"Would you like to go upstairs and wash your hands?"
They both accompanied him.
"You see it's all just as it was. We thought you'd like your old room. If you want anything you can ring the bell."
They left him, and going downstairs, sat opposite one another by the fire. The dining-room was furnished with a saddle-bag suite; and Colonel Parsons sat in the "gentleman's chair," which had arms, while Mrs. Parsons sat in the "lady's chair," which had none; nor did either dream, under any circumstances, of using the other's seat. They were a little overcome.
"How thin he is!" said Mrs. Parsons.
"We must feed him up," answered the Colonel.
And then, till the soldier came, they remained in silence. Mrs. Parsons rang the bell for the chops as soon as he appeared, and they sat down; but James ate alone. His people were too happy to do anything but watch him.
"I have had tea made," said Mrs. Parsons, "but you can have some claret, if you prefer it."
Five years' absence had not dulled Jamie's memory of his father's wine, and he chose the tea.
"I think a strong cup of tea will do you most good," said his mother, and she poured it out for him as when he was a boy, with plenty of milk and sugar.
His tastes had never been much consulted; things had been done, in the kindest manner possible, solely for his good. James detested sweetness.
"No sugar, please, mother," he said, as she dived into the sugar-basin.
"Nonsense, Jamie," answered Mrs. Parsons, with her good-humoured, indulgent smile. "Sugar's good for you." And she put in two big lumps.
"You don't ask after Mary," said Colonel Parsons.
"How is she?" said James. "Where is she?"
"If you wait a little she'll be here."
Then Mrs. Parsons broke in.
"I don't know what we should have done without her; she's been so good and kind to us, and such a comfort. We're simply devoted to her, aren't we, Richmond?"
"She's the nicest girl I've ever seen."
"And she's so good. She works among the poor like a professional nurse. We told you that she lived with us for six months while Colonel and Mrs. Clibborn went abroad. She was never put out at anything, but was always smiling and cheerful. She has the sweetest character."
The good people thought they were delighting their son by these eulogies. He looked at them gravely.
"I'm glad you like her," he said.
Supper was finished, and Mrs. Parsons went out of the room for a moment. James took out his case and offered a cigar to his father.
"I don't smoke, Jamie," replied the Colonel.
James lit up. The old man looked at him with a start, but said nothing; he withdrew his chair a little and tried to look unconcerned. When Mrs. Parsons returned, the room was full of smoke; she gave a cry of surprise.
"James!" she said, in a tone of reproach. "Your father objects to smoking."
"It doesn't matter just this once," said the Colonel, good-humouredly.
But James threw his cigar into the fire, with a laugh.
"I quite forgot; I'm so sorry."
"You never told us you'd started smoking," observed Mrs. Parsons, almost with disapprobation, "Would you like the windows open to let the smell out, Richmond?"
There was a ring at the door, and Mary's voice was heard.
"Has Captain Parsons arrived?"
"There she is, Jamie!" said the Colonel, "Rush out to her, my boy!"
But James contented himself with rising to his feet; he turned quite pale, and a singular expression came over his grave face.
Mary entered.
"I ran round as soon as I got your note," she said. "Well, Jamie!"
She stopped, smiling, and a blush brightened her healthy cheeks. Her eyes glistened with happiness, and for a moment, strong as she was, Mary thought she must burst into tears.
"Aren't you going to kiss her, Jamie?" said the father. "You needn't be bashful before us."
James went up to her, and taking her hands, kissed the cheek she offered.
The impression that Mary Clibborn gave was of absolute healthiness, moral and physical. Her appearance was not distinguished, but she was well set up, with strong hands and solid feet; you knew at once that a ten-mile walk invigorated rather than tired her; her arms were muscular and energetic. She was in no way striking; a typical, country-bred girl, with a fine digestion and an excellent conscience; if not very pretty, obviously good. Her face showed a happy mingling of strength and cheerfulness; her blue eyes were guileless and frank; her hair even was rather pretty, arranged in the simplest manner; her skin was tanned by wind and weather. The elements were friendly, and she enjoyed a long walk in a gale, with the rain beating against her cheeks. She was dressed simply and without adornment, as befitted her character.
"I am sorry I wasn't at home when you arrived, Jamie," she said; "but the Polsons asked me to go and play golf at Tunbridge Wells. I went round in bogy, Colonel Parsons."
"Did you, my dear? That's very good."
The Colonel and his wife looked at her with affectionate satisfaction.
"I'm going to take off my hat."
She gave James to put in the hall her sailor hat and her rough tweed cloak. She wore a bicycling skirt and heavy, square-toed boots.
"Say you're glad to see us, Jamie!" she cried, laughing.
Her voice was rather loud, clear and strong, perhaps wanting variety of inflection. She sat by Jamie's side, and broke into a cheerful, rather humorous, account of the day's excursion.
"How silent you are, Jamie!" she cried at last.
"You haven't given me a chance to get a word in yet," he said, smiling gravely.
They all laughed, ready to be pleased at the smallest joke, and banter was the only form of humour they knew.
"Are you tired?" asked Mary, her cheerful eyes softening.
"A little."
"Well, I won't worry you to-night; but to-morrow you must be put through your paces."
"Mary will stand no nonsense," said the Colonel, laughing gently. "We all have to do as she tells us. She'll turn you round her little finger."
"Will she?" said James, glancing down at the solid boots, which the short bicycle skirt rather obtrusively exposed to view.
"Don't frighten him the moment he comes home," cried Mary. "As a matter of fact, I shan't be able to come to-morrow morning; I've got my district-visiting to do, and I don't think Jamie is strong enough to go with me yet. Does your wound hurt you still, Jamie?"
"No," he said, "I can't use my arm much, though. It'll be all right soon."
"You must tell us about the great event to-morrow," said Mary, referring to the deed which had won him the decoration. "You've put us all out by coming sooner than you were expected."
"Have I? I'm sorry."
"Didn't you notice anything when you drove in this evening?"
"No, it was quite dark."
"Good heavens! Why, we've put up a triumphal arch, and there was going to be a great celebration. All the school children were coming to welcome you."
"I'm very glad I missed it," said James, laughing. "I should have hated it."
"Oh, I don't know that you have missed it yet. We must see."
Then Mary rose to go.