The Bishop's Apron - Chapter 11

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter eleven of The Bishop's apron by W. Somerset Maum.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, Chapter eleven.
One evening, to his sister's amazement, Cannon Spratt volunteered to
accompany Winnie to a party. The Vicar of Saint Gregory's
was at his best in smaller gatherings, where his personality

(00:21):
could more easily make itself felt. He liked an attentive audience,
and even one careless pair more anxious to talk with
one another than to hear his sage words. Was apt
to disconcert him when he found himself in a crowd,
jostled and pushed, able to speak with but one person
at a time, and reduced even then to social commonplace,

(00:42):
he quickly grew bored. He could only suffer a multitude
when from the safe eminence of the pulpit, the first
in place, as well as in dignity of oratorial machines,
he was lifted above the press of mankind. He was
assured than of their attentiveness and protected from their interruption.
Winnie was very simply dressed. Her pallor was unusual, but

(01:04):
in the soft light of shaded electricity, she gained thereby
a peculiar delicacy. The pose of her head was a
little wearied, the blue eyes were filled with melancholy. The
cannon thought her frail beauty had never been seen to
greater advantage, And when alert for all that was proceeding,
he saw Roxam coming towards them, he quickly vanished from

(01:25):
her side. He smiled as he noticed the singular way
in which the young man held his nose in the air.
Roxham was very short sighted, and his prominent blue eyes
had an odd helplessness of expression. Winnie did not see him.
She was watching the throng of dancers, taking a new
delight in the gaiety of these many people gathered there
in lightness of heart to enjoy the fleeting moments. Never

(01:49):
before had she found such satisfaction in the magnificence of
the ball room hung with red roses, nor in the
charming dresses of the women. She could not crush a
pang that entered her breast when she thought that all
this must be given up, And in sudden contrast, she
saw the little sordid parlor in Roseberry Gardens. Before her
eyes arose the high street at Peckham, with its gaudy shops.

(02:12):
It was hideous, hideous, and she shuddered. Suddenly she heard
in her ear a well known voice winnie her pallor
gave way before a blush that made her ten times prettier.
She did not answer, but looked at Harry in his eyes.
Herself quickened by suffering, she thought there was a new sadness,

(02:32):
and a great sympathy filled her. If he lacked good looks,
he had, at all events, the kindly face of an
old friend, and he was admirably dressed. Discovering for the
first time that his clothes had never before attracted her attention,
she observed now with what an incomparable ease he bore them.
The cruel advice of Lady Sophia to get Bertram a

(02:53):
good tailor recurred to her, and she remembered the suggestion
that he could not wear a frock coat. Becomingly. I
wonder if he knows it, passed through her mind. Perhaps
that's why he always wears a jacket. It was an
unwelcome thought that Bertram could be influenced by vain notions,
and she upbraided herself for the pettiness of the suspicion Roxham,

(03:15):
without fear of ridicule, and with simplicity, could wear any
clothes he chose. I knew I should find you here,
He was saying, you're not angry with me for coming.
I wanted to see you so badly, good heavens, why
should I be angry? Smiled Winnie, you have just as
much right to come as I. She could not help

(03:36):
being flattered by the passionate love which colored every word
he spoke, and her own voice gained a sweeter tenderness.
I can't keep away from you, Winnie. I didn't know
I loved you so much. Oh, don't please, she murmured.
We've been friends for ages. It would be absurd if
we never saw one another again. Because because of the

(03:56):
other day, you know, I'm always glad to see you.
I couldn't take your answer as final. Oh, I don't
want to bother you and make you miserable. But don't
you care for me at all? Don't you think that
after a time you may get to like me. His
humility touched Whinnie so much that it made her answer
very difficult.

Speaker 2 (04:16):
I told you the other day it was impossible. Oh,
I know, But then I couldn't say what I wanted.
I couldn't understand like a fool, I thought you cared
for me. I loved you so passionately that it seemed
impossible I should be nothing to you at all. Please
don't say anything more, Harry, she said, very gently. It's

(04:38):
awfully kind of you, and I don't know how to
thank you, but I can't marry you. Roxham, with a
little instinctive motion, set the glasses more firmly on his
nose and looked at her sadly.

Speaker 1 (04:50):
She smiled. Won't you dance with me? She said. His
face lit up as he placed his arm round her waist,
and they began to waltz. The rhythm of the haunting
melody carried Winnie's soul away. She knew that she was
giving great happiness, and it filled her with pleasure. The
music stopped, and with a sigh of delight, she sank

(05:12):
into a chair. I want to tell you something, he
said presently, with much seriousness. If ever you change your mind,
I shall be waiting for you. I can never love
any one else. I don't want you to make any
promise or to give me any encouragement, but I shall
wait for you, and if ever the time comes that
you think you can care for me, you will find

(05:32):
me ready and eager to be your very humble servant.
I didn't know you were so kind, said she, with
tears in her eyes. I misjudged you. I thought you
treated me like a fool. I'm sorry. I want you
to be happy, but don't be wretched because I can't
marry you. I'm not worth troubling about. He looked at

(05:53):
her fixedly, divining from her tone that something was troubling her.
Is anything the matter? He asked?

Speaker 2 (06:01):
No, what should be?

Speaker 1 (06:02):
She answered, trying to smile but blushing to the roots
of her hair. You've been crying. I had a headache.
There's really nothing else. It was very hard to resist
her impulse to confess that she was already engaged. She
wished him to know why she had refused him, and
wanted his loving sympathy, But at this moment a partner

(06:23):
claimed her for the dance that was just beginning. Good Bye,
she whispered as she left him. I shall never forget
your kindness. Roxham followed her with his eyes, then, puzzled
and uncertain, walked towards the door. Cannon Spratt did not
believe in trusting the affairs of this world to the
blind hazard of chance. And it was by no accident

(06:45):
that he found himself at this very moment in the
young man's way. Ah My, dear fellow, I'm delighted to
see you, he said, What a crowd, isn't there. I've
been dying to find someone to smoke a quiet cigarette
with me. Roxham gave him a smile. He felt at
once that cordial glow which Cannon spread invariably suffused on

(07:05):
all with whom he came in contact. They went to
the smoking room. Even if Roxham had been unwilling, he
would have found it hard to resist the breezy authoritativeness
with which the Cannon, waiting for no answer, led the way. Now,
let us make ourselves at home. He seated himself in
the most comfortable arm chair, and for all the world

(07:25):
as if he were in his own house, pointed Roxham
to another. In his gracious way. He offered the young
man a cigarette from their host's box, and, having lit
his own, smoked for a while in silence. He was
willing to let things take their time, and waited contentedly
for Roxham to speak. He set his mind to making
a number of admirable smoke rings. I've been talking to Winnie,

(07:49):
said the other at last, gravely. Well, well, I don't
understand her. Cannon Sprat put his hand impressively on Roxam's knee.
My dear fellow, there's nothing to understand. They say that
women are incomprehensible. They're nothing of the sort. I've never
met a woman that I couldn't understand at a glance.

(08:10):
I fancy she'd been crying, said Roxham, shyly. All women
cry when they have nothing better to do. It's the
only inexpensive form of amusement they have. Roxham knocked the
ash off his cigarette with peculiar care. I asked her
to marry me, cannon Sprad, and of course she refused.
That was to be expected. No nice girl accepts a

(08:32):
man the first time he proposes to her. My dear Harry,
the way with women is to insist stand no nonsense
from them, Treat them kindly but firmly. Remember that the
majority never know their own minds, and between you and me,
I think the majority haven't much to know. The Canon
was no feminist. It was one of his cherished convictions

(08:54):
that women should be kept in their place, which, with
regard to the lords of creation, was chiefly the back.
He felt that the attitude which best became them was
one of submission, like the natural savage, unspoiled by the
vice of civilization. He considered that man should hunt, fight,
and be handsome, while the weaker sex toiled for the

(09:14):
privilege of contemplating his greatness. He had never imparted these
theories to Lady Sophia. When you want something from a woman,
insist upon having it, he added, hammer away, and in
the long run you'll get it. But when he is
so different from other girls, replied Roxham, unconvinced, nonsense. Every

(09:34):
man thinks the girl he wants to marry different from
every other, but she is nothing of the kind. Women
are very much of a muchness, especially the pretty ones.
I have no patience with this ranting about the equality
of the sexes. It is not only irreligious but vulgar.
I lay my faith on the Bible, which tells us
that women shall be subject unto man. I've never met

(09:56):
the woman that I couldn't turn round my little finger.
He looked at that particular digit. It was adorned with
a handsome ring on which in all their monstrous fraudulents
were the arms of his family. His voice rang with
manly scorn. Now, my dear Harry, you have my full approval,
and you have my assurance that Winnie undoubtedly cares for you.

(10:18):
What more can you want? Hammer away, my dear sir,
Hammer away. The proper fashion to deal with a woman
is to ask her, in season and out of season,
propose to her morning, noon and night. Worry her as
a terrier worries a bone. Insist on marrying her. Sooner
or later. She'll say yes and think herself a prodigious
fool for not having done so before. You're very encouraging,

(10:42):
said the lover smiling Cannon. Sprat's cheery vigor was irresistible,
and the force of his rhetoric seemed to overcome even
material obstacles. But when Roxham considered the affair, he was puzzled.
He was a youth of only common intelligence. This, the
Canon had observed with satisfaction, for he knew that nothing

(11:02):
is so prejudicial in the world of politics as to
excel the average. It did not appear natural that Winnie
should refuse him out of mere virginal coyness. As the
hen bird flies from the nightingale till he has sung
his most amorous lays her. Melancholy pointed to something more complex.
You are very encouraging, he repeated, but this time with

(11:25):
a sigh. There are few men who have more experience
in the management of the sex than I returned Cannon
sprat with the air of a sultan who has conducted
with unexampled success, a surlio of more than common dimensions.
Now what do you propose to do? I don't know,
answered Roxam, somewhat helplessly. My dear fellow, God helps those

(11:47):
who help themselves, said the canon with sharpness. You want
to marry my little girl, and I want you to
marry her. I know no one to whom I would
sooner intrust her. And when a father says that I
can sure you, it means a great deal. But what
can I do? Well? Well, I see I must help
you a little. Come and see us again in a

(12:09):
day or two. I'll drop you a line. I don't
want to be a bore, said Roxham. I have reason
to believe that you'll find Winnie in a different state
of mind. Keep yourself free to come any day. I fix,
and now go home. And have a good night's sleep.
Roxham got up and shook hands. He left the cannon
in the smoking room, the clerical gentleman put down his

(12:31):
cigarette and smiled to himself with much self satisfaction. He
sang again softly, for I'm no sailor bold, and I've
never been upon the sea, and if I fall therein
it's a fact I couldn't swim, and quickly at the
bottom I should be. He returned to the ball room jauntily,
and on his way was so fortunate as to meet

(12:52):
mister Wilson. This was the journalist of much influence in
ecclesiastical circles, whose good offices with the press he already
made use of. Ah My dear Wilson, it was charming
of you to put that little announcement in the paper
for me, he said. I'm rejoiced to see that doctor
Gray has been given the bishopric. I'm afraid the news

(13:13):
is entirely premature, answered the other, No appointment has been
made at all. Indeed, you surprise me it was announced
so confidently in the Westminster Gazette. Even the newspapers are
not infallible, smiled mister Wilson, who knew in point of fact,
I very much doubt if Gray would accept. He's fond

(13:34):
of the work at Harbin, and I don't think he
much wants to bury himself at Barchester. Of course, in
this world everything has its drawbacks, replied the Vicar of
Saint Gregory's. And for my part, when a man is
still young and vigorous, I can imagine no position with
greater opportunities for good than the headmastership of a great
public school. He passed on. His name had been somewhat

(13:57):
freely mentioned with regard to Barchester, and Cannon Spratt could
not bear that any one should think him disappointed or envious.
He had shown mister Wilson that he was neither. But
he could not regret that the newspapers had anticipated things,
and hope, which is known to spring eternally in human breasts,
cast at once a rosy hue upon the world in general.

(14:19):
So long as no definite appointment was made, the Cannon
felt it only right to trust in the victory of
good over evil. The various influences which he had brought
to bear might still cause in Lord Stonehenge a state
of mind that would raise merit to the episcopal bench.
Cannon Spratt looked round the ball room and caught sight
of Gwendolen Durant. He went up to her at once.

(14:41):
She looked uncommonly well in her low necked dress and
the single string of pearls she wore not only showed
off the youthful beauty of her neck, but reminded the
world at large that she had a very opulent father.
How is it that the young men are so ungallant
as to leave you sitting out? He asked, gaily, I'm
engaged to your son for this dance. I can't make

(15:03):
out where he is. Lionel is a donkey, laughed the Cannon.
Give it to me instead. He would not listen to
her amused objections, and in a moment they were among
the dancers. Lionel came up just as Cannon Sprat had
borne off the prize triumphantly. He was filled with amazement, for,
to the best of his belief, his father had not

(15:24):
danced for twenty years. The Cannon saw him, and, laughing
at his disconsolate look, pointed him out to Gwendolen. She laughed, Also,
I've cut you out, dear boy, cried the cannon. As
they passed with a roguish look. I've cut you out.
You're very unkind, smiled Gwendolen. Nonsense, it'll teach him to

(15:45):
be more punctual. Do you think if I'd been engaged
to the bell of the evening I should have kept
her waiting one single moment. He was so good looking,
and there was about him such a buoyant charm of
manner that Gwendolen was somewhat dazzled. The cannon had a
great sense of rhythm, and their waltz went exceedingly well.
You dance better than Lionel, she said, smiling. He pressed

(16:08):
her hands slightly in acknowledgment of the flattering remark, and
his glance positively made her heart beat a little. You
mustn't think because my hair is nearly white, and I'm
quite an old fossil. Gwendolen looked at his hair and
thought it very handsome. She was pleased with the admiration
that filled his eyes. When they caught hers, She blushed,
and they danced for a while in silence. I enjoyed

(16:32):
that more than any dance this evening, she sighed. When
the music ceased, then you must give me another. I
owe you a debt of gratitude. You've made me feel
four and twenty. I don't believe you're a day more,
she answered, reddening at her boldness. Like many young persons
before her, Gwendolen felt that a week's acquaintance with Theodore

(16:52):
Sprat had turned him into an old friend. She would
have confided to him her most treasured secrets without hesitation.
He took her to have an ice, and she observed
with pleasure the courtliness with which he used her. It
seemed more than politeness, which made him so anxious for
her comfort. Her wants really seemed to matter to him.

(17:13):
How charmingly you wait on me, she said, half laughing.
I belonged to the old school, which put lovely women
on a gilded pedestal and worshiped them. Besides, I have
to take pains to make you forget my age. How
can you be so absurd, she cried. I think you're
the youngest man I've ever known. He was delighted for

(17:35):
he saw that Gwendolen meant precisely what she said. Ah,
why don't we live in the eighteenth century so that
I might fall on my knee and kiss your hand
in gratitude for that pretty speech. The band struck up again,
and the cannon, offering his arm, led her back to
the ball room. She was claimed by a young guardsman,

(17:55):
and as she swung into the throng, the cannon could
not help feeling that neither in a pear heerrance, height
nor gallantry had he anything to fear from the comparison
upon my soul. I can't make out why I don't
come to ball's oftener, he murmured. I had no idea.
They were so amusing. Lionel was standing just in front
of him, and he slapped him on the back. Well,

(18:18):
my boy, are you enjoying yourself? I hope you bear
me no malice because I robbed you of your partner,
Not at all. I'm not really very fond of dancing. Ah,
you young men of the present day are so superior.
It's a monstrous thing that when a girl's pretty feet
itch for a varnished floor, she should be forced to
throw herself into the arms of an old fogy like myself.

(18:40):
It didn't look as if miss Durrant needed much compulsion,
returned Lionel dryly. The cannon laughed boisterously. Have you declared
yourself yet? She's a very nice girl. Indeed, and you
have my paternal blessing. I think we shall get along
capitally together. No, I haven't said anything. Well, my boy,

(19:01):
why don't you. It's your duty to marry, and it's
your duty to marry money. You must have a son,
and you must have something to keep him on. I
think you'll have to hunt a long time before you
find any one so likely to provide all that's necessary
as Gwendolen Durrant I like her very much, allowed Lionel
somewhat uncertainly. Then why don't you propose to night? There's

(19:24):
nothing like a dance for that sort of thing. The
music and the flowers and the gayety. It all attunes
the mind to amorous affairs. That's all very well, But
she makes one rather nervous, laughed Lionel. Fiddlesticks. Take her
into the conservatory, Then play with her fan that will
lead you to take her hand. Then put your arm

(19:44):
boldly round her waist, and the rest will follow of itself,
Or you are no son of mine. Lionel shrugged his
shoulders and smiled without enthusiasm. I see that missus fitz
Herbert is here, he said inconsequently is she. I must
go and find her. Take my advice. My boy proposed
to Gwendolyne tonight, and perhaps I'll pay a bill or

(20:05):
two for you in the morning. He waved his hand
familiarly and disappeared in search of the handsome widow. He
found her very comfortably seated in an arm chair, looking
at the dancers with tolerant disdain. She smiled in sympathy
as she caught the happy eyes of a girl going
round the room in an ecstasy of delight. She nodded

(20:25):
with satisfaction when a handsome man passed by. She sought
idly to get some notion of character, as one physiognomy
or another attracted her attention. But what most pleased her
was the thought that she herself was merely a spectator.
The delights of middle age were by no means to
be despised. She was free to go where she would

(20:46):
sufficiently rich, indifferent to the opinion of her fellows. Twenty
years ago, she nearly broke her heart at a ball
because she was obliged to sit out five dances running
without a partner. But now her chief wish was that
no one should interrupt her enjoyment. Of that varied scene.
Yet when cannon spread approached, she rose to greet him

(21:06):
with every appearance of cordiality. She wore all her diamonds
and a gown whose handsome lines showed off the magnificence
of her figure. He thought she had never seemed more stately.
May I have the pleasure of a dance? He asked, smiling,
but in the most formal way. Missus fitz Herbert opened
her eyes wide and stared at him. What on earth

(21:28):
are you talking about? I don't know how I can
express myself more plainly, he laughed. My dear canon, I
haven't danced for fifteen years. Come, he said, gaily. I
never take a refusal. I know you dance divinely. Don't
be so absurd. We should make ourselves perfectly ridiculous. People

(21:50):
would roar with laughter and say, look at those two
old fogies doddering round together. Nothing of the sort. They'd say,
Look at Theodore Sprat, he's dancing with the bell of
the evening. Isn't that like him? He put his arm
round her waist, and, notwithstanding a laughing remonstrance, bore her
into the middle of the room. It was true that

(22:12):
he danced well, and for five minutes missus fitz Herbert
forgot that she was hard upon fifty. He talked the
most charming nonsense. Her eyes began to flash as brightly
as his, and she surrendered herself entirely to the pleasure
of the waltz. It gave her a curious thrill to
feel the strong hand that rested like a caress on

(22:32):
her waist. Presently, he led her into a little nook
all gay with roses, which had been arranged in an
alcove on the stairs. You detestable creature, she cried, sinking
into a chair. I was congratulating myself on being out
of the turmoil of life, and you've made me regret
it so that I could almost burst into tears. But

(22:53):
acknowledge that you enjoyed it. And you know just as
well as I do that you were the most beautiful
woman in the room. How many virtuous matrons have you
already assured of that fact tonight, she asked, with a laugh. Ah,
you think I'm joking, but I'm deadly serious, he answered.
Then there's no possible excuse for you. You can't subdue

(23:13):
me so easily as that does. It mean nothing to you,
that the band is playing the most sentimental tunes, and
that all these roses have turned the place into a garden.
You see, I'm never so foolish as to forget that
I'm long past forty. I never think of your age,
he answered, and for the life of her she could
not tell if he was in earnest to me, you

(23:35):
are a lovely woman, kind and witty and delightful. She
looked at him calmly. What do you think Lionel would
say if he heard you talk such rubbish? Lionel is
wisely occupied with his own affairs. I've sent him to
propose to Gwendolen Durrant. He was shy, but I told
him it was the simplest thing in the world. I

(23:56):
told him to look at her fan. The cannon opened
his partner and smiled into her eyes, and that I
told him would lead him naturally to take her hand.
He audaciously seized missus fitz Herbert's, but she, with a
laugh withdrew it. I gather your meaning without your actually
giving me an example, she said. The Cannon's blue eyes

(24:18):
sparkled with all the fire of youth. Another dance had begun,
and they were left alone in the alcove. Look here,
Why don't you marry me? He asked. Suddenly, missus fitz
Herbert was taken completely aback. It had never dawned on
her that his bantering speeches could tend to any such end.
My dear man, have you taken leave of your senses?

(24:41):
My children are making their own homes and I shall
be left alone. Whatever you say, we're neither of us
old yet, why shouldn't we join forces? It's too absurd,
she said that I should want to marry you. Look
in your glass, dear friend, and it will tell you
there are a hundred good reasons. He put his arm

(25:01):
round her, and before she realized what he was about,
kissed her lips. I thank you from the bottom of
my heart. But I haven't accepted, she cried. I told
you I never took a refusal. I shall inform Sophia
that you've promised to marry me. Giving her no time
to reply, he jumped up, pressed her hand lightly, and disappeared.

(25:25):
Missus fitz Herbert did not know whether to be amused
or angry. The affair seemed like a joke that had
been carried too far, and she really could not believe
that the cannon meant what he said. Suddenly, an idea
struck her. A smile came to her lips, and she
began to laugh. The idea gained shape. She threw back
her head and laughed till the tears positively ran down

(25:48):
her cheeks. But the Cannon returned to the ball room,
feeling not a day more than twenty five. Winnie came
up to him. I'm ready to go home when you like, Papa.
I'm rather tired. He looked at his watch. Nonsense, one's
not tired at two in the morning, at your age.
Why I feel as fit as a fiddle. Come. He

(26:09):
seized her, and before she knew where she was, whirled
her into the middle of the room. He would not
let her expostulate, but danced as though he would never tire.
His spirits were so high that he could have shouted
at the top of his voice. When they were all
three in the carriage on their way home, Cannon Sprat
turned to his son, Well did you take my advice,

(26:32):
he asked. I didn't have a chance, said Lionel, discontentedly.
Good Lord, you're not half the man your father is.
The Cannon chuckled, and rubbed his hands. He asked Winnie's
permission to light a cigar and put up his feet
comfortably on the opposite seat. I've had a very charming
evening upon my soul. It's wonderful. What good it does

(26:54):
a hard working man to have a little innocent enjoyment.
End of chapter eleven.