XXX
WHEN Dr. Cheyney came down-stairs he found Colonel Royall alone, and he was able to reassure him about the patient in the west room.
“He’s going to live,� he said; “he’s had a close squeak, but he’ll pull through unless something else happens. Lucky thing, too, for Zeb Bartlett.�
“That poor boy is an idiot,� said the colonel reflectively. “I can’t see what he did it for?�
“Mad at Caleb for one thing,� said Dr. Cheyney, “has been for some time because he couldn’t beg from him all the while. Then he was set on, had a pistol given him, I reckon.�
“Eh?� exclaimed the colonel, startled.
“Reckon so,� said the doctor mildly; he did not add that in the Commonwealth attorney’s office it was known to be Jacob Eaton’s pistol; “got some fool notion about his sister.�
“That’s a pretty bad business,� said Colonel Royall.
“Quite so!� agreed the doctor dryly.
At that moment the door opened and Diana came in; she was leading a child by the hand, and a dog followed her. Dr. Cheyney took off his spectacles.
“I’ll be jiggered!� he said abruptly.
Colonel Royall smiled faintly. “She would have her way,� he said apologetically. “I objected, but Diana rules the roost.�
Diana’s sad eyes met the doctor’s with a flash of humor. “I shan’t let you stay if you worry him,� she said.
The doctor held out his hand to Sammy, but Sammy refused to leave Diana; he clung to her skirts and hid his face in the folds.
“Seems to take kindly to you, Diana,� remarked the doctor.
She blushed. “He’s friendly enough,� she explained, “if you give him pennies.�
“Wants a penny!� said Sammy instantly, his tousled yellow head appearing from Diana’s skirt.
Dr. Cheyney explored his pockets and found a new one. “Come and get it,� he said.
Sammy moved over slowly and doubtfully, taking two steps backward to one forward every time.
“Suspicious, eh?� said the doctor, displaying the penny at a nearer view.
Sammy fell upon it and ran back to Diana, clasping it close in his fist.
“An embryo financier,� said the colonel, musing, “and the dog isn’t what one would call a prize-winner,� he added.
“Caleb took ’em both in,� said the doctor; “he’s made that way. After a while we’ll understand him.�
“Some people say that he had good reason to take in the boy,� remarked Colonel Royall without malice.
“Father,� said Diana, “I wouldn’t have believed it of you, talking scandal, and he’s our guest!�
“That’s right, keep him down, Diana,� said the doctor; “the fact is there’s nothing so cruel as people’s tongues. Now I know Sammy’s father and sometimes I’m tempted, sore tempted, to go and post it by the wayside.�
“I wish you would!� said Diana with sudden feeling, “it’s only just to—to Mr. Trench.�
“That’s so—she’s right, William,� said her father, half smiling.
Dr. Cheyney reflected; his lined old face lost some of its whimsical humor, but it gained in sympathy and strength. “I’ve held my tongue to shield others,� he said at last, “to spare the feelings of a family I love. What would you do about it, David? Do you think it’s right to plaster a scandal on to folks?�
Diana glanced quickly at her father, keenly aware of his concealment and that this all must touch him to the quick. The old man looked very old indeed.
“I don’t think it’s right to let the thing attach itself to Mr. Trench if you know he’s innocent,� he said at length.
“I reckon he’d be satisfied to be justified here,� said Dr. Cheyney, his eyes resting on Diana as she bent down and caressed Sammy.
“You’ll have to make it public to be of any useto him now,� said Colonel Royall, “the other story has been in every newspaper in the State.�
“I know it,� said Dr. Cheyney, “but, David, it will come home to you here. Sammy’s father is Jacob Eaton.�
There was silence for a few moments, and then Colonel Royall said: “It is singular that that young man has managed to inflict so many mortifications upon his family. Poor Jinny! She was always quoting him as a pink of propriety.�
“The result of a mollycoddle,� said the doctor shortly. “Now you know the facts, David, and it’s up to you. Shall I tell them?�
Colonel Royall meditated. “Poor Jinny!� he said again, “she’s been so proud of him, and now—one blow on another, no wonder she’s given up. Poor Jinny!�
“Father,� said Diana, “we’ve no right to consider even Cousin Jinny, only Mr. Trench.�
The force of her conviction showed through her reserve. She felt that Caleb Trench had borne enough at the hands of their relatives, and that he should be the scapegoat of one of Jacob’s sins was too much.
Colonel Royall raised his bowed head. “She’s right, William,� he said, pathetically resigned; “tell it to the world.�
Dr. Cheyney rose. “Well, it has seemed like kicking a man who was down,� he remarked, “but, as Diana says, there is Caleb Trench.�
Diana followed him out into the hall. “Dr. Cheyney,�she said, “why did no one tell me about my mother?�
The old man put his hand on her shoulder. “Diana,� he said, “it was David’s wish, and we all respected it. I wish�—he paused—“I wish Letty had not come back. But she wanted to see you. Natural enough, I reckon, only she ought to have been natural in that way at first.�
“It was cruel not to tell me,� said Diana, “but I will not tell him so—dear father!�
The doctor looked at her thoughtfully. “You’re a good girl, Diana,� he said.
They walked together to the door. “Doctor, do you believe that—that my mother is unhappy?� she asked at last. “I could not go to her: I will not leave him.�
“Unhappy? No, child, not more so than others,� said the old man. “She’s got to bear her burden, Diana, that’s the law of life. Don’t you fret; she’s rich, courted, influential, I’ve known it for years.�
“I don’t see how she could treat my father so!� cried the girl.
“Thank God, you never will!� said the doctor with conviction.
“She wants to see him,� the girl faltered, “I—you—�
“I’ll tell him,� said William Cheyney.