04 Young Renny

by Mazo de La Roche

  As he sipped the drink he sank still lower in his chair, but his eyes brightened.

  "How is your finger?" Adeline asked with solicitude.

  "It kept me awake most of the night. Parrot bites have been known to be fatal." He examined his finger, still dressed in her handkerchief, with an expression as gloomy as though it were already carrion.

  "My goodness, Mally!" exclaimed Adeline, "I've never seen anyone so down as you are! What am I to do with you?" There was genuine exasperation in her tone.

  "Nothing," he said. "Even you. I'll have to go home to my mother."

  "You can't, and that's flat," she returned. "Listen now, I have an idea. There's a very good tent about somewhere which is used for hunting trips. I'll have it put up for you in a quiet spot at the river's edge. You shall camp out for a bit. It will do you a world of good. I only wish I were young enough for it. I've tented in my day."

  Malahide reluctantly allowed himself to be led under the harebellblue arch of the October sky. But when he saw the pretty spot, on a secluded curve of the stream, his gloom lightened. The gin and bitters had also had an effect. He agreed that it would be pleasant to camp here and, under Adeline's fostering, his determination to ride Harpie to triumph was again roused.

  Philip and Renny were busied with the schooling of polo ponies. Nicholas was spending the day with friends in town. Meg and Molly had gone on an excursion with the Laceys. It was not till evening that Adeline disclosed to them the erection of the tent by the river and Malahide's migration there. He had taken only one or two travelling bags with him. The rest of his luggage was piled in his room as though for departure. In truth, Adeline felt that the time was not distant when she would be willing to see him set sail for Ireland. The long winter was drawing near and she looked forward to a comfortable and secluded period with her family.

  The news was received with amusement and relief. The family could scarcely believe that Malahide was actually out of the house. One after another they went to the door of his room and looked at the mound of luggage which rose with something of the mysterious appearance of the earth thrown up by a burrowing animal. And how he had burrowed into their life at Jalna! Nicholas expressed skepticism as to his leaving. When Malahide found it too cold in the tent, he said, he would come back to the house. Nothing could keep him out.

  As, singly, they had inspected his room, they went in a body to overlook his new retreat. It was on the opposite side of the stream, the riverbank there being much lower. So, from the shelter of a group of sumacs and alders they looked down on the white tent set among pines and half hidden by bushes. Before it the stream moved swift and darkling and the setting sun left it in cool remote shadow. There was not a sign of life about.

  "I'd give a good deal to see inside that tent," said Mary.

  Meg said - "You would discover Malahide stretched at full length on his cot, a bottle of poison in one hand and a picture of Gran in the other."

  "Let's hope he'll take the poison," said Renny.

  Mary laughed. "He would thrive on it."

  "How vindictive you all are," said Philip. "For my part, I feel sorry for poor old Malahide."

  "There he is!" exclaimed Nicholas. "Don't let him see us."

  They drew back and, from the shelter of the reddening leaves, watched him appear from his tent carrying a kettle. He came to the water's edge, knelt, and allowed it to fill. Every movement he made was regarded with curiosity by the watchers. He collected some brushwood and lighted a small fire in front of the tent, and hung the kettle there on a support evidently made by more experienced hands than his. A blue spiral of smoke rose above the pines and dissolved into the tender azure of the sky. He then disappeared into his tent.

  As they returned along the river's edge they had a feeling of unease as though Malahide, leading his singular existence, were capable of exercising a charm, enervating and evil, against them and against their horses.

  This feeling was perhaps fostered by an intense glow, of a colour approaching saffron, which now pervaded the atmosphere. The very grass and leaves took on this tone, and their own faces were transformed by its radiance. An extraordinary hush prevailed. Even the murmur of the river was muted as though a finger had been laid upon its lips. Brightcoloured tendrils of poison ivy stretched toward their path. Two old farm horses, now past work but kept as pensioners by Philip, were allowed to roam here. They had grown wild in their ways and at sight of the approaching group were suddenly affrighted. They stood staring a space from under their forelocks, which were clotted with burrs, then neighed loudly and galloped up and down, squealing and kicking. Renny, who had gathered a handful of acorns, began to pepper the beasts with these.

  Philip laid a restraining hand on his arm. He asked: -

  "How did the colt behave this morning?"

  The boy gave him a tragic look. "Like the devil. Scotchmere is in the depths. Says we had better not show him."

  "Don't be worried by Scotchmere. Perhaps you've worked Gallant too hard. Give him a rest. Feed him up a bit. What about the ponies?"

  "They were splendid."

  "If that fellow," said Nicholas, "gets the best of us, I'll never hold up my head again. You must not let him, Renny."

  Renny threw up his last acorn and caught it. "Its easy to talk," he said. "I wish you had seen Gallant this morning - rocking about like a drunken sailor."

  "I think you excite him," declared Meg. "Why don't you try to be calm like I am?"

  "Yes," agreed Mary. "I think we should all try to be calmer about this affair, not let it take such a hold on us. For my part, I can think of little else."

  Philip hooked his arm into hers. "Think of me, Molly," he whispered, "for a change."

  They did indeed try to regard the approaching contest with more detachment in the days that followed. Gallant was kept quiet for several days, and when his schooling began again, the family disposed themselves about the paddock in attitudes of exaggerated nonchalance. Molly even brought her knitting and affected to count stitches at moments of tension.

  The absence of Malahide from the house was indeed a source of tranquility, though Adeline did not allow it to be forgotten how he had been driven out, and it became the habit of Boney, in the most peaceful moments, to ejaculate the mischievous words taught him by Renny.

  The weather continued to be perfect, and each morning Adeline called at the tent for Malahide and they proceeded together to Vaughanlands. Each morning she carried some special dainty to him. By her direction his more substantial wants were supplied from the kitchen. Mary was so thankful to have him out of the house that she herself saw that his needs were plentifully provided for.

  Malahide's moods were a problem to Adeline in these days. They varied between deep dejection and a boastful hilarity that was unusual in him. She suspected that he was drinking too much. The strain of her guardianship began to tell on her and she did not sleep as she was accustomed to. Her temper was short.

  The event in which Gallant and Harpie were entered was the most important high jumping contest of the Show and was set for the third night. Renny was riding on both earlier nights and the family attended in force, with the exception of Adeline, who was storing her strength for the great event.

  On the first night Malahide bore her company. But by his alternate fidgeting and gloom he tired her. With his long wrists dangling he sat talking to her, now of his variable past, now of his lacklustre future. He hinted boldly for money to raise his spirits, and at last Adeline went to her room, unlocked the drawer of her small bureau, and brought him no mean sum. She dared not let Boney see his face, and Malahide still wore a stall on his finger.

  The next morning Adeline suggested to Admiral Lacey by a threecornered note that he should invite her and her kinsman to dinner that night. By this means she would know where Malahide was and yet not have the responsibility of his entertainment.

  The invitation was warmly extended.

  Philip, his brother, and his family were at a dinner
in town. In good time Malahide appeared at Jalna and got his evening things from his trunk and in his old room dressed for dinner. Hodge had driven the family to town and Malahide himself was to drive the bays to the Laceys'. Adeline, sitting at his side, declared that he handled them beautifully. There was just light enough to make the drive without the aid of carriage lamps. There was a nip of frost in the air.

  The dinner was a great success. The jolly Admiral, his portly wife and vivacious daughters, were always charmed to have Adeline in their midst. The daughters hung on all Malahide had to say of Paris. He posed, he swaggered. He praised the good wine and, to Adeline's chagrin, she perceived at the moment of leaving that he had taken too much of it.

  At the door she hesitated, wondering if she should not ask for someone else to drive them home, but it was late. With misgiving in her heart and a bold front she bade her friends goodnight and, taking Malahide's arm, guided him down the steps, managing to conceal his condition. Indeed he looked more alive than usual, helped her in, and mounted lightly to the seat beside her. He took the reins from the Laceys' old coachman.

  "I hope you haven't drunk too much, Mally," said Adeline as they spun down the drive.

  "Not a drop," he laughed. "Never felt better in my life. How nice the Laceys are! I have a mind to visit them for a little when the Show is over. I suppose those girls have not much money?"

  "Poor as church mice. Mind what you're doing! You all but grazed the gateposts."

  "Don't worry!" laughed Malahide, cracking the whip. "I'll jump the gate if necessary - carriage and all!"

  They flew along the road, Adeline's lace scarf streaming out behind, the moonlight shining on her set features.

  "Look there!" said Malahide. "What lovely clouds! To me the moon looks like a race horse leaping over them." He waved his whip skyward and the carriage swerved dangerously near the edge of the road.

  "My God!" cried Adeline. "You'll have us in the ditch!"

  "What! Do you say I can't drive?" He turned and looked in her face. The bays shied at a piece of paper fluttering in the moonlight.

  "Give me those reins," said Adeline.

  She took them in her hands and drew the horses to a standstill. She spoke soothingly to them.

  Malahide swayed and seemed likely to fall off the seat.

  Adeline would have given a great deal to be back at the Laceys' or home at Jalna. But this must be faced. She put one arm firmly about Malahide's waist. His head dropped to her shoulder. His hat fell off, but fortunately not into the road.

  What would her children say if they could see her, she thought grimly, as she drove homeward. Never must they know of this. Yet the situation was not without its element of pleasure. It was many a year since she had handled the reins. Her hands felt strong and capable. If only she had not this incubus of Malahide leaning against her!

  And what a night! The unseasonable warmth had gone. In a few hours it had turned to this brilliant air, pregnant with frost, filled with sharp warning of the approaching winter. She was reminded of night drives with her Philip. Different indeed they had been, with him sitting straight and stalwart beside her, driving his horses at a spanking rate along the lonely road.

  With a challenging air she drew up the bays in front of her own door. Malahide seemed half asleep, but she helped him to alight and made him sit on a garden seat in the shadow of the porch. The bays stood quietly, nuzzling each other.

  When the man had driven the horses to the stables she turned to Malahide. What should she do with him? She decided, after a moment's reflection, that he must go back to his tent.

  "Come," she said sternly, "get up and take my arm."

  He rose obediently and they moved slowly across the lawn in the direction of the ravine. She added: -

  "Are you able to walk to your tent?"

  "To the world's end with you," he declared, leaning heavily on her.

  "You talk like a fool, Mally.... Now, help yourself a little! Don't imagine I can carry you."

  She gave him a thump between the shoulders that made him stagger. It did him good. He braced himself. Slowly and heedfully they descended the variable path.

  In the ravine a clear and poignant chill stung their nostrils. "Sharp frost tonight," commented Adeline.

  "And me in a tent!"

  "Have you plenty of blankets?

  "Tons of them."

  "Good. Ha, here is the bridge!" She would have liked a breathing space here, but she was afraid to stop, for fear he might be difficult to start again.

  She found the path on the other side and along it they groped, for it was dark down here, till they saw the whiteness of the tent. Malahide was reviving in the cold air. He bent and, unfastening the flap, ushered her into the tent as though it were a mansion. He found and lighted a candle. The interior was discovered, chill and neat. On a chair, by the bed, stood a half-empty bottle of brandy. He beamed at Adeline. He said: -

  "Let me give you something to sustain you on the walk back. But, no, you shall not go! You shall sleep on my pallet and I will lie on the ground outside your door."

  Adeline stood firmly on her feet, regarding him with a strange mixture of amusement and despair.

  "What account you will give of yourself tomorrow night, I can't imagine," she said. "I'm afraid it's all up with us. For Robert Vaughan's sake, pull yourself together, Mally!"

  He stood swaying, the bottle in one hand. "For your sake, and yours only!" he said, fervently. He poured a little of the brandy into a glass and she sipped it gratefully.

  She helped him to divest himself of his evening clothes, which she hung on a line that was suspended across the tent. He sat in his woollen dressing gown, his confused mind not quite convinced of her substance, or of the unreality of her grotesque shadow that loomed above them. As she raised her arms the lines of her sides and breast showed something of her early grace. Her face was to him the emblem of fortitude and the arrogance of their tradition.

  She had tucked him up like a child and now she retraced her steps through the ravine. Freed of Malahide, she no longer felt tired. She walked strongly, and when she came to the bridge she stood there for a space, looking down into the sliding darkness of the stream. It threw silvery glances up at her. It talked to her - the familiar, long-continued converse of more than fifty years. She stood so motionless that she might have been one of the watchful trees at its brink. An owl flitted by her, its soft wings carrying the moonlight, a mouse drooping in its beak.

  "Ha!" she exclaimed, under her breath. "You about your business ... I about mine! Funny old birds ... both of us!"

  THE HORSE SHOW

  IN THE STRONG electric light every detail of the spirited scene was garishly visible. The bright uniforms of the bandsmen; their polished instruments, from the throats of which a barbarous march was throbbing; the gently swaying flags and bunting that hung from the ceiling; the varied colour and staring faces of the audience that filled the tier upon tier of seats; the muscular and shining bodies of the horses, and the rich hue of the tanbark. From the boxes, with their array of white shirt fronts and evening cloaks, to the occupants of the back seats, all eyes were directed toward the next event, which was the most important of the Show, the prize being a coveted silver cup and a purse of a thousand dollars.

  The Vaughans shared their box with the Laceys, all but Vera, who sat with Meg Whiteoak. Robert Vaughan's ascetic face wore an eager, almost a tremulous, smile. It was his first outing since his illness and he found the excitement of the occasion almost overwhelming. Admiral Lacey sat, solid, red-faced, and benign, his eyes sometimes wandering from the horses to the handsome women who strolled by with their escorts.

  The Whiteoak family occupied the next box, Nicholas nervously tugging at his dark moustache, Philip with an expression of exaggerated calm, Mary, outshining both young girls that night, in a gown of silver and blue. Adeline, wearing a white lace mantilla and a grey satin dress and ermine cape, was the most notable figure in the audience. Since her husb
and had been one of the founders of the Show, she had sat in that box year after year, her appraising gaze on the horses, her challenging smile flashing for the men who ever and again came to lean over her shoulder or raise their hats to her from below. This year, conscious of her new teeth, there was an added self-satisfaction in her greetings. She threw back her cape and sat erect as she saw a society reporter making a note of her appearance. There was nothing of the restrained and lukewarm fine lady about her. She arched her neck and showed herself off, as the vital and eager thoroughbreds in the Show.

  Now they were coming! Lifting their dainty hoofs high, distending their full nostrils, holding their sleek, barrel-like bodies in readiness, their riders immaculate, their faces masks of imperturbability. Renny was the youngest rider and Gallant the youngest horse. Yet they excelled the eighteen other entrants in severity of line and scorn of bearing. Gallant was transported to a new world of artificial light and strange sounds. The only link with his old life was the thighs that bound him, the hands that guided him. For sheer grace, give the crowd Harpie and her dark-faced rider, whose languid length seemed to melt into her very flesh.

  One after another the riders essayed the jumps. One after another they cleared the easier ones, balked or failed to clear without ticking or knocking a bar from the highest - all but Renny and Malahide, who, with scarcely a fault, circled the tanbark. One after another the sound of a bugle dismissed them till only five were left.

  Amid loud applause these five returned to another trial. The three tall barriers together at the end of the course were the stumblingblock. The tension of the audience became pronounced, as three of the riders were defeated and withdrew. Now only Gallant and Harpie were left. Through all their sensitive nerves they were conscious of the atmosphere of enmity. As they passed each other, Gallant made a hideous grimace and bit Harpie on the shoulder.