Half a Hero | Page 4

redoubled his obsequious
attention.
The Governor used to say that he wished his wife had imbibed the
constitutional spirit as readily as Jackson.
CHAPTER II.
A POPULAR DEMONSTRATION.
Miss Eleanor Scaife was gouvernante des enfants de New Lindsey; but
she found the duty of looking after two small children, shared as it was
with a couple of nurses, not enough to occupy her energies. So she
organised the hospitality of Government House, and interested herself
in the political problems of a young community. In the course of the
latter pursuit, a study of Mr. Medland appeared appropriate and needful,
and Miss Scaife was minded to engage in it, in spite of the hostility of
Lady Eynesford. She had studied Sir Robert Perry for three years, but
Sir Robert was disappointing. That he was a charming old gentleman
she freely admitted, but he was not in any special way characteristic of
a young community. He was just like half-a-hundred members of
Parliament whom she had known while she lived with the Eynesfords
at home: in fact he was irredeemably European. Accordingly she was
glad to see him, but she mentally transferred him to the recreative
department, and talked to him about scenery, pictures, and light
literature. Lady Eynesford admired Sir Robert because there was no
smack of the young community about him; Miss Scaife conceded that
point of view, but maintained that there was another: and from that
other she ranked Mr. Medland above a thousand Sir Roberts. All this
she explained to Alicia Derosne, after Lady Eynesford had retired in
dudgeon, and while the Governor was closeted with the new Premier.
"But," objected Alicia, "Captain Heseltine says----"
"Unless," interrupted Eleanor, "it's something about a coat, I don't care

what Captain Heseltine says. He's an authority on that subject, but on
no other under the sun."
Alicia abandoned Captain Heseltine's authority and fell back on her
sister-in-law's; Eleanor, in spite of the unusual relations of intimate
friendship, dating from old school-days, between her employer and
herself, could not treat Lady Eynesford's opinion with open disrespect.
She drew certain distinctions, which resulted in demonstrating that a
close acquaintance between Mr. Medland and Alicia was inadvisable,
but that as regards herself the case was different.
"In short," said Alicia, summarising the distinctions, "you are thirty and
I am twenty-two. But I don't want to know the man, only I liked him
for hunting that butterfly. I wonder what Miss Medland is like. Captain
Heseltine says she's very pretty."
"I don't know."
"Is she out? Oh, but does one come out in New Lindsey?"
"It will be much more convenient if she isn't out," said Miss Scaife,
rising and beginning to walk towards the house.
Alicia accompanied her. Before they had gone far, Mr. Medland and
Dick Derosne appeared in the drive. The interview was ended, and
Dick was escorting Mr. Medland.
"I'm afraid we can't avoid them," said Miss Scaife.
"I'm afraid not," said Alicia. "I wonder what they're talking about."
Mr. Medland's voice, though not loud in ordinary speech, was distinct
and penetrating. In a moment Alicia's wonder was satisfied.
"Only be sure you get the right gin," he said.
"Good gracious!" said Alicia. "Is that characteristic of a young
community, Eleanor?"

Miss Scaife made no reply. The two parties met, and Mr. Medland was
presented. At this instant, Alicia, glancing at the house, thought she
saw a disapproving face at Lady Eynesford's window; but it seemed
hardly likely that the Governor's wife would be watching the Premier
out of the window. Alicia wondered whether they had met in the house;
Miss Scaife felt no doubt that they had not. She knew that Lady
Eynesford's surrender would be a matter of time.
"Well," she said, "are we to congratulate you, Mr. Medland?"
"I believe my tongue is supposed to be sealed for the time," he
answered, smiling.
"Mine isn't," laughed Dick, "and I think you may offer him your
felicitations."
"You think it, yourself, a subject for congratulation?" asked Eleanor,
getting to work at once.
"Oh, Eleanor!" protested Alicia. "Poor Mr. Medland!"
Medland glanced from one to the other, smiling again.
"Whatever may be the sacrifice of personal inclination involved," he
began solemnly, "when the Governor calls on me I have no----"
"You're making fun of us," said Alicia, seeing the twinkle in his eye.
"I am quoting Mr.--Sir Robert Perry's speech when he last came in."
"Sir Robert is a great friend of mine," declared Alicia.
"Seriously," said Medland, turning to Eleanor, "I am very pleased."
"Why?" she asked. "The responsibility must be frightful."
Alicia and Dick laughed irreverently.
"Eleanor's always talking about responsibility," said the former. "I hate

the idea of it, don't you, Mr. Medland?"
"Call it power and try then," he answered.
"Power? Oh, but I have none!"
"No?" he asked,