Pippin; A Wandering Flame

by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards

  CHAPTER XX

  THE PERPLEXITIES OF PIPPIN

  "I don't know _what_ to do with Mary!" said Mrs. Aymer. "I am reallydistracted about her, Larry. I don't think she's _fit_ to go with youto-morrow, yet I don't believe anything can stop her."

  "She certainly looks ill." The chaplain glanced thoughtfully toward thepantry door, as if he expected to see through it. "Have you had any talkwith her, Lucy?"

  "I've tried, but I had to do all the talking. She just pulls this littlewooden smile--it's just that, Lawrence! it's as if she pulled a stringand twitched the corners of her mouth up; there is no smile in her eyes.It's _tragic_! And all she will say is, 'It is my duty to go to myfather; I must go, because it is my duty!' over and over; in fact--"with a petulant outburst--"I seem to have lost my Mary, and got a verybeautiful talking doll in exchange--Only dolls _do_ look cheerful," sheadded, "and they don't cry their eyes out all night."

  "Have you heard her crying?" asked John Aymer.

  "Heard her? No! But I see her in the morning, don't I? _I_ am not an_owl_, my dear John!"

  "No, my love, certainly not!"

  The two men gazed meditatively at each other over their pipes. ("Sincemy husband must either smoke or fidget," Mrs. Aymer was wont to say, "Iprefer to have him smoke; and there shall be no room in my house thathe is obliged to fidget in.") But the pipes did not make for peace asusual; the atmosphere of the rose-shaded room was anxious and troubled,reflecting the mood of its little ruler. However things might be withMary-in-the-kitchen, Lucy-in-the-parlor was not herself this evening.She would knit diligently for a few minutes, then spring up to turn downthe lamp, to poke the fire, to straighten an already straight windowblind, then plunge at her knitting again, and make the needles fly at abewildering rate.

  "It certainly is an extremely rum start!" said John Aymer thoughtfully."Makes one feel as if one were living behind the scenes at the ----," henamed a popular theatre.

  "John Aymer!" The knitting was dropped, and two indignant sapphiresburned on the guilty husband. "I don't _like_ to think you areheartless, John," said Lucy; "but sometimes there seems nothing else_to_ think. To _make game_ of a poor girl's misery! Men are--"

  "Not at all, my love, not at all! I am as sorry as sorry can be, and youknow it. But none the less I cannot help feeling as if I were in amovie. Here are all the materials, black-hearted ruffian, lovely maiden,gallant youth--if that wasn't a movie scene the other night, I never sawone, that's all!-- By the way, Larry, what of the gallant youth? How haspet-lamb Pippin been to-day? Or haven't you seen him?"

  "Oh, yes, I have seen him. I don't believe he cried last night, but hedoesn't look as if he'd slept much for several nights. The boy is asthoroughly upset as the girl." The chaplain stooped to pick up a coalfrom the hearth; then went on slowly. "On the one hand he is all joy athaving found Mary; on the other he is all despair because he thinks hehas offended her in some way. How about that, Lucy? They have been goodfriends up to yesterday, have they?" He looked inquiringly at hissister.

  "_Good friends!_" Mrs. Aymer sprang up again and moved restlessly to thefire.

  "_Hold on!_" her husband grasped her skirt and drew her resolutely back."My child, if you put the Cape Cod fire-lighter _hot_ into the kerosene,there will be an explosion, and we shall all be burned very painfully.This is the fourth time I have caught you on the point of doing it; thenext time, I shall take the thing away and give it to your cousinSelina, who has never moved quickly in her life. Now, my dear girl, sitdown, and _stay_ down for ten minutes."

  Mrs. Aymer subsided in temporary eclipse of meekness, and John Aymerturned to his brother-in-law, who also had sprung forward when he sawthe glowing sponge approaching the brass pot.

  "All right, Lar! She _will_ do it, but I am generally on the lookout.You ask if Mary and Pippin have been good friends. Lawrence, I have beenconscious for the last two weeks that while Lucy's body has had manyoccupations, her mind has done little except marry these two youngpeople, establish them in a shed-apartment-elect (to be furnished, Igather, with all our belongings except those actually in use), andassist in bringing up their family. I feel quite the godfather already,I assure you!"

  "Dear me, sirs!" the chaplain blew smoke rings and watched them with acritical eye. "I had no idea it had gone as far as that!"

  "It hasn't, except in Lucy's fertile brain. Possibly neither of themhas thought of it, though I admit the possibility to be highlyimprobable, at least on the boy's side. If I were in his place--"

  Here Mrs. Aymer was discovered to be weeping quietly and drying her eyeswith her knitting, to their imminent peril. Both men sprang to caressand comfort her. Her husband vowed that he would, if necessary, haleboth the potentially contracting parties to the altar and make Larrymarry them then and there. Anything, he declared, rather than have hiswife blinded by knitting needles or destroyed by fire. Incidentally, hehimself was a brute, and if his little girl cried any more, he wouldtouch himself off with the Cape Cod fire-lighter and have done with it.Her brother said nothing, but took hold of her little finger and shookit in a particular way which had meant consolation ever since he was sixand big, and Lucy was three and little. Finally, between them, theycoaxed a smile from her, and a declaration that they were dear boys andshe was a goose. Then it occurred to her that Mary might sleep betterwith a hot water bottle; this cleared up matters wonderfully, and shebustled off quite cheerfully, promising John that she would have oneherself, and giving Larry a good-night hug as the best of brothers.

  The brothers-in-law exchanged an affectionate nod as the door closedbehind the little woman they both adored; a nod which said many things,all kind and patient and loving. They smoked in silence for ten minutes,then one asked the other where he got his boots; the other replied, andthey talked boots with absent-minded ardor for ten minutes more, thenfell silent again.

  "_But_," John Aymer exploded suddenly, "it _is_, as I said, an extremelyrum start. I suppose you feel perfectly sure of your pet lamb, Lar?"

  "Perfectly--humanly speaking!"

  "Then that's all right. The fellow is so infernally attractive--youunderstand! If I thought he would make Mary unhappy, or--oranything--I'd wring his neck for him, see?"

  The chaplain nodded gravely. "I see! you won't have to wring his neck,Jack."

  "Then that's all right," repeated John Aymer. "Glad of it! He certainlyis as taking a scamp as ever I saw. Is he--has he any family? Nicecomfortable mother or sister who would be good to Mary, eh?"

  Lawrence Hadley shook his head; a slow, humorous smile curled thecorners of his mouth. He heard Pippin's voice, eager, imploring. "Youwon't tell any one, will you, Elder? About Pa and Ma, I mean. Honest,sir, they've ben more help to me than lots of real folks I've seen. WhatI mean--well, I've seen folks act real ugly, you know, to their ownflesh and blood; speak up real hateful, the way you wouldn't speak, no,nor I wouldn't, to a houn' dog! But these folks of mine, so goodand--and so--well, kind of holy is what I mean, and yet ready to jokeand laugh any time--gorry to 'Liza! Elder, I do wish you could _see_ Maand Pa, I do so!"

  "No, John," said the chaplain, "I'm afraid--I have always understoodthat Pippin was an orphan."

  The friendly silence fell again, and the chaplain's thoughts reverted tohis conversation with Pippin that morning. What a child the boy was! Howalmost incredible--if the things of God could ever be incredible, musedthe chaplain--that after such a bringing-up (say, rather, dragging,kicking, cuffing up) he should be what he was. Hadley's mind, alwayswith a whimsical thread running through its earnestness, recalled avisit to an aquarium, and certain creatures of living crystal throughwhich such organs as they had were visible as through glass. Pippin waslike that, he thought. An Israelite without guile; the child of theslums, the young desperado; Pippin the Kid, alias Moonlighter, aliasJack-o'-lantern. Strange and true, and blessed! Out of the mouths ofbabes--gutter babes as well as those of Christian homes! But how absurd,how utterly unreasonable, this very crystalline quality made the boy! Hehad thought that once he fou
nd the girl, all would be plain sailing. Hehad actually expected Mary to start with him, hand in hand like twochildren, that very morning for Cyrus Poor Farm, thirty miles away.There was folks he knowed all along the road, dandy folks, would betickled to death to take them in; what say? The chaplain vetoing thisproposal decidedly, the eager light had died out of Pippin's eyes, theanxious cloud settled again on his brow.

  "She's mad with me!" he lamented. "Green grass! She's mad with me, and Idon't know no more than the dead what I done. Why, don't you rec'lect,Elder, she was puttyin' round there [Pippin meant "puttering"] while wewas talkin', smilin' and--and lookin' pleasant, the way she does--why,you'd said I was welcome, wouldn't you? Sure you would! Why, sir, we was_friends_! There's things I've told that young lady--and she 'peared tounderstand, too, and to--what I mean--not be opposed to hearin' 'em--andthen all of a sudden--I tell you, Elder, I don't know what I'll do ifshe stays mad with me, honest I don't." Pippin's voice broke, and hebrushed his hand across his eyes. "Have you any _i_dea why she's madwith me, Elder?" he asked simply.

  The chaplain patted his shoulder as he would a child's.

  "No, Pippin, I have no idea. I don't even know that she is 'mad withyou.' She has had a shock, and a great deal of excitement and--andemotion, and I don't think she is quite herself now. You must bepatient, Pippin. A young woman's feelings are very sensitive, as yousaid yourself yesterday. Mary is very much upset, and she probablyfeels--she is a very sensible girl, and a very intelligent one"--"Youbet she's all that!" Pippin murmured--"probably feels that as you areconnected with all this excitement and emotion, it is better for her notto see you just now. Start along with your wheel, and Mary and I willfollow by rail. Mr. Bailey can meet us at Cyrus Centre--it's a four-miledrive, you say? We'll be there as soon as you, Pippin, or before. Be offwith you! And cheer up!" he added with his friendly hand on the broadshoulder that drooped as it had never drooped before since that houramong the buttercups. "Cheer up, Pippin! 'Praise the Lord withgladness,' you know, my son!"

  "Amen, Elder! 'And come before His presence with a song.' I will, sir!Gimme a little start, and I will. So long, sir!"

  It was not Pippin's own flashing smile that greeted the chaplain fromthe gate, as with Nipper on his back, the boy turned into the lane; butstill it was a smile, and his chin was up, and his shoulders square oncemore. Yes, Pippin was all right again. But--the chaplain sank deep anddeeper into reverie--what was to become of Pippin eventually? He couldnot go pirouetting across the stage of life as if it were--Hadleyglanced at his brother-in-law, and saw him also deep in thought--amoving picture show. If he had only taken his, the chaplain's, advicein the beginning, and let him find an opening for him in some safe,steady business!

  As if in answer to his thoughts, John Aymer looked up suddenly.

  "How would Pet-Lamb fit into the hardware line?" he asked. "About aswell as a salmon in a lobster pot, eh? Well, we must fit him insomewhere, Lar. I want Mary to stand by Lucy this winter, youunderstand!"

  "Of course. And anyhow, Jack, the boy cannot expect to support a wife byscissor-grinding."

  "All right!" John Aymer rose with an air of relief. "I was afraid thatyou might have some idea in your visionary old noddle. Come on! Let'shave an apple and go to bed!"

  When Pippin went his way that morning, with many a wistful backwardglance at the friendly house and yard where now no blue shape of graceand youth smiled on him, he did not start at once for Cyrus Poor Farm.There was a visit to make first. He plodded along the streets, lookingneither to right nor to left, his bell tinkling in vain (two or threehousewives waved their aprons and called to him, but he did not hearthem) until he came to the now familiar brick wall and the wrought-irongate opening on the cheerful courtyard. He was a frequent visitor now atthe Home; he knew every child intimately, and had won every adult heart,even that of Mrs. Faulkner, who declared that there was certainly noresisting him and that she had given up trying. Mrs. Appleby's heart hadbeen his from the start, as we have seen, and it was she he had come tosee, for the children, he knew, would be at school. Still, as a matterof habit he glanced at the upper windows, and was rewarded by the sightof a forlorn little freckled face which lighted into ecstasy at sight ofhim.

  "Gee!" said Pippin. "Now wouldn't that--"

  He waved his cap to the little prisoner, and a lively sign dialogueensued. Had Jim, Pippin asked with expressive action of his hands, runaway again and got behind the bars? Vehement denial, the red head shakentill it seemed in danger of coming off. Been cutting up, then, and gotspanked good and hard and sent to quod? This also was rendered withdramatic effect, was also denied, with some show of indignation. Thenwhat the didoes was the matter? Pippin spread his arms abroad withuplifted brows. For reply the window was pushed up behind the nurserybars, and a hoarse little voice croaked "Tonsilitis! Been abed--" Herethe speaker was withdrawn swiftly from behind, and the window closedagain. Mrs. Appleby looked down and nodded to Pippin, intimating thatshe would be down directly; then turned to the child, with admonition inevery line of her firm, substantial figure.

  Soon she came, with friendly hand extended; soon Pippin was sittingopposite her in the mission-furnished parlor, pouring out his artlesstale of woe and bewilderment.

  Mrs. Appleby had been expecting Mary for several days, had ratherwondered at her non-appearance. She listened round-eyed to Pippin'saccount of the attempted burglary--his own part in the drama lightlydismissed with, "I knowed the guys, and I just put a spoke in theirwheel. See?"

  "Good gracious!" she ejaculated. "Why, they might have been murdered intheir beds. Why, Pippin, your being there was simply providential."

  Mrs. Appleby, like many another excellent person, had distinctly biassedviews as to the part played by Providence in human affairs; not soPippin, otherwise enlightened by his Elder.

  "I view things generally in that light!" he said gravely. "All is,there's times when I can't understand 'em. Lemme tell you!"

  He told her, with kindling eyes, of his discovery of the astonishingfact that Mary Flower was May Blossom. Yes, she knew that, Mrs. Applebysaid demurely. She did? _She did?_ Then why--Pippin stared at her amoment in blank bewilderment; then he smote his hand on his knee. Thatwas right! He saw, he understood. That was why she wanted the letterfrom Elder Hadley; that was right! She couldn't have done no other way,she sure couldn't. And now, here was the Elder right in town here, andshe could see him and make all the inquiries she--

  But now the mobile face darkened, and the wail broke out.

  "Mrs. Appleby, she's mad with me! Yes, ma'am, she is so! She won't lookat me, nor yet hardly speak to me, excep' kind of cool and polite, likeyou'd speak to a stranger. Why--" he sprang up and paced the room,light-foot, absorbed, lifting his chin a little, unconsciously, as hereached either wall of the room, like a woodland creature in a cage."Why, Mrs. Appleby, I respect that young lady more than anybody in theworld. We was friends, I want you to understand, till this come up, realgood friends!" cried Pippin, clutching at his file and stabbing the airwith it as he paced. "Nor I don't know no more than the dead what it_was_ come up! I never said anything anyways low to that young lady--mytongue would ha' withered in my mouth first. It makes me wild--"

  Here he stopped, and, collecting himself with a great effort, sat downand begged Mrs. Appleby's pardon. He would ask the Lord to help him, hesaid gravely. 'Twasn't likely any one else could, and he'd no businessto be bawlin' like he was a kid. He asked Mrs. Appleby's pardon again,and hoped she would overlook it. She, good lady, as much puzzled as he,tried to comfort him, as the chaplain had done, with hopes that allwould come out right eventually. Mary was upset, and no wonder. Thismight make a great change in her life; Pippin must have patience.

  "St. James!" Pippin's brow cleared, and he rose with his little bowwhich Mrs. Appleby privately considered the most graceful motion she hadever seen in her life. Talk of Russian dancers! "St. James! 'Letpatience have her perfect work.' That's right! James, he's real good andsearchin'; that takes holt of me. Well, ma'am,
I'll wish you good day,and thank you kindly. You have helped me, too, you sure have."

  At this moment a knock was heard, and the round-eyed pupil-teacherentered.

  Please, ma'am, Jimmy Mather wanted to know could the--the gentleman[Janey did not think "my Grindy Man" would be polite or proper torepeat] come up to see him. He was flouncing about horfil, and she couldnot keep him quiet.

  Mrs. Appleby hesitated. It was not usual, she said, but--the otherchildren were at school, and Jimmy had been very poorly; if Pippin caredto go up for a few minutes--

  "Sure I do! Tickled to death! Thank you, ma'am."

  Mrs. Appleby led the way through cool, clean, stone-flagged halls andcorridors to the pleasant infirmary with its yellow walls and snowybeds. Ten beds, and only one occupied, by a freckled, tousledquintessence of fractiousness in a blue wrapper.

  "I _won't_ behave! I _will_ kick them off!" He did. "I want my grindyman, and I won't _ever_ behave unless he comes. I won't, I won't, I_won't_!"

  "Dry up!" Pippin stood in the doorway, erect, with eyes of authority."What kind of way is this to act, I want to know? You lay down--" theboy obeyed instantly--"and you stay layin' down till I give you leave toset up. Now!" He nodded assurance to Mrs. Appleby, who withdrew, drawinga reluctant Janey after her. Janey admired Pippin as much as anybodydid, and had her own thoughts about the foolishness of letting that kidhave his own way like that.

  But Mrs. Appleby did not go far, only into the sewing-room close by,where she sat down and motioned Janey to a seat beside her. The door wasopen--it would have been close with it shut--and she had left theinfirmary door on the jar. Sitting at their sewing, the two womenlistened.

  No sound at first except Pippin's voice in a low admonitory murmur. Thenlouder, in clear, crisp tones: "What say, kid? Goin' to try? Shake!" Twovoices now, in brisk and cheerful dialogue; then gurgles and crows ofchildish delight. (What could Pippin be doing? As a matter of fact, hewas giving an exhibition of the Wig Wags, his fingers impersonatingthese mystic creatures, and performing unheard-of acrobatic feats inconnection with the bedposts.)

  Then--and this was what Mrs. Appleby had been waiting and hoping for,came the injunction: "Now sing, Grindy Man!"

  Pippin sang; and the mite of fractious quicksilver lay back on thepillow with a happy sigh. The matron dropped her sewing, and took outher handkerchief; she was easily moved to tears, good Mrs. Appleby.Downstairs from the housekeeper's room, upstairs from kitchen,dining-room, pantry, eager footsteps came stealing. Soon the wholehousehold was sitting on the stairs, listening, and Mrs. Appleby wasresolutely unaware of them, reflecting that some things were moreimportant than others, and that nobody would die if dinner _was_ alittle late.

  Sing, Pippin! Pour your heart out, and lift up the hearts of all thathear you, sad hearts and merry, dull hearts and quick, for with them youshall lift up your own also, till your eyes shine with their own gladlight, and you go your way, once more joyful in the Lord:

  "Fling out the life line with hand quick and strong: Why do you tarry, why linger so long? See! he is sinking; oh, hasten today-- And out with the Life-Boat! Away, then, away!"