CHAPTER XVI LEAVING THE OLD HOME "IT is never you!" "Why shouldn't it be? How's the world wagging down here?" Jockie had been taking a walk, and had suddenly come face to face with Austin, who, with an overcoat slung over his shoulder, and a cap pushed back from his forehead, was pelting along the road at a rapid rate. "Things are awful for most of us," Jockie said, looking at him gloomily, "but your people are all right. Do they know you're coming? They hadn't an idea of it yesterday." "My boat arrived a day earlier than expected, so I thought I'd walk up and take them unawares. Left my baggage at the station. I've had a stunning time. Now, just turn back with me, and tell me the 'awful things,' as you call them." "I don't know where to begin. How much do you know?" "I heard of the wedding," said Austin, taking off his cap and letting the spring breeze fan his heated brow. "I do wish with all my heart that it had been your wedding," said Jockie viciously. "I wish with all my heart I had never tried to do you a good turn. I don't know what possessed me to do it. It was only to spite her. I have brought disaster to everyone." "What the d—dickens have you to do with it?" asked Austin. Jockie told him of the episode outside the post office. "She came back from her honeymoon determined to slight and insult the Admiral and Sidney all she could. Oh, I can't tell it all to you; it would take too long. She began to be mistress before she married, so you can imagine what it was like afterwards. She has always hated Sidney, and she couldn't forgive the Admiral for not being smitten by her charms, and falling down and worshipping her, as all the rest of you did." "But," interrupted Austin, "the Admiral isn't it a fool. Surely he can be master in his own house?" "No, the Admiral isn't a fool," said Jockie solemnly, "he is now a saint in heaven." Austin stopped still in the middle of the road. "You don't mean to tell me that the dear old chap is dead?"