Somehow the words made me think of poor Mr. Porterfields tartan, especially as Jasper Nettlepoint strolled in again at that moment. His mother at once challenged him: it was ten oclock; had he by chance made up his great mind? Apparently he failed to hear her, being in the first place surprised at the strange ladies and then struck with the fact that one of them wasnt strange. The young man, after a slight hesitation, greeted Miss Mavis with a handshake and a Oh good-evening, how do you do? He didnt utter her namewhich I could see he must have forgotten; but she immediately pronounced his, availing herself of the American girls discretion to present him to her mother.
Well, you might have told me you knew him all this time! that lady jovially cried. Then she had an equal confidence for Mrs. Nettlepoint. It would have saved me a worryan acquaintance already begun.
Ah my sons acquaintances! our hostess murmured.
Yes, and my daughters too! Mrs. Mavis gaily echoed. Mrs. Allen didnt tell us you were going, she continued to the young man.
Shed have been clever if she had been able to! Mrs. Nettlepoint sighed.
Dear mother, I have my telegram, Jasper remarked, looking at Grace Mavis.
I know you very little, the girl said, returning his observation.
Ive danced with you at some ballfor some sufferers by something or other.
I think it was an inundation or a big fire, she a little languidly smiled. But it was a long time agoand I havent seen you since.
Ive been in far countriesto my loss. I should have said it was a big fire.
It was at the Horticultural Hall. I didnt remember your name, said Grace Mavis.
Thats very unkind of you, when I recall vividly that you had a pink dress.
Oh I remember that dressyour strawberry tarletan: you looked lovely in it! Mrs. Mavis broke out. You must get another just like iton the other side.
Yes, your daughter looked charming in it, said Jasper Nettlepoint. Then he added to the girl: Yet you mentioned my name to your mother.
It came back to meseeing you here. I had no idea this was your home.
Well, I confess it isnt, much. Oh there are some drinks!he approached the tray and its glasses.
Indeed there are and quite deliciousMrs. Mavis largely wiped her mouth.
Wont you have another then?a pink one, like your daughters gown.
With pleasure, sir. Oh do see them over, Mrs. Mavis continued, accepting from the young mans hand a third tumbler.
My mother and that gentleman? Surely they can take care of themselves, he freely pleaded.
Then my daughtershe has a claim as an old friend.
But his mother had by this time interposed. Jasper, what does your telegram say?
He paid her no heed: he stood there with his glass in his hand, looking from Mrs. Mavis to Miss Grace.
Ah leave her to me, madam; Im quite competent, I said to Mrs. Mavis.
Then the young man gave me his attention. The next minute he asked of the girl: Do you mean youre going to Europe?
Yes, tomorrow. In the same ship as your mother.
Thats what weve come here for, to see all about it, said Mrs. Mavis.
My son, take pity on me and tell me what light your telegram throws, Mrs. Nettlepoint went on.
I will, dearest, when Ive quenched my thirst. And he slowly drained his glass.
Well, I declare youre worse than Gracie, Mrs. Mavis commented. She was first one thing and then the otherbut only about up to three oclock yesterday.
Excuse mewont you take something? Jasper inquired of Gracie; who however still declined, as if to make up for her mothers copious consommation. I found myself quite aware that the two ladies would do well to take leave, the question of Mrs. Nettlepoints good will being so satisfactorily settled and the meeting of the morrow at the ship so near at hand and I went so far as to judge that their protracted stay, with their hostess visibly in a fidget, gave the last proof of their want of breeding. Miss Grace after all then was not such an improvement on her mother, for she easily might have taken the initiative of departure, in spite of Mrs. Maviss evident game of making her own absorption of refreshment last as long as possible. I watched the girl with increasing interest; I couldnt help asking myself a question or two about her and even perceiving already (in a dim and general way) that rather marked embarrassment, or at least anxiety attended her. Wasnt it complicating that she should have needed, by remaining long enough, to assuage a certain suspense, to learn whether or no Jasper were going to sail? Hadnt something particular passed between them on the occasion or at the period to which we had caught their allusion, and didnt she really not know her mother was bringing her to his mothers, though she apparently had thought it well not to betray knowledge? Such things were symptomaticthough indeed one scarce knew of whaton the part of a young lady betrothed to that curious cross-barred phantom of a Mr. Porterfield. But I am bound to add that she gave me no further warrant for wonder than was conveyed in her all tacitly and covertly encouraging her mother to linger. Somehow I had a sense that she was conscious of the indecency of this. I got up myself to go, but Mrs. Nettlepoint detained me after seeing that my movement wouldnt be taken as a hint, and I felt she wished me not to leave my fellow visitors on her hands. Jasper complained of the closeness of the room, said that it was not a night to sit in a roomone ought to be out in the air, under the sky. He denounced the windows that overlooked the water for not opening upon a balcony or a terrace, until his mother, whom he hadnt yet satisfied about his telegram, reminded him that there was a beautiful balcony in front, with room for a dozen people. She assured him we would go and sit there if it would please him.
It will be nice and cool tomorrow, when we steam into the great ocean, said Miss Mavis, expressing with more vivacity than she had yet thrown into any of her utterances my own thought of half an hour before. Mrs. Nettlepoint replied that it would probably be freezing cold, and her son murmured that he would go and try the drawing-room balcony and report upon it. Just as he was turning away he said, smiling, to Miss Mavis: Wont you come with me and see if its pleasant?