Hadnt we better hook it, Jock? said the lesser vagabond.
Hook it? No. What for? We havent done nothing agen the lor.
There was hot indignation at the rectory, and Frank and Cyril went straight to Tom Morrisons cottage, frightening the wheelwrights wife, and making her look paler as she took refuge with Budge in the back, only coming forward after repeated summonses, and then keeping the girl with her, as she said, truthfully, that Jock Morrison had not been there for days.
Whats the matter? said Tom, coming from his workshop, and looking sternly at the two visitors.
Matter! cried Frank, fiercely; we want that brother of yours; he has been insulting my sister.
Then you had better find him and punish him, said Tom, coldly.
Where is he?
You are a parsons sons, said Tom, bitterly, and ought to know Scripture. Am I my brothers keeper?
Look here, you Tom Morrison, cried Frank, no insolence; Ive only just come back home, but while I stay Ill not have my sisters insulted by a blackguard family who have got a hold in the parish, and do it out of spite because my father could not act as they wanted.
Out of my place! roared Tom, fiercely. How dare you bring up that, you coward!
Tom! Tom! oh, for my sake, pray! cried Polly, throwing herself upon his breast just as he was about to seize Cyril, who had stepped before his brother.
Well, for thy sake, yes, said Tom, passing his arm round his wife. Frank and Cyril Mallow, dont come to my place again, or there may be mischief.
Do you dare to threaten us, you dog? cried Frank.
He ought to know what a magistrates power began Cyril, but he glanced at Polly and checked himself. Here, come away, Frank. Look here, Tom Morrison, where is your brother Jock?
I dont know, said Tom, sternly, and if I did I should not tell you. This is my house, gentlemen, and I want neither truck nor trade with you and yours.
Ill have you both flogged, cried Frank. A pretty thing that two ladies cant go along the lanes without being insulted! By Gad, if
Look here, said Tom Morrison, stoutly, who are you and yours that they are not to be spoken to? How long is it since a respectable girl couldnt hardly walk along one of our lanes for fear of being insulted by the parsons sons? I tell you
Tom! Tom! moaned Polly, I I
Hush, bairn! he whispered, and Frank hustled his brother out of the cottage, angrily threatening
punishment to the brothers Morrison before many days were over their heads, and went back to the rectory, where Mr Perry-Morton informed Lord Artingale, in confidence, that he would have liked to delete such creatures as that ruffian. They were only blurs, spots, and blemishes upon the face of this beautiful earth, marring its serenity, and stealing space that was the inheritance of those who could appreciate the gift.
I can handle my fists, said Artingale, in reply, for we had a good fellow to teach us, and nothing would have given me greater pleasure than to have had ten minutes interview with that blackguard.
It is very brave and bold of you, said Mr Perry-Morton, holding his too fleshy head up with one white hand, as it drooped sidewise, and supporting his elbow with another white hand, as he gazed at him with a kindly, patronising, smiling pity, but it would be better to hand him over to the police.
Oh, the police might have had him when I had done with him, said the young man, nodding. I should have liked to have had my bit of satisfaction first.
The sisters, that is to say, Mr Perry-Mortons sisters, wound their arms round each other, the elder laying her head upon her sisters shoulder, so that arms, hair, and dresses were intertwined and mingled into a graceful whole. Doubtless their legs would have been woven into the figure, only they were required to stand on; and then with a series of changes passing over their faces with beautiful regularity, and with wonderful gradations by minor tones or tints, they suggested horror, fear, dread, suffering, pity, pain, with a grand finale representing wakeful repose, as they listened to Cynthias history of the encounter, while their brother, after gazing at them diagonally through his eyelashes, softly crossed the room, touched the Rector upon the arm, and pointed to the sisterly group with a smile of satisfied affection.
Heaven has its reflections upon earth, he said softly, and the poetic mind reads rapture in angelic form, he added, with a fat smile of serene satisfaction and repose.
Quite so, said the Rector, and he balanced his double eyeglass upon his nose; but really, Mr Perry-Morton, I have so many troubles and petty cares upon my mind, that this new one has filled me with indignation, and I hardly know what I say or do. Whether as clergyman or county magistrate, I am sure no one could be so troubled as I have been.
But the indignation even of a county magistrate availed nothing, although it took the form of a hunt about the place with the resident rural policeman, supplemented by the presence of two more resident rural policemen from two neighbouring villages. Lord Artingales keepers, too, were admonished to be on the look-out, but Jock Morrison was not seen, though his companion was traced to one or two casual wards, and then seemed to have made for London.