Bars of Iron

7/27/2019 Bars of Iron

1/494

TheBarsofIron

EthelM.Dell


2/494


3/494

IDEDICATE

THIS

BOOK

TOMYBROTHERREGINALDWITHMYLOVE

Hehathbrokenthegatesofbrass:Andsmittenthebarsofironinsunder.Psalmcvii.,16.

Isawheavenopened.Revelationxix.,II.


4/494


5/494

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

PARTI

THEGATESOFBRASS

CHAPTER

I.AJUGOFWATER

II.CONCERNING

FOOLS

III.DISCIPLINEIV.THEMOTHERSHELPV.LIFEONACHAINVI.THERACEVII.AFRIENDINNEEDVIII.ATALKBYTHEFIREIX.THETICKETOFLEAVEX.SPORT

XI.THE

STAR

OF

HOPE

XII.APAIROFGLOVESXIII.THEVISIONXIV.AMANSCONFIDENCEXV.THESCHEMEXVI.THEWARNINGXVII.THEPLACEOFTORMENTXVIII.HORNSANDHOOFSXIX.THEDAYOFTROUBLE

XX.THE

STRAIGHT

TRUTH

XXI.THEENCHANTEDLANDXXII.THECOMINGOFAFRIENDXXIII.AFRIENDSCOUNSELXXIV.THEPROMISEXXV.DROSSXXVI.SUBSTANCEXXVII.SHADOWXXVIII.THEEVESHAMDEVIL

XXIX.A

WATCH

IN

THE

NIGHT

XXX.THECONFLICTXXXI.THERETURNXXXII.THEDECISION


6/494

XXXIII.THELASTDEBTXXXIV.THEMESSAGEXXXV.THEDARKHOUR

XXXVI.THE

SUMMONS

XXXVII.LAGRANDEPASSIONXXXVIII.THESWORDOFDAMOCLES

PARTII

THEPLACEOFTORMENT

I.DEADSEAFRUIT

II.THAT

WHICH

IS

HOLY

III.THEFIRSTGUESTIV.THEPRISONERINTHEDUNGEONV.THESWORDFALLSVI.THEMASKVII.THEGATESOFHELLVIII.AFRIENDINNEEDIX.THEGREATGULFX.SANCTUARY

XI.THE

FALLING

NIGHT

XII.THEDREAMXIII.THEHANDOFTHESCULPTOR

PARTIII

THEOPENHEAVEN

I.THEVERDICT

II.THE

TIDE

COMES

BACK

III.THEGAMEIV.THEKINGDOMOFHEAVENV.THEDESERTROADVI.THEENCOUNTERVII.THEPLACEOFREPENTANCEVIII.THERELEASEOPTHEPRISONERIX.HOLYGROUND

EPILOGUE


7/494

TheBarsofIron

1

PROLOGUE

Fight?Illfightyouwithpleasure,butIshallprobablykillyouifI

do.Do

you

want

to

be

killed?

Brief

and

contemptuous

the

question

fell.Thespeakerwasamerelad.Hecouldnothavebeenmorethannineteen.ButheheldhimselfwiththesuperbBritishassurancethathas itsroot in theBritishpublicschoolandwhich,onceplanted, incertainsoilsiswhollyineradicable.

Themanhefacedwasconsiderablyhissuperiorinheightandbuild.HealsowasBritish,buthehadnoneof theotherscarelesseaseofbearing.Hestoodlikeanangrybull,withglaring,bloodshoteyes.

Hesworeaterrificoathinanswertothescornfulenquiry.Illbreakeverybone inyourbody!hevowed.You little,sneeringbantam,Illsmashyourfacein!Illthrashyoutoapulp!

The other threw up his head and laughed. He was sublimelyunafraid.Buthisdarkeyesshoneredasheflungbackthechallenge.Allright,youdrunkenbully!Try!hesaid.

Theystood

in

the

garish

light

of

aQueensland

bar,

surrounded

by

an

eager, gaping crowd of farmers, boundaryriders, sheepshearers,whohad comedown to this townshipon the coastonbusinessorpleasureattheendoftheshearingseason.

NoneofthemknewhowtheyoungEnglishmancametobeamongthem.He seemed tohaveentered thedrinkingsaloonwithoutanyverydefiniteobjectinview,unlesshehadbeenspurredthitherbyaspirit of adventure. And having entered, aboyish interest in the

motleycrowd,

which

was

evidently

new

to

him,

had

induced

him

to

remain. He had sat in a corner, keenly observant but whollyunobtrusive,forthegreaterpartofanhour,tillinfacttheattentionofthegreatbullynowconfrontinghimhadbysomeillchancebeenturnedinhisdirection.

The man was three parts drunk, and for some reason, not verycomprehensible,hehadchosen toresent thepresenceof thiscleanlimbed,cleanfeaturedEnglish lad.Possiblyherecognized inhima

typewhich

for

its

very

cleanness

he

abhorred.

Possibly

his

sodden

brainwas stirredbyanenvywhich theColonials roundhimwerepowerless toexcite.ForhealsowasBritishborn.Andhe stillbore


8/494

TheBarsofIron

2

traces, albeit theywere not very apparent at thatmoment, of thebreedfromwhichhehadsprung.

Whateverthe

cause

of

his

animosity,

he

had

given

it

full

and

ready

vent.A fewcoarseexpressionsaimed in thedirectionof theyoungstrangerhaddonetheirwork.Theboyhadrisentogo,withdisgustwritten openly upon his face, and instantly the action had beenseizeduponbytheoldermanasacauseforoffence.

Hehadnot foundhisvictimslow torespond. In facthischallengehadbeenflungbackwithanalacritythathadsomewhatastonishedthebystandersandrenderedinterferenceamatterofsomedifficulty.

Butoneofthemdidatthisjuncturemakehisvoiceheardinawordofadmonitiontothehalftipsyaggressor.

Youhadbettermindwhatyoudo,Samson.Therewillbearow ifthatyoungchapgetshurt.

Yes,hedbettergetoutofit,saidoneortwo.

Butthe

young

chap

in

question

turned

on

them

with

aflash

of

his

whiteteeth.Dontyouworryyourselves!hesaid.Ifhewantstofightlethim!

Theymuttereduneasily inanswer. Itwasplain thatSamsonsbullstrengthwasnoallegorytothem.Buttheboysconfidenceremainedquiteunimpaired.He facedhisadversarywith the lustofbattle inhiseyes.

Comeon,

you

slacker!

he

said.

I

like

agood

fight.

Dont

keep

me

waiting!

Thebystandersbegan to laugh, and theman they called Samsonturnedpurplewithrage.Heflungroundfuriously.Theresayardattheback,hecried.Wellsettleitthere.Illteachyoutouseyourspursonme,myyounggamecock!

Come on then! said the stranger. Praps I shall teach you

somethingtoo!

Youll

probably

be

killed,

as

Isaid

before;

but

if

youlltaketheriskIhavenoobjection.


9/494

TheBarsofIron

3

Again theonlookers raiseda laugh.Theypressedround to see theface of theEnglishboywhowas so supremelyunafraid. Itwas averyhandsome face,but itwasnotwhollyEnglish.Theeyeswere

toodark

and

too

passionate,

the

straight

brows

too

black,

the

featurestoofinelyregular.Themouthwasmobile,andwaywardasa womans, but the chin might have been modelled in stoneafighting chin,aggressive, indomitable.Therewas somethingof theancient Roman about thewhole cast of his facewhich, combinedwith that high Britishbearing,made him undeniably remarkable.Thosewholookedathimoncegenerallyturnedtolookagain.

Oneof thespectatorsaburlyAustralian farmerpushed forward

fromthe

throng

and

touched

his

arm.

Look

here,

my

son!

he

said

in an undertone. Youve no business here, and no call to fightwhatever.Clearoutofitquick!Savvy?Illcoveryourtracks.

Theboydrewhimselfupwithahaughtymovement.Plainlyforthemoment he resented the advice. But the next very suddenly hesmiled.

Thanks!Donttrouble!Icanholdmyownandabitover.Theresno

greatdifficulty

in

downing

adrunken

brute

like

that.

Dontyoubetoococksure!thefarmerwarnedhim.Hesaheavyweight,andheslickedbiggermenthanyouwhenhesbeeninjustthestatehesinnow.

But the English boy only laughed, and turned to follow hisadversary.

Everyman

present

pressed

after

him.

A

well

sustained

fight,

though

aneventofnouncommonoccurrence,wasaformofentertainmentthatneverfailedtoattract.Theycrowdedouttothebackpremisesinabody,unhinderedbyanyinauthority.

Adingybackyardbehind thehouse furnishedground for the fray.Herethespectatorsgatheredinaringaroundanarcoflightthrownby a stablelamp over the door, and theman they called Samsonproceededwithsavageenergytostriptothewaist.

Theyoungstrangersfacegrewashademoredisdainfulashenotedthe action.He himself removed coat,waistcoat, and collar, all of


10/494

TheBarsofIron

4

which he handed to the farmerwho had offered to assist him inmakinggoodhisescape.

Justlook

after

these

for

aminute!

he

said.

Youreacoolhand, said theothermanadmiringly.Ill seeyoudontgetbulliedanyhow.

Theyoungmannoddedhis thanks.He lookeddownathishandsandslowlyclenchedandopenedthemagain.

Oh,Ishantbebullied,hesaid,inatoneofgrimconviction.

Andthenthefightbegan.

Itwasobviousfromtheoutsetthatitcouldnotbeaveryprolongedone. Samson attackedwith furious zest.He evidently expected tofind his opponent very speedily at his mercy, and he made noattempt to husband his strength. But his blows went wide. TheEnglish ladavoided themwithanagility thatkepthimpracticallyunscathed.Hadhebeenahardhitter,hemighthavegot inseveral

blowshimself,

but

he

only

landed

one

or

two.

His

face

was

set

and

white as amarblemask inwhich only the eyes livedeyes thatwatchedwithdarting intensity for the chance to close.Andwhenthat chance camehe took it so suddenlyand sounexpectedly thatnotoneofthehardbreathing,silentcrowdaroundhimsawexactlyhowhegainedhishold.Onemomenthewasavoidingasmashing,righthandedblow;thenexthehadhisadversarylockedinagripofiron,thewhilehebentandstrainedforthemastery.

Fromthen

onwards

an

element

that

was

terrible

became

apparent

in

the conflict. From a simple fisticuff it developed into a deadlystruggle between skilled strength and strength that was merelybrutal. Silently, with heaving, convulsive movements, the twostruggling figures swayed to and fro.One of Samsons armswasimprisoned in thatunyieldingclutch.Theotherrainedblowsuponhisadversarysheadandshoulders thatproducedno furthereffectthaniftheyhadbeenbestoweduponcastiron.

Thegrip

of

the

boys

arms

only

grew

tighter

and

tighter

with

snake

like force, while a dreadful smile came into the young face andbecame stamped there, engraved in rigid lines.His lower lipwascaughtbetweenhisteeth,andathinstreamofbloodranfromitover


11/494

TheBarsofIron

5

thesmooth,cleancutchin.Itwastheonlysignhegavethathewasputtingforththewholeofhisstrength.

Amurmur

of

surprise

that

had

in

it

anote

of

uneasiness

began

to

run through the ring of onlookers. They had seenmany a fightbefore,butneverafightlikethis.Samsonsfacehadgonefromredto purple.His eyes hadbegun to start.Quite plainly he alsowastaken by surprise. Desperately, with a streaming forehead, hechanged his tactics.He had no skill.Until that day he had relieduponsuperiorstrengthandweighttobringhimvictoriousthroughevery casual fray; and it had never before failed him. But thatmerciless, suffocating hold compelled him to abandon offensive

measuresto

effect

his

escape.

He

stopped

his

wild

and

futile

hammeringandwithhisone freehandhegrasped thebackofhisopponentsneck.

Themovewaspractically inevitable,but itseffectwassuchasonlyoneanticipated.Thatonewashisadversary,whoslowlybentunderhisweightasthoughovercomethereby,shiftinghisgriplowerandlowertillitalmostlookedasifhewereabouttocollapsealtogether.Butjust as thebreakingpoint seemed tobe reached there came a

change.He

gathered

himself

together

and

with

gigantic

exertion

began to straighten his bent muscles. Slowly but irresistibly heheaved his enemy upwards. There came amoment of desperate,confused struggle;and then,as theman losthisbalanceat last,herelaxed his grip quite suddenly, flinging him headlong over hisshoulder.

Itwasacleanthrow,contrivedwithmasterlyassurance,theresultofdeliberateand trainedcalculation.Thebullypitcheduponhishead

onthe

rough

stones

of

the

yard,

and

turned

acomplete

somersault

withtheviolenceofhisfall.

Ashoutofamazementwentupfromthespectators.Thisendofthestrugglewastotallyunexpected.

Thesuccessfulcombatantremainedstandingwiththesweatpouringfromhisfaceandthebloodstillrunningdownhischin.Hestretchedout his armswith a slow,mechanicalmovement as if to test the

conditionof

his

muscles

after

the

tremendous

strain

he

had

put

upon

them.Then,stillasitweremechanically,hefeltthetorncollarbandofhis shirt,with speculative fingers.Finallyhewhizzed roundontheheelsandstaredatthehuddledformofhisfallenfoe.


12/494

TheBarsofIron

6

A shabby littlemanwith thick, sandy eyebrows had gone to hisassistance, but he lay quite motionless in a twisted, ungainlyattitude.Theflareofthelampwasreflectedinhisglassy,upturned

eyes.Dumbly

his

conqueror

stood

staring

down

at

him.

He

seemed

tostandabovethemallinthathismomentofdreadfulvictory.

Hespokeatlength,andthroughhisvoicethereranacurioustremorasofamana littlegiddy,a littledazedby immenseandappallingheight.

IthoughtIcoulddoit!hesaid.IthoughtIcould!

Itwas

his

moment

of

triumph,

of

irresistible

elation.

The

devil

in

him

hadfoughtandconquered.

It swayed himand passed. He was left white to the lips andsuddenly,terribly,afraid.

WhathaveIdonetohim?heasked,andthetremorwasgonefromhisvoice; itwas level,dead level.Ihaventkilledhimreally,haveI?

Nooneansweredhim.Theywerecrowding round the fallenman,stooping over him with awestruckwhispering, straightening thecrumpled, inert limbs, trying toplace theheavy frame inanaturalposture.

Theboypressedforwardtolook,butabruptlyhissupportercaughthimbytheshoulderandpulledhimback.

No,no!

he

said

in

asharp

undertone.

Youre

no

good

here.

Get

outofit!Putonyourclothesandgo!

Hespokeurgently.Theboystaredathim,sufferingthecompellinghand.Allthefighthadgonecompletelyoutofhim.Hewaspassivewiththeparalysisofagreathorror.

The farmer helped him into his clothes, and himself removed thebloodstain from the ladsdazed face.Dontbea fool!heurged.

Pullyourself

together

and

clear

out!

This

thing

was

an

accident.

Ill

engineerit.


13/494

TheBarsofIron

7

Accident! The boy straightened himself sharply with themovement of one brought roughly to his senses. I suppose thethrowbrokehisneck,hesaid.But itwasnoaccident. Idid iton

purpose.Itold

him

Ishould

probably

kill

him,

but

he

would

have

it.He turnedand squarely faced theother.Idontknowwhat Ioughttodo,hesaid,speakingmorecollectedly.ButImcertainlynotgoingtobolt.

The farmer noddedwithbrief comprehension.He had the steadyeyesofamanaccustomedtothewidespacesoftheearth.Thatsallright,hesaid,andtookhimfirmlybythearm.Youcomewithme.MynameisCrowther.Wellhaveatalkoutside.Theresmoreroom

there.Youve

got

to

listen

to

reason.

Come!

He almost dragged the boy away with the words. No oneintercepted or spoke aword todelay them. Together they passedback through the empty drinkingsaloonthe boy with hiscolourless face and set lips, themanwith his resolute, farseeingeyesandsointothedimroadwaybeyond.

They left the lights of the reekingbarbehind. The spacious night

closedin

upon

them.


14/494

TheBarsofIron

8

PARTI

THEGATESOFBRASS

CHAPTERI

AJUGOFWATER

Itwas certainly notCaesars fault.Caesarwas aswellmeaning aDalmatianaseverscamperedinthewakeofacanteringhorse.AndifMikeinhisheadlongIrishfashionchosetoregardthescamperasagrosspersonalinsult,thatwassurelynotamatterforwhichhecould

reasonablybe

held

responsible.

And

yet

it

was

upon

the

luckless

Caesar that thewrath of the gods descended as a consequence ofMikeswrongheadeddeductions.

Itbeganwitharushandasnarl from theVicaragegateand ithaddeveloped into a set anddeadlybattle almostbefore either of thecombatantshadfullyrealizedtheother.

The riderdrew rein,yelling furiously;but hisyellswere about as

effectualas

the

wail

of

an

infant.

Neither

animal

was

so

much

as

awareofhisexistence in thosemomentsofdeliriouswarfare.Theywerelockedalreadyinthatsilent,swayinggripwhicheveryfightingdogwith any knowledge of the great game seeks to establish, tobreakwhichmerehumansmayput forth theirutmost strength invain.

The strugglewas a desperate and abloody one, and it speedilybecameapparent to therider thathewouldhave todismount ifhe

intendedto

put

an

end

to

it.

Fiercelyheflunghimselfoffhishorseand threw thereinsover theVicarage gatepost. Then, ridingcrop in hand, he approached theswayingfightinganimals.Itwaslikeaghastlywrestlingmatch.Bothwereontheirfeet,strugglingtoandfro,eachwithjawshardgrippedupon theothersneck,each silent save forhis spasmodicefforts tobreathe.

Stopit,

damn

you!

shouted

the

rider,

slashing

at

them

with

the

zeal ofunrestrained fury. Caesar,you infernalbrute, stop it,willyou?Illkillyouifyoudont!


15/494

TheBarsofIron

9

ButCaesarwasdeaftoallthreatsandquiteunconsciousofthefactthathismasterandnothisenemywasresponsible for the flaillikestrokes of the whirling lash. They shifted from beneath it

instinctively,but

they

fought

deliriously

on.

Andat that themanwith thewhipcompletely losthisselfcontrol.Heset towork to thrashandthrash thefightinganimals tilloneorotherofthemorhimselfshouldbecomeexhausted.

Itdevelopedintoahorriblecompetitionorganizedandconductedbythemansblind fury, and inwhat fashion itwouldhave ended itwouldbehardtosay.But,luckilyforallthree,therecameatlength

aninterruption.

Someonea

womancame

swiftly

out

of

the

Vicaragegarden carrying abedroomjug. She advancedwithout apauseupontheseething,infuriatedgroup.

Its no good beating them, she said, in a voice which, thoughsomewhathurried,wasoneofclearcommand.Getoutoftheway,andbereadytocatchyourdogwhentheycomeapart!

Themanglancedroundforan instant,his facewhitewithpassion.

Illkill

the

brutes!

he

declared.

Indeedyouwont, she returnedpromptly. Stand away now oryouwillbedrenched!

As she spoke she raisedherjugabove the strugglinganimals.Herface also shonewhite in thewintrydusk,buther actionsdenotedunwaveringresolution.

Now!she

said;

and,

since

he

would

not

move,

she

flung

the

icy

waterwithoutcompunctionoverthedogsandhimalso.

Damnation!hecriedviolently.Butshebrokeinuponhim.Quick!Quick!Nowsthetime!Grabyourdog!IllcatchMike!

Theurgencyof theordercompelledcompliance.Almost inspiteofhimselfhestoopedtoobey.Andsoitcametopassthatfivesecondslater,Caesarwasbeingmercilesslythrashedbyhisenragedmaster,

whilethe

real

culprit

was

being

dragged,

cursing

breathlessly,

from

thescene.


16/494

TheBarsofIron

10

Itwasabrutalthrashingandwhollyundeserved.Caesar,awakingtothehorrorofit,howledhisanguish;butnoamountofprotestonhispartmadethesmallest impressionuponthewielderof thewhip.It

continuedto

descend

upon

his

writhing

body

with

crashing

force

till

herolleduponthegroundinagony.

Eventhenthepunishmentwouldnothaveceased,butforasecondinterruption.ItwasthewomanfromtheVicaragegardenagain;butsheburstuponthescenethistimewithsomethingoftheeffectofanavalanche.Sheliterallywhirledbetweenthemanandhisvictim.Shecaughthisupraisedarm.

Oh,you

brute!

she

cried.

You

brute!

He stiffened in her hold. They stood face to face. Caesar creptwhiningandshiveringtothesideoftheroad.

Slowly themansarm fell tohisside,stillcaught in thatquiveringgrasp. He spoke in a voice that struggled boyishly betweenresentmentandshame.Thedogsmyown.

Herhold

relaxed.

Even

adog

has

his

rights,

she

said.

Give

me

thatwhip,please!

Helookedatheroddlyinthegrowingdarkness.Shewastremblingasshestood,butsheheldherground.

Please!sherepeatedwithresolution.

Withanabruptmovementheput theweapon intoherhand.Are

yougoing

to

give

me

ataste?

he

asked.

Sheutteredaqueer littlegasping laugh.No. IImnot that sort.Butitshorribletoseeamanlosecontrolofhimself.Andtothrashadoglikethat!

She turned sharply from him and went to the Dalmatian whocrouchedquakingonthepath.Hewaggedaningratiatingtailatherapproach.Itwasevidentthatinherhandthewhiphadnoterrorsfor

him.He

crept

fawning

to

her

feet.

Shestoopedoverhim,fondlinghishead.Oh,poorboy!Poorboy!shesaid.


17/494

TheBarsofIron

11

Thedogsmastercameandstoodbesideher.Hellbeallright,hesaid,inatoneofhalfsurlyapology.

Imafraid

Mike

has

bitten

him,

she

said.

See!

displaying

along,

darkstreakonCaesarsneck.

Hellbe all right, repeatedCaesarsmaster. Ihopeyourdog isnonetheworse.

No, Idont think so,she said.Butdontyou thinkweought tobathethis?

Illtake

him

home,

he

said.

Theyll

see

to

him

at

the

stables.

Shestoodup,aslim,erectfigure,thewhipstillfirmlygraspedinherhand.Youwontthrashhimanymore,willyou?shesaid.

He gave a short laugh. No, you have cooled me down quiteeffectually.Immuchobligedtoyouforinterfering.AndImsorryIused language,but as the circumstanceswere exceptional, I hopeyouwillmakeallowances.

His tonewasboyishstill,butall theresentmenthadgoneoutof it.Therewasatouchofarroganceinhisbearingwhichwasobviouslynaturaltohim,buthisapologywasnonethelesssincere.

Theslimfigureonthepathmadeaslightmovementofdismay.Butyoumustbedrenchedtotheskin!shesaid.Iwasforgetting.Wontyoucomeinandgetdry?

Hehunched

his

shoulders

expressively.

No,

thanks.

It

was

my

own

fault,asyoukindlyomit tomention. Imustbegettingback to theAbbey.Mygrandfatherisexpectingme.HefidgetsifImlate.

Heraisedahand tohiscap,andwouldhave turnedaway,butshemadeaswiftgestureofsurprise,whicharrestedhim.Oh,youareyoungMr.Evesham!IbegyourpardonyouareMr.Evesham! IthoughtImusthaveseenyoubefore!

Hestopped

with

alaugh.

I

am

commonly

called

Master

Piers

in

this neighbourhood.Theywont letme growup.Rather a shame,what?Imnearlytwentyfive,andtheheadkeeperstillreferstomeinprivateasthatdrattedboy.


18/494


19/494

TheBarsofIron

13

Suddenlyheglanceddownathiscringingcompanionandbrokeintoa laugh. Getup,Caesar, you fool!And think yourself lucky thatyouvegotanysoundbonesleft!Youdhavebeenreducedtoajelly

bythis

time

if

Id

had

my

way.

Hebentwith carelessgoodnature, andpatted themiscreant; thenturnedtowardshishorse.

PooroldPompey!Ashame tokeepyoustanding!All thatbrutesfault.Heswunghimselfintothesaddle.ByJove,though,shesgotsomepluck!hesaid.Ilikeawomanwithpluck!

Hetouched

his

animal

with

the

spur,

and

in

amoment

they

were

speedingthroughthegatheringdarkatabriskcanter.Pompeywasasanxioustogethomeaswashismaster,andheneedednosecondurging.HescarcelywaitedtogetwithinthegatesoftheParkbeforehegatheredhimself togetherandwent like thewind.Hisrider layforwardinthesaddleandyelledencouragementlikeawildIndian.Caesarracedbehindthemlikeahare.

Themad triowent like a flash past oldMarshall the headkeeper

whostood

gun

on

shoulder

at

the

gate

of

his

lodge

and

looked

after

themwithsterndisapproval.

Drattheboy!Whatshewanttoridehellforleatherlikethatfor?he grumbled. Hell go and kill himself one of these days as hisfatherdidbeforehim.

Itwasjust twentyfive years since Piers father hadbeen carrieddeadintoMarshallscottage,andMarshallhadstumpedupthelong

avenueto

bear

the

news

to

Sir

Beverley.

Piers

was

about

the

same

agenowasthatotherPiershadbeen,andMarshallhadnomindtotakepartinasimilartragedy.Ithadbeenabittertask,thatoftellingSirBeverley thathisonly sonwasdead;but tohavebornehim illtidingsofhisgrandsonwouldhavebeen infinitelyharder.ForSirBeverley had never loved his son through thewhole of hisbrief,tempestuouslife;buthisgrandsonwastheverycoreofhisexistence,aseveryoneknew,despitehisstrenuouseffortstodisguisethefact.

No,emphatically

Marshall

had

not

the

faintest

desire

to

have

to

inform the oldman that harm hadbefallenMaster Piers, and hisfrowndeepened as he trudgedup his little garden and heard theyellingvoiceandgallopinghoofsgrowfaintinthedistance.


20/494

TheBarsofIron

14

Theboy ismaddereventhanhisfatherwas,hemuttereddarkly.Badstock!Badstock!

Heshook

his

head

over

the

words,

and

went

within.

He

was

the

only

man left on the estatewho could remember thebeautiful youngItalianbridewhom SirBeverleyhadonceupon a timebrought toreign there.Ithadbeenashort,shortreign,andnoonespokeof itnow,leastofalltheold,bentmanwhoruled likeafeudallordatRodding Abbey, and of whom even the redoubtable Marshallhimselfstoodinawe.

ButMarshall rememberedherwell,and itwasupon thatdazzling

memorythat

his

thoughts

dwelt

when

he

gave

utterance

to

his

mysteriousverdict.ForwasnotMasterPiersthelivingimageofher?Hadhenot the same imperialbearingand regal turnof thehead?Did not the Evesham blood run the hotter in his veins for thatpassionateSouthernstrainthatmingledwithit?

Marshall sometimes wondered how Sir Beverley with his harshintolerancebrooked the living likenessof theboy to thewoman inwhosebittermemoryhehatedallwomen. Itwas scarcelypossible

thathe

blinded

himself

to

it.

It

was

too

vividly

apparent

for

that.

A

perpetualeyesore,Marshalltermeditinprivate.Butthentherewasnoaccountingfor thewaysoffolk inhighplaces.Marshalldidnotpretend tounderstand them.Hewas, inhisowngrumpy fashion,sincerelyattachedtohismaster,andheneverpresumedtocriticizehisdoings.Heonlywonderedatthem.

As forMasterPiers, he hadbeen anunmitigatednuisance tohimpersonally ever since he had learned towalk alone.Marshall had

alwaysdisapproved

of

him,

and

he

hated

Victor,

the

French

valet,

whohadbroughthimupfromhiscradle.Yetdeep inhissurlyoldheart there lurked a certain grudging affection for himnotwithstanding.Theboyhadawinningwaywithhim,andbutforhis hatred ofVictor,whowas soft andwomanish,but extremelytenacious,Marshallwould have liked to have had a hand in hisupbringing.Asitwas,hecouldonlylookonfromafarandcondemnthevagariesof thatdrattedboy,prophesyingdisasterwheneverhe sawhim andhoping that SirBeverleymightnot live to see it.

Certainlyit

seemed

as

if

Piers

bore

acharmed

life,

for,

like

his

father

before him, he risked it practically every day.With sublime selfconfidence, he laughed at caution, ever choosing the shortest cut,


21/494

TheBarsofIron

15

whateveritmightentail;anditwasremarkablyseldomthathecametogrief.

Ashe

clattered

into

the

stable

yard

on

that

dark

November

evening,

his face was sparkling with excitement as though he had drunkstrongwine.Theanimalherodewascoveredwithfoam,anddanceda springywardance on the stones.Caesar trotted inbehind themwith tail erect and a large smile of satisfaction on his spotty facedespitethegorystreakuponhisneck.

Confoundit!Imlate!saidPiers,throwinghislegoverhishorsesneck.Itsall thatbrutes fault.Lookathimgrinning!Betterwash

himone

of

you!

He

cant

come

in

in

that

state.

He

slipped

to

the

ground and stamped his sodden feet. Im not much better offmyself.Whatabeastlynight,tobesure!

Yes,yourewet,sir!remarkedthegroomatPompeyshead.Hadatumble,sir?

No.Hadajugofwater thrownoverme, laughedPiers.Caesarwilltellyouallaboutit.Hesbeensniggeringallthewayhome.He

snappedhis

fingers

in

the

dogs

complacent

face.

By

Jove!

he

said

tohim,IcouldntgrinlikethatifIdhadthethrashingyouvehad.AndIcouldntkiss thehand thatdid iteither.Youreagentleman,Caesar,andIhumblyapologize.Lookafterhim,Phipps!Hesbeenabitmauled.Goodnight!Goodnight,Pompeylad!Youvecarriedmewell.Hepattedthehorsesfoamfleckedneck,andturnedaway.

As he left the stableyard, he was whistling lightheartedly, andPhippsglancedatacolleaguewithaslightflickerofoneeyelid.

Wonderwhochuckedthatjugofwater!hesaid.


22/494

TheBarsofIron

16

CHAPTERII

CONCERNINGFOOLS

In thehuge,oakpanelledhallof theAbbey,SirBeverleyEveshamsatalone.

Asplendidfireoflogsblazedbeforehimontheopenhearth,andthelight fromagreatchandelierbeatmercilesslydownuponhim.Hishairwas thick still and silverywhite.He had the shoulders of astrongman,albeittheywereslightlybowed.Hisface,cleanshaven,aristocratic,was the colour of old ivory. The thin lipswere quite

bloodless.They

had

adownward,

bitter

curve,

as

though

they

often

sneered at life. The eyeswere keen as abirds, stonegrey underoverhangingblackbrows.

Heheldanewspaper inonebonyhand,buthewasnotapparentlyreading, for his eyes were fixed. The shining suits of armourstanding like sentinelsoneach sideof the fireplacewerenotmorerigidthanhe.

Therecame

aslight

sound

from

the

other

end

of

the

hall,

and

instantlyandverysharplySirBeverleyturnedhishead.

Piers!

CheerilyPiersvoicemadeanswer.Heshutthedoorbehindhimandcame forwardashespoke.Here Iam,sir! Imsorry Im late.Youshouldnthavewaited.Youneveroughttowait.Imneverinattherighttime.

Confoundyou,whyarentyouthen?burstforthSirBeverley.Itseasytosayyouresorry,isntit?

Notalways,saidPiers.

He came to the oldman,bent down over him, slid aboyish armaroundthebentshoulders.Dontbewaxy!hecoaxed.Icouldnthelpitthistime.

Getaway,do!saidSirBeverley,jerkinghimselfirritablyfromhim.Idetestbeingpawedabout, asyouverywellknow. InHeavens


23/494

TheBarsofIron

17

name,haveyourtea,ifyouwantit!Ishanttouchany.Itspastmytime.

Oh,rot!

said

Piers.

If

you

dont,

Ishant.

Yes,youwill.SirBeverleypointedan imperioushand towardsatableontheothersideofthefire.Goandgetitanddontbeafool!

Imnotafool,saidPiers.

Yes,youareadamnfool!SirBeverleyreturnedtohisnewspaperwith thewords. And youll neverbe anything else! he growled

intothe

silence

that

succeeded

them.

Piers clattered the teathings and said nothing. There was noresentmentvisibleuponhissensitive,oliveface,however.Helookedperfectlycontented.Heturnedroundafterafewsecondswithacupofsteamingteainhishand.Hecrossedthehearthandset itonthetableatSirBeverleyselbow.

Thatsjust as you like it, sir, heurged. Have itjust toplease

me!

Takeitaway!saidSirBeverley,withoutraisinghiseyes.

Itsonlytenminuteslateafterall,saidPiers,withallmeekness.Iwish you hadnt waited, though itwasjolly decent of you. Youwerentanxiousofcourse?YouknowIalwaysturnupsometime.

Anxious!echoedSirBeverley.Aboutacub likeyou!You flatter

yourself,my

good

Piers.

Piers laugheda littleandstoopedover theblaze.SirBeverleyreadonforafewmoments,thenverysuddenlyandnotwithoutviolencecrumpledhispaperandflungitontheground.

Ofall the infernal,ridiculoustwaddle!heexclaimed.Nowwhatthedevilhaveyoudonetoyourself?Beentakingawaterjump?

Piersturned

round.

No,

sir.

Its

nothing.

Ishouldnt

have

come

in

in

thisstate,onlyitwaslate,andIthoughtIdbetterreportmyself.


24/494

TheBarsofIron

18

Nothing! repeated Sir Beverley. Why, youre drenched to theskin!Goandchange!Goandchange!Dontstop toargue!Doyouhearme,sir?Goandchange!

Heshoutedthelastwords,andPiersflungroundonhisheelwithahintofimpatience.

Andbehaveyourself!SirBeverley threwafterhim.Ifyou thinkIllstandanyimpertinencefromyou,youwerenevermoremistakeninyourlife.Beoffwithyou,youcheekyyounghound!Dontletmeseeyouagaintillyourefittobeseen!

Piersdeparted

without

abackward

look.

His

lips

were

slightly

compressedashewentupthestairs,butbeforehereachedhisownroomtheyweresoftlywhistling.

Victor,thevalet,whowasbusilyemployedinlayingouthiseveningclothes,receivedhimwithhandsupraisedinhorror.

Ah,mais,MonsieurPierre,howyouarewet!

Yes,Iwant

abath,

said

Piers.

Get

it

quick!

Imust

be

down

again

intenminutes.Soscurry,Victor,mylad!

Victorwasacheerylittlerotundityoffiveandfifty.Hehadhadthecare of Piers ever since the first fortnight of that young mansexistence, and heworshipped himwith awholehearted devotionthatwasinitswaysublime.InhiseyesPierscoulddonowrong.Hewasinfactdearertohimthanhisownfleshandblood.

Heprepared

the

bath

with

deft

celerity,

and

hastened

back

to

assist

in removing his youngmastersboots.He exclaimed dramaticallyupon their soaked condition,butPierswas in toogreatahurry togiveanydetails regarding the causeofhisplight.Hewhirled intothebathroom at express speed, andwas out again almostbeforeVictorhadhadtimetocollecthisdrenchedgarments.

Tenminutes after his departure he returned to the hall, the gaywhistlestillonhislips,andtrodacarelessmeasuretoitstuneashe

advanced.

Sir Beverley got up stiffly from his knees on the hearthrug andturnedascowlingface.Well,areyoudecentnow?


25/494

TheBarsofIron

19

Quite,saidPiers.Hesmiledashesaidit,aboyishdisarmingsmile.Haveyouhadyourtea,sir?Oh,Isaywhatabrickyouare!Ididntexpectthat.

Hiseyes, travellingdownwards,hadcaught sightofacuppushedclosetotheblaze,andaplateofcrumpetsbesideit.

Ordeserveit,saidSirBeverleygrimly.

Piers turned impulsivelyand tookhimby theshoulders.Youreadearoldchap!hesaid.Thanksawfully!

Againstits

will

the

hard

old

mouth

relaxed.

There,

boy,

there!

What

an infantyouare!Sitdownandhave it forgoodnesssake! Itllbedinnertimebeforeyouvedone.

Youvehadyours?saidPiers.

Oh,yesyes! Irritationmade itselfheardagain inSirBeverleysvoice; he freed himself from his grandsons hold, though noturgently. Imnot sokeen onyourprecious tea,he said, seating

himselfagain.

Its

only

young

milksops

like

you

that

have

made

it

fashionable.WhenIwasyoung

Hullo!broke inPiers.Hehadpickedup thecupof teaandwassniffingitsuspiciously.Youvebeendoctoringthis!hesaid.

Youdrinkit!orderedSirBeverleyperemptorily.ImnotgoingtohaveyoulaidupwithrheumaticfeverifIknowit.Drinkit,Piers!Doyouhear?

Piers looked foramomentas ifhewereon thevergeof rebellion,thenabruptlyheraised thecup tohis lipsanddrained it.Heset itdownwithashudderofdistaste.

Youmighthaveletmehaveitseparately,heremarked.Teaandbrandydontblendwell.Ishallsleeplikeahogafterthis.Besides,Ishouldnthavehad rheumatic fever. Itsnotmyway.Anything inthepapertonight?

Yes, said Sir Beverley disgustedly. Theres that prizefightbusiness.


26/494

TheBarsofIron

20

Whatsthat?Pierslookedupwithquickinterest.

Surelyyousawit!returnedSirBeverley.ThatfellowAdderley

killedhis

man

in

awrestling

match.

A

good

many

people

said

it

was

donebyafoul.

Adderley! repeatedPiers. Iknowhim.Hegaveme somequiteusefultipsonce.Whathappened?ItsthefirstIveheardofit.

Well,hesamurderer,saidSirBeverley.Andhedeserves tobehanged.Hekilledhisman,whetherbyafoulornotIcantsay;butanywayhemeanttokillhim.Itsobviousonthefaceofit.Butthey

choseto

bring

it

in

manslaughter,

and

hes

only

got

five

years;

while

somebrainlessfoolmustneedswriteanarticleacolumnandahalflong to protest against the disgraceful practice of permittingwrestlingorboxingmatches,whichareasurvivaloftheDarkAgesand a perpetual menace to our civilization! A survival of yourgrandmother!Anicesetofnincompoopstheracewilldevelopintoifsuchfoolsas thatget theirway!Weresoftenoughas it is,Heavenknows. Why couldnt they hang the scoundrel as he deserved?Thatsthesurestwayofputtinganendtosavagery.Buttostopthe

sportaltogether!

It

would

be

tomfoolery!

Pierspickedup thepaper from the floorand smoothed itout.Heproceeded to study itwithdrawnbrows,andSirBeverley satandwatchedhimwiththatinhisstonegreyeyeswhichnoonewaseverallowedtosee.

Eatyourcrumpets,boy!hesaidatlast.

What?Piers

glanced

up

momentarily.

Oh,

all

right,

sir,

in

a

minute.This isratheran interestingcase,what?Yousee,Adderleywasafriendofmine.

Whendidyoumeethim?demandedSirBeverley.

I knew him in my schooldays. He spent a whole term in theneighbourhood.ItwasjustbeforeIleftformyyearoftravel.Igottoknowhimratherwell.Hegavemeseveralhintsonwrestling.

Didhe teachyouhow tobreakyouropponentsneck?askedSirBeverleydrily.


27/494

TheBarsofIron

21

Piersmadea slight, scarcelyperceptiblemovementofonehand. Itclencheduponthepaperheheld.Theywereworthknowing,hesaid,withhis eyesupon the sheet.But I shouldhave thoughthe

wastoo

old

ahand

himself

to

get

into

trouble.

SirBeverleygrunted.Piersreadon.Attheendofalengthypausehelaid the paper aside. Im beastly rude, he remarked. Have acrumpet!

Eatemyourself!saidSirBeverley.Ihateem!

Pierspickeduptheplateandbegantoeat.Hestaredattheblazeas

hedid

so,

obviously

lost

in

thought.

Dontdream!saidSirBeverleysharply.

He turned his eyesupon his grandfathers facethose soft Italianeyesofhis so suggestiveofhidden fire. Iwasntdreaming,hesaid slowly. I wonder why you think Adderley ought to behanged.

Becausehes

amurderer,

snapped

Sir

Beverley.

Yes; but said Piers, and became silent as though he werefollowingoutsometrainofthought.

Goon,boy!Finish!commandedSirBeverley.Idetestasentenceleftinthemiddle.

Iwasonly thinking, saidPiersdeliberately,thathanging inmy

opinionis

much

the

easier

sentence

of

the

two.

Ishould

ask

to

be

hangedifIwereAdderley.

Would you indeed? Sir Beverley sounded supremelycontemptuous.

But Piers did not seem to notice. Besides, there are so manymurderersintheworld,hesaid,thoughitsonlythefewwhogetpunished.Imsorryforthefewmyself.Itsdamnedbadluck,human

naturebeing

what

it

is.

Youdontknowwhatyouretalkingabout,saidSirBeverley.


28/494

TheBarsofIron

22

Allright;letstalkaboutsomethingelse,saidPiers.Caesarhadaglorious mill with that Irish terrier brute at the Vicarage thisafternoon.Icouldntseparateem,soIjustjoinedin.Wedhavebeen

atit

now

if

we

had

been

left

to

our

own

devices.

He

broke

into

his

suddenboyish laugh. But a kind lady came out of theVicaragegardenandflungthecontentsofabedroomjugoverthethreeofus.Ratherpluckyofher,what?ImafraidIwasntovercomplimentaryat themoment,but Ive had time since to appreciate her tact andpresenceofmind.Imgoingovertothankhertomorrow.

Whowas it? growled Sir Beverley suspiciously. Not that littlewhiteowl,Mrs.Lorimer?

Mrs.Lorimer!GreatScott,no!Shedhavesquealedandrun to theReverendStephenforprotection.No,thiswasawoman,notanowl.Her name is DenysMrs. Denys she was careful to inform me.Theyve started amothers help at theVicarage.None too soon Ishouldsay.Whowouldntbeamothershelpinthatestablishment?

SirBeverleyutteredadrylaugh.Daresaysheknowshowtofeatherherownnest.Mostofemdo.

She knows how to keep her head in an emergency, anyhow,remarkedPiers.

Felineinstinct,jeeredSirBeverley.

Pierslookedacrosswithalaughinhisdarkeyes.Andfelinepluck,sir,hemaintained.

SirBeverley

scowled

at

him.

He

could

never

brook

an

argument.

Oh,getaway,Piers!hesaid.Youtalklikeafool.

Piers turnedhiswholeattention todevouring crumpets,and therefellalengthysilence.Herosefinallytosetdownhisemptyplateandhelphimselftosomemoretea.

Thatstuffispoisonousbynow,saidSirBeverley.

Itwont

poison

me,

said

Piers.

He drank it, and returned to the hearthrug. I suppose I maysmoke?hesaid,withatouchofrestraint.


29/494

TheBarsofIron

23

SirBeverleywas lyingback inhischair,gazingstraightupathim.Suddenlyhereachedoutatremblinghand.

Youreagood

boy,

Piers,

he

said.

You

may

do

any

damn

thing

youlike.

Pierseyeskindledinswiftresponse.Hegrippedtheextendedhand.Youreabrick,sir!hesaid.Lookhere!Comealongtothebilliardroomandhaveahundredup!Itllgiveyouanappetitefordinner.

He hoisted the oldman out of his chairbefore he couldbegin toprotest.They stood togetherbefore thegreat fire,andSirBeverley

straightenedhis

stiff

limbs.

He

was

half

ahead

taller

than

his

grandson.

Whatafellowitis!hesaidhalflaughing.Whycantyousitstillandbequiet?Dontyouwanttoreadthepaper?Ivedonewithit.

Sohave I,saidPiers.He swept itupwithonehandashespokeandtosseditrecklesslyontotheblaze.Comealong,sir!Wehaventmuchtime.

Nowwhatdidyoudothatfor?demandedSirBeverley,pausing.Do youwant to set the house on fire?What did you do it for,Piers?

BecauseIwasafool,saidPierswithsudden,curiousvehemence.A damn fool sir, if youwant to know. But itsdone now. Let itburn!

Thepaper

flared

fiercely

and

crumbled

to

ashes.

Sir

Beverley

sufferedhimselftobedrawnaway.

Youreaqueerfellow,Piers,hesaid.But,takingemaltogether,Ishould say there are a goodmanybigger fools in theworld thanyou.

Thankyou,sir,saidPiers.


30/494

TheBarsofIron

24

CHAPTERIII

DISCIPLINE

Mrs.Denys,may Icome in?JeanieLorimers small,delicate facepeepedroundthedoor.IvebroughtmyFrenchexercisetodo,shesaidhalfapologetically.Ithoughtperhapsyouwouldntmind.

Of course come in,dear child! I like to have you.Themothershelp paused in her rapid stitching to look upwith a smile at thepretty,brownhaired child. Come close to the light! she said. Ihopeitisntaverylongone;isit?

It israther,Jeanie sighedasharp, involuntarysigh.Iought tohave done it sooner,but I wasbusy with the little ones. Is thatGraciesfrockyouremending?Whatanawfultear!ShecameandstoodbyMrs.Denyss side, speaking ina low, rathermonotonousvoice.Aheavystrandofherhair fellover theworkasshebent tolook;shetosseditbackwithanothersigh.Gracieissuchatomboy,shesaid.Itsapity,isntit?

Mydear,

youre

tired,

said

Mrs.

Denys

gently.

She

put

amotherly

armabouttheslimbodythatleanedagainsther,lookingupintothepaleyoungfacewitheyesofkindlycriticism.

Alittletired,saidJeanie.

IshouldntdothatexercisetonightifIwereyou,saidMrs.Denys.Youwill find iteasier in themorning.Liedownon the sofahereandhavealittleresttillsuppertime!

Ohno,Imustnt,saidJeanie.Fatherwillneverletanyofusgotobedtillthedaysworkisdone.

Butsurely,whenyourereallytiredbeganMrs.Denys.

ButJeanieshookherhead.No;thankyouverymuch,Imustdoit.Olivedidherslongago.

Whereis

Olive?

asked

Mrs.

Denys.

Shesreadingastorybookdownstairs.Wemayalwaysreadwhenweve finished our lessons. Again came that short, unconscious


31/494

TheBarsofIron

25

sigh.Jeaniewenttothetableandsatdown.Motherisratherupsettonight,shesaid,assheturnedtheleavesofherbook.RonaldandJulianhavebeensmoking,andshe issoafraidthatFatherwillfind

out.Ihope

he

wontfor

her

sake.

But

if

they

dont

eat

any

supper,

he is sure tonotice.He floggedJulian twonights running the lasttimebecausehetoldalieaboutit.

A quick remark rose to her listeners lips,but itwas suppressedunuttered.Mrs.Denysbegantostitchveryrapidlywithherfacebentoverherwork. Itwas avery charming face,with levelgrey eyes,wide apart, and amouthofgreat sweetness.Therewas a fugitivedimpleononesideofitthatgaveheragirlishappearancewhenshe

smiled.But

she

was

not

agirl.

There

was

about

her

an

air

of

quiet

confidenceasofonewhoknewsomethingoftheworldanditsways.Shewasyoungstill,anditwasyetinhertobeardent;butshehadnoneofthegiddyrestlessnessofyouth.AveryDenyswasawomanwhohad lefthergirlhoodwhollybehindher.Herenthusiasmsandher impulseswere kindled at a steadier flame than the flickeringtorchofyouth.Therewasnoromanceleftinherlife,butyetwasshewithout bitterness. She had known suffering and faced itunblanching. The onlymark it had left upon herwas that air of

womanlyknowledge

that

clothed

her

like

agarment

even

in

her

lightestmoods.Ofaquickunderstandingandyetquickersympathy,shehadlearnedtoholdheremotionsincheck,andthenaturalgaietyofherhidmuchthatwastoosacredtobecarelesslydisplayed.Shehadareadysenseofhumourthathadbuoyedherupthroughmanyastorm,andthebraveheartbehind itneverflinchedfromdisaster.Asherfatherhadsaidofherinthelongagodaysofhappinessandprosperity,shetookherhedgesstraight.

Forseveral

minutes

after

Jeanies

weary

little

confidence,

she

worked

in silence; then suddenly,withneedlepoised, she lookedacrossatthechild.

Jeanies headwasbent over her exercisebook.Her hair lay in aheavymass all about her shoulders. Therewas aworried frownbetween her brows. Slowly her hand travelled across the page,paused,wroteawordortwo,pausedagain.

Suddenlyfrom

the

room

above

them

there

came

the

shrill

shriek

of

a

violin. Itwailed itself into silence,and thenbroke forthagain inaseriesoflongdrawnoutwhines.Jeaniesighed.


32/494

TheBarsofIron

26

Averylaiddownherworkwithquietdecision,andwenttoherside.What isworrying you,dear? she asked gently. Imnot a greatFrenchscholar,butIthinkImaybeabletohelp.

Thank you, said Jeanie, in her voice of tired courtesy. Youmustnthelpme.Noonemust.

Icanfindthewordsyoudontknowinthedictionary,saidAvery.

No,thankyou,saidJeanie.Fatherdoesntlikeustohavehelpofanykind.

Therewere

deep

shadows

about

the

eyes

she

raised

to

Averys

face,

buttheysmiledquitebravely,withallunconsciouswistfulness.

Avery laidatenderhandupon thebrownheadanddrew it torestagainsther.Poorlittlething!shesaidcompassionately.

ButImnotlittlereally,youknow,saidJeanie,closinghereyesfora few stolen moments. Im thirteen in March. And theyre allyoungerthanmeexceptRonnieandJulian.

Averybentwith a swift,maternalmovementandkissed theblueveined forehead.Jeanie opened her eyes in slight surprise.Quiteplainlyshewasnotaccustomedtosuddencaresses.

Imgladwevegotyou,Mrs.Denys,shesaid,withherquietairofchildishdignity.Youareagreathelptous.

She turnedback toherFrenchexercisewith thewords,andAvery,

afteramoments

thought,

turned

to

the

door.

She

heard

again

the

childssighofwearinessasshecloseditbehindher.

Thewailsoftheviolinwereveryaudibleinthepassageoutside.Sheshiveredattheatrocioussounds.Fromafurtherdistancetherecamethe screams of an indignantbaby and the strident shouts of twosmallboyswhowereracingtoandfroinanuncarpetedroomatthetop of the house. But after that one shiverAvery Denys had nofurtherattentiontobestowuponanyofthesethings.Shewentwith

herquick,

light

tread

down

to

the

square

hall

which

gave

a

suggestion of comfort to theVicaragewhich not one of its roomsendorsed.


33/494

TheBarsofIron

27

Withoutan instantshesitationsheknockedupon thefirstdoorshecameto.Avoicewithingaveherpermissiontoenter,andshedidso.

TheReverend

Stephen

Lorimer

turned

from

his

writing

table

with

a

face of dignified severity to receive her, but at sight of her hisexpressionchangedsomewhat.

Ah,Mrs.Denys!You, is it?Pray come in!he saidurbanely. IsthereanywayinwhichIcanbeofservicetoyou?

His eyes were dark and very small, so small that they nearlydisappearedwhenhesmiled.Butforthisslightdefect,Mr.Lorimer

wouldhave

been

ahandsome

man.

He

rose

as

Avery

approached

andplacedachairforherwithelaboratecourtesy.

Thankyou,shesaid.Ionlyraninforamomentjusttotellyouthat littleJeanie is so tired tonight. She has had no time for herlessonsalltheafternoonbecauseshehasbeenhelpingwiththelittleonesinthenursery.SheinsistsupondoingherFrenchexercise,butIamsureyouwouldnotwishhertodoitifyouknewhowwornoutthechildis.MayItellhertoleaveitfortonight?

Shespokequicklyandveryearnestly,withcleareyesraised toMr.Lorimersface.Shewatchedhissmilefadeandhiseyesreappearasshemadeherappeal.

Hedid not reply to it for some seconds, and a sharpdoubtwentthroughher.Sheraisedherbrowsinmuteinterrogation.

Yes,mydearMrs.Denys,he said, in response to herunspoken

query,I

see

that

you

appreciate

the

fact

that

there

are

at

least

two

points of view to every proposition. You tellme thatJeaniewasoccupiedinthenurseryduringthatperiodofthedaywhichshouldlegitimately havebeen set aside for the assimilation of learning. Ipresumeherpresencetherewasvoluntary?

Oh,quite.TherewasahintofsharpnessinAverysrejoinder.Shewentoutof thegoodnessofherheartbecauseNursehadbeenuppracticallyallnightwithBabyandneededarestandIwasobligedto

gointo

Wardenhurst

for

Mrs.

Lorimer.

So

Jeanie

took

charge

of

BertieandDavid,andGracieandPatwentwithme.


34/494

TheBarsofIron

28

Mr.Lorimerwavedaprotestinghand.Prayspareyourselfandmeallthesedetails,Mrs.Denys!IamgladtoknowthatJeannehasbeenuseful toyou,but at the same time shehasno right toofferduty

uponthe

altar

of

kindness.

You

will

acknowledge

that

to

obey

is

better than sacrifice.Asamatterofprinciple, I fear I cannot remitany of her task, and I trust that on the next occasion she willremembertosetdutyfirst.

AhotflushhadriseninAverysfaceandhereyessparkled,butsherestrainedherself.Therewasnoindignationinhervoiceasshesaid:Mr.Lorimer,believeme,thatchildwillnevershirkherduty.Sheisfartooconscientious.ItisreallyforthesakeofherhealththatIcame

tobeg

you

to

let

her

off

that

French

exercise.

Iam

sure

she

is

not

strong. Perhaps I did wrong to let her be in the nursery thisafternoon,thoughIscarcelyknowhowelsewecouldhavemanaged.Butthatismyfault,nothers.Itakefullresponsibilityforthat.

Mr.Lorimerbegantosmileagain.Thatisverygenerousofyou,hesaid.But,asamatterofjustice, Idoubt if thewholeburdenof itshould fall to your share. You presumably were unaware thatJeannes afternoon should havebeen devoted to her studies. She

cannotplead

alike

ignorance.

Therefore,

while

dismissing

the

petition,Iholdyouabsolvedfromanyblameinthematter.Praydonotdistressyourselfanyfurther!

I certainly thought itwasahalfholiday,Averyadmitted.But Iamdistressedverygreatlydistressedon thechildsaccount.Sheisnotfitforworktonight.

Mr. Lorimer made an airy gesture expressive of semihumorous

regret.Discipline,

my

dear

Mrs.

Denys,

must

be

maintained

at

all

costsevenamongthemembersofyourcharmingsex.Asamatteroffact,Iamwaitingtoadministerpunishmenttooneofmysonsatthepresentmomentforanactofdisobedience.

Heglancedtowardsthewritingtableonwhichlayacane,andagainthequickbloodmountedinAverysface.

Oh,dontyou thinkyou are a littlehard on your children? she

said;and

then

impulsively,

No;

forgive

me!

Iought

not

to

put

it

like

that.Butdoyou find itanswers tobesostrict?Does itmake themanymoreobedient?


35/494

TheBarsofIron

29

Heraisedhisshouldersslightly;hiseyesgleamedmomentarilyeretheyvanishedintohissmile.Heshookhisheadatherwithtolerantirony.Ifearyourheartrunsawaywithyou,Mrs.Denys,andImust

notsuffer

myself

to

listen

to

you.

Ihave

my

dutymy

very

distinct

dutytoperform,andImustnotshirkit.Astotheresults,theyareinotherHandsthanmine.

Therecamealowknockatthedoorashefinishedspeaking,andheturnedatoncetoanswerit.

Comein!

Thedoor

opened,

and

avery

small,

very

nervous

boy

crept

round

it.

Aquickexclamationrose toAverys lipsbeforeshecouldsuppressit.Mr.Lorimerlookedatherinterrogatively.

IwasonlysurprisedtoseePat,sheexplained.Hehasbeenwithmealltheafternoon.Ihardlythoughthecouldhavehadtimetogetintotrouble.

Comehere,Patrick!saidMr.Lorimer.

Patrickadvanced.HelookedneitheratAverynorhisfather,butkepthis eyes rigidlydowncast.His freckled face had a halffrightened,halfsullenexpression.HehaltedbeforeMr.Lorimerwhotookhimbytheshoulder,andturnedhimroundtowardsAvery.

TellMrs.Denyswhatyoudid!hesaid.

Patshotasingleglanceupwards,andmadelaconicreply.Iundid

Mike.

Oh,dear!exclaimedAvery ingreatdistress.Imafraid thatwasmyfault.

Yours, Mrs. Denys? Mr. Lorimers eyes became visible as twobrilliantpinpointsturnedsearchinglyuponherface.

Yes,mine!shereiterated.Mikewaswhiningonhischain,andI

saidIthought

it

was

cruel

to

keep

adog

tied

up.

Isuppose

Iought

to

have keptmy thoughts tomyself, she saidwith a pathetic littlesmile.Dopleaseforgiveusboththistime!


36/494

TheBarsofIron

30

Mr.Lorimerignoredtheappeal.Anddoyouknowwhathappenedinconsequenceofhisbeingliberated?heasked.

Yes,Ido.

Ruefully

she

made

answer.

He

fought

Mr.

Eveshams

dogandIhelpedtopullhimoff.

You,Mrs.Denys!

Yes,I.Shenodded.Therewasntmuchdamagedone,anyhowtoMike. I am very, very sorry,Mr.Lorimer.But reallyPat is not toblameforthis.Wontyouplease

Shestopped,

for

very

decidedly

Mr.

Lorimer

interrupted

her.

I

am

afraid Icannotagreewithyou,Mrs.Denys.Youmayhave spokenunadvisedly,butPatrickwasawarethatinreleasingthedoghewasactingindirectoppositiontomyorders.Thereforehemustbearhisownpunishment.Imustbegthatforthefutureyouwillendeavourtobe a littlemorediscreet inyour observations.Patrick,open thedoorforMrs.Denys!

Itwas a definite dismissalperhaps themost definite thatAvery

hadever

had

in

her

life.

A

fury

of

resentment

possessed

her,

but

feelingherselfcontroltobetottering,shedarednotgiveitvent.Sheturnedinquiveringsilenceanddeparted.

As shewentoutof the room, sheperceived thatPathadbegun tocry.


37/494

TheBarsofIron

31

CHAPTERIV

THEMOTHERSHELP

Its always the same,moanedMrs.Lorimer. Mypoor children!Theyreneveroutoftrouble.Averystoodstill.Shehadfledtothedrawingroomtorecoverherself,onlytofind the ladyof thehouselyingintearsuponthesofathere.Mrs.Lorimerwasverysmallandpathetic.Shehad lostallherhealth longbefore in thebearingandnurturing of her children. Once upon a time she must havepossessed the delicate prettiness that characterized her eldestdaughterJeanie,butithadfadedlongsince.Shewaswornoutnow,

atired,

drab

little

woman,

with

no

strength

left

to

stand

against

adversity. The only consolation in her life was her love for herhusband. Him she worshipped, not wholly blindly, but with adevotionthatneverfaltered.Akindwordfromhimwascapableofexaltingher toastateofrapture thatwasonlyoutmatchedby thedespairengenderedbyhisdispleasure.Therewassomuchofsorrowmingledwithherloveforherchildrenthattheycouldscarcelyhavebeen regardedasajoy. In factAveryoften thought toherselfhowmuchhappiershewouldhavebeenwithoutthem.

Do sit down, Mrs. Denys! she begged nervously, as Averyremainedmotionlessinthemiddleoftheroom.Staywithmeforalittle, wont you? I can never bear to be alone when any of thechildrenarebeingpunished.IsometimesthinkPatistheworstofall.He issohighlystrung,andhe loseshishead.AndStephendoesntquiteunderstandhim,andhe issoterriblyseverewhentheyrebel.AnddidyouknowthatRonaldandJulianhadbeensmokingagainon thewayback from school?They look sodreadfully ill,bothof

them.Iknow

their

father

will

find

out.

Mrs.Lorimerswhisperedwordswentintosoftweeping.Shehidherfaceinthecushion.

A curious little spasm went through Avery, and for a few madsecondsshewanted toburst intoheartless laughter.Sheconqueredtheimpulsewithadesperateeffortthoughitleftherfeelingslightlyhysterical.

Shemovedacrosstotheforlornlittlewomanandstoopedoverher.


38/494

TheBarsofIron

32

Dontcry,dearMrs.Lorimer!sheurged.Itdoesntdoanygood.PerhapsRonaldandJulianarebetterbynow.Shallwegoupstairsandsee?

Theprinciplewasawrongoneandsheknewit,butforthelifeofhershecouldnothaveresistedthetemptationatthatmoment.Shehadanunholydesire to get thebetter of theReverend Stephenwhichwouldnotbedenied.

Mrs.Lorimercheckedhertears.Youreverykind,shemurmuredshakily.

Shedried

her

eyes

and

sat

up.

Do

you

think

it

would

be

wrong

to

givethemaspoonfulofbrandy?sheaskedwistfully.

ButAverysprincipleswereproofagainst thisat least.Yes, Ido,shesaid.Butwecanmanagequitewellwithoutit.Letusgo,shallwe,andseewhatcanbedone?

Im afraid Im very wicked, sighed Mrs. Lorimer. Im verythankful tohaveyouwithus,dear.IdontknowwhatIshoulddo

withoutyou.

Averys prettymouth took an unfamiliar curve of grimness for amoment,butshebanished itatonce.SheslippedasustaininghandthroughMrs.Lorimersarm.

Thankyou for saying so, though,youknow, Iveonlybeenwithyou a fortnight, and I dont feel that I have done verymuch todeservesuchhighpraise.

I dont think time has much to do with friendship, said Mrs.Lorimer, looking at herwith genuine affection in her fadedblueeyes.DoyouknowIbecameengagedtomyhusbandbeforeIhadknownhimafortnight?

ButthiswasasubjectuponwhichAveryfounditdifficulttoexpressany sympathy, and she gently changed it. You are looking verytired. Dont you think you could lie down for a little in your

bedroombefore

supper?

Imustseethepoorboysfirst,protestedMrs.Lorimer.


39/494

TheBarsofIron

33

Yes,ofcourse.Wewillgostraightup,shallwe?

Sheledhertothedoorwiththewords,andtheywentouttogether

intothe

hall.

As

they

emerged,

asudden

burst

of

stormy

crying

came

fromthestudy.Patwasliterallyhowlingatthetopofhisvoice.

Hismotherstoppedandwrungherhands.Oh,whatistobedone?Healwayscrieslikethat.Heusedtoasababytheonlyoneofthemwhodid.Mrs.Denys,whatshallIdo?IdontthinkIcanbearit.

Averydrewheron towards thestairs.Mydear,comeaway!shesaidpractically.Youcantdoanything.Interferencewillonlymake

mattersworse.

Let

us

go

right

up

to

the

boys

room!

Pat

is

sure

to

comeupdirectly.

Theywenttotheboysroom.Itwasalargeatticinwhichthethreeelder boys slept. Ronald and Julian, aged fifteen and fourteenrespectively,werebothlyingprostrateontheirbeds.

Julianuttereda forced laughat thesightofhismothers face.MydearMater,forHeavenssakedontcomefussingroundhere!Weve

beensmoking

some

filthy

cigarslittle

beastly

Brown

dared

us

to

andtheresbeenthedeviltopay.Icantgetup.Mytummywontletme.

Oh,Julian,whydoyoudoit?saidMrs.Lorimer,ingreatdistress.Youknowwhatyourfathersaidthelasttime.

She bent over him. Julian was her favourite of them all. But heturnedhisfacesharplytoavoidherkiss.

Dont,Mater!Idontfeeluptoit.Icantjaweither.Ibelievethosedashedcigarswerepoisoned.Hullo,Ronald,areyouquietingdownyet?

Shutup!growledRonald.

His brother laughed again sardonically. Stick to it, my hearty!Theresaswishinginstoreforus.Themateralwaysgivestheshow

away.

Julian! It was Averys voice; she spoke with quick decision.YouvegotexactlyanhouryouandRonaldtopullyourselves


40/494

TheBarsofIron

34

together.Dontliehereanylonger!Getupandgoout!Goforahardwalk!No,ofcourseyoudont feel like it.But itwilldoyougood.Youwant to get that horrible stuff out of your lungs.Quick!Go

nowwhileyou

can!

ButIcant!declaredJulian.

Yes,youcan,youmust!You too,Ronald!Whereareyourcoats?Pop them on and make a dash for it! Youll come back better.Perhapsyouwillgetoutoftheswishingafterall.

Julianturnedhisheadand lookedatherbythe lightoftheflaring,

unshadedgas

jet.

By

Jove!

he

said.

Youre

rather

abrick,

Mrs.

Denys.

Dontstop to talk!shecommanded.JustgetupanddoasIsay.Godown theback stairs,mind! Ill letyou inagain in time togetreadyforsupper.

Julianturnedtohisbrother.Whatdoyousaytoit,Ron?

Cantbe

done,

groaned

Ronald.

Ohyes,itcan.SheerdeterminationsoundedinAverysresponse.Getup,bothofyou!Ifitmakesyouill,itcantbehelped.Youwillneitherofyougetanybetterlyinghere.Come,Ronald!Shewenttohimbriskly.Getup!Illhelpyou.There!Thatstheway.Splendid!Now keep it up! dont let yourself go again! Youwill feel quitedifferentwhenyougetoutintotheopenair.

Bywords

and

actions

she

urged

them,

Mrs.

Lorimer

standing

patheticallyby, till finally, firedbyher energy, the twomiscreantsactuallymanagedtomaketheirescapewithoutmishap.

Sherandownstairs tosee themgo,returning in time toreceive thewailingPatwhohadbeensenttobedinastatevergingonhysterics.Neithershenorhismothercouldcalmhimforsometime,andwhenat lengthhewassomewhatcomfortedoneof theyoungerboysfelldowninanadjacentroomandbegantocrylustily.

Averywent to the rescue, earnestly entreatingMrs.Lorimer togodowntoherroomandrest.Shewasabletosoothethesuffererand


41/494

TheBarsofIron

35

leave him to the care of the nurse, and she then followed Mrs.Lorimerwhomshefoundbathinghereyesandtryingnottocry.

Sopiteous

aspectacle

was

she

that

Avery

found

further

formality

an

absoluteimpossibility.Sheputherarmroundthelittlewomanandbeggedhernottofret.

No, I know itswrong,whisperedMrs.Lorimer, yielding like achildtothekindlysupport.ButIcanthelpitsometimes.Yousee,Imnotverystrongjustnow.ShehesitatedandglancedatAverywith a guilty air. II havent told him yet, she said in a lowerwhisper still. Of course I shallhave to soon;butIm afraidyou

willthink

me

very

deceitfulI

like

to

choose

afavourable

time,

whenthechildrenarenotworryinghimquitesomuch.IdontwanttotovexhimmorethanIneed.

Mydear!Averysaidcompassionately.Andsheaddedasshehadaddedtothedaughterhalfanhourbefore,Poorlittlething!

Mrs.Lorimergaveafeeble laugh, liftingherface.Youareasweetgirl,Avery. Imay callyou that? Idohope theworkwontbe too

muchfor

you.

You

mustnt

let

me

lean

on

you

too

hard.

Youshall leanjustashardasyou like,Averysaid,and,bending,kissedthetiredface.Iamheretobeahelptoyou,youknow.Yes,docallmeAvery!Imquitealone in theworld,and itmakes itfeellikehome.Nowyoureallymust liedown tillsupper.Andyouarenot toworry about anything. I am sure theboyswill comebackmuchbetter.There!Isthatcomfortable?

Quite,dear,

thank

you.

You

mustnt

think

about

me

any

more.

Goodbye!Thankyou for allyourgoodness tome!Mrs.Lorimerclung toherhand foramoment.Iwasalwaysprejudicedagainstmothers helpsbefore, she said ingenuously. But I find you animmense comfortan immense comfort. You will try and stay,wontyou,ifyoupossiblycan?

Yes,Averypromised.Iwillcertainlystayifitrestswithme.

Herlips

were

very

firmly

closed

as

she

went

out

of

the

room

and

her

greyeyesextremelybright.Ithadbeenastrenuoushalfhour.


42/494

TheBarsofIron

36

CHAPTERV

LIFEONACHAIN

Oh,Isay,areyougoingout?saidPiers.Iwasjustcomingtocallonyou.

On me? Avery looked at him with brows raised in surprisedinterrogation.

Hemadeheragracefulbow,nearlysweeping thepathoutside theVicarage gatewith his cap. Even so,madam! On you! But as I

perceiveyou

are

not

at

home

to

callers,

may

Ibe

permitted

to

turn

andwalkbesideyou?

Ashesuitedtheactiontothewords,itseemedsuperfluoustograntthepermission,andAverydidnotdoso.

Iamonlygoingtorunquicklydowntothepost,shesaid,withaglanceatsomelettersshecarried.

Hemight

have

offered

to

post

them

for

her,

but

such

acourse

did

not apparently occur to him. Instead he said: Ill raceyou ifyoulike.

Averyrefrainedfromsmiling,consciousofagayglanceflunginherdirection.

Iseeyouprefertowalkcircumspectly,saidPiers.Well,Icandothattoo.HowisMike?Whyisnthewithyou?

Mikeisquitewell,thankyou,saidAvery.Andheiskeptchainedup.

Whataninfernalshame!burstfromPiers.Idsoonershootadogthankeephimonachain.

SowouldI!saidAveryimpulsively.

Thewords

were

out

before

she

could

check

them.

It

was

asubject

uponwhichshefounditimpossibletomaintainherreticence.


43/494

TheBarsofIron

37

Piersgrinned triumphantlyand thrustoutaboyishhand.Shake!hesaid.Weareinsympathy!

ButAvery

only

shook

her

head

at

him,

refusing

to

be

drawn.

Peopleplentyofnicepeoplehavenoideaoftheuttercrueltyofit,shesaid.Theythinkthatifadoghasneverknownliberty,heisincapable of desiring it. They dont know, they dont realize, thebitternessoflifeonachain.

Dontknow anddont care!declaredPiers.Theydeserve tobechainedup themselves.Onedayonachainwould teachyournicepeoplequitealot.Butnoonecultivatesfeelinginthisvalleyofdry

bones.It

isnt

the

thing

nowadays.

Let

adog

whine

his

heart

out

on

a

chain!Whocares?Theresnoroom forsentimentalscruplesof thatsort.Cantyou see theReverendStephen smileat thebare ideaofextendingalittleofhispreciousChristianpitytoadog?Hebrokeoffwithalaughthatrangdefiantly.Nowitsyourturn!hesaid.

Myturn?Averyglancedathisdark,handsomefacewithatouchofcuriosity.

Hemet

her

eyes

with

his

own

as

if

he

would

beat

them

back.

Arent

you generous enough to remind me that but for your timelyinterference I should have beaten my own dog to death onlyyesterday?Youwerealmostreadytoflogmeforitatthetime.

Oh,that!Averysaid,lookingawayagain.Yes,ofcourseImightremindyouofthatifIwantedtobepersonal;but,yousee,Idont.

Why not! said Piers stubbornly. You were personal enough

yesterday.

The dimple, for which Avery was certainly not responsible,appeared suddenlynearhermouth.Iamafraid I lostmy temperyesterday,shesaid.

How wrong of you! said Piers. I hope you confessed to theReverendStephen.

Sheglanced

at

him

again

and

became

grave.

No,

Ididnt

confess

to

anyone.ButIthinkitsapityevertoloseonestemper.Itinvolvesawasteofpower.


44/494


45/494

TheBarsofIron

39

Itsgoodofyou tosayso,saidPiers.ButIreallydidntknow.IthoughtyouhaddecidedthatIwasasuitablesubjectforsnubbing.Imnotabit.ImsoaccustomedtoitthatIdontcareahepaused

withaglance

of

quizzical

daring,

and,

as

she

managed

to

look

severe,amended the sentencethat Iampractically indifferent toit.Mrs.Denys,Iwishyouhadstruckmeyesterday.

Really?saidAvery.

Yes, really. I should thenhavehad thepleasureof forgivingyou.ItsapleasureIdontoftenget.Yousee,Imusuallytheonethatsinthewrong.

Shelookedathimthenwithquickinterest;shecouldnothelpit.Butthedarkeyestriumphedoverhersoshamelesslythatsheveileditontheinstant.

Pierslaughed.Mrs.Denys,mayIaskadirectlypersonalquestion?

Idontknowwhyyoushould,saidAvery.

Theywere

nearing

the

pillar

box

at

the

end

of

the

Vicarage

lane,

and

she was firmly determined that at that box their ways shouldseparate.

IknowyouthinkImboldandbad,saidPiers.Somekindfriendhasprobably toldyouso.But Imnot. Ivebeenbroughtupbadly,thats all. I thinkyoumightbearwithme. Imquitewilling tobebullied.Therewasactualpathosinthedeclaration.

Again the fleeting dimple hovered near Averys mouth. Pleasedont takemy opinion forgranted in thatway! she said. Ihavehardlyhadtimetoformoneyet.

ThenImayaskmyquestion?saidPiers.

Sheturnedsteadygreyeyesuponhim.Yes;youmay.

Piersface

was

perfectly

serious.

Are

you

really

married?

he

asked.

Thelevelbrowswentupalittle.Ihavebeenawidowforsixyears,saidAveryveryquietly.


46/494

TheBarsofIron

40

Hestaredatherinsurpriseunfeigned.Sixyears!

Sherepliedinthesamequietvoice.IlostmyhusbandwhenIwas

twentytwo.

GreatHeavens above! ejaculated Piers. But youre notnotIsay,forgiveme,Imustsayityoucantbeasoldasthat!

Iamtwentynine,saidAveryfaintlysmiling.

Theyhad reached the letterbox.Shedropped inher lettersonebyone.Piersstoodconfounded,lookingon.

Suddenlyhespoke.Andyouvebeendoing thismothershelpingbusinessforsixyears?

Ohno!shesaid.

Sheturnedroundfromtheboxandfacedhim.Theredwintersunsetglowedsoftlyuponher.Hergreyeyeslookedstraightintoit.

No!she

said

again.

I

had

my

little

girl

to

take

care

of

for

the

first

sixmonths. You see, she wasbornblind, soon after her fathersdeath,andsheneededallthecareIcouldgiveher.

Piers made a sharp movementa gesture that was almostpassionate;buthesaidnothing.

Averywithdrewhereyesfrom thesunset,andlookedathim.Shedied,shesaid,andthatleftmewithnothingtodo.Ihavenonear

relations.So

Ijust

had

to

set

to

work

to

find

something

to

occupy

me.

Iwent intoachildrenshospital for training,andspentsomeyearsthere.Thenwhenthatcametoanend,Itookaholiday;butIfoundIwanted children. So I cast about me, and finally answered Mr.Lorimers advertisement and came here. Shebegan to smile. AtleastIhaveplentyofchildrennow.

Oh, I say!broke in Piers. What aperfectly horrible life youvehad!Youdontmeantosayyourehappy,what?

Avery laughed. Immuch toobusy to think about it.Andnow Ireallymustrunback.Ivepromisedtotakechargeofthebabiesthis


47/494

TheBarsofIron

41

afternoon. Goodbye! She held out her hand to him with frankfriendliness,asifshedivinedthesympathyhedidnotutter.

Hegripped

it

hard

for

amoment.

Thanks

awfully

for

being

so

decentastotellme!hesaid,lookingbackatherwitheyesasfrankasherown.Imgoingondowntothehomefarm.Goodbye!

Heraisedhiscap,andabruptlystrodeaway.AndinthemomentofhisgoingAveryfoundshe likedhimbetterthanshehad likedhimthroughouttheinterview,forsheknewquitewellthathewentonlyindeferencetoherwish.

Sheturned

to

retrace

her

steps,

feeling

puzzled.

There

was

something curiously attractive about theyoungmanspersonality,something thatappealed toher,yet thatshe feltdisposed toresist.That air of the ancient Roman was wonderfully compelling, toocompellingforhertaste,butthenhisboyishnesscounteractedittoaverygreatdegree.Therewasahintof sweetness running throughhisarroganceagainstwhichshewasnotproof.Audacioushemightbe,butitwasawinningspeciesofaudacitythatprobablynowomancouldcondemn.Shethoughttoherselfasshereturnedtohercharges

thatshe

had

never

seen

aface

so

faultlessly

patrician

and

yet

so

vividlyalive.And following that thought cameanother thatdweltlonger in hermind.Deprived of its animation, itwould not havebeenahappyface.

Averywonderedwhy.


48/494

TheBarsofIron

42

CHAPTERVI

THERACE

Hooray! No more horrid sums for a whole month! GracieLorimersarithmeticbooksoaredtotheceilingandcamedownwithabangwhileGracieherselfpivoted,notungracefully,onhertoestillsheergiddinessand exhaustionput an end toher rhapsody.ThenshestaggeredtoAverywhowasdarningthefamilystockingsbythewindowandflungecstaticarmsaboutherneck.

DearMrs.Denys,arentyougladitsholidays?shegasped.Well

giveyou

such

alovely

time!

Imsureyouwill,dear,saidAvery.Butdomindtheneedle!

Shekissed thebrilliant childish face thatwaspressed tohers.SheandGraciewereclose friends.Graciewaseleven,and theprettiestmadcapofthemall.ItwasaperpetualmarveltoAverythatthechildmanagedtobesohappy,forshewascontinuallyintrouble.Butsheseemedtopossessacheeryknackofthrowingoffadversity.Shewas

essentiallygay

of

heart.

Doputawaythosestupidoldstockingsandcomeoutwithus!shebegged,stillhangingoverAvery.Dontyouhatedarning?Ido.Wehadtodoourownbeforeyoucame.Iwasverynaughtyonedaylastsummer.Iwentoutandplayedinthegardeninsteadofmendingmystockings, and Father found out. Gracie cast up her eyesdramatically.Hesentmeintodothem,andwentofftooneofhisoldparishparties; and Ijust sneakedoutas soon ashisbackwas

turnedand

went

on

with

the

game.

But

there

was

no

luck

that

day.

He cameback to fetch something and caughtme.And thenjustimagine! Again Gracie was dramatic, though this timeunconsciously.Hesentmetobedandwhatdoyouthink?Whenhecamehometotea,hewhippedme!

Averythreadedherneedlewithcare.Shesaidnothing.

I think it was rather a shame, went on Gracie unconcernedly.

Becausehe

never

whips

Jeanie

or

Olive.

But

then,

he

can

make

themcrywithout,andhecantmakeme.I spect thatswhatmadehimdoit,dontyou?


49/494

TheBarsofIron

43

Idontknow,dear,saidAveryrathershortly.

Gracie peered round into her face. Mrs. Denys, you dont like

Father,do

you?

she

said.

Mydear, thatsnot anicequestion to ask, saidAvery,withhereyesonherwork.

Idontknowwhynot,saidGracie.Idontlikehimmyself,andheknowsIdont.Hedwhipmeagainifhegotthechance,butImtoojollycarefulnow. Iwaspleased thatyougotRonnieandJulianofftheotherday.Heneversuspected,didhe?IthoughtIshouldhave

burstduring

prayers.

It

was

so

funny.

Mydear!protestedAvery.

Yes,Iknow,saidGracie.Butyouarentreallyshocked,dear,kindMrs.Denys!Youknowyouarent.Icanseeyoursweetlittledimple.No,Icant!Yes,Ican!Idoloveyourdimple.Itgoesinandoutlikethesun.

Averyleaned

back

abruptly

in

her

chair.

Oh,

foolish

one!

she

said,

andgathered the child to herwith awarmth towhich the ardentGraciewasswifttorespond.

Andyouarecomingoutwithus,arentyou?Becauseitssolovelyandcold.IwanttogouponthatbighillinRoddingPark,andrunandrunandruntillIjustcantrunanylonger.RonnieandJulianarecoming too.AndJeanieandOliveandPat.Weought tobeginandcollectholly for the churchdecorations.Youllbeable tohelp this

year,wont

you?

Miss

Whalley

always

bosses

things.

Have

you

met

MissWhalleyyet?Shesquite the funniestperson inRodding.ShewasthedaughterofthelastVicar,andshehasneverforgottenit.Sooddofher!As if therewereanything in it!IoftenwishIwerentaparsonsdaughter. Idmuch ratherbelong tosomeonewhohad togo up to town every day. There would be much more fun foreverybodythen.

Averywaslayinghermendingtogether.Shesupposedsheoughtto

checkthe

childs

chatter,

but

felt

too

much

in

sympathy

with

her

to

doso.Ireallydontknow if Iought tocome,shesaid.But it iscertainly toofineanafternoonforyou towaste indoors.Wherearetheboys?


50/494

TheBarsofIron

44

Oh, theyre messing about somewhere in the garden. You see,theyvegottokeepoutofsightorFatherwillsetthemtoworktorollthelawn.Healwaysdoesthatsortofthing.Hecallsitturningour

youthfulenergies

to

good

account.

Very

suddenly

and

wickedly

Grademimicked the pastoral tones. But theboys call it niggerdriving, she added, and I think theboys are right.When Imgrownup,Illnever,never,nevermakemychildrendohorridthingslikethat.Theyshallhaveoh,suchagoodtime!

Therewasunconsciouspathos in thedeclaration.Avery looked atthebrightfaceverytenderly.

Iwonder

what

youll

do

with

them

when

theyre

naughty,

Gracie,

shesaid.

Ishallneverwhipthem,saidGraciedecidedly.Ithinkwhippingisahorridpunishment.Itmakesyouhateeverybody.IthinkIshantpunish them at all,Mrs.Denys. I shalljust tell them howwrongtheyvebeen,and that theyarenever todo itagain.And Im surethey wont, she added, with confidence. Theyll love me toomuch.

SheslippedherarmroundAveryswaistassherose.DoyouknowIwoulddreadfullyliketocallyouAuntAvery?shesaid.IsaidsotoJeanie,andJeaniewantstotoo.Doyoumind?

Mind!saidAvery.Ishallloveit.

Oh,thankyouawfully!Gradekissedherfervently.IllrunandtellJeanie.Shewillbepleased.

Sheskippedfromtheroom,andAverywenttoprepareforthewalk.Poorlittlesouls!shemurmuredtoherself.HowIwishtheyweremine!

Theymusteredonlyfivewhentheystartedthethreegirls,Pat,andAveryherself;buteretheyhadreachedtheendofthelanethetwoelderboys leapt theVicaragewallwith awhoop of triumph andjoined them.Thepartybecameatonceuproariouslygay.Everyone

talkedat

the

same

time,

even

Jeanie

becoming

animated.

Avery

rejoiced toseetheprettyfaceflushedandmerry.ShehadbeguntofeeltwingesofanxietyaboutJeanielately.Butshewasabletobanishthematleastfortoday,forJeanieranandchatteredwiththerest.In


51/494

TheBarsofIron

45

fact,Olivewas theonlyonewho showed anydisposition towalksedately. Ithad toberemembered thatOlivewas thecleveroneofthe family. Shemore closely resembledher father than any of the

others,and

Avery

firmly

believed

her

to

be

the

only

member

of

the

family that Mr. Lorimer really loved. She was a coldhearted,sarcastic child, extremely selfcontained, giving nothing andreceiving nothing in return. Itwas impossible tobecome intimatewith her. Avery had given up the attempt almost at the outset,realizingthatitwasnotinOlivesnaturetobeintimatewithanyone.Theywerealwaysexceedinglypolitetoeachother,butbeyondthattheir acquaintance made no progress. Olive lived in a world ofbooks,and thepracticalsideof lifescarcely touchedher,andmost

certainlynever

appealed

to

her

sympathy.

She

will

be

her

father

over again,Mrs.Lorimerwoulddeclare,withpatheticpride.Sodignified,sohandsome,andsoclever!

AndAveryagreed,notwithoutreserve,thatshecertainlyresembledhimtoamarkeddegree.

Shewasby far themost sobermember of the party that enteredRodding Park that afternoon. Avery, inspired by the merriment

aroundher,

was

in

afrankly

frivolous

mood.

She

was

fast

friends

withthetwoelderboys,whohadvotedherabrickonthenightthatshehadintervenedtodeliverthemfromthejustretributionfortheirmisdeeds.Theyhadconceivedanimmenseadmirationforherwhichplacedherinahighlyprivilegedposition.

IfMrs.Denyssaysso,itisso,wasRonaldsfiat,andsheknewthatsuch influence as he possessedwith hisbrothers and sisterswasalwaysatherdisposal.

She likedRonald.Theboywasagentleman.Though slow,hewassolid;andshesuspected thathepossessedmoredepthofcharacterthan the more brilliant Julian. Julian was crafty; there was nodenying it.Shewassure thathewouldgeton in theworld.ButofRonaldsfutureshewasnotsosure.Itseemedtoherthathemightplod on for ever without reaching his goal. He kept near herthroughoutthatriotousscamperthroughthebare,windsweptPark,making itplain thatheregardedhimselfasher lieutenantwhether

sherequired

his

services

or

not.

As

amatter

of

fact,

she

did

not

require them,but shewas glad to havehim there and shekeenlyappreciatedthegentlemanlyconsiderationwithwhichhehelpedherovereverystile.


52/494

TheBarsofIron

46

TheyreachedthehighhillofGraciesdesire,andrapidlyclimbedit.Thesunhadpassedover to the farwestandhadalreadybegun todiperetheyreachedthesummit.

Nowwellall stand inarowand racedown,announcedGracie,when theyreached the top.AuntAverywillstartus.Wellrunasfar as thatbig oaktree on the edge of the wood. Now line up,everybody!

Imnotgoingtodoanythingsosilly,saidOlivedecidedly.Mrs.DenysandIwillfollowquietly.

Ohno!

laughed

Avery.

You

can

do

the

starting,

my

dear,

and

I

willracewiththeothers.

Olive looked at her, faintly contemptuous. Oh, of course if youpreferitshesaid.

Idoindeed!Averyassuredher.ButIthinkthetwobigboysandIought tobe handicapped.Jeanie andGracie and Patmust go tenpacesinfront.

IambiggerthanGracieandPat,saidJeanie.IthinkIoughttogomidway.

Ofcourse,agreedRonald.And,AuntAvery,youmustgowithher.YoucantstartlevelwithJulianandme.

Avery laughedattheamendmentandfell inwithit.Theyadjustedthemselvesfor the trialofspeed,whileOlivestationedherselfona

molehill

to

give

the

signal.

Thevalleybelowthemwasindeepshadow.Thelastofthesunlightlayuponthehilltop.ItshonedazzlinglyinAveryseyesastheracebegan.

Therehadbeenasprinklingofsnow thedaybefore,and thegrasswas crisp and rough. She felt it crushunder her feetwith a keensense of enjoyment. Instinctively she put all herbuoyant strength

intothe

run.

She

left

Jeanie

behind,

overtook

and

passed

the

two

youngerchildren,andraced likeaharedowntheslope.Keenlythewindwhistledpasther,andsherejoicedtofeelitscleanpurityrush


53/494


54/494

TheBarsofIron

48

She started to runback,but in amoment Piers sprang past her,crying,Allright.Dontrun!Takeiteasy!

Hehimself

went

like

the

wind.

She

watched

him

with

subconscious

admiration.Hewassosuperblylitheandstrong.

ShesawhimreachJeanieandkneeldownbesideher.Therewasnohesitation about him. He was evidently deeply concerned. Heslippedapersuasivearmaboutthechildshuddledform.

WhenAveryreachedthem,Jeaniesheadinitsbluewoollencapwaspillowed against him and she was telling him sobbingly of her

trouble.

II caughtmy foot. Idontknowhow Idid it. It twisted rightroundandoh,itdoeshurt,IIIcanthelpbeingsilly!

All right, kiddie, all right! said Piers. It was one of thoseconfoundedrabbitholes.There!Youllbebetter inaminute.Gotahandkerchief,what?Oh,nevermind!Takemine!

Hepulled

it

out

and

dried

her

eyes

as

tenderly

as

if

he

had

been

a

woman;thenraisedhisheadabruptlyandspoketoAvery.

Iexpectitsasprain.Idbettergetherbootoffandsee,what?

No,we hadbetter take her home first, said Avery with quickdecision.

Allright,saidPiersatonce.Illcarryher.Idaresaysheisntvery

heavy.Isay,

little

girl,

you

mustnt

cry.

He

patted

her

shoulder

kindly.Ithurtshorribly,Iknow.Thesethingsalwaysdo.Butyouregoingtoshowmehowpluckyyoucanbe.Womenarealwaysbraverthanmen,arentthey,Mrs.Denys?

Thusadmonished,Jeanieliftedherfaceandmadeavaliantefforttoregainherselfcommand.ButsheclaspedhertwohandsverytightlyuponPiersarmsothathecouldnotmovetolifther.

Illbe

brave

in

aminute,

she

promised

him

tremulously.

You

wontmindwaitingjustaminute?

Two,ifyoulike,saidPiers.


55/494

TheBarsofIron

49

Avery was stooping over the injured foot. Jeanie was proppedsideways,halflyingagainstPiersknee.

Donttouch

it,

please,

Aunt

Avery!

she

whispered.

Theotherchildrenhaddrawnroundinaninterestedgroup.Itlookslikeafracturetome,observedOliveinherprecisevoice.

Piers flashedher awitheringglance. Mighty lotyouknow aboutit!heretortedrudely.

Pat sniggered.Hewasnot fondofhis s

Documents

Bars of Iron