The Master of the Shell | Page 7

arrangement was not altogether satisfactory, for it deprived Mark
of the pleasure of his future brother-in-law's escort, which was a great
loss, and also of the prospect of finding Grover at his journey's end, on
which he had reckoned with some confidence. However, it was only the
difference of a day, and during that day he would at least do his utmost
to make a favourable impression on his chief. So, with a heart full of
confidence, and a cab full of luggage, he set out gaily on his new
career.
"Good-bye, Mark. You'll be good to my son, I know," said Mrs.
Herapath.
"Good-bye, my boy; take care of your health," said Mr. Herapath.
"Good-bye, Mark," said Daisy.
"Ta-ta, old man," called Arthur. "See you to-morrow."
This last greeting, strange as it may seem, recurred to Railsford's
memory more frequently than any of the others during the course of the
long railway journey to Grandcourt. It took all sorts of forms as the day
wore on. At first it seemed only a fraternal au revoir, then it became a
rather serious promise, and finally sounded in his ears rather like a
menace.
Here was he, going down like a prince to his coronation, and his
subjects would "see him to-morrow." It had never occurred to him
before that these subjects might have something to say to the ordering
of the new kingdom, and that he should have to reckon with them, as
well as they with him. The idea was not altogether comfortable, and he
tried to shelve it. Of course he would get on with them. They would
look up to him, and they would discover that his interests and theirs

were the same. He was prepared to go some way to meet them. It
would be odd if they would not come the rest to meet him. He turned
his mind to other subjects. Still he wished he could be quite sure that
Arthur's innocent "see you again to-morrow" had no double meaning
for him.
The railway took him as far as Blankington Junction, about five miles
from Grandcourt; and, as it would be some time before a Grandcourt
train came up, he decided, after seeing his effects into a cab, to take
advantage of the fine, frosty afternoon, and complete his journey on
foot. He was, in fact, beginning to grow a little depressed, and the
exercise would brace him up. He had, foolishly enough, looked forward
to a somewhat different kind of advent, dropping, perhaps, with some
little Žclat on a school where Arthur had already proclaimed his fame
among the boys, and where Grover had prepared him a welcome
among the masters. Compared with that, this solitary backstairs arrival
seemed tame and dispiriting, and he half regretted that he had not
postponed his coming till to-morrow, even in the face of Dr. Ponsford's
suggestion.
A mile from Grandcourt he caught sight of the square red ivy-covered
brick tower of the school among the trees. Even in winter it looked
warm and picturesque. It was growing dark when he passed the lodge,
and crossed the playing-field towards the school-house. The cabman
was awaiting him in the square.
"Never gave me your name," explained he, "and nobody knows nothink
about you here. Five miles is seven-and-six, and luggage is two bob
more, and waiting another 'alf-hour's a crown,--namely, twelve
shillings, and thank you, mister."
Railsford rang the bell at the porter's lodge. A small child of eight
appeared.
"Where's your father?" asked the new master.
"Yout," replied the girl.

"Well, your mother?"
"Please, she's--she's in the churchyard along of my Aunt Sally."
"Well, run and-- You mean she's dea--?"
The child nodded before he had finished his sentence.
"Is there anyone about?" inquired the perplexed new-comer.
"There's Mrs. 'Astings, doing the floors in Bickers's."
Mrs. Hastings was duly summoned, and arrived with her broom and
kneeling-pad.
"My good woman, can you tell me the fare from Blankington here?"
The lady looked perplexed, then embarrassed, then angry.
"And you fetched me over from Bickers's--me, with my lame foot, over
the cobbles--to ask me that! You oughter be ashamed of yerself, young
man. Ask the cabman; he knows."
It was hopeless. Railsford assisted to unload the cab, and meekly gave
the cabman the fare demanded.
"I am Mr. Railsford, the new master," said he presently, overtaking Mrs.
Hastings, as she hobbled back in dudgeon to her work; "which are my
rooms?"
"I'm sure I don't know. You're a day too early. All the rooms is up, and
it will take us all our times to get them done against the school comes
back to-morrow."
"It is an extraordinary thing," said Railsford, who began to feel his
dignity somewhat put upon, "that Dr. Ponsford should tell me to come
to-day, and