At half-past six a loud knock at the front door announced the expected visitor. Alice turned from the piano, and looked at her brother apprehensively. Richard rose, and established himself on the hearthrug, his hands behind him.
What are you going to say to him, Dick? Alice asked hurriedly.
He says he wants to know me. I shall say, Here I am.
There were voices outside. Arry had opened the door himself, and now he ushered his acquaintance into the drawing-room. Mr. Keene proved to be a man of uncertain agehe might be eight-and-twenty, but was more probably ten years older. He was meagre, and of shrewd visage; he wore a black frock coatrather shiny at the backand his collar was obviously of paper. Incipient baldness endowed him in appearance with a noble forehead; he carried eye-glasses.
Whilst Arry mumbled a form of introduction, the journalistso Mr. Keene described himselfstood in a bowing attitude, one hand to his glasses, seeming to inspect Richard with extreme yet respectful interest. When he spoke, it was in a rather mincing way, with interjected murmursthe involuntary overflow, as it were, of his deep satisfaction.
There are few persons in England whose acquaintance I desire more than that of Mr. Richard Mutimer; indeed, I may leave the statement unqualified and say at once that there is no one. I have heard you speak in public, Mr. Mutimer. My profession has necessarily led me to hear most of our platform orators, and in one respect you distance them allin the quality of sincerity. No speaker ever moved me as you did. I had long been interested in your cause; I had long wished for time and opportunity to examine into it thoroughly. Your addressI speak seriouslyremoved the necessity of further study. I am of your party, Mr. Mutimer. There is nothing I desire so much as to give and take the hand of brotherhood.
He jerked his hand forward, still preserving his respectful attitude. Richard gave his own hand carelessly, smiling as a man does who cannot but enjoy flattery yet has a strong desire to kick the flatterer out of the room.
Are you a member of the Union? he inquired.
With pride I profess myself a member. Some dayand that at no remote dateI may have it in my power to serve the cause materially. He smiled meaningly. The pressyou understand? He spread his fingers to represent wide dominion. An ally to whom the columns of the bourgeois press are openyou perceive? It is the task of my life.
What papers do you write for? asked Mutimer bluntly.
Several, several. Not as yet in a leading capacity. In fact, I am feeling my way. With ends such as I propose to myself it wont do to stand committed to any formal creed in politics. Politics, indeed! Ha, ha!
He laughed scornfully. Then, turning to Alice
You will forgive me, I am sure, Miss Mutimer, that I address myself first to your brotherI had almost said your illustrious brother. To be confessed illustrious some day, depend upon it. I trust you are well?
Thanks, Im very well indeed, murmured Alice, rather disconcerted by such politeness.
And Mrs. Mutimer? That is well. By-the-by, he proceeded to Richard, I have a piece of work in hand that will deeply interest you. I am translating the great treatise of Marx, Das capital. It occurs to me that a chapter now and then might see the light in the Fiery Cross. How do you view that suggestion?
Richard did not care to hide his suspicion, and even such an announcement as this failed to move him to cordiality.
You might drop a line about it to Mr. Westlake, he said.
Mr. Westlake? Oh! but I quite understood that you had practically the conduct of the paper.
Richard again smiled.
Mr. Westlake edits it, he said.
Mr. Keene waved his hand in sign of friendly intelligence. Then he changed the subject.
I ventured to put at Miss Mutimers disposal certain tickets I holdprofessionallyfor the Regents Theatre to-nightthe dress circle. I have five seats in all. May I have the pleasure of your company, Mr. Mutimer?
Im only in town for a night, Richard replied; and I cant very well spare the time.
To be sure, to be sure; I was inconsiderate. Then Miss Mutimer and my friend Harry
Im sorry theyre not at liberty, was Richards answer to the murmured interrogation. If they had accepted your invitation be so good as to excuse them. I happen to want them particularly this evening.
In that case, I have of course not a word to say, save to express my deep regret at losing the pleasure of their company. But another time, I trust. II feel presumptuous, but it is my earnest hope to be allowed to stand on the footing not only of a comrade in the cause, but of a neighbour; I live quite near. Forgive me if I seem a little precipitate. The privilege is so inestimable.
Richard made no answer, and Mr. Keene forthwith took his leave, suave to the last. When he was gone, Richard went to the dining-room, where his mother was sitting. Mrs. Mutimer would have given much to be allowed to sit in the kitchen; she had a room of her own upstairs, but there she felt too remote from the centre of domestic operations, and the dining-room was a compromise. Her chair was always placed in a rather dusky corner; she generally had sewing on her lap, but the consciousness that her needle was not really in demand, and that she might just as well have sat idle, troubled her habits of mind. She often had the face of one growing prematurely aged.
I hope you wont let them bring anyone they like, Richard said to her. Ive sent that fellow about his business; hes here for no good. He mustnt come again.
They wont heed me, replied Mrs. Mutimer, using the tone of little interest with which she was accustomed to speak of details of the new order.
Well, then, theyve got to heed you, and Ill have that understood.Why didnt Arry go to work to-day?
Didnt want to, I spose.
Has he stayed at home often lately?
Not at ome, but I expect he doesnt always go to work.
Will you go and sit with Alice in the front room? Ill have a talk with him.
Arry came whistling at the summons. There was a nasty look on his face, the look which in his character corresponded to Richards resoluteness. His brother eyed him.
Look here, Arry, the elder began, I want this explaining. What do you mean by shirking your work?
There was no reply. Arry strode to the window and leaned against the side of it, in the attitude of a Sunday loafer waiting for the dram-shop to open.
If this goes on, Richard pursued, youll find yourself in your old position again. Ive gone to a good deal of trouble to give you a start, and it seems to me you ought to show a better spirit. Wed better have an understanding; do you mean to learn engineering, or dont you?
I dont see the use of it, said the other.
What do you mean? I suppose you must make your living somehow?
Arry laughed, and in such a way that Richard looked at him keenly, his brow gathering darkness.
What are you laughing at?
Why, at you. Theres no more need for me to work for a living than there is for you. As if I didnt know that!
Whos been putting that into your head?
No scruple prevented the lad from breaking a promise he had made to Mr. Keene, the journalist, when the latter explained to him the disposition of the deceased Richard Mutimers estate; it was only that he preferred to get himself credit for acuteness.