The ink of this letter was hardly dry when John Storm was in the middle
of something else. He was in a continual fever now. Above all, his great
scheme for the rescue and redemption of women and children possessed
him. He called it Glory's scheme when he talked of it to himself. It
might be in the teeth of nineteenth-century morality, but what matter
about that? It was on the lines of Christ's teaching when he forgave the
woman and shamed the hypocrites. He would borrow for it, beg for it, and
there might be conditions under which he would steal for it too.
Mrs. Callender shook her head.
“I much misdoubt there'll be scandal, laddie. It's a woman's work, I'm
thinking.”
“'Be thou as chaste as ice,' auntie, 'as pure as snow' ... but no
matter! I intend to call out the full power of a united Church into the
warfare against this high wickedness. Talk of the union of Christendom!
If we are in earnest about it we'll unite to protect and liberate our
women.”
“But where's the siller to come frae, laddie?”
“Anywhere--everywhere! Besides, I have a bank I can always draw on,
auntie.”
“You're no meaning the Prime Minister again, surely?”
“I mean the King of Kings. God will provide for me, in this, as in
everything.”
Thus his reckless enthusiasm bore down everything, and at the back of
all his thoughts was the thought of Glory. He was preparing a way for
her; she was coming back to a great career, a glorious mission; her
bright soul would shine like a star; she would see that he had been
right, and faithful, and then--then----But it was like wine coursing
through his veins--he could not think of it.
Three thousand pounds had to be found to buy or build homes with, and he
set out to beg for the money. His first call was at Mrs. Macrae's. Going
up to the house, he met the lady's poodle in a fawn-coloured wrap coming
out in charge of a footman for its daily walk round the square.
He gave the name of “Father Storm,” and after some minutes of waiting he
was told that the lady had a headache and was not receiving that day.
“Say the nephew of the Prime Minister wishes to see her,” said John.
Before the footman had returned again there was the gentle rustle of a
dress on the stairs, and the lady herself was saying: “Dear Mr. Storm,
come up. My servants are real tiresome, they are always confusing
names.”
Time had told on her; she was looking elderly, and the wrinkles about
her eyes could no longer be smoothed out. But her “front” was curled,
and she was still saturated in perfume.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account