The Hero

imple; and the blanc-mange prepared for the morrow's festivities stood, uncompromising and stiff as a dissenting minister, in the middle of the table. I wish s

, the great English middle classes complained that tarts and plum-puddings were too substantial, more suited to the robust digestions of a past generation. In the blanc-mange, on

to make a jelly for dinner t

on't you think we ought to let Mary know that Jam

nt over

to a public school and to Sandhurst-holding the approved opinion that ignorance is synonymous with virtue; and they could imagine no better safeguard for his innocence in the multi-coloured life of India than betrothal with a pure, sweet English girl. They looked upo

r, always reading to one another his letters. They laughed together over his jokes, mildly, as befitted persons for whom a sense of humour might conceivably be a Satanic snare, and trembled together at his dangers. Mary's affection was fre

the gate, and the good people,

am

m down; they knew no words to express their deligh

re surprised to get your t

spoken to a casual friend who had come from London for the day. They were so used to contro

o go upstairs and

h accomp

hought you'd like your old room. If yo

ag suite; and Colonel Parsons sat in the "gentleman's chair," which had arms, while Mrs. Parsons sat in the "lady's chai

is!" said M

him up," answe

ang the bell for the chops as soon as he appeared, and they sat down; but

s. Parsons, "but you can have

led Jamie's memory of his fathe

," said his mother, and she poured it out for him

s had been done, in the kindest manner possible

er," he said, as she di

h her good-humoured, indulgent smile. "Sugar'

fter Mary," said

said James.

a little sh

Parsons

she's been so good and kind to us, and such a comfor

cest girl I'v

he lived with us for six months while Colonel and Mrs. Clibborn went abroad. She was never

delighting their son by these eu

ou like her

out of the room for a moment. James took ou

, Jamie," repl

he withdrew his chair a little and tried to look unconcerned. When Mrs.

one of reproach. "Your fa

this once," said the C

s cigar into the f

orgot; I'm

rs. Parsons, almost with disapprobation, "Would you l

the door, and Mary

in Parsons

said the Colonel, "Ru

his feet; he turned quite pale, and a sin

ent

s I got your note," sh

heeks. Her eyes glistened with happiness, and for a moment

Jamie?" said the father. "You

d taking her hands, kiss

lar and energetic. She was in no way striking; a typical, country-bred girl, with a fine digestion and an excellent conscience; if not very pretty, obviously good. Her face showed a happy mingling of strength and cheerfulness; her blue eyes were guileless and frank; her hair e

he said; "but the Polsons asked me to go and play golf a

dear? That'

e looked at her with af

to take o

hat and her rough tweed cloak. She wore a b

o see us, Jamie!"

variety of inflection. She sat by Jamie's side, and broke int

are, Jamie!" s

ance to get a word in yet,

d at the smallest joke, and banter w

ked Mary, her cheer

lit

night; but to-morrow you mus

, laughing gently. "We all have to do as she te

the solid boots, which the short bicycle

't be able to come to-morrow morning; I've got my district-visiting to do, and I don't

use my arm much, though.

, referring to the deed which had won him the decoration. "Yo

I? I'm

nything when you dro

was quit

and there was going to be a great celebration. Al

t," said James, laughing.

at you have missed i

ry rose

we're all coming to di

der couple smiled again with pleasure when James

and filled it; but then, remembering where he was, put it down. He knew his father's sensitiveness of smell. If he began to smoke there would quic

. The sky was dark with unmoving clouds, but the fresh air blew gratefully against his face, laden with the scent of the vernal country; a

us to make them happy, and yet-and yet! If he loved one better than the other it was perhaps his father, because of the pitiful weakness, because of the fragility which seemed to call for a protective gentleness. The old man had altered little in the five years. James could not remember him other than thin and bent and frail, with long wisps of silvery hair brushed over the crown to conceal his baldness, with the cheeks hollow and wrinkled, and a white moustache ineffectually concealing

fered by a friend, the occasion on which the old soldier had told him the cause of his disgrace, a sweat of agony standing on his brow. The scene had eaten into Jam

ve. He knew that he was all in the world to both of them, that in his hands lay their happiness and their misery. Their love made them feel every act of his with a force out of reason to the circumstance. He had seen in their letters, piercing through the assumed cheerfulness, a mortal anxiety when he was in danger, an anguish of min

and put his head between hi

," he groane