第98章 A Friend (2)

"But to have such a man as my father condemned just as hearsay by people who are living lazy, wasteful lives is really too much.Icame to Greyshot expecting at least unity, at least, peace in a Christian atmosphere, and THIS is what I get."Donovan listened in silence, a great sadness in his eyes.There was a pause; then Erica continued: "You think I speak hotly.Icannot help it.I think I do not much mind what they do to me, but it is the injustice of the thing that makes one wild, and worst of all, the knowing that this is what drives people into atheism this is what dishonors the name of Christ.""You are right," he replied, with a sigh; "that IS the worst of it.

I have come to the conclusion that to be tolerant to the intolerant is the most difficult thing in life.""You must have plenty of practice in this dreadful place," said Erica.

He smiled a little.

"Why, to be seen talking to ME will make people say all sorts of evil of you," she added."I wish I had thought of that before.""You wouldn't have spoken to me?" asked Donovan, laughing."Then I am very glad it didn't occur to you.But about that you may be quite easy; nothing could make them think much worse of me than they do already.I began life as the black sheep of the neighborhood, and it is easier for the Ethiopian to change his skin than for a man to live down the past in public opinion.I shall be, at any rate, the dusky gray sheep of the place to the end of my life."There was no bitterness, no shade of complaint in his tone; he merely stated a fact.Erica was amazed; she knew that he was about the only man who attempted to grapple with the evil and degradation and poverty of Greyshot.

"You see," he continued, with a bright look which seemed to raise Erica into purer atmosphere, "it is not the public estimation which makes a man's character.There is one question, which I think we ought never to ask ourselves, and that is 'What will people think of me?' It should be instead: 'How can I serve?'""But if they take away your power, how can you serve?""They can't take it away; they may check and hinder for a time, that is all.I believe one may serve always and everywhere.""You don't mean that I can serve that roomful of enemies in there?""That is exactly what I do mean," he answered, smiling a little.

In the meantime, Lady Caroline was apologizing to Mr.Cuthbert.

"I don't know when I have been so vexed!" she exclaimed."It is really too bad of Mrs.Fane-Smith.I had no idea that the Burne-Jones angel I promised you was the daughter of that disgraceful man.What a horrible satire, is it not?""Pray, don't apologize," said Mr.Cuthbert."It was really rather amusing than otherwise, and I fancy the young lady will be in no great hurry to force her way into society again."He laughed a soft, malicious, chuckling laugh.

"I should hope not, indeed," said Lady Caroline, indignantly.

"Where has she disappeared to?"

"Need you ask?" said Mr.Cuthbert, smiling."Our revered member secured her at once, and has been talking to her in the conservatory for at least half an hour, hatching radical plots, Idare say, and vowing vengeance on all aristocrats.""Really it is too shocking!" said Lady Caroline."Mr.Farrant has no sense of what is fitting; it is a trait which I have always noticed in Radicals.He ought, at least to have some respect for his position.""Birds of a feather flock together," suggested Mr.Cuthbert, with his malicious smile.

"Well, I don't often defend Mr.Farrant," said Lady Caroline."But he comes of a good old family, and, though a Radical, he is at least respectable."Lady Caroline knew absolutely nothing about Erica, but uttered the last sentence, with its vague, far-reaching, and most damaging hint, without even a pricking of conscience.

"You will try to rescue the M.P.?" asked Mr.Cuthbert.

"For the sake of his position, yes," said Lady Caroline, entering the conservatory.

"Oh! Mr.Farrant," she said, with her most gracious smile, "I came to see whether you couldn't induce your wife to sing to us.Now, is it true that she has given up her music? I assure you she and I have been battling the point ever since you came up.Can't you persuade her to give us just one song? I am really in despair for some music.""I am afraid my wife is quite out of voice," said Donovan."Are there no other musical people?""Not one.It is really most astonishing.I was counting on Miss Fane-Smith, but she has disappointed me, and there is not another creature who will play or sing a note.Greyshot is a terrible unmusical place.""You do not belong to Greyshot, so perhaps you may be able to come to the rescue," said Donovan to Erica."Scotch people can, at any rate, always play or sing their own national airs as no one else can."Lady Caroline did not really in the least care whether there were music or not, but she had expressed herself very strongly, and that tiresome Mr.Farrant had taken her at her word, and was trying to beat up recruits recruits that she did not want.He had now, whether intentionally or not, put her in such a position that, unless she were positively rude, she must ask Erica to play or sing.

"Have you brought any music, Miss Raeburn?" she asked, turning to Erica with a chilling look, as though she had just become aware of her presence.

"I have none to bring," said Erica."I do not profess to sing; Ionly sing our own Scotch airs."

"Exactly what I said!" exclaimed Donovan."And Scotch singing of Scotch airs is like nothing else in the world."Whether he mesmerized them both, or whether his stronger will and higher purpose prevailed, it would be hard to say.Certainly Erica was quite as unwilling to sing as Lady Caroline was to favor her with a request.Both had to yield, however, and Erica, whether she would or not, had to serve her roomful of enemies and a great deal of good it did her.