Janet's Love and Service Part 33

"Here is Harry!" exclaimed Rose. "And some one with him. Charlie Millar, I think."

"We will wait for them," said Arthur.

The look that came to Graeme's face, as she stood watching her brother's coming, told that the shadow of a new care was brooding over her, and the light talk of her brother and sister told that it was one they did not see. She stood back a little, while they exchanged greetings, and looked at Harry with anxious eyes.

"Are you going out, Graeme?" asked he, coming within the gate.

"Only to walk. Will you go with us? Or shall I stay?"

"Miss Elliott," interposed Charlie Millar, "I beg you will not. He doesn't deserve it at your hands. He is as cross as possible. Besides, we are going to D street, by invitation, to meet the new partner. He came yesterday. Did Harry tell you?"

"Harry did not come home last night. What kept you, Harry?" asked Rose.

"We were kept till a most unreasonable hour, and Harry stayed with me last night," said Charlie.

"And of course Graeme stayed up till all hours of the night, waiting for me," said Harry, with an echo of impatience in his voice.

"Of course she did no such foolish thing. I saw to that," said Arthur.

"But which is it to be? A walk, or a quiet visit at home?"

"Oh! a walk, by all means," said Charlie Millar.

"I have a great mind not to go," said Harry.

"Nonsense, man! One would think you were about to receive the reward of your evil deeds. I refer to you, Miss Elliott. Would it be respectful to the new firm, if he were to refuse to go?"

"Bother the new firm," said Harry, impatiently.

"The new partner, you mean. He has taken a most unreasonable dislike to my brother at first sight--calls him proud, and a sn.o.b, because he happens to be shy and awkward with strangers."

"Shy! A six-footer, with a beard enough for three. After that I'll vanish," said Harry.

"I don't think Harry is very polite," said Rose.

"Never mind. There are better things in the world than politeness. He will be more reasonable by and by," said Harry's friend.

"So your brother has come," said Graeme. "How long is it since you have seen him?"

"Oh! not for ten years. He was home once after he came out here, but I was away at school, and did not see him. I remembered him quite well, however. He is not spoiled by his wanderings, as my mother used to fear he might be;" then he added, as Harry reappeared, "the fact is, Miss Elliott, he expected to be asked to dinner. We must overlook his ill-temper."

"By all means," said Graeme, laughing.

"Thank you," said Harry. "And I'll try to be patient."

"Well, shall we go now?" said Arthur, who had been waiting patiently through it all. The others followed him and Will.

"Is your brother going to remain here?" asked Graeme. "That will be nice for you."

"Yes, on some accounts it would be nice. But if they send Harry off to fill his place at the West, I shall not like that, unless, indeed, they send us both. And I am not sure I should like that long."

"Send Harry!" exclaimed Graeme.

"Nonsense, Graeme!" said Harry. "That is some of Charlie's stuff."

"I hope so; but we'll see," said Charlie. "Miss Elliott, I had a letter from my mother to-day." The lad's eyes softened, as he turned them on Graeme.

"Have you?" said Graeme, turning away from her own thoughts to interest herself in his pleasure. "Is she quite well?"

"Yes, she is much better than she was, and, Miss Elliott, she sends her love to you, and her best thanks."

"For what?" said Graeme, smiling.

"Oh! you know quite well for what. What should I have done, if it had not been for you and Harry? I mean if you had not let me come to your house sometimes."

"Stuff!" said Harry.

"Truth!" said Charlie. "I never shall forget the misery of my first months, till Harry came into our office. It has been quite different since the night he brought me to your house, and you were so kind as to ask me to come again."

"That was no great self-denial on our part," said Graeme, smiling.

"You minded Graeme on some one she used to know long ago," said Rose.

"And, besides, you are from Scotland."

Both lads laughed.

"And Graeme feels a motherly interest in all Scottish laddies, however unworthy they may be," said Harry.

And so they rambled on about many things, till they came to the gate of Mr Elphinstone's garden, beyond which Arthur and Will were loitering.

"How pretty the garden is!" said Rose. "Look, Graeme, at that little girl in the window. I wonder whether the flowers give her as much pleasure, as they used to give me."

"I am afraid she does not get so many of them as you used to get," said Graeme.

"Come in and let me gather you some," said Charlie.

"No, indeed. I should not venture. Though I went in the first time without an invitation. And you dare not pick Mr Stirling's flowers."

"Dare I not?" said Charlie, reaching up to gather a large spray from a climbing rose, that reached high above the wall.

"Oh! don't. Oh! thank you," said Rose.

As far down as they could see for the evergreens and horse-chestnuts a white dress gleamed, and close beside the little feet that peeped out beneath it, a pair of shining boots crushed the gravel.

"Look," said Rose, drawing back.

"The new partner," said Harry, with a whistle. "A double partnership-- eh, Charlie?"

"I shouldn't wonder," said Charlie, looking wise.