Chapter III: Tomina's Scheme

TOMINA soon became acquainted with her Rector and his wife. She liked him. He was a simple straightforward courteous gentleman who lived entirely in his village, and for the good of his parishioners. Out of the pulpit he was beloved, by sick-beds he was an ideal parson, but he had no gift for preaching, and his sermons were dry and dull, and delivered in a monotonous sing-song tone.

Tomina went to church, but did not enjoy it. Mrs. Herbert tried to take her under her wing and manage her, but her efforts failed. Tomina was sweetly and determinedly rebellious. She looked at Mrs. Herbert with humorous eyes when that lady called for the third time, and told her that if she would not join her working party, she could not object to working at home for the Mission in India, to which all their work was sent.

"I never work, Mrs. Herbert. I never put a stitch in my own clothes, and would not presume to attempt those of others."

"But surely with all your leisure you could give a little of it towards the needs of our Mission?"

"I want all my leisure for myself," said Tomina, calmly.

"But, my dear Miss Gavin, we do not live for ourselves alone, do we?"

"I do."

Tomina was sweet and smiling, but a naughty twinkle was in her eyes; and Mrs. Herbert saw and resented it.

"Then no wonder you are a bundle of tired nerves. I pity you from the bottom of my heart."

Mrs. Herbert left her.

And when she had gone, Tomina heaved a heavy sigh.

"I let her have the last word, but how tiring these good people are!"

Nevertheless, Mrs. Herbert's last word stung her and recurred to her often.

"A bundle of tired nerves! Yes, I am that, but I'm too tired to mind it, and if I'm worried by people here, I shall creep back to town and die there. And yet there are days when life here seems worth living. If it was always fine, I should feel happy. The country air is better than all the doctor's tonics."

The wet spring days were certainly a trial to Tomina. But soon the weather improved, and restless energy began to assert itself.

She altered her furniture; she tried her hand at gardening. She walked round the village, and visited every single cottage in it on one afternoon. And when she came back and was too exhausted to eat her evening meal, Susan remonstrated severely with her—

"It's too foolish of you, ma'am. You never do nothing by halves. Why, our Rector himself don't make all his visits in one day. It takes him a month to do the round, leastways unless there's sickness. Each of us don't expect him more than once to the month!"

"I think I've always been accustomed to go on till I drop," said Tomina, languidly. "We do in London, you know. We have no time to rest our bodies, as you country people do. And I wanted to see what everybody was like."

"Did they all take it well?" asked Susan, with a shade of anxiety in her tone.

Tomina laughed.

"They were civil; perhaps not quite as sweetly civil as I was. Some of them pitied me, and seemed to think me a very poor thing! When I get a little stronger, I shall surprise them and you, Susan. I have a plan in my head which I am longing to carry out, but I shan't tell you yet."

Susan looked at her and said no more. She could not understand this London young lady, who had so many moods, and was so unlike her quiet and conventional Miss Wadhurst. Yet, in spite of her contrary moods, and her inability to help at all in the work of her small cottage, Susan confessed to herself that there was a strange charm about her.

"It seems to me," she confided to her great friend Mary Ann Grubb, "that there be a sort of gentry in the world that no storm or bout of misfortune can beat down. They hold their heads high through it all. This young lady of mine is plainly alone in the world, and now her health be given way, her fine friends have deserted her, and she be forced to seek for health and quiet in one of our country villages.

"Yet, though she have let out to me the many servants she have had, she daily goes her way, and expects me to wait on her hand and foot and count it a favour and honour to do it. My Miss Wadhurst would sooner do anything than ring the bell for me, and the 'pologies she made if she made an extra mess of her room or did anything to put me out. Now, this lady she litters her rooms, and won't so much as keep the fire in, or make her own tea, or dust her bedroom, or even fasten her own dresses, she quietly waits for me to do it all. And she has a way with her—well—there! 'Tis no good talking; I'd lie down and lick her boots if she asked me to do it! She just charms the will out of one!"

The warm weather came very soon. One afternoon, Tomina was on the top of a ladder which was placed against the wall of her cottage. Under the thatch of her roof some swallows had built their nests, and curiosity had prompted her to pay them a visit.

Suddenly she heard voices below her, and looking down, saw Dr. Merton and a lady at her gate.

She descended quickly, and though feeling annoyed, welcomed them with her sweetest smile.

"This is Miss Merryweather," said Dr. Merton. "I want you to become acquainted. She and you are both town birds. I expect you will have many interests in common."

Tomina's bright eyes encountered Miss Merryweather's grave soft ones.

Alice Merryweather was tall and dark. She was more interesting-looking than handsome. She was dressed in grey with a simple shady straw hat upon her head. When she spoke and smiled, she was a very attractive woman.

She smiled upon Tomina now.

"I meant to call upon you," she said, "but I have felt unfit for much walking, and to-day, meeting Dr. Merton, he beguiled me here almost before I knew it. May we come in? Are we disturbing you?"

Dr. Merton hastily explained that he had visits to make in the village, and disappeared. Tomina took her visitor indoors.

"When somebody tells me that I must be friendly with a certain person, I generally feel the reverse," began Tomina, with her gay laugh. "Do you think we have many tastes in common?"

"Shall we probe each other to see?" said Alice, smiling.

"No, we'll just chatter about our neighbours," said Tomina; "that seems the only subject of conversation in the country."

A slight frown came over Alice's face.

Tomina rattled on—

"I have heard all about you, but though we both come from town our poles are asunder. My world is not yours, nor is yours mine."

"How do you know? We are both women, both interested in our fellow-creatures."

"Oh no, I am not! I am bored to death with them; I have come down here to get away from them. My world is what the preachers call 'the giddy round of pleasure.' Your round is one of duty and work, I am sure."

"I suppose I look like a working woman, but may not work be a pleasure?"

"To a bee—not to a butterfly. That is what my doctor calls me—a 'butterfly of fashion.'"

"Well, we are both living in the same environments at present. Are you fond of the country?"

Tomina looked at her with grave thoughtful eyes.

"I was not. But I really do believe I am getting fond of it. I still feel a stranger and an outsider to its ways and customs. I have been investigating a swallow's nest for the first time in my life. You found me at it."

"I have been brought up in the country," said Alice, "but I do not think I love it. Life is so full, so strenuous in town; one's mind starves in the country."

"Does it?" asked Tomina, with interest. "Tell me how."

"Oh, you get so small, so petty-minded, so narrow. Books may be available, but they are not the same as rubbing up against and conversing with thoughtful cultured men and women. Country people are self-centred; town people take broader and bigger views of life."

"I suppose my friends have not been intellectual," said Tomina, thoughtfully, "at least not many of them. I did not find we were so broad-minded. We were entirely occupied with our own set. Don't you think that in town and country every individual can live any life they like?"

"Perhaps so. I feel a great pity for those who don't cultivate their brains. They lose so much."

"Do they?"

"Necessarily they must. How can they enjoy pictures if they know nothing of history or art or mythology or the classics? How can they enjoy beautiful buildings, unless they have some knowledge of architecture? Or politics and the progress of our Empire unless they know something of political economy and constitutional history?"

"Oh!" gasped Tomina. "Please stop! You must be an encyclopædia of knowledge. I maintain that every one enjoys life differently. There are circles for us all. I am in the gay frivolous one; you are in the serious, contemplative one. You educate your mind. I educate my senses and my body. And we've both overdone it, have we not? And now we're vegetating together."

She would not be grave. She discussed the village and its people; she talked of her garden and her novels. And then when Alice rose to go, Tomina said gaily—

"And now you're going off disgusted with my levity, and you'll tell our friend the doctor that really you cannot stand such shallow frivolous gossip as comes from my lips. There can be no point of interest in common between us."

"No," said Alice, smiling, "I think our brains may be equal in quality, but you are refusing to use yours at present, and I—well, lately my brains feel used up and asleep, so I cannot preach. I expect you will think me prosy and pedantic—."

"At all events, you haven't tried to make me work, as Mrs. Herbert has. Are you piously inclined, Miss Merryweather?"

Alice hesitated.

"I am a clergyman's daughter, but—but I do not—I have not the faith my parents had, I am afraid."

"I don't and I won't like good people," said Tomina, rebelliously.

"Then don't have too much to do with Dr. Merton, or with a Mrs. Francis who lives near."

"Who is she? I have never heard of her."

Alice slightly shrugged her shoulders.

"I prefer to leave others to tell you about her."

She said good-bye and went.

Tomina watched her down the village street; then she made a slight grimace.

"My dear, I don't think I want to see much of you. You are rather dull."

The very next day, Tomina hired the trap and drove into Damerton.

She came back radiant and in the best of spirits.

"Susan, I am beginning to live! Now, will you guess what I am going to do? Something that will bring joy to the village; something that will make my living here worth while after all. Something that will show what an idler is driven to do when she is being harassed on all sides for contributing nothing towards the world's good."

Susan shook her head helplessly.

"I know, whatever it is, it will be what nobody else would be likely to do," she said sagely.

"To-day is Friday. In a fortnight from to-day, a carrier's cart is going to run from Little Honeycombe to Damerton every Friday, and on every Tuesday, it is going to run from Little Honeycombe to St. Martha's Cross. Have you ever been there, Susan? There is a fine market there and a station on the main line!"

Susan gasped.

"You do beat all, ma'am. However have you managed it, and who's going to do it?"

"Me myself, Susan. I am going to be the driver. It is my cart and horse, and I'll sit on the shafts and jog along like a gipsy."

"You are joking?"

"I'm in sober earnest. I happened to see an old carrier's cart lying idle in a wheelwright's shed. I had a long talk with the wheelwright, and he promises he will get it rigged up in a fortnight. It's going to have a brand-new tarpaulin top and will be painted and renovated till you won't know it from a new one. And my horse is got. A good stout eight-year-old bay, who won't shy if a cannon is let off in his ear, and who will make nothing of his two journeys a week."

"And may I ask, ma'am, if you feel indisposed one Friday or Tuesday, who's to run round to all the villages, and tell 'em as there will be no carrier that day?"

"I shall never feel indisposed on Tuesday or Friday, if I lie in bed every other day of the week," said Tomina, valiantly. "I shall never fail, and if—if—I did, I should get you to be my substitute. You told me you could drive a cart anywhere!"

Susan retreated from the room with such a face of horror that Tomina laughed aloud.

The news spread like wildfire over the village; the excitement was intense.

The very next morning, Mrs. Herbert appeared upon the scene.

"I really must remonstrate with you, my dear girl. It is an impossible 'rôle' for you to play. No woman could do it; you might have tipsy farmers returning late with you, you don't know who your passengers would be. All sorts and conditions."

"Yes, I know," said Tomina; "I have thought it all out, but there is safety in numbers, and I keep to the main roads, and it's going to be perfectly delightful. I've only to sit still and drive and listen to the country gossip going on inside; the fresh air and motion will make me as strong as Hercules! You shall come the first trip with me, if you like. It will be something like a caravan. I'm tired of motors. I want to move at a still slow pace and enjoy details."

"And what about the rough weather?"

"I shall sit inside the cart then, instead of outside, and wrap myself in oilskin, and still enjoy myself."

"It's a mad freak!"

Mrs. Herbert departed with her final shot.

"You are an invalid and under doctor's orders. The strongest woman in the world ought not to make herself into a carrier!"

Tomina for a moment felt damped, then she pressed her lips firmly together.

"I am my own mistress, and not 'all the king's horses and all the king's men' can prevent my doing what I like."

The day after, came Dr. Merton.

"Is this a professional visit?" asked Tomina, with twinkling eyes.

She was looking and feeling remarkably well. Opposition always drew out all her latent energy.

"Of course, you have come to scold," she went on; "and Mrs. Herbert has sent you."

"My dear young lady," said Dr. Merton, with much emphasis, "you have my entire and most hearty approval for this step."

Tomina's eyebrows slightly raised themselves.

"Are you in earnest?"

"Emphatically so! An open-air life is the only cure for you; and two days a week—it is to be two days, is it not?—will not hurt you in the very least. If you are fatigued, it will be wholesome fatigue, and you will sleep the sounder after it; the long day in the air will give you an appetite, I'll be bound! And the benefit you will bestow upon the villages round will be your reward."

"Oh, you are a sensible man! I could hug you!"

Then Tomina quieted down.

"It came to me as I was jogging to Damerton in a hired trap, how fascinating and soothing a country drive is. And then I overtook two old dames trudging along with baskets of eggs, and I gave them a lift, and they were such old dears, and called down such blessings on my head that I began to think if I could not call for them another market day, and save them their weary four miles in and out. And I had thought of starting a carrier a short time ago. But now I have determined to be the carrier myself. And when I undertake a job of any sort, I see it through, Dr. Merton. You have helped me a good deal by your approval."

"Of course," Dr. Merton said, "there may be difficulties, but if you're cautious and wise you'll surmount them. And you must have a dog, and take him with you as your bodyguard. I have two mastiffs, and one is quite young and as gentle as a lamb, unless you want him to go for any one. But he guards in splendid fashion. Would you like him? He wants exercise, and you would grow very fond of him."

"Thank you very much. I don't know whether I should not be frightened of a big dog. I've been very fond of my stepmother's prize Pekinese. May I come and see him? Or will you bring him to see me?"

"He is outside the gate now waiting for me," said Dr. Merton, with alacrity. "I'll bring him in. I don't want two dogs, but I've brought them up since they were puppies and can vouch for their good behaviour."

The mastiff appeared. He was a huge brown dog with a white patch on his head and breast.

For one moment Tomina and he eyed each other uncertainly. Then he stepped up gingerly and sniffed at her feet. Tomina was in a tremor, but when he sat down in front of her and thumped his tail up and down upon the ground in approval of her, she took her courage in both hands and patted his head. Then she took hold of his right paw and stooped, looking straight into his brown eyes.

"You're a beauty! I won't be afraid of you, but shall I ever have the courage to give you a licking, I wonder? Perhaps you will never need it. Are you going to be faithful to me?"

The mastiff blinked and looked a little bored.

Dr. Merton spoke.

"Say 'Yes,' Thor."

The mastiff raised his head and lowered with a nod.

Tomina was enchanted.

"You're a darling! I'll have you. We shall be chums. Ever so many thanks, Dr. Merton. Is he really a gift? And is Thor his name?"

"If you will accept him, I shall be glad. We called him Thor because his bark is always heralded by a tremendous growl, and he was born on a Thursday—Thor's day, you know."

Tomina did not know, but her heart warmed to the mastiff.

"Are you going to leave him here for good?"

"Hardly to-day, I think. You will want a kennel for him, won't you?"

"And you think he'll settle down with me? He won't want to run back to you?"

"Feed him yourself and be kind to him; and he'll settle down."

Thor had already lain down at Tomina's feet, his nose between his paws. But beneath his lowered eyelids, his eyes were fixed on his master's face. And then Dr. Merton went on talking about the carrier's cart.

"I shouldn't have given you my benediction if it had been a motor, for they're not entirely a health-giving product. But a quiet drive along the country roads, with your fellow-beings close by, to instruct and amuse, will be thoroughly beneficial."

"Oh, bother my health!" said Tomina. "I am doing it because I like it, because I want diversion, and because it is badly needed."

"And what are you going to charge our poor people?"

"Oh, nothing! How could I take any?"

Dr. Merton looked grave.

"It will be a case of mistaken charity, and your cart will be the abode of any tramp who comes along. You daren't refuse them if you give free lifts to any one."

It was Tomina's turn to look sober.

"What a tiresome man you are, making such difficulties! I shall have to charge and put it into the collecting plate on Sunday."

"That you can please yourself about. It is seven miles to Damerton. If you want to charge them cheaply, make it fourpence single, sixpence return journey—"

"Can they afford it?"

"Quite well."

Tomina looked dubious.

"I'll consult Susan. She lives in the village and is a discreet woman. Now, Dr. Merton, who is Mrs. Francis? Where does she live?"

"She's the widow of a naval officer, and she keeps house for her brother our Squire, Sir Alfred Digby."

"It's strange I have not come across her."

"She and Sir Alfred are both away in town. They will be returning before long, and then you will meet them."

Tomina looked at him thoughtfully.

"Miss Merryweather coupled her name with yours in a very undesirable fashion."

Dr. Merton looked rather taken aback.

Tomina began to laugh.

"Oh, don't be frightened! I am rather stupid in the way I put things sometimes. She said that if I didn't like good people, I mustn't have anything to do with you or Mrs. Francis—"

"Poor Alice!"

Dr. Merton looked relieved and a little amused.

"Have I proved a bogey?"

"No, and beyond your province, you have not preached to me objectionably. But I suppose you are feeling your way with me?"

"Perhaps I am," said the doctor, laughing. "Please don't take us at Miss Merryweather's valuation. Mrs. Francis is sure to call upon you when she returns, and then you can judge for yourself whether she is a person to be avoided. I must be off. I'll send Thor over to you in a couple of days. Keep him fastened up, take him out with a lead, feed him yourself, and he will be your devoted slave in a week's time."

Dr. Merton shook hands with her and departed.

Tomina was so grateful to him for his unqualified approval of her step that she bestowed one of her sweetest smiles upon him.

Thor marched away after him with much dignity. When he was at the gate, he looked back. Was he appraising his future home? Tomina waved her hand airily to him.

"'Au revoir,' you beauty! When next you come, you come to stay."

Susan heard of Thor with a dismayed face.

"I know them dogs well. They are not vicious, but they are blood-curdling when they bark, and this cottage is really too small to hold him, and he'll eat more than both of us together!"

Tomina reassured her.

Before another week was over, Thor had become an inmate of the cottage. He was a little restless at first, and had a way of shaking himself in his kennel at night that sounded truly alarming, and was not conducive to sleep. But Tomina took great pains to conciliate and beguile him, and in a fortnight, he followed her everywhere.

Thor was sociably inclined; he liked to lie in the sitting-room with his mistress. He was given a big mat, and was made to understand that when that was spread inside the door, he could come in and occupy it. In three days' time, however, he appeared at the door with the mat in his mouth, and after that, he would bring it in whenever he liked.

Tomina was enchanted with his intelligence, and was always glad of his companionship.

The carrier's cart was not ready to start in a fortnight. Country workmen could not hurry; and Tomina had her first lesson in patience. She spent her time in having some pamphlets printed to say that the cart would start running in the month of May, and these she distributed in the villages round.

She found she had a good many arrangements to make as to the horsing and stabling of her horse and van. At length, she persuaded a small farmer close by to promise to put them up. He was to be allowed to use the horse on the intermediate days for light farm work, and he only charged her for forage.