Free The Judas Tree by A. J. Cronin Page B

peculiarities, but we know he’s sound enough underneath.’
    â€˜Which is more than we know of you!’ threw out the aunt.
    â€˜I’m sorry you have such a poor opinion of me.’ Moray glanced deprecatingly towards Minnie. ‘ I hope later on you may change your mind. This isn’t the first time an engagement has been broken. Better late than never.’
    â€˜It’s true,’ Mary murmured. ‘I never wanted Walter.’
    â€˜Then why didn’t you say so before, you wicked besom? Now you’ve put the Stoddarts against us. They’ll hate us for ever. And you know what that means to your father.’
    â€˜Ay, it’s not a pretty prospect. But the least said on that score the better.’
    â€˜But I will speak, James.’ The aunt bent forward towards Moray. ‘You may think everything is easy osey with us here. But it’s not. Far from it. What with the big combines and their machine-made bread and their motor delivery trucks rampaging the whole countryside, to say nothing of the alterations we’re supposed to make under the new Factory Act, my brother-in-law’s had a hard fight this many a year, and him not in the best of health forbye. And Walter, through his father, had definitely promised…’.
    â€˜That’s enough, Minnie.’ Douglas raised his hand. ‘ Least said soonest mended. I’ve aye managed to stand on my own two legs in the past, and with the help of Providence I hope I’ll keep on them in the future.’
    A silence followed; then Moray, pressing Mary’s hand, addressed himself to the baker. He had never shown to better advantage, his fresh, clever young face alight with feeling and sincerity.
    â€˜I realise that I’ve caused you a lot of trouble, sir, and pain. I’m truly sorry. But some things just can’t be helped. Like lightning … they strike you. That’s the way it happened with Mary and me. You mayn’t think too much of me now,’ he half turned towards Aunt Minnie, ‘ but I’ll show you. You’ll not regret having me as a son-in-law. I have my degree, and it’s a good one. I’ll get a job in no time, and it won’t be so very long before I’ve a first-class practice. All I want is to have Mary with me, and I’m sure that’s what she wants, too.’ He smiled, from one to the other, his diffident, taking, heart-warming smile.
    There was a pause. Despite his determination to be firm, the baker could not restrain his nod of approval.
    â€˜That’s well said, David. And now ye’ve spoken out I’ll allow that from the first… like my daughter here …’ he smiled at Mary, ‘I was real taken with ye … and wi’ all ye have done. Since what maun be maun be, I’ll agree ye can be engaged. As for the marriage, there maun be a decent interval, ay, a decent interval to prevent scandal in the town. Take a job for three or four months, then we’ll see. What do you say to that, Minnie?’
    â€˜Well …’ the aunt temporised, ‘There’s no use crying over spilt milk.’ Even she had softened, impressed by the tone of Moray’s moving little speech. ‘ Maybe you’re right. We mustn’t be too hard on them.’
    â€˜Oh, thank you, Father … thank you, Aunt Minnie.’ Mary jumped up a little wildly and kissed them both. Her cheeks were flushed, a lock of hair hung loose across her forehead. She tossed it back triumphantly. ‘I knew you’d make everything all right. And now will I get Davie something to eat, Auntie?’
    â€˜Fetch him in biscuits and cheese. And some of the new batch of cherry cakes. I ken ye likes them.’ She shot a wry glance at Moray. ‘He ate six of them the last time he was here.’
    â€˜Just one thing more, Father,’ Mary pleaded, angelically. ‘Can Davie stay the night? Please. I’ve seen so little of him