“Oh, Ben,” I said, “I wish it hadn’t been like that… about my father, I mean. And the Green Flash is still in your possession … with its ill luck. Is that why you had your accident? Is that why this is happening to you now?”
That’s what people would say, but I’ve never regretted having it. Ifs meant a lot to me. I used to go down in the dead of night and take it out and look at it . and I felt it was telling me, “Go on … enjoy your life. Never mind if you live dangerously. I’m yours and if you have to pay for having me, pay cheerfully.”
“Does Joss know all this … about my father and mother?”
“He knows it all.”
“And the Green Flash will be his when…”
“When I die. Oh, I’ve plans and that’s something the three of us are going to talk about tomorrow.”
Tell me now, Ben. “
“Oh no. You’ve had enough to digest for one day, I reckon. You’ve got to be in the picture to see it all clearly. Don’t fret, Jessie. I want my last weeks to be cheerful. There aren’t many left to me.”
Please, Ben, don’t. “
“All right, I won’t. Go home now and come back tomorrow afternoon.
Then I’ll tell you my plans and don’t worry, my dearest girl. “
I left him then and went to the Dower House. I was very disturbed; the revelations coming immediately after my meeting with Joss Madden had completely bewildered me.
As I went into the house my grandmother was in the hall arranging a bowl of flowers.
“Oh dear,” she said, ‘ifs so difficult here. How I miss the flower room we had at Oakland! By the way, I see your friend has a visitor staying there. He looked slightly superior to the mining type . almost a gentleman. He sits his horse like one. “
I did not answer. I was too full of emotion to think of one of my retorts so I merely went quietly to my room.
I spent a sleepless night and fancied I looked a little haggard next day. Why this unaccustomed attention to my appearance? I asked myself; but I knew of course that it was due to that man. He had a way of assessing me and there was something in his expression which I felt was shaming. I began to wonder about him, and remembered Ben’s saying something about his being fond of women. I thought: I know the type-wondering whether every woman he meets is going to find him irresistible. He really is an odious character. But I was still too upset by Ben’s confession to think very much about Joss Madden. I wished that he would not keep intruding into my thoughts when my desire was to keep him out.
When I arrived that afternoon it was to find them awaiting me and I sensed an impatience in them both.
“Oh, here you are at last,” said Ben.
“Now come and sit down.”
He was in bed. I supposed the excitement of yesterday had exhausted him. He certainly looked less well, and I noticed the bluish tinge about his mouth.
“One on either side of me,” he commanded and as we sat there I saw those peacock blue eyes on me and again I sensed that uncomfortable feeling Joss Madden’s too close scrutiny aroused in me.
Now, I’ll start,” said Ben.
“I’m going to die very soon and I don’t want to. There’s so much I wanted to see before I went. One of my dearest dreams was to watch my grandchildren playing here on these lawns or those of Peacocks. You see, I never had any little ones around me. I was always too busy making a fortune, and then because it was not orthodox my children were never with me. Not until Joss came marching across the lawn with his suitcase … and he was never a little ‘un. You were a giant for your age even then. Joss, and you talked like a man and acted like -a man. So I was cheated out of babies. Joss, you never married and I used to fret about that… until I came here and met Miss Jessica Clavering. I’ve always had a feeling for the Claverings. I can’t tell you how much I’ve wished I was one when I look at that family tree in the hall. Ifs grand to belong to a family like that. So what I want more than anything is to bring the families together. I want our blood mingled that of the boy who sold gingerbread fancies in the Ratcliffe Highway and those who served kings in their historic battles. those who have been born to riches and it hose who had to fight their way to the top. I reckon there couldn’t be a better combination for future generations. “
I lifted my eyes and met that dark blue stare. What is he hinting? I asked myself. Oh no, Ben, even you could not be so audacious as that.
I tried to read what was in Joss Madden’s eyes. He must be as horrified as I was.
“So that’s why I want you two to be friends … more than friends. The plain fact is that more than anything I want to see you two marry.
Don’t fly into a rage, Jess. I know it’s a shock. But you haven’t heard it all. Joss will be a good husband . if you go along with his ways. And Jessica will be a good wife. Joss, if you’re careful how you handle her. “
I said hotly: “Please, Ben, let us have an end of this. I’m sure I could never go along with Mr. Madden’s ways, nor would I agree to place myself in his careful handling.”
"You see. Joss, our Jessie can fly into a temper pretty quick,” said Ben.
“But you won’t mind that. You wouldn’t want a mild and meek gentle little dove, would you ?” Joss did not reply. I imagined he was regarding me with the same horror I felt for him.
‘now I should have had time to condition you,” went on Ben, ‘but time is running out for me. Who knows when the powers that be will come for me? Could be tomorrow. Could be the next day … or six months hence.
All we can be sure of is that they’re coming. Now I’d like the wedding to take place soon because I want to know it’s done. Then I’ll rest happy. “
"You don’t know what you’re suggesting, Ben,” I cried.
“Oh yes I do, my dear. I’ve been thinking of it for a very long time.
As soon as I got to know you I said to myself:
That’s the one for Joss. That’s the girl I want to bear my grandsons.
I’ve thought of nothing else for weeks. “
‘now, Ben,” said Joss, ” you see from Miss Clavering’s horror that your little scheme will have to be abandoned. “
For the first time I gave him a look of approval.
“Marriage is a bit of a gamble,” said Ben.
“Well. you’ve both got gamblers’ blood in you. When you’ve considered everything involved, Jess, you’ll fall in with my schemes. Joss is already half way there.”
“Not,” he replied, ‘now that I have seen Miss Clavering’s repugnance.”
“Oh proud … proud as a peacock I You always wanted others to do the running. You thought it was your, right’ He turned to me. That's Joss for you. Now why are you both being so stubborn ? Jessica’s an attractive girl. Don’t you think so. Joss ?
Now, Jessie, you’ve got to admit Joss in a fine figure of a man. You could search through England and Australia and where would you find a better mate? Be sensible, both of you. I tell you this is my dying request. You can’t refuse me that, can you? “
“We can,” said Joss.
“Ben, you’re outrageous.”
“I know,” he replied with a hoarse chuckle.
“But I never wanted anything in my life so much as I want this. I can only die happy if I see you two married first. I just know it’s right. I can see into the future.”
I thought: He’s mad. Surely the old Ben would never have talked like this.
“Now listen to me,” he went on.
“I’ve made all the arrangements. I’m leaving everything to you … except for a few minor legacies … that’s if you’re married.”