CHAPTER XVI

KATHLEEN HAS HER WAY

The little Bermuda steamer was rapidly making her way towards New York. Already the New Jersey shore was in sight, and in another hour Sandy Hook would be reached. The voyage had been unusually smooth; few of the passengers had suffered from seasickness, and almost every one was on deck, watching the approach to land. It was a lovely Spring morning and from their deck-chairs the twins were endeavoring to recognize familiar landmarks.

“I’m sure that must be Asbury Park,” Nora declared. “Mummy and I spent a week there one summer, and that big building looks like the auditorium.”

“I’ve never stayed at Asbury Park,” said Kathleen, “but I’ve motored there from Monmouth, when I visited Sylvia Seymour. I like Bar Harbor better than New Jersey, though, don’t you?”

“I’ve never seen Bar Harbor,” laughed Nora. “You keep forgetting that I haven’t traveled as you have.”

“I know I do, but it seems so queer you shouldn’t know all the places I know. We spent two summers at Bar Harbor before Daddy bought the camp at Big Moose. Are you glad we’re going home, Nora?”

Nora hesitated.

“I’m afraid not quite as glad as I ought to be,” she admitted. “I love home, of course, and it will be nice to see the Judsons, and all my other friends, but it was so beautiful in Bermuda, and we did have such good times.”

“We certainly did,” agreed Kathleen; “I don’t think I ever enjoyed myself anywhere quite so much. But we couldn’t have stayed much longer, because it was getting so hot, and the hotels were going to close. You’ll like Big Moose just as much; see if you don’t.”

“I should love to see the mountains,” said Nora, thoughtfully, “but perhaps Mummy won’t let me go away again this summer. You see, this trip has cost a good deal, even though Mummy did pay most of her expenses by writing for the papers.”

Kathleen smiled a superior smile.

“If you think for one minute,” she said decidedly, “that you and Mother are not coming to spend the summer with us at Big Moose, you are very much mistaken. Because if you don’t come with us I sha’n’t go either.”

Nora looked very much surprised, but three weeks’ acquaintance with her twin sister had convinced her of the fact that Kathleen had a way of carrying her points, and surmounting seemingly unsurmountable difficulties, that in any one else would have seemed quite beyond belief. She was very fond of Kathleen, and had a great admiration for her accomplishments, but there were moments when her faith in the power of her sister’s achievements was not unmixed with awe.

“I am afraid Mummy won’t come, even if she should let me go for a visit,” she said, doubtfully. “She told me last night that she wouldn’t be able to take another vacation for ever so long.”

“Well, if she stays in New York all summer I shall stay, too,” said Kathleen, calmly. “I didn’t have any mother for years and years, and now that I’ve got one I don’t intend to give her up again. I’m not going to leave you either, Nora; I shouldn’t think you’d want me to.”

“I don’t,” said Nora; “I should miss you dreadfully, but then there’s your daddy; you wouldn’t like to keep him in the city all summer, would you?”

Kathleen looked a little troubled.

“I don’t believe he would mind very much,” she said, “especially if Mother were there. Daddy and Mother are great friends, you know. I asked him yesterday if he didn’t think Mother was the prettiest lady he had ever seen, and he said, ‘I do indeed.’ I wish you could have seen the way he looked when he said it. I heard him talking to Aunt Kitty the day before we left Bermuda, and he said he could never forgive himself when he thought of all Mother had suffered, because of that old paper, and not being allowed to see me. Aunty Kitty loves Mother, too. She called her a dear, brave little woman, and Daddy looked so pleased.”

“I wish Father hadn’t died,” said Nora, with a sigh. “I never realized how nice fathers were till I knew Mr. Crawford.”

“Why do you keep calling Daddy Mr. Crawford?” said Kathleen, impatiently. “It sounds so silly and formal. I don’t see why you can’t call him Daddy, just as I do. He’s very fond of you.”

“I don’t see how he can be fond of me,” said Nora, blushing, “when he thinks of all the trouble I gave him that first week. I didn’t suppose he would ever forgive me for pretending to be you.”

“Well, he’s very fond of you, anyhow,” maintained Kathleen, “and he’s perfectly crazy about Mother. Do you think she likes him?”

“Oh, I’m sure she does. She’s so grateful to him, you know.”

“I don’t think being grateful and being fond of a person are quite the same thing,” said Kathleen, doubtfully. “They were talking for a long time in the moonlight last night. I heard their voices after I was in bed. Daddy can always make people do what he wants them to.”

“I don’t believe anybody in the world could persuade Mummy to do a thing she thought was wrong,” said Nora, with conviction.

“My daddy wouldn’t ask her to do anything wrong,” returned Kathleen, indignantly. “How could it be wrong for you and Mother to spend the summer with us at Big Moose?”

Nora was puzzled.

“I don’t suppose it would be exactly wrong,” she said, “but Mummy might think it was. You see she is very proud, and she just hates to accept favors from people who aren’t relations.”

“But Daddy is a relation,” objected Kathleen, “at least I should think he might be. Being adopted makes things rather mixed up, doesn’t it? Well, I never knew Daddy to fail when he’d once made up his mind to a thing, and he’s promised me I shall never be separated from Mother again. Oh, see how near the shore looks. I’m going to ask Uncle Stephen to let me look through his glasses.”

Kathleen departed, in quest of Mr. Carew and his opera-glass, but Nora did not move. She sat gazing out at the dark blue sea, and there was a troubled expression in her eyes. It was all very pleasant for Kathleen to be so sure about things. Kathleen had only known Mummy a month, but she had known her for twelve years, and she did not feel at all certain that things would be arranged as easily and comfortably as her twin seemed to think. The past three weeks had been very delightful. Somehow the prospect of a return to life in the studio did not strike her as quite so alluring as it had done in those first days in Bermuda.

“I shall have to study very hard,” she told herself; “I’ve missed nearly a whole month of school. It will be fun to see the girls again, and I shall go to see Kathleen sometimes on Saturdays and Sundays, but it won’t be the same thing as living in the house with her, and doing everything together.” And Nora heaved a deep sigh, for she had grown to love her twin sister very dearly.

“Hello, Nora!”

At the sound of the familiar voice, Nora turned with a start, to find Reggie Starr standing by her chair. The Campbells and their aunt and uncle had left Bermuda a week earlier, but Mrs. Starr had not been well, and so Reggie and his parents had remained longer than had originally been intended, and were now on their way back to New York.

“What are you looking so solemn about?” Reggie inquired, seating himself in the deck-chair Kathleen had just vacated.

Nora laughed and blushed.

“Was I looking solemn?” she said. “I didn’t know it. I was only thinking what a pity it was that nice things have to come to an end.”

“It has been nice, hasn’t it?” said Reggie, reflectively. “I shall have to work hard, though, to make up for all the weeks I’ve lost. Just think, I’ve missed three Saturdays, and our school plays every Saturday afternoon. I wouldn’t mind so much about just missing school. Don’t you hate it?”

“Oh, no, I rather like school, but this has been such a wonderful vacation, I’m afraid it’s going to be hard to settle down right away. I shall miss Kathleen terribly, too. I suppose twins are always just a little fonder of each other than ordinary sisters.”

“Won’t you live with Kathleen?” inquired Reggie, in surprise.

“Kathleen thinks it can be arranged, but I’m quite sure it can’t. You see, she doesn’t know Mummy as well as I do. Mummy is very proud. She hates accepting favors from people, and if we went to live at the Crawfords it would be a very great favor, of course, for Mr. Crawford would never let us pay board.”

“But he’s so rich, and he’s got such a big house,” objected Reggie. “I shouldn’t think it would make any difference if two more people lived there. I’ve never been inside, but I’ve passed it often.”

“The size doesn’t make any difference,” said Nora. “Mummy wouldn’t live in a king’s palace unless she could do something to pay for her board. O dear! I almost wish Mr. Crawford were poor. Then perhaps we could all live together, and Mummy could pay our share of the expenses.”

Reggie reflected for a moment in silence; then he said slowly:

“Mother seems to think there’s a way, and so does Father. They were talking about it this morning.”

“What did they say?” demanded Nora, eagerly.

“Why, your mother and Mr. Crawford were walking up and down, and when they passed our chairs Mother said, ‘How pretty she looks this morning,’ and Father laughed, and said, ‘Lucky little woman; I fancy her working days are over.’ Then Mother said, ‘Well, I’m sure she deserves a little happiness, and I don’t believe the Carews will object.’ Then I think they must have noticed that I was listening, for Father said something about the Jersey Coast, and Mother wondered what time we should get in.”

Nora was deeply interested, and a little uncomfortable as well.

“I can’t think what they meant,” she said. “Of course Mummy is awfully happy about being able to see Kathleen, but that hasn’t anything to do with her working days being over. I’m sure she would never give up working unless she were ill. Oh,” with sudden anxiety, “you don’t think they meant Mummy was ill, do you?”

Reggie shook his head decidedly.

“Not a bit of it,” he said. “Father wouldn’t have laughed and called her a lucky little woman in that case. I’d go and ask what they did mean, only I don’t believe they’d tell me.”

Nora rose. She was looking unusually serious.

“I think I’ll go and see if I can help Mummy,” she said. “She went in to pack ever so long ago.”

“Well, don’t stay long,” warned Reggie. “Father says we’re nearly at Sandy Hook, and it’ll be fun going up the bay.”

Mrs. O’Neil was in her cabin, but she was not packing. She was sitting on the sofa, gazing straight before her, with hands folded idly in her lap. It was such an unusual position for the busy little mother, that Nora was conscious of a sudden pang of fear. Could Mummy really be ill, after all?

“Is there anything the matter, Mummy dear?” she inquired anxiously, hurrying to her mother’s side.

Mrs. O’Neil looked up with a start.

“Why, no, darling,” she said, cheerfully; “I was resting for a few minutes, that is all. The packing is finished, and I had nothing else to do. Where’s Kathleen?”

“She went to look through Mr. Carew’s spy-glass. I came to see if I could help you pack. Oh, Mummy, there is something the matter. You’ve been crying.”

“Nonsense, pussy, what should I cry about? That little imagination of yours is altogether too vivid.”

But though she tried to laugh, Mrs. O’Neil’s voice trembled a little, and Nora was not satisfied. With a sudden loving impulse, she dropped on her knees and laid her head in her mother’s lap.

“It’s sort of nice to be going home, isn’t it, Mummy?” she said softly. “It’s all right for you and me, because we’ve got each other, the same as we always had, but it’s just a little hard for Kathleen and Mr. Crawford.”

“No, no, darling, it isn’t hard for Kathleen,” said Mrs. O’Neil, sadly. “Kathleen has everything in the world to make her happy.”

“She hasn’t got you,” said Nora. “Mr. Crawford’s very nice, of course, and Kathleen loves him dearly, but a gentleman isn’t nearly as much company in a house as a lady. Besides, he’s away at his office all day, and, oh, Mummy, if you could see that housekeeper! She’s so stiff and prim; I don’t believe she ever saw a joke in her life. Kathleen wants us all to live together; she thinks her daddy can arrange it, but I’m quite sure he can’t.”

Before Mrs. O’Neil could answer, the door was suddenly burst open, and Kathleen, flushed and panting, appeared on the threshold.

“Mother,” she began, without a moment’s hesitation, “why have you made my daddy unhappy?”

“Oh, hush, darling, don’t talk so loud. Please close the door.” Mrs. O’Neil’s cheeks were crimson, and her lips twitched nervously, but she was evidently making a great effort to appear as usual.

Kathleen closed the door, and advanced into the middle of the cabin, where she stood regarding her mother and sister with flashing eyes. But before she could speak again, Nora had scrambled to her feet, and was beginning an indignant protest.

“You mustn’t speak like that to Mummy,” she said, sternly. “Mummy never made any one unhappy in her life.”

“She has made my daddy very unhappy,” maintained Kathleen. “I could see the unhappiness in his eyes.”

“Sit down, Kathleen,” said her mother gently. “You mustn’t quarrel, children. Now, Kathleen, tell me quietly, what has your--what has Mr. Crawford been saying to you?”

“He didn’t say much, but I could see how unhappy he was. I asked him to arrange things so you and Nora could live with us, and he said he had tried very hard, but he was afraid it wasn’t to be. And then he gave such a long sigh, and the dreadfully unhappy look came into his eyes, I never saw my daddy like that before.” And Kathleen’s voice broke in a sob.

“I won’t have my daddy made unhappy; I won’t! I won’t!” she cried, passionately. “He’s the best man in the world, and people always do what he wants them to. You’ve got to tell him you’re sorry, Mother--oh, please, please tell him you’re sorry.”

But Mrs. O’Neil did not answer. She had put both hands before her face, and was crying softly. Nora’s arms were round her in a moment.

“Now you’ve gone and made Mummy unhappy,” she cried, reproachfully. “Never mind what she says, Mummy darling; we’ve got each other, and you sha’n’t be made to go and live anywhere you don’t want to. Oh, Kathleen, please go and ask your daddy to come here, and tell Mummy she needn’t do anything she doesn’t want to.”

“No, no,” gasped Mrs. O’Neil, “she mustn’t----” But Kathleen had already departed.

In less than five minutes she was back again holding Mr. Crawford’s hand, and fairly dragging him along with her. Mrs. O’Neil’s face was still hidden in her hands, and Nora was bending over her.

“Here’s Daddy, Mother,” Kathleen announced breathlessly. “He’s come to tell you not to cry any more. He says you are free to do just as you like, didn’t you, Daddy?”

Then Mr. Crawford came forward, and laid his hand gently on Mrs. O’Neil’s shoulder.

“Is it so very hard, Eleanor, my dear?” he said, and his voice was not quite steady.

Mrs. O’Neil gave a violent start, and lifted her face from her hands. Both twins uttered a simultaneous exclamation of astonishment, for their mother was not crying, but smiling, and there was a look in her eyes which even Nora had never seen in them before.

“It isn’t hard at all, Duncan,” she answered, holding out her hand to Mr. Crawford. “The only trouble is I’m--I’m rather afraid it’s too easy.”

“Why,” gasped Kathleen in amazement, “you aren’t either of you unhappy. Whatever made you cry so, Mother?”

Mrs. O’Neil laughed and blushed, and Nora felt sure her mother had never looked quite so pretty before.

“I think it was because I am so happy,” she said. “Did you never hear of people crying for joy?” And then she opened her arms, and gathered both twins into them.

* * * * *

It was an hour later, and the little steamer was slowly making her way into her pier. Most of the passengers were on deck, waiting for the gangplank to be lowered, when Reggie Starr, having separated himself from his father and mother, came hurriedly pushing his way through the crowd, in search of his friends.

“Here we are, Reggie,” called a familiar voice, and Nora, radiant of face, sparkling of eye, made frantic gestures to indicate her whereabouts.

“I’ve only got a minute,” panted Reggie. “Mother’ll have a fit if she doesn’t see me when they put out the plank, but I just had to come and tell you I’ve found out what they meant.”

“So have I,” said Nora. “Oh, Reggie, it’s the most beautiful thing that ever happened. It’s all settled. Mummy and Mr. Crawford are going to get married, and Kathleen’s daddy will be my daddy, too!”

THE END

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:

Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.

Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.

Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.

Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.