in the matter?" Jake's tone was strictly practical.
Bunny's fingers slipped into his. "I'm the head of the family, you know, Jake," he said.
The man's face softened to a smile. "Yes, I reckon that's so," he said. "Well? What has the head of the family to say to the notion?"
Bunny turned rather red. "You see, – you're not a mister, are you?" he said.
"Not a gentleman, you mean?" suggested Jake.
Bunny's uneasiness increased. He squeezed Jake's hand very hard in silence.
"All right, little chap," said Jake. "Don't agitate yourself! I'm not what you call a gentleman, – not even a first-class imitation. Let's go on from there! Any other objections?"
"I don't want to be a cad, Jake!" burst from Bunny. "But you know-you know-she might have done a lot better for herself. She might have married Charlie Burchester."
"Who?" said Jake.
"Lord Saltash," explained Bunny. "We thought-everyone thought-five years ago-that they were going to get married. He was awfully keen on her, and she of course was in love with him. And then there was that row with the Cressadys. Lady Cressady got him into a mess, and Sir Philip always was an obnoxious beast. And afterwards Charlie Burchester sheered off and went abroad. He came back after he succeeded, but Maud-she's awfully proud, you know, – she wouldn't look at him, vows she never will again-though I'm not so sure she won't. He's sure to come back some day. He's such a rattling good sort, and he's jolly fond of her."
"And the rest," said Jake drily.
"No, really, Jake, he isn't a rotter. He's an awfully nice chap. You'd say so if you really knew him."
"I do know him," said Jake.
"And you don't like him?" Bunny's eyes opened wide in astonishment.
"Yes, I like him." Jake's tone was enigmatical. "But I shouldn't call him a marrying man. Anyway, he won't marry your sister, so you can make up your mind to that! Any other gentlemen in the running?"
"You couldn't prevent their being married if-if Maud changed her mind," said Bunny.
Jake smiled. "Anyone else?" he persisted.
"No, no one. She never sees anybody now."
"Except me," said Jake. "And I'm not genteel enough, hey?"
"You're a brick!" said Bunny with enthusiasm. "But, you know, women don't see that sort of thing. They only care about whether a man opens the door for 'em or takes off his glove to shake hands."
Jake broke into a laugh. "Say, sonny, what a thundering lot you know about women!" he said. "Anyway, I conclude I am right in surmising that you personally could swallow me as a brother-in-law?"
Bunny's eyes began to shine. "You're the best fellow I know," he said. "If-if it weren't for Lord Saltash, I wouldn't say a word!"
"Well," said Jake very deliberately, "I refuse to be warned off on his account. That's understood, is it?"
Bunny hesitated. The red-brown eyes were looking full and unwaveringly into his. "I'm not thinking of myself, Jake," he said, with sudden pleading.
Jake's hand closed squarely upon his. "All right, old chap, I know; and I like you for it. But I'm taking odds. It's ninety-nine to one. If I win on the hundredth chance, you'll take it like a sport?"
Bunny's hand returned his grip with all the strength at his command. He was silent for a moment or two; then, impulsively: "I say, Jake," he said, " – you-you're such a sport yourself! I think I'll back you after all."
"Right O!" said Jake. "You won't be sorry."
He dismissed the subject then with obvious intention, and Bunny seemed relieved to let it go. He turned the conversation to Sam Vickers, asking endless questions regarding the American doctor and his miracles.
"I wish he'd come and have a look at me, Jake," he said wistfully at length.
"Thought you didn't like doctors," said Jake.
"Oh, a man like that is different. I'd put up with a man like that," said Bunny, with a sigh.
"You might have to put up with more than you bargained for," said Jake.
Bunny moved his head wearily on the pillow. "I don't think anything could be worse than this," he said.
"I'm glad to hear you say so," said Jake, with sudden force; and then, pulling himself up as suddenly, "No, we won't get talking on that subject. Capper's in America, and you've got to sleep to-night. But you keep a stiff upper lip, old chap! I'm in with you from start to finish. Maybe, some day, we'll work a change."
"You're no end of a trump!" said Bunny with tears in his eyes.
CHAPTER XI
THE DECLARATION OF WAR
For three weeks after that Sunday visit to Jake's home, life went on as usual, and a certain measure of tranquillity returned to Maud.
She found herself able to meet the man without any show of embarrassment, and, finding him absolutely normal in his behaviour towards her, she began to feel a greater confidence in his presence. He had promised that he would not force himself upon her, and it was evident that he had every intention of keeping his word. That he might by imperceptible degrees draw nearer to her, become more intimate, was a possibility that for a time troubled her; but he was so absolutely considerate in all his dealings with her that this fear of hers at length died away. If he were playing a waiting game he did it with a patience so consummate that his tactics were wholly hidden from her. He had to all appearances accepted her decision as final, and put the notion away as impracticable.
Christmas was drawing near, and several visitors had already arrived. There was generally a short season at Christmas, during which the Anchor Hotel had its regular patrons. Its landlord was in an extremely variable state of mind, sometimes aggressive, sometimes jovial, frequently not wholly sober. Maud avoided all contact with him with rigorous persistence, her mother's protests notwithstanding.
"He can't be civil to me," she said, "and he shall not have the opportunity of being anything else."
And no persuasion could move her from this attitude. Mrs. Sheppard was obliged reluctantly to abandon the attempt. She herself was seldom out of favour with her husband, whatever his condition, and that after all was what mattered most.
But the state of affairs was such as was almost bound to lead to a climax sooner or later. Giles Sheppard's hectoring mood was not of the sort to be satisfied for long with passive avoidance. Every glimpse he had of the girl, who ate his bread but disdained to do so in his company or the company of his friends, inflamed him the more hotly against her. It needed but a pretext to set his wrath ablaze, and a pretext was not far to seek.
One day about a week before Christmas he unexpectedly presented himself at the door of Bunny's room.
The weather was damp and raw, and a cheerful fire burned there. Bunny was lying among pillows on the sofa. He had had a bad night, and his face, as he turned it to the intruder, was white and drawn.
"What on earth-" he began querulously.
Sheppard entered with arrogance, leaving the door wide
