Chapter VIII: A Morning Drive

"DID Sir Richard say anything to you in reference to his expecting visitors next month, Dick?" Miss Warren asked at the breakfast-table the following morning. "He usually has his daughter and her children to stay with him during August. I wonder if they are coming this year?"

"Yes; he said they were," Dick replied. "I meant to have told you last night; but I was thinking so much of the secret passage that I forgot everything else. Grandfather didn't tell me much about them!"

"The children had the measles when they were at the Manor House last summer," Miss Warren said. "You thought them nice children, did you not, Theophilus?"

"Yes, as far as I could judge from the little I saw of them. Their mother said they were tiresome monkeys; but that might have been because they were not very ill, only poorly enough to be cross and fidgety," the doctor responded with a slight smile. "So they are coming again this summer, are they? That will be pleasant for you, Dick!"

"Grandfather said he hoped I should be friends with them," Dick remarked. "What is Aunt Arabella like, Uncle Theophilus?"

Dr. Warren hesitated, and glanced at his sister before replying; but her eyes were fixed on her plate, and for once she appeared glad for him to take the lead in the conversation.

"Mrs. Compton is like your father in personal appearance," he answered at length. "She is tall and handsome, with commanding manners."

"Oh, if she is like father—" Dick was beginning, when his uncle continued,—

"She is several years older than your father, and was married before he was. Her husband, who was a barrister, died shortly after the birth of her little girl. Mrs. Compton lives in London, at Hampstead. I have heard her say she dislikes the country; however, she visits her father every year when her children have their holidays from school in the summer. I have no doubt she is curious to see her nephew," he concluded, with an affectionate glance at Dick.

"Does she know mother?" the little boy asked eagerly.

"No; Mrs. Compton and your mother have never met."

Dick looked disappointed. Miss Warren now joined in the conversation, which she adroitly turned into another channel.

Later on, when Dick was driving with Dr. Warren, he told him all Sir Richard had said concerning his being the future owner of the Manor House. The doctor listened in silence; but after he had heard almost word for word the conversation which had taken place between Dick and his grandfather, he brought Firefly to a full stop. They were then at the top of a hill overlooking the village on one side, and the blue waters of the English Channel; whilst on the other, fully half a mile distant, the chimneys of the Manor House might be seen in the wooded valley beneath.

"Do you see those broad meadows and green fallows?" Dr. Warren said; "and those magnificent woods? Look all around you, Dick; as far as eye can see the land belongs to your grandfather; in time it will be your father's; and if you live, it will one day be yours. But when you think of the earthly possessions which will be your inheritance, do not forget that they will be yours but for a while, that in due season they will pass from your grasp, and your portion will be where neither money, nor worldly position, nor any of those things which men value here, are of any account. 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him!' Remember that, and do not let the thought of your inheritance in this life come between you and the kingdom of God! Do you recall the story of the young man who came to Christ and asked Him what he should do to inherit eternal life?"

"Oh, yes!" cried Dick, "I know! The young man said he had kept all the commandments from his youth up; and Jesus told him to sell all he had, and give the money to the poor, and then he was very sorrowful!"

"And do you remember why he was so sorrowful?" Dr. Warren questioned gravely.

"Yes, because he was very rich."

"Exactly. He had great earthly possessions, which he valued more than a place in the kingdom of God. He was doubtless proud of his riches; probably people thought more of him because of them, and though he pretended he was ready to do anything to inherit eternal life, he lacked the humble trust of the true Christian who is willing to give up all for God. Now, Dick, I daresay you wonder why I am talking to you so seriously and at such length upon this point; but you will find many temptations assail you which you would never have had to face if you had been born in a different class of life—if you had no expectations, in short. You will be tempted to be proud of your ancient name, of the position your family has always held in the county, and I wish to warn you not to let this pride have the mastery over you. Sir Richard—"

"Oh, I think he's awfully proud!" Dick interrupted. "He speaks as though he is, even when he's in a good temper! I don't want to be like grandfather! Oh, Uncle Theophilus, you don't think I could ever be like him, do you? I am sure father is not! Father would not speak to people as grandfather does!"

"No; I am sure he would not! But we will not discuss your grandfather; if he is proud, he has many excellent qualities. Every one knows he is the soul of honour!"

"But he is very unforgiving," Dick said, with a sigh; "that's dreadful, I think! No wonder he looks so cross and unhappy!"

Dr. Warren made no reply, for he did not wish to say a word against Sir Richard to the little boy. He gave Firefly a touch with the whip, and they were soon descending the hill towards the village. Dick continued to look very thoughtful; but at last his face cleared somewhat, and he glanced up into the doctor's grave countenance with a smile.

"Uncle Theophilus, I hope I shall never be like that young man who went away from Jesus very sorrowful," he said seriously. "I shall pray to God to help me not to be proud."

"Ask Him to teach you to set a right value on earthly possessions, my boy, and then you will not go far wrong. Remember God expects from you according to the advantages you have. Wealth and position are good gifts if properly used. By the way, did you not tell me that you saw the picture of Paul Gidley the martyr again, yesterday?"

"Yes; I do like his face, Uncle Theophilus! He looks so brave and good! I wonder if he was afraid when they tied him to the stake!"

"God was with him," said the doctor reverently. "There was one Gidley, at any rate, who counted honour, and home, and riches as nothing compared with eternal life. He gave up everything for Christ! He did not go from the Master's presence very sorrowful, as so many have done, because he had great possessions!"

"Oh, no! How I wish I could be like him!" Dick cried enthusiastically.

"You may not be called upon to be a martyr, my boy; but you may imitate the martyr's faithfulness, his bravery, and his love of truth!"

"And I may be proud of him, Aunt Mary Ann says!"

"Certainly you may, as we are proud, only of course in a much greater degree, of our Saviour's death upon the Cross!"

"It's a great thing to have had a martyr in one's family," Dick declared solemnly. "I like Paul Gidley's picture better than any other in the gallery. I told grandfather so—he was surprised; and I told mother when I wrote to her the other day—she will understand."

"I am sure she will," Dr. Warren agreed.

They were now passing the parish church. It stood at the top of the village, surrounded by a small graveyard, from which there was an extensive view of the sea; it was built of granite, and had withstood the storms of many hundreds of winters. Outside the lych-gate was a small, white-washed cottage, seated in the porch of which was a very old man bent with the weight of years.

"That's Granfer Cole," Dr. Warren told his nephew; "he's the oldest inhabitant of Holton."

"Oh! grandfather said he knew about the secret passage! Shall you speak to him, Uncle Theophilus?"

"Certainly; he would be greatly offended if I did not!"

The doctor brought Firefly to a standstill; and the old man lifted his head, revealing a wrinkled countenance, mild blue eyes, and a flowing white beard. He was nearly a hundred years old; but his intellect was as bright as ever, though he was almost blind. He had been a fisherman, and knew the coast well.

"Good-morning, Granfer," said Dr. Warren, in his cheery way. "It is pleasant for you there in the sunshine, and you can get the benefit of the fresh air, too! I know you love the salt sea breeze!"

The old man nodded and smiled. He rose and came close to the gig, peering up at its occupants. The doctor guessed he was curious to know who was with him; so he explained that his companion was his little nephew from India.

"That'll be Sir Richard Gidley's grandson, eh?" questioned Granfer.

"Yes! You remember Captain Gidley, do you not?"

"That I do; and two generations before his. Why, I was a man grown when the present Sir Richard was a child! Think of that! I'm the oldest body in the parish, I am!" and Granfer chuckled, as though he was mightily proud of the fact.

"So my uncle was telling me just now," Dick said politely.

"I mind more than most," Granfer continued; "that's why folks come to me when they want any information about the neighbourhood; and I'm willing to oblige them, I am!"

"I wish you would tell me about the secret passage from the Manor House to the sea!" Dick cried eagerly. "My grandfather told me that you remember your father speaking of it!"

"So I do, so I do! There's a secret passage sure enough; but no one knows where it is—no one!"

"I should like to find it!" Dick exclaimed.

The old man lifted his almost sightless eyes to the boy's face, then shook his head regretfully.

"I wish I could see you, young gentleman," he said in wistful tones; "but my eyes are dim with age. You've got the same ring in your voice as your father had when he was a boy; and by that I can tell that you've a brave spirit like all the Gidleys. Is he like his father in appearance?" he asked of the doctor.

Dr. Warren assented; adding that every one remarked the likeness.

"What a pretty garden you have," Dick said, noticing a patch of ground on one side of the cottage gay with flowers—marigolds, candy-tuft, and other hardy annuals.

"I can't see to tend it myself now," Granfer responded; "but I've grandchildren living in Holton, and one or another of them look after it for me. I can smell the scent of the flowers, and tell one from the other that way. I've a deal to be thankful for! Nigh a hundred years of life has the Lord given me, and good health all my days! I've worked hard in my time; but I've always loved the sea, and now I can't sail on it any more, I can bide near it still, and smell the salt air, and hear the waves dashing against the cliffs in a storm, and think of Him who loved the sea too, and made His friends of fisher-folk like me!"

"I am sorry your sight is so bad," Dick said compassionately. "It must be dreadful not to be able to read!"

"I could never read, young gentleman—I was never taught; but I've always had a good memory, and I can remember what I hear in church on Sundays even now! 'Tis a blessing my home is so near the church, I say!"

At that point Dr. Warren remarked that he must proceed as he had still several patients left to visit. So they said good-bye to Granfer Cole, who went back to his seat in the porch, gratified at having had an interview with Sir Richard Gidley's grandson, for it had given him something fresh to think about.

"I never saw any one so old as Granfer Cole before!" Dick exclaimed, as Firefly turned into the village street. "Fancy having lived nearly a hundred years, and never having learned to read in all that time! I do wish he had said more about the secret passage, Uncle Theophilus!"

"I do not think he really knows more about it than other people; he heard it mentioned by his father, and so has no doubts about there being a secret passage somewhere; but he has no more idea than I have where it is. What makes you think about it so much?"

"I hardly know! It would be such fun to find it! Wouldn't father be surprised?"

"Well, Dick, I cannot advise you where to begin a search if you mean to make one. The knowledge of the entrances to the passage died with one of your ancestors; people say he was a smuggler, and that those others who knew about the passage were killed in a fray with the custom-house officers under the cliffs more than a hundred years ago. You may well look shocked! Sir Richard evidently did not tell you that?"

"No," Dick replied, appearing much impressed. "Is it very dishonest to be a smuggler?"

"Yes, very. A smuggler is a thief because he robs the revenue of his country."

Dick looked thoughtful. It was not pleasant to think there was a thief in his list of ancestors, however daring he might have been.

Before going home Dr. Warren paid several calls upon patients in the village, whilst his little nephew waited outside the houses in the gig, holding the reins; for the doctor was by no means fearful lest Firefly should become restive or run away. At last, however, Dr. Warren paid his last call for that morning, and drove homewards. As they drew up before the door of No. 8, Dick remarked—

"After all, Uncle Theophilus, I don't know what good it would be if I did find the secret passage."

"No good that I can see," the doctor agreed; "you might be better employed. Have you enjoyed our drive to-day?"

"Oh, very much, thank you!" Dick answered gratefully, as he clambered down from the gig. "I must go and find Aunt Mary Ann, and tell her I've seen the oldest man in the parish!"