The Pierces determined that The Bell was not safe enough for them to continue their stay there, so they moved in with Mr. Pierce’s brother’s family. The quarters were cramped, but they felt more at ease, having removed from the resort, and it was better than fleeing back to Boston, giving merit to the rumors abroad in Rock Lucian. People were talking about not only the young man, but also about Lydia and the manner in which she and Valerie had been so quickly rescued.
The police officers came to talk to Valerie the next morning, since they would have never presumed to speak to Lydia, because not only was she very ill, but her family was well enough respected to warrant leaving her alone. So, Valerie was forced to speak about the episode from the previous night. Two policemen came to the Pierces‘ home. One wrote down the proceedings and the other asked the questions. "Miss Pierce, I need to ask you some questions about the incident last night. Your answers will help us immensely. I want you to be totally honest, because I know that your family has done nothing wrong here. So, there is no reason to be afraid. All right?" "Yes." "Now, Miss Pierce have you ever met the young man who attempted to break into your apartment at The Bell?" "Yes, I’ve met him at a number of parties." "And do you know his name?" "Yes, I believe his name his name is Mr. Martin. I don’t know his family though." "Do you have any idea why he would want to break down your door?" Valerie began to cry. "That’s all right Miss Pierce. You needn’t answer that. What did he say, if anything?" "I wouldn’t dance with him at the last party I saw him at, because he was very drunk and as I said, I don’t know who his family is." "That was wise Miss Pierce. So you think he was angry?" "Yes." "How did he find your apartment?" "I don’t know," Valerie said crying. "When he beat down your door, did he shout anything?" "I couldn’t understand him. His speech was slurred." "And is that when the other Miss Pierce came out of her room?" "Yes, my cousin came out of her room across the hall and I saw him grab her…and I saw him…" "That’s all right Miss Pierce. After Miss Pierce was injured what happened?" "It was all so confusing. I was screaming and Mr. Howard came along…he attacked Mr. Martin." "Where did Mr. Howard come from? Was he helping Mr. Martin?" "Oh no! Mr. Howard came to our rescue! I just don’t know where he came from." Valerie paused looking around her slowly with wide eyes, "down the hallway I suppose." "And then you saw Mr. Martin being carried away?" "Yes, after Mr. Howard hit him. Oh, it was awful!" Valerie wailed. "Thank you Miss Pierce. I want to thank you for your help. And don’t worry about Mr. Martin…he is safely locked away." "Thank you, sir," Mr. Randolph Pierce said as he shook hands with the policemen. "We will see to it that Mr. Martin doesn’t see the light of day for a long, long time. He won’t bother your family again." "Thank you."
So the mysterious Mr. Martin was bound to look at the inside of a jail cell for a very long time, but some of his history is needed to make it clear as to what provoked the attack. Mr. Richard Martin was of very lower middle class background, but he was visiting his upper class aunt for the summer. He was twenty-one and had always been something of a problem. His aunt who knew a number of young people and who generously showed Mr. Martin a good time had taken him into good society. These people had no inkling of his bad nature. Of that only his immediate family was aware, and they were a good two states away, safe from exposure. Early in his youth he had become abusive and a heavy drinker and he never took proper advantage of the money his aunt sent for his education. His aunt was a good deal older than his parents were, and she was totally unaware of the devious ways this boy had picked up from mean people. Although his aunt’s invitation for the summer had been kindly meant, the difference in his standing and his aunt’s only increased his feelings of inadequacy from low birth. So, this bad character was sent to his aunt’s without warning the poor woman as to his meanness. Mr. Martin had behaved himself in a civil manner for a number of outings, which was how Valerie and a number of his closer companions had come to be deceived, as his true nature was not readily apparent. It was on the night that Valerie recalled to the police offices that he first showed himself to be vulgar. Mr. Martin had asked Valerie to dance, and she had refused him, which had embarrassed him greatly. Mr. Martin was not critical not of his own behavior, which had prompted Valerie’s refusal. Instead, he blamed every around him, believing that all the "rich" people were laughing at him, because he was of low birth. Since people were unaware of his low birth, however, it was only his behavior that pointed to his mean education and brought his family ridicule. People began to wish his aunt would send him home unceremoniously.
He acted even worse at a dinner party, insulting one of the young girls at the event, and was thrown out by the host due to his vulgarity. It was on this night that Mr. Martin came to The Bell in the mood for revenge and asked the bell clerk for the room number of Miss Valerie Pierce. The bell clerk was fired for letting such information be given to anyone who came through the door, as the damage that was done to not only the Pierce girls, but also the resort‘s reputation was sizeable. The night’s events as the unfolded from that point have already been described.
As for Miss Pierce and the rumors that surrounded her, Mr. Martin was also responsible for this damage. When Brent came out of Lydia’s room, Mr. Martin took note, and while he was being dragged away, Mr. Martin made it known that he had seen Brent come out of Miss Lydia’s room. His ranting carried through the hallways and rumors began to fly. While most people of the same set as the Pierces believed that, as much as they had always disliked Brent Howard, he had nobly rescued the Pierce girls, and therefore must be tolerated. Nevertheless, people were talking about the fact that the Martin boy had said that Brent Howard came out of Lydia’s room. While they were not apt to believe the rantings of a criminal such as Mr. Martin, it was not yet determined where Brent had come from so quickly when even Mr. And Mrs. Pierce had not heard the screams until later. This made it necessary for Lydia’s family to stay in Rock Lucian. To leave would mean that Lydia and her family had something to be ashamed of, and they did not want to leave that impression.
Those people who did not mix in the Pierce’s society felt wholly different about the Pierce girls’ drama. These people condemned Lydia Pierce and heartily believed that Brent Howard was in her room. They speculated that he was not merely paying a social visit. And while many of them could not condemn her for her supposed actions, they uniformly condemned her for acting high and mighty, while conducting herself very differently behind closed doors. Lydia had never actually spoken about that night as she was in and out of consciousness with a concussion the following days. Brent refused to speak about the incident, which the rich found noble and others failed to understand. Why would he pretend for her?
Chapter 15
As soon as Lydia was receiving visitors, however few in number and close to the family they were, Brent Howard appeared on the Pierces’ doorstep. He knew that as Lydia’s savior, he would not be denied the ability to visit with her, even if secretly they all wished someone else had saved their daughters. Mrs. Kenneth Pierce’s maid answered the door. "Tell Mrs. Kenneth Pierce that Mr. Brent Howard has come to see how the patient is recovering." The maid opened the door wide enough for him to step inside, curtseyed, and left the entry hallway to call to Mrs. K. Pierce. Brent could barely hear the maid’s announcement. The maid came back out and nodded ‘yes.’ It seemed as if this girl was afraid of him. He followed her into the parlor where Mrs. K. Pierce and Mrs. Randolph Pierce sat receiving visitors and sewing. They stood up, and both parties bowed. "It is very good of you to come and see my daughter, Mr. Howard. We are eternally indebted to you." He bowed. "It was the least I could do, ma’am. Is Miss Valerie doing well?" "Yes, thank you." "Is Miss Lydia up to visitors?" "Yes, sir. She hasn’t left her bedroom, though, for she is unsteady on her feet. Hill will show you to her room." He bowed before being led out of the room and up the stairs to Lydia’s room. The maid opened the door and Brent viewed Lydia for the first time in a little over a week.
"Brent!" Lydia smiled. She was tucked under covers up to her elbows in bed, apparently still not moved to a visiting couch. The maid shut the door, and Brent noticed Lydia’s nurse sitting in the corner watching him. He came forward towards the bed. "How are you feeling?" His voice was full of concern as he bowed. "I’m better since you’ve come. Please sit down Brent." She gestured towards the wooden chair next to the far end of her bed. He sat down. "Madame, can you not let Mr. Howard and I have a few moments alone? I want to thank him so much." The nurse stood up silently and went out the side door, which led to a connecting bedroom. Brent pulled his chair closer to her head and took her white hand in his and closed the grip by placing his other hand on top. "Normally she would never leave me alone with a visitor, but I think she feels guilty about the whole thing. She owes you," Lydia said smiling. "How are you?" "My head swims a bit, but they say I will recover. Although I probably won’t ever understand Italian or French again!" She laughed. "Still, this is à bon marché for your life," he said petting her hand and smiling. "Oh good, that I did understand. Brent, thank you," she said squeezing his hand. He could not stand her thanking him for something, for which he did not deserve to be thanked. "Lydia, don’t speak on it again." She nodded. "Are you really feeling all right? You took quite a blow to the head, my dear." "Yes, I had a frightful lump. But then, I hear you didn’t leave my assailant in a good state either." "I just tapped him." He kissed her hand. "I was very worried about you, darling." "Really?" Her eyes were searching, but he would not look up from her hand. "Of course." "Are you teasing?" "Miss Pierce," he said laying down her hand, "you were severely injured. You could have died. Yes, I was more than worried." "I’m sorry," Lydia meekly answered.
Brent stood up and leaned over her to kiss her forehead. "I should go. I have things to attend to." "Why, you’ve just arrived. Don’t be angry, Brent. Don’t leave just yet. Whatever it is can wait a moment." He stood there staring down at her innocent face and he was racked with guilt. He did not want to tarnish her reputation. It was no matter to him that he had no wish to maintain his, but he did want to protect her from all of the talk and cruel treatment that was given to a fallen girl. He sat back down with a quiet sigh. "Brent, you must tell me what is going on. I know you will be honest with me. Everyone treats me as if I’ll faint dead away if the incident is even alluded to." "What is it you wish to know?" "Everything." "Well, a certain Mr. Martin is the culprit, and he’s been carted off to jail to be sure." "Will they take him to court?" "They needn’t. He’s guilty according to everyone, and of course we know everyone is right, but the wheels of justice must turn. In a day or two his case will come to trial, and then I expect the rest to be over rather quickly." "Who are the Martins?" "He was here with his aunt." "Oh."
Brent paused: he did not like discussing this, but other than the weather, he could think of nothing else to say. "It’s good to see you, darling." Lydia smiled in response. "How did you know I was receiving visitors? Only a some family members have come." "I have spies all over Rock Lucian, my girl," Brent laughed. "If you talk too loud, I’m sure my nasty nurse will come and make you leave." He nodded solemnly with the old twinkle in his eye. "She looked at me as if she knew I was up to no good again. How very ungrateful!" "She’s just gotten even worse since I’ve been sick. She won’t let me touch a pen or take up a book, because she is determined that I have to rest my eyes, because they’ve been damaged. Only the doctor says nothing is wrong with my eyes. You see she had a niece who was kicked in the head by a mule and consequently went blind. The doctor promised her very solemnly that he had carefully examined my eyes and that there was nothing wrong with them, but she knows best. So I sit here bored to tears." "Perhaps next time I visit, I will read to you." "Something long, so that you will have to stay for a good duration." "It’s a promise then. I swear it upon my life."
Brent paused, turning more serious, "I know young ladies don’t like being told that they look unhealthy or anything unpleasant, but I must say that your complexion is very ashy." He felt her forehead with the back of his hand. "I haven’t seen sunlight in forever! I feel like a mole. That is why I look so dreadful." "It has nothing to do with your little incident with Mr. Martin?" Lydia frowned, "you’re correct--it is hard coming from you being told I look like a fright." "You still look very pretty, my dear." "And you, who set such great store in appearances! It is very hard coming. I believe that is the only reason you ever set store in anybody, because of their appearance." Lydia was playing, but Brent did not find it amusing. He pulled on his tan gloves and stood up. Buttoning his gloves he leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "I certainly hope I have never judged on appearances, the soul. But more than that my dear, I hope that you have not been mistaken in my character on that point: that would be grievous indeed." "Brent, you’re not going because I teased you, are you?" "No, I am going, because I have business to attend to and because you look very tired and I am going to recommend to your nurse that you take a nice long nap." "Oh Brent!" He rapped on the side door and called "Madame?" The nurse opened the door and came into the sick room. "Madame, I was just leaving, and far be it for me to impose, but I believe Miss Pierce could do with a nap. She appears to me very ill suited." The nurse curtseyed, and Brent bowed deeply to Lydia before leaving the room.
After Brent had left, the two Mrs. Pierces came upstairs to see the patient. They were very interested in what Mr. Howard had said. "Well, what did he say, dear?" "Oh Mother, just the regular sick visit talk. ‘How are you’ and such. Nothing shocking." "Well that is good." But disappointing. "We didn’t know if we should let him see you, dear." "Thank you, Auntie, for your concern, but he behaved like a gentleman. Of course, Robert’s company is much more pleasing to me, but we do owe this gentleman. So, I see no fault in letting him visit." "You certainly show no hesitancy expressing your opinions, Lydia." This was meant as a scolding from her aunt pointed directly at Lydia and indirectly at Mrs. R. Pierce. Lydia’s mother frowned. "And for being sick too." "Perhaps that is why," Lydia answered bitterly. She hated being told to keep quiet or hold her tongue. Her nurse spoke up: "Miss Lydia is very tired. Even Mr. Howard noticed it. I think it is best if we let her rest for awhile." Lydia felt like screaming, but she bit her lip. "She is a bit fussy." Her mother had just spoken about her like she was two years old. Lydia could have struck out at both women, if they had been in range. She made fists. She had always felt as if Mrs. K. Pierce was jealous of her mother and herself, being the richer of the two families (due to mismanagement) and having the more admired daughter. Lydia could just imagine her aunt encouraging Valerie to return to the parties where she was bound to receive a great deal of attention after the incident, and there would be no competition from the invalid. Lydia thanked her stars that simple Valerie was not so competitive. She was also thankful that she would be at peace should Valerie be married tomorrow.
