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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20163-8.txt b/20163-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7cf681c --- /dev/null +++ b/20163-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8927 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Jolliest School of All, by Angela Brazil, +Illustrated by W. Smithson Broadhead + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Jolliest School of All + + +Author: Angela Brazil + + + +Release Date: December 22, 2006 [eBook #20163] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL*** + + +E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/c/) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 20163-h.htm or 20163-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/6/20163/20163-h/20163-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/6/20163/20163-h.zip) + + + + + +THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL + +by + +ANGELA BRAZIL + +Author of +"The Luckiest Girl in the School," "The Princess of the +School," "A Popular School Girl," "Schoolgirl +Kitty," "Marjorie's Best Year," etc. + + + + + + + +A. L. Burt Company +Publishers New York +Published by arrangement with Frederick A. Stokes Co. +Printed in U. S. A. +Copyright, 1922, by +Frederick A. Stokes Company +All Rights Reserved + + + + + DEDICATED + TO + + THE MANY CHARMING AMERICAN + GIRLS WHOM I HAVE MET + + AND TO + + THOSE UNKNOWN SCHOOLGIRLS + OVER THE ATLANTIC TO WHOM + THIS LITTLE BOOK CARRIES MY + HEARTIEST GREETINGS + +[Illustration: "'YOU MEAN THINGS!' RAGED PEACHY" + +--_Page 124_] + + + + +CONTENTS + + chapter page + + I. Off to Italy 1 + II. The Villa Camellia 16 + III. Hail, Columbia! 27 + IV. A Secret Sorority 41 + V. Fairy Godmothers, Limited 52 + VI. Among the Olive Groves 66 + VII. Lorna's Enemy 81 + VIII. At Pompeii 93 + IX. Reprisals 113 + X. The School Carnival 126 + XI. Up Vesuvius 141 + XII. Tar and Feathers 156 + XIII. Peachy's Pranks 174 + XIV. The Villa Bleue 190 + XV. Peachy's Birthday 213 + XVI. Concerning Juniors 230 + XVII. The Anglo-Saxon League 243 + XVIII. Greek Temples 257 + XIX. In Capri 272 + XX. The Cameron Clan 287 + XXI. The Blue Grotto 303 + + + +THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL + + + + +CHAPTER I + +Off to Italy + + +In a top-story bedroom in an old-fashioned house in a northern suburb of +London, a girl of fourteen was kneeling on the floor, turning out the +contents of the bottom cupboards of a big bookcase. Her method of doing +so was hardly tidy; she just tossed the miscellaneous assortment of +articles down anywhere, till presently she was surrounded by a mixed-up +jumble of books, papers, paint-boxes, music, chalks, pencils, foreign +stamps, picture post-cards, crests, balls of knitting wool, skeins of +embroidery silk, and odds and ends of all kinds. She groaned as the +circle grew wider, yet the apparently inexhaustible cupboards were still +uncleared. + +"Couldn't have ever believed I'd have stowed so many things away here. +And, of course, the one book I want isn't to be found. That's what +always happens. It's just my bad luck. Hello! Who's calling 'Renie'? I'm +here! _Here! In my bedroom!_ Don't yell the house down. Really, Vin, +you've got a voice like a megaphone! You might think I was on the top of +the roof. What d'you want now? _I'm busy!_" + +"So it seems," commented the fair-haired boy of seventeen, sauntering +into his sister's room and taking a somewhat insecure seat upon a fancy +table, where, with hands in pockets, he regarded her quizzically. "Great +Scott, what a turn out! You look like a magician in the midst of a magic +circle. Are you going to witch the lot into newts and toads? Whence this +thusness? You won't persuade me that it's a fit of neatness and you're +actually tidying. Doesn't exactly seem _you_, somehow!" + +"Hardly," replied Irene, with her head inside a cupboard. "Fact is, I'm +looking for my history book. I can't think where the wretched thing has +gone to. School begins to-morrow, and I haven't touched my holiday tasks +yet; and what Miss Gordon will say if I come without those exercises I +can't imagine. I'm sure I flung all my books into this cupboard, and, of +course, here's the chemistry, which I don't want, but never so much as a +single leaf of the history. Don't grin! You aggravate me. I believe +you've taken it away to tease me. Have you? Confess now! It's in your +pocket all the time?" + +Irene looked eagerly at the bulging outline of her brother's coat, but +her newly formed hopes were doomed to disappointment. + +"Never seen it! What should _I_ want with your old history book? I've +finished for good with such vanities, thank the Fates!" + +"Don't rub it in. It's a beastly shame _you_ should be allowed to leave +school while _I_ must go slaving on at Miss Gordon's. Ugh! How I hate +the place! The idea of going back there to-morrow! It's simply +appalling. A whole term of dreary grind, and only a fortnight's holiday +at the end of it. Miss Gordon gives the _stingiest_ holidays. If my +fairy godmother could appear and grant me a wish I should choose never, +never, _never_ to see St. Osmund's College in all my life again. I'd ask +her to wave her magic wand and transport me over the sea." + +Irene spoke hotly, flinging books about with scant regard for their +covers. Her slim hands were dusty, and her short, yellow hair as ruffled +as her temper. There was even a suspicion of moisture about the corners +of her gray eyes. She rubbed them surreptitiously with a ball of a +handkerchief when her head happened to be inside the cupboard. She did +not wish Vincent to witness this phase of her emotions. + +"Every girl ought to be provided with a decent fairy godmother," she +gulped. "If mine did her duty she'd come to rescue me now. Yes, she +would, and be quick about it too!" + +How very seldom in the course of an ordinary life such wishes are +granted! Not once surely in a million times! Yet at that identical +moment, almost as if in direct answer to her daughter's vigorous tirade, +Mrs. Beverley entered the room. There was a sparkle of excitement in her +eyes, and her whole atmosphere seemed to radiate news. She ran in as +joyously as a girl, clapping her hands and evidently brimming over with +something she was about to communicate. + +"Why, Mums! Mums--darling! What's the matter?" asked Irene. "You look as +if you'd had a fortune left you. Tell us at once." + +"Not quite a fortune, but next best to it," said Mrs. Beverley, sitting +down on the end of the sofa. "Daddy says I may tell you now, bairns. It +has all happened so suddenly, and has been arranged in a rush. You +remember Dad mentioning a few weeks ago that Mr. Southern, the firm's +representative in Naples, was very ill? Well, Mr. Fenton has decided to +send Dad to Italy to take his place, for a year at any rate, and perhaps +longer. We're to start in a fortnight." + +Such a stupendous announcement required a little realizing. Vincent +removed his hands from his pockets. + +"You don't mean to say we're _all_ going?" he inquired. "Jemima! Leaving +London fogs and toddling off to Italy? Materkins, you take my breath +away! How's the whole business to be fixed up so soon?" + +"Quite easily. We shall let this house, just as it is, to Mr. Atherton, +who will come from the Norfolk branch to fill Father's post in London. +We are to rent Mr. Southern's flat in Naples, while he takes a voyage +round the world to try to regain his health. Dad means to put you into +his office in Naples, Vin. Don't look so aghast! It's high time you +started, and it will be a splendid opening for you. And as for Renie--of +course she's too young to leave school yet----" + +"Mums! Mums!" interrupted an agonized voice, as Irene took a flying leap +over her circle of books and, plumping herself on the sofa, clutched +tightly at her mother's sleeve. "You're not going to leave me behind at +Miss Gordon's? You _couldn't_! Oh, I'd die! Mums darling, please! If the +family's going to jaunt abroad I've got to jaunt too! Say yes, quick, +quick!" + +"What a little tempest you are! Cheer up! We'd never any intention of +deserting you. We'll stick together for a while at any rate, though when +we arrive in Naples you'll be packed off to a boarding-school, Madam, so +I give you fair warning." + +"An Italian school?" + +Irene's gray eyes were round with horror. + +"No, an Anglo-American school for English-speaking girls. Do you +remember that charming Mr. Proctor who stayed with us last year on his +way from New York to Naples? His daughter is at this school, and he +strongly recommended it. It seems just exactly the place for you, Renie. +It will solve a great problem if we can educate you out there. It would +have complicated matters very much if we had been obliged to leave you +in England. As it is you'll be quite near to Naples, and can come home +for all your holidays." + +"Hooray! Then I'm not to go to Miss Gordon's again?" + +"As we start in a fortnight it's not worth while your beginning a fresh +term at St. Osmund's." + +"Then I needn't bother to find the hateful old history book. I'm _so_ +glad I didn't do those wretched holiday tasks--they'd just have been +sheer waste. Mums, I'm so excited! May I begin and pack for Italy now? I +can't wait." + +For the next two weeks great confusion reigned in the Beverley +household. It is no light matter to decide what you need to take abroad, +what you wish to lock up at home, and to leave your establishment in +apple-pie order for the use of strangers. Inventories of furniture, +linen, blankets, and china had to be written and checked, a rigorous +selection made of the things to be packed, and the luggage cut down to +the limits prescribed by the railway companies. Poor Mrs. Beverley was +nearly worn out when at last the overflowing boxes were fastened, the +bags and hold-alls were strapped, and the taxis, which were to take them +to the station, arrived at the door. Tears stood in her eyes as she +crossed the threshold of her own house. + +"It's a tremendous wrench!" she fluttered. + +"Never mind, Mums!" consoled Irene, linking her arm in her mother's. +"It's an adventure, and we all want to go. You'll love it when we're +once off. No, don't look back: it's unlucky! Your bag's in the cab; I +saw Jessie put it in. Hooray for Italy, say I, and a good riddance to +smoky old London! In another couple of days we shall be down south and +turning into Romeos and Juliets as fast as we can. You'll see Dad +learning a guitar and strumming it under your balcony, and serenading +you no end." + +"Hardly at his time of life!" said Mrs. Beverley; but the joke amused +her, she wiped her eyes, and, as Irene had hoped and intended, stepped +smiling into the waiting taxi, and left her old home with laughter +instead of with tears. + +In her fourteen years of experience Irene had traveled very little, so +the migration to Italy was a fairy journey so far as she was concerned. +To catch the boat express they had made an early start, and they +breakfasted in the train between London and Dover. It was fun to sit in +comfortable padded armchairs, eating fish or ham and eggs, and watching +the landscape whirling past; fun to see the deft-handed waiters nipping +about with trays or teacups; and fun to observe the occupants of the +other tables in the car. There was a fat, good-natured Frenchman who +amused Irene, a languid English lady who annoyed her, an elderly +gourmand who excited her disgust, and a neighboring party, one member of +which at least aroused her interest and caused her to cast cautious side +glances in the direction of the next table. This center of attraction +was a small girl about eight or nine years of age, a dainty elfin little +person with bewitching blue eyes and a mop of short, flaxen curls. She +was evidently well used to traveling, for she would lift a tiny finger +to summon the waiter, and gave him her orders with all the +_savoir-faire_ of an experienced diner-out. Perhaps her clear-toned +treble voice was a trifle too high-pitched for the occasion, and would +have been better had it been duly modulated, but her parents seemed +proud of her conversational powers and allowed her to talk for the +benefit of anybody within ear-shot. That she excited comment was +manifest, for many looks were turned to her corner. The criticisms on +her were complimentary or the reverse. "Isn't she perfectly _sweet_?" +gushed a young lady at Irene's left. "Sweet? She ought to be in the +nursery instead of showing off here!" came a tart voice in reply, from +some one whose face was invisible but whose back and shoulders expressed +an attitude of strong disapproval. "Hope we shan't be boxed up with her +in the same carriage to Paris! I vote we give her a wide berth at +Calais." + +Irene laughed softly. The little flaxen-haired girl attracted her; she +felt she would have gravitated towards her compartment rather than have +avoided her. But traveling companions were evidently more a matter of +chance than choice, for the crowd that turned out of the train at Dover +became mixed and mingled like the colored bits of glass in a +kaleidoscope. Irene realized that for the moment the one supreme and +breathless object in life was to cling to the rest of her family, and +not to get separated from them or lost, as they pushed through narrow +barriers, showed tickets and passports, traversed gangways, and finally +found themselves on board the Channel steamer bound for France. Father, +who had made the crossing many times, scrambled instantly for +deck-chairs, and installed his party comfortably in the lee of a funnel, +where they would be sheltered from the wind. Mrs. Beverley, who had +inspected the ladies' saloon below, sank on her seat, and tucked a rug +round her knees with a sigh of relief. + +"It will be the 'Black Hole of Calcutta' downstairs," she remarked. "I'd +rather stay on deck however cold it is. The mother of the wee +yellow-haired lassie is lying down already, evidently prepared to be +ill. The stewardess says we shall have a choppy passage. She earns her +tips, poor woman! Thanks, Vincent! Yes, I'd like the air-cushion, +please, and that plaid out of the hold-all. No, I won't have a biscuit +now; I prefer to wait till we get on terra firma again." + +Irene, sitting warmly wrapped up on her deck-chair, watched the white +cliffs of Dover recede from her gaze as the vessel left the port and +steamed out into the Channel. It was the last of "Old England," and she +knew that much time must elapse before she would see the shores of her +birthplace again. What would greet her in the foreign country to which +she was going? New sights, new sounds, new interests--perhaps new +friends? The thought of it all was an exhilaration. Others might seem +sad at a break with former associations, but as for herself she was +starting a fresh life, and she meant to get every scrap of enjoyment out +of it that was practically possible. + +The stewardess had prophesied correctly when she described the voyage as +"choppy." The steamer certainly pitched and tossed in a most +uncomfortable fashion, and it was only owing to the comparative +steadiness of her seat amidships that Irene escaped that most wretched +of complaints, _mal de mer_. She sat very still, with rather white +cheeks, and refused Vincent's offers of biscuits and chocolates: her +sole salvation, indeed, was not to look at the heaving sea, but to keep +her eyes fixed upon the magazine which she made a pretense of reading. +Fortunately the Dover-Calais crossing is short, and, before Neptune had +claimed her as one of his victims, they were once more in smooth waters +and steaming into harbor. + +Then again the kaleidoscope turned, and the crowd of passengers +remingled and walked over gangways, and along platforms and up steep +steps, and jostled through the Customs, and said "_Rien à déclarer_" to +the officials, who peeped inside their bags to find tea or tobacco, and +had their luggage duly chalked, and showed their passports once more, +and finally, after a bewildering half-hour of bustle and hustle, found +themselves, with all their belongings intact, safely in the train for +Paris. Irene had caught brief glimpses of the child whom she named +"Little Flaxen," whose mother, in a state of collapse, had been almost +carried off the vessel, but revived when she was on dry land again: a +maid was in close attendance, and two porters were stowing their piles +of hand-luggage inside a specially reserved compartment. "The cross lady +won't be boxed up with them at any rate," said Irene. "I saw her get in +lower down the train." + +It was dark when they arrived in Paris, so Irene had only a confused +impression of an immense railway station, of porters in blue blouses, of +a babel of noise and shouting in a foreign language which seemed quite +different from the French she had learned at school, of clinging very +closely to Father's arm, of a drive through lighted streets, of a hotel +where dinner was served in a salon surrounded by big mirrors, then bed, +which seemed the best thing in the world, for she was almost too weary +to keep her eyes open. + +"If every day is going to be like this we shall be tired out by the time +we reach Naples," she thought, as she sank down on her pillow. +"Traveling is the limit." + +Eleven hours of sleep, however, made a vast difference in her attitude +towards their long journey. When she came downstairs next morning she +was all eagerness to see Paris. + +"We have the whole day here," said Mrs. Beverley, "so we may as well +get as much out of it as we can. Daddy has business appointments to +keep, but you and I and Vin, Renie, will take a taxi and have a look at +some of the sights, won't we?" + +"Rather!" agreed the young people, hurrying over their coffee and rolls. + +"I wouldn't miss Paris for worlds," added Vincent; "only don't spend the +whole time inside shops, Mater. That's all this fellow bargains for." + +"We'll compromise and make it half and half," laughed Mother. + +A single day is very brief space in which to see the beauties of Paris, +but the Beverleys managed to fit a great deal into it, and to include +among their activities a peep at the Louvre, a drive in the Bois de +Boulogne, a visit to Napoleon's Tomb, half an hour in a cinema, and a +rush through several of the finest and largest shops. + +"It's different from London--quite!" decided Irene, at the end of the +jaunt. "It's lighter and brighter, somehow, and the streets are wider +and have more trees planted in them. It's a terrible scurry, and I +should be run over if I tried to cross the street. The shops aren't any +better than ours really, though they make more fuss about them. The +little children and the small pet dogs are adorable. The cinema was +horribly disappointing, because they were all American films, not French +ones; but that light that falls from the domed roof down on to +Napoleon's tomb was worth coming across the Channel to see. Yes, Mummie +dear, I thoroughly like Paris. I'm only sorry we have to leave it so +soon." + +The train for Rome was to start at nine o'clock in the evening, and +immediately after dinner the Beverleys made their way to the station. It +would be a thirty-eight hour journey, and they had engaged two sleeping +compartments, _wagon-lits_ as they are called on the Continental +express. Mrs. Beverley and Irene were to share one, and Mr. Beverley and +Vincent the other. The beds were arranged like berths on board ship, and +Irene, who occupied the upper one, found, much to her amusement, a +little ladder placed in readiness for her climb aloft. + +"I don't need to use _that_!" she exclaimed, scrambling up with the +agility gained in her school gymnasium. "How silly of the conductor to +put it for me." + +"How could the poor man tell who was to occupy the berth! You might have +been a fat old lady for anything he knew!" replied Mrs. Beverley, +settling herself on the mattress below. + +It was a funny sensation to lie in bed in the jolting train, and Irene +slept only in snatches, waking frequently to hear clanking of chains, +shrieking of engines, shouting of officials at stations, and other +disturbing noises. As dawn came creeping through the darkness she drew +the curtain aside and looked from the window. What a glorious sight met +her astonished gaze! They were passing over the Alps, and all around +were immense snow-covered mountains, great gorges full of dark fir +forests, and rushing streams of green glacier water. It was very cold, +and she was glad to pull her rug up, and later to drink the hot coffee +which the _conducteur_ made on a spirit-lamp in the corridor and brought +to those who had ordered it overnight. + +Irene never forgot that long journey on the Continental express. The +sleeping compartments became sitting-rooms by day, for the berths turned +into sofas, and a table was unfolded, where it would have been possible +to write or sew if she had wished. She could do nothing, however, but +stare at the landscape; the snow-capped mountains and the great ravines +and gorges were a revelation in the way of scenery, and it was enough +occupation to look out of the window. Switzerland and Northern Italy +were a dream of wild, rugged beauty, but she woke on the following +morning to find the train racing among olive groves and orange trees, +and to catch glimpses of gay, unknown, wild flowers blooming on the +railway banks. Here and there were stretches of the blue Mediterranean; +and oxen and goats in the fields gave a vivid foreign aspect to the +country. Everything--trees, houses, landscape, and people--seemed +unfamiliar and un-English, yet strangely fascinating. The bright land +with its sunshine appeared to be welcoming her. + +"I shall like it! I shall like it! I shall like it!" said Irene to +herself, hanging out of the open window of their compartment and +watching some picturesque children who were waving a greeting to the +train. "I _know_ I shall like it!" + +"Put your hat on and strap up your hold-all," said Father's voice in +the corridor outside. "Everybody else has luggage ready, and in another +ten minutes or so we shall be in Rome." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +The Villa Camellia + + +The Beverleys did not break their journey in Rome, but merely changed +trains and pushed on southward. Irene was sorry at the time not to see +the imperial city, but afterwards she was glad that her first impression +of an Italian town should have been of Naples. Naples! Is there any +place like it in the whole world? Irene thought not, as she stood on her +veranda next morning and gazed across the blue bay to where Vesuvius was +sending a thin column of smoke into the cloudless sky. Below her lay the +public gardens, in which spring flowers were blooming, though it was +only the end of January, and beyond was a panorama of white houses, +green shutters, palm trees, picturesque boats, and a quay thronged with +traffic. To that harbor and that blue stretch of sea she was bound this +very day, for Father and Mother had arranged to take her straight to her +new school, and leave her there before they established themselves in +their flat. + +"We haven't any time for sightseeing at present, dear," said Mrs. +Beverley, when Irene begged for at least a peep at the streets of +Naples. "We must put off these jaunts until the Easter holidays. The +term has begun at the Villa Camellia, and you ought to set to work at +your lessons at once. Don't pull such a doleful face. Be thankful you're +going to school in such a glorious spot. We might have left you at Miss +Gordon's." + +"I'd have run away and followed you somehow, Mums darling! I don't mind +being a few miles off, but I couldn't bear to feel the Channel and the +whole of France and Switzerland and Italy lay between us. It's too far." + +"Yes, our little family quartette is rather inseparable," agreed Mother. +"It's certainly nice to think that we're all 'within hail.'" + +The school, recommended to Mr. and Mrs. Beverley by their American +friend, Mr. Proctor, was situated at the small town of Fossato, not far +from Naples. The easiest way of getting there was by sea, so Irene's +luggage was wheeled down to the quay, and the family embarked on a +coasting steamer. Father and Mother were, of course, taking her, and +Vincent accompanied them, because they could not leave him alone in a +strange city. + +"It will be your last holiday though, young man," said Mr. Beverley +jokingly, "so make the most of it. To-morrow you must come with me to +the office and start your new career. I don't know whether the Villa +Camellia observes convent rules, and whether you will be admitted. If +not, you must wait outside the gate while we see Miss Rodgers." + +"Oh, surely she wouldn't be so heartless?" + +"That remains to be seen. In a foreign country the regulations are +probably very strict." + +The Beverleys were not the only British people on board the steamer. +Parties of tourists were going for the day's excursion, and as much +English as Italian or French might be heard spoken among the passengers. +Two groups, who sat near them on deck, attracted Irene's attention. The +central figure of the one was a girl slightly taller than herself--a +girl with a long, pointed nose, dark, hard, bright eyes, penciled +eyebrows, beautiful teeth, and a nice color. She was talking in a loud +and affected voice, and laying down the law on many topics to several +amused and smiling young naval officers who were of the party. An elder +girl, like her but with a sweeter mouth and softer eyes, seemed to be +trying to restrain her, and occasionally exclaimed, "Oh, Mabel!" at some +more than ordinary sally of wit; but the younger girl talked on, posing +in rather whimsical attitudes, and letting her roving glance stray over +the tourists close by, as if judging the effect she was making upon +them. + +"She's showing off," decided Irene privately. "Is that 'Villa Camellia' +on the label of her bag? I hope to goodness she's not going to school +with me. Hello! Who's that talking English on the other side? Why, +Little Flaxen for all the world! What's she followed us down here for?" + +The small, fair-haired girl, whom they had seen in the train to Dover, +was undoubtedly claiming public notice on their right. Her high-pitched, +childish voice was descanting freely about everything she saw, and +people smiled at her quaint questions and comments. Her mother, still +very pale and languid, made no effort to silence her, and her father +seemed rather to encourage her, and to exploit her remarks for the +entertainment of several gentlemen friends. + +A little bored by the evident self-advertisement of these rival belles, +Irene moved away with Vincent to a quieter corner of the deck. She was +to see more of them soon, however. They both disembarked when the +steamer reached Fossato, their luggage was piled upon the carriages, and +she watched them drive away up the steep, narrow road that led into the +town. + +The Beverleys had decided to have an early lunch at the hotel by the +quay before taking Irene to school. It was their last meal together, so +she was allowed to choose the menu, and regaled the family on hitherto +unknown Italian dishes, winding up with coffee, ices, and chocolates. + +"I'm glad you don't cater for us every day, Renie, or I should soon be +ruined," said Father, as the waiter brought him the bill. "Now are you +ready? If we don't hurry and get you up quickly to school we shall miss +the boat back to Naples. Another package of chocolates! You +unconscionable child! Well, put it in your pocket and console yourself +with it at bedtime. The concierge says our _vetturino_ is waiting--not +that any Italian coachman minds doing that! All the same, time is short +and we had better make a start." + +In that first drive through the narrow, steep, stone-paved streets of +Fossato Irene was too excited to take in any details except a general +impression of rich, foreign color and high, white walls. Afterwards, +when she came to know the town better, she realized its subtler points. +She felt as one in a dream when the carriage turned through a great +gate, and passed along an avenue of orange trees to a large, square +house, color-washed pink, and approached by a flight of marble steps. +What happened next she could never clearly recall. She remembered the +agony of a short wait in the drawing-room until Miss Rodgers arrived, +how the whole party, including Vincent, were shown some of the principal +rooms of the house, an agitated moment of good-by kisses, then the sound +of departing wheels, and a sudden overwhelming sensation that, for the +first time in her life, she was alone in a foreign land. Foreign and yet +familiar, for the Villa Camellia was a skillful combination of the best +out of several countries. Its setting was Italian, its decorations were +French, and its fifty-six pupils were all unmistakably and undoubtedly +Anglo-Saxon. Irene was assured on this point immediately, for Miss +Rodgers, calling to a girl who was passing down the corridor, gave the +newcomer into her charge with instructions to take her straight to the +senior recreation room. + +"Our afternoon classes begin at 2.30," she remarked, "but you will have +just ten minutes in which to be introduced to some of your +schoolfellows. Elsie Craig will show you everything." + +Elsie made no remark to Irene--perhaps she was shy--but, starting off at +a quick pace, led her down a long passage into a room on the ground +floor. It was a pleasant room with a French window that opened out on to +a veranda, where, over a marble balustrade, there was a view of an +orange garden and the sea. Round a table were collected several older +girls, watching with deep interest a kettle, which was beginning to +sing, upon a spirit-lamp. They looked up with surprise as Elsie ushered +in the new pupil. + +"Hello! You don't mean to tell us there's another of them!" exclaimed a +dark girl with a long pigtail. "We've had two already! Why are they +pouring on us to-day, I should like to know? It's a perfect deluge." + +"I hate folks butting in when the term has begun," said another +grumpily. + +"We shall be swamped with 'freshies' soon," grunted the owner of the +spirit-lamp. "If they expect coffee I tell them beforehand they just +won't get it." + +"She says her name's Irene Beverley," volunteered Elsie Craig, in a +perfunctory voice, as if she were performing an obvious duty and getting +it over. + +"Oh, indeed!" + +"Well, now we know, so there's an end of it." + +It could hardly be called a flattering reception. The general attitude +of the girls was the reverse of friendly. The kettle was suddenly +boiling, and they were concentrating their attention upon the making of +the coffee, and rather ostentatiously leaving the stranger outside the +charmed circle. Irene, used to school life, knew, however, that she was +on trial, and that on her present behavior would probably depend the +whole of her future career. She did not attempt to force her unwelcome +presence upon her companions, but, withdrawing to the window, pretended +to be utterly absorbed in contemplation of the scenery. She kept the +corner of her eye, nevertheless, upon the group at the table. The girl +with the long pigtail had made the coffee and was pouring it into cups. +A shorter girl nudged her and whispered something, at which she shook +her head emphatically. But the short girl persisted. + +"I'm superstitious," affirmed the latter aloud. "One's for sorrow, two's +for joy, and three's for luck! She's the third to-day and she may be a +mascot." + +"I'd rather have chocolates than mascots," said an injured voice from +behind a coffee-cup. + +The chance remark gave Irene the very opportunity she needed. She +suddenly remembered the chocolates her father had handed her before she +left the hotel, and, producing the package, she offered its contents. +After a visible moment of hesitation the girl with the long pigtail +accepted her hospitality, and passed the delicacies round. Instantly all +were chumping almonds, and the icy atmosphere thawed into summer. +Everybody began to talk at once. + +"There's a spare cup here if you'd like some coffee. Yes, Rachel, I +_shall_ offer it!" + +"I suppose you're over fourteen?" + +"We may make coffee after lunch if we're seniors, but the kids aren't +allowed any." + +"You've just one minute to drink it in before the bell rings." + +"Hustle up if you want to finish it." + +"I'll bet a cookie you're a real sport." + +"There's the bell! Don't choke or you'll blight your young career." + +"We've got to scoot quick!" + +"Come along with me and I'll show you where." + +Irene, taken in tow by a girl with a freckled nose, was hurried along +the corridor and up the stairs to the classrooms. Although she had +scarcely spoken a word she had undoubtedly gained a victory, and had +established her welcome among at least a section of her schoolfellows. +She did not yet know their names, but names are a detail compared with +personalities, and with some members of the coffee-party she felt that +she might ultimately become chums. + +"Don't I bless Dad for those chocs!" she thought as she took her seat +at a desk. "They worked the trick. If I'd had nothing to offer that crew +I might have sat out in the cold forevermore. The dark pigtail is decent +enough, but if it comes to a matter of chumming give me 'Freckles' for +choice." + +The Villa Camellia was a high-class boarding-school for +English-speaking girls whose parents were residents, permanently or +temporarily, in the neighborhood of Naples. It was generally described +as an Anglo-American college, for the arrangements were accommodated to +suit the customs of both sides of the Atlantic. Miss Rodgers and her +partner, Miss Morley, the two principals, came respectively from London +and New York; one teacher had been trained in Boston, and another at +Oxford, while the British section of the community included girls from +South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Pupils belonging to other +European races were not received, the object of the college being to +preserve the nationality of girls who must of necessity be educated in a +foreign land, and whose parents did not wish them to attend Italian +schools. The arrangements were of course modified by the climate and by +the customs of the country. Outwardly the Villa Camellia resembled a +convent. Its garden was surrounded by immensely high walls edged with +broken glass, and the only entrance was by the great gate, which was +solemnly unlocked by old Antonio, the porter, who inspected all comers +through a grille before granting them admittance. Small parties in +charge of a teacher were taken at stated times for walks or excursions +in the neighborhood, but no girl might ever go out unless escorted by a +mistress or by her parents. The Villa Camellia was a little world in +itself, and as much retired from the town of Fossato as the great, gray +monastery that crowned the summit of the neighboring mountain. + +Fortunately the grounds were very large, so there was room for most of +the activities in which the girls cared to indulge. Tennis and netball +were the principal games. There were several courts, and there was a +gymnasium, where the school assembled for exercise on wet days. From two +flagstaffs on the roof floated the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes +respectively. It was an understood fact that here Britannia and Columbia +marched hand in hand with an _entente cordiale_ that recognized no +distinctions whatsoever. + +Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley, who respectively represented the +interests of Britain and America, were tremendous friends. Miss Rodgers +was fair and rather plump and rosy-faced and calm, with a manner that +parents described as "motherly," and a leaning towards mathematics as +the basis of a sound education. Miss Morley, on the contrary, was thin +and dark and excitable, and taught the English literature and the +general knowledge classes, and was rumored--though this no doubt was +libel--to dislike mathematics to the extent of not even adequately +keeping her own private accounts. The pair were such opposites that they +worked in absolute harmony, Miss Rodgers being mainly responsible for +the discipline of the establishment, and acting judge and court of +appeal in her study, while Miss Morley supplied the initiative, and kept +the girls interested in a large number of pursuits and hobbies which +could be carried on within the walls of the house and garden. + +As regards the fifty-six British and American maidens who made up this +brisk little community we will leave some of them to speak for +themselves in the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +Hail, Columbia! + + +Irene, finding herself in her new form, looked round inquiringly. A few +of the girls with whom she had taken coffee were seated at desks in the +same room, but the rest of the faces were unfamiliar. Her teacher +entered her name on the register, and seemed to expect her to understand +the lesson which was in progress, but the subject was much in advance of +what she had hitherto learned at Miss Gordon's, and it was very +difficult for her to pick up the threads of it. She grew more and more +bewildered as the afternoon passed on, and though Miss Bickford gave her +several hints, and even stopped the class once to explain a point, Irene +felt that most of the instruction had been completely over her head. It +was with a sense of intense relief that she heard the closing bell ring, +and presently filed with the rest of the school into the dining-room for +tea. Her place at table was between two girls who utterly ignored her +presence, and did not address a single remark to her. Each talked +diligently to the neighbor on either side, but poor Irene seemed an +insulator in the electric current of conversation, and had perforce to +eat her meal in dead silence. She was walking away afterwards in a most +depressed condition of mind, when at the door some one touched her on +the arm. + +"You're wanted in the senior recreation room," said a brisk voice. +"Rachel has convened a general meeting and told me to tell you. So hurry +up and don't keep folks waiting. We want to get off to tennis." + +Marveling why her actions should hinder the tennis of the rest of the +community, Irene obeyed the message, and presented herself in the room +where she had been introduced on her arrival. It was now full of girls +of all ages, some sitting, some standing, and some squatting on the +floor. Rachel Moseley, the owner of the long dark pigtail, seemed in a +position of command, for she motioned Irene to a vacant chair, then +rapped on the table with a ruler to ensure silence. She had to tap not +once but several times, and finally called: + +"When you've all done talking I'll begin." There was an instant hush at +that, and, though a few faint snickers were heard, most of the audience +composed itself decently to listen to the voice of authority. + +"I've called this meeting," began Rachel, "because to-day an unusual +thing has happened. Three new girls have arrived, although the term is +well under way. By the rules of our society they must give some account +of themselves, and we must explain what is required from them. Will they +kindly stand up?" + +Blushing considerably Irene rose to her feet, in company with the +dark-eyed damsel who had crossed in the same steamer with her from +Naples, and the fair-haired child whom she had privately christened +Little Flaxen. + +"Name and nationality?" demanded Rachel, pencil and note-book in hand. +She wrote down Irene Beverley, British, without further comment; the +fact was evidently too obvious for discussion. At "Mabel Hughes, +Australian, born in Patagonia," she demurred slightly, and she hesitated +altogether at "Désirée Legrand." + +"_That's_ not English!" she objected. "We don't reckon to take Frenchies +here, you know!" + +"But I'm _not_ French," came the high-pitched voice of the little, +fair-haired girl. "I'm as English as anybody. I am _indeed_!" + +"Then why have you got a French name?" + +"Legrand isn't French--we come from Jersey." + +"Very much on the borderland," sniffed Rachel. "What about Désirée? Not +much wholesome Anglo-Saxon there at any rate." + +"I was called Désirée because I was so very much desired. Mother says it +just fits me." + +An indignant titter went round the room and Rachel frowned. + +"I'm afraid you won't find yourself so much desired here," she said +sarcastically. "I'll enter you British, though I have my doubts. Now +come along, all three of you, and lay your hands on this book. You've +got to take an oath of allegiance. I'll repeat the words, and you must +say them after me: + +"'I hereby promise and vow that being of Anglo-Saxon birth I will uphold +the integrity of Great Britain and her colonies and of the United States +of America, and strive my utmost to maintain their credit in a foreign +land.' Now then, do you understand what your oath means?" + +Her eyes rested on Irene as she asked the question. That much +embarrassed damsel stuttered hesitatingly: + +"We're not to trouble our heads about learning foreign languages?" + +A delighted chuckle came from several members of the audience at this +interpretation of the vow. Rachel hastily condescended to explain. + +"Oh, no! You'll have to study French and Italian, but what we mean is +for goodness' sake don't stick on all the airs and graces that some of +these foreign girls do. Remember we're plain, wholesome, straightforward +Anglo-Saxons, who play games and say what we mean, and call a spade a +spade and have done with it. Whatever Italian friends you may make +during the holidays please forget them during term-time, and try and +imagine that the Villa Camellia stands in Kent or Massachusetts. Do you +understand my drift now?" + +"Oh, yes!" sighed Mabel languidly. "Anglo-American patriotism, +crystallized in a nutshell, I suppose! _I'm_ not going to offend your +prejudices, I'm sure!" + +"You'd better not, or you'll hear about it," said Rachel, looking at her +sharply. "Well, girls, that's the wind-up. The three freshies are +admitted and you've witnessed their vows. Just jolly well take care they +keep them, that's all. Juniors are due now at netball practice, and any +seniors who want the tennis courts----" + +But Rachel's sentence went unfinished for her listeners were tired of +sitting still, and the second they found themselves dismissed had jumped +up and fled from the room. + +"Now that that ordeal's over I guess you may smooth out the kinks in +your forehead, honey!" said a serene voice at Irene's elbow. + +Turning quickly she saw the short girl who had braved Rachel's possible +wrath and had offered her coffee on her arrival. It was a pleasant face +that gazed into hers, not exactly beautiful, but with a charm that +eclipsed all mere ordinary prettiness; the sparkling gray eyes were +dark-fringed, the cheeks were like wild roses under their freckles, the +tip-tilted little nose held an element of audacious sauciness, and +dimples lay at the corners of the wide, smiling mouth. + +"I'm Priscilla Proctor, called Peachy for short. Oh, yes, I knew all +about you beforehand, although you happen to be the newest girl. Dad +wrote me a whole page--wonderful for him!--and said he'd stayed at your +house in London, and I was to tack myself on to you and show you round, +and see you didn't fret and all the rest of it. Are you wanting a crony, +temporary or otherwise? Then here I am at your service. Link an arm and +we'll parade the place. I guess by the time we've finished there's not +much you won't know about the Villa Camellia." + +"Have you been here long?" asked Irene, accepting the proffered arm with +alacrity, and submitting to be led away by her cicerone. + +"Just a year. Cried myself to a puddle when I first came, but I like it +now. I didn't realize who you were when you first arrived, or I'd have +given you a tip or two straight away. Thank goodness you're fairly in +favor with Rachel at any rate. Any one who starts by offending her has a +bad term. I don't envy Mabel Hughes. That girl will get a few +eye-openers before she's much older, and serve her right. She rooms with +you? Well, I'm sorry for you. I wish there was a spare bed in our +dormitory, but we're full up to overflowing. Now then, I've brought you +out by the side door to show you what we consider the best view of the +garden. Ah, I thought it would make your eyes pop out! It's _some_ view, +isn't it?" + +The garden of the Villa Camellia was certainly one of the greatest +assets of the school, and to Irene, who had been transported straight +from the desolation of a London suburb in January, it seemed like a +vision of a different world. The long terrace, with its marble +balustrade, edged a high cliff that overtopped the sea, while at present +the setting sun was lighting up the white houses of the distant outline +of Naples, and was touching the purple slopes of Vesuvius with gold. +Pillars and archways formed a pergola, from which hung roses and +festoons of the trumpetflower; from the groves near at hand came the +sweet strong scent of orange blossoms, and the little favorites of an +English spring, forget-me-nots, pink daisies, and pansies, lifted +contented heads from the border below. In the basin of the great marble +fountain white arum lilies were blooming, geraniums trailed from tall +vases, and palms, bamboos, and other exotics backed the row of lemon +trees at the end of the paved walk. Here and there marble benches were +arranged round tables in specially constructed arbors. + +"These are our summer classrooms," explained Peachy. "When it's +blazingly hot we do lessons here early in the mornings, and it's +ripping. No, we don't use them at this time of the year, because the +marble is cold to sit upon, and the garden is damp really, although it +looks so jolly. You should see it in a sirocco wind! You wouldn't want +to have classes outside then, you bet! It's luck you're in the +Transition form. If you'd been one of Miss Rodger's elect eleven, or one +of Miss Brewster's lambs, I'd have had to chum with you by stealth. I'd +have managed it somehow, of course, to please Dad, but it isn't done +here openly. School etiquette is like the law of the Medes and Persians. +We keep to our own forms. Hello! There's Sheila Yonge. Sheila! If you +can find any Camellia Buds that aren't playing tennis bring them along +right here for a little powwow with Irene." + +"Is she a 'buddy' yet?" whispered Sheila. + +"Of course not! She's only been here a few hours. What a dear old silly +you are. Hunt up some of that crew all the same, and I'm yours forever. +Don't you understand the situation? Well, Irene's folks entertained Dad +in London and were just lovely to him--nursed him when he was sick and +took him round the shows when he got well. He's been bursting with +gratitude ever since, and he wrote and told me Irene was coming here and +I must pay her out--no, pay her back--pour coals of fire on her +head--Great Scott, I'm getting my similes mixed! I mean give her a right +down good time as far as I can, and make her think the Villa Camellia is +a dandy place. Twiggez-vous, chérie?" + +"I twig!" laughed Sheila. "I'll beat up all I can muster," and she ran +lightly away along the terrace. + +"A decent girl, though a little hard of comprehension," Peachy nodded +after her. "Doesn't she look adorable in that blue tam-o'-shanter?" + +"She's awfully pretty!" agreed Irene readily. + +"She'd be the beauty of the school if she'd any idea how to use her +advantages," sighed Peachy. "Give me her complexion and that classical +nose and--well, I guess I'd blaze out into a cinema star before I'd done +with life. I hope she won't be all day raking a few girls together. +She's not what you'd call quick. I've misjudged her. Here she comes with +half a dozen at least--and, oh, no, Sheila! You don't mean to say you've +brought candy? Well, you _are_ a sport! Let's squat under the mimosa +tree and hand it round." + +The little group of Peachy's favorite friends who settled themselves +under the yellow mimosa bush to suck taffy and watch the flaming sunset +were all afterwards intimately bound up with Irene's school career. Each +was such a distinct personality that she sorted them out fairly +accurately on that first evening, and decided the particular order in +which they would rank in her affections. + +There was Jess Cameron, a jolly Scottish lassie. She rolled her r's +when she spoke, and was a trifle matter-of-fact and practical, but was +evidently the dependable anchor of the rest of the scatter-brained crew, +the one who made the most sensible suggestions, and to whom--though they +teased her a little and called her "Grannie"--they all turned in the end +for help and advice. Jess was slightly out of her element in a southern +setting. Her appropriate background was moorland and heather and gray +loch, and driving clouds and a breeze with fine mist in it, that would +make you want to wrap a plaid round your shoulders and turn to the +luxury of a peat fire. Quite unconsciously she suggested all these +things. Peachy once described her as a living incarnation of one of +Scott's novels, for she was steeped in old traditions and legends and +superstitions, and could tell tales in the gloaming that sent eerie +shivers down the spines of her listeners, or would recite ballads with a +swing that took one back to the days of wandering minstrels. She was not +a girl to make a fuss over anybody, and she did not greet Irene with the +least effusion, but her plain "If you're a friend of Peachy's I'm glad +to see you," was genuine, and better than any amount of gush. Jess +undoubtedly had her faults; she was what her chums called "too +cock-sure," and she was apt to be severe in her judgments, flashing into +the righteous wrath of one whose standards are high, but her very +imperfections were "virtues gane a-gley," and she was a considerable +force in the molding of public opinion at the Villa Camellia. + +If Jess, calm, canny, and reliable, stood for the spirit of the North, +attractive, persuasive, fascinating little Delia Watts represented the +South. She came from California, and was as quick and bright as a +humming-bird, constantly in harmless mischief, but seldom getting into +any serious trouble. Her highly strung temperament found school +restrictions irksome, and she was apt to blaze out into odd pranks which +in other girls might have met with sterner punishment. But Miss Morley +had a soft corner for Delia, and, though she did not exactly favor her, +she certainly made allowances for her excitability and her strongly +emotional disposition. + +"Delia's like a marionette--always dancing to some hidden string," the +teacher remarked once to Miss Rodgers. "She mayn't be strong-minded but +she's immensely warm-hearted, and if we can only pull the love-string +she'll act the part we want. You can't force her into prim behavior; +she's as much a child of nature as the birds, and if you clip her wings +altogether you take away from her the very gift that perhaps God meant +her to use. Let me have the handling of the little sky-rocket, and I'll +do my best to keep her within bounds, but she's not the disposition to +'be made an example of' or to be set on the 'stool of repentance.' Five +minutes with Delia in private is worth more than a long public +admonition. You've only to look at her face to know her type." + +And Miss Rodgers, who stood no nonsense from really naughty and +turbulent girls, yielded in this case, and left the exclusive management +of Delia in the hands of her partner. + +Of the seven damsels who sat under the yellow feathery flowers of the +mimosa bush, three of them--Peachy, Jess, and Delia--talked so hard and +continuously that none of the others had a chance to chip in with +anything more than an occasional yes or no. Irene realized in a vague +way that Esther Cartmel was plain and stodgy looking, but that every now +and then a world of light suddenly flashed into her eyes, and +transfigured her for the brief moment; that Sheila Yonge giggled at all +Peachy's remarks, and that Mary Fergusson was a pale and weak copy of +Jess, and slavishly followed her lead in everything. It was the seventh +member of the little party, however, who particularly attracted her +attention. Lorna Carson was quiet, probably from sheer lack of +opportunity to speak, but her pale face was interesting and her dark +eyes met Irene's with a curious questioning glance. It was almost as if +she were asking "Have we known each other before?" Irene could not help +looking at her, and ransacking the side cupboards of her memory to try +to light upon some forgotten clew as to why the face should seem half +familiar. + +"Have I seen her in London? Or is she like some one else? No, I can't +fix her at all. Surely I must have dreamed about her," mused Irene, +while aloud she said, almost as if compelled to speak: + +"Have you been long at school here? Are you English, or American, or +colonial, or what?" + +"A little bit of anything you like," smiled Lorna. "Rachel gets very +muddled about me. I've such a sneaking weakness for Naples that I +believe she thinks I'm an Italian at heart. That's a crime Rachel +absolutely can't forgive. 'Foreign' is the last word in her vocabulary." + +"So I gathered when she made me take that oath. I suppose she's head +girl and that's why she rules the roost? Is she decent or does she keep +you petrified? I don't know whether I'm expected to say 'Bow-wow,' or to +listen in respectful humility when she deigns to notice me." + +"You'd better not have any 'bow-wows' with Rachel," broke in Peachy, +"though you just jolly well have to wag your tail the way she wants. +She's not bad on the whole, but rather a tyrant, and it would do her all +the good in the world if some day somebody had the courage to knock +sparks out of her. We do what we can in a mild way," (here the other +chuckled) "but she's got the ears of both Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley, +and if you go on the rampage against her you only land yourself in a +scrape. Of course, for purposes of protection the Transition girls have +to unite and----" + +"Peachy! Take care!" exclaimed Jess warningly. + +Peachy blushed crimson under her freckles. + +"I wasn't telling anything!" she retorted. "I suppose Irene----" + +"_Do_ shut up!" + +"Well Agnes said herself----" + +"It doesn't matter what Agnes said." + +"She's fixed----" + +"Peachy Proctor, if you blab like this you'll be tarred and feathered. +Girl alive, can't you keep a still tongue in your head? If you'd lived +in the Middle Ages you'd have ended your days in a dungeon!" + +Jess spoke hotly, and, by the general scandalized look on the faces of +the others, Irene judged that luckless Peachy must have been on the +verge of betraying some secret. She tactfully turned the conversation +with a remark upon the beauty of the sunset, and the clanging of the +garden bell opportunely broke up the gathering, and sent the girls +hurrying helter-skelter along the terrace in the direction of the house. +Irene paused for a moment to look back at the sea and the sky, and the +distant twinkling lights, and to curtsy to the crescent moon that hung +like a good omen in the dome of blue. There was a scent of fragrant +lemon blossoms in the air, and she trod fallen rose petals under her +feet. Suddenly a remembrance of the desolation of Miss Gordon's garden +in a February fog swept across her mental vision. Whatever trials she +might encounter here--and she did not expect her new life to be absolute +Paradise--the environment of this school in the south was perfect and +would make up for many disadvantages. + +"Give me sunshine and flowers and I'll always worry on somehow," she +murmured, plucking a little crimson rose, and tucking it into her dress +for a mascot, then ran with flying footsteps under the orange trees to +catch up with her companions, who were already mounting the marble steps +that led to the Villa Camellia. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A Secret Sorority + +The dormitories at the Villa Camellia were among the main features of +the establishment, and were a source of considerable pride and +satisfaction to the principals, Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley. They were +always shown to parents as the very latest and newest development of +school arrangements. Some of them were on the second story and some were +on the third, but all had French windows opening onto long verandas on +which were placed large pots of geraniums or oleanders. The walls were +covered with striped Italian papers, the frieze being color-washed and +decorated with designs of flowers or birds, the woodwork was white, the +beds were enameled white, and the blankets, instead of being cream or +yellow as they are in England, were all of a uniform shade of pale blue, +with blue eider-downs to match. The whole of the house was heated by +radiators, so that the dormitories were always warm, and were used as +studies by the older girls, who did most of their preparation there. A +table with ink-pots stood in the middle of each room, and a large notice +enjoining, "Silence during study hours" hung as a warning over every +fireplace. + +Irene was given a vacant bed in No. 3 on the second floor, and found +herself in company with Elsie Craig, Mabel Hughes, and Lorna Carson. For +the first two she felt no attraction, but the last excited her interest +and curiosity. There was an air of mystery about Lorna; she asked +questions but gave little information in return on the subject of her +own concerns. Her bright dark eyes were unfathomable, and she "kept +herself to herself" with a reserved dignity not very common among +schoolgirls of her age. Irene, who loved to chatter, found Lorna a ready +listener, and, although the confidence was not reciprocated and in +consequence the friendship seemed likely to be rather one-sided, it was +a friendship all the same from the very start. At the end of the week, +moreover, something important happened to cement it. + +For the first seven days of her residence at the Villa Camellia Irene +had felt herself "goods on approval." Peachy Proctor and her chums had +indeed given her a welcome, but afterwards they had held back a little +as if testing her before offering further intimacy. There seemed to be +some secret bond amongst them, some alliance carefully hidden from the +general public. She caught nods, signs, mysterious words, and veiled +allusions, all of which were instantly suppressed when her presence was +noticed. On the eighth day after arrival she found a note inside her +desk. It was marked-- + + PRIVATE + + This must be opened in _absolute seclusion_ + + and + + its contents must be treated with the + + _Strictest Confidence_ + +A crowded classroom, with inquisitive form-mates ready to peep over her +shoulder, did not seem the congenial atmosphere for the opening of the +missive, so Irene was obliged to curb her curiosity until mid-morning +"interval," when she gulped her glass of milk hastily, took her portion +of biscuits, and, avoiding conversation, hurried down the garden to the +seclusion of a stone arbor. Here she tore open the envelope, and drew +forth a large sheet of exercise paper. On it was printed in bold black +letters: + +"You are elected a member of the Sorority of Camellia Buds. Please +present yourself for initiation to-night at 8.10 prompt in No. 13. +Strictest secrecy enjoined." + +There was no signature, but Irene gave a smile of comprehension. +Dormitory No. 13 was shared by Peachy Proctor, Jess Cameron, Delia +Watts, and Mary Fergusson. There was, therefore, little doubt but that +she was to be received into the secret society of whose existence she +had already gathered some hints. + +"I'll be there at 8.10," she whispered to Peachy, as they trooped into +the French class. + +"Right-o!" replied that light-hearted damsel. "Just one warning--don't +be scared at anything that happens; it's all in fun! Don't say I told +you, though. No, I can't explain. I'm not allowed. You'll soon find +out." + +Peachy shook off Irene's company as if in a hurry to get rid of her +before she asked any more questions, so there was nothing to be done but +wait in patience until the evening. Supper was at 7.30, and from 8 till +half past the girls did as they chose. Those who wished to study might +take the extra time for preparation, but work was not obligatory, and it +was an understood thing that in the interval between supper and "set +recreation" visits might be paid to other dormitories, and that so long +as no noise reached the ears of the prefects, anybody disposed to be +frivolous might indulge in a little harmless fun. + +Irene's wrist-watch was not a reliable timepiece, having bad habits of +galloping and then suddenly losing, so to-night she did not trust to it, +but sat in the hall with her eyes on the big white-faced clock. At +exactly nine and a half minutes past eight she ran upstairs and tapped +at the door of dormitory 13. There were sounds of scuffling inside and +an agitated voice squealed: + +"Wait a minute." + +But after a few moments quiet reigned and somebody else called: + +"Come in!" + +Feeling rather as if she were awaiting initiation into some Nihilist +association Irene entered the room. As she did so a bandage was clapped +over her eyes and she was led forward blindfolded. It was only after an +impressive pause that the handkerchief was removed. + +It was well she had been warned beforehand, or the sight which met her +gaze might have caused her to emit a yell loud enough to attract the +attention of a passing prefect. The Villa Camellia was admirably +supplied with electric light, but on this historic occasion the +apartment was illuminated solely by a couple of candle-ends stuck in a +pair of vases. Their flickering flame revealed a solemn row of nine +dressing-gowned figures, each of which wore a black paper mask with +holes for her eyes. The general effect was most startling and horrible, +and resembled a meeting of the Inquisition, or some other society bent +on torture and dark doings. Repressing her first gasp, however, Irene +bore the vision with remarkable equanimity, and advancing towards the +dread figures waited obediently until she was addressed. Evidently she +had done the right thing, for the spokeswoman, clearing her throat, +began in impressive accents: + +"Sister Irene Beverley, you are admitted here to-night to be made a +member of our Sorority. Are you willing to join and to take the +pledges?" + +"Yes, thanks, but please what's a sorority?" ventured Irene meekly. + +Two or three distinct snickers were heard from underneath the black +masks, but a voice murmured, "Order!" and the sounds promptly ceased. + +"A sorority is a secret sisterhood," explained the President, "just the +same as a fraternity is a brotherhood. We call ourselves 'The Camellia +Buds,' and we're members of the Transition who have banded ourselves +together for the purposes of mutual protection. It's a great honor to be +elected. There are only nine of us so far, and we've waited ever so long +to choose a tenth. I hope you appreciate the privilege?" + +"I do indeed!" + +"You're ready to take the vow? Then the initiation may proceed. +Sword-bearers, guard the door, please." + +There was a Masonic quality about the proceedings. Two dark figures, +armed with rulers, placed themselves at the threshold, prepared to +settle all intruders, and to preserve the absolute secrecy of the +ceremony. + +"Will you give your word of honor to be a loyal member of the Sorority +of Camellia Buds, and never to do a dirty trick so long as you remain at +this school?" asked the President. + +"I promise!" replied Irene. + +At that somebody switched on the electric light, and the members, +pulling off their black masks, disclosed their laughing faces. + +"You stood it A-1. I was quite prepared for you to start hysterics and +had the sal volatile bottle ready right here," chirruped Delia gayly. + +"We call it our 'strength of mind' test," explained President Agnes, +blowing out the guttering candles. + +"If I _had_ screamed what would have happened?" inquired Irene. + +"Probation for another week till you got your nerves. We'd a business +with Sheila just at first; she's rather fluttersome. Well, anyway, +you've got through the ordeal, and now you're a full-fledged 'bud.' +Aren't you proud?" + +"Rather! Is the society limited to ten?" + +"Sorority, please, not society. It's limited because there isn't anybody +else in the Transition who's worth asking to join. Most of them are a +set of utter sneaks. They may take Rachel's oath about preserving their +nationality and all the rest of it, but if they're to be counted +specimens of Anglo-American honor it makes one blush for one's mother +country whichever side of the ocean it happens to be on. Oh, you don't +know most of them yet! Wait till you find them out." + +"You'll be glad then you belong to us." + +"Not that we're perfect, of course." + +"We don't set up as Pharisees." + +"On the whole we're rather a lot of lunatics." + +"We just have a little sport among ourselves to keep things humming." + +"Well, now Irene understands, we'd best get her fixed up with a 'buddy' +and close the meeting." + +"But I _don't_ understand. What, for goodness' sake, is a buddy, and why +must I have one?" demanded Irene tragically. + +"Sit down there, child, and let Grannie talk to you," replied President +Agnes. "If you haven't heard of a buddy yet it's time you did. They're +the latest out. They had them at all the camps last summer, in England +as well as in America. A buddy is a chum with whom you're pledged to do +everything, and who's bound to support you. For instance, when the +bathing season is on you must never swim unless your buddy is swimming +with you; if you go on an excursion you stick to each other tight as +glue, and if one of you is lost the other is held responsible. You're as +inseparable as a box and its lid, or the two blades of a pair of +scissors, or a bottle and its cork, or any other things you happen to +think of that ought to go together, and aren't any use apart." + +"We only realized buddies last term," explained Peachy, "but the idea +caught on no end. We all went simply crazy over it. I don't mind +guessing that every girl in this school who's worth her salt has got her +buddy. She mayn't let it be known outside her own sorority, but we +aren't blind." + +"Are there other sororities in the school then besides the Camellia +Buds?" asked Irene. + +"Bless your innocence! I should think there are. There's a rival one in +the Transition. I rather fancy they've snapped up Mabel already. I gave +Winnie a hint she wasn't to tackle _you_, because you'd come to school +with an introduction to _me_, so I ought to have first innings. The +prefects have a sorority all to themselves, and the seniors have one, +and as for the juniors, silly little things, they're as transparent as +glass, with their signaling and their grips and their cypher letters. +Any one can see through them with half an eye. But we're wasting time. +We've got to fix you up with a buddy, and we must be quick before the +bell rings." + +"May we choose?" asked Irene, and her eyes fell longingly on Peachy. + +"No, we mayn't!" said President Agnes firmly. "We have to take what the +fates send us. It's Kismet. Every time we elect a new member we draw +lots again for buddies. It's a kind of general shuffle. If we're an +uneven number somebody of course has to be odd man out." + +"I was the 'old maid' last draw, and I haven't had a buddy this term," +remarked Sheila plaintively. + +"Never mind, ducky! You're bound to find a partner now," consoled Delia. +"It might even be my little self, so live in hope." + +"No such luck," groaned Sheila. "I'll probably get Joan, and you know +she always uses me as a door-mat." + +Agnes meantime was writing ten names on ten separate pieces of paper and +folding them in identically the same fashion. Peachy offered the loan of +a hat, and into this treasury they were cast and shuffled. + +"The newest member draws," murmured Agnes, and the others pushed Irene +forward. She chose two folds of paper at a venture, and twisted them +together, then performed the like service for another pair, until all +the ten were assorted. The thrill of the ceremony was when Agnes opened +the screws of paper and read out the names. Fate had mixed the Camellia +Buds together thus: + + Peachy Proctor--Sheila Yonge. + Jess Cameron--Delia Watts. + Joan Lucas--Esther Cartmel. + Agnes Dalton--Mary Fergusson. + Lorna Carson--Irene Beverley. + +Whether the members of the secret sorority felt satisfied or otherwise +with the result of the shuffle, etiquette forbade them to show anything +but polite enthusiasm. Each took her buddy solemnly by the hand and +vowed allegiance. Peachy then produced what she called "the loving cup," +a three-handled vase of brown pottery brought by Jess from Edinburgh and +with the motto "Mak' yersel' at hame," on it in cream-colored letters. +It was usually a receptacle for flowers, but it had been hastily washed +for the occasion and filled with lemonade, a rather bitter brew +concocted by Peachy and Delia from a half-ripe lemon plucked in the +garden and a few lumps of sugar saved from tea. This was passed round, +and the Camellia Buds gulped it heroically as a pledge of sisterhood. + +"The password is _Thistle-down_," decreed Agnes, as the members, trying +not to pull sour faces, consoled themselves with candy and broke up the +meeting. "Any one who can think of a stunt for next time please bring +along propositions. We're always open to new ideas and ready for a +startler." + +As a direct result of her admission to this select sorority Irene found +herself flung by Fate into the arms of Lorna Carson. Had any individual +choice been allowed she would have selected Peachy, Jess, Delia, or even +Sheila in preference, but the lot once cast she must abide by it and be +content. She had a very shrewd suspicion that when the buddies got tired +of each other they elected a fresh member and so necessitated a general +reshuffle of partners, and that her admission to the society had been +welcomed as the pretext for such a change. Here she was, however, +pledged to intimate friendship with Lorna, a girl who half fascinated +and half repelled her, and who, though she might possibly turn out +trumps in the future, was for the present at least most difficult to +understand. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +Fairy Godmothers, Limited + +Irene Beverley, when she first left the shores of her native land, was a +particularly light-hearted, jolly little Britisher, not at all bookish, +and not accustomed to worry her head over any of the deep affairs of +life, but ready to have a royal time with anybody of similar tastes and +inclinations. In her first letter home she summed up the results of a +week's experience. + + "THE VILLA CAMELLIA. + + "MUMMIE DARLING, + + "This is to tell you I am still alive! I'm a little + surprised, because I thought math would kill me. + Miss Bickford is most _horribly_ conscientious and + insists upon finding out whether I really + understand or not, and it is generally 'not.' I + suppose I was born with a thick head for figures, + anyway, she seems amazed at my ignorance. I lay the + blame on St. Osmund's. Is that mean of me? It's my + only way of paying out Miss Gordon for past scores. + + "I don't mind admitting I have warm times in + school over some of the classes, but the rest of + the life is lovely. Miss Bickford is often a big + thorn, but Peachy is a rose. As for Lorna she's + like one of those tropical flowers that Uncle + Redvers grows in his conservatory. How does Vin + like being at the office? Are you straight yet at + the flat? Come and see me as soon as ever you can, + because I'm a little bit lonesome and wanting my + home folks, though I wouldn't confess it to any of + these girls for the world. + + "Heaps of love to Dad and Vin and your dear self. + + "From + + "RENIE." + +If Irene, who had found her niche in a congenial set at the Villa +Camellia, was capable of feeling the pangs of homesickness, that +unpleasant malady exhibited itself with far more serious symptoms in the +case of another new girl who had entered the school upon the same day. +Désirée Legrand could not settle down among the juniors. She was used to +the society of grown-up people, and did not take kindly to young +companions. In the excitement of her own affairs Irene had hardly given +the child a thought since her arrival, but one afternoon, when enjoying +a solitary ramble round the garden, she suddenly came face to face with +Little Flaxen. She was shocked at the change in her; the once pink +cheeks were white and pasty, and her eyelids were red and swollen as if +with perpetual crying. + +"Hello! Whatever have you been doing to yourself?" exclaimed Irene. +"You look rather a bunch of misery, don't you? What's the matter?" + +Désirée, squatting forlornly on the steps that led to the upper tennis +courts, produced a lace-bordered pocket-handkerchief and mopped her +eyes. + +"Nobody loves me here!" she blurted out dramatically. "I'm just +wr-r-r-etched! They all laugh and call me Frenchie! I'm not French, and +I w-w-ant to be l-l-oved!" + +Irene looked at her and shook her head. + +"That's not the way to go about it I'm afraid. I'm sorry, but you know +you'll just _invite_ teasing if you carry on like this. Can't you brace +up and be sporty? Pretend you don't mind anything they say and they'll +soon stop." + +"But I _do_ mind!" sobbed the tragic little figure on the steps. "I mind +d-d-dreadfully! Why are they all so horrid to me? People have always +been so nice till I came here!" + +"That's exactly the reason," said Irene, grasping the situation and +explaining it truthfully. "You've been accustomed to be petted by +everybody, and after all why _should_ the other girls in your form pet +you? You don't pet _them_, do you?" + +"N-n-o!" + +Désirée's eyes were round with amazement. + +"Well, can't you see school's a matter of give and take? If you do +something for the rest they'll possibly like you, but they won't fall on +your neck just out of sheer good nature. Why don't you write home for a +box of chocolates and offer them round your form?" + +"I never thought of it. I had some chocolates--but--I ate them!" + +"There you are! You expected to get all the attention and give nothing. +Sorry if I seem brutal, but it's the solid truth. You take my advice and +cheer up instead of continually sniveling. I've been at school myself +since I was seven, and I know a thing or two. If a girl's popular +there's generally some reason behind it. Look here, I'll help you if I +can. Those kids over there are doing nothing. I'll get them to come and +play rounders, choose you for a partner, and I'll back our side to win. +Here's Peachy! Perhaps she'll join in too. I'll ask her." + +Irene rapidly explained her philanthropic intentions, and enlisted both +Peachy and Delia in her team. The juniors, amazed and flattered at an +invitation from older girls, were ready enough for a game. Irene +insisted upon the innovation of what she called "hunting in couples," +that is to say, dividing the company into partners who made the course +hand in hand. She took good care to choose Désirée for her +"running-mate," and as they were both fleet of foot they scored +considerably. By the time the bell rang they had beaten the records. + +"Look here!" said Irene, addressing the juniors before they scooted +away, "you kids are missing a chance. Why don't you make Désirée train +for the sports? She can run like a hare! With the start she'd get as a +junior she might win you a trophy. Hadn't it ever entered your silly +young noddles to see what she could do for your form? Well, you are a +set of slackers! That's my opinion of you. We manage our affairs better +in the Transition." + +"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" gasped Little Flaxen, lingering a moment or +two behind the others. "You've been just great! I'll write to Dad +to-night to send me some chocs, and I won't eat a single one myself. +They shall have them all. They shall really!" + +With scarlet cheeks and shining eyes she was a different child from the +weeping Niobe who had sat and sobbed on the steps. + +"Now if I'd simply coddled her and sympathized she'd have cried a few +gallons more and have been no better off," mused Irene, as her protégée +danced away. "I fancy those juniors have been fairly nasty to her, +though I wouldn't tell her so. Something ought to be done about it, but +the question is 'what?' I want to have a talk with Peachy when I can +wedge in ten minutes of spare time." + +All evening remembrance of Little Flaxen's red eyes and white cheeks +haunted Irene. She felt it ought not to have been possible for the child +to be so lonely and neglected. Granted that her unpopularity might be +partly her own fault, boycotting was nevertheless hard to bear. It was +clearly somebody's business to have looked after her, and that duty +ought not to have devolved upon a newcomer like herself, who only +realized the necessity by the merest chance. + +"What's the use of the prefects?" Irene asked herself, but she gave up +the answer, and appealed to Peachy at breakfast-time instead. + +That cheery young American took the matter more seriously than Irene +expected. There was a very kind little heart hidden under her bubbles of +fun. + +"I'll call a meeting of the Camellia Buds right now," she declared. "I +guess we don't want any of those poor babes crying their eyes out. Talk +of homesickness! You should have seen me my first week here. I brought +four dozen pocket-handkerchiefs to school with me and I used them all. +It's not good enough! Prefects, did you say? Humph! I don't call Rachel +exactly laid out for this job. Bring your biscuits to the 'Grotto' at +interval, and we'll have a powwow about it." + +There was a twenty-minute mid-morning break between classes, during +which the girls ate lunch and amused themselves as they pleased in the +house or grounds. The biscuits, three apiece, were laid out in rows on +the dining-room table together with each pupil's glass of milk. As Irene +ran in to take her portion she heard a scrimmage going on at the other +end of the room. Several small girls were quarreling loudly, and above +the noise came Désirée's piping, high-pitched voice: + +"I haven't had a biscuit for days and it isn't fair." + +"What's all this about?" asked Irene, striding into the crowd just in +time to see Mabel and another member of the Transition pass, laughing, +through the lower door. + +There was a babel in reply. + +"Those big girls come and grab our biscuits!" + +"It's a shame of them!" + +"There ought to be three apiece!" + +"And there never are!" + +"It's something if you get two!" + +"Nancy's taken both mine!" + +"Honest injun, I haven't!" + +"I tell you I'm famished!" + +"Help! Don't all shout at once," decreed Irene. "Let's have a biscuit +parade. Each hold out what she's got. Here, Audley, hand one of yours +over to Francie. Effie, break that one in half and share with Chris. +Désirée, you may have mine this morning, but this business mustn't +happen again. I've no time to stop now, but I'll inquire into this, you +bet!" + +Leaving an only partially satisfied group of small girls behind her +Irene sped to her tryst in the garden. She took a short cut, and ran +through the orange grove, where the half-ripe oranges were beginning to +turn yellow on the trees, then shamelessly jumping over a flower border +of stocks and primulas, crossed under the rose-pergola, turned down a +creeper-covered side alley, and found herself in a neglected portion of +the grounds. Here there was a very dilapidated little arbor, built sixty +or seventy years ago when the Villa Camellia had been owned by an +Italian count with a weakness for the fine arts. The roof leaked, and a +riot of jessamine almost hid the door; the window-sill had fallen, and +the floor was a mass of dead leaves. The plastered walls were painted +with frescoes--faded and moldy now--of a country château with cypress +trees, and three ladies in big plumed hats riding on white horses, and a +gentleman in shooting costume and tall boots, who wore side whiskers, +and carried a gun, and had four hunting dogs standing in a row behind +him. All these were rather stiff and badly painted, yet gave an air of +neglected grandeur to the grotto. There were marble seats, and a rickety +marble table, and a little broken statue of Cupid in the corner, and the +floor under the rubbish was of blue glazed tiles, so that the building, +though fallen on evil days, still showed some remnants of its former +glory. As it was in an out-of-the-way spot and far from the tennis +courts, it was not often visited, and had therefore been appropriated by +the Camellia Buds as a suitable place for the secret meetings of their +sorority. + +The nine were all assembled here waiting impatiently for Irene. She +brushed through the jessamine-covered doorway, took her seat, and +breathlessly explained the reason of her delay. + +"Would you have believed such meanness?" she ended. + +Peachy nodded solemnly. + +"I told you some of our precious Transition would make you blush. Was +it Bertha? I thought so! I knew she had got hold of Mabel. I believe +they're buddies, and a charming pair they'll be! We shall have to tackle +them somehow. This certainly can't be allowed to go on." + +"Isn't it a case for the prefects?" asked Irene, addressing the +President. + +Agnes's forehead was drawn into a series of puckers. + +"We hate telling," she sighed. "The fact is the prefects in this school +aren't quite what they ought to be. They _think_ they do their duty, but +they're too aloof and high-handed and bossing, and the consequence is +they're not popular, and the girls would as soon complain to a teacher +as to Rachel or Sybil or Erica. It simply isn't done. Yet those kids +need a champion. There are several abuses among them that I've noticed +myself." + +"Guess we've got to take it on then and 'champ'," murmured Delia. + +"Poor little souls, it's a shame to steal their 'bikkies'; we'll have to +stand over them and act as fairy godmothers," said Sheila. + +Peachy bounced suddenly in her seat. + +"Sheila Yonge, you've given me an idea--yes, an absolute brain-throb. +What the Camellia Buds ought to do is to turn the sorority into an +Amalgamated Society of Fairy Godmothers, and each of us take over a +junior to look after and act providence to. It's what those kids are +just aching for--only they mayn't know it. What good are prefects to +them except as bogies? They skedaddle like lightning if they see so much +as Rachel's shadow. They each ought to have one older girl whom they can +count on as a friend." + +"A kind of buddy?" + +"Something of the sort, but more like a foster-mother." + +"I vote we ask them all to a candy party, and each adopt one," suggested +Delia warmly. + +"There are ten of us, and there are nineteen juniors," calculated Jess. +"How's it going to work out?" + +"Why, some of us must take twins or even triplets," decreed Peachy. "I'm +bursting to begin. Let's have that candy party right away. Can anybody +raise a lira or two?" + +"We'll give you our subscriptions back in the house, if you'll act +treasurer and wheedle Antonio. Fairy Godmothers, Limited! It's a brainy +notion. When shall you ask those kids? You bet they'll buzz in like +bees." + +The loud clanging of the garden bell, which seemed to punctuate life at +the Villa Camellia, broke up the meeting in a hurry and scattered its +members in the direction of their classrooms. At the first opportunity, +however, Irene unlocked her cash-box and took out a contribution towards +the candy party. She was not yet used to the Italian paper money, and +had only a vague idea of its value, but she judged that two lire was the +expected amount, and carried it accordingly to Peachy's dormitory. + +"You white angel! It's a bountiful 'contrib.' I've squared Antonio. +He'll leave the parcel inside the grotto. What we should do without that +dear old man I can't imagine. I've told the juniors, and they're simply +crazy to come. I've fixed it up for directly after tea." + +Antonio, the old concierge who had charge of the gate, was absolutely +faithful to his duties as porter, and guarded the Villa Camellia as +zealously as a convent, but he was lenient on one point--he was willing +sometimes to smuggle sweets, and those girls who knew how to coax could +induce him to make an expedition to the confectioner's and fetch them a +small private store of what delicacies they fancied. He had his own +ideas of how much was good for them, and would never be responsible for +more than a limited allowance; neither would he undertake more than one +commission per week for any single girl. It was a matter of favor, and +to some of the pupils he would only grunt a refusal. Peachy, however, +was a champion wheedler; she had a certain command over the Italian +language, and could persuade Antonio, in his native tongue, of the +absolute necessity of her demands. He was quite generous on this +occasion, and slipped a fair-sized parcel of mixed Neapolitan bonbons +into the sanctuary of the deserted summer-house. + +Nineteen interested juniors, bidden to an unwonted entertainment, +dodged their prefect after tea, evaded a basket-ball practice, scattered +themselves in the grounds, met in the long pergola, and proceeded to the +jessamine-covered arbor, where they were received politely by their ten +hostesses. It was, of course, impossible to accommodate them inside, but +the grotto was close to the place where Paolo, the gardener, chopped +wood for the stoves, so there were plenty of logs lying about that +served as seats. In a very short time the guests were settled, +hospitality was handed round, the colored papers were removed from the +goodies, and there was a general abandonment to sticky satisfaction. +Between the first and second distributions Agnes, as President of the +Sorority, addressed the meeting. + +"We've a proposition to make to you all," she began. "There are some +things in this school that aren't always quite what they ought to be, +and it's rather hard for juniors to fight their own battles. Sometimes +you squabble among yourselves--oh, _I_ know!--and sometimes you get it +hot from the seniors or the Transition. Well, we're going to help you. +Each of us means to take on one or more of you and be a sort of fairy +godmother to you, and responsible for seeing you're decently treated. I +understand there's been a little trouble about your lunch biscuits?" + +"It's Bertha!" + +"And Mabel!" + +"They're real mean!" + +"They simply grab them!" + +"Oh, do please stop it!" + +"And we haven't had our turns at the tennis courts!" + +"And Winnie borrowed my paint-box and won't give it back!" + +Agnes held up a hand to stop the general clamor. + +"That'll do!" she decreed. "I'm going to sort you out and give you each +to your fairy godmother, and you may pour your woes into her ears, and +she'll try her level best to right your wrongs. No, you _mayn't_ say +whom you'd like to have. It's _we_ who'll do the choosing, thanks! +Anybody who's not satisfied can walk off and she won't get a champion at +all or any more candy either. I mean what I say." + +Such an awful threat reduced the juniors to order, and they submitted +quite peaceably to be apportioned among their various benefactresses. +Irene secured Little Flaxen, Lorna had a pair of solemn-eyed sisters, +Peachy pounced upon the liveliest trio and proclaimed them as her +triplets, and Delia adopted the two youngest as twins. + +"You can come to us at a pinch," explained Agnes, "but please remember +we're Fairy Godmothers, _Limited_. We'll fight any just crusade, but +we're not going to write your exercises for you, or pull you out of +scrapes when you don't deserve it. That's not our function. There, you +understand? Hand the candy again, somebody. There's another piece each +all round at least, and if there are any over I'll throw them up and you +shall scramble for them." + +The immediate effect of this mission of the Camellia Buds was a decided +improvement in the conditions of the juniors. Next morning, at +lunch-time, a stern-faced contingent mounted guard over the biscuits, +and when Bertha and Mabel, plainly bent on piracy, sauntered down the +room, they were told certain unpalatable home truths, and ignominiously +put to rout. + +"Stop that instanter!" commanded Peachy. + +"We're here to see fair play!" snarled Jess. + +"Be content with your own portions!" flared Delia. + +"Well, really! Who asked you to boss _us_?" retorted Bertha angrily. + +"Nobody; but we're going to stop your mean tricks, so we give you +warning. You two are a disgrace to the Transition. I don't know what +flags you class yourselves under, but I'm sure neither America nor +Britain would be proud to own you--you biscuit-snatchers!" + +Peachy's eyes were snapping sparks, and the matter might have waxed even +warmer had not Rachel reëntered the room for a pencil she had dropped. +The head prefect pricked up her ears at the sound of the disturbance, +whereupon Mabel and Bertha, who knew they would receive short shrift if +she demanded an explanation, made a hasty exit, merely murmuring to Jess +and Peachy as they pushed past them: + +"We'll pay you out for this!" + +"Just you wait!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +Among the Olive Groves + + +Quite by accident as it seemed, the Sorority of the Camellia Buds had +turned itself from a society instituted for mutual protection and fun +into a Crusaders' Union, pledged, like Spenser's Red Cross Knight, to +avenge the wrongs of distressed damsels in the junior forms. The ring of +battle certainly added a spice of excitement to their secret. It was +much more interesting to interfere personally on behalf of their +protégées than to place debatable matters before the prefects. If war +were involved with another sorority it could not be helped. And war +there undoubtedly was. Bertha and Mabel, too clever to court open +ignominy, desisted for the present from biscuit-snatching, but sought +other means of retaliation. It was unfortunate for Irene and Lorna that +Mabel had been apportioned to them as a roommate. Both she and Elsie +were members of the rival sorority, so there was division in No. 3 +dormitory. Sometimes the opposing factions would not speak to one +another at all. Elsie was more stand-off than actively disagreeable and +kept herself to her own cubicle, but Mabel was openly annoying. She +transgressed every rule of dormitory etiquette, dashed for the bathroom +instead of waiting her due turn, dumped her belongings on to other +people's chairs, spread the center table with her papers, fidgeted +during study hours, and in various ways made herself objectionable. + +Irene and Lorna, as sworn buddies, cemented yet more firmly the bond +between them, and supported one another on every possible occasion. +Irene was really growing fond of Lorna. Though the latter might be +reserved it was something to find a ready listener and sympathizer. As a +rule we can't deliberately choose our soul-friends. Fate just seems to +send them along and we must accept them with all their faults or go +without. It certainly does not do to be too particular, or we may soon +find ourselves chumless in the world. Irene was rather lovelorn for +Peachy, but that bright little American, besides being in an upper +dormitory, was before-appropriated by other "heart-to-hearties," and, +though she held out the palm of good fellowship, was too staunch a +character to desert old friends for new. + +"She's just sweet to me, but I don't count first," decided Irene. "Well, +it's no use being jealous. If you can't have the moon you must be +content with a star, that's all. It's a vast amount better than +nothing." + +Lorna might more aptly be described as a planet than a star, for her +thoughts had started to revolve round Irene in a fixed orbit. As regards +her half of the bargain she was absolutely content. She adored her +buddy, and blessed the lot that had coupled their names together. She +had not before made a real friend, and Irene's happy-go-lucky, +affectionate, confiding disposition appealed to her. She began to try to +protect her and look after her. It was really something of the mother +instinct cropping out. She had never possessed a sister or anything +little of her own to love, and it was a new experience to find a girl, +rather small and younger than herself, who clung to her and seemed +actually fond of her. Life, which had hitherto been chilly and +self-centered, suddenly grew warm. She had been used to pose as one who +disliked school, but with this fresh interest her views on the subject +underwent a change. + +Any girl must indeed have been hard to please who was not satisfied +with the Villa Camellia and its beautiful Italian garden. All through +the month of February flowers were in bloom there which in England only +peep out timidly in April or May, and often will not brave a northern +climate at all. The front of the house was covered with a glorious +purple bougainvillea, violets bloomed under the orange and lemon trees, +and the camellias, from which the villa took its name, flourished in +profusion, growing as great trees ten or twelve feet high and covered +with rose-colored, white, or scarlet blossoms. Iris, freesias, +narcissus, red salvias, marguerites, pansies, pink peonies, wallflowers, +polyanthus, petunias, stocks, genistas, arbutula, cinerarias, begonias, +and belladonna-lilies kept up a brave display in the border, and, though +they would be more beautiful and luxuriant later on in the season, they +nevertheless dispelled the idea of winter. The general temperature at +Fossato resembled an English April, the sunshine was warm, but the wind +was apt to be chilly, and at night-time it was quite cold, though never +frosty. The central heating apparatus was kept going in the school, and +the girls, though they might run about without coats in the sunshine, +were always required to have a warm jersey at hand, for the wind at this +season could be treacherous, and those unused to the climate, deceived +by its brightness and wealth of flowers, were very liable to catch +chills and to be laid up with feverish colds as the result of their own +imprudence. Sometimes indeed a bitter sirocco wind would blow, and bring +torrents of rain to turn the blue sea and sky to a leaden gray and to +blot out the view of Naples and Vesuvius, but it seldom lasted more than +a few days, and in a land of drought was welcomed to refresh the gardens +and to fill the cisterns and water-tanks. + +It has been mentioned in a previous chapter that the Villa Camellia was +of necessity run somewhat on convent lines. In Italy young girls do not +walk about unchaperoned as in England and America, but are always very +closely escorted by older people, and it was advisable to keep to the +customs of the country. The pupils obtained most of their exercise +inside their own garden. On Sundays they paraded to the British church, +but otherwise they did not very often go into Fossato. Once a week, if +the weather were fine, a limited number were taken for an expedition, +but Irene had been at school for some weeks before this good fortune +fell to her lot. One lucky Wednesday, however, she found her name and +Lorna's written on the list of "exeats" on the notice-board, and flew to +announce the glad tidings to her chum. + +"Twelve of us, with Miss Bickford and Miss Parr as leaders. Won't it be +ripping? It says Monte Pellegrino. Where's that? The big hill over +there? Oh, great! I love a climb! I'm just dancing to go! I feel as if I +had been boxed up inside these big walls for years and years. I only +wish Peachy and Delia had been on the list too." + +"But we are!" exclaimed Delia's excited voice behind her. "Stella and +Marjorie both have colds, so we've swapped places with them, and they'll +go next time instead. Isn't it fine!" + +"I'm tingling right down to my toes," agreed Peachy, her jolly little +freckled face one wide grin. "It's going to be an afternoon of +afternoons." + +"If it doesn't rain," said Lorna, eyeing the sky suspiciously. + +"Oh, don't be a wet blanket! It's no use courting trouble, honey, as +Willy Shakespeare says somewhere. Oh, well, if it wasn't Willy +Shakespeare it was somebody else who said it, and it's just as true +anyway. Take your umbrella and wait till the rain comes down before you +grumble. I've got an exeat and I didn't expect it, and I'm going off my +head a little. That's all! Don't worry yourselves about me. I'm sane at +the bottom." + +With Peachy and Delia prancing about and hardly able to regulate their +satisfaction the expedition promised to be a lively one, though the +harum-scarum pair calmed down in the presence of Miss Bickford, and +assumed a deportment of due decorum. The favored twelve were half +seniors and half Transition, the remaining pair of the latter consisting +of Bertha Ford and Mabel Hughes. The Camellia Buds exchanged eloquent +glances at the sight of their arch-enemies, but wisely forbore to make +any provocative remarks; Delia indeed even murmured something pleasant +about the excursion to which Bertha grunted a reply, so the party +started off in apparent harmony. + +Antonio, with his big key, unlocked the great gate, they filed through +into the eucalyptus-shaded road, and in ten minutes they had left the +quiet school behind them, and were down in the gay little town of +Fossato. It was new and wonderful to Irene. The wide main street with +its intense brilliant sunshine contrasting with the deep shade of the +narrow side streets, the open shop-fronts with their displays of +picturesque wares, the stalls of fruit and vegetables sold by quaint +country vendors, the balconies full of flowers, the kindly, dark-eyed, +smiling people, the pretty peasant children clattering about in heelless +wooden shoes, the brightly painted carts and the horses decorated with +flowers and feathers as if for a perpetual May Day, all made up a scene +that was more like a portion of a play than a piece of real life, and +made her almost able to imagine herself upon the stage of a theater. +They had reached a great square, where leafless trees were covered with +a beautiful purple blossom, something like mezereon. From a marble +fountain bareheaded women, with exquisitely arranged dark tresses and +bright handkerchiefs folded shawl-wise round their shoulders, were +drawing water in brass pitchers, and chattering the soft southern +dialect with the pretty tuneful Neapolitan voices that speak like +singing and sing like opera. An equestrian statue of Garibaldi stood on +a pedestal in the midst of a flowerbed of gay geraniums, and below, in +the shadow, a military officer, with a gorgeous pale blue cloak draped +over one shoulder, was talking to two Italian soldiers whose plumed hats +were adorned with shining cocks' feathers. + +Miss Bickford, in the van of the Villa Camellia queue, strode on, +taking no notice, beyond a firm shake of the head, of the various +interruptions that met her path--the drivers who offered their carriages +for hire, the smiling women who thrust forward baskets of oranges for +sale, the beguiling children who held out little brown hands and begged +for _soldi_ (halfpennies), and the post-card vendors who spread out sets +of colored views of the neighborhood. It was a good thing that Miss Parr +was at the rear of the procession to keep order, or the girls would have +succumbed to some of these temptations and have broken rank, an +unpardonable offense in the eyes of the school authorities, who wished +to keep up the prestige of their establishment in the estimation of the +town, and to emulate the convent school on the hill, whose pupils +marched along the high street as demurely as young nuns. + +Turning out of the piazza they walked alongside a deep natural gorge +which divided Fossato from the open country. This immense ravine was a +fearsome place, with a sheer descent of many hundreds of feet; its +jagged rocks were clothed with bushes and creepers, and clefts and the +openings of caves could be seen amongst the greenery. The girls leaned +on the low wall and shuddered as they gazed down the precipice. + +"Antonio and Dominica say that dwarfs live in the caves down there," +remarked Peachy. "Half the people in the town believe in them, but +they're too afraid to go and see because the dwarfs have 'the evil eye,' +and would bring them bad luck." + +"What superstitious nonsense!" laughed Rachel. "How _can_ they make up +such stuff?" + +"Not altogether such nonsense as you think," corrected Miss Bickford, +who was a student of archæology; "indeed _I_ find it intensely +interesting. It's a case of survival of tradition. A few thousand years +ago no doubt a race of little short dark Stone Age men actually lived in +those caves, and took good care to avenge themselves on any of the +taller, stronger tribes who interfered with them and tried to push them +out of their territory. The remembrance of them would be handed down +long after they had become extinct, and, of course their doings were +exaggerated, and their cunning tricks were set down to magic. Just as +the prehistoric monsters lingered as dragons and firedrakes, so the +small early inhabitants of Europe have passed into dwarfs and brownies +and pixies. If anybody cared to dig in those caves I dare say flint +weapons might be found. It's a chance for the local antiquarian society +if they'd only take it." + +Leaving the gorge the party turned up a steep and very narrow alley +between walls nine or ten feet high. At the tops of these walls were +raised gardens planted with orange and lemon trees, whose fruit, in all +stages of green, gold, and yellow, overshadowed the path. Across some of +them were erected shelters of reeds or plaited grass, to prevent too +quick ripening, but in some of the orchards the crop was ready, and +workers were busy with ladders and baskets gathering their early +harvests. It was a picturesque route, for the sides of the deep walls +were covered with beautiful maidenhair ferns, and over the tops hung +geraniums or clumps of white iris or purple stocks or clusters of little +red roses. Here and there, at a corner, was a wayside shrine with a +faded picture of the Madonna, and a quaint brass lamp in front, and +perhaps some flowers laid there by loving hands; dark-eyed smiling +little children were playing about and giving each other rides in +home-made hand-carts, and at one point the girls stood aside to let pass +a donkey so loaded with tiny bamboo trees that it looked a mere moving +mass of green. + +At length the deep alley between the orange orchards gave way to a +different scene. They had been climbing steadily uphill, and now found +themselves above the fruit zone and among the olive groves. The high +walls had disappeared, and the path ascended by a series of steps. Gray +olive trees were on either side, and on the bordering banks grew lovely +wild flowers, starry purple anemones, jack-in-the-pulpit lilies, yellow +oxalis, moon-daisies, and the beautiful genista which we treasure as a +conservatory plant in England. As it was country the girls were allowed +to break rank, and keenly enjoyed gathering bouquets; they scrambled up +the banks, vying with one another in getting the best specimens. The +view from the heights was glorious: below them stretched the gray-green +of the olive groves, broken here and there by the bright pink blossoms +of a peach tree; the white houses of Fossato gleamed among the dark +glossy foliage of its orange orchards, and beyond stretched the +beautiful bay of Naples, with its sea a blaze of blue, and old Vesuvius +smoking in the distance like a warning of trouble to come. + +It was at this point of the walk that Irene, foolish, luckless Irene, +made a fatal mistake, and, as Miss Bickford afterwards told her, +"wrecked the whole excursion and spoiled everybody's pleasure." She +beckoned Lorna and ran up a hill to obtain a higher vantage ground, +then, instead of descending by the route she had come, she insisted upon +taking a short cut to rejoin the path and catch up with the rest of the +party. Now neither Lorna nor Irene was aware that the mountain was a +network of many paths leading to little vineyards and gardens, and that +when they ran down the opposite side of the slope they were striking a +fresh alley, altogether different from the one along which Miss Bickford +was leading her flock. For quite a long way the two girls walked on, +thinking they were in advance of the others and had stolen a march upon +them. Then they sat down and waited, but nobody came. It was a +considerable time before it dawned upon them that they were separated +from the rest of the party. + +"We've come wrong somehow," said Lorna, in much consternation. + +"What had we better do?" + +"I don't know." + +"Perhaps they're not far off. I'll try if I can make them hear." + +"I wouldn't shout," objected Lorna, but she was too late, for Irene +was already letting off her full lung power in a gigantic coo-e-e. It +had a totally different effect from what she anticipated. No schoolgirls +with Villa Camellia hats made their appearance, but some rough looking +Italian youths scrambled over a fence and came sniggering towards them. +Their manner was so objectionable and offensive that the girls turned +and ran. They pelted down the path anywhere, quite oblivious of the +direction they were taking, and, as a matter of fact, branching yet +farther away from their original route. They could hear footsteps and +giggling laughter behind, and they were growing extremely terrified when +to their immense relief they saw in front of them an elderly peasant +woman coming from the town. She had a bright yellow handkerchief round +her neck and carried on her head a big basket containing flasks of oil, +loaves of bread, and some vegetables. She stopped in some astonishment +as Lorna and Irene rushed panting up to her, then glimpsing the lads she +seemed to grasp the situation, and called out angrily to them in +Italian, whereupon they promptly and rapidly disappeared. As she had +reached the gateway of her own garden she motioned the girls to enter, +and they gladly availed themselves of the opportunity to seek sanctuary. +A large archway led into a paved courtyard, on one side of which was a +little brown house, and on the other a small chapel, quite a picture +with its quaint half-Moorish tower and two large bells. Their new friend +seemed to be the caretaker, for she escorted them inside to show them, +with much pride, an altar-piece attributed to Perugino and some ancient +faded frescoes of haloed saints. She gave them a peep into her house +too, and they were deeply interested to see the unfamiliar foreign home, +not comfortable according to British or American ideas of comfort, but +with a certain charm of its own. There was a big dark room on the ground +floor with an orange press, various agricultural implements, and +numberless baskets for gathering fruit; there was a bare kitchen with a +wood fire and a table spread with cups and dishes; then up a winding +stair was a bedroom with walls colored sky blue, and a veranda that +looked down over a glorious orange orchard. + +"Oh, I'd adore to go out there!" said Irene, pointing to the path that +led between the fruit-laden trees, and their hostess evidently divined +her meaning, for she not only led her guests into the garden, but +fetched a ladder, climbed a tree, and plucked each of them a whole +cluster of oranges surrounded by a bunch of leaves. + +The girls were so delighted with their entertainment in this Italian +cottage that they hardly wished to tear themselves away, yet a vision of +Miss Bickford's reproachful face began to hover before their eyes, and +Lorna at last suggested that they must be moving. + +"I hope those abominable boys aren't waiting about anywhere outside," +shivered Irene. + +The same thought seemed to have struck their hostess, for she called an +elderly man, evidently her husband, who was pruning vines, and began a +catechism as to where her visitors lived. Lorna replied as well as her +knowledge of Italian allowed, and at the mention of the Villa Camellia +the pair nodded in comprehension. After a brief conversation with his +wife in an undertone the old man offered himself as guide, and undertook +to escort the truants safely back to school again, a proposal which they +thankfully accepted. It would indeed have been difficult for them to +find their own way among the various interlacing paths, and they were +particularly glad to have his protection against possible _ragazzi_. +There was tremendous trouble waiting for them at the Villa Camellia. +Poor Miss Parr had collapsed almost into hysterics, and Miss Bickford +with two other teachers had returned to the hillside on a further +search, while Miss Rodgers was communicating by telephone with the +Fossato police station, and offering a reward for any news of their +whereabouts. Irene had thought the principal could be stern, but she +never knew how her eyes could flash before that interview in the study. +Both girls came out quaking like jellies and weeping for all to hear. + +"Did you catch it hot?" inquired Peachy, sympathetically linking arms +with the truants. + +"Rather! It isn't the punishments so much, it's that she made us so +_ashamed_." + +"Our parole won't be trusted till after half-term." + +"We didn't _mean_ to run away." + +"It was really quite an accident." + +"Cheer up!" consoled Peachy. "Miss Rodgers cuts like a steel knife, but +she doesn't bear grudges. I will say that for her. With some teachers +you'd never hear the last of it, but once you've worked off your +impositions you'll be quite in favor again. Whatever possessed you to go +and do it though?" + +"Just our wretched bad luck, I suppose," said Irene, rubbing her eyes +as she turned up the passage and deposited her confiscated cluster of +oranges, as directed, in the pantry. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Lorna's Enemy + + +For the next two weeks Irene and Lorna were strictly "gated," a great +deprivation, for it would have been their turns to go shopping with Miss +Morley, and Irene at least was anxious to sample some of the quaint +wares spread forth so temptingly in the Fossato stores. With the +exception of church-going they did not have a chance to step outside the +grounds of the Villa Camellia. The Sunday expedition came as a welcome +relief to break the monotony. The school liked the little British church +at Fossato. It was so utterly different from anything to which they had +been accustomed in England or America. To begin with it was not an +ecclesiastical building at all, but simply a big room in the basement of +the Hôtel Anglais. The walls had been exquisitely decorated by a French +artist with conventionalized designs of iris in purple and gold, and +through the windows there was a gorgeous peep over the bay. The girls +used to exercise much maneuvering to secure the seats with the best +view, and somehow that bright stretch of the Mediterranean seemed to +blend in as part and parcel of all the praise and thanksgiving that was +being offered. + +Punctually at twenty minutes to eleven on Sunday mornings the fifty-six +pupils and the seven mistresses would leave the great gate of the Villa +Camellia and march into the town, along the esplanade under the grove of +palm trees, then through the beautiful sheltered garden of the Hôtel +Anglais, where many exotic flowers and shrubs were blooming and the +white arum lilies were like an Easter festival, to the doorway, under +the jessamine-covered veranda, that led to the _Eglise anglaise et +américaine_. The school practically made half the congregation, but +there were visitors from the various hotels, and a sprinkling of British +residents who had houses at Fossato. When the service was over there +followed a very pleasant quarter of an hour in the piazza of the hotel; +the clergyman and his wife would speak personally to many of the girls, +and any of the pupils who met friends were allowed to talk to them. +Fossato was a popular week-end resort from Naples, so relatives often +turned up on Sundays and there were many joyous reunions. Kind little +Canon Clark and his small bird-like wife were great favorites at the +Villa Camellia. They were always invited to school functions, and each +term the girls, in relays of about ten at a time, were offered +hospitality at the "Villa Bleue," a tiny dwelling that served as +parsonage for the British chaplain. To go to tea at the dear wee +house--color-washed blue, and with pink geraniums in its +window-boxes--was considered a treat, and Irene and Lorna looked very +glum indeed when Miss Rodgers kept severely to their punishment, and +substituted Agnes and Elsie for themselves in the next contingent of +guests. + +"You'll go later on," consoled Peachy. "Miss Rodgers is really very +decent in that way. She'll see that you get your turn once in a term at +any rate. Last time I went we had hot brown scones and molasses. Oh, +they were good! There! I oughtn't to have told you that when your turn's +off. Never mind. It will be something to look forward to. We always play +paper games there, and they're _such_ fun. There I am again! Well, if +you went to-day it would be over and done with by to-morrow, and it's +still all to come. That's one way of taking it." + +"Oh, it's all very well to moralize!" grumped Lorna, who was feeling +thoroughly cross. "It's easy enough to count up other people's +blessings. I'm a blighted blossom!" + + "Poor little thing! + She lived all the winter + And died in the spring," + +quoted Peachy with an extra wide grin. "Cheer up! Don't you realize +it's only ten days to half-term? Oh, do, for goodness' sake, look less +like a statue of melancholy! Do you know, child, that you're getting +permanent wrinkles along that forehead of yours, and it makes you more +like fifty than fifteen. You're too sedate. That's what's the matter +with you, Lorna Carson! It's a fault that ought to be overcome. Copy +Delia and me. We know how to enjoy ourselves. There--my lecture is over +and now let's talk of earthquakes." + +"It's all very well for _you_, you've got everything you want," murmured +Lorna bitterly under her breath. "Some people haven't half the luck, and +it's hard to be content with a short allowance and pretend you're the +same as every one else. It can't always be done." + +She turned away as she said it, so Peachy only caught the sound of a +grumble and did not hear the actual words. Had she done so she might +possibly have exhibited more sympathy, for she was a very kind-hearted +girl. Neither she nor anybody at the Villa Camellia understood Lorna in +the least. So far their classmate had been somewhat of a chestnut-bur, +and nobody in the Transition had ever penetrated her husk of reserve. +There is generally a reason for most things in life, if we could only +know it, and poor Lorna's morose and hermit attitude at school was +really the result of matters at home. To get into her innermost +confidence we must follow her to Naples on her half-term holiday and see +for ourselves the peculiar circumstances amid which she had been placed, +and the disadvantages that had caused her to differ from other girls. + +Lorna's family was the smallest possible, for it consisted only of her +father. Nobody at the Villa Camellia had ever seen Mr. Carson--not even +Miss Rodgers. He had communicated with her by writing when he wished to +place his daughter at the school, but he had never paid a single visit +to Fossato. He pleaded stress of business as the excuse for this +remissness, but Lorna herself knew only too well that he had no +intention of coming. Except to the office at which he was employed he +never went to any place where he would be likely to meet English +visitors. The furnished rooms where he lived were in the strictly +Italian portion of Naples, and not in the vicinity of the big hotels. +Secretly Lorna dreaded her holidays. There was nothing for her to do +while her father was at the office. She was not allowed to go out alone, +and unless she could induce fat Signora Fiorenza, their landlady, to be +philanthropic and chaperon her to look at the shops, she was obliged to +amuse herself in the house during the day as best she could. In the +evening things were certainly better. Her father would take her to dine +at an Italian restaurant, and would sometimes treat her to a performance +at a theater or cinema close at hand, or would escort her for a +lamplight walk along the streets, but these brief expeditions were +evidently made out of a sense of duty, and Mr. Carson was plainly +unhappy until he was once more ensconced in his own sitting-room with +his favorite books and his reading-lamp. He had seen so little of his +daughter during the five years they had lived at Naples that, though in +a sense he was fond of her, she was more of an embarrassment to him than +an asset. Lorna realized this only too keenly. Her sensitive disposition +shrank away from her father. She was shy in his presence, and never knew +what to say to him. She seemed always aware of some enormous shadow that +hung over their lives and darkened the daylight. What this was she had +no means of guessing, but it was emphatically there. She had learned, by +bitter experience, never to ask to be taken to the fashionable portions +of the city; she knew that the sound of a voice speaking English at a +neighboring table was enough to cause her father to finish his meal in a +hurry and leave the restaurant. They never went to the British Church, +and even such cosmopolitan spots as the aquarium or the museum were +equally taboo. + +Long and often did Lorna puzzle over this idiosyncrasy of her father. +She retained vague memories of her early childhood, when he had surely +been utterly different and would come into the nursery to romp with her. +It had not been altogether her mother's death; that had happened when +she was only six years old, and there were bright memories after it of +happy times together. No--it was when she was ten years old that the +unknown catastrophe must have occurred which had ruined her father's +life. She could remember plainly the visit of several gentlemen, and of +loud angry voices talking inside the drawing-room; she was standing on +the stairs as they came out into the hall, and her father had told her +roughly to run away. Then had followed a hasty removal, and they had +left their comfortable home in London and had come to live in Naples. +After a dreary time in a second-rate Italian boarding-house she had been +sent to the Villa Camellia, and all link with England was lost and +broken. No aunt or cousins ever wrote to her, and the earlier portion of +her life seemed a period that was utterly ended. + +So far Lorna had never had the courage to make any inquiries into the +why and wherefore of this unsatisfactory state of affairs. If a question +rose to her lips the sight of her father's forbidding face effectually +curbed her curiosity. That some tragedy had been concealed from her she +was positive. The suspicion, nay the absolute certainty, was sufficient +to place a division between herself and other girls. She would hear her +schoolfellows discussing their homes, relations, and friends, and when +she contrasted their gay doings with her own barren holidays she shrank +into her shell, and would make no allusion to her private affairs. + +"Lorna's an absolute oyster, you can get nothing out of her," was the +universal verdict of her form. + +But if she said little she thought a great deal. She would listen +jealously to the accounts of other people's fun, and a bitter feeling +had grown in her heart. Why should her life be so shadowed? She had as +much right to happiness as the rest of the school. Why should she seem +singled out by a vindictive fate and separated from her companions? + +In justice to the girls at the Villa Camellia it is only fair to say +that any separation was entirely of Lorna's own making. Had she been +more expansive she would have readily enough found friends. No one knew +of the misery of her home life, and she was simply judged as what her +schoolfellows thought her--a queer-tempered crank who refused to join in +the general fun of the place, and in consequence was left out of most +things. + +Irene, pleasant and hail-fellow-well-met with all comers, had at once +noticed this attitude of the others towards Lorna. At the drawing of +lots in the sorority she had somehow realized that everybody was +extremely thankful to have escaped having her unpopular chum as a buddy. +Chance remarks and slight allusions, hardly noticed at the time, but +remembered later, had confirmed this. + +"They're not exactly unkind, but they're down on that girl," she had +concluded. "I haven't made up my mind yet whether I altogether like her, +but I'm going to be decent to her all the same." + +As the very first who had treated her on a real equality of girlhood +Irene had been placed on a pedestal in Lorna's empty heart. The +separation between the two added to the loneliness of the latter's brief +half-term holiday. She had never missed school so much before, or hated +her surroundings so entirely. The long week-end dragged itself slowly +away. Sunday was wet and they stayed all day in the little sitting-room, +Mr. Carson reading as usual, and Lorna trying to amuse herself with +Italian magazines and fidgeting as much as she dared. Towards evening +the rain cleared a little and her father went out, refusing, however, to +allow her to accompany him. At the end of an hour he returned and flung +himself heavily into his chair. He was in a state such as she had never +witnessed before, violently excited, with glaring eyes and twitching +hands. + +"Lorna!" he exclaimed in quick panting accents, "I have met my enemy. +The man who ruined me! Yes, the man who deliberately blackened and +ruined me!" + +Lorna turned to him half frightened. + +"What is it, Father?" she asked. "Have you an enemy? You've never let me +know before. Oh, I wish you'd tell me! I'm fifteen now, and surely old +enough to hear. It's so horrible to feel there's something you're always +keeping from me." + +"I suppose you'll find out some time, so I may as well tell you myself," +replied Mr. Carson grimly. "I'm a wronged, ruined man, Lorna, suffering +for the sin of another who goes scotfree. The world judged me guilty of +embezzlement, but before God I am innocent! I never touched a penny of +the money. Do you believe me innocent? Surely my own daughter won't turn +against me?" + +"No, no, Father! Indeed I believe you innocent. Tell me how it +happened. Was it when we left London? I seem to remember the trouble +there was then, though you never explained. We had a different name +then, hadn't we?" + +"You were too young at the time to understand, and it wasn't a subject I +wished to revive. Briefly, a big sum, for which I was responsible, +disappeared. The head of the firm believed me guilty, but for the sake +of old associations he would not prosecute; he simply told me to go. I +consulted my lawyer, and, if there had been the slightest chance of +clearing myself, I'd have fought the matter to a finish, but he told me +my case hadn't a leg to stand on, and that, if I were foolish enough to +bring it into court, I should certainly be convicted of embezzlement, +and sent to penal servitude; that it was only the clemency of my chief's +attitude that saved me, and that he advised me to go abroad while I +could. So I left England in a hurry, a disgraced man, disowned by his +family and his friends. I changed my name to Carson, and through the +kindness of a business acquaintance I was offered a clerkship in an +Italian counting-house in Naples, which post I have kept ever since. How +I should otherwise have made a living God only knows! It's always my +haunting fear that some one in Naples will recognize me and tell them at +the office who I am. If that old story leaks out I may once more be +ruined." + +"But who did it, Father?" asked Lorna. "Had you no clew at all?" + +"Not enough to convict, only a strong suspicion, so strong that it is +practically a certainty. The man who ruined me was once my friend. Now +for five long years, he has been my bitterest enemy. We were both heads +of departments in the firm of Burgess and Co. Probably he's a partner +now, as I ought to have been. I've never heard news of him since I left +London, but to-day I saw him in the Corso. I saw him plainly without any +possibility of mistake. What is he doing in Naples? Has he come here to +ruin me again?" + +"No, no, Dad, surely not! Perhaps he doesn't know you're in Italy. +Probably he's only taking a holiday and will go back to England soon," +faltered Lorna, suddenly realizing that in her father's excited nervous +condition she ought to offer consolation and soothe him instead of +adding to his agitation. "It's very unlikely that he would find you out. +Dad, don't grieve so, _please_!" + +She went near to her father's chair and laid a timid hand on his +shoulder. An immense gush of pity for him flooded her heart. If she had +known this story before, she would have understood, and instead of +thinking him unkind and misanthropic she would have tried to be a better +daughter to him. The new-found knowledge illuminated all the past and +seemed to draw them closely together. + +"_Mother_ would have believed in you, Dad," she ventured to say. + +"Thank God she never knew! She was spared that at any rate. I raged +against Providence when I lost her, but afterwards I felt she had been +'taken away from the evil to come.' Her relations thought me guilty. I +went to them and explained, but they practically told me I was lying. +When I went abroad I never sent them my address. I just wished to +vanish. I don't suppose they have ever troubled to inquire for me. Who +cares about a ruined and disgraced man?" + +"_I_ care, Dad," said Lorna. "I'm only fifteen and I can't understand +everything, but if you'll let me the least little bit take Mother's +place, may I try? I'm not much, but perhaps I'm better than nobody, and +we two seem all alone in the world." + +For the first time in five years the barrier between them was down, and +Lorna was hugging her father as in the old happy childish days. To know +all is to forgive all, and her resentment against his treatment of her +turned into a deep pitying love. She would never be frightened of him +again. A new impulse seemed to have come to her. If she could in any way +comfort him for what he had suffered, it would be something to live for. + +"He's my father, and I'll stick to him through thick and thin," she +said to herself fiercely, as she went to bed that night. "I don't know +who this enemy is, but if ever I meet him I'll hate him and all +belonging to him. I say it, and I don't go back on my word. I'll be my +own witness as nobody else is present. Lorna Carson, you've taken up a +feud and you've got to carry it through. May all the bad luck in the +world come down upon you if you break your oath." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +At Pompeii + + +Lorna returned to Fossato feeling as if she had passed through a great +crisis. The short week-end and its revelation seemed to have added years +to her life. She had never been a typical specimen of "sparkling +girlhood," but her new knowledge made her more sedate than ever. It +brought her both gain and loss: gain in the fact that she now shared her +father's confidence, and could help him to bear his heavy burden, and +loss in the sense of a yet wider division between herself and her +schoolmates. She realized now, only too bitterly, why her father so +persistently shunned all English people. It would surely have been +better to have placed her at an Italian school than among girls of her +own nationality. Lorna, naturally morbid and over-sensitive, shrank yet +deeper into her shell, and became more sphinx-like than ever. Her one +bright spot at the Villa Camellia was her devotion to her buddy. Half a +dozen other girls had at various periods tried to "take Lorna up," but +all had promptly dropped her, declaring that they could not get any +further, and that she was a solitary "hermit-crab." Irene, after one or +two ventures, realized that Lorna was utterly reserved and +uncommunicative, but was content to continue the friendship on a +one-sided basis, giving confidences, but receiving none in return. She +was a little laughed at in certain quarters on the subject of her chum. + +"Hope you like crab sauce." + +"We're tickled to bits at the pair of you." + +"It won't last long." + +"Shall we give you an oyster-opener for a birthday present?" + +"You've got the champion chestnut-bur of the school--aren't you full of +prickles?" + +"Go on!" smiled Irene calmly. "I've been teased all my life by my +brother, so I'm pretty well bomb-proof. Say just what you like. I'm sure +I don't care." + +It really did not trouble Irene that Lorna should cling to this habit of +closeness. She had so many affairs of her own in which to be interested. +She had spent a glorious half-term holiday with her family in their flat +at Naples, and was delighted to describe every detail of her +experiences. She chatted about her relations till Lorna knew Mr. and +Mrs. Beverley and Vincent absolutely well by hearsay, though she had +never met them in the flesh. The accounts of their doings gave her a +peep of home life such as she had not hitherto realized. + +"Lovely to be you," she ventured once. + +"You must come and see us," replied Irene impulsively. "I'll get Mother +to ask you some day. Don't look so scared. They wouldn't eat you. Don't +you like paying visits? Oh well, of course, if you don't want to come I +won't worry you. No, I'm not offended. Why should I be? Let everybody +please herself is my motto. Oh, _don't_ apologize, for it really doesn't +matter in the very least! I'd far rather people were frank and said what +they thought." + +"I'm going with you to Pompeii to-morrow at any rate," said Lorna. "I'm +glad they've put us both down together for that excursion." + +It was part of the educational scheme of Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley +that the girls should be taken to certain places of interest in the +neighborhood. They were carefully prepared in class beforehand, so that +they should thoroughly understand what they were going to see. All the +school studied Greek and Roman history, and since Christmas there had +been special lectures by Miss Morley on the buried city of Pompeii, +illustrated by lantern-slides. But photography, however excellent, is a +poor substitute for reality when the latter can be obtained. Had the +Villa Camellia been situated in England or America no doubt the pupils +would have considered those views a tremendous asset to their history +class, but being in the near neighborhood of Naples they were able to +"go one better," and have actual expeditions to Pompeii itself. A dozen +of the girls, personally conducted by Miss Morley, were to start on +Thursday, take their lunch, and make a day of it. Most of those chosen +were comparative newcomers to the school, or for some reason had not +done the excursion before, so it would be a fresh experience to nearly +all of them. Six seniors and six members of the Transition made up the +party, with little Désirée Legrand tagged on at the last as a mascot, +because Stella and Carrie had pointed out that twelve pupils and one +mistress would make thirteen at table if they had tea together, and +though Miss Morley had scoffed at such ridiculous superstition, she took +Désirée all the same to break the possible bad luck. They had the +satisfaction of assembling in the hall for the start exactly as their +companions were filing into classrooms. + +"Got your nose-bag?" asked Delia, indicating her lunch satchel. "It +wouldn't do to leave those behind. I always feel famished when I'm out +sightseeing. Hope I shan't eat my lunch before the picnic. Renie, it's +no use lugging that camera with you. You won't be allowed to take any +photos inside the ruins, so I warn you." + +"Miss Morley's taking hers," objected Irene, loath to relinquish the +object in question. + +"Miss Morley has a special government permit to sketch or photo in +Pompeii. Nobody may take the slightest snap-shot or drawing without. +I've been once before, so I know, Madam Doubtful. You'll see ever so +many officials will ask to look at Miss Morley's ticket. Why? Because +the place would get choked up with artists I suppose. And also they want +to sell their own photos. You'll be pestered to buy post-cards outside +the gates." + +"I'd adore to get just one or two snaps," persisted Irene. "I won't take +this big camera, but I'll slip my wee one inside my pocket, and see if I +find a chance." + +"Are you ready, girls?" came Miss Morley's voice from the porch, and the +waiting thirteen formed into double line and marched. + +They were to go by the electric tram from Fossato to Castellamare, from +which it was only a comparatively short drive to Pompeii. The jogging, +jolting, little tramcar ran along the coast, linking up several towns +and villages and conveying people intent on either business or pleasure. +There were many visitors anxious to make the excursion to-day, but the +contingent from the Villa Camellia had posted themselves by the statue +of Garibaldi in the square, and scrambled for the car as soon as it +arrived, boarding it with three hatless Italian girls, two women with +orange baskets, a sailor carrying a little boy, and a stout old padre, +who apologized prettily for pushing. + +"We did those folks from the Hotel Royal," chuckled Delia, sitting on +Irene's knee for lack of further accommodation. "Did you ever see a tram +fill up quicker? I'm afraid I'm heavy. I know I'm an awful lump. We'll +take it in turns, and I'll nurse you after a while. I call this rather +priceless. Everybody's good-tempered even if they do hustle. They don't +seem to mind people treading on their toes. It's infectious. I catch +myself smiling, and I'd jolly well frown as a rule if any one yanked a +basket into my back." + +"I think it's the climate," remarked Irene. "In a London tram most faces +don't look too cheerful, but with this sky overhead people are simply +chirping like crickets. It's like a perpetual summer holiday." + +The car was rattling along the steep coast road through miles of +glorious scenery. On the left was an ultramarine sea, with white-sailed +boats, and to the right lay cliffs and olive groves. Some of the trees +were covered with catkins, and others had already burst into green leaf; +gorgeous yellow genistas clothed the hillsides, and the banks were +dappled with blue borage and marigolds. There were so many things to +look at from either window of the tram; goats were feeding along the +crags, and a gray businesslike battle-ship was wending its way across +the harbor in the direction of Naples. They passed through several small +towns or villages, getting a vivid impression of the lives of the +inhabitants, who, on sunny days, seemed to do much of their domestic +work out of doors, and to peel potatoes, wash salads, cook on charcoal +braziers, sew, mend shoes, make lace, and pursue many other vocations on +the pavements in front of the houses, and so far from being disturbed by +onlookers, would smile and even wave friendly hands at the strangers on +the tramcar. + +"That darling old soul in the green apron blew me a kiss," chuckled +Delia. "She looks as happy as a queen, though she's probably living on +about ten cents a day." + +"Did you see them dressing the baby on the pavement?" squealed Stella. +"They were winding it round and round in yards of bandages _exactly_ +like old Italian pictures. I didn't know it was done nowadays." + +"Oh! Look at the carts drawn by bullocks." + +"And the lamb with its fleece all combed out and tied with blue +ribbons." + +"That's because it's Mid-Lent." + +"Don't you see the baby donkey? There! Quick!" + +In her efforts to watch everything at once Delia craned her neck through +the window of the car and away went her school hat, sailing over a +bridge and down into a deep ravine below, lost forever so far as she was +concerned, as the tram certainly would not stop and wait while she +searched for it. + +"You've come down a peg in life, old sport, that's all," laughed +Carrie. "In Italy wearing a hat is a sign of gentility. No work-girl +ever has one on her head even on Sundays. I offered a cast-off of mine +to the _bonne_ at a hotel once, and she eyed it longingly, but said she +daren't wear it if she took it, her friends would think it such swank." + +"What do they have on in church then?" asked Delia. + +"Handkerchiefs, of course. Every Neapolitan has one handy to slip round +her head at the church door. It must save millinery bills." + +"And they all have the most beautiful hair. Hello! Here we are at the +terminus. What a crowd of beggars. They look like brigands waiting to +pounce on us. Help!" + +Once out of the shelter of the tramcar the girls made the unpleasant +discovery that in Italy begging is not forbidden, but quite a recognized +profession with certain of the poorer classes. They were immediately +surrounded by a ragged rabble, some of whom exhibited sores or other +unsightly afflictions to compel compassion, and all of whom held out +dirty hands and persistently clamored for money. The blind, the halt, +and the maimed were there, evidently regarding tourists as their +legitimate prey, and bent upon claiming all the charity they could get. + +"Don't give them anything," commanded Miss Morley, anxiously keeping her +little flock in tow, and shepherding them towards the piazza where the +carriages could be hired. "Just say _Niente_, and shake your heads. Hold +a safe hand on your purses and stick together. Don't get separated on +any account." + +With considerable difficulty they forced their way across the square, +and thankfully took refuge in several waiting landaus, whose drivers, +feeling sure of their patronage, promptly raised their terms high above +the ordinary tariff. It was only after much bargaining on the part of +Miss Morley that they consented to fix a reasonable sum for the +excursion to Pompeii. + +"Miss Morley talks Italian like a native, so they can't 'do' her," +rejoiced Stella proudly. "Aren't they the absolute limit? No, I _don't_ +want to buy a comb, or corals, or brooches, or post-cards, or anything. +They seem to think we're made of money. Why can't they let us alone? +There, thank goodness, we're off at last and can leave the whole +persuasive crew of them behind us!" + +The five-mile drive from Castellamare was part of the fun of the +excursion, but Pompeii was, of course, the main object, and there was +much excitement when they at last drew up at the great iron gate. Miss +Morley bought tickets for the party, and they were assigned a guide, a +smiling Italian of superlative politeness, bearing a badge with the +number 24 upon it. + +"I asked for one who could speak English, but they're all out with other +visitors," explained Miss Morley. "Never mind. It's a good opportunity +of testing your Italian, and I can interpret if you don't understand." + +In spite of the lantern-slides which they had previously been shown, +the girls had come with varying expectations of what they were to see. +Some imagined they would walk into a Roman city exactly as it stood when +buried by the ashes of the great eruption of A.D. 79; others thought +there would be a few interesting things peeping up here and there amid +mounds of cinders. None had imagined it would be so large. + +As a matter of fact the remains are simply the bare ruins of a town +destroyed by burning ashes, which have been extricated from the rubbish +accumulated during more than seventeen centuries. The paved streets and +the roofless and broken walls of the houses still remain, with here and +there some building that by a fortunate chance escaped, either in whole +or in part, the general catastrophe, and suffice to show the general +style and beauty of the Græco-Roman architecture of the first century. +The guide marshaled his party along, pointing out to them the various +objects of interest that had been excavated, the beautiful marble +drinking-fountain, the marble counters of the shops, identical with +those still used in Southern Italy, the wine jars of red earthenware, +the hand-mills for grinding corn, the brick ovens, or the vaults where +wine had been stored. They went into the site of the ancient market, and +the Forum and several temples, and walked up long flights of steps and +admired rows of broken columns, and saw the public swimming-baths with +their tasteful wall decorations and the niches where the bathers had +placed their clothes, and they admired the law-courts, and marveled at +the great theater that had been wont to hold five thousand spectators. + +The general impression was one of utter desolation. The mighty ruins lay +in the bright Italian sunshine, and, close above, Vesuvius frowned over +the scene, as if still watching the result of his deadly handiwork. Who +had lived in those blackened fire-swept houses, and walked in those +grass-grown streets? It was difficult to imagine the busy thronging +crowds that once must have peopled all these silent haunts, where the +only signs of life were the little green lizards that darted over the +crumbling walls. + +Certain of the best houses were railed round and kept carefully locked, +and inside these could be seen what was left of the domestic life of +civilized Pompeii. The girls enjoyed looking at the rooms in the Casa +Dei Vettii, with the exquisite paintings of cupids still left upon the +scarlet walls, they laughed at the quaint mosaic of the chained dog with +its warning _Cave Canem_ (Beware of the dog!), and they went into +ecstasies over the lovely little statue of the Dancing Faun and some +terracottas of Venus and Mercury. One link with the past was left in the +fact that a few of the houses still preserved the names and even the +portrait-busts of their former owners. + +"My! Doesn't he look boss of the place still? I wonder if I ought to +leave my visiting card for him," declared Delia, staring at the green +marble representation of Cecilius Giscondis, a banker by profession. + +The others laughed. They had all been feeling rather oppressed, and were +glad to break the ice. + +"I'm so tired, I should think we must have walked miles," groaned Lorna. + +"And I'm on the point of famishing," protested Irene, slapping her +lunch-bag with a resounding smack. + +Miss Morley turned round at the sound, and possibly caught the remark, +for she spoke hastily to the guide, then suggested that the girls should +sit in a row on a fallen column and consume their provisions. + +"You all need a rest and something to eat now. Then we'll go on with our +sightseeing, and have tea at the restaurant when we've finished," she +decreed. + +Never were ham sandwiches and oranges so acceptable. Viewing ruins may +be extremely interesting, but it is a highly fatiguing occupation, and +Delia at least had reached the stage of the over-burdened camel. + +"I guess I don't like anything B.C. It's too depressing. Give me Paris!" +she declared tragically. + +"Cheer up, old sport!" consoled Irene. "I'm going to take a snap-shot +of some of us when the guide isn't looking. You shall be in it. You'd +like to send some prints to your friends in America, wouldn't you?" + +"Rather! They'd burst with envy to see me photographed inside Pompeii. +Where are you going to take us? I've finished my lunch. Let's get busy +quick, before the guide comes round the corner." + +Delia was prancing with eagerness. She flitted about like a butterfly, +bent on choosing the best position for the desired snap-shot. Blanche, +Mabel, and Elsie came hurrying up anxious to join the group, and fixed +themselves in elegant poses. + +"Oh, I can't put in such a crowd," objected Irene. "You block out the +whole of the view. I only want Delia and Lorna, and yes, I'll have +Désirée, but nobody else. Please clear out of the way." + +"Well, really!" + +"You mean thing!" + +"We don't want to be in your old photo!" + +Irene had felt cross and was possibly impolite, but she was not prepared +for the Nemesis that descended upon her head. She had just congratulated +herself that Blanche, Mabel, and Elsie had beaten a retreat and that she +had been able to take her snap-shot so successfully, when who should +make his unwelcome appearance but the guide, catching her in the very +act of winding on her film. He sighed sorrowfully, and spread out his +hands with a dramatic Italian gesture. + +"Signorina! Non e permesso!" he objected. + +[Illustration: "'SIGNORINA! IT IS NOT PERMITTED!'" + +--Page 105] + +"I'm awfully sorry. I won't do it again, really," murmured Irene, +cramming the little camera back into her pocket. + +But this apology did not content No. 24. He very courteously, but quite +firmly, insisted upon temporarily confiscating the prohibited article. +Miss Morley, who hurried up at the sound of the altercation, took the +side of the authorities. + +"Who brought a camera? _Irene!_ You knew it was not allowed. Yes, you +must let the guide have it. He'll give it back to you at the gate. I +hope there won't be any trouble about it. I believe you can be fined. It +was very naughty of you to do such a thing." + +Much crestfallen Irene retired into the rear of the party, and bewailed +the fate of her snap-shots. + +"It was hard luck the guide should pop round the corner that exact +minute," she groaned. + +"Mabel fetched him," squeaked Désirée. "I could see over the railing, +and I watched her go. She was mad that you wouldn't put her in the +photo." + +"What a sneaking trick to play. She's the _meanest_ girl. I wouldn't +have told about _her_. I hope No. 24 won't take the spool out of the +camera, because there are three undeveloped snaps of the Villa Camellia +on it, and I shall be wild if I lose them. He couldn't be so heartless. +If I only knew Italian better I'd try and coax him." + +The guide had obligingly waited while the girls ate lunch, but he now +waxed impatient, and hurried his party on to the House of Pansa. This +must have been quite a palatial residence, and showed such perfect +examples of the arrangement of the various rooms in a Roman mansion that +they lingered a long time looking at the _atrium_, the _tablinum_, the +peristyle, and the kitchen with its curious mosaics of snakes. Now, +though it was all very interesting, it was certainly tiring, and some of +the girls grew weary of listening to the guide's descriptions in Italian +or Miss Morley's explanations. + +"I'm bored stiff," confessed Delia, in a whisper, linking on to Irene's +arm. "If I have any more information crammed into my head it will burst. +I know quite enough about ancient customs already. All I can say is I'm +thankful I'm living now instead of then. Renie, if you love me, take me +out of ear-shot of Miss Morley and let me chatter and frivol." + +"Poor old sport!" laughed Irene. "Let's slip away and take another turn +round the garden while the guide finishes haranguing. I'm out of friends +with him since he stole my camera. He doesn't deserve anybody to listen +to him. I've a few chocs left in this package. You shall have some to +cheer you up. They're modern at any rate." + +"You mascot!" murmured Delia. "Stella says I'm a Goth, but why _need_ I +like old things? Did the Pompeians take their schoolgirls to look at +buried Greek cities, or were they satisfied with their own times? How +soon do you think we shall have tea? These chocs have saved my life, but +I'm longing for bread and butter and buns." + +"Why, we haven't finished lunch very long." + +"I ate more than half of mine in the carriage, so I hadn't much left. +Hello! Where have the others been? I didn't know there was a way up +there." + +The rest of the party were clattering down a flight of wooden steps with +many expressions of admiration for what they had seen at the top. + +"Perfectly beautiful! The finest view of all," purred Miss Morley. +"Renie and Delia, didn't you go up? You silly girls. You've missed a +treat. No, I'm afraid we can't wait now. The guide is anxious to take us +on. We haven't seen the House of Sallust yet or the Street of Tombs. I +want to ask him whether they've been doing any more excavations near the +Herculaneum Gate." + +Miss Morley, deep in conversation with No. 24, passed on, in the full +belief that all her flock were following behind her. Irene and Delia, +however, were determined to have just one peep at the view from the top +of the wall, so both made a dash up the wooden staircase. From here +there was a glorious prospect of the entire city with its arches and +columns and broken temples, its cypress trees, and its somber background +of smoking mountain. They could see exactly the way they had come from +the entrance, and could tell which was the Street of Fortune and which +the Street of Abundance. It was so fascinating that they lingered rather +longer than they intended. + +"They'll be waiting for us," ventured Irene at last. + +"Oh, bother! So they will," exclaimed Delia, rushing down prepared for a +scolding. + +But the others had not waited. They had all simply walked on, and the +custodian had locked the gate behind them. It was fast closed, and no +amount of shaking would move it. + +"We're shut in," gasped Irene. "Where's the porter? He ought to be +somewhere about with the key." + +The custodian, quite oblivious of the fact that anybody had been left +inside the House of Pansa, was reading a newspaper and eating bread and +garlic under his wooden shed farther down the street, where he would +remain till the next guide came along with a party and requested +admission. So he did not hear, though the girls thumped and called and +made a very considerable noise. They were both horribly frightened. + +"Shall we have to stay here all night?" + +"I'd be scared to death." + +"Think of the spooks!" + +"Why the whole place must be simply _chock-full_ of ghosts after +sunset." + +"Couldn't we jump from the wall?" + +"I wish I'd never come. Oh, I hate things B.C.! I shall have fits in a +minute." + +Fortunately for Delia's nerves they were not kept long in durance vile. +Lorna very soon discovered the loss of her buddy, drew Miss Morley's +attention to the matter, and the whole party hastened back to look for +them. The custodian was fetched from his wooden shelter and unlocked the +door, loudly disclaiming any responsibility on his part, and blaming the +guide. + +"It's your own fault," scolded Miss Morley. "You really _must_ keep with +the party. I can't have any of you wandering off alone. You can't expect +me to count you every time we come out of a building. I put you on your +parole not to get separated again." + +"We won't indeed, _indeed_! We don't like being lost," promised the +delinquents earnestly. + +Everybody, including the Principal, was very tired by this time, and not +altogether sorry when the guide finished his tour of the ruins, and +conducted them safely back again to the entrance. + +"It's glorious, but you want days to see it in, instead of only a few +hours," sighed Phyllis. + +"And cast-iron backs and legs," agreed Sybil. "I shall enjoy thinking it +over when I'm home, but I'm ready to drop at the present moment." + +"What about my camera?" asked Irene anxiously. + +The guide had not forgotten it; he produced it from his pocket, +and--perhaps in consideration of the tip he had received from Miss +Morley--he did not confiscate the spool, but handed it over intact with +a polite gesture and a cryptic smile. + +"Grazie molto--_molto_!" murmured Irene, which meant "Thanks awfully," +and was one of the very few Italian phrases which she knew. + +Everybody was extremely glad to adjourn to the restaurant, where tea had +been ordered for their party, and a table reserved for them. The big +room was full of visitors and rather noisy; a band of musicians in the +center rendered Neapolitan songs to an accompaniment of mandolins and +guitars, and occasionally the audience joined the choruses. The +performance was not of the highest quality, but it was tuneful and +interesting to those who had not before heard the folk-songs of Southern +Italy. After tea the girls made a rush to buy post-cards and other +mementoes of Pompeii, which were on sale in a room next to the +restaurant, and would have spent half an hour over their purchases had +not Miss Morley collected her flock and insisted on a homeward start. +Poor little Désirée slept all the way back in the tramcar, with her head +on Stella's shoulder, and most of the party were in much more sober +spirits than when they had started. All felt, however, that it was a +never-to-be-forgotten experience. + +"I'd adore to go again sometime," ventured Lorna, clasping a model of a +Pompeian lamp, which her chum had given her for a souvenir. + +"So would I," agreed Irene. "Miss Morley calls this 'part of our +education,' and I think it's a very sensible way of teaching things. I +hope she'll take us to other places." + +"You'll get Vesuvius if your conduct sheet is all right." + +"Oh, lovely! I'd rather go there than even to Pompeii." + +"The same this child," chipped in Delia. "Renie, I guess you and I will +have to shake ourselves up and reform for a week or two. We were in Miss +Morley's black book to-day, and if we don't take care we shall be left +out of the next excursion." + +"I'll be an absolute saint," promised Irene. "You'll see me sprouting +wings. I'm going to draw a physical map of the world and mark in all the +principal volcanoes, and then show it to Miss Morley. She'll think it so +brainy of me and be so glad I'm interested in the subject. She'd really +feel I ought to see Vesuvius after that." + +"You schemer! It's not a bad idea though, and perhaps I'll do the same, +though I hate drawing maps. Hello! Is this the piazza? I'd no idea we'd +got back to Fossato so soon. Yes, it's been a 'happy day,' but I feel +all I want now is supper and bed." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Reprisals + + +It was immediately after this that Peachy, who was always doing +imprudent things and running risks, went a little too far and caught a +severe chill. She was moved into the sanatorium, a room at the top of +the house, and spent three quite happy days in bed, reading books and +magazines, and drinking hot lemonade, which was Miss Rodgers' favorite +remedy for a cold. When she was certified as free from any infection, a +few of her special chums were allowed to visit her. She petitioned +specially for Jess, Delia, and Irene. They found her propped up with +pillows, and looking very charming in a pale pink dressing-jacket and +her hair tied back with a broad ribbon. + +"Thanks very much. I'm sitting up and taking nourishment," she grinned, +in reply to their commiserations. "I'm going to have some more fun +before I pop off! Joking apart, I've had the time of my life here. It's +been blissful just reading and resting, with a big jug of lemonade at my +elbow." + +"We've been talking about you downstairs. Didn't your ears burn?" asked +Jess. + +"Not more than usual. What were you saying about poor little me?" + +"We had a special meeting of the Camellia Buds, and passed a vote of +sympathy, for one thing. I suppose I ought to 'convey' it to you in the +orthodox fashion." + +"Highly gratified, I'm sure," chirped Peachy. "How do I return thanks, +please? I can't get up in bed and bow. What next?" + +"Well, the next is that nobody can think of anything original for the +Transition to do at the carnival, and everybody said 'Ask Peachy,' so +we've come to you for a suggestion." + +"Whew! That's a big order," groaned the invalid. "We've had almost every +kind of stunt that's practically possible. What are the seniors getting +up this time?" + +"Something musical, to judge from the practicing we hear. It sounds like +operetta. And the juniors are having a fairy play. Miss Morgan is +teaching them. What we want is something utterly and entirely +different." + +"Exactly!" agreed Peachy, taking a drink of lemonade. + +"If you don't have a brain-throb we shall have to descend to an ordinary +concert." + +"Or a scene from Shakespeare." + +"Or a _tableau vivant_." + +"And those have been done simply dozens of times." + +"I know," frowned Peachy. "We had 'The Trial Scene' from _The Merchant +of Venice_ ourselves last carnival. We couldn't give the same stunt +again. Oh, don't bother me! Let me think. How can I get ideas when +you're all talking at once?" + +Peachy put her fingers in her ears and buried her head temporarily in +the pillow, from which she appeared to draw inspiration, for in a few +moments she sprang up with a bounce of rapture. + +"Got it!" she announced cheerily. "Let's do a toy-shop. You shall all be +dressed up as toy animals and be wound up to work. Oh, I see ever such +possibilities. The seniors never had _that_ at any rate." + +"Good!" + +"It sounds prime!" + +"What a mascot you are." + +"Don't breathe a word outside the form," warned Peachy. "I'll plan it +all out and we'll have a rehearsal when I'm downstairs again. I guess +we'll give them a surprise. Hand me my writing-pad, somebody, and a +pencil. I want to get busy sketching costumes. I can see the whole thing +in my mind's eye and it ought to be great." + +Every year in the month of March the pupils at the Villa Camellia +celebrated a carnival of their own. It coincided with a local festival +at Fossato, on which occasion the inhabitants were wont to make merry, +dressing themselves in fantastic costumes, parading the streets, and +letting off fireworks. Originally the girls had been taken to see the +gay doings, but the town was often so rough that Miss Rodgers had +decided it was an unsuitable entertainment for young ladies, and, to +prevent disappointment, made the happy suggestion that they should keep +the festival in their own grounds. So each spring the three divisions of +the school vied with one another in producing some fresh surprise, and +had a very interesting and amusing afternoon in the garden or gymnasium, +and were too busily occupied to feel any regret at being deprived of the +sight of what was going on in Fossato. + +Canon and Mrs. Clark and a few of Miss Rodgers' and Miss Morley's +friends, who lived in the neighborhood, were generally invited to swell +the audience of teachers. The juniors were given a little assistance by +their form mistresses, but the seniors and the Transition managed their +own affairs. Now it was a most unfortunate circumstance that at present +the two sororities in the Transition were in direct opposition. Each +was, of course, aware of the other's existence, but each society kept +its own secrets. The Camellia Buds did not even know the name of their +rival, though they could guess at its list of members. Peachy, recovered +from her cold, came downstairs bubbling over with plans for a due +celebration of the festival. She submitted them gleefully to the +assembled girls, after French class. Much to her surprise about half of +the form demurred. + +"We're going to do something of our own," announced Bertha airily. "We +don't want your stunt." + +"Of our own? What d'you mean?" asked Peachy, her gray eyes snapping. + +"I mean what I say. Some of us have arranged a little private +performance--we're going to keep it to ourselves." + +"And leave out the rest of us?" + +"You can have one of your own." + +"Well, I like that!" flamed Peachy. "You're dividing the form into two +stunts. We've never done that before. Besides, who sent up a message +asking me to think of something fresh and original? I certainly +understood it was from _all_ of you." + +Peachy, in huge indignation, glared into several conscious and guilty +faces, while her allies backed up her arguments by cries of "Shame!" +Bertha turned rather red but bluffed the matter out. + +"We changed our minds. We can't always do everything all in a lump. As I +said before, we've got our own stunt, and you Camellia Buds can have +yours." + +Camellia Buds! If Bertha had dropped a bomb in the classroom she could +not have caused greater consternation among the opposition. So the rival +society knew the name of their sorority. A suppressed "O-o-h!" arose +here and there. Evidently much enjoying their confusion Bertha and her +confederates retired, leaving the poor Camellia Buds to hold an +indignation meeting. Everybody talked at once. + +"How did they find out?" + +"Has anybody sneaked?" + +"It's the absolute limit!" + +"I couldn't have believed it!" + +"It gives me spasms!" + +"Of all mean things!" + +"It makes me tingle!" + +Then Jess, who was practical, made a suggestion. + +"I vote we take an oath of every member that she hasn't betrayed us." + +"'O wise young judge!'" quoted Agnes. "That's the best thing anybody's +said yet. Let's stand round in a row and swear 'Honest Injun.'" + +If the Camellia Buds sustained doubts of one another's integrity these +were absolutely dispelled by the fervency with which each pleaded her +innocence. + +"Somebody must have been eavesdropping at one of our meetings, I +suppose," sighed Agnes gloomily. "It's horrid to think they know our +secrets and we don't know theirs. I'd give worlds to get even." + +"Where do they meet?" asked Delia. "I've never been able to find out." + +"They're very clever in hiding themselves." + +"Yes, I expect they keep watch, and scoot whenever they see one of us." + +"That's it, of course," said Irene. "Well, what we've got to do is to +catch them off their guard. I vote we get the kids to help us. They +detest Bertha and Mabel. They'd just adore to track them for us. We +needn't exactly tell them why." + +"Good for you, Renie Beverley. Those kids will do a turn for their +fairy godmothers. We'll call another candy party and put them on the +scout. I've a box of peppermint creams that will just go round. One +apiece ought to be enough for them to-day." + +The juniors were fond of peppermints, and even a limited candy party was +in their opinion better than none at all. They had never received sweets +of any description from Bertha or Mabel; indeed they regarded them as +arch-enemies. The idea of keeping a watch over their movements appealed +to them. + +"We'll shadow them, you bet!" grinned little Jean Hammond. "There isn't +much going on in the school that we don't know." + +"I'm afraid there isn't. You're rather imps. But you'll be doing a good +deed if you find this out for us. The first who brings news shall have +two chocolates." + +The Camellia Buds felt no more compunction in employing the juniors on +this quest than a government that organizes a secret service department. +The enemy had betrayed them shamelessly and deserved reprisals. It was +Désirée after all who won the chocolates. She haunted house and garden +with the persistency of a small ghost, and at last proudly made the +announcement: + +"They've called a meeting by the big Greek jar to-day at five. I heard +Ruth tell Callie. What are you going to do about it?" + +That was exactly the question which puzzled the Camellia Buds. It was +one thing to obtain information and quite another to act upon it. If +they went and interrupted the rival meeting they would have the +satisfaction of routing the enemy but would be none the wiser. It was +Peachy's diplomacy that pointed out a way. + +"The Greek vase!" she said meditatively. "Yes, it's enormously big and I +think I can manage it. Now, my dearies, don't you want to be real +philanthropic this afternoon and give up your turns at the tennis courts +to other folks? Why? Because I've a little scheme on hand. I want to +keep those girls well away from the lemon pergola until it's time for +their precious meeting. Then they'll run up all unsuspecting, poor +innocents, and find----" + +"What will they find?" + +"'A chiel amang them takin' notes!'" chuckled Peachy. "In other words +yours truly will be hiding inside the big jar." + +"Peachy! You can't!" + +"Can't I? Great Scott! Do you think I'm going to let this beat me? You +can just bet your last nickel I shall. Renie and Jess shall help to hide +me, and the rest of you must watch the coast's clear till I'm safely +inside. I tell you I'm crazy to try it. It'll be the frolic of my life." + +There was certainly no plan too madcap for Peachy to undertake. She +revelled in anything venturesome or bizarre. The Camellia Buds did as +she decreed, and resigned the courts that afternoon to Bertha, Mabel, +Elsie, Ruth, Rosamonde, Winnie, Monica, and Callie, who fell readily +into the trap prepared for them. Leaving this double set busy at tennis +they fled to the opposite end of the garden. + +The lemon pergola was a sheltered walk that led down a flight of marble +steps to a small fountain. There was a shady nook here with bushes of +bamboo, and a tree with a sweet flower like honeysuckle, and little red +roses, and a border of Parma violets, and a seat made of bright green +tiles--altogether a very retired and pleasant and suitable spot in which +to hold a committee meeting. Exactly behind the seat stood an enormous +jar of terra-cotta, colored red, and decorated with Greek figures in +black silhouette, rather blurred and rubbed off, but still +distinguishable. No doubt its original use had been to store water, +wine, or olive-oil, but nowadays it was merely an ornament to the +garden. A plant pot full of scarlet geraniums rested on its head, and an +arbutula twined up the sides. + +Peachy climbed up the bank behind, and with the help of Jess removed +the pot of scarlet geraniums; then very cautiously and carefully she let +herself down inside the jar. It was just big enough to contain her, and +she lay concealed like one of the forty thieves in the story of _Ali +Baba_. She had one advantage, however, over the famous brigands. There +was a little round hole broken in the front of the jar, and by putting +her eye to this she had an excellent view of her surroundings. + +"Are you all right?" asked Irene anxiously. + +"Fixed splendidly, thanks. Stick that flower-pot back on the top and +nobody'll ever guess I'm inside. Now scoot, quick, for it won't do for +them to see you haunting round. The place must look absolutely innocent +when they arrive." + +"We won't go too far. Shout for us if you get so you can't bear it any +longer," said Jess, putting the geraniums on like a stopper, and +dragging Irene away. + +Peachy's position was certainly not one of comfort, squatting at the +bottom of the great jar, and she was relieved that she had not long to +wait before the rival sorority arrived to hold its meeting. The girls +came scurrying, flushed after their games of tennis, and flung +themselves down, some on the marble steps and some on the tiled seat. +Bertha, as the Camellia Buds had suspected, was evidently the high +priestess, and opened the ceremony without delay. + +"Members of the Starry Circle," she began hurriedly, "repeat your oath." + +"We vow to be loyal to one another and to our President, and never to +reveal the secrets of our society," recited seven voices in reply. + +("Aha!" chuckled Peachy to herself, in the depths of the gigantic jar. +"Got the name of your precious sorority slap-bang off!") + +"We've met together this afternoon," continued Bertha, "to settle +finally what parts we're going to take at the carnival. Ruth, just look +round, please, and be _sure_ none of those wretched Camellia Buds is +anywhere about." + +Bertha paused, while Ruth made a tour among the bushes, and seemed +slightly puzzled when the latter reported: + +"Coast clear." + +"It's a funny thing," commented the President, "but I declare I can +smell that particular strong lily-of-the-valley scent that Peachy is so +fond of. I suppose it's only fancy?" + +"I can smell it too," confirmed Elsie, sniffing the air. + +"Are there any lilies-of-the-valley out anywhere near?" asked Mabel. + +"No, it's too early for them." + +"Then somebody else must have the same scent, or have picked up Peachy's +_mouchoir_ by mistake." + +A general examination of handkerchiefs followed, but each girl +disclaimed all responsibility for the delicate odor. + +"Queer! I can't understand it. However, let's get to business. Our +waxworks are absolutely going to take the shine out of their stupid old +toy-shop. The only trouble is how we're going to get hold of the right +costumes. There's Queen Elizabeth now--I can manage her skirt, but I +want something for her farthingale. What can we raise?" + +"Peachy has a lovely flowered silk dressing-gown," remarked Mabel. "It +would be just the thing." + +"Suppose she uses it herself though." + +"I won't give her a chance. I'll take it out of her cubicle the night +before and hide it." + +"O-o-h! You will! Will you?" exploded a voice from the interior of the +Greek jar. "We'll just see about that." + +The fact was that Peachy's crouching position had grown intolerable. She +was bound to move and reveal herself, and her indignation at Mabel's +cool suggestion flamed forth through the peep-hole. + +The Circle sprang up in much alarm, and some of them squealed as the pot +of geraniums fell with a crash from the top of the big jar, and Peachy's +pink face and fluffy hair appeared instead. Her flashing gray eyes +certainly held no love light in them. + +"You mean things!" raged Peachy. "Call yourselves stars, do you? I can't +see anything very star-like about you. Have your old waxworks if you +like, but I can tell you beforehand you won't take the shine out of +_us_. You've copied my idea shamelessly, and if you're going to steal +our properties too--yes, you may well scoot. Don't ever dare to show +your faces to me again." + +For the members of the Starry Circle had broken up their meeting, and +were running away down the lemon pergola in the direction of the house, +immensely upset to find there had been a secret listener in their midst. +Once they were out of sight Peachy cooeed for Jess and Irene, who +appeared bursting with laughter and demanding details, having witnessed +the rout of the enemy from a distance. + +"I'll tell you presently if you'll help me climb out of this wretched +thing," said Peachy, who found it a far more difficult matter to +extricate herself from the jar than it had been to drop into it. "How'm +I going to manage? Oh, don't pull my arms so, you hurt!" + +It was indeed somewhat of a problem, and Peachy was beginning to feel +seriously alarmed, when, fortunately, one of the gardeners came to the +rescue, and tilted the jar over so as to allow her to crawl out. + +"I feel like a released Slave of the Lamp, or a freed dryad, or +something fairy-taley or mythological," she declared. "It was worth it, +though, to see those girls' faces. Thank you, Giovanni! I'm ever so much +obliged. Sorry if I've spoilt your bed of violets. Is that Delia calling +us? Coming, dearie. Where are the rest of the Camellia Buds? I may as +well tell my story to the whole bunch of you together. Then you'll see +the sort of thing we're up against. They've taken our idea, and they're +trying to beat us on our own ground. That's what it's all about." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +The School Carnival + + +The Camellia Buds considered that they possessed a real grievance. The +difference between an animated toy-shop and waxworks was so slight as to +be immaterial. In both the figures would require to be wound up, after +which they would perform various antics. The idea had certainly +originated with Peachy, and the Starry Circle had merely copied it. +Their stunt was in fact a shameless plagiarism. + +"Why couldn't they have joined with us and we'd have done the toy-shop +all together?" demanded Agnes crossly. + +"Oh, I don't know. It's just their perversity. It'll look so stupid to +have two separate shows. Whichever comes last will seem so stale after +the other." + +"Why, of course, ours will come first! It _must_!" + +"There'll be a fight for it." + +"We can't squabble at the carnival with Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley +looking on. We'd better have our battle beforehand and get it over." + +"Tell the Stars we mean to have first innings?" + +"They'll never agree!" + +"Look here, it's no use coming to open war with them. I vote we try +diplomacy. Has anybody thought of the programs yet?" + +"I heard the seniors groaning over having to paint covers for them." + +"Well, let's go to them privately and volunteer to help. Then we shall +have the opportunity of telling them that the Transition stunt is to be +in two divisions, and that Part I will be taken by ourselves." + +"Quite a brain-throb!" + +"Renie, I'm beginning to admire you!" + +"Peachy can paint beautifully!" + +"So can Joan and Esther. Shall I go and say we offer to do six programs? +Right-o! Come with me, Peachy. You're our champion wheedler." + +The two delegates started at once on their diplomatic mission. They +felt indeed that there was no time to be lost. They found several of the +prefects collected in Rachel's bedroom, where possibly they were having +a little private candy party, for there were sounds of a rustling of +paper and a shutting of drawers before they were granted permission to +enter the precincts. The Transition girls always envied the seniors' +rooms. These were on the seaward side of the house, and their balcony +had glorious views over the bay and the surrounding coast. The +decorations were very tasteful. The walls were gray, with a stenciled +frieze of hydrangeas, and there were soft-shaded Indian rugs on the +polished wood floor. Rachel and her roommates had provided their own +luxuries in the way of pretty cushions, table-covers, pictures, and +flower-vases, and the general effect was of harmonious comfort. + +"Well? What can I do for you?" inquired the head girl briefly, as Stella +admitted the diplomats. + +It was not a very encouraging reception. Possibly the prefects were +annoyed at being disturbed in the midst of what they were doing. + +Peachy, however, ignored Rachel's tone, and putting on her most winning +smile inquired: + +"We wonder if you're painting any program covers for the carnival?" + +Rachel lolled back in her chair and retied the bow that terminated her +long dark pigtail. + +"Perhaps we are and perhaps we aren't," was her somewhat cryptic reply. + +"The matter's in our hands entirely, of course," cooed Sybil, rocking to +and fro on a cane _sedia_. + +"I know," put in Irene, trying to be tactful. "We only thought that +perhaps you might care to have a little help. Some of us would be ready +to paint a few if you like." + +This put a different complexion on the case. The seniors, always +bristling for their privileges, resented idle curiosity--on the part of +the Transition. But an offer of help was another matter. + +"There certainly is a great number to be done," said Erica, with a +beseeching look at Rachel. + +The head girl thawed a little. + +"Well, we shouldn't mind your taking a few off our hands," she conceded. +"Half a dozen? Sybil, will you get those programs out of my drawer? Put +anything you like on them--flowers, birds, figures, or landscapes. I'll +lend you this to copy the printing from. Let me have them by Thursday if +you can." + +Rachel glanced meaningly at the door, as if she considered the interview +might now with decency come to an end. Neither Peachy nor Irene took the +hint, however. The main object of their mission had not yet been +broached. + +"You've not written the program inside yet," commented Peachy, opening +one of the covers. + +"We'll do that later." + +"Shall we copy some for you?" + +"Oh, no, thanks!" + +Then Irene, growing desperate, blurted out what they had really come to +say. + +"The Transition stunt is to be in two parts this time. Bertha and Mabel +are arranging one, and Peachy is getting up another. Do you mind putting +ours down to come first?" + +"Sorry, but I'm afraid it can't be done," yawned Rachel. "Bertha has +been up and bagged first innings. I wrote it down, didn't I, Stella? +Where's that list? Yes, here we are. The juniors are to come first, +because Miss Morgan has trained them and she thinks they'll get the +fidgets if they wait, and it's better to have their performance over. +Then, of course, comes our stunt, and then the Transition." + +"Could we possibly have our half of the Transition stunt before yours? +It would make more variety." + +"Most certainly not!" + +Rachel's brow was puckered in a frown, and Sybil, from the depths of the +rocking-chair, murmured, "Cheek!" + +"We've got the program all fixed up, and we're not going to change it +for anybody," chirped Erica. + +"Any one who isn't satisfied needn't act," endorsed Rachel, with such a +very decided glance at the door that the two delegates could no longer +obtrude their presence, and were obliged to beat an unwilling retreat. + +They walked along the passage very dissatisfied with the result of their +mission. + +"We've got all the fag of painting these wretched programs, and gained +nothing at all," groused Irene. + +"They might have told us first about Bertha. Isn't she an absolute +Jacob--supplanting us like this?" + +"Those seniors are _most_ unsympathetic. I want to go back and tell +Rachel what I think of her." + +"She'd only say, 'How foreign' if you got excited. And it wouldn't be an +atom of use either." + +"They've taken the best place in the program for their stunt." + +"Trust the prefects to do that." + +"What's to be done about it?" + +"It will need some thinking over." + +Peachy's agile brains were rarely to be beaten. She slept upon the +problem, and informed her friends afterwards that inspiration came to +her at exactly 3 a.m. + +"I know, because I heard the convent clock strike. I sat up in bed and +laughed. I wonder I didn't wake the dormitory, but nobody stirred a +finger. Listen, and I'll explain. The situation at present is this: +Bertha and her Starry Circle have cribbaged our idea and forestalled us +on the program, and are going to act their wretched waxworks first, and +are congratulating themselves that their piece will take the shine out +of ours." + +"So it will, I'm afraid. The audience will have sat through the juniors' +play, the seniors' stunt, and the waxworks. They'll be bored stiff to +see our toy-shop straight away afterwards." + +"Well, they _shan't_ see it. That's my idea. Let's drop the toy-shop and +do something quite different." + +"Drop our toy-shop! O-o-h!" + +"We'll do it some other time. But you see we've one advantage on the +program at any rate. We come last." + +"That's what we're raving against." + +"I know! But if you think of it, it's a great opportunity. Suppose we +do a splendid finishing tableau instead of animated toys? It would make +a magnificent wind-up, and would be a surprise for everybody. Think of +the amazement of the Starry Circle, when they're expecting us to do a +pale copy of their own stunt, to see us posed as a tableau, and +everybody clapping the roof off." + +"It would be rather sporty." + +"Only I did so want to dress up as a kangaroo," mourned Joan dolefully. + +"You shall be Australia instead, and you'll look far nicer. I'll +guarantee to make you ever so pretty. It's to be an Anglo-American +pageant, to symbolize the school. We'll have Columbia and Britannia and +all her colonies, in a sort of _entente cordiale_. You'll see it will +please Miss Morley and Miss Rodgers no end. That Starry Circle will be +just _aching_ with envy. They'll wish they'd been in it. It will +absolutely take the wind out of their sails and lay them flat." + +"Peachy Proctor, there's a spice of genius in your composition," said +Jess admiringly. "I could never have thought of that myself." + +"Oh, fiddlesticks! Glad you approve though. Now what we've got to do is +to hustle up and get busy over costumes. They'll take some contriving. +Hide all your best things away from the Stars, or they'll be +commandeering them. Mabel has no conscience. And be careful that not the +least teeny-weeny hint leaks out. Let's talk openly about the toy-shop, +and pretend we're still going on practicing for it. It will be all the +bigger sell for them when they find out." + +The Camellia Buds, having undertaken to paint six program covers, nobly +did their duty and finished them in the prescribed time. Lorna offered +to take them to Rachel's room, and met with quite a gracious reception +from the head girl. So much so that she ventured to put forward a +suggestion of her own. + +"May Part I of the Transition stunt have a time limit?" she asked. "We +want to have some idea when we're to come on." + +"Certainly," agreed Rachel. "We can't let Part I go on _ad infinitum_. I +hadn't thought of that. I shall tell Bertha she may have ten minutes and +no longer. I shall ring the curtain bell if she exceeds. I see your +point entirely. It's only fair." + +"I was afraid if it was getting near tea-time the audience mightn't want +to stay." + +"Exactly. I'll take care your stunt isn't crowded out. Trust that to me. +I'm not head girl here for nothing. And I'm not entirely blind either. +My advice is to look after yourselves." + +Lorna returned to the Camellia Buds feeling she had considerably scored +over the Stars. Her previous acquaintance with school theatricals had +taught her that audiences are human, that even teachers will not sit +through too lengthy a performance, and that the lure of tea cannot be +resisted by those who are accustomed to drink it daily at 4 p.m. As +their own dormitory was half in possession of the enemy, Irene and Lorna +adjourned to Peachy's bedroom to make preparations for their costumes, +and held cosy sewing-bees in company with Delia, Jess, Mary, and any +other chums who were able to join them. They kept their properties +safely locked up inside one of the wardrobes in No. 13, and Peachy wore +the key tied under her skirt with a piece of ribbon. + +"Because you can't trust that sneaking Mabel not to come in and poke +about," she explained grimly. "I know she wants my dressing-gown." + +"We shall have to gallop with our costumes if we're to make anything of +a show," said Sheila, hastily running seams in a creation of scarlet and +blue, destined to clothe Canada. + +"I know, but we'll wear them even if they've got raw edges and are +fastened together with pins. I don't suppose the audience will be near +enough to see the stitches. I hope not, at any rate. Mine are absolute +cats' cradles." + +By the day of the festival, however, the Camellia Buds were exactly +ready. They had kept their secret strictly, and flattered themselves +that their rivals the Stars were in complete ignorance of their change +of program. The acting was to be in the gymnasium, not in the garden, +for a sirocco wind was blowing and the overcast sky promised rain. It +was a pity, for the pergola would have made such a beautiful background, +and some enthusiasts even petitioned Miss Morley to keep to her original +plan. + +"And have you all wet through, and the guests shivering with cold?" she +replied. "No, indeed! Be thankful we have such a large room as the gym +to act in. Otherwise the fête would have been put off altogether." + +The girls were allowed, however, to decorate the platform with flowers, +and to hang up Chinese lanterns so as to give a festive appearance to +the scene. The performers donned their costumes in good time, but wore +waterproofs over them to conceal them. They wished to witness each +other's stunts, yet did not want to reveal their own secrets too soon. +There was quite a good audience assembled in the gymnasium. Miss Rodgers +and Miss Morley had sent out many invitations, and some parents and +friends had come over from Naples to combine a peep at the celebrated +Fossato festival with a visit to the school. Irene's cup of joy was full +when, to her utter amazement, she saw her own father, mother, and +brother walk into the room. + +"Well! You _are_ a surprise package," she exclaimed, greeting them +gleefully. "Why didn't you write and tell me you were coming?" + +"We didn't know ourselves," said Vincent. "We never thought we could +manage to get off, and we didn't want to disappoint you. When does your +stunt come on?" + +"Not till the end, so I can sit with you most of the time. Oh! It's +simply too good to have you all turn up like this. Mother darling, +there's a chair for you here, and I'll be in the middle between you and +Daddy." + +The entertainment began with a fairy play acted by the juniors. They +looked very pretty in their gauzy garments, and little Désirée, in a +gossamer robe of elfin green, made an attractive queen, so dainty and +ethereal that the audience almost expected to see through her. "What a +sweet child!" was the general comment, as she tripped back in response +to a storm of clapping, to give an encore to her "Moonbeam Song." + +The juniors retired, having covered themselves with glory, greatly to +the satisfaction of Miss Morgan, who had spent much time in training +them for their performance. + +It was now the turn of the seniors. They had got up an operetta of +Robin Hood, and appeared clad in the orthodox foresters' costume of +Lincoln green, with bows, arrows, and quivers. Stella, as Maid Marian, +and Phyllis, as the Curtle Friar, were especial successes; while Will +Scarlett and Little John gave a noble display of fencing with +quarter-staves, a part of the program which they had practiced in +secrecy, under the instruction of the gymnastic mistress, and now +presented as a complete surprise to the school. Their acting was so +spirited that everybody was quite sorry when the short piece was ended, +and would have liked certain scenes repeated, had not Miss Morley +pointed to her watch and shaken her head emphatically to forbid further +encores. Past experience had warned her not to allow one section of the +school to monopolize an undue share of the time to the exclusion of +others. + +"It's the turn of the Transition now," she said. "We shall only just +work through our program by half past four." + +Even the Camellia Buds, though they watched with jaundiced eyes, could +not deny that the members of the Starry Circle managed their waxworks +very creditably. Elsie indeed, as Madame de Pompadour, was not +convincing, but Mabel made a distinguished Sir Walter Raleigh, and +Bertha surpassed herself as Queen Elizabeth. The rival sorority, after +witnessing this triumph, was more and more thankful to have abandoned +the idea of acting an animated toy-shop. It would certainly have seemed +tame to continue on the same lines as the prior performance. As it was +they chuckled with satisfaction behind the curtain, while they arranged +themselves for the tableau. + +"I guess it will make them sit up," purred Peachy, setting a curl +straight with the aid of her pocket-mirror. "It will be frightfully hard +to keep still, for I shall just want to stare round and see their faces, +but don't alarm yourselves. I promise not to give so much as a blink. I +wouldn't disgrace our stunt for the world. I'll be a rigid marble statue +till the curtain drops." + +"Sh! sh! Don't chatter so much," warned Jess. "Aren't you ready yet? +Miss Morley's getting impatient." + +"It's nearly half past four, and I expect everybody is longing for +tea," put in Irene. + +"They'll have to wait for it till we've done our stunt. We're not going +to be left out," said Peachy, hurriedly taking her pose. + +The allegorical scene in which the girls were grouped presented a pretty +picture as the curtain rose. + +In the center Agnes and Delia, dressed as Britannia and Columbia, +supported the Union Jack and the Stars and Strips together with a bunch +of camellias as a delicate compliment to the school; Jess, in plaid and +tam-o'-shanter, stood for her native Scotland; Peachy, with fringed +leather leggings and cowboy's hat, was a ranch-girl; Joan in a somewhat +similar costume represented "the bush" in Australia; Sheila in a white +coat trimmed plentifully with cotton wool made a pretty Canada; Irene +was an Irish colleen; Mary, with bunches of mimosa, typified South +Africa; and Esther, gorgeous in Oriental drapery and numerous necklaces, +was an Indian princess. But perhaps the most successful costume of all +was Lorna's. She had been chosen to take the character of New Zealand, +and was dressed in a pale yellow wrapper decorated with beautiful sprays +of tinted leaves. Round her head was a garland of orange blossoms, and +in her arms she held great branches of oranges and lemons, to typify the +fruits of the country she was impersonating. With Lorna's dark eyes and +hair the effect was most striking. She kept her pose admirably, scarcely +blinking an eyelid, though Mary palpably moved, and even Joan was guilty +of a smile. The audience, immensely surprised and pleased with the +tableau, clapped enthusiastically. It was felt to be a very fitting +finish to the festival. + +"You kept your secret well, girls," said Miss Morley, as she +congratulated them afterwards. "I'm sure nobody had the least hint. It +was charmingly thought out and arranged. Come along now and have some +tea. It has really been a most successful afternoon." + +Audience and performers, the latter in all the glory of their pretty +costumes, mingled together now for conversation and tea-drinking. Irene +quickly joined her family, and had much to say to them, and many +questions to ask about their doings in Naples. + +"I say, Renie," whispered Vincent, suddenly interrupting her, "tell me +who's that lovely girl? She looked the best in the whole of your +tableau." + +Irene followed his glance to the yellow-clad figure handing the teacups +which Miss Morley was filling. + +"That's Lorna. One of my best chums. Yes, that costume suits her. I want +to bring her to speak to Mother. Yes, Lorna, you _must_ come. I simply +shan't let you run away. Mummie darling, this is Lorna. We room +together, you know." + +Lorna, dragged forward much against her will to be introduced, stood +shy and blushing, but her heightened color and evident confusion added +to her attraction, and several heads were turned to glance at her among +the guests in that quarter of the room. It was not until this occasion +of the carnival that any one at the Villa Camellia had recognized Lorna +as a budding beauty. + +"You ought always to wear yellow," Peachy said to her afterwards. "It's +quite your color. By the by, who chooses your clothes for you?" + +"Miss Rodgers generally takes me to Naples and buys them." + +"She's no taste. Her ideas run to a gym suit and a school panama and +nothing beyond. I'll give you a tip. Next time you need an evening dress +or a Sunday jumper, engineer it so Miss Morley does the shopping. She'll +get you something pretty, I'll guarantee. She chose that blue _crêpe de +chine_ for Delia. Don't forget. And don't look so fearfully surprised. +If you haven't thought about your clothes before it's time you did. My +dear, you'll pay dressing. Come close and I'll whisper to you: some of +those Stars are just too jealous of you for words. I'm tickled to bits." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Up Vesuvius + + +On a certain day towards the end of March, Miss Morley, who usually +acted as cicerone and general guide, arranged to take a select little +party up Vesuvius. Irene, Lorna, Peachy, and Delia were among the +favored few, and congratulated themselves exceedingly. It is certainly +not an every-day occurrence for schoolgirls to view a volcano, and this +particular excursion, being long and difficult, was kept as a special +treat, and was regarded as the titbit of the various expeditions from +the Villa Camellia. Many of the girls had, of course, made it on former +occasions, but to those whom Miss Morley was escorting to-day it was all +new. + +"I was to have gone last autumn," confided Peachy, "but the fact is I +got into a little fix with Miss Rodgers, and she started on the rampage +and canceled my exeat. I cried till I was simply a sopping sponge, but +she was a perfect crab that day. Lorna, weren't you to have gone too +once before?" + +"Yes, and got toothache. Just like my luck. There the others were +starting off, and I was sitting by the stove with a swollen face, +dabbing on belladonna, and Miss Rodgers careering round telling me I +must have it out. Ugh! My ailments always turn up when I'm going +anywhere." + +"Well, you're all right to-day at any rate," consoled Delia, rather +unsympathetically. + +"If I don't get seasick on the boat." + +"Oh, buck up! You mustn't. We'll throw you overboard to the fishes if +you do anything so silly. For goodness' sake don't any one start +symptoms and spoil the fun. Where's Miss Morley? I'm just aching to be +off." + +The party left Fossato by the early morning steamer and went straight +to Naples. They drove from the quay to the station, then took the little +local train for Vesuvius. Italian railways generally provide scant +accommodation for the number of passengers, so there ensued a wild +scramble for seats, and it was only by the help of the conductor, whom +she had judiciously tipped, that Miss Morley managed to keep her flock +together, and settle them in one of the small saloon carriages. Here +they were wedged pretty tightly among native Italians, and tourists of +various nations, including some voluble Swedes and a company of dapper +Japanese gentlemen, who were seeing Europe. After much pushing, +crowding, shouting, and gesticulation on the part of both the public and +officials, the train at last started and pursued its jolting and jerky +way. It ran first through the poorer district of Naples, where +dilapidated houses, whose faded walls showed traces of former gay pink, +blue, or yellow color-wash, stood in the midst of vegetable gardens; +then, the slums left behind, the line passed a long way among vineyards +and orchards of almond, peach, and cherry that were just bursting into +glorious lacy blossom. The railway banks were gay with the flowers which +March scatters in Southern Italy, red poppies, orange marigolds, lupins, +campanulas, purple snapdragons, and wild mignonette, growing anywhere +among stones and rocks, with the luxuriance that in northern countries +is reserved for June. + +At Torre Annunziata the party from the Villa Camellia all crowded to the +carriage window, for Miss Morley had something to point out to them. + +"We're passing over the lava formed by the great eruption in 1906. The +whole of the railway line and ever so many houses were buried then. +Don't you see bits of them peeping out over there?" + +"Why, yes, it looks like cinders," commented Lorna. + +"They're great masses of crumbling lava turning into soil. Wait till we +get farther on, then you'll see lava more in its raw stage. Very soon we +shall be passing over the top of Herculaneum. The ancient city lies +buried thirty feet below the surface." + +"Aren't they ever going to excavate it like they did Pompeii?" + +"The trouble is that the modern town of Pugliano is built over the top, +and naturally the owners don't want their houses pulled down, whatever +treasures in the way of Greek or Roman antiquities may lie buried +underneath. Isn't the view of the Bay of Naples beautiful from here?" + +"Yes, and the flowers. It's like fairyland." + +At Pugliano the party left the train, and after a long and tiresome wait +at the station changed to the light electric railway that was to take +them up Vesuvius. The little carriage resembled a tramcar, and its wide +glass windows afforded excellent views of the scenery _en route_. +Up--up--up they went, gradually getting higher and higher. It was +marvelous how the vegetation altered as they ascended. The cactuses, +olives, almonds, and peach orchards gave way to hillsides covered with +small chestnut, oak, or poplar trees, and the poppies and daisies were +succeeded by broom bushes and clumps of rosemary. They were getting on +to the region of the lava, and all the ground was brown, like newly +turned peat. Men were busy digging terraces in the volcanic earth, to +plant vines, working calmly as if the great cone above them had never +belched forth fire and ashes. + +"How _dare_ they live here?" shuddered Peachy, pointing to the tiny +dwellings which had been reared here and there. "When they see all the +ruin round them, aren't they afraid? What makes them go back?" + +"The ground is so rich," explained Miss Morley. "Nothing grows vines so +splendidly as volcanic earth. The people get fatalistic, and think it +worth risking their lives to have these fruitful little farms. They say +the mountain may not be angry again for years, and they will take their +chance." + +"It's smoking now," said Lorna. + +"I suppose it's safe?" asked Delia anxiously. + +"Perfectly safe to-day or we shouldn't have been allowed to go up in the +electric railway. Do you see that big building--the observatory? Careful +investigations are made every day of the crater, and the results +telegraphed down to Naples. If there were the slightest hint of danger +the trains would be stopped and tourists turned back." + +The journey was ever upwards, over great wastes of rough brown lava, +which looked as if some giant, in play, had squeezed out the contents of +enormous tubes of oil paint on to the mighty palette of the mountain +side. The air had grown fresh and cold, for they were at an altitude +approaching 4000 feet, and, but for the scenery, might have imagined +themselves in Wales or Scotland. + +The light railway ended at a small station, where there was the +observatory and a hotel. All round were masses of enormous cinders, and +above, a grim sight, towered the immense cone of Vesuvius. To scale the +tremendous incline to the summit there was a funicular railway, to which +our party now transferred themselves, sitting on seats raised one above +another as in the gallery of a theater. It was here that, if the events +of the day are to be truly chronicled, we must record a scrimmage +between Irene and her chum, Peachy. The conductor of the light railway +had gathered a bunch of rosemary _en route_, and he now approached the +funicular and bestowed his offering upon Peachy, who happened to be +sitting nearest to the end. She was immensely gratified at the +attention, sniffed the fragrant nosegay, and handed it on for admiration +to Lorna, who, after also burying her nose in it, passed it to Irene. +The latter ought to have realized it was not her own property, but +unfortunately didn't. She calmly appropriated the bunch, and distributed +it in portions to those nearest her. Peachy's cheeks flamed. She was a +hot-tempered little soul underneath her gay banter. + +"Well! Of all cool cheek," she exploded. "That was _my_ bouquet. It was +given to _me_, not to you, Renie Beverley. Next time you start being +charitable use your own flowers, not mine. You haven't left me a single +piece." + +"I'm sorry," blushed Irene, trying to collect some portion at least of +her offerings to hand back to the lawful owner. "I thought they were +given to me." + +"No, you didn't, you simply bagged them," snapped Peachy. "I'm not +friends with you, so don't talk to me any more," and Peachy turned a red +offended face out of the carriage window. + +Irene might have apologized further, but the funicular gave a mighty +jerk at that moment, and the carriage started. Up--up went the little +train, working on wire ropes like a bucket coming out of a well. Higher +and higher and higher it rose up the terrific incline, over masses of +cinders, towards the thick cloud of smoke that loomed above. It stopped +at last at a big iron gate, which opened to admit the passengers on to +the summit. Here the guides were waiting, and after some parleying in +Italian, Miss Morley engaged a couple of them to escort her party. Led +by these men, who knew every inch of the way, they started to walk to +the crater of the volcano. A cinder path had been made along the edge of +the cone, having on the left side a steep ridge of ashes, and on the +right a sheer drop of many thousand feet. From this strange road there +were weird and beautiful effects--for it was above the region of the +clouds, which floated below, sometimes hiding the landscape, and +sometimes revealing glorious stretches of country, with gleams of +sunshine falling on the white houses of towns miles below, and blue +reaches of sea with mountains beyond. Great volumes of smoke kept coming +down from the summit, and blowing in a dense cloud, then clearing for a +few minutes and forming again. There were booming sounds like the firing +of cannons that seemed to issue from the smoke. + +Very much awed by these impressive surroundings the party kept close +together. The guides, in their gray uniforms and caps with red bands, +were a comforting feature of the excursion. But for their encouragement +the girls would have been too much scared to proceed. Delia was clinging +to Peachy, and Lorna held Irene's arm tightly. Miss Morley, who had been +before, kept assuring everybody that there was no danger, and after a +few minutes they grew sufficiently accustomed to the scene to thoroughly +enjoy the magnificent effects of the clouds circling below them. But the +guides were calling "Haste," for the mist was clearing, and it would be +possible to get a view of the crater. They all scurried along the path, +and suddenly to the left, instead of the high ridge of cinders, they +could look down into a deep rocky ravine. From this hollow vapors were +rising as from a witch's cauldron, but every now and then the wind +dispersed them as if lifting a veil, revealing a glimpse of the crater. +At the bottom of the ravine stood a great cone, from the mouth of which +poured dense clouds of smoke, and between the smoke could be seen fire, +as if the interior of the cone were a red-hot furnace. Sometimes the +vapors were shadowy as gray phantoms, sometimes glowing red with the +reflection of the fire within, and as they whirled round the dim ravine +loud explosions broke the silence. The view was as fleeting and +evanescent as a landscape in a dream; one minute there would be nothing +but a bank of mist and deadly stillness, the next a vision of fire and +sounds that rent the mountain air. + +"It's like looking into the bottomless pit," shivered Delia. + +"Oh, but it's magnificent!" gasped Peachy. + +"I'd no idea it would be so grand as this," said Irene. "I wouldn't +have missed it for worlds." + +"Come along, girls. The guides can take us farther," said Miss Morley. +"Don't be frightened, for it's perfectly safe, and they won't let us go +into any danger." + +So they went some way along the mountain and turned down a side path +towards the crater. It was difficult walking, for they were all among +lava and sliding cinders, but the guides kept close by them, and helped +them over difficult places. When they had descended perhaps a hundred +feet or so, the ground became percolated with steam, jets of it poured +from holes among the rocks, and the cinders upon which they stood felt +warm to their boots. The guides brought the party to a halt upon a ledge +of volcanic rock, from below which ran a sheer slide of hot cinders into +the ravine. From here there was a splendid near view of the cone, its +top yellow with sulphur, and at its base a lake of molten lava. One of +the guides, a venturesome fellow, climbed down by another path and +fetched lumps of sulphur as souvenirs for the girls, and the other guide +pressed upon them pieces of lava into which, while hot, he had inserted +coins, so that they had set into the mass when cool. They were naturally +immensely delighted with these mementoes, and put them in their pockets, +quite unsuspecting of the sequel that was to ensue. + +It was a fearful scramble back up the steep path over the sliding +cinders. The guides held out a stick or a hand to help at awkward +corners, and being young and active the party managed to scale the side +of the ravine and regain the summit of the mountain without any +accidents, though Delia confessed afterwards that she had fully expected +to tumble backwards and roll into the lava, a fear which Miss Morley +pooh-poohed entirely. + +"There was no danger unless you fainted, and the guides were close at +your elbow the whole time," she declared. + +The smiling officials in the gray uniforms and red-banded caps had +indeed seemed the good geniuses of the excursion, but alack! they +exhibited a different aspect when they had conducted their party back to +the entrance of the funicular railway. Not satisfied with the payment +which the government tariff allowed them to charge, they demanded from +each of the visitors exorbitant tips in consideration of the little +lumps of sulphur and lava which they had given them from the crater. The +girls, who had supposed these to be presents, were most indignant. + +"Five francs for a scrap of sulphur!" + +"And we'd just called him such a kind man!" + +"Let him keep his wretched souvenirs!" + +"No, no! I want mine!" + +"It's too bad!" + +"I want my money to buy post-cards!" + +"It's absolute blackmail!" + +The guides, no longer smiling and obliging, but clamoring loudly for +extra money, were finally settled with by Miss Morley, who knew the +customs of the country, and was aware that they would be quite content +with less than half of what they had asked. + +"It's always the way in Naples," she said philosophically, as she +thankfully bundled her flock into the funicular. "You can't get along +anywhere without tipping. The government may try its best to arrange +fixed prices, but every one who goes sightseeing must be prepared to +part with a good deal in the way of small change. The guides are not +such brigands as they used to be, thank goodness. Thirty or forty years +ago I suppose it was hopeless to come unless you brought a courier with +you from Naples to keep the others off. Well, you have your little +souvenirs of Vesuvius at any rate, even if they've turned out rather +expensive ones. They're something to keep, aren't they?" + +"I wouldn't have given up mine if they'd asked me twenty dollars for +it," declared Peachy, fondling the nickel coin set in the lump of lava. + +"I don't understand the Neapolitans," frowned Irene. "One minute they're +so charming and persuasive and winning and gay, and the next they're +absolute bandits." + +"They're a mixed race, with a good deal of the Spaniard in them," +explained Miss Morley. "We must make certain allowances for their +southern temperaments and customs. They're very poor, and they look upon +American and British tourists as made of money, and therefore fair game +to be fleeced. The best plan is to take them quite calmly, and never +lose your temper however excited they may get. When you've lived here +for a time you learn how to treat them." + +By this time they had reached the bottom of the funicular, and were back +in the little station near the observatory. A picturesque woman, with a +yellow shawl round her shoulders, and long gold earrings in her ears, +came hurrying up to sell post-cards, and offered to show the party the +quickest way into the hotel. As every one was very tired and hungry Miss +Morley succumbed to the voice of this siren, and permitted her to escort +them by what she assured them would be a short cut and would save many +steps. But alas for Italian veracity! Their suave and smiling guide led +them down a path at the back of the hotel to a shabby and dirty little +restaurant of her own, where she vehemently assured them she would +provide them with a far cheaper meal, an offer which, at the sight of +the crumby table-cloth, they resolutely refused. + +"The old humbug! I'd no idea she was decoying us away from the hotel. +Really nobody can be trusted up here," fumed Miss Morley. "Come along, +girls. I told the conductor to reserve a table for us, and there won't +be time to have lunch before the train starts unless we're quick." + +So they all hurried back again up the path--much to the chagrin of the +siren--and found their own way into the hotel, where seats had been kept +for them in the restaurant, and dishes of macaroni and vegetables and +cups of hot coffee were in readiness. + +The great attraction to the girls was the fact that if they bought +post-cards at the hotel these could be stamped by the conductor of the +train with the Vesuvius postmark, and posted in a special pillar-box at +the station. The idea of sending cards to their friends actually from +the volcano itself was most fascinating, and they scribbled away till +the last available moment. + +"I guess some homes in America will be startled when they see these," +purred Peachy, addressing flaming representations of an eruption. "It +ought just to make Nell Condy's eyes pop out." + +"I'm only afraid they won't believe we've really been," sighed Delia, +skeptically. + +"They'll have to, with the Vesuvius postmark. The post-office can't tell +fibs at any rate. I call these cards a bit of luck. Be a sport, +somebody, and lend me an extra stamp. I'm cleared out, and haven't so +much as a nickel left." + +"Hurry, girls, or we shan't get places in the train," urged Miss Morley, +sweeping her party from the hotel into the station, where other tourists +were beginning to crowd into the carriages. + +The platform was a characteristic Italian scene; a blind man with a +guitar was singing gay Neapolitan songs in a beautiful tenor voice, a +woman with a lovely brown-eyed baby was calling oranges, an old man with +a red cap and a faded blue umbrella under his arm offered specimens of +hand-made lace, while a roguish-looking girl tried to sell cameos carved +in lava, throwing them on to the laps of the passengers as they sat in +the train. Irene, who was beginning to learn Italian methods of +purchase, commenced to bargain with her for a quaintly cut mascot, +reducing the price asked lira by lira till at length, when the conductor +blew his brass horn, she finally got it for exactly half of what was at +first demanded. + +"And quite enough too," said Miss Morley, who had watched the business +with amusement. "She's probably more than satisfied, and will go dancing +home to her mother. Let me look, Irene? This funny little hunchback is +always considered the 'luck' of Vesuvius. I believe he's copied from a +model found in Pompeii. He's the true mascot of the mountain. Yes, he's +quite a pretty little curio and well worth having." + +"I wish I'd had any money left to buy one with," sighed Peachy. + +The train was speeding downhill now, leaving ashes and lava behind, and +heading for the bright bay where the sun was shining on the sea. Seen +from above against a gray background of olives and other trees not yet +in leaf, the blossoming peaches and apricots had a filmy fairy look most +beautiful to behold. Behind frowned the great volcano still belching out +clouds of smoke. + +"I've a different impression of old Vesuvius now I've seen his heart," +said Peachy, looking back for a last farewell view. + +"He still seems full of mischief, but I'm glad he played no tricks while +we were up there," commented Delia. + +"It's certainly one of the sights of the world, and I'm glad I've seen +it," said Lorna. "Yes, I don't mind telling you I was scared when these +explosions kept popping off. I thought it was going to erupt and give us +the benefit." + +Irene, when they were back at the Villa Camellia, patched up her +squabble with Peachy, whom she had offended over the rosemary incident, +and pressed the Vesuvius mascot upon her as a peace offering. + +"I didn't mean to grab your flowers," she assured her. "Really, honest +Injun, I didn't." + +"Why, I'd forgotten all about it," declared her light-hearted chum. "I +didn't mind a bit after my 'first mad' cooled off. Sorry if I was a +bear. No, I won't take your lucky hunchback. _Must_ I? Well, you're a +dear! I'd adore to have it. I felt absolutely green when I saw you buy +it. I'll hang him on a chain and wear him round my neck, and I expect +I'll just be a whiz at tennis to-morrow. Oh, isn't he funny? Thanks +_ever_ so! I shall keep him eternally as a memory of this ripping day up +old Vesuvius." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +Tar and Feathers + + +After the decided triumph of their Anglo-American tableau at the +carnival, the Camellia Buds held up their heads against their rivals, +the Starry Circle. There was hot competition between the two sororities, +each continually trying to "go one better" than the other. If the Stars +held a surreptitious candy party, the Buds, at the risk of detection by +Rachel or some other prefect, gave a dormitory stunt, throwing out hints +afterwards of the fun they had enjoyed. Both societies produced +manuscript magazines, which were read in strict privacy at their +meetings, and contained pointed allusions to their enemies' failings. No +old-fashioned Whigs and Tories could have preserved a keener feud, the +division between them waxing so serious that sometimes they could hardly +sit peaceably side by side in class. + +"It's all Mabel," declared Jess. "Of course we had two sororities before +she came, but we weren't at daggers drawn like this. Mabel has spoiled +Bertha, and those two lead everything--the rest are simply sheep." + +"Humph! Pretty black sheep I should call them," snorted Peachy. +"They're siding with one another now to break rules. I don't mean candy +parties or just fun of that kind, but sneaking things: they're cheating +abominably over their exercises, and cribbing each other's translations +wholesale. I found them at it yesterday and told them what I thought +about them. Some of them ought to know better. Rosamonde and Monica +aren't really that sort." + +"They're bear-led by Bertha and Mabel. I lay all the blame on them. It +would be a good thing for the Stars if that precious pair could be +caught tripping and taught a lesson." + +"I dare say it would but it's not an easy business," said Peachy +gloomily. "Mabel Hughes is an extremely slippery young person, and she +generally manages to keep out of open trouble. I don't suppose any of +the teachers, or even the prefects, have the least idea what she's +really like." + +"And we can't go sneaking and tell them, so we must try and engineer the +matter for ourselves." + +It was undoubtedly true that with the advent of Mabel Hughes a new and +unpleasant element had crept into the Transition. Such an influence is +often very subtle. Girls who a term ago would not have condescended to +any form of cheating, accepted a lower standard of honor, and tried to +excuse themselves on the ground that they merely did the same as others. +The fact that the Camellia Buds did not share in the dishonesty was set +down to priggishness on their part, Bertha and Mabel often making jokes +at their expense. One day an unpleasant matter happened in the school. +It was the fortnightly examination, and when the Transition took their +places at their desks, with sheets of foolscap and lists of questions, +it was found that the inkwells of each member of the Camellia Buds had +been stuffed up with blotting-paper, so that it was impossible for them +to dip their pens. + +Miss Bickford, who did not even know of the existence of the sororities, +and therefore could not perceive the significance of the fact that +certain girls were thus served while others went free, flew into a +towering rage, and accused Peachy, whose reputation as a practical joker +was not altogether undeserved, of having played the shameless "joke." +Peachy, smarting with the injustice of the false charge, forgot herself +and retorted hotly. + +"Priscilla Proctor!" thundered Miss Bickford. "I have sometimes excused +high spirits, but I never allow impertinence and insubordination. Leave +the room instantly and go upstairs to the sanatorium. You'll remain +there until you apologize." + +A dead hush fell over the class as Peachy, with flaming eyes and chin in +the air, flounced out and slammed the door after her. It was an extreme +measure at the Villa Camellia to banish a girl to the sanatorium, a +public disgrace generally administered only by one of the principals, +and scarcely ever resorted to by a form mistress. + +Miss Bickford, with a red spot on each cheek, glared at the row of +faces in front of her. + +"Can any one give any information about this business?" she asked, then +as nobody replied she continued, "I'm disgusted with the whole set of +you. I wish to say that I'm not as blind as you seem to think, and I've +noticed many points about your work that are, to say the least, +extremely suspicious. I tell you once and for all _this must stop_! I +won't have cheating, practical jokes, or impertinence in this form. Do +you all thoroughly understand me? Very well then, don't let this kind of +thing ever happen again. Empty those ink-pots out on to that tray, and, +Winnie, fetch the ink-bottle out of the cupboard and refill them. This +senseless proceeding has wasted a large part of your examination time, +but I shall make no excuse for it. Your papers will be marked as if you +had begun at nine o'clock." + +With Miss Bickford on the war-path no one dared to say a single word, +but at mid-morning interval the injured Camellia Buds snatched their +biscuits, and fled to their grotto in the garden to hold an indignation +meeting. Here they talked fast and freely. + +"It's a jolly shame!" + +"_Most_ unfair!" + +"Poor old Peachy!" + +"Who did it?" + +"Why, Mabel, of course!" + +"Or Bertha?" + +"One or other of them!" + +"Miss Bickford has noticed their cheating!" + +"Yes, and puts it off on to us all!" + +"I like that!" + +"It's so gloriously fair, isn't it?" + +"She may say she's not blind, but she's an absolute cat!" + +"What's to be done about it?" + +"Those Stars won't ever tell!" + +"Trust them to screen themselves!" + +"Oh, it's _too_ bad!" + +Letting off steam, though comforting to their feelings, did not bring +them any nearer to a solution of their problem. The unpleasant fact +remained that the rival sorority had played an abominable trick, and +that the blame at present rested upon Peachy. To prove her innocence +required the wisdom of Solomon. + +If they could have explained the whole situation to Miss Bickford she +would at once have seen for herself that the offender must be among the +ranks of the Stars, but such a proceeding would mean not only an entire +breach of schoolgirl etiquette, but a betrayal of their own secret +society. It was not to be thought of for a moment. + +"Peachy'll have to climb down and apologize," decided Jess. + +"Peachy eat humble-pie? Oh, good-night!" + +"Well, she certainly was cheeky." + +"Small blame to her!" + +"It was very silly of her, though, to flare out." + +"She's in the fix of her life now, poor dear." + +"Can't we do anything to help her?" + +"I don't know. Let's think it over and hold another meeting this +afternoon." + +Peachy's place at the dinner-table was empty that day, and her meal was +sent up to the sanatorium upon a tray. Miss Bickford had told her side +of the story to Miss Rodgers, who agreed that discipline must be +maintained, and ordered the detention of the prisoner until she showed +symptoms of repentance. Meanwhile Peachy, still in an utterly rebellious +frame of mind, stayed upstairs, determined not to give way. It was dull, +undoubtedly, to be banished to solitary confinement, for there was not +even a book in the room to amuse her. Her own thoughts were her sole +occupation. She had a very fertile brain, however, and suddenly a most +brilliant suggestion occurred to her. The sanatorium was on the top +story of the Villa Camellia, and by peeping from its window she could +command a view of the iron balcony that fronted the rooms below. She +calculated that she was probably exactly above dormitory 10, occupied by +Joan, Esther, Mary, and Agnes, and that these chums would later on be +engaged there at their preparation. With a little ingenuity it should be +possible to communicate with them. She unfortunately had neither pencil +nor paper with her, so could not write a note, but she took off her +brooch and fastened it to the end of a long piece of string, which by +extra good luck happened to be in her pocket. When she judged that the +right moment had arrived she lowered her signal so that it would tap on +the balcony. There was, of course, a certain amount of risk about the +venture, for she might have miscalculated, and be dropping her token +into the midst of enemies instead of friends. Greatly to her relief, +however, Agnes appeared through the French window, and, after examining +the brooch with apparent surprise, glanced upwards and saw Peachy's +face. She gave a comprehensive smile, put her fingers on her lips for +silence, bolted into her dormitory, and returned with a package of +chocolate which she tied firmly to the end of the string, then waved her +hand and darted back to her preparation. + +Peachy drew up her present, chuckling with delight. She felt almost like +a captive of the Middle Ages, and was beginning to plan a romantic +escape down an improvised rope ladder, when it occurred to her that she +would scarcely know what to do with her liberty if she regained it. + +"Botheration!" she mused. "Unless I square things up I can't walk in to +tea, and I can't haunt the garden like a wandering ghost, and I've no +money to pay my passage on the steamer, so I can't go home to Naples. +Nothing for it but to stay here, I suppose, and see who gets tired out +first." + +When the Camellia Buds were able to meet together again at a secret +conclave in the garden, Agnes announced the important fact of having +established communication with the prisoner. After an animated +discussion they decided to write her a round-robin letter and set forth +their idea of the situation. Each composed a sentence in turn, and Lorna +acted as scribe. It ran thus: + + _The Grotto._ + + _To our noble friend and Camellia Bud_-- + _Greeting!_ + + + _The Sorority desires to express a vote + of sympathy for the very unpleasant + occurrence that happened this morning._ + + A. DALTON. + + + _Those Stars are the meanest things on + earth and want spifflicating._ + + J. LUCAS. + + + _We admire you for the magnificent stand + you are making, but we don't see how you + are going to keep it up._ + + M. FERGUSSON. + + + _It's frightfully slow without you._ + + I. BEVERLEY. + + + _We think you'll have to cave in and + apologize._ + + S. YONGE. + + + _But, of course, not own up to something + you never did._ + + J. CAMERON. + + + _We'll get even with those Stars to make + up for this._ + + L. CARSON. + + + _Don't stick in the Sanatorium all + night._ + + E. CARTMELL. + + + _It's no use getting too mad, old sport! + Come right down and talk sense._ + + D. WATTS. + +This united effusion was placed in an envelope, and carried by Agnes to +her dormitory, where, after scouts in the garden had assured her that +the coast was clear, she ventured on to the veranda, and gave a cooee +which brought Peachy to the window above. The latter let down her string +and drew up the letter, which she pondered upon in private. She was wise +enough to accept the good advice, and when Miss Bickford appeared later +on she tendered her apologies. The teacher had possibly repented of her +hasty accusation, for she did not refer to the matter of the inkwells, +but merely required satisfaction for "insubordination." That being given +Peachy was once more free, though she could hardly consider herself +restored to full favor. + +"I used to like Miss Bickford," she grumped, "but I really don't think +she's been fair over this. Why couldn't she ask each girl separately +what she knew about it?" + +"Much good that would have done. Bertha and Mabel wouldn't have told the +truth, and things would only have been in a worse muddle. We'll catch +those two sometime if we can only think of how to do it." + +"Ah! That's just the question." + +Even the Stars had been rather alarmed by Miss Bickford's firm +attitude, and for the present they did not dare to cheat openly or to +play any more tricks upon the form. Stopped in this direction their +ringleaders turned their attention to other matters. What was the nature +of these it was Irene's lot one day to discover. She happened to be +walking in a rather quiet part of the garden, a portion reserved mostly +for vegetables, which adjoined the great wall that separated the estate +from the highroad. As she sauntered along, doing nothing in particular, +she noticed Mabel, who was standing under an orange tree close to the +wall. At the same moment, advancing towards them came the sound of +Rachel's voice caroling an old English song. Now there is nothing in the +least wrong or unorthodox in standing under an orange tree, yet the +instant Irene glimpsed Mabel's face she was certain her schoolmate was +in that particular spot for some reason the reverse of good. She looked +uneasily at Irene, glanced in Rachel's direction, seemed to hesitate, +and finally took to her heels and bolted away through the bushes. Next +minute, over the top of the high wall descended a little parcel. It +caught in the branches of the orange tree, fell to the ground, and +rolled under a clump of cabbages. Irene took no notice, and sauntered on +in the direction of Rachel, but when the prefect had passed out of sight +she returned, groped among the vegetables, found the parcel, and slipped +it into her packet. + +"Miss Mabel Hughes, I believe I've caught you tripping this time," she +chuckled. "I must send out the fiery cross and call an immediate meeting +of the Camellia Buds." + +Among the secret practices of the sorority was a private signal only to +be used in times of urgent necessity. It had been suggested by Jess +Cameron, who took the idea from _The Lady of the Lake_, in which poem a +gathering of the clan is proclaimed by a runner bearing a cross of wood +charred in the fire. Two burnt matches fastened together with thread +served the Camellia Buds for their token, and it was the strictest rite +of their order that any one receiving this cryptic symbol must +immediately leave whatever she happened to be doing and proceed +post-haste to the rendezvous. + +So promptly did the members of the society respond to the summons that +within ten minutes of the issue of the fiery cross they were assembled +in the summer-house in a state of much expectancy. Irene explained how a +parcel had been thrown over the wall, evidently for Mabel, who +undoubtedly had been standing waiting for it. It was not addressed to +Mabel, however, and as it bore no direction at all on the outside the +Camellia Buds considered themselves justified in opening it. It +contained a package of cheap chocolate, and a letter written in a +foreign hand in rather bad English. + + _Beautiful Signorina_, + + _Make me the compliment to accept of me this few + chocolate. I like the letter you gave to me on + Sunday. I will again present myself near to the + hotel to wait upon you as you pass. Accept I pray + you the assurance of my profoundest respects._ + + EMANUELE SUTONI. + +"Who is Emanuele Sutoni?" gasped Delia. "And what's he got to do with +us?" + +"Nothing to do with us," frowned Jess. "But I'm afraid Mabel has been +trying to get up some silly love affair. If Miss Morley or Miss Rodgers +found this out she'd be expelled." + +"What are we going to do about it? Tell Rachel?" + +"I don't think so," pondered Jess. "You see, of course, we're perfectly +certain among ourselves that the letter was meant for Mabel, but it +isn't addressed to her so there's no real evidence. Not enough to +convince Rachel. It would be better really to tell her we've found out +and that she's got to stop it." + +"I know! Let's tar and feather her!" squealed Peachy excitedly. "That's +the best way to frighten her. Of course, I don't mean _real_ tar, but +soap does just as well. She thoroughly deserves it. I vote we do it +to-night. We'll hold an inquisition in her dormitory. It will be easy +enough to square Elsie." + +Peachy's grim idea appealed to the Camellia Buds. They considered it was +time that a public demonstration was made against Mabel, whose general +behavior was very unworthy of the traditions of the Villa Camellia. They +decided to have their tribunal immediately after the lights were turned +out, while the prefects, who sat up later than the Transition, were +still downstairs, and the mistresses were having cocoa in Miss Rodgers' +study. The affair was to be a surprise for Mabel, but as Elsie also +slept in the same dormitory it was necessary to secure her coöperation, +in case she might give the alarm and summon a prefect. Elsie, however, +proved an easily won ally. + +"I can't bear Mabel," she assured Irene. "You may do anything you like +to her as far as I'm concerned. I shall pretend to be asleep. Monica and +Rosamonde and Winnie can't stand her either. I don't mind telling you +that we're going to resign from the Starry Circle and found a new +sorority of our own. It isn't good enough to be mixed up with such girls +as Mabel and Bertha." + +"I'm glad you've found them out," said Irene. "It was high time somebody +made a protest." + +The four occupants of dormitory 3 went to bed as usual that night, but +as soon as the lights were out Lorna and Irene put on their +dressing-gowns and stockings, and slipped into the bathroom. Here they +hastily completed the details of their costumes in company with the rest +of the Camellia Buds, who had rallied for the occasion. Three minutes +afterwards a strange procession entered dormitory 3. Ten dressing-gowned +figures, each wearing a black mask and holding a piece of lighted candle +in her hand, startled the astonished eyes of Mabel Hughes, who sat up in +bed to stare at them. + +"What's all this about?" she asked. + +"We've come here to hold an inquisition on your conduct," replied a +solemn voice from behind one of the black masks. "Will you kindly get +out of bed and seat yourself upon this chair. We should be sorry to use +force, but I warn you you'll have to obey us." + +Looking a little scared Mabel apparently thought discretion the better +part of valor. She rose, put on her dressing-gown, and took the seat +indicated. Her inquisitors grouped themselves opposite, placing their +candles in a row upon the mantelpiece. Their spokeswoman, unfolding a +large sheet of paper, proceeded to read the indictment. + + _This is to tell all whom it may concern + that Mabel Hughes, having broken every + rule of decent and orderly behavior, and + being no longer worthy of the name of + gentlewoman, is here arraigned on the + following charges:_ + + + _1. That she habitually takes advantage + of and ill-treats the juniors when + opportunity occurs._ + + _2. That she cheats abominably at her + work._ + + _3. That she endeavors to persuade + others to cheat._ + + _4. That she degrades the name of the + Villa Camellia by receiving letters + which are thrown to her over the wall, + and by handing answers to them on her + way to church._ + +Mabel, who had smiled scornfully at the first three charges, changed +color at the fourth. + +"What do you know about letters?" she challenged sharply. + +"We know all," ventured the solemn voice. "You had better confess at +once, or the affair with Emanuele will be exposed to the prefects." + +"It's my own business," said Mabel sulkily. + +"No, it isn't. It's ours as well, and the whole school's. We don't want +the Villa Camellia to be disgraced in the eyes of the town. You ought to +be ashamed of yourself. It's so _vulgar_. Now, will you promise to give +up all your bad habits and behave like a lady." + +"I'll promise nothing," snapped Mabel. + +"Then we shall be obliged to tar and feather you." + +Mabel laughed, imagining it was an empty threat, but she was rapidly +undeceived. Two inquisitors, seizing her by the arms, held her tightly +in her chair, while several others smeared soap over her face and stuck +on feathers which they took out of a cushion. She would have screamed, +but every time she opened her mouth to do so she received a dab of soap +upon her tongue. When they considered her countenance was sufficiently +ornamented, they presented her with a looking-glass to view the effect. + +"That's how we feel about it," the spokeswoman assured her. "This is +just to show you we won't stand your horrid ways. Will you promise now +to behave yourself, or do you want any more?" + +Apparently Mabel had had enough. She seemed rather frightened. She +grumbled that she would agree to what they wished. + +"Just jolly well take care that you keep your promise then," warned her +inquisitor. "If you begin any of your old tricks again we have evidence +against you, and we shall take it straight to Rachel. If I know anything +of Rachel she'll go to Miss Rodgers, and that means you're expelled. So +now you know! You'd better be careful, Mabel Hughes. That's all we came +to say. You may wash your face if you like before you get into bed +again." + +The ten members of the inquisition, knowing that time was passing, and +that the prefects would soon be coming upstairs, judged it wise to break +up the meeting, and taking their candles beat a stately retreat to their +respective dormitories. Lorna and Irene, returning to their cubicles, +heard Elsie chuckling. She had not interfered in any way with the +performance, but it had evidently entertained her. She told the tale +next day to her friends, with the result that Ruth, Rosamonde, Winnie, +Monica, and Callie joined her in seceding from the Starry Circle, +leaving Mabel and Bertha as sole remaining representatives of that +sorority. + +"We're fed up with you," Winnie assured the pair when they remonstrated. +"We're tired of your sneaking ways, and you may just keep them to +yourselves. We're not going to let you copy our exercises any more. And +if we see you taking those kids' biscuits again there'll be squalls. No, +we shan't tell you the name of our new sorority. We're not going to have +anything to do with you ever again. So there!" + +Public opinion had for once triumphed on the right side, and Mabel and +Bertha, greatly discomfited, found their influence over the late Stars +was at an end. The threat of telling Rachel had frightened Mabel; she +was uncertain how much the Camellia Buds really knew, and judged it +discreet to drop her clandestine correspondence. She had no wish for the +matter to meet the ears of Miss Rodgers, who, she was well aware, would +take the most serious view of it. Though she cherished a grudge against +her late inquisitors, she submitted to their demands, and for the time +at any rate gave no outward cause for complaint. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Peachy's Pranks + + +"I'm sorry to have to announce it," said Peachy, "but my spirits are +fizzing over, and I guess if I don't go just the teeniest weeniest bit +on the rampage I'll fly all to pieces and make a scene. Sometimes I'm +tingling down to my toes and I've just _got_ to explode. Being good is a +lonesome job." + +Peachy was sitting with Irene and Delia on one of the marble seats at +the bottom of the lemon pergola. It was a favorite spot with the girls, +for it was sheltered from the prevailing wind and the flowers grew +particularly luxuriantly. Lovely irises were blooming, white narcissus, +wallflowers, and beds of Parma violets, and the beautiful delicate +blossom of the arbutula drooped from an archway that spanned the path. +Irene, who was used by this time to Peachy's whimsical moods, laid aside +the book she was reading and laughed. + +"Poor old sport! You've evidently got it badly to-day. What can we do +for you? How, where, and when do you want to rampage?" + +Peachy shook her head dolefully. + +"I don't know. Only wish I did. I'm tired of doing the same things over +and over again every day. Getting up in the morning and dressing myself, +having breakfast, going to classes, having dinner, grinding at prep, +playing tennis, having tea and supper, and undressing and going to bed. +I want to sleep in my clothes or go to class in my wrapper just for a +change, and I'd like tennis in the morning and tea instead of dinner. +I'm tired of the house and the garden. I want to dodge Antonio and go +through the big gate and run down the road. I tell you I want to do +absolutely anything that's weird and impossible and out of the ordinary. +Yes, I know I'm wrought up. I'm just crazy for a real frolic. Who'll +play 'Follow my Leader'?" + +"If you won't do anything _too_ outrageous," ventured Delia, replacing a +dainty piece of sewing inside her workbag, and preparing to fall in with +her friend's mood. "I've had one little difference with Miss Bickford +this week, and if I have another Miss Rodgers may cut up rough and stop +my next exeat." + +"Honest Injun, I'll take all the blame if blame there is. Renie, dearie, +you're coming too?" + +"Got to, I suppose," chuckled Irene. "When the Queen of the South arises +and gives her orders her slaves must 'tremble and obey.'" + +"Not much trembling about you. Come on and be sports, both of you. Are +you ready? Do as your Granny tells you then, and off we go." + +The game of "Follow my Leader," as every schoolgirl knows, consists in +exactly imitating everything which is done by your chief, no matter what +extraordinary and peculiar antics she may perform. To submit to Peachy's +guidance in the present exalted state of her spirits was a decided leap +in the dark, but Irene and Delia were ready for fun, and prepared to +take a few risks. At first their light-hearted companion contented +herself with running in and out among the lemon trees, walking along the +low wall of the terrace, jumping the culvert, or easy physical feats, +then, having slightly worked off steam, she stood for a moment and +paused to reflect. + +"Christopher Columbus! I guess I know what I'll do. I've an exploring +fit on me, and if I can't find America I'll find something else new and +undiscovered. Here goes." + +Peachy, with her satellites in her train, plunged her way across the +garden in the direction of the kitchen. She had suddenly remembered an +object which had more than once set her curiosity a-galloping. In the +yard outside the scullery there was an iron staircase intended for use +as a fire-escape from the servants' bedrooms, and also as a means of +mounting the roof when workmen wished to attend to the chimney-pots. Up +here she was determined to go. Fortunately the maids were safely inside +the kitchen, and the defenses were left unguarded. + +"This is my Jacob's ladder," she proclaimed. "Who'll follow me to the +sky?" + + "'Will you walk into my parlor?' said the spider to the fly, + ''Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy! + The way into my parlor is up a winding stair, + And I have many curious things to show you when you're there.'" + +"Go on, you lunatic," giggled Irene. + +"And be quick about it if you don't want Dominica clattering at your +heels," added Delia. + +So they clambered up the steep iron stairway, and, passing by the door +that led to the servants' apartments, they climbed on till they reached +the roof. This part of the Villa Camellia was _terra incognita_ to the +school. They decided hastily, however, that it would be a very desirable +acquisition. It was a large flat expanse covered with lead, and edged +with a low battlement. It was evidently used by the maids, for a +clothes-line was stretched between two chimneys, and a row of towels +hung out to dry. The view was adorable. It was like being on the top of +a mountain. They could see the town of Fossato, and a wide expanse of +water, and Vesuvius, and the distant outline of Naples all spread in a +panorama before them, besides having an excellent bird's-eye prospect of +the garden below. Peachy, who was ready to do anything wild, went +dancing about like a will-o'-the-wisp. + + "Light and airy--light and airy, + Sure, I feel a sort of fairy," + +she extemporized. "Renie Beverley, you're not mad enough! Give me your +hand. I tell you you've got to dance. We're witches who've flown over on +our broomsticks and alighted here, and we'll have a frolic before we go +back to--wherever we came from. Hello, what's this business? It looks +like a water-tank. Give me a boost, somebody, for I'm going up to see." + +It was rather a scramble even for Peachy's agile limbs, but she was +resolved thoroughly to explore the capacities of the roof, and the +cistern must not be left unvisited. She clung on to its slippery side +and peered down at her own reflection in the water below. + +"No idea I looked so nice," she perked. "The blue sky makes a charming +background. Really, a pool is quite a becoming mirror. Does anybody else +want to come up and peep? It's like looking at the view-finder of a +camera. Rather painful hanging on, though. I think I'll drop if you're +neither of you coming. Oh, botheration! I've lost my hair ribbon. It's +gone right down inside the cistern. Well! It's done for now. I can't +possibly fish it out." + +"It wasn't your best!" consoled Delia. + +"No, but the only scarlet one I possess, and just at present I've a +wild fad for scarlet. I get crazes for various colors. Last term I'd +look at nothing but pale blue, till Bertha Ford got that new blue +chiffon dress, and that, of course, set me against it forevermore. I'd a +rage for tartan once, only Jess was rather nasty about it; she thinks no +one in the school has a right to wear Scotch plaids except herself. I've +spent all my pocket money for this week, so I can't buy another ribbon +till next Saturday. I shall have to go about in pink. Miau! I'll be such +a good little pussy-cat. I'm sure different colors make me good or bad. +Don't laugh at me! I mean it! I'm a different person according to what I +wear." + +For a short time the girls loitered about on the roof, enjoying the +novelty of their position, and particularly the fact that they were on +unlicensed ground, and would undoubtedly get into trouble if they were +caught by Dominica or Anastasia. Naughty Peachy, to play the maids a +trick, took down the row of towels, folded them neatly, and placed them +in a pile behind the cistern, chuckling over the prospect of Anastasia's +consternation when she came up to fetch them and found them missing. + +"I owe her something for breaking my pink alabaster vase," she +announced. "She's an awful smasher with her duster--just goes surging +ahead over our mantelpiece and sends our ornaments flying. Mary's +Pompeii pots went to smithereens yesterday. Now, Signorina Anastasia, +you won't find your towels in too big a hurry. I guess I've paid you +out." + +"She'll pay _you_ out if she catches us up here," suggested Delia, who +was anxious not to forfeit her exeat. "Hadn't we better be getting a +move on?" + +"Words of wisdom, my child, fall from your lips like pearls and +diamonds. The same sage thought was occurring to your humble servant. +Anastasia has what is commonly called a tart tongue, and an inconvenient +and inconsiderate habit of reporting trifles at headquarters. It would +be quite unnecessary of her to mention to Miss Rodgers that she had seen +us here, but I believe she'd go out of her way to do it." + +"I'm sure she would, bad luck to her. Lead on, MacDuff! Let's descend +from the Highlands to the Lowlands." + +"We may find further sport farther afield. I'm not at the end of my +resources yet. I've an idea or two more in my head," nodded Peachy, +escorting her friends down the staircase to the comparative safety of +the back yard. + +There was no doubt that Peachy was in an exceedingly mischievous mood +and ready for any prank which came to hand. She dodged with her +followers successfully past the kitchen door, without attracting the +hostile attention of Anastasia or any other of the servants. She was +bent on exploring a patch of the garden which was only accessible from +the rear of the scullery. She had observed it from the vantage-ground of +the roof, and had decided that, by climbing on to a low shed, it would +be quite possible to scale the wall which divided the grounds of the +Villa Camellia from those of its next door neighbor. The girls had +always been extremely curious about the Villa Sutri. From their +dormitory windows they could catch a glimpse of its green shutters and +creeper-covered walls, set away among a thick grove of trees, and they +had decided that its garden looked immensely superior to their own. The +estate belonged to Count Sutri, who often spent part of the winter and +spring among his orange groves and his flowery pergolas. He was supposed +to have a reputation for gardening, and rumors of his wonderful exotics +had circulated round the school. None of the girls, however, had ever +actually been inside the grounds. + +Peachy's project was, of course, extremely audacious, and had the Count +been at home she would hardly have dared to let it materialize. She had +heard Mrs. Clark mention on Sunday that their neighbor had started for a +cruise in his yacht, and that he would probably be away for a +considerable time. + +"The Villa will be shut up, and only a few gardeners left about the +place," declared Peachy, "and if I know anything of Italian gardeners, +they'll all be sitting smoking inside the summer-house, so we needn't +trouble ourselves to worry about them. It's the opportunity of a +lifetime. I saw the whole thing in a flash from the roof. There's a shed +on our side of the wall and a shed on his. All you have to do is to step +over and get down. Nothing could be simpler. I'm just aching to explore +that garden." + +Delia, still thinking of her exeat, demurred, and even Irene's valor +slightly quailed. + +"Oh, come on! Be sports!" tempted Peachy. "You'll never get such a +chance in your lives again--never." + +So they hesitated, and were lost, and finally followed their leader up +the low, sloping roof of the shed. + +As Peachy had prophesied, it was really remarkably easy. They had only +to scale quite a low piece of wall, and drop on to the roof of the shed +on the other side, then scramble down into Count Sutri's garden. In less +than five minutes the feat was accomplished, and three rather awed but +delighted girls were speeding along a green alley in quest of adventure. + +There was no doubt about it being a beautiful garden. It was more +carefully kept than that of the Villa Camellia, and contained choicer +and rarer flowers. There were glorious tanks of water-lilies, and there +were pergolas of sweet-scented creepers, and the statues and arbors +utterly eclipsed even those of a public park. It was evidently the +Count's favorite hobby, and he had spared no expense in laying out the +grounds. Rather fearful of being caught by some chance gardener the +girls walked on, holding themselves in readiness to dive away if +necessary and make a quick escape. + +"Do you feel like Adam and Eve in Paradise?" queried Delia tremulously. + +"Not a bit, because they never got back after they were once turned out. +I wish we could annex this place and add it on to the Villa Camellia. +The Count can't want it while he's away." + +The girls wandered about in breathless enjoyment. Stolen waters are +sweet, and somebody else's garden seemed much more attractive than their +own. They did not dare to venture too near the Villa, and kept carefully +away from anything that looked like a grotto or a summer-house, in which +they might find a gardener seated, enjoying his cigarette. At the end of +a rose pergola, however, Peachy made a discovery. It was neither more +nor less than a flight of steps leading down to a door in the ground. +She stood gazing at it with curiosity. + +"Now I wonder what that is?" she exclaimed. + +[Illustration: "'I WONDER WHAT THAT IS?' SHE EXCLAIMED" + +--_Page 183_] + +"Looks like the entrance to a mausoleum," shuddered Delia. + +"Or the strong room where the Count keeps his money," laughed Irene. + +"I don't believe it's either. I shouldn't be surprised if it's the +passage leading to the sea. I know there is one in the Sutri garden, to +get down to the bathing cove. How priceless if we've happened to light +upon it. Is that door open? I'm going to see." + +Peachy ran down the steps, turned the handle, and somewhat to her own +astonishment found the door unlocked. She was peering into a long dark +tunnel, at the end of which could be distinguished a faint glint of +light. This was indeed an adventure. It seemed a deed of daring to +explore such hidden depths, but she was out to take risks that +afternoon. + +"Come along!" she commanded, bracing up the spirits of her more timorous +comrades. + +Holding one another's arms particularly tightly, the three entered the +doorway and began to walk along the underground passage. It sloped +sharply downwards, and was rough under foot, but the farther they +descended the brighter grew the light in front of them. Presently they +had stumbled out of the darkness, and were emerging from a tunnel at the +foot of the cliffs, and stepping out on to the sandy shore of a little +cove. + +It had always been a great grievance at the Villa Camellia that the +school had no bathing place, and the girls had greatly coveted the creek +which was the exclusive property of their neighbor, Count Sutri. To find +themselves on a level with the sea, facing the lapping waves, was +exactly what they had hoped. They ran along the sand in huge delight, to +the very edge of the water. It was really a beautiful cove. There were +groups of rocks with smooth pools amongst them, and in the silvery sand +were numbers of tiny fragile shells, very pretty and delicate, and just +the thing for a collection. + +"It's a shame it should all belong to one man who probably hardly ever +uses it," flamed Peachy. "Now, if only we could all come down here to +bathe, wouldn't it be a stunt? The cove is really mostly under the +garden of the Villa Camellia. _I_ say it ought to belong to us." + +"It's ours for the moment at any rate," said Irene. + +"Yes, isn't it great? We've got it all to ourselves," rejoiced Delia, +dancing along the beach with outstretched arms, like an incarnation of +Zephyr or a spring vision of a sea-nymph. She skimmed over the sand +almost as if she were flying, but, as she reached the largest group of +rocks, her exalted mood suddenly dissipated and her high spirits came +down to earth with a thud. Sitting on the other side of the rock, calmly +smoking a cigar, was a middle-aged individual in a tweed coat and a soft +hat. The creek, which they had imagined was their private paradise, was +occupied after all. + +Delia fled back to her friends, this time on wings of fright, and +communicated her awful discovery. + +"It must be Count Sutri," gasped Peachy. + +"He can't have started off in his yacht after all," agreed Irene. + +"I don't _think_ he saw me, but I'm not sure about it," panted Delia +breathlessly. + +"Whether he did or he didn't we'd better scoot quick," opined Peachy. + +So three agitated girls dashed back over the sands and into the dark +tunnel, and hurried as fast as they could up the underground passage, +expecting every moment to hear a footstep behind them and a voice +demanding to know what they were doing trespassing upon the premises. At +the top of the tunnel a horrible surprise awaited them. The door through +which they had entered was shut and bolted. At first they could hardly +believe their ill luck. They groped for the handle in the darkness, and +pushed and pulled and turned and tugged, but all in vain. They even +thumped on the door and called, hoping to attract the attention of a +gardener, but there was no reply. They were hopelessly locked inside the +underground passage. + +Now thoroughly frightened they were almost in tears. + +"We shall have to go back to the cove," faltered Irene. + +"And show ourselves to Count Sutri, and ask him to take us back +somehow," gulped Peachy. + +"We're in for the biggest row of our lives with Miss Rodgers," choked +Delia. + +There was certainly nothing else to be done. Time was passing quickly, +and unless they could return at once to the Villa Camellia they would be +late for preparation. Very sadly and soberly they walked back along the +seashore to the rocks. + +"_You_ explain, Peachy," urged the others, and Peachy, though she did +not relish the task thus thrust upon her, acknowledged that she was the +instigator of the whole affair and therefore responsible for helping her +companions out of a decidedly awkward situation. + +The gentleman in the soft hat was still sitting under the shadow of the +rock smoking, but he rose and threw away his cigar as the deputation of +three advanced to address him. Peachy, in her very best Italian, began +to stammer out an explanation and excuses. He listened for a moment or +two, then shook his head and interrupted. + +"Sorry I don't speak much Italian. I'm afraid I don't quite understand." + +"O-o-h! You're American!" gasped Peachy, her face one broad smile of +relief. "We--we thought you were Count Sutri." + +"I haven't that honor! I'm only plain Mr. Bond. I've taken the Count's +villa, though, for two months. Can I be of any service to you?" + +"We're Americans too," sparkled Peachy; "at least Delia and I are. We're +at school at the Villa Camellia up there. I--I'm sorry to say we're +trespassing here. We climbed over the wall into your garden and came +down the passage to the shore, and now the door's locked and we can't +get back again." + +"And it's nearly preparation time," added Delia desperately. + +Mr. Bond's eyes twinkled with amusement. + +"I'll take you back," he offered. "It was hard luck to find the door +locked. I've hardly explored the place properly myself yet. I came down +in the lift." + +"The lift!" exclaimed Irene in surprise. + +"Yes, here it is, and a very convenient arrangement too," said Mr. +Bond, leading the way into an artificial cave close at hand. + +Here to the girls' amazement was a perfectly modern and up-to-date +"ascenseur," nicely upholstered and lighted by electricity. Mr. Bond +ushered his visitors inside, closed the door, pressed a button, and +immediately they shot aloft, landing ultimately in a kiosk in Count +Sutri's garden at the top of the cliff. Feeling as if a magician had +used occult means to transport them back to safety, the girls gazed +round highly delighted to find themselves out of the cove. Their host, +to whom they hastily confided some details of how they had penetrated +into his premises, fetched a ladder, and by its aid they mounted to the +roof of the shed, and skipped over the wall on to the top of their own +wood-hut. + +"You won't tell Miss Rodgers?" begged Peachy, waving a good-by to their +rescuer after they had all protested their gratitude. + +"I guess I know how to keep a secret," he laughed. "I won't betray you. +Hope you'll be in time. There goes your school bell. You've run it fine +but I believe you'll just do it if you hustle up." + +Three breathless girls, with minds much too agitated to apply +themselves properly to French translation, slipped into the Villa +Camellia at the eleventh hour, and answered "present" as their names +were read on the roll-call. Peachy's disheveled hair drew down a rebuke +from Miss Bickford, but this was such a very minor evil that she took it +meekly, smoothed the offending elf-locks with her fingers, and composed +her dimples to an expression of docile humility. + +"We got out of that very well," she purred in private afterwards. + +"Thanks to Mr. Bond and the lift," agreed Irene. + +"I guess I'm not going to try anything so risky again," declared Delia. +"It was the fix of my life. I'll be down with nervous prostration +to-morrow. Shouldn't wonder if I raise a temperature to-night. Peachy +Proctor, you may coax and tease as you like, but nothing you say will +ever induce me to climb that wall and go into Count Sutri's garden +again. It's not worth the thrills. Sorry to be a crab, but I mean it." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +The Villa Bleue + + +Delia's good resolution remained only half fulfilled, for after all she +visited Count Sutri's cove again. This time, however, it was in a +perfectly orthodox fashion. Mr. and Mrs. Bond, meeting Miss Morley at +the house of an American resident in Fossato, invited the whole school +to come and view the garden on Sunday afternoon, and clad in their best +dresses the girls paraded in through the gate, and were shown the +beauties of the lovely grounds. They were taken in relays down in the +lift to the creek by the sea, and afterwards entertained with ice-cream +and biscuits on the terrace in front of the villa, which was all very +interesting and delightful, though not nearly so exciting as the +surreptitious peep which the naughty trio had previously obtained on +their own account. Mr. Bond might indeed be silent on the subject of +that afternoon's adventure, but the expedition into his grounds had been +only a part of Peachy's pranks in her game of "Follow the Leader," and +for one of her sins at any rate she was to be called to account. The +cistern on the top of the roof supplied a tap on the upper landing from +which Anastasia, one of the chambermaids, was accustomed to draw water +with which to fill the bedroom jugs. + +On the morning after the events just narrated she took her can as usual, +but was utterly horrified, when she turned the tap, to find the water +running red. She was intensely superstitious, and immediately jumped to +the conclusion that she was the victim of witchcraft, so she flung her +apron over her head, commenced to sob, and deplored the early death +which would probably overtake her. She sat on the landing making quite a +scene, prophesying evil to the other servants who crowded round to +condole and marvel, and showing the bewitched water in her jug with a +mixture of importance and horror. The girls who occupied rooms on the +upper landing were duly thrilled, and, after debating every possible or +impossible solution of the mystery, were on the point of carrying the +tale to Miss Rodgers when Peachy came hurrying along. + +"I've only just heard. Don't, _don't_ go to the 'Ogre's Den' about it. +If you love me don't. I guess I know what's happened. The water's _not_ +bewitched. If you've any sense left in your silly head come with me on +to the roof and we'll look at the cistern. We'll soon find out what's +the matter. Callie, lend me your butterfly-net, that's a saintly girl!" + +Anastasia, though somewhat protesting, allowed herself to be persuaded, +and went with Peachy first to the kitchen floor and then up the iron +staircase to the roof. Approaching the cistern Peachy climbed on to its +edge, lowered her butterfly-net, and presently fished up a wet and +draggled scarlet ribbon which stained her fingers red as she held it out +to Anastasia's astonished gaze. + +"I guess it's this that has been bleeding inside the tank and has +stained the water," she explained. + +"But, Signorina, I ask how it place itself there?" demanded the still +puzzled chambermaid in her halting English, then mother-wit +overmastering native superstition, she burst into laughter. "Oh! Oh! Oh! +It is no magic but you, Signorina. Who hid my towels? I go to tell Mees +Rodgers. Yes! You shall get into very big scrape!" + +"No, Anastasia, don't tell," implored Peachy. "It was only a joke. Look +here! Are you fond of chocolates? I had a box sent me yesterday, and you +shall have them all. It won't do any good to tell Miss Rodgers, will +it?" + +"You not come on to this roof again and touch my towels?" conceded +Anastasia doubtfully. + +"Never! I promise faithfully." + +"Then I not tell." + +"Good! You're a white angel. I'll square the girls and get them not to +mind washing in pink water for a day or two. It ought to improve their +complexions. So we'll just say nothing at all about it at headquarters. +That's settled. Anastasia, your English is improving wonderfully; I +guess I'll teach you some American next--it's the finest language in the +world. Botheration, I've soused Callie's butterfly-net. I don't know +what she'll say about it. I'm out of one scrape into another the whole +time. Well, I'd rather face Callie than Miss Rodgers anyhow. She may +storm, but she can't give me bad marks or stop my next exeat. Come +along, Anastasia. We'll take the ribbon with us to show as a trophy. It +will give them a little bit of a surprise downstairs if I'm not +mistaken." + +Owing to luck, and to the kindness of Anastasia, Peachy's pranks did +not on this occasion meet with any punishment. Irene, who had been +greatly fearing an exposure of the whole escapade, once more breathed +freely. If the matter had come to the ears of Miss Rodgers the three +girls would certainly have been "gated," and Irene was particularly +anxious not to lose her approaching exeat. It was her turn to go to tea +at the Villa Bleue, and she was looking forward greatly to the occasion. +It would be her first visit, for she had forfeited her privilege earlier +in the term, when she and Lorna lost themselves among the olive groves. +Much to their satisfaction the buddies were invited together, in company +with Mary, Sheila, Monica, and Winnie, who were also on the good conduct +list. Of course there was considerable prinking in front of the +looking-glasses, careful adjusting of hair ribbons and other trifles of +toilet, before the girls considered themselves in party trim and ready +to do credit to the Villa Camellia. Escorted by Miss Brewster, who acted +chaperon, or "policewoman" as Sheila insisted on calling her, they +walked in orderly file down the eucalyptus avenue to the town, past the +hotel, along the esplanade, and up a steep incline to the Villa Bleue. +The hospitable little parsonage seemed an exact materialization of the +personality of its owners. Canon and Mrs. Clark were both small and +smiling and charitable and particularly kind, and their tiny +unpretentious dwelling, with its sunny aspect and its flowers and its +pet birds, was absolutely in keeping with their tone of mind. From some +houses seem to emanate certain mental atmospheres, as if they reflected +the sum total of the thoughts that have collected there, and sensitive +visitors receive subconscious impressions of chilly magnificence, +intellectual activity or a spirit of general tolerance. + +The Villa Bleue always felt radiant with kind and cheery impulses, and +its flower-covered walls seemed almost to shine as the girls, secure of +a welcome, parted from Miss Brewster, and ran up the steps to the +pleasant veranda. Mrs. Clark made them at home at once. She had six cosy +basket-chairs waiting for them, and a plateful of most delicious almond +taffy, and she installed them to sit and admire the view, while she +talked and put them at their ease. Schoolgirls are notoriously bashful +visitors, and in certain circumstances all six would have been mum as +mice and entirely devoid of conversation except a conventional yes or +no, but with dear Mrs. Clark's beaming face and warm-hearted manner to +disarm their shyness they were perfectly natural, and enjoyed themselves +as entirely as if they were at a dormitory tea or a sorority supper. The +best part about Mrs. Clark was that she had the happy knack of +forgetting her age and throwing herself back into the mental environment +of sixteen. She was certainly not a stiff hostess; indeed her treatment +of her guests was less conventional than that adopted by Rachel Moseley +at the prefects' parties; she laughed and chatted and asked questions +about the school, till in a few minutes the girls were chattering like +sparrows and behaving as if they had known her for years. + +Tea was set out on little basket tables in the veranda, and there were +all the delicious home-made things for which the Villa Bleue had gained +a just reputation--brown scones and honey, potato cakes, Scotch +shortbread, buttered oatmeal biscuits, iced lemon sandwich cake, and +chocolate fingers. + +When tea was taken away and the basket tables were once more free, Mrs. +Clark produced dainty cards and scarlet pencils and organized a +competition. It was entitled "Nursery Rhymes," and contained twenty +questions to be answered by the competitors. These ran as follows: + + +NURSERY RHYMES COMPETITION + + 1. Who made Cock Robin's shroud? + + 2. Who was exhausted by family cares? + + 3. Who disliked insects? + + 4. Who showed an interest in + horticulture? + + 5. Who summoned an orchestra? + + 6. Who pursued matrimonial intentions + without the parental sanction? + + 7. Who showed religious intolerance? + + 8. Who took a joint that did not belong + to him? + + 9. Who deplored the loss of hand gear? + + 10. Whose salary was restricted owing to + slackness in work? + + 11. What animal pursued horological + investigations? + + 12. Who made the record high jump? + + 13. Who wore a superfluity of jewelry? + + 14. Whose culinary efforts were + temporarily confiscated? + + 15. Who pulled Pussy from the well? + + 16. Who slept instead of attending to + business? + + 17. Who exhibited sanctimonious + satisfaction over a meal? + + 18. Who lost a number of domestic + animals? + + 19. Who had an accident during the + performance of their duty? + + 20. Who was mutilated by a bird? + +Some of the questions seemed easy and some were difficult. The girls +sat puzzling over them, and writing the answers when they got +inspiration. Irene scribbled away delightedly, but Lorna, who had almost +forgotten the nursery rhymes of her childhood, was in much +mystification, and only filled in a few of the vacant spaces. Numbers 6, +7, 13 and 14 proved the most baffling and no one was able to solve all +twenty. + +After allowing a considerable laxity in respect of time Mrs. Clark rang +the bell and declared the competition closed. The girls changed cards, +and waited with interest while their hostess read out the answers. + + +ANSWERS TO NURSERY RHYMES COMPETITION + + 1. I, said the beetle, + With my thread and needle. + + 2. The old woman who lived in a shoe. + + 3. Miss Muffet. + + 4. Mary, Mary, quite contrary. + + 5. Old King Cole, who called for his fiddlers three. + + 6. Froggie would a-wooing go, + Whether his mother would let him or no. + + 7. Goosey goosey gander, + Whither do you wander, + Upstairs, downstairs, + In my lady's chamber. + There I met an old man + Who wouldn't say his prayers, + So I took him by the left leg + And threw him down the stairs. + + 8. Taffy was a Welshman, + Taffy was a thief, + Taffy came to my house + And stole a piece of beef. + + 9. Three little kittens + Lost their mittens + And they began to cry. + + 10. Johnny shall have a new master + And he shall have but a penny a day, + Because he won't work any faster. + + 11. Dickery, dickery, dock! + The mouse ran up the clock! + + 12. The cow jumped over the moon. + + 13. The fair lady of Banbury Cross. + Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes + She shall have music wherever she goes. + + 14. The Queen of Heart's tarts. + + 15. Little Tommy Trout. + + 16. Little Boy Blue. + + 17. Little Jack Horner. + + 18. Little Bo Peep. + + 19. Jack and Jill. + + 20. The maid was in the garden + Hanging out the clothes, + When by came a blackbird + And nipped off her nose. + +There was a good deal of laughter over the competition and much counting +up of marks. Irene, who had scored eighteen out of the possible twenty, +came out top, and was accordingly handed the pretty little photograph +frame which formed the prize. + +"I only got six," mourned Lorna. "I was a perfect duffer at it." + +"I had fifteen," purred Sheila, "but I couldn't for the life of me +remember who made Cock Robin's shroud, or who pulled Pussy out of the +well." + +"It's such ages since I read any nursery rhymes," said Monica. + +"That's just the fun of it, of course!" declared Mary. "Did you make up +the questions, Mrs. Clark?" + +"No, I got the Canon to compose them. He'll be glad you liked them. Oh, +here he comes. He had to go to a committee meeting this afternoon. Did +you get tea, dear, at Major Littleton's?" (to her husband). "That's +right! Then sit down on this comfy chair and entertain us, please." + +"Rather a big order," laughed Canon Clark, shaking hands with his young +visitors, and taking the proffered seat. "How do you want to be +entertained? No sermons to-day?" and his eyes twinkled. "Don't all speak +at once. I'm beginning to get nervous!" + +"You can tell the most beautiful stories," suggested Sheila, who had +paid visits before to the Villa Bleue and knew the capabilities of her +host. + +"Oh, yes, please, _do_ tell us a story!" agreed the others. "We'd like +it better than anything." + +"I have one inside my desk which is just ready to send off to a +magazine. If it won't bore you to listen to it, I'll read it aloud and +let you judge whether it has any interest in it or not. An audience of +schoolgirls ought to be severe critics. As a rule they're omnivorous +readers of fiction. If you turn it down I shall tear it up." + +"Oh, but we shan't!" + +"_Please_ begin!" + +Thus urged, Canon Clark fetched a manuscript from his study, and after +passing round the plate of taffy, to "sweeten his narrative" as he put +it, he sat down in his basket-chair on the veranda and began to read. + + +"THE LUCK OF DACREPOOL + + "I had known Jack Musgrave out East; we had chummed + at Mandalay, messed together at Singapore, hunted + big game up in Kashmir, and shot tigers in Bengal, + and, when we said good-by, as he boarded the + homeward-bound steamer at Madras, it was with a + cordial invitation on his part that I should look + him up if ever I happened to penetrate into the + remote corner of Cumberland where his family acres + were situated. + + "For a year or two my affairs kept me in India, and + nothing seemed more unlikely than that--for the + present, at any rate--Jack and I should cross paths + again, but by one of those strange chances which + sometimes occur in this world I found myself, on + the Christmas Eve of 190-, standing on the platform + of Holdergate Station, having missed the connection + for Scotland, and with the pleasing prospect before + me of spending the night, and possibly--if trains + were not available--the ensuing Christmas Day at + the one very second-rate inn in the village. + + "It was then that I remembered that Holdergate was + the nearest station to Dacrepool Grange, and that, + if Jack's memory still held good, I might find a + hearty welcome and spend a pleasant evening + recalling old times and discussing past shots, + instead of putting up with the inferior + accommodation offered by the landlady of the King's + Arms. As no one either at the station or in the + village seemed willing to vouchsafe me definite + information as to whether the owner of Dacrepool + was at home or abroad, parrying my inquiries with + such scant courtesy and in so uncouth and + unintelligible a dialect as to be scarce + understood, I resolved to chance it, and with some + difficulty hiring a farmer's gig, I started out on + a six-mile drive over the bleak moorlands, which + seemed to stretch as far as the eye could reach in + a dim vista of brown heath and distant snow-clad + fell. It was a dreary and unseasonable evening, + with a damp mist rising from the sodden ground, and + occasional falls of sleet, mingled with rain that + chilled one to the bone. I buttoned my coat closely + round my throat, and braced my nerves to meet the + elements, hoping I might find my reward at the end + of my journey, and inwardly cursing every mile of + the rough road. + + "But even Cumberland miles cannot wind on forever, + and my Jehu at length drew up at a massive stone + gateway, which he assured me formed the entrance to + Dacrepool Grange. There was neither light nor sound + in the lodge, nor did any one come out in answer to + our impatient calls, so we had perforce to open the + gates for ourselves. They creaked on their rusty + hinges, as if they had not been unclosed for many a + day, and when I noted the neglected drive, where + the overhanging trees swept our faces as we passed, + I began to fear that I had come on a fool's errand, + and that I should find the house shut up and my + friend abroad. + + "On this point, however, my driver reassured me. + 'Nay, oo'be to home, theer's a light i' yon + winder,' he said, pointing with his whip where a + faint streak of yellow shone like a beacon into the + surrounding gloom. The moon was struggling through + the clouds, and I could dimly discern the outline + of the quaint gabled front of the house, with its + mullioned windows, and masses of clinging ivy. + Dismounting at the old stone porch, I seized the + knocker and beat a mighty tattoo. There was no + reply. Even the light had disappeared from the + window almost simultaneously with the approach of + our carriage wheels, and though I hammered for + fully five minutes I failed to obtain the slightest + response to my knocks. I was on the point of + turning away in despair and driving back in the gig + to Holdergate, when a sound of footsteps was heard + within, together with an unbolting and unbarring, + the door was opened about six inches on the chain, + and a hard-featured woman peeped cautiously out + into the darkness. + + "I at once proclaimed my identity and my errand, + but, by the light of the candle which she held in + her hand, she looked me up and down with a glance + of keen distrust and evident disfavor. 'How am I to + know it is as you say?' she replied guardedly, and + without making any move to grant me admittance. + + "'Then fetch your master,' I exclaimed with some + heat, thrusting my card into her hand. 'He should + know my name at any rate, though he seems to have + trained you in strange notions of hospitality to + keep a guest standing on the doorstep on a bitter + evening in December.' + + "Grumbling under her breath she went away, and I + was half inclined to follow her example and quit + this very unpromising spot, when a quick step + resounded in the hall, the door was flung open + wide, and I was dragged forcibly into the house by + my friend Jack, who hailed me with such unfeigned + delight and enthusiasm that there could be little + doubt of the genuineness of his welcome. + + "'You've sprung upon us at a queer time, as it + happens, old man, but if you don't mind taking + pot-luck we'll spend a ripping night together,' he + cried, hauling me into the dining-room, where a + pretty fairy of a girl sprang up to greet us. 'This + is my sister Bessie, and I've talked about you so + often that she'll give you as big a welcome as I + do. It's only a poor best we can show you in the + way of entertainment, but you'll make allowances + when I tell you how I'm situated, and what we lack + in kind we must make up in good will.' + + "'What's good enough for you will be good enough + for me,' I replied heartily, submitting to be + relieved of my coat and installed in the best chair + by the blazing fire--a pleasant change indeed from + the cold and the sleet outside. + + "'You must not think our guests usually receive + such a churlish reception,' said Jack, laughing a + little, 'but the fact is, we took you for the + bailiffs. I'm sorry to say I've outrun the + constable--it's really not my fault, for the old + place was mortgaged to its last penny when it fell + to me--but, as the case stands, I'm enduring a kind + of siege; daren't put my nose out of my own door + for fear I should be served with writs, and have to + smuggle what supplies we can beg or borrow through + the kitchen window. It's a queer kind of Christmas + to spend, and a poor lookout for the New Year, for + I'm afraid the old place is bound to go in the end, + though I have vowed to stick to it as long as I can + hold it, and Bessie has vowed to stick to me, + though she might have a more cheerful home + elsewhere if she liked. There's precious little to + offer you in our larder, but perhaps we can furnish + up something in the way of supper; can't we, + Bessie?' + + "Miss Musgrave laughed merrily. + + "'Mr. Harper must imagine himself back in camp,' + she replied; 'I hope he can manage to subsist on + porridge and cheese and tinned provisions, for I + don't think we have anything better to offer him.' + + "I would have subsisted on a far poorer diet to + remain within sight of those bright eyes, and I + endeavored to convince my host and hostess that I + desired nothing more than to be treated as one of + themselves, with such success that I seemed to drop + at once into the family circle, and never spent a + pleasanter or more jovial evening in my life. Jack + and I sat up late after Bessie had retired, + chatting of bygone days and past adventures till + the jungles and plains seemed almost more real than + the cheery blaze of the fire before us; but the + talk came round at last to the affairs of the + moment. + + "'Is not there any plan by which you could raise + the wind, Jack?'" I inquired. + + "'Never a one. I've tried every end up, but there + seems no way out of the trouble unless, indeed, we + could find Sir Godfrey's treasure.' + + "'Who's he?' + + "'An ancestor of mine, rather a back number, + considering he died somewhere about two hundred and + fifty years ago--but a restless old gentleman, for + he is still said to have a trick of haunting the + house, and, according to popular tradition, hoping + to be able to point out the hiding-place of a + treasure he stowed away.' + + "'Was it genuine treasure?' + + "'I believe so. He went off to fight in the Civil + Wars, and hid the family plate and jewels in a + secure place which nobody knew of but himself. He + had not the sense to leave any record of the spot, + and when he was killed at Naseby his secret died + with him, and the valuables--unless, as I sometimes + suspect, the old chap had previously pledged + them--were not forthcoming, nor have they ever been + heard of since.' + + "'Has he ever appeared to you?' + + "'Not he; I only wish he would. The hoard would be + a jolly windfall to me if I could manage to light + upon it. But I'm not the kind who goes about seeing + ghosts. I'm too plain and matter-of-fact by half, + and, though I often hear mysterious taps on the + panels of my bedroom, I prosaically set it down to + rats and mice. Now, you're a psychic sort of a + fellow, the seventh son of a seventh son; if he + wants to make himself visible, perhaps you may get + a sight of him; I'm afraid it's more than ever I + shall.' + + "'Is there no clew at all left as to the + hiding-place of the treasure?' I inquired. + + "'Only an old rhyme so obscure as to be quite + unintelligible: + + He who plucks a rose at Yule + Will bring back luck to Dacrepool. + + Even you, with your fondness for antiquities and + rummaging strange things out of old books, can + scarcely make anything of that, I should say.' + + "I shook my head, for the riddle seemed quite + unreadable, and as we had already sat up until long + past midnight I begged for my candle, and proposed + to defer our conversation until the morning. Jack, + declaring that none of the beds in the damp old + house was fit to sleep in without a week of + previous airing, insisted upon giving up his room + to me, and passing the night himself on the + dining-room sofa, and, in spite of my + protestations, I was forced to acquiesce in his + plans for my comfort. + + "Left alone, I looked with some curiosity round the + gloomy oak-paneled chamber, where the fire-light + flashed on the carved four-poster, with its faded + yellow damask curtains, and lit up the moth-eaten + tapestry that adorned a portion of the upper part + of the walls, but scarcely illumined the dark + corners which lay beyond. There were quaint old + presses and chests roomy enough to hide a dozen + ghosts in, and a portrait of a gentleman in the + elaborate costume of the Stuart period seemed to + look down upon me with strangely haunting eyes. + + "'A spooky enough place,' I murmured, 'hallowed by + the spirits of numerous generations, no doubt. + Well, I'll undertake they won't disturb me + to-night, for I am dog-tired and mean to sleep like + a log.' + + "I am an old traveler, and was soon in bed and + enjoying a well-earned slumber, but my dreams were + wild, for I seemed now to be driving furiously over + the moorland, pursuing ever the phantom of pretty + Bessie, who, with her bewitching smile, was luring + me into the fog and darkness, and now to be barring + the front door to defend her from some unknown + assailant, whose perpetual rapping rang like an + echo through my brain. With the impotent strength + of dreamland I struggled vainly to close the door, + which was opening slowly to admit the nameless + horror. I seemed to feel a hot breath on my cheek, + and with a wild shriek I woke, to find the + moonlight streaming in through the broad + diamond-paned window, falling in a white shaft + across the floor, while the last embers of the fire + were smoldering to ashes upon the hearth. + + "I sat up in bed with that feeling of broad + awakeness and alertness which comes to us + sometimes, and caught my breath as I listened, for + through the stillness of the night came the + unmistakable sound of a gentle tapping from behind + the paneling of the wall. It was not continuous, + but more as one might rap at the chamber door of a + sleeping person, waiting every now and then to hear + if one had obtained a response. An intense and + vivid sensation came over me that I was not alone + in the room; that there was some presence other + than my own personality which was striving in some + way to force itself upon my consciousness and + arrest my attention. Was it only my fancy, or were + the moonbeams actually shaping themselves into a + human form, till against the dark background of the + fireplace, I seemed to see the misty shadowy + outline of a figure, so vague and ethereal that + even as I looked it appeared to melt again into the + moonlight and cease to exist? + + "With every nerve on the stretch I strained my + eyes to gain a clearer impression. A passing cloud + left the room for a few moments in darkness, but, + as the beams shone out full and clear once more, + that shadowy figure seemed to gather substance, and + I felt as if some unknown force were compelling my + attention and chaining my every sense in a mute + endeavor to establish some chord of connection + between me and the dim spirit world which floats + forever round us. Now waxing, now waning, the + vision grew, till I fancied I caught a glint of + armor. For an instant a wild imploring glance met + my own, and a transparent finger pointed to the + richly-carved paneling below the arras, but as I + sprang from the bed the vision faded swiftly away, + leaving me standing on the floor in the calm + moonlight doubting the evidence of my senses, and + half convinced that I must still have been in the + continuance of my dream. + + "Yet, as I looked, something in the carved paneling + struck my notice, and, following the direction in + which the spectral finger had pointed, I saw that + the dragons and the twisted scrolls were united in + the center by a Tudor rose. In an instant there + flashed across my mind the old saying which Jack + had quoted: + + He who plucks a rose at Yule + Will bring back luck to Dacrepool. + + What impulse urged me I cannot say, but compelled + by some seemingly irresistible suggestion I seized + the sculptured rose and wrenched at it with all my + strength. There was a dull thud, followed by a + harsh grinding noise, and the whole of the paneling + slid slowly back, revealing a cavity behind, where, + half hidden by the accumulations of dust and + cobwebs, I could catch a sight of silver tankards + and masses of plate enough to make the mouth of a + collector water with envy. Still scarcely certain + whether I was sleeping or waking, I put in my hand + and drew out a bag filled with something heavy, and + even as I did so the rotten mildewed canvas broke + with the strain, and a stream of golden coins + descended with a clatter upon the floor. + + "Like a maniac I rushed to my door and hallooed + lustily for Jack, who, roused by my shouts, came + hurrying up in scanty attire, with a revolver in + one hand and a poker in the other. + + "'What is it, old man, thieves or bailiffs? Just + hold 'em till I come, can't you?' + + "'It's neither,' I replied, as I hauled him in with + triumph, 'but I believe I have had a visit from + your esteemed ancestor, and, as a Christmas gift, + allow me to introduce you to the long-lost family + treasure.' + + "There was no mistake about it--it was real enough, + and, as the Christmas bells came chiming through + the frosty air, we turned out bags of gold, piles + of silver and priceless jewels warranted to redeem + Dacrepool Grange twice over if necessary, and + sending Jack into a very ecstasy of joy. + + "'By Jove, old chap,' he exclaimed, 'I owe it all + to you. Here I've slept in this room for years, and + never paid any heed to the raps and taps, though + I've heard them often enough, while the treasure + was under my very nose, only waiting to be + discovered. Then you come along with your + ghost-seeing eyes, and the spirit, if spirit it + was, is able to convey to you the secret it's been + trying to get off its mind for hundreds of years. + You've saved me from the bankruptcy court, and it's + a debt of gratitude you'll find I shan't lightly + forget.' + + "It was a very jovial Christmas which we spent + that day, for the news of the find got abroad at + daylight, and we were promptly visited by the + butcher and baker, bringing stores of good cheer + and profuse apologies for past misunderstandings; + even the severe old servant relapsed into smiles as + she bore in a smoking sirloin of beef. Jack's + spirits rose to the wildest pitch, and little + Bessie, who persisted in calling me the savior of + the family credit, could scarcely do enough to show + her gratitude. Jack wanted me to share the best of + the jewels with him, and was so annoyed at my + refusal that I could only gain peace by a hint that + I should sometime ask him for something more + valuable still. And I got my way, for my unexpected + visit lengthened out to a stay of some weeks, + during which pretty Bessie's gratitude had time to + ripen into a warmer feeling. So in the end it was + quite a different treasure which I bore away from + Dacrepool Grange, and I feel equally with Jack that + I have cause to remember that strange Christmas + Eve, and to render my thanks to old Sir Godfrey, + who now sleeps soundly in his grave, secure in the + accomplishment of his mission, having rid his soul + of the burden of his secret and restored luck to + Dacrepool." + +"Is it true?" asked Sheila, as Canon Clark folded up his manuscript. + +"Well, I can hardly call it a personal reminiscence, but you must allow +for author's license. Old historic houses sometimes have secret +hiding-places, and dreams are undoubtedly strange things. It's all +founded upon legends which I have heard. Mrs. Clark and I first met in +an ancient grange not at all unlike Dacrepool, didn't we, Bess? And if +we didn't find treasure behind the paneling we certainly ought to have +done so. Now I'm extremely sorry to have to hurry you, but I promised +Miss Morley that you should be back at school by half past six, and I +undertook to escort you through the town. I hope you'll all come and +have tea with us some afternoon next term and we'll have another +competition. Don't say good-by to Mrs. Clark. Give the Italian 'A +rivederci' instead, because that means not a parting greeting but 'May +we see one another again.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +Peachy's Birthday + + +Delia Watts, walking one afternoon along the lemon pergola, came across +a small group of Camellia Buds ensconced in a cozy corner at the foot of +the steps by the fountain. + +"Hello! You've found a dandy place here. You look so comfy. May I join +on?" she chirped. + +"Sure_lee_!" said Jess cordially, pushing Irene farther along to make +room. "Come and squat down, dearie, and add your voice to the powwow. +We're just discussing something fearfully urgent and important. Do you +know it'll be Peachy's birthday next week?" + +"Of course I know. Nobody could room with Peachy and not hear about +that. She's the most excited girl on earth. She's been promised a gold +wrist-watch and a morocco hand-bag, and I can't tell you what else, and +she's just living till she gets them. I wish it was my birthday. I'm +jealous!" + +"Don't be such a pig," responded Jess. "You got your fun in the +holidays. You can't have things twice over. What we were talking about +was this--the sorority ought to rally somehow and give Peachy a +surprise. Can't we get up a special stunt?" + +"Rather! Put me on the committee, please! Couldn't we get leave for a +dormitory tea? I know Miss Rodgers rather frowned on them last term, but +perhaps if we wheedled Miss Morley she'd say 'yes.' We'd promise to +clear up and not make any mess, and to finish promptly before prep time. +That ought to content her. What votes?" + +Every hand ascended with enthusiasm. + +"Good for you, Delia!" complimented Jess. "We haven't had a dormitory +tea for just ages; not, in fact, since Aggie upset the spirit-lamp. I +think Miss Morley's forgotten that now, though. You must do the asking +yourself. You're our champion wheedler. If anybody can soften Miss +Morley's hard heart it will be you. Tell her Peachy will be homesick, +and we feel it'll be our duty to cheer her up a little." + +"I'll pitch it as strong as I can," said Delia, "but of course it's no +use going too far. Peachy doesn't look a homesick subject in need of +cheering. I'm afraid Miss Morley may snort if I put it on that score. +I'd better just explain we want to have a stunt. I believe she'll catch +on. Leave it to me and I'll try my best to manage her." + +"Right-o! We give you carte blanche!" + +"Then I'll waddle off now." + +Delia's success mostly depended upon tact. She judged that if she asked +Miss Morley, tired at the end of a busy morning, she would probably meet +with a curt refusal, but that if she found her, seated in her own +bed-sitting-room, soothed with afternoon tea and reading a delectable +book, her sympathy would be much more readily aroused. On this occasion +Delia's judgment was correct. After a perfectly harmonious interview +with the Principal she scurried back to her fellow Camellia Buds, her +face one satisfied grin. + +"She said, 'Certainly, my dear!' We may ask Elvira for a special teapot +and a plate of bread and butter, and we may give Antonio three lira +apiece to buy us cakes. We may do what we like so long as the room is +tidy again before prep. She'll send a prefect at 5.45 to inspect. If the +place is in a muddle it'll be the last time, so we'd better be careful, +for I could see she meant that." + +"We're in luck!" cried Irene, giving a bounce of rapture. + +"It's great!" + +"Yummy!" + +"I thought you'd congratulate me," smirked Delia. "Now let's get busy +and decide what sort of a stunt we mean to have. Is Peachy to know, or +is it to be a surprise?" + +"That's the question! She'll have to be told and invited and all the +rest of it, but she needn't hear any details beforehand. I vote we all +arrange to come in fancy costume--that would really be a stunt." + +"We shall have to tell Peachy _that_!" + +"No, you mustn't. We'll have a costume all ready prepared for her, like +the wedding garment in the parable. She'll have nothing to do but slip +it on." + +If Peachy was looking forward to her own birthday, her friends were +anticipating the happy event with enthusiasm. They had decided to hold +the festivities in her dormitory, but had required her to give a solemn +pledge not to enter the room after 2 p.m. so as to give them a free +hand. During the half-hour before drawing-class they met, and held a +"Decoration Bee." Nine determined girls, who have prepared their +materials, can work wonders in a short time, and in ten hurried minutes +they accomplished a vast amount. + +"Mary, lend a hand, and help me stand on the dressing table." + +"She won't know the place when she sees it!" + +"Aren't we all busy bees!" + +"It begins to look rather nice, doesn't it?" + +"Don't tug this chain! It's tearing! Now you've done it!" + +"I flatter myself she'll get the surprise of her life!" + +"_Ra_-ther!" + +With flags, paper chains, and garlands of flowers, the decorators +contrived to make dormitory 13 look absolutely _en fête_. They borrowed +a table from another bedroom, placed the two together, covered them with +a cloth, and spread forth the cakes which Antonio had been commissioned +to buy. + +"Elvira will fetch us the teapot and the bread and butter at four. We +can yank into our costumes in a few seconds, so we needn't waste much +time. Don't let Miss Darrer keep you dawdling about the studio," urged +Agnes. + +"No fear of that. The moment the bell goes it will be 'down pencils.' +She can hold forth to the others to-day if she wants to talk after +school. By the by, everybody's _so_ jealous of us!" + +"I know! The seniors are grumbling like anything because they didn't +think of having a bedroom tea for Phyllis. It's their own fault. They +haven't another birthday amongst them this term. That's the grievance. +And Miss Morley won't give leave for a dormitory stunt unless it's +somebody's birthday. She's firm on that point. We've certainly all the +luck." + +The Camellia Buds pursued their art studies that afternoon with a +certain abstraction. Peachy worked with her left wrist poised, so that +she could obtain a perpetual view of the new gold watch that had arrived +by post that morning; Delia frittered her time shamelessly; Esther was +guilty of writing surreptitious messages to Joan upon the edges of her +chalk copy of "Apollo"; and Irene, usually interested in her work, had a +fit of the fidgets. The moment the bell sounded and the class was +dismissed they bundled their pencils into their boxes, and left the +studio with almost indecent haste. + +"Only an hour and a half altogether for our stunt doesn't leave us much +time to be polite," remarked Aggie, smarting under a rebuke administered +by Miss Darrer, who had restrained their stampede and insisted upon an +orderly retreat. "It's all very well for people to saunter elegantly +when they've nothing particular to do. I dare say the Italians _may_ +look dignified, but we can't stalk about as if we were perpetually +carrying water-pots on our heads." + +"American girls have more energy than that. I'm just ready to fly to +bits," declared Delia, prancing down the passage like a playful kitten. + +"I give everybody five minutes to get on their costumes," decreed Jess. +"Peachy must stay outside in the passage and wait. I'll tinkle my Swiss +goat-bell when you're all to come in." + +Peachy, pulling a long face of protest, took her stand obediently in the +corridor, while her three roommates entered dormitory 13. Their fancy +dresses were lying ready on their beds, and they whisked into them with +the utmost haste. + +"There! Is my cap on straight? Jess, you look fine! I guess we shan't +keep the crowd waiting. We'd earn our livings as quick-change artistes +any day. Is that Elvira? Oh, thanks! Put the teapot down there, please. +What a huge plate of bread and butter. We'll never eat it! Mary, if +you're ready you might be uncovering the grub." + +The girls had laid everything in preparation for their feast, and, to +protect their dainties from flies, had put sheets of tissue paper over +the table. Mary lifted these deftly, but as she removed them her smug +satisfaction changed to a howl of dismay. Instead of the tempting +dainties which they had placed there with their own hands stood a circle +of bricks and stones. + +For a moment all three gazed blankly at the awful sight. Then they found +speech. + +"Our beautiful cakes!" + +"Where are they?" + +"Who's done this?" + +"Oh! the _brutes_!" + +"Who's been in?" + +"How _dare_ they?" + +"Wherever have they put them?" + +"Have they eaten them?" + +"Oh! What a shame!" + +"What _are_ we to do?" + +It was indeed a desperate situation, for loud thumps at the door +proclaimed the advent of the visitors, who seemed likely to be provided +with a decidedly Barmecide feast. Delia, however, had an inspiration. +She stooped on hands and knees and foraged under the beds, announcing by +a jubilant screech that she had discovered the lost property. It did not +take long to move away the stones and to transfer the plates from the +floor to the table, after which three much flustered hostesses opened +the door and gushed a welcome to their guests. It was rather a motley +group who entered: Irene as a nun in waterproof and hood; Agnes as a Red +Cross Nurse; Esther a Turk, with a towel for a turban; Joan a sportsman +in her gymnasium knickers; Sheila, in a tricolor cap, represented +France; and Lorna was draped with the Union Jack; Jess with a plaid +arranged as a kilt made a sturdy Highlander; Mary was an Irish colleen; +while Delia, in a wrapper ornamental with fringes of tissue paper, stood +for "Carnival." A white dressing jacket trimmed with green leaves, and a +garland of flowers were waiting for Peachy, and when the latter was +popped on her head she was promptly proclaimed "Queen o' the May." Very +much flattered by these preparations in her honor, the guest of the +occasion took her place at the table. + +"I'm absolutely astounded," she announced. "Where did you get all this +spread? You don't mean to tell me Antonio was _allowed_ to go and buy +it! It's too topping for words!" + +"We thought it had gone out of the window, a moment ago," said Jess, +explaining their horrible predicament as she wielded the teapot. + +The Camellia Buds listened aghast. Somebody had evidently been playing a +shameful trick upon them. + +"It's Mabel!" + +"Or Bertha!" + +"No, no! They'd have taken the cakes quite away instead of only hiding +them!" + +"Then it must be Winnie or Ruth!" + +"Quite likely. They knew we were having the party." + +"The wretches!" + +"We'll pay them out afterwards!" + +"What a mean thing to do!" + +"They were honest, at any rate, and didn't take so much as a biscuit." + +"They'd have heard about it if they had!" + +"'All's well that ends well!'" + +"And we'd better clear the dishes while we can. Have another piece of +iced sandwich, Mary!" + +"No, thanks! I really don't want any more." + +The Camellia Buds, having disposed of the feast, and having yet half an +hour of the birthday party left on their hands, decided to hold what +they called a "Mixed Recitation Stunt." They sat in a circle on the +floor and counted out till the lot fell upon one of them, whose pleasing +duty it became to act entertainer for the next five minutes, when she +was entitled to hand the part on to somebody else. Fate, aided perhaps +by a little gentle maneuvering, gave the first turn to Jess. + +"I adore poetry, but I never can remember it by heart," she protested, +"so don't expect me to 'speak a piece,' please. No, I'm not trying to +get out of it. I'll do my bit the same as everybody else. Stop giggling +and listen, because I'm going to tell you something spooky. It's a real +Highland story. It happened to an aunt of mine. Are you ready? Well then +be quiet, because I'm going to begin: + +"I have an aunt who lives in the Highlands. Her name is Jessie +M'Gregor. Yes, I'm named after her! Some of her family had had the gift +of second sight, but not all of them. Her grandmother had it very +strongly, and used to foretell the strangest things, and they always +came true. Aunt Jessie was a seventh child. That's always supposed to +give people the power of seeing visions. If she'd been the seventh child +_of_ a seventh child then she'd have been a 'spey wife' and foreseen the +future, but she wasn't that exactly. She came very near to it once, +though, and that's what I want to tell you about. Uncle Gordon was going +to London, and, the day before he started, Auntie was sitting alone in +the garden. She hadn't been very well, so she was just leaning back in a +deck-chair resting. She wasn't asleep; she was looking at the view and +thinking how lovely it all was. She could see right across the moor and +down the valley where the river ran; the heather was in blossom and it +was a glorious sight. Suddenly it seemed as if everything became blurred +and dark, as if a mist were before her eyes. A patch cleared through the +midst of this and she could see the valley below as if she were looking +through an enormous telescope. The river had burst its banks, and was +flowing all over the line, and through the flood came the train, and +dashed into the water. She saw this vision only for a moment, then it +passed. She rubbed her eyes and wondered if it was a dream. She decided +it was a warning. She's very superstitious. Most Highland people are. +She didn't want Uncle Gordon to go next day by the little train that ran +down the valley, but she knew if she told him her 'vision' he would only +laugh at her. So she pretended she wanted to do some shopping at +Aberfylde, a town fifteen miles away, where the local railway joins the +main line. She told Uncle Gordon that if they motored there together she +could see him off on the London express, and then have a day's shopping. +So he agreed, and they went in the car. There was a tremendous storm in +the night, and it was still raining when they started. Auntie spent the +day in Aberfylde and motored back, and when she reached home she noticed +the valley had turned into a lake. The terrific rain had swollen all the +streams and made the river burst its banks, and the line was flooded, +and it was impossible for the train to run. So her 'vision' really did +come true after all. She's ever so proud of it, and wrote it all down so +that she shouldn't forget it. That's my story. Now it's somebody else's +stunt. Let's count out again." + +Fortune cast the lot this time on Agnes, who wrinkled up her forehead +and protested she didn't know anything to tell, but, when urged, +remembered something she had heard during the summer holidays. + +"It's true too!" she assured them. "We were staying at Tarana. We had +a villa there. Water was very scarce, and we used to have two barrels of +it brought every day on donkeyback by a woman whose business it was to +act as carrier. Her name was Luigia, and she was very picturesque +looking, and had the most beautiful dark eyes, though she always looked +fearfully sad. Daddy is fond of sketching, and he painted a picture of +her standing with her donkey under the vines. We guessed somehow that +she had a history, and we asked Sareda, our cook, about her. Sareda knew +everybody in the place. She was a dear old gossip. She got quite excited +over Luigia's story. She said it had been the talk of Tarana at the +time. Luigia used to be a lovely girl when she was young, and she was +quite wealthy for a peasant, because she owned a little lemon grove on +the hillside. She inherited it from her father, who was dead. Of course, +because she was beautiful and a village heiress, she soon found a +sweetheart, and became engaged to Francesco, a fisherman who lived down +on the Marina. Everything was going on very happily, and the wedding was +fixed, when suddenly it was found there was something wrong with +Luigia's glorious eyes. She went to a doctor in Naples, and he told her +that unless a certain operation were performed she would go blind. If +she went to Paris, to a specialist whom he named, her sight might be +saved. Poor Luigia sold her lemon grove in a hurry, to get the necessary +money, and packed up and started for Paris immediately. She was away six +months, and she came back penniless, but seeing as well as ever. She +trudged all the way from Liparo to Tarana, along the coast road, because +she could not afford to take the train. When she walked into her own +village, the first thing she saw was a wedding party leaving the church. +She stopped to watch, and as the procession passed her who should the +gayly-dressed bridegroom prove to be but her own faithless sweetheart +Francesco. She screamed and fainted, and some kindly neighbors took her +in and cared for her. She got work afterwards in the village, but she +did not find a husband, because her lemon grove was sold, and these +peasants will not marry a wife without a dowry. No wonder she looked so +sad. We were always frightfully sorry for her." + +Sheila, who was the next entertainer, recited a ballad; and Delia also +"spoke a piece," an amusing episode of child life, which she rendered +with much humor. The next turn was Irene's, and the girls, who were in a +mood for listening, clamored for a story. + +"I haven't any first-hand or original adventures," she declared. "My +aunts never have psychic experiences, and the people who brought us +things to the door in London weren't interesting in the least. If you +like romance, though, I remember a tale in a little old, old book that +belonged to my great grandmother. It was supposed to be true, and I dare +say it may have really happened, more than a hundred years ago, just as +'The Babes in the Wood' really happened in Norfolk in Elizabethan times. +It's about a girl named Mary Howard. Her father and mother died when she +was only four years old, and she was left an orphan. She was heiress to +a very great property, and her uncle, Mr. John Howard, was made her +guardian. She also had another uncle, Mr. Dallas, her mother's brother, +but he lived in Calcutta and she had never seen him. Mr. John Howard +wished to get hold of Mary's estates for himself, so he laid a careful +plot. First, he sent all the servants away, including her nurse, Betty +Morris, who was devoted to her. Betty offered to stay on without wages, +but when this was refused she became suspicious, and wrote a letter to +Mr. Dallas warning him to look after his sister's child. But it took +many months in those days for a letter to get to Calcutta, and meantime +Mr. Howard was pursuing a wicked scheme. Soon afterwards Betty heard +that her charge had been stolen by gypsies for the sake of her amber +beads, and could not be found anywhere. What had really happened was +worse even than Betty had feared. Mr. Howard had hired a sailor, who was +in desperate need of money, and bribed him to decoy the child away, take +her to the seaside and there drown her. Robert, the sailor, fulfilled +the first part of his bargain but not the second. He carried little Mary +into a remote part of Wales, but he did not do her any harm. Instead, he +became extremely fond of her and determined to save her from her uncle. +So he bought a passage in a vessel bound for New Zealand and took her to +sea with him, pretending she was his daughter. She was a sweet, gentle +little creature, and soon became a favorite on board. + +"Among the crew was a Maori boy named Duaterra, whose father was a great +chief in New Zealand. The Captain, for some offense, ordered this boy to +be flogged, and Duaterra could not forgive the indignity. He planned a +terrible revenge. When they reached New Zealand he persuaded the Captain +and crew to land in his father's territory; then, summoning his savage +friends he ordered a general massacre and killed them all, saving only +Robert and little Mary. Robert had been good to him and had given him +tobacco, and Duaterra adored Mary, and called her his Mocking Bird. The +Maoris plundered and burnt the ship after they had murdered the crew, +but they were kind to Robert and Mary, and built a native house for +them. Here they lived for four years, for they had no opportunity to +escape. Robert married the chief's daughter and settled down as a member +of the tribe, but he became very anxious about little Mary. He knew that +Duaterra looked upon her as his prospective bride, and he could not bear +to think of the lovely child ever becoming the wife of a savage. + +"One day a marvelous opportunity occurred for sending Mary home. A ship +put in to obtain fresh water, and on the vessel happened to be an old +friend of Robert's, named John Morris, actually the brother of Betty +Morris, Mary's former nurse. Robert told John the whole story and begged +him to take the little girl to England, and deliver her into Betty's +hands. He paid for her passage with the money which Mr. Howard had given +him as a bribe, and which, as he could not use money in New Zealand, he +had kept buried in the ground. Mary was carried on board ship when she +was fast asleep at night, and poor Robert cried like a child at parting +from her. John Morris proved a faithful friend. He took Mary to London, +and sent a message to his sister Betty who was then living in +Devonshire. When she arrived she was able to identify her nursling, and +to tell John that Mr. Dallas had arrived from Calcutta and had offered a +large reward for the recovery of his niece. So Mary was placed under the +guardianship of her mother's brother, who took good care both of her and +her estates, and the wicked uncle was so overcome with shame, when the +story of his crime got about, that he went crazy and ended his days in a +lunatic asylum." + +"And the best place for him, too!" commented Jess. "He must have been a +brute. I dare say things like that really _did_ happen before there were +daily papers to publish photos of lost children, and when the Maoris in +New Zealand were still savages. Look here, my hearties! Do you realize +it's 5.35? We've got exactly ten minutes to clear up before Rachel +arrives on the rampage." + +"Gracious! Help me out of these duds! Rachel would never let me hear +the end of it if she caught me as a May Queen. I know her sarcastic +tongue," squealed Peachy. "Thanks just fifty thousand times for my +birthday party. It's been absolutely prime, and I've never enjoyed +anything as much for years. Sorry to send you others into the cold, cold +world, but I'm afraid you'll have to scoot and change." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +Concerning Juniors + + +Though all the Camellia Buds had keenly enjoyed Peachy's birthday +festivities they were none of them satisfied to allow the mystery of the +hiding of their cakes to remain unsolved. They questioned Elsie, who was +often an envoy between themselves and the rest of the Transition, but +Elsie professed utter ignorance, and assured them that the particular +girls whom they suspected had been playing tennis during the whole of +their recreation, and could not possibly have had time or opportunity to +enter dormitory 13 unnoticed by some of their companions. + +"We'd have seen them," declared Elsie. "Besides, they'd have boasted +about it. Whoever's the trick was, it wasn't ours. If you want my +opinion I should say ask some of those juniors. They're absolute imps +and ready for anything." + +This was quite a new view of the case. The Camellia Buds had fixed the +mischief so certainly on the rival sorority that they had never thought +of the younger girls. Peachy, catching Olive, Doris, and Natalie, the +trio whom she had named her "triplets," taxed them solemnly with the +crime. They burst out laughing. + +"We 'did' you neatly!" + +"Were you all this time guessing it was us?" + +"I expect you had a hunt for those cakes!" + +Peachy focussed a stern eye upon their giggling faces, and hypnotized +them into attention. + +"Now, what d'you mean by such impudence? How dare you go into our +dormitory? Juniors aren't to play tricks on their seniors! That was +bumped into my head when I was a kid, and I'll bump it jolly well into +yours!" + +The trio pouted. + +"We thought you called yourself our Fairy Godmother," said Olive +sulkily. + +"Well! So I do!" + +"Not much fairy about it, or godmother either. You do nothing for us +now." + +"You ungrateful little wretches! Haven't we settled Bertha and Mabel for +you? Don't you get your biscuits all right at lunch now?" + +"Oh, yes. But----" + +"But what?" + +"You haven't given us a candy party for ages," broke out Natalie. "You +keep all your cakes and fun to yourselves." + +"You promised us all sorts of things. We don't think Fairy Godmothers +are any use," snorted Olive. "Ta--ta! We're off to a basket-ball." + +"Some people make a mighty palaver over next to nothing," sneered +Doris, as the trio linked arms and tore away. + +Peachy stood looking after them with wrinkled brows. She was a peppery +little person, and her temper was up for the moment. All the same, +Doris's parting shot struck home. Unfortunately it was true. The +Camellia Buds had proclaimed themselves as "Fairy Godmothers, Limited," +had adopted juniors with much flourish of trumpets, had certainly fought +a crusade and defended them against injustice and infringement of their +rights, and then--and then--alack!--in the excitement of other matters +had almost forgotten all about them. + +Peachy remembered clearly that for the first week of her championship +she had made a point of speaking daily to Olive, Doris, and Natalie. +Now, for a full fortnight she had scarcely nodded to them at the +breakfast table. They had certainly had no opportunity of pouring their +childish woes into the sympathetic and motherly ear which she had quite +intended should be always open to them. + +"I've a wretched memory," she ruminated remorsefully. "Poor kiddies. +They've really got rather a grievance, though they needn't have been so +cheeky--the young imps! I guess I'd better call a meeting of the +Camellia Buds and see what's to be done. I don't believe any of us have +taken any notice of them just lately." + +Nine would-have-been philanthropists, reminded of past schemes of +benevolence, blushed uneasily, and tried to revive interest in their +protégées. + +"They always seemed very busy with basket-ball and other things, and +not exactly hankering after us," urged Agnes in excuse. + +"They could have come to us if they'd wanted, of course," added Mary. + +"That wasn't entirely the pact," said Peachy, driving in her tacks with +firm hammer. "We offered to 'mother' them, and then forgot all about +them. No wonder they think us frauds. What's to be done about it?" + +"Get some more cakes somehow and ask them all to a party," suggested +Irene enthusiastically. "We have been pigs! I promised Désirée to paint +something in her album, and the book's been in my drawer for weeks, and +I've never touched it." + +"How are we going to get the cakes?" + +"Wheedle Antonio again, I suppose. We needn't have any ourselves. If +there are two slices apiece for the kids, it will do. We must keep some +of our biscuits from lunch so that we can seem to be eating something +ourselves. Peachy, you can coax him." + +"You always leave it to me. Antonio isn't so easy to manage. Sometimes +he's an absolute Pharisee, and won't buy me so much as a single bit of +candy. I'll do what I can. Those poor kids shall have a treat if it +costs me my last dollar. We owe them something decent." + +Antonio, whose lapses from duty were only occasional, and who had been +reprimanded lately by Miss Rodgers, who suspected his delinquencies, +proved deaf on this occasion to Peachy's blandishments. He protested, +with quite aggravating virtue, that it was as much as his place was +worth to smuggle even a solitary cream-cake, and that for the future he +must no more be the conveyor of contraband sweet stuff. + +"Stumped in that quarter," mourned Peachy. "But I'm not going to let +this beat me. I've been cultivating a friendship with the cook! Don't +laugh! I thought it might come in useful some day. I gave her my blue +butterfly brooch (I had two of them!), and I took a snap-shot of her in +her Sunday clothes, and she was immensely pleased and flattered. I +haven't developed it yet, by the by, but I will, and print her two +copies and mount them. If that doesn't melt her heart into sparing me a +little butter and sugar it ought to. We can square it this way: none of +us ten must eat any butter or sugar at breakfast or tea to-morrow, then +we'll have a real right to have it given us afterwards. Don't pull +faces! You can have marmalade or jam. What sybarites you are!" + +"Right-o," agreed the Camellia Buds, sorrowfully accepting the +sacrifice. + +"But couldn't the juniors contribute some butter, too?" added Sheila. + +"It might be noticed if too many went without. Besides, it's the +hostesses who ought to provide the party, not the guests." + +Benedicta, the cook, was vulnerable, especially in view of the +self-restraint exercised by the heroic ten. She made a hasty calculation +of the amount of butter they would normally have consumed, added a +package of sugar, and lent them a pan and a spoon. Peachy carried away +these spoils chuckling, and hid them carefully behind the summer-house. +Then she racked her brains and composed what she considered a suitable +and telling invitation: + + "To all who'd love a Fairy Fête + I beg you come, and don't be late, + We offer fun that will not wait. + + "The time is fixed for half-past four, + You'll have to squat upon the floor, + We ask you all--but can't do more. + + "Our summer-house is small but handy, + Indeed we think the place most dandy, + We're going to try and make you candy. + + "So leave your game of basket-ball, + And come and make a friendly call, + You'll find a welcome for you all. + + "From + + "Your Fairy Godmothers." + +Peachy wrote her effusion upon a sheet torn from her best pad, folded +it, sought out Olive and handed it to her, telling her to pass it round +the form. The juniors grinned at its contents. They had felt themselves +neglected, but were quite ready to forgive past omissions on the +strength of a present invitation. + +"Better late than never," decreed Doris. "I suppose we'll go?" + +"It sounds as if it might be rather nice," agreed the others. + +So once more the Camellia Buds were placed in the position of hostesses. +Owing to the difficulty of the catering they judged it best to make the +candy before the very eyes of their guests, so that they might see for +themselves how little there was of it and not grouse if the supply only +ran to one bit apiece. + +"Otherwise they might think we'd had first go and only given them the +leavings," remarked Peachy, who was a born diplomat. + +They had counted on borrowing the spirit-lamp which the seniors used for +brewing their after-dinner coffee, but at the last moment they found the +bottle of methylated spirit was empty. + +"What a nuisance! There's no time to send for more. Never mind! We won't +be 'done.' Let's light a camp-fire and cook on that. We must manage +somehow." + +"We certainly can't disappoint them!" + +"Not after all this fuss." + +The back of the summer-house, as being a particularly retired and +secluded spot, was chosen as the rendezvous, and when the nineteen +juniors, interested and appreciative, came fluttering up the garden, +they were met by scouts, conducted round, commanded to squat in a circle +on the ground, and requested to make less noise. + +"D'you want the whole of the school to butt in?" warned Jess. "Then keep +quiet, can't you? Much taffy you'll get if Rachel catches us. Your only +chance is to lie low, you little sillies." + +"Rachel's playing tennis!" giggled Evelyn Carr. + +"There are other prefects as well as Rachel. Pull yourselves together +and don't get so excited." + +The juniors, who had been talking at the top of their voices, squealing, +and otherwise raising the echoes, restrained their transports and +contented themselves with whispers and giggles. The Camellia Buds were +fetching fuel, which they had purloined from the gardener's wood-shed. +They commenced to build a camp-fire. + +Before very long the flames were dancing up. Now, the hostesses in their +enthusiasm to be hospitable had foolishly forgotten that it is one thing +to stir a pan over a methylated spirit lamp, and quite another to hold +it over a camp-fire. Peachy, Agnes, and Mary tried in turns and scorched +their hands, egged on by the interested circle watching their +performance. + +"Make a big bonfire, and let it die down, and put the pan in the hot +ashes, just as we cook chestnuts," proposed Irene. + +It was, at least, a feasible suggestion. Anything seemed better than +open failure before those nineteen pairs of expectant eyes. Volunteers +went off for fresh supplies of wood, which was soon crackling merrily. +But alas! the Camellia Buds, being rather overwrought and flustered with +their experiments, did not calculate on the fact that the smoke of their +bonfire would give away their secret. Rachel had handed her tennis +racket to Phyllis, and was taking a turn among the orange trees to try +to memorize her recitation for the elocution class. + + "'All the world's a stage + And all the men and women merely players: + They have their exits and their entrances; + And one man in his time plays many parts,'" + +she repeated; then, catching sight of the gray cloud rising from the +back of the summer-house, "Hello! What's Giovanni burning? He'll set +those orange trees on fire if he doesn't mind." + +Abandoning Shakespeare Rachel stalked away to investigate, and surprised +the candy party by a sudden appearance in their midst. + +"Good gracious, girls! Whatever are you doing here?" she demanded in +idiomatic, if hardly strictly classical English. + +At the unwelcome sight of the head prefect the juniors one and all +simply stampeded, and I regret to say that the more timid of the +Camellia Buds followed their example. Peachy, Irene, Lorna, Delia, and +Jess stood their ground, however. + +"We--we were only giving those kids a little fun," answered Peachy. + +In dead silence Rachel reviewed the pan, its contents, and the blushing +faces before her. Then she said: + +"Rather dangerous fun. If that tree catches it will set the summer-house +in a blaze next. You know your fire drill? Well, each fetch a bucket of +water and put this out! Right turn! Quick march!" + +At the words of command the luckless five fled to the house and into the +back hall where the fire buckets were kept. They returned with what +speed they could, and thoroughly soused their bonfire. Rachel assured +herself that it was safely out, then commenced further inquiries. + +"We didn't mean any harm," explained Peachy, much on the defensive. "We +were only trying to amuse those juniors. They never have a chance to get +hold of the tennis courts, and they're tired of eternal basket-ball, and +they've rather a thin time of it. We started taking them up because they +were so bullied. Bertha and Mabel used to snatch their biscuits away +from them at lunch." + +Rachel's face was a study. + +"Bertha and Mabel snatched their biscuits?" she repeated. + +"Yes; we stopped that though." + +"_I_ never saw it!" + +"They took jolly good care you shouldn't." + +"Why didn't you come and tell _me_?" + +Peachy looked embarrassed. + +"Well, if you really want to know," she blurted out, "you're so aloof +and superior nobody cares to come and tell you anything. We managed it +by ourselves." + +Rachel winced as if Peachy had struck her a blow. + +"I'm sorry if--if that's how I seem to you," she faltered. "I must have +failed utterly as head girl if you can't confide in me. The prefects +want to be the friends of all the school." + +Peachy shrugged her shoulders eloquently. + +"I don't quite see where the friendship comes in," she murmured. "You +bag the best tennis courts and have the best dormitories, and give your +own stunts there. You never ask any of us to them. Do you, now?" + +"No, I'm afraid we don't," admitted Rachel, still in the same +constrained, almost bewildered, manner. "We really never thought of it." + +The four Camellia Buds, listening to their friend's outspoken comments, +expected an explosion of wrath from the head prefect, but Rachel only +told them to take the buckets back to the house. + +"And that too," she added, pointing to the pan. Peachy stooped and +picked it up, turned to go, then delivered herself of a last manifesto: + +"It's our own butter and sugar that we saved from breakfast and tea, so +please don't blame anybody else." + +"I blame myself most," whispered Rachel, as she was left alone. + +The immediate result of the incident was a prefects' meeting, at which +the head girl, full of compunction, stated the facts of the case to her +fellow officers. + +"We thought we were doing our duty, but it isn't enough just to act as +police," she urged. "Those girls in the Transition were on the right +track in getting hold of the juniors, though perhaps they did it in the +wrong way. This school isn't really united. We're all divided up into +our own sororities, and we're not doing enough for one another. We've +got to alter it somehow or confess ourselves failures. Do any of us +seniors really _know_ the little ones? I'm sure I don't! Yet we ought to +be elder sisters to them! That's the real function of prefects--we're +not just assistant-mistresses to help to keep order. Don't you agree?" + +Sybil, Erica, Phyllis, and Stella were conscientious girls, and when +the matter was thus stated they saw it from Rachel's new point of view. +They were ready and willing to talk over plans. They decided, amongst +other developments, that with Miss Morley's permission, they would +invite the juniors in relays to dormitory teas, in order to win their +confidence and establish more friendly relations with them. The +Transition were also to be cultivated, and their opinion asked on the +subject of term-end festivities and other school affairs about which the +prefects had never before deigned to consult them. The altered attitude +promised a far more healthy and satisfactory state, and Miss Morley, to +whom Rachel hinted some of their reasons for offering hospitality, +readily agreed, and allowed the juniors to be entertained with cakes and +tea upon the veranda. + +"The seniors gave us a simply top-hole time," confided Désirée to Irene +afterwards. "We'd cream puffs and almond biscuits and preserved ginger, +and we played games for prizes. But don't think we liked it any better +than your candy parties. The prefects are awfully kind to us now, but it +was you who took us up _first_! We can't forget _that_!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +The Anglo-Saxon League + + +There was an old established custom at the Villa Camellia that on the +evening of the last day of March (unless that date happened to fall on a +Sunday) the pupils were allowed special license after supper, and, +regardless of ordinary rules, might disport themselves as they pleased +until bedtime. Irene, who had not yet been present on one of these +occasions, heard hints on all sides of coming fun, mingled with mystery. +Peachy twice began to tell her something, but was stopped by Delia. Joan +and Sheila seemed to be holding perpetual private committee meetings; +Elsie spent much time in Jess Cameron's dormitory; and, wonder of +wonders, Esther Cartmell was seen walking arm in arm with Mabel Hughes. +Though Irene asked many questions from various friends as to the nature +of the evening's amusement she could get no certain information. They +laughed, evaded direct answers, made allusions to things she did not +understand, and whisked away like will-o'-the-wisps. Very much puzzled, +and not altogether pleased, she sought her buddy. + +"They've all gone mad," she assured Lorna. "I can't get a word of sense +out of Peachy; Esther was almost nasty, and Jess shut the door in my +face. What's the matter with them? Have I developed spots or a squint? +Why have I suddenly become a leper?" + +Lorna, who was busy with French translation, shut her dictionary with a +bang. + +"I've no patience with them," she groused. "It's because you're English. +I suppose we shall have to get up a stunt of our own, just out of +retaliation, but I'm sick of the whole business." + +"What _do_ you mean?" + +"Why, it's become a sort of custom to make this a nationality night. The +American girls all band together, and so do the South Africans and the +Australians; and the Scotch girls are a _tremendous_ clique of their +own. They play jokes on every one else, and sometimes it almost gets to +fighting." + +"Between the sororities?" + +"Sororities are forgotten for the time being. Your dearest chum in the +Camellia Buds will turn against you if it's a question of Scotch or +English, or American or British. I advise you to put away everything you +value. The South Africans came into my cubicle last year and smeared my +cold cream over my pillow. Of course your bed will be filled with +brushes and boots, and any hard oddments they can find lying about. You +won't be able to find anything in the morning. The place is an absolute +muddle." + +"How horrid!" + +"Yes, it is horrid. I can't see the fun of it, myself. Practical jokes +can go too far, in my opinion, and some of those juniors get so rough +they hurt each other. I'd keep out of it only it's wise to stay and +defend your own cubicle, or you'd find your blanket hidden and your soap +gone." + +"Do the seniors join in?" + +"No. They barricade themselves in their bedrooms and have some private +fun, but they leave us to do as we like. It's the Transition and juniors +who play the tricks. Of course, the seniors must know what's going on, +because they used to do the same themselves, but they just shut their +eyes." + +"Oh," said Irene thoughtfully. "And because a thing has always been must +it always be? Can't it ever be altered? Are we _bound_ to do nothing but +play tricks on the last night of March?" + +"It ought to be altered. I've a jolly good mind to go to Rachel and tell +her my views about it. She's been much nicer lately than she used to be. +Perhaps she'd listen. If she doesn't there'd be no harm done, at any +rate. Will you come with me? I don't like going by my little lonesome." + +The two girls tapped at the door of dormitory 9, and fortunately found +the head prefect within and alone. She received them quite graciously +and listened with interest to what Lorna had to say. + +"I'm so thankful you've told me," she said in reply. "I agree with you +absolutely. It's time this silly business was put a stop to. We prefects +have held back because we didn't want to be spoil-sports, but I believe +you really voice the opinion of a good many girls. I used to get very +tired of it when I was in the Transition myself. If Miss Rodgers found +out some of the tricks that are played she'd never let us have the +holiday again." + +"Can't we persuade them to do something else instead--something really +jolly?" + +"We must. I'll think about it. Leave it to me. I've been turning it over +in my mind for some time, though my ideas never crystallized. I'll have +some scheme ready. I can depend on you two to support me in the +Transition?" + +"Rather!" + +Rachel, reporting the interview to her fellow prefects, found them +entirely in agreement. They were dissatisfied with many things in the +Transition and junior forms, and this Nationality evening was considered +the limit. Something seemed to be needed at the present crisis to weld +together the various factions of the Villa Camellia, and turn them into +one harmonious whole. The prefects were aware that the various +sororities were really rival societies, and that, though they might give +great fun and enjoyment to their respective members, they were +productive of jealousy rather than union. + +"We want a common motive," said Rachel. "An inspiration, if possible. I +believe some sort of a league would do it. Something outside ourselves, +and bigger than just the little world of school. Something that even the +smallest juniors could join, and in which girls who have left could +still take an interest. It's dawning on me! I believe I've got it! I'm +going to call it 'The Anglo-Saxon League.' We'll get everybody to join, +and fix its first festival for the 31st of March. It should just take +the wind out of those silly nationality tricks. I'll speak to Miss +Rodgers and ask her to let us have a parade and dance, with prizes for +the best costumes. They'd love that, anyhow. I'll call a meeting in the +gym and put it to them. I believe it will catch on." + +The pupils at the Villa Camellia were not overdone with public meetings. +They responded therefore with alacrity to the notice which Rachel, after +obtaining the necessary permission from the authorities, pinned upon the +board in the hall. They were all a little curious to know what she +wanted to talk to them about. A few anticipated a scolding, but the +majority expected some more pleasant announcement. + +"Rachel's wrought up, but she doesn't look like jawing us," was the +verdict of Peachy, who had passed the head prefect in the corridor. Some +of the seniors constituted themselves stewards and arranged the audience +to their satisfaction, with juniors on the front benches and the +Transition behind. When everybody was seated, Rachel stepped on to the +platform and rang the bell for silence. Her cheeks were pink with +excitement and there was a little thrill of nervousness in her voice, as +if she were forcing herself to a supreme effort, but this passed as she +warmed to her subject. + +"Girls," she began, "I asked you to come here because I want to have a +talk with you about our school life. You'll all agree with me that we +love the Villa Camellia. It's a unique school. I don't suppose there's +another exactly like it in the whole world. Why it's so peculiar is that +we're a set of Anglo-Saxon girls in the midst of a foreign-speaking +country. We ourselves are collected from different continents--some are +Americans, some English, some from Australia, or New Zealand, or South +Africa--but we all talk the same Anglo-Saxon tongue, and we're bound +together by the same race traditions. Large schools in England or +America take a great pride in their foundation, and they play other +schools at games and record their victories. We can't do that here, +because there are no foreign teams worth challenging, so we've always +had to be our own rivals and have form matches. In a way, it hasn't been +altogether good for us. We've got into the bad habit of thinking of the +school in sections, instead of as one united whole. I've even heard +squabbles among you as to whether California or Cape Colony or New South +Wales are the most go-ahead places to live in. Now, instead of +scrapping, we ought to be glad to join hands. If you think of it, it's a +tremendous advantage to grow up among Anglo-Saxon girls from other +countries and hear their views about things. It ought to keep you from +being narrow, at any rate. You get fresh ideas and rub your corners off. +What I want you particularly to think about, is this: it's the duty of +all English-speaking people to cling together. If they've ever had any +differences it's time they forgot them. The world seems to be in the +melting-pot at present, and there are many strange prophecies about the +future. Black and yellow races are increasing and growing so rapidly +that they may be ready to brim over their boundaries some day and swamp +the white civilizations. Anglo-Saxons ought to be prepared, and to stand +hand in hand to help one another. I've been reading some queer things +lately. One is that a new continent is slowly rising out of the Pacific +Ocean--Lemuria they call it--and some day, hundreds of years hence, +there may be land there instead of water, and people living on it. They +say too that the center of gravity of both the British Empire and the +United States is moving towards the Pacific. Sydney may grow more +important than London, and San Francisco than New York when the trade +routes make them fresh pivots of energy. Another funny thing I read is +that as the world is changing a new race seems to be emerging. Travelers +say that the modern children in Australia don't look in the least like +English children or French children, or any European nation--they are a +fresh type. America has been populated by people from practically all +the older countries, but I read that children who are being born there +now differ in their head measurements from babies of the older races. +Perhaps some of you may be interested in this and some of you may only +be bored, but what I want to rub in is that if a new, and perhaps +superior, race is evolving it's surely part of our work to help it on. +Here we all are, girls from England, America, and the British Colonies, +of the same race and speaking the same language. Let us make an +Anglo-Saxon League, and pledge ourselves that wherever we go over the +face of the world we will carry with us the best traditions. We're out +for Peace, not War, and Peace comes through sympathy. The women of those +great eastern nations, the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Hindoos, who +are only just awakening to a sense of freedom, will look to us +Westerners for their example. Can't we hold out the hand of sisterhood +to them, and teach them our highest ideals, so that in the centuries to +come they may be our friends instead of our enemies? It's a case of +'Take up the White Man's burden.' We stand together, not as Scotch, or +Canadians, or New Zealanders or Americans, but as good Anglo-Saxons, the +apostles of peace, not 'frightfulness.' + +"I'm going to ask every girl in this room to join the League. There'll +be various activities in connection with it. We haven't decided all yet, +but we hope one of them will be to establish a correspondence between +this school and other schools in England and the Colonies and in +America. We'd like to write letters to their prefects and hear what they +are doing, and have copies of their school magazines. It would be like +shaking hands over the ocean. Then why shouldn't we correspond with +girls in missionary schools in India or China or Japan? Think how +exciting to have letters from them and read them aloud. We should hear +all about their eastern lives, and all kinds of interesting things. + +"Well, these are far-away schemes yet that need a little time to +establish. I've something much nearer to put before you. Miss Rodgers +has given us seniors leave to hold a fancy-dress dance on the 31st of +March, from 7.30 to 9.30, here in the gym. We invite every girl who +joins the League to come. Nationality costumes will be welcomed. There +will be first, second, and third prizes for the best dresses. The judges +will take into consideration the scantiness of the materials available, +but they wish to announce that any girl found guilty of borrowing +articles for her costume without the leave of their owners will be +disqualified, and further, that any member of the League convicted of +playing practical jokes will be expelled from the dance. The prefects +think it wise and necessary to mention that, though the evening of March +31st has been set aside as a holiday and certain rules have been +relaxed, the school is nevertheless bound to preserve its usual code of +good manners, and every girl is put on her honor to behave herself. I'm +sure I need not say more, for you surely understand me, and agree that +when Miss Rodgers has allowed us to have this fun we ought not to abuse +her kindness. Will every one who's ready to join the League and wants to +come to the dance hold up her hand." + +Almost every girl in the room responded to Rachel's invitation. +Some--the higher-thinking ones--were attracted by the ideals of the +League itself; others were merely anxious not to be left out of the +festivities. It was a long time since the school had had a fancy ball. +There had been private carnivals in the dormitories, but not a public +official affair at which everybody could compete in the way of dresses. +Rumor spread like wild-fire round the room. It was whispered that Miss +Morley herself meant to come, disguised as Hiawatha, that Miss Rodgers +had offered a gold wrist-watch as first prize, and that there were yards +of gorgeous materials in the storeroom to be had for the asking. The +thrill of these manifold possibilities was sufficient to eclipse the +attractions of their former intentions for the evening's amusement. It +was really more interesting to evolve costumes than plan tricks. Every +true daughter of Eve loves to look her best, and womanhood, even in the +bud, cannot withstand the supreme magnet of clothes. Little Doris +Parker, South African hoyden as she was, voiced the general feeling when +she confessed: + +"I'd meant to give those Australians a hot time of it. They may thank +their stars for the League. Though I'm rather glad I shan't have to +tease Natalie, because she's my chum. We're both going together as +southern hemispheres. It'll be ripping fun." + +The Camellia Buds, who had been temporarily estranged by the impending +national divisions, returned to the friendly atmosphere of their +sorority, and lent one another garments for the fête. + +"It's a good thing Rachel put a stopper on commandeering," commented +Delia. "Mabel was simply shameless at the Carnival. Had anybody told?" + +"Sybil and Erica knew; and Rachel isn't really as blind as we thought. +At any rate, she's awake now, and a far nicer prefect than she used to +be. By the by, we're to draw lots as to who may borrow out of the +theatrical property box." + +"Oh, goody. I hope I'll win. There's a little gray dress there I've set +my heart on. I'll cry oceans if I don't get it," declared Peachy. + +"Cheer up, poor old sport! If the luck comes my way I'll try and grab it +for you. I don't need anything for myself, thank goodness." + +"You white angel! That's what I call being a real mascot. I'll share my +last dollar with you some day--honest Injun!" + +The contents of Miss Morley's theatrical property box, apportioned +strictly by lot, did not go far among fifty-six girls. Miss Rodgers +allowed two of the prefects, with a teacher, to make an expedition into +Fossato and rummage the shops for some yards of cheap, gay materials, +imitation lace, and bright ribbons, which they were commissioned to buy +on behalf of certain of their schoolfellows, but most of the dancers had +to contrive their costumes out of just anything that came to hand, often +exercising an ingenuity that was little short of marvelous. Acting upon +Rachel's suggestion many of them personified various continents or +countries. The Stars and Stripes of the American flag were conspicuous, +and there were several Red Indians, with painted faces and feathers in +their hair. + +Sheila, Mary, Esther, and Lorna repeated the costumes they had worn at +the tableau, and went as representatives of Canada, South Africa, India, +and New Zealand, but Peachy lent her cowboy costume to Rosamonde, and +turned up as Longfellow's "Evangeline," in gray Puritan robe and neat +white cap, a part which, though very becoming, did not accord with her +mischievous, twinkling eyes. + +"Not much 'Mayflower Maiden' about you!" giggled Delia. + +"Why not?" asked Peachy calmly. "I guess poor Evangeline wasn't always +on the weep! No doubt she had her lively moments sometimes. I'm showing +her at her brightest and best. You ought to give thanks for a new +interpretation of her!" + +Winnie Duke scored tremendously by robing in skin rugs as a Canadian +bear, while Joan was able to carry out a long-wished-for project and +turn herself into a very good imitation of a kangaroo. + +Fifty-six girls, arrayed fantastically in all the colors of the rainbow, +made a delectable sight as they paraded round the gymnasium. The +prefects had shirked the difficult and delicate task of judging, and had +called in Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley to decree who were to receive the +prizes. Perhaps they also found the decision too hard, for they chose a +dozen of the best, put them to the public vote and counted the shows of +hands. Gwen Hesketh, a member of the Sixth, in a marvelously contrived +Chinese costume, was first favorite; little Cyntha West, as a delightful +goblin, secured second prize, while the kangaroo, to the satisfaction of +the Transition, was awarded the third. The gold wristlet watch was of +course a myth, and the rewards were mere trifles, but the principals had +risen to the occasion sufficiently to contribute to the entertainment by +providing lemonade between the dances, which in the opinion of the girls +was a great addition to the festivities, and made the event seem more +like "a real party." + +Before they separated, the League formed an enormous circle round the +room and each clasping her neighbor's hand, all joined in the singing of +"Auld Lang Syne": cowboy and Indian princess, Redskin and Scotch lassie, +Canadian and Jap roared the familiar chorus, and having thus worked off +steam retired to their dormitories and went to bed without breaking +their pledge of good behavior. Rachel, returning from her round of +supervision, heaved a sigh of immense relief. + +"I was dreading this evening," she confided to Sybil. "I was so afraid +they'd forget their promises and begin that rowdy teasing. I believe +we've broken the tradition of that, thank goodness. I hope it may never +be revived again." + +"Thanks to the Anglo-Saxon League!" + +"And may _that_ go on and flourish long after _we_ have left the Villa +Camellia," added Rachel. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +Greek Temples + + +The opening of the post-bag at the Villa Camellia, bearing as it did +missives from most quarters of the globe, was naturally a great daily +event. Some of the girls were lucky in the matter of correspondence--Peachy +received numerous letters--and others were not so highly favored. Poor +Lorna was generally left out altogether. Her father wrote to her +occasionally, but she had no other friend or relation to send her even a +post-card. She accepted the omission with the sad patience which was her +marked characteristic. Her affection for Irene had been an immense +factor in her school life this term, but she was still very different +from other girls, and kept her old barrier of shy reserve. Irene, +noticing Lorna's wistful look towards the post-bag, often tried to share +her correspondence with her buddy; she would show her all her picture +post-cards, briefly explaining who the writers were and to what their +allusions referred. At first Lorna had only been languidly polite over +them, but later she grew interested. Second-hand articles may not be as +good as your own, but they are better than nothing at all, and the +various items of news made topics for conversations and gave her a +glimpse of other people's homes. + +Irene, finishing her budget one morning, sorted out any which she might +hand on to her chum. + +"Not home letters--yours are sacred, Mummie darling!--and she wouldn't +care to hear about Aunt Doreen's attack of rheumatism. There are two +post-cards she may like, and this lovely long stave from Dona. Lorna, +dear! I've told you about my cousin Dona Anderson? She's at Brackenfield +College. She's older than I am, but somehow we've always been such +friends. I like her far and away the best out of that family. She +doesn't find time to write very often, because she's in the Sixth and a +prefect, and it keeps her busy, and besides she never has been much of a +scribbler. I haven't heard from her for months. This is ever such a +jolly letter, though, if you care to look at it." + +"Thanks," said Lorna, accepting the offer. "Yes, I remember you told me +about her. She must be rather a sport. I wish she were at the Villa +Camellia instead of in England." + +"And Dona thinks there isn't any other school in the world except hers." + +But Lorna had opened the closely-written sheets and was already reading +as follows: + + St. Githa's, + Brackenfield College, + March 30th. + + Renie dear! + + I've been meaning to write to you for ages! Mother + told me the news of how you all packed off to + Naples, and she sent me the address of your school. + I do hope you like it and have settled down. I + always wanted you to come to Brackenfield! You know + Joan is here now? It's her first term and she's + radiantly happy. She's a clever little person at + her work, and we think she's going to be great at + games. Of course she's only in New Girls' Junior + Team, but she's done splendidly already. Ailsa was + looking on yesterday and complimented her + afterwards. + + We've had quite a good hockey season. The Coll. + played "Hawthornden" last week, and when the + whistle went for "time" the score was 4-2 in our + favor! An immense triumph for us, because we've + never had the luck to beat them before, and we were + feeling desperate about it. They were so cock-sure + of winning too! Do you get any hockey at Fossato? + Or is it all tennis? + + We'd a rather decent gymnastic display a while ago. + Mona and Beatrice are very keen on gym practice and + they did some really neat balance-walking on the + bars, also side vaulting. The juniors gave country + dances in costume, and of course that sort of thing + is always clapped by parents. We're working hard + now for the concert. Ailsa and I have to sing a + duet and we're both terrified. Hope we shan't break + down and spoil the show! + + I'm enjoying this year at Brackenfield most + immensely. It's lovely being a prefect. I was + fearfully scared when first the Empress sent for me + and told me I was to be a school officer, but I've + got on swimmingly, thanks largely to Ailsa, I + think. Of course we're still inseparable. We always + have been since our first term at St. Ethelberta's, + when I smuggled the mice into No. 5 to scare Mona + out of the dormitory and leave room for Ailsa. + + I go nearly every week to The Tamarisks. It cheers + Auntie up to see me. She's rather lonely since + Elaine was married. By the by you asked me what had + become of Miss Norton's little nephew Eric. You + admired his photograph so much, with those lovely + golden curls. Of course they're cut off now. He's + ever so much stronger and has gone to a preparatory + school. I still send him books and things and he + writes me sweet letters. I'm planning to coax + Mother to let me invite Nortie to bring him to us + for part of the summer holidays. I don't want to + lose sight of the dear little chap. + + Now for home news. Leonard is in India, and likes + the life there, and Larry is at Cambridge. Peter + and Cyril are still at St. Bede's, and getting on + well. Their letters are full of nothing but + football though. Nora's baby girl is a darling, and + Michael is still very sweet though he's growing + rather an imp. You know we always describe + ourselves as an old-fashioned rambling family. + Well, one of us is rambling in your direction! + Marjorie is making a tour in Italy with some + friends of hers--the Prestons. Isn't she lucky? The + last post-card she sent me was from Rome, and she + said they were going on to Naples, so it's just + within the bounds of possibility that you may see + her. I wish I could have come out for Easter and + had a peep at you. I'd like to see oranges really + growing on orange trees! Perhaps Ailsa's going to + ask me for the holidays though. They have a country + cottage in Cornwall and it would be top-hole there. + + Write and tell me about your southern school when + you have time. I'd love to hear. Do you have to + speak Italian there? + + Well, I must stop now and do my prep. There's a + junior tapping at the door too and wanting to see + me. Prefects don't get much time to themselves! + + With best love, + Your affectionate coz, + Dona Anderson. + +"What a jolly letter," commented Lorna, as she handed it back. + +"Yes, Dona is a dear. I used to want to go to Brackenfield, but I wasn't +well last year, and Mother said it was too strenuous a school for me. +Isn't it a joke that Marjorie is in Italy? What fun if she were to turn +up some day. I have a kind of feeling that I'm going to see her. I'm +getting quite excited." + +Lorna did not reply. Irene's correspondence was after all only a matter +of half importance to her. Indeed the thought of that lively family of +cousins brought out so sharply the contrast of her own loneliness that +she almost wished she had never heard of them. Why did other people get +all the luck in life? + +"What's the matter? You're very glum," said Irene. + +"Nothing! I can't always be sparkling, can I?" + +"I suppose not. But I thought you'd be interested in Marjorie coming." + +"How can I be interested in some one I've never seen?" snapped Lorna, +walking abruptly away. + +Irene looked after her and shook her head. + +"I've put my foot in it somehow," she ruminated. "You never know how to +take Lorna. A thing that pleases her one day annoys her the next. She's +certainly what you'd call 'katawampus' this morning." + +It was getting very near the end of the term now, and all the girls were +talking eagerly about going home. Before they separated for their +vacation, however, there was to be one more of Miss Morley's delightful +excursions. Next term would be too hot to do much sightseeing, so those +of the pupils who had not yet been shown the wonders of the neighborhood +were to have the chance of a visit to the Greek temples at Pæstum. It +would be a longer expedition even than to Vesuvius, and as many were +anxious to take part it was arranged to hire a motor char-à-banc to +accommodate about twenty-four girls and several teachers. The lucky ones +were of course well drilled beforehand in the history and architecture +of the place, and knew how a Greek colony had settled there about the +year 600 B.C. and had built the magnificent Doric temples, which, with +the sole exception of those at Athens, are the finest existing ruins of +the kind. + +Miss Rodgers had limited the excursion to seniors and Transition, +thinking it too long and fatiguing a day for the juniors. All the +prefects were going, while the Camellia Buds, with the exception of +Esther and Mary, who had been before, were also included in the party. + +"This is one thing you wouldn't get at any rate in an ordinary English +school," said Lorna. "I don't suppose the Brackenfield girls are taking +excursions to Greek temples." + +"There aren't any Greek temples in England for them to go and see, +silly," laughed Irene. + +"Well, Abbeys or Castles or anything ancient." + +"From Dona's accounts that sort of thing is not in their line. They +concentrate on games." + +"Hockey is all very well, but give me our orange groves and the blue +sea." + +"Ye-es; but I sometimes hanker for a really A1 hockey match!" + +"Don't you like the Villa Camellia?" + +"Of course I do. What's the matter, Lorna? I believe you're jealous of +Brackenfield!" + +"No, I'm not, though I'm sure I'm right in fancying you'd rather be +there than here." + +"How absurd you are!" + +"Am I? All right! Call it absurd if you want. Are you going to sit next +to me in the char-à-banc?" + +Irene looked conscious. + +"I promised Peachy! But you can sit the other side, you know." + +"Oh, no, thanks! If you've made arrangements already I'm sure I don't +want to interfere with them. I wouldn't spoil sport for worlds." + +"You are the limit!" + +"Am I? Indeed! Perhaps you'd rather not have me for a buddy any more?" + +"For gracious' sake stop talking nonsense! You're the weirdest girl I've +ever met," snapped Irene. Then to avoid an open quarrel she walked away, +leaving her chum in the depths of misery. + +Lorna knew her own temper was at fault, but she was in a touchy mood and +laid the blame on fate. + +"If I had a nice home like other girls, and had been going there for +ripping holidays, and had brothers and cousins to write to me I'd be +different," she excused herself, quite forgetting that, however much we +may be handicapped, the molding of our character is after all in our own +hands. + +As it was she sulked, and when the char-à-banc arrived, although Irene +beckoned her to a place beside herself and Peachy, she took no notice +and waited till everybody else had scrambled in. The result of this was +that she finally found herself seated away from all her own friends and +next to Mrs. Clark, the wife of the British chaplain, who by Miss +Morley's invitation had joined the excursion. Perhaps on the whole it +was just as well. Mrs. Clark was what the girls called "a perfect dear," +and a few hours in her company was a restful mind tonic. She had a +cheery manner and chatted upon all sorts of pleasant subjects, so that +after a time Lorna began to forget her "jim-jams" and even to volunteer +a remark or two, instead of confining her conversation to monosyllables. + +Certainly any girl must have been hard to please who did not enjoy +herself. The motor drive was one of the loveliest in Italy. They passed +through glorious scenery, all the more beautiful as it was the +blossoming time of the year and flowers were everywhere. On a marshy +plain, as they reached Pæstum, the fields were spangled with the little +white wild narcissus, growing in such tempting quantities that Miss +Morley asked the driver to stop the char-à-banc, and allowed all to +dismount and pick to their hearts' content. + +"Isn't the scent of them heavenly!" said Lorna, burying her nose in a +bunch of sweetness. + +"Luscious!" agreed Mrs. Clark. "I think the old Greeks must have +gathered these to weave garlands for their heads when they went to their +festivals. I'm glad tourists are safe here now. This marsh, just where +we're standing, used to be a tremendous haunt of brigands, and any +travelers coming to see the ruins ran the chance of being robbed. My +father had his purse taken years ago. Don't look frightened. The +government have put all that down at last. The neighborhood of Naples +has improved very much since I was a girl. I remember pickpockets used +to be quite common on the quay at Santa Lucia, and nobody troubled to +interfere. You can walk to the boat nowadays and carry a hand-bag +without fearing every moment it will be snatched." + +But the driver was urging the necessity of pushing on, so all took their +seats again, and in due course reached Pæstum. The girls had, of course, +seen photographs of the place beforehand, yet even these had hardly +prepared them for the stately magnificence of the three great temples +that suddenly broke upon their vision. Their immense size, their +loneliness, far from town or city, and their glorious situation betwixt +hill and blue sea, almost took the breath away, and filled the mind with +glowing admiration for the genius of Greek architecture. The rows of +fluted Doric columns, tapering symmetrically towards the roof, were like +beautiful lily stems supporting flowers, the mellow yellow tone of the +stone was varied by the ferns and acanthus which grew everywhere around, +and the sunshine, falling on the rows of delicate shafts, seemed to +linger lovingly, and invest them with a halo of golden light. + +"What must these temples have been when the world was young!" said Miss +Morley. "If we could only get a glimpse of them as they were more than +two thousand years ago. Think what processions must have paced down +those glorious aisles. Priests and singers and worshipers all crowned +with flowers. The rose gardens of Pæstum used to be famous among the +Roman poets. The marvel is that the stones have stood all these +centuries of time. It seems as if Art and Beauty have triumphed over +decay." + +The party had brought lunch baskets, and they now sat down on the steps +of the Temple of Neptune to enjoy their picnic. Fortunately the grounds +of the ruins were enclosed by railings, so they were preserved from the +attentions of a group of beggar children, who had greeted the arrival of +the char-à-banc with outstretched palms and torrents of entreaties for +"soldi," and who were hanging about the gate evidently waiting for any +fresh opportunity that might occur of asking alms. Four lean and hungry +dogs, however, had managed to slip into the enclosure, and made +themselves a nuisance by sitting in front of the picnickers and keeping +up an incessant chorus of loud barking. The girls tried to stop the +noise by throwing them fragments of sandwiches, but their appetites were +so insatiable that they would have consumed the whole luncheon and have +barked for more, so Miss Morley, tired of the noise, finally chased them +off the premises with her umbrella. + +"They're as bad as wolves. And as for the children they're shameless. +They've been taught to look upon tourists as their prey. If you go near +the gate dozens of little hands are poked through the railings and an +absolute shriek of 'soldi' arises. It spoils people's enjoyment to be so +terribly pestered by beggars. And the more you give them the more they +ask." + +"They're having a try at somebody else now," remarked Rachel, watching +the crowd of small heads leave their vantage ground of the railings and +surge round a carriage which drove up. "Some other tourists are coming +to see the sights--two gentlemen and three ladies, very glad I expect to +show their tickets and get through the gate out of the reach of that +rabble. They're walking this way. They must be rather annoyed to find a +school in possession of the place." + +The strangers also carried luncheon baskets, and seemed seeking a spot +for a picnic. They were filing past the group on the steps when Irene +suddenly sprang up. + +"Why, Marjorie! Marjorie!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Don't you know me?" + +The handsome, gray-eyed girl thus addressed looked puzzled for a moment, +then her face cleared with recognition. + +"Renie! You've grown out of all remembrance! To think of meeting you +here of all places. I'm with some friends--the Prestons. We're on a six +weeks' tour in Italy. I went to see your mother in Naples yesterday. +What a jolly flat you have there! Isn't this absolutely glorious? I'm +having the time of my life." + +"I should think you are by the look of you," laughed Irene. "Dona wrote +and told me you were coming to Italy, but I never expected to find you +here to-day. If Miss Morley will let me, may I bring my lunch along and +join your party for a little while? There are ten dozen things I want to +ask you." + +"Of course. Come and share our sandwiches. We've plenty to spare." + +Having received the required permission, Irene went away to talk to her +cousin, considerably to the admiration of most of her chums, and +decidedly to the envy of one. Lorna, who had settled herself by her side +on the steps, was not pleased to be deserted. She could never quite +forgive Irene for having so many friends. The brooding cloud that had +temporarily dispersed settled down again. When the girls got up to +explore the temple she marched glumly away by herself. All the beauty +and wonder and loveliness of the scene was lost upon her; for the sake +of a foolish fit of jealousy she was spoiling her own afternoon. + +She was sitting upon a fallen piece of masonry, very wretched, and +indulging in a private little weep, when a footstep sounded on the stone +pavement, and somebody came and sat down quietly beside her. It was Mrs. +Clark, and she had the tact to take no notice as Lorna surreptitiously +rubbed her eyes. She knew far more about the girls at the Villa Camellia +than any of them suspected, and she had a very shrewd suspicion what lay +at the bottom of Lorna's mind. A skillful remark or two turned the +conversation on to the topic of the holidays. + +"It's nice to go home, isn't it?" + +Lorna gave a non-committal grunt. + +"Even if you miss your friends!" + +"I suppose so." + +"And it's pleasant to think they may miss you?" + +"I don't flatter myself they'll do that," burst out Lorna. "They're so +happy they never think about _me_. Mrs. Clark, you don't know my home. +I've nobody--nobody except my father. The others have brothers and +sisters and friends, and all they want--and I have nothing." + +"Except your father," added Mrs. Clark. "How about him? Sometimes when +two people are left lonely they can make the world blossom again for one +another. Isn't it time you began to take your mother's place? Can't you +set yourself these holidays to give him such a bright, cheerful daughter +that he'll hardly want to part with you when you go back to school? +Wouldn't you rather _he_ missed you than your chums? He's closer to you +than they are. Ask yourself if you were to lose him is there one of your +friends who could mean as much to you? I sometimes think that girls who +are brought up at boarding-school are apt to lose the right sense of +value of their own relations. Their companions and the games fill their +lives, and they go back for the holidays almost like visitors in their +own homes. When they leave school they're dissatisfied and restless, +because they've never been accustomed to suit themselves to the ways of +the household, and have no niche into which they can fit. The old round +of 'camaraderie' is over, and they have been trained for nothing but +community life. Take my advice and make your niche now while you have +the opportunity. Show your father you want him, and that he's your best +friend, and he'll begin to realize that _he_ wants _you_. How old are +you? Nearly sixteen! In another year or so you should be able to live +with him altogether and be the companion to him that he needs. You say +you envy girls with many brothers and sisters, but there's another side +to that--if you're the only child you get the whole of the love. +Remember you're all your father has, and let him see that you care. It's +a greater thing to be a good daughter than to be the favorite of the +school. If you keep that object in view you ought to have many years of +happiness before you." + +"I know. I was forgetting that side of it," said Lorna slowly. + +"Think it over then, for its worth considering. A woman may have many +brothers and sisters, she can have another husband or another child, but +it's only one father or mother she'll get, and the bond is a close one. +Is that Irene waving to us? What is she calling? We're to come on with +the party! Yes indeed, we ought to be moving along. We shall only just +have time to explore the other temples before we must start back in the +char-à-banc." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +In Capri + + +April, the beautiful April of Southern Italy, was half-way spent before +the Villa Camellia broke up for the holidays. There were the usual +term-end examinations, at which distressed damsels, with agitated minds +and ink-stained fingers, sat at desks furnished with piles of foolscap, +and cudgeled their brains to supply facts to fill the sheets of blank +paper; there was the reading out of results, with congratulations to +those who had succeeded, and glum looks from Miss Rodgers to those who +had failed; then followed the bringing down of boxes, the joyful flutter +of packing, the last breakfast, and the final universal exodus. + +"Good-by, dear old thing!" + +"Do miss me a little!" + +"Hope you'll have a ripping time!" + +"Be a sport and write to me, won't you?" + +"Hold me down, somebody, I'm ready to fizz over!" + +"You won't forget me, dearie? All right! Just so long as we know!" + +Lorna, who had anticipated previous vacations as simply a relief from +the toil of lessons, went home to Naples with quite altered feelings +from those of former occasions. She was determined that, if it possibly +lay in her power, she would make her father enjoy the time she spent +with him. In spite of injustice and cruel wrong there might surely be +some happy hours together, and she would win him to live in the present, +instead of continually brooding over the past. The immense, terrible +pathos of the situation appealed to the deepest chords in her nature. +Her father was still in the prime of his years, a handsome, clever man, +who might have done much in the world. Was it yet too late? Lorna +sometimes had faint, budding hopes that in some fresh country his +wrecked career might be righted, and that he might make a new start and +rise triumphant over the ruin of other days. He was glad to see her. +There was no doubt about that. The knowledge that she now shared his +secret placed her on a different footing. It was a relief to him to have +some one in whom he could confide, some one who knew the reason for his +hermit mode of living, and above all who believed in his innocence. +Insensibly Lorna's presence acted upon him for good. The nervous, hunted +look began to fade out of his eyes, and sometimes he actually smiled as +she recounted the doings of the Camellia Buds, or other happenings at +school. + +"Daddy!" she said once, "couldn't we go out to Australia or America, or +somewhere where nobody would know us, and make a fresh life for +ourselves?" + +A gleam of hope flitted for a moment over the sad face. + +"I've thought of that, Lorna. Perhaps I've been too morbid. It seemed to +me that every Englishman must know of what I had been accused. And I had +no credentials to offer. Now, with a five years' reference from the +Ferroni Company in Naples I might have a chance of a job in Australia. +It's worth considering--for your sake, child, if not for mine." + +During the whole of the first week of the holidays Lorna amused herself +as best she might in their little lodgings in Naples. While her father +was at the office she read or sewed, or played on a wretched old piano, +which had little tune in it but was better than nothing. The evenings +were her golden times, for then they would go out together, sometimes +into the Italian quarters of the city, or sometimes by tram into the +suburbs, where there were beautiful promenades with views of the sea. In +these walks she grew to be his companion, and instead of shrinking from +him as in former days, she met him on a new footing and gave him of her +best. Together they planned a home in a fresh hemisphere, and talked +hopefully of better things that were perhaps in store for them over the +ocean. And so life went on, and father and daughter might have realized +their vision, and have emigrated to another continent where no one knew +their name or their former history, and have made a fresh start and won +comparative success, but Dame Fortune, who sometimes has a use for our +past however bitterly she seems to have mismanaged it, interfered again, +and with fateful fingers re-flung the dice. + +It certainly did not seem a fortunate circumstance, but quite the +reverse, when the grandchildren of their landlady, who occupied the +_étage_ above their rooms, sickened with measles. Lorna had never had +the complaint, and it was, of course, most important that she should not +convey germs back to the Villa Camellia, so it was a vital necessity to +move her immediately out of the area of infection. Signora Fiorenza, +harassed but sympathetic, suggested a visit to Capri, where her sister, +Signora Verdi, who owned a little orange farm and had a couple of spare +bedrooms, would probably take her in for the remainder of the holidays, +which would give the necessary quarantine before returning to the +school. + +Mr. Carson jumped at the opportunity, and Lorna was told to pack her +bag. + +"But Daddy, Daddy!" she remonstrated. "I don't want to leave you. Just +when we're happy together must I run away? Do measles matter? I'd rather +have them and stay here. I would indeed." + +"Don't be silly, Lorna. Miss Rodgers wouldn't thank you to start an +epidemic. Of course you must go to Capri. It's a splendid opportunity. +Signora Verdi has a nice little villa. Cheer up, child. I'll tell you +what I'll do. I'll take you myself to-morrow, stay over Sunday, and come +again and spend the next week-end with you. I can get an extra day or +two of holiday if I want, and the Casa Verdi is a quiet spot, quite out +of the way of tourists. We can have the orange groves to ourselves and +see nobody. If I catch the early boat I'm not likely to be troubled with +English trippers; that's one good business." + +"Daddy! You darling! Oh, that would be glorious! I'd go to the North +Pole if you'd come too. Two week-ends with you in Capri! What fun. We'll +have the time of our lives!" + +To poor Lorna, who so seldom had the opportunity of enjoying family +outings, this visit indeed was an event. She packed her bag joyously, +and was all excitement to start. + +Following his usual custom of avoiding the vicinity of English people, +Mr. Carson decided not to go to Capri by the ordinary steamer that +conveyed pleasure-seekers, but to secure passages in a cargo vessel +which was crossing with supplies. To Lorna the mode of conveyance was +immaterial; she would have sailed cheerfully on a raft if necessary. She +rather enjoyed the picturesque Neapolitan tramp steamer with its cargo +of wine barrels and packing cases, and its crew of bare-footed, +red-capped seamen, talking and gesticulating with all the excitability +of their Southern temperament. The voyage across the blue bay was longer +than that to Fossato, and she sat in a cozy nook among the casks, and +watched first the white houses of Naples fading away, then the distant +mountains of the coast, then the gay sails of the fishing craft that +plied to and fro over the water. + +It was sunset when they reached the beautiful island of Capri, a pink +ethereal sunset that flooded headland and rock, orange orchard and +vineyard, in a faint and luminous opal glow. Their vessel anchored +outside the quay of the Marina Grande, and signaled for a boat to take +them off. A little skiff put out from the beach, and into this they and +their luggage were transferred. The transparent crystal water over which +they rowed was clear as an aquarium, and alive with gorgeous medusæ +whose pink tentacles seemed to flash with the colors of the sunset; to +gaze down at them was like watching a flock of sea-butterflies flitting +across a background of undulating green. + +They landed at the jetty, walked to the shore, and after securing a +carriage started on a long drive uphill to the _terreno_ of Signora +Verdi. Capri, betwixt the glow of the fading sunset and the light of the +rising full moon, was a veritable land of romance, with its domed +eastern-looking houses set in a mass of vines and lemon trees, and the +luscious scent of its many flowers wafted on the evening air. It seemed +no less attractive in the morning, when, after drinking their coffee in +a rose-covered arbor that stood at the bottom of their landlady's orange +grove, they wandered away through the _bosco_ and up on to the open +hillside. Here Flora had surely played a trick to plant golden genista +against the intense sapphire blue of a Capri sea, and she must have +emptied her apron all at once to have spangled the rough grass with +cistus, anemone, and starry asphodel. Below them lay a stretch of rugged +rocks and turquoise bay, with no sound to break the silence but the +tinkling of goat-bells, or the piping of a little dark-eyed boy who +practiced a rustic flute as he minded his flock. To poor Mr. Carson, +wearied with the noise and clamor of Naples, it was a veritable +Paradise, a haven of refuge, a breathing space in the dreary pilgrimage +of his sad life. On the top of this sunlit, rock-crowned islet he gained +a short period of peace and rest before he once more shouldered his +heavy burden. + +"If I could live all my days here, Lorna, who knows, I might learn to +forget," he said wistfully. + +"Oh, Dad! We must find a way out somehow. You can't go on like this! +It's killing you. Why have we to suffer under this unjust accusation? +Why should some one else do a shameful deed and shift the blame on to +you? Is there no plan by which you could clear your name?" + +"I've asked myself that question, Lorna, through many black hours, but +I've never hit on an answer." + +"I hate the man who's wronged you," she sobbed passionately. "Yes! I +hate him--hate him--hate him--and all belonging to him. Is it wicked to +hate? I can't help it when it's my own father's honor that's at stake. +Oh, Daddy, Daddy, if I could only 'get even' I'd be content. It seems so +hard to let the wicked prosper and just do nothing. Why should some +people have all the laughter of life and others all the tears?" + +Lorna parted reluctantly from her father on Monday morning. He sailed +by a very early boat, so that the sun had not yet risen high, as, after +watching his vessel leave the harbor, she turned from the Marina to walk +back to the Casa Verdi. Half of the little town was still asleep. There +were no signs of life in the hotel, where the wistaria was blooming in a +purple shower over the veranda, and green shutters barred the lower +windows of most of the villas. A few peasant people were stirring about; +three dark-eyed girls, as straight as Greek goddesses, were coming down +the steep path from Anacapri with orange baskets on their heads, and +their hands full of posies of pink cyclamen; a mother with a child +clinging to her yellow-bordered skirt was taking an earthenware pitcher +to the well for water; a persistent bell in the little church of S. +Costanzo was calling some to prayers, and others were starting the +ordinary routine of the day, attending to animals, cutting salads in +their gardens, spreading out fishing-nets, or getting ready the hand +barrows on which they sold their wares. In the gleaming morning light +the beautiful island seemed more than ever like a radiant jewel set in a +sapphire sea. Lorna had left the winding highroad, and was taking a +short cut up flights of steep steps between the flowery gardens of +villas, where geraniums grew like weeds, and every bush seemed a mass of +scented blossoms. She was passing a small flat-topped eastern house, +whose gatepost bore the attractive title of "La Carina," when she +suddenly heard her own name called, and turning round, startled and +surprised, what should she see peeping over the cactus hedge but the +smiling face and blonde bobbed locks of Irene. The amazement was mutual. + +"Hello! What are you doing in Capri?" + +"What are _you_ doing here?" + +"I'm staying up on the hill!" + +"And we're staying at this villa!" + +"To think of meeting you!" + +"Sporting, isn't it? Come inside the garden! I can't talk to you down +there in the road." + +That her chum should actually also have come to Capri for the holidays +seemed a marvelous piece of luck to Lorna. + +"We decided quite in a hurry," explained Irene. "Dad heard this little +place was to let furnished, and took it for three weeks. The Camerons +have taken that big pink house over there, with the umbrella pine in the +garden. Peachy is staying with them. Isn't it absolutely ripping? I was +only saying yesterday I wished you were here too. And my cousin Marjorie +Anderson and her friends are stopping at the hotel, just down below. +We're having the most glorious times all together. Here's Vincent! Vin, +you remember meeting Lorna at school? She's actually staying in Capri! +No, don't go, Lorna! Sit down and talk! Now I've found you I mean to +keep you. We're not generally up so early, but Dad wants to catch the +first steamer. He has to get back to Naples this morning." + +"My father has gone already by a sailing vessel." + +"Then you are alone? Oh, I say! You must spend most of your time with +us. It's a lucky chance that has blown you our way, isn't it? We seem +quite a cluster of Camellia Buds in Capri." + +So Lorna, who had expected a very quiet, not to say dull, visit at the +Casa Verdi during her father's absence, found herself instead in the +midst of hospitable friends who extended cordial invitations to her for +every occasion. + +"By all means let your friend join us," agreed Mrs. Beverley, in answer +to her daughter's urgent request. "We've heard so much about Lorna in +your letters. She seems a nice girl. I remember I was quite struck with +her when I saw her at your school carnival. One more or less makes no +difference for picnics. It must certainly be slow for her up there with +only an Italian landlady to talk to, poor child." + +Capri was an idyllic place for holiday-making. The beautiful climate, +perfect at this season of the year, made living out of doors a delight. +Every day the various friends met together, and either went for +excursions or passed happy hours in each other's gardens. The Camerons +had several young people staying with them as well as Peachy, and the +party at the hotel proved a great acquisition. This consisted of Captain +Hilton Preston and his sister Joyce, their married sister Kathleen and +her husband, Mr. Frank Roper, and Marjorie Anderson, who was traveling +under their chaperonage. They were fond of the sea, and had at once made +arrangements to hire a boat and a boatman for their visit, so that they +might have as much pleasure as possible on the water during their short +stay. + +"We shan't be able to paddle about on the Mediterranean when we get +home," said Captain Preston with mock tragedy. "My leave will soon be up +and I shall be off to India again. It's a case of 'Let's enjoy while the +season invites us.' These rocks and bays and coves are simply +magnificent. We've decided to go to the Blue Grotto to-day. Who cares to +join us?" + +This was an expedition which could only be undertaken when the sea was +absolutely calm, so, as even the Mediterranean may be treacherous, and +sudden squalls can lash its smooth surface into waves, it was wise to +take advantage of a cloudless day. + +"We'll start early, so as to arrive there before the steamer, and have +the grotto to ourselves, instead of going in with a rabble of tourists," +decreed Hilton Preston. + +"Four boatfuls of us will be a big enough party," agreed Vincent. "They +say the best light is at about eleven." + +The group of friends therefore set off from the Marina in their various +craft. The row along the base of the precipitous craggy shore was most +beautiful, the water swarmed with gayly-colored sea-stars and +jelly-fish, and on the rocks at the edge of the waves grew gorgeous +madrepores, and other "frutti di mare." The Blue Grotto is one of the +wonders of Italy, but to explore it is not a particularly easy matter, +for its entrance is scarcely three feet in height. + +"My! Have we got to squeeze under there!" exclaimed Peachy wonderingly, +looking at the tiny space at the foot of the crag through which they +would be obliged to pass. + +"Not in these boats, of course," said Vincent. "The skiffs are waiting, +and if we just leave it to the boatmen they'll show us how to manage." + +The tiny craft that were in readiness for visitors now came forward, +and the party was transferred to them. Three passengers were taken in +each skiff, and were required to lie flat on their backs in the bottom +of the boat. The boatman paddled to the entrance of the grotto, then +also lying on his back he directed the skiff into a low passage, working +his way along by pulling at a chain which was fastened to the roof of +the rocky corridor. In a short space of time they shot into an enormous +cavern, 175 feet in length, and over 40 feet in height. Here for a +moment or two all seemed dazzled, but as their bewildered vision +gradually grew accustomed to the light they saw that everything in the +grotto, walls, sea, or any objects, appeared of a heavenly blue color. +The faces of their friends, their own hands, the water when they scooped +it up and dropped it again, all were turned to sapphire, while articles +under the sea gleamed with a beautiful silver shade. The girls bared +their arms and enjoyed dipping them to obtain this effect. The glorious +blue of the cave was indescribable. + +"I feel like a mermaid at the bottom of the ocean," exulted Peachy. + +"Or a cherub in the sky!" said Jess. + +"Why is it blue though?" asked Lorna. + +"Because of the refraction of light," explained Mrs. Beverley from the +next boat. "We see a kind of concentrated reflection of the sky sent to +us under the sea. If it were a gray day outside it would be gray in here +too. Some people think that the Mediterranean has risen, and that once +the water in this grotto was much lower, so that boats could sail in and +out of it quite easily. Do you see that landing-place over there? It +leads to some broken steps and a blocked-up passage that tradition says +wound up through the cliff right to the villa of Tiberius. Perhaps it +was a secret way by which he thought he might escape if danger +threatened him." + +"How I'd love to explore it," sighed Irene. + +"It only goes a little way before it is blocked. It's hardly worth +landing to look at it. Be careful, Renie! If you lean over the edge of +the boat so far you'll be upsetting us, and, although we might look very +delightful and silvery objects under the water, I'm not at all anxious +to offer myself for the experiment." + +"Why don't they enlarge the entrance?" asked Vincent. + +"Because nobody is sure whether by doing so they might or might not +spoil the beautiful effect of blue light in the grotto. It's too risky a +venture to try. Besides in present conditions the boatmen make a great +deal of money by taking tourists into the grotto. If it were very easy +to get in they could not charge so much. It's a little mine of wealth to +the Capri fisherfolk now, though years ago they used to say the place +was haunted, and tell terrible tales about it. They said fire and smoke +had been seen issuing from the entrance, that creatures like crocodiles +crept in and out, that every day the opening expanded and contracted +seven times, that at night the Sirens sang sweetly there, that any young +fishermen who ventured to sail near disappeared and were never seen +again, and that the place was full of human bones." + +"What a gruesome record," declared Vincent. "I agree with Renie though, +I'd like to explore that passage with a strong bicycle lamp, or an +electric torch. Who knows what we might find if we looked about--a coin +that Tiberius had dropped out of his pocket, or one of the Sirens' +hairpins, or a crocodile's tooth at least. Yes, I must positively come +again, Mater. Just to prove the truth of your stories." + +"Silly boy," laughed his mother. "I expect every stone of the place has +been well turned over in search of treasure. Trust the fisher people not +to lose a chance. Now our stay here's limited by the official tariff to +a quarter of an hour, and if we stop any longer we shall have to pay our +dues a second time. If you're ready so am I. Tell the first boat to go +on. Don't forget we must lie on our backs again to scrape through the +entrance." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +The Cameron Clan + + +Lorna had never realized before how much of life can be compressed into +a few days. The interval between her father's departure for Naples and +his return for the week-end was spent almost entirely with her friends. +It marked for her an altogether new phase of existence. She had read in +books about jolly families of brothers and sisters, and parties of young +people, but her own experience was strictly limited to school. Here in +Capri, for the first time she tasted the delights of which she had often +dreamed, and found herself cordially included in a charmed circle. +Though the Beverleys were mainly responsible for thus taking her up, the +Camerons also offered much kindness. "The Cameron Clan" as they called +themselves, consisted of father, mother, Jess, and two brothers, Angus +and Stewart, and almost every evening the young folk would meet at their +villa and gather round a wood fire in the salon. Though the days were so +warm the nights were chilly, and it was cheerful to watch the blazing +logs. What times they had together! It was an established rule that +everybody contributed some item to the general entertainment, and in +spite of fierce denials even the least accomplished were compelled to +perform. It brought out quite unexpected talent. Peachy, who had always +declared her music "wasn't up to anything," charmed the company by +lilting darkie melodies or pathetic Indian songs, Captain Preston +remembered conjuring tricks which he had learned in India, Mr. Roper +proved a genius at relating short stories, and Mrs. Cameron could recite +old ballads with the fervor of a medieval minstrel. The walls of the +Italian salon seemed to melt away and change to a wild moorland or a +northern castle as she declaimed "Fair Helen of Kirconnell," "The Lament +of the Border Widow," "Bartrum's Dirge," or "The Braes o' Yarrow." + +"Modern people want more poetry in their veins," she insisted. "I've no +patience with the stuff most of them read. There's more romance in one +of those stories of ancient times than you'd find in a whole boxful of +the latest library books. People weren't ashamed of their feelings then, +and they put them into beautiful words. Nowadays it seems to me they've +neither the feelings nor the language to clothe them in. I'm a century +or two too late. I ought to have lived when the world was younger." + +If his wife adored her native ballads Mr. Cameron, on his part, had a +good stock of Scottish songs, and would trill them out in a fine +baritone voice, the audience joining with enthusiasm in the choruses of +such favorites as "Bonny Dundee," "Charlie is my Darling," and "Over the +Sea to Skye." + +"There's a ring about Jacobite melodies that absolutely grips you," said +Mrs. Beverley, begging for "Wha wad na fecht for Charlie," and "Farewell +Manchester." "Perhaps it's in my blood, for my ancestors were Jacobites. +One of them was a beautiful girl in 1745, and sat on a balcony to watch +her prince ride into Faircaster. The cavalcade came to a halt under her +window and 'Charlie' looked up and saw her, and asked her to dance at +the ball that was being given that night in the town. She was greatly +set up by the honor, and handed the tradition of it down the family as +something that must never be forgotten. Oh! I'd have fought for the +'Hieland laddie' myself if I'd been a man in his days. Is the spirit of +personal loyalty dead? We give patriotic devotion to our country, but +love such as that of an ancient Highlander for his hereditary chief +seems absolutely a thing of the past." + +While their elders entertained the circle with northern legends or +border ballads the young people also did their share, and contributed +such choice morsels as ghost stories, adventures in foreign lands, or +weird tales of the occult. Stewart, who was an omnivorous reader of +magazines, tried to demonstrate the romance of modern literature, though +he could never convince his mother of its equality with old-world +favorites. Marjorie Anderson, who had a sweet voice, loved soldier +ditties, and caroled them much to the admiration of Captain Preston, who +always managed to contrive to get a seat near her particular corner of +the fireside. + +"I believe those two are 'a match,'" whispered Peachy to Irene one +evening. + +"So do I. They met first when Marjorie was at school. Dona told me all +about it, and it was quite romantic. They'd have seen more of each other +only, after the armistice, his regiment was ordered out to India. He's +home on leave now. He wrote to Marjorie all the time he was away, +regularly. She's tremendous friends with his sisters, and they asked her +to join them on this tour. Looks suspicious, doesn't it?" + +"Rather! I hope it will really come off," answered Peachy, looking +sympathetically at the attractive pair whose chairs always seemed to +gravitate together. "She's pretty! And his brown eyes are the twinkliest +I've ever seen! Yes! I'm prepared to give them my blessing! I only wish +he'd get on with it. Why doesn't somebody give him a push over the brink +and make him propose? He's marking time, and for two cents I'd tell him +so myself. I guess his eyes would pop out, but I shouldn't care! Don't +be alarmed! I promise I won't interfere. But onlookers see the most of +the game, and with an affair like this under my very nose I'll be mad if +they don't fix-it up." + +Captain Preston was hardly likely to conduct his love-making under full +fire of inquisitive eyes, but he generally managed to appropriate +Marjorie on walks or excursions; they strolled out together to admire +the moon, hunted for orchids on the hills, searched the beach for +shells, and saw enough of one another's society to satisfy the most +ardent matchmakers. It was an established fact that these two should +always sit together in boat or carriage, but the rest of the party +revolved like a kaleidoscope. Lorna sometimes found herself escorted by +Stewart or Angus, sometimes by Charlie or Michael Foard, the friends who +were staying with them, and oftener still by Vincent Beverley, whose +fair hair, blue eyes, and merry face--so like Irene's--specially +attracted her. She was so unaccustomed to have a cavalier at all that it +seemed wonderful to her that any one should take the trouble to carry +her basket, pick flowers that grew out of her reach, help her up +difficult steps or hand her into a rocking boat. This new aspect of the +world was very sweet. Insensibly it affected her. + +"Lorna's growing so pretty," commented Peachy to Irene. "She's a queer +girl. At school she goes about looking almost plain and as dreary as an +owl. She's suddenly jumped into life here. Anybody who hadn't seen the +two sides of her wouldn't believe the difference. When she's animated +she's nearly beautiful." + +"I don't think she's ever been really appreciated at the Villa +Camellia," replied Irene. "Mums likes her immensely. She says there's so +much in her, and that she only wants 'mothering' to bring her out. As +for Vin, his head's turned. He's made me vow faithfully to engineer that +he sits next to Lorna in the boat to-day. Are you going with Stewart? +Well, I've promised Michael if he's a particularly good boy I'll let him +row me in the little skiff. I dare say Charlie will be angry, but I +can't help it. The Foards are as alike as buttons in looks, but the +younger one is so infinitely nicer than the other." + +Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday had slipped blissfully by. Except for +the few hours daily during which the steamer from Naples visited Capri, +with promenade deck filled with tourists, the little island was +wonderfully quiet, and by keeping away from the Marina Grande or the +highroads it was possible to avoid other holiday-makers. If they were +not on the sea "the clan," as the whole party liked to call themselves, +generally went up the hills to escape civilization. The natives had +begun to know them, and though they might be offered oranges, figs, or +dates by street vendors they were not continually pestered to take +carriages, engage guides or donkeys, or buy picture post-cards or long +strings of coral. Irene loved occasional excursions into the white town +on the rock. The strict rules and convent seclusion of the Villa +Camellia had given her no opportunity of sampling shops at Fossato, so, +except for her half-term holiday at Naples, this was her first +experience of marketing in Italy. The unfamiliar money and measures were +of course confusing, but the quaint little cakes, the lollipops wrapped +in fringed tissue paper of gay colors, the sugar hearts, the plaited +baskets, the inlaid boxes, the mosaic brooches, the beads, and the +hundred and one cheap trifles spread forth on stalls or in windows +fascinated her, and drew many lire from her purse. She only knew a few +words of colloquial Italian, but she used these to the best advantage, +and made up the rest with nods and smiles, a language well understood by +the kindly people of Capri, to whom a gesture is as eloquent as a whole +sentence. Vincent, whose talents ran more towards prowess at football +than a gift for languages, would often escort his sister, and conducted +his bargaining by pointing to what he wanted and counting the price in +lire on his five fingers, an operation that caused fits of amusement to +the shopkeepers, with whom the fair young Englishman became quite a +favorite. As long as Vincent could see what he wished for on sale and +indicate it with a finger he got along all right, but matters grew +complicated if he tried to explain himself. One day his mother, having +run short of methylated spirit, for her teakettle, sent him with a +bottle to buy some more. He looked the words up in a dictionary, entered +a chemist's, and demanded "alcohol for burning" in his best Italian. The +assistant seemed mystified, but suddenly a light flooded his intelligent +face, he flew to a series of neat little drawers behind the counter, +rummaged about, and in much triumph produced an "Alcock's porous +plaster," which he vehemently assured Vincent would be sure to burn, and +was a real English medicine, imported with great trouble and expense, +and certain to cure the ailment from which he was suffering. How Vincent +would have got out of the tangle, or convinced the chemist's assistant +that he was not in need of medical aid, is uncertain, but at that moment +Irene, who was walking with Lorna in the square, spied him through the +window, and brought her chum to the rescue. Lorna's Italian was +excellent; she soon unravelled the matter, returned the porous plaster +to the disappointed assistant, and explained to Vincent that the local +name for methylated spirit was "spirito," and that it was generally +procured from an oil colorman's. + +"How was I to know?" grumbled Vincent dramatically. "A fellow goes by +the dictionary." + +"It's always called 'alcohol' in Rome, and in some other places," +pacified Lorna, who was still laughing at the mistake, "and I've bought +it at a chemist's myself in Naples. Come along round the corner and +we'll find the right shop. I had my own bottle filled there yesterday, +so I know where to go." + +On the Friday, Mrs. Cameron, who by universal consent had constituted +herself organizer of the various joint expeditions, sent out invitations +for a grand gathering of the Clan to go and view the ruins of the villa +of Tiberius. This was one of the principal sights of the island, and, as +the Preston party were not staying over the following week, it would +have seemed a pity for them to miss it. + +"It's a case of taking nose-bags and going for the day," said Stewart, +delivering his messages at the various villas. "Meeting-place, the +piazza in the town. Those who like to come up by the funicular can do +so. We'll wait for them. I think the Mater will take the train and save +herself some of the climb. She doesn't like these endless steps, and +it's certainly a pull from our place to the town. It's worth while +walking down to the Marina to get the railway." + +Mrs. Beverley, Mrs. Roper, and Joyce Preston joined Mrs. Cameron in +taking advantage of the little "Ferrovia Funicolare" that connected the +harbor with the town, and arrived on the piazza cool and fresh compared +with those who had preferred to toil up the steep path. + +"I told you to come with me, Renie child," chided Mrs. Beverley. "Look +how hot you are already. You'll be quite overdone before we get to the +summit." + +"Oh, Mums darling, I'm not tired! I've saved the fare and bought this +swanky little cane instead. Look! Isn't it dinky?" protested Irene, +proudly exhibiting her newly purchased treasure. "It has a leather strap +and a tassel and a knob that one can suck." + +"You baby," laughed her mother. "We shall have to buy you a tin trumpet. +I don't believe you're out of the nursery yet." + +"Tin trumpet, Mums darling? Oh! You've given me such an idea," purred +Irene, running to Michael Foard and whispering some communication into +his sympathetic ear, which caused him to walk back to a certain street +stall and purchase nine tin whistles, with which the younger members of +the party armed themselves and immediately began a desperate attempt to +reproduce "The Bluebells of Scotland," hugely to the entertainment of +the natives, who flocked to their doors all smiles and amused +exclamations. + +"Bairns! I think shame of you," declared Mrs. Cameron. "They'll take us +for a wandering circus. Put those unmusical instruments in your pockets +till we're clear of the town. I never heard a poor Scottish air so +mangled. You may practice your band on the hills and scare the goats. +Don't play it in my ears again till you catch the proper tune." + +The musicians, after their first burst of enthusiasm was expended, were +glad to save their breath for the climb. When houses were left behind +their way wound between high walls, up, up, up, along a paved pathway +among orange groves, till at last the allotments disappeared, and they +were on the open hillside, among the low shrubs and the rough grass and +the beautiful flowers. Irene, running up a bank in quest of +bee-orchises, broke her new cane into four pieces, but was somewhat +consoled by a stick which Michael cut her from a chestnut tree. + +"It hasn't a knob to suck," he laughed, "but I'll tie a stick of +peppermint on to the end of it if you like." + +"Don't tease me, or I'll throw a squashy orange at you." + +"I thought you were fond of peppermint." + +"So I am, and if there's another of those creamy Neapolitans left in +your pocket I'll accept it and forgive you." + +"Right you are, O Queen! There are two here. Does your Majesty prefer a +purple paper or a green?" + +The ruins, which formed the goal of their expedition, were the remains +of a once splendid villa erected by the Emperor Tiberius, and used +constantly by him until his death in A.D. 37. Most of the party were +disappointed to find them, as Peachy expressed it, "so very ruiny." It +was difficult to picture what the original palace must have been like, +for nothing was left of all the grandeur but crumbling walls, over which +Nature had scattered ferns and flowers. At the very top some of the old +masonry had been used to build a tiny church; this was closed, but, +peeping through the grille in the door, the visitors could catch +glimpses of blue-painted roof and of little model ships, placed as +votive offerings by the sailors in gratitude for preservation from +danger at sea. Outside this chapel was a great stone monument built so +near the edge of the cliff that, when sitting on its steps, one could +look down a sheer drop of several hundred feet into the blue waters +below. The view from here was magnificent, and as the Clan, in turns, +scanned the neighboring coast of Italy with field glasses, they believed +they could even distinguish the Greek temples at Pæstum. The girls +described the glorious excursion they had taken there from school. + +"You were lucky to be able to go all the way by char-à-banc," commented +Mrs. Cameron. "Dad and I went there on our honeymoon, years and years +ago, and traveled all the way from Naples by a terrible little jolting +train that carried cattle-trucks and luggage-trucks as well as passenger +carriages. I shan't ever forget that journey. We had to leave the +station at 6.30 and when we came downstairs we found it was a pouring +wet day. It was only the fact that the sleepy looking waiter at our +hotel must have roused himself at 5 A.M. to prepare our coffee, and that +we did not like to ask him to do it again another morning, that forced +us to set off in the rain. I never felt so disinclined for an excursion +in my life. Dad said afterwards if I'd given him the least hint he'd +have joyfully relinquished it, but each thought the other wanted to go, +so off we set. All the way to Cava it simply streamed, and we sat in our +corners of the carriage secretly calling ourselves idiots, and wondering +how we were going to look over temples in a deluge. But our heroism was +rewarded, for just as the train crossed the brigand's marsh the rain +stopped and the sun shone out, and the effect of blue sky and clouds was +simply glorious. We had a great joke at Pæstum. A mosquito had stung me +badly on one lid so that I looked as if I had a black eye. It was most +uncomfortable and painful, I remember. Well, a party of French tourists +were going round the temples, and as they passed us they glanced at my +eye and then at Daddy--a husband of three weeks' standing--and they +murmured something to one another. I couldn't catch their words, but +quite plainly they were saying: 'Oh, these dreadful English! He's +evidently given her a black eye, poor thing! That's how they treat their +wives!' + +"The French people went on to the second temple, and Dad and I sat down +to eat our lunch. We were fearfully annoyed by dogs that sat in front of +us and watched every mouthful, and barked incessantly. (Did they trouble +you too! How funny! They must surely be the descendants of our dogs +who've inherited a bad habit.) Dad got so utterly exasperated that he +said he must and would get rid of them, so he seized my umbrella, shook +it furiously at them and yelled out '_Va via_' in the most awful and +blood-curdling voice he could command. Just at that moment the French +tourists came back round the corner. They turned to one another with +nods of comprehension, as if they were saying, 'There! Didn't I tell you +so! See what a brute he really is,' and they cast the most sympathetic +glances at me as they filed by. Isn't that true, Daddy?" + +Mr. Cameron lazily removed his cigarette. + +"It's a stock story, my dear, that you've told against me for the last +twenty years. I won't say that it's not exaggerated. Go on telling it if +you like. My back's broad enough to bear it. Shall I return good for +evil? Well, as I walked through the town to-day, waiting till you came +up by the funicular, I saw one of the Tarantella dancers, and I engaged +the whole troupe to come to the house to-night and give us a +performance. You said you wanted to see them. Will our friends here +honor us with their company and help to act audience?" + +It seemed an appropriate ending to such a delightful day, and all the +party readily accepted the invitation. After twilight fell they +assembled at the Camerons' villa and took their places in the salon, +which had been temporarily cleared of some of its furniture. The +Tarantella dancers, who were accustomed to give their small exhibition +to visitors, brought their own orchestra with them, a thin youth who +played the violin, a stout individual who plucked the mandolin, and an +enthusiast who twanged the guitar. The performers were charmingly +dressed in the old native costumes of the country, the men in soft white +shirts, green sleeveless velvet coats, red plush knickers, silk +stockings and shoes with scarlet bows, while the girls wore gay skirts, +striped sashes, lace fichus, and aprons, and gold beads round their +shapely throats. They danced several sprightly measures, waving +tambourines and rattling castanets, or twining silk scarves together, +while the musicians fiddled and strummed their hardest; then six of them +stood aside and the two principal artists advanced to do a "star turn." +"Romeo" sang an impassioned love song, with his hand on his heart, while +"Juliette" plucked at her apron and appeared doubtful of the truth of +his protestations. Then the "funny man" had his innings. He sat in a +chair with a shoe in his hand and tried to smack the head of a humorist +who knelt in front but always managed neatly to avoid his blows, the +whole being punctuated by vigorous exclamations in Italian, and much +energetic music from the orchestra. + +A pretty girl sauntered next on to the scene, and sang--in a rather +peacock voice--a little ditty lamenting the weather, at which a +velvet-coated cavalier came to the rescue, and chanting his offer of +help sheltered her with a huge green umbrella, under which they +proceeded to make love, and finally executed a dance beneath its +friendly shade. The whole of the little performance was very graceful +and attractive, savoring so thoroughly of Southern Italy and showing the +courteous manners and winning smiles to the utmost advantage. The +dancers themselves seemed to have enjoyed it, and stood with beaming +faces as they bowed their adieux and thanked the audience for their kind +attention. + +"Aren't they just too perfect," commented Peachy. + +"_I_ want to wear a velvet bodice and a green skirt with a yellow +border. I want to dance the tarantella with a tambourine in my hand." + +"Won't a two-step content you?" said Angus. "Mater says since the +room is cleared we may just as well finish with a little hop ourselves. +May I have the pleasure? Thanks so much. Mrs. Beverley's going to play +for us. It's a beast of a piano but it's good enough to dance to. We +mustn't notice if the bass is out of tune." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +The Blue Grotto + + +Very early on Saturday morning Mr. Carson returned to Capri in a +sailing vessel, having taken advantage of a night crossing and arriving +with the dawn. Lorna had bidden her friends a temporary good-by for the +week-end, refusing all kind invitations of "bring your father to see +us," or "tell him he must join the Clan." She felt that her excuses for +him were of the flimsiest; she said he was tired, unwell, and needed +absolute rest and solitude, and begged them to forgive her if she spent +the time with him alone, and, though they replied that they could +understand his desire for quiet, she was conscious that they thought she +might at least have volunteered an introduction. Lorna knew only too +well that, if her father was aware there was the slightest danger of +meeting English people, he would probably insist upon taking the next +boat back to Naples; it was the consciousness of complete isolation that +gave the value to his holiday. She told him indeed that she had met some +of her school friends and had taken walks with them, but she mentioned +that they were staying down below, nearer the Marina, and that they were +not in the least likely to come up to the Casa Verdi. + +"Let us take our books, Daddy," she suggested, "and go and sit on the +hillside as we did last Sunday. It was quiet on that ledge of the crag, +and away from everybody. The rest did you good, and I'm sure you enjoyed +it." + +Lying on the cliff among the flowers, with blue sky above and blue sea +beneath, poor Mr. Carson allowed himself a temporary relaxation. He +smoked his pipe and read his paper, and for a little while at least the +hard lines round his mouth softened, and his anxious eyes grew easy. He +finished his Italian journal, lay idly watching the scenery, chatted, +dozed, and finally stretched out his hand for one of Lorna's books. It +happened to be an Anthology of Poetry which Irene had lent her, and +which contained one of the ballads that Mrs. Cameron had recited to the +assembled Clan. It had struck Lorna's fancy, and she was trying to learn +it by heart. Mr. Carson turned over the pages, read a few of the pieces, +and was closing the little volume when his eye chanced to light upon the +name written on the title page. Its effect upon him was like a charge of +electricity. + +"David Beverley," he gasped. "David Beverley! Lorna! Great Heavens! By +all that's sacred, where did you get this?" + +[Illustration: "'BY ALL THAT'S SACRED, WHERE DID YOU GET THIS BOOK?'" + +--_Page 304_] + +"Why, Dad! What's the matter? Irene lent me the book. It belongs to her +father." + +"Her father! You don't mean to tell me your friend's father is David +Beverley?" + +"Why not, Dad," whispered Lorna, looking with apprehension into his +haggard, excited face. + +She guessed even before he spoke what the answer was going to be. + +"David Beverley is the man who ruined my life!" + +The blow which had fallen was utterly overwhelming. For a moment Lorna +fought against the knowledge like a drowning man battling with the +waters. + +"Oh, Dad! Surely there's some mistake. It _can't_ be! Isn't it some +other Beverley perhaps?" + +"I know his writing only too well. There's no possibility of a mistake. +Besides, I saw him in Naples--at the end of February. I haven't +forgotten the shock it gave me. Why," turning almost fiercely upon +Lorna, "didn't you tell me your schoolfellow's name before? Have you all +this time been making friends with your father's enemy?" + +"I thought I'd often talked about Renie," faltered poor Lorna. "Perhaps +I never mentioned her surname. Oh, Dad! Dad! Is it really true? It's too +horrible to be believed." + +Lying in the soft Capri grass, with the pink cistus flowers brushing +her hot cheeks, Lorna raged impotently against the tragedy of a fate +which was changing the dearest friendship of her life into a feud. +Irene!--the only one at school who had sympathized and understood her, +who had behaved with a delicacy and kindness such as no other person had +ever shown her, who had taken her into her home circle and given her the +happiest time she had ever had in her shadowed girlhood; Irene with her +merry gray eyes and her bright sunny hair, the very incarnation of +warm-hearted genuine affection--Irene, her roommate, her buddy, her +chosen confidante. How was it possible ever to regard her as an enemy? +Yet had she not vowed a solemn oath to hate all belonging to the man who +had so desperately injured them? Oh! The world seemed turning upside +down. Loyalty to her father and love for her friend dragged different +ways, and in the bitter conflict her heart was torn in two. + +Mr. Carson, haunted to the verge of insanity by the terror of discovery, +was now obsessed with the one idea of escape from Mr. Beverley. He no +longer felt safe on the island. Any moment he dreaded to meet faces that +would betray recognition of his past. The calm and content of his visit +were utterly shattered, and a sudden violent impulse urged him to return +to Naples. + +"Capri is not large enough to hold myself and David Beverley," he +declared. "We'll go back by the night boat, Lorna. Meantime we'll borrow +Signor Verdi's skiff and paddle about among the rocks. I feel easier on +water than on land. I like the sense of a space of ocean round me. You +can't suddenly meet a man when you've plenty of sea-room, can you?" + +"No, no, Dad!" said Lorna, trying to soothe him. "We can walk down the +steps to the cove and get the skiff, and be quite away from everybody +once we are on the sea." + +She was ready to humor his every whim, for in the blackness of her +trouble nothing seemed at present to really matter. The whirling eddies +of her thoughts rushed through her brain in a perpetual series of +questions and answers. Must hate strike the death knell of love? Surely +the only thing to do with an injury is to forgive it. Would revenge wipe +out the wrong or in any way solve anything? No, there would only be one +more wrong done in the world, to go on in ever-widening circles of +hatred and misery. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost, and +"getting even" may bring its own punishment. + +"Our only chance is to go away and start afresh in a new country," she +sobbed. "At the other side of the Pacific we might forget--but no! +Renie! Renie! If I go to the back of beyond I shan't forget you, and all +you've been to me. The memory of you, darling, will last until the end +of my life." + +Mr. Carson found Signor Verdi working in his allotment, obtained leave +from him to use the skiff, and climbing down the flight of steep steps +cut in the rock, reached the cove where the boat was beached on the +shingle. He had been an expert oarsman from his college days, and +understood Neapolitan waters, so in a short time he and Lorna were +skimming gently over the surface of the blue sea, keeping well away from +rocks and out of currents, but within reasonable distance of the land. +Sometimes they rowed and sometimes they drifted, hardly caring in what +direction they steered so long as they circled round the island. Their +only object was to stop out on the sea, and, as they had brought a +picnic basket with them, there was nothing to urge their return until +sunset. In the course of the afternoon they had coasted below Monte +Solaro, and found themselves approaching the entrance that led to the +Blue Grotto. In the mornings, when the steamer brought its crowd of +tourists, there was generally quite a little fleet of skiffs to be seen +here, but now, with the exception of a solitary boat, the famous cavern +was deserted. To avoid passing too near to even this one craft Mr. +Carson steered away from the shore, but turned his head in +consternation, for loud and unmistakable cries of "help" were ringing +over the water, and the occupants, frantically waving handkerchiefs, +were evidently doing their utmost to attract his attention. Common +humanity demanded that he must at least go and see what was the matter, +so he reluctantly altered his course. + +In a boat close to the entrance of the grotto were several young people, +and Lorna instantly recognized Angus, Stewart, Jess, Michael, and +Peachy. They appeared in much anxiety, and directly they were within +hailing distance they called out their news: + +"Mr. Beverley and Vincent and Irene have gone inside the grotto, and +they don't seem able to get out again. We can hear them shouting for +help." + +The party, in their British imprudence, had not brought a boatman, and +they were uncertain what to do. Their own barque was too large to go +through the narrow opening into the cavern, and they looked hopefully at +Mr. Carson's little skiff. + +"We don't know what's happened," gulped Jess. + +"They went in to explore the Roman passage." + +"Just by themselves." + +"They've been gone such a long time," volunteered the others. + +"Listen," said Peachy. + +For from out the low entrance of the grotto floated a faint far-off +echoing ghost of a shout. + +Lorna glanced imploringly at her father. He did not hesitate for a +moment. The man who had injured him was inside the cavern, perhaps in +deadly danger, and he was going to risk his own life and his daughter's +to save him. And risk there undoubtedly was. A breeze had arisen and +agitated the surface of the water, so that the ingress was smaller than +ever and more difficult to compass. When waves lashed the tideless +Mediterranean even the Capri fishermen shunned entering the grotto, for +they knew its perils only too well. Telling Lorna to lie flat on her +back Mr. Carson took the same position, and with infinite difficulty +managed to maneuver the skiff into the rocky entrance. There was barely +room, for each wave bumped it against the roof, but by clinging to the +chain he worked his way along and shot through into the lake within. On +the right of the cavern three figures, holding a light, stood on a kind +of landing-place, while a skiff drifting far off in the shadows told its +own tale. + +Mr. Carson rowed at once to retrieve the truant boat, and towed it back +to its owners. + +"We thought we had tied it securely," explained Mr. Beverley. "We were +utterly aghast when we came back and found it had drifted. It would have +been a horrible experience to stay here all night. If the sea rose we +might even have been imprisoned for days. We were fools to come, but I +didn't realize the danger." + +"The sea is much rougher already," said Mr. Carson. "It'll be a ticklish +matter to get out again, and the sooner we do it the better. Will you go +first and I'll follow on after?" + +"It's like you, Lorna, to come to rescue us. I always called you my good +angel," choked Irene, as she entered the skiff. "I thought just now I +was never going to see you again in this world. Let's get out of this +horrible place as fast as we can. It's like Dante's Inferno. I've never +been so frightened in all my life." + +One after the other the two skiffs started on their risky exit from the +grotto, scraping and bumping against the roof with the water on a level +with the gunwale; one wave indeed overflowed and soused them, but the +next moment they sighted the sky and grazing through the entrance they +gained the open water. + +It was only when, in the clear afternoon daylight he turned to thank his +rescuer that a flash of recognition flooded Mr. Beverley's face. + +"Cedric Houghten! You! You!" he stammered, as if almost disbelieving the +evidence of his own eyes. + +"Yes, it is I; but having seen me, forget me," returned Mr. Carson, his +dark face flushed and his hand on the oar. "It's the one favor you can +do me for saving you. Let me vanish as I came, and don't try to follow +me. I only hope we may never cross each other's paths again." + +"Cedric! Come back!" yelled Mr. Beverley, as the skiff shot away. "Man +alive! We've been searching for you for years. Don't you know that we've +proved your innocence! Come back, I say, and let me tell you." + + * * * * * + +It was late that evening, after a very long talk with Mr. Beverley, that +Lorna's father explained to her the circumstances that had cleared his +name. + +"David had no more embezzled the money than I, and, thank God, he has +no idea I ever distrusted him. When a further sum went, Mr. Fenton set a +trap, and discovered to his infinite grief that it was his own son who +had been robbing the firm. It practically broke him, and he has retired +from all active share in the business now. They packed young Fenton off +to New Zealand to try farming instead of finance, but he's not doing any +good there. Mr. Fenton, it seems, was most anxious to find me and right +the injustice done me, but I had hidden myself so well under an assumed +name in Naples that it was impossible for them to trace me. They +advertised in the Agony column of _The Times_, but I avoided English +papers, so never saw the advertisements. My efforts to escape notice +were only too successful, and, although I didn't know it, I was actually +defeating my own ends by my caution. If, as I intended, I had started +for a new continent, I might so completely have broken all links with my +old life that I might have gone to my grave in ignorance that my +innocence was proved. It was only the marvelous chance of this +afternoon's meeting that cleared up the tangle. I can look the world in +the face again, now, and not fear the sight of an Englishman. Oh, the +joy of having got one's honor back untarnished! Next best to that is to +know it was not my friend who had wronged me. The belief in his +treachery was half the bitterness of those dreadful years. Capri has +been a fortunate island for us, Lorna. It's truly called the 'Mascot of +Naples,' and I shall love it to the end of my days. I can take my old +name again now and be proud of it. You're Lorna Houghten in future, not +Lorna Carson. What a triumph to write to our relations and tell them the +glorious news. I feel like a man let loose from slavery." + +To Lorna also this happy consummation of all their troubles seemed a +relief almost too great for expression. That Irene, her own Renie, +should be the daughter of her father's favorite friend, and therefore a +hereditary as well as a chosen chum, was a special delight, for it +welded the links that bound them together. The future shone rosy, and +she felt that wherever her life might be cast the Beverleys would always +remain part and parcel of it. Perhaps the triumph she appreciated most +of all was the introduction of her father to the Cameron Clan. No more +hiding in out-of-the-way corners and avoiding the very sound of a +British voice; henceforth they might hold up their heads with the rest +and take again their true position. She was proud of her father: now +that the black cloak of despair had dropped away from him, his old +happier nature shone out and he seemed suddenly ten years younger. To +present him into the intimate circle of her friends realized her dearest +wish. + +"It's been a wonderful week-end," said Peachy, standing with her girl +friends on the quay to wave good-by to the Monday morning steamer that +bore some of their relations back to Naples and business. "Here's Lorna +with a new name, and Renie with a fresh cousin. Haven't you heard? Why, +Captain Preston popped the question last night, and he and Marjorie +announced their engagement at the breakfast table. Not the most romantic +place to glean up congratulations, but, of course, that's just as you +think about it. When _I_ get engaged it shall be announced by moonlight, +so that I can hide my blushes. I don't ever want the holidays to end. +Capri's the dandiest place in Italy, and if Dad doesn't buy a villa here +I'll never forgive him. You want one too, Lorna? Hooray! We'll make a +Colony of Camellia Buds on the little island and spend the summer here. +We may be globe-trotters and all the rest of it, but I vote we get up a +good old Anglo-Saxon League and stick together for better or for worse. +I'll buy a Union Jack to-day if the Cameron Clan will promise to wave +the Stars and Stripes, and sing 'Yankee Doodle' with 'Auld Lang Syne.'" + +"We've welded America already into the clan, dear bairn," smiled Mrs. +Cameron. "No other visitor keeps us alive like you do." + +"Pronounce thy wishes, O Peach of the West," laughed Stewart. "We +rechristen thee Queen of the South." + +"Then I summon you all some day to come back to this, my kingdom by the +sea. School is school and I've got to have another term there, but I +want to feel this happy island is waiting for us to return to it. You +promise? Thanks! Here's a new version then of the old song--composed by +Miss Priscilla Proctor, please! + + 'Should auld adventures be forgot + And ne'er provoke a smile? + Should auld adventures be forgot + Upon this happy isle? + For auld lang syne, my dears, for auld lang syne, + We'll all return to Capri's shore for auld lang syne.' + +H'm--a poor thing, but mine own!" + +"There are two of us at any rate who won't forget to come back," said +Lorna, linking her arm fondly in Irene's as they walked away from the +quay. + + +THE END. + + + + * * * * * + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + + Page 63, "gardner" changed to "gardener". (Paolo, the gardener) + + Page 260, "loose" changed to "lose". (to lose sight) + + One instance each of A-1 and A1, and cooee and coo-e-e were retained. + + Two instances each of Cartmel and Cartmell were retained. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL*** + + +******* This file should be named 20163-8.txt or 20163-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/6/20163 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Smithson Broadhead</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Jolliest School of All</p> +<p>Author: Angela Brazil</p> +<p>Release Date: December 22, 2006 [eBook #20163]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net/c/)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="297" height="400" alt="Cover" title="Cover" /> +</div> +<div class='bbox'> +<h1>THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL</h1> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h2>By ANGELA BRAZIL</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Author of</span><br /> + +<br /> +"The Luckiest Girl in the School," "The Princess of the<br /> +School," "A Popular School Girl," "Schoolgirl<br /> +Kitty," "Marjorie's Best Year," etc.<br /><br /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 149px;"> +<img src="images/emblem.png" width="149" height="150" alt="Emblem" title="Emblem" /> +</div> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'> +<big>A. L. BURT COMPANY</big><br /> +<big>Publishers New York</big><br /> +Published by arrangement with Frederick A. Stokes Co.<br /> +Printed in U. S. A.<br /><br /><br /> +</div></div> + + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<div class='center'><i>Copyright, 1922, by</i><br /> + +<span class="smcap">Frederick A. Stokes Company</span></div> + +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> + +<div class='center'><i>All Rights Reserved</i></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<div class='center'> +<span class="smcap">Dedicated<br /> +<small>to</small></span><br /> +<br /> +THE MANY CHARMING AMERICAN<br /> +GIRLS WHOM I HAVE MET<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap"><small>and to</small></span><br /> +<br /> +THOSE UNKNOWN SCHOOLGIRLS<br /> +OVER THE ATLANTIC TO WHOM<br /> +THIS LITTLE BOOK CARRIES MY<br /> +HEARTIEST GREETINGS<br /> +</div> +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 255px;"> +<img src="images/gs01.jpg" width="255" height="400" alt=""'YOU MEAN THINGS!' RAGED PEACHY"" title=""'YOU MEAN THINGS!' RAGED PEACHY"" /> +<span class="caption">"'YOU MEAN THINGS!' RAGED PEACHY"</span> +<div class='right'>—<a href='#Page_124'><i>Page 124</i></a></div></div> + + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Contents</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='right'><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Off to Italy</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Villa Camellia</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_16'>16</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hail, Columbia!</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_27'>27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Secret Sorority</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_41'>41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Fairy Godmothers, Limited</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_52'>52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Among the Olive Groves</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_66'>66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Lorna's Enemy</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">At Pompeii</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_93'>93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Reprisals</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_113'>113</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The School Carnival</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_126'>126</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Up Vesuvius</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_141'>141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Tar and Feathers</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_156'>156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Peachy's Pranks</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_174'>174</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Villa Bleue</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_190'>190</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Peachy's Birthday</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_213'>213</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Concerning Juniors</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_230'>230</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Anglo-Saxon League</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_243'>243</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Greek Temples</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_257'>257</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In Capri</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_272'>272</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Cameron Clan</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_287'>287</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Blue Grotto</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_303'>303</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>Off to Italy</h3> + + +<p>In a top-story bedroom in an old-fashioned house in a northern suburb of +London, a girl of fourteen was kneeling on the floor, turning out the +contents of the bottom cupboards of a big bookcase. Her method of doing +so was hardly tidy; she just tossed the miscellaneous assortment of +articles down anywhere, till presently she was surrounded by a mixed-up +jumble of books, papers, paint-boxes, music, chalks, pencils, foreign +stamps, picture post-cards, crests, balls of knitting wool, skeins of +embroidery silk, and odds and ends of all kinds. She groaned as the +circle grew wider, yet the apparently inexhaustible cupboards were still +uncleared.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't have ever believed I'd have stowed so many things away here. +And, of course, the one book I want isn't to be found. That's what +always happens. It's just my bad luck. Hello! Who's calling 'Renie'? I'm +here! <i>Here! In my bedroom!</i> Don't yell the house down. Really, Vin, +you've got a voice like a megaphone! You might think I was on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> the top +of the roof. What d'you want now? <i>I'm busy!</i>"</p> + +<p>"So it seems," commented the fair-haired boy of seventeen, sauntering +into his sister's room and taking a somewhat insecure seat upon a fancy +table, where, with hands in pockets, he regarded her quizzically. "Great +Scott, what a turn out! You look like a magician in the midst of a magic +circle. Are you going to witch the lot into newts and toads? Whence this +thusness? You won't persuade me that it's a fit of neatness and you're +actually tidying. Doesn't exactly seem <i>you</i>, somehow!"</p> + +<p>"Hardly," replied Irene, with her head inside a cupboard. "Fact is, I'm +looking for my history book. I can't think where the wretched thing has +gone to. School begins to-morrow, and I haven't touched my holiday tasks +yet; and what Miss Gordon will say if I come without those exercises I +can't imagine. I'm sure I flung all my books into this cupboard, and, of +course, here's the chemistry, which I don't want, but never so much as a +single leaf of the history. Don't grin! You aggravate me. I believe +you've taken it away to tease me. Have you? Confess now! It's in your +pocket all the time?"</p> + +<p>Irene looked eagerly at the bulging outline of her brother's coat, but +her newly formed hopes were doomed to disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Never seen it! What should <i>I</i> want with your old history book? I've +finished for good with such vanities, thank the Fates!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't rub it in. It's a beastly shame <i>you</i> should be allowed to leave +school while <i>I</i> must go slaving on at Miss Gordon's. Ugh! How I hate +the place! The idea of going back there to-morrow! It's simply +appalling. A whole term of dreary grind, and only a fortnight's holiday +at the end of it. Miss Gordon gives the <i>stingiest</i> holidays. If my +fairy godmother could appear and grant me a wish I should choose never, +never, <i>never</i> to see St. Osmund's College in all my life again. I'd ask +her to wave her magic wand and transport me over the sea."</p> + +<p>Irene spoke hotly, flinging books about with scant regard for their +covers. Her slim hands were dusty, and her short, yellow hair as ruffled +as her temper. There was even a suspicion of moisture about the corners +of her gray eyes. She rubbed them surreptitiously with a ball of a +handkerchief when her head happened to be inside the cupboard. She did +not wish Vincent to witness this phase of her emotions.</p> + +<p>"Every girl ought to be provided with a decent fairy godmother," she +gulped. "If mine did her duty she'd come to rescue me now. Yes, she +would, and be quick about it too!"</p> + +<p>How very seldom in the course of an ordinary life such wishes are +granted! Not once surely in a million times! Yet at that identical +moment, almost as if in direct answer to her daughter's vigorous tirade, +Mrs. Beverley entered the room. There was a sparkle of excitement in her +eyes, and her whole<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> atmosphere seemed to radiate news. She ran in as +joyously as a girl, clapping her hands and evidently brimming over with +something she was about to communicate.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mums! Mums—darling! What's the matter?" asked Irene. "You look as +if you'd had a fortune left you. Tell us at once."</p> + +<p>"Not quite a fortune, but next best to it," said Mrs. Beverley, sitting +down on the end of the sofa. "Daddy says I may tell you now, bairns. It +has all happened so suddenly, and has been arranged in a rush. You +remember Dad mentioning a few weeks ago that Mr. Southern, the firm's +representative in Naples, was very ill? Well, Mr. Fenton has decided to +send Dad to Italy to take his place, for a year at any rate, and perhaps +longer. We're to start in a fortnight."</p> + +<p>Such a stupendous announcement required a little realizing. Vincent +removed his hands from his pockets.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say we're <i>all</i> going?" he inquired. "Jemima! Leaving +London fogs and toddling off to Italy? Materkins, you take my breath +away! How's the whole business to be fixed up so soon?"</p> + +<p>"Quite easily. We shall let this house, just as it is, to Mr. Atherton, +who will come from the Norfolk branch to fill Father's post in London. +We are to rent Mr. Southern's flat in Naples, while he takes a voyage +round the world to try to regain his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> health. Dad means to put you into +his office in Naples, Vin. Don't look so aghast! It's high time you +started, and it will be a splendid opening for you. And as for Renie—of +course she's too young to leave school yet——"</p> + +<p>"Mums! Mums!" interrupted an agonized voice, as Irene took a flying leap +over her circle of books and, plumping herself on the sofa, clutched +tightly at her mother's sleeve. "You're not going to leave me behind at +Miss Gordon's? You <i>couldn't!</i> Oh, I'd die! Mums darling, please! If the +family's going to jaunt abroad I've got to jaunt too! Say yes, quick, +quick!"</p> + +<p>"What a little tempest you are! Cheer up! We'd never any intention of +deserting you. We'll stick together for a while at any rate, though when +we arrive in Naples you'll be packed off to a boarding-school, Madam, so +I give you fair warning."</p> + +<p>"An Italian school?"</p> + +<p>Irene's gray eyes were round with horror.</p> + +<p>"No, an Anglo-American school for English-speaking girls. Do you +remember that charming Mr. Proctor who stayed with us last year on his +way from New York to Naples? His daughter is at this school, and he +strongly recommended it. It seems just exactly the place for you, Renie. +It will solve a great problem if we can educate you out there. It would +have complicated matters very much if we had been obliged to leave you +in England. As it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> you'll be quite near to Naples, and can come home +for all your holidays."</p> + +<p>"Hooray! Then I'm not to go to Miss Gordon's again?"</p> + +<p>"As we start in a fortnight it's not worth while your beginning a fresh +term at St. Osmund's."</p> + +<p>"Then I needn't bother to find the hateful old history book. I'm <i>so</i> +glad I didn't do those wretched holiday tasks—they'd just have been +sheer waste. Mums, I'm so excited! May I begin and pack for Italy now? I +can't wait."</p> + +<p>For the next two weeks great confusion reigned in the Beverley +household. It is no light matter to decide what you need to take abroad, +what you wish to lock up at home, and to leave your establishment in +apple-pie order for the use of strangers. Inventories of furniture, +linen, blankets, and china had to be written and checked, a rigorous +selection made of the things to be packed, and the luggage cut down to +the limits prescribed by the railway companies. Poor Mrs. Beverley was +nearly worn out when at last the overflowing boxes were fastened, the +bags and hold-alls were strapped, and the taxis, which were to take them +to the station, arrived at the door. Tears stood in her eyes as she +crossed the threshold of her own house.</p> + +<p>"It's a tremendous wrench!" she fluttered.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Mums!" consoled Irene, linking her arm in her mother's. +"It's an adventure, and we all want to go. You'll love it when we're +once off. No,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> don't look back: it's unlucky! Your bag's in the cab; I +saw Jessie put it in. Hooray for Italy, say I, and a good riddance to +smoky old London! In another couple of days we shall be down south and +turning into Romeos and Juliets as fast as we can. You'll see Dad +learning a guitar and strumming it under your balcony, and serenading +you no end."</p> + +<p>"Hardly at his time of life!" said Mrs. Beverley; but the joke amused +her, she wiped her eyes, and, as Irene had hoped and intended, stepped +smiling into the waiting taxi, and left her old home with laughter +instead of with tears.</p> + +<p>In her fourteen years of experience Irene had traveled very little, so +the migration to Italy was a fairy journey so far as she was concerned. +To catch the boat express they had made an early start, and they +breakfasted in the train between London and Dover. It was fun to sit in +comfortable padded armchairs, eating fish or ham and eggs, and watching +the landscape whirling past; fun to see the deft-handed waiters nipping +about with trays or teacups; and fun to observe the occupants of the +other tables in the car. There was a fat, good-natured Frenchman who +amused Irene, a languid English lady who annoyed her, an elderly +gourmand who excited her disgust, and a neighboring party, one member of +which at least aroused her interest and caused her to cast cautious side +glances in the direction of the next table. This center of attraction +was a small girl about eight or nine years of age, a dainty elfin +little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> person with bewitching blue eyes and a mop of short, flaxen +curls. She was evidently well used to traveling, for she would lift a +tiny finger to summon the waiter, and gave him her orders with all the +<i>savoir-faire</i> of an experienced diner-out. Perhaps her clear-toned +treble voice was a trifle too high-pitched for the occasion, and would +have been better had it been duly modulated, but her parents seemed +proud of her conversational powers and allowed her to talk for the +benefit of anybody within ear-shot. That she excited comment was +manifest, for many looks were turned to her corner. The criticisms on +her were complimentary or the reverse. "Isn't she perfectly <i>sweet?</i>" +gushed a young lady at Irene's left. "Sweet? She ought to be in the +nursery instead of showing off here!" came a tart voice in reply, from +some one whose face was invisible but whose back and shoulders expressed +an attitude of strong disapproval. "Hope we shan't be boxed up with her +in the same carriage to Paris! I vote we give her a wide berth at +Calais."</p> + +<p>Irene laughed softly. The little flaxen-haired girl attracted her; she +felt she would have gravitated towards her compartment rather than have +avoided her. But traveling companions were evidently more a matter of +chance than choice, for the crowd that turned out of the train at Dover +became mixed and mingled like the colored bits of glass in a +kaleidoscope. Irene realized that for the moment the one supreme and +breathless object in life was to cling to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> the rest of her family, and +not to get separated from them or lost, as they pushed through narrow +barriers, showed tickets and passports, traversed gangways, and finally +found themselves on board the Channel steamer bound for France. Father, +who had made the crossing many times, scrambled instantly for +deck-chairs, and installed his party comfortably in the lee of a funnel, +where they would be sheltered from the wind. Mrs. Beverley, who had +inspected the ladies' saloon below, sank on her seat, and tucked a rug +round her knees with a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"It will be the 'Black Hole of Calcutta' downstairs," she remarked. "I'd +rather stay on deck however cold it is. The mother of the wee +yellow-haired lassie is lying down already, evidently prepared to be +ill. The stewardess says we shall have a choppy passage. She earns her +tips, poor woman! Thanks, Vincent! Yes, I'd like the air-cushion, +please, and that plaid out of the hold-all. No, I won't have a biscuit +now; I prefer to wait till we get on terra firma again."</p> + +<p>Irene, sitting warmly wrapped up on her deck-chair, watched the white +cliffs of Dover recede from her gaze as the vessel left the port and +steamed out into the Channel. It was the last of "Old England," and she +knew that much time must elapse before she would see the shores of her +birthplace again. What would greet her in the foreign country to which +she was going? New sights, new sounds, new interests—perhaps new +friends? The thought of it all was an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> exhilaration. Others might seem +sad at a break with former associations, but as for herself she was +starting a fresh life, and she meant to get every scrap of enjoyment out +of it that was practically possible.</p> + +<p>The stewardess had prophesied correctly when she described the voyage as +"choppy." The steamer certainly pitched and tossed in a most +uncomfortable fashion, and it was only owing to the comparative +steadiness of her seat amidships that Irene escaped that most wretched +of complaints, <i>mal de mer</i>. She sat very still, with rather white +cheeks, and refused Vincent's offers of biscuits and chocolates: her +sole salvation, indeed, was not to look at the heaving sea, but to keep +her eyes fixed upon the magazine which she made a pretense of reading. +Fortunately the Dover-Calais crossing is short, and, before Neptune had +claimed her as one of his victims, they were once more in smooth waters +and steaming into harbor.</p> + +<p>Then again the kaleidoscope turned, and the crowd of passengers +remingled and walked over gangways, and along platforms and up steep +steps, and jostled through the Customs, and said "<i>Rien à déclarer</i>" to +the officials, who peeped inside their bags to find tea or tobacco, and +had their luggage duly chalked, and showed their passports once more, +and finally, after a bewildering half-hour of bustle and hustle, found +themselves, with all their belongings intact, safely in the train for +Paris. Irene had caught brief glimpses of the child whom she named +"Little Flaxen," whose mother, in a state of collapse, had been almost +car<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>ried off the vessel, but revived when she was on dry land again: a +maid was in close attendance, and two porters were stowing their piles +of hand-luggage inside a specially reserved compartment. "The cross lady +won't be boxed up with them at any rate," said Irene. "I saw her get in +lower down the train."</p> + +<p>It was dark when they arrived in Paris, so Irene had only a confused +impression of an immense railway station, of porters in blue blouses, of +a babel of noise and shouting in a foreign language which seemed quite +different from the French she had learned at school, of clinging very +closely to Father's arm, of a drive through lighted streets, of a hotel +where dinner was served in a salon surrounded by big mirrors, then bed, +which seemed the best thing in the world, for she was almost too weary +to keep her eyes open.</p> + +<p>"If every day is going to be like this we shall be tired out by the time +we reach Naples," she thought, as she sank down on her pillow. +"Traveling is the limit."</p> + +<p>Eleven hours of sleep, however, made a vast difference in her attitude +towards their long journey. When she came downstairs next morning she +was all eagerness to see Paris.</p> + +<p>"We have the whole day here," said Mrs. Beverley, "so we may as well get +as much out of it as we can. Daddy has business appointments to keep, +but you and I and Vin, Renie, will take a taxi and have a look at some +of the sights, won't we?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Rather!" agreed the young people, hurrying over their coffee and rolls.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't miss Paris for worlds," added Vincent; "only don't spend the +whole time inside shops, Mater. That's all this fellow bargains for."</p> + +<p>"We'll compromise and make it half and half," laughed Mother.</p> + +<p>A single day is very brief space in which to see the beauties of Paris, +but the Beverleys managed to fit a great deal into it, and to include +among their activities a peep at the Louvre, a drive in the Bois de +Boulogne, a visit to Napoleon's Tomb, half an hour in a cinema, and a +rush through several of the finest and largest shops.</p> + +<p>"It's different from London—quite!" decided Irene, at the end of the +jaunt. "It's lighter and brighter, somehow, and the streets are wider +and have more trees planted in them. It's a terrible scurry, and I +should be run over if I tried to cross the street. The shops aren't any +better than ours really, though they make more fuss about them. The +little children and the small pet dogs are adorable. The cinema was +horribly disappointing, because they were all American films, not French +ones; but that light that falls from the domed roof down on to +Napoleon's tomb was worth coming across the Channel to see. Yes, Mummie +dear, I thoroughly like Paris. I'm only sorry we have to leave it so +soon."</p> + +<p>The train for Rome was to start at nine o'clock<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> in the evening, and +immediately after dinner the Beverleys made their way to the station. It +would be a thirty-eight hour journey, and they had engaged two sleeping +compartments, <i>wagon-lits</i> as they are called on the Continental +express. Mrs. Beverley and Irene were to share one, and Mr. Beverley and +Vincent the other. The beds were arranged like berths on board ship, and +Irene, who occupied the upper one, found, much to her amusement, a +little ladder placed in readiness for her climb aloft.</p> + +<p>"I don't need to use <i>that!</i>" she exclaimed, scrambling up with the +agility gained in her school gymnasium. "How silly of the conductor to +put it for me."</p> + +<p>"How could the poor man tell who was to occupy the berth! You might have +been a fat old lady for anything he knew!" replied Mrs. Beverley, +settling herself on the mattress below.</p> + +<p>It was a funny sensation to lie in bed in the jolting train, and Irene +slept only in snatches, waking frequently to hear clanking of chains, +shrieking of engines, shouting of officials at stations, and other +disturbing noises. As dawn came creeping through the darkness she drew +the curtain aside and looked from the window. What a glorious sight met +her astonished gaze! They were passing over the Alps, and all around +were immense snow-covered mountains, great gorges full of dark fir +forests, and rushing streams of green glacier water. It was very cold, +and she was glad to pull her rug up, and later<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> to drink the hot coffee +which the <i>conducteur</i> made on a spirit-lamp in the corridor and brought +to those who had ordered it overnight.</p> + +<p>Irene never forgot that long journey on the Continental express. The +sleeping compartments became sitting-rooms by day, for the berths turned +into sofas, and a table was unfolded, where it would have been possible +to write or sew if she had wished. She could do nothing, however, but +stare at the landscape; the snow-capped mountains and the great ravines +and gorges were a revelation in the way of scenery, and it was enough +occupation to look out of the window. Switzerland and Northern Italy +were a dream of wild, rugged beauty, but she woke on the following +morning to find the train racing among olive groves and orange trees, +and to catch glimpses of gay, unknown, wild flowers blooming on the +railway banks. Here and there were stretches of the blue Mediterranean; +and oxen and goats in the fields gave a vivid foreign aspect to the +country. Everything—trees, houses, landscape, and people—seemed +unfamiliar and un-English, yet strangely fascinating. The bright land +with its sunshine appeared to be welcoming her.</p> + +<p>"I shall like it! I shall like it! I shall like it!" said Irene to +herself, hanging out of the open window of their compartment and +watching some picturesque children who were waving a greeting to the +train. "I <i>know</i> I shall like it!"</p> + +<p>"Put your hat on and strap up your hold-all,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> said Father's voice in +the corridor outside. "Everybody else has luggage ready, and in another +ten minutes or so we shall be in Rome."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>The Villa Camellia</h3> + + +<p>The Beverleys did not break their journey in Rome, but merely changed +trains and pushed on southward. Irene was sorry at the time not to see +the imperial city, but afterwards she was glad that her first impression +of an Italian town should have been of Naples. Naples! Is there any +place like it in the whole world? Irene thought not, as she stood on her +veranda next morning and gazed across the blue bay to where Vesuvius was +sending a thin column of smoke into the cloudless sky. Below her lay the +public gardens, in which spring flowers were blooming, though it was +only the end of January, and beyond was a panorama of white houses, +green shutters, palm trees, picturesque boats, and a quay thronged with +traffic. To that harbor and that blue stretch of sea she was bound this +very day, for Father and Mother had arranged to take her straight to her +new school, and leave her there before they established themselves in +their flat.</p> + +<p>"We haven't any time for sightseeing at present, dear," said Mrs. +Beverley, when Irene begged for at least a peep at the streets of +Naples. "We must put off these jaunts until the Easter holidays. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +term has begun at the Villa Camellia, and you ought to set to work at +your lessons at once. Don't pull such a doleful face. Be thankful you're +going to school in such a glorious spot. We might have left you at Miss +Gordon's."</p> + +<p>"I'd have run away and followed you somehow, Mums darling! I don't mind +being a few miles off, but I couldn't bear to feel the Channel and the +whole of France and Switzerland and Italy lay between us. It's too far."</p> + +<p>"Yes, our little family quartette is rather inseparable," agreed Mother. +"It's certainly nice to think that we're all 'within hail.'"</p> + +<p>The school, recommended to Mr. and Mrs. Beverley by their American +friend, Mr. Proctor, was situated at the small town of Fossato, not far +from Naples. The easiest way of getting there was by sea, so Irene's +luggage was wheeled down to the quay, and the family embarked on a +coasting steamer. Father and Mother were, of course, taking her, and +Vincent accompanied them, because they could not leave him alone in a +strange city.</p> + +<p>"It will be your last holiday though, young man," said Mr. Beverley +jokingly, "so make the most of it. To-morrow you must come with me to +the office and start your new career. I don't know whether the Villa +Camellia observes convent rules, and whether you will be admitted. If +not, you must wait outside the gate while we see Miss Rodgers."</p> + +<p>"Oh, surely she wouldn't be so heartless?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen. In a foreign country the regulations are +probably very strict."</p> + +<p>The Beverleys were not the only British people on board the steamer. +Parties of tourists were going for the day's excursion, and as much +English as Italian or French might be heard spoken among the passengers. +Two groups, who sat near them on deck, attracted Irene's attention. The +central figure of the one was a girl slightly taller than herself—a +girl with a long, pointed nose, dark, hard, bright eyes, penciled +eyebrows, beautiful teeth, and a nice color. She was talking in a loud +and affected voice, and laying down the law on many topics to several +amused and smiling young naval officers who were of the party. An elder +girl, like her but with a sweeter mouth and softer eyes, seemed to be +trying to restrain her, and occasionally exclaimed, "Oh, Mabel!" at some +more than ordinary sally of wit; but the younger girl talked on, posing +in rather whimsical attitudes, and letting her roving glance stray over +the tourists close by, as if judging the effect she was making upon +them.</p> + +<p>"She's showing off," decided Irene privately. "Is that 'Villa Camellia' +on the label of her bag? I hope to goodness she's not going to school +with me. Hello! Who's that talking English on the other side? Why, +Little Flaxen for all the world! What's she followed us down here for?"</p> + +<p>The small, fair-haired girl, whom they had seen in the train to Dover, +was undoubtedly claiming pub<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>lic notice on their right. Her +high-pitched, childish voice was descanting freely about everything she +saw, and people smiled at her quaint questions and comments. Her mother, +still very pale and languid, made no effort to silence her, and her +father seemed rather to encourage her, and to exploit her remarks for +the entertainment of several gentlemen friends.</p> + +<p>A little bored by the evident self-advertisement of these rival belles, +Irene moved away with Vincent to a quieter corner of the deck. She was +to see more of them soon, however. They both disembarked when the +steamer reached Fossato, their luggage was piled upon the carriages, and +she watched them drive away up the steep, narrow road that led into the +town.</p> + +<p>The Beverleys had decided to have an early lunch at the hotel by the +quay before taking Irene to school. It was their last meal together, so +she was allowed to choose the menu, and regaled the family on hitherto +unknown Italian dishes, winding up with coffee, ices, and chocolates.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you don't cater for us every day, Renie, or I should soon be +ruined," said Father, as the waiter brought him the bill. "Now are you +ready? If we don't hurry and get you up quickly to school we shall miss +the boat back to Naples. Another package of chocolates! You +unconscionable child! Well, put it in your pocket and console yourself +with it at bedtime. The concierge says our <i>vetturino</i> is waiting—not +that any Italian coachman minds doing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> that! All the same, time is short +and we had better make a start."</p> + +<p>In that first drive through the narrow, steep, stone-paved streets of +Fossato Irene was too excited to take in any details except a general +impression of rich, foreign color and high, white walls. Afterwards, +when she came to know the town better, she realized its subtler points. +She felt as one in a dream when the carriage turned through a great +gate, and passed along an avenue of orange trees to a large, square +house, color-washed pink, and approached by a flight of marble steps. +What happened next she could never clearly recall. She remembered the +agony of a short wait in the drawing-room until Miss Rodgers arrived, +how the whole party, including Vincent, were shown some of the principal +rooms of the house, an agitated moment of good-by kisses, then the sound +of departing wheels, and a sudden overwhelming sensation that, for the +first time in her life, she was alone in a foreign land. Foreign and yet +familiar, for the Villa Camellia was a skillful combination of the best +out of several countries. Its setting was Italian, its decorations were +French, and its fifty-six pupils were all unmistakably and undoubtedly +Anglo-Saxon. Irene was assured on this point immediately, for Miss +Rodgers, calling to a girl who was passing down the corridor, gave the +newcomer into her charge with instructions to take her straight to the +senior recreation room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Our afternoon classes begin at 2.30," she remarked, "but you will have +just ten minutes in which to be introduced to some of your +schoolfellows. Elsie Craig will show you everything."</p> + +<p>Elsie made no remark to Irene—perhaps she was shy—but, starting off at +a quick pace, led her down a long passage into a room on the ground +floor. It was a pleasant room with a French window that opened out on to +a veranda, where, over a marble balustrade, there was a view of an +orange garden and the sea. Round a table were collected several older +girls, watching with deep interest a kettle, which was beginning to +sing, upon a spirit-lamp. They looked up with surprise as Elsie ushered +in the new pupil.</p> + +<p>"Hello! You don't mean to tell us there's another of them!" exclaimed a +dark girl with a long pigtail. "We've had two already! Why are they +pouring on us to-day, I should like to know? It's a perfect deluge."</p> + +<p>"I hate folks butting in when the term has begun," said another +grumpily.</p> + +<p>"We shall be swamped with 'freshies' soon," grunted the owner of the +spirit-lamp. "If they expect coffee I tell them beforehand they just +won't get it."</p> + +<p>"She says her name's Irene Beverley," volunteered Elsie Craig, in a +perfunctory voice, as if she were performing an obvious duty and getting +it over.</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, now we know, so there's an end of it."</p> + +<p>It could hardly be called a flattering reception. The general attitude +of the girls was the reverse of friendly. The kettle was suddenly +boiling, and they were concentrating their attention upon the making of +the coffee, and rather ostentatiously leaving the stranger outside the +charmed circle. Irene, used to school life, knew, however, that she was +on trial, and that on her present behavior would probably depend the +whole of her future career. She did not attempt to force her unwelcome +presence upon her companions, but, withdrawing to the window, pretended +to be utterly absorbed in contemplation of the scenery. She kept the +corner of her eye, nevertheless, upon the group at the table. The girl +with the long pigtail had made the coffee and was pouring it into cups. +A shorter girl nudged her and whispered something, at which she shook +her head emphatically. But the short girl persisted.</p> + +<p>"I'm superstitious," affirmed the latter aloud. "One's for sorrow, two's +for joy, and three's for luck! She's the third to-day and she may be a +mascot."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather have chocolates than mascots," said an injured voice from +behind a coffee-cup.</p> + +<p>The chance remark gave Irene the very opportunity she needed. She +suddenly remembered the chocolates her father had handed her before she +left the hotel, and, producing the package, she offered its contents. +After a visible moment of hesitation the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> girl with the long pigtail +accepted her hospitality, and passed the delicacies round. Instantly all +were chumping almonds, and the icy atmosphere thawed into summer. +Everybody began to talk at once.</p> + +<p>"There's a spare cup here if you'd like some coffee. Yes, Rachel, I +<i>shall</i> offer it!"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you're over fourteen?"</p> + +<p>"We may make coffee after lunch if we're seniors, but the kids aren't +allowed any."</p> + +<p>"You've just one minute to drink it in before the bell rings."</p> + +<p>"Hustle up if you want to finish it."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet a cookie you're a real sport."</p> + +<p>"There's the bell! Don't choke or you'll blight your young career."</p> + +<p>"We've got to scoot quick!"</p> + +<p>"Come along with me and I'll show you where."</p> + +<p>Irene, taken in tow by a girl with a freckled nose, was hurried along +the corridor and up the stairs to the classrooms. Although she had +scarcely spoken a word she had undoubtedly gained a victory, and had +established her welcome among at least a section of her schoolfellows. +She did not yet know their names, but names are a detail compared with +personalities, and with some members of the coffee-party she felt that +she might ultimately become chums.</p> + +<p>"Don't I bless Dad for those chocs!" she thought as she took her seat at +a desk. "They worked the trick. If I'd had nothing to offer that crew I +might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> have sat out in the cold forevermore. The dark pigtail is decent +enough, but if it comes to a matter of chumming give me 'Freckles' for +choice."</p> + +<p>The Villa Camellia was a high-class boarding-school for English-speaking +girls whose parents were residents, permanently or temporarily, in the +neighborhood of Naples. It was generally described as an Anglo-American +college, for the arrangements were accommodated to suit the customs of +both sides of the Atlantic. Miss Rodgers and her partner, Miss Morley, +the two principals, came respectively from London and New York; one +teacher had been trained in Boston, and another at Oxford, while the +British section of the community included girls from South Africa, +Australia, and New Zealand. Pupils belonging to other European races +were not received, the object of the college being to preserve the +nationality of girls who must of necessity be educated in a foreign +land, and whose parents did not wish them to attend Italian schools. The +arrangements were of course modified by the climate and by the customs +of the country. Outwardly the Villa Camellia resembled a convent. Its +garden was surrounded by immensely high walls edged with broken glass, +and the only entrance was by the great gate, which was solemnly unlocked +by old Antonio, the porter, who inspected all comers through a grille +before granting them admittance. Small parties in charge of a teacher +were taken at stated times for walks or excursions in the neighborhood, +but no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> girl might ever go out unless escorted by a mistress or by her +parents. The Villa Camellia was a little world in itself, and as much +retired from the town of Fossato as the great, gray monastery that +crowned the summit of the neighboring mountain.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the grounds were very large, so there was room for most of +the activities in which the girls cared to indulge. Tennis and netball +were the principal games. There were several courts, and there was a +gymnasium, where the school assembled for exercise on wet days. From two +flagstaffs on the roof floated the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes +respectively. It was an understood fact that here Britannia and Columbia +marched hand in hand with an <i>entente cordiale</i> that recognized no +distinctions whatsoever.</p> + +<p>Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley, who respectively represented the interests +of Britain and America, were tremendous friends. Miss Rodgers was fair +and rather plump and rosy-faced and calm, with a manner that parents +described as "motherly," and a leaning towards mathematics as the basis +of a sound education. Miss Morley, on the contrary, was thin and dark +and excitable, and taught the English literature and the general +knowledge classes, and was rumored—though this no doubt was libel—to +dislike mathematics to the extent of not even adequately keeping her own +private accounts. The pair were such opposites that they worked in +absolute harmony, Miss Rodgers being mainly responsible for the +dis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>cipline of the establishment, and acting judge and court of appeal +in her study, while Miss Morley supplied the initiative, and kept the +girls interested in a large number of pursuits and hobbies which could +be carried on within the walls of the house and garden.</p> + +<p>As regards the fifty-six British and American maidens who made up this +brisk little community we will leave some of them to speak for +themselves in the next chapter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>Hail, Columbia!</h3> + + +<p>Irene, finding herself in her new form, looked round inquiringly. A few +of the girls with whom she had taken coffee were seated at desks in the +same room, but the rest of the faces were unfamiliar. Her teacher +entered her name on the register, and seemed to expect her to understand +the lesson which was in progress, but the subject was much in advance of +what she had hitherto learned at Miss Gordon's, and it was very +difficult for her to pick up the threads of it. She grew more and more +bewildered as the afternoon passed on, and though Miss Bickford gave her +several hints, and even stopped the class once to explain a point, Irene +felt that most of the instruction had been completely over her head. It +was with a sense of intense relief that she heard the closing bell ring, +and presently filed with the rest of the school into the dining-room for +tea. Her place at table was between two girls who utterly ignored her +presence, and did not address a single remark to her. Each talked +diligently to the neighbor on either side, but poor Irene seemed an +insulator in the electric current of conversation, and had perforce to +eat her meal in dead silence. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> was walking away afterwards in a most +depressed condition of mind, when at the door some one touched her on +the arm.</p> + +<p>"You're wanted in the senior recreation room," said a brisk voice. +"Rachel has convened a general meeting and told me to tell you. So hurry +up and don't keep folks waiting. We want to get off to tennis."</p> + +<p>Marveling why her actions should hinder the tennis of the rest of the +community, Irene obeyed the message, and presented herself in the room +where she had been introduced on her arrival. It was now full of girls +of all ages, some sitting, some standing, and some squatting on the +floor. Rachel Moseley, the owner of the long dark pigtail, seemed in a +position of command, for she motioned Irene to a vacant chair, then +rapped on the table with a ruler to ensure silence. She had to tap not +once but several times, and finally called:</p> + +<p>"When you've all done talking I'll begin." There was an instant hush at +that, and, though a few faint snickers were heard, most of the audience +composed itself decently to listen to the voice of authority.</p> + +<p>"I've called this meeting," began Rachel, "because to-day an unusual +thing has happened. Three new girls have arrived, although the term is +well under way. By the rules of our society they must give some account +of themselves, and we must explain what is required from them. Will they +kindly stand up?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<p>Blushing considerably Irene rose to her feet, in company with the +dark-eyed damsel who had crossed in the same steamer with her from +Naples, and the fair-haired child whom she had privately christened +Little Flaxen.</p> + +<p>"Name and nationality?" demanded Rachel, pencil and note-book in hand. +She wrote down Irene Beverley, British, without further comment; the +fact was evidently too obvious for discussion. At "Mabel Hughes, +Australian, born in Patagonia," she demurred slightly, and she hesitated +altogether at "Désirée Legrand."</p> + +<p>"<i>That's</i> not English!" she objected. "We don't reckon to take Frenchies +here, you know!"</p> + +<p>"But I'm <i>not</i> French," came the high-pitched voice of the little, +fair-haired girl. "I'm as English as anybody. I am <i>indeed!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Then why have you got a French name?"</p> + +<p>"Legrand isn't French—we come from Jersey."</p> + +<p>"Very much on the borderland," sniffed Rachel. "What about Désirée? Not +much wholesome Anglo-Saxon there at any rate."</p> + +<p>"I was called Désirée because I was so very much desired. Mother says it +just fits me."</p> + +<p>An indignant titter went round the room and Rachel frowned.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you won't find yourself so much desired here," she said +sarcastically. "I'll enter you British, though I have my doubts. Now +come along, all three of you, and lay your hands on this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> book. You've +got to take an oath of allegiance. I'll repeat the words, and you must +say them after me:</p> + +<p>"'I hereby promise and vow that being of Anglo-Saxon birth I will uphold +the integrity of Great Britain and her colonies and of the United States +of America, and strive my utmost to maintain their credit in a foreign +land.' Now then, do you understand what your oath means?"</p> + +<p>Her eyes rested on Irene as she asked the question. That much +embarrassed damsel stuttered hesitatingly:</p> + +<p>"We're not to trouble our heads about learning foreign languages?"</p> + +<p>A delighted chuckle came from several members of the audience at this +interpretation of the vow. Rachel hastily condescended to explain.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! You'll have to study French and Italian, but what we mean is +for goodness' sake don't stick on all the airs and graces that some of +these foreign girls do. Remember we're plain, wholesome, straightforward +Anglo-Saxons, who play games and say what we mean, and call a spade a +spade and have done with it. Whatever Italian friends you may make +during the holidays please forget them during term-time, and try and +imagine that the Villa Camellia stands in Kent or Massachusetts. Do you +understand my drift now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" sighed Mabel languidly. "Anglo-American patriotism, +crystallized in a nutshell, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> suppose! <i>I'm</i> not going to offend your +prejudices, I'm sure!"</p> + +<p>"You'd better not, or you'll hear about it," said Rachel, looking at her +sharply. "Well, girls, that's the wind-up. The three freshies are +admitted and you've witnessed their vows. Just jolly well take care they +keep them, that's all. Juniors are due now at netball practice, and any +seniors who want the tennis courts——"</p> + +<p>But Rachel's sentence went unfinished for her listeners were tired of +sitting still, and the second they found themselves dismissed had jumped +up and fled from the room.</p> + +<p>"Now that that ordeal's over I guess you may smooth out the kinks in +your forehead, honey!" said a serene voice at Irene's elbow.</p> + +<p>Turning quickly she saw the short girl who had braved Rachel's possible +wrath and had offered her coffee on her arrival. It was a pleasant face +that gazed into hers, not exactly beautiful, but with a charm that +eclipsed all mere ordinary prettiness; the sparkling gray eyes were +dark-fringed, the cheeks were like wild roses under their freckles, the +tip-tilted little nose held an element of audacious sauciness, and +dimples lay at the corners of the wide, smiling mouth.</p> + +<p>"I'm Priscilla Proctor, called Peachy for short. Oh, yes, I knew all +about you beforehand, although you happen to be the newest girl. Dad +wrote me a whole page—wonderful for him!—and said he'd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> stayed at your +house in London, and I was to tack myself on to you and show you round, +and see you didn't fret and all the rest of it. Are you wanting a crony, +temporary or otherwise? Then here I am at your service. Link an arm and +we'll parade the place. I guess by the time we've finished there's not +much you won't know about the Villa Camellia."</p> + +<p>"Have you been here long?" asked Irene, accepting the proffered arm with +alacrity, and submitting to be led away by her cicerone.</p> + +<p>"Just a year. Cried myself to a puddle when I first came, but I like it +now. I didn't realize who you were when you first arrived, or I'd have +given you a tip or two straight away. Thank goodness you're fairly in +favor with Rachel at any rate. Any one who starts by offending her has a +bad term. I don't envy Mabel Hughes. That girl will get a few +eye-openers before she's much older, and serve her right. She rooms with +you? Well, I'm sorry for you. I wish there was a spare bed in our +dormitory, but we're full up to overflowing. Now then, I've brought you +out by the side door to show you what we consider the best view of the +garden. Ah, I thought it would make your eyes pop out! It's <i>some</i> view, +isn't it?"</p> + +<p>The garden of the Villa Camellia was certainly one of the greatest +assets of the school, and to Irene, who had been transported straight +from the desolation of a London suburb in January, it seemed like a +vision of a different world. The long terrace,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> with its marble +balustrade, edged a high cliff that overtopped the sea, while at present +the setting sun was lighting up the white houses of the distant outline +of Naples, and was touching the purple slopes of Vesuvius with gold. +Pillars and archways formed a pergola, from which hung roses and +festoons of the trumpetflower; from the groves near at hand came the +sweet strong scent of orange blossoms, and the little favorites of an +English spring, forget-me-nots, pink daisies, and pansies, lifted +contented heads from the border below. In the basin of the great marble +fountain white arum lilies were blooming, geraniums trailed from tall +vases, and palms, bamboos, and other exotics backed the row of lemon +trees at the end of the paved walk. Here and there marble benches were +arranged round tables in specially constructed arbors.</p> + +<p>"These are our summer classrooms," explained Peachy. "When it's +blazingly hot we do lessons here early in the mornings, and it's +ripping. No, we don't use them at this time of the year, because the +marble is cold to sit upon, and the garden is damp really, although it +looks so jolly. You should see it in a sirocco wind! You wouldn't want +to have classes outside then, you bet! It's luck you're in the +Transition form. If you'd been one of Miss Rodger's elect eleven, or one +of Miss Brewster's lambs, I'd have had to chum with you by stealth. I'd +have managed it somehow, of course, to please Dad, but it isn't done +here openly. School etiquette is like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> the law of the Medes and +Persians. We keep to our own forms. Hello! There's Sheila Yonge. Sheila! +If you can find any Camellia Buds that aren't playing tennis bring them +along right here for a little powwow with Irene."</p> + +<p>"Is she a 'buddy' yet?" whispered Sheila.</p> + +<p>"Of course not! She's only been here a few hours. What a dear old silly +you are. Hunt up some of that crew all the same, and I'm yours forever. +Don't you understand the situation? Well, Irene's folks entertained Dad +in London and were just lovely to him—nursed him when he was sick and +took him round the shows when he got well. He's been bursting with +gratitude ever since, and he wrote and told me Irene was coming here and +I must pay her out—no, pay her back—pour coals of fire on her +head—Great Scott, I'm getting my similes mixed! I mean give her a right +down good time as far as I can, and make her think the Villa Camellia is +a dandy place. Twiggez-vous, chérie?"</p> + +<p>"I twig!" laughed Sheila. "I'll beat up all I can muster," and she ran +lightly away along the terrace.</p> + +<p>"A decent girl, though a little hard of comprehension," Peachy nodded +after her. "Doesn't she look adorable in that blue tam-o'-shanter?"</p> + +<p>"She's awfully pretty!" agreed Irene readily.</p> + +<p>"She'd be the beauty of the school if she'd any idea how to use her +advantages," sighed Peachy. "Give me her complexion and that classical +nose and—well, I guess I'd blaze out into a cinema star<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> before I'd +done with life. I hope she won't be all day raking a few girls together. +She's not what you'd call quick. I've misjudged her. Here she comes with +half a dozen at least—and, oh, no, Sheila! You don't mean to say you've +brought candy? Well, you <i>are</i> a sport! Let's squat under the mimosa +tree and hand it round."</p> + +<p>The little group of Peachy's favorite friends who settled themselves +under the yellow mimosa bush to suck taffy and watch the flaming sunset +were all afterwards intimately bound up with Irene's school career. Each +was such a distinct personality that she sorted them out fairly +accurately on that first evening, and decided the particular order in +which they would rank in her affections.</p> + +<p>There was Jess Cameron, a jolly Scottish lassie. She rolled her r's when +she spoke, and was a trifle matter-of-fact and practical, but was +evidently the dependable anchor of the rest of the scatter-brained crew, +the one who made the most sensible suggestions, and to whom—though they +teased her a little and called her "Grannie"—they all turned in the end +for help and advice. Jess was slightly out of her element in a southern +setting. Her appropriate background was moorland and heather and gray +loch, and driving clouds and a breeze with fine mist in it, that would +make you want to wrap a plaid round your shoulders and turn to the +luxury of a peat fire. Quite unconsciously she suggested all these +things. Peachy once described her as a living in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>carnation of one of +Scott's novels, for she was steeped in old traditions and legends and +superstitions, and could tell tales in the gloaming that sent eerie +shivers down the spines of her listeners, or would recite ballads with a +swing that took one back to the days of wandering minstrels. She was not +a girl to make a fuss over anybody, and she did not greet Irene with the +least effusion, but her plain "If you're a friend of Peachy's I'm glad +to see you," was genuine, and better than any amount of gush. Jess +undoubtedly had her faults; she was what her chums called "too +cock-sure," and she was apt to be severe in her judgments, flashing into +the righteous wrath of one whose standards are high, but her very +imperfections were "virtues gane a-gley," and she was a considerable +force in the molding of public opinion at the Villa Camellia.</p> + +<p>If Jess, calm, canny, and reliable, stood for the spirit of the North, +attractive, persuasive, fascinating little Delia Watts represented the +South. She came from California, and was as quick and bright as a +humming-bird, constantly in harmless mischief, but seldom getting into +any serious trouble. Her highly strung temperament found school +restrictions irksome, and she was apt to blaze out into odd pranks which +in other girls might have met with sterner punishment. But Miss Morley +had a soft corner for Delia, and, though she did not exactly favor her, +she certainly made allowances for her excitability and her strongly +emotional disposition.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Delia's like a marionette—always dancing to some hidden string," the +teacher remarked once to Miss Rodgers. "She mayn't be strong-minded but +she's immensely warm-hearted, and if we can only pull the love-string +she'll act the part we want. You can't force her into prim behavior; +she's as much a child of nature as the birds, and if you clip her wings +altogether you take away from her the very gift that perhaps God meant +her to use. Let me have the handling of the little sky-rocket, and I'll +do my best to keep her within bounds, but she's not the disposition to +'be made an example of' or to be set on the 'stool of repentance.' Five +minutes with Delia in private is worth more than a long public +admonition. You've only to look at her face to know her type."</p> + +<p>And Miss Rodgers, who stood no nonsense from really naughty and +turbulent girls, yielded in this case, and left the exclusive management +of Delia in the hands of her partner.</p> + +<p>Of the seven damsels who sat under the yellow feathery flowers of the +mimosa bush, three of them—Peachy, Jess, and Delia—talked so hard and +continuously that none of the others had a chance to chip in with +anything more than an occasional yes or no. Irene realized in a vague +way that Esther Cartmel was plain and stodgy looking, but that every now +and then a world of light suddenly flashed into her eyes, and +transfigured her for the brief moment; that Sheila Yonge giggled at all +Peachy's remarks,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> and that Mary Fergusson was a pale and weak copy of +Jess, and slavishly followed her lead in everything. It was the seventh +member of the little party, however, who particularly attracted her +attention. Lorna Carson was quiet, probably from sheer lack of +opportunity to speak, but her pale face was interesting and her dark +eyes met Irene's with a curious questioning glance. It was almost as if +she were asking "Have we known each other before?" Irene could not help +looking at her, and ransacking the side cupboards of her memory to try +to light upon some forgotten clew as to why the face should seem half +familiar.</p> + +<p>"Have I seen her in London? Or is she like some one else? No, I can't +fix her at all. Surely I must have dreamed about her," mused Irene, +while aloud she said, almost as if compelled to speak:</p> + +<p>"Have you been long at school here? Are you English, or American, or +colonial, or what?"</p> + +<p>"A little bit of anything you like," smiled Lorna. "Rachel gets very +muddled about me. I've such a sneaking weakness for Naples that I +believe she thinks I'm an Italian at heart. That's a crime Rachel +absolutely can't forgive. 'Foreign' is the last word in her vocabulary."</p> + +<p>"So I gathered when she made me take that oath. I suppose she's head +girl and that's why she rules the roost? Is she decent or does she keep +you petrified? I don't know whether I'm expected to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> say 'Bow-wow,' or +to listen in respectful humility when she deigns to notice me."</p> + +<p>"You'd better not have any 'bow-wows' with Rachel," broke in Peachy, +"though you just jolly well have to wag your tail the way she wants. +She's not bad on the whole, but rather a tyrant, and it would do her all +the good in the world if some day somebody had the courage to knock +sparks out of her. We do what we can in a mild way," (here the other +chuckled) "but she's got the ears of both Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley, +and if you go on the rampage against her you only land yourself in a +scrape. Of course, for purposes of protection the Transition girls have +to unite and——"</p> + +<p>"Peachy! Take care!" exclaimed Jess warningly.</p> + +<p>Peachy blushed crimson under her freckles.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't telling anything!" she retorted. "I suppose Irene——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Do</i> shut up!"</p> + +<p>"Well Agnes said herself——"</p> + +<p>"It doesn't matter what Agnes said."</p> + +<p>"She's fixed——"</p> + +<p>"Peachy Proctor, if you blab like this you'll be tarred and feathered. +Girl alive, can't you keep a still tongue in your head? If you'd lived +in the Middle Ages you'd have ended your days in a dungeon!"</p> + +<p>Jess spoke hotly, and, by the general scandalized look on the faces of +the others, Irene judged that luckless Peachy must have been on the +verge of betraying some secret. She tactfully turned the conver<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>sation +with a remark upon the beauty of the sunset, and the clanging of the +garden bell opportunely broke up the gathering, and sent the girls +hurrying helter-skelter along the terrace in the direction of the house. +Irene paused for a moment to look back at the sea and the sky, and the +distant twinkling lights, and to curtsy to the crescent moon that hung +like a good omen in the dome of blue. There was a scent of fragrant +lemon blossoms in the air, and she trod fallen rose petals under her +feet. Suddenly a remembrance of the desolation of Miss Gordon's garden +in a February fog swept across her mental vision. Whatever trials she +might encounter here—and she did not expect her new life to be absolute +Paradise—the environment of this school in the south was perfect and +would make up for many disadvantages.</p> + +<p>"Give me sunshine and flowers and I'll always worry on somehow," she +murmured, plucking a little crimson rose, and tucking it into her dress +for a mascot, then ran with flying footsteps under the orange trees to +catch up with her companions, who were already mounting the marble steps +that led to the Villa Camellia.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>A Secret Sorority</h3> + +<p>The dormitories at the Villa Camellia were among the main features of +the establishment, and were a source of considerable pride and +satisfaction to the principals, Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley. They were +always shown to parents as the very latest and newest development of +school arrangements. Some of them were on the second story and some were +on the third, but all had French windows opening onto long verandas on +which were placed large pots of geraniums or oleanders. The walls were +covered with striped Italian papers, the frieze being color-washed and +decorated with designs of flowers or birds, the woodwork was white, the +beds were enameled white, and the blankets, instead of being cream or +yellow as they are in England, were all of a uniform shade of pale blue, +with blue eider-downs to match. The whole of the house was heated by +radiators, so that the dormitories were always warm, and were used as +studies by the older girls, who did most of their preparation there. A +table with ink-pots stood in the middle of each room, and a large notice +enjoining, "Silence during study hours" hung as a warning over every +fireplace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>Irene was given a vacant bed in No. 3 on the second floor, and found +herself in company with Elsie Craig, Mabel Hughes, and Lorna Carson. For +the first two she felt no attraction, but the last excited her interest +and curiosity. There was an air of mystery about Lorna; she asked +questions but gave little information in return on the subject of her +own concerns. Her bright dark eyes were unfathomable, and she "kept +herself to herself" with a reserved dignity not very common among +schoolgirls of her age. Irene, who loved to chatter, found Lorna a ready +listener, and, although the confidence was not reciprocated and in +consequence the friendship seemed likely to be rather one-sided, it was +a friendship all the same from the very start. At the end of the week, +moreover, something important happened to cement it.</p> + +<p>For the first seven days of her residence at the Villa Camellia Irene +had felt herself "goods on approval." Peachy Proctor and her chums had +indeed given her a welcome, but afterwards they had held back a little +as if testing her before offering further intimacy. There seemed to be +some secret bond amongst them, some alliance carefully hidden from the +general public. She caught nods, signs, mysterious words, and veiled +allusions, all of which were instantly suppressed when her presence was +noticed. On the eighth day after arrival she found a note inside her +desk. It was marked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>—</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +PRIVATE<br /> +<br /> +This must be opened in <i>absolute seclusion</i><br /> +<br /> +and<br /> +<br /> +its contents must be treated with the<br /> +<br /> +<i>Strictest Confidence</i><br /> +</div> + +<p>A crowded classroom, with inquisitive form-mates ready to peep over her +shoulder, did not seem the congenial atmosphere for the opening of the +missive, so Irene was obliged to curb her curiosity until mid-morning +"interval," when she gulped her glass of milk hastily, took her portion +of biscuits, and, avoiding conversation, hurried down the garden to the +seclusion of a stone arbor. Here she tore open the envelope, and drew +forth a large sheet of exercise paper. On it was printed in bold black +letters:</p> + +<p>"You are elected a member of the Sorority of Camellia Buds. Please +present yourself for initiation to-night at 8.10 prompt in No. 13. +Strictest secrecy enjoined."</p> + +<p>There was no signature, but Irene gave a smile of comprehension. +Dormitory No. 13 was shared by Peachy Proctor, Jess Cameron, Delia +Watts, and Mary Fergusson. There was, therefore, little doubt but that +she was to be received into the secret society of whose existence she +had already gathered some hints.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll be there at 8.10," she whispered to Peachy, as they trooped into +the French class.</p> + +<p>"Right-o!" replied that light-hearted damsel. "Just one warning—don't +be scared at anything that happens; it's all in fun! Don't say I told +you, though. No, I can't explain. I'm not allowed. You'll soon find +out."</p> + +<p>Peachy shook off Irene's company as if in a hurry to get rid of her +before she asked any more questions, so there was nothing to be done but +wait in patience until the evening. Supper was at 7.30, and from 8 till +half past the girls did as they chose. Those who wished to study might +take the extra time for preparation, but work was not obligatory, and it +was an understood thing that in the interval between supper and "set +recreation" visits might be paid to other dormitories, and that so long +as no noise reached the ears of the prefects, anybody disposed to be +frivolous might indulge in a little harmless fun.</p> + +<p>Irene's wrist-watch was not a reliable timepiece, having bad habits of +galloping and then suddenly losing, so to-night she did not trust to it, +but sat in the hall with her eyes on the big white-faced clock. At +exactly nine and a half minutes past eight she ran upstairs and tapped +at the door of dormitory 13. There were sounds of scuffling inside and +an agitated voice squealed:</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>But after a few moments quiet reigned and somebody else called:</p> + +<p>"Come in!"</p> + +<p>Feeling rather as if she were awaiting initiation into some Nihilist +association Irene entered the room. As she did so a bandage was clapped +over her eyes and she was led forward blindfolded. It was only after an +impressive pause that the handkerchief was removed.</p> + +<p>It was well she had been warned beforehand, or the sight which met her +gaze might have caused her to emit a yell loud enough to attract the +attention of a passing prefect. The Villa Camellia was admirably +supplied with electric light, but on this historic occasion the +apartment was illuminated solely by a couple of candle-ends stuck in a +pair of vases. Their flickering flame revealed a solemn row of nine +dressing-gowned figures, each of which wore a black paper mask with +holes for her eyes. The general effect was most startling and horrible, +and resembled a meeting of the Inquisition, or some other society bent +on torture and dark doings. Repressing her first gasp, however, Irene +bore the vision with remarkable equanimity, and advancing towards the +dread figures waited obediently until she was addressed. Evidently she +had done the right thing, for the spokeswoman, clearing her throat, +began in impressive accents:</p> + +<p>"Sister Irene Beverley, you are admitted here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> to-night to be made a +member of our Sorority. Are you willing to join and to take the +pledges?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, thanks, but please what's a sorority?" ventured Irene meekly.</p> + +<p>Two or three distinct snickers were heard from underneath the black +masks, but a voice murmured, "Order!" and the sounds promptly ceased.</p> + +<p>"A sorority is a secret sisterhood," explained the President, "just the +same as a fraternity is a brotherhood. We call ourselves 'The Camellia +Buds,' and we're members of the Transition who have banded ourselves +together for the purposes of mutual protection. It's a great honor to be +elected. There are only nine of us so far, and we've waited ever so long +to choose a tenth. I hope you appreciate the privilege?"</p> + +<p>"I do indeed!"</p> + +<p>"You're ready to take the vow? Then the initiation may proceed. +Sword-bearers, guard the door, please."</p> + +<p>There was a Masonic quality about the proceedings. Two dark figures, +armed with rulers, placed themselves at the threshold, prepared to +settle all intruders, and to preserve the absolute secrecy of the +ceremony.</p> + +<p>"Will you give your word of honor to be a loyal member of the Sorority +of Camellia Buds, and never to do a dirty trick so long as you remain at +this school?" asked the President.</p> + +<p>"I promise!" replied Irene.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>At that somebody switched on the electric light, and the members, +pulling off their black masks, disclosed their laughing faces.</p> + +<p>"You stood it A-1. I was quite prepared for you to start hysterics and +had the sal volatile bottle ready right here," chirruped Delia gayly.</p> + +<p>"We call it our 'strength of mind' test," explained President Agnes, +blowing out the guttering candles.</p> + +<p>"If I <i>had</i> screamed what would have happened?" inquired Irene.</p> + +<p>"Probation for another week till you got your nerves. We'd a business +with Sheila just at first; she's rather fluttersome. Well, anyway, +you've got through the ordeal, and now you're a full-fledged 'bud.' +Aren't you proud?"</p> + +<p>"Rather! Is the society limited to ten?"</p> + +<p>"Sorority, please, not society. It's limited because there isn't anybody +else in the Transition who's worth asking to join. Most of them are a +set of utter sneaks. They may take Rachel's oath about preserving their +nationality and all the rest of it, but if they're to be counted +specimens of Anglo-American honor it makes one blush for one's mother +country whichever side of the ocean it happens to be on. Oh, you don't +know most of them yet! Wait till you find them out."</p> + +<p>"You'll be glad then you belong to us."</p> + +<p>"Not that we're perfect, of course."</p> + +<p>"We don't set up as Pharisees."</p> + +<p>"On the whole we're rather a lot of lunatics."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We just have a little sport among ourselves to keep things humming."</p> + +<p>"Well, now Irene understands, we'd best get her fixed up with a 'buddy' +and close the meeting."</p> + +<p>"But I <i>don't</i> understand. What, for goodness' sake, is a buddy, and why +must I have one?" demanded Irene tragically.</p> + +<p>"Sit down there, child, and let Grannie talk to you," replied President +Agnes. "If you haven't heard of a buddy yet it's time you did. They're +the latest out. They had them at all the camps last summer, in England +as well as in America. A buddy is a chum with whom you're pledged to do +everything, and who's bound to support you. For instance, when the +bathing season is on you must never swim unless your buddy is swimming +with you; if you go on an excursion you stick to each other tight as +glue, and if one of you is lost the other is held responsible. You're as +inseparable as a box and its lid, or the two blades of a pair of +scissors, or a bottle and its cork, or any other things you happen to +think of that ought to go together, and aren't any use apart."</p> + +<p>"We only realized buddies last term," explained Peachy, "but the idea +caught on no end. We all went simply crazy over it. I don't mind +guessing that every girl in this school who's worth her salt has got her +buddy. She mayn't let it be known outside her own sorority, but we +aren't blind."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are there other sororities in the school then besides the Camellia +Buds?" asked Irene.</p> + +<p>"Bless your innocence! I should think there are. There's a rival one in +the Transition. I rather fancy they've snapped up Mabel already. I gave +Winnie a hint she wasn't to tackle <i>you</i>, because you'd come to school +with an introduction to <i>me</i>, so I ought to have first innings. The +prefects have a sorority all to themselves, and the seniors have one, +and as for the juniors, silly little things, they're as transparent as +glass, with their signaling and their grips and their cypher letters. +Any one can see through them with half an eye. But we're wasting time. +We've got to fix you up with a buddy, and we must be quick before the +bell rings."</p> + +<p>"May we choose?" asked Irene, and her eyes fell longingly on Peachy.</p> + +<p>"No, we mayn't!" said President Agnes firmly. "We have to take what the +fates send us. It's Kismet. Every time we elect a new member we draw +lots again for buddies. It's a kind of general shuffle. If we're an +uneven number somebody of course has to be odd man out."</p> + +<p>"I was the 'old maid' last draw, and I haven't had a buddy this term," +remarked Sheila plaintively.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, ducky! You're bound to find a partner now," consoled Delia. +"It might even be my little self, so live in hope."</p> + +<p>"No such luck," groaned Sheila. "I'll probably<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> get Joan, and you know +she always uses me as a door-mat."</p> + +<p>Agnes meantime was writing ten names on ten separate pieces of paper and +folding them in identically the same fashion. Peachy offered the loan of +a hat, and into this treasury they were cast and shuffled.</p> + +<p>"The newest member draws," murmured Agnes, and the others pushed Irene +forward. She chose two folds of paper at a venture, and twisted them +together, then performed the like service for another pair, until all +the ten were assorted. The thrill of the ceremony was when Agnes opened +the screws of paper and read out the names. Fate had mixed the Camellia +Buds together thus:</p> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Member draws"> +<tr><td align='left'>Peachy Proctor—Sheila Yonge.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Jess Cameron—Delia Watts.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Joan Lucas—Esther Cartmel.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Agnes Dalton—Mary Fergusson.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lorna Carson—Irene Beverley.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>Whether the members of the secret sorority felt satisfied or otherwise +with the result of the shuffle, etiquette forbade them to show anything +but polite enthusiasm. Each took her buddy solemnly by the hand and +vowed allegiance. Peachy then produced what she called "the loving cup," +a three-handled vase of brown pottery brought by Jess from Edinburgh and +with the motto "Mak' yersel' at hame,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> on it in cream-colored letters. +It was usually a receptacle for flowers, but it had been hastily washed +for the occasion and filled with lemonade, a rather bitter brew +concocted by Peachy and Delia from a half-ripe lemon plucked in the +garden and a few lumps of sugar saved from tea. This was passed round, +and the Camellia Buds gulped it heroically as a pledge of sisterhood.</p> + +<p>"The password is <i>Thistle-down</i>," decreed Agnes, as the members, trying +not to pull sour faces, consoled themselves with candy and broke up the +meeting. "Any one who can think of a stunt for next time please bring +along propositions. We're always open to new ideas and ready for a +startler."</p> + +<p>As a direct result of her admission to this select sorority Irene found +herself flung by Fate into the arms of Lorna Carson. Had any individual +choice been allowed she would have selected Peachy, Jess, Delia, or even +Sheila in preference, but the lot once cast she must abide by it and be +content. She had a very shrewd suspicion that when the buddies got tired +of each other they elected a fresh member and so necessitated a general +reshuffle of partners, and that her admission to the society had been +welcomed as the pretext for such a change. Here she was, however, +pledged to intimate friendship with Lorna, a girl who half fascinated +and half repelled her, and who, though she might possibly turn out +trumps in the future, was for the present at least most difficult to +understand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>Fairy Godmothers, Limited</h3> + + +<p>Irene Beverley, when she first left the shores of her native land, was a +particularly light-hearted, jolly little Britisher, not at all bookish, +and not accustomed to worry her head over any of the deep affairs of +life, but ready to have a royal time with anybody of similar tastes and +inclinations. In her first letter home she summed up the results of a +week's experience.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class='right'> +"<span class="smcap">The Villa Camellia</span>.<br /> +</div> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Mummie Darling</span>,</p> + +<p>"This is to tell you I am still alive! I'm a +little surprised, because I thought math would +kill me. Miss Bickford is most <i>horribly</i> +conscientious and insists upon finding out whether +I really understand or not, and it is generally +'not.' I suppose I was born with a thick head for +figures, anyway, she seems amazed at my ignorance. +I lay the blame on St. Osmund's. Is that mean of +me? It's my only way of paying out Miss Gordon for +past scores.</p> + +<p>"I don't mind admitting I have warm times in +school over some of the classes, but the rest of +the life is lovely. Miss Bickford is often a big +thorn, but Peachy is a rose. As for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> Lorna she's +like one of those tropical flowers that Uncle +Redvers grows in his conservatory. How does Vin +like being at the office? Are you straight yet at +the flat? Come and see me as soon as ever you can, +because I'm a little bit lonesome and wanting my +home folks, though I wouldn't confess it to any of +these girls for the world.</p> + +<p>"Heaps of love to Dad and Vin and your dear self.</p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 12em;">"From</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-right: 8em;">"<span class="smcap">Renie</span>."</span><br /> +</div> +</div> + +<p>If Irene, who had found her niche in a congenial set at the Villa +Camellia, was capable of feeling the pangs of homesickness, that +unpleasant malady exhibited itself with far more serious symptoms in the +case of another new girl who had entered the school upon the same day. +Désirée Legrand could not settle down among the juniors. She was used to +the society of grown-up people, and did not take kindly to young +companions. In the excitement of her own affairs Irene had hardly given +the child a thought since her arrival, but one afternoon, when enjoying +a solitary ramble round the garden, she suddenly came face to face with +Little Flaxen. She was shocked at the change in her; the once pink +cheeks were white and pasty, and her eyelids were red and swollen as if +with perpetual crying.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Whatever have you been doing to yourself?" exclaimed Irene. "You +look rather a bunch of misery, don't you? What's the matter?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>Désirée, squatting forlornly on the steps that led to the upper tennis +courts, produced a lace-bordered pocket-handkerchief and mopped her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Nobody loves me here!" she blurted out dramatically. "I'm just +wr-r-r-etched! They all laugh and call me Frenchie! I'm not French, and +I w-w-ant to be l-l-oved!"</p> + +<p>Irene looked at her and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"That's not the way to go about it I'm afraid. I'm sorry, but you know +you'll just <i>invite</i> teasing if you carry on like this. Can't you brace +up and be sporty? Pretend you don't mind anything they say and they'll +soon stop."</p> + +<p>"But I <i>do</i> mind!" sobbed the tragic little figure on the steps. "I mind +d-d-dreadfully! Why are they all so horrid to me? People have always +been so nice till I came here!"</p> + +<p>"That's exactly the reason," said Irene, grasping the situation and +explaining it truthfully. "You've been accustomed to be petted by +everybody, and after all why <i>should</i> the other girls in your form pet +you? You don't pet <i>them</i>, do you?"</p> + +<p>"N-n-o!"</p> + +<p>Désirée's eyes were round with amazement.</p> + +<p>"Well, can't you see school's a matter of give and take? If you do +something for the rest they'll possibly like you, but they won't fall on +your neck just out of sheer good nature. Why don't you write home for a +box of chocolates and offer them round your form?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I never thought of it. I had some chocolates—but—I ate them!"</p> + +<p>"There you are! You expected to get all the attention and give nothing. +Sorry if I seem brutal, but it's the solid truth. You take my advice and +cheer up instead of continually sniveling. I've been at school myself +since I was seven, and I know a thing or two. If a girl's popular +there's generally some reason behind it. Look here, I'll help you if I +can. Those kids over there are doing nothing. I'll get them to come and +play rounders, choose you for a partner, and I'll back our side to win. +Here's Peachy! Perhaps she'll join in too. I'll ask her."</p> + +<p>Irene rapidly explained her philanthropic intentions, and enlisted both +Peachy and Delia in her team. The juniors, amazed and flattered at an +invitation from older girls, were ready enough for a game. Irene +insisted upon the innovation of what she called "hunting in couples," +that is to say, dividing the company into partners who made the course +hand in hand. She took good care to choose Désirée for her +"running-mate," and as they were both fleet of foot they scored +considerably. By the time the bell rang they had beaten the records.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" said Irene, addressing the juniors before they scooted +away, "you kids are missing a chance. Why don't you make Désirée train +for the sports? She can run like a hare! With the start she'd get as a +junior she might win you a trophy. Hadn't it ever entered your silly +young noddles to see what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> she could do for your form? Well, you are a +set of slackers! That's my opinion of you. We manage our affairs better +in the Transition."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" gasped Little Flaxen, lingering a moment or +two behind the others. "You've been just great! I'll write to Dad +to-night to send me some chocs, and I won't eat a single one myself. +They shall have them all. They shall really!"</p> + +<p>With scarlet cheeks and shining eyes she was a different child from the +weeping Niobe who had sat and sobbed on the steps.</p> + +<p>"Now if I'd simply coddled her and sympathized she'd have cried a few +gallons more and have been no better off," mused Irene, as her protégée +danced away. "I fancy those juniors have been fairly nasty to her, +though I wouldn't tell her so. Something ought to be done about it, but +the question is 'what?' I want to have a talk with Peachy when I can +wedge in ten minutes of spare time."</p> + +<p>All evening remembrance of Little Flaxen's red eyes and white cheeks +haunted Irene. She felt it ought not to have been possible for the child +to be so lonely and neglected. Granted that her unpopularity might be +partly her own fault, boycotting was nevertheless hard to bear. It was +clearly somebody's business to have looked after her, and that duty +ought not to have devolved upon a newcomer like herself, who only +realized the necessity by the merest chance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's the use of the prefects?" Irene asked herself, but she gave up +the answer, and appealed to Peachy at breakfast-time instead.</p> + +<p>That cheery young American took the matter more seriously than Irene +expected. There was a very kind little heart hidden under her bubbles of +fun.</p> + +<p>"I'll call a meeting of the Camellia Buds right now," she declared. "I +guess we don't want any of those poor babes crying their eyes out. Talk +of homesickness! You should have seen me my first week here. I brought +four dozen pocket-handkerchiefs to school with me and I used them all. +It's not good enough! Prefects, did you say? Humph! I don't call Rachel +exactly laid out for this job. Bring your biscuits to the 'Grotto' at +interval, and we'll have a powwow about it."</p> + +<p>There was a twenty-minute mid-morning break between classes, during +which the girls ate lunch and amused themselves as they pleased in the +house or grounds. The biscuits, three apiece, were laid out in rows on +the dining-room table together with each pupil's glass of milk. As Irene +ran in to take her portion she heard a scrimmage going on at the other +end of the room. Several small girls were quarreling loudly, and above +the noise came Désirée's piping, high-pitched voice:</p> + +<p>"I haven't had a biscuit for days and it isn't fair."</p> + +<p>"What's all this about?" asked Irene, striding into the crowd just in +time to see Mabel and another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> member of the Transition pass, laughing, +through the lower door.</p> + +<p>There was a babel in reply.</p> + +<p>"Those big girls come and grab our biscuits!"</p> + +<p>"It's a shame of them!"</p> + +<p>"There ought to be three apiece!"</p> + +<p>"And there never are!"</p> + +<p>"It's something if you get two!"</p> + +<p>"Nancy's taken both mine!"</p> + +<p>"Honest injun, I haven't!"</p> + +<p>"I tell you I'm famished!"</p> + +<p>"Help! Don't all shout at once," decreed Irene. "Let's have a biscuit +parade. Each hold out what she's got. Here, Audley, hand one of yours +over to Francie. Effie, break that one in half and share with Chris. +Désirée, you may have mine this morning, but this business mustn't +happen again. I've no time to stop now, but I'll inquire into this, you +bet!"</p> + +<p>Leaving an only partially satisfied group of small girls behind her +Irene sped to her tryst in the garden. She took a short cut, and ran +through the orange grove, where the half-ripe oranges were beginning to +turn yellow on the trees, then shamelessly jumping over a flower border +of stocks and primulas, crossed under the rose-pergola, turned down a +creeper-covered side alley, and found herself in a neglected portion of +the grounds. Here there was a very dilapidated little arbor, built sixty +or seventy years ago when the Villa Camellia had been owned by an +Italian count with a weakness for the fine arts. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> roof leaked, and a +riot of jessamine almost hid the door; the window-sill had fallen, and +the floor was a mass of dead leaves. The plastered walls were painted +with frescoes—faded and moldy now—of a country château with cypress +trees, and three ladies in big plumed hats riding on white horses, and a +gentleman in shooting costume and tall boots, who wore side whiskers, +and carried a gun, and had four hunting dogs standing in a row behind +him. All these were rather stiff and badly painted, yet gave an air of +neglected grandeur to the grotto. There were marble seats, and a rickety +marble table, and a little broken statue of Cupid in the corner, and the +floor under the rubbish was of blue glazed tiles, so that the building, +though fallen on evil days, still showed some remnants of its former +glory. As it was in an out-of-the-way spot and far from the tennis +courts, it was not often visited, and had therefore been appropriated by +the Camellia Buds as a suitable place for the secret meetings of their +sorority.</p> + +<p>The nine were all assembled here waiting impatiently for Irene. She +brushed through the jessamine-covered doorway, took her seat, and +breathlessly explained the reason of her delay.</p> + +<p>"Would you have believed such meanness?" she ended.</p> + +<p>Peachy nodded solemnly.</p> + +<p>"I told you some of our precious Transition would make you blush. Was it +Bertha? I thought so! I knew she had got hold of Mabel. I believe +they're<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> buddies, and a charming pair they'll be! We shall have to +tackle them somehow. This certainly can't be allowed to go on."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it a case for the prefects?" asked Irene, addressing the +President.</p> + +<p>Agnes's forehead was drawn into a series of puckers.</p> + +<p>"We hate telling," she sighed. "The fact is the prefects in this school +aren't quite what they ought to be. They <i>think</i> they do their duty, but +they're too aloof and high-handed and bossing, and the consequence is +they're not popular, and the girls would as soon complain to a teacher +as to Rachel or Sybil or Erica. It simply isn't done. Yet those kids +need a champion. There are several abuses among them that I've noticed +myself."</p> + +<p>"Guess we've got to take it on then and 'champ'," murmured Delia.</p> + +<p>"Poor little souls, it's a shame to steal their 'bikkies'; we'll have to +stand over them and act as fairy godmothers," said Sheila.</p> + +<p>Peachy bounced suddenly in her seat.</p> + +<p>"Sheila Yonge, you've given me an idea—yes, an absolute brain-throb. +What the Camellia Buds ought to do is to turn the sorority into an +Amalgamated Society of Fairy Godmothers, and each of us take over a +junior to look after and act providence to. It's what those kids are +just aching for—only they mayn't know it. What good are prefects to +them except as bogies? They skedaddle like light<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>ning if they see so +much as Rachel's shadow. They each ought to have one older girl whom +they can count on as a friend."</p> + +<p>"A kind of buddy?"</p> + +<p>"Something of the sort, but more like a foster-mother."</p> + +<p>"I vote we ask them all to a candy party, and each adopt one," suggested +Delia warmly.</p> + +<p>"There are ten of us, and there are nineteen juniors," calculated Jess. +"How's it going to work out?"</p> + +<p>"Why, some of us must take twins or even triplets," decreed Peachy. "I'm +bursting to begin. Let's have that candy party right away. Can anybody +raise a lira or two?"</p> + +<p>"We'll give you our subscriptions back in the house, if you'll act +treasurer and wheedle Antonio. Fairy Godmothers, Limited! It's a brainy +notion. When shall you ask those kids? You bet they'll buzz in like +bees."</p> + +<p>The loud clanging of the garden bell, which seemed to punctuate life at +the Villa Camellia, broke up the meeting in a hurry and scattered its +members in the direction of their classrooms. At the first opportunity, +however, Irene unlocked her cash-box and took out a contribution towards +the candy party. She was not yet used to the Italian paper money, and +had only a vague idea of its value, but she judged that two lire was the +expected amount, and carried it accordingly to Peachy's dormitory.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You white angel! It's a bountiful 'contrib.' I've squared Antonio. +He'll leave the parcel inside the grotto. What we should do without that +dear old man I can't imagine. I've told the juniors, and they're simply +crazy to come. I've fixed it up for directly after tea."</p> + +<p>Antonio, the old concierge who had charge of the gate, was absolutely +faithful to his duties as porter, and guarded the Villa Camellia as +zealously as a convent, but he was lenient on one point—he was willing +sometimes to smuggle sweets, and those girls who knew how to coax could +induce him to make an expedition to the confectioner's and fetch them a +small private store of what delicacies they fancied. He had his own +ideas of how much was good for them, and would never be responsible for +more than a limited allowance; neither would he undertake more than one +commission per week for any single girl. It was a matter of favor, and +to some of the pupils he would only grunt a refusal. Peachy, however, +was a champion wheedler; she had a certain command over the Italian +language, and could persuade Antonio, in his native tongue, of the +absolute necessity of her demands. He was quite generous on this +occasion, and slipped a fair-sized parcel of mixed Neapolitan bonbons +into the sanctuary of the deserted summer-house.</p> + +<p>Nineteen interested juniors, bidden to an unwonted entertainment, dodged +their prefect after tea, evaded a basket-ball practice, scattered +them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>selves in the grounds, met in the long pergola, and proceeded to +the jessamine-covered arbor, where they were received politely by their +ten hostesses. It was, of course, impossible to accommodate them inside, +but the grotto was close to the place where Paolo, the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'gardner'">gardener</ins>, chopped +wood for the stoves, so there were plenty of logs lying about that +served as seats. In a very short time the guests were settled, +hospitality was handed round, the colored papers were removed from the +goodies, and there was a general abandonment to sticky satisfaction. +Between the first and second distributions Agnes, as President of the +Sorority, addressed the meeting.</p> + +<p>"We've a proposition to make to you all," she began. "There are some +things in this school that aren't always quite what they ought to be, +and it's rather hard for juniors to fight their own battles. Sometimes +you squabble among yourselves—oh, <i>I</i> know!—and sometimes you get it +hot from the seniors or the Transition. Well, we're going to help you. +Each of us means to take on one or more of you and be a sort of fairy +godmother to you, and responsible for seeing you're decently treated. I +understand there's been a little trouble about your lunch biscuits?"</p> + +<p>"It's Bertha!"</p> + +<p>"And Mabel!"</p> + +<p>"They're real mean!"</p> + +<p>"They simply grab them!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, do please stop it!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And we haven't had our turns at the tennis courts!"</p> + +<p>"And Winnie borrowed my paint-box and won't give it back!"</p> + +<p>Agnes held up a hand to stop the general clamor.</p> + +<p>"That'll do!" she decreed. "I'm going to sort you out and give you each +to your fairy godmother, and you may pour your woes into her ears, and +she'll try her level best to right your wrongs. No, you <i>mayn't</i> say +whom you'd like to have. It's <i>we</i> who'll do the choosing, thanks! +Anybody who's not satisfied can walk off and she won't get a champion at +all or any more candy either. I mean what I say."</p> + +<p>Such an awful threat reduced the juniors to order, and they submitted +quite peaceably to be apportioned among their various benefactresses. +Irene secured Little Flaxen, Lorna had a pair of solemn-eyed sisters, +Peachy pounced upon the liveliest trio and proclaimed them as her +triplets, and Delia adopted the two youngest as twins.</p> + +<p>"You can come to us at a pinch," explained Agnes, "but please remember +we're Fairy Godmothers, <i>Limited</i>. We'll fight any just crusade, but +we're not going to write your exercises for you, or pull you out of +scrapes when you don't deserve it. That's not our function. There, you +understand? Hand the candy again, somebody. There's another piece each +all round at least, and if there are any over I'll throw them up and you +shall scramble for them."</p> + +<p>The immediate effect of this mission of the Camel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>lia Buds was a decided +improvement in the conditions of the juniors. Next morning, at +lunch-time, a stern-faced contingent mounted guard over the biscuits, +and when Bertha and Mabel, plainly bent on piracy, sauntered down the +room, they were told certain unpalatable home truths, and ignominiously +put to rout.</p> + +<p>"Stop that instanter!" commanded Peachy.</p> + +<p>"We're here to see fair play!" snarled Jess.</p> + +<p>"Be content with your own portions!" flared Delia.</p> + +<p>"Well, really! Who asked you to boss <i>us?</i>" retorted Bertha angrily.</p> + +<p>"Nobody; but we're going to stop your mean tricks, so we give you +warning. You two are a disgrace to the Transition. I don't know what +flags you class yourselves under, but I'm sure neither America nor +Britain would be proud to own you—you biscuit-snatchers!"</p> + +<p>Peachy's eyes were snapping sparks, and the matter might have waxed even +warmer had not Rachel reëntered the room for a pencil she had dropped. +The head prefect pricked up her ears at the sound of the disturbance, +whereupon Mabel and Bertha, who knew they would receive short shrift if +she demanded an explanation, made a hasty exit, merely murmuring to Jess +and Peachy as they pushed past them:</p> + +<p>"We'll pay you out for this!"</p> + +<p>"Just you wait!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>Among the Olive Groves</h3> + + +<p>Quite by accident as it seemed, the Sorority of the Camellia Buds had +turned itself from a society instituted for mutual protection and fun +into a Crusaders' Union, pledged, like Spenser's Red Cross Knight, to +avenge the wrongs of distressed damsels in the junior forms. The ring of +battle certainly added a spice of excitement to their secret. It was +much more interesting to interfere personally on behalf of their +protégées than to place debatable matters before the prefects. If war +were involved with another sorority it could not be helped. And war +there undoubtedly was. Bertha and Mabel, too clever to court open +ignominy, desisted for the present from biscuit-snatching, but sought +other means of retaliation. It was unfortunate for Irene and Lorna that +Mabel had been apportioned to them as a roommate. Both she and Elsie +were members of the rival sorority, so there was division in No. 3 +dormitory. Sometimes the opposing factions would not speak to one +another at all. Elsie was more stand-off than actively disagreeable and +kept herself to her own cubicle, but Mabel was openly annoying. She +transgressed every rule of dormitory etiquette, dashed for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> the bathroom +instead of waiting her due turn, dumped her belongings on to other +people's chairs, spread the center table with her papers, fidgeted +during study hours, and in various ways made herself objectionable.</p> + +<p>Irene and Lorna, as sworn buddies, cemented yet more firmly the bond +between them, and supported one another on every possible occasion. +Irene was really growing fond of Lorna. Though the latter might be +reserved it was something to find a ready listener and sympathizer. As a +rule we can't deliberately choose our soul-friends. Fate just seems to +send them along and we must accept them with all their faults or go +without. It certainly does not do to be too particular, or we may soon +find ourselves chumless in the world. Irene was rather lovelorn for +Peachy, but that bright little American, besides being in an upper +dormitory, was before-appropriated by other "heart-to-hearties," and, +though she held out the palm of good fellowship, was too staunch a +character to desert old friends for new.</p> + +<p>"She's just sweet to me, but I don't count first," decided Irene. "Well, +it's no use being jealous. If you can't have the moon you must be +content with a star, that's all. It's a vast amount better than +nothing."</p> + +<p>Lorna might more aptly be described as a planet than a star, for her +thoughts had started to revolve round Irene in a fixed orbit. As regards +her half of the bargain she was absolutely content. She adored<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> her +buddy, and blessed the lot that had coupled their names together. She +had not before made a real friend, and Irene's happy-go-lucky, +affectionate, confiding disposition appealed to her. She began to try to +protect her and look after her. It was really something of the mother +instinct cropping out. She had never possessed a sister or anything +little of her own to love, and it was a new experience to find a girl, +rather small and younger than herself, who clung to her and seemed +actually fond of her. Life, which had hitherto been chilly and +self-centered, suddenly grew warm. She had been used to pose as one who +disliked school, but with this fresh interest her views on the subject +underwent a change.</p> + +<p>Any girl must indeed have been hard to please who was not satisfied with +the Villa Camellia and its beautiful Italian garden. All through the +month of February flowers were in bloom there which in England only peep +out timidly in April or May, and often will not brave a northern climate +at all. The front of the house was covered with a glorious purple +bougainvillea, violets bloomed under the orange and lemon trees, and the +camellias, from which the villa took its name, flourished in profusion, +growing as great trees ten or twelve feet high and covered with +rose-colored, white, or scarlet blossoms. Iris, freesias, narcissus, red +salvias, marguerites, pansies, pink peonies, wallflowers, polyanthus, +petunias, stocks, genistas, arbutula, cinerarias, begonias, and +belladonna-lilies kept up a brave display in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> border, and, though +they would be more beautiful and luxuriant later on in the season, they +nevertheless dispelled the idea of winter. The general temperature at +Fossato resembled an English April, the sunshine was warm, but the wind +was apt to be chilly, and at night-time it was quite cold, though never +frosty. The central heating apparatus was kept going in the school, and +the girls, though they might run about without coats in the sunshine, +were always required to have a warm jersey at hand, for the wind at this +season could be treacherous, and those unused to the climate, deceived +by its brightness and wealth of flowers, were very liable to catch +chills and to be laid up with feverish colds as the result of their own +imprudence. Sometimes indeed a bitter sirocco wind would blow, and bring +torrents of rain to turn the blue sea and sky to a leaden gray and to +blot out the view of Naples and Vesuvius, but it seldom lasted more than +a few days, and in a land of drought was welcomed to refresh the gardens +and to fill the cisterns and water-tanks.</p> + +<p>It has been mentioned in a previous chapter that the Villa Camellia was +of necessity run somewhat on convent lines. In Italy young girls do not +walk about unchaperoned as in England and America, but are always very +closely escorted by older people, and it was advisable to keep to the +customs of the country. The pupils obtained most of their exercise +inside their own garden. On Sundays they paraded to the British church, +but otherwise they did not very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> often go into Fossato. Once a week, if +the weather were fine, a limited number were taken for an expedition, +but Irene had been at school for some weeks before this good fortune +fell to her lot. One lucky Wednesday, however, she found her name and +Lorna's written on the list of "exeats" on the notice-board, and flew to +announce the glad tidings to her chum.</p> + +<p>"Twelve of us, with Miss Bickford and Miss Parr as leaders. Won't it be +ripping? It says Monte Pellegrino. Where's that? The big hill over +there? Oh, great! I love a climb! I'm just dancing to go! I feel as if I +had been boxed up inside these big walls for years and years. I only +wish Peachy and Delia had been on the list too."</p> + +<p>"But we are!" exclaimed Delia's excited voice behind her. "Stella and +Marjorie both have colds, so we've swapped places with them, and they'll +go next time instead. Isn't it fine!"</p> + +<p>"I'm tingling right down to my toes," agreed Peachy, her jolly little +freckled face one wide grin. "It's going to be an afternoon of +afternoons."</p> + +<p>"If it doesn't rain," said Lorna, eyeing the sky suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't be a wet blanket! It's no use courting trouble, honey, as +Willy Shakespeare says somewhere. Oh, well, if it wasn't Willy +Shakespeare it was somebody else who said it, and it's just as true +anyway. Take your umbrella and wait till the rain comes down before you +grumble. I've got an exeat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> and I didn't expect it, and I'm going off my +head a little. That's all! Don't worry yourselves about me. I'm sane at +the bottom."</p> + +<p>With Peachy and Delia prancing about and hardly able to regulate their +satisfaction the expedition promised to be a lively one, though the +harum-scarum pair calmed down in the presence of Miss Bickford, and +assumed a deportment of due decorum. The favored twelve were half +seniors and half Transition, the remaining pair of the latter consisting +of Bertha Ford and Mabel Hughes. The Camellia Buds exchanged eloquent +glances at the sight of their arch-enemies, but wisely forbore to make +any provocative remarks; Delia indeed even murmured something pleasant +about the excursion to which Bertha grunted a reply, so the party +started off in apparent harmony.</p> + +<p>Antonio, with his big key, unlocked the great gate, they filed through +into the eucalyptus-shaded road, and in ten minutes they had left the +quiet school behind them, and were down in the gay little town of +Fossato. It was new and wonderful to Irene. The wide main street with +its intense brilliant sunshine contrasting with the deep shade of the +narrow side streets, the open shop-fronts with their displays of +picturesque wares, the stalls of fruit and vegetables sold by quaint +country vendors, the balconies full of flowers, the kindly, dark-eyed, +smiling people, the pretty peasant children clattering about in heelless +wooden shoes, the brightly painted carts and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> horses decorated with +flowers and feathers as if for a perpetual May Day, all made up a scene +that was more like a portion of a play than a piece of real life, and +made her almost able to imagine herself upon the stage of a theater. +They had reached a great square, where leafless trees were covered with +a beautiful purple blossom, something like mezereon. From a marble +fountain bareheaded women, with exquisitely arranged dark tresses and +bright handkerchiefs folded shawl-wise round their shoulders, were +drawing water in brass pitchers, and chattering the soft southern +dialect with the pretty tuneful Neapolitan voices that speak like +singing and sing like opera. An equestrian statue of Garibaldi stood on +a pedestal in the midst of a flowerbed of gay geraniums, and below, in +the shadow, a military officer, with a gorgeous pale blue cloak draped +over one shoulder, was talking to two Italian soldiers whose plumed hats +were adorned with shining cocks' feathers.</p> + +<p>Miss Bickford, in the van of the Villa Camellia queue, strode on, taking +no notice, beyond a firm shake of the head, of the various interruptions +that met her path—the drivers who offered their carriages for hire, the +smiling women who thrust forward baskets of oranges for sale, the +beguiling children who held out little brown hands and begged for +<i>soldi</i> (halfpennies), and the post-card vendors who spread out sets of +colored views of the neighborhood. It was a good thing that Miss Parr +was at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> the rear of the procession to keep order, or the girls would +have succumbed to some of these temptations and have broken rank, an +unpardonable offense in the eyes of the school authorities, who wished +to keep up the prestige of their establishment in the estimation of the +town, and to emulate the convent school on the hill, whose pupils +marched along the high street as demurely as young nuns.</p> + +<p>Turning out of the piazza they walked alongside a deep natural gorge +which divided Fossato from the open country. This immense ravine was a +fearsome place, with a sheer descent of many hundreds of feet; its +jagged rocks were clothed with bushes and creepers, and clefts and the +openings of caves could be seen amongst the greenery. The girls leaned +on the low wall and shuddered as they gazed down the precipice.</p> + +<p>"Antonio and Dominica say that dwarfs live in the caves down there," +remarked Peachy. "Half the people in the town believe in them, but +they're too afraid to go and see because the dwarfs have 'the evil eye,' +and would bring them bad luck."</p> + +<p>"What superstitious nonsense!" laughed Rachel. "How <i>can</i> they make up +such stuff?"</p> + +<p>"Not altogether such nonsense as you think," corrected Miss Bickford, +who was a student of archæology; "indeed <i>I</i> find it intensely +interesting. It's a case of survival of tradition. A few thousand years +ago no doubt a race of little short dark Stone Age men actually lived in +those caves, and took good care<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> to avenge themselves on any of the +taller, stronger tribes who interfered with them and tried to push them +out of their territory. The remembrance of them would be handed down +long after they had become extinct, and, of course their doings were +exaggerated, and their cunning tricks were set down to magic. Just as +the prehistoric monsters lingered as dragons and firedrakes, so the +small early inhabitants of Europe have passed into dwarfs and brownies +and pixies. If anybody cared to dig in those caves I dare say flint +weapons might be found. It's a chance for the local antiquarian society +if they'd only take it."</p> + +<p>Leaving the gorge the party turned up a steep and very narrow alley +between walls nine or ten feet high. At the tops of these walls were +raised gardens planted with orange and lemon trees, whose fruit, in all +stages of green, gold, and yellow, overshadowed the path. Across some of +them were erected shelters of reeds or plaited grass, to prevent too +quick ripening, but in some of the orchards the crop was ready, and +workers were busy with ladders and baskets gathering their early +harvests. It was a picturesque route, for the sides of the deep walls +were covered with beautiful maidenhair ferns, and over the tops hung +geraniums or clumps of white iris or purple stocks or clusters of little +red roses. Here and there, at a corner, was a wayside shrine with a +faded picture of the Madonna, and a quaint brass lamp in front, and +perhaps some flowers laid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> there by loving hands; dark-eyed smiling +little children were playing about and giving each other rides in +home-made hand-carts, and at one point the girls stood aside to let pass +a donkey so loaded with tiny bamboo trees that it looked a mere moving +mass of green.</p> + +<p>At length the deep alley between the orange orchards gave way to a +different scene. They had been climbing steadily uphill, and now found +themselves above the fruit zone and among the olive groves. The high +walls had disappeared, and the path ascended by a series of steps. Gray +olive trees were on either side, and on the bordering banks grew lovely +wild flowers, starry purple anemones, jack-in-the-pulpit lilies, yellow +oxalis, moon-daisies, and the beautiful genista which we treasure as a +conservatory plant in England. As it was country the girls were allowed +to break rank, and keenly enjoyed gathering bouquets; they scrambled up +the banks, vying with one another in getting the best specimens. The +view from the heights was glorious: below them stretched the gray-green +of the olive groves, broken here and there by the bright pink blossoms +of a peach tree; the white houses of Fossato gleamed among the dark +glossy foliage of its orange orchards, and beyond stretched the +beautiful bay of Naples, with its sea a blaze of blue, and old Vesuvius +smoking in the distance like a warning of trouble to come.</p> + +<p>It was at this point of the walk that Irene, foolish,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> luckless Irene, +made a fatal mistake, and, as Miss Bickford afterwards told her, +"wrecked the whole excursion and spoiled everybody's pleasure." She +beckoned Lorna and ran up a hill to obtain a higher vantage ground, +then, instead of descending by the route she had come, she insisted upon +taking a short cut to rejoin the path and catch up with the rest of the +party. Now neither Lorna nor Irene was aware that the mountain was a +network of many paths leading to little vineyards and gardens, and that +when they ran down the opposite side of the slope they were striking a +fresh alley, altogether different from the one along which Miss Bickford +was leading her flock. For quite a long way the two girls walked on, +thinking they were in advance of the others and had stolen a march upon +them. Then they sat down and waited, but nobody came. It was a +considerable time before it dawned upon them that they were separated +from the rest of the party.</p> + +<p>"We've come wrong somehow," said Lorna, in much consternation.</p> + +<p>"What had we better do?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they're not far off. I'll try if I can make them hear."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't shout," objected Lorna, but she was too late, for Irene was +already letting off her full lung power in a gigantic coo-e-e. It had a +totally different effect from what she anticipated. No schoolgirls with +Villa Camellia hats made their ap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>pearance, but some rough looking +Italian youths scrambled over a fence and came sniggering towards them. +Their manner was so objectionable and offensive that the girls turned +and ran. They pelted down the path anywhere, quite oblivious of the +direction they were taking, and, as a matter of fact, branching yet +farther away from their original route. They could hear footsteps and +giggling laughter behind, and they were growing extremely terrified when +to their immense relief they saw in front of them an elderly peasant +woman coming from the town. She had a bright yellow handkerchief round +her neck and carried on her head a big basket containing flasks of oil, +loaves of bread, and some vegetables. She stopped in some astonishment +as Lorna and Irene rushed panting up to her, then glimpsing the lads she +seemed to grasp the situation, and called out angrily to them in +Italian, whereupon they promptly and rapidly disappeared. As she had +reached the gateway of her own garden she motioned the girls to enter, +and they gladly availed themselves of the opportunity to seek sanctuary. +A large archway led into a paved courtyard, on one side of which was a +little brown house, and on the other a small chapel, quite a picture +with its quaint half-Moorish tower and two large bells. Their new friend +seemed to be the caretaker, for she escorted them inside to show them, +with much pride, an altar-piece attributed to Perugino and some ancient +faded frescoes of haloed saints. She gave them a peep into her house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +too, and they were deeply interested to see the unfamiliar foreign home, +not comfortable according to British or American ideas of comfort, but +with a certain charm of its own. There was a big dark room on the ground +floor with an orange press, various agricultural implements, and +numberless baskets for gathering fruit; there was a bare kitchen with a +wood fire and a table spread with cups and dishes; then up a winding +stair was a bedroom with walls colored sky blue, and a veranda that +looked down over a glorious orange orchard.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'd adore to go out there!" said Irene, pointing to the path that +led between the fruit-laden trees, and their hostess evidently divined +her meaning, for she not only led her guests into the garden, but +fetched a ladder, climbed a tree, and plucked each of them a whole +cluster of oranges surrounded by a bunch of leaves.</p> + +<p>The girls were so delighted with their entertainment in this Italian +cottage that they hardly wished to tear themselves away, yet a vision of +Miss Bickford's reproachful face began to hover before their eyes, and +Lorna at last suggested that they must be moving.</p> + +<p>"I hope those abominable boys aren't waiting about anywhere outside," +shivered Irene.</p> + +<p>The same thought seemed to have struck their hostess, for she called an +elderly man, evidently her husband, who was pruning vines, and began a +catechism as to where her visitors lived. Lorna replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> as well as her +knowledge of Italian allowed, and at the mention of the Villa Camellia +the pair nodded in comprehension. After a brief conversation with his +wife in an undertone the old man offered himself as guide, and undertook +to escort the truants safely back to school again, a proposal which they +thankfully accepted. It would indeed have been difficult for them to +find their own way among the various interlacing paths, and they were +particularly glad to have his protection against possible <i>ragazzi</i>. +There was tremendous trouble waiting for them at the Villa Camellia. +Poor Miss Parr had collapsed almost into hysterics, and Miss Bickford +with two other teachers had returned to the hillside on a further +search, while Miss Rodgers was communicating by telephone with the +Fossato police station, and offering a reward for any news of their +whereabouts. Irene had thought the principal could be stern, but she +never knew how her eyes could flash before that interview in the study. +Both girls came out quaking like jellies and weeping for all to hear.</p> + +<p>"Did you catch it hot?" inquired Peachy, sympathetically linking arms +with the truants.</p> + +<p>"Rather! It isn't the punishments so much, it's that she made us so +<i>ashamed</i>."</p> + +<p>"Our parole won't be trusted till after half-term."</p> + +<p>"We didn't <i>mean</i> to run away."</p> + +<p>"It was really quite an accident."</p> + +<p>"Cheer up!" consoled Peachy. "Miss Rodgers cuts like a steel knife, but +she doesn't bear grudges.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> I will say that for her. With some teachers +you'd never hear the last of it, but once you've worked off your +impositions you'll be quite in favor again. Whatever possessed you to go +and do it though?"</p> + +<p>"Just our wretched bad luck, I suppose," said Irene, rubbing her eyes as +she turned up the passage and deposited her confiscated cluster of +oranges, as directed, in the pantry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>Lorna's Enemy</h3> + + +<p>For the next two weeks Irene and Lorna were strictly "gated," a great +deprivation, for it would have been their turns to go shopping with Miss +Morley, and Irene at least was anxious to sample some of the quaint +wares spread forth so temptingly in the Fossato stores. With the +exception of church-going they did not have a chance to step outside the +grounds of the Villa Camellia. The Sunday expedition came as a welcome +relief to break the monotony. The school liked the little British church +at Fossato. It was so utterly different from anything to which they had +been accustomed in England or America. To begin with it was not an +ecclesiastical building at all, but simply a big room in the basement of +the Hôtel Anglais. The walls had been exquisitely decorated by a French +artist with conventionalized designs of iris in purple and gold, and +through the windows there was a gorgeous peep over the bay. The girls +used to exercise much maneuvering to secure the seats with the best +view, and somehow that bright stretch of the Mediterranean seemed to +blend in as part and parcel of all the praise and thanksgiving that was +being offered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>Punctually at twenty minutes to eleven on Sunday mornings the fifty-six +pupils and the seven mistresses would leave the great gate of the Villa +Camellia and march into the town, along the esplanade under the grove of +palm trees, then through the beautiful sheltered garden of the Hôtel +Anglais, where many exotic flowers and shrubs were blooming and the +white arum lilies were like an Easter festival, to the doorway, under +the jessamine-covered veranda, that led to the <i>Eglise anglaise et +américaine</i>. The school practically made half the congregation, but +there were visitors from the various hotels, and a sprinkling of British +residents who had houses at Fossato. When the service was over there +followed a very pleasant quarter of an hour in the piazza of the hotel; +the clergyman and his wife would speak personally to many of the girls, +and any of the pupils who met friends were allowed to talk to them. +Fossato was a popular week-end resort from Naples, so relatives often +turned up on Sundays and there were many joyous reunions. Kind little +Canon Clark and his small bird-like wife were great favorites at the +Villa Camellia. They were always invited to school functions, and each +term the girls, in relays of about ten at a time, were offered +hospitality at the "Villa Bleue," a tiny dwelling that served as +parsonage for the British chaplain. To go to tea at the dear wee +house—color-washed blue, and with pink geraniums in its +window-boxes—was considered a treat, and Irene and Lorna looked very +glum indeed when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> Miss Rodgers kept severely to their punishment, and +substituted Agnes and Elsie for themselves in the next contingent of +guests.</p> + +<p>"You'll go later on," consoled Peachy. "Miss Rodgers is really very +decent in that way. She'll see that you get your turn once in a term at +any rate. Last time I went we had hot brown scones and molasses. Oh, +they were good! There! I oughtn't to have told you that when your turn's +off. Never mind. It will be something to look forward to. We always play +paper games there, and they're <i>such</i> fun. There I am again! Well, if +you went to-day it would be over and done with by to-morrow, and it's +still all to come. That's one way of taking it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's all very well to moralize!" grumped Lorna, who was feeling +thoroughly cross. "It's easy enough to count up other people's +blessings. I'm a blighted blossom!"</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Poor little thing"> +<tr><td align='left'>"Poor little thing!</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">She lived all the winter</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And died in the spring,"</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>quoted Peachy with an extra wide grin. "Cheer up! Don't you realize it's +only ten days to half-term? Oh, do, for goodness' sake, look less like a +statue of melancholy! Do you know, child, that you're getting permanent +wrinkles along that forehead of yours, and it makes you more like fifty +than fifteen. You're too sedate. That's what's the matter with you, +Lorna Carson! It's a fault that ought to be over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>come. Copy Delia and +me. We know how to enjoy ourselves. There—my lecture is over and now +let's talk of earthquakes."</p> + +<p>"It's all very well for <i>you</i>, you've got everything you want," murmured +Lorna bitterly under her breath. "Some people haven't half the luck, and +it's hard to be content with a short allowance and pretend you're the +same as every one else. It can't always be done."</p> + +<p>She turned away as she said it, so Peachy only caught the sound of a +grumble and did not hear the actual words. Had she done so she might +possibly have exhibited more sympathy, for she was a very kind-hearted +girl. Neither she nor anybody at the Villa Camellia understood Lorna in +the least. So far their classmate had been somewhat of a chestnut-bur, +and nobody in the Transition had ever penetrated her husk of reserve. +There is generally a reason for most things in life, if we could only +know it, and poor Lorna's morose and hermit attitude at school was +really the result of matters at home. To get into her innermost +confidence we must follow her to Naples on her half-term holiday and see +for ourselves the peculiar circumstances amid which she had been placed, +and the disadvantages that had caused her to differ from other girls.</p> + +<p>Lorna's family was the smallest possible, for it consisted only of her +father. Nobody at the Villa Camellia had ever seen Mr. Carson—not even +Miss Rodgers. He had communicated with her by writing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> when he wished to +place his daughter at the school, but he had never paid a single visit +to Fossato. He pleaded stress of business as the excuse for this +remissness, but Lorna herself knew only too well that he had no +intention of coming. Except to the office at which he was employed he +never went to any place where he would be likely to meet English +visitors. The furnished rooms where he lived were in the strictly +Italian portion of Naples, and not in the vicinity of the big hotels. +Secretly Lorna dreaded her holidays. There was nothing for her to do +while her father was at the office. She was not allowed to go out alone, +and unless she could induce fat Signora Fiorenza, their landlady, to be +philanthropic and chaperon her to look at the shops, she was obliged to +amuse herself in the house during the day as best she could. In the +evening things were certainly better. Her father would take her to dine +at an Italian restaurant, and would sometimes treat her to a performance +at a theater or cinema close at hand, or would escort her for a +lamplight walk along the streets, but these brief expeditions were +evidently made out of a sense of duty, and Mr. Carson was plainly +unhappy until he was once more ensconced in his own sitting-room with +his favorite books and his reading-lamp. He had seen so little of his +daughter during the five years they had lived at Naples that, though in +a sense he was fond of her, she was more of an embarrassment to him than +an asset. Lorna realized this only too keenly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> Her sensitive +disposition shrank away from her father. She was shy in his presence, +and never knew what to say to him. She seemed always aware of some +enormous shadow that hung over their lives and darkened the daylight. +What this was she had no means of guessing, but it was emphatically +there. She had learned, by bitter experience, never to ask to be taken +to the fashionable portions of the city; she knew that the sound of a +voice speaking English at a neighboring table was enough to cause her +father to finish his meal in a hurry and leave the restaurant. They +never went to the British Church, and even such cosmopolitan spots as +the aquarium or the museum were equally taboo.</p> + +<p>Long and often did Lorna puzzle over this idiosyncrasy of her father. +She retained vague memories of her early childhood, when he had surely +been utterly different and would come into the nursery to romp with her. +It had not been altogether her mother's death; that had happened when +she was only six years old, and there were bright memories after it of +happy times together. No—it was when she was ten years old that the +unknown catastrophe must have occurred which had ruined her father's +life. She could remember plainly the visit of several gentlemen, and of +loud angry voices talking inside the drawing-room; she was standing on +the stairs as they came out into the hall, and her father had told her +roughly to run away. Then had followed a hasty removal, and they had +left their comfortable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> home in London and had come to live in Naples. +After a dreary time in a second-rate Italian boarding-house she had been +sent to the Villa Camellia, and all link with England was lost and +broken. No aunt or cousins ever wrote to her, and the earlier portion of +her life seemed a period that was utterly ended.</p> + +<p>So far Lorna had never had the courage to make any inquiries into the +why and wherefore of this unsatisfactory state of affairs. If a question +rose to her lips the sight of her father's forbidding face effectually +curbed her curiosity. That some tragedy had been concealed from her she +was positive. The suspicion, nay the absolute certainty, was sufficient +to place a division between herself and other girls. She would hear her +schoolfellows discussing their homes, relations, and friends, and when +she contrasted their gay doings with her own barren holidays she shrank +into her shell, and would make no allusion to her private affairs.</p> + +<p>"Lorna's an absolute oyster, you can get nothing out of her," was the +universal verdict of her form.</p> + +<p>But if she said little she thought a great deal. She would listen +jealously to the accounts of other people's fun, and a bitter feeling +had grown in her heart. Why should her life be so shadowed? She had as +much right to happiness as the rest of the school. Why should she seem +singled out by a vindictive fate and separated from her companions?</p> + +<p>In justice to the girls at the Villa Camellia it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> only fair to say +that any separation was entirely of Lorna's own making. Had she been +more expansive she would have readily enough found friends. No one knew +of the misery of her home life, and she was simply judged as what her +schoolfellows thought her—a queer-tempered crank who refused to join in +the general fun of the place, and in consequence was left out of most +things.</p> + +<p>Irene, pleasant and hail-fellow-well-met with all comers, had at once +noticed this attitude of the others towards Lorna. At the drawing of +lots in the sorority she had somehow realized that everybody was +extremely thankful to have escaped having her unpopular chum as a buddy. +Chance remarks and slight allusions, hardly noticed at the time, but +remembered later, had confirmed this.</p> + +<p>"They're not exactly unkind, but they're down on that girl," she had +concluded. "I haven't made up my mind yet whether I altogether like her, +but I'm going to be decent to her all the same."</p> + +<p>As the very first who had treated her on a real equality of girlhood +Irene had been placed on a pedestal in Lorna's empty heart. The +separation between the two added to the loneliness of the latter's brief +half-term holiday. She had never missed school so much before, or hated +her surroundings so entirely. The long week-end dragged itself slowly +away. Sunday was wet and they stayed all day in the little sitting-room, +Mr. Carson reading as usual, and Lorna trying to amuse herself with +Italian maga<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>zines and fidgeting as much as she dared. Towards evening +the rain cleared a little and her father went out, refusing, however, to +allow her to accompany him. At the end of an hour he returned and flung +himself heavily into his chair. He was in a state such as she had never +witnessed before, violently excited, with glaring eyes and twitching +hands.</p> + +<p>"Lorna!" he exclaimed in quick panting accents, "I have met my enemy. +The man who ruined me! Yes, the man who deliberately blackened and +ruined me!"</p> + +<p>Lorna turned to him half frightened.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Father?" she asked. "Have you an enemy? You've never let me +know before. Oh, I wish you'd tell me! I'm fifteen now, and surely old +enough to hear. It's so horrible to feel there's something you're always +keeping from me."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you'll find out some time, so I may as well tell you myself," +replied Mr. Carson grimly. "I'm a wronged, ruined man, Lorna, suffering +for the sin of another who goes scotfree. The world judged me guilty of +embezzlement, but before God I am innocent! I never touched a penny of +the money. Do you believe me innocent? Surely my own daughter won't turn +against me?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Father! Indeed I believe you innocent. Tell me how it happened. +Was it when we left London? I seem to remember the trouble there was +then, though you never explained. We had a different name then, hadn't +we?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You were too young at the time to understand, and it wasn't a subject I +wished to revive. Briefly, a big sum, for which I was responsible, +disappeared. The head of the firm believed me guilty, but for the sake +of old associations he would not prosecute; he simply told me to go. I +consulted my lawyer, and, if there had been the slightest chance of +clearing myself, I'd have fought the matter to a finish, but he told me +my case hadn't a leg to stand on, and that, if I were foolish enough to +bring it into court, I should certainly be convicted of embezzlement, +and sent to penal servitude; that it was only the clemency of my chief's +attitude that saved me, and that he advised me to go abroad while I +could. So I left England in a hurry, a disgraced man, disowned by his +family and his friends. I changed my name to Carson, and through the +kindness of a business acquaintance I was offered a clerkship in an +Italian counting-house in Naples, which post I have kept ever since. How +I should otherwise have made a living God only knows! It's always my +haunting fear that some one in Naples will recognize me and tell them at +the office who I am. If that old story leaks out I may once more be +ruined."</p> + +<p>"But who did it, Father?" asked Lorna. "Had you no clew at all?"</p> + +<p>"Not enough to convict, only a strong suspicion, so strong that it is +practically a certainty. The man who ruined me was once my friend. Now +for five long years, he has been my bitterest enemy. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> were both heads +of departments in the firm of Burgess and Co. Probably he's a partner +now, as I ought to have been. I've never heard news of him since I left +London, but to-day I saw him in the Corso. I saw him plainly without any +possibility of mistake. What is he doing in Naples? Has he come here to +ruin me again?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Dad, surely not! Perhaps he doesn't know you're in Italy. +Probably he's only taking a holiday and will go back to England soon," +faltered Lorna, suddenly realizing that in her father's excited nervous +condition she ought to offer consolation and soothe him instead of +adding to his agitation. "It's very unlikely that he would find you out. +Dad, don't grieve so, <i>please!</i>"</p> + +<p>She went near to her father's chair and laid a timid hand on his +shoulder. An immense gush of pity for him flooded her heart. If she had +known this story before, she would have understood, and instead of +thinking him unkind and misanthropic she would have tried to be a better +daughter to him. The new-found knowledge illuminated all the past and +seemed to draw them closely together.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mother</i> would have believed in you, Dad," she ventured to say.</p> + +<p>"Thank God she never knew! She was spared that at any rate. I raged +against Providence when I lost her, but afterwards I felt she had been +'taken away from the evil to come.' Her relations thought me guilty. I +went to them and explained, but they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> practically told me I was lying. +When I went abroad I never sent them my address. I just wished to +vanish. I don't suppose they have ever troubled to inquire for me. Who +cares about a ruined and disgraced man?"</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> care, Dad," said Lorna. "I'm only fifteen and I can't understand +everything, but if you'll let me the least little bit take Mother's +place, may I try? I'm not much, but perhaps I'm better than nobody, and +we two seem all alone in the world."</p> + +<p>For the first time in five years the barrier between them was down, and +Lorna was hugging her father as in the old happy childish days. To know +all is to forgive all, and her resentment against his treatment of her +turned into a deep pitying love. She would never be frightened of him +again. A new impulse seemed to have come to her. If she could in any way +comfort him for what he had suffered, it would be something to live for.</p> + +<p>"He's my father, and I'll stick to him through thick and thin," she said +to herself fiercely, as she went to bed that night. "I don't know who +this enemy is, but if ever I meet him I'll hate him and all belonging to +him. I say it, and I don't go back on my word. I'll be my own witness as +nobody else is present. Lorna Carson, you've taken up a feud and you've +got to carry it through. May all the bad luck in the world come down +upon you if you break your oath."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>At Pompeii</h3> + + +<p>Lorna returned to Fossato feeling as if she had passed through a great +crisis. The short week-end and its revelation seemed to have added years +to her life. She had never been a typical specimen of "sparkling +girlhood," but her new knowledge made her more sedate than ever. It +brought her both gain and loss: gain in the fact that she now shared her +father's confidence, and could help him to bear his heavy burden, and +loss in the sense of a yet wider division between herself and her +schoolmates. She realized now, only too bitterly, why her father so +persistently shunned all English people. It would surely have been +better to have placed her at an Italian school than among girls of her +own nationality. Lorna, naturally morbid and over-sensitive, shrank yet +deeper into her shell, and became more sphinx-like than ever. Her one +bright spot at the Villa Camellia was her devotion to her buddy. Half a +dozen other girls had at various periods tried to "take Lorna up," but +all had promptly dropped her, declaring that they could not get any +further, and that she was a solitary "hermit-crab." Irene,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> after one or +two ventures, realized that Lorna was utterly reserved and +uncommunicative, but was content to continue the friendship on a +one-sided basis, giving confidences, but receiving none in return. She +was a little laughed at in certain quarters on the subject of her chum.</p> + +<p>"Hope you like crab sauce."</p> + +<p>"We're tickled to bits at the pair of you."</p> + +<p>"It won't last long."</p> + +<p>"Shall we give you an oyster-opener for a birthday present?"</p> + +<p>"You've got the champion chestnut-bur of the school—aren't you full of +prickles?"</p> + +<p>"Go on!" smiled Irene calmly. "I've been teased all my life by my +brother, so I'm pretty well bomb-proof. Say just what you like. I'm sure +I don't care."</p> + +<p>It really did not trouble Irene that Lorna should cling to this habit of +closeness. She had so many affairs of her own in which to be interested. +She had spent a glorious half-term holiday with her family in their flat +at Naples, and was delighted to describe every detail of her +experiences. She chatted about her relations till Lorna knew Mr. and +Mrs. Beverley and Vincent absolutely well by hearsay, though she had +never met them in the flesh. The accounts of their doings gave her a +peep of home life such as she had not hitherto realized.</p> + +<p>"Lovely to be you," she ventured once.</p> + +<p>"You must come and see us," replied Irene impul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>sively. "I'll get Mother +to ask you some day. Don't look so scared. They wouldn't eat you. Don't +you like paying visits? Oh well, of course, if you don't want to come I +won't worry you. No, I'm not offended. Why should I be? Let everybody +please herself is my motto. Oh, <i>don't</i> apologize, for it really doesn't +matter in the very least! I'd far rather people were frank and said what +they thought."</p> + +<p>"I'm going with you to Pompeii to-morrow at any rate," said Lorna. "I'm +glad they've put us both down together for that excursion."</p> + +<p>It was part of the educational scheme of Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley +that the girls should be taken to certain places of interest in the +neighborhood. They were carefully prepared in class beforehand, so that +they should thoroughly understand what they were going to see. All the +school studied Greek and Roman history, and since Christmas there had +been special lectures by Miss Morley on the buried city of Pompeii, +illustrated by lantern-slides. But photography, however excellent, is a +poor substitute for reality when the latter can be obtained. Had the +Villa Camellia been situated in England or America no doubt the pupils +would have considered those views a tremendous asset to their history +class, but being in the near neighborhood of Naples they were able to +"go one better," and have actual expeditions to Pompeii itself. A dozen +of the girls, personally conducted by Miss Morley, were to start<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> on +Thursday, take their lunch, and make a day of it. Most of those chosen +were comparative newcomers to the school, or for some reason had not +done the excursion before, so it would be a fresh experience to nearly +all of them. Six seniors and six members of the Transition made up the +party, with little Désirée Legrand tagged on at the last as a mascot, +because Stella and Carrie had pointed out that twelve pupils and one +mistress would make thirteen at table if they had tea together, and +though Miss Morley had scoffed at such ridiculous superstition, she took +Désirée all the same to break the possible bad luck. They had the +satisfaction of assembling in the hall for the start exactly as their +companions were filing into classrooms.</p> + +<p>"Got your nose-bag?" asked Delia, indicating her lunch satchel. "It +wouldn't do to leave those behind. I always feel famished when I'm out +sightseeing. Hope I shan't eat my lunch before the picnic. Renie, it's +no use lugging that camera with you. You won't be allowed to take any +photos inside the ruins, so I warn you."</p> + +<p>"Miss Morley's taking hers," objected Irene, loath to relinquish the +object in question.</p> + +<p>"Miss Morley has a special government permit to sketch or photo in +Pompeii. Nobody may take the slightest snap-shot or drawing without. +I've been once before, so I know, Madam Doubtful. You'll see ever so +many officials will ask to look at Miss Morley's ticket. Why? Because +the place would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> get choked up with artists I suppose. And also they +want to sell their own photos. You'll be pestered to buy post-cards +outside the gates."</p> + +<p>"I'd adore to get just one or two snaps," persisted Irene. "I won't take +this big camera, but I'll slip my wee one inside my pocket, and see if I +find a chance."</p> + +<p>"Are you ready, girls?" came Miss Morley's voice from the porch, and the +waiting thirteen formed into double line and marched.</p> + +<p>They were to go by the electric tram from Fossato to Castellamare, from +which it was only a comparatively short drive to Pompeii. The jogging, +jolting, little tramcar ran along the coast, linking up several towns +and villages and conveying people intent on either business or pleasure. +There were many visitors anxious to make the excursion to-day, but the +contingent from the Villa Camellia had posted themselves by the statue +of Garibaldi in the square, and scrambled for the car as soon as it +arrived, boarding it with three hatless Italian girls, two women with +orange baskets, a sailor carrying a little boy, and a stout old padre, +who apologized prettily for pushing.</p> + +<p>"We did those folks from the Hotel Royal," chuckled Delia, sitting on +Irene's knee for lack of further accommodation. "Did you ever see a tram +fill up quicker? I'm afraid I'm heavy. I know I'm an awful lump. We'll +take it in turns, and I'll nurse you after a while. I call this rather +priceless.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> Everybody's good-tempered even if they do hustle. They don't +seem to mind people treading on their toes. It's infectious. I catch +myself smiling, and I'd jolly well frown as a rule if any one yanked a +basket into my back."</p> + +<p>"I think it's the climate," remarked Irene. "In a London tram most faces +don't look too cheerful, but with this sky overhead people are simply +chirping like crickets. It's like a perpetual summer holiday."</p> + +<p>The car was rattling along the steep coast road through miles of +glorious scenery. On the left was an ultramarine sea, with white-sailed +boats, and to the right lay cliffs and olive groves. Some of the trees +were covered with catkins, and others had already burst into green leaf; +gorgeous yellow genistas clothed the hillsides, and the banks were +dappled with blue borage and marigolds. There were so many things to +look at from either window of the tram; goats were feeding along the +crags, and a gray businesslike battle-ship was wending its way across +the harbor in the direction of Naples. They passed through several small +towns or villages, getting a vivid impression of the lives of the +inhabitants, who, on sunny days, seemed to do much of their domestic +work out of doors, and to peel potatoes, wash salads, cook on charcoal +braziers, sew, mend shoes, make lace, and pursue many other vocations on +the pavements in front of the houses, and so far from being disturbed by +onlookers, would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> smile and even wave friendly hands at the strangers on +the tramcar.</p> + +<p>"That darling old soul in the green apron blew me a kiss," chuckled +Delia. "She looks as happy as a queen, though she's probably living on +about ten cents a day."</p> + +<p>"Did you see them dressing the baby on the pavement?" squealed Stella. +"They were winding it round and round in yards of bandages <i>exactly</i> +like old Italian pictures. I didn't know it was done nowadays."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Look at the carts drawn by bullocks."</p> + +<p>"And the lamb with its fleece all combed out and tied with blue +ribbons."</p> + +<p>"That's because it's Mid-Lent."</p> + +<p>"Don't you see the baby donkey? There! Quick!"</p> + +<p>In her efforts to watch everything at once Delia craned her neck through +the window of the car and away went her school hat, sailing over a +bridge and down into a deep ravine below, lost forever so far as she was +concerned, as the tram certainly would not stop and wait while she +searched for it.</p> + +<p>"You've come down a peg in life, old sport, that's all," laughed Carrie. +"In Italy wearing a hat is a sign of gentility. No work-girl ever has +one on her head even on Sundays. I offered a cast-off of mine to the +<i>bonne</i> at a hotel once, and she eyed it longingly, but said she daren't +wear it if she took it, her friends would think it such swank."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What do they have on in church then?" asked Delia.</p> + +<p>"Handkerchiefs, of course. Every Neapolitan has one handy to slip round +her head at the church door. It must save millinery bills."</p> + +<p>"And they all have the most beautiful hair. Hello! Here we are at the +terminus. What a crowd of beggars. They look like brigands waiting to +pounce on us. Help!"</p> + +<p>Once out of the shelter of the tramcar the girls made the unpleasant +discovery that in Italy begging is not forbidden, but quite a recognized +profession with certain of the poorer classes. They were immediately +surrounded by a ragged rabble, some of whom exhibited sores or other +unsightly afflictions to compel compassion, and all of whom held out +dirty hands and persistently clamored for money. The blind, the halt, +and the maimed were there, evidently regarding tourists as their +legitimate prey, and bent upon claiming all the charity they could get.</p> + +<p>"Don't give them anything," commanded Miss Morley, anxiously keeping her +little flock in tow, and shepherding them towards the piazza where the +carriages could be hired. "Just say <i>Niente</i>, and shake your heads. Hold +a safe hand on your purses and stick together. Don't get separated on +any account."</p> + +<p>With considerable difficulty they forced their way across the square, +and thankfully took refuge in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> several waiting landaus, whose drivers, +feeling sure of their patronage, promptly raised their terms high above +the ordinary tariff. It was only after much bargaining on the part of +Miss Morley that they consented to fix a reasonable sum for the +excursion to Pompeii.</p> + +<p>"Miss Morley talks Italian like a native, so they can't 'do' her," +rejoiced Stella proudly. "Aren't they the absolute limit? No, I <i>don't</i> +want to buy a comb, or corals, or brooches, or post-cards, or anything. +They seem to think we're made of money. Why can't they let us alone? +There, thank goodness, we're off at last and can leave the whole +persuasive crew of them behind us!"</p> + +<p>The five-mile drive from Castellamare was part of the fun of the +excursion, but Pompeii was, of course, the main object, and there was +much excitement when they at last drew up at the great iron gate. Miss +Morley bought tickets for the party, and they were assigned a guide, a +smiling Italian of superlative politeness, bearing a badge with the +number 24 upon it.</p> + +<p>"I asked for one who could speak English, but they're all out with other +visitors," explained Miss Morley. "Never mind. It's a good opportunity +of testing your Italian, and I can interpret if you don't understand."</p> + +<p>In spite of the lantern-slides which they had previously been shown, the +girls had come with varying expectations of what they were to see. Some +imag<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>ined they would walk into a Roman city exactly as it stood when +buried by the ashes of the great eruption of <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 79; others thought +there would be a few interesting things peeping up here and there amid +mounds of cinders. None had imagined it would be so large.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact the remains are simply the bare ruins of a town +destroyed by burning ashes, which have been extricated from the rubbish +accumulated during more than seventeen centuries. The paved streets and +the roofless and broken walls of the houses still remain, with here and +there some building that by a fortunate chance escaped, either in whole +or in part, the general catastrophe, and suffice to show the general +style and beauty of the Græco-Roman architecture of the first century. +The guide marshaled his party along, pointing out to them the various +objects of interest that had been excavated, the beautiful marble +drinking-fountain, the marble counters of the shops, identical with +those still used in Southern Italy, the wine jars of red earthenware, +the hand-mills for grinding corn, the brick ovens, or the vaults where +wine had been stored. They went into the site of the ancient market, and +the Forum and several temples, and walked up long flights of steps and +admired rows of broken columns, and saw the public swimming-baths with +their tasteful wall decorations and the niches where the bathers had +placed their clothes, and they admired the law-courts, and marveled at +the great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> theater that had been wont to hold five thousand spectators.</p> + +<p>The general impression was one of utter desolation. The mighty ruins lay +in the bright Italian sunshine, and, close above, Vesuvius frowned over +the scene, as if still watching the result of his deadly handiwork. Who +had lived in those blackened fire-swept houses, and walked in those +grass-grown streets? It was difficult to imagine the busy thronging +crowds that once must have peopled all these silent haunts, where the +only signs of life were the little green lizards that darted over the +crumbling walls.</p> + +<p>Certain of the best houses were railed round and kept carefully locked, +and inside these could be seen what was left of the domestic life of +civilized Pompeii. The girls enjoyed looking at the rooms in the Casa +Dei Vettii, with the exquisite paintings of cupids still left upon the +scarlet walls, they laughed at the quaint mosaic of the chained dog with +its warning <i>Cave Canem</i> (Beware of the dog!), and they went into +ecstasies over the lovely little statue of the Dancing Faun and some +terracottas of Venus and Mercury. One link with the past was left in the +fact that a few of the houses still preserved the names and even the +portrait-busts of their former owners.</p> + +<p>"My! Doesn't he look boss of the place still? I wonder if I ought to +leave my visiting card for him," declared Delia, staring at the green +marble<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> representation of Cecilius Giscondis, a banker by profession.</p> + +<p>The others laughed. They had all been feeling rather oppressed, and were +glad to break the ice.</p> + +<p>"I'm so tired, I should think we must have walked miles," groaned Lorna.</p> + +<p>"And I'm on the point of famishing," protested Irene, slapping her +lunch-bag with a resounding smack.</p> + +<p>Miss Morley turned round at the sound, and possibly caught the remark, +for she spoke hastily to the guide, then suggested that the girls should +sit in a row on a fallen column and consume their provisions.</p> + +<p>"You all need a rest and something to eat now. Then we'll go on with our +sightseeing, and have tea at the restaurant when we've finished," she +decreed.</p> + +<p>Never were ham sandwiches and oranges so acceptable. Viewing ruins may +be extremely interesting, but it is a highly fatiguing occupation, and +Delia at least had reached the stage of the over-burdened camel.</p> + +<p>"I guess I don't like anything <span class="smcap">b.c.</span> It's too depressing. Give me Paris!" +she declared tragically.</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, old sport!" consoled Irene. "I'm going to take a snap-shot of +some of us when the guide isn't looking. You shall be in it. You'd like +to send some prints to your friends in America, wouldn't you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Rather! They'd burst with envy to see me photographed inside Pompeii. +Where are you going to take us? I've finished my lunch. Let's get busy +quick, before the guide comes round the corner."</p> + +<p>Delia was prancing with eagerness. She flitted about like a butterfly, +bent on choosing the best position for the desired snap-shot. Blanche, +Mabel, and Elsie came hurrying up anxious to join the group, and fixed +themselves in elegant poses.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't put in such a crowd," objected Irene. "You block out the +whole of the view. I only want Delia and Lorna, and yes, I'll have +Désirée, but nobody else. Please clear out of the way."</p> + +<p>"Well, really!"</p> + +<p>"You mean thing!"</p> + +<p>"We don't want to be in your old photo!"</p> + +<p>Irene had felt cross and was possibly impolite, but she was not prepared +for the Nemesis that descended upon her head. She had just congratulated +herself that Blanche, Mabel, and Elsie had beaten a retreat and that she +had been able to take her snap-shot so successfully, when who should +make his unwelcome appearance but the guide, catching her in the very +act of winding on her film. He sighed sorrowfully, and spread out his +hands with a dramatic Italian gesture.</p> + +<p>"Signorina! Non e permesso!" he objected.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> +<img src="images/gs02.jpg" width="251" height="400" alt=""'SIGNORINA! IT IS NOT PERMITTED!'"" title=""'SIGNORINA! IT IS NOT PERMITTED!'"" /> +<span class="caption">"'SIGNORINA! IT IS NOT PERMITTED!'"</span> +<div class='right'>—Page 105</div></div> + + + +<p>"I'm awfully sorry. I won't do it again, really,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> murmured Irene, +cramming the little camera back into her pocket.</p> + +<p>But this apology did not content No. 24. He very courteously, but quite +firmly, insisted upon temporarily confiscating the prohibited article. +Miss Morley, who hurried up at the sound of the altercation, took the +side of the authorities.</p> + +<p>"Who brought a camera? <i>Irene!</i> You knew it was not allowed. Yes, you +must let the guide have it. He'll give it back to you at the gate. I +hope there won't be any trouble about it. I believe you can be fined. It +was very naughty of you to do such a thing."</p> + +<p>Much crestfallen Irene retired into the rear of the party, and bewailed +the fate of her snap-shots.</p> + +<p>"It was hard luck the guide should pop round the corner that exact +minute," she groaned.</p> + +<p>"Mabel fetched him," squeaked Désirée. "I could see over the railing, +and I watched her go. She was mad that you wouldn't put her in the +photo."</p> + +<p>"What a sneaking trick to play. She's the <i>meanest</i> girl. I wouldn't +have told about <i>her</i>. I hope No. 24 won't take the spool out of the +camera, because there are three undeveloped snaps of the Villa Camellia +on it, and I shall be wild if I lose them. He couldn't be so heartless. +If I only knew Italian better I'd try and coax him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>The guide had obligingly waited while the girls ate lunch, but he now +waxed impatient, and hurried his party on to the House of Pansa. This +must have been quite a palatial residence, and showed such perfect +examples of the arrangement of the various rooms in a Roman mansion that +they lingered a long time looking at the <i>atrium</i>, the <i>tablinum</i>, the +peristyle, and the kitchen with its curious mosaics of snakes. Now, +though it was all very interesting, it was certainly tiring, and some of +the girls grew weary of listening to the guide's descriptions in Italian +or Miss Morley's explanations.</p> + +<p>"I'm bored stiff," confessed Delia, in a whisper, linking on to Irene's +arm. "If I have any more information crammed into my head it will burst. +I know quite enough about ancient customs already. All I can say is I'm +thankful I'm living now instead of then. Renie, if you love me, take me +out of ear-shot of Miss Morley and let me chatter and frivol."</p> + +<p>"Poor old sport!" laughed Irene. "Let's slip away and take another turn +round the garden while the guide finishes haranguing. I'm out of friends +with him since he stole my camera. He doesn't deserve anybody to listen +to him. I've a few chocs left in this package. You shall have some to +cheer you up. They're modern at any rate."</p> + +<p>"You mascot!" murmured Delia. "Stella says I'm a Goth, but why <i>need</i> I +like old things? Did the Pompeians take their schoolgirls to look at +buried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> Greek cities, or were they satisfied with their own times? How +soon do you think we shall have tea? These chocs have saved my life, but +I'm longing for bread and butter and buns."</p> + +<p>"Why, we haven't finished lunch very long."</p> + +<p>"I ate more than half of mine in the carriage, so I hadn't much left. +Hello! Where have the others been? I didn't know there was a way up +there."</p> + +<p>The rest of the party were clattering down a flight of wooden steps with +many expressions of admiration for what they had seen at the top.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly beautiful! The finest view of all," purred Miss Morley. +"Renie and Delia, didn't you go up? You silly girls. You've missed a +treat. No, I'm afraid we can't wait now. The guide is anxious to take us +on. We haven't seen the House of Sallust yet or the Street of Tombs. I +want to ask him whether they've been doing any more excavations near the +Herculaneum Gate."</p> + +<p>Miss Morley, deep in conversation with No. 24, passed on, in the full +belief that all her flock were following behind her. Irene and Delia, +however, were determined to have just one peep at the view from the top +of the wall, so both made a dash up the wooden staircase. From here +there was a glorious prospect of the entire city with its arches and +columns and broken temples, its cypress trees, and its somber background +of smoking mountain. They could see exactly the way they had come from +the entrance, and could tell which was the Street of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> Fortune and which +the Street of Abundance. It was so fascinating that they lingered rather +longer than they intended.</p> + +<p>"They'll be waiting for us," ventured Irene at last.</p> + +<p>"Oh, bother! So they will," exclaimed Delia, rushing down prepared for a +scolding.</p> + +<p>But the others had not waited. They had all simply walked on, and the +custodian had locked the gate behind them. It was fast closed, and no +amount of shaking would move it.</p> + +<p>"We're shut in," gasped Irene. "Where's the porter? He ought to be +somewhere about with the key."</p> + +<p>The custodian, quite oblivious of the fact that anybody had been left +inside the House of Pansa, was reading a newspaper and eating bread and +garlic under his wooden shed farther down the street, where he would +remain till the next guide came along with a party and requested +admission. So he did not hear, though the girls thumped and called and +made a very considerable noise. They were both horribly frightened.</p> + +<p>"Shall we have to stay here all night?"</p> + +<p>"I'd be scared to death."</p> + +<p>"Think of the spooks!"</p> + +<p>"Why the whole place must be simply <i>chock-full</i> of ghosts after +sunset."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't we jump from the wall?"</p> + +<p>"I wish I'd never come. Oh, I hate things <span class="smcap">b.c.</span>! I shall have fits in a +minute."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fortunately for Delia's nerves they were not kept long in durance vile. +Lorna very soon discovered the loss of her buddy, drew Miss Morley's +attention to the matter, and the whole party hastened back to look for +them. The custodian was fetched from his wooden shelter and unlocked the +door, loudly disclaiming any responsibility on his part, and blaming the +guide.</p> + +<p>"It's your own fault," scolded Miss Morley. "You really <i>must</i> keep with +the party. I can't have any of you wandering off alone. You can't expect +me to count you every time we come out of a building. I put you on your +parole not to get separated again."</p> + +<p>"We won't indeed, <i>indeed!</i> We don't like being lost," promised the +delinquents earnestly.</p> + +<p>Everybody, including the Principal, was very tired by this time, and not +altogether sorry when the guide finished his tour of the ruins, and +conducted them safely back again to the entrance.</p> + +<p>"It's glorious, but you want days to see it in, instead of only a few +hours," sighed Phyllis.</p> + +<p>"And cast-iron backs and legs," agreed Sybil. "I shall enjoy thinking it +over when I'm home, but I'm ready to drop at the present moment."</p> + +<p>"What about my camera?" asked Irene anxiously.</p> + +<p>The guide had not forgotten it; he produced it from his pocket, +and—perhaps in consideration of the tip he had received from Miss +Morley—he did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> not confiscate the spool, but handed it over intact with +a polite gesture and a cryptic smile.</p> + +<p>"Grazie molto—<i>molto!</i>" murmured Irene, which meant "Thanks awfully," +and was one of the very few Italian phrases which she knew.</p> + +<p>Everybody was extremely glad to adjourn to the restaurant, where tea had +been ordered for their party, and a table reserved for them. The big +room was full of visitors and rather noisy; a band of musicians in the +center rendered Neapolitan songs to an accompaniment of mandolins and +guitars, and occasionally the audience joined the choruses. The +performance was not of the highest quality, but it was tuneful and +interesting to those who had not before heard the folk-songs of Southern +Italy. After tea the girls made a rush to buy post-cards and other +mementoes of Pompeii, which were on sale in a room next to the +restaurant, and would have spent half an hour over their purchases had +not Miss Morley collected her flock and insisted on a homeward start. +Poor little Désirée slept all the way back in the tramcar, with her head +on Stella's shoulder, and most of the party were in much more sober +spirits than when they had started. All felt, however, that it was a +never-to-be-forgotten experience.</p> + +<p>"I'd adore to go again sometime," ventured Lorna, clasping a model of a +Pompeian lamp, which her chum had given her for a souvenir.</p> + +<p>"So would I," agreed Irene. "Miss Morley calls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> this 'part of our +education,' and I think it's a very sensible way of teaching things. I +hope she'll take us to other places."</p> + +<p>"You'll get Vesuvius if your conduct sheet is all right."</p> + +<p>"Oh, lovely! I'd rather go there than even to Pompeii."</p> + +<p>"The same this child," chipped in Delia. "Renie, I guess you and I will +have to shake ourselves up and reform for a week or two. We were in Miss +Morley's black book to-day, and if we don't take care we shall be left +out of the next excursion."</p> + +<p>"I'll be an absolute saint," promised Irene. "You'll see me sprouting +wings. I'm going to draw a physical map of the world and mark in all the +principal volcanoes, and then show it to Miss Morley. She'll think it so +brainy of me and be so glad I'm interested in the subject. She'd really +feel I ought to see Vesuvius after that."</p> + +<p>"You schemer! It's not a bad idea though, and perhaps I'll do the same, +though I hate drawing maps. Hello! Is this the piazza? I'd no idea we'd +got back to Fossato so soon. Yes, it's been a 'happy day,' but I feel +all I want now is supper and bed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>Reprisals</h3> + + +<p>It was immediately after this that Peachy, who was always doing +imprudent things and running risks, went a little too far and caught a +severe chill. She was moved into the sanatorium, a room at the top of +the house, and spent three quite happy days in bed, reading books and +magazines, and drinking hot lemonade, which was Miss Rodgers' favorite +remedy for a cold. When she was certified as free from any infection, a +few of her special chums were allowed to visit her. She petitioned +specially for Jess, Delia, and Irene. They found her propped up with +pillows, and looking very charming in a pale pink dressing-jacket and +her hair tied back with a broad ribbon.</p> + +<p>"Thanks very much. I'm sitting up and taking nourishment," she grinned, +in reply to their commiserations. "I'm going to have some more fun +before I pop off! Joking apart, I've had the time of my life here. It's +been blissful just reading and resting, with a big jug of lemonade at my +elbow."</p> + +<p>"We've been talking about you downstairs. Didn't your ears burn?" asked +Jess.</p> + +<p>"Not more than usual. What were you saying about poor little me?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We had a special meeting of the Camellia Buds, and passed a vote of +sympathy, for one thing. I suppose I ought to 'convey' it to you in the +orthodox fashion."</p> + +<p>"Highly gratified, I'm sure," chirped Peachy. "How do I return thanks, +please? I can't get up in bed and bow. What next?"</p> + +<p>"Well, the next is that nobody can think of anything original for the +Transition to do at the carnival, and everybody said 'Ask Peachy,' so +we've come to you for a suggestion."</p> + +<p>"Whew! That's a big order," groaned the invalid. "We've had almost every +kind of stunt that's practically possible. What are the seniors getting +up this time?"</p> + +<p>"Something musical, to judge from the practicing we hear. It sounds like +operetta. And the juniors are having a fairy play. Miss Morgan is +teaching them. What we want is something utterly and entirely +different."</p> + +<p>"Exactly!" agreed Peachy, taking a drink of lemonade.</p> + +<p>"If you don't have a brain-throb we shall have to descend to an ordinary +concert."</p> + +<p>"Or a scene from Shakespeare."</p> + +<p>"Or a <i>tableau vivant</i>."</p> + +<p>"And those have been done simply dozens of times."</p> + +<p>"I know," frowned Peachy. "We had 'The Trial Scene' from <i>The Merchant +of Venice</i> our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>selves last carnival. We couldn't give the same stunt +again. Oh, don't bother me! Let me think. How can I get ideas when +you're all talking at once?"</p> + +<p>Peachy put her fingers in her ears and buried her head temporarily in +the pillow, from which she appeared to draw inspiration, for in a few +moments she sprang up with a bounce of rapture.</p> + +<p>"Got it!" she announced cheerily. "Let's do a toy-shop. You shall all be +dressed up as toy animals and be wound up to work. Oh, I see ever such +possibilities. The seniors never had <i>that</i> at any rate."</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>"It sounds prime!"</p> + +<p>"What a mascot you are."</p> + +<p>"Don't breathe a word outside the form," warned Peachy. "I'll plan it +all out and we'll have a rehearsal when I'm downstairs again. I guess +we'll give them a surprise. Hand me my writing-pad, somebody, and a +pencil. I want to get busy sketching costumes. I can see the whole thing +in my mind's eye and it ought to be great."</p> + +<p>Every year in the month of March the pupils at the Villa Camellia +celebrated a carnival of their own. It coincided with a local festival +at Fossato, on which occasion the inhabitants were wont to make merry, +dressing themselves in fantastic costumes, parading the streets, and +letting off fireworks. Originally the girls had been taken to see the +gay doings, but the town was often so rough that Miss Rodgers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> had +decided it was an unsuitable entertainment for young ladies, and, to +prevent disappointment, made the happy suggestion that they should keep +the festival in their own grounds. So each spring the three divisions of +the school vied with one another in producing some fresh surprise, and +had a very interesting and amusing afternoon in the garden or gymnasium, +and were too busily occupied to feel any regret at being deprived of the +sight of what was going on in Fossato.</p> + +<p>Canon and Mrs. Clark and a few of Miss Rodgers' and Miss Morley's +friends, who lived in the neighborhood, were generally invited to swell +the audience of teachers. The juniors were given a little assistance by +their form mistresses, but the seniors and the Transition managed their +own affairs. Now it was a most unfortunate circumstance that at present +the two sororities in the Transition were in direct opposition. Each +was, of course, aware of the other's existence, but each society kept +its own secrets. The Camellia Buds did not even know the name of their +rival, though they could guess at its list of members. Peachy, recovered +from her cold, came downstairs bubbling over with plans for a due +celebration of the festival. She submitted them gleefully to the +assembled girls, after French class. Much to her surprise about half of +the form demurred.</p> + +<p>"We're going to do something of our own," announced Bertha airily. "We +don't want your stunt."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of our own? What d'you mean?" asked Peachy, her gray eyes snapping.</p> + +<p>"I mean what I say. Some of us have arranged a little private +performance—we're going to keep it to ourselves."</p> + +<p>"And leave out the rest of us?"</p> + +<p>"You can have one of your own."</p> + +<p>"Well, I like that!" flamed Peachy. "You're dividing the form into two +stunts. We've never done that before. Besides, who sent up a message +asking me to think of something fresh and original? I certainly +understood it was from <i>all</i> of you."</p> + +<p>Peachy, in huge indignation, glared into several conscious and guilty +faces, while her allies backed up her arguments by cries of "Shame!" +Bertha turned rather red but bluffed the matter out.</p> + +<p>"We changed our minds. We can't always do everything all in a lump. As I +said before, we've got our own stunt, and you Camellia Buds can have +yours."</p> + +<p>Camellia Buds! If Bertha had dropped a bomb in the classroom she could +not have caused greater consternation among the opposition. So the rival +society knew the name of their sorority. A suppressed "O-o-h!" arose +here and there. Evidently much enjoying their confusion Bertha and her +confederates retired, leaving the poor Camellia Buds to hold an +indignation meeting. Everybody talked at once.</p> + +<p>"How did they find out?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Has anybody sneaked?"</p> + +<p>"It's the absolute limit!"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't have believed it!"</p> + +<p>"It gives me spasms!"</p> + +<p>"Of all mean things!"</p> + +<p>"It makes me tingle!"</p> + +<p>Then Jess, who was practical, made a suggestion.</p> + +<p>"I vote we take an oath of every member that she hasn't betrayed us."</p> + +<p>"'O wise young judge!'" quoted Agnes. "That's the best thing anybody's +said yet. Let's stand round in a row and swear 'Honest Injun.'"</p> + +<p>If the Camellia Buds sustained doubts of one another's integrity these +were absolutely dispelled by the fervency with which each pleaded her +innocence.</p> + +<p>"Somebody must have been eavesdropping at one of our meetings, I +suppose," sighed Agnes gloomily. "It's horrid to think they know our +secrets and we don't know theirs. I'd give worlds to get even."</p> + +<p>"Where do they meet?" asked Delia. "I've never been able to find out."</p> + +<p>"They're very clever in hiding themselves."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I expect they keep watch, and scoot whenever they see one of us."</p> + +<p>"That's it, of course," said Irene. "Well, what we've got to do is to +catch them off their guard. I vote we get the kids to help us. They +detest Bertha and Mabel. They'd just adore to track them for us. We +needn't exactly tell them why."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Renie Beverley. Those kids will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> do a turn for their +fairy godmothers. We'll call another candy party and put them on the +scout. I've a box of peppermint creams that will just go round. One +apiece ought to be enough for them to-day."</p> + +<p>The juniors were fond of peppermints, and even a limited candy party was +in their opinion better than none at all. They had never received sweets +of any description from Bertha or Mabel; indeed they regarded them as +arch-enemies. The idea of keeping a watch over their movements appealed +to them.</p> + +<p>"We'll shadow them, you bet!" grinned little Jean Hammond. "There isn't +much going on in the school that we don't know."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid there isn't. You're rather imps. But you'll be doing a good +deed if you find this out for us. The first who brings news shall have +two chocolates."</p> + +<p>The Camellia Buds felt no more compunction in employing the juniors on +this quest than a government that organizes a secret service department. +The enemy had betrayed them shamelessly and deserved reprisals. It was +Désirée after all who won the chocolates. She haunted house and garden +with the persistency of a small ghost, and at last proudly made the +announcement:</p> + +<p>"They've called a meeting by the big Greek jar to-day at five. I heard +Ruth tell Callie. What are you going to do about it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>That was exactly the question which puzzled the Camellia Buds. It was +one thing to obtain information and quite another to act upon it. If +they went and interrupted the rival meeting they would have the +satisfaction of routing the enemy but would be none the wiser. It was +Peachy's diplomacy that pointed out a way.</p> + +<p>"The Greek vase!" she said meditatively. "Yes, it's enormously big and I +think I can manage it. Now, my dearies, don't you want to be real +philanthropic this afternoon and give up your turns at the tennis courts +to other folks? Why? Because I've a little scheme on hand. I want to +keep those girls well away from the lemon pergola until it's time for +their precious meeting. Then they'll run up all unsuspecting, poor +innocents, and find——"</p> + +<p>"What will they find?"</p> + +<p>"'A chiel amang them takin' notes!'" chuckled Peachy. "In other words +yours truly will be hiding inside the big jar."</p> + +<p>"Peachy! You can't!"</p> + +<p>"Can't I? Great Scott! Do you think I'm going to let this beat me? You +can just bet your last nickel I shall. Renie and Jess shall help to hide +me, and the rest of you must watch the coast's clear till I'm safely +inside. I tell you I'm crazy to try it. It'll be the frolic of my life."</p> + +<p>There was certainly no plan too madcap for Peachy to undertake. She +revelled in anything venturesome or bizarre. The Camellia Buds did as +she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> decreed, and resigned the courts that afternoon to Bertha, Mabel, +Elsie, Ruth, Rosamonde, Winnie, Monica, and Callie, who fell readily +into the trap prepared for them. Leaving this double set busy at tennis +they fled to the opposite end of the garden.</p> + +<p>The lemon pergola was a sheltered walk that led down a flight of marble +steps to a small fountain. There was a shady nook here with bushes of +bamboo, and a tree with a sweet flower like honeysuckle, and little red +roses, and a border of Parma violets, and a seat made of bright green +tiles—altogether a very retired and pleasant and suitable spot in which +to hold a committee meeting. Exactly behind the seat stood an enormous +jar of terra-cotta, colored red, and decorated with Greek figures in +black silhouette, rather blurred and rubbed off, but still +distinguishable. No doubt its original use had been to store water, +wine, or olive-oil, but nowadays it was merely an ornament to the +garden. A plant pot full of scarlet geraniums rested on its head, and an +arbutula twined up the sides.</p> + +<p>Peachy climbed up the bank behind, and with the help of Jess removed the +pot of scarlet geraniums; then very cautiously and carefully she let +herself down inside the jar. It was just big enough to contain her, and +she lay concealed like one of the forty thieves in the story of <i>Ali +Baba</i>. She had one advantage, however, over the famous brigands. There +was a little round hole broken in the front of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> jar, and by putting +her eye to this she had an excellent view of her surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right?" asked Irene anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Fixed splendidly, thanks. Stick that flower-pot back on the top and +nobody'll ever guess I'm inside. Now scoot, quick, for it won't do for +them to see you haunting round. The place must look absolutely innocent +when they arrive."</p> + +<p>"We won't go too far. Shout for us if you get so you can't bear it any +longer," said Jess, putting the geraniums on like a stopper, and +dragging Irene away.</p> + +<p>Peachy's position was certainly not one of comfort, squatting at the +bottom of the great jar, and she was relieved that she had not long to +wait before the rival sorority arrived to hold its meeting. The girls +came scurrying, flushed after their games of tennis, and flung +themselves down, some on the marble steps and some on the tiled seat. +Bertha, as the Camellia Buds had suspected, was evidently the high +priestess, and opened the ceremony without delay.</p> + +<p>"Members of the Starry Circle," she began hurriedly, "repeat your oath."</p> + +<p>"We vow to be loyal to one another and to our President, and never to +reveal the secrets of our society," recited seven voices in reply.</p> + +<p>("Aha!" chuckled Peachy to herself, in the depths of the gigantic jar. +"Got the name of your precious sorority slap-bang off!")<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We've met together this afternoon," continued Bertha, "to settle +finally what parts we're going to take at the carnival. Ruth, just look +round, please, and be <i>sure</i> none of those wretched Camellia Buds is +anywhere about."</p> + +<p>Bertha paused, while Ruth made a tour among the bushes, and seemed +slightly puzzled when the latter reported:</p> + +<p>"Coast clear."</p> + +<p>"It's a funny thing," commented the President, "but I declare I can +smell that particular strong lily-of-the-valley scent that Peachy is so +fond of. I suppose it's only fancy?"</p> + +<p>"I can smell it too," confirmed Elsie, sniffing the air.</p> + +<p>"Are there any lilies-of-the-valley out anywhere near?" asked Mabel.</p> + +<p>"No, it's too early for them."</p> + +<p>"Then somebody else must have the same scent, or have picked up Peachy's +<i>mouchoir</i> by mistake."</p> + +<p>A general examination of handkerchiefs followed, but each girl +disclaimed all responsibility for the delicate odor.</p> + +<p>"Queer! I can't understand it. However, let's get to business. Our +waxworks are absolutely going to take the shine out of their stupid old +toy-shop. The only trouble is how we're going to get hold of the right +costumes. There's Queen Elizabeth now—I can manage her skirt, but I +want something for her farthingale. What can we raise?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Peachy has a lovely flowered silk dressing-gown," remarked Mabel. "It +would be just the thing."</p> + +<p>"Suppose she uses it herself though."</p> + +<p>"I won't give her a chance. I'll take it out of her cubicle the night +before and hide it."</p> + +<p>"O-o-h! You will! Will you?" exploded a voice from the interior of the +Greek jar. "We'll just see about that."</p> + +<p>The fact was that Peachy's crouching position had grown intolerable. She +was bound to move and reveal herself, and her indignation at Mabel's +cool suggestion flamed forth through the peep-hole.</p> + +<p>The Circle sprang up in much alarm, and some of them squealed as the pot +of geraniums fell with a crash from the top of the big jar, and Peachy's +pink face and fluffy hair appeared instead. Her flashing gray eyes +certainly held no love light in them.</p> + +<p>"You mean things!" raged Peachy. "Call yourselves stars, do you? I can't +see anything very star-like about you. Have your old waxworks if you +like, but I can tell you beforehand you won't take the shine out of +<i>us</i>. You've copied my idea shamelessly, and if you're going to steal +our properties too—yes, you may well scoot. Don't ever dare to show +your faces to me again."</p> + +<p>For the members of the Starry Circle had broken up their meeting, and +were running away down the lemon pergola in the direction of the house, +immensely upset to find there had been a secret listener<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> in their +midst. Once they were out of sight Peachy cooeed for Jess and Irene, who +appeared bursting with laughter and demanding details, having witnessed +the rout of the enemy from a distance.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you presently if you'll help me climb out of this wretched +thing," said Peachy, who found it a far more difficult matter to +extricate herself from the jar than it had been to drop into it. "How'm +I going to manage? Oh, don't pull my arms so, you hurt!"</p> + +<p>It was indeed somewhat of a problem, and Peachy was beginning to feel +seriously alarmed, when, fortunately, one of the gardeners came to the +rescue, and tilted the jar over so as to allow her to crawl out.</p> + +<p>"I feel like a released Slave of the Lamp, or a freed dryad, or +something fairy-taley or mythological," she declared. "It was worth it, +though, to see those girls' faces. Thank you, Giovanni! I'm ever so much +obliged. Sorry if I've spoilt your bed of violets. Is that Delia calling +us? Coming, dearie. Where are the rest of the Camellia Buds? I may as +well tell my story to the whole bunch of you together. Then you'll see +the sort of thing we're up against. They've taken our idea, and they're +trying to beat us on our own ground. That's what it's all about."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>The School Carnival</h3> + + +<p>The Camellia Buds considered that they possessed a real grievance. The +difference between an animated toy-shop and waxworks was so slight as to +be immaterial. In both the figures would require to be wound up, after +which they would perform various antics. The idea had certainly +originated with Peachy, and the Starry Circle had merely copied it. +Their stunt was in fact a shameless plagiarism.</p> + +<p>"Why couldn't they have joined with us and we'd have done the toy-shop +all together?" demanded Agnes crossly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know. It's just their perversity. It'll look so stupid to +have two separate shows. Whichever comes last will seem so stale after +the other."</p> + +<p>"Why, of course, ours will come first! It <i>must!</i>"</p> + +<p>"There'll be a fight for it."</p> + +<p>"We can't squabble at the carnival with Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley +looking on. We'd better have our battle beforehand and get it over."</p> + +<p>"Tell the Stars we mean to have first innings?"</p> + +<p>"They'll never agree!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look here, it's no use coming to open war with them. I vote we try +diplomacy. Has anybody thought of the programs yet?"</p> + +<p>"I heard the seniors groaning over having to paint covers for them."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's go to them privately and volunteer to help. Then we shall +have the opportunity of telling them that the Transition stunt is to be +in two divisions, and that Part I will be taken by ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Quite a brain-throb!"</p> + +<p>"Renie, I'm beginning to admire you!"</p> + +<p>"Peachy can paint beautifully!"</p> + +<p>"So can Joan and Esther. Shall I go and say we offer to do six programs? +Right-o! Come with me, Peachy. You're our champion wheedler."</p> + +<p>The two delegates started at once on their diplomatic mission. They felt +indeed that there was no time to be lost. They found several of the +prefects collected in Rachel's bedroom, where possibly they were having +a little private candy party, for there were sounds of a rustling of +paper and a shutting of drawers before they were granted permission to +enter the precincts. The Transition girls always envied the seniors' +rooms. These were on the seaward side of the house, and their balcony +had glorious views over the bay and the surrounding coast. The +decorations were very tasteful. The walls were gray, with a stenciled +frieze of hydrangeas, and there were soft-shaded Indian rugs on the +polished<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> wood floor. Rachel and her roommates had provided their own +luxuries in the way of pretty cushions, table-covers, pictures, and +flower-vases, and the general effect was of harmonious comfort.</p> + +<p>"Well? What can I do for you?" inquired the head girl briefly, as Stella +admitted the diplomats.</p> + +<p>It was not a very encouraging reception. Possibly the prefects were +annoyed at being disturbed in the midst of what they were doing.</p> + +<p>Peachy, however, ignored Rachel's tone, and putting on her most winning +smile inquired:</p> + +<p>"We wonder if you're painting any program covers for the carnival?"</p> + +<p>Rachel lolled back in her chair and retied the bow that terminated her +long dark pigtail.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we are and perhaps we aren't," was her somewhat cryptic reply.</p> + +<p>"The matter's in our hands entirely, of course," cooed Sybil, rocking to +and fro on a cane <i>sedia</i>.</p> + +<p>"I know," put in Irene, trying to be tactful. "We only thought that +perhaps you might care to have a little help. Some of us would be ready +to paint a few if you like."</p> + +<p>This put a different complexion on the case. The seniors, always +bristling for their privileges, resented idle curiosity—on the part of +the Transition. But an offer of help was another matter.</p> + +<p>"There certainly is a great number to be done," said Erica, with a +beseeching look at Rachel.</p> + +<p>The head girl thawed a little.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, we shouldn't mind your taking a few off our hands," she conceded. +"Half a dozen? Sybil, will you get those programs out of my drawer? Put +anything you like on them—flowers, birds, figures, or landscapes. I'll +lend you this to copy the printing from. Let me have them by Thursday if +you can."</p> + +<p>Rachel glanced meaningly at the door, as if she considered the interview +might now with decency come to an end. Neither Peachy nor Irene took the +hint, however. The main object of their mission had not yet been +broached.</p> + +<p>"You've not written the program inside yet," commented Peachy, opening +one of the covers.</p> + +<p>"We'll do that later."</p> + +<p>"Shall we copy some for you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, thanks!"</p> + +<p>Then Irene, growing desperate, blurted out what they had really come to +say.</p> + +<p>"The Transition stunt is to be in two parts this time. Bertha and Mabel +are arranging one, and Peachy is getting up another. Do you mind putting +ours down to come first?"</p> + +<p>"Sorry, but I'm afraid it can't be done," yawned Rachel. "Bertha has +been up and bagged first innings. I wrote it down, didn't I, Stella? +Where's that list? Yes, here we are. The juniors are to come first, +because Miss Morgan has trained them and she thinks they'll get the +fidgets if they wait, and it's better to have their performance over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +Then, of course, comes our stunt, and then the Transition."</p> + +<p>"Could we possibly have our half of the Transition stunt before yours? +It would make more variety."</p> + +<p>"Most certainly not!"</p> + +<p>Rachel's brow was puckered in a frown, and Sybil, from the depths of the +rocking-chair, murmured, "Cheek!"</p> + +<p>"We've got the program all fixed up, and we're not going to change it +for anybody," chirped Erica.</p> + +<p>"Any one who isn't satisfied needn't act," endorsed Rachel, with such a +very decided glance at the door that the two delegates could no longer +obtrude their presence, and were obliged to beat an unwilling retreat.</p> + +<p>They walked along the passage very dissatisfied with the result of their +mission.</p> + +<p>"We've got all the fag of painting these wretched programs, and gained +nothing at all," groused Irene.</p> + +<p>"They might have told us first about Bertha. Isn't she an absolute +Jacob—supplanting us like this?"</p> + +<p>"Those seniors are <i>most</i> unsympathetic. I want to go back and tell +Rachel what I think of her."</p> + +<p>"She'd only say, 'How foreign' if you got excited. And it wouldn't be an +atom of use either."</p> + +<p>"They've taken the best place in the program for their stunt."</p> + +<p>"Trust the prefects to do that."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's to be done about it?"</p> + +<p>"It will need some thinking over."</p> + +<p>Peachy's agile brains were rarely to be beaten. She slept upon the +problem, and informed her friends afterwards that inspiration came to +her at exactly 3 a.m.</p> + +<p>"I know, because I heard the convent clock strike. I sat up in bed and +laughed. I wonder I didn't wake the dormitory, but nobody stirred a +finger. Listen, and I'll explain. The situation at present is this: +Bertha and her Starry Circle have cribbaged our idea and forestalled us +on the program, and are going to act their wretched waxworks first, and +are congratulating themselves that their piece will take the shine out +of ours."</p> + +<p>"So it will, I'm afraid. The audience will have sat through the juniors' +play, the seniors' stunt, and the waxworks. They'll be bored stiff to +see our toy-shop straight away afterwards."</p> + +<p>"Well, they <i>shan't</i> see it. That's my idea. Let's drop the toy-shop and +do something quite different."</p> + +<p>"Drop our toy-shop! O-o-h!"</p> + +<p>"We'll do it some other time. But you see we've one advantage on the +program at any rate. We come last."</p> + +<p>"That's what we're raving against."</p> + +<p>"I know! But if you think of it, it's a great opportunity. Suppose we do +a splendid finishing tableau instead of animated toys? It would make a +magnificent wind-up, and would be a surprise for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> everybody. Think of +the amazement of the Starry Circle, when they're expecting us to do a +pale copy of their own stunt, to see us posed as a tableau, and +everybody clapping the roof off."</p> + +<p>"It would be rather sporty."</p> + +<p>"Only I did so want to dress up as a kangaroo," mourned Joan dolefully.</p> + +<p>"You shall be Australia instead, and you'll look far nicer. I'll +guarantee to make you ever so pretty. It's to be an Anglo-American +pageant, to symbolize the school. We'll have Columbia and Britannia and +all her colonies, in a sort of <i>entente cordiale</i>. You'll see it will +please Miss Morley and Miss Rodgers no end. That Starry Circle will be +just <i>aching</i> with envy. They'll wish they'd been in it. It will +absolutely take the wind out of their sails and lay them flat."</p> + +<p>"Peachy Proctor, there's a spice of genius in your composition," said +Jess admiringly. "I could never have thought of that myself."</p> + +<p>"Oh, fiddlesticks! Glad you approve though. Now what we've got to do is +to hustle up and get busy over costumes. They'll take some contriving. +Hide all your best things away from the Stars, or they'll be +commandeering them. Mabel has no conscience. And be careful that not the +least teeny-weeny hint leaks out. Let's talk openly about the toy-shop, +and pretend we're still going on practicing for it. It will be all the +bigger sell for them when they find out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Camellia Buds, having undertaken to paint six program covers, nobly +did their duty and finished them in the prescribed time. Lorna offered +to take them to Rachel's room, and met with quite a gracious reception +from the head girl. So much so that she ventured to put forward a +suggestion of her own.</p> + +<p>"May Part I of the Transition stunt have a time limit?" she asked. "We +want to have some idea when we're to come on."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," agreed Rachel. "We can't let Part I go on <i>ad infinitum</i>. I +hadn't thought of that. I shall tell Bertha she may have ten minutes and +no longer. I shall ring the curtain bell if she exceeds. I see your +point entirely. It's only fair."</p> + +<p>"I was afraid if it was getting near tea-time the audience mightn't want +to stay."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. I'll take care your stunt isn't crowded out. Trust that to me. +I'm not head girl here for nothing. And I'm not entirely blind either. +My advice is to look after yourselves."</p> + +<p>Lorna returned to the Camellia Buds feeling she had considerably scored +over the Stars. Her previous acquaintance with school theatricals had +taught her that audiences are human, that even teachers will not sit +through too lengthy a performance, and that the lure of tea cannot be +resisted by those who are accustomed to drink it daily at 4 p.m. As +their own dormitory was half in possession of the enemy, Irene and Lorna +adjourned to Peachy's bedroom to make preparations for their costumes, +and held cosy sew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>ing-bees in company with Delia, Jess, Mary, and any +other chums who were able to join them. They kept their properties +safely locked up inside one of the wardrobes in No. 13, and Peachy wore +the key tied under her skirt with a piece of ribbon.</p> + +<p>"Because you can't trust that sneaking Mabel not to come in and poke +about," she explained grimly. "I know she wants my dressing-gown."</p> + +<p>"We shall have to gallop with our costumes if we're to make anything of +a show," said Sheila, hastily running seams in a creation of scarlet and +blue, destined to clothe Canada.</p> + +<p>"I know, but we'll wear them even if they've got raw edges and are +fastened together with pins. I don't suppose the audience will be near +enough to see the stitches. I hope not, at any rate. Mine are absolute +cats' cradles."</p> + +<p>By the day of the festival, however, the Camellia Buds were exactly +ready. They had kept their secret strictly, and flattered themselves +that their rivals the Stars were in complete ignorance of their change +of program. The acting was to be in the gymnasium, not in the garden, +for a sirocco wind was blowing and the overcast sky promised rain. It +was a pity, for the pergola would have made such a beautiful background, +and some enthusiasts even petitioned Miss Morley to keep to her original +plan.</p> + +<p>"And have you all wet through, and the guests shivering with cold?" she +replied. "No, indeed! Be thankful we have such a large room as the gym<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +to act in. Otherwise the fête would have been put off altogether."</p> + +<p>The girls were allowed, however, to decorate the platform with flowers, +and to hang up Chinese lanterns so as to give a festive appearance to +the scene. The performers donned their costumes in good time, but wore +waterproofs over them to conceal them. They wished to witness each +other's stunts, yet did not want to reveal their own secrets too soon. +There was quite a good audience assembled in the gymnasium. Miss Rodgers +and Miss Morley had sent out many invitations, and some parents and +friends had come over from Naples to combine a peep at the celebrated +Fossato festival with a visit to the school. Irene's cup of joy was full +when, to her utter amazement, she saw her own father, mother, and +brother walk into the room.</p> + +<p>"Well! You <i>are</i> a surprise package," she exclaimed, greeting them +gleefully. "Why didn't you write and tell me you were coming?"</p> + +<p>"We didn't know ourselves," said Vincent. "We never thought we could +manage to get off, and we didn't want to disappoint you. When does your +stunt come on?"</p> + +<p>"Not till the end, so I can sit with you most of the time. Oh! It's +simply too good to have you all turn up like this. Mother darling, +there's a chair for you here, and I'll be in the middle between you and +Daddy."</p> + +<p>The entertainment began with a fairy play acted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> by the juniors. They +looked very pretty in their gauzy garments, and little Désirée, in a +gossamer robe of elfin green, made an attractive queen, so dainty and +ethereal that the audience almost expected to see through her. "What a +sweet child!" was the general comment, as she tripped back in response +to a storm of clapping, to give an encore to her "Moonbeam Song."</p> + +<p>The juniors retired, having covered themselves with glory, greatly to +the satisfaction of Miss Morgan, who had spent much time in training +them for their performance.</p> + +<p>It was now the turn of the seniors. They had got up an operetta of Robin +Hood, and appeared clad in the orthodox foresters' costume of Lincoln +green, with bows, arrows, and quivers. Stella, as Maid Marian, and +Phyllis, as the Curtle Friar, were especial successes; while Will +Scarlett and Little John gave a noble display of fencing with +quarter-staves, a part of the program which they had practiced in +secrecy, under the instruction of the gymnastic mistress, and now +presented as a complete surprise to the school. Their acting was so +spirited that everybody was quite sorry when the short piece was ended, +and would have liked certain scenes repeated, had not Miss Morley +pointed to her watch and shaken her head emphatically to forbid further +encores. Past experience had warned her not to allow one section of the +school to monopolize an undue share of the time to the exclusion of +others.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's the turn of the Transition now," she said. "We shall only just +work through our program by half past four."</p> + +<p>Even the Camellia Buds, though they watched with jaundiced eyes, could +not deny that the members of the Starry Circle managed their waxworks +very creditably. Elsie indeed, as Madame de Pompadour, was not +convincing, but Mabel made a distinguished Sir Walter Raleigh, and +Bertha surpassed herself as Queen Elizabeth. The rival sorority, after +witnessing this triumph, was more and more thankful to have abandoned +the idea of acting an animated toy-shop. It would certainly have seemed +tame to continue on the same lines as the prior performance. As it was +they chuckled with satisfaction behind the curtain, while they arranged +themselves for the tableau.</p> + +<p>"I guess it will make them sit up," purred Peachy, setting a curl +straight with the aid of her pocket-mirror. "It will be frightfully hard +to keep still, for I shall just want to stare round and see their faces, +but don't alarm yourselves. I promise not to give so much as a blink. I +wouldn't disgrace our stunt for the world. I'll be a rigid marble statue +till the curtain drops."</p> + +<p>"Sh! sh! Don't chatter so much," warned Jess. "Aren't you ready yet? +Miss Morley's getting impatient."</p> + +<p>"It's nearly half past four, and I expect everybody is longing for tea," +put in Irene.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They'll have to wait for it till we've done our stunt. We're not going +to be left out," said Peachy, hurriedly taking her pose.</p> + +<p>The allegorical scene in which the girls were grouped presented a pretty +picture as the curtain rose.</p> + +<p>In the center Agnes and Delia, dressed as Britannia and Columbia, +supported the Union Jack and the Stars and Strips together with a bunch +of camellias as a delicate compliment to the school; Jess, in plaid and +tam-o'-shanter, stood for her native Scotland; Peachy, with fringed +leather leggings and cowboy's hat, was a ranch-girl; Joan in a somewhat +similar costume represented "the bush" in Australia; Sheila in a white +coat trimmed plentifully with cotton wool made a pretty Canada; Irene +was an Irish colleen; Mary, with bunches of mimosa, typified South +Africa; and Esther, gorgeous in Oriental drapery and numerous necklaces, +was an Indian princess. But perhaps the most successful costume of all +was Lorna's. She had been chosen to take the character of New Zealand, +and was dressed in a pale yellow wrapper decorated with beautiful sprays +of tinted leaves. Round her head was a garland of orange blossoms, and +in her arms she held great branches of oranges and lemons, to typify the +fruits of the country she was impersonating. With Lorna's dark eyes and +hair the effect was most striking. She kept her pose admirably, scarcely +blinking an eyelid, though Mary palpably moved, and even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> Joan was +guilty of a smile. The audience, immensely surprised and pleased with +the tableau, clapped enthusiastically. It was felt to be a very fitting +finish to the festival.</p> + +<p>"You kept your secret well, girls," said Miss Morley, as she +congratulated them afterwards. "I'm sure nobody had the least hint. It +was charmingly thought out and arranged. Come along now and have some +tea. It has really been a most successful afternoon."</p> + +<p>Audience and performers, the latter in all the glory of their pretty +costumes, mingled together now for conversation and tea-drinking. Irene +quickly joined her family, and had much to say to them, and many +questions to ask about their doings in Naples.</p> + +<p>"I say, Renie," whispered Vincent, suddenly interrupting her, "tell me +who's that lovely girl? She looked the best in the whole of your +tableau."</p> + +<p>Irene followed his glance to the yellow-clad figure handing the teacups +which Miss Morley was filling.</p> + +<p>"That's Lorna. One of my best chums. Yes, that costume suits her. I want +to bring her to speak to Mother. Yes, Lorna, you <i>must</i> come. I simply +shan't let you run away. Mummie darling, this is Lorna. We room +together, you know."</p> + +<p>Lorna, dragged forward much against her will to be introduced, stood shy +and blushing, but her heightened color and evident confusion added to +her attraction, and several heads were turned to glance at her among the +guests in that quarter of the room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> It was not until this occasion of +the carnival that any one at the Villa Camellia had recognized Lorna as +a budding beauty.</p> + +<p>"You ought always to wear yellow," Peachy said to her afterwards. "It's +quite your color. By the by, who chooses your clothes for you?"</p> + +<p>"Miss Rodgers generally takes me to Naples and buys them."</p> + +<p>"She's no taste. Her ideas run to a gym suit and a school panama and +nothing beyond. I'll give you a tip. Next time you need an evening dress +or a Sunday jumper, engineer it so Miss Morley does the shopping. She'll +get you something pretty, I'll guarantee. She chose that blue <i>crêpe de +chine</i> for Delia. Don't forget. And don't look so fearfully surprised. +If you haven't thought about your clothes before it's time you did. My +dear, you'll pay dressing. Come close and I'll whisper to you: some of +those Stars are just too jealous of you for words. I'm tickled to +bits."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>Up Vesuvius</h3> + + +<p>On a certain day towards the end of March, Miss Morley, who usually +acted as cicerone and general guide, arranged to take a select little +party up Vesuvius. Irene, Lorna, Peachy, and Delia were among the +favored few, and congratulated themselves exceedingly. It is certainly +not an every-day occurrence for schoolgirls to view a volcano, and this +particular excursion, being long and difficult, was kept as a special +treat, and was regarded as the titbit of the various expeditions from +the Villa Camellia. Many of the girls had, of course, made it on former +occasions, but to those whom Miss Morley was escorting to-day it was all +new.</p> + +<p>"I was to have gone last autumn," confided Peachy, "but the fact is I +got into a little fix with Miss Rodgers, and she started on the rampage +and canceled my exeat. I cried till I was simply a sopping sponge, but +she was a perfect crab that day. Lorna, weren't you to have gone too +once before?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and got toothache. Just like my luck. There the others were +starting off, and I was sitting by the stove with a swollen face, +dabbing on belladonna, and Miss Rodgers careering round telling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> me I +must have it out. Ugh! My ailments always turn up when I'm going +anywhere."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're all right to-day at any rate," consoled Delia, rather +unsympathetically.</p> + +<p>"If I don't get seasick on the boat."</p> + +<p>"Oh, buck up! You mustn't. We'll throw you overboard to the fishes if +you do anything so silly. For goodness' sake don't any one start +symptoms and spoil the fun. Where's Miss Morley? I'm just aching to be +off."</p> + +<p>The party left Fossato by the early morning steamer and went straight to +Naples. They drove from the quay to the station, then took the little +local train for Vesuvius. Italian railways generally provide scant +accommodation for the number of passengers, so there ensued a wild +scramble for seats, and it was only by the help of the conductor, whom +she had judiciously tipped, that Miss Morley managed to keep her flock +together, and settle them in one of the small saloon carriages. Here +they were wedged pretty tightly among native Italians, and tourists of +various nations, including some voluble Swedes and a company of dapper +Japanese gentlemen, who were seeing Europe. After much pushing, +crowding, shouting, and gesticulation on the part of both the public and +officials, the train at last started and pursued its jolting and jerky +way. It ran first through the poorer district of Naples, where +dilapidated houses, whose faded walls showed traces of former gay pink, +blue, or yellow color-wash, stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> in the midst of vegetable gardens; +then, the slums left behind, the line passed a long way among vineyards +and orchards of almond, peach, and cherry that were just bursting into +glorious lacy blossom. The railway banks were gay with the flowers which +March scatters in Southern Italy, red poppies, orange marigolds, lupins, +campanulas, purple snapdragons, and wild mignonette, growing anywhere +among stones and rocks, with the luxuriance that in northern countries +is reserved for June.</p> + +<p>At Torre Annunziata the party from the Villa Camellia all crowded to the +carriage window, for Miss Morley had something to point out to them.</p> + +<p>"We're passing over the lava formed by the great eruption in 1906. The +whole of the railway line and ever so many houses were buried then. +Don't you see bits of them peeping out over there?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, it looks like cinders," commented Lorna.</p> + +<p>"They're great masses of crumbling lava turning into soil. Wait till we +get farther on, then you'll see lava more in its raw stage. Very soon we +shall be passing over the top of Herculaneum. The ancient city lies +buried thirty feet below the surface."</p> + +<p>"Aren't they ever going to excavate it like they did Pompeii?"</p> + +<p>"The trouble is that the modern town of Pugliano is built over the top, +and naturally the owners don't want their houses pulled down, whatever +treasures in the way of Greek or Roman antiquities may lie<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> buried +underneath. Isn't the view of the Bay of Naples beautiful from here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and the flowers. It's like fairyland."</p> + +<p>At Pugliano the party left the train, and after a long and tiresome wait +at the station changed to the light electric railway that was to take +them up Vesuvius. The little carriage resembled a tramcar, and its wide +glass windows afforded excellent views of the scenery <i>en route</i>. +Up—up—up they went, gradually getting higher and higher. It was +marvelous how the vegetation altered as they ascended. The cactuses, +olives, almonds, and peach orchards gave way to hillsides covered with +small chestnut, oak, or poplar trees, and the poppies and daisies were +succeeded by broom bushes and clumps of rosemary. They were getting on +to the region of the lava, and all the ground was brown, like newly +turned peat. Men were busy digging terraces in the volcanic earth, to +plant vines, working calmly as if the great cone above them had never +belched forth fire and ashes.</p> + +<p>"How <i>dare</i> they live here?" shuddered Peachy, pointing to the tiny +dwellings which had been reared here and there. "When they see all the +ruin round them, aren't they afraid? What makes them go back?"</p> + +<p>"The ground is so rich," explained Miss Morley. "Nothing grows vines so +splendidly as volcanic earth. The people get fatalistic, and think it +worth risking their lives to have these fruitful little farms. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> say +the mountain may not be angry again for years, and they will take their +chance."</p> + +<p>"It's smoking now," said Lorna.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it's safe?" asked Delia anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly safe to-day or we shouldn't have been allowed to go up in the +electric railway. Do you see that big building—the observatory? Careful +investigations are made every day of the crater, and the results +telegraphed down to Naples. If there were the slightest hint of danger +the trains would be stopped and tourists turned back."</p> + +<p>The journey was ever upwards, over great wastes of rough brown lava, +which looked as if some giant, in play, had squeezed out the contents of +enormous tubes of oil paint on to the mighty palette of the mountain +side. The air had grown fresh and cold, for they were at an altitude +approaching 4000 feet, and, but for the scenery, might have imagined +themselves in Wales or Scotland.</p> + +<p>The light railway ended at a small station, where there was the +observatory and a hotel. All round were masses of enormous cinders, and +above, a grim sight, towered the immense cone of Vesuvius. To scale the +tremendous incline to the summit there was a funicular railway, to which +our party now transferred themselves, sitting on seats raised one above +another as in the gallery of a theater. It was here that, if the events +of the day are to be truly chronicled, we must record a scrimmage +between Irene and her chum, Peachy. The conductor of the light<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> railway +had gathered a bunch of rosemary <i>en route</i>, and he now approached the +funicular and bestowed his offering upon Peachy, who happened to be +sitting nearest to the end. She was immensely gratified at the +attention, sniffed the fragrant nosegay, and handed it on for admiration +to Lorna, who, after also burying her nose in it, passed it to Irene. +The latter ought to have realized it was not her own property, but +unfortunately didn't. She calmly appropriated the bunch, and distributed +it in portions to those nearest her. Peachy's cheeks flamed. She was a +hot-tempered little soul underneath her gay banter.</p> + +<p>"Well! Of all cool cheek," she exploded. "That was <i>my</i> bouquet. It was +given to <i>me</i>, not to you, Renie Beverley. Next time you start being +charitable use your own flowers, not mine. You haven't left me a single +piece."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," blushed Irene, trying to collect some portion at least of +her offerings to hand back to the lawful owner. "I thought they were +given to me."</p> + +<p>"No, you didn't, you simply bagged them," snapped Peachy. "I'm not +friends with you, so don't talk to me any more," and Peachy turned a red +offended face out of the carriage window.</p> + +<p>Irene might have apologized further, but the funicular gave a mighty +jerk at that moment, and the carriage started. Up—up went the little +train, working on wire ropes like a bucket coming out of a well. Higher +and higher and higher it rose up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> the terrific incline, over masses of +cinders, towards the thick cloud of smoke that loomed above. It stopped +at last at a big iron gate, which opened to admit the passengers on to +the summit. Here the guides were waiting, and after some parleying in +Italian, Miss Morley engaged a couple of them to escort her party. Led +by these men, who knew every inch of the way, they started to walk to +the crater of the volcano. A cinder path had been made along the edge of +the cone, having on the left side a steep ridge of ashes, and on the +right a sheer drop of many thousand feet. From this strange road there +were weird and beautiful effects—for it was above the region of the +clouds, which floated below, sometimes hiding the landscape, and +sometimes revealing glorious stretches of country, with gleams of +sunshine falling on the white houses of towns miles below, and blue +reaches of sea with mountains beyond. Great volumes of smoke kept coming +down from the summit, and blowing in a dense cloud, then clearing for a +few minutes and forming again. There were booming sounds like the firing +of cannons that seemed to issue from the smoke.</p> + +<p>Very much awed by these impressive surroundings the party kept close +together. The guides, in their gray uniforms and caps with red bands, +were a comforting feature of the excursion. But for their encouragement +the girls would have been too much scared to proceed. Delia was clinging +to Peachy, and Lorna held Irene's arm tightly. Miss Morley,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> who had +been before, kept assuring everybody that there was no danger, and after +a few minutes they grew sufficiently accustomed to the scene to +thoroughly enjoy the magnificent effects of the clouds circling below +them. But the guides were calling "Haste," for the mist was clearing, +and it would be possible to get a view of the crater. They all scurried +along the path, and suddenly to the left, instead of the high ridge of +cinders, they could look down into a deep rocky ravine. From this hollow +vapors were rising as from a witch's cauldron, but every now and then +the wind dispersed them as if lifting a veil, revealing a glimpse of the +crater. At the bottom of the ravine stood a great cone, from the mouth +of which poured dense clouds of smoke, and between the smoke could be +seen fire, as if the interior of the cone were a red-hot furnace. +Sometimes the vapors were shadowy as gray phantoms, sometimes glowing +red with the reflection of the fire within, and as they whirled round +the dim ravine loud explosions broke the silence. The view was as +fleeting and evanescent as a landscape in a dream; one minute there +would be nothing but a bank of mist and deadly stillness, the next a +vision of fire and sounds that rent the mountain air.</p> + +<p>"It's like looking into the bottomless pit," shivered Delia.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it's magnificent!" gasped Peachy.</p> + +<p>"I'd no idea it would be so grand as this," said Irene. "I wouldn't have +missed it for worlds."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come along, girls. The guides can take us farther," said Miss Morley. +"Don't be frightened, for it's perfectly safe, and they won't let us go +into any danger."</p> + +<p>So they went some way along the mountain and turned down a side path +towards the crater. It was difficult walking, for they were all among +lava and sliding cinders, but the guides kept close by them, and helped +them over difficult places. When they had descended perhaps a hundred +feet or so, the ground became percolated with steam, jets of it poured +from holes among the rocks, and the cinders upon which they stood felt +warm to their boots. The guides brought the party to a halt upon a ledge +of volcanic rock, from below which ran a sheer slide of hot cinders into +the ravine. From here there was a splendid near view of the cone, its +top yellow with sulphur, and at its base a lake of molten lava. One of +the guides, a venturesome fellow, climbed down by another path and +fetched lumps of sulphur as souvenirs for the girls, and the other guide +pressed upon them pieces of lava into which, while hot, he had inserted +coins, so that they had set into the mass when cool. They were naturally +immensely delighted with these mementoes, and put them in their pockets, +quite unsuspecting of the sequel that was to ensue.</p> + +<p>It was a fearful scramble back up the steep path over the sliding +cinders. The guides held out a stick or a hand to help at awkward +corners, and being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> young and active the party managed to scale the side +of the ravine and regain the summit of the mountain without any +accidents, though Delia confessed afterwards that she had fully expected +to tumble backwards and roll into the lava, a fear which Miss Morley +pooh-poohed entirely.</p> + +<p>"There was no danger unless you fainted, and the guides were close at +your elbow the whole time," she declared.</p> + +<p>The smiling officials in the gray uniforms and red-banded caps had +indeed seemed the good geniuses of the excursion, but alack! they +exhibited a different aspect when they had conducted their party back to +the entrance of the funicular railway. Not satisfied with the payment +which the government tariff allowed them to charge, they demanded from +each of the visitors exorbitant tips in consideration of the little +lumps of sulphur and lava which they had given them from the crater. The +girls, who had supposed these to be presents, were most indignant.</p> + +<p>"Five francs for a scrap of sulphur!"</p> + +<p>"And we'd just called him such a kind man!"</p> + +<p>"Let him keep his wretched souvenirs!"</p> + +<p>"No, no! I want mine!"</p> + +<p>"It's too bad!"</p> + +<p>"I want my money to buy post-cards!"</p> + +<p>"It's absolute blackmail!"</p> + +<p>The guides, no longer smiling and obliging, but clamoring loudly for +extra money, were finally settled with by Miss Morley, who knew the +customs of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> the country, and was aware that they would be quite content +with less than half of what they had asked.</p> + +<p>"It's always the way in Naples," she said philosophically, as she +thankfully bundled her flock into the funicular. "You can't get along +anywhere without tipping. The government may try its best to arrange +fixed prices, but every one who goes sightseeing must be prepared to +part with a good deal in the way of small change. The guides are not +such brigands as they used to be, thank goodness. Thirty or forty years +ago I suppose it was hopeless to come unless you brought a courier with +you from Naples to keep the others off. Well, you have your little +souvenirs of Vesuvius at any rate, even if they've turned out rather +expensive ones. They're something to keep, aren't they?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have given up mine if they'd asked me twenty dollars for +it," declared Peachy, fondling the nickel coin set in the lump of lava.</p> + +<p>"I don't understand the Neapolitans," frowned Irene. "One minute they're +so charming and persuasive and winning and gay, and the next they're +absolute bandits."</p> + +<p>"They're a mixed race, with a good deal of the Spaniard in them," +explained Miss Morley. "We must make certain allowances for their +southern temperaments and customs. They're very poor, and they look upon +American and British tourists as made of money, and therefore fair game +to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> fleeced. The best plan is to take them quite calmly, and never +lose your temper however excited they may get. When you've lived here +for a time you learn how to treat them."</p> + +<p>By this time they had reached the bottom of the funicular, and were back +in the little station near the observatory. A picturesque woman, with a +yellow shawl round her shoulders, and long gold earrings in her ears, +came hurrying up to sell post-cards, and offered to show the party the +quickest way into the hotel. As every one was very tired and hungry Miss +Morley succumbed to the voice of this siren, and permitted her to escort +them by what she assured them would be a short cut and would save many +steps. But alas for Italian veracity! Their suave and smiling guide led +them down a path at the back of the hotel to a shabby and dirty little +restaurant of her own, where she vehemently assured them she would +provide them with a far cheaper meal, an offer which, at the sight of +the crumby table-cloth, they resolutely refused.</p> + +<p>"The old humbug! I'd no idea she was decoying us away from the hotel. +Really nobody can be trusted up here," fumed Miss Morley. "Come along, +girls. I told the conductor to reserve a table for us, and there won't +be time to have lunch before the train starts unless we're quick."</p> + +<p>So they all hurried back again up the path—much to the chagrin of the +siren—and found their own way into the hotel, where seats had been kept +for them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> in the restaurant, and dishes of macaroni and vegetables and +cups of hot coffee were in readiness.</p> + +<p>The great attraction to the girls was the fact that if they bought +post-cards at the hotel these could be stamped by the conductor of the +train with the Vesuvius postmark, and posted in a special pillar-box at +the station. The idea of sending cards to their friends actually from +the volcano itself was most fascinating, and they scribbled away till +the last available moment.</p> + +<p>"I guess some homes in America will be startled when they see these," +purred Peachy, addressing flaming representations of an eruption. "It +ought just to make Nell Condy's eyes pop out."</p> + +<p>"I'm only afraid they won't believe we've really been," sighed Delia, +skeptically.</p> + +<p>"They'll have to, with the Vesuvius postmark. The post-office can't tell +fibs at any rate. I call these cards a bit of luck. Be a sport, +somebody, and lend me an extra stamp. I'm cleared out, and haven't so +much as a nickel left."</p> + +<p>"Hurry, girls, or we shan't get places in the train," urged Miss Morley, +sweeping her party from the hotel into the station, where other tourists +were beginning to crowd into the carriages.</p> + +<p>The platform was a characteristic Italian scene; a blind man with a +guitar was singing gay Neapolitan songs in a beautiful tenor voice, a +woman with a lovely brown-eyed baby was calling oranges, an old man with +a red cap and a faded blue umbrella under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> his arm offered specimens of +hand-made lace, while a roguish-looking girl tried to sell cameos carved +in lava, throwing them on to the laps of the passengers as they sat in +the train. Irene, who was beginning to learn Italian methods of +purchase, commenced to bargain with her for a quaintly cut mascot, +reducing the price asked lira by lira till at length, when the conductor +blew his brass horn, she finally got it for exactly half of what was at +first demanded.</p> + +<p>"And quite enough too," said Miss Morley, who had watched the business +with amusement. "She's probably more than satisfied, and will go dancing +home to her mother. Let me look, Irene? This funny little hunchback is +always considered the 'luck' of Vesuvius. I believe he's copied from a +model found in Pompeii. He's the true mascot of the mountain. Yes, he's +quite a pretty little curio and well worth having."</p> + +<p>"I wish I'd had any money left to buy one with," sighed Peachy.</p> + +<p>The train was speeding downhill now, leaving ashes and lava behind, and +heading for the bright bay where the sun was shining on the sea. Seen +from above against a gray background of olives and other trees not yet +in leaf, the blossoming peaches and apricots had a filmy fairy look most +beautiful to behold. Behind frowned the great volcano still belching out +clouds of smoke.</p> + +<p>"I've a different impression of old Vesuvius now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> I've seen his heart," +said Peachy, looking back for a last farewell view.</p> + +<p>"He still seems full of mischief, but I'm glad he played no tricks while +we were up there," commented Delia.</p> + +<p>"It's certainly one of the sights of the world, and I'm glad I've seen +it," said Lorna. "Yes, I don't mind telling you I was scared when these +explosions kept popping off. I thought it was going to erupt and give us +the benefit."</p> + +<p>Irene, when they were back at the Villa Camellia, patched up her +squabble with Peachy, whom she had offended over the rosemary incident, +and pressed the Vesuvius mascot upon her as a peace offering.</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to grab your flowers," she assured her. "Really, honest +Injun, I didn't."</p> + +<p>"Why, I'd forgotten all about it," declared her light-hearted chum. "I +didn't mind a bit after my 'first mad' cooled off. Sorry if I was a +bear. No, I won't take your lucky hunchback. <i>Must</i> I? Well, you're a +dear! I'd adore to have it. I felt absolutely green when I saw you buy +it. I'll hang him on a chain and wear him round my neck, and I expect +I'll just be a whiz at tennis to-morrow. Oh, isn't he funny? Thanks +<i>ever</i> so! I shall keep him eternally as a memory of this ripping day up +old Vesuvius."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>Tar and Feathers</h3> + + +<p>After the decided triumph of their Anglo-American tableau at the +carnival, the Camellia Buds held up their heads against their rivals, +the Starry Circle. There was hot competition between the two sororities, +each continually trying to "go one better" than the other. If the Stars +held a surreptitious candy party, the Buds, at the risk of detection by +Rachel or some other prefect, gave a dormitory stunt, throwing out hints +afterwards of the fun they had enjoyed. Both societies produced +manuscript magazines, which were read in strict privacy at their +meetings, and contained pointed allusions to their enemies' failings. No +old-fashioned Whigs and Tories could have preserved a keener feud, the +division between them waxing so serious that sometimes they could hardly +sit peaceably side by side in class.</p> + +<p>"It's all Mabel," declared Jess. "Of course we had two sororities before +she came, but we weren't at daggers drawn like this. Mabel has spoiled +Bertha, and those two lead everything—the rest are simply sheep."</p> + +<p>"Humph! Pretty black sheep I should call them," snorted Peachy. "They're +siding with one another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> now to break rules. I don't mean candy parties +or just fun of that kind, but sneaking things: they're cheating +abominably over their exercises, and cribbing each other's translations +wholesale. I found them at it yesterday and told them what I thought +about them. Some of them ought to know better. Rosamonde and Monica +aren't really that sort."</p> + +<p>"They're bear-led by Bertha and Mabel. I lay all the blame on them. It +would be a good thing for the Stars if that precious pair could be +caught tripping and taught a lesson."</p> + +<p>"I dare say it would but it's not an easy business," said Peachy +gloomily. "Mabel Hughes is an extremely slippery young person, and she +generally manages to keep out of open trouble. I don't suppose any of +the teachers, or even the prefects, have the least idea what she's +really like."</p> + +<p>"And we can't go sneaking and tell them, so we must try and engineer the +matter for ourselves."</p> + +<p>It was undoubtedly true that with the advent of Mabel Hughes a new and +unpleasant element had crept into the Transition. Such an influence is +often very subtle. Girls who a term ago would not have condescended to +any form of cheating, accepted a lower standard of honor, and tried to +excuse themselves on the ground that they merely did the same as others. +The fact that the Camellia Buds did not share in the dishonesty was set +down to priggishness on their part, Bertha and Mabel often making jokes +at their expense. One day an unpleasant matter hap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>pened in the school. +It was the fortnightly examination, and when the Transition took their +places at their desks, with sheets of foolscap and lists of questions, +it was found that the inkwells of each member of the Camellia Buds had +been stuffed up with blotting-paper, so that it was impossible for them +to dip their pens.</p> + +<p>Miss Bickford, who did not even know of the existence of the sororities, +and therefore could not perceive the significance of the fact that +certain girls were thus served while others went free, flew into a +towering rage, and accused Peachy, whose reputation as a practical joker +was not altogether undeserved, of having played the shameless "joke." +Peachy, smarting with the injustice of the false charge, forgot herself +and retorted hotly.</p> + +<p>"Priscilla Proctor!" thundered Miss Bickford. "I have sometimes excused +high spirits, but I never allow impertinence and insubordination. Leave +the room instantly and go upstairs to the sanatorium. You'll remain +there until you apologize."</p> + +<p>A dead hush fell over the class as Peachy, with flaming eyes and chin in +the air, flounced out and slammed the door after her. It was an extreme +measure at the Villa Camellia to banish a girl to the sanatorium, a +public disgrace generally administered only by one of the principals, +and scarcely ever resorted to by a form mistress.</p> + +<p>Miss Bickford, with a red spot on each cheek, glared at the row of faces +in front of her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Can any one give any information about this business?" she asked, then +as nobody replied she continued, "I'm disgusted with the whole set of +you. I wish to say that I'm not as blind as you seem to think, and I've +noticed many points about your work that are, to say the least, +extremely suspicious. I tell you once and for all <i>this must stop!</i> I +won't have cheating, practical jokes, or impertinence in this form. Do +you all thoroughly understand me? Very well then, don't let this kind of +thing ever happen again. Empty those ink-pots out on to that tray, and, +Winnie, fetch the ink-bottle out of the cupboard and refill them. This +senseless proceeding has wasted a large part of your examination time, +but I shall make no excuse for it. Your papers will be marked as if you +had begun at nine o'clock."</p> + +<p>With Miss Bickford on the war-path no one dared to say a single word, +but at mid-morning interval the injured Camellia Buds snatched their +biscuits, and fled to their grotto in the garden to hold an indignation +meeting. Here they talked fast and freely.</p> + +<p>"It's a jolly shame!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Most</i> unfair!"</p> + +<p>"Poor old Peachy!"</p> + +<p>"Who did it?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Mabel, of course!"</p> + +<p>"Or Bertha?"</p> + +<p>"One or other of them!"</p> + +<p>"Miss Bickford has noticed their cheating!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and puts it off on to us all!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I like that!"</p> + +<p>"It's so gloriously fair, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"She may say she's not blind, but she's an absolute cat!"</p> + +<p>"What's to be done about it?"</p> + +<p>"Those Stars won't ever tell!"</p> + +<p>"Trust them to screen themselves!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's <i>too</i> bad!"</p> + +<p>Letting off steam, though comforting to their feelings, did not bring +them any nearer to a solution of their problem. The unpleasant fact +remained that the rival sorority had played an abominable trick, and +that the blame at present rested upon Peachy. To prove her innocence +required the wisdom of Solomon.</p> + +<p>If they could have explained the whole situation to Miss Bickford she +would at once have seen for herself that the offender must be among the +ranks of the Stars, but such a proceeding would mean not only an entire +breach of schoolgirl etiquette, but a betrayal of their own secret +society. It was not to be thought of for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Peachy'll have to climb down and apologize," decided Jess.</p> + +<p>"Peachy eat humble-pie? Oh, good-night!"</p> + +<p>"Well, she certainly was cheeky."</p> + +<p>"Small blame to her!"</p> + +<p>"It was very silly of her, though, to flare out."</p> + +<p>"She's in the fix of her life now, poor dear."</p> + +<p>"Can't we do anything to help her?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't know. Let's think it over and hold another meeting this +afternoon."</p> + +<p>Peachy's place at the dinner-table was empty that day, and her meal was +sent up to the sanatorium upon a tray. Miss Bickford had told her side +of the story to Miss Rodgers, who agreed that discipline must be +maintained, and ordered the detention of the prisoner until she showed +symptoms of repentance. Meanwhile Peachy, still in an utterly rebellious +frame of mind, stayed upstairs, determined not to give way. It was dull, +undoubtedly, to be banished to solitary confinement, for there was not +even a book in the room to amuse her. Her own thoughts were her sole +occupation. She had a very fertile brain, however, and suddenly a most +brilliant suggestion occurred to her. The sanatorium was on the top +story of the Villa Camellia, and by peeping from its window she could +command a view of the iron balcony that fronted the rooms below. She +calculated that she was probably exactly above dormitory 10, occupied by +Joan, Esther, Mary, and Agnes, and that these chums would later on be +engaged there at their preparation. With a little ingenuity it should be +possible to communicate with them. She unfortunately had neither pencil +nor paper with her, so could not write a note, but she took off her +brooch and fastened it to the end of a long piece of string, which by +extra good luck happened to be in her pocket. When she judged that the +right moment had arrived she lowered her signal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> so that it would tap on +the balcony. There was, of course, a certain amount of risk about the +venture, for she might have miscalculated, and be dropping her token +into the midst of enemies instead of friends. Greatly to her relief, +however, Agnes appeared through the French window, and, after examining +the brooch with apparent surprise, glanced upwards and saw Peachy's +face. She gave a comprehensive smile, put her fingers on her lips for +silence, bolted into her dormitory, and returned with a package of +chocolate which she tied firmly to the end of the string, then waved her +hand and darted back to her preparation.</p> + +<p>Peachy drew up her present, chuckling with delight. She felt almost like +a captive of the Middle Ages, and was beginning to plan a romantic +escape down an improvised rope ladder, when it occurred to her that she +would scarcely know what to do with her liberty if she regained it.</p> + +<p>"Botheration!" she mused. "Unless I square things up I can't walk in to +tea, and I can't haunt the garden like a wandering ghost, and I've no +money to pay my passage on the steamer, so I can't go home to Naples. +Nothing for it but to stay here, I suppose, and see who gets tired out +first."</p> + +<p>When the Camellia Buds were able to meet together again at a secret +conclave in the garden, Agnes announced the important fact of having +established communication with the prisoner. After an ani<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>mated +discussion they decided to write her a round-robin letter and set forth +their idea of the situation. Each composed a sentence in turn, and Lorna +acted as scribe. It ran thus:</p> + +<div class="blockquot2"> + +<div class='right'><i>The Grotto.</i><br /></div> +<br /> +<i>To our noble friend and Camellia Bud</i>—<br /> +<p><i>Greeting!</i><br /> +</p> + +<p><i>The Sorority desires to express a vote of +sympathy for the very unpleasant occurrence that +happened this morning.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">A. Dalton.</span></span><br /> +</div> + + +<p><i>Those Stars are the meanest things on earth and +want spifflicating.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">J. Lucas.</span></span><br /> +</div> + + +<p><i>We admire you for the magnificent stand you are +making, but we don't see how you are going to keep +it up.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">M. Fergusson.</span></span><br /> +</div> + + +<p><i>It's frightfully slow without you.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">I. Beverley.</span></span><br /> +</div> + + +<p><i>We think you'll have to cave in and apologize.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">S. Yonge.</span></span><br /></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + + +<p><i>But, of course, not own up to something you never +did.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">J. Cameron.</span></span><br /> +</div> + + +<p><i>We'll get even with those Stars to make up for +this.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">L. Carson.</span></span><br /> +</div> + + +<p><i>Don't stick in the Sanatorium all night.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">E. Cartmell.</span></span><br /> +</div> + + +<p><i>It's no use getting too mad, old sport! Come +right down and talk sense.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">D. Watts.</span></span><br /> +</div> +</div> + +<p>This united effusion was placed in an envelope, and carried by Agnes to +her dormitory, where, after scouts in the garden had assured her that +the coast was clear, she ventured on to the veranda, and gave a cooee +which brought Peachy to the window above. The latter let down her string +and drew up the letter, which she pondered upon in private. She was wise +enough to accept the good advice, and when Miss Bickford appeared later +on she tendered her apologies. The teacher had possibly repented of her +hasty accusation, for she did not refer to the matter of the inkwells, +but merely required satisfaction for "insubordination." That being given +Peachy was once more free, though she could hardly consider herself +restored to full favor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I used to like Miss Bickford," she grumped, "but I really don't think +she's been fair over this. Why couldn't she ask each girl separately +what she knew about it?"</p> + +<p>"Much good that would have done. Bertha and Mabel wouldn't have told the +truth, and things would only have been in a worse muddle. We'll catch +those two sometime if we can only think of how to do it."</p> + +<p>"Ah! That's just the question."</p> + +<p>Even the Stars had been rather alarmed by Miss Bickford's firm attitude, +and for the present they did not dare to cheat openly or to play any +more tricks upon the form. Stopped in this direction their ringleaders +turned their attention to other matters. What was the nature of these it +was Irene's lot one day to discover. She happened to be walking in a +rather quiet part of the garden, a portion reserved mostly for +vegetables, which adjoined the great wall that separated the estate from +the highroad. As she sauntered along, doing nothing in particular, she +noticed Mabel, who was standing under an orange tree close to the wall. +At the same moment, advancing towards them came the sound of Rachel's +voice caroling an old English song. Now there is nothing in the least +wrong or unorthodox in standing under an orange tree, yet the instant +Irene glimpsed Mabel's face she was certain her schoolmate was in that +particular spot for some reason the reverse of good. She looked uneasily +at Irene,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> glanced in Rachel's direction, seemed to hesitate, and +finally took to her heels and bolted away through the bushes. Next +minute, over the top of the high wall descended a little parcel. It +caught in the branches of the orange tree, fell to the ground, and +rolled under a clump of cabbages. Irene took no notice, and sauntered on +in the direction of Rachel, but when the prefect had passed out of sight +she returned, groped among the vegetables, found the parcel, and slipped +it into her packet.</p> + +<p>"Miss Mabel Hughes, I believe I've caught you tripping this time," she +chuckled. "I must send out the fiery cross and call an immediate meeting +of the Camellia Buds."</p> + +<p>Among the secret practices of the sorority was a private signal only to +be used in times of urgent necessity. It had been suggested by Jess +Cameron, who took the idea from <i>The Lady of the Lake</i>, in which poem a +gathering of the clan is proclaimed by a runner bearing a cross of wood +charred in the fire. Two burnt matches fastened together with thread +served the Camellia Buds for their token, and it was the strictest rite +of their order that any one receiving this cryptic symbol must +immediately leave whatever she happened to be doing and proceed +post-haste to the rendezvous.</p> + +<p>So promptly did the members of the society respond to the summons that +within ten minutes of the issue of the fiery cross they were assembled +in the summer-house in a state of much expectancy. Irene<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> explained how +a parcel had been thrown over the wall, evidently for Mabel, who +undoubtedly had been standing waiting for it. It was not addressed to +Mabel, however, and as it bore no direction at all on the outside the +Camellia Buds considered themselves justified in opening it. It +contained a package of cheap chocolate, and a letter written in a +foreign hand in rather bad English.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<i>Beautiful Signorina</i>,<br /> + + +<p><i>Make me the compliment to accept of me this few +chocolate. I like the letter you gave to me on +Sunday. I will again present myself near to the +hotel to wait upon you as you pass. Accept I pray +you the assurance of my profoundest respects.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><span class="smcap">Emanuele Sutoni.</span></span><br /> +</div></div> + +<p>"Who is Emanuele Sutoni?" gasped Delia. "And what's he got to do with +us?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing to do with us," frowned Jess. "But I'm afraid Mabel has been +trying to get up some silly love affair. If Miss Morley or Miss Rodgers +found this out she'd be expelled."</p> + +<p>"What are we going to do about it? Tell Rachel?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," pondered Jess. "You see, of course, we're perfectly +certain among ourselves that the letter was meant for Mabel, but it +isn't addressed to her so there's no real evidence. Not enough to +convince Rachel. It would be better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> really to tell her we've found out +and that she's got to stop it."</p> + +<p>"I know! Let's tar and feather her!" squealed Peachy excitedly. "That's +the best way to frighten her. Of course, I don't mean <i>real</i> tar, but +soap does just as well. She thoroughly deserves it. I vote we do it +to-night. We'll hold an inquisition in her dormitory. It will be easy +enough to square Elsie."</p> + +<p>Peachy's grim idea appealed to the Camellia Buds. They considered it was +time that a public demonstration was made against Mabel, whose general +behavior was very unworthy of the traditions of the Villa Camellia. They +decided to have their tribunal immediately after the lights were turned +out, while the prefects, who sat up later than the Transition, were +still downstairs, and the mistresses were having cocoa in Miss Rodgers' +study. The affair was to be a surprise for Mabel, but as Elsie also +slept in the same dormitory it was necessary to secure her coöperation, +in case she might give the alarm and summon a prefect. Elsie, however, +proved an easily won ally.</p> + +<p>"I can't bear Mabel," she assured Irene. "You may do anything you like +to her as far as I'm concerned. I shall pretend to be asleep. Monica and +Rosamonde and Winnie can't stand her either. I don't mind telling you +that we're going to resign from the Starry Circle and found a new +sorority of our own. It isn't good enough to be mixed up with such girls +as Mabel and Bertha."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm glad you've found them out," said Irene. "It was high time somebody +made a protest."</p> + +<p>The four occupants of dormitory 3 went to bed as usual that night, but +as soon as the lights were out Lorna and Irene put on their +dressing-gowns and stockings, and slipped into the bathroom. Here they +hastily completed the details of their costumes in company with the rest +of the Camellia Buds, who had rallied for the occasion. Three minutes +afterwards a strange procession entered dormitory 3. Ten dressing-gowned +figures, each wearing a black mask and holding a piece of lighted candle +in her hand, startled the astonished eyes of Mabel Hughes, who sat up in +bed to stare at them.</p> + +<p>"What's all this about?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"We've come here to hold an inquisition on your conduct," replied a +solemn voice from behind one of the black masks. "Will you kindly get +out of bed and seat yourself upon this chair. We should be sorry to use +force, but I warn you you'll have to obey us."</p> + +<p>Looking a little scared Mabel apparently thought discretion the better +part of valor. She rose, put on her dressing-gown, and took the seat +indicated. Her inquisitors grouped themselves opposite, placing their +candles in a row upon the mantelpiece. Their spokeswoman, unfolding a +large sheet of paper, proceeded to read the indictment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>This is to tell all whom it may concern that +Mabel Hughes, having broken every rule of decent +and orderly behavior, and being no longer worthy +of the name of gentlewoman, is here arraigned on +the following charges:</i></p> + + +<p><i>1. That she habitually takes advantage of and +ill-treats the juniors when opportunity occurs.</i></p> + +<p><i>2. That she cheats abominably at her work.</i></p> + +<p><i>3. That she endeavors to persuade others to +cheat.</i></p> + +<p><i>4. That she degrades the name of the Villa +Camellia by receiving letters which are thrown to +her over the wall, and by handing answers to them +on her way to church.</i> </p></div> + +<p>Mabel, who had smiled scornfully at the first three charges, changed +color at the fourth.</p> + +<p>"What do you know about letters?" she challenged sharply.</p> + +<p>"We know all," ventured the solemn voice. "You had better confess at +once, or the affair with Emanuele will be exposed to the prefects."</p> + +<p>"It's my own business," said Mabel sulkily.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't. It's ours as well, and the whole school's. We don't want +the Villa Camellia to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> disgraced in the eyes of the town. You ought +to be ashamed of yourself. It's so <i>vulgar</i>. Now, will you promise to +give up all your bad habits and behave like a lady."</p> + +<p>"I'll promise nothing," snapped Mabel.</p> + +<p>"Then we shall be obliged to tar and feather you."</p> + +<p>Mabel laughed, imagining it was an empty threat, but she was rapidly +undeceived. Two inquisitors, seizing her by the arms, held her tightly +in her chair, while several others smeared soap over her face and stuck +on feathers which they took out of a cushion. She would have screamed, +but every time she opened her mouth to do so she received a dab of soap +upon her tongue. When they considered her countenance was sufficiently +ornamented, they presented her with a looking-glass to view the effect.</p> + +<p>"That's how we feel about it," the spokeswoman assured her. "This is +just to show you we won't stand your horrid ways. Will you promise now +to behave yourself, or do you want any more?"</p> + +<p>Apparently Mabel had had enough. She seemed rather frightened. She +grumbled that she would agree to what they wished.</p> + +<p>"Just jolly well take care that you keep your promise then," warned her +inquisitor. "If you begin any of your old tricks again we have evidence +against you, and we shall take it straight to Rachel. If I know anything +of Rachel she'll go to Miss Rodgers, and that means you're expelled. So +now you know!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> You'd better be careful, Mabel Hughes. That's all we came +to say. You may wash your face if you like before you get into bed +again."</p> + +<p>The ten members of the inquisition, knowing that time was passing, and +that the prefects would soon be coming upstairs, judged it wise to break +up the meeting, and taking their candles beat a stately retreat to their +respective dormitories. Lorna and Irene, returning to their cubicles, +heard Elsie chuckling. She had not interfered in any way with the +performance, but it had evidently entertained her. She told the tale +next day to her friends, with the result that Ruth, Rosamonde, Winnie, +Monica, and Callie joined her in seceding from the Starry Circle, +leaving Mabel and Bertha as sole remaining representatives of that +sorority.</p> + +<p>"We're fed up with you," Winnie assured the pair when they remonstrated. +"We're tired of your sneaking ways, and you may just keep them to +yourselves. We're not going to let you copy our exercises any more. And +if we see you taking those kids' biscuits again there'll be squalls. No, +we shan't tell you the name of our new sorority. We're not going to have +anything to do with you ever again. So there!"</p> + +<p>Public opinion had for once triumphed on the right side, and Mabel and +Bertha, greatly discomfited, found their influence over the late Stars +was at an end. The threat of telling Rachel had frightened Mabel; she +was uncertain how much the Cam<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>ellia Buds really knew, and judged it +discreet to drop her clandestine correspondence. She had no wish for the +matter to meet the ears of Miss Rodgers, who, she was well aware, would +take the most serious view of it. Though she cherished a grudge against +her late inquisitors, she submitted to their demands, and for the time +at any rate gave no outward cause for complaint.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>Peachy's Pranks</h3> + + +<p>"I'm sorry to have to announce it," said Peachy, "but my spirits are +fizzing over, and I guess if I don't go just the teeniest weeniest bit +on the rampage I'll fly all to pieces and make a scene. Sometimes I'm +tingling down to my toes and I've just <i>got</i> to explode. Being good is a +lonesome job."</p> + +<p>Peachy was sitting with Irene and Delia on one of the marble seats at +the bottom of the lemon pergola. It was a favorite spot with the girls, +for it was sheltered from the prevailing wind and the flowers grew +particularly luxuriantly. Lovely irises were blooming, white narcissus, +wallflowers, and beds of Parma violets, and the beautiful delicate +blossom of the arbutula drooped from an archway that spanned the path. +Irene, who was used by this time to Peachy's whimsical moods, laid aside +the book she was reading and laughed.</p> + +<p>"Poor old sport! You've evidently got it badly to-day. What can we do +for you? How, where, and when do you want to rampage?"</p> + +<p>Peachy shook her head dolefully.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Only wish I did. I'm tired of doing the same things over +and over again every day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> Getting up in the morning and dressing +myself, having breakfast, going to classes, having dinner, grinding at +prep, playing tennis, having tea and supper, and undressing and going to +bed. I want to sleep in my clothes or go to class in my wrapper just for +a change, and I'd like tennis in the morning and tea instead of dinner. +I'm tired of the house and the garden. I want to dodge Antonio and go +through the big gate and run down the road. I tell you I want to do +absolutely anything that's weird and impossible and out of the ordinary. +Yes, I know I'm wrought up. I'm just crazy for a real frolic. Who'll +play 'Follow my Leader'?"</p> + +<p>"If you won't do anything <i>too</i> outrageous," ventured Delia, replacing a +dainty piece of sewing inside her workbag, and preparing to fall in with +her friend's mood. "I've had one little difference with Miss Bickford +this week, and if I have another Miss Rodgers may cut up rough and stop +my next exeat."</p> + +<p>"Honest Injun, I'll take all the blame if blame there is. Renie, dearie, +you're coming too?"</p> + +<p>"Got to, I suppose," chuckled Irene. "When the Queen of the South arises +and gives her orders her slaves must 'tremble and obey.'"</p> + +<p>"Not much trembling about you. Come on and be sports, both of you. Are +you ready? Do as your Granny tells you then, and off we go."</p> + +<p>The game of "Follow my Leader," as every schoolgirl knows, consists in +exactly imitating every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>thing which is done by your chief, no matter +what extraordinary and peculiar antics she may perform. To submit to +Peachy's guidance in the present exalted state of her spirits was a +decided leap in the dark, but Irene and Delia were ready for fun, and +prepared to take a few risks. At first their light-hearted companion +contented herself with running in and out among the lemon trees, walking +along the low wall of the terrace, jumping the culvert, or easy physical +feats, then, having slightly worked off steam, she stood for a moment +and paused to reflect.</p> + +<p>"Christopher Columbus! I guess I know what I'll do. I've an exploring +fit on me, and if I can't find America I'll find something else new and +undiscovered. Here goes."</p> + +<p>Peachy, with her satellites in her train, plunged her way across the +garden in the direction of the kitchen. She had suddenly remembered an +object which had more than once set her curiosity a-galloping. In the +yard outside the scullery there was an iron staircase intended for use +as a fire-escape from the servants' bedrooms, and also as a means of +mounting the roof when workmen wished to attend to the chimney-pots. Up +here she was determined to go. Fortunately the maids were safely inside +the kitchen, and the defenses were left unguarded.</p> + +<p>"This is my Jacob's ladder," she proclaimed. "Who'll follow me to the +sky?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The spider to the fly"> +<tr><td align='left'>"'Will you walk into my parlor?' said the spider to the fly,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>''Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy!</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>And I have many curious things to show you when you're there.'"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>"Go on, you lunatic," giggled Irene.</p> + +<p>"And be quick about it if you don't want Dominica clattering at your +heels," added Delia.</p> + +<p>So they clambered up the steep iron stairway, and, passing by the door +that led to the servants' apartments, they climbed on till they reached +the roof. This part of the Villa Camellia was <i>terra incognita</i> to the +school. They decided hastily, however, that it would be a very desirable +acquisition. It was a large flat expanse covered with lead, and edged +with a low battlement. It was evidently used by the maids, for a +clothes-line was stretched between two chimneys, and a row of towels +hung out to dry. The view was adorable. It was like being on the top of +a mountain. They could see the town of Fossato, and a wide expanse of +water, and Vesuvius, and the distant outline of Naples all spread in a +panorama before them, besides having an excellent bird's-eye prospect of +the garden below. Peachy, who was ready to do anything wild, went +dancing about like a will-o'-the-wisp.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Light and airy"> +<tr><td align='left'>"Light and airy—light and airy,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Sure, I feel a sort of fairy,"</span></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>she extemporized. "Renie Beverley, you're not mad enough! Give me your +hand. I tell you you've got to dance. We're witches who've flown over on +our broomsticks and alighted here, and we'll have a frolic before we go +back to—wherever we came from. Hello, what's this business? It looks +like a water-tank. Give me a boost, somebody, for I'm going up to see."</p> + +<p>It was rather a scramble even for Peachy's agile limbs, but she was +resolved thoroughly to explore the capacities of the roof, and the +cistern must not be left unvisited. She clung on to its slippery side +and peered down at her own reflection in the water below.</p> + +<p>"No idea I looked so nice," she perked. "The blue sky makes a charming +background. Really, a pool is quite a becoming mirror. Does anybody else +want to come up and peep? It's like looking at the view-finder of a +camera. Rather painful hanging on, though. I think I'll drop if you're +neither of you coming. Oh, botheration! I've lost my hair ribbon. It's +gone right down inside the cistern. Well! It's done for now. I can't +possibly fish it out."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't your best!" consoled Delia.</p> + +<p>"No, but the only scarlet one I possess, and just at present I've a wild +fad for scarlet. I get crazes for various colors. Last term I'd look at +nothing but pale blue, till Bertha Ford got that new blue chiffon dress, +and that, of course, set me against it forevermore. I'd a rage for +tartan once, only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> Jess was rather nasty about it; she thinks no one in +the school has a right to wear Scotch plaids except herself. I've spent +all my pocket money for this week, so I can't buy another ribbon till +next Saturday. I shall have to go about in pink. Miau! I'll be such a +good little pussy-cat. I'm sure different colors make me good or bad. +Don't laugh at me! I mean it! I'm a different person according to what I +wear."</p> + +<p>For a short time the girls loitered about on the roof, enjoying the +novelty of their position, and particularly the fact that they were on +unlicensed ground, and would undoubtedly get into trouble if they were +caught by Dominica or Anastasia. Naughty Peachy, to play the maids a +trick, took down the row of towels, folded them neatly, and placed them +in a pile behind the cistern, chuckling over the prospect of Anastasia's +consternation when she came up to fetch them and found them missing.</p> + +<p>"I owe her something for breaking my pink alabaster vase," she +announced. "She's an awful smasher with her duster—just goes surging +ahead over our mantelpiece and sends our ornaments flying. Mary's +Pompeii pots went to smithereens yesterday. Now, Signorina Anastasia, +you won't find your towels in too big a hurry. I guess I've paid you +out."</p> + +<p>"She'll pay <i>you</i> out if she catches us up here," suggested Delia, who +was anxious not to forfeit her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> exeat. "Hadn't we better be getting a +move on?"</p> + +<p>"Words of wisdom, my child, fall from your lips like pearls and +diamonds. The same sage thought was occurring to your humble servant. +Anastasia has what is commonly called a tart tongue, and an inconvenient +and inconsiderate habit of reporting trifles at headquarters. It would +be quite unnecessary of her to mention to Miss Rodgers that she had seen +us here, but I believe she'd go out of her way to do it."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure she would, bad luck to her. Lead on, MacDuff! Let's descend +from the Highlands to the Lowlands."</p> + +<p>"We may find further sport farther afield. I'm not at the end of my +resources yet. I've an idea or two more in my head," nodded Peachy, +escorting her friends down the staircase to the comparative safety of +the back yard.</p> + +<p>There was no doubt that Peachy was in an exceedingly mischievous mood +and ready for any prank which came to hand. She dodged with her +followers successfully past the kitchen door, without attracting the +hostile attention of Anastasia or any other of the servants. She was +bent on exploring a patch of the garden which was only accessible from +the rear of the scullery. She had observed it from the vantage-ground of +the roof, and had decided that, by climbing on to a low shed, it would +be quite possible to scale the wall which divided the grounds of the +Villa Camellia from those of its next door<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> neighbor. The girls had +always been extremely curious about the Villa Sutri. From their +dormitory windows they could catch a glimpse of its green shutters and +creeper-covered walls, set away among a thick grove of trees, and they +had decided that its garden looked immensely superior to their own. The +estate belonged to Count Sutri, who often spent part of the winter and +spring among his orange groves and his flowery pergolas. He was supposed +to have a reputation for gardening, and rumors of his wonderful exotics +had circulated round the school. None of the girls, however, had ever +actually been inside the grounds.</p> + +<p>Peachy's project was, of course, extremely audacious, and had the Count +been at home she would hardly have dared to let it materialize. She had +heard Mrs. Clark mention on Sunday that their neighbor had started for a +cruise in his yacht, and that he would probably be away for a +considerable time.</p> + +<p>"The Villa will be shut up, and only a few gardeners left about the +place," declared Peachy, "and if I know anything of Italian gardeners, +they'll all be sitting smoking inside the summer-house, so we needn't +trouble ourselves to worry about them. It's the opportunity of a +lifetime. I saw the whole thing in a flash from the roof. There's a shed +on our side of the wall and a shed on his. All you have to do is to step +over and get down. Nothing could be simpler. I'm just aching to explore +that garden."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>Delia, still thinking of her exeat, demurred, and even Irene's valor +slightly quailed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come on! Be sports!" tempted Peachy. "You'll never get such a +chance in your lives again—never."</p> + +<p>So they hesitated, and were lost, and finally followed their leader up +the low, sloping roof of the shed.</p> + +<p>As Peachy had prophesied, it was really remarkably easy. They had only +to scale quite a low piece of wall, and drop on to the roof of the shed +on the other side, then scramble down into Count Sutri's garden. In less +than five minutes the feat was accomplished, and three rather awed but +delighted girls were speeding along a green alley in quest of adventure.</p> + +<p>There was no doubt about it being a beautiful garden. It was more +carefully kept than that of the Villa Camellia, and contained choicer +and rarer flowers. There were glorious tanks of water-lilies, and there +were pergolas of sweet-scented creepers, and the statues and arbors +utterly eclipsed even those of a public park. It was evidently the +Count's favorite hobby, and he had spared no expense in laying out the +grounds. Rather fearful of being caught by some chance gardener the +girls walked on, holding themselves in readiness to dive away if +necessary and make a quick escape.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel like Adam and Eve in Paradise?" queried Delia tremulously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not a bit, because they never got back after they were once turned out. +I wish we could annex this place and add it on to the Villa Camellia. +The Count can't want it while he's away."</p> + +<p>The girls wandered about in breathless enjoyment. Stolen waters are +sweet, and somebody else's garden seemed much more attractive than their +own. They did not dare to venture too near the Villa, and kept carefully +away from anything that looked like a grotto or a summer-house, in which +they might find a gardener seated, enjoying his cigarette. At the end of +a rose pergola, however, Peachy made a discovery. It was neither more +nor less than a flight of steps leading down to a door in the ground. +She stood gazing at it with curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Now I wonder what that is?" she exclaimed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 252px;"> +<img src="images/gs03.jpg" width="252" height="400" alt=""'I WONDER WHAT THAT IS?' SHE EXCLAIMED"" title=""'I WONDER WHAT THAT IS?' SHE EXCLAIMED"" /> +<span class="caption">"'I WONDER WHAT THAT IS?' SHE EXCLAIMED"</span> +<div class='right'>—<i>Page 183</i></div></div> + + + +<p>"Looks like the entrance to a mausoleum," shuddered Delia.</p> + +<p>"Or the strong room where the Count keeps his money," laughed Irene.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it's either. I shouldn't be surprised if it's the +passage leading to the sea. I know there is one in the Sutri garden, to +get down to the bathing cove. How priceless if we've happened to light +upon it. Is that door open? I'm going to see."</p> + +<p>Peachy ran down the steps, turned the handle, and somewhat to her own +astonishment found the door unlocked. She was peering into a long dark +tunnel, at the end of which could be distinguished a faint glint of +light. This was indeed an adventure. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> seemed a deed of daring to +explore such hidden depths, but she was out to take risks that +afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Come along!" she commanded, bracing up the spirits of her more timorous +comrades.</p> + +<p>Holding one another's arms particularly tightly, the three entered the +doorway and began to walk along the underground passage. It sloped +sharply downwards, and was rough under foot, but the farther they +descended the brighter grew the light in front of them. Presently they +had stumbled out of the darkness, and were emerging from a tunnel at the +foot of the cliffs, and stepping out on to the sandy shore of a little +cove.</p> + +<p>It had always been a great grievance at the Villa Camellia that the +school had no bathing place, and the girls had greatly coveted the creek +which was the exclusive property of their neighbor, Count Sutri. To find +themselves on a level with the sea, facing the lapping waves, was +exactly what they had hoped. They ran along the sand in huge delight, to +the very edge of the water. It was really a beautiful cove. There were +groups of rocks with smooth pools amongst them, and in the silvery sand +were numbers of tiny fragile shells, very pretty and delicate, and just +the thing for a collection.</p> + +<p>"It's a shame it should all belong to one man who probably hardly ever +uses it," flamed Peachy. "Now, if only we could all come down here to +bathe, wouldn't it be a stunt? The cove is really mostly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> under the +garden of the Villa Camellia. <i>I</i> say it ought to belong to us."</p> + +<p>"It's ours for the moment at any rate," said Irene.</p> + +<p>"Yes, isn't it great? We've got it all to ourselves," rejoiced Delia, +dancing along the beach with outstretched arms, like an incarnation of +Zephyr or a spring vision of a sea-nymph. She skimmed over the sand +almost as if she were flying, but, as she reached the largest group of +rocks, her exalted mood suddenly dissipated and her high spirits came +down to earth with a thud. Sitting on the other side of the rock, calmly +smoking a cigar, was a middle-aged individual in a tweed coat and a soft +hat. The creek, which they had imagined was their private paradise, was +occupied after all.</p> + +<p>Delia fled back to her friends, this time on wings of fright, and +communicated her awful discovery.</p> + +<p>"It must be Count Sutri," gasped Peachy.</p> + +<p>"He can't have started off in his yacht after all," agreed Irene.</p> + +<p>"I don't <i>think</i> he saw me, but I'm not sure about it," panted Delia +breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"Whether he did or he didn't we'd better scoot quick," opined Peachy.</p> + +<p>So three agitated girls dashed back over the sands and into the dark +tunnel, and hurried as fast as they could up the underground passage, +expecting every moment to hear a footstep behind them and a voice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +demanding to know what they were doing trespassing upon the premises. At +the top of the tunnel a horrible surprise awaited them. The door through +which they had entered was shut and bolted. At first they could hardly +believe their ill luck. They groped for the handle in the darkness, and +pushed and pulled and turned and tugged, but all in vain. They even +thumped on the door and called, hoping to attract the attention of a +gardener, but there was no reply. They were hopelessly locked inside the +underground passage.</p> + +<p>Now thoroughly frightened they were almost in tears.</p> + +<p>"We shall have to go back to the cove," faltered Irene.</p> + +<p>"And show ourselves to Count Sutri, and ask him to take us back +somehow," gulped Peachy.</p> + +<p>"We're in for the biggest row of our lives with Miss Rodgers," choked +Delia.</p> + +<p>There was certainly nothing else to be done. Time was passing quickly, +and unless they could return at once to the Villa Camellia they would be +late for preparation. Very sadly and soberly they walked back along the +seashore to the rocks.</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> explain, Peachy," urged the others, and Peachy, though she did +not relish the task thus thrust upon her, acknowledged that she was the +instigator of the whole affair and therefore responsible for helping her +companions out of a decidedly awkward situation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>The gentleman in the soft hat was still sitting under the shadow of the +rock smoking, but he rose and threw away his cigar as the deputation of +three advanced to address him. Peachy, in her very best Italian, began +to stammer out an explanation and excuses. He listened for a moment or +two, then shook his head and interrupted.</p> + +<p>"Sorry I don't speak much Italian. I'm afraid I don't quite understand."</p> + +<p>"O-o-h! You're American!" gasped Peachy, her face one broad smile of +relief. "We—we thought you were Count Sutri."</p> + +<p>"I haven't that honor! I'm only plain Mr. Bond. I've taken the Count's +villa, though, for two months. Can I be of any service to you?"</p> + +<p>"We're Americans too," sparkled Peachy; "at least Delia and I are. We're +at school at the Villa Camellia up there. I—I'm sorry to say we're +trespassing here. We climbed over the wall into your garden and came +down the passage to the shore, and now the door's locked and we can't +get back again."</p> + +<p>"And it's nearly preparation time," added Delia desperately.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bond's eyes twinkled with amusement.</p> + +<p>"I'll take you back," he offered. "It was hard luck to find the door +locked. I've hardly explored the place properly myself yet. I came down +in the lift."</p> + +<p>"The lift!" exclaimed Irene in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, here it is, and a very convenient arrange<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>ment too," said Mr. +Bond, leading the way into an artificial cave close at hand.</p> + +<p>Here to the girls' amazement was a perfectly modern and up-to-date +"ascenseur," nicely upholstered and lighted by electricity. Mr. Bond +ushered his visitors inside, closed the door, pressed a button, and +immediately they shot aloft, landing ultimately in a kiosk in Count +Sutri's garden at the top of the cliff. Feeling as if a magician had +used occult means to transport them back to safety, the girls gazed +round highly delighted to find themselves out of the cove. Their host, +to whom they hastily confided some details of how they had penetrated +into his premises, fetched a ladder, and by its aid they mounted to the +roof of the shed, and skipped over the wall on to the top of their own +wood-hut.</p> + +<p>"You won't tell Miss Rodgers?" begged Peachy, waving a good-by to their +rescuer after they had all protested their gratitude.</p> + +<p>"I guess I know how to keep a secret," he laughed. "I won't betray you. +Hope you'll be in time. There goes your school bell. You've run it fine +but I believe you'll just do it if you hustle up."</p> + +<p>Three breathless girls, with minds much too agitated to apply themselves +properly to French translation, slipped into the Villa Camellia at the +eleventh hour, and answered "present" as their names were read on the +roll-call. Peachy's disheveled hair drew down a rebuke from Miss +Bickford, but this was such a very minor evil that she took it meekly, +smoothed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> the offending elf-locks with her fingers, and composed her +dimples to an expression of docile humility.</p> + +<p>"We got out of that very well," she purred in private afterwards.</p> + +<p>"Thanks to Mr. Bond and the lift," agreed Irene.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'm not going to try anything so risky again," declared Delia. +"It was the fix of my life. I'll be down with nervous prostration +to-morrow. Shouldn't wonder if I raise a temperature to-night. Peachy +Proctor, you may coax and tease as you like, but nothing you say will +ever induce me to climb that wall and go into Count Sutri's garden +again. It's not worth the thrills. Sorry to be a crab, but I mean it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>The Villa Bleue</h3> + + +<p>Delia's good resolution remained only half fulfilled, for after all she +visited Count Sutri's cove again. This time, however, it was in a +perfectly orthodox fashion. Mr. and Mrs. Bond, meeting Miss Morley at +the house of an American resident in Fossato, invited the whole school +to come and view the garden on Sunday afternoon, and clad in their best +dresses the girls paraded in through the gate, and were shown the +beauties of the lovely grounds. They were taken in relays down in the +lift to the creek by the sea, and afterwards entertained with ice-cream +and biscuits on the terrace in front of the villa, which was all very +interesting and delightful, though not nearly so exciting as the +surreptitious peep which the naughty trio had previously obtained on +their own account. Mr. Bond might indeed be silent on the subject of +that afternoon's adventure, but the expedition into his grounds had been +only a part of Peachy's pranks in her game of "Follow the Leader," and +for one of her sins at any rate she was to be called to account. The +cistern on the top of the roof supplied a tap on the upper landing from +which Anastasia, one of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> chambermaids, was accustomed to draw water +with which to fill the bedroom jugs.</p> + +<p>On the morning after the events just narrated she took her can as usual, +but was utterly horrified, when she turned the tap, to find the water +running red. She was intensely superstitious, and immediately jumped to +the conclusion that she was the victim of witchcraft, so she flung her +apron over her head, commenced to sob, and deplored the early death +which would probably overtake her. She sat on the landing making quite a +scene, prophesying evil to the other servants who crowded round to +condole and marvel, and showing the bewitched water in her jug with a +mixture of importance and horror. The girls who occupied rooms on the +upper landing were duly thrilled, and, after debating every possible or +impossible solution of the mystery, were on the point of carrying the +tale to Miss Rodgers when Peachy came hurrying along.</p> + +<p>"I've only just heard. Don't, <i>don't</i> go to the 'Ogre's Den' about it. +If you love me don't. I guess I know what's happened. The water's <i>not</i> +bewitched. If you've any sense left in your silly head come with me on +to the roof and we'll look at the cistern. We'll soon find out what's +the matter. Callie, lend me your butterfly-net, that's a saintly girl!"</p> + +<p>Anastasia, though somewhat protesting, allowed herself to be persuaded, +and went with Peachy first to the kitchen floor and then up the iron +staircase to the roof. Approaching the cistern Peachy climbed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> on to its +edge, lowered her butterfly-net, and presently fished up a wet and +draggled scarlet ribbon which stained her fingers red as she held it out +to Anastasia's astonished gaze.</p> + +<p>"I guess it's this that has been bleeding inside the tank and has +stained the water," she explained.</p> + +<p>"But, Signorina, I ask how it place itself there?" demanded the still +puzzled chambermaid in her halting English, then mother-wit +overmastering native superstition, she burst into laughter. "Oh! Oh! Oh! +It is no magic but you, Signorina. Who hid my towels? I go to tell Mees +Rodgers. Yes! You shall get into very big scrape!"</p> + +<p>"No, Anastasia, don't tell," implored Peachy. "It was only a joke. Look +here! Are you fond of chocolates? I had a box sent me yesterday, and you +shall have them all. It won't do any good to tell Miss Rodgers, will +it?"</p> + +<p>"You not come on to this roof again and touch my towels?" conceded +Anastasia doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Never! I promise faithfully."</p> + +<p>"Then I not tell."</p> + +<p>"Good! You're a white angel. I'll square the girls and get them not to +mind washing in pink water for a day or two. It ought to improve their +complexions. So we'll just say nothing at all about it at headquarters. +That's settled. Anastasia, your English is improving wonderfully; I +guess I'll teach you some American next—it's the finest language in the +world. Botheration, I've soused Callie's but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>terfly-net. I don't know +what she'll say about it. I'm out of one scrape into another the whole +time. Well, I'd rather face Callie than Miss Rodgers anyhow. She may +storm, but she can't give me bad marks or stop my next exeat. Come +along, Anastasia. We'll take the ribbon with us to show as a trophy. It +will give them a little bit of a surprise downstairs if I'm not +mistaken."</p> + +<p>Owing to luck, and to the kindness of Anastasia, Peachy's pranks did not +on this occasion meet with any punishment. Irene, who had been greatly +fearing an exposure of the whole escapade, once more breathed freely. If +the matter had come to the ears of Miss Rodgers the three girls would +certainly have been "gated," and Irene was particularly anxious not to +lose her approaching exeat. It was her turn to go to tea at the Villa +Bleue, and she was looking forward greatly to the occasion. It would be +her first visit, for she had forfeited her privilege earlier in the +term, when she and Lorna lost themselves among the olive groves. Much to +their satisfaction the buddies were invited together, in company with +Mary, Sheila, Monica, and Winnie, who were also on the good conduct +list. Of course there was considerable prinking in front of the +looking-glasses, careful adjusting of hair ribbons and other trifles of +toilet, before the girls considered themselves in party trim and ready +to do credit to the Villa Camellia. Escorted by Miss Brewster, who acted +chaperon, or "policewoman" as Sheila in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>sisted on calling her, they +walked in orderly file down the eucalyptus avenue to the town, past the +hotel, along the esplanade, and up a steep incline to the Villa Bleue. +The hospitable little parsonage seemed an exact materialization of the +personality of its owners. Canon and Mrs. Clark were both small and +smiling and charitable and particularly kind, and their tiny +unpretentious dwelling, with its sunny aspect and its flowers and its +pet birds, was absolutely in keeping with their tone of mind. From some +houses seem to emanate certain mental atmospheres, as if they reflected +the sum total of the thoughts that have collected there, and sensitive +visitors receive subconscious impressions of chilly magnificence, +intellectual activity or a spirit of general tolerance.</p> + +<p>The Villa Bleue always felt radiant with kind and cheery impulses, and +its flower-covered walls seemed almost to shine as the girls, secure of +a welcome, parted from Miss Brewster, and ran up the steps to the +pleasant veranda. Mrs. Clark made them at home at once. She had six cosy +basket-chairs waiting for them, and a plateful of most delicious almond +taffy, and she installed them to sit and admire the view, while she +talked and put them at their ease. Schoolgirls are notoriously bashful +visitors, and in certain circumstances all six would have been mum as +mice and entirely devoid of conversation except a conventional yes or +no, but with dear Mrs. Clark's beaming face and warm-hearted manner to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +disarm their shyness they were perfectly natural, and enjoyed themselves +as entirely as if they were at a dormitory tea or a sorority supper. The +best part about Mrs. Clark was that she had the happy knack of +forgetting her age and throwing herself back into the mental environment +of sixteen. She was certainly not a stiff hostess; indeed her treatment +of her guests was less conventional than that adopted by Rachel Moseley +at the prefects' parties; she laughed and chatted and asked questions +about the school, till in a few minutes the girls were chattering like +sparrows and behaving as if they had known her for years.</p> + +<p>Tea was set out on little basket tables in the veranda, and there were +all the delicious home-made things for which the Villa Bleue had gained +a just reputation—brown scones and honey, potato cakes, Scotch +shortbread, buttered oatmeal biscuits, iced lemon sandwich cake, and +chocolate fingers.</p> + +<p>When tea was taken away and the basket tables were once more free, Mrs. +Clark produced dainty cards and scarlet pencils and organized a +competition. It was entitled "Nursery Rhymes," and contained twenty +questions to be answered by the competitors. These ran as follows:</p> + +<div class='center'>NURSERY RHYMES COMPETITION</div> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Nursery Rhyme Questions"> +<tr><td align='left'>1. Who made Cock Robin's shroud?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>2. Who was exhausted by family cares?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>3. Who disliked insects?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>4. Who showed an interest in horticulture?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>5. Who summoned an orchestra?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>6. Who pursued matrimonial intentions without the parental sanction?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>7. Who showed religious intolerance?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>8. Who took a joint that did not belong to him?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>9. Who deplored the loss of hand gear?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>10. Whose salary was restricted owing to slackness in work?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>11. What animal pursued horological investigations?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>12. Who made the record high jump?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>13. Who wore a superfluity of jewelry?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>14. Whose culinary efforts were temporarily confiscated?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>15. Who pulled Pussy from the well?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>16. Who slept instead of attending to business?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>17. Who exhibited sanctimonious satisfaction over a meal?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>18. Who lost a number of domestic animals?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>19. Who had an accident during the performance of their duty?</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>20. Who was mutilated by a bird?</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Some of the questions seemed easy and some were difficult. The girls sat +puzzling over them, and writing the answers when they got inspiration. +Irene scribbled away delightedly, but Lorna, who had almost forgotten +the nursery rhymes of her childhood, was in much mystification, and only +filled in a few of the vacant spaces. Numbers 6, 7, 13 and 14 proved the +most baffling and no one was able to solve all twenty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + +<p>After allowing a considerable laxity in respect of time Mrs. Clark rang +the bell and declared the competition closed. The girls changed cards, +and waited with interest while their hostess read out the answers.</p> + +<div class='center'><br />ANSWERS TO NURSERY RHYMES COMPETITION<br /><br /></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Nursery Rhyme Answers"> +<tr><td align='right'>1.<br /><br /></td><td align='left'> I, said the beetle,<br /> +With my thread and needle.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />2.<br /><br /></td><td align='left'> The old woman who lived in a shoe.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>3.<br /></td><td align='left'> Miss Muffet.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />4.<br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Mary, Mary, quite contrary.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>5.<br /></td><td align='left'> Old King Cole, who called for his fiddlers three.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />6.<br /><br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Froggie would a-wooing go,<br /> +Whether his mother would let him or no.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>7.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Goosey goosey gander,<br /> +Whither do you wander,<br /> +Upstairs, downstairs,<br /> +In my lady's chamber.<br /> +There I met an old man<br /> +Who wouldn't say his prayers,<br /> +So I took him by the left leg<br /> +And threw him down the stairs.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />8.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Taffy was a Welshman,<br /> +Taffy was a thief,<br /> +Taffy came to my house<br /> +And stole a piece of beef.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>9.<br /><br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Three little kittens<br /> +Lost their mittens<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +And they began to cry.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />10.<br /><br /><br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Johnny shall have a new master<br /> +And he shall have but a penny a day,<br /> +Because he won't work any faster.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>11.<br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Dickery, dickery, dock!<br /> +The mouse ran up the clock!</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />12.<br /><br /></td><td align='left'> The cow jumped over the moon.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>13.<br /><br /><br /></td><td align='left'> The fair lady of Banbury Cross.<br /> +Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes<br /> +She shall have music wherever she goes.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />14.<br /><br /></td><td align='left'> The Queen of Heart's tarts.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>15.<br /></td><td align='left'> Little Tommy Trout.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />16.<br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Little Boy Blue.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>17.<br /></td><td align='left'> Little Jack Horner.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />18.<br /><br /></td><td align='left'> Little Bo Peep.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>19.<br /></td><td align='left'> Jack and Jill.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><br />20.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td><td align='left'> The maid was in the garden<br /> +Hanging out the clothes,<br /> +When by came a blackbird<br /> +And nipped off her nose.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>There was a good deal of laughter over the competition and much counting +up of marks. Irene, who had scored eighteen out of the possible twenty, +came out top, and was accordingly handed the pretty little photograph +frame which formed the prize.</p> + +<p>"I only got six," mourned Lorna. "I was a perfect duffer at it."</p> + +<p>"I had fifteen," purred Sheila, "but I couldn't for the life of me +remember who made Cock Robin's shroud, or who pulled Pussy out of the +well."</p> + +<p>"It's such ages since I read any nursery rhymes," said Monica.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's just the fun of it, of course!" declared Mary. "Did you make up +the questions, Mrs. Clark?"</p> + +<p>"No, I got the Canon to compose them. He'll be glad you liked them. Oh, +here he comes. He had to go to a committee meeting this afternoon. Did +you get tea, dear, at Major Littleton's?" (to her husband). "That's +right! Then sit down on this comfy chair and entertain us, please."</p> + +<p>"Rather a big order," laughed Canon Clark, shaking hands with his young +visitors, and taking the proffered seat. "How do you want to be +entertained? No sermons to-day?" and his eyes twinkled. "Don't all speak +at once. I'm beginning to get nervous!"</p> + +<p>"You can tell the most beautiful stories," suggested Sheila, who had +paid visits before to the Villa Bleue and knew the capabilities of her +host.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, please, <i>do</i> tell us a story!" agreed the others. "We'd like +it better than anything."</p> + +<p>"I have one inside my desk which is just ready to send off to a +magazine. If it won't bore you to listen to it, I'll read it aloud and +let you judge whether it has any interest in it or not. An audience of +schoolgirls ought to be severe critics. As a rule they're omnivorous +readers of fiction. If you turn it down I shall tear it up."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but we shan't!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Please</i> begin!"</p> + +<p>Thus urged, Canon Clark fetched a manuscript<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> from his study, and after +passing round the plate of taffy, to "sweeten his narrative" as he put +it, he sat down in his basket-chair on the veranda and began to read.</p> + +<div class='center'>"THE LUCK OF DACREPOOL</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I had known Jack Musgrave out East; we had +chummed at Mandalay, messed together at Singapore, +hunted big game up in Kashmir, and shot tigers in +Bengal, and, when we said good-by, as he boarded +the homeward-bound steamer at Madras, it was with +a cordial invitation on his part that I should +look him up if ever I happened to penetrate into +the remote corner of Cumberland where his family +acres were situated.</p> + +<p>"For a year or two my affairs kept me in India, +and nothing seemed more unlikely than that—for +the present, at any rate—Jack and I should cross +paths again, but by one of those strange chances +which sometimes occur in this world I found +myself, on the Christmas Eve of 190-, standing on +the platform of Holdergate Station, having missed +the connection for Scotland, and with the pleasing +prospect before me of spending the night, and +possibly—if trains were not available—the +ensuing Christmas Day at the one very second-rate +inn in the village.</p> + +<p>"It was then that I remembered that Holdergate was +the nearest station to Dacrepool Grange, and that, +if Jack's memory still held good, I might find a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +hearty welcome and spend a pleasant evening +recalling old times and discussing past shots, +instead of putting up with the inferior +accommodation offered by the landlady of the +King's Arms. As no one either at the station or in +the village seemed willing to vouchsafe me +definite information as to whether the owner of +Dacrepool was at home or abroad, parrying my +inquiries with such scant courtesy and in so +uncouth and unintelligible a dialect as to be +scarce understood, I resolved to chance it, and +with some difficulty hiring a farmer's gig, I +started out on a six-mile drive over the bleak +moorlands, which seemed to stretch as far as the +eye could reach in a dim vista of brown heath and +distant snow-clad fell. It was a dreary and +unseasonable evening, with a damp mist rising from +the sodden ground, and occasional falls of sleet, +mingled with rain that chilled one to the bone. I +buttoned my coat closely round my throat, and +braced my nerves to meet the elements, hoping I +might find my reward at the end of my journey, and +inwardly cursing every mile of the rough road.</p> + +<p>"But even Cumberland miles cannot wind on forever, +and my Jehu at length drew up at a massive stone +gateway, which he assured me formed the entrance +to Dacrepool Grange. There was neither light nor +sound in the lodge, nor did any one come out in +answer to our impatient calls, so we had perforce +to open the gates for ourselves. They creaked on +their rusty hinges, as if they had not been +un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>closed for many a day, and when I noted the +neglected drive, where the overhanging trees swept +our faces as we passed, I began to fear that I had +come on a fool's errand, and that I should find +the house shut up and my friend abroad.</p> + +<p>"On this point, however, my driver reassured me. +'Nay, oo'be to home, theer's a light i' yon +winder,' he said, pointing with his whip where a +faint streak of yellow shone like a beacon into +the surrounding gloom. The moon was struggling +through the clouds, and I could dimly discern the +outline of the quaint gabled front of the house, +with its mullioned windows, and masses of clinging +ivy. Dismounting at the old stone porch, I seized +the knocker and beat a mighty tattoo. There was no +reply. Even the light had disappeared from the +window almost simultaneously with the approach of +our carriage wheels, and though I hammered for +fully five minutes I failed to obtain the +slightest response to my knocks. I was on the +point of turning away in despair and driving back +in the gig to Holdergate, when a sound of +footsteps was heard within, together with an +unbolting and unbarring, the door was opened about +six inches on the chain, and a hard-featured woman +peeped cautiously out into the darkness.</p> + +<p>"I at once proclaimed my identity and my errand, +but, by the light of the candle which she held in +her hand, she looked me up and down with a glance +of keen distrust and evident disfavor. 'How am I +to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> know it is as you say?' she replied guardedly, +and without making any move to grant me +admittance.</p> + +<p>"'Then fetch your master,' I exclaimed with some +heat, thrusting my card into her hand. 'He should +know my name at any rate, though he seems to have +trained you in strange notions of hospitality to +keep a guest standing on the doorstep on a bitter +evening in December.'</p> + +<p>"Grumbling under her breath she went away, and I +was half inclined to follow her example and quit +this very unpromising spot, when a quick step +resounded in the hall, the door was flung open +wide, and I was dragged forcibly into the house by +my friend Jack, who hailed me with such unfeigned +delight and enthusiasm that there could be little +doubt of the genuineness of his welcome.</p> + +<p>"'You've sprung upon us at a queer time, as it +happens, old man, but if you don't mind taking +pot-luck we'll spend a ripping night together,' he +cried, hauling me into the dining-room, where a +pretty fairy of a girl sprang up to greet us. +'This is my sister Bessie, and I've talked about +you so often that she'll give you as big a welcome +as I do. It's only a poor best we can show you in +the way of entertainment, but you'll make +allowances when I tell you how I'm situated, and +what we lack in kind we must make up in good +will.'</p> + +<p>"'What's good enough for you will be good enough +for me,' I replied heartily, submitting to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +relieved of my coat and installed in the best +chair by the blazing fire—a pleasant change +indeed from the cold and the sleet outside.</p> + +<p>"'You must not think our guests usually receive +such a churlish reception,' said Jack, laughing a +little, 'but the fact is, we took you for the +bailiffs. I'm sorry to say I've outrun the +constable—it's really not my fault, for the old +place was mortgaged to its last penny when it fell +to me—but, as the case stands, I'm enduring a +kind of siege; daren't put my nose out of my own +door for fear I should be served with writs, and +have to smuggle what supplies we can beg or borrow +through the kitchen window. It's a queer kind of +Christmas to spend, and a poor lookout for the New +Year, for I'm afraid the old place is bound to go +in the end, though I have vowed to stick to it as +long as I can hold it, and Bessie has vowed to +stick to me, though she might have a more cheerful +home elsewhere if she liked. There's precious +little to offer you in our larder, but perhaps we +can furnish up something in the way of supper; +can't we, Bessie?'</p> + +<p>"Miss Musgrave laughed merrily.</p> + +<p>"'Mr. Harper must imagine himself back in camp,' +she replied; 'I hope he can manage to subsist on +porridge and cheese and tinned provisions, for I +don't think we have anything better to offer him.'</p> + +<p>"I would have subsisted on a far poorer diet to +remain within sight of those bright eyes, and I +endeavored to convince my host and hostess that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +desired nothing more than to be treated as one of +themselves, with such success that I seemed to +drop at once into the family circle, and never +spent a pleasanter or more jovial evening in my +life. Jack and I sat up late after Bessie had +retired, chatting of bygone days and past +adventures till the jungles and plains seemed +almost more real than the cheery blaze of the fire +before us; but the talk came round at last to the +affairs of the moment.</p> + +<p>"'Is not there any plan by which you could raise +the wind, Jack?'" I inquired.</p> + +<p>"'Never a one. I've tried every end up, but there +seems no way out of the trouble unless, indeed, we +could find Sir Godfrey's treasure.'</p> + +<p>"'Who's he?'</p> + +<p>"'An ancestor of mine, rather a back number, +considering he died somewhere about two hundred +and fifty years ago—but a restless old gentleman, +for he is still said to have a trick of haunting +the house, and, according to popular tradition, +hoping to be able to point out the hiding-place of +a treasure he stowed away.'</p> + +<p>"'Was it genuine treasure?'</p> + +<p>"'I believe so. He went off to fight in the Civil +Wars, and hid the family plate and jewels in a +secure place which nobody knew of but himself. He +had not the sense to leave any record of the spot, +and when he was killed at Naseby his secret died +with him, and the valuables—unless, as I +sometimes suspect, the old chap had previously +pledged them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>—were not forthcoming, nor have they +ever been heard of since.'</p> + +<p>"'Has he ever appeared to you?'</p> + +<p>"'Not he; I only wish he would. The hoard would be +a jolly windfall to me if I could manage to light +upon it. But I'm not the kind who goes about +seeing ghosts. I'm too plain and matter-of-fact by +half, and, though I often hear mysterious taps on +the panels of my bedroom, I prosaically set it +down to rats and mice. Now, you're a psychic sort +of a fellow, the seventh son of a seventh son; if +he wants to make himself visible, perhaps you may +get a sight of him; I'm afraid it's more than ever +I shall.'</p> + +<p>"'Is there no clew at all left as to the +hiding-place of the treasure?' I inquired.</p> + +<p>"'Only an old rhyme so obscure as to be quite +unintelligible:</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="He who plucks a rose"> +<tr><td align='left'>He who plucks a rose at Yule</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Will bring back luck to Dacrepool.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Even you, with your fondness for antiquities and +rummaging strange things out of old books, can +scarcely make anything of that, I should say.'</p> + +<p>"I shook my head, for the riddle seemed quite +unreadable, and as we had already sat up until +long past midnight I begged for my candle, and +proposed to defer our conversation until the +morning. Jack, declaring that none of the beds in +the damp old house was fit to sleep in without a +week of previous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> airing, insisted upon giving up +his room to me, and passing the night himself on +the dining-room sofa, and, in spite of my +protestations, I was forced to acquiesce in his +plans for my comfort.</p> + +<p>"Left alone, I looked with some curiosity round +the gloomy oak-paneled chamber, where the +fire-light flashed on the carved four-poster, with +its faded yellow damask curtains, and lit up the +moth-eaten tapestry that adorned a portion of the +upper part of the walls, but scarcely illumined +the dark corners which lay beyond. There were +quaint old presses and chests roomy enough to hide +a dozen ghosts in, and a portrait of a gentleman +in the elaborate costume of the Stuart period +seemed to look down upon me with strangely +haunting eyes.</p> + +<p>"'A spooky enough place,' I murmured, 'hallowed by +the spirits of numerous generations, no doubt. +Well, I'll undertake they won't disturb me +to-night, for I am dog-tired and mean to sleep +like a log.'</p> + +<p>"I am an old traveler, and was soon in bed and +enjoying a well-earned slumber, but my dreams were +wild, for I seemed now to be driving furiously +over the moorland, pursuing ever the phantom of +pretty Bessie, who, with her bewitching smile, was +luring me into the fog and darkness, and now to be +barring the front door to defend her from some +unknown assailant, whose perpetual rapping rang +like an echo through my brain. With the impotent +strength of dreamland I struggled vainly to close +the door, which was opening slowly to admit the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +nameless horror. I seemed to feel a hot breath on +my cheek, and with a wild shriek I woke, to find +the moonlight streaming in through the broad +diamond-paned window, falling in a white shaft +across the floor, while the last embers of the +fire were smoldering to ashes upon the hearth.</p> + +<p>"I sat up in bed with that feeling of broad +awakeness and alertness which comes to us +sometimes, and caught my breath as I listened, for +through the stillness of the night came the +unmistakable sound of a gentle tapping from behind +the paneling of the wall. It was not continuous, +but more as one might rap at the chamber door of a +sleeping person, waiting every now and then to +hear if one had obtained a response. An intense +and vivid sensation came over me that I was not +alone in the room; that there was some presence +other than my own personality which was striving +in some way to force itself upon my consciousness +and arrest my attention. Was it only my fancy, or +were the moonbeams actually shaping themselves +into a human form, till against the dark +background of the fireplace, I seemed to see the +misty shadowy outline of a figure, so vague and +ethereal that even as I looked it appeared to melt +again into the moonlight and cease to exist?</p> + +<p>"With every nerve on the stretch I strained my +eyes to gain a clearer impression. A passing cloud +left the room for a few moments in darkness, but, +as the beams shone out full and clear once<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> more, +that shadowy figure seemed to gather substance, +and I felt as if some unknown force were +compelling my attention and chaining my every +sense in a mute endeavor to establish some chord +of connection between me and the dim spirit world +which floats forever round us. Now waxing, now +waning, the vision grew, till I fancied I caught a +glint of armor. For an instant a wild imploring +glance met my own, and a transparent finger +pointed to the richly-carved paneling below the +arras, but as I sprang from the bed the vision +faded swiftly away, leaving me standing on the +floor in the calm moonlight doubting the evidence +of my senses, and half convinced that I must still +have been in the continuance of my dream.</p> + +<p>"Yet, as I looked, something in the carved +paneling struck my notice, and, following the +direction in which the spectral finger had +pointed, I saw that the dragons and the twisted +scrolls were united in the center by a Tudor rose. +In an instant there flashed across my mind the old +saying which Jack had quoted:</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="He who plucks a rose"> +<tr><td align='left'>He who plucks a rose at Yule</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Will bring back luck to Dacrepool.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>What impulse urged me I cannot say, but compelled +by some seemingly irresistible suggestion I seized +the sculptured rose and wrenched at it with all my +strength. There was a dull thud, followed by a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +harsh grinding noise, and the whole of the +paneling slid slowly back, revealing a cavity +behind, where, half hidden by the accumulations of +dust and cobwebs, I could catch a sight of silver +tankards and masses of plate enough to make the +mouth of a collector water with envy. Still +scarcely certain whether I was sleeping or waking, +I put in my hand and drew out a bag filled with +something heavy, and even as I did so the rotten +mildewed canvas broke with the strain, and a +stream of golden coins descended with a clatter +upon the floor.</p> + +<p>"Like a maniac I rushed to my door and hallooed +lustily for Jack, who, roused by my shouts, came +hurrying up in scanty attire, with a revolver in +one hand and a poker in the other.</p> + +<p>"'What is it, old man, thieves or bailiffs? Just +hold 'em till I come, can't you?'</p> + +<p>"'It's neither,' I replied, as I hauled him in +with triumph, 'but I believe I have had a visit +from your esteemed ancestor, and, as a Christmas +gift, allow me to introduce you to the long-lost +family treasure.'</p> + +<p>"There was no mistake about it—it was real +enough, and, as the Christmas bells came chiming +through the frosty air, we turned out bags of +gold, piles of silver and priceless jewels +warranted to redeem Dacrepool Grange twice over if +necessary, and sending Jack into a very ecstasy of +joy.</p> + +<p>"'By Jove, old chap,' he exclaimed, 'I owe it all +to you. Here I've slept in this room for years, +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> never paid any heed to the raps and taps, +though I've heard them often enough, while the +treasure was under my very nose, only waiting to +be discovered. Then you come along with your +ghost-seeing eyes, and the spirit, if spirit it +was, is able to convey to you the secret it's been +trying to get off its mind for hundreds of years. +You've saved me from the bankruptcy court, and +it's a debt of gratitude you'll find I shan't +lightly forget.'</p> + +<p>"It was a very jovial Christmas which we spent +that day, for the news of the find got abroad at +daylight, and we were promptly visited by the +butcher and baker, bringing stores of good cheer +and profuse apologies for past misunderstandings; +even the severe old servant relapsed into smiles +as she bore in a smoking sirloin of beef. Jack's +spirits rose to the wildest pitch, and little +Bessie, who persisted in calling me the savior of +the family credit, could scarcely do enough to +show her gratitude. Jack wanted me to share the +best of the jewels with him, and was so annoyed at +my refusal that I could only gain peace by a hint +that I should sometime ask him for something more +valuable still. And I got my way, for my +unexpected visit lengthened out to a stay of some +weeks, during which pretty Bessie's gratitude had +time to ripen into a warmer feeling. So in the end +it was quite a different treasure which I bore +away from Dacrepool Grange, and I feel equally +with Jack that I have cause to remember that +strange Christmas Eve, and to render my thanks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> to +old Sir Godfrey, who now sleeps soundly in his +grave, secure in the accomplishment of his +mission, having rid his soul of the burden of his +secret and restored luck to Dacrepool." </p></div> + +<p>"Is it true?" asked Sheila, as Canon Clark folded up his manuscript.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can hardly call it a personal reminiscence, but you must allow +for author's license. Old historic houses sometimes have secret +hiding-places, and dreams are undoubtedly strange things. It's all +founded upon legends which I have heard. Mrs. Clark and I first met in +an ancient grange not at all unlike Dacrepool, didn't we, Bess? And if +we didn't find treasure behind the paneling we certainly ought to have +done so. Now I'm extremely sorry to have to hurry you, but I promised +Miss Morley that you should be back at school by half past six, and I +undertook to escort you through the town. I hope you'll all come and +have tea with us some afternoon next term and we'll have another +competition. Don't say good-by to Mrs. Clark. Give the Italian 'A +rivederci' instead, because that means not a parting greeting but 'May +we see one another again.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>Peachy's Birthday</h3> + + +<p>Delia Watts, walking one afternoon along the lemon pergola, came across +a small group of Camellia Buds ensconced in a cozy corner at the foot of +the steps by the fountain.</p> + +<p>"Hello! You've found a dandy place here. You look so comfy. May I join +on?" she chirped.</p> + +<p>"Sure<i>lee!</i>" said Jess cordially, pushing Irene farther along to make +room. "Come and squat down, dearie, and add your voice to the powwow. +We're just discussing something fearfully urgent and important. Do you +know it'll be Peachy's birthday next week?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I know. Nobody could room with Peachy and not hear about +that. She's the most excited girl on earth. She's been promised a gold +wrist-watch and a morocco hand-bag, and I can't tell you what else, and +she's just living till she gets them. I wish it was my birthday. I'm +jealous!"</p> + +<p>"Don't be such a pig," responded Jess. "You got your fun in the +holidays. You can't have things twice over. What we were talking about +was this—the sorority ought to rally somehow and give Peachy a +surprise. Can't we get up a special stunt?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Rather! Put me on the committee, please! Couldn't we get leave for a +dormitory tea? I know Miss Rodgers rather frowned on them last term, but +perhaps if we wheedled Miss Morley she'd say 'yes.' We'd promise to +clear up and not make any mess, and to finish promptly before prep time. +That ought to content her. What votes?"</p> + +<p>Every hand ascended with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Delia!" complimented Jess. "We haven't had a dormitory +tea for just ages; not, in fact, since Aggie upset the spirit-lamp. I +think Miss Morley's forgotten that now, though. You must do the asking +yourself. You're our champion wheedler. If anybody can soften Miss +Morley's hard heart it will be you. Tell her Peachy will be homesick, +and we feel it'll be our duty to cheer her up a little."</p> + +<p>"I'll pitch it as strong as I can," said Delia, "but of course it's no +use going too far. Peachy doesn't look a homesick subject in need of +cheering. I'm afraid Miss Morley may snort if I put it on that score. +I'd better just explain we want to have a stunt. I believe she'll catch +on. Leave it to me and I'll try my best to manage her."</p> + +<p>"Right-o! We give you carte blanche!"</p> + +<p>"Then I'll waddle off now."</p> + +<p>Delia's success mostly depended upon tact. She judged that if she asked +Miss Morley, tired at the end of a busy morning, she would probably meet +with a curt refusal, but that if she found her, seated in her own +bed-sitting-room, soothed with afternoon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> tea and reading a delectable +book, her sympathy would be much more readily aroused. On this occasion +Delia's judgment was correct. After a perfectly harmonious interview +with the Principal she scurried back to her fellow Camellia Buds, her +face one satisfied grin.</p> + +<p>"She said, 'Certainly, my dear!' We may ask Elvira for a special teapot +and a plate of bread and butter, and we may give Antonio three lira +apiece to buy us cakes. We may do what we like so long as the room is +tidy again before prep. She'll send a prefect at 5.45 to inspect. If the +place is in a muddle it'll be the last time, so we'd better be careful, +for I could see she meant that."</p> + +<p>"We're in luck!" cried Irene, giving a bounce of rapture.</p> + +<p>"It's great!"</p> + +<p>"Yummy!"</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd congratulate me," smirked Delia. "Now let's get busy +and decide what sort of a stunt we mean to have. Is Peachy to know, or +is it to be a surprise?"</p> + +<p>"That's the question! She'll have to be told and invited and all the +rest of it, but she needn't hear any details beforehand. I vote we all +arrange to come in fancy costume—that would really be a stunt."</p> + +<p>"We shall have to tell Peachy <i>that!</i>"</p> + +<p>"No, you mustn't. We'll have a costume all ready prepared for her, like +the wedding garment in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> parable. She'll have nothing to do but slip +it on."</p> + +<p>If Peachy was looking forward to her own birthday, her friends were +anticipating the happy event with enthusiasm. They had decided to hold +the festivities in her dormitory, but had required her to give a solemn +pledge not to enter the room after 2 p.m. so as to give them a free +hand. During the half-hour before drawing-class they met, and held a +"Decoration Bee." Nine determined girls, who have prepared their +materials, can work wonders in a short time, and in ten hurried minutes +they accomplished a vast amount.</p> + +<p>"Mary, lend a hand, and help me stand on the dressing table."</p> + +<p>"She won't know the place when she sees it!"</p> + +<p>"Aren't we all busy bees!"</p> + +<p>"It begins to look rather nice, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Don't tug this chain! It's tearing! Now you've done it!"</p> + +<p>"I flatter myself she'll get the surprise of her life!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Ra</i>-ther!"</p> + +<p>With flags, paper chains, and garlands of flowers, the decorators +contrived to make dormitory 13 look absolutely <i>en fête</i>. They borrowed +a table from another bedroom, placed the two together, covered them with +a cloth, and spread forth the cakes which Antonio had been commissioned +to buy.</p> + +<p>"Elvira will fetch us the teapot and the bread and butter at four. We +can yank into our costumes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> in a few seconds, so we needn't waste much +time. Don't let Miss Darrer keep you dawdling about the studio," urged +Agnes.</p> + +<p>"No fear of that. The moment the bell goes it will be 'down pencils.' +She can hold forth to the others to-day if she wants to talk after +school. By the by, everybody's <i>so</i> jealous of us!"</p> + +<p>"I know! The seniors are grumbling like anything because they didn't +think of having a bedroom tea for Phyllis. It's their own fault. They +haven't another birthday amongst them this term. That's the grievance. +And Miss Morley won't give leave for a dormitory stunt unless it's +somebody's birthday. She's firm on that point. We've certainly all the +luck."</p> + +<p>The Camellia Buds pursued their art studies that afternoon with a +certain abstraction. Peachy worked with her left wrist poised, so that +she could obtain a perpetual view of the new gold watch that had arrived +by post that morning; Delia frittered her time shamelessly; Esther was +guilty of writing surreptitious messages to Joan upon the edges of her +chalk copy of "Apollo"; and Irene, usually interested in her work, had a +fit of the fidgets. The moment the bell sounded and the class was +dismissed they bundled their pencils into their boxes, and left the +studio with almost indecent haste.</p> + +<p>"Only an hour and a half altogether for our stunt doesn't leave us much +time to be polite," remarked Aggie, smarting under a rebuke administered +by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> Miss Darrer, who had restrained their stampede and insisted upon an +orderly retreat. "It's all very well for people to saunter elegantly +when they've nothing particular to do. I dare say the Italians <i>may</i> +look dignified, but we can't stalk about as if we were perpetually +carrying water-pots on our heads."</p> + +<p>"American girls have more energy than that. I'm just ready to fly to +bits," declared Delia, prancing down the passage like a playful kitten.</p> + +<p>"I give everybody five minutes to get on their costumes," decreed Jess. +"Peachy must stay outside in the passage and wait. I'll tinkle my Swiss +goat-bell when you're all to come in."</p> + +<p>Peachy, pulling a long face of protest, took her stand obediently in the +corridor, while her three roommates entered dormitory 13. Their fancy +dresses were lying ready on their beds, and they whisked into them with +the utmost haste.</p> + +<p>"There! Is my cap on straight? Jess, you look fine! I guess we shan't +keep the crowd waiting. We'd earn our livings as quick-change artistes +any day. Is that Elvira? Oh, thanks! Put the teapot down there, please. +What a huge plate of bread and butter. We'll never eat it! Mary, if +you're ready you might be uncovering the grub."</p> + +<p>The girls had laid everything in preparation for their feast, and, to +protect their dainties from flies, had put sheets of tissue paper over +the table. Mary lifted these deftly, but as she removed them her smug +satisfaction changed to a howl of dismay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> Instead of the tempting +dainties which they had placed there with their own hands stood a circle +of bricks and stones.</p> + +<p>For a moment all three gazed blankly at the awful sight. Then they found +speech.</p> + +<p>"Our beautiful cakes!"</p> + +<p>"Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"Who's done this?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! the <i>brutes!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Who's been in?"</p> + +<p>"How <i>dare</i> they?"</p> + +<p>"Wherever have they put them?"</p> + +<p>"Have they eaten them?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! What a shame!"</p> + +<p>"What <i>are</i> we to do?"</p> + +<p>It was indeed a desperate situation, for loud thumps at the door +proclaimed the advent of the visitors, who seemed likely to be provided +with a decidedly Barmecide feast. Delia, however, had an inspiration. +She stooped on hands and knees and foraged under the beds, announcing by +a jubilant screech that she had discovered the lost property. It did not +take long to move away the stones and to transfer the plates from the +floor to the table, after which three much flustered hostesses opened +the door and gushed a welcome to their guests. It was rather a motley +group who entered: Irene as a nun in waterproof and hood; Agnes as a Red +Cross Nurse; Esther a Turk, with a towel for a turban; Joan a sportsman +in her gymnasium knick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>ers; Sheila, in a tricolor cap, represented +France; and Lorna was draped with the Union Jack; Jess with a plaid +arranged as a kilt made a sturdy Highlander; Mary was an Irish colleen; +while Delia, in a wrapper ornamental with fringes of tissue paper, stood +for "Carnival." A white dressing jacket trimmed with green leaves, and a +garland of flowers were waiting for Peachy, and when the latter was +popped on her head she was promptly proclaimed "Queen o' the May." Very +much flattered by these preparations in her honor, the guest of the +occasion took her place at the table.</p> + +<p>"I'm absolutely astounded," she announced. "Where did you get all this +spread? You don't mean to tell me Antonio was <i>allowed</i> to go and buy +it! It's too topping for words!"</p> + +<p>"We thought it had gone out of the window, a moment ago," said Jess, +explaining their horrible predicament as she wielded the teapot.</p> + +<p>The Camellia Buds listened aghast. Somebody had evidently been playing a +shameful trick upon them.</p> + +<p>"It's Mabel!"</p> + +<p>"Or Bertha!"</p> + +<p>"No, no! They'd have taken the cakes quite away instead of only hiding +them!"</p> + +<p>"Then it must be Winnie or Ruth!"</p> + +<p>"Quite likely. They knew we were having the party."</p> + +<p>"The wretches!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll pay them out afterwards!"</p> + +<p>"What a mean thing to do!"</p> + +<p>"They were honest, at any rate, and didn't take so much as a biscuit."</p> + +<p>"They'd have heard about it if they had!"</p> + +<p>"'All's well that ends well!'"</p> + +<p>"And we'd better clear the dishes while we can. Have another piece of +iced sandwich, Mary!"</p> + +<p>"No, thanks! I really don't want any more."</p> + +<p>The Camellia Buds, having disposed of the feast, and having yet half an +hour of the birthday party left on their hands, decided to hold what +they called a "Mixed Recitation Stunt." They sat in a circle on the +floor and counted out till the lot fell upon one of them, whose pleasing +duty it became to act entertainer for the next five minutes, when she +was entitled to hand the part on to somebody else. Fate, aided perhaps +by a little gentle maneuvering, gave the first turn to Jess.</p> + +<p>"I adore poetry, but I never can remember it by heart," she protested, +"so don't expect me to 'speak a piece,' please. No, I'm not trying to +get out of it. I'll do my bit the same as everybody else. Stop giggling +and listen, because I'm going to tell you something spooky. It's a real +Highland story. It happened to an aunt of mine. Are you ready? Well then +be quiet, because I'm going to begin:</p> + +<p>"I have an aunt who lives in the Highlands. Her name is Jessie M'Gregor. +Yes, I'm named after her! Some of her family had had the gift of sec<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>ond +sight, but not all of them. Her grandmother had it very strongly, and +used to foretell the strangest things, and they always came true. Aunt +Jessie was a seventh child. That's always supposed to give people the +power of seeing visions. If she'd been the seventh child <i>of</i> a seventh +child then she'd have been a 'spey wife' and foreseen the future, but +she wasn't that exactly. She came very near to it once, though, and +that's what I want to tell you about. Uncle Gordon was going to London, +and, the day before he started, Auntie was sitting alone in the garden. +She hadn't been very well, so she was just leaning back in a deck-chair +resting. She wasn't asleep; she was looking at the view and thinking how +lovely it all was. She could see right across the moor and down the +valley where the river ran; the heather was in blossom and it was a +glorious sight. Suddenly it seemed as if everything became blurred and +dark, as if a mist were before her eyes. A patch cleared through the +midst of this and she could see the valley below as if she were looking +through an enormous telescope. The river had burst its banks, and was +flowing all over the line, and through the flood came the train, and +dashed into the water. She saw this vision only for a moment, then it +passed. She rubbed her eyes and wondered if it was a dream. She decided +it was a warning. She's very superstitious. Most Highland people are. +She didn't want Uncle Gordon to go next day by the little train that ran +down the valley, but she knew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> if she told him her 'vision' he would +only laugh at her. So she pretended she wanted to do some shopping at +Aberfylde, a town fifteen miles away, where the local railway joins the +main line. She told Uncle Gordon that if they motored there together she +could see him off on the London express, and then have a day's shopping. +So he agreed, and they went in the car. There was a tremendous storm in +the night, and it was still raining when they started. Auntie spent the +day in Aberfylde and motored back, and when she reached home she noticed +the valley had turned into a lake. The terrific rain had swollen all the +streams and made the river burst its banks, and the line was flooded, +and it was impossible for the train to run. So her 'vision' really did +come true after all. She's ever so proud of it, and wrote it all down so +that she shouldn't forget it. That's my story. Now it's somebody else's +stunt. Let's count out again."</p> + +<p>Fortune cast the lot this time on Agnes, who wrinkled up her forehead +and protested she didn't know anything to tell, but, when urged, +remembered something she had heard during the summer holidays.</p> + +<p>"It's true too!" she assured them. "We were staying at Tarana. We had a +villa there. Water was very scarce, and we used to have two barrels of +it brought every day on donkeyback by a woman whose business it was to +act as carrier. Her name was Luigia, and she was very picturesque +looking,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> and had the most beautiful dark eyes, though she always looked +fearfully sad. Daddy is fond of sketching, and he painted a picture of +her standing with her donkey under the vines. We guessed somehow that +she had a history, and we asked Sareda, our cook, about her. Sareda knew +everybody in the place. She was a dear old gossip. She got quite excited +over Luigia's story. She said it had been the talk of Tarana at the +time. Luigia used to be a lovely girl when she was young, and she was +quite wealthy for a peasant, because she owned a little lemon grove on +the hillside. She inherited it from her father, who was dead. Of course, +because she was beautiful and a village heiress, she soon found a +sweetheart, and became engaged to Francesco, a fisherman who lived down +on the Marina. Everything was going on very happily, and the wedding was +fixed, when suddenly it was found there was something wrong with +Luigia's glorious eyes. She went to a doctor in Naples, and he told her +that unless a certain operation were performed she would go blind. If +she went to Paris, to a specialist whom he named, her sight might be +saved. Poor Luigia sold her lemon grove in a hurry, to get the necessary +money, and packed up and started for Paris immediately. She was away six +months, and she came back penniless, but seeing as well as ever. She +trudged all the way from Liparo to Tarana, along the coast road, because +she could not afford to take the train. When she walked into her own +village,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> the first thing she saw was a wedding party leaving the +church. She stopped to watch, and as the procession passed her who +should the gayly-dressed bridegroom prove to be but her own faithless +sweetheart Francesco. She screamed and fainted, and some kindly +neighbors took her in and cared for her. She got work afterwards in the +village, but she did not find a husband, because her lemon grove was +sold, and these peasants will not marry a wife without a dowry. No +wonder she looked so sad. We were always frightfully sorry for her."</p> + +<p>Sheila, who was the next entertainer, recited a ballad; and Delia also +"spoke a piece," an amusing episode of child life, which she rendered +with much humor. The next turn was Irene's, and the girls, who were in a +mood for listening, clamored for a story.</p> + +<p>"I haven't any first-hand or original adventures," she declared. "My +aunts never have psychic experiences, and the people who brought us +things to the door in London weren't interesting in the least. If you +like romance, though, I remember a tale in a little old, old book that +belonged to my great grandmother. It was supposed to be true, and I dare +say it may have really happened, more than a hundred years ago, just as +'The Babes in the Wood' really happened in Norfolk in Elizabethan times. +It's about a girl named Mary Howard. Her father and mother died when she +was only four years old, and she was left an orphan. She was heiress to +a very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> great property, and her uncle, Mr. John Howard, was made her +guardian. She also had another uncle, Mr. Dallas, her mother's brother, +but he lived in Calcutta and she had never seen him. Mr. John Howard +wished to get hold of Mary's estates for himself, so he laid a careful +plot. First, he sent all the servants away, including her nurse, Betty +Morris, who was devoted to her. Betty offered to stay on without wages, +but when this was refused she became suspicious, and wrote a letter to +Mr. Dallas warning him to look after his sister's child. But it took +many months in those days for a letter to get to Calcutta, and meantime +Mr. Howard was pursuing a wicked scheme. Soon afterwards Betty heard +that her charge had been stolen by gypsies for the sake of her amber +beads, and could not be found anywhere. What had really happened was +worse even than Betty had feared. Mr. Howard had hired a sailor, who was +in desperate need of money, and bribed him to decoy the child away, take +her to the seaside and there drown her. Robert, the sailor, fulfilled +the first part of his bargain but not the second. He carried little Mary +into a remote part of Wales, but he did not do her any harm. Instead, he +became extremely fond of her and determined to save her from her uncle. +So he bought a passage in a vessel bound for New Zealand and took her to +sea with him, pretending she was his daughter. She was a sweet, gentle +little creature, and soon became a favorite on board.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Among the crew was a Maori boy named Duaterra, whose father was a great +chief in New Zealand. The Captain, for some offense, ordered this boy to +be flogged, and Duaterra could not forgive the indignity. He planned a +terrible revenge. When they reached New Zealand he persuaded the Captain +and crew to land in his father's territory; then, summoning his savage +friends he ordered a general massacre and killed them all, saving only +Robert and little Mary. Robert had been good to him and had given him +tobacco, and Duaterra adored Mary, and called her his Mocking Bird. The +Maoris plundered and burnt the ship after they had murdered the crew, +but they were kind to Robert and Mary, and built a native house for +them. Here they lived for four years, for they had no opportunity to +escape. Robert married the chief's daughter and settled down as a member +of the tribe, but he became very anxious about little Mary. He knew that +Duaterra looked upon her as his prospective bride, and he could not bear +to think of the lovely child ever becoming the wife of a savage.</p> + +<p>"One day a marvelous opportunity occurred for sending Mary home. A ship +put in to obtain fresh water, and on the vessel happened to be an old +friend of Robert's, named John Morris, actually the brother of Betty +Morris, Mary's former nurse. Robert told John the whole story and begged +him to take the little girl to England, and deliver her into Betty's +hands. He paid for her passage with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> money which Mr. Howard had +given him as a bribe, and which, as he could not use money in New +Zealand, he had kept buried in the ground. Mary was carried on board +ship when she was fast asleep at night, and poor Robert cried like a +child at parting from her. John Morris proved a faithful friend. He took +Mary to London, and sent a message to his sister Betty who was then +living in Devonshire. When she arrived she was able to identify her +nursling, and to tell John that Mr. Dallas had arrived from Calcutta and +had offered a large reward for the recovery of his niece. So Mary was +placed under the guardianship of her mother's brother, who took good +care both of her and her estates, and the wicked uncle was so overcome +with shame, when the story of his crime got about, that he went crazy +and ended his days in a lunatic asylum."</p> + +<p>"And the best place for him, too!" commented Jess. "He must have been a +brute. I dare say things like that really <i>did</i> happen before there were +daily papers to publish photos of lost children, and when the Maoris in +New Zealand were still savages. Look here, my hearties! Do you realize +it's 5.35? We've got exactly ten minutes to clear up before Rachel +arrives on the rampage."</p> + +<p>"Gracious! Help me out of these duds! Rachel would never let me hear the +end of it if she caught me as a May Queen. I know her sarcastic tongue," +squealed Peachy. "Thanks just fifty thou<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span>sand times for my birthday +party. It's been absolutely prime, and I've never enjoyed anything as +much for years. Sorry to send you others into the cold, cold world, but +I'm afraid you'll have to scoot and change."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>Concerning Juniors</h3> + + +<p>Though all the Camellia Buds had keenly enjoyed Peachy's birthday +festivities they were none of them satisfied to allow the mystery of the +hiding of their cakes to remain unsolved. They questioned Elsie, who was +often an envoy between themselves and the rest of the Transition, but +Elsie professed utter ignorance, and assured them that the particular +girls whom they suspected had been playing tennis during the whole of +their recreation, and could not possibly have had time or opportunity to +enter dormitory 13 unnoticed by some of their companions.</p> + +<p>"We'd have seen them," declared Elsie. "Besides, they'd have boasted +about it. Whoever's the trick was, it wasn't ours. If you want my +opinion I should say ask some of those juniors. They're absolute imps +and ready for anything."</p> + +<p>This was quite a new view of the case. The Camellia Buds had fixed the +mischief so certainly on the rival sorority that they had never thought +of the younger girls. Peachy, catching Olive, Doris, and Natalie, the +trio whom she had named her "triplets," taxed them solemnly with the +crime. They burst out laughing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We 'did' you neatly!"</p> + +<p>"Were you all this time guessing it was us?"</p> + +<p>"I expect you had a hunt for those cakes!"</p> + +<p>Peachy focussed a stern eye upon their giggling faces, and hypnotized +them into attention.</p> + +<p>"Now, what d'you mean by such impudence? How dare you go into our +dormitory? Juniors aren't to play tricks on their seniors! That was +bumped into my head when I was a kid, and I'll bump it jolly well into +yours!"</p> + +<p>The trio pouted.</p> + +<p>"We thought you called yourself our Fairy Godmother," said Olive +sulkily.</p> + +<p>"Well! So I do!"</p> + +<p>"Not much fairy about it, or godmother either. You do nothing for us +now."</p> + +<p>"You ungrateful little wretches! Haven't we settled Bertha and Mabel for +you? Don't you get your biscuits all right at lunch now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. But——"</p> + +<p>"But what?"</p> + +<p>"You haven't given us a candy party for ages," broke out Natalie. "You +keep all your cakes and fun to yourselves."</p> + +<p>"You promised us all sorts of things. We don't think Fairy Godmothers +are any use," snorted Olive. "Ta—ta! We're off to a basket-ball."</p> + +<p>"Some people make a mighty palaver over next to nothing," sneered Doris, +as the trio linked arms and tore away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<p>Peachy stood looking after them with wrinkled brows. She was a peppery +little person, and her temper was up for the moment. All the same, +Doris's parting shot struck home. Unfortunately it was true. The +Camellia Buds had proclaimed themselves as "Fairy Godmothers, Limited," +had adopted juniors with much flourish of trumpets, had certainly fought +a crusade and defended them against injustice and infringement of their +rights, and then—and then—alack!—in the excitement of other matters +had almost forgotten all about them.</p> + +<p>Peachy remembered clearly that for the first week of her championship +she had made a point of speaking daily to Olive, Doris, and Natalie. +Now, for a full fortnight she had scarcely nodded to them at the +breakfast table. They had certainly had no opportunity of pouring their +childish woes into the sympathetic and motherly ear which she had quite +intended should be always open to them.</p> + +<p>"I've a wretched memory," she ruminated remorsefully. "Poor kiddies. +They've really got rather a grievance, though they needn't have been so +cheeky—the young imps! I guess I'd better call a meeting of the +Camellia Buds and see what's to be done. I don't believe any of us have +taken any notice of them just lately."</p> + +<p>Nine would-have-been philanthropists, reminded of past schemes of +benevolence, blushed uneasily, and tried to revive interest in their +protégées.</p> + +<p>"They always seemed very busy with basket-ball<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> and other things, and +not exactly hankering after us," urged Agnes in excuse.</p> + +<p>"They could have come to us if they'd wanted, of course," added Mary.</p> + +<p>"That wasn't entirely the pact," said Peachy, driving in her tacks with +firm hammer. "We offered to 'mother' them, and then forgot all about +them. No wonder they think us frauds. What's to be done about it?"</p> + +<p>"Get some more cakes somehow and ask them all to a party," suggested +Irene enthusiastically. "We have been pigs! I promised Désirée to paint +something in her album, and the book's been in my drawer for weeks, and +I've never touched it."</p> + +<p>"How are we going to get the cakes?"</p> + +<p>"Wheedle Antonio again, I suppose. We needn't have any ourselves. If +there are two slices apiece for the kids, it will do. We must keep some +of our biscuits from lunch so that we can seem to be eating something +ourselves. Peachy, you can coax him."</p> + +<p>"You always leave it to me. Antonio isn't so easy to manage. Sometimes +he's an absolute Pharisee, and won't buy me so much as a single bit of +candy. I'll do what I can. Those poor kids shall have a treat if it +costs me my last dollar. We owe them something decent."</p> + +<p>Antonio, whose lapses from duty were only occasional, and who had been +reprimanded lately by Miss Rodgers, who suspected his delinquencies,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +proved deaf on this occasion to Peachy's blandishments. He protested, +with quite aggravating virtue, that it was as much as his place was +worth to smuggle even a solitary cream-cake, and that for the future he +must no more be the conveyor of contraband sweet stuff.</p> + +<p>"Stumped in that quarter," mourned Peachy. "But I'm not going to let +this beat me. I've been cultivating a friendship with the cook! Don't +laugh! I thought it might come in useful some day. I gave her my blue +butterfly brooch (I had two of them!), and I took a snap-shot of her in +her Sunday clothes, and she was immensely pleased and flattered. I +haven't developed it yet, by the by, but I will, and print her two +copies and mount them. If that doesn't melt her heart into sparing me a +little butter and sugar it ought to. We can square it this way: none of +us ten must eat any butter or sugar at breakfast or tea to-morrow, then +we'll have a real right to have it given us afterwards. Don't pull +faces! You can have marmalade or jam. What sybarites you are!"</p> + +<p>"Right-o," agreed the Camellia Buds, sorrowfully accepting the +sacrifice.</p> + +<p>"But couldn't the juniors contribute some butter, too?" added Sheila.</p> + +<p>"It might be noticed if too many went without. Besides, it's the +hostesses who ought to provide the party, not the guests."</p> + +<p>Benedicta, the cook, was vulnerable, especially in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> view of the +self-restraint exercised by the heroic ten. She made a hasty calculation +of the amount of butter they would normally have consumed, added a +package of sugar, and lent them a pan and a spoon. Peachy carried away +these spoils chuckling, and hid them carefully behind the summer-house. +Then she racked her brains and composed what she considered a suitable +and telling invitation:</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Fairy godmothers"> +<tr><td align='left'>"To all who'd love a Fairy Fête</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I beg you come, and don't be late,</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We offer fun that will not wait.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />"The time is fixed for half-past four,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">You'll have to squat upon the floor,</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We ask you all—but can't do more.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />"Our summer-house is small but handy,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Indeed we think the place most dandy,</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We're going to try and make you candy.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />"So leave your game of basket-ball,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And come and make a friendly call,</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">You'll find a welcome for you all.</span><br /> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><span style="margin-right: 10em;">"From</span><br /> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>"Your Fairy Godmothers."</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Peachy wrote her effusion upon a sheet torn from her best pad, folded +it, sought out Olive and handed it to her, telling her to pass it round +the form.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> The juniors grinned at its contents. They had felt themselves +neglected, but were quite ready to forgive past omissions on the +strength of a present invitation.</p> + +<p>"Better late than never," decreed Doris. "I suppose we'll go?"</p> + +<p>"It sounds as if it might be rather nice," agreed the others.</p> + +<p>So once more the Camellia Buds were placed in the position of hostesses. +Owing to the difficulty of the catering they judged it best to make the +candy before the very eyes of their guests, so that they might see for +themselves how little there was of it and not grouse if the supply only +ran to one bit apiece.</p> + +<p>"Otherwise they might think we'd had first go and only given them the +leavings," remarked Peachy, who was a born diplomat.</p> + +<p>They had counted on borrowing the spirit-lamp which the seniors used for +brewing their after-dinner coffee, but at the last moment they found the +bottle of methylated spirit was empty.</p> + +<p>"What a nuisance! There's no time to send for more. Never mind! We won't +be 'done.' Let's light a camp-fire and cook on that. We must manage +somehow."</p> + +<p>"We certainly can't disappoint them!"</p> + +<p>"Not after all this fuss."</p> + +<p>The back of the summer-house, as being a particularly retired and +secluded spot, was chosen as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> the rendezvous, and when the nineteen +juniors, interested and appreciative, came fluttering up the garden, +they were met by scouts, conducted round, commanded to squat in a circle +on the ground, and requested to make less noise.</p> + +<p>"D'you want the whole of the school to butt in?" warned Jess. "Then keep +quiet, can't you? Much taffy you'll get if Rachel catches us. Your only +chance is to lie low, you little sillies."</p> + +<p>"Rachel's playing tennis!" giggled Evelyn Carr.</p> + +<p>"There are other prefects as well as Rachel. Pull yourselves together +and don't get so excited."</p> + +<p>The juniors, who had been talking at the top of their voices, squealing, +and otherwise raising the echoes, restrained their transports and +contented themselves with whispers and giggles. The Camellia Buds were +fetching fuel, which they had purloined from the gardener's wood-shed. +They commenced to build a camp-fire.</p> + +<p>Before very long the flames were dancing up. Now, the hostesses in their +enthusiasm to be hospitable had foolishly forgotten that it is one thing +to stir a pan over a methylated spirit lamp, and quite another to hold +it over a camp-fire. Peachy, Agnes, and Mary tried in turns and scorched +their hands, egged on by the interested circle watching their +performance.</p> + +<p>"Make a big bonfire, and let it die down, and put the pan in the hot +ashes, just as we cook chestnuts," proposed Irene.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was, at least, a feasible suggestion. Anything seemed better than +open failure before those nineteen pairs of expectant eyes. Volunteers +went off for fresh supplies of wood, which was soon crackling merrily. +But alas! the Camellia Buds, being rather overwrought and flustered with +their experiments, did not calculate on the fact that the smoke of their +bonfire would give away their secret. Rachel had handed her tennis +racket to Phyllis, and was taking a turn among the orange trees to try +to memorize her recitation for the elocution class.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="All the world's a stage"> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 9em;">"'All the world's a stage</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>And all the men and women merely players:</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>They have their exits and their entrances;</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>And one man in his time plays many parts,'"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>she repeated; then, catching sight of the gray cloud rising from the +back of the summer-house, "Hello! What's Giovanni burning? He'll set +those orange trees on fire if he doesn't mind."</p> + +<p>Abandoning Shakespeare Rachel stalked away to investigate, and surprised +the candy party by a sudden appearance in their midst.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious, girls! Whatever are you doing here?" she demanded in +idiomatic, if hardly strictly classical English.</p> + +<p>At the unwelcome sight of the head prefect the juniors one and all +simply stampeded, and I regret to say that the more timid of the +Camellia Buds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> followed their example. Peachy, Irene, Lorna, Delia, and +Jess stood their ground, however.</p> + +<p>"We—we were only giving those kids a little fun," answered Peachy.</p> + +<p>In dead silence Rachel reviewed the pan, its contents, and the blushing +faces before her. Then she said:</p> + +<p>"Rather dangerous fun. If that tree catches it will set the summer-house +in a blaze next. You know your fire drill? Well, each fetch a bucket of +water and put this out! Right turn! Quick march!"</p> + +<p>At the words of command the luckless five fled to the house and into the +back hall where the fire buckets were kept. They returned with what +speed they could, and thoroughly soused their bonfire. Rachel assured +herself that it was safely out, then commenced further inquiries.</p> + +<p>"We didn't mean any harm," explained Peachy, much on the defensive. "We +were only trying to amuse those juniors. They never have a chance to get +hold of the tennis courts, and they're tired of eternal basket-ball, and +they've rather a thin time of it. We started taking them up because they +were so bullied. Bertha and Mabel used to snatch their biscuits away +from them at lunch."</p> + +<p>Rachel's face was a study.</p> + +<p>"Bertha and Mabel snatched their biscuits?" she repeated.</p> + +<p>"Yes; we stopped that though."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> never saw it!"</p> + +<p>"They took jolly good care you shouldn't."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you come and tell <i>me?</i>"</p> + +<p>Peachy looked embarrassed.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you really want to know," she blurted out, "you're so aloof +and superior nobody cares to come and tell you anything. We managed it +by ourselves."</p> + +<p>Rachel winced as if Peachy had struck her a blow.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry if—if that's how I seem to you," she faltered. "I must have +failed utterly as head girl if you can't confide in me. The prefects +want to be the friends of all the school."</p> + +<p>Peachy shrugged her shoulders eloquently.</p> + +<p>"I don't quite see where the friendship comes in," she murmured. "You +bag the best tennis courts and have the best dormitories, and give your +own stunts there. You never ask any of us to them. Do you, now?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm afraid we don't," admitted Rachel, still in the same +constrained, almost bewildered, manner. "We really never thought of it."</p> + +<p>The four Camellia Buds, listening to their friend's outspoken comments, +expected an explosion of wrath from the head prefect, but Rachel only +told them to take the buckets back to the house.</p> + +<p>"And that too," she added, pointing to the pan. Peachy stooped and +picked it up, turned to go, then delivered herself of a last manifesto:</p> + +<p>"It's our own butter and sugar that we saved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> from breakfast and tea, so +please don't blame anybody else."</p> + +<p>"I blame myself most," whispered Rachel, as she was left alone.</p> + +<p>The immediate result of the incident was a prefects' meeting, at which +the head girl, full of compunction, stated the facts of the case to her +fellow officers.</p> + +<p>"We thought we were doing our duty, but it isn't enough just to act as +police," she urged. "Those girls in the Transition were on the right +track in getting hold of the juniors, though perhaps they did it in the +wrong way. This school isn't really united. We're all divided up into +our own sororities, and we're not doing enough for one another. We've +got to alter it somehow or confess ourselves failures. Do any of us +seniors really <i>know</i> the little ones? I'm sure I don't! Yet we ought to +be elder sisters to them! That's the real function of prefects—we're +not just assistant-mistresses to help to keep order. Don't you agree?"</p> + +<p>Sybil, Erica, Phyllis, and Stella were conscientious girls, and when the +matter was thus stated they saw it from Rachel's new point of view. They +were ready and willing to talk over plans. They decided, amongst other +developments, that with Miss Morley's permission, they would invite the +juniors in relays to dormitory teas, in order to win their confidence +and establish more friendly relations with them. The Transition were +also to be cultivated,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> and their opinion asked on the subject of +term-end festivities and other school affairs about which the prefects +had never before deigned to consult them. The altered attitude promised +a far more healthy and satisfactory state, and Miss Morley, to whom +Rachel hinted some of their reasons for offering hospitality, readily +agreed, and allowed the juniors to be entertained with cakes and tea +upon the veranda.</p> + +<p>"The seniors gave us a simply top-hole time," confided Désirée to Irene +afterwards. "We'd cream puffs and almond biscuits and preserved ginger, +and we played games for prizes. But don't think we liked it any better +than your candy parties. The prefects are awfully kind to us now, but it +was you who took us up <i>first!</i> We can't forget <i>that!</i>"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>The Anglo-Saxon League</h3> + + +<p>There was an old established custom at the Villa Camellia that on the +evening of the last day of March (unless that date happened to fall on a +Sunday) the pupils were allowed special license after supper, and, +regardless of ordinary rules, might disport themselves as they pleased +until bedtime. Irene, who had not yet been present on one of these +occasions, heard hints on all sides of coming fun, mingled with mystery. +Peachy twice began to tell her something, but was stopped by Delia. Joan +and Sheila seemed to be holding perpetual private committee meetings; +Elsie spent much time in Jess Cameron's dormitory; and, wonder of +wonders, Esther Cartmell was seen walking arm in arm with Mabel Hughes. +Though Irene asked many questions from various friends as to the nature +of the evening's amusement she could get no certain information. They +laughed, evaded direct answers, made allusions to things she did not +understand, and whisked away like will-o'-the-wisps. Very much puzzled, +and not altogether pleased, she sought her buddy.</p> + +<p>"They've all gone mad," she assured Lorna. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> can't get a word of sense +out of Peachy; Esther was almost nasty, and Jess shut the door in my +face. What's the matter with them? Have I developed spots or a squint? +Why have I suddenly become a leper?"</p> + +<p>Lorna, who was busy with French translation, shut her dictionary with a +bang.</p> + +<p>"I've no patience with them," she groused. "It's because you're English. +I suppose we shall have to get up a stunt of our own, just out of +retaliation, but I'm sick of the whole business."</p> + +<p>"What <i>do</i> you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Why, it's become a sort of custom to make this a nationality night. The +American girls all band together, and so do the South Africans and the +Australians; and the Scotch girls are a <i>tremendous</i> clique of their +own. They play jokes on every one else, and sometimes it almost gets to +fighting."</p> + +<p>"Between the sororities?"</p> + +<p>"Sororities are forgotten for the time being. Your dearest chum in the +Camellia Buds will turn against you if it's a question of Scotch or +English, or American or British. I advise you to put away everything you +value. The South Africans came into my cubicle last year and smeared my +cold cream over my pillow. Of course your bed will be filled with +brushes and boots, and any hard oddments they can find lying about. You +won't be able to find anything in the morning. The place is an absolute +muddle."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How horrid!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is horrid. I can't see the fun of it, myself. Practical jokes +can go too far, in my opinion, and some of those juniors get so rough +they hurt each other. I'd keep out of it only it's wise to stay and +defend your own cubicle, or you'd find your blanket hidden and your soap +gone."</p> + +<p>"Do the seniors join in?"</p> + +<p>"No. They barricade themselves in their bedrooms and have some private +fun, but they leave us to do as we like. It's the Transition and juniors +who play the tricks. Of course, the seniors must know what's going on, +because they used to do the same themselves, but they just shut their +eyes."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Irene thoughtfully. "And because a thing has always been must +it always be? Can't it ever be altered? Are we <i>bound</i> to do nothing but +play tricks on the last night of March?"</p> + +<p>"It ought to be altered. I've a jolly good mind to go to Rachel and tell +her my views about it. She's been much nicer lately than she used to be. +Perhaps she'd listen. If she doesn't there'd be no harm done, at any +rate. Will you come with me? I don't like going by my little lonesome."</p> + +<p>The two girls tapped at the door of dormitory 9, and fortunately found +the head prefect within and alone. She received them quite graciously +and listened with interest to what Lorna had to say.</p> + +<p>"I'm so thankful you've told me," she said in reply. "I agree with you +absolutely. It's time this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> silly business was put a stop to. We +prefects have held back because we didn't want to be spoil-sports, but I +believe you really voice the opinion of a good many girls. I used to get +very tired of it when I was in the Transition myself. If Miss Rodgers +found out some of the tricks that are played she'd never let us have the +holiday again."</p> + +<p>"Can't we persuade them to do something else instead—something really +jolly?"</p> + +<p>"We must. I'll think about it. Leave it to me. I've been turning it over +in my mind for some time, though my ideas never crystallized. I'll have +some scheme ready. I can depend on you two to support me in the +Transition?"</p> + +<p>"Rather!"</p> + +<p>Rachel, reporting the interview to her fellow prefects, found them +entirely in agreement. They were dissatisfied with many things in the +Transition and junior forms, and this Nationality evening was considered +the limit. Something seemed to be needed at the present crisis to weld +together the various factions of the Villa Camellia, and turn them into +one harmonious whole. The prefects were aware that the various +sororities were really rival societies, and that, though they might give +great fun and enjoyment to their respective members, they were +productive of jealousy rather than union.</p> + +<p>"We want a common motive," said Rachel. "An inspiration, if possible. I +believe some sort of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> a league would do it. Something outside ourselves, +and bigger than just the little world of school. Something that even the +smallest juniors could join, and in which girls who have left could +still take an interest. It's dawning on me! I believe I've got it! I'm +going to call it 'The Anglo-Saxon League.' We'll get everybody to join, +and fix its first festival for the 31st of March. It should just take +the wind out of those silly nationality tricks. I'll speak to Miss +Rodgers and ask her to let us have a parade and dance, with prizes for +the best costumes. They'd love that, anyhow. I'll call a meeting in the +gym and put it to them. I believe it will catch on."</p> + +<p>The pupils at the Villa Camellia were not overdone with public meetings. +They responded therefore with alacrity to the notice which Rachel, after +obtaining the necessary permission from the authorities, pinned upon the +board in the hall. They were all a little curious to know what she +wanted to talk to them about. A few anticipated a scolding, but the +majority expected some more pleasant announcement.</p> + +<p>"Rachel's wrought up, but she doesn't look like jawing us," was the +verdict of Peachy, who had passed the head prefect in the corridor. Some +of the seniors constituted themselves stewards and arranged the audience +to their satisfaction, with juniors on the front benches and the +Transition behind. When everybody was seated, Rachel stepped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> on to the +platform and rang the bell for silence. Her cheeks were pink with +excitement and there was a little thrill of nervousness in her voice, as +if she were forcing herself to a supreme effort, but this passed as she +warmed to her subject.</p> + +<p>"Girls," she began, "I asked you to come here because I want to have a +talk with you about our school life. You'll all agree with me that we +love the Villa Camellia. It's a unique school. I don't suppose there's +another exactly like it in the whole world. Why it's so peculiar is that +we're a set of Anglo-Saxon girls in the midst of a foreign-speaking +country. We ourselves are collected from different continents—some are +Americans, some English, some from Australia, or New Zealand, or South +Africa—but we all talk the same Anglo-Saxon tongue, and we're bound +together by the same race traditions. Large schools in England or +America take a great pride in their foundation, and they play other +schools at games and record their victories. We can't do that here, +because there are no foreign teams worth challenging, so we've always +had to be our own rivals and have form matches. In a way, it hasn't been +altogether good for us. We've got into the bad habit of thinking of the +school in sections, instead of as one united whole. I've even heard +squabbles among you as to whether California or Cape Colony or New South +Wales are the most go-ahead places to live in. Now, instead of +scrapping, we ought to be glad to join hands. If<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> you think of it, it's +a tremendous advantage to grow up among Anglo-Saxon girls from other +countries and hear their views about things. It ought to keep you from +being narrow, at any rate. You get fresh ideas and rub your corners off. +What I want you particularly to think about, is this: it's the duty of +all English-speaking people to cling together. If they've ever had any +differences it's time they forgot them. The world seems to be in the +melting-pot at present, and there are many strange prophecies about the +future. Black and yellow races are increasing and growing so rapidly +that they may be ready to brim over their boundaries some day and swamp +the white civilizations. Anglo-Saxons ought to be prepared, and to stand +hand in hand to help one another. I've been reading some queer things +lately. One is that a new continent is slowly rising out of the Pacific +Ocean—Lemuria they call it—and some day, hundreds of years hence, +there may be land there instead of water, and people living on it. They +say too that the center of gravity of both the British Empire and the +United States is moving towards the Pacific. Sydney may grow more +important than London, and San Francisco than New York when the trade +routes make them fresh pivots of energy. Another funny thing I read is +that as the world is changing a new race seems to be emerging. Travelers +say that the modern children in Australia don't look in the least like +English children or French children, or any European nation—they are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> a +fresh type. America has been populated by people from practically all +the older countries, but I read that children who are being born there +now differ in their head measurements from babies of the older races. +Perhaps some of you may be interested in this and some of you may only +be bored, but what I want to rub in is that if a new, and perhaps +superior, race is evolving it's surely part of our work to help it on. +Here we all are, girls from England, America, and the British Colonies, +of the same race and speaking the same language. Let us make an +Anglo-Saxon League, and pledge ourselves that wherever we go over the +face of the world we will carry with us the best traditions. We're out +for Peace, not War, and Peace comes through sympathy. The women of those +great eastern nations, the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Hindoos, who +are only just awakening to a sense of freedom, will look to us +Westerners for their example. Can't we hold out the hand of sisterhood +to them, and teach them our highest ideals, so that in the centuries to +come they may be our friends instead of our enemies? It's a case of +'Take up the White Man's burden.' We stand together, not as Scotch, or +Canadians, or New Zealanders or Americans, but as good Anglo-Saxons, the +apostles of peace, not 'frightfulness.'</p> + +<p>"I'm going to ask every girl in this room to join the League. There'll +be various activities in connection with it. We haven't decided all yet, +but we hope one of them will be to establish a correspon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>dence between +this school and other schools in England and the Colonies and in +America. We'd like to write letters to their prefects and hear what they +are doing, and have copies of their school magazines. It would be like +shaking hands over the ocean. Then why shouldn't we correspond with +girls in missionary schools in India or China or Japan? Think how +exciting to have letters from them and read them aloud. We should hear +all about their eastern lives, and all kinds of interesting things.</p> + +<p>"Well, these are far-away schemes yet that need a little time to +establish. I've something much nearer to put before you. Miss Rodgers +has given us seniors leave to hold a fancy-dress dance on the 31st of +March, from 7.30 to 9.30, here in the gym. We invite every girl who +joins the League to come. Nationality costumes will be welcomed. There +will be first, second, and third prizes for the best dresses. The judges +will take into consideration the scantiness of the materials available, +but they wish to announce that any girl found guilty of borrowing +articles for her costume without the leave of their owners will be +disqualified, and further, that any member of the League convicted of +playing practical jokes will be expelled from the dance. The prefects +think it wise and necessary to mention that, though the evening of March +31st has been set aside as a holiday and certain rules have been +relaxed, the school is nevertheless bound to preserve its usual<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> code of +good manners, and every girl is put on her honor to behave herself. I'm +sure I need not say more, for you surely understand me, and agree that +when Miss Rodgers has allowed us to have this fun we ought not to abuse +her kindness. Will every one who's ready to join the League and wants to +come to the dance hold up her hand."</p> + +<p>Almost every girl in the room responded to Rachel's invitation. +Some—the higher-thinking ones—were attracted by the ideals of the +League itself; others were merely anxious not to be left out of the +festivities. It was a long time since the school had had a fancy ball. +There had been private carnivals in the dormitories, but not a public +official affair at which everybody could compete in the way of dresses. +Rumor spread like wild-fire round the room. It was whispered that Miss +Morley herself meant to come, disguised as Hiawatha, that Miss Rodgers +had offered a gold wrist-watch as first prize, and that there were yards +of gorgeous materials in the storeroom to be had for the asking. The +thrill of these manifold possibilities was sufficient to eclipse the +attractions of their former intentions for the evening's amusement. It +was really more interesting to evolve costumes than plan tricks. Every +true daughter of Eve loves to look her best, and womanhood, even in the +bud, cannot withstand the supreme magnet of clothes. Little Doris +Parker, South African hoyden as she was, voiced the general feeling when +she confessed:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'd meant to give those Australians a hot time of it. They may thank +their stars for the League. Though I'm rather glad I shan't have to +tease Natalie, because she's my chum. We're both going together as +southern hemispheres. It'll be ripping fun."</p> + +<p>The Camellia Buds, who had been temporarily estranged by the impending +national divisions, returned to the friendly atmosphere of their +sorority, and lent one another garments for the fête.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing Rachel put a stopper on commandeering," commented +Delia. "Mabel was simply shameless at the Carnival. Had anybody told?"</p> + +<p>"Sybil and Erica knew; and Rachel isn't really as blind as we thought. +At any rate, she's awake now, and a far nicer prefect than she used to +be. By the by, we're to draw lots as to who may borrow out of the +theatrical property box."</p> + +<p>"Oh, goody. I hope I'll win. There's a little gray dress there I've set +my heart on. I'll cry oceans if I don't get it," declared Peachy.</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, poor old sport! If the luck comes my way I'll try and grab it +for you. I don't need anything for myself, thank goodness."</p> + +<p>"You white angel! That's what I call being a real mascot. I'll share my +last dollar with you some day—honest Injun!"</p> + +<p>The contents of Miss Morley's theatrical property box, apportioned +strictly by lot, did not go far among fifty-six girls. Miss Rodgers +allowed two of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> the prefects, with a teacher, to make an expedition into +Fossato and rummage the shops for some yards of cheap, gay materials, +imitation lace, and bright ribbons, which they were commissioned to buy +on behalf of certain of their schoolfellows, but most of the dancers had +to contrive their costumes out of just anything that came to hand, often +exercising an ingenuity that was little short of marvelous. Acting upon +Rachel's suggestion many of them personified various continents or +countries. The Stars and Stripes of the American flag were conspicuous, +and there were several Red Indians, with painted faces and feathers in +their hair.</p> + +<p>Sheila, Mary, Esther, and Lorna repeated the costumes they had worn at +the tableau, and went as representatives of Canada, South Africa, India, +and New Zealand, but Peachy lent her cowboy costume to Rosamonde, and +turned up as Longfellow's "Evangeline," in gray Puritan robe and neat +white cap, a part which, though very becoming, did not accord with her +mischievous, twinkling eyes.</p> + +<p>"Not much 'Mayflower Maiden' about you!" giggled Delia.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked Peachy calmly. "I guess poor Evangeline wasn't always +on the weep! No doubt she had her lively moments sometimes. I'm showing +her at her brightest and best. You ought to give thanks for a new +interpretation of her!"</p> + +<p>Winnie Duke scored tremendously by robing in skin rugs as a Canadian +bear, while Joan was able to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> carry out a long-wished-for project and +turn herself into a very good imitation of a kangaroo.</p> + +<p>Fifty-six girls, arrayed fantastically in all the colors of the rainbow, +made a delectable sight as they paraded round the gymnasium. The +prefects had shirked the difficult and delicate task of judging, and had +called in Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley to decree who were to receive the +prizes. Perhaps they also found the decision too hard, for they chose a +dozen of the best, put them to the public vote and counted the shows of +hands. Gwen Hesketh, a member of the Sixth, in a marvelously contrived +Chinese costume, was first favorite; little Cyntha West, as a delightful +goblin, secured second prize, while the kangaroo, to the satisfaction of +the Transition, was awarded the third. The gold wristlet watch was of +course a myth, and the rewards were mere trifles, but the principals had +risen to the occasion sufficiently to contribute to the entertainment by +providing lemonade between the dances, which in the opinion of the girls +was a great addition to the festivities, and made the event seem more +like "a real party."</p> + +<p>Before they separated, the League formed an enormous circle round the +room and each clasping her neighbor's hand, all joined in the singing of +"Auld Lang Syne": cowboy and Indian princess, Redskin and Scotch lassie, +Canadian and Jap roared the familiar chorus, and having thus worked off +steam retired to their dormitories and went to bed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> without breaking +their pledge of good behavior. Rachel, returning from her round of +supervision, heaved a sigh of immense relief.</p> + +<p>"I was dreading this evening," she confided to Sybil. "I was so afraid +they'd forget their promises and begin that rowdy teasing. I believe +we've broken the tradition of that, thank goodness. I hope it may never +be revived again."</p> + +<p>"Thanks to the Anglo-Saxon League!"</p> + +<p>"And may <i>that</i> go on and flourish long after <i>we</i> have left the Villa +Camellia," added Rachel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>Greek Temples</h3> + + +<p>The opening of the post-bag at the Villa Camellia, bearing as it did +missives from most quarters of the globe, was naturally a great daily +event. Some of the girls were lucky in the matter of +correspondence—Peachy received numerous letters—and others were not so +highly favored. Poor Lorna was generally left out altogether. Her father +wrote to her occasionally, but she had no other friend or relation to +send her even a post-card. She accepted the omission with the sad +patience which was her marked characteristic. Her affection for Irene +had been an immense factor in her school life this term, but she was +still very different from other girls, and kept her old barrier of shy +reserve. Irene, noticing Lorna's wistful look towards the post-bag, +often tried to share her correspondence with her buddy; she would show +her all her picture post-cards, briefly explaining who the writers were +and to what their allusions referred. At first Lorna had only been +languidly polite over them, but later she grew interested. Second-hand +articles may not be as good as your own, but they are better than +nothing at all,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> and the various items of news made topics for +conversations and gave her a glimpse of other people's homes.</p> + +<p>Irene, finishing her budget one morning, sorted out any which she might +hand on to her chum.</p> + +<p>"Not home letters—yours are sacred, Mummie darling!—and she wouldn't +care to hear about Aunt Doreen's attack of rheumatism. There are two +post-cards she may like, and this lovely long stave from Dona. Lorna, +dear! I've told you about my cousin Dona Anderson? She's at Brackenfield +College. She's older than I am, but somehow we've always been such +friends. I like her far and away the best out of that family. She +doesn't find time to write very often, because she's in the Sixth and a +prefect, and it keeps her busy, and besides she never has been much of a +scribbler. I haven't heard from her for months. This is ever such a +jolly letter, though, if you care to look at it."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Lorna, accepting the offer. "Yes, I remember you told me +about her. She must be rather a sport. I wish she were at the Villa +Camellia instead of in England."</p> + +<p>"And Dona thinks there isn't any other school in the world except hers."</p> + +<p>But Lorna had opened the closely-written sheets and was already reading +as follows:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class ='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;">St. Githa's,</span><br /> +Brackenfield College,<br /> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;">March 30th.</span><br /> +</div> + +Renie dear! + +<p>I've been meaning to write to you for ages! Mother +told me the news of how you all packed off to +Naples, and she sent me the address of your +school. I do hope you like it and have settled +down. I always wanted you to come to Brackenfield! +You know Joan is here now? It's her first term and +she's radiantly happy. She's a clever little +person at her work, and we think she's going to be +great at games. Of course she's only in New Girls' +Junior Team, but she's done splendidly already. +Ailsa was looking on yesterday and complimented +her afterwards.</p> + +<p>We've had quite a good hockey season. The Coll. +played "Hawthornden" last week, and when the +whistle went for "time" the score was 4-2 in our +favor! An immense triumph for us, because we've +never had the luck to beat them before, and we +were feeling desperate about it. They were so +cock-sure of winning too! Do you get any hockey at +Fossato? Or is it all tennis?</p> + +<p>We'd a rather decent gymnastic display a while +ago. Mona and Beatrice are very keen on gym +practice and they did some really neat +balance-walking on the bars, also side vaulting. +The juniors gave country dances in costume, and of +course that sort of thing is always clapped by +parents. We're working hard now for the concert. +Ailsa and I have to sing a duet and we're both +terrified. Hope we shan't break down and spoil the +show!</p> + +<p>I'm enjoying this year at Brackenfield most +immensely. It's lovely being a prefect. I was +fearfully scared when first the Empress sent for +me and told me I was to be a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> school officer, but +I've got on swimmingly, thanks largely to Ailsa, I +think. Of course we're still inseparable. We +always have been since our first term at St. +Ethelberta's, when I smuggled the mice into No. 5 +to scare Mona out of the dormitory and leave room +for Ailsa.</p> + +<p>I go nearly every week to The Tamarisks. It cheers +Auntie up to see me. She's rather lonely since +Elaine was married. By the by you asked me what +had become of Miss Norton's little nephew Eric. +You admired his photograph so much, with those +lovely golden curls. Of course they're cut off +now. He's ever so much stronger and has gone to a +preparatory school. I still send him books and +things and he writes me sweet letters. I'm +planning to coax Mother to let me invite Nortie to +bring him to us for part of the summer holidays. I +don't want to <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'loose'">lose</ins> sight of the dear little chap.</p> + +<p>Now for home news. Leonard is in India, and likes +the life there, and Larry is at Cambridge. Peter +and Cyril are still at St. Bede's, and getting on +well. Their letters are full of nothing but +football though. Nora's baby girl is a darling, +and Michael is still very sweet though he's +growing rather an imp. You know we always describe +ourselves as an old-fashioned rambling family. +Well, one of us is rambling in your direction! +Marjorie is making a tour in Italy with some +friends of hers—the Prestons. Isn't she lucky? +The last post-card she sent me was from Rome, and +she said they were going on to Naples, so it's +just within the bounds of possibility that you may +see her. I wish I could have come out for Easter +and had a peep at you. I'd like to see oranges +really growing on orange trees! Perhaps Ailsa's +going to ask me for the holidays though. They have +a country cottage in Cornwall and it would be +top-hole there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> + +<p>Write and tell me about your southern school when +you have time. I'd love to hear. Do you have to +speak Italian there?</p> + +<p>Well, I must stop now and do my prep. There's a +junior tapping at the door too and wanting to see +me. Prefects don't get much time to themselves!</p> + +<div class ='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 13em;">With best love,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 8em;">Your affectionate coz,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-right: 6em;">Dona Anderson.</span><br /> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"What a jolly letter," commented Lorna, as she handed it back.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dona is a dear. I used to want to go to Brackenfield, but I wasn't +well last year, and Mother said it was too strenuous a school for me. +Isn't it a joke that Marjorie is in Italy? What fun if she were to turn +up some day. I have a kind of feeling that I'm going to see her. I'm +getting quite excited."</p> + +<p>Lorna did not reply. Irene's correspondence was after all only a matter +of half importance to her. Indeed the thought of that lively family of +cousins brought out so sharply the contrast of her own loneliness that +she almost wished she had never heard of them. Why did other people get +all the luck in life?</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? You're very glum," said Irene.</p> + +<p>"Nothing! I can't always be sparkling, can I?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose not. But I thought you'd be interested in Marjorie coming."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How can I be interested in some one I've never seen?" snapped Lorna, +walking abruptly away.</p> + +<p>Irene looked after her and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I've put my foot in it somehow," she ruminated. "You never know how to +take Lorna. A thing that pleases her one day annoys her the next. She's +certainly what you'd call 'katawampus' this morning."</p> + +<p>It was getting very near the end of the term now, and all the girls were +talking eagerly about going home. Before they separated for their +vacation, however, there was to be one more of Miss Morley's delightful +excursions. Next term would be too hot to do much sightseeing, so those +of the pupils who had not yet been shown the wonders of the neighborhood +were to have the chance of a visit to the Greek temples at Pæstum. It +would be a longer expedition even than to Vesuvius, and as many were +anxious to take part it was arranged to hire a motor char-à-banc to +accommodate about twenty-four girls and several teachers. The lucky ones +were of course well drilled beforehand in the history and architecture +of the place, and knew how a Greek colony had settled there about the +year 600 <span class="smcap">b.c.</span> and had built the magnificent Doric temples, which, with +the sole exception of those at Athens, are the finest existing ruins of +the kind.</p> + +<p>Miss Rodgers had limited the excursion to seniors and Transition, +thinking it too long and fatiguing a day for the juniors. All the +prefects were going,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> while the Camellia Buds, with the exception of +Esther and Mary, who had been before, were also included in the party.</p> + +<p>"This is one thing you wouldn't get at any rate in an ordinary English +school," said Lorna. "I don't suppose the Brackenfield girls are taking +excursions to Greek temples."</p> + +<p>"There aren't any Greek temples in England for them to go and see, +silly," laughed Irene.</p> + +<p>"Well, Abbeys or Castles or anything ancient."</p> + +<p>"From Dona's accounts that sort of thing is not in their line. They +concentrate on games."</p> + +<p>"Hockey is all very well, but give me our orange groves and the blue +sea."</p> + +<p>"Ye-es; but I sometimes hanker for a really A1 hockey match!"</p> + +<p>"Don't you like the Villa Camellia?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I do. What's the matter, Lorna? I believe you're jealous of +Brackenfield!"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not, though I'm sure I'm right in fancying you'd rather be +there than here."</p> + +<p>"How absurd you are!"</p> + +<p>"Am I? All right! Call it absurd if you want. Are you going to sit next +to me in the char-à-banc?"</p> + +<p>Irene looked conscious.</p> + +<p>"I promised Peachy! But you can sit the other side, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, thanks! If you've made arrangements already I'm sure I don't +want to interfere with them. I wouldn't spoil sport for worlds."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are the limit!"</p> + +<p>"Am I? Indeed! Perhaps you'd rather not have me for a buddy any more?"</p> + +<p>"For gracious' sake stop talking nonsense! You're the weirdest girl I've +ever met," snapped Irene. Then to avoid an open quarrel she walked away, +leaving her chum in the depths of misery.</p> + +<p>Lorna knew her own temper was at fault, but she was in a touchy mood and +laid the blame on fate.</p> + +<p>"If I had a nice home like other girls, and had been going there for +ripping holidays, and had brothers and cousins to write to me I'd be +different," she excused herself, quite forgetting that, however much we +may be handicapped, the molding of our character is after all in our own +hands.</p> + +<p>As it was she sulked, and when the char-à-banc arrived, although Irene +beckoned her to a place beside herself and Peachy, she took no notice +and waited till everybody else had scrambled in. The result of this was +that she finally found herself seated away from all her own friends and +next to Mrs. Clark, the wife of the British chaplain, who by Miss +Morley's invitation had joined the excursion. Perhaps on the whole it +was just as well. Mrs. Clark was what the girls called "a perfect dear," +and a few hours in her company was a restful mind tonic. She had a +cheery manner and chatted upon all sorts of pleasant subjects, so that +after a time Lorna began to forget her "jim-jams" and even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> to volunteer +a remark or two, instead of confining her conversation to monosyllables.</p> + +<p>Certainly any girl must have been hard to please who did not enjoy +herself. The motor drive was one of the loveliest in Italy. They passed +through glorious scenery, all the more beautiful as it was the +blossoming time of the year and flowers were everywhere. On a marshy +plain, as they reached Pæstum, the fields were spangled with the little +white wild narcissus, growing in such tempting quantities that Miss +Morley asked the driver to stop the char-à-banc, and allowed all to +dismount and pick to their hearts' content.</p> + +<p>"Isn't the scent of them heavenly!" said Lorna, burying her nose in a +bunch of sweetness.</p> + +<p>"Luscious!" agreed Mrs. Clark. "I think the old Greeks must have +gathered these to weave garlands for their heads when they went to their +festivals. I'm glad tourists are safe here now. This marsh, just where +we're standing, used to be a tremendous haunt of brigands, and any +travelers coming to see the ruins ran the chance of being robbed. My +father had his purse taken years ago. Don't look frightened. The +government have put all that down at last. The neighborhood of Naples +has improved very much since I was a girl. I remember pickpockets used +to be quite common on the quay at Santa Lucia, and nobody troubled to +interfere. You can walk to the boat nowadays and carry a hand-bag +without fearing every moment it will be snatched."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the driver was urging the necessity of pushing on, so all took their +seats again, and in due course reached Pæstum. The girls had, of course, +seen photographs of the place beforehand, yet even these had hardly +prepared them for the stately magnificence of the three great temples +that suddenly broke upon their vision. Their immense size, their +loneliness, far from town or city, and their glorious situation betwixt +hill and blue sea, almost took the breath away, and filled the mind with +glowing admiration for the genius of Greek architecture. The rows of +fluted Doric columns, tapering symmetrically towards the roof, were like +beautiful lily stems supporting flowers, the mellow yellow tone of the +stone was varied by the ferns and acanthus which grew everywhere around, +and the sunshine, falling on the rows of delicate shafts, seemed to +linger lovingly, and invest them with a halo of golden light.</p> + +<p>"What must these temples have been when the world was young!" said Miss +Morley. "If we could only get a glimpse of them as they were more than +two thousand years ago. Think what processions must have paced down +those glorious aisles. Priests and singers and worshipers all crowned +with flowers. The rose gardens of Pæstum used to be famous among the +Roman poets. The marvel is that the stones have stood all these +centuries of time. It seems as if Art and Beauty have triumphed over +decay."</p> + +<p>The party had brought lunch baskets, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> now sat down on the steps +of the Temple of Neptune to enjoy their picnic. Fortunately the grounds +of the ruins were enclosed by railings, so they were preserved from the +attentions of a group of beggar children, who had greeted the arrival of +the char-à-banc with outstretched palms and torrents of entreaties for +"soldi," and who were hanging about the gate evidently waiting for any +fresh opportunity that might occur of asking alms. Four lean and hungry +dogs, however, had managed to slip into the enclosure, and made +themselves a nuisance by sitting in front of the picnickers and keeping +up an incessant chorus of loud barking. The girls tried to stop the +noise by throwing them fragments of sandwiches, but their appetites were +so insatiable that they would have consumed the whole luncheon and have +barked for more, so Miss Morley, tired of the noise, finally chased them +off the premises with her umbrella.</p> + +<p>"They're as bad as wolves. And as for the children they're shameless. +They've been taught to look upon tourists as their prey. If you go near +the gate dozens of little hands are poked through the railings and an +absolute shriek of 'soldi' arises. It spoils people's enjoyment to be so +terribly pestered by beggars. And the more you give them the more they +ask."</p> + +<p>"They're having a try at somebody else now," remarked Rachel, watching +the crowd of small heads leave their vantage ground of the railings and +surge round a carriage which drove up. "Some other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> tourists are coming +to see the sights—two gentlemen and three ladies, very glad I expect to +show their tickets and get through the gate out of the reach of that +rabble. They're walking this way. They must be rather annoyed to find a +school in possession of the place."</p> + +<p>The strangers also carried luncheon baskets, and seemed seeking a spot +for a picnic. They were filing past the group on the steps when Irene +suddenly sprang up.</p> + +<p>"Why, Marjorie! Marjorie!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Don't you know me?"</p> + +<p>The handsome, gray-eyed girl thus addressed looked puzzled for a moment, +then her face cleared with recognition.</p> + +<p>"Renie! You've grown out of all remembrance! To think of meeting you +here of all places. I'm with some friends—the Prestons. We're on a six +weeks' tour in Italy. I went to see your mother in Naples yesterday. +What a jolly flat you have there! Isn't this absolutely glorious? I'm +having the time of my life."</p> + +<p>"I should think you are by the look of you," laughed Irene. "Dona wrote +and told me you were coming to Italy, but I never expected to find you +here to-day. If Miss Morley will let me, may I bring my lunch along and +join your party for a little while? There are ten dozen things I want to +ask you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course. Come and share our sandwiches. We've plenty to spare."</p> + +<p>Having received the required permission, Irene went away to talk to her +cousin, considerably to the admiration of most of her chums, and +decidedly to the envy of one. Lorna, who had settled herself by her side +on the steps, was not pleased to be deserted. She could never quite +forgive Irene for having so many friends. The brooding cloud that had +temporarily dispersed settled down again. When the girls got up to +explore the temple she marched glumly away by herself. All the beauty +and wonder and loveliness of the scene was lost upon her; for the sake +of a foolish fit of jealousy she was spoiling her own afternoon.</p> + +<p>She was sitting upon a fallen piece of masonry, very wretched, and +indulging in a private little weep, when a footstep sounded on the stone +pavement, and somebody came and sat down quietly beside her. It was Mrs. +Clark, and she had the tact to take no notice as Lorna surreptitiously +rubbed her eyes. She knew far more about the girls at the Villa Camellia +than any of them suspected, and she had a very shrewd suspicion what lay +at the bottom of Lorna's mind. A skillful remark or two turned the +conversation on to the topic of the holidays.</p> + +<p>"It's nice to go home, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>Lorna gave a non-committal grunt.</p> + +<p>"Even if you miss your friends!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I suppose so."</p> + +<p>"And it's pleasant to think they may miss you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't flatter myself they'll do that," burst out Lorna. "They're so +happy they never think about <i>me</i>. Mrs. Clark, you don't know my home. +I've nobody—nobody except my father. The others have brothers and +sisters and friends, and all they want—and I have nothing."</p> + +<p>"Except your father," added Mrs. Clark. "How about him? Sometimes when +two people are left lonely they can make the world blossom again for one +another. Isn't it time you began to take your mother's place? Can't you +set yourself these holidays to give him such a bright, cheerful daughter +that he'll hardly want to part with you when you go back to school? +Wouldn't you rather <i>he</i> missed you than your chums? He's closer to you +than they are. Ask yourself if you were to lose him is there one of your +friends who could mean as much to you? I sometimes think that girls who +are brought up at boarding-school are apt to lose the right sense of +value of their own relations. Their companions and the games fill their +lives, and they go back for the holidays almost like visitors in their +own homes. When they leave school they're dissatisfied and restless, +because they've never been accustomed to suit themselves to the ways of +the household, and have no niche into which they can fit. The old round +of 'camaraderie' is over, and they have been trained for nothing but +community life. Take my advice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> and make your niche now while you have +the opportunity. Show your father you want him, and that he's your best +friend, and he'll begin to realize that <i>he</i> wants <i>you</i>. How old are +you? Nearly sixteen! In another year or so you should be able to live +with him altogether and be the companion to him that he needs. You say +you envy girls with many brothers and sisters, but there's another side +to that—if you're the only child you get the whole of the love. +Remember you're all your father has, and let him see that you care. It's +a greater thing to be a good daughter than to be the favorite of the +school. If you keep that object in view you ought to have many years of +happiness before you."</p> + +<p>"I know. I was forgetting that side of it," said Lorna slowly.</p> + +<p>"Think it over then, for its worth considering. A woman may have many +brothers and sisters, she can have another husband or another child, but +it's only one father or mother she'll get, and the bond is a close one. +Is that Irene waving to us? What is she calling? We're to come on with +the party! Yes indeed, we ought to be moving along. We shall only just +have time to explore the other temples before we must start back in the +char-à-banc."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>In Capri</h3> + + +<p>April, the beautiful April of Southern Italy, was half-way spent before +the Villa Camellia broke up for the holidays. There were the usual +term-end examinations, at which distressed damsels, with agitated minds +and ink-stained fingers, sat at desks furnished with piles of foolscap, +and cudgeled their brains to supply facts to fill the sheets of blank +paper; there was the reading out of results, with congratulations to +those who had succeeded, and glum looks from Miss Rodgers to those who +had failed; then followed the bringing down of boxes, the joyful flutter +of packing, the last breakfast, and the final universal exodus.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, dear old thing!"</p> + +<p>"Do miss me a little!"</p> + +<p>"Hope you'll have a ripping time!"</p> + +<p>"Be a sport and write to me, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Hold me down, somebody, I'm ready to fizz over!"</p> + +<p>"You won't forget me, dearie? All right! Just so long as we know!"</p> + +<p>Lorna, who had anticipated previous vacations as simply a relief from +the toil of lessons, went home to Naples with quite altered feelings +from those of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> former occasions. She was determined that, if it possibly +lay in her power, she would make her father enjoy the time she spent +with him. In spite of injustice and cruel wrong there might surely be +some happy hours together, and she would win him to live in the present, +instead of continually brooding over the past. The immense, terrible +pathos of the situation appealed to the deepest chords in her nature. +Her father was still in the prime of his years, a handsome, clever man, +who might have done much in the world. Was it yet too late? Lorna +sometimes had faint, budding hopes that in some fresh country his +wrecked career might be righted, and that he might make a new start and +rise triumphant over the ruin of other days. He was glad to see her. +There was no doubt about that. The knowledge that she now shared his +secret placed her on a different footing. It was a relief to him to have +some one in whom he could confide, some one who knew the reason for his +hermit mode of living, and above all who believed in his innocence. +Insensibly Lorna's presence acted upon him for good. The nervous, hunted +look began to fade out of his eyes, and sometimes he actually smiled as +she recounted the doings of the Camellia Buds, or other happenings at +school.</p> + +<p>"Daddy!" she said once, "couldn't we go out to Australia or America, or +somewhere where nobody would know us, and make a fresh life for +ourselves?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> + +<p>A gleam of hope flitted for a moment over the sad face.</p> + +<p>"I've thought of that, Lorna. Perhaps I've been too morbid. It seemed to +me that every Englishman must know of what I had been accused. And I had +no credentials to offer. Now, with a five years' reference from the +Ferroni Company in Naples I might have a chance of a job in Australia. +It's worth considering—for your sake, child, if not for mine."</p> + +<p>During the whole of the first week of the holidays Lorna amused herself +as best she might in their little lodgings in Naples. While her father +was at the office she read or sewed, or played on a wretched old piano, +which had little tune in it but was better than nothing. The evenings +were her golden times, for then they would go out together, sometimes +into the Italian quarters of the city, or sometimes by tram into the +suburbs, where there were beautiful promenades with views of the sea. In +these walks she grew to be his companion, and instead of shrinking from +him as in former days, she met him on a new footing and gave him of her +best. Together they planned a home in a fresh hemisphere, and talked +hopefully of better things that were perhaps in store for them over the +ocean. And so life went on, and father and daughter might have realized +their vision, and have emigrated to another continent where no one knew +their name or their former history, and have made a fresh start and won +comparative suc<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>cess, but Dame Fortune, who sometimes has a use for our +past however bitterly she seems to have mismanaged it, interfered again, +and with fateful fingers re-flung the dice.</p> + +<p>It certainly did not seem a fortunate circumstance, but quite the +reverse, when the grandchildren of their landlady, who occupied the +<i>étage</i> above their rooms, sickened with measles. Lorna had never had +the complaint, and it was, of course, most important that she should not +convey germs back to the Villa Camellia, so it was a vital necessity to +move her immediately out of the area of infection. Signora Fiorenza, +harassed but sympathetic, suggested a visit to Capri, where her sister, +Signora Verdi, who owned a little orange farm and had a couple of spare +bedrooms, would probably take her in for the remainder of the holidays, +which would give the necessary quarantine before returning to the +school.</p> + +<p>Mr. Carson jumped at the opportunity, and Lorna was told to pack her +bag.</p> + +<p>"But Daddy, Daddy!" she remonstrated. "I don't want to leave you. Just +when we're happy together must I run away? Do measles matter? I'd rather +have them and stay here. I would indeed."</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly, Lorna. Miss Rodgers wouldn't thank you to start an +epidemic. Of course you must go to Capri. It's a splendid opportunity. +Signora Verdi has a nice little villa. Cheer up, child. I'll tell you +what I'll do. I'll take you myself to-mor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>row, stay over Sunday, and +come again and spend the next week-end with you. I can get an extra day +or two of holiday if I want, and the Casa Verdi is a quiet spot, quite +out of the way of tourists. We can have the orange groves to ourselves +and see nobody. If I catch the early boat I'm not likely to be troubled +with English trippers; that's one good business."</p> + +<p>"Daddy! You darling! Oh, that would be glorious! I'd go to the North +Pole if you'd come too. Two week-ends with you in Capri! What fun. We'll +have the time of our lives!"</p> + +<p>To poor Lorna, who so seldom had the opportunity of enjoying family +outings, this visit indeed was an event. She packed her bag joyously, +and was all excitement to start.</p> + +<p>Following his usual custom of avoiding the vicinity of English people, +Mr. Carson decided not to go to Capri by the ordinary steamer that +conveyed pleasure-seekers, but to secure passages in a cargo vessel +which was crossing with supplies. To Lorna the mode of conveyance was +immaterial; she would have sailed cheerfully on a raft if necessary. She +rather enjoyed the picturesque Neapolitan tramp steamer with its cargo +of wine barrels and packing cases, and its crew of bare-footed, +red-capped seamen, talking and gesticulating with all the excitability +of their Southern temperament. The voyage across the blue bay was longer +than that to Fossato, and she sat in a cozy nook among the casks,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> and +watched first the white houses of Naples fading away, then the distant +mountains of the coast, then the gay sails of the fishing craft that +plied to and fro over the water.</p> + +<p>It was sunset when they reached the beautiful island of Capri, a pink +ethereal sunset that flooded headland and rock, orange orchard and +vineyard, in a faint and luminous opal glow. Their vessel anchored +outside the quay of the Marina Grande, and signaled for a boat to take +them off. A little skiff put out from the beach, and into this they and +their luggage were transferred. The transparent crystal water over which +they rowed was clear as an aquarium, and alive with gorgeous medusæ +whose pink tentacles seemed to flash with the colors of the sunset; to +gaze down at them was like watching a flock of sea-butterflies flitting +across a background of undulating green.</p> + +<p>They landed at the jetty, walked to the shore, and after securing a +carriage started on a long drive uphill to the <i>terreno</i> of Signora +Verdi. Capri, betwixt the glow of the fading sunset and the light of the +rising full moon, was a veritable land of romance, with its domed +eastern-looking houses set in a mass of vines and lemon trees, and the +luscious scent of its many flowers wafted on the evening air. It seemed +no less attractive in the morning, when, after drinking their coffee in +a rose-covered arbor that stood at the bottom of their landlady's orange +grove, they wandered away through the <i>bosco</i> and up on to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> the open +hillside. Here Flora had surely played a trick to plant golden genista +against the intense sapphire blue of a Capri sea, and she must have +emptied her apron all at once to have spangled the rough grass with +cistus, anemone, and starry asphodel. Below them lay a stretch of rugged +rocks and turquoise bay, with no sound to break the silence but the +tinkling of goat-bells, or the piping of a little dark-eyed boy who +practiced a rustic flute as he minded his flock. To poor Mr. Carson, +wearied with the noise and clamor of Naples, it was a veritable +Paradise, a haven of refuge, a breathing space in the dreary pilgrimage +of his sad life. On the top of this sunlit, rock-crowned islet he gained +a short period of peace and rest before he once more shouldered his +heavy burden.</p> + +<p>"If I could live all my days here, Lorna, who knows, I might learn to +forget," he said wistfully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dad! We must find a way out somehow. You can't go on like this! +It's killing you. Why have we to suffer under this unjust accusation? +Why should some one else do a shameful deed and shift the blame on to +you? Is there no plan by which you could clear your name?"</p> + +<p>"I've asked myself that question, Lorna, through many black hours, but +I've never hit on an answer."</p> + +<p>"I hate the man who's wronged you," she sobbed passionately. "Yes! I +hate him—hate him—hate him—and all belonging to him. Is it wicked to +hate? I can't help it when it's my own father's honor that's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> at stake. +Oh, Daddy, Daddy, if I could only 'get even' I'd be content. It seems so +hard to let the wicked prosper and just do nothing. Why should some +people have all the laughter of life and others all the tears?"</p> + +<p>Lorna parted reluctantly from her father on Monday morning. He sailed by +a very early boat, so that the sun had not yet risen high, as, after +watching his vessel leave the harbor, she turned from the Marina to walk +back to the Casa Verdi. Half of the little town was still asleep. There +were no signs of life in the hotel, where the wistaria was blooming in a +purple shower over the veranda, and green shutters barred the lower +windows of most of the villas. A few peasant people were stirring about; +three dark-eyed girls, as straight as Greek goddesses, were coming down +the steep path from Anacapri with orange baskets on their heads, and +their hands full of posies of pink cyclamen; a mother with a child +clinging to her yellow-bordered skirt was taking an earthenware pitcher +to the well for water; a persistent bell in the little church of S. +Costanzo was calling some to prayers, and others were starting the +ordinary routine of the day, attending to animals, cutting salads in +their gardens, spreading out fishing-nets, or getting ready the hand +barrows on which they sold their wares. In the gleaming morning light +the beautiful island seemed more than ever like a radiant jewel set in a +sapphire sea. Lorna had left the winding highroad, and was taking a +short cut up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> flights of steep steps between the flowery gardens of +villas, where geraniums grew like weeds, and every bush seemed a mass of +scented blossoms. She was passing a small flat-topped eastern house, +whose gatepost bore the attractive title of "La Carina," when she +suddenly heard her own name called, and turning round, startled and +surprised, what should she see peeping over the cactus hedge but the +smiling face and blonde bobbed locks of Irene. The amazement was mutual.</p> + +<p>"Hello! What are you doing in Capri?"</p> + +<p>"What are <i>you</i> doing here?"</p> + +<p>"I'm staying up on the hill!"</p> + +<p>"And we're staying at this villa!"</p> + +<p>"To think of meeting you!"</p> + +<p>"Sporting, isn't it? Come inside the garden! I can't talk to you down +there in the road."</p> + +<p>That her chum should actually also have come to Capri for the holidays +seemed a marvelous piece of luck to Lorna.</p> + +<p>"We decided quite in a hurry," explained Irene. "Dad heard this little +place was to let furnished, and took it for three weeks. The Camerons +have taken that big pink house over there, with the umbrella pine in the +garden. Peachy is staying with them. Isn't it absolutely ripping? I was +only saying yesterday I wished you were here too. And my cousin Marjorie +Anderson and her friends are stopping at the hotel, just down below. +We're having the most glorious times all together. Here's Vincent! Vin,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +you remember meeting Lorna at school? She's actually staying in Capri! +No, don't go, Lorna! Sit down and talk! Now I've found you I mean to +keep you. We're not generally up so early, but Dad wants to catch the +first steamer. He has to get back to Naples this morning."</p> + +<p>"My father has gone already by a sailing vessel."</p> + +<p>"Then you are alone? Oh, I say! You must spend most of your time with +us. It's a lucky chance that has blown you our way, isn't it? We seem +quite a cluster of Camellia Buds in Capri."</p> + +<p>So Lorna, who had expected a very quiet, not to say dull, visit at the +Casa Verdi during her father's absence, found herself instead in the +midst of hospitable friends who extended cordial invitations to her for +every occasion.</p> + +<p>"By all means let your friend join us," agreed Mrs. Beverley, in answer +to her daughter's urgent request. "We've heard so much about Lorna in +your letters. She seems a nice girl. I remember I was quite struck with +her when I saw her at your school carnival. One more or less makes no +difference for picnics. It must certainly be slow for her up there with +only an Italian landlady to talk to, poor child."</p> + +<p>Capri was an idyllic place for holiday-making. The beautiful climate, +perfect at this season of the year, made living out of doors a delight. +Every day the various friends met together, and either went for +excursions or passed happy hours in each other's gardens. The Camerons +had several young people<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> staying with them as well as Peachy, and the +party at the hotel proved a great acquisition. This consisted of Captain +Hilton Preston and his sister Joyce, their married sister Kathleen and +her husband, Mr. Frank Roper, and Marjorie Anderson, who was traveling +under their chaperonage. They were fond of the sea, and had at once made +arrangements to hire a boat and a boatman for their visit, so that they +might have as much pleasure as possible on the water during their short +stay.</p> + +<p>"We shan't be able to paddle about on the Mediterranean when we get +home," said Captain Preston with mock tragedy. "My leave will soon be up +and I shall be off to India again. It's a case of 'Let's enjoy while the +season invites us.' These rocks and bays and coves are simply +magnificent. We've decided to go to the Blue Grotto to-day. Who cares to +join us?"</p> + +<p>This was an expedition which could only be undertaken when the sea was +absolutely calm, so, as even the Mediterranean may be treacherous, and +sudden squalls can lash its smooth surface into waves, it was wise to +take advantage of a cloudless day.</p> + +<p>"We'll start early, so as to arrive there before the steamer, and have +the grotto to ourselves, instead of going in with a rabble of tourists," +decreed Hilton Preston.</p> + +<p>"Four boatfuls of us will be a big enough party," agreed Vincent. "They +say the best light is at about eleven."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span></p> + +<p>The group of friends therefore set off from the Marina in their various +craft. The row along the base of the precipitous craggy shore was most +beautiful, the water swarmed with gayly-colored sea-stars and +jelly-fish, and on the rocks at the edge of the waves grew gorgeous +madrepores, and other "frutti di mare." The Blue Grotto is one of the +wonders of Italy, but to explore it is not a particularly easy matter, +for its entrance is scarcely three feet in height.</p> + +<p>"My! Have we got to squeeze under there!" exclaimed Peachy wonderingly, +looking at the tiny space at the foot of the crag through which they +would be obliged to pass.</p> + +<p>"Not in these boats, of course," said Vincent. "The skiffs are waiting, +and if we just leave it to the boatmen they'll show us how to manage."</p> + +<p>The tiny craft that were in readiness for visitors now came forward, and +the party was transferred to them. Three passengers were taken in each +skiff, and were required to lie flat on their backs in the bottom of the +boat. The boatman paddled to the entrance of the grotto, then also lying +on his back he directed the skiff into a low passage, working his way +along by pulling at a chain which was fastened to the roof of the rocky +corridor. In a short space of time they shot into an enormous cavern, +175 feet in length, and over 40 feet in height. Here for a moment or two +all seemed dazzled, but as their be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>wildered vision gradually grew +accustomed to the light they saw that everything in the grotto, walls, +sea, or any objects, appeared of a heavenly blue color. The faces of +their friends, their own hands, the water when they scooped it up and +dropped it again, all were turned to sapphire, while articles under the +sea gleamed with a beautiful silver shade. The girls bared their arms +and enjoyed dipping them to obtain this effect. The glorious blue of the +cave was indescribable.</p> + +<p>"I feel like a mermaid at the bottom of the ocean," exulted Peachy.</p> + +<p>"Or a cherub in the sky!" said Jess.</p> + +<p>"Why is it blue though?" asked Lorna.</p> + +<p>"Because of the refraction of light," explained Mrs. Beverley from the +next boat. "We see a kind of concentrated reflection of the sky sent to +us under the sea. If it were a gray day outside it would be gray in here +too. Some people think that the Mediterranean has risen, and that once +the water in this grotto was much lower, so that boats could sail in and +out of it quite easily. Do you see that landing-place over there? It +leads to some broken steps and a blocked-up passage that tradition says +wound up through the cliff right to the villa of Tiberius. Perhaps it +was a secret way by which he thought he might escape if danger +threatened him."</p> + +<p>"How I'd love to explore it," sighed Irene.</p> + +<p>"It only goes a little way before it is blocked. It's hardly worth +landing to look at it. Be careful,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> Renie! If you lean over the edge of +the boat so far you'll be upsetting us, and, although we might look very +delightful and silvery objects under the water, I'm not at all anxious +to offer myself for the experiment."</p> + +<p>"Why don't they enlarge the entrance?" asked Vincent.</p> + +<p>"Because nobody is sure whether by doing so they might or might not +spoil the beautiful effect of blue light in the grotto. It's too risky a +venture to try. Besides in present conditions the boatmen make a great +deal of money by taking tourists into the grotto. If it were very easy +to get in they could not charge so much. It's a little mine of wealth to +the Capri fisherfolk now, though years ago they used to say the place +was haunted, and tell terrible tales about it. They said fire and smoke +had been seen issuing from the entrance, that creatures like crocodiles +crept in and out, that every day the opening expanded and contracted +seven times, that at night the Sirens sang sweetly there, that any young +fishermen who ventured to sail near disappeared and were never seen +again, and that the place was full of human bones."</p> + +<p>"What a gruesome record," declared Vincent. "I agree with Renie though, +I'd like to explore that passage with a strong bicycle lamp, or an +electric torch. Who knows what we might find if we looked about—a coin +that Tiberius had dropped out of his pocket, or one of the Sirens' +hairpins, or a crocodile's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> tooth at least. Yes, I must positively come +again, Mater. Just to prove the truth of your stories."</p> + +<p>"Silly boy," laughed his mother. "I expect every stone of the place has +been well turned over in search of treasure. Trust the fisher people not +to lose a chance. Now our stay here's limited by the official tariff to +a quarter of an hour, and if we stop any longer we shall have to pay our +dues a second time. If you're ready so am I. Tell the first boat to go +on. Don't forget we must lie on our backs again to scrape through the +entrance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>The Cameron Clan</h3> + + +<p>Lorna had never realized before how much of life can be compressed into +a few days. The interval between her father's departure for Naples and +his return for the week-end was spent almost entirely with her friends. +It marked for her an altogether new phase of existence. She had read in +books about jolly families of brothers and sisters, and parties of young +people, but her own experience was strictly limited to school. Here in +Capri, for the first time she tasted the delights of which she had often +dreamed, and found herself cordially included in a charmed circle. +Though the Beverleys were mainly responsible for thus taking her up, the +Camerons also offered much kindness. "The Cameron Clan" as they called +themselves, consisted of father, mother, Jess, and two brothers, Angus +and Stewart, and almost every evening the young folk would meet at their +villa and gather round a wood fire in the salon. Though the days were so +warm the nights were chilly, and it was cheerful to watch the blazing +logs. What times they had together! It was an established rule that +everybody contributed some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> item to the general entertainment, and in +spite of fierce denials even the least accomplished were compelled to +perform. It brought out quite unexpected talent. Peachy, who had always +declared her music "wasn't up to anything," charmed the company by +lilting darkie melodies or pathetic Indian songs, Captain Preston +remembered conjuring tricks which he had learned in India, Mr. Roper +proved a genius at relating short stories, and Mrs. Cameron could recite +old ballads with the fervor of a medieval minstrel. The walls of the +Italian salon seemed to melt away and change to a wild moorland or a +northern castle as she declaimed "Fair Helen of Kirconnell," "The Lament +of the Border Widow," "Bartrum's Dirge," or "The Braes o' Yarrow."</p> + +<p>"Modern people want more poetry in their veins," she insisted. "I've no +patience with the stuff most of them read. There's more romance in one +of those stories of ancient times than you'd find in a whole boxful of +the latest library books. People weren't ashamed of their feelings then, +and they put them into beautiful words. Nowadays it seems to me they've +neither the feelings nor the language to clothe them in. I'm a century +or two too late. I ought to have lived when the world was younger."</p> + +<p>If his wife adored her native ballads Mr. Cameron, on his part, had a +good stock of Scottish songs, and would trill them out in a fine +baritone voice, the audience joining with enthusiasm in the choruses of +such favorites as "Bonny Dundee,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> "Charlie is my Darling," and "Over +the Sea to Skye."</p> + +<p>"There's a ring about Jacobite melodies that absolutely grips you," said +Mrs. Beverley, begging for "Wha wad na fecht for Charlie," and "Farewell +Manchester." "Perhaps it's in my blood, for my ancestors were Jacobites. +One of them was a beautiful girl in 1745, and sat on a balcony to watch +her prince ride into Faircaster. The cavalcade came to a halt under her +window and 'Charlie' looked up and saw her, and asked her to dance at +the ball that was being given that night in the town. She was greatly +set up by the honor, and handed the tradition of it down the family as +something that must never be forgotten. Oh! I'd have fought for the +'Hieland laddie' myself if I'd been a man in his days. Is the spirit of +personal loyalty dead? We give patriotic devotion to our country, but +love such as that of an ancient Highlander for his hereditary chief +seems absolutely a thing of the past."</p> + +<p>While their elders entertained the circle with northern legends or +border ballads the young people also did their share, and contributed +such choice morsels as ghost stories, adventures in foreign lands, or +weird tales of the occult. Stewart, who was an omnivorous reader of +magazines, tried to demonstrate the romance of modern literature, though +he could never convince his mother of its equality with old-world +favorites. Marjorie Anderson, who had a sweet voice, loved soldier +ditties, and caroled them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> much to the admiration of Captain Preston, +who always managed to contrive to get a seat near her particular corner +of the fireside.</p> + +<p>"I believe those two are 'a match,'" whispered Peachy to Irene one +evening.</p> + +<p>"So do I. They met first when Marjorie was at school. Dona told me all +about it, and it was quite romantic. They'd have seen more of each other +only, after the armistice, his regiment was ordered out to India. He's +home on leave now. He wrote to Marjorie all the time he was away, +regularly. She's tremendous friends with his sisters, and they asked her +to join them on this tour. Looks suspicious, doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Rather! I hope it will really come off," answered Peachy, looking +sympathetically at the attractive pair whose chairs always seemed to +gravitate together. "She's pretty! And his brown eyes are the twinkliest +I've ever seen! Yes! I'm prepared to give them my blessing! I only wish +he'd get on with it. Why doesn't somebody give him a push over the brink +and make him propose? He's marking time, and for two cents I'd tell him +so myself. I guess his eyes would pop out, but I shouldn't care! Don't +be alarmed! I promise I won't interfere. But onlookers see the most of +the game, and with an affair like this under my very nose I'll be mad if +they don't fix-it up."</p> + +<p>Captain Preston was hardly likely to conduct his love-making under full +fire of inquisitive eyes, but he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> generally managed to appropriate +Marjorie on walks or excursions; they strolled out together to admire +the moon, hunted for orchids on the hills, searched the beach for +shells, and saw enough of one another's society to satisfy the most +ardent matchmakers. It was an established fact that these two should +always sit together in boat or carriage, but the rest of the party +revolved like a kaleidoscope. Lorna sometimes found herself escorted by +Stewart or Angus, sometimes by Charlie or Michael Foard, the friends who +were staying with them, and oftener still by Vincent Beverley, whose +fair hair, blue eyes, and merry face—so like Irene's—specially +attracted her. She was so unaccustomed to have a cavalier at all that it +seemed wonderful to her that any one should take the trouble to carry +her basket, pick flowers that grew out of her reach, help her up +difficult steps or hand her into a rocking boat. This new aspect of the +world was very sweet. Insensibly it affected her.</p> + +<p>"Lorna's growing so pretty," commented Peachy to Irene. "She's a queer +girl. At school she goes about looking almost plain and as dreary as an +owl. She's suddenly jumped into life here. Anybody who hadn't seen the +two sides of her wouldn't believe the difference. When she's animated +she's nearly beautiful."</p> + +<p>"I don't think she's ever been really appreciated at the Villa +Camellia," replied Irene. "Mums likes her immensely. She says there's so +much in her, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> that she only wants 'mothering' to bring her out. As +for Vin, his head's turned. He's made me vow faithfully to engineer that +he sits next to Lorna in the boat to-day. Are you going with Stewart? +Well, I've promised Michael if he's a particularly good boy I'll let him +row me in the little skiff. I dare say Charlie will be angry, but I +can't help it. The Foards are as alike as buttons in looks, but the +younger one is so infinitely nicer than the other."</p> + +<p>Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday had slipped blissfully by. Except for +the few hours daily during which the steamer from Naples visited Capri, +with promenade deck filled with tourists, the little island was +wonderfully quiet, and by keeping away from the Marina Grande or the +highroads it was possible to avoid other holiday-makers. If they were +not on the sea "the clan," as the whole party liked to call themselves, +generally went up the hills to escape civilization. The natives had +begun to know them, and though they might be offered oranges, figs, or +dates by street vendors they were not continually pestered to take +carriages, engage guides or donkeys, or buy picture post-cards or long +strings of coral. Irene loved occasional excursions into the white town +on the rock. The strict rules and convent seclusion of the Villa +Camellia had given her no opportunity of sampling shops at Fossato, so, +except for her half-term holiday at Naples, this was her first +experience<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> of marketing in Italy. The unfamiliar money and measures +were of course confusing, but the quaint little cakes, the lollipops +wrapped in fringed tissue paper of gay colors, the sugar hearts, the +plaited baskets, the inlaid boxes, the mosaic brooches, the beads, and +the hundred and one cheap trifles spread forth on stalls or in windows +fascinated her, and drew many lire from her purse. She only knew a few +words of colloquial Italian, but she used these to the best advantage, +and made up the rest with nods and smiles, a language well understood by +the kindly people of Capri, to whom a gesture is as eloquent as a whole +sentence. Vincent, whose talents ran more towards prowess at football +than a gift for languages, would often escort his sister, and conducted +his bargaining by pointing to what he wanted and counting the price in +lire on his five fingers, an operation that caused fits of amusement to +the shopkeepers, with whom the fair young Englishman became quite a +favorite. As long as Vincent could see what he wished for on sale and +indicate it with a finger he got along all right, but matters grew +complicated if he tried to explain himself. One day his mother, having +run short of methylated spirit, for her teakettle, sent him with a +bottle to buy some more. He looked the words up in a dictionary, entered +a chemist's, and demanded "alcohol for burning" in his best Italian. The +assistant seemed mystified, but suddenly a light flooded his intelligent +face,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> he flew to a series of neat little drawers behind the counter, +rummaged about, and in much triumph produced an "Alcock's porous +plaster," which he vehemently assured Vincent would be sure to burn, and +was a real English medicine, imported with great trouble and expense, +and certain to cure the ailment from which he was suffering. How Vincent +would have got out of the tangle, or convinced the chemist's assistant +that he was not in need of medical aid, is uncertain, but at that moment +Irene, who was walking with Lorna in the square, spied him through the +window, and brought her chum to the rescue. Lorna's Italian was +excellent; she soon unravelled the matter, returned the porous plaster +to the disappointed assistant, and explained to Vincent that the local +name for methylated spirit was "spirito," and that it was generally +procured from an oil colorman's.</p> + +<p>"How was I to know?" grumbled Vincent dramatically. "A fellow goes by +the dictionary."</p> + +<p>"It's always called 'alcohol' in Rome, and in some other places," +pacified Lorna, who was still laughing at the mistake, "and I've bought +it at a chemist's myself in Naples. Come along round the corner and +we'll find the right shop. I had my own bottle filled there yesterday, +so I know where to go."</p> + +<p>On the Friday, Mrs. Cameron, who by universal consent had constituted +herself organizer of the various joint expeditions, sent out invitations +for a grand gathering of the Clan to go and view the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> ruins of the villa +of Tiberius. This was one of the principal sights of the island, and, as +the Preston party were not staying over the following week, it would +have seemed a pity for them to miss it.</p> + +<p>"It's a case of taking nose-bags and going for the day," said Stewart, +delivering his messages at the various villas. "Meeting-place, the +piazza in the town. Those who like to come up by the funicular can do +so. We'll wait for them. I think the Mater will take the train and save +herself some of the climb. She doesn't like these endless steps, and +it's certainly a pull from our place to the town. It's worth while +walking down to the Marina to get the railway."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Beverley, Mrs. Roper, and Joyce Preston joined Mrs. Cameron in +taking advantage of the little "Ferrovia Funicolare" that connected the +harbor with the town, and arrived on the piazza cool and fresh compared +with those who had preferred to toil up the steep path.</p> + +<p>"I told you to come with me, Renie child," chided Mrs. Beverley. "Look +how hot you are already. You'll be quite overdone before we get to the +summit."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mums darling, I'm not tired! I've saved the fare and bought this +swanky little cane instead. Look! Isn't it dinky?" protested Irene, +proudly exhibiting her newly purchased treasure. "It has a leather strap +and a tassel and a knob that one can suck."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You baby," laughed her mother. "We shall have to buy you a tin trumpet. +I don't believe you're out of the nursery yet."</p> + +<p>"Tin trumpet, Mums darling? Oh! You've given me such an idea," purred +Irene, running to Michael Foard and whispering some communication into +his sympathetic ear, which caused him to walk back to a certain street +stall and purchase nine tin whistles, with which the younger members of +the party armed themselves and immediately began a desperate attempt to +reproduce "The Bluebells of Scotland," hugely to the entertainment of +the natives, who flocked to their doors all smiles and amused +exclamations.</p> + +<p>"Bairns! I think shame of you," declared Mrs. Cameron. "They'll take us +for a wandering circus. Put those unmusical instruments in your pockets +till we're clear of the town. I never heard a poor Scottish air so +mangled. You may practice your band on the hills and scare the goats. +Don't play it in my ears again till you catch the proper tune."</p> + +<p>The musicians, after their first burst of enthusiasm was expended, were +glad to save their breath for the climb. When houses were left behind +their way wound between high walls, up, up, up, along a paved pathway +among orange groves, till at last the allotments disappeared, and they +were on the open hillside, among the low shrubs and the rough grass and +the beautiful flowers. Irene, running up a bank in quest of +bee-orchises, broke her new cane into four<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> pieces, but was somewhat +consoled by a stick which Michael cut her from a chestnut tree.</p> + +<p>"It hasn't a knob to suck," he laughed, "but I'll tie a stick of +peppermint on to the end of it if you like."</p> + +<p>"Don't tease me, or I'll throw a squashy orange at you."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were fond of peppermint."</p> + +<p>"So I am, and if there's another of those creamy Neapolitans left in +your pocket I'll accept it and forgive you."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, O Queen! There are two here. Does your Majesty prefer a +purple paper or a green?"</p> + +<p>The ruins, which formed the goal of their expedition, were the remains +of a once splendid villa erected by the Emperor Tiberius, and used +constantly by him until his death in <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 37. Most of the party were +disappointed to find them, as Peachy expressed it, "so very ruiny." It +was difficult to picture what the original palace must have been like, +for nothing was left of all the grandeur but crumbling walls, over which +Nature had scattered ferns and flowers. At the very top some of the old +masonry had been used to build a tiny church; this was closed, but, +peeping through the grille in the door, the visitors could catch +glimpses of blue-painted roof and of little model ships, placed as +votive offerings by the sailors in gratitude for preservation from +danger at sea. Outside this chapel was a great stone monu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span>ment built so +near the edge of the cliff that, when sitting on its steps, one could +look down a sheer drop of several hundred feet into the blue waters +below. The view from here was magnificent, and as the Clan, in turns, +scanned the neighboring coast of Italy with field glasses, they believed +they could even distinguish the Greek temples at Pæstum. The girls +described the glorious excursion they had taken there from school.</p> + +<p>"You were lucky to be able to go all the way by char-à-banc," commented +Mrs. Cameron. "Dad and I went there on our honeymoon, years and years +ago, and traveled all the way from Naples by a terrible little jolting +train that carried cattle-trucks and luggage-trucks as well as passenger +carriages. I shan't ever forget that journey. We had to leave the +station at 6.30 and when we came downstairs we found it was a pouring +wet day. It was only the fact that the sleepy looking waiter at our +hotel must have roused himself at 5 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> to prepare our coffee, and that +we did not like to ask him to do it again another morning, that forced +us to set off in the rain. I never felt so disinclined for an excursion +in my life. Dad said afterwards if I'd given him the least hint he'd +have joyfully relinquished it, but each thought the other wanted to go, +so off we set. All the way to Cava it simply streamed, and we sat in our +corners of the carriage secretly calling ourselves idiots, and wondering +how we were going to look over temples in a deluge. But our heroism was +re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span>warded, for just as the train crossed the brigand's marsh the rain +stopped and the sun shone out, and the effect of blue sky and clouds was +simply glorious. We had a great joke at Pæstum. A mosquito had stung me +badly on one lid so that I looked as if I had a black eye. It was most +uncomfortable and painful, I remember. Well, a party of French tourists +were going round the temples, and as they passed us they glanced at my +eye and then at Daddy—a husband of three weeks' standing—and they +murmured something to one another. I couldn't catch their words, but +quite plainly they were saying: 'Oh, these dreadful English! He's +evidently given her a black eye, poor thing! That's how they treat their +wives!'</p> + +<p>"The French people went on to the second temple, and Dad and I sat down +to eat our lunch. We were fearfully annoyed by dogs that sat in front of +us and watched every mouthful, and barked incessantly. (Did they trouble +you too! How funny! They must surely be the descendants of our dogs +who've inherited a bad habit.) Dad got so utterly exasperated that he +said he must and would get rid of them, so he seized my umbrella, shook +it furiously at them and yelled out '<i>Va via</i>' in the most awful and +blood-curdling voice he could command. Just at that moment the French +tourists came back round the corner. They turned to one another with +nods of comprehension, as if they were saying, 'There! Didn't I tell you +so! See what a brute he really is,'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> and they cast the most sympathetic +glances at me as they filed by. Isn't that true, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Cameron lazily removed his cigarette.</p> + +<p>"It's a stock story, my dear, that you've told against me for the last +twenty years. I won't say that it's not exaggerated. Go on telling it if +you like. My back's broad enough to bear it. Shall I return good for +evil? Well, as I walked through the town to-day, waiting till you came +up by the funicular, I saw one of the Tarantella dancers, and I engaged +the whole troupe to come to the house to-night and give us a +performance. You said you wanted to see them. Will our friends here +honor us with their company and help to act audience?"</p> + +<p>It seemed an appropriate ending to such a delightful day, and all the +party readily accepted the invitation. After twilight fell they +assembled at the Camerons' villa and took their places in the salon, +which had been temporarily cleared of some of its furniture. The +Tarantella dancers, who were accustomed to give their small exhibition +to visitors, brought their own orchestra with them, a thin youth who +played the violin, a stout individual who plucked the mandolin, and an +enthusiast who twanged the guitar. The performers were charmingly +dressed in the old native costumes of the country, the men in soft white +shirts, green sleeveless velvet coats, red plush knickers, silk +stockings and shoes with scarlet bows, while the girls wore gay skirts, +striped sashes, lace fichus, and aprons, and gold beads round their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +shapely throats. They danced several sprightly measures, waving +tambourines and rattling castanets, or twining silk scarves together, +while the musicians fiddled and strummed their hardest; then six of them +stood aside and the two principal artists advanced to do a "star turn." +"Romeo" sang an impassioned love song, with his hand on his heart, while +"Juliette" plucked at her apron and appeared doubtful of the truth of +his protestations. Then the "funny man" had his innings. He sat in a +chair with a shoe in his hand and tried to smack the head of a humorist +who knelt in front but always managed neatly to avoid his blows, the +whole being punctuated by vigorous exclamations in Italian, and much +energetic music from the orchestra.</p> + +<p>A pretty girl sauntered next on to the scene, and sang—in a rather +peacock voice—a little ditty lamenting the weather, at which a +velvet-coated cavalier came to the rescue, and chanting his offer of +help sheltered her with a huge green umbrella, under which they +proceeded to make love, and finally executed a dance beneath its +friendly shade. The whole of the little performance was very graceful +and attractive, savoring so thoroughly of Southern Italy and showing the +courteous manners and winning smiles to the utmost advantage. The +dancers themselves seemed to have enjoyed it, and stood with beaming +faces as they bowed their adieux and thanked the audience for their kind +attention.</p> + +<p>"Aren't they just too perfect," commented Peachy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span></p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> want to wear a velvet bodice and a green skirt with a yellow +border. I want to dance the tarantella with a tambourine in my hand."</p> + +<p>"Won't a two-step content you?" said Angus. "Mater says since the room +is cleared we may just as well finish with a little hop ourselves. May I +have the pleasure? Thanks so much. Mrs. Beverley's going to play for us. +It's a beast of a piano but it's good enough to dance to. We mustn't +notice if the bass is out of tune."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>The Blue Grotto</h3> + + +<p>Very early on Saturday morning Mr. Carson returned to Capri in a sailing +vessel, having taken advantage of a night crossing and arriving with the +dawn. Lorna had bidden her friends a temporary good-by for the week-end, +refusing all kind invitations of "bring your father to see us," or "tell +him he must join the Clan." She felt that her excuses for him were of +the flimsiest; she said he was tired, unwell, and needed absolute rest +and solitude, and begged them to forgive her if she spent the time with +him alone, and, though they replied that they could understand his +desire for quiet, she was conscious that they thought she might at least +have volunteered an introduction. Lorna knew only too well that, if her +father was aware there was the slightest danger of meeting English +people, he would probably insist upon taking the next boat back to +Naples; it was the consciousness of complete isolation that gave the +value to his holiday. She told him indeed that she had met some of her +school friends and had taken walks with them, but she mentioned that +they were staying down below, nearer the Marina, and that they were not +in the least likely to come up to the Casa Verdi.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let us take our books, Daddy," she suggested, "and go and sit on the +hillside as we did last Sunday. It was quiet on that ledge of the crag, +and away from everybody. The rest did you good, and I'm sure you enjoyed +it."</p> + +<p>Lying on the cliff among the flowers, with blue sky above and blue sea +beneath, poor Mr. Carson allowed himself a temporary relaxation. He +smoked his pipe and read his paper, and for a little while at least the +hard lines round his mouth softened, and his anxious eyes grew easy. He +finished his Italian journal, lay idly watching the scenery, chatted, +dozed, and finally stretched out his hand for one of Lorna's books. It +happened to be an Anthology of Poetry which Irene had lent her, and +which contained one of the ballads that Mrs. Cameron had recited to the +assembled Clan. It had struck Lorna's fancy, and she was trying to learn +it by heart. Mr. Carson turned over the pages, read a few of the pieces, +and was closing the little volume when his eye chanced to light upon the +name written on the title page. Its effect upon him was like a charge of +electricity.</p> + +<p>"David Beverley," he gasped. "David Beverley! Lorna! Great Heavens! By +all that's sacred, where did you get this?"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 252px;"> +<img src="images/gs04.jpg" width="252" height="400" alt=""'BY ALL THAT'S SACRED, WHERE DID YOU GET THIS BOOK?'"" title=""'BY ALL THAT'S SACRED, WHERE DID YOU GET THIS BOOK?'"" /> +<span class="caption">"'BY ALL THAT'S SACRED, WHERE DID YOU GET THIS BOOK?'"</span> +<div class='right'>—<i>Page 304</i></div></div> + + + +<p>"Why, Dad! What's the matter? Irene lent me the book. It belongs to her +father."</p> + +<p>"Her father! You don't mean to tell me your friend's father is David +Beverley?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why not, Dad," whispered Lorna, looking with apprehension into his +haggard, excited face.</p> + +<p>She guessed even before he spoke what the answer was going to be.</p> + +<p>"David Beverley is the man who ruined my life!"</p> + +<p>The blow which had fallen was utterly overwhelming. For a moment Lorna +fought against the knowledge like a drowning man battling with the +waters.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dad! Surely there's some mistake. It <i>can't</i> be! Isn't it some +other Beverley perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"I know his writing only too well. There's no possibility of a mistake. +Besides, I saw him in Naples—at the end of February. I haven't +forgotten the shock it gave me. Why," turning almost fiercely upon +Lorna, "didn't you tell me your schoolfellow's name before? Have you all +this time been making friends with your father's enemy?"</p> + +<p>"I thought I'd often talked about Renie," faltered poor Lorna. "Perhaps +I never mentioned her surname. Oh, Dad! Dad! Is it really true? It's too +horrible to be believed."</p> + +<p>Lying in the soft Capri grass, with the pink cistus flowers brushing her +hot cheeks, Lorna raged impotently against the tragedy of a fate which +was changing the dearest friendship of her life into a feud. Irene!—the +only one at school who had sympathized and understood her, who had +behaved with a delicacy and kindness such as no other person had ever +shown her, who had taken her into her home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> circle and given her the +happiest time she had ever had in her shadowed girlhood; Irene with her +merry gray eyes and her bright sunny hair, the very incarnation of +warm-hearted genuine affection—Irene, her roommate, her buddy, her +chosen confidante. How was it possible ever to regard her as an enemy? +Yet had she not vowed a solemn oath to hate all belonging to the man who +had so desperately injured them? Oh! The world seemed turning upside +down. Loyalty to her father and love for her friend dragged different +ways, and in the bitter conflict her heart was torn in two.</p> + +<p>Mr. Carson, haunted to the verge of insanity by the terror of discovery, +was now obsessed with the one idea of escape from Mr. Beverley. He no +longer felt safe on the island. Any moment he dreaded to meet faces that +would betray recognition of his past. The calm and content of his visit +were utterly shattered, and a sudden violent impulse urged him to return +to Naples.</p> + +<p>"Capri is not large enough to hold myself and David Beverley," he +declared. "We'll go back by the night boat, Lorna. Meantime we'll borrow +Signor Verdi's skiff and paddle about among the rocks. I feel easier on +water than on land. I like the sense of a space of ocean round me. You +can't suddenly meet a man when you've plenty of sea-room, can you?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Dad!" said Lorna, trying to soothe him. "We can walk down the +steps to the cove and get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> the skiff, and be quite away from everybody +once we are on the sea."</p> + +<p>She was ready to humor his every whim, for in the blackness of her +trouble nothing seemed at present to really matter. The whirling eddies +of her thoughts rushed through her brain in a perpetual series of +questions and answers. Must hate strike the death knell of love? Surely +the only thing to do with an injury is to forgive it. Would revenge wipe +out the wrong or in any way solve anything? No, there would only be one +more wrong done in the world, to go on in ever-widening circles of +hatred and misery. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost, and +"getting even" may bring its own punishment.</p> + +<p>"Our only chance is to go away and start afresh in a new country," she +sobbed. "At the other side of the Pacific we might forget—but no! +Renie! Renie! If I go to the back of beyond I shan't forget you, and all +you've been to me. The memory of you, darling, will last until the end +of my life."</p> + +<p>Mr. Carson found Signor Verdi working in his allotment, obtained leave +from him to use the skiff, and climbing down the flight of steep steps +cut in the rock, reached the cove where the boat was beached on the +shingle. He had been an expert oarsman from his college days, and +understood Neapolitan waters, so in a short time he and Lorna were +skimming gently over the surface of the blue sea, keeping well away from +rocks and out of currents,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> but within reasonable distance of the land. +Sometimes they rowed and sometimes they drifted, hardly caring in what +direction they steered so long as they circled round the island. Their +only object was to stop out on the sea, and, as they had brought a +picnic basket with them, there was nothing to urge their return until +sunset. In the course of the afternoon they had coasted below Monte +Solaro, and found themselves approaching the entrance that led to the +Blue Grotto. In the mornings, when the steamer brought its crowd of +tourists, there was generally quite a little fleet of skiffs to be seen +here, but now, with the exception of a solitary boat, the famous cavern +was deserted. To avoid passing too near to even this one craft Mr. +Carson steered away from the shore, but turned his head in +consternation, for loud and unmistakable cries of "help" were ringing +over the water, and the occupants, frantically waving handkerchiefs, +were evidently doing their utmost to attract his attention. Common +humanity demanded that he must at least go and see what was the matter, +so he reluctantly altered his course.</p> + +<p>In a boat close to the entrance of the grotto were several young people, +and Lorna instantly recognized Angus, Stewart, Jess, Michael, and +Peachy. They appeared in much anxiety, and directly they were within +hailing distance they called out their news:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Beverley and Vincent and Irene have gone<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> inside the grotto, and +they don't seem able to get out again. We can hear them shouting for +help."</p> + +<p>The party, in their British imprudence, had not brought a boatman, and +they were uncertain what to do. Their own barque was too large to go +through the narrow opening into the cavern, and they looked hopefully at +Mr. Carson's little skiff.</p> + +<p>"We don't know what's happened," gulped Jess.</p> + +<p>"They went in to explore the Roman passage."</p> + +<p>"Just by themselves."</p> + +<p>"They've been gone such a long time," volunteered the others.</p> + +<p>"Listen," said Peachy.</p> + +<p>For from out the low entrance of the grotto floated a faint far-off +echoing ghost of a shout.</p> + +<p>Lorna glanced imploringly at her father. He did not hesitate for a +moment. The man who had injured him was inside the cavern, perhaps in +deadly danger, and he was going to risk his own life and his daughter's +to save him. And risk there undoubtedly was. A breeze had arisen and +agitated the surface of the water, so that the ingress was smaller than +ever and more difficult to compass. When waves lashed the tideless +Mediterranean even the Capri fishermen shunned entering the grotto, for +they knew its perils only too well. Telling Lorna to lie flat on her +back Mr. Carson took the same position, and with infinite difficulty +managed to maneuver the skiff into the rocky entrance. There was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> barely +room, for each wave bumped it against the roof, but by clinging to the +chain he worked his way along and shot through into the lake within. On +the right of the cavern three figures, holding a light, stood on a kind +of landing-place, while a skiff drifting far off in the shadows told its +own tale.</p> + +<p>Mr. Carson rowed at once to retrieve the truant boat, and towed it back +to its owners.</p> + +<p>"We thought we had tied it securely," explained Mr. Beverley. "We were +utterly aghast when we came back and found it had drifted. It would have +been a horrible experience to stay here all night. If the sea rose we +might even have been imprisoned for days. We were fools to come, but I +didn't realize the danger."</p> + +<p>"The sea is much rougher already," said Mr. Carson. "It'll be a ticklish +matter to get out again, and the sooner we do it the better. Will you go +first and I'll follow on after?"</p> + +<p>"It's like you, Lorna, to come to rescue us. I always called you my good +angel," choked Irene, as she entered the skiff. "I thought just now I +was never going to see you again in this world. Let's get out of this +horrible place as fast as we can. It's like Dante's Inferno. I've never +been so frightened in all my life."</p> + +<p>One after the other the two skiffs started on their risky exit from the +grotto, scraping and bumping against the roof with the water on a level +with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> gunwale; one wave indeed overflowed and soused them, but the +next moment they sighted the sky and grazing through the entrance they +gained the open water.</p> + +<p>It was only when, in the clear afternoon daylight he turned to thank his +rescuer that a flash of recognition flooded Mr. Beverley's face.</p> + +<p>"Cedric Houghten! You! You!" he stammered, as if almost disbelieving the +evidence of his own eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is I; but having seen me, forget me," returned Mr. Carson, his +dark face flushed and his hand on the oar. "It's the one favor you can +do me for saving you. Let me vanish as I came, and don't try to follow +me. I only hope we may never cross each other's paths again."</p> + +<p>"Cedric! Come back!" yelled Mr. Beverley, as the skiff shot away. "Man +alive! We've been searching for you for years. Don't you know that we've +proved your innocence! Come back, I say, and let me tell you."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It was late that evening, after a very long talk with Mr. Beverley, that +Lorna's father explained to her the circumstances that had cleared his +name.</p> + +<p>"David had no more embezzled the money than I, and, thank God, he has no +idea I ever distrusted him. When a further sum went, Mr. Fenton set a +trap,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> and discovered to his infinite grief that it was his own son who +had been robbing the firm. It practically broke him, and he has retired +from all active share in the business now. They packed young Fenton off +to New Zealand to try farming instead of finance, but he's not doing any +good there. Mr. Fenton, it seems, was most anxious to find me and right +the injustice done me, but I had hidden myself so well under an assumed +name in Naples that it was impossible for them to trace me. They +advertised in the Agony column of <i>The Times</i>, but I avoided English +papers, so never saw the advertisements. My efforts to escape notice +were only too successful, and, although I didn't know it, I was actually +defeating my own ends by my caution. If, as I intended, I had started +for a new continent, I might so completely have broken all links with my +old life that I might have gone to my grave in ignorance that my +innocence was proved. It was only the marvelous chance of this +afternoon's meeting that cleared up the tangle. I can look the world in +the face again, now, and not fear the sight of an Englishman. Oh, the +joy of having got one's honor back untarnished! Next best to that is to +know it was not my friend who had wronged me. The belief in his +treachery was half the bitterness of those dreadful years. Capri has +been a fortunate island for us, Lorna. It's truly called the 'Mascot of +Naples,' and I shall love it to the end of my days. I can take my old +name again now and be proud of it. You're Lorna<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> Houghten in future, not +Lorna Carson. What a triumph to write to our relations and tell them the +glorious news. I feel like a man let loose from slavery."</p> + +<p>To Lorna also this happy consummation of all their troubles seemed a +relief almost too great for expression. That Irene, her own Renie, +should be the daughter of her father's favorite friend, and therefore a +hereditary as well as a chosen chum, was a special delight, for it +welded the links that bound them together. The future shone rosy, and +she felt that wherever her life might be cast the Beverleys would always +remain part and parcel of it. Perhaps the triumph she appreciated most +of all was the introduction of her father to the Cameron Clan. No more +hiding in out-of-the-way corners and avoiding the very sound of a +British voice; henceforth they might hold up their heads with the rest +and take again their true position. She was proud of her father: now +that the black cloak of despair had dropped away from him, his old +happier nature shone out and he seemed suddenly ten years younger. To +present him into the intimate circle of her friends realized her dearest +wish.</p> + +<p>"It's been a wonderful week-end," said Peachy, standing with her girl +friends on the quay to wave good-by to the Monday morning steamer that +bore some of their relations back to Naples and business. "Here's Lorna +with a new name, and Renie with a fresh cousin. Haven't you heard? Why, +Captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> Preston popped the question last night, and he and Marjorie +announced their engagement at the breakfast table. Not the most romantic +place to glean up congratulations, but, of course, that's just as you +think about it. When <i>I</i> get engaged it shall be announced by moonlight, +so that I can hide my blushes. I don't ever want the holidays to end. +Capri's the dandiest place in Italy, and if Dad doesn't buy a villa here +I'll never forgive him. You want one too, Lorna? Hooray! We'll make a +Colony of Camellia Buds on the little island and spend the summer here. +We may be globe-trotters and all the rest of it, but I vote we get up a +good old Anglo-Saxon League and stick together for better or for worse. +I'll buy a Union Jack to-day if the Cameron Clan will promise to wave +the Stars and Stripes, and sing 'Yankee Doodle' with 'Auld Lang Syne.'"</p> + +<p>"We've welded America already into the clan, dear bairn," smiled Mrs. +Cameron. "No other visitor keeps us alive like you do."</p> + +<p>"Pronounce thy wishes, O Peach of the West," laughed Stewart. "We +rechristen thee Queen of the South."</p> + +<p>"Then I summon you all some day to come back to this, my kingdom by the +sea. School is school and I've got to have another term there, but I +want to feel this happy island is waiting for us to return to it. You +promise? Thanks! Here's a new version then of the old song—composed by +Miss Priscilla Proctor, please!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Should auld adventures"> +<tr><td align='left'>'Should auld adventures be forgot</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And ne'er provoke a smile?</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Should auld adventures be forgot</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Upon this happy isle?</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For auld lang syne, my dears, for auld lang syne,</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We'll all return to Capri's shore for auld lang syne.'</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>H'm—a poor thing, but mine own!"</p> + +<p>"There are two of us at any rate who won't forget to come back," said +Lorna, linking her arm fondly in Irene's as they walked away from the +quay.</p> + + +<h2>THE END.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>The original text did not have a table of contents. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/20163-h/images/cover.jpg b/20163-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b488bf --- /dev/null +++ b/20163-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/20163-h/images/emblem.png b/20163-h/images/emblem.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0799f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/20163-h/images/emblem.png diff --git a/20163-h/images/gs01.jpg b/20163-h/images/gs01.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..812f13a --- /dev/null +++ b/20163-h/images/gs01.jpg diff --git a/20163-h/images/gs02.jpg b/20163-h/images/gs02.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb6a13e --- /dev/null +++ b/20163-h/images/gs02.jpg diff --git a/20163-h/images/gs03.jpg b/20163-h/images/gs03.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a99ef5e --- /dev/null +++ b/20163-h/images/gs03.jpg diff --git a/20163-h/images/gs04.jpg b/20163-h/images/gs04.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8f1f81 --- /dev/null +++ b/20163-h/images/gs04.jpg diff --git a/20163.txt b/20163.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bde5f91 --- /dev/null +++ b/20163.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8927 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Jolliest School of All, by Angela Brazil, +Illustrated by W. Smithson Broadhead + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Jolliest School of All + + +Author: Angela Brazil + + + +Release Date: December 22, 2006 [eBook #20163] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL*** + + +E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Emmy, and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/c/) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 20163-h.htm or 20163-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/6/20163/20163-h/20163-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/6/20163/20163-h.zip) + + + + + +THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL + +by + +ANGELA BRAZIL + +Author of +"The Luckiest Girl in the School," "The Princess of the +School," "A Popular School Girl," "Schoolgirl +Kitty," "Marjorie's Best Year," etc. + + + + + + + +A. L. Burt Company +Publishers New York +Published by arrangement with Frederick A. Stokes Co. +Printed in U. S. A. +Copyright, 1922, by +Frederick A. Stokes Company +All Rights Reserved + + + + + DEDICATED + TO + + THE MANY CHARMING AMERICAN + GIRLS WHOM I HAVE MET + + AND TO + + THOSE UNKNOWN SCHOOLGIRLS + OVER THE ATLANTIC TO WHOM + THIS LITTLE BOOK CARRIES MY + HEARTIEST GREETINGS + +[Illustration: "'YOU MEAN THINGS!' RAGED PEACHY" + +--_Page 124_] + + + + +CONTENTS + + chapter page + + I. Off to Italy 1 + II. The Villa Camellia 16 + III. Hail, Columbia! 27 + IV. A Secret Sorority 41 + V. Fairy Godmothers, Limited 52 + VI. Among the Olive Groves 66 + VII. Lorna's Enemy 81 + VIII. At Pompeii 93 + IX. Reprisals 113 + X. The School Carnival 126 + XI. Up Vesuvius 141 + XII. Tar and Feathers 156 + XIII. Peachy's Pranks 174 + XIV. The Villa Bleue 190 + XV. Peachy's Birthday 213 + XVI. Concerning Juniors 230 + XVII. The Anglo-Saxon League 243 + XVIII. Greek Temples 257 + XIX. In Capri 272 + XX. The Cameron Clan 287 + XXI. The Blue Grotto 303 + + + +THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL + + + + +CHAPTER I + +Off to Italy + + +In a top-story bedroom in an old-fashioned house in a northern suburb of +London, a girl of fourteen was kneeling on the floor, turning out the +contents of the bottom cupboards of a big bookcase. Her method of doing +so was hardly tidy; she just tossed the miscellaneous assortment of +articles down anywhere, till presently she was surrounded by a mixed-up +jumble of books, papers, paint-boxes, music, chalks, pencils, foreign +stamps, picture post-cards, crests, balls of knitting wool, skeins of +embroidery silk, and odds and ends of all kinds. She groaned as the +circle grew wider, yet the apparently inexhaustible cupboards were still +uncleared. + +"Couldn't have ever believed I'd have stowed so many things away here. +And, of course, the one book I want isn't to be found. That's what +always happens. It's just my bad luck. Hello! Who's calling 'Renie'? I'm +here! _Here! In my bedroom!_ Don't yell the house down. Really, Vin, +you've got a voice like a megaphone! You might think I was on the top of +the roof. What d'you want now? _I'm busy!_" + +"So it seems," commented the fair-haired boy of seventeen, sauntering +into his sister's room and taking a somewhat insecure seat upon a fancy +table, where, with hands in pockets, he regarded her quizzically. "Great +Scott, what a turn out! You look like a magician in the midst of a magic +circle. Are you going to witch the lot into newts and toads? Whence this +thusness? You won't persuade me that it's a fit of neatness and you're +actually tidying. Doesn't exactly seem _you_, somehow!" + +"Hardly," replied Irene, with her head inside a cupboard. "Fact is, I'm +looking for my history book. I can't think where the wretched thing has +gone to. School begins to-morrow, and I haven't touched my holiday tasks +yet; and what Miss Gordon will say if I come without those exercises I +can't imagine. I'm sure I flung all my books into this cupboard, and, of +course, here's the chemistry, which I don't want, but never so much as a +single leaf of the history. Don't grin! You aggravate me. I believe +you've taken it away to tease me. Have you? Confess now! It's in your +pocket all the time?" + +Irene looked eagerly at the bulging outline of her brother's coat, but +her newly formed hopes were doomed to disappointment. + +"Never seen it! What should _I_ want with your old history book? I've +finished for good with such vanities, thank the Fates!" + +"Don't rub it in. It's a beastly shame _you_ should be allowed to leave +school while _I_ must go slaving on at Miss Gordon's. Ugh! How I hate +the place! The idea of going back there to-morrow! It's simply +appalling. A whole term of dreary grind, and only a fortnight's holiday +at the end of it. Miss Gordon gives the _stingiest_ holidays. If my +fairy godmother could appear and grant me a wish I should choose never, +never, _never_ to see St. Osmund's College in all my life again. I'd ask +her to wave her magic wand and transport me over the sea." + +Irene spoke hotly, flinging books about with scant regard for their +covers. Her slim hands were dusty, and her short, yellow hair as ruffled +as her temper. There was even a suspicion of moisture about the corners +of her gray eyes. She rubbed them surreptitiously with a ball of a +handkerchief when her head happened to be inside the cupboard. She did +not wish Vincent to witness this phase of her emotions. + +"Every girl ought to be provided with a decent fairy godmother," she +gulped. "If mine did her duty she'd come to rescue me now. Yes, she +would, and be quick about it too!" + +How very seldom in the course of an ordinary life such wishes are +granted! Not once surely in a million times! Yet at that identical +moment, almost as if in direct answer to her daughter's vigorous tirade, +Mrs. Beverley entered the room. There was a sparkle of excitement in her +eyes, and her whole atmosphere seemed to radiate news. She ran in as +joyously as a girl, clapping her hands and evidently brimming over with +something she was about to communicate. + +"Why, Mums! Mums--darling! What's the matter?" asked Irene. "You look as +if you'd had a fortune left you. Tell us at once." + +"Not quite a fortune, but next best to it," said Mrs. Beverley, sitting +down on the end of the sofa. "Daddy says I may tell you now, bairns. It +has all happened so suddenly, and has been arranged in a rush. You +remember Dad mentioning a few weeks ago that Mr. Southern, the firm's +representative in Naples, was very ill? Well, Mr. Fenton has decided to +send Dad to Italy to take his place, for a year at any rate, and perhaps +longer. We're to start in a fortnight." + +Such a stupendous announcement required a little realizing. Vincent +removed his hands from his pockets. + +"You don't mean to say we're _all_ going?" he inquired. "Jemima! Leaving +London fogs and toddling off to Italy? Materkins, you take my breath +away! How's the whole business to be fixed up so soon?" + +"Quite easily. We shall let this house, just as it is, to Mr. Atherton, +who will come from the Norfolk branch to fill Father's post in London. +We are to rent Mr. Southern's flat in Naples, while he takes a voyage +round the world to try to regain his health. Dad means to put you into +his office in Naples, Vin. Don't look so aghast! It's high time you +started, and it will be a splendid opening for you. And as for Renie--of +course she's too young to leave school yet----" + +"Mums! Mums!" interrupted an agonized voice, as Irene took a flying leap +over her circle of books and, plumping herself on the sofa, clutched +tightly at her mother's sleeve. "You're not going to leave me behind at +Miss Gordon's? You _couldn't_! Oh, I'd die! Mums darling, please! If the +family's going to jaunt abroad I've got to jaunt too! Say yes, quick, +quick!" + +"What a little tempest you are! Cheer up! We'd never any intention of +deserting you. We'll stick together for a while at any rate, though when +we arrive in Naples you'll be packed off to a boarding-school, Madam, so +I give you fair warning." + +"An Italian school?" + +Irene's gray eyes were round with horror. + +"No, an Anglo-American school for English-speaking girls. Do you +remember that charming Mr. Proctor who stayed with us last year on his +way from New York to Naples? His daughter is at this school, and he +strongly recommended it. It seems just exactly the place for you, Renie. +It will solve a great problem if we can educate you out there. It would +have complicated matters very much if we had been obliged to leave you +in England. As it is you'll be quite near to Naples, and can come home +for all your holidays." + +"Hooray! Then I'm not to go to Miss Gordon's again?" + +"As we start in a fortnight it's not worth while your beginning a fresh +term at St. Osmund's." + +"Then I needn't bother to find the hateful old history book. I'm _so_ +glad I didn't do those wretched holiday tasks--they'd just have been +sheer waste. Mums, I'm so excited! May I begin and pack for Italy now? I +can't wait." + +For the next two weeks great confusion reigned in the Beverley +household. It is no light matter to decide what you need to take abroad, +what you wish to lock up at home, and to leave your establishment in +apple-pie order for the use of strangers. Inventories of furniture, +linen, blankets, and china had to be written and checked, a rigorous +selection made of the things to be packed, and the luggage cut down to +the limits prescribed by the railway companies. Poor Mrs. Beverley was +nearly worn out when at last the overflowing boxes were fastened, the +bags and hold-alls were strapped, and the taxis, which were to take them +to the station, arrived at the door. Tears stood in her eyes as she +crossed the threshold of her own house. + +"It's a tremendous wrench!" she fluttered. + +"Never mind, Mums!" consoled Irene, linking her arm in her mother's. +"It's an adventure, and we all want to go. You'll love it when we're +once off. No, don't look back: it's unlucky! Your bag's in the cab; I +saw Jessie put it in. Hooray for Italy, say I, and a good riddance to +smoky old London! In another couple of days we shall be down south and +turning into Romeos and Juliets as fast as we can. You'll see Dad +learning a guitar and strumming it under your balcony, and serenading +you no end." + +"Hardly at his time of life!" said Mrs. Beverley; but the joke amused +her, she wiped her eyes, and, as Irene had hoped and intended, stepped +smiling into the waiting taxi, and left her old home with laughter +instead of with tears. + +In her fourteen years of experience Irene had traveled very little, so +the migration to Italy was a fairy journey so far as she was concerned. +To catch the boat express they had made an early start, and they +breakfasted in the train between London and Dover. It was fun to sit in +comfortable padded armchairs, eating fish or ham and eggs, and watching +the landscape whirling past; fun to see the deft-handed waiters nipping +about with trays or teacups; and fun to observe the occupants of the +other tables in the car. There was a fat, good-natured Frenchman who +amused Irene, a languid English lady who annoyed her, an elderly +gourmand who excited her disgust, and a neighboring party, one member of +which at least aroused her interest and caused her to cast cautious side +glances in the direction of the next table. This center of attraction +was a small girl about eight or nine years of age, a dainty elfin little +person with bewitching blue eyes and a mop of short, flaxen curls. She +was evidently well used to traveling, for she would lift a tiny finger +to summon the waiter, and gave him her orders with all the +_savoir-faire_ of an experienced diner-out. Perhaps her clear-toned +treble voice was a trifle too high-pitched for the occasion, and would +have been better had it been duly modulated, but her parents seemed +proud of her conversational powers and allowed her to talk for the +benefit of anybody within ear-shot. That she excited comment was +manifest, for many looks were turned to her corner. The criticisms on +her were complimentary or the reverse. "Isn't she perfectly _sweet_?" +gushed a young lady at Irene's left. "Sweet? She ought to be in the +nursery instead of showing off here!" came a tart voice in reply, from +some one whose face was invisible but whose back and shoulders expressed +an attitude of strong disapproval. "Hope we shan't be boxed up with her +in the same carriage to Paris! I vote we give her a wide berth at +Calais." + +Irene laughed softly. The little flaxen-haired girl attracted her; she +felt she would have gravitated towards her compartment rather than have +avoided her. But traveling companions were evidently more a matter of +chance than choice, for the crowd that turned out of the train at Dover +became mixed and mingled like the colored bits of glass in a +kaleidoscope. Irene realized that for the moment the one supreme and +breathless object in life was to cling to the rest of her family, and +not to get separated from them or lost, as they pushed through narrow +barriers, showed tickets and passports, traversed gangways, and finally +found themselves on board the Channel steamer bound for France. Father, +who had made the crossing many times, scrambled instantly for +deck-chairs, and installed his party comfortably in the lee of a funnel, +where they would be sheltered from the wind. Mrs. Beverley, who had +inspected the ladies' saloon below, sank on her seat, and tucked a rug +round her knees with a sigh of relief. + +"It will be the 'Black Hole of Calcutta' downstairs," she remarked. "I'd +rather stay on deck however cold it is. The mother of the wee +yellow-haired lassie is lying down already, evidently prepared to be +ill. The stewardess says we shall have a choppy passage. She earns her +tips, poor woman! Thanks, Vincent! Yes, I'd like the air-cushion, +please, and that plaid out of the hold-all. No, I won't have a biscuit +now; I prefer to wait till we get on terra firma again." + +Irene, sitting warmly wrapped up on her deck-chair, watched the white +cliffs of Dover recede from her gaze as the vessel left the port and +steamed out into the Channel. It was the last of "Old England," and she +knew that much time must elapse before she would see the shores of her +birthplace again. What would greet her in the foreign country to which +she was going? New sights, new sounds, new interests--perhaps new +friends? The thought of it all was an exhilaration. Others might seem +sad at a break with former associations, but as for herself she was +starting a fresh life, and she meant to get every scrap of enjoyment out +of it that was practically possible. + +The stewardess had prophesied correctly when she described the voyage as +"choppy." The steamer certainly pitched and tossed in a most +uncomfortable fashion, and it was only owing to the comparative +steadiness of her seat amidships that Irene escaped that most wretched +of complaints, _mal de mer_. She sat very still, with rather white +cheeks, and refused Vincent's offers of biscuits and chocolates: her +sole salvation, indeed, was not to look at the heaving sea, but to keep +her eyes fixed upon the magazine which she made a pretense of reading. +Fortunately the Dover-Calais crossing is short, and, before Neptune had +claimed her as one of his victims, they were once more in smooth waters +and steaming into harbor. + +Then again the kaleidoscope turned, and the crowd of passengers +remingled and walked over gangways, and along platforms and up steep +steps, and jostled through the Customs, and said "_Rien a declarer_" to +the officials, who peeped inside their bags to find tea or tobacco, and +had their luggage duly chalked, and showed their passports once more, +and finally, after a bewildering half-hour of bustle and hustle, found +themselves, with all their belongings intact, safely in the train for +Paris. Irene had caught brief glimpses of the child whom she named +"Little Flaxen," whose mother, in a state of collapse, had been almost +carried off the vessel, but revived when she was on dry land again: a +maid was in close attendance, and two porters were stowing their piles +of hand-luggage inside a specially reserved compartment. "The cross lady +won't be boxed up with them at any rate," said Irene. "I saw her get in +lower down the train." + +It was dark when they arrived in Paris, so Irene had only a confused +impression of an immense railway station, of porters in blue blouses, of +a babel of noise and shouting in a foreign language which seemed quite +different from the French she had learned at school, of clinging very +closely to Father's arm, of a drive through lighted streets, of a hotel +where dinner was served in a salon surrounded by big mirrors, then bed, +which seemed the best thing in the world, for she was almost too weary +to keep her eyes open. + +"If every day is going to be like this we shall be tired out by the time +we reach Naples," she thought, as she sank down on her pillow. +"Traveling is the limit." + +Eleven hours of sleep, however, made a vast difference in her attitude +towards their long journey. When she came downstairs next morning she +was all eagerness to see Paris. + +"We have the whole day here," said Mrs. Beverley, "so we may as well +get as much out of it as we can. Daddy has business appointments to +keep, but you and I and Vin, Renie, will take a taxi and have a look at +some of the sights, won't we?" + +"Rather!" agreed the young people, hurrying over their coffee and rolls. + +"I wouldn't miss Paris for worlds," added Vincent; "only don't spend the +whole time inside shops, Mater. That's all this fellow bargains for." + +"We'll compromise and make it half and half," laughed Mother. + +A single day is very brief space in which to see the beauties of Paris, +but the Beverleys managed to fit a great deal into it, and to include +among their activities a peep at the Louvre, a drive in the Bois de +Boulogne, a visit to Napoleon's Tomb, half an hour in a cinema, and a +rush through several of the finest and largest shops. + +"It's different from London--quite!" decided Irene, at the end of the +jaunt. "It's lighter and brighter, somehow, and the streets are wider +and have more trees planted in them. It's a terrible scurry, and I +should be run over if I tried to cross the street. The shops aren't any +better than ours really, though they make more fuss about them. The +little children and the small pet dogs are adorable. The cinema was +horribly disappointing, because they were all American films, not French +ones; but that light that falls from the domed roof down on to +Napoleon's tomb was worth coming across the Channel to see. Yes, Mummie +dear, I thoroughly like Paris. I'm only sorry we have to leave it so +soon." + +The train for Rome was to start at nine o'clock in the evening, and +immediately after dinner the Beverleys made their way to the station. It +would be a thirty-eight hour journey, and they had engaged two sleeping +compartments, _wagon-lits_ as they are called on the Continental +express. Mrs. Beverley and Irene were to share one, and Mr. Beverley and +Vincent the other. The beds were arranged like berths on board ship, and +Irene, who occupied the upper one, found, much to her amusement, a +little ladder placed in readiness for her climb aloft. + +"I don't need to use _that_!" she exclaimed, scrambling up with the +agility gained in her school gymnasium. "How silly of the conductor to +put it for me." + +"How could the poor man tell who was to occupy the berth! You might have +been a fat old lady for anything he knew!" replied Mrs. Beverley, +settling herself on the mattress below. + +It was a funny sensation to lie in bed in the jolting train, and Irene +slept only in snatches, waking frequently to hear clanking of chains, +shrieking of engines, shouting of officials at stations, and other +disturbing noises. As dawn came creeping through the darkness she drew +the curtain aside and looked from the window. What a glorious sight met +her astonished gaze! They were passing over the Alps, and all around +were immense snow-covered mountains, great gorges full of dark fir +forests, and rushing streams of green glacier water. It was very cold, +and she was glad to pull her rug up, and later to drink the hot coffee +which the _conducteur_ made on a spirit-lamp in the corridor and brought +to those who had ordered it overnight. + +Irene never forgot that long journey on the Continental express. The +sleeping compartments became sitting-rooms by day, for the berths turned +into sofas, and a table was unfolded, where it would have been possible +to write or sew if she had wished. She could do nothing, however, but +stare at the landscape; the snow-capped mountains and the great ravines +and gorges were a revelation in the way of scenery, and it was enough +occupation to look out of the window. Switzerland and Northern Italy +were a dream of wild, rugged beauty, but she woke on the following +morning to find the train racing among olive groves and orange trees, +and to catch glimpses of gay, unknown, wild flowers blooming on the +railway banks. Here and there were stretches of the blue Mediterranean; +and oxen and goats in the fields gave a vivid foreign aspect to the +country. Everything--trees, houses, landscape, and people--seemed +unfamiliar and un-English, yet strangely fascinating. The bright land +with its sunshine appeared to be welcoming her. + +"I shall like it! I shall like it! I shall like it!" said Irene to +herself, hanging out of the open window of their compartment and +watching some picturesque children who were waving a greeting to the +train. "I _know_ I shall like it!" + +"Put your hat on and strap up your hold-all," said Father's voice in +the corridor outside. "Everybody else has luggage ready, and in another +ten minutes or so we shall be in Rome." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +The Villa Camellia + + +The Beverleys did not break their journey in Rome, but merely changed +trains and pushed on southward. Irene was sorry at the time not to see +the imperial city, but afterwards she was glad that her first impression +of an Italian town should have been of Naples. Naples! Is there any +place like it in the whole world? Irene thought not, as she stood on her +veranda next morning and gazed across the blue bay to where Vesuvius was +sending a thin column of smoke into the cloudless sky. Below her lay the +public gardens, in which spring flowers were blooming, though it was +only the end of January, and beyond was a panorama of white houses, +green shutters, palm trees, picturesque boats, and a quay thronged with +traffic. To that harbor and that blue stretch of sea she was bound this +very day, for Father and Mother had arranged to take her straight to her +new school, and leave her there before they established themselves in +their flat. + +"We haven't any time for sightseeing at present, dear," said Mrs. +Beverley, when Irene begged for at least a peep at the streets of +Naples. "We must put off these jaunts until the Easter holidays. The +term has begun at the Villa Camellia, and you ought to set to work at +your lessons at once. Don't pull such a doleful face. Be thankful you're +going to school in such a glorious spot. We might have left you at Miss +Gordon's." + +"I'd have run away and followed you somehow, Mums darling! I don't mind +being a few miles off, but I couldn't bear to feel the Channel and the +whole of France and Switzerland and Italy lay between us. It's too far." + +"Yes, our little family quartette is rather inseparable," agreed Mother. +"It's certainly nice to think that we're all 'within hail.'" + +The school, recommended to Mr. and Mrs. Beverley by their American +friend, Mr. Proctor, was situated at the small town of Fossato, not far +from Naples. The easiest way of getting there was by sea, so Irene's +luggage was wheeled down to the quay, and the family embarked on a +coasting steamer. Father and Mother were, of course, taking her, and +Vincent accompanied them, because they could not leave him alone in a +strange city. + +"It will be your last holiday though, young man," said Mr. Beverley +jokingly, "so make the most of it. To-morrow you must come with me to +the office and start your new career. I don't know whether the Villa +Camellia observes convent rules, and whether you will be admitted. If +not, you must wait outside the gate while we see Miss Rodgers." + +"Oh, surely she wouldn't be so heartless?" + +"That remains to be seen. In a foreign country the regulations are +probably very strict." + +The Beverleys were not the only British people on board the steamer. +Parties of tourists were going for the day's excursion, and as much +English as Italian or French might be heard spoken among the passengers. +Two groups, who sat near them on deck, attracted Irene's attention. The +central figure of the one was a girl slightly taller than herself--a +girl with a long, pointed nose, dark, hard, bright eyes, penciled +eyebrows, beautiful teeth, and a nice color. She was talking in a loud +and affected voice, and laying down the law on many topics to several +amused and smiling young naval officers who were of the party. An elder +girl, like her but with a sweeter mouth and softer eyes, seemed to be +trying to restrain her, and occasionally exclaimed, "Oh, Mabel!" at some +more than ordinary sally of wit; but the younger girl talked on, posing +in rather whimsical attitudes, and letting her roving glance stray over +the tourists close by, as if judging the effect she was making upon +them. + +"She's showing off," decided Irene privately. "Is that 'Villa Camellia' +on the label of her bag? I hope to goodness she's not going to school +with me. Hello! Who's that talking English on the other side? Why, +Little Flaxen for all the world! What's she followed us down here for?" + +The small, fair-haired girl, whom they had seen in the train to Dover, +was undoubtedly claiming public notice on their right. Her high-pitched, +childish voice was descanting freely about everything she saw, and +people smiled at her quaint questions and comments. Her mother, still +very pale and languid, made no effort to silence her, and her father +seemed rather to encourage her, and to exploit her remarks for the +entertainment of several gentlemen friends. + +A little bored by the evident self-advertisement of these rival belles, +Irene moved away with Vincent to a quieter corner of the deck. She was +to see more of them soon, however. They both disembarked when the +steamer reached Fossato, their luggage was piled upon the carriages, and +she watched them drive away up the steep, narrow road that led into the +town. + +The Beverleys had decided to have an early lunch at the hotel by the +quay before taking Irene to school. It was their last meal together, so +she was allowed to choose the menu, and regaled the family on hitherto +unknown Italian dishes, winding up with coffee, ices, and chocolates. + +"I'm glad you don't cater for us every day, Renie, or I should soon be +ruined," said Father, as the waiter brought him the bill. "Now are you +ready? If we don't hurry and get you up quickly to school we shall miss +the boat back to Naples. Another package of chocolates! You +unconscionable child! Well, put it in your pocket and console yourself +with it at bedtime. The concierge says our _vetturino_ is waiting--not +that any Italian coachman minds doing that! All the same, time is short +and we had better make a start." + +In that first drive through the narrow, steep, stone-paved streets of +Fossato Irene was too excited to take in any details except a general +impression of rich, foreign color and high, white walls. Afterwards, +when she came to know the town better, she realized its subtler points. +She felt as one in a dream when the carriage turned through a great +gate, and passed along an avenue of orange trees to a large, square +house, color-washed pink, and approached by a flight of marble steps. +What happened next she could never clearly recall. She remembered the +agony of a short wait in the drawing-room until Miss Rodgers arrived, +how the whole party, including Vincent, were shown some of the principal +rooms of the house, an agitated moment of good-by kisses, then the sound +of departing wheels, and a sudden overwhelming sensation that, for the +first time in her life, she was alone in a foreign land. Foreign and yet +familiar, for the Villa Camellia was a skillful combination of the best +out of several countries. Its setting was Italian, its decorations were +French, and its fifty-six pupils were all unmistakably and undoubtedly +Anglo-Saxon. Irene was assured on this point immediately, for Miss +Rodgers, calling to a girl who was passing down the corridor, gave the +newcomer into her charge with instructions to take her straight to the +senior recreation room. + +"Our afternoon classes begin at 2.30," she remarked, "but you will have +just ten minutes in which to be introduced to some of your +schoolfellows. Elsie Craig will show you everything." + +Elsie made no remark to Irene--perhaps she was shy--but, starting off at +a quick pace, led her down a long passage into a room on the ground +floor. It was a pleasant room with a French window that opened out on to +a veranda, where, over a marble balustrade, there was a view of an +orange garden and the sea. Round a table were collected several older +girls, watching with deep interest a kettle, which was beginning to +sing, upon a spirit-lamp. They looked up with surprise as Elsie ushered +in the new pupil. + +"Hello! You don't mean to tell us there's another of them!" exclaimed a +dark girl with a long pigtail. "We've had two already! Why are they +pouring on us to-day, I should like to know? It's a perfect deluge." + +"I hate folks butting in when the term has begun," said another +grumpily. + +"We shall be swamped with 'freshies' soon," grunted the owner of the +spirit-lamp. "If they expect coffee I tell them beforehand they just +won't get it." + +"She says her name's Irene Beverley," volunteered Elsie Craig, in a +perfunctory voice, as if she were performing an obvious duty and getting +it over. + +"Oh, indeed!" + +"Well, now we know, so there's an end of it." + +It could hardly be called a flattering reception. The general attitude +of the girls was the reverse of friendly. The kettle was suddenly +boiling, and they were concentrating their attention upon the making of +the coffee, and rather ostentatiously leaving the stranger outside the +charmed circle. Irene, used to school life, knew, however, that she was +on trial, and that on her present behavior would probably depend the +whole of her future career. She did not attempt to force her unwelcome +presence upon her companions, but, withdrawing to the window, pretended +to be utterly absorbed in contemplation of the scenery. She kept the +corner of her eye, nevertheless, upon the group at the table. The girl +with the long pigtail had made the coffee and was pouring it into cups. +A shorter girl nudged her and whispered something, at which she shook +her head emphatically. But the short girl persisted. + +"I'm superstitious," affirmed the latter aloud. "One's for sorrow, two's +for joy, and three's for luck! She's the third to-day and she may be a +mascot." + +"I'd rather have chocolates than mascots," said an injured voice from +behind a coffee-cup. + +The chance remark gave Irene the very opportunity she needed. She +suddenly remembered the chocolates her father had handed her before she +left the hotel, and, producing the package, she offered its contents. +After a visible moment of hesitation the girl with the long pigtail +accepted her hospitality, and passed the delicacies round. Instantly all +were chumping almonds, and the icy atmosphere thawed into summer. +Everybody began to talk at once. + +"There's a spare cup here if you'd like some coffee. Yes, Rachel, I +_shall_ offer it!" + +"I suppose you're over fourteen?" + +"We may make coffee after lunch if we're seniors, but the kids aren't +allowed any." + +"You've just one minute to drink it in before the bell rings." + +"Hustle up if you want to finish it." + +"I'll bet a cookie you're a real sport." + +"There's the bell! Don't choke or you'll blight your young career." + +"We've got to scoot quick!" + +"Come along with me and I'll show you where." + +Irene, taken in tow by a girl with a freckled nose, was hurried along +the corridor and up the stairs to the classrooms. Although she had +scarcely spoken a word she had undoubtedly gained a victory, and had +established her welcome among at least a section of her schoolfellows. +She did not yet know their names, but names are a detail compared with +personalities, and with some members of the coffee-party she felt that +she might ultimately become chums. + +"Don't I bless Dad for those chocs!" she thought as she took her seat +at a desk. "They worked the trick. If I'd had nothing to offer that crew +I might have sat out in the cold forevermore. The dark pigtail is decent +enough, but if it comes to a matter of chumming give me 'Freckles' for +choice." + +The Villa Camellia was a high-class boarding-school for +English-speaking girls whose parents were residents, permanently or +temporarily, in the neighborhood of Naples. It was generally described +as an Anglo-American college, for the arrangements were accommodated to +suit the customs of both sides of the Atlantic. Miss Rodgers and her +partner, Miss Morley, the two principals, came respectively from London +and New York; one teacher had been trained in Boston, and another at +Oxford, while the British section of the community included girls from +South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Pupils belonging to other +European races were not received, the object of the college being to +preserve the nationality of girls who must of necessity be educated in a +foreign land, and whose parents did not wish them to attend Italian +schools. The arrangements were of course modified by the climate and by +the customs of the country. Outwardly the Villa Camellia resembled a +convent. Its garden was surrounded by immensely high walls edged with +broken glass, and the only entrance was by the great gate, which was +solemnly unlocked by old Antonio, the porter, who inspected all comers +through a grille before granting them admittance. Small parties in +charge of a teacher were taken at stated times for walks or excursions +in the neighborhood, but no girl might ever go out unless escorted by a +mistress or by her parents. The Villa Camellia was a little world in +itself, and as much retired from the town of Fossato as the great, gray +monastery that crowned the summit of the neighboring mountain. + +Fortunately the grounds were very large, so there was room for most of +the activities in which the girls cared to indulge. Tennis and netball +were the principal games. There were several courts, and there was a +gymnasium, where the school assembled for exercise on wet days. From two +flagstaffs on the roof floated the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes +respectively. It was an understood fact that here Britannia and Columbia +marched hand in hand with an _entente cordiale_ that recognized no +distinctions whatsoever. + +Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley, who respectively represented the +interests of Britain and America, were tremendous friends. Miss Rodgers +was fair and rather plump and rosy-faced and calm, with a manner that +parents described as "motherly," and a leaning towards mathematics as +the basis of a sound education. Miss Morley, on the contrary, was thin +and dark and excitable, and taught the English literature and the +general knowledge classes, and was rumored--though this no doubt was +libel--to dislike mathematics to the extent of not even adequately +keeping her own private accounts. The pair were such opposites that they +worked in absolute harmony, Miss Rodgers being mainly responsible for +the discipline of the establishment, and acting judge and court of +appeal in her study, while Miss Morley supplied the initiative, and kept +the girls interested in a large number of pursuits and hobbies which +could be carried on within the walls of the house and garden. + +As regards the fifty-six British and American maidens who made up this +brisk little community we will leave some of them to speak for +themselves in the next chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +Hail, Columbia! + + +Irene, finding herself in her new form, looked round inquiringly. A few +of the girls with whom she had taken coffee were seated at desks in the +same room, but the rest of the faces were unfamiliar. Her teacher +entered her name on the register, and seemed to expect her to understand +the lesson which was in progress, but the subject was much in advance of +what she had hitherto learned at Miss Gordon's, and it was very +difficult for her to pick up the threads of it. She grew more and more +bewildered as the afternoon passed on, and though Miss Bickford gave her +several hints, and even stopped the class once to explain a point, Irene +felt that most of the instruction had been completely over her head. It +was with a sense of intense relief that she heard the closing bell ring, +and presently filed with the rest of the school into the dining-room for +tea. Her place at table was between two girls who utterly ignored her +presence, and did not address a single remark to her. Each talked +diligently to the neighbor on either side, but poor Irene seemed an +insulator in the electric current of conversation, and had perforce to +eat her meal in dead silence. She was walking away afterwards in a most +depressed condition of mind, when at the door some one touched her on +the arm. + +"You're wanted in the senior recreation room," said a brisk voice. +"Rachel has convened a general meeting and told me to tell you. So hurry +up and don't keep folks waiting. We want to get off to tennis." + +Marveling why her actions should hinder the tennis of the rest of the +community, Irene obeyed the message, and presented herself in the room +where she had been introduced on her arrival. It was now full of girls +of all ages, some sitting, some standing, and some squatting on the +floor. Rachel Moseley, the owner of the long dark pigtail, seemed in a +position of command, for she motioned Irene to a vacant chair, then +rapped on the table with a ruler to ensure silence. She had to tap not +once but several times, and finally called: + +"When you've all done talking I'll begin." There was an instant hush at +that, and, though a few faint snickers were heard, most of the audience +composed itself decently to listen to the voice of authority. + +"I've called this meeting," began Rachel, "because to-day an unusual +thing has happened. Three new girls have arrived, although the term is +well under way. By the rules of our society they must give some account +of themselves, and we must explain what is required from them. Will they +kindly stand up?" + +Blushing considerably Irene rose to her feet, in company with the +dark-eyed damsel who had crossed in the same steamer with her from +Naples, and the fair-haired child whom she had privately christened +Little Flaxen. + +"Name and nationality?" demanded Rachel, pencil and note-book in hand. +She wrote down Irene Beverley, British, without further comment; the +fact was evidently too obvious for discussion. At "Mabel Hughes, +Australian, born in Patagonia," she demurred slightly, and she hesitated +altogether at "Desiree Legrand." + +"_That's_ not English!" she objected. "We don't reckon to take Frenchies +here, you know!" + +"But I'm _not_ French," came the high-pitched voice of the little, +fair-haired girl. "I'm as English as anybody. I am _indeed_!" + +"Then why have you got a French name?" + +"Legrand isn't French--we come from Jersey." + +"Very much on the borderland," sniffed Rachel. "What about Desiree? Not +much wholesome Anglo-Saxon there at any rate." + +"I was called Desiree because I was so very much desired. Mother says it +just fits me." + +An indignant titter went round the room and Rachel frowned. + +"I'm afraid you won't find yourself so much desired here," she said +sarcastically. "I'll enter you British, though I have my doubts. Now +come along, all three of you, and lay your hands on this book. You've +got to take an oath of allegiance. I'll repeat the words, and you must +say them after me: + +"'I hereby promise and vow that being of Anglo-Saxon birth I will uphold +the integrity of Great Britain and her colonies and of the United States +of America, and strive my utmost to maintain their credit in a foreign +land.' Now then, do you understand what your oath means?" + +Her eyes rested on Irene as she asked the question. That much +embarrassed damsel stuttered hesitatingly: + +"We're not to trouble our heads about learning foreign languages?" + +A delighted chuckle came from several members of the audience at this +interpretation of the vow. Rachel hastily condescended to explain. + +"Oh, no! You'll have to study French and Italian, but what we mean is +for goodness' sake don't stick on all the airs and graces that some of +these foreign girls do. Remember we're plain, wholesome, straightforward +Anglo-Saxons, who play games and say what we mean, and call a spade a +spade and have done with it. Whatever Italian friends you may make +during the holidays please forget them during term-time, and try and +imagine that the Villa Camellia stands in Kent or Massachusetts. Do you +understand my drift now?" + +"Oh, yes!" sighed Mabel languidly. "Anglo-American patriotism, +crystallized in a nutshell, I suppose! _I'm_ not going to offend your +prejudices, I'm sure!" + +"You'd better not, or you'll hear about it," said Rachel, looking at her +sharply. "Well, girls, that's the wind-up. The three freshies are +admitted and you've witnessed their vows. Just jolly well take care they +keep them, that's all. Juniors are due now at netball practice, and any +seniors who want the tennis courts----" + +But Rachel's sentence went unfinished for her listeners were tired of +sitting still, and the second they found themselves dismissed had jumped +up and fled from the room. + +"Now that that ordeal's over I guess you may smooth out the kinks in +your forehead, honey!" said a serene voice at Irene's elbow. + +Turning quickly she saw the short girl who had braved Rachel's possible +wrath and had offered her coffee on her arrival. It was a pleasant face +that gazed into hers, not exactly beautiful, but with a charm that +eclipsed all mere ordinary prettiness; the sparkling gray eyes were +dark-fringed, the cheeks were like wild roses under their freckles, the +tip-tilted little nose held an element of audacious sauciness, and +dimples lay at the corners of the wide, smiling mouth. + +"I'm Priscilla Proctor, called Peachy for short. Oh, yes, I knew all +about you beforehand, although you happen to be the newest girl. Dad +wrote me a whole page--wonderful for him!--and said he'd stayed at your +house in London, and I was to tack myself on to you and show you round, +and see you didn't fret and all the rest of it. Are you wanting a crony, +temporary or otherwise? Then here I am at your service. Link an arm and +we'll parade the place. I guess by the time we've finished there's not +much you won't know about the Villa Camellia." + +"Have you been here long?" asked Irene, accepting the proffered arm with +alacrity, and submitting to be led away by her cicerone. + +"Just a year. Cried myself to a puddle when I first came, but I like it +now. I didn't realize who you were when you first arrived, or I'd have +given you a tip or two straight away. Thank goodness you're fairly in +favor with Rachel at any rate. Any one who starts by offending her has a +bad term. I don't envy Mabel Hughes. That girl will get a few +eye-openers before she's much older, and serve her right. She rooms with +you? Well, I'm sorry for you. I wish there was a spare bed in our +dormitory, but we're full up to overflowing. Now then, I've brought you +out by the side door to show you what we consider the best view of the +garden. Ah, I thought it would make your eyes pop out! It's _some_ view, +isn't it?" + +The garden of the Villa Camellia was certainly one of the greatest +assets of the school, and to Irene, who had been transported straight +from the desolation of a London suburb in January, it seemed like a +vision of a different world. The long terrace, with its marble +balustrade, edged a high cliff that overtopped the sea, while at present +the setting sun was lighting up the white houses of the distant outline +of Naples, and was touching the purple slopes of Vesuvius with gold. +Pillars and archways formed a pergola, from which hung roses and +festoons of the trumpetflower; from the groves near at hand came the +sweet strong scent of orange blossoms, and the little favorites of an +English spring, forget-me-nots, pink daisies, and pansies, lifted +contented heads from the border below. In the basin of the great marble +fountain white arum lilies were blooming, geraniums trailed from tall +vases, and palms, bamboos, and other exotics backed the row of lemon +trees at the end of the paved walk. Here and there marble benches were +arranged round tables in specially constructed arbors. + +"These are our summer classrooms," explained Peachy. "When it's +blazingly hot we do lessons here early in the mornings, and it's +ripping. No, we don't use them at this time of the year, because the +marble is cold to sit upon, and the garden is damp really, although it +looks so jolly. You should see it in a sirocco wind! You wouldn't want +to have classes outside then, you bet! It's luck you're in the +Transition form. If you'd been one of Miss Rodger's elect eleven, or one +of Miss Brewster's lambs, I'd have had to chum with you by stealth. I'd +have managed it somehow, of course, to please Dad, but it isn't done +here openly. School etiquette is like the law of the Medes and Persians. +We keep to our own forms. Hello! There's Sheila Yonge. Sheila! If you +can find any Camellia Buds that aren't playing tennis bring them along +right here for a little powwow with Irene." + +"Is she a 'buddy' yet?" whispered Sheila. + +"Of course not! She's only been here a few hours. What a dear old silly +you are. Hunt up some of that crew all the same, and I'm yours forever. +Don't you understand the situation? Well, Irene's folks entertained Dad +in London and were just lovely to him--nursed him when he was sick and +took him round the shows when he got well. He's been bursting with +gratitude ever since, and he wrote and told me Irene was coming here and +I must pay her out--no, pay her back--pour coals of fire on her +head--Great Scott, I'm getting my similes mixed! I mean give her a right +down good time as far as I can, and make her think the Villa Camellia is +a dandy place. Twiggez-vous, cherie?" + +"I twig!" laughed Sheila. "I'll beat up all I can muster," and she ran +lightly away along the terrace. + +"A decent girl, though a little hard of comprehension," Peachy nodded +after her. "Doesn't she look adorable in that blue tam-o'-shanter?" + +"She's awfully pretty!" agreed Irene readily. + +"She'd be the beauty of the school if she'd any idea how to use her +advantages," sighed Peachy. "Give me her complexion and that classical +nose and--well, I guess I'd blaze out into a cinema star before I'd done +with life. I hope she won't be all day raking a few girls together. +She's not what you'd call quick. I've misjudged her. Here she comes with +half a dozen at least--and, oh, no, Sheila! You don't mean to say you've +brought candy? Well, you _are_ a sport! Let's squat under the mimosa +tree and hand it round." + +The little group of Peachy's favorite friends who settled themselves +under the yellow mimosa bush to suck taffy and watch the flaming sunset +were all afterwards intimately bound up with Irene's school career. Each +was such a distinct personality that she sorted them out fairly +accurately on that first evening, and decided the particular order in +which they would rank in her affections. + +There was Jess Cameron, a jolly Scottish lassie. She rolled her r's +when she spoke, and was a trifle matter-of-fact and practical, but was +evidently the dependable anchor of the rest of the scatter-brained crew, +the one who made the most sensible suggestions, and to whom--though they +teased her a little and called her "Grannie"--they all turned in the end +for help and advice. Jess was slightly out of her element in a southern +setting. Her appropriate background was moorland and heather and gray +loch, and driving clouds and a breeze with fine mist in it, that would +make you want to wrap a plaid round your shoulders and turn to the +luxury of a peat fire. Quite unconsciously she suggested all these +things. Peachy once described her as a living incarnation of one of +Scott's novels, for she was steeped in old traditions and legends and +superstitions, and could tell tales in the gloaming that sent eerie +shivers down the spines of her listeners, or would recite ballads with a +swing that took one back to the days of wandering minstrels. She was not +a girl to make a fuss over anybody, and she did not greet Irene with the +least effusion, but her plain "If you're a friend of Peachy's I'm glad +to see you," was genuine, and better than any amount of gush. Jess +undoubtedly had her faults; she was what her chums called "too +cock-sure," and she was apt to be severe in her judgments, flashing into +the righteous wrath of one whose standards are high, but her very +imperfections were "virtues gane a-gley," and she was a considerable +force in the molding of public opinion at the Villa Camellia. + +If Jess, calm, canny, and reliable, stood for the spirit of the North, +attractive, persuasive, fascinating little Delia Watts represented the +South. She came from California, and was as quick and bright as a +humming-bird, constantly in harmless mischief, but seldom getting into +any serious trouble. Her highly strung temperament found school +restrictions irksome, and she was apt to blaze out into odd pranks which +in other girls might have met with sterner punishment. But Miss Morley +had a soft corner for Delia, and, though she did not exactly favor her, +she certainly made allowances for her excitability and her strongly +emotional disposition. + +"Delia's like a marionette--always dancing to some hidden string," the +teacher remarked once to Miss Rodgers. "She mayn't be strong-minded but +she's immensely warm-hearted, and if we can only pull the love-string +she'll act the part we want. You can't force her into prim behavior; +she's as much a child of nature as the birds, and if you clip her wings +altogether you take away from her the very gift that perhaps God meant +her to use. Let me have the handling of the little sky-rocket, and I'll +do my best to keep her within bounds, but she's not the disposition to +'be made an example of' or to be set on the 'stool of repentance.' Five +minutes with Delia in private is worth more than a long public +admonition. You've only to look at her face to know her type." + +And Miss Rodgers, who stood no nonsense from really naughty and +turbulent girls, yielded in this case, and left the exclusive management +of Delia in the hands of her partner. + +Of the seven damsels who sat under the yellow feathery flowers of the +mimosa bush, three of them--Peachy, Jess, and Delia--talked so hard and +continuously that none of the others had a chance to chip in with +anything more than an occasional yes or no. Irene realized in a vague +way that Esther Cartmel was plain and stodgy looking, but that every now +and then a world of light suddenly flashed into her eyes, and +transfigured her for the brief moment; that Sheila Yonge giggled at all +Peachy's remarks, and that Mary Fergusson was a pale and weak copy of +Jess, and slavishly followed her lead in everything. It was the seventh +member of the little party, however, who particularly attracted her +attention. Lorna Carson was quiet, probably from sheer lack of +opportunity to speak, but her pale face was interesting and her dark +eyes met Irene's with a curious questioning glance. It was almost as if +she were asking "Have we known each other before?" Irene could not help +looking at her, and ransacking the side cupboards of her memory to try +to light upon some forgotten clew as to why the face should seem half +familiar. + +"Have I seen her in London? Or is she like some one else? No, I can't +fix her at all. Surely I must have dreamed about her," mused Irene, +while aloud she said, almost as if compelled to speak: + +"Have you been long at school here? Are you English, or American, or +colonial, or what?" + +"A little bit of anything you like," smiled Lorna. "Rachel gets very +muddled about me. I've such a sneaking weakness for Naples that I +believe she thinks I'm an Italian at heart. That's a crime Rachel +absolutely can't forgive. 'Foreign' is the last word in her vocabulary." + +"So I gathered when she made me take that oath. I suppose she's head +girl and that's why she rules the roost? Is she decent or does she keep +you petrified? I don't know whether I'm expected to say 'Bow-wow,' or to +listen in respectful humility when she deigns to notice me." + +"You'd better not have any 'bow-wows' with Rachel," broke in Peachy, +"though you just jolly well have to wag your tail the way she wants. +She's not bad on the whole, but rather a tyrant, and it would do her all +the good in the world if some day somebody had the courage to knock +sparks out of her. We do what we can in a mild way," (here the other +chuckled) "but she's got the ears of both Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley, +and if you go on the rampage against her you only land yourself in a +scrape. Of course, for purposes of protection the Transition girls have +to unite and----" + +"Peachy! Take care!" exclaimed Jess warningly. + +Peachy blushed crimson under her freckles. + +"I wasn't telling anything!" she retorted. "I suppose Irene----" + +"_Do_ shut up!" + +"Well Agnes said herself----" + +"It doesn't matter what Agnes said." + +"She's fixed----" + +"Peachy Proctor, if you blab like this you'll be tarred and feathered. +Girl alive, can't you keep a still tongue in your head? If you'd lived +in the Middle Ages you'd have ended your days in a dungeon!" + +Jess spoke hotly, and, by the general scandalized look on the faces of +the others, Irene judged that luckless Peachy must have been on the +verge of betraying some secret. She tactfully turned the conversation +with a remark upon the beauty of the sunset, and the clanging of the +garden bell opportunely broke up the gathering, and sent the girls +hurrying helter-skelter along the terrace in the direction of the house. +Irene paused for a moment to look back at the sea and the sky, and the +distant twinkling lights, and to curtsy to the crescent moon that hung +like a good omen in the dome of blue. There was a scent of fragrant +lemon blossoms in the air, and she trod fallen rose petals under her +feet. Suddenly a remembrance of the desolation of Miss Gordon's garden +in a February fog swept across her mental vision. Whatever trials she +might encounter here--and she did not expect her new life to be absolute +Paradise--the environment of this school in the south was perfect and +would make up for many disadvantages. + +"Give me sunshine and flowers and I'll always worry on somehow," she +murmured, plucking a little crimson rose, and tucking it into her dress +for a mascot, then ran with flying footsteps under the orange trees to +catch up with her companions, who were already mounting the marble steps +that led to the Villa Camellia. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A Secret Sorority + +The dormitories at the Villa Camellia were among the main features of +the establishment, and were a source of considerable pride and +satisfaction to the principals, Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley. They were +always shown to parents as the very latest and newest development of +school arrangements. Some of them were on the second story and some were +on the third, but all had French windows opening onto long verandas on +which were placed large pots of geraniums or oleanders. The walls were +covered with striped Italian papers, the frieze being color-washed and +decorated with designs of flowers or birds, the woodwork was white, the +beds were enameled white, and the blankets, instead of being cream or +yellow as they are in England, were all of a uniform shade of pale blue, +with blue eider-downs to match. The whole of the house was heated by +radiators, so that the dormitories were always warm, and were used as +studies by the older girls, who did most of their preparation there. A +table with ink-pots stood in the middle of each room, and a large notice +enjoining, "Silence during study hours" hung as a warning over every +fireplace. + +Irene was given a vacant bed in No. 3 on the second floor, and found +herself in company with Elsie Craig, Mabel Hughes, and Lorna Carson. For +the first two she felt no attraction, but the last excited her interest +and curiosity. There was an air of mystery about Lorna; she asked +questions but gave little information in return on the subject of her +own concerns. Her bright dark eyes were unfathomable, and she "kept +herself to herself" with a reserved dignity not very common among +schoolgirls of her age. Irene, who loved to chatter, found Lorna a ready +listener, and, although the confidence was not reciprocated and in +consequence the friendship seemed likely to be rather one-sided, it was +a friendship all the same from the very start. At the end of the week, +moreover, something important happened to cement it. + +For the first seven days of her residence at the Villa Camellia Irene +had felt herself "goods on approval." Peachy Proctor and her chums had +indeed given her a welcome, but afterwards they had held back a little +as if testing her before offering further intimacy. There seemed to be +some secret bond amongst them, some alliance carefully hidden from the +general public. She caught nods, signs, mysterious words, and veiled +allusions, all of which were instantly suppressed when her presence was +noticed. On the eighth day after arrival she found a note inside her +desk. It was marked-- + + PRIVATE + + This must be opened in _absolute seclusion_ + + and + + its contents must be treated with the + + _Strictest Confidence_ + +A crowded classroom, with inquisitive form-mates ready to peep over her +shoulder, did not seem the congenial atmosphere for the opening of the +missive, so Irene was obliged to curb her curiosity until mid-morning +"interval," when she gulped her glass of milk hastily, took her portion +of biscuits, and, avoiding conversation, hurried down the garden to the +seclusion of a stone arbor. Here she tore open the envelope, and drew +forth a large sheet of exercise paper. On it was printed in bold black +letters: + +"You are elected a member of the Sorority of Camellia Buds. Please +present yourself for initiation to-night at 8.10 prompt in No. 13. +Strictest secrecy enjoined." + +There was no signature, but Irene gave a smile of comprehension. +Dormitory No. 13 was shared by Peachy Proctor, Jess Cameron, Delia +Watts, and Mary Fergusson. There was, therefore, little doubt but that +she was to be received into the secret society of whose existence she +had already gathered some hints. + +"I'll be there at 8.10," she whispered to Peachy, as they trooped into +the French class. + +"Right-o!" replied that light-hearted damsel. "Just one warning--don't +be scared at anything that happens; it's all in fun! Don't say I told +you, though. No, I can't explain. I'm not allowed. You'll soon find +out." + +Peachy shook off Irene's company as if in a hurry to get rid of her +before she asked any more questions, so there was nothing to be done but +wait in patience until the evening. Supper was at 7.30, and from 8 till +half past the girls did as they chose. Those who wished to study might +take the extra time for preparation, but work was not obligatory, and it +was an understood thing that in the interval between supper and "set +recreation" visits might be paid to other dormitories, and that so long +as no noise reached the ears of the prefects, anybody disposed to be +frivolous might indulge in a little harmless fun. + +Irene's wrist-watch was not a reliable timepiece, having bad habits of +galloping and then suddenly losing, so to-night she did not trust to it, +but sat in the hall with her eyes on the big white-faced clock. At +exactly nine and a half minutes past eight she ran upstairs and tapped +at the door of dormitory 13. There were sounds of scuffling inside and +an agitated voice squealed: + +"Wait a minute." + +But after a few moments quiet reigned and somebody else called: + +"Come in!" + +Feeling rather as if she were awaiting initiation into some Nihilist +association Irene entered the room. As she did so a bandage was clapped +over her eyes and she was led forward blindfolded. It was only after an +impressive pause that the handkerchief was removed. + +It was well she had been warned beforehand, or the sight which met her +gaze might have caused her to emit a yell loud enough to attract the +attention of a passing prefect. The Villa Camellia was admirably +supplied with electric light, but on this historic occasion the +apartment was illuminated solely by a couple of candle-ends stuck in a +pair of vases. Their flickering flame revealed a solemn row of nine +dressing-gowned figures, each of which wore a black paper mask with +holes for her eyes. The general effect was most startling and horrible, +and resembled a meeting of the Inquisition, or some other society bent +on torture and dark doings. Repressing her first gasp, however, Irene +bore the vision with remarkable equanimity, and advancing towards the +dread figures waited obediently until she was addressed. Evidently she +had done the right thing, for the spokeswoman, clearing her throat, +began in impressive accents: + +"Sister Irene Beverley, you are admitted here to-night to be made a +member of our Sorority. Are you willing to join and to take the +pledges?" + +"Yes, thanks, but please what's a sorority?" ventured Irene meekly. + +Two or three distinct snickers were heard from underneath the black +masks, but a voice murmured, "Order!" and the sounds promptly ceased. + +"A sorority is a secret sisterhood," explained the President, "just the +same as a fraternity is a brotherhood. We call ourselves 'The Camellia +Buds,' and we're members of the Transition who have banded ourselves +together for the purposes of mutual protection. It's a great honor to be +elected. There are only nine of us so far, and we've waited ever so long +to choose a tenth. I hope you appreciate the privilege?" + +"I do indeed!" + +"You're ready to take the vow? Then the initiation may proceed. +Sword-bearers, guard the door, please." + +There was a Masonic quality about the proceedings. Two dark figures, +armed with rulers, placed themselves at the threshold, prepared to +settle all intruders, and to preserve the absolute secrecy of the +ceremony. + +"Will you give your word of honor to be a loyal member of the Sorority +of Camellia Buds, and never to do a dirty trick so long as you remain at +this school?" asked the President. + +"I promise!" replied Irene. + +At that somebody switched on the electric light, and the members, +pulling off their black masks, disclosed their laughing faces. + +"You stood it A-1. I was quite prepared for you to start hysterics and +had the sal volatile bottle ready right here," chirruped Delia gayly. + +"We call it our 'strength of mind' test," explained President Agnes, +blowing out the guttering candles. + +"If I _had_ screamed what would have happened?" inquired Irene. + +"Probation for another week till you got your nerves. We'd a business +with Sheila just at first; she's rather fluttersome. Well, anyway, +you've got through the ordeal, and now you're a full-fledged 'bud.' +Aren't you proud?" + +"Rather! Is the society limited to ten?" + +"Sorority, please, not society. It's limited because there isn't anybody +else in the Transition who's worth asking to join. Most of them are a +set of utter sneaks. They may take Rachel's oath about preserving their +nationality and all the rest of it, but if they're to be counted +specimens of Anglo-American honor it makes one blush for one's mother +country whichever side of the ocean it happens to be on. Oh, you don't +know most of them yet! Wait till you find them out." + +"You'll be glad then you belong to us." + +"Not that we're perfect, of course." + +"We don't set up as Pharisees." + +"On the whole we're rather a lot of lunatics." + +"We just have a little sport among ourselves to keep things humming." + +"Well, now Irene understands, we'd best get her fixed up with a 'buddy' +and close the meeting." + +"But I _don't_ understand. What, for goodness' sake, is a buddy, and why +must I have one?" demanded Irene tragically. + +"Sit down there, child, and let Grannie talk to you," replied President +Agnes. "If you haven't heard of a buddy yet it's time you did. They're +the latest out. They had them at all the camps last summer, in England +as well as in America. A buddy is a chum with whom you're pledged to do +everything, and who's bound to support you. For instance, when the +bathing season is on you must never swim unless your buddy is swimming +with you; if you go on an excursion you stick to each other tight as +glue, and if one of you is lost the other is held responsible. You're as +inseparable as a box and its lid, or the two blades of a pair of +scissors, or a bottle and its cork, or any other things you happen to +think of that ought to go together, and aren't any use apart." + +"We only realized buddies last term," explained Peachy, "but the idea +caught on no end. We all went simply crazy over it. I don't mind +guessing that every girl in this school who's worth her salt has got her +buddy. She mayn't let it be known outside her own sorority, but we +aren't blind." + +"Are there other sororities in the school then besides the Camellia +Buds?" asked Irene. + +"Bless your innocence! I should think there are. There's a rival one in +the Transition. I rather fancy they've snapped up Mabel already. I gave +Winnie a hint she wasn't to tackle _you_, because you'd come to school +with an introduction to _me_, so I ought to have first innings. The +prefects have a sorority all to themselves, and the seniors have one, +and as for the juniors, silly little things, they're as transparent as +glass, with their signaling and their grips and their cypher letters. +Any one can see through them with half an eye. But we're wasting time. +We've got to fix you up with a buddy, and we must be quick before the +bell rings." + +"May we choose?" asked Irene, and her eyes fell longingly on Peachy. + +"No, we mayn't!" said President Agnes firmly. "We have to take what the +fates send us. It's Kismet. Every time we elect a new member we draw +lots again for buddies. It's a kind of general shuffle. If we're an +uneven number somebody of course has to be odd man out." + +"I was the 'old maid' last draw, and I haven't had a buddy this term," +remarked Sheila plaintively. + +"Never mind, ducky! You're bound to find a partner now," consoled Delia. +"It might even be my little self, so live in hope." + +"No such luck," groaned Sheila. "I'll probably get Joan, and you know +she always uses me as a door-mat." + +Agnes meantime was writing ten names on ten separate pieces of paper and +folding them in identically the same fashion. Peachy offered the loan of +a hat, and into this treasury they were cast and shuffled. + +"The newest member draws," murmured Agnes, and the others pushed Irene +forward. She chose two folds of paper at a venture, and twisted them +together, then performed the like service for another pair, until all +the ten were assorted. The thrill of the ceremony was when Agnes opened +the screws of paper and read out the names. Fate had mixed the Camellia +Buds together thus: + + Peachy Proctor--Sheila Yonge. + Jess Cameron--Delia Watts. + Joan Lucas--Esther Cartmel. + Agnes Dalton--Mary Fergusson. + Lorna Carson--Irene Beverley. + +Whether the members of the secret sorority felt satisfied or otherwise +with the result of the shuffle, etiquette forbade them to show anything +but polite enthusiasm. Each took her buddy solemnly by the hand and +vowed allegiance. Peachy then produced what she called "the loving cup," +a three-handled vase of brown pottery brought by Jess from Edinburgh and +with the motto "Mak' yersel' at hame," on it in cream-colored letters. +It was usually a receptacle for flowers, but it had been hastily washed +for the occasion and filled with lemonade, a rather bitter brew +concocted by Peachy and Delia from a half-ripe lemon plucked in the +garden and a few lumps of sugar saved from tea. This was passed round, +and the Camellia Buds gulped it heroically as a pledge of sisterhood. + +"The password is _Thistle-down_," decreed Agnes, as the members, trying +not to pull sour faces, consoled themselves with candy and broke up the +meeting. "Any one who can think of a stunt for next time please bring +along propositions. We're always open to new ideas and ready for a +startler." + +As a direct result of her admission to this select sorority Irene found +herself flung by Fate into the arms of Lorna Carson. Had any individual +choice been allowed she would have selected Peachy, Jess, Delia, or even +Sheila in preference, but the lot once cast she must abide by it and be +content. She had a very shrewd suspicion that when the buddies got tired +of each other they elected a fresh member and so necessitated a general +reshuffle of partners, and that her admission to the society had been +welcomed as the pretext for such a change. Here she was, however, +pledged to intimate friendship with Lorna, a girl who half fascinated +and half repelled her, and who, though she might possibly turn out +trumps in the future, was for the present at least most difficult to +understand. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +Fairy Godmothers, Limited + +Irene Beverley, when she first left the shores of her native land, was a +particularly light-hearted, jolly little Britisher, not at all bookish, +and not accustomed to worry her head over any of the deep affairs of +life, but ready to have a royal time with anybody of similar tastes and +inclinations. In her first letter home she summed up the results of a +week's experience. + + "THE VILLA CAMELLIA. + + "MUMMIE DARLING, + + "This is to tell you I am still alive! I'm a little + surprised, because I thought math would kill me. + Miss Bickford is most _horribly_ conscientious and + insists upon finding out whether I really + understand or not, and it is generally 'not.' I + suppose I was born with a thick head for figures, + anyway, she seems amazed at my ignorance. I lay the + blame on St. Osmund's. Is that mean of me? It's my + only way of paying out Miss Gordon for past scores. + + "I don't mind admitting I have warm times in + school over some of the classes, but the rest of + the life is lovely. Miss Bickford is often a big + thorn, but Peachy is a rose. As for Lorna she's + like one of those tropical flowers that Uncle + Redvers grows in his conservatory. How does Vin + like being at the office? Are you straight yet at + the flat? Come and see me as soon as ever you can, + because I'm a little bit lonesome and wanting my + home folks, though I wouldn't confess it to any of + these girls for the world. + + "Heaps of love to Dad and Vin and your dear self. + + "From + + "RENIE." + +If Irene, who had found her niche in a congenial set at the Villa +Camellia, was capable of feeling the pangs of homesickness, that +unpleasant malady exhibited itself with far more serious symptoms in the +case of another new girl who had entered the school upon the same day. +Desiree Legrand could not settle down among the juniors. She was used to +the society of grown-up people, and did not take kindly to young +companions. In the excitement of her own affairs Irene had hardly given +the child a thought since her arrival, but one afternoon, when enjoying +a solitary ramble round the garden, she suddenly came face to face with +Little Flaxen. She was shocked at the change in her; the once pink +cheeks were white and pasty, and her eyelids were red and swollen as if +with perpetual crying. + +"Hello! Whatever have you been doing to yourself?" exclaimed Irene. +"You look rather a bunch of misery, don't you? What's the matter?" + +Desiree, squatting forlornly on the steps that led to the upper tennis +courts, produced a lace-bordered pocket-handkerchief and mopped her +eyes. + +"Nobody loves me here!" she blurted out dramatically. "I'm just +wr-r-r-etched! They all laugh and call me Frenchie! I'm not French, and +I w-w-ant to be l-l-oved!" + +Irene looked at her and shook her head. + +"That's not the way to go about it I'm afraid. I'm sorry, but you know +you'll just _invite_ teasing if you carry on like this. Can't you brace +up and be sporty? Pretend you don't mind anything they say and they'll +soon stop." + +"But I _do_ mind!" sobbed the tragic little figure on the steps. "I mind +d-d-dreadfully! Why are they all so horrid to me? People have always +been so nice till I came here!" + +"That's exactly the reason," said Irene, grasping the situation and +explaining it truthfully. "You've been accustomed to be petted by +everybody, and after all why _should_ the other girls in your form pet +you? You don't pet _them_, do you?" + +"N-n-o!" + +Desiree's eyes were round with amazement. + +"Well, can't you see school's a matter of give and take? If you do +something for the rest they'll possibly like you, but they won't fall on +your neck just out of sheer good nature. Why don't you write home for a +box of chocolates and offer them round your form?" + +"I never thought of it. I had some chocolates--but--I ate them!" + +"There you are! You expected to get all the attention and give nothing. +Sorry if I seem brutal, but it's the solid truth. You take my advice and +cheer up instead of continually sniveling. I've been at school myself +since I was seven, and I know a thing or two. If a girl's popular +there's generally some reason behind it. Look here, I'll help you if I +can. Those kids over there are doing nothing. I'll get them to come and +play rounders, choose you for a partner, and I'll back our side to win. +Here's Peachy! Perhaps she'll join in too. I'll ask her." + +Irene rapidly explained her philanthropic intentions, and enlisted both +Peachy and Delia in her team. The juniors, amazed and flattered at an +invitation from older girls, were ready enough for a game. Irene +insisted upon the innovation of what she called "hunting in couples," +that is to say, dividing the company into partners who made the course +hand in hand. She took good care to choose Desiree for her +"running-mate," and as they were both fleet of foot they scored +considerably. By the time the bell rang they had beaten the records. + +"Look here!" said Irene, addressing the juniors before they scooted +away, "you kids are missing a chance. Why don't you make Desiree train +for the sports? She can run like a hare! With the start she'd get as a +junior she might win you a trophy. Hadn't it ever entered your silly +young noddles to see what she could do for your form? Well, you are a +set of slackers! That's my opinion of you. We manage our affairs better +in the Transition." + +"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" gasped Little Flaxen, lingering a moment or +two behind the others. "You've been just great! I'll write to Dad +to-night to send me some chocs, and I won't eat a single one myself. +They shall have them all. They shall really!" + +With scarlet cheeks and shining eyes she was a different child from the +weeping Niobe who had sat and sobbed on the steps. + +"Now if I'd simply coddled her and sympathized she'd have cried a few +gallons more and have been no better off," mused Irene, as her protegee +danced away. "I fancy those juniors have been fairly nasty to her, +though I wouldn't tell her so. Something ought to be done about it, but +the question is 'what?' I want to have a talk with Peachy when I can +wedge in ten minutes of spare time." + +All evening remembrance of Little Flaxen's red eyes and white cheeks +haunted Irene. She felt it ought not to have been possible for the child +to be so lonely and neglected. Granted that her unpopularity might be +partly her own fault, boycotting was nevertheless hard to bear. It was +clearly somebody's business to have looked after her, and that duty +ought not to have devolved upon a newcomer like herself, who only +realized the necessity by the merest chance. + +"What's the use of the prefects?" Irene asked herself, but she gave up +the answer, and appealed to Peachy at breakfast-time instead. + +That cheery young American took the matter more seriously than Irene +expected. There was a very kind little heart hidden under her bubbles of +fun. + +"I'll call a meeting of the Camellia Buds right now," she declared. "I +guess we don't want any of those poor babes crying their eyes out. Talk +of homesickness! You should have seen me my first week here. I brought +four dozen pocket-handkerchiefs to school with me and I used them all. +It's not good enough! Prefects, did you say? Humph! I don't call Rachel +exactly laid out for this job. Bring your biscuits to the 'Grotto' at +interval, and we'll have a powwow about it." + +There was a twenty-minute mid-morning break between classes, during +which the girls ate lunch and amused themselves as they pleased in the +house or grounds. The biscuits, three apiece, were laid out in rows on +the dining-room table together with each pupil's glass of milk. As Irene +ran in to take her portion she heard a scrimmage going on at the other +end of the room. Several small girls were quarreling loudly, and above +the noise came Desiree's piping, high-pitched voice: + +"I haven't had a biscuit for days and it isn't fair." + +"What's all this about?" asked Irene, striding into the crowd just in +time to see Mabel and another member of the Transition pass, laughing, +through the lower door. + +There was a babel in reply. + +"Those big girls come and grab our biscuits!" + +"It's a shame of them!" + +"There ought to be three apiece!" + +"And there never are!" + +"It's something if you get two!" + +"Nancy's taken both mine!" + +"Honest injun, I haven't!" + +"I tell you I'm famished!" + +"Help! Don't all shout at once," decreed Irene. "Let's have a biscuit +parade. Each hold out what she's got. Here, Audley, hand one of yours +over to Francie. Effie, break that one in half and share with Chris. +Desiree, you may have mine this morning, but this business mustn't +happen again. I've no time to stop now, but I'll inquire into this, you +bet!" + +Leaving an only partially satisfied group of small girls behind her +Irene sped to her tryst in the garden. She took a short cut, and ran +through the orange grove, where the half-ripe oranges were beginning to +turn yellow on the trees, then shamelessly jumping over a flower border +of stocks and primulas, crossed under the rose-pergola, turned down a +creeper-covered side alley, and found herself in a neglected portion of +the grounds. Here there was a very dilapidated little arbor, built sixty +or seventy years ago when the Villa Camellia had been owned by an +Italian count with a weakness for the fine arts. The roof leaked, and a +riot of jessamine almost hid the door; the window-sill had fallen, and +the floor was a mass of dead leaves. The plastered walls were painted +with frescoes--faded and moldy now--of a country chateau with cypress +trees, and three ladies in big plumed hats riding on white horses, and a +gentleman in shooting costume and tall boots, who wore side whiskers, +and carried a gun, and had four hunting dogs standing in a row behind +him. All these were rather stiff and badly painted, yet gave an air of +neglected grandeur to the grotto. There were marble seats, and a rickety +marble table, and a little broken statue of Cupid in the corner, and the +floor under the rubbish was of blue glazed tiles, so that the building, +though fallen on evil days, still showed some remnants of its former +glory. As it was in an out-of-the-way spot and far from the tennis +courts, it was not often visited, and had therefore been appropriated by +the Camellia Buds as a suitable place for the secret meetings of their +sorority. + +The nine were all assembled here waiting impatiently for Irene. She +brushed through the jessamine-covered doorway, took her seat, and +breathlessly explained the reason of her delay. + +"Would you have believed such meanness?" she ended. + +Peachy nodded solemnly. + +"I told you some of our precious Transition would make you blush. Was +it Bertha? I thought so! I knew she had got hold of Mabel. I believe +they're buddies, and a charming pair they'll be! We shall have to tackle +them somehow. This certainly can't be allowed to go on." + +"Isn't it a case for the prefects?" asked Irene, addressing the +President. + +Agnes's forehead was drawn into a series of puckers. + +"We hate telling," she sighed. "The fact is the prefects in this school +aren't quite what they ought to be. They _think_ they do their duty, but +they're too aloof and high-handed and bossing, and the consequence is +they're not popular, and the girls would as soon complain to a teacher +as to Rachel or Sybil or Erica. It simply isn't done. Yet those kids +need a champion. There are several abuses among them that I've noticed +myself." + +"Guess we've got to take it on then and 'champ'," murmured Delia. + +"Poor little souls, it's a shame to steal their 'bikkies'; we'll have to +stand over them and act as fairy godmothers," said Sheila. + +Peachy bounced suddenly in her seat. + +"Sheila Yonge, you've given me an idea--yes, an absolute brain-throb. +What the Camellia Buds ought to do is to turn the sorority into an +Amalgamated Society of Fairy Godmothers, and each of us take over a +junior to look after and act providence to. It's what those kids are +just aching for--only they mayn't know it. What good are prefects to +them except as bogies? They skedaddle like lightning if they see so much +as Rachel's shadow. They each ought to have one older girl whom they can +count on as a friend." + +"A kind of buddy?" + +"Something of the sort, but more like a foster-mother." + +"I vote we ask them all to a candy party, and each adopt one," suggested +Delia warmly. + +"There are ten of us, and there are nineteen juniors," calculated Jess. +"How's it going to work out?" + +"Why, some of us must take twins or even triplets," decreed Peachy. "I'm +bursting to begin. Let's have that candy party right away. Can anybody +raise a lira or two?" + +"We'll give you our subscriptions back in the house, if you'll act +treasurer and wheedle Antonio. Fairy Godmothers, Limited! It's a brainy +notion. When shall you ask those kids? You bet they'll buzz in like +bees." + +The loud clanging of the garden bell, which seemed to punctuate life at +the Villa Camellia, broke up the meeting in a hurry and scattered its +members in the direction of their classrooms. At the first opportunity, +however, Irene unlocked her cash-box and took out a contribution towards +the candy party. She was not yet used to the Italian paper money, and +had only a vague idea of its value, but she judged that two lire was the +expected amount, and carried it accordingly to Peachy's dormitory. + +"You white angel! It's a bountiful 'contrib.' I've squared Antonio. +He'll leave the parcel inside the grotto. What we should do without that +dear old man I can't imagine. I've told the juniors, and they're simply +crazy to come. I've fixed it up for directly after tea." + +Antonio, the old concierge who had charge of the gate, was absolutely +faithful to his duties as porter, and guarded the Villa Camellia as +zealously as a convent, but he was lenient on one point--he was willing +sometimes to smuggle sweets, and those girls who knew how to coax could +induce him to make an expedition to the confectioner's and fetch them a +small private store of what delicacies they fancied. He had his own +ideas of how much was good for them, and would never be responsible for +more than a limited allowance; neither would he undertake more than one +commission per week for any single girl. It was a matter of favor, and +to some of the pupils he would only grunt a refusal. Peachy, however, +was a champion wheedler; she had a certain command over the Italian +language, and could persuade Antonio, in his native tongue, of the +absolute necessity of her demands. He was quite generous on this +occasion, and slipped a fair-sized parcel of mixed Neapolitan bonbons +into the sanctuary of the deserted summer-house. + +Nineteen interested juniors, bidden to an unwonted entertainment, +dodged their prefect after tea, evaded a basket-ball practice, scattered +themselves in the grounds, met in the long pergola, and proceeded to the +jessamine-covered arbor, where they were received politely by their ten +hostesses. It was, of course, impossible to accommodate them inside, but +the grotto was close to the place where Paolo, the gardener, chopped +wood for the stoves, so there were plenty of logs lying about that +served as seats. In a very short time the guests were settled, +hospitality was handed round, the colored papers were removed from the +goodies, and there was a general abandonment to sticky satisfaction. +Between the first and second distributions Agnes, as President of the +Sorority, addressed the meeting. + +"We've a proposition to make to you all," she began. "There are some +things in this school that aren't always quite what they ought to be, +and it's rather hard for juniors to fight their own battles. Sometimes +you squabble among yourselves--oh, _I_ know!--and sometimes you get it +hot from the seniors or the Transition. Well, we're going to help you. +Each of us means to take on one or more of you and be a sort of fairy +godmother to you, and responsible for seeing you're decently treated. I +understand there's been a little trouble about your lunch biscuits?" + +"It's Bertha!" + +"And Mabel!" + +"They're real mean!" + +"They simply grab them!" + +"Oh, do please stop it!" + +"And we haven't had our turns at the tennis courts!" + +"And Winnie borrowed my paint-box and won't give it back!" + +Agnes held up a hand to stop the general clamor. + +"That'll do!" she decreed. "I'm going to sort you out and give you each +to your fairy godmother, and you may pour your woes into her ears, and +she'll try her level best to right your wrongs. No, you _mayn't_ say +whom you'd like to have. It's _we_ who'll do the choosing, thanks! +Anybody who's not satisfied can walk off and she won't get a champion at +all or any more candy either. I mean what I say." + +Such an awful threat reduced the juniors to order, and they submitted +quite peaceably to be apportioned among their various benefactresses. +Irene secured Little Flaxen, Lorna had a pair of solemn-eyed sisters, +Peachy pounced upon the liveliest trio and proclaimed them as her +triplets, and Delia adopted the two youngest as twins. + +"You can come to us at a pinch," explained Agnes, "but please remember +we're Fairy Godmothers, _Limited_. We'll fight any just crusade, but +we're not going to write your exercises for you, or pull you out of +scrapes when you don't deserve it. That's not our function. There, you +understand? Hand the candy again, somebody. There's another piece each +all round at least, and if there are any over I'll throw them up and you +shall scramble for them." + +The immediate effect of this mission of the Camellia Buds was a decided +improvement in the conditions of the juniors. Next morning, at +lunch-time, a stern-faced contingent mounted guard over the biscuits, +and when Bertha and Mabel, plainly bent on piracy, sauntered down the +room, they were told certain unpalatable home truths, and ignominiously +put to rout. + +"Stop that instanter!" commanded Peachy. + +"We're here to see fair play!" snarled Jess. + +"Be content with your own portions!" flared Delia. + +"Well, really! Who asked you to boss _us_?" retorted Bertha angrily. + +"Nobody; but we're going to stop your mean tricks, so we give you +warning. You two are a disgrace to the Transition. I don't know what +flags you class yourselves under, but I'm sure neither America nor +Britain would be proud to own you--you biscuit-snatchers!" + +Peachy's eyes were snapping sparks, and the matter might have waxed even +warmer had not Rachel reentered the room for a pencil she had dropped. +The head prefect pricked up her ears at the sound of the disturbance, +whereupon Mabel and Bertha, who knew they would receive short shrift if +she demanded an explanation, made a hasty exit, merely murmuring to Jess +and Peachy as they pushed past them: + +"We'll pay you out for this!" + +"Just you wait!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +Among the Olive Groves + + +Quite by accident as it seemed, the Sorority of the Camellia Buds had +turned itself from a society instituted for mutual protection and fun +into a Crusaders' Union, pledged, like Spenser's Red Cross Knight, to +avenge the wrongs of distressed damsels in the junior forms. The ring of +battle certainly added a spice of excitement to their secret. It was +much more interesting to interfere personally on behalf of their +protegees than to place debatable matters before the prefects. If war +were involved with another sorority it could not be helped. And war +there undoubtedly was. Bertha and Mabel, too clever to court open +ignominy, desisted for the present from biscuit-snatching, but sought +other means of retaliation. It was unfortunate for Irene and Lorna that +Mabel had been apportioned to them as a roommate. Both she and Elsie +were members of the rival sorority, so there was division in No. 3 +dormitory. Sometimes the opposing factions would not speak to one +another at all. Elsie was more stand-off than actively disagreeable and +kept herself to her own cubicle, but Mabel was openly annoying. She +transgressed every rule of dormitory etiquette, dashed for the bathroom +instead of waiting her due turn, dumped her belongings on to other +people's chairs, spread the center table with her papers, fidgeted +during study hours, and in various ways made herself objectionable. + +Irene and Lorna, as sworn buddies, cemented yet more firmly the bond +between them, and supported one another on every possible occasion. +Irene was really growing fond of Lorna. Though the latter might be +reserved it was something to find a ready listener and sympathizer. As a +rule we can't deliberately choose our soul-friends. Fate just seems to +send them along and we must accept them with all their faults or go +without. It certainly does not do to be too particular, or we may soon +find ourselves chumless in the world. Irene was rather lovelorn for +Peachy, but that bright little American, besides being in an upper +dormitory, was before-appropriated by other "heart-to-hearties," and, +though she held out the palm of good fellowship, was too staunch a +character to desert old friends for new. + +"She's just sweet to me, but I don't count first," decided Irene. "Well, +it's no use being jealous. If you can't have the moon you must be +content with a star, that's all. It's a vast amount better than +nothing." + +Lorna might more aptly be described as a planet than a star, for her +thoughts had started to revolve round Irene in a fixed orbit. As regards +her half of the bargain she was absolutely content. She adored her +buddy, and blessed the lot that had coupled their names together. She +had not before made a real friend, and Irene's happy-go-lucky, +affectionate, confiding disposition appealed to her. She began to try to +protect her and look after her. It was really something of the mother +instinct cropping out. She had never possessed a sister or anything +little of her own to love, and it was a new experience to find a girl, +rather small and younger than herself, who clung to her and seemed +actually fond of her. Life, which had hitherto been chilly and +self-centered, suddenly grew warm. She had been used to pose as one who +disliked school, but with this fresh interest her views on the subject +underwent a change. + +Any girl must indeed have been hard to please who was not satisfied +with the Villa Camellia and its beautiful Italian garden. All through +the month of February flowers were in bloom there which in England only +peep out timidly in April or May, and often will not brave a northern +climate at all. The front of the house was covered with a glorious +purple bougainvillea, violets bloomed under the orange and lemon trees, +and the camellias, from which the villa took its name, flourished in +profusion, growing as great trees ten or twelve feet high and covered +with rose-colored, white, or scarlet blossoms. Iris, freesias, +narcissus, red salvias, marguerites, pansies, pink peonies, wallflowers, +polyanthus, petunias, stocks, genistas, arbutula, cinerarias, begonias, +and belladonna-lilies kept up a brave display in the border, and, though +they would be more beautiful and luxuriant later on in the season, they +nevertheless dispelled the idea of winter. The general temperature at +Fossato resembled an English April, the sunshine was warm, but the wind +was apt to be chilly, and at night-time it was quite cold, though never +frosty. The central heating apparatus was kept going in the school, and +the girls, though they might run about without coats in the sunshine, +were always required to have a warm jersey at hand, for the wind at this +season could be treacherous, and those unused to the climate, deceived +by its brightness and wealth of flowers, were very liable to catch +chills and to be laid up with feverish colds as the result of their own +imprudence. Sometimes indeed a bitter sirocco wind would blow, and bring +torrents of rain to turn the blue sea and sky to a leaden gray and to +blot out the view of Naples and Vesuvius, but it seldom lasted more than +a few days, and in a land of drought was welcomed to refresh the gardens +and to fill the cisterns and water-tanks. + +It has been mentioned in a previous chapter that the Villa Camellia was +of necessity run somewhat on convent lines. In Italy young girls do not +walk about unchaperoned as in England and America, but are always very +closely escorted by older people, and it was advisable to keep to the +customs of the country. The pupils obtained most of their exercise +inside their own garden. On Sundays they paraded to the British church, +but otherwise they did not very often go into Fossato. Once a week, if +the weather were fine, a limited number were taken for an expedition, +but Irene had been at school for some weeks before this good fortune +fell to her lot. One lucky Wednesday, however, she found her name and +Lorna's written on the list of "exeats" on the notice-board, and flew to +announce the glad tidings to her chum. + +"Twelve of us, with Miss Bickford and Miss Parr as leaders. Won't it be +ripping? It says Monte Pellegrino. Where's that? The big hill over +there? Oh, great! I love a climb! I'm just dancing to go! I feel as if I +had been boxed up inside these big walls for years and years. I only +wish Peachy and Delia had been on the list too." + +"But we are!" exclaimed Delia's excited voice behind her. "Stella and +Marjorie both have colds, so we've swapped places with them, and they'll +go next time instead. Isn't it fine!" + +"I'm tingling right down to my toes," agreed Peachy, her jolly little +freckled face one wide grin. "It's going to be an afternoon of +afternoons." + +"If it doesn't rain," said Lorna, eyeing the sky suspiciously. + +"Oh, don't be a wet blanket! It's no use courting trouble, honey, as +Willy Shakespeare says somewhere. Oh, well, if it wasn't Willy +Shakespeare it was somebody else who said it, and it's just as true +anyway. Take your umbrella and wait till the rain comes down before you +grumble. I've got an exeat and I didn't expect it, and I'm going off my +head a little. That's all! Don't worry yourselves about me. I'm sane at +the bottom." + +With Peachy and Delia prancing about and hardly able to regulate their +satisfaction the expedition promised to be a lively one, though the +harum-scarum pair calmed down in the presence of Miss Bickford, and +assumed a deportment of due decorum. The favored twelve were half +seniors and half Transition, the remaining pair of the latter consisting +of Bertha Ford and Mabel Hughes. The Camellia Buds exchanged eloquent +glances at the sight of their arch-enemies, but wisely forbore to make +any provocative remarks; Delia indeed even murmured something pleasant +about the excursion to which Bertha grunted a reply, so the party +started off in apparent harmony. + +Antonio, with his big key, unlocked the great gate, they filed through +into the eucalyptus-shaded road, and in ten minutes they had left the +quiet school behind them, and were down in the gay little town of +Fossato. It was new and wonderful to Irene. The wide main street with +its intense brilliant sunshine contrasting with the deep shade of the +narrow side streets, the open shop-fronts with their displays of +picturesque wares, the stalls of fruit and vegetables sold by quaint +country vendors, the balconies full of flowers, the kindly, dark-eyed, +smiling people, the pretty peasant children clattering about in heelless +wooden shoes, the brightly painted carts and the horses decorated with +flowers and feathers as if for a perpetual May Day, all made up a scene +that was more like a portion of a play than a piece of real life, and +made her almost able to imagine herself upon the stage of a theater. +They had reached a great square, where leafless trees were covered with +a beautiful purple blossom, something like mezereon. From a marble +fountain bareheaded women, with exquisitely arranged dark tresses and +bright handkerchiefs folded shawl-wise round their shoulders, were +drawing water in brass pitchers, and chattering the soft southern +dialect with the pretty tuneful Neapolitan voices that speak like +singing and sing like opera. An equestrian statue of Garibaldi stood on +a pedestal in the midst of a flowerbed of gay geraniums, and below, in +the shadow, a military officer, with a gorgeous pale blue cloak draped +over one shoulder, was talking to two Italian soldiers whose plumed hats +were adorned with shining cocks' feathers. + +Miss Bickford, in the van of the Villa Camellia queue, strode on, +taking no notice, beyond a firm shake of the head, of the various +interruptions that met her path--the drivers who offered their carriages +for hire, the smiling women who thrust forward baskets of oranges for +sale, the beguiling children who held out little brown hands and begged +for _soldi_ (halfpennies), and the post-card vendors who spread out sets +of colored views of the neighborhood. It was a good thing that Miss Parr +was at the rear of the procession to keep order, or the girls would have +succumbed to some of these temptations and have broken rank, an +unpardonable offense in the eyes of the school authorities, who wished +to keep up the prestige of their establishment in the estimation of the +town, and to emulate the convent school on the hill, whose pupils +marched along the high street as demurely as young nuns. + +Turning out of the piazza they walked alongside a deep natural gorge +which divided Fossato from the open country. This immense ravine was a +fearsome place, with a sheer descent of many hundreds of feet; its +jagged rocks were clothed with bushes and creepers, and clefts and the +openings of caves could be seen amongst the greenery. The girls leaned +on the low wall and shuddered as they gazed down the precipice. + +"Antonio and Dominica say that dwarfs live in the caves down there," +remarked Peachy. "Half the people in the town believe in them, but +they're too afraid to go and see because the dwarfs have 'the evil eye,' +and would bring them bad luck." + +"What superstitious nonsense!" laughed Rachel. "How _can_ they make up +such stuff?" + +"Not altogether such nonsense as you think," corrected Miss Bickford, +who was a student of archaeology; "indeed _I_ find it intensely +interesting. It's a case of survival of tradition. A few thousand years +ago no doubt a race of little short dark Stone Age men actually lived in +those caves, and took good care to avenge themselves on any of the +taller, stronger tribes who interfered with them and tried to push them +out of their territory. The remembrance of them would be handed down +long after they had become extinct, and, of course their doings were +exaggerated, and their cunning tricks were set down to magic. Just as +the prehistoric monsters lingered as dragons and firedrakes, so the +small early inhabitants of Europe have passed into dwarfs and brownies +and pixies. If anybody cared to dig in those caves I dare say flint +weapons might be found. It's a chance for the local antiquarian society +if they'd only take it." + +Leaving the gorge the party turned up a steep and very narrow alley +between walls nine or ten feet high. At the tops of these walls were +raised gardens planted with orange and lemon trees, whose fruit, in all +stages of green, gold, and yellow, overshadowed the path. Across some of +them were erected shelters of reeds or plaited grass, to prevent too +quick ripening, but in some of the orchards the crop was ready, and +workers were busy with ladders and baskets gathering their early +harvests. It was a picturesque route, for the sides of the deep walls +were covered with beautiful maidenhair ferns, and over the tops hung +geraniums or clumps of white iris or purple stocks or clusters of little +red roses. Here and there, at a corner, was a wayside shrine with a +faded picture of the Madonna, and a quaint brass lamp in front, and +perhaps some flowers laid there by loving hands; dark-eyed smiling +little children were playing about and giving each other rides in +home-made hand-carts, and at one point the girls stood aside to let pass +a donkey so loaded with tiny bamboo trees that it looked a mere moving +mass of green. + +At length the deep alley between the orange orchards gave way to a +different scene. They had been climbing steadily uphill, and now found +themselves above the fruit zone and among the olive groves. The high +walls had disappeared, and the path ascended by a series of steps. Gray +olive trees were on either side, and on the bordering banks grew lovely +wild flowers, starry purple anemones, jack-in-the-pulpit lilies, yellow +oxalis, moon-daisies, and the beautiful genista which we treasure as a +conservatory plant in England. As it was country the girls were allowed +to break rank, and keenly enjoyed gathering bouquets; they scrambled up +the banks, vying with one another in getting the best specimens. The +view from the heights was glorious: below them stretched the gray-green +of the olive groves, broken here and there by the bright pink blossoms +of a peach tree; the white houses of Fossato gleamed among the dark +glossy foliage of its orange orchards, and beyond stretched the +beautiful bay of Naples, with its sea a blaze of blue, and old Vesuvius +smoking in the distance like a warning of trouble to come. + +It was at this point of the walk that Irene, foolish, luckless Irene, +made a fatal mistake, and, as Miss Bickford afterwards told her, +"wrecked the whole excursion and spoiled everybody's pleasure." She +beckoned Lorna and ran up a hill to obtain a higher vantage ground, +then, instead of descending by the route she had come, she insisted upon +taking a short cut to rejoin the path and catch up with the rest of the +party. Now neither Lorna nor Irene was aware that the mountain was a +network of many paths leading to little vineyards and gardens, and that +when they ran down the opposite side of the slope they were striking a +fresh alley, altogether different from the one along which Miss Bickford +was leading her flock. For quite a long way the two girls walked on, +thinking they were in advance of the others and had stolen a march upon +them. Then they sat down and waited, but nobody came. It was a +considerable time before it dawned upon them that they were separated +from the rest of the party. + +"We've come wrong somehow," said Lorna, in much consternation. + +"What had we better do?" + +"I don't know." + +"Perhaps they're not far off. I'll try if I can make them hear." + +"I wouldn't shout," objected Lorna, but she was too late, for Irene +was already letting off her full lung power in a gigantic coo-e-e. It +had a totally different effect from what she anticipated. No schoolgirls +with Villa Camellia hats made their appearance, but some rough looking +Italian youths scrambled over a fence and came sniggering towards them. +Their manner was so objectionable and offensive that the girls turned +and ran. They pelted down the path anywhere, quite oblivious of the +direction they were taking, and, as a matter of fact, branching yet +farther away from their original route. They could hear footsteps and +giggling laughter behind, and they were growing extremely terrified when +to their immense relief they saw in front of them an elderly peasant +woman coming from the town. She had a bright yellow handkerchief round +her neck and carried on her head a big basket containing flasks of oil, +loaves of bread, and some vegetables. She stopped in some astonishment +as Lorna and Irene rushed panting up to her, then glimpsing the lads she +seemed to grasp the situation, and called out angrily to them in +Italian, whereupon they promptly and rapidly disappeared. As she had +reached the gateway of her own garden she motioned the girls to enter, +and they gladly availed themselves of the opportunity to seek sanctuary. +A large archway led into a paved courtyard, on one side of which was a +little brown house, and on the other a small chapel, quite a picture +with its quaint half-Moorish tower and two large bells. Their new friend +seemed to be the caretaker, for she escorted them inside to show them, +with much pride, an altar-piece attributed to Perugino and some ancient +faded frescoes of haloed saints. She gave them a peep into her house +too, and they were deeply interested to see the unfamiliar foreign home, +not comfortable according to British or American ideas of comfort, but +with a certain charm of its own. There was a big dark room on the ground +floor with an orange press, various agricultural implements, and +numberless baskets for gathering fruit; there was a bare kitchen with a +wood fire and a table spread with cups and dishes; then up a winding +stair was a bedroom with walls colored sky blue, and a veranda that +looked down over a glorious orange orchard. + +"Oh, I'd adore to go out there!" said Irene, pointing to the path that +led between the fruit-laden trees, and their hostess evidently divined +her meaning, for she not only led her guests into the garden, but +fetched a ladder, climbed a tree, and plucked each of them a whole +cluster of oranges surrounded by a bunch of leaves. + +The girls were so delighted with their entertainment in this Italian +cottage that they hardly wished to tear themselves away, yet a vision of +Miss Bickford's reproachful face began to hover before their eyes, and +Lorna at last suggested that they must be moving. + +"I hope those abominable boys aren't waiting about anywhere outside," +shivered Irene. + +The same thought seemed to have struck their hostess, for she called an +elderly man, evidently her husband, who was pruning vines, and began a +catechism as to where her visitors lived. Lorna replied as well as her +knowledge of Italian allowed, and at the mention of the Villa Camellia +the pair nodded in comprehension. After a brief conversation with his +wife in an undertone the old man offered himself as guide, and undertook +to escort the truants safely back to school again, a proposal which they +thankfully accepted. It would indeed have been difficult for them to +find their own way among the various interlacing paths, and they were +particularly glad to have his protection against possible _ragazzi_. +There was tremendous trouble waiting for them at the Villa Camellia. +Poor Miss Parr had collapsed almost into hysterics, and Miss Bickford +with two other teachers had returned to the hillside on a further +search, while Miss Rodgers was communicating by telephone with the +Fossato police station, and offering a reward for any news of their +whereabouts. Irene had thought the principal could be stern, but she +never knew how her eyes could flash before that interview in the study. +Both girls came out quaking like jellies and weeping for all to hear. + +"Did you catch it hot?" inquired Peachy, sympathetically linking arms +with the truants. + +"Rather! It isn't the punishments so much, it's that she made us so +_ashamed_." + +"Our parole won't be trusted till after half-term." + +"We didn't _mean_ to run away." + +"It was really quite an accident." + +"Cheer up!" consoled Peachy. "Miss Rodgers cuts like a steel knife, but +she doesn't bear grudges. I will say that for her. With some teachers +you'd never hear the last of it, but once you've worked off your +impositions you'll be quite in favor again. Whatever possessed you to go +and do it though?" + +"Just our wretched bad luck, I suppose," said Irene, rubbing her eyes +as she turned up the passage and deposited her confiscated cluster of +oranges, as directed, in the pantry. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Lorna's Enemy + + +For the next two weeks Irene and Lorna were strictly "gated," a great +deprivation, for it would have been their turns to go shopping with Miss +Morley, and Irene at least was anxious to sample some of the quaint +wares spread forth so temptingly in the Fossato stores. With the +exception of church-going they did not have a chance to step outside the +grounds of the Villa Camellia. The Sunday expedition came as a welcome +relief to break the monotony. The school liked the little British church +at Fossato. It was so utterly different from anything to which they had +been accustomed in England or America. To begin with it was not an +ecclesiastical building at all, but simply a big room in the basement of +the Hotel Anglais. The walls had been exquisitely decorated by a French +artist with conventionalized designs of iris in purple and gold, and +through the windows there was a gorgeous peep over the bay. The girls +used to exercise much maneuvering to secure the seats with the best +view, and somehow that bright stretch of the Mediterranean seemed to +blend in as part and parcel of all the praise and thanksgiving that was +being offered. + +Punctually at twenty minutes to eleven on Sunday mornings the fifty-six +pupils and the seven mistresses would leave the great gate of the Villa +Camellia and march into the town, along the esplanade under the grove of +palm trees, then through the beautiful sheltered garden of the Hotel +Anglais, where many exotic flowers and shrubs were blooming and the +white arum lilies were like an Easter festival, to the doorway, under +the jessamine-covered veranda, that led to the _Eglise anglaise et +americaine_. The school practically made half the congregation, but +there were visitors from the various hotels, and a sprinkling of British +residents who had houses at Fossato. When the service was over there +followed a very pleasant quarter of an hour in the piazza of the hotel; +the clergyman and his wife would speak personally to many of the girls, +and any of the pupils who met friends were allowed to talk to them. +Fossato was a popular week-end resort from Naples, so relatives often +turned up on Sundays and there were many joyous reunions. Kind little +Canon Clark and his small bird-like wife were great favorites at the +Villa Camellia. They were always invited to school functions, and each +term the girls, in relays of about ten at a time, were offered +hospitality at the "Villa Bleue," a tiny dwelling that served as +parsonage for the British chaplain. To go to tea at the dear wee +house--color-washed blue, and with pink geraniums in its +window-boxes--was considered a treat, and Irene and Lorna looked very +glum indeed when Miss Rodgers kept severely to their punishment, and +substituted Agnes and Elsie for themselves in the next contingent of +guests. + +"You'll go later on," consoled Peachy. "Miss Rodgers is really very +decent in that way. She'll see that you get your turn once in a term at +any rate. Last time I went we had hot brown scones and molasses. Oh, +they were good! There! I oughtn't to have told you that when your turn's +off. Never mind. It will be something to look forward to. We always play +paper games there, and they're _such_ fun. There I am again! Well, if +you went to-day it would be over and done with by to-morrow, and it's +still all to come. That's one way of taking it." + +"Oh, it's all very well to moralize!" grumped Lorna, who was feeling +thoroughly cross. "It's easy enough to count up other people's +blessings. I'm a blighted blossom!" + + "Poor little thing! + She lived all the winter + And died in the spring," + +quoted Peachy with an extra wide grin. "Cheer up! Don't you realize +it's only ten days to half-term? Oh, do, for goodness' sake, look less +like a statue of melancholy! Do you know, child, that you're getting +permanent wrinkles along that forehead of yours, and it makes you more +like fifty than fifteen. You're too sedate. That's what's the matter +with you, Lorna Carson! It's a fault that ought to be overcome. Copy +Delia and me. We know how to enjoy ourselves. There--my lecture is over +and now let's talk of earthquakes." + +"It's all very well for _you_, you've got everything you want," murmured +Lorna bitterly under her breath. "Some people haven't half the luck, and +it's hard to be content with a short allowance and pretend you're the +same as every one else. It can't always be done." + +She turned away as she said it, so Peachy only caught the sound of a +grumble and did not hear the actual words. Had she done so she might +possibly have exhibited more sympathy, for she was a very kind-hearted +girl. Neither she nor anybody at the Villa Camellia understood Lorna in +the least. So far their classmate had been somewhat of a chestnut-bur, +and nobody in the Transition had ever penetrated her husk of reserve. +There is generally a reason for most things in life, if we could only +know it, and poor Lorna's morose and hermit attitude at school was +really the result of matters at home. To get into her innermost +confidence we must follow her to Naples on her half-term holiday and see +for ourselves the peculiar circumstances amid which she had been placed, +and the disadvantages that had caused her to differ from other girls. + +Lorna's family was the smallest possible, for it consisted only of her +father. Nobody at the Villa Camellia had ever seen Mr. Carson--not even +Miss Rodgers. He had communicated with her by writing when he wished to +place his daughter at the school, but he had never paid a single visit +to Fossato. He pleaded stress of business as the excuse for this +remissness, but Lorna herself knew only too well that he had no +intention of coming. Except to the office at which he was employed he +never went to any place where he would be likely to meet English +visitors. The furnished rooms where he lived were in the strictly +Italian portion of Naples, and not in the vicinity of the big hotels. +Secretly Lorna dreaded her holidays. There was nothing for her to do +while her father was at the office. She was not allowed to go out alone, +and unless she could induce fat Signora Fiorenza, their landlady, to be +philanthropic and chaperon her to look at the shops, she was obliged to +amuse herself in the house during the day as best she could. In the +evening things were certainly better. Her father would take her to dine +at an Italian restaurant, and would sometimes treat her to a performance +at a theater or cinema close at hand, or would escort her for a +lamplight walk along the streets, but these brief expeditions were +evidently made out of a sense of duty, and Mr. Carson was plainly +unhappy until he was once more ensconced in his own sitting-room with +his favorite books and his reading-lamp. He had seen so little of his +daughter during the five years they had lived at Naples that, though in +a sense he was fond of her, she was more of an embarrassment to him than +an asset. Lorna realized this only too keenly. Her sensitive disposition +shrank away from her father. She was shy in his presence, and never knew +what to say to him. She seemed always aware of some enormous shadow that +hung over their lives and darkened the daylight. What this was she had +no means of guessing, but it was emphatically there. She had learned, by +bitter experience, never to ask to be taken to the fashionable portions +of the city; she knew that the sound of a voice speaking English at a +neighboring table was enough to cause her father to finish his meal in a +hurry and leave the restaurant. They never went to the British Church, +and even such cosmopolitan spots as the aquarium or the museum were +equally taboo. + +Long and often did Lorna puzzle over this idiosyncrasy of her father. +She retained vague memories of her early childhood, when he had surely +been utterly different and would come into the nursery to romp with her. +It had not been altogether her mother's death; that had happened when +she was only six years old, and there were bright memories after it of +happy times together. No--it was when she was ten years old that the +unknown catastrophe must have occurred which had ruined her father's +life. She could remember plainly the visit of several gentlemen, and of +loud angry voices talking inside the drawing-room; she was standing on +the stairs as they came out into the hall, and her father had told her +roughly to run away. Then had followed a hasty removal, and they had +left their comfortable home in London and had come to live in Naples. +After a dreary time in a second-rate Italian boarding-house she had been +sent to the Villa Camellia, and all link with England was lost and +broken. No aunt or cousins ever wrote to her, and the earlier portion of +her life seemed a period that was utterly ended. + +So far Lorna had never had the courage to make any inquiries into the +why and wherefore of this unsatisfactory state of affairs. If a question +rose to her lips the sight of her father's forbidding face effectually +curbed her curiosity. That some tragedy had been concealed from her she +was positive. The suspicion, nay the absolute certainty, was sufficient +to place a division between herself and other girls. She would hear her +schoolfellows discussing their homes, relations, and friends, and when +she contrasted their gay doings with her own barren holidays she shrank +into her shell, and would make no allusion to her private affairs. + +"Lorna's an absolute oyster, you can get nothing out of her," was the +universal verdict of her form. + +But if she said little she thought a great deal. She would listen +jealously to the accounts of other people's fun, and a bitter feeling +had grown in her heart. Why should her life be so shadowed? She had as +much right to happiness as the rest of the school. Why should she seem +singled out by a vindictive fate and separated from her companions? + +In justice to the girls at the Villa Camellia it is only fair to say +that any separation was entirely of Lorna's own making. Had she been +more expansive she would have readily enough found friends. No one knew +of the misery of her home life, and she was simply judged as what her +schoolfellows thought her--a queer-tempered crank who refused to join in +the general fun of the place, and in consequence was left out of most +things. + +Irene, pleasant and hail-fellow-well-met with all comers, had at once +noticed this attitude of the others towards Lorna. At the drawing of +lots in the sorority she had somehow realized that everybody was +extremely thankful to have escaped having her unpopular chum as a buddy. +Chance remarks and slight allusions, hardly noticed at the time, but +remembered later, had confirmed this. + +"They're not exactly unkind, but they're down on that girl," she had +concluded. "I haven't made up my mind yet whether I altogether like her, +but I'm going to be decent to her all the same." + +As the very first who had treated her on a real equality of girlhood +Irene had been placed on a pedestal in Lorna's empty heart. The +separation between the two added to the loneliness of the latter's brief +half-term holiday. She had never missed school so much before, or hated +her surroundings so entirely. The long week-end dragged itself slowly +away. Sunday was wet and they stayed all day in the little sitting-room, +Mr. Carson reading as usual, and Lorna trying to amuse herself with +Italian magazines and fidgeting as much as she dared. Towards evening +the rain cleared a little and her father went out, refusing, however, to +allow her to accompany him. At the end of an hour he returned and flung +himself heavily into his chair. He was in a state such as she had never +witnessed before, violently excited, with glaring eyes and twitching +hands. + +"Lorna!" he exclaimed in quick panting accents, "I have met my enemy. +The man who ruined me! Yes, the man who deliberately blackened and +ruined me!" + +Lorna turned to him half frightened. + +"What is it, Father?" she asked. "Have you an enemy? You've never let me +know before. Oh, I wish you'd tell me! I'm fifteen now, and surely old +enough to hear. It's so horrible to feel there's something you're always +keeping from me." + +"I suppose you'll find out some time, so I may as well tell you myself," +replied Mr. Carson grimly. "I'm a wronged, ruined man, Lorna, suffering +for the sin of another who goes scotfree. The world judged me guilty of +embezzlement, but before God I am innocent! I never touched a penny of +the money. Do you believe me innocent? Surely my own daughter won't turn +against me?" + +"No, no, Father! Indeed I believe you innocent. Tell me how it +happened. Was it when we left London? I seem to remember the trouble +there was then, though you never explained. We had a different name +then, hadn't we?" + +"You were too young at the time to understand, and it wasn't a subject I +wished to revive. Briefly, a big sum, for which I was responsible, +disappeared. The head of the firm believed me guilty, but for the sake +of old associations he would not prosecute; he simply told me to go. I +consulted my lawyer, and, if there had been the slightest chance of +clearing myself, I'd have fought the matter to a finish, but he told me +my case hadn't a leg to stand on, and that, if I were foolish enough to +bring it into court, I should certainly be convicted of embezzlement, +and sent to penal servitude; that it was only the clemency of my chief's +attitude that saved me, and that he advised me to go abroad while I +could. So I left England in a hurry, a disgraced man, disowned by his +family and his friends. I changed my name to Carson, and through the +kindness of a business acquaintance I was offered a clerkship in an +Italian counting-house in Naples, which post I have kept ever since. How +I should otherwise have made a living God only knows! It's always my +haunting fear that some one in Naples will recognize me and tell them at +the office who I am. If that old story leaks out I may once more be +ruined." + +"But who did it, Father?" asked Lorna. "Had you no clew at all?" + +"Not enough to convict, only a strong suspicion, so strong that it is +practically a certainty. The man who ruined me was once my friend. Now +for five long years, he has been my bitterest enemy. We were both heads +of departments in the firm of Burgess and Co. Probably he's a partner +now, as I ought to have been. I've never heard news of him since I left +London, but to-day I saw him in the Corso. I saw him plainly without any +possibility of mistake. What is he doing in Naples? Has he come here to +ruin me again?" + +"No, no, Dad, surely not! Perhaps he doesn't know you're in Italy. +Probably he's only taking a holiday and will go back to England soon," +faltered Lorna, suddenly realizing that in her father's excited nervous +condition she ought to offer consolation and soothe him instead of +adding to his agitation. "It's very unlikely that he would find you out. +Dad, don't grieve so, _please_!" + +She went near to her father's chair and laid a timid hand on his +shoulder. An immense gush of pity for him flooded her heart. If she had +known this story before, she would have understood, and instead of +thinking him unkind and misanthropic she would have tried to be a better +daughter to him. The new-found knowledge illuminated all the past and +seemed to draw them closely together. + +"_Mother_ would have believed in you, Dad," she ventured to say. + +"Thank God she never knew! She was spared that at any rate. I raged +against Providence when I lost her, but afterwards I felt she had been +'taken away from the evil to come.' Her relations thought me guilty. I +went to them and explained, but they practically told me I was lying. +When I went abroad I never sent them my address. I just wished to +vanish. I don't suppose they have ever troubled to inquire for me. Who +cares about a ruined and disgraced man?" + +"_I_ care, Dad," said Lorna. "I'm only fifteen and I can't understand +everything, but if you'll let me the least little bit take Mother's +place, may I try? I'm not much, but perhaps I'm better than nobody, and +we two seem all alone in the world." + +For the first time in five years the barrier between them was down, and +Lorna was hugging her father as in the old happy childish days. To know +all is to forgive all, and her resentment against his treatment of her +turned into a deep pitying love. She would never be frightened of him +again. A new impulse seemed to have come to her. If she could in any way +comfort him for what he had suffered, it would be something to live for. + +"He's my father, and I'll stick to him through thick and thin," she +said to herself fiercely, as she went to bed that night. "I don't know +who this enemy is, but if ever I meet him I'll hate him and all +belonging to him. I say it, and I don't go back on my word. I'll be my +own witness as nobody else is present. Lorna Carson, you've taken up a +feud and you've got to carry it through. May all the bad luck in the +world come down upon you if you break your oath." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +At Pompeii + + +Lorna returned to Fossato feeling as if she had passed through a great +crisis. The short week-end and its revelation seemed to have added years +to her life. She had never been a typical specimen of "sparkling +girlhood," but her new knowledge made her more sedate than ever. It +brought her both gain and loss: gain in the fact that she now shared her +father's confidence, and could help him to bear his heavy burden, and +loss in the sense of a yet wider division between herself and her +schoolmates. She realized now, only too bitterly, why her father so +persistently shunned all English people. It would surely have been +better to have placed her at an Italian school than among girls of her +own nationality. Lorna, naturally morbid and over-sensitive, shrank yet +deeper into her shell, and became more sphinx-like than ever. Her one +bright spot at the Villa Camellia was her devotion to her buddy. Half a +dozen other girls had at various periods tried to "take Lorna up," but +all had promptly dropped her, declaring that they could not get any +further, and that she was a solitary "hermit-crab." Irene, after one or +two ventures, realized that Lorna was utterly reserved and +uncommunicative, but was content to continue the friendship on a +one-sided basis, giving confidences, but receiving none in return. She +was a little laughed at in certain quarters on the subject of her chum. + +"Hope you like crab sauce." + +"We're tickled to bits at the pair of you." + +"It won't last long." + +"Shall we give you an oyster-opener for a birthday present?" + +"You've got the champion chestnut-bur of the school--aren't you full of +prickles?" + +"Go on!" smiled Irene calmly. "I've been teased all my life by my +brother, so I'm pretty well bomb-proof. Say just what you like. I'm sure +I don't care." + +It really did not trouble Irene that Lorna should cling to this habit of +closeness. She had so many affairs of her own in which to be interested. +She had spent a glorious half-term holiday with her family in their flat +at Naples, and was delighted to describe every detail of her +experiences. She chatted about her relations till Lorna knew Mr. and +Mrs. Beverley and Vincent absolutely well by hearsay, though she had +never met them in the flesh. The accounts of their doings gave her a +peep of home life such as she had not hitherto realized. + +"Lovely to be you," she ventured once. + +"You must come and see us," replied Irene impulsively. "I'll get Mother +to ask you some day. Don't look so scared. They wouldn't eat you. Don't +you like paying visits? Oh well, of course, if you don't want to come I +won't worry you. No, I'm not offended. Why should I be? Let everybody +please herself is my motto. Oh, _don't_ apologize, for it really doesn't +matter in the very least! I'd far rather people were frank and said what +they thought." + +"I'm going with you to Pompeii to-morrow at any rate," said Lorna. "I'm +glad they've put us both down together for that excursion." + +It was part of the educational scheme of Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley +that the girls should be taken to certain places of interest in the +neighborhood. They were carefully prepared in class beforehand, so that +they should thoroughly understand what they were going to see. All the +school studied Greek and Roman history, and since Christmas there had +been special lectures by Miss Morley on the buried city of Pompeii, +illustrated by lantern-slides. But photography, however excellent, is a +poor substitute for reality when the latter can be obtained. Had the +Villa Camellia been situated in England or America no doubt the pupils +would have considered those views a tremendous asset to their history +class, but being in the near neighborhood of Naples they were able to +"go one better," and have actual expeditions to Pompeii itself. A dozen +of the girls, personally conducted by Miss Morley, were to start on +Thursday, take their lunch, and make a day of it. Most of those chosen +were comparative newcomers to the school, or for some reason had not +done the excursion before, so it would be a fresh experience to nearly +all of them. Six seniors and six members of the Transition made up the +party, with little Desiree Legrand tagged on at the last as a mascot, +because Stella and Carrie had pointed out that twelve pupils and one +mistress would make thirteen at table if they had tea together, and +though Miss Morley had scoffed at such ridiculous superstition, she took +Desiree all the same to break the possible bad luck. They had the +satisfaction of assembling in the hall for the start exactly as their +companions were filing into classrooms. + +"Got your nose-bag?" asked Delia, indicating her lunch satchel. "It +wouldn't do to leave those behind. I always feel famished when I'm out +sightseeing. Hope I shan't eat my lunch before the picnic. Renie, it's +no use lugging that camera with you. You won't be allowed to take any +photos inside the ruins, so I warn you." + +"Miss Morley's taking hers," objected Irene, loath to relinquish the +object in question. + +"Miss Morley has a special government permit to sketch or photo in +Pompeii. Nobody may take the slightest snap-shot or drawing without. +I've been once before, so I know, Madam Doubtful. You'll see ever so +many officials will ask to look at Miss Morley's ticket. Why? Because +the place would get choked up with artists I suppose. And also they want +to sell their own photos. You'll be pestered to buy post-cards outside +the gates." + +"I'd adore to get just one or two snaps," persisted Irene. "I won't take +this big camera, but I'll slip my wee one inside my pocket, and see if I +find a chance." + +"Are you ready, girls?" came Miss Morley's voice from the porch, and the +waiting thirteen formed into double line and marched. + +They were to go by the electric tram from Fossato to Castellamare, from +which it was only a comparatively short drive to Pompeii. The jogging, +jolting, little tramcar ran along the coast, linking up several towns +and villages and conveying people intent on either business or pleasure. +There were many visitors anxious to make the excursion to-day, but the +contingent from the Villa Camellia had posted themselves by the statue +of Garibaldi in the square, and scrambled for the car as soon as it +arrived, boarding it with three hatless Italian girls, two women with +orange baskets, a sailor carrying a little boy, and a stout old padre, +who apologized prettily for pushing. + +"We did those folks from the Hotel Royal," chuckled Delia, sitting on +Irene's knee for lack of further accommodation. "Did you ever see a tram +fill up quicker? I'm afraid I'm heavy. I know I'm an awful lump. We'll +take it in turns, and I'll nurse you after a while. I call this rather +priceless. Everybody's good-tempered even if they do hustle. They don't +seem to mind people treading on their toes. It's infectious. I catch +myself smiling, and I'd jolly well frown as a rule if any one yanked a +basket into my back." + +"I think it's the climate," remarked Irene. "In a London tram most faces +don't look too cheerful, but with this sky overhead people are simply +chirping like crickets. It's like a perpetual summer holiday." + +The car was rattling along the steep coast road through miles of +glorious scenery. On the left was an ultramarine sea, with white-sailed +boats, and to the right lay cliffs and olive groves. Some of the trees +were covered with catkins, and others had already burst into green leaf; +gorgeous yellow genistas clothed the hillsides, and the banks were +dappled with blue borage and marigolds. There were so many things to +look at from either window of the tram; goats were feeding along the +crags, and a gray businesslike battle-ship was wending its way across +the harbor in the direction of Naples. They passed through several small +towns or villages, getting a vivid impression of the lives of the +inhabitants, who, on sunny days, seemed to do much of their domestic +work out of doors, and to peel potatoes, wash salads, cook on charcoal +braziers, sew, mend shoes, make lace, and pursue many other vocations on +the pavements in front of the houses, and so far from being disturbed by +onlookers, would smile and even wave friendly hands at the strangers on +the tramcar. + +"That darling old soul in the green apron blew me a kiss," chuckled +Delia. "She looks as happy as a queen, though she's probably living on +about ten cents a day." + +"Did you see them dressing the baby on the pavement?" squealed Stella. +"They were winding it round and round in yards of bandages _exactly_ +like old Italian pictures. I didn't know it was done nowadays." + +"Oh! Look at the carts drawn by bullocks." + +"And the lamb with its fleece all combed out and tied with blue +ribbons." + +"That's because it's Mid-Lent." + +"Don't you see the baby donkey? There! Quick!" + +In her efforts to watch everything at once Delia craned her neck through +the window of the car and away went her school hat, sailing over a +bridge and down into a deep ravine below, lost forever so far as she was +concerned, as the tram certainly would not stop and wait while she +searched for it. + +"You've come down a peg in life, old sport, that's all," laughed +Carrie. "In Italy wearing a hat is a sign of gentility. No work-girl +ever has one on her head even on Sundays. I offered a cast-off of mine +to the _bonne_ at a hotel once, and she eyed it longingly, but said she +daren't wear it if she took it, her friends would think it such swank." + +"What do they have on in church then?" asked Delia. + +"Handkerchiefs, of course. Every Neapolitan has one handy to slip round +her head at the church door. It must save millinery bills." + +"And they all have the most beautiful hair. Hello! Here we are at the +terminus. What a crowd of beggars. They look like brigands waiting to +pounce on us. Help!" + +Once out of the shelter of the tramcar the girls made the unpleasant +discovery that in Italy begging is not forbidden, but quite a recognized +profession with certain of the poorer classes. They were immediately +surrounded by a ragged rabble, some of whom exhibited sores or other +unsightly afflictions to compel compassion, and all of whom held out +dirty hands and persistently clamored for money. The blind, the halt, +and the maimed were there, evidently regarding tourists as their +legitimate prey, and bent upon claiming all the charity they could get. + +"Don't give them anything," commanded Miss Morley, anxiously keeping her +little flock in tow, and shepherding them towards the piazza where the +carriages could be hired. "Just say _Niente_, and shake your heads. Hold +a safe hand on your purses and stick together. Don't get separated on +any account." + +With considerable difficulty they forced their way across the square, +and thankfully took refuge in several waiting landaus, whose drivers, +feeling sure of their patronage, promptly raised their terms high above +the ordinary tariff. It was only after much bargaining on the part of +Miss Morley that they consented to fix a reasonable sum for the +excursion to Pompeii. + +"Miss Morley talks Italian like a native, so they can't 'do' her," +rejoiced Stella proudly. "Aren't they the absolute limit? No, I _don't_ +want to buy a comb, or corals, or brooches, or post-cards, or anything. +They seem to think we're made of money. Why can't they let us alone? +There, thank goodness, we're off at last and can leave the whole +persuasive crew of them behind us!" + +The five-mile drive from Castellamare was part of the fun of the +excursion, but Pompeii was, of course, the main object, and there was +much excitement when they at last drew up at the great iron gate. Miss +Morley bought tickets for the party, and they were assigned a guide, a +smiling Italian of superlative politeness, bearing a badge with the +number 24 upon it. + +"I asked for one who could speak English, but they're all out with other +visitors," explained Miss Morley. "Never mind. It's a good opportunity +of testing your Italian, and I can interpret if you don't understand." + +In spite of the lantern-slides which they had previously been shown, +the girls had come with varying expectations of what they were to see. +Some imagined they would walk into a Roman city exactly as it stood when +buried by the ashes of the great eruption of A.D. 79; others thought +there would be a few interesting things peeping up here and there amid +mounds of cinders. None had imagined it would be so large. + +As a matter of fact the remains are simply the bare ruins of a town +destroyed by burning ashes, which have been extricated from the rubbish +accumulated during more than seventeen centuries. The paved streets and +the roofless and broken walls of the houses still remain, with here and +there some building that by a fortunate chance escaped, either in whole +or in part, the general catastrophe, and suffice to show the general +style and beauty of the Graeco-Roman architecture of the first century. +The guide marshaled his party along, pointing out to them the various +objects of interest that had been excavated, the beautiful marble +drinking-fountain, the marble counters of the shops, identical with +those still used in Southern Italy, the wine jars of red earthenware, +the hand-mills for grinding corn, the brick ovens, or the vaults where +wine had been stored. They went into the site of the ancient market, and +the Forum and several temples, and walked up long flights of steps and +admired rows of broken columns, and saw the public swimming-baths with +their tasteful wall decorations and the niches where the bathers had +placed their clothes, and they admired the law-courts, and marveled at +the great theater that had been wont to hold five thousand spectators. + +The general impression was one of utter desolation. The mighty ruins lay +in the bright Italian sunshine, and, close above, Vesuvius frowned over +the scene, as if still watching the result of his deadly handiwork. Who +had lived in those blackened fire-swept houses, and walked in those +grass-grown streets? It was difficult to imagine the busy thronging +crowds that once must have peopled all these silent haunts, where the +only signs of life were the little green lizards that darted over the +crumbling walls. + +Certain of the best houses were railed round and kept carefully locked, +and inside these could be seen what was left of the domestic life of +civilized Pompeii. The girls enjoyed looking at the rooms in the Casa +Dei Vettii, with the exquisite paintings of cupids still left upon the +scarlet walls, they laughed at the quaint mosaic of the chained dog with +its warning _Cave Canem_ (Beware of the dog!), and they went into +ecstasies over the lovely little statue of the Dancing Faun and some +terracottas of Venus and Mercury. One link with the past was left in the +fact that a few of the houses still preserved the names and even the +portrait-busts of their former owners. + +"My! Doesn't he look boss of the place still? I wonder if I ought to +leave my visiting card for him," declared Delia, staring at the green +marble representation of Cecilius Giscondis, a banker by profession. + +The others laughed. They had all been feeling rather oppressed, and were +glad to break the ice. + +"I'm so tired, I should think we must have walked miles," groaned Lorna. + +"And I'm on the point of famishing," protested Irene, slapping her +lunch-bag with a resounding smack. + +Miss Morley turned round at the sound, and possibly caught the remark, +for she spoke hastily to the guide, then suggested that the girls should +sit in a row on a fallen column and consume their provisions. + +"You all need a rest and something to eat now. Then we'll go on with our +sightseeing, and have tea at the restaurant when we've finished," she +decreed. + +Never were ham sandwiches and oranges so acceptable. Viewing ruins may +be extremely interesting, but it is a highly fatiguing occupation, and +Delia at least had reached the stage of the over-burdened camel. + +"I guess I don't like anything B.C. It's too depressing. Give me Paris!" +she declared tragically. + +"Cheer up, old sport!" consoled Irene. "I'm going to take a snap-shot +of some of us when the guide isn't looking. You shall be in it. You'd +like to send some prints to your friends in America, wouldn't you?" + +"Rather! They'd burst with envy to see me photographed inside Pompeii. +Where are you going to take us? I've finished my lunch. Let's get busy +quick, before the guide comes round the corner." + +Delia was prancing with eagerness. She flitted about like a butterfly, +bent on choosing the best position for the desired snap-shot. Blanche, +Mabel, and Elsie came hurrying up anxious to join the group, and fixed +themselves in elegant poses. + +"Oh, I can't put in such a crowd," objected Irene. "You block out the +whole of the view. I only want Delia and Lorna, and yes, I'll have +Desiree, but nobody else. Please clear out of the way." + +"Well, really!" + +"You mean thing!" + +"We don't want to be in your old photo!" + +Irene had felt cross and was possibly impolite, but she was not prepared +for the Nemesis that descended upon her head. She had just congratulated +herself that Blanche, Mabel, and Elsie had beaten a retreat and that she +had been able to take her snap-shot so successfully, when who should +make his unwelcome appearance but the guide, catching her in the very +act of winding on her film. He sighed sorrowfully, and spread out his +hands with a dramatic Italian gesture. + +"Signorina! Non e permesso!" he objected. + +[Illustration: "'SIGNORINA! IT IS NOT PERMITTED!'" + +--Page 105] + +"I'm awfully sorry. I won't do it again, really," murmured Irene, +cramming the little camera back into her pocket. + +But this apology did not content No. 24. He very courteously, but quite +firmly, insisted upon temporarily confiscating the prohibited article. +Miss Morley, who hurried up at the sound of the altercation, took the +side of the authorities. + +"Who brought a camera? _Irene!_ You knew it was not allowed. Yes, you +must let the guide have it. He'll give it back to you at the gate. I +hope there won't be any trouble about it. I believe you can be fined. It +was very naughty of you to do such a thing." + +Much crestfallen Irene retired into the rear of the party, and bewailed +the fate of her snap-shots. + +"It was hard luck the guide should pop round the corner that exact +minute," she groaned. + +"Mabel fetched him," squeaked Desiree. "I could see over the railing, +and I watched her go. She was mad that you wouldn't put her in the +photo." + +"What a sneaking trick to play. She's the _meanest_ girl. I wouldn't +have told about _her_. I hope No. 24 won't take the spool out of the +camera, because there are three undeveloped snaps of the Villa Camellia +on it, and I shall be wild if I lose them. He couldn't be so heartless. +If I only knew Italian better I'd try and coax him." + +The guide had obligingly waited while the girls ate lunch, but he now +waxed impatient, and hurried his party on to the House of Pansa. This +must have been quite a palatial residence, and showed such perfect +examples of the arrangement of the various rooms in a Roman mansion that +they lingered a long time looking at the _atrium_, the _tablinum_, the +peristyle, and the kitchen with its curious mosaics of snakes. Now, +though it was all very interesting, it was certainly tiring, and some of +the girls grew weary of listening to the guide's descriptions in Italian +or Miss Morley's explanations. + +"I'm bored stiff," confessed Delia, in a whisper, linking on to Irene's +arm. "If I have any more information crammed into my head it will burst. +I know quite enough about ancient customs already. All I can say is I'm +thankful I'm living now instead of then. Renie, if you love me, take me +out of ear-shot of Miss Morley and let me chatter and frivol." + +"Poor old sport!" laughed Irene. "Let's slip away and take another turn +round the garden while the guide finishes haranguing. I'm out of friends +with him since he stole my camera. He doesn't deserve anybody to listen +to him. I've a few chocs left in this package. You shall have some to +cheer you up. They're modern at any rate." + +"You mascot!" murmured Delia. "Stella says I'm a Goth, but why _need_ I +like old things? Did the Pompeians take their schoolgirls to look at +buried Greek cities, or were they satisfied with their own times? How +soon do you think we shall have tea? These chocs have saved my life, but +I'm longing for bread and butter and buns." + +"Why, we haven't finished lunch very long." + +"I ate more than half of mine in the carriage, so I hadn't much left. +Hello! Where have the others been? I didn't know there was a way up +there." + +The rest of the party were clattering down a flight of wooden steps with +many expressions of admiration for what they had seen at the top. + +"Perfectly beautiful! The finest view of all," purred Miss Morley. +"Renie and Delia, didn't you go up? You silly girls. You've missed a +treat. No, I'm afraid we can't wait now. The guide is anxious to take us +on. We haven't seen the House of Sallust yet or the Street of Tombs. I +want to ask him whether they've been doing any more excavations near the +Herculaneum Gate." + +Miss Morley, deep in conversation with No. 24, passed on, in the full +belief that all her flock were following behind her. Irene and Delia, +however, were determined to have just one peep at the view from the top +of the wall, so both made a dash up the wooden staircase. From here +there was a glorious prospect of the entire city with its arches and +columns and broken temples, its cypress trees, and its somber background +of smoking mountain. They could see exactly the way they had come from +the entrance, and could tell which was the Street of Fortune and which +the Street of Abundance. It was so fascinating that they lingered rather +longer than they intended. + +"They'll be waiting for us," ventured Irene at last. + +"Oh, bother! So they will," exclaimed Delia, rushing down prepared for a +scolding. + +But the others had not waited. They had all simply walked on, and the +custodian had locked the gate behind them. It was fast closed, and no +amount of shaking would move it. + +"We're shut in," gasped Irene. "Where's the porter? He ought to be +somewhere about with the key." + +The custodian, quite oblivious of the fact that anybody had been left +inside the House of Pansa, was reading a newspaper and eating bread and +garlic under his wooden shed farther down the street, where he would +remain till the next guide came along with a party and requested +admission. So he did not hear, though the girls thumped and called and +made a very considerable noise. They were both horribly frightened. + +"Shall we have to stay here all night?" + +"I'd be scared to death." + +"Think of the spooks!" + +"Why the whole place must be simply _chock-full_ of ghosts after +sunset." + +"Couldn't we jump from the wall?" + +"I wish I'd never come. Oh, I hate things B.C.! I shall have fits in a +minute." + +Fortunately for Delia's nerves they were not kept long in durance vile. +Lorna very soon discovered the loss of her buddy, drew Miss Morley's +attention to the matter, and the whole party hastened back to look for +them. The custodian was fetched from his wooden shelter and unlocked the +door, loudly disclaiming any responsibility on his part, and blaming the +guide. + +"It's your own fault," scolded Miss Morley. "You really _must_ keep with +the party. I can't have any of you wandering off alone. You can't expect +me to count you every time we come out of a building. I put you on your +parole not to get separated again." + +"We won't indeed, _indeed_! We don't like being lost," promised the +delinquents earnestly. + +Everybody, including the Principal, was very tired by this time, and not +altogether sorry when the guide finished his tour of the ruins, and +conducted them safely back again to the entrance. + +"It's glorious, but you want days to see it in, instead of only a few +hours," sighed Phyllis. + +"And cast-iron backs and legs," agreed Sybil. "I shall enjoy thinking it +over when I'm home, but I'm ready to drop at the present moment." + +"What about my camera?" asked Irene anxiously. + +The guide had not forgotten it; he produced it from his pocket, +and--perhaps in consideration of the tip he had received from Miss +Morley--he did not confiscate the spool, but handed it over intact with +a polite gesture and a cryptic smile. + +"Grazie molto--_molto_!" murmured Irene, which meant "Thanks awfully," +and was one of the very few Italian phrases which she knew. + +Everybody was extremely glad to adjourn to the restaurant, where tea had +been ordered for their party, and a table reserved for them. The big +room was full of visitors and rather noisy; a band of musicians in the +center rendered Neapolitan songs to an accompaniment of mandolins and +guitars, and occasionally the audience joined the choruses. The +performance was not of the highest quality, but it was tuneful and +interesting to those who had not before heard the folk-songs of Southern +Italy. After tea the girls made a rush to buy post-cards and other +mementoes of Pompeii, which were on sale in a room next to the +restaurant, and would have spent half an hour over their purchases had +not Miss Morley collected her flock and insisted on a homeward start. +Poor little Desiree slept all the way back in the tramcar, with her head +on Stella's shoulder, and most of the party were in much more sober +spirits than when they had started. All felt, however, that it was a +never-to-be-forgotten experience. + +"I'd adore to go again sometime," ventured Lorna, clasping a model of a +Pompeian lamp, which her chum had given her for a souvenir. + +"So would I," agreed Irene. "Miss Morley calls this 'part of our +education,' and I think it's a very sensible way of teaching things. I +hope she'll take us to other places." + +"You'll get Vesuvius if your conduct sheet is all right." + +"Oh, lovely! I'd rather go there than even to Pompeii." + +"The same this child," chipped in Delia. "Renie, I guess you and I will +have to shake ourselves up and reform for a week or two. We were in Miss +Morley's black book to-day, and if we don't take care we shall be left +out of the next excursion." + +"I'll be an absolute saint," promised Irene. "You'll see me sprouting +wings. I'm going to draw a physical map of the world and mark in all the +principal volcanoes, and then show it to Miss Morley. She'll think it so +brainy of me and be so glad I'm interested in the subject. She'd really +feel I ought to see Vesuvius after that." + +"You schemer! It's not a bad idea though, and perhaps I'll do the same, +though I hate drawing maps. Hello! Is this the piazza? I'd no idea we'd +got back to Fossato so soon. Yes, it's been a 'happy day,' but I feel +all I want now is supper and bed." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Reprisals + + +It was immediately after this that Peachy, who was always doing +imprudent things and running risks, went a little too far and caught a +severe chill. She was moved into the sanatorium, a room at the top of +the house, and spent three quite happy days in bed, reading books and +magazines, and drinking hot lemonade, which was Miss Rodgers' favorite +remedy for a cold. When she was certified as free from any infection, a +few of her special chums were allowed to visit her. She petitioned +specially for Jess, Delia, and Irene. They found her propped up with +pillows, and looking very charming in a pale pink dressing-jacket and +her hair tied back with a broad ribbon. + +"Thanks very much. I'm sitting up and taking nourishment," she grinned, +in reply to their commiserations. "I'm going to have some more fun +before I pop off! Joking apart, I've had the time of my life here. It's +been blissful just reading and resting, with a big jug of lemonade at my +elbow." + +"We've been talking about you downstairs. Didn't your ears burn?" asked +Jess. + +"Not more than usual. What were you saying about poor little me?" + +"We had a special meeting of the Camellia Buds, and passed a vote of +sympathy, for one thing. I suppose I ought to 'convey' it to you in the +orthodox fashion." + +"Highly gratified, I'm sure," chirped Peachy. "How do I return thanks, +please? I can't get up in bed and bow. What next?" + +"Well, the next is that nobody can think of anything original for the +Transition to do at the carnival, and everybody said 'Ask Peachy,' so +we've come to you for a suggestion." + +"Whew! That's a big order," groaned the invalid. "We've had almost every +kind of stunt that's practically possible. What are the seniors getting +up this time?" + +"Something musical, to judge from the practicing we hear. It sounds like +operetta. And the juniors are having a fairy play. Miss Morgan is +teaching them. What we want is something utterly and entirely +different." + +"Exactly!" agreed Peachy, taking a drink of lemonade. + +"If you don't have a brain-throb we shall have to descend to an ordinary +concert." + +"Or a scene from Shakespeare." + +"Or a _tableau vivant_." + +"And those have been done simply dozens of times." + +"I know," frowned Peachy. "We had 'The Trial Scene' from _The Merchant +of Venice_ ourselves last carnival. We couldn't give the same stunt +again. Oh, don't bother me! Let me think. How can I get ideas when +you're all talking at once?" + +Peachy put her fingers in her ears and buried her head temporarily in +the pillow, from which she appeared to draw inspiration, for in a few +moments she sprang up with a bounce of rapture. + +"Got it!" she announced cheerily. "Let's do a toy-shop. You shall all be +dressed up as toy animals and be wound up to work. Oh, I see ever such +possibilities. The seniors never had _that_ at any rate." + +"Good!" + +"It sounds prime!" + +"What a mascot you are." + +"Don't breathe a word outside the form," warned Peachy. "I'll plan it +all out and we'll have a rehearsal when I'm downstairs again. I guess +we'll give them a surprise. Hand me my writing-pad, somebody, and a +pencil. I want to get busy sketching costumes. I can see the whole thing +in my mind's eye and it ought to be great." + +Every year in the month of March the pupils at the Villa Camellia +celebrated a carnival of their own. It coincided with a local festival +at Fossato, on which occasion the inhabitants were wont to make merry, +dressing themselves in fantastic costumes, parading the streets, and +letting off fireworks. Originally the girls had been taken to see the +gay doings, but the town was often so rough that Miss Rodgers had +decided it was an unsuitable entertainment for young ladies, and, to +prevent disappointment, made the happy suggestion that they should keep +the festival in their own grounds. So each spring the three divisions of +the school vied with one another in producing some fresh surprise, and +had a very interesting and amusing afternoon in the garden or gymnasium, +and were too busily occupied to feel any regret at being deprived of the +sight of what was going on in Fossato. + +Canon and Mrs. Clark and a few of Miss Rodgers' and Miss Morley's +friends, who lived in the neighborhood, were generally invited to swell +the audience of teachers. The juniors were given a little assistance by +their form mistresses, but the seniors and the Transition managed their +own affairs. Now it was a most unfortunate circumstance that at present +the two sororities in the Transition were in direct opposition. Each +was, of course, aware of the other's existence, but each society kept +its own secrets. The Camellia Buds did not even know the name of their +rival, though they could guess at its list of members. Peachy, recovered +from her cold, came downstairs bubbling over with plans for a due +celebration of the festival. She submitted them gleefully to the +assembled girls, after French class. Much to her surprise about half of +the form demurred. + +"We're going to do something of our own," announced Bertha airily. "We +don't want your stunt." + +"Of our own? What d'you mean?" asked Peachy, her gray eyes snapping. + +"I mean what I say. Some of us have arranged a little private +performance--we're going to keep it to ourselves." + +"And leave out the rest of us?" + +"You can have one of your own." + +"Well, I like that!" flamed Peachy. "You're dividing the form into two +stunts. We've never done that before. Besides, who sent up a message +asking me to think of something fresh and original? I certainly +understood it was from _all_ of you." + +Peachy, in huge indignation, glared into several conscious and guilty +faces, while her allies backed up her arguments by cries of "Shame!" +Bertha turned rather red but bluffed the matter out. + +"We changed our minds. We can't always do everything all in a lump. As I +said before, we've got our own stunt, and you Camellia Buds can have +yours." + +Camellia Buds! If Bertha had dropped a bomb in the classroom she could +not have caused greater consternation among the opposition. So the rival +society knew the name of their sorority. A suppressed "O-o-h!" arose +here and there. Evidently much enjoying their confusion Bertha and her +confederates retired, leaving the poor Camellia Buds to hold an +indignation meeting. Everybody talked at once. + +"How did they find out?" + +"Has anybody sneaked?" + +"It's the absolute limit!" + +"I couldn't have believed it!" + +"It gives me spasms!" + +"Of all mean things!" + +"It makes me tingle!" + +Then Jess, who was practical, made a suggestion. + +"I vote we take an oath of every member that she hasn't betrayed us." + +"'O wise young judge!'" quoted Agnes. "That's the best thing anybody's +said yet. Let's stand round in a row and swear 'Honest Injun.'" + +If the Camellia Buds sustained doubts of one another's integrity these +were absolutely dispelled by the fervency with which each pleaded her +innocence. + +"Somebody must have been eavesdropping at one of our meetings, I +suppose," sighed Agnes gloomily. "It's horrid to think they know our +secrets and we don't know theirs. I'd give worlds to get even." + +"Where do they meet?" asked Delia. "I've never been able to find out." + +"They're very clever in hiding themselves." + +"Yes, I expect they keep watch, and scoot whenever they see one of us." + +"That's it, of course," said Irene. "Well, what we've got to do is to +catch them off their guard. I vote we get the kids to help us. They +detest Bertha and Mabel. They'd just adore to track them for us. We +needn't exactly tell them why." + +"Good for you, Renie Beverley. Those kids will do a turn for their +fairy godmothers. We'll call another candy party and put them on the +scout. I've a box of peppermint creams that will just go round. One +apiece ought to be enough for them to-day." + +The juniors were fond of peppermints, and even a limited candy party was +in their opinion better than none at all. They had never received sweets +of any description from Bertha or Mabel; indeed they regarded them as +arch-enemies. The idea of keeping a watch over their movements appealed +to them. + +"We'll shadow them, you bet!" grinned little Jean Hammond. "There isn't +much going on in the school that we don't know." + +"I'm afraid there isn't. You're rather imps. But you'll be doing a good +deed if you find this out for us. The first who brings news shall have +two chocolates." + +The Camellia Buds felt no more compunction in employing the juniors on +this quest than a government that organizes a secret service department. +The enemy had betrayed them shamelessly and deserved reprisals. It was +Desiree after all who won the chocolates. She haunted house and garden +with the persistency of a small ghost, and at last proudly made the +announcement: + +"They've called a meeting by the big Greek jar to-day at five. I heard +Ruth tell Callie. What are you going to do about it?" + +That was exactly the question which puzzled the Camellia Buds. It was +one thing to obtain information and quite another to act upon it. If +they went and interrupted the rival meeting they would have the +satisfaction of routing the enemy but would be none the wiser. It was +Peachy's diplomacy that pointed out a way. + +"The Greek vase!" she said meditatively. "Yes, it's enormously big and I +think I can manage it. Now, my dearies, don't you want to be real +philanthropic this afternoon and give up your turns at the tennis courts +to other folks? Why? Because I've a little scheme on hand. I want to +keep those girls well away from the lemon pergola until it's time for +their precious meeting. Then they'll run up all unsuspecting, poor +innocents, and find----" + +"What will they find?" + +"'A chiel amang them takin' notes!'" chuckled Peachy. "In other words +yours truly will be hiding inside the big jar." + +"Peachy! You can't!" + +"Can't I? Great Scott! Do you think I'm going to let this beat me? You +can just bet your last nickel I shall. Renie and Jess shall help to hide +me, and the rest of you must watch the coast's clear till I'm safely +inside. I tell you I'm crazy to try it. It'll be the frolic of my life." + +There was certainly no plan too madcap for Peachy to undertake. She +revelled in anything venturesome or bizarre. The Camellia Buds did as +she decreed, and resigned the courts that afternoon to Bertha, Mabel, +Elsie, Ruth, Rosamonde, Winnie, Monica, and Callie, who fell readily +into the trap prepared for them. Leaving this double set busy at tennis +they fled to the opposite end of the garden. + +The lemon pergola was a sheltered walk that led down a flight of marble +steps to a small fountain. There was a shady nook here with bushes of +bamboo, and a tree with a sweet flower like honeysuckle, and little red +roses, and a border of Parma violets, and a seat made of bright green +tiles--altogether a very retired and pleasant and suitable spot in which +to hold a committee meeting. Exactly behind the seat stood an enormous +jar of terra-cotta, colored red, and decorated with Greek figures in +black silhouette, rather blurred and rubbed off, but still +distinguishable. No doubt its original use had been to store water, +wine, or olive-oil, but nowadays it was merely an ornament to the +garden. A plant pot full of scarlet geraniums rested on its head, and an +arbutula twined up the sides. + +Peachy climbed up the bank behind, and with the help of Jess removed +the pot of scarlet geraniums; then very cautiously and carefully she let +herself down inside the jar. It was just big enough to contain her, and +she lay concealed like one of the forty thieves in the story of _Ali +Baba_. She had one advantage, however, over the famous brigands. There +was a little round hole broken in the front of the jar, and by putting +her eye to this she had an excellent view of her surroundings. + +"Are you all right?" asked Irene anxiously. + +"Fixed splendidly, thanks. Stick that flower-pot back on the top and +nobody'll ever guess I'm inside. Now scoot, quick, for it won't do for +them to see you haunting round. The place must look absolutely innocent +when they arrive." + +"We won't go too far. Shout for us if you get so you can't bear it any +longer," said Jess, putting the geraniums on like a stopper, and +dragging Irene away. + +Peachy's position was certainly not one of comfort, squatting at the +bottom of the great jar, and she was relieved that she had not long to +wait before the rival sorority arrived to hold its meeting. The girls +came scurrying, flushed after their games of tennis, and flung +themselves down, some on the marble steps and some on the tiled seat. +Bertha, as the Camellia Buds had suspected, was evidently the high +priestess, and opened the ceremony without delay. + +"Members of the Starry Circle," she began hurriedly, "repeat your oath." + +"We vow to be loyal to one another and to our President, and never to +reveal the secrets of our society," recited seven voices in reply. + +("Aha!" chuckled Peachy to herself, in the depths of the gigantic jar. +"Got the name of your precious sorority slap-bang off!") + +"We've met together this afternoon," continued Bertha, "to settle +finally what parts we're going to take at the carnival. Ruth, just look +round, please, and be _sure_ none of those wretched Camellia Buds is +anywhere about." + +Bertha paused, while Ruth made a tour among the bushes, and seemed +slightly puzzled when the latter reported: + +"Coast clear." + +"It's a funny thing," commented the President, "but I declare I can +smell that particular strong lily-of-the-valley scent that Peachy is so +fond of. I suppose it's only fancy?" + +"I can smell it too," confirmed Elsie, sniffing the air. + +"Are there any lilies-of-the-valley out anywhere near?" asked Mabel. + +"No, it's too early for them." + +"Then somebody else must have the same scent, or have picked up Peachy's +_mouchoir_ by mistake." + +A general examination of handkerchiefs followed, but each girl +disclaimed all responsibility for the delicate odor. + +"Queer! I can't understand it. However, let's get to business. Our +waxworks are absolutely going to take the shine out of their stupid old +toy-shop. The only trouble is how we're going to get hold of the right +costumes. There's Queen Elizabeth now--I can manage her skirt, but I +want something for her farthingale. What can we raise?" + +"Peachy has a lovely flowered silk dressing-gown," remarked Mabel. "It +would be just the thing." + +"Suppose she uses it herself though." + +"I won't give her a chance. I'll take it out of her cubicle the night +before and hide it." + +"O-o-h! You will! Will you?" exploded a voice from the interior of the +Greek jar. "We'll just see about that." + +The fact was that Peachy's crouching position had grown intolerable. She +was bound to move and reveal herself, and her indignation at Mabel's +cool suggestion flamed forth through the peep-hole. + +The Circle sprang up in much alarm, and some of them squealed as the pot +of geraniums fell with a crash from the top of the big jar, and Peachy's +pink face and fluffy hair appeared instead. Her flashing gray eyes +certainly held no love light in them. + +"You mean things!" raged Peachy. "Call yourselves stars, do you? I can't +see anything very star-like about you. Have your old waxworks if you +like, but I can tell you beforehand you won't take the shine out of +_us_. You've copied my idea shamelessly, and if you're going to steal +our properties too--yes, you may well scoot. Don't ever dare to show +your faces to me again." + +For the members of the Starry Circle had broken up their meeting, and +were running away down the lemon pergola in the direction of the house, +immensely upset to find there had been a secret listener in their midst. +Once they were out of sight Peachy cooeed for Jess and Irene, who +appeared bursting with laughter and demanding details, having witnessed +the rout of the enemy from a distance. + +"I'll tell you presently if you'll help me climb out of this wretched +thing," said Peachy, who found it a far more difficult matter to +extricate herself from the jar than it had been to drop into it. "How'm +I going to manage? Oh, don't pull my arms so, you hurt!" + +It was indeed somewhat of a problem, and Peachy was beginning to feel +seriously alarmed, when, fortunately, one of the gardeners came to the +rescue, and tilted the jar over so as to allow her to crawl out. + +"I feel like a released Slave of the Lamp, or a freed dryad, or +something fairy-taley or mythological," she declared. "It was worth it, +though, to see those girls' faces. Thank you, Giovanni! I'm ever so much +obliged. Sorry if I've spoilt your bed of violets. Is that Delia calling +us? Coming, dearie. Where are the rest of the Camellia Buds? I may as +well tell my story to the whole bunch of you together. Then you'll see +the sort of thing we're up against. They've taken our idea, and they're +trying to beat us on our own ground. That's what it's all about." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +The School Carnival + + +The Camellia Buds considered that they possessed a real grievance. The +difference between an animated toy-shop and waxworks was so slight as to +be immaterial. In both the figures would require to be wound up, after +which they would perform various antics. The idea had certainly +originated with Peachy, and the Starry Circle had merely copied it. +Their stunt was in fact a shameless plagiarism. + +"Why couldn't they have joined with us and we'd have done the toy-shop +all together?" demanded Agnes crossly. + +"Oh, I don't know. It's just their perversity. It'll look so stupid to +have two separate shows. Whichever comes last will seem so stale after +the other." + +"Why, of course, ours will come first! It _must_!" + +"There'll be a fight for it." + +"We can't squabble at the carnival with Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley +looking on. We'd better have our battle beforehand and get it over." + +"Tell the Stars we mean to have first innings?" + +"They'll never agree!" + +"Look here, it's no use coming to open war with them. I vote we try +diplomacy. Has anybody thought of the programs yet?" + +"I heard the seniors groaning over having to paint covers for them." + +"Well, let's go to them privately and volunteer to help. Then we shall +have the opportunity of telling them that the Transition stunt is to be +in two divisions, and that Part I will be taken by ourselves." + +"Quite a brain-throb!" + +"Renie, I'm beginning to admire you!" + +"Peachy can paint beautifully!" + +"So can Joan and Esther. Shall I go and say we offer to do six programs? +Right-o! Come with me, Peachy. You're our champion wheedler." + +The two delegates started at once on their diplomatic mission. They +felt indeed that there was no time to be lost. They found several of the +prefects collected in Rachel's bedroom, where possibly they were having +a little private candy party, for there were sounds of a rustling of +paper and a shutting of drawers before they were granted permission to +enter the precincts. The Transition girls always envied the seniors' +rooms. These were on the seaward side of the house, and their balcony +had glorious views over the bay and the surrounding coast. The +decorations were very tasteful. The walls were gray, with a stenciled +frieze of hydrangeas, and there were soft-shaded Indian rugs on the +polished wood floor. Rachel and her roommates had provided their own +luxuries in the way of pretty cushions, table-covers, pictures, and +flower-vases, and the general effect was of harmonious comfort. + +"Well? What can I do for you?" inquired the head girl briefly, as Stella +admitted the diplomats. + +It was not a very encouraging reception. Possibly the prefects were +annoyed at being disturbed in the midst of what they were doing. + +Peachy, however, ignored Rachel's tone, and putting on her most winning +smile inquired: + +"We wonder if you're painting any program covers for the carnival?" + +Rachel lolled back in her chair and retied the bow that terminated her +long dark pigtail. + +"Perhaps we are and perhaps we aren't," was her somewhat cryptic reply. + +"The matter's in our hands entirely, of course," cooed Sybil, rocking to +and fro on a cane _sedia_. + +"I know," put in Irene, trying to be tactful. "We only thought that +perhaps you might care to have a little help. Some of us would be ready +to paint a few if you like." + +This put a different complexion on the case. The seniors, always +bristling for their privileges, resented idle curiosity--on the part of +the Transition. But an offer of help was another matter. + +"There certainly is a great number to be done," said Erica, with a +beseeching look at Rachel. + +The head girl thawed a little. + +"Well, we shouldn't mind your taking a few off our hands," she conceded. +"Half a dozen? Sybil, will you get those programs out of my drawer? Put +anything you like on them--flowers, birds, figures, or landscapes. I'll +lend you this to copy the printing from. Let me have them by Thursday if +you can." + +Rachel glanced meaningly at the door, as if she considered the interview +might now with decency come to an end. Neither Peachy nor Irene took the +hint, however. The main object of their mission had not yet been +broached. + +"You've not written the program inside yet," commented Peachy, opening +one of the covers. + +"We'll do that later." + +"Shall we copy some for you?" + +"Oh, no, thanks!" + +Then Irene, growing desperate, blurted out what they had really come to +say. + +"The Transition stunt is to be in two parts this time. Bertha and Mabel +are arranging one, and Peachy is getting up another. Do you mind putting +ours down to come first?" + +"Sorry, but I'm afraid it can't be done," yawned Rachel. "Bertha has +been up and bagged first innings. I wrote it down, didn't I, Stella? +Where's that list? Yes, here we are. The juniors are to come first, +because Miss Morgan has trained them and she thinks they'll get the +fidgets if they wait, and it's better to have their performance over. +Then, of course, comes our stunt, and then the Transition." + +"Could we possibly have our half of the Transition stunt before yours? +It would make more variety." + +"Most certainly not!" + +Rachel's brow was puckered in a frown, and Sybil, from the depths of the +rocking-chair, murmured, "Cheek!" + +"We've got the program all fixed up, and we're not going to change it +for anybody," chirped Erica. + +"Any one who isn't satisfied needn't act," endorsed Rachel, with such a +very decided glance at the door that the two delegates could no longer +obtrude their presence, and were obliged to beat an unwilling retreat. + +They walked along the passage very dissatisfied with the result of their +mission. + +"We've got all the fag of painting these wretched programs, and gained +nothing at all," groused Irene. + +"They might have told us first about Bertha. Isn't she an absolute +Jacob--supplanting us like this?" + +"Those seniors are _most_ unsympathetic. I want to go back and tell +Rachel what I think of her." + +"She'd only say, 'How foreign' if you got excited. And it wouldn't be an +atom of use either." + +"They've taken the best place in the program for their stunt." + +"Trust the prefects to do that." + +"What's to be done about it?" + +"It will need some thinking over." + +Peachy's agile brains were rarely to be beaten. She slept upon the +problem, and informed her friends afterwards that inspiration came to +her at exactly 3 a.m. + +"I know, because I heard the convent clock strike. I sat up in bed and +laughed. I wonder I didn't wake the dormitory, but nobody stirred a +finger. Listen, and I'll explain. The situation at present is this: +Bertha and her Starry Circle have cribbaged our idea and forestalled us +on the program, and are going to act their wretched waxworks first, and +are congratulating themselves that their piece will take the shine out +of ours." + +"So it will, I'm afraid. The audience will have sat through the juniors' +play, the seniors' stunt, and the waxworks. They'll be bored stiff to +see our toy-shop straight away afterwards." + +"Well, they _shan't_ see it. That's my idea. Let's drop the toy-shop and +do something quite different." + +"Drop our toy-shop! O-o-h!" + +"We'll do it some other time. But you see we've one advantage on the +program at any rate. We come last." + +"That's what we're raving against." + +"I know! But if you think of it, it's a great opportunity. Suppose we +do a splendid finishing tableau instead of animated toys? It would make +a magnificent wind-up, and would be a surprise for everybody. Think of +the amazement of the Starry Circle, when they're expecting us to do a +pale copy of their own stunt, to see us posed as a tableau, and +everybody clapping the roof off." + +"It would be rather sporty." + +"Only I did so want to dress up as a kangaroo," mourned Joan dolefully. + +"You shall be Australia instead, and you'll look far nicer. I'll +guarantee to make you ever so pretty. It's to be an Anglo-American +pageant, to symbolize the school. We'll have Columbia and Britannia and +all her colonies, in a sort of _entente cordiale_. You'll see it will +please Miss Morley and Miss Rodgers no end. That Starry Circle will be +just _aching_ with envy. They'll wish they'd been in it. It will +absolutely take the wind out of their sails and lay them flat." + +"Peachy Proctor, there's a spice of genius in your composition," said +Jess admiringly. "I could never have thought of that myself." + +"Oh, fiddlesticks! Glad you approve though. Now what we've got to do is +to hustle up and get busy over costumes. They'll take some contriving. +Hide all your best things away from the Stars, or they'll be +commandeering them. Mabel has no conscience. And be careful that not the +least teeny-weeny hint leaks out. Let's talk openly about the toy-shop, +and pretend we're still going on practicing for it. It will be all the +bigger sell for them when they find out." + +The Camellia Buds, having undertaken to paint six program covers, nobly +did their duty and finished them in the prescribed time. Lorna offered +to take them to Rachel's room, and met with quite a gracious reception +from the head girl. So much so that she ventured to put forward a +suggestion of her own. + +"May Part I of the Transition stunt have a time limit?" she asked. "We +want to have some idea when we're to come on." + +"Certainly," agreed Rachel. "We can't let Part I go on _ad infinitum_. I +hadn't thought of that. I shall tell Bertha she may have ten minutes and +no longer. I shall ring the curtain bell if she exceeds. I see your +point entirely. It's only fair." + +"I was afraid if it was getting near tea-time the audience mightn't want +to stay." + +"Exactly. I'll take care your stunt isn't crowded out. Trust that to me. +I'm not head girl here for nothing. And I'm not entirely blind either. +My advice is to look after yourselves." + +Lorna returned to the Camellia Buds feeling she had considerably scored +over the Stars. Her previous acquaintance with school theatricals had +taught her that audiences are human, that even teachers will not sit +through too lengthy a performance, and that the lure of tea cannot be +resisted by those who are accustomed to drink it daily at 4 p.m. As +their own dormitory was half in possession of the enemy, Irene and Lorna +adjourned to Peachy's bedroom to make preparations for their costumes, +and held cosy sewing-bees in company with Delia, Jess, Mary, and any +other chums who were able to join them. They kept their properties +safely locked up inside one of the wardrobes in No. 13, and Peachy wore +the key tied under her skirt with a piece of ribbon. + +"Because you can't trust that sneaking Mabel not to come in and poke +about," she explained grimly. "I know she wants my dressing-gown." + +"We shall have to gallop with our costumes if we're to make anything of +a show," said Sheila, hastily running seams in a creation of scarlet and +blue, destined to clothe Canada. + +"I know, but we'll wear them even if they've got raw edges and are +fastened together with pins. I don't suppose the audience will be near +enough to see the stitches. I hope not, at any rate. Mine are absolute +cats' cradles." + +By the day of the festival, however, the Camellia Buds were exactly +ready. They had kept their secret strictly, and flattered themselves +that their rivals the Stars were in complete ignorance of their change +of program. The acting was to be in the gymnasium, not in the garden, +for a sirocco wind was blowing and the overcast sky promised rain. It +was a pity, for the pergola would have made such a beautiful background, +and some enthusiasts even petitioned Miss Morley to keep to her original +plan. + +"And have you all wet through, and the guests shivering with cold?" she +replied. "No, indeed! Be thankful we have such a large room as the gym +to act in. Otherwise the fete would have been put off altogether." + +The girls were allowed, however, to decorate the platform with flowers, +and to hang up Chinese lanterns so as to give a festive appearance to +the scene. The performers donned their costumes in good time, but wore +waterproofs over them to conceal them. They wished to witness each +other's stunts, yet did not want to reveal their own secrets too soon. +There was quite a good audience assembled in the gymnasium. Miss Rodgers +and Miss Morley had sent out many invitations, and some parents and +friends had come over from Naples to combine a peep at the celebrated +Fossato festival with a visit to the school. Irene's cup of joy was full +when, to her utter amazement, she saw her own father, mother, and +brother walk into the room. + +"Well! You _are_ a surprise package," she exclaimed, greeting them +gleefully. "Why didn't you write and tell me you were coming?" + +"We didn't know ourselves," said Vincent. "We never thought we could +manage to get off, and we didn't want to disappoint you. When does your +stunt come on?" + +"Not till the end, so I can sit with you most of the time. Oh! It's +simply too good to have you all turn up like this. Mother darling, +there's a chair for you here, and I'll be in the middle between you and +Daddy." + +The entertainment began with a fairy play acted by the juniors. They +looked very pretty in their gauzy garments, and little Desiree, in a +gossamer robe of elfin green, made an attractive queen, so dainty and +ethereal that the audience almost expected to see through her. "What a +sweet child!" was the general comment, as she tripped back in response +to a storm of clapping, to give an encore to her "Moonbeam Song." + +The juniors retired, having covered themselves with glory, greatly to +the satisfaction of Miss Morgan, who had spent much time in training +them for their performance. + +It was now the turn of the seniors. They had got up an operetta of +Robin Hood, and appeared clad in the orthodox foresters' costume of +Lincoln green, with bows, arrows, and quivers. Stella, as Maid Marian, +and Phyllis, as the Curtle Friar, were especial successes; while Will +Scarlett and Little John gave a noble display of fencing with +quarter-staves, a part of the program which they had practiced in +secrecy, under the instruction of the gymnastic mistress, and now +presented as a complete surprise to the school. Their acting was so +spirited that everybody was quite sorry when the short piece was ended, +and would have liked certain scenes repeated, had not Miss Morley +pointed to her watch and shaken her head emphatically to forbid further +encores. Past experience had warned her not to allow one section of the +school to monopolize an undue share of the time to the exclusion of +others. + +"It's the turn of the Transition now," she said. "We shall only just +work through our program by half past four." + +Even the Camellia Buds, though they watched with jaundiced eyes, could +not deny that the members of the Starry Circle managed their waxworks +very creditably. Elsie indeed, as Madame de Pompadour, was not +convincing, but Mabel made a distinguished Sir Walter Raleigh, and +Bertha surpassed herself as Queen Elizabeth. The rival sorority, after +witnessing this triumph, was more and more thankful to have abandoned +the idea of acting an animated toy-shop. It would certainly have seemed +tame to continue on the same lines as the prior performance. As it was +they chuckled with satisfaction behind the curtain, while they arranged +themselves for the tableau. + +"I guess it will make them sit up," purred Peachy, setting a curl +straight with the aid of her pocket-mirror. "It will be frightfully hard +to keep still, for I shall just want to stare round and see their faces, +but don't alarm yourselves. I promise not to give so much as a blink. I +wouldn't disgrace our stunt for the world. I'll be a rigid marble statue +till the curtain drops." + +"Sh! sh! Don't chatter so much," warned Jess. "Aren't you ready yet? +Miss Morley's getting impatient." + +"It's nearly half past four, and I expect everybody is longing for +tea," put in Irene. + +"They'll have to wait for it till we've done our stunt. We're not going +to be left out," said Peachy, hurriedly taking her pose. + +The allegorical scene in which the girls were grouped presented a pretty +picture as the curtain rose. + +In the center Agnes and Delia, dressed as Britannia and Columbia, +supported the Union Jack and the Stars and Strips together with a bunch +of camellias as a delicate compliment to the school; Jess, in plaid and +tam-o'-shanter, stood for her native Scotland; Peachy, with fringed +leather leggings and cowboy's hat, was a ranch-girl; Joan in a somewhat +similar costume represented "the bush" in Australia; Sheila in a white +coat trimmed plentifully with cotton wool made a pretty Canada; Irene +was an Irish colleen; Mary, with bunches of mimosa, typified South +Africa; and Esther, gorgeous in Oriental drapery and numerous necklaces, +was an Indian princess. But perhaps the most successful costume of all +was Lorna's. She had been chosen to take the character of New Zealand, +and was dressed in a pale yellow wrapper decorated with beautiful sprays +of tinted leaves. Round her head was a garland of orange blossoms, and +in her arms she held great branches of oranges and lemons, to typify the +fruits of the country she was impersonating. With Lorna's dark eyes and +hair the effect was most striking. She kept her pose admirably, scarcely +blinking an eyelid, though Mary palpably moved, and even Joan was guilty +of a smile. The audience, immensely surprised and pleased with the +tableau, clapped enthusiastically. It was felt to be a very fitting +finish to the festival. + +"You kept your secret well, girls," said Miss Morley, as she +congratulated them afterwards. "I'm sure nobody had the least hint. It +was charmingly thought out and arranged. Come along now and have some +tea. It has really been a most successful afternoon." + +Audience and performers, the latter in all the glory of their pretty +costumes, mingled together now for conversation and tea-drinking. Irene +quickly joined her family, and had much to say to them, and many +questions to ask about their doings in Naples. + +"I say, Renie," whispered Vincent, suddenly interrupting her, "tell me +who's that lovely girl? She looked the best in the whole of your +tableau." + +Irene followed his glance to the yellow-clad figure handing the teacups +which Miss Morley was filling. + +"That's Lorna. One of my best chums. Yes, that costume suits her. I want +to bring her to speak to Mother. Yes, Lorna, you _must_ come. I simply +shan't let you run away. Mummie darling, this is Lorna. We room +together, you know." + +Lorna, dragged forward much against her will to be introduced, stood +shy and blushing, but her heightened color and evident confusion added +to her attraction, and several heads were turned to glance at her among +the guests in that quarter of the room. It was not until this occasion +of the carnival that any one at the Villa Camellia had recognized Lorna +as a budding beauty. + +"You ought always to wear yellow," Peachy said to her afterwards. "It's +quite your color. By the by, who chooses your clothes for you?" + +"Miss Rodgers generally takes me to Naples and buys them." + +"She's no taste. Her ideas run to a gym suit and a school panama and +nothing beyond. I'll give you a tip. Next time you need an evening dress +or a Sunday jumper, engineer it so Miss Morley does the shopping. She'll +get you something pretty, I'll guarantee. She chose that blue _crepe de +chine_ for Delia. Don't forget. And don't look so fearfully surprised. +If you haven't thought about your clothes before it's time you did. My +dear, you'll pay dressing. Come close and I'll whisper to you: some of +those Stars are just too jealous of you for words. I'm tickled to bits." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Up Vesuvius + + +On a certain day towards the end of March, Miss Morley, who usually +acted as cicerone and general guide, arranged to take a select little +party up Vesuvius. Irene, Lorna, Peachy, and Delia were among the +favored few, and congratulated themselves exceedingly. It is certainly +not an every-day occurrence for schoolgirls to view a volcano, and this +particular excursion, being long and difficult, was kept as a special +treat, and was regarded as the titbit of the various expeditions from +the Villa Camellia. Many of the girls had, of course, made it on former +occasions, but to those whom Miss Morley was escorting to-day it was all +new. + +"I was to have gone last autumn," confided Peachy, "but the fact is I +got into a little fix with Miss Rodgers, and she started on the rampage +and canceled my exeat. I cried till I was simply a sopping sponge, but +she was a perfect crab that day. Lorna, weren't you to have gone too +once before?" + +"Yes, and got toothache. Just like my luck. There the others were +starting off, and I was sitting by the stove with a swollen face, +dabbing on belladonna, and Miss Rodgers careering round telling me I +must have it out. Ugh! My ailments always turn up when I'm going +anywhere." + +"Well, you're all right to-day at any rate," consoled Delia, rather +unsympathetically. + +"If I don't get seasick on the boat." + +"Oh, buck up! You mustn't. We'll throw you overboard to the fishes if +you do anything so silly. For goodness' sake don't any one start +symptoms and spoil the fun. Where's Miss Morley? I'm just aching to be +off." + +The party left Fossato by the early morning steamer and went straight +to Naples. They drove from the quay to the station, then took the little +local train for Vesuvius. Italian railways generally provide scant +accommodation for the number of passengers, so there ensued a wild +scramble for seats, and it was only by the help of the conductor, whom +she had judiciously tipped, that Miss Morley managed to keep her flock +together, and settle them in one of the small saloon carriages. Here +they were wedged pretty tightly among native Italians, and tourists of +various nations, including some voluble Swedes and a company of dapper +Japanese gentlemen, who were seeing Europe. After much pushing, +crowding, shouting, and gesticulation on the part of both the public and +officials, the train at last started and pursued its jolting and jerky +way. It ran first through the poorer district of Naples, where +dilapidated houses, whose faded walls showed traces of former gay pink, +blue, or yellow color-wash, stood in the midst of vegetable gardens; +then, the slums left behind, the line passed a long way among vineyards +and orchards of almond, peach, and cherry that were just bursting into +glorious lacy blossom. The railway banks were gay with the flowers which +March scatters in Southern Italy, red poppies, orange marigolds, lupins, +campanulas, purple snapdragons, and wild mignonette, growing anywhere +among stones and rocks, with the luxuriance that in northern countries +is reserved for June. + +At Torre Annunziata the party from the Villa Camellia all crowded to the +carriage window, for Miss Morley had something to point out to them. + +"We're passing over the lava formed by the great eruption in 1906. The +whole of the railway line and ever so many houses were buried then. +Don't you see bits of them peeping out over there?" + +"Why, yes, it looks like cinders," commented Lorna. + +"They're great masses of crumbling lava turning into soil. Wait till we +get farther on, then you'll see lava more in its raw stage. Very soon we +shall be passing over the top of Herculaneum. The ancient city lies +buried thirty feet below the surface." + +"Aren't they ever going to excavate it like they did Pompeii?" + +"The trouble is that the modern town of Pugliano is built over the top, +and naturally the owners don't want their houses pulled down, whatever +treasures in the way of Greek or Roman antiquities may lie buried +underneath. Isn't the view of the Bay of Naples beautiful from here?" + +"Yes, and the flowers. It's like fairyland." + +At Pugliano the party left the train, and after a long and tiresome wait +at the station changed to the light electric railway that was to take +them up Vesuvius. The little carriage resembled a tramcar, and its wide +glass windows afforded excellent views of the scenery _en route_. +Up--up--up they went, gradually getting higher and higher. It was +marvelous how the vegetation altered as they ascended. The cactuses, +olives, almonds, and peach orchards gave way to hillsides covered with +small chestnut, oak, or poplar trees, and the poppies and daisies were +succeeded by broom bushes and clumps of rosemary. They were getting on +to the region of the lava, and all the ground was brown, like newly +turned peat. Men were busy digging terraces in the volcanic earth, to +plant vines, working calmly as if the great cone above them had never +belched forth fire and ashes. + +"How _dare_ they live here?" shuddered Peachy, pointing to the tiny +dwellings which had been reared here and there. "When they see all the +ruin round them, aren't they afraid? What makes them go back?" + +"The ground is so rich," explained Miss Morley. "Nothing grows vines so +splendidly as volcanic earth. The people get fatalistic, and think it +worth risking their lives to have these fruitful little farms. They say +the mountain may not be angry again for years, and they will take their +chance." + +"It's smoking now," said Lorna. + +"I suppose it's safe?" asked Delia anxiously. + +"Perfectly safe to-day or we shouldn't have been allowed to go up in the +electric railway. Do you see that big building--the observatory? Careful +investigations are made every day of the crater, and the results +telegraphed down to Naples. If there were the slightest hint of danger +the trains would be stopped and tourists turned back." + +The journey was ever upwards, over great wastes of rough brown lava, +which looked as if some giant, in play, had squeezed out the contents of +enormous tubes of oil paint on to the mighty palette of the mountain +side. The air had grown fresh and cold, for they were at an altitude +approaching 4000 feet, and, but for the scenery, might have imagined +themselves in Wales or Scotland. + +The light railway ended at a small station, where there was the +observatory and a hotel. All round were masses of enormous cinders, and +above, a grim sight, towered the immense cone of Vesuvius. To scale the +tremendous incline to the summit there was a funicular railway, to which +our party now transferred themselves, sitting on seats raised one above +another as in the gallery of a theater. It was here that, if the events +of the day are to be truly chronicled, we must record a scrimmage +between Irene and her chum, Peachy. The conductor of the light railway +had gathered a bunch of rosemary _en route_, and he now approached the +funicular and bestowed his offering upon Peachy, who happened to be +sitting nearest to the end. She was immensely gratified at the +attention, sniffed the fragrant nosegay, and handed it on for admiration +to Lorna, who, after also burying her nose in it, passed it to Irene. +The latter ought to have realized it was not her own property, but +unfortunately didn't. She calmly appropriated the bunch, and distributed +it in portions to those nearest her. Peachy's cheeks flamed. She was a +hot-tempered little soul underneath her gay banter. + +"Well! Of all cool cheek," she exploded. "That was _my_ bouquet. It was +given to _me_, not to you, Renie Beverley. Next time you start being +charitable use your own flowers, not mine. You haven't left me a single +piece." + +"I'm sorry," blushed Irene, trying to collect some portion at least of +her offerings to hand back to the lawful owner. "I thought they were +given to me." + +"No, you didn't, you simply bagged them," snapped Peachy. "I'm not +friends with you, so don't talk to me any more," and Peachy turned a red +offended face out of the carriage window. + +Irene might have apologized further, but the funicular gave a mighty +jerk at that moment, and the carriage started. Up--up went the little +train, working on wire ropes like a bucket coming out of a well. Higher +and higher and higher it rose up the terrific incline, over masses of +cinders, towards the thick cloud of smoke that loomed above. It stopped +at last at a big iron gate, which opened to admit the passengers on to +the summit. Here the guides were waiting, and after some parleying in +Italian, Miss Morley engaged a couple of them to escort her party. Led +by these men, who knew every inch of the way, they started to walk to +the crater of the volcano. A cinder path had been made along the edge of +the cone, having on the left side a steep ridge of ashes, and on the +right a sheer drop of many thousand feet. From this strange road there +were weird and beautiful effects--for it was above the region of the +clouds, which floated below, sometimes hiding the landscape, and +sometimes revealing glorious stretches of country, with gleams of +sunshine falling on the white houses of towns miles below, and blue +reaches of sea with mountains beyond. Great volumes of smoke kept coming +down from the summit, and blowing in a dense cloud, then clearing for a +few minutes and forming again. There were booming sounds like the firing +of cannons that seemed to issue from the smoke. + +Very much awed by these impressive surroundings the party kept close +together. The guides, in their gray uniforms and caps with red bands, +were a comforting feature of the excursion. But for their encouragement +the girls would have been too much scared to proceed. Delia was clinging +to Peachy, and Lorna held Irene's arm tightly. Miss Morley, who had been +before, kept assuring everybody that there was no danger, and after a +few minutes they grew sufficiently accustomed to the scene to thoroughly +enjoy the magnificent effects of the clouds circling below them. But the +guides were calling "Haste," for the mist was clearing, and it would be +possible to get a view of the crater. They all scurried along the path, +and suddenly to the left, instead of the high ridge of cinders, they +could look down into a deep rocky ravine. From this hollow vapors were +rising as from a witch's cauldron, but every now and then the wind +dispersed them as if lifting a veil, revealing a glimpse of the crater. +At the bottom of the ravine stood a great cone, from the mouth of which +poured dense clouds of smoke, and between the smoke could be seen fire, +as if the interior of the cone were a red-hot furnace. Sometimes the +vapors were shadowy as gray phantoms, sometimes glowing red with the +reflection of the fire within, and as they whirled round the dim ravine +loud explosions broke the silence. The view was as fleeting and +evanescent as a landscape in a dream; one minute there would be nothing +but a bank of mist and deadly stillness, the next a vision of fire and +sounds that rent the mountain air. + +"It's like looking into the bottomless pit," shivered Delia. + +"Oh, but it's magnificent!" gasped Peachy. + +"I'd no idea it would be so grand as this," said Irene. "I wouldn't +have missed it for worlds." + +"Come along, girls. The guides can take us farther," said Miss Morley. +"Don't be frightened, for it's perfectly safe, and they won't let us go +into any danger." + +So they went some way along the mountain and turned down a side path +towards the crater. It was difficult walking, for they were all among +lava and sliding cinders, but the guides kept close by them, and helped +them over difficult places. When they had descended perhaps a hundred +feet or so, the ground became percolated with steam, jets of it poured +from holes among the rocks, and the cinders upon which they stood felt +warm to their boots. The guides brought the party to a halt upon a ledge +of volcanic rock, from below which ran a sheer slide of hot cinders into +the ravine. From here there was a splendid near view of the cone, its +top yellow with sulphur, and at its base a lake of molten lava. One of +the guides, a venturesome fellow, climbed down by another path and +fetched lumps of sulphur as souvenirs for the girls, and the other guide +pressed upon them pieces of lava into which, while hot, he had inserted +coins, so that they had set into the mass when cool. They were naturally +immensely delighted with these mementoes, and put them in their pockets, +quite unsuspecting of the sequel that was to ensue. + +It was a fearful scramble back up the steep path over the sliding +cinders. The guides held out a stick or a hand to help at awkward +corners, and being young and active the party managed to scale the side +of the ravine and regain the summit of the mountain without any +accidents, though Delia confessed afterwards that she had fully expected +to tumble backwards and roll into the lava, a fear which Miss Morley +pooh-poohed entirely. + +"There was no danger unless you fainted, and the guides were close at +your elbow the whole time," she declared. + +The smiling officials in the gray uniforms and red-banded caps had +indeed seemed the good geniuses of the excursion, but alack! they +exhibited a different aspect when they had conducted their party back to +the entrance of the funicular railway. Not satisfied with the payment +which the government tariff allowed them to charge, they demanded from +each of the visitors exorbitant tips in consideration of the little +lumps of sulphur and lava which they had given them from the crater. The +girls, who had supposed these to be presents, were most indignant. + +"Five francs for a scrap of sulphur!" + +"And we'd just called him such a kind man!" + +"Let him keep his wretched souvenirs!" + +"No, no! I want mine!" + +"It's too bad!" + +"I want my money to buy post-cards!" + +"It's absolute blackmail!" + +The guides, no longer smiling and obliging, but clamoring loudly for +extra money, were finally settled with by Miss Morley, who knew the +customs of the country, and was aware that they would be quite content +with less than half of what they had asked. + +"It's always the way in Naples," she said philosophically, as she +thankfully bundled her flock into the funicular. "You can't get along +anywhere without tipping. The government may try its best to arrange +fixed prices, but every one who goes sightseeing must be prepared to +part with a good deal in the way of small change. The guides are not +such brigands as they used to be, thank goodness. Thirty or forty years +ago I suppose it was hopeless to come unless you brought a courier with +you from Naples to keep the others off. Well, you have your little +souvenirs of Vesuvius at any rate, even if they've turned out rather +expensive ones. They're something to keep, aren't they?" + +"I wouldn't have given up mine if they'd asked me twenty dollars for +it," declared Peachy, fondling the nickel coin set in the lump of lava. + +"I don't understand the Neapolitans," frowned Irene. "One minute they're +so charming and persuasive and winning and gay, and the next they're +absolute bandits." + +"They're a mixed race, with a good deal of the Spaniard in them," +explained Miss Morley. "We must make certain allowances for their +southern temperaments and customs. They're very poor, and they look upon +American and British tourists as made of money, and therefore fair game +to be fleeced. The best plan is to take them quite calmly, and never +lose your temper however excited they may get. When you've lived here +for a time you learn how to treat them." + +By this time they had reached the bottom of the funicular, and were back +in the little station near the observatory. A picturesque woman, with a +yellow shawl round her shoulders, and long gold earrings in her ears, +came hurrying up to sell post-cards, and offered to show the party the +quickest way into the hotel. As every one was very tired and hungry Miss +Morley succumbed to the voice of this siren, and permitted her to escort +them by what she assured them would be a short cut and would save many +steps. But alas for Italian veracity! Their suave and smiling guide led +them down a path at the back of the hotel to a shabby and dirty little +restaurant of her own, where she vehemently assured them she would +provide them with a far cheaper meal, an offer which, at the sight of +the crumby table-cloth, they resolutely refused. + +"The old humbug! I'd no idea she was decoying us away from the hotel. +Really nobody can be trusted up here," fumed Miss Morley. "Come along, +girls. I told the conductor to reserve a table for us, and there won't +be time to have lunch before the train starts unless we're quick." + +So they all hurried back again up the path--much to the chagrin of the +siren--and found their own way into the hotel, where seats had been kept +for them in the restaurant, and dishes of macaroni and vegetables and +cups of hot coffee were in readiness. + +The great attraction to the girls was the fact that if they bought +post-cards at the hotel these could be stamped by the conductor of the +train with the Vesuvius postmark, and posted in a special pillar-box at +the station. The idea of sending cards to their friends actually from +the volcano itself was most fascinating, and they scribbled away till +the last available moment. + +"I guess some homes in America will be startled when they see these," +purred Peachy, addressing flaming representations of an eruption. "It +ought just to make Nell Condy's eyes pop out." + +"I'm only afraid they won't believe we've really been," sighed Delia, +skeptically. + +"They'll have to, with the Vesuvius postmark. The post-office can't tell +fibs at any rate. I call these cards a bit of luck. Be a sport, +somebody, and lend me an extra stamp. I'm cleared out, and haven't so +much as a nickel left." + +"Hurry, girls, or we shan't get places in the train," urged Miss Morley, +sweeping her party from the hotel into the station, where other tourists +were beginning to crowd into the carriages. + +The platform was a characteristic Italian scene; a blind man with a +guitar was singing gay Neapolitan songs in a beautiful tenor voice, a +woman with a lovely brown-eyed baby was calling oranges, an old man with +a red cap and a faded blue umbrella under his arm offered specimens of +hand-made lace, while a roguish-looking girl tried to sell cameos carved +in lava, throwing them on to the laps of the passengers as they sat in +the train. Irene, who was beginning to learn Italian methods of +purchase, commenced to bargain with her for a quaintly cut mascot, +reducing the price asked lira by lira till at length, when the conductor +blew his brass horn, she finally got it for exactly half of what was at +first demanded. + +"And quite enough too," said Miss Morley, who had watched the business +with amusement. "She's probably more than satisfied, and will go dancing +home to her mother. Let me look, Irene? This funny little hunchback is +always considered the 'luck' of Vesuvius. I believe he's copied from a +model found in Pompeii. He's the true mascot of the mountain. Yes, he's +quite a pretty little curio and well worth having." + +"I wish I'd had any money left to buy one with," sighed Peachy. + +The train was speeding downhill now, leaving ashes and lava behind, and +heading for the bright bay where the sun was shining on the sea. Seen +from above against a gray background of olives and other trees not yet +in leaf, the blossoming peaches and apricots had a filmy fairy look most +beautiful to behold. Behind frowned the great volcano still belching out +clouds of smoke. + +"I've a different impression of old Vesuvius now I've seen his heart," +said Peachy, looking back for a last farewell view. + +"He still seems full of mischief, but I'm glad he played no tricks while +we were up there," commented Delia. + +"It's certainly one of the sights of the world, and I'm glad I've seen +it," said Lorna. "Yes, I don't mind telling you I was scared when these +explosions kept popping off. I thought it was going to erupt and give us +the benefit." + +Irene, when they were back at the Villa Camellia, patched up her +squabble with Peachy, whom she had offended over the rosemary incident, +and pressed the Vesuvius mascot upon her as a peace offering. + +"I didn't mean to grab your flowers," she assured her. "Really, honest +Injun, I didn't." + +"Why, I'd forgotten all about it," declared her light-hearted chum. "I +didn't mind a bit after my 'first mad' cooled off. Sorry if I was a +bear. No, I won't take your lucky hunchback. _Must_ I? Well, you're a +dear! I'd adore to have it. I felt absolutely green when I saw you buy +it. I'll hang him on a chain and wear him round my neck, and I expect +I'll just be a whiz at tennis to-morrow. Oh, isn't he funny? Thanks +_ever_ so! I shall keep him eternally as a memory of this ripping day up +old Vesuvius." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +Tar and Feathers + + +After the decided triumph of their Anglo-American tableau at the +carnival, the Camellia Buds held up their heads against their rivals, +the Starry Circle. There was hot competition between the two sororities, +each continually trying to "go one better" than the other. If the Stars +held a surreptitious candy party, the Buds, at the risk of detection by +Rachel or some other prefect, gave a dormitory stunt, throwing out hints +afterwards of the fun they had enjoyed. Both societies produced +manuscript magazines, which were read in strict privacy at their +meetings, and contained pointed allusions to their enemies' failings. No +old-fashioned Whigs and Tories could have preserved a keener feud, the +division between them waxing so serious that sometimes they could hardly +sit peaceably side by side in class. + +"It's all Mabel," declared Jess. "Of course we had two sororities before +she came, but we weren't at daggers drawn like this. Mabel has spoiled +Bertha, and those two lead everything--the rest are simply sheep." + +"Humph! Pretty black sheep I should call them," snorted Peachy. +"They're siding with one another now to break rules. I don't mean candy +parties or just fun of that kind, but sneaking things: they're cheating +abominably over their exercises, and cribbing each other's translations +wholesale. I found them at it yesterday and told them what I thought +about them. Some of them ought to know better. Rosamonde and Monica +aren't really that sort." + +"They're bear-led by Bertha and Mabel. I lay all the blame on them. It +would be a good thing for the Stars if that precious pair could be +caught tripping and taught a lesson." + +"I dare say it would but it's not an easy business," said Peachy +gloomily. "Mabel Hughes is an extremely slippery young person, and she +generally manages to keep out of open trouble. I don't suppose any of +the teachers, or even the prefects, have the least idea what she's +really like." + +"And we can't go sneaking and tell them, so we must try and engineer the +matter for ourselves." + +It was undoubtedly true that with the advent of Mabel Hughes a new and +unpleasant element had crept into the Transition. Such an influence is +often very subtle. Girls who a term ago would not have condescended to +any form of cheating, accepted a lower standard of honor, and tried to +excuse themselves on the ground that they merely did the same as others. +The fact that the Camellia Buds did not share in the dishonesty was set +down to priggishness on their part, Bertha and Mabel often making jokes +at their expense. One day an unpleasant matter happened in the school. +It was the fortnightly examination, and when the Transition took their +places at their desks, with sheets of foolscap and lists of questions, +it was found that the inkwells of each member of the Camellia Buds had +been stuffed up with blotting-paper, so that it was impossible for them +to dip their pens. + +Miss Bickford, who did not even know of the existence of the sororities, +and therefore could not perceive the significance of the fact that +certain girls were thus served while others went free, flew into a +towering rage, and accused Peachy, whose reputation as a practical joker +was not altogether undeserved, of having played the shameless "joke." +Peachy, smarting with the injustice of the false charge, forgot herself +and retorted hotly. + +"Priscilla Proctor!" thundered Miss Bickford. "I have sometimes excused +high spirits, but I never allow impertinence and insubordination. Leave +the room instantly and go upstairs to the sanatorium. You'll remain +there until you apologize." + +A dead hush fell over the class as Peachy, with flaming eyes and chin in +the air, flounced out and slammed the door after her. It was an extreme +measure at the Villa Camellia to banish a girl to the sanatorium, a +public disgrace generally administered only by one of the principals, +and scarcely ever resorted to by a form mistress. + +Miss Bickford, with a red spot on each cheek, glared at the row of +faces in front of her. + +"Can any one give any information about this business?" she asked, then +as nobody replied she continued, "I'm disgusted with the whole set of +you. I wish to say that I'm not as blind as you seem to think, and I've +noticed many points about your work that are, to say the least, +extremely suspicious. I tell you once and for all _this must stop_! I +won't have cheating, practical jokes, or impertinence in this form. Do +you all thoroughly understand me? Very well then, don't let this kind of +thing ever happen again. Empty those ink-pots out on to that tray, and, +Winnie, fetch the ink-bottle out of the cupboard and refill them. This +senseless proceeding has wasted a large part of your examination time, +but I shall make no excuse for it. Your papers will be marked as if you +had begun at nine o'clock." + +With Miss Bickford on the war-path no one dared to say a single word, +but at mid-morning interval the injured Camellia Buds snatched their +biscuits, and fled to their grotto in the garden to hold an indignation +meeting. Here they talked fast and freely. + +"It's a jolly shame!" + +"_Most_ unfair!" + +"Poor old Peachy!" + +"Who did it?" + +"Why, Mabel, of course!" + +"Or Bertha?" + +"One or other of them!" + +"Miss Bickford has noticed their cheating!" + +"Yes, and puts it off on to us all!" + +"I like that!" + +"It's so gloriously fair, isn't it?" + +"She may say she's not blind, but she's an absolute cat!" + +"What's to be done about it?" + +"Those Stars won't ever tell!" + +"Trust them to screen themselves!" + +"Oh, it's _too_ bad!" + +Letting off steam, though comforting to their feelings, did not bring +them any nearer to a solution of their problem. The unpleasant fact +remained that the rival sorority had played an abominable trick, and +that the blame at present rested upon Peachy. To prove her innocence +required the wisdom of Solomon. + +If they could have explained the whole situation to Miss Bickford she +would at once have seen for herself that the offender must be among the +ranks of the Stars, but such a proceeding would mean not only an entire +breach of schoolgirl etiquette, but a betrayal of their own secret +society. It was not to be thought of for a moment. + +"Peachy'll have to climb down and apologize," decided Jess. + +"Peachy eat humble-pie? Oh, good-night!" + +"Well, she certainly was cheeky." + +"Small blame to her!" + +"It was very silly of her, though, to flare out." + +"She's in the fix of her life now, poor dear." + +"Can't we do anything to help her?" + +"I don't know. Let's think it over and hold another meeting this +afternoon." + +Peachy's place at the dinner-table was empty that day, and her meal was +sent up to the sanatorium upon a tray. Miss Bickford had told her side +of the story to Miss Rodgers, who agreed that discipline must be +maintained, and ordered the detention of the prisoner until she showed +symptoms of repentance. Meanwhile Peachy, still in an utterly rebellious +frame of mind, stayed upstairs, determined not to give way. It was dull, +undoubtedly, to be banished to solitary confinement, for there was not +even a book in the room to amuse her. Her own thoughts were her sole +occupation. She had a very fertile brain, however, and suddenly a most +brilliant suggestion occurred to her. The sanatorium was on the top +story of the Villa Camellia, and by peeping from its window she could +command a view of the iron balcony that fronted the rooms below. She +calculated that she was probably exactly above dormitory 10, occupied by +Joan, Esther, Mary, and Agnes, and that these chums would later on be +engaged there at their preparation. With a little ingenuity it should be +possible to communicate with them. She unfortunately had neither pencil +nor paper with her, so could not write a note, but she took off her +brooch and fastened it to the end of a long piece of string, which by +extra good luck happened to be in her pocket. When she judged that the +right moment had arrived she lowered her signal so that it would tap on +the balcony. There was, of course, a certain amount of risk about the +venture, for she might have miscalculated, and be dropping her token +into the midst of enemies instead of friends. Greatly to her relief, +however, Agnes appeared through the French window, and, after examining +the brooch with apparent surprise, glanced upwards and saw Peachy's +face. She gave a comprehensive smile, put her fingers on her lips for +silence, bolted into her dormitory, and returned with a package of +chocolate which she tied firmly to the end of the string, then waved her +hand and darted back to her preparation. + +Peachy drew up her present, chuckling with delight. She felt almost like +a captive of the Middle Ages, and was beginning to plan a romantic +escape down an improvised rope ladder, when it occurred to her that she +would scarcely know what to do with her liberty if she regained it. + +"Botheration!" she mused. "Unless I square things up I can't walk in to +tea, and I can't haunt the garden like a wandering ghost, and I've no +money to pay my passage on the steamer, so I can't go home to Naples. +Nothing for it but to stay here, I suppose, and see who gets tired out +first." + +When the Camellia Buds were able to meet together again at a secret +conclave in the garden, Agnes announced the important fact of having +established communication with the prisoner. After an animated +discussion they decided to write her a round-robin letter and set forth +their idea of the situation. Each composed a sentence in turn, and Lorna +acted as scribe. It ran thus: + + _The Grotto._ + + _To our noble friend and Camellia Bud_-- + _Greeting!_ + + + _The Sorority desires to express a vote + of sympathy for the very unpleasant + occurrence that happened this morning._ + + A. DALTON. + + + _Those Stars are the meanest things on + earth and want spifflicating._ + + J. LUCAS. + + + _We admire you for the magnificent stand + you are making, but we don't see how you + are going to keep it up._ + + M. FERGUSSON. + + + _It's frightfully slow without you._ + + I. BEVERLEY. + + + _We think you'll have to cave in and + apologize._ + + S. YONGE. + + + _But, of course, not own up to something + you never did._ + + J. CAMERON. + + + _We'll get even with those Stars to make + up for this._ + + L. CARSON. + + + _Don't stick in the Sanatorium all + night._ + + E. CARTMELL. + + + _It's no use getting too mad, old sport! + Come right down and talk sense._ + + D. WATTS. + +This united effusion was placed in an envelope, and carried by Agnes to +her dormitory, where, after scouts in the garden had assured her that +the coast was clear, she ventured on to the veranda, and gave a cooee +which brought Peachy to the window above. The latter let down her string +and drew up the letter, which she pondered upon in private. She was wise +enough to accept the good advice, and when Miss Bickford appeared later +on she tendered her apologies. The teacher had possibly repented of her +hasty accusation, for she did not refer to the matter of the inkwells, +but merely required satisfaction for "insubordination." That being given +Peachy was once more free, though she could hardly consider herself +restored to full favor. + +"I used to like Miss Bickford," she grumped, "but I really don't think +she's been fair over this. Why couldn't she ask each girl separately +what she knew about it?" + +"Much good that would have done. Bertha and Mabel wouldn't have told the +truth, and things would only have been in a worse muddle. We'll catch +those two sometime if we can only think of how to do it." + +"Ah! That's just the question." + +Even the Stars had been rather alarmed by Miss Bickford's firm +attitude, and for the present they did not dare to cheat openly or to +play any more tricks upon the form. Stopped in this direction their +ringleaders turned their attention to other matters. What was the nature +of these it was Irene's lot one day to discover. She happened to be +walking in a rather quiet part of the garden, a portion reserved mostly +for vegetables, which adjoined the great wall that separated the estate +from the highroad. As she sauntered along, doing nothing in particular, +she noticed Mabel, who was standing under an orange tree close to the +wall. At the same moment, advancing towards them came the sound of +Rachel's voice caroling an old English song. Now there is nothing in the +least wrong or unorthodox in standing under an orange tree, yet the +instant Irene glimpsed Mabel's face she was certain her schoolmate was +in that particular spot for some reason the reverse of good. She looked +uneasily at Irene, glanced in Rachel's direction, seemed to hesitate, +and finally took to her heels and bolted away through the bushes. Next +minute, over the top of the high wall descended a little parcel. It +caught in the branches of the orange tree, fell to the ground, and +rolled under a clump of cabbages. Irene took no notice, and sauntered on +in the direction of Rachel, but when the prefect had passed out of sight +she returned, groped among the vegetables, found the parcel, and slipped +it into her packet. + +"Miss Mabel Hughes, I believe I've caught you tripping this time," she +chuckled. "I must send out the fiery cross and call an immediate meeting +of the Camellia Buds." + +Among the secret practices of the sorority was a private signal only to +be used in times of urgent necessity. It had been suggested by Jess +Cameron, who took the idea from _The Lady of the Lake_, in which poem a +gathering of the clan is proclaimed by a runner bearing a cross of wood +charred in the fire. Two burnt matches fastened together with thread +served the Camellia Buds for their token, and it was the strictest rite +of their order that any one receiving this cryptic symbol must +immediately leave whatever she happened to be doing and proceed +post-haste to the rendezvous. + +So promptly did the members of the society respond to the summons that +within ten minutes of the issue of the fiery cross they were assembled +in the summer-house in a state of much expectancy. Irene explained how a +parcel had been thrown over the wall, evidently for Mabel, who +undoubtedly had been standing waiting for it. It was not addressed to +Mabel, however, and as it bore no direction at all on the outside the +Camellia Buds considered themselves justified in opening it. It +contained a package of cheap chocolate, and a letter written in a +foreign hand in rather bad English. + + _Beautiful Signorina_, + + _Make me the compliment to accept of me this few + chocolate. I like the letter you gave to me on + Sunday. I will again present myself near to the + hotel to wait upon you as you pass. Accept I pray + you the assurance of my profoundest respects._ + + EMANUELE SUTONI. + +"Who is Emanuele Sutoni?" gasped Delia. "And what's he got to do with +us?" + +"Nothing to do with us," frowned Jess. "But I'm afraid Mabel has been +trying to get up some silly love affair. If Miss Morley or Miss Rodgers +found this out she'd be expelled." + +"What are we going to do about it? Tell Rachel?" + +"I don't think so," pondered Jess. "You see, of course, we're perfectly +certain among ourselves that the letter was meant for Mabel, but it +isn't addressed to her so there's no real evidence. Not enough to +convince Rachel. It would be better really to tell her we've found out +and that she's got to stop it." + +"I know! Let's tar and feather her!" squealed Peachy excitedly. "That's +the best way to frighten her. Of course, I don't mean _real_ tar, but +soap does just as well. She thoroughly deserves it. I vote we do it +to-night. We'll hold an inquisition in her dormitory. It will be easy +enough to square Elsie." + +Peachy's grim idea appealed to the Camellia Buds. They considered it was +time that a public demonstration was made against Mabel, whose general +behavior was very unworthy of the traditions of the Villa Camellia. They +decided to have their tribunal immediately after the lights were turned +out, while the prefects, who sat up later than the Transition, were +still downstairs, and the mistresses were having cocoa in Miss Rodgers' +study. The affair was to be a surprise for Mabel, but as Elsie also +slept in the same dormitory it was necessary to secure her cooeperation, +in case she might give the alarm and summon a prefect. Elsie, however, +proved an easily won ally. + +"I can't bear Mabel," she assured Irene. "You may do anything you like +to her as far as I'm concerned. I shall pretend to be asleep. Monica and +Rosamonde and Winnie can't stand her either. I don't mind telling you +that we're going to resign from the Starry Circle and found a new +sorority of our own. It isn't good enough to be mixed up with such girls +as Mabel and Bertha." + +"I'm glad you've found them out," said Irene. "It was high time somebody +made a protest." + +The four occupants of dormitory 3 went to bed as usual that night, but +as soon as the lights were out Lorna and Irene put on their +dressing-gowns and stockings, and slipped into the bathroom. Here they +hastily completed the details of their costumes in company with the rest +of the Camellia Buds, who had rallied for the occasion. Three minutes +afterwards a strange procession entered dormitory 3. Ten dressing-gowned +figures, each wearing a black mask and holding a piece of lighted candle +in her hand, startled the astonished eyes of Mabel Hughes, who sat up in +bed to stare at them. + +"What's all this about?" she asked. + +"We've come here to hold an inquisition on your conduct," replied a +solemn voice from behind one of the black masks. "Will you kindly get +out of bed and seat yourself upon this chair. We should be sorry to use +force, but I warn you you'll have to obey us." + +Looking a little scared Mabel apparently thought discretion the better +part of valor. She rose, put on her dressing-gown, and took the seat +indicated. Her inquisitors grouped themselves opposite, placing their +candles in a row upon the mantelpiece. Their spokeswoman, unfolding a +large sheet of paper, proceeded to read the indictment. + + _This is to tell all whom it may concern + that Mabel Hughes, having broken every + rule of decent and orderly behavior, and + being no longer worthy of the name of + gentlewoman, is here arraigned on the + following charges:_ + + + _1. That she habitually takes advantage + of and ill-treats the juniors when + opportunity occurs._ + + _2. That she cheats abominably at her + work._ + + _3. That she endeavors to persuade + others to cheat._ + + _4. That she degrades the name of the + Villa Camellia by receiving letters + which are thrown to her over the wall, + and by handing answers to them on her + way to church._ + +Mabel, who had smiled scornfully at the first three charges, changed +color at the fourth. + +"What do you know about letters?" she challenged sharply. + +"We know all," ventured the solemn voice. "You had better confess at +once, or the affair with Emanuele will be exposed to the prefects." + +"It's my own business," said Mabel sulkily. + +"No, it isn't. It's ours as well, and the whole school's. We don't want +the Villa Camellia to be disgraced in the eyes of the town. You ought to +be ashamed of yourself. It's so _vulgar_. Now, will you promise to give +up all your bad habits and behave like a lady." + +"I'll promise nothing," snapped Mabel. + +"Then we shall be obliged to tar and feather you." + +Mabel laughed, imagining it was an empty threat, but she was rapidly +undeceived. Two inquisitors, seizing her by the arms, held her tightly +in her chair, while several others smeared soap over her face and stuck +on feathers which they took out of a cushion. She would have screamed, +but every time she opened her mouth to do so she received a dab of soap +upon her tongue. When they considered her countenance was sufficiently +ornamented, they presented her with a looking-glass to view the effect. + +"That's how we feel about it," the spokeswoman assured her. "This is +just to show you we won't stand your horrid ways. Will you promise now +to behave yourself, or do you want any more?" + +Apparently Mabel had had enough. She seemed rather frightened. She +grumbled that she would agree to what they wished. + +"Just jolly well take care that you keep your promise then," warned her +inquisitor. "If you begin any of your old tricks again we have evidence +against you, and we shall take it straight to Rachel. If I know anything +of Rachel she'll go to Miss Rodgers, and that means you're expelled. So +now you know! You'd better be careful, Mabel Hughes. That's all we came +to say. You may wash your face if you like before you get into bed +again." + +The ten members of the inquisition, knowing that time was passing, and +that the prefects would soon be coming upstairs, judged it wise to break +up the meeting, and taking their candles beat a stately retreat to their +respective dormitories. Lorna and Irene, returning to their cubicles, +heard Elsie chuckling. She had not interfered in any way with the +performance, but it had evidently entertained her. She told the tale +next day to her friends, with the result that Ruth, Rosamonde, Winnie, +Monica, and Callie joined her in seceding from the Starry Circle, +leaving Mabel and Bertha as sole remaining representatives of that +sorority. + +"We're fed up with you," Winnie assured the pair when they remonstrated. +"We're tired of your sneaking ways, and you may just keep them to +yourselves. We're not going to let you copy our exercises any more. And +if we see you taking those kids' biscuits again there'll be squalls. No, +we shan't tell you the name of our new sorority. We're not going to have +anything to do with you ever again. So there!" + +Public opinion had for once triumphed on the right side, and Mabel and +Bertha, greatly discomfited, found their influence over the late Stars +was at an end. The threat of telling Rachel had frightened Mabel; she +was uncertain how much the Camellia Buds really knew, and judged it +discreet to drop her clandestine correspondence. She had no wish for the +matter to meet the ears of Miss Rodgers, who, she was well aware, would +take the most serious view of it. Though she cherished a grudge against +her late inquisitors, she submitted to their demands, and for the time +at any rate gave no outward cause for complaint. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Peachy's Pranks + + +"I'm sorry to have to announce it," said Peachy, "but my spirits are +fizzing over, and I guess if I don't go just the teeniest weeniest bit +on the rampage I'll fly all to pieces and make a scene. Sometimes I'm +tingling down to my toes and I've just _got_ to explode. Being good is a +lonesome job." + +Peachy was sitting with Irene and Delia on one of the marble seats at +the bottom of the lemon pergola. It was a favorite spot with the girls, +for it was sheltered from the prevailing wind and the flowers grew +particularly luxuriantly. Lovely irises were blooming, white narcissus, +wallflowers, and beds of Parma violets, and the beautiful delicate +blossom of the arbutula drooped from an archway that spanned the path. +Irene, who was used by this time to Peachy's whimsical moods, laid aside +the book she was reading and laughed. + +"Poor old sport! You've evidently got it badly to-day. What can we do +for you? How, where, and when do you want to rampage?" + +Peachy shook her head dolefully. + +"I don't know. Only wish I did. I'm tired of doing the same things over +and over again every day. Getting up in the morning and dressing myself, +having breakfast, going to classes, having dinner, grinding at prep, +playing tennis, having tea and supper, and undressing and going to bed. +I want to sleep in my clothes or go to class in my wrapper just for a +change, and I'd like tennis in the morning and tea instead of dinner. +I'm tired of the house and the garden. I want to dodge Antonio and go +through the big gate and run down the road. I tell you I want to do +absolutely anything that's weird and impossible and out of the ordinary. +Yes, I know I'm wrought up. I'm just crazy for a real frolic. Who'll +play 'Follow my Leader'?" + +"If you won't do anything _too_ outrageous," ventured Delia, replacing a +dainty piece of sewing inside her workbag, and preparing to fall in with +her friend's mood. "I've had one little difference with Miss Bickford +this week, and if I have another Miss Rodgers may cut up rough and stop +my next exeat." + +"Honest Injun, I'll take all the blame if blame there is. Renie, dearie, +you're coming too?" + +"Got to, I suppose," chuckled Irene. "When the Queen of the South arises +and gives her orders her slaves must 'tremble and obey.'" + +"Not much trembling about you. Come on and be sports, both of you. Are +you ready? Do as your Granny tells you then, and off we go." + +The game of "Follow my Leader," as every schoolgirl knows, consists in +exactly imitating everything which is done by your chief, no matter what +extraordinary and peculiar antics she may perform. To submit to Peachy's +guidance in the present exalted state of her spirits was a decided leap +in the dark, but Irene and Delia were ready for fun, and prepared to +take a few risks. At first their light-hearted companion contented +herself with running in and out among the lemon trees, walking along the +low wall of the terrace, jumping the culvert, or easy physical feats, +then, having slightly worked off steam, she stood for a moment and +paused to reflect. + +"Christopher Columbus! I guess I know what I'll do. I've an exploring +fit on me, and if I can't find America I'll find something else new and +undiscovered. Here goes." + +Peachy, with her satellites in her train, plunged her way across the +garden in the direction of the kitchen. She had suddenly remembered an +object which had more than once set her curiosity a-galloping. In the +yard outside the scullery there was an iron staircase intended for use +as a fire-escape from the servants' bedrooms, and also as a means of +mounting the roof when workmen wished to attend to the chimney-pots. Up +here she was determined to go. Fortunately the maids were safely inside +the kitchen, and the defenses were left unguarded. + +"This is my Jacob's ladder," she proclaimed. "Who'll follow me to the +sky?" + + "'Will you walk into my parlor?' said the spider to the fly, + ''Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy! + The way into my parlor is up a winding stair, + And I have many curious things to show you when you're there.'" + +"Go on, you lunatic," giggled Irene. + +"And be quick about it if you don't want Dominica clattering at your +heels," added Delia. + +So they clambered up the steep iron stairway, and, passing by the door +that led to the servants' apartments, they climbed on till they reached +the roof. This part of the Villa Camellia was _terra incognita_ to the +school. They decided hastily, however, that it would be a very desirable +acquisition. It was a large flat expanse covered with lead, and edged +with a low battlement. It was evidently used by the maids, for a +clothes-line was stretched between two chimneys, and a row of towels +hung out to dry. The view was adorable. It was like being on the top of +a mountain. They could see the town of Fossato, and a wide expanse of +water, and Vesuvius, and the distant outline of Naples all spread in a +panorama before them, besides having an excellent bird's-eye prospect of +the garden below. Peachy, who was ready to do anything wild, went +dancing about like a will-o'-the-wisp. + + "Light and airy--light and airy, + Sure, I feel a sort of fairy," + +she extemporized. "Renie Beverley, you're not mad enough! Give me your +hand. I tell you you've got to dance. We're witches who've flown over on +our broomsticks and alighted here, and we'll have a frolic before we go +back to--wherever we came from. Hello, what's this business? It looks +like a water-tank. Give me a boost, somebody, for I'm going up to see." + +It was rather a scramble even for Peachy's agile limbs, but she was +resolved thoroughly to explore the capacities of the roof, and the +cistern must not be left unvisited. She clung on to its slippery side +and peered down at her own reflection in the water below. + +"No idea I looked so nice," she perked. "The blue sky makes a charming +background. Really, a pool is quite a becoming mirror. Does anybody else +want to come up and peep? It's like looking at the view-finder of a +camera. Rather painful hanging on, though. I think I'll drop if you're +neither of you coming. Oh, botheration! I've lost my hair ribbon. It's +gone right down inside the cistern. Well! It's done for now. I can't +possibly fish it out." + +"It wasn't your best!" consoled Delia. + +"No, but the only scarlet one I possess, and just at present I've a +wild fad for scarlet. I get crazes for various colors. Last term I'd +look at nothing but pale blue, till Bertha Ford got that new blue +chiffon dress, and that, of course, set me against it forevermore. I'd a +rage for tartan once, only Jess was rather nasty about it; she thinks no +one in the school has a right to wear Scotch plaids except herself. I've +spent all my pocket money for this week, so I can't buy another ribbon +till next Saturday. I shall have to go about in pink. Miau! I'll be such +a good little pussy-cat. I'm sure different colors make me good or bad. +Don't laugh at me! I mean it! I'm a different person according to what I +wear." + +For a short time the girls loitered about on the roof, enjoying the +novelty of their position, and particularly the fact that they were on +unlicensed ground, and would undoubtedly get into trouble if they were +caught by Dominica or Anastasia. Naughty Peachy, to play the maids a +trick, took down the row of towels, folded them neatly, and placed them +in a pile behind the cistern, chuckling over the prospect of Anastasia's +consternation when she came up to fetch them and found them missing. + +"I owe her something for breaking my pink alabaster vase," she +announced. "She's an awful smasher with her duster--just goes surging +ahead over our mantelpiece and sends our ornaments flying. Mary's +Pompeii pots went to smithereens yesterday. Now, Signorina Anastasia, +you won't find your towels in too big a hurry. I guess I've paid you +out." + +"She'll pay _you_ out if she catches us up here," suggested Delia, who +was anxious not to forfeit her exeat. "Hadn't we better be getting a +move on?" + +"Words of wisdom, my child, fall from your lips like pearls and +diamonds. The same sage thought was occurring to your humble servant. +Anastasia has what is commonly called a tart tongue, and an inconvenient +and inconsiderate habit of reporting trifles at headquarters. It would +be quite unnecessary of her to mention to Miss Rodgers that she had seen +us here, but I believe she'd go out of her way to do it." + +"I'm sure she would, bad luck to her. Lead on, MacDuff! Let's descend +from the Highlands to the Lowlands." + +"We may find further sport farther afield. I'm not at the end of my +resources yet. I've an idea or two more in my head," nodded Peachy, +escorting her friends down the staircase to the comparative safety of +the back yard. + +There was no doubt that Peachy was in an exceedingly mischievous mood +and ready for any prank which came to hand. She dodged with her +followers successfully past the kitchen door, without attracting the +hostile attention of Anastasia or any other of the servants. She was +bent on exploring a patch of the garden which was only accessible from +the rear of the scullery. She had observed it from the vantage-ground of +the roof, and had decided that, by climbing on to a low shed, it would +be quite possible to scale the wall which divided the grounds of the +Villa Camellia from those of its next door neighbor. The girls had +always been extremely curious about the Villa Sutri. From their +dormitory windows they could catch a glimpse of its green shutters and +creeper-covered walls, set away among a thick grove of trees, and they +had decided that its garden looked immensely superior to their own. The +estate belonged to Count Sutri, who often spent part of the winter and +spring among his orange groves and his flowery pergolas. He was supposed +to have a reputation for gardening, and rumors of his wonderful exotics +had circulated round the school. None of the girls, however, had ever +actually been inside the grounds. + +Peachy's project was, of course, extremely audacious, and had the Count +been at home she would hardly have dared to let it materialize. She had +heard Mrs. Clark mention on Sunday that their neighbor had started for a +cruise in his yacht, and that he would probably be away for a +considerable time. + +"The Villa will be shut up, and only a few gardeners left about the +place," declared Peachy, "and if I know anything of Italian gardeners, +they'll all be sitting smoking inside the summer-house, so we needn't +trouble ourselves to worry about them. It's the opportunity of a +lifetime. I saw the whole thing in a flash from the roof. There's a shed +on our side of the wall and a shed on his. All you have to do is to step +over and get down. Nothing could be simpler. I'm just aching to explore +that garden." + +Delia, still thinking of her exeat, demurred, and even Irene's valor +slightly quailed. + +"Oh, come on! Be sports!" tempted Peachy. "You'll never get such a +chance in your lives again--never." + +So they hesitated, and were lost, and finally followed their leader up +the low, sloping roof of the shed. + +As Peachy had prophesied, it was really remarkably easy. They had only +to scale quite a low piece of wall, and drop on to the roof of the shed +on the other side, then scramble down into Count Sutri's garden. In less +than five minutes the feat was accomplished, and three rather awed but +delighted girls were speeding along a green alley in quest of adventure. + +There was no doubt about it being a beautiful garden. It was more +carefully kept than that of the Villa Camellia, and contained choicer +and rarer flowers. There were glorious tanks of water-lilies, and there +were pergolas of sweet-scented creepers, and the statues and arbors +utterly eclipsed even those of a public park. It was evidently the +Count's favorite hobby, and he had spared no expense in laying out the +grounds. Rather fearful of being caught by some chance gardener the +girls walked on, holding themselves in readiness to dive away if +necessary and make a quick escape. + +"Do you feel like Adam and Eve in Paradise?" queried Delia tremulously. + +"Not a bit, because they never got back after they were once turned out. +I wish we could annex this place and add it on to the Villa Camellia. +The Count can't want it while he's away." + +The girls wandered about in breathless enjoyment. Stolen waters are +sweet, and somebody else's garden seemed much more attractive than their +own. They did not dare to venture too near the Villa, and kept carefully +away from anything that looked like a grotto or a summer-house, in which +they might find a gardener seated, enjoying his cigarette. At the end of +a rose pergola, however, Peachy made a discovery. It was neither more +nor less than a flight of steps leading down to a door in the ground. +She stood gazing at it with curiosity. + +"Now I wonder what that is?" she exclaimed. + +[Illustration: "'I WONDER WHAT THAT IS?' SHE EXCLAIMED" + +--_Page 183_] + +"Looks like the entrance to a mausoleum," shuddered Delia. + +"Or the strong room where the Count keeps his money," laughed Irene. + +"I don't believe it's either. I shouldn't be surprised if it's the +passage leading to the sea. I know there is one in the Sutri garden, to +get down to the bathing cove. How priceless if we've happened to light +upon it. Is that door open? I'm going to see." + +Peachy ran down the steps, turned the handle, and somewhat to her own +astonishment found the door unlocked. She was peering into a long dark +tunnel, at the end of which could be distinguished a faint glint of +light. This was indeed an adventure. It seemed a deed of daring to +explore such hidden depths, but she was out to take risks that +afternoon. + +"Come along!" she commanded, bracing up the spirits of her more timorous +comrades. + +Holding one another's arms particularly tightly, the three entered the +doorway and began to walk along the underground passage. It sloped +sharply downwards, and was rough under foot, but the farther they +descended the brighter grew the light in front of them. Presently they +had stumbled out of the darkness, and were emerging from a tunnel at the +foot of the cliffs, and stepping out on to the sandy shore of a little +cove. + +It had always been a great grievance at the Villa Camellia that the +school had no bathing place, and the girls had greatly coveted the creek +which was the exclusive property of their neighbor, Count Sutri. To find +themselves on a level with the sea, facing the lapping waves, was +exactly what they had hoped. They ran along the sand in huge delight, to +the very edge of the water. It was really a beautiful cove. There were +groups of rocks with smooth pools amongst them, and in the silvery sand +were numbers of tiny fragile shells, very pretty and delicate, and just +the thing for a collection. + +"It's a shame it should all belong to one man who probably hardly ever +uses it," flamed Peachy. "Now, if only we could all come down here to +bathe, wouldn't it be a stunt? The cove is really mostly under the +garden of the Villa Camellia. _I_ say it ought to belong to us." + +"It's ours for the moment at any rate," said Irene. + +"Yes, isn't it great? We've got it all to ourselves," rejoiced Delia, +dancing along the beach with outstretched arms, like an incarnation of +Zephyr or a spring vision of a sea-nymph. She skimmed over the sand +almost as if she were flying, but, as she reached the largest group of +rocks, her exalted mood suddenly dissipated and her high spirits came +down to earth with a thud. Sitting on the other side of the rock, calmly +smoking a cigar, was a middle-aged individual in a tweed coat and a soft +hat. The creek, which they had imagined was their private paradise, was +occupied after all. + +Delia fled back to her friends, this time on wings of fright, and +communicated her awful discovery. + +"It must be Count Sutri," gasped Peachy. + +"He can't have started off in his yacht after all," agreed Irene. + +"I don't _think_ he saw me, but I'm not sure about it," panted Delia +breathlessly. + +"Whether he did or he didn't we'd better scoot quick," opined Peachy. + +So three agitated girls dashed back over the sands and into the dark +tunnel, and hurried as fast as they could up the underground passage, +expecting every moment to hear a footstep behind them and a voice +demanding to know what they were doing trespassing upon the premises. At +the top of the tunnel a horrible surprise awaited them. The door through +which they had entered was shut and bolted. At first they could hardly +believe their ill luck. They groped for the handle in the darkness, and +pushed and pulled and turned and tugged, but all in vain. They even +thumped on the door and called, hoping to attract the attention of a +gardener, but there was no reply. They were hopelessly locked inside the +underground passage. + +Now thoroughly frightened they were almost in tears. + +"We shall have to go back to the cove," faltered Irene. + +"And show ourselves to Count Sutri, and ask him to take us back +somehow," gulped Peachy. + +"We're in for the biggest row of our lives with Miss Rodgers," choked +Delia. + +There was certainly nothing else to be done. Time was passing quickly, +and unless they could return at once to the Villa Camellia they would be +late for preparation. Very sadly and soberly they walked back along the +seashore to the rocks. + +"_You_ explain, Peachy," urged the others, and Peachy, though she did +not relish the task thus thrust upon her, acknowledged that she was the +instigator of the whole affair and therefore responsible for helping her +companions out of a decidedly awkward situation. + +The gentleman in the soft hat was still sitting under the shadow of the +rock smoking, but he rose and threw away his cigar as the deputation of +three advanced to address him. Peachy, in her very best Italian, began +to stammer out an explanation and excuses. He listened for a moment or +two, then shook his head and interrupted. + +"Sorry I don't speak much Italian. I'm afraid I don't quite understand." + +"O-o-h! You're American!" gasped Peachy, her face one broad smile of +relief. "We--we thought you were Count Sutri." + +"I haven't that honor! I'm only plain Mr. Bond. I've taken the Count's +villa, though, for two months. Can I be of any service to you?" + +"We're Americans too," sparkled Peachy; "at least Delia and I are. We're +at school at the Villa Camellia up there. I--I'm sorry to say we're +trespassing here. We climbed over the wall into your garden and came +down the passage to the shore, and now the door's locked and we can't +get back again." + +"And it's nearly preparation time," added Delia desperately. + +Mr. Bond's eyes twinkled with amusement. + +"I'll take you back," he offered. "It was hard luck to find the door +locked. I've hardly explored the place properly myself yet. I came down +in the lift." + +"The lift!" exclaimed Irene in surprise. + +"Yes, here it is, and a very convenient arrangement too," said Mr. +Bond, leading the way into an artificial cave close at hand. + +Here to the girls' amazement was a perfectly modern and up-to-date +"ascenseur," nicely upholstered and lighted by electricity. Mr. Bond +ushered his visitors inside, closed the door, pressed a button, and +immediately they shot aloft, landing ultimately in a kiosk in Count +Sutri's garden at the top of the cliff. Feeling as if a magician had +used occult means to transport them back to safety, the girls gazed +round highly delighted to find themselves out of the cove. Their host, +to whom they hastily confided some details of how they had penetrated +into his premises, fetched a ladder, and by its aid they mounted to the +roof of the shed, and skipped over the wall on to the top of their own +wood-hut. + +"You won't tell Miss Rodgers?" begged Peachy, waving a good-by to their +rescuer after they had all protested their gratitude. + +"I guess I know how to keep a secret," he laughed. "I won't betray you. +Hope you'll be in time. There goes your school bell. You've run it fine +but I believe you'll just do it if you hustle up." + +Three breathless girls, with minds much too agitated to apply +themselves properly to French translation, slipped into the Villa +Camellia at the eleventh hour, and answered "present" as their names +were read on the roll-call. Peachy's disheveled hair drew down a rebuke +from Miss Bickford, but this was such a very minor evil that she took it +meekly, smoothed the offending elf-locks with her fingers, and composed +her dimples to an expression of docile humility. + +"We got out of that very well," she purred in private afterwards. + +"Thanks to Mr. Bond and the lift," agreed Irene. + +"I guess I'm not going to try anything so risky again," declared Delia. +"It was the fix of my life. I'll be down with nervous prostration +to-morrow. Shouldn't wonder if I raise a temperature to-night. Peachy +Proctor, you may coax and tease as you like, but nothing you say will +ever induce me to climb that wall and go into Count Sutri's garden +again. It's not worth the thrills. Sorry to be a crab, but I mean it." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +The Villa Bleue + + +Delia's good resolution remained only half fulfilled, for after all she +visited Count Sutri's cove again. This time, however, it was in a +perfectly orthodox fashion. Mr. and Mrs. Bond, meeting Miss Morley at +the house of an American resident in Fossato, invited the whole school +to come and view the garden on Sunday afternoon, and clad in their best +dresses the girls paraded in through the gate, and were shown the +beauties of the lovely grounds. They were taken in relays down in the +lift to the creek by the sea, and afterwards entertained with ice-cream +and biscuits on the terrace in front of the villa, which was all very +interesting and delightful, though not nearly so exciting as the +surreptitious peep which the naughty trio had previously obtained on +their own account. Mr. Bond might indeed be silent on the subject of +that afternoon's adventure, but the expedition into his grounds had been +only a part of Peachy's pranks in her game of "Follow the Leader," and +for one of her sins at any rate she was to be called to account. The +cistern on the top of the roof supplied a tap on the upper landing from +which Anastasia, one of the chambermaids, was accustomed to draw water +with which to fill the bedroom jugs. + +On the morning after the events just narrated she took her can as usual, +but was utterly horrified, when she turned the tap, to find the water +running red. She was intensely superstitious, and immediately jumped to +the conclusion that she was the victim of witchcraft, so she flung her +apron over her head, commenced to sob, and deplored the early death +which would probably overtake her. She sat on the landing making quite a +scene, prophesying evil to the other servants who crowded round to +condole and marvel, and showing the bewitched water in her jug with a +mixture of importance and horror. The girls who occupied rooms on the +upper landing were duly thrilled, and, after debating every possible or +impossible solution of the mystery, were on the point of carrying the +tale to Miss Rodgers when Peachy came hurrying along. + +"I've only just heard. Don't, _don't_ go to the 'Ogre's Den' about it. +If you love me don't. I guess I know what's happened. The water's _not_ +bewitched. If you've any sense left in your silly head come with me on +to the roof and we'll look at the cistern. We'll soon find out what's +the matter. Callie, lend me your butterfly-net, that's a saintly girl!" + +Anastasia, though somewhat protesting, allowed herself to be persuaded, +and went with Peachy first to the kitchen floor and then up the iron +staircase to the roof. Approaching the cistern Peachy climbed on to its +edge, lowered her butterfly-net, and presently fished up a wet and +draggled scarlet ribbon which stained her fingers red as she held it out +to Anastasia's astonished gaze. + +"I guess it's this that has been bleeding inside the tank and has +stained the water," she explained. + +"But, Signorina, I ask how it place itself there?" demanded the still +puzzled chambermaid in her halting English, then mother-wit +overmastering native superstition, she burst into laughter. "Oh! Oh! Oh! +It is no magic but you, Signorina. Who hid my towels? I go to tell Mees +Rodgers. Yes! You shall get into very big scrape!" + +"No, Anastasia, don't tell," implored Peachy. "It was only a joke. Look +here! Are you fond of chocolates? I had a box sent me yesterday, and you +shall have them all. It won't do any good to tell Miss Rodgers, will +it?" + +"You not come on to this roof again and touch my towels?" conceded +Anastasia doubtfully. + +"Never! I promise faithfully." + +"Then I not tell." + +"Good! You're a white angel. I'll square the girls and get them not to +mind washing in pink water for a day or two. It ought to improve their +complexions. So we'll just say nothing at all about it at headquarters. +That's settled. Anastasia, your English is improving wonderfully; I +guess I'll teach you some American next--it's the finest language in the +world. Botheration, I've soused Callie's butterfly-net. I don't know +what she'll say about it. I'm out of one scrape into another the whole +time. Well, I'd rather face Callie than Miss Rodgers anyhow. She may +storm, but she can't give me bad marks or stop my next exeat. Come +along, Anastasia. We'll take the ribbon with us to show as a trophy. It +will give them a little bit of a surprise downstairs if I'm not +mistaken." + +Owing to luck, and to the kindness of Anastasia, Peachy's pranks did +not on this occasion meet with any punishment. Irene, who had been +greatly fearing an exposure of the whole escapade, once more breathed +freely. If the matter had come to the ears of Miss Rodgers the three +girls would certainly have been "gated," and Irene was particularly +anxious not to lose her approaching exeat. It was her turn to go to tea +at the Villa Bleue, and she was looking forward greatly to the occasion. +It would be her first visit, for she had forfeited her privilege earlier +in the term, when she and Lorna lost themselves among the olive groves. +Much to their satisfaction the buddies were invited together, in company +with Mary, Sheila, Monica, and Winnie, who were also on the good conduct +list. Of course there was considerable prinking in front of the +looking-glasses, careful adjusting of hair ribbons and other trifles of +toilet, before the girls considered themselves in party trim and ready +to do credit to the Villa Camellia. Escorted by Miss Brewster, who acted +chaperon, or "policewoman" as Sheila insisted on calling her, they +walked in orderly file down the eucalyptus avenue to the town, past the +hotel, along the esplanade, and up a steep incline to the Villa Bleue. +The hospitable little parsonage seemed an exact materialization of the +personality of its owners. Canon and Mrs. Clark were both small and +smiling and charitable and particularly kind, and their tiny +unpretentious dwelling, with its sunny aspect and its flowers and its +pet birds, was absolutely in keeping with their tone of mind. From some +houses seem to emanate certain mental atmospheres, as if they reflected +the sum total of the thoughts that have collected there, and sensitive +visitors receive subconscious impressions of chilly magnificence, +intellectual activity or a spirit of general tolerance. + +The Villa Bleue always felt radiant with kind and cheery impulses, and +its flower-covered walls seemed almost to shine as the girls, secure of +a welcome, parted from Miss Brewster, and ran up the steps to the +pleasant veranda. Mrs. Clark made them at home at once. She had six cosy +basket-chairs waiting for them, and a plateful of most delicious almond +taffy, and she installed them to sit and admire the view, while she +talked and put them at their ease. Schoolgirls are notoriously bashful +visitors, and in certain circumstances all six would have been mum as +mice and entirely devoid of conversation except a conventional yes or +no, but with dear Mrs. Clark's beaming face and warm-hearted manner to +disarm their shyness they were perfectly natural, and enjoyed themselves +as entirely as if they were at a dormitory tea or a sorority supper. The +best part about Mrs. Clark was that she had the happy knack of +forgetting her age and throwing herself back into the mental environment +of sixteen. She was certainly not a stiff hostess; indeed her treatment +of her guests was less conventional than that adopted by Rachel Moseley +at the prefects' parties; she laughed and chatted and asked questions +about the school, till in a few minutes the girls were chattering like +sparrows and behaving as if they had known her for years. + +Tea was set out on little basket tables in the veranda, and there were +all the delicious home-made things for which the Villa Bleue had gained +a just reputation--brown scones and honey, potato cakes, Scotch +shortbread, buttered oatmeal biscuits, iced lemon sandwich cake, and +chocolate fingers. + +When tea was taken away and the basket tables were once more free, Mrs. +Clark produced dainty cards and scarlet pencils and organized a +competition. It was entitled "Nursery Rhymes," and contained twenty +questions to be answered by the competitors. These ran as follows: + + +NURSERY RHYMES COMPETITION + + 1. Who made Cock Robin's shroud? + + 2. Who was exhausted by family cares? + + 3. Who disliked insects? + + 4. Who showed an interest in + horticulture? + + 5. Who summoned an orchestra? + + 6. Who pursued matrimonial intentions + without the parental sanction? + + 7. Who showed religious intolerance? + + 8. Who took a joint that did not belong + to him? + + 9. Who deplored the loss of hand gear? + + 10. Whose salary was restricted owing to + slackness in work? + + 11. What animal pursued horological + investigations? + + 12. Who made the record high jump? + + 13. Who wore a superfluity of jewelry? + + 14. Whose culinary efforts were + temporarily confiscated? + + 15. Who pulled Pussy from the well? + + 16. Who slept instead of attending to + business? + + 17. Who exhibited sanctimonious + satisfaction over a meal? + + 18. Who lost a number of domestic + animals? + + 19. Who had an accident during the + performance of their duty? + + 20. Who was mutilated by a bird? + +Some of the questions seemed easy and some were difficult. The girls +sat puzzling over them, and writing the answers when they got +inspiration. Irene scribbled away delightedly, but Lorna, who had almost +forgotten the nursery rhymes of her childhood, was in much +mystification, and only filled in a few of the vacant spaces. Numbers 6, +7, 13 and 14 proved the most baffling and no one was able to solve all +twenty. + +After allowing a considerable laxity in respect of time Mrs. Clark rang +the bell and declared the competition closed. The girls changed cards, +and waited with interest while their hostess read out the answers. + + +ANSWERS TO NURSERY RHYMES COMPETITION + + 1. I, said the beetle, + With my thread and needle. + + 2. The old woman who lived in a shoe. + + 3. Miss Muffet. + + 4. Mary, Mary, quite contrary. + + 5. Old King Cole, who called for his fiddlers three. + + 6. Froggie would a-wooing go, + Whether his mother would let him or no. + + 7. Goosey goosey gander, + Whither do you wander, + Upstairs, downstairs, + In my lady's chamber. + There I met an old man + Who wouldn't say his prayers, + So I took him by the left leg + And threw him down the stairs. + + 8. Taffy was a Welshman, + Taffy was a thief, + Taffy came to my house + And stole a piece of beef. + + 9. Three little kittens + Lost their mittens + And they began to cry. + + 10. Johnny shall have a new master + And he shall have but a penny a day, + Because he won't work any faster. + + 11. Dickery, dickery, dock! + The mouse ran up the clock! + + 12. The cow jumped over the moon. + + 13. The fair lady of Banbury Cross. + Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes + She shall have music wherever she goes. + + 14. The Queen of Heart's tarts. + + 15. Little Tommy Trout. + + 16. Little Boy Blue. + + 17. Little Jack Horner. + + 18. Little Bo Peep. + + 19. Jack and Jill. + + 20. The maid was in the garden + Hanging out the clothes, + When by came a blackbird + And nipped off her nose. + +There was a good deal of laughter over the competition and much counting +up of marks. Irene, who had scored eighteen out of the possible twenty, +came out top, and was accordingly handed the pretty little photograph +frame which formed the prize. + +"I only got six," mourned Lorna. "I was a perfect duffer at it." + +"I had fifteen," purred Sheila, "but I couldn't for the life of me +remember who made Cock Robin's shroud, or who pulled Pussy out of the +well." + +"It's such ages since I read any nursery rhymes," said Monica. + +"That's just the fun of it, of course!" declared Mary. "Did you make up +the questions, Mrs. Clark?" + +"No, I got the Canon to compose them. He'll be glad you liked them. Oh, +here he comes. He had to go to a committee meeting this afternoon. Did +you get tea, dear, at Major Littleton's?" (to her husband). "That's +right! Then sit down on this comfy chair and entertain us, please." + +"Rather a big order," laughed Canon Clark, shaking hands with his young +visitors, and taking the proffered seat. "How do you want to be +entertained? No sermons to-day?" and his eyes twinkled. "Don't all speak +at once. I'm beginning to get nervous!" + +"You can tell the most beautiful stories," suggested Sheila, who had +paid visits before to the Villa Bleue and knew the capabilities of her +host. + +"Oh, yes, please, _do_ tell us a story!" agreed the others. "We'd like +it better than anything." + +"I have one inside my desk which is just ready to send off to a +magazine. If it won't bore you to listen to it, I'll read it aloud and +let you judge whether it has any interest in it or not. An audience of +schoolgirls ought to be severe critics. As a rule they're omnivorous +readers of fiction. If you turn it down I shall tear it up." + +"Oh, but we shan't!" + +"_Please_ begin!" + +Thus urged, Canon Clark fetched a manuscript from his study, and after +passing round the plate of taffy, to "sweeten his narrative" as he put +it, he sat down in his basket-chair on the veranda and began to read. + + +"THE LUCK OF DACREPOOL + + "I had known Jack Musgrave out East; we had chummed + at Mandalay, messed together at Singapore, hunted + big game up in Kashmir, and shot tigers in Bengal, + and, when we said good-by, as he boarded the + homeward-bound steamer at Madras, it was with a + cordial invitation on his part that I should look + him up if ever I happened to penetrate into the + remote corner of Cumberland where his family acres + were situated. + + "For a year or two my affairs kept me in India, and + nothing seemed more unlikely than that--for the + present, at any rate--Jack and I should cross paths + again, but by one of those strange chances which + sometimes occur in this world I found myself, on + the Christmas Eve of 190-, standing on the platform + of Holdergate Station, having missed the connection + for Scotland, and with the pleasing prospect before + me of spending the night, and possibly--if trains + were not available--the ensuing Christmas Day at + the one very second-rate inn in the village. + + "It was then that I remembered that Holdergate was + the nearest station to Dacrepool Grange, and that, + if Jack's memory still held good, I might find a + hearty welcome and spend a pleasant evening + recalling old times and discussing past shots, + instead of putting up with the inferior + accommodation offered by the landlady of the King's + Arms. As no one either at the station or in the + village seemed willing to vouchsafe me definite + information as to whether the owner of Dacrepool + was at home or abroad, parrying my inquiries with + such scant courtesy and in so uncouth and + unintelligible a dialect as to be scarce + understood, I resolved to chance it, and with some + difficulty hiring a farmer's gig, I started out on + a six-mile drive over the bleak moorlands, which + seemed to stretch as far as the eye could reach in + a dim vista of brown heath and distant snow-clad + fell. It was a dreary and unseasonable evening, + with a damp mist rising from the sodden ground, and + occasional falls of sleet, mingled with rain that + chilled one to the bone. I buttoned my coat closely + round my throat, and braced my nerves to meet the + elements, hoping I might find my reward at the end + of my journey, and inwardly cursing every mile of + the rough road. + + "But even Cumberland miles cannot wind on forever, + and my Jehu at length drew up at a massive stone + gateway, which he assured me formed the entrance to + Dacrepool Grange. There was neither light nor sound + in the lodge, nor did any one come out in answer to + our impatient calls, so we had perforce to open the + gates for ourselves. They creaked on their rusty + hinges, as if they had not been unclosed for many a + day, and when I noted the neglected drive, where + the overhanging trees swept our faces as we passed, + I began to fear that I had come on a fool's errand, + and that I should find the house shut up and my + friend abroad. + + "On this point, however, my driver reassured me. + 'Nay, oo'be to home, theer's a light i' yon + winder,' he said, pointing with his whip where a + faint streak of yellow shone like a beacon into the + surrounding gloom. The moon was struggling through + the clouds, and I could dimly discern the outline + of the quaint gabled front of the house, with its + mullioned windows, and masses of clinging ivy. + Dismounting at the old stone porch, I seized the + knocker and beat a mighty tattoo. There was no + reply. Even the light had disappeared from the + window almost simultaneously with the approach of + our carriage wheels, and though I hammered for + fully five minutes I failed to obtain the slightest + response to my knocks. I was on the point of + turning away in despair and driving back in the gig + to Holdergate, when a sound of footsteps was heard + within, together with an unbolting and unbarring, + the door was opened about six inches on the chain, + and a hard-featured woman peeped cautiously out + into the darkness. + + "I at once proclaimed my identity and my errand, + but, by the light of the candle which she held in + her hand, she looked me up and down with a glance + of keen distrust and evident disfavor. 'How am I to + know it is as you say?' she replied guardedly, and + without making any move to grant me admittance. + + "'Then fetch your master,' I exclaimed with some + heat, thrusting my card into her hand. 'He should + know my name at any rate, though he seems to have + trained you in strange notions of hospitality to + keep a guest standing on the doorstep on a bitter + evening in December.' + + "Grumbling under her breath she went away, and I + was half inclined to follow her example and quit + this very unpromising spot, when a quick step + resounded in the hall, the door was flung open + wide, and I was dragged forcibly into the house by + my friend Jack, who hailed me with such unfeigned + delight and enthusiasm that there could be little + doubt of the genuineness of his welcome. + + "'You've sprung upon us at a queer time, as it + happens, old man, but if you don't mind taking + pot-luck we'll spend a ripping night together,' he + cried, hauling me into the dining-room, where a + pretty fairy of a girl sprang up to greet us. 'This + is my sister Bessie, and I've talked about you so + often that she'll give you as big a welcome as I + do. It's only a poor best we can show you in the + way of entertainment, but you'll make allowances + when I tell you how I'm situated, and what we lack + in kind we must make up in good will.' + + "'What's good enough for you will be good enough + for me,' I replied heartily, submitting to be + relieved of my coat and installed in the best chair + by the blazing fire--a pleasant change indeed from + the cold and the sleet outside. + + "'You must not think our guests usually receive + such a churlish reception,' said Jack, laughing a + little, 'but the fact is, we took you for the + bailiffs. I'm sorry to say I've outrun the + constable--it's really not my fault, for the old + place was mortgaged to its last penny when it fell + to me--but, as the case stands, I'm enduring a kind + of siege; daren't put my nose out of my own door + for fear I should be served with writs, and have to + smuggle what supplies we can beg or borrow through + the kitchen window. It's a queer kind of Christmas + to spend, and a poor lookout for the New Year, for + I'm afraid the old place is bound to go in the end, + though I have vowed to stick to it as long as I can + hold it, and Bessie has vowed to stick to me, + though she might have a more cheerful home + elsewhere if she liked. There's precious little to + offer you in our larder, but perhaps we can furnish + up something in the way of supper; can't we, + Bessie?' + + "Miss Musgrave laughed merrily. + + "'Mr. Harper must imagine himself back in camp,' + she replied; 'I hope he can manage to subsist on + porridge and cheese and tinned provisions, for I + don't think we have anything better to offer him.' + + "I would have subsisted on a far poorer diet to + remain within sight of those bright eyes, and I + endeavored to convince my host and hostess that I + desired nothing more than to be treated as one of + themselves, with such success that I seemed to drop + at once into the family circle, and never spent a + pleasanter or more jovial evening in my life. Jack + and I sat up late after Bessie had retired, + chatting of bygone days and past adventures till + the jungles and plains seemed almost more real than + the cheery blaze of the fire before us; but the + talk came round at last to the affairs of the + moment. + + "'Is not there any plan by which you could raise + the wind, Jack?'" I inquired. + + "'Never a one. I've tried every end up, but there + seems no way out of the trouble unless, indeed, we + could find Sir Godfrey's treasure.' + + "'Who's he?' + + "'An ancestor of mine, rather a back number, + considering he died somewhere about two hundred and + fifty years ago--but a restless old gentleman, for + he is still said to have a trick of haunting the + house, and, according to popular tradition, hoping + to be able to point out the hiding-place of a + treasure he stowed away.' + + "'Was it genuine treasure?' + + "'I believe so. He went off to fight in the Civil + Wars, and hid the family plate and jewels in a + secure place which nobody knew of but himself. He + had not the sense to leave any record of the spot, + and when he was killed at Naseby his secret died + with him, and the valuables--unless, as I sometimes + suspect, the old chap had previously pledged + them--were not forthcoming, nor have they ever been + heard of since.' + + "'Has he ever appeared to you?' + + "'Not he; I only wish he would. The hoard would be + a jolly windfall to me if I could manage to light + upon it. But I'm not the kind who goes about seeing + ghosts. I'm too plain and matter-of-fact by half, + and, though I often hear mysterious taps on the + panels of my bedroom, I prosaically set it down to + rats and mice. Now, you're a psychic sort of a + fellow, the seventh son of a seventh son; if he + wants to make himself visible, perhaps you may get + a sight of him; I'm afraid it's more than ever I + shall.' + + "'Is there no clew at all left as to the + hiding-place of the treasure?' I inquired. + + "'Only an old rhyme so obscure as to be quite + unintelligible: + + He who plucks a rose at Yule + Will bring back luck to Dacrepool. + + Even you, with your fondness for antiquities and + rummaging strange things out of old books, can + scarcely make anything of that, I should say.' + + "I shook my head, for the riddle seemed quite + unreadable, and as we had already sat up until long + past midnight I begged for my candle, and proposed + to defer our conversation until the morning. Jack, + declaring that none of the beds in the damp old + house was fit to sleep in without a week of + previous airing, insisted upon giving up his room + to me, and passing the night himself on the + dining-room sofa, and, in spite of my + protestations, I was forced to acquiesce in his + plans for my comfort. + + "Left alone, I looked with some curiosity round the + gloomy oak-paneled chamber, where the fire-light + flashed on the carved four-poster, with its faded + yellow damask curtains, and lit up the moth-eaten + tapestry that adorned a portion of the upper part + of the walls, but scarcely illumined the dark + corners which lay beyond. There were quaint old + presses and chests roomy enough to hide a dozen + ghosts in, and a portrait of a gentleman in the + elaborate costume of the Stuart period seemed to + look down upon me with strangely haunting eyes. + + "'A spooky enough place,' I murmured, 'hallowed by + the spirits of numerous generations, no doubt. + Well, I'll undertake they won't disturb me + to-night, for I am dog-tired and mean to sleep like + a log.' + + "I am an old traveler, and was soon in bed and + enjoying a well-earned slumber, but my dreams were + wild, for I seemed now to be driving furiously over + the moorland, pursuing ever the phantom of pretty + Bessie, who, with her bewitching smile, was luring + me into the fog and darkness, and now to be barring + the front door to defend her from some unknown + assailant, whose perpetual rapping rang like an + echo through my brain. With the impotent strength + of dreamland I struggled vainly to close the door, + which was opening slowly to admit the nameless + horror. I seemed to feel a hot breath on my cheek, + and with a wild shriek I woke, to find the + moonlight streaming in through the broad + diamond-paned window, falling in a white shaft + across the floor, while the last embers of the fire + were smoldering to ashes upon the hearth. + + "I sat up in bed with that feeling of broad + awakeness and alertness which comes to us + sometimes, and caught my breath as I listened, for + through the stillness of the night came the + unmistakable sound of a gentle tapping from behind + the paneling of the wall. It was not continuous, + but more as one might rap at the chamber door of a + sleeping person, waiting every now and then to hear + if one had obtained a response. An intense and + vivid sensation came over me that I was not alone + in the room; that there was some presence other + than my own personality which was striving in some + way to force itself upon my consciousness and + arrest my attention. Was it only my fancy, or were + the moonbeams actually shaping themselves into a + human form, till against the dark background of the + fireplace, I seemed to see the misty shadowy + outline of a figure, so vague and ethereal that + even as I looked it appeared to melt again into the + moonlight and cease to exist? + + "With every nerve on the stretch I strained my + eyes to gain a clearer impression. A passing cloud + left the room for a few moments in darkness, but, + as the beams shone out full and clear once more, + that shadowy figure seemed to gather substance, and + I felt as if some unknown force were compelling my + attention and chaining my every sense in a mute + endeavor to establish some chord of connection + between me and the dim spirit world which floats + forever round us. Now waxing, now waning, the + vision grew, till I fancied I caught a glint of + armor. For an instant a wild imploring glance met + my own, and a transparent finger pointed to the + richly-carved paneling below the arras, but as I + sprang from the bed the vision faded swiftly away, + leaving me standing on the floor in the calm + moonlight doubting the evidence of my senses, and + half convinced that I must still have been in the + continuance of my dream. + + "Yet, as I looked, something in the carved paneling + struck my notice, and, following the direction in + which the spectral finger had pointed, I saw that + the dragons and the twisted scrolls were united in + the center by a Tudor rose. In an instant there + flashed across my mind the old saying which Jack + had quoted: + + He who plucks a rose at Yule + Will bring back luck to Dacrepool. + + What impulse urged me I cannot say, but compelled + by some seemingly irresistible suggestion I seized + the sculptured rose and wrenched at it with all my + strength. There was a dull thud, followed by a + harsh grinding noise, and the whole of the paneling + slid slowly back, revealing a cavity behind, where, + half hidden by the accumulations of dust and + cobwebs, I could catch a sight of silver tankards + and masses of plate enough to make the mouth of a + collector water with envy. Still scarcely certain + whether I was sleeping or waking, I put in my hand + and drew out a bag filled with something heavy, and + even as I did so the rotten mildewed canvas broke + with the strain, and a stream of golden coins + descended with a clatter upon the floor. + + "Like a maniac I rushed to my door and hallooed + lustily for Jack, who, roused by my shouts, came + hurrying up in scanty attire, with a revolver in + one hand and a poker in the other. + + "'What is it, old man, thieves or bailiffs? Just + hold 'em till I come, can't you?' + + "'It's neither,' I replied, as I hauled him in with + triumph, 'but I believe I have had a visit from + your esteemed ancestor, and, as a Christmas gift, + allow me to introduce you to the long-lost family + treasure.' + + "There was no mistake about it--it was real enough, + and, as the Christmas bells came chiming through + the frosty air, we turned out bags of gold, piles + of silver and priceless jewels warranted to redeem + Dacrepool Grange twice over if necessary, and + sending Jack into a very ecstasy of joy. + + "'By Jove, old chap,' he exclaimed, 'I owe it all + to you. Here I've slept in this room for years, and + never paid any heed to the raps and taps, though + I've heard them often enough, while the treasure + was under my very nose, only waiting to be + discovered. Then you come along with your + ghost-seeing eyes, and the spirit, if spirit it + was, is able to convey to you the secret it's been + trying to get off its mind for hundreds of years. + You've saved me from the bankruptcy court, and it's + a debt of gratitude you'll find I shan't lightly + forget.' + + "It was a very jovial Christmas which we spent + that day, for the news of the find got abroad at + daylight, and we were promptly visited by the + butcher and baker, bringing stores of good cheer + and profuse apologies for past misunderstandings; + even the severe old servant relapsed into smiles as + she bore in a smoking sirloin of beef. Jack's + spirits rose to the wildest pitch, and little + Bessie, who persisted in calling me the savior of + the family credit, could scarcely do enough to show + her gratitude. Jack wanted me to share the best of + the jewels with him, and was so annoyed at my + refusal that I could only gain peace by a hint that + I should sometime ask him for something more + valuable still. And I got my way, for my unexpected + visit lengthened out to a stay of some weeks, + during which pretty Bessie's gratitude had time to + ripen into a warmer feeling. So in the end it was + quite a different treasure which I bore away from + Dacrepool Grange, and I feel equally with Jack that + I have cause to remember that strange Christmas + Eve, and to render my thanks to old Sir Godfrey, + who now sleeps soundly in his grave, secure in the + accomplishment of his mission, having rid his soul + of the burden of his secret and restored luck to + Dacrepool." + +"Is it true?" asked Sheila, as Canon Clark folded up his manuscript. + +"Well, I can hardly call it a personal reminiscence, but you must allow +for author's license. Old historic houses sometimes have secret +hiding-places, and dreams are undoubtedly strange things. It's all +founded upon legends which I have heard. Mrs. Clark and I first met in +an ancient grange not at all unlike Dacrepool, didn't we, Bess? And if +we didn't find treasure behind the paneling we certainly ought to have +done so. Now I'm extremely sorry to have to hurry you, but I promised +Miss Morley that you should be back at school by half past six, and I +undertook to escort you through the town. I hope you'll all come and +have tea with us some afternoon next term and we'll have another +competition. Don't say good-by to Mrs. Clark. Give the Italian 'A +rivederci' instead, because that means not a parting greeting but 'May +we see one another again.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +Peachy's Birthday + + +Delia Watts, walking one afternoon along the lemon pergola, came across +a small group of Camellia Buds ensconced in a cozy corner at the foot of +the steps by the fountain. + +"Hello! You've found a dandy place here. You look so comfy. May I join +on?" she chirped. + +"Sure_lee_!" said Jess cordially, pushing Irene farther along to make +room. "Come and squat down, dearie, and add your voice to the powwow. +We're just discussing something fearfully urgent and important. Do you +know it'll be Peachy's birthday next week?" + +"Of course I know. Nobody could room with Peachy and not hear about +that. She's the most excited girl on earth. She's been promised a gold +wrist-watch and a morocco hand-bag, and I can't tell you what else, and +she's just living till she gets them. I wish it was my birthday. I'm +jealous!" + +"Don't be such a pig," responded Jess. "You got your fun in the +holidays. You can't have things twice over. What we were talking about +was this--the sorority ought to rally somehow and give Peachy a +surprise. Can't we get up a special stunt?" + +"Rather! Put me on the committee, please! Couldn't we get leave for a +dormitory tea? I know Miss Rodgers rather frowned on them last term, but +perhaps if we wheedled Miss Morley she'd say 'yes.' We'd promise to +clear up and not make any mess, and to finish promptly before prep time. +That ought to content her. What votes?" + +Every hand ascended with enthusiasm. + +"Good for you, Delia!" complimented Jess. "We haven't had a dormitory +tea for just ages; not, in fact, since Aggie upset the spirit-lamp. I +think Miss Morley's forgotten that now, though. You must do the asking +yourself. You're our champion wheedler. If anybody can soften Miss +Morley's hard heart it will be you. Tell her Peachy will be homesick, +and we feel it'll be our duty to cheer her up a little." + +"I'll pitch it as strong as I can," said Delia, "but of course it's no +use going too far. Peachy doesn't look a homesick subject in need of +cheering. I'm afraid Miss Morley may snort if I put it on that score. +I'd better just explain we want to have a stunt. I believe she'll catch +on. Leave it to me and I'll try my best to manage her." + +"Right-o! We give you carte blanche!" + +"Then I'll waddle off now." + +Delia's success mostly depended upon tact. She judged that if she asked +Miss Morley, tired at the end of a busy morning, she would probably meet +with a curt refusal, but that if she found her, seated in her own +bed-sitting-room, soothed with afternoon tea and reading a delectable +book, her sympathy would be much more readily aroused. On this occasion +Delia's judgment was correct. After a perfectly harmonious interview +with the Principal she scurried back to her fellow Camellia Buds, her +face one satisfied grin. + +"She said, 'Certainly, my dear!' We may ask Elvira for a special teapot +and a plate of bread and butter, and we may give Antonio three lira +apiece to buy us cakes. We may do what we like so long as the room is +tidy again before prep. She'll send a prefect at 5.45 to inspect. If the +place is in a muddle it'll be the last time, so we'd better be careful, +for I could see she meant that." + +"We're in luck!" cried Irene, giving a bounce of rapture. + +"It's great!" + +"Yummy!" + +"I thought you'd congratulate me," smirked Delia. "Now let's get busy +and decide what sort of a stunt we mean to have. Is Peachy to know, or +is it to be a surprise?" + +"That's the question! She'll have to be told and invited and all the +rest of it, but she needn't hear any details beforehand. I vote we all +arrange to come in fancy costume--that would really be a stunt." + +"We shall have to tell Peachy _that_!" + +"No, you mustn't. We'll have a costume all ready prepared for her, like +the wedding garment in the parable. She'll have nothing to do but slip +it on." + +If Peachy was looking forward to her own birthday, her friends were +anticipating the happy event with enthusiasm. They had decided to hold +the festivities in her dormitory, but had required her to give a solemn +pledge not to enter the room after 2 p.m. so as to give them a free +hand. During the half-hour before drawing-class they met, and held a +"Decoration Bee." Nine determined girls, who have prepared their +materials, can work wonders in a short time, and in ten hurried minutes +they accomplished a vast amount. + +"Mary, lend a hand, and help me stand on the dressing table." + +"She won't know the place when she sees it!" + +"Aren't we all busy bees!" + +"It begins to look rather nice, doesn't it?" + +"Don't tug this chain! It's tearing! Now you've done it!" + +"I flatter myself she'll get the surprise of her life!" + +"_Ra_-ther!" + +With flags, paper chains, and garlands of flowers, the decorators +contrived to make dormitory 13 look absolutely _en fete_. They borrowed +a table from another bedroom, placed the two together, covered them with +a cloth, and spread forth the cakes which Antonio had been commissioned +to buy. + +"Elvira will fetch us the teapot and the bread and butter at four. We +can yank into our costumes in a few seconds, so we needn't waste much +time. Don't let Miss Darrer keep you dawdling about the studio," urged +Agnes. + +"No fear of that. The moment the bell goes it will be 'down pencils.' +She can hold forth to the others to-day if she wants to talk after +school. By the by, everybody's _so_ jealous of us!" + +"I know! The seniors are grumbling like anything because they didn't +think of having a bedroom tea for Phyllis. It's their own fault. They +haven't another birthday amongst them this term. That's the grievance. +And Miss Morley won't give leave for a dormitory stunt unless it's +somebody's birthday. She's firm on that point. We've certainly all the +luck." + +The Camellia Buds pursued their art studies that afternoon with a +certain abstraction. Peachy worked with her left wrist poised, so that +she could obtain a perpetual view of the new gold watch that had arrived +by post that morning; Delia frittered her time shamelessly; Esther was +guilty of writing surreptitious messages to Joan upon the edges of her +chalk copy of "Apollo"; and Irene, usually interested in her work, had a +fit of the fidgets. The moment the bell sounded and the class was +dismissed they bundled their pencils into their boxes, and left the +studio with almost indecent haste. + +"Only an hour and a half altogether for our stunt doesn't leave us much +time to be polite," remarked Aggie, smarting under a rebuke administered +by Miss Darrer, who had restrained their stampede and insisted upon an +orderly retreat. "It's all very well for people to saunter elegantly +when they've nothing particular to do. I dare say the Italians _may_ +look dignified, but we can't stalk about as if we were perpetually +carrying water-pots on our heads." + +"American girls have more energy than that. I'm just ready to fly to +bits," declared Delia, prancing down the passage like a playful kitten. + +"I give everybody five minutes to get on their costumes," decreed Jess. +"Peachy must stay outside in the passage and wait. I'll tinkle my Swiss +goat-bell when you're all to come in." + +Peachy, pulling a long face of protest, took her stand obediently in the +corridor, while her three roommates entered dormitory 13. Their fancy +dresses were lying ready on their beds, and they whisked into them with +the utmost haste. + +"There! Is my cap on straight? Jess, you look fine! I guess we shan't +keep the crowd waiting. We'd earn our livings as quick-change artistes +any day. Is that Elvira? Oh, thanks! Put the teapot down there, please. +What a huge plate of bread and butter. We'll never eat it! Mary, if +you're ready you might be uncovering the grub." + +The girls had laid everything in preparation for their feast, and, to +protect their dainties from flies, had put sheets of tissue paper over +the table. Mary lifted these deftly, but as she removed them her smug +satisfaction changed to a howl of dismay. Instead of the tempting +dainties which they had placed there with their own hands stood a circle +of bricks and stones. + +For a moment all three gazed blankly at the awful sight. Then they found +speech. + +"Our beautiful cakes!" + +"Where are they?" + +"Who's done this?" + +"Oh! the _brutes_!" + +"Who's been in?" + +"How _dare_ they?" + +"Wherever have they put them?" + +"Have they eaten them?" + +"Oh! What a shame!" + +"What _are_ we to do?" + +It was indeed a desperate situation, for loud thumps at the door +proclaimed the advent of the visitors, who seemed likely to be provided +with a decidedly Barmecide feast. Delia, however, had an inspiration. +She stooped on hands and knees and foraged under the beds, announcing by +a jubilant screech that she had discovered the lost property. It did not +take long to move away the stones and to transfer the plates from the +floor to the table, after which three much flustered hostesses opened +the door and gushed a welcome to their guests. It was rather a motley +group who entered: Irene as a nun in waterproof and hood; Agnes as a Red +Cross Nurse; Esther a Turk, with a towel for a turban; Joan a sportsman +in her gymnasium knickers; Sheila, in a tricolor cap, represented +France; and Lorna was draped with the Union Jack; Jess with a plaid +arranged as a kilt made a sturdy Highlander; Mary was an Irish colleen; +while Delia, in a wrapper ornamental with fringes of tissue paper, stood +for "Carnival." A white dressing jacket trimmed with green leaves, and a +garland of flowers were waiting for Peachy, and when the latter was +popped on her head she was promptly proclaimed "Queen o' the May." Very +much flattered by these preparations in her honor, the guest of the +occasion took her place at the table. + +"I'm absolutely astounded," she announced. "Where did you get all this +spread? You don't mean to tell me Antonio was _allowed_ to go and buy +it! It's too topping for words!" + +"We thought it had gone out of the window, a moment ago," said Jess, +explaining their horrible predicament as she wielded the teapot. + +The Camellia Buds listened aghast. Somebody had evidently been playing a +shameful trick upon them. + +"It's Mabel!" + +"Or Bertha!" + +"No, no! They'd have taken the cakes quite away instead of only hiding +them!" + +"Then it must be Winnie or Ruth!" + +"Quite likely. They knew we were having the party." + +"The wretches!" + +"We'll pay them out afterwards!" + +"What a mean thing to do!" + +"They were honest, at any rate, and didn't take so much as a biscuit." + +"They'd have heard about it if they had!" + +"'All's well that ends well!'" + +"And we'd better clear the dishes while we can. Have another piece of +iced sandwich, Mary!" + +"No, thanks! I really don't want any more." + +The Camellia Buds, having disposed of the feast, and having yet half an +hour of the birthday party left on their hands, decided to hold what +they called a "Mixed Recitation Stunt." They sat in a circle on the +floor and counted out till the lot fell upon one of them, whose pleasing +duty it became to act entertainer for the next five minutes, when she +was entitled to hand the part on to somebody else. Fate, aided perhaps +by a little gentle maneuvering, gave the first turn to Jess. + +"I adore poetry, but I never can remember it by heart," she protested, +"so don't expect me to 'speak a piece,' please. No, I'm not trying to +get out of it. I'll do my bit the same as everybody else. Stop giggling +and listen, because I'm going to tell you something spooky. It's a real +Highland story. It happened to an aunt of mine. Are you ready? Well then +be quiet, because I'm going to begin: + +"I have an aunt who lives in the Highlands. Her name is Jessie +M'Gregor. Yes, I'm named after her! Some of her family had had the gift +of second sight, but not all of them. Her grandmother had it very +strongly, and used to foretell the strangest things, and they always +came true. Aunt Jessie was a seventh child. That's always supposed to +give people the power of seeing visions. If she'd been the seventh child +_of_ a seventh child then she'd have been a 'spey wife' and foreseen the +future, but she wasn't that exactly. She came very near to it once, +though, and that's what I want to tell you about. Uncle Gordon was going +to London, and, the day before he started, Auntie was sitting alone in +the garden. She hadn't been very well, so she was just leaning back in a +deck-chair resting. She wasn't asleep; she was looking at the view and +thinking how lovely it all was. She could see right across the moor and +down the valley where the river ran; the heather was in blossom and it +was a glorious sight. Suddenly it seemed as if everything became blurred +and dark, as if a mist were before her eyes. A patch cleared through the +midst of this and she could see the valley below as if she were looking +through an enormous telescope. The river had burst its banks, and was +flowing all over the line, and through the flood came the train, and +dashed into the water. She saw this vision only for a moment, then it +passed. She rubbed her eyes and wondered if it was a dream. She decided +it was a warning. She's very superstitious. Most Highland people are. +She didn't want Uncle Gordon to go next day by the little train that ran +down the valley, but she knew if she told him her 'vision' he would only +laugh at her. So she pretended she wanted to do some shopping at +Aberfylde, a town fifteen miles away, where the local railway joins the +main line. She told Uncle Gordon that if they motored there together she +could see him off on the London express, and then have a day's shopping. +So he agreed, and they went in the car. There was a tremendous storm in +the night, and it was still raining when they started. Auntie spent the +day in Aberfylde and motored back, and when she reached home she noticed +the valley had turned into a lake. The terrific rain had swollen all the +streams and made the river burst its banks, and the line was flooded, +and it was impossible for the train to run. So her 'vision' really did +come true after all. She's ever so proud of it, and wrote it all down so +that she shouldn't forget it. That's my story. Now it's somebody else's +stunt. Let's count out again." + +Fortune cast the lot this time on Agnes, who wrinkled up her forehead +and protested she didn't know anything to tell, but, when urged, +remembered something she had heard during the summer holidays. + +"It's true too!" she assured them. "We were staying at Tarana. We had +a villa there. Water was very scarce, and we used to have two barrels of +it brought every day on donkeyback by a woman whose business it was to +act as carrier. Her name was Luigia, and she was very picturesque +looking, and had the most beautiful dark eyes, though she always looked +fearfully sad. Daddy is fond of sketching, and he painted a picture of +her standing with her donkey under the vines. We guessed somehow that +she had a history, and we asked Sareda, our cook, about her. Sareda knew +everybody in the place. She was a dear old gossip. She got quite excited +over Luigia's story. She said it had been the talk of Tarana at the +time. Luigia used to be a lovely girl when she was young, and she was +quite wealthy for a peasant, because she owned a little lemon grove on +the hillside. She inherited it from her father, who was dead. Of course, +because she was beautiful and a village heiress, she soon found a +sweetheart, and became engaged to Francesco, a fisherman who lived down +on the Marina. Everything was going on very happily, and the wedding was +fixed, when suddenly it was found there was something wrong with +Luigia's glorious eyes. She went to a doctor in Naples, and he told her +that unless a certain operation were performed she would go blind. If +she went to Paris, to a specialist whom he named, her sight might be +saved. Poor Luigia sold her lemon grove in a hurry, to get the necessary +money, and packed up and started for Paris immediately. She was away six +months, and she came back penniless, but seeing as well as ever. She +trudged all the way from Liparo to Tarana, along the coast road, because +she could not afford to take the train. When she walked into her own +village, the first thing she saw was a wedding party leaving the church. +She stopped to watch, and as the procession passed her who should the +gayly-dressed bridegroom prove to be but her own faithless sweetheart +Francesco. She screamed and fainted, and some kindly neighbors took her +in and cared for her. She got work afterwards in the village, but she +did not find a husband, because her lemon grove was sold, and these +peasants will not marry a wife without a dowry. No wonder she looked so +sad. We were always frightfully sorry for her." + +Sheila, who was the next entertainer, recited a ballad; and Delia also +"spoke a piece," an amusing episode of child life, which she rendered +with much humor. The next turn was Irene's, and the girls, who were in a +mood for listening, clamored for a story. + +"I haven't any first-hand or original adventures," she declared. "My +aunts never have psychic experiences, and the people who brought us +things to the door in London weren't interesting in the least. If you +like romance, though, I remember a tale in a little old, old book that +belonged to my great grandmother. It was supposed to be true, and I dare +say it may have really happened, more than a hundred years ago, just as +'The Babes in the Wood' really happened in Norfolk in Elizabethan times. +It's about a girl named Mary Howard. Her father and mother died when she +was only four years old, and she was left an orphan. She was heiress to +a very great property, and her uncle, Mr. John Howard, was made her +guardian. She also had another uncle, Mr. Dallas, her mother's brother, +but he lived in Calcutta and she had never seen him. Mr. John Howard +wished to get hold of Mary's estates for himself, so he laid a careful +plot. First, he sent all the servants away, including her nurse, Betty +Morris, who was devoted to her. Betty offered to stay on without wages, +but when this was refused she became suspicious, and wrote a letter to +Mr. Dallas warning him to look after his sister's child. But it took +many months in those days for a letter to get to Calcutta, and meantime +Mr. Howard was pursuing a wicked scheme. Soon afterwards Betty heard +that her charge had been stolen by gypsies for the sake of her amber +beads, and could not be found anywhere. What had really happened was +worse even than Betty had feared. Mr. Howard had hired a sailor, who was +in desperate need of money, and bribed him to decoy the child away, take +her to the seaside and there drown her. Robert, the sailor, fulfilled +the first part of his bargain but not the second. He carried little Mary +into a remote part of Wales, but he did not do her any harm. Instead, he +became extremely fond of her and determined to save her from her uncle. +So he bought a passage in a vessel bound for New Zealand and took her to +sea with him, pretending she was his daughter. She was a sweet, gentle +little creature, and soon became a favorite on board. + +"Among the crew was a Maori boy named Duaterra, whose father was a great +chief in New Zealand. The Captain, for some offense, ordered this boy to +be flogged, and Duaterra could not forgive the indignity. He planned a +terrible revenge. When they reached New Zealand he persuaded the Captain +and crew to land in his father's territory; then, summoning his savage +friends he ordered a general massacre and killed them all, saving only +Robert and little Mary. Robert had been good to him and had given him +tobacco, and Duaterra adored Mary, and called her his Mocking Bird. The +Maoris plundered and burnt the ship after they had murdered the crew, +but they were kind to Robert and Mary, and built a native house for +them. Here they lived for four years, for they had no opportunity to +escape. Robert married the chief's daughter and settled down as a member +of the tribe, but he became very anxious about little Mary. He knew that +Duaterra looked upon her as his prospective bride, and he could not bear +to think of the lovely child ever becoming the wife of a savage. + +"One day a marvelous opportunity occurred for sending Mary home. A ship +put in to obtain fresh water, and on the vessel happened to be an old +friend of Robert's, named John Morris, actually the brother of Betty +Morris, Mary's former nurse. Robert told John the whole story and begged +him to take the little girl to England, and deliver her into Betty's +hands. He paid for her passage with the money which Mr. Howard had given +him as a bribe, and which, as he could not use money in New Zealand, he +had kept buried in the ground. Mary was carried on board ship when she +was fast asleep at night, and poor Robert cried like a child at parting +from her. John Morris proved a faithful friend. He took Mary to London, +and sent a message to his sister Betty who was then living in +Devonshire. When she arrived she was able to identify her nursling, and +to tell John that Mr. Dallas had arrived from Calcutta and had offered a +large reward for the recovery of his niece. So Mary was placed under the +guardianship of her mother's brother, who took good care both of her and +her estates, and the wicked uncle was so overcome with shame, when the +story of his crime got about, that he went crazy and ended his days in a +lunatic asylum." + +"And the best place for him, too!" commented Jess. "He must have been a +brute. I dare say things like that really _did_ happen before there were +daily papers to publish photos of lost children, and when the Maoris in +New Zealand were still savages. Look here, my hearties! Do you realize +it's 5.35? We've got exactly ten minutes to clear up before Rachel +arrives on the rampage." + +"Gracious! Help me out of these duds! Rachel would never let me hear +the end of it if she caught me as a May Queen. I know her sarcastic +tongue," squealed Peachy. "Thanks just fifty thousand times for my +birthday party. It's been absolutely prime, and I've never enjoyed +anything as much for years. Sorry to send you others into the cold, cold +world, but I'm afraid you'll have to scoot and change." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +Concerning Juniors + + +Though all the Camellia Buds had keenly enjoyed Peachy's birthday +festivities they were none of them satisfied to allow the mystery of the +hiding of their cakes to remain unsolved. They questioned Elsie, who was +often an envoy between themselves and the rest of the Transition, but +Elsie professed utter ignorance, and assured them that the particular +girls whom they suspected had been playing tennis during the whole of +their recreation, and could not possibly have had time or opportunity to +enter dormitory 13 unnoticed by some of their companions. + +"We'd have seen them," declared Elsie. "Besides, they'd have boasted +about it. Whoever's the trick was, it wasn't ours. If you want my +opinion I should say ask some of those juniors. They're absolute imps +and ready for anything." + +This was quite a new view of the case. The Camellia Buds had fixed the +mischief so certainly on the rival sorority that they had never thought +of the younger girls. Peachy, catching Olive, Doris, and Natalie, the +trio whom she had named her "triplets," taxed them solemnly with the +crime. They burst out laughing. + +"We 'did' you neatly!" + +"Were you all this time guessing it was us?" + +"I expect you had a hunt for those cakes!" + +Peachy focussed a stern eye upon their giggling faces, and hypnotized +them into attention. + +"Now, what d'you mean by such impudence? How dare you go into our +dormitory? Juniors aren't to play tricks on their seniors! That was +bumped into my head when I was a kid, and I'll bump it jolly well into +yours!" + +The trio pouted. + +"We thought you called yourself our Fairy Godmother," said Olive +sulkily. + +"Well! So I do!" + +"Not much fairy about it, or godmother either. You do nothing for us +now." + +"You ungrateful little wretches! Haven't we settled Bertha and Mabel for +you? Don't you get your biscuits all right at lunch now?" + +"Oh, yes. But----" + +"But what?" + +"You haven't given us a candy party for ages," broke out Natalie. "You +keep all your cakes and fun to yourselves." + +"You promised us all sorts of things. We don't think Fairy Godmothers +are any use," snorted Olive. "Ta--ta! We're off to a basket-ball." + +"Some people make a mighty palaver over next to nothing," sneered +Doris, as the trio linked arms and tore away. + +Peachy stood looking after them with wrinkled brows. She was a peppery +little person, and her temper was up for the moment. All the same, +Doris's parting shot struck home. Unfortunately it was true. The +Camellia Buds had proclaimed themselves as "Fairy Godmothers, Limited," +had adopted juniors with much flourish of trumpets, had certainly fought +a crusade and defended them against injustice and infringement of their +rights, and then--and then--alack!--in the excitement of other matters +had almost forgotten all about them. + +Peachy remembered clearly that for the first week of her championship +she had made a point of speaking daily to Olive, Doris, and Natalie. +Now, for a full fortnight she had scarcely nodded to them at the +breakfast table. They had certainly had no opportunity of pouring their +childish woes into the sympathetic and motherly ear which she had quite +intended should be always open to them. + +"I've a wretched memory," she ruminated remorsefully. "Poor kiddies. +They've really got rather a grievance, though they needn't have been so +cheeky--the young imps! I guess I'd better call a meeting of the +Camellia Buds and see what's to be done. I don't believe any of us have +taken any notice of them just lately." + +Nine would-have-been philanthropists, reminded of past schemes of +benevolence, blushed uneasily, and tried to revive interest in their +protegees. + +"They always seemed very busy with basket-ball and other things, and +not exactly hankering after us," urged Agnes in excuse. + +"They could have come to us if they'd wanted, of course," added Mary. + +"That wasn't entirely the pact," said Peachy, driving in her tacks with +firm hammer. "We offered to 'mother' them, and then forgot all about +them. No wonder they think us frauds. What's to be done about it?" + +"Get some more cakes somehow and ask them all to a party," suggested +Irene enthusiastically. "We have been pigs! I promised Desiree to paint +something in her album, and the book's been in my drawer for weeks, and +I've never touched it." + +"How are we going to get the cakes?" + +"Wheedle Antonio again, I suppose. We needn't have any ourselves. If +there are two slices apiece for the kids, it will do. We must keep some +of our biscuits from lunch so that we can seem to be eating something +ourselves. Peachy, you can coax him." + +"You always leave it to me. Antonio isn't so easy to manage. Sometimes +he's an absolute Pharisee, and won't buy me so much as a single bit of +candy. I'll do what I can. Those poor kids shall have a treat if it +costs me my last dollar. We owe them something decent." + +Antonio, whose lapses from duty were only occasional, and who had been +reprimanded lately by Miss Rodgers, who suspected his delinquencies, +proved deaf on this occasion to Peachy's blandishments. He protested, +with quite aggravating virtue, that it was as much as his place was +worth to smuggle even a solitary cream-cake, and that for the future he +must no more be the conveyor of contraband sweet stuff. + +"Stumped in that quarter," mourned Peachy. "But I'm not going to let +this beat me. I've been cultivating a friendship with the cook! Don't +laugh! I thought it might come in useful some day. I gave her my blue +butterfly brooch (I had two of them!), and I took a snap-shot of her in +her Sunday clothes, and she was immensely pleased and flattered. I +haven't developed it yet, by the by, but I will, and print her two +copies and mount them. If that doesn't melt her heart into sparing me a +little butter and sugar it ought to. We can square it this way: none of +us ten must eat any butter or sugar at breakfast or tea to-morrow, then +we'll have a real right to have it given us afterwards. Don't pull +faces! You can have marmalade or jam. What sybarites you are!" + +"Right-o," agreed the Camellia Buds, sorrowfully accepting the +sacrifice. + +"But couldn't the juniors contribute some butter, too?" added Sheila. + +"It might be noticed if too many went without. Besides, it's the +hostesses who ought to provide the party, not the guests." + +Benedicta, the cook, was vulnerable, especially in view of the +self-restraint exercised by the heroic ten. She made a hasty calculation +of the amount of butter they would normally have consumed, added a +package of sugar, and lent them a pan and a spoon. Peachy carried away +these spoils chuckling, and hid them carefully behind the summer-house. +Then she racked her brains and composed what she considered a suitable +and telling invitation: + + "To all who'd love a Fairy Fete + I beg you come, and don't be late, + We offer fun that will not wait. + + "The time is fixed for half-past four, + You'll have to squat upon the floor, + We ask you all--but can't do more. + + "Our summer-house is small but handy, + Indeed we think the place most dandy, + We're going to try and make you candy. + + "So leave your game of basket-ball, + And come and make a friendly call, + You'll find a welcome for you all. + + "From + + "Your Fairy Godmothers." + +Peachy wrote her effusion upon a sheet torn from her best pad, folded +it, sought out Olive and handed it to her, telling her to pass it round +the form. The juniors grinned at its contents. They had felt themselves +neglected, but were quite ready to forgive past omissions on the +strength of a present invitation. + +"Better late than never," decreed Doris. "I suppose we'll go?" + +"It sounds as if it might be rather nice," agreed the others. + +So once more the Camellia Buds were placed in the position of hostesses. +Owing to the difficulty of the catering they judged it best to make the +candy before the very eyes of their guests, so that they might see for +themselves how little there was of it and not grouse if the supply only +ran to one bit apiece. + +"Otherwise they might think we'd had first go and only given them the +leavings," remarked Peachy, who was a born diplomat. + +They had counted on borrowing the spirit-lamp which the seniors used for +brewing their after-dinner coffee, but at the last moment they found the +bottle of methylated spirit was empty. + +"What a nuisance! There's no time to send for more. Never mind! We won't +be 'done.' Let's light a camp-fire and cook on that. We must manage +somehow." + +"We certainly can't disappoint them!" + +"Not after all this fuss." + +The back of the summer-house, as being a particularly retired and +secluded spot, was chosen as the rendezvous, and when the nineteen +juniors, interested and appreciative, came fluttering up the garden, +they were met by scouts, conducted round, commanded to squat in a circle +on the ground, and requested to make less noise. + +"D'you want the whole of the school to butt in?" warned Jess. "Then keep +quiet, can't you? Much taffy you'll get if Rachel catches us. Your only +chance is to lie low, you little sillies." + +"Rachel's playing tennis!" giggled Evelyn Carr. + +"There are other prefects as well as Rachel. Pull yourselves together +and don't get so excited." + +The juniors, who had been talking at the top of their voices, squealing, +and otherwise raising the echoes, restrained their transports and +contented themselves with whispers and giggles. The Camellia Buds were +fetching fuel, which they had purloined from the gardener's wood-shed. +They commenced to build a camp-fire. + +Before very long the flames were dancing up. Now, the hostesses in their +enthusiasm to be hospitable had foolishly forgotten that it is one thing +to stir a pan over a methylated spirit lamp, and quite another to hold +it over a camp-fire. Peachy, Agnes, and Mary tried in turns and scorched +their hands, egged on by the interested circle watching their +performance. + +"Make a big bonfire, and let it die down, and put the pan in the hot +ashes, just as we cook chestnuts," proposed Irene. + +It was, at least, a feasible suggestion. Anything seemed better than +open failure before those nineteen pairs of expectant eyes. Volunteers +went off for fresh supplies of wood, which was soon crackling merrily. +But alas! the Camellia Buds, being rather overwrought and flustered with +their experiments, did not calculate on the fact that the smoke of their +bonfire would give away their secret. Rachel had handed her tennis +racket to Phyllis, and was taking a turn among the orange trees to try +to memorize her recitation for the elocution class. + + "'All the world's a stage + And all the men and women merely players: + They have their exits and their entrances; + And one man in his time plays many parts,'" + +she repeated; then, catching sight of the gray cloud rising from the +back of the summer-house, "Hello! What's Giovanni burning? He'll set +those orange trees on fire if he doesn't mind." + +Abandoning Shakespeare Rachel stalked away to investigate, and surprised +the candy party by a sudden appearance in their midst. + +"Good gracious, girls! Whatever are you doing here?" she demanded in +idiomatic, if hardly strictly classical English. + +At the unwelcome sight of the head prefect the juniors one and all +simply stampeded, and I regret to say that the more timid of the +Camellia Buds followed their example. Peachy, Irene, Lorna, Delia, and +Jess stood their ground, however. + +"We--we were only giving those kids a little fun," answered Peachy. + +In dead silence Rachel reviewed the pan, its contents, and the blushing +faces before her. Then she said: + +"Rather dangerous fun. If that tree catches it will set the summer-house +in a blaze next. You know your fire drill? Well, each fetch a bucket of +water and put this out! Right turn! Quick march!" + +At the words of command the luckless five fled to the house and into the +back hall where the fire buckets were kept. They returned with what +speed they could, and thoroughly soused their bonfire. Rachel assured +herself that it was safely out, then commenced further inquiries. + +"We didn't mean any harm," explained Peachy, much on the defensive. "We +were only trying to amuse those juniors. They never have a chance to get +hold of the tennis courts, and they're tired of eternal basket-ball, and +they've rather a thin time of it. We started taking them up because they +were so bullied. Bertha and Mabel used to snatch their biscuits away +from them at lunch." + +Rachel's face was a study. + +"Bertha and Mabel snatched their biscuits?" she repeated. + +"Yes; we stopped that though." + +"_I_ never saw it!" + +"They took jolly good care you shouldn't." + +"Why didn't you come and tell _me_?" + +Peachy looked embarrassed. + +"Well, if you really want to know," she blurted out, "you're so aloof +and superior nobody cares to come and tell you anything. We managed it +by ourselves." + +Rachel winced as if Peachy had struck her a blow. + +"I'm sorry if--if that's how I seem to you," she faltered. "I must have +failed utterly as head girl if you can't confide in me. The prefects +want to be the friends of all the school." + +Peachy shrugged her shoulders eloquently. + +"I don't quite see where the friendship comes in," she murmured. "You +bag the best tennis courts and have the best dormitories, and give your +own stunts there. You never ask any of us to them. Do you, now?" + +"No, I'm afraid we don't," admitted Rachel, still in the same +constrained, almost bewildered, manner. "We really never thought of it." + +The four Camellia Buds, listening to their friend's outspoken comments, +expected an explosion of wrath from the head prefect, but Rachel only +told them to take the buckets back to the house. + +"And that too," she added, pointing to the pan. Peachy stooped and +picked it up, turned to go, then delivered herself of a last manifesto: + +"It's our own butter and sugar that we saved from breakfast and tea, so +please don't blame anybody else." + +"I blame myself most," whispered Rachel, as she was left alone. + +The immediate result of the incident was a prefects' meeting, at which +the head girl, full of compunction, stated the facts of the case to her +fellow officers. + +"We thought we were doing our duty, but it isn't enough just to act as +police," she urged. "Those girls in the Transition were on the right +track in getting hold of the juniors, though perhaps they did it in the +wrong way. This school isn't really united. We're all divided up into +our own sororities, and we're not doing enough for one another. We've +got to alter it somehow or confess ourselves failures. Do any of us +seniors really _know_ the little ones? I'm sure I don't! Yet we ought to +be elder sisters to them! That's the real function of prefects--we're +not just assistant-mistresses to help to keep order. Don't you agree?" + +Sybil, Erica, Phyllis, and Stella were conscientious girls, and when +the matter was thus stated they saw it from Rachel's new point of view. +They were ready and willing to talk over plans. They decided, amongst +other developments, that with Miss Morley's permission, they would +invite the juniors in relays to dormitory teas, in order to win their +confidence and establish more friendly relations with them. The +Transition were also to be cultivated, and their opinion asked on the +subject of term-end festivities and other school affairs about which the +prefects had never before deigned to consult them. The altered attitude +promised a far more healthy and satisfactory state, and Miss Morley, to +whom Rachel hinted some of their reasons for offering hospitality, +readily agreed, and allowed the juniors to be entertained with cakes and +tea upon the veranda. + +"The seniors gave us a simply top-hole time," confided Desiree to Irene +afterwards. "We'd cream puffs and almond biscuits and preserved ginger, +and we played games for prizes. But don't think we liked it any better +than your candy parties. The prefects are awfully kind to us now, but it +was you who took us up _first_! We can't forget _that_!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +The Anglo-Saxon League + + +There was an old established custom at the Villa Camellia that on the +evening of the last day of March (unless that date happened to fall on a +Sunday) the pupils were allowed special license after supper, and, +regardless of ordinary rules, might disport themselves as they pleased +until bedtime. Irene, who had not yet been present on one of these +occasions, heard hints on all sides of coming fun, mingled with mystery. +Peachy twice began to tell her something, but was stopped by Delia. Joan +and Sheila seemed to be holding perpetual private committee meetings; +Elsie spent much time in Jess Cameron's dormitory; and, wonder of +wonders, Esther Cartmell was seen walking arm in arm with Mabel Hughes. +Though Irene asked many questions from various friends as to the nature +of the evening's amusement she could get no certain information. They +laughed, evaded direct answers, made allusions to things she did not +understand, and whisked away like will-o'-the-wisps. Very much puzzled, +and not altogether pleased, she sought her buddy. + +"They've all gone mad," she assured Lorna. "I can't get a word of sense +out of Peachy; Esther was almost nasty, and Jess shut the door in my +face. What's the matter with them? Have I developed spots or a squint? +Why have I suddenly become a leper?" + +Lorna, who was busy with French translation, shut her dictionary with a +bang. + +"I've no patience with them," she groused. "It's because you're English. +I suppose we shall have to get up a stunt of our own, just out of +retaliation, but I'm sick of the whole business." + +"What _do_ you mean?" + +"Why, it's become a sort of custom to make this a nationality night. The +American girls all band together, and so do the South Africans and the +Australians; and the Scotch girls are a _tremendous_ clique of their +own. They play jokes on every one else, and sometimes it almost gets to +fighting." + +"Between the sororities?" + +"Sororities are forgotten for the time being. Your dearest chum in the +Camellia Buds will turn against you if it's a question of Scotch or +English, or American or British. I advise you to put away everything you +value. The South Africans came into my cubicle last year and smeared my +cold cream over my pillow. Of course your bed will be filled with +brushes and boots, and any hard oddments they can find lying about. You +won't be able to find anything in the morning. The place is an absolute +muddle." + +"How horrid!" + +"Yes, it is horrid. I can't see the fun of it, myself. Practical jokes +can go too far, in my opinion, and some of those juniors get so rough +they hurt each other. I'd keep out of it only it's wise to stay and +defend your own cubicle, or you'd find your blanket hidden and your soap +gone." + +"Do the seniors join in?" + +"No. They barricade themselves in their bedrooms and have some private +fun, but they leave us to do as we like. It's the Transition and juniors +who play the tricks. Of course, the seniors must know what's going on, +because they used to do the same themselves, but they just shut their +eyes." + +"Oh," said Irene thoughtfully. "And because a thing has always been must +it always be? Can't it ever be altered? Are we _bound_ to do nothing but +play tricks on the last night of March?" + +"It ought to be altered. I've a jolly good mind to go to Rachel and tell +her my views about it. She's been much nicer lately than she used to be. +Perhaps she'd listen. If she doesn't there'd be no harm done, at any +rate. Will you come with me? I don't like going by my little lonesome." + +The two girls tapped at the door of dormitory 9, and fortunately found +the head prefect within and alone. She received them quite graciously +and listened with interest to what Lorna had to say. + +"I'm so thankful you've told me," she said in reply. "I agree with you +absolutely. It's time this silly business was put a stop to. We prefects +have held back because we didn't want to be spoil-sports, but I believe +you really voice the opinion of a good many girls. I used to get very +tired of it when I was in the Transition myself. If Miss Rodgers found +out some of the tricks that are played she'd never let us have the +holiday again." + +"Can't we persuade them to do something else instead--something really +jolly?" + +"We must. I'll think about it. Leave it to me. I've been turning it over +in my mind for some time, though my ideas never crystallized. I'll have +some scheme ready. I can depend on you two to support me in the +Transition?" + +"Rather!" + +Rachel, reporting the interview to her fellow prefects, found them +entirely in agreement. They were dissatisfied with many things in the +Transition and junior forms, and this Nationality evening was considered +the limit. Something seemed to be needed at the present crisis to weld +together the various factions of the Villa Camellia, and turn them into +one harmonious whole. The prefects were aware that the various +sororities were really rival societies, and that, though they might give +great fun and enjoyment to their respective members, they were +productive of jealousy rather than union. + +"We want a common motive," said Rachel. "An inspiration, if possible. I +believe some sort of a league would do it. Something outside ourselves, +and bigger than just the little world of school. Something that even the +smallest juniors could join, and in which girls who have left could +still take an interest. It's dawning on me! I believe I've got it! I'm +going to call it 'The Anglo-Saxon League.' We'll get everybody to join, +and fix its first festival for the 31st of March. It should just take +the wind out of those silly nationality tricks. I'll speak to Miss +Rodgers and ask her to let us have a parade and dance, with prizes for +the best costumes. They'd love that, anyhow. I'll call a meeting in the +gym and put it to them. I believe it will catch on." + +The pupils at the Villa Camellia were not overdone with public meetings. +They responded therefore with alacrity to the notice which Rachel, after +obtaining the necessary permission from the authorities, pinned upon the +board in the hall. They were all a little curious to know what she +wanted to talk to them about. A few anticipated a scolding, but the +majority expected some more pleasant announcement. + +"Rachel's wrought up, but she doesn't look like jawing us," was the +verdict of Peachy, who had passed the head prefect in the corridor. Some +of the seniors constituted themselves stewards and arranged the audience +to their satisfaction, with juniors on the front benches and the +Transition behind. When everybody was seated, Rachel stepped on to the +platform and rang the bell for silence. Her cheeks were pink with +excitement and there was a little thrill of nervousness in her voice, as +if she were forcing herself to a supreme effort, but this passed as she +warmed to her subject. + +"Girls," she began, "I asked you to come here because I want to have a +talk with you about our school life. You'll all agree with me that we +love the Villa Camellia. It's a unique school. I don't suppose there's +another exactly like it in the whole world. Why it's so peculiar is that +we're a set of Anglo-Saxon girls in the midst of a foreign-speaking +country. We ourselves are collected from different continents--some are +Americans, some English, some from Australia, or New Zealand, or South +Africa--but we all talk the same Anglo-Saxon tongue, and we're bound +together by the same race traditions. Large schools in England or +America take a great pride in their foundation, and they play other +schools at games and record their victories. We can't do that here, +because there are no foreign teams worth challenging, so we've always +had to be our own rivals and have form matches. In a way, it hasn't been +altogether good for us. We've got into the bad habit of thinking of the +school in sections, instead of as one united whole. I've even heard +squabbles among you as to whether California or Cape Colony or New South +Wales are the most go-ahead places to live in. Now, instead of +scrapping, we ought to be glad to join hands. If you think of it, it's a +tremendous advantage to grow up among Anglo-Saxon girls from other +countries and hear their views about things. It ought to keep you from +being narrow, at any rate. You get fresh ideas and rub your corners off. +What I want you particularly to think about, is this: it's the duty of +all English-speaking people to cling together. If they've ever had any +differences it's time they forgot them. The world seems to be in the +melting-pot at present, and there are many strange prophecies about the +future. Black and yellow races are increasing and growing so rapidly +that they may be ready to brim over their boundaries some day and swamp +the white civilizations. Anglo-Saxons ought to be prepared, and to stand +hand in hand to help one another. I've been reading some queer things +lately. One is that a new continent is slowly rising out of the Pacific +Ocean--Lemuria they call it--and some day, hundreds of years hence, +there may be land there instead of water, and people living on it. They +say too that the center of gravity of both the British Empire and the +United States is moving towards the Pacific. Sydney may grow more +important than London, and San Francisco than New York when the trade +routes make them fresh pivots of energy. Another funny thing I read is +that as the world is changing a new race seems to be emerging. Travelers +say that the modern children in Australia don't look in the least like +English children or French children, or any European nation--they are a +fresh type. America has been populated by people from practically all +the older countries, but I read that children who are being born there +now differ in their head measurements from babies of the older races. +Perhaps some of you may be interested in this and some of you may only +be bored, but what I want to rub in is that if a new, and perhaps +superior, race is evolving it's surely part of our work to help it on. +Here we all are, girls from England, America, and the British Colonies, +of the same race and speaking the same language. Let us make an +Anglo-Saxon League, and pledge ourselves that wherever we go over the +face of the world we will carry with us the best traditions. We're out +for Peace, not War, and Peace comes through sympathy. The women of those +great eastern nations, the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Hindoos, who +are only just awakening to a sense of freedom, will look to us +Westerners for their example. Can't we hold out the hand of sisterhood +to them, and teach them our highest ideals, so that in the centuries to +come they may be our friends instead of our enemies? It's a case of +'Take up the White Man's burden.' We stand together, not as Scotch, or +Canadians, or New Zealanders or Americans, but as good Anglo-Saxons, the +apostles of peace, not 'frightfulness.' + +"I'm going to ask every girl in this room to join the League. There'll +be various activities in connection with it. We haven't decided all yet, +but we hope one of them will be to establish a correspondence between +this school and other schools in England and the Colonies and in +America. We'd like to write letters to their prefects and hear what they +are doing, and have copies of their school magazines. It would be like +shaking hands over the ocean. Then why shouldn't we correspond with +girls in missionary schools in India or China or Japan? Think how +exciting to have letters from them and read them aloud. We should hear +all about their eastern lives, and all kinds of interesting things. + +"Well, these are far-away schemes yet that need a little time to +establish. I've something much nearer to put before you. Miss Rodgers +has given us seniors leave to hold a fancy-dress dance on the 31st of +March, from 7.30 to 9.30, here in the gym. We invite every girl who +joins the League to come. Nationality costumes will be welcomed. There +will be first, second, and third prizes for the best dresses. The judges +will take into consideration the scantiness of the materials available, +but they wish to announce that any girl found guilty of borrowing +articles for her costume without the leave of their owners will be +disqualified, and further, that any member of the League convicted of +playing practical jokes will be expelled from the dance. The prefects +think it wise and necessary to mention that, though the evening of March +31st has been set aside as a holiday and certain rules have been +relaxed, the school is nevertheless bound to preserve its usual code of +good manners, and every girl is put on her honor to behave herself. I'm +sure I need not say more, for you surely understand me, and agree that +when Miss Rodgers has allowed us to have this fun we ought not to abuse +her kindness. Will every one who's ready to join the League and wants to +come to the dance hold up her hand." + +Almost every girl in the room responded to Rachel's invitation. +Some--the higher-thinking ones--were attracted by the ideals of the +League itself; others were merely anxious not to be left out of the +festivities. It was a long time since the school had had a fancy ball. +There had been private carnivals in the dormitories, but not a public +official affair at which everybody could compete in the way of dresses. +Rumor spread like wild-fire round the room. It was whispered that Miss +Morley herself meant to come, disguised as Hiawatha, that Miss Rodgers +had offered a gold wrist-watch as first prize, and that there were yards +of gorgeous materials in the storeroom to be had for the asking. The +thrill of these manifold possibilities was sufficient to eclipse the +attractions of their former intentions for the evening's amusement. It +was really more interesting to evolve costumes than plan tricks. Every +true daughter of Eve loves to look her best, and womanhood, even in the +bud, cannot withstand the supreme magnet of clothes. Little Doris +Parker, South African hoyden as she was, voiced the general feeling when +she confessed: + +"I'd meant to give those Australians a hot time of it. They may thank +their stars for the League. Though I'm rather glad I shan't have to +tease Natalie, because she's my chum. We're both going together as +southern hemispheres. It'll be ripping fun." + +The Camellia Buds, who had been temporarily estranged by the impending +national divisions, returned to the friendly atmosphere of their +sorority, and lent one another garments for the fete. + +"It's a good thing Rachel put a stopper on commandeering," commented +Delia. "Mabel was simply shameless at the Carnival. Had anybody told?" + +"Sybil and Erica knew; and Rachel isn't really as blind as we thought. +At any rate, she's awake now, and a far nicer prefect than she used to +be. By the by, we're to draw lots as to who may borrow out of the +theatrical property box." + +"Oh, goody. I hope I'll win. There's a little gray dress there I've set +my heart on. I'll cry oceans if I don't get it," declared Peachy. + +"Cheer up, poor old sport! If the luck comes my way I'll try and grab it +for you. I don't need anything for myself, thank goodness." + +"You white angel! That's what I call being a real mascot. I'll share my +last dollar with you some day--honest Injun!" + +The contents of Miss Morley's theatrical property box, apportioned +strictly by lot, did not go far among fifty-six girls. Miss Rodgers +allowed two of the prefects, with a teacher, to make an expedition into +Fossato and rummage the shops for some yards of cheap, gay materials, +imitation lace, and bright ribbons, which they were commissioned to buy +on behalf of certain of their schoolfellows, but most of the dancers had +to contrive their costumes out of just anything that came to hand, often +exercising an ingenuity that was little short of marvelous. Acting upon +Rachel's suggestion many of them personified various continents or +countries. The Stars and Stripes of the American flag were conspicuous, +and there were several Red Indians, with painted faces and feathers in +their hair. + +Sheila, Mary, Esther, and Lorna repeated the costumes they had worn at +the tableau, and went as representatives of Canada, South Africa, India, +and New Zealand, but Peachy lent her cowboy costume to Rosamonde, and +turned up as Longfellow's "Evangeline," in gray Puritan robe and neat +white cap, a part which, though very becoming, did not accord with her +mischievous, twinkling eyes. + +"Not much 'Mayflower Maiden' about you!" giggled Delia. + +"Why not?" asked Peachy calmly. "I guess poor Evangeline wasn't always +on the weep! No doubt she had her lively moments sometimes. I'm showing +her at her brightest and best. You ought to give thanks for a new +interpretation of her!" + +Winnie Duke scored tremendously by robing in skin rugs as a Canadian +bear, while Joan was able to carry out a long-wished-for project and +turn herself into a very good imitation of a kangaroo. + +Fifty-six girls, arrayed fantastically in all the colors of the rainbow, +made a delectable sight as they paraded round the gymnasium. The +prefects had shirked the difficult and delicate task of judging, and had +called in Miss Rodgers and Miss Morley to decree who were to receive the +prizes. Perhaps they also found the decision too hard, for they chose a +dozen of the best, put them to the public vote and counted the shows of +hands. Gwen Hesketh, a member of the Sixth, in a marvelously contrived +Chinese costume, was first favorite; little Cyntha West, as a delightful +goblin, secured second prize, while the kangaroo, to the satisfaction of +the Transition, was awarded the third. The gold wristlet watch was of +course a myth, and the rewards were mere trifles, but the principals had +risen to the occasion sufficiently to contribute to the entertainment by +providing lemonade between the dances, which in the opinion of the girls +was a great addition to the festivities, and made the event seem more +like "a real party." + +Before they separated, the League formed an enormous circle round the +room and each clasping her neighbor's hand, all joined in the singing of +"Auld Lang Syne": cowboy and Indian princess, Redskin and Scotch lassie, +Canadian and Jap roared the familiar chorus, and having thus worked off +steam retired to their dormitories and went to bed without breaking +their pledge of good behavior. Rachel, returning from her round of +supervision, heaved a sigh of immense relief. + +"I was dreading this evening," she confided to Sybil. "I was so afraid +they'd forget their promises and begin that rowdy teasing. I believe +we've broken the tradition of that, thank goodness. I hope it may never +be revived again." + +"Thanks to the Anglo-Saxon League!" + +"And may _that_ go on and flourish long after _we_ have left the Villa +Camellia," added Rachel. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +Greek Temples + + +The opening of the post-bag at the Villa Camellia, bearing as it did +missives from most quarters of the globe, was naturally a great daily +event. Some of the girls were lucky in the matter of correspondence--Peachy +received numerous letters--and others were not so highly favored. Poor +Lorna was generally left out altogether. Her father wrote to her +occasionally, but she had no other friend or relation to send her even a +post-card. She accepted the omission with the sad patience which was her +marked characteristic. Her affection for Irene had been an immense +factor in her school life this term, but she was still very different +from other girls, and kept her old barrier of shy reserve. Irene, +noticing Lorna's wistful look towards the post-bag, often tried to share +her correspondence with her buddy; she would show her all her picture +post-cards, briefly explaining who the writers were and to what their +allusions referred. At first Lorna had only been languidly polite over +them, but later she grew interested. Second-hand articles may not be as +good as your own, but they are better than nothing at all, and the +various items of news made topics for conversations and gave her a +glimpse of other people's homes. + +Irene, finishing her budget one morning, sorted out any which she might +hand on to her chum. + +"Not home letters--yours are sacred, Mummie darling!--and she wouldn't +care to hear about Aunt Doreen's attack of rheumatism. There are two +post-cards she may like, and this lovely long stave from Dona. Lorna, +dear! I've told you about my cousin Dona Anderson? She's at Brackenfield +College. She's older than I am, but somehow we've always been such +friends. I like her far and away the best out of that family. She +doesn't find time to write very often, because she's in the Sixth and a +prefect, and it keeps her busy, and besides she never has been much of a +scribbler. I haven't heard from her for months. This is ever such a +jolly letter, though, if you care to look at it." + +"Thanks," said Lorna, accepting the offer. "Yes, I remember you told me +about her. She must be rather a sport. I wish she were at the Villa +Camellia instead of in England." + +"And Dona thinks there isn't any other school in the world except hers." + +But Lorna had opened the closely-written sheets and was already reading +as follows: + + St. Githa's, + Brackenfield College, + March 30th. + + Renie dear! + + I've been meaning to write to you for ages! Mother + told me the news of how you all packed off to + Naples, and she sent me the address of your school. + I do hope you like it and have settled down. I + always wanted you to come to Brackenfield! You know + Joan is here now? It's her first term and she's + radiantly happy. She's a clever little person at + her work, and we think she's going to be great at + games. Of course she's only in New Girls' Junior + Team, but she's done splendidly already. Ailsa was + looking on yesterday and complimented her + afterwards. + + We've had quite a good hockey season. The Coll. + played "Hawthornden" last week, and when the + whistle went for "time" the score was 4-2 in our + favor! An immense triumph for us, because we've + never had the luck to beat them before, and we were + feeling desperate about it. They were so cock-sure + of winning too! Do you get any hockey at Fossato? + Or is it all tennis? + + We'd a rather decent gymnastic display a while ago. + Mona and Beatrice are very keen on gym practice and + they did some really neat balance-walking on the + bars, also side vaulting. The juniors gave country + dances in costume, and of course that sort of thing + is always clapped by parents. We're working hard + now for the concert. Ailsa and I have to sing a + duet and we're both terrified. Hope we shan't break + down and spoil the show! + + I'm enjoying this year at Brackenfield most + immensely. It's lovely being a prefect. I was + fearfully scared when first the Empress sent for me + and told me I was to be a school officer, but I've + got on swimmingly, thanks largely to Ailsa, I + think. Of course we're still inseparable. We always + have been since our first term at St. Ethelberta's, + when I smuggled the mice into No. 5 to scare Mona + out of the dormitory and leave room for Ailsa. + + I go nearly every week to The Tamarisks. It cheers + Auntie up to see me. She's rather lonely since + Elaine was married. By the by you asked me what had + become of Miss Norton's little nephew Eric. You + admired his photograph so much, with those lovely + golden curls. Of course they're cut off now. He's + ever so much stronger and has gone to a preparatory + school. I still send him books and things and he + writes me sweet letters. I'm planning to coax + Mother to let me invite Nortie to bring him to us + for part of the summer holidays. I don't want to + lose sight of the dear little chap. + + Now for home news. Leonard is in India, and likes + the life there, and Larry is at Cambridge. Peter + and Cyril are still at St. Bede's, and getting on + well. Their letters are full of nothing but + football though. Nora's baby girl is a darling, and + Michael is still very sweet though he's growing + rather an imp. You know we always describe + ourselves as an old-fashioned rambling family. + Well, one of us is rambling in your direction! + Marjorie is making a tour in Italy with some + friends of hers--the Prestons. Isn't she lucky? The + last post-card she sent me was from Rome, and she + said they were going on to Naples, so it's just + within the bounds of possibility that you may see + her. I wish I could have come out for Easter and + had a peep at you. I'd like to see oranges really + growing on orange trees! Perhaps Ailsa's going to + ask me for the holidays though. They have a country + cottage in Cornwall and it would be top-hole there. + + Write and tell me about your southern school when + you have time. I'd love to hear. Do you have to + speak Italian there? + + Well, I must stop now and do my prep. There's a + junior tapping at the door too and wanting to see + me. Prefects don't get much time to themselves! + + With best love, + Your affectionate coz, + Dona Anderson. + +"What a jolly letter," commented Lorna, as she handed it back. + +"Yes, Dona is a dear. I used to want to go to Brackenfield, but I wasn't +well last year, and Mother said it was too strenuous a school for me. +Isn't it a joke that Marjorie is in Italy? What fun if she were to turn +up some day. I have a kind of feeling that I'm going to see her. I'm +getting quite excited." + +Lorna did not reply. Irene's correspondence was after all only a matter +of half importance to her. Indeed the thought of that lively family of +cousins brought out so sharply the contrast of her own loneliness that +she almost wished she had never heard of them. Why did other people get +all the luck in life? + +"What's the matter? You're very glum," said Irene. + +"Nothing! I can't always be sparkling, can I?" + +"I suppose not. But I thought you'd be interested in Marjorie coming." + +"How can I be interested in some one I've never seen?" snapped Lorna, +walking abruptly away. + +Irene looked after her and shook her head. + +"I've put my foot in it somehow," she ruminated. "You never know how to +take Lorna. A thing that pleases her one day annoys her the next. She's +certainly what you'd call 'katawampus' this morning." + +It was getting very near the end of the term now, and all the girls were +talking eagerly about going home. Before they separated for their +vacation, however, there was to be one more of Miss Morley's delightful +excursions. Next term would be too hot to do much sightseeing, so those +of the pupils who had not yet been shown the wonders of the neighborhood +were to have the chance of a visit to the Greek temples at Paestum. It +would be a longer expedition even than to Vesuvius, and as many were +anxious to take part it was arranged to hire a motor char-a-banc to +accommodate about twenty-four girls and several teachers. The lucky ones +were of course well drilled beforehand in the history and architecture +of the place, and knew how a Greek colony had settled there about the +year 600 B.C. and had built the magnificent Doric temples, which, with +the sole exception of those at Athens, are the finest existing ruins of +the kind. + +Miss Rodgers had limited the excursion to seniors and Transition, +thinking it too long and fatiguing a day for the juniors. All the +prefects were going, while the Camellia Buds, with the exception of +Esther and Mary, who had been before, were also included in the party. + +"This is one thing you wouldn't get at any rate in an ordinary English +school," said Lorna. "I don't suppose the Brackenfield girls are taking +excursions to Greek temples." + +"There aren't any Greek temples in England for them to go and see, +silly," laughed Irene. + +"Well, Abbeys or Castles or anything ancient." + +"From Dona's accounts that sort of thing is not in their line. They +concentrate on games." + +"Hockey is all very well, but give me our orange groves and the blue +sea." + +"Ye-es; but I sometimes hanker for a really A1 hockey match!" + +"Don't you like the Villa Camellia?" + +"Of course I do. What's the matter, Lorna? I believe you're jealous of +Brackenfield!" + +"No, I'm not, though I'm sure I'm right in fancying you'd rather be +there than here." + +"How absurd you are!" + +"Am I? All right! Call it absurd if you want. Are you going to sit next +to me in the char-a-banc?" + +Irene looked conscious. + +"I promised Peachy! But you can sit the other side, you know." + +"Oh, no, thanks! If you've made arrangements already I'm sure I don't +want to interfere with them. I wouldn't spoil sport for worlds." + +"You are the limit!" + +"Am I? Indeed! Perhaps you'd rather not have me for a buddy any more?" + +"For gracious' sake stop talking nonsense! You're the weirdest girl I've +ever met," snapped Irene. Then to avoid an open quarrel she walked away, +leaving her chum in the depths of misery. + +Lorna knew her own temper was at fault, but she was in a touchy mood and +laid the blame on fate. + +"If I had a nice home like other girls, and had been going there for +ripping holidays, and had brothers and cousins to write to me I'd be +different," she excused herself, quite forgetting that, however much we +may be handicapped, the molding of our character is after all in our own +hands. + +As it was she sulked, and when the char-a-banc arrived, although Irene +beckoned her to a place beside herself and Peachy, she took no notice +and waited till everybody else had scrambled in. The result of this was +that she finally found herself seated away from all her own friends and +next to Mrs. Clark, the wife of the British chaplain, who by Miss +Morley's invitation had joined the excursion. Perhaps on the whole it +was just as well. Mrs. Clark was what the girls called "a perfect dear," +and a few hours in her company was a restful mind tonic. She had a +cheery manner and chatted upon all sorts of pleasant subjects, so that +after a time Lorna began to forget her "jim-jams" and even to volunteer +a remark or two, instead of confining her conversation to monosyllables. + +Certainly any girl must have been hard to please who did not enjoy +herself. The motor drive was one of the loveliest in Italy. They passed +through glorious scenery, all the more beautiful as it was the +blossoming time of the year and flowers were everywhere. On a marshy +plain, as they reached Paestum, the fields were spangled with the little +white wild narcissus, growing in such tempting quantities that Miss +Morley asked the driver to stop the char-a-banc, and allowed all to +dismount and pick to their hearts' content. + +"Isn't the scent of them heavenly!" said Lorna, burying her nose in a +bunch of sweetness. + +"Luscious!" agreed Mrs. Clark. "I think the old Greeks must have +gathered these to weave garlands for their heads when they went to their +festivals. I'm glad tourists are safe here now. This marsh, just where +we're standing, used to be a tremendous haunt of brigands, and any +travelers coming to see the ruins ran the chance of being robbed. My +father had his purse taken years ago. Don't look frightened. The +government have put all that down at last. The neighborhood of Naples +has improved very much since I was a girl. I remember pickpockets used +to be quite common on the quay at Santa Lucia, and nobody troubled to +interfere. You can walk to the boat nowadays and carry a hand-bag +without fearing every moment it will be snatched." + +But the driver was urging the necessity of pushing on, so all took their +seats again, and in due course reached Paestum. The girls had, of course, +seen photographs of the place beforehand, yet even these had hardly +prepared them for the stately magnificence of the three great temples +that suddenly broke upon their vision. Their immense size, their +loneliness, far from town or city, and their glorious situation betwixt +hill and blue sea, almost took the breath away, and filled the mind with +glowing admiration for the genius of Greek architecture. The rows of +fluted Doric columns, tapering symmetrically towards the roof, were like +beautiful lily stems supporting flowers, the mellow yellow tone of the +stone was varied by the ferns and acanthus which grew everywhere around, +and the sunshine, falling on the rows of delicate shafts, seemed to +linger lovingly, and invest them with a halo of golden light. + +"What must these temples have been when the world was young!" said Miss +Morley. "If we could only get a glimpse of them as they were more than +two thousand years ago. Think what processions must have paced down +those glorious aisles. Priests and singers and worshipers all crowned +with flowers. The rose gardens of Paestum used to be famous among the +Roman poets. The marvel is that the stones have stood all these +centuries of time. It seems as if Art and Beauty have triumphed over +decay." + +The party had brought lunch baskets, and they now sat down on the steps +of the Temple of Neptune to enjoy their picnic. Fortunately the grounds +of the ruins were enclosed by railings, so they were preserved from the +attentions of a group of beggar children, who had greeted the arrival of +the char-a-banc with outstretched palms and torrents of entreaties for +"soldi," and who were hanging about the gate evidently waiting for any +fresh opportunity that might occur of asking alms. Four lean and hungry +dogs, however, had managed to slip into the enclosure, and made +themselves a nuisance by sitting in front of the picnickers and keeping +up an incessant chorus of loud barking. The girls tried to stop the +noise by throwing them fragments of sandwiches, but their appetites were +so insatiable that they would have consumed the whole luncheon and have +barked for more, so Miss Morley, tired of the noise, finally chased them +off the premises with her umbrella. + +"They're as bad as wolves. And as for the children they're shameless. +They've been taught to look upon tourists as their prey. If you go near +the gate dozens of little hands are poked through the railings and an +absolute shriek of 'soldi' arises. It spoils people's enjoyment to be so +terribly pestered by beggars. And the more you give them the more they +ask." + +"They're having a try at somebody else now," remarked Rachel, watching +the crowd of small heads leave their vantage ground of the railings and +surge round a carriage which drove up. "Some other tourists are coming +to see the sights--two gentlemen and three ladies, very glad I expect to +show their tickets and get through the gate out of the reach of that +rabble. They're walking this way. They must be rather annoyed to find a +school in possession of the place." + +The strangers also carried luncheon baskets, and seemed seeking a spot +for a picnic. They were filing past the group on the steps when Irene +suddenly sprang up. + +"Why, Marjorie! Marjorie!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Don't you know me?" + +The handsome, gray-eyed girl thus addressed looked puzzled for a moment, +then her face cleared with recognition. + +"Renie! You've grown out of all remembrance! To think of meeting you +here of all places. I'm with some friends--the Prestons. We're on a six +weeks' tour in Italy. I went to see your mother in Naples yesterday. +What a jolly flat you have there! Isn't this absolutely glorious? I'm +having the time of my life." + +"I should think you are by the look of you," laughed Irene. "Dona wrote +and told me you were coming to Italy, but I never expected to find you +here to-day. If Miss Morley will let me, may I bring my lunch along and +join your party for a little while? There are ten dozen things I want to +ask you." + +"Of course. Come and share our sandwiches. We've plenty to spare." + +Having received the required permission, Irene went away to talk to her +cousin, considerably to the admiration of most of her chums, and +decidedly to the envy of one. Lorna, who had settled herself by her side +on the steps, was not pleased to be deserted. She could never quite +forgive Irene for having so many friends. The brooding cloud that had +temporarily dispersed settled down again. When the girls got up to +explore the temple she marched glumly away by herself. All the beauty +and wonder and loveliness of the scene was lost upon her; for the sake +of a foolish fit of jealousy she was spoiling her own afternoon. + +She was sitting upon a fallen piece of masonry, very wretched, and +indulging in a private little weep, when a footstep sounded on the stone +pavement, and somebody came and sat down quietly beside her. It was Mrs. +Clark, and she had the tact to take no notice as Lorna surreptitiously +rubbed her eyes. She knew far more about the girls at the Villa Camellia +than any of them suspected, and she had a very shrewd suspicion what lay +at the bottom of Lorna's mind. A skillful remark or two turned the +conversation on to the topic of the holidays. + +"It's nice to go home, isn't it?" + +Lorna gave a non-committal grunt. + +"Even if you miss your friends!" + +"I suppose so." + +"And it's pleasant to think they may miss you?" + +"I don't flatter myself they'll do that," burst out Lorna. "They're so +happy they never think about _me_. Mrs. Clark, you don't know my home. +I've nobody--nobody except my father. The others have brothers and +sisters and friends, and all they want--and I have nothing." + +"Except your father," added Mrs. Clark. "How about him? Sometimes when +two people are left lonely they can make the world blossom again for one +another. Isn't it time you began to take your mother's place? Can't you +set yourself these holidays to give him such a bright, cheerful daughter +that he'll hardly want to part with you when you go back to school? +Wouldn't you rather _he_ missed you than your chums? He's closer to you +than they are. Ask yourself if you were to lose him is there one of your +friends who could mean as much to you? I sometimes think that girls who +are brought up at boarding-school are apt to lose the right sense of +value of their own relations. Their companions and the games fill their +lives, and they go back for the holidays almost like visitors in their +own homes. When they leave school they're dissatisfied and restless, +because they've never been accustomed to suit themselves to the ways of +the household, and have no niche into which they can fit. The old round +of 'camaraderie' is over, and they have been trained for nothing but +community life. Take my advice and make your niche now while you have +the opportunity. Show your father you want him, and that he's your best +friend, and he'll begin to realize that _he_ wants _you_. How old are +you? Nearly sixteen! In another year or so you should be able to live +with him altogether and be the companion to him that he needs. You say +you envy girls with many brothers and sisters, but there's another side +to that--if you're the only child you get the whole of the love. +Remember you're all your father has, and let him see that you care. It's +a greater thing to be a good daughter than to be the favorite of the +school. If you keep that object in view you ought to have many years of +happiness before you." + +"I know. I was forgetting that side of it," said Lorna slowly. + +"Think it over then, for its worth considering. A woman may have many +brothers and sisters, she can have another husband or another child, but +it's only one father or mother she'll get, and the bond is a close one. +Is that Irene waving to us? What is she calling? We're to come on with +the party! Yes indeed, we ought to be moving along. We shall only just +have time to explore the other temples before we must start back in the +char-a-banc." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +In Capri + + +April, the beautiful April of Southern Italy, was half-way spent before +the Villa Camellia broke up for the holidays. There were the usual +term-end examinations, at which distressed damsels, with agitated minds +and ink-stained fingers, sat at desks furnished with piles of foolscap, +and cudgeled their brains to supply facts to fill the sheets of blank +paper; there was the reading out of results, with congratulations to +those who had succeeded, and glum looks from Miss Rodgers to those who +had failed; then followed the bringing down of boxes, the joyful flutter +of packing, the last breakfast, and the final universal exodus. + +"Good-by, dear old thing!" + +"Do miss me a little!" + +"Hope you'll have a ripping time!" + +"Be a sport and write to me, won't you?" + +"Hold me down, somebody, I'm ready to fizz over!" + +"You won't forget me, dearie? All right! Just so long as we know!" + +Lorna, who had anticipated previous vacations as simply a relief from +the toil of lessons, went home to Naples with quite altered feelings +from those of former occasions. She was determined that, if it possibly +lay in her power, she would make her father enjoy the time she spent +with him. In spite of injustice and cruel wrong there might surely be +some happy hours together, and she would win him to live in the present, +instead of continually brooding over the past. The immense, terrible +pathos of the situation appealed to the deepest chords in her nature. +Her father was still in the prime of his years, a handsome, clever man, +who might have done much in the world. Was it yet too late? Lorna +sometimes had faint, budding hopes that in some fresh country his +wrecked career might be righted, and that he might make a new start and +rise triumphant over the ruin of other days. He was glad to see her. +There was no doubt about that. The knowledge that she now shared his +secret placed her on a different footing. It was a relief to him to have +some one in whom he could confide, some one who knew the reason for his +hermit mode of living, and above all who believed in his innocence. +Insensibly Lorna's presence acted upon him for good. The nervous, hunted +look began to fade out of his eyes, and sometimes he actually smiled as +she recounted the doings of the Camellia Buds, or other happenings at +school. + +"Daddy!" she said once, "couldn't we go out to Australia or America, or +somewhere where nobody would know us, and make a fresh life for +ourselves?" + +A gleam of hope flitted for a moment over the sad face. + +"I've thought of that, Lorna. Perhaps I've been too morbid. It seemed to +me that every Englishman must know of what I had been accused. And I had +no credentials to offer. Now, with a five years' reference from the +Ferroni Company in Naples I might have a chance of a job in Australia. +It's worth considering--for your sake, child, if not for mine." + +During the whole of the first week of the holidays Lorna amused herself +as best she might in their little lodgings in Naples. While her father +was at the office she read or sewed, or played on a wretched old piano, +which had little tune in it but was better than nothing. The evenings +were her golden times, for then they would go out together, sometimes +into the Italian quarters of the city, or sometimes by tram into the +suburbs, where there were beautiful promenades with views of the sea. In +these walks she grew to be his companion, and instead of shrinking from +him as in former days, she met him on a new footing and gave him of her +best. Together they planned a home in a fresh hemisphere, and talked +hopefully of better things that were perhaps in store for them over the +ocean. And so life went on, and father and daughter might have realized +their vision, and have emigrated to another continent where no one knew +their name or their former history, and have made a fresh start and won +comparative success, but Dame Fortune, who sometimes has a use for our +past however bitterly she seems to have mismanaged it, interfered again, +and with fateful fingers re-flung the dice. + +It certainly did not seem a fortunate circumstance, but quite the +reverse, when the grandchildren of their landlady, who occupied the +_etage_ above their rooms, sickened with measles. Lorna had never had +the complaint, and it was, of course, most important that she should not +convey germs back to the Villa Camellia, so it was a vital necessity to +move her immediately out of the area of infection. Signora Fiorenza, +harassed but sympathetic, suggested a visit to Capri, where her sister, +Signora Verdi, who owned a little orange farm and had a couple of spare +bedrooms, would probably take her in for the remainder of the holidays, +which would give the necessary quarantine before returning to the +school. + +Mr. Carson jumped at the opportunity, and Lorna was told to pack her +bag. + +"But Daddy, Daddy!" she remonstrated. "I don't want to leave you. Just +when we're happy together must I run away? Do measles matter? I'd rather +have them and stay here. I would indeed." + +"Don't be silly, Lorna. Miss Rodgers wouldn't thank you to start an +epidemic. Of course you must go to Capri. It's a splendid opportunity. +Signora Verdi has a nice little villa. Cheer up, child. I'll tell you +what I'll do. I'll take you myself to-morrow, stay over Sunday, and come +again and spend the next week-end with you. I can get an extra day or +two of holiday if I want, and the Casa Verdi is a quiet spot, quite out +of the way of tourists. We can have the orange groves to ourselves and +see nobody. If I catch the early boat I'm not likely to be troubled with +English trippers; that's one good business." + +"Daddy! You darling! Oh, that would be glorious! I'd go to the North +Pole if you'd come too. Two week-ends with you in Capri! What fun. We'll +have the time of our lives!" + +To poor Lorna, who so seldom had the opportunity of enjoying family +outings, this visit indeed was an event. She packed her bag joyously, +and was all excitement to start. + +Following his usual custom of avoiding the vicinity of English people, +Mr. Carson decided not to go to Capri by the ordinary steamer that +conveyed pleasure-seekers, but to secure passages in a cargo vessel +which was crossing with supplies. To Lorna the mode of conveyance was +immaterial; she would have sailed cheerfully on a raft if necessary. She +rather enjoyed the picturesque Neapolitan tramp steamer with its cargo +of wine barrels and packing cases, and its crew of bare-footed, +red-capped seamen, talking and gesticulating with all the excitability +of their Southern temperament. The voyage across the blue bay was longer +than that to Fossato, and she sat in a cozy nook among the casks, and +watched first the white houses of Naples fading away, then the distant +mountains of the coast, then the gay sails of the fishing craft that +plied to and fro over the water. + +It was sunset when they reached the beautiful island of Capri, a pink +ethereal sunset that flooded headland and rock, orange orchard and +vineyard, in a faint and luminous opal glow. Their vessel anchored +outside the quay of the Marina Grande, and signaled for a boat to take +them off. A little skiff put out from the beach, and into this they and +their luggage were transferred. The transparent crystal water over which +they rowed was clear as an aquarium, and alive with gorgeous medusae +whose pink tentacles seemed to flash with the colors of the sunset; to +gaze down at them was like watching a flock of sea-butterflies flitting +across a background of undulating green. + +They landed at the jetty, walked to the shore, and after securing a +carriage started on a long drive uphill to the _terreno_ of Signora +Verdi. Capri, betwixt the glow of the fading sunset and the light of the +rising full moon, was a veritable land of romance, with its domed +eastern-looking houses set in a mass of vines and lemon trees, and the +luscious scent of its many flowers wafted on the evening air. It seemed +no less attractive in the morning, when, after drinking their coffee in +a rose-covered arbor that stood at the bottom of their landlady's orange +grove, they wandered away through the _bosco_ and up on to the open +hillside. Here Flora had surely played a trick to plant golden genista +against the intense sapphire blue of a Capri sea, and she must have +emptied her apron all at once to have spangled the rough grass with +cistus, anemone, and starry asphodel. Below them lay a stretch of rugged +rocks and turquoise bay, with no sound to break the silence but the +tinkling of goat-bells, or the piping of a little dark-eyed boy who +practiced a rustic flute as he minded his flock. To poor Mr. Carson, +wearied with the noise and clamor of Naples, it was a veritable +Paradise, a haven of refuge, a breathing space in the dreary pilgrimage +of his sad life. On the top of this sunlit, rock-crowned islet he gained +a short period of peace and rest before he once more shouldered his +heavy burden. + +"If I could live all my days here, Lorna, who knows, I might learn to +forget," he said wistfully. + +"Oh, Dad! We must find a way out somehow. You can't go on like this! +It's killing you. Why have we to suffer under this unjust accusation? +Why should some one else do a shameful deed and shift the blame on to +you? Is there no plan by which you could clear your name?" + +"I've asked myself that question, Lorna, through many black hours, but +I've never hit on an answer." + +"I hate the man who's wronged you," she sobbed passionately. "Yes! I +hate him--hate him--hate him--and all belonging to him. Is it wicked to +hate? I can't help it when it's my own father's honor that's at stake. +Oh, Daddy, Daddy, if I could only 'get even' I'd be content. It seems so +hard to let the wicked prosper and just do nothing. Why should some +people have all the laughter of life and others all the tears?" + +Lorna parted reluctantly from her father on Monday morning. He sailed +by a very early boat, so that the sun had not yet risen high, as, after +watching his vessel leave the harbor, she turned from the Marina to walk +back to the Casa Verdi. Half of the little town was still asleep. There +were no signs of life in the hotel, where the wistaria was blooming in a +purple shower over the veranda, and green shutters barred the lower +windows of most of the villas. A few peasant people were stirring about; +three dark-eyed girls, as straight as Greek goddesses, were coming down +the steep path from Anacapri with orange baskets on their heads, and +their hands full of posies of pink cyclamen; a mother with a child +clinging to her yellow-bordered skirt was taking an earthenware pitcher +to the well for water; a persistent bell in the little church of S. +Costanzo was calling some to prayers, and others were starting the +ordinary routine of the day, attending to animals, cutting salads in +their gardens, spreading out fishing-nets, or getting ready the hand +barrows on which they sold their wares. In the gleaming morning light +the beautiful island seemed more than ever like a radiant jewel set in a +sapphire sea. Lorna had left the winding highroad, and was taking a +short cut up flights of steep steps between the flowery gardens of +villas, where geraniums grew like weeds, and every bush seemed a mass of +scented blossoms. She was passing a small flat-topped eastern house, +whose gatepost bore the attractive title of "La Carina," when she +suddenly heard her own name called, and turning round, startled and +surprised, what should she see peeping over the cactus hedge but the +smiling face and blonde bobbed locks of Irene. The amazement was mutual. + +"Hello! What are you doing in Capri?" + +"What are _you_ doing here?" + +"I'm staying up on the hill!" + +"And we're staying at this villa!" + +"To think of meeting you!" + +"Sporting, isn't it? Come inside the garden! I can't talk to you down +there in the road." + +That her chum should actually also have come to Capri for the holidays +seemed a marvelous piece of luck to Lorna. + +"We decided quite in a hurry," explained Irene. "Dad heard this little +place was to let furnished, and took it for three weeks. The Camerons +have taken that big pink house over there, with the umbrella pine in the +garden. Peachy is staying with them. Isn't it absolutely ripping? I was +only saying yesterday I wished you were here too. And my cousin Marjorie +Anderson and her friends are stopping at the hotel, just down below. +We're having the most glorious times all together. Here's Vincent! Vin, +you remember meeting Lorna at school? She's actually staying in Capri! +No, don't go, Lorna! Sit down and talk! Now I've found you I mean to +keep you. We're not generally up so early, but Dad wants to catch the +first steamer. He has to get back to Naples this morning." + +"My father has gone already by a sailing vessel." + +"Then you are alone? Oh, I say! You must spend most of your time with +us. It's a lucky chance that has blown you our way, isn't it? We seem +quite a cluster of Camellia Buds in Capri." + +So Lorna, who had expected a very quiet, not to say dull, visit at the +Casa Verdi during her father's absence, found herself instead in the +midst of hospitable friends who extended cordial invitations to her for +every occasion. + +"By all means let your friend join us," agreed Mrs. Beverley, in answer +to her daughter's urgent request. "We've heard so much about Lorna in +your letters. She seems a nice girl. I remember I was quite struck with +her when I saw her at your school carnival. One more or less makes no +difference for picnics. It must certainly be slow for her up there with +only an Italian landlady to talk to, poor child." + +Capri was an idyllic place for holiday-making. The beautiful climate, +perfect at this season of the year, made living out of doors a delight. +Every day the various friends met together, and either went for +excursions or passed happy hours in each other's gardens. The Camerons +had several young people staying with them as well as Peachy, and the +party at the hotel proved a great acquisition. This consisted of Captain +Hilton Preston and his sister Joyce, their married sister Kathleen and +her husband, Mr. Frank Roper, and Marjorie Anderson, who was traveling +under their chaperonage. They were fond of the sea, and had at once made +arrangements to hire a boat and a boatman for their visit, so that they +might have as much pleasure as possible on the water during their short +stay. + +"We shan't be able to paddle about on the Mediterranean when we get +home," said Captain Preston with mock tragedy. "My leave will soon be up +and I shall be off to India again. It's a case of 'Let's enjoy while the +season invites us.' These rocks and bays and coves are simply +magnificent. We've decided to go to the Blue Grotto to-day. Who cares to +join us?" + +This was an expedition which could only be undertaken when the sea was +absolutely calm, so, as even the Mediterranean may be treacherous, and +sudden squalls can lash its smooth surface into waves, it was wise to +take advantage of a cloudless day. + +"We'll start early, so as to arrive there before the steamer, and have +the grotto to ourselves, instead of going in with a rabble of tourists," +decreed Hilton Preston. + +"Four boatfuls of us will be a big enough party," agreed Vincent. "They +say the best light is at about eleven." + +The group of friends therefore set off from the Marina in their various +craft. The row along the base of the precipitous craggy shore was most +beautiful, the water swarmed with gayly-colored sea-stars and +jelly-fish, and on the rocks at the edge of the waves grew gorgeous +madrepores, and other "frutti di mare." The Blue Grotto is one of the +wonders of Italy, but to explore it is not a particularly easy matter, +for its entrance is scarcely three feet in height. + +"My! Have we got to squeeze under there!" exclaimed Peachy wonderingly, +looking at the tiny space at the foot of the crag through which they +would be obliged to pass. + +"Not in these boats, of course," said Vincent. "The skiffs are waiting, +and if we just leave it to the boatmen they'll show us how to manage." + +The tiny craft that were in readiness for visitors now came forward, +and the party was transferred to them. Three passengers were taken in +each skiff, and were required to lie flat on their backs in the bottom +of the boat. The boatman paddled to the entrance of the grotto, then +also lying on his back he directed the skiff into a low passage, working +his way along by pulling at a chain which was fastened to the roof of +the rocky corridor. In a short space of time they shot into an enormous +cavern, 175 feet in length, and over 40 feet in height. Here for a +moment or two all seemed dazzled, but as their bewildered vision +gradually grew accustomed to the light they saw that everything in the +grotto, walls, sea, or any objects, appeared of a heavenly blue color. +The faces of their friends, their own hands, the water when they scooped +it up and dropped it again, all were turned to sapphire, while articles +under the sea gleamed with a beautiful silver shade. The girls bared +their arms and enjoyed dipping them to obtain this effect. The glorious +blue of the cave was indescribable. + +"I feel like a mermaid at the bottom of the ocean," exulted Peachy. + +"Or a cherub in the sky!" said Jess. + +"Why is it blue though?" asked Lorna. + +"Because of the refraction of light," explained Mrs. Beverley from the +next boat. "We see a kind of concentrated reflection of the sky sent to +us under the sea. If it were a gray day outside it would be gray in here +too. Some people think that the Mediterranean has risen, and that once +the water in this grotto was much lower, so that boats could sail in and +out of it quite easily. Do you see that landing-place over there? It +leads to some broken steps and a blocked-up passage that tradition says +wound up through the cliff right to the villa of Tiberius. Perhaps it +was a secret way by which he thought he might escape if danger +threatened him." + +"How I'd love to explore it," sighed Irene. + +"It only goes a little way before it is blocked. It's hardly worth +landing to look at it. Be careful, Renie! If you lean over the edge of +the boat so far you'll be upsetting us, and, although we might look very +delightful and silvery objects under the water, I'm not at all anxious +to offer myself for the experiment." + +"Why don't they enlarge the entrance?" asked Vincent. + +"Because nobody is sure whether by doing so they might or might not +spoil the beautiful effect of blue light in the grotto. It's too risky a +venture to try. Besides in present conditions the boatmen make a great +deal of money by taking tourists into the grotto. If it were very easy +to get in they could not charge so much. It's a little mine of wealth to +the Capri fisherfolk now, though years ago they used to say the place +was haunted, and tell terrible tales about it. They said fire and smoke +had been seen issuing from the entrance, that creatures like crocodiles +crept in and out, that every day the opening expanded and contracted +seven times, that at night the Sirens sang sweetly there, that any young +fishermen who ventured to sail near disappeared and were never seen +again, and that the place was full of human bones." + +"What a gruesome record," declared Vincent. "I agree with Renie though, +I'd like to explore that passage with a strong bicycle lamp, or an +electric torch. Who knows what we might find if we looked about--a coin +that Tiberius had dropped out of his pocket, or one of the Sirens' +hairpins, or a crocodile's tooth at least. Yes, I must positively come +again, Mater. Just to prove the truth of your stories." + +"Silly boy," laughed his mother. "I expect every stone of the place has +been well turned over in search of treasure. Trust the fisher people not +to lose a chance. Now our stay here's limited by the official tariff to +a quarter of an hour, and if we stop any longer we shall have to pay our +dues a second time. If you're ready so am I. Tell the first boat to go +on. Don't forget we must lie on our backs again to scrape through the +entrance." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +The Cameron Clan + + +Lorna had never realized before how much of life can be compressed into +a few days. The interval between her father's departure for Naples and +his return for the week-end was spent almost entirely with her friends. +It marked for her an altogether new phase of existence. She had read in +books about jolly families of brothers and sisters, and parties of young +people, but her own experience was strictly limited to school. Here in +Capri, for the first time she tasted the delights of which she had often +dreamed, and found herself cordially included in a charmed circle. +Though the Beverleys were mainly responsible for thus taking her up, the +Camerons also offered much kindness. "The Cameron Clan" as they called +themselves, consisted of father, mother, Jess, and two brothers, Angus +and Stewart, and almost every evening the young folk would meet at their +villa and gather round a wood fire in the salon. Though the days were so +warm the nights were chilly, and it was cheerful to watch the blazing +logs. What times they had together! It was an established rule that +everybody contributed some item to the general entertainment, and in +spite of fierce denials even the least accomplished were compelled to +perform. It brought out quite unexpected talent. Peachy, who had always +declared her music "wasn't up to anything," charmed the company by +lilting darkie melodies or pathetic Indian songs, Captain Preston +remembered conjuring tricks which he had learned in India, Mr. Roper +proved a genius at relating short stories, and Mrs. Cameron could recite +old ballads with the fervor of a medieval minstrel. The walls of the +Italian salon seemed to melt away and change to a wild moorland or a +northern castle as she declaimed "Fair Helen of Kirconnell," "The Lament +of the Border Widow," "Bartrum's Dirge," or "The Braes o' Yarrow." + +"Modern people want more poetry in their veins," she insisted. "I've no +patience with the stuff most of them read. There's more romance in one +of those stories of ancient times than you'd find in a whole boxful of +the latest library books. People weren't ashamed of their feelings then, +and they put them into beautiful words. Nowadays it seems to me they've +neither the feelings nor the language to clothe them in. I'm a century +or two too late. I ought to have lived when the world was younger." + +If his wife adored her native ballads Mr. Cameron, on his part, had a +good stock of Scottish songs, and would trill them out in a fine +baritone voice, the audience joining with enthusiasm in the choruses of +such favorites as "Bonny Dundee," "Charlie is my Darling," and "Over the +Sea to Skye." + +"There's a ring about Jacobite melodies that absolutely grips you," said +Mrs. Beverley, begging for "Wha wad na fecht for Charlie," and "Farewell +Manchester." "Perhaps it's in my blood, for my ancestors were Jacobites. +One of them was a beautiful girl in 1745, and sat on a balcony to watch +her prince ride into Faircaster. The cavalcade came to a halt under her +window and 'Charlie' looked up and saw her, and asked her to dance at +the ball that was being given that night in the town. She was greatly +set up by the honor, and handed the tradition of it down the family as +something that must never be forgotten. Oh! I'd have fought for the +'Hieland laddie' myself if I'd been a man in his days. Is the spirit of +personal loyalty dead? We give patriotic devotion to our country, but +love such as that of an ancient Highlander for his hereditary chief +seems absolutely a thing of the past." + +While their elders entertained the circle with northern legends or +border ballads the young people also did their share, and contributed +such choice morsels as ghost stories, adventures in foreign lands, or +weird tales of the occult. Stewart, who was an omnivorous reader of +magazines, tried to demonstrate the romance of modern literature, though +he could never convince his mother of its equality with old-world +favorites. Marjorie Anderson, who had a sweet voice, loved soldier +ditties, and caroled them much to the admiration of Captain Preston, who +always managed to contrive to get a seat near her particular corner of +the fireside. + +"I believe those two are 'a match,'" whispered Peachy to Irene one +evening. + +"So do I. They met first when Marjorie was at school. Dona told me all +about it, and it was quite romantic. They'd have seen more of each other +only, after the armistice, his regiment was ordered out to India. He's +home on leave now. He wrote to Marjorie all the time he was away, +regularly. She's tremendous friends with his sisters, and they asked her +to join them on this tour. Looks suspicious, doesn't it?" + +"Rather! I hope it will really come off," answered Peachy, looking +sympathetically at the attractive pair whose chairs always seemed to +gravitate together. "She's pretty! And his brown eyes are the twinkliest +I've ever seen! Yes! I'm prepared to give them my blessing! I only wish +he'd get on with it. Why doesn't somebody give him a push over the brink +and make him propose? He's marking time, and for two cents I'd tell him +so myself. I guess his eyes would pop out, but I shouldn't care! Don't +be alarmed! I promise I won't interfere. But onlookers see the most of +the game, and with an affair like this under my very nose I'll be mad if +they don't fix-it up." + +Captain Preston was hardly likely to conduct his love-making under full +fire of inquisitive eyes, but he generally managed to appropriate +Marjorie on walks or excursions; they strolled out together to admire +the moon, hunted for orchids on the hills, searched the beach for +shells, and saw enough of one another's society to satisfy the most +ardent matchmakers. It was an established fact that these two should +always sit together in boat or carriage, but the rest of the party +revolved like a kaleidoscope. Lorna sometimes found herself escorted by +Stewart or Angus, sometimes by Charlie or Michael Foard, the friends who +were staying with them, and oftener still by Vincent Beverley, whose +fair hair, blue eyes, and merry face--so like Irene's--specially +attracted her. She was so unaccustomed to have a cavalier at all that it +seemed wonderful to her that any one should take the trouble to carry +her basket, pick flowers that grew out of her reach, help her up +difficult steps or hand her into a rocking boat. This new aspect of the +world was very sweet. Insensibly it affected her. + +"Lorna's growing so pretty," commented Peachy to Irene. "She's a queer +girl. At school she goes about looking almost plain and as dreary as an +owl. She's suddenly jumped into life here. Anybody who hadn't seen the +two sides of her wouldn't believe the difference. When she's animated +she's nearly beautiful." + +"I don't think she's ever been really appreciated at the Villa +Camellia," replied Irene. "Mums likes her immensely. She says there's so +much in her, and that she only wants 'mothering' to bring her out. As +for Vin, his head's turned. He's made me vow faithfully to engineer that +he sits next to Lorna in the boat to-day. Are you going with Stewart? +Well, I've promised Michael if he's a particularly good boy I'll let him +row me in the little skiff. I dare say Charlie will be angry, but I +can't help it. The Foards are as alike as buttons in looks, but the +younger one is so infinitely nicer than the other." + +Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday had slipped blissfully by. Except for +the few hours daily during which the steamer from Naples visited Capri, +with promenade deck filled with tourists, the little island was +wonderfully quiet, and by keeping away from the Marina Grande or the +highroads it was possible to avoid other holiday-makers. If they were +not on the sea "the clan," as the whole party liked to call themselves, +generally went up the hills to escape civilization. The natives had +begun to know them, and though they might be offered oranges, figs, or +dates by street vendors they were not continually pestered to take +carriages, engage guides or donkeys, or buy picture post-cards or long +strings of coral. Irene loved occasional excursions into the white town +on the rock. The strict rules and convent seclusion of the Villa +Camellia had given her no opportunity of sampling shops at Fossato, so, +except for her half-term holiday at Naples, this was her first +experience of marketing in Italy. The unfamiliar money and measures were +of course confusing, but the quaint little cakes, the lollipops wrapped +in fringed tissue paper of gay colors, the sugar hearts, the plaited +baskets, the inlaid boxes, the mosaic brooches, the beads, and the +hundred and one cheap trifles spread forth on stalls or in windows +fascinated her, and drew many lire from her purse. She only knew a few +words of colloquial Italian, but she used these to the best advantage, +and made up the rest with nods and smiles, a language well understood by +the kindly people of Capri, to whom a gesture is as eloquent as a whole +sentence. Vincent, whose talents ran more towards prowess at football +than a gift for languages, would often escort his sister, and conducted +his bargaining by pointing to what he wanted and counting the price in +lire on his five fingers, an operation that caused fits of amusement to +the shopkeepers, with whom the fair young Englishman became quite a +favorite. As long as Vincent could see what he wished for on sale and +indicate it with a finger he got along all right, but matters grew +complicated if he tried to explain himself. One day his mother, having +run short of methylated spirit, for her teakettle, sent him with a +bottle to buy some more. He looked the words up in a dictionary, entered +a chemist's, and demanded "alcohol for burning" in his best Italian. The +assistant seemed mystified, but suddenly a light flooded his intelligent +face, he flew to a series of neat little drawers behind the counter, +rummaged about, and in much triumph produced an "Alcock's porous +plaster," which he vehemently assured Vincent would be sure to burn, and +was a real English medicine, imported with great trouble and expense, +and certain to cure the ailment from which he was suffering. How Vincent +would have got out of the tangle, or convinced the chemist's assistant +that he was not in need of medical aid, is uncertain, but at that moment +Irene, who was walking with Lorna in the square, spied him through the +window, and brought her chum to the rescue. Lorna's Italian was +excellent; she soon unravelled the matter, returned the porous plaster +to the disappointed assistant, and explained to Vincent that the local +name for methylated spirit was "spirito," and that it was generally +procured from an oil colorman's. + +"How was I to know?" grumbled Vincent dramatically. "A fellow goes by +the dictionary." + +"It's always called 'alcohol' in Rome, and in some other places," +pacified Lorna, who was still laughing at the mistake, "and I've bought +it at a chemist's myself in Naples. Come along round the corner and +we'll find the right shop. I had my own bottle filled there yesterday, +so I know where to go." + +On the Friday, Mrs. Cameron, who by universal consent had constituted +herself organizer of the various joint expeditions, sent out invitations +for a grand gathering of the Clan to go and view the ruins of the villa +of Tiberius. This was one of the principal sights of the island, and, as +the Preston party were not staying over the following week, it would +have seemed a pity for them to miss it. + +"It's a case of taking nose-bags and going for the day," said Stewart, +delivering his messages at the various villas. "Meeting-place, the +piazza in the town. Those who like to come up by the funicular can do +so. We'll wait for them. I think the Mater will take the train and save +herself some of the climb. She doesn't like these endless steps, and +it's certainly a pull from our place to the town. It's worth while +walking down to the Marina to get the railway." + +Mrs. Beverley, Mrs. Roper, and Joyce Preston joined Mrs. Cameron in +taking advantage of the little "Ferrovia Funicolare" that connected the +harbor with the town, and arrived on the piazza cool and fresh compared +with those who had preferred to toil up the steep path. + +"I told you to come with me, Renie child," chided Mrs. Beverley. "Look +how hot you are already. You'll be quite overdone before we get to the +summit." + +"Oh, Mums darling, I'm not tired! I've saved the fare and bought this +swanky little cane instead. Look! Isn't it dinky?" protested Irene, +proudly exhibiting her newly purchased treasure. "It has a leather strap +and a tassel and a knob that one can suck." + +"You baby," laughed her mother. "We shall have to buy you a tin trumpet. +I don't believe you're out of the nursery yet." + +"Tin trumpet, Mums darling? Oh! You've given me such an idea," purred +Irene, running to Michael Foard and whispering some communication into +his sympathetic ear, which caused him to walk back to a certain street +stall and purchase nine tin whistles, with which the younger members of +the party armed themselves and immediately began a desperate attempt to +reproduce "The Bluebells of Scotland," hugely to the entertainment of +the natives, who flocked to their doors all smiles and amused +exclamations. + +"Bairns! I think shame of you," declared Mrs. Cameron. "They'll take us +for a wandering circus. Put those unmusical instruments in your pockets +till we're clear of the town. I never heard a poor Scottish air so +mangled. You may practice your band on the hills and scare the goats. +Don't play it in my ears again till you catch the proper tune." + +The musicians, after their first burst of enthusiasm was expended, were +glad to save their breath for the climb. When houses were left behind +their way wound between high walls, up, up, up, along a paved pathway +among orange groves, till at last the allotments disappeared, and they +were on the open hillside, among the low shrubs and the rough grass and +the beautiful flowers. Irene, running up a bank in quest of +bee-orchises, broke her new cane into four pieces, but was somewhat +consoled by a stick which Michael cut her from a chestnut tree. + +"It hasn't a knob to suck," he laughed, "but I'll tie a stick of +peppermint on to the end of it if you like." + +"Don't tease me, or I'll throw a squashy orange at you." + +"I thought you were fond of peppermint." + +"So I am, and if there's another of those creamy Neapolitans left in +your pocket I'll accept it and forgive you." + +"Right you are, O Queen! There are two here. Does your Majesty prefer a +purple paper or a green?" + +The ruins, which formed the goal of their expedition, were the remains +of a once splendid villa erected by the Emperor Tiberius, and used +constantly by him until his death in A.D. 37. Most of the party were +disappointed to find them, as Peachy expressed it, "so very ruiny." It +was difficult to picture what the original palace must have been like, +for nothing was left of all the grandeur but crumbling walls, over which +Nature had scattered ferns and flowers. At the very top some of the old +masonry had been used to build a tiny church; this was closed, but, +peeping through the grille in the door, the visitors could catch +glimpses of blue-painted roof and of little model ships, placed as +votive offerings by the sailors in gratitude for preservation from +danger at sea. Outside this chapel was a great stone monument built so +near the edge of the cliff that, when sitting on its steps, one could +look down a sheer drop of several hundred feet into the blue waters +below. The view from here was magnificent, and as the Clan, in turns, +scanned the neighboring coast of Italy with field glasses, they believed +they could even distinguish the Greek temples at Paestum. The girls +described the glorious excursion they had taken there from school. + +"You were lucky to be able to go all the way by char-a-banc," commented +Mrs. Cameron. "Dad and I went there on our honeymoon, years and years +ago, and traveled all the way from Naples by a terrible little jolting +train that carried cattle-trucks and luggage-trucks as well as passenger +carriages. I shan't ever forget that journey. We had to leave the +station at 6.30 and when we came downstairs we found it was a pouring +wet day. It was only the fact that the sleepy looking waiter at our +hotel must have roused himself at 5 A.M. to prepare our coffee, and that +we did not like to ask him to do it again another morning, that forced +us to set off in the rain. I never felt so disinclined for an excursion +in my life. Dad said afterwards if I'd given him the least hint he'd +have joyfully relinquished it, but each thought the other wanted to go, +so off we set. All the way to Cava it simply streamed, and we sat in our +corners of the carriage secretly calling ourselves idiots, and wondering +how we were going to look over temples in a deluge. But our heroism was +rewarded, for just as the train crossed the brigand's marsh the rain +stopped and the sun shone out, and the effect of blue sky and clouds was +simply glorious. We had a great joke at Paestum. A mosquito had stung me +badly on one lid so that I looked as if I had a black eye. It was most +uncomfortable and painful, I remember. Well, a party of French tourists +were going round the temples, and as they passed us they glanced at my +eye and then at Daddy--a husband of three weeks' standing--and they +murmured something to one another. I couldn't catch their words, but +quite plainly they were saying: 'Oh, these dreadful English! He's +evidently given her a black eye, poor thing! That's how they treat their +wives!' + +"The French people went on to the second temple, and Dad and I sat down +to eat our lunch. We were fearfully annoyed by dogs that sat in front of +us and watched every mouthful, and barked incessantly. (Did they trouble +you too! How funny! They must surely be the descendants of our dogs +who've inherited a bad habit.) Dad got so utterly exasperated that he +said he must and would get rid of them, so he seized my umbrella, shook +it furiously at them and yelled out '_Va via_' in the most awful and +blood-curdling voice he could command. Just at that moment the French +tourists came back round the corner. They turned to one another with +nods of comprehension, as if they were saying, 'There! Didn't I tell you +so! See what a brute he really is,' and they cast the most sympathetic +glances at me as they filed by. Isn't that true, Daddy?" + +Mr. Cameron lazily removed his cigarette. + +"It's a stock story, my dear, that you've told against me for the last +twenty years. I won't say that it's not exaggerated. Go on telling it if +you like. My back's broad enough to bear it. Shall I return good for +evil? Well, as I walked through the town to-day, waiting till you came +up by the funicular, I saw one of the Tarantella dancers, and I engaged +the whole troupe to come to the house to-night and give us a +performance. You said you wanted to see them. Will our friends here +honor us with their company and help to act audience?" + +It seemed an appropriate ending to such a delightful day, and all the +party readily accepted the invitation. After twilight fell they +assembled at the Camerons' villa and took their places in the salon, +which had been temporarily cleared of some of its furniture. The +Tarantella dancers, who were accustomed to give their small exhibition +to visitors, brought their own orchestra with them, a thin youth who +played the violin, a stout individual who plucked the mandolin, and an +enthusiast who twanged the guitar. The performers were charmingly +dressed in the old native costumes of the country, the men in soft white +shirts, green sleeveless velvet coats, red plush knickers, silk +stockings and shoes with scarlet bows, while the girls wore gay skirts, +striped sashes, lace fichus, and aprons, and gold beads round their +shapely throats. They danced several sprightly measures, waving +tambourines and rattling castanets, or twining silk scarves together, +while the musicians fiddled and strummed their hardest; then six of them +stood aside and the two principal artists advanced to do a "star turn." +"Romeo" sang an impassioned love song, with his hand on his heart, while +"Juliette" plucked at her apron and appeared doubtful of the truth of +his protestations. Then the "funny man" had his innings. He sat in a +chair with a shoe in his hand and tried to smack the head of a humorist +who knelt in front but always managed neatly to avoid his blows, the +whole being punctuated by vigorous exclamations in Italian, and much +energetic music from the orchestra. + +A pretty girl sauntered next on to the scene, and sang--in a rather +peacock voice--a little ditty lamenting the weather, at which a +velvet-coated cavalier came to the rescue, and chanting his offer of +help sheltered her with a huge green umbrella, under which they +proceeded to make love, and finally executed a dance beneath its +friendly shade. The whole of the little performance was very graceful +and attractive, savoring so thoroughly of Southern Italy and showing the +courteous manners and winning smiles to the utmost advantage. The +dancers themselves seemed to have enjoyed it, and stood with beaming +faces as they bowed their adieux and thanked the audience for their kind +attention. + +"Aren't they just too perfect," commented Peachy. + +"_I_ want to wear a velvet bodice and a green skirt with a yellow +border. I want to dance the tarantella with a tambourine in my hand." + +"Won't a two-step content you?" said Angus. "Mater says since the +room is cleared we may just as well finish with a little hop ourselves. +May I have the pleasure? Thanks so much. Mrs. Beverley's going to play +for us. It's a beast of a piano but it's good enough to dance to. We +mustn't notice if the bass is out of tune." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +The Blue Grotto + + +Very early on Saturday morning Mr. Carson returned to Capri in a +sailing vessel, having taken advantage of a night crossing and arriving +with the dawn. Lorna had bidden her friends a temporary good-by for the +week-end, refusing all kind invitations of "bring your father to see +us," or "tell him he must join the Clan." She felt that her excuses for +him were of the flimsiest; she said he was tired, unwell, and needed +absolute rest and solitude, and begged them to forgive her if she spent +the time with him alone, and, though they replied that they could +understand his desire for quiet, she was conscious that they thought she +might at least have volunteered an introduction. Lorna knew only too +well that, if her father was aware there was the slightest danger of +meeting English people, he would probably insist upon taking the next +boat back to Naples; it was the consciousness of complete isolation that +gave the value to his holiday. She told him indeed that she had met some +of her school friends and had taken walks with them, but she mentioned +that they were staying down below, nearer the Marina, and that they were +not in the least likely to come up to the Casa Verdi. + +"Let us take our books, Daddy," she suggested, "and go and sit on the +hillside as we did last Sunday. It was quiet on that ledge of the crag, +and away from everybody. The rest did you good, and I'm sure you enjoyed +it." + +Lying on the cliff among the flowers, with blue sky above and blue sea +beneath, poor Mr. Carson allowed himself a temporary relaxation. He +smoked his pipe and read his paper, and for a little while at least the +hard lines round his mouth softened, and his anxious eyes grew easy. He +finished his Italian journal, lay idly watching the scenery, chatted, +dozed, and finally stretched out his hand for one of Lorna's books. It +happened to be an Anthology of Poetry which Irene had lent her, and +which contained one of the ballads that Mrs. Cameron had recited to the +assembled Clan. It had struck Lorna's fancy, and she was trying to learn +it by heart. Mr. Carson turned over the pages, read a few of the pieces, +and was closing the little volume when his eye chanced to light upon the +name written on the title page. Its effect upon him was like a charge of +electricity. + +"David Beverley," he gasped. "David Beverley! Lorna! Great Heavens! By +all that's sacred, where did you get this?" + +[Illustration: "'BY ALL THAT'S SACRED, WHERE DID YOU GET THIS BOOK?'" + +--_Page 304_] + +"Why, Dad! What's the matter? Irene lent me the book. It belongs to her +father." + +"Her father! You don't mean to tell me your friend's father is David +Beverley?" + +"Why not, Dad," whispered Lorna, looking with apprehension into his +haggard, excited face. + +She guessed even before he spoke what the answer was going to be. + +"David Beverley is the man who ruined my life!" + +The blow which had fallen was utterly overwhelming. For a moment Lorna +fought against the knowledge like a drowning man battling with the +waters. + +"Oh, Dad! Surely there's some mistake. It _can't_ be! Isn't it some +other Beverley perhaps?" + +"I know his writing only too well. There's no possibility of a mistake. +Besides, I saw him in Naples--at the end of February. I haven't +forgotten the shock it gave me. Why," turning almost fiercely upon +Lorna, "didn't you tell me your schoolfellow's name before? Have you all +this time been making friends with your father's enemy?" + +"I thought I'd often talked about Renie," faltered poor Lorna. "Perhaps +I never mentioned her surname. Oh, Dad! Dad! Is it really true? It's too +horrible to be believed." + +Lying in the soft Capri grass, with the pink cistus flowers brushing +her hot cheeks, Lorna raged impotently against the tragedy of a fate +which was changing the dearest friendship of her life into a feud. +Irene!--the only one at school who had sympathized and understood her, +who had behaved with a delicacy and kindness such as no other person had +ever shown her, who had taken her into her home circle and given her the +happiest time she had ever had in her shadowed girlhood; Irene with her +merry gray eyes and her bright sunny hair, the very incarnation of +warm-hearted genuine affection--Irene, her roommate, her buddy, her +chosen confidante. How was it possible ever to regard her as an enemy? +Yet had she not vowed a solemn oath to hate all belonging to the man who +had so desperately injured them? Oh! The world seemed turning upside +down. Loyalty to her father and love for her friend dragged different +ways, and in the bitter conflict her heart was torn in two. + +Mr. Carson, haunted to the verge of insanity by the terror of discovery, +was now obsessed with the one idea of escape from Mr. Beverley. He no +longer felt safe on the island. Any moment he dreaded to meet faces that +would betray recognition of his past. The calm and content of his visit +were utterly shattered, and a sudden violent impulse urged him to return +to Naples. + +"Capri is not large enough to hold myself and David Beverley," he +declared. "We'll go back by the night boat, Lorna. Meantime we'll borrow +Signor Verdi's skiff and paddle about among the rocks. I feel easier on +water than on land. I like the sense of a space of ocean round me. You +can't suddenly meet a man when you've plenty of sea-room, can you?" + +"No, no, Dad!" said Lorna, trying to soothe him. "We can walk down the +steps to the cove and get the skiff, and be quite away from everybody +once we are on the sea." + +She was ready to humor his every whim, for in the blackness of her +trouble nothing seemed at present to really matter. The whirling eddies +of her thoughts rushed through her brain in a perpetual series of +questions and answers. Must hate strike the death knell of love? Surely +the only thing to do with an injury is to forgive it. Would revenge wipe +out the wrong or in any way solve anything? No, there would only be one +more wrong done in the world, to go on in ever-widening circles of +hatred and misery. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost, and +"getting even" may bring its own punishment. + +"Our only chance is to go away and start afresh in a new country," she +sobbed. "At the other side of the Pacific we might forget--but no! +Renie! Renie! If I go to the back of beyond I shan't forget you, and all +you've been to me. The memory of you, darling, will last until the end +of my life." + +Mr. Carson found Signor Verdi working in his allotment, obtained leave +from him to use the skiff, and climbing down the flight of steep steps +cut in the rock, reached the cove where the boat was beached on the +shingle. He had been an expert oarsman from his college days, and +understood Neapolitan waters, so in a short time he and Lorna were +skimming gently over the surface of the blue sea, keeping well away from +rocks and out of currents, but within reasonable distance of the land. +Sometimes they rowed and sometimes they drifted, hardly caring in what +direction they steered so long as they circled round the island. Their +only object was to stop out on the sea, and, as they had brought a +picnic basket with them, there was nothing to urge their return until +sunset. In the course of the afternoon they had coasted below Monte +Solaro, and found themselves approaching the entrance that led to the +Blue Grotto. In the mornings, when the steamer brought its crowd of +tourists, there was generally quite a little fleet of skiffs to be seen +here, but now, with the exception of a solitary boat, the famous cavern +was deserted. To avoid passing too near to even this one craft Mr. +Carson steered away from the shore, but turned his head in +consternation, for loud and unmistakable cries of "help" were ringing +over the water, and the occupants, frantically waving handkerchiefs, +were evidently doing their utmost to attract his attention. Common +humanity demanded that he must at least go and see what was the matter, +so he reluctantly altered his course. + +In a boat close to the entrance of the grotto were several young people, +and Lorna instantly recognized Angus, Stewart, Jess, Michael, and +Peachy. They appeared in much anxiety, and directly they were within +hailing distance they called out their news: + +"Mr. Beverley and Vincent and Irene have gone inside the grotto, and +they don't seem able to get out again. We can hear them shouting for +help." + +The party, in their British imprudence, had not brought a boatman, and +they were uncertain what to do. Their own barque was too large to go +through the narrow opening into the cavern, and they looked hopefully at +Mr. Carson's little skiff. + +"We don't know what's happened," gulped Jess. + +"They went in to explore the Roman passage." + +"Just by themselves." + +"They've been gone such a long time," volunteered the others. + +"Listen," said Peachy. + +For from out the low entrance of the grotto floated a faint far-off +echoing ghost of a shout. + +Lorna glanced imploringly at her father. He did not hesitate for a +moment. The man who had injured him was inside the cavern, perhaps in +deadly danger, and he was going to risk his own life and his daughter's +to save him. And risk there undoubtedly was. A breeze had arisen and +agitated the surface of the water, so that the ingress was smaller than +ever and more difficult to compass. When waves lashed the tideless +Mediterranean even the Capri fishermen shunned entering the grotto, for +they knew its perils only too well. Telling Lorna to lie flat on her +back Mr. Carson took the same position, and with infinite difficulty +managed to maneuver the skiff into the rocky entrance. There was barely +room, for each wave bumped it against the roof, but by clinging to the +chain he worked his way along and shot through into the lake within. On +the right of the cavern three figures, holding a light, stood on a kind +of landing-place, while a skiff drifting far off in the shadows told its +own tale. + +Mr. Carson rowed at once to retrieve the truant boat, and towed it back +to its owners. + +"We thought we had tied it securely," explained Mr. Beverley. "We were +utterly aghast when we came back and found it had drifted. It would have +been a horrible experience to stay here all night. If the sea rose we +might even have been imprisoned for days. We were fools to come, but I +didn't realize the danger." + +"The sea is much rougher already," said Mr. Carson. "It'll be a ticklish +matter to get out again, and the sooner we do it the better. Will you go +first and I'll follow on after?" + +"It's like you, Lorna, to come to rescue us. I always called you my good +angel," choked Irene, as she entered the skiff. "I thought just now I +was never going to see you again in this world. Let's get out of this +horrible place as fast as we can. It's like Dante's Inferno. I've never +been so frightened in all my life." + +One after the other the two skiffs started on their risky exit from the +grotto, scraping and bumping against the roof with the water on a level +with the gunwale; one wave indeed overflowed and soused them, but the +next moment they sighted the sky and grazing through the entrance they +gained the open water. + +It was only when, in the clear afternoon daylight he turned to thank his +rescuer that a flash of recognition flooded Mr. Beverley's face. + +"Cedric Houghten! You! You!" he stammered, as if almost disbelieving the +evidence of his own eyes. + +"Yes, it is I; but having seen me, forget me," returned Mr. Carson, his +dark face flushed and his hand on the oar. "It's the one favor you can +do me for saving you. Let me vanish as I came, and don't try to follow +me. I only hope we may never cross each other's paths again." + +"Cedric! Come back!" yelled Mr. Beverley, as the skiff shot away. "Man +alive! We've been searching for you for years. Don't you know that we've +proved your innocence! Come back, I say, and let me tell you." + + * * * * * + +It was late that evening, after a very long talk with Mr. Beverley, that +Lorna's father explained to her the circumstances that had cleared his +name. + +"David had no more embezzled the money than I, and, thank God, he has +no idea I ever distrusted him. When a further sum went, Mr. Fenton set a +trap, and discovered to his infinite grief that it was his own son who +had been robbing the firm. It practically broke him, and he has retired +from all active share in the business now. They packed young Fenton off +to New Zealand to try farming instead of finance, but he's not doing any +good there. Mr. Fenton, it seems, was most anxious to find me and right +the injustice done me, but I had hidden myself so well under an assumed +name in Naples that it was impossible for them to trace me. They +advertised in the Agony column of _The Times_, but I avoided English +papers, so never saw the advertisements. My efforts to escape notice +were only too successful, and, although I didn't know it, I was actually +defeating my own ends by my caution. If, as I intended, I had started +for a new continent, I might so completely have broken all links with my +old life that I might have gone to my grave in ignorance that my +innocence was proved. It was only the marvelous chance of this +afternoon's meeting that cleared up the tangle. I can look the world in +the face again, now, and not fear the sight of an Englishman. Oh, the +joy of having got one's honor back untarnished! Next best to that is to +know it was not my friend who had wronged me. The belief in his +treachery was half the bitterness of those dreadful years. Capri has +been a fortunate island for us, Lorna. It's truly called the 'Mascot of +Naples,' and I shall love it to the end of my days. I can take my old +name again now and be proud of it. You're Lorna Houghten in future, not +Lorna Carson. What a triumph to write to our relations and tell them the +glorious news. I feel like a man let loose from slavery." + +To Lorna also this happy consummation of all their troubles seemed a +relief almost too great for expression. That Irene, her own Renie, +should be the daughter of her father's favorite friend, and therefore a +hereditary as well as a chosen chum, was a special delight, for it +welded the links that bound them together. The future shone rosy, and +she felt that wherever her life might be cast the Beverleys would always +remain part and parcel of it. Perhaps the triumph she appreciated most +of all was the introduction of her father to the Cameron Clan. No more +hiding in out-of-the-way corners and avoiding the very sound of a +British voice; henceforth they might hold up their heads with the rest +and take again their true position. She was proud of her father: now +that the black cloak of despair had dropped away from him, his old +happier nature shone out and he seemed suddenly ten years younger. To +present him into the intimate circle of her friends realized her dearest +wish. + +"It's been a wonderful week-end," said Peachy, standing with her girl +friends on the quay to wave good-by to the Monday morning steamer that +bore some of their relations back to Naples and business. "Here's Lorna +with a new name, and Renie with a fresh cousin. Haven't you heard? Why, +Captain Preston popped the question last night, and he and Marjorie +announced their engagement at the breakfast table. Not the most romantic +place to glean up congratulations, but, of course, that's just as you +think about it. When _I_ get engaged it shall be announced by moonlight, +so that I can hide my blushes. I don't ever want the holidays to end. +Capri's the dandiest place in Italy, and if Dad doesn't buy a villa here +I'll never forgive him. You want one too, Lorna? Hooray! We'll make a +Colony of Camellia Buds on the little island and spend the summer here. +We may be globe-trotters and all the rest of it, but I vote we get up a +good old Anglo-Saxon League and stick together for better or for worse. +I'll buy a Union Jack to-day if the Cameron Clan will promise to wave +the Stars and Stripes, and sing 'Yankee Doodle' with 'Auld Lang Syne.'" + +"We've welded America already into the clan, dear bairn," smiled Mrs. +Cameron. "No other visitor keeps us alive like you do." + +"Pronounce thy wishes, O Peach of the West," laughed Stewart. "We +rechristen thee Queen of the South." + +"Then I summon you all some day to come back to this, my kingdom by the +sea. School is school and I've got to have another term there, but I +want to feel this happy island is waiting for us to return to it. You +promise? Thanks! Here's a new version then of the old song--composed by +Miss Priscilla Proctor, please! + + 'Should auld adventures be forgot + And ne'er provoke a smile? + Should auld adventures be forgot + Upon this happy isle? + For auld lang syne, my dears, for auld lang syne, + We'll all return to Capri's shore for auld lang syne.' + +H'm--a poor thing, but mine own!" + +"There are two of us at any rate who won't forget to come back," said +Lorna, linking her arm fondly in Irene's as they walked away from the +quay. + + +THE END. + + + + * * * * * + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + + Page 63, "gardner" changed to "gardener". (Paolo, the gardener) + + Page 260, "loose" changed to "lose". (to lose sight) + + One instance each of A-1 and A1, and cooee and coo-e-e were retained. + + Two instances each of Cartmel and Cartmell were retained. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JOLLIEST SCHOOL OF ALL*** + + +******* This file should be named 20163.txt or 20163.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/1/6/20163 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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