The Young Visiters or, Mr. Salteena's Plan Read online

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  THE AUTHOR]

  THEYOUNG VISITERSOR, MR SALTEENA'S PLAN

  BY

  DAISY ASHFORD

  WITH A PREFACE BYJ. M. BARRIE

  NEW YORKGEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY

  _Copyright_, 1919,_By George H. Doran Company_

  _Printed in the United States of America_

  [Pg v]PREFACE

  The "owner of the copyright" guarantees that "The Young Visiters" isthe unaided effort in fiction of an authoress of nine years. "Effort,"however, is an absurd word to use, as you may see by studying thetriumphant countenance of the child herself, which is here reproducedas frontispiece to her sublime work. This is no portrait of a writerwho had to burn the oil at midnight (indeed there is documentaryevidence that she was hauled off to bed every evening at six): it hasan air of careless power; there is a complacency about it that by thesevere might perhaps be called smugness. It needed no effort for thatface to knock off a masterpiece. It probably represents precisely howshe looked when she finished a chapter. When she was actually at workI think the expression [Pg vi] was more solemn, with the tongue firmlyclenched between the teeth; an unholy rapture showing as she drew nearher love chapter. Fellow-craftsmen will see that she is lookingforward to this chapter all the time.

  The manuscript is in pencil in a stout little note book (twopence),and there it has lain for years, for though the authoress was ninewhen she wrote it she is now a grown woman. It has lain, in lavenderas it were, in the dumpy note book, waiting for a publisher to ridethat way and rescue it; and here he is at last, not a bit afraid thatto this age it may appear "Victorian." Indeed if its pictures of HighLife are accurate (as we cannot doubt, the authoress seems always sosure of her facts) they had a way of going on in those times which isreally surprising. Even the grand historical figures were free andeasy, such as King Edward, of whom we have perhaps the most humanpicture ever penned, as he appears at a levee "rather sumshiously," ina "small [Pg vii] but costly crown," and afterwards slips away to tuckinto ices. It would seem in particular that we are oddly wrong in ouridea of the young Victorian lady as a person more shy and shrinking thanthe girl of to-day. The Ethel of this story is a fascinating creaturewho would have a good time wherever there were a few males, but nolonger could she voyage through life quite so jollily withoutattracting the attention of the censorious. Chaperon seems to be oneof the very few good words of which our authoress had never heard.

  The lady she had grown into, the "owner of the copyright" alreadyreferred to, gives me a few particulars of this child she used to be,and is evidently a little scared by her. We should probably all be alittle scared (though proud) if that portrait was dumped down in frontof us as ours, and we were asked to explain why we once thought somuch of ourselves as that.

  Except for the smirk on her face, all I can learn of her now is thatshe was one of [Pg viii] a small family who lived in the country, inventedtheir own games, dodged the governess and let the rest of the world gohang. She read everything that came her way, including, as the contextamply proves, the grown-up novels of the period. "I adored writing andused to pray for bad weather, so that I need not go out but could stayin and write." Her mother used to have early tea in bed; sometimesvisitors came to the house, when there was talk of events in highsociety: there was mention of places called Hampton Court, the GaietyTheatre and the "Crystale" Palace. This is almost all that is nowremembered, but it was enough for the blazing child. She sucked herthumb for a moment (this is guesswork), and sat down to her amazingtale.

  "Her mother used to have early tea in bed." Many authors must have hada similar experience, but they all missed the possibilities of ituntil this young woman came along. It thrilled her; and tea in [Pg ix]bed at last takes its proper place in fiction. "Mr Salteena wokeup rarther early next day and was delighted to find Horace the footmanentering with a cup of tea. Oh thank you my man said Mr Salteenarolling over in the costly bed. Mr Clark is nearly out of the bath sirannounced Horace I will have great pleasure in turning it on for youif such is your desire. Well yes you might said Mr Salteena seeing itwas the idear." Mr Salteena cleverly conceals his emotion, but as soonas he is alone he rushes to Ethel's door, "I say said Mr Salteenaexcitedly I have had some tea in bed."

  "Sometimes visitors came to the house." Nothing much in that to us,but how consummately this child must have studied them; if youconsider what she knew of them before the "viacle" arrived to takethem back to the station you will never dare to spend another week-endin a house where there may be a novelist of nine years. I am sure thatwhen you left your bedroom this child stole in, examined everything[Pg x] and summed you up. She was particularly curious about the articleson your dressing-table, including the little box containing a reddishpowder, and she never desisted from watching you till she caught youdabbing it on your cheeks. This powder, which she spells "ruge," wenta little to her head, and it accompanies Ethel on her travels withsuperb effect. For instance, she is careful to put it on to beproposed to; and again its first appearance is excused in words thatshould henceforth be serviceable in every boudoir. "I shall put somered ruge on my face said Ethel becouse I am very pale owing to thedrains in this house."

  Those who read will see how the rooms in Hampton Court became the"compartments" in the "Crystale" Palace, and how the "Gaierty" Hotelgrew out of the Gaiety Theatre, with many other agreeable changes. Thenovelist will find the tale a model for his future work. Howincomparably, for instance, the authoress dives [Pg xi] into her storyat once. How cunningly throughout she keeps us on the hooks of suspense,jumping to Mr Salteena when we are in a quiver about Ethel, andturning to Ethel when we are quite uneasy about Mr Salteena. Thisauthoress of nine is flirting with her readers all the time. Her mindis such a rich pocket that as she digs in it (her head to the side andher tongue well out) she sends up showers of nuggets. There seldomprobably was a novelist with such an uncanny knowledge of hischaracters as she has of Mr Salteena. The first line of the taleetches him for all time: "Mr Salteena was an elderly man of 42 andfond of asking people to stay with him." On the next page Salteenadraws a touching picture of himself in a letter accepting aninvitation: "I do hope I shall enjoy myself with you. I am fond ofdigging in the garden and I am parshal to ladies if they are nice Isuppose it is my nature. I am not quite a gentleman but you wouldhardly notice it but can't be helped anyhow." [Pg xii] "When the greatmorning arrived Mr Salteena did not have an egg for his breakfast incase he should be sick on the journey." For my part I love Mr Salteena,who has a touch of Hamlet, and I wished up to the end that Ethel wouldmake him happy, though I never had much hope after I read thedescription of Bernard Clark's legs.

  It is not to be wondered at that Mr Salteena soon grew "rartherjellous" of Bernard, who showed off from the first. "My own room isnext the bathroom said Bernard it is decerated dark red as I havesomber tastes. The bathroom has got a tip up basin." Thus was MrSalteena put in his place, and there the cruel authoress (with hertongue farther out than ever) doggedly keeps him. "After dinner Ethelplayed some merry tunes on the piano and Bernard responded with ararther loud song in a base voice and Ethel clapped him a good deal.Then Mr Salteena asked a few riddles as he was not musicle." No wonderMr Salteena went gloomily to bed, not to [Pg xiii] sleep, but to thinkout the greater riddle of how to become a gentleman, with whichtriumphant adventure the book is largely concerned.

  To many the most instructive part of the story will be the chapterentitled "Bernard's Idear." Bernard's "idear" (warmly acclaimed byEthel) is that she and he should go up to London "for a few weeksgaierty." Something of the kin
d has often been done in fiction and inguide-books, but never probably in such a hearty way as here. Arrivedat the "Gaierty" Hotel Bernard pokes his head into the "window of thepay desk. Have you a couple of bedrooms for self and young lady heenquired in a lordly way." He is told that they have two beauties."Thank you said Bernard we will go up if you have no objection. Nonewhatever sir said the genial lady the beds are well aired and the viewquite pleasant. Come along Ethel cried Bernard this sounds alright eh.Oh quite said Ethel with a beaming smile." He decides gallantly [Pg xiv]that the larger room shall be hers. "I shall be quite lost in thatlarge bed," Ethel says. "Yes I expect you will said Bernard and nowwhat about a little table d'ote followed by a theatre?"

  Bernard's proposal should be carried in the pocket of all futureswains. He decides "whilst imbibing his morning tea beneath the pinksilken quilt," that to propose in London would not be the "correctidear." He springs out of bed and knocks at Ethel's door. "Are you upmy dear? he called. Well not quite said Ethel hastily jumping from herdowny nest." He explains his "idear." "Oh hurrah shouted Ethel I shallsoon be ready as I had my bath last night so won't wash very muchnow."

  They go up the river in a boat, and after they had eaten and "drunkdeeply of the charming viands ending up with merangs and chocklates,"Bernard says "in a passionate voice Let us now bask under thespreading trees. Oh yes lets said Ethel." "Ethel he murmered in atrembly voice. [Pg xv] Oh what is it said Ethel." What it was (as wellshe knew) was love eternal. Ethel accepts him, faints and is brought backto life by a clever "idear" of Bernard's, who pours water on her. "Shesoon came to and looked up with a sickly smile. Take me back to the'Gaierty' Hotel she whispered faintly. With pleasure my darling saidBernard I will just pack up our viands ere I unloose the boat. Ethelfelt better after a few drops of champaigne and began to tidy her hairwhile Bernard packed the remains of the food. Then arm in arm theytottered to the boat, I trust you have not got an illness my darlingmurmured Bernard as he helped her in, Oh no I am very strong saidEthel I fainted from joy she added to explain matters. Oh I see saidBernard handing her a cushion well some people do he added kindly."

  "So I will end my chapter," the authoress says; and we can picture herdoing it complacently, and slowly pulling in her tongue.

  Ethel was married in the Abbey. Her [Pg xvi] wedding dress was "a richsatin with a humped pattern of gold on the pure white and it had a longtrain edged with Airum lillies." "You will indeed be a charmingspectacle my darling gasped Bernard as they left the shop," and I haveno doubt she was. She got many delightful presents, the nicest of allbeing from her father, who "provided a cheque for L2 and promised tosend her a darling little baby calf when ready." This is perhaps theprettiest touch in the story and should make us all take off our hatsto the innocent wondering mind that thought of it.

  Poor Mr Salteena. He was at the wedding, dressed in black and cryinginto his handkerchief. However he recovered to an extent and marriedAnother and had ten children, "five of each," none of them of courseequal to Ethel's children, of whom in a remarkably short time therewere seven, which the authoress evidently considers to be the right"idear."

  It seems to me to be a remarkable work [Pg xviii] for a child, remarkableeven in its length and completeness, for when children turn author theyusually stop in the middle, like the kitten when it jumps. Thepencilled MS. has been accurately reproduced, not a word added or cutout. Each chapter being in one long paragraph, however, this has beensubdivided for the reader's comfort. J. M. BARRIE.

  [Pg xix]CONTENTS

  CHAPTER PAGE

  1 Quite a Young Girl 23

  2 Starting Gaily 27

  3 The First Evening 36

  4 Mr. Salteenas Plan 41

  5 The Crystal Palace 45

  6 High Life 59

  7 Bernards Idear 74

  8 A Gay Call 79

  9 A Proposale 88

  10 Preparing for the Fray 95

  11 The Wedding 99

  12 How It Ended 102

  THE YOUNG VISITERS

  [Pg 23]The Young Visiters

  CHAPTER 1

  QUITE A YOUNG GIRL

  Mr Salteena was an elderly man of 42 and was fond of asking peaple tostay with him. He had quite a young girl staying with him of 17 namedEthel Monticue. Mr Salteena had dark short hair and mustache andwiskers which were very black and twisty. He was middle sized and hehad very pale blue eyes. He had a pale brown suit but on Sundays hehad a black one and he had a topper every day as he thorght it morebecoming. Ethel Monticue had fair hair done on the top and blue eyes.She had a blue velvit frock which had grown rarther short in thesleeves. She had a black straw hat and kid gloves.

  [Pg 24]One morning Mr Salteena came down to brekfast and found Ethel had comedown first which was strange. Is the tea made Ethel he said rubbinghis hands. Yes said Ethel and such a quear shaped parcel has come foryou Yes indeed it was a quear shape parcel it was a hat box tied downvery tight and a letter stuffed between the string. Well well said MrSalteena parcels do turn quear I will read the letter first and sosaying he tore open the letter and this is what it said

  My dear Alfred.

  I want you to come for a stop with me so I have sent you a top hat wraped up in tishu paper inside the box. Will you wear it staying with me because it is very uncommon. Please bring one of your young ladies whichever is the prettiest in the face.

  I remain Yours truely Bernard Clark.

  [Pg 25]Well said Mr Salteena I shall take you to stay Ethel and fancy himsending me a top hat. Then Mr S. opened the box and there lay the mostsplendid top hat of a lovly rich tone rarther like grapes with aribbon round compleat.

  Well said Mr Salteena peevishly I dont know if I shall like it the bowof the ribbon is too flighty for my age. Then he sat down and eat theegg which Ethel had so kindly laid for him. After he had finished hismeal he got down and began to write to Bernard Clark he ran up stairson his fat legs and took out his blotter with a loud sniff and this iswhat he wrote

  My dear Bernard

  Certinly I shall come and stay with you next Monday I will bring Ethel Monticue commonly called Miss M. She is very active and pretty. I do hope I shall enjoy myself with you. I am fond of digging in the garden and I am parshial to ladies if [Pg 26] they are nice I suppose it is my nature. I am not quite a gentleman but you would hardly notice it but cant be helped anyhow. We will come by the 3-15.

  Your old and valud friend Alfred Salteena.

  Perhaps my readers will be wondering why Bernard Clark had asked MrSalteena to stay with him. He was a lonely man in a remote spot and heliked peaple and partys but he did not know many. What rot mutteredBernard Clark as he read Mr Salteenas letter. He was rarther apresumshious man.

  THE FIRST PAGE OF THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT]

  [Pg 27]CHAPTER 2

  STARTING GAILY

  When the great morning came Mr Salteena did not have an egg for hisbrekfast in case he should be sick on the jorney.

  What top hat will you wear asked Ethel.

  I shall wear my best black and my white alpacka coat to keep off thedust and flies replied Mr Salteena.

  I shall put some red ruge on my face said Ethel because I am very paleowing to the drains in this house.

  You will look very silly said Mr Salteena with a dry laugh.

  Well so will you said Ethel in a snappy tone and she ran out of theroom with a very
superier run throwing out her legs behind and herarms swinging in rithum.

  [Pg 28]Well said the owner of the house she has a most idiotick run.

  Presently Ethel came back in her best hat and a lovly velvit coat ofroyal blue. Do I look nice in my get up she asked.

  Mr Salteena survayed her. You look rarther rash my dear your colorsdont quite match your face but never mind I am just going up to saygoodbye to Rosalind the housemaid.

  Well dont be long said Ethel. Mr S. skipped upstairs to Rosalindsroom. Goodbye Rosalind he said I shall be back soon and I hope I shallenjoy myself.

  I make no doubt of that sir said Rosalind with a blush as Mr Salteenasilently put 2/6 on the dirty toilet cover.

  Take care of your bronkitis said Mr S. rarther bashfully and hehastilly left the room waving his hand carelessly to the housemaid.

  Come along cried Ethel powdering her nose in the hall let us get intothe cab. Mr [Pg 29] Salteena did not care for powder but he was anunselfish man so he dashed into the cab. Sit down said Ethel as thecabman waved his whip you are standing on my luggage. Well I am payingfor the cab said Mr S. so I might be allowed to put my feet were I like.

  They traveled 2nd class in the train and Ethel was longing to go firstbut thought perhaps least said soonest mended. Mr Salteena got veryexcited in the train about his visit. Ethel was calm but she feltexcited inside. Bernard has a big house said Mr. S. gazing at Ethel heis inclined to be rich.

  Oh indeed said Ethel looking at some cows flashing past the window.Mr. S. felt rarther disheartened so he read the paper till the trainstopped and the porters shouted Rickamere station. We had bettercollect our traps said Mr Salteena and just then a very exaltedfootman in a cocked hat and olive green uniform put his head in [Pg 30]at the window. Are you for Rickamere Hall he said in impressive tones.