The Crisis — Volume 02

by Winston Churchill

  CHAPTER XI

  THE INVITATION

  Mr. Eliphalet Hopper, in his Sunday-best broadcloth was a marvel ofpropriety. It seemed to Stephen that his face wore a graver expression onSunday when he met him standing on Miss Crane's doorstep, picking thelint from his coat. Stephen's intention was not to speak. But heremembered what the Judge had said to his mother, and nodded. Why,indeed, should he put on airs with this man who had come to St. Louisunknown and unrecommended and poor, who by sheer industry had madehimself of importance in the large business of Carvel &, Company? As forStephen Brice, he was not yet earning his salt, but existing by thecharity of Judge Silas Whipple.

  "Howdy, Mr. Brice," said Mr. Hopper, his glance caught by the indefinablein Stephen's costume. This would have puzzled Mr. Hopper's tailor more.

  "Very well, thanks."

  "A fine day after the rain."

  Stephen nodded, and Mr. Hopper entered the hours after him.

  "Be you asked to Virginia Carvel's party?" he asked abruptly.

  "I do not know Miss Carvel," said Stephen, wondering how well the otherdid. And if the truth be told, he was a little annoyed at Mr. Hopper'sfree use of her name.

  "That shouldn't make no difference," said Eliphalet with just a shade ofbitterness in his tone. "They keep open house, like all Southerners," Mr.Hopper hesitated,--"for such as come well recommended. I 'most forgot,"said he. "I callate you're not any too well recommended. I 'most forgotthat little transaction down to the Court House. They do say that shewanted that gal almighty bad,--she was most awful cut up not to get her.Served her right, though. I'm glad you did. Show her she can't haveeverything her own way. And say," he added, with laughter, "how you didfix that there stuckup Colfax boy! He'll never forgive you no more thanshe. But," said Mr. Hopper, meditatively, "it was a durned-fool trick."

  I think Stephen's critics will admit that he had a good right to beangry, and that they will admire him just a little bit because he kepthis temper. But Mr. Hopper evidently thought he had gone too far.

  "She ain't got no use for me, neither," he said.

  "She shows poor judgment," answered Stephen.

  "She's not long sighted, that's sure," replied Eliphalet, with emphasis.

  At dinner Stephen was tried still further. And it was then he made thedetermination to write for the newspapers in order to pay the rent on Mr.Brinsmade's house. Miss Carvel's coming-out party was the chief topic.

  "They do say the Colonel is to spend a sight of money on that ball," saidMrs. Abner Reed. "I guess it won't bankrupt him." And she looked hard atMr. Hopper.

  "I callate he ain't pushed for money," that gentleman vouchsafed.

  "He's a good man, and done well by you, Mr. Hopper."

  "So--so," answered Eliphalet. "But I will say that I done something forthe Colonel. I've saved him a hundred times my pay since I showed oldHood the leaks. And I got a thousand dollar order from Wright & Companythis week for him."

  "I dare say you'd keep a tight hand enough on expenses," said Miss Crane,half in sarcasm, half in approval.

  "If Colonel Carvel was doin' business in New England," said Eliphalet,"he'd been bankrupt long ago."

  "That young Clarence Colfax," Mrs. Abner Reed broke in, "he'll get aright smart mint o' money when he marries Virginia. They do say hermother left her independent. How now, Mr. Hopper?"

  Eliphalet looked mysterious and knowing. He did not reply.

  "And young Colfax ain't precisely a pauper," said Miss Crane.

  "I'll risk a good deal that she don't marry Colfax," said Mr. Hopper.

  "What on earth do you mean?" cried Mrs. Abner. It ain't broke off?"

  "No," he answered, "it ain't broke off. But I callate she won't have himwhen the time comes. She's got too much sense."

  Heavy at heart, Stephen climbed the stairs, thanking heaven that he hadnot been drawn into the controversy. A partial comprehension of Mr.Hopper was dawning upon him. He suspected that gentleman of an aggressivedetermination to achieve wealth, and the power which comes with it, forthe purpose of using that power upon those beneath him. Nay, when hethought over his conversation, he suspected him of more,--of theintention to marry Virginia Carvel.

  It will be seen whether Stephen was right or wrong.

  He took a walk that afternoon, as far out as a place called Lindell'sGrove, which afterward became historic. And when he returned to thehouse, his mother handed him a, little white envelope.

  "It came while you were out," she said.

  He turned it over, and stared at his name written across the front in afeminine hand In those days young ladies did not write in the bold andmasculine manner now deemed proper. Stephen stared at the note, manlike,and pondered.

  "Who brought it, mother?"

  "Why don't you open it, and see?" asked his mother with a smile.

  He took the suggestion. What a funny formal little note we should thinkit now! It was not funny to Stephen--then. He read it, and he read itagain, and finally he walked over to the window, still holding it in hishand.

  Some mothers would have shown their curiosity. Mrs. Brice did not,wherein she proved herself their superiors in the knowledge of mankind.

  Stephen stood for a long while looking out into the gathering dusk. Thenhe went over to the fireplace and began tearing the note into littlebits. Only once did he pause, to look again at his name on the envelope.

  "It is an invitation to Miss Carvel's party," he said.

  By Thursday of that week the Brices, with thanksgiving in their hearts,had taken possession of Mr. Brinsmade's little house.