"We mustn't wake the servants," she said in an elaborate whisper."They need sleep, poor things! But I want to consult you about these communicating doors and the locksmith is coming in the morning.--you see this opens from this side." She turned the oiled key softly in the lock."Now Miss Bell thinks they ought to be left so--so that the girls can visit one another if they like--what do you think?""I think you are absurd to bring me to the top floor, at this time of night, for a thing like this!" said the old lady."They should be permanently locked, to my mind! There's no question about it."Viva, still in low tones, discussed this point further; introduced the subject of wall-paper or hard finish; pointed out from the window a tall eucalyptus which she thought needed heading; did what she could to keep her mother-in-law on the spot; and presently her efforts were rewarded.
A sound of muffled speech came from the next room--a man's voice dimly heard.Madam Weatherstone raised her head like a warhorse.
"What's this! What's this!" she said in a fierce whisper.
Viva laid a hand on her arm."Sh!" said she."Let us make sure!" and she softly unlatched the door.
A brilliant moon flooded the small chamber.They could see little Ilda, huddled in the bedclothes, staring at her door from which the key had fallen.Another key was being inserted--turned--but the bolt held.
"Come and open it, young lady!" said a careful voice outside.
"Go away! Go away!" begged the girl, low and breathlessly."Oh how _can_ you! Go away quick!""Indeed, I won't!" said the voice."You come and open it.""Go away," she cried, in a soft but frantic voice."I--I'll scream!""Scream away!" he answered."I'll just say I came up to see what the screaming's about, that's all.You open the door--if you don't want anybody to know I'm here! I won't hurt you any--I just want to talk to you a minute."Madam Weatherstone was speechless with horror, her daughter-in-law listened with set lips.Diantha looked from one to the other, and at the frightened child before them who was now close to the terrible door.
"O please!--_please!_ go away!" she cried in desperation."O what shall I do! What shall I do!""You can't do anything," he answered cheerfully."And I'm coming in anyhow.You'd better keep still about this for your own sake.Stand from under!" Madam Weatherstone marched into the room.Ilda, with a little cry, fled out of it to Diantha.
There was a jump, a scramble, two knuckly hands appeared, a long leg was put through the transom, two legs wildly wriggling, a descending body, and there stood before them, flushed, dishevelled, his coat up to his ears--Mat Weatherstone.
He did not notice the stern rigidity of the figure which stood between him and the moonlight, but clasped it warmly to his heart.--"Now I've got you, Ducky!" cried he, pressing all too affectionate kisses upon the face of his grandmother.
Young Mrs.Weatherstone turned on the light.
It was an embarrassing position for the gentleman.
He had expected to find a helpless cowering girl; afraid to cry out because her case would be lost if she did; begging piteously that he would leave her; wholly at his mercy.
What he did find was so inexplicable as to reduce him to gibbering astonishment.There stood his imposing grandmother, so overwhelmed with amazement that her trenchant sentences failed her completely; his stepmother, wearing an expression that almost suggested delight in his discomfiture; and Diantha, as grim as Rhadamanthus.
Poor little Ilda burst into wild sobs and choking explanations, clinging to Diantha's hand."If I'd only listened to you!" she said."You told me he was bad! I never thought he'd do such an awful thing!"Young Mathew fumbled at the door.He had locked it outside in his efforts with the pass-key.He was red, red to his ears--very red, but there was no escape.He faced them--there was no good in facing the door.
They all stood aside and let him pass--a wordless gauntlet.
Diantha took the weeping Ilda to her room for the night.Madam Weatherstone and Mrs.Weatherstone went down together.
"She must have encouraged him!" the older lady finally burst forth.
"She did not encourage him to enter her room, as you saw and heard,"said Viva with repressed intensity.
"He's only a boy!" said his grandmother.
"She is only a child, a helpless child, a foreigner, away from home, untaught, unprotected," Viva answered swiftly; adding with quiet sarca**--"Save for the shelter of the home!"They parted in silence.
