An I.D.B. in South Africa Part 13

Experience has taught me that a good dinner makes a man much better company than he would be without it."

"Miss Darcy, I think your presence would always make a man feel at his best."

"Tut! Tut! what nonsense. I am more of a philosopher than you. There is nothing equal to a good dinner to make a man feel at peace with all the world."

"How are you off for servants?"

"I have not the slightest idea how many Margaret has on her staff. When meal time comes around, there will be a quorum or more Kafirs around the kitchen door. Always enough to come to a decision on the merits of the cook, cuisine, and condiments. They are an amusing study. They come in all sorts of garbs: in blankets, old military jackets once owned by some brave Englishman, and a variety of garments too absurd to mention. One Kafir came with a stovepipe hat turned upside down, so that he could have carried all his worldly possessions in it if he had wished to do so. The hat was held on his head by fastening a string to each side of the rim, and tying them under his chin. In addition to that he had on a paper collar, and a pair of old pantaloons half way up to his knees. He had a k.n.o.b-kerrie in his hand, and walked much as a Broadway dandy would walk."

"Miss Darcy," said the doctor, laughingly, "you should fill a sketch-book with all these strange characters you see. Your powers of observation are so developed that you perceive things which others would pa.s.s blindly over."

"I have not the slightest talent for sketching. These scenes will have to remain imprinted on the photographic tablet of my memory."

"I trust your housekeeper suits you?"

"Margaret is all one could ask for, and such an honest body. I know she doesn't 'pretty much'!"

"One could not truthfully say that she is handsome! You are perfectly safe while she is your body-guard. Has she raised that moustache since you met her?"

Kate laughed merrily, for Margaret always reminded her of an old mouser.

It seemed as if she never could have been young, and her clothes had a home-made-in-a-hurry sort of look about them. But Margaret filled her niche in the world.

"Let us take a drive before dinner," said Kate, "and let me show you through this beautiful little town of ours, which we think compares favourably with those havens of rest around Cape Town. You must have seen at the hotel the Englishmen, who are enjoying poor health, and losing their old dreaded belief in consumption."

"I did, and found them agreeable company. You have pleasant neighbours?"

"I don't know. I should be sorry to find that I have not, so I do not try to gratify any curiosity I may have on the subject."

They had reached the house, and Kate, having given orders for the horses to be harnessed to the Victoria, excused herself for a few moments.

When she returned she wore a plain cream-coloured cashmere dress. A wide-brimmed Leghorn hat, with drooping feathers, sat gracefully on her head.

After driving through the miniature city, with its imposing banks, churches, House of Parliament, and handsome residences, they struck the road leading along the edge of a line of hills that overshadowed the town, pa.s.sing several neatly-kept vineyards. For an hour they kept up a running fire of conversation on every topic except the one nearest their hearts; then the doctor turned the horses, and the spirited creatures put their noses down and enjoyed the run home over the hard, smooth road, as much as did the occupants of the carriage behind them. Dinner was ready when they reached the house, and they sat a long time chatting over the viands before them, unmindful of everything outside those four walls. After dinner the garden was again visited, and Kate swung idly in her hammock, while the doctor sat near by and told her the news of the Kimberley world. A cool breeze sprang up at sunset, and the moon rose in all her silvery glory.

They were both content. The day had brought its full amount of happiness, and was one to be kept in memory.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

PINNING LEAVES TOGETHER.

"I have been thinking that you have found that home of loveliness and utter delight, which you so charmingly described during our last ride together in Kimberley."

"And have you not forgotten what I said?" asked Kate, looking up at the sky.

"I remember every word I ever heard you utter."

"I shall be very careful what I say after this."

"Not on my account, I beg? I like to hear you think aloud as you do, for your words have so stirred my own thoughts, Miss Darcy, that I have been anxious to hear you talk again."

Kate swung more and more slowly with eyes half closed, like one indulging in a dream.

"Tell me," continued the doctor, looking down into her face, "are you perfectly happy within yourself. Have you no longing for the society of others, and is this idle life of yours all that you wish for?"

Kate could not answer this man lightly, she felt that if she were false to him in the slightest degree, she would become less womanly in her own, as well as his eyes. Avoiding his glance, she answered:

"The idle life I am leading is a life full of thought. My mind is constantly absorbing everything I see. All these strange creatures around me are a study. I have not been as idle as you think during my stay in Bloemfontein. I have been pinning some leaves together."

"Pinning leaves together! Am I among those leaves?"

"Yes, but I have turned your particular leaf, with a few others, down for future reference."

"What will you do with the remaining leaves?"

"They will be left pinned. I do not wish to re-read the past. I need all my strength and thought for the ever-present now."

"Do you mean to say, that you do not intend giving any backward glances?"

"All that is not pleasant I have shut away in those leaves."

"Then I may infer that the leaf you have turned down for reference, has something agreeable written there?"

Kate made no reply.

"To be but a leaf in your book, brings a sense of delight to me. Pray let me know if I am fast in the binding, or whether I am liable to become lost, strayed, or stolen. Sometimes I feel as if I were all three," said the doctor, with an earnestness in his voice, that made the blood fly to Kate's cheeks. Yet evading his real meaning, she said, with mock pity:

"Poor fellow! That is homesickness. Homesickness is a very unpleasant feeling."

"Especially if you have no home, but are merely existing?"

"Don't you call Kimberley home?"

"Did you ever meet anyone there who did?" asked the doctor.

"Now that I think of it I never did. Why is it?"

"Because to live simply to make money, is only existence. I do not think I shall remain there much longer. I expect to sail for England shortly."

"To remain there?"

"That depends!" and the doctor watched her face with its varying expression. Kate covered her face with her hand, for a few moments.

When she looked up again the doctor asked:

"Of what were you thinking?"

"Of something in the past. Of course it was a pleasant thought."

"I wish that I were woven in that past life of yours."

"I don't think we would have been as good friends as we are now."