Jill the Reckless

h a gleamingeye-glass he inspected the revolting object whi

is voice had

d egg, sir."Freddie averted h

ireplace. From this position he surveyedthe room, his shoulders against the mantelpiece, his calves pressingthe club-fender. It was a cheerful oasis in a chill a

after, you can tackle a poached egg, you are allright. If not, not. And don't let anybody

ttle blotto. Notwhiffled, perhaps, but indisputably blotto. Did I make much noisecoming in?""No, sir. You

o your right, sir," s

itcan jolly well stick!" Freddie retired to the fireplace and si

Martyn's birthday, and Ronny and I were theguests. It all comes back to me. I wanted De

fParliament and all that. Besides," said Freddie earnestly, drivingh

me and. . . No, I don't, by Jove! It would give me the utter pip! Is SirDerek up yet, Parker?""Getting up, sir.""See that everything is all right, will you? I mean as regards thefoodstuf

in that light, careles

ill be meeting Miss Mariner for the first time, sir?""You've put your finger on it! Absolutely the first time on this orany stage! We must all rally round and make the thing a success.""I am sure Mrs Parker will strain every nerve, sir." Parker moved tothe door, carrying the rejected egg, and stepped aside to allow atall, well-built

little forbidding. Women, however, had neverbeen repelled by it. He was very popular with

ogether, though Freddie was

, Freddie?"

The spirit waswilling, but the jolly old flesh would have none of it. To bep

s put athreshing-machine inside the old bean and substituted a piece ofbrown paper for our tongue. Things look dark

I'd hush it up!"He helped himself to a plentiful portion of kedgeree, Freddiewatching him with repulsion mingled

ual severity. Early in the morning a bank of foghad rolled up off the river, and was deepening from pearly

l!" sai

olerably ratty,if she has one of those slow journeys." He pottered back to thefireplace, and rubbed his shoulders reflectively against themantelpiece. "I take it that you wrote to her about Jill?""Of course. That's why she's coming over, I suppose. By the way, yougot those seats f

the world, and this view he stillretained. Indeed, subsequent events had strengthened it. Derek haddone the most amazing things since leaving school. He had had abrilliant career at Oxford, and now, in the House of Commons, wasalready looked upon by the leaders of his party as one to be watchedand encouraged. He played polo superlatively well, and was a fineshot. But of a

g,if I were in your place and had to meet your mater after telling h

ounded tiger!""Idiot!

ime I went to stay at your place when I was a kid. I canstill remember catching her eye the morning I happened by pure chanceto bung an apple through her bedroom window, meaning to let a cat onthe sill below have

st," he murmured. "Moretoast, Parker," he adde

I call it. Gallant!"Dere

o like Jill when sh

Jill is one of the best and brightest. As far aswe are concerned, everything in the good old garden is lovely. Why,dash it, Jill and I were children together. Sported side by side onthe green, and what not. I remember Jil

. Even now I'm not so dashed sure I shouldcare to play cards with him. Young Threepwood was telling me only theother day that the old boy took thirty quid off him at picquet asclean as a whistle. And Jimmy Monroe, who's on the Stock Exchange,says he's frightfully busy these times buying margins or whatever itis chappies do down in the City. Margins. That's the word. Jimmy mademe buy some myself on a thing called Amalgamated Dyes. I don'tunderstand the procedure exactly,

it awkward," he said, "

went on with a rush. "I say, listen. Shall Icome along, too?""Come along?""To the station. With you.""What on earth for?""To see you through the opening stages. Break the ice and all thatsort of thing. Nothing like collecting a gang, you know. Moments whena feller needs a friend and so forth. Say the word, and I'll buzzalong and len

ind of you," h

e was acutely consc

elves, I don't mind admitting that this _is_ the bravest deed ofthe year, and I'm dashed if I would do it for anyone else.""It's very

Charing Cross.""Oh, I would just hang around in the offing, shoving in an occasionaltactful word.""Nonsense!""The w

like a gang, old man,

rtunate, crept reluctantly out through the blacknessand disappeared into an inferno of detonating fog-signals. Foroutside the fog still held. The air was cold and raw and tastedcoppery. In the street traffic moved at a funeral pace, to theaccompaniment of hoarse cries

oment made it imperative that he remain where he was instead ofsitting, as he would much have preferred to sit, in one of thewaiting-rooms. It would be a disaster if his mother should get out ofthe train

in therecesses of his heart, was afraid of his mother. There are men--andDerek Underhill was one of them--who never wholly emerge from thenursery. They may put away childish things and rise in the world toaffluence and success, but the hand that rocked their cradle stillrules their lives. As a boy, Derek had always been firmly c

at improbable. Whena man writes to inform his mother, who is wintering on the Riviera,that he has become engaged to be married, the natural course for herto pursue, if she approves of the

d been said, nothing had even beenhinted, but he was perfectly aware that his marriage was a matterregarding which Lady Underhill had always assumed that she was to becon

is mother knew nothing of her. A month ago he hadknown nothing of her himself. It would, he perceived, as far as thebenevolent approval of Lady Underhill

erage; he could haveintroduced without embarrassment one of these in the role ofbride-elect. But Jill . .

like resisting

,Freddie Rooke was advancing towards him, the friend that stickethcloser than a brother. Like some loving dog, who, ordered home,sneaks softly on through alleys and by-ways, peeping round cornersand crouc

ou don't mind Ronnyand Algy breezing along, too. The fact is, I was in the deuce of afunk--your jolly old mater always rather paralyzes my nerve-centers,you know--so I roped them in. Met 'em in Piccadilly, groping aboutfor the club, and conscripted 'em both, they very decentlyconsenting. We all toddled off and ha

ly nothing!

die, "andthen leg it. We'll keep the conversation general, y

golly! There'sthe train coming in now!" His voice quavered, for not even thecomforting presence of his tw

is the time for allgood men to come to the aid

pot!" said

ed over the platform. Thetrain began to give up its contents, now in ones and twos, now in asteady stream. Most

of the platform and was haranguing a subdued littlemaid in a voice that cut the gloomy air like a steel knife. Like theother travellers, she was pale,

h! Have you gotall the bags? My jewel-case? The suit-c

e jewel-case and give the rest of the things tothe porter, and take him to look after the

them that I engaged the rooms yesterday by telegraphfrom Mentone. Do you understand?""Yes, m'lady.""Then go along. Oh, and give the porter sixpence. Sixpence is ample.""Yes, m'lady."The little maid, grasping the jewel

ith growing apprehension to the catalogue ofhis mother's possessions. Plainly this was no flying visit. You donot pop over to London for a day or two with a stea

e, Ronny, and Algy shuffled closer,like leopards. Freddie, with the expression of one wh

and without pleasure. She was not fondof the Last of the Rookes. She supposed the Almight

eet my friends. Lady Underhill. MrDe

hted," said Algy wit

arded this mob-scene

ateur. He wished that hehad defied the dictates of his better nature and remained in his snugrooms at the Albany, allowing Derek to go through this business byhimself. "I

g this nice old lady. "Don't mind if Ismoke, do you? Air's a bit raw today. Gets into the lungs."Derek chafed impotently. These unsought allies were making adifficult situation a thousand times worse. A more acute observe

aler. Freddie, observing this, felt quite sorryfor the poor old thing. She was a pest and a pot of poison, ofcourse, but all the same, he reflected charitably, it was a shamethat she should look so gr

e. "Iwas afraid you were going to have a pretty rough time of it when Iread the forecast in the paper. The good old boat wobbled a

solutelyyield up their immortal soul! Don't know why. Rummy, but there itis!""I'm like that myself," assented Ronny Devereux. "That dashed tripfrom Calais gets me every time. Bowls me right over. I go aboard,stoked to the eyebrows with seasick remedies, swearing that this timeI'll fool 'em, but down I go ten minut

can't be. I rather li

t the engines. It's theway the boat heaves up and down and up and down and up and down . . ."He shifted his cigar to his left hand in order to give with his righta spirited illustration

iet!" sh

ill-power and accustomed to triumph over the weaknesses of theflesh. After awhile her eyes opened. She had forced

temporarily out of action, andhis frien

train_-sickness," said Algy, coming to the surface again, "isa thing lots of people suffer fr

orthe ear of your medical adviser.""Freddie," intervened Derek hastily, "my mother's rather tired. Doyou think you could be going ahead and getting a taxi?""My dear old chap, of course! Get you one in a second. Come along,Algy. Pick up the old waukeesis, Ronny

In their other featuresthe two were obviously mother and son. Each had the same long upperlip, the same thin, f

world looking as though theymeant to dr

with my umbrella. One of the things I havenever been able to understand, Derek, is why y

any while our house was let. By the way, he has some seatsfor the first night of a new piece this evening. He suggested that wemight all dine at the Albany and go on to the theatre." He hesitateda moment. "Jill will be there," he said, and felt easier n

s we do by being rash andimpulsive and acting as the spirit moves us. If Jill had beenpermitted by her wary fia

s; or, rather, the vague suspicion which she had beenfeeling would not have solidified, as, it did now, into definitecertainty of the worst. All th

pped and

emanded. "Who is this

made nothing clear at all.""By your leave!" chanted a

Where does she come from? Who are her people? I don'tknow any Mariners.""I haven't cross-examined her," said Derek stiffly. "But I do knowthat her parents are dead. Her fa

ior toordinary weaknesses. "Jill and I are engaged, and there is an end ofit.""Don't be a fool," said Lady Underhill, and was driven away byanother baggage-truck. "You know perfectly well," she resumed,returning to the attack, "that your marriage is a matter of thegreatest concern to me and to the whole of the family.""

like. Her sweetness, her loveableness,all the subtle things about her which go to make her what she is, youwill have to judge for yourself.""I intend to!""Well, that's all, then. She lives with her uncle, a Major Selby . . .""Major S

en father was at Simla.""Selby? Selby? Not Christopher Selby?""Oh, you remember him?""I certainly remember him! Not that he and I ever met, but yourfather often spoke of him."Derek was relieved. It was abominable

it with a checkwhich was returned by the bank!""What!""Didn't you hear what I said? I will repeat it, if you wish.""There must have been some mistake.""Only the one your father made w

l?""I should he glad if you would not refer to her as 'this girl.' Thename, if you have forgotten it, is Mariner.""Well, where did you meet Miss Mariner?""At Prince's.""Restaurant?""Skating-rink," said Derek impatiently. "Just after you left forMentone. Freddie Rooke introduced me.""Oh, your intellectual friend Mr Rooke knows her?""They were children together. Her peopl

that Iwant to marry Jill, not engage her as an under-housemaid. I

this futilediscussion.""As you seem quite unable to talk on the subject of this girl withoutbecoming rude," said Lady Underhill, "I agree with you. Let us hopethat my first impression wi

the dinner-tableto which he had been putting the finis

t!" said Park

nto the evening, had vanished now, and the clear night was brightwith

be deduced frombell-ringing, as nowadays it apparently can be from every other formof human activity, one migh

yet to be brushed intothe smooth sleekness that made it

it is Miss Mariner, sir. I think I recognise her touch."He made his way down the passage to the front-door, and opened it. Agirl was standing

!""Good evening, miss.""Am I the last or the first

fur coat, and Parker cast a swiftglance of approval at her. He had the valet's unerring eye for athoroughbred, and Jill Mariner was manifestly that. It showed in herwalk, in every move of her small, active body, i

ked very

ad been commanded to pick it upagain, had endeavored subsequently to explain her attraction (to abosom friend over a mournful bottle of the best in the clubsmoking-room) in these words: "I don't know what it is about her, oldman, but she somehow makes a feller feel she's so damned _interested_in a chap, if you know what I mean." And, though not generallycredited in his circle

ially of the Lady Underhill type,

" said Jill, alluding

rning nicely in the sitting-room, miss."Jill hurried into the sitting-room, and increased her hold onParker's estee

the grate, flickering cosily on thesmall piano by the couch, on the deep leather arm-chairs whichFreddie had brought with him from Oxford, that home of comfortablechair

ciate it, miss. I did my best to makeit comfortable for you. I fancy I hear Mr Rooke coming now.""I hope the others won't be long. I'm starving. Has Mrs Parker gotsomething very good for dinner?""She has strained every nerve, miss.""Then I'm sure it's worth waiting for. Hullo, Freddie

g effect on myemotional nature. I'm not at all sure I shall be able to resist itright through the evening. It isn't fai

I've bought a special new dress just tofascinate you. A creation I mean. When they cost as much as this onedid, you have to call them names. What do you think of it?"Freddie seated himself

s it! You look like a thingummy.""How splendid! All my life I've wanted to look like a thingummy, butsome

what I mean!" He looked at her with honestadmiration.

u look as if you weighed about an ounce and a half! You look likea bit of thistledown! You're a little fairy princess, dash it!""Freddie! This is eloquence!" Jill raised her left hand, and twiddleda ringed finger ost

ike a cloud. He looked at Jill

l, she is, you know," said Freddie earnestly. "She's a bird! Itwould be idle to deny it. She always puts the fear of God into me. Inever know what to say to her.""Why don't you try asking her riddles?""It's no joking matter," persisted Freddie, his amiab

titude. Freddie's devotion to Derek was a thingthat always touched her. She looked thoughtfully into the fire, andher eyes seemed to glow in sympathy with the glowing coals

le. She tried to tell herself thatFreddie was just an amiable blunderer who spoke without sense orreason, but it was no use. She could not rid herself of a feeling offoreboding and discomfort. It had been the one jarring note in thesweet melody of her love-story, this apprehension of Derek'sregarding his mother. The Derek she loved was a strong man, with astrong man's contempt for ot

, if you go on talking nonsense aboutDerek and his mother and me, I shall ask Parker to bring me a jug ofwater, and I shall empty it over you! Set him against me! You talk asif love were a thing any third party could come along and turn offwith a tap! Do you suppose that, when two people love each other asDerek and I do, that it can possibly matter in the least what anybodyelse thinks or says, even if it is his mother? I haven't got amother, but suppose Uncle Chris came and warned me against Derek .

earth could Lady Underhill find toobject to in me? I've plenty of money, and I'm one of the mostcharming and attractive of Society belles. You needn't take my wordfor that, and I don't suppose you've noticed it, but that's what MrGossip in the _Morning Mirror_ called me when he was writing about mygetting engaged to Derek. My maid showed me the clipping. There wasquite a long p

or mymanners, or my figure? There was a young bride of Antigua, who saidto her mate, 'What a pig you are!' Said he, 'Oh, my queen, is itmanners you mean, or do you allude to my fig-u-ar?' Isn't

stly, not to be divertedfrom his theme. "You say rummy things and you do rummy things. What Imean to say is, you're impulsive.""What have I ever done that the sternest critic could call rummy?""Well, I've seen you with my own eyes stop in the middle of BondStreet and help a lot of fellows shove along a cart that had gotstuck. Mind you, I'm not blaming you for it . . .""I should hope not. The poor old horse was trying all he knew to getgoing, and he couldn't quite make it. Naturally, I helped.""Oh, I know. Very decent and all that, but I doubt if Lady Underhillwould have thought a lot of it. And you're so dashed chummy with thelower orders.""Don't be a snob, Freddie.""I'm not a snob," protested Freddie, wounded. "When I'm alone withParker--for

ch over a fire put it clean out of my head. He must be thinkingme a perfect

good deal better, miss, thank you.""Did you try the stuff I recommended?""Yes, m

"They're better."She wandered restlessly

oved and lost?" She sat down at the piano and touchedthe keys. The clock on the

ingall the way from Mentone to Paris and from Paris to Calais and fromCalais to Dover and from Dover to L

ervous?" he as

poor, innocent head off just now? I'm terrifiedinside, terrified!""You don't look it, by Jove!""No, I'm trying to be a little warrior. That's what Uncle Chrisalways used to call

w you've scared me.""I didn't say she wouldn't. I only said you'd got to watch out abit.""Something tells me she won't. My nerve is oozing out o

that song somebody use

I don't know how the

to see his mother,h

us to each other,She sized

through a cro

boiled with

her head,Looked

John! Po

rselves up! We need it!"'John took

s at village entertainments downin Worcestershire, and he rather flattered himself that he could getabout as much out of it as the next man. He proceeded to abet Jillhearti

tion . . ."Jill had thrown her head back, and was singing jubilantly at the topof her voice. The appositeness of the song had cheered her up. Itseemed some

k her head,Looke

r. "I want you to meet my mother!""Poo-oo-oor John!"

the door and breaking asilence that seemed to fi