Establishing Relations, Page 3

believe in my good luck," he murmured.

  "Good luck?" said Prudence, innocently.

  "Isn't it good luck to hear you say that you are glad I'm here?" saidCatesby.

  "You're the best judge of that," said the girl, withdrawing her hand."It doesn't seem to me much to be pleased about."

  Mr. Catesby eyed her in perplexity, and was about to address anothertender remark to her when she was overcome by a slight fit of coughing.At the same moment he started at the sound of a shuffling footstep in thepassage. Somebody tapped at the door.

  "Yes?" said Prudence.

  "Can't find the knife-powder, miss," said a harsh voice. The door waspushed open and disclosed a tall, bony woman of about forty. Her redarms were bare to the elbow, and she betrayed several evidences of a longand arduous day's charing.

  "It's in the cupboard," said Prudence. "Why, what's the matter, Mrs.Porter?"

  Mrs. Porter made no reply. Her mouth was wide open and she was gazingwith starting eyeballs at Mr. Catesby.

  "Joe!" she said, in a hoarse whisper. "Joe!"

  Mr. Catesby gazed at her in chilling silence. Miss Truefitt, with an airof great surprise, glanced from one to the other.

  "Joe!" said Mrs. Porter again. "Ain't you goin' to speak to me?"

  Mr. Catesby continued to gaze at her in speechless astonishment. Sheskipped clumsily round the table and stood before him with her handsclasped.

  "Where 'ave you been all this long time?" she demanded, in a higher key.

  "You--you've made a mistake," said the bewildered Richard.

  "Mistake?" wailed Mrs. Porter. "Mistake! Oh, where's your 'art?"

  Before he could get out of her way she flung her arms round the horrifiedyoung man's neck and em-braced him copiously. Over her bony leftshoulder the frantic Richard met the ecstatic gaze of Miss Truefitt, and,in a flash, he realised the trap into which he had fallen.

  "Mrs. Porter!" said Prudence.

  "It's my 'usband, miss," said the Amazon, reluctantly releasing theflushed and dishevelled Richard; "'e left me and my five eighteen monthsago. For eighteen months I 'aven't 'ad a sight of 'is blessed face."

  She lifted the hem of her apron to her face and broke into discordantweeping.

  "Don't cry," said Prudence, softly; "I'm sure he isn't worth it."

  Mr. Catesby looked at her wanly. He was beyond further astonishment, andwhen Mrs. Truefitt entered the room with a laudable attempt to twist herfeatures into an expression of surprise, he scarcely noticed her.

  "It's my Joe," said Mrs. Porter, simply.

  "Good gracious!" said Mrs. Truefitt. "Well, you've got him now; takecare he doesn't run away from you again."

  "I'll look after that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, with a glare at thestartled Richard.

  "I'll look after that, ma'am."]

  "She's very forgiving," said Prudence. "She kissed him just now."

  "Did she, though," said the admiring Mrs. Truefitt. "I wish I'd beenhere."

  "I can do it agin, ma'am," said the obliging Mrs. Porter.

  "If you come near me again--" said the breathless Richard, stepping backa pace.

  "I shouldn't force his love," said Mrs. Truefitt; "it'll come back intime, I dare say."

  "I'm sure he's affectionate," said Prudence.

  Mr. Catesby eyed his tormentors in silence; the faces of Prudence and hermother betokened much innocent enjoyment, but the austerity of Mrs.Porter's visage was unrelaxed.

  "Better let bygones be bygones," said Mrs. Truefitt; "he'll be sorryby-and-by for all the trouble he has caused."

  "He'll be ashamed of himself--if you give him time," added Prudence.

  Mr. Catesby had heard enough; he took up his hat and crossed to the door.

  "Take care he doesn't run away from you again," repeated Mrs. Truefitt.

  "I'll see to that, ma'am," said Mrs. Porter, taking him by the arm."Come along, Joe."

  Mr. Catesby attempted to shake her off, but in vain, and he ground histeeth as he realised the absurdity of his position. A man he could havedealt with, but Mrs. Porter was invulnerable. Sooner than walk down theroad with her he preferred the sallies of the parlour. He walked back tohis old position by the fireplace, and stood gazing moodily at the floor.

  Mrs. Truefitt tired of the sport at last. She wanted her supper, andwith a significant glance at her daughter she beckoned the redoubtableand reluctant Mrs. Porter from the room. Catesby heard the kitchen-doorclose behind them, but he made no move. Prudence stood gazing at him insilence.

  "If you want to go," she said, at last, "now is your chance."

  Catesby followed her into the passage without a word, and waited quietlywhile she opened the door. Still silent, he put on his hat and passedout into the darkening street. He turned after a short distance for alast look at the house and, with a sudden sense of elation, saw that shewas standing on the step. He hesitated, and then walked slowly back.

  "Yes?" said Prudence.

  "I should like to tell your mother that I am sorry," he said, in a lowvoice.

  "It is getting late," said the girl, softly; "but, if you really wish totell her--Mrs. Porter will not be here to-morrow night."

  She stepped back into the house and the door closed behind her.