The Trial [46]
'Scott's "Lay",' said Leonard; 'it is up in my room.' 'I told you, Ave, not to let the drawing-room books be carried about the house to be spoilt!' said Henry, who seldom reproved his brother direct, but generally through Ave. 'You'd better get some made of wood then,' said Leonard. 'Remember then, Ave, I say I will not have my books taken out, and left about over the house.' Leonard dashed out of the room passionately, and presently came thundering down again, every step audible the whole way, and threw the book on the table, bringing in a whirlwind, and a flaring sloping candle dropping upon the precious cloth. Henry started up and pointed. 'I'm glad of it!' exclaimed Leonard; 'it will be a little amusement for you. Good night, Ave! I'm going to finish up-stairs, since one can't read, write, or touch a book without your being rowed!' He was gone, and Averil, though rather frightened, gave him infinite credit for keeping his temper; and perhaps he deserved it, considering the annoyance and the nature of the provocation; but she did not reflect how much might have been prevented by more forethought and less pre-occupation. She said not a word, but quietly returned to her copying; and when Henry came with paper and poker to remove the damage, she only shoved back her chair, and sat waiting, pen in hand, resigned and ironical. 'I declare,' grumbled Henry, as he examined the remaining amount of damage, 'these day-schools are a great inconvenience; there's no keeping a place fit to be seen with a great uncivilized lad always hanging about!' 'Leonard is considered particularly gentlemanlike,' said Ave, with lips compressed, to keep back something about old bachelors. 'Now, I should have thought a lady would have some regard to her own drawing-room, and object to slovenliness--elbows on table, feet everywhere!' 'Nothing is in worse taste than constraint,' said Ave from the corners of her mouth--'at least for those that can trust their manners without it.' 'I tell you, Ave, you are spoiling the boy. He is more conceited than ever since the Mays noticed him.' 'Leonard conceited!' 'Yes; he is getting as stuck up as Tom May himself--your model I believe!' 'I thought he was yours!' 'Mine?' 'Yes; you always seem to aim at a poor imitation of him.' There was a blushing angry stammer in reply; and she suppressed her smile, but felt triumphant in having hit the mark. Unready at retort, he gathered himself up, and said: 'Well, Ave, I have only this to say, that if you choose to support that boy in his impertinences, there will be no bearing it; and I shall see what I shall do.' Seeing what shall be done is a threat stimulating to some, but appalling to others; and Averil was of the latter class, with no desire for such a spectacle, be it what it might. She did not apologize for the trifle--possible ink, a spot of wax, a borrowed book, were far beneath an apology; but she made up her mind to humour Henry's follies magnanimously, and avoid collisions, like an admirable peace-maker. As soon as bed-time came, she repaired to Leonard's room; and Henry, as he went along the passage, heard the two young voices ringing with laughter! Her retort had been particularly delightful to Leonard. 'That's right, Ave! I'm glad you set him down, for I thought afterwards whether I ought not to have stood by you, only his way of pitching into me through you puts me into such a rage: I shall do something desperate some day!' 'Never mind it, Leonard; it does not hurt me; and if it did, I should like to bear a great deal for you.' 'That's all the wrong way,' said Leonard, smiling affectionately. 'No; men do and women suffer.' 'That's trite!' said Leonard, patting her fondly. 'I like you to do- -as you call it--Miss May does, and every one that is worth anything. I say, Ave, when I go out to the islands, you are coming too?' 'Oh yes! I know I could do a great deal. If nothing else, I could sing; and they have a great aptitude for singing, Mary was telling me. But that reminds me I must finish copying the hymn for next Sunday; Henry hindered me, and