第9章

The poor old lady!Being a bell-boy you know just how old ladies really are.This one at evening,after her face had been massaged for an hour,and the manicure girl and the hair-dresser had gone,wasn't so bad.But to-day,with the marks of the morning's tears on her agitated face,with the blood pounding up to her temples where the hair was thin and gray--Tom Dorgan,if I'm a vain old fool like that when I'm three times as old as I am,just tie a stone around my neck and take me down and drop me into the nearest water,won't you?

"You abominable little wretch!"she sobbed."I suppose you've told everybody in the office.""How could I,ma'am?"

"How could you?"She looked up,the tears on her flabby,flushed cheek.

"I didn't know myself.I can't read writing--"It was thin,but she wanted to believe it.

She could have taken me in her arms,she was so happy.

"There!there!"she patted my shoulder and gave me a dollar bill."I was a bit hasty,Nat.It's only a--a little business matter that Mr.Moriway's attending to for me.We--we'll finish it up this afternoon.I shouldn't like Miss Kingdon to know of it,because--because I--never like to worry her about business,you know.So don't mention it when she comes to-morrow.""No'm.Shall I fasten your dress?"I simply had to stay in that room till I could get rid of those diamonds.

With a faded old blush--the nicest thing about her I'd ever seen--she turned her back.

"It's dark to-day,ma'am,"I coaxed."Would you mind coming nearer the window?"No,she wouldn't mind.She backed up to the corner like a gentle little lamb.While I hooked with one hand,I dropped the little bag where the carpet was still turned up,and with the toe of my shoe spread it flat again.

"You're real handy for a boy,"she said,pleased.

"Thank you,ma'am,"I answered,pleased myself.

Moriway was still watching me,of course,when I came out,but Iran downstairs,he following close,and when the Major got hold of me,I pulled my pockets inside out like a little man.

Moriway was there at the time.I knew he wasn't convinced.But he couldn't watch a bell-boy all day long,and the moment I was sure his eyes were off me I was ready to get those diamonds back again.

But not a call came all that afternoon from the west side of the house,except the call of those pretty,precious things snug under the carpet calling,calling to me to come and get them and drop bell-boying for good.

At last I couldn't stand it any longer.There's only one thing to do when your chance won't come to you;that is,to go to it.At about four o'clock I lit out,climbed to the second story and there--Mag,I always was the luckiest girl at the Cruelty,wasn't I?Well,there was suite 231all torn up,plumbers and painters in there,and nothing in the world to prevent a boy's skinning through when no one was watching,out of the window and up the fire-escape.

Just outside of Mrs.Kingdon's window I lay still a minute.I had seen her and Moriway go out together--she all gay with finery,he carrying her bag.The lace curtains in 331were blowing in the breeze.Cautiously I parted them and looked in.Everything was lovely.From where I lay I reached down and turned back the flap of the carpet.It was too easy.Those darling diamonds seemed just to leap up into my hand.In a moment I had them tucked away in my pants pocket.Then down the fire-escape and out through 231,where I told the painter I'd been to get a toy the boy in 441had dropped out of the window.

But he paid no attention to me.No one did,though I felt those diamonds shining like an X-ray through my very body.I got downstairs and was actually outside the door,almost in the street and off to you,when a girl called me.

"Here,boy,carry this case,"she said.

Do you know who it was?Oh,yes,you do,a dear old friend of mine from Philadelphia,a young lady whose taste--well,all right,I'll tell you:it was the girl with the red coat,and the hat with the chinchilla fur.

How did they look?Oh,fairly well on a blonde!But to my taste the last girl I'd seen in the coat and hat was handsomer.

Well,I carried her suit-case and followed her back into the hotel.I didn't want to a bit,though that coat still--wonder how she got it back!

She sailed up the hall and into the elevator,and I had to follow.We got of at the third story,and she brought me right to the door of 331.And then I knew this must be Evelyn.

"Mrs.Kingdon's out,Miss.She didn't expect you till to-morrow.""Did she tell you that?Too bad she isn't at home!She said she'd be kept busy all day to-day with a business matter,and that I'd better not get here till to-morrow.But I--""Wanted to get here in time for the wedding?"I suggested softly.

You should have seen her jump.

"Wedding!Not--"

"Mrs.Kingdon and Mr.Moriway."

She turned white.

"Has that man followed her here?Quick,tell me.Has she actually married him?""No--not yet.It's for five o'clock at the church on the corner.""How do you know?"She turned on me,suddenly suspicious.

"Well--I do know.And I'm the only person in the house that does.""I don't believe you."

She took out her key and opened the door,and I followed her in with the suit-case.But before I could get it set down on the floor,she had swooped on a letter that was lying in the middle of the table,had torn it open,and then with a cry had come whirling toward me.

"Where is this church?Come,help me to get to it before five and I'll--oh,you shall have anything in the world you want!"She flew out into the hall,I after her.And first thing you know we were down in the street,around the corner,and there in front of the church was a carriage with Moriway just helping Mrs.

Kingdon out.

"Mother!"

At that cry the old lady's knees seemed to crumble under her.Her poor old painted face looked out ghastly and ashamed from her wedding finery.But Evelyn in her red coat flew to her and took her in her arms as though she was a child.And like a child,Mrs.

Kingdon sobbed and made excuses and begged to be forgiven.

I looked at Moriway.It was all the pay I wanted--particularly as I had those little diamonds.