The final preparations were made and the table spread long before the Churchwarden and his wife came back, with the chaise loaded up, and Mrs Portlock protesting that she would never go again if Joseph took a whip.
The culprit chuckled as Sage helped him with his overcoat, shouting orders all the while to Luke and John Berry, who were busy bringing in the load of parcels till it seemed wonderful how they could all have been packed into the chaise.
At last the final packet was in, and the cold air shut out; but hardly had the door been closed, and they were standing laughing at Rues little girls, who were staggering in and out of the great parlour with packets which they carried by the string, than the bell rang.
Heres Vinnicombe! cried Portlock, and the doctor, in a fur cap tied down over his ears, blue spectacles over his eyes, and his tall lean form muffled in a long thick greatcoat, came in, stamping his feet.
Here, help me off with this coat, somebody, growled the doctor. How do, girls? Take away those children, or I shall tread on em. Hate youngsters running about under ones feet like black beetles. What have you got there? he added, pointing to the parcels.
Fal-lals and kickshaws. The old womans been pretty well emptying the grocers shop.
Now, Joseph, that is really too bad, said Mrs Portlock, full of mild indignation. Now you know you would persist in buying three-parts of what is there.
Humph! Thought you fancied you were going to be snowed up, growled the doctor, shaking himself free of his coat, and holding out first one leg and then the other for Luke to pull off his goloshes. Thats right, Luke Ross; I dont see why you young fellows shouldnt wait on us old ones. I had lots of trouble with you, you young rascal; fetched out of bed for you often.
Well, doctor, cried Luke, you see Im willing enough, and his cheeks flushed with pleasure to find that in spite of the Churchwardens serious treatment of his proposals, he was warmer than ever he had been before.
There, look sharp, girls, cried the Churchwarden. Come, old lady, take off your things. Sage, put the doctor in the chimney-corner to thaw. Hell soon come round.
Dr Vinnicombe shook his fist at the speaker, and let Sage lead him to the glowing fire, while the next moment the Churchwarden was having what he called a glorious cuddle, four little chubby arms being fast about his great neck, and a couple of pairs of little red lips kissing him all over his rugged, ruddy face.
Part 1, Chapter XIV. The Bad Shilling
The warm fire and the pleasant social meal did make the doctor come round, and very pleasant everything seemed as they afterwards sat about the blazing fire. Sage noted how happy and contented her sister was, with her pretty young matronly face, as she sat by her husbands side and seemed to glow with content, as first one little golden-haired cherub and then the other was seated on Dr Vinnicombes knee, the soured old cynic telling them tales to which they all listened with almost childish delight.
Lukes heart was full of joy, and he kept glancing across at Sage, who avoided his gaze in a timid, cast-down manner; but it did not displease him, for he thought she was all that was modest and sweet, and told himself that he was proud indeed to have won such a woman for his future wife.
Then there seemed to be a blank in the room, for Sage left with her sister to put the little ones to bed, Rue sending the blood flushing into her cheeks as she half mockingly said
How long will it be, Sage, before I am helping you to put a little Luke and a little Sage to sleep?
They were very silent directly after, and Sage felt a kind of wondering awe as, in obedience to a word from their mother, the two little white-robed things, with their fair hair like golden glories round their heads, knelt at Aunty Sages knee to lisp each a little simple prayer to God to send his angels to watch round their couch that night; and then back came Rues merry words, and with them wondering awe, almost dread, at the possibility of such as these at her feet ever calling her mother, and looking to her for help.
They stayed for a few minutes to see
that her brother had Sages little trembling fingers in his clasp.
Good-night, gentlemen; you dont go our way.
The next minute Mrs Portlock uttered a sigh of relief, for the dogs were barking at the visitors whom Churchwarden Portlock was seeing to the gate.
Theres a something I like about that young fellow, said John Berry, breaking the silence, as the sisters stood hand clasped in hand, with Mrs Portlock looking at them in a troubled way. Ive heard a good deal of evil spoke of him, but a young fellow who is fond of his mother cant be so very bad. Good-night, doctor; good-night, Mr Ross; good-night, Luke Ross. Ill walk with you to the gate.
The good-night between Luke and Sage was not a warm one, for the girl felt troubled and ill at ease, but Luke was quiet and tender.
Shes very tired, he said, and I promised her yes, I promised her