"You will come again soon, Ranald," said Maimie, coming toward him with a look on her face that reminded him of the days in the Glengarry manse. She had forgotten all about his red shirt and silk handkerchief. As Ranald caught that look a great joy leaped into his eyes for a moment, then faded into a gaze of perplexity.
"Yes, do come," added Kate.
"Will you sing again?" he asked, bluntly.
"Yes, indeed," she replied, with a slight blush, "if you want me to.""I will come. When? To-morrow night?"
"Yes, certainly, to-morrow night," said Kate, blushing deeply now, for she noticed the slight smile on Harry's face, and the glance that passed between Mr. Sims and the lieutenant. Then Ranald said good night.
"I have never had such pleasure in my life," he said, holding her hand a moment, and looking into her eyes that sparkled with a happy light. "That is," he added, with a swift glance at Maimie, "from music or things like that."Kate caught the glance, and the happy light faded from her eyes.
"Good night," said Ranald, offering his hand to Maimie. "I am glad I came now. It makes me think of the last night at the manse, although I am always thinking of it," he added, simply, with a touch of sadness in his voice. Maimie's face grew hot with blushes.
"Yes," she answered, hurriedly. "Dear Aunt Murray!"He stood a moment or two as if about to speak, while Maimie waited in an agony of fear, not knowing what to expect in this extraordinary young man. Then he turned abruptly away, and with a good night to De Lacy and a nod to Mr. Sims, strode from the room.
"Great Caesar's ghost!" exclaimed the lieutenant; "pardon me, but has anything happened? That young man now and then gives me a sense of tragedy. What HAS taken place?" he panted, weakly.
"Nonsense," laughed Maimie, "your nervous system is rather delicate.""Ah, thanks, no doubt that's it. Miss Kate, how do you feel?""I," said Kate, waking suddenly, "thank you, quite happy.""Happy," sighed De Lacy. "Ah, fortunate young man!""Great chap, that," cried Harry, coming back from seeing Ranald to the door.
"Very," said De Lacy, so emphatically that every one laughed.
"Some one really ought to dress him, though," suggested Mr. Sims, with a slight sneer.
"Why?" said Kate, quietly, facing him.
"Oh, well, you know, Miss Raymond," stammered Mr. Sims, "that sort of attire, you know, is hardly the thing for the drawing-room, you know.""He is a shantyman," said Maimie, apologetically, "and they all dress like that. I don't suppose that he has any other clothes with him.""Oh, of course," assented Mr. Sims, retreating before this double attack.
"Besides," continued Kate, "it is good taste to dress in the garb of your profession, isn't it, Lieutenant De Lacy?""Oh, come now, Miss Kate, that's all right," said the lieutenant, "but you must draw the line somewhere, you know. Those colors now you must confess are a little startling.""You didn't mind the colors when he saved you the other day from that awful mob!""One for you, De Lacy," cried Harry.
"Quite right," answered the lieutenant, "but don't mistake me. Idistinguish between a fellow and his clothes.""For my part," said Kate, "I don't care how a man is dressed; if Ilike him, I like him should he appear in a blanket and feathers.""Don't speak of it," gasped the lieutenant.
"Do let's talk of something else," said Maimie, impatiently.
"Delighted, I am sure," said De Lacy; "and that reminds me that madam was thinking of a picnic down the river this week--just a small company, you know. The man would drive her down and take the hamper and things, and we would go down by boat. Awful pull back, though," he added, regretfully, "but if it should give any pleasure--delighted, you know," bowing gallantly to the ladies.
"Delightful!" cried Maimie.
"And Ranald pulls splendidly," said Kate.
Maimie looked at her, wondering how she knew that. "I don't think Ranald can get away every day. I'm sure he can't; can he, Harry?"she said.
"No," said Harry, "no more can I, worse luck! The governor is sticking awfully close to work just now.""And, of course, you can't be spared," said Kate, mockingly.
"But couldn't you both come later? We could wait tea for you.
"Might," said Harry. "I shall make my best endeavor for your sake," bowing toward Kate, "but I am doubtful about Ranald.
Perhaps we'd better not--"
"Why, certainly, old chap," said the lieutenant, "what's the matter?""Well, the fact is," blurted out Harry, desperately, "I don't want to drag in Ranald. I like him awfully, but you may feel as if he were not quite one of us. You know what I mean; your mother doesn't know him."Harry felt extremely awkward knowing that he came perilously near to suspecting the lieutenant of the most despicable snobbery.
"Why, certainly," repeated the lieutenant. "That's all right.
Bring your Glengarry man along if any one wants him.""I do," said Kate, decidedly.
"Kismet," replied the lieutenant. "It is decreed. The young man must come, for I suspect he is very much 'one of us.'" But of this the lieutenant was not quite so certain by the time the day of the picnic had arrived.
