Kitabı oku: «Polly and Her Friends Abroad», sayfa 2
CHAPTER II – DODO MEETS POLLY’S FRIENDS
Dorothy Alexander was a good type of the healthy western girl. She was tall, well-built, and the picture of splendid health. Her hair was of a ruddy hue, with copper glints in it. Her complexion was like “peaches and cream,” and needed no cosmetic to enhance its charm. Her form was lithe and supple, and her features were good. Her bright eyes sparkled with good-humor, and her smile was contagious in its sweetness. When she was well-dressed, she would be a beauty, thought Eleanor, but her present overdressing depreciated her genuine good looks.
“Prof., we bring you a new convert,” laughed Eleanor, as the three girls approached Mr. Fabian.
“Dorothy Alexander, Mr. Fabian,” added Polly.
The two acknowledged the introduction and the girl thought: “What a fine face he has! Such wonderful expression and forehead.”
And Mr. Fabian thought: “There’s a great deal under all that sham.”
Shortly after the introduction, Mr. Fabian spoke of the flaunting mistakes some so-called decorator had made in the selection and furnishings of the salon. So they turned their attention to that interesting subject. Dodo stood by and listened to it all, as she wondered what these two good-looking girls could find to interest them in such a dry subject? But she confessed that both girls seemed more beautiful and attractive, when they were thoroughly interested and animated with the ideas they were exchanging with Mr. Fabian.
As they left the room, Mr. Fabian turned his attention to Dodo, particularly. And soon she was telling him freely, all about her life in Denver, and how hard her father had worked and suffered at Cripple Creek, to amass the fortune they now enjoyed. When Dodo described her father’s character and how simple and blunt he was in everything, her hearers fell in love with the unknown. She told how generous he was to every one, and how no one was left in need if he could help it.
“But he has one awful sin that Ma can’t forgive him,” added Dodo, glancing covertly around to make sure no one could hear.
Mr. Fabian shivered at what she was about to say, and he wished Dodo was not quite so frank as to reveal family skeletons. But she was launched and nothing could check her.
“Pa has a pet old pipe that’s as black as ink. He just won’t smoke any of the imported cigars Ma buys for him, and he won’t let her throw the old pipe away. He gets away by himself and smokes it until he feels happy – no matter what Ma says or does.”
All three of her audience bent double in merriment at what they just heard. Mr. Fabian was so relieved at the “sin” he feared to hear about, that he laughed louder than the two girls.
“S-sh!” warned Dodo, hurriedly. “Here comes Pa, now!”
Instantly they hushed and turned to watch the “grand being” they had just heard about. The shock of beholding the actual man who was the opposite of what Dodo had pictured him caused them to mumble confusedly when Mr. Alexander was introduced.
He was a little wiry man of about fifty years. The top of his head was bald, with a fringe of grey all about the crown. Right in front, on top, grew a stiff lock of stubborn hair that generally stood upright. This gave him the funny appearance that is often portrayed in the comic section of the Sunday papers. His hands were knotted with hard work, and his legs were bowed just enough to make him walk awkwardly. His eyes were small and merry, and his ears large and fan-like. But his mouth was the feature that attracted instant attention and held it wonderingly. It was a wide, good-natured mouth, and when he smiled he literally demonstrated that saying: “His head opened from ear to ear.” He wore a huge ulster of checks and a tourist cap with ear-tabs tied on top.
“Hello, Dodo! Who’s your friends?” called he cheerily, as he came up to them.
He was introduced, and Dodo followed up the introduction by saying: “I was just talking about you – telling my friends what a fine man you are.”
Mr. Alexander smiled happily. “It ain’t every man what has a gal that says that, eh?”
“You’re right there, Mr. Alexander,” agreed Mr. Fabian, glad to speak and express something worthy of himself.
“And Dodo is sure one fine gal, too. I wonder why she ain’t sp’iled like other gals I see.”
“Perhaps her father’s example is before her,” ventured Eleanor. And forever after that, Dodo swore allegiance to Eleanor.
“I’m right glad you-all met Dodo, ’cause I was fearin’ the missus might get her to give in to them foolish notions about gettin’ a furriner. Did you tell ’em, Dodo?” said her father.
“Yes, Pa, and the girls are going to help me cure Ma of that fad.”
“That’s the best news, yet! I hope you kin do it!” said he, slapping his knee. “You must be real gals, too, like mine, here.”
Polly laughed, and Eleanor said: “We like to ride and hike, and have good times, but we’re not out hunting for husbands. If we ever reach that place where we want to marry, we’ll take a man we know by heart, and not one who is buying a doll made up at a hair-dresser and beauty-doctor’s.”
“You’re the right sort, all right!” chuckled the little man, transferring the slap from his knee to Eleanor’s back.
Eleanor gasped for breath but she considered the sharp commendation a compliment that any man might be glad to get. Mr. Fabian had to smile at Eleanor’s sudden gasp and instant recovery, but Polly laughed outright, for she was accustomed to such pleasantries from the ranchers at home.
“Poor Pa. He’s so glad to meet some sensible folks, that he doesn’t stop to think how hard his hand is, with all the mining and picking at gold ore, out west,” added Dodo, smiling sympathetically at Eleanor, and then at her father.
“Right again! This traipsing to U-rope fer a title, isn’t my kind of work. But I jus’ couldn’t let Ma run off with Dodo and all my cash, when I knew Dodo diden’ want to. So I says, ‘Onless you lug me along wherever you go, my cash stays behind in America.’ You-all know, ‘cash makes the mare go,’ so I was included in the trip.”
The little man chuckled and caused the others to laugh at his amusing expression. Then he leaned forward and said confidentially: “But I’ll confess, all this tight-fittin’ clothes, and a boiled shirt with stiff collars and cuffs ain’t to my likin’! I have to pinch my feet into shiny tight shoes, and use a tie that has to be knotted every day, ’stead of a ready-made one that I can hook on to my collar-button.”
At that admission, the girls laughed merrily and Mr. Fabian simply roared, for he understood collar-buttons and the agony Mr. Alexander must endure.
The little man felt that he was making fine headway in his conversational powers, so he continued to practice the art.
“But say! let me tell you-all – when Ma carted me to Noo York and made me take dancing lessons to get graceful, I tried it twicet – then I balked! ‘No more of them monkey-shines for an old miner,’ says I. And I never did it again, did I, Dodo?”
Dodo laughed and shook her head, and the others renewed their mirth. Mr. Alexander was now encouraged to proceed.
“Ma went to a Madam Something-er-other fer to learn how to act in polite society and how to not do the wrong things at the right time, and vice versy, but she coulden get me to go there! I spent that time at the Movies or ridin’ on the Fifth Avenoo bus, and laughin’ at folks – the way they rushed around like ants.
“But here I am, mixin’ in as good comp’ny as I want, and it ain’t costin’ me a cent to sit in a little room and listen to a fat old woman who charges a dollar a throw.” As he concluded his speech, a group of people standing directly back of Mr. Fabian and the girls, joined the circle.
Mr. Alexander instantly froze up and felt uncomfortable lest they had heard him speak. Then Mr. Fabian eased his mind by saying: “Now you can meet the Ashbys, Mr. Alexander. Miss Dodo, this is Mrs. Ashby, and Ruth, and Mr. Ashby. And this is a new friend, Mr. Ashby, but an old acquaintance of Polly and Eleanor’s from Denver – Mr. Alexander and Miss Dodo.”
The introductions over, Mr. Ashby quickly smoothed the way for the nervous little man from the west; but Dodo wondered why her mother had the impression that these people were inferior because they were in business in New York. She had never met any one more refined, or who showed truer gentility than these people.
After an exchange of words, Mr. Alexander whispered to his daughter: “Dodo, do you think we’d better go out to Ma? She might get huffy, you know, when she finds out we’ve been meetin’ all the nice people and leavin’ her in the cold.”
“We’ll all go out, Mr. Alexander,” suggested Eleanor, seeing how much better it would be for the two culprits if Mrs. Alexander had to entertain a number of new-comers instead of her own people.
They started to go on deck, but Mr. Alexander hastily surveyed himself in a mirror as he passed. Then he pulled at Mr. Fabian’s sleeve.
“I reckon I’d better take off the ulster before the Missus sees me in it. She can’t bear it, ’cause she thinks it looks like a workin’-man’s coat.”
So saying, the wrap was slipped off and Mr. Alexander straightened the cap on his shiny head. He brushed a speck from his pale grey spats, and tugged at his tie to have it correctly placed. Then he hurried after the others. In that time, Mr. Fabian saw how hen-pecked the poor little man must be, and he resolved to stand by him in his troubles. Thus Dodo won two allies, and her father unconsciously acquired a splendid friend for times of need.
“Have you ever been abroad before?” asked Mr. Ashby, as Mr. Alexander caught up with him.
“Not on your life! The States is good enough for me, but Dodo had to be saved, you see, and I come along.”
Mr. Ashby knew nothing of Mrs. Alexander’s hopes and aspirations, and he was in the dark about the little man’s words.
“You have a great treat awaiting you, if you have never visited the famous old cities of Europe, before,” added Mr. Ashby.
“Most folks go over for other things than to see the fine towns,” remarked Mr. Alexander.
“I hear the women-folk mostly go to get clothes in Paris.”
Everyone laughed; then the group crossed the deck to the steamer-chair occupied by Mrs. Alexander. Dodo introduced her mother to the strangers; she smiled loftily at the Ashbys, but was very effusive over Mr. Fabian. So much so, that he wondered at it.
But in a few moments she unconsciously showed her reason for it. “I hear you are going to visit at an English Peer’s, in London, Mr. Fabian.”
“My wife and daughter are visiting at Sir James Osgood’s, I believe, but my visit there all depends on whether the Ashbys and my girls are included in the invitation. If they are not, of course I will have to decline, also.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t miss such a chance, would you?” cried the surprised woman.
“I’m missing nothing that I know of,” replied Mr. Fabian; then Polly came to his rescue and changed the conversation.
In the next few days, Mr. Alexander and Dodo became great favorites with the Ashbys and Mr. Fabian, while Polly and Eleanor declared that the girl was splendid! She had dropped all pretence and make-up, and had donned the simplest gowns she had in the trunk, much to her mother’s disapproval, and to the girls’ smiling approval.
In constant association with the quiet Polly, the well-bred Ruth Ashby, and the thoroughbred Eleanor, Dodo soon acquired better form in every way. She was quick and bright enough to recognise her shortcomings and eager to improve herself.
The last morning of the trip, after the English shore had been sighted, Mrs. Alexander suddenly changed her plans about going to Havre, and decided to land in England when the others did. This change of plan she confided to no one at the time. But she awaited a chance.
“Have you really decided to leave us, Mr. Fabian?” said she coyly, when she met that gentleman in the morning at breakfast.
“Yes, we take the lighter that comes off shore at Dover, and takes on those who wish to land.”
“Dodo tells me that you got a wireless that your wife and daughter would meet you at the wharf, in Dover,” continued Mrs. Alexander.
“Yes, and the invitation from Sir James, includes my party, I hear, so it is all right. We are all going there for an informal dinner-party and to spend the night. Then we will hire an auto and continue on our trip in the morning,” explained Mr. Fabian.
“Dear, dear! I am so upset,” sighed the amateur actress. “I find my car – it was shipped over before we left Noo York – was left in London instead of going on to France. So we have to get off when you do, and go to London just to get our car.”
“Oh, really! I didn’t know you had sent a car across,” said Mr. Fabian.
“Dear yes! You might as well, when you have one, you know. But I expect to buy myself a new French car whiles I am in Paris. Just for myself, and a friend or two, to use, you know; and that lets Pa drive his own touring car, ’cause he is crazy about motoring.”
Mr. Alexander had not mentioned a car, nor had Dodo said anything about the trouble in the delivery of a car to the wrong port, so Mr. Fabian mistrusted the truth of the statement made by Mrs. Alexander; but he forbore saying anything about the matter to any of his companions.
Evidently the lady’s husband and daughter had just previously been warned about the car, also, for they looked troubled and made no comment when Mrs. Alexander surprised everyone by saying: “We find we have to land at Dover, also, as our car went astray during shipment and we have to see about it in London.”
“Oh, how nice! Then Dodo can remain with us a bit longer,” said Ruth, guilelessly.
“And her mother, of course,” said Mrs. Alexander pointedly, lifting her shoulders as well as her eye-brows.
“And her old man, too,” chuckled Mr. Alexander, causing everyone who heard him to laugh.
His spouse sent him a most disquieting look, however, and he subsided in his chair. But Eleanor, who sat beside him at the table, nudged him encouragingly when Mrs. Alexander was not looking.
So, when the lighter touched at the Dover dock, the entire party got off, and soon Mr. Fabian was encircled by four arms, while two heads were pressed close to his face. A younger woman stood a bit aside, smiling sympathetically at the reunion.
Then she was introduced to the Americans as Angela Osgood, Nancy Fabian’s friend. And in turn, Mr. Fabian introduced his two protegées, Polly and Eleanor, and the Ashbys, and the Alexanders.
When Mrs. Alexander really found herself face to face with the daughter of an English Baronet, she was speechless with joy. Now she could write home and tell everyone she ever knew about meeting Sir James Osgood’s daughter!
But Angela never dreamed of the disturbance she had caused in the breast of this unusual-looking woman.
“Now, how shall we dispose of all the passengers, Nancy?” laughed Angela, counting the heads of the party she expected to drive to the town house for dinner.
“The car only holds seven, you see,” explained she, turning to the Ashbys. “I counted on Nancy’s father and two girls driving with me, and the three Ashbys taking the seat in the road-car where the luggage will be placed. The groom drives that. Or we can rearrange it any way you say.”
Mrs. Alexander instantly pushed herself forward and said: “Oh, how very kind of you to include us in your party! I really can’t accept a seat in the car if anyone else must be crowded.”
Dodo looked like a thunder-cloud and pulled at her mother’s arm, but Mr. Alexander spoke out bluntly.
“I ain’t invited to nobody’s house, so I’m going on to London to get that car you told me about. Dodo can come with me.”
His spouse instantly silenced him with a glowering look, and Angela hoped to smooth matters out by what she now said.
“Mother and father will be delighted to have all of you come, and I’m sure they will feel dreadfully, if anyone is left out. We never stand on ceremony, you know, and this is an occasion where you all must come without formality.”
“We’re delighted, I assure you, Miss Osgood, and I will accept for my family and myself. The only question now, is, how shall we manage about the cars. If only my seven-passenger car was here instead of in London!” exclaimed Mrs. Alexander, eagerly.
“Why, the ladies will use this car, of course,” said Mr. Fabian, “while we men go in the baggage-car. You may be uncomfortably crowded, but I see no other way.”
So Mrs. Fabian, Mrs. Ashby and Mrs. Alexander sat in the back seat while Polly, Eleanor, Ruth and Dodo had to crowd upon the folding seats in the middle of the car. Nancy sat in front and Angela drove the car. The groom with the baggage and the three men followed directly after in his car.
Mrs. Alexander certainly was a general when she wanted to win a battle of wits, but it was a pity she had no better ambitions than the mere forcing a way into society and marrying her daughter to a title.
As they started for London, she leaned back in the seat and said: “If only the company hadn’t mistaken the directions about my car. It is such a great roomy affair, that everyone could have traveled in it with the utmost comfort.”
“But it wouldn’t have been here at all, for us to travel in, if they had sent it as you directed – to Havre, instead of London,” said Mrs. Ashby.
“Oh true! But I meant – if it had been left over at Dover instead of going on to London,” quickly corrected the lady.
The conversation drifted to other topics but was switched back again when Mrs. Alexander remarked: “I was just thinking how nice it would be for the Fabians and Ashbys to tour Great Britain first instead of Europe; then they could use my big car whiles Dodo and I go in my new runabout that I expect to buy immediately.”
“Why, Ma! you know you’re talking – ” began Dodo, from the seat in front of her mother, but Mrs. Alexander interrupted instantly.
“Oh yes, deary, I know what you would say! That I must try a new car, first, and get acquainted with it. But I can select a make similar to our big one, can’t I? and that is quite familiar to me.”
“Oh yes, if you want to duplicate our old car, you can do it. But you said you wanted an up-to-date car with all the latest equipment, this time, and such a car won’t seem familiar to you, be – ”
“Never mind, Dodo! Our friends are not interested in our old cars, or what we have done with them,” cut in Mrs. Alexander.
So Dodo subsided for the time, while her mother continued: “So there will be ample room for you to tour in my large car, ladies, while Dodo and I use the roadster and follow you.”
“We cannot say, one way or another, Mrs. Alexander, because nothing has been said about a change in the itinerary. It all depends upon Mr. Fabian and Mr. Ashby,” replied Mrs. Ashby, politely.
But Mrs. Alexander was satisfied with the progress she had made by mentioning the tour, and so she left the rest to time.
After a long drive through the highly cultivated countryside that spread out between Dover and London, Angela drove up in front of an imposing mansion on one of the avenues of England’s great city. As a uniformed man came down the wide marble steps to take orders from Angela, Mrs. Alexander sat breathless with pleasure at the success of her maneuvering.
The baggage-car came up shortly after the ladies had alighted from the first automobile, and the servants carried the bags indoors, then waited to be directed to the proper rooms.
Sir James and his wife welcomed the party of Americans, but Mrs. Alexander felt disappointed when she saw a plain little lady dressed in grey taffeta, and found Sir James to be a short fat man with a genial expression, but a horsy manner. The others seemed quite at home with these English people and all were soon exchanging opinions about the recent problems in politics.
Not a word or look from either Sir James, or his lady, led anyone to think that three extra visitors were thrust upon the hospitable family, nor did any hint escape them that the unexpected guests were other than socially their equals. Mrs. Alexander was looking for some sign of this superiority in them because of the title, and felt most uneasy because she detected none of it; but finding she and her family were accepted on the same standard as the Fabians and Ashbys, she recovered her wonted habit of pushing a way to the foreground in everything.
As the group separated to go to their separate suites, Sir James reminded them: “Quite informal dinner, you know. We are only tarrying in town a few days, before going on to Osgood Hall, so we make no pretence at dressing formally.”
The Ashbys and Fabians knew this to be a courtesy extended them because of their lack of baggage, but Mrs. Alexander thought Sir James meant that their own trunks had gone to the country and so they were not able to dress in dinner clothes. But she determined to show how she could dress, with her money.
Before Dorothy could lock the door of her room, her mother entered and handed her the dress she was to wear for dinner.
“Why, Ma! we were told not to dress!” exclaimed she.
“That’s only bluff. You put this on and show folks that we know what’s what, even if we haven’t a title!” declared her mother.
Reluctantly Dodo took the beaded georgette evening dress and then closed the door after her mother’s commanding figure. As she went to the toilet-table she thought: “I wonder what poor Pa will have to wear tonight!” But she was to learn about that sooner than she thought for.
