Luck and Pluck 20

Luck and Pluck 20

"You can come downstairs and wash, like the rest of us," said Mr.

Huxter. "You needn't expect us to lug up water for you."

 

John did not reply to this rude speech; but he could not avoid being

struck by the change in the manner of his host. Mr. Huxter had, when

first introduced, treated him with elaborate politeness. Now he treated

him with downright rudeness, and as if he possessed some authority over

him. John did not understand this, nor did he like it; but as it was

only for a few days at the farthest, he resolved not to repay rudeness

with rudeness, but to behave with as much respect as circumstances

would allow. In the mean time he would ascertain as soon as possible

the object of his visit, and so hasten matters as to allow of his

return home with as little delay as possible.

 

Dressing hastily, he went downstairs, and found the breakfast-table

spread in the kitchen. Mr. Huxter was seated at the table in his

shirt-sleeves.

 

"Down at last, Oakley," he said. "Sit right up."

 

"I should like to wash first," said John.

 

"Well, there's the sink, and there's a tin basin," said Mr. Huxter.

 

"Wait a minute, Mr. Oakley," said Mrs. Huxter, "I'll wash out the basin

for you."

 

"It's clean enough," said her husband.

 

"No, there's been some greasy water in it," said Mrs. Huxter.

 

"You're mighty anxious to wait on him," sneered Mr. Huxter. "You don't

seem to think me of any consequence."

 

His wife did not reply. Poor woman! she had a hard time of it. She had

always had to contend with poverty; but poverty is not the worst of

evils. If her husband had been reasonably kind, she could have borne

that without repining, though it subjected her to many privations which

she well knew might have been avoided had not her husband been so

shiftless and intemperate. But his temper was far from sweet. He was

that detestable character, a domestic tyrant, and did all in his power

to make his wife uncomfortable and unhappy. She had learned that her

best course was to permit his taunts and harsh words to pass unheeded,

for at such times reason had no weight with him.

 

It did not take John long to understand the position of affairs. He saw

that Mrs. Huxter was disposed to be polite and kind to him, and he felt

grateful. He could not help pitying her for having such a husband.

 

"Thank you, Mrs. Huxter," he said, when she had prepared the basin for

him.

 

"I suppose you are accustomed to washing in your own room," she said.

 

"Yes," said John; "but it's of no consequence. I can wash down here

just as well."

 

"Of course you can," said Mr. Huxter. "Come, be spry there, Oakley."

 

John washed himself deliberately, not thinking that it was necessary to

hurry himself on Mr. Huxter's account, and sat down to the table.

 

"You're an enterprising young man," said Mr. Huxter. "I'm half through

my breakfast, and you're just ready to begin."

 

"He had a long and tiresome journey yesterday," said Mrs. Huxter. "No

wonder he was tired."

 

"So had I," said her husband. "You don't seem to think I can ever get

tired, even when I've been working like a dog."

 

"What time is it?" asked John.

 

"Most seven."

 

"Seven is our breakfast-hour at home," said John, quietly. "As you did

not tell me you breakfasted earlier here, you could not expect me to

get up sooner than I did."

 

"That's true, Mr. Oakley," said Mrs. Huxter.

 

"So you're siding with him,--are you?" said Mr. Huxter, angrily.

 

John was far from being a coward. He was disposed to treat every one

with courtesy and respect, but expected to be treated in the same

way. Mr. Huxter's manner was so very offensive, and his words so

dictatorial, that his anger was excited. He felt that he could not with

proper self-respect remain silent longer.

 

"Mr. Huxter," he said, fixing his eyes calmly on the face of his host,

"you seem to forget that I am your guest, and entitled to be treated

with common politeness."

 

"Mr. Oakley is quite right," said Mrs. Huxter. "You have been very rude

to him."

 

"Do you mean to say I'm not polite?" demanded Huxter, raising his voice.

 

It was not certain to whom this question was addressed,--to John or his

wife. But John, who did not wish to get Mrs. Huxter into trouble on his

account, hastened to reply:--

 

"You can judge for yourself, Mr. Huxter, whether you have treated

me as I had a right to expect. I came here with you to oblige your

sister, Mrs. Oakley. When the business is over, I shall go back. I

suppose it will only occupy a short time. I shall try to make you as

little trouble as possible, and if you will let me know the rules of

your house I will try to conform to them. To-morrow morning I shall be

downstairs in time for breakfast."

 

Mr. Huxter would have been angry at these words, but the secret thought

that John was in his power moderated his resentment. He laughed in his

sleeve at the thought of John's dismay, when he learned that he was

not here on a visit, but to remain for an indefinite period. This fact

he had not mentioned even to his wife, who, therefore, could not help

wondering what could be John's business.

 

"You've made quite a speech, Oakley," said he, sarcastically. "You may

think it all right to charge a man with impoliteness in his own house,

but for my part I think it cursed impudent."

 

"I do not intend to be impudent," said John.

 

"I don't know what you intend, but you are so," said Huxter.

 

"I hope you won't mind what he says," said Mrs. Huxter, distressed.

 

"Shut up, Mrs. Huxter! I'd rather you wouldn't interfere. I'll have it

out with this young man without any help from you."

 

"I don't understand you, Mr. Huxter," said John, with dignity. "I have

tried to treat you with proper respect."

 

"Yes, you've tried very hard."

 

"And I don't know why you have taken offence. I should like to know how

long I am likely to be detained here on the business which has brought

me here."

 

"Why do you want to know?"

 

"Because I think it would be better for both of us that I should go

to the hotel, if there is one in the village. I am afraid we are not

likely to agree very well, and then I shall not interfere with any of

your arrangements."

 

"Who do you expect is going to pay your hotel bills?" demanded Mr.

Huxter, with a sneer.

 

"I think there will be no difficulty about that," said John.

 

"If you think my sister will pay any such bills you are mistaken."

 

"As I came here on business of hers she will probably pay it. If she is

unwilling, I will pay it myself."

 

"Indeed!" said Mr. Huxter, pricking up his ears. "Where will you get

the money?"

 

"I hope you will not take offence, Mr. Huxter, if I decline to answer

that question."

 

"Have you got any money with you?"

 

"I decline answering."

 

Mr. Huxter was about to make an angry reply; but a moment's thought led

him to change his purpose. He was anxious to find out how much money

John had.

 

"Have you got money enough to keep you at the hotel a week?"

 

"Shall I need to remain here a week?" asked John, a little disturbed

at the thought of having his studies interrupted for so long a time,

especially as there seemed so little prospect of deriving any enjoyment

from his visit.

 

"Perhaps longer."

 

"If I don't have money enough, I will write to Mrs. Oakley for more,"

he said.

 

"I can tell you beforehand that you won't get any."

 

"We won't dispute about that," said John. "I shall be glad to go about

this business at once, as I do not wish to be kept away from my studies

any longer than is absolutely necessary."

 

"I'm thinking, young man," said Mr. Huxter, "that it will be a good

while before you go back to your Latin and Greek."

 

"Why so?" said John.

 

"Read that, and you'll know," said Mr. Huxter; and he drew a note from

his pocket, and handed it to John.