had he not admitted that he stood in some fear of the public opinion of the island 1 And was it not conceivable that, besides the unseliish interest which the Governor had shown in him, there was even a personal one that would operate more powerfully than fear of the old fashioned Manx conventions to prevent any recommendation of the husband of the wrong woman? At one moment a vague memory rose before Philip, as he crossed the fields, of the lunch at Government House, of the Governor's wife and daughter, of their courtesy and boundless graciousness. At the next moment he had drawn up sharply, with pangs of self-contempt, hating himself, loathing himself, swearing at himself for a mean-souled ingrate, as I,,, kicked up the grass and the turf beneath it. But the idea had taken root. He could not help it; the Governor's interest went for nothing in his reckoning. " \Vi,:,t a fool you are, Philip," something seemed to whisper out of the darkest corner of his conscience; "take the Deemstership first, and marry Kate afterwards." But it was impossible to think f | her. ' Say it could be done by any arts of cunning or duplicity, what then? Then there were the high walls of custom and prejudice to surmount. Philip remembered the garden-party, and saw that they could never be surmounted. The Deemster who slapped the conventions in the face would suffer for it. He would be MAN AND WOMAN ijj taboo to half the life of the island — in public an official, in private a recluse. An icy picture rose before his mind's eye of the woman who would be his wife in her relations with the ladies he had just left. She might be their superior in education, certainly in all true manners, and in natural grace and beauty, in sweetness and charm, their mistress beyond a dream of comparison. But they would never forget that she was the daughter of a country innkeeper, and every little cobble in the rickety pyramid, even from the daughter of the innkeeper in the town, would look down on her as from a throne. He could see them leaving their cards at his door and driving hurriedly off. They must do that much. It was the bitter pill which the Deemster's doings made them swallow. Then he could see his wife sitting alone, a miserable woman, despised, envied, isolated, shut off from her own class by her marriage with the Deemster, and from his class by the Deemster's marriage with her. Again, he could see himself too powerful to offend, too dangerous to ignore, going out on his duties without cheer, and returning to his wife without company. Finally, he remembered his father and his mother, and he could not help but picture himself sitting at home with Kate five years after their marriage, when the first happiness of each other's society had faded, had staled, had turned to the wretchedness of starvation in its state of siege. Or perhaps going out for walks with her, just themselves, always themselves (inly, they two together, this evening, last evening, and to-morrow evening ; through the streets crowded by visitors, down the harbour where the fishermen congregate, across the bridge and over the head between sea and sky ; people bowing to them respectfully, rigidly, freezingly ; people nudging and whispering and looking their way. Oh, God, what end could come of such an abject life but that, begin- ning by being unhappy, they should descend to being bad as well ? "What a fuss you are making of things," said the voice again, but more loudly. "This hubbub only means that you can't have your cake and eat it. Very well, take Kate, and let the Deemster- ship go to perdition." There was not much comfort in that counsel, for it made no reckoning with the certainty that, if marriage with Kate would prevent him from being Deemster, it would prevent him from being anything in the Isle of Man. As it had happened with his father, so it would happen with him — there would be no standing ground in the island for the man who had deliberately put himself outside the pale. " Don't worry me with silly efforts to draw a line so straight. If you can't have Kate anil the Deemstership together, and if you can't have Kate without the Deemstership, there is only one thing left — the Deemstership without Kate. You must take the office and forego the girl. It is your duty, your necessity." 134 TUB MANXMAN This was how Philip put it to himself at length, and the daylight had gone hy that time, and he was walking in the dark. But the voice which had been pleading on his side now protested on hers. "Don't prate of duty and necessity. You mean self-love and self-interest. Man, be honest. Because this woman is an obstacle in your career, you would sacrifice her. It is boundless, pitiless selfishness. Suppose you abandon her, dare you think of her with- out shame ! She loves you, she trusts you, and she has given you proof of her love and trust. Hold your tongue. Don't dare to whisper that nobody knows it but you and her — that you will be silent, that she will have no temptation to speak, She loves you. She has given you all. God bless her ! " Affectionate pity swept down the selfish man in him. As the lights of the town appeared on his path, he was saying to himself boldly, '-Since either way there is trouble, I'll do as I said last night — I'll leave Heaven to decide whether I'm to be a great man or a little man, and decide for myself whether I'm to be a true man or a happy man. I'll take my heart in my hand and go right forward." In this temper he returned to his chambers. The rooms fronted to Athol Street, but backed on to the churchyard of St. George's. They were quiet, and not overlooked. His lamp was lit. The servant was laying the cloth. '"Lav covers for two, Jemmy," said Philip. Then he began to hum something. Presently, in feeling for his keys, his fingers touched an unfami- liar substance in his pocket. He remembered what it was. It was the cracked medallion of his father. Ho could not bear to look at it. Unloc] /a chest, he buried it at the bottom under a pile of winter clothing. This recalled a possession yet more painful, and going to a desk, he drew out the packet of his father's letters and proceeded to hide them away with the medallion. As he did so his hand trembled, his limbs shook, he felt giddy, and ho thought the voice that had tormented him with conflicting taunts was ringing in his ears again. '• Bury him deep ! Bury your father out of all sight and all remem- brance. Bury liis love of you, his hopes of you, his expectations and dreams of you. Bury and forget him for ever." Philip hesitated a moment, and then banged down the lid of the t, and relocked it as his servant returned to the room. The man w Num. dignified, and reticent person, who had been »m to the late Bishop. His gravity he had acquired from his horses, his dignityfrom his master; but his reticence he had created tor himself, bein^ ;i thing beyond nature in creature or man. His proper name was ( lottier ; he had always been known as Jem-y-Lord. MAN AND WOMAN 135 " Company not arrived, sir," he said. " Wait or serve V " What is the time ? " said Philip. "Struck eight ; but clock two minutes soon. - ' " Serve the supper at once," said Philip. When the dishes had been brought in and the man dismissed, Philip, taking his place at the table, drew from his button-hole a flower which he had picked out of his water-bowl at lunch, and, first putting it to his lips, he tossed it on to the empty place before the chair which had been drawn up opposite. Then he sat down to eat. lie ate little ; and, do what he would, he could not keep his mind from wandering. He thought of his aunt, and how hurt she had been the previous night ; of his uncle, and how he had snubbed and then slavered over him ; of the Governor, and how strange the interest he had shown in him ; and finally, he thought of Pete, and how lately he was dead, and how soon forgotten. In the midst of these memories, all sad and some bitter, suddenly he remembered again that he was supping with Kate. Then he struggled to be bright and even a little gay. He knew that she would be taking her supper at Sulby at that moment, thinking of him and making believe that he was with her. So he tried to think that she was with him, sitting in the chair opposite, looking across the table between the white cloth and the blue lamp-shade, out of her beaming eyes, with her rings of dark hair dancing on her forehead, and her ripe mouth twitching merrily. Then the air of the room seemed to be filled with a sweet presence. He could have fancied there was a perfume of lace and dainty things. " Sweetheart ! " He laughed — he hardly knew if it was himself that had spoken. It was deal-, delicious fooling. But his eyes fell on the chest wherein he had buried the letters and the medallion, and his mind wandered again. He thought of his father, of his grandfather, of his lost inheritance, and hownearly he had reclaimed the better part of it, and then once more of Pete, crying aloud at last in the coil of his trouble, " Oh, if Pete had only lived !" His voice startled and his words horrified him. To wipe out both in the first moment of recovered consciousness, he filled his glass to the brim, and lifted it up, rising at the same time, looking across the table, and saying in a soft whisper, "Your health, darling, your health !" The bell rang from the street door, and he stood listening with the wine-glass in his hand. When he knew anything more, a voice at his elbow was saying out of a palpitating gloom, " The gentleman can't come, seemingly ; he has sent a telegram." It was Jem-y-Lord holding a telegram in his hand. Philip tore open the envelope and read — " Coming home by Eamsey boat to-morrow well and hearty tell Kirry Peat." 136 I HE MANXMAN IV Somewhekb in the dead and vacant dawn Philip went to bed, worn out by a night-long perambulation of the dark streets. He slept a heavy sleep of four deep hours, with oppressive dreams of common things swelling to enormous size about him. When Jem-y-Lord took the tea to his master's bedroom in the morning, the tray was almost banged out of his hands by the clashing back of the door, after he had pushed it open with his knee. The window was half up, and a cold sea-breeze was blowing into the room ; yet the grate and hearth showed that a fire had been kindled in the night, and his master was still sleeping. Jem set clown his tray, lifted a decanter that stood on the table, held it to the light, snorted like an old horse, nodded to himself knowingly, and closed the window. Philip awoke with the noise, and looked around in a bewildered way. He was feeling vaguely that something had happened, when the man said — " The horse will be round soon, sir." '• What horse 1" said Philip. " The horse you ride, sir," said Jem, and, with an indulgent smile, he added, "the one I ordered from Shimmen's when I posted the letter." "What letter?" " The letter you gave me to post before I went to bed." All was jumbled and confused in Philip's mind. He was obliged to make an effort to remember. Just then the newsboys went shout- ing down the street beyond the churchyard: "Special edition — Death of the Deemster." Then everything came back. He had written to Kate, asking her to meet him at Port Mooar at two o'clock that day. It was then, and in that lonesome place, that he had decided to break the news to her. He must tell all ; he had determined upon his course. Without appetite he ate his breakfast. As he did so he heard voices from a stable-yard in the street. He lifted his head and looked out mechanically. A four-wheeled dogcart was coming down the archway behind a mettlesome young horse with silver-mounted harness. The man driving it was a gorgeous person in a light Melton i coat. One of his spatted feet was on the break, and he had a big cigar between his teeth. It was Ross Christian. The last time Philip had seen the man he had fought him for the honour of Kate. It was like whips and scorpions to think of that now. Ashamed, abased, degiaded in his own eyes, he turned away his head. MAN AND WOMAN 137 In the middle of the night following the Melliah, Kate, turning in bed, kissed her hand because it had held the hand of Philip. When she awoke in the morning she felt a great happiness. Opening her eyes and half raising herself in bed, she looked around. There were the pink curtains hanging like a tent above her, there were the scraas of the thatched roof, with the cracking whitewash snipping down on the counterpane, there were the press and the wash-hand table, the sheep-skin on the floor, and the sun coming through the orchard window. But everything was transfigured, everything beau- tiful, everything mysterious. She was like one who had gone to sleep on the sea, with only the unattainable horizon round about, and awakened in harbour in a strange land that was warm and lovely and full of sunshine. She closed her eyes again, so that nothing might disturb the contemplation of the mystery. She folded her round arms as a pillow behind her head, her limbs dropped back of their own weight, and her mouth broke into a happy smile. Oh, miracle of miracles ! The whole world was changed. She heard the clatter of pattens in the room below ; it was Nancy churning in the dairy. She heard shouts from beyond the orchard — it was her father stacking in the haggard ; she heard her mother talking in the bar, and the mill-wheel swishing in the pond. It seemed almost wonderful that the machinery of ordinary life could be working away the same as ever. Could she be the same herself \ She reached over for a hand-glass to look at her face. As she took it off the table, it slipped from the tips of her fingers, and, falling face downwards, it broke. She had a momentary pang at that accident as at a bad omen, but just then Nancy came up with a letter. It was the letter which Philip had written at Ballure. When she was alone again she read it. Then she put it in her bosom. It seemed to be haunted by the odour of the gorse, the odour of the glen, of the tholthan, of Philip, and of all delights. A faint ghost of shame came to frighten her. Had she sinned against her sex 1 Was it disgraceful that she had wooed and not waited to be won ? With all his love of her, would Philip be ashamed of her also 1 Her face grew hot. She knew that she was blushing, and she covered up her head as if her lover were there to see. Such fears did not last long. Her joy was too bold to be afraid of tangible things. So overwhelming was her happiness that her only fear was lest "she might awake at some moment and find that she was asleep now, and everything had been a dream. That was Friday, and towards noon word came from Kirk Michael that the Deemster had died on the afternoon of the day before. 138 THE MANXMAN "Then they ought to put Philip Christian in his place," she said promptly; " I'm sure no one deserves it better." They had been talking in low tones in the kitchen with their backs to her, but faced about with looks of astonishment. " Sakes alive, Kirry," cried Nancy, "is it yourself it was 1 What were you saying a week ago? " "Well, do you expect a girl to be saying the one thing always ?" laughed Kate. " Aw, no," said Caesar. " A woman's opinions isn't usually as stiff as the tail of a fighting Tom cat. They're more coming and going, of a rule." Next day, Saturday, she received Philip's second letter, the letter written at Douglas after the supper and the arrival of Pete's tele- gram. It was written crosswise, in a hasty hand, on a half-sheet of note-paper, and was like a postscript, without signature or super- scription : — " Most urgent. Must see you immediately. Meet me at Port Mooar at two o'clock to-morrow. We can talk there without inter- ruption. Be brave, my dear. There are serious matters to discuss and arrange." The message was curt, and even cold, but it brought her no dis- quiet. Marriage ! That was the only vision it conjured up. The death of the Deemster had hastened things — that was the meaning of the urgency. Port Mooar was near to Ballure — that was why she had to go so far. They would have to face gossip, perhaps back- biting, perhaps even abuse — that was the reason she had to be brave. Why and how the Deemster's death should affect her marriage with Philip was a matter she did not puzzle out. She had vague memories of L'irls marrying in delightful haste and sailing away with their hus- bands, and being gone before you had time to think they were to go. But this new fact of her lite was only a part of the great mystery, and was not to be explained by everyday ideas and occurrences. Kate ran up to dress, and came down like a bud bursting into flower. She had dressed more carefully than ever. Philip had great expectations; he must not be disappointed. Making the excuse of shopping, she was setting off towards Ramsey, when her father shouted from the stable that he was for driving the same way. The mare was harnessed to the gig, and they got up together. < laesar had made inquiries and calculations. lie had learned that the Johannesburg, from ('ape Town, arrived in Liverpool the day before; and lie concluded that Pete's effects would come by the /'< "7/7, the weekly steamer to liamsey, on Saturday morning. The /''"///left Liverpool at eight; she would be due at three. Caesar .it to lie on the quay at two. " It's my duty as a parent, Kate," said he. "What more natural MAN AND WOMAN 139 but there's something for yourself 1 It's my duty as a pastor, too, for there's Manx ones going that's in danger of the devil of covetous- ness, and it's doing the Lord's work to put them out of the reach of temptation. You may exhort with them till you're black in the face, but its throwing good money in the mud. Just clinch/ No ring at all ; no way responsivel." Kate was silent, and CaBsar added familiarly, " Of course, it's my right too, for when a man's birth is that way, there's no heirship by blood, and possession is nine points of the law. That's so, Kate. You needn't be looking so hard. It's truth enough, girl. I've had advocate's opinion." Kate had looked, but had not listened. The matter of her father's talk was too trivial, it's interest was too remote. As they drove, she kept glancing seaward and asking what time it was. " Aw, time enough yet, woman," said Csesar. " No need to be unaisy at all. She'll not be round the Head for an hour anyway. Will you come along with me to the quay, then 1 No 1 Well, better not, maybe." At the door of a draper's she got down from the gig, and told her father not to wait for her on going home. Csesar moistened his forefinger and held it in the air a moment. " Then don't be late," said he, " there's weather coining." A few minutes afterwards she was walking rapidly up Ballure. Passing Ballure House, she found herself treading softly. It was like holy ground. She did not look across ; she gave no sign ; there was only a tremor of the eyelids, a quiver of the mouth, and a tightening of the hand that held her purse, as, with head down, she ] uissed on. Going by the water-trough, she saw the bullet-head of Black Tom looking seaward over the hedge through a telescope encased in torn and faded cloth. Though the man was repugnant to her, she saluted him cheerfully. " Fine day, Mr. Quilliam." " It was doing a fine day, ma'am, but the bees is coming home," said Tom. He glowered at her as at a scout of the enemy, but she did not mind that. She was very happy. The sun was still shining. On reaching the top of the brow, she began to skip and run where the road descends by Folieu. Thus, with a light heart and a light step, thinking ill of no one, in love with all the world, she went hurrying to her doom. The sea below lay very calm and blue. Nothing was to be seen on the water but a line of black smoke from the funnel of a steam- ship which had not yet risen above the horizon. i 4 o THE MANXMAN VI Philip put up his horse at the Hibernian, a mile farther on the high-road, and the tongue of the landlady, Mistress Looney, went like a mill-race while he ate his dinner. She had known three generations of his family, and was full of stories of his grandfather, of his father, and of himself in his childhood. Full of facetiae, too, about his looks, which were "rasonable promising," and about the girls of Douglas, who were " neither good nor middling." She was also full of sage counsel, advising marriage with a warm girl having "nice things at her — nice lands and pigs and things " — as a ready way to square the "bobbery" of thirty years ago at Ballawhaine. Philip left his plate half full, and rose from the table to go down to Port Mooar. " But, boy veen, you've destroyed nothing," cried the landlady. And then coasingly, as if he had been a child, "You'll be ateing bits for me, now, come, come ! No more at all 1 Aw, it's failing you are, Mr. Philip ! Going for a walk is it ] Take your topcoat then, for the clover is closing." He took the road that Pete had haunted as a boy on returning home from school in the days when Kate lived at Cornaa, going through the network of paths by the mill, and over the brow by Ballajora. The new miller was pulling down the thatched cottage in which Kate had been born to put up a slate house. They had built a porch for shelter to the chapel, and carved the figure of a slaughtered lamb on a stone in the gable. Another lamb — a living lamb — was being killed by the butcher of Ballajora as Philip went by the shambles. The helpless creature, with its inverted head swung downwards from the block, looked at him with its piteous eyes, and gave forth that distressful cry which is the last wild appeal of the stricken animal when it sees death near, and has ceased to ilght for life. The air was quiet and the sea was calm, but across the Channel a leaden sky seemed to hover over the English mountains, though they were still light and apparently in sunshine. As Philip reached Port Mooar, a cart was coming out of it with a load of sea- wrack for the land, and a lobster-fisher on the beach was shipping his gear for sea. "Quiet day," said Philip in passing. "I'm not much liking the look of it, though," said the fisherman. "Mortal thick surf coming up for the wind that's in." Hut he slipped his boat, pulled up sail, and rode away. Philip looked at his watch and then walked down the beach. Coming to a cave, he entered it. The sea-wrack was banked up in MAN AND WOMAN 14 r the darkness behind, and between two stones at the mouth there were the remains of a recent fire. .Suddenly he remembered the cave. It was the cave of the Carasdhoo men. He could hear the voice of Pete in its rumbling depths ; he could hear and see himself. "Shall we save the women, Pete 1 ? — we always do." "Aw, yes, the women — and the boys." The tenderness of that memory was too much for Philip. He came out of the cave, and walked back over the shore. " She will come by the church," he thought, and he climbed the cliffs to look out, A line of fir-trees grew there, a comb of little misshapen ghoul-like things, stunted by the winds that swept over the seas in winter. In a fork of one of these a bird's nest of last year was still hanging ; but it was now empty, songless, joyless, and dead. "She's here," he told himself, and he drew his breath noisily. A white figure had turned the road by the sundial, and was coming on with the step of a greyhound. The black clouds above the English mountains were heeling down on the land. There was a storm on the other coast, though the sky over the island was still fine. The steamship had risen above the horizon, and was heading towards the bay. VII She met him on the hill slope with a cry of joy, and kissed him. It came into his mind to draw away, but he could not, and he kissed her back. Then she linked her arm in his, and they turned down the beach. "I'm glad you've come," he began. "Did you ever dream I wouldn't?" she said. Her face was a smile, her voice was an eager whisper. "I have something to say to you, Kate — it is something serious." " Is it so 1 " she said. " So very serious 1 " She was laughing and blushing together. Didn't she know what he was going to say? Didn't she guess what this serious something must be ? To prolong the delicious suspense before hearing it, she pretended to be absorbed in the things about her. She looked aside at the sea, and up at the banks, and down at the little dubbs of salt \v;i{cr ns she skipped across them, crying out at sight of the sea- holly, the anemone, and the sea-mouse shining like fire, but still holding to Philip's arm and bounding and throbbing on it. " You must be quiet, dear, and listen," he said. "Oh, I'll be good — so very good," she said. "But look! only look at the white horses out yonder — far out beyond the steamer. Davy's putting on the coppers for the parson, eh ? " M2 TUB MANXMAN She caught the grave expression of Philip's face, and drew her- self up with pretended severity, saying, " Be quiet, Katey. Behave yourself. Philip wants to talk to you — seriously — very seriously." Then, leaning forward with head aside to look up into his face, she said, " "Well, sir, why don't you begin 1 Perhaps you think I'll cry out. I won't — I promise you I won't." But she grew uneasy at the settled gravity of his face, and the joy gradually died off her own. When Philip spoke, his voice Mas like a cracked echo of itself. "You remember what you said, Kate, when I brought you that last letter from Kimberley — that if next morning you found it was a mistake " "Is it a mistake 1 " she asked. " Be calm, Kate." "I am quite calm, dear. I remember I said it would kill me. But I was very foolish. I should not say so now. Is Pete alive 1 " She spoke without a tremor, and he answered in a husky whisper, " Yes." Then, in a breaking voice, he said, " We were very foolish, Kate — jumping so hastily to a conclusion was very foolish — it was worse 1 han foolish, it was wicked. I half doubted the letter at the time, but, God forgive me, I wanted to believe it, and so " " I am glad Pete is living," she said quietly. He was aghast at her calmness. The irregular lines in his face showed the disordered state of his soul, but she walked by his side without the quiver of an eyelid, or a tinge of colour more than usual. Had she understood? " Look ! " he said, and he drew Pete's telegram from his pocket and gave it to her. She opened it easily, and he watched her while she read it, pre- pared for a cry, and ready to put his arms about her if she fell. But there was not a movement save the motion of her fingers, not iind except the crinking of the thin paper. He turned his head away. The sun was shining; there was a steely light on the firs. and here and there a white breaker was rising like a sea-bird out of the blue surface of the sea. "Well?" she said. " Kate, you astonish me," said Philip. "This comes on us like a thundercloud, and you seem not to realise it." She put her arms about his neck, and the paper rustled on his shoulder. "My darling," she said, "do you love me still? " " You know I love you, but " "Then there is no thundercloud in heaven for me now," she said. The simple grandeur of the girl's love shamed him. Its trust, its confidence, its indifference to all the evil chance of life if only he MAN AND WOMAN 143 loved her still, this had been beyond him. But he disengaged hex- arms and said, " We must not live in a fool's paradise, Kate. You promised yourself to Pete " "But, Philip," she said, "that was when I was a child. It was only a half promise then, and I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know what love was. All that came later, dearest, much later — you know when. " "To Pete it is the same thing, Kate," said Philip. " He is coming home to claim you " She stopped him by getting in front of him and saying, with face down, smoothing his sleeve as she spoke, "You are a man, Philip, and you cannot undei-stand. How can you, and how can I tell you 1 When a girl is not a woman, but only^a child, she is a different person. She can't love anybody then — not really — not to say love, and the promises she makes can't count. It was not I that promised myself to Pete — if I did promise. It was my little sister — the little sister that was me long, long ago, but is now gone — put to sleep inside me somewhere. Is that very foolish, darling 1 " " But think of Pete," said Philip ; " think of him going away for love of you, living five years abroad, toiling, slaving, saving, en- countering privations, perhaps perils, and all for you, all for love of you. Then think of him coming home with his heart full of you, buoyed up with the hope of you, thirsting, starving, and yearning for you, and finding you lost to him, dead to him, worse than dead — it will kill him, Kate." She was unmoved by the picture. " I am very sorry, but I do not love him," she said quietly. " I am sorry — what else can a girl be when she does not love a young man ? " " He left me to take care of you, too, and you. see — you see by the telegram — he is coming home with faith in my loyalty. How can I tell him that I have broken my trust 1 How can I meet him and explain " "/ know, Philip. Say we heard he was dead and " "No, it would be too wretched. It's only three weeks since the letter came — and it would not be true, Kate — it would revolt me." She lifted her eyes in a fond look of shame-faced love, and said again, " I know, then — lay the blame on me, Philip. What do I care 1 Say it was all my fault, and I made you love me. / shan't care for anybody's talk. And it's true, isn't it ? Partly true, eh "If I talked to Pete of temptation I should despise myself," said Philip ; and then she threw her head up and said proudly — " Very well, tell the truth itself — the simple truth, Philip. Say we tried to be faithful and loyal, and all that, and could not, because we loved each other, and there was no help for it." " If I tell him the truth, I shall die of shame," said Philip. " Oh, i 4 4 THE MANXMAN there is no way out of this miserable tangle. Whether I cover myself with deceit, or strip myself of evasion, I shall stain my soul for ever. I shall become a base man, and year by year sink lower and lower in the mire of lies and deceit." She listened with her eyes fixed on his quivering face, and her eyelids fluttered, and her fond looks began to be afraid. "Say that we married," he continued; "we should never forget that you had broken your promise and I my trust. That memory would haunt us as long as we lived. We should never know one moment's happiness or one moment's peace. Pete would be a broken-hearted man, perhaps a wreck, perhaps — who knows? — dead of his own hand. He would be the ghost between us always." "And do you think I should be afraid of that?" she said. " In- deed, no. If you were with me, Philip, and loved me still, I should not care for all the spirits of heaven itself." Her face was as pale as death now, but her great eyes were shining. "Our love would fail us, Kate," said Philip. "The sense of our guilt would kill it. How could we go on loving each other with a tiling like that about us all day and all night — sitting at our table — listening to our talk — standing by our bed ? Oh, merciful God ! " The terror of his vision mastered him, and he covered his face with both hands. She drew them clown again and held them in a tight lock in her fingers. But the stony light of his eyes was more fearful to look upon, and she said in a troubled voice, "Do you mean, Philip, that we — could — not marry — now ? " He did not answer, and she repeated the question, looking up into his face like a criminal waiting for his sentence — her head bent forward and her mouth open. "We cannot," he muttered. "God help us, we dare not," he said; and then he tried to show her again how their marriage was impossible, now that Pete had come, without treason and shame and misery. But his words frayed oil* into silence. He caught the look of her eyes, and it was like the piteous look of the lamb under the hands of the butcher. " Js that what you came to tell me?" she asked. His reply died in his throat. She divined rather than heard it. Her doom had fallen on her, but she did not cry out. She did not yet realise in all its fulness what had happened. It was like a bullet-wound in battle; first a sense of air. almost of relief, then a pang, and then overwhelming agony. They had been walking again, but she slid in front of him as she had done before. Her arms crept up his breast with a caressing touch, and linked themselves behind his neck. "This is only a jest, dearest," she said, "some test of my love, MAN AND WOMAN 145 perhaps. You wished to make sure of me — quite, quite sure — now that Pete is alive and coming home. But, you see, I want only one to love me, only one, dear. Come, now, confess. Don't be afraid to say you have been playing with me. I shan't be angry with you. Come, speak to me." He could not utter a word, and she let her arms fall from his neck ; and they walked on side by side, both staring out to sea. The English mountains were black by this time. A tempest was raging on the other shore, though the air on this side was as soft as human breath. Presently she stopped, her feet scraped the gravel, and she ex- claimed in a husky tone, " I know what it is. It is not Pete. I am in your way. That's it, You can't get on with me about you. I am not fit for you. The distance between us is too great." He struggled to deny it, but he could not. It was part of the truth. He knew too well how near to being the whole truth it was. Pete had come at the last moment to cover up his conscience, but Kate was stripping it naked and showing him the skeleton. "It's all very well for you," she cried, "but where am I ? Why didn't you leave me alone 1 Why did you encourage me ? Yes, indeed, encourage me ! Didn't you say, though a woman couldn't raise herself in life, a man could lift her up if he only loved her 1 And didn't you tell me there was neither below nor above where there was true liking, and that if a woman belonged to some one, and some one belonged to her, it was God's sign that they were equal, and everything else was nothing — pride was nothing and position was nothing and the whole world was nothing 1 But now I know different. The world is between us. It always has been between us, and you can never belong to me. You will go on and rise up, and I will be left behind." Then she broke into frightful laughter. " Oh, I have been a fool ! How I dreamt of being happy ! I knew I was only a poor ignorant thing, but I saw myself lifted up by the one I loved. And now I am to be left alone. Oh, it is awful ! Why did you deceive me ? Yes. deceive me ! Isn't that deceiving me ? You deceived me when you led me to think that you loved me more than all the world. You don't ! It is the world itself you love, and Pete is only your excuse." As she spoke she clutched at his arms, his hands, his breast, and at her own throat, as if something were strangling her. He did not answer her reproaches, for he knew well what they were. They were the bitter cry of her great love, her great misery, and her great jealousy of the world — the merciless and mysterious power that was luring him away. After awhile his silence touched her, and she came up to him, full of remorse, and said, "No, no, Philip, K 146 THE MANXMAN you have nothing to reproach yourself with. You did not deceive rue at all. I deceived myself. It was my own fault. I led you on — I know that. And yet I've been saying these cruel things. You'll forgive me, though, will you not ? A girl can't help it some- times, Philip. Are you crying ? You are not crying, are you 1 Kiss me, Philip, and foi-give me. You can do that, can't you ? " She asked like a child, with her face up and her lips apart. He was about to yield, and was reaching forward to touch her forehead, when suddenly the child became the woman, and she leapt upon his breast, and held him fervently, her blood surging, her bosom exulting, her eyes naming, and her passionate voice crying, " Philip, you are mine. No, I will not release you. I don't care about your plans — you shall give them up. I don't care about your trust — you shall break it. I don't care about Pete coming — let him come. The world can do without you — I cannot. You are mine, Philip, and I am yours, and nobody else's, and never will be. You must come back to me, sooner or later, if jo\\ go away. I know it, I feel it, it's in my heart. But I'll never let you go. I can't, I can't, Haven't I a right to you 1 Yes, I have a right. Don't you re- member ? . . . Can you ever forget 1 . . . My husband*/ " The last word came muffled from his breast, where she had buried her head in the convulsions of her trembling at the moment when her modesty went down in the fierce battle with a higher pain. But the plea which seemed to give her the right to cling the closer made the man to draw apart. It was the old deep tragedy of human love — the ancient inequality in the bond of man and woman. "What she had thought her conquest had been her vanquish- ment. He could not help it — her last word had killed everything. " Oli, God," he groaned, "that is the worst of all." "Philip," she cried, "what do you mean ?" " J mean that neither can I many you, nor can you marry Pete. You would carry to him your love of me, and bit by bit he would find it out, and it would kill him. It would kill you, too, for you have called me your husband, and you could never, never, never forget it." "I don't want to marry Pete," she said. "If I'm not to marry you, I don't want to marry any one. But do you mean that I must not many al all — that I never can now that " The word failed her, and his answer came thick and indistinct — •• Yes." "And you, Philip 1 What about yourself?" " Ah there is no other man for you, Kate," he said, " so ihere is no other woman for me. We must go through the world alone." " Is this my punishment ?" " It is the punishment of both, Kate, the punishment of both alike." MAN AND WOMAN 147 Kate stopped her breathing. Iler clenched hands slackened away from his neck, and she stepped back from him, shuddering with remorse, and despair, and shame. She saw herself now for the first time a fallen woman. Never before had her sin touched her soul. It was at that moment she fell. They had come up to the cave by this time, and she sat on the stone at the mouth of it in a great outburst of weeping. It tore his heart to hear her. The voice of her weeping was like the distressful cry of the slaughtered lamb. He had to wrestle Avith himself not to take her in his arms and comfort her. The fit of tears spent itself at length, and after a time she drew a great breath and was quiet. Then she lifted her face, and the last gleam of the autumn sun smote her colourless lips and swollen eyes. When she spoke again, it was like one speaking in her sleep, or under the spell of some- body who had magnetised her. "It is wrong of me to think so much of myself, as if that were everything. I ought to feel sorry for you too. You must be driven to it. or you could never be so cruel." "With his face to the sea, he mumbled something about Pete, and she caught up the name and said, " Yes, and Pete too. As you think it would be wrong to Pete, I will not hold to you. Oh, it will be wrong to me as well ! But I will not give you the pain of turning a deaf ear to my troubles any more." She was struggling with a pitiless hope that perhaps she might regain him after all. " If I give him up," she thought, " he will love me for it; " and then, with a sad ring in her voice, she said, " You will go on and be a great man now, for you'll not have me to hold you back." " For pity's sake, say no more of that," he said, but she paid no heed. " I used to think it a wonderful thing to be loved by a great man. I don't now. Tt is terrible. If I could only have you to myself ! If you could only be nothing to anybody else ! You would be everything to me, and what should I care then 1 " Between torture and love he had almost broken down at that, but he gripped his breast and turned hnlf aside, for his eyes were streaming. She came up to him and touched with the tips of her fingers the hand that hung by his side, and said in a voice like a child's, " Fancy ! this is the end of everything, and when we part now we are to meet no more. Not the same way at all — not ms we have met. You will be like anybody else to me, and I will be like anybody else to you. Miss Cregeen, that will be my name, and you will be Mr. Christian. When you see me you'll say to yourself, ' Yes, poor thing ; long ago. when she was a girl, I made her love me. Nobody ever loved me like that.' And fancy ! when 1 48 THE MANXMAN )'ou pass me in the street, you will not even look my way. You won't, will you ? No — no, it will be better not. Good-bye ! " Her simple tenderness almost stifled him. He had to hold his under lip with his teeth to keep back the cry that was bursting from his tongue. At last he could bear it no longer, and he broke out, " Would to God we had never loved each other ! Would to God we had never met ! " But she answered with the same childish sweetness, " Don't say that, Philip. We have had some happy hours together. I would rather be parted from you like this, though it is so hard, so cruel, than never to have met you at all. Isn't it something for me to think of, that the truest, cleverest, noblest man in all the world has loved me ? . . . Good-bye ! . . . Good-bye ! " His heart bled, his heart cried, but he uttered no sound. They were side by side. She let his hand slip from the tips of her fingers, and drew silently away. At three paces apart she paused, but he gave no sign. She climbed the low brow of the hill slowly, very slowly, trying to command her throat, which was fluttering, and looking back through her tears as she went. Philip heard the shingle slip under her feet while she toiled up the cliff, and when she reached the top the soft thud on the turf seemed to beat on his heart. She stood there a moment against the sky, waiting for a sound from the shore, a cry, a word, the lifting of a hand, a sob, a sigh, her own name, "Kate," and she was ready to fly back even then, wounded and humiliated as she was, a poor torn bird that had beefl sf ruggling in the lime. But no ; he was silent and motionless, and she disappeared behind the hill. He saw her go, and all the light of heaven went with her. VIII It was so far back home, so much farther than it had been to • ■. The course is short and easy going out to sea when the tide is with you, and the water is smooth, and the sun is shining, but lone and hard coming back to harbour, when the waves have risen, and the sky is low, and the wind is on your how. So far, so very far. She thought everybody looked at her, and knew her for what she was — a bi-oken, forsaken, fallen woman. And she was so tired too; she wondered if her limbs would cany her. When Philip was left alone, the sky seemed to be lying on his shoulders. The English mountains were grey and ghostly now, and the storm, which had spent itself on the other coast, seemed to hang over the island. There were breakers where the long dead sea had MAN AND WOMAN 149 been, and the petrel outside was scudding close to the white carves, and uttering its dismal note. So heavy and confused had the storm and wreck of the last hour left him, that he did not at first observe by the backward tail of smoke that the steamer had passed round the Head, and that the cart he had met at the mouth of the port had come back empty to the cave for another load of sea-wrack. The lobster-fisher, too, had beached his boat near by, and was shouting through the hollow air, wherein every noise seemed to echo with a sepulchral quake, "The block was going whistling at the mast-head. We'll have a squall I was thinking, so in I came." That night Philip dreamt a dream. He was sitting on a dais with a wooden canopy above him, the English coat of arms behind, and a great book in front ; his hands shook as he turned the leaves ; he felt his leg hang heavily; people bowed low to him, and dropped their voices in his presence ; he was the Deemster, and he was old. A yoy,ng woman stood in the dock, dripping water from her hair, and she had covered her face with her hands. In the witness-box a young man was standing, and his head was down. The man had delivered the woman to dishonour; she had attempted her life in her shame and her despair. And looking on the man, the Deemster thought he spoke in a stern voice, saying, " Witness, I am compelled to punish hei', but oh to heaven that I could punish you in her place ! What have you to say for yourself V "I have nothing to say for myself," the young man answered, and he lifted his head and the old Deemster saw his face. Then Philip awoke with a smothered scream, for the young man's face had been his own. IX When Caesar got to the quay, he looked about with watchful eyes, as if fearing he might find somebody there before him. The coast was clear, and he gave a grunt of relief. After fixing the horse- cloth, and settling the mare in a nose-bag, he began to walk up and down the fore part of the harbour, still keeping an eager look-out. As time went on he grew comfortable, exchanged salutations with the harbour-master, and even whistled a little to while away the time. "Quiet day, Mr. Quayle." " Quiet enough yet, Mr. Cregeen ; but what's it saying 1 ' The greater the calm the nearer the south wind.' ' By the time that Caesar, from the end of the pier, saw the smoke of the steamer coming round Kirk Maughold Head, he was in a spiritual, almost a mournful, mood. He was feeling how melancholy was the task of going to meet the few possessions, the clothes and i 5 o THE MAS X MAN such like, which were all that remained of a dear friend departed. It was the duty of somebody, though, and Caesar drew a long breath of resignation. The steamer came up to the quay, and there was much bustle and confusion. Caesar waited, with one hand on the mare's neck, until the worst of ii was over. Then he went aboard, and said in a solemn voice to the sailor at the foot of the gangway, "Anything here the property of Mr. Peter Quilliam?" "That's his luggage," said the sailor, pointing to a leather trunk of moderate size among similar trunks at the mouth of the hatchway. " II s m ! " said Caesar, eyeing it sideways, and thinking how small it was. Then, reflecting that perhaps valuable papers were all it was thought worth while to send home, he added cheerfully, " I'll take it with me." Somewhat to Caesar's surprise, the sailor raised no difficulties, but just as he was regarding the trunk with that faith which is the sub- stance of things hoped for, a big, ugly hand laid hold of it, and began to rock it about like a pebble. It was Black Tom, smoking with perspiration. " Aisy, man, aisy," said Caesar, with lofty dignity. " I've the gig on the quay." •• And I've a stiff cart on the market," said Black Tom. "I'm wanting no assistance," said Caesar; " you needn't trouble yourself." " Don't mention it, Caesar," said Black Tom, and he turned the trunk on end and bent his back to lift it. Bui Caesar put a heavy hand on top and said, " Gough bless me, man. but J a m sorry f >r thee. Mammon hath entered into thy heart, Tom." "He have just popped out of thine, then," said Black Tom, swirling the trunk on one of its corners. But Caesar held on, and said, " I don't know in the world why you should let the devil of covetousness get the better of you." ' ; I don't mane to — let go the chiss," said Black Tom, and in another minute he had it on his shoulder. "Now, I believe in my heart," said Caesar, "I would lie forgiven a little violence," and he took the trunk by both hands to bring it down again. "Le go the chiss, or I'll strek thee into the harbour," bawled Black Tom under his load. " The Philistines be upon thee. Samson," cried Caesar, and with that there was a struggle. In the midst of the uproar, while the men were shouting into each other's faces, and the trunk was rocking between them shoulder high, a sunburnt man, with a thick beard and a formidable voice, a stalwart fellow in a pilot jacket and wide-brimmed hat, came MAN AND WOMAN 151 hurrying up the cabin-stairs, and a dog came running behind him. A moment later he had parted the two men, and the trunk was lying at his feet. Black Tom fell back a step, lifted his straw hat, scratched his bald crown, and muttered in a voice of awe, " Holy sailor ! " Caesar's face was livid, and his eyes went up towards his forehead. " Lord have mercy upon me," he mumbled ; " have mercy on my soul, O Lord," " Don't be afraid,'' said the stranger. " I'm a living man and not a ghost." " The man himself," said Black Tom, "Peter Quilliam alive and hearty," said Caesar. ' : I am," said Pete. "And now, what's the bobbery between the pair of you ? Shuperintending the beaching of my trunk, eh 1 " But having recovered from his terror at the idea that Pete was a spirit, Caesar began to take him to task for being a living man. "How's tins?" said he. " Answer me, young man, I've praiched your funeral." " You'll have to do it again, Mr. Cregeen, for I'm not gone yet," said Pete. " No, but worth ten dead men still," said Black Tom. "And my goodness, boy, the smart and stout you're looking, anyway. Been thatching a bit on the chin, eh 1 Foreign parts has made a man of you, Peter. The straight you're like the family, too ! You'll be coming up to the trough with me — the ould home, you know. I'll be whipping the chiss ashore in a jiffy, only Csesar's that eager to help, it's wonderful. Xo, you'll not then 1 ?" Pete was shaking his head as he went up the gangway, and seeing this, Caesar said severely — " Lave the gentleman alone, Mr. Quilliam, He knows his own business best," " So do you, Mr. Collecting Box," said Black Tom. " But your head's as empty as a mollag, and as full of wind as well. It's a regular ould liuman mollag you are, anyway, floating ether people's nets and taking all that's coming to them." They were ashore by this time ; one of the quay porters was putting the trunk into the gig, and Caesar was removing the horse- cloth and the nose-bag. " Get up, Mr. Peter, and don't listen to him," said Caesar. " If my indus'try and integrity have been blessed with increase under Providence " " Lave Providence out of it, you grasping ould Ebenezer, Zacha- riah, Amen," bawled Black Tom. "You've been flying in the face of Providence all your life, Tom," said Caesar, taking his seat beside Pete. 1 52 THE MANXMAN " You haven't, though, you miser," said Black Tom ; " you'd sell your soul for sixpence, and you'd raffle your ugly ould body if you could get anybody to take tickets." " Go home, Thomas," said Caesar, twiddling the reins, " go home and try for the future to be a better man." But that was too much for Black Tom. "Better man, is it? Come down on the quay and up with your fiss, and I'll show you which of us is the better man." A moment later Caesar and Pete were rattling over the cobbles of the market-place, with the dog racing behind. Pete was full of questions. "And how's yourself, Mr. Cregeen?" " I'm in, sir, I'm in, sir, praise the Lord." ■• And Grannie V " Like myself, sir, not getting a dale younger, but caring little for spiritual things, though." " Going west, is she, poor ould angel ? There ought to be a good piece of daylight at her yet, for all. And — and Nancy Joe ? " " A happy sinner still," said Caesar. " I suppose, sir, you'd be making good money out yonder now? We were hearing the like, anyway." " Money ! " said Pete. " Well, yes, Enough to keep off the divil and the coroner. But how's — how's " " There now ! For life, eh 1" said Caesar. "Yes, for life; but that's nothing," said Pete; " how's- " Wonderful ! " cried Caesar; "live years too! Boy veen, the light was nearly took out of my eyes when I saw you." •' But Kate 1 ? How's Kate ? How's the girl herself ?" said Pete nervously. " Smart uncommon," said Caesar. "God bless her! " cried Pete, with a shout that was heard across the street. •• We'll pick her up at Crellin's, it's like," said Caesar. " What ? Crellin's round the corner — Crellin the draper's ! Woa ! Let me down ! The mare's tired, father;" and Pete was over the wheel at a bound. He came out of the shop saying Kate had left word that her father was not to wait for her — she would perhaps be home before him. Amid a crowd of the "mob beg " children of the streets, to whom he showered coppers to be scrambled for, Pete got up again to Caesar's side, and they set off for Sulby. The wind had risen suddenly, and hooting down the narrow streets coming up from the harbour. "And Philip? How.. Philip?" shouted Pete. " Mr. Christian 1 Well and hearty, and doing wonders, sir." ' ; I knew it," cried Pete, with a resounding laugh. MAN AND WOMAN 153 " Going like a Hood, and sweeping everything before him," said Crcsar. "The rising day with him, is it?" said Pete. " I always said he'd be the first man in the island, and he's not going to deceave me neither." "The young man's been over putting a sight on us times and times — he was up at my Melliah only a week come Wednesday," said Caesar. " Man alive ! " cried Pete ; " him and me are same as brothers." "Then it wasn't true what they were writing in the letter, sir — that your black boys left you for dead ? " " They did that, bad luck to them," said Pete ; "but I was think- ing it no sin to disappoint them, though." " Well, well ! lying began with the world, and with the world it will end," said Caesar. As they passed Ballywhaine, Pete shouted into Caesar's ear, above the wind that was roaring in the trees, and scattering the ripening leaves in clouds, " And how's Dross 1 " " That wastrel 1 Aw, tearing away, tearing away," said Caesar. " Floating on the top of the tide, is he 1 " shouted Pete. " Maybe so, but the devil is fishing where yonder fellow's swim- ming," answered Caesar. " And the ould man — the Ballawhaine — still above the sod ? " bawled Pete behind his hand. "Yes, but failing, failing, failing," shouted Caesar. "The world's getting too heavy for the man. Debts here, and debts there, and debts everywhere." "Not much water in the harbour then, eh 1 " cried Pete. "No, but down on the rocks already, if it's only myself that knows it," shouted Caesar. When they had turned the Sulby Bridge, and come in sight of " The Manx Fairy," Pete's excitement grew wild, and he leaped up from his seat and shouted above the wind like a man possessed. " My gough, the very place ! You've been thatching, though — yes, you have. The street ! Holy sailor, there it is ! Brownie at you still 1 Her heifer, is it 1 Get up, Molly ! A taste of the whip'll do the mare no harm, sir. My sakes, here's ould Flora hobbling out to meet us. Got the rheumatics, has she ? Set me clown, Caesar. Here we are, man. Lord alive, the smell of the cowhouse. That warm and damp, it's grand ! What, don't you know me, Flo 1 Got your temper still, if you've lost your teeth ? My sakes, the haggard ! The same spot again ! It's turf they're burning inside ! And, my gracious, that's herrings roasting in their brine ! Where's Grannie, though ? Let's put a sight in, Caesar. Well, well, aw well, aw well ! " Thus Pete came home, laughing, shouting, bawling, and bellowing i 5 4 THE MANXMAN above the tumult of the wind, winch had risen by this time to the strength of a gale. " Mother," cried Caesar, going in at the porch, "gentleman here from foreign parts to put a word on you/' " I never had nobody there belonging to me," began Grannie. •• Xo, then, nobody?" said Caesar. " One that was going to be, maybe, if he'd lived, poor boy " " < Irannie ! " shouted Pete, and he burst into the bar-room. •• ( ioodness me !" cried Grannie ; " it's his own voice anyway." "It's himself," shouted Pete, and the old soul was in his arms in an instant. " Aw dear ! Aw clear ! " she panted. " Pete it is for sure. Let me sit down, though." ''Did you think it was his ghost, then, mother?" said Caesar with an indulgent air. " 'Deed no," said Grannie. " The lad wouldn't come back to plague nobody, thinks I." "Still, and for all the uprisement of Peter, it bates everything," said Cte.sar. " It's a sort of a resurrection. I thought I'd have a sight up to the packet for his chiss, poor fellow, and, behould ye, who should I meet in the two eyes but the man himself ! " "Aw. dear! It's wonderful! it's terrible! I'm silly with the joy," said Grannie. " It was lies in the letter the Manx ones were writing," said Cajsar. "Letters and writings are all lies," said Grannie. "As long as I live I'll take no more of them, and if that Kelly, the postman, comes here again, I'll take the bellows to him." '• So you thought I was gone for good, Grannie ? " said Pete. "Well, I thought so to. 'Will I die?' .1 says to myself times and times; but I bethought me at last there wasn't no sense in a good man like me laving his bones out on the bare Veldt yonder; so, you see, I spread my wings and came home again." " It's the Lord's doings — it's marvellous in our eyes," said Cajsar ; and Grannie, who had recovered herself and was bustling about, 1 — " Let me have a right look at him, then. Goodness me, the whisker! And as soft as Manx carding from the mill, too. I like him best when he takes off his hat. Well, I'm proud to see you, boy. 'Deed, but I wouldn't have known you, though. ' Who's the gentleman in the gig with father?' thinks L And I'd have said it iho Dempster himself, if he hadn't been dead and in his coffin." "That'll do, that'll do," roared Pete. "That's Grannie putting the fun on me." "It's no use talking, but I can't keep quiet; no I can't," cried onie, and with that she whipped up a bowl from the kitchen MAN AND WOMAN 155 dresser and fell furiously to peeling the potatoes that were there for supper. " 13ut where's Kate 1 " said Pete. "Aw, yes, where is she 1 Kate ! Kate ! " called Grannie, leaning her head towards the stairs, and Nancy Joe, who had been standing silent until now, said — " Didn't she go to Ramsey with the gig, woman ? " "Aw, the foolish I am ! Of course she did," said Grannie ; " but why hasn't she come back with father ? " "She left word at Crellin's not to wait," said Caesar. " She'll be gone to Miss Clucas's to try on," said Nancy. "Wouldn't trust now," said Grannie. "She's having two new dresses done, Pete. Aw, girls are ter'ble. Well, can you blame them either 1 " "She shall have two-and-twenty if she likes, God bless her," said Pete. " Goodness me," said Nancy, " is the man for buying frocks for a Mormon 1 " "But you'll be empty, boy. Put the crow down and the griddle on, Nancy," said Grannie. " We'll have cakes. Cakes ? Coorse I said cakes. Get me the cloth and I'll lay it myself. The cloth, I'm saying, woman. Did you never hear of a tablecloth 1 Where is it ? Aw, dear knows where it is now ! It's in the parlour ; no, it's" in the chest on the landing; no, it's under the sheets of my own bed. Fetch it, bogh." " Will I bring you a handful of gorse, mother 1 " said Csesar. " Coorse you will, and not stand chattering there. But I'm laving you dry, Pete. Is it ale you'll have, or a drop of hard stuff? You'll wait for Kate ? Now I like that. There's some life at these total- lers. ' Steady abroad ? ' How dare you, Nancy Joe 1 You're a deal too clever. Of course he's been steady abroad — steady as a gun." " But Kate," said Pete, tramping the sanded floor, " is she changed at all % " " Aw, she's a woman now, boy," said Grannie. " Bless my soul ! " said Pete, " She was looking a bit white and narvous one while there, but she's sprung out of it fresh and bright, same as the ling on the mountains. Well, that's the way with young women." " I know," said Pete. " Just the break of the morning with the darlings." " But she's the best-looking girl on the island now, Pete," said Nancy Joe. " I'll go bail on it," cried Pete. " Big and fine and rosy, and fit for anything." " Bless my heart ! " 156 THE MANXMAN " You should have seen her at the Melliah ; it was a trate." " God bless me ! " " Sun-bonnet and pink frock and tight red stockings, and straight as a standard rose." " Hould your tongue, woman," shouted Pete. " I'll see herself first, and I'm dying to do it." Caesar came back with the gorse ; Nancy fed the fire and Grannie stirred the oatmeal and water. And while the cakes were baking, Pete tramped the kitchen and examined everything, and recognised old friends with a roar. " Bless me ! the same place still. There's the clock on the shelf, with the scratch on its face and the big finger broke at the joint, and the lath — and the peck — and the whip — you've had it new corded, though -" " Sakes, how the boy remembers ! " cried Grannie. "And the white rumpy " (the cat had leapt on to the dresser out of the reach of Pete's dog, and from that elevation was eyeing him steadfastly), "and the slowrie — and the kettle— and the poker — my gracious, the very poker " " Now, did you ever ! " cried Grannie with amazement. " And — yes — no — it is, though — I'll swear it before the Dempster — that's," said Pete, picking up a three-legged stool, " that's the very stool she was sitting on herself in the fire-seat in front of the turf closet. Let me sit there now for the sake of ould times gone by." He put the stool in the fireplace and sat on it, shouting as he did so, between a laugh and a cry, " Aw, Grannie, bogh — Grannie, bogh ! t o think there's been half the world between us since I was sitting here before ! " And Grannie herself, breaking down, said, " Wouldn't you like the tongs, boy ? Give the boy the tongs, woman, just to say he's at home." Pete plucked the tongs out of Nancy's hands, and began feeding the fire with the gorse. "Aw, Grannie, have I ever been away 1 ?" he cried, Laughing, and his wet eyes gleaming. "Nancy Joe, have you no nose at all?" cried Grannie. "The cake's burning to a cinder." "Let it burn, mother," shouted Pete. "It's the way she was doing herself when she was young and forgetting. Shillings a-piece for all that's wasted. Aw, the smell of it's sweet ! " So saying, he piled the gorse on the tire, ramming it under the griddle and choking it behind the crow. And while the oatcake i cackled and sparched and went black, ho sniffed up the burning odour, and laughed and cried in the midst of the smoke that went swirling up the chimney. MAN AND WOMAN 157 And meanwhile, Grannie herself, with the tears rolling down her cheeks, was flapping her apron before her face and saying, "He'll make me die of laughing, he will, though — yes, he will ! " But behind the apron she was blubbering to Nancy, " It's coming home, woman, that's it — it's just coming home again, poor boy ! " By this time word of Pete's return had gone round Sulby, and the bar-room was soon thronged with men and women, who looked through the glass partition into the kitchen at the bronzed and bearded man who sat smoking by the fire, with his dog curled up at his feet. "There'll be a wedding soon," said one. "The girl's in luck," said another. " Success to the fine girl she always was, and lucky they kept her from the poor toot that was beating about on her port bow."— "The young Ballawhaine, eh?"—" Who else 1 ?" Presently the dog went out to them, and, in default of his master, became a centime of excited interest. He was an old creature, with a settled look of age, and a gravity of expression that seemed to say he had got over the follies of youth, and was now reserved and determined to keep the peace. His back was curved in as if a cart- wheel had gone over his spine, he had gigantic ears, a stump of a tail, a coat thin and prickly like the bristles of a pig, but white and spotted with brown. "Lord save us ! a queer dog. though — what's his breed at all ?" said one ; and then a resounding voice came from the kitchen door- way, saying— "A sort of a Manxman crossed with a bat. Got no tail to speak of, but there's plenty of ears at him. A handy sort of a dog, only a bit spoiled in his childhood. Not fit for much company anyway, and no more notion of dacent behaviour than my ould shoe. Down, Dempster, down." It was Pete. He was greeted with loud welcomes, and soon filled the room all round with the steaming odour of spirits and water. " You've the Manx tongue at you still, Mr. Quilliam," said Jonaique ; " and you're calling the dog Dempster ; what's that for at all?" ' " For sake of the ould island, Mr. Jelly, and for the straight he's like Dempster Mylrea when he's a bit crooked," said Pete. " The old man's dead, sir," said John the Clerk. " You don't say ? " said Pete. " Yes, though ; the sun went down on him a Wednesday. The drink, sir, the drink ! I've been cutting a sod of his grave to-day.'' " And who's to be Dempster now 1 " asked Pete. " Who are they putting in for it 1 " "Well," said John the Clerk, "they're talking and talking, and some's saying this one and others that one ; but the most is saying your ould friend Philip Christian." l 5 3 THE MANXMAN " I knew it — I always said it," shouted Pete ; " best man in the island, bar none. Oh, he'll not deceave me." The wind was roaring in the chimney, and the light was begin- ning to fail. Pete became restless, and walked to and fro, peering out at intervals by the window that looked on to the road. At this there was some pushing and nudging and indulgent whispering. " It's the girl ! Aw, be aisy with the like ! Five years apart, be aisy : " "The meadow's white with the gulls sitting together like parrots ; what's that a sign of, father 1 " said Pete. "Just a slant of rain maybe, and a puff of wind," said Caesar. "But," said Pete, looking up at the sky, "the long cat tail was going off at a slant awhile ago, and now the thick skate yonder is hanging mortal low." " Take your time, sir," said Caesar. " No need to send round the Cross Vustha (fiery cross) yet. The girl will be home immadiently." " It'll be dark at her, though," said Pete. The company tried to draw him into conversation about the ways of life in the countries he had visited, but he answered absently and jerkily, and kept going to the door. " Suppose there'll be Dempsters enough where you're coming from 1 " said Jonaique. " Sort of Dempsters, yes. Called one of them Onld Necessity, because it knows no law. He rigged up the statute books atop of his stool for a high sate, and when he wanted them he couldn't find them high or low. Not the first judge that's sat on the law, though. . . . It's coming, Caesar, d'ye hear it 1 That's the rain on the street." "Aisy, man, aisy, man," said Caesar. "New dresses isn't rigged up in no time. There'll be chapels now, eh 1 Chapels and confer- ences, and proper religious instruction? " "Divil a chapel, sir, only a rickety barn, belonging to someones they're calling the Sky Pilots to. Wanted the ould miser that runs it to build them a new tabernacle, but he wouldn't part till a lump of plaster fell on his bald head at a love-feast, and then he planked down a hundred pound, and they all shouted, 'Hit him again, Lord • — you might !' . . . D'ye hear that, then ? That's the water coming down from the gill. I can't stand no more of it, Grannie." Grannie was at the door, struggling to hold it against the wind, while she looked out into the gathering darkness. " '] )eed, but I'm ting afraid <>f it myself," she said, "and dear heart knows where Kirry can be al this time of night." "I'm off to find her," said Pete, and, catching up his hat and whistling to the dog, in a moment he was gone. MAN AND WOMAN 159 X The door was hard to close behind him, for it was now blowing a gale from the north-east. Cresar slipped through the dairy to see if the outbuildings were safe, and came back with a satisfied look. The stable and cow-house were barred, the barns were shut up, the mill-wheel was on the brake, the kiln fire was burning gently, and all was snug and tight. Grannie was wringing her hands as he returned, crying " Kate ! Oh, Kate ! " and he reproved her for want of trust in Providence. People were now coming in rapidly with terrible stories of damage done by the storm. It was reported that the Chicken Rock Lighthouse was blown down, that the tide had risen to twenty-five feet in Ramsey and torn up the streets, and that a Peel fisherman had been struck by his mainsail into the sea and drowned. More came into the house at every minute, and among them were all the lonesome and helpless ones within a radius of a mile — Blind Jane, who charmed blood, but could not charm the wind ; Shemiah, the prophet, with beard down to his waist and a staff up to his shoulder ; and old Juan Yessy, who " lived on the houses " in the way of a tramp. The people who had been there already were afraid to go out, and Grannie, still wringing her hands and crying "Kate, Kate," called everybody into the kitchen to gather about the fire. There they bemoaned their boys on the sea. told stories of former storms, and quarrelled about the years of wrecks and the sources of the winds that caused them. The gale increased to fearful violence, and sometimes the wind sounded like sheets flapping against the walls, sometimes like the deep boom of the waves that roll on themselves in mid-ocean and never know a shore. It began to groan in the chimney as if it were a wild beast struggling to escape, and then the smoke came down in whorls and filled the kitchen. They had to put out the fire to keep themselves from suffocation, and to sit back from the fireplace to protect themselves from cold. The door of the porch flew open, and they barricaded it with long-handled brushes; the windows rattled in their frames, and they blocked them up with the tops of the tables. In spite of all efforts to shut out tho wind, the house was like a basket, and it quaked like a ship at sea. " I never heard the like on the water itself, and I'm used of the sea, too," said one. The others groaned and mumbled prayers. Kelly the Thief, who had come in unopposed by Grannie, was on his knees in one corner with his face to the wall, calling on the Lord to remember that he had seen things in letters — stamps and iAo THE MANXMAN such — but had never touched them. John the Clerk was saving that he had to 1>ury the Deemster; Jonaique, the barber, that he had been sent for to "cut" the Bishop; and Claudius Kewley, the farmer, that he had three fields of barley still uncut and a stack of oats unthatched. "Oh, Lord," cried Claudius, "let me not die till I've got nothing to do ! " Csesar stood like a strong man amidst their moans and groans, their bowings of the head and clappings of the hands, and, when he heard the farmer, his look was severe. "Cloddy," said he, "how do you dare to doubt the providence of Cod?" "Aisy to talk, Mr. Cregeen," the farmer whined, "but you've got your own harvest saved," and then Csesar had no resource but to punish the man in prayer. "The Lord had sent His storm to reprove some that were making too sure of His mercies ; but there was grace in the gale, only they woiddn't be patient and trust to God's providence; there was milk in the breast, only the wayward child wouldn't take time to find the teat. Lord, lead them to true stillness " In the midst of Caesar's prayer there was a sudden roar outside, and he leapt abruptly to his feet with a look of vexation. "I believe in my heart that's the mill-wheel broken loose," said he, "and if it is, the corn on the kiln will be going like a whirlingig." "Trust in God's providence, Caesar," cried the farmer. "80 I will," said Csesar, catching up his hat, "but I'll put out my kiln fire first." "When Pete stepped out of the porch, he felt himself smitten as by an invisible wing, and he gasped like a fish with too much air. A quick pain in the side n.t that moment reminded him of his bullet- wound, but his heels had heart in them, and he set off to run. The night had fallen, but a green rent was torn in the leaden sky, and through this the full moon appeared. AVI 1 en he got to Ramsey the tide was up to the old cross, slates were flying like kites, and the harbour sounded like a battlefield with its thunderous roar of rigging, lie made for the dressmaker's, and heard that Kate had not been there for six hours. At the draper's he learned that at two o'clock in the afternoon she had been seen going up Ballure. The sound rocket was fired as he pushed through the town. A schooner riding to an anchor in the hay was flying her ensign for help. The sea was terrific — a slaty grey, streaked with white foam like quartz veins; but the men who had been idling on the quay when the water was calm were now struggling, chafing, and fighting to go out on it, for the blood of the old Vikings was in them. MAN AND WOMAN 161 Going by the water-trough, Pete culled on Black Tom, who was civil and conciliatory until he heard his errand, then growled with disappointment, but nevertheless answered his question. Yes, he had seen the young woman. She went up early in the " everin," and left him good-day. Giving this grateful news, Black Tom could not deny himself a word of bitterness to poison the pleasure. " And when you are finding her," said he, " you'll be doing well to take her in tow, for I'm thinking there's some that's for throwing her a rope." "Who d'ye mane?" said Pete. "I lave it with you," said Black Tom ; and Pete pulled the door after him. On the breast of the hill there was the meeting of two roads, one of them leading up to the " Hibernian," the other going down to Port Mooar. To resolve the difficulty of choice, Pete inquired at a cottage standing some paces beyond, and as Kate had not been seen to pass up the higher road, he determined to take the lower one. But he gathered no tidings by the way, for Billy by the mill knew nothing, and the woman by the sundial had gone to bed. At length he dipped into Port Mooar, and came to a little cottage like a child's Noah's ark, with its tiny porch and red light inside, looking out on the white breakers that were racing along the beach. It was the cottage of the lobster-fisher. Pete inquired if he had seen Kate. He answered no; he had seen nobody that day but Mr. Christian. Which of the Christians ? Mr. Philip Christian. The news carried only one message to Pete's mind. It seemed to explain something which had begun to perplex him — why Philip had not met him at the quay, and why Kate had not heard of his coming. Clearly Philip was at present at Ballure. He had not yet received the telegram addressed to Douglas. Pete turned back. Surely Kate had called somewhere. She would be at home by this time. He tried to run, but the wind was now in his face. It was veering northwards every minute, and rising to the force of a hurricane. He tied his handkerchief over his head and under his chin to hold on his hat. His hair whipped his ears like rods. Sometimes he was swept into the hedge ; often he was brought to his knees. Still he toiled along through sheets of spray that glistened with the colours of a rainbow, and ran over the ground like driven rain. His eyes smarted, and the taste on his lips was salt. The moon was now riding at the full through a wild flecked sky, and Pete could clearly see, as he returned towards the bay, a crowd of human figures on the cliffs above Port Lewaige. Quaking with undefined fears, he pushed on until he had joined them. The schooner, abandoned by her crew, had parted her cable, and was rolling like a blinded porpoise towards the rocks. She fell on them with the L 1 62 THE MANXMAN groan of a living creature, and, the instant her head was down, the white lions of the sea leapt over her with a howl, the water swirled through her bulwarks and filled her hatches, her rudder was un- shipped, her sails were torn from their gaskets, and the floating home wherein men had sailed, and sung, and slept, and laughed, and jested, was a broken wreck in the heavy wallowings of the waves. Kate had not returned when Pete got back to Sulby, but the ex- citement of her absence was eclipsed for the time by the turmoil of Caesar's trouble. Standing in the dark on the top of the midden, he was shouting to the dairy door in a voice of thunder, which went off at the end of his beard like the puling of a cat. The mill-wheel was going same as a " whirlingig " — was there nobody to " hould the brake?" The stable roof was stripped, and the mare was tearing herself to pieces in a roaring " pit of hell " — was there never a shoulder for the door? The cow-house thatch was flapping like a sail — was there nothing in the world but a woman (Nancy Joe) to help a man to throw a ladder and a stone over it ? Only when Csesar had been pacified was there silence to speak of Kate. " I picked up news of her coming back by Claughbane," said Pete, "and traced her as near home as the 'Ginger.' She can't be far away. Where is she ? " Those who were cool enough fell to conjecture. Grannie had no resource but groans. Nancy was moaning by her side. The rest were full of their own troubles. Blind Jane was bewailing her affliction. "You can all see," she cried, "but I'm not knowing the harm that's coming on me." " Hush, woman, hush," said Pete ; " we're all same as yourself half our lives — we're all blind at night." In the midst of the tumult a knock came to the door, and Pete made a plunge towards the porch. " Wait," cried Caisar. "Nobody else comes here to-night except girl herself. Another wind like the last and we'll have the roof off the house too." Then he called to the new-comer, with his face to the porch door, and the answer came back to him in a wail like the wind itself. "Who's there?" It was Joney from the glen. " We're like herrings in a barrel — we can't let you in." Sh<: wasn't wanting to come in. But her roof was going stripping, and half her house was felled, and she couldn't get her son (the idiot boy) to leave his bed. lie would perish ; he would die ; he was all the family she had left to her — wouldn't the master come and save him ? "Impossible!" shouted Ca?sar. "We've our own missing this fearful night, Joney, and the Lord will protect His children." Kate? She had seen her in the glen- MAN AND WOMAN 163 " Let me get at that door," said Pete. "But the house will come down," cried Caesar. " Let it come," said Pete. Pete shut the door of the bar-room, and then the wind was heard to swirl through the porch. "When did you see her, Joney, and where?" said the voice of Pete ; and the voice of Joney answered him — ■ "Going by my own house at the start of the storm this everin." " I'll come with you — go on," said Pete, and Grannie shouted across the bar — " Take Caesar's topcoat over your monkey-jacket." "I've sail enough already for a wind like this, mother," cried the voice of Pete, and then the swirling sound in the porch went off with a long-drawn whirr, and Caesar came back alone to the kitchen. Pete's wound ached again, but he pressed his hand on the place of it and struggled up the glen, dragging Joney behind him. They came to her house at last. One half of the thatch lay over the other half; the rafters were bare like the ribs of the wreck ; the oat-cake peck was rattling on the lath ; the meal-barrel in the corner was stripped of its lid, and the meal was whirling into the air like a waterspout ; the dresser was stripped, the broken crockery lay on the uncovered floor, and the iron slowrie hanging over the place of the fire was swinging and striking against the wall, and ringing like a knell. And in the midst of this scene of desolation the idiot boy was placidly sleeping on his naked bed, and over it the moon was scudding through a tattered sky. The night wore on, and the company in the kitchen listened long, and sometimes heard sounds as of voices crying in the wind, but Pete did not return. Then they fell to groaning again, to praying aloud without fear, and to confessing their undiscovered sins without shame. " I'm searched terrible — I can see through me," cried Kelly, the postman. Some were chiefly troubled lest death should fall on them while they were in a public-house. " I keep none," cried Caesar. " But you wouldn't let us open the door," whined the farmer. If the door had been wide enough for a Bishop, not a soul would have stirred. For the first time within any one's recollection, Nancy Joe was on her knees. " O Lord," she prayed, "Thou knowest well I don't often bother Thee. But save Kate, Loi'd ; oh, save and presarve my little Kirry ! It's twenty years and better since I asked anything of Thee before, and if Thou wilt only take away this wind, I'll promise not to say another prayer for twenty years more." 1 64 THE MANXMAN "Say it in .Manx, woman," moaned Grannie. "1 always say my prayers in Manx as well, and the Lord can listen to the one He knows best.'' "There's prayer as well as praise in singing," cried Caesar; and they began to sing, all down on their knees, their eyes tightly closed, and their hands clasped before their faces. They sang of heaven and its peaceful plains, its blue lakes and sunny skies, its golden cities and emerald gates, its temples and its tabernacles, where "congrega- tions ne'er break up and Sabbaths never end." It was some comfort to drown with the wild discord of their own voices the fearful noises of the tempest. When they finished the hymn, they began on it again, keeping it up without a break, sweeping the dying note of the lasl word into the rising pitch of the first one. In the midst of their singing, they thought a fiercer gust than ever was beating on the door, and, to smother the fear of it, they sang yet louder. The gust came a second time, and Caesar cried — " Again, brothers," and away they went with another wild whoop through the hymn. It came a third time, and Caesar cried — " Once more, beloved," and they raced madly through the hymn again. Then the door burst open as before a tremendous kick, and Pete, fierce and wild-eyed, and green with the drift of the salt foam caked thick on his face, stepped over the threshold with the unconscious bo.lv of Kate in his arms and the idiot boy peering over his shoulder. '• Thank the Lord for an answer to prayer," cried Caesar. " Where did you find her?" "In the tholthan up the glen," said Pete. "Up in the witch's tholthan." XI I >\ the second morning afterwards the air was quiet and full of the odour of seaweed ; the sky was round as the inside of a shell, and pale pink like the shadow of flame ; the water was smooth and sili nt; the hills had lost the memory of the storm, and land and sea lay like a sleeping child. In this broad and steady morning Kate came back to conscious- She had slid out of delirium into sleep as a boat slides out of open sea into harbour, and when she awoke there was a voice in her ears that seemed to be culling to her from the quay. It was a familiar voice, and yet it was unfamiliar; it was like the voice of a friend heard for the first time after a voyage. It seemed to come from a long way off, and yet to be knocking at the very door of her MAN AND WOMAN 165 heart. She kept her eyes closed for a moment and listened ; then she opened them and looked again. The light was clouded and yet dazzling, as if glnzed muslin were .slinking before her eyes. Grannie was sitting by her bedside, knit- ting in silence. " Why are you sitting there, mother ? " she asked. Grannie dropped her needles and caught at her apron. " Dear heart alive, the child's herself again ! " she said. " Has anything happened ? " said Kate. " What time is it ? " " Monday morning, bogh, thank the Lord for all His mercies ! " cried Grannie. The familiar voice came again. It came from the direction of the stairs. "Who's that?" said Kate, whispering fearfully. " Pete himself, Kirry. Aw well ! Aw dear ! " " Pete ! " cried Kate in terror. " Aw, no, woman, but a living man come back again. No fear of him, bogh ! Not dead at all, but worth twenty dead men yet, and he brought you safe out of the storm." " The storm ? " " Yes, the storm, woman. There warn such a storm on the island I don't know the years. He found you in the tholthan up the glen. Lost your way in the wind, it's like, and no wonder. But let me call father. Father ! father ! Chut ! the man's as deaf as little Tom Hominy. Father ! " called Grannie, bustling about at the stair-head in a half-demented way. There was some commotion below, and the voice on the stairs was saying, "This way ? No, sir. That way, if you plaze." "D'ye hear him, Kirry?" cried Grannie, putting her head back into the room. "That's the man himself. Sitting on the bottom step same as an ould bulldog, and keeping watch that nobody bothers you. The good-naturedst bulldog breathing, though, and he hasn't had a wink on the night. Saved your life, darling. He did ; yes, he did, praise God." At mention of the tholthan, Kate had remembered everything. She dropped back on the pillow, and cried, in a voice of pain, " Why couldn't he leave me to die?" Grannie chuckled knowingly at that, and wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron, "The bogh is herself, for sure. When they're wishing themselves dead they're always mending. Father! But I'll go down instead. Lie still, bogh, lie still?" The voice of Grannie went muffled down the stairs with many '•' Aw dears, aw dears ! " and then crackled from below through the floor and the unceiled joists, saying sharpl}' but with a tremor, too, "Nancy Joe, why aren't you taking a cup of something upstairs, woman ? " 266 THE MANXMAN " Goodness me, Mistress Cregeen, is it true for all ? " said Nancy. "Why, of course it's true. Do you think a poor child is going fasting for ever?" " AVhat's that?" shouted the familiar voice a^ain. " Was it her- self you were spaking to in the dairy loft, Grannie?" " AVho else, man?" said Grannie, and then there was a general tumult. "Aw, the joy! Aw, the delight! Trough bless me, Grannie, I was thinking she was for spaking no more." " Out of the way," cried Nancy, as if pushing past somebody to whip the kettle on to the fire. "These men creatures have no more rising in their hearts than bread without -balea." uo^avv "You're balm enough yourself, Nancy, for a quiet husband. But lend me a hould of the bellows there — I'll blow up like blazes." Caesar came into the house on the top of this commotion, grum- bling as he stepped over the porch, " The wind has taken half the i ticks of my haggard, mother." "No matter, sir," shouted Pete. "The best of your Melliah is saved upstairs." "Is she herself ?" said Ca?sar. "Praise His name ! " And over the furious puffing and panting and quacking of the bellows and the cracking and roaring of the fire, the voice of Pete came in gusts through the floor, crying, "I'll go mad with the joy ! I will ; yes, I will, and nobody shall stop me neither." The house, which seemed to have been holding its breath since the storm, now broke into a ripple of laughter. It began in the kitchen, it ran up the stairs, it crept through the chinks in the floor, it went over the roof. But Kate lay on her pillow and moaned, and turned her face to the wall. Presently Nancy Joe appeared in the bedroom, making herself tidy at the doorway with a turn of the hand over her hair. "Mercy on me !" she cried, clapping her hands at the first sight of Kate's fare, "who was the born blockhead that said the girl's wedding was as like to lie in the churchyard as in the church ?" " That's me," said a deep voice from the middle of the stairs, and then Nancy clashed the door back and poured Pete into Kate in a broadside. " It was Pete that done it, though," she said. " You can't expect h sense of the like, but still and for all he saved your life, Kitty. Dr. BIylechreest says so. 'If the girl had been lying out another hour,' says Ik And, my goodness, the fond of you that man is ; i wonderful! Twisting and turning all day yesterday on the bottom step yonder same as a live conger on the quay, but looking oft about the eves as if he'd been a week out of the water. And now ! my sakes, now / D'ye hear him, Kirry ? He's fit to burst MAN AND WOMAN 167 tho bellows. jSTo use, though — he's a shocking fine young fellow — he's all that. . . . But just listen ! " There was a fissing sound from below, and a sense of burning. " What do I always say % You can never trust a man to have sense enough to take it off. That's the kettle on the boil." Nancy went flopping downstairs, where with furious words she rated Pete, who laughed immoderately. Caesar came next. He had taken off his boots and was walking lightly in his stockings ; but Kate felt his approach by his asthmatic breathing. As ho stepped in at tho door he cried, in the high pitch of the preacher, " Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within mo praise His holy name ! " Then he fell to the praise of Pete as well. " He brought you out of the jaws of death and the mouth of Satan. It was a sign, Katherine, and we can't do better than follow the Spirit's leading. He saved your life, woman, and that's giving him the right to have and to hould it. Well, I've only one child in this life, but, if it's the Lord's will, I'm willing. He was always my white-headed boy, and he has made his independent for- tune in a matter of five years' time." The church bell began to toll, and Kate started up and listened. "Only the Dempster's funeral, Kitty," said Coosar. "They were for burying him to-morrow, but men that chink don't keep. They'll be putting him in the family vault at Lezayre with his father, the staunch ould Rechabite. Many a good cow has a bad calf, you see, and that's bad news for a man's children ; but many a good calf is from a bad cow, and that's good news for the man himself. It's been the way with Peter anyway, for the Lord has delivered him and prospered him, and I'm hearing on the best authority he has five thousand golden sovei'eigns sent home to Mr. Dumbell's bank at Douglas." Grannie came up with a basin of beef-tea, and Caesar was hustled out of the room. "Come now, bogh; take a spoonful, and I'll lave you to your- self," said Grannie. " Yes, leave me to myself," said Kate, sipping wearily ; and then Grannie went off with the basin in her hand. " Has she taken it 1 " said some one below. " Look at that, if you plaze," said Grannie in a jubilant tone ; and Kate knew that the empty basin was being shown around. Kate lay back on the pillow, listened to the tolling of the bell, and shuddered. She thought it a ghostly thing that the first voice she had heard on coming as from another world had been the voice of Pete, and the first name dinned into her eai-s had been Pete's name. The procession of the Deemster's funeral passed the house, and she closed her eyes and seemed to see it — tho coffin on the open cart, 1 68 THE MANXMAN the men on horseback riding beside it, and then the horses tied up to posts and gates about the churchyard, and the crowd of men of all conditions at the grave-side. In her mind's eye, Kate was searching through that crowd for somebody. Was lie there 1 Had he heard what had happened to her ? She fell into a doze, and was awakened by a horse's step on the road, and the voices of two men talking as they came nearer. " Man alive, the joy I'm taking to see you ! The tallygraph 1 Coorse not. Knew I'd find you at the funeral, though.'' It was Pete. " But I meant to come over after it." It was Philip, and Kate's heart stood still. The voices were smothered for a moment (as the buzzing is when the bees enter the hive), and then began with a sharper ring from the rooms below. "How's she now, Mrs. Cregeen?" said the voice of Philip. " Better, sir — much better," answered Grannie. " Xo return of the unconsciousness 1" '• Aw, no," said Grannie, "Was she" — Kate thought the voice faltered — "was she delirious 1 " "Not rambling at all," replied Grannie. "Thank God," said Philip, and Kate felt a long breath of relief go through the air. "I didn't hear of it until this morning," said Philip. "The post- man told me at breakfast-time, and I called on Dr. Mylechreest coming out. If I had known I didn't sleep much last night, anyway ; but if I had ever imagined " "You're right good to the girl, sir," said Grannie, and then Kate, listening intently, caught a quavering sound of protestation. "'Deed you are, though, and always have been," said Grannie, " and I'm saying it before Pete here, that oueht to know and doesn't." "Don't I, though 1 ?" came in the other voice — the resounding voice — the voice full of laughter and tears together. " But I do that, < rrannie, same as if I'd been here and seen it. Lave it to me to know Phil Christian. I've summered and wintered the man, haven't I? I Is timber that doesn't start, mother, blow high, blow low." Elate heard another broken sound as of painful protest, and then with a sickening sense she covered up her head that she might hear no more. XII Ski; was weak and over-wrought, and she fell asleep as she lay covered. While she slept a babel of meaningless voices kept clash- ing in her ears, and her own voice haunted her perpetually. When MAN AND WOMAN 169 she awoke it was broad morning again, and the house was full of the smell of boiling stock-fish. By that she knew it was another day, and the hour of early breakfast. She heard the click of cups and saucers on the kitchen table, the step of her father coming in from the mill, and then the heartsome voice of Pete talking of the changes in the island since he went away. New houses, promenades, iron piers, breakwaters, lakes, towers — wonderful ! extraordinary ! tremenjous ! " But the boys — where's the Manx boys at all ? " said Pete. "Gone like a flight of birds to Austrillya and Cleveland and the Cape, and I don't know where. Not a Manx house now that hasn't one of the boys foreign. And the houses themselves — whei'e's the ould houses and the crofts ? Felled, all felled or boarded up. And the boats — where's the boats ? Lying rotting at the top of the harbour." Grannie's step came into the kitchen, and Pete's loud voice drooped to a whisper. " How's herself this morning, mother ? " "Sleeping quiet and nice when I came downstairs," said Grannie. "Will I be seeing her myself to-day, think you?" asked Pete. " I don't know in the world, but I'll ask," answered Grannie. " You're an angel, Grannie," said Pete, " a reg'lar ould arch-angel." Kate shuddered with a new fear. It was clear that in the eyes of her people the old relations with Pete were to stand. Every- body expected her to marry Pete ; everybody seemed anxious to push the marriage on. Grannie came up with her breakfast, pulled aside the blind, and opened the window. " Nancy will tidy the room a taste," she said coaxingly, " and then I shouldn't wonder if you'll be sending for Pete." Kate raised a cry of alarm. "Aw, no harm when a girl's poorly," said Grannie, "and her promist man for all." Kate tried to protest and explain, but courage failed her. She only said, "Not yet, mother. I'm not fit to see him yet." " Say no more about it. Not to-day at all — to-morrow maybe," said Grannie, and Kate clutched at the word, and answered eagerly — "Yes, to-morrow, mother; to-morrow maybe." Before noon Philip had come again. Kate heard his horse's step on the road, trotting hard from the direction of Peel. He drew up at the porch, but did not alight, and Grannie went out to him. " I'll not come in to-day, Mrs. Cregeen," he said. " Does she continue to improve 1 " "As nice as nice, sir," said Grannie. Kate crept out of bed, stole to the window, hid behind the curtains, and listened intently. "What a mercy all goes well," he said; Kate could hear the heaving of his breath. " Is Pete about 1 " i-o THE MANXMAN "No, but gone to Ramsey, six'," said Grannie. "It's like you'll meet him if you are going on to Ballure." " I must be getting back to business," said Philip, and the horse swirled across the road. " Did you ride from Douglas on purpose, then 1 " said Grannie, and Philip answered with an audible effort — " I was anxious. What an escape she has had ! I could scarcely sleep last night for thinking of it," Kate put her hand to her throat to keep back the cry that was bubbling up, and her mother's voice came thick and deep. " The Lord's blessing, Master Philip " she began, but the horse's feet stamped out everything as it leapt to a gallop in going off. Kate listened where she knelt until the last beat of the hoofs had died away in the distance, and then she crept back to bed and covered up her head in the clothes as before, but with a storm of other feelings. " He loves me," she told herself with a thrill of the heart. " He loves me — he loves me still ! And he will never, never, never see me married to anybody else." She felt an immense relief now, and suddenly found strength tc think of facing Pete. It even occurred to her to send for him at once, as a first step towards removing the impression that the old relations were to remain. She would be quiet, she would be cold, she would show by her manner that Pete was impossible, she would break the news gently. Pete came like the light at Nancy's summons. Kate heard him on the stairs whispering with Nancy and breathing heavily. Nancy was hectoring it over him and pulling him about to make him ■ntable. " Here/' whispered Nancy, " take the redyng comb and lash your hair out, it's all through-others. And listen — you've got to be quiet. Promise me you'll be quiet. She's wake and low and nervous, so no kissing. D'ye hear me now, no kissing." "Aw, kissing makes no noise to spake of, woman," whispered ; and then he was in the room. Kate saw him come, a towering dark figure between her and the door. He did not speak at first, but slid down to the chair at the foot of the bed, modestly, meekly, reverently, as if he had entered a ctuary. His hand rested on his knee, and she noticed that the wrist was hairy and tatooed with the three legs of Man. "Is it you, Pete?" she asked; and then he said in a low tone, almost in a whisper, as if speaking to himself in a hush of awe — " Irs her own voice again! I've heard it in my drames these five years. " lie looked helplessly about him for a moment, fixed his watery ■ -: on Nancy as if he wanted to burst into sobs but dare not for MAN AND WOMAN 171 fear of the noise, then turned on his chair find seemed on the point of taking to flight. But just at that instant his dog, which had followed him into the room, planted its forelegs on the counterpane and looked impudently into Kate's face. " Down, Dempster, down ! " cried Pete ; and after that, the ice being broken by the sound of his voice, Pete was his own man once more. " Is that your clog, Pete ? " said Kate. 'Aw, no, Kate, but I'm his man," said Pete. " lie does what he likes with me, anyway. Caught me out in Kimbcrley and fetched me home." " Is he old 1 " " Old, d'ye say 1 He's one of the lost ten tribes of dogs, and be- haves as if he'd got to inherit the earth." She felt Pete's big black eyes shining on her. "My gracious, Kitty, what a woman you're growing, though !'"' ho said. " Am I so much changed V she asked. "Changed, is it?" he cried. "Cough bless me heart! the nice little thing you were when we used to play fishermen together clown at Cornaa Harbour — d'ye remember? The ould kipper- box rolling on a block for a boat at sea — do you mind it? Yourself houlding a bit of a broken broomstick in the rope handle for a mast, and me working the potato-dibber on the ground, first port and then star- board, for rudder and wind and oar and tide. ' Mortal dirty weather this, cap'n ? ' ' Aw, ves, woman, big sea extraordinary ' — d'ye mind it, Kirry 1 " Kate tried to laugh a little and to say what a long time ago it was since then. But Pete, being started, laughed uproariously, slapped his knee, and rattled on. " Up at the mill, too — d'ye remember that now 1 Yourself with the top of a barrel for a flower basket, holding it 'kimbo at your HI hip and shouting 'Violets! Swate violets ! Fresh violets!'" (He mocked her silvery treble in his lusty baritone and roared with laughter.) " And then me, woman, d'ye mind me 1 — me, with the pig-stye gate atop of my head for a fish-board, yelling, ' Mackerel ! Fine ladies, fresh ladies, and bellies as big as bishops — Mack-er-el ! ' Aw, Kirry, Kirry! Aw, the clear ould times gone by! Aw, the changes, the changes ! . . . Did I know you then ? Are you asking me did I know you when I found you in the glen ? Did I know I was alive, Kitty? Did I know the wind was howling ? Did I know my head was going round like a compass, and my heart thumping a hundred and twenty pound to the square inch ? Did I kiss you and kiss you while you were lying there useless, and lift you up and hitch your poor limp arms around my neck, and carry you out of the dirty ould tholthan that was going to be the death of you — the first 172 THE MANXMAN job I was doing on the island, too, coming back to it. . . . Lord save us, Kitty, what have I done 1 " Kate had dropped back on the pillow, and was sobbing as if her heart would break, and seeing this, Nancy fell on Pete with loud reproaches, took the raan by the shoulders and his dog by the neck, and pushed both out of the room. " Out of it," cried Nancy. " Didn't I tell you to be quiet 1 You great blethering omathaun, you shall come no more. Abashed, ashamed, humiliated, and quiet enough now, Pete went slowly down the stairs. XIII Late that night Kate heard Caesar and her mother talking together as they were going to bed. Caesar was saying — " I got him on the track of a good house, and he went off to Ramsey this morning to put a sight on it." "Dear heart alive, father!" Grannie answered, "Pete isn't home till a week come Saturday." "The young man is warm on the wedding," said Caesar, "and he has money, and store is no sore." " But the girl's not fit for it, 'deed she isn't," said Grannie. " If she's wake," said Caesar, " she'll be no worse for saying ' I will,' and when she's said it she'll have time enough to get better." Kate trembled with fear. The matter of her marriage with Pete was going on without her. A sort of supernatural power seemed to be pushing it along. Nobody asked if she wished it, nobody ques- t ioned that she did so. It was taken for granted that the old relations would stand. As soon as she could go about she would be expected to marry Pete. Pete himself would expect it, because he believed he had her promise ; her mother would expect it, because she had always thought of it as a thing understood ; her father would expect it, because Pete's prosperity had idven him a new view of Pete's piety and pedigree ; and Nancy Joe would expect it, too, if only because she was still haunted by her old bugbear, the dark shadow of Ross Christian. There was only one way to break down these expert at ions, and that was to speak out. But how was a girl to speak? What was she to say? Kate pretended to be ill. Three days longer she lay, like a hunted wolf in its hole, keeping her bed from sheer dread of the consequences of leaving it. The fourth day was Sunday. It was morning, and the church bells were ringing. Caesar had shouted from his bedroom for some one to tie his bow, then for some one to button his black gloves. He had gone off at length with the foot- steps of the people stepping round to chapel. The first hymn had MAN AND WOMAN 173 been started, and its doleful notes were trailing through the mill walls. Kate was propped up in bed, and the window of her room was open. Over the droning of the hymn she caught the sound of a horse's hoofs on the road. They stopped at a little distance, and then came on again, with the same two voices as before. Pete was talking with great eagerness. " Plenty of house, aw plenty, plenty," he was saying. " Elm Cottage they're calling it — the slate one with the ould fir-tree behind the Coort House and by the lane to Claughbane. Dry as a bone and clane as a gull's wing. You could lie with your back to the wall and ate off the floor. Taps inside and water as white as gin. I've been buying the cabin of the ' Mona's Isle ' for a summer-house in the garden. Got a figurehead for the porch too, and I'll have an anchor for the gate before I'm done. Aw, I'm bound to have everything nice for her." There was a short silence, in which nothing was heard but the step of the horse, and then Philip said in a faltering voice, " But isn't this being rather in a hurry, Pete 1 " "Short coorting's the best coorting, and ours has been long enough anyway," said Pete. They had drawn up at the porch, and Pete's laugh came in at the window. " But think how weak she is," said Philip. " She hasn't even left her bed yet, has she ? " "Well, j'es, of coorse, sartenlv," said Pete, in a steadier voice, " if the girl isn't fit——" " It's so sudden, you see," said Philip. <: Has she — has she — consented ? " " Not to say consented " began Pete ; and Philip took him up and said quickly, eagerly, hotly — " She can't — I'm sure she can't." There was silence again, broken only by the horse's impatient pawing, and then Philip said more calmly, " Let Dr. Mylechreest see her first, at all events." " I'm not a man for skinning the meadow to the sod, no " said Pete, in a doleful tone ; but Kate heard no more. She was trembling with a new thought. It was only a shadowy suggestion as yet, and at first she tried to beat it back. But it came again, it forced itself upon her, it mastered her, she could not resist it. The way to break the fate that was pursuing her was to make Philip speak out ! The way to stop the marriage with Pete was to compel Philip to marry her ! He thought she would never consent to marry Pete — what if he were given to understand that she had consented. That was the way to gain the victory over Philip, the way to punish him ! He would not blame her — he would lay the blame at the door of chance, of fate, of her people. He would think they were forcing 174 THE MANXMAN this marriage upon her — the mother out of love of Pete, the father out of love of Pete's money, and Nancy out of fear of Ross Christian. Ik' would know that she could not struggle because she could not speak, lie would believe she was yielding against her will, in spite of Ler love, in the teeth of their intention. He would think of her as a victim, as a martyr, as a sacrifice. It was a deceit — a small deceit ; it looked so harmless, too — so innocent, almost humorous, half ridiculous ; and she was a woman, and she could not put it away. Love, love, love ! It would be her excuse and her forgiveness. She had appealed to Philip himself and in vain. Now she would pretend to go on with her old relations. It was so little to do, and the effects were so certain. In jealousy and in terror Philip would step out of himself and claim her. She had craft — all hungry things have craft. She had inklings of ambition, a certain love of luxury, and desire to be a lady. To get Philip was to get everything. Love would be satisfied, ambition ful- filled, the aims of refinement reached. Why not risk the great stake ? Nancy came to tidy the room, and Kate said, " Where's Pete all this time, I wonder?" "Sitting in the fire-seat this half-hour," said Nancy. " I don't know in the world what's come over the man. He's rocking and moaning there like a cow licking a dead calf." "Would he like to come up, think you ? " " Don't ask the man twice if you want him to say no," said Nancy. Blushing and stammering, and trying to straighten his black curls, Pete came at Nancy's call. Kate had few qualms. The wound she had received frqni Philip had left her conscienceless towards Pete. Yet she turned her head :i little sideways as she welcomed him. " Are you better, then, Kirry ? " said Pete timidly. " I'm nearly as well as ever," she answered. " You are, though 1" said Pete. " Then you'll be down soon, it's like, eh?" " I hope so, Pete — quite soon." " And fit for anything, now — yes ?" " Oli, yes, fit for anything." Pete laughed from his heart like a boy. " I'll take a slieu round to Ballure and tell Philip immadiently." '• Philip V said Late, with a look of inquiry. " He was saying this morning you wouldn't be equal to it, Kirry." " Lqual to what, Pete ? " "< i — going — having — that's to say — well, you know, put- < ing a Bight on the parson himself one of these days, that's the fact." And, to cover his confusion, Pete laughed till the scraas of the roof nip. MAN AND WOMAN 175 There was a moment's pause, and then Kate said, with a cough and a stammer and her head aside, " Is that so very tiring, Pete ? " Pete leapt from his chair and laughed again like a man demented. " D'ye say so, Kitty? The word then, darling — the word in my ear 5 soft as soft " He was leaning over the bed, but Kate drew away from him, and Nancy pulled him back, saying, "Get off with you, you goosey gander ! What for should you bother a poor girl to know if sugar's sweet, and if she's willing to change a sweetheart for a husband 1 " It was done. One act — nay, half an act ; a word — nay, no word at all, but only silence. The daring venture was afoot. Grannie came up with Kate's dinner that day, kissed her on both cheeks, felt them hot, wagged her head wisely, and whispered, " / know — you needn't tell me / " XIV Tiie last hymn was sung, Csesar came home from chapel, changed back from his best to his work-day clothes, and then there was talking and laughing in the kitchen amid the jingling of plates and the vigorous rattling of knives and forks. "Phil must be my best man," said Pete. "He'll be back to Douglas now, but I'll get you to write me a line, Caesar, and ask him." "Do you hold with long engagements, Pete?" said Grannie. "A week," said Pete, with the air of a judge; "not much less anyway — not of a rule, you know." "You goose," cried Nancy, "it must be three Sundaysfor the banns." "Then John the Clerk shall get them going this evening," said Pete. " Nancy had the pull of me there, Grannie. Not being in the habit of getting married, I clane forgot about the banns." John the Clerk came in the afternoon, and there was some lusty disputation. "We must have bridesmaids and wedding-cakes, Pete — it's only proper," said Nancy. "Aw, yes, and tobacco and rum, and everything respectable," said Pete. "And the parson — mind it's the parson now," said Grannie; " none of their nasty high-bailiffs. I don't know in the world how a dacent woman can rest in her bed " " Aw, the parson, of coorse — and the parson's wife, maybe," said Pete. "I think I can manage it for you for to-morrow fortnight," said John the Clerk impressively, and there was some clapping of hands, quickly suppressed by Cajsar, with mutterings of — 176 THE MANXMAN '■ Popery ! clanc Popery, sir ! Can't a person commit matrimony without a parson bothering a man ? " Then Caesar squared his elbows across the table and wrote the letter to Philip. Pete never stood sponsor for anything so pious. " Respected and Honoured Sir, — I write first to thee that it hath been borne in on my mind (strong to believe the Lord hath spoken) to marry on Katherine Cregeen, only beloved daughter of Caesar Cregeen, a respectable man and a local preacher, in whose house I tarry, being free to use all his means of grace. Wedding to-morrow fortnight at Kirk Christ, Lezayre, eleven o'clock forenoon, and the Lord make it profitable to my soul. — With love and reverence, thy servant, ami I trust the Lord's, Peter Quilliam." Having written this, Caesar read it aloud with proper elevation of pitch. Grannie wiped her eyes, and Pete said, "Indited beautiful, sir — only you haven't asked him." " My pen's getting crosslegs," said Caesar, " but that'll do for anN.B." "N.B. — Will you come for my best man ?" Then there was more talk and more laughter. " You're a lucky fellow, Pete," said Pete himself. "My sailor, you are, though. she's as sweet as clover with the bumbees humming over it, and as warm as a gorse bush when the summer's gone." And then, affection being infectious beyond all maladies known to mortals, Nancy Joe was heard to say, "I believe in my heart I must be having a man myself before long, or I'll be losing the notion." " D'ye hear that, boys ? " shouted Pete. " Don't all spake at once." "Too late — I've lost it," said Nancy, and there was yet more laughter. To put an end to this frivolity, Caesar raised a hymn, and they g it together with cheerful voices. Then Caesar prayed appro- priately, John the Clerk improvised responses, and Pete went out and sat on the bottom step in the lobby and smoked up the stairs, so that Kate in the bedroom should not feel too lonely. XV MEANWHILE Kate, overwhelmed with shame, humiliation, self- reproach, horror of herself, and dread of everything, lay with cheeks ablaze and her head buried in the bedclothes. She had no longer any need to pretend to be sick; she was now sick in reality. Fate had threatened her. She had challenged it. They were gambling together. The stake was her love, her life, her doom. By the next day she had worked herself into a nervous fever. Dr. Mylechreest came to see her, unbidden of the family. He was MAN AND WOMAN 177 one of those tall, bashful men who, in their eagerness to be gone, seem always to have urgent business somewhere else. After a single glance at her and a few muttered syllables, he went off hurriedly, as if some one were waiting for him round the corner. But on going downstairs he met Caesar, who asked him how he found her. " Feverish, very ; keep her in bed," he answered. " As for this marriage, it must be put off. She's exciting herself, and I won't answer for the consequences. The thing has fallen too suddenly. To tell you the truth — this way, Mr. Cregeen — I am afraid of a malady of the brain." "Tut, tut, doctor," said Caesar. " Very well, if you know better. Good-day ! But let the wedding wait. Trua dy liooar — time enough, Mr. Cregeen. A right good Manx maxim for once. Put it off — put it off ! " " It's not my putting off, doctor. What can you do with a man that's wanting to be married 1 You can't bridle a horse with pincers." But when the doctor was gone, Caesar said to Grannie, " Cut out the bridesmaids and the wedding-cakes and the fiddles and the foolery, and let the girl be married immadiently." •" Dear heart alive, father, what's all the hurry ?" said Grannie. "And Lord bless my soul, what's all the fuss ? " said Caesar. "First one objecting this, then another objecting that, as if everybody was in- tarmined to stop the thing. It's going on, I'm telling you ; d'ye hear me 1 There's many a slip — but no matter. What's written with the pen can't be cut out with the axe, so lave it alone, the lot of you." Kate was in an ecstasy of exultation. The doctor had been sent by Philip. It was Philip who was trying to stop the marriage. He would never be able to bear it ; he would claim her soon. It might be to-day, it might be to-morrow, it might be the next day. The odds were with her. Fate was being worsted. Thus she clung to her blind faith that Philip would intervene. That was Monday, and on Tuesday morning Philip came again. He was very quiet, but the heart has ears, and Kate heard him. Pete's letter had reached him, and she could see his white face. After a few words of commonplace conversation, he drew Pete out of the house. What had he got to say ? Was he thinking that Pete must be stopped at all hazards ? Was he about to make a clean breast of it I Was he going to tell all ? Impossible ! He could not; he dared not ; it was her secret. Pete came back to the house alone, looking serious and even sad. Kate heard him exchange a few words with her father as they passed through the lobby to the kitchen. Caesar was saying — " Stand on your own head, sir, that's my advice to you." In the intensity of her torment she could not rest. She sent for Pete. M i 7 8 THE MANXMAN "What about Philip?" she said. "Is he coming? What has lie been telling you ? " " Bad news, Kate — very bad," said Pete. There was a fearful silence for a moment. It was like the awful hush at the instant when the tide turns, and you feel as if some- thing has happened to the world. Then Kate hardened her face . said, " What is it?" " He's ill, and wants to go away in a week. He can't come to the wedding." said Pete. "Is that all?" said Kate. Her heart leapt for joy. She could not help it — she laughed. She saw through Philip's excuse. It was only his subterfuge — he thought Pete would not marry without him. "Aw, but you never seen the like, though, Kerry," said Pete; " he was that white and wake and narvous. Work and worry, that's the size of it. There's nothing done in this world without paying the price of it, and that's as true as gospel. ' The sea's calling me, Pete,' says he, and then he laughed, but it was the same as if a ghost itself was grinning." In the selfishness of her enfeebled spirit, Kate still rejoiced. Philip was suffering, it was another assurance that he would come to her relief. ■ When does he go ?" she asked. " On Tuesday," answered Pete. " Isn't there a way of getting a Bishop's license to marry in a ek ?" said Kate. •• iiut will you, though? " said Pete, with a shout of joy. • : Ask Philip first. No use changing if Philip can't come." •• He shall — he must. I won't take No." •• You may kiss me now," said Kate, and Pete plucked her up into his arms and kissed her. te was heart-dead to him yet, from the wound that Philip had dealt her, but at the touch of his lips a feeling of horror seemed to :ip all her limbs. With a shudder she crept down in the bed and hid her face, hating herself, loathing herself, wishing herself dead. He stood a moment by her side, crying like a big boy in his great " I don't know in the world what she sees in me to be so . but that's the way with the women always, God bless them!" 16 did not lift her face, and he stepped quietly to the door. Half-way through he turned about and raised one arm over his ■ od's rest and Cod's peace be with you, and may the man gets you keep a clane heart and a clane hand, and be fit for the a he's won for his wife." At the next minute he went tearing down the stairs, and the kitchen rang with his laughter. MAN AND WOMAN 179 XVI Fate scored one. Kate had been telling herself that Philip was tired of her, that he did not love her any longer, that having taken all he could take he desired to be done with her, that he was trying to forget her, and that she was a drag upon him, when suddenly she remembered the tholthan, and bethought herself for the first time of a possible contingency. Why had she not thought of it before ? Why had he never thought of it 1 If it should come to pass ! The prospect did not appal her; it did not overwhelm her with confusion or oppress her with shame ; it did not threaten to fall like a thunderbolt ; the thought of it came down like an angel's whisper. She was not afraid. It was only an idea, only a possibility, only a dream of consequences, but at one bound it brought her so much nearer to Philip. It gave her a right to him. How dare he make her suffer so ? She would not permit him to leave her. He was her husband, and he must cling to her, come what would. Across the void that had divided them a mysterious power drew them to- gether. She was he, and he was she, and they were one, for — who knows 1 — who could say ? — perhaps Nature herself had willed it. Thus the first effect of the new thought upon Kate was frenzied exultation. She had only one thing to do now. She had only to go to Philip as Pathsheba went to David. True, she could not say what Pathsheba said. She had no certainty, but her case was no less strong. " Have you never thought of what may possibly occur?" This is what she would say now to Philip. And Philip would say to her, "Dearest, I have never thought of that. Where was my head that I never reflected ? " Then, in spite of his plans, in spite of his pledge to Pete, in spite of the world, in spite of him- self — yea, in spite of his own soul if it stood between them — he would cling to her ; she was sure of it — she could swear to it — he could not resist. "He will believe whatever I tell him," she thought, and she would say, " Come to me, Philip ; I am frightened." 1 11 the torture of her palpitating heart she would have rejoiced at that moment if she could have been sure that she was in the position of what the world calls a shameful woman. With that for her claim she could see herself going to Philip and telling him, her head on his breast, whispering sweetly the great secret — the Avondrous news. And then tho joy, the rapture, the long kiss of love! "Mine, mine, mine ! he is mine at last ! " That could not be quite so; she was not so happy as Pathsheba; she was not sure, but her right was the same for all that. Oh, it was joyful, it was delicious ! i So THE MANXMAN The little cunning arts of her sex, the small deceits in which she had disguised herself fell away from her now. She said to herself, "I will stop the nonsense about the marriage with Pete." It was mean, it was foolish, it was miserable trifling, it was wicked, it was a waste of life — above all, it was doing a great, great wrong to her love of Philip ! How could she ever have thought of it 1 Next morning she was up and was dressing when Grannie came into the room with a cup of tea. " I feel so much better," she said, "that I think I'll go to Douglas by the coach to-day, mother." " Do, bogh," said Grannie cheerfully, "and Pete shall go with you." '• ( )h, no ; I must be quite alone, mother." "Aw, aw! A HI errand, maybe! Shopping is it? Presents, eh? Take your tay, then." And Grannie rolled the blind, saying, "A beautiful morning you'll have for it, too. I can see the spire as plain as plain." Then, turning about, "Did you hear the bells this morning, Kitty ?" "Why, what bells, mammy?" said Kate, through a mouthful of bread and butter. " The bells for Christian Killip. Her old sweetheart took her to church at last. He wouldn't get rest at your father till he did — and her baby two years for Christmas. But what d'ye think, now? Robbie left her at the church door, and he's off by the Kamsey packet for England. Aw, dear, he did, though. 'You can make me marry her,' said he, 'but you can't make me live with hex-,' he said, and he was away down the road like the dust." " I don't think I'll go to Douglas to-day, mother," said Kate in a broken voice. "I'm not so very well, after all." "Aw, the bogh !" said Grannie. "Making too sure of herself, was she? It's the way with them all when they're mending." With cheerful protestations Grannie helped her back to bed, and then went off with an anxious fade to tell Caesar that she was more ill than ever. She was ill indeed ; but her worst illness was of the heart. " If I go to him and tell him," she thought, "he will marry me — yes. No fear that he will leave me at the church door or elsewhere. He will stay with me. We will be man and wife to the last. The world will know nothing. But / will know. As long as I live I will remember that he only sacrificed himself to repair a fault. That 1 1 never be — never, never ! " Caesar came up in great alarm. He seemed to be living in hourly dread that some obstacle would arise at the last moment to stop the marriage. "Chut, woman ! " he said playfully. " Have a good heart, Kitty. The sun's not going down on you yet at all." That niirht there were loud voices from the bar-room. The talk was of the marriage which had taken place in the morning, and of MAN AND WOMAN 181 its strange and painful sequel. John the Clerk was saying, " But you'd be hearing of the by-child, it's like ?" " Never a word," said somebody. " Not heard of it, though 1 Fetching the child to the wedding to have the bad name taken off it — no 1 They were standing the HI bogh — it : s only three — two is it, Grannie, only two ? — well, they were standing the lil thing under its mother's perricut while the sarvice was saying." " You don't say ! " " Aw, truth enough, sir ! It's the ould Manx way of legitimating. The parsons are knowing nothing of it, but I've seen it times." " John's right," said Mr. Jelly ; "and I can tell you more — it was just that the man went to church for." " Wouldn't trust," said John the Clerk. " The woman wasn't getting much of a husband out of it anyway." " No," said Pete — he had not spoken before — " but the child was getting the name of its father, though." " That's not mountains of thick porridge, sir," said somebody. " Robbie's gone. What's the good of a father if he's doing nothing to bring you up 1 " "Ask your son if you've got any of the sort," said Pete; "some of you have. Ask me. I know middling well what it is to go through the world without a father's name to my back. If your lad is like myself, he's knowing it early and he's knowing it late. He's knowing it when he's saying his bits of prayers atop of the bed in the gable loft : ' God bless mother — and grandmother,' maybe — there's never no ' father ' in his little texes. And he's knowing it when he's growing up to a lump of a lad and going for a trade, and the beast of life is getting the grip of him. Ten to one he comes to be a waistrel then, and, if it's a girl instead, a hundred to nothing she turns out a — well, worse. Only a notion, is it ? Just a parzon's lie, eh ? Having your father's name is nothing — no ? That's what the man says. But ask the child, and shut your mouth for a fool." There was a hush and a hum after that, and Kate, who had reached from the bed to open the door, clutched it with a feverish grasp. "Christian Killip is nothing but a trollop, anyway, sir," said Caesar. " Every cat is black in the night, father — the girl's in trouble," said Pete. " No, no ! If I'd done wrong by a woman, and she was having a child by me, I'd marry her if she'd take me, though I'd come to hate her like sin itself." Grannie in the kitchen was wiping her eyes at these brave words, but Kate in the bedroom was tossing in a delirium of wrath. " Never, never, never ! " she thought. Oh, yes, Philip would marry her if she imposed herself upon him, 1 82 THE MANXMAN if she hinted at a possible contingency. He, too, was a brave man ; he also had a lofty soul — he would not shrink. But no, not for the wealth of worlds. Philip loved her, and his love alone should bring him to her side. No other compulsion should be put upon him, neither the thought of her possible future position, nor of the consequences to another. It was the only justice, the only safety, the only happiness now or in the time to come. "He shall marry me for my sake," she thought, "for my own sake — my own sake only." Thus in the wild disorder of her soul — the tempest of conflicting passions — her pride barred up the one great way. XVII There was no help for it after all — she must go on as she had begun, with the old scheme, the old chance, the old gambling hazard. Heart-sick and ashamed, waiting for Philip, and listening to every step, she kept her room two days longer. Then Caesar came and rallied her. " Gough bless me, but nobody will credit it," he said. "The marriage for Monday, and the bride in bed a Wednesday. People will say it isn't coming off at all." This alarmed her. It partly explained why Philip did not come. If he thought there was no danger of the marriage, he would be in no hurry to intervene. Next day (Thursday) she struggled up and dressed in a light wrapper, feeling weak and nervous, and looking pale and white like apple-blossom nipped by frost. Pete would have carried her downstairs, but she would not have it. They established her among a pile of cushions before a fire in the parlour, with its bowl of sea birds' eggs that had the faint, unfamiliar smell — its tables of old china that shook and rang slightly with every step and sound. The kitchen was covered with the litter of dressmakers preparing for the wedding. There were bodices to try on, and de- cisions to give on points of style. Kate agreed to everything. In a weak and toneless voice she kept on telling them to do as they thought best. Only when she heard that Pete was to pay did she assert her will, and that was to limit the dresses to one. " £ Li ve now, Kirry," cried Nancy, " that's what I call ruining a good husband — the man was willing to buy frocks for a boarding- school." Pete came, sat on a stool at her feet, and told stories. They were funny stories of his life abroad, and now and again there came bursts of laughter from the kitchen, where they were straining MAN AND WOMAN 183 their necks to catch his words through the doors, which they kept ajar. But Kate hardly listened. She showed signs of impa- tience sometimes, and made quick glances around when the door opened, as if expecting somebody. On recovering herself at these moments, sho found Pete looking up at her with the big, serious, moist eyes of a dog. He began to tell of the house he had taken, to excuse himself for not consulting her, and to describe the progress of the furnishing. " I've put it all in the hands of Cannell & Quayle, Kitty," he said, "and they're doing it beautiful. Marble slabs, bless you, like a butcher's counter; carpets as soft as daisies, and looking-glasses as tall as a man." Kate had not heard him. She was trying to remember all she knew of the courts of the island — where they were held, and on what days. "Have you seen Philip lately 1 ?" she asked. " Not since Monday," said Pete. " He's in Douglas, working like mad to be here on Monday, God bless him ! " " What did he say when he heard we had changed the day 1 ?" " Wanted to get out of it first. ' I'm sailing on Tuesday,' said he." " Did you tell him that I proposed it 1 " "Trust me for not forgetting that at all. 'Aw, then,' says he, ' there's no choice left,' he says." Kate's pale face became paler, the dark circles about her eyes grew yet more dark. "I think I'll go back to bed, mother," she said in the same toneless voice. Pete helped her to the foot of the stairs. The big, moist eyes were looking at her constantly. She found it hard to keep an equal countenance. "But will you be fit for it, darling?" said Pete. " Why, of course she'll be fit, sir," said Crcsar. " What girl is ever more than middling the week before she's married 1 " Next day she persuaded her father to take her to Douglas. She had little errands there that could not be done in Bamsey. The morning was fine but cold. Pete helped her up in the gig, and they drove away. If only she could see Philip, if only Philip could see her, he would know by the look of her face that the marriage was not of her making — that compulsion of some sort was being put on her. She spent four hours going from shop to shop, lingering in the streets, but seeing nothing of Philip. Her step was slow and wear}-, her features were pinched and starved, but Caesar could scarcely get her out of the town. At length the daylight began to fail, and then she yielded to his importunities. " How short the clays are now," she said with a sigh, as they ran into the country. "Yes, they are a cock's stride shorter in September," said Caesar; 1 84 THE MANXMAN " but when a woman once gets shopping, Midsummer day itself won't do — she's wanting the land of the midnight sun." Pete lifted her out of the eisr in d.-vrkness at the door of the " Fairy,'' and, his great arms being about her, he carried her into the house and set her down in the fire-seat. She would have struggled to her feet if she had been able ; she felt something like repulsion at his touch ; but he looked at her with the mute eloquence of love, and she was ashamed. The house was full of gossips that night. They talked of the marriage customs of old times. One described the ' ; pay-weddings," where the hat went round, and every guest gave something towards the cost of the breakfast and the expenses of beginning housekeeping — rude foi-efather of the practice of the modern wedding present. Another pictured the irregular marriages made in public-houses in the days when the island had three breweries and thirty drinking- shops to every thousand of its inhabitants. The publican laid two sticks cross-wise on the floor, and said to the bride and bridegroom — " Hop over the sticks and lie crossed on the floor, And you're man and wife for nevermore." There was some laughter at this, but Kate sat in the lire-seat and sipped her tea in silence, and Pete said quietly, " Nothing to laugh at, though. I remember a girl over Foxal way that was married to a man like that, and then he went off to Kinsale, and got kept for the herring riots — d'ye mind them ? She was a strapping girl, though, and when the man was gone the boys came bothering her, first one and then another, and good ones among them too. And honour bright for all, they wei-e for taking her to the parzon about right. But no ! Did they think she was for committing beggamy ? She was married to one man, and wasn't that enough for a dacent girl anyway. And so she wouldn't and she didn't, and last of all her own boy came back, and the} 7 lived together man and wife, and what for shouldn't they ? " Tins question from the man who was on the point of going to church was received with shouts of laughter, through which the voice of Grannie rose in affectionate remonstrance, saying, "Aw, Pete, ter'ble to hear you, bogh." " What's there ter'ble about that, Grannie ? " said Pete. " Isn't it the Almighty and not the parzon that makes the marriage?" "Aw, boy veen, boy veen," cried Grannie, "you was used to be a good man, but you have fell off very bad." ite was in a fever of eagerness. She wanted to open her heart to Pete, to beg him to spare her, to tell him that it was impossible that they should ever marry. Pete would see that Philip was her husband by every true law, human and divine. I n this mood she lived through MAN AND WOMAN 185 much of the following day, Friday, tossing and turning in bed, for 1 he exhaustion of the day in Douglas had confined her to her room again. In the evening she came downstairs, and was established in the fire-seat as before There were four or five old women in the kitchen, spinning yarn for a set of blankets which Grannie intended for a wedding present. When the day's work was nearly done, two or three old men, the old husbands of the old women, came to carry their wheels home again. Then, as the wheels whirred for the last of the twist, Pete set the old crones to tell stories of old times. " Tell us of the days when you were young, Anne," said Pete to an ancient dame of eighty. Her husband of eighty-four sat sucking his pipe by her side. " Well," said old Anne, stretching her arms to the yarn, " I was as near going foreign, same as yourself, sir, just as near, now, as makes no matter. It was the very day I married this man, and his brother was making a start for Austrillya. Jemmy was my ould sweetheart, only I had given him up because he was always stealing my pocket-handkerchers. But he came that morning and tapped at my window, and ' Will you come, Anne ? ' says he, and I whipped on my perricut and stole out and down to the quay with him. But my heart was losing me when I saw the white horses on the water, and home I came and went to church with this one instead." While old Anne told her story her old husband opened his moutli wider and wider, until the pipe-shank dropped out of his toothless gums on to his waistcoat. Then he stretched his left arm, and brought down his clenched hand with a bang on to her shoulder. " And have you been living with me better than sixty years," said he, "and never telling me that before?" Pete tried to pacify his ancient jealousy, but it was not to be appeased, and he shouldered the wheel and hobbled off, saying, "And I sent out two pound five to put a stone on the man's grave ! " There was loud laughter when the old couple were gone, but Pete said, nevertheless, ." A sacret's a sacret, though, and the ould lady had no right to tell it. It was the dead man's sacret too, and she's fouled the ould man's memory. If a person's done wrong, the best thing he can do next is to say darned little about it." Kate rose and went off to bed. Another door had been barred to her, and she felt sick and faint. XVIII. The next day was Saturday. Kate remembered that Philip came to Ballure on Saturdays. She felt sure that he would come to Sulby also. Let him only set eyes on her, and he would divine the trouble 1 86 THE MANXMAN that had taken the colour out of her cheeks. Then he would speak to Pete and to her father ; he would deliver her ; he would take everything upon himself. Thus all day long, like a white-eyed gambler who has staked his last, she waited and listened and watched. At breakfast she said to herself, "He will come this morning." At dinner, "He will come this evening." At supper, " He will come to-night." But Philip did not come, and she grew hysterical as well as rest- less. She watched the clock; the minutes passed with feet of lead, but the hours with wings of fire. She was now like a criminal looking for a reprieve. Every time the clock warned to strike, she felt one hour nearer her doom. The strain was wearing her out. She reproached Philip for leav- ing her to this cruel uncertainty, and she suffered the pangs of one who tries at the same time to love and to hate. Then she reproached herself with altering the date of the marriage, and excused Philip on the grounds of her haste. She felt like a witch who was burn- ing by her own spell. Hope was failing her, and Will was breaking down as well. Nevertheless, she determined that the wedding should be postponed. That was on Saturday night. On Sunday morning she had gone one step farther. The last pitiful shred of expectation that Philip would intervene seemed then to be lost, and she had resolved that, come what would, she should not marry at all. No need to appeal to Pete ; no necessity to betray the secret of Philip. All she had to do was to say she would not go on with the wedding, and no power on earth should compel her. With this determination, and a feeling of immense relief, she went downstairs. Caesar was coming in from the preaching-room, and Pete from the new house at Ramsey. They sat down to dinner. After dinner she would speak out. Caesar sharpened the carving- knife on the steel, and said, "We've taken the girl Christian Killip back to communion to-day." "Poor thing," said Grannie, "pity she was ever put out of it, though." "Maybe so, — maybe no," said Caesar. "Necessary anyway; one bby sheep infects the flock." "And has marriage daubed grace on the poor sheep's sore then, -ar?" said Pete. "She's Mistress Robbie Teare and a dacent woman, sir," said r, digging into the beef, "and that's all the truck a Christian church has got with it." Kate did not eat hf>r dinner that day, and neither did she spenk out as she had intended. A supernatural power seemed to have come down at the last moment and barred up the one remaining MAN AND WOMAN 187 pathway of escape. She was in the track of the storm. The tempest was ready to fall on her. Where could she fly for .shelter ? What her father had said of the girl had revealed her life to her in the light of her relation to Philip. The thought of the possible contingency which she had foreseen with so much joy, as so much power, had awakened the consciousness of her moral position. She was a fallen woman ! What else was she ? £hd if the contingency befell, what would become of her? In the intensity of her father's pietistic views the very shadow of shame would overwhelm his household, overthrow his sect, and uproot his religious pretentions. Kate trembled at the possibility of such a disaster coming through her. She saw herself being driven from house and home. Where could she fly ? And though she fled away, would she not still lie the cause of sorrow and disgrace to all whom she left behind — her mother, her father, Pete, everybody 1 If she could only tear out the past, at least she could stop this marriage. Or if she had been a man she could stop it, for a man may sin and still look to the future with a firm face. But she was a woman, and a woman's acts may be her own, but their conse- quences are beyond her. Oh, the misery of being a woman ! She asked herself what she could do, and there was no answer. She could not break the web of circumstances. Her situation might be false, it might be dishonourable, but there was no escape from it. There was no gleam of hope anywhere. Late that night — Sunday night — they were sitting together in the kitchen, Kate in the fire-seat as usual, Pete on the stool by the turf closet, smoking up the chimney, Caesar reading aloud. Grannie listening, and Nancy cooking the supper, when the porch door burst open and somebody entered. Kate rose to her feet with a startled cry of joy, looked round eagerly, and then sat down again covered with confusion. It was the girl Christian Killip, a pale, weak, frightened creature, with the mouth and eyes of a hare. "Is Mr. Quilliam here?" she asked. " Here's the man himself, Christian," said Grannie. " What do you want with him 1 " " Oh, God bless you, sir," said the girl to Pete, " God bless you for ever and ever." Then turning back to Grannie, she explained in woman's fashion, with many words, that somebody unknown had sent her twenty pounds, for the child, by post, the day before, and she had only now guessed who it must be when John the Clerk had told her what Pete had said a week before. Pete grunted and glimed, smoked up the chimney, and said, 1 88 THE MANXMAN "That'll do. ma'am, that'll do. Don't believe all you hear. John says more than his Amens, anyway." "I'm axing your pardon, miss," said the girl to Kate, "but I couldn't help coming — I couldn't really — no, I couldn't," and then she began to cry. " Where's that child 1 ?" said Pete, heaving up to his feet with a ferocious look. " What ! you mane to say you've left the lil thing alone, asleep? Go back to it, then, immajent. Good night ! " " Good night, sir, and God bless you, and when you're married to-morrow, God bless your wife as well ! " " That'll do — that'll do," said Pete, backing her to the porch. "You desarve a good woman, sir, and may the Lord be good to you both." "Tut ! tut !" said Pete, and he tut-tutted her out of the house. She smoothed her baby's hair more tenderly than ever that night, and kissed it again and again. Kate could scarcely breathe, she could barely see. Her pride and her will had broken down utterly. This great-hearted man loved her. He would lay down his life if need be to save her. To- morrow he would marry her. Here, then, was her rock of refuge — this strong man by her side. She could struggle against fate no longer — its invisible hand was pushing her on — its blind power was dragging her. If Philip would not come to claim her she must marry Pete. And Pete ? She meant no harm to Pete. She had not yet thought of things from Pete's point of view. He was like the camel-bag in the desert to the terrified wayfarer when the sand- cloud breaks over him. He flies to it. It shelters him. But what of the camel itself, with its head in the storm? Until the storm is over he does not think of that. XIX Meantime Philip himself was in the throes of his own agony. At the news of Kate's illness he was overwhelmed with remoisc, and when he inquired if she had been delirious, he was oppressed with a sense of meanness never felt before. At his meeting with Pete he realised for the first time to what depths Ins duplicity had degraded him. He had prilled himself on being a man of honour, and he was suddenly thrown out of the paths in which he could walk honourably. When the first shock of Kate's disaster was over, he remembered the interview with the Governor. The Deemstei.ship burnt in his mind with a growing fever of desire, but he did not apply for it. MAN AND WOMAN 189 He did not even mention it to Auntie Nan. She heard of his pro- spects from Peter Christian Ballawhaine, who first set foot in her house on this errand of congratulation. The sweet old soul was wildly excited. All the hopes of her life were about to be realised, the visions and the dreams were coming true. Philip was going to regain what his father had lost. Had he made his application yet? No 1 He would, though ; it was his duty. But Philip could not apply for the Deernstership. To sit down in cold blood and write to the Home Secretary while Kate was lying sick in bed would be too much like asking the devil's wages for sac- rificing her. Then came Pete with his talk of the wedding. That did not really alarm him. It was only the last revolution of the old wheel that had been set spinning before Pete went away. Kate would not consent. They had taken her consent for granted. He felt easy, calm, and secure. Next came his old master, the college friend of his father, now promoted to the position of Clerk of the Rolls. He was proud of his pupil, and had learnt that Philip was first favourite with the Governor. "I always knew it," he said. "I did, ma'am, I did. The first time I set e} 7 es on him, thinks I, 'Here comes the makings of the best lawyer in the island,' and by he's not going to disappoint me neither." The good fellow was a noisy, hearty, robustious creature, a bachelor, and when talking of the late Deemster, he said women were usually the chief obstacles in a man's career. Then he begged Auntie Nan's pardon, but the old lady showed no anger. She agreed that it had been so in some cases. Young men should be careful what stumbling-blocks they set up in the way of their own progress. Philip listened in silence, and was conscious, through all the un- selfish counselling, of a certain cynical bitterness. Still he did not make application for the Deernstership. Then came Caesar's letter announcing the marriage, and even fixing a date for it. This threw him into a lit of towering indignation. He was certain of undue pressure. They were forcing the girl. It was his duty to stop the marriage. But how 1 ? There was one clear course, but that coui'se he could not take. He could not go back on his settled determina- tion that he must not, should not marry the girl himself. Only one thing was left — to rely on Kate. She would never consent. Not being able to marry him, she would marry no man. She would do as he was doing — she would suffer and stand alone. By this time Philip's love, which, in spite of himself, had grown cool since the Melliah, and in his fierce battle with his worldly aims, suddenly awakened to fresh violence at the approach of another ioo THE MANXMAN man. But his ambition fought with his love, and he began to ask himself if it made any difference after all in this matter of Kate whether he took the Deemstership or left it. Kate was recovering ; he had nothing to reproach himself with, and it would be folly to sacrifice the ambition of a lifetime to the love of a woman who could never be his, a woman he could never marry. At that he wrote his letter to the Home Secretary. It was a brilliant letter of its kind, simple, natural, strong, and judicious. He had a calm assurance that nothing so good would leave the island, yet he could not bring himself to post it. Some quiverings of the old tenderness came back as he held it in his hand, some visions of Kate, with her twitching lips, her passionate eyes, some whisperings of their smothered love. Then came Pete again with the decisive blow. Kate had con- sented. There was no longer any room for doubt. His former indignation seemed almost comic, his confidence absurd. Kate was willing to marry Pete, and after all, what right had he to blame her '. What right had he to stop the marriage? He had wronged the girl enough already. A good man came and offered her his love. going to take it. How should he dare to stop her from marrying another, being unable to marry her himself 1 That night he posted his letter to the Home Secretary, and calmed the gnawings of his love with dreams of ambition. He would regain the place of his father; he would revive the traditions of his grandfather ; the Christians should resume their ancient standing in the Isle of Man ; the last of their race should be a strong man and a just one. Xo, lie would never marry; he would live alone, a quiet life, a peaceful one, slightly tinged with melan- et not altogether unhappy, not without cheer. I nder all other emotions, strengthening and supporting him, Avas a secr< t bitterness towards Kate — a certain contempt of her fickle- -, her lightness, her shallow love, her readiness to be oil' with the old love and on with the new. There was a sort of pride in his type of devotion, his sterner passion. Pete invited him to ihe wedding, but he would not go, he would invent some excuse. Then came the change of the day to suit his supposed conveni- , and also K. >wn invitation. "Very well, be it so. Kate g him. Her invitation was a challenge. He would take it; ho would go to the wedding. And if their eyes should meet, ho ■x who. must fall. XX LY next day the sleeping morning was awakened by the sound of a horn. It began somewhere in the village, wandered down the glen the bridge, plodded over the fields, and finally coiled MAN AND WOMAN joi round the house of the bride in thickening groans of discord. This restless spirit in the grey light was meant as herald of the approach- ing wedding. It came from the husky lungs of Mr. Jonaique Jelly. Before daylight "The Manx Fairy" was already astir. Some- where in the early reaches of the dawn the house had its last dust- ing down at the hands of Nancy Joe. Then Grannie finished, on hearth and griddle, the baking of her cakes. After that, some of the neighbours came and carried off to their own fires the beef, mutton, chickens, and ducks intended for the day's dinner. It was woman's work that was to the fore, and all idle men were hustled out of the way. Towards nine o'clock breakfast was swallowed standing. Then everybody began to think of dressing. In this matter the men had to be finished off before the women could begin. Already they were heard bellowing for help from unseen regions upstairs. Grannie took Caesar in hand. Pete was in charge of Nancy Joe. It was found at the last moment that Pete had forgotten to pro- vide himself with a white shirt. He had nothing to be married in except the flannel one in which he came home from Africa. This would never do. It wasn't proper, it wasn't respectable. There was no choice but to borrow a shirt of Caesar's. Caesar's shirt was of ancient pattern, and Pete was shy of taking it. "Take it, or you'll have none," said Nancy, and she pushed him back into his room. When he emerged from it he walked with a stiff neck down the stairs in a collar that reached to his ears at either side, and stood out at his cheeks like the wings of a white bat, with two long sharp points on the level of his eyes, which he seemed to be watch- ing warily to avoid the stab of their ironed starch. At the same moment Caesar appeared in duck trousers, a flowered waistcoat, a swallow-tail coat, and a tall hat of rough black beaver. The kitchen was full of men and women by this time, and groups of young fellows were gathered on the road outside, some with horses, saddled and bridled for the bride's race home after the ceremony ; others with guns ready loaded for firing as the proces- sion appeared ; and others again with lines of print handkerchiefs, which, as substitutes for flags, they were hanging from tree to tree. At every moment the crowd became greater outside, and the company inside more dense. John the Clerk called on his way to church, and whispered Pete that everything was ready, and they were going to sing a beautiful psalm. "It isn't many a man's wedding I would be taking the same trouble with," said John. "When you are coming down the alley give a sight up, sir, and you'll see me." " He's only a poor thing," said Mr. Jelly in Pete's ear as John the Clerk went off. " No more music in the man than my ould 192 THE MANXMAN sow. Did you hear the horn this morning, sir 1 Never got up so early for a wedding before. I'll be giving you ' the Black and i he Grey ' going into the church." Grannie came down in a gigantic bonnet like a half-moon, with her white cap visible beneath it; and Nancy Joe appeared behind her, be-ribboned out of all recognition, and taller by many inches for the turret of feathers and flowers on the head that was usually bare. Then the church bells began to peal, and Caesar made a prolonged A — hm ! and said in a large way, " Has the carriage arrived ?" •' Tt's coming over by the bridge now," said somebody at the door, and at the next moment a covered wagonette drew up at the porch. " All ready ?" asked Caesar. " Stop, sir," said Pete, and then, turning to Nancy Joe, " Is it glad a man should be on his wedding-day, Nancy?" " Why, of coorse, you goose. What else 1 " she answered. "Well, no man can be glad in a shirt like this," said Pete; " I'm going back to take it off." Two minutes afterwards he reappeared in his flannel one, under his suit of blue pilot, looking simple and natural, and a man every inch of him. " Now call the bride," said Caesar. Kate had been kept awake during the dark hours with a sound in her ears that was like the measured ringing of far-off bells. When the daylight came she slept a troubled sleep, and when she awoke she had a sense of stupefaction, as if she had taken a drug, and was not yet recovered from the effects of it. Nancy came bouncing into her room and crying, "It's your wedding-day, Kitty!" She answered by repeating mechanically, "It's your wedding-day, Kitty." There was an expression of serenity on her face; she even smiled a little. A sort of vague gaiety came over her, such as comes to one who has watched long in agony and suspense by the bed of a sick person and tin; person is dead. Nancy drew the little window curtain aside, stooped down, and looked out and said, " ' Happy the bride the sun shines on ' they're saying, and look ! the sun is shining." " Oh, but the sun is an old sly-boots," she answered. They came up to dress hoi'. She kept stumbling against things, and then Laughing in a faint way. The dress was the new one, and when tlify had put it on tliey stood back from her and shouted with delight. She took up the little broken hand-glass to look at herself. I lo what he might to banish tho thought of her, she would be with him always; the more surely with him, the moro reproachfully and uhattainably, because she would bo the wife of another man. If he could put her away from him in the day- time, and in the presence of those worldly aims for which he had sacrificed her, when night came ho would be able to put her away no more. He would never sleep but ho would see her. In even- dream he would stretch out his arms to her, but she would not be there', and he would awake with sobs and in torment. There was a real joy in this thought, although it tore her heart so terribly. She got strength from the cruel comforting, and Mrs. Cony in the room below, listening intently, heard her crying cease. With her face still shut in both her hands, she was telling herself that she had nothing to reproach herself with ; that she could not have acted differently ; that she had not really made this marriage ; 2o8 THE MANXMAN that she had only submitted to it, being swept along by the pitiless tide, which was her father, and Pete, and everybody. She was telling herself, too, that, after all, she had done well. Here she lay in close harbour from the fierce storm which had threatened her. She was safe, she was at peace. The room lay still. The night was very quiet within those walls. Kate drew down her hands and looked about her. The fire was burning gently, and warming her foot on the sheepskin rug that lay in front of it. A lamp burned low on a table behind her chair. At one side there was a wardrobe of the shape of an old press, but with a tall mirror in the door ; on the other side there was the bed, with the pink curtains hanging like a tent. The place had a strange look of familiarity. It seemed as if she had known it all her life. She rose to look around, and then the inner sense leapt to the outer vision, and she saw how it was. The room was a reproduction of her own bedroom at home, only newer and more luxurious. It was almost as if some ghost of herself had been there while she slept — as if her own hand had done everything in a dream of her girlhood wherein common things had become grand. Kate's eyes began to fill afresh, and she turned to take off her cloak. As she did so, she saw something on the dressing-table with a label attached to it. She took it up. It was a little mirror, a handglass like her own old one, only framed in ivory, and the writing on the label ran — Tnsted of The one that is bruk with fond Luv to Kirry. peat. Her heart was now beating furiously. A flood of feeling had rushed over her. She dropped the glass as if it stung her fingers. With both hands she covered her face. Everything in the room seemed to be accusing her. Hitherto she had thought only of Philip. Now for the first time she thought of Pete. She had wronged him — deeply, awfully, beyond atonement or hope of forgiveness. He loved her; he had married her; he had brought her to his home, to this harbour of safety, and she had deceived and betrayed him — she had suffered herself to be married to him while still loving anol her man. A sudden faintness seized her. She grew dizzy and almost fell. A more terrible memory had come behind. The thought was like ravens flapping their black wings on her brain. She felt her temples beating against her hands. They seemed to be sucking the life out of her heart. Just then the voice of Pete came beating up the echoes between the house and the chapel beyond the garden — " Little red bird of the black turf ground, Where did you sleep last night ? " MAN AND WOMAN 209 She heard hiin opeu the garden gate, clash it back, come up the path with an eager step, shut the door of the house and chain it on the inside. Then she heard his deep voice speaking below. " Better now, Mrs. Gorry ? " ' ; Aw, better, sir, yes, and quiet enough this ten minutes." " Give her time, the bogh ! Be aisy with the like, bo aisy." Presently she heard him send off Mrs. Gorry for the night, saying he should want no supper, and should be going to bed soon. Then the house became quiet, and the smell of tobacco smoke came floating up the stairs. Kate's hot breath on her hands grew damp against her face. She felt herself swooning, and she caught hold of the mantelpiece. "It cannot be," she thought. '• He must not come. I will go down to him and say, ' Pete, forgive me, I am really the wife of another. ' " Then she would tell him everything. Yes, she would confess all now. Oh, she would not be afraid. His love was great. He would do what she wished. She made one step towards the door, and was pulled up as by a curb. Pete would say, " Do you mean that you have been using me as a cloak ? Do you ask me to live in this house, side by side with you, and let no one suspect that we are apart ? Then why did you not ask me yesterday i Why do you ask me to-day, when it is too late to choose ? " No, she could not confess. If confession had been difficult yes- terday, it was a thousand times more difficult to-day, and it would be a thousand thousand times more difficult to-morrow. Kate caught up the cloak she had thrown aside. She must go away. Anywhere, anywhere, no matter where. That was the ono thing left to her — the only escape from the wild tangle of dread and pain. Pete was in the hall ; there must be a way out at the back ; she would find it. She lowered the lamp, and turned the handle of the door. Then she saw a light moving on the landing, and heard a soft step on the stairs. It was Pete, with a candle, coming up in his stockinged feet. He stopped midway, as if he heard the click of the latch, and then went noiselessly down again. Kate closed the door. She would not go. If she left the house that night she would cover Pete with suspicion and disgrace. The true secret would never be known ; the real offender would never suffer ; but the finger of scorn would be raised at the one man who had sheltered and shielded her, and he would die of humiliation and blind self-reproach. This reflection restrained her for the moment, and when the stress of it was spent she was mastered by a fear that was far more o no THE MANXMAN terrible. For good or for ill she was now married to Pete, and he had the rights of a husband. He had a right to come to her, and he would come. It was inevitable ; it had to be. No boy or girl love now, no wooing, no dallying, no denying, but a grim reality of life — a reality that comes to every woman who is married to a man. Sho was married to Pete. In the eye of the world, in the eye of the law, she was his, and to fly from him was impossible. She must remain. God himself had willed it. As for the shame of her former relation to Philip, it was her own secret. God alone knew of it, and He would keep it safe. It was the dark chamber of her heart which God only could unlock. He would never unlock it until the Hay of Judgment, and then Philip would be standing by her side, and she would cast it back upon him, and say, " His, not mine, O God," and the Great Judge of all would judge between them. But she began to cry again, like a child in the dark. As she threw off her cloak a second time, her dress crinkled, and she looked down at it and remembered that it was her wedding-dress. Then she looked around at the room, and remembered that it was her wedding chamber. She remembered how she had dreamt of coming in her bridal dress to her bridal room — proud, afraid, tingling with love, blushing with joy, whispering to herself, "This is for me — and this — and this. He has given it, for he loves me and I love him, and he is mine and I am his, and he is my love and my lord, and he is coming to me " There was a gentle knocking at the door. It made her flesh creep. The knock came again. It went shrieking through and through her. :< Kirry," whispered a voice from without. She did not si ir. "It's only Pete." e neither spoke nor moved. There was silence for a moment, and then, half nervously, half jovially, half in laughter, half with emotion, as if the heart outside was palpitating, the voice came again, "I'm coming in, darling!" END OF r.\irr TU. MAN AND WIFE zu PART IV.— MAN AND WIFE Next morning Kate said to herself, " My life must begin again from to-day." She had a secret that Pete did not share. But she was not the first woman who had kept something from her husband. When people had secrets which it would hurt others to reveal, they ought to keep them close. Honour demanded that she should be as firm as a rock in blotting Philip from her soul. Remembering the promise which Pete had demanded of Philip at the wedding to make their house his home in Ramsey, and seeing that Philip must come, if only to save appearances, she asked herself if she ought to prevent him. But no ! She resolved to conquer the passion that made his presence a danger. There was no safety in separation. In her relation to Philip she was like the convict who is beginning his life again — the only place where he can build up a sure career is precisely there where his crime is known. "Let Philip come," she thought. She made his room ready. She was married. It was her duty to be a good wife. Pete loved her — his love would make it easy. They were sitting at breakfast in the hall-parlour, and she said, " I should like to be my own house- keeper, Pete/' "And right, too," said Pete. "Be your own woman, darling — not your woman's woman — and have Mrs. Gorry for your housemaid. ' To turn her mind from evil thoughts, she set to work immediately, and busied herself with little duties, little economies, little cares, little troubles. But the virtues of housekeeping were just those for which she had not prepared herself. Her first leg of mutton was roasted down to the proportions of a frizzled shank, and her first pudding was baked to the colour ami consistency of a badly burnt brick. She did not mend rapidly as a cook, but Pete ate of all that his faultless teeth could grind through, and laid the blame on his appetite when his digestion failed. She strove by other industries to keep alive a sense of her duty as a wife. Buying rolls of paper at the paperhanger's, she set about papering every closet in the house. The patterns did not join and the paste did not adhere. She initialled in worsted the new blankets sent by Grannie, with a P and a Q and a K intertwined. Than she 'hauled the linen ; turned out every room twice a week ; painted 212 THE MANXMAN every available wooden fixture with paint which would not dry because she had mixed it herself to save sixpence a stone and for- gotten the turpentine. Pete held up his hands in admiration at all her failures. She had thought it would be easy to be a good wife to a good husband. It was hard— hard for any one, hardest of all for her. There are the ruins of a happy woman in the bosom of every over-indulged wife. She could not keep to anything long, but every night for a week she gave Pete lessons in reading, writing, and arithmetic. His reading was laborious, his spelling was eccentric, his figuring he did on the tips of his heavy fingers, and his writing he executed with his tongue in his cheek and his ponderous thumb down on the pen nib. " What letter is that, Pete ? " she said, pointing with her knitting needle to the page of a book of poems open before them. Pete looked up in astonishment " Is it me you're asking, Kitty ? If you don't know, i" don't know." "That's a capital M, Pete." " Is it, now 1 " said Pete, looking at the letter with a searching eye. "Goodness me, the straight it's like the gate of the long meadow." " And that's a capital A." " Sakes alive, the straight it's like the coupling of the cart-house." " And that's a B." " Gough bless me, d'ye say so ? But the straight it's like the hoof of a bull, though." "And M A B spells Mab — Queen Mab," said Kate, going on witlt her knitting. Pete looked up at her with eyes wide open. " I suppose, now," he said, in a voice of pride, "I suppose you're knowing all the big spells yourself, Kitty?" " Not all. Sometimes I have to look in the dictionary," said Kate. She showed him the book and explained its uses. " And is it taiching you to spell every word, Kitty?" he asked. "Every ordinary word," said Kate. " My gough ! " said Pete, touching the book with awe. Next d:iy he pored over the dictionary for an hour, but when he raised his face it wore a look of scepticism and scorn. " This spelling- ■i: isn't taiching you nothing, darling," lie said. '■ [sn'tit, Pete?" "No, nothing," said Pete. "Here I've been looking for an ordinary word — a very ordinary word — and it isn't in." "What word is it?" said Kate, leaning over his shoulder. "Love" said Pete. "See," pointing his big forefinger, "that's where it ought to be, and where is it?" " But love begins h>" said Kate, "and you're looking at lu. Here it is — love" MAN AND WIFE 213 Pete gave a prolonged whistle, then fell back in his chair, looked slowly up and said, "So you must first know how the word begins; is that it, Kitty?" " Why, yes," said Kate. "Then it's you that's taiching the spelling-book, darling; so we'll put it back on the shelf." For a fortnight Kate read and replied to Pete's correspondence. It was plentiful and various. Letters from heirs to lost fortunes offering shares in return for money to buy them out of Chancery ; from promoters of companies proposing dancing palaces to meet the needs of English visitors ; from parsons begging subscriptions to new organs ; from fashionable ladies asking Pete to open bazaars ; from preachers inviting him to anniversary tea-meetings, and saying Methodism was proud of him. If anybody wanted money, he kissed the Blarney Stone and applied to Pete. Kate stood between him and the worst of the leeches. The best of them he contrived to deal with himself, secretly and surreptitiously. Sometimes there came acknowledgments of charities of which Kate knew nothing. Then he would shuffle them away and she would try not to see them. "If I stop him altogether, I will spoil him," she thought. One day the post brought a large envelope with a great seal at the back of it, and Kate drew out a parchment deed and began to read the indorsement — ' Memorandum of loan to Caesar Cre ' ' "That's nothing," said Pete, snatching the document and stuffing it into his jacket-pocket. Kate lifted her eyes with a look of pain and shame and humilia- tion, and that was the end of her secretaryship. II A moxtii after their marriage a man came through the gate with the air of one who was doing a degrading thing. The dog, which had been spread out lazily in the sun before the porch, leapt up and barked furiously. "Who's this coming up the path with his eyes all round him like a scallop?" .-aid Pete. Kate looked. " It's Ross Christian," she said, with a catch in her breathing. Ross came up, and Pete met him at the door. His face was puffy and pale, his speech was soft and lisping, yet there lurked about the man an air of levity and irony. "Your dog doesn't easily make friends, Peter,"' he said. " He's like his master, sir ; it's against the principles of his life," said Pete. 2 14 27/5 MANXMAN Ross laughed a little. " Wants to be approached with considera- tion, does he, Capt'n?" "You see, he's lived such a long time in the world and seen such a dale,"' said Pete. Poss looked up sharply and said in another tone, "I've just dropped in to congratulate you on your return home in safety and health and prosperity, Mr. Quilliam." '•'You're welcome, sir," said Pete. Pete led the way indoors. Itoss followed, bowed distantly to Kate, who was unpicking a dress, and took a chair. " I must not conceal from you, however, that I have another object — in fact, a private matter," said Ross, glancing at Kate. The dress rustled in Kate's fingers, her scissors dropped on to the table, and she rose to go. Pete raised his hand. " My wife knows all my business," he said. Poss gave out another little chirp of laughter. " You'll remember Avhat they say of a secret, Captain — too big for one, light for two, tight for three." "A man and his wife are one, sir — so that's two altogether," said Pete. Kate took up the scissors and went on with her work uneasily. J toss twisted on his seat and said, "Well, I feel I must tell you, Peter." "Quilliam, sir," said Pete, charging a pipe; but Poss pretended not to hear. "Only natural, perhaps, for it — in fact, it's about our father." "Tongue with me, tongue with thee," thought Pete, lighting up. " Five years ago he made me an allowance, and sent me up to London to study law. lie believes I've been called to the English bar, and, in view of this vacant Deemstership, he wants me admitted to tin' Manx one." te's pipe stopped in its puffing. " Well?" "That's impossible," said Poss. "Things haven t come with )ou, eh 1" " To tell you the truth, Captain, on first going up I fell into gant company. 1 thought my friends were rich men, and I was never a niggard. There was Monty, the patron of the Fancy" — the scissors in Kate's hand clicked and stopped — and Poss blurted out, "In fact, I've not been called, and I've never studied at all." Poss scjuirmed in his chair, glancing under his brows at Kate. Pete leaned forward and puffed up the chimney without speaking. '• You see 1 speak freely, Peter — something compels me. Well, if an can't reveal his little failings to his own brother, Peter " " Lon't let's talk about brothers," said Pete. "What am I to do for you '{ " " Lend me enough to help me to do what our father thinks I've MAN AND WIFE 215 done already," said Ross, and then he added, hastily, "Oh, I'll give you my note of hand for it." "They're telling me, sir," said Pete, "your notes of hand are as cheap as cowries." " Some one has' belied me to you, Captain. But for our father's sake — he has set his heart on this Deemstership — there may still be time for it." " Yes," said Pete, striking his open hand on the table, " and better men to fill it." Ross glanced at Kate, and a smile that was half a sneer crossed his evil face. " How nice," he said, "when the great friends of the wife are also the great friends of the husband." "Just so," said Pete, and then Ross laughed a little, and the clicking of Kate's scissors stopped again. "As to you, sir," said Pete, rising, " if it's no disrespect, you're like the cormorant that chokes itself swallowing its fish head- ways up. The gills are sticking in your gizzard, sir, only," touching Ross's shoulder with something between a pat and push, " you shouldn't be coming to your father's son to help you to ram it down." As Ross went out Caesar came in. " That wastrel's been wanting something," said Caesar. "The tide's down on him," said Pete. " Always was, and always will be. He was born at low water, and he'll die on the rocks. Borrowing money, eh 1 " said Caesar, with a searching glance. "Trying to," said Pete indifferently. " Then lend it, sir," said Caesar promptly. " He's not to trust, but lend it on his heirship. Or lend it the ould man at mortgage on Ballawhaine. He's the besom of fire — it'll come to you, sir, at the father's death, and who has more right ? " The shank of Pete's pipe came down from his mouth as he sat for some moments beating out the ash on the jockey bar. " Something in that, though," he said mechanically. " But there's another has first claim for all. He'd be having the place now if every one had his own. I must be thinking of it — I must be thinking of it." Ill Philip had left the island on the morning after the marriage. He had gone abroad, and when they heard from him first he was at Cairo. The voyage out had done him good — the long, steady nights going down the Mediterranean — walking the deck alone — the soft air — the far-off lights — thought he was feeling better — calmer any- 216 THE MANXMAN way. He hoped they were settled in their new home, and well — aud happy. Kate had to read the letter aloud. It was like a throb of Philip's heart made faint, feeble, and hardly to be felt by the great distance. Then she had to reply to it on behalf of Pete. " Tell him to be quick and come out of the land of Egypt and the house of bondage," said Pete. " Say there's no manner of sense of a handsome young man living in a country where there isn't a pretty face to be seen on the sunny side of a blanket. Write that Kirry joins with her love and best respects and she's busy white- washing, and he'd better have no truck with Pharaoh's daughters." The next time they heard from Philip he was at Rome. He had suffered from sleeplessness, but was not otherwise unwell. Living in that city was like an existence after death — all the real life was behind you. Put it was not unpleasant to walk under the big moon amid the wrecks of the past. He congratulated Mrs. Quilliam on her active occupation — work was the same as suffering — it was strength and power. Kate had to read this letter also. It was like a sob corning over the sea. "Give him a merry touch to keep up his pecker," said Pete. "Tell him the Romans are ter'ble jealous chaps, and, if he gets into a public-house for a cup of tay, he's to mind and not take the girls on his knee — the Romans don't like it." The last time they heard from Philip he was in London. His old pain had given way ; he thought he was nearly well again, but he had come through a sharp fire. The Governor had been very good — kept open the Deemstership by some means — also surrounded him with London friends — he was out every night. Nevertheless, an unseen force was drawing him home — they might see him soon, or it might be later; he had been six months away, but he felt that it had not been all waste and interruption — he would return with a new sustaining power. This letter could not be answered, for it bore no address. It came by the night-mail with the same day's steamer from England. Two hours later Mrs. Gorry ran in from an errand to the town s:i\ III" " I believe in my heart I saw Mr. Philip Christian going by on ih" road." "When?" said Pete. " This minute," she answered. " Chut ! woman," said Pete; "the man's in London. Look, here's his letter" — running his forefinger along the headline — "London, .1 anuary 2 1st — that's yesterday. See ! " Mrs. Gorry was perplexed. Put the next night she was out at the same hour on the same errand, and came flying into the house with a scared look, making the same announcement. MAN AND WIFE 217 " See for yourself, then," she cried ; " lie's going up the lane by the garden."' "Nonsense! it's browning you're ateing with your barley," said Pete ; and then to Kate, behind his hand, he whispered, "Whisht ! It's sights she's seeing, poor thing — and no wonder, with her husband laving her so lately." But the third night also Mrs. Gorry returned from a similar errand, at the same hour, with the same statement. " I'm sure of it," she panted. She was now in terror. An idea of the supernatural had taken hold of her. " The woman manes it," said Pete, and he began to cross-question her. How was Mr. Christian dressed 1 She hadn't noticed that night, but the first night he had worn a coat like an old Manx cape. Which way was he going ? She couldn't be certain which way to-night, but the night before he had gone up the lane between the chapel and the garden. Had she seen his face at all 1 The first time she had seen it, and it was very thin and pale. " Oh, I wouldn't deceave you, sir," said Mrs. Gorry, and she fell to crying. " Gough bless me, but this is mortal strange, though," said Pete. " What time was it exactly, Jane?" asked Kate. " On the minute of ten every night," answered Mrs. Gorry. " Is there any diffrance in time, now," said Pete, " between the Isle of Man and London, Kitty?" " Nothing to speak of," said Kate. Pete scratched his head. " I must be putting a sight up on Black Tom. A dirty ould trouss, God forgive me, if he is my grandfather, but he knows the Manx yarns about right. If it had been Mid- summer day now, and Philip had been in bed somewhere, it might have been his spirit coming home while he was sleeping to where his heart is — they're telling of the like, anyway." Kate read the mystery after her own manner, and on the following night, at the approach of ten o'clock, she went into the parlour of the hall, whence a window looked out on to the road. The day had been dull and the night was misty. A heavy white hand seemed to have come down on to the face of sea and land. Everything lay still and dead and ghostly. Kate was in the dark room, trembling, but not with fear. Presently a form that was like a shadow passed under a lamp that glimmered opposite. She could see only the outlines of a Spanish cape. But she listened for the footsteps, and she knew them. They came on and paused, came up and paused again, and then they went past and deadened off and died in the dense night-air. Kate's eyes were red and swollen when she came back to supper. She had promised herself enjoyment of Philip's sufferings. There was no enjoyment, but only a cry of yearning from the deep place 218 THE MANXMAN where love calls to love. .She tried afresh to make the thought of Philip sink to the lowest depth of her being. It was hard — it was impossible ; Pete was for ever strengthening the recollection of him — of his ways, his look, his voice, his laugh. What he said was only the echo of her own thoughts; but it was pain and torment, never- theless. She felt like crying, " Let me alone — let me alone ! " People in the town began to talk of Mrs. Gorry's mysterious stories. " Philip will be forced to come now," thought Kate ; and he came. Kate was alone. It was afternoon ; dinner was over, the hearth was Swept, the lire was heaped up, and the rug was down. lie entered the porch quietly, tapped lightly at the door, and stepped into the house. He hoped she was well. She answered mechanically. He asked after Pete. She replied vacantly that he had been gone since morning on some fishing business to Peel. It was a commonplace conversation — brief, cold, almost trivial. He spoke softly, and stood in the middle of the floor, swinging his soft hat against his leg. She was standing by the lire, with one hand on the mantelpiece and her head half aside, looking sideways towards his feet ; but she noticed that his eyes looked larger than before, and that his voice, though so soft, had a deeper tone. At first she did not remember to ask him to sit, and when she thought of it she could not do so. The poor little words would have been a formal recognition of all that had happened so terribly — that she was mistress in that house, and the wife of Pete. IV They were standing so, in a silence hard to break, harder still to p up, when Pete himself came back, like a rush of wind, and welcomed Philip with both hands. "Sit, boy, sit," he cried; "not that one— this aisy one. Mine? Well, if it's mine, it's yours. Not had dinner, have you ] Neither have I. Any cold mate left, Kitty ? No ? Fry us a chop, then, darling." Kate had recovered herself by this time, and she went out on this nd, While she was away, Pete rattled on like a mill-race — asked about the travels, laughed about the girls, and roared about Mrs. Gorry and her ghost of Philip. "Been buying a Nickey at Peel to-day, Phil," he said; "good little boat — a reg'lar clipper. Aw, I'm going to start on the herrings elf next say son, sir, and what for shouldn't I ? Too many of the Manx ones are giving the fishing the go-by. There's life in the ould yet, though. "Would be, anyway, if them rusty Kays would be doing any thing for the industry. They're building piers enough for MAN AND WIFE 219 the trippers, but never a breakwater the size of a tooth-brush for the ilshermen. That's reminding me, Phil — the boys are at me to get you to petition the Tynwald Court for better harbours. They're losing many a pound by not getting out all weathers. But if the child doesn't cry, the mother will be giving it no breast. So we mane to squall till they think in Douglas we've got spavined wind or popu- lation of the heart, or something. The men are looking to you, Phil. ' That's the boy for us,' says they. ' lie's stood our friend before, and he'll do it again,' they're saying." Philip promised to draw up the petition, and then Mrs. Gorry came in and laid the cloth. Kate, meanwhile, had been telling herself that she had not done well. Where was the satisfaction she had promised herself on the night of her wedding-day, when she had seen Philip from the height of a great revenge, if she allowed him to think that she also was suffering 1 She must be bright, she must be gay, she must seem to be happy and in love with her husband. She returned to the hall-parlour with a smoking dish, and a face all sunshine. "I'm afraid they're not very good, dear, she said. "Chut!" said Pete; "we're not partic'lar. Phil and I have roughed it before to-day." She laughed merrily, and, under pretext of giving orders, disap- peared again. But she had not belied the food she had set on the table. The mutton was badly fed, badly killed, badly cut, and, above all, badly cooked. To eat it was an ordeal. Philip tried hard not to let Pete see how he struggled. Pete fought valiantly to con- ceal his own efforts. The perspiration began to break out on their foreheads. Pete stopped in the midst of some wild talk to glance up at Philip. Philip tore away with knife and fork and answered vaguely. Then Pete looked searchingly around, rose on tiptoe, went stealthily to the kitchen door, came back, caught up a piece of yel- low paper from the sideboard, whipped the chops into it from his own plate and then from Philip's, and crammed them into his jacket- pocket. "No good hurting anybody's feelings," said he; and then Kate reappeared smiling. "Finished already?" she said with an elevation of pitch. "Ha! ha!" laughed Pete. "Two hungry men. Kate! You'd rather keep us a week than a fortnight, eh ? " Kate stood over the empty dish with a look of .surprise. Pete winked furiously at Philip. Philip's eyes wandered about the table- cloth. "She isn't knowing much about a hungry man's appetite, is she, Phil ? " 22o THE MANXMAN "But," said Kate — "but," she stammered — "what's become of the bones 1 " Pete scratched his chin through his beard. "The bones? Oh, the bones 1 Aw, no, we're not ateing the bones, at all." Then with a rush, as his eyes kindled, " But the dog, you see — coorse we always give the bones to the dog — -Dempster's dead on bones." Dempster was lying at the moment full length under the table, snoring audibly. Mrs. Gorry cleared the cloth, and Kate took up her sewing and turned towards the sideboard. " Has any one seen my pattern 1 " she asked. " Pattern ? " said Pete, diving into his jacket-pocket. " D'ye say pattern," he muttered, rummaging at his side. "Is this it?" and out came the yellow paper, crumpled and greasy, which had gone in with the chops. "Bless me, the stupid a man is now — I took it for a pipe-light." Kate's smile vanished, and she fled out to hide her face. Then Pete whispered to Philip, " Let's take a slieu round to the ' Plough.' ' They were leaving the house on that errand when Kate came back to the hall. "Just taking a lil walk, Kirry," said Pete. "They're telling me it's good wonderful after dinner for a wake digestion of the chest," and he coughed repeatedly and smote his re- sounding breast. " Wait a moment and I'll go with you," said Kate. There was no help for it, Kate's shopping took them in the direction of the "Plough." Old Mrs. Beatty, the innkeeper, was at the door as they passed, and when she saw Pete approaching on the iuside of the three, she said aloud — meaning no mischief — "Your bread and cheese and porter are ready, as usual, Capt'n." The man was killing her. To be his spoiled and adored wife, knowing she was unworthy of his love and tenderness, was not happiness — it was grinding misery, bringing death into her soul. If he had blamed her for her incompetence; if he had scolded her for making his home cheerless; nay, if he had beaten her, she could have borne with life, and taken her outward sufferings for her in- ward punishment. She fell into fits of hysteria, sat whole hours listless, with her feet on the fender. Pete's conduct exasperated her. As time went on and developed the sweetness of Pete, the man grew more and more distasteful to her, and she broke into fits of shrewishness. Pete hung his head and reproached himself. She wasn't to mind if he said things — he was only a rough fellow. Then she burst into tears MAN AND WIFE 221 and asked him to forgive her, and he was all cock-a-hoop in a moment, like a dog thai is coaxed after it has been beaten. Her sufferings reached a climax — she became conscious that she was about to become a mothei-. This affected her with terrible fears. She went back to that thought of a possible contingency which had torn her with conflicting feelings on the eve of her marriage. It was impossible to be sure. The idea might be no more than a mor- bid fancy, born of her unhappiness, of her secret love for Philip, of her secret repugnance for Pete (the inadequate, the uncouth, the uncongenial) but nevertheless it possessed her with the force of an overpowering conviction, it grew upon her day by day, it sat on her heart like a nightmare — the child that was to be born to her was not the child of her husband. VI In spite of Pete's invitations, Philip came rarely. He was full of excuses — work — fresh studies — the Governor — his aunt. Pete said "Coorse," and "Sartenly," and "Wouldn't trust," until Philip began to be ashamed, and one evening he came, looking stronger than usual, with a more sustaining cheerfulness, and plumped into the house with the words, " I've come at last ! " " To stay the night ? " said Pete. " Well, yes," said Philip. "That's lucky and unlucky too, for I'm this minute for Peel with two of the boys to fetch round my Xickey by the night-tide. But you'll stay and keep the wife company, and I'll be back first tide in the morning. You'll be obliged to him, won't you, Kate 1 " he cried, pitching his voice over his shoulder ; and then, in a whisper, " She's a bit down at whiles, and what wonder, and her so near — but you'll see, you'll see," and he winked and nodded knowingly. There was no harking back, no sheering off on the score of modesty before Pete's large faith. Kate looked as if she would cry "Mercy, mercy ! " but when she saw the same appeal on Philip's face she was stung. Pete went off, and then Kate and Philip sat down to tea. While tea lasted it was not hard to fill the silences with commonplaces. After it was over she brought him a pipe, and they lapsed into difficult pauses. Philip puffed vigorously and tried to look happy. Kate struggled not to let Philip see that she was ill at ease. Every moment their imagination took a new turn. He began to read a book, and while they sat without speaking she thought it was hardly nice of him to treat her with indifference. When he spoke she thought he was behaving with less politeness than before. He w r ent over to the piano and they sang a part song, " Oh, who will o'er the 2:2 THE MANXMAN downs so free ? " Their voices went well enough together, but they broke down. The more they tried to forget the past the more they remembered it. He twiddled the backs of his finger-tips over the keyboard ; she swung on one foot and held to the candle- bracket while they talked of Pete. That name seemed to fortify them against the scouts of passion. Pete was their bulwark. It was the old theme, but played as a tragedy, not as a comedy, now. " It is delightful to see you settled in this beautiful home," he said. "Isn't it beautiful?" she answered. " You ought to be very happy/' "Why should I not be happy?" with a little laugh. " Why, indeed ? A home like a nest and a husband that worships you -" She laughed again because she could not speak. Speech was thin gauze, laughter was rolling smoke; so she laughed and laughed. ■• What a fine hearty creature he is ! " said Philip. " Isn't he? " said Kate. "Education and intellect don't always go together."' •' Any wife might love such a husband," said Kate. "So simple, so natural, so unsuspicious " Put that was coming to quarters too close, so they fell back on silence. The silence was awful ; the power of it was pitiless. If they could have spoken the poorest commonplaces, the spell might have dissolved. Philip thought he would rise, but he could not do so. Kate tried to turn away, but felt herself rooted to the spot. With faces aside, they remained some moments where they were, as if a spirit had passed between them. Mis. Gorry came in to lay the supper, and then Kate recovered herself. She got back her power of laughter, and laughed at every- thing. He was not deceived. :; She loves me still," said the voice ot' his heart. He hated himself for the thought, but it haunted him with a merciless pei\sistence. He remembered the evening of tho wedding-day, and the imploring look she gave him on going away with Pete; and he returned to the idea that she had been married under the compulsion of her father, Caesar, the avaricious hypocrite. He told himself it would be easy to kindle a new lire on the warm n. As she laughed and he looked into her beautiful eyes and caught the nervous twitch of her mouth, he felt something of the old thrill, the old passion, the old unconditioned love of her who loved him in spite of all, and merely because she must. Put no ! Had he spent six months abroad for nothing? He would be strong; ho would bo loyal. If need be he would save this woman from herself. last Kate lit a candle and said, "T must show you to youv room." MAN AND WIFE 223 She talked cheerily going upstairs. On the landing she opened the door of the room above the hall, and went into it, and drew down the blind. She was still full of good spirits, said perhaps ho had no night-shirt, so she had left out one of Pete's, hoped he would find it big enough, and laughed again. He took the candle from her at the threshold, and kissed the hand that had held it. She stood a moment quivering like a colt, then she bounded away ; there was the clash of a door somewhere beyond, and Kate was in her own room, kneeling before the bed with her face buried in the counter- pane to stifle the sobs that might break through the walls. Under all her lightness, in spite of all her laughter, the old tor- menting thought had been with her still. Should she tell him ? Could he understand? Would he believe? If he realised the gravity of the awful position in which she was soon to be placed, would he make an effort to extricate her? And if he did not, would not, could not, should not she hate him for ever after ? Then the old simple love, the pure passion, came back upon her at the sight of his face, at the touch of his hand, at the sound of his voice ! Oh, for what might have been — what might have been ! Pete's Xickey came into harbour with the morning tide, and the three breakfasted together. As Kate moved heavily in front of the fire, "Pete crowed, cooed, and scattered wise winks round the table. " More milk, mammy, 1 ' he whimpered, and then he imitated all kinds of baby prattle. After breakfast the men smoked, and Kate took up her sewing. She was occupying herself with the little labours, so pretty, so full of delicate humour and delicious joy, which usually open a new avenue for a woman's tenderness. Philip's eyes fell on her, and she dropped below into her lop the tiny piece of white linen she was working on. Pete saw this, stole to the back of her chair, reached over her shoulder, snatched the white thing out of her fingers, held it outstretched in his pondei^ous hands, and roared like a smithy bellows. It was a baby's shirt. "Never mind, darling," he coaxed, as the colour leapt to Kate's face. " Philip must be a sort of a father to the boy some day — a godfather, anyway — so he won't mind seeing his lil shiff. We must bo calling him Philip, too, What do you say, Kirry — Philip, is it agreed?" YII As her time drew near, the conviction deepened upon her that she could not be confined in her husband's house. Bern" there at such o a crisis was like living in a volcanic land, One false step, one 224 THE MANXMAN passionate impulse, and the very earth under her feet would split, "I must go home for awhile, Pete," she said. "Coorse you must," said Pete. "Nobody like the ould angel when a girl's that way." Pete took her back to her mother's in the gig, driving very slowly, and lifting her up and down as tenderly as if she had been a child. She breathed freely when she left Elm Cottage, but when she was settled in her own bedroom at "The Manx Fairy" she realised that she had only stepped from misery to misery. So many memories lived like ghosts there — memories of innocent slumbers, and of glee- ful awakenings amid the twittering of birds and the rattling of gravel. The old familiar place, the little room with the poor little window looking out on the orchard, the poor little bed with its pink curtains like a tent, the sweet old blankets, the wash-basin, the press, the blind with the same old pattern, the sheepskin rug underfoot, the whitewashed scraas overhead — everything the same, but, God ! how different ! " Let me look at myself in the glass, Nancy," she said, and Nancy gave her the handglass which had been cracked the morning after the Melliah. She pushed it away peevishly. "What's the use of a thing like that?" she said. Pete haunted the house day and night. There was no bed for him there, and he was supposed to go home to sleep. But he wandered away in the darkness over the Curragh to the shore, and in the grey of morning lie was at the door again, bringing the cold breath of the dawn into the house with tin; long whisper round the door ajar. ' How's she going on now?" The women bundled him out bodily, and then he hung about the roads like a dog disowned. If he heard a sigh from the dairy loft, he sat down against the gable and groaned. Grannie tried to com- fort him. " Don't be taking on so, boy. It'll be all joy soon," said she, "and you'll be having tho child to shew for it." But Pete was bitter and rebellious. " Who's wanting the child anyway?" said lie. "It's only herself I'm wanting; and she's laving me ; O Lord, she's laving me. God forgive me ! " he mut- tered. "0 good God, forgive me!" he groaned: "It isn't fair, though. Lord knows it isn't fair," he mumbled hoarsely. At list Nancy Joe came out and took him in hand in earnest. "Look here, Pete," she said. "If you're wanting to kill the woman, and middling quick too, you'll go on the way you're going. But if you don't, you'll be taking to the road, and you won't be coming back till you're wanted." This settled Pete's restlessness. Tho fishing had begun early that season, and he went off for a night to the herrings. MAN AND WIFE 225 Kate waited long, and the women watched her with trem- bling. "It's a week or two early," said one. "The weather's warm," said another. "The boghee millish ! She's a bit soon," said Grannie. There was less of fear in Kate's own feelings. "Do women often die 1" she asked. "The proportion is small," said the doctor. Half an hour afterwards she spoke again. " Does the child sometimes die 1 " " Well, I've known it to happen, but only when the mother has had a shock — lost her husband, for example." She lay tossing on the bed, -wishing for her own death, hoping for the death of the unborn child, dreading its coming lest she should hate and loathe it. At last came the child's first cry — that cry out of silence that had never broken on the air before, but was hence- forth to be one of the world's voices for laughter and for weeping, for joy and for sorrow, to her who had borne it into life. Then she called to them to show her the baby, and when they did so, bringing it up with soft cooings and foolish words, she searched the little wrinkled face with a frightened look, then put vip her arms to shut out the sight, and cried " Take it away," and turned to the wall Her vague fear was a certainty now ; the child was the child of her sin — she was a bad woman. Yet there is no shame, no fear, no horror, but the pleading of a new-born babe can drown its clamour. The child cried again, and the cruel battle of love and dread was won for motherhood. The mother heart awoke and swelled. She had got her baby, at all events. It was all she had for all she had suffered ; but it was enough, and a dear and precious prize. '• Are you sure it is well ? " she asked. " Quite, quite well 1 Doesn't its little face look as if its mammy had been raying — no 1 " '■ Deed no," said Grannie, " but as bonny a baby as ever was born." The women were scurrying up and down, giggling on the landings, laughing on the stairs, and saying Tiush at their own noises as they crept into the room. In a fretful whimper the child was still crying, and Grannie was telling it, with many wags of the head and in a mighty stern voice, that they were going to have none of its com- plaining now that it had come at last ; and Kate herself, with hands clasped together, was saying in a soft murmur like a prayer, "God is very good, and the doctor is good too. God is good to give us doctors." " Lie quiet, and I'll come back in an hour or two," said Dr. Mylechreest from half-way through the door. " Dear heart alive, what will the father say ? " cried Grannie, and then the whole place broke into that smile of surprise which comes p 226 THE MANXMAN to every house after the twin angels of Life and Death have brooded long over its roof-tree, and are gone at length before the lace of a little child. VIII "Wiiex Pete came up to the quay in the raw sunshine of early morn- ing, John the Clerk, mounted on a barrel, was selling by auction the night's take of the boats. "I've news for you, Mr. Quilliam," he cried, as Pete's boat, with half sail set, dropped down the harbour. Pete brought to, leapt ashore, and went up to where John, at the end of the jetty, sur- rounded by a crowd of buyers in little spring-carts, was taking bids for the fish. "One moment, Capt'n," he cried, across his outstretched arm, at the end whereof was a herring with gills still opening and closing. "Ten maise of this sort for the last lot, well fed, alive and kicking — how much for thern ? Five shillings ? Thank you — and three, Five and three. It's in it yet, boys — only five and three — and six, thank you. It'll do no harm at five and six — six shillings ? All done at six — and six? All done at six and six?" "Seven shillings," shouted somebody with a voice like a foghorn. "They're Annie tin- Cadger's," said John, dropping to the ground. "And now, Capt'n Quilliam, we'll go and wet the youngster's head." Pete went up to Sulby like an avalanche, shouting his greetings to everybody on the way. But when he got near to the "Fairy," he wiped his steaming forehead and held his panting breath, and pretended not to have heard the news. "How's the poor girl now?' 5 he said in a meek voice, trying to look powerfully miserable, and playing his part splendidly for thirty seconds. Then the women made eyes at each other and looked wondrous knowing, and nodded sideways at Pete, and clucked and chuckled, saying, "Look at him, — he doesn't know anything, does he?" " Coorse not, woman — these men creatures are no use for nothing." " (Jut of a man's way," cried Pete, with a roar, and he made a lush for the stairs. Nancy blocked him at the foot of them with both hands on his shoulders. "You'll be quiet, then," she whispered. " You were always a rasonable man, Pete, and she's wonderful wake — promise you'll be quiet." "I'll bo like a mouse," said Pete, and he whipped oil' his long sea- boots and crept on tiptoe into the room. There she lay with the morning light on her, and a face as white as the quilt that she was plucking with her long fingers. MAN AND WIFE 227 " Thank God for a living mother and a living child," said Pete, in a broken gurgle, and then he drew down the bedclothes a very little, and there, too, was the child on the pillow of her other arm. Then do what he would to be quiet, he could not help but make a shout. '• lie's there ! Yes, he is ! He is, though ! Joy ! Joy ! " The women were down on him like a flock of geese. "Out of this, sir, if you can't behave better." "Excuse me, ladies," said Pete humbly, "I'm not in the habit of babies. A bit excited, you see, Mistress Nancy, ma'am. Couldn't help putting a bull of a roar out, not being used of the like." Then, turning back to the bed, " Aw, Kitty, the beauty it is, though ! And the big ! As big as my fist already. And the fat ! It's as fat as a bluebottle. And the straight ! Well, not so very straight, neither, but the complexion at him now! Give him to me, Kitty! give him to me, the young rascal. Let me have a hould of him, anyway." " Him, indeed ! Listen to the man," said Nancy. " It's a girl, Pete," said Grannie, lifting the child out of the bed. "A girl, is it?" said Pete doubtfully. "Well," he said, with a wag of the head, "thank God for a girl." Then, with another and more resolute wag, " Yes, thank God for a living mother and a living child, if it is a girl," and he stretched out his arms to take the baby. "Ai.sy, now, Pete — aisy," said Grannie, holding it out to him. "Is it ai.sy broke the}- are, Grannie?" said Pete. A good spirit looked out of his great boyish face. "Come to your ould daddie, you lil sandpiper. Gough bless me, Kitty, the weight of him, though ! This child's a quarter of a hundred if he's an ounce. He is, I'll go bail he is. Look at him ! Guy heng, Grannie, did ye ever see the like, now ! It's abs'lute perfection. Kitty, I couldn't have had a better one if I'd chiced it. Where's that Tom Hominy now ? The bleating little billygoat, he was bragging outrageous about his new baby— saying he wouldn't part with it for two of the best cows in his cow-house. This'll floor him, I'm thinking. What's that you're saying, Mistress Nancy, ma'am 1 ? No good for nothing, am 1? You were right, Grannie. ' It'll be all joy soon,' } - ou were saying, and haven't we the child to show for it? I put on my stocking inside out on Monday, ma'am. 'I'm in luck,' says I, and so 1 was. Look at that, now ! lie's shaking his lil fist at his father, lie is, though. This child knows me. Aw, you're clever, Nancy, but — no nonsense at all, Mistress Nancy, ma'am. Nothing will persuade me but this child knows me." "Do you hear the man?" said Nancy. " He and he, and he and he/ It's a girl, I'm telling you; a girl — a girl — a girl." 228 THE MANXMAN "Well, well, a girl, then — a girl we'll make it," said Pete, with determined resignation. "lie's deceaved," said Grannie. "It was a boy he was wanting, poor fellow ! " But Pete scoffed at the idea. " A boy ? Never ! No, no — a girl for your life. I'm all for girls myself, eh, Kitty? Always w T as, and now I've got two of them." The child began to cry, and Grannie took it back and rocked it, face downwards, across her knees. "Goodness me, the voice at him!" said Pete. "It's a skipper he's born for — a harbour-master, anyway." The child slept, and Grannie put it on the pillow turned length- wise at Kate's side. " Quiet as a Jenny Wren, now," said Pete. " Look at the bogh smiling in his sleep. Just like a baby mermaid on the egg of a dogfish. But where's the ould man at all? Has he seen it? We must have it in the papers. The Times ? Yes, and the 'Tiser too. ' The beloved wife of Mr. Capt'n Peter Quilliam, of a boy — a girl,' I mane. Aw, the wonder there'll be all the island over — everybody getting to know. Newspapers are like women — ter'ble bad for keeping sacrets. What'U Philip say? But haven't you a toothful of anything, Grannie? Gin for the ladies, Nancy. Goodness me, the house is handy. What time was it ? Wait, don't tell me ! It was five o'clock this morning, wasn't it ? Yes*? Gough bless me, I knew it ! High water to the very minute — aw, he'll rise in the world, and die at the top of the tide. How did I know when the child was born, ma'am ? As aisy as aisy. We were lying adrift of Cronk ny Irrey Lhaa, looking up for daylight by the fisherman's clock. Only light enough to see the black of your nail, ma'am. All at once I heard a baby's cry on the waters. * 'It's the nameless child of Earey Cushin,' sings out one of the boys. 'Up with the clout,' savs I. And when we were hauling the nets and down on our knees saying a bit of a prayer, as usual, 'God bless my new- born child,' says I, 'and God bless my child's mother, too,' I says, 'and God love and protect them always, and keep and presarve myself as will.'" There was a, low moaning from the bed. " Air ! ' live me air ! Open the door ! " Kate gasped. "The room is getting too hot for her," said Grannie. "Come, there's one too many of us here," said Nancy. "Out of it," and she swept Pete from the bedroom with her apron as if he had been a drove of ducks. Pete glanced backward from the door, and a cloak that was hanging on the inside of it brushed his face. " God bless her ! " he said in a low tone. " God bless and reward her for going through this for me !" MAN AND WIFE 229 Then he touched the cloak with his lips and disappeared. A moment later his curly black poll came stealing round the door- jamb, half-way down, like the head of a big boy. "Nancy," in a whisper, "put the tongs over the cradle; it's a pity to tempt the fairies. And, Grannie, I wouldn't lave it alone to goout to the cow-house — the HI people are shocking bad for changing." Kate, with her face to the wall, listened to him with an aching heart. As Pete went down, the doctor returned. " She's hardly so well," said the doctor. " Better not let her nurse the child. Bring it up by hand. It will be best for both." So it was arranged that Nancy should be made nurse and go to Elm Cottage, and that Mrs. Gorry should come in her place to Sulby. Throughout four-and-twenty hours thereafter, Kate tried her utmost to shut her heart to the child. At the end of that time, being left some minutes alone with the little one, she was heard singing to it in a sweet, low tone. Nancy paused with the long brush in her hand in the kitchen, and Grannie stopped at her knitting in the bar. " That's something like, now," said Nancy. "Poor thing, poor Barry ! What wonder if she was a bit out of her head, the bogh, and her not well since her wedding 1 " They crept upstairs together at the unaccustomed sounds, and found Pete, whom they had missed, outside the bedroom door, half doubled up and holding his breath to listen. "Hush!" said he, less with his tongue than with his mouth, which he pursed out to represent the sound. Then he whispered, "She's filling all the room with music. Listen ! It's as good as fairy music in Glentrammon. And it's the little fairy itself that's 'ticing it out of her." Next day Philip came, and nothing would serve for Pete but that he should go up to see the child. " It's only Phil," he said, through the doorway, dragging Philip into Kate's room after him, for the familiarity that a great joy permits breaks down conventions. Kate did not look up, and Philip tried to escape. "He's got good news for himself, too," said Pete. "They're to be making him Dempster a month to-morrow." Then Kate lifted her eyes to Philip's face, and all the glory of success withered under her gaze. He stumbled downstairs, and hurried away. There was the old persistent thought, " She loves me still," but it was working now, in the presence of the child, with how great a difference ! When he looked at the little, downy face, a new feeling took possession of him. Her child — hern — that might have been his also ! Had his bargain been worth having ? Was any promotion in the world to be set against one throb of Pete's -J- TIIE MANXMAN simple joy, one gleam of the auroral radiance that lights up a poor man's home when he is first a father, one moment of divine partner- ship in the babe that is fresh from God ? Three weeks later, Pete took his wife home in Csesar's gig. Every- thing was the same as when he brought her, save that within the shawls with which she was wrapped about the child now lay with its pink eyelids to the sky, and its flat white bottle against her breast. It was a beautiful spring morning, and the young sunlight was on the sallies of the Curragh and the gold of the roadside gorse. Pete was as silly as a boy, and he chirped and croaked all the way homo like every bird and beast of heaven and earth. When they got to Elm Cottage, he lifted his wife down as tenderly as if she had been the babe she had in her arms. He was sti'ong and she was light, and he half helped, half carried her to the porch door. Nancy was there to take the child out of her hands, and, as she did so, Pete, back at the horse's head, cried, " That's the last bit of furniture I e waiting for, Nancy. What's a house without a child ? Just a room without a clock.'' " Clock, indeed," said Nancy ; " clocks are stopping, but this one's for going like a mill."' "Don't be tempting the Nightman, Nancy," cried Pete; but he was full of childlike delight. Kate stepped inside. The fire burned in the hall parlour, the fire-irons shone like glass, there were sprigs of fuchsia-bud in the ornaments on the chimneypiece — everything was warm and cheerful and homelike. She sat down without taking off her hat. "Why t I be quiet and happy?" she thought. "Why can't I make myself love him and foreel But she was like one who traversed a desert under the sea — a vast submerged Sahara. Over her head was all her life, with all her love and all her happiness, and the things around her were only the ghostly shadows cast by them. IX The more Nate realised that she was in the position of a bad woman, the more she struggled to be a good one. She flew to religion as a refuge. There was no belief in her religion, no faith, no creed, no : ical transport s, but only fear, and shame, and contrition. It was fervent enough, nevertheless. On Sunday morning she went to The Christ ians, on Sunday afternoon to church, on Sunday evening to the Wesleyan chapeL and on Wednesday night to the mission-house of the Primitives. Tier catholicity did not please her father. He looked into her quivering face, and asked if she had broken any commandment in secret. She turned pale, and answered "No." MAN AND WIFE 23 r Pete follower! her wherever she wont, and, seeing this, somo of the baser sort among the religious people began to follow him. They abused each other badly in their efforts to lay hold of bin money-bags. "You'll never go over to yonder lot," said one. "They're holding to election — a soul-destroying doctrine." "A respectable man can't join himself to Cowley's gang," said another. •' They're denying original sin, and aren't a ha'p'orth better than infidels." Tote took the measure of them all, down to the watch-pockets of their waistcoats. " You remind me, - ' said he, " when you're a-gate on your doctrines, of the Kaffirs out at Kimberley. If one of them found an ould hat in the compound that some white man had thrown away, they'd light a camp-fire after dark, and hould a reg'lar Tynwald Coort on it. There they'd be squatting round on their haunches, with nothing to be seen of them but their eyes and their teeth, and there'd be as many questions as the Catechism. ' Who found it 1 ' says one. ' Where did he find it?' says another. ; If he hadn't found it, who else would have found it ?' That's how they'd be going till two in the morning, and the fire dead out, and the lot of them squealing away same as monkeys in the dark. And all about an ould bat with a hole in it, not worth a ha'penny piece." "Blasphemy." they cried. "But still and for all, you give to the widow and lend to the Lord — you practise the religion you don't believe in, Cap'n Quilliam." "There's a pair of us, then," said Pete, "for you believe in the religion you don't practise." But Caesar got IVte at last, in spite of his scepticism. The time came for the annual camp-meeting. Kate went off to it, and Pete followed like a hig dog at her heels. The company assembled at Sulhy Bridge, and marched through the village to a revival chorus. They stopped at a field of Caesar's in the glen — it was last year's Melliah field — and Caesar mounted a cart which had been left there to serve as a pulpit. Then they sani; again, and, breaking up into many companies, went off into little circles that were like gorso lings on the mountains. After that they reassembled to the strains of another chorus, and gathered afresh about the cart for Caesar's sermon. It dealt with the duty of sinless perfection. There were evil men and happv sinners in the island these days, who were telling them it was not good to he faultless in this life, because virtue begot pride, and pride was a deadly sin. There were others who were saying that because a man must repent in order to he saved, to repent he had to sin. Doctrines of the devil — don't listen to them. Could a man in the household of faith live one second without committing 232 THE MANXMAN sin ? Of course he could. One minute 1 Certainly. One hour 1 No doubt of it. Then, if a man could live one hour without sin, he could live one day, one week, one month, one year — nay, a whole lifetime. Tn getting thus far, Caesar had worked himself into a perspiration, and he took off his coat, hung it over the cart-wheel, and went on in his shirt-sleeves. Let them make no excuses for backsliders. It was a trick of the devil to deal with you, and forget to pay strap (the price). It was an old rule and a good one that, if any were guilty of the sins of the flesh, they should be openly punished in this world, that their sins might not be counted against them in the day of the Lord. Caesar threw off his waistcoat and finished with a passionate exhortation, calling upon his hearers to deliver themselves of secret sins. If oratory is to be judged of by its effects, Caesar's sermon was a great oration. It began amid the silence of his own fol- lowers, and the tschts and pshaws of a little group of his enemies, who lounsred on the outside of the crowd to cast ridicule on the "swaddler" and the "publican preacher." But it ended amid loud exclamations of praise and supplications from all his hearers, sighing and groaning, and the bodily clutching of one another by the arm in paroxysms of fear and rapture. When Caesar's voice died down like a wave of the sea, somebody leapt up from the grass to pray. And before the first prayer had ended, a second was begun. Meantime the penitents had begun to move inward through the throng, and they fell weeping and moaning on their knees about the cart. Kate was among them, and, when she took her place, Pete still held by her side. A strong shuddering passed over her shoulders, and her wet eyes were on the grass. Pete took her hand, and feeling how it trembled, his own eyes also filled. Above their heads Caesar was towering with fiery eyes and face aflame. In a momentary pause between two prayers, he tossed his voice up in a hymn. The people joined him at the second bar, and then the Availing of the penitents was drowned in a general shout of the revival tune — " If some poor wandering child of Thine Have spurned to-day the voice divine, Now, l.onl, tlio gracious work begin, Lei ii i in no more lie down in sin." K:ite sobbed aloud — poor vessel of human passions tossed about, tormented by the fire that was consuming her. As the penitents grew calmer, they rose one by one to give their experience of Satan and salvation. At length Caesar seized his opportunity and said, "And now Brother Quilliam will give us his experience." MAN AND WIFE 233 Pete rose from Kate's side with tearful eyes amid a babel of jubila- tion, most of it facetious. " Be of good cheer, Peter, be not afraid." "I've not much to tell," said Pete — "only a story of backsliding. Before I earned enough to carry me up country, I worked a month at Cape Town with the boats. My master was a pious old Dutch- man getting the name of Jan. One Saturday night a big ship lost her anchor outside, and on Sunday morning forty pounds was offered for finding it. All the boatmen went out except Jan. ' Six days shalt thou labour,' says he, 'but the seventh is the Sabbath.'' Pete's address was here punctuated by loud cries of thanksgiving. "All day long he was seeing the boats beating up the bay, so, to keep out of temptation, he was going up to the bedroom and pulling the blind and getting down on his knees and wrastling like mad. And something out of heaven was saying to him, 'It's the Lord's day, Jannie ; they'll not get a ha'p'orth.' Neither did they ; but when Jan's watch said twelve o'clock midnight the pair of us were going off like rockets. Well, we hadn't been ten minutes on the water before our grapplings had hould of that anchor." There were loud cries of "Glory ! " "Jan was shouting, 'The Lord has put us atop of it as straight as the lid of a tavpot ! ' " Great cries of '" Hallelujah ! " " But when we came ashore we found Jan's watch was twenty minutes fast, and that was the end of the ould man's religion." That day the word went round that both Pete and Kate had been converted. Their names were entered in Class, and they received their quarterly tickets. X Next morning Kate set out to church for her churching. Her household duties had lost their interest by this time, and she left Nancy to cook the dinner. Pete had volunteered to take charge of the child. This he began to do by establishing himself with his pipe in an armchair by the cradle, and looking steadfastly down into it until the little one awoke. Then he rocked it, rummaged his memory for a nursery song to quiet it, and smoked and sang together. "A frog he would a-wooing go, Kitty a/ow, Kitty atom , {Puff, puff.) A wonderful likely sort of a beau, Kitty alone and If " (Puff, puff, puff.) The sun was shining in at the doorway, and a man's shadow fell across the cradle-head. It was Philip. Pete put his mouth out ;.34 THE MANXMAN into the form of an unspoken "Hush," and Philip sat down in silence, while Pete went on with his smoke and his song. "But when her husband rat came home, Kitty alone, Kitty alone, Pray who's been here since I've been gone? Kitty alone and I .'" '" ' . ! Pete had got to the middle of the verse about "the worthy gentleman," when the low whine in the cradle lengthened to a long breath and stopped. "Gone off at last, God bless it," said Poto. "And how's your- self, Philip ? And how goes the petition 1 " With his head on his hand, Philip was gazing absently into tho fire, and he did not hear. " How goes the petition 1" said Pete. •• !t was that I came to speak of," said Philip. "Sorry to say it has had no effect but a bad one. It has only drawn attention to fad that Manx fishermen pay no harbour dues." " And right too," said Pete. " The harbours are our fathers' harbours, and were freed to us forty years ago." "Nevertheless," said Philip, "the clues are to be demanded. The Governor has issued an order." "Then we'll rise against it — every fisherman in the island," said Pete. "And when they're making you Dempster, you'll back us up in the Tynwald Coort." "Take care, Pete, take care," said Philip. Then Kate came in from church, and Pete welcomed her with a shout. Philip rose and bowed in silence. The marks of the prayers of the week were on her face, but they had brought her no comfort. She had hem constantly promising herself consolation from religion, hub every fresh oxereise of devotion had seemed to tear open the wound from which she bled to death. She removed her cloak and stepped to the cradle. The child was sleeping peacefully, but she convinced herself that it must be un- well, ibr own hands were cold and moist, and when she touched the child she thought its skin was clammy. Presently her hands became hot and dry, and when she touched the child again she thought its forehead was feverish. " I'm sure she's ill," she said. "Chut ! love," said Pete; "no more ill than I am." But, to calm her fears, he went off for the doctor 1 . The doctor was away in the country, and was not likely to be back for hours. Kate's fears increased. Every time she looked at tho child she applied to it the symptoms of her own condition, MAN AND WIFE 2 jy "My child is dying — I'm sure it is," she cried. "Nonsense, darling," said Pete. "Only an hour ago it was look- ing up as imperent as a tomtit." At last a new terror seized her, and she cried, "My child is dying unbaptized." "Well, we'll soon mend that, love," said Pete. "I'll be going off for the parson." And he caught up his hat and went out. He called on Parson Quiggin, who promised to follow imme- diately. Then he went on to Sulby to fetch Coesar and Grannie and some others, having no fear for the child's life, but some hope of banishing Kate's melancholy by the merriment of a christening feast. Meanwhile, Philip and Kate were alone with the little one, save in the intervals of Nancy's coming and going between the hall and the kitchen. She was restless, and full of expectation, starting at every sound and every step. He could see that she had gone whole nights without sleep, and was passing through an existence that was burning itself away. Do what he would to explain her sufferings as the common results of childbirth, he could not help resolving them in the old flattering solution. She was paying the penalty of having married the wrong man. And she was to blame. Whatever the compulsion put upon her, she ought to have withstood it. There was no situa- tion in life from which it was not possible to escape. Had he not found a way out of a situation essentially the same ? Thus a certain high pride in his own conduct took possession of him even in the presence of Kate's pain. But his tenderness fought with his self-righteousness. He looked at her piteous face and his strength almost ebbed away. She looked up into his eyes and affectionate pity almost overwhelmed him. Once or twice she seemed about to say something, but she did not speak, and he said little. Yet it wanted all his resolution not to take her in his arms and comfort her, not to mingle his tears with hers, not to tell her of six months spent in vain in tho effort to wipe her out of his heart, not to whisper of cheerless days and of nights made desolate with tho repetition of her name. But no, he would be stronger than that. It was not yet too late to walk the path of honour. He would stand no longer between husband and wife. Pete came back, bringing Grannie ami Ceesar. The parson arrived soon after them. Kate was sitting with the child in her lap, and brooding over it like a bird above its nest. The child was still sleeping the sleep of health and innocence, but the mother's eyes were wild. " Bogh, bogh ! " said Grannie, ami she kissed her daughter. Kate 236 THE MANXMAN made no response. Nancy Joe grew red about the eyelids and began to blow her nose. "Here's the parzon, darling," whispered Pete, and Kate rose to her feet. The company rose with her, and stood in a half-circle before the fire. It was now between daylight and dark, and the firelight flashed in their faces. " Are the godfather and godmothers present ? " the parson asked. " Mr. Christian will stand godfather, parzon ; and Nancy and Grannie will be godmothers." Nancy took the child out of Kate's arms, and the service for private baptism began with the tremendous words, " Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin " The parson stopped. Kate had staggered and almost fallen. Pete put his arm around her to keep her up, and then the service went on. Presently the parson turned to Philip with a softening voice and an inclination of the head. "Dost thou, in the name of this child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them 1" And Philip answered, in a firm, low voice, " I renounce them all." The parson took the child from Nancy. "Name this child." Nancy looked at Kate, but Kate, who was breathing violently, gave no sign. "Kate," whispered Pete; "Kate, of coorse." " Katherine," said Nancy, and in that name the child was baptized. Dr. Mylechreest came in as the service ended. Grannie held little Katherine up to him, and he controlled his face and looked ;it her. "There's not much amiss with the child," he said. " I knew it," shouted Pete. " But perhaps the mother is a little weak and nervous," he added quietly. "Coorse she is, the bogh," cried Pete. " Let her see more company," said the doctor. "She shall," said Pete. "If that doesn't do, send her away for awhile." "I will." " Fresh scenes, fresh society ; out of the island, by preference." "I'm willing." " She'll come back another woman." "I'll put up with the same one," said Pete; and, while the com- pany laughed, he flung open the door, and cried "Come in !" and half a dozen men who h.°I been waiting outside trooped into the MAN AND WIFE 237 hall. They entered with shy looks because of the presence of great people. "Now for a pull of jough, Nancy," cried Pete. "Not too much excitement either,'' said the doctor, and with that warning he departed. The parson went with him. Philip had slipped out first, unawares to anybody. Grannie carried little Katherine to the kitchen, and bathed her before the fire. Kate was propped up with pillows in the armchair in the corner. Then Nancy brought the ale, and Pete welcomed it with a shout. Caesar looked alarmed and rose to go. "The drink's your own, sir," said Pete; "stop and taste it." But Caesar couldn't stay ; it would scarcely be proper. "You don't christen your first granddaughter every day," said Pete. "Enjoy yourself while you're alive, sir; you'll be a long time dead." Caesar disappeared, but the rest of the company took Pete's counsel, and began to make themselves comfortable. "The last christening I was at was yesterday," said John the Clerk. " It was Christian Killip's little one, before she was married, and it took the water same as any other child." " The last christening I was at was my own," said Black Tom, " when I was made an inheriter, but I've never inherited yet." " That's truth enough," said an asthmatic voice from the backstairs. " Well, the last christening I was at was at Kimberley," said Pete, " and I was the parzon myself that day. Yes, though, Parzon Pete. And godfather and godmother as well, and the baby was Peter Quilliam, too. Aw, it was no laughing matter at all. There's always a truck of women about a compound, hanging on to the boys like burrs. Dirty little trousses of a ride, but human creatures for all. One of them had a child by somebody, and then she came to die, and couldn't take rest because it hadn't been christened. There wasn't a pazon for fifty miles, anywhere, and it was night- time, too, and the woman was stretched by the camp-fire and sink- ing. 'What's to be done?' says the men. 'I'll do it,' says I, and I did. One of the fellows got a breakfast can of water out of the river, and I dipped my hand in it. ' What's the name,' says I ; but the poor soul was too far gone for spaking. So I gave the child my own name, though I didn't know^the mother from Noah's aunt, and the big chaps standing round bareheaded began to blubber like babies. 'I baptize thee, Peter Quilliam, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.' Then the girl died happy and aisy, and what for shouldn't she 1 The words were the same, and the water was the same, and if the hand wasn't as clane as usual, maybe Him that's above wouldn't bother about the d iff 'ranee." 2}S THE MANXMAN Kate got up with a flush on her cheeks. The room had become too close. Pete helped her into the parlour, where a bright fire was burning, then propped and wrapped her up afresh, and, at her own entreaty, returned to his guests. The company, had increased by this time, and there were women and girls among them. They went on to sing and to play, and at last to dance. Kate heard them. Through the closed door between the hall and the parlour their merriment came to her. At intervals Pete put in his head, brimming over with laughter, and cried in a loud whisper, •• Did you hear that, Kate ? It's rich ! " At length Philip came, too, with his hat in one hand and a cardboard box in the other. "The godfather's present to little Katherine," he said. Kate opened the lid, and drew out a child's hood in scarlet plush. " You are very good," she said vacantly. " Don't let us talk of goodness," he answered ; and he turned to go. " Wait," she faltered. " I have something to say to you. Shut the door." XI J 'n i lip turned pale. " What is it ? " he asked. She tried to speak, but at first she could not. " Are you unhappy, Kate ? " he faltered. " Can't you see?" she answered. He sat down by the fire, and leaned his face on his hands. '• Yes, wo have both suffered," he said, in a low tone. '• Why did you let me many him?" Philip raised his head. " llow could I have hindered you ? " • ll-nv? Do you ask me how?" She spoke with some bitter- ness, but he answered quietly. "I tried, Kate, but I could do nothing. You seemed determined. what I would to prevent, to delay, to stop your marriage alto- ier, the more you hastened and hurried it. Then I thought to myself, Well, perhaps it is best. She is trying to forget and for- give, and begin again. What right have I to stand in her way ? Haven't I wronged her enough already'/ A good man offers her bis love, and .she is taking it. Let her do so, if she can, Cod help her ! 1 may suffer, but I am nothing to her now. Let me go my way " She put her arms on the table, and hid her face in them. " Oh, I cannot bear it," she said. He rose to his feet slowly. " If it is my presence here that hurts you, Kate, 1 will go away. It has been but a painful pleasure to MAN AND WIFE 239 Come, and I have been forced to take it. You will acquit me of coming of my own choice, Kate. But I will not torment you. 1 will go away, and never come again." She lifted her face, and said in a passionate whisper, " Take me with you." lie shook his head. " That's impossible, Kate. You are married now. Your husband loves you dearly. lie is a better man than I am, a thousand, thousand times." " Do you think I don't know what he is 1 " she cried, throwing herself back. "That's why I can't live with him. It's killing me. I tell you I can't bear it," she cried, rising to her feet. " Love me ! Haven't I tried to make myself love him. Haven't I tried to be a good wife ? I can't — I can't. He never speaks but he torments me. Nothing can happen but it cuts me through and through. 1 can't live in this house. The walls are crushing me, the ceiling is falling on me, the air is stifling me. I tell you I shall die if you do not take me out of it. Take me, Philip, take me, take me ! " She caught him by the arm imploringly, but he only dropped his head down between both hands, saying in a deep thick voice, " Hush, Kate, hush ! I cannot and I will not. You are mad to think of it." Then she sank down into the chair again, breathless and inert, and sobbing deep, low sobs. The sound of dancing came from the hall, with cries of " Hooch ! " and the voice of Pete shouting — " Hit the floor with heel and toe Till heaven help the boords below." " Yes, I am mad, or soon will be," she said in a hard way. " I thought of that this morning when I crossed the river coming home from church. It would soon be over there, I thought. No more trouble, no more dreams, no more waking in the night to hear the breathing of the one beside me, and the voice out of the darkness crying " " Kate, what are you saying?" interrupted Philip. "Oh, you needn't think I'm a bad woman because I ask you to take me away from my husband. If I were that, I could brazen it out perhaps, and live on here, and pretend to forget ; many a woman does, they say. And I'm not afraid that he will ever find me out either. I have only to close my lips, and he will never know. But /shall know, Philip Christian," she said, with a defiant look into his eyes as he raised them. Her reproaches hurt him less than her piteous entreaties, and in a moment she was sobbing again. "Oh, what can Cod do but let me die ! I thought He would when the child came; but He did 240 THE MANXMAN not, and then — am I a wicked woman, after all 1 — I prayed that He would take my innocent baby, anyway." But she dashed the tear? away in anger at her weakness, and said, " I'm not a bad woman, Philip Christian ; and that's why I won't live here any longer. There is something you have never guessed, and I have never told you ; but I must tell you now, for I can keep my secret no longer." He raised his head with a noise in his ears that was like the flapping of wings in the dark. " Your secret, Kate ? " " How happy I was," she said. " Perhaps I was to blame— I loved you so, and was so fearful of losing you. Perhaps you thought of all that had passed between us as something that would go back and back as time went on and on. But it has been coming the other way ever since. Yes, and as long as I live and as long as the child lives " Her voice quivered like the string of a bow and stopped. He rose to his feet. " The child, Kate ? Did you say the child ? " She did not answer at once, and then she muttered, with her head down, " Didn't I tell you there was something you had never guessed '( " " And is it that ? " he said in a fearful whisper. "Yes." " You are sure 1 You are not deceiving yourself! This is not hysteria 1" " No." " You mean that the child " "Yes." His questions had come in gasps, like short breakers out of a rising sea; her answers had fallen like the minute-gun above it. Then, in the silence, Pete's voice came through the wall. He was singing a rough old ditty — "It was to Covent Gardens I chanced for to go, To see some of the prettiest flowers which in the gardens grow." Nancy came in with a scuttle of coals. "The lil one's asleep,'' she said, going down on her knees at the fire. She had left the door ajar, and Pete's song was rolling into the room — " The first was lovely Nancy, so delicate and fair, The other was a vargin, and she did laurels wear." " Grannie bathed her, and she's like a lil angel in the cot there," said Nancy. " And, ' Dear heart alive, Grannie,' says I, ' the straight she's like her father when she's sleeping." MAN AND WIFE 241 Nancy brushed the hearth and went off. As she closed the door, Pete's voice ebbed out. Philip's lips trembled, his eyes wandered over the floor, he grew veiy pale, he tried to speak and could not. All his self-pride was overthrown in a moment. The honour in which he had tried to stand erect as in a suit of armour was stripped away. Unwittingly he had been laying up an account with Nature. He had forgotten that a sin has consequences. Nature did not forget. She had kept her own reckoning. He had struggled to believe that after all he was a moral man, a free man ; but Nature was a sterner moralist; she had chained him to the past, she had held him to himself. He was still by the fire with his head down. " Did you know this before you were married to Pete?" he asked, without looking up. "Hadn't I wronged him enough without that?" she answered. " But did you think of it as something that might perhaps occur 1 " "And if I did, what then ? " " If you had told me, Kate, nothing and nobody should have come between us — no," he said in a decisive voice, " not Pete nor all the world." " And wasn't it your own duty to remember ? Was it for me to come to you and say, ' Philip, something may happen, I am frightened."' Was this the compulsion that had driven her into marriage with the wrong man 1 Was it all hysteria ? Could she be sure ? In any case she could not think this awful thought and continue to live with her husband. "You are right," he said, with his head still down. "You can- not live here any longer. This life of deception must end." "Then you will take me away, Philip?" " I must, God forgive me, I must. I thought it would be sin. But that was long ago. It will be punishment. If I had known before — and I have been coming here time and again — looking on his happiness — but if I had once dreamt — and then only an hour ago — the oath at its 1. ant ism — O God ! " Her tears were flowing again, but a sort of serenity had fallen on her now. " Forgive me," she whispered. " I tried to keep it to myself " " You could not keep it ; von ought never to have kept it so long ; the finger of God Himself ought to have burnt it out of you." He spoke harshly, and she felt pain ; but there was a secret joy as well. " I am ruining you, Philip," she said, leaning over him. "We are both drifting to ruin, Katherine," he answered hoarsely. He was an abandoned hulk, with anchorage gone and no hand at the helm — broken, blind, rolling to destruction. Q 242 THE MANXMAN " I can offer you nothing, Kate, nothing but a hidden life, a life in the dark. If you come to me you will leave a husband who worships you for one to whom your life can never be joined. You will exchange a life of respect by the side of a good man for a life of humiliation, a life of shame. How can it be otherwise now ? It is too late, too late ! " " Don't think of that, Philip. If you love me there can be no humiliation and no shame for me in anything. I love you, dear, I cannot help but love you. Only love me a little, Philip, just a little, dearest, and I will never care — no, I will never, never care whatever happens." ] ter passionate devotion swept down all his scruples. His throat thickened, his eyes grew dim. She put one arm tenderly on his shoulder. '•I will follow you wherever you must go," she said. "You are my real husband, Philip, and always have been. We will love one another, and that will make up for everything. There is nothing I will not do to make you forget. If you must go away — far away — no matter where — I will go with you — and the child as well — and if we must be poor, I'll work with you." But he did not seem to hear her as he crouched with buried face b} 7 the fire And, in the silence, Pete's muffled voice came again through the wall, singing his rugged ditty — '• ['m not engaged to any young man, I solemnly do swear, For I mane to be a vargiu and .still the laurels wear." Unconsciously their hands touched and their fingers intertwined. " It will break his heart/' he muttered. She only grasped his hand the closer, and crouched beside him. They were like two guilty souls at the altar steps, listening to the cheerful bell that swings in the tower for the happy world outside. The door opened with a bang, and Pete rolled in, heaving with laughter. " L>id you think it was an earthwako, Philip ? " he shouted, " or a blackbird a bit tipsy, eh ? Bless me, man, it's good of you, though, sitting up in the chimney there same as a good ould jackdaw, keep- ing the poor wife company when her selfish ould husband is flirting his tail like a stonechat. The company's going now, Kitty. Will they say good-night to you? No? Have it as you like, bogh. You're looking tired, anyway. Dempster, the boys are asking when the ceremony is coming off, and will you come home to Ramsey that night ? Put, sakes alive, man, your eye is splashed with blood as bad as the egg of a robin." In his suffering and degradation, Philip felt as if he wished the pen and swallow him. MAN AND WIFE 243 "Bloodshot, is it?" he said. "It's nothing. The ceremony? I'm to take the oath to-morrow at three o'clock at the Special Council in Douglas. Yes, I'll come back to Ballure for the night? " " Driving, eh ? " " Yes." '• Six o'clock, maybe?" " Perhaps seven to eight.'' . " That's all right. Mortal inquisitive the boys are, though. It's in the breed of these Manx ones, you know. Laxey way, now ? " " I'll drive by St. John's," said Philip. With a look of wondrous wisdom, and a knowing wink at Kate across Philip's back, Pete went out. Then there was much talking in low tones in the hall, and on the paths outside the house. Philip understood what it meant. He glanced back at the door, leaned over to Kate, and said in a whisper, without looking into her eyes — "The carriage shall come at half-past seven. It will stand for a moment in the Parsonage Lane, and then drive back to Douglas by way of Laxey." His face was broken and ugly with shame and humiliation. As she saw this she thought of her confession, and it seemed odious to her now; but there was an immense relief in the feeling that the crisis was over. Pete was shouting at the porch, " Good-night, all ! Good-night ! " '• ( iood-night ! " came back in many voices. Grannie came in muffled up to the throat. "However am I to get back to Sulby, and your father gone these two hours ? " she said. " Not him," said Pete, coming behind with one eye screwed up and a finger to his nose. " The ould man's been on the back-stairs all night, listening and watching wonderful. His bark's tremenjous, but his bite isn't worth mentioning." And then a plaintive voice came from the hall, saying, " Are you /• coming home, mother? I'm worn out waiting for you." A little patch of youth had blossomed in Grannie since thebabj-came. "Good-night, Pete," she cried from the gate, "and many happy returns of the christening-day." '• One was enough for yourself, mother," said Caesar, and then his voice went rumbling down the street. Philip had come out into the hall. " You're time enough yet," said Pete. "A glass first? No ? I've sent over to the 'Mitre' for your mare. There she is; that's her foot on the path. I must be seeing you off, anyway. Where's that lantern, at all?" They stepped out. Pete held the light while Philip mounted, and then he guided him, under the deep shadow of the old tree, to the road. 2 44 THE MANXMAN " Fine night for a ride, Phil. Listen ! That's the churning of the nightjar going up to Ballure glen. Well, good-night ! Good-night, and God bless you, old fellow ! " Kate inside heard the deadened sound of Philip's " Good-night," the crunch of the mare's hoofs on the gravel and the clink of the bit in her teeth. Then the porch door closed with a hollow vibration like that of a vault, the chain rattled across it, and Pete was back in the room. " What a night we've had of it ! And now to bed." XII Kate was up early the next morning, hut Pete was stirring before her. As soon as he had heard the news of Philip's appointment he had organised a drum and brass band to honour the day of the cere- mony. The brass had been borrowed from Laxey, but the drum had been bought by Pete. " Let's have a good sizable drum," said he ; (i something with a voice in it, not a bit of a toot, going off with a pop like bladder-wrack." The parchment was three feet across, the steel rings round it were like the hoops of a dog-cart, and the black drumsticks, according to Pete, were like the bullet heads of two niggers. Jonaique Jelly played the clarionet, and John the Widow played the trombone, but the drum was the leading instrument. Pete himself played it. He pounded it, boomed it, thundered it. While he did so, his eyes blazed with rapture. A big heroic soul spoke out of the drum for Pete. With the strap over his shoulders, he did not trouble much about the tune. When the heart leapt inside his breast, down came the nigger heads on to the mighty protuberance in front of it ; and surely that was the end and aim of all music. The band practised in the cabin which Pete had set up for a summer-house in the middle of his garden. They met at daybreak that morning for the last of their rehearsals. And, being up before their morning meal, they were constrained to smoke and drink as well as play. This they did out of a single pipe and a single pot, which each took up from the table in turn as it fell to his part to have a few bars' rest. While their muffled melody came to the house through the wooden walls and the dense smoke, Kate was cooking breakfast. She did everything carefully, for she was calmer than usual, and felt relieved of the load that had oppressed her. But once she leaned her head on the mantelshelf while stooping over the frying-pan, and looked vacantly into the fire; and one- she raised herself up from the table- MAN AND WIFE 245 cloth at the sound of the drum, and pressed her hand hard on her brow. The child awoke in the bedroom above and cried. Nancy Joe went Hip-flapping upstairs, and brought her down with much cluck- ing und cackling. Kate took the child and fed her from a feeding- bottle which had been warming on the oven top. She was very tender with the little one, kissing all its extremities in the way that women have, worrying its legs, and putting its feet into her mouth. Pete came in, hot and perspiring, and Kate handed the child back to Nancy. " Hould hard," cried Pete ; " don't take her off yet. Give me a hould of her, the HI rogue. My sailor ! What a child it is, though ! Look at that, now. She's got a grip of my thumb. What a fist, to be sure ! It's lying in my hand like a meg. Did you stick a piece of dough on the wall at your last baking, Nancy ? Just as well to keep the evil eye off. Coo — 00 — 00 ! She's going it reg'lar, same as the tide of a summer's day. By jing, Kitty, I didn't think there was so much fun in babies." Kate, seated at the table, was pouring out the tea, and a sudden impulse seized her. "That's the way," she said. " First the wife is everything; but the child comes, and then good-bye to the mother who brought it." " No, by gough ! " said Pete. " The child is eighteen carat goold for the mother's sake, but the mother is di'monds for sake of the child. If 1 lost that little one, Kitty, it would be like losing the half of you." "Losing, indeed:" said Nancy. " Who's talking about losing? 1 )( >t"~ she look like it, bless her lil heart ! " " Take her into the kitchen, Nancy," said Kate. "Going to have a rare do to-day," said Pete, over a mouthful. " I'm off for Douglas, to see Philip made Dempster. Coming home with himself by way of St. John's. It's all arranged, woman. B03S to meet the carriage by Kirk Christ Lezayre at seven o'clock smart. Then out I'm getting, laying hould of the drum, the band is striking up, and we're bringing him into Ramsey triumphant. Oh, we'll be doing it grand," said Pete, blowing over the rim of his saucer. "John the Clerk is tremenjous on the trombones, and there's no bating Jonaique with the clar'net — the man is music to his little backbone. The town will be coming out too, and the fishermen shouting like one man. We're bound to let the Governor see we mane it. A friend's a friend, say I, and we're for bucking up for the man that's bucking up for us. And when he goes to the Tynwald Coort there, it'll be lockjaw and the measles with some of them. If the ould Governor's got a tongue like a file, Philip's got a tongue 246 THE MANXMAN like a scythe — he'll mow them down. 'No harbour-dues,' says he, ' till we've a raisonable hope of harbour improvements. Build your embankments for your trippers in Douglas if you like, but don't ask the iishermen to pay for them.' " Pete wiped his mouth and charged his pipe. " It'll be a rare ould dust, but we're not thinking of ourselves only, though. Aw, no, no. If there wasn't nothing doing we would be giving him a little tune for all, coming home Dempster 1 ." Pete lit up. " My sailor ! It'll be a proud man I'll be this day, Kitty. Didn't I always say it? 'He'll be the first Manxman living,' says I times and times, and he's not going to deceave me neither." Rate was in fear lest Pete should look up into her face. Catching sight of a rent in the cloth of his coat, she whipped out her needle and began to stitch it up, bending closely over it. "What an eye a woman's got now," said Pete. "That was the 1 of the drum ragging me sideways when I was a bit excited. JSloss me, Kitty, there won't be a rag left at me when I get through this everin'. They're ter'ble on clothes is drums." He was puffing the smoke through her hair as she knelt below him. " Well, he deserves it all. My sakes, the years I've known him ! Him and me have been same as brothers. Yes, have we, ( v( r since I was a slip of a boy in jackets, and we went nesting on Maughold Head together. And getting married hasn't been making no difference. When a man marries he shortens sail usually, and pitches out some ballast, but not me at all. You're taking a chill, K h ty. No I Shuddering anyway. Chut ! this dress is like paper; should he having warmer things under it. Don't be going out to-day, darling, but to-night, about twenty-five minutes better than seven, just open the door arid listen. We'll be agate of it then like mad, and when you're hearing the drum booming you'll be saying to yourself, 'Pete's there, and going it for all he knows.'' "Oh, Pete Pete!" cried Kate, and she dropped back at his feet. ' Why, what's this at all?" said Pete. " You've been very, very good to me, Pete, and if I never see you again you'll think the host of me, will you not? " had an impulse to tell all — she could hardly resist it. He smoothed the black ripples of her hair back from her forehead, and said, tenderly, " She's not so well to-day, that's it. Her eyes bubbling like the laver." Then aloud, with a laugh, "Never seo in, eh ? I'm not willing to share you with heaven yet, though. B •' ['11 have to be doing as the doctor was saying — sending you to England over. I will now, I will," he said, lifting his big finger threateningly. She slid backwards to the ground, but at the next moment was MAN AND WIFE 247 landed on Pete's breast. " My poor HI Barry ! Not willing to stay with me, eh ? Tut, tut ! She'll be as smart as ever, soon." She drew away from him with shame and self-reproach, mingled with that old feeling of personal repulsion which she could not conquer. Then the gate of the garden clicked, and Ross Christian came up the path. "lie's sticking to me as tight as a limpet," said Pete. " Mr. Quilliam," said Ross, " I come from my father this time." " 'Deed, man," said Pete. " He is a little pressed for money." " And Mr. Peter Christian sends to me ? " '• He thought you might like to lend on mortgage." " On Ballawhaine 1 " Rosa stammered and stuttered, "Well, yes, certainly, as you say, on Balla " " To think, to think," muttered Pete. He gazed vacantly before him for a moment, and then said, sharply, "I've no time to talk of it now, sir. I'm off to Douglas, but if you like to stop awhile and talk of it with Mrs. Quilliam, I'll be hearing everything when I come back. Good-day, Kate. Take care of my wife. Good-day, Nancy ; look after my two girls while I'm away. And Kitty, bogh " (whis- pering), " mind you send to Robbie Clucas, the draper, for some nice warm underclothing. Good-bye! Another! Just one more" (then aloud) "Good-day to you, sir, good-day." XIII "... He, the Spirit Himself, may come When all tlie nerve of sense is numb." Pnn ip had not slept at Ballure. The house was in darkness as he passed, lie was riding to Douglas. It is sixteen miles between town and town, six of them over the steep headland of Kirk Maug- hold. Before he reached the top of the ascent he had been an hour on the road, and the night was near to morning. He had seen no one after leaving Ramsey, except a drunken miner with his bundle on his stick, marching home to a tipsy travesty of somo brave song. His self-righteousnoss was overthrown; his pride was in the dust. Since he returned home, he had struggled to feel strong and easy in the sen-e of being an honourable man; but now he was thrown vi >lently out of the path in which he had meant to walk rightly. What he was about to do was necessary, was inevitable, yet in his relation to Kate he was in the position of an immoral man, a betrayer. an adulterer, with a vulgar secret, which he must support by lying and sharo with servants. And what was the outlook 1 What would : 4 S THE MANXMAN be the end ? Here was a situation from which there was no escape. Let there be no false glamour, no disguise, no self-deception. On the eve of his promotion to the dignities and responsibilities of a Judge, he was taking the first step down on the course of the criminal ! The moon was shining at the full. It was low down in the sky, on his right, and casting his shadow on to the road. He walked his horse up the long hill. The even pace, the quiet of the night, the drowsy sounds of unseen stream and far-off murmuring sea overcame him in spite of himself, and he dozed in the saddle. As he reached the hilltop the level step of the horse awoke him, and he knew that he was passing that desolate spot on the border of parish and parish which is known as Tom Alone's. Opening his eyes, without realising that he had slept, he thought he became aware of another horse and another rider walking by his side. They were on the left of him, going pace for pace, stepping along with him like his shadow. " It is my shadow," he thought, and he forced up his head to look. Nothing was there but a whitewashed Mall that fenced a sheepfold. The moon had gone under the mountains on the right, and the night would have been dark but for the stars. With an astonishment near to terror, Philip gripped the saddle with his cpiaking knees, and broke his horse into a trot. "When the hard ride had brought warmth to his blood and a glow to his cheeks, he told himself he had been the victim of fancy. It was nothing ; it was a delusion of the sight ; a mere shadow cast off by his distempered brain. lie was passing at a walking pace through Laxey by this time, and as the horse's feet beat up the echoes of the sleeping town, his heart grew brave. Next day, at noon, he was talking with his servant, Jem-y-Lord, in his rooms in Athol Street. He had lately become tenant of the entire house. They were in his old chambers on the first floor, looking on to the churchyard. " I may rely on you, Jemmy ? " "You may, Deemster." 1 1 is voice was low and husky, his eyes were down, he was fumbling the papers on the table. "Get the carriage, a landau, from Shimmin's, but drive it yourself. Be at Government offices at four — we'll go by St. John's. If there is any attempt at Ramsey to take the horse out of the carriage, resist it. I will alight at the head of the town. Then drive on to the lane between the chapel and Elm Cottage. 'I'll'; moment the lady joins you, start away. Return to Laxey — are In',- rooms upstairs ready ?" "They will be." " The two in front of your own, and the little parlour behind this. We shall need no other servants — the lady will be housekeeper." MAN AND WIFE 249 " I quite understand, Deemster." Philip turned his face aside and spoke thickly, " And you know what name " " I know what name, Deemster." " You have no objection 1 " "None whatever, Deemster." Philip drew a long breath. " I am not Deemster yet, Jemmy. Perhaps it might have been . . . but God knows. You are a good fellow — I shall not forget it." He made a motion as if to dismiss the man, but Jemmy did not go. " Beg pardon, your honour " "Yes?" " Your honour has eaten nothing at breakfast — and the bed wasn't slept in last night." " I was riding late — then I had work to do." "But I heard your foot on the floor — it woke me times." " I may have speeches to make to-day. . . . Fetch me a glass of water." Jemmy brought water-bottle and glass. As Philip took the water an icy numbness seemed to seize his arm. "I — well, I — I declare I can't lift— ah ! thanks." The man raised Philip's arm to his mouth ; the glass rattled against his teeth while he drank. "Pardon, your honour. You're looking ten years older lately. The sooner this day is over the better." " Sleep, Jemmy — I only want sleep. I must have a long, long sleep at Ballure to-night." He left the house at three minutes to three, carrying his cloak over his arm. It was a hot day at the beginning of June, and when he stepped out at the door the air of the street smote his face like a blast from an open furnace. He reeled, and almost fell. The sun's heat was like a load on his head, its dazzling rays made his sight dim, and ho had a sound in his ears like running water. As he walked down the street he caught his wandering reflection in the shop windows. "Jemmy was right," he thought. " My worst enemy Avould not accuse me of looking too young to-day." There was a small crowd about the entrance to Government offices. Carriages were driving up, discharging their occupants and going on. The Bishop, the Attorney-General, finally the Governor with his wife and daughter passed into the house. In the commotion of these arrivals Philip reached the door unobserved. When he was recognised, there was a sudden hush of voices, and then a low buzz of gossip. He walked through with a firm step, going in alone, all eyes upon him. The doorway opens on a narrow passage, which is neither wide nor 2_;o THE MANXMAN very light, and the sunshine without made the gloom within more grey and uncertain. As Philip stepped over the threshold he was conscious that somebody was coming out. When he had taken two paces more, he drew up sharply with the sense of walking into a mirror. At the next instant he saw that what he had taken for the reflection of his own face in a glass was the actual face of another man. The man was coming out as he went in. They were approaching each other. At two paces more they were side by side. He looked at the man with creeping horror. The man looked at him with amaze- ment and dread. Thus, eye to eye, they crossed and passed. Then each turned his head over his shoulder and looked after the other, Philip stepping into the gloom, the stranger striding into the light. At the next moment the narrow doorway was darkened by a ponderous figure rolling through. Then a heavy hand fell on Philip's shoulder, and a hearty voice exclaimed, " Hilloa, Christian ; proud to see you, boy ! You've outstripped old stick-in-the-mud ; but I always knew you would lead me the way though, , . . Funk- ing a bit, are you ? Hands like ice, anyway. Come along — nothing to be nervous about — we're not going to give you the dose of Illiam Dhone — don't martyr the Christians these days, you know." It was Philip's old master, the Clerk of the Rolls. Taking Philip's arm, lie was for swinging him along ; but Philip, still looking towards the street, said falteringly, "Did you, perhaps, see a man — a young man — going out at the door?" "When?" " As you came in." "Was there?" said the Clerk dubiously; then, as by a sudden light, "Did he wear a round hat and a monkey jacket?" "Maybe — I hardly know — I didn't observe." '• That'll be the man. He's been at me half the morning for admission to the Council. Said he'd known you all his life. Rough as a thorn-bush, but somehow I couldn't say no to the fellow at last. He ought to be inside, though." "It's nothing," thought Philip. " Only another shadow from a tin d brain. Jemmy's talk about my altered looks — the reflection in the shop-windows— the sudden gloom after the dazzling sunlight — that's all, that's all. Sleep, I want sleep." When the Governor took his seat with the first Deemster on his right, and motioned Philip to the chair on his left, an involuntary murmur passed over the chamber at the contrast there presented — the one Deemster very old, with round, russet face, quick, gleaming eyes, and a comfortable, youthful, even merry expression ; the other, very young, with long, pallid, powerful face, large eyes, and a tired look of age. MAN AND WIFE 251 Philip presented his commission received from the Homo Secretary, and the oath of office "was administered to him. Kiss- ing a stained copy of a leather-bound Testament, he repeated the words after the Governor in a thick croak that seemed to hack the air — " By this book, and by the holy contents thereof, and by the won- derful works that God hath miraculously wrought in heaven above and on the earth beneath in six days and seven night*, I, Philip ( iihistian, do swear that I will, without respect of favour or friend- ship, love or hate, loss or gaiD, consanguinity or affinity, envy or malice, execute the laws of this Isle justly, betwixt our Sovereign Lady the Queen and her subjects within this Isle, and betwixt party and party, as indifferently as the herring backbone doth lie in the midst of the fish." As Philip pronounced these words, he was conscious of only ore face in that assembly. It was not the face of the Governor, of the Bishop, of any dignitary of Church or State — but a rugged, eager, dark face over a black beard in the grip of a great brown hand, with sparkling eyes, parted lips, and a look of boyish pride — it was the face of Pete. " It only remains for me," said the Governor, "to congratulate your Honour on the high office to which it has pleased Her Majesty to appoint yon, and to wish you long life and health to fultil its duties, with blameless credit to yourself and distinction to your country." There was some other speaking, and then Philip replied. He spoke clearly, firmly, and well. A reference to his grandfather provoked applause. His modesty and natural manner made a strong impression. " His Excellency is not so far wrong, after all, ' was the common whisper. Some further business, and the Council broke up for general gossip. Then, on the pavement outside, while the carriages were coining in line, there were renewed congratulations, invitations, and warnings. The Governor invited Philip to dinner. He excused himself, saying he had promised to dine with his aunt at Ballure. The ladies warned him to spare himself, and recommended a holi- day ; and then the Clerk of the Rolls, proud as a peacock, strutting here and there and everywhere, and assuming the airs of a guardian, cried, "Can't yet, though, for he holds his first court in Pamsey to-morrow morning. . . . Put on the cloak. Christian. It will be cold driving. Good men are scarce." An open landau came up at length, with Jem-) -Lord on the box- seat, and Pete walking by the horse's head, smoothing its neck and tickling its ears. " Why, you were talking of the young man, Christian, and, behold 2 52 THE MANXMAN ye, here's the great fellow himself. Well, young chap," slapping Pete on the back, "see your Deemster take the oath, eh ?" " He's my cousin," said Philip. " Cousin ! Is he, then — can he perhaps be — Ah ! yes, of course, certainly " The good man stammered and stopped, remembering the marriage of Philip's father. He opened the carriage door, and stood aside for Philip, but Philip said — " Step in, Pete ; " and, with a shamefaced look, Pete rolled into the carriage. Philip took the seat beside him, amid a buzz of voices from the people standing about the door. " Well, as you like ; good day, then, boy, good day," said the Clerk of the Rolls, clashing the door back. The carriage began to move. " Good day, your Honour," cried several out of the crowd. Philip raised his hat. The hats of the men went up to him. Some of the girls were wiping their eyes. XIY While Pete and Philip were driving over the road from Douglas, Kate was sitting with the child on her lap before the fire in Elm Cottage. Her eyes were restless, her manner agitated. She looked out at the window from time to time. The setting sun behind the house still held the day with horizontal shafts of light in the spring green of the transparent leaves. "Wouldn't you like to see the procession to-night, Nancy 1 ?" she said. " Aw, mortal," said Nancy. " But I won't get lave, though. 'Take care of my two girls,' says he " "You may go, Nancy ; I'll see to baby," said Kate. " But the man himself, woman ; he'll be coming home as hungry as a hunter." "I'll see to his supper, too,'' said Kate. " Carry the key with you that you may let yourself in, and be back at half-past seven." Then Nancy began to fly about the kitchen like sputterings out of the frying-pan — filling the kettle, lighting the lamp, and getting together the baby's night-clothes. Kate watched her and glanced at the clock. " Was the town quiet when you were out for the bacon, Nancy ? " she i aid. "Quiet enough," said Nancy. "Everybody flying off Lezayre already — except what were making for the quay." " Is the steamer sailing to-night, then % " "Yes, the Peveril ; but not water enough to float her till half- MAN AND WIFE 253 past seven, they were saying. Here's the HI one's nightdress, and here's her binder, bless her — just big enough for a bandage for a person's wrist if she sprained it churning." " Lay them on the fender to air, Nancy — I'll not undress baby yet awhile. And see — -it's nearly seven." " I'll be pinning my shawl on and away like the wind," said Nancy. " The bogh ! " she said, with the pin between her teeth. "She's off again. Do you really think, now, the angels in heaven are as sweet and innocent, Kirry ? I don't. They can't if they're grown up. And having to climb Jacob's ladder, poor things, they must be. Theu, if they're men — but that's ridiculous, anyway." " The clock is striking, Nancy. No use going when everything's over," said Kate, and the foot with which she rocked the child went faster now that the little one was asleep. " Sakes alive! Let me tie the strings of my bonnet, woman. Pity you can't come yourself, Kitty. But if they're worth their salt they'll be whipping round this way and giving you a HI tune, anyway." " Have you got the key, Nancy ? " " Yes, and I'll be back in an hour. And mind you put baby to bed soon, and mind you — and mind you " With as many warnings as if she had been mistress and Kate the servant, Nancy backed herself out of the house. It was now dark outside. Kate rose immediately, put the child in the cradle, and began to lay the table for Pete's supper — the cruet, the plates, the teapot on the hob to warm, and then — by force of habit — two cups and saucers. But sight of the cups awakened her to painful consciousness. She put one of them back in the cupboard, broke the coal on the fire, settled the kettle up to the blaze, fixed the Dutch oven with three rashers of bacon before the bars, then lit a candle, and, with a nervous look around, turned to go upstairs. In the bedroom she drew on her cloak, pinned her hat and veil with trembling fingers, then took her purse from her pocket and emptied its contents on to the dressing-table. " Not mine," she thought. And standing before the mirror at that moment, she caught sight of her earrings. " I must take nothing of his," she told herself, and she raised her hands to her ears. Then her heart smote her. "As if Pete would ever think of such things," she thought. "No, not if I took everything he has in the world. And must I be thinking of them 1 . . . Yet I cannot — I will not take them with me." She opened a drawer and hurried everything into it — the money, the earrings, the keeper off her finger, and then she paused at the touch of the wedding-ring. A superstitious instinct restrained her 254 THE MANXMAN Yet the ring was the badge of her broken covenant. " With this ring I thee wed " She tore off the wedding-ring also, and cast it with the rest. '•lie will find them," she thought. "There will be nothing else to tell him what has happened. He will come, and I shall be gone. He will call, and there will be no answer. He will look for me, and I shall be lost to him for ever. Not a word left behind. Not a line to say, ' Thank you and good-bye and God bless you, dear Pete, for all your love and goodness to me.' " It was cruel — very cruel — yet what could she write ? What could she say that had not better be left unsaid 1 The least syllable — no, the uncertainty would be kinder. Perhaps Pete would think she was dead — perhaps that she had destroyed herself. Even that would not be so bitter as the truth. He would get over it — he would become reconciled. "No," she thought, " I can write nothing • — I can leave no message." She shut the drawer quickly, and picked up the candle. As she did so, the shadow of herself moved about her. It mounted from the floor to the Avail, from the wall to the ceiling. When she walked it seemed to be on top of her, hanging over her, pressing down on her, crushing her. She grew cold and sick, and hastened to the door. The room was full of other shadows — the memories of sleep- less nights and of painful awakenings. These stared at her from it familiar thing — the watch ticking in its stand on the mantel- piece, the handle of the wardrobe, the pink curtains of the bed. the white pillow beneath them. She felt like a frightened child. With a terrified glance over her shoulder she crept out of the room. Being downstairs again, she breathed more freely. There was light all about her, and the hall-parlour was bright and warm. The le was now singing in the cheerful blaze, the cat was purring on the rug, and there was a smell of bacon slowly frying. She looked at the clock — it was a quarter after seven. "Time to waken baby," she thought. She took from a chest the child's outdoor clothes — a robe, a pelisse, and a white hood. Her fingers had touched a scarlet hood in a cardboard box, but " not that " she thought, and left it. She spread the clothes about her chair, and then lifted the little one a the cradle to her pillowing arm. The child awoke as she lised it, and made a fretful cry, which she smothered in a gurgling kiss. "I can love the darling without shame now.' she thought.. '' It's sweet face will reproach me no more. " With soft cooings at the baby's cheek, she was stooping to take robe that lay at her feet, when her eyes fell on the round place he cradle where the child had been. That made her think MAN AND WIFE 255 again of Pete. He would come home and find the little nest cold and empty. It would kill him; it would be a second bereavement. Was it not enough that she should go away herself? Must she rob him of the child as well ? He loved it ; lie doted on it. It was the light of his eyes, the joy of his life. To lose it would be a blow like the blow of death. Yet could a mother leave her child behind her ? Impossible ! The full tide of motherhood came over her, and its tender selfishness swept down everything. "I cannot," she thought; "come what may, I cannot and I will not leave her." And then she reached her hand for the child's pelisse. "It would be a kind of atonement, though," she thought. To leave the little one to Pete would be making amends in some sort for the wrong that she was doing him. To deny herself the sight of the child's sweet face day by day and hour by hour — that would be a punishment also, and she deserved to be punished. " Can I leave her?" she thought. "Can I? Oh, what mother could bear it? No, no — never, never ! And yet I ought — I must — Oh, this is terrible ! " In the midst of this agony of uncertainty, thinking of Pete and of the wrong she had done him, yet pressing the child to her breast with trembling arms, as if some one were tearing it away, the babe itself settled everything. Making some inarticulate whimper of (•'•nimunication, it nuzzled up to her, its eyes closed, but its head working against her bosom with the instinct of suckling, though it had never sucked. "I'm only half a mother, after all," she thought. The highest joys, the deepest rights of motherhood had been denied to her — the child taking from the mother, the mother giving to the child, the child and the mother one — this had not been hers. "My little baby can live without me," she thought. "If I leave her, she will never miss me." She nearly broke down at that thought, and almost let her pur- pose slip. It was like God's punishment in advance, God's hand directing her — thus to withdraw the child from dependence on herself. "Yes, I must leave her with Pete," she thought She put the child back into the cradle, half dressed as it was, and rocked it until it slept again. Then she hung over the tiny bed as a mother hangs over the little coffin that is soon to be shut up from her eyes for ever. Her tears rained down on the small counterpane. " My sweet baby ! my little Katherine ! 1 may never kiss you again — never see you any more — you may grow up to be a woman and know nothing of your mother ! " The clock ticked loud in the quiet room — it was twenty-live minutes past seven. 256 THE MANXMAN " One kiss more, rny little darling. If they ever tell you . . . they'll say because your mother left you . . . Oh, will she think I did not love her ? Hush ! " Through the walls of the house there came the sound of a band playing at a distance. She looked at the clock again — it was nearly half-past seven. Almost at the same moment there was the rumble of carriage-wheels on the road. They stopped in the lane that ran between the chapel and the end of the garden. Kate rose from her knees and opened the door softly. The house had been as a dungeon to her, and she was flying from it like a prisoner escaping. A shrill whistle pierced the air. The Peveril was leaving the quay. Through the streets there was a sound as of water running over stones. It was the scuttling of the feet of the townspeople as they ran to meet the procession. She stepped out. The garden was dark and quiet as a prison yard. Hardly a leaf stirred, but the moon was breaking through the old fir-tree as she lifted her troubled face to the untroubled sky. She stood and listened. The band was coming nearer. She could hear the thud of the big drum. Boom ! Boom ! Boom ! Pete was there. He was helping at Philip's triumph. That was the beat of his great heart made audible. At this her own heart stopped for a moment. She grew chill at the thought of the brave man who asked no better lot than to love and cherish her, and at the memory of the other upon whose mercy she had cast herself. The band stopped. There was a noise like the breaking of a mighty rocket in the sky. The people were •ring and clapping hands. Then a clearer sound struck her ear. It was the clock inside the house chiming the half-hour. Nancy would be back soon, Kate listened intently, inclining her head inwards. If the child had awakened at that instant, if it had stirred and cried, she must have gone back for good. She returned for one moment and flung herself over the cradle again. One spasm more of lingering tender- ness. "Good-bye, my little one! I am leaving you with him, darling, because he loves you dearly. You will grow up and be a ;j'in:\, (rood girl to him always. Good-bye, my pet! My precious, my precious ! Vou will reward him for all he has done for me. You are half of myself, dearest — the innocent half. Yes, you will wipe out your mother's sin. You will be all he thinks I am, but never have been. Farewell, my sweet Katherine, my little, darling baby-— good-bye ■ farewell — good-bye ! " She leapt up and lied out of the house at last, on tiptoe, like a thief, pulling the door after her. When she heard the click of the lock she felt both wretchedness MAN AND WIFE 257 and exultation — immense, agony and immense relief. If little Katherine wore to cry now, she could not return to her. The door was closed, the house was shut, the prison was left behind. And behind her, too, were the treachery, the duplicity, and deceit of ten stifling months. She hurried through the garden to a side-door in the wall leading to the lane. The path was like a wave of the sea to her stumbling feet. Her breathing was short, her sight was weak, her temples were beating audibly. Half across the garden something touched her dress, and she made a faint scream. It was Pete's dog, Dempster. He was looking up at her out of the darkness of the bushes. By the light through the blind of the house she could see his bat's ears and watchful eyes. Boom ! Boom ! Boom ! The band had begun again. It was coming nearer. Philip ! Philip ! He was her only refuge now. All else was a blank. The side-door had been little used. Its hinges and bolt were rusty and stiff. She broke her nails in opening it. From the other side came the light jingle of a curb chain, and over the wall hovered a white sheet of smoking light. The carriage was in the lane, and the driver — Philip's servant, Jem-y-Lord — stood with the door open. Kate stumbled on the step and fell into the seat. The door was closed. Then a new thought smote her. It was about the child, about Philip, about Pete. In leaving the little one behind her, though she had meant it so unselfishly, she had done the one thing that must be big with consequences. It would bring its penalty, its punishment, its retribution. Stop ! She would go back even yet. Her face was against the glass ; she was struggling with the strap. But the carriage was moving. She heard the rumble of the wheels ; it was like a deafening reverberation from the day of doom. Then her senses d waled away and the carriage drove on. XV Outside Ballure House there was a crowd which covered the garden, the fence, the high-road, and the top of the stone wall opposite. The band had ceased to play, and the people were shouting, clapping hands, and cheering. At the door — which was open — Philip stood bareheaded, and a shaft of the light in the house behind him lit up a hundred of the eager faces gathered in the darkness. He raised his hand for silence, but it was long before he was allowed to speak. Salutations rugged, rough — almost rude — but hearty to the point of homeliness, and affectionate to the length of familiarity, flew at his R 258 THE MANXMAN head from every side. " Good luck to you, boy ! " — " Bravo for Uainsey ! "- '• The Christians for your life ! " "A chip of the ould block — Dempster Christian the Sixth!" — "Hush, man, he's spaking ! "— " Go it, Phil!"—" Give it fits, boy! "— " Hush ! hush." " Fellow-townsmen," said Philip — his voice swung like a quivering bell over a sea, — " you can never know how much your welcome has moved me. I cannot say whether in my heart of hearts I am more proud of it or more ashamed. To be ashamed of it altogether would dishonour you, and to be too proud of it would dishonour me. I am not worthy of your faith and good-fellowship. Ah ! "• — he raised his hand to check a murmur of dissent (the crowd was now hushed from end to end) — " let me utter the thought of all. In honouring me you are thinking of others also (' No,' 'Yes') ; you are thinking of my people — above all, of one who was laid under the willows yonder, a wrecked, a broken, a disappointed man — my father, God rest him ! I will not conceal it from you — his memory has been my guide, his failures have been my lightship, his hopes my beacon, his love my star. For good or for evil, my anchor has been in the depths of his grave. God forbid that I should have lived too long under the grasp of a dead hand. It was my aim to regain what he had lost, and this day has witnessed its partial reclamation. God grant I may not have paid too dear for such success." There were cries of " No, sir, no." He smiled faintly and shook his head. " Fellow - countrymen, you believe I am worthy of the name I bear. There is one among you, an old comrade, a tried and trusted friend, whose faith would be a spur if it were not a reproach " His voice was breaking, but still it pealed over the sea of heads. " "Well, I will try to do my duty — from this hour onwards you shall see me try. Fellow-Manxmen, you will help me for the honour of the place 1 fill, for sake of our little island, and — yes, and for my own sake also, I know you will — to be a good man and an upright judge. But" — he faltered, his voice could barely support itself — " but if it should ever appear that your confidence has been mis- placed — if in the time to come I should seem to be unworthy of this honour, untrue to the oath I took to-day to do God's justice between man and man, a wrongdoer, not a lighter of the wronged, a whited sepulchre where you looked for a tower of refuge — remember, I pray of you, my countrymen, remember, much as you may be suffering then, there will be one who will be suffering more — that one will be myself." The general impression that night was that the Deemster's speech had not been a proper one. Breaking up with some damp efforts at the earlier enthusiasm, the people complained that they were like men who had come for a jig and were sent home in a wet blanket. MAN AND WIFE 259 There should have been a joke or two, a hearty word of congratula- tion, a little natural glorification of llamsey, and a quiet slap at Douglas and Peel and Castletown, a few fireworks, a rip-rap or two, and some general illumination. " But Bakes alive ! the solemn the young Dempster was ! And the melancholy ! And the mystarious ! " " Chut ! " said Pete. " There's such a dale of comic in you, boys. Wonder in the world to me you're not kidnapped for pantaloonses. Go home for all and wipe your eyes, and remember the words he's been spaking. I'm not going to forget them myself, anyway." Handing over the big drum to little Jonaique, Pete turned to go into the house. Auntie Nan was in the hall, hopping like a canary about Philip, in a brown silk dress that rustled like withered ferns, hugging him, drawing him down to the level of her face, and kissing him on the forehead. The tears were raining over the autumn sunshine of her wrinkled cheeks, and her voice was cracking between a laugh and a cry. " My boy ! My dear boy ! My boy's boy ! My own boy's own boy ! " Philip freed himself at length, and went upstairs without turning his head, and then Auntie Nan saw Pete standing in the doorway. "Is it you, Pete?" she said with an effort. "Won't you come in for a moment ? No 1 " "A minute only, then — just to wish you joy, Miss Christian, ma'am," said Pete. " And you, too, Peter. Ah ! " she said, with a bird-like turn of the head, "you must be a proud man to-night, Pete." " Proud isn't the word for it, ma'am — I'm clane beside myself." " He took a fancy to you when you were only a little barefooted boy, Pete." " So he did, ma'am." " And now that he's Deemster itself he owns you still." " Aw, lave him alone for that, ma'am." " Did you hear what he said about you in his speech. It isn't everybody in his place would have done that before all, Pete." " 'Deed no, ma'am." " He's true to his friends, whatever they are." " True as steel." The maid was carrying the dishes into the dining-room, and Auntie Nan said in a strained way, " You won't stay to dinner, Pete, will you ? Perhaps you want to get home to the mistress. Well, home is best for all of us, isn't it? Martha, I'll tell the Deemster myself that dinner is on the table. "Well, good-night, Peter. I'm always so glad to see you." She was whisking about to go upstairs, but Pete had taken one step into the dining-room, and was gazing round with looks of awe. 2 6o THE MANXMAN " Lord alive, Miss Christian, ma'am, what feelings now — bare- footed hoy, you say? You're right there, and cold and hungry too. sleeping in the gable-house with the cow, and not getting much but the milk I was staling from her, and a leathering at the ould man for that. Philip fetched me in here one evenin' — that was the start, ma'am. See that pepper-and-salt egg on the string there? It's a Tommy Noddy's. Philip got it nesting up Gob-ny-Garvain. Nearly cost him his life, though. You see, ma'am, Tommy Noddy has only one, and she fights like mad for it. We were up forty fathom and better, atop of a cave, and had two straight rocks below us in the sea, same as an elephant's hoofs, you know, walking out on the blue floor. And Phil was having his lil hand on the ledge where the egg was keep- ing, when swoop came the big white wings atop of his bare head. If I hadn't had a stick that day, ma'am, it would have been heaven help the pair of us. The next minute Tommy Noddy was going splash down the cliffs, all feathers and blood together, or Philip wouldn't have lived to be Dempster. . . . Aw, frightened you, have I, ma'am, for all it's so long ago? The heart's a quare thing, now, isn't it? Got no yesterday nor to-morrow neither. Well, good-night, ma'am." Pete was making for the door, when he looked down and said, '• What's this, at all? Down, Dempster, down ! " The dog had came trotting into the hall as Pete was going out. He was perking up his big ears and wagging his stump of a tail in front of him. " My dog, ma'am ? Yes, ma'am, and like its master in some ways. Not much of itself at all, but it has the blood in it, though, and maybe it'll come out better in the next generation. Looking for me, are you, Dempster? Let's be taking the road, then." "Perhaps you're wanted at home, Pete?" " Wouldn't trust. Good-night, ma'am." Auntie Nan hopped upstairs in her rustling dress, relieved and glad in the sweet selfishness of her love to get rid of Pete and have Philip to herself. XVI Pete went off whistling in the darkness, with the dog driving ahead of him. " I'm to blame, though," he thought. ''Should have gone home directly." The town v as now quiet, the streets were deserted, and Pete began to run. '• She'd he alone, too. That must have been Nancy in the crowd yonder by Mistress Beatty's. 'Lowed her out to see the do, it's like. Ought to be back now, though." As Pete came near to Elm Cottage, the moon over the tree-tops MAN AND WIFE 261 lit up the panes of the upper windows as with a score of bright lamps. One step more, and the house was dark. " Shell be waiting for me. Listening, too, I'll go bail." He was at the gate by this time, and the dog was panting at his feet with its nose close to the lattice. "Be quiet, dog, be quiet." Then he raised the latch without a sound, stepped in on tiptoe, and closed the gate as silently behind him. "I'll have a game with her; I'll take her by surprise." His eyes began to dance with mischief, like a child's, and he crept along the path with big cat strides, half doubled up, and holding his breath, lest he should laugh aloud. " The sweet creatures ! A man shouldn't frighten them, though," he thought. When he reached the porch he went down on all fours, and began mewing like a mournful tom-cat near to the bottom of the door. Then he listened with his ear to the jamb. He expected a faint cry of alarm, the raucous voice of Nancy Joe, and the clatter of feet towards the porch. There was not a sound. " She's upstairs," he thought, and stepped back to look up at the front of the house. There was no light in the rooms above. "I know what it is. Nancy is not home yet, and Kirry's fallen asleep at the rocking." He stole ur> to the window and tried to look into the hall, but the blind was down, and ho could not see much through the narrow openings at the sides of it. " She's sleeping, that's it. The house was quiet and she dropped off, rocking the lil one, that's all." He scraped a handful of the light gravel and flung a little of it at the window. " That'll remind her of something," he thought, ami he laughed under his breath. Then he listened again with his ear at the sill. There was no noise within. He flung more gravel and waited, thinking he might catch her breathing, but he could hear nothing.^ Then rising hurriedly and throwing off his playfulness, he strode to the door and tried to open it. The door was locked. He returned to the window. " Kate ! " he called softly. " Kate ! Are you there ? Do you hear me 1 ? It's Pete. Don't be frightened, Kate, bogh ! " There was no response. He could hear the beat of the sea on the shore. The dog had perched himself on one end of the window sill and was beginning to whine. " What's ili is at all ? She can't be out. Couldn't take the child anyway. Where's that Nancy 1 What right had the woman to lave her 1 She has fainted, being left alone; that's what's going doing." 262 THE MANXMAN He tried to open tho window, but the latch was shot. Then he tried the other windows, and the back door, and the window above the hall, which he reached from the roof of the porch; but they would not stir. When he returned to the hall window, the white blind was darker. The lamp inside the room was going out. The moonlight was dripping down on him through the leaves of the trees. He found some matches beside his pipe in his side pocket, struck one, and looked at the sash, then took out his clasp knife to remove the pane under the latch. His hand trembled and shook and burst through the glass with a jerk. It cut his wrist, but he felt the wound no more than if it had been the glass instead of his arm that bled. He thrust his hand through, shot back the latch, then pushed up the sash, and clambered into the room past the blind. The cat, sitting on the ledge inside, rubbed against his hand and purred. " Kirry ! Kate ! " he whispered. The lamp had given up its last gleam with the puff of wind from the window, and, save for the slumbering fire, all was dark within the house. He hardly dared to drop to his feet for fear of treading on something. When he was at last in the middle of the floor he stood with legs apart, struck another match, held the light above his head, and looked down and around, like a man in a cave. There was nothing. The child, awakened by the draught of the night air, began to cry from the cradle. He took it up and hushed it with baby words of tenderness in a breaking voice. " Hush, bogh, hush ! Mammie will come to it, then. Mammie will come for all." lie lit a candle and crept through the house, carrying the light about with him. There was no sign anywhere until he came to the bedroom, when he saw that the hat and cloak of Kate's daily wear bad gone. Then he knew that he was a broken-hearted man. With a cry of desolation he stopped in his search and came heavily downstairs. He had been warding off the moment of despair, but he could do so no longer now. The empty house and the child, the child and the empty house ; these allowed of only one interpretation. " She's gone, bogh, she's left us; she wasn't willing to stay with us, God forgive her ! " Sitting on a stool with the little one on his knees, he sobbed while i he child cried — two children crying together. Suddenly he leapt up. "I'm not for believing it," he thought. " What woman alive could do the like of it ? There isn't a mother breathing that hasn't more bowels. And she used to love the lil one, and me too — and does, and docs." He saw how it was. She was ill, distraught, perhaps even — God MAS ASD WIFE 263 help her ! — perhaps even mad. Such things happened to women after childbirth — the doctor himself had said as much. In the toils of her bodily trouble, beset by mental terrors, she had fled away from her baby, her husband, and her home, pursued by God knows what phantoms of disease. But she would get better, she would come back. " Hush, bogh, hush, then," he whimpered tenderly. " Mammie will come home again. Still and for all she'll come back." There was the click of a key in the lock, and he crept back to the stool. Nancy came in, panting and perspiring. " Dear heart alive ! what a race I've had to get home," she said, puffing the air of the night. She was throwing off her bonnet and shawl, and talking beforo looking round. " Such pushing and scrooging, you never seen the like, Kirry. Aw, my best Sunday bonnet, only wore at me once, look at the crunched it is ! But what d'ye think now ? Poor Christian Kil lip's baby is dead for all. Died in the middle of the rejoicings. Aw, dear, yes, and the band going by playing 'The Conquering Hero' the very minute. Poor thing ! she was distracted, and no wonder. I ran round to put a sight on the poor soul, and why, what's going wrong with the lamp, at all? Is that yourself on the stool, Kirry ? Pete, is it ? Then where's the mistress ? " She plucked up the poker, and dug the fire into a blaze. " What's doing on you, man ? You've skinned your knuckles like potato peel. Man, man, what for are you crying, at all ? " Then Pete said in a thick croak, " Hould your bull of a tongue, Nancy, and take the child out of my arms." She took the baby from him, and he rose to his feet as feeble as an old man. " Lord save us ! " she cried. " The window broke, too. What's happened ?" " Nothing," growled Pete. "Then what's coming of Kirry ? I left her at home when I went out at seven." "I'm choking with thirst, woman. Can't you be giving a man a drink of something 1 " He found a dish of milk on the table, where the supper had been laid, and he gulped it down at a mouthful. "She's gone — that's what it is. I see it in your face." Then going to the foot of the stairs, she called, " Kirry ! Kate ! Katherine Cregeen ! " " Stop that ! " shouted Pete, and he drew her back from the stairs. "Why aren't you spaking, then?" she cried. "If you're man enough to bear the truth, I'm woman enough to hear it." " Listen to me, Nancy," said Pete, with uplifted fist. " I'm going 264 THE MANXMAN out for an hour, and till I'm back, stay you here with the child, and say nothing to nobody." " I knew it ! ' cried Nancy. " That's what she hurried me out for. Aw, dear! Aw, dear ! "What for did you lave her with that man this morning 1" " Do you hear me, woman ? " said Pete ; " say nothing to nobody. My heart's lying heavy enough already. Open your lips, and you'll kill me straight." Then he went out of the house, staggering, stumbling, bent almost double. His hat lay on the floor ; he had gone bareheaded. He turned towards Sulby. "She's there," he thought. "Where else should she be ? The poor, wandering lamb wants home." XVII The bar-room of " The Manx Fairy " was full of gossips that night, and the putting of many pipes was suspended at a story that Mr. Jelly was telling. " Strange enough, I'm thinking. 'Deed, but it's mortal strange. Talk about tale-books — there's nothing in the 'Pilgrim's Progress' itself to equal it. The son of one son coming home Dempster, with processions and bands of music, at the very minute the son of the other son is getting kicked out of the house same as a dog." "Strange uncommon," said John the Widow, and other voices echoed him. Jonaique looked round the room, expecting some one to question him. As nobody did so, except with looks of inquiry, he said, "My ould man heard it all. He's been tailor at the big house since the time of Iron Christian himself." "Truth enough," said Caesar. " And he was sewing a suit for the big man in the kitchen when the bad work was going doing upstairs." "You don't say ! " " ' You've robbed me ! ' says the Ballawhaine." " Dear heart alive ! " cried Grannie. " To his own son, was it ? " " ' You've cheated me ! ' says he, ' you deceaved me, you've em- bezzled my money and broke my heart!' says he. 'I've spent a fortune on you, and what have you brought me back?' says he. 'This,' says he, 'and this — and this — barefaced forgeries, all of them !' says he." " 'I'lic Lord help us !" muttered Caesar. "'They're calling me a miser, aren't they?' says he. 'I grind my people to the dust, do I ? What for, then ? Whom for ? I've MAN AND WIFE 265 been a good father to you, anyway, and a fool, too, if nobody knows it ! ' says he." "Nobody ! Did he say nobody, Mr. Jelly 1 " said Caesar, screwing up his mouth. '"If you'd had my father to deal with,' says he, 'he'd have turned you out long ago for a liar and a thief.' 'My God, father.' says Ross, struck silly for the minute. ' A thief, d'ye hear me ? ' says the Ballawhaine ; ' a thief that's taken every penny I have in the world, and left me a ruined man.' " " Did he say that ? " said Caesar. "He did, though," said Jonaique. "The ould man was listening from the kitchen-stairs, and young Ross snaked out of the house same as a cur." " And where's he gone to ?" said Caesar. " Gone to the devil, I'm thinking," said Jonaique. "Well, he'd be good enough for him with a broken back — pity the ould man didn't break it," said Caesar. "But where's the wastrel now ? " "Gone to England over with to-night's packet, they're saying." " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," said Caesar. A grunt came out of the corner from behind a cloud of smoke. "You've your own rasons for saying so, Caesar," said the husky voice of Black Tom. " People were talking and talking one while there that he'd be 'bezzling somebody's daughter, as well as the ould miser's money."' "Answer a fool according to his folly," muttered Caesar; and then the door jerked open, and Pete came staggering into the room. Every pipe shank was lowered in an instant, and Grannie's needles ceased to click. Pete was still bareheaded, his face was ghastly white, and his eyes wandered, but he tried to bear himself as if nothing had happened. Smiling horribly, and nodding all round, as a man does sometimes in battle the moment the bullet strikes him, he turned to Grannie and moved his lips a little as if he thought he was saying something, though he tattered no sound. After that he took out his pipe, and rammed it with his forefinger, then picked a spill from the table, and stooped to the fire for a light. "Anybody — belonging — me — here?" he said, in a voice like a crow's, coughing as he spoke, the flame dancing over the pipe mouth. " No, Pete, no," said Grannie. " Who were you looking for, at all?" " Nobody," he answered. " Nobody partic'lar. Aw, no," he said, and he puffed until his lips quacked, though the pipe gave out no smoke. "Just come in to get fire to my pipe. Must be going now. So long, boys ! S'long ! Bye-bye, (< rannie !" 266 THE MANXMAN No one answered him. He nodded round the room again and smiled fearfully, crossed to the door with a jaunty roll, and thus launched out of the house with a pretence of unconcern, the dead pipe hanging upside down in his mouth, and his head aside, as if his hat had been tilted rakishly on his uncovered hair. When he had gone the company looked into each other's faces in surprise and fear, as if a ghost in broad daylight had passed among them. Then Black Tom broke the silence. " Men," said he, " that was a d lie." " Si " began Csesar, but the protest foundered in his dry throat. " Something going doing in Ramsey," Black Tom continued. " I believe in my heart I'll follow him." "I'll be going along with you, Mr. Quilliam," said Jonaique. "And I," said John the Clerk. "And I" — "And I," said the others, and in half a minute the room was empty. " Father," whimpered Grannie, through the glass partition, "hadn't you better saddle the mare and see if anything's going wrong with Kirry?" '• I was thinking the same myself, mother." " Come, then, away with you. The Lord have mercy on all of us ! " VXIII As soon as he was out of earshot Pete began to run. Within half an hour he was back at Elm Cottage. " She'll be home by this time," he told himself, but he dared not learn the truth too suddenly. Creeping up to the hall window, he listened at the broken pane. The child was crying, and Nancy Joe was talking to herself, and sobbing as she bathed the little one. " Bless it's precious heart, it's as beautiful as the angels in heaven. I've bathed her mother on the same knee a hundred times. 'Deed have I, and a thousand times too. Mother, indeed ! What sort of mothers are in now at all ? She. must have a heart as hard as a stone to lave the like of it. Can't be a drop of nature in her. . . . Goodness, Nancy, what are saying for all ? Kate is it 1 Your own little Kirry, and you blackening her ! Aw, dear ! — aw, dear ! The bogh !— the bogh ! " Pete could not go in. He crept back to the cabin in the garden and leaned against it to draw his breath and think. Then he noticed that the dog was on the path with its long tongue hanging over its jaw. It stopped its panting to whine woefully, and then it turned towards the darker part of the garden. MAN AND WIFE 267 "He's telling me something," thought Pete. A car rattled down the side road at that moment, and the light of its lamp shot through the bushes to his feet. " The ould gate must be open," he thought. He looked and saw that it was, and then a new light dawned on him " She's gone up to Philip's," he told himself. " She's gone by Claughbaneto Ballure to find me." Five minutes afterwards he was knocking at Ballure House. His breath was coming in gusts, perspiration was standing in beads on his face, and his head was still bare, but he was carrying himself bravely as if nothing were amiss. His knock was answered by the maid, a tall girl of cheerful expression, in a black frock, a white apron, and a snow-white cap. Pete nodded and smiled at her. " Anybody been here for me 1 No ? " he asked. " No, sir, n — o, I think not," the girl answered, and as she looked at Pete her face straightened. There was a rustling within as of autumn leaves, and then a twittering voice cried, "Is it Capt'n Quilliam, Martha?" " Yes, ma'am." Some whispered conference took place at the dining-room door, and Auntie Nan came hopping through the hall. But Pete was already moving away in the darkness. " Shall I call the Deemster, Peter 1 " " Aw, no, ma'am, no, not worth bothering him. Good everin', Miss Christian, ma'am, good everin' to you." Auntie Nan and Martha were standing in the light at the open door when the iron gate of the garden swung to with a click, and Pete swung across the road. He was making for the lane which goes down to the shore at the foot of Ballure Glen. " No denying it," he thought. " It must be true for all. The trouble in her head has driven her to it. Poor girl, poor darling ! " He had been fighting against an awful idea, and the quagmire of despair had risen to his throat at last. The moon was behind the cliffs, and he groped his way through the shadows at the foot of the rocks like one who looks for something which ho dreads to find. He found nothing, and his catchy breathing lengthened to sighs. "Thank God, not here, anyway !" he muttered. Then he walked down the shore towards the harbour. The title was still high, the wash of the waves touched his feet ; on the one hand the dark sea, \inbroken by a light, on the other the dull town blinking out and dropping asleep. He reached the end of the stone pier at the mouth of the harbour, and with his back to the seaward side of the lighthouse he stared 268 THE MANXMAN down into the grey water that surged and moaned under the rounded wall. A black cloud like a skate was floating across the moon, and a startled gannet scuttled from under the pier steps into the moon's misty waterway. There was nothing else to be seen. He turned back towards the town, following the line of the quay, and glancing down into the harbour when he came to the steps. Still he saw nothing of the thing he looked for. ■ " But it was high water then, and now it's the ebby tide," he told himself. He had met with nobody on the shore or on the pier, but as he passed the sheds in front of the berth for the steamers he was joined by the harbour-master, who was swinging home for the night, with his coat across his arm. Then he tried to ask the question that was slipping off his tongue, but dared not, and only stammered awkwardly — "Any news to-night, Mr. Quayle 1 " "Is it yourself, Capt'n? If you've none, I've none. It's inde- pendent young rovers like you for newses, not poor ould chaps tied to the harbour-post same as a ship's cable. I was hearing you, though. You'd a power of music in the everin' yonder. Fine doings up at Ballure, seemingly." " Nothing fresh with yourself then, Daniel ? No ? " " Except "that I am middling sick of these late sailings, and the sooner they're building us a breakwater the better. If the young Deemster will get that for us, he'll do." They were nearing a lamp at the corner of the market-place. " It's like you know the young Ballawhaine crossed with the boat to-night? Something wrong with the ould man, they're telling me. But boy, veen, what's come of your hat at all ? " "My hat? "said Pete, groping about his head. "Oh, my hat? Blown off on the pier, of coorse." "'Deed, man ! Not much wind either. You'll be for home and the young wife, eh, Capt'n?" "Must be," said Pete, with an empty laugh. And the harbour- master, who was a bachelor, laughed more heartily, and added — " You married men are like Adam, you've lost the rib of your liberty, but you've got a warm little woman to your side instead." "Ha! ha! hal Goodnight!" Pete's laugh echoed through the empty market-place. The harbour-master had seen nothing. Pete drew a long breath, followed the line of the harbour as far as to the bridge at the end of it, and then turned back through the town. He had forgotten again that ho was bareheaded, and he walked down Parliament St reet with a tremendous step and the air of a man to whom nothing unusual had occurred. People were standing in groups at the corner of every side street, talking eagerly, with the low hissing sound that MAN AND WIFE 269 women make when they are discussing secrets. So absorbed were they that Pete passed some of them unobserved. He caught snatches of their conversation. " The rascal," said one. " Clane ruined the ould man, anyway," said another. " Ptoss Christian again," thought Pete. But a greater secret swamped everything. Still he heard the people as he passed. " Sarve her right, though, whatever she gets — she knew what he was." . • " Laving the child, too, the unfeeling creature." Then the sharp voices of the women fell on the dull consciousness of Pete like forks of lightning. " Whisht, woman ! the husband himself," said somebody. There was a noise of feet like the plash of retiring waves, and Pete noticed that one of the groups had broken into a half circle, facing him as he strode along the street. He nodded cheerfully over both sides, threw back his bare head, and plodded on. But his teeth were set hard, and his breathing was quick and audible. " I see what they mane," he muttered. Outside his own house he found a crowd. A saddle-horse, with a cloud of steam rising from her, was standing with the reins over its head, linked to the gate-post. It was Caesar's mare, Molly. Every eye was on the house, and no one saw Pete as he came up behind. " Black Tom's saying there's not a doubt of it," said a woman. " Gone with the young Ballawhaine, eh ? " said a man. "Shame on her, the hussy," said another woman. Pete ploughed his way through with both arms, smiling and nodding furiously. "If you, plaze, ma'am ! If you plaze." As he pushed on he heard voices behind him. " Poor man, he doesn't know yet." — "I'm taking pity to look at him." The house-door was open. On the threshold stood a young man with long hair and a long note-book. He was putting questions. " Last seen at seven o'clock — left alone with child — husband out with procession — any other information ? " Nancy Joe, with the child on her lap, was answering querulously from the stool before the fire, and Ca?sar, face down, was leaning on the mantelpiece. Pete took in the situation at a glance. Then he laid his big hand on the young man's shoulder and swung him aside as if he had been turning a swivel. "What going doing?" he asked. The young man faltered something. Sorry to intrude — Capt'n Quill iam's trouble. " What trouble 1 " said Pete. 270 THE MANXMAN " Need I say — the lamented— I mean distressing — in fact, the mysterious disappearance " " What disappearance V said Pete, with an air of amazement. "Can it be, sir, that you've not yet heard " " lleard what ? Your tongue's like a turnip- watch in a fob pocket — out with it, man." " Your wife, Captain " " What ? My wife disa What ? So this is the jeel ! My wife mysteriously disappear Oh, my gough ! " Pete burst into a peal of laughter. He shouted, roared, held his sides, doubled, rocked up and down, and at length Hung himself into a chair, threw back his head, heaved out his legs, and shook till the house itself seemed to quake. "Well, that's good ! that's rich ! that bates all ! " he cried. The child awoke on Nancy's knee and sent its thin pipe through Pete's terrific bass. Caesar opened his mouth and gaped, and the young man, now white and afraid, scraped and backed himself to the door, saying — * " Then perhaps it's not true, after all, Capt'n ? " "Of coorse it's not true," cried Pete. " Maybe you know where she's gone." "Of course I know where's she's gone. I sent her there myself!" "You did, though ?" said Caesar. " Yes, did I — to England by the night sailing." " 'Deed, man ! " said Caesar. "The doctor ordered it. You heard him yourself, grandfather." " Well, that's true, too," said Csesar. The young man closed his long note-book and backed into a throng of women who had come up to the porch. "Of course, if you say so, Capt'n Quilliam " " 1 do say so," shouted Pete; and the reporter disappeared. The voices of two women came from the gulf of white faces wherein the reporter had been swallowed up. " I'm right glad it's lies they've been telling of her, Capt'n," said the first. "Of coorse you are, Mistress Kinnish," shouted Pete. "I could never have believed the like of the same woman, and I always knew the child was brought up by hand," said the other. "Coorse you couldn't, Mistress Kewley," Pete replied. Put he swung up and kicked the door to in their faces. The strangers being shut out, Csesar said cautiously — " L>o you mane that, Peter?" " Molly's smoking at the gate like a brewer's vat, father," said Pete. "The half hasn't been told you, Peter. Listen to me. It's only MAN AND WIFE 271 proper you should hear it. When you were away at Kimherley this lloss Christian was bothering the girl terrible." " She'll be getting cold so long out of the stable," said Pete. " I rebuked him myself, sir, and he smote me on the brow. Look ! Here's the mark of his hand over my temple, and I'll be carrying it to my grave." " Ross Christian ! lloss Christian ! " muttered Pete impatiently. " By the Lord's restraining grace, sir, I refrained myself — but if Mr. Philip hadn't been there that night — I'm not houlding with violence, no, resist not evil — but Mr. Philip fought the loose liver with his fist for me ; he chastised him, sir ; he " " D — the man ! " cried Pete, leaping to his feet. " What's he to me or my wife either 1 " Ca3sar went home huffed, angry, and unsatisfied. And then, all being gone and the long strain over, Pete snatched the puling child out of Nancy's arms, and kissed it and wept over it. "Give her to me, the bogh," he cried, hoarse as a raven, and then sat on the stool before the fire, and rocked the little one and himself together. " If I hadn't something innocent to lay hould of I should be going mad, that I should. Oh, Ivatherine bogh ! Ivatherine bogh ! My little bogh ! My lil bogh millish ! " In the deep hours of the night, after Nancy had grumbled and sobbed herself to sleep by the side of the child, Pete got up from the sofa in the parlour and stole out of the house again. " She may come up with the morning tide," he told himself. " If she does, what matter about a lie, God forgive me 1 God help me, what matter about anything V If she did not, he would stick to his story, so that when she came back, wherever she had been, she would come home as an honest woman. "And will he, too," he thought, "Yes, will be, too, spite of all their dirty tongues — as sure as the Lord's in heaven." The dog trotted on in front of him as he turned up towards Ballure. XIX Piiilip had not eaten much that night at dinner. He had pecked at the wing of a fowl, been restless, absent, preoccupied, and like a man struggling for composure. At intervals he had listened as for a step or a voice, then recovered himself and laughed a little. Auntie Nan had explained his uneasiness on grounds of natural excitement after the doings of the great day. She had loaded his plate with good things, and chirruped away under the light of the lamp. THE MANXMAN "So sweet of you, Philip, not to forget Pete amid all your success. Mrs really such a good soul. It would break his heart if you neglected him. Simple as a child, certainly, and of course quite uneducated, but " "Pete is lit to be the friend of anyone, Auntie." "The friend, yes, but you'll allow not exactly the companion- If he is simple, it is the simplicity of a nature too large for little tilings." "The dear fellow ! He's not a bit jealous of you, Philip." " Such feelings are far below him, Auntie." " He's your first cousin after all, Philip. There's no denying that. As he says, the blood of the Christians is in him." The conversation took a turn. Auntie Nan fell to talking of the other Peter, uncle Peter Christian of Ballawhaine. This was the day of the big man's humiliation. The son he had doted on was dis- graced. She tried, but could not help it ; she struggled, but could not resist the impulse — in her secret heart the tender little soul re- joiced. " Such a pity," she sighed. " So touching when a father — no matter how selfish — is wrecked by love of a thankless son. I'm sorry, indeed I am. But I warned him six years ago. Didn't I, now ? " Philip was far away. He was seeing visions of Pete going home, the deserted house, the empty cradle, the desolate man alone and heart-broken. They rose from the table and went into the little parlour, Auntie Nan on Philip's arm, proud and happy. She fluttered down to the piano and sang, to cheer him up a little, an old song in a quavering old voice. "Of the wandering falcon The cuckoo complains, He has torn her warm nest, He has scattered her young." Suddenly Philip got up stiffly, and said in a husky whisper, "Isn't that liis voice 1 " "Who's, dear?" "Pete's." "Where, dearest?" "In the hall." "I hear nobody. Let me look. No, Pete's not here. But how pale you are, Philip. What's amiss ?" "Nothing," said Philip. " I only thought " "Take some wine, dear, or some brandy. You've over-tired your- 1 elf to-day, and no wonder. You must have a long, long rest to-night." "Yes I'll goto bed at once." MAN AND WIFE 273 " So soon ! Well, perhaps it's best. You want sleep ; your eyes show that. Martha ! Is everything ready in the Deemster's room? All but (lie lamp? Take it up, Martha. Philip, you'll drink a little brandy and water first? I'll carry it to your room then ; you might need it in the night, Go before me, dear. Yes, yes, you must. Do you think I want you to see how old I am when I'm going upstairs ? Ah ! I hadn't to climb by the banisters this way when I came first to Ballure." On reaching the landing, Philip was turning to his old room, the bedroom he had occupied from his boyhood up, the bedroom of his mother's father, old Capt'n Billy. "Not that way to-night, Philip. This way — there! What do you say to that V She pushed open the door of the room opposite, and the glow of the fire within rushed out on them. "My father's room," said Philip, and he stepped back. " Ob, I've aired it, and it's not a bit the worse for being so long shut up. See, it's like toast. Oo — 00 — 00 ! Not the least sign of my breath. ( 'onie ! " " No, Auntie, no." "Are you afraid of ghosts? There's only one ghost lives here, Philip, the memoi-y of your dear father, and that will never harm you." " But this place is too sacred. No one has slept here since " "That's why, dearest. But now you have justified your father's hopes, and it must be your room for the future. Ah ! if he could only see you himself, how proud he would be ! Poor father ! Per- haps he does. Who knows — perhaps — kiss me, Philip. See what an old silly I am, after all. So happy that I have to cry. But mind now, you've got to sleep in this room every time you come to hold court in Ramsey. I refuse to share you with Elm Cottage any longer. Talk about jealousy! If Pete isn't jealous, I know some- body who is — or soon will be. But Philip — Philip Christian " "Yes?" The sweet old face grew solemn. "The greatest man has his cares and doubts and divisions. That's only natural — out in the open field of life. But don't be ashamed to come here whenever you are in trouble. It's what home is for, Philip. Just a place of peace and shelter from the rough world, when it wounds and hurts you. A quiet spot, dear, with memories of father and mother and innocent childhood — and with an old goose of an auntie, maybe, who thinks of you all day and every day, and is so vain and foolish — and — and who loves you, Philip, better than anybody in the world." Philip's arms were about the old soul, but ho had not heard her. With a terrified glance towards the window, he was saying in a low quick voice, " Isn't that a footstep on the gravel ? " s 274 THE MANXMAN (t N — o, no ! You're nervous to-night, Philip. Lie and rest. "When you're asleep, I'll creep back and look at you." She left him, and he looked around. Not in all the world could Philip have found a spot so full of terrors. It was like a sepulchre of dead things — his dead father, his dead mother, his dead youth, his dead innocence, his slaughtered friendship, and his outraged con- science. Over the fireplace hung a portrait of his mother. It was the pic- ture of a comely girl, young and soft, with full ripe lips and bright brown eyes. Philip shuddered as he looked at it. The portrait was like the "host of himself looking through the veil of a woman's face. Facing this, and hanging over the side of the bed, was a portrait of his father. The eyes were full of light, the lines of the cheek were round ; the mouth seemed to quiver with a tender smile. But Philip could not see it as it was. He saw it with straggling hair, damp and long as reeds, the cheeks pallid and drawn, the eyes like lamps in a mist, the throat bare of the shirt, and the lips kept apart by laboured breathing. Near the window stood the cot where he had once slept with Pete, and leaped up in the morning and laughed. On every hand, wherever his eye could rest, there rose a phantom of his lost and buried life. And Auntie Nannie's love and pride had brought him to this chamber of torture ! The night was calm enough outside ; but it seemed to lie dead within that room, so quiet was it and so still. There was a clock, but it did not go ; and there was a cage for a bird, but no bird pecked in it. Philip thought he heard a knocking at the door of the house. Nobody answered it, so he rang for the maid. She came upstairs with a smile. " Hidn't you hear a knock at the front door, Martha 1 " "No, sir," said the girl. " Strange ! Very strange ! I could have sworn it was the knock of Mr. Quilliam." " Perhaps it was, sir. I'll go and look." " No matter. I've a singing in my ears to-night. ]t must be that." The girl left him. He threw off his boots and began to creep about the room as if he were doing something in which he feared detection. Every time his eyes fell on the portrait of his father he dropped his head and turned aside. Presently he heard voices in the room below. This time the sound in his ears was no dreaming. He opened the door noiselessly and listened. It was Pete. Martha was answering him. Auntie Nan was calling from the dining-room, and Pete was saving "No, no," in a light way and moving off. The gate of the garden clicked and the front door was closed quietly. Then Philip shut the door of his own room without a sound. MAN AND WIFE 275 A moment later Auntie Nan re-opened it. She was carrying a lighted candle. " Such an extraordinary thing, Philip. Martha says you thought you heard Peter knocking, and, do you know, he must have been coming up the hill at that very moment. He was so strange, too, and looked so wild. Asked if anybody had been here inquiring for him ; as if anybody should Wouldn't have me call to you, and went off laughing about nothing. Really, if I hadn't known him for a sober man " Philip felt sick and chill, and he began to shiver. An irresistible impulse took hold of him. It was like the half-smothered fear which makes guilty men go to sit at the inquests on their murdered victims. " Something wrong," he said. "Where are my boots'?" " Going to Elm Cottage, Philip ? Pity the coachman drove back to Douglas. Hadn't you better send Martha 1 Besides, it may be only my fancy. Why worry in any case ? You're too tender-hearted — indeed you are." Philip fled downstairs like one who flies from torture. While dragging on his coat in the hall, he began to foresee what was before him. He was to go to Pete, pretending to know nothing ; he was to hear Pete's story, and show surprise ; he was to comfort Pete — perhaps to help him in his search, for he dared not appear not to help — he was to walk by Pete's side, looking for what he knew they should not find. He saw himself crawling along the streets like a snake, and the part he had to play revolted him. He went upstairs again. " On second thoughts, you must be right, auntie." " I'm sure I am." " If not, he'll come again." "I'm sure he will." " If there's anything amiss with Pete, he'll come first to me.' J " There can be nothing amiss except what I say. Just a glass too much maybe andno great sin either, considering the day, and how proud he is, for your sake, Philip. I believe in my heart that young man couldn't be prouder and happier if he stood in your own shoes instead." ■• < rood-night, Auntie," said Philip, in a thick gurgle. " Good-night, deai\ I'm going to bed, and mind you go yourself." Being alone, Philip found himself leaning against the mantelpiece and looking across at his father's picture. He began to contrast his father with himself. He was a success, his father had been a failure. At seven-and-twenty he was Deemster at all events; at thirty his father had died a broken man. He had got what he had worked for ; he had recovered the place of his people; and yet how mean a man he was compared to him who had done nothing and lost all. Failure was all that his father had had to reproach himself with ; but he had to accuse himself of dishonour as well. His father's 276 THE MANXMAN offence had been a fault ; his own was a crime. If his father had been willing to betray love and friendship, he might have succeeded. Because he himself had been true to neither, he had not failed. The very excess of his father's virtues had kept him down. Every act of his own selfishness had pushed him up. His father had thought first of love and truth and an upright life, and last of money and rank and applause. The world had renounced his father because his father had first renounced the world. But it had opened its arms to him, and followed him with shouts and cheers, and loaded him with honours. And yet, miserable man, better be down in the ooze and slime of a broken life, better be dead and in the grave — for the dead in his grave must despise him. An awful picture rose before Philip. It was a picture of himself in the time to come. An old man — great, powerful, perhaps even beloved, maybe worshipped, but heart-dead, tottering on to the grave, and the mockery of a gorgeous funeral, with crowds and drums and solemn music. Then suddenly a great silence, as if the snow had begun to fall, and a great white light, and an awful voice crying, " Who is this that comes with dust for a bleeding heart, and ashes for a living soul 1 " Philip screamed aloud at the vision, as piece by piece he put it together. His cry died off with a tingle in the china ornaments of the mantelpiece, and he remembered where he was. Then two gentle taps came to the door of his room. He composed himself a little, snatched up a book, and cried "Come in !" It was Auntie Nan. She was in her night-dress and night-cap. A candle was in her hand, and the flame was shaking. " Whatever's to do, my child ?" she said. "Only reading aloud, Auntie. Did I awaken you?" "But you screamed, Philip." "Macbeth, Auntie. See, the banquet scene. He has become king, you know, but his conscience " He stopped. The little lady looked at him dubiously and made a pull at the string of her night-cap, causing it to fall aside and give a grotesque appearance to her troubled old face. "Take a little brandy, dear. I left it here on the dressing-table." " Don't trouble about me, Auntie. Good-night again. There ! go back to bed." Half coaxing, half forcing her, he drew her to the door, and she went out slowly, reluctantly, doubtfully, the wandering strings of her cap trailing on her shoulders, and her bare feet flipping up the bottom of the night-dress behind her. Philip looked at the book he had snatched up in his haste. What had put that book of all books into his hand? What had brought him to that room of all rooms? And on that night of all nights? MAN AND WIFE 277 What devil out of hell had tempted Auntie Nan to torture him 1 He would not stay ; he would go back to his own bed. Out on the landing he heard a low voice. It came from Auntie Nan's room. A spear of candle-light shot from her door, which was ajar. He paused and looked in. The white night-dress was by the bedside, the night-cap was buried in the counterpane. A cat had established itself beside it, and was purring softly. Auntie Nan was on her knees. Philip heard his own name — " God bless my Philip in the great place to which he has been called this day. Give him wisdom and strength and peace ! " Holy woman, with angels hovering over you, who dared to think of devils tempting your innocence and love ? Philip went back to his father's room. He began to reconcile himself to his position. Though he had been extolling his father at his own expense, what had he done but realise his father's hopes. And, after all, he could not have acted differently. At no point could he have behaved otherwise than he had. What had he to accuse himself for? If there had been sin, he had been dragged into it by blind powers which he could not command. And what was true of himself was also true of Kate. Ah ! he could see her now. She was gone where he had sent her. There were tears in her beautiful eyes, but time would wipe them away. The duplicity of her old life was over : the corroding deceit, the "daily torment, the hourly infidelity — all were left behind. If there was remorse, it was the fault of destiny ; and if she was suffering the pangs of shame, she was a woman, and she would bear it cheer- fully for the sake of the man she loved. She was going through every- thing for him. Heaven bless her ! In spite of man and man's law, she was his love, his darling, his wife— yes, his wife — by right of nature and of God ; and, come what would, he should cling to her to the last. Suddenly a thick voice cut through the still air of the night. " Philip ! " It was Pete at last. He was calling up at the Avindow from the path below. Philip groaned and covered his face with his hands. "Philip !" With rigid steps Philip walked to thewindowand threw up the sash. It was starlight, and the branches were bending in the night air. "Is it you, Pete?" " Yes, it's me. I was seeing the lamp, so I knew you war'n in bed at all. Studdying a bit, it's like, eh ? 1 thought I wouldn't waken the house, but just shout up and tell you." "What is it, Pete?" said Philip. His voice shivered like a sail at tacking. " Nothing much at all. Only the wife's gone to Kngland over by the night's steamer." 278 THE MANXMAN "To England?" " Aw, time for it too, I'm thinking ; the wake and narvous she's been lately. You remember what the doctor was saying yonder everin', when we christened the child ? ' Send her out of the island,' says he, 'and she'll becoming home another woman.' Wasn't for going, though. Crying and shouting she wouldn't be laving the lil one. »So I had to put out a bit of authority. Of course, a husband's got the right to do that, Philip, eh ? Well, I'll be taking the road again. Doing a fine night, isn't it? Make's a man un- willing to go to bed." Philip trembled and felt sick. He tried to speak, but could utter nothing except an inarticulate noise. As Pete went off, an owl screeched in the glen. Philip drew down the sash, pulled the blind, tugged the curtains across, stumbled into the middle of the floor, and leaned against the bed. " Such is the beginning of the end," he thought. The duplicity, the deceit, the daily torment which Kate had left behind were henceforward to be his own ! At one flash, as of lightning, he saw the path before him. It was over cliffs and chasms and quagmires, where his foot might slip at any step. His head began to reel. He took the brandy bottle from the dressing-table, poured out half a tumbler, and drained it at one draught. As he did so, his eyes above the rim of the glass rested on the portrait of his mother over the fireplace. The face as he saw it then was no longer the face of the winsome bride. It was the living face as he remembered it — bleared, bloated, gross, and drunken. She smiled on him, she beckoned to him. It was the beginning of the end indeed. He was his mother's son as Avell as his father's. The father had ruled down to that day, but it was the turn of the mother now. He could not resist her. She was alive in his blood, and he was hers. Never before had he touched raw spirits, and the brandy mastered him instantly. Feeling dizzy,he made an effort to undress and get into bed. lie dragged off his coat and his waistcoat, and threw his braces over his shoulders. Then he stumbled, and he had to lay hold of the bedpost. His hand grew chill and relaxed its hold. Stupor came over him. He slipped, he slid, he fell, and rolled with outstretched arms on to the floor. The iire went out and the lamp died down. Then the sun came up over the sea. It was a beautiful morning. The town awoke ; people hailed each other cheerfully in the streets, and joy-bells rang from the big church tower for the first court-day of the new Deemster. But the Deemster himself still lay on the floor, with damp forehead and matted hair, behind the blind of the darkened room. END OK PART IV. MAN AND MAN 279 PART V.— MAN AND MAN It was Saturday, and the market-place was covered with the carts and stalls of the country people. After some feint of eating breakfast, Pete lit his pipe, called for a basket, and announced his intention of doing the marketing. " Coming for the mistress, are you, Capt'n 1 " " I'm a sort of a grass-widow, ma'am. What's your eggs to-day, Mistress Cowley 1 " " Sixteen this morning, sir, and right ones too. They were telling me you've been losing her." " Give me a shilling's worth, then. Any news over your side, Mag?" " Two — four — eight — sixteen — it's every appearance we'll be get- ting a early harvest, Capt'n." '■ Is it yourself, Liza? And how's your butter to-day? " " Bad to bate to-day, sir, and only thirteen pence ha'penny. Is the lil one longing for the mistress, Capt'n 1 " " I'll take a couple of pounds, then. What for longing at all when it's going bringing up by hand it is ? Put it in a cabbage leaf, Liza." Thus, with his basket on his arm and his pipe in his mouth, Pete passed from stall to stall, chatting, laughing, bargaining, buying, shouting his salutations over the general hum and hubbub, as he ploughed his way through the crowd, but listening intently, watch- ing eagerly, casting out grapples to catch the anchor he had lost, and feeling all the time that if any eye showed sign of knowledge, if any one began with " Capt'n, I can tell you where she is," he must leap on the man like a tiger, and strangle the revelation in his throat. Next day, Sunday, his friends from Sulby came to quiz and to question. He was lounging in his shirt-sleeves on a deck-chair in his ship's cabin, smoking a long pipe, and pretending to be at ease and at peace with all the world. " Fine morning, Capt'n," said John the Clerk. " It is doing a fine morning, John," said Pete. <; Fine on the sea, too," said Jonaique. i: Wonderful fine on the sea, Mr. Jell}-." 2 So THE MANXMAN " A nice fair wind, though, if anybody was going by the packet to Liverpool. Was it as good, think you, for the mistress on Friday night, Mr. Quilliam?" " I'll gallantee," .said Pete. " Plucky, though — I wouldn't have thought it of the same woman — I wouldn't raelly," said Jonaique. " Alone, too, and landing on the other side so early in the morning," said John the Clerk. " Smart, uncommon ! It isn't every woman would have done it," said Kelly the Postman. " Aw, we've mighty boys of women deese days — we have dough," snuffled the constable, and then they all laughed together. Pete watched their wheedling, fawning, and whisking of the tail, and then he said, "Chut! What's there so wonderful about a woman going by herself to Liverpool when she's got somebody wait- ing at the stage to meet her? " The laughing faces lengthened suddenly. "And had she, then," said John the Clerk. Pete puffed furiously, rolled in his seat, laughed like a man with a mouth full of water, and said, " Why, sartenly — my uncle, of coorse." Jonaique wrinkled his forehead. " Uncle," he said, with a click in his throat. '•Yes, my Uncle Joe," said Pete. Jonaique looked helplessly across at John the Clerk. John the Clerk puckered up his mouth as if about to whistle, and then said, in a faltering way, " Well, I can't really say I've ever heard tell of your Uncle Joe before, Capt'n." '■ No ? " said Pete, with a look of astonishment. "Not my Uncle Joseph ? The one that left the island forty years ago and started in the coach and cab line? Well, that's curious. Where's he living? Bless me, where's this it is, now? Chut! its clane forgot at me. Put I saw him myself coming home from Kimberley, and since then he's been writing constant. ' Send her across,' says he; 'she'll be her own woman again like winking.' And you never heard tell of him ? Not Uncle Joey with the bald head ? Well, well ! A smart ould man, though. Man alive, the lively he is, too, and the laugh- able, and the good company. To look at that man's face you'd say the sun was shining reg'lar. Aw, it's fine times she'll be having with Uncle Joe. No woman could be ill with yonder ould man about. Ue'd break your face with laughing if it was bursting itself with a squinsey. And you never heard tell of my Uncle Joe, of Scotland Load, down Clarence Lock way? To think of that now!" They went off with looks of perplexity, and Pete turned into the house. '• They're trying to catch me ; they're wanting to shame my poor lil Kinv. I must keep her name sweet," he thought. MAN AND MAN 281 The church bells had begun to ring, and he was telling himself that, heavy though his heart might be, he must behave as usual. " She'll be going walking to church herself this morning, Nancy," he said, putting on his coat, " so I'll just slip across to chapel." He was swinging up the path on his return home to dinner, when he heard voices inside the house. "It's shocking to see the man bittending this and bittending that." It was Nancy; she was laying the table ; there was a rattle of knives and forks. "Bittending to ate, but only pecking like a robin; bittending to sleep, but never a wink on the night; bit- tending to laugh and to joke and wink, and a face at him like a ghose's, and his hair all through-others. Walking about from river to quay, and going on with all that rubbish — it's shocking, ma'am, it's shocking ! " '• Hush-a-bye, hush-a-bye ! " It was the voice of Grannie, low and quavery ; she Avas rocking the cradle. '• You can't spake to him neither but he's scolding you scanda- lous. 'I'm not used of being cursed at,' I'm saying, 'and is it myself that has to be tould to respect my own Kitty?' But cry shame on her I must when I look at the lil bogh there, and it so helpless and so beautiful. 'Stericks, you say? Yes, indeed, ma'am, and if I stay here much longer, it's losing myself I will be, too, with his bittendins: and bittending." " Lave him to it, Nancy. His poor head's that moidered and mixed it's like a black pudding — there's no saying what's inside of it. But he's good, though ; aw, right good he is for all, and the world's cold and cruel. Lave him alone, woman ; lave him alone, poor boy." The child awoke and cried, and, under cover of this commotion and the crowing and cooing of the two women. Pete stepped back to the gate, clashed it hard, swung noisily up the gravel, and rolled into the house with a shout and a laugh. "Well, well! Grannie, my gough ! "Who'd have thought of seeing Grannie, now ? And how's the ould angel to-day ? So you've got the lil one there. Aw, you rogue, you. You're on Grannie's lap, are you ? How's Cresar ? And how's Mrs. Gorry doing? Look at that now — did you ever? Opening one eye first to make sure if the world's all right. The child's wise. Coo — 00 — 00 ! Smart with the dinner, Nancy — wonderful hungry the chapel's making a man. Coo — 00 ! What's she like, now, Grannie 1" '• When I set her to my knee like this I can see my own lil Kirry again," said Grannie, looking down ruefully, rocking the child with one knee and doubling over it to kiss it. "So she's like the mammy, is she.'" said Pete, blowing at the baby and tickling its chin with his broad forefinger. " Mammy's gone to the ould uncle's — hasn't she, my lammie ? " 282 THE MANXMAN At that Grannie fell to rocking herself as well as the child, and to singing a hymn in a quavery voice. Then with a rattle and a rush, throwing off his coat and tramping the floor in his shirt- sleeves, while Nancy dished up the dinner, Pete began to enlarge on Kate's happiness in the place where she had gone. " Tremenjous grand the ould man's house is — you wouldn't believe. A reg'lar Dempster's palace. The grandeur on it is a show and a pattern. Plenty to ate, plenty to drink, and a boy at the door with white buttons dotting on his brown coat, bless }*ou like — like a turnip-field in winter. Then the man himself; goodness me, the happy that man is — Happy Joe they're calling him. "Wouldn't trust but he'll be taking Kate to a theaytre. Well, and why not, if a person's down a bit ? A merry touch and go — where's the harm at all ? Fact is, Grannie, that's why we couldn't tell you Kate was going. Caesar would have been objecting. He's fit enough for it — ha, ha, ha ! " Grannie looked up at Pete as he laughed, and the broad rose withered on his face. ' ; H'm ! h'm ! '"' he said, clearing his throat ; " I'm bad dreadful wanting a smook." And past the dinner-table, now smoking and ready, he slithered out of the house. Caesar was Pete's next visitor. He said nothing of Kate, and neither did Pete mention Uncle Joe. The interview was a brief and grim one. ft was a lie that Ross Christian had been sent by his father to ask for a loan, but it was true that Peter Christian was in urgent need of money. He wanted six thousand pounds as mortgage on Ballawhaine. Had Pete got so much to lend ? No need for personal intercourse ; Caesar would act as intermediary. Pete took only a moment for consideration. Yes, he had got the money, and he would lend it. Caesar looked at Pete; Pete looked at Caesar. " He's talking all this rubbish," thought Caesar, "but he knows where the girl has gone to. He knows who's taken her; he manes to kick the rascal out of his own house neck and crop ; and right enough, too, and the Lord's own vengeance." But Pete's thoughts were another matter. " The ould man won't live to redeem it, and the young one will never try — it'll do for Philip some day." ]T For three days Pete bore himself according to his wont, thinking to silence the evil tongues of the little world about him, and keep sweet and alive the; dear name which they were waiting to befoul and destroy. By Tuesday morning the strain had become unbear- able. On pretences of business, of pleasure, of God knows what MAN AND MAN 283 folly and nonsense, he began to scour the island. He visited every parish on the north, passed through every village, climbed every glen, found his way into every out-of-the-way hut, and scraped acquaintance with every old woman living alone. Sometimes he was up in the vague fore-dawn, creeping through the quiet streets like a thief, going silently, stealthily, warily, until he came to the roads, or the fields, or the open Curragh, and could give swing to his step, and breath to his lungs, and voice to the cries that burst from him. Two long weeks he spent in this wild quest, and meanwhile he was as happy as a boy to all outward seeming — whistling, laugh- ing, chaffing, bawling, talking nonsense, any nonsense, and kicking up his heels like a kid. But wheresoever he went, and howsoever early he started on his errands, he never failed to be back at home at seven o'clock in the evening — washed, combed, in his slippers and shirt-sleeves, smoking a long clay over the garden gate as the post- man went by with the letters. " She'll write," he told himself. " "When she's mending a bit she'll aise our mind and write. ' Dear ould Pete, excuse me for not writing afore ' — that'll be the way of it. Aw, trust her, trust her." But day followed day, and no letter came from Kate. Ten even- ings running he smoked over the gate, leisurely, largely, almost languidly, but always watching for the peak of the postman's cap as it turned the corner by the Court-house, and following the toes of his foot as they stepped off the curb, to see if they pointed in his direction— and then turning aside with a deep breath and a smothered moan that ended in a rattle of the throat and a pretence at spitting. The postman saw him as he went by, and his little eyes twinkled treacherously. " Nothing for you yet, Capt'n," he said at length. ' ; Chut!' - ' said Pete, with a mighty puff of smoke; "my business isn't done by correspondence, Mr. Kelly." " Aw, no ; but when a man's wife's away " began the postman. "Oh, I see," said Pete, with a look of intelligence, and then, with a lofty wave of the hand, " She's like her husband, Mr. Kelly — -not bothering much with letters at all." "You'll be longing for a line, though, Capt'n — that's only natural." "No news is good news — I can lave it with her." " Of coorse, that's truth enough, yes I But still and for all, a taste of a letter — it's doing no harm, Capt'n — aisy writ, too, and sweet to get sometimes, you know — shows a woman isn't forgetting a man when she's away." 284 THE MANXMAN " Mr. Kelly ! Mr. Kelly ! " said Pete, with his hand before his face, palm outwards. " Not necessary 1 Well, I lave it with you. Good-night, Capt'n." "Good-night to you, sir," said Pete. He had laughed and tut-tutted, and lifted his eyebrows and his hands in mock protest and a pretence of indifference, but the post- man's talk had cut him to the quick. " People are suspecting," he thought. "They're saying things." This made him swear, but a thought came behind that made him sweat instead. "Philip will be hearing them. They'll be telling him she doesn't write to me; that I don't know where she is; that she has left me, and that she's a bad woman." To make Kate stand well with Philip was an aim that had no rival but one in Pete's reckoning — to make Philip stand well with Kate. Out of the shadow-land of his memory of the awful night of his bereavement, a recollection, which had been lying dead until then, came back now in its grave-clothes to torture him. It was what Caesar had said of Philip's fight with Ross Christian. Philip himself had never mentioned it — that was like him. But when evil tongues told of Ross and hinted at mischief, Philip would know something already; he would be prepared, perhaps he would listen and believe. Two days longer Pete sat in the agony of this new terror and the dogged impatience of his old hope. "She'll write. She'll not lave me much longer." But she did not write, and on the second night, before returning to the house from the gate, he had made his plan. He must silence scandal at all hazards. However his own heart might bleed with doubts and fears and misgivings, Philip must never cease to think that Kate was good and sweet and true. " Off to bed, Nancy," he cried, heaving into the hall like a man in drink. " I've work to do to-night, and want the house to myself." " Goodness me, is it yourself that's talking of bed, then?" said Nancy. "Seven in the everin', too, and the child not an hour out of my hands ! And dear knows what work it is if you can't be doing it with good people about you." "Come, get off, woman; you're looking tired mortal. The hi one's ragging you ter'ble. But what's it saying, Nancy — bed is half bread. Truth enough, too, and the other half is beauty. Get off, now. You're spoiling your complexion dreadful — I'll never be getting that husband for you." Tims coaxing her, cajoling her, watching her, dodging her, nagging ber, driving her, he got her off to bed at last. Being alone, he looked around, listened, shut the doors of the parlour and the kitchen, put the bolt on the door of the stairs, the chain on MAN AND MAN 285 the door of the porch, took off his boots, and went about on tiptoe. Then he blew out the lamp, lilled and trimmed and relit it, going down on the hearthrug to catch the light of the fire. After that he settled the table, drew up the armchair, took from a corner cup- board pens and ink, a blotting pad, a packet of notepaper and envelopes, a stick of sealing wax, a box of matches, a postage stamp, the dictionary, and the exercise-book in which Kate had taught him to write. As the clock was striking nine, Pete was squaring himself at the table, pen in hand, and his tongue in his left cheek. Half an hour later he was startled by an interruption. "Who's there?" he shouted in a ferocious voice, leaping up with a look of terror, like a man caught in a crime. It was only Nancy, who had come creeping down the stairs under pretence of having forgotten the baby's bottle. He made a sort of apologetic growl, handed the flat bottle through an opening like a crack, and ordered her back to bed. "Goodness sakes ! " said Nancy, going upstairs. "Is it coining money the man is 1 Or is it whisky itself that's doing on him 1" Two hours afterwards Pete fancied he saw a face at the window, and he caught up a stick, unchained the door, and rushed into the garden. It was no one ; the town lay asleep ; the night was all but airless; only the faintest breeze moved the leaves of the trees; there was no noise anywhere, except the measured beat of the sea in its everlasting coming and going on the shore. Stepping back into the house, where the fire chirped and the kettle sang and all else was quiet, he resumed his task, and some- where in the dark hours before the dawn he finished it. The finders of his right hand were then inky up to the first joint, his collar was open, his neck was bare, his eyes were ablaze, the cords on his face were big and blue, great beads of cold sweat were standing on his forehead, and the carpet around his chair was littered as white as if a snow-storm had fallen on it. He went down on his knees and gathered up these remnants and burnt them, with the air of a man destroying the evidences of his guilt. Then he put back the ink and the dictionary, the blotting pad and sealing wax, and replaced them with a loaf of bread, a table knife, a bottle of brandy, and a, drinking glass. After that he rnaile up the fire with a shovel of slack, that it might burn until morning; removed the lamp from the table to the window recess that it might cast its light into the darkness outside; and unchained the outer door that a wanderer of the night, if any such there were, might enter without knocking. He diil all this iu the absent manner of a man who did it nightly. Then, unbolting the staircase door, and listening a moment for the 286 THE MANXMAN breathing of the sleepers overhead, he crept into the dark parlour overlooking the road, and lay down on the sofa to sleep. It was done ! Pete's great scheme was afoot ! The mighty secret which he had enshrouded with such awful mystery lay in an envelope in the inside breast-pocket of his monkey-jacket, signed, sealed, stamped, and addressed. Pete had written a letter to himself. Ill Next day the crier was crying : " Great meeting — Manx fishermen — on Zigzag at Peel when boats come in to-morrow morning — protest agen harbour taxes." " The thing itself," thought Pete, with his hand pressed hard on the outside of his breast-pocket. At five o'clock in the afternoon he went down to the harbour, where his Nickey lay by the quay, shouted to the master, "Take an odd man to-night, Mr. KemishJ" then dropped to the deck and helped to fetch the boat into the bay. They had to haul her out by poles along the quay wall, for the tide was low, and there was no breakwater. It was still early in the herring season, but the fishing was in full swing. Five hundred boats from all parts were making for the fishing round. It lay off the south-west tail of the island. Before Pete's boat reached it the fleet were sitting together, like a flight of sea-fowl, and the sun was almost gone. The sun went down that night over the hills of Moume very angry and red in its setting; the sky to the north-west was dark and sullen ; the round line of the sea was bleared and broken, but there was little wind, and the water was quiet. " Bring to and shoot," cried Pete, and they dropped sail to the landward of the fleet, off the shoulder of the Calf Island, with its two lights making one. The boat was brought head to the wind, with the flowing tide veering against her; the nets w^ere shot over the starboard quarter, and they dropped astern; the bow was swung round to the line of the floating mollags, and boat and nets began to drift together. Supper was served, the pump was worked, the lights were run up, the small boat was sent round with a flare to fright away the evil spirits, and then the night came down — a dark night, without moon or stars, shutting out the island, though it stood so near, and n the jocks of the lieu and Chicken. The first man for the look-out took up his oik; hour's watch at the helm, and the rest went below. Pete's bunk was under the binnacle, and the light of its lamp fell MAN AND MAN 287 on a stamped envelope -which lie took out of his breast-pocket from time to time that he might read the inscription. It ran — C'ai'x Peatr Quilliam, Lm Cottig Ramsey I Max. lie looked at it lovingly, fondly, yearningly, yet with a certain awe, too, as if it were the casket of some hidden treasure, and he hardly knew what it contained. The dim-lit cabin was quiet, the net boiler sparched drops of hot water at intervals, the lire of the cooking stove slid and fell, the men breathed heavily from unseen beds, and the sea washed as the boat rolled. " What's she saying, I wonder ! I wonder ! God bless her ! " he mumbled, and then he, too, fell asleep. Two hours before hauling, they proved the fishing by taking in a " pair " of the net, found good herring, and blew the horn as signal that they were doing well. Then out of the black depths around, wherein no boat could be seen, the lights of other boats came floating silently astern, until the company about them in the darkness was like a little city of the sea and the night. At the first peep of morning over the round shoulder of the Calf, the little city awoke. There were the clicks of the capstan, and the shouts of the men as the nets came back to the boats, heavy and white with fish. All being aboard, the men went down on the deck, according to their wont, every man on his knee with his face in his cap, and then leapt up with a shout (perhaps an oath), swung to the wind, hoisted the square sails, and made for home. The dark north- west was lowering by this time, and the sea was beginning to jump. " Breakfast, boys," sang out Pete, with his head above the com- panion, and all but the helmsman went belcw. There was a pot full of the drop-fish, and every man ate his warp of herring. It had been a great night's fishing. Some of the boats were full to the mouth, and all had plenty. " We'll do middling if we get a market," said Pete. "We've got to get home first," said the master, and at the same moment a sea struck the windward quarter with the force of a sledge- hammer, and the block at the masthead began to sing. "We'll run for Peel this morning, boys," said Pete, smothering his voice in a mouthful, "Peel?" said the master, shooting out his lip. "They've got no harbour there at all with a cat's paw of a breeze, let alone a north- wester." " I'm for going up to the meeting," said Pete, in an incoherent way. Then they tacked before the rising gale, and went off with the fleet as it swirled like a flight of gulls abreast of the wind. The sea 2 88 THE MANXMAN came tumbling down like a shoal of seahogs, and washed the faces of the men as they sat in oilskins on the hatch-head, shaking the herring out of the nets into the hold. But their work only began when they came into Peel. The tide was down; there was no breakwater; the neck of the harbour was narrow, and four hundred boats were coming to take shelter and to land their cargoes. It was ascene of tumult and confusion — shouting, swearing, and fighting among the men, and crushing and cranching among the boats as they nosed their way to the harbour mouth, threw ropes on to the quay, where fifty ropes were round one post already, or cast anchors up the bank of the castle rock, which was steep and dangerous to lie on. Pete got landed somehow, but his Nickey with half the fleet turned tail and went round the island. As he leapt ashore, the helpless harbour-master, who had been bellowing over the babel through a cracked trumpet, turned to him and said, " For the Lord's sake, Capt'n Quilliam, if you've got a friend that can lend us a hand, go off to the meeting at seven o'clock." " I mane to," said Pete, but he had something else to do first. It was the task that had brought him to Peel, and no eye must see him do it. Slowly and slyly, like one who does a doubtful thing and pretends to be doing nothing, he went stealing through the town — behind the old Court-house and up Castle Street, into the market- place, and across it to the line of shops which make the principal thoroughfare. At one of these shops, a little single-roomed place, with its small shutter still up, but the door half open and a noise of stamping going on inside, he stopped in a lounging way, half twisting on his heel as if idly looking back. It was the Post-Ofrlce. With a stealthy look around, he put a trembling hand into his breast-pocket, drew out the letter, screened it by the flat of his big palm, and posted it. Then he turned hurriedly away, and was gone in a moment, like a man who feared pursuit, down a steep and tor- tuous alley that led to the shore. The morning was early ; the shops were not yet open ; only the homes of the fishermen were putting out curling wreaths of smoke ; the silent streets echoed to his lightest footstep. But the shore road was busy enough. Fishermen in sea-boots and BOu'-westers, with oilskin over one arm and a string of herring in the other hand, were trooping from the harbour up to the Zigzag by the rock called the Creg Malin. It was at the end of the bay, where cliff and beach and sea together form a bag like the cod-end of the trawl net. " It's not the fishermen at all — it's the farmers they're thinking of," said one. MAN AND MAN 289 "You're right," said Pete, "and it's some of ourselves that's to blame for it." '• How's that?" said somebody. " Aisv enough," said Pete. " When I came borne from Kimberley I met an ould fisherman — you know the man, Billy — well, you do, Dan —Phil Nelly, of Ramsey. ' How's the fishing, Phil ? ' says I. lie gave me a Urn ! and a heise of bis neck, and 'I'm not fishing no more,' says be. ' The wife's keeping a private hotel,' says he, 'And what are you doing yourself 1 ' says I. ' I'm walking about,' says he, and, gough bless me, if the man wasn't wearing a collar and carrying a stick, and prating about advertising the island, if you plaze." At the sound of Pete's voice a group of the men gathered about him. "That's not the worst neither," said he. "The other day I tumbled over Tom Horamy — you know Tom Horn my, yes, you do, the lil deaf man up Ballure. He was lying in the hedge by the public-house, three sheets in the wind. 'Why aren't you out with the boats, Tom?' says I. 'Wash for should I go owsh wish the boash, when the childer can earn more on the roads?' says the drunken wastrel. 'And is yonder j'our boys and girls tossing sum- mersaults at the tail of the trippers' car ? ' says I. ' Yesh,' says he ; ' and they'll earn more in a day at their caperings than their father in a week at the herrings.' " "I believe it enough," said one. "The man's about right," said another ; and a querulous voice behind said, " Wonderful the pro- sperity of the island since the visitors came to it." "Get out with you, there, for a disgrace to the name of Manx- man,"' sang out Pete over the heads of those that stood between. " With the farming going to the dogs and the fishing going to the divil, d'ye know what the ould island's coming to? It's coming to an island of lodging-house keepers and hackney-car drivers. Not the Isle of Max at all, but the Isle of Manchester." There was a tremendous shout at this last word. In another minute Pete was lifted shoulder high over the crowd on to the highest turn of the zigzag path, and bidden to go on. There were five hun- dred faces below him, putting out hot breath in the cool morning air. The sun was shooting over the cliffs a canopy as of smoke above their heads. On the top of the crag the sea-fowl were jabber- ing, and the white sea itself was climbing on the beach. "Men," said Pete, "there's not much to say. This morning's work said everything. We'd a ri.^bt fishing last night, hadn't we? Four hundred bi ats eamo up to Peel, and we hadn't less than ten maise apiece. That's — you that's smart at your figguring and cipher- ing, spake out now — that's four thousand maise, isn't it I" (Shouts of "Right.") "Aw, you're quick wonderful. No houlding you at all when it's money that's in. Four thousand maise ready and waiting =go THE MANXMAN for the steamers to England — but did we land it 1 No, nor half of it neither. The other half's gone round to other ports, too late for the day's sailing, and half of that half will he going rotten and getting chucked back into the sea. That's what the Manx fishermen have lost this morning because they haven't harbours to shelter them, and yet they're talking of levying harbour dues." "Man veen, he's a boy!"— "He's all that.— " Go it, Capt'n. What are we to do ? " "Do?" cried Pete. "I'll tell you what you're to do. This is Friday. Next Thursday is old Midsummer Day. That's Tynwald Coort day. Come to St. John's on Thursday — every man of you come — come in your sea-boots and your jerseys — let the Governor see you mane it. ' Give us raisonable hope of harbour improvement and we'll pay,' says you. ' If you don't, we won't ; and if you try to make us, we're two thousand strong, and we'll rise like one man.' I >on't be freekened ; you've a right to be bould in a good cause. I'll get somebody to spake for you. You know the man I mane. He's stood the fisherman's friend before to-day, and he isn't coin? taking off his cap to the best man that's setting foot on Tynwald Hill." It was agreed. Between that day and Tynwald day Pete was to enlist the sympathy of Philip, and to go to Port St. Mary to get the co-operation of the south-side fishermen. The town was astir by this time, the sun was on the beach, and the fishermen trooped off to bed. IV Pete was back in his ship's cabin in the garden the same evening with a heart the heavier because for one short hour it had forgotten its trouble. The flowers were opening, the roses were creeping over the porch, the blackbird was singing at the toj) of the tree ; but his own flower of flowers, his rose of roses, his bird of birds — where was she? Summer was coming, coining, coming — coming with its light, coming with its music, coming with its sweetness — but she came not. The clock struck seven inside the house, and Pete, pipe in hand, swung over to the gate. No need to-night to watch for the post- man's peak, no need to trace his toes. "A letter for you, Mr. Quilliam." Hearing these words, Pete, his eyes half shut as if dosing in the sunset, wakened himself with a look of astonishment. " What ? For me, is it ? A letter, you say ? Aw, I see," taking it and turning it in his hand, " just a line from the mistress, it's like. Well, well ! A letter forme, if you plaze," and he laughed like a man much tickled. He was in no hurry. Ho rammed his dead pipe with his finger, MAN AND MAN 291 lit it again, sucked it, made it quack, drew a long breath, and then said quietly, " Let's see what's her news at all." He opened the letter leisurely, and read bits of it aloud, as if reading to himself, but holding the postman while he did so in idle talk on the other side of the gate. "And how are you living to-day, Mr. Kelly? Aw, h'm — getting /hot much better it's extraordinary — Yes, a nice everin', very, Mr. Kelly, nice, nice — that happy and com- fortable and Uncle Joe is that good — heavy bag at you to-night, you say? Aw, heavy, yes, heavy — lore to Grannie and all inquiring friends — nothing, Mr. Kelly, nothing — just a scribe of a line, think- ing a man might be getting unaisy. She needn't, though — she needn't. But chut ! It's nothing. Writing a letter is nothing to her at all. Why, she'd be knocking that off, bless you," holding out a half sheet of paper, "in less than an hour and a half. Truth enough, sir." Then, looking at the letter again, "What's this, though ? P.N They're always putting a P.N. at the bottom of a letter, Mr. Kelly. P.N — I was expecting to be home before, but I wouldn't get away for Uncle Joe taking me to the theaytres. Ha, ha, ha ! A mighty boy is Uncle Joe. But, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Kelly," with a solemn look, " not a word of this to Csesar ! " The postman had been watching Pete out of the corners of bis ferret eyes, " Do you know, Capt'n, what Black Tom is saying 1 " "What's that ? " said Pete, with a sudden change of tone. " He's saying there is no Uncle Joe." " No Uncle Joe ?" cried Pete, lifting voice and eyebrows together. The postman signified assent with a nod of his peak. " Well, that's rich," said Pete, in a low breath, raising his face as if to invoke the astonishment of the sky itself. " No Uncle Joe ? " he repeated, in a tone of blank incredulity. "Ask the man if it's in bed he is. AVhy," and Pete's eyes opened and closed like a doll's, "he'll be saying there's no Auntie Joney next." The postman looked up inquiringly. " Never heard of Auntie Joney — Uncle Joe's wife ? No ? Well, really, really — is it sleeping I am ? Not Auntie Joney, the Primi- tive ? Aw, a good ould woman as ever lived. A saint, if ever the like was in, and died a triumphant death, too. No theaytres for her, though. She won't bemane herself. No, but she's going to chapel reg'lar, and getting up in the middle of every night of life to sav her prayers. 'Deed she is. So Black Tom says there is no Uncle Joe?" Pete gave a long whistle, then stopped it sudden with his mouth agape, and said from his throat, "/ see." He put his mouth close to the postman's ear and whispered, " Ever hear Black Tom talk of the fortune he's expecting through the Coort of Chancery?" The postman's peak bobbed downwards. "You 2Q2 THE MANXMAN have ? Tom's thinking to grab it all for himself. Ha, ha ! That's it ! Ha, ha ! " The postman went off blinking and giggling, and Pete reeled up the path, biting his lip, and muttering, "Keep it up, Pete, keep it up — it's ploughing a hard furrow, though." Then aloud, "A letter from the mistress, Nancy." Nancy met him in the porch, clearing her fingers, thick with dough. " There you are," said Pete, flapping the letter on one hand. " ( rood sakes alive ! " said Nancy. " Did it come by the post, though, Pete?" " Look at the stamp, woman, and see for yourself," said Pete. " My goodness me ! From Kirry, you say 1 " " Let me in, then, and I'll be reading you bits.'' Nancy went back to her kneading, with looks of bewilderment, and Pete followed her, opening the letter. "She's w.ll enough, Nancy — no need to read that part at all. But see," running his forefinger along the writing, " ' Kisses for the baby, and love to Nancy, awl tell Grannie not to be fretting] et setterei-, et setterer. See .' Nancy looked up at her thumping and thunging, and said, "Did Mr. Kelly give it you V "JLe did that," said Pete, "this minute at the gate. It's his time, isn't it V Nancy glanced at the clock. "I suppose it must be right," she said. "Take it in your hand, woman," said Pete. Nancy cleaned her hands ami took the letter, turned it over and felt it in her fingers as if it had been linen. "And this is from Kirry, is it? It's nice, too. I haven't much schooling, Pete, but I'm asking no better than a letter myself. It's like a pepjiermint in your frock on Sunday — if you're low you're always knowing it's there, anyway." She looked at it again, and then she said, like one who says a strange thing, "I once had a letter myself — 'deed I had, Pete. It was from father. lie went down in the Bla<-k S/ooj), trading oranges with the blacks in their own island somewhere. They put into the port of London one day when they were having a funeral there. What's this one they were calling after the big boots — Wellingtons, that's the man. They were writing home all about it — the people, and the chariots, and the fighting horses, and the music in the streets and the Cateedrals — and we were never hearing another word from them again — never. 'To Miss Annie Cain — your affecshunet father, Joe Cain.' I knew it all off — every word ■ — and I kept ii tin years in my box under the lavender." Philip came later. lb; was looking haggard and tired; his face MA N AND MA N 293 was pallid and drawn; his eyes wore red, quick, and wandering; his hair was neglected and ragged; his step was wavering and uncertain. "Gough alive, man," cried Pete, "didn't you take oath to do justice between man and man 1 " Philip looked up with alarm. " "Well 1 " he said. " Well," cried Pete, with a frown and a clenched fist, "there's one man you're not doing justice to." " Who's that 1 " said Philip with eyes down. "Yourself," said Pete, and Philip drew a long breath. Pete laughed, protested that Philip must not work so hard, and then plunged into an account of the morning's meeting. " Tremen jous ! Talk of enthusiasm! Man veen, man veen ! Didn't I say we'd rise as one man 1 We will, too. We're going up to Tynwald Coort on Tynwald day, two thousand strong. Tynwald Coort ? Yes, and why not ? Drum and fife bands, bless yon — two of them. Not much music, maybe, but there'll be noise enough. It's all settled. South-side fishermen are coming up Foxal way; north-side men going clown by Peel. Meeting under Harry Delany's tree, and going up to the hill on mass {en masse). No bawling, though — no singing out — no disturbing the Coort at all." " Well, well ! What then ? " said Philip. "Then we're wanting you to spake for us, Dempster. Aw, nothing much — nothing to rag you at all. Just tell them flat we won't— that'll do." "It's a serious matter, Pete. I must think it over." "Aw, think and think enough, Dempster — but mind you do it, though. The boys are counting on you. ' lie's our anchor and he'll hould,' they're saying. But, bother the harbours, anyway," reaching his hand for something on the mantelpiece. " What do you think ? " " Nay," said Philip, with a long breath of weariness and relief. '• Guess, then," said Pete, putting his hand behind him. Philip shook his head and smiled feebly. Then, with the expres- sion of a boy on his birthday, Pete leaned over Philip, and said in a half-whisper across the top of his head, "I've heard from Kate." Philip turned ghastly, his lip trembled, and he stammered, "You've — you've — heard from Kate, have you 1 " " Look at that," cried Pete, and round came the letter with a triumphant sweep. Philip's respiration grew difficult and noisy. Slowly, very slowly, he reached out his hand, took the letter, and looked at its super- scription. " Read it — read it," said Pete ; " no secrets at all." With head down and eyebrows hiding his eyes, with trembling 294 THE MANXMAN hands that tore the envelope, Philip took out the letter and read it in passages — broken, blurred, smudged, as by the smoke of a fo'c'stle lamp. "Deerest peat i am gettin that much hotter . . . i am that happy and comforbel . . . sometimes i am longing for a sight of the lil ones swate face . . . no mure at present . . . ure own trew wife." "Come to the P.N. yet, Philip?" said Pete. He was on his knees before the lire, lighting his pipe with a red coal. " axpectin to he home suae hut . . . give my luv and bess respects to the Dempster when u see him he "was so good to me when u were forren the half was never towl you " " She's not laving a man unaisy, you see," said Pete. Philip could not speak. His throat was choking ; his tongue fdled his mouth ; his eyes were swimming in tears that scorched them. Nancy, who had been up to Sulby with news of the letter, came in at the moment, and Philip raised his head. "I told my aunt not to expect me to-night, Nancy. Is my room upstairs ready 1 " " Aw, yes, always ready, your honour," said Nancy, with a curtsey. He got up, with head aside, took a candle from Nancy's hand, excused himself to Pete — he was tired, sleepy, had a heavy day to-morrow — said " Good-night,'"' and went upstairs — stumbling and .floundering — tore open his bedroom door, and clashed it back like a nam Hying from an enemy. Pete thought he had succeeded to admiration, but he looked after Philip, and was not at ease. He had no misgivings. Writing was writing to him, and it was nothing more. But in the deep mid- night, Philip, who had not slept, heard a thick voice that was like a sob coming from somewhere downstairs. He opened his door, crept out on to the stairhead, and listened. The house was dark. In some unseen place the voice was saying — " Lord, forgive me for deceaving Philip. I couldn't help it, though ; Thou knows, Thyself, I couldn't. A lie's a dirty thing, Lord. It's like chewing dough — it sticks in your throat and chokes you. But I had to do it to save my poor lost lamb, and if I didn't I should go mad myself — Thou knows I should. >So forgive me, . for Barry's sake. Amen." The thick voice stopped, the house lay still, then the child awoke in a room beyond, and its thin cry came through the darkness. Philip crept back in terror. bis is what she had to go through ! O God ! My God ! " MAN AND MAN 295 V ( ' ESAU called next day and took Pete to the otliee of tho High Bailiff, where the business of the mortgage was completed. The deeds of Ballawhaine were then committed to Caesar's care for cus- tody and safe keeping, and he carried them off to his safe at the mill with a long stride and a face of fierce triumph. "The ould Ballawhaine is dying." he thought; "and if we kick out the young one some day, it'll only be the Lord's hand on a rascal." On drawing his big cheque, Pete had realised that, with reckless spending, and more reckless giving, he had less than a hundred pounds to his credit. "No matter," he thought; "Philip will pay me back when he comes in to his own." Grannie was with Nancy at Elm Cottage when Pete returned home. The child was having its morning bath, and the two women were on their knees at either side of the tub, cackling and crowing like two old hens over one e< r g. " Aw, did you ever, now, Nancy 1 'Deed, no ; you never did see such a lil angel. Up-a-daisy !" " Cry I must, Grannie, when I see it looking so beautiful. Warm towels, you say 1 I'm a girl of this sort — when I get my heart down, I can never get it up again. Fuller's earth, is it? Here, then." " Boo — loo — loo ! The bog millish ! Nancy, we must be shorten- ing her soon." And with that they fell to an earnest council on frocks and petti- coats, and other mysteries unread by man. Pete sat and watched and listened. "People will be crying shame on her if they see tho Grannie doing everything," he thought. That night he lounged through the town and examined the shop windows out of the corner of his eye. He was trying to bear him- self like a workman enjoying his Saturday night's ramble in clean clothes, but the streets were thronged, and he found himself observed. " Not here," he told himself. " I can buy nothing here. Doesn't do to be asleep at all, and a man isn't always in bed when he's sleeping." Some hours later, Nancy and the child being upstairs, Pete bethought himself of something that was kept at the bottom of a drawer. Going to the drawer to open it, he found it stiff to his tugging, and it came back with a jerk, which showed it had not lately been disturbed. Pete found what ho looked for, and came upon something beside. It was a cardboard box, tied about with a string, which was knotted in a peculiar way. "Kate's knot," 296 THE MANXMAN thought Pete with a sigh. He slipped it, and opened the lid and i.mk out a baby's hood of scarlet plush. "The very thing," he thought. He held it, mouth open, over his big brown hand, and laughed with delight. "She's been buying it for the child and never using it." His eyes glistened. " The very thing," he thought, and then he took down pen and paper to write something to go with it. This is what he wrote — " Fur lil Katerin from her Luvin mother" Then he held it at arm's length and looked at it. The subscrip- tion crossed the whole face of a half-sheet of paper. But the triumphant success of his former effort had made him bold. He could not resist the temptation to write more. So he turned the paper over and wrote on the back — "tell pa pa not to wurry about me i axpect to be home suae hut dont no ezactly " His eyes were swimming by the time he got that down, but they brightened again as he remembered something. " Weve had grate times ear uncle Jo — " "Must go on milking that ould cow," he thought. " tuk me to sea the prins of "Wales yesterda" lie- could not help it — he began to take a wild joy in his own inventions. "flags and banns of musick all day and luminerashuns all night it was grand we were top of an umnibuss goin down lord strete and hiiw him as plane as plane'' "Bless me," said Bete, dropping his pen, and rubbing his hands in ravishing contemplation of his own fiction ; "the next thing we hear she'll be riding in her carriage; and pair." He was sobbing a little, for all that, in a low, smothered way, but he could not deny himself one word more — "luv to all enquirin frens and bess respecs to the Dempster if im not forgot at him." Tils second forgery of love being finished, he went about the house on tiptoe, found brown paper and twine, put the hood back into the box, with his half-sheet peeping from between the frills where the little face would go, and made it up, with his undeft fingers, h to an ungainly parcel, which he addressed to himself as before. After that lie did his accustomed duty with the lamp and the door, and lay down in the parlour to sleep. MAN AND MAN 297 On Monday, :it dinner, lie broke out peevishly with "Ter'ble 1 ><>( Iteration, Nancy — I must be going to Port St. Mary about that thundering demonstration." Then from underneath the sofa in the parlour he rooted up a brown paper parcel, stuffed it under his coat, buttoned it up, and so smuggled it out of the house. VI They set sail early in the afternoon, and ran down the coast under a fair breeze that made the canvas play until the sea hissed. The day was wet and cheerless ; a thick mist enshrouded the land, and going by Laxey they could just descry the top arc of the great wheel like a dun-coloured ghost of a rainbow in a grey sky. As they came to Doxiglas the mist was lifting, but the rain was coming down in a soaking drizzle. A band was playing dance tunes on the iron pier, which shot like a serpent's tongue out of the mouth of the bay. The steamer from England was coming round the head, and her sea-sick passengers were dense as a crowd on her forward deck, the men with print handkerchiefs tied over their caps, the women with their skirts over their drooping feathers. A harp and a violin were scraping lively airs amidships. The town was like a cock with his tail down crowing furiously in the wet. When they came to Port St. Mary the mist had risen and the rain was gone, but the fishing-town looked black and sullen under a lowering cloud. The tide was down, and many boats lay on the beach and in the shallow water within the rocks. Pete was put ashore; his Nickey went round the Calf to the herring ground beyond the shoulder ; a number of fishermen were waiting for him on the quay, with heavy looks and hands deep in their trousers-pockets. "No need for much praiching at all," said Pete, pointing to the boats lying aground. "There you are, boys, fifty of you at the least, with no room to warp for the rocks. Yet they're for taxing you for dues for a harbour." " Go ahead, Capt'n," said one of the fishermen ; " there's five hundred men here to back you up through thick and thin." Pete posted his brown paper parcel as stealthily as he had posted his letter, and left Port St. Mary the same night for Douglas. The roads were thick with coaches, choked full with pleasure-seekers from Port Erin. These cheerful souls Mere still wearing the clothes which had been drenched through in tho morning; their boots were damp and cold; they were chill with the night-air, but they did not repine. They sang and laughed and ate oranges, 298 THE MANXMAN drew up frequently at wayside houses, and banded round bottles of beer with the corks drawn. In their own way they were bright and cheerful company. Sometimes "Hold the Fort," sung in a brake going ahead, mingled with "Molly and I and the Baby," from lusty throats coming behind. Rattling through Castletown, they shouted wild chaff at the redcoats lounging by the Castle, and when the darkness fell they dropped asleep — -the men usually on the women's shoulders ; and then the horses' hoofs were heard splashing along the muddy road, and every rider cracked his whip over a chorus of stertorous snores. Douglas was ablaze with light as they dipped down to it from the dark country. Long sinuous tails of light where the busy streets were, running in and out, this way and that, and belching into the wide squares and market-places like the race of a Curragh fire. The sleepers awoke and shook themselves. "Going to the Castle to-night?" said one. "What do you think?" said another, and they all laughed at the foolish question. "I'll sleep here," thought Pete. "I've not searched Douglas yet." The driver found him a bed at his mother's house. It was a lodging-house in Church Street, overlooking the churchyard. Find- ing himself so near to Athol Street, Pete thought he would look at the outside of Philip's chambers. He lit on the house easily, though the street was dark. It was one of a line of houses having brass plates, each with its name, and always the word Advocate. Philip's house boro one plate only, a small one, with the name hardly legible in the uncertain light. It ran — Tha De>'in--f> /• Christian. Having spelt out this inscription, Pete crept away. That was the last house in the island at which he wished to call. He was almost afraid of being seen in the same town. Philip might think he was in Douglas to look for Kate. Pete rambled through the narrow thoroughfares of Post-Office Place, Heywood Lane, and Fancy Street until he came to the sea front. It was now full tide of busy night, and the holiday town seemed to be given over to enjoyment. The steps of the terraces were thronged; itinerant photographers pitched their cameras on tlio curb-stones ; every open window had its dark heads with the light behind ; pianos were clashing in the houses, harps were twang- ing in the street, tinkling tramcars, like toast-racks, were sweeping the curve of the bay; there was a steady flow of people on the pavement, and from water's edge to cliff top, three parts round like a horse's shoe, the town flashed and fizzed and sparkled and blazed under its thousand lights with the splendour of a forest lire. Pete called to mind the blinking and groping of the dear old MAN AND MAN 2So I'm bating you at last, eh ? " A cold perspiration had broken out on Philip's forehead, and he was looking up with the eyes of a hunted dog. "Am I to — must I write that?" he said in a helpless way. " Coorse — go ahead," said Pete, pulling clouds of smoke, and laughing. Philip wrote it. His hand was now stiff. It sprawled and splashed over the paper. u 306 THE MANXMAN " ' As for myself, I'm a sort of a grass-widow, and if you keep me without a wife much longer they'll be taxing me for a bachelor. ' " Pete put his pipe on the mantelpiece, cleared his throat repeatedly, and began to be afflicted with a cough. " 'Glad to hear you're coming home soon, darling {cough). Dearest Kirry, I'm missing you mortal (cough), worse nor at Ivimberley (cough). When I'm going to bed, 'Where is she to-night?' I'm saying. And when I'm getting up, ' "Where is she now 1 ' I'm think- ing. And in the dark midnight I'm asking myself, ' Is she asleep, I wonder?' (Cough, cough.) Come home quick, bogh ; but not before you're well at all.' . . . Never do to fetch her too soon, you know," he said in a whisper over Philip's shoulder, with another nudge at his elbow. Philip answered incoherently, and shrank under Pete's touch as if he had been burnt. The coughing continued; the dictating be^an a«ain. " ' I'm keeping a warm nest for you here, love. There'll be a welcome from everybody, and nobody saying anything but the good and the kind. So come home soon, my true lil wife, before the foolish ould heart of vour husband is losing him' " Pete coughed violently, and stretched his neck and mouth awry. "This cough I've got in myneck is fit to tear me in pieces," he said. "A spoonful of cold pin jane, Nancy — it's ter'ble good to soften the neck." Nancy was nodding over the cradle — she had fallen asleep. Philip had turned white and giddy and sick. For one moment an awful impulse seized him. He wanted to fall on Pete ; to lay hold of him, to choke him. The consciousness of his own infe- riority, his own duplicity, made him hate Pete. The very sweet- ness of the man sickened him. He could not help it — the last spark of his self-pride was fighting for its life. Then in shame, in remorse, in horror of himself and dread of everything, he threw clown the pen, caught up his hat, shouted "Good night" in a voice like the growl of a beast in terror, and ran out of the house. Nancy started up from a doze. " Goodness grazhers ! " she cried, and the cradle rocked violently under her foot. "He's that tender-hearted and sympathising," whispered Pete as he closed the door. {Cough, cough.) . . . "The letter's finished, though — and here's the envelope." VIII The following evening the Deemster was in his rooms in Athol Street. His h;il was on, his cloak was over his arm, he was resting his elbow on the sash of the window and looking vacantly into tho MAN AND MAN 307 churchyard. Jem was behind him, answering at his back. Their voices were low ; they scarcely moved. ■•All well upstairs?" said Philip. "Pretty well, your Honour. - ' " More cheerful and content 1 " "Much more, except when your Honour is from home. 'The Deemster's hack,' she'll say, and her poor face will be like sunshine on a rainy day." Philip remained silent for a moment, and then said in a scarcely audible voice — " Not fretting so much about the child, Jemmy 1 " "Just as anxious to hear of it, though. 'Has he been to Ram- sey to-day 1 ? Did he see her? Is she well? ' That's the word con- stant, sir." The Deemster was silent again, and Jem was withdrawing with a deep bow. " Jemmy, I'm going to Government House, and may be late. Don't wait up for me." Jem answered in a half whisper, "Someone waits up for your Honour whether I do or not. 'He's at home now,' she'll say, and then creep away to bed." Philip muttered, thickly and huskily, "The decanter is empty — leave out another bottle." Then he turned to go from the room, keeping his eyes from his servant's face. He found the Governor as violent as before, and eager to fall on lum before he had time to speak. " They tell me, Deemster, that the leader of this rising is a sort of left-hand relative of yours. Surely you can stop the man." " I've tried to, your Excellency, and failed," said Philip. The Governor tossed up his chin. " I'm told the fellow can't even write his own name," he said. "It's true," said Philip." "An illiterate and utterly uneducated person." '• All the same, he's the wisest and strongest man on this island," said Philip decisively. The < rovernor frowned, and the pockmarks on his forehead seemed to swell. '• The wisest and strongest man on this island will have to leave it," he said. Philip made no answer. He had come to plead, but he saw that it was hopeless. The Governor put his right hand in the breast of his white waistcoat — ho was alone in the dininrr-room after dinner — and darted at Philip a look of anger and command. "Deemster," he said, "if, as you say, you cannot stop this low- bred rascal, there's one thing you cm do— leave him to himself." " That is to say," said Philip out of a corner of his mouth, "to you." " To me be it, and who has more right ? '' said the Governor both . 508 THE MANXMAN Philip liold himself in hand. He was silent, and his silence was taken for submission. Cracking some nuts and munching them, the < rovernor began to take another tone. " I should be sorry, Mr. Christian, if anything came between you and me — very sorry. \\Vve been good friends thus far, and you will allow that you owe me something. Don't you see it yourself — this man is dishonouring me in the eyes of the island? If you have tried your best to keeji his neck out of the halter, let the consequences be his own." " Eh I" said Philip, with his eyes on the floor. " You have done your duty by the man, I say. Help yourself to a glass of wine." Still Philip did not speak. The Governor saw his advantage, but little did he guess the pitiless power of it. "The fellow is your kinsman, Deemster, and I shall not ask you to deal with him. That would be inhuman. If there is no hope of restraining him to-morrow — wise as he is, if he will not listen to saner counsels, I will only beg of you — but this is a matter for the police. You are a high official now. It would be a pity to give you pain. Stay at home — I'll gladly excuse you — you look as if a day's res< would do you good." Philip drank two glasses of the wine in quick succession. The Governor poured him a third, and went on — " I don't know what you're feeling for the man may be — it can't be friendship. I'm sure he's a thorn in your flesh. And as long as he's here he will always be." Philip looked up with inquiry, doubt, and fear. " Ah ! I knew it. Even if this matter goes by, your time will come. You'll quarrel with the fellow yet — you know you will — it's in the nature of things — if he's the man you say." Philip drank the third glass of wine and rose to go. '■ Leave him to me — I'll deal with him. You'll be done with him, and a good riddance, too, I reckon. And now come in to the ladies — they'll know you're here." Philip excused himself and went off with feverish gestures and an excited face. "The Governor is right," he thought, as he went home over the dark roads. Pete was a thorn in his flesh, and always would be; his enemy, his relentless enemy, notwithstanding his love for him. The misery of the past month could not be supported any longer. Perpetual fear of discovery, perpetual guard of the tongue, keeping watch and ward on every act of life — to-day, to-morrow, the next <\iv, on and on until life's end in wretchedness or disgrace — it was insupportable, it was impossible, it could not be attempted. Then came thoughts that were too fearful to take form — too awful MAN AND MAN 309 to take words. They were like the flapping of unseen wings going by him in the night, but tho meaning of them was this: If Pete persists in his purpose, there will bo a riot. If any one is injured, Pete will be transported. If any one is killed, Pete will be indicted for his life. "Well, I have done ray duty by him," his heart whimpered. "I have tried to restrain him. I have tried to restrain the Governor. It isn't my fault. What more can I do?" Philip walked fast. Here was the way of escape from the evil that beset his path. Fate was stretching out her hands to him. When men had done wrong, they did yet more wrong to elude the conse- quences of their first fault ; but there was no need for that in his case. The hour was late. A strong breeze was blowing off the sea. It llicked his face with salt as he went swinging down the hill into the town. His blood was a-fire. He had a feeling, never felt before, of courage and even ferocity. Something told him that he was not so good a man as he had been, but it was a tingling pleasure to feel that he was a stronger man than before. Should he tell Kate ? Xo ! Let the thing go on ; let it end. After it was over she would see where their account lay. Thinking in this way, he laughed aloud. The town was quiet when he came to it. So absorbed had he been that, though the air was sharp, he had been carrying his cloak over his arm. Now he put it on, and drew the hood close over his head. A dog, a homeless cur, had begun to follow at his heels. He drove it off, but it continued to hang about him. At last it got in front of his feet, and he stumbled over it in one of his large, quick strides. Then he kicked the dog, and it crossed the dark street yelping. He was a worse man, and he knew it. lb- lit himself into the house with his latch-key, and banged the door behind his back. Put no sooner had he breathed the soft, woolly, stagnant air within than a change came over him. His ferocious strength ebbed away, and he began to tremble. The hall passage and staircase were in darkness. This was by his orders — coming in late, he always forgot to put out the gas. Put the lamp of his room was burning on the candle rest at the stairhead, and • a lon^ sword of liirht down the staircase well. 1 billed by some unknown fear, he had set one foot on the first tread when he thought he heard the step of some one coming down the stairs. It was a familiar step. He was sure he knew it. It must be a step he heard daily. He stopped, and the step seemed to stop also. At that moment there was a shuffling of slippered feet on an upper landing, and Jem-y-Lord called down, "Is it you, your Honour] " With an effort he answered, "Yes." 3io THE MANXMAN "Is anything the matter?" called the man-servant. "There's somebody coming downstairs, isn't there?'"' said Philip. " Somebody coming downstairs?'' repeated the man-servant, and the light si lifted as if he were lifting the lamp. " Is it you coming down, Jem ? " •• -Me coming dov a? I'm here, holding the lamp, your Honour." "Another of my fancies," thought Philip; and he laid hold of the handrail, and started afresh. The step came on. He knew it now; it was his own step. "An echo," he told himself. "A dream," he thought, "a mirage of the mind;" and he compelled himself to go up. The step came down. It passed him on the stairs, going by the wall as he went by the rail, with an irresistible down-drive, headlong, heavily. Then came one of those moments of partial unconsciousness in which the sensation of a sound takes shape. It seemed to Philip that the figure of a man had passed him. He remembered it in- stantly. It was the same that he had seen in the lobby to the Council Chamber, his own figure, but wrapped in a cloak like the one he was then wearing, and with the hood drawn over the head. The body had been half turned aside, the face had been hidden, and the whole form had expressed contempt, repugnance, and loathing. " Xot well to-night, your Honour?" said the far-off voice of Jem-y-Lord. He was holding the dazzling lamp up to the Deem- ster's face. " A little faint— that's all. Go to bed." Then Philip was alone in his room. "Conscience!" he thought. " Pete lu.-iy go, but this will be with me to the end. Which, O God ? — whirl; .'' He poured out half a tumbler from the bottle on the table, and gulped it down at a draught. At the same moment he heard a light foot overhead. It was a woman's foot; it crossed the floor, and then ceased. IX NEXT morning the Deemster was still sleeping while the sun was shining into his room. He was awakened by a thunderous clamour, which came as from a nail driven into the back of his head. Open- ing his eyes, he realised that somebody was knocking at his door, and shouting in a robustious bass — '• < lni-i ian, 1 say ! Elver going to get up at all V It was the < 'lerk of the Polls. Under one of his heavy poundings the catch of the door gave way, and ho stepped into the room. " Degenerate Manxman ! " he roared. " In bed on Tynwald morning. Pooh ! this room smells of dead sleep, dead spirits, and MAN AND MAN 311 dead everything. Let me get at that window — you pitch your clothes all over the floor. Ah ! that's fresher 1 Headache? I should think so. Get up, then, and I'll drive you to St. John's." " Don't think I'll go to-day, sir," said Philip in a feeble whimper. " Not go? Holy saints! Judge of his island and not go to Tynwald ! What will the Governor say 1 " " He said last night he would excuse my absence." " Excuse your fiddlesticks ! The air will do you good. I've got the carriage below. Listen ! it's striking ten by the church. I'll give you fifteen minutes, and step into your break fast- room and look over the Times." The Clerk rolled out, and then Philip heard his loud voice through the door in conversation with Jem-y-Lord. " And how's Mrs. Cottier to-day?" " Middling, sir, thank you, sir." "You dou't let us see too much of her, Jemmy." " Not been well since coming to Douglas, sir." Cups and saucers rattled, the newspaper creaked, the Clerk cleared his throat, and there was silence. Philip rose with a heavy heart, still in the torment of his great temptation. lie remembered the vision of the night before, and, broad morning as it was, he trembled. In the Isle of Man such visions are understood to foretell death, and the man who sees them is said to "see his soul." But Philip had no superstitions. Ho knew what the vision was : he knew what the vision meant. Jem-y-Lord came in with hot water, and Philip, without looking round, said in a low tone as the door closed, " How now, my lad ? " " Fretting again, your Honour," said the man, in a half whisper. He busied himself in the room a moment, and then added, "Some- how she gets to know things. Yesterday evening now — I was taking down some of the bottles, and I met her on the stairs. Next time I saw her she was crying." Philip s?iid in a confused way, fumbling the razor, "Tell her I intend to see her after Tynwald." '• I have, your Honour. 'It's not that, Mr. Cottier,' she answered me." " My wig and gown to-day, Jemmy," said Philip, and he went out in his robes as Deemster. The day was bright, and the streets were thronged with vehicles. Drakes, wagonettes, omnibuses, private carriages, and cadgers' carts a.l loaded to their utmost, were climbing out of 1 >■ uglas by way of the road to Peel. The town seemed to shout ; the old island rock itself seemed to laugh. " Dless me, Christian," said the Clerk of the Rolls, looking at his watch, "do you know it's half-past ten ? Service begins at eleven. Drive on, coachman. You've eight miles to do in half an hour." 3 i2 THE MANXMAN (i Can't go any faster with this traffic on the road, sir," said the coach man over his shoulder. " I got so absorbed in the newspaper," said the Clerk, " that Well, if we're late, we're late, that's all." Philip folded his arms across his breast and hung his head. lie was lighting a great battle. " Ko idea that the fisherman affair was going to be so serious," said the Clerk. " It seems the Governor has ordered out every soldier and pensioner. If I know my countrymen, they'll not stand much of that." Philip drew a long breath : there was a cloud of dust ; the women in the brakes were laughing. "I hear a whisper that the ringleader is a friend of yours, Chris- tian — 'a n irregular relative of a high official,' as the reporter .says." " He's my cousin, sir," said Philip. " What ? The big, curly-pated fellow you took home in the car- riage 1 . . . I say, coachman, no need to drive quite so fast." Philip's head was still down. The Clerk of the Rolls sat watching him with an anxious face. " Christian, I am not so sure the Governor wasn't right after all. Is this what's been troubling you for a month ? You're the deuce for a secret. If there's anything good to tell, you're up like the sun ; but if there's bad news going, an owl is a poll-parrot compared with you for talking." Philip made some feeble effort to laugh, and to say his head was still aching. They were on the breast of the steep hill going up to Greeba. The road ahead was like a funnel of dust; the road behind was like the tail of a comet. " Pity a fine lad like that should get into trouble," said the Clerk. " I like the rascal. lie got round an old man's heart like a rope round a capstan. One of the big, hearty dogs that make you say, ' By Jove, and I'm a Manxman, too.' He's in the right in this affair, whatever the Governor may say. And the Governor knows it, Chris- tian — that's why he's so anxious to excuse you. He can overawe the Keys; and as for the Council, we're paid our wages, God bless us, and are so many stuffed snipes on his stick. But you — you're dif- ferent. Then the man is your kinsman, and blood is thicker than water, if it's only Why, what's this 1 ?" There was some whooping behind ; the line of carriages swirled like a long serpent half a yard near the hedge, and through the grey • lust a large covered car shot by at the gallop of a fire-engine. Th<- < hi!: sat bolt upright. ' ; Now, what iii the name of " <: It's an ambulance waggon," said Philip between his set teeth. MAN AND MAN 313 A moment later a second waggon went galloping past, then a third, and finally a fourth. " Well, upon my Ah ! good day, Doctor ! Good day, good day ! " The Clerk had recognised friends on the waggons, and was return- ing their salutations. When they were gone, he Jirst looked at Philip, and then shouted, "Coachman, right about face. We're going home again — and chance it." " We can't be turning here, sir," said the coachman. " The vehicles are coming up like bees going a-swarming. We'll have to go as far as Tynwald, anyway." " Go on," said Philip in a determined voice. After a while the Clerk said, "Christian, it isn't worth while ixettin^ into trouble over this affair. After all, the Governor is the DO ' Governor." Besides, he's been a good friend to you." Philip was passing through a purgatorial lire, and his old master was feeding it with fuel on every side. They were nearing Tynwald, and could see the ilags, the tents, and the crowd as of a vast encamp- ment, and hear the deep hum of a multitude, like the murmur of a distant sea. X Tynwald Hill is the ancient Parliament groimd of Man. It is an open green in the midst of the island, with hills on three of its sides, and on the fourth a broad plain dipping to the coast. This green is of the shape of a guitar. Down the middle of the guitar there is a walled enclosure of the shape of a banjo. At the end stands a church. The round drum is the mount, which has four circles, the topmost being some six paces across. The carriage containing the Deemster and the Clerk of the Polls had drawn up at the west gate of the church, and a policeman had opened the door. There came the sound of singing from the porch. " A cpiarter late," said the Clerk of the Polls, consulting his watch. " Shall we go in, your Honour ! " " Let us take a turn round the fair instead," said Philip. The carriage door was shut back, and they began to move over the green. The open part of it was covered with booths, barrows, stands, and show-tents. There were cheap jacks with shoddy watches, phrenologists with two chairs, fat women, dwarfs, wan- dering minstrels, itinerant hawkers of toilee in tin hat-boxes, and other shiny and slimy creatures with the air and grease of the towns. There were a few oxen and horses also, tethered and lanketted, and kicking up the dust under the dry turf. The crowd was dense already, and increasing at every moment. 3 H THE MANXMAN As the brakes arrived, they drove up with a swing that sent the people surging on either side. Some brought well-behaved visitors, others brought an eruption of ruffians. Down tlic neck of the enclosure, and round the circular end of it, stood a regiment of soldiers with rifles and bayonets. The steps to the mount were laid down with rushes. Two armchairs were on the top, under a canopy hung from a flagstaff that stood in the centre. These chairs were still empty, and the mount and its approaches were kept clear. The sun was overhead, the heat was great, the odour was oppressive. Now and again the sound of the service within the church mingled with the crack of the toy rifle-ranges and the jabber of the cheap jacks. At length there was another sound — a more portentous sound — the sound of bands playing in the distance. It came from both south and west, from the direction of Peel, and from that of Port St. Mary. " They're coming," said the Clerk, and Philip's face, when he turned his head to listen, quivered and grew yet more pale. As the bands approached they ceased to play. Presently a vast procession of men from the west came up in silence to the skirt of the hill, and turned off in the direction from Avhich the men from the south were seen to be coming. They were in jerseys and sea- boots, marching four deep, and carrying nothing in their brawny hands. One stalwart fellow walked firmly at the head of them. It was Pete. Philip could support the strain no longer. He got out of the carriage. The Clerk of the Ilolls got out also, and followed him as he walked with wavering, irregular steps. Under a great tree at the junction of three roads, the two com- panies of fishermen met and fell into a general throng. There was a low wall around the tree-trunk, and, standing on this, Pete's head was clear above the rest. "Boys," he was saying, "there's three hundred armed soldiers on the hill yonder, with twenty rounds of ball-cartridge apiece. You're going to the Coort because you've a right to go. You're going up peaceable, and, when you're getting there, you're going to mix among the soldiers, three to every man, two on either side and one behind. Then your spokesmen are going to spake out your com- plaint. If they're listened to, you're wanting no better. Put if they're not, and if the word is given to lire on them, then, before there's time to do it, you're going to stretch every man of the three hundred on his lack and take his weapon. I)on't hurt the soldiers —the poor soldiers are only doing what they're tould. But don't let the soldiers hurt you neither. You're going there for justice. You're not going there to fight. Put if anybody lights you, let him MAN AND MAN 315 never forget the day ho dono it. Break up every taffy stand in the fair, if you can't find anything better. And if blood is shed, lave the man that orders it to me. And now go up, boys, like men and like Manxmen." There was no cheering, no shouting, no clapping of hands. Only broken exclamations and a sort of confused murmur. " Come,'' whispered the Clerk of the Rolls, putting his hand through Philip's quivering arm. "Little does the poor devil think that, if blood is shed, he will be the first to fall." "Cod in heaven I" muttered Philip. XI The crowd on Tynwald had now gathered thick down the neck of the enclosure and dense round the mount. To the strains of the National Anthem, played by the band of the regiment, the Governor had come out of the church. He was in cocked hat and with sword, and the sword of state was carried upright before him. "With his Keys, Council, and clergy, he walked to the hill-top. There he took one of the two chairs under the canopy ; the other was taken by the Bishop in his lawn. Their followers came behind, and broke up on the hill into an indiscriminate mass. A number of ladies were admitted to the space on the topmost round. They stood behind the chaii's, with their parasols still open. There are men that the densest crowd will part and make way for. The crowd had parted and made way for Philip. As the court was being "fenced," he appeared with his companion at the foot of the mount. There he was recognised by many, but he scarcely answered their salutations. The Governor made a deferential bow, smiled, and beckoned to him to come up to his side. He went up slowly, pausing at every other step, like a man who was in doubt if he ought to go higher. At length he stood at the Governor's right hand, with all eyes upon him, for the favourite of the great is favoured. He was then the highest figure on the mount, the < Governor and the Bishop being seated. The people could see him from end to side of the Tynwald, and he could see the people as they stood closely packed on the green below. The business of the Court began. It was that of promulgating the laws. Philip's senior colleague, the old Deemster of the happy face, read the titles of the laws in English. Then the Coroner of the premier sheading began to recite the same titles in Manx. Nobody heard them; hardly anybody listened. The ladies on the mount chatted among themselves, the Keys and the clergy inter- mingled and talked, the officials of the Council looked at the crowd, 3 i6 THE MANXMAN and the crowd itself, having nothing to hear, no more to see, indiffe- rent, to doings they could not understand, resumed their amusements among the frivolities of the fair. There were three persons in that assemhiy of iifteen thousand who were following the course of events with feverish interest. The first of these was the Governor, whose restless eyes were rolling from side to side with almost savage light; the second was the captain of tho regiment, who was watching the Governor's face for a signal ; the third was Philip, who was looking down at the crowd and seeing something that had meaning for himself alone. The fishermen came up quietly, three thousand strong. Half a hundred of them lounged around the magazine — the ammunition was at their command. The rest pushed, edged, and elbowed their way through the people until they came to the line of the guard. 'Wherever there was a red coat, behind it there were three jerseys and stocking-caps. Philip saw it all from his elevation on the mount. His face was deadly pale, his eyelids wavered, his lower lip trembled, his hand twitched ; when he was spoken to, he hardly answered ; he was like a man holding counsel with himself, and half in fear that everybody could read bis hidden thoughts. He was in the last throes of his temptation. The decisive moment was near. It was heavy with the fate of his after life. He thought of Pete and the torture of his company; of Kate and tho unending misery of her existence; of himself and the deep duplicity to which he was committed. From all this he could be freed for ever — by what? By doing nothing, having already done his duty? Only let him command himself, and then — relief from an existence enthralled by torment — from constant alarm and watchfulness — peace — sleep — love — Kate ! Somebody was speaking to him over his shoulder. It was nothing — only the quip of a witty fellow, descendant of a Spanish freebooter. Ladies caught his eye, smiled and bowed to him. A little man, whose swarthy face showed African blood, reached up and quoted something about the bounds of freedom wide and wider. The Coroner had finished, the proceedings were at an end— there was a movement — something had happened — the Governor had half risen from his chair. Twelve men in sea-boots and blue jerseys had passed the line of the guard, and were standing midway across the steps of the mount. One of them was beginning to speak. 1 1 was Pete. " Governor," he said ; but the captain of the regiment was abreast of him in a moment, and a score of the soldiers were about his com- panions at the next breath. Tho fishermen stood their ground like a wall, and the soldiers fell back. There was hardly any scuflle. "Governor," said Pete again, touching his cap. MAN AND MAN 317 The Governor was twisting in his seat. Looking first at Pete, and then at the captain, lie was in the act of lifting his hand when suddenly it was held by another hand at his side, and a low voice whispered at his ear, "No, sir; for God's sake, no ! " It was Philip. The Governor looked at him with amazement. "What do you mean?" "I mean," said Philip, still whispering over him hotly and im- petuously, "that there's only one way back to Government House, but if you lift your hand it will be one too many ; I mean that if blood is shed you'll never live to leave this mount ; I mean that your three hundred soldiers are only as three hundred rabbits in the claws of three thousand crows." At the next instant he had left the Governor, and was face to face with the fishermen. "Fishermen," he cried, lifting both hands before him, "let there be no trouble here to-day, no riot, for God's sake, no bloodshed. Listen to me. I am the grandson of a fisherman ; I have been a fisherman myself ; I love the fishermen. As long as I live I will stand by you. Your rights shall be my rights, your sins my sins, and where you go I will go too." Then, swinging back to the Governor, he bowed low, and said in a deferential voice — " Your Excellency, these men mean no harm ; they wish to speak to you; they have a petition to make; they will bo loyal and peaceable." But the Governor, having recovered from his first fear, was now in a flame of anger. "No," he said, with the accent of authority; "this is no time and" no place for petitions." " Forgive me, your Excellency," said Philip, with a deeper bow ; " this is the time of all times, the place of all places." There had been a general surging of the Keys and clergy towards the steps, and now one of them cried out of their group, "Is Tynwald Court to be turned into a bear-garden?" And another said in a cynical voice, "Perhaps your Excellency has taken some- bed y else's seat." Philip raised himself to his full height, and answered, with his eyes on the speakers, " We are free-born men on this island, your Excellency. We did not come to Tynwald to learn order from the grandson of a Spanish pirate, or freedom from the son of a black chief." '•llould hard, boys!" cried Pete, lifting one hand against his followers, as if to keep them quiet, lie was boiling with a desire to shout till his throat should crack. The Governor had exchanged rapid looks and low whispers with 3 i 8 THE MANXMAN the captain. lie saw that he was outwitted, that he was helpless, that he was even in personal danger. The captain was biting his lips with vexation that he had not reckoned more seriously with this rising — that lie had not drawn up his men in column. " Your Excellency will hear the fishermen?" said Philip. " No, no, no," said the Governor. He was at least a brave man, if a vain and foolish one. There was silence for a moment. Then, standing erect, and making an effort to control himself, Philip said, " May it please your Excellency, you fdl a proud position here ; you are the ruler of this island under your sovereign lady our Queen. But we, your subjects, your servants, are in a prouder position still. We are Manxmen. This is the Court of our country." " Hould hard," cried Pete again. "For a thousand years men with our blood and our names have stood on this hill to hear the voice of the people, and to do justice between man and man. That's what the place was meant for. If it has lost that meaning, root it up — it is a show and a sham." " Bravo ! " cried Pete ; he could hold himself in no longer, and his word was taken up with a shout, both on the hill and on the green beneath. Philip's voice had risen to a shrill cry, but it was low and meek as he added, bowing yet lower while he spoke — "Your Excellency will hear the fishermen ?" The Governor rolled in his seat. " Go on," he said impa- tiently. The men made their petition. Three or four of them spoke briefly and to the point. They had had harbours, their fathers' harbours, which had been freed to them forty years before; don't ask them to pay harbour dues until proper harbours were provided. The Governor gave his promise. Then he rose, the band struck up " God save the Queen/' and the Legislature filed back to the chapel. Philip went with thorn. He had fought a great battle, and he had prevailed. Through purging fires the real man hud emerged, but he had paid the price of his victory. His eye burned like live coal, his cheek-bones seemed to have upheaved. He walked alone; his ancient colleague had stepped ahead of him. But now and again, as he passed down the long path to the church-door, fisher- men and fanners pushed between the rifles of the guards, and said in husky voices, "Let me shake you by the hand, Dempster." The scene was repeated with added emotion half an hour after- wards, when, the court being adjourned and the Governor gone in ominous silence, Philip came out, white and smiling, and leaning on the arm of his old master, the Clerk of the Bolls. He could MAN AND MAN 319 scarcely tear himself through the thick-set hedge of people that lined the path to the gate. As he got into the carriage his smile disappeared. Sinking into the seat, lie buried himself in the corner and dropped his head on his breast. The people began to c heer. " Drive on," he cried. The cheering became loud. " Drive, drive," he cried. The people cheered yet louder. They thought that they had seen a grand triumph that day — a man triumphing over the Governor. J >ut there had been a grander triumph which they had not seen — a man triumphing over himself. Only one saw that, and it was God. XII Pete seemed to be beside himself. lie laughed until he cried ; he cried until he laughed. His resonant voice rang out everywhere. "Hear him? My gough, it was like a bugle spaking. There's nobody can spake but himself. "When the others are toot-tooting, it's just 'Polly, put the kettle on' (mimicking a mincing treble). See the lil Puffin on his throne of turf there? Looked as if Ouhl Kick had been thrashing peas on his face for a week." Pete's enthusiasm rose to frenzy, and he began to sweep through the fair, bemoaning his country and pouring mouthfuls of anathema on his countrymen. "Afannin veg villish (sweet little Isle of Man), with your English Governors and your English Bishops, and boys of your own worth ten of them. Manninee graihagh (beloved Manxmen), you're driv- ing them away to be Bishops for others and Governors abroad — and yourselves going to the dogs and thedivil, and d J'ou." Pete's prophetic mood dropped to a jovial one. He bought the remaining stock-in-trade of an itinerant toffee-seller, and hammered the lid of the tin hat-box to beat up the children. They followed him like hares hopping in the snow ; and he distributed his bounty in inverse relation to size, a short stick to a big lad, a long stick to a little one, and two sticks to a girl. The results were an infantile war. Here, a damsel of ten squaring her fists to light a hulking fellow of twelve for her sister of six; and there, a mother wiping the eyes of her boy of five, and whispering "Hush, bogh ; hush! You shall have the bladder when we kill the pig." Pete began to drink. "How do, Faddy 1 Taking joy of yon, Juan. Are you in life, Thorn? Half a glass of rum will do no harm, bovs. Not the drink at all — just the good company, you know." 320 THE MANXMAN ITe hailed the women also, but they were less willing to he treated. " I'd have more respect for my quarterly ticket, sir," said Betsy — she was a Primitive, with her husband on the " Planbesr." '•There's a hole in your pocket, Capt'n ; stop it up with your list, man," said Liza — she was a gombeen woman, and when she got a penny in her hand it was a prisoner for life. "Chut! woman," said Pete, "what's the good book saying? ' Riches have wings ; ' let the birds fly then," and off he went, reeling and tottering, and laughing his formidable laugh. Pete grew merry. Rooting up the remains of the fishermen's band, he hired them to accompany him through the fail-. They were three little musicians, now exceedingly drunk, and their duty was to play " Hail, Isle of Man," as he went swaggering along in front of them. " Hail, Isle of Man, Swate ocean Ian', I love thy sea-girt border." " Play up. Jackie." " The barley sown, Potatoes down, We'll get our boats in order." Thus ho forged through the fair, capering, laughing, shouting protests over his shoulder when the tipsy music failed, pretending to be very drunk, trying to show that he was carrying on, that he was going it, that he hadn't a second thought, but watching every- thing for all that, studying every face, and listening to the talk of everybody. " Whips of money at him, Liza — whips of it — millions, they're saying." — " .1 le's spending it like flitters then. The Manx chaps isn't lit for fortunes — no, they aren't. I wonder in the world what sort of wife there's at him. 1 don't 'low my husband the purse. Three ha'pence is enough to be giving any man at once." — '"Wife, you're saying i Don't you know, woman?" Then some whispering. "Bass, boy — more bass, I tell thee." " We then sought nex' The soothing sex, ( Mir swatearts at Port Erin." '•'Who is the man at all?"— "Why, Capt'n Quilliam from Kimberley." — "Deed, man! Him that married with some of the Caesar Glenmooar's ones'?" — "She's left him, though, and gone off with a wastrel." — "You don't say?" — "Well, 1 saw the young woman myself " "At Quiggin's Hall There's enough for all, Good beer, and all tilings proper." MAN AND MAN 321 "Hould, boys!" Pete had drawn up suddenly, and stopped his musicians with a sweep of the arm. " Were you spaking, Mr. Corteen ? " " Nothing, Capt'n. No need to stare at all. I was only saying I was at the camp-meeting at Sulby, and I saw " " Go on, Jackie." " A pleasant place, With beds of aise, When Ave are done our supper." The unhappy man was deceiving himself at least as much as anybody else. After looking for the light of intelligence in every face, waiting for a word, watching for a glance, expecting every moment that some one from south or north, or east or west, would say, " I've seen her ; " yet, covering up the burning coal of his anxiety with the ashes of mock merriment, he tried to persuade himself that Kate was not on the island if nobody at Tynwald had seen her ; that he had told the truth unwittingly, and that he was as happy as the day was long. XIII A max in a" gig came driving a long-horned cow in front of him. Driver, horse, gig, and cow were like animated shapes of dust, but Pete recognised them. " Is it yourself, Caesar 1 So you're for selling ould Horney 1 " " Grieved in my heart I am to do it, sir. Many a good glass of milk she has given to me and mine," and Cassar was ready to weep. " Going falling in fits, isn't she, Csesar 1 " " Hush, man ! hush, man ! " said Csesar, looking about. " A good cow, very ; but down twice since I left home this morning." " I'd give a bad sixpence to see Csesar selling that cow," thought Pete. Three men were bargaining over a horse. Two were selling, the third (it was Black Tom) was buying. " Rising five years, sir. Sired by Mahomet. Oh, I've got the papers to prove it," said one of the two. " What, man? Five?" shouted Black Tom down the horse's open mouth. " She'll never see eight the longest day she lives." "No use decaiving the man," said the other dealer, speaking in Manx. " She's sixteen — 'low she's nine, anyway." "Fair play, boys; spake English before a poor fellow," said Black Tom, with a snort. 322 THE MANXMAN 11 This brother of mine 'lows she's seven," said the first of the two. " You thundering liar," said Black Tom in Manx. " He says she's sixteen." " Dealing ponies then V asked Pete. " Anything, sir; anything. Buying for farmers up Lonan way," said Black Tom. " Come on," said Pete; " here's Caesar with a long-horned cow." They found the good man tethering a white, long-horned cow to the wheel of the tipped-up gig. " How do, Caesar 1 And how much for the long-horn ? " said Black Tom. " Aw, look at the hase (heast), Mr. Quilliam. Examine her for yourself," said Csesar. " Middling fair ewer, good quarter, five calves — is it five, Caesar ? " said Black Tom, holding one of the long horns. "Three, sir, and calving again for February." <: No milk fever ? No ? Kicks a bit at milking ? Never ? Fits ? Ever had fits, Caesar ? " opening wide one of the cow's eyes. " Have you known me these years for a dacent man, Mr. Quilliam " began Caesar in an injured tone. " Well, what's the figure ? " " Fourteen pound, sir ! and she'll take the road before I'll go home with a pound less ! " " Fourteen — what 1 Ten ; I'll give you ten — not a penny more." " Good day to you, Mr. Quilliam," said Caesar. Then, as if by an afterthought, " You're an ould friend of mine, Thomas ; a very ould friend, Tom — I'll split you the difi'rance." " Break a straw on it," said Black Torn ; and the transaction was complete. " I've had a clane strike here— the base is worth fifteen," chuckled Black Tom in Pete's ear as he drove the cow in to a shed beyond. " I must be buying another cow in place of poor ould Horney," whispered Caesar as he dived into the cattle stand. "Strike up, Jackie," shouted Pete. " West of the mine, The day being iine. The tide against us veering." Ten minutes later Pete heard a fearful clamour, which drowned the noise that he himself was making. Within the shed the con- fusion of tongues was terrific. "What's this at all ?" he asked, crushing through with an inno- or-nt face. " The man's cow has fits," cried Black Tom. " I'll have my MAN AND MAN 323 money back. The ould psalm-singing Tommy Noddy ! did ho think he was lifting the collection ? My money ! My twelve goolden pounds ! " If Black Tom had not been as bald as a bladder, he would have torn his hair in his mortification. But Pete pacified him. " Caesar is looking for another cow — sell him his own back again. Impozzb'le ? Who says it's impozz'ble ? Cut off her long horns, and he'll never be knowing her from her grandmother." Then Pete made up to Caesar and said, " Tom's got a mailie (hornless) cow to sell, and it's the very thing you're wanting." "Is she a crood mailie?" asked Osesar. "Ten quarts either end of the day, Caesar, and fifteen pounds of butter a week," said Pete. " Where's the base, sir ? " said Caesar. They met Black Tom leading a hornless, white cow from the shed to the green. " Are you coming together, Peter ? " he said cheerfully. Caesar eyed the cow doubtfully for a moment, and then said briskly, " What's the price of the mailie, Mr. Quilliam 1" "Aw, look at the base first, Mr. Cregeen. Examine her for yourself, sir." "Yes — yes — well, yes; a middling good base enough. Four calves, Thomas ? " "Two, sir, and calves again for January. Twenty- four quarts of new milk every day of life, and butter fit to burst the churn for vou." " No fever at all ? No fits ? No ? " " Aw, have you known me these teens of years, Mr. Cregeen " " Well, what d'ye say — eleven pounds for the cow, Tom ! " " Thirteen, Caesar ; and if you warn an ould friend " " Hould your hand, Mr. Quilliam ; I'm not a man when I've got a bargain. . . . Manx notes or the dust, Thomas? Goold 1 Here you are, then — one — two — three — four . . ." (giving the cow another searching glance across his shoulder). " It's wonderful, though, the straight she's like ould Horney . . . five — six — seven ... in colour and size, I mane . . . eight — nine — ten . . . and if she warn a mailie cow, now . . . eleven — twelve — " (the money hang- ing from his thumb). "Will that be enough, Mr. Quilliam? No? Half a one, then? Aw, you're hard, Tom . . . thirteen." Having paid the last pound, Caesar stood a moment contemplating his purchase, and then said doubtfully, " Well, if I hadn't . . . Grannie will be saying it's the same base back " (the cow began to reel). " Yes, and it — no, surely — a mailie for all " (the cow fell). " It's got the same fits, anyway," cried Caesar ; and then he rushed to the cow's head. " It is the same base. The horns are going cutting off at her. My money back ! Give me my money 3 24 THE MANXMAN back — my thirteen yellow sovereigns — the sweat of my brow ! '' he cried. "Aw, no," said Black Tom. "There's no money giving back at all. If the cow was good enough for you to sell, she's good enough for you to buy." and he turned on his heel with a laugh of triumph. Caesar was choking with vexation. "Nevermind, sir.' said Pete. "If Tom has taken a mane ad- vantage of you, it'll be all set right at the Judgment. You've that satisfaction, anyway. " "Havel? No, I haven't,' - said Csesar from between his teeth. " The man's clever. He'll get himself converted before he comes to die, and then there'll not be a word about cutting the horns off my cow." " Strike up, Jackie," shouted Pete. " Hail, Isle of Mau, Swate ocean Ian', I love thy sea-girt border." XIV TnE sky became overcast, rain began to fall, and there was a rush for the carts. In half an hour Tynwald Hill was empty, and the people were splashing off on eveiy side like the big drops of rain that were pelting down. Pete hired a brake that was going back to the north, and gathered up his friends from Ramsey. When these were seated, there was a rush of helpless and abandoned ones who were going in the same direction — young mothers with children, old men and old women. Pete hauled them up till the seats and the floor were choked, and the brake would hold no more. He got small thanks. "Such crushing and scrooging ! I declare my black merino frock, that I've only had on once, will be teetotal spoilt." — " If they don't start soon I'll be taking the neuralgy dreadful." They got started at length, and, at the tail of a line of stiff carts. they went rattling over the mountain-road. The harebells nodded their washed faces from the hedge, and the talk was brisk and cheerful. " Our Thorn's "sowl a hafer, and got a good price." — "What for didn't you buy the mare of Corlett I'eldronia, Juan?" — "Did I want to be killed as dead as a herring?" — " Kicks, does she? Bate , man ; bate her. A horse is like a woman. If you aren't bating her now and then " They stopped at every half-way house — it was always half-way to MAN AND MAN 3^5 somewhere. The men got exceedingly drunk and began to sing. At that the women grew very angry. "Sakes alive ! you're no better than a lot of Cottonies." — "Deed, but they're worse than any Cottonies, ma'am. Some excuse for the like of them. In their cotton-mills all the year, and nothing at home but a piece of grass the size of your hand in the backyard, and going hopping on it like a lark in a cage." The rain came down in torrents, the mountain-path grew steep and desolate, the few houses passed were empty and boarded up, gorse bushes hissed to the rising breeze, geese scuttled and screamed across the untilled land, a solitary black crow flew across the leaden sky, and on the sea outside a tall pillar of smoke went stalking on and on. where the pleasure-steamer carried her freight of tourists round the island. Then songs gave way to sighs, some of the men began to pick quarrels, and some to break into fits of drunken sobbing. Pete kept them all up. He chaffed and laughed and told funny stories. Choking, stifling, wounded to the heart as he was, still he was carrying on, struggling to convince everybody and himself as well, that nothing was amiss, that he was a jolly fellow, and had not a second thought. He was glad to get home, nevertheless, where he need play the hypocrite no longer. Going through Sulby, he dropped out of the brake and looked in at the " Fairy." The house was shut. Grannie was sitting up for Cassar, and listening for the sound of wheels. There was something unusual and mysterious about her. Cruddled over the fire, she was smoking a long clay in little puffs of blue smoke that could barely be seen. The sweet old soul in her troubles had taken to the pipe as a comforter. Pete could see that some- thing had happened since morning, but she looked at him with damp eyes, and he was afraid to ask questions. He began to talk of the great doings of the day at Tynwald, then of Philip, and finally of Kate, apologising a little wildly for the mother not coming home sooner to the child, but protesting that she had sent the little one no end of presents. " Presents, bless ye," he began rapturously " You don't ate enough, Pete, 'deed you don't," said Grannie. "Ate? Ho you say ate?" cried Pete. "If you'd seen me at the fair you'd have said, 'That man's got the inside of a limekiln !' Aw, no, Grannie, I'm not letting my jaws travel far. When I've got anything before me it's — down — same as an ostrich." Going away in the darkness, he heard Csesar creaking up in the gig with old Homey, now old Mailie, diving along in front of him. Nancy was waiting for Pete at Elm Cottage. She tried to bustle him upstairs. 32b THE MANXMAN "Come, man, come," she said; " get yourself off to bed and I'll bring your clothes down to the fire." He had never slept in the bedroom since Kate had left. " Chut ! j've lost the habit of beds," he answered. "Always used of the gable loft, you know, and the wind above the thatch/' Not to be thought to behave otherwise than usual, he went up stairs that night. But — - " Feather beds are saft, Pentit rooms are bonnie, But ae kiss o' my dear love Better's far than ony." The rain was still falling, the sea was loud, the mighty breath of night was shaking the walls of the house and rioting through the town. He was wet and tired, longing for a dry skin and a warm bed and rest. " Yet fain wad I rise and rin If I tho't I would meet my dearie." The long-strained rapture of faith and confidence was breaking down. He saw it breaking. He could deceive himself no more. tShe was gone, she was lost, she would lie on his breast no more. " God help me ! Lord, help me," he cried in his crushed and breaking heart. XV AVhen Kate thought of her husband after she had left him, it was not with any crushing sense of shame. She had injured him, but she had gained nothing by it. On the contrary, she had suffered, she had undergone separation from her child. To soften the hard blow inflicted, she had outraged the tenderest feelings of her heart. A often as she thought of Pete and the deep wrong she had done him, she remembered this sacrifice, she wept over this separation. Thus she reconciled herself to her conduct towards her husband. If she had bought happiness at the cost of Pete's sufferings, her torse might have been deep ; but she had only accepted shame and humiliation and the severance of the clearest of her ties. When she had said in the rapture of passionate confidence that if she possessed Philip's love there could be no humiliation and no shame, she had not yet dreamt of the creeping degradation of a life in the dark, under a false name, in a false connection : a life under the same roof with Philip, yet not by his side, unacknowledged, unrecognised, hidden and suppressed. Even at the moment of that avowal, somewhere in the secret part of her heart, Avhere lay her love of refinement and her desire to be a lady, she had cherished MAN AND MAN 327 the hope that Philip would find a way out of the meanness of then- relation, that she would come to live openly beside him, she hardly knew how, and she did not care at what cost of scandal, for with Philip as her own she would be proud and happy. Philip had not found that way out, yet she did not blame him. She had begun to see that the deepest shame of their relation was not hers but his. Since she had lived in Philip's house the man in him had begun to decay. She could not shut her eyes to this rapid demoralisation, and she knew well that it was the consecpience of her presence. The deceptions, the subterfuges, the mean shifts forced upon him day by day, by every chance, every accident, were plunging him in ever-deepening degradation. And as she realised this a new fear possessed her, more bitter than any humilia- tion, more crushing than any shame — the fear that he would cease to love her, the terror that he would come to hate her, as he recog- nised the depth to which she had dragged him down. XVI Back from Tynwald, Philip was standing in his room. From time to time he walked to the window, which was half open, fov the air was close and heavy. A misty rain was falling from an empty sky, and the daylight was beginning to fail. The tombstones below were wet, the trees were dripping, the churchyard was desolate. In a corner under the wall lay the angular wooden lid which is laid by a gravedigger over an open grave. Presently the iron gates swung apart, and a funeral company entered. It consisted of three persons and an uncovered deal coffin. One of the three was the sexton of the church, another was the curate, the third was a policeman. The sexton and the policeman carried the coffin to the church-door, which the curate opened. Ho then went into the church, and was followed by the other two. A moment later there were three strokes of the church bell. Some minutes after that the funeral company reappeared. It made for the open grave in the corner by the wall. The cover was removed, the coffin was lowered, the policeman half lifted his helmet, and the sexton put a careless hand to his cap. Then the curate opened a book and closed it again. The burial service was at an end. Half an hour longer the sexton worked alone in the drenching rain, shovelling the earth back into the grave. "Some waif," thought Philip; "some friendless, homeless, name- less waif." He went noiselessly up the stairs to the floor above, slinking through the house like a shadow. At a door above his own he 328 THE MANXMAN knocked with a heavy hand, and a woman's voice answered him from within — " Is any one there ?" " It is I," he said. " I am coming to see you." Then he opened the door and slipped into the room. It was a loom like his own at all points, only lower in the ceiling, and con- taining a bed. A woman was standing with her back to the window, as if she had just turned about from looking into the churchyard. It was Kate. She had been expecting Philip, and waiting for him, but she seemed to be overwhelmed with confusion. As he crossed the floor to go to her, he staggered, and then she raised her eyes to his face. " You are ill," she said. " Sit clown. Shall I ring for the brandy ? " "No," he answered. "We have had a hard day at Tynwald — some trouble — some excitement — I'm tired, that's all." He sat on the end of the bed, and gazed out on the veil of rain slanting across the square church tower and the sky. "I was at Ramsey two days ago," he said; "that's what I came to tell you." "Ah!" She linked her hands before her, and gazed out also. Then, in a trembling voice, she asked, "Is mother well?" "Yes ; I did not see her, but — yes, she bears up bravely." "And — and — " the words stuck in her throat, "and Pete?" " "Well, also — in health, at all events." "You mean that he is broken-hearted ? " With a deep breath he answered, "To listen to him you would think he was cheerful enough." •And little Katherine?" " She is well too. I did not see her awake. It was late, and she was in her cradle. So rosy, and fresh, and beautiful ! " •' My sweet darling ! She was clean too ? They take care of her, don't they ? " " More care they could not take." •• .My darling baby ! Has she grown ? " " Yes ; they talk of taking her out of the long clothes soon. Nancy is like a second mother to her." Kite's foot was heating the floor. "Oh, why can't her own mother " she began, and then in a faltering voice, " but that cannot be, I suppose. . . . Do her eyes change? Are they still blue ? But she was asleep, you say. My dear baby ! Was it very lute ? Nine o'clock ? Just nine ? I was thinking of her at that moment. It is true I am always thinking of her, but I remeni- ber, because the clock was striking. 'She will be in her little cot now,' I thought, 'bathed and clean, and so pretty in her nightdress, the one with the frill ! ' My sweet, sweet angel !" MAN AND MAN 329 Her speech was confused and broken. " Do you think if I never see her until . . . AVill I know her if . . . It's useless to think of that, though. Is her hair like . . . What is the colour of her hair, Philip ? " " Fair, quite fair ; as fair as mine was " She swirled round, came face to face with him, and cried, " Philip, Philip, why can't I have my darling to myself ? She would be well enough here. I could keep her quiet. Oh, she would not disturb you. And I should be so happy with my little Kate for company. The time is long with me sometimes, Philip, and I could play with her all the day. And then at night, when she would be in the cot, I could make her little stock of clothes — her frocks and her little pinafores, and " •'Impossible, Kate, impossible !" said Philip. She turned to the window. "Yes," she said, in a choking voice, " I suppose it would even be stealing to fetch her away now. Only think ! A mother stealing her own child ! gracious heaven, have I sinned myself so far from my innocent baby 1 My child, my child ! My little Katherine ! " Her bosom heaved, and she said in a hard tone, "I daresay they think I'm a bad mother because I left her to others to nurse her and to love her, to see her every day and all day, to bathe her sweet body, and to comb her yellow hair, to look into her little blue eyes, and to watch all her pretty, pretty ways — Oh, yes, yes," she said, with increasing emotion, "I daresay they think that of me." " They think nothing but what is good of you, Kate — nothing but what is good and kind." She looked out on the rain which fell unceasingly, and said in a low voice, ' ; Is Pete still telling the same story — that I am only away for a little while — that I am coming back 1 " " He is writing letters to himself now, and saying they come from you."' "From me?" " Such simple things — all in his own way — full of love and happi- ness — i" am so happy and comfortable — it is pitiful. He is like a child — he never suspects anything. You are better and enjoying yourself and looking forward to coming home soon. Sending kisses and presents for the baby, too, and greetings for everybody. There are messages for me also. Your true and loving wife — it is terrible." She covered her face with both hands. "And is he telling every- body ? " "Yes; that's what the letters are meant for. He thinks he is keeping your name sweet and your place clean, so that you may return at any time, and scandal may not touch you." •' Oh, why do you tell me that, Philip ? It is dragging me back. 33 o THE MANXMAN And the child is dragging ine back also. . . . Does he show the letters to you 1 " " Worse than that, Kate — much worse — he makes me answer them. I answered one the other night. Oh, when I think of it ! ■i/e, glad to get your toelcome letters, God knows how I held the pen — I was giddy enough to drop it. He gave you all the news — about your father, and Grannie, and everybody. All in his own bright way — poor old Pete, the cheeriest, sunniest soul alive. Tlie Dempster is putting a sir/lit on us regular — trusts you are the better for leaving home. It was awful — awful! Dearest Kirry, I'm missing you mortal — -worse than Kimberley. So come home soon, my true HI , to your foolish ould husband, for his heart is losing him." He leapt up, and began to tramp the floor. "But why do I tell you this 1 I should bear my own burdens." Her hands had come down from her face, which was full of a great compassion. " And did you have to write all that ? " she asked. " Oh, he meant no harm. He had no thought of hurting any- body. He never dreamt that every word was burning and blistering me to the heart of hearts." His voice deepened, and his face grew hard and ugly. " But it was the same as if some devil out of hell had entered into the man and told him how to torture me — as if the cruellest tyrant on earth had made me take up the pen and write down my own death- warrant. I could have killed him — I could not help it — yes, I felt at that moment as if Oh, what am I saying 1 ?" He stopped, sat on the end of the bed again, and held his head between his hands. She came ami sat by his side. "Philip," she said, "I am ruining you. Yes, I am corrupting you. I who would have had you so high and pure — and you so pure-minded — I am bringing you to ruin. Having me here is destroying you, Philip. No one visits you now. You are shutting the door on everybody. ... I heard you come in last night, Philip. I hear you every night. Yes, I know everything. Oh, you will end by hating me — I know you will. Why don't you send me away ? It will be better to send me away in time, Philip. Besides, it will make no difference. We are in the same house, yet we never meet. Send me away now, before it is too late." Ee dropped his hand ami felt for her hand; he was trying not to look into her face. " We have both suffered, Kate. We can never • one another — we have suffered for each other's sake." She clung tightly to the hand he gave her, and said, "Then you will never forsake me, Avhatever happens?" "Never, Kate, never," he answered; and with a smothered cry her arms about his neck. MAN AND MAN 33 1 The rain continued to pour down on the roofs and on the tombs with a monotonous plash. " But what is to be done? " she said. " God knows," he answered. "What is to become of us, Philip'? Are we never to smile on each other again 1 "We cannot carry a burden like this for ever. To-day, to-morrow, the next day, the next year — is it to go on like this for a lifetime ? Is this life 1 Is there nothing that will end it?" " Yes, Kate, yes j there is one thing that will end it — one thing only." " Do you mean — death ! " He did not answer. She rose slowly from his side and returned to the window, rested her forehead against the pane, and looked down on the desolate churchyard and the sexton at his work in the rain. Suddenly she broke the silence. " Philip," she said, " I know now what we ought to do. I wonder we have never thought of it before." u What is it 1 " he asked. She was standing in front of him. Her breath came quickly. " Tell Pete that I am dead." " No, no, no." She took both his hands. " Yes, yes," she said. He kept his face away from her. " Kate, what are you saying ? " " What is more natural, Philip ? Only think — if you had been anybody else, it would have come to that already. You must have hated me for dragging you down into this mire of deceit, you must have forsaken me, and I must have gone to wreck and ruin. Oh, I see it all — just as if it had really happened. A solitary room somewhere — alone — sinking — dying — unknown — unnamed — forgotten " His eyes were wandering about the room. " It will kill him. If his heart can break, it will break it," he said. " He has lived after a heavier blow than that, Philip. Do you think he is not suffering 1 For all his bright ways and hopeful talk and the letters and the presents, do you think he is not suffering?" He liberated his hands, and began to tramp the room as before, but with head down and hands linked behind him. " It will be cruel to deceive him," he said. " No, Philip, but kind. Death is not cruel The wound it makes will heal. It won't bleed for ever. Once he thinks I am dead he will weep a little perhaps, and then " — she was stifling a sob — " then it will be all over. ' Poor girl,' he will say, ' she was much to blame. I loved her once, and never did her any wrong. Put she is gone, and she was the mother of little Katharine — let us forget her faults ' " 332 THE MANXMAN He had not heard her ; he was standing before the window looking down. "You are right, Kate, I think you must be right." " I'm. sure I am." " ILe will suffer, but he will get over it." " Yes, indeed. And you, Philip — he will torture you no longer. No more letters, no more presents, no more messages " " I'll do it — I'll do it to-morrow," he said. She opened her arms wide, and cried, "Kiss me, Philip, kiss me. We shall live again. Yes, we shall laugh together still — kiss me, kiss me." " Not yet — when I come back." " Very well — when you come back." She sank into a chair, crying with joy, and lie went out as he had entered, noiselessly, stealthily, like a shadow. ^'hen a man who is not a criminal is given over to a deep duplicity of life, he will clutch at any lie, wearing the mask of truth, which seems to shield him from shame and pain. He may be a wise man in every other relation, a shrewd man, a far-seeing and even a cunning man, but in this relation — that of his own honour, his own fame, his own safety — he is certain to be a blunderer, a bungler, and a fool. Such is the revenge of Nature, such is God's own vengeance! XVII Philip was walking from Ballure House to Elm Cottage. It was late, and the night was dark and silent — a muggy, dank, and stagnant night, without wind or air, moon or stars. The road was quiet, the trees were still, the sea made only a far-off murmur. Ami as he walked he struggled to persuade himself that in what he was about to do he would be doing well. " It will not be wrong to deceive him," he thought. " It will only be for his own good. The suspense would kill him. He would waste away. The sap of the man's soul would dry up. Then wh> should I hesitate? Besides, it is partly true — true in its own sense, ani that is the real sense. ,S] 1(; i s dead — dead to him. She can never return to liim ; she is lost to him for ever. So it is true after all — it is true." "it is a lie," said a voice at his ear. He -tailed, lie could have been sure that somebody had spoken. Yet there was nobody by his side. He was alone in the road. "It must have been my own voice," he thought. "I must have been thinking aloud." And then he resumed his walk and his meditation. ■ And if it u a lie, is it therefore a crime?" he asked himself, it is — how very sure I — it was a wise man that said so — a great fault once committed is the first link in a chain. The other MAN AND MAN 333 links seem to be crimes also, but they are not — they are conse- quences. Our fault was long ago, and even then it was partly the fault of Fate. If the past could be recalled we could not act differ- ently unless our fates were different. And what has followed has been only the consequence. It was the consequence when Kate was married to Pete; it was the consequence when she left him — and this is the consequence." "It is a lie," said the same voice by his side. He stopped. The darkness was grOss around him — he could see nothing. " Who's there ? " he demanded. There was no answer. He sti-etched his hand out nervously. There was no one at his side. "It must have been the wind in the trees," he thought ; but there could be no wind in the stagnant dampness of that air. " It was like my own voice," he thought. Then he remembered how his man in Douglas had told him that he had contracted a habit of talking to himself of late. " It was my own voice," he thought, and he went on again. "A lie is a bad foundation to build on — that's certain. The thing that should be cannot rest on the thing that is not. It will topple down ; it will come to ruin ; it will wreck everything. Still " "It is a lie," said the voice again. There could be no mistaking it this time. It was a low, deep whisper. It seemed to be spoken in the very cavity of his ear. It was not his own voice, and yet it struck upon his sense with the sound as of his own. It must be his own voice speaking to himself ! When this idea took hold of him, he was seized with a deadly shuddering. His heart knocked against his ribs, and an icy cold- ness came over him. "Only the same tormenting dream," he thought. "Before it was a vision; now it is a voice. It is gene- rated by solitude and separation. I must resist it. I must be strong. It will drive me into an oppression as of madness. Men do not ' see their souls ' until they are bordering on madness from religious mania or crime." "A lie ! a lie !" said the voice. "This is madness itself. To paint faces on the darkness, to hear voices in the air, is madness. The madman can do no more." " A lie ! " said the voice again. He cast a look over his shoulder. It was the same as if some one had touched him and spoken. He walked faster. The voice seemed to walk with him. " I will hold myself firm," he thought; "I will not be afraid. Reason does not fail a man until he allows himself to believe that it is failing. 1 1 am going mad,' he thinks ; and then he shrieks and is mad indeed. I will not depart from my course. If I do so now, I shall be lost. The horror will master me, and I shall be its slave for ever." 334 THE MANXMAN lie had turned out of Ballure into the Ramsey Road, and he could see the town lights in the distance. But the voice continued to haunt him persistently, besiegingly, despotically. " Great God ! " he thought, "what is the imaginary devil to the horror of this presence ? Your own eye, your own voice, always with you, always following you ! No darkness so dense that it can hide the sight, no noise so loud that it can deaden the sound !" He walked faster. Still the voice seemed to stride by his side, an invisible thing, with deliberate and noiseless step, from which there was no escape. lie drew up suddenly and walked slower. His knees were totter- ing, he was treading as on waves; yet he went on. "I will not vielcl. I will master myself. I will do what I intended. I am not mad," he thought. He was at the gate of Elm Cottage by this time, and, with a strong glow of resolution, he walked boldly to the door and knocked. XVIII Pete had not awakened until late that morning. While still in bed he had heard Grannie with Nancy in the room below. The first sound of their voices told him that something was amiss. "Aw, God bless me, God bless me ! " said Nancy, as though with uplifted hands. "It was Kelly the postman," said Grannie in a doleful tone — the tone in which she had spoken between the puffs of her pipe. "The dirt ! " said Nanc}\ "He was up at Caesar's before breakfast this morning," said Grannie. "There now!" cried Nancy. "There's men like that, though. Just aiger for mischief. It's sweeter than all their prayers to them. . . . But whore can she be, then? Has she made away with her- self, poor tiling?" "That's what I was asking Caesar," said Grannie. " If she's gone with the young Ballawhaine, what for aren't you going to England over and fetching her home ? " says I. " And what did Caesar say ? " "'No,' says he, 'not a step,' says he. 'If she's dead,' says he, 'we'll only know it a day the sooner, and if she's in life, it'll be a disgrace to us the longest day we live.' ' "Aw, holla veen, bolla veen!" said Nancy. "When some men i~ getting religion there's no more inside at them than a gutted herring, and they're good for nothing but to put up in the chimley to smook." "It's Black Tom, woman," said Grannie. "Caesar's freckened MAN AND MAN 335 mortal of the man's tongue going. • It's water to his wheel,' he's saying. ' He'll be telling me to set my own house in order, and me a local preacher, too.' But how's the man himself ? " "Pete?" said Nancy. "Aw, tired enough last night, and not down yet. . . . Hush I . . , It's his foot on the loft." " Poor boy ! poor boy ! " said Grannie. The child cried, and then somebody began to beat the floor to the measure of a long-drawn hymn. Grannie must have been sitting before the fire with the baby across her knees. " Something has happened," thought Pete as he drew on his clothes. A moment later something had happened indeed. He had opened a drawer of the dressing-table and found the wedding-ring and the earrings where Kate had left them. There was a commo- tion in the room below by this time, but Pete did not hear it. He was crying in his heart. "It is coming! I know it! I feel it! God help me ! Lord forgive me ! Amen ! Amen ! " Caesar, the postman, and the constable, as a deputation from "The Christians," had just entered the house. Black Tom was with them. He was the ferret that had fetched them out of their holes. "Get thee home, woman," said Caesar to Grannie. "This is no place for thee. It is the abode of sin and deception." " It's the home of my child's child, and that's enough for me," said Grannie. " Get thee back, I tell thee." said Caesar, "and come thee to this house of shame no more." "Take her, Nancy," said Grannie, giving up the child. "Shame enough, indeed, I'm thinking, when a woman has to shut her heart to her own flesh and blood if she's not to disrespect her husband," and she went off, weeping. But Caesar's emotions were walled in by his pietistical views. " Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for My name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold," said Caesar, with a cast of his eye towards J'dack Tom. "Well, if I ever ! " said Nancy. "The husband that wanted the like of that from me, now. ... A hundredfold, indeed ! No, not for a hundred hundredfolds, the nasty dirt." "Don't be turning up your nose, woman, but call your master," said Caesar. "It's more than some ones need do, then, and I won't call my master, neither — no, thank you," said Nancy. "I've something to tell him, and I've come far to do it, too," said Caesar. "The devil earno farther than ever you did. and it was only a lie he was bringing for all that," said Nancy. 336 THE MANXMAN " Hould your tongue, Nancy Cain," said Caesar, "and take that Popish thing off the child's head." It was the scarlet hood. " Pity the money that's wasted on the like wasn't given to the poor." "I've heard something the same before, Caesar Cregeen," said Nancy. " It was Judas Iscariot was saying it first, and you're just thieving it from a thief." " Chut ! " cried Caesar, goaded by the laughter of Black Tom. " I'll call the man myself. Peter Quilliam ! " and he made for the staircase door. " Stand back," cried Nancy, holding the child like a pillow over one of her arms, and lifting the other threateningly. " Aw, you'll never be raising your hand to the man of God, woman," giggled Black Tom. " Won't I, though ? " said Nancy grimly, " or the man of the devil either," she added, flashing at himself. "The woman's not to trust, sir,'' snuffled the constable. "She's only an infidel, anyway. I've heard tell of her saying she didn't believe the whale swallowed Jonah." " That's the diff'rance between us, then," said Nancy ; " for there's some of you Manx ones would believe if Jonah swallowed the whale." The staircase door opened at the back of Nancy, and Pete stepped into the room. " What's this, friends ? " lie asked, in a careworn voice. Caesar stepped forward with a yellow envelope in his hand. " What's that, sir ? " he answered. Pete took the envelope and opened it. "That's your letter back to you through the dead letter office, isn't it?" said Caesar. "Well?" said Pete. " There's nobody of that name in that place, is there 1 " said Caesar. " Well ? " said Pete again. "Letters from England don't come through Peel, but your first letter had the Peel postmark, hadn't it 1 " "Well ?" " Parcels from England don't come through Port St. Mary, but your parcel was stamped in Port St. Mary, wasn't it?" "Anything else?" "The handwriting inside the letter wasn't your own handwriting, was it? The address on the outside of the parcel wasn't your own address — no 1" "Is that all?" "Enough to be going on, I'm thinking. ' "What about Uncle Joe?" said Black Tom, with another giggle. "Your mistress is not in Liverpool. You don't know where she is. She has gone the way of all sinners," said Caesar. " Is that what you're coming to tell me 1 " said Pete. MAN AND MAN 337 "No ; "we're coming to tell you," said Caesar, " that, as a notorious loose liver, we must be putting her out of class. And we're coming to call on yourself to look to your own salvation. You've deceaved us, Mr. Quilliam. You've grieved the Spirit of the Lord," with another " glinie" in the direction of Black Tom; "you've brought contempt on the fellowship that counts you for one of the fold. You've given the light of your countenance to the path of an evil- doer, and you've brought down the head of a child of God with sorrow to the grave." Caesar was moved by his self-satisfied piety, and began to make noises in his nostrils. " Let us lay the case before the Lord," he said ; and he went down on his knees and prayed — " Our brother has deceived us, Lord, but we forgive him freely. Forgive Thou also his trespasses, so that at the last he escape hell- fire. Count not Thy handmaid for a daughter of Belial, wherever she is this day. May it be good for her to be cut off from the body of the righteous. Grant that she feel this mercy in her carnal body before her eternal soul be called to everlasting judgment. Lord, strengthen Thy servant. Let not his natural affections be as the snare of the fowler unto his feet. Though it grieve him sore, even to tears and tribulation, help him to pluck out the gourd that groweth in his own bosom " " Dear heart alive ! " cried Nancy, clattering her clogs, " it's a wonder in the world the man isn't thinking shame to blacken his own daughter before the Almighty Himself." " Be merciful, O Lord," continued Csesar, " to all rank unbelievers, and such as live in heathen darkness in a Christian land, and don't know Saturday from Sunday, and are imperent uncommon and bad with the tongue " " Stop that now," cried Nancy, " that's meant for me." Pete had stood through this in silence, but with an angry, miser- able face ■ I leg pardon all." he said. "I'm not going for denying to what you say. I'm like the fish at the heel of the trawl-boat — the net's closing in on me and I'm caught. The game's up. I did deceave you. I did write those letters myself. I've no Uncle Joe, nor no Auntie Joney neither. My wife's left me. I'm not knowing where she is, or what's becoming of her. I'm done, and I'm for throwing up the sponge." There were grunts of satisfaction. "But don't you feel the need of pardon, brother," said Caesar. " I don't," >aid Pete. " What I was doing I was doing for the best, and, if I was doing wrong, the Almighty will have to forgive me — that's about all." Caesar shot out his lip. Pete raised himself to his full height and looked from face to face, until his eyes settled on the postman. v 338 THE MANXMAN " But it takes a thief to catch a thief," he said. " Which of you was the thief that catcht me 1 Maybe I've been only a blundering block- head, and perhaps you've been clever, and smart uncommon, but I'm thinking there's some of you hasn't been rocked enough for all that." He held out the yellow envelope. " This letter was sealed when you gave it to me, Mr. Cregeen — how did you know what was inside of it 1 ' On Her Majesty's Sarvice,' you say. But it isn't dead letters only that's coming with words same as that." The postman was meddling with his front hair. " The Lord has His own wayses of doing His work, has He, Caesar 1 I never heard tell, though, that opening other people's letters was one of them." Mr. Kelly's ferret eyes were nearly twinkling themselves out. Pete threw letter and envelope into the fire. " You've come to tell me you're going to turn my wife out of class. All right ! You can turn me out, too, and if the money I gave you is anywhere handy, you can turn that out at the same time and make a clane job." Black Tom was doubling with suppressed laughter at the corner of the dresser, and Caesar was writhing under his searching glances. " You're knowing a dale about the ould Book and I'm not knowing much," said Pete, "but isn't it saying somewhere, 'Let him that's without sin amongst you chuck the first stone ? ' I'm not worth mentioning for a saint myself, so I lave it with you." His voice began to break. "You're thinking a dale about the broken law seemingly, but I'm thinking more about the broken heart. There's the like in somewhere, you go bail. The woman that's gone may have done wrong — I'm not saying she didn't, poor thing; but if she comes home again, you may turn her out, but I'll take her back, whatever she is and whatever she's done — so help me God I will— and I'll not wait for the Day of Judgment to ask the Almighty if I'm doing right." Then he sat down with his back to them on a chair before the fire. "Now you can go home to nurse," said Nancy, wiping her eyes, "and lave me to sweeten the kitchen — it's wanting water enough after dirts like you.'' Caesar also was wiping his eye — the one nearest to Black Tom. "Come," he said, with plaintive resignation, "our errand was use- less. The El ln'opian cannot change his skin, nor the leopard his spots." " No, but he can get a topcoat to cover them, though," said Nancy. "Oh, that flea sticks, does it, Caesar 1 ? Don't blame the looking-glass if your face is ugly." Caesar pre! ended not to hear her. "Well," he said, with a sigh discharged at Pete's back, "we'll pray, spite of appearances, that we may all go to heaven together some day." MAN AND MAN 339 "No, thank you, not me," said Nancy; "I wouldn't bemano myself going anywhere with the like of you." The Job in Cajsar could bear up no longer. " Vain and ungrate- ful woman," he cried, " who hath eaten of my bread and drunken of my cup " " Cursing me, are you?" said Nancy. " Sakes ! you must have been found in the bulrushes at Pharaoh's daughter and made a prophet of." " No use bandying words, sir, wid a single woman dat lives alone wid a single man," said Mr. Nipligktly. Nancy flopped the child from her right arm to her left, and with the back of her hand she slapped the constable across the face. "Take that for the cure of a bad heart," she said, "and tell the Dempster I gave it you." Then she turned on the postman and Black Tom. " Out of it, you lil thief, your mouth's only a dirty town-well and your tongue's the pump in it. Go home and die, you big black spider — you're ould enough for it and wicked enough, too. Out of it, the lot of you ! " she cried, and clashed the door at their backs, and then opened it again for a parting shot. "And if it's true you're on your way to heaven together, just let me know, and I'll see if I can't put up with the other place myself." XIX. That evening Pete was sitting with one foot on the cradle rocker, one arm on the table, and the other hand trifling tenderly with the ring and the earrings which he had found in the drawer of the dressing-table, when there was a hurried knock on the door. It had the hollow reverberation of a knock on the lid of a coffin. " Come in," called Pete. It was Philip, but it was almost as if Death had entered, so thin and bony were his cheeks, so wild his eyes, so cold his hands. Pete was prepared for anything. " You've found me out, too, I see you have," he said defiantly. " You needn't tell me — it's chasing caught fish." " Be brave, Pete," said Philip. " It will be a great shock to you." Pete looked up and his manner changed. " Speak it out, sir. It's a poor man that can't stand ' " I've come on the saddest errand," said Philip, taking a seat as far away as possible. " You've found her — you've seen her, sir. Where is she ? " " She is " began Philip, and then he stopped. " Go on, mate ; I've known trouble before to-day," said Pete. " Can you bear it? "said Philip. "She is "and he stopped again. 340 THE MANXMAN " She is — where ?" said Pete. " She is dead," said Philip at last. Pete rose to his feet. Philip rose also, and now poured out his message with the headlong rush of a cataract. " In fact, it all happened some time ago, Pete, but I couldn't bring myself to tell you before. I tried, but I couldn't. It was in Douglas — of a fever — in a lodging — alone — unattended- " Iloubl hard, sir ! Give me time," said Pete. " I'd a gun-shot wound at Kimberley, and since then I've a stitch in my side at whiles and sometimes a bit of a catch in my breathing." He staggered to the porch door and threw it open, then came back panting — " Dead ! dead ! Kate is dead ! " Nancy came from the kitchen at the moment, and hearing what he was saving, she lifted both hands and uttered a piercing shriek. He took her by the shoulders and turned her back, shut the door behind her, and said, holding his right hand hard at his side, '■ Women are bravo, sir, but when the storm breaks on a man " He broke off and muttered again, " Dead ! Kirry is dead ! " The child, awakened by Nancy's cry, was now whimpering fretfully. Pete went to the cradle and rocked it with one foot, crooning in a quavering treble, " Hush-a-bye ! hush-a-bye !" Philip's breathing was oppressed. He felt like a man at the edge of a precipice, with an impulse to throw himself over. " God for- give me," he said. " I could kill myself. I've broken your heart " " No fear of me, sir," said Pete. " I'm an ould hulk that's seen weather. I'll not go to pieces from inside at all. Give me time, mate, give me time." And then he went on muttering as before, " Dead ! Kirry dead ! Hush-a-bye ! My Kirry dead ! " The little one slept, and Pete drew back in his chair, nodded into the lire, and said in a weak, childish voice, " I've known her all my life, d'ye know? She's been my lil sweetheart since she was a slip of a girl, and slapped the schoolmaster for bating me wrongously. Swate lil tiling in them days, mate, with her brown feet and tossing hair. And now she's a woman and she's dead! The Lord have mercy upon me ! " He got up and began to walk heavily across the Door, dipping and plunging as if going upstairs. "The bright and happy she was when I started for Kimberley, too; with her pretty face by the ai ing stones in the morning, all laughter and mischief. Five years I was seeing it in my drames like that, and now it's gone. Kirry is ijone ! My Kirry! Cod help me! O God, have mercy upon me ! " BEe stopped in his unsteady walk, and sat and stared into the firr-. His eyes were red; blotches of heart's blood seemed to be rising to them ; but there was not the sign of a tear. Philip did MAN AND MAN 341 did not attempt to console him. He felt as if the first syllable would choke in his throat. "I see how it's been, sir," said Pete. "While I was away her heart was changing her, and when I came back she thought she must keep her word. My poor lamb ! She was only a child any- way. But 1 was a man — I ought to have seen how it was. I'm like a drowning man, too— things are coming back on me. I'm seeing them plain enough now. But it's too late ! My poor Kirry ! And I thought I was making her so happy ! " Then, with a helpless look, " You wouldn't believe it, sir, but I was never once thinking nothing else. No, I wasn't; it's a fact. I was same as a sailor working all the voyage home, making a cage, and painting it goold, for the love-bird he's catcht in the sunny lands somewhere; but when he's putting it in, it's only wanting away, poor thing." With a sense of grovelling meanness, Philip sat and listened. Then, with eyes wandering across the floor, he said, "You have nothing to reproach yourself with. You did everything a man could do — everything. And she was innocent also. It was the fault of another. He came between you. Perhaps he thought he couldn't help it — perhaps he persuaded himself — God knows what lie he told himself — but she's innocent, Pete; believe me, she's " Pete brought his list down heavily on the table, and the rings that lay on it jumped and tingled. "What's that to me?" he cried hoarsely. " What do I care if she's innocent or guilty ? She's dead, isn't she 1 and that's enough. Curse the man ! I don't want to hear of him. She's mine now. What for should he come here between me and my own 1 " The torn heart and racked brain could bear no more. Pete dropped his head on the table. Presently his anger ebbed. With- out lifting his head, he stretched his hand across the rings to feel for Philip's hand. Philip's hand trembled in his grasp. He took that for sympathy, and became the more ashamed. " Give me time, mate," he said. " I'll be my own man soon. My head's moithered dreadful — I'm not knowing if I heard you right. In Douglas, you say ? By herself, too 1 Not by herself, surely ? Not quite alone neither 1 She found you out, didn't she 1 You'd be there, Phil I You'd be with her yourself I She'd be wanting for nothing ? " Philip answered huskily, his eyes still wandering. " If it will be any comfort to you . . . yes, I was with her — she wanted for nothing." "My poor girl !" said Pete. "Did she send — had she any — maybe she said a word or two — at the last, eh 1" Philip clutched at the question. There was something at last that he could say without falsehood. " She sent a prayer for your for- giveness," he said. " She told me to tell you to think of her as little 342 THE MANXMAN as might be ; not to grieve for Lei' too much, and to try to forget her, so that her sin also might be forgotten." '• And t he lil one — anything about the lil one?" asked Pete. "That was the bitterest grief of all," said Philip. " It was so hard that you must think her an unnatural mother. ' My Ivathe- rine ! My little Katherine ! My sweet angel ! ' It was her cry the whole day long." "I see, I see," said Pete, nodding at the lire; "she left the lil one for my sake, wanting it with her all the while. Poor thing ! You'd comfort her, Philip ? You'd let her go aisy 1 " "'The child is well and happy,' I told her. 'He's thinking nothing of yourself but what is good and kind,' I said." "God's peace rest on her! My darling ! My wife ! " said Pete solemnly. Then suddenly in another tone, " Do you know where she's buried ? " Philip hesitated. He had not foreseen this question. Where had been his head that he had never thought of it 1 But there was no going back now. He was compelled to go on. He must tell lie on lie. "Yes," he faltered. " Could you take me to the grave 1 " Philip gasped ; the sweat broke out on his forehead. " Don't be freckened, sir," said Pete ; " I'm my own man again. Could you take me to my wife's grave 1 " "Yes," said Philip. He was in the rapids. He was on the edge of precipitation. He was compelled to go over. He made a blind- fold plunge. Lie on lie; lie on lie! "Then we'll start by the coach to-morrow," said Pete. Philip rose with rigid limbs. He had meant to tell one lie only, and already he had told many. Truly "a lie is a cripple;" it cannot stand alone. "Good night, Pete; I'll go home. I'm not well to-night7 ; " We'll stop the coach at your aunt's gate in the morning," said Pete. They stepped to the door together, and stood for a moment in the dank and lifeless darkness. "The world's getting wonderful lonely, man, and you're all that's left to me now, Phil — you and the child. I'm not for wailing, though. When I got my gun-shot wound out yonder, I was away ■ the big vftly that his foot on the gravel was hardly to be heard. The organist was playing Cowper's familiar hymn — " God moves in a mysterious way Hi- wonders to perform." There was a broaem] ster say, bogh ?" " Bow-wow," said the child. "Bless me soul!" said Pete, turning to Philip with amazement at the child's supernatural wisdom. "And there's Tom Ilommy's MAN AND GOD 369 boy — and a tine lil fellow enough for all — but six weeks older than this one, and not a word out of him yet." Hearing himself talked of, the dog had come from under tho table. The child gurgled down at it, then made purring noises at its own feet, and wriggled in Nancy's lap. "Dear heart alive, if it's not like nursing an eel," said Nancy. " Be quiet, will you 1 " and the little one was shaken back to her seat. " Aisy all, woman," said Pete. " She's just wanting her lil shoes and stockings off, that's it." Then talking to the child. " Um — am — im — lum— la — loo ? Just so ! I don't know what that means myself, but she does, you see. Aw, the child is taiching me heaps, sir. Listening to the lil one I'm remembering things. Well, we're only big children, the best of us. That's the way the world's keep- in g young, and God help it when we're getting so clever there's no child left in us at all." "Time for young women to be in bed, though," said Nancy, getting up to give the baby her bath. '•' Let me have a hould of the rogue first," said Pete, and as Nancy took the child out of the room, he dragged at it and smothered its open mouth with kisses. " Poor sport for you, sir, watching a foolish ould father playing games with his lil one," said Pete. Philip's answer was broken and confused. His eyes had begun to till, and to hide them he turned his head aside. Thinking he was looking at the empty places about the walls, Pete began to enlarge on his prosperity, and to talk as if he were driving all the trade of the island before him. " Wonderful fishing now, Phil. I'm exporting a power of cod. Getting postal orders and stamps, and I don't know what. Seven- and-sixpence in a single post from Liverpool — that's nothing, sir, nothing ;it all." Nancy brought back the child, whose silvery curls were now damp. • "\\ li.it ! ;i young lady coming in her night-dress ! " cried Pete. "Work enough I had to get it over her head, too," said Nancy. '• She wouldn't, no, she wouldn't. Here, take and dry her hair by the lire while I warm up her supper." 1 'ete rolled the sleeves of his jersey above his elbows, took the child on his knee, and rubbed her hair between his hands, singing — " 1 !ome, Bridget, Saint Bridget, conic in at my door." Nancy clattered about in her clogs, filled a saucepan with bread and milk, and brought it to the fire. '•Give it to me, Nancy," said Philip, and he leaned over and held the saucepan above the bar. The child watched him intently. " Well, did you ever '. " said Pete. "The strange she's making of 2 A 37 o THE MANXMAN you, Philip ! Don't you know the gentleman, darling 1 Aw, but he's knowing you, though." The saucepan boiled, and Philip handed it back to Nancy. " Go to him then — away with you," said Pete. " Go to your god- father. He'd have been your name-father too if it had been a boy you'd been. Off you go ! " and he stretched out his hairy arms until the child touched the floor. Philip stooped to take the little one, who first pranced and beat the rushes with its feet as Avith two drumsticks, then trod on its own legs, swirled about to Pete's arms, dropped its lower lip, and set up a terrified outcry. " Ah ! she knows her own father, bless her," cried Pete, plucking the child back to his breast. Philip dropped his head and laughed. A sort of creeping fear had taken possession of him, as if he felt remotely that the child was to be the channel of his retribution. " "Will you feed her yourself, Pete 1 " said Nancy. She was coming up with a saucer, of which she was tasting the contents. " He's that handy with a child, sir, you wouldn't think. 'Deed you wouldn't." Then, stooping to the baby as it ate its supper, "But Pm saying, young woman, is there no sleep in your eyes to-night ? " " No, but nodding away here like a wood-thrush in a tree," said Pete. He was ladling the pobs into the child's mouth, and scoop- ing the overflow from her chin. " Sleep's a terrible enemy of this one, sir. She's having a battle with it every night of life, anyway. God help her, she'll have luck better than some of us, or she'll be lighting it the other way about one of these days." "She's us'ally going off with the spoon in her mouth, sir, for all the world like a lil cherub," said Nancy. "Too busy looking at her godfather to-night, though," said Pete. "Well, look at him. You owe him your life, you lil sandpiper. And, my sakes, the straight like him you are, too ! " "Isn't she?" said Nancy. " If I wasn't thinking the same my- self ! Couldn't look straighter like him if she'd been his born child; now, could she ? And the curls, too, and the eyes 1 Well, well ! " " If she'd been a boy, now " began Pete. But Philip had risen to return to the Court-house, and Pete said in another tone, "Hould hard a minute, sir — I've something to .show you. Here, take the lil one, Nancy." Pete lit a candle and led the way into the parlour. The room empty of furniture ; but at one end there was a stool, a stone- mason's mallet, a few chisels, and a large stone. The stone was a gravestone. Pete approached it solemnly, held up the candle in front of it, and said in a low voice, "It's for her. I've been doing it myself, MAN AND GOD 371 sir, and it's lasted rue all winter, dark nights and bad days. I'll be finishing it to-night, though, God willing, and to-morrow, maybe, I'll bo taking it to Douglas." "Is it " began Philip, but he could not finish. The stone was a plain slab, rounded at the top, bevelled about the edge, smoothed on the face, and chiselled over the back ; but there was no sign or symbol on it, and no lettering or inscription. " Is there to be no name ? " asked Philip at last. " No," said Pete. "Not" "Tell you the truth, sir, I've been reading what it's saying in the ould Book about the Recording Angel calling the dead out of their graves." "Yes?" " And I've been thinking the way he'll be doing it will be going to the graveyards and seeing the names on the gravestones, and calling them out loud to rise up to judgment ; some, as it's saying, to life eternal, and some to everlasting punishment." "Well?" " Well, sir, I've been thinking if he comes to this one and sees no name on it" — Pete's voice sank to a whisper — "maybe he'll pass it by and let the poor sinner sleep on." Stumbling back to the Court-house through the dark lane Philip thought, " It was a lie then, but it's true now. It must be true. She must be dead." There was a sort of relief in this certainty. It was an end, at all events; a pitiful end, a cowardly end, a kind of sneaking out of Fate's fingers ; it was not what he had looked for and intended, but he struggled to reconcile himself to it. Then he remembered the child and thought, " Why should I dis- turb it ? Why should I disturb Pete ? I will watch over it all its life. I will protect it and find a way to provide for it. I will do my duty by the child. It shall never want." He was offering the key to the lock of the prisoners' yard when some one passed him in the lane, peered into his face, then turned about and spoke. " Oh, it's you, Deemster Christian ? " "Yes, doctor. Good-night !" "Have you heard the news from Ballawhaine ? The old gentle- man had another stroke this morning." " Xo, I had not heard it. Another ? Dear me, dear me ! " Back in his room, Philip resumed his wig and gown and returned to the Court-house. The place was now lit up by candlelight and densely crowded. Everybody rose to his feet as the Deemster stepped to the dais. 373 THE MANXMAN V "Come, Bridget, Saint Bridget, come in at my door, The crock's on the bink and the rush " (C i ; She's fast," said Nancy. "Rocking this one to sleep is like waiting fox- the kettle to boil. You may try and try, and blow and blow, but never a sound. And no sooner have you forgotten all about her, but she's singing away as steady as a top." Nancy put the child into the cradle, tucked her about, twisted the head of the little nest so that the warmth of the fire should enter it, and hung a shawl over the hood to protect the little eyelids from the light. " Will you keep the house till I'm home from Sulby, Pete? " "I've my work, woman," said Pete from the parlour. "I'll put a junk on the fire and be off then," said Nancy. She pulled the door on to the catch behind her and went crunch- ing the gravel to the gate. There was no sound in the house now but the gentle breathing of the sleeping child, soft as an angel's prayer, the chirruping of the mended fire like a cage of birds, the ticking of the clock, and, through the parlour wall, the dull pat-put, pat-put of the wooden mallet and the scrape of the chisel on the stone. Pete worked steadily for half an hour, and then came back to the hall-kitchen with his tools in his hands. The cob of coal had kindled to a lively flame, which flashed and went out, and the quick black shadows of the chairs and the table and the jugs on the dresser were Leaping about the room like elves. With parted lips, just breaking into a smile, Pete went down on one knee by the cradle, put the mallet under his arm, and gently raised the shawl curtain. " God bless my motherless girl," he said, in a voice no louder than a breath. Suddenly, while he knelt there, he was smitten as by an electric shock. His face straightened and he drew back, still hold- ing the shawl at the tips of his fingers. The child was sleeping peacefully, with one of its little arms over the counterpane. On its face the flickering light of the fire was coming and going, making lines about the baby eyes and throwing up the baby features. It is in such lights that we are startled by resemblances in a child's face. Pete was startled by a resemblance. i If had seen it before, but not as he saw it now. A moment afterwards he was reaching across the cradle again, his arms spread over it, and his face close down at the child's face, scanning every line of it as one scans a map. '"Deed, but she is, though," he murmured. " She's like him enough, anyway." An awful idea had taken possession of his mind. He rose stiffly to his feet, and the shawl flapped back. The room seemed to be darken- round him. He broke the coal, though it was burning brightly, MAN AND GOD 373 stepped to the other side of the cradle, and looked at the child again. It was the same from thei-e. The resemblance was ghostly. He felt something growing hard inside of him, and he returned to his work in the parlour. But the chisel slipped, the mallet fell too heavily, and he stopped. His mind ilucliiated among distant things. He could not help thinking of Port Mooar, of the Carasdoo men, of the day when he and .Philip were brought homo in the early morning. Putting his tools down, he returned to the room. He was holding liis breath and walking softly, as if in the presence of an invisible thing. The room was perfectly quiet — -he could hear the breath in his nostrils. In a state of stupor he stood for some time with his back to the fire and watched his shadow on the opposite wall and on the ceiling. The cradle was at his feet. He could not keep his eyes off it. Prom time to time he looked down across one of his shoulders. With head thrown back and lips apart, the child was breathing calmly and sleeping the innocent sleep. This angel innocence re- proached him. "My heart must be going bad," he muttered. "Your bad thoughts are blackening the dead. For shame, Pete Quilliam, for shame ! " He was feeling like a man who is in a storm of thunder and light- ning at night. Familiar things about him looked strange and awful. Stooping to the cradle again, he turned back the shawl on to the cradle-head as a girl turns back the shade of her sun-bonnet. Then the firelight was full on the child's face and it moved in its sleep. It moved yet more under his steadfast gaze and cried a little, as if the terrible thought that was in his mind had penetrated to its own. He was stooping so when the door was opened and Caesar entered violently, making asthmatic noises in his throat. Pete looked up at him with a stupefied air. " Peter," he said, " will you sell that mortgage ? " Pete answered with a growl. " Will you transfer it to me ? " said Caesar. "The time's not come," said Pete. "What time?" "The time foretold by the prophet, when the lion can lie down with the lamb." Pete laughed bitterly. Caesar was quivering, his mouth was twitching, and his eyes were wild. " Will you come over to the 'Mitre,' "then?" "What for to the 'Mitre'?" " Poss Christian is there." Pete made an impatient gesture. "That stormy petrel again! He's always about when there's bad weather going." "Will you come and hear what the man's saying \" 374 THE MANXMAN "What's ho Paying?" ""Will you hoar for yourself ?" Pete looked hard at Caesar, looked again, then caught up his cap and went out at the door. YI With two of his cronies the man had spent the day in a room over- looking the harbour, drinking hard and playing billiards. Early in the afternoon a messenger had come from Ballawhaine, saying, " Your father is ill — come home immediately." " By-and-bye," he had said, and gone on with the game. Later in the afternoon the messenger had come again, saying, " Your father has had a stroke of paralysis, and he is calling for you." "Let me finish the break first," he had replied. In the evening the messenger had come a third time, saying, " Your father is unconscious." " Where's the hurry, then 1 " he had answered, and he sang a stave of the "Miller's Daughter" — "They married me against my will, "When 1 was daughter at the mill." Finally, Csesar, who had been remonstrating with the Ballawhaine at the moment of his attack, came to remonstrate with Ross, and to pay off a score of his own as well. " Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days " ci'ied Csesar, with uplifted arm and the high pitch of the preacher. " But your days will not be long, anyway, and, if you are the death of that foolish ould man, it won't bo the first death you're answerable for." " So you believe it, too?" said Ross, cue in hand. " You believe your daughter is dead, do you, old Jephthah Jeremiah? Would you be surprised to heai', now " (the cronies giggled) " that she isn't dead at all?— —Good shot — cannon off the cushion. Halloa! Jephthah Jeremiah has seen a ghost seemingly. Saw her myself, man. when I was up in town a month ago. Want to know where she is ? Shall I tell you ? Oh, you're a beauty ! You're a pattern ! You know how to train up a child in the way Pocket off the red It's you to preach at my father, isn't it ? She's on the streets of London — ah, Jeremiah's gone ' They married me against my will ' — There you are, then— good shot — love — twenty-five and nothing left." Pete pushed through to the billiard-room. Fearing there might be violence, hoping there would be, yet thinking it scarcely proper to lend the scene of it the light of his countenance, Csesar had stayed outside. MAN AND GOD 375 " Halloa ! here's Uriah ! " cried Ross. " Talk of the devil— just thought as much. Ever read the story of David and Uriah 1 ? Should, though. Do you good, mister. David was a great man. Aw " (with a mock imitation of Pete's Manx), "a ter'blo, wonderful, shocking great man. Uriah was his henchman. Tcr'ble clavar, too. but that green for all, the ould cow might have ate him. And Uriah had a nice lil wife. The nice now, you wouldn't think. But when Uriah was away David took her, and then — and then" (dropping the Manx) " it doesn't just run on Bible lines neither, but David told Uriah that his wife was dead — ha ! ha ! ha ! — - — ' Who saw Iior die 1 I said the fly, I saw her ' Stop that — let go — help You'll choke me — help ! help !" At two strides Pete had come face to face with Ross, put one of his hands at the man's throat and his leg hehind him, doubled him back on his knee, and was holding him there in a grip like that of a vice, " Help ! — help ! — 00 — ugh ! " The fellow gasped, and his face grew dark. " You're not worth it." said Pete. " I meant to choke the life out of your dirty body for lying about the living and blackening the dead, but you're not worth hanging for. You've got the same blood in you, too, and I'm ashamed for you. There ! get up." With a gesture of indescribable loathing, Pete flung the man to the ground, and he fell over his cue and broke, it. The people of the house came thronging into the room, and -met Pete going out of it. His face was hard and ugly. At first sight they mistook him for Ross, so disfigured was he by bad passions. Coesar was tramping the pavement outside. " Will you let me do it now?" he said in a hot whisper. " Do as you like," said Pete savagely. " The wicked is snared in the work of his own hand. Higgaion. Selah," said Caesar, and they parted by the entrance to the Court- house. Pete went home, muttering to himself, " The man was lying — she's dead, she's dead ! " At the gate of Elm Cottage the dog came up to him, barking with glep. Then it darted back to the house door, which stood open. "Some one has come," thought Pete. "She's dead. The man lied. She's dead," he muttered, and he stumbled down the path. 576 THE MANXMAN VII While the Deemster was stepping up to the dais, and the people in the court were rising to receive him, a poor bedraggled wayfarer w as toiling through the country towards the town. It was a woman. She must have walked far, her step was so slow and so heavy. From time to time she rested, not sitting, but standing by the gates of the fields as she came to them, and holding by the topmost bar. When she emerged from the dark lanes into the lamplit streets her pace quickened for a moment ; then it slackened, and then it quickened again. She walked close to the houses, as if trying to escape observation. Where there was a short cut through an ill - lighted thoroughfare, she took it. Any one following her would have seen that she was familiar with every corner of the town. It would be hard to imagine a woman of more miserable appear- ance. Not that her clothes were so mean, though they were poor and worn, but that an air of humiliation sat upon her, such as a dog has when it is lost and the children are chasing it. Her dress was that of an old woman — the long Manx cloak of blue homespun, fastened by a great hook close under the chin, and having a hood which is drawn over the head. But in spite of this old-fashioned garment, and the uncertainty of her step, she gave the impression of a young woman. Where the white frill of the old countrywoman's cap should have shown itself under the flange of the hood, there was a veil, which seemed to be suspended from a hat. The oddity and incongruity of her attire attracted attention. Women came out of their houses and crossed to the doors of neigh- boui-s to look after her. Even the boys playing at the corners looked up as she went by. She was not greatly observed for all that. An unusual interest agitated the town. A wave of commotion flowed down the streets. The traffic went in one direction. That direction was the Court- house. The Court-house square was thronged on three of its sides by people who were gathered both on the pavement and on the green in.-dde the railings. Its fourth side was the dark lane at the back going by the door to the prisoners' yard and the Deemster's entrance. '\ be windows were lit up and partly open. Some of the people; had edged to the walls as if to listen, and a few had clambered to the sills as if to see. Around the wide doorway there was a close crowd that seemed to cling to it like a burr. The woman had reached the first angle of the square when the upper half of the Court-house door broke into light over the heads of the crowd. A man had come out. He surged through the MAN A.\D GOD 377 crowd and came down to the gate with a tail of people trailing after him and asking questions. " Wonderful ! " he was saying. " The Dempster's spaking. Aw, a Daniel come to judgment, sir. Pity for Tom, though — the man'll get time. I'm sorry for an ould friend — but the Lord's will be dune ! Let not the ties of affection be a snare to our feet — it'll be live years if it's a day, and (I).V.) he'll never live to see the end of it." It was ( laBsar. He crossed the street to the " Mitre." The woman trembled and turned towards the lane at the back. She walked quicker than ever now. But, stumbling over the irregular cobbles of the paved way, she stopped suddenly at the sound of a voice. By this time she was at the door to the prisoners' yard, and it was standing open. The door of the corridor leading by the Deemster's chamber to the Court-house was also ajar, as if it had been opened to relieve the heat of the crowded room within. "Be just and fear not," said the voice. "Remember, whatever unconscious misrepresentations have been made this day, whatever deliberate false-swearing (and God and the consciences of the guilty ones know well there have been both), truth is mighty, and in the end it will prevail." The poor bedraggled wayfarer stood in the darkness and trembled. Her hands clutched at the breast of the cloak, her head dropped into her breast, and a half-smothered moan escaped from her. She knew the voice ; it had once been very sweet and dear to her ; she had heard it at her ear in tones of love. It was the voice of the Deem- ster. He was speaking from the judge's seat ; the people were hanging on his lips. And she was standing in the shadow of the dark lane under the prisoners' wall. The woman was Kate. It was true that she had been to London ; it was false that she had lived a life of shame there. In six months she had descended to the depths of poverty and privations. One day she had encountered Ross. He was fresh from the Isle of Man. and he told her of the child's illness. The same night she turned her face towards home. It was three weeks since she had returned to the island, and she was then low in health, in heart, and in pocket. The snow was falling. It was a bitter night. Growing dizzy with the drifting whiteness and numb with the piercing cold, she had crept up to a lonely house and asked shelter until the storm should cease. The house was the home of three old people, two old brothers and an old sister, who had always lived together. In this household Kate had spent three weeks of sickness, and the Mans cloak on her back was a parting gift which the old woman had hung over her thinly clad shoulders. 378 THE MANXMAN Back in the roads Kate had time to tell herself how foolish was her journey. She was like a sailor who has alarming news of home in some foreign port and hears nothing afterwards until he comes to harbour. A month had passed. So many things might have hap- pened. The child might be better; it might be dead and buried. Nevertheless she pushed on. When she left London she had been full of bitternesstowards Philip. It was his fault that she had ever been parted from her baby. She would go back. If she brought shame upon him, let him bear it. On coming near to home this feeling of vengeance died. Nothing was left but a great longing to be with her little one and a sense of her own degradation. Every face she recognised seemed to remind her of the change that had been wrought in herself since she had looked on it last. She dare not ask; she dare not speak; she dare not reveal herself. While she stood in the shadow of the prisoners' yard listening to Philip's voice, and held by it as by a spell, there was a low hiss and then a sort of white silence, as when a rocket breaks in the air. The Deemster had finished ; the people in the court were breathing audibly and moving in their seats. A minute later she was standing by her old home, hers no longer, and haunted in her mind by many bitter memories. It was dark and cheerless. A candle had been burning in the parlour, but it was now spluttering in the fat at the socket. As she looked into the room, it blinked and went out. During the last mile of her journey she had made up her mind what slir- would do. She would creep up to the house and listen for the sound of a child's voice. If she heard it, and the voice was that of a child that was well, she would be content, she would go away. And if she did not hear it, if the child was gone, if there was no longer any child there, if it was in heaven, she would go away just the same — only God knew how, God knew where. The road was quiet. With trembling fingers she raised the latch of the gate, and stepped two paces into the garden, There was no sound from within. She took two steps more and listened intently. Nothing was audible. Her heart fell 3'et lower. She told herself that when a child lived in a house the very air breathed of its presence, and its little voice was everywhere. Then she remembered that it was late, that it was night, that even if the child were well it would now be bathed and in bed. " How foolish ! " she thought, and she took a few steps more. She had meant to reach the hall window and look in, but, before she eould do so, something came scudding along the path in her direction. It was the dog, and he was barking furiously. All at once he stopped and began to caper about her. Then he broke into barking again, MAN AND GOD 379 this time with «a note of recognition .and delight, shot into the house and came back, still barking, and making a circle of joyful salutation in the darkness round her. Quaking with fear of instarft discovery, she crept under the old tree and waited. Nobody came from the house. "There's no one at home," she told herself, and at that thought the certainty that the child was gone fell on her as an oppression of distress. Nevertheless she stepped up to the porch and listened again. There was no sound within except the ticking of the clock. Making a call on her courage, she pushed the door open with the tips of her fingers. It made a rustle as the bottom brushed over the rushes. At that she uttered a faint cry and crept back trembling. But all was silence again in an instant. The fire gave out a strong red glow which spread over the walls and the ceiling. Her mind took in the impression that the place was almost empty, but she had no time for such observations. With slow and stiff motions she slid into the house. Then she heard a sleepy whimper and it thrilled her. In an instant she had seen the thing she looked for — the cradle, with its hood towards the door and its foot to the fire. At the next moment she was on her knees beside it, doubled over it and crying softly to the baby, looking so different, smelling of milk and of sleep, " My darling! my darling!" That was the moment when Pete was coming up the path. The dog was frisking and barking about him. "She's dead," he was saying. "The man lied. She's dead." With that word on his lips he heaved heavily into the house. As he did so he became aware that some one was there already. Before his eye had carried the news to his brain, his ear had told him. He heard a voice which ho knew well, though it seemed to be a memory of no waking moment, but to come out of the darkness and the hours of sleep. It wa soft and mellow voice, saying, " My beautiful darling ! My beauti- ful, rosy darling ! My darling ! My darling ! " He saw a woman kneeling by the cradle, with both arms buried in it as though they encircled the sleeping fluid. Her hood was thrown back, and her head was bare. The firelight fell on her face, and he knew it. He passed his hand across his eyes as if trying to wipe out the apparition, but it remained, lie tried to speak, but his tongue was stilT. He stood motionless and stared. Ho could not remove his eyes. Kate heard the door thrown open, and she lifted her head in terror. Pete was before her. with a violent expre.-sion on his face. The expression changed, and ho looked at her as if she had been a spirit. Then, in a voice of awe, he said, " Who art thou ? " 3 So THE MANXMAN " Don't you know me ? " she answered timidly. It seemed as if he did not hear. "Then it's true," he muttered to himself; "the man did not lie." She felt her knees trembling under her. " I haven't come to stay," she faltered. " They told me the child was ill, and I couldn't help roming." Still he did not speak to her. As he looked, his face grew awful. The dew of fear broke out on her forehead. " Don't you know me, Pete 1 " she said in a helpless Avay. Still he stood looking down at her, fixedly, almost threateningly. "I am Katherine," she said, with a downcast look. " Katherine is dead," he answered vacantly. "Oh! oh!" " She is in her grave," he said again. "Oh, that she were in her grave indeed!" said Kate, and she covered her face Avith her hands. " She is dead and buried, and gone from this house for ever," said Pete. He did not intend to cast her off ; he Avas only muttering vague Avords in the first spasm of his pain ; but she mistook them for commands to her to go. There Avas a moment's silence, and then she uncovered her face and said, "I understand — yes, I Avill go away. I oughtn't to have come back at all — I know that. But I will go uoav. I Avon't trouble you any more. I will never come again." She kissed the child passionately. It rubbed its little face Avith the back of its hand, but it did not awake. She pulled the hood on to her head, and drew the veil over her face. Then she lifted her- self feebly to her feet, stood a moment looking about her, made a faint pathetic cry and slid out at the door. When she was gone, Pete, without uttering a Avord or a sound, stumbled into a chair before the fire, put one hand on the cradle, and fell to rocking it. After some time he looked over his shoulder, like a man who Avas coming out of unconsciousness, and said, "Eh?" The soul has room for only one great emotion at once, and he had lii'»uii to say to himself, " She's alive ! She's here ! " The air of (he house seemed to be soft with her presence. Hush ! ile got on to his feet. "Kate !" he called softly, very softly, as if she were near and had only just ci'ossed the threshold. •• Kate ! " he called again more loudly. Then he went out at the porch and floundered along the path, crying again and again, in a voice of boundless emotion, " Kate ! ■■! Kate!" But Kate did not hear him. He was tugging at the gate to open MAN AND GOD 381 it, when something seemed to give way inside his head, :m