In the Valley of the Shadow | Page 3

the lower landing. She was dressed in cool blue gingham; the straps of her white apron marked the firm, broad lines of her bust and shoulder.
"Is this Mrs. Wylie?" she said in her clear, assured voice. "Mrs. Moore would like to see her a moment. Will you come with me?"
"I will come directly," and Sue gathered together her gloves and hand-bag.
"She's very good-looking--it's a pity her hair is so gray," she breathed in his ear. As the two women stood together a moment on the landing he realized, not for the first time, that Sue was a little too small. But he had never thought her sallow before.
Peter came in by the greenhouse door, walking slowly, his hands behind his back. He looked old for the first time in his jolly, persistently boyish life.
"Those chrysanthemums are all drying up," he complained fretfully; "not one of the blamed servants has done a thing since--since--O Lord, Will, what shall we be doing this time tomorrow? Where are the children? Where's Miss Strong? There's a woman for you! Caddy took to her directly. She's there now. She's talking to her about the children. Oh, my God!"
Belden grasped his hand and they walked silently up and down the hall.
"Aunt Lucia's coming to-night," Peter resumed nervously. "She will drive me mad. Take care of her, will you? If I could have choked her off--but when you think she was just like a mother to Cad all these years, what can you do? She's got a right. You'd think she'd have got some sense from living with Cad so long. I told Henry to go for her--and there you are," he added, as the cart drew up before the open door.
Belden went slowly down the steps; he detested Aunt Lucia, and Clarice had always stood between them.
"How do you do?" he began, assisting her from the high seat. Her long crape veil caught in the wheel, and the numberless black and floating ends of her costume wound themselves about him as he bent down to disentangle her.
"Oh, Wilmot, this is a terrible day for us all, is it not? Be careful of the hem of that veil, please. When I kissed Clarice good-by last Christmas I little thought what a good-by it was! Is she conscious? You have muddied the boa, I think, but never mind. Can I see her once more?"
"For Heaven's sake, Aunt Lucia, anybody would think Caddy was in her grave! She's a long way from it yet, thank God! Of course she's conscious, and spunky as the--as ever. I don't think you really needed to--"
"My dear Wilmot, I prepared Clarice for her confirmation, I dressed her for her wedding, and I was here when the children were born. If you think that I would fail her in this crisis you have a very poor idea of my character. But then, I am perfectly aware that you always had. Oh, there is Peter! My poor Peter!" She rushed toward him, and Belden smiled sardonically as his brother-in-law planted a perfunctory kiss on her chin.
"This may comfort you, Peter, as it has me so often in such circumstances. So short, so true, so helpful. 'Underneath are the everlasting arms!' Do you feel that, Peter?"
"I--I--yes, indeed, Aunt Lucia--you must want a bite of something, I'm sure, driving so far."
Peter writhed miserably in Aunt Lucia's crape-and-jet arms.
"Not till I have seen her, Peter. Afterwards I shouldn't mind. I have brought such a beautiful address by Bishop Hunter. It was delivered on the occasion of the death of Governor -------, unless I forgot to put it in with my knitted shawl. I believe I did. I will send for it directly. When my dear husband--he was so fond of Clarice--died, I read it more than anything else, except the Prayer-book, of course. You will surely find it a help."
"Yes, Aunt Lucia. Your room is ready, and--"
"Not till I have seen her, Peter."
"Susy is there now, and Miss Strong says nobody else this evening. Tomorrow--"
Aunt Lucia drew away.
"Do I understand that Susy Wylie--no relation at all--is preferred before the only mother Clarice has had for all these years?"
Peter winced. "But you weren't here, Aunt Lucia," he argued wearily.
"Who is Miss Strong?"
"Here she is!" There was great relief in Peter's voice. "Miss Strong, my aunt, Mrs. Wetherly."
"Mrs. Moore sends you her best love, and wants you to get thoroughly rested, so that you can see her the first thing in the morning, Mrs. Wetherly. She says you are not to let them frighten you."
As if by magic the formidable frown faded from Aunt Lucia's forehead. She smiled approvingly at the nurse.
"Very well. I should like to ask you a few questions--Clarice was always thoughtful."
They moved away together. The two men stared at each other.
"How do you account for that?"