But you must tell me something about your mother and father. I never met either of them, you know, though, of course, I have heard my husband speak of them often that is, of his brother, anyhow, she corrected. I dont believe he ever met your mother. How is your father?
Oh, hes quite well, replied Clyde, simply. And Mother, too. Theyre living in Denver now. We did live for a while in Kansas City, but for the last three years theyve been out there. I had a letter from Mother only the other day. She says everything is all right.
Then you keep up a correspondence with her, do you? Thats nice. She smiled, for by now she had become interested by and, on the whole, rather taken with Clydes appearance. He looked so neat and generally presentable, so much like her own son that she was a little startled at first and intrigued on that score. If anything, Clyde was taller, better built and hence better looking, only she would never have been willing to admit that. For to her Gilbert, although he was intolerant and contemptuous even to her at times, simulating an affection which was as much a custom as a reality, was still a dynamic and aggressive person putting himself and his conclusions before everyone else. Whereas Clyde was more soft and vague and fumbling. Her sons force must be due to the innate ability of her husband as well as the strain of some relatives in her own line who had not been unlike Gilbert, while Clyde probably drew his lesser force from the personal unimportance of his parents.
But having settled this problem in her sons favor, Mrs. Griffiths was about to ask after his sisters and brothers, when they were interrupted by Samuel Griffiths who now approached. Measuring Clyde, who had risen, very sharply once more, and finding him very satisfactory in appearance at least, he observed: Well, so here you are, eh? Theyve placed you, I believe, without my ever seeing you.
Yes, sir, replied Clyde, very deferentially and half bowing in the presence of so great a man.
Well, thats all right. Sit down! Sit down! Im very glad they did. I hear youre working down in the shrinking room at present. Not exactly a pleasant place, but not such a bad place to begin, either at the bottom. The best people start there sometimes. He smiled and added: I was out of the city when you came on or I would have seen you.
Yes, sir, replied Clyde, who had not ventured to seat himself again until Mr. Griffiths had sunk into a very large stuffed chair near the divan. And the latter, now that he saw Clyde in an ordinary tuxedo with a smart pleated shirt and black tie, as opposed to the club uniform in which he had last seen him in Chicago, was inclined to think him even more attractive than before not quite as negligible and unimportant as his son Gilbert had made out. Still, not being dead to the need of force and energy in business and sensing that Clyde was undoubtedly lacking in these qualities, he did now wish that Clyde had more vigor and vim in him. It would reflect more handsomely on the Griffiths end of the family and please his son more, maybe.
Like it where you are now? he observed condescendingly.
Well, yes, sir, that is, I wouldnt say that I like it exactly, replied Clyde quite honestly. But I dont mind it. Its as good as any other way to begin, I suppose. The thought in his mind at the moment was that he would like to impress on his uncle that he was cut out for something better. And the fact that his cousin Gilbert was not present at the moment gave him the courage to say it.
Well, thats the proper spirit, commented Samuel Griffiths, pleased. It isnt the most pleasant part of the process, I will admit, but its one of the most essential things to know, to begin with. And it takes a little time, of course, to get anywhere in any business these days.
From this Clyde wondered how long he was to be left in that dim world below stairs.
But while he was thinking this Myra came forward, curious about him and what he would be like, and very pleased to see that he was not as uninteresting as Gilbert had painted him. There was something, as she now saw, about Clydes eyes nervous and somewhat furtive and appealing or seeking that at once interested her, and reminded her, perhaps, since she was not much of a success socially either, of something in herself.
Your cousin, Clyde Griffiths, Myra, observed Samuel rather casually, as Clyde arose. My daughter Myra, he added, to Clyde. This is the young man Ive been telling you about.
Clyde bowed and then took the cool and not very vital hand that Myra extended to him, but feeling it just the same to be more friendly and considerate than the welcome of the others.
Well, I hope youll like it, now that youre here, she began, genially. We all like Lycurgus, only after Chicago I suppose it will not mean so very much to you. She smiled and Clyde, feeling very formal and stiff in the presence of all these very superior relatives, now returned a stiff thank you, and was just about to seat himself when the outer door opened and Gilbert Griffiths strode in. The whirring of a motor had preceded this a motor that had stopped outside the large east side entrance. Just a minute, Dolge, he called to some one outside. I wont be long. Then turning to the family, he added: Excuse me, folks, Ill be back in a minute. He dashed up the rear stairs, only to return after a time and confront Clyde, if not the others, with that same rather icy and inconsiderate air that had so far troubled him at the factory. He was wearing a light, belted motoring coat of a very pronounced stripe, and a dark leather cap and gauntlets which gave him almost a military air. After nodding to Clyde rather stiffly, and adding, How do you do, he laid a patronizing hand on his fathers shoulder and observed: Hi, Dad. Hello, Mother. Sorry I cant be with you to-night. But I just came over from Amsterdam with Dolge and Eustis to get Constance and Jacqueline. Theres some doings over at the Bridgemans. But Ill be back again before morning. Or at the office, anyhow. Everything all right with you, Mr. Griffiths? he observed to his father.
Yes, I have nothing to complain of, returned his father. But it seems to me youre making a pretty long night of it, arent you?
Oh, I dont mean that, returned his son, ignoring Clyde entirely. I just mean that if I cant get back by two, Ill stay over, thats all, see. He tapped his father genially on the shoulder again.
I hope youre not driving that car as fast as usual, complained his mother. Its not safe at all.
Fifteen miles an hour, Mother. Fifteen miles an hour. I know the rules. He smiled loftily.
Clyde did not fail to notice the tone of condescension and authority that went with all this. Plainly here, as at the factory, he was a person who had to be reckoned with. Apart from his father, perhaps, there was no one here to whom he offered any reverence. What a superior attitude, thought Clyde!
How wonderful it must be to be a son who, without having had to earn all this, could still be so much, take oneself so seriously, exercise so much command and authority. It might be, as it plainly was, that this youth was very superior and indifferent in tone toward him. But think of being such a youth, having so much power at ones command!
Chapter 10
At this point a maid announced that supper was served and instantly Gilbert took his departure. At the same time the family arose and Mrs. Griffiths asked the maid: Has Bella telephoned yet?
No, maam, replied the servant, not yet.
Well, have Mrs. Truesdale call up the Finchleys and see if shes there. You tell her I said that she is to come home at once.
The maid departed for a moment while the group proceeded to the dining room, which lay to the west of the stairs at the rear. Again, as Clyde saw, this was another splendidly furnished room done in a very light brown, with a long center table of carved walnut, evidently used only for special occasions. It was surrounded by high-backed chairs and lighted by candelabras set at even spaces upon it. In a lower ceilinged and yet ample circular alcove beyond this, looking out on the garden to the south, was a smaller table set for six. It was in this alcove that they were to dine, a different thing from what Clyde had expected for some reason.
Seated in a very placid fashion, he found himself answering questions principally as to his own family, the nature of its life, past and present; how old was his father now? His mother? What had been the places of their residence before moving to Denver? How many brothers and sisters had he? How old was his sister, Esta? What did she do? And the others? Did his father like managing a hotel? What had been the nature of his fathers work in Kansas City? How long had the family lived there?
Clyde was not a little troubled and embarrassed by this chain of questions which flowed rather heavily and solemnly from Samuel Griffiths or his wife. And from Clydes hesitating replies, especially in regard to the nature of the family life in Kansas City, both gathered that he was embarrassed and troubled by some of the questions. They laid it to the extreme poverty of their relatives, of course. For having asked, I suppose you began your hotel work in Kansas City, didnt you, after you left school? Clyde blushed deeply, bethinking himself of the incident of the stolen car and of how little real schooling he had had. Most certainly he did not like the thought of having himself identified with hotel life in Kansas City, and more especially the Green-Davidson.
But fortunately at this moment, the door opened and Bella entered, accompanied by two girls such as Clyde would have assumed at once belonged to this world. How different to Rita and Zella with whom his thought so recently had been disturbedly concerned. He did not know Bella, of course, until she proceeded most familiarly to address her family. But the others one was Sondra Finchley, so frequently referred to by Bella and her mother as smart and vain and sweet a girl as Clyde had ever laid his eyes upon so different to any he had ever known and so superior. She was dressed in a close-fitting tailored suit which followed her form exactly and which was enhanced by a small dark leather hat, pulled fetchingly low over her eyes. A leather belt of the same color encircled her neck. By a leather leash she led a French bull and over one arm carried a most striking coat of black and gray checks not too pronounced and yet having the effect of a mans modish overcoat. To Clydes eyes she was the most adorable feminine thing he had seen in all his days. Indeed her effect on him was electric thrilling arousing in him a curiously stinging sense of what it was to want and not to have to wish to win and yet to feel, almost agonizingly that he was destined not even to win a glance from her. It tortured and flustered him. At one moment he had a keen desire to close his eyes and shut her out at another to look only at her constantly so truly was he captivated.
Yet, whether she saw him or not, she gave no sign at first, exclaiming to her dog: Now, Bissell, if youre not going to behave, Im going to take you out and tie you out there. Oh, I dont believe I can stay a moment if he wont behave better than this. He had seen a family cat and was tugging to get near her.
Beside her was another girl whom Clyde did not fancy nearly so much, and yet who, after her fashion, was as smart as Sondra and perhaps as alluring to some. She was blonde tow-headed with clear almond-shaped, greenish-gray eyes, a small, graceful, catlike figure, and a slinky feline manner. At once, on entering, she sidled across the room to the end of the table where Mrs. Griffiths sat and leaning over her at once began to purr.
Oh, how are you, Mrs. Griffiths? Im so glad to see you again. Its been some time since Ive been over here, hasnt it? But then Mother and I have been away. She and Grant are over at Albany to-day. And I just picked up Bella and Sondra here at the Lamberts. Youre just having a quiet little supper by yourselves, arent you? How are you, Myra? she called, and reaching over Mrs. Griffiths shoulder touched Myra quite casually on the arm, as though it were more a matter of form than anything else.
In the meantime Bella, who next to Sondra seemed to Clyde decidedly the most charming of the three, was exclaiming: Oh, Im late. Sorry, Mamma and Daddy. Wont that do this time? Then noting Clyde, and as though for the first time, although he had risen as they entered and was still standing, she paused in semi-mock modesty as did the others. And Clyde, oversensitive to just such airs and material distinctions, was fairly tremulous with a sense of his own inadequacy, as he waited to be introduced. For to him, youth and beauty in such a station as this represented the ultimate triumph of the female. His weakness for Hortense Briggs, to say nothing of Rita, who was not so attractive as either of these, illustrated the effect of trim femininity on him, regardless of merit.
Bella, observed Samuel Griffiths, heavily, noting Clyde still standing, your cousin, Clyde.
Oh, yes, replied Bella, observing that Clyde looked exceedingly like Gilbert. How are you? Mother has been saying that you were coming to call one of these days. She extended a finger or two, then turned toward her friends. My friends, Miss Finchley and Miss Cranston, Mr. Griffiths.
The two girls bowed, each in the most stiff and formal manner, at the same time studying Clyde most carefully and rather directly, Well, he does look like Gil a lot, doesnt he? whispered Sondra to Bertine, who had drawn near to her. And Bertine replied: I never saw anything like it. Hes really better-looking, isnt he a lot?
Sondra nodded, pleased to note in the first instance that he was somewhat better-looking than Bellas brother, whom she did not like next that he was obviously stricken with her, which was her due, as she invariably decided in connection with youths thus smitten with her. But having thus decided, and seeing that his glance was persistently and helplessly drawn to her, she concluded that she need pay no more attention to him, for the present anyway. He was too easy.
But now Mrs. Griffiths, who had not anticipated this visitation and was a little irritated with Bella for introducing her friends at this time since it at once raised the question of Clydes social position here, observed: Hadnt you two better lay off your coats and sit down? Ill just have Nadine lay extra plates at this end. Bella, you can sit next to your father.
Oh, no, not at all, and No, indeed, were just on our way home ourselves. I cant stay a minute, came from Sondra and Bertine. But now that they were here and Clyde had proved to be as attractive as he was, they were perversely interested to see what, if any, social flair there was to him. Gilbert Griffiths, as both knew, was far from being popular in some quarters their own in particular, however much they might like Bella. He was, for two such self-centered beauties as these, too aggressive, self-willed and contemptuous at times. Whereas Clyde, if one were to judge by his looks, at least was much more malleable. And if it were to prove now that he was of equal station, or that the Griffiths thought so, decidedly he would be available locally, would he not? At any rate, it would be interesting to know whether he was rich. But this thought was almost instantly satisfied by Mrs. Griffiths, who observed rather definitely and intentionally to Bertine: Mr. Griffiths is a nephew of ours from the West who has come on to see if he can make a place for himself in my husbands factory. Hes a young man who has to make his own way in the world and my husband has been kind enough to give him an opportunity.